And here we are, at the beginning of a brand-new year!
It’s time to buy a new calendar, get the year wrong when writing the date for the next month, and be dumbfounded by just how fast time flew by again!
In the spirit of the new year now is the time to reflect on 2023 and the news that defined our community. Some of it was groundbreaking, some of it was difficult, some of it was just fluff.
Either way you shake it, the annual Year End Review gives us a chance to look back on 2023 and go, “Oh yeah, I remember that!” It’s a fun final romp through the playground that was last year.
For instance, remember when 20,000 bicyclists came through downtown West Liberty in July for RAGBRAI? That was good time!
Oh yeah, there was a groundbreaking ceremony held in August for a 45-home subdivision to be built on the north side of town thanks to WeLead and GHS Development.
“We are very excited to be doing this project in West Liberty," said property developer Jason Dumont, stating that the city is committed to more housing. Now that’s good news!
Who could forget the harrowing tale of 11-year-old Will Daufeldt who suffered an accidental, but self-inflicted, gunshot wound, back in January. It was thanks to Officer Derek Holmes that he survived.
“He was calm, and so that made me calm,” Will said of the ordeal. “Not many people survive from a gunshot to the chest.” Well put!
When it came to West Liberty sports, sophomore Silvia Garcia-Vasquez took third place at the Xtream Arena in Coralville for state competition.
“It feels good,” she said, “There were a lot of ups and downs this season, both mentally and physically, but we got through it.”
Meanwhile, we had a touching moment during a West Liberty High School girls’ track and field meet. During the 200-meter wheelchair race lone competitor Payton Maas was joined by teammates Pearson Hall and Alyssa Lenz.
“Payton is just a really good friend, and I thought it would be a good way to pay her back for that,” said Pearson Hall.
Back in May, West Liberty Foods CEO Brandon Achen announced plans to expand operation outside of the city. He said the company will remain committed to the city and construction won’t begin for quite a while.
Later in the year members of the Fire Task Force came to a tentative, yet promising, agreement, regarding the future of the West Liberty Fire and Ambulance Department.
The Rural Township Trustees, the City of West Liberty and the West Liberty Fire Department, have been crafting a 28E agreement that establishes a new agency over the local volunteer fire department. The language is still being finalized.
And then there was Monica Leo, our resident puppeteer extraordinaire!
She released “Hand, Shadow, Rod. The Story of the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre,” a memoir of her life with puppets spanning the globe and covering 45 years!
“Before the wall came down in 1987, we were the only western puppet troop that was invited to perform in a national puppetry festival in East Germany,” Leo says for one of the chapters.
These are just a few of the stories that highlighted 2023 in the West Liberty Index. Please take a few moments to meander through our special section and see our many sponsors.
Oh yeah, the Rotary Club had a great year as well! Read about that too!
Who knows what the future will bring. Politically, I know we’re in for a train ride. The Iowa Caucus is coming, followed by the 2024 presidential election.
At the same time, there are wars and rumors of wars. Pollical figures, world leaders, and celebrities continue to vie for our limited attention, meanwhile AI is growing in intelligence.
You know, looking ahead can be a bit terrifying…but that’s why we need each other.
I’m honored to be a part of this community and I look forward to working with you in the future. I’ll warn you now, I’m not perfect. Mistakes will be made.
However, I’ll do my best to cover this community and all its wonderful people in 2024. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but we’re all in this together!
Happy New Year!
Jacob Lane, Editor
