National news hits close to home in 2016

(Above) Donald Trump signed posters and spent a few minutes with those at the Surf prior to getting back on the campaign trail in January 2016.-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

Clear Lake was, indeed, a microcosm of the nation during 2016.

National politics dominated headlines and photo opportunities early, as presidential hopefuls stumped here; we expressed our appreciation and support to our police officers in the wake of ambush killings elsewhere; and we applauded and thanked those who decided to step down from their positions in the community, while welcoming the next generation of leaders.

As we begin 2017, the Mirror-Reporter takes a look back at the stories which provided major headlines in Clear Lake in 2016.

#1 Who knew?

How many believed Donald Trump would today be our President-Elect when he stopped in Clear Lake in January 2016?  Trump, who will be inaugurated Jan. 20, was confident he would win the Iowa caucus when he spoke before a capacity crowd at the Surf Ballroom on Jan. 9.

Although protesters had been a regular occurrence at Trump events, there were none inside or outside of the Surf.

“The silent majority that they say I have struck a chord with is the noisy majority.  We’re all angry at what’s going on, but we want to get it fixed - and we will.  We’re on the cusp of something that’s so great,” said Trump.

Trump often referred to his business experience and commitment to strengthening the military, stopping illegal immigration as reasons Iowans should vote for him.

Trump, of course, did not win the Iowa Caucus, but he did win the state on election night, helping him to capture the top office.

#2 School leadership changes

Doug R. Gee was named as the Clear Lake School District Superintendent of Schools in March. After receiving public comment and discussing the possibility of discontinuing the superintendent sharing agreement for a year, the School Board began to more fervently discuss making a change.  In early December 2015 it voted unanimously to terminate a sharing agreement with Mason City Schools and employ its own superintendent in the 2016-17 school year.  Anita Micich had served as superintendent of the Clear Lake School District on a shared basis with the Mason City School District since the 2010-11 school year.  Micich was to be solely employed by Mason City in 2016-17, but that District School Board ultimately chose to remove Micich from the position and employed an interim superintendent until naming a new leader in late 2016.

Gee, who was a shared superintendent at Boyer Valley and Woodbine Community Schools in Iowa, was among 19 candidates for the Clear Lake Superintendent position.

A longtime member of the Clear Lake Community School System was named as the new principal for Clear Creek/Sunset Elementary.  Student and Family Services Coordinator Sally Duesenberg was chosen to succeed retiring principal Mike Barkley in the 2016-17 school year.

Duesenberg started her career in education as a para-educator, then returned to college to earn a degree in elementary and special education.  She spent nine years working in special education at Clear Lake Middle School before becoming the district’s first Student and Family Services Coordinator for grades kindergarten to 12 seven years previously.

In April, Barkley was honored for his 22 years of service to the district. During his tenure, Barkley helped to bring Sunset and Lincoln Elementary Schools together, assisted in the planning and overseeing the construction of Clear Creek, starting all-day, everyday kindergarten and preschool.

#3 Mason City controversy comes to CL

In April and May, Clear Lake city officials were pushed to demonstrate their concern about a pork processing facility potentially coming to Mason City.  About a dozen persons opposed to the announcement that Prestage Foods of Iowa would build a $240,000 million plant where as many as 10,000 pigs would be processed daily urged the Council to pass

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a resolution of concern and submit it to Mason City officials.

The subject was not on the agenda, so Council members listened, but did not comment or take action on suggestions for a resolution or other expression of concern about a future pork processing plant. However, following the open forum section of the meeting, Mayor Nelson Crabb read a statement leaving the door open for possible dissent.

“Over the years, the City of Clear Lake has established a political precedent of opposing large scale commercial confinement operations within the Lake watershed and critical areas surrounding it.  As this potential economic development project (Prestage) evolves, it may come to be that the City Council of Clear Lake would, in the future, consider taking a position in opposition to such a proposal as being counterintuitive to our community’s primary economic engine (tourism) and the preservation and enhancement of our natural environment.”

The Mason City City Council ultimately failed to pass a resolution which would have allowed for the Prestage project.

#4 Stumping in Iowa

Clear Lake— just like the state, was a political hotbed in early 2016, as Republican candidates for president spoke to large crowds still making up their minds about the country’s next leader.

Iowa Speaker of the House Linda Upmeyer welcomed a pair of Republican presidential candidates to the center of the universe— otherwise known as Iowa, or more specifically, Clear Lake, in late January.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who both found themselves lagging in the polls heading into the Iowa Caucus, included Clear Lake among their stops in the final frenzied hours of their campaigns. Bush, former governor of Florida, spoke to a capacity crowd at Clear Lake V.F.W. Post 4868 and promised to restore military strength, fix a failing economy and build a more unified federal government. Christie also pointed to the fact that his experience as a governor, along with seven years spent as U.S. Attorney General of New Jersey, made him a better choice for president.

Clear Lakers joined scores of Iowans who made it a point to get to their Caucus Monday, Feb. 1.  And like the rest of the state, local caucus results helped Texas Senator Ted Cruz to a four-point victory over Republican rival Donald Trump.  Likewise, vote totals were close between Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

Those attending Republican caucuses within the city limits of Clear Lake filled the Clear Lake High School gymnasium, cafeteria, fitness room, and E.B. Stillman Auditorium. Lines of voters spilled out of the gymnasium lobby and extended hundreds of feet north, past the high school entrance to the Clear Lake Cemetery.  Clear Creek Elementary housed the Democrat caucus.

Cerro Gordo County made Cruz the winner with 28 percent of the vote (655).  Trump was next with 26 percent (597), followed by Marco Rubio with 19 percent (446), Ben Carson with 8 percent (184) and Jeb Bush (119) and Chris Christie (114) each with 5 percent.  The remainder of the field included Rand Paul (3 percent, 78), Carly Fiorina (2 percent, 42), Mike Huckabee (2 percent 39), John Kasich (1 percent, 29), Rick Santorum (1 percent 18), Jim Gilmore (0 percent, 0).  Statewide, nearly 49,000 Iowa Republican Caucus-goers voted for Cruz.

On the Democratic side, Clinton received 1,091 votes in Cerro Gordo County and Sanders brought in 1,108, each translating to 50 percent.

#5 TeamQuest is sold

A Minneapolis, Minn. based software company announced the acquisition of TeamQuest, Clear Lake, on Dec. 15. Company officials from HelpSystems were in Clear Lake just before the Christmas holiday to share the news with employees and start planning a successful integration.

TeamQuest was formed in Clear Lake in January 1991 by three former members of the Unisys Corp. Clear Lake software development team.  Robert Krieger served as president of the new company.  Jarred Ruble was vice president of software development and Terry Cobb was vice president of marketing and services.  The business initially employed a staff of about 40 people recruited from personnel working at the Unisys Corp. Clear Lake Center when it closed its doors in 1990.

Today, TeamQuest is based in Minneapolis with substantial operations in Clear Lake, Gothenburg, Sweden, and around the world.  HelpSystems leaders says they are very impressed with the product line and are committed to continue investing in it. HelpSystems leadership say there are no plans to close the Clear Lake office. TeamQuest CEO Paul Hesser and CFO Clay Anderson have left the company to pursue other opportunities.  Other redundancies in positions between the two companies may result in further employee changes.  New employees may also be hired.

In March 2016, TeamQuest eliminated 32 positions, citing a decline in the mainframe segment of its business due to market adoption of more modern technologies.  At that time CEO Paul Hesser said TeamQuest was “in the midst of a company transformation.”

#6 A show of support

In July, the nation was stunned by the fatal shooting of five police officers in downtown Dallas, Texas during a protest over police shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana.  In response,  members of the Clear Lake community made an effort to show local police officers they are appreciated.

“Fortunately the communities of Clear Lake and Ventura have always been supportive of their public safety agencies (police, fire, EMS, etc.). However, we were humbled by the number of citizens stopping in over the weekend of July 8 to show their appreciation,” said Clear Lake Police Chief Pete Roth.  “It is always nice to be reminded that people do care about the work we do and sacrifices made in providing 24 hour, 365 day service.”

Roth said that without many details about the shootings, other than media accounts, the mood of his department could be described as sad, especially for the officers’ families, friends, colleagues, and their community.

The police department also welcomed Michael Colby as its captain in July.  Colby was a member of the Clive, Iowa Police Department with 15 years of service.  In August, Ashley Lopez was officially sworn in as the newest police officer on the CLPD roster.

#7 Crickets say good-bye

A legendary chapter in rock and roll history was composed Feb. 6 at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.  The largest-ever reunion of Crickets band members was held as part of the annual Winter Dance Party. The Crickets then announced to the sellout crowd that Saturday night’s performance was their last -- the end of an era dating to 1957.

The Crickets were formed in Lubbock, Texas, by Buddy Holly and J.I. Allison. Stand-up bassist Joe B Mauldin was recruited shortly after and Saturday night’s reunion was a tribute to him, commemorating his passing Feb. 7, 2015. Among performers was current Cricket Allison along with Albert Lee, Glenn D. Hardin, Tommy Allsup, Tonio K., Gordon Payne, Keith Allison and The Killer Vees.

The Crickets have appeared at the Surf numerous times, especially during The Winter Dance Party.  Jeff Nicholas, president of the Surf Ballroom board of directors, called Saturday night “one of the most magical nights at the Surf.”

#8 CLHS upgrades

Dean Snyder Construction, of Clear Lake, was awarded the contract for renovation of the kitchen, commons and entrance to Clear Lake High School.  Their bid of  $2,104,000 was accepted at a special School Board meeting held March 30.  Bergland + Cram, Mason City, designed a new entrance which will be covered and more accessible and visible.  Key features of the design include an enclosed courtyard north of the commons, providing a secure entry to the main office.  The current office on the northeast corner quadrant of the building was converted to space for counseling, health and conference rooms.  The kitchen was expanded and reconfigured for more space and serving area.  New seating allows up to 175 students to be served during two lunch periods.  Previously there had been three periods needed to accommodate CLHS students. The project was funded using sales tax revenue.

#9  Sports success

The Clear Lake Lions continue to distinguish themselves as champions.  In 2016, three Lions captured their second State title.  Sam Jones did it on the tennis court, Emily Snelling won in golf, and Ryan Leisure was a State Champion wrestler. The Clear Lake baseball team also repeated as State Champions.

#10 Still in the works

City leaders identified sidewalk policy as a priority in 2016.  The 2016 City-wide Sidewalk Master Plan rates segments of sidewalks within the city and identifies those considered to be deficient.  Those identified in the five-year capital improvement plan include downtown sidewalks, 20th Street North, North Shore Drive and on the south side of Highway 18 on Buddy Holly Place to facilitate a safer crossing.

In March, Property owners and the public in general were invited to discuss proposed sidewalk improvements in the downtown at an open house meeting. In August, the Council voted to replace the brick paver sidewalks in the downtown due to ongoing safety issues with the bricks settling unevenly.  This time bricks will be placed into a concrete base, which experts say will make them less susceptible to the freeze-thaw cycles.

In September, the City Council rejected the lone bid for the project. The $794,243 bid was 32-percent higher than the engineer’s estimated cost of the project. Jason Petersburg, the city’s consulting engineer on the project from Veenstra & Kimm, recommended that the council reject the bid and re-bid it in early 2017.

•In March, the City Council also approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Nelson Crabb to sign a loan agreement on behalf of the city with Clear Lake V.F.W. Post 4868 to fund a concept design for a proposed veterans memorial.   The cost of the conceptual design work is $8,500. The proposed memorial has not been brought back before the Council since that time.

•City water service may be available to homes along South Shore Drive, located beyond Clear Lake State Park, in the foreseeable future.  In November, City Administrator Scott Flory received the City Council’s permission to look into the possibility of extending water service in possible conjunction with improvements to County Road B-35 which are now in the planning stages. Flory said he would like to identify the feasibility of extending water service to approximately 34 family dwellings in phase one. In light of the City’s commitment to water system upgrades over the past decades, the timing may be right to extend the city service, said Flory.

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