For the City of Sun Prairie and its administrator, Aaron Oppenheimer, the July 10 gas explosion triggered a chain of challenges and teaching moments.
A longtime Rotarian, Aaron recalled the downtown blast. A gas leak started by a utility worker doing directional drilling occurred at 6:20 p.m. on a Tuesday as he was at nearby City Hall. At 7 p.m., the City Hall building shook so much Aaron thought equipment at the top had fallen through. Imagining then a car had hit the building, he went to the front and saw flames.
Aaron then went to the area of the explosion, admitting, “It probably was not the wisest thing to do.”
There the fire chief said he had two firefighters in the rubble. Initially, the first steps were to get a coordinated response. The concern was migrating gas through the sewer pipes. More than 500 homes were evacuated and Aaron estimated about 100 people evacuated from downtown. Meanwhile, people came to the site to see what was going on.
EMS took 23 individuals to the hospital including a firefighter who lost his life.
Those evacuated where transported to Patrick Marsh Middle School, and officials received hundreds of emails from people wanting to help.
“You’re kind of inundated with all the resources and requests,” Aaron said.
Yet challenges remained. Buildings and homes were lost; one firefighter suffered a concussion and lost teeth; a criminal investigation ensued, keeping the area closed. The National Institute of Occupational Safety Hazards investigated the firefighter’s death, seeking the contract fire department’s policies and procedures, asking who was in command and control.
The building inspector described the event as similar to an earthquake and a tornado, with the former causing structural damage to the buildings. Costs incurred included: $30,000 for a fence around the site; $2,400 per day for security for nearly two months; and overtime.
The downtown buildings, constructed around 1900, likely contained lead and asbestos, so the rubble was contaminated and bricks could not be used for memorials as requested. Finally, the city was able to work with property owners to remove the debris.
The governor has visited twice as has the Department of Transportation Secretary who would like to see the road reopen by Nov. 1.
Many contributed to the relief. The Bank of Sun Prairie raised over $500,000 other efforts raised additional funds.
The lessons for city leaders? All essential equipment and vehicles need to be available. And be prepared for all of the phone calls and emails from seeking to assist. The media contacts from throughout the U.S. were also overwhelming.
“You need staying power,” Aaron said, adding they were focused for weeks on the event. Still, Aaron said the community is lucky to live in an area with so many resources.
“The community comes together during challenging times,” he said, not only about Sun Prairie, but the neighboring communities.

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Ellen Schaaf, Chamber director, introduced herself. A 13-year member of Rotary, she and her husband have lived in Waunakee for about 16 years. Their oldest son just started his first year of college and their younger son is in high school.

 

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REMEMBER: The meeting will be held at Endres Manufacturing on Sept. 13 and members are asked to PARK CARS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT behind the building. Help set up for Wauktoberfest afterwards and have a beer!

 

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Other News:
–Steve Kraus of the Waunakee Community Foundation attended to present the club a check for $2,500 to help fund the aerator at the Waunakee Village Pond.
–The club’s board of directors voted to contribute $500 to support the Anderson family along with funds for Change Her Story, Special Olympics and WNC’s Great Pumpkin Smash.
–President Mark McFarland said a benefit is set at WaunaBowl for children affected by XLH; Rotarians are asked to bring gift cards for a silent auction to be held Oct. 20.

 

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Guests: Marie Langeteig and Steve Kraus, guests of Alan Langeteig; Lisa and Jeff Janis, guest of Mark McFarland; Dr. Sara Winkler, guest of Dr. David May.

 

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Birthdays: Sept. 14, Fritz Durst; Sept. 17, Dan Miller; Sept. 17, Chad Updike; Sept. 19, Neil Kruschek.

 

Anniversaries: Sept. 14, Dan and Kimberly Evans; Sept. 15, Dave and Lynn Kruchten; Sept. 15, Rich and Donna Murphy
Sept. 17, Ken and Mary Pesik.

Greeters: Sept. 13, Phil Simon and Dan Statz; Sept. 20, Harriet Statz and Ray Statz.