City of Decorah employees receive statewide awards

Longtime City of Decorah employees Judy Syverson and Wanda Hemesath have received awards from statewide organizations.

At a ceremony Thursday night at the City of Decorah employees' picnic, Decorah Park-Rec Administrative Coordinator Judy Syverson was named the Administrative Coordinator of the Year by the Iowa Parks & Recreation Association.  Syverson has worked for the Park-Rec Department since 1976, telling the crowd Thursday that her mother told her "You need a job" and took her to City Hall to fill out an application.  In the 44 years since being hired, she created the department's first ever electronic registration system in 1987 and implemented a new system nearly 30 years later.  "Judy is Decorah's Parks & Recreation Department," said Park-Rec Director Andy Nimrod.

Then it was City Clerk/Treasurer Wanda Hemesath's turn to be recognized.  The Iowa League of Cities announced she has been inducted into the League's Hall of Fame.  Another Hall of Fame member, Larry Nagle, said Hemesath "has continued to exemplify that passion and desire for her community and the city for more than 40 years."  Hemesath has been actively involved in state-level panels, committees and leadership programs throught the more than 40 years she has worked for the City of Decorah.