To the editor:

I would like to thank Becky Maxwell and Dan Ehl of the Centerville Daily Iowegian for one of the biggest surprises of my life. Being named the Citizen of the Year by the Daily Iowegian is truly an honor. I know there were other people who were involved in nominating me and writing letters of support. I don’t know who all of you are yet, but I do want to thank you too.

Brenda and I were completely taken by surprise as we sat in the packed Manhattan Steakhouse for the Centerville Chamber of Commerce annual Banquet. Listening to Becky Maxwell describe this years recipient, I sat there in wonder and awe. Wondering how could this be. How could I be considered for this award ?

As I sat there in amazement, my mind immediately flashed back to 1985 when I came to Centerville.

Fred and Carolyn Jenkins owners of KCOG and KMGO hired me to come to Centerville in early 1985. Several positive things happened in Centerville soon after, none of which I had anything to do with ! Centerville “leaders” inticed Wells MnuafactuiingManufacturing and Rubbermaid to come to town, “Challenge 85” was being kicked off to build the Centerville Rec-Center and the Indian Hills Community College baseball team had qualified for the JUCO World Series for the first time in years. I got to travel with the IHCC baseball team that spring to all of the tournaments to broadcast the games on KCOG/KMGO radio. I even got to broadcast the JUCO World Series games from Grand Junction, Colo. I distinctly remember sitting in the press box in Colorado watching IHCC play baseball and thinking to myself that I had hit the jackpot in arriving at a town with so much ENERGY and PASSION… Many of Centervilles “leaders” in 1985 are now listed as recipients of the same award the Daily Iowegian bestowed upon me. I am truly humbled and honored.

How could I type this letter and not thank my wife Brenda. She’s one of the other positive things that happened to me when I came to Centerville in 1985. Brenda and her family accepted this shanty German from northwest Iowa into their Swedish family and I’ve been counting my blessings ever since. Thank you Brenda, you’re my foundation and my loving wife… And to my Centerville family, thank you. You accepted me into your life years ago and I’ve been along for the ride.

Henry “O” Ortmann

Centerville