10 YEARS AGO

january 7, 2004

Marion County Commission took the first step Monday to activate a county economic development department. Each commissioner made one of two task force appointments at the meeting. They are Peggy Blackman, Steve Garrett, and Carolyn Koehn.

L.Dena Goertz was honored at a retirement reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 31 in the activity center at Hilltop Manor. After serving 19 years as activity director at Marion’s Hilltop Manor, L.Dena decided the final day of 2003 was as good a time any to retire.

Several people from the Marion area traveled to Tempe, Ariz., this weekend to attend the football game between Kansas State University and Ohio State University at the Fiesta Bowl.

Bruce Haertl, sports director and weekday sports anchor at KWCH-12, will be the speaker Jan. 26 at the Marion Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. The event will be at the Marion City Building basement.

Dave Hett, organizer of Marion’s annual New Year’s Eve ball drop and lighting celebration, is pictured guiding the lighted ball down to the ground, signaling the arrival of 2004. More than 100 people gathered on the grass and in cars on the west side of the courthouse during the waning hours of 2000 to welcome in the New Year.