City council honors two employees

Two city employees were honored Tuesday by the Ogle City Council.

Mayor Tom Stone commended police officer Joe Brooks for saving the life of an Oregon resident whose car was on fire.

Stone read a letter of commendation, signed by himself and Oregon Police Chief Darin DeHaan, expressing the city's appreciation for Brooks' "display of heroism."

The letter said Brooks was dispatched to a car fire at Collins and Fourth Streets on Feb. 27 at 8:29 p.m. 

"When you arrived a gold Chrysler van was on fire, with the undercarriage engulfed in flames," the letter read. "Disregarding your own safety for the sake of a citizen you approached the vehicle.

"By pulling the passenger window out of the car you were able to safely remove the occupant from the locked, burning vehicle thereby saving his life.

"Shortly after removing the driver, the van was totally engulfed in flames."

DeHaan presented Brooks with the commendation and a lifesaving pin.

Stone also recognized Street Superintendent Mike Bowers for his 30 years of service as a Street Department employee.

"Mike Bowers is one of the best employees a city could ever have," Stone said. "This gentleman sets as example for other people."

He presented Bowers with a clock.

Bowers said he has enjoyed working with mayors and other city officials over the years.

"I've had good support from all the councils," he said.

In other business, the council held a hearing to allow public comment on the city's plan to issue $4 million in general obligation bonds to pay for repairs to the wastewater treatment plant. No one commented.

The council approved an engineering agreement with Willett Hofmann & Associates, Dixon, for the work.

Finance Commissioner Ken Williams said the ordinance for issuing the bonds will be ready for the council's approval at the March 26 meeting.