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January 16, 2002 |
Elder abuse, neglect under-reported in
county; local PD hopes to help remedy situation
It is estimated that five percent of Wisconsin's elderly are victims of
abuse or neglect and that fewer than one out of eight of these cases are
reported to authorities. "With more than 3,500 elderly residents in
Crawford County, the odds are very high that almost 200 of our citizens
may be victims at any given time," says Prairie du Chien Police Chief
Mike King. There were two reported cases of elder abuse in Crawford County
in 2000 (the most recent year statistics were available). During the past
five years, the highest reported number of cases in one year was six. The
Prairie du Chien Police Department has been working on a strategic plan to
become more involved in the community, and to become more responsive to
the community's needs. One area they are currently dedicating time and
resources to is serving the elderly. They are entering into a team
investigative program with the Crawford County Human Services Department
and District Attorney's Office. "I think the elderly may be
intimidated by the police and are unsure of the whole criminal justice
system," said King. "We need to make them aware that we are here
to help protect them and assist with their well being." One officer
at the police department, Stacy Polodna, is being assigned as the
department's Elder Service Officer and will be specially trained to handle
cases of abuse and neglect as well as being a resource for the community's
elderly citizens. "If you are a victim of abuse or suspect that a
neighbor, friend or family member is being abused you can contact local
law enforcement or the Crawford County Human Services Department,"
said King. He added, "Your confidentiality is protected by law and
will be maintained." Since 1986, elder abuse agencies have submitted
to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services - Aging Programs
on average per year, a total of 1,575 reports of elder abuse. According to
the state aging programs, the most common form of abuse reported statewide
is self-neglect - 39 percent of all cases; followed by physical abuse - 19
percent of all cases; material abuse (financial exploitation) - 17 percent
of all cases; and neglect by others - 17 percent of all cases. Reporting
of emotional abuse, although not required under state law, accounts for
eight percent of cases received. Elder abusers in Wisconsin are most
frequently children. Sons, who constitute the largest single category of
abusers, frequently live with the elder (usually their mother), are not
caregivers, are unemployed and are alcohol/drug abusers or are mentally
ill. Daughters who abuse usually are caregivers and are most frequently
neglectful of their elderly parents' needs. Reporting suspected abuse The
caller's confidentiality is protected by law. Callers can be anyone -
retail cashiers, neighbors, other family members or friends. Prairie du
Chien residents can contact the police department at 326-2421. Crawford
County residents can call human services at 326-0248 or the sheriff's
department at 326-0241. If possible, callers should be prepared to report
what happened, when and where it happened, and who the suspected abuser
might be. The law requires that, if no emergency exists, an investigation
of physical abuse, neglect, or self-neglect of an older person be
commenced by the lead elder abuse agency within 24 hours, excluding
weekends and holidays. Investigations of material abuse must be commenced
within five days. Available services The principal purpose of the
investigation is to determine whether abuse or neglect occurred and then
offer to the elder person those services he or she might choose to prevent
or relieve abuse. Every effort will be made by the social worker assigned
to the case to offer services which will maintain the older person in his
or her home. Among the services which may be offered are medical services,
day or respite care, home-related services (meal deliveries, home repairs,
friendly visitors, etc.), transportation, dietary assistance, counseling,
support groups, referral to sources of financial assistance or legal
assistance and mental health services.
Bark's resignation accepted, Banasik may be offered position
The Prairie du Chien School Board unanimously agreed to accept the
resignation of Duane Bark as high school principal Monday night. Bark was
also hired by the Riverdale School Board at its meeting Monday night to
become superintendent of the Riverdale School District. Bark has been
principal at Prairie du Chien High School for the past nine years and his
resignation will be effective July 1. Bark's duties as Riverdale district
administrator will begin in July. The Prairie du Chien School Board
unanimously voted to give District Administrator Jim O'Meara permission to
offer the high school principal position to Andy Banasik, who has been the
assistant principal at Prairie du Chien High School since January of 1999.
Banasik, who is also the athletic director and head boys basketball coach,
has been employed at Prairie du Chien High School since 1993. Earlier this
school year, Bark had announced his resignation as head coach of the high
school football team. Under Bark's guidance, the Blackhawks compiled a
30-16 record. The last two seasons, Prairie du Chien was 15-3, with two of
those losses coming at the hands of two-time Division 4 state champion
Lancaster. During Monday night's meeting, the board unanimously approved
the hiring of Guy Kopp to replace Bark as head high school football coach.
Kopp, a high school industrial arts teacher, has been an assistant high
school football coach for the last four years at Prairie du Chien.
Taste of PdC this Monday
The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to
attend the 2002 Taste of Prairie du Chien on Monday, Jan. 21 from 5-8 p.m.
at The Barn Restaurant. Sixteen area businesses will be on hand to present
a wide variety of food and beverage selections ranging from spicy drummies,
seafood lasagna, and slow-roasted beef tenderloins to delicious desserts,
beverages, and much more. The Prairie du Chien High School Swing Choir
will provide entertainment for the evening. Bluff View students will have
artwork on display. Admission at the door is $1. Food and beverage samples
will be 50 cents each, allowing attendees to sample many different items.
Admission tickets qualify attendees for door prizes that will be given out
during the evening. For additional information about the Taste of Prairie
du Chien, call the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce
(608)326-8555.
Jones serves Prairie du Chien accounting needs since 1957
Editor's Note: This is the first a series of article about longtime
downtown businesses.
With the prospect of tax season upon us, it was decided that a good place
to kick off our series about longtime downtown businesses would be with
W.J. Jones Accounting Services, Inc., 209 W. Blackhawk Ave., Prairie du
Chien. The founder of W.J. Jones Accounting, Jim Jones, has been helping
Prairie du Chien area people and businesses with a variety of services for
the past 45 years. "I like it, of course, and I'll be in business
until I can't do it anymore," said Jim while sitting at the same
solid and reliable desk he has used since 1957. And, in turn, Jones
Accounting has garnered a solid and reliable reputation through the years.
"We do tax service, bookkeeping and accounting for individuals,
farms, partnerships and corporations," said Jim. "We do
everything except auditing," Jim and his family moved to Prairie du
Chien on Labor Day weekend in 1957 and he has been a stalwart businessman
in the community ever since. Jones said he began with the certified public
accounting firm of Rueschlein and Stortroen of Madison, working out of the
branch office at 215 W. Blackhawk Ave. in Prairie du Chien, the building
where the Main Entrance is now. In 1962, the business moved into the
building that now houses the Crawford County Veteran's Service Office
behind the Satter Building on South Prairie Street. Jones said he shared
office space at 215 W. Blackhawk and at the South Prairie Street location
with Rodney J. Satter, attorney at law, from 1957 until 1972. Jones said
he began business on his own as W.J. Jones Accounting in January of 1965.
The business incorporated in 1984 and became known as W.J. Jones
Accounting Services, Inc. In May of 1987, Jones purchased the building
that had been the former home of The Knotty Pine Bar at 209 W. Blackhawk
Ave., and W.J. Jones Accounting Services, Inc. has been serving clientele
from that location ever since. "I'm still here, they haven't ridden
me out of town yet," said Jim with a sly smile as he recounted his
years of experience. "In the early years, it was strictly suit and
tie," he said. "And everything was done by hand." Now, of
course, computers make things much more efficient, and, while the
atmosphere is a bit more relaxed, the strict professionalism remains as
the business serves its clients needs and keeps abreast of the
ever-changing tax laws. Upon entering the business, one is greeted by a
warm smile and a polite hello from receptionist Dawn Arnold. The wildlife
and western artwork on the walls adds a touch of personality that helps
put clients at ease. A moment later, Jim says hello and his son Bobby
bounds around the corner with a friendly grin. Bobby, 48, began with the
business in 1986 and has been serving his own clients since 1990. |
| January 14, 2002 |
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Prairie du Chien City Hall project on schedule
The $1.2 million Prairie du Chien City Hall project is on schedule and on
budget, according to City Administrator Gary Koch.
Koch said there have not been any major changes or surprises thus far in
the renovations of the former Kozelka's Western and Work Wear building,
located at 228 W. Blackhawk Avenue.
The project should be completed in April.
Work on the building includes a new roof, and Koch said when they removed
the original 1974 roof they found it was in much worse condition than they
expected.
The project also included replacing the building's original heating and
cooling system with a more energy efficient model.
The front of the building has been removed, and will be replaced with a
historically themed look, which includes several windows and moving the
entrance to the west (see inset drawing). It will be constructed out of
brick, which will be a dark red color, similar to that on the Sutton
building downtown.
Koch explained that the cost between filling the large, inefficient retail
windows and creating a entire new front was not significant, and it was
felt that the structure should have an office-type of look which fit in
with the other structures downtown.
There are no other windows in the structure other than the four which will
be put in on the front.
Several skylights will be added to the main hallway to utilize natural
lighting.
The space added to the west side of the building houses the elevator, and
escape stairways from the second floor community room (a total of three
stairway exits from the second floor will be placed as required by State
Code based on the capacity of 200.)
The west entrance will have the same brick facade as the front of the
building, and the rest of the structure will be painted.
There will be public restrooms on the first and second floors, also based
on State Code for the capacity of the building.
The new council chambers, located below the mezzanine, will easily hold up
to 75 in addition to the council members. The current chambers comfortably
seats about 12.
Koch said he feels one of the most exciting aspects of this project is the
community room.
The community room will feature a service kitchen which will allow meals
to be catered in.
"The community room will definitely bring people downtown said Koch,
noting they have already been receiving inquiries from community groups
interested in using it.
The back of the building will have a drive-up drop off slot in the
alleyway. They are discussing the possibility of having a drive-up mailbox
there also.
LDL Construction of Boscobel is doing the renovations of to the building.
LDL had the low bid of $905,600 for all of the renovations.
Subcontractors for the project include Rickleff Plumbing, Prairie du Chien;
McGregor Roofing, Furniture Showcase, Prairie du Chien (flooring); Jim's
Electric, Prairie du Chien; and Thermal Dynamics of La Crosse for the
heating and cooling system.
"Once this is completed it will be a source of community pride,"
Koch said.
Highway 18 corridor study continues, public meeting set for Wednesday
evening
The La Crosse office of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
and its consultant team, led by Dan Dupies of CH2M HILL, are studying
long-range alternatives for improving travel and safety on Highway
18/Marquette Road.
The present engineering and environmental study phase is a follow-up to
planning work that began in 1999 and concluded in 2000 with a report
titled "The Prairie du Chien Area Transportation Study."
WisDOT and local officials from the cities of Prairie du Chien and
McGregor, the towns of Prairie du Chien and Bridgeport, and Crawford
County conducted the initial planning effort. They identified problems,
needs, and preliminary alternatives for addressing future traffic demand
and safety concerns in the Highway 18/Marquette Road corridor.
The study area begins at the Highway 18/Wisconsin Highway 60 intersection
in Bridgeport and extends northwesterly about eight miles to the County K/WIS
35 intersection north of Prairie du Chien.
Sections of Highway 18 currently carry up to 18,000 vehicles per day and
it is anticipated volumes will grow to over 32,000 vehicles per day by the
year 2030. Ten to 12 percent of this traffic is trucks. The high traffic
volumes combined with the percentage of trucks add to congestion and
safety problems during peak periods in the heart of Prairie du Chien.
The objective of the Highway 18 Corridor Study is to produce an
engineering concept plan to improve traffic flow and safety in the Highway
18 corridor.
The present study builds on the earlier work through a more detailed
environmental impact evaluation process required by the National and
Wisconsin Environmental Policy Acts for transportation improvement
projects.
Two additional public information meetings will be held during the study.
The additional meetings and periodic status reports will be announced in
the Courier Press.
A Public Informational meeting on the US Highway 18/Marquette Road study
will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16 at Bluff View Intermediate School
Cafetorium, 1901 East Wells Street, from 5-8 p.m. There will be a brief
presentation at 6:30 p.m.
There will also be a "Local Information Center" on Thursday,
Jan. 17, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Rural Bridgeport and Prairie du
Chien Fire Department on Vineyard Coulee Road. The public is welcome.
There is a project toll-free number for reaching the CH2M HILL study team
members. Persons may call anytime between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday. The number is 1-877-860-2426.
Prairie du Chien principal to become Riverdale administrator
Following tonight's school board meeting, in all likelihood, it will be
official that Prairie du Chien High School Principal Duane Bark will be
leaving Prairie du Chien to become District Administrator of the Riverdale
School District in Muscoda.
Riverdale has announced that Bark will be hired to replace outgoing
administrator Tom Yager, pending approval by its school board Monday
night.
Likewise, it is expected that the Prairie du Chien School Board will
accept Bark's resignation during its Jan. 14 meeting.
"I'm excited about the move, it's a new opportunity in my
career," said Bark. "I've had nine good years at Prairie du
Chien and hopefully I've left the school in a better position than when I
came. I've enjoyed working with the staff and the kids at Prairie du Chien
High School and there have been many positive changes at the school due in
large part to the staff and the students." |
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