Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025
Vol. 6, No. 20
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
Becker selected as new PCM superintendent
Current Hampton-Dumont leader comes to the district with a wealth of experience By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer The PCM Community School District has announced Aaron Becker as its next superintendent. The district announced the selection following approval from the school board. “I am honored by the board’s decision to select me as the next superintendent of PCM Schools,” said Becker. “I look forward to working alongside the dedicated staff, families and students to ensure that PCM remains a district of excellence for all. Together, we will create a learning environment where every student feels valued and supported.” File Photo Becker is currently the su-
perintendent at Hampton-Dumont Community School District. Highlights of his career include successfully leading efforts in budgeting, facility improvements and staff recruitment and retention. He also notably increased the district’s steadily declining Unspent Authorized Budget by $2 million, achieving greater financial stability through data-driven decisions. During his time at Hampton-Dumont he implemented strategies to enhance district culture. He also oversaw bond referendums and school construction projects. Prior to his current position, SUPERINTENDENT | 2
BRINGING BACK THE BARN Jasper County barn transformed into breathtaking wedding venue and event space By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer Bonnie Terpstra has seen what happens to old barns in Iowa. Any fortunate enough to withstand a blistering Midwestern tornado or the devastating straight-line winds of a derecho are too often forgotten about and allowed to deteriorate beyond their working use. There was no way she’d let that happen to her barn. Instead of letting the barn wither and fall into disarray, Terpstra decided to invest in is rehabilitation and maintain the history that is so dear to her and her family. Over the past year, she transformed it into a venue for weddings, birthdays, get-togethers and graduations. It still carries many of its original qualities. The banisters of the main floor
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Known as Country View Barn, the structure retains much of its historic qualities while still serving as a modern wedding venue and event space.
still feature the dairy cow names carved into the wood. Instead of stalls for Betsy and Ginger, the area is now open and for group
seating. The upper level where hay bales used to be stored still VENUE | 2
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office to obtain 35 new tasers After public hearing on Dec. 31, supervisors likely to authorize $167K purchase By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer Updated taser contracts for the sheriff ’s office were favorable for Jasper County Board of Supervisors, which officially set public hearings for the agreements to be approved during the last meeting in December. If approved — and it seems likely — the sherif ’s office will save almost $10,000 annually. Although the board of supervisors had every intention of approving the contracts during the Dec. 17 meeting, officials real-
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Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Sheriff-Elect Brad Shutts of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office shows an older model of taser that will be replaced soon by the Taser 10 by Axon Enterprise, Inc. The board of supervisors set a public hearing for a five-year contract so the department can acquire 35 new tasers.
ized last minute that any five-year contract requires them to set a public hearing. So the supervisors set the
public hearing for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 31 in Room 203 at the Jasper County Courthouse. Sheriff-Elect Brad
Shutts said the department has utilized Axon Enterprise, Inc. for its tasers for about 20 years. Law enforcement staff have gone through two different models. However, the current models onhand are about 10 years old. The updated models are the new Taser 10 by Axon. According to the company’s website, the Taser 10 has a maximum range of 45 feet and can deploy up to 10 individually targeted probes without the need to reload. These newer models are TASERS | 2A
SHERIFF HALFERTY RETIRES
John Halferty ends 38-year career in law enforcement with the same passion for public service he exemplified even outside the job By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer John Halferty wore two sets of armor when he suited up for work every morning. The bulletproof vest was m a n d a t o r y, but the sheriff of Jasper CounHalferty ty also wore an invisible layer of protection throughout much of his 38-year career in law enforcement, and his greatest strength was knowing when to take it off. As he leaves the sheriff ’s office and enters retirement, John hopes his fellow first responders — especially cops — heed his words and learn they don’t always have to wear that kind of armor all the time. They can show that they care. They can have empathy for others and sympathize with their feelings. “Whatever is going on may not be significant to you, but it’s the worst time of their life,” he said. “And I think sometimes we taught our people, and I was taught this, that you can’t show any
emotion or that you can’t show that you care (because) you’re letting your guard down, you’re going to open yourself up.” Very early in his career working drug cases for the Newton Police Department, he would not give a second thought to anybody he arrested. He rationalized that he was doing a good job, that he was getting someone off the streets and that he was stopping further drug use or distribution in the community. However, he realized that those people he put in handcuffs probably didn’t tell their classmates in elementary school that they wanted to be a drug dealer when they grew up or wanted to be addicted to a particular substance. He never excused their bad choices, but he never lost sight of them as a person either. When he had to lock up someone for their bad choices, he wasn’t just getting someone off the streets, he was also taking away a parent from their children, and potentially reinforcing another generational transmission of crime. While he has seen many families break those chains, others have not. HALFERTY | 4
Secondary roads will add 2 new tandem dump trucks to fleet by next winter Jasper County secures ‘critical’ equipment with a back-to-normal lead time By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer Following the supervisors-approved purchase of two dump bodies earlier this week and the two cab chassis bought back in November, the secondary roads department will be up two whole tandem dump trucks next year. It is expected the tandem dump trucks will be delivered before the 2025-2026 winter season. Jasper County Engineer Mi-
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chael Frietsch said the county solicited bids for two dump body packages. Henderson Products provided the low bid of $105,914 per cab chassis, which is a total of $211,828. Hawkeye Truck Equipment and Truck Equipment, Inc. were also contacted for bids but did not respond. According to county documents, the county’s tandem axle dump T-27 is more than 10 years old and is in poor condition, and a newer spare tandem axle dump was needed. The T-27 has more than 300,000 miles on it. Back in November, the supervisors approved the purchase of two cab chassis from GATR Truck Center. FLEET | 3
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