Courthouse News........... 2 Calendar......................... 2 Society News................. 3 Legals............................. 4 TC Alumni..................4-5 Poster Winners............... 5 Sports..........................6-8
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Fremont-What Cheer Vine
Volume 35, Number 23 Thursday, June 6, 2013 $1 Single Copy
What Cheer Fire and Rescue members Travis Acord and Michael Armstrong attended the dedication of the Sergeant Eric J. Stein Memorial Bridge.
Tri-County Alumni Meet
The chairs were filled on both sides of the gymnasium at the 46thg annual meeting of the Tri-County Alumni. They traveled from all over to catch up with schoolmates. More photos on pages 4-5. Tri-County alumni photos courtesy of Jane Larson. Watch for Fremont and Delta alumni photos next week
Deputy Stein Honored with Bridge Dedication By Robin Handy, SNR Editor Driving around Iowa, whether for work or recreation, memorial bridges and roadways sprinkle the countryside. Such an idea crossed Bill Halleran’s mind while on a business trip — dedicate a bridge in memory of friend and colleague, Sergeant Eric Stein. The idea became a reality on a beautiful sunny morning last Saturday, June 1, as the bridge over the Cedar Creek, just one mile north of Highway 92 on Highway 21, (formerly #5414.1) was renamed the Sergeant Eric J. Stein Memorial Bridge in honor of the life and ultimate sacrifice he shared and gave for Keokuk County. In a small semi-private ceremony, law enforcement, fire and emergency medical personnel from several branches across Iowa came together with the Stein family to honor the memory of a fallen friend. The ceremony opened with the Linn County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard presenting the colors. Guest speakers included State of Iowa Fire Marshal, Ray Reynolds and Washington County Sheriff/ State of Iowa Sheriff’s and Deputy’s Association President, Jerry Dunbar. Keokuk County Sheriff’s Department deputies unveiled the signs. Aircare executed a fly-over and Taps was performed by four members (Karah Appleget, Sydney Davis, Brooke Schroeder and Sierra Davis) of the Sigourney High
TC Selects New Superintendent
Fremont Yard of the Week
The Yard of the Week is an honor given to various individuals each week through the summer months to show the communities appreciation for residents’ efforts in maintaining their yards and properties and helping make Fremont a great place to live. This week the award for Yard of the Week was bestowed on the property at 230 S. Miles St. It is the home of Mark Kime and Christina Garr-Kime. They have a very clever arrangement of water features in several locations both in the front and back yards. The Yard of the Week is sponsored by the Fremont Development Corporation with the selections being chosen by a committee from the group.
The Tri-County Community School Board is pleased to announce that, Dr. Alan Meyer, Ed.D. has been selected to lead the school district as Interim Superintendent for the 2013-2014 school year. Meyer, from Kirkville Iowa, comes highly recommended with 36 years of Iowa School Administration experience. He has a total of 38 years of experience in education. Dr. Meyer has served since 2003 as the Interim Superintendent on multi-year contracts for East Marshall Community School District. Previous to that, he served multiple years as the Superintendent in the following districts: EddyvilleBlakesburg, Schaller-Crestland and Stet R-XV School District. The Tri-County School Board utilized the search firm of McPherson and Jacobson from Omaha, Nebraska to accomplish the search for appropriate interim candidates, establish interviews and process the applicant’s references and credentials. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Meyer as the interim superintendent for next year. He was a strong candidate, has tremendous experience as a superintendent, and is one who we feel will meet the districts needs,” states Berdette Ogden, chairman of the board. Dr. Meyer will start the position effective July 1, 2013.
School Band under the direction of Jessica Meier. Sigourney Fire Chief/Keokuk County Ambulance EMT-Intermediate, Bill Halleran shared a few words in closing. Reynolds helped remind those present of the meaning behind the ceremony, “It’s because of what Sgt. Stein stood for — it was drawing his line in the sand.” “I didn’t know Eric personally, but I recently attended a seminar on what he went through on that day... he drew his line in the sand. In 26 years, I’ve seen a lot of peace officers, some were 8-5er’s and more weren’t. This [ceremony/dedication] doesn’t happen for those 8-5er’s, it’s for those like Eric... those who stand for something. Eric was not an 8-5er; he stood for something and this bridge stands the test of time for a person who stood for his community,” said Reynolds. Dunbar said, “I drive by here quite often, but now I will make the turn and drive over this bridge to remember Eric... this bridge will stand as a professional reminder to me to draw my line in the sand to stand firm and tall for everyone in our communities... we must always remember to keep vigilant, always keep family first and be sure to always come home at the end of duty.” Path to the Ceremony Renaming a bridge along a state highway doesn’t happen over night. Once the idea took root, Halleran approached friend, Senator Steve Sodders of Marshall County [Mar-
shalltown] for some guidance. The actual process came back pretty straight forward, but it took some legwork. Halleran worked with the Stein family, obtained State and County approval/support along with a “thumbs up” from the other law enforcement, fire and emergency medical personnel in Keokuk County to move forward with the project. Keokuk County Sheriff, Casey Hinnah and Dunbar worked closely with Halleran to create the program for the actual ceremony. Bridge Selection Why this bridge? “Selecting the bridge was the most difficult part of this,” said Halleran. He explained how most of the local bridges are already known for something or have longstanding names such as the ‘North Skunk.’ “We selected this bridge because it didn’t already have a name for itself,” Halleran added. The State DOT knew it as Bridge #5414.1, which stood for County 54/99 in the State of Iowa and it sits at mile marker 14.1 on Highway 21. It was Lonnie Stein, Eric’s father, who helped put the magic on the bridge choice, “If you stand a very tall ladder upright on the bridge, you would have a birds-eye view to the ole farmstead; it’s just about a mile northeast of the bridge. With the bridge so close to Eric’s farm, it seemed logical this should be his namesake.