By Steven C. Smith

Workers at Wilbert Plastic Services in Winthrop were notified Friday that the plant will close, affecting 117 workers. Many are long-time employees of the company.

Employees reported that they were asked to meet at St. Patrick Parrish Hall in Winthrop where they were notified that operations in Winthrop would cease by July 15, 2010 and that the plant would be sold.

Wilbert managers reportedly did not address at that meeting whether transfers or severance packages would be offered. However, a company statement released Friday afternoon stated, “The opportunity for employee relocation will be extended where there are job opportunities within the organization.”

The company statement continued, “Our decision was due to dramatic changes in demand and economic conditions within the industry. We have retooled our facilities with new technology and made significant process improvements over the last 24 months that has provided us the opportunity to take advantage of under-utilized assets in our other Thermoforming locations and to become more competitive in the marketplace.

“This plant consolidation will start immediately and will be completed through mid year. The business will be relocated between our two operations in Minnesota and North Carolina.”

The company maintains thermoforming operations at White Bear Lake, MN and Belmont, NC. Wilbert Plastic Services corporate headquarters are also in Belmond.

Wilbert Plastics serves agriculture, commercial and construction heavy equipment manufacturers as well as industrial and automotive markets providing thermoformed or injection molded parts and entire subassemblies and complex parts that incorporate both thermoformed and injection molded parts.

The company statement concludes, “We sincerely appreciate the community support and employee loyalty.” On average, workers had been employed at the plant for 12 years.

Buchanan County Economic Commission Director Nate Clayberg has been in touch with local company officials, the State Economic Development Commission and Winthrop City officials.

“Local managers are concerned about seeing that employees receive assistance in finding new opportunities,” noted Clayberg. He has contacted the Workforce Development office in Waterloo who will work with the displaced workers, finding employment opportunities and retraining.

Clayberg is also asking the State Economic Development office to assist in helping market the Wilbert Plastics site to other potential employers.

Notes Clayberg, “This may be an opportunity to draw another business to our community. The availability of a trained and ready workforce is a great incentive.”

Winthrop City Council met in special session Monday to discuss the plant closing. The meeting was presided by Mayor Pro tem, Helen Reck. City Clerk Mary Ryan reported she met with Clayberg and has offered the use of City Hall and that the library has also offered use of computer terminals for employees, the company and Workforce Development.

Ryan reported that the Wilbert Plastics building has a tax valuation of $1.2 million. The company also owns 60 acres of farmland adjacent to the plant.

Council person Leland Sprague summed up the Council’s positive determination to move forward, “We’ve got a great location on the interstate – 60 miles from Dubuque, 40 miles from Cedar Rapids, and 30 miles from Waterloo along with a loyal workforce. This all should help develop interest in this plant.”

Where is he now?

By Tari Robertson, Features Editor

“A cool spring breeze was blowing in this New England town in April of 2010. A portly old gentleman walking across campus looked familiar to me … he is a former high school classmate of mine, Jerome Gaffney.

Jerome is now a professor of electronics and assistant professor of engineering at Yale. … I said, “let’s talk about our high school days as Seniors at W.H.S.,” and he graciously consented.  Mr. Gaffney stated that in his senior year he took four subjects.  “I planned to work at Collins Radio or take up engineering at Ames,” Jerome recollected.  “I knew I would miss Mr. Whoelk’s classes most.” … “Your hobby was amateur radio, wasn’t it?”  “Yes, I always have enjoyed working with electronics.  Well, I must get to my next class.”  With these farewell words Professor Gaffney headed for the electronics building at Yale.

(Excerpt taken from a column in the February 25, 1960 edition of The Winthrop News)

Jerome Gaffney, a 1960 graduate of Winthrop High School (WHS), has lived in Gainesville, FL since 1965. The above excerpt was written by fellow classmate and guest columnist Larry DeGrief, in “Winthrop Hi-Lites,” a news column that appeared regularly in this paper back in those days.

“The article was quite prophetic in some ways,” said Gaffney in a recent interview, “there is no chance I will be a professor at Yale by April 2010 – it’s too cold there – but I was an adjunct professor at the University of Florida for 25 years. And I began my own consulting business, Gaffney Engineering in 1991, specializing in the design and manufacturing of computer control systems and precision temperature measurement instruments.”

READ the entire story in THE NEWS this week!

By Steven C. Smith

The Independence Community School District Board of Education held a special session March 4. The main purpose of the meeting was to approve early retirement severance packages for Mary Ann Crawford, Sandra Pierce, Linda Steffen, and Nancy White, effective at the end of this school year.

These retirements will open teaching positions that will be posted for bid internally. Superintendent Devin Embray noted that this could result in one or more of the recently terminated employees being rehired. Prospects for this will not be known until all the posts have been filled.

In other business, the Board approved a fund raising request by the High School Speech team to raise money to offset the cost of rooms at All-State.

After the special session, the Board convened a work session where they heard from Brad Simonson, HSR Associates, an Architecture, Engineering and Interior design firm from La Crosse WI. Simonson presented three concepts for building a center for arts and athletics, a new high school and modified grade school facilities on the site of the current middle school.

Initial plans call for construction of a Center for Performing Arts/Athletics. Supporters of this plan point out that the facility would generate revenue for the school district. Estimates for hosting events such as conference wrestling, volleyball and similar tournaments range from $20,000-25,000 per event. The auditorium is expected to draw similar events for music and performing arts as well.

All three concepts were presented as being built in stages. The Center for Performing Arts/Athletics, core building is estimated at $9,388,656. Additions of three components for fitness center, music practice rooms and kitchen/cafeteria bring the costs to $15,902,362.

School Board member Kathryn Jensen commented, “The community must decide whether they want a high school here and will support it.”

Board President Dawnye Sturtz cited a flyer from the Dunkerton School district, “Dunkerton is looking at moving forward with a construction project or beginning plans to close the facility and consolidate with another school.”

School Board member John Christensen added, “The community can and will support it (a new school) – five out of seven votes have been over 50% supporting – it’s the 60% majority that has stopped us.  We just need to put this together right and they’ll support it.”

Meeting attendee Jeannie Neeley suggested that the community would support a plan to move forward if the Board would develop a couple of ideas to be presented for public discussions and input.

By Steven C. Smith

Last November, Independence Community Schools conducted a survey of teachers, students and parents. Participation included 75% of teachers, and 54% of students, grades 3-12. Parent participation was low at only 6.8 of district parents participating. Teachers and students were allowed to take the survey over the course of the month on school computers. Parents were offered the survey during parent/teacher conferences.

Sandy Merritt, School Improvement Curriculum Director, presented an overview of the survey at the Feb. 22 School Board meeting. She pointed out the survey showed a “more positive mood” compared to last year.

Student results showed that 75% of those surveyed believe teachers present real-world relevant problems for them. About 70% feel technology is appropriate in the school; however, there are students and parents who do not know how to use, or don’t have access to, Power School at home. (Power School internet based computer program that records grades and attendance.)

One of the concerns expressed by students was that teachers spend a greater amount of time with those who are struggling and that students needing a more challenging curriculum are not getting as much attention.

Parents showed mixed support for the high school curriculum; however, they do believe the school is preparing students for adulthood. Overall, parents listed the schools’ strengths as staff, class size, the music program and the curriculum.

Although 80% of parents responding believe school buildings are clean, safe and well maintained, they feel the biggest challenges in their child’s school are decreased programming, budget cuts, teachers and inadequate buildings.

Teacher comments indicated that 79% of respondents say they are proud to say they work at Independence Schools. Concerns include financial difficulties, athletic programs, and lack of community support.  The survey shows 84% of respondents support the campaign to build a new high school. Overall, teachers stated the strengths in the school system include learning teams, supportive staff, positive environment, and teachers who are willing to go above and beyond to help students.

See survey by clicking HERE (pdf)

See THE NEWS for story/photos!