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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Putz receives Lifesaving with Valor Award Council discusses smoking ban issues

Putz receives Lifesaving with Valor Award by Aaron McFarland

Governor Chet Culver along with Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Gene Meyer presented the 2008 Governor’s Lifesaving Awards. “These 49 individuals are every day Iowans who have done an extraordinary act – save the life of another person,” said Governor Culver. “They are Iowa heroes, and it will be my honor to present to them the Governor’s Lifesaving Award.” Award recipients are selected by a three-member panel within the Iowa Department of Public Safety. The 49 individuals who received awards this year were recognized for unselfish service to their fellow citizens or family members. The Governor’s Lifesaving Award has three categories, which are described as follows: • Lifesaving with Valor: Award is presented to those persons who, while risking their own life, saved the lives of others. • Lifesaving: Award is given to those who have saved the lives of others without apparent risk to their own life. • Meritorious Service: Award is presented to those individuals who have rendered expeditious service in a time of emergency. In addition to the lifesaving awards is the Oustanding Service Award, which is presented to persons who have performed an unselfish act in the time of an emergency and not necessarily life threatening. Award ceremonies were held on Friday, Aug. 8 by Governor Culver at the Lakeside Casino Resort tent at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Darryl Allan Putz of Manchester received the Lifesaving with Valor Award.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED Darryl Putz was awarded the Governor’s Lifesaving with Valor Award at the Iowa State Fair for his quick and heroic actions in saving the life of Harold Minor, Jr. by pulling him out of a semi tractor, which was engulfed in flames. Pictured are the Putzs: In front, left to right are Dallyn, Jade, Shea and Jordyn. In back are Governor Culver and Darryl.

On Dec. 19, 2007, at approximately 8:25 a.m., Darryl Putz was traveling southbound on Highway 13 just past Ryan. He came upon a semi tractor/trailer blocking the roadway at the Intersection of Highway 13 and County Road D-47. At this time, there was very dense fog with only a few feet visibility. As Putz turned onto D-47, he saw an explosion in his rearview mirror and heard a loud crash. Putz immediately got out of his truck, called 911 and began looking for any survivors. Putz walked up behind the semi tractor that had caught on fire and called out to see if anyone was inside. Harold Minor, Jr., who was in the burning semi tractor, yelled back and said he needed help. Putz climbed up into the burning cab and was able to protect Minor from any further burns by covering his legs with a blanket. Putz then unbuckled Minor and pulled him out of the burning cab. Putz suffered some minor burns. He was able to pull Minor to safety and cover him up until the ambulance service arrived to render aid. A firefighter from Ryan arrived on the scene with a water truck and asked Putz to man a hose while he operated the pump. Putz did not hesitate at this request. Putz risked his own life to save the life of Minor. Putz continued to check up on Minor by visiting him while he was in the hospital. Darryl Putz was awarded the Governor’s Lifesaving with Valor Award for his quick and heroic actions in saving the life of Harold Minor, Jr. by pulling him out of a semi tractor, which was engulfed in flames.

Council discusses smoking ban issues by Aaron McFarland

The Manchester City Council met in regular session on Monday, Aug. 11, at 5 p.m. Merlin and Linda Erthum were presented with the Nice Neighbor Award for their kind work during the winter months. Cindy Smith and Estella Michels nominated the two for the award “for all they did this past lousy winter for us two women in keeping our sidewalks cleaned of snow”. The final adoption of the “Code of Ordinances of the City of Manchester, Iowa” was approved. Mayor Kramer mentioned a reminder to bring in the old books and get a new one. The old ones will be properly disposed of if brought in. Claims in the amount of $14,930 were approved from the CBDG housing grant regarding C & R Construction and Tiny’s Home Improvement. A claim from the downtown incentive program to Grumpy Bill’s in the amount of $1,268.14 was also approved. Claims to ECIA in the amount of $6,098.03 were approved as well. During the approval of the claim for Grumpy Bill’s, the council discussed the incentive program and safeguarding against potential regress of a business.

AARON MCFARLAND / Press Merlin and Linda Erthum received their “Nice Neighbor Award” at the council meeting held Monday, Aug. 11. The couple is accompanied by their nominators, Estella Michels and Cynthia Smith.

It was stated that the apprehension was not directed towards Grumpy Bill’s establishment, but if a business is awarded money and does not follow through the city should be reimbursed the money. Four pay estimates were also considered and approved. Tschiggfrie Excavating Co. will receive $186,744.59 for the 13th-Howard-11th Street improvements project. Pirc-Tobin Construction, Inc. will receive $486.66 for the South 5th Street sanitary sewer project. Staab Construction Co. was awarded their pay estimate of $834,114 for the wastewater treatment plant project. Connolly Construction was approved for their pay estimate of $169,377.25 for their work on the 2008 street improvements project as well. In the only public hearing of the night, an annexation request by Bard Concrete on behalf of Patricia and Leroy Meyers was approved. Bard Concrete made an offer to purchase property contingent on the annexation and zoning designation being sought. The only property to be annexed in this proposal is voluntary and after no public comment the proposal was approved. The Manchester Kids League requested $2,000 from the Beckman Complex Facilities fund for replacing old batting cages. The cages are in bad shape and visually unattractive. With recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission, the request was approved. The Tirrill Park tennis court will be resurfaced and painted after approval from the council. With the increase in numbers from the youth tennis program and the wide variety of age groups that use the court, it is advantageous to do improvements. The cost of the improvements is $5,950 and $5,000 of the cost will come from the incoming transfer into the Park Improvement Fund with the remaining $1,000 coming from existing money in the fund. At the previous city council meeting, a request for the rights to the softball complex was made by the Delaware County Fair Society. It has been agreed that the Fair Society will assume ownership and operation duties. The council tabled the agreement at the last meeting contingent upon hearing feedback from other parties that would also cease ownership of certain parts of the complex. If any changes were to be made at the complex, the involved parties in the dissolution will have a chance to reassess the situation. The council also discussed an anonymous letter that stated, “We are all for the smoking ban, but seeing everyone standing outside the establishments smoking and even benches for them to sit on is so disgusting. We still have to walk by and through the smoke to enter. Isn’t that defeating the purpose? Why can’t these establishments access their back doors for all smoking and by all means put the park benches in the back, not the front. It really ruins “The Image” of Manchester. I do not know what power you have over the establishments other than “the no smoking ban”, but it would sure be nice for all and everyone driving through town not to see this” The council did note there is a problem with people smoking along the sidewalks and some people won’t enter a business due to the smoke. The item will be further reviewed to discover options the city may have with the issue.

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