Councilman Goodchild Voted Against Salary Increase
(Le Mars) — A clarification is needed from a story that KLEM reported from yesterday. We mentioned that the city council had discussed a proposal involving an increase of salaries for the council and for the mayor. The vote was four city council members voting in favor of the measure while one city council member voted against the measure. Voting in favor were Ken Nelson, Rex Knapp, Steve Wick, and after a moment of pause contemplating the vote, John Rexwinkel also voted in favor of the proposed salary increases. Voting against the measure was
Councilman Clark Goodchild. KLEM regrets any misunderstandings that may have occurred with the story.
City Council Approves Plan To Renovate Public Library
(Le Mars) — During Tuesday’s city council meeting, the city council approved a plan that is estimated to cost $700,000 to renovate the Le Mars Public Library.
City Administrator, Scott Langel says approximately $300,000 will be allocated for the actual brick and morter for the building, while $250,000 will be directed to the architecture firm, F-E-C of Sioux City, and the remaining amount will be used to purchase new furnishings, including shelving. Langel says there may be a
need to relocate the library on a temporary basis, while some of the construction is occurring. Langel thought the duration of time would be about four months. The council also approved hiring Ryan Wiltgen of Wiltgen Construction to serve as a project manager for the library renovation project.
Harris And Company Given Contract For Business Highway 75 Overlay Project
(Le Mars) — The city council approved the construction firm Harris and Company of Homer, Nebraska, to place an overlay
paving on Business Highway 75 at a total investment of $1.8 million dollars. The project is expected to get started in April. The city received a total of four different bids ranging from the accepted $1.8 million up to $2.5 million dollars.
Le Mars Middle School Teacher Honored By American Legion
(Le Mars) — A Le Mars Community Middle School teacher was given a surprise Wednesday when members of the American Legion Wasmer Post #241 presented a plaque of appreciation in his honor. 8th Grade Social Studies instructor Mark Vonnahme
says for several years around Veteran’s Day, he introduces his civics class to the Le Mars Veterans Memorial Park.
Vonnahme says, in general, his students are appreciative of the tour by the Veterans group, and they walk away with a better understanding of the Veterans
sacrifices to this nation.
Vonnahme says his students are shown the monuments on the grounds including the poem by Jim Rolfes, “Come Visit My Grave”.
The Le Mars Community teacher is appreciative of the recognition, but adds, its the Veterans that need to be thanked.
Neola City Clerk Pleads Guilty To Misappropriation Of Funds
NEOLA, Iowa (AP) – The former city clerk for Neola in southwest Iowa has pleaded guilty to misconduct after state officials found misspending or mishandling of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports 56-year-old Deb Schierbrock pleaded guilty Tuesday in Pottawattamie County court to three counts of non- felonious misconduct in office. She was given a suspended one-year jail sentence and three years’ probation.
An audit released in October 2015 showed Schierbrock had misappropriated more than $230,000 in city funds over a five-year period.
Schierbrock was fired in August 2013 after a city check written to pay for a firetruck bounced. State auditors found improper overtime payments and numerous checks written to Schierbrock, among other problems.
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