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Sunday, August 14, 2011
Senior airman returns from duty in Iraq Clark surprised wife, family upon his return
Longtime Bethel solicitor resigns George Leicht to focus on other duties
BY KRISTIN BEDNARSKI Sun staff
Senior Airman Jeff Clark of the United States Air Force returned from his second deployment in July, and the Goshen High School graduate returned home without telling his family. “I surprised everyone,” Clark said about his return. “No one knew I was coming I just showed up at the house.” Clark’s wife, Danielle, said she was very shocked but of course happy to see her husband walk through the door. Clark was in Iraq as part of Operation New Dawn for six and a half months. “It feels great to be home,” Clark said. Clark also has some catching up to do with his family and his 3-year-old son, Caleb, who said he was excited to see his dad when he came home. “He was talking a lot more and he knew a lot more about what was going on,” Clark said about how his little boy had changed. But he also said that pretty soon it was like he never left. “We just picked up where we left off,” Danielle said. Clark joined the Air Force right out of high school. He said the decision has changed him, made him more mature
BY KRISTIN BEDNARSKI Sun staff
PHOTOS / KRISTIN BEDNARSKI
Senior Airman Jeff Clark, center, is honored at the commissioners meeting. From left are Mark Coyle, director of the Clermont County Veterans' Service Commission, Tracy Braden of The Thank You Foundation, Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, Clark, and Commissioners Ed Humphrey and Bob Proud.
and given him more life experience. Clark was first deployed to Qatar in 2009. He came home for a year and a half and then was deployed to Iraq. While in Iraq, Clark was in charge of patrolling the base perimeter. “It was a lot different than my last deployment,” Clark said. “The threat was actually real (in Iraq). It was nerve wracking at first.”
He also said the high temperatures and humidity Clermont County has seen recently are nothing compared to what he dealt with in Iraq. Upon his arrival home, he was also honored at the Clermont County Commissioners’ session August 3. “It’s great to feel support for my hometown and home
country,” Clark said at the ceremony. He was recognized for his commitment to the country by the commissioners, Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, Tracy Braden of The Thank You Foundation and Mark Coyle, director of the Clermont County Veterans’ Service Commission. “You are a great American, great hero and a great father
to a little boy,” Congresswoman Schmidt said at the ceremony. Clark’s wife, son and mother, Brenda, where all at the ceremony along with other Clermont County residents to celebrate his return. “It feels good,” Clark said. “To know that many people feel about the military the way they do, and to be honored like that.”
George Leicht, longtime solicitor for the village of Bethel, has resigned from his duties at the village. Mayor James Dick first announced that Leicht might be resigning at the July 25 council meeting. “He’s got a whole docket he looks at,” Mayor Dick said. “I think he is overloaded at this point.” Leicht, who is also an attorney and U.S. bankruptcy trustee, has been solicitor for the village for 33 years. He said he informed council members over a month ago that it was time for someone else to take over. “As a U.S. bankruptcy trustee my work has been greater and greater,” Leicht said. “It’s not fair to the village.” And while he knows it is the right decision, Leicht said he will miss hearing people’s concerns in government and what they think is important. Leicht, who always made council members and residents laugh at meetings, said leaving his position at the vilSee Leicht, Page 2
Rivertown IGA is set to reopen in New Richmond New operator has a vision for the supermarket BY KRISTIN BEDNARSKI Sun staff
The Rivertown IGA in New Richmond has received a makeover and was expected reopen Aug. 12 under new management. Ray Dietrich, the owner of Rivertown Market shopping center, bought the assets of the store from the previous owners, closed the store for remodeling and will now reopen with a fresh new look and a new variety of products. “I want to see the look on other peoples faces,” Dietrich said about opening day. “The whole town is excited, I think they are going to be pleased with the results.” One of the big improvements Dietrich made was replacing the floors. The process required the whole
shopping area to be broken down so the new floor could be installed. The finished product is easy to clean and covers both the shopping area and back rooms. In addition, Dietrich made a number of changes to the shopping area by expanding some of the sections, such as the beer and wine section, and including more products. “We’re going to have a variety that (people) don’t expect from a small independent grocery store,” Dietrich said. Dietrich said he wanted to expand the beer and wine section to accommodate boaters and other tourists. The section will have hardwood floors, a larger selection and even have beer from local breweries. And while the renovations have given the store a bit of a face lift, the new products are
what Dietrich is really excited about. The products are also what Dietrich has been working to attain for the grocery. “What we’ve brought in is a whole line of groceries,” Dietrich said. “High quality, low price.” The new groceries, including Best Choice and Always Save brands, are packaged just like their competitors and placed right next to them in the store. Whether it is a box of macaroni and cheese or chocolate syrup, consumers can compare ingredients and see the difference in price. “I am trying to adapt the store for what people need, not force them to buy,” Dietrich said. “People cannot afford to live otherwise.” He has also included huge dollar sections in almost every isle, which feature everything from tupperware to baby toys. “I love my dollar items!” See IGA, Page 3
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PHOTOS / KRISTIN BEDNARSKI
Ray Dietrich, owner of the Rivertown Market shopping center and the new operator of the Rivertown IGA, poses in front of the newly-remodeled store.
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This photograph was taken by Tina Awad, of Bethel. The Clermont County Beauty Spot is one of a series of weekly pictures published from nominations from our readers. If you know of a spot, public or secret, in the county you think is without compare, tell our photographer where it is located by calling (513) 732-2511, Ext. 119, or email a photograph of that special someplace to clermontsun@fuse.net.
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