Post Falls community awards presented Friday

POST FALLS - Several Post Falls community awards were presented during a ceremony at American Legion Post 143 on Friday night.

Sgt. Pat Kenner was named Post Falls Police's Officer of the Year, Troy Speziale Kootenai County Fire and Rescue's Firefighter of the Year and Ann Rosenbaum Post Falls School District's Educator of the Year.

Kenner, a patrol sergeant, is also a certified domestic violence instructor for the police department.

"He has dedicated more than 30 years to serving this community," Chief Scot Haug said.

Kenner also received the award in 1979.

He graduated from Post Falls High in 1977 and worked as a marine deputy for Kootenai County before starting as a Post Falls patrol officer in 1979. He has served in multiple Post Falls positions.

Christine Jones, a crime victim advocate since 2006, was named Employee of the Year. Jones is president of the North Idaho Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She has educated nearly 3,000 area students on violence.

"This is a very challenging job and Christine does it with great dignity and respect," Haug said.

Jim Knepshield, who has volunteered at the police department since 2006, was named Volunteer of the Year. He has donated more than 3,200 hours of his time and is a co-coordinator of the Volunteers on Patrol program.

Rosenbaum is an English teacher at Post Falls High. She also coaches the student dance team and assists the Key Club.

She served in the Marine Corps as a landing support specialist from 1997 to 2001, including organizing humanitarian food operations in Indonesia. She was a military police officer in the United States and Iraq from 2001 to 2005. She received the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

"She has adopted many of the management and conflict resolution skills she learned in the military for her classroom," school Superintendent Jerry Keane said. "The high standard of the Marine Corps holds her to a high standard as a teacher."

In addition to Speziale, KCFR recently recognized several other employees and businesses during its annual banquet at Templin's Red Lion Hotel.

Taylor Carr and Justin Capaul were given Dedication and Devotion awards; Nick Newton, Speziale, Paul Barkley Sr. and Martin Lebsock Rookie of the Year awards; and Jeryl Archer the Commissioner's Award.

Greg Wetzel will retire in April after 23 years of service, including eight as a paid employee, while Larry Boatright will retire after 20 years, including 17 as a paid employee.

Those who retired in 2010 were: Eleanora Capaul, 23 years; Ben Theard, 20 years; Jackie Sharp, 15 years; Theresa Griffith, 11 years; and Gary Hoertz, seven years.

The following were honored for their years of service: Thomas Barrett, 30 years; Theard, 20 years; Bryan Williams, 15 years; Justin Capaul, 10 years; and Samantha Babich, Matthew Dilley, Kasey Piselli-Pittman, Laura Rouw, Doug Weniger and Michael Weniger, all five years.

BNSF Railway, which donated two railroad cars for training, and Skate Plaza, which coordinates with KCFR on a food drive, were named the Businesses of the Year.