~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
Longstanding, ongoing differences between the Bell Tower Community Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization organized in 1986 for the purpose of fundraising in support of the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower in Jefferson, and the Greene County board of supervisors, entrusted with the operation of the Tower through the will of the late Floyd Mahanay, erupted into confrontation over an incident that occurred Tuesday evening, Sept. 5.
A resolution governing new LED multicolored lights installed to illuminate the entire height of the Tower had been discussed at the supervisors meeting Sept. 5. The Foundation had recommended to the supervisors random colored lighting should be used regularly on the Tower. Previous lighting resolutions in 2019, 2021, and 2023 permitted colored lighting on county holidays only.
After that discussion, the supervisors did not adopt the Foundation’s recommendations and affirmed an interpretation of policy that permitted white lighting only, except on county holidays and weekends.
On that same Tuesday evening, random multi-colored lighting illuminated the Tower when RVTV crews were in Jefferson filming activities celebrating the week before the Iowa State Cyclone vs the Iowa Hawkeyes football game.
The response to the violation of county policy was almost immediate with a notice placed on the door to the Tower stating the Tower was closed indefinitely. The notice had been placed by the county auditor as part of the official duties of the position.
At the board of supervisor meeting Sept. 11, more than 40 people attended electronically and many others filled the second floor board room. Reporters from WHO-TV and CNN attended electronically. The agenda, published previously, included a motion to “temporarily close the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower.”
During open forum, several in-person speakers who did not identify themselves told the supervisors they “had better things to do,” they were “over-regulating,” and they should “get back to business.” The closing of the Tower was called “a step toward dictatorship” and the supervisors should “trust the Foundation.”
Rick Morain asked how the notice could have been placed on the Tower door without the board having had a meeting about it before doing it.
Chair John Muir said the action of violating the lighting policy had been determined by himself, supervisor Dawn Rudolph, and auditor Billie Jo Hoskins to have been “deliberate.”
“We reviewed it on camera, and it was a deliberate action taken to not observe our policy. Sheriff Jack Williams visited with the person who turned on the lights. I respect the Foundation; it’s not their fault. This has opened up communication and we can move forward,” Muir said.
Bill Monroe, in charge of electronic music at the Tower and describing himself as ‘Hunchback of the Tower,’ asked if the decision about lighting is a law or a policy and spoke of his responsibility to play 50 percent of the music as patriotic and religious, according to the Mahanay will.
“You found the culprit,” Monroe said. “Why close the Tower?”
Rudolph answered, “The investigation is not complete.”
“The culprit admitted it was intentional,” Williams said. “Foundation members might be implicated.”
Later in the meeting it was revealed that a possible conspiracy is being investigated to determine if others were involved in the deliberate violation of policy.
Several attendees mentioned the effect of closing the Tower on the community, tourism, tours, musicians, and others in the county.
Supervisor Pete Bardole, who also represents the supervisors as a member of the Foundation board, said, “Let’s listen to the people. The Tower was given to the people of Greene County. Who are we penalizing?”
“I teach my kids there are consequences for actions. (This) consequence went beyond the perpetrators. Others are getting the message (that their actions can affect many innocent people),” Muir responded.
“The Bell Tower is still being lighted according to policy,” county attorney Laehn said. “A 28E agreement, as required by Iowa law, will help to make things transparent between the supervisors and the Foundation. It means a lasting partnership between government and an entity.”
Supervisor Dan Benitz said, “Let’s get the 28E going. The County owns the Tower.” He had previously suggested the Tower be closed until the 28E agreement was signed.
“It will be a way for the public to have information about who does what, who paid for things. It will help in situations like this,” Muir said.
“It will spell out who can operate the Tower, who assumes liability” Rudolph added.
Laehn reviewed parts of a draft 28E agreement and said revenue obtained by the Foundation will have to be given to the county each month and the county will record it and give portions back to the Foundation. He said this has not been done properly in 30 years.
Laehn also reminded the supervisors Billie Jo Hoskins, as auditor, is the “keeper of the courthouse” and has been authorized by the supervisors to make certain decisions for the Tower and appoint agents to fulfill certain duties.
Hoskins said she has appointed Pat Richards, Foundation board member and Tower staff coordinator, to oversee daily operations such as tours and volunteers and this will be “business as usual.”
The supervisors agreed Pat Richards has their support and music director Peg Raney is trusted by the group. Richards and Raney will continue their positions.
Several attendees asked about the sheriff’s report and the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrators. Williams said the investigation is ongoing. There was discussion about whether the report is a public document and will be available to all. No consensus was reached.
Laehn said the investigation is “not a criminal investigation.”
Supervisor Bardole said, “Let’s get the Tower back open.”
Supervisor Mick Burkett called for a “personal apology from the Foundation person.”
At the end of the meeting, president of the Bell Tower Community Foundation Carole Custer was present and told the supervisors the Foundation “wants to cooperate.”
Muir said, “I’m sorry we had to live through this.”
The consideration of a motion to temporarily close the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower was not upheld and the supervisors allowed the Tower to open again in time for a tour scheduled later in the morning.
The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm until Sept. 30, and open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm in October.
