Courier News

Courtesy of the on-line 10-23-13 edition of the Ida County Courier, www.idacountycourier.com

Odebolt voters to choose mayor, two council positions 

The Odebolt City Council has three open seats up for election in municipal elections Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters will decide on a mayor and two council positions.

Current councilman Butch Hemphill is running unopposed for mayor while incumbent Keith Flink, incumbent Mike Hoefling, Lee Hemer and Jeff Holmes are running for two council positions.

Mayor 

Robert (Butch) Hemphill, 63, is making the move from council member to mayor.

Hemphill and his wife of more than 39 years, Judy, have a son Jared and wife, Jill, who live in Waukee. The Hemphills have one grandchild, Brayden.

Hemphill is director of Quality Management Systems for Farmers Cooperative Company. He has been with the company 35 years.

The candidate is a member of the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), Grain Elevator and Processors Society (GEAPS) Greater Iowa Chapter, NGFA Agroterrorism/Facility Security Committee and United Methodist Church.

Hemphill said he has several reasons for running for mayor. “I have 12 plus years of experience on the Odebolt City Council. I feel I am impartial and bring a common-sense approach to city business. I try to treat everyone the same and I have been dedicated to the issues of our community, and I enjoy being a part of the decision-making process.

“We need to continue to address all of these issues affecting the safety and well-being of our community. And as always, we should focus on, and promote, the many positives our town has to offer.”

Council 

Keith Flink, 63, is running for another term on the council. He and wife Joyce have three children—Jeana (Chris Boyd) of Clive; Justin (Amy) of Harriman, Utah, and Jory of Sioux City. The couple also has five grandchildren: Carter, Haley, Austin, Hunter and Brooklyne.

Flink, who retired as chief deputy for Sac County after a 40-year law enforcement career, is currently employed by Lundell Plastics in Odebolt. He has been with Lundell for two years. Flink is a member of St. Martin’s Church in Odebolt.

Flink noted he chose to seek reelection because of his devotion to serving the public.

“I have always been active in public service and feel it is a privilege to have served the citizens of Odebolt,” said Flink. “Maintaining a good quality of life in our community is important to me. Maintaining quality city services to our citizens and improving our facilities, such as the swimming pool and downtown area, are two reasons why I am seeking reelection.

“I will always be open to suggestions and ideas from all citizens of Odebolt on any issues that are important to them.”

In regard to the two biggest issues facing Odebolt, Flink said, “Finances are always an issue for small communities. Wise use of available funds is a necessity to maintain city services for all of our citizens. Every avenue of funding needs to be explored and tax dollars have to be put to wise use.

“The City of Odebolt has begun and continues to improve the downtown area by removing old, vacant buildings. The vacant sites should be made available to those who wish to start a business and need a site to put a building.

“As an incentive, these vacant sites could be given to viable proposed business to help them get started. Attracting new business to a small community is difficult and this proposal may help in that endeavor.

“Additionally, I would like to see our swimming pool renovated and updated. The public has always shown a great deal of support for our pool and I would encourage the citizens to contact any councilperson with ideas on how to improve the facility.

“Odebolt is a great community and being a part of it is important to me. Anything I can do to improve, revitalize and help Odebolt grow is my main goal.”

Jeff Holmes, 46, is seeking his first term on the council. Holmes and his wife, Della, are the parents of Jacob and Grace.

Holmes currently serves as a deacon at First Baptist Church and is involved in Wednesday night children’s group, Kiron 252, and Sunday night high school group, The Shed. He is also a member of the Odebolt Summer Recreation Board.

Holmes is employed by the Iowa DOT in the Ida Grove maintenance of ice as a highway technician. He has served in that capacity for seven years.

Holmes said his main reason for wanting to serve on the council is to help the community. “I am seeking election to the city council because I believe I would be an approachable person for people who have ideas on improving their community and enjoy living in this small town, but see it withering away.”

Holmes pointed to Odebolt’s need for more businesses as a main issue confronting the community.

“Odebolt is facing a declining population and needs a more business friendly environment,” said Holmes. “My proposal is to give the city more curb appeal believing that will attract people and business to want to live and work here.

“I want to be an approachable person on the council to support incoming business and city improvements made by the people who live here and desire a stronger community.”

Lee Hemer, 58, is also seeking a spot on the council for the first time. He and wife Karen have five children—Jory Hemer, Jill Lange, Jeana Arbegast, Jonathan Hemer and Jeremy Hemer.

Hemer is a member of St Martin’s Catholic Church and is currently employed by GOMACO Trolley in Ida Grove as a trolley tech. He has been with GOMACO Trolley for six years.

“I am seeking election because I have many goals and objectives for Odebolt,” noted Hemer. “This would mainly be focused on the growth and expansion of business and creating one of the best family-friendly towns in Iowa. My interests and focus will be on the best future for the community of Odebolt.”

Hemer said the two biggest issues facing the community are creating an attractive town that will present more recreational use for all citizens and to not allow Odebolt’s economic growth to die.

“These two issues work hand in hand, which by strengthening one will in turn strengthen the other,” said Hemer. “To do this we need to focus on increasing our younger population. Odebolt is a traditionally strong and proud community that needs to rejuvenate and inspire new business through a young population.”

(From the Thursday, October 31, 2013 edition of The Chronicle)

Mike Hoefling is currently serving on the Odebolt City Council and he is running for re-election to his council seat.  He and his wife, Gretchen have 3 children and he is a manager at CPS in Odebolt.  He is also a first responder for Odebolt.

Mike says:  I would like to see some new businesses come to Odebolt.  We are currently working to get some of the old buildings taken down and getting our main street to look more presentable.  I would like to see my children grow to respect and be4 proud of being from Odebolt, just as I have.






O-A/BC-IG Dollars for Scholars announces new website 


O-A/BC-IGDollarsforScholars recently launched a new website through new software provided by Scholarship America®, Dollars for Scholars’ parent organization.

This new website will provide O-A/BC-IG students access to more scholarships and gives parents and students a one-stop shop when planning for college. Students have the ability to create an online profile, which allows them to apply for and be matched to multiple scholarships –on both the local and national level.

Students also have access to volunteer and internship opportunities, as well as financial aid and college success tools and resources provided by Scholarship America®. You can visit the new website at www.oabcig.dollarsforscholars.org.

Paul Neumann, president of O-A/BC-IG Dollars for Scholars, commented, “Our board is very excited about these changes. It truly is the best of both worlds –we are able to maintain our local scholarship criteria and scoring, while at the same time give students access to information and scholarship opportunities on a national level.

“It is also a great resource for students, parents and the community to keep up with local events, fund-raisers and deadlines. We’re anxious to have people start using it.”

In the near future, O-A/BC-IG seniors, with the assistance of the school guidance counselor, will start setting up their personal pro iles. It will be available to the rest of the high school students shortly thereafter.

More information will be provided in upcoming issues of the school newsletter or by contacting any of the following O-A/BC-IG Dollars for Scholars board members: Neumann, Marcia Cates, Evelyn Lawhead, Linda Burk, Tammie Dausel, Rita Freese, MaeBelle Powell, Mike Rickert, Becky Ricklefs or Beth Buehler. For more information on Scholarship America®, visit www.scholarshipamerica.org.