|
|
|
May 10, 2000
Schapekahm honoredMayor laudedfor service tocommunityBy KREMENA TODOROVA Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- New Ulm Mayor Bert Schapekahm, a retired 35-year veteran of the New Ulm Police Department, received the Sertoma Club's Year 2000 Service to Mankind Award on Monday. In interviews Tuesday, associates and friends shared their feelings about the public figure and friend. "What came through (at the award ceremony) is Bert's commitment to public service, as a law enforcement officer and a mayor," said outgoing Sertoma Club President Sharon Weinkauf. "Even now that he is ill, during his stay in Rochester, he has been promoting our Visitors Guide. He has continued to serve our community on behalf of all of us who enjoy its benefits. Last night he came through as a person who is fair, open-minded and willing to give people second chances." "He is always wearing a smile, always promoting New Ulm and the community," said Sertoma President-Elect Mike Dove, emphasizing Schapekahm's special commitment to youth. "He was instrumental in bringing young people to city government," Dove said, citing Schapekahm's appointments of youth members to city panels. Likewise, Police Commander Erv Weinkauf stressed Schapekahm's involvement with youth and his "serious, fair style." Weinkauf recalled Schapekahm's friendship with his father, a fellow law enforcement officer, in the 1960s. "He would stop by the house, and he would always take time to chat with my brother and me. He made us feel important at a time when kids were to be seen and not heard." Schapekahm started his career as a patrol officer with the NUPD in 1958. As a supervisor of the school safety patrol program, he coordinated school crossing assignments, and organized a week's summer camp-out with kids at Flandrau State Park. "He stressed to students that law enforcement officers can be trusted and depended on," said Weinkauf. Schapekahm was promoted to sergeant in 1967. He retired in 1993. "As a sergeant, he won the the respect of fellow officers, as a superior, mentor and friend with a serious but fair style," Weinkauf said. "People who did not know him may have been intimidated by his size," he also said. "But that was until they realized that behind his dominating image was a soft-hearted, understanding, even witty human being." Weinkauf also recalled Schapekahm's role in organizing exchange between officers in New Ulm and Germany, and his "passion" for collecting badges from law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and overseas. The collection decorates two walls in the Law Enforcement Center training room, testifying to Schapekahm's commitment to inter-agency cooperation. Throughout his career, Schapekahm was a "caring, considerate and open-minded professional who enjoyed working with people," an officer "who would give an offender a second chance, rather than a ticket," and a public figure who has served this city with "distinction and integrity," Weinkauf said. Jerome Bentz, Commander of the Seifert-Bianchi American Legion Post 132, which sponsored Schapekahm's nomination for the award, echoed these comments. "Bert possesses the unique quality to approach any human being with respect and dignity, and has the demeanor to accomplish this with a positive approach and in a light-hearted manner," said Bentz. "In addition, he has the patience to listen to all sides of every issue and thereby preempts any undue or hasty predetermination in bringing resolution to any situation." "Schapekahm is one of the best-loved mayors this city has ever had," said City Council President Dan Beranek. "During his recent illness, people have approached me and asked, 'how is our mayor doing?' with an emphasis on 'our.' People are very possessive of him; he has his own family, yet the community wants him as part of their own. "I haven't seen that much fondness for an elected official," Beranek went on to say. "The office of Mayor is perfect for Bert, and Bert is perfect for the office." Contacted at home where he is recovering from chemotherapy, Schapekahm described the occasion as "unbelievable." "It was a very nice presentation it's kind of good to hear good things for a change," he said, with characteristic humor. "It was unbelievable there were so many people. This is the only time I've received an award, and the only time I've been out for five months. ... The people in town have treated me so good. It's hard to realize, you take on a job, and all of a sudden you get recognized for it. You think, what's going on?"
|