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February 13, 2008

State law to affect County Board election

Two names erroneously on ballot

There are some irregularities regarding elections for various seats on the Crawford County Board of Supervisors this year. An unusual turn of events will affect the April 1 election and voters should make themselves aware.

Longtime supervisor Virgil Butteris had previously filed non-candidacy papers and will not be seeking re-election for the District 2 seat.

Steve Lessard then filed candidacy papers for the District 2 seat. Lessard is a county employee in the maintenance department. After the time had passed for Lessard to officially withdraw as a candidate, it was discovered that it is illegal for a county board supervisor to also be a county employee.

If elected, Lessard would have to make a choice. He could either keep his job and relinquish his board seat or keep his seat and give up his job.

County Board Chairman Ron Leys said that Lessard has notified him that Lessard will keep his job and does not want to be elected to the county board. If elected, Lessard has said that he would resign.

It is too late to remove Lessard's name from the ballot. If he is elected and resigns, the Board Chairman will then nominate someone to fill the vacant District 2 seat. That nomination would then be voted upon by the full county board.

The other "option" would be if someone else were to win the election as a write-in candidate. The seat would then be filled.

Incumbent Gary Knickerbocker of District 1 also works for the county as a bailiff. Knickerbocker is the chairman of the public safety committee and also the incident commander in case of a county emergency.

After discussing the problem, Knickerbocker has indicated that he will resign from his seat on the County Board, effective Feb. 13. Knickerbocker will keep his position as bailiff.

Knickerbocker's name will remain on the election ballot.

Again, if Knickerbocker resigns, and nobody else gets any votes, Leys will nominate a person to fill the District 1 seat. The full board will then vote on whether or not to approve of the nomination.

If a write-in candidate wins, he or she will fill the vacancy in District 1.

County Board Supervisor Kersten Rocksvold of District 3 also works for the county in a capacity involving a youth program. Rocksvold has resigned from the youth program position and will continue to run for the District 3 seat. Rocksvold's name will appear on the ballot and he is running unopposed. If Rocksvold is re-elected, he will be appointed to chair the public safety committee and as incident commander.

District 14 Supervisor Ray Martin also works part-time for the county with Senior Resources. Martin has indicated that he will drop his county job and will continue to run for the District 14 seat. Martin's name will also remain on the ballot and he is running unopposed.

All of the other incumbents are running unopposed.

County Clerk Janet Geisler said that write-in candidates do not need to complete any forms or turn in any papers. She said, however, that it would be helpful if a person who wants to run as a write-in candidate were to contact her before the election so that the votes that they get are not just counted in the "scattered" category when the results are tabulated.

Bald Eagle Appreciation

Day set for February 23

Prairie du Chien will host Bald Eagle Appreciation Day on Saturday, February 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come and enjoy bald eagles and the other wonderful natural resources of the Upper Mississippi River. Event activities will be centered along the Mississippi River at the location of the Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce offices on the grounds of the Wisconsin Welcome Center, 211 S Main Street, and the adjacent AmericInn Lodge and Suites.

Ken Block, Chief Ranger at Effigy Mounds National Monument, touted Bald Eagle Day as a "great way to introduce you to the amazing year-round outdoor recreational and educational opportunities of the Prairie du Chien and McGregor/Marquette region located along the Mississippi River„in the heart of the Upper Mississippi Wildlife and Fish Refuge." Live bald eagle programs will be presented by staff of the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota, at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the lobby of the AmericInn. In between these programs, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., a special presentation of "Lessons from the Eagle" will be given by Jon "Hawk" Stravers of the Audubon Society - Upper Mississippi River Initiative. Brett Mandernack, Manager, Eagle Valley Nature Reserve, will present his research, "Satellite Tracking Bald Eagles in the Upper Midwest" from 10 to 10:30 a.m.

Pat Schlarbaum, Iowa DNR Wildlife biologist, and other personnel from the Iowa DNR, Wisconsin DNR, National Park Service and Fish & Wildlife Service will staff the viewing points. Educational exhibits will include agency displays including a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service exhibit explaining sensitive refuge resources using bird mounts, endangered freshwater mussels and "hands on" items such as furbearer pelts. Activities for the day include eagle, raptor and other natural history exhibits and presentations, children's craft activities, a life-size eagle nest replica (weather depending), and artwork and photography by local artists and students. Educational books and other items will be on sale.

Birding experts, volunteers and agency personnel will be on hand at the Wisconsin Welcome Center and AmericInn. Maps and information related to other nearby bald eagle watching locations will be available for those interested in self-guided eagle watching field trips. For more information, contact the Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce /Tourism Council at 800-732-1673, www.prairieduchien.org, pdccoc@mhtc.net, or Effigy Mounds National Monument, 563-873-3491, www.nps.gov/efmo, kenneth_block@nps.gov

No charges filed yet in beating death

Charges have yet to be filed against two Gays Mills men suspected in the beating death of a Beloit man in a Readstown bar Feb. 7.

Cousins David A. Heisz and Mikeal E. Heisz remain free after posting bail Feb. 11 in Vernon County Circuit Court. David Heisz, 26, posted a $10,000 cash bond. Mikeal Heisz, 28, posted a $10,000 signature bond.

Both men were ordered to stay away from each other, drugs, alcohol an any place that serves alcohol. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 25.

The two men were celebrating David Heisz's 26th birthday in Pat's Corner Bar Wednesday night and into Thursday morning when 50-year-old Kelly R. Kuykendall died. Witnesses said that Kuykendall may have said something derogatory to the Heisz cousins that triggered an altercation, said Sheriff's Investigator Scott Bjerkos in court Monday. Sheriff's investigators continue to try to put together what happened in the 23 feet between the barstool and the door and then continuing down five steps and outside. At least six people watched Kuykendall get beaten to death outside of the bar, Bjerkos said.

Kuykendall was left unconscious on the sidewalk as the suspects fled the scene, according to the Vernon County Sheriff's Department. Kuykendall's autopsy indicated that he died of massive head injuries, including two skull fractures and several cuts. He also sustained a number of broken ribs and significant internal injuries, said Bjerkos.

The cousins had blood on their clothing when later questioned by authorities, said Bjerkos.

During Monday's bail hearing, Bjerkos told the court that Mikeal Heisz attacked Kuykendall in the bar at about 1:30 a.m. Thursday. David Heisz then dragged Kuykendall 23 feet out of the front door and punched him, Bjerkos said. David Heisz was the main aggressor outside the bar, said Bjerkos. Kuykendall didn't throw a punch or make any attempt to defend himself, said Bjerkos. He was left in a pool of blood, said Bjerkos.

David Heisz told investigators in one interview that he had 20 drinks. In another interview he said that he had 30 drinks, said Bjerkos.

Mike Brouse seeks mayoral office for several reasons

A relative newcomer to Prairie du Chien, Mike Brouse is not the type to sit around and wait for something to happen. Brouse moved here from Washington State about three years ago to be close to his children. He organized a basketball team for third and fourth graders, but was frustrated by the lack of available playing space for them. The gym space at Bluff View is limited, he said, and he tried to organize a league for Hoffman Hall but was told there was no time available to use the gym. This was the issue that brought about the decision to become politically involved.

It is not his only issue, however. He also wants to see more prompt responses to calls to City Hall and increased jobs, as well as city support for tavern owners regarding smoking issues.

Brouse said as he made rounds collecting signatures to file for office, one of the biggest gripes he heard was that calls to city hall or the mayor's office were not returned. "If I become mayor," he said, "I'm going to sit in that office one day a month to take calls." Brouse said he would try to solve people's problems, but at the very least would investigate and get back to them. People need to know someone is listening to them," he added.

Creating jobs is another issue for Brouse. He said he knows the mayor tries to promote Prairie du Chien as a tourist town, but feels a mayor should also be out soliciting businesses to come to the city. Then, he says, "if we do find a company to come to this town and give them a tax break, we need full time jobs with benefits rather than part time jobs."

Brouse would also like to see city officials support tavern owners in fighting a proposed smoking ban. He said they have some very good ideas about monitoring smoke levels and maintaining air quality. Since Iowa is right across the river, he worries that if a smoking ban is passed, smokers will take their bar patronage to Iowa.

He would also like to see a reduction in taxes. Brouse said he knows the ability to regulate taxes is limited, but feels the mayor can assist by vetoing any new taxes.

Asked about roundabouts, Brouse said he feels that an issue as controversial as that should be on a referendum so the people can decide.

Brouse has three children in school: Justin, a sophomore; Krystal, in eighth grade and Mickenzie in fourth grade. He currently coaches third, fourth and eighth grade girls basketball. He also helped organize the soccer program.

At the same time he is running for mayor, he is also seeking a council seat in District Six. He is unopposed for the council seat. Should he win both the mayoral and council seats, he will have to choose between the two offices. The election is April 1.

February 11, 2008

River Town Ironworks is a local success story

It started with a "let's do this" phone call from Greg Russell in December of 2003, said Jim Armstrong, general manager of River Town Ironworks, Inc. in explaining how the thriving Prairie du Chien company came into existence.

Russell, Armstrong and Travis Slama, all business acquaintances for several years, felt they could start a company that did metal fabrication and designed and built custom equipment for clients. They leased an 11,000 square foot building across the railroad tracks from Hungry House, and eight months later had their first major customer, a company in Arkansas that built food packaging equipment.

Over the next two years, they established relationships with companies for asphalt and railroad equipment, food packaging and construction equipment. In the fall of 2006, they established another account, with EIMCO, one of the world's leading manufacturers in water processing equipment, and have since gone on to pick up contracts with other companies throughout the United States.

When they first opened, they had two employees, said Armstrong, himself and one other person. By the time they moved from that first site in October of last year, the number of employees had grown to 15, and the building could not hold any more equipment or employees.

Armstrong and his partners approached the city for help, and by becoming part of a tax increment financing (TIF) district, they were able to move to their current site at 38043 Industrial Blvd, near the airport.

Without the TIF, Armstrong said, they couldn't have made their move nearly as quickly. The city provided the land at a discount and also provided monetary assistance for site preparation work. They were then able to get a loan for the building as well as a low interest loan from Alliant Energy for lighting.

The present building is double the size of the first, and River Town Ironworks now employs 28 people. "Our employees now have an excellent benefit package," Armstrong said, "that they didn't have two years ago, and we try to pay decent wages; that means a lot to us." They also work with Southwest Tech in creating internships. "We could hire more people, he said, "but we want to catch our breath a little bit and make sure we're doing the right thing." They make products which range in size from 30,000 gallon tanks to 1x1x1 inch pieces of stainless steel.

Production hours, said Armstrong, have grown from 1,500 before the move to 5,000 at present. Part of this increased production comes from having room to install more equipment. They have added a new CNC plasma cutting machine that will handle 10 x 40 foot steel sheets, a plate roller that will bend half inch steel plate up to 12 feet wide, a CNC press brake and other machines which make it possible to do more of their own work more efficiently. Before the move some of this work had to be outsourced.

Business, said Armstrong, has reached the point where companies have started calling them to see if River Town can do work for them. Currently, a company from Holland is looking for someone to manufacture vertical feed mixers and other agricultural equipment for sale in the United States.

River Town Ironworks is already thinking about another expansion. "We need more capacity to keep up with what our customers are asking us to do," Armstrong explained. "We could have more business but we don't have the room or the employees." He said they had discussed expanding at some time in the future, but it "came up quicker than we thought, and it doesn't seem it's going to slow down."

In the coming year, they would like to increase their workspace by 5,000 to 7,000 square feet and double their production hours. They would also like to develop their own product to market camping equipment. They had started the project once before but had to stop because too much of the work had to be outsourced and it was not profitable.

Armstrong said two organizations have been invaluable in helping the partners set up and run the company: the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SWBDC) and Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP). SWBDC provides free continuing support to small businesses. Among other things, he said, they helped him develop a business plan. WMEP, a nonprofit organization, does charge for services, but Armstrong said the company was fortunate in obtaining a grant to help pay for those services. "They"re helping us grow and be efficient while we're growing," he said. A consultant meets with them on a monthly basis.

All in all, Armstrong acknowledges that they've worked hard to get where they are, but he still shakes his head in wonder at their growth. "We started with nothing," he said.

River Town Ironworks is one of several tax increment funding (TIF) success stories in the city. The benefits of a TIF to the city are twofold: creating more jobs and increasing the tax base. In creating a tax increment district (TID), the city incurs debt in helping businesses locate in that area, but when the TIF is closed out in several years, that debt is paid off and the tax revenues from the businesses are added to the tax rolls, thus increasing the city's tax base and benefiting the taxpayers.

Honor Guard member recognized

A Prairie du Chien veteran recently received a plaque in appreciation of his many years of dedicated service to the Prairie du Chien Honor Guard.

"This is a very nice plaque," said Virgil L. Enke from his home Friday morning. Enke served as a member of the Honor Guard from 1986 through 2007.

In addition to Memorial Day and Veteran's Day ceremonies, various parades and other events, the Honor Guard fires salutes at the funerals of Prairie du Chien veterans.

"Virgil hardly ever missed a funeral," said Veterans Service Officer Jim Hannah. "He's a really nice man."

Virgil said that he was proud to serve as a member of the Honor Guard but that it is time to step aside.

"It's time," said Virgil, who celebrated his 90th birthday on Jan. 11. "We old guys are getting a bit too old. Time marches on." Virgil said that he will continue to get together with members of the Honor Guard from time to time.

Virgil served his country from September of 1942 through November of 1945 as an MP in the United States Army in World War II. He served in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theaters as a corporal with the Fifth Army.

"Mostly, I was on guard duty," he said, noting that he guarded American supplies at railroad stations, gasoline stations, warehouses, ships and docks and the like while stationed in Naples, Italy. Virgil was also stationed in Oran, North Africa.

While in Italy, Virgil was able to tour Rome, one highlight of which was seeing Pope Pius XII, who was high up on a balcony overlooking the crowd. "There's some beautiful paintings in the churches over there," said Virgil.

After Virgil returned home, he received a Certificate of Honor from Mayor F.W. Clanton and the Prairie du Chien City Council on Feb. 18, 1946.

Upon arriving home, Virgil surprised his young wife Eunice. Eunice knew that he was in the United States but not that he had made it to Prairie du Chien.

"When I opened the door, he filled the doorway," said Eunice with a big smile. "I could see nothing around him. That's the way he looked to me."

Virgil and Eunice will have been married for 65 years this coming July.

Two Gays Mills men arrested in bar fight death

A Beloit man died following a fight with two Gays Mills men at a Readstown tavern early Thursday morning. After an extensive investigation, the two men have been arrested on suspicion of second degree reckless homicide.

Kelly R. Kuykendall, 50, was "left on the sidewalk unconscious as the suspects fled the scene initially," said a Vernon County Sheriff's Department report.

According to the report, the fight began inside Pat's Corner Bar. The fight continued on a stairway outside of the bar and then out on the sidewalk.

Kuykendall was taken from the scene to Vernon Memorial Healthcare by the Readstown EMS with head injuries. He was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Kuykendall's death was investigated by the Readstown Police Department and the Vernon County Sheriff's Department.

David A. Heisz, 26, and his cousin Mikeal E. Heisz, 28, were taken into custody over the weekend. The two men are scheduled to appear in Vernon County Circuit Court for bail arrangements on Monday, Feb. 11. Charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Timothy Gaskell.

Kuykendall had recreational property in the Readstown area and was a regular visitor to the area known to some people by the nickname "Flatlander."

Coroner Janet Reed ordered an autopsy Thursday morning at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Madison. The Wisconsin Crime Laboratory Bureau assisted Sheriff's investigators at the autopsy.

Upon being contacted by the Crawford County Sheriff's Department, both suspects later came to the Vernon County Sheriff's Department to discuss the incident.

Vernon County Sheriff Gene Cary said that there were several people inside the tavern who saw the fight unfold. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Vernon County Sheriff's Department at (608) 637-2123.