feb 18-20 2002

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February 20, 2002

Foster care: A way to help a child in need
The Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines a foster home as "a household in which an orphaned, neglected, or delinquent child is placed for care." This is certainly a good definition, but Bruce Elvert, Social Worker and Alternative Care Coordinator at the Crawford County Human Services Department, explained that foster care is more involved than that.
Elvert said that a frequent misconception is that once a person applies to be a foster home, any child placed in their home will live with them indefinitely. Social Worker and Alternative Care Coordinator Bruce Elvert, who has been employed by the Crawford County Human Services Department since 1979, reiterates this point: "one of the misunderstandings is that foster care is always a long-term commitment.
This is not always true. Foster care is meant to be a temporary intervention in many cases."
The main question that social workers at the human services department ask themselves is "what is in the best interest of the child?" There are times when the best interest for the child, and sometimes the parents, is to take the child away for a short period of time.
Social workers are called upon to investigate reports of child abuse and/or neglect, or to assess the ability of a family to meet the needs of a child. Foster parents may be called upon to provide a substitute home to children that need a safe place to be. Elvert said that the average length of time for a child in his or her substitute home can vary, but it could be on average, a year.
Ultimately, it is the job of the social worker to make a decision as to whether the child is at risk. If it is deemed necessary to remove a child from his or her home, a call will be made to an emergency foster home from a list of pre-approved homes that have been licensed to provide foster care.
Human services personnel must then determine whether a family is open to support and services on a voluntary basis to remedy the problems that led to removal of the child from home. If not, it may be necessary to petition the court to order that a child be placed or that a family cooperates with support and services.
The safety and well being of children is the first concern. However, Elvert said that the importance of family and keeping a family together is the focus of any support and services that is provided to that family.
It is the goal of the Crawford County Human Services Department to recruit more foster homes. Bruce Elvert indicates that "you can never have too many foster homes, as the need for good homes is never ending for both short and long-term placements."
Bruce stated that Crawford County currently has 21 licensed foster homes, eight of them in Prairie du Chien. In 2001, 35 children were removed from their homes; 15 were placed in foster homes, 15 children were placed in relative homes, and five were placed in other treatment settings. Prospective foster parents are screened by human services. The licensing process includes a criminal history check, personal references, physical examinations, home and fire safety inspections, personal interviews and family social history, and proof of adequate home and auto insurance.
Once approved, a home may be licensed for no more than four foster children. If a foster home provides emergency care or respite foster
care, they will receive $25 per day for the care of a child. If the plan is to provide foster care for a longer period of time, the foster parent will receive a monthly stipend, depending on the age group and special needs of the child. The age groups and monthly payments from the state of Wisconsin are:
Ages 0-4 $302
Ages 5-11 $329
Ages 12-14 $375
Ages 15-18 $391
In addition, should a child have emotional, behavioral or physical needs, a supplemental rate may be added to this monthly stipend. If a foster child is to be in a foster home for an extended period of time, the child will be covered by Medical Assistance to cover all medical
bills incurred by the child.
Questions about the foster care program or for information on applying for a foster home licensure, contact the Crawford County Human Services Department at (608) 326-0248.

County board approves cell tower ordinance
The Crawford County Board unanimously voted Tuesday to approve an ordinance governing the construction and operation of cell towers within the county. The ordinance establishes regulations and standards for the processing of telecommunications towers and antennas within Crawford County, excluding incorporated cities and villages. The ordinance will govern several areas concerning telecommunications towers or facilities, including structural, design and environmental standards, lighting, site development, roads and parking, fire prevention, noise and traffic, permits and several other areas.
The board also voted unanimously to deny a claim by Nancy Housel, who came before the board and stated that the county should pay her $100,000 in damages and should remove Sandy Drobnick as social work supervisor with the Human Services Department. Housel claims that Drobnick illegally gave confidential and false records about Housel to Sheriff Robert Ostrander. The matter will now be referred to the county's insurance company for an investigation. If the insurance company advises to deny the claim, Housel would have the right to bring a civil suit against the county, said the county's legal counsel Mark Peterson.
In other action, the board:
.Appointed Glen Beneker to the Lower Wisconsin Riverway Board.
.Voted unanimously to designate Haydn Street as an emergency route.
.Voted unanimously to oppose Governor McCallum's proposal to eliminate the shared revenue program.
.Unanimously approved a resolution relating to the life and public service of Harry Keller, who recently passed away. Keller began as a County Board supervisor in 1993. The board expressed its regret and heartfelt condolences to Keller's family members.
.Presented plaques to Philip A. Doll of District 15 and Donald Johnsrude of District 10 recognizing their many years of dedicated service to the board. Johnsrude has been a County Board supervisor for 22 years. Doll has been a County Board supervisor for 21 years. Jerry Krachey accepted on behalf of Doll.

February 18, 2002

Law enforcement leads municipal spending statewide
Law enforcement claims the largest share of spending in Wisconsin's cities and villages, but general government expenditures, such as administration, are increasing slightly faster, according to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX), a nonprofit, nonpartisan government - research organization.
>From 1996 to 2000, total general government spending in 118 cities and villages above 5,000 population increased 19.7 percent from $123.9 million to $148.3 million, WISTAX said. General government spending includes expenditures for the city council or village board, legal services general and financial administration and general buildings and plant. Due to their size, Madison and Milwaukee are excluded from the study.
In Prairie du Chien, general government spending decreased 11.5 percent, from $61.69 per capita in 1996 to $54.60 per capita in 2000.
Spending on police protection rose 19.7 percent statewide from $319.5 million to $382.3 million.
In Prairie du Chien, police spending rose at a slightly higher rate than the state average at 21.1 percent over the last five years, from $153.32 per capita in 1996 to $185.72 in 2000.
Police Chief Mike King said that personnel makes up 80 percent of the police department budget, and there are several reasons for their increase. One is the high number of tenured employees at the department. Prairie du Chien had also previously hired three officers under grant programs and the grants have since ended. King also noted a increase in the number of complaints the department has received the last few years. The department has 13 sworn officers (including the chief), four fulltime dispatchers, an office assistant and several part time employees including crossing guards.
Statewide, street maintenance expenditures increased 16.5 percent, from $188.8 million to $219.9 million.
In Prairie du Chien, street maintenance costs decreased 5.6 percent, from $149 per capita in 1996 to $140.64 in 2000.
Statewide spending on fire-ambulance services rose 15.2 percent, from $220.3 million to $253.9 million.
Fire and ambulance costs in Prairie du Chien did increase, although at not as high a rate as the state average. Fire and ambulance costs rose 12 percent over the past five years, from $43.62 to $48.87.
WISTAX examined spending trends in four categories covering about 60 percent of municipal spending in cities and villages with over 5,000 people. The comparison between 1996 and 2000 includes the 118 cities and villages in both study groups.
Total spending in the four categories increased 17.8 percent from 1996 to 2000, from $852.5 million to $1.0 billion. During this period, the consumer price index rose 9.8 percent and personal income, 23.8 percent.
Citizens are encouraged to learn more by contacting the local officials.

Stark's has helped people enjoy the great outdoors for 57 years
With spring seemingly right around the corner and with hearty souls venturing below area dams or along Iowa streams for a little fishing, it is fitting that the area's stalwart outdoor sports store be featured in our continuing series on longtime downtown businesses.
Stark's Sport Shop has built a loyal local base of clientele since it began in 1945, while also satisfying the needs of outdoorsmen and women within an ever expanding marketplace.
"We're continually expanding and adapting to where the need is in order to better serve our customers," said Stark's President Randy Stark. "We heavily promote within a 150-mile radius and we sincerely appreciate the local business. We will continue to meet the challenge of the changing market."
Stark's Sport Shop was founded by Randy's grandfather Frank Stark.
Frank started a sweet shop business in Prairie du Chien in 1937 on South Wacouta Street. The shop was a soda fountain-type business that served ice cream, malts, soda, candy and other sweet treats.
In 1940, the sweet shop moved to just west of Panka's Shoe Store, 205 E. Blackhawk Ave.
During the years of World War II, rationing was in effect for many items such as sugar, making it difficult to run a sweet shop.
So, in 1945, Stark's Sport Shop started business at 106 W. Blackhawk Ave. In 1955, Stark's moved to its current location at 119 W. Blackhawk Ave. where it has been serving the needs of Prairie du Chien area customers ever since.
The fact that Prairie du Chien is a river town and that Frank was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, made it quite natural that he start up a sport shop.
Randy said that the shop has adapted in a variety of ways to marketplace trends over the years.
In the 60s, Randy said that in addition to outdoor gear, Stark's sold numerous other items and had a toy section during the Christmas season. The store was one of the area's largest Honda motorcycle dealerships for more than 20 years, starting in the 70s and Randy said it was the third largest Honda dealership in the world in 1972.
Stark's now sells new and used boats, motors, trailers, canoes and accessories from an ever-expanding marine line and is one of the largest marine outfits in the nation.
The store features a complete line of Mercury, Evinrude and Johnson motors to go along with its fleet of AlumaCraft, Lund, Lowe, Roughneck, Xpress, War Eagle and Polarkraft boats, not to mention Grumman and Alumacraft canoes and Shorelander trailers. The marine display areas have continually expanded over the last seven years, Randy said.
Stark's also offers a variety of fishing and hunting gear and accessories, including firearms, ammunition, turkey and duck calls, life jackets, fishing poles, reels, lures, camping gear and a vast array of other outdoor merchandise.
The store also has been one of the area's largest liquor retailers for a number of years.
Stark's boats, motors, trailers, hunting and fishing gear, along with its Stihl and Husqvarava chainsaws are backed up by a full parts and service department along with a very knowledgeable staff, who are avid hunters, fishermen and outdoorsmen.
Upon entering Stark's, the area that grabs most people's attention right off are the trophies in the display area and throughout the store, featuring moose, elk, brown bear, polar bear, salmon, dolphin, a shark, and a variety of other animals, fish and game birds.
Frank passed down his love of the outdoors to his son Dick and, in turn, to his grandsons Randy and Ron, who with their father run the operation.
"All of the game on display was taken by family members or friends," said Randy, "They all mean something."
Just as Stark's Sport Shop has meant something to downtown Prairie du Chien for the past 57 years.