Ferdinand Town Council: Honoring two for exemplary service

photo-7 — Ferdinand Fire Chief Dan Lindauer (left) and Officer Lloyd Froman (right) flank Rita Oser, the woman they saved from certain death using CPR when she suffered a heart attack at the Legion on April 20. The Town Council presented both with plaques Tuesday night in recognition of their service. When asked to join them Oser said, “I’m proud of these guys. I’ll be in their picture.” Councilman Ron Weyer can be seen in the background. *Photo provided*

Emotion clogged Keith Oser’s voice as he shared what doctors had told him about his mother, Rita’s near death experience.

“The doctors really commended the emergency system we have in place. They said if everybody would not have done everything right we wouldn’t have mom here today.”

He extended his gratitude to the town, and especially to Fire Chief Dan Lindauer and Police Officer Lloyd Froman, who rushed to the Ferdinand American Legion and administered life-saving CPR after Rita suffered a heart attack on April 20.

Town Council President Ken Sicard presented each man with a plaque for his efforts.

Sicard, himself a 23-year EMT, noted the two were in the right place at the right time and their knowledge of CPR literally saved a life.

Rita Oser said, since her heart attack, she has enjoyed another birthday, celebrated her anniversary and will attend her grandson’s wedding on Saturday — all pleasures that would have been denied her without their intervention.

On the “more good news” front,” Town Manager Marc Steczyk unveiled the new welcome to Ferdinand signs that had been the inspiration of eight-year-old Kasidy Anderson.

Not everyone would take the words of an eight-year old to heart. but Ferdinand Town Manager Marc Steczyk did. When Kasidy Anderson told her mother, who in turn told Steczyk, that Ferdinand had no welcome signs, he worked with the Ferdinand Elementary student to develop a contest allowing students to design appropriate welcome signage. The two winning designs were combined to create new wlecome signs which were delivered Tuesday and will be placed on the north and south entries to town above the Ferdinand Elementary National Four Star signs. Steczyk said Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer assisted and Automated Routing donated their services to cut out the design — a silhouette of the Ferdinand landscape. Kasidy was on hand at the meeting to see her vision come to fruition. — Not everyone would take the words of an eight-year old to heart. but Ferdinand Town Manager Marc Steczyk did. When Kasidy Anderson told her mother, who in turn told Steczyk, that Ferdinand had no welcome signs, he worked with the Ferdinand Elementary student to develop a contest allowing students to design appropriate welcome signage. The two winning designs were combined to create new wlecome signs which were delivered Tuesday and will be placed on the north and south entries to town above the Ferdinand Elementary National Four Star signs. Steczyk said Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer assisted and Automated Routing donated their services to cut out the design — a silhouette of the Ferdinand landscape.
Kasidy was on hand at the meeting to see her vision come to fruition. *Photo provided*

The council also:

• Heard the first police report from Chief Ricky Patton, who said an office inventory had been completed and he is working toward a more structured office environment. He noted the ratio of warnings to actual citations issued is averaging four to one.

• Learned the American Water Association asked Utility Superintendent Henry Haake to host the Fall District meeting on September 4 and agreed to welcome the expected 50-70 water specialists.

• Received a blanket invitation from Fire Chief Dan Lindauer to attend the annual Fireman’s Ball at the Community Center on July 27. Lindauer also reported 16 call outs in June, four for fires and 12 for First Responder runs.

• Heard from Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer that lightning struck the 5th Street Municipal Complex and knocked pretty much everything out. With the exception of a controller for the gate system, everything has been repaired.

• Learned this has been the best attended Summer Rec program since its inception and a partnership with the YMCA has reaped rewards, including use of the bus to transport attendees to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial for a tour.

• Heard preliminary work has begun on the Trails project and actual construction will start July 15. Also, restoration of the Wollenmann house began on Tuesday.

• Learned from Haake that when all the bills are in, the New Lake project will cost around $30,000 about $60,000 less than anticipated thanks to much of the work being done in-house. The lake will reopen in about a month.

• Opened and reviewed four bids for street and road projects. Gohman Construction from Clarksville was low bidder at $148,701.30. The council gave approval to accept the low bid pending review by attorney Bill Shaneyfelt and Street Superintendent Tom Lueken. Lueken said all the bids were lower than expected.

• Adopted Salary Ordinance 2013-09 to include the new chief’s salary of $925 per week, a pay increase for assistant chief Rob Randle to $21.51 per hour and a starting salary for Patton of $17 per hour to provide a base salary in the event a demotion is ever needed.

• Set budget sessions with supervisors for Thursday, July 25, beginning at 6 a.m.

• Approved Ordinance 2013-10, establishing procedures to disconnect (shut off) utilities for non-paying customers.

• Agreed to attend an IACT Round Table on August 6 at Haubstadt.

• Approved a $3,800 special claim from Indiana 15 for administration of the Wollenmann House grant, as well as regular claims.

• Will meet again in regular session on August 13 at 7:30 p.m. The Zoning Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. on July 24 followed by the Plan Commission at 7 p.m. A public hearing for the budget is set for September 10 at 7 p.m.

Earlier meeting

Prior to the regular meeting, the council met with Township Trustee Dave Kemper and his board to discuss fees the township will pay for town services. He will set aside $32,000 for fire protection and $23,000 for recreation, but will have a firmer idea if he can increase those numbers after the certified assessment comes in.