New Montezuma cart making watering duties easier

​    If you’ve been driving through Montezuma anytime lately, you might have noticed a volunteer perched on a blue and white motorized cart with a large tank bolted to the back watering flowers around the square and at city hall. The new watering cart, which was purchased by the city earlier this summer from Hupp Toyotalift for about $12,000, was made possible thanks to the generosity of both monetary and in-kind donations from area businesses and individuals.
    Donations came from ASI, City of Montezuma, DeJong Manufacturing, Lyle Roorda, Montezuma Community Boosters, Montezuma Community Development, Montezuma Light & Power, Three Sisters Fabrics and Travis Johannas. Several modifications were made to the new cart, which was put into service in July. Those helping with watering of flowers include: Alexa Jack, Vince Johnson, Doug Ver Meer, Lyle Roorda, Dave Elbert, Dean and Joy Hubbard, city office staff, Tabitha Sinclair, Dennis and Vera Latcham and Don and Janice Henry. The Montezuma FFA program also pitched in with watering duties on weekends during the summer months. There are 19 planters, 40 hanging baskets, six large flower pots and a flag pole flower bed that needs watered every day.
    “The new machine is so much easier to drive and makes going around the square much easier and plus it looks great,” said Deb Ver Meer, volunteer watering coordinator. “Thank you to all who helped plant (Gina Urfer, Susan Hutchison, Deb Iverson, Rick Iverson and the FFA growers) the flowers.”