Retiring WITCC President Dunker lauds Cherokee

Dunker gave a power-point presentation on the many benefits and educational services offered by WITCC and lauded the on-going efforts of Darla Struck, Director of the Cherokee WITCC Campus and Northern Services Area, in helping the Cherokee WITCC and Conference Center grow and prosper during her tenure here.

Dunker also spoke of his fondness and admiration for Cherokee "WITCC Pioneers" Joe Lundsgaard and Joan Ballantyne, who teamed with Dunker to establish the WITCC facility in Cherokee 15 years ago.

Dunker makes no bones about the importance Joe and Joan played in partnering with him to make the "dream of a WITCC facility in Cherokee" come to fruition in 1996 through their dedication, labors, and persuasiveness for the cause.

In response, Ballantyne thanked Dunker for his faith in Cherokee and his expertise in guiding them through the process, with much of the cost of the facility raised locally during fund-raising and planning for more than three years. WITCC and then-available grant monies also combined with local fund-raising to pay for the facility.

"This communuity is simply wonderful," said Ballantyne. "They opened up their hearts and checkbooks to make it all happen. This community and its people are the reason Joe and I have never left. We love living in Cherokee."

Dunker said when he was hired as WITCC President in 1991, the major item on his plate was to reach out to rural communities to help grow the Sioux City-based college.

"WITCC is now a big part of the fabric of this community," explained Dunker. "It would not have happened without the vision, fortitude, and tenacity of Joe and Joan. The Cherokee Campus now hosts a multiplicity of functions and without Joe and Joan, none of this would have taken place. The future is indeed bright for the Cherokee Campus in Darla's and your hands, and those of my successor's."

Dunker reiterated his vow to locate the entire WITCC Wind Energy Program in Cherokee once a local group partnering with WITCC is successful getting a wind turbine erected here.

"We will need to build a new facility here to house the wind energy program," added the third WITCC President in its 44-year history.

"WITCC is the economic engine that drives Western Iowa economy," continued Dunker.

“Votercade” Crawford County – Denison, IA « The Candidate's Wife

We arrived in Denison 30 minutes early with our staff time, so we stopped at Walmart to get some paper and fruit. The lady laughed when we asked where her bananas were, then said we could get them across the street.

We went to Fareway (the store across the street)and got the bananas & berries, but then the watermelon looked so good I couldn’t resist.

Terri and Eric have owned Cronk’s Restaurant for 30 years. I went ahead of John passing out palm cards and then stopped to visit with Terri so I didn’t hear all the concerns.

1.) Raising the Debt Ceiling? Wasn’t it there for a reason?

History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement

History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement

A History of Crawford County, Iowa

History of western Iowa, its settlement and growth, A comprehensive compilation of progressive events concerning the counties, cities, towns and villages--biographical sketches of the pioneers and business men, with an authentic history of the state of Iowa

The history of Polk County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of the Northwest, history of Iowa, map of Polk County, Constitution of Iowa, miscellaneous matters, &c., &c