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Memorial Day Goerend NFV...

they’ve
ceremony ordained graduated
A-2 A-13 A-13 & 14

The Union
FAYETTE COUNTY

WEDNESDAY,
S MAY 29,
29 2019
20 9 U FayetteCountyNewspapers.com West Union, Iowa $1.50

Care, relationships drive new


Gundersen Palmer Lutheran CEO
Patrice Kuennen under-
stands the power of positive
relationships.
“Our patients’ needs
and our community’s health
drives everything we do,” the
new chief executive officer
(CEO) at Gundersen Palmer
Lutheran Hospital and
Clinics shares. “Listening
to our neighbors, caring for
them and supporting them
creates a healthier commu-
nity for everyone.”
Kuennen, a Waucoma
native, has been with
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Patrice Kuennen
since 2012, most recent-
ly serving as chief nurs-
ing officer, a role she will continue until a replacement is
hired. “Patrice values the knowledge and contributions of
every member of the Gundersen Palmer Lutheran team,”
says Garith Steiner, vice president, Gundersen Health System
Critical Access Hospitals and Clinics. “Her knowledge of pa-
tient care and relationships with the people who provide the
care make her an ideal fit.”
Kuennen joined Gundersen Palmer Lutheran as a
staff nurse and soon after led the Medical/Surgical unit as
nurse manager, and she later became chief nursing officer
in 2017. Prior to her care for patients at Gundersen Palmer
Lutheran, she was a nurse leader at Covenant Medical Center
in Waterloo, where she served as manager in the NICU and
Pediatric unit.
“We’ve cared for patients and our community very well
for many years,” Kuennen closed. “I’m honored to be selected Brad Punke, UniLock territory manager, met with city officials (second from left, l-r) Nick McIntyre, city administrator;
for this role, and I’m excited to continue to work alongside Adam Keller, mayor; and Kennon Gumm, city councilman, about the high-failure rate of pavers in the downtown district
the great Gundersen Palmer Lutheran clinicians and staff of West Union. (Chris DeBack photo)
to support their care for our patients, their families and our
community.”

Fox files lawsuit against


WU continues to seek
City of West Union
By CHRIS DEBACK
answers to pavers’ issues
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com By CHRIS DEBACK ager, to show them the extent started turning tours away After the tour, the
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com to which the pavers continue because of the conditions of group met in the basement
Former West Union po- to fail. the pavers. of Fehr Graham’s office to
lice officer Sierra Fox is su- The City of West During the short tour, “It’s like this all over,” further discuss the issue.
ing the City of West Union Union met with represen- Punke was able to take McIntyre said to Punke as “As you can see we are
in Fayette County District tatives from Unilock and pictures of the failing pav- they looked at some Pavers falling behind,” McIntyre
Court for sexual harass- Culvers on Thursday, May explained. “I guess we are
ment, sexual discrimination, 23, to continue discussions “It’s like this all over,” here just to ask you what
and retaliation. She is asking about why pavers are fail- can Unilock do for us?”
for a jury trial. ing in West Union’s down- McIntyre said to Mayor Keller noted
She has also named town district. Punke as they looked to Punke that they want
West Union police chief Paul Adam Keller, mayor; at some Pavers on Elm to continue to show off the
Becthold and West Union Kennon Gumm, city coun- downtown district.
City Administrator Nick Sierra Fox cilman; Nick McIntyre, Street. “We are see- “We want to bring
McIntyre as defendants. city administrator; and Jon ing a higher-failure people in again and say,
Fox’s attorney, Katie Ervin Carlson, submitted the formal Biederman, Fehr Graham rate and that’s why we ‘Hey, here is our street. We
petition to Fayette County District Court today (Tuesday, May Engineering, walked had issues but it is fixed
21). The petition lays out the same information that has been around South Vine Street
wanted to have an- and everyone is happy,’”
reported in previous stories. by Biederman’s office and other conversation.” Keller said. “We continue
Fox claimed, in her letter of resignation from the West Elm Street by Winers with to show it off, and it helps
Union Police Department, that Becthold made derogatory Brad Punke, Unilock ter- ers. McIntyre noted to him on Elm Street. “We are see- you out more than it actu-
comments about women, that he witnessed and ignored sex- ritory manager; and Nick that they used to host a lot ing a higher-failure rate and See PAVERS’ ISSUES
ual harassment, ignored her requests to attend K-9 training, Jensen, Culver’s Lawn and of tours of the Streetscape that’s why we wanted to have continued A-2
Landscaping project man- project, but that the City has another conversation.”
See FOX LAWSUIT
continued A-14

Renewable energy showcased during Reynolds visit


By CHRIS DEBACK the street from the Fayette ray, the banks conversion to
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com County Fairgrounds. Yost geothermal, and changing
added that he is compet- to LED lights from Derek
A day after signing ing in the Main Street Iowa Heins.
the Empower Rural Iowa Open 4 Business Contest, “This is at least my sec-
Act, Iowa governor Kim and he should know if he ond visit [to West Union],
Reynolds made a stop in moves on to regionals some- and I have just been so im-
West Union and visited with time in June. If he makes it pressed at the leadership
a couple local businesses. through regionals he will position when it comes to re-
Reynolds started her be one of five businesses in newable energy and just the
tour at the West Union the running for $25,000. He forward thinking the com-
Chamber — A Main Street would be using the money munity has put in place,” she
Community’s office before he wins from the Open 4 said. “As I visited a couple of
heading over to Euphoria Business contest to help with businesses, I loved how they
Coffee’s new location on Elm his transition to downtown. talked about sourcing local. I
Street, in the former Iowa Reynolds then made her love how they have taken the
Food Hub building. While way to Bank 1st to view the geothermal and expanded
the location is currently un- organizations solar array. to solar. I think that is really
der construction, Nick Yost, As she was walking through being prudent, responsible,
Euphoria Coffee owner, did downtown West Union and innovative. As I signed
have a sample of his coffee Jon Biedermann and Dick the Empower Rural Iowa Bill
for the governor to taste. He Woodward took some time yesterday this community is
also gave her a bag of coffee to talk about the Streetscape a great example that we can
to take back with her to Des project, as well as the Upper highlight to other communi-
Moines. Story Housing project that ties across the state to what
Yost spoke with the gov- have been completed in the you can do in the area of re-
ernor about how he got his last decade. newable energy.”
start roasting coffee beans, When she arrived at The state will be holding
which led to him and his wife Bank 1st, she was greeted by
opening the coffee shop that its staff and received a small See GOVERNORS VISIT Jon Biederman (left), Fehr-Graham Engineering, and Dick Woodward (right) speak to Iowa
is currently located across presentation on the solar ar- continued A-2 governor Kim Reynolds about the Streetscape and Upper Housing Story projects that were
completed in the last decade. (Chris DeBack photo)

this week’s
U Connecting Our Community!
ONE SECTION
Local News/Society/Sports ..... Sec. A
June SOCCER
WEATHER
TODAY’S HIGH: 74°
VOL. 170 NO. 22
Calendar TODAY’S LOW: 58°
INSERTS ;H`SVY 3\

A-7
/HS]LYZVU *OHZL
 7L`[VU

Copyright 2019 Z (SL_


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Chance of Showers/storms.
2018-2019
 :L[O 6^PUNLKLYZLU"YV^[^V :HT 5LMaNLY"YV YL;HUULY1

The Fayette County Union


a\T HUKH
OLHK JVHJO

4J0U[`YL1
JVI7
VLS.
S/LYUHUKLa
3VNH
HUK
MYVU[ SY ZZPZ[HU[JVHJO1H YPTLZ3\JHZ3H\U3VM[ZNHYK1VUH
O4VV
Low 56 F. Winds NE
Quillin’s Quality Foods *VVSL`3PHTYHU[:[VSRH0ZYHL HUWOV[V
1VOUZVU. YVJR1LYY`>HKP
PZAHJR9VI

go, at 5 to 10 mph.
Let’s ks! Saturday

Hardee’s Tiger
Haw
Monday
Tuesday
JUNE 2019
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday 1
SB Tournam

11 a.m. -
ent NFV

BB V/JV
vs. New Hampto
n
Chance of rain 60%.
Fareway ~ Decorah Sunday

6
7
SB V @ Jesup
Tournament

BB JV
8
SB V @ Jesup

9 a.m. - SB
Tournament

JV @
Clayton Ridge
5
Day of School 10 a.m. -
4 2 p.m. - Last @ Postville BB V @ Cascade
11 a.m. -
3 e Co-Ed Golf m. - BB V/JV
Memorial Day Goerend NFV... they’ve
ceremony ordained graduated
A-2 A-13 A-13 & 14

The Union
FAYETTE COUNTY

WEDNESDAY,
S MAY 29,
29 2019
20 9 U FayetteCountyNewspapers.com West Union, Iowa $1.50

Care, relationships drive new


Gundersen Palmer Lutheran CEO
Patrice Kuennen under-
stands the power of positive
relationships.
“Our patients’ needs
and our community’s health
drives everything we do,” the
new chief executive officer
(CEO) at Gundersen Palmer
Lutheran Hospital and
Clinics shares. “Listening
to our neighbors, caring for
them and supporting them
creates a healthier commu-
nity for everyone.”
Kuennen, a Waucoma
native, has been with
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Patrice Kuennen
since 2012, most recent-
ly serving as chief nurs-
ing officer, a role she will continue until a replacement is
hired. “Patrice values the knowledge and contributions of
every member of the Gundersen Palmer Lutheran team,”
says Garith Steiner, vice president, Gundersen Health System
Critical Access Hospitals and Clinics. “Her knowledge of pa-
tient care and relationships with the people who provide the
care make her an ideal fit.”
Kuennen joined Gundersen Palmer Lutheran as a
staff nurse and soon after led the Medical/Surgical unit as
nurse manager, and she later became chief nursing officer
in 2017. Prior to her care for patients at Gundersen Palmer
Lutheran, she was a nurse leader at Covenant Medical Center
in Waterloo, where she served as manager in the NICU and
Pediatric unit.
“We’ve cared for patients and our community very well
for many years,” Kuennen closed. “I’m honored to be selected Brad Punke, UniLock territory manager, met with city officials (second from left, l-r) Nick McIntyre, city administrator;
for this role, and I’m excited to continue to work alongside Adam Keller, mayor; and Kennon Gumm, city councilman, about the high-failure rate of pavers in the downtown district
the great Gundersen Palmer Lutheran clinicians and staff of West Union. (Chris DeBack photo)
to support their care for our patients, their families and our
community.”

Fox files lawsuit against


WU continues to seek
City of West Union
By CHRIS DEBACK
answers to pavers’ issues
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com By CHRIS DEBACK ager, to show them the extent started turning tours away After the tour, the
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com to which the pavers continue because of the conditions of group met in the basement
Former West Union po- to fail. the pavers. of Fehr Graham’s office to
lice officer Sierra Fox is su- The City of West During the short tour, “It’s like this all over,” further discuss the issue.
ing the City of West Union Union met with represen- Punke was able to take McIntyre said to Punke as “As you can see we are
in Fayette County District tatives from Unilock and pictures of the failing pav- they looked at some Pavers falling behind,” McIntyre
Court for sexual harass- Culvers on Thursday, May explained. “I guess we are
ment, sexual discrimination, 23, to continue discussions “It’s like this all over,” here just to ask you what
and retaliation. She is asking about why pavers are fail- can Unilock do for us?”
for a jury trial. ing in West Union’s down- McIntyre said to Mayor Keller noted
She has also named town district. Punke as they looked to Punke that they want
West Union police chief Paul Adam Keller, mayor; at some Pavers on Elm to continue to show off the
Becthold and West Union Kennon Gumm, city coun- downtown district.
City Administrator Nick Sierra Fox cilman; Nick McIntyre, Street. “We are see- “We want to bring
McIntyre as defendants. city administrator; and Jon ing a higher-failure people in again and say,
Fox’s attorney, Katie Ervin Carlson, submitted the formal Biederman, Fehr Graham rate and that’s why we ‘Hey, here is our street. We
petition to Fayette County District Court today (Tuesday, May Engineering, walked had issues but it is fixed
21). The petition lays out the same information that has been around South Vine Street
wanted to have an- and everyone is happy,’”
reported in previous stories. by Biederman’s office and other conversation.” Keller said. “We continue
Fox claimed, in her letter of resignation from the West Elm Street by Winers with to show it off, and it helps
Union Police Department, that Becthold made derogatory Brad Punke, Unilock ter- ers. McIntyre noted to him on Elm Street. “We are see- you out more than it actu-
comments about women, that he witnessed and ignored sex- ritory manager; and Nick that they used to host a lot ing a higher-failure rate and See PAVERS’ ISSUES
ual harassment, ignored her requests to attend K-9 training, Jensen, Culver’s Lawn and of tours of the Streetscape that’s why we wanted to have continued A-2
Landscaping project man- project, but that the City has another conversation.”
See FOX LAWSUIT
continued A-14

Renewable energy showcased during Reynolds visit


By CHRIS DEBACK the street from the Fayette ray, the banks conversion to
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com County Fairgrounds. Yost geothermal, and changing
added that he is compet- to LED lights from Derek
A day after signing ing in the Main Street Iowa Heins.
the Empower Rural Iowa Open 4 Business Contest, “This is at least my sec-
Act, Iowa governor Kim and he should know if he ond visit [to West Union],
Reynolds made a stop in moves on to regionals some- and I have just been so im-
West Union and visited with time in June. If he makes it pressed at the leadership
a couple local businesses. through regionals he will position when it comes to re-
Reynolds started her be one of five businesses in newable energy and just the
tour at the West Union the running for $25,000. He forward thinking the com-
Chamber — A Main Street would be using the money munity has put in place,” she
Community’s office before he wins from the Open 4 said. “As I visited a couple of
heading over to Euphoria Business contest to help with businesses, I loved how they
Coffee’s new location on Elm his transition to downtown. talked about sourcing local. I
Street, in the former Iowa Reynolds then made her love how they have taken the
Food Hub building. While way to Bank 1st to view the geothermal and expanded
the location is currently un- organizations solar array. to solar. I think that is really
der construction, Nick Yost, As she was walking through being prudent, responsible,
Euphoria Coffee owner, did downtown West Union and innovative. As I signed
have a sample of his coffee Jon Biedermann and Dick the Empower Rural Iowa Bill
for the governor to taste. He Woodward took some time yesterday this community is
also gave her a bag of coffee to talk about the Streetscape a great example that we can
to take back with her to Des project, as well as the Upper highlight to other communi-
Moines. Story Housing project that ties across the state to what
Yost spoke with the gov- have been completed in the you can do in the area of re-
ernor about how he got his last decade. newable energy.”
start roasting coffee beans, When she arrived at The state will be holding
which led to him and his wife Bank 1st, she was greeted by
opening the coffee shop that its staff and received a small See GOVERNORS VISIT Jon Biederman (left), Fehr-Graham Engineering, and Dick Woodward (right) speak to Iowa
is currently located across presentation on the solar ar- continued A-2 governor Kim Reynolds about the Streetscape and Upper Housing Story projects that were
completed in the last decade. (Chris DeBack photo)

this week’s
U Connecting Our Community!
ONE SECTION
Local News/Society/Sports ..... Sec. A
June SOCCER
WEATHER
TODAY’S HIGH: 74°
VOL. 170 NO. 22
Calendar TODAY’S LOW: 58°
INSERTS ;H`SVY 3\

A-7
/HS]LYZVU *OHZL
 7L`[VU

Copyright 2019 Z (SL_


 3LU[O
:[YLPM :VSHZ U/VL`+`S
5VSH
LYZ *HYZV
HU9H
U >HYK

SL,]LYYP[1H
^[OYLL*V VOUZVUHUK*OHZ
:JO\WIHJO Y2VSL
YPUN*VS[VU :L[O4L`L
2HSL 9VKN \ZJO*VK`+\LR JRZVU)S\L
L3LUZPUN
UV[WPJ[\YL
K
Chance of Showers/storms.
2018-2019
 :L[O 6^PUNLKLYZLU"YV^[^V :HT 5LMaNLY"YV YL;HUULY1

The Fayette County Union


a\T HUKH
OLHK JVHJO

4J0U[`YL1
JVI7
VLS.
S/LYUHUKLa
3VNH
HUK
MYVU[ SY ZZPZ[HU[JVHJO1H YPTLZ3\JHZ3H\U3VM[ZNHYK1VUH
O4VV
Low 56 F. Winds NE
Quillin’s Quality Foods *VVSL`3PHTYHU[:[VSRH0ZYHL HUWOV[V
1VOUZVU. YVJR1LYY`>HKP
PZAHJR9VI

go, at 5 to 10 mph.
Let’s ks! Saturday

Hardee’s Tiger
Haw
Monday
Tuesday
JUNE 2019
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday 1
SB Tournam

11 a.m. -
ent NFV

BB V/JV
vs. New Hampto
n
Chance of rain 60%.
Fareway ~ Decorah Sunday

6
7
SB V @ Jesup
Tournament

BB JV
8
SB V @ Jesup

9 a.m. - SB
Tournament

JV @
Clayton Ridge
5
Day of School 10 a.m. -
4 2 p.m. - Last @ Postville BB V @ Cascade
11 a.m. -
3 e Co-Ed Golf m. - BB V/JV
A-2 Wednesday, May 29, 2019/The Fayette County Union

Memorial Day services


held in West Union
— Photos by Megan Molseed —

North Fayette Valley band director, Ted Schacherer (far right) directs some of his
students as they perform during the Monday morning Memorial Day services at the
West Union Cemetery. Members of the American Legion Post 15 fire off a 21-gun salute during the Monday morning Memorial
Day services at the West Union Cemetery. Rev. Terry Landsgaard presided over the services, and the
members of the North Fayette Valley band performed during the event.

GOVERNOR’S VISIT continued


idea summits across Iowa
under the new Empower
Rural Iowa Act, and
Reynolds feels that West
Union is in a prime position
to host one of those sum-
mits.
“The task force holds
idea summits across the
state, where they bring all
the members together, and
I think it would be a great
idea to have West Union
host one of those meetings
and highlight the renewable
piece,” she noted. “That isn’t
something the task force has
talked a lot about, we have
kind of focused on housing,
connectivity, and leadership,
growing the next generation
of leaders. This could be an-
other piece of that, to talk
about renewable energy.”
Reynolds closed by say-
ing that she enjoys doing
these types of visits because
it gives her a chance to see Members of the American Legion Post 15 of West Union dis-
how communities are suc- play their flags upon entering the military services at the West
ceeding, which she can then Union Cemetery on Memorial Day. Rev. Terry Landsgaard
point to and highlight when spoke to the crowd during the event.
giving speeches or talking to
others.
“It gives me a chance to Nick Yost (left), owner of Euphoria Coffee, shares a bag of some of his coffee with Iowa
highlight something when I Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg during their recent visit to West Union. PAVERS’ ISSUES continued
am talking about the things (Chris DeBack Photo)
we can do in rural Iowa to show it off, and it helps you out more than it actually helps
and why it is important to the governor closed. “I can they can do. I have been here the Streetscape project with us.”
have opportunities in every say I have been here, I have twice and they continue to which they started.” Biederman added that he recently received a call from
single corner of the state,” visited, I have seen what evolve and expand even from another city, which is looking to put in pavers on a few of
their city blocks.
“I don’t know who they talked to but somehow they heard
about West Union’s project and that there were some issues,”
Biederman said. “[This person] rattled off every
and get back with the city at possible problem that you could dream up that pav-
a later date. ers could have. I would say that 80 percent of them
were nowhere close to true. It was that [the pavers
in our downtown district] were coming out. [The
pavers] were heaving. They were obviously aware of
the condition and that they were deteriorating, and
I told them, ‘Yes, that is happening.’ [I] said that it
‘16 Ford Fusion SE ‘15 Ford Focus ‘15 Honda Civic LX ‘14 Chrysler 200 LTD appears to be a product issue and not an overall pav-
red, 55K $13,490 black, 93K $8,800 silver, 34K $13,490 gray $7,999 er system issue because we haven’t seen this before. I
think we got them calmed down and they still think
[using pavers] is a good idea.”
The city officials also mentioned to Punke that
they have a sponsored project coming up with the
ability to use that money to replace one of the city’s
streets with pavers. However, with the pavers fail-
ing downtown and the negativity surrounding their
‘12 Chevy Impala LT ‘12 Ford Fusion SE ‘12 Fusion SEL ‘11 Dodge Avenger poor performance, the city officials don’t feel com-
silver, 4-DR
$7,990 $6,690 $8,390 $7,390 fortable bringing that to council.

e n ts .. . black, 4-DR black, 4-DR silver, 4-DR

SUPPORTS...
Later on, the city officials noted that when
Culvers’ was replacing pavers on Elm Street by

tu d End-of-th
e - S c h o o l - Year MAY IS BEEF MONTH!
Unionland Feed and Food Market it discovered that
the base beneath the pavers had been crushed into

S Purchase a vehicle
now thru May 31, 2019
what looked like hard cement in the travel portion
of the road. Rory Starks, WU street superintendent,
noted that it wasn’t an issue in the parking area of

100
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$
the street, just the travel portion. Starks compared
the base to the smooth, thick wood table that the
group was sitting around at Fehr-Graham. McIntyre

SALE! Beef Gift Certificate


to be used at Quillin’s!
showed Punke some pictures of what had occurred;
to which Punke said he had never seen anything like
that.
They also said that Starks was having a hard
Prices on these units! time keeping the rock chips in between the pavers.
He would re-chip the street project and two weeks
later at least an inch worth of the chips would have
disappeared. He didn’t know where those chips
were going. Starks noted that he gets the chips from
Bruening Rock Products, which is where the chips
that were originally used when the project was be-
ing built came from. Punke asked if he could take a
small sample back to Unilock and the city agreed.
“We are at that point where we need to see
‘11 Ford Fusion ‘11 KIA Optima EX ‘10 Nissan Sentra ‘09 Chevy Impala LT a significant reinvestment into our streets from
black, AWD $7,890 black $7,990 white, 89K $5,800 silver $6,990
Unilock,” said McIntyre. “You aren’t going to ask us
what we want, but I will tell you what we want. We
are really looking at a complete redo and bring all
quality pavers back in. I just don’t think we are go-
ing to be happy with you guys coming in twice a
year with Culvers to lay down a semi-load of pavers
here and there.”
Punke closed the meeting by saying that he
‘08 Chevy Impala LT $6,890 ‘07 Ford Focus S $3,890 ‘16 GMC Terrain SLE $13,490 ‘15 Kia Sorento LX $12,990 would take the information back to this employer
silver maroon blue, 95K black, FWD, 94K

THE FAYETTE COUNTY UNION


Union Printing Co., Publisher
(USPS 188-460
Published weekly on Wednesday morning by Union
Printing Co., 119 S. Vine St., West Union, Iowa 52175.
‘12 Dodge Journey SXT ‘11 Chevy Equinox LT ‘10 Honda Odyssey ‘02 Chrysler Town & Country Periodical postage paid at West Union, Iowa, and additional
black, FWD
$8,490 red, FWD $7,800 gold $7,890 red $2,890 mailing offices.
LeAnn Larson - Publisher
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CALL AND ASK FOR OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR ALL YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS! • FINANCING AVAILABLE! Fayette and adjoining counties, $59.99 per year. Single cop-
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send change of address form 3579 to the
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