Looking south on Main Street - 1991

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First meeting January 5, 1981. Mayor Robert Hoffman and council members Darrell Vondrak, Gary Knueven, Dave Rauch, Larry Hansen, and Lyle Jahn were all present. Agreed to erect speed limit signs in the vicinity of Manning School for public safety.

1-19-81 Bills were paid to Hoffman Brothers Lumber Company, Struve Motor Company, RalMars, Manning Heating and Sheet Metal, Manning Coast to Coast, Rohe's 66, and United Telephone along with many other businesses.

3-16-81 Decided to place the siren warning system in the S.W. portion of the cemetery.

3-23-81 Laverne Olson, Orval Fink, Claus Bunz, and Darrell Vondrak were appointed to the study committee looking into municipal cable T.V.

9- 8-81 Fredda Hinz, Millicent Wiese, and Darlene Schrum presented plans for the new library on Main Street.

10-12-81 Manning Municipal Cable Board established.

11- 3-81 Resolution #1118 passed. It provided for issuance of $50,000.00 General Obligation Fire Equipment Bonds and for the levy of taxes to pay same.

12-18-81 City Clerk John Frees swears in mayorelect Gene Dales.

1982 Gene Dales is mayor. City council consists of: Darrell Vondrak, Ronald Baker, Gary Knueven, Larry Hansen, and Lyle Jahn.

1- 4-82 Bruce Beasley - Director of Manning Community Recreation Center presented budget for 82-83. Approval given to extension of lease until April 30, 1982.

3- 1-82 Resolution #1133 passed. City of Manning will construct and operate a municipal cable T.V. system.

3-16-82 Resolution #1134 passed. Approved contract between Manning General Hospital and City of Manning for communication services. The control center is to be located at the hospital.

3-26-82 Comments on possible construction of indoor pool invited. 44 people show up. Orval Fink, Laverne Olson, Eddie Fischer, Doug Fischer, Ken Spies, and Gerald Beck of the Manning Cable TV Board were at the meeting to relate to the mayor and council progress of the installation of cable T.V.

6-28-82 The following firemen were to be hired to light fireworks on 4th of July. They are to be paid $10 each. Larry Hansen, Lyle Bald, Lyle Jahn, Jim Karsten, Wayne Schroeder, Daryl Genzen, Doug Schroeder, and Merlyn Irlbeck.

8-20-82 Cable T.V. Report: Approximate cost to date: $339,000, including interest. 326 signed up to date. Basic unit per month for cable T.V. will be $9.50. HBO to be an additional $9.00.

9-13-82 Frank Willis voted in to fill unexpired term of Larry Hansen who resigned 8-13-82.

1-17-83 Charles Fielweber voted in to fill unexpired term of Lyle Jahn who resigned 1-1-83.

4-11-83 Marcia Clausen elected to city council.

12-5-83 City purchases real estate from CNW.

1-3-84 Robert Hoffman sworn in as mayor.

4-2-84 Lyle Jahn elected to city council.

5-8-84 The Control Center (located in Manning General Hospital) adds 911 emergency telephone service.

11-24-86 Wm. F. Ohde, John Ohde, Gary Knueven, and Bruce Beasley are the swimming pool committee.

1-7-87 All three city utilities will send their bills in one envelope.

6-29-87 City votes to pursue plans for Option #3 (of 4 options) on swimming pool; to construct a new pool at the community center site.

8-3-87 Fire Department receives permission to burn house at 428 6th Street.

12-21-87 Gary Knueven sworn in as mayor by City Clerk John Frees. City Council: Gene Dales, Lynn Stein, Ron Morlok, Marsha Clausen, and Charles Fielweber.

1-13-88 Importance of priorities for City of Manning set. These are: #1) Streets, #2) Swimming Pool, #3) Airport, #4) Water meters and water mains, #5) Improve quality of drinking water, #6) Tennis Courts, #7) Cemetery.

4-4-88 Approved up to $250,000 for indoor/outdoor pool project to include a "pool pack" type air system.

9- 6-88 Alan Kusel appointed Chief of Police. Marvin Gaer retired.

12-19-88 Fredda Hinz resignation as City Librarian accepted.

4-25-89 Meeting with the purpose to review and select bids on the Quakerdale project was held.

9-19-89 Mayor's salary increased to $300 a month. Council's salary $25.00 a meeting, not to exceed $600 a year.

10-16-89 Contract on Quakerdale construction awarded to Warnke Construction Company of Carroll, Iowa.

6-4-90 New Tennis Courts approved. Total cost of labor and materials to city will be approximately $10,278.00.

6-25-90 Mark Dickey of IDED, an examiner of flood damage, suggested the city should have it's bridges inspected for damage caused by the floodings.

1-21-91 $3,000 received from anonymous donor to help defray costs for new tennis courts.

8-5-91 Agreed to place recycling container for public use near city ball park area.

12-2-91 Last meeting of the year. Mayor Gary Knueven. City Council: Ron Morlok, Jim Karsten, Lynn Stein, Gene Dales, and Marsha Clausen.

Since 1981 numerous changes have taken place within the Manning Police Department. While responsibilities and qualification requirements of law enforcement officers have continued to grow and become more complex, the size of the department has been reduced from four men to three.

Officers serving Manning in 1981 were: Police Chief Marvin Gaer, Captain Alan Kusel, and patrolmen Craig Phinney and Gary Warren.

Gaer retired from duty in October 1988 after 26 years of service to the city. Following an interview process, Alan Kusel was named Police Chief. He was sworn in by Mayor Gary Knueven November 1, 1988, and continues to hold that position in 1991.

Kusel has been with the department since 1972. He was Manning's first officer to complete training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, which is now required by the state for all officers.

Patrolman Craig Phinney, who had been with the department since July 1979, resigned the position in August 1984. Gary Warren left the department in October 1985 after five years of service.

Jeffrey Jacobsen was hired in February 1986. He completed academy training and continues service to the city in 1991.

David Bloem joined the police department in November 1988 and resigned October 1990.

Kenneth Pingrey was hired by the city February 4, 1991. The trained officer resigned the position five days later, February 10, when he was offered a position by another police department.

In 1991 the Manning Police Department operates as a three-man unit consisting of Chief Kusel, Patrolman Jacobsen, and James Brown who was hired in May of 1991. No part-time officers assist with law enforcement any longer due to the strict training requirements.

With state regulations regarding temporary holding facilities becoming too stringent to be practical, Chief Kusel recommended to the city council in October, 1990, that the city jail be discontinued. The jail was dismantled and the room converted into additional office space for officers.

The complex demands of the officers has been aided by a continual upgrading of department equipment. In addition to regular required duties of the department, several public safety programs have been established in efforts to better protect the community. The Blue Star Program, for example, was established in 1989 to help children identify safe Manning homes where they can go for help in times of emergency. A bicycle safety program for youngsters has been sponsored by the department for .many years. Chief Kusel is also actively involved with various drug prevention programs and projects.

Continued from page 3

A Manning fireman wears complete protection gear, including Scott Air Pack.

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1981 - 1991 - An Eventful Decade for the Manning Fire Department

The Manning Fire Department has, in the past 10 years, seen many changes in fire fighting technology and has undergone some changes itself as it continues to evolve into a more efficient fire service. Some of the more noteworthy events of the past ten years include:

June 1980 - Silo collapse at Agri. Industries killing manager, Ken Weets.

October 1981 - Chevy garage fire at Manilla - Manning Fire Dept. renders mutual aid.

October 1981 - Aspinwall County Shed fire.

February 1982 - K. Weller grain bin - Manning Fire Dept. aids in rescue.

June 1982 -Hacker-Lewis auto accident - Jaws of Life used to rescue victims.

February 1984 -Unity Cafe, Manilla - fire - Manning Fire Dept. called to give mutual aid.

March 1985 - Manning Heating and Sheet Metal - fire in storage area.

June 1985 - Manning Baptist Church - severe roof fire, major damage confined to roof.

January 1986 - Shane Bohlmann car accident at Gray - mutual aid call and Jaws of Life rescue.

February 1986 - Keith Kelderman house explosion and fire - home completely destroyed - no loss of life.

March 1989 - Glenn Plunkett house fire in north Manning - arson substantiated.

April 1989 - Manilla Gazebo Factory fire -mutual aid call.

June 1990 - Father's Day - Kinderfest flood - Fire Dept. involved with rescue, evacuation, and incident coordination.

July 1990 - Doug's Body Shop, Aspinwall - business fire.

September 1990 -John Wanninger residence fire home completely destroyed.

September 1990 - Mutual aid call to Templeton tanker - supplied water.

May 1991 - Lisa Halbur and Don Grundmeier auto accident - Jaws of Life used.

October 1991 - Rescue of Jim Bradley - corn picker accident.

1992 - Old Manning Hotel and Town and Country Lumber were burned as part of the department's training exercises.

Other notable events of the past decade were the following:

1981 - New pumper chassis was purchased for 750 G.P.M. LaVern pumper.

1982 - Hall Committee which was responsible for administering the Fire Dept. building and funds begins winding up business prior to City takeover of this function.

1983 - Manning Volunteer Fire Department celebrates its Centennial Year. A parade, dance, water fights, and open house highlight the event.

1985 - City of Manning assumes control of Fire Station building. Hall committee abolished.

1989 - Fire Department receives portable generator and floodlight system.

1990 - 1993 - Department plans for and takes delivery of new pumper.

1981 to present - Members continually devote approximately 800 man hours per year to attend training exercises designed to update their skills. Workshops and conferences at Iowa State University are attended and local drills refresh skills and acquaint new members with local businesses and facilities which might require their services.

Proud to be serving the Manning community and area, members as of October 1992 are:

MANNING FIRE DEPARTMENT ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS 1981 - 1991

Chief - J. Ohde; Asst. Chief - L. Hansen; President - R. Halbur; Vice President - D. Stuhr; Secretary - T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees (3) - B. Kusel; D. Rauch, V. Wurr; Hall Committee - J. Karsten, R. Lohrmann, K. Spies, D. Vinke, D. Schroeder.

Captains - L. Bad (1), B. Dunshee (2), E. Reinke (Emergency Unit)

Chief - J. Ohde; Asst. Chief - L. Hansen; President - R. Halbur; Vice President - M. Kahl; Secretary - T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees - B. Kusel - V. Wurr, L. Jahn; Hall Committee - L. Irlbeck, D. Schroeder, B. Beck, D. Vinke, J. Karsten.

Captains - L. Bald (1), B. Dunshee (2), E. Reinke (Emergency Unit)

Chief - J. Ohde; Asst. Chief - L. Hansen; President - L. Jahn; Vice President - L. Clausen; Secretary - T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees -B. Kusel, V. Wurr, M. Irlbeck; Hall Committee - D. Schroeder, L. Irlbeck, J. Karsten.

Captains - L. Bald (1), B. Dunshee (2), E. Reinke (Emergency Unit)

Chief - J. Ohde; Asst. Chief - L. Hansen; President - L. Jahn; Vice President - L. Clausen; Secretary - T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees -B. KuseI V. Wurr, D. Souter; Hall Committee - D. Schroeder, L. Irlbeck, J. Karsten.

Captains - B. Dunshee (1), S. Kusel (2), E. Reinke (Emergency Unit)

Chief - J. Ohde; Asst. Chief - L. Hansen; President - L. Jahn; Vice President - L. Clausen; Secretary - T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees - B. Kusel, V. Wurr, D. Souter; Hall Committee - abolished.

Captain - B. Dunshee (1), B. Kusel (2) E. Reinke (Emergency Unit)

Chief - J. Ohde; Asst. Chief - L. Hansen/L. Stein; President - R. Lohrmann; Vice President

L. Stein; Secretary - T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees - D. Souter, B. Dunshee, J. Rasmussen.

Captains - B. Dunshee (1) B. Kusel (2), E. Reinke (Emergency Unit).

Chief - J. Ohde; Asst. Chief - L. Stein; President - R. Lohrmann; Vice President - T. Wurr; Secretary - T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees - D. Souter, B. Dunshee, J. Rasmussen

Captains - B. Dunshee (1) B. Kusel (2), E. Reinke (Emergency Unit)

Chief - J. Ohde; Asst. Chief - L. Stein; President - T. Wurr; Vice President - Dan Lorenzen; Secretary - T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees - D. Souter, B. Dunshee, J. Rasmussen.

Captains - B. Dunshee (1) B. Kusel (2), E. Reinke (Emergency Unit)

Chief - L. Stein; Asst. Chief - T. Wurr; President - R. Dammann; Vice President - Dan Lorenzen; Secretary - T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees - D. Souter, B. Dunshee, J. Rasmussen.

Captains - J. Ohde (1), K. Misselhorn (2), E. Reinke (Emergency Unit)

Chief - L. Stein; Asst. Chief - T. Wurr; President - R. Dammann; Vice President - L. Rowedder; Secretary - T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees - D. Souter, B. Dunshee, Dan Lorenzen

Captains - J. Ohde (1), K. Misselhorn (2), E. Reinke (Emergency Unit)

Chief - L. Stein; Asst. Chief - T. Wurr; President - Kim Jahn; Vice President - B. Ehlers; Secretary T. MacDonald-Williams; Treasurer - D. Genzen; Trustees - D. Souter, B. Dunshee, Dan Lorenzen.

Captains - J. Ohde (1), A. Fara (2), E. Reinke (Emergency Unit)