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:

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.