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Moran, Morovits win Sheriff and Coroner race; State Rep, Clerk, Treasurer stay in office Unofficial election results show incumbents Lee Nerison, Martin Sprosty and Janet Geisler were returned to office by Crawford County voters in yesterday's election, and Jerry Moran and Joe Morovits won the spots for Sheriff and Coroner. Republican Nerison edged out opponent Gail Frie by a narrow margin of 3,046 to 2,967 votes in Crawford County for the District 96 Representative Assembly, and district wide results show him winning the election by less than 500 votes. Jerry Moran defeated Jim Rider for Sheriff by 3,696 votes over 2,473 for Rider. Joe Morovits gained the Coroner post with 3,960 votes, versus 1,581 for opponent Janet Lund. Incumbent Janet Geisler retained her seat as County Clerk by a margin of 3,481 votes over challenger Miguel Morga, with 2,703 votes. Martin Sprosty, also an incumbent, defeated Faye Johnson for Treasurer by 3,662 votes versus 2,503 for Johnson. In uncontested races, Timothy Baxter was re-elected as District Attorney. Donna Steiner retained her seat as Clerk of Circuit Court and Melissa Mezera remained Register of Deeds. Returns on the marriage amendment and death penalty referendums reflected the response of the rest of the state. The marriage referendum received 3,915 Yes votes in the county and 2,393 No votes. The death penalty referendum also passed by 3,450 to 2,814 votes. Flag train shows respect for country Frank Fradette knows what it takes to live a long and healthy life. "A good wife, staying out of bars, or at least no drinking while there) and getting rid of those casket nails" he explained. Fradette, who lives up Kettle Hollow near Eastman, recently turned 94 and reminds one of the battery powered rabbit advertised that just ïkeeps on a going.' When asked what he means by "casket nailers,'' he replies, "cigarettes." Fradette said he smoked for many years when younger, but decided no good would come from smoking and quit. He went without for two weeks and finally told his wife, ClaraBelle, to get a pack for him. He took a few puffs, but didn't inhale, threw the cigarette away and went on with his business. For ten months he used this method of not inhaling until he finally broke the habit never to smoke again. Fradette was born September 9, 1912, in Picatee Coulee, Eastman and moved to Seneca Township at age thirteen. He's led an active life with his wife of sixty-seven years and various employment he's had. Fradette served the community as a livestock hauler and farmed about 12 years doing custom work such as corn picking, filling silos and threshing among other things. He also worked road patrol, which is known as road maintenance. He first started working with horses grading roads and mowing, etc. then went on to using a tractor and yet later a motorized grader. It was on his route of patrol that he became acquainted with ClaraBelle. They saw each other when he worked his route and when they were attending a wedding dance of a mutual friend once, they struck up a conversation. That was the start of their relationship that led to a family of seven. "The last three,'' Fradette jokingly quipped, "came out of the Sears and Roebuck catalog.'' Along with his busy life, Fradette was a member of the Oak Grove School Board for twenty-two years and Chairman of the Seneca Township for six years. In spite of their "always something to do'' life-style, the Fradette's have enjoyed a hobby that Frank had wanted to do when he was "not so busy and could afford it.'' He wanted to take part in local parades. Ray Sweeney, of Waukon first introduced him to this when he encouraged Fradette to drive a tractor in a parade many years ago. Fradette had only two units, one of those borrowed, besides the tractor, but he made a splash of color when he decorated the units with flags. Fradette says he doesn't know why he has such an interest in flags, but he's always wanted to show flags out of respect for his country. Ask him what the flag means to him and quickly he states, "America.'' What does he think of when he hears the word America. The response is just as quick, "Home of the Free and Land of the Breeze.'' Reflecting back, Fradette remembers during WWI when he saw an Uncle Sam standing in the back of a car. Later on this memory was stirred when he was at another parade with his twenty-one units that were 200 feet long with 100 flags. Uncle Sam had the pleasure of riding in one of Fradette's units at that parade. An Iowa governor also rode in his parade at Arlington, Iowa one year. Fradette has received several awards for his show of patriotism, including one from Rep. Duane Johnsrud, Wisconsin State Assembly in the State of Wisconsin Certificate of Commendation. The farthest he and ClaraBelle have traveled to participate in a parade was near Milwaukee and Lyndon Station near Wisconsin Dells. One year they did three in a day's time and another time they participated in thirty for the year. Fradette has had to cut down from 200 units with 1600 flags to 100 with 400 flags because of the effects "Arthur'' (arthritis) has on him, but both ClaraBelle and he still enjoy the opportunity to participate in their hobby of many years. ClaraBelle will be celebrating her 85th birthday in the near future and says she's enjoyed earlier hobbies of crocheting, knitting and sewing along with raising their family. The Fradette's children are Delores Mikkelson, Illene (Leonard) Olson, Virgil (Ann), Daniel, Ricky (Kathy), Dean and Laurie (Lewis) Ellefson. They have about thirty grandchildren and about the same number of great-grandchildren with one great-great-grandchild.
Veterans Day: time to thank and remember John A. Scocos, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, has issued the following statement for Veterans Day: "Veterans Day is a time to honor with thankful remembrance all veterans of the United States armed forces. It is also a day to be proud that we are citizens of a nation made great by the service and sacrifice of all our military personnel, both at home and abroad. The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs joins you and your community in paying thankful remembrance to our military service men and women who have served our nation in the past, and those who serve today."
Speaker of The House Dennis Hastert buys land in Crawford County Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, who purchased 340 acres of land in Eastman, has been described as a "real down to earth guy" by area residents who have met him. Hastert purchased 262 acres from Donna and Sherwood Matti in December of 2005, and approximately 79 acres of adjoining property from Louis and Jayne Prew last month. Although there has been no official response from Hastert's office, it is believed that he plans to build a house on the property. Real estate agent John Kramer, who listed Matti's property and co-brokered the sale with Century 21, said Hastert impressed him as "an everyday Joe,î easy to get along with. "It was easy to spot him, however,î said Kramer, because he was always accompanied by two big black Suburbans, part of his entourage and protection as Speaker of the House. The Mattis had put their acreage on the market (they have kept 120 acres) because of the difficulty of working the hilly property, which overlooks the Mississipppi River. They had not met Hastert before the sale and, said Donna Matti, it wasn't until after the sale that they realized who the new owner was. "It was kind of exciting,î she said, "to find out who we sold it to.î She said her husband later met him and found him very friendly. Hastert, an Illinois native, is serving his fourth term as Speaker of the House and a ninth term as a member of Congress from Illinois' 14th Congressional District. Hastert started out his career as a government and history teacher in Yorkville, IL and he presently resides in the same city. 1892 St. Gabriel's school building coming down The 1892 school building across the street from St. Gabriel's Church has not been used in 40 years. Inside the classrooms, the blackboards are still on the walls and vintage light fixtures still hang from the ceiling. It is easy to imagine the rows of desks that once lined the rooms, as though the children were simply away at lunch. But children will not be returning to these classrooms again. According to Father Boschert, the building has simply become a liability to the parish school, which does not have the money to rehabilitate the structure. "It just wasn't foreseeable that we would be able to use it,î Boschert said. Boschert says that Blair Dillman of Prairie Sand and Gravel has agreed to demolish the building in exchange for the materials, at no charge. The building is empty and demolition is scheduled for November 9 and 10, when there is a school holiday, in order to keep children safe and minimize disruption to the school schedule. The demolition of the historic structure has not been without controversy, Father Boschert admits. Some members of the parish feel the building should be saved. "Many people are nostalgic about it, they want the school there,î he said. Boschert said that the site will be landscaped to provide a better and more appealing entry to the new Nolan Memorial playground, located behind the building. New City Planner looks forward to task Prairie du Chien City Council last week approved the hiring of Marty Larson to replace outgoing City Planner and Zoning Administrator Garth Frabel. Larson, a native of Mankato, MN, has lived in Viroqua for the past two years. He has a bachelor's degree in geography, and will have a master's degree in planning as soon as he finishes his master's thesis. Larson began his new duties today, and said he is looking forward to the job and to becoming involved in the city. In Viroqua, he served on the comprehensive planning board and the city planning board. He expects to commute from Viroqua for the winter, but hopes to purchase a home in Prairie du Chien by late spring or early summer. A hiker and mountain biker, he is excited about all the parks in the area. In Viroqua, he started a recreational advocacy group which designed and built a two mile trail in a local county park. Larson said he hopes to become involved in a similar project here. "Community involvement is really important to me," he said. He and his wife, Lisa Neitg, an occupational therapist, have two daughters. |
