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 The meeting was held on the second floor of the Logan County
Courthouse to accommodate all the guests which included members of
several veteran's organizations. Many friends and family members of
the late Norm Clark also attended to hear as the board vote on
whether to add Clark's name to one of the fields at the Logan County
Airport.
Board approves Veteran's Assistance Commission
In honor of the approval of the Veteran's Assistance Commission,
Lesleigh Bennett sang the national anthem before the meeting began.
Andy Anderson brought forward a petition for recognition of the
Veteran's Assistance Commission as an organization. The idea of
having a Veteran's Assistance Commission was presented to the Board
by Chairman David Hepler last fall and a committee has been working
on putting it together the past several months.
Dani Juilfs, who was representing State Representative Tim Butler's
Office, was there to recognize the Veterans and congratulated Logan
County on being a Purple Heart County. She said Butler supports
their efforts.
 Joe Schaler, who has been part of the committee that worked on
setting up the Veterans Assistance Commission, expressed his
appreciation to the many people who helped. Schaler said he was
thankful to Dr. [David] Hepler for helping pull the Commission
together and members of the Commission who showed up tonight.
Schaler also thanked Mr. [Andy] Anderson and the Legislative
Committee for their work, and Logan County Clerk Sally Turner for
answering a lot of questions, and County Board Administrative
Assistant, Michelle Barr, for her hard work and support. and the
Logan County Board for their support.
The board unanimously approved the petition for recognition of the
Veteran's Assistance Commission.
Board votes on Logan County Airport name change
Board member Gene Rohlfs brought forward a motion to add a field
name with no specific name to the Logan County Airport. Board member
Chuck Ruben said he wanted to amend it to strike through "a field
name to" and insert "an honor roll with plaques and fitting
resolutions." Board member Andy Anderson added an amendment to add a
specific name, Norm Clark, to the airport field.
Before the board voted on the motion and amendments, Hepler asked
for any final public comments, and several guests addressed the
board.
Curtis Fox, who had previously addressed the Airport Committee and
the full board about his opposition to the name change, said, "I am
opposed to this amendment to add a name to the airport, but I do
support the Logan County Aviation Honor Roll. Fox said he has
submitted a list of names for the Honor Roll, and said to be fair,
all need to be honored. He said an Honor Roll is the best and fair
way to go with so many doing so much for the airport.
Sam Evans said he agreed with Fox that there are so many who
contributed to the airport, so it is difficult to single one out.
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John Guzzardo said he wanted to ask the board one more time to consider
approving the name change, as it would be an honor for a man who touched many
lives and a great thing for the county. He said he has given them all kinds of
literature to look at and there were 1000 signatures on the petition for the
name change. Guzzardo said, "It is not just your vote, but it is a vote for the
people you represent." Guzzardo said, "I really want you to think hard before
you say that yes or no vote."
Bob Patterson said a lot of people have worked hard at the airport. He said when
the board says "we have always done things this way. . .you lock yourself into
courses of action and you have no options." Patterson said Clark deserves to
have his name on the field especially when so many signed the petition.
Board member Pat O'Neill said he likes the idea of an Honor Roll, but also likes
naming things to honor people and feels it "does not distract from all the
people who made a difference." It is great for the community and shows
appreciation for the efforts of citizens.
Board Chairman David Hepler said, "It is easy to lose sight of the fact it is
not our airport, but it's the people's airport." Hepler said since "1000 people
are asking us to name their airport, or add the name Norm Clark Field, that's
something I have to honor, so I will be voting in favor of this amendment." He
said if it did not pass, he would not vote for the others.
After the public comments, the board voted in reverse order from last amendment
to the motion.
Board member Andy Anderson's motion to add a specific name, Norm Clark, to the
airport field, failed with Rick Aylesworth, Kevin Bateman, Dave Blankenship,
Emily Davenport, Bob Farmer, Gene Rohlfs, Chuck Ruben, and Scott Schaffenacker
voting no. Andy Anderson, Miles Craig, Pat O'Neill and David Hepler voting yes.
Ruben's amendment to add an Honor Roll with plaque and fitting resolutions to
the Logan County Airport with no specific names at this time passed with eleven
to one, with David Hepler voting no.
The motion to add a field name to the Logan County Airport Field with no
specific name passed eleven to one, with David Hepler voting no.
[Angela Reiners] |
