Herald Journal,
Dec. 8, 2003
NG fire department officers shuffled for new year
By Dave Cox
A shakeup at the annual fire department meeting resulted in a shuffling of officers and a new fire chief for New Germany, the city council learned Tuesday.
Current fire chief and council member Steve Van Lith gave the council the results of Monday's elections.
"Bruce Fillbrandt will be the new chief," Van Lith said of the 12-10 vote for the top office.
"I guess they just wanted a change," he added.
The change will come as a surprise to some in New Germany, where Van Lith has served as fire chief since 1991. After 13 years as chief, Van Lith will assume the role of assistant chief when the changes go into effect Jan. 1.
Assistant Chief Todd Lehrke will be without an office as a result of the elections.
Results of the fire department election:
Fire Chief Bruce Fillbrandt
Asst. Chief Steve Van Lith
1st Captain - Dan Ruschmeier
2nd Captain Kevin Pawelk
Lieutenant Greg Miller
Lieutenant Ryan Goede
Lieutenant Brian Roy
President Mark Unglaub
Secretary Mary Fillbrandt
Van Lith also told the council that the department had recommended acceptance of Kurt Pevestorf who wished to rejoin the department.
The council approved a motion to accept this change pending his passing a physical exam.
In other fire department news, Van Lith stated that New Germany received two grants.
The department received more than $10,000 from the Carver County Sheriff's department.
New Germany competed with 16 other agencies for the $100,000 available through the program.
The grant will go toward additional portable radios for the department.
The department also received $3,000 from the Minnesota DNR, which will be used for eight additional pagers and a foam applicator that will be used with the new fire truck.
Back to Current Stories Menu | Back to Archives List