Citizens for Hermann

06/26/2024

ROSEBUD — The controversial proposal for apartment units on land near the See Tal Estates lake dam in Hermann has drawn the interest of Gasconade County’s emergency planner. County …

06/19/2024

In 1990, Hermann had 2,800 citizens. That's 700 more than today. We have space for people, so let's revitalize what we already have. Citizens have had great ideas about how to revitalize the town in the existing infrastructure. Here are a bunch of them. Please keep the ideas coming!

Rehab and adaptive reuse:
o Support utilization of the space of Bohls Trailer Park
o Convert the old high school into apartments
o Revitalize the trailer park by Hermann Vet
o Return a portion of owner unoccupied B&B’s to residential use.
o The yellow building on Jefferson is scheduled to be rehabbed with 30 + one to three bedroom apartments

Incentives:
o Create and utilize existing economic incentive programs such as grants, low-interest loans, or tax abatement for rehabilitation of existing properties
o Partner with financial institutions to support first-time home buyers with programs such as down payment assistance and mortgage programs
o Create financial incentive programs that encourage short-term rental owners to convert properties to long-term rentals or sell to homeowners

Zoning:
o Reconsider zoning regulations such as the one-car-per-bedroom requirement in R-3, allowing more apartments where off-street parking is scarce.
o Rezone some areas of R-1 to R-2 to allow duplexes.
o Allow accessory dwellings (small, self-contained residential units located on the same lot as a single-family home such as garage apartments or backyard cottages).

Honoring the past and protecting the future

06/13/2024

Mark your calendar

We want to recognize and thank our sponsors and supporters for this year's FreedomFest celebration. We still have room for you on our sponsor list!! Let's fill the bridge with flags!! We need a sponsor for our free concert at $800!

Our co-sponsors are City of Hermann, Missouri, First State Community Bank, Concert Hall and Barrel Tavern, Hermann Lumber & New Haven Lumber, United Country Lakes & Land Realty/Auction, Peoples Savings Bank.

Sponsors at other levels - Labby's Homestead Lodging, Little Homesteaders Childcare & Preschool, Hermann Brush & Palette Club, Callabyte Technology, Hogshead Lounge, White House Hotel, The Vine Boutique & Guest Suites, Brian Grannemann Services Inc, Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners - Hermann, Stacey & Jordan Lampkin, Gasconade Insurance Co., Kallmeyer Bros Enterprises, The Missouri Bank, Hermann Ford-Hermann, MO, Grannemann's Sales and Service, Gleeson Landscaping, Espresso Laine Hermann Missouri, The Blank Canvas Gallery & Studio, Fernweh Distilling Co., Stone Haus Bed & Breakfast, Berlener Health Mart Pharmacy, Strassner Furniture and America's Mattress Gallery, The Hermann Werks, Hermannhof Winery, Tin Tin Mill Brewing Company, tin Tin Mill Restaurant, The Inn at Hermannhof, Hermann area Hermann Area District Hospital, Stomp’n Grounds Espresso Bar, Raylene S Hollrah - American Family Insurance, Stone Hill Winery, Calvin's 1836 Root Beer 1836rootbeer.com, Hermann Crown Suites.

Our buntings sponsors are: Brush & Palette Club, Sugar Momma's, Eikermann & Associates, LLC, Shirley Viola, Hermann Ford-Hermann, MO

06/09/2024

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2024/5/6/how-to-start-strengthening-your-town-with-incremental-development?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR08NM4iN3jFzrcXOnj0pJjOsl0G_WNUYKRo52_9LgFMgt83C3v-MfnnTPM_aem_AdrxkUwX4GTHQQx2VqQXfqfduNcoieWsEf4lclmNjY12pf5A3WIvZjZ9pJNhY-uoV-FaQ27r0eyOOcw2yHYHs7EO
Hermann once held 2,700 people and now has only 2,100. "Thickening" is adding housing into the existing infrastructure of town, including revitalizing housing that's not in use. Hermann has many opportunities to do this and revive and beautify the town in the process.

Incremental development is a low-risk, high-reward method of building a strong town. Here’s some do’s and don’ts to get you started.

06/07/2024

Tonight!

Come and meet Beauty before the show tonight! From 5:30-6:30, we have a princess in our lobby ready to say hello!

Afterwards, don't miss The House of Branching Paths live show, a retelling of Andrew Lang's Beauty and the Beast. Show starts at 7 PM!

06/07/2024

Teens, unleash your artistic flair with our World Map watercolor workshop! Explore color blending and transitions in the colorful, fun tutorial. Limited to 12 attendees. To RSVP, call 573-486-2024, stop by the branch, or register online at bit.ly/3X8MeiX.

06/07/2024

The Importance of Safe, Affordable Housing: Protecting Low-Income Communities

Safe and affordable housing is a fundamental necessity, yet it remains elusive for many, especially those in low-income brackets. The lack of access to secure and affordable housing has far-reaching implications for the health, safety, and overall well-being of individuals and communities.

Safe housing means more than just having a roof over one’s head. It encompasses the structural integrity of the building, the safety of the surrounding environment, and the ability to withstand natural disasters and other emergencies.

Low-income families are disproportionately placed in harm’s way due to inequalities in housing practices. They are more likely to live in high-risk areas prone to natural disasters, such as flood zones or other areas that pose environmental hazards. This increased exposure to risk not only endangers their health and safety but also exacerbates economic and social inequalities

Studies have shown that low-income communities are often located in areas that are more vulnerable to natural disasters

We, Citizens of Hermann do not want to be another community which places our lower-income neighbors in harm’s way. FEMA recommends against building in a dam inundation zone, other states have laws against it.

Join us in looking for better solutions that honor the new families we hope to welcome to Hermann.

06/06/2024

TRUE CONFESSION ABOUT DEUTSCHEIM STATE HISTORIC SITE

Shortly after moving to Hermann in April of 2021, on one of the most beautiful mornings you can experience in Missouri, some friends our ours who were visiting us from Kansas City booked a 10am to noon tour at the Deutscheim State Historic Site. I had 100 items on my “Things To Do Today” list that I’d rather be doing than listening to a Park Ranger give us a “yatta-yatta” talk amidst a few glass cases of artifacts.

As the time to start the tour was approaching, a young man dressed in full “Smokey The Bear” wardrobe entered the room. I immediately thought, “can this get any cheesier?” Let me state clearly ….. that by 10:05 I was completely blown away by the conduct, information and respect for the history of our town, and nation, that this young man was pouring out on our group. By the end of the tour I was looking for a rock to hide my arrogance and ignorance. I opened my billfold and pulled out my drivers license and told my wife, “Heidi, if I’m going to carry this document that verifies that I am from HERMANN, Missouri, I better man up and live up to its legacy!”

What followed was nearly as much of an eye opener as the tour. I’m my exuberance I started asking locals, “how about that Deutscheim State Historic Park tour….. WOW… especially the German printing press that sounded the alarm of resistance during the Civil War?” To my utter amazement most had never been through the exhibition, or, at best, had not been through since a grade school field trip.

Citizens of Hermann, I encourage you to roll up your sleeves and inform yourself with the history of this town. These founders sacrificed to keep Hermann free of what they had left. Forsaking family, friends and property was no light task at a time with no cell phones, FaceTime, Zoom, etc. A stamped letter might take six months to be delivered, if ever at all.

With the intense and rapid velocity of political, financial and cultural chaos festering inside the borders of our great Republic, may I suggest that each one of us should equip ourselves with the knowledge and wisdom to push back against the decaying values that once encroached on the doorsteps of the forefathers of their embryonic Hermann.

Block off a couple of hours and drink in more than the abundance of wines in our area and fill your heart with the history that makes great citizens thrive in a great country. Freedom always has a price!

Thank you Hermann for providing this treasured asset.

Paul Clark

06/06/2024

Here are just a few of the comments we've gotten on the petition asking Hermann to stop moving forward with high density housing and engage the community in a discussion about growth.

"Hermann should focus on continuing to be a historical, safe, and family-friendly town. They need to focus on providing housing and attractions geared toward families, instead of apartments for individuals."
"I don’t think Hermann needs apartments. Build in another town. This is a tourist town and this will bring crime. I moved here because of the low crime."
"I do not support this artificial growth. I say no to increased crime, increased taxes and socialist agendas."
"You should listen to the residents of Hermann and respect our wishes as we have outlined them clearly to you."
"Before we build more we should take care of what we have."
"Wrong and dangerous location!"
Be sure to sign the petition if you believe high-density apartments are the wrong choice for Hermann right now.
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/protect-hermann

We are asking the City of Hermann to stop the proposed build of high density housing under See Tal dam, and to include citizens in a dialogue about growth in Hermann.

06/05/2024

For all those wondering how many apartments are being built beneath the dam in Hermann?

These are conceptual plans;
4 x 12 unit townhouse style apartments
3 x 24 units 3 stories high

The plan is to start with 10 units; this was originally 12 units as shown on plan.

When building housing, it's crucial to consider the safety and suitability of the location. Building beneath a dam raises significant concerns about the potential risks and compromises associated with such a site. Furthermore, concentrating all housing in close quarters creates high-density living conditions, which is not desirable in our small town.

Our belief is in thoughtful development. Rather than stacking housing units in 11 acres beneath a dam, we advocate for building appropriately across a variety of locations in Hermann. This approach not only ensures safer living environment but also promotes community resilience.

Let's prioritize smart planning that respects both safety and diversity in housing development.