Biathlon group lauds council for support
PRESQUE ISLE — Jane Towle of the Biathlon Committee made a presentation to the Presque Isle City Council on Monday, May 2, to thank the city and citizens for their support during the recent biathlon event.
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CITY RECOGNIZED — Local World Cup Biathlon coordinator Jane Towle, right, recently presented the City of Presque Isle with a hand-carved and hand-painted wooden plaque to thank the municipality and citizens for their support during the recent biathlon event. Accepting the award is city councilman Leigh Smith.
CITY RECOGNIZED — Local World Cup Biathlon coordinator Jane Towle, right, recently presented the City of Presque Isle with this hand-carved and hand-painted wooden plaque to thank the municipality and citizens for their support during the recent biathlon event. The plaque is like those presented to the biathlon event winners. 
As a token of appreciation, the committee presented a handmade plaque and a commemorative cowbell to the council. The handmade, hand painted plaque is the same type presented to the winners of the biathlon events.
Towle said she traveled to Oslo, Norway, immediately following the biathlon event in Presque Isle. While there, she encountered several individuals who commented on how wonderful the event here was and how well organized.
Those who traveled here were very impressed with the friendliness of the people, the food and the venue, Towle said.
City Councilor Leigh Smith accepted the plaque and bell on behalf of the entire council.
Councilors said this was very fitting in light of the many hours Smith donated to the biathlon. He served as chair of the arrivals and departures committee for the local biathlon and traveled to Calgary, Alberta. He was in Alberta for a week during the World Cup 7 event and then traveled back to Presque Isle with the biathletes and their gear.
The February event was staffed by over 700 volunteers from the area, and the city contributed equipment and numerous man-hours to help prepare the trails for the biathletes.
“The Biathlon was a wonderful opportunity for our residents to see a world class sporting event up close and in person and a perfect way to showcase our beautiful city to international visitors,” said City Manager Martin Puckett. “It was a great experience for all who were a part of this event, which had more international viewers than the Super Bowl.”
