This letter is in response to Virginia Barnhart’s letter on Tuesday, 7/15/2008, wondering if Ottumwa still had a welcome program for new residents.

Yes, Welcome To Ottumwa is alive and well, and I am the current representative for this business. I try to reach as many newcomers as possible with a welcome packet of maps, information about our community and a variety of free coupons from area businesses. However, finding new residents is not always easy as privacy laws have dried up many previous sources of names of new movers.

So please help! If you are new or know of someone who has moved here recently (or moved back after being away for several years), give me a call at (641) 682-4380 or (641) 799-6790. Also, if you are a business owner or manager interested in hearing more about this program, call me for more information.

Ottumwa is a great place to live, work and shop. I am excited to be able to pass that message on to our new Ottumwa area residents.

Denise Rabbass

Welcome To Ottumwa

(I live in Wapello County and have been in the Ottumwa area for 27 years. For reasons beyond my control, the mail comes to us on our gravel road from the Bloomfield post office. Hence the Bloomfield address. Just wanted to clear up any question one might have about my being a local resident.)