By Brenna Wiegand
Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce has named Troy Stoops a 2014 Volunteer of the Year for his work on the community fountain. Superintendent of the Mount Angel School District, he’s also been the guy who cleans “Oktoberfest Joy” in the center of town.
He has kept an eye on the fountain and performed monthly maintenance, cleaning the sprays, scrubbing the base and tending to the operating system year round.
“The fountain is a community showpiece because of Troy’s commitment each month,” Nann Fleck of the chamber’s community awards committee said.
Stoops, a former ranch hand and cowboy, likes to be outside working with his hands.
“I enjoy it,” Stoops said. “I’d love to be right out there on a tractor or with a shovel in my hand helping with whatever is needed, but it’s gotten hard to find the time.”
He and his wife Megan, have two daughters, Ellen and Audrey, and one grandchild. He’s a member of the Mount Angel Lions Club. Stoops was principal at Saint Mary’s Elementary for six years and principal at Kennedy High for three before becoming superintendent of the district – in the midst of lots of cuts.
“We have to do more and more with less like everybody in the state,” he said. “And were fortunate to pass a $10.4 million general obligation bond Nov. 13 and are moving right along with our improvements at the schools.” He feels incredibly supported by the community in all of the school district’s endeavors, he added. But the fountain?
“I’m surprised they gave me an award for the fountain; there are so many people doing so many things,” Stoops said.
“I’m stuck in a chair a lot so it’s great to get out and get some physical exercise.
“I think the biggest problem is leaves; you have to keep them out of there; we had a pump burn out last year because of that,” Stoops said. “And, of course, there are always people who think it’s funny to add dish soap or something which can also burn out pumps.” Then warm weather brings in the algae…
“When Troy was principal of Saint Mary’s he got a work crew together, putting in his own time, they made a fitness trail all around the school.” Marilyn Hall recalled.
“He’s one of those wonderful, quiet people; an in the background kind of guy…. He wants to change the kids’ lives; making them see the consequences of what they do and making them better people.”
