This is a Blog site created by Bob Reed (in Florida) for folks who live--or used to live--in Marcus, Iowa. Its purpose is to exchange notes, news, remembrances, and thoughts about life in and about Marcus, or news about one's family, friends or acquaintances.
It's pathetic I have to put my vehicle in 4wd to get around the streets of Marcus. When people from other towns come and express how bad the roads are, it doesn't look good for Marcus. Come on guys, lets get out and get the streets cleaned off!!!
Been trying to figure out how to respond to the recent contretemps about our town on this blog. Some feel it was—and is—an ideal place to grow up and live. Others believe that it was—and is—full of bad government and haves and have-nots.
Perhaps it’s like the Iowa folk in “The Music Man” who warned him that
"We can stand touching noses for a week at a time and never see eye to eye…"
I should like to see a day when we could all sit down to a potluck dinner and discuss our perceptions. But the participants would maybe use the Parkerhouse rolls as weapons.
For our today thoughts—and memories—are individual. They are the result of particular incidents and events that color our lives. They command the light as well as the darkness of small towns.
Perhaps a little perspective is in order. Maybe we should seek a bit of laughter in the dawn.
There’s a wonderful song from a musical in the 1960s titled “On a Clear Day.” The lyrics advise us
"On a clear day, rise and look around you And you’ll see who you are. On that clear day, nothing will astound you, For the glow of your being will light every star."
That sentiment was preceded in the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s by a revered Marcus resident, Mary Ellen Kelly. Daughter of Irish folk, she contracted infantile paralysis (polio) at an early age and spent the rest of her life confined to a bed in her home. Immobile from the neck down, she became a sort-of icon for the town.
Buoyant and charming, uncomplaining and smiling, she radiated a personality of kindness and warmth. She read using a stick in her mouth to turn pages, and used another stick to painstakingly write a weekly column for the “Marcus News.”
She traveled to Sioux City and Chicago for treatments, riding in a railroad boxcar. And as a devout Catholic, she enthusiastically endured a long voyage overseas to Lourdes, France in search of a cure.
But mostly, she became host for a local parade of visitors, helpers, supporters, and donors—Protestant and Catholic. The town loved her and sort of adopted her.
Eventually, she put her thoughts on paper in a book that captured her philosophy. It was full of positive ideas and was titled “With the Dawn, Rejoicing.” It spoke of her approach to life, using her waking moments as a joyous takeoff to the day. It went into two printings.
Mary Ellen died in her 30s. But before she left us, she wrote about our town and her life within a framework that permitted her to be aware of our limits and to live what was—for her—a blessed existence. Though she experienced a troubled life, it was as pleasurable as any human life can be.
So maybe we should celebrate both the sacred and profane in our frail mortality. We live, we love, and we grieve; we search for meaning, savor good memories, and perhaps leave a positive perspective for those who may remember us.
For like Mary Ellen, I’m glad to be alive this morning. As she was in “With the Dawn, Rejoicing.”
I would like to invite any and all of you in the Marcus area to the Waffles for Lee Fundraiser, on Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 9:30-1:00 at the Marcus Pizza Ranch. This is a community fundraiser put on by friends of Lee to help support his work in Mizak Haiti. As many of you know on January 12, 2010, there was a 7.0 earthquake in Haiti; this destroyed not only the home that Lee was building but also the homes of many other people in his community. This is a freewill offering waffle breakfast, with all proceeds going to Lee and his work in Mizak Haiti. We will also be raffling off Lee’s original painting Louoi’s Motorcycle, tickets $5.00. I Hope see you there, Jacob Rosewall and the rest of the Waffles for Lee Committee
Maybe they should have given the $1.00 per hour raise to Galles? Maybe he would still be employed by the city and our streets would be drivable. We used to be able to brag about our streets compared to other towns no matter how bad it snowed. I used to be able to leave Marcus like it was just another day going to LeMars to work and then get stuck over there. Now it's the other way around.
Any chance anyone still has a copy of Mary Ellen Kelly's book, or know where I can get one? Are any of her relatives still in Marcus? I remember folding little newsletters in Holy Name basement that, I think, were originally written or developed at her. Does anyone know about this?
Fred H. Wilkens will be celebrating his 75th birthday on March 14th. His family is inviting friends and acquaintances to send him birthday wishes at Box 12 Marcus, Iowa 51035. Thanks
Your blog is BEAUTIFUL, Bob! I'm so proud to call you my friend. I do wonder,though, if good old "Anonymous" who posted a couple of blogs later even read yours. He/she should read and re-read it. Might even be a good idea for that person to check out Mary Ellen's book, as well. I still love and miss Marcus. Margaret Dorr
Bob, this is a wonderful topic for this site. Marcus can be very proud of Mary Ellen Kelly and what she was able to accomplish, although immobilized as a result of rheumatoid arthritis. She drew the title of "But With the Dawn Rejoicing" from Psalm 29 (30):2-6. Her book was published in 1959 and over the past few years I have found several used copies on amazon.com to give to others. The first chapter contains this quote "...my story begins in a tree-shaded Iowa town called Marcus." Julie, the newspaper that you and I remember folding during our grade school years at Holy Name School, was called "Seconds Sanctified". Mary Ellen founded a sodality for shut-ins and distributed this paper to them. Last summer, I found that the Sioux City Diocese office has a folder on Mary Ellen Kelly, available for perusing, which has several copies of this paper.
To Bob Metcalf: From: Don Peters, CA.(MHS, 1947) About your folks, Glenn and Marie. I caught your request back in early February. Spencer from Chicago buying a small interest in an insurance agency in 1956 and started up a travel agency about 1960. With the insurance agency growing, I sold the travel agency to a partnership--Jiggs Sondergaard (relegated to a wheel chair in his early years-former mayor of Spencer) and your dad, Glenn. Believe Glen and Marie also operated a restaurant on the main drag, Grand Avenue (also Fed Highway 71) Your folks were super people with always a smile and a cheerful word. Later on, did your dad pass away with cancer still in his working years while in Spencer?
About your grandfather, Chels; as a small boy I didnt want haircuts. I can remember about age 12 ('41)watching Chels using the straight edge razor--sharp routine striking the straight edge on a leather strap!! Don Peters
Pleased to see comments about the life of Mary Ellen Kelly-all in all a very wonderful and charming women. I recall Roger Rae, Leon Wallin (he had access to a pick-up)and I moving Mary Ellen on her slightly elevated special bed to the movies once a week spring, summer and early fall. She could be out of the iron lung 2 hours or so at that time back in middle 1940s. Go for her book!! DP
Gray Matters: The Olympics; part II Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Margaret Dorr Sometime before the opening of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, I was struck with an inspiration. Knowing our nephew, Dave Dorr, retired sports writer for the St. Louis Post Dispatch and Sporting News, had covered nine Olympics, six Winter Olympics and three Summer ones, I decided to asked him if he would recount some of his memorable experiences in a couple of guest Gray Matters.
I am sure you will be as delighted as I am that he said yes. This is the second story by Dave.
My lodging at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., was a cottage on the banks of Saranac Lake. It had little heat, no writing desk and a shower that dripped if I was lucky. At night, I put a tube of toothpaste in the crook of my knee to warm it so I could brush my teeth in the morning.
If you'll recall, Cold War tensions in 1980 were downright icy. Russia was the chief U.S. Olympic rival, the enemy. Americans were being held hostage in Iran. There was talk of the U.S. boycotting the Moscow Games that summer. American shoulders were slumping. The national mood was heavy-hearted.
In the midst of this, a group of U.S. college hockey players shocked the invincible, titanic Soviet team 4-3 in what would come to be known as the Miracle on Ice. It was thrilling, improbable, unexpected and just what the nation needed, proof that anything is possible, anything can be overcome.
I walked out of the arena that night to an unbelievable, wild, spine-tingling scene. People had climbed on telephone poles and cars and everywhere you could hear them singing the Star Spangled Banner. It was unforgettable, the No. 1 American sports moment in a generation, an affirmation of national values.
Truly, it was an uplifting moment. My personal Olympic moment, though, occurred in Korea at the 1988 Summer Games when I carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Seoul to the stadium on the day of the Opening Ceremonies.
Police estimated the crowd at 500,000 along my route, everyone eager to see the sacred Olympic flame. There was an honor guard of 16 Koreans running behind me. I was flanked by police motorcycles and ahead of me were Korean dancers in traditional costumes. My outfit, furnished by Korean Olympic officials, was all white -- shoes, gloves, headband, singlet, shorts, socks. I've never worn them again.
Lake Placid marked the third of nine Summer and Winter Games I covered as a journalist. Winter Games have a charm the Summer Games can't match. I think it's the skiing, the skating, the snow, the frigid days that bite at your nostrils.
At Lake Placid, American Eric Heiden won five speedskating gold medals on an oval that once was a running track adjacent to the town's high school. It was difficult to see his races from the bleachers, so I went to a second floor men's bathroom, opened a window and, with unfettered view, scribbled my notes.
Sometimes, you just have to be creative. At the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics security was brutally tight because of the Munich Massacre in 1972. I needed the Olympic Village phone number of boxer Michael Spinks, but it was off limits. So, in clandestine fashion, he passed the number to me carved on a bar of soap through a fence.
Poignant Olympic moments -- some worthy of poetry -- stay with you, deep within your soul. At the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary the world wept with American speedskater Dan Jansen. On the day of the 500 meters, a race in which he was the heavy favorite, his sister Jane Beres died of leukemia. He fell 10 seconds into the race and was eliminated. Three days later, in the 1,000 meters, he fell again.
And in 1992 at the Barcelona Summer Games, nearing the 20th anniversary of the Munich murders of 11 Israeli Olympians by Arab terrorists, Yael Arad became the first from Israel to win an Olympic medal, a silver in judo. Destiny? Perhaps. For me, it simply confirmed that there is justice in the world after all.
I would like to invite everyone that is coming to the Marcus Fair to stop in at the Community Center that Saturday night and enjoy the entertainment the Center will have. We hope this allows people who would like to meet friends or relatives a venue to get together in town. We will be sporting new carpeting and a relocated bar. Tammy Johnson- Community Center Board Member
This information is about the MMC school and I think anyone that has children in our school system should try to make it to this school board meeting because it concerns our children and our school.
Announcement RE: School Board Meeting 3/15/10
The MMC School Board is working hard to address and endure the most devastating financial crisis public education has ever faced. We believe it is in the best interest of our community and our children to keep a school in our district. At this point, the primary goal of the school board is to maintain the solvency of our district. It is a fact that the future of our district (in a three year overview) depends on our current financial choices. We have had two public meetings in which the facts and numbers have been presented, with little or no community present for awareness.
We are asking that you please join us and look at this situation with us. Unfortunately, we are facing very difficult choices such as: Will we have to absolve all or part of the Cleghorn building? Will we have to cut or freeze salaries of our educated and competent teaching staff. Are we facing staff reductions and bigger class sizes? Is there a way to generate money without levying taxes? Do we have to levy taxes? What would utilizing an early retirement option save us? Keeping a school in our community and how these concerns are addressed affects every member of this community; children, families, businesses, people’s livelihoods, etc.
We believe this is a community issue and that it will require partnership from all (teachers, parents, business community, clergy, etc.) to be successful. The March 15th board meeting would be a good opportunity to share the facts, and numbers - in black and white. It seems grim but we’re MMC – “Pride in the past, Faith in the future”. Hope to see you Monday, March 15th , MMC High school library – across from the office.
There are many people in the community that deserve raises that have had their wages frozen for years. With the economy the way it is, I think we should be more concerned with the quality of our childrens education. I know that merging isn't on my list of things I want to happen, but change is not always a bad thing.
I believe if a poll were taken there are many people in our community that have not received raises in the past few years. I think that asking 7% is totally ironic. Many communities in this area are closing schools leaving teachers without employment. Have the teachers given this any thought?
I believe if a poll were to be taken in our community we would find that many people have not received raises in the past few years. Asking for a 7% raise is ironic. We have a lot of schools in this area closing, leaving a lot of teachers unemployed. Have the teachers here thought about that??
LOVE the positive news for our town. We are truly blessed to have a great city council who is not afraid to make things happen. Read below for details and again thanks to the town leadership for all of their hard work! The piece below was in the Cherokee paper fyi.
The best news of the night was that Karl and Sara Koelling DDS, PC will build a new building to house a dental practice along Highway 3 to the east of Hometown Guesthouse. The building will sit on lot 12 with dirk work to begin in April built by a local contractor. The building will measure approxinately 56feet by 74 feet. The Koellings hope to be open for business in early summer to provide yet another service right in Marcus. Slowly the Marcus business park is beginning to grow.
Terrible cannot believe our teachers are asking for that kind of a raise, they outa be thankful they have a job. Look and the paper and see all the employers having to give job cuts, The state is a big one. Look at all those jobs lost, look at all the furlow days they had to take our teachers would not take a furlow day!!! Need to be thankful for what you have Greediness gets you nowhere. Maybe unemployed!! Good Luck!!
Streets are just Fine. Maybe you need to be emloyed by the city and see what kind of a job you can do. You would have to be out working instead of complaining on the Blog!! Donate some of your time.
I'm really glad to see a dentist coming into town. It will be a lot handier to be able to stay in town and schedule a dentist visit. Kudos to whoever got them to come!
Tammy That would be our city council. Wonder how many people have ever sent them a letter of thanks for all of the hard work and hours they give to this community.
Better yet how about we all organize a city council appreciation night at the new school dining facility and let the council know how much we appreciate them? Just asking but the Fair Board does a great job of doing a Fair dinner thus a city council appreciation dinner might be a nice way for all of us to give back to the board members and their families for one special night!
sorry but it was not the city council that got the new dentist in town it was Carl Nelson and his great job of getting things done. Give credit where it is do and not make things look good for others!!!
The city council is doing and ok job but I feel could be doing alot more.
I would like to remind everyone that the council is made up of members that were elected by the public. If you are interested in what is going on at the meetings, they are open to the public the first Monday of the month at 7:30.
Also to Tammy-that is a wonderful idea to let these guys know we appreciate all their hard work.
If you think Carl Nelson did this on your own then you don't understand how a city is run.
Carl Nelson has been a great asset to the community "hands down" but nothing gets down without the whole city council being involved and for sure without the support of a town's mayor.
The idea of having a town wide city council appreciation dinner at the new school dining facilities seems like a great idea to me.
Why should we have a city council appreciation dinner? It is there job! They get paid for doing it. The way they handle things is mind boggling sometimes. There is money there for things that they want but if others want things all we hear is we have no money! Why is that? No one made them run for the council.
An appreciation dinner should be for those who donate there time for nothing like Marc-Ettes, Fairboard, Jaycees, Lions, Knights of Columbus, Boyscout, Girlscouts and sorry if i missed anyone. Alot of things in Marcus have gotten done becuase of their unselfness of there time! What about those people?
Everyone wants to hear they have done a good job. But most of the time we only hear anything when it is bad news. I for one appreciate all the city council and other city employee's do for our town. Yes, they are getting paid to do it, but it's still nice to let them know we appreciate all they do.
Hi Don: Yes my Dad and Jiggs ran the travel agency for awhile, later selling it to "Doc" Schmidt(optometrist)and his wife Vera. Mom and Dad also ran "Schwens", which was a restaurant in downtown Spencer. Later he was a real estate broker with Jack Holiday.(Holiday-Metcalf Real Estate). Dad died in 1975 at the age of 55. Mom died in 2005. When we were kids in the 50's my folks would drive to Marcus to visit and get our haircuts from Chels. Thanks for the note..Nice to hear from someone who knew them. Bob Metcalf
Mr Rosewall, we will see how you feel when you get a ticket or the city council gets on you for parking your semi on a busy street on Marcus over night. Most people would have the common courteous not to do such things to there fellow Marcusites! I remember years ago when someone lost there life running into a semi park on that very street 2 block down.
I generaly park at the Junction unless I just need to stop and get something I forgot. I don't even like driving it thru town because I feel the streets are not rated for the weight of these heavy trucks. But yes I did park by the house one night. Ron
WOW amazed with all the slander to people. For the ones that want to sit on this website and make durogortory statements GET a LIFE. Donate some of your time.
please tell me what is slanderous and durogortory statements that i have made? Or facts durogortory statements or slander? I have the freedom of speech under the Constitution don't I?
Hey anonymous, your logic escapes me. First you complain about receiving a ticket for your semi parked on a Marcus street overnight, then you mention the fact that someone was killed when they ran into a semi parked on a Marcus street.
So are you arguing that you should have received the ticket since it is dangerous to park on the street or what? You have lost me completely.
hey Kurt does the Dorr family have something planned at the commnutiy center in Marcus? If you do hope that they will enjoy the new and improved look of the Marcus Community Center.
Yea I have given 20 years to the community and not complaining or making crazy statements. Be positive!! We are all human and make mistakes but apparently you are not, but believe me you are not perfect.
Yea education is important but giving the teachers a raise is not going to improve there skills, just going to make them lazier. If your job was so important you would not race to punch in and race to punch out. Unbelievable!! Giving them a raise will just give them more money to take more trips and remodel there homes and drive fancier cars. Maybe need to have there husbands that are farmers pay more tax so they can get a raise, why do you think the town people always have to have there taxes raised?? Need to think before you decide on this matter!!
I like the idea of having an appreciation night/ or recognition night, Marcus has a great group of organizations that pull together for the betterment of our community. I would appreciate some suggestions on getting one together! Email me at jtj@midlands.net- open to all comments or suggestions. To the City Council or Carl Nelson or whom ever got the dentist! GOOD JOB! Tammy Johnson
an addition to my last post... I would lean toward having the appreciation night at the Community Center due to the fact that I'm a board member. But I'm flexible. Most of the time :)
Not complaining just making sure the facts get out there.(is that the right use of the word?)
What crazy statements did I make?
An appreciation dinner for the groups and organizations in town is a great idea. My feelings for having it would be at the Community Center since it is Community appreciation.
Having it at the school would be nice but I feel the time to show off the school is at faor time when ALOT of people are home for that1 Is that a bad idea?
For those considering what to do with the school budget issues, a gentle reminder that losing the high school often sends a town down a bad path. Think of the towns in Northwest Iowa without a high school and then think about whether that is what you want Marcus to become. Save the high school.
Wow, only comment i have about any of the school issues, the teachers need to freeze their salaries. They need to be lucky they have a job and most of them close to home. It is only going to get worse. Way to go Jeff Gross, you are on the right path, and I think that most everybody else is to, but a few think they are worth a million bucks, and they have not got there yet.
There has been some comments about an increase in taxes to support our school district. I own an acreage and farm land in this district and am not fond of paying higher taxes either. However it seems to me we can pay a little more and save our school or we can eventually dissolve and go to a neighboring district and pay MUCH more. I went to the state website and got the total tax rate for our school and the surrounding districts. I have had people in Marcus tell me that we are way too high. I do not argue until I have the facts. These are the facts. We are the 5th lowest in the state and the lowest in NW Iowa.
West Sioux- $17.95 Akron Westfield- $17.02 Kingsley-Pierson- $16.48 Cherokee- $14.61 Galva Holstein-$ 13.13 Hinton- $12.78 LeMars- $12.71 South O'Brien-$12.36 Remsen-Union- $11.47 MMC- $10.51
Do we really believe that if we go with another district, they will lower their rates to match ours? Last night's meeting went very well. The information was presented clearly and good questions were asked.
I though the school board meeting went very well last nihgt. There were lots of questions asked and answered. I think that are teachers do a great job with our kids. I would not want to make the decision that the school board has to think about making. I would love to see my kids graduate from MMC but in the real world these days with alot of schools merging together I think we all know what's going to happen donw the line. I was glad to see all the concerned community people and parents at the meeting. It does show how much we all care about our school and what is happening. Kristi
How are higher taxes suppose to help the school when we are losing kids pure and simple because of the fact that rural Iowa is dying? This is a fact and it pains me as much as the next person to admit it. Note this isn't unique to rural Iowa but is happening all over the country. Lastly if the teachers all think they are worth more money why doesn't the school board put out feelers around the country and see if we can get new teachers to come to Marcus and teach for what we are paying our teachers? Bet we can get some takers with teachers all over the country getting laid off because of the terrible economy and the fact most states are broke. Maybe it is time we get teachers from a different perspective to enrich our children's lifes a bit more than just hiring from within. Housing in Marcus on a relative basis is cheap and teachers in bigger towns are getting laid off right and left. I suggest we don't pay more to our teachers but get new and hungry teachers who appreciate having the opportunity to work in a great environment and with kids whose parents support their efforts.
I found the comment by the teacher at last nights school board meeting that "we are all on the same team working together" interesting. Were the teachers on the same team when they filed a grievence against our school to get an extra unearned paid day in the school year? With teammates like that, who needs enemies?
I have not read this blog for months..... I somehow think it is loosing the purpose of a blog.... the complainers are outweighing the good things spoke of. Marcus is a great town - small but great. Teachers are asking for a raise - it hasn't even gone to the board.... I am sure they can come to a compromise. I am thinking alot of you would also like a raise... it never hurts to ask and then compromise. Lets look at more positives - we sound like a bunch of winers.......
I invite all members of the class of 1966 to keep in touch and carry on a conversation at our blog below. My hope is other Marcus Classes will do the same and create blogs of their own. If you have any pictures to share from the class of 1966 please post them on our blog.
You really need to catch up on more than just this blog. The teachers union DID go to the board with a 7.5% pay increase and the board opted to freeze. No agreement could be made so now it is up to an arbitrator to decide.And the arbitrator cannot come to an agreement..only pick one side or the other. So sadly there is a very good chance they will get their raise. I for one am all in favor of cleaning house and hiring back only those who truly want to teach and dont need a large pay raise. The young man propsing that idea last night had alot of guts to share his idea with the board..most would be afraid of the negative feedback but his was one of the best ideas of the night. Sadly that option probably wont be taken either. We have some great teachers at MMC but the salaries are too high for the financial problems we now have.
I just wanted to correct some misinformation posted on the blog. The MMC teachers are still negotiating with the board. This contract has not gone into arbitration and hopefully won't. We are a team and both hope to reach a compromise.
I have been hearing good things about the community center and can't wait to see it at Utesch/Bird wedding! I think getting dueling pianos in there some weekend would be a wonderful idea, and great for all adult age groups! (what do you say mom?) :)
well... I must say that I am pleasantly surprised that my daughter and her friends read the Blog.. I will take your requests to the other members of the board. Thanks for your opinions girls! Appreicate the input.
I can't believe that our Government officials are so progressive that they are willing to allow a person's neighbors to decide what type of fence the Private Property owner can have. This is supposed to be such a great place for people to grow and prosper. The only thing that seems to be growing is the amount of intrusiveness that our Government officials are producing.
It's no wonder why our Mayor, Darrell Downs, lost his bid for the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors. And, I'm glad he did, because Cherokee County would have become a laughing stock to the whole State. He's destroying this town with the help of his cronies.
Marcus is supposed to be the City that claims to have "Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future". All I've seen since Darrell became mayor is: "Forget the Past, Praise the Almighty Dollar."
The People of Marcus need to turn this City into a great place to live by embracing everyone's individual Freedoms that are endowed by our Creator and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. The People of Marcus need to allow the Individual Private Property owner to make the choices that they deem necessary on their property and not allow others to do it for them.
Thomas- I respectfully wish to disagree with you. Darrell, The City Council and a whole bunch of of other people have helped Marcus to grow in the last 10 years. Much more than alot of other towns. Please put aside your bitterness and atleast give credit where credit is due. As far as the fence issue, we have rules, because if we didn't, face it, we'd all be running around doing our own thing.
I had a thong on, which is allowed by Iowa Law. I even discussed it with police officers from other towns. And, they said that it was within the Iowa Law.
But, as I have told Darrell and others, "If you don't like what's on or being done on a person's property, stay the hell out of the area. No one is breaking your arm to drive around and be so dang nosy. I don't tell others how to live their lives. Therefore, don't tell me how to live mine."
As for Darrell and his cronies, "They are running this community into the ground financially. They can't even afford to pay more than one Police Officer, which was mentioned in the Cherokee paper. The streets are a cesspool of potholes and a danger to safe upkeep of the automobiles. They are destroying the fabric of what this Community was founded on." When I was a kid, no one bothered anyone else. The Peole allowed others their Freedom to decide for theirselves.
Darrell knows that I'm not going to lay down and let them trample the Rights and Freedoms that the Founding Fathers had set up. They continue to bitch and moan about our yard, but you know, "It IS our yard, it was purchased by us, we pay the taxes on it, and it will continue to be in the family for long after Darrell Downs is dead and gone."
BTW, I'm not arguing against having a fence ordinance. What I am arguing is: "A Private Property owner's neighbors should not be given the Right to decide what type of fence can be put on the Private Property owner's own yard. And, that the neighbors should not have the Right to decide what type, height, or all other aspects of that fence should consist of. They should stick to their own Property and worry about what they do instead of what everyone else does."
Also, if a person wants an 8-foot fence then they should be allowed to have an 8-foot fence, as long as it's on their Private property.
If the people are so unhappy with their lives than they should work to make their own life better. They should not be given the authority to destroy someone else's Freedom to decide, just because they want to control their lives and everyone else's lives around them.
On a lighter note. I hope everyone is training for the 5k at the Marcus Fair or other runs they might be doing this summer. There should be another category for the the 5k. People who close down JB's or have a class reunion going on, just a thought.
Thanks to everyone who sent a card, stopped at the house, or just said Happy Birthday to dad. He has received well over 100 cards! You really made his birthday a special one. The Fred Wilkens family.
Bob, We could make it a triathalon race of some type. First stage is to enjoy your class reunion, second stage is the 5k, third stage could be more reunion! (Or we could just start the race at JB'S to help the runners out.) Ha Paul
For those of you who may not have heard Alice Dunn's funeral was today. Alice was the wonderful wife of the former mayor of Marcus-Jack Dunn-and was 94 when she passed away.
My condolences to the wonderful family of Mrs. Dunn!
The level of intelligence in these comments is astounding! I'm glad the good people of Marcus know how to spell. It's spelled derogatory, not durogortory. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any problems.
I had the good fortune to see Jay Welp from MMC run this weekend in Storm Lake and last night at UNI in the DOME. This is a special kid y'all and if you get a chance you should get out and see him run.
He took on the best that the state of Iowa had to offer last night in the 1 mile indoor at the UNI Dome and showed the top runners in the state that he is the man to beat. During the last two laps he made sure that if anyone was going to beat him they would have to earn it. The kid is only a JUNIOR....he has super parents and he is just the nicest young man....and how can you not love a kid who has the kindest demeanor with a great smile but a killer instinct within when he gets on the track? Jay is truly a great representative of the MMC school system and of Marcus!
Thanks for the great treat last night Jay and have fun with the rest of the season!
I would also like to say that the Marcus News is looking good these days. Like the new wider page width. Also, the high school students are doing a good job! Thanks!
Tonight around 4:45/5:00 my sister's van had a window shot out of it on the driver's side. She was traveling north on C Ave. between Poppen's and Radcliffe's. If you have any info, please contact the sheriff's office.
Back on to the teachers.. A raise are you kidding me. They get free passes to the home events. Free lunch for doing hall or outside duty. Walk around as if they are owed everything. They are all paid very well, and if they want raise maybe need to see if they can get a job somewhere else for more money, cause i would say our school is tapped out right now. Nothing new is taught to our kids, if you have more than one child you know this cause they bring home the same thing each year!!! Hope somebody steps in and stops some of the dumb crap that is going on at MMC!~!!!
Thomas Willems: You are lucky that the town was so gracious to give you almost 10 years to build that "house" that you call home. That whole corner of town that you live on his been an eye sore in Marcus for as long as I can remember. If the town didn't have "rules and regulations" on fences, then every other house in town would have different heights, colors, etc. It would look trashier than your corner of town. Those were rules and laws far before Downs was Mayor. I don't particularly care for Downs, or what he stands for at all, but if you travel to other towns, there are very few homes that look like yours. God help your neighbors for having to see you in a Speedo mowing the lawn. Good Lord.
No, the city streets aren't "fine". They are terrible. Compared to Remsen, LeMars, Cherokee, etc, they are AWFUL. Why should the people of the community have to go "donate" time??? The city employees get PAID TO DO THAT JOB. Back in the day when bad weather would strike, I remember hearing the plows out at 4AM! Now, it's more like 8AM! It's like they are afraid to put the blade on the ground! The city streets are horrible! But I did take a stroll around town during the storm at Christmas time, and you know who's streets were cleaned first?? You got it, Mr. Down's street, and all the people of Marcus who have the money! Sickening...
If you can't provide your name and must hide behind "anonymous" then you must be no more than those other hypocrits that live in town.
BTW, the First Amendment allows for Freedom of Expression and the Ninth Amendment allows for the Citizens to have Rights if they're not provided to the Federal Government or the States, by the Constitution of the United States of America.
It has never bothered me what others in this town think. I believe in my Rights provided by the Constitution of the United States of America. Therefore, I'm not worried about what others think. And, to allow a bunch of Progressives to overthrow those Rights and Freedoms is against everything the Founding Fathers believed.
I will not give up my Principles and my Beliefs to satisfy those that I have nothing to do with and want nothing to do with.
Also, the point I was making is: "This is our land and no one else's." Most of the land in this area was in the family long before Marcus had a horse arena, which has become a complete waste of money. Therefore, it doesn't matter to me what others think.
One more point to make. Before moving to the property we're on now, we had whatever type of fence we wanted. Our dog pen was 6-foot tall and we didn't need someone else's permission to build it. Therefore, the Fence ordinance was not intentionally used to impede the Right to decide for each-and-every Individual Property owner, as Darrell Downs and the City Council are using it now.
I think we should show a little respect for Tommy Willems. Any one who proudly admits to sporting a thong while mowing their lawn is an upstanding man in my book.
The ladies of Marcus should consider themselves lucky to have such a man showing off his goods like that.
You know Tommy, if you had a modicum of decency you wouldn't mow your yard in nothing but a thong. Do you have any idea how horrific that is for those people unfortunate enough to see that? Such a sight could leave lasting psychological damages to even the most strong-willed person.
Beautiful pictures taken down by Trinity. Anyone want to take credit for them. You are quite the photographer. I have also noticed the beautiful sunrises/sunsets we have been having this time of the year. So great to see the sun.
T.G.I.F.! For those peope that don't know what dueling pianos are, they are 2 gentleman that play 2 baby grand pianos. They take requests from the crowd for any song, they sing the songs, get crowd participation in and generally have a whale of a good time. I highly recommend them.
Tommy- no disrespect here.. But you obviously are not happy with Marcus, I can understand the fence issue, but, surely you must see the reason why we have rules, true, you should be able to do what you want on your own property, unfortunately, other people have property and what you do or put up, affects their property value. Which is why we have rules. Maybe you would be happier on a small acreage? I know we live out in the county, and you do have much more privacy. it's a thought and it's not said with malice or disrespect. It's just a thought.
I can honestly say that for teachers, the school board, and everybody involved in this financial mess that has been passed down to us, that it stinks. Trust me, I wouldn't be a teacher for all the free meals, passes or whatever they get, I barely got my own kids raised without feeling like I needed to tar and feather them at times, let a lone teaching someone elses...I would have needed a sedative! Being a teacher, or on the school board is a thankless job. Lets try to work together to get through this mess.
Tammy, in all fairness, I actually have nothing against Marcus. In fact, I have nothing to do with Marcus, for the most part. With that being said, I'll explain my problem with the fence ordinance. And, fill in a little background.
1. The problem with the fence ordinance being proposed - people, other than the Private Property owner, have the right to make the decision whether the Private Property ownder/occupant(s) can have the fence they want. If they take out that provision and allow the Private Property owner/occupant(s) to make the decision themself/theirselves with the type and height of fence, up to 8 feet, they won't get any argument from me. But, it must be the Private Property owner/occupant(s) decision alone and not the neighbors.
2. A few years back, Darrell Downs and I had an agreement with conditions. I held up my end of the agreement. However, Darrell did not. And, until he lives up to his part of the agreement and conditions, he and his cronies will not get any cooperation, whatsoever, from me. He knows what those conditions were. But, he has continued to deny me what is owed. Also, just to get what he wanted, he threatened to have my house torn down, just as they did with Mike and Karen Brooks's house, even though it was in the process of being sold to their daughter Kim.
3. I have had meetings with both, Darrell and Chuck Knudson, the City Attorney. Sometimes, they were together and sometimes separately. I was informed as to what they really would like, but there is absolutely no way they are getting what they want, ever. In fact, I was given permission to do as I see fit with Kim Brooks's property. That's why, I am continuing to expand my tulip garden. This year, there is over 500 tulips, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, and other types of flowers on her property. Next year, I plan to have over 4,000. Kim will continue to keep her property, as will we, to keep this property out of the hands of the City of Marcus. It will continue to be passed down through other members of the family, just so that they can never get it.
There's more, but that's for another time. BTW, I have nothing to hide. I don't hide my past and I don't hide the fact that I'm a Jeffersonian Republican, as well as, a Tea Party/Republican.
Sorry Kim, that was me that took and posted the pictures down around trinity. I thought I'd signed my name until you mentioned it, then I went back and looked closer and you were right I hadn't!
Tommy, you impudent child. Your rights are not being trampled here. You have no concept of that. At all. What's happening here is a simple zoning law you are breaking. You do NOT have the right to do "whatever you want" on your "private" property if it has an established negative effect on the people surrounding do. Which is what and unsightly fence does.If you cannont follow these very basic local laws, I suggest you leave Marcus.
You have a disturbing persecution complex Tommy. It's little surprise that the ridiculous Tea Party movement appeals to you.
Sorry, Bill, but they can't take away the Rights of one person just to appeal to a group of nose-bags and control freaks.
The Constitution of the United States of America overrides any-and-all Governmental Laws. The Frist and Ninth Amendments protect the Individual against the tyrannical Governments, such as Marcus. Even the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals even stated that Local Governments have to distinquish the difference between Private Property Rights and the Public Property Rights. And, they made the judgment that the Private Property owner has more authority than does a Local Government to decide what is done on the Private Property. The City, in which the case came from, never did challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court. Therefore, there's no Precedent for around the Country.
If they want to push it, they are more than welcome to stay the hell off of this land, unless they have a warrant for my arrest. They can put up a fight all they want, but they aren't going to come here and tell me what's going to be done and what isn't. If they want a fight, they'll get one and I can guarantee they're not going to win.
First off, the United States Constitution and the Amendments you've invoked say nothing of zoning laws of any kind. Quit using the vague phrasing of those documents to further your ridiculous agenda against Marcus and it's "tyrannical" government. The fence your proposing would be an eyesore and would have a very negative effect on this town if more were to implement such an idea.
I'll say it again, if you cannot follow very simple (and I'd say fair) zoning laws, perhaps you should leave.
Bill, perhaps you should start looking up Court Cases that have been sprouting up around the Country. Most of the Courts have ruled in favor of the Private Property owners. And, meany Court opinions have stated that, in order to be ruled a nuisance, there has to be a clear danger to Public Health or Safety.
And, again I will say it, "If they want a fight I will give them one that they will not win. And, no, I'm not leaving and I will not give them the satisfaction." I am going to Stand Up against this tyrannical Government and its cronies and fight for the Rights and Freedoms that are spelled out in the Constitution of the United States of America.
I can't believe all of the people that are willing to allow the tyrannical Government of Marcus take away the Private Property owner's Rights and Freedoms. I can understand Darrell's cronies, but the average Marcus person should have more brains than that.
Why is it, if Darrell Downs is such a great mayor, he lost his bid for the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors? It's because the People respect and appreciate their Rights and Freedoms.
BTW, Bill, no one in this town knows me anymore. They only know the person I once was. People do change. Therefore, people shouldn't ever pretend to assume or know the things I believe in or what I stand for.
And, "Tommy" is in my past. I've become more wise with having taken Constitutional Law courses and understanding the Founding of this Nation, by reading the writings of the Founding Fathers. People around here should try it sometime.
That's why, I am a Jeffersonian Republican and a Tea Party/Republican. They, too, believe that the Federal, State, and Local Governments need to stay off of their land and keep out of ones' personal life.
As the law stands (or at least how I understand it) fences above a certain height cannot be legally built within the confines of Marcus. If you do so you are breaking the law. You don't have a leg to stand on here.
And quit casually throwing around accusations like "tyrannical government". You have NO IDEA what a tyrannical government is. But here's a hint: they do a lot more than prohibit it's denizens from constructing visually constricting monstrosities on their property.
Your pathetic allegiance to that xenophobic (and now irrelevant) bunch of kooks the Tea Party has no place in this debate.
The City Council cannot allow someone else to make decisions of what is on a person's Private Property, if they aren't the ones whom own it. That is a fact.
And, I will win, if they try to give the authority to others to make decisions of what can be erected or put on someone else's property, other than their own. And, that's what they are proposing to do.
You should really look up the State of Iowa's Definition of Nuisance in the Code of Iowa. As long as a fence is not interfering with a street, alley, or a few other things, it can be built. They also state in there that dense brush/weeds must constitute a risk to Health, Safety, or Fire Hazard. It's under Iowa Code 657.2.
Bill you do not seem to grasp the definition of xenophobic.....I do not see that phobia in any of Mr. Willems posts. But I must say I have no desire to see his derriere in a thong.....I see the merit of many of his concerns in regards to "city" ordinances.
Tom, I bought the lot next to yours and I am in the process of acquiring a lot more land around your house. I have filed a plan with the NRC to build a nuclear reactor next to your home. Hope you don't mind. It is so refreshing to meet a like minded individual that will let me do what the hell I want with MY PROPERTY!!!
I have no problem with nuclear reactors being built, so build one if you want. As long as it is on the Private Property owners' own property, I have no problem with what a person wants to build, do, or have on their own property. However, I expect to have the same gratitude shown to me.
So, Bill, you're okay if I come to your street and look on your yard to see if I agree with you having whatever it is that you have on it? Do I understand that correctly? But, if I don't like something, you'll remove it for me, right? Well, if you say no then you should be objecting to Darrell and his cronies for attempting to pass the same type of ordinance.
I have no problem with foreigners or anything out of the ordinary (strange). I used to work with a lot of Hispanics and people of other races. I got along very well and we had no problem with each other. In fact, they were a lot nicer than some of the people I know from around here. As I said, people do change. However, I do have a problem with people telling me exactly what I'm going to do when I don't work for them and I'm not on their time or their property.
My family and I have not had such a good laugh in a long time. The Marcus Blogg was our Sunday night "entertainment". Thanks to all for the laughs!
I would like to warn those of you who think that volunteering to help the city crew out with street snow removal is the answer. My husband did in fact try to clear off the street in front of our house and our neighbors. He was stopped by our local police and was told to KEEP HIS 4 WHEELER OFF THE ROAD. Seriously, I think there are more criminal activities going on around here than worring about a friendly citizen removing snow. Oh, but then again, we are "Rassel's"....
Hey! My favorite small town isn't full of "kooks," nor is it a matter of persecution. It's just the nature of a small town. Perhaps we all know each other too well. Memories are lengthy and the idiosyncracies of generations are not easily dismissed. But there are multiple sides to every personality. Tom Willems, for example, always spoke to me pleasantly when we met in the post office and "oldsters" appreciate that from young people. He may have views on the rights of private property which are offensive to some, but the very thought of all the bulbs he has planted for spring blooms sounds wonderful. Come on, give us all a break and let's get on to other things! A Blessed Easter to you all---- Margaret Dorr
I was recently a guest at the Hometown Guesthouse and noted the neat picture of "MARK NEWBROOK" whose wife has Marcus ties. Can someone fill me in on his connection to Marcus?
Mark was a crewmember on this year's USA TEAM-33rd America's Cup and his sailboat is owned by Larry Ellison of Oracle fame. Needless to say they won the America's Cup this year............
Idea for the FAIR BOARD....how about asking him to serve as the Marcus Fair Grand Marshall for the parade and recognize him for his GREAT WIN this year since he just won the America's Cup? Always neat ways to add to the flavor of the Marcus Fair and one phone call or maybe two would be all it would take!
Quote from the America's Cup website.... "The second successive victory for BMW ORACLE Racing against Alinghi on Sunday 14th February 2010 marked the end of the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia."
If you ever get a chance to see these yachts race it is one of the most amazing things you will ever witness. They are beyond fast!
That's a cool connection. Hoping that the America's Cup will be coming back to Newport, RI. We'll see.
Other ideas for grand marshall? Tom Wurth ... Lee Rainboth ... all living WWII vets ... our original Marcus Booster Thelma Gravenish. Anyone else have any ideas?
The video(s) in the link were taken 5 years ago, while I was in last of my drinking days. I have quit drinking since then. However, at that time, the people at Iowa didn't mess with me. That's why, the Iowa jacket, which I wear with pride, has the saying "THIS IS DA CREAMPUFF HOUSE". The nickname was what people liked. Therefore, Rienow Hall, floor 9, was known as "The Creampuff House".
On another note, 6 weeks into the 2005 Spring Semester, I ran for Student Senate. Not knowing anyone down there, I received 533 or 13% of the votes. I ran on lower tuition and better University life for the Students. However, I never went out and campaigned. Also, I was running against students that had been there for more than one semester. So, I did pretty dang well in the polls, for not knowing anyone or having campaigned, whatsoever. I also went to the State Capitol to vie for more money for the Three in-State Universities. We only received half of what we were asking, but we did alright for that effort. These are just some little tidbits that those videos don't show you about my effort to make a real difference within the realm of Politics. And, I am very proud of the efforts I made to help better the future for the University students that have been there since my time.
I knew that those videos would eventually come up, but that doesn't bother me. While you are viewing the drunken "Creampuff" video(s), watch the other ones where I speak out against the news organizations for bowing down to the Socialist, Barack Obama. They also show the thoughts on our Freedoms that are being taken away. The videos are there, as well.
Thanks for sharing the link, but the drinking days are gone and I've further enriched my education on my own terms.
The night those video(s) were shot, I landed in the hospital with a BAC of .25 to .30. The EMTs weren't able to accurately test my BAC (Blood Alcohol Content).
And, when I say, "people didn't mess with me", I mean that they showed me respect and treated me as an equal, except when I was drunk. However, they did respect that my dorm room was my Private place and would never do anything to take that away.
I needed to clarify that statement, so people don't take it out of context.
Hey, anonymous, I have a right to speak freely and post my political views. I also have a right to address anything that is brought up about me.
This is supposed to be the Marcus blogg. Therefore, I have a Right to voice my dissatisfaction with what is going on in Marcus. The last time I checked, there is still the Freedom of Speech in this Nation. And, nowhere on this blogg did it say that that you could only show only praise for Marcus. People have a right to speak out against what they do no believe in. And, I will continue to do the same. And, no disrespect intended.
Stay Strong Tom.... or shall I say 'Cream Puff'. I think it would be interesting if you campainged to be the next Mayor of Marcus. You could really shake things up around town,and wear your thong doing it! You got my vote Cream Puff!
There you go again with your "rights". Yes you have the right to post your political opinions. I also have the right to replace the shingles on my house with pancakes. Doesn't mean it's a good idea.
So I ask with, with all due respect, please leave the politics out of here.
About 90% of what is happening with this Community is due to the Elected Officials' unjust regulations being passed. Therefore, Politics has to be part of the discussion. There is very little that goes that doesn't pertain to Politics. People who associate with the "right" people and/or have money are the ones that seem to be able to get what they want in this Community. The "have nots" are the ones that don't seem to be provided the same courtesy. So, it's all about Politics around here. Even the ones that just try to be nice and help out are reprimanded, just because of who they are, as mentioned in an earlier post by a family I have always respected, the Rassels. It's because they are good people and they show the same respect.
1. Question with Boldness. 2. Hold to the Truth. 3. Speak without Fear. Those are the three lessons that can be learned from Thomas Jefferson.
If cream puff doesnt win the mayor seat maybe he should try for the chief of police hell anybody can do better than what we have now all you got to do is run under the "interested person" and they will hire you under the table
I just want to say thank you to the leaders of this great community for getting a new dentist and a new "PROFESSIONAL" medical building added to our community.
Thank you very much for all of your hard work and continued leadership for our community!
Regarding the fence issue---what type of fence does Thomas want to construct on his property? What are the reasons that this type is not permitted? It seems to me as if some sort of compromise could be reached. After all, we try to teach our children to negotiate to settle disagreements and come up with a solution that are agreeable to all parties! Happy Easter to everyone :)
I love all the discussion, both pro and con on all the issues. For the most part even us anonymous are pretty civilized in our comments. We have a chance to refute bad info. It's interesting. We need controversy and comments to keep us reading this blog. Fire away!
I have obtained a copy of the Fence Ordinance that the Elected Officials are expected to vote on at the next City Council meeting, April 12. There are some things I do agree with. However, there are things I do not agree with.
I agree with the 6-foot height allowance, which is stated. However, the provision that the fence cannot be taller than 4-foot, near an alley or street, is the part I disagree with. If a person cannot build a fence taller than 4-foot, in sections, it takes away from the property owner's ability to build a Privacy Fence. - The provisions that explicitly state this are as follows - "The maximum height of a fence adjacent to a street in a side or rear yard shall not exceed 4 (4) feet." and "For purposes of this Ordinance, a fence adjacent to an alley shall be allowed a maximum height of four (4) feet.
Another provision that is of concern is: "No fence shall be permitted on the front part of any property. The front yard is definded to include the area extending from a line from the front of the residential structure, excluding steps into the residence, to the City street." - This provision is just plain stupid. And, you can't fix stupid.
I do agree that the good looking (ie painted) side should face the adjoining properties. I have no problem with that whatsoever. I also agree that there shall be no barbed wire. But, I disagree with them not allowing cattle panels.
They are also allowing the Private Property owner to construct the fence, without the concent of the adjacent property owner, as long as it is set 2-feet from the property line. And, I do commend them for allowing the Right of the Property owner to make the decision, as long as it is set back 2-feet.
For the person that asked what type of fence want to erect. Well, here's the answer. I want to build a fence that is made of wood, 6-foot tall, and surrounds my whole yard, with a setback of 5 feet from the sidewalk line and a setback of 2 feet from the north and south property lines and the alley, to the east.
BTW, I do have plans to build my fence in mid-to-late May or early June. It depends on how things proceed with this Ordinance.
All I can say is WOW. So I have been reading the blog, and several of you have points, and some of you are way off base. Whoever wrote on here anonymously and put that video of Tom Willems should be ashamed of them self. What does that have to do with any of this debate at all? Tom, you aren't one of my favorite people, but I will back you up on this one. And another thing, Tom is right, PEOPLE CHANGE. But most people in Marcus don't see that, because they are too narrow minded. I applaud you for standing up for what you believe in, but face it Tom, it's Marcus, you aren't gonna win. Gina...You said it girl, you are "Rassels", just as I am "Wiebersch"...we just won't win! Keep giving them hell Tom, and who ever the administrator is on this site, they need to remove that video of Tom drunk. UNLESS, they want me to get a video camera and go uptown to the bar and catch the drunks of Marcus on a Saturday night and post it on here. It won't be hard to catch footage of that!
Tom, don't you dare leave that town. That's what they want. Stick to your guns! They're always trying to push someone out. And they wonder why the town is dying.
Why would you as a Wiebersch say such things reflecting that by being a Wiebersch is a bad thing? The kindest and most wonderful couple that I remember from my days growing up in Marcus---besides Charlie and Fern Addy I might add---were Mr. and Mrs. Wiebersch who were the parents of Paul Wibersch........you would never find a nicer couple in our wonderful town. Don't take away from their legacy and wonderful memory of this couple even though it sounds like you never have come to grips with WHO U ARE. To demean the name of Wibersch is shameful on your part in my opinion.
To the Rassell lady..........why the hate for Marcus? Didn't the whole community rally around the Rassell family when they faced their time of tragedy..........and again the elderly widow Rassell lady that lived by the post office was a wonderful lady and kind to all in our town. If she was alive today I bet she would wonder why you aren't proud to be a Rassell and proud of our town as she surely was as well as loved by many.
You folks have me so confused....you need to learn more about your family heritage before you go slandering your good names in a public forum any further. If I was your parents I would sit you down and start filling you in on the legacy of your great names in this great town.
Maybe you should start trying to emulate the generations of Rassells and Wibersch's before you and all that they did for Marcus and then you wouldn't look at your town quite the same.
Please don't besmudge those generations before u of their good names........many of us that read this blog called them our friends and still consider them friends even though they are no longer with us.
Paul Wibersch's father was the kindest man I ever knew growing up in Marcus and to be a business owner and give back to our community the way he did via his business is and always be priceless in my mind............please think this all over before you keep tarnishing my friend's legacies!
Dear Anonymous: I am in no way slandering my last name. I am fully aware of how wonderful my family is! I was being sarcastic in the sense that the majority of people in town discriminate me for my last name! Shameful isn't it? Thank you for your kind words regarding my grandparents, and how they were business owners in town. To date, I have never heard anything mentioned in Marcus history about them owning a business in town. It's never been mentioned in the Marcus News "via my grapevines" to my knowledge. Again, thanks for your kind words, I wish that everyone around there knew how great my family is!
I am going to have to go along with a previous post and say "Team Tommy". I do however believe that what you are requesting Tommy may be a little extreme. What if you were to see if the city would let you build a 6' privacy fence to enclose just the sides and back of your yard? I agree that making someone drop their fence down to 4' in some areas is ridiculous. How would anyone ever have a privacy fence? I do also believe that putting a fence around your entire property is a bit of an eye sore. I understand you feel you should have the right since it is your property, but what about respecting the people around you?
One more thing...For those of you who have insisted that a name and the almighty dollar don't mean anything I would simply suggest that you look at what is going on around you. Do you think that Madonna's children don't get into the best schools, or that there aren't people that do just as much for humanitarian efforts as Angelina Jolie...bigger towns and bigger money just equal bigger politics, but please don't deny that it is happening in your own lives.
Maybe if you focused on your own legacy and how you can make it YOUR OWN and something special and unique like your grandparent's did then maybe you won't be so concerned about the Marcus "GRAPEVINES" or such.
Happiness comes from within and from what I can tell your grandparents were wonderful happy people and the people that mattered the most to them knew they were wonderful people.
To be consumed and worried about whatever one else thinks and says about you or your family is a no-win situation.
Time to grow up and start a legacy of your own that your grandparents would be proud of.......that is what matters the most and is the biggest challenge for most!
Christian RAPPER name Lecrae has a song that says "DREAM BIG!" Well are you even dreaming let alone BIG is my question to you?
"Anonymous"... I am extremely happy with my life, especially now that I am not in Marcus and more importantly, I don't give a crap what others think of me or my family! I was stating a fact that my immediate family has always been treated like crap by the majority of the people in Marcus. That's a fact. I have never "tarnished" my grandparents good name! My grandparents and my parents are some of the nicest and caring people you will ever meet. Unfortunately, narrow minds wouldn't know that. My whole point with the "Grapevine" comment is that everyone else who has done anything in Marcus has gotten credit. My grandparents are due some credit. "Anonymous", I had the courage to post my name, if you wish to continue "chatting" with me, please post your name. It would be nice to know who I am "chatting" with! :)
I'm changing the subject, but I do have a question for Julia Simpson. If I have it right and your town is Riverside,Rhode Island, I want to know where you are in relation to the terribly flooded areas. Let us know how you're doing. Margaret Dorr
WOW, is all I can say about this blog! If people aren't happy with our city, go to a council meeting, they are open to the public. We should all be happy with what we have in this town, a great school, a new swimming pool, a good main street, and a new business coming to our town to name a few. I have lived here all my life and raised my family here. My husband and I have been involved with a lot of community activities and I think if more of the bloggers spent less time writing about complaints and instead, do something for the community just think how wonderful Marcus would be! Just a thought Deb
Wow, this is getting way out of hand... I think some are reading way too much into things and so I would like to clarify on my behalf: I AM VERY PROUD to have married into the RASSEL FAMILY. I think that Margaret Dorr worded it well when she said, "perhaps we all know each other too well. Memories are lengthy & the idiosyncracies of generations are not easily dismissed." I think I can safely say, that not all the Rassel's from the past have been perfect angels- and my own husband can be ornery if he feels he or his family is being treated unfairly; he has made this clear with local law enforcement and so now we get preferential treatment and constant supervision. LOL Marcus IS a wonderful community - which is exactly why Cam & I CHOOSE to live here and raise our family here. Yes, the Rassel's have seen their fair share of tragedy - too much. Had it not been for the caring people of Marcus it would have been much harder to go on. I think what Tom, Jordan & I have tried to portray in our own way, is that there are a "select few" that don't want to treat everyone equally. We have witnessed it - lived it, & seen how others treat our children differently because of their last name. Those of you who know me, know that I am a very caring woman and I do a lot for our community - it is my hope and prayer that someday future generations will say " hey- remember that Rassel lady from the drugstore - she was one of the nicest people I knew!" So, Marcus - You are stuck with me. PROUD TO BE A RASSEL AND PROUD TO LIVE, WORK, & WORSHIP IN MARCUS- THE PLACE I CALL HOME.
So, where do I begin? First, I want to thank Jordan and Gina for sharing like minded opinions about the way certain families are treated around Marcus. They both know that I am very sassy and willing to Stand Up and will be very persistant when it comes to defending what I believe. Though, they would have had every Right not to defend what I have said.
Secondly, they know that everyone has made mistakes in their past, present, and will do in the future. Because, we are all human. But, to try and judge people based on whom has been before them is where the narrow-mindednees comes in. No one can base others because of whom their grandparents or parents were or are. Everyone is an individual in their own right. And, they should be judged accordingly. But, that judgment should never be because of what they "do" for the community, how much money they have, or how "who" they know. It should be based on the person they are inside.
Third, People seem to talk like they have two tongues. First, people complain about what a person's Personal Property looks like. Then, they complain because a person wants to keep people from seeing what a person's Personal Property looks like, so that they can find something other to complain about. But, people think it's rediculous to want to keep nosy people from seeing what they complain about seeing. So, how many of you actually can "see" where I'm going with this?
This is in no way a temper tantrum nor is it a perspective. It is my own legacy that I am trying to preserve. I am trying to leave a town of Freedom for All instead of Freedom for the few priviledged people that seem to think they deserve to be treated better than everyone else.
I will end this post with a thought of my own. - "The past will soar away until one day it lands in the least expected spot. Though, it is important to remember that it is not the past, present, nor the future that we must fear, but it is what others use it for that will always haunt us dearly. So, never hide in fear. But, stand up for what is Right and Just. For, some day everyone will look back and wonder how they got what they did. And, you will know, in your heart, that it was you that truly made a difference in their lives. It was not because of what you had or what you provided for the City, but the Freedom that you left them for an eternity."
I want to add my two cents too... My Grandma Fern Rassel was a wonderful lady. Thank you anonymous for such kind words. She raised a flock of Rassel's- including my dad, Floyd. He brought us up to help everyone. Dad is gone now, but his memory lives on. Those who talk about, Floyd Rassel say he was an awesome guy- he'd give his shirt off his back to help anyone in need. I am proud to call him my dad and even more proud to bear our family name. The Wiebersch's were like a 2nd family to me, great people. Paul's kids are still some of my best friends. I agree with my wife, our community is Top Notch! When my parents lost their home in 1996 due to a house fire, not only did we lose our childhood home, but my sister, Jean and brother, Justin. The community of Marcus went above and beyond to get my parents and family back on track. And again when we lost dad and my niece, Ashley. This is why I stay here. My family roots are here & they are deep. Deb- great points about our town! I had some of the same thoughts about volunteering. Like helping my neighborhood out by moving some snow - which I was reprimanded for. Last summer my oldest son & I drove our 4 wheeler up to the city park weekly to drag the field so that the kids would have a nice field to play on. The field isn't what it once was since the Merchant's no longer play. Taking care of the field was my "little project". Unfortunately since I've been told I can't have my 4 wheeler on the city roads I will not be able to drag the field this summer. Everyone can thank Chief Jim Ebert for singeling me out since he continues to carry past grudges against my family. Enough said. Still Proud to call Marcus home.
What we need is a revolution! It's time to overthrow the oppressive bourgeoisie Marcus Government and replace it with one that will recpect the rights of it's denziens and let them build fences to the moon if they so choose!
I hadn't checked this blog for awhile and just finished reading the last half month's posts. Somehow I have to believe that this is a good thing. It's kind of like the old town square where people would gather and exchange ideas and different points of view. I can't help but think that the fact that so many people have a chance to voice their opinions is a good thing. Maybe if more people were able to be 'heard', so to speak, other forms of 'getting a point across' would not have been used. In the end, all most people want, is just to be heard.
Now for something a bit more fulfilling and a nice diversion from all of the other drama that has been going on for the past few days on this blog. Thanks Margaret for all of your wonderful "GRAY MATTERS" over the years. They are to be cherished as far as I am concerned. Needless to say you have a gift.
Gray Matters: A Potluck Dinner from the Past Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Margaret Dorr I'm not sure just what triggered this bit of nostalgia. Perhaps it's because a change is being made in the food service here where I am now living. With nothing better to do some residents spend a lot of time discussing the pros and cons of the matter. In any case, all of this food talk has triggered memories of the old-fashioned potluck dinners that used to held at church. I expect many of you, past a certain age, can join me in similar indulgent recollections.
After services and bible class the men would stand around in little groups talking over the things men talked about when they stood around in little groups. Some women were busy in the kitchen while others were doing a bit of chatting on their own.
The youngsters were scurrying around under everyone's feet enjoying their freedom. When the meal was ready the pastor led in the common table prayer and we all fell in line. Calorie-counting resolutions were set aside and all other caution abandoned as a feast was about to begin.
First came the meats and casseroles. We often speculated about the various ways fried chicken was prepared, some was dark and moist, while other examples were golden-crisp. And how about the casseroles? Where do you imagine those many recipes came from?
Though some were quite similar they were all individually and tastily prepared. Next, the vegetables. Someone always brought escalloped corn. How I loved that. When I was small Mom canned our sweet corn.
To "foxy" it up a bit for special meals she "scalloped" it with cracker crumbs, butter, egg and light cream--Mmm. In my day, after painstakingly freezing corn the way my kids liked it, they would have flat-out revolted if I'd dared to add anything but a bit of milk, a dollop of butter, salt and a lacing of sugar. So it was at the church dinner that I depended on getting that delightful golden spoonful of pure nostalgia.
Following that were the salads--a joyous wonder. They could range from varied vegetable combinations to the whipped-cream enhanced fruits--every one different and every one delicious. (That, of course, is a figure of speech for I never actually tried them all, much as I might have liked to).
After all of that, I suppose we might have asked, "Who needs dessert?" But remember, it was a day to indulge. What an array there was! I'll just take the time to tell you my recollections of one very special pie. The same lady always brought a perfect meringue-cream pie.
It might have been lemon, butterscotch or chocolate, she seemed to alternate varieties as I recall. In any case, both crust and filling were made from scratch and all was topped off with an exquisite meringue.
With lard and a bit of deft handling most of us could make a good crust, and we could manage a decent filling, but only this gal could make the perfect, Purple-Ribbon meringue. She's gone now and its secrets have gone with her. All that is at an end, as are my musings on a Potluck Dinner from the Past.
Confession time: I have been looking over some notes made years ago to help refresh my memory so if some of the above seems a bit repetitious, there's a reason. Will you please forgive me? If it aroused some lip-smacking memories of you own I hope you feel it was well worthwhile.
What you all said, is exactly what I meant! Marcus will forever be HOME to me. When I say I am going HOME, I mean Marcus Iowa. Living in Texas now, I am PROUD to say I am from IOWA. My husband was born and raised here in Mesquite Texas, and it's a far cry from Marcus. I brought him home for the 1st time last summer, and he couldn't believe what a small town I grew up in. I enjoy telling him stories about how I grew up. I would gladly live in Marcus again, however, I would never want my children to be treated the way I was. Yes, I have brother(s) who didn't always make the best decisions, and for that, I was guilty by association. That's not right. I never got in trouble with the law in high school as others did. Not that I wasn't doing anything wrong, guess I was just in the right place at the right time! (LOL).
The Rassels and Wiebersch's have always been a tight bunch! My brothers hung around with the older Rassel boys, and I was very good friends with Zac, Jesse, and Goober (Justin) as we called him, and now my son Levi (who goes to Iowa every summer) hangs around with Wyatt and Conner, Cam and Gina's kids.
With all of this being said, please don't twist my words. I am PROUD of my family, mistakes and all. And I am PROUD to say I am from Marcus Iowa!
Something I would really like to see in Marcus is an actual Cooking School, where people can provide the best recipes they have and techniques to share with others. At the same time, they could provide the younger generations with the knowledge they need to know in order to show off their talents and compete with people from other, more well known, places.
I would even volunteer to help provide my knowledge of cooking. And, I do love to cook.
One of my favorite recipes is as follows:
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Ingredients: 1 3-4 pound pot roast. 5-6 medium potatoes, quartered. Approx. 12 baby carrots 2-3 medium onions, cut into 8 slices. 1/2 - 3/4 cup of water. 3-4 shakes each of tyme, rosemary, basil flakes, and parsley flakes. Fresh herbs can be used, as well.
Combine all ingredients in Slow Cooker. Cook on Low for approximately 7 hours. Then, turn setting to High for approximately One (1) more hour.
The end result will be a moist and juicy pot roast with an exquisite flavor. It will be a meal that the whole family can enjoy.
Why is this blog ugly and hateful? Because people are speaking the TRUTH and not everyone is gushing about how AMAZING Marcus is? It's a blog. A place for everyone to get their thoughts and feelings out. If you don't like what you read, then it's simple, type in another URL and don't look. I believe that everyone has a right to get on here and post whatever they like.
A few humbly submitted suggestions from a graduate of MMC that no longer lives in the Midwest:
- I don't think this should be considered a blog. This is really a discussion board. I know it may feel like splitting hairs, but there is a difference.
- Blogs are generally authored by one, or a small handful, of people and typically are updated daily (sometimes several times a day) or at least weekly with thought provoking topics, photos, videos, or other things that readers can comment on - which is what this is; a comments section.
- Discussion boards are usually divided up by subject. For Marcus these could be things like education, business, history, bulletin board (to post upcoming events etc). There can still be discussion and debate but people can pick and choose what topics they particiapte in more.
- Related to the above, I would suggest that this site be discontinued and pursue a few new options: 1) Start a more traditional blog. I'd suggest Wordpress as the publisher, it's widely used and fairly intuitive. 2)Open a discussion board section with various topics and a handful of moderators, 3) Get a Facebook page setup for Marcus, IA. The Fair has one and that is great, but the town itself needs one. I saw a message in another string about possibly starting a MySpace page. I would not recommend this. MySpace is dying quickly compared to Facebook.
Lastly, as a graduate of MMC that went onto college and has had the good fortune of achieving some success in my chosen profession - I would hate to see Marcus lose it's school. But as an alumnus, it's unclear to me what the budget gap is or how I could donate to help close it.
I know some people would say it doesn't matter, just donate. And that's a fair point, but if the gap is say $5 million vs. $500k, that's significant difference, and the amount I donate (Don't worry I can't cover either!) would vary. Not to mention, there are a lot of us who have graduated from MMC (or Marcus as it was) over the decades and while the entire gap may not be able to be made up, some sacrifices may be lessened.
Lastly, (and I'm sorry for going on so long...I've never posted here before but felt compelled to do so after reading two months worth of posts)...be good to each other.
For those who live in Marcus and love it. Good for you, I can understand where you come from. At the same time, those who point out that Marcus is not a Utopian community are right. It's a GREAT town. But it's not perfect, no town is. But letting people express their opinion is part of the online dialogue. Telling them to 'get a life' really isn't useful.
In fact it only fuels further negative commentary. People can agree to disagree and that should be ok. That's what growing up in/around Marcus instilled in me.
For those who feel like they must come here and get deeply personal (and negative) in their attacks - let it go. I could go on as well about the have's and have not's in Marcus. The political nature of the community, but to what end?
It's not different in that way than any town - big or small.
It's pathetic I have to put my vehicle in 4wd to get around the streets of Marcus. When people from other towns come and express how bad the roads are, it doesn't look good for Marcus. Come on guys, lets get out and get the streets cleaned off!!!
ReplyDeletefrom Bob Reed
ReplyDeleteWITH THE DAWN, REJOICING!
Been trying to figure out how to respond to the recent contretemps about our town on this blog. Some feel it was—and is—an ideal place to grow up and live. Others believe that it was—and is—full of bad government and haves and have-nots.
Perhaps it’s like the Iowa folk in “The Music Man” who warned him that
"We can stand touching noses for a week at a time and never see eye to eye…"
I should like to see a day when we could all sit down to a potluck dinner and discuss our perceptions. But the participants would maybe use the Parkerhouse rolls as weapons.
For our today thoughts—and memories—are individual. They are the result of particular incidents and events that color our lives. They command the light as well as the darkness of small towns.
Perhaps a little perspective is in order. Maybe we should seek a bit of laughter in the dawn.
There’s a wonderful song from a musical in the 1960s titled “On a Clear Day.” The lyrics advise us
"On a clear day, rise and look around you
And you’ll see who you are.
On that clear day, nothing will astound you,
For the glow of your being will light every star."
That sentiment was preceded in the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s by a revered Marcus resident, Mary Ellen Kelly. Daughter of Irish folk, she contracted infantile paralysis (polio) at an early age and spent the rest of her life confined to a bed in her home. Immobile from the neck down, she became a sort-of icon for the town.
Buoyant and charming, uncomplaining and smiling, she radiated a personality of kindness and warmth. She read using a stick in her mouth to turn pages, and used another stick to painstakingly write a weekly column for the “Marcus News.”
She traveled to Sioux City and Chicago for treatments, riding in a railroad boxcar. And as a devout Catholic, she enthusiastically endured a long voyage overseas to Lourdes, France in search of a cure.
But mostly, she became host for a local parade of visitors, helpers, supporters, and donors—Protestant and Catholic. The town loved her and sort of adopted her.
Eventually, she put her thoughts on paper in a book that captured her philosophy. It was full of positive ideas and was titled “With the Dawn, Rejoicing.” It spoke of her approach to life, using her waking moments as a joyous takeoff to the day. It went into two printings.
Mary Ellen died in her 30s. But before she left us, she wrote about our town and her life within a framework that permitted her to be aware of our limits and to live what was—for her—a blessed existence. Though she experienced a troubled life, it was as pleasurable as any human life can be.
So maybe we should celebrate both the sacred and profane in our frail mortality. We live, we love, and we grieve; we search for meaning, savor good memories, and perhaps leave a positive perspective for those who may remember us.
For like Mary Ellen, I’m glad to be alive this morning. As she was in “With the Dawn, Rejoicing.”
Bob Reed
I would like to invite any and all of you in the Marcus area to the Waffles for Lee Fundraiser, on Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 9:30-1:00 at the Marcus Pizza Ranch. This is a community fundraiser put on by friends of Lee to help support his work in Mizak Haiti. As many of you know on January 12, 2010, there was a 7.0 earthquake in Haiti; this destroyed not only the home that Lee was building but also the homes of many other people in his community. This is a freewill offering waffle breakfast, with all proceeds going to Lee and his work in Mizak Haiti. We will also be raffling off Lee’s original painting Louoi’s Motorcycle, tickets $5.00.
ReplyDeleteI Hope see you there,
Jacob Rosewall and the rest of the Waffles for Lee Committee
Maybe they should have given the $1.00 per hour raise to Galles?
ReplyDeleteMaybe he would still be employed by the city and our streets would be drivable.
We used to be able to brag about our streets compared to other towns no matter how bad it snowed. I used to be able to leave Marcus like it was just another day going to LeMars to work and then get stuck over there. Now it's the other way around.
Any chance anyone still has a copy of Mary Ellen Kelly's book, or know where I can get one? Are any of her relatives still in Marcus? I remember folding little newsletters in Holy Name basement that, I think, were originally written or developed at her. Does anyone know about this?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and a great message, Bob. Perspective and judgment are wonderful things.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing.
Is Mary Ellen's book still available anywhere?
Hope you and your family are doing well.
Fred Dorr
Fred H. Wilkens will be celebrating his 75th birthday on March 14th. His family is inviting friends and acquaintances to send him birthday wishes at Box 12 Marcus, Iowa 51035. Thanks
ReplyDelete"But With the Dawn, Rejoicing" is available at Amazon.com
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Also, you can read about her on page 406 in the Marcus QQC book.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is BEAUTIFUL, Bob! I'm so proud to call you my friend. I do wonder,though, if good old "Anonymous" who posted a couple of blogs later even read yours. He/she should read and re-read it. Might even be a good idea for that person to check out Mary Ellen's book, as well. I still love and miss Marcus.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Dorr
Bob, this is a wonderful topic for this site. Marcus can be very proud of Mary Ellen Kelly and what she was able to accomplish, although immobilized as a result of rheumatoid arthritis. She drew the title of "But With the Dawn Rejoicing" from Psalm 29 (30):2-6. Her book was published in 1959 and over the past few years I have found several used copies on amazon.com to give to others. The first chapter contains this quote "...my story begins in a tree-shaded Iowa town called Marcus." Julie, the newspaper that you and I remember folding during our grade school years at Holy Name School, was called "Seconds Sanctified". Mary Ellen founded a sodality for shut-ins and distributed this paper to them. Last summer, I found that the Sioux City Diocese office has a folder on Mary Ellen Kelly, available for perusing, which has several copies of this paper.
ReplyDeleteCorinne Alesch
To Bob Metcalf:
ReplyDeleteFrom: Don Peters, CA.(MHS, 1947)
About your folks, Glenn and Marie.
I caught your request back in early February. Spencer from Chicago buying a small interest in an insurance agency in 1956 and started up a travel agency about 1960. With the insurance agency growing, I sold the travel agency to a partnership--Jiggs Sondergaard (relegated to a wheel chair in his early years-former mayor of Spencer) and your dad, Glenn. Believe Glen and Marie also operated a restaurant on the main drag, Grand Avenue (also Fed Highway 71) Your folks were super people with always a smile and a cheerful word. Later on, did your dad pass away with cancer still in his working years while in Spencer?
About your grandfather, Chels; as a small boy I didnt want haircuts. I can remember about age 12 ('41)watching Chels using the straight edge razor--sharp routine striking the straight edge on a leather strap!! Don Peters
From Don Peters
ReplyDeletePleased to see comments about the life of Mary Ellen Kelly-all in all a very wonderful and charming women. I recall Roger Rae, Leon Wallin (he had access to a pick-up)and I moving Mary Ellen on her slightly elevated special bed to the movies once a week spring, summer and early fall. She could be out of the iron lung 2 hours or so at that time back in middle 1940s. Go for her book!! DP
Gray Matters: The Olympics; part II
ReplyDeleteWednesday, March 3, 2010
Margaret Dorr
Sometime before the opening of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, I was struck with an inspiration.
Knowing our nephew, Dave Dorr, retired sports writer for the St. Louis Post Dispatch and Sporting News, had covered nine Olympics, six Winter Olympics and three Summer ones, I decided to asked him if he would recount some of his memorable experiences in a couple of guest Gray Matters.
I am sure you will be as delighted as I am that he said yes. This is the second story by Dave.
My lodging at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., was a cottage on the banks of Saranac Lake. It had little heat, no writing desk and a shower that dripped if I was lucky. At night, I put a tube of toothpaste in the crook of my knee to warm it so I could brush my teeth in the morning.
If you'll recall, Cold War tensions in 1980 were downright icy. Russia was the chief U.S. Olympic rival, the enemy. Americans were being held hostage in Iran. There was talk of the U.S. boycotting the Moscow Games that summer. American shoulders were slumping. The national mood was heavy-hearted.
In the midst of this, a group of U.S. college hockey players shocked the invincible, titanic Soviet team 4-3 in what would come to be known as the Miracle on Ice. It was thrilling, improbable, unexpected and just what the nation needed, proof that anything is possible, anything can be overcome.
I walked out of the arena that night to an unbelievable, wild, spine-tingling scene. People had climbed on telephone poles and cars and everywhere you could hear them singing the Star Spangled Banner. It was unforgettable, the No. 1 American sports moment in a generation, an affirmation of national values.
Truly, it was an uplifting moment. My personal Olympic moment, though, occurred in Korea at the 1988 Summer Games when I carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Seoul to the stadium on the day of the Opening Ceremonies.
Police estimated the crowd at 500,000 along my route, everyone eager to see the sacred Olympic flame. There was an honor guard of 16 Koreans running behind me. I was flanked by police motorcycles and ahead of me were Korean dancers in traditional costumes. My outfit, furnished by Korean Olympic officials, was all white -- shoes, gloves, headband, singlet, shorts, socks. I've never worn them again.
Lake Placid marked the third of nine Summer and Winter Games I covered as a journalist. Winter Games have a charm the Summer Games can't match. I think it's the skiing, the skating, the snow, the frigid days that bite at your nostrils.
At Lake Placid, American Eric Heiden won five speedskating gold medals on an oval that once was a running track adjacent to the town's high school. It was difficult to see his races from the bleachers, so I went to a second floor men's bathroom, opened a window and, with unfettered view, scribbled my notes.
Sometimes, you just have to be creative. At the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics security was brutally tight because of the Munich Massacre in 1972. I needed the Olympic Village phone number of boxer Michael Spinks, but it was off limits. So, in clandestine fashion, he passed the number to me carved on a bar of soap through a fence.
Poignant Olympic moments -- some worthy of poetry -- stay with you, deep within your soul. At the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary the world wept with American speedskater Dan Jansen. On the day of the 500 meters, a race in which he was the heavy favorite, his sister Jane Beres died of leukemia. He fell 10 seconds into the race and was eliminated. Three days later, in the 1,000 meters, he fell again.
And in 1992 at the Barcelona Summer Games, nearing the 20th anniversary of the Munich murders of 11 Israeli Olympians by Arab terrorists, Yael Arad became the first from Israel to win an Olympic medal, a silver in judo. Destiny? Perhaps. For me, it simply confirmed that there is justice in the world after all.
© Copyright 2010 Cherokee Chronicle Times
Wonderful piece of writing. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI would like to invite everyone that is coming to the Marcus Fair to stop in at the Community Center that Saturday night and enjoy the entertainment the Center will have. We hope this allows people who would like to meet friends or relatives a venue to get together in town. We will be sporting new carpeting and a relocated bar.
ReplyDeleteTammy Johnson- Community Center Board Member
This information is about the MMC school and I think anyone that has children in our school system should try to make it to this school board meeting because it concerns our children and our school.
ReplyDeleteAnnouncement
RE: School Board Meeting 3/15/10
The MMC School Board is working hard to address and endure the most devastating financial crisis public education has ever faced. We believe it is in the best interest of our community and our children to keep a school in our district. At this point, the primary goal of the school board is to maintain the solvency of our district. It is a fact that the future of our district (in a three year overview) depends on our current financial choices. We have had two public meetings in which the facts and numbers have been presented, with little or no community present for awareness.
We are asking that you please join us and look at this situation with us. Unfortunately, we are facing very difficult choices such as: Will we have to absolve all or part of the Cleghorn building? Will we have to cut or freeze salaries of our educated and competent teaching staff. Are we facing staff reductions and bigger class sizes? Is there a way to generate money without levying taxes? Do we have to levy taxes? What would utilizing an early retirement option save us? Keeping a school in our community and how these concerns are addressed affects every member of this community; children, families, businesses, people’s livelihoods, etc.
We believe this is a community issue and that it will require partnership from all (teachers, parents, business community, clergy, etc.) to be successful. The March 15th board meeting would be a good opportunity to share the facts, and numbers - in black and white. It seems grim but we’re MMC – “Pride in the past, Faith in the future”. Hope to see you Monday, March 15th , MMC High school library – across from the office.
Respectfully,
MMC School Board
Anyone around Marcus have a coin collection?
ReplyDeleteI read in the paper a few weeks ago that the MMC teachers are asking for a pay increase of over 7%!
ReplyDeleteWay to go teachers...You deserve it!! Now let's just hope you get it.
ReplyDelete7% pay raise?
ReplyDeleteThis can't be correct.
Way to go teachers??? I guess at least one person is in favor of higher proerty taxes.
ReplyDeleteThey keep this up we will be merging with someone soon for sure.
ReplyDeleteBuilt a multi-million dollar addition to the school to now sit empty. Crazy!
There are many people in the community that deserve raises that have had their wages frozen for years. With the economy the way it is, I think we should be more concerned with the quality of our childrens education. I know that merging isn't on my list of things I want to happen, but change is not always a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI believe if a poll were taken there are many people in our community that have not received raises in the past few years. I think that asking 7% is totally ironic. Many communities in this area are closing schools leaving teachers without employment. Have the teachers given this any thought?
ReplyDeleteI believe if a poll were to be taken in our community we would find that many people have not received raises in the past few years. Asking for a 7% raise is ironic. We have a lot of schools in this area closing, leaving a lot of teachers unemployed. Have the teachers here thought about that??
ReplyDeleteLOVE the positive news for our town. We are truly blessed to have a great city council who is not afraid to make things happen. Read below for details and again thanks to the town leadership for all of their hard work! The piece below was in the Cherokee paper fyi.
ReplyDeleteThe best news of the night was that Karl and Sara Koelling DDS, PC will build a new building to house a dental practice along Highway 3 to the east of Hometown Guesthouse. The building will sit on lot 12 with dirk work to begin in April built by a local contractor. The building will measure approxinately 56feet by 74 feet. The Koellings hope to be open for business in early summer to provide yet another service right in Marcus. Slowly the Marcus business park is beginning to grow.
Terrible cannot believe our teachers are asking for that kind of a raise, they outa be thankful they have a job. Look and the paper and see all the employers having to give job cuts, The state is a big one. Look at all those jobs lost, look at all the furlow days they had to take our teachers would not take a furlow day!!! Need to be thankful for what you have Greediness gets you nowhere. Maybe unemployed!! Good Luck!!
ReplyDeleteStreets are just Fine. Maybe you need to be emloyed by the city and see what kind of a job you can do. You would have to be out working instead of complaining on the Blog!! Donate some of your time.
ReplyDeleteI have several coin collections. Are you interested in anything special?
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad to see a dentist coming into town. It will be a lot handier to be able to stay in town and schedule a dentist visit. Kudos to whoever got them to come!
ReplyDeleteTammy
ReplyDeleteThat would be our city council. Wonder how many people have ever sent them a letter of thanks for all of the hard work and hours they give to this community.
Better yet how about we all organize a city council appreciation night at the new school dining facility and let the council know how much we appreciate them? Just asking but the Fair Board does a great job of doing a Fair dinner thus a city council appreciation dinner might be a nice way for all of us to give back to the board members and their families for one special night!
sorry but it was not the city council that got the new dentist in town it was Carl Nelson and his great job of getting things done. Give credit where it is do and not make things look good for others!!!
ReplyDeleteThe city council is doing and ok job but I feel could be doing alot more.
I would like to remind everyone that the council is made up of members that were elected by the public. If you are interested in what is going on at the meetings, they are open to the public the first Monday of the month at 7:30.
ReplyDeleteAlso to Tammy-that is a wonderful idea to let these guys know we appreciate all their hard work.
correction-to the poster after tammy, an appreciation night sounds like a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteIf you think Carl Nelson did this on your own then you don't understand how a city is run.
ReplyDeleteCarl Nelson has been a great asset to the community "hands down" but nothing gets down without the whole city council being involved and for sure without the support of a town's mayor.
The idea of having a town wide city council appreciation dinner at the new school dining facilities seems like a great idea to me.
Why should we have a city council appreciation dinner? It is there job! They get paid for doing it. The way they handle things is mind boggling sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThere is money there for things that they want but if others want things all we hear is we have no money! Why is that?
No one made them run for the council.
An appreciation dinner should be for those who donate there time for nothing like Marc-Ettes, Fairboard, Jaycees, Lions, Knights of Columbus, Boyscout, Girlscouts and sorry if i missed anyone.
Alot of things in Marcus have gotten done becuase of their unselfness of there time! What about those people?
Everyone wants to hear they have done a good job. But most of the time we only hear anything when it is bad news. I for one appreciate all the city council and other city employee's do for our town. Yes, they are getting paid to do it, but it's still nice to let them know we appreciate all they do.
ReplyDeleteRon Rosewall
To Don Peters:
ReplyDeleteHi Don:
Yes my Dad and Jiggs ran the travel agency for awhile, later selling it to "Doc" Schmidt(optometrist)and his wife Vera. Mom and Dad also ran "Schwens", which was a restaurant in downtown Spencer. Later he was a real estate broker with Jack Holiday.(Holiday-Metcalf Real Estate). Dad died in 1975 at the age of 55. Mom died in 2005.
When we were kids in the 50's my folks would drive to Marcus to visit and get our haircuts from Chels. Thanks for the note..Nice to hear from someone who knew them.
Bob Metcalf
Amen.
ReplyDeleteMr Rosewall, we will see how you feel when you get a ticket or the city council gets on you for parking your semi on a busy street on Marcus over night.
ReplyDeleteMost people would have the common courteous not to do such things to there fellow Marcusites!
I remember years ago when someone lost there life running into a semi park on that very street 2 block down.
I generaly park at the Junction unless I just need to stop and get something I forgot. I don't even like driving it thru town because I feel the streets are not rated for the weight of these heavy trucks. But yes I did park by the house one night. Ron
ReplyDeleteWOW amazed with all the slander to people. For the ones that want to sit on this website and make durogortory statements GET a LIFE. Donate some of your time.
ReplyDeleteI have donated to marcus for over 25 years and touched many lives. What about you?
ReplyDeleteplease tell me what is slanderous and durogortory statements that i have made? Or facts durogortory statements or slander?
ReplyDeleteI have the freedom of speech under the Constitution don't I?
Hey anonymous, your logic escapes me. First you complain about receiving a ticket for your semi parked on a Marcus street overnight, then you mention the fact that someone was killed when they ran into a semi parked on a Marcus street.
ReplyDeleteSo are you arguing that you should have received the ticket since it is dangerous to park on the street or what? You have lost me completely.
K Dorr
one not afraid to sign his name
hey Kurt does the Dorr family have something planned at the commnutiy center in Marcus? If you do hope that they will enjoy the new and improved look of the Marcus Community Center.
ReplyDeleteSpring can't come soon enough! Then maybe you'll blow off steam outside, far away from a computer!
ReplyDeleteSpring is getting closer. 9 robins near the swimming pool today!
ReplyDeleteYea I have given 20 years to the community and not complaining or making crazy statements. Be positive!! We are all human and make mistakes but apparently you are not, but believe me you are not perfect.
ReplyDeleteYea education is important but giving the teachers a raise is not going to improve there skills, just going to make them lazier. If your job was so important you would not race to punch in and race to punch out. Unbelievable!!
ReplyDeleteGiving them a raise will just give them more money to take more trips and remodel there homes and drive fancier cars. Maybe need to have there husbands that are farmers pay more tax so they can get a raise, why do you think the town people always have to have there taxes raised?? Need to think before you decide on this matter!!
Please spell the word "their" when it shows possession. "There" shows a place.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of having an appreciation night/ or recognition night, Marcus has a great group of organizations that pull together for the betterment of our community. I would appreciate some suggestions on getting one together! Email me at jtj@midlands.net- open to all comments or suggestions.
ReplyDeleteTo the City Council or Carl Nelson or whom ever got the dentist! GOOD JOB! Tammy Johnson
an addition to my last post... I would lean toward having the appreciation night at the Community Center due to the fact that I'm a board member. But I'm flexible. Most of the time :)
ReplyDeleteBig School Board meeting tonight should be interesting. I hope there are lots of concern parents and citizens there.
ReplyDeleteKristi
Not complaining just making sure the facts get out there.(is that the right use of the word?)
ReplyDeleteWhat crazy statements did I make?
An appreciation dinner for the groups and organizations in town is a great idea. My feelings for having it would be at the Community Center since it is Community appreciation.
Having it at the school would be nice but I feel the time to show off the school is at faor time when ALOT of people are home for that1 Is that a bad idea?
Marcus Community Fair is on Facebook now! Become a fan!
ReplyDeleteWow, the blog even has spelling police.
ReplyDeleteFor those considering what to do with the school budget issues, a gentle reminder that losing the high school often sends a town down a bad path. Think of the towns in Northwest Iowa without a high school and then think about whether that is what you want Marcus to become. Save the high school.
ReplyDeleteWow, only comment i have about any of the school issues, the teachers need to freeze their salaries. They need to be lucky they have a job and most of them close to home. It is only going to get worse. Way to go Jeff Gross, you are on the right path, and I think that most everybody else is to, but a few think they are worth a million bucks, and they have not got there yet.
ReplyDeleteThere has been some comments about an increase in taxes to support our school district. I own an acreage and farm land in this district and am not fond of paying higher taxes either. However it seems to me we can pay a little more and save our school or we can eventually dissolve and go to a neighboring district and pay MUCH more. I went to the state website and got the total tax rate for our school and the surrounding districts. I have had people in Marcus tell me that we are way too high. I do not argue until I have the facts. These are the facts. We are the 5th lowest in the state and the lowest in NW Iowa.
ReplyDeleteWest Sioux- $17.95
Akron Westfield- $17.02
Kingsley-Pierson- $16.48
Cherokee- $14.61
Galva Holstein-$ 13.13
Hinton- $12.78
LeMars- $12.71
South O'Brien-$12.36
Remsen-Union- $11.47
MMC- $10.51
Do we really believe that if we go with another district, they will lower their rates to match ours? Last night's meeting went very well. The information was presented clearly and good questions were asked.
I though the school board meeting went very well last nihgt. There were lots of questions asked and answered. I think that are teachers do a great job with our kids. I would not want to make the decision that the school board has to think about making. I would love to see my kids graduate from MMC but in the real world these days with alot of schools merging together I think we all know what's going to happen donw the line. I was glad to see all the concerned community people and parents at the meeting. It does show how much we all care about our school and what is happening.
ReplyDeleteKristi
Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHow are higher taxes suppose to help the school when we are losing kids pure and simple because of the fact that rural Iowa is dying?
This is a fact and it pains me as much as the next person to admit it. Note this isn't unique to rural Iowa but is happening all over the country.
Lastly if the teachers all think they are worth more money why doesn't the school board put out feelers around the country and see if we can get new teachers to come to Marcus and teach for what we are paying our teachers? Bet we can get some takers with teachers all over the country getting laid off because of the terrible economy and the fact most states are broke. Maybe it is time we get teachers from a different perspective to enrich our children's lifes a bit more than just hiring from within. Housing in Marcus on a relative basis is cheap and teachers in bigger towns are getting laid off right and left. I suggest we don't pay more to our teachers but get new and hungry teachers who appreciate having the opportunity to work in a great environment and with kids whose parents support their efforts.
I found the comment by the teacher at last nights school board meeting that "we are all on the same team working together" interesting. Were the teachers on the same team when they filed a grievence against our school to get an extra unearned paid day in the school year? With teammates like that, who needs enemies?
ReplyDeleteI have not read this blog for months..... I somehow think it is loosing the purpose of a blog.... the complainers are outweighing the good things spoke of. Marcus is a great town - small but great. Teachers are asking for a raise - it hasn't even gone to the board.... I am sure they can come to a compromise. I am thinking alot of you would also like a raise... it never hurts to ask and then compromise. Lets look at more positives - we sound like a bunch of winers.......
ReplyDeleteI invite all members of the class of 1966 to keep in touch and carry on a conversation at our blog below. My hope is other Marcus Classes will do the same and create blogs of their own. If you have any pictures to share from the class of 1966 please post them on our blog.
ReplyDeleteMarcus High School Class of 1966
You really need to catch up on more than just this blog. The teachers union DID go to the board with a 7.5% pay increase and the board opted to freeze. No agreement could be made so now it is up to an arbitrator to decide.And the arbitrator cannot come to an agreement..only pick one side or the other. So sadly there is a very good chance they will get their raise. I for one am all in favor of cleaning house and hiring back only those who truly want to teach and dont need a large pay raise. The young man propsing that idea last night had alot of guts to share his idea with the board..most would be afraid of the negative feedback but his was one of the best ideas of the night. Sadly that option probably wont be taken either. We have some great teachers at MMC but the salaries are too high for the financial problems we now have.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to correct some misinformation posted on the blog. The MMC teachers are still negotiating with the board. This contract has not gone into arbitration and hopefully won't. We are a team and both hope to reach a compromise.
ReplyDeleteHey Everybody! What a great day in Marcus Iowa! Get out and enjoy the nice weather!
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing good things about the community center and can't wait to see it at Utesch/Bird wedding! I think getting dueling pianos in there some weekend would be a wonderful idea, and great for all adult age groups! (what do you say mom?) :)
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Patty's Day everyone!
I can't wait to see the Community Center. It's nice that Sarah and Brent will be able to enjoy the new rennovations that I've heard look great!
ReplyDeleteAnd for once in my life I would have to agree with Ashley Jo and say that dueling pianos are a blast and think that everyone would enjoy such a show!
well... I must say that I am pleasantly surprised that my daughter and her friends read the Blog.. I will take your requests to the other members of the board. Thanks for your opinions girls! Appreicate the input.
ReplyDeletehahahahahaha
ReplyDeleteFor once?! As I recall you seem to LOVE all my ideas! :)
see you in vegas in three weeks hauschildt!!!
Great idea on that class of 1966 blog. Love the pictures too.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that our Government officials are so progressive that they are willing to allow a person's neighbors to decide what type of fence the Private Property owner can have. This is supposed to be such a great place for people to grow and prosper. The only thing that seems to be growing is the amount of intrusiveness that our Government officials are producing.
ReplyDeleteIt's no wonder why our Mayor, Darrell Downs, lost his bid for the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors. And, I'm glad he did, because Cherokee County would have become a laughing stock to the whole State. He's destroying this town with the help of his cronies.
Marcus is supposed to be the City that claims to have "Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future". All I've seen since Darrell became mayor is: "Forget the Past, Praise the Almighty Dollar."
The People of Marcus need to turn this City into a great place to live by embracing everyone's individual Freedoms that are endowed by our Creator and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. The People of Marcus need to allow the Individual Private Property owner to make the choices that they deem necessary on their property and not allow others to do it for them.
Stand Up to the tyranny that lies ahead.
Thomas, if that means I have to live next to a dump like yours then count me out.
ReplyDeleteI hope its a solid fence so us at the horse arena dont have to watch thomas mowing his lawn naked again..even the horses got spooked!
ReplyDeleteThomas- I respectfully wish to disagree with you. Darrell, The City Council and a whole bunch of of other people have helped Marcus to grow in the last 10 years. Much more than alot of other towns. Please put aside your bitterness and atleast give credit where credit is due. As far as the fence issue, we have rules, because if we didn't, face it, we'd all be running around doing our own thing.
ReplyDeleteI had a thong on, which is allowed by Iowa Law. I even discussed it with police officers from other towns. And, they said that it was within the Iowa Law.
ReplyDeleteBut, as I have told Darrell and others, "If you don't like what's on or being done on a person's property, stay the hell out of the area. No one is breaking your arm to drive around and be so dang nosy. I don't tell others how to live their lives. Therefore, don't tell me how to live mine."
As for Darrell and his cronies, "They are running this community into the ground financially. They can't even afford to pay more than one Police Officer, which was mentioned in the Cherokee paper. The streets are a cesspool of potholes and a danger to safe upkeep of the automobiles. They are destroying the fabric of what this Community was founded on." When I was a kid, no one bothered anyone else. The Peole allowed others their Freedom to decide for theirselves.
Darrell knows that I'm not going to lay down and let them trample the Rights and Freedoms that the Founding Fathers had set up. They continue to bitch and moan about our yard, but you know, "It IS our yard, it was purchased by us, we pay the taxes on it, and it will continue to be in the family for long after Darrell Downs is dead and gone."
And, if anyone doesn't like it, too bad.
BTW, I'm not arguing against having a fence ordinance. What I am arguing is: "A Private Property owner's neighbors should not be given the Right to decide what type of fence can be put on the Private Property owner's own yard. And, that the neighbors should not have the Right to decide what type, height, or all other aspects of that fence should consist of. They should stick to their own Property and worry about what they do instead of what everyone else does."
ReplyDeleteAlso, if a person wants an 8-foot fence then they should be allowed to have an 8-foot fence, as long as it's on their Private property.
If the people are so unhappy with their lives than they should work to make their own life better. They should not be given the authority to destroy someone else's Freedom to decide, just because they want to control their lives and everyone else's lives around them.
On a lighter note. I hope everyone is training for the 5k at the Marcus Fair or other runs they might be doing this summer. There should be another category for the the 5k. People who close down JB's or have a class reunion going on, just a thought.
ReplyDeleteBob Meylor
Thanks to everyone who sent a card, stopped at the house, or just said Happy Birthday to dad. He has received well over 100 cards! You really made his birthday a special one.
ReplyDeleteThe Fred Wilkens family.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteWe could make it a triathalon race of some type. First stage is to enjoy your class reunion, second stage is the 5k, third stage could be more reunion! (Or we could just start the race at JB'S to help the runners out.) Ha
Paul
For those of you who may not have heard Alice Dunn's funeral was today. Alice was the wonderful wife of the former mayor of Marcus-Jack Dunn-and was 94 when she passed away.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to the wonderful family of Mrs. Dunn!
Philip Dorr
On another lighter note, UNI ROCKED last night against Kansas! Sweet 16, yeah!
ReplyDeleteI know the Iowa women were playing too, but I didn't see the results yet.
That 5K run idea has legs, Paul. Maybe you could just take everyone's car keys, and make them run home!
ReplyDeleteThe level of intelligence in these comments is astounding! I'm glad the good people of Marcus know how to spell. It's spelled derogatory, not durogortory. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any problems.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Seph Alesch
casephnova@yahoo.com
I had the good fortune to see Jay Welp from MMC run this weekend in Storm Lake and last night at UNI in the DOME. This is a special kid y'all and if you get a chance you should get out and see him run.
ReplyDeleteHe took on the best that the state of Iowa had to offer last night in the 1 mile indoor at the UNI Dome and showed the top runners in the state that he is the man to beat. During the last two laps he made sure that if anyone was going to beat him they would have to earn it. The kid is only a JUNIOR....he has super parents and he is just the nicest young man....and how can you not love a kid who has the kindest demeanor with a great smile but a killer instinct within when he gets on the track? Jay is truly a great representative of the MMC school system and of Marcus!
Thanks for the great treat last night Jay and have fun with the rest of the season!
Jay Welp winning 1600 at Dickinson Relays
ReplyDeleteLet's see if this works.
K Dorr
Outstanding way to start the season Jay! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteRon Rosewall
I would also like to say that the Marcus News is looking good these days. Like the new wider page width. Also, the high school students are doing a good job! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTonight around 4:45/5:00 my sister's van had a window shot out of it on the driver's side. She was traveling north on C Ave. between Poppen's and Radcliffe's. If you have any info, please contact the sheriff's office.
ReplyDeleteKimberly Ross (formerly Jenness)
Took some pictures down by Trinity Lutheran Church last week. Thought some of you might like them.
ReplyDeleteRoad West of Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran Cemetery
Lone tree
Trinity Lutheran Cemetery at Dusk
Back on to the teachers.. A raise are you kidding me. They get free passes to the home events. Free lunch for doing hall or outside duty. Walk around as if they are owed everything. They are all paid very well, and if they want raise maybe need to see if they can get a job somewhere else for more money, cause i would say our school is tapped out right now. Nothing new is taught to our kids, if you have more than one child you know this cause they bring home the same thing each year!!! Hope somebody steps in and stops some of the dumb crap that is going on at MMC!~!!!
ReplyDeleteThomas Willems: You are lucky that the town was so gracious to give you almost 10 years to build that "house" that you call home. That whole corner of town that you live on his been an eye sore in Marcus for as long as I can remember. If the town didn't have "rules and regulations" on fences, then every other house in town would have different heights, colors, etc. It would look trashier than your corner of town. Those were rules and laws far before Downs was Mayor. I don't particularly care for Downs, or what he stands for at all, but if you travel to other towns, there are very few homes that look like yours. God help your neighbors for having to see you in a Speedo mowing the lawn. Good Lord.
ReplyDeleteNo, the city streets aren't "fine". They are terrible. Compared to Remsen, LeMars, Cherokee, etc, they are AWFUL. Why should the people of the community have to go "donate" time??? The city employees get PAID TO DO THAT JOB. Back in the day when bad weather would strike, I remember hearing the plows out at 4AM! Now, it's more like 8AM! It's like they are afraid to put the blade on the ground! The city streets are horrible! But I did take a stroll around town during the storm at Christmas time, and you know who's streets were cleaned first?? You got it, Mr. Down's street, and all the people of Marcus who have the money! Sickening...
ReplyDeleteDo the people of Marcus even know what dueling pianos are??
ReplyDeleteIf you can't provide your name and must hide behind "anonymous" then you must be no more than those other hypocrits that live in town.
ReplyDeleteBTW, the First Amendment allows for Freedom of Expression and the Ninth Amendment allows for the Citizens to have Rights if they're not provided to the Federal Government or the States, by the Constitution of the United States of America.
It has never bothered me what others in this town think. I believe in my Rights provided by the Constitution of the United States of America. Therefore, I'm not worried about what others think. And, to allow a bunch of Progressives to overthrow those Rights and Freedoms is against everything the Founding Fathers believed.
I will not give up my Principles and my Beliefs to satisfy those that I have nothing to do with and want nothing to do with.
Also, the point I was making is: "This is our land and no one else's." Most of the land in this area was in the family long before Marcus had a horse arena, which has become a complete waste of money. Therefore, it doesn't matter to me what others think.
One more point to make. Before moving to the property we're on now, we had whatever type of fence we wanted. Our dog pen was 6-foot tall and we didn't need someone else's permission to build it. Therefore, the Fence ordinance was not intentionally used to impede the Right to decide for each-and-every Individual Property owner, as Darrell Downs and the City Council are using it now.
ReplyDeleteI think we should show a little respect for Tommy Willems. Any one who proudly admits to sporting a thong while mowing their lawn is an upstanding man in my book.
ReplyDeleteThe ladies of Marcus should consider themselves lucky to have such a man showing off his goods like that.
You know Tommy, if you had a modicum of decency you wouldn't mow your yard in nothing but a thong. Do you have any idea how horrific that is for those people unfortunate enough to see that? Such a sight could leave lasting psychological damages to even the most strong-willed person.
ReplyDeleteHave some class Tommy, and put on some pants.
if you google "But With the Dawn, Rejoicing: Mary Ellen Kelly"
ReplyDeleteyou will find several locations to purchase the book including amazon.com.
My child was struck blind after seeing Tommy Willems' bare buttocks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures taken down by Trinity. Anyone want to take credit for them. You are quite the photographer. I have also noticed the beautiful sunrises/sunsets we have been having this time of the year. So great to see the sun.
ReplyDeleteKim Ames
T.G.I.F.!
ReplyDeleteFor those peope that don't know what dueling pianos are, they are 2 gentleman that play 2 baby grand pianos. They take requests from the crowd for any song, they sing the songs, get crowd participation in and generally have a whale of a good time. I highly recommend them.
Tommy- no disrespect here.. But you obviously are not happy with Marcus, I can understand the fence issue, but, surely you must see the reason why we have rules, true, you should be able to do what you want on your own property, unfortunately, other people have property and what you do or put up, affects their property value. Which is why we have rules. Maybe you would be happier on a small acreage? I know we live out in the county, and you do have much more privacy. it's a thought and it's not said with malice or disrespect. It's just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say that for teachers, the school board, and everybody involved in this financial mess that has been passed down to us, that it stinks. Trust me, I wouldn't be a teacher for all the free meals, passes or whatever they get, I barely got my own kids raised without feeling like I needed to tar and feather them at times, let a lone teaching someone elses...I would have needed a sedative! Being a teacher, or on the school board is a thankless job. Lets try to work together to get through this mess.
ReplyDeleteTammy, in all fairness, I actually have nothing against Marcus. In fact, I have nothing to do with Marcus, for the most part. With that being said, I'll explain my problem with the fence ordinance. And, fill in a little background.
ReplyDelete1. The problem with the fence ordinance being proposed - people, other than the Private Property owner, have the right to make the decision whether the Private Property ownder/occupant(s) can have the fence they want. If they take out that provision and allow the Private Property owner/occupant(s) to make the decision themself/theirselves with the type and height of fence, up to 8 feet, they won't get any argument from me. But, it must be the Private Property owner/occupant(s) decision alone and not the neighbors.
2. A few years back, Darrell Downs and I had an agreement with conditions. I held up my end of the agreement. However, Darrell did not. And, until he lives up to his part of the agreement and conditions, he and his cronies will not get any cooperation, whatsoever, from me. He knows what those conditions were. But, he has continued to deny me what is owed. Also, just to get what he wanted, he threatened to have my house torn down, just as they did with Mike and Karen Brooks's house, even though it was in the process of being sold to their daughter Kim.
3. I have had meetings with both, Darrell and Chuck Knudson, the City Attorney. Sometimes, they were together and sometimes separately. I was informed as to what they really would like, but there is absolutely no way they are getting what they want, ever. In fact, I was given permission to do as I see fit with Kim Brooks's property. That's why, I am continuing to expand my tulip garden. This year, there is over 500 tulips, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, and other types of flowers on her property. Next year, I plan to have over 4,000. Kim will continue to keep her property, as will we, to keep this property out of the hands of the City of Marcus. It will continue to be passed down through other members of the family, just so that they can never get it.
There's more, but that's for another time. BTW, I have nothing to hide. I don't hide my past and I don't hide the fact that I'm a Jeffersonian Republican, as well as, a Tea Party/Republican.
Sorry Kim, that was me that took and posted the pictures down around trinity. I thought I'd signed my name until you mentioned it, then I went back and looked closer and you were right I hadn't!
ReplyDeleteKurt Dorr
Those photos were gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie.
ReplyDeleteK. Dorr
Tommy, you impudent child. Your rights are not being trampled here. You have no concept of that. At all. What's happening here is a simple zoning law you are breaking. You do NOT have the right to do "whatever you want" on your "private" property if it has an established negative effect on the people surrounding do. Which is what and unsightly fence does.If you cannont follow these very basic local laws, I suggest you leave Marcus.
ReplyDeleteYou have a disturbing persecution complex Tommy. It's little surprise that the ridiculous Tea Party movement appeals to you.
Darn, that should say surrounding YOU and not DO :(
ReplyDeleteSorry, Bill, but they can't take away the Rights of one person just to appeal to a group of nose-bags and control freaks.
ReplyDeleteThe Constitution of the United States of America overrides any-and-all Governmental Laws. The Frist and Ninth Amendments protect the Individual against the tyrannical Governments, such as Marcus. Even the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals even stated that Local Governments have to distinquish the difference between Private Property Rights and the Public Property Rights. And, they made the judgment that the Private Property owner has more authority than does a Local Government to decide what is done on the Private Property. The City, in which the case came from, never did challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court. Therefore, there's no Precedent for around the Country.
If they want to push it, they are more than welcome to stay the hell off of this land, unless they have a warrant for my arrest. They can put up a fight all they want, but they aren't going to come here and tell me what's going to be done and what isn't. If they want a fight, they'll get one and I can guarantee they're not going to win.
Tommy, you can't really be this delusional...
ReplyDeleteFirst off, the United States Constitution and the Amendments you've invoked say nothing of zoning laws of any kind. Quit using the vague phrasing of those documents to further your ridiculous agenda against Marcus and it's "tyrannical" government. The fence your proposing would be an eyesore and would have a very negative effect on this town if more were to implement such an idea.
I'll say it again, if you cannot follow very simple (and I'd say fair) zoning laws, perhaps you should leave.
Bill, perhaps you should start looking up Court Cases that have been sprouting up around the Country. Most of the Courts have ruled in favor of the Private Property owners. And, meany Court opinions have stated that, in order to be ruled a nuisance, there has to be a clear danger to Public Health or Safety.
ReplyDeleteAnd, again I will say it, "If they want a fight I will give them one that they will not win. And, no, I'm not leaving and I will not give them the satisfaction." I am going to Stand Up against this tyrannical Government and its cronies and fight for the Rights and Freedoms that are spelled out in the Constitution of the United States of America.
I can't believe all of the people that are willing to allow the tyrannical Government of Marcus take away the Private Property owner's Rights and Freedoms. I can understand Darrell's cronies, but the average Marcus person should have more brains than that.
Why is it, if Darrell Downs is such a great mayor, he lost his bid for the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors? It's because the People respect and appreciate their Rights and Freedoms.
*many* - not meany
ReplyDeleteBTW, Bill, no one in this town knows me anymore. They only know the person I once was. People do change. Therefore, people shouldn't ever pretend to assume or know the things I believe in or what I stand for.
ReplyDeleteAnd, "Tommy" is in my past. I've become more wise with having taken Constitutional Law courses and understanding the Founding of this Nation, by reading the writings of the Founding Fathers. People around here should try it sometime.
That's why, I am a Jeffersonian Republican and a Tea Party/Republican. They, too, believe that the Federal, State, and Local Governments need to stay off of their land and keep out of ones' personal life.
Fair enough Thomas.
ReplyDeleteAs the law stands (or at least how I understand it) fences above a certain height cannot be legally built within the confines of Marcus. If you do so you are breaking the law. You don't have a leg to stand on here.
And quit casually throwing around accusations like "tyrannical government". You have NO IDEA what a tyrannical government is. But here's a hint: they do a lot more than prohibit it's denizens from constructing visually constricting monstrosities on their property.
Your pathetic allegiance to that xenophobic (and now irrelevant) bunch of kooks the Tea Party has no place in this debate.
The City Council cannot allow someone else to make decisions of what is on a person's Private Property, if they aren't the ones whom own it. That is a fact.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I will win, if they try to give the authority to others to make decisions of what can be erected or put on someone else's property, other than their own. And, that's what they are proposing to do.
You should really look up the State of Iowa's Definition of Nuisance in the Code of Iowa. As long as a fence is not interfering with a street, alley, or a few other things, it can be built. They also state in there that dense brush/weeds must constitute a risk to Health, Safety, or Fire Hazard. It's under Iowa Code 657.2.
Why do I get the feeling that we will NEVER see a fence on Thomas Willems yard?
ReplyDeleteBill you do not seem to grasp the definition of xenophobic.....I do not see that phobia in any of Mr. Willems posts. But I must say I have no desire to see his derriere in a thong.....I see the merit of many of his concerns in regards to "city" ordinances.
ReplyDeleteTom, I bought the lot next to yours and I am in the process of acquiring a lot more land around your house. I have filed a plan with the NRC to build a nuclear reactor next to your home. Hope you don't mind. It is so refreshing to meet a like minded individual that will let me do what the hell I want with MY PROPERTY!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm well aware of the definition of xenophobic. Perhaps you should read Thomas' posts with a more discerning eye.
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with nuclear reactors being built, so build one if you want. As long as it is on the Private Property owners' own property, I have no problem with what a person wants to build, do, or have on their own property. However, I expect to have the same gratitude shown to me.
ReplyDeleteSo, Bill, you're okay if I come to your street and look on your yard to see if I agree with you having whatever it is that you have on it? Do I understand that correctly? But, if I don't like something, you'll remove it for me, right? Well, if you say no then you should be objecting to Darrell and his cronies for attempting to pass the same type of ordinance.
I have no problem with foreigners or anything out of the ordinary (strange). I used to work with a lot of Hispanics and people of other races. I got along very well and we had no problem with each other. In fact, they were a lot nicer than some of the people I know from around here. As I said, people do change. However, I do have a problem with people telling me exactly what I'm going to do when I don't work for them and I'm not on their time or their property.
I would have never realized we had so many wackos in this town if I hadn't come here.
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteI believe we all can see your perspective. Let's give it a rest for a while.
My family and I have not had such a good laugh in a long time. The Marcus Blogg was our Sunday night "entertainment". Thanks to all for the laughs!
ReplyDeleteI would like to warn those of you who think that volunteering to help the city crew out with street snow removal is the answer. My husband did in fact try to clear off the street in front of our house and our neighbors. He was stopped by our local police and was told to KEEP HIS 4 WHEELER OFF THE ROAD. Seriously, I think there are more criminal activities going on around here than worring about a friendly citizen removing snow. Oh, but then again, we are "Rassel's"....
What's it mean to be a Rassel? I don't get it. Is everyone persecuted in this town?
ReplyDeleteHey! My favorite small town isn't full of "kooks," nor is it a matter of persecution. It's just the nature of a small town. Perhaps we all know each other too well. Memories are lengthy and the idiosyncracies of generations are not easily dismissed. But there are multiple sides to every personality. Tom Willems, for example, always spoke to me pleasantly when we met in the post office and "oldsters" appreciate that from young people. He may have views on the rights of private property which are offensive to some, but the very thought of all the bulbs he has planted for spring blooms sounds wonderful. Come on, give us all a break and let's get on to other things!
ReplyDeleteA Blessed Easter to you all----
Margaret Dorr
I was recently a guest at the Hometown Guesthouse and noted the neat picture of "MARK NEWBROOK" whose wife has Marcus ties. Can someone fill me in on his connection to Marcus?
ReplyDeleteMark was a crewmember on this year's USA TEAM-33rd America's Cup and his sailboat is owned by Larry Ellison of Oracle fame. Needless to say they won the America's Cup this year............
Idea for the FAIR BOARD....how about asking him to serve as the Marcus Fair Grand Marshall for the parade and recognize him for his GREAT WIN this year since he just won the America's Cup? Always neat ways to add to the flavor of the Marcus Fair and one phone call or maybe two would be all it would take!
Quote from the America's Cup website....
"The second successive victory for BMW ORACLE Racing against Alinghi on Sunday 14th February 2010 marked the end of the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia."
If you ever get a chance to see these yachts race it is one of the most amazing things you will ever witness. They are beyond fast!
Fair enough, I will leave Thomas alone.
ReplyDeleteI await his new fence with bated breath!
That's a cool connection. Hoping that the America's Cup will be coming back to Newport, RI. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteOther ideas for grand marshall? Tom Wurth ... Lee Rainboth ... all living WWII vets ... our original Marcus Booster Thelma Gravenish. Anyone else have any ideas?
If you guys don't think Thomas Willems knows what he is talking about then you need to go to this link. After viewing this you may change your mind...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igysWkDncpc&feature=related
Tom Willems will forever be know as "Cream Puff" from this day forward. Please address him accordingly
ReplyDeleteThe video(s) in the link were taken 5 years ago, while I was in last of my drinking days. I have quit drinking since then. However, at that time, the people at Iowa didn't mess with me. That's why, the Iowa jacket, which I wear with pride, has the saying "THIS IS DA CREAMPUFF HOUSE". The nickname was what people liked. Therefore, Rienow Hall, floor 9, was known as "The Creampuff House".
ReplyDeleteOn another note, 6 weeks into the 2005 Spring Semester, I ran for Student Senate. Not knowing anyone down there, I received 533 or 13% of the votes. I ran on lower tuition and better University life for the Students. However, I never went out and campaigned. Also, I was running against students that had been there for more than one semester. So, I did pretty dang well in the polls, for not knowing anyone or having campaigned, whatsoever. I also went to the State Capitol to vie for more money for the Three in-State Universities. We only received half of what we were asking, but we did alright for that effort. These are just some little tidbits that those videos don't show you about my effort to make a real difference within the realm of Politics. And, I am very proud of the efforts I made to help better the future for the University students that have been there since my time.
I knew that those videos would eventually come up, but that doesn't bother me. While you are viewing the drunken "Creampuff" video(s), watch the other ones where I speak out against the news organizations for bowing down to the Socialist, Barack Obama. They also show the thoughts on our Freedoms that are being taken away. The videos are there, as well.
Thanks for sharing the link, but the drinking days are gone and I've further enriched my education on my own terms.
The night those video(s) were shot, I landed in the hospital with a BAC of .25 to .30. The EMTs weren't able to accurately test my BAC (Blood Alcohol Content).
ReplyDeleteAnd, when I say, "people didn't mess with me", I mean that they showed me respect and treated me as an equal, except when I was drunk. However, they did respect that my dorm room was my Private place and would never do anything to take that away.
I needed to clarify that statement, so people don't take it out of context.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we turn our attention back to Marcus and away from Thomas Willems political beliefs? They're irrelevant here and serve no real purpose.
ReplyDeleteThomas, with all due respect, please quit hijacking this blog.
Hey, anonymous, I have a right to speak freely and post my political views. I also have a right to address anything that is brought up about me.
ReplyDeleteThis is supposed to be the Marcus blogg. Therefore, I have a Right to voice my dissatisfaction with what is going on in Marcus. The last time I checked, there is still the Freedom of Speech in this Nation. And, nowhere on this blogg did it say that that you could only show only praise for Marcus. People have a right to speak out against what they do no believe in. And, I will continue to do the same. And, no disrespect intended.
Stay Strong Tom.... or shall I say 'Cream Puff'. I think it would be interesting if you campainged to be the next Mayor of Marcus. You could really shake things up around town,and wear your thong doing it! You got my vote Cream Puff!
ReplyDeleteThere you go again with your "rights". Yes you have the right to post your political opinions. I also have the right to replace the shingles on my house with pancakes. Doesn't mean it's a good idea.
ReplyDeleteSo I ask with, with all due respect, please leave the politics out of here.
Thomas' first act as Mayor: Make thongs mandatory while doing yard work.
ReplyDeleteSecond Act: Giant Fences for all!
About 90% of what is happening with this Community is due to the Elected Officials' unjust regulations being passed. Therefore, Politics has to be part of the discussion. There is very little that goes that doesn't pertain to Politics. People who associate with the "right" people and/or have money are the ones that seem to be able to get what they want in this Community. The "have nots" are the ones that don't seem to be provided the same courtesy. So, it's all about Politics around here. Even the ones that just try to be nice and help out are reprimanded, just because of who they are, as mentioned in an earlier post by a family I have always respected, the Rassels. It's because they are good people and they show the same respect.
ReplyDelete1. Question with Boldness.
2. Hold to the Truth.
3. Speak without Fear.
Those are the three lessons that can be learned from Thomas Jefferson.
Amen Thomas couldnt have said it any better myself
ReplyDeleteIf cream puff doesnt win the mayor seat maybe he should try for the chief of police hell anybody can do better than what we have now all you got to do is run under the "interested person" and they will hire you under the table
ReplyDeleteI just want to say thank you to the leaders of this great community for getting a new dentist and a new "PROFESSIONAL" medical building added to our community.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for all of your hard work and continued leadership for our community!
Regarding the fence issue---what type of fence does Thomas want to construct on his property? What are the reasons that this type is not permitted? It seems to me as if some sort of compromise could be reached. After all, we try to teach our children to negotiate to settle disagreements and come up with a solution that are agreeable to all parties! Happy Easter to everyone :)
ReplyDeleteOK I'm a computer novice, but how do you watch the UTUBE video mentioned above? Thanks
ReplyDeleteI love all the discussion, both pro and con on all the issues. For the most part even us anonymous are pretty civilized in our comments. We have a chance to refute bad info. It's interesting. We need controversy and comments to keep us reading this blog. Fire away!
ReplyDeletethe zoning administrator is the town cop and NO comprimises will be made-well I guess it really depends on who you are.
ReplyDeleteTEAM TOMMY!
ReplyDeleteI have obtained a copy of the Fence Ordinance that the Elected Officials are expected to vote on at the next City Council meeting, April 12. There are some things I do agree with. However, there are things I do not agree with.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the 6-foot height allowance, which is stated. However, the provision that the fence cannot be taller than 4-foot, near an alley or street, is the part I disagree with. If a person cannot build a fence taller than 4-foot, in sections, it takes away from the property owner's ability to build a Privacy Fence. - The provisions that explicitly state this are as follows - "The maximum height of a fence adjacent to a street in a side or rear yard shall not exceed 4 (4) feet." and "For purposes of this Ordinance, a fence adjacent to an alley shall be allowed a maximum height of four (4) feet.
Another provision that is of concern is: "No fence shall be permitted on the front part of any property. The front yard is definded to include the area extending from a line from the front of the residential structure, excluding steps into the residence, to the City street." - This provision is just plain stupid. And, you can't fix stupid.
I do agree that the good looking (ie painted) side should face the adjoining properties. I have no problem with that whatsoever. I also agree that there shall be no barbed wire. But, I disagree with them not allowing cattle panels.
They are also allowing the Private Property owner to construct the fence, without the concent of the adjacent property owner, as long as it is set 2-feet from the property line. And, I do commend them for allowing the Right of the Property owner to make the decision, as long as it is set back 2-feet.
For the person that asked what type of fence want to erect. Well, here's the answer. I want to build a fence that is made of wood, 6-foot tall, and surrounds my whole yard, with a setback of 5 feet from the sidewalk line and a setback of 2 feet from the north and south property lines and the alley, to the east.
BTW, I do have plans to build my fence in mid-to-late May or early June. It depends on how things proceed with this Ordinance.
All I can say is WOW. So I have been reading the blog, and several of you have points, and some of you are way off base. Whoever wrote on here anonymously and put that video of Tom Willems should be ashamed of them self. What does that have to do with any of this debate at all? Tom, you aren't one of my favorite people, but I will back you up on this one. And another thing, Tom is right, PEOPLE CHANGE. But most people in Marcus don't see that, because they are too narrow minded. I applaud you for standing up for what you believe in, but face it Tom, it's Marcus, you aren't gonna win. Gina...You said it girl, you are "Rassels", just as I am "Wiebersch"...we just won't win! Keep giving them hell Tom, and who ever the administrator is on this site, they need to remove that video of Tom drunk. UNLESS, they want me to get a video camera and go uptown to the bar and catch the drunks of Marcus on a Saturday night and post it on here. It won't be hard to catch footage of that!
ReplyDeleteTom, don't you dare leave that town. That's what they want. Stick to your guns! They're always trying to push someone out. And they wonder why the town is dying.
ReplyDeleteWiebersch and Rassell young ladies:
ReplyDeleteWhy would you as a Wiebersch say such things reflecting that by being a Wiebersch is a bad thing?
The kindest and most wonderful couple that I remember from my days growing up in Marcus---besides Charlie and Fern Addy I might add---were Mr. and Mrs. Wiebersch who were the parents of Paul Wibersch........you would never find a nicer couple in our wonderful town. Don't take away from their legacy and wonderful memory of this couple even though it sounds like you never have come to grips with WHO U ARE. To demean the name of Wibersch is shameful on your part in my opinion.
To the Rassell lady..........why the hate for Marcus? Didn't the whole community rally around the Rassell family when they faced their time of tragedy..........and again the elderly widow Rassell lady that lived by the post office was a wonderful lady and kind to all in our town. If she was alive today I bet she would wonder why you aren't proud to be a Rassell and proud of our town as she surely was as well as loved by many.
You folks have me so confused....you need to learn more about your family heritage before you go slandering your good names in a public forum any further. If I was your parents I would sit you down and start filling you in on the legacy of your great names in this great town.
Maybe you should start trying to emulate the generations of Rassells and Wibersch's before you and all that they did for Marcus and then you wouldn't look at your town quite the same.
Please don't besmudge those generations before u of their good names........many of us that read this blog called them our friends and still consider them friends even though they are no longer with us.
Paul Wibersch's father was the kindest man I ever knew growing up in Marcus and to be a business owner and give back to our community the way he did via his business is and always be priceless in my mind............please think this all over before you keep tarnishing my friend's legacies!
Dear Anonymous: I am in no way slandering my last name. I am fully aware of how wonderful my family is! I was being sarcastic in the sense that the majority of people in town discriminate me for my last name! Shameful isn't it? Thank you for your kind words regarding my grandparents, and how they were business owners in town. To date, I have never heard anything mentioned in Marcus history about them owning a business in town. It's never been mentioned in the Marcus News "via my grapevines" to my knowledge. Again, thanks for your kind words, I wish that everyone around there knew how great my family is!
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to go along with a previous post and say "Team Tommy". I do however believe that what you are requesting Tommy may be a little extreme. What if you were to see if the city would let you build a 6' privacy fence to enclose just the sides and back of your yard? I agree that making someone drop their fence down to 4' in some areas is ridiculous. How would anyone ever have a privacy fence? I do also believe that putting a fence around your entire property is a bit of an eye sore. I understand you feel you should have the right since it is your property, but what about respecting the people around you?
ReplyDeleteOne more thing...For those of you who have insisted that a name and the almighty dollar don't mean anything I would simply suggest that you look at what is going on around you. Do you think that Madonna's children don't get into the best schools, or that there aren't people that do just as much for humanitarian efforts as Angelina Jolie...bigger towns and bigger money just equal bigger politics, but please don't deny that it is happening in your own lives.
Jordan
ReplyDeleteMaybe if you focused on your own legacy and how you can make it YOUR OWN and something special and unique like your grandparent's did then maybe you won't be so concerned about the Marcus "GRAPEVINES" or such.
Happiness comes from within and from what I can tell your grandparents were wonderful happy people and the people that mattered the most to them knew they were wonderful people.
To be consumed and worried about whatever one else thinks and says about you or your family is a no-win situation.
Time to grow up and start a legacy of your own that your grandparents would be proud of.......that is what matters the most and is the biggest challenge for most!
Christian RAPPER name Lecrae has a song that says "DREAM BIG!" Well are you even dreaming let alone BIG is my question to you?
"Anonymous"...
ReplyDeleteI am extremely happy with my life, especially now that I am not in Marcus and more importantly, I don't give a crap what others think of me or my family! I was stating a fact that my immediate family has always been treated like crap by the majority of the people in Marcus. That's a fact. I have never "tarnished" my grandparents good name! My grandparents and my parents are some of the nicest and caring people you will ever meet. Unfortunately, narrow minds wouldn't know that. My whole point with the "Grapevine" comment is that everyone else who has done anything in Marcus has gotten credit. My grandparents are due some credit. "Anonymous", I had the courage to post my name, if you wish to continue "chatting" with me, please post your name. It would be nice to know who I am "chatting" with! :)
I'm changing the subject, but I do have a question for Julia Simpson. If I have it right and your town is Riverside,Rhode Island, I want to know where you are in relation to the terribly flooded areas. Let us know how you're doing.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Dorr
WOW, is all I can say about this blog! If people aren't happy with our city, go to a council meeting, they are open to the public. We should all be happy with what we have in this town, a great school, a new swimming pool, a good main street, and a new business coming to our town to name a few. I have lived here all my life and raised my family here. My husband and I have been involved with a lot of community activities and I think if more of the bloggers spent less time writing about complaints and instead, do something for the community just think how wonderful Marcus would be! Just a thought
ReplyDeleteDeb
Wow, this is getting way out of hand... I think some are reading way too much into things and so I would like to clarify on my behalf:
ReplyDeleteI AM VERY PROUD to have married into the RASSEL FAMILY. I think that Margaret Dorr worded it well when she said, "perhaps we all know each other too well. Memories are lengthy & the idiosyncracies of generations are not easily dismissed." I think I can safely say, that not all the Rassel's from the past have been perfect angels- and my own husband can be ornery if he feels he or his family is being treated unfairly; he has made this clear with local law enforcement and so now we get preferential treatment and constant supervision. LOL
Marcus IS a wonderful community - which is exactly why Cam & I CHOOSE to live here and raise our family here. Yes, the Rassel's have seen their fair share of tragedy - too much. Had it not been for the caring people of Marcus it would have been much harder to go on. I think what Tom, Jordan & I have tried to portray in our own way, is that there are a "select few" that don't want to treat everyone equally. We have witnessed it - lived it, & seen how others treat our children differently because of their last name. Those of you who know me, know that I am a very caring woman and I do a lot for our community - it is my hope and prayer that someday future generations will say " hey- remember that Rassel lady from the drugstore - she was one of the nicest people I knew!"
So, Marcus - You are stuck with me.
PROUD TO BE A RASSEL AND PROUD TO LIVE, WORK, & WORSHIP IN MARCUS- THE PLACE I CALL HOME.
I agree, this blog is a lot more interesting when Thomas is throwing a temper tantrum.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up Thomas! Don't let the bourgeoisie get you down!
So, where do I begin? First, I want to thank Jordan and Gina for sharing like minded opinions about the way certain families are treated around Marcus. They both know that I am very sassy and willing to Stand Up and will be very persistant when it comes to defending what I believe. Though, they would have had every Right not to defend what I have said.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, they know that everyone has made mistakes in their past, present, and will do in the future. Because, we are all human. But, to try and judge people based on whom has been before them is where the narrow-mindednees comes in. No one can base others because of whom their grandparents or parents were or are. Everyone is an individual in their own right. And, they should be judged accordingly. But, that judgment should never be because of what they "do" for the community, how much money they have, or how "who" they know. It should be based on the person they are inside.
Third, People seem to talk like they have two tongues. First, people complain about what a person's Personal Property looks like. Then, they complain because a person wants to keep people from seeing what a person's Personal Property looks like, so that they can find something other to complain about. But, people think it's rediculous to want to keep nosy people from seeing what they complain about seeing. So, how many of you actually can "see" where I'm going with this?
This is in no way a temper tantrum nor is it a perspective. It is my own legacy that I am trying to preserve. I am trying to leave a town of Freedom for All instead of Freedom for the few priviledged people that seem to think they deserve to be treated better than everyone else.
I will end this post with a thought of my own. - "The past will soar away until one day it lands in the least expected spot. Though, it is important to remember that it is not the past, present, nor the future that we must fear, but it is what others use it for that will always haunt us dearly. So, never hide in fear. But, stand up for what is Right and Just. For, some day everyone will look back and wonder how they got what they did. And, you will know, in your heart, that it was you that truly made a difference in their lives. It was not because of what you had or what you provided for the City, but the Freedom that you left them for an eternity."
I want to add my two cents too...
ReplyDeleteMy Grandma Fern Rassel was a wonderful lady. Thank you anonymous for such kind words. She raised a flock of Rassel's- including my dad, Floyd. He brought us up to help everyone. Dad is gone now, but his memory lives on. Those who talk about, Floyd Rassel say he was an awesome guy- he'd give his shirt off his back to help anyone in need. I am proud to call him my dad and even more proud to bear our family name.
The Wiebersch's were like a 2nd family to me, great people. Paul's kids are still some of my best friends.
I agree with my wife, our community is Top Notch! When my parents lost their home in 1996 due to a house fire, not only did we lose our childhood home, but my sister, Jean and brother, Justin. The community of Marcus went above and beyond to get my parents and family back on track. And again when we lost dad and my niece, Ashley. This is why I stay here. My family roots are here & they are deep.
Deb- great points about our town! I had some of the same thoughts about volunteering. Like helping my neighborhood out by moving some snow - which I was reprimanded for. Last summer my oldest son & I drove our 4 wheeler up to the city park weekly to drag the field so that the kids would have a nice field to play on. The field isn't what it once was since the Merchant's no longer play. Taking care of the field was my "little project". Unfortunately since I've been told I can't have my 4 wheeler on the city roads I will not be able to drag the field this summer. Everyone can thank Chief Jim Ebert for singeling me out since he continues to carry past grudges against my family.
Enough said.
Still Proud to call Marcus home.
What we need is a revolution! It's time to overthrow the oppressive bourgeoisie Marcus Government and replace it with one that will recpect the rights of it's denziens and let them build fences to the moon if they so choose!
ReplyDeleteViva la Revolution!
I hadn't checked this blog for awhile and just finished reading the last half month's posts. Somehow I have to believe that this is a good thing. It's kind of like the old town square where people would gather and exchange ideas and different points of view. I can't help but think that the fact that so many people have a chance to voice their opinions is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if more people were able to be 'heard', so to speak, other forms of 'getting a point across' would not have been used. In the end, all most people want, is just to be heard.
Now for something a bit more fulfilling and a nice diversion from all of the other drama that has been going on for the past few days on this blog. Thanks Margaret for all of your wonderful "GRAY MATTERS" over the years. They are to be cherished as far as I am concerned. Needless to say you have a gift.
ReplyDeleteGray Matters: A Potluck Dinner from the Past
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Margaret Dorr
I'm not sure just what triggered this bit of nostalgia. Perhaps it's because a change is being made in the food service here where I am now living.
With nothing better to do some residents spend a lot of time discussing the pros and cons of the matter. In any case, all of this food talk has triggered memories of the old-fashioned potluck dinners that used to held at church. I expect many of you, past a certain age, can join me in similar indulgent recollections.
After services and bible class the men would stand around in little groups talking over the things men talked about when they stood around in little groups. Some women were busy in the kitchen while others were doing a bit of chatting on their own.
The youngsters were scurrying around under everyone's feet enjoying their freedom. When the meal was ready the pastor led in the common table prayer and we all fell in line. Calorie-counting resolutions were set aside and all other caution abandoned as a feast was about to begin.
First came the meats and casseroles. We often speculated about the various ways fried chicken was prepared, some was dark and moist, while other examples were golden-crisp. And how about the casseroles? Where do you imagine those many recipes came from?
Though some were quite similar they were all individually and tastily prepared. Next, the vegetables. Someone always brought escalloped corn. How I loved that. When I was small Mom canned our sweet corn.
To "foxy" it up a bit for special meals she "scalloped" it with cracker crumbs, butter, egg and light cream--Mmm. In my day, after painstakingly freezing corn the way my kids liked it, they would have flat-out revolted if I'd dared to add anything but a bit of milk, a dollop of butter, salt and a lacing of sugar. So it was at the church dinner that I depended on getting that delightful golden spoonful of pure nostalgia.
Following that were the salads--a joyous wonder. They could range from varied vegetable combinations to the whipped-cream enhanced fruits--every one different and every one delicious. (That, of course, is a figure of speech for I never actually tried them all, much as I might have liked to).
After all of that, I suppose we might have asked, "Who needs dessert?" But remember, it was a day to indulge. What an array there was! I'll just take the time to tell you my recollections of one very special pie. The same lady always brought a perfect meringue-cream pie.
It might have been lemon, butterscotch or chocolate, she seemed to alternate varieties as I recall. In any case, both crust and filling were made from scratch and all was topped off with an exquisite meringue.
With lard and a bit of deft handling most of us could make a good crust, and we could manage a decent filling, but only this gal could make the perfect, Purple-Ribbon meringue. She's gone now and its secrets have gone with her. All that is at an end, as are my musings on a Potluck Dinner from the Past.
Confession time: I have been looking over some notes made years ago to help refresh my memory so if some of the above seems a bit repetitious, there's a reason. Will you please forgive me? If it aroused some lip-smacking memories of you own I hope you feel it was well worthwhile.
Very well said Cam, Gina, and Tom.
ReplyDeleteWhat you all said, is exactly what I meant! Marcus will forever be HOME to me. When I say I am going HOME, I mean Marcus Iowa. Living in Texas now, I am PROUD to say I am from IOWA. My husband was born and raised here in Mesquite Texas, and it's a far cry from Marcus. I brought him home for the 1st time last summer, and he couldn't believe what a small town I grew up in. I enjoy telling him stories about how I grew up. I would gladly live in Marcus again, however, I would never want my children to be treated the way I was. Yes, I have brother(s) who didn't always make the best decisions, and for that, I was guilty by association. That's not right. I never got in trouble with the law in high school as others did. Not that I wasn't doing anything wrong, guess I was just in the right place at the right time! (LOL).
The Rassels and Wiebersch's have always been a tight bunch! My brothers hung around with the older Rassel boys, and I was very good friends with Zac, Jesse, and Goober (Justin) as we called him, and now my son Levi (who goes to Iowa every summer) hangs around with Wyatt and Conner, Cam and Gina's kids.
With all of this being said, please don't twist my words. I am PROUD of my family, mistakes and all. And I am PROUD to say I am from Marcus Iowa!
Something I would really like to see in Marcus is an actual Cooking School, where people can provide the best recipes they have and techniques to share with others. At the same time, they could provide the younger generations with the knowledge they need to know in order to show off their talents and compete with people from other, more well known, places.
ReplyDeleteI would even volunteer to help provide my knowledge of cooking. And, I do love to cook.
One of my favorite recipes is as follows:
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Ingredients:
1 3-4 pound pot roast.
5-6 medium potatoes, quartered.
Approx. 12 baby carrots
2-3 medium onions, cut into 8 slices.
1/2 - 3/4 cup of water.
3-4 shakes each of tyme, rosemary, basil flakes, and parsley flakes. Fresh herbs can be used, as well.
Combine all ingredients in Slow Cooker. Cook on Low for approximately 7 hours. Then, turn setting to High for approximately One (1) more hour.
The end result will be a moist and juicy pot roast with an exquisite flavor. It will be a meal that the whole family can enjoy.
I think it's time to pull the plug on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's ugly & hateful.
ReplyDeleteI remember the days when we would have neighbor block parties! THAT was fun!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhy is this blog ugly and hateful? Because people are speaking the TRUTH and not everyone is gushing about how AMAZING Marcus is? It's a blog. A place for everyone to get their thoughts and feelings out. If you don't like what you read, then it's simple, type in another URL and don't look. I believe that everyone has a right to get on here and post whatever they like.
ReplyDeleteJim Ebert needs to go back where he came from if they will even take him back he has done nothing good for this community but cause alot of problems
ReplyDeleteA few humbly submitted suggestions from a graduate of MMC that no longer lives in the Midwest:
ReplyDelete- I don't think this should be considered a blog. This is really a discussion board. I know it may feel like splitting hairs, but there is a difference.
- Blogs are generally authored by one, or a small handful, of people and typically are updated daily (sometimes several times a day) or at least weekly with thought provoking topics, photos, videos, or other things that readers can comment on - which is what this is; a comments section.
- Discussion boards are usually divided up by subject. For Marcus these could be things like education, business, history, bulletin board (to post upcoming events etc). There can still be discussion and debate but people can pick and choose what topics they particiapte in more.
- Related to the above, I would suggest that this site be discontinued and pursue a few new options: 1) Start a more traditional blog. I'd suggest Wordpress as the publisher, it's widely used and fairly intuitive. 2)Open a discussion board section with various topics and a handful of moderators, 3) Get a Facebook page setup for Marcus, IA. The Fair has one and that is great, but the town itself needs one. I saw a message in another string about possibly starting a MySpace page. I would not recommend this. MySpace is dying quickly compared to Facebook.
Lastly, as a graduate of MMC that went onto college and has had the good fortune of achieving some success in my chosen profession - I would hate to see Marcus lose it's school. But as an alumnus, it's unclear to me what the budget gap is or how I could donate to help close it.
I know some people would say it doesn't matter, just donate. And that's a fair point, but if the gap is say $5 million vs. $500k, that's significant difference, and the amount I donate (Don't worry I can't cover either!) would vary. Not to mention, there are a lot of us who have graduated from MMC (or Marcus as it was) over the decades and while the entire gap may not be able to be made up, some sacrifices may be lessened.
Lastly, (and I'm sorry for going on so long...I've never posted here before but felt compelled to do so after reading two months worth of posts)...be good to each other.
For those who live in Marcus and love it. Good for you, I can understand where you come from. At the same time, those who point out that Marcus is not a Utopian community are right. It's a GREAT town. But it's not perfect, no town is. But letting people express their opinion is part of the online dialogue. Telling them to 'get a life' really isn't useful.
In fact it only fuels further negative commentary. People can agree to disagree and that should be ok. That's what growing up in/around Marcus instilled in me.
For those who feel like they must come here and get deeply personal (and negative) in their attacks - let it go. I could go on as well about the have's and have not's in Marcus. The political nature of the community, but to what end?
It's not different in that way than any town - big or small.
Good luck. I will check back again.
Be good to each other.