Fishing float continues operation despite dispute
Hubbard’s Fishing Float and Cafe is still up and
running and appears poised to do so until the owner is told
otherwise. For 2008, the float will remain open until Nov. 15, said
the float’s owner Bill Hubbard Jr.
"I’m going to keep running," said Hubbard. "This
is my only income. This is my livelihood." Hubbard said that the
fishing float and the restaurant are still open for business and
that there is overnight accommodation.
"I’m going to keep it open so that the public has
somewhere to fish," said Hubbard. "The fishing’s been good. We’re
getting lots of fish."
Hubbard’s Fishing Float has been operating
without a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit since July 31, the
deadline set by the FWS by which the longtime, popular float had to
remove itself from FWS land.
"I haven’t seen anything of them," said Hubbard
about FWS personnel. "They haven’t contacted me in any way."
Hubbard said that he has talked to staff members
of U.S. Representative Ron Kind and U.S. Senator’s Russ Feingold and
Herb Kohl in an effort to help resolve the matter. He said that he
was told by a member of Ron Kind’s staff that a survey will be
conducted to determine where FWS land ends. Hubbard said that he is
not sure if, in fact, such a survey is or will be conducted.
Hubbard has maintained that he will take the
matter to court if he is issued a citation and told to move his
float.
"He’s in violation by operating a commercial
business without a permit on a national wildlife refuge," said Tim
Yager, the manager of the McGregor District of the FWS. Yager said
that the FWS has not yet issued a citation because they have been in
contact with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in order to make sure that
when they do issue a citation that the courts will be in support of
it.
Yager also said that the FWS has no plans to
conduct a survey of their land regarding Hubbard’s Fishing Float and
Cafe.
The FWS contends that Hubbard was given ample
time to comply with FWS requirements in order to operate a fishing
float on their property and that he has failed to do so. They say
that they want his business removed from their property and out of
their jurisdiction. Yager has said in the past that Hubbard could
anchor his float and cafe out in the river, and therefore would be
out of FWS jurisdiction.
Hubbard continues to contend that the fishing
float part of his business is already out in the river and therefore
out of FWS jurisdiction. He also contends that his cafe is also out
of FWS jurisdiction because, while it is partly onshore, it is
located below the 11.5-foot "meandering line," which he says
separates land from water.
And so, the dispute continues. No violation
notice has been issued as of press time and Hubbard’s remains up and
running.
Carriage Classic is coming to town
Visitors to the 28th annual Villa Louis Carriage
Classic, described as the Midwest’s most elegant competitive driving
event, Sept. 6 and 7 can expect an event that’s bigger and better
than ever.
Show manager Mike Rider said that approximately
125 drivers with over 150 turnouts (a turnout consists of a
horse-carriage-driver combination) are expected to participate. This
represents a 10 percent increase over the previous year.
Held annually on the weekend following Labor Day,
the event includes competitions with horses and ponies, driven as
single, pairs, tandems, or in teams of four. Events include Picnic
Class, which dramatizes the Victorian leisure era; the Carriage Dog
Class, for which even the dogs dress in costumes; obstacle courses,
and the grand finale, the Concours d’Elegance Class.
The morning schedule is the same for both
Saturday and Sunday:
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8 a.m. Obstacle driving |
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9 a.m. Arena competition begins |
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10 a.m. Cross country obstacles begin |
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Saturday afternoon: |
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Noon. Picnic Class, trick horse demonstration |
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1 p.m. Arena competition resumes, obstacle
driving, Gambler’s Choice |
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3:30 p.m. Drive and Ride class |
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Sunday afternoon: |
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Noon. Carriage Dog Class |
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1 p.m. Arena competition resumes, obstacle
driving, Gambler’s Choice |
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4 p.m. Concours d’Elegance Class |
Admission to the Carriage Classic is charged in
conjunction with the Villa Louis. Weekend admission includes a
guided tour of the Vila Louis Historic Site.
Food and beverages are available on the grounds.
Bleachers, benches and folding chairs are provided for seating.
Non-aggressive pets are welcome.
All classes offered at the event and the judges
are approved by the American Driving Society.
For more information visit web sites
www.carriageclassic.com or www.villalouis.org
Council refuses action on referendum petition
Marquette Road was the focus of two major items
of discussion at last night’s meeting of the Prairie du Chien Common
Council—a referendum to ban roundabouts on Marquette Road and safety
of children attempting to cross the road. Decision on a third item,
selection of a new council member to represent Ward Six following
the resignation of Mike Brouse, was tabled until the next meeting.
In a unanimous vote, Prairie du Chien Common
Council last night refused to take action on a petition for direct
legislation (referendum) on whether or not the city should adopt an
ordinance banning roundabouts on Marquette Rd.
The reason cited for the refusal to act was the
opinion of City Attorney Tom Peterson that Wisconsin Statute 9.20
does not allow for nullification of a prior act by way of ordinance
or resolution. The city has already signed a contract with the
Department of Transportation for construction of the roundabouts.
Peterson cited as precedent a recent decision on a similar situation
in the village of Potosi.
Peterson said that the people who submitted the
petition, the citizen group We The People, have the right to appeal
the issue to the circuit court if they believe council’s action was
wrong.
Before the vote was taken, council member Frank
Pintz, who had consistently opposed the roundabouts, said he thought
that it was now "time to move on and have the city move forward." He
congratulated the people on both sides of the issue for coming
forward and speaking their minds.
The safety of school children crossing Marquette
Rd. was once again discussed at length in regard to a request to
place a "Children Crossing" sign at the intersection of Marquette Rd
and Washington St.
Police Chief Mike King said he opposed the idea
because it is very dangerous, especially in the afternoon when the
end of the school day coincides with change of shifts at businesses
located nearby. He said many right and left turns are made at the
intersection, and putting up a sign would only encourage the
children to cross there and give them a false sense of security.
Council member Jean Titlbach suggested placing
the sign two blocks south at Haydn St. instead. King said while it
was still not a good solution, it was better than Washington St.
City Administrator Jim Gitz said he would
instruct staff to explore the possibilities of both a short-term and
long-range solution. Council person Jaaren Riebe suggested finding
out how many school children live in that area to determine if they
could be added to the in-town school bus route.
Despite a desire to quickly fill the Sixth Ward
vacancy left by the resignation of council member Mike Brouse,
council tabled a decision until the next meeting to avoid any
possible charge of mishandling the appointment. At issue was whether
or not a name not already on the agenda could be placed in
nomination and if council could vote for a new council member if the
action was not specifically stated on the agenda. Two candidates,
Judeen Ames and Mary K. Hannah, were already identified on the
agenda, and council member Joe Ruskey said Mike Faas had also
indicated an interest in the seat.
Gitz said part of the problem is the city has not
identified a method for nominating candidates to fill vacancies. In
tabling the decision until next meeting, council requested that
anyone else who wants to be nominated for the seat submit his or her
name in writing by Friday, Sept. 12 to be placed on the agenda for
action.
In other business council:
•On recommendation of the Public Works and
Finance Committees authorized the preparation of a resolution
assessing for new sidewalks on the parts of Beaumont Rd., Prairie
St. and Main St. affected by construction. Sidewalks in need of
repair will be replaced and new ones installed in areas where none
presently exist. Using funds from the Capital Improvement Plan, the
city will pay 50 percent of the cost of replacement and 25 percent
of the cost of new sidewalks.
•Approved Prairie du Chien High School’s request
for its Homecoming parade Sept. 3. Asked why Homecoming was so
early, principal Andy Banasik said there were several factors, but
was the belief that the festivities would be less disruptive to the
school routine now rather than later in the season.
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•Accepted the resignations of Deidre Stark from
the Public Library Board and of Bonnie Homuth from the Planning
Commission. |
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•Denied Mayor Karl Steiner’s recommendation to
appoint Jason Halverson to the Harbor Commission. Several council
members questioned whether or not Halverson actually resided in
Prairie du Chien. Council members Pintz, Hemmer and Dagnon voted
against the motion. |
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•Tabled the mayor’s recommendation of Chris
Kane for appointment to the Planning Commission since the mayor
was not present to explain the individual’s qualifications. |
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•Approved the mayor’s appointments of Roger
Grunow to the Design and Preservation Commission and Linda Munson
to the Library Board. |