Caledonia Argus

Sign will honor earthwalkers

Posted: 1/20/04

by Jane Palen
Managing Editor

The city council has given its approval to plans for a sign at the north entrance to Caledonia honoring David, Peter and John Kunst, native Caledonians known for their attempt to walk around the world. David and John began the walk, and John was killed by bandits in Afghanistan. David and Peter resumed the walk from the spot where John was killed, and completed their journey in 1974.

Judy St. Mary and Irma Klug attended the council meeting of January 12 to update the council on the plans for the sign. As of this time, there has been no request of the city for financial support.

The sign will be placed so as to avoid the highway right of way. In addition to the sign, a bronze plaque will be erected explaining the quests of the
ìEarthwalkers.î The signs will probably be erected in the area of the Northside Park, and it is hoped that the installation will be complete by the cityís sesquicentennial in June.

In addition to the sign, there are plans to have a mural erected in the downtown area which will also pay tribute to the Kunst Brothers.

Pool appointment stands

After a lengthy discussion, the council voted to retain Gina Houdek as assistant manager of the Caledonia Swimming Pool for the 2004 season. Houdek had been hired by outgoing pool manager Kirsten Hefte after the previous appointee, Jennifer Fitzpatrick, moved into the managerís slot when the person originally appointed as manager decided not to return due to an internship.

However, another employee, Brandon Knutson, wrote to members of the council and protested Houdekís appointment, indicating that he had seniority and should have been hired instead. He is 19 and a college student; Houdek, 17, is a junior in high school and began working there last summer. Knutson said that he has worked a total of 622 hours in the four years he has been employed at the pool.

City clerk administrator Robert Nelson said that in his 19 years with the city, there has never before been a challenge to an appointment at the pool. He said that he understood Houdek was hired because Knutson had told Hefte that he wasnít sure he was coming back. Knutson told the council that had he been asked about the assistant manager position, he would have been definite about returning to work at the pool.

Council member Randi Vick moved that Brandon be hired for the assistant manager position based on his experience. The motion failed for lack of a second. Councilman John Klug made a motion to refer the matter to committee and reopen the position. That motion failed 3-2, meaning that Houdekís appointment stands.

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