July 2012

A Quality of Life Company

Employee Newsletter Word has been received from Mayor Gene Beach that his anticipated return to Marshalltown after a two week time away from the city has been delayed. While the Mayor was in Denver for some medical tests, he was hospitalized for a week. He was subsequently transferred to the University of Iowa Hospitals where he remains. Mayor Beach says he is eager to return home and resume his official duties; however, his medical prognosis is unknown at this time. Cards can be sent to: Mayor Gene Beach University of Iowa Hospital 200 Hawkins Drive 7JC, Room 14 Iowa City, IA 52242

Information available on employee intranet webpage. Notes from committee meetings such as weekly staff dept. head meeting, safety committee, insurance committee and others. Keep yourself informed, visit the employee intranet site! employee intranet site: http://webserver/static/intranet/emenu.php

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Monthly message from the City Administrator

They rode in…..they rode out. It was because of all the volunteers RAGBRAI 2012 was a success in Marshalltown. Here are a few photos from the days events. A HUGE THANKS goes out to all the staff for their hard work leading up to the event and recovering from it.

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at the

library ● 300 more people in the library than usual (and a lot of our regulars stayed home that day) ● 103 guest passes to use our Internet computers ● Bicyclists from 20 states and 2 countries (UK and Netherlands) signed our guest board

the

NEW attown

all Marsh rary! b i L c i l Pub Access Mango through

marshalltownlibrary.org Log in with your library card number and create a profile.

Funding for Mango has been provided by the Community Foundation of Marshall County.

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Marshalltown Police K-9 to be Retired The Marshalltown Police Department regretfully announces that K9 Creasy will be retired due to medical issues stemming from an embolism on his spine that caused partial paralysis earlier this year. Creasy has made great strides over the past few months in his rehabilitation efforts both at Iowa State University Animal Hospital in Ames and at home with K9 handler, Officer Kiel Stevenson. On Wednesday, July 11th 2012, Officer Stevenson met with the Veterinarian staff at ISU to discuss Creasy's recovery and fitness for duty. Officer Stevenson then met with Chief Michael Tupper to discuss Creasy's fitness for duty. Regretably, but in the best interest of both Creasy and the department, the decision was made to retire Creasy from active duty. The Marshalltown Police Department, in cooperation with various community groups, will be working on fundraising efforts in the near future to obtain funds for the replacement of K9 Creasy. K9 Awol, despite some health issues, continues to serve the department with his handler, K9 Supervisor Sgt. Melinda Ruopp. The Marshalltown Police Department acknowledges and expresses our deep appreciation to the citizens of Marshalltown who have supported the K9 Program over its many years. The Marshalltown Police Department also thanks and recognizes the doctors and staff at the ISU Veterinarian Hospital for the care and treatment of Creasy during this difficult time. The police department also thanks Dr. Dennis Drager and the staff at Animal Clinic-The Vet here in Marshalltown. Thank you for your continous and excellent care of both K9 Creasy and Awol. Your dedication to the Marshalltown Police Department K9 program over the years and concern for not only the K9s but their handlers have you forever in our debt. For more information, please contact Captain Mike Hanken by calling 641.754.5758 or via email at [email protected].

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http://cityofmtownpicnic2012.shutterfly.com/ Special thanks to the S.E.C. for organizing the picnic this year!!

Photos provided by: Randy Wetmore

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Types of Bullying •School Bullying •Cyber Bullying •Workplace •Home •Harassment A few interesting statistics related to the impact of bullying: •1 in 7 Students in Grades K-12 is either a bully or a victim of bullying. •15% of all school absenteeism is directly related to fears of being bullied at school. •Harassment and bullying have been linked to 75% of school-shooting incidents. •Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims

What can YOU do????

Take the pledge to stop bullying. Fill out a pledge card or pledge online: http://tinyurl.com/NIOTMarshalltown

If you would like to order a shirt contact your Department Head or Michelle Spohnheimer by Monday, August 6th. We need your size and money please. Order form on next page. 7

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Each month 3 City employees will be randomly selected, interviewed and have a photo taken for the newsletter.

Dan Barnes What department do you work in? Street Department How long have you been working for the city? A whole 3 weeks. Tell us about your family? I am married to my wife Angie and have been for the past 17 years. We have 3 children. Brendan- 11, Camden-15 and Jordan who is 18 and now in Marine boot camp in San Diego. Pepsi or Coke or Mt Dew? None,….I like Ice Tea. What is your own personal brush with greatness? I once met a guy named Fred Grandy. For those old enough, that was “Gopher” on the TV show, The Love Boat. Are you planning on attending the Iowa State Fair and if not,…when was the last time you were there? I was last there about 2 years ago so we are just about due to go back again. What is your favorite deep fried food on a stick? Snickers, Pickles, Butter, Twinkie or Other? I like corn dogs. What is your all time favorite memory during your time with the city? As of right now,……punching in on my first day. But I hope to improve on that during my tenure. 9

What department do you work in? Transit Department How long have you been working for the city? 1 1/2 years What do you like most about your job? I like the challenges of working on our fine city busses. Tell us about your family? I am single and have lived in Marshalltown for about 3 years. I have family in Indiana (where I am from) and Chicago. What hobbies do you have? I brew my own beer and also enjoy tennis, biking and grilling out. I recently bought my first house so that keeps me busy too. Pepsi or Coke or Mt Dew? A good craft beer.

Kevin Pigors

What is your own personal brush with greatness? I have an uncle in the secret service so I have been able to see Presidents Clinton and Bush. But I am more proud to be associated with “Sir Richard Stone” of the Castle Transit. What is your favorite deep fried food on a stick? Snickers, Pickles, Butter, Twinkie or Other? Can you put a good craft beer on a stick? What is your favorite spot to get ice crème? The Spot. (wink, wink) What is your all time favorite memory during your time with the city? This was my first time associated with RAGBRAI and I thought that was really cool. 10

Nathan Stucky What department do you work in? Human Resource Department How long have you been working for the city? 3 1/2 years. What do you like most about your job? I really enjoyed interacting with all of the employees in all of the various departments. Tell us about your family? Wife Megan, married for 8 years. Children Evan-4 and Sullivan-2 (both of whom are taller than me) and our dog Miles. What hobbies do you have? I am an avid musician and have played trumpet in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Orchestra for the past 11 years. I also love to exercise. What is your own personal brush with greatness? I got to meet Wynton Marsalis twice. He is one of best known jazz trumpeters in the world. What is your favorite deep fried food on a stick? Snickers, Pickles, Butter, Twinkie or Other? Fried food on a stick! Absolutely not! With the recent high temperatures, what is your favorite ice crème treat? Well, a triple serving of Skondra’s Cookie Dough Ice Crème with 2 tablespoons of carmel. Ummmmm. What is your favorite spot to get ice crème? Coldstone Creamery What is your all time favorite memory during your time with the city? I have to say my last union negotiations. They were my first ones and I learned a lot about the process and got to work with all different unions and their representatives.

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Come and say Farewell to

Nathan Stucky Our Human Resource Director Nathan will be leaving the City of Marshalltown moving on to new opportunities. Join us as we say farewell and thanks for all he has done during his time with the City.

When: Thursday, August 2nd Time: 3:30 – 5:30 PM Where: Library Community Rooms

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August Birthdays Kathy Kroeger - Police - 2nd Nathan Stucky - Administration - 2nd

&

Anniversaries Hanna Carter - Library - 1st - 1 Yr. Melissa Matteson - Finance - 1st - 1 Yr. Greg Pepper - Fire - 1st - 13 Yrs.

Roger Beall - Sewer - 5th Willie George - Transit - 8th Casee Veren - Police - 9th

Patrick Johnson - Building - 3rd - 14 Yrs. Melissa Sears - Police - 4th - 4 Yrs. Joel Hengeveld - Police - 4th - 9 Yrs.

Cortney Watson - Police - 9th

Jessica Ruiz - Library - 8th - 1 Yr.

Joshua Warnell - Fire - 10th

Kendall McCrary - Street - 8th - 29 Yrs.

Kerri Larsen - Fire - 11th

Mallory McKay - Library - 11th - 3 Yrs.

Marla Grabenbauer - Council - 12th

Ann Rolston - Library - 13th - 3 Yrs.

Brian DeMoss - Finance - 14th

Brad Weuve - Park & Rec - 14th - 34 Yrs.

Kiel Stevenson - Police - 15th

Olivia Smith - Library - 15th - 1 Yr.

Brad Mauseth - Police - 17th Jessica Ruiz - Library - 20th

Daniel McCready - Police - 16th - 1 Yr. Kimberlee Welch - Transit - 17th - 1 Yr. Paige Legg - WPCP

- 19th - 16 Yrs.

Sarah Rosenblum - Library - 20th David Powell - Police - 19th - 16 Yrs. Tim Eggers - Street - 20th Steven Simons - Sewer - 24th

Kiel Stevenson - Police - 22nd - 7 Yrs. Vern Jefferson - Police - 23rd - 8 Yrs.

Ramon Maxey - Police - 26th

Casee Veren - Police - 25th - 6 Yrs.

Jeffrey Roads - Street - 29th

Brad Mauseth - Police - 26th - 7 Yrs.

Steve Hunter - Street - 31st

Marshall Sealine - Police - 26th - 32 Yrs. Stephen Troskey - Housing - 27th - 5 Yrs. Sadie Weekley - Police - 27th - 5 Yrs. Scott Riemenschneider - Building - 27th - 22 Yrs. Jerry Benson - Street - 28th - 12 Yrs. Joa LaVille - Library - 31st - 13 Yrs. John Larkin - WPCP

- 31st - 25 Yrs. 13

Officer Dane Bowermaster graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy on July 27. Officer Bowermaster graduated from the academy with honors by winning an award as the best marksman in his graduating class. Officer Bowermaster also won an award for physical fitness and was inducted into the academy's "300 Point Club". Membership in the 300 Point Club requires that officers pass the following physical fitness tests. 1.5 Mile Run-Under 9 Minutes 20 Pull-Ups 80 Sit-ups-Under 2 minutes Officer Bowermaster is currently participating in the police department's field training program.

Patti Ralf plans for retirement. Where does the time go? It seemed unreal to walk into Nathan's office and announce that I was retiring! I have been fortunate (and I do mean that!) to work for the City in the Parks and Recreation Department (as of July 31) 16 years, 2 months, 24 days and 6 hours. And many of those days have been jam packed! I know Randy--you don't believe me--because every time you came over I wasn't busy!!!!! I have enjoyed, for the most part, working with our customers to get adults and/or their children into a program that met their needs. I won't miss the time of year when 3040 people at a time are in the office wanting their pictures taken for their pool passes. I've loved the weird questions that people think Park & Rec can answer---"can you tell me when highway 30 between Marshalltown and Ames will be cleared of snow so that I can go shopping?". Let me check my crystal ball! Will I miss what I do--sure. But it's time for a new chapter. ~ Patti 14

The Aquatic Center will be closing for the season August 19th, which means….

It’s time for the Doggie Dip Monday, August 20th 5:30-6:30 small dogs under 25 lbs 6:45-7:45 large dogs 26lbs and over 15

HELP US HELP YOU When driving please be alert for emergency vehicle traffic. With high volume stereo systems, cell phones, texting, better sound proofing in new vehicles, and all the other distractions inside our vehicles we have become isolated from the outside world when we are in our vehicles. We need to be vigilant with our other senses and be alert to emergency vehicle traffic. If you see an emergency vehicle; police, fire, ambulance, sheriff, or other agency that is running with emergency lights on and sirens going you must by law pull to the side of the roadway and come to a stop. Failure to do this may result in being issued a citation for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Once you have pulled over check to be sure there isn’t another vehicle coming farther down the road. Often times agencies run as a team so you may see a fire truck and there may be one or more additional vehicles; fire truck , ambulance, police car, etc. following or coming up the roadway. It is not a contest to see if you can get farther down the road or get through the intersection that has just turned from red to green. If we don’t get to the scene because of an accident or are delayed someone’s life may be in jeopardy. If we can’t get to an emergency as soon as possible the situation may get to the point where someone or something may not be able to be saved. Most emergency vehicle drivers try to drive using the left lane on four lane roads to allow you space to pull over. If you find yourself sitting at a congested intersection, look to see that it is safe to proceed into the intersection, then move through the intersection to clear a lane for emergency vehicles. Stay pulled over until all emergency traffic has cleared you. So the next time you are out driving drive use all your senses. That way if you are being followed by an emergency vehicle you can pull over to the side of the roadway or to the right hand lane and come to a stop, allowing the emergency vehicles to pass and do their job as effectively as possible. Some day you may need an emergency responder and wouldn’t you want the same courtesy and quick response to help in your emergency? Remember, you can help us help you! If you have any questions for the Marshalltown Fire Department about the services we offer or any other concerns e-mail us at: [email protected] or call us at 641-754-5723. We will try to answer your concerns as we receive them and let the public know your concerns in our monthly news article published in the Times Republican. Stay Safe. 16

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State BBQ Championship a success! Our very own Bruce Campbell competed amongst the State’s best BBQers during the State Championship at the end of June. Bubba’s Burnt Ends BBQ served up some tasty ribs and plans to compete at the State Fair on the 14th.

Photo by Randy Wetmore

Do you have information to include in a future newsletter? E-mail it to Michelle Spohnheimer at [email protected] tell your Department Head or call Michelle at 754-5756 18