West Des Moines, Iowa, City Hall | City of West Des Moines - City Manager's Office/Facebook
West Des Moines, Iowa, City Hall | City of West Des Moines - City Manager's Office/Facebook
At their March 20 meeting, the City Council of West Des Moines honored several members of the community for their service and achievements.
The individuals included first responders, business owners and community members.
Police Chief Chris Scott and Fire Chief Craig Leu invited Jacora Morris and Jasmine Morris before the council. On Feb. 25, the girls were in their neighborhood, which has a small pond in it. They noticed that the pond, which was not entirely frozen over, had two young boys playing on the thin ice. They immediately went to the pond, and when the boys went under as they got near, they both jumped into the freezing water to help them get back to safety. The chief presented the girls with Civilian Life Saving Awards and thanked them for their bravery and quick thinking on behalf of the police department, fire department, and the entire city and community.
"It's, you know, seeing two young people who are absolutely heroes," Councilman Greg Hudson said in the meeting. "That's the word. It's the absolute word to use for these two young women who saved the lives of our residents. And it's just those kinds of things that make me incredibly proud to live in this community. And I want to thank Chief Scott and Chief Leu for really putting that together because if you save a life, I absolutely think you should be honored because you are a hero, and we should honor heroes."
After a remarkable tenure of 31 years, Parks and Recreation Department director Sally Ortgies is retiring from her position. The announcement was made by the council and City staff in a recent meeting, where they recognized her contributions to the city and the community. The retirement of a well-respected community leader has generated considerable interest both in the department and among civic leaders.
Throughout her years of service, Ortgies served as a member of the City leadership team, always demonstrating her commitment to meeting the needs of the public. She was known for her honorable intentions and tireless efforts to provide the best possible service to residents. Her dedication to the job has been remarkable, and her service record speaks volumes about her contribution to the community. Ryan Pennings, the current assistant director of the department, will take over Ortgies' position after her last day on March 31.
A local business in the community has been recognized as the Woman-owned Small Business of the Year by the Small Business Association. Anitha Timiri; founder of Epath USA, an IT business; was announced as the national award winner by the SBA's Jane Armstrong. The announcement of the achievement elicited a positive response from the community. Armstrong commended the council for creating an environment that fosters small businesses.
Epath USA is a nearly 20-year-old business that has grown to employ 50 people. Timiri expressed a need for an expanded office space to accommodate the steady growth of her company.
Westcom Dispatch Center, the communication and emergency response hub of six communities, has a new chief at the helm. The Clive City Council recognized Udell Mentola for his extensive experience in emergency services. He has served for 25 years in public safety and 911 operations, 19 years in fire and emergency medical services, and 22 years as a military veteran. As the new chief, Mentola brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the position.
The center is responsible for handling emergency calls and dispatching police, fire and ambulatory services in the Clive, Norwalk, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights areas.