Top Stories January 11th

Lake Shore Drive Dead In The Water


1/11/10 - Beaver Dam’s controversial Lake Shore Drive project will not be funded in 2011. The Administrative Committee last night agreed by consensus to eliminate nearly all borrowing for 2011 Capital Improvement Projects. Administrative Committee Chair Don Neuert says because of debt from the new $5.1 million dollar police station the city just can’t afford a million dollar reconstruction right now. Operation Committee Chair Laine Meyer called last night’s three-hour joint meeting a waste of his time and says the Administrative Committee had already made up its mind going in. Funding for Lake Shore Drive was moved to 2012 at the earliest. Meyer says because reconstruction projects in the city’s 5-year plan are tied to projects funded by the state, it could be a decade before it comes up again. Neuert says ten years is “overdramatic” and points to the new police station which suffered setbacks in recent years before finally getting the green light. Meyer says last night’s action has basically turned Beaver Dam into a mill and overlay city, with officials now avoiding any reconstruction unless it’s funded by the state.

New Beaver Dam Police Chief Sworn In

1/11/10 - The city of Beaver Dam officially has a new police chief. Ronald Smith was sworn-in Monday by city attorney Maryann Schacht during a ceremony at City Hall. Smith, who most recently served as a Lieutenant with the Norwalk, Connecticut Police Department, told the crowd of police and fire personnel, elected officials and city staff that this is a tremendous opportunity. Smith succeeds Dale Boldt, who retired in May.

Columbus Looking to Get a Jump on Change in Standards

1/11/11 - Columbus Schools have started preparations for the expected National and State changes to the standards used for assessing K through 12 student progress. Discussions have started on how to give Columbus students the best curriculum for the future. Two teams of Columbus teachers are meeting to compare the new “core standards” from the state with current curriculum offerings. The change to the student assessment system is not expected to be fully completed till 2015.

WI to Join Other States in Health Care Reform Lawsuit

1/11/11 - He was turned down by the governor, then by the Democratic-controlled Legislature. Now, Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen will ask a judge for permission to join 20 states in a federal lawsuit against the new health care reform laws. The state’s taking part says the reform is unconstitutional because it requires Americans to buy health insurance and states to expand Medicaid programs. Van Hollen says the Florida attorney general plans to file a motion this week seeking to add Wisconsin and three other states to the suit. That filing had been expected yesterday, but it was put off due to the assassination attempt on Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Hopper Hoping to Do Away with Capital Gains Taxes

1/11/11 - One Wisconsin lawmaker wants to do away with Capital gains taxes by the year 2014. State Senator Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac e-mailed his proposal to other lawmakers yesterday. It would end an increase in the capital gains tax passed in 2009 which dropped the allowable exemptions under the tax from 30 to 60 percent. His bill would restore the exemptions to 60 percent starting next year, then to 80 percent the year after that and no capital would be taxed at all in 2014. Hopper says higher taxes on capital slows investment dedicated to job creation and limits economic growth.

Commission on Government Waste to Meet

1/11/11 - A special commission searching for state government waste meets for the first time today in Madison. Governor Scott Walker formed the group, tasking it with finding 300 million dollars a year wasted by government. It is supposed to make its first recommendations next July. The group includes four state lawmakers, two members of the general public and Department of Administration Deputy Secretary Cindy Archer. Chairman of the board is James Craig Builders CEO Craig Rakowski.

Move Over or Get Pulled Over

1/11/11 - Wisconsin State Patrol Sergeant Paul Wolfe says it’s common courtesy to pull over a lane when you see an emergency responder on the side of the road with his flashers on. It’s also the law. Wisconsin’s Move Over Law is designed to protect those who work on the side of the road, like police, ambulance crews and construction workers. Sergeant Wolfe says when a driver see the first responder vehicle on the side of the road, he or she is required by law to change lanes, creating a safety zone. If traffic doesn’t allow that, you need to slow down. Wolfe says failing to move over, or slow down, is one of the main reasons motor vehicle crashes kill more law enforcement officers on duty than any other occurrence. The law was enacted 10 years ago. You can get a 264 dollar fine and three points knocked off your driving record for failing to comply.