On Saturday, August 29, an Open House was held for the new Gladbrook Fire and Ambulance Building was held. Fire Chief Matt Koester and some of the crew gave a live demonstration of an auto extrication using the jaws of life, rescue tools, and other life safety equipment. Pictured are (l-r) Lieutenant Craig Sash, Captain Dan DeWitt, Firefighter Landon Read, Firefighter Doug Bruene, Firefighter Jeremy Harms, and Gladbrook Fire Chief Matt Koester.

We are in the first week of September and we are still mowing grass every 5-7 days. Everyone’s yards are looking great with the green grass and fall flowers all over town.

It was 50 years ago last week that Jo and I had the honor of standing up with our very good friends, Merlyn and Connie Appelgate. How great it is to have known them this long and to have lived close to them most of our married live and having our families grow up together. Congratulations to both of you on 50 years together. It is great to have them decide to retire in Gladbrook even if we don’t have a golf course.

I hope that everyone got a chance to go to the Open House for the new Fire and Ambulance Building a couple weeks ago. It is a very fine asset to our town and shows that Gladbrook is “Alive and Growing.” Thanks to everyone who made this building possible and on top of that it’s paid for! Along with a good meal, Fire Chief Matt Koester gave an extensive talk and his men gave a very informative demonstration on the use of all their rescue equipment that is used in getting a victim out of an accident scene.

More good news! The last house put on the market sold in less than 24 hours of going on the market! Watch Main Street as Annie Stocker is remodeling her building (formerly McKinney’s) inside and out. It is looking good! Thanks, Annie, for choosing Gladbrook as a place for your insurance and real estate business. It is great to have young people like you investing in our town! Also, thanks to Harold and Rose Mary McKinney for all the years that you owned a Gladbrook Main Street business. You both are a great asset to our community.

More great news! The Uptown Lounge and Restaurant has been sold to David and Mandy Boldt. The new restaurant will be called Spanky’s. Spanky and Mandy plan on doing a lot of remodeling before they open. Mandy has run a restaurant before and has a very good catering business that she will continue to run as part of the restaurant business. Spanky and Mandy will continue to run Spanky and Sons Auction here in Gladbrook and Toledo and surrounding area. Thanks to both of you for choosing Gladbrook as a place to grow your business. We all will be looking forward to your opening day. Have that smoked brisket ready!

We have just completed the city audit and we passed with flying colors. City Clerk Lori Bearden and your City Council have done an excellent job of keeping us in a very strong financial position. Isn’t it great to see that Gladbrook is indeed “Alive and Growing” and not dying as some people would like to think.

I am writing this letter before the school board election so I don’t know the results but however the election turns out, thanks goes to the four local candidates, Linda, Clark, Ryan and Ashley, who put their names on the ballot and are willing to make the commitment to work for our GR students for the next four years. Thank you for stepping forward!

I think it was great to finally see two letters to the editor run in last week’s paper that told the facts about what is going on with our school. Thanks to Linda and Deb for spending the time it takes to report the facts. That is far better than just blaming Gladbrook for everything that has gone on. It was great to see a fresh point of view instead of the same tired old thing!

Keith Sash, Mayor