Tim Thyer is Iola’s new fire chief, but it took a second vote by city council members to confirm it at their meeting Monday night.
Members first voted on whether to conduct a second interview with Thyer and another candidate, who was not named. The two had been winnowed from a field of four.
That vote was 4-to-4, with Mayor Joel Wicoff breaking the tie, voting against the motion.
A second motion then was made to confirm Thyer as chief. It passed by 6-to-2. Those in favor were Sandy Zornes, Nancy Ford, Don Becker, Bob Shaughnessy, Steve French and Beverly Franklin; against were Eugene Myrick and Jonathan Wells.
Thyer was promoted from deputy fire chief. He has been with the Iola force since 1987. He replaced Donald Leapheart, who retired in March.
COUNCIL members will investigate stoplights that allow more time for pedestrians to cross the street in downtown Iola and at the intersection of U.S. 54 and State Street.
“We’ve heard many concerns about the lights changing before people have adequate time to cross the street,” said Wicoff.
Corey Schinstock, assistant city manager, said the current fixtures can be updated to accommodate push button features and LED countdown signals. Schinstock said he believes city crews can “change out the brains” of the three stoplights for an estimated $24,000.
The signals would then vocally and visually warn pedestrians of how many seconds remain before the light turns red.
Donna Houser, 83, encouraged the council to pursue the changes.
“There’s not one stoplight downtown that gives me enough time to cross the street,” she said.
RECOGNIZING the merits of the new PowerUP program, council members approved closing off a downtown street the evening of May 16 for a street dance.
PowerUp is a movement that caters to those 21-39 who have chosen to live in rural communities and work to make their communities a better place to live.
