Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet Honors Wayne Marty
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet last evening at the Le Mars Convention Center. The evening’s festivities began with the announcement of the Le Mars Sesquicentennial Queen competition. 16 women of high school age competed for the title.
Dave Grosenheider served as the emcee. He began with the title of “Miss Congeniality.
As the community prepares for the Sesquicentennial celebration, the chamber chose the theme of “Reflections” having several large black and white photographs dating back to near the turn of the century showcasing downtown Le Mars. The audience also had the opportunity to view a film of early Le Mars with a sprinkling of today’s business leaders featured within the film with the nostalgic appearance. Several awards were given. The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce acknowledged the “Employee of the Month” recipients, as well as the honorees of the “Boss of the Quarter.”
Taking home the honors for the United Way Volunteer of the Year were Ben and Janelle Johnson.
Meanwhile, Brad Pick was selected as the Main Street Volunteer of the Year.
The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce announced the public safety entities consisting of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, the Le Mars Police Department, and the Le Mars Ambulance Services as this year’s recipient for “Business of the
Year.”
A former Westmar College professor, now a community volunteer, Dr. Wayne Marty was honored as the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce’s “Citizen of the Year.”
Incoming Chamber president, Rich Ziettlow made the announcement.
Ziettlow said of the evening’s honoree that he likes to tell stories.
Woodbury County Supervisor Announces Candidacy For Congress
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A second Republican has announced he’ll challenge embattled Iowa U.S. Rep. Steve King in the 2020 primary.
40-year-old Jeremy Taylor, a Woodbury County supervisor and former state legislator, announced his candidacy for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District in a news release Thursday.
Taylor touted his conservative record on abortion, gun rights and tax relief.
Earlier this month, another Republican – state Sen. Randy Feenstra – announced he’ll challenge the longtime GOP congressman. At least two other Republicans have indicated they might too.
King is known for his caustic comments about race and immigration.
He was stripped of his committee assignments and rebuked by the House in a 424-1 vote for recent comments about white supremacy.
—
Muscatine County Agrees To Pay $50,000 For Lawsuit Settlement Against County Attorney
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – An eastern Iowa county agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a civil rights lawsuit against its top prosecutor last month, days before he applied for a seat on the Iowa Supreme Court.
The payment settles a lawsuit filed against Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren over his two-year prosecution of West Liberty City Manager Chris Ward that an appeals court eventually found unjustified.
The settlement was reached last month before Ostergen, a Republican who has impressed the state’s political leaders, applied for the Supreme Court vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Daryl Hecht.
Ostergen and other candidates will interview with the judicial nominating commission next week.
In his federal lawsuit, Ward alleged Ostergren violated his rights by filing unsupported misconduct and fraud charges against him and took actions to interfere with his new job.
