New members joining commissionMatt Ruff is one of the new members who will be joining the Mount Vernon Historic Preservartion Commission, pending council approval. Ruff has worked as Linn County Building inspector and is enthusiastic to join the commission.
Downtown business owner Sherry Brayton is also looking to join the commission. Brayton, who owns a business in the downtown, does not reside in Mount Vernon, and the commission and city were looking to address that matter in language denoting commissioners.
Jay West has joined the commission recently. They currently work at Infomatics in Cedar Rapids.
“If I had followed my childhood dreams, I’d have been Indiana Jones,” West said. “I completed a degree in architectural history.”
West had previously used that architectural history degree in work in set design for theatres, and they were good friends with the late Leah Rogers. They have resided in Mount Vernon for more than 12 years.
The new members, if approved, will bring the commission to 12 total members.
Map work has higher cost The map work for the historic district was estimated at roughly $2,000, as opposed to the $1,000 chair Suzette Astley had reported at a previous meeting.
The commission voted to approve the work to move forward and try to get payment for the work to straddle two budgets.
Site field visit for cemetery possible The Mount Vernon cemetery has applied for a potential field survey from the State Historical Society. Commissioner Mary Evans said the field survey is a step to get the cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Evans said that getting the cemetery listed on the register is a long shot, but is hoping those who review the application give the cemetery a shot.
Evans said five of the men who designed Cornell College are buried in the cemetery, as well as several other people of note. The commission will find out in coming months if a field survey will be concluded.