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September 15, 2004

PdC residents rally in support of Delagrave
Joe Delagrave has been a big help to many people in his lifetime, volunteering countless hours of time to various church, school and other activities. He's always been an ear that is willing to listen and will often throw in his advice. He's been looked upon as a leader and has never failed to deliver. So it's no wonder that in a time when he needs help the most, a community has rallied around him and asked how they can be of use. Delagrave was injured in a July 10 boating accident and suffered severe head, back and neck injuries. He currently resides at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse but is expected home in about two weeks. A massive effort is underway to do two things: raise money to help defray costs to the Delagrave family and construct an addition onto the Delagrave house that is wheelchair accessible. "People feel like they want to do something,'' said co-organizer Annie Beinborn. "But they just don't know what to do.'' The general contractor of the construction is Tom Steiner. Steiner came to the conclusion that the current bathroom is too small to convert into being wheelchair accessible and recommended a 20 by 24 foot addition to the house. He came up with a plan that is "simplified as possible,'' according to Beinborn. The construction project began Thursday afternoon Sept. 9 following work done by Digger's Hotline. Although the number of volunteers signed up is already large, they could always use more to help execute the plan. "We are looking for different people with different skills,'' Beinborn said. To get involved with the construction portion of the project, you can contact Beinborn at 608-326-4549. The second portion of the project, the fund-raising, is already taking place. An account at Wisconsin State Bank has been set up in Joe's name and donations can be sent to PO Box 378, Prairie du Chien, WI, 53821. In addition, a golf outing has been set for Oct. 10 at the Barnyard Nine, with food and music to go along with it for non-golfers. There is also a raffle being organized, contribution cans around town and many other plans in the works.
For more information on how to get involved with fund-raising, contact Jane Schaaf at 608-326-6386 or Debbie Morovits at 608-326-4847.

Sprosty, Johnson to face off for treasurer 
In the Tuesday primary election for Crawford County Treasurer, Faye Johnson defeated Gary Heisz 795 votes to 561 in the Republican race. In the Democrat race, incumbent Martin Sprosty prevailed over challenger Kenneth Meyer by a count of 1,166-367. Pending the official canvassing of votes at 9 a.m. on Thursday, the general election in November will pit Democrat incumbent Martin Sprosty against Republican challenger Faye Johnson. In the only other contested primary in Crawford County, Camille Smith defeated Joseph Morovits 831-757 for the Crawford County Coroner position. At this point, Smith has no challenger in the general election for the coroner position. Incumbent coroner Deb Ahrens has filed non-candidacy papers. Vote totals by township can be found in a chart on page two.

Board buys 150 computers during first televised meeting
The Prairie du Chien School Board meeting was televised for the first time at City Hall Monday night. "It seemed to go very well," said Superintendent Jim O'Meara, who noted that the technical aspects of the televised meeting went off without a hitch, except for a brief period when the sound went out due to a problem at MediaCom. All of the regular school board meetings will now be televised. As for the business of the meeting, the board approved the purchase of 150 new IBM computers for $616 apiece. The total cost of the computer purchase will be paid back within a three-year period. The new computers will replace older computers in computers labs throughout the district. The older computers that are functioning well will go into some classrooms, while the old computers that are no longer functioning properly will be given to the State Department of Corrections for parts. The board also unanimously approved the final resolution authorizing the redemption of the $2,040,000 Prairie du Chien Area School District Taxable Anticipation Notes

September 13, 2004
Hot contest for Johnsrud's vacant seat 
There are six candidates vying for the 96th Assembly seat formerly held by Duane Johnsrud of Eastman. Both parties have three candidates in the primary, so the competition is fierce. The Courier Press asked all of the candidates to submit information to assist the voters in choosing a candidate. Todd Allbaugh, candidate for the Republican Party, did not respond.

Republican Candidates

Judy Schmirler - Judy is a 39-year-old licensed practical nurse who resides in Westby. She is married and the mother of one daughter. Judy worked in the 1980s as a nurse volunteer with AIDS patients in East Africa, and is concerned with issues dealing with health and family and fiscal responsibility. In the Assembly, she will work to define marriage as between a man and a woman, protect the unborn and work for the rights of the elderly and infirmed. She does not support euthanasia. Judy is also concerned about fiscal discipline. She says, "I will work to make the hard choices and to eliminate waste in government spending and to lower the tax burden of our citizens."

Lee Nerison - Lee is a 52-year-old dairy farmer who has lived in rural Westby his entire life. He began farming in dependently when has 17. He is married with three grown daughters. Lee is interested in following a path of civic service, he is currently serving as Vernon County Board chairman, and has been on the Board since 2002. He wants to make sure the District remains a good place to raise a family and a good place to farm, and he is interested in finding ways to cut taxes. Lee says, "On county board I have shown that I can make the tough decisions to cut taxes and not hurt services." He states that he wants to follow in the footsteps of former Senator Brian Rude by listening to people and doing what is right for them.

Democratic Candidates

Gail Frie - Gail is a 53-year-old married father of three grown sons. He has worked as a small business owner and dairy farmer. Currently he is the Vernon County Solid Waste-Recycling program manager. He resides in Viroqua. Gail has 23 years of experience in working with state and local government, serving on several advisory and rule-making committees. In 1991 he started the Vernon County solid waste recycling program, after advocating for recycling in Madison. He also sits on the Viroqua City Council. Gail is interested in bringing a style of consensus-building activism to the Assembly, saying that he is comfortable working alongside others with differing viewpoints. He is also very interested with initiating tax reform. He says, "I believe that working families, seniors and the disabled deserve affordable healthcare, and I know that our families pay plenty of taxes already. I will sponsor a top-to-bottom review of state taxes to make sure that everyone is paying their fair share."

Betty Havlik - Betty is a 68-year-old former school teacher from Hillsboro. She spent years in Minneapolis with her husband and in Virginia before returning to the Hillsboro area in 1990. Betty has experience as an accountant at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hillsboro and sat on the Vernon County Board of Supervisors, as well as the school board and city council. She says, "We need a strong and effective voice for rural southwest Wisconsin. I pledge my experience and my enthusiasm to keep our interests on the front burner in Madison."

Miguel Morga - Miguel is a 21-year-old from Gays Mills who is single. Miguel serves on the North Crawford School Board. He is particularly interested in healthcare issues. He says that he is an opportunist and a passionate Democrat who is a good listener. He says, "I'm not running because this is an open seat, I'm running because I want to make a difference."

County Coroner's Primary between Morovits and Smith
Family: Married to Arlene (Dahl) in 1984. We have two children - Kevin, 19, and Alan, 17, both of whom have attended school in Seneca. Occupation: I am a lifelong resident of Crawford County and have been employed by Cabelas since 1998. I have been an EMT for 11 years and am currently actively involved with the Seneca First Responders, Eastman First Responders and am president of Prairie du Chien EMS. I am a member of the Southwest Wisconsin Regional Trauma Advisory Council, Seneca Community Club, United Way and am involved with North Crawford and Seneca wrestling. I am an active instructor of CPR, AED, First Aid and Pediatric Education of Prehospital Providers (PEPP). "I am seeking election as county coroner because I truly feel I have the skills and abilities to perform the job with both compassion and professionalism. I am a lifelong resident of Crawford County and would like the opportunity to serve as coroner in the county that has given me so much. I have been an EMT and First Responder for numerous years and with this I have consistently maintained my training and have always sought new information and new ideas." Family: Married with three children. Occupation: Owner, Sebastian's Specialty Hardwoods, Inc., Seneca. Background and Education: Smith received her BA from St. Mary's University in Winona, MN. Smith is an active first responder. She is provisionally certified Doula (Birth Assistant). Smith is a Girl Scout Troop Leader in Seneca. Smith is endorsed by current Crawford County Coroner Deb Ahrens and former Crawford County Coroner Bonnie Young. Smith said, "I am seeking election as Crawford County Coroner because I know I am the most qualified person for the job. I have served Crawford County as Deputy Coroner under Deb Ahrens, and spent the past two years attending classes and conferences specific to both the First Responder (or EMT) and Coroner. As Crawford County Coroner, I will put my exceptional communication skills and unending compassion when dealing with grieving loved ones on what is often the worst day of their lives. Although the job is extremely demanding, it is satisfying knowing that I c

Four candidates vie for County Treasurer in September 14 Primary Election
Gary Heisz Hometown Eastman Age: 51 Family: Married 30 years to wife Lori, father of three children and grandfather to five. Occupation: Gary owns and operates Box Office Video in Prairie du Chien. Background and Education: Gary graduated from Seneca High School and recieved a degree in in business administration and economics from the University of Wisconsin- Platteville in 1975. Gary is seeking the Treasurers' office because he believes it is time for a change. he understands the value of up-to-date and accurate financial information for survival and growth. As a well-organized and ambitious person, Gary would strive for accuracy and accountability. Ken Meyer Hometown: Prairie du Chien Family: Married 24 years to Rev. Janice Meyer, father of five grown children, with five grandchildren. Occupation: Employee of Martin is a lifelong resident of Crawford County. He was on the squad of the undefeated 1963 Seneca football team, graduating in 1967. He later attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, earning a degree in mathematics with a minor in computer science. Martin enjoys spending time in the outdoors and with friends and family. Sprosty is seeking re-election based upon his hard work and 32 years of experience. He has worked to ensure that his office has kept up with advancement in technology; the current computerized system Sprosty helped to implement is an example of only one of the advancements made under Martin Sproty's leadership. Martin also knows that there are great things in store for the future and he wants to be a part of it. Faye Johnson Hometown: Prairie du Chien Age: 53 Family: Married to Ken Johnson, three children Joseph, Jessica and Kent, one granddaughter. Occupation: "I served as Deputy County treasurer for 28 years from May of 1976 and continued working through March of 2004. While in office, there were times I had to take over and run the office on my own. I feel these times have given me more skills than just the Deputy's job. Since I have left the job, I really miss working with the public. I have a great desire to get back into the office and show the taxpayers how well the office can be run."

"I am seeking election for the County Treasurer's Office because I feel it needs to be run in a more organized fashion. The office needs to have completed records that are done in a timely manner. With my 28 years of working experience in the Treasurer's Office, I feel I'm qualified and knowledgeable of the office duties. I feel there are a few changes, updates and modernizations that should be done to make the office more efficient. I'm familiar with the day to day duties, responsibilities and statutes that the office has to abide by and would uphold the laws governing the office."

 
 
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