PALO PINTO – A door across the street from the Palo Pinto County courthouse opened Wednesday to a fitness machine that is less than 8 percent of Texas counties.
It was dedicated in memory of a woman who motivated her colleagues in the district to work for a healthy life.
“She challenged us all to get better, be better, and live better,” said Deanna Copeland of Iris Ann Stagner, who was one of the state’s first wellness coordinators and four of her 20+ years as an employee in Palo Pinto County spent coaching fitness professionals as part of the Texas Association of Counties’ Healthy County Wellness Program.
Stagner was fatally hit by a truck in 2012, but about 50 district workers celebrated their memory on Wednesday when members of her family cut the ribbon at the Palo Pinto County’s fitness center.
The “Ghost Bicycle” is reminiscent of the place on the US 180 bridge over the Brazos River, where Iris Stagner was fatally hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle.
“Today would have been her 64th birthday,” said Copeland, the county’s assistant wellness coordinator, who was “very close” to Stagner and her husband Butch. “She would like Palo Pinto County to continue encouraging its employees to be healthy.”
Members of Stagner’s family came from Mineral Wells to sever the ceremonial ribbon in the middle.
“She would have loved it,” said her daughter Felicia Harvey. “It’s great that you are still honoring her after nine years.”
A dream by Stagner, the fitness center is paid for through the TAC wellness program, which financially rewards the participating counties when employees achieve certain health benchmarks such as weight loss or smoking cessation.
Ready, Set, Flog, the Palo Pinto County’s staff fitness center is equipped with equipment funded by the Texas Association of Counties wellness program with no local taxpayers’ money.
“NEVER GIVE UP,” “BE STRONGER THAN YOUR EXCUSES,” and similar phrases are painted on the walls of the former veterans service office (now in Mineral Wells), above steppers, treadmills, a rowing machine, hand weights, and other equipment in the room .
Shameria Davis, wellness coordinator for the Texas Association of Counties, said that “fewer than 20” of the state’s 254 courthouses have their own fitness center – 7.87 percent of which works.
The Palo Pinto Center is only open to county employees with 24/7 access.
“Because we have prison guards working night shifts,” said wellness coordinator Angela Bryant.
An inscription on the door is dedicated to the memory of the fitness center. The Texas Association of Counties also selects a county wellness coordinator for their Iris Stagner Award each year.
“And I hope the county staff will honor them and try to be healthier and use that equipment what Iris wanted,” said Copeland.
