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Bush to hold 'ask the president' event at Cabela's Friday afternoon
On Friday, May 7, President George W. Bush will continue the "Yes, America
Can" bus tour with three stops in Iowa and Wisconsin. At 1:45 p.m., Friday, the
president will participate in an "Ask President Bush" event at Cabela's
Distribution Center, Prairie du Chien. Although the official word did not come
to local media until Tuesday afternoon, Cabela's employees were informed Monday
night of the visit, along with the fact they could each bring two guests if
names and social security numbers were provided by noon Tuesday. Prior to the
president's visit to our community, at 9:50 a.m. Friday, the President will
deliver remarks at a Dubuque send-off. After Prairie du Chien, Bush will travel
to La Crosse to deliver remarks at a rally at Copeland Baseball Field in La
Crosse Friday evening. Both and La Crosse and Dubuque set up places the public
could go to get tickets for their events, but in Prairie du Chien no more
tickets are available, according to Crawford County Republican Chair Linda
Hansen. There were free tickets distributed, many of which were doled out by
members of the local Republican party and those allotted to Cabela's employees.
The campaign is not releasing how many tickets were issued for the event. They
are also not releasing if there will be an "open mike" to ask questions, or if
those asking questions will have to be approved prior to the event. According to
the Bush-Cheney Campaign Headquarter Press Room, Bush plans to discuss his plan
for the growing economy. The president will highlight the values that keep
America's communities and families strong. In each city, Bush will herald local
leaders who are making a difference by helping friends and neighbors in need.
These events will focus on faith-based organizations, mentoring programs and
other community based programs. Doors for Friday's event at Cabela's
Distribution Center will open at 10:30 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. Only ticket
holders with photo ID will be admitted. Attendees are asked to not bring bags,
backpacks, signs or any other elements which may impede the security process.
Organizers withhold the right to refuse admittance to the event. Friday's events
continue the "Yes, America Can" bus tour, which kicked-off earlier this week
with events in Michigan and Ohio.
After reconsideration, council approves rezoning request for go-kart
recreation area
After more than 45 minutes of discussion at Tuesday night's meeting of the
Prairie du Chien Common Council, the rezoning of 28 acre parcel in the area of
Paquette Street and S. Wacouta from low density residential to highway
commercial was approved. At the April 13 meeting of the council, the request to
rezone for a go-kart track and mini golf development on the south side of the
city was defeated 5-6, and then at the April 20 meeting the council voted to
reconsider it. Developers Ken Hess and Duane Hubing presented more information
to the council about their proposed family entertainment complex. They have
plans for a go-kart track, 18-hole miniature golf course, arcade and concession
stand, prior to the vote, and they had a go-kart outside of city hall prior to
the meeting. A new petition bearing approximately 277 names was presented to the
council against the development. Another with up to 623 signatures in favor of
the estimated $1 million project was presented just prior to the meeting.
Citizens were able to state their views for or against the project, provided
they had not spoken before to the council or plan commission, or if they had new
information to offer. About eight citizens spoke, about three against it and
five for it. Local teen Vanessa Stubbe said that a family oriented tobacco-free,
alcohol-free facility was a good idea for youth and it would "help keep us out
of trouble." The vote on the matter was 7-4, with Dennis White, Brad Steiner,
Bonnie Homuth, Luanne Neumann, Frank Pintz and Dale Boldt voting in favor of the
project, and Erwin Mueller, Irene Schauf, Ted Scheckler and Dave Hemmer voting
against. In other business, the council approved an amendment to the noise
ordinance, allowing the council to approve a waiver for certain events. The
amendment was brought up in reference to Relay For Life. Council member Jack
Kluesner said that the issue has been resolved by talking with the organizers
and requesting the music levels be lowered during the early morning hours. The
amendment passed 10-1 with Kluesner voting against. The council approved the
outlay of $200,000 for city street projects this year. An article detailing
where these street projects will take place will appear in an upcoming issue of
the Courier Press. The council approved a Property Committee report to bid a
project for this summer to put a new roof on the Old Rock School. Two requests
for driveway extensions were approved, one at 1211 E. Webster for a residence,
and another for 3M at 801 N. Marquette Road. Ellen Schieber of the Prairie du
Chien Jaycees Club requested the closure of one block of Second Street for the
four days of Rendezvous for safety reason. It was felt that a study of traffic
flow should be completed before next year and that it was too close to this year's
event to make changes. The council approved a master plan for the rendezvous
which did not include the additional street closure. A public hearing has been
set for the next council meeting to seek input for vacating an alley needed for
the potential Walgreens store which would be located at the southwest corner of
the intersection of Blackhawk Avenue and Marquette Road. The council held a
closed session to discuss personnel issues, but City Administrator Gary Koch
says no action was taken after they reconvened into open session.
Wielding his welder, McGregor man makes miniature models
With a mechanical aptitude combined with a creative mind, McGregor resident
Jim Cowell has been welding scaled down, working models of various vehicles
since 1962. "I can do darn near anything," said Jim, whose miniature trucks have
been enjoyed by McGregor residents for many years as they rolled through town
during annual parades. "I'll try anything at least once." One of Jim's latest
creations, a scaled down steam engine and train built two winters ago, is on
display at the Railroad Depot Museum in Marquette. Last winter, he created a
down-sized, hand-pump railroad car for Al Johnson of Boscobel. The model train
was built on commission for the museum and consists of a steam engine, a coal
car and a caboose. The project was begun in November of 2002 and completed in
April of 2003. The engine is 52 inches long, the coal car 32 inches long and the
caboose 36 inches in length. The measurements match with those of an old train
that is on display in La Crosse. The full-sized train measurements are 52-feet,
32 feet and 36 feet, respectively. Jim said that the miniature steam engine was
given the number 4230 on the front so as to correspond with the date of his
birth. Jim's train features an engineer and brakeman aboard the engine, along
with a passenger in the caboose, the interior of which also includes a table and
benches, a wood stove, a bed and an oldtime bathroom complete with fixtures. Jim
began building working miniatures in 1962, shortly after moving to McGregor from
Minneapolis. His first project was a miniature tractor, which was about the size
of today's garden tractors. In effect, the small tractor was a forerunner of
modern garden tractors and was used mainly for plowing area sidewalks and
driveways in the winter. Jim's "Blue Bird" tractor was built from a grate and
hood from an old furnace, an old water heater that served as the plow blade, old
pump jack parts, a 1953 Ford steering wheel, gears from a Ford Model A
transmission and a John Deere tractor seat. In 1970, Jim built the first of his
four miniature semi-tractor-trailer trucks. The first one is four-feet wide and
is half the size of the real thing. His second one is one-quarter scale, or two
feet wide. The third one is one foot wide and the fourth is three inches wide.
One of Jim's upcoming projects will be to complete the set with a six-inch wide
model. During the approximately 10-year period when Jim built the semis, he also
built a one-half-sized Jeep. The trucks, along with the Jeep, all have engines,
all of them run and all have been driven in parades over the years in Iowa,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri. Jim said that the four-foot-wide
truck is powered by a Jeep engine and a Jeep transmission with overdrive, while
the one-foot-wide truck is driven by remote control. Jim said that it took him
more than a year to build the four-footer. "I was inspired by a little
semi-tractor-trailer that was built and displayed by Werner Transportation,"
said Jim, who at the time knew that he could build a better one. "I figured I
could make one that runs and also looks like something." Jim worked for a number
of years in Minneapolis for Werner, where he rebuilt semi trailers. Jim's trucks
are realistic in every detail and all feature roll-down tarps on the trailer,
just like the full-sized original. For about 20 years, Jim worked as a
maintenance man at the McGregor grain elevator, which served as the basis for
another one of his numerous projects. A scale model of the elevator was built
through Jim's help as part of a science project for some local students years
ago. Jim is a self-taught welder who began welding at about age 15 in order to
repair a broken sled. He said that he welded the sled three times before it held
up. Although he is not a certified welder, he said that he has taught many who
are. "You can't go anywhere in McGregor where you aren't within looking distance
of something that I built," says Jim, whose numerous projects include the bell
tower of St. Paul Lutheran Church, the original footbridge to the McGregor
overlook, and many railings, spiral staircases and freight elevators. Jim also
erected the flagpole bearing the American Flag atop the McGregor grain elevator.
One of his current projects will be put to use in Garnavillo and involves
railings and a spiral staircase that will have three-foot-wide steps. An older
prominent spiral staircase and railing combination created by Jim can be seen at
Stoehr Studios in McGregor. That staircase features steps that are two-feet in
width.
Jim said that he has always enjoyed creating, and as far as future projects are
concerned, "I look forward to all of it."
Presidential visit confirmed for May 7
Security is tight and public details are still sketchy concerning the potential
visit to Prairie du Chien by President George W. Bush. Crawford County
Republican Party members have spent time on the phone over the last few days
asking local citizens if they want tickets to an event set for Friday, but no
official word has been uttered by the Bush - Cheney National Campaign
headquarters. The visit to Prairie du Chien has been confirmed by the Bush -
Cheney Wisconsin Campaign headquarters, along with a stop in Dubuque earlier
Friday morning and a rally in La Crosse set for early evening. The Prairie du
Chien event is set for late morning and early afternoon. When making the phone
calls asking if folks want tickets, local Republicans are saying the doors will
open at 11 a.m. What doors they are talking about has not yet been publicly
announced. The visit is believed to be planned as an "Ask President Bush" forum,
also referred to as a "town hall" meeting. There is no charge for the tickets to
the Prairie du Chien event, but it will not be completely open like the 2000
campaign stop when Al Gore which took place on river front, due to security
concerns. Of course, if at any point between now and Friday serious security
concerns are brought to light, the event will not take place. A cancellation due
to safety concerns could take place mere minutes before an appearance as well.
More information may be available from Bush - Cheney Wisconsin Campaign
headquarter at (414)258-1003. It is believed that several "advance team" members
are currently in the community, but they aren't talking either. Hopefully more
details will be available by Wednesday's edition.
PdC man dies in accident
On Wednesday, April 28, at 1:55 p.m. the Crawford County Sheriff's
Department was notified of a two vehicle accident on STH 35 at Limery Road,
north of Prairie du Chien. Gordon J. Powers, 74, rural Prairie du Chien, was
driving a 1994 Oldsmobile. Powers was attempting to make a left turn off of
Limery Road onto STH 35. The Powers vehicle was struck by a 1999 Kenworth
tractor-trailer, driven by Brian J. Jager, 37, of Iola. The Powers vehicle was
struck broadside and was forced into a field just north of the intersection.
Powers was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by the Crawford County
Coroner. Jager received no injuries. Both Powers and Jager were wearing their
seatbelts at the time of the accident. The Powers vehicle was severely damaged
and was towed from the scene. The Jager vehicle sustained minor damage. This
accident remains under investigation.
Making a difference by sharing medical knowledge
It would have been difficult to estimate how many lives Dr. Michael Garrity had
touched at the time of his retirement in January of 2000. Due to his medical
involvement in the Ukraine since then, the estimation is now impossible. After
retirement, Garrity was asked to participate in the American International
Health Alliance's (AIHA) program in the Ukraine. He accepted the offer and has
since made nine trips there to fulfill the objectives of AIHA: Develop and
enhance urgent/emergency care services; Oversee the administrative structure,
education and leadership at two model clinics; Establish a comprehensive women's
health program; Expand guidelines and develop systems to gather outcome data;
Develop a lifestyle education and health education curriculum; and Support the
professional development, role and status of family practice physicians and
nurses in Kharkib Oblast, Ukraine. Until the early 1990s, Ukraine was part of
USSR. Although the country is no longer socialistic, Garrity says there is still
a lot of "top-down management." "Instead of the staff at health care facilities
being asked what was needed, they were told 'this is what you get.'" Many areas
lack resources and conditions can be primitive. Garrity's main involvement was
setting up two model clinics. These clinics not only thrived themselves, but
have since been used as models for setting up at least 180 clinics, employing
more than 440 doctors. "They are making great strides," he says. Garrity says
the model clinics were built as an "ideal." The Ukraines renovated the buildings
to be used as clinics, and the US government donated medical equipment which was
left from previous military operations, such as Desert Storm in the early 1990s.
One model clinic was set up to serve 7,000 students, age 16-28 in an urban area,
and the other was located in a rural area in a town of 3,800. Each presented it's
own set of conditions to be dealt with. Starting out, the rural clinic did not
have running water and "we had to chase the cows and pigs out of the yard to get
into the clinic." During his visit to the Ukraine with three to five others
involved with different levels of health care, Garrity attended many meetings
and presentations. Everything had to be done through an interpreter. "You had to
remember that if you had an hour presentation you really only had a half-hour
due to the translation." They also had to find interpreters who were familiar
with medical jargon. Garrity said another thing some people in their group found
frustrating was the slow decision making process. He said they were reminded of
how different things are in that country from just over a decade ago when one
gentleman said, "We are not used to freedom. We are still learning. We are used
to being told 'this is how you do this,' and now we are now being asked, 'how
are you going to do this?'" And they are figuring out how to do things
themselves. One of the goals of the AIHA program is for all the programs to keep
going on their own with the international program's funding ending later this
year. Previously, the emphasis was on hospitalization for illness and injury.
Now, thanks to the great strides made by Garrity and his colleagues, that trend
is changing. Health care in primary care clinics have reduced hospital
admissions and the need for ambulance services. "The program has been a
tremendous success," Garrity says. In addition to the model clinics, AIHA also
helped establish a mental health program, a Learning Resource Center with
computers and copiers for medical students and staff to share knowledge, the
creation of a nursing association. Although transportation and the cost of
medicine are still large issues, the health of the people of Ukraine has
improved. Garrity says he has formed some good friendships due to his
involvement in the program, and when doctors and other medical professionals
come to the La Crosse area to study here (also through AIHA), he often invites
them to his home. "I had no idea this program would be this successful," Garrity
says. "They adapted to the things we suggested quickly. It is very gratifying to
see how well they have done with the help we have offered them." Dr. Garrity
retired after 40 years in health care, serving the community from the Gundersen
Lutheran - Prairie du Chien Clinic. |
