By Ted Pennekamp

Campion Jesuit High School alumni are seeking a place to house a Campion Hall of Fame. Alumnus Dr. Michael Garrity of Prairie du Chien said Monday that the alumni have been talking to a subcommittee of the Fort Crawford Museum Board of Directors about possibly having the Hall of Fame on the Fort Crawford Museum grounds.

"It is only in the discussion stage, but we’re hoping to get something underway by next June," said Garrity. "A Campion Hall of Fame would be a way preserving the memories and history of Campion."

Garrity said that a Campion Hall of Fame would encompass all standouts from Campion, including those who excelled in science, politics, academics, sports and numerous other noteworthy endeavors.

Campion Jesuit High School was a Jesuit-run boarding school for boys in Prairie du Chien named for the Jesuit martyr Edmund Campion. The school operated from its founding in 1880 until closing in 1975, and educated several notable figures during its existence. The former school’s campus now houses Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution. The school operated independent of the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse. Campion Jesuit High School was founded in 1880 as the College of the Sacred Heart. Established on property donated by Prairie du Chien philanthropist John Lawler, the school was originally operated as a college by Jesuits from the Buffalo, New York, mission of the German Province of the Society of Jesus. Its first president was Rev. William Becker, S.J. The school continued as a college until 1888, when it was closed to lay students and became a house of formation for Jesuit priests. Ten years later, in 1898, the school was reopened to the public, as both a high school and college.

One building that was formerly part of the Campion High School campus, Hoffman Hall, remains outside of the prison and is currently operated as a public recreational facility by the city of Prairie du Chien. In fact, a tour of Hoffman Hall in September by some Campion alumni helped to spark discussion of a possible Campion Hall of Fame.

"Campion has numerous notable alumni," said Dr. Garrity. "Certainly, in teaching and science they are legion."

Some of the notable alumni include:

•George Blaha, sportscaster

•David Doyle, actor (best known as "Bosley" on Charlie’s Angels)

•Vicente Fox, president of Mexico (2000-2006)

•Walter Halloran, American Jesuit priest (assisted Father Bowdern in a 1949 exorcism)

•John Henebry, United States Air Force general

•Patrick Lucey, governor of Wisconsin (1971-1977)

•Kevin McCarthy, actor (Invasion of the Body Snatchers et al)

•Leo Ryan, congressman from California (1973-1978 — killed at Jones Town mass suicide)

•Dick Tuck, politician

•George Wendt, actor (best known as "Norm" on the television show Cheers)

•Garry Wills, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Lincoln at Gettysburg

•William Joseph McDonough, president of Federal Reserve Bank, NY

•Allan Scholls, inherited Dr. Scholls

•John "Jack" Rockne, son of Knute Rockne

•Patrick J. Nugent, married president LBJ’s daughter Luci

•Dr. James West, performed world’s first human organ transplant in 1950 along with Dr. Richard Lawler

•Col. Gregory J. Kessenich, inventor of the bazooka

•John P. Powers, Steelers tight end in the 1960s

•Patrick Bowlen, Denver Broncos’ owner

•Tony Cline, played nine years in the NFL

Garrity said that the grounds of the Fort Crawford Museum would be a good site for a Campion Hall of Fame because the museum already has a Campion exhibit.

"Campion alumni who have seen the Campion exhibit at the museum have been impressed," said Garrity.

Ruskey announces candidacy for PdC mayor

Prairie du Chien council member Joe Ruskey has officially announced his candidacy for office of Mayor of Prairie du Chien. Said Ruskey, "After serving the people for almost five years as a councilman for the 6th District, I feel that I can truly serve the city and the people best as mayor. We need a mayor who can dedicate the time to the office, listen to the people, and bring together all groups to facilitate our city working together again. We need a mayor who is dedicated to improving the communication and working relationships at the local level, the state level, and even the federal level. We need a mayor who will base decisions on what is best for the entire city, someone who wants to see the city progress, yet wants to preserve the old- fashioned values and charm that we have all fallen in love with. I feel that I can be that mayor."

Ruskey said he and his wife, Tina, have chosen to live in Prairie du Chien and raise their children here. "We feel that Prairie du Chien is a truly special and unique place."

"As we raise our children, we always tell them that we are on this earth to serve others," he said. "We do not only say this in words, but through actions."

Ruskey and his wife serve on many boards and committees throughout the community. He currently serves on the City Council, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Prairie du Chien, where he is Assistant Governor of Rotary District 6250. He is also a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, and serves on other committees throughout the city.

"I feel that serving the city as mayor would not only be an honor, but a huge responsibility which would not be taken lightly. I would give the time, the respect, and the priority that this position requires," he said.

Ruskey said he is seeking the office because he feels that there is a lot of work to do over the next few years, and he feels that he can give the dedication and expertise that will be needed to get the job done.

"I would appreciate your support and encourage you all to go out and vote in April. If you have any questions about me, please do not hesitate to call me, or simply stop me on the street if you see me. I look forward to talking to as many people as possible," he said.

City Council approves purchase of Prairie Maison property, adopts 2010 budget

By Sandy Vold

Prairie du Chien Common Council last evening approved the purchase of the Prairie Maison property for redevelopment and adopted the city’s 2010 budget.

Following a closed session, council approved the purchase of the former Prairie Maison property, a 4.7 acre parcel, for $150,000. The property is to be redeveloped for single family homes.

Council overrode a previous veto by Mayor Karl Steiner, who objected to the purchase because he felt the city should not be in the development business. City Administrator Jim Gitz said Mayor Steiner had a valid point, and under ordinary circumstances this was true. In this case, he said, the city is a reluctant partner to the real estate business. The property sits in a residential neighborhood and was on the market for six months with no takers. "If we had developers clamoring to develop the property and the city took over, it would be wrong," he said. As it is, he added, "I don’t think the city is in a position to wait with arms folded until something good comes along." The council, Gitz said, feels the city is better off if the property is redeveloped and goes on the tax base as soon as possible. Every year that goes by without development, he said, is a lost opportunity to increase the city’s tax base.

The city, he said, is in a unique position through TIF funds to foster development. The city is also applying for grants for the project. "Not a single dollar from the general budget will be used, and taxes will not go up because of it," he said.

The hospital and Community Health Services, Gitz said, are also to be commended, since they realize the importance of the project and are willing to meet the city halfway. "It could not have happened without them," he said.

In preparation for the redevelopment, council also approved a resolution declaring the area to be blighted and adopted a redevelopment plan; authorized the transfer of surplus funds from TIF Number 6 to TIF Number 5; approved the expenditure of up to $500,000 of TIF Number 5 funds for redevelopment of the Prairie Maison site; and applied for grants to assist in the project.

Demolition of the existing building has not yet been scheduled, but the intention is to "deconstruct" as much as possible by salvaging any usable materials. The hospital has already salvaged many pieces of equipment which they have given to local organizations.

The intention is to build quality, low cost, energy efficient single family housing on the property. Because the project will be partly funded by grants, there is no need to recoup the entire cost, and the savings can be passed on to the buyer. "There’s a real excitement and interest in creating a neighborhood that is really special," said Gitz.

Council also approved the 2010 budget and authorized the 2010 tax levy, despite objections from two council members. The city budget totals $6,715,758, a 2.5 percent increase from 2009.

Council members Mary Wayne and Becky Hackett objected to the budget. Hackett said she is concerned because she feels the city needs to put more money in its contingency fund to assure the city is able to borrow money at low interest rates.

Wayne objected, saying she felt the budget depended on revenues which might be lower than anticipated. "I feel we’re spending money we do not have," she said. She also objected to increasing wages in the present economic climate.

Council member Frank Pintz, chair of the Finance Committee which developed the budget, said the city has more money in the contingency fund than last year, and he felt the projections for revenue were as accurate as possible. Pintz said he felt it was fair the non-union people have a raise, since they did not receive one∞ last year.

The budget was adopted with Hackett, Wayne and Karen Solomon voting no.

On a $100,000 house, tax increases from 2009 will be as follows: state, 48¢; city, $19.76; county, $39.23; school, $35.54; Southwestern Technical College, $35.54. This is the first year of taxation from the Southwest Technical College referendum which was passed in 2008.

In other business, council:

• Heard an update on Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) plans for planned improvements to Marquette Road, scheduled to begin in 2012. DOT officials had earlier indicated it might be necessary to cut costs and eliminate planned roundabouts. As of now, however, no final decision has been made, and council has withheld payment on most of the engineering costs until a decision is made.

•Has narrowed the list of applicants for the city administrator position to four people, and these candidates will be interviewed Friday, Dec. 11.

•Approved a computer use policy which limits use of city computers to city employees.

By Ted Pennekamp

Prairie du Chien Mayor Karl Steiner said that Campion High School alumni have contacted him to state that they will not attempt to raise money in order to keep Hoffman Hall up and running.

"They felt that Hoffman Hall is in too ill of repair to be saved," said Steiner.

Four Campion alumni, who wished to remain anonymous, toured Hoffman Hall on Sept. 15 to investigate the possibility of saving it. They later sent out 2,500 surveys to other Campion alumni to find out how the alumni felt about saving Hoffman Hall.

Steiner remains hopeful that Hoffman Hall can be saved but said that he is also realistic regarding the facility.

"The same mayor that brought it in might have to close it," Steiner said. "But, I would rather preserve it."

The future of Hoffman Hall is uncertain. However, the Hoffman Hall Task Force (consisting of two City Council members, two Prairie du Chien residents, and two city employees) is still looking for viable options.

In addition, Garth Frable, the city planning consultant, has applied for a $225,000 energy efficiency and conservation grant from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. If the grant is awarded, the money would go towards replacing the windows and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Hoffman Hall. In 2011, the city is scheduled to take over the heating costs of Hoffman Hall from the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution.

Prairie du Chien Parks and Recreation Chairman Michael Ulrich said that there are plans for more grant applications regarding Hoffman Hall.

Various financial figures have been mentioned regarding the continued use of Hoffman Hall, and Ulrich said that it has been estimated that $3.5 million will be needed in order to get the building up to proper code and accessibility.

"I would envision that in the next couple of months, there will be some numbers available for the Task Force and the City Council to make a more educated decision," said Ulrich.

"We need to put together all of the numbers," said Council Member and Task Force Member Jean Titlbach, who noted that all options need to be discussed. The options include closing down Hoffman Hall, keeping Hoffman Hall functioning, and expanding Hoffman Hall. Titlbach said that the Task Force and the City Council will need to discuss what "quality of life" activities would be lost if Hoffman Hall were to close, what would be the minimum cost of keeping Hoffman Hall functioning, and what would be the costs to expand. In addition, the Task Force and the Council will need to discuss what services will be offered and what would be the costs of those services should Hoffman Hall remain open.

Titlbach said that the Task Force is in the process of gathering data and looking at various funding sources. They will then bring those "real numbers" to the City Council for discussion in an effort to make the best decision regarding Hoffman Hall.

By Sandy Vold

Actor, set designer, artist, cartoonist, bartender, teacher—Cary Kann of Prairie du Chien answers to any of those titles as a man of many talents.

Kann was born in Prairie du Chien, grew up in Marquette and then moved back to Prairie du Chien in 1987, where he lives with his wife, Jonelle and family.

He is the son of Toni Kann, who taught art in the McGregor-Marquette schools, and Loren, who worked for the railroad. Kann said he has been drawing since he was little, no doubt due to his mother’s influence, and he majored in art in college.

He worked for an advertising company for several years as an illustrator and graphic artist, and was also employed by a farm implement company where he created product designs and advertising.

Kann does most of his art work by commission. Many people have recently seen Kann’s work on the poster for the Tastes, Toasts and Tomfoolery event sponsored by Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization, Inc.

He also recently completed a drawing of a houseboat for a client who planned to use it on a T-shirt.

He has illustrated a children’s book for a local writer, and teaches an art class at the prison.

Kann is perhaps best known in the area for his work with the Elkader Opera House as actor and set designer. He has been associated with the opera house since 1996. He became involved first as an actor. "Then," he said, "I did a poster for them, and I’ve done most of the posters since then." From there, he became involved in set design.

One of his favorite creations for the theater was for a scene from "The Secret Garden," where a young boy and his dead mother sing a song. The boy looks up at a portrait of his dead mother, which Kann painted on a scrim, or porous canvas. One of the characteristics of a scrim is that when it is backlit, with the lights in front turned off, it seems to disappear.

At the correct moment in the play this was done; the portrait disappeared and the actress playing the role of the mother became visible on stage, making it appear that the portrait had come alive. It brought a strong reaction from the audience, Kann said.

Although his art work provides him an income, Kann also derives great pleasure from it. Simply for his own enjoyment, he started doing a drawing a day back in the 90s and keeps his 4 by 6-inch creations in small albums. Many of these, he says, are "explorations" of old 1930s cartoons. Kann is a fan of science fiction and fantasy, Buck Rogers scenes are a particular favorite. "I have always liked narrative art," he explained.

He also teaches an art class at the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institute. While teaching there, he has come across some real talent, he said, but then the men move on and he doesn’t know if they ever develop that talent.

For those to whom the face looks familiar, but not in the context of art, Kann also works as bartender at Old Man River in McGregor.

Kann acknowledges that he would probably have far more work as an artist if he lived somewhere else, but he loves the Prairie du Chien area and has no plans to move.