Top Stories, February 17th

WEAC Calls For Members To Rally

2/17/11 - The Wisconsin Education Association has called on all 98,000 of its members to attend rallies in Madison on Thursday and Friday. WEAC President Mary Bell said at a press conference on the Capitol Square Wednesday evening that the message is not about protecting pay and benefits but instead about protecting the right to collectively bargain. Bell says her message stopped short of endorsing the kind of coordinated action that closed Madison schools Wednesday. She asked teachers who "could" come to the rally to come. Republican legislative leaders said they will pass the bill taking away most collective bargaining rights from public employees. The deal is expected to be passed by the Legislature's budget committee and be taken up Thursday by the Republican-controlled Senate, where Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau said it will pass. It then heads to the Republican-controlled Assembly. Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon said he also expects adoption with minimal changes.

Beaver Dam Firefighters Cheered In Capitol Rotunda

2/17/11 - Noise levels measured in the State Capitol rotunda hit average highs of more than 105 decibels on Wednesday, which is as loud as a chainsaw. That’s according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel who is reporting that the highest levels occurred when six members of the Beaver Dam Fire Department walked into the rotunda in full firefighting gear, prompting a long roar lasting more than 15 seconds. Kevin Winter, a technician with the Department of Administration, measured the sound levels. Winter said the noise levels were as loud as anything he has heard in his time in state government. He has been wearing earplugs, but says the loud and sustained noise levels have left him with ringing in his ears.

Burwitz Acquitted On Rape Charge

2/17/11 - A Beaver Dam man has been acquitted of charges that he raped a woman last March. It took a Dodge County jury just over one hour yesterday (Wed) to return the “not guilty” verdict for Richard Burwitz Sr, who was charged with one felony count of Second Degree Sexual Assault with the Use of Force. According to the criminal complaint, the woman drove the 52-year-old around to run errands. When she went into his home to collect gas money, she said he forced her to the floor. Burwitz contends it was consensual and says she called the police to get out of paying an $80 loan. Burwitz was being held on a $10,000 cash bond and has been released. Two felony bail jumping charges were also dropped.

Bookkeeper Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ To Embezzlement

2/17/11 - A former bookkeeper with the Lebanon Sanitation Department accused of embezzling over $17,000 entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment yesterday in Dodge County court. Brenda Hollenbeck is charged with Theft In A Business Setting Over $10,000 and four counts of Forgery, all felonies. The 44-year-old allegedly wrote numerous checks to herself from the Sanitary District, cashed them and then kept the money. In four instances she reportedly forged her boss’s signature. If convicted, Hollenbeck could spend up to 34 years in prison.

Former Kwik Trip Worker Arraigned on Theft Charges

2/17/11 - A Beaver Dam woman entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment Wednesday to charges that she stole thousands of dollars from a former employer. Mary A. Frechette is charged with felony Theft for allegedly stealing $4600 from a Beaver Dam Kwik Trip. According to the criminal complaint, the 44-year-old was falsifying cigarette refunds and pocketing the money. Management discovered the shortfall with inventory software and then reviewed video surveillance before connecting it to Frechette, who could spend up to three-and-a-half years in prison if convicted.

Fox Lake Committee Forwards Lateral Policy, Letter

2/17/11 - Officials in Fox Lake last night reviewed a new resolution detailing a city policy that would require residents to replace the sewer line running from their house to the street. In an effort to reduce flooding associated with sanitary sewer overflows, utility officials have identified the need to replace many of the sewer pipes that runs from a private residence to the city-owned sewer line. The policy says residents would be required to hire their own private contractor and secure their own funding. While costs will vary depending on the length of the lateral, estimates are in the $3000 range. Rather than testing every property, City Administrator Bill Petracek (puh-tra-check) says they would identify problem laterals only during major street projects, when the water main is replaced or if discovered during routine, day-to-day maintenance. There are three such projects planned for this year and testing would be done to determine if the ten affected property owners need to repair or replace or do nothing with their laterals. Also last night, the Committee of the Whole signed-off the letter that will be sent to homeowners identifying their laterals as “defective and leaking.” It gives them six months to have a licensed plumber repair or replace pipes, or risk penalties. At the next Fox Lake Common Council meeting, city leaders are expected to act on the resolution authorizing the utility to move forward with enforcement in future projects.

Columbus Wastewater Bids Approved

2/17/11 - The $1.5 million dollar Columbus Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrade was given the go ahead at Tuesday night’s Common Council session. According to City Administrator Boyd Kraemer acceptance of the construction bid means work on the project could start immediately. This is the first major construction project on the Columbus end of the multi-million dollar Columbus / Fall River regionalization project. The bid was awarded to August Winter and Sons of Appleton.

Countywide Voter Turnout Higher Than Projected

2/17/11 - Voter turnout in Tuesday’s primary election was higher than projected in Dodge County. While the Government Accountability Board anticipated that ten-percent of voters statewide would head to the polls, County Clerk Karen Gibson has expected local turnout to be closer to six percent, or 3000 voters, based on a similar election in 2007. The ballots cast in Dodge County totaled 4654, which is just shy of ten percent. Gibson called the turnout, “very good.” Incumbent conservative David Prosser secured 72% of the votes cast in Dodge County. Prosser’s statewide total was 55%. Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg secured 25% of the vote in the county, which is inline with statewide numbers.