Top Stories, February 2nd

New Columbus Police Chief Sworn-In

2/2/10 - The swearing in of Police Chief Daniel Meister had to be moved to a packed Columbus Community Center Monday because of the number of people attending. The Ceremony was a family affair with Meister’s extended family numbers equaling the large group of City Officials, fellow law enforcement colleagues and PFC members present. In his opening remarks Chief Miester said he was anxious to begin his new job and become a part of his new community. Meister said that his family is WHY he does what he does. The Columbus Police Department was without a permanent Chief from February 2008 till the Columbus Council approved the PFC’s candidate of choice last Tuesday. The Ceremony also included recognition and thanks to Lieutenant Dennis Weiner for his service as Acting Chief for the past two years.

Kennedy Casts Tie Vote In MSA Hiring

2/2/10 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy cast his first-ever vote as an elected official last night in breaking a tie over the hiring of an engineering company for downtown revitalization work. On an 8 to 7 vote, MSA Professional Services was awarded a contract to complete the Phase Two projects spurred by last summer’s demolition of ten downtown buildings and the removal of culverts from the Tower Parking lot. MSA will provide engineering services and design work for a new pedestrian bridge in the parking lot, railings for the South Center Street Bridge and various landscaping buffers. Alderman John Litscher voted against the contract saying the projects should have been put out for bid. Last years Phase One projects were approved quickly, which Litscher has said he understands because of the timing and the availability of grant funding. That’s why he says he successfully introduced an amendment to last years resolutions that all future work on the project be put out for bid. Mayor Kennedy says MSA started the project and there is no reason not to continue with them. While MSA is performing engineering work, the labor on the projects will be bid out. Kennedy says the plan is to have the designs for the projects ready by May for completion by August.

Groundbreaking On Silverstone Project Next Tuesday

2/2/10 - A groundbreaking ceremony will be held next Tuesday at the site of a major downtown Beaver Dam housing development. Silverstone Partners of Middleton is constructing a 62-unit, three-story independent senior living center at the site of the former Thomas Chevrolet lot. Madison Place is a mixed-income property providing both market-rate and affordable units. Once completed, it will add over $2 million of taxable property value to the city’s tax rolls. The public is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony next Tuesday morning at 10am.

Davison Sentenced To 33 Years For Molestation

2/2/10 - A Lomira man will spend 33 years in prison for molesting a pre-school age child. Ryan D. Davison was arrested in connection with an online sting operation conducted by the New Waterford Police Department in the state of Ohio. The police chief there posed as the mother of a 13-year-old girl on an incest website. Chief Daniel Haueter traded explicit photographs and videos with Davison as they arranged a meeting. Davison was arrested after he sent an image to the undercover agent by cell phone. The 31-year-old pleaded “no contest” in November to charges of Incest and First Degree Sexual of a Child Under the Age of 12. While Dodge County District Attorney Bill Bedker asked for a longer sentence he says he was satisfied with the “substantial” ruling that will keep him under Department of Corrections supervision well past his projected life expectancy. The DA says he understands that the judge took into consideration that Davison did not force his victim to testify at trial. Bedker says the sentence sends a clear message to pedophiles that the use of electronic media will bring consequences. Davison fought back tears yesterday as he read a prepared statement expressing regret for the suffering he has inflicted and the pain he has seen on the faces of his family. In addition to 33 years in prison, Davison was sentenced to 19 years of extended supervision.

Columbus “Monster Tower” Rumors Cleared Up

2/2/10 - Citizen concerns over a Wisconsin State Patrol “monster” tower in Columbus have been cleared up by Dave Bomkamp…liaison to the Planning Commission. Bomkamp responded to a citizen’s inaccurate claim that a new “200 foot tower and state patrol squads…with sirens blaring” should not be allowed on the northwest edge of the city on Industrial Drive near the 151, 60 and 16 intersection. Council Member Bomkamp explained that the replacement tower being planned would not change the current communication tower’s size NOR the use of the facility for on duty Patrol Officers. The Columbus Council will be voting on a conditional use permit for the tower project at tonight’s regular meeting.

Feingold Campaign Cash Outpacing Challengers

2/2/10 - U-S Senate Democrat Russ Feingold has ten times as much campaign cash as either of his two Republican challengers. According to new federal reports, Feingold had over three-point-six million by the end of December to 350-thousand for Madison real estate developer Terrence Wall, and just 25-hundred for Watertown businessman Dave Westlake. Feingold raised almost a million dollars from October through December alone. Wall raised a half-million, and that includes 275-thousand of his own money. But the Republican field could change in the next few weeks. Former Governor and Bush cabinet secretary Tommy Thompson says he’s looking at running against Feingold. And if Thompson doesn’t run, there’s been talk that state Senate Republican Ted Kanavas of Brookfield might give it a go.