Guest Speaker: Bill Nicklas

 

It's been nearly six months since a tornado devastated the town of Fairdale, and former Sycamore Rotarian Bill Nicklas has been at the center of efforts to help the residents there rebuild and recover their homes and lives.

 

Nicklas was called on to oversee Fairdale's recovery committee; with the town ineligible for federal aid, and no state or local disaster aid monies to call on, the Fairdale relief effort has been focused on local donations.  Working in conjunction with the DeKalb County Community Foundation and other area resources, the relief fund has done what it can to help along Fairdale's residents -- nearly all of whom have decided to stay in town, and reclaim what what theirs.

 

He says there have been plenty of logistical and regulatory struggles to deal with, from a special rezoning measure to make up for Fairdale's outdated layout, to installation of a new septic pond to handle the village's waste products.  Rotary has also done its part -- Club Secretary Sally Bruch, who lives near Fairdale, has served as a case manager for some of these residents; District 6420 has donated monies for installation of a new tornado warning siren; and several individual Rotarians have contributed to the relief fund.