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Delagrave provides inspiration for all

While Joe Delagrave's mother was never big on tattoos, she made an exception for this one. On Joe's upper arm bares the tattoo of a cross. Inside that cross reads a Bible verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path." This verse has gotten the Delagrave family through some tough times, as they realized how powerful prayer can really be.

Just two years after an accident left him partly paralyzed, Joe Delagrave is making some serious progress. Joe, who was paralyzed from the chest down after a boating accident in July of 2004, has regained feeling in his feet and arms, along with parts of his legs. After spending 81 days in the hospital and continuing therapy for five months thereafter, Joe now strengthens his legs by walking with braces and the use of a walker. He also has some big plans in store for himself, including a trip down the aisle to marry his high school sweetheart next summer. If he was not an inspiration to everyone before his accident, he surely is now.

A 2003 graduate of Prairie du Chien High School, Joe went out of his way to help volunteer for his community and church. Joe, the son of Dan and Deb, was also a talented athlete, excelling at whatever he set his mind to.

"Joe was always involved in so much," said Andy Ban-asik, Prairie du Chien High School Principal and basketball coach. "He is a great kid who is well perceived. He is a wonderful role model for our students."

His talents led him to Winona State University, where he had plans of majoring in physical therapy. Joe also became a member of the Warrior's football team, where his size made him stick out immediately. At 6'7", 270 pounds, Joe's career as a tight end was bound for success.

"Joe had the size and athleticism . . . everyone knew he was going to be good," fellow Warrior teammate David Krystowiak said.

Warriors' head coach Tom Sawyer couldn't agree more.

"Joe was one of the top recruits for his position," Sawyer said. "He had an outstanding freshman year for us, and we saw a fantastic future for him as a four-year starter with our program."

However, the summer after his freshman year, an afternoon of fun turned tragic for Joe and two of his friends, when the boat they were riding in hit the shore head on, causing Joe serious head, back and neck injuries.

"When we found out, we were all shocked," Krystowiak said. "You never think anything like that can happen to you or someone you know; it really grounds you."

While such a lifechanging event may have a negative affect on a person, just the opposite can be said of Joe.

During his stay at the hospital, his sister made the Proverbs verse into a poster, which hung above Joe's hospital bed.

"Attitude is something you have to have. I had the attitude to get over the accident and realize that this is where I am and that I am going to go forward from this," Joe said. "The quote that I kind of go by is ŒA disability should never give you the inability to change things.'"

With Joe facing challenges on a daily basis accomplishing everyday tasks, he looked to his faith to help guide him through this trying time in his life.

"My faith was the number one thing getting me through this," Joe said. "I always went to church, but [after the accident] I realized how important God is in my life."

His mother, Deb, said that Joe's faith was tested after the accident.

"He found his faith to be much more real," Deb said. "God only gives us what we can handle. We are just trying to do the best we can with the hand we've been dealt."

Joe's personality and attitude never seemed to crack during the months after the accident.

"There is something special about Joe," Coach Sawyer said. "He never changed the way he acted around people. He has a great deal of charisma, so much that people just naturally flock to him."

His teammates also noticed that the accident didn't take a toll on Joe's sense of humor.

"He is still the same goofball who likes to crack jokes," Krystowiak said. "I've never had such a loyal friend."

Never one to complain, Joe was determined to get over his accident. He went to work in the community, helping out the Crawford County Special Olympics, as the track and field coach.

"I can relate to the kids in a way. It has been a rewarding and eye-opening experience for me," Joe said.

Joe also began speaking to youth groups and schools after the accident about obstacles and perseverance.

He then made another lifechanging decision, to change schools, and majors.

"I am transferring to Northwestern College for Pastoral Studies and motivational speaking this fall," Joe said. "I would like to do something in the ministry field."

Joe said he also has plans on continuing speaking to kids about his accident.

"This is great for Joe," Krystowiak said. "He's going to continue making a difference in people's lives."

Krystowiak said that the team remains in close contact with Joe, and that he will always be a part of the team.

"A couple of us went fishing with Joe this summer and to a Cubs/Brewers game, Krystowiak said. "We still hang out and Joe is always with us. When we are going through two-a-days and just want to quit, we think of Joe and how he'd give anything to be on the field with us. He is our inspiration."

Joe also helped coach the Warriors from the sidelines during his return to Winona last fall.

Two years later, Joe continues to make daily progress, and would like to walk down the aisle next summer, when he marries April Esser.

"He would love to walk down the aisle, but he is such a gentleman that even if he could, he probably wouldn't because he doesn't want to take away from the bride's day," Deb said.

Joe and his family have prayed a great deal during Joe's recovery and they believe it is just time before Joe is completely healed.

"We know Joe will be healed in God's timing," Deb said. "Until then we continue to pray."

City Planner resigns

Garth Frable, city planner for Prairie du Chien, sent a letter of resignation last week to Mayor Cheryl Mader, and City Administrator Gordon Gallagher. He has held the position for almost four years. His last day will be November 3.

Many at City Hall are sorry to see him go. "Garth is going to be a very tough act to follow. He has been a catalyst for all of the things we are doing now," said Mayor Mader.

Frable played a key role in the development of several important documents and initiatives for the city, and the implementation of agreements to redevelop significant locations in the downtown. He helped guide the creation of the city's comprehensive plan and downtown master plan, and played a supportive role in the creation of the Main Street initiative and the working group that implements it, Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization Inc.

Frable acknowledges the importance of all of this work, but down plays the significance of his role in it. "We were able to form good teams that kept a vision in front of them," he said.

Frable still has a number of major projects on his plate. The redevelopment of the block just north of the new Walgreens store, on Marquette Rd., is yet to be completed. New homes are still being sought for some of the businesses located on the block, such as Wolfe Machine. He is also seeking grants for downtown streetscape facelift, updating the floodplain ordinance and assisting with the creation of design and preservation guidelines for the downtown.

"There are a lot of big projects, but I feel that they have their legs under them," he said. He noted that for most of the projects funding was in place and they had taken on a life of their own. He said that the most important step in the development of any project is "Šgetting it over that point where people start believing in it," he noted.

Frable wanted to give the city an adequate amount of time to find a suitable replacement, so he has given the city a three month notice. "I did not want to leave the city in the position of finding a replacement in two weeks," he explained.

The city has begun to review the duties of the job, which includes zoning administration and economic development as well as planning. "We need to know how Garth's job has changed," noted Mayor Mader. She also said that currently, a large part of his work has been aimed at economic development, and that the city is reaping the benefits of that. She said that she and the city's Personnel Committee and Gordon Gallagher will begin work on developing a job description soon, and that some re-shuffling of responsibilities among city staff was possible.

The primary reason Frable says he is leaving is that his wife, Theresa, lives in Des Moines, Iowa, and has lived there for the entire time he has been in the area. They had anticipated that she would eventually move to the area, but the duties and opportunities of her job have expanded. Frable cited the expense of maintaining two residences, as well as the time apart.

Frable does not have another position awaiting him in Des Moines, and he's not sure what he will do next. Currently he and his wife team teach a course in environmental policy at the University of Iowa one day a week, and he has also worked in the non-profit sector. "I always like to come in to new challenges," he said.

Storm water utility should distribute costs more equitably, say dcity manager, engineer

The proposed development of a storm water management utility for the city of Prairie du Chien should distribute the burden of paying for storm water runoff more fairly on the properties which contribute the most runoff, according to city manager Gordon Gallagher.

The city entered into an agreement with Vierbicher Associates, the city engineering firm, July11 to develop a feasibility study for the project which would change the way waste water management is financed. At present, these fees are included in city property taxes. Under the proposed system, properties would be billed for storm sewer just as they are for sanitary sewer or water utilities. Thus the creation of the new utility would not mean creation of a new system of storm sewers, but merely a new billing system.

If the storm water management utility is approved, property owners with the greatest area of impervious surface-surface which does not absorb water, such as a parking lot-would pay the highest fees. Since most residential areas have relatively little impervious surface, businesses, especially those with large buildings and/or large paved parking lots would pay higher fees.

"We want to save money for the general taxpayer," said Gallagher, "and have the people generating the runoff pay for it." The fee would be based on resource use and not on property value.

Under the proposal, all properties, including municipal and tax exempt properties, would pay the management fee.

The advantages of such a system, according to the presentation by Vierbicher and Associates, are a consistent revenue source dedicated to storm water management, a lower general obligation debt for the community and lower general tax increases for citizens.

The information compiled by Vierbicher shows that, at present, Prairie du Chien residents are subsidizing 78 percent of the storm water management costs, with four percent coming from industrial bases and 18 percent from commercial.

If the proposal is adopted, the company estimates that 51 percent would come from residential, 26 percent from industrial, and 14 percent from commercial, with the remaining nine percent from schools, municipal facilities and churches-properties which currently do not pay storm water costs because they are tax exempt.

Joe Dorava, of Vierbicher Associates, said he believes this is a far more equitable system than the one presently used. He used the example of a resident with a home valued at $200,000. That person's share of the storm water cost is currently based on the value of his property. A parking lot next door might be the same size, but would have a much lower valuation, even though it contributes a much greater share of runoff. Under the proposed new system, the owner of the parking lot would pay a much greater share. "Valuation," said Dorava, "is not a good corollary to storm water management. Businesses will see a bigger bill, but it will be tax deductible to them."

The storm water management utility has been under discussion for about two years, and the city applied for and received a $35,750 grant from the DNR in April of 2005. However, according to Dorava, this is not the first time the city has considered such a move. He said that about 10 years ago the city participated in discussions to develop an area-wide plan, but the communities involved could not agree on how to transfer funds from the township to the city. The current proposal is limited to municipal boundaries.

A technical advisory committee has been established to work with the engineers in the planning, and the feasibility study should be ready to present to the city council in October. If all goes as projected, the ordinance should be ready for public hearing in December. If the ordinance is adopted it is anticipated the first bills would be sent out in April, 2007.

"It's just time," said Terry Meyer, wastewater superintendent for the city, "it's time for the city to be looking at creating a separate utility with its own budget." Currently, storm water management expenses come out of the general budget and thus must compete with other city needs.

Although there is no current crisis, he said, there are storm water issues primarily on the east side of town, causing a problem with debris getting into the storm water system. A couple of years ago, there were some flooding problems in that same area after a heavy rainfall. Since the storm sewer and the sanitary sewer are not connected, there is no danger of storm sewer flooding causing sanitary sewer overflows.

Nevertheless, he said, the creation of a separate utility may enable the wastewater department to address issues of storm water picking up sand or other pollutants.

"At present, he said, "we're just starting with the baseline of whether and how we will create the utility. We want to keep the public as informed as possible. We encourage them to attend any and all meetings." Because non-profit groups would also be affected by this proposal, leaders of these groups are being invited to the meetings to provide their input.

Total cost of developing the plan is estimated at $55,000: $25,000 for the feasibility study, $25,000 for implementation and an additional $5,000 for development and adoption of a storm water ordinance. Because of the DNR grant, the city would pay $19,250 of these costs.