Now the Tough Part Begins for Obama
1/21/09 - The real work begins today for President Barack Obama and his new administration. Governor Jim Doyle says people understand the “huge challenge” Obama has inherited, and it will take him time to get going. Last night, Doyle joined thousands from Wisconsin and the region at the official Midwest Inaugural Ball in Washington. Vice-president Joe Biden told the crowd that he and Obama will start making history today. Niel Ritchie, who owns a cabin in Hayward, called the gala event “perfect.” Governor Doyle said the most moving part of Obama’s inaugural speech was when he spoke directly to the world about America’s new leadership. Back in Wisconsin, newspapers printed extra copies for people to buy as keep-sakes. And while thousands attended special viewings, many paused to watch the inaugural from work, school, or home. Thirty Dane County jail inmates in Madison crowded around a T-V to listen to Obama – and a veteran guard said she never heard it any quieter. Pictured: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance at the Midwest Inaugural Ball last night.
Petri Attends Inauguration
1/21/09 - Congressman Tom Petri called it an important day for Wisconsin and America. The Republican from Fond du Lac was on hand for the inaugural events in our nation’s capital yesterday. Petri says President Obama’s inaugural speech was both uplifting and inspiring and also far-reaching in its call for each of us to do our part.
College Students Comment on Obama
1/21/09 - The people we spoke with in Beaver Dam on Inauguration Day had high praise for the new president. UW-Milwaukee student Libby Budde of Beaver Dam said having a black president shows how far we’ve come as a country. Her friend Heidi Wedel, a UW-LaCrosse student who is also from Beaver Dam, said she hopes Obama can deliver on his promise of change because she’ll need a job after graduation.
Demerit Point System Considered for Beaver Dam Bars
1/21/09 - An ad hoc committee has been formed to study the feasibility of establishing a demerit point system for bars in Beaver Dam. Administration Committee Chair Don Neuert says the ad hoc committee will start by looking at point systems established for bars in other communities like Waupun, Fond du Lac and Randolph. Under the Waupun model, any establishment that receives between 150 and 199 demerit points within in a 12-month period, will have their license suspended for between 10 and 90 days. For points totaling 200 or more within an 18-month period, the license for the establishment will be revoked for at least six-months, and the license holder would be ineligible for another license for up to one year. An establishment could be assessed 150 demerit points for: failing to cooperate with public safety officials, violating nude dancing restrictions, or allowing employees to deal drugs…80 points for serving minors or selling to an intoxicated person…45 points for excessive noise or public consumption. The ad hoc committee looking at creating a point system for Beaver Dam will be comprised of Neuert, city attorney Mary Ann Schacht, Police Chief Dale Boldt, Director of Finance John Somers, and alderpersons Glen Link and Mary Flaherty. They plan to meet in the next couple days. After the preliminary groundwork is laid, the committee will invite tavern owners and the Tavern League of Wisconsin into the process.
City Atty: ‘DNR Supersedes Historical Designation’
1/21/09 - Inclusion of the Fountain Inn Tavern on the state Historical Registry means nothing to the DNR. That’s according to Beaver Dam City Attorney Mary Ann Schacht who says the Department of Natural Resources tells her they would still have the authority to order the downtown building removed, regardless of its status with the state Historical Registry. Jay Hoeft, owner of the tavern formerly known as “Emotional Rescue” at 203 Front Street, says he is going to try his best to stay in business because his building is a piece of Beaver Dam history. The DNR has indicated that buildings constructed over a river must eventually be removed, but they have not set a timeline, prompting city officials too act quickly before the targeted businesses suffer from neglect. The city has accepted offers-to-purchase from nine of eleven buildings in the floodway over the Beaver Dam River. Legal proceedings have begun against another building believed to be abandoned. That leaves only Hoeft, who will tell his side of the story on WBEV’s Community Comment Wednesday afternoon.
Interim Supt On The Job at Dodgeland
1/21/09 - There is an interim Superintendent in charge at the Dodgeland School District. Al Rosenthal is currently overseeing the districts day-to-day operations. Rosenthal is a partner with Fox River Consultants and has previously served as an interim Superintendent while his firm was involved in the process of hiring Dodgeland’s last two superintendents. Ron Vaughn (pictured left) has not been working as the Superintendent with Dodgeland since January 12. School board officials will only says that a statement will be made when the negotiations are resolved. Vaughn is operating under a two-year contract; he has been with the district for 18 months. If the board does not act to renew the contract by the end of the month, it will automatically be extended for one year. The Dodgeland school board voted on January 12 in closed session but refuse to disclose the details of the vote. The board will meet again Monday at which time they will decide what action needs to be taken regarding day-to-day activities and the search for a new superintendent.
Fox Lake Area Residents to Discuss Alternatives to Closing of Schools
1/21/09 - A discussion about possible alternatives to closing two elementary schools in the Waupun School District will be on the February 2nd school board agenda. That’s after a number of Fox Lake area residents, who identified themselves as “Citizens Concerned About the Education of All Students in the Waupun Area School District”, spoke during the public comments portion of a board meeting recently. Three referendum questions are on the primary ballot for February including one that would allow the district to exceed the revenue cap by a total of 4-million dollars over 3-years to keep operating a number of schools as they currently do. If that were to fail, District Administrator Randy Refsland has said he would recommend Fox Lake and Alto Elementary schools to close. The residents at the meeting handed out a sheet listing possible alternatives, including combining the high school and middle school or even closing the schools that need the most repair instead of Fox Lake. A few concerned parents have also started their own blog in an attempt to save the school, called Save Fox Lake and Alto Elementary Schools. There will also be a Citizen Action Meeting at the Fox Lake Community Center next Monday starting at 6:30pm.
Stimulus Package Could Cut State Budget Deficit
1/21/09 - The federal economic stimulus package that’s brewing in Congress could help Wisconsin wipe out more than half its budget deficit. State budget director David Schmiedicke says around two-and-a-half billion dollars in stimulus money could help pay for health care and education in the Badger State. And another 575-million may arrive in the form of transportation projects. But even if Washington provides three-billion, that still leaves a deficit of two-point-four billion to be closed with state spending cuts and tax increases. Legislative finance committee co-chair Mark Pocan of Madison said there are still more questions-than-answers about the federal aid the state might get. Pocan says his fellow legislators and Governor Jim Doyle are working on their own stimulus package that could be ready by early next month. Pocan, a Democrat, says it would loosen procedures to make it easier to spend the federal money. It would also boost job training programs and address tax fairness issues. Pocan didn’t say what those issues were, but some lawmakers have talked about clamping down on tax-sheltering practices by corporations.
Foreclosures Up Throughout our Area in ‘08
1/21/09 - The number of foreclosures in Dodge County for 2008 was up 22-percent over the previous year. According to the States Clerk of Courts, there were 409 foreclosures last year, 73 more than in ‘07. Most of the surrounding counties saw similar increases. Columbia County was up 24-percent to 300 for the year, while Jefferson checked in with 59 more foreclosures in ‘08, a 22-percent increase. Washington County saw a 20-percent increase to 418 foreclosures. Fond du Lac was the only county in our area that did not see a huge increase. They were up just 3-percent, but that put the total number of foreclosures at 334. Statewide foreclosures were up 21-percent, and only 4 counties saw a decrease last year. The biggest increase was seen in Adams County where there were 80-percent more foreclosures last year than 2007.
Lee Enterprises Posts Losses Again
1/21/09 - The company that owns the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen is reporting another financial loss. Lee Enterprises said its earnings for its fiscal first quarter dropped 69-percent – due mainly to a recession that has caused declines in both business-and-classified advertising. Lee’s biggest newspaper is the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch but it also owns the Racine Journal Times and the Herald in Chippewa Falls. In addition, Lee owns a 50-percent share of Capital Newspapers – publishers of the Madison Capital Times and the Wisconsin State Journal, and dailies in Portage and Baraboo, as well as Beaver Dam. Yesterday, the State Journal said the Madison papers would lay off 12 news reporters. Ad revenues dropped 15-percent, and total revenues went down 13-percent in the three months ending December 31st. Net income after dividends totaled 15-cents a share, down from 48-cents in the same quarter the year before.
1/21/09 - The real work begins today for President Barack Obama and his new administration. Governor Jim Doyle says people understand the “huge challenge” Obama has inherited, and it will take him time to get going. Last night, Doyle joined thousands from Wisconsin and the region at the official Midwest Inaugural Ball in Washington. Vice-president Joe Biden told the crowd that he and Obama will start making history today. Niel Ritchie, who owns a cabin in Hayward, called the gala event “perfect.” Governor Doyle said the most moving part of Obama’s inaugural speech was when he spoke directly to the world about America’s new leadership. Back in Wisconsin, newspapers printed extra copies for people to buy as keep-sakes. And while thousands attended special viewings, many paused to watch the inaugural from work, school, or home. Thirty Dane County jail inmates in Madison crowded around a T-V to listen to Obama – and a veteran guard said she never heard it any quieter. Pictured: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance at the Midwest Inaugural Ball last night.
Petri Attends Inauguration
1/21/09 - Congressman Tom Petri called it an important day for Wisconsin and America. The Republican from Fond du Lac was on hand for the inaugural events in our nation’s capital yesterday. Petri says President Obama’s inaugural speech was both uplifting and inspiring and also far-reaching in its call for each of us to do our part.
College Students Comment on Obama
1/21/09 - The people we spoke with in Beaver Dam on Inauguration Day had high praise for the new president. UW-Milwaukee student Libby Budde of Beaver Dam said having a black president shows how far we’ve come as a country. Her friend Heidi Wedel, a UW-LaCrosse student who is also from Beaver Dam, said she hopes Obama can deliver on his promise of change because she’ll need a job after graduation.
Demerit Point System Considered for Beaver Dam Bars
1/21/09 - An ad hoc committee has been formed to study the feasibility of establishing a demerit point system for bars in Beaver Dam. Administration Committee Chair Don Neuert says the ad hoc committee will start by looking at point systems established for bars in other communities like Waupun, Fond du Lac and Randolph. Under the Waupun model, any establishment that receives between 150 and 199 demerit points within in a 12-month period, will have their license suspended for between 10 and 90 days. For points totaling 200 or more within an 18-month period, the license for the establishment will be revoked for at least six-months, and the license holder would be ineligible for another license for up to one year. An establishment could be assessed 150 demerit points for: failing to cooperate with public safety officials, violating nude dancing restrictions, or allowing employees to deal drugs…80 points for serving minors or selling to an intoxicated person…45 points for excessive noise or public consumption. The ad hoc committee looking at creating a point system for Beaver Dam will be comprised of Neuert, city attorney Mary Ann Schacht, Police Chief Dale Boldt, Director of Finance John Somers, and alderpersons Glen Link and Mary Flaherty. They plan to meet in the next couple days. After the preliminary groundwork is laid, the committee will invite tavern owners and the Tavern League of Wisconsin into the process.
City Atty: ‘DNR Supersedes Historical Designation’
1/21/09 - Inclusion of the Fountain Inn Tavern on the state Historical Registry means nothing to the DNR. That’s according to Beaver Dam City Attorney Mary Ann Schacht who says the Department of Natural Resources tells her they would still have the authority to order the downtown building removed, regardless of its status with the state Historical Registry. Jay Hoeft, owner of the tavern formerly known as “Emotional Rescue” at 203 Front Street, says he is going to try his best to stay in business because his building is a piece of Beaver Dam history. The DNR has indicated that buildings constructed over a river must eventually be removed, but they have not set a timeline, prompting city officials too act quickly before the targeted businesses suffer from neglect. The city has accepted offers-to-purchase from nine of eleven buildings in the floodway over the Beaver Dam River. Legal proceedings have begun against another building believed to be abandoned. That leaves only Hoeft, who will tell his side of the story on WBEV’s Community Comment Wednesday afternoon.
Interim Supt On The Job at Dodgeland
1/21/09 - There is an interim Superintendent in charge at the Dodgeland School District. Al Rosenthal is currently overseeing the districts day-to-day operations. Rosenthal is a partner with Fox River Consultants and has previously served as an interim Superintendent while his firm was involved in the process of hiring Dodgeland’s last two superintendents. Ron Vaughn (pictured left) has not been working as the Superintendent with Dodgeland since January 12. School board officials will only says that a statement will be made when the negotiations are resolved. Vaughn is operating under a two-year contract; he has been with the district for 18 months. If the board does not act to renew the contract by the end of the month, it will automatically be extended for one year. The Dodgeland school board voted on January 12 in closed session but refuse to disclose the details of the vote. The board will meet again Monday at which time they will decide what action needs to be taken regarding day-to-day activities and the search for a new superintendent.
Fox Lake Area Residents to Discuss Alternatives to Closing of Schools
1/21/09 - A discussion about possible alternatives to closing two elementary schools in the Waupun School District will be on the February 2nd school board agenda. That’s after a number of Fox Lake area residents, who identified themselves as “Citizens Concerned About the Education of All Students in the Waupun Area School District”, spoke during the public comments portion of a board meeting recently. Three referendum questions are on the primary ballot for February including one that would allow the district to exceed the revenue cap by a total of 4-million dollars over 3-years to keep operating a number of schools as they currently do. If that were to fail, District Administrator Randy Refsland has said he would recommend Fox Lake and Alto Elementary schools to close. The residents at the meeting handed out a sheet listing possible alternatives, including combining the high school and middle school or even closing the schools that need the most repair instead of Fox Lake. A few concerned parents have also started their own blog in an attempt to save the school, called Save Fox Lake and Alto Elementary Schools. There will also be a Citizen Action Meeting at the Fox Lake Community Center next Monday starting at 6:30pm.
Stimulus Package Could Cut State Budget Deficit
1/21/09 - The federal economic stimulus package that’s brewing in Congress could help Wisconsin wipe out more than half its budget deficit. State budget director David Schmiedicke says around two-and-a-half billion dollars in stimulus money could help pay for health care and education in the Badger State. And another 575-million may arrive in the form of transportation projects. But even if Washington provides three-billion, that still leaves a deficit of two-point-four billion to be closed with state spending cuts and tax increases. Legislative finance committee co-chair Mark Pocan of Madison said there are still more questions-than-answers about the federal aid the state might get. Pocan says his fellow legislators and Governor Jim Doyle are working on their own stimulus package that could be ready by early next month. Pocan, a Democrat, says it would loosen procedures to make it easier to spend the federal money. It would also boost job training programs and address tax fairness issues. Pocan didn’t say what those issues were, but some lawmakers have talked about clamping down on tax-sheltering practices by corporations.
Foreclosures Up Throughout our Area in ‘08
1/21/09 - The number of foreclosures in Dodge County for 2008 was up 22-percent over the previous year. According to the States Clerk of Courts, there were 409 foreclosures last year, 73 more than in ‘07. Most of the surrounding counties saw similar increases. Columbia County was up 24-percent to 300 for the year, while Jefferson checked in with 59 more foreclosures in ‘08, a 22-percent increase. Washington County saw a 20-percent increase to 418 foreclosures. Fond du Lac was the only county in our area that did not see a huge increase. They were up just 3-percent, but that put the total number of foreclosures at 334. Statewide foreclosures were up 21-percent, and only 4 counties saw a decrease last year. The biggest increase was seen in Adams County where there were 80-percent more foreclosures last year than 2007.
Lee Enterprises Posts Losses Again
1/21/09 - The company that owns the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen is reporting another financial loss. Lee Enterprises said its earnings for its fiscal first quarter dropped 69-percent – due mainly to a recession that has caused declines in both business-and-classified advertising. Lee’s biggest newspaper is the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch but it also owns the Racine Journal Times and the Herald in Chippewa Falls. In addition, Lee owns a 50-percent share of Capital Newspapers – publishers of the Madison Capital Times and the Wisconsin State Journal, and dailies in Portage and Baraboo, as well as Beaver Dam. Yesterday, the State Journal said the Madison papers would lay off 12 news reporters. Ad revenues dropped 15-percent, and total revenues went down 13-percent in the three months ending December 31st. Net income after dividends totaled 15-cents a share, down from 48-cents in the same quarter the year before.
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