LOOKING AHEAD

     A couple notes received this week give hope that some interesting information about Booneites will be forthcoming in the Korner.
     Linda Boyd Bravard, BHS-61, emailed, "Kelly McMullan's father died in the Korean War and his remains are still in Korea. Kelly, BHS-67, and his brother, Dan, BHS-68, are on a mission to bring him back  to the U.S..They have filled out the tons of paperwork needed and are attending a conference in Washington D.C. this month that, hopefully, will help them with their endeavor. With the new relationship President Trump has with North Korea, they are hopeful. I asked Kelly if he wanted to keep this quiet or if he'd be open to sharing it with you and others. He said he thought the whole thing is "pretty cool" and he'd be willing to share."
     The Kornerman says that is "cool" and we, also, are hopeful that these guys persistence eventually pays dividends.
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     Then, too, there's news about distance (very distance) runner Pete Kostelnick, BHS-2005. Pete's mom, Clare Kostelnick, emailed, "Here's an update on our "Can't stop running" son, Pete. Guinness World Record did officially recognize him recently as the fastest cross-country by foot record holder. Pete now starts his Kenai Peninsula, Alaska to Key West Florida adventure today (Wednesday). He hopes to average 50 miles a day. He will have live tracking so anyone interested in following him can go to this site........www.petesfeetaa.com. He once told me, "Don't worry so much about me mom, just be happy for me." So, I try to be happy, pray a lot, and find a little comfort in knowing that he has bear spray packed in that stroller that he will be pushing across the Yukon."
     The Kornerman says, "so, thanks to a couple Korner viewers, you have a pair of interesting stories about Booneites that may never see print in our BOONE paper. Sad!
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     This community was hit hard last week when a true Boone "people person" and leader passed away. Shari Gillespie was 79 and her funeral was Tuesday (yesterday).
     The Kornerman wrote a feature story for the BNR about Shari several years ago and, in tribute, I'm going to repeat that story in the Korner today. Remember, this will be shown "as was." We're not doing any updating. Hope you enjoy recalling it.
     GILLESPIE ENJOYS CITY COUNCIL WORK, Someday Mayor?
     The city of Boone has never had a female mayor, and for the record, there won't be one for at least two more years.
     Current mayor George Maybee and challenger Eddie Mondt are the only candidates for that position in the November election.
     To go a step further, the list of female city council members from the past is also a short one.
     Joan Grant broke that mold in the early1980's and was followed by Deb Barr and Dixie Howell later in that decade.
     These days, Shari Gillespie is the lone council lady, and guess what? She might......might eventually take a crack at that long-standing mayor void.
     Now, wait a minute. Don't get the idea she is jumping up and down with enthusiastic anticipation of such a prospect. No, it's just that she quietly states that it's not completely out of the question. "I guess I might wonder if I'm tough enough," she says.
     "Still," she continues, "if the proper situation prevailed, I might give it some consideration."
      Shari really does enjoy serving the people in her present position as the Second Ward representative. And, the fact that she is even in a position to do that and serve as mayor pro tem is shocking to her.
     "In what seemed like a split second, I went from a simple task like mowing the lawn in retirement to dealing with city expenditures that were in the $10 million range," she explained. "I had no idea such a thing was going to happen, especially in view of the fact I had no previous experience or even real previous interest in city government."
     Here's what happened. Bob Flynn had just resigned his Second Ward responsibility at mid-term, and Mayor Maybee and the council needed a replacement. Seeing his  neighbor out mowing the lawn one day, Maybee asked Ms. Gillespie if she'd consider the position. She considered favorably, filled out the two years of the Flynn term and then won a full four-year term on her own.
     As time has passed, and she adds, with "lots of help from very  patient and respectful fellow members, " this conscientious lady has worked hard to grow into the job of being a good contributor. "There's tons of material to read, and I read it. Then too, I believe in the hands-on approach. I'm just required to be on the policy and administrative committee, but I try to attend all the various committee meetings to keep up with all facets of the work," she explained.
     She went on, "I also like to keep in personal contact with the various department heads, and I feel attendance at outside meetings, such as the plan and zoning committee meetings and the league of cities meetings, are valuable and provide good insights."
     Shari does get phone calls from constituents, and many are from women. "That's encouraging. I'm happy to know that there are women interested in their city government, and I'd like to see more women get involved," she commented. She admits some of the callers are a bit upset, but she adds, "Many times they have a right to be upset and I'm happy to check out their complaint."
     Cities are constantly facing decisions that involve huge sums of taxpayers money, and as Shari indicated, "Sometimes the answers aren't very easy." She cited the ongoing question of an additional overpass. "It costs four million to build a new one and four million to repair the one we have, and, in all reality, to even think of either one may be cost prohibitive," she said.
     She's proud of some of the projects that have been completed, like the water plant and the new bike trail, the development of the new business park and the purchase of the new rescue vehicle. She said, "We are all concerned about our taxes, but we also expect good services like clean water and modern rescue equipment."
     Shari spent some early years in New Providence, graduated from Hudson High School, was a bookkeeper for an auto parts store in Waterloo and moved with her husband, Archie, to Boone in 1973 so Archie could open up an auto dealership here.
     She loves to golf early in the morning, enjoys playing the piano on occasion and the company of her dog, Jo-Jo. She's also involved in the United Way organization and the YMCA board.
     Shari was "personality plus" and a wonderful contributor to our community. She will be/is already missed.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Amy Steinkamp, 48, Lake City. Amy's mother is Priscilla Chinstedt Thomsen, BHS-58..........F.W. (Bill) Beckwith, 91, Boone. BHS-44. Worked every facet of the family business, Fareway Grocery, including eventual posts as President and CEO. Retired in  2010. Boone area survivors include his wife, Jodie, two daughters, Dr. Mary Kristine, BHS-65, and Dr. Paula Sue, BHS-76, as well as a son, Paul James, BHS-67........Monte Westrum, 62..........Charlene Ulrick, 88, Boxholm. Born south of Beaver in Boone County. Attended Beaver school until moving southwest of Boxholm. Then, attended Boxholm school. Married Cleo (Bill) Ulrick in 1948. They farmed northwest of Boxholm for 15 years and then moved to a farm southwest of Boxholm in 1965. Boone area survivor is a daughter, Cleanne Lindholm, of Ogden. Another daughter and a sister also survive.
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