March 28, 2024

In their honor

Train depot park dedicated as Fred and Ann Diehl Depot Plaza

It was the surprise of the evening, and it left Mayor Fred Diehl and his wife Ann almost speechless. Almost.

During the end of the Osceola City Council meeting Tuesday, Aug. 4, the council unanimously passed a resolution to dedicate the train depot park as Fred and Ann Diehl Depot Plaza.

As a big plaque was brought in for the dedication, Fred could be heard murmuring in the background, “What is this?”

“Where’d you get that picture?” Ann added.

“I said you should never do this,” Fred joked and shook his head while laughing.

Indeed, the goal of the night was to make sure the Diehls didn’t hear any word of the plaque and dedication in their honor before it happened.

Came about

A few weeks ago, Ty Wheeler, city administrator/clerk, and Bill Trickey, Clarke County Development Corporation executive director, were discussing the amount of work that has gone into restoring the train depot, and the Diehls have spearheaded the effort.

“It is in recognition of all of your hard work and contribution, not only this project, but to the community in general,” Wheeler said.

A plan was put in motion to name the depot park Fred and Ann Diehl Depot Plaza.

On the agenda for the city council meeting, there was an item for the dedication of “Parcel “A” lying in the portion of lots 2 and 3 in block 3 of original Osceola,” which actually is the train depot park.

“I worded this agenda item to be, though, technically right, as complicated as possible,” Wheeler said.

Dedication

Wheeler read the official resolution of the dedication to the Diehls.

A portion of the resolution stated, "Whereas, Fred Diehl has worked tirelessly during his tenure as mayor to improve the community through aggressive infrastructure redevelopment, planning, economic development efforts, and promoting quality of life projects in the city of Osceola. Whereas, Ann Diehl has committed a tremendous amount of time and energy to the mission of the historic preservation commission, as well as many other organizations within the city of Osceola. And, where Ann and Fred have led the way in the preservation and restoration of Osceola's historic passenger train depot and continually seek to educate the public on the important history of rail service in the city of Osceola. And, whereas the city council of the city of Osceola wishes to thank Fred and Ann Diehl for all of their hard work over their many years of serving the community, and especially for their efforts regarding the depot project."

In the nick of time

However, the dedication almost didn’t happen during the Aug. 4 city council meeting because Ann was busy serving the community at another meeting.

“Thank you all very much,” Ann said. “I just have to tell you, I was on the phone three or four times with Ty. He was saying you’re coming for our meeting tonight because I need your support on some things. I said I couldn’t because I had the program at another meeting. Finally, he called me back and said, ‘Well, I just got to tell you this, there’s going to be a little commendation for Fred and you really ought to be here.’”

Little did Ann know the commendation was for her, as well. Fortunately, she made it to the city council meeting as it was finishing up.

As for the plaque, it will be placed in the train depot park at a later date. There were many rounds of applause during the meeting and many “thank yous” from the Diehls.