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February 17, 2010

Steiner, Hemmer advance

By: Jen Schultz

Prairie du Chien Mayor Karl Steiner and David Hemmer will advance to the April 6 election following Tuesday’s primary election.

Steiner won the election with 435 votes. Hemmer came in a close second with 385 votes and Joseph Ruskey finished in third with 295 votes. Altogether, 37 percent of the voting population turned up to vote in the primary election.

When asked for a response about the election, Mayor Steiner commented, "I was very happy with the turnout. We had a really good voting crowd. I was impressed that the people of Prairie du Chien are still on my side. I would like to pay kudos to all of those that voted for me."

Hemmer replied, "I would like to thank everyone for their support. I’m looking forward to the April election and I want to be the next mayor, there’s no doubt about it."

The Prairie du Chien Common Council meeting was postponed due to the special elections. It is rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. in the City Hall.

Pat White, left, waits for her husband Gary as he casts his vote for the primary election at the City Hall on Feb. 16. Ted Finn, an election volunteer, stands nearby.

County Board approves of authority to borrow for improvements to Courthouse Building

By Ted Pennekamp

The Crawford County Board Tuesday morning unanimously approved an initial resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds or promissory notes not to exceed $2 million for county building improvement projects.

Board member Larry Kapinus and Carol A. Wirth, president of Wisconsin Public Finance Professionals of Milwaukee, emphasized that the board’s action is not an approval of borrowing. The board would still have to approve of any building improvement project and the borrowing of funds to complete the project.

"This is an ‘authority’ resolution, not a commitment," said Wirth, who noted that the board’s authority to borrow will last for five years regarding building improvement projects.

The Crawford County Courthouse Building has been in need of upgrades in numerous areas for the past several years. Most board members agreed that the most immediate concern is the 38-year-old boiler system. Other potential improvement projects include replacing the windows, upgrading the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, replacing lighting fixtures, general building remodeling, electrical and plumbing projects, and Americans with Disabilities compliance projects. The Courthouse Building is approximately half as big as the County Administrative Building, yet it costs about twice as much in energy costs.

The County Board will study all financial options regarding any building improvement projects. The board could potentially approve of having all building improvements done as one big project, or to complete them one at a time.

Wirth said that the next step would be for the board to prioritize the building improvement projects and to let out bids. Following that, the board can act on the bids and award contracts.

It has been estimated that the boiler replacement project would cost $267,000. A grant has been applied for in the amount of $225,000 for boiler replacement. Lighting fixture replacement is estimated to cost $120,000.

There are various financial options for the building improvement projects. Wirth said that tax exempt general obligation bonds, or promissory notes may offer favorable interest rates. However, Build America Bonds, which are not tax exempt, may be a better solution because they currently offer a 35 percent federal interest subsidy. Wirth said that 10-year financing with Build America Bonds would have an interest rate of 2.92 percent. Five-year financing would have an interest rate of 2.27 percent. Wirth said that there is a risk with Build America Bonds, however, because the federal government may decide to end the 35 percent federal interest subsidy. She also said that the federal interest subsidy could be extended beyond Dec. 31, 2010, or be made permanent, but at only 28 percent.

Wirth said that the estimated annual tax rate impact for Crawford County residents for each $100,000 borrowed for building improvement projects would be $1 on a full market property valued at $100,000.

In other business, the County Board unanimously approved of adopting the Crawford County Comprehensive Plan, which will help guide the county for the next 20 years. The comprehensive plan has been designed so as to help ensure "smart growth" for the county. It will be a "fluid" guide for land use, transportation, agricultural, natural and cultural resources, housing, utilities, community facilities and economic development. The plan will provide specific recommendations for ways to implement the county’s long-term goals in these areas.

In further business, Community Development Agent Laura Brown told the board that a $65,000 grant has been received for energy assessment planning in Crawford and Vernon counties.

County Board Chairman Ron Leys noted at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting that it will be Kay Garvey’s last meeting as a Crawford County Board Supervisor. Garvey is not seeking re-election.

"I thank the citizens of the village of Eastman and the town of Eastman for the privilege of serving on the County Board, and for the privilege of meeting all of the good people that I have met," said Garvey, who then received a standing ovation.

February 15, 2010

Prairie du Chien Bald Eagle Appreciation Day, Feb. 27

Come and enjoy bald eagles and the other wonderful natural resources of the Upper Mississippi River during Prairie du Chien Bald Eagle Appreciation Day on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Event activities will be centered along the Mississippi River at the Prairie du Chien Regional Tourism Center, 211 S. Main Street, and the adjacent AmericInn Lodge and Suites at 130 S. Main Street. Ken Block, Chief Ranger at Effigy Mounds National Monument, touted Bald Eagle Appreciation Day as a "great way to introduce visitors to the amazing year-round outdoor recreational and educational opportunities of the Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and McGregor/Marquette, Iowa region located within the heart of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge." The 261-mile refuge is the longest river refuge in the continental U.S.

Live bald eagle programs presented by the staff of the National Eagle Center of Wabasha, Minn. will anchor the day of presentations at AmericInn. The first live eagle program will be presented at 11 a.m. and a second at 1 p.m. in the lobby of the AmericInn. To start the day, Neil Rettig’s documentary "American Eagle" from the PBS Nature series will be shown at 9 a.m. in the AmericInn. At 10 a.m., a special talk about eagles by Robert (Bob) Anderson of the Raptor Resource Project will be presented in the lobby. Tim Yager, FWS Refuge Manager will present a talk on the status of the bald eagle population on the Upper Mississippi Refuge at 2 p.m.  Bob Anderson will also set up a monitor for live viewing of his Decorah Bald Eagle Cam. In between the live eagle programs and other presentations, the monitor will continue showing the eagle nest. Filming the nest took place in 2007-08 for the production of American Eagle. In 2009, a camera was put on the web to view the eagles during the nesting season. During this 2010 nesting season, Luther College in Decorah, Iowa is hosting the Decorah Bald Eagle web page at raptorresource.org/falcon cams/index.html. Educational displays and activities at the Regional Tourism Center will include agency exhibits, children’s craft activities and a life-size eagle nest replica displayed by Iowa DNR Wildlife biologist Pat Schlarbaum, (weather dependent). Educational books and other items from the bookstore at Effigy Mounds will be on sale – including Neil Rettig’s "American Eagle" DVD. A variety of activities, including a photo display and craft fair will also be held. Contact the Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce for further information. A second eagle’s nest replica is available to view at the Effigy Mound National Monument visitor center.

Throughout the day, the true centerpiece of Bald Eagle Appreciation Day will be outdoor viewing of live bald eagles. Within three miles of the Regional Tourism Center, there are five active eagle nests. Spotting scopes will be set up near the Regional Tourism Center for eagle viewing. Pat Schlarbaum (Iowa DNR), Dennis Kirschbaum (National Park Service ranger), and other personnel from the Iowa DNR, Wisconsin DNR, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will assist visitors in their attempts to see bald eagles in Prairie du Chien and other regional locations. These birding experts will be available to answer questions, explain exhibits and direct visitors to other eagle watching locations. Maps and directions for self-guided field trips to eagle watching locations will be provided

For more information, contact the Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce/Tourism Council at 800-732-1673, prairieduchien.org, pdccoc@mhtc.net; or Effigy Mounds National Monument, 563-873-3491, nps.gov/efmo, kennethblock@nps.gov. A digital bald eagle photo is available via e-mail upon request to Ken Block.

Local quilter helps round up 82 quilts to donate to children in Haiti

By Jen Schultz

Where there’s a need, there’s a will and that’s exactly what Jeanne Boland of Seneca did recently.

Jeanne received an email from Janeen Hill, a member of the Wisconsin Heights Chapter of Project Linus, requesting lightweight quilts to be given as comfort blankets to children in Haiti. Wanting to help, Jeanne organized a successful sewing day with 20 volunteers at St. Patrick’s Hall in Seneca on Jan. 30. Quilting friends that could not make it gave Jeanne more handmade quilts and cash donations.

With the aid of quilters from Prairie du Chien, Westby, Soldiers Grove, Ferryville, Seneca, Eastman and Mt. Sterling, Jeanne was able to give 82 quilts and $120 in donations for shipping costs to the Wisconsin Heights Chapter of Project Linus in less than three weeks.

Project Linus, as an organization, has been asked to donate 10,000 blankets by March 1. These blankets will be shipped to the children in Haiti that have been affected by the recent earthquakes. Blankets need to be donated to the Wisconsin Heights Chapter by February 20 to make the shipping date of March 1.

Anyone who would like to help assemble comfort blankets for children is invited to join the 10th annual Project Linus "Make a Blanket Day" on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in Brisbane Hall at Grandma Mary’s Café, Highway 14, Arena. No special skills are necessary, just enthusiasm and a desire to help kids in need of an "extra hug." The event is hosted by the Wisconsin Heights Chapter.

Project Linus is a nationwide organization that collects new, handmade quilts, blankets and afghans for children that are seriously ill, injured, traumatized or otherwise in need of "an extra hug." The project started in late 1995. As of 2009 there were 378 chapters and 3,011,944 blankets were given to children in need.

Project Linus can use washable blankets and afghans, handmade from all new materials, in any color or style. Blankets may be as small as 36 by 36 inches, however 45 by 60 inches is preferred.

"The need for blankets, unfortunately, never ends. There will always be children that are in need of extra comfort," says Janean.

For more information on how you can help Project Linus contact Janean Hill at 608-795-2951 or by email at plwihgts@gmail.com.