As far as picking a new concessionaire to operate The Greens is concerned, the Sparta Park Board is hoping that three times is a charm.

The board, at its monthly meeting Monday, tapped a Rice Lake couple to operate the bar and restaurant at River Run Golf Course in Sparta.

The decision marks the third concessionaire selected by the board in the past six months.

The first two concessionaires recommended by the park board were unable to fulfill their commitment, leaving the city with little time to select someone to operate the facility for the 2010 golf season.

Board members are hoping that's past them for a while, however, after unanimously recommending Ryan Larson and Amy Beil as the new concessionaires.

Larson and Beil, both 24, have extensive restaurant experience despite their young ages.

Larson, a University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point graduate, managed the pro shop and bar operations at RiverEdge Golf Course in Marshfield while in college.

Beil managed a Pizza Hut in Marshfield, worked at an upscale brewery in college and for Larson at the golf course as a restaurant manager and bartender.

"I am fully aware of how each part of the business works hand-in-hand with the other," explained Larson in his presentation to the park board.

"Golfers who enjoy their round of golf have a better chance of coming into the restaurant/bar after their round to continue their pleasurable afternoon," he continued.

"While in the bar, if the customers receive great customer service, at affordable prices, there is a better possibility of them coming back to River Run to enjoy another round of golf."

Larson believes The Greens offers a chance to build a solid business.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat February 4, 2010 issue

   Even though a plan to implement a statewide district football proposal was derailed last week, it is likely the Mississippi Valley Conference will see some changes by the 2011 season.

 The WIAA Board of Control voted 8-2 last Wednesday to scrap the football conference realignment proposal but acknowledged the need to address the issues the plan was designed to resolve.

 The plan, which only dealt with football, would have created seven statewide divisions based on school enrollment rather than geography. Each division would have been split into eight, eight-team conferences, playing a seven-game conference schedule.

 Sparta would have been in the same Division 3  conference with Adams-Friendship, Black River Falls, Mauston, Onalaska, Portage, West Salem and Wisconsin Dells.

 Sparta is currently in the Mississippi Valley Conference with Holmen, Onalaska, Tomah, and the three La Crosse teams, Central, Logan and Aquinas.

 Many schools objected to the plan because it canceled out long-time rivalries and increased travel distances and expenses.

 But without the proposed realignment, many schools still face concerns over enrollment disparities among conference members, and scheduling difficulties due to conference sizes.

 Sparta High School Activities Director Bill Tourdot favored the plan because it would have addressed the current competitive imbalance in the MVC created by enrollment disparities among its members.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald February 1, 2010 issue

    A Monroe County Jail inmate, found dead in her cell Tuesday, apparently died from unknown causes as did her sister four months ago.

Adrianna M. Seroy, 37, Tomah, was discovered unresponsive in bed by jail staff just before 6 a.m., according to Monroe County Sheriff Dennis Pedersen.

She was taken to Franciscan Skemp from the jail where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The La Crosse County Sheriffís Department and Monroe County Medical Examiner Toni Wissestad are investigating.

A state investigator will do a separate investigation in the future.

Cause of death is unknown and an autopsy is pending.

Pedersen said Seroy was jailed Nov. 4 on a probation hold and to serve a sentence for misappropriating identification.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat January 28, 2010 issue

  A recall effort that resulted in the ousting of eight Monroe County supervisors last fall may serve as a springboard to the State Assembly for one rural Sparta man.

Dennis Clinard, chairman of the Monroe County Taxpayers Relief Committee (MCTRC), will announce his candidacy for the 92nd District Assembly seat in Black River Falls and Tomah Friday.

Clinard was instrumental in forming the MCTRC, which successfully recalled eight incumbent supervisors who supported a proposed $30 million justice center.

Clinard, who will run on the Republican ticket, is seeking to oust incumbent 92nd District Rep. Mark Radcliffe of Black River Falls.

ìIím going after him,î said Clinard in a telephone interview this (Monday) morning.

ìIt isnít a personal thing...itís much like we experienced with the recall,î he continued, ìPeople need to have someone go to Madison and exercise common sense and judgement.î

Clinard said it is wrong for Radcliffe to ìgo down to Madison and vote right down the line with the Governor on every single issue.î

ìI want to go down there and let the rafters ring.î Clinard said.

ìThere are others down there who want to do the right thing.î he added.

ìYou arenít going to make it happen if you donít try,î continued Clinard. ìThatís what Iím going to do - Iím going to win this election and go down there and make a difference.î

Clinard said his decision to run for Assembly came after the recall election.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald January 25, 2010 issue

    An over-the-road truck driver from Racine probably wonít face the death penalty in Illinois in the fatal stabbing of a Sparta man along Interstate 94 in north suburban Chicago.

David Seddon, 48 was charged with first degree murder in the January 15 slaying of Alan Lauritzen, 40, also a truck driver.

First degree murder in Illinois carries the punishment of death by electrocution, but its reserved for the most aggravated of cases. Also, the state has a temporary hold on executions.

Potential punishment for Seddon, if convicted, probably wonít be known until his February 9 preliminary hearing at the Second District Courthouse in Skokie.

The potential penalty was not mentioned at this weekís bond hearing, but Andy Conklin, a spokesman with the Cook County Stateís Attorney Office, said the possible sentence likely will be 20-40 years in prison.

The fatal incident escalated just before 11 a.m. after 10 miles of CB radio banter between the two men. The heated dialogue was because Seddon thought Lauritzen, father of two Sparta High School students, was tailgating him.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat January 21, 2010 issue

  Monroe County's bargaining committee settled labor contracts with five of the county's unions earlier this month.

 The agreements, which still need to be ratified by the county board and the unions, add nearly $262,000 to the county's labor costs.

 The courthouse, highway and Rolling Hills unions, as well as the two human services collective bargaining groups, all agreed to identical tentative settlements.

 Each one-year contract calls for a 1.5% wage increase retroactive to January 1, and an additional half-percent increase on October 1.

 Changes to health insurance include increases in the deductibles for both single and family plans. Under the contract, a single plan goes from $250 to $450, while a family plan jumps from $500 to $900.

 However, office visit co-pays, which were $30, are eliminated under the proposed agreement.

 The monthly premium for a single plan is $605 and $1,422 for a family plan. Employees pay 13% of the premium or $79 a month for the single plan and $185 for the family plan.

 Personnel director Ken Kittleson told the finance committee last Thursday that initially the county was looking at a 20.5% increase in health insurance if it remained the same as last year.

 However, he said the unions agreed to a change, eliminating office visit co-pays with all charges going toward the deductible.

 Kittleson also said the county's initial offer was for a zero-percent increase in compensation and included other cost-saving measures.

 "Furlough days and wage freezes were all on the table," he said.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald January 18, 2010 issue

    After nearly a decade of setbacks and skepticism, there's some light at the end of the tunnel for the Animal Shelter Construction Fund (ASCF).

ASCF President Nancy Reidy said this week that her group is very close to working out an agreement with Monroe County officials concerning the construction of a new animal shelter.

"We are going to the zoning committee Monday," said Reidy.

The group has been raising funds for the construction of a new animal shelter since 2002, and currently has close to $400,000 for the project.

While the recent changeover on the county board due to recall elections in late October and early November slowed the process a bit, Reidy is optimistic an agreement will be worked out in the near future.

"We were very close," she said.

"We wrote a proposal that has to be approved by zoning before it goes to the full board," continued Reidy. "With three new people on zoning, we had to rewrite the proposal, so we kind of had to take a few steps backwards."

The new proposal is ready to go, however, and Reidy is confident an agreement with the county is on the horizon.

"We are working with the new group, and it looks like we will be moving forward," she said. "We'll know more Monday."

The group has asked the county for a tract of land on Sparta's east side near the current Monroe County Animal Shelter.

If the county agrees to lease the land to the group, the new shelter will be constructed east of the current shelter on the north side of Highway 16 near Theater Road.

According to Reidy, her group currently has enough money to begin construction of the new facility once it reaches an agreement with the county board.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat January 14, 2010 issue

 The Monroe County District Attorney's office last month filed formal charges against a Sparta man involved in a two-car crash that took place nearly a year earlier.

Peter K. Lukasek, 53, of 14938 Gale Road is facing two felony charges, one misdemeanor and three citations for his role in the Feb. 16, 2009 accident that severed another car in two.

According to a police report, a 1992 Oldsmobile driven by 68-year-old Daniel Steinbrink was exiting the Kwik Trip parking lot onto Highway 27 when it was struck broadside by a 2006 Honda driven by Lukasek.

The impact of the collision severed Steinbrink's vehicle in two, sending the rear half of the car onto a snowbank on the other side of the street.

Steinbrink suffered serious injuries, and was transported by Sparta Area Ambulance Service to Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in Sparta, and then transferred to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse by Med-Link helicopter.

Lukasek also was transported to Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in Sparta by Fort McCoy Ambulance, and later transferred by ambulance to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

The severity of the accident prompted a joint investigation by the Sparta Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol's accident reconstruction team.

While a majority of the police work was concluded in a timely manner, the investigation went on for several months while authorities waited to receive information from a black box located on one of the autos involved in the crash.

The black box was to be sent to Honda Motors in Japan so information contained in it could be downloaded and diagnosed, but Sparta Police Chief Mike Kass said it has not yet been returned.

"We don't anticipate we ever will (get the black box back)," explained Kass.

"The information, I think, would have just confirmed the state patrol's reconstruction," he continued. "They were pretty confident in what they have determined."

The investigation was eventually wrapped up, and the case was sent to the district attorney's office for review.

Formal charges were filed against Lukasek on Dec. 19 of 2009, including felony second-degree recklessly endangering safety and felony reckless driving causing great bodily harm.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald January 11, 2010 issue

    A leaking valve on a natural gas meter caused the evacuation of about 80 people from the Sparta/Barney Family Community Center as the temperature hovered near zero Tuesday evening.

Sparta Parks and Recreation Department Director Brad Gilbertson said he received a call at 5:45 p.m. after a suspicious odor was detected in the building.

"A parent in the building had called 911 because she smelled a faint odor of natural gas," explained Gilbertson.

"The police department came and also smelled an odor of natural gas, so we started to evacuate the building," he continued.

According to Gilbertson, about 30 children, parents and instructors who were at the community center for a jazz dance class were evacuated from the building on East Montgomery Street and sent across the street to the Child Center Gym.

In addition, about 40 people in the Boys and Girls Club of Sparta were evacuated and sent to the Sparta Ice Arena, which also is located across Montgomery Street.

Gilbertson said he arrived at the scene shortly before 6 p.m. and conducted a search of the facility with Sparta Fire Chief Scott Lindemann.

"We went through the entire building to make sure no one was left inside, and to check for the odor of natural gas," he said.

"We detected a faint odor or natural gas (inside), so we proceeded outside and when we got near the meter we could smell natural gas," Gilbertson added.

He said We Energies officials arrived at the scene and replaced the faulty valve on the outside meter.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat January 7, 2010 issue

 Time is running short for the City of Sparta in its efforts to secure a new concessionaire for The Greens Restaurant at River Run Golf Course.

City officials have tapped two prospective concessionaires for The Greens since former concessionaire Sarah Johnson opted out of her contract in November.

Both of those candidates were unable to take over the contract, however, leaving the city with less than three months to find someone to take over the operation before the 2010 golf season gets underway.

With time running out, City Administrator Ken Witt said the park board is willing to listen to any and all offers from people interested in running the restaurant and bar.

The last contract offer the city approved required the concessionaire to pay $21,000 in rent for the facility annually.

Witt, however, said that isn't the only way to structure the contract.

"If somebody wants to structure it differently, we'll listen to their offer," said Witt.

"Something like a lower rent if they are willing to pick up the cost of utilities," he added.

"We do need to recoup a certain amount of the cost to run the facility, but we are willing to do that either way," continued Witt. "We're not going to pay someone to run the restaurant, but as long as our cost is being covered we're willing to listen to all proposals."

While time is running short to find a new concessionaire, Witt said he is optimistic something can be worked out before the traditional start of the golf season April 1.

"This is where we were at two years ago," he said.

"The place was closed over the winter," Witt continued. "It was after that (that a new concessionaire contract was approved), so it is still possible to find someone."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald January 4, 2010 issue

    A Sunday afternoon fire resulted in the complete destruction of a rural Sparta home and all of its contents.

Sparta Rural Fire Chief Mike Arnold said his department was called to the fire at 20312 County Highway AA in the Town of Wells shortly before 5 p.m.

"The fire was called in by a passer-by," Arnold offered.

"It was bad," he continued. "When we turned out onto Highway 71 and crossed the Interstate bridge, you could see the fire."

Arnold said the three-story log home was owned by Stacey Weber, but no one was there when the blaze broke out.

"When we arrived, the home was fully engulfed," said Arnold.

According to Arnold, cold temperatures and the magnitude of the fire, coupled with a steep, icy driveway, made the fire a difficult one to fight.

"The driveway was very, very slippery," he said.

"I was standing on a truck with the emergency break on, and it was sliding backwards," continued Arnold. "And we had a tanker that got stuck."

The department had to set its trucks up on Highway AA and pump water to the fire.

Arnold said the Monroe County Sheriff's Department closed Highway AA for the better part of four hours.

"The fire was contained to the residence, and we were able to protect two adjacent garages," said Arnold. "But the home was a total loss, as well as all of the contents inside it."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat December 29, 2009 issue

 While it was effectively dead after recall elections in late October and early November ousted eight incumbent supervisors, a proposed $30 million justice center project is likely to meet its official end Tuesday when the Monroe County Board gathers for its monthly meeting.

Eight pro-justice center supervisors were replaced by new supervisors during the recall effort, and the controversial project was halted when the board voted to reject a project design submitted by Venture Architects.

While it stopped the project in its tracks, that action didn't put an officials end to the proposed $30 million plan.

That is likely to happen this time around, however, when supervisors discuss and act on four resolutions forwarded by the building committee.

The resolutions, if adopted by supervisors, will rescind previous board action that set plans for the justice center project into motion.

The first resolution focuses on the proposed site of the justice center along Highway 16 on the east side of Sparta, while the second and third will rescind the retention of Market and Johnson as the construction manager and Venture Architects to design the facility.

The final justice center resolution to go before the board Tuesday will rescind a previous resolution which authorized the bonding of up to $30 million to construct the facility.

With eight new supervisors who ran in the recall in an effort to stop the project, it's likely the board will approve all four resolutions Tuesday, which will put an official end to the $30 million plan.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald December 21, 2009 issue

 The Monroe County Building Committee this week continued to discuss a pair of outstanding bills related to the now-defunct $30 million justice center project.

The bills - one from Market & Johnson and one from Venture Architects - are being questioned by county officials.

Market & Johnson served as the construction manager on the controversial project, while Venture Architects was hired to design the justice center.

The committee met in closed session Monday to discuss a $111,894 bill submitted by Market & Johnson.

The bill was the second submitted to the county by Market & Johnson since the project was derailed in the wake of a recall election that unseated eight pro-justice center supervisors.

In November, the committee voted to pay a bill for $23,757 from Market & Johnson for work it completed on the project.

Kevin Renley of Market & Johnson attended a Dec. 7 building committee meeting in an attempt to justify the $111,894 bill, contending his firm should be compensated for meetings its representatives attended during the justice center planning stage.

"They submitted a breakdown of their hours spent coming to meetings...building committee and design team meetings," explained Irwin.

"They previously said they never kept track of those things, so they went back and tried to justify the $111,000," he continued.

Irwin, however, said there is nothing in the contract between the county and Market & Johnson concerning compensation for attending county meetings.

After meeting to discuss the bill in closed session, the committee went back into open session and voted 5-1 to have Monroe County Corporation Counsel Kerry Sullivan-Flock draft a counter-offer letter to Market & Johnson.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald December 17, 2009 issue

  With two weeks already elapsed since candidates could begin declaring their candidacies for April's ballot, there is finally something to report on the Sparta School Board election.

 Board president Wayne Jenkins, who is one of two board members whose seats are up for election in April, won't be running for another three-year term.

 Jenkins, a nine-year veteran of the board, filed non candidacy paperwork with the district office last week. Besides holding the position of board president, Jenkins also has been chairman of the finance and facilities committee.

 His absence from the race leaves fellow board member Paul Solberg the lone candidate unless he also declares non-candidacy.

 Candidates for school board aren't required to circulate nomination papers but only need to submit  declarations of candidacy to the school district office.

 Solberg or any other candidates have until January 5 to declare their candidacies.

 While that front seems quiet, another city race has developed Michael C. Fanning, 220 N. Myrtle St. #1, has thrown his hat into the ring, for Sparta Municipal Judge.

 He will face off against former state trooper and current Sparta Fire Chief Scott Lindemann for the seat being vacated by Mark Goodman, who is running for circuit judge. 

 The only other developments for the April election come from the county, where Gene Treu has taken out nomination papers for the District 3 seat being vacated by Harv Simmons.

 Sparta's District 18 Supervisor Dan Olson, who was voted onto the board in last October's recall election, also is circulating nomination papers for another term.

 Two other products of the recall, Jim Schroeder and Bill Blanchard, also have papers in circulation as do incumbent Tomah supervisors Ed Westphal and Jim Rice.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald December 14, 2009 issue

 Two of the newest members of the Monroe County Board were elected to coveted spots on the highway committee Tuesday night.

Dan Olson and John Powell, both of whom were seated on the board as a result of recent recall elections that ousted eight incumbent supervisors, will join supervisors Julie Radke, Chuck Bluske and Carrol Wallerman on the five-member body.

Prior to Tuesday's meeting, Monroe County Board Chairman Rick Irwin indicated four new members would be elected to the highway committee.

According to Irwin, state statues outline a one-year term for members of the highway committee - the only committee which is elected by the board.

To stay in line with the state statutes, Irwin was planning to hold an election for four new members.

Two of the new members would replace former Highway Committee Chairman Simon Wells and former Vice Chairman Jim Kuhn.

Wells and Kuhn lost their supervisory seats in the recall effort.

The other new members were to replace current committee members Radke and Bluske, Irwin said, because they were elected to the body in April of 2008, and had both served longer than the one-year term outlined in the statutes.

Wallerman will remain on the committee because he has only been on it for a short time after replacing Cedric Schnitzler in the wake of his resignation from the board over the summer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald November 30, 2009 issue

 The Monroe County Board will elect four new members to its highway committee when supervisors gather for their monthly meeting Tuesday.

The re-election is necessary because two supervisors who formerly served on the committee were defeated in an Oct. 20 recall election.

Highway Committee Chairman Simon Wells and Vice Chairman Jim Kuhn lost their seats on the board in the recall.

Wells was defeated 377-105 by challenger Richard Powell, while Kuhn suffered a 116-114 defeat at the hands of John Powell.

While only two seats are vacant, newly elected Monroe County Board Chairman Rick Irwin said the board is planning to replace two additional members of the highway committee.

"Carrol Wallerman will stay, because he was elected less than a year or so ago," explained Irwin. "The other four members will be new."

Wallerman was elected to the highway committee earlier this summer as a replacement for former Supervisor Cedric Schnitzler, who resigned this summer.

Wallerman said the board's leadership, which includes himself and Vice Chair Carol Las, decided to elect four new members because of the state statutes.

By state statute, the highway committee is the only county body that's elected by supervisors.

In the past, an election to fill the highway committee was held every two years after a county board election.

The highway committee terms, which are coveted by some supervisors, were two years in length in the past.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald November 23, 2009 issue

    By February, Sparta City Hall will have an entirely new look.

 The Sparta City Council voted 6-2 in favor of remodeling the facility.

 While the votes were to approve bids from each of four construction contractors, the approval was essentially in favor of a change from a full-time to a part-time position for the deputy clerk, a pill several aldermen had a tough time swallowing.

 "The [deputy clerk] position is an extremely important one and there needs to be continuity, should Barb [Pederson, the city clerk] not be re-elected," said Alderman Ed Lukasek, who has continually maintained the position should remain full-time.

 Alderman DeWitt Woodworth agreed. He suggested that a part-time deputy clerk would not be able to handle particularly busy times at city hall.

 Pederson admitted the idea of a part-time deputy clerk was initially a cause of panic, but she has since gotten used to the idea.

 In fact, a cashier, utility billing clerk and accounting clerk will be cross-trained to pick up some of the deputy clerk's former duties, such as filling out forms for bartender licenses and absentee ballots. 

 Another duty previously completed by the deputy clerk involved working elections. That slack will be picked up by Jeanne Sue Choutka, the community development office secretary. 

 The bulk of the part-time deputy clerk's time will be spent on payroll.

 Alderman Ron Button has also been in favor of a full-time deputy clerk all along, but he "reluctantly" voted in favor of the remodeling project at the end.

 Another bone of contention regarding the project was the timing, blamed on a poor economy and the fact that the Monroe County Board experienced a recall election for its decision to pursue a project viewed unfavorably by citizens.

 "I will repeat what my constituents have said: It is not an appropriate time with the economy the way it is to be spending over a quarter of a million dollars," said Lukasek. "Folks have also said they don't want to see the gym off-line for recreational purposes."

 The entire council agreed the furnace and air conditioning unit replacement is needed, which is a large chunk of the remodeling costs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat November 19, 2009 issue

 It doesn't look like the new Monroe County Building Project Committee is going to put the justice center issue on the back burner.

 The committee, which includes two holdovers and four new members, met last Thursday to begin  mapping out a new direction for a possible building project.

 Bruce Humphrey and Ed Westphal are the only two original members of the committee, which was shaken up after recent recall elections seated eight new county board members.

 Also on the committee are County Board Chairman Rick Irwin, who was elected the committee's chair, Brian Buswell, Bill Blanchard, and Jeff Antony.

 Blanchard, who faulted the previous board for failing to sell the project to the public, proposed starting anew by figuring out what the county can afford.

 "We need to build to a budget, not budget to build," he said.

 Humphrey said what the county can afford is subjective. While he believes a downtown project likely would be the least expensive building option, he thinks the cost of operating a facility is more important than the price tag on construction.

 "The operation side is much more critical because of the levy limits," said Humphrey. "On the debt levy side we have more room under the ceiling."

 Opponents of the $30 million justice center contended the addition of new employees to staff the jail would bust the county budget because their salaries would go under the already tight levy cap.

 "Even adding one employee is problematic," added Humphrey.

 Sheriff Dennis Pedersen, who estimated it would have taken an additional 14 new employees to man the proposed jail at the dog pound site, told the committee determining accurate staff levels for a jail requires a building design. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald November 16, 2009 issue

    The imminent closure of two Sparta retailers was learned this week, and the loss of both was blamed on the sluggish economy.

The patron store, also known as the cheese store, at Foremost Farms USA in Sparta, will shut down Friday.

The retail outlet serves the public and especially milk haulers who brought their product to the dairy. Buts as a result of a restructuring move, milk haulers are now being directed to other area Foremost Farms locations in Alma Center, Richland Center and Waumandee in Buffalo County.

The dairy cooperative has 16 plants in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota and a central office in Baraboo.

Alan Schroeder, plant manager, said the revamping means the Sparta facility will concentrate on processing whey protein, which is marketed nationally and internationally.

ìWeíre changing our focus and not receiving milk from haulers,î said Schroeder. ìItís not economically feasible for us.î

The Sparta Foremost Farms plant will continue to operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week, according to Schroeder. It employs 41 people in laboratory, clerical and production capacities.

The patron store sells cheese, butter and other dairy items and the one worker there will be absorbed by the remaining Sparta Foremost Farms operation, located off East Wisconsin Street.

Discontinuing business is also in the offing for Cís Hallmark, 117 S. Water St. which will be closed through Friday to prepare for a going-out-of business sale that will begin Saturday.

Owners Mike and Cindy Arenz faulted the downturn in the economy for the demise of the store.

The couple acquired the business a purveyor of greeting cards, gifts and collectibles in early 2007 and put up for sale several months ago.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat November 12, 2009 issue

With a little less than one month before candidates can take out nomination papers for Sparta mayor, outspoken businessman Tony Angelini has decided to be the first to throw his hat in the ring.

 "As a business owner I know politics and business don't mix, but because I have a big mouth, because I've said it to many people in the past, I have to do it." said Angelini. "I've always been a man of my word."

 Angelini, owner of Angelini's Pizzeria & Ristorante in downtown Sparta, has been unequivocal about his feelings toward the leading bureaucrats in the police department and city hall.

 His ongoing battle with both have been fodder for numerous letters to the editor -- both praising and admonishing Angelini -- in the Sparta newspapers.

 He said his number-one priority would be to effect a shakeup in the offices of both the city administrator and police chief.

 Beyond that, he said he wants to make more activities available to kids to keep them off the street. He believes the gym at city hall should be left intact and used for city-run recreation programs for kids in the immediate area.

 The jail and county offices should remain downtown, too, said Angelini. 

 A former employee of the Chicago Public Works Department, Angelini also has plans for improving winter snow removal. But he cites his own entrepreneurial experience, which created a number of jobs in the community, when he insists there are untapped business opportunities in Sparta,

 He says he would use that experience to try to provide more creative incentives for businesses to locate in Sparta.

 Angelini started his business six years ago after buying and renovating a Water Street storefront to accommodate his Italian restaurant. He later bought the adjoining building and expanded the business.

 He also bought and renovated a rundown building on Oak Street, what is now The Scoreboard, turning it into a bar, which he later sold.

 "I will run City Hall like I run my business -- no BS allowed," said Angelini. "If some don't like it, too bad.

 "I'm not here to promise to lower taxes or anything else I can't do, until I know the situation that's already there. I've never been a politician and I don't plan on being a politician."

 Angelini doesn't intend to run a traditional campaign either and says don't expect to see him going door to door or giving speeches. But he says he will make himself available to anyone who wants to talk to him.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald November 9, 2009 issue

    Despite winning in two of four municipalities and tying in a third, Monroe County Board Chairman Dennis Hubbard found himself on the inside looking out Tuesday night.

Hubbard, the county's District 13 supervisor, was the latest incumbent board member to fall victim to a recall effort.

Hubbard was defeated by challenger Jim Schroeder 158-140 in Tuesday's recall election held in the townships of Jefferson and Sheldon, a portion of the Town of Wellington and the Village of Melvina.

Hubbard was one of nine supervisors targeted in the recall by the Monroe County Taxpayers Relief Committee as a result of their stance on a proposed $30 million justice center.

Hubbard was one of 13 supervisors who voted in April to move forward with the controversial project.

The MCTRC set out to recall all 13 pro-justice center supervisors, and successfully forced recall elections in nine supervisory districts.

In an Oct. 20 recall election that focused on eight supervisors, incumbents Chuck Schwarz, Jim Shilling, Jim Kuhn, Teresa Pierce, Bob Helming, Pete Peterson and Simon Wells were defeated by challengers in their respective districts.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat November 5, 2009 issue

The Monroe County Board will consider adopting a tax levy of just over $16 million Wednesday, when it gathers at Sparta High School for its annual meeting and budget hearing.

Supervisors will consider a proposed 2009 tax levy of $16,006,533, as well as a proposed budget of $44,404,230.

This year's proposed tax levy is up approximately $1.6 million from the 2008 levy of $14,411,285, while the 2010 proposed budget shows an increase of just over $1.3 million.

When its all added together, the end result will be a 2009 mill rate of 6.391, up .414 from the 2008 mill rate of 5.977.

Monroe County Administrator Catherine Schmit said the increased mill rate will result in an estimated tax increase of $41 on a $100,000 home.

That figure, however, reflects only the county's portion of the 2010 tax bills to be sent out in January.

Also included on those bills will be taxes levied by the school district and the city.

According to Schmit, a majority of the budget increase can be attributed to the county's obligation to pay back a loan totaling $923,000 in principal and interest it secured earlier this year to compensate Venture Architects for its work on a proposed $30 million justice center.

County officials had hoped to pay the loan back after it bonded for the justice center project, but that plan was dashed with the recent successful recall effort that effectively halted the project in its tracks.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald November 2, 2009 issue

    While plans for a new $30 million justice center in Monroe County remain on the table, it was glaringly obvious Wednesday night that the proposed project has no future with the newly elected board.

Supervisors, including six new board members who were sworn in Wednesday as a result of last week's recall election, stopped short of halting the project.

However, two thirds of the board voted to rescind the approval of a project design by Venture Architects that had been adopted by supervisors at last month's meeting.

Sparta Supervisor Keith Kenyon used County Board Rule 13 to bring the matter back for reconsideration.

Rule 13 allows any supervisor voting on the prevailing side of a resolution or question to bring it back to the floor for reconsideration at that meeting or the next meeting of the full county board.

In September, Kenyon voted in favor of the Venture Architects' design, but clarified his position by saying he planned to bring it back to the floor this month.

While supervisors voted 16-8 last month to approve the design, Kenyon expected last week's recall election could change the make-up of the board.

With six new supervisors sworn in Wednesday, Kenyon's predictions came true, and he was able to successfully bring the design of the controversial project into question.

Kenyon referred to the landslide vote in the Oct. 20 recall election as the reason for bringing the matter back in front of the board.

"The citizens of Monroe County have spoken, and I think we should listen to what they have to say and reconsider this," Kenyon offered.

Seven of eight supervisors on the ballot in the recall election, which focused on the proposed $30 million justice center project, lost their seats on the board.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat October 29, 2009 issue

Pending formal requests for recounts, seven new supervisors will be seated Wednesday, when the Monroe County Board gathers for its monthly meeting.

Monroe County Clerk Shelly Bohl said the seven new supervisors elected in Tuesday's recall election are slated to be sworn-in at the start of the meeting.

According to Bohl, the board of canvassers met Thursday morning to verify the results of the recall vote, and signed a certification that took affect at 5 p.m. the same day.

Bohl said there were minimal changes in the unofficial results reported following the election.

"We had a few changes on scattering votes, but none of the other physical numbers changed," Bohl said.

Bohl said the county now has to wait three business days before the results of the eight recall races become official.

"We have to wait three business days for recall petitions," she said. "Any candidate has until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, to file a petition for a recount."

With the results of some races being very close, chances are good we may see some of the losers requesting recounts.

In District 12, incumbent Jim Kuhn lost to challenger John Powell by just two votes, while challenger Brian Buswell defeated incumbent Bob Helming by only four votes in District 20.

Kuhn filed a petition for a  recount in the tight District 12 race today (Monday). That recount is scheduled to take place Wednesday in the county clerk's office.

Bohl said others have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to submit a formal request for a recount.

"If the recount period would pass without incident, a certificate of election would be issued to the (winning) candidates," Bohl offered.

"However, if a recount petition is files, a certificate of election cannot be issued in that district, and the incumbent would continue the duties of his or her office until a certificate of election is issued," she continued.

The winning candidates in elections that are certified at 5 p.m. on Tuesday will be seated on the board the next day.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald October 26, 2009 issue

    If there was even any doubt as to how Monroe County residents felt about the construction of a proposed $30 million justice center, it was whisked away at the polls this week.

Also whisked away in Tuesday's Monroe County Board recall election were seven supervisors who favored the project.

Voters in eight supervisory districts hit the polls, and seven of the eight incumbent supervisors on the recall ballots were defeated by challengers opposed to the controversial justice center project.

The recall effort was started earlier this year by a grassroots group called the Monroe County Taxpayers Relief Committee (MCTRC).

The MCTRC formed after the board voted in April to move forward with its plan to construct a $30 million justice center along Highway 16 on Sparta's east side.

While the MCTRC had hoped to recall all 13 supervisors, only eight who favored the project were on the ballot Tuesday.

Another recall election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, when voters in District 13 will decide between Monroe County Board Chairman Dennis Hubbard and challenger Jim Schroeder.

MCTRC Chairman Dennis Clinard said he was not surprised by the results of the recall election.

"I felt all along that we were going to win six or seven seats," said Clinard.

"I was a little surprised by the margin of victory in some races," he continued. "I think that speaks to how the people feel. They didn't say 'No', they said 'Hell No'".
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat October 22, 2009 issue

Two Sparta teenagers were injured as the result of a one-vehicle crash that took place north of Sparta early Sunday morning.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, a car being driven by 17-year-old Martha Wilms of Sparta was traveling south on Highway 27 in the town of Little Falls when it left the road onto the southbound shoulder of the highway.

Authorities believe that Wilms over-corrected while attempting to get her vehicle back on the highway, causing it to cross the northbound lane of traffic.

The vehicle then traveled into the ditch on the northbound side of the road, where it struck several trees.

A press release from the Monroe County Sheriff's Department indicated Wilms suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash, and was transported by Med-Link Air helicopter to Gundersen-Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, where she was initially listed in critical condition.

A passenger in the vehicle, 19-year-old Ellyn Herrman of Sparta, sustained injuries in the crash as well.

Condition reports on the crash victims were unavailable as of press time this (Monday) morning.

The accident took place around 1:30 a.m. just over a mile north of County Highway S.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald October 19, 2009 issue

    Two Monroe County men are facing substantial prison sentences after the Monroe County Sheriff's Department uncovered two of the largest marijuana-growing operations in the state late last month.

According to Monroe County Sheriff Dennis Pedersen, investigators discovered one large growing operation in southeastern Monroe County Sept. 22, and uncovered the second a week later in northeastern Monroe County.

"I think it's safe to say these are the two largest growing operations ever discovered in Monroe County," offered Pedersen at a press conference in the Monroe County Courthouse Tuesday morning.

Jed Sperry, special agent in charge of the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Eau Claire office, concurred with Pedersen, saying the operations were large, even on a state level.

"They rank right up there," he said.
"These were very large growing operations," continued Sperry. "I have seen other ones that have been bigger, but this is a very substantial case."

As a result of the discovery, the two Monroe County men are facing prison sentences of 15 years or more.

Charles W. Vlasek, 54, of 33320 Owl Avenue, Elroy, is expected to be charged with one felony count of manufacturing marijuana in an amount greater that 10,000 grams or more than 200 plants.

Vlasek, whom authorities say was cooperative, was not arrested, but has agreed to make an initial appearance in Monroe County Circuit Court Oct. 19.

Robert J. Mathison, 47, of 6475 State Highway 12, Tomah, faces the same charges as Vlasek, only as a second offender.

He was arrested, booked and appeared in court Oct. 9, but has since been released from custody after posting a $5,000 cash bond.

Pedersen said his department received information suggesting the existence of two large marijuana-growing operations several weeks ago.

"Anticipating a large scale, resource intensive law enforcement investigation, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was asked to join the investigation in concert with the sheriff's department," explained Pedersen.

"Based on tip information and law enforcement investigative efforts, large marijuana grows were confirmed at both reported locations," he continued. "Search warrants were obtained for each location."

Pederson said the first search warrant was executed on a pair of properties owned by Vlasek in the town of Glendale.

During the search of the Vlasek properties, 401 cultivated marijuana plants with an estimated value of $802,000 were discovered by authorities.

"During this investigation, it was revealed that, sometime shortly before execution of the search warrant, Charles W. Vlasek had destroyed approximately 1,270 marijuana plants," said Pedersen. "The value of the destroyed plants is estimated at $2.5 million."

While Vlasek is expected to face charges, he has yet to be arrested.

Monroe County District Attorney Dan Cary explained that not everyone accused of a felony is arrested on the spot.

"Mr. Vlasek was cooperative," said Cary. "He showed law enforcement where the plants were and he has no criminal history that I am aware of."

Mathison's operation was discovered Sept. 29, after law enforcement officials executed a search warrant on his property in the Town of Lincoln.

During the search, police discovered 1,297 cultivated marijuana plants valued at $2.6 million.

"Also located were two drying rooms hidden in the ceiling of a shed and the milk house," said Pedersen. "On a table in one of the drying rooms, investigators found 27 pounds of drying, processed marijuana buds."

Pederson said the value of the processed marijuana has not yet been determined.

Vlasek faces a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $50,000.

Mathison, who can be charged as a repeat offender, faces a 19-year prison sentence and up to a $50,000 fine.

Cary said complaints have been filed in Monroe County Circuit Court in both cases.

Authorities do not believe the two cases are related, and Cary said they will be handled separately by his office.

According to Cary, the busts were significant.

"This is not the typical 'ditch weed'," he said.

"These are transplanted marijuana plants placed within corn fields, in between rows of corn," Cary continued. "There was a substantial number of plants at both locations."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat October 15, 2009 issue

In just over a week, Monroe County voters will take to the polls to decide the fate of eight supervisors, and likely with it, the fate of a proposed $30 million justice center.

Eight supervisors and eight challengers will square off on the ballot in a rare recall election Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Supervisors facing recall all voted to move forward with the county's proposed $30 million justice center in April.

In District 5, which includes all of the towns of Greenfield and Adrian and part of the towns of Angelo and LaFayette, incumbent Teresa Pierce faces off against challenger Andy Kaftan.

Incumbent Simon Wells faces a challenge from Richard Powell in District 10, which includes all of the towns of Leon and Wells and part of the town of Angelo.

In District 11, which includes the villages of Norwalk and Wilton, all of the town of Ridgeville and part of the town of Wilton, incumbent Carrol Wallerman is being challenged by Thomas Arendt.

The District 12 race, which covers all of the town of Portland and part of the village of Cashton, pits incumbent Jim Kuhn against challenger John Powell.

In District 16, which includes wards 13, 16 and 17 in Sparta, incumbent Jim Shilling is being challenged by Larry McTaggart.

Incumbent Chuck Schwarz faces a challenge from Dan Olson in District 18, which includes wards 1, 2, 4 and 6 in Sparta.

In Tomah, incumbent supervisors Bob Helming (District 20) and Pete Peterson (District 21) are being challenged, respectively, by Brian Buswell and Bill Blanchard.

District 20 includes wards 1,2 and 3 in Tomah, while District 21 covers wards 4, 5, 6 and 7.

While not all voters in Sparta will be able to vote in the recall election, the ballot does include a city-wide referendum.

All city voters will be able to weigh in on the referendum, which also centers on the $30 million justice center.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald October 12, 2009 issue

    In April Monroe County voters will no longer elect just one circuit court judge. They will choose two, and both will be administered oaths of office August 1.

A third Monroe County judgeship is being created by the state in deference to a demanding case load.

In addition to that, Judge Michael McAlpine, the jurist in Branch II of the countyís circuit court system, disclosed in a letter to Monroe County Bar Association members he will not be an incumbent candidate in April.

McAlpine wrote that his 17 years on the bench have been challenging, rewarding and an honor. But the purpose of the letter was not only to inform the legal community but also persuade eligible lawyers to consider administering justice as a career move.

ìI encourage each of you who qualify for election to give serious and thoughtful consideration to serving as one of our new circuit judges,î he penned before praising those in his profession.

ìI want all of you to know how much I have admired your professional efforts on behalf of your clients,î he continued.

McAlpine also had kind words for a predecessor, Judge James W. Rice; a deceased colleague, Judge Steven L. Abbott; and a judicial peer, Todd L. Ziegler, describing them as dedicated, intelligent and just.

McAlpine, 64, mentioned no reason for his intended departure, but told the Democrat it wasnít prompted by health concerns.

ìIdeally, I wanted to work another three years, but I didnít think it was fair to voters to elect me for six years and leave office after three years.î he said. ìIíve always thought it was better to go out when healthy and be able to contribute and give back in other ways.î
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat October 8, 2009 issue

As the Oct. 20 Monroe County Board recall election draws near, candidate forums and rallies are being scheduled across the county.

So far, three such events are on the slate, including one Friday evening at The Zone on Highway 21 just north of Sparta.

Two of the events are being touted as recall rallies, including Friday's at The Zone and another scheduled at Burnstad's European Cafe in Tomah Tuesday, Oct. 13.

The recall effort being pushed by the Monroe County Taxpayers Relief Committee (MCTRC) came about earlier this year, after 13 Monroe County supervisors voted in April to move forward with a proposed $30 million justice center project.

The grassroots group was successful in forcing recall elections for nine county supervisors, eight of which will be opposed on the ballot for the Oct. 20 vote.

Supervisors targeted in the first recall Tuesday, Oct. 20 election include Teresa Pierce, Simon Wells, Carrol Wallerman, Jim Kuhn, Jim Shilling, Chuck Schwarz, Bob Helming and Pete Peterson.

A second recall election for the seat currently held by Monroe County Board Chairman Dennis Hubbard will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald October 5, 2009 issue

    In spite of overwhelming opposition from citizens, the Monroe County Board Wednesday voted once again to move forward with its proposed $30 million justice center.

Outside the courthouse, several dozen protesters carried signs showing their opposition to the project.

Inside, nearly two dozen citizens addressing the board told supervisors they were in favor of a two-year moratorium that would have put an immediate stop to the project.

But when the dust cleared near the end of the marathon five-hour meeting, the controversial justice center project that spawned a recall effort remained unscathed.

Supervisors voted down the proposed moratorium, which was offered to the board by Tomah Supervisor Pete Peterson.

Peterson, who still favors construction of the $30 million facility, proposed the moratorium as a "cooling-off period".

Prior to Wednesday's vote, 19 of 20 citizens who addressed the board during a public comment period told supervisors they favored the moratorium.

Sheila Brookins said she conducted a survey concerning the justice center, and only three of the 250 people who responded indicated they were in favor of the $30 million justice center.

"These red flags have been up for a long time, and you have ignored the people of Monroe County," Brookins said.

"Open your eyes, please," she continued. "Please get some common sense before it's too late...vote for this moratorium."

Many who spoke were concerned about increased taxes related to the project, arguing that they will adversely affect people living on fixed incomes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat October 1, 2009 issue

A moratorium that would halt construction of a proposed $30 million justice center may be the last item on the agenda, but it will take center stage Wednesday when the Monroe County Board gathers for its monthly meeting.

Supervisors will discuss and likely take action on the moratorium, which is being offered up by Tomah Supervisor Pete Peterson.

The resolution, which if approved would stop the project in its tracks, asks the board to impose a two-year moratorium on the controversial project.

While Peterson still favors the county's proposed $30 million justice center, he's just not sure the time is right for such a costly project.

Peterson said his change of heart on the project came after conversations with a pair of bank presidents in Tomah.

"As it stands, I do support the project," offered Peterson. "But I am willing to back away from it because both (bank presidents) say the current economic conditions don't support it."

In addition to the moratorium, Peterson would like to see a committee consisting of county residents formed to look into its implementation.

"I would like to see county-wide representation," Peterson continued. "I'm asking for a two-year moratorium, but at the end of the first year I would like to have the committee review it."

If such a thing as the economic conditions of the county would improve, Peterson said he would not be against an early re-start of the justice center project.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald September 28, 2009 issue

    A cow running rampant through Sparta has been turning heads for the better part of the week.

 A heifer calf got loose at Sparta Veterinary Clinic Monday when owners Joe and Bridgette Krantz took her in for regular shots.

 The calf ran west into a nearby subdivision and the Sparta Police were called. 

 "They tried to coax it back with food, but it didn't work," said Lieutenant David Living-ston.

 Later that day the calf, a Hereford black angus, was spotted in a subdivision behind the Sparta High School, and the Sparta Police Department night shift was called out to the West Division Street area late Monday/early Tuesday morning.

 Livingston said a veterinarian was present and ready to tranquilize the animal in an effort to reclaim it. 

 Unfortunately, neither the vet nor police could get close enough to the animal to administer the tranquilizer.

 In order to corral the calf close enough to be tranquilized, an officer deployed a Taser. Livingston said the Taser was deployed as many as three times, but all attempts were ineffective.

 There have been quite a few sightings over the last several days. The most recent report was a mile north of town on State Hwy. 27.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat September 24, 2009 issue

      The Sparta Park Board will likely decided who the next concessionaire will be to take over The Greens restaurant at River Run Golf Course in Sparta.

The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Sparta City Hall to interview three prospective concessionaires.

The matter went before the board earlier this month, but members decided to delay their decision for a couple of weeks.

"They decided to delay it until Sept. 21," said Sparta City Administrator Ken Witt.

"I think they wanted to talk more with the different applicants," he continued. "It was a late night already, because there were quite a few things on the agenda, so they asked them to come back on another night."

All three bidders have local ties, according to Witt, and include Rick "Grizzy" Schmitz and Penny Kremer, Patty Kuderer and Brian Smith.

Each submitted a proposal to run the bar and restaurant at the golf course to the park board.

Schmitz, who operated Rick's Pork Roasting Grills, and Kremer plan to serve a basic menu that includes burgers and sandwiches, along with basic appetizers and daily lunch specials.

The couple also plans to hold a Friday night fish and chicken fry, as well as specials for Saturday and men's and women's golf nights.

Kuderer, who operated the Sparta Grill in downtown Sparta for 11 years, is interested in starting with a basic menu also, but plans on serving breakfast at the establishment as well.

In addition, Kuderer will look at expanding the business to include buffet specials.

Smith, a Sparta High School graduate, has experience in the restaurant business as well, having worked as a chef in Italy and a catering supervisor at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Smith is planning on a more extensive menu, to include rice and pasta dishes and fish and poultry selections.

Witt said the bids of all three prospective concessionaires are very similar.

"I don't think they will base it on price," said Witt.

"They will probably base it on experience and the restaurant concept they are proposing," he continued. "When I take a look at them, I can see a distinct difference in all three of the proposals."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald September 21, 2009 issue

   The City of Sparta is at the center of another lawsuit brought on by the owners of a former nightclub.

 A lawsuit was filed Wednesday against the city by James and Scott Murphy who each were denied liquor licenses for the former Dimensions nightclub at 210 S. Water Street.

 The city received a copy of the suit late Wednesday afternoon. The document is a petition of action for inverse commendation and seeks compensation for the taking of a property.

 City Administrator Ken Witt said the Murphys and their lawyer, Patrick Houlihan, claim the property cannot be used for anything other than a bar/nightclub and, since the city has refused liquor licenses to Scott Murphy and James Murphy, and revoked a license held by Patrick Murphy, there is no use for the property, thus the city has in effect "taken" the property from them.

 The suit lists a timeline of events beginning in February 1999 when a permit was issued to then-owner Michael Donskey for a nightclub. The suit states that the property has been licensed as a bar for the past 31 years.

 The building was owned by Scott and Patrick Murphy and was purchased from them by their father, James, in July 2008. Patrick Murphy was granted a liquor license in June 2007 after Scott Murphy was denied one due to a felony conviction in 1988.

 The suit follows all action made by the city council from 2007 to present. It also claims several acts of discrimination by the city against the Murphys.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat September 17, 2009 issue

      The Monroe County Finance Committee last Thursday ran into some difficulty trying  to attach a potential cost to a justice center moratorium resolution that will go before the full board later this month.

 The proposed moratorium, citing economic conditions, calls for a two year delay on constructing the justice center. But the measure allows for a review of the moratorium after only one year.

 The majority of the finance committee, which is charged with determining a fiscal impact on all resolutions that go before the board, seemed determined to put a price tag on suspending construction.

 "Recognizing there is a cost for doing nothing is important," said committee chairman Teresa Pierce.

 But determining that cost seemed a bit more difficult.

 "How do you arrive at a fiscal note," said Keith Kenyon, the lone justice center opponent on the committee, which also includes Dennis Hubbard, Jim Kuhn and Chuck Schwarz.

 Kenyon made a motion to send the measure forward without a fiscal note but it died for a lack of second.

 Kuhn then suggested a fiscal note of $3 million, or $1.5 million for each year, citing increases in the cost of borrowing and the cost of materials.

 According to the construction schedule drawn up by Venture Architects, the Milwaukee firm that designed the project, ground breaking is set for October. It has warned that a start date beyond that would put the project into the winter months, increasing construction cost.

 Kenyon accused the justice center proponents of fast-tracking the project so it could vote on the plan, bids and bonding at the Sept. 30 board meeting.

 "Why not wait a month?" asked Kenyon. "Why do you have to rush it?"

 Pierce responded that the county has asked Venture to get the plans done as fast it could.
 "Starting work in a winter environment is not that favorable," added Hubbard.

 Another factor, however, is a recall election scheduled for October 20, which is targeting justice center proponents. If that election unseats enough of those supervisors, it would likely kill the project. As it stands 10 supervisors seem to be against building the proposed $30 million justice center, while 14 are for it.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald September 14, 2009 issue

  The Sparta Park Board Tuesday delayed its decision on who will take over The Greens restaurant when the current concession contract expires in November.

The board, at its monthly meeting, elected to wait a couple of weeks before choosing between the three applicants seeking the contract.

"They decided to delay it until Sept. 21," said Sparta City Administrator Ken Witt.

"I think they wanted to talk more with the different applicants," he continued. "It was a late night already, because there were quite a few things on the agenda, so they asked them to come back on another night."

All three bidders are local, according to Witt, and the bid prices are similar.

"I don't think they will base it on price," said Witt.

"They will probably base it on experience and the restaurant concept they are proposing," he continued. "When I take a look at them, I can see a distinct difference in all three of the proposals."

The new concessionaire will replace Sarah Johnson, who has held the contract for the restaurant and bar at River Run Golf Course for the past two years.

Johnson opted out of her three-year contract a year early, and will be finished at The Greens in mid-November.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat September 10, 2009 issue

     After being presented initial figures last Wednesday, the Monroe County Finance Committee is looking for a way to pare its 2010 budget by $518,000.

 The state only allowed the county a 3% increase over the 2009 levy, giving it a $14,955,301 cap. The mil rate on that amount is $5.972 per $1,000 of equalized value, holding steady over last year's rate of $5.977.

 Equalized value in the county increased by $90 million this year, which is nearly $30 million less than the jump it took last year.

 According to Tina Osterberg, the county's accounting manager, most of the budget overrun, $430,000, is attributable to a decrease in general revenue. Income from sales tax, interest on investments and shared revenue is all down from last year.

 And while it isn't as great, the expense side of the ledger also is presenting problems. Even though the finance committee held departments to a 0% increase over their 2009 budgets, the clerk of courts, circuit court and district attorney's office each came in with bigger budgets.

 The district attorney asked for a $73,000 budget increase to cover two and a half new positions. The clerk of courts requested a $29,000 increase for a new position beginning July 1.

 That position, which is prorated for a half year, will provide support for the new district court judge being seated next August. The circuit court, surprisingly, only increased its 2010 budget by $4,000.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald September 8, 2009 issue

     If things move along as they have been, a recall election targeting 10 Monroe County Board supervisors could be scheduled sometime in mid-October.

Monroe County Taxpayers Relief Committee Chairman Dennis Clinard said this (Thursday) morning that his group continues to move forward with its recall effort.

According to Clinard, recent conversations with Monroe County Clerk Shelly Bohl lead him to believe a recall election date could be determined in the not too distant future.

"She has given us some idea that she thinks it's possible a recall election could be held anywhere from mid-October to Oct. 20," said Clinard.

That recall election, likely the first of two, will target supervisors Jim Shilling, Chuck Bluske, Chuck Schwarz, Julie Radke, Pete Peterson, Teresa Pierce, Simon Wells, Jim Kuhn, Bob Helming and Carrol Wallerman.

Three other board members - Kyle Gibbens, Bob Retzlaff and Board Chairman Dennis Hubbard - are targeted as well, but recall petitions on those supervisors were not filed with the initial 10.

Recall petitions for Hubbard and Gibbens were filed last month, but the MCTRC has yet to file a petition for Retzlaff. 

The MCTRC is targeting all 13 supervisors who voted to support the county's proposed $30 million justice center in April.

Clinard said he's received word from Bohl that Gibbens has chosen to challenge the recall petition filed against him, while Hubbard will not file a challenge.

The next step for the MCTRC is to file a rebuttal against Gibbens' challenge, which Clinard said he intends to do shortly.

"We intend to get our rebuttal back as soon as possible," he said, adding that he's not concerned with the challenge of Gibbens.

"Not in the least," said Clinard.

If the rebuttal against Gibbens is okayed and the recall petitions are certified by Bohl, Clinard is hopeful a second recall election for Hubbard and Gibbens can be held sometime in November.

As for Retzlaff, Clinard said his committee has yet to get enough signatures to force a recall.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald September 3, 2009 issue

     Pete Peterson still favors Monroe County's proposed $30 million justice center, he's just not sure the time is right for such a costly project.

That's why the Tomah supervisor is backing off his support of the controversial plan a bit by proposing a two-year moratorium on the project.

Peterson said last week that he plans to introduce a resolution calling for a two-year moratorium on the project at next week's monthly meeting of the administrative and executive committee.

"The resolution has been written, and I'll present it to (the committee) next week," explained Peterson.

Peterson said his change of heart on the project came after conversations with a pair of bank presidents in Tomah.

"As it stands, I do support the project," offered Peterson. "But I am willing to back away from it because both (bank presidents) say the current economic conditions don't support it."

Peterson went on to say that one president actually supports the current justice center plan, but believes the project should be put on hold until the economy recovers.

In addition to the moratorium, Peterson would like to see a committee consisting of county residents formed to look into its implementation.

"I would ultimately like to see a committee made up of citizens who play important roles throughout the county," he said.

"I would like to see county-wide representation," Peterson continued. "I'm asking for a two-year moratorium, but at the end of the first year I would like to have the committee review it."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald August 31, 2009 issue

     A resolution to approve a referendum on a $30 million justice center is likely to take center stage when the Monroe County Board gathers for its monthly meeting Wednesday.

The resolution, which came out of the administrative and executive committee at the suggestion of District 3 Supervisor Harv Simmons, calls for holding a referendum on the project at a special election.

A longtime proponent of a referendum on the project, Simmons said he pushed the resolution to give the committee a chance to send it to the full county board, rather than force the issue with a Rule 21 resolution.

County Board Rule 21 allows any resolution to be placed before the full board so long as it has the signatures of five supervisors.

"This is a committee that controls a great deal, and I thought the best move would be to bring it forth to this committee," he continued.

Committee Chairman Pete Peterson said he favors a moratorium on the project, but is not in favor of holding a referendum.

"I talked to two or three bankers in Tomah, and they suggested we have a moratorium for a period of time," he said.

"I do favor a moratorium for those reasons," continued Peterson. "I will give my support to a moratorium, but I will not give my support to a referendum."

Simmons said he believes the resolution would effectively work as a moratorium if a referendum is held.

"This stops the project - the people will tell us that," he said.

"This is the worst economy most of us have ever seen," continued Simmons. "The people don't need to be hit with this now...we just can't afford it."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald August 24, 2009 issue

   Some members of the Monroe County Board appeared flabbergasted when the Sparta City Planning Commission tabled the site plan for the proposed justice center.

 The commission listened intently while Venture Architect Tom Poweleit went over the site plan, but in the end voted to table it, citing only half the plan was presented.

 The planning commission must approve site plans for all new construction in the city limits before building permits can be issued. However, the city's Smart Growth Plan, which calls for the courthouse to be used for government purposes, also was a consideration.

 The city wants a funded plan for what will become of the current Monroe County Court-house in downtown Sparta. It has been suggested that the health and human services departments will be moved from Rolling Hills to the downtown structure, but there has been nothing officially voted on in that regard by the full county board. 

 Monroe County Board Vice Chair Julie Radke was present at the meeting, along with a slew of other county supervisors.

 She said the property and purchasing committee in-vestigated the possibility of moving the health and human services departments to the court house. 

 Supervisor Keith Kenyon said those departments primarily consist of office staff, and to subdivide the courthouse to offices would cost approximately $4-6 million -- a figure the county board has not included in the justice center estimate.

 "You are asking this group here to approve something without a plan," said com-mission member Bob Halverson. 

 "We requested a funded plan, not a proposed plan, for the downtown courthouse and you don't have that," said Mayor John Sund.

 Radke wondered where in the Smart Growth Plan it states that a funded plan is a requirement. 

 Commission member Ron Button informed her that portion of the plan is stated in a city ordinance -- a recent addition.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald August 20, 2009 issue

     A movement to unseat 13 members of the Monroe County Board took a big step forward last week, when the Monroe County Taxpayers Relief Committee (MCTRC) filed recall petitions in 10 supervisory districts.

MCTRC Chairman Dennis Clinard turned in the petitions to Monroe County Clerk Shelly Bohl Friday morning.

Petitions filed Friday are seeking to recall 10 of the 13 supervisors who voted to move forward with a $30 million justice center in April.

Those supervisors include Jim Shilling, Chuck Bluske, Chuck Schwarz, Julie Radke, Pete Peterson, Teresa Pierce, Simon Wells, Jim Kuhn, Bob Helming and Carrol Wallerman.

ìThis does not mean we are not seeking to file recall petitions in the other three districts - we are,î explained Clinard.

ìWe just felt, in light of the fact that the county board may try to move forward with this project, that we should file the 10 petitions on which we have more than the sufficient number of signatures required,î he continued. ìBut we do intend to bring all 13 supervisors to bear.î

The other three supervisors targeted in the recall are Bob Retzlaff, Kyle Gibbens and Monroe County Board Chairman Dennis Hubbard.

Clinard said MCTRC volunteers continue to circulate petitions in those supervisory districts.

Clinard said his group has eight confirmed candidates to run in the proposed recall election.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald August 10, 2009 issue

  Harv Simmons has tried - and failed - on three separate occasions to convince his fellow Monroe County Board members that a referendum is needed concerning the proposed $30 million justice center.

Now Simmons, the board's District 3 supervisor, is taking his battle one step further.

Simmons will present a resolution requesting a referendum on the justice center project at the administrative and executive committee meeting Tuesday.

"It's a non-binding referendum, but they all are," explained Simmons, noting that Wisconsin counties cannot hold binding referendums.

According to Simmons, approval of the resolution by the full board will give county taxpayers an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed justice center.

"On three occasions, I stood before the entire county board and said we should listen to the will of the people, but nobody would listen," said Simmons. "There was no interest."

Simmons decided to take the resolution before the administrative and executive committee to give supervisors a chance to go on record concerning a referendum.

"The purpose of it being written this way is so it carries some weight from the committee to the entire board," he said.

"It doesn't tell the county board how to vote, but at least it will be on the record," continued Simmons. "If they turn it down in writing, it will still go before the county board."

Simmons went on to explain that if it fails in committee Tuesday, he will take another route using Rule 21 to get a referendum resolution in front of the full board.

"If it fails, I'll take it (to the full board) anyway. All I need is five signatures," explained Simmons.

"I don't want to do it that way," he continued. "I'm trying to follow proper procedure."

While supervisors didn't warm quickly to the idea of a referendum at first, Simmons is optimistic some may be beginning to change their minds.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat August 6, 2009 issue

     The addition of Tomah businessman Brian Buswell to the slate over the weekend has increased the number of confirmed candidates in a Monroe County Board recall effort to eight.

Monroe County Taxpayers Relief Committee (MCTRC) Chairman Dennis Clinard said this (Monday) morning that Buswell, a 1974 Sparta graduate, has agreed to oppose District 20 Supervisor Robert Helming in the proposed recall election.

Clinard and other MCTRC members spent five days gathering signatures on recall petitions at the Monroe County Fair in Tomah last week.

The MCTRC is hoping to recall all 13 supervisors who voted in favor of the county's proposed $30 million justice center in April.

"We have seven (recall petitions) filled," said Clinard.

"We want to continue gathering signatures, and probably wrap-up that part of the process during the week, and turn them in on Friday," he continued.

The MCTRC initially hoped to turn in all 13 recall petitions today (Monday), but decided to wait until the end of the week because of the interest generated at the fair over the weekend.

"We want to make sure that everyone who wants to sign (a recall petition) has an opportunity to sign," Clinard offered. "And we want to make sure we do well in the districts where we have candidates."

Clinard said the response has been overwhelming across the county, and especially high in some areas.

"We're well over the number of signatures we need in some cases," he said. "In one district, we needed 177 signatures and we got 234."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald August 3, 2009 issue

  Details concerning what it must have been like for Teresa Wilkinson moments before she was shot to death have come to light in the form of a criminal complaint against her accused murderer. 

 The complaint against her husband, Brent Wilkinson, 37, Tomah, was filed late last week, after Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Michael McAlpine ordered him held on a $1 million cash bond for first degree intentional homicide and first degree reckless endangerment, both with the use of a dangerous weapon.

 According to the complaint, Teresa Wilkinson's 15-year old daughter called 9-1-1 just before 11 p.m. July 22. She said someone broke into her house in Warrens and shot her mom with a shotgun, which was still there. 

 When police arrived, EMTs were attempting to revive Teresa Wilkinson, to no avail. A spent shotgun shell and the weapon, a 12-gauge shotgun, were located. 

 The victim's daughter was visibly upset and shaking, according the complaint. She told police she was upstairs in her bedroom when she heard a loud bang on the front door. She then heard her mother and stepfather, Brent Wilkinson, arguing. She heard a lot of banging and items being thrown around the house. 

 At some point, Teresa Wilkinson yelled for her daughter to stay upstairs in her room. The young girl then heard several loud bangs, followed by the front door slamming shut, the complaint indicates. She saw a truck leave the driveway and emerged from her room to find her mother lying on the floor, bleeding. She then called 9-1-1.

 Police learned Wilkinson was possibly staying with his brother in Tomah and requested assistance by the Wisconsin State Patrol in locating Wilkinson's vehicle.

 He was subsequently located by the state patrol and Tomah Police Department, according to the complaint, and was taken to the Monroe County Jail for questioning. 

 When found, Wilkinson appeared intoxicated, with blood on his clothing and hands, the complaint indicates.

 Wilkinson told police he and the victim were married for eight years and dated for two years prior to the marriage. She had two children from a previous relationship. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat July 30, 2009 issue

     A revised contract between the City of Sparta and the chamber of commerce for tourism promotion was approved by the city council at its meeting last Tuesday.

 Last month, the chamber requested a change in the amount of funds it receives for tourism. The money comes from the city's room tax revenue. 

 The chamber requested additional money go to administration as the staff is doing more to promote tourism, such as creating and updating a website and attending trade shows. The money was previously earmarked for other types of advertising, such as print, radio and television ads. 

 The chamber receives 6% of the city's room tax revenue. Of that, 42% was allocated for tourism promotion, while 21% was earmarked for chamber administration. The remainder was split between the hockey debt service -- 21%, and 16% for special projects.

 The agreement has remained the same for the past five years, since the city contracted with the chamber to promote tourism.

 Last month, the chamber basically requested flip-flopping the amount doled out for tourism and administration. Chamber representative Louis Zanon requested 22% for tourism and 41% for administration, leaving the rest the same.

 City Administrator Ken Witt re-worked the contract to something more feasible for the city and presented it to Zanon and chamber executive director Holly Grady.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald July 27, 2009 issue

 Engineer Reinhard Mueller of MTNT Properties presented possible expansion op-portunities for the justice center downtown to the city of Sparta Planning Commission Monday evening.

 He offered the ideas to the Monroe County Board this spring, but received a lackluster reception.

 "The county denied MTNT a seat at the table back in April," he said, explaining that he submitted a proposal pro bono, so he might as well present his ideas to an entity that is interested in listening and instigating a discussion.

 His ideas include expanding the current courthouse and jail facility to the north. He said landowners there have agreed to sell, however no price tags have been discussed.

 The landowners include the Tim Kress estate, which owns the current Gundersen Lutheran Behavioral Health building and homeowner Bruce Wanlass.

 Audience member Gene Treu said he indicated to county board members that landowners were willing to discuss selling, but the information fell on deaf ears.

 Included in one of Mueller's options is closing  West Main Street to the middle of the museum complex. This option is feasible, as the hospital has already done so a block to the west.

 He also indicated adding a second story to the jail is "absolutely possible," but he was unsure off hand about the cost of such an endeavor. 

 "Is it cost effective? Well, that we're going to have to look at a bit harder," he said.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat July 23, 2009 issue

    A Monroe County Board recall gained more steam last week, as the candidate filed for the effort to replace several supervisors doubled from two to four.

The Monroe County Taxpayers Relief Committee (MCTRC), the grassroots organization pushing the recall effort, held two more meetings last week and over the weekend.

MCTRC Chairman Dennis Clinard said four people have committed to running against four seated supervisors, including three from Sparta.

According to Clinard, the candidates include Larry McTaggart, Anthony Boltik and Dan Olson from Sparta and Andy Kaftan from the Town of Angelo.

McTaggart will run against District 16 Supervisor Jim Shilling, Boltik will take on District 19 Supervisor Chuck Bluske and Olson will face District 18 Supervisor Chuck Schwarz.

Kaftan, a Sparta attorney, plans to run against District 5 Supervisor Teresa Pierce in the proposed recall election.

Clinard said a meeting at the Tee Pee restaurant in Tomah Thursday drew close to 30 people and several other prospective candidates.

"It went really well. I was very pleased with the turnout," offered Clinard.

"Again, there were a lot of questions and a lot of interest," he continued. "And we had a couple of people who are interested in being candidates, but who wanted the weekend to talk with their families about it."

In fact, the amount of interest in the recall effort has prompted Clinard's group to up the number of supervisors targeted for recall from six to seven.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald July 20, 2009 issue

 While several names concerning a replacement for Monroe County District 4 Supervisor Cedric Schnitzler have been circulating over the past week, no one has stepped forward as an official candidate.

"We have not received anything yet," said Monroe County Clerk Shelly Bohl this (Thursday) morning.

Citing increased business and family obligations, Schnitzler stepped down from his county board seat last week.

Bohl said the county has already advertised for a replacement, and will be accepting letters of interest from prospective candidates through July 31.

The process for replacing Schnitzler will be up to Monroe County Board Chairman Dennis Hubbard, who said earlier this week that he will seek the advice of the full board before making a decision on that matter.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat July 16, 2009 issue

    An attorney with the Wisconsin Newspaper Association called an improperly noticed meeting held in Monroe County Friday afternoon unprecedented.

The meeting in question, a gathering of the justice center building committee, was held at 1 p.m. Friday in the Monroe County Human Services building north of Sparta.

While the meeting was properly noticed on the county's website, agendas sent to Monroe County Publishers office earlier in the week had the location blacked out.

The building committee normally meets in the county board room at the Monroe County Courthouse, but that room was unavailable Friday, prompting county officials to move the site.

Monroe County Corporation Counsel Kerry Sullivan-Flock, who was informed of the improper meeting notice late Friday afternoon, said this (Monday) morning that the blacking out of the site was an honest mistake.

"In this age of technology, our computers can do all sorts of things in color," explained Sullivan-Flock.

"The person who does the agendas will, on her computer, highlight the location for the exact opposite reason of what happened here," she continued. "On her computer, she highlighted (the meeting location) in red."

According to Sullivan-Flock, the agenda is them e-mailed to the county clerk's office, where it is forwarded to all media outlets and others requiring a meeting notice.

The county clerk's office has a color printer, so when the agenda was printed, the red-highlighted location was still visible.

"Unfortunately, when she sticks in the fax machine, the red turns to black," Sullivan-Flock.

The highlighted location was black on all agendas received at Monroe County Publishers.

"It is unprecedented. I have never heard of that situation presenting itself before," said WNA attorney Bob Dreps.

"It's obviously very serious," he continued. "One of the most important items is where and when the meeting takes place."

Dreps said he believes the blacked-out notices are a violation of the opening meetings law, but there is an easy remedy county officials can use to correct the situation.

"If it were pursued, one of the remedies would be to void any action that was taken (at the meeting in question)," he said.

Rather than file a formal complaint with the district attorney or the attorney general, Sparta Herald Editor Pat Mulvaney has agreed to allow the county to handle the matter in-house, as long as any and all action taken at Friday's meeting is null and void.

"The suggestion that they redo the meeting in a properly noticed place is not at all inappropriate," offered Dreps.

"That's among the available remedies for an improperly noticed open meeting," he continued. "The quickest way to resolve the matter is to do the meeting over in a properly noticed public gathering."

Sullivan-Flock said she's told the county employees to refrain from using computer-generated highlighting on future meeting notices, and she believes the situation has been corrected.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald July 13, 2009 issue

    Over a year and a half after the death of 67-year old David Endres due to injuries he allegedly received in a downtown Sparta nightclub, the disposition of the case is still pending.

 However, the Herald has obtained a copy of the Sparta Police Department's in-vestigation of the matter through an open records request.

 Those documents revealed police referred the case to the Monroe County District Attorney's office recommending charges against an employee of Dimensions III, where the incident took place on December 23.

 Police recommended Douglas Mikel, a bouncer at the now defunct establishment, be charged with second-degree reckless injury and second-degree reckless homicide, both felonies.

 Sparta Police Chief Mike Kass told the paper that it was his department's opinion that those two laws had been violated.

 "Our belief is the bouncer's actions did meet the definition of reckless," said Kass. "(Mikel) had other avenues he could have taken to mitigate the situation."

 According to the investigation report, Endres had made threats to other customers in the bar the night of the incident. 
Mikel later attempted to escort Endres from the premises after Endres took a swing at him. As Mikel held Endres and walked him toward the exit, the two fell and Endres hit his head.

 Endres was taken outside where others noticed he was bleeding from an ear. He then was helped into a cab, which took him home where another bar patron assisted him into the apartment.

 That evening he was found unresponsive in his bed. He was taken by ambulance to the Sparta hospital and then to Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, where he eventually died. An autopsy later attributed Endres' death to head trauma.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald July 6, 2009 issue

 As pleas for a referendum on the Monroe County's proposed $30 million justice center increase, some supervisors are concerned about the cost of holding a special election.

At last week's monthly county board meeting, Supervisor Pete Peterson speculated holding a special election for a referendum would cost $40,000.

In addition, Peterson said his constituents have expressed concern over the number of jail studies that the county has paid for over the years, and he believes a referendum is just another study.

Sparta Supervisor Harv Simmons, however, continued to push hard for at least an advisory referendum on the justice center.

Supervisors on both sides of the issue contend they have the support of their constituents, but Simmons said the best way to find out what county residents want is to ask them in the form of a referendum.

To date, Simmons' pleas have fallen on deaf ears, but a glance at the letters to the editor in Monday's Sparta Herald reveal that momentum for a referendum may be increasing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat July 2, 2009 issue

    It looks as if the second time around will be a charm for Monroe County and its efforts to hire a county administrator.

Administrative and executive committee Chairman Pete Peterson told the full county board last week that the hiring process is going well.

This is the second go-around for the county as far as hiring an administrator is concerned, because the first candidate tapped by the hiring committee decided not to take the job.

That may have been a blessing in disguise for the county.

County officials conducted the first hiring process themselves, and only received 16 applicants for the position.

After the top candidate turned down the job, the administrative and executive committee decided to seek the help of a professional hiring firm.

Peterson said the latest attempt to hire an administrator, conducted by Dr. Stephen Hintz of Public Administration Associates, drew 50 applicants from 21 states.

The applicant field has since been pared down to 13 candidates, many of whom have experience in the field of public administration.

"We are quite pleased with the applicant field," said Peterson.

"We have 13 semifinalists, and all have some type of major league experience," he continued.

According to Peterson, six semifinalists have substantial experience as county administrators, while one has served as an assistant county administrator and another has experience as a municipal administrator.

In addition, three have municipal management experience and two have management experience in other large scale organizations.

"It's quite a good problem to have," Peterson said of the experienced candidate pool.

"This is our first-ever county administrator," he continued. "This person is going to have to make (his or her) own way, and it will be helpful to have been through the wars before."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald June 29, 2009 issue

 Venture Architects gets paid and Monroe County's $30 million justice center project moves another step forward.

That's what the Monroe County Board - by the slimmest of margins - decided at Wednesday's monthly gathering of supervisors.

The board voted to authorize a short-term loan from the Community State Bank of Norwalk in the amount of $900,000 to pay Venture for its work on the project.

The resolution passed Wednesday says the loan, secured at an interest rate of 2.65 percent, will be paid off from the bonding of the justice center, which has yet to be approved by supervisors.

"This will pay off the total amount of money we owe Venture," said Supervisor Teresa Pierce. "We only owe them about $500,000 now, but we need to make sure we get the bidding done...we need to pay them."

While county officials were looking to secure the loan to pay Venture, the discussion Wednesday focused more on the entire justice center project.

About a dozen members of the public were on hand to voice their concerns over the project, and the discussion became a heated one almost from the start.

Monroe County Sheriff Dennis Pedersen was asked by County Board Chairman Dennis Hubbard to tame a couple members of the crowd when the discussion came to a boil.

Pedersen told spectators that they were to follow the instruction of Hubbard, or risk being asked to leave the meeting.

Early in the meeting, an unidentified spectator accused county officials of conspiring with city officials to raise taxes in order to pay for the justice center.

While the argument had no credence, the spectator said the sole reason for the recent revaluation in Sparta was to pay for the justice center.

Hubbard ruled the man, who had been recognized to speak by Supervisor Simon Wells, was out of order and asked him to take his seat.

Supervisors opposing the loan said accepting it was the point-of-no-return for the proposed justice center project.

While he admits the county needs a new jail, Supervisor Keith Kenyon is opposed to the costly plan some supervisors are pushing right now.

"We can build a jail, and Venture is going to get paid, but they don't need it all right now," he offered.

"We've got to come to our senses here people, we're going to be hung with these bills, but we can't afford them," continued Kenyon. "We've got to look at something else. If we approve this tonight, you're committing to $30 million."

Other supervisors voiced concerns over the fact that Venture has yet to speak to Sparta officials about the project, which will be completed on county land that lies within the city limits.

Supervisor Harv Simmons said he spoke with several city officials prior to Wednesday's meeting, and all confirmed they have not had in-depth discussions with Venture officials concerning the project.

The city has to approve the design of the facility and issue the proper zoning permits before the project can begin.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat June 25, 2009 issue

    What was billed as a listening session on the Rolling Hills Nursing Home last Wednesday, ended with a local businessman leveling accusations at several Monroe County Board members.

 County board supervisors Cedric Schnitzler and Harv Simmons held the listening session in the county board meeting room, where Rolling Hills Nursing Home Administrator Lauriann Grosskopf gave a presentation on the care facility.

 However, Eugene Treu, an outspoken critic of the county board and the county's plan to construct a $30 million justice center, requested information from Schnitzler and Simmons on how to register an Open Meetings Law complaint against a group of supervisors.

 Those supervisors include county board chairman Dennis Hubbard, vice-chair Julie Radke and supervisors Simon Wells, Chuck Bluske and Kyle Gibbens.

 Treu alluded to a gathering of those supervisors after the April 22 Monroe County Board meeting where justice center proponents, who include all five of those supervisors, were victorious in resuscitating the project after a four-month moratorium.

 Treu said the five supervisors were seen dining together at the Sparta Pizza Hut. He later said that information came from another county board supervisor, who confirmed witnessing the gathering.

 Wells, Bluske and Radke are members of the county's highway committee and constituted a quorum of that body. Highway committee chairman Cedric Schnitzler and committee member Jim Kuhn weren't present.

 Treu also pointed out that Gibbens is an employee of Scott Construction, which the highway committee awarded over $500,000 in paving material bids two days later.

 One of those bids resulted in a $213,785 contract for asphalt pavement for a Cty. Hwy. Z project, even though Scott Construction's bid was nearly $13,500 higher than that of Mathy Construction and Highway Commissioner Jack Dittmar recommended the committee take the lower bid.

 Radke, who made the motion to accept the Scott bid, said she preferred the rock Scott would be using in the asphalt because it comes from the Menn quarry and is reputed for its hardness.

 She added Cty. Hwy. Z hasn't been redone in several decades and has a good deal of truck traffic. Wells was the only dissenting vote on that bid, while Schnitzler was absent from the meeting.

 In a subsequent conversation with the Herald, Radke insisted the gathering at Pizza Hut was innocent.

 "I really have no idea what we discussed," she said. "All we did was go eat.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald June 22, 2009 issue

 The Sparta City Council Tuesday passed a resolution declaring support for continued use of the courthouse in downtown Sparta.

 The declaration states that the courthouse has been a significant presence in downtown Sparta for more than a hundred years and the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) has recommended it be maintained and used for appropriate county governmental purposes.

 The resolution shows the city supports Monroe County and the continued maintenance of the historic courthouse building in downtown Sparta.

 It passed unanimously, but not without plenty of discussion about the proposed justice center expansion itself.

 Alderman Gary Peterson, chairman of the HPC, said he brought the resolution to the council because the HPC feels council approval is needed to encourage county officials to keep the jail, courthouse or both downtown.

 Several aldermen relayed that citizens in their wards are not against a justice center. They are against moving a justice center out of town. 

 Alderman Ed Lukasek said that's the word from his constituents. 

 "They want the functionality here in the city of Sparta and they don't want it out of the city limits," he said. 

 Alderman Ron Button called the courthouse downtown's "core" and also felt the council needed to make an official statement of support.

 "If the council is neutral to support the downtown, then they shouldn't be here," he said.

 From the audience, Reinhard Mueller, who as a construction designer has offered to help the county find alternatives in order to keep the facility downtown, said a message needs to be sent to the county from Sparta officials.

 "There needs to be a clear message out there that Sparta is not against this," he said. "Architecture is not dead. There are ways to construct an addition there," he added, noting it could be done along "K" Street.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat June 18, 2009 issue

    The City of Sparta may be asked to take an official stance on where it would like to see the county build its justice center.

 Last Thursday at a joint meeting of the Monroe County Property and Purchasing Committee and the city's Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), at least one city official was leaning toward a downtown project.

 "Personally, I would like to see it stay here (downtown)," said Sparta Alderman Gary Peterson. "It would be a tremendous loss to the downtown if it went to the dog pound (site)."

 HPC chairperson Sandy Perry echoed that sentiment and asked why the city hasn't taken a stance on where it would prefer a justice center be located.
 "The city council is not taking a position on it," said Sparta City Administrator Ken Witt, who also attended the meeting. "It's letting the county choose what it wants to do."

 HPC member Connie Anderson, a former city council member, took issue with the projected $30 million cost of the of the project the county is currently pursuing.

 "Thirty million dollars is a lot of money to one of the poorest counties in Wisconsin," she said, noting that residents on fixed incomes would be especially vulnerable to a property tax increase to fund the building.

 "I'm not in favor of my tax dollars going to a $30 million (justice center) when I need money for pills to stay alive," added Anderson.

 County supervisor Ed Westphal of Tomah, an opponent of the proposed justice center, pointed out the operational costs of the facility would force the county to exceed the levy limit. That would require the county to hold a referendum asking residents to approve a hike in their taxes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald June 8, 2009 issue

There was some excitement in Sparta Wednesday night when a car landed in Perch Lake following a high speed chase.

 Sparta police responded to a driving complaint about 11:15 p.m. on the city's west side, according to information issued by the department.

 As Sparta police arrived, a Monroe County sheriff's deputy also spotted the suspect car and attempted to pull it over. However, the driver sped off and both the Sparta police and Monroe County Sheriff's Department deputy gave chase.

 The vehicle turned out to be stolen. It crashed through Ruth Dennison's yard at 649 E. Main St., then sped south through the Sparta VFW parking lot and plunged into Perch Lake. It came to rest about 50 feet into the lake, the report indicates.

 The driver, Joshua Fleming, 28, Prescott, abandoned the car, leaving his 45-year old passenger, a Cumberland man, as it began to sink.

 The passenger was trapped inside at first, but was able to free himself after the car sank. He then sat on top of the submerged car and was soon rescued by the Monroe County Dive Team.

 The passenger was not arrested.

 Fleming tried to swim across the lake -- away from police. He reached the middle of the water and yelled for help. 

 A fireman who lives nearby, Brian Van Wormer, responded with a boat. He took two Sparta police officers to the suspect in peril, and he was rescued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat June 4, 2009 issue

   The Monroe County Building Project Committee last Friday awarded the Community State Bank of Norwalk the bid on a $900,000 short-term loan.

 The local lending institution offered the lowest interest rate of the five area banks that offered bids. Under its conditions, the county will pay 2.5% interest if it goes with a three-month loan and 2.65% if it chooses a six-month or 12-month term. There also is no penalty for pre-payment.

 The county is borrowing the money to pay accumulating bills from Venture Architects of Milwaukee, which is designing the controversial $30 million justice center.

 Building committee chairman Dennis Hubbard and committee member Julie Radke abstained from voting, citing financial ties to the Norwalk bank.

 The matter still needs to go before the full county board later this month where it will require either a three-quarters or simple majority vote to be approved. The committee is waiting for a determination from Corporation Counsel Kerry Sullivan-Flock on whether a super or simple majority vote is needed for the measure to pass.

 Supervisor Keith Kenyon, who is not a member of the committee but attended the meeting, was against borrowing the money.

 "If this goes to term, we'll pay $26,000 in interest. I'm not sure we need to pay Venture in advance," he said, referring to ambiguous language in the architect's contract. 

 The only committee member voting against awarding the bid to the Norwalk bank was Ed Westphal, who also doesn't believe the county should be taking on the debt.

 Voting in favor of the motion were Bruce Humphrey, Teresa Pierce and Chuck Schwarz.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald June 1, 2009 issue

  A measure to restore $20,000 in cuts to the Monroe County Corporation Counsel's 2009 budget will go before county supervisors when they gather for their monthly meeting Wednesday.

The resolution, which was forwarded to the full county board with a 4-1 vote of the finance committee, calls for the transfer of $20,000 from this year's county administrator's budget to the corporation counsel's budget.

If approved, the move will make up for $20,000 in cuts made to the department during the annual budget process last year.

County officials had looked into the possibility of contracting out for the services provided by Monroe County Corporation Counsel Kerry Sullivan-Flock after the cuts were made, but little progress has been made on that proposal.

Instead, the finance committee is recommending transferring the unused funds from the administrator's budget.

The county had hoped to have an administrator on board earlier this year, but the top candidate from the initial hiring search opted not to take the job.

County officials have since restarted the search for an administrator, and are planning to contract with a professional search firm in an effort to attract more and better-qualified applicants.

Also on the agenda Wednesday is an update on the hiring of a county administrator.

In other county business this month, supervisors will hear updates on the county's jail liability insurance coverage, as well as a facilities update on the current courthouse.

In addition, an update on the justice center building project will be given to supervisors, including a look at additional personnel, projected operating costs, utility hook-ups and a highway permit application.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald May 26, 2009 issue

Dozens of members of Sparta High School's Class of 2009 cashed in last week, receiving nearly $300,000 in scholarships to various colleges, universities and technical schools.

School officials and representatives handed out a whopping $286,995 to student at the school's scholarship and awards banquet last Wednesday.

Lacey Buchda topped the list for Sparta, receiving the $60,000 Ripon College Pickard Scholarship.

Catherine Stuntebeck cashed in to the tune of $50,400, earning a $27,600 University of St. Thomas Academic Scholarship and a $22,800 St. Thomas Award.

Skyler Erickson received a $24,000 scholarship from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, while Natalie Larsen received a $20,470 scholarship from Cottey College and Dustin Crocker picked up an Extra Effort award worth $20,000.

Jeremiah Kremer received a $12,000 Mayo Foundation Scholarship, while Wisconsin All-State Scholars Buchda and Chelsey Oswald each earned an Academic Excellence Scholarship worth $9,000.

Buchda and Oswald earned the scholarship as the top two students in the class.

Other big winners included Josh Knoll with a $6,000 Viterbo University Athletic Scholarship and Ryan Deicher with a $4,000 Winona State University Music Scholarship.

Buchda and Oswald also received Sparta Academic Scholarships worth $1,000 apiece, while Ben Korte, Mollie Ostrander and Oswald each earned a Prescott O. Piper Memorial Scholarship worth $1,000.

Erikka Ashwell received the Mark D. Wall Rotary Memorial Scholarship worth $1,000, while Winona J. Haney Memorial scholarships worth $1,000 each went to Buchda, Larsen, Jordan Isensee, Samantha Ruedy, Chantal Skon, Antoni Walker and Rebecca Brooks.

Ruedy also earned a $1,000 scholarship from Cargill.

Aaron Freeman was the winner of the $1,000 Lee Wells Memorial Scholarship, while Ashwell and Alyssa Rybarczyk each earned a $1,000 award from the Auxiliary of Franciscan Skemp Healthcare.

Buchda earned a $1,000 scholarship from the Mabel Dupee Foundation, while Isensee took home a $1,000 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Freshman Honor Scholarship.
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat May 21, 2009 issue

  Monroe County will look at short-term borrowing in effort to make good on an outstanding bill of nearly $1 million from Venture Architects for on its proposed $30 million justice center project.

Tom Poweleit of Venture told the county's building committee Friday that the design effort for the justice center is 51 percent complete.

Design work on the project was halted in December, when the county board voted in favor of a four-month moratorium on the project,

The project began again earlier this month, when supervisors voted 13-9 against stopping the $30 million project to look at less costly solutions to its jail overcrowding project.

Poweleit explained that the project can be let out on bids when the design work is 75 percent complete.

"That looks to me to be about eight to 10 weeks away," said Poweleit.

Poweleit, however, said Venture cannot proceed with the design phase until the county pays his firm at least $524,000 for work that's already been completed.

"Right now, we are in the most intense part of the design effort," he said.

The county has paid $300,000 on its Venture bill, but still owes an outstanding balance of $524,000.

In an effort to get the design phase of the project moving again, building committee member and finance committee Chairman Teresa Pierce recommended the county pay look at short-term borrowing from a county financial institution.

Her motion to allow County Board Chairman Dennis Hubbard and Monroe County Clerk Shelly Bohl to work with local banks to secure the financing needed to pay Venture up to $900,000.

The total Venture bill - 6.75 percent of the total cost of the project - will be $1,716,225 when all design work is completed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald May 11, 2009 issue

A flare-up of a hot spot caused major damage to a home in downtown Wilton early Monday morning.

According to Wilton Fire Chief John Dougherty, his department was called out twice to the home of Wilton veterinarian Miller Yoder on Walker Street.

Dougherty said the first call to Yoder's home came about 7 p.m. Sunday.

"We were there Sunday night to hit a hot spot in the attic, which we thought we got out," explained Dougherty. "It was a warm spot up in the attic."

The hot spot apparently flared up again later, prompting another call to the Yoder home at about 3 a.m. the following morning.

Dougherty said the fire coming from the roof was visible when his department arrived at the scene a second time.

"The roof was half on fire when we got there," he said. "We got it knocked down about 4:30 in the morning."

Dougherty said 22 members of his department responded to the second call, along with nine members of the Norwalk Fire Department and four firefighters from Kendall.

While the fire was severe, Dougherty believes his department was able to save some of Yoder's home.

"It burned the roof off of his house," offered Dougherty.

"We (saved) the upstairs, but there's a lot of water damage," he continued. "I think they'll try to salvage some of the house, but I haven't heard back from the insurance company on what their call will be."
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat May 7, 2009 issue

  With the potential for swine flu cases to reach pandemic proportions, local officials aren't taking any chances.

 "We're preparing for the worst and hoping for the best," said Monroe County Health Officer Sharon Nelson. 

 The county health department has set up a command center in case the disease, now being called by its scientific name, the H1N1 virus, explodes in the county.

 Last Thursday, Governor Doyle declared a public health emergency and as of last Friday, the World Health Organization was in stage-5 alert with stage-6 being the highest.

 "That's a strong signal that a pandemic is eminent," said Nelson.

 However, as of this morning (Monday) the number of swine flu cases worldwide remained just below 1,000, with the majority of them in Mexico.

 A total of 226 cases had been confirmed in the U.S. as of today. Wisconsin has three confirmed cases, two in Milwaukee County and one in Adams County, and nearly 70 probable cases.

 Worldwide the death toll due to swine flu remains at 27, with all but one of those cases occurring in Mexico. The other death was in the U.S. but involved an infant from Mexico.

 Nelson said the H1N1 virus is spread just like the virus in a typical flu season, which comes to end around this time of year. The seasonal flu, Nelson, points out, accounts for thousands of deaths in the U.S. each year.

 Still, she is taking this strain of the disease very seriously because it is a "novel" virus and new to humans.

 "We have no immunity to it," she said. 

 Nelson is warning people to take the same precautions they would during the regular flu season. She pushes frequent hand washing along with the use of hand sanitizer gel as the best preventive measure.

 She also recommends sneezing and coughing into a tissue and then throwing away the tissue.

 Flu shots given this season won't provide immunity for the swine flu and Nelson doesn't expect a vaccine for H1N1 to be on the shelves until fall. Symptoms for swine flu are the same as the seasonal flu, which include fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, and possible nausea and vomiting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald May 4, 2009 issue

One of the first actions of the new Sparta School Board Tuesday evening was to approve the retirements of four teachers with a combined service of 127 years. It also said goodbye to longtime board member, Dr. Mark Hemmerich.

 Hemmerich's 16-year stint on the board ended with well wishes by colleagues and superintendent John Hendricks, who presented the longtime board president with a plaque.

 "It's been a fun run. It really has," said Hemmerich. "I have enjoyed working with the administration, staff and board. I hope I've done some good."

 Hemmerich was appointed to the board in 1993 to finish out a term held by Jan Ward. He has been re-elected ever since, but decided not to seek re-election this year.

 During the reorganizing of the board, newcomer Lee Culpitt was welcomed into the fold and Joan Cook, who has been on the board since April 2003, took her regular seat at the table.

 Longtime board vice-president, Wayne Jenkins, was elected to serve as president in Hemmerich's vacancy. Jenkins has served on the school board since 2001.

 Taking Jenkins' spot as vice-president is Janet Horstman, who has never held office on the board. She was elected in April 2005.

 Paul Solberg was chosen to continue as clerk, a position he's held since 2003. He was appointed to the school board in November 2002. Gary Kirking will remain treasurer. He has been in that post since 2005 and a member of the school board since 2003. 
 Solberg will continue to chair the Personnel and Educational Initiatives Committee. Cook and Horstman continue to make up the remainder of the committee. 

 Kirking will preside over the Finance and Facilities Committee, with Culpitt and Theresa Burns-Gilbert making up the rest of the committee.
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat April 30, 2009 issue

Despite overwhelming support from the members in the public in attendance, an effort to halt a proposed $30 million justice center in Monroe County came up shy at Wednesday's Monroe County Board meeting.

After a more than six-hour meeting, supervisors voted 13-9 against a resolution that would have stopped the project in its tracks.

The resolution, which was forwarded to the full board by supervisors Rick Irwin, Harv Simmons, Mary Cook, John Rusch and Keith Kenyon through County Board Rule 21, called for a halt to the project so other, less expensive, options could be explored.

Irwin has opposed the $30 million project since he was elected to the board in April of 2008.

Wednesday's resolution comes on the heels of one passed in December that placed a four-month moratorium on the justice center project.

Irwin explained that the resolution imposing the moratorium called for the county to look at and attempt to resolve four issues pertaining to the proposed justice center.

Those issues included the current economic conditions, the true cost of the proposed justice center, the disposition of the courthouse and an effort to find lower-cost alternatives.

Irwin told his fellow supervisors that none of those issues have been addressed to date.

Rusch has also been a vocal opponent of the proposed justice center, citing the county's current budget crunch as the main reason he is concerned about the project.

While Rusch conceded the county could construct the justice center by bonding for its cost, he believes running the new facility will be a difficult task because of state-imposed spending limits.

The spending caps do not apply to bonding for new construction, but they do limit the amount the county can levy for each year.

While a new justice center will eliminate an estimated annual expenditure of $1 million to house inmates out of county, Rusch believes the cost to run the facility will be an additional $1 million a year.

"I'd like to know where we're going to cut $1 million out of the budget to cover these expenses," said Rusch.

"No matter how you look at it, it's a whole lot cheaper to send them out of county," he continued. "If I was the guy in charge - if this was a dictatorship - I'd send them all out of county."

County Board Vice Chairman Julie Radke spoke out in favor of the project, saying county supervisors need to have a vision of the future.

While she realizes the cost of the proposed facility is high, she fears delaying the project at this point will only drive up the price.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat April 23, 2009 issue

  A public gathering Thursday concerning the proposed $30 million justice center was little more than a rehash of past arguments.

 Around 30 people, including around a dozen county officials, attended the what was billed as a public input session hosted by Monroe County Board supervisors Cedric Schnitzler and Harv Simmons.

 Representing the proponents of the project was Teresa Pierce, the finance committee chairman, who believes the new facility would deal with the county's jail space needs, while addressing courthouse security and minimizing the county's exposure to liability.

 County board supervisor Rick Irwin, who opposes the project, argued the proposed facility's operational cost are beyond the county's financial capacity.

 Besides putting the county $1.5 million in the red by 2012, the proposed justice centers first full year of operation, Irwin said the project fails to address the current courthouse. Estimates to remodel it for use by other departments are between $4 million and $6 million.

 Irwin has intorduced substantially cheaper alternatives involving building onto the current courthouse, which he said will serve the county's needs.

 Sheriff Dennis Pedersen, who also attended the meeting, expressed his frustration over the lack of progress on the issue.

 "Two decades of debate has become absolutely absurd," he said, also noting that courthouse security is as important to him as the jail overcrowding situation.

 "We can't lose sight of these courthouse security issues," Pedersen added, questioning how the county is going to deal with another courtroom and judge that are due to be on board by August 2010.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald April 20, 2009 issue

A hot carbon particle from a tractor's exhaust is the likely cause of a woods fire that burned close to 250 acres west of Sparta Tuesday evening.

According to Sparta Rural Fire Department Chief Mike Arnold, the fire started shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday on a farm owned by Jack Buswell on County Highway BC.

Arnold said Buswell's brother, Mark, was operating a brush hogger behind a tractor when the blaze ignited.

"Mark had been out there for a couple of hours, and on his fourth trip around, he said he felt heat on the back of his neck," offered Arnold.

When Buswell turned around, he saw the brush was on fire, and the blaze was also present in the prairie grass behind the vehicle.

"He pulled off the field and called 911 immediately, but the fire was already off and running," said Arnold.

The call came in at 3:49 p.m. Tuesday, and Arnold said he knew there was trouble as soon as he saw the smoke and flames on his way to the blaze.

"As I turned up BC I could already see the fire was moving up the first ridge, and I knew we were going to have trouble with this fire," he said.

"There were 20 to 25-foot flame heights," continued Arnold. And, of course, the winds were coming out of the east at 10 to 14 miles per hour pushing the fire from east to west."

Arnold said several other factors led to the seriousness of the fire, including the extremely dry conditions and the terrain in the area.

"We tried to pinch it off, but we had a problem with the left flank," said Arnold.

"The hilly terrain made it so difficult, and the rocks and ledges," he added. "What really hurt us was that the relative humidity was about seven percent - that's very dry."

While Arnold estimated the fire burned between 200 and 250 acres, he was very pleased with the effort of all the emergency response teams involved in fighting the blaze.

In addition to the Sparta Rural Fire Department, Arnold said units from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Tomah and Black River Falls, the Sparta City Fire Department, Fort McCoy Fire Department, Bangor-Burns Fire Department and Sparta City Fire Department responded to the scene of the fire.

"I can't thank everybody enough," he said. "We worked very well together."

And the effort paid off too. Arnold said despite some people being evacuated from their homes, no structures were damaged in the fire, and no one was seriously hurt or injured.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat April 16, 2009 issue

  Opponents of the proposed $30 million justice center presented a case to the Monroe County Public Safety Committee Wednesday they hope will convince the county board to kill that project and reinvigorate an effort to build downtown.

 Supervisor Rick Irwin from the Town of Wilton, who is spearheading the effort, shot holes in the current justice center proposal at the dog pound site and offered alternative building plans for the downtown area that are estimated to be half the cost.

 Irwin and four other supervisors will be offering a resolution at the April 22 county board meeting, calling for a halt to the justice center project and looking at less costly alternatives. The measure also suggests that remodeling and adding on to the present courthouse should be among those options (see related story).

 Irwin reiterated a previous argument to the committee, essentially telling it that the numbers don't add up. According to his figures, which he backed up with abundant documentation, the county could build the $30 million structure, it just couldn't afford to operate it.

 He submitted numbers showing by the end of  2012, the first full year of operation for the justice center assuming it is built on schedule, costs associated with the new facility, including staff and main-tenance, will leave the county $1.5 million in the hole.

 Irwin points out that doesn't take into account wage and operating increases in other departments during the same time period, which could add substantially to the projected deficit.

 Local businessman Gene Treu, who also attended the meeting, presented other figures he said show county taxpayers aren't able to shoulder the burden of debt associated with the justice center.

 Treu compiled statistics showing delinquent taxes in the county had doubled in the past year while the number of foreclosures and the unem-ployment rate both had spiked by over 60% in the same time period.

 He also had data that indicated debt from bonding $30 million, combined with a dropping property values and a stagnant construction rate, would cause the county portion of the tax bill to jump nearly 40% by 2014.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald April 13, 2009 issue

Opponents of the sale of alcoholic beverages in Sparta earned another big victory at the polls during Tuesday's Spring Election.

A pair of referendums pertaining to the sale of beer and liquor within the city limits were once again defeated at the polls.

A referendum which would have allowed the sale of beer in city grocery and convenience stores went down 1,030 to 921, while a referendum concerning the sale of liquor in Sparta was soundly defeated by a margin on 1,133 to 809.

Eddie Habhegger, the owner of Fast Eddie's on Highway 21 northeast of Sparta, was pleased with the vote.

"I was praying all the time that we would win," Habhegger said.

"I had confidence in the people of Sparta," he continued. "I think the people realized what I've been talking about all these years - that alcohol belongs in bars and liquor stores."
Habhegger said most bars and liquor stores are family-owned, and the owners have better control over the sale of alcohol because they are the ones operating their businesses on a daily basis.

"I sure do thank the people of Sparta," concluded Habhegger.

Proponents of allowing beer and liquor to be sold in the city said they would attempt to pass another referendum in two years.

Chad Monty, a part owner of the Sparta Travel Center BP convenience store along Highway 16 on the city's east side, was disappointed with the defeat.

"It is unfortunate that, as a result of the 2009 referendum, Sparta's citizens, guests and neighbors will not have a choice in Sparta for retail beer, wine or liquor," said Monty.

"As long as I have customers whom my family-owned business cannot serve, I will fight for them," he continued. "It is a sad day in Sparta for many who believed that freedom of choice and free enterprise would win over the printed lies and scare tactics in a 46-year-old ban."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat April 9, 2009 issue

 It was seven years ago on Easter Day that Connie DeGeorge and Kale Kvistad II went missing from their Douglas Street home in Sparta.

 They disappeared on March 31, 2002 and their skeletal remains weren't discovered until December 2004 in a wooded area north of Cataract, leaving investigators with the difficult task of trying to piece together evidence from a nearly two-year old crime scene.

 According to the lead investigator of the double homicide, Monroe County Detective Jeff Sullivan, the case has always been on the front burner.

 In fact, Sullivan has been working on the case since it landed on his desk five years ago. And his persistence has paid off.

 "We feel very confident that we're going to be bringing this to a conclusion in the near future," he said.

 With new revelations from witnesses as far away as Texas, Sullivan  feels sure charges will be filed in the case.

 "This case never went cold," he said. "It has been kind of a difficult case with the bodies being out in the elements for two years."

 The investigation also hit a wall, Sullivan said, when one of the two chief suspects in the murders, Troy Hogan, was found dead face up in Beaver Creek in downtown Sparta.

 His death, which was ruled a drowning by the state coroner, fed rumors that some sort of conspiracy was afoot. But Sullivan is certain no foul play was involved in Hogan's demise.
 While Sullivan was hesitant to release any new details in fear it could hamper the investigation, he did say new information from witnesses has reinvigorated the case.

 The other suspect previously named in the homicides, Larry Schaffer, 40, is currently in the Ozaukee County Jail, where he is serving a six-month sentence on eight counts of failing to provide child support.

 Prior to that, Schaffer, who was Hogan's brother-in-law, was incarcerated in Dallas, TX, after dousing his girlfriend with lighter fluid and attempting to set her on fire.

 Investigators said DeGeorge and Kvistad died from gunshots to the head.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald April 6, 2009 issue

 Two Sparta residents are calling for an investigation after discovering an apparent "deal" between the city and a local developer that has kept the assessments of the developer's properties stagnant for the past six years.

 Local Realtor Duane McClain and Tony Kiel, a professional assessor, have asked the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to look into why the city's assessors have kept the values of certain lots at Aspen Fields subdivision at $2,000, while other lots are being sold for more than $20,000.

  The developer, Dave Evanson of Onalaska, actually owns two subdivisions on Sparta's west side. The first development, Aspen Fields, lies to the south of Highway 16 and north of the La Crosse River.

 When it was built in 2001, it had over 100 lots, which at the time were assessed at $2,000 each. All but around 35 lots have been sold, and while the purchased lots have been reassessed in excess of $20,000 after their sales, the assessments for Evanson's vacant properties remain at $2,000.

 Jeremy Erickson, Monroe County's real property lister, caught the inconsistency while going through records after last year's city-wide reassessment.

 At that time he called Mark Sund, the city's assessor, to ask him if there was a digit missing from the property values of Evanson's lots. He said Sund informed him the figures were correct and that there was a "deal" between the city and the developer.

 Erickson said the word "deal" threw up a red flag because he knows any such arrangement would go against state law. That opinion was confirmed by a department of revenue spokesman.

 Erickson also noticed that 80 other Evanson properties in his adjacent development called River Trail, which was assessed for the first time in 2007, had dropped from their full value of over $20,000 to between $12,000-$13,500 after the city-wide reassessment.

 Vacant lots in a third development called River Wood, which isn't owned by Evanson but is adjacent to his River Trail subdivision, are assessed at full value -- over $20,000.

 So who made the deal -- which apparently is that Evanson's unsold Aspen Hills' lots would remain at $2,000 for 10 years? No one seems to know. City Administrator Ken Witt said the city council made that deal with Evanson before he came to Sparta. However, he added, it was a verbal agreement and no written documentation of the deal exists.

 Even so, he agrees the "deal" isn't legal.

 "First of all the city council can't do that," he said. "Every property has to be assessed at full value."

 Witt said he first became aware of the discrepancy when Evanson's second subdivision, River Trail, was completed in 2006. He said Evanson complained that those lots were all assessed at full value and informed Witt of the deal on his Aspen Hills properties.

 Witt said he told Evanson the city couldn't honor the deal and that the tax rolls would be fixed the following year. That's when the Appleton firm Associate Appraisal Consultants, LLC, performed the city-wide revaluation.

 Apparently, Associated Appraisal had placed the assessed values of Evanson's Aspen Hills' lots at around $20,000. But sometime between open book and the Board of Review, the firm had changed those values back to $2,000.

 "We never had a chance to review those changes," said Witt. "The assessor said they made a mistake but no one will admit to it."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald March 30, 2009 issue

 A resolution to transfer more than $100,000 from the general fund to cover a shortfall in the 2008 clerk of court's budget will top the agenda when the Monroe County Board gathers for its monthly meeting Wednesday.

According to the resolution, the shortfall is the result of both an overage in expenses and a shortfall in revenue in 2008.

"The clerk of court's budget for 2008 did experience an overage in expenses in the amount of $25,940.82, and a shortage in revenue of $86,793.35," indicates the resolution. "Due to this overage, it is necessary for there to be a transfer from the 2008 general fund to the 2008 clerk of court's office budget."

The budget shortfall totals $112,374.17.

The resolution was forwarded to the full board from both the public safety and justice coordinating committee and the finance committee.

The public safety and justice committee voted 7-0 to recommend the resolution be passed by the full board, while the finance committee cast a 5-0 vote in favor of the measure.

Because the transfer is not part of the 2008 budget approved by the full board, the resolution to transfer the funds needs a two-thirds majority vote of supervisors to pass.

In other board business Wednesday, supervisors will hear a pair of updates - one on the justice center building project and a second on the hiring of a county administrator.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald March 23, 2009 issue

A fifth suspect in the rash of armed burglaries in rural Sparta was charged in Monroe County Circuit Court this week.

 David R. Ortiz, 19, 608 Maple St., was charged with two counts of armed burglary, four counts of theft of moveable property, and two counts each of criminal damage to property and misdemeanor theft. He is in jail in lieu of a $2,500 cash bond. 

 Ortiz, Skyelar Alm, 20; Charlie Richards, 19; and two 16-year olds, all of Sparta, are accused of breaking into a number of rural homes in the past several weeks.

 According to the criminal complaint against Ortiz, a Monroe County Sheriff's deputy was investigating the break-in of a Garland Avenue home February 24 when she was informed of another victim on Garland Avenue.

 At the home of the first victim, a full length glass window in an outside door was broken out. Inside, a baseball bat was sitting on the kitchen table. All of the cabinets in the kitchen had been rifled through, as well as drawers in other rooms, according to the complaint. Various containers of change were missing from several different rooms.

 The second victim said she came home from work and immediately noticed a service door to the garage was unlocked. The door between the house and garage was also open. When she entered the house, the homeowner saw drawers open with the contents on the floor.

 Closet and drawer contents throughout the house were disturbed and strewn about. A patio table had been thrown through a large picture window. Change, jewelry and other items were missing.

 Officers lifted shoe print impressions from both the scenes.

 Police were dispatched to a Falcon Avenue residence March 4 when the home's burglar alarm sounded. 

 When officers arrived, they saw two sets of footprints leading away from the house. More prints were discovered near the back deck, where a patio door was shattered. However, it did not appear as if would-be intruders gained entry. 

 Shoe and tire prints were taken from the scene.

 Later that day, police were dispatched to a Jackpot Avenue home. Again, a patio glass door was shattered and drawers were disturbed. Old checks, cash, coins, a handgun and extra magazine, and a display case with antique guns were missing, the complaint indicates.

 On March 9, a resident on Hawk Road discovered her dog was locked in the garage. The dog is usually kept in the basement while the owners are at work. The homeowner found her house ransacked. Several electronic devices, including a video game console, an Ipod and digital camera, and two handguns were missing.

 The last burglary occurred on Cty. Hwy. Q March 11, but the alleged burglars were frightened away by a neighbor who spotted them. 

 The neighbor told police he saw a Ford van in the driveway and two male subjects inside the house. As he approached, the two suspects ran. One waved a gun in the air, toward the neighbor, before they both got into the van and left.

 Hours later, a juvenile reported the same van as stolen. Eventually, the teen admitted he and another teen broke into the Cty. Hwy. Q residence, but left when the neighbor approached. He allegedly admitted he waved a gun at the man, which was taken from the Hawk Road residence. The teen told police he threw the gun in a ditch, which police later recovered.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat March 19, 2009 issue

 As it stands right now, Grace Street property owners will not be assessed for the cost of a new sidewalk, but residents of the neighborhood still have concerns over a road reconstruction project planned this summer.

"I don't even want the project to happen," said Sherry Hininger of Warrens.

Hininger and her husband, Jeff, recently purchased a 34-unit apartment complex that abuts Grace Street at 1003 St. Anne Street.

"I understand the city needs to make improvements, but at whose cost?" asked Hininger.

While the Hiningers won't be assessed for the cost of a sidewalk, they will be responsible for covering the cost of curb and gutter for the project.

"It's still going to be $8,000 to $9,000 without the sidewalk," she said. "We can't afford that."

Hininger also is concerned the city isn't doing enough to inform the property owners about the project.

She was upset because property owners were not informed about a public works committee meeting held Wednesday evening concerning the project.

"Why are they not contacting us, when it's a huge issue for us?" she said. "We should be contacted anytime they're talking about the project because it concerns us."

Patty Danick, who lives at the intersection of Grace and St. Anne streets, also is upset with the way city officials are handling the project.

Like Hininger, Danick believes the city could have done more to inform area property owners about the project.

"They need to be listening to people," she said.

"I really think we have a right, before they get started, to have a say in this," continued Danick. "My biggest thing is how the city goes about it - they dictate."

A public hearing was held concerning the proposed sidewalk last month, and the city council voted against assessing property owners for its cost.

If the sidewalk is included as part of the project, the city will foot the bill.

City Administrator Ken Witt said officials will decide next month whether or not to construct the sidewalk.

The public works committee discussed the matter earlier this month, but decided to wait before making a final decision on the sidewalk.

According to Witt, the sidewalk is included as a line item in the project bid, so city officials could opt to accept a bid and exclude the sidewalk.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald March 16, 2009 issue

  A staffing plan for the 2009-2010 school year proposed at the Personnel and Educational Initiatives Committee of the Sparta School Board Tuesday included a reduction of five teachers at the high school.
 Four of the teachers cut would be from core academic areas.

 The staff reductions are needed to address a deficit projected to be $400,000 if state aid, enrollment numbers and other factors remain the same. 

 Superintendent John Hend-ricks said $100,000 of that could be taken off the top if the district and all staff members practice prudent spending for the rest of this school year. 

 He presented a plan to the committee that he called a ìmenu for considerationî. He urged the committee to listen to his explanation of proposal, then take comments from the audience, which included a dozen teachers who may be affected.

 The proposed reductions include cutting the entire driverís education program for a savings of $20,000. 

 That would displace the driverís education teacher, Larry Severson, who has been in that position for 11 years. Earlier this year, Severson learned he would not be up for renewal as football coach, either.

 Hendricks said just 75 kids enrolled in the course next year, a declining number. In fact, enrollment numbers at the high school are down significantly, which is why the majority of staff cuts are coming from the high school, he indicated. 

 Severson said the driverís education enrollment number is not entirely accurate, as it does not include students who enroll in the summer program. It also does not include students who are home-schooled or attend parochial or other private schools. 

 Also, the program is only available to students beginning their sophomore year. Severson suggested opening it up to second semester freshmen, who would certainly increase enrollment.

 The other cuts include a full-time high school English teacher, full-time high school math teacher, half-time high school social studies teacher, half-time LMC teacher, full-time High Point teacher, full-time middle school teacher and a reduction of a substitute-calling secretary, which is already in place.

 Hendricks said eliminating the substitute-calling secretary position would be a savings of about $45,000, but software to implement an automated system, already in place, is in the neighborhood of $20,000. 

 Other people affected would be high school English teacher Laura Veglahn and math teacher Rachel Wimer, although she could possibly move to another position as she is licensed in another background.  The social studies position being cut in half would affect Mark Bullen, who is a full-time teacher now. Sue Quale is the LMC teacher, but Hendricks indicated shifts in duties may allow her to retain full-time status. The actual person to be affected at High Point is unclear at this point, Hendricks indicated.

 ìThis is a reflection of declining numbers and how registration came out,î said Hendricks. He suggested the middle school position be reduced because a large class is moving out of eight grade. That person, Tom Nissalke, could move around to other grade levels instead, Hendricks indicated.

 Those involved in the reduction are due to a lower amount of students signing up for their classes next year. As for the LMC, Hendricks said that is due to a decline in use.

 The total amount saved by the reductions is estimated at $360,000, should the school board decide to adhere to Hendrickís proposed plan.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat March 12, 2009 issue

 City aldermen decided last month not to levy a special assessment against property owners for a new sidewalk along Grace Street, but no decision was made as to the fate of the proposed sidewalk project itself.

That decision, in part, will fall on the Sparta Public Works Committee when it gathers for its monthly meeting Wednesday night.

Last month, following a public hearing on the matter, the city council voted 5-3 against the special assessment, but no decision was made on whether or not to construct the sidewalk.

"There are two separate issues," explained City Administrator Ken Witt. "Whether to charge the people (to construct the sidewalk) and whether to build the sidewalk are two separate questions."

Witt said the special assessment was the only item discussed by the council at last month's meeting.

"We didn't actually remove the sidewalk (from the construction) plan, so now we have to decide whether or not to leave the sidewalk in or not," he said.

"It's in the plan," Witt continued. "That's what was originally approved when we bid the project."

If aldermen decide to leave the sidewalk in the proposed street reconstruction plan, Witt said the city will be responsible for the cost.

"The other option is that we can leave the sidewalk in, because it's a line item, and we can remove it at that time," he offered.

"If we go forward with the sidewalk, the city will have to pay for it," continued Witt. "I think the biggest question is whether we want the sidewalk there because of the big hill there."

The proposed reconstruction plan includes renovation of Grace Street from Highway 16 to Jefferson Avenue.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald March 9, 2009 issue

  Developments learned at Monday's Sparta Park Board meeting may lead to a delayed swimming season.

 One involved the painting of the  municipal pool, and the two bids received for the work were oceans apart.

 The lower and ultimately successful offer of $18,950 to sandblast, pressure wash, acrylic patch, prime, paint and black strip the aquatic vessel came from Schanhofer Custom Finishing, 1401 S. Water St.

 The cost is for two coats of paint for maximum protection, which is recommended by the bidder. The $4,975 in materials will be discounted 5% if they are ordered this week.

 Another local firm, B&T Contracting, LLC, 7610 Highway 27 North, submitted a $38,777 bid according to specs laid out by the parks and recreation department.

  Both contractors  figured the painting of the 20 by 30-foot baby pool in crunching their numbers. The main pool, measuring 176 by 56 feet, was last painted in 2001 by Schanhofer Custom Finishing, Cory Schanhofer, proprietor.

 The improvement could delay the Memorial Day weekend pool opening  if spring weather isn't cooperative, said Brad Gilbertson, parks and recreation director.

  Time to do the pool face-lift is tacked on to that needed to do  regular pool maintenance. At season's end, the pool is drawn down to a foot below the gutter to prevent the walls from heaving, drained in the spring and then refilled. The spring portion of this process can last a week, said Gilbertson.

 Another concern that could further delay local aquatics is compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act requiring upgrading the drain system in both pools. No cost estimate for the new product, which is not currently on the market, is available. But engineering plans could run as much as $3,000.

 Non-compliance could mean a fine of $10,000 per day totalling $40,000 because the system has four drains, three in the large pool and one in the wading pool, which, incidentally, would be expensive to meet federal standards because of the  single drain.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat March 5, 2009 issue

     What if Monroe County built a justice center and then couldn't afford to open it?

 According to more than one county supervisor, that's exactly the predicament the county will find itself in if it goes ahead with current plans for a $30 million justice center.

 And its not the cost of construction that will break the bank, said Supervisor John Rusch of Tomah, it's the cost of operating the facility.

 Rusch addressed the county board last week, pointing out that projected operational expenditures associated with the justice center will force the county to exceed its levy limits.

 Those operational costs include $900,000 a year in new spending for 16 additional jailers, and an increase of over $500,000 in maintenance requirements.

 Allowing for the savings realized by no longer housing prisoners in neighboring jails, Rusch believes the county still would be spending an additional $565,000 a year to operate the facility.

 If the justice center were to open as scheduled in 2011, the county's levy cap would only have risen by $400,000 -- that is if the Governor's proposed expansion of the levy cap, raising it from 2% to 3%, goes through.

 "That would be eaten up by other departments," said Rusch, noting the county board just approved one-year labor contracts amounting to $353,000 in added personnel costs -- and that doesn't include the increase for dispatchers whose union has yet to settle on an agreement.

 The only way the county could exceed its levy cap is to get taxpayer approval through a referendum.

 "The worst thing we could do is build the jail and then find out we couldn't operate it unless we got permission from the taxpayers," said Rusch, adding that he didn't believe it was likely such a referendum would pass.

 If the county chose to exceed its levy cap without a referendum, it would forfeit over $2 million in shared revenue from the state, according to Rusch. The state has already cut shared revenue payments to municipalities by 1% in order to deal with its own deficit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald March 2, 2009 issue

 It was a deja vu moment at the Sparta Historic Preservation Commission meeting Wednesday afternoon.

 Rick Irwin, a Monroe County supervisor opposed to the plan for a $30 million justice center outside of the city, wanted the commission's  blessing to pursue a jail project on the courthouse square.

 Almost 10 years ago, the city body patrolling local aesthetics, voted down a proposal to do just that because it would encroach on the courthouse lawn.

 "At that time, we voted against building there, and there was a lot of public input on it," said Sandie Perry, a long time commission member. 

 Another member, Rick Kast, remarked the State Historical Society actually put the kibosh on the plan because of its inconsistency with the courthouse placement on the National Historic Registry.

 However, Irwin, who is from the Town of Wilton, was merely testing the waters this week. He added the footprint of the jail addition could be moved west so as to encroach on the courthouse green only minimally.

  Earlier in the week Irwin went on a fact finding mission,  visiting the updated Fond du Lac County jail which involved upward construction. He estimated a cost of $9 million if Monroe County did that or built downtown. The amount is less than one-third the expense of the $30 million project for which a construction moratorium exists through April.

 Irwin said momentum on the county board exists for downtown jail construction, and Carol Las, a county supervisor from Little Falls, underscored that perception. The tendency to proceed with a downtown project is prompted by the millions of dollars of infra-structure improvement in the retail district in the past year, she said.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat February 26, 2009 issue

     Attitudes among a significant number of high school students and their parents are more relaxed toward alcohol than other drugs.

 That's according to Sparta High School students who took a survey conducted by the Sparta School District in 2008. 

 Results of the study, which school officials presented to members of the school board earlier this month, show that only 26% of students believe their parents think it is very wrong for them to use alcohol.

 That's compared to 75% who think their parents would strongly disapprove of their smoking marijuana and 60% who believe their parents are dead set against them using tobacco.

 Just under 20% of students said they didn't believe their parents thought it was at all wrong for them to use alcohol.

 "There is much more acceptance of alcohol and drinking than smoking," said Peggy Jadack, the school district's director of pupil services. "We continue to see that as a problem."

 Jadack believes the problem is rooted in Wisconsin's culture of alcohol. Even with the statewide social acceptance of drinking, Sparta high schoolers outpaced the state average in one category.

 The survey shows that 32.4% of Sparta high schoolers said they had their first drink of alcohol, other than just a few sips, before the age of 13. That is well above the state average of 23.5%.

 However, trends in the survey, which has been conducted five times since the 2001-2002 school year, show the frequency of alcohol consumption among Sparta students declining.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald February 23, 2009 issue

    A heated debate ensued at last Friday's Monroe County Finance Committee meeting after one of its members introduced a preliminary measure to rescind a moratorium on the justice center project.

 Citing an opportunity in the bond market and a decline in construction related costs, committee member Jim Kuhn presented a draft resolution, calling for the $30 million building project to be restarted.

 He said current bond rates were below 4%, which is what the county's bonding adviser said was an acceptable rate before the market tanked last fall and the county was looking at 4.55% at best.

 He also said any further delay could put ground breaking into next fall, adding to the project cost.

 "To delay it is going to cost the county more money," said Kuhn. "That's the bottom line."

 However, county board members Carol Las and Rick Irwin, both opponents of the project as it is proposed, contested the finance com-mittee's legitimacy in bringing the resolution forward.

 The county board passed the resolution implementing the four-month moratorium on December 23. The measure stipulated the public safety committee, on which both Las and Irwin sit, was to deal with the building issue during the postponement.

 The two insisted public safety was the committee of jurisdiction and any measure related to the building project should come through it.

 Before that could be settled, the discussion became accusatory.

 "I think we need a jail but I don't think we need a justice center," said finance committee member Keith Kenyon, an ardent foe of the $30 million project.

 "Nobody even knows what's in this. I'd like to see a detailed plan of the justice center."

 Finance chairman Teresa Pierce, a proponent of the project, responded saying the plan never was completed. "You shut it down," she told Kenyon, referring to the moratorium.

 Kenyon then voiced his mistrust of the county's architectural firm, Venture, which has told the county that any delay would result in an increase in building costs and a decrease in the scope of the project.

 "With Venture you're getting a high-pressure sale," he said. "If they're going to sell this bill of goods to the taxpayer then the county taxpayer is going to have to bite the bullet for it."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald February 16, 2009 issue

   A 55-year old Sparta man died Friday in a one-vehicle accident in the Town of Greenfield.

 According to Monroe County Sheriff Dennis Pedersen, the driver, Scott A. Lenss, whose last known address was 402 1/2 Austin St., was traveling east on Highway 21 at around 10 a.m.

 He apparently lost control of his vehicle just west of Fireworks Avenue, where it entered the westbound ditch and rolled on its top before coming to rest against some trees.

 Lenss, the vehicle's only occupant, died at the scene. The Sheriff's Department, State Patrol and Monroe County Medical Examiner's office are investigating the incident.

 The Sparta Police Department is still awaiting the results of a State Patrol accident recon-struction report being compiled for a January 16 crash that cut a car in half.

 That accident occurred when 68-year old Daniel Steinbrink of Sparta drove from the Kwik Trip parking lot onto Black River Street and was struck broadside by Peter Lukasek, 52, also of Sparta.

 Lukasek's 2006 Honda, which was southbound, severed Steinbrink's 1992 Oldsmobile, sending the rear half into a snow bank on the other side of the street. Both men were injured, Steinbrink seriously, and transported to La Crosse hospitals.

 Sparta Police Chief Mike Kass said newer cars now carry black boxes similar to those in airplanes.

 "(The Sate Patrol) is trying to download data from the black box in the Honda," said Kass, noting the foreign make of the car makes the task more difficult.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald February 9, 2009 issue

 Monroe County experienced an 11% boost in foreclosure filings in January over the preceding month, resulting in the second highest month ever for that type of legal action in Wisconsin.

 According to Foreclosure-Alarm, a Madison-based soft-ware group created by Intelligent Solutions LLC, foreclosure filings in the county rose from 16 in December to 18 in January. 

 However, with the exception of Juneau County, neighboring counties recorded a decrease in foreclosures in a month's time with Vernon County logging the largest percentage drop, 20%. It edged down from six filings in December to five in January.

 In La Crosse County, the flow of foreclosures fell from 25 to 23 or 7% in a month's time, while actions to retake property in Jackson County slid 31%, translating to a drop from six to four filings.

 Juneau County's 16 fore-closure filings over its 11 in December represented a 48% jump. Door County with many vacation homes reported the highest percentage increase in foreclosures, 140%, soaring from eight to 20 in the one-month period.

 Overall, 53 of Wisconsin's 72 counties reported a boost in foreclosures from December to January.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat February 5, 2009 issue

  With spring elections just two months off, some of Monroe County's 24 townships are hotbeds of political activity.

 As a result of its Jan. 12 caucus, the Town of Ridgeville has a contest for every seat except treasurer. In the chairman race, incumbent Mike Luethe is being challenged by current supervisor Charles Neumann.

 Incumbent supervisor Steve Krueger is facing a challenge from Gerald Haney, a former patrolman for the township. Jerry Cooley Jr. and Ray Horns will compete for the supervisor's seat being vacated by Neumann.

 The clerk's race pits incumbent Inese Epstein against Rita Williams. Luethe appointed Epstein to replace Janis Stanek who resigned in the middle of  the current term.

 Incumbent treasurer Mary Fries, who also was appointed after her predecessor, Royce Kortbein, resigned, has no opposition.

 The Town of Wells experienced a big shakeup in its caucus earlier this month. Town Clerk Norman Kowitz, who has held the position for more than four decades, failed to make the ballot in a run-off of four candidates vying for the position.

 The top vote getters whose names will appear on the ballot are Alison Elliott, who is the Monroe County zoning administrator, and Deanne Schwartz. Beth Wells also failed to garner enough votes to make the ballot.

 Supervisor Don Ziegler is stepping down and his apparent replacement will be Ron Ziegler, who won't have any opposition after another nominee, Steve Berendes, chose not to accept his nomination.

 Town chairman Dennis Hemmersbach supervisor Gregory Schmitz and treasurer Simon Wells are unopposed. The town assessor's position, which is an elected seat in Wells, is held by Jim Shea, who also faces no challenger.

 The Town of Little Falls, which has abandoned the caucus method in favor of submitting nomination papers, will have a three-way race for one of its supervisor's seats.

 Town chairman Don Herr, who faces no opposition, said challengers Nancy Whitaker and John Christy entered their nominations for the supervisor's post after incumbent Dan Olson said he wouldn't seek reelection. 

 Olson, however, had a change of heart and all three candidates will be on the ballot. Running unopposed are incumbents Jim Pfaff, supervisor; Ron Storandt, treasurer; and Donna Heuer, clerk.

 In the Town of Adrian, supervisor Gordon Oswald isn't seeking reelection and Thomas Graber and Robert Amundson are vying for the seat. For the other supervisor's position, incumbent Richard Schmitz will face a challenge from James Giertych.

 Running unopposed are chairman Gail Chapman, clerk Kathy Schmitz and treasurer Cathy Bernhardt.

 In the Town of Clifton, a controversy over transferring part of the township from the Kendall Fire District to the Oakdale Fire District seems to have created interest in the April election. Kendall Fire Chief Tom Trepes is challenging incumbent Don Finucan for the chairman's post.

 Dennis Boeder and Donovan Riedesel will vie for the supervisor's seat being vacated by Paul Hoppmann. The town's former clerk, David Hansen is challenging the current clerk, Mary Cook. Supervisor Kevin Cook and treasurer Chris Woggon are unopposed.

 An upcoming vacancy in the chairman's post leads a full slate in the Town of Grant. Former Monroe County Solid Waste Manager Allan Roof is facing off against Douglas Lambert for the chairman's seat currently held by Troy Lambert.

 Incumbent supervisors David Frost and Lon Sutherland are being challenged by Fred Weiner and Wayne Hollingshead, respectively.

 Dale Anderson is challenging incumbent Town of Byron Supervisor Barbara Meltesen, while the incumbent treasurer, Anna Krueger will face Julie Jacobson on the ballot.

 In the Town of Jefferson a race for a supervisor's seat pits incumbent Willard Brueggen against Jack Herricks.

 Barring any unforeseen circumstances, John Guthrie, who is running unopposed, should replace Jim Faulkner as supervisor in the Town of LaGrange. Katie (Sullivan) Schanhofer is also running unopposed for the treasurer's seat being vacated by Delores Spooner.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald February 2, 2009 issue

 Monroe County has a new county clerk.

Shelley Bohl, who served as deputy county clerk for the past two years, was given the nod to fill the seat vacated by former County Clerk Susan Matson's resignation earlier this month.

Bohl has served as acting county clerk since Matson left to take another position out of state, but the promotion became official with a unanimous vote of supervisors during Wednesday's monthly meeting.

Tomah supervisor John Rusch, a member of the administrative and executive committee that conducted the hiring process, said Bohl was selected from a field of 16 candidates.

Rusch said six candidates were tapped for interviews, and the committee ultimately voted to offer the position to Bohl, who was Matson's recommendation for the job.

Supervisor Nodji VanWychen asked if she could receive a little more background on Bohl before casting her vote.

"I feel awkward," said VanWychen. "I don't have a lot of knowledge about her."

Monroe County Personnel Director Ken Kittleson told supervisors Bohl has a two-year associate degree in accounting, and possesses a bookkeeping background.

"She spent eight years out a Rolling Hills as a payroll clerk in accounts payable, and moved into the deputy clerk position two years ago," offered Kittleson.

Sparta Supervisor Chuck Schwarz said he received a phone call from someone concerned as to whether there are minimum requirements for the position.

Kittleson said the job description called for someone with a bachelor's degree, or something similar as far as credentials are concerned.

"We took her accounting and bookkeeping background into account, which sufficed in meeting the requirement of a bachelor's degree," Kittleson said.

Bohl was officially sworn in noon today (Thursday) by Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Michael McAlpine.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat January 29, 2009 issue

  A complaint brought against the City of Sparta by an employee of a controversial downtown nightclub has been dismissed.

 Scott Murphy, the brother of Dimensions III owner Patrick Murphy and a manager at the former Sparta night spot located at 210 S. Water St., filed the complaint on June 3, 2008.

 In it he claimed the city refused him a bartender's license because of a felony conviction record and discriminated against him for making a complaint under the Fair Employment Law.

 On January 20, the Equal Rights Division of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development found there was no probable cause to hold a hearing on the complaint and dismissed it.

 According to Scott Murphy's complaint, he and his brother purchased the property in May 2007, and met with Sparta Police Chief Mike Kass to discuss applying for a liquor license.

 Scott Murphy alleges that Kass indicated he wouldn't recommend approving the license if Scott Murphy's name were on it, citing his 1988 felony conviction for issuing worthless checks. Scott Murphy also claimed Kass said he would oppose issuing him a bartender's license for the same reason.

 Patrick Murphy subsequently filed for a liquor license with only his name on the document, which the city approved in June 2007, despite Kass' objections. On December 31, 2007, Scott Murphy applied for a bartender's license which was granted him on January 3, 2008.

 According to Mark Robarge, an equal rights officer for the state who wrote the response to the complaint, therein lies the problem. He indicates that December 2007 was the first time Scott Murphy applied for a license and he later received it.

 "(Scott Murphy) is essentially alleging an act of discrimination that did not happen," wrote Robarge, noting the fact that the complainant's name doesn't appear on any earlier bartender's license applications nor any liquor license applications.

 Scott Murphy also claims Kass humiliated him because he included in press releases that he didn't want the establishment re-licensed because one of the owners was a felon. Those press releases concerned the death of David Endres, who died of injuries allegedly sustained in an altercation at Dimensions III on December 23, 2007.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald January 26, 2009 issue

 A residence at 503 South Water Street that served as a house of worship for a Sparta congregation will be given away and relocated to make way for a Morrow Home expansion project.

 The single story, frame dwelling was the meeting place for 53 years for what is now the Trinity Lutheran Church before construction of its current building on the 600 block of North Water Street.

 After that a Christian Science Society gathered there for a time. But for the past generation or so, the structure at the east end of Hill Street, most recently owned by Vern Kerling, functioned purely as a home.

 Michael Bonello, Morrow Home director, said the former church is one of four buildings in the way of a proposed Community Based Residential Facility(CBRF),  providing a level of care between assisted living and that of the regular nursing home. 

 Ground breaking for the $4.5 million endeavor, involving 15 new jobs, will be in the spring or summer. Specific plans are still sketchy and financing remains in the offing, said Bonello. 

 In the interim, other buildings that will be forfeited for the project are the Little Hotel, purchased from Jerry Vettrus, a house at 505 South Water Street, which was also obtained from Kerling, and an abode owned by Mark Pine at 427 South Water Street.

 According to Bonello, the attempt to save the original home of the Lutheran congregation, the only one of the four buildings without asbestos, is because of its tie to local history and lingering resemblance to a church. Bible verses  were found etched on the rafters.

 "We're basically trying to give it away like we did with the administrator's residence, said Bonello. "We prefer to move it and not tear it down." He thinks the opportunity is ideal for someone already owning a vacant lot and willing to incur the expense of relocating a house. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
Monroe County Democrat January 22, 2009 issue

  Authorities are looking into the possibility that one of the vehicles involved in a crash that cut a car in half Friday afternoon may also have been involved in another accident just moments before.

Two Sparta men were injured in the crash, which took place shortly before 3 p.m. in front of Kwik Trip on South Black River Street.

According to a police report, a 1992 Oldsmobile driven by 68-year-old Daniel Steinbrink was exiting the Kwik Trip parking lot onto Black River Street when it was struck broadside by a 2006 Honda driven by 52-year-old Peter Lukasek.

The impact of the collision severed Steinbrink's vehicle in half, sending the rear half of the car onto a snowbank on the other side of the street.

Steinbrink suffered serious injuries, and was transported by Sparta Area Ambulance Service to Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in Sparta, and then transferred to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse by Med-Link helicopter.

Lukasek also was transported to Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in Sparta by Fort McCoy Ambulance, and later transferred by ambulance to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Sparta Police Chief Mike Kass said this (Monday) morning that his department received a report of another accident in the area just moments before Lukasek struck Steinbrink.

"There's the potential that one of the operators may have been involved in another accident just prior to this one," said Kass.

"The witness gave a description that matched the description of one of the cars involved in the second accident," he continued. "We won't know until the investigation is complete, but I think when it's done we'll have a pretty clear picture of what happened."

As of press time Monday, no citations have been issued, but Kass said that was a definite possibility.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald January 19, 2009 issue

   A former Monroe County jailer has initiated a lawsuit against the county claiming he was fired from his job unlawfully.

 Ron Ebert, who spent over 17 years as an employee of the county, filed the claim in November, three months after his July 29 termination date.

 In the claim, Ebert accuses his ex-boss, Sheriff Dennis Pedersen, who also is listed as a defendant in the document, of making ìa series of public statements which were defam-atory to (Ebertís) professional and personal reputation.î

 In particular, Ebert alleges the sheriff stated that Ebert had committed ìmultiple felonious actsî and was a ìdumb farmerî unfit for public employment.

 Monroe County is listed as a separate defendant, according to the claim, because of its negligent failure to supervise and discipline Pedersen.

 Ebert is seeking $100,000 in damages against Pedersen and the county, claiming he has suffered the loss of his salary and benefits. He was making nearly $52,000 in total compensation at the time he was fired.

 He also maintains that his character and reputation have been hurt and that he has suffered emotional distress and  incurred attorneyís fees and costs.

 The document, which is signed by Ebertís attorney, Lawrence Albrecht of the Milwaukee law firm First, Albrecht & Blondis, leaves the door open for additional damages under federal law.

 The claim went before the Monroe County Finance Committee last Thursday, where Pedersen said he couldnít comment on the matter because he was a defendant in the lawsuit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To read this entire article please see the
The Sparta Herald January 12, 2009 issue

Click here for a printable form to mail, 

Call (608) 269-3186

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(in Sparta's Industrial Park)