October 15, 2003

229th remains positive despite uncertain length of deployment By SPC Abbie Pickett Public Affairs Representative of the 229th Engineer Company, in Iraq
The 229th Engineer Company, from Platteville and Prairie du Chien has had to face many obstacles since their deployment to Iraq in May, 2003. The 160 soldier unit has had to deal with challenging convoys, RPG attacks, 130 degree heat, sand flies, scorpions and primitive living conditions. In September they encountered yet another bridge to cross, when the Department of Defense published new guidelines giving the approval for reserve components to be deployed for up to one year overseas. For units like the 229th Engineers, who spent 108 days on active duty before heading abroad, this means they could be on active for well over 500 days. When the news came down, the 229th's Commander, Captain Robert Pruitt, gathered his troops together in the company's mess hall to explain the news. He told the company they could be deployed until May 24, 2004. Captain Pruitt said, "The bottom line is that the active component does not have enough soldiers to meet our current or future demand for troops. The Department of the Army's only options are to either activate more reserve units or extend those currently on active duty beyond 365 days.'' Captain Pruitt went on to say, "I know this is a bitter pill for us to swallow. It could have a far reaching impact on all our families, but like everything else we must prepare for the worst and pray for the best.'' He closed the meeting by taking suggestions on ways to make their possible year stay in Iraq better. Soldiers threw out several ideas, ranging from heaters for showers, to a tool table for recreational use. "I think it's important to stay positive. It's a hard thing to do here, but this is what we have signed up for. We have overcome many things thus far; this is just another obstacle. We have a satellite on its way. It will be nice to watch the Badgers and Packers. It's the little things, mainly reminders of home, which help keep moral up,'' noted Staff Sergeant Gerald Mezera, shortly after the briefing. Troops, though saddened by the announcement, continue to perform their missions. "Today is just like the day before. We still don't know when we are going home. I am not going to get too down. We have known this was a possibility for sometime," said Specialist Curt Theisen. Soldiers try to ease their thoughts of home by keeping busy. Projects such as airfield runway repair, construction of HETT parking lots and constructing pads for containerized housing play a vital role to the Army. These projects will have a lasting impact for other soldiers long after the 229th has left Iraq. "The soldiers stay busy, and I think that's key to maintaining morale. As long as they are engaged in worthwhile engineer missions, they are proud to be a part of this operation,'' said First Sergeant Rick Stelpflug. "I am proud of the way everyone handled the extension news. We have a very positive group of soldiers.'' The unit, stationed near Tikrit, continues to conduct engineer missions throughout northern Iraq. Not only will these missions help America's stay in Iraq, they will serve to be instrumental in the rebuilding of a very unstable country.

October 13, 2003

Local activities recognize Domestic Violence Awareness
Domestic violence claimed 42 lives in Wisconsin in 2001. "Domestic violence is not a family matter," says Crawford County Domestic Abuse Project Coordinator June Hoeger. "It is a community matter." She continues, "Domestic violence affects schools, businesses, health care. It affects everyone." To recognize Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, two events have been coordinated locally. Everyone is welcome to a candlelight vigil for victims and survivors of domestic abuse this Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn of the Prairie du Chien Public Library. The public is also invited to an informational luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Huckleberry's. Reservations are required. Call Catholic Charities at (608)326-1616. Will Burros of Passages, a shelter in Richland Center, will be the guest speaker. Hoeger says the purpose of the luncheon is so "people can become more aware what domestic violence is and what we can do to make a difference." Hoeger has been the Crawford County Domestic Abuse Project Coordinator for about six years. She has worked on a wide variety of projects in her position, in addition to helping victims in need. She has taught programs at Prairie du Chien High School and the Prairie du Chien Correctional Facility on healthy relationships. She has worked with others to hang posters in women's restrooms detailing where to call for help. She is involved with others working on a Coordinated Community Response Team for Crawford County. She is available to any organization to help educate about the different types of abuse - physical, verbal, emotional, economical and sexual. Hoeger also moderates a group which meets weekly to address women's issues concerning domestic violence. "Abusers and abuse victims look just like us, live just like us; we see them every day and don't know they're there. They come from all races, religions, economic groups and geographic areas," she quotes from a publication from the Milwaukee Women's Center. Approximately 95 percent of the victims of domestic abuse are women and children; five percent are men. A domestic abuse helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to victims who are in need of help at (888)200-8426. For more information or to find out about the services offered, contact June Hoeger at (608)326-1616.

Twirling good time
The preferred developer was at the starting gate waiting for it to swing open so he could assume ownership and begin renovation of the former Fort Crawford Hotel in downtown Prairie du Chien. That was in March when it was anticipated that renovation could begin in June and the hotel could be restored to its former grandeur by May of 2004, which would be in time for the Grand Excursion that is planned up the Mississippi River. With the recent arrival of a Wisconsin Department of Commerce grant, the gate has finally been unlocked but the preferred developer is still on the outside peering in and it is not yet known when the renovation project can begin. One thing is for certain, the former Fort Crawford Hotel will not be completed by May of 2004. The reason for the delay is that the prospective developer, Crawford Preservation Group, headed by Mark Ihm of Platteville, cannot assume ownership until the city of Prairie du Chien removes all asbestos and lead from the old hotel building and the former City Hall. The cost of lead and asbestos removal has been estimated by Midwest Environmental Management Company to be $283,430. It had originally been anticipated that the city would receive the Commerce Department grant, which will pay for 75 percent of the lead and asbestos removal costs up to $212,000, much sooner. Crawford Preservation Group had submitted the grant application at no cost to the city. Now that the city will finally receive the grant, the ball is still in the city's court as to how and when the project will begin. At the Oct. 7 City Council meeting, Mayor Mary Jane Faas signed the initial letter identifying the terms and conditions of the grant. The final application should be sent to the Department of Commerce soon and it is anticipated that a public hearing on the project will also be held in the near future. Dale Klemme of Community Development of Prairie du Chien, said that it is possible that a developer's agreement could be negotiated and executed and that a resolution by the City Council to authorize submission of the final application could be done by the November City Council meeting. In fact, if everything goes smoothly, Klemme said that a contract with an environmental consultant to establish bid specifications and to oversee the lead and asbestos removal could be finalized in November as well. If the cost estimates for asbestos and lead removal hold true, means the city would still be responsible for $71,430. Klemme pointed out that once the hotel renovation is completed, the property will have an estimated tax base of $1 million, which means that the city stands to gain approximately $28,000 per year in annual property taxes. During its initial three years of operation, the renovated hotel would generate $84,000 in property taxes at a site that currently is generating nothing for the city. The City Council had originally said that the city would sell the property to Ihm for $1. That "agreement" has not been finalized, however. The developer's agreement would finalize a purchase price for the property as well as set a time frame for completion of the renovation. The developer's agreement may also involve issues such as a liquor license and parking. Klemme said that the Crawford Preservation Group is ready to begin the restoration of the former Fort Crawford Hotel property as soon as it can assume ownership. "Eleven months after Crawford Preservation Group receives title to the property, the hotel could be open," Klemme had said in March. The expected costs for all renovations is $1.3 million, including furniture and fixtures. Ihm, who was designated as the preferred developer by the City Council in May of 2001, owns and has renovated several downtown buildings in Southwestern Wisconsin communities. Ihm is president of the State Historic Preservation Commission, is a member of the Board of the Point of Beginnings, is president of Building Platteville and is actively involved in the Holiday House Tour and the renovation of the Stone Cottage. The plan is to combine the former City Hall and the old hotel building into one building that would feature 18 hotel rooms and a manager's apartment. The hotel would be restored so as to have a "turn-of-the-century" look and feel. Patrons of The Crawford will experience 19th Century character amid 21st Century amenities, including an upscale restaurant and pub, a pastry and sandwich shop, an outdoor cafe and a fitness center. The Crawford's rooms will feature plush period furnishings, large pedestal beds, wet bars with microwave and refrigerator, and executive work space. Many suites will offer additional luxury with whirlpool hot tubs and king-size beds. The Crawford Preservation Group has been working with architect Arlan Kay of Architecture Network, Inc. of Madison and preliminary floor plans have been drawn up. The figurative gate has been unlocked and the prospective developer continues to wait in anticipation that it may swing wide open allowing renovation to begin so that Prairie du Chien will once again have a grand hotel at the corner of Prairie Street and Blackhawk Avenue.