Dr. Charles DCamp served as the original band director at the new Pleasant Valley High School when it opened in the 60s and went on to teach and conduct at St. Ambrose University and lead various community bands including the Quad City Wind Ensemble and our favorite, The DCamp Family Band (not to be confused with Sgt. Peppers and his Lonely Hearts Club Band). Dr. DCamp also served the City of Riverdale as a member of its volunteer fire department and long-time resident (25 years).

February 16th marked Dr. DCamp’s 90th birthday.

And so, in recognition of Dr. DCamp’s various contributions to the welfare of the communities he’s served, Wednesday, February 16, 2022, has been named Dr. Charles DCamp Day in Riverdale by proclamation issued by Mayor Anthony Heddlesten.

Dr. Charles DCamp Day Mayoral Proclamation

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The Proclamation

Whereas, Dr. Charles DCamp was a resident of Riverdale from 1965 to 1990.

Whereas, Dr. DCamp was an instrumental music instructor for Riverdale’s own Pleasant Valley Community School District from 1963 to 1974.”

Whereas, Dr. DCamp was a long-time member of the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department.

Whereas, Dr. DCamp went on to serve as director of bands for St. Ambrose University and is listed as Professor Emeritus and Director Emeritus of Bands after serving the University for over 30 years.”

Whereas, Dr. DCamp, alongside his family, recently celebrated his milestone 90th birthday at Riverdale City Hall.”

Therefore, be it resolved, that I, Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of the City of Riverdale, Iowa, do hereby proclaim February 16th, 2022

Dr. Charles DCamp Day

And encourage all residents, staff, and visitors to our community to join me in wishing Dr. DCamp a happy birthday, a thank you for his years of service to our community and the greater Quad City region, and our best wishes on many more birthdays to come.

Mayor Anthony Heddlesten reminded Riverdale residents that this February 10th marked the 69th anniversary of the court decision that reaffirmed Riverdale’s right to exist, independent of Bettendorf. The legal battle stretches back into the 1940s when the City of Bettendorf first tried to annex more land in the Pleasant Valley Township.

Eventually, the Mayor of Bettendorf filed suite against the Town of Riverdale in an attempt to invalidate the smaller city’s rights and acquire the community’s property, including the ALCOA Davenport Works which enjoyed lower property taxes because of its location within the city limits of Riverdale (and not Bettendorf).

At Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting, Mayor Anthony Heddlesten officially proclaimed Thursday, February 10, 2022 Riverdale Independence Day in the City of Riverdale, Iowa.

Riverdale Independence Day Proclamation – February 10, 2022

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The Quad Cities launched it’s “That’s Where” campaign on October 21, 2021 – and with it, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce called on local businesses and communities to work together to share the good news about the region’s quality of life, resources and opportunities. 

According to the Chamber’s website:

Where exactly is the QC?

It’s long been a thorny question. But this campaign finally answers that question and uses the opportunity to entice newcomers with facts about our family of communities. It’s meant to inspire a mindset and way of talking that creates an emotional connection with the audience. This brand’s essence is designed to spark curiosity and pride in the accomplishments of the QC.

The launch of “QC, That’s Where!” – a bold new brand and marketing campaign – will generate awareness by cutting through the clutter and grabbing the attention of potential visitors, investors, new talent and residents – all while putting the region firmly on the map.

And now Riverdale will step up and do its part to help put the Quad Cities on the map. On Tuesday, February 1, 2022, Mayor Anthony Heddlesten officially named February as #RiverdaleThatsWhere month with an official, mayoral proclamation.

#RiverdaleThatsWhere Month Proclamation for February 1, 2022

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The Proclamation

Whereas, the greater Quad City community is currently engaged in a marketing campaign with the hashtag “#QCThatsWhere”.​

Whereas, Riverdale is a vibrant and important element in the Quad City region, being home to the nation’s largest aluminum rolling mill, the high school and district offices of one of Iowa’s top school districts, historic landmarks, excellent parks, beautiful homes, and a regional community college.

Whereas, we want to celebrate Riverdale in a manner supportive of the greater Quad Cities

Whereas, Riverdale will celebrate its 69^th anniversary as an Iowa City in February 2022

Therefore, be it resolved, that I, Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of the City of Riverdale, Iowa, do hereby proclaim February, 2022

#RiverdaleThatsWhere Month

and encourage all residents, staff, and visitors to our community to celebrate their favorite and most unique parts of our community by sharing them via social media with the hashtags #RiverdaleThatsWhere for our community and #QCThatsWhere for our greater region.

Scott County is one of the first territories settled west of the Mississippi River and the valley where Riverdale lies was considered a prime spot for farmers and others looking to locate near the river in the mid-1800s. In fact, the area was described in the nineteenth century as having a “natural beauty … that once seen, can never be forgotten.”

No wonder it was called “Pleasant Valley.”

In the 1830s, the area saw Scott County’s first distillery, school, grist mill and saw mill. And by January of 1846, the Scott County Board had formalized the boundaries of a community known ever since as the Pleasant Valley Township.

On Monday, January 31, 2022, Mayor Anthony Heddlesten officially proclaimed the day to be Pleasant Valley Township Day in the City of Riverdale, Iowa.

Pleasant Valley Township Day Proclamation – January 31, 2022

Smith’s Island

Map of the old Pleasant Valley Township

 

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The Proclamation

Whereas, the City of Riverdale has always resided within portions or all of sections 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, and 35 Pleasant Valley Township, Scott County, Iowa​

Whereas, Willard Barrows, in 1860, described Pleasant Valley Township as “gently sloping bluffs…for several miles, sometimes approaching then receding from the river forming at times landscape views of unsurpassed beauty…one of the most lovely rural scenes on the Upper Mississippi.”

Whereas, in the 1882 book, History of Scott County, Iowa, Pleasant Valley Township is described as “natural beauty of that portion of Scott County…that once seen can never be forgotten.”

Whereas, Pleasant Valley Township was home to the County’s first distillery (1839), first school (1835), first grist-mill (1835), and first saw mill (1835)

Whereas, in the January 1846 Scott County Board meeting the Pleasant Valley Precinct became a formal Township following the lines previously established for Pleasant Valley Precinct.

Therefore, be it resolved, that I, Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of the City of Riverdale, Iowa, do hereby proclaim January 31, 2022

Pleasant Valley Township Day

and encourage all residents, staff, and visitors to our community to enjoy the unsurpassed and natural beauty that has encompassed our community and all of Pleasant Valley Township for the past 176 years.

Mayoral Proclamation MLK Jr DayAfter years of campaigning by activists, members of Congress and Coretta Scott King, among others, in 1983 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a U.S. federal holiday in honor of King. Observed on the third Monday of January, Martin Luther King Day was first celebrated in 1986.

On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, Mayor Anthony Heddlesten officially recognized MLK Day within the City of Riverdale with an official, mayoral proclamation.

Martin Luther King Day Proclamation for January 17, 2022

The Proclamation

Whereas, the struggle for freedom and equality has deep roots in the Quad City community, from the 1857 Dred Scott decision to the current social justice movement and countless events and contributions in between.

Whereas, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. contributed significantly to the identity and culture of our great nation through his contributions towards creating a more just and equitable world for all.”

Whereas, Dr. King’s vision of America is still an important and laudable dream to strive for.

Whereas, the 1994 King Holiday and Service Act (Act) charges all Americans to honor the birthday of Dr. King by engaging in “activities reflecting the life and teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr., such as cooperation and understanding among racial and ethnic groups, nonviolent conflict resolution, equal economic and educational opportunities, and social justice.”

Whereas, inscribed in Washington, DC on his memorial and in his own words, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Whereas,all residents, visitors, and employees of the City of Riverdale are encouraged to, in the honor of Dr. King, and spirit of the Act, engage in activities as they best see fit to move our community, our State, and our Nation towards these laudable ideals that Dr. King espoused, affecting all people in a positive manner.

Therefore, be it resolved, that I, Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of the City of Riverdale, Iowa, do hereby proclaim January 17th, 2022

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

as a Day of Service in Riverdale, and call upon the people of our community to pay tribute to the life and works of Dr. King not only on this day, but throughout the entire year.

On January 4, 2022, long-time Riverdale resident, Ava Griswold McFarlin died peacefully at her home. Ava and her first husband, Paul Griswold, married in 1942 and raised six children – many of whom grew up in Riverdale and attended Pleasant Valley Schools. One of those children, Mark Griswold, attended the meeting of the Riverdale City Council on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, and received a mayoral proclamation honoring Ava and her long residency in the City from Mayor Anthony Heddlesten.

Mayoral Proclamation – Ava McFarlin Day

The Proclamation

Whereas, the City of Riverdale lost a long-time resident and friend to all of Riverdale on 4 January 2022.

Whereas, Ava, in her own words, said, “you can only live so long and I want to do it my way.”

Whereas, Ava had a great sense of humor, a sharp tongue, and loved to embellish any truths to her advantage.

Whereas, Ava was a nurse by vocation, having received a diploma from the Jane Lamb Hospital in Clinton, Iowa; put those skills to work for family, friends, and neighbors; and could always be counted on for being prepared and giving advice.

Whereas, Ava had a tremendous amount of energy all through her life and loved shopping for clothes, collecting tchotchkes, entertaining friends and social groups, and had a very independent spirit.

Whereas, Ava raised six children, had 23 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and a couple of grand dogs, some of whom can be found right here in Riverdale. (along with lifelong friend and neighbor, Teri Stickler)

Whereas, Ava was active in her community in groups such as the League of Women Voters, the Bettendorf Presbyterian Church, the YMCA, the Quad City Hiking Club, and as a hospice and mental health volunteer.

Therefore, be it resolved, that I, Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of the City of Riverdale, Iowa, do hereby proclaim January 4th, 2022

Ava June Irwin Griswold McFarlin Day in Riverdale, Iowa.

The Coronavirus pandemic has hit the United States hard and the Quad Cities has seen its share of infection, sickness and death. By the end of the first week in January, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported Scott County saw an increase of 257.6 cases/day of new COVID-19 infections since Dec. 27. Scott County’s total number of cases since the start of the pandemic jumped to 34,626.

The Iowa Department of Public Health released one more troubling COVID-19 statistic — Scott County’s positivity rate stood at 27% Wednesday.

Here in Riverdale, we’ve had residents suffer with COVID infections and we’ve had some residents succumb to illness. That’s why, in the interest of public education and awareness, Mayor Anthony Heddlesten issued the following Mayoral Proclamation at the first meeting of the Riverdale City Council on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.

Mayoral Proclamation Designating January 12 as COVID-19 Awareness Day in Riverdale

The Proclamation

Whereas, COVID-19 cases are increasing significantly within our region.

Whereas, the Scott County Health Department encourages masking when in indoor spaces, social distancing, getting vaccinated, and getting boosted, if eligible.

Whereas, more information on COVID-19 safety is available from the Scott County Health Department’s COVID-19 website at the following link: https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/health/covid19

Whereas, vaccines can be found near our community by visiting the website: https://www.vaccines.gov/ or by calling 1-800-232-0233.

Whereas, indoor mask wearing is encouraged in areas of “High” or “Substantial” community transmission as defined on the CDC’s website located here: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view

Therefore, be it resolved, that I, Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of the City of Riverdale, Iowa, do hereby proclaim January 12th, 2022

COVID-19 AWARENESS DAY

In the City of Riverdale, Iowa and call upon the people of the community and City staff to review the information provided by our County and National medical experts, consult with their own personal physicians, and do all they can to help reduce community transmission and save lives.