Three city of Hillsboro employees were recognized for their years of service during the council meeting Nov. 20 in council chambers.
City administrator Larry Paine said Glenda Stoppel, deputy city clerk, was honored for 35 years.
Mike Duerksen, superintendent of the electric and sewer department, for 30 years, and Tom Richards, water department employee, 10 years.
Mayor Lou Thurston said Stoppel’s milestone was a “significant one.”
In addition to thanking each of them for their service, certificates of appreciation were handed out, and a gift.
Reeh sells back property
A property agreement made between the city and a local physician, Michael Reeh, more than a year ago is now being repurchased by the city, Paine said.
“We have a provision in the contract to buy back the property if no action is going to happen,” he said, “and Reeh agreed (action) wasn’t going to happen.”
The intent of buying it back is to put it in use with the community plaza project.
Reeh will receive $10,500, and the city will pay the closing costs, Paine said.
“The original selling price was $10,000 even, and the city is buying it back for $10,500, which pays the 2018 property taxes,” Paine said.
City councilman Byron McCarty said the planning grant “went south,” which is why Reeh is exercising the buy back clause.
Thurston also wanted to recognize Staci Silhan, chair of the community plaza committee.
“Thank you very much, and we are so excited for the location of it to be centralized in Hillsboro and accessible to everyone,” she said. “It truly will be a multipurpose plaza, and I’ve heard so much good feedback.”
Another fundraiser is planned Friday, “Night with Santa,” sponsored by Rhubarb Market and Studio 21.
“It will be a professional photo shoot,” she said. “We have been doing a lot of fundraisers and will continue to look for more grants.”
