Most of the residents who spoke at last night’s meeting of the Prairie du Chien Common Council made it clear that, for them, roundabouts rank not too far below war, famine or plague as one of the scourges of humankind.

Although the council had approved the roundabout concept in August of 2003 after a series of studies and hearings on improvements on Marquette Road which began in 1998, the issue rose to the surface again within the past year when the Department of Transportation (DOT) held public information meetings to present details of the plan.

Because the DOT has spent time and money on designing the roundabouts, if the city backs out of the agreement in the face of public outcry, the extra cost to the city could total close to half a million dollars.

Council, then, is left with deciding whether the city can afford to lose a large sum of money or satisfy what appear to be the demands of the public, and Ian Winger, the DOT La Crosse office project supervisor, came to the meeting to explain the reasons for the roundabout recommendation and to provide details on the cost of changing plans.

Winger presented statistics showing that roundabouts reduce delay and queuing of traffic, reduce the number and severity of accidents and save fuel. At present, Winger said, Marquette Road has three times the state average rate for traffic accidents.

The benefits of switching to a signals rather than roundabouts at the three intersections in question, Iowa, Wisconsin and Blackhawk, said Winger, are there would be less public concern, the Illinois and Blackhawk intersection, which would require modification with the roundabout plan, would stay the same, and there would be 17 potential building relocations between Webster and Washington rather than 21 as proposed for the roundabouts.

Winger said the downside includes compromises in safety and mobility and a design delay of at least 1.5 years from the projected start date of 2012. Perhaps most important would be the increased expense for the city. Winger said that as of March, 2008, the DOT had put approximately $326,000 into engineering fees related to the roundabouts, and these fees would have to be repaid by the city. In addition to what has already been done, it would cost another $100,000 to change the design to signalized intersections. In addition, the city would have to pay for railroad upgrades on Blackhawk and Iowa Streets which had been covered by the DOT in the roundabout plan. He said that, while the actual installation costs of roundabouts or signals are about the same, signalized intersections would have higher operating costs.

If the city decides to wait until November for a referendum vote on the issue, costs would continue to increase, he said.

Asked about an article indicating that roundabouts were being challenged under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Winger said there is an issue for disabled pedestrians both with roundabouts and signalized intersections, and that alternatives are being researched.

During the comment period, the majority of people spoke against the roundabouts. Jerry Wacouta said he felt roundabouts were "inherently less safe than intersections." Without an intersection, Wacouta said, "pedestrians have to hope the traffic stops." He said he felt emergency vehicles would look for alternate routes because the roundabouts would be clogged. Asked for his input, Fire Chief Harry Remz said he had used roundabouts before and had no problems, but trains had not been involved.

Bob Collins said he was against roundabouts because they would hurry traffic out of town and businesses would be bypassed. He said he favored a referendum on the issue. He also asked who would pay the cost when the roundabouts don’t work and have to be torn out. He said there will be additional problems because traffic will drive through residential areas in order to avoid the roundabouts.

Clem Wacouta, who stated he was a former communication director for the Wisconsin State Senate, said the roundabouts would cause enormous disruption of traffic flow. He said he felt a referendum was needed and complimented vouncil member Brouse for canvassing the people of his ward on the issued. He added later that he thought the study was flawed and the city should try to get their money back.

Mike Cowie suggested trying a roundabout on the Hwy 18 bypass, which is to be constructed in 2010, to see how they work before making a final decision.

Frank Cipra, a fire department volunteer and employee of Dillman Equipment said he favored turning lanes, and that modification of equipment, which might be required for some of Dillman’s larger pieces to accommodate the roundabouts, would be expensive.

There were, however, a few who supported the roundabouts. Mark Miller, said he supports roundabouts as environmentally friendly. There were public meetings in 2003, he said. The council made the decision and at this point, Miller said, "we can’t afford any more tax dollars wasted."

Joe Prew said he favored roundabouts but had a question as a representative of Dillman equipment. He said their trucks can be 100 to 170 feet long. Winger said they had evaluated a model of a 135 foot long vehicle showing that it could negotiate the roundabouts. He said many vehicles longer than that would also be able to move through, but it was possible some larger equipment would have to be modified.

In council discussion following public input, council member Kathleen Hein asked Winger what studies had been done relating to the proximity of the railroad tracks. Winger said simulated studies had been done showing what would happen to traffic with trains blocking the tracks for two to eight minutes. Traffic congestion was no worse than for signalized traffic, he said, and north-south traffic should continue to flow smoothly.

Council member Sharon Boylen said, "The majority of the people are against this and I stand by them. They’re the ones that voted me in."

Council member Mike Brouse said he had canvassed 40 people, and 36 said they didn’t want roundabouts.

Council member Becky Hackett said she was concerned about the future of the city if the roundabouts were cancelled. She didn’t know where the city would come up with almost half a million dollars.

Council member Frank Pintz said he was on the council at the time the decision was made and he voted against it. He said he had been under the impression that the DOT was to come back with a plan for council approval. He said he wanted it in writing that if the roundabouts don’t work the DOT will remove them.

Winger said the DOT did not do five years of research and planning without good data, and for any plan to work, education and enforcement are required in addition to engineering.

Council member Phil Dagnon commented, "I haven’t a clue where half a million dollars will come from."

No action was taken at the meeting, since it had not been scheduled on the agenda. Mayor Karl Steiner said he would put it on the July 1 agenda. He said he was concerned, however, that council members had been meeting to discuss the roundabouts, and he questioned the ethics of such meetings.

In other business council:

•Approved restructuring to create a public works department, eliminating the street superintendent position and making Terry Meyer and Larry Gates co-heads of the department at a salary increase of an additional $1,000 a month.

•Approved the salary of Parks and Recreation director Mike Ulrich at $50,000.

•Defeated a motion to make Michigan Ave. between Blackhawk Ave. and Wisconsin Street a two-way street during construction on Blackhawk.

•Denied a motion to erect stop signs at E. Fowler and 15th St. to slow traffic. The motion had been tabled from a May 20 meeting. Police Chief Mike King said stop signs were never recommended to slow traffic, and that a survey of traffic flow in that area showed average speeds of 28 to 31 mph, with the fastest recorded at 36 mph.

•Approved a plan to construct quad gates at the railroad crossing at Blackhawk Ave. Council member Pintz said it appears that in order to maintain the area as a quiet zone for train whistles, the gates or a median would have to be constructed to satisfy the Federal Railroad Authority. The quad gates are estimated to cost close to $1 million, but the median would block access to Halpin Tire. Council decided to submit the quad gate plan to meet the deadline, and modify the plan later if needed.

•Approved the low bid of $37,840 from Prairie Sand and Gravel for demolition of the old Prairie Tools building on Marquette Road.

After a family visit to Columbus, Nebraska in, December, fifth grader Will Seeley, son of Mark and Christine Seeley of Prairie du Chien, wrote a letter to the mayor of the city deploring the worn condition of flags being flown in the city. The letter was published in the city’s newspaper, setting off a campaign to have the old flags properly retired and new ones installed. In addition, Will was invited back to participate in a flag retirement ceremony Memorial Day weekend, and to assist in the placement of flags in Frankfort Square, a city park, that weekend.

Memorial Day began early for Will Seeley, who, with his dad and Uncle Bill, left their hotel to arrive at Frankfort Square at 5 a.m., where he helped set up some of the 1,300 flags displayed there each Memorial Day. These flags are ‘casket’ flags, one for each veteran in Platte County who has passed away. The flags, each with a special holder in the ground, are put up every Memorial Day at sunrise and taken down at dusk.

Later in the day, he participated in a flag retirement ceremony. When a flag is retired, said Christine, it is cut into quarters, and everyone present at the ceremony was given a pice of the flag to throw into the fire. When a flag with embroidered stars is retired, the stars and grommets are cut out, and when that portion of the flag is placed on the fire, the fire burns up through the holes left by the stars.

Will received a framed star from the large flag whose torn condition he had noticed on his December visit to Columbus. The star he received represents Wisconsin, the 30th star on the flag. The flag from which it came was 30 x 60 feet and weighed 80 pounds.

The Columbus Boy Scout leaders also gave him a flag which had flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C., and Will, in turn, presented them with another flag which had flown over the Capitol and was dedicated to Columbus.

In addition to all the civic ceremonies, it was an impressive weekend within the family as well. Will’s great uncle Bill, who had served in the Vietnam War, had never shared his war experiences with the family. That weekend, in the midst of all the Memorial Day observances, he brought out a box of pictures taken during the war and talked about what he had experienced. He presented Will with one of those pictures, telling him that what he was doing meant a lot to him as a veteran.

At approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, the Prairie du Chien Police Department was notified that a burglary had occurred at the city of Prairie du Chien Water Department Office during the night.

Patrol officers investigating the event noted circumstances which led to a nearby residential complex, where they interviewed residents and surveyed the area for stolen property.

A short time later, officers took Joseph C. Dama, 20, and Westley R. Johll, 19, both of Austin, Minn., into custody and lodged them in the Crawford County Jail.

Charges of burglary were requested of the District Attorney’s Office for both Dama and Johll. Charges of obstructing an officer is also being requested for Dama.

Stolen property estimated at more than $5,000 was recovered during the arrest.

Prairie du Chien’s great run finally came to an end Friday as the Blackhawks lost 6-2 to West De Pere in the WIAA Division 2 State Championship baseball game at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.

Prairie du Chien had an excellent season, taking second in the state and finishing with a 19-6 record. It was Prairie’s first trip to the State Tournament since they won the championship in 1993.

West De Pere finished at 21-5 to win their first state title.

Kyle Sime belted a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning to pull the Blackhawks within 2-1 of the Phantoms.

West De Pere scored a run in the top of the second to go up 3-1.

Brett Hogan scored in the third when he stole third base and the throw from the catcher went into left field. This pulled the Blackhawks within 3-2 after three complete.

The Phantoms scored twice more in the top of the fourth to increase the margin to 5-2.

The Blackhawks loaded the bases in the sixth inning but could not score as the game remained 5-2 after six.

West De Pere scored a run in the top of the seventh to go ahead 6-2.

Kyle Nack drew a walk and Kyle Sime singled as the Blackhawks got their first two batters on base in the bottom of the seventh. Phantom pitcher Brent Kakwitch then fanned the next three batters to end the game.

For the game, the Blackhawks had stranded 11 runners, including 6 in scoring position.

West De Pere scored 6 runs on 10 hits and committed 2 errors. Prairie du Chien scored 2 runs on 7 hits and committed 2 errors.

Brad Wessling and Nathan Mezera pitched for Prairie du Chien. Wessling took the loss, striking out 4 and walking 2 in 5 innings.

Brett Hogan was 1x4. Kyle Sime was 3x4 with a home run. Casey Cox was 1x4. Dylan Mallat was 1x2 and Tyler Kozelka was 1x2 to lead the Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks reached the championship game by blanking Waupun 4-0 in the Division 2 Semifinal in Grand Chute Wednesday night.

Junior righthander Tyler Kozelka whiffed 11 and walked none in hurling a 2-hitter to stymie a Waupun team that was batting .377.

After the game, Kozelka said that it was probably the best game he has ever pitched.

Prairie du Chien manufactured 3 runs in the top of the third inning while hitting only one ball out of the infield to take a 3-0 lead.

The Blackhawks scored on a two-out, bases-loaded balk in the sixth inning to round out the scoring for the game.

Prairie du Chien scored 4 runs on 5 hits and committed 0 errors. Waupun scored no runs, had 2 hits and committed 2 errors. They finished the season at 17-7.

Kyle Nack was 1x3 with a run scored and 1 rbi. Kyle Sime was 2x4. Logan Mikkelson was 1x3 with an rbi and Tyler O’Kane was 1x3 with a run scored.