November 1, 2006

Question : There was a great deal of discussion during the primary race about promoting cooperation among law enforcement agencies and other emergency service providers in the county. What would you do to initiate and improve this cooperation? Is there any way this might save money for the taxpayers?

Rider: The best way to improve cooperation is to establish an open dialogue. With this in mind, I plan to meet with representatives from agencies throughout the county, including fire departments, EMS services, schools, public health and human services. I will also work with the police and sheriff's departments in the area. I have been involved with many of these agencies throughout my years as a law enforcement officer and through my volunteer activities. Some of the initiatives that could benefit from cooperation with other agencies include a multi-jurisdictional drug task force, the Crisis Response Team and the Dive Team.

There are safety issues facing the schools right now that did not exist even a few years ago. I plan to work with the schools, community and county board to develop safety plans to best protect our students and teachers. I do not believe the Sheriff needs to be in charge of each initiative and I have the skills needed to work as a member of a team to accomplish our goals.

By working in cooperation with other agencies, there are opportunities to have services available without duplicating efforts in each department which could save money for taxpayers.

Question: October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and we have a highly publicized murder case in this county in which previous domestic abuse may have been a factor. What role do you see for the sheriff's department in preventing domestic abuse and protecting its victims?

Rider: The Sheriff's Department is only one of the many agencies that needs to work together to address domestic violence. Domestic violence is often learned in families and frequently is related to alcohol use. Only through education and intervention can we break this cycle. The Sheriff's Department must work hard at making appropriate arrests and doing thorough investigations so that the cases can be prosecuted fully. We can also provide victims of domestic violence with resources and information about agencies that can help protect them from further violence.

The Sheriff's Department needs to have a clear policy with regards to domestic violence situations. It is the responsibility of the Sheriff to be sure the officers receive training and are kept up to date with the latest laws and procedures regarding mandatory arrests, injunctions and restraining orders.

Question: There was a great deal of discussion during the primary race about promoting cooperation among law enforcement agencies and other emergency service providers in the county. What would you do to initiate and improve this cooperation? Is there any way this might save money for the taxpayers?

Moran: If I were elected Sheriff I would start the cooperation effort by attending county fire and EMS meetings and by listening to their concerns, find out where improvements could be made and help them implement any changes. Cooperation among other police agencies would follow a similar pattern. I would meet to discuss issues and come to agreements that would benefit all. Cooperating with other Crawford County Agencies will be handled by meeting with department heads on a regular basis. Cooperation will always save taxpayer money.

Question - October was Domestic Violence Awareness month, and we have a highly publicized murder case in this county in which previous domestic abuse may have been a factor. What role do you see for the sheriff's department in preventing domestic abuse and protecting its victims?

Moran: The role of the Sheriff's Department in domestic abuse cases is to make sure our officers are highly trained in domestic abuse procedure. We need officers to be sensitive and aware. They need to be clear on the mandatory arrest law. They also need to know what county resources are readily available to victims. While we cannot totally prevent domestic violence we can ensure community resources are available and our staff is well trained.

Question: Why are you seeking this office and what are your qualifications?

Sprosty: I am seeking re-election as County Treasurer because that is what I have enjoyed doing the last 34 years. I have established great communication and working relations with my department staff, other county departments, the County Board, the Towns, Villages and the City, as well as the public. One of my duties is to answer questions that the public might have or direct them to the correct sources.

Serving nearly 34 years as Crawford County Treasurer is one of my best qualifications, as well as keeping up to date on all the State and County laws.

I have a Bachelors Degree from UW Platteville in Mathematics and Computer Science. This has enabled me to develop the Software Programs for the Property Tax Collection and Tax Settlements with the Town, Village and City Treasurers.

I have also developed the Cash Receipting and Reporting Software. This has saved the County thousands of dollars over the years.

Question: Should you be elected, what do you hope to achieve during your term in office?

Sprosty: The County Treasurer's office has made many changes during the last couple of years.

We are using modern office equipment and technology to streamline office duties and provide more efficient service to the public. We have a County Treasurer web page on the Crawford County Government site (www.crawfordcountywi.org). We are adding credit card and electronic payments for property taxes. We will also be adding assessment, tax roll and land records (GIS) information. We will be receiving tax collection information from the City of Prairie du Chien over the internet this year.

I hope to have most of the town and villages doing that soon.

These are just a few examples of the new changes that the County Treasurer's office is currently going through. I feel that with my knowledge and experience will make these transitions run smoothly, effectively and efficiently.

The boaters and anglers of Prairie du Chien have been very supportive and patient concerning major repairs to area boat launches and the Lawler Park wall.

The Campion Boat Landing has undergone renovation with good results. Several other projects have been planned, but boaters and anglers will need to show continued support and patience as those projects proceed.

Harbor Commission Chair Steve Hendrix and others had hoped that several projects could be completed this summer and fall in order to take advantage of the very low water levels. However, those projects will now have to wait at least another year.

On Aug. 1, the Prairie du Chien City Council authorized the expenditure of $6,000 for temporary repairs to the Lawler Park Wall and $25,000 for repairs to the St. Feriole Slough Boat Landing, commonly referred to as the Marina boat landing. This money will come from boat launch fees that have been collected for the past six years. In addition, the Harbor Commission has applied for a $5,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources to assist with the costs of repairing the boat landing.

City Administrator Gordon Gallagher explained that the city let bids for the repairs to the Marina boat landing. The lowest bid was $40,000, much higher than the city anticipated and more than the city wants to pay. There also has been no word about the $5,000 grant application yet.

Eight pieces of concrete were to be added to the boat ramps at the Marina landing. Each piece of concrete was to be eight feet long and approximately 12 feet wide. The hump that has been formed due to powerloading would be dug out and each ramp would be made longer so that the scouring out of hole and the creation of a hump will cease to be a problem.

Gallagher said that the Harbor Commission and the City Council are looking into alternative solutions to the problem so as to solve it in a more cost-effective manner.

'Hopefully, we'll be able to repair the Marina landing by next summer,' Gallagher said.

Gallagher also noted that city engineers are putting together a permit application for an expanded parking lot at the Marina landing. The field in front of the landing will be raised and gravel spread on top of it. Upon completion, the parking at the Marina landing should be increased by about 30 rigs. It was originally hoped that the parking project could be completed by this fall but it will now have to wait. The estimated cost for the project is $20,000, which will come from boat launch fees.

Temporary repairs to the Lawler Park Wall are also being studied. The wall has developed seams and holes, which need to be filled in. Eventually, the wall will need to be repaired much more extensively and maintained over the long-term. It has been estimated that it would cost $500,000 to complete the historic wall properly.

Temporary repairs that are being discussed and studied include the spraying of gunite onto the wall and tuck-pointing. Gunite sprays in much deeper and is more effective. The downside is that it may not look as aesthetically pleasing as tuck-pointing. Tuck-pointing has been done in the past, but it hasn't held up very well.

Gallagher said that some work on the wall may done this upcoming spring. The wall may be done in sections so that council members and others can go down to the wall and see what the repaired section looks like and then decide how to proceed from there.

Gallagher also said that there is a concern about prop wash causing damage under the normal waterline of the wall. The wall may have to be 'shored up' at the bottom, he said.

The City Council also gave approval for the formation of a 20-year plan concerning boat landings, commercial harbors and the Marina. The establishment of a 20-year plan will give the Harbor Commission direction and will make it much easier to obtain state and federal grants.

Gallagher said that the city is looking into getting funding to hire a consultant to help with the process of establishing a 20-year plan. Public meetings are expected to be held after Jan. 1, 2007. Hendrix has said that the Harbor Commission will recommend that the mayor appoint an ad-hoc committee to help form the 20-year plan. This committee would consist of two members of the public, one person from the Harbor Commission, the City Planner and one City Council member.

Hendrix and Gallagher have each said that much public input will be needed in the formation of the 20-year plan.