Property purchased for Pizza_Ranch

Pizza Ranch is one step closer to fruition in West Bend. On August 15, 2016 PRWB Real Estate LLC closed on the purchase of 1.7 acres on W. Washington Street for $300,000. The parcel was sold by Bingen, Harvey REV LV TR.

The property just west of Westbury Bank was listed at $316,000. Stacy and Matt Gehring are the couple behind PRWB Real Estate LLC. Stacy’s parents have own and operated a Pizza Ranch for 22 years.

The development of a new $1.65 million Pizza Ranch was approved in June by the Plan Commission and quickly approved by the Common Council. There are currently 180+ locations across 13 states.

Property sale

The building that is home to Casa Tequila Restaurant, 146 S. Main Street in West Bend, has been sold. B and H Properties of West Bend sold to Camcor LLC for $380,000. Camcor LLC is actually the owners of Casa Tequila Restaurant, Maria and Adrian Campuzano. The sale closed July 29, 2016. B and H Properties originally purchased the building July 11, 2008 for $405,000.

Sandy Lang has resigned from Washington Co. Fair Park

Washington County Fair Park Executive Director Sandy Lang has resigned.   Lang started her 43-year career in Washington County on Oct. 24, 1973. In Feb. 6, 2009 when she was Deputy Director of the Washington County Fair Park her post shifted to the executive director of Agriculture and Industrial Society.

“Washington County will be losing a valuable asset,” said Bob Bonenfant, who served on the Fair Park entertainment committee. “I’ve worked with Sandy since the Slinger Fair days and was always amazed at how effective she was as director.”

AIS is still taking applications for the assistant director position. “We’re just going to handle things internally for now,” said Fair Marketing Director Derek Kozlowski. Lang is on vacation and not available for comment.

Jay Shambeau tabbed as new WB city administrator

Washington County Planning and Parks Administrator Jay Shambeau has been confirmed as West Bend’s new city administrator.

During a special Monday meeting the West Bend common council tabbed Shambeau to fill the spot that’s been covered by assistant city administrator Amy Reuteman.

Mayor Kraig Sadownikow praised the interview process which included a stakeholder group and input from department heads in the city.

“It went awesome and the department heads were engaged and made some strong suggestions,” said Sadownikow. “The community group, led by Washington County Administrator Joshua Schoemann, also gave the council great input and it gave the council the opportunity to look at the candidates from several different perspectives.

“We’re really happy to announce the selection of Jay Shambeau,” Sadownikow said. The council voted 7 – 0 in favor of Shambeau. Dist. 5 alderman Rich Kasten was absent from the meeting.

About 29 people applied for the post. The city worked with GovHR USA along with its stakeholders group.

Shambeau said he’s excited about the opportunity to work in a great city. “There’s a lot of potential here for additional development and to work with some of the established resources,” he said.

Reuteman crossed the room after the announcement and gave Shambeau a high five. “I was almost crying in closed session,” said Reuteman who has shoulder much of the responsibility the last four months.

Not only did Reuteman cover the city administrator’s position she also held down the city clerk’s job, headed up the August Partisan Primary Election and helped cover Human Resources.

“I’m just elated,” said Reuteman with a bit of exhaustion. “Jay is well respected and he realizes he’s going to have to bring integrity back to the position.”

In April, the community of West Bend was rocked by the news that its city administrator, T.J. Justice, had been arrested for allegedly soliciting a minor for sex.

The mayor said “West Bend would not be identified by one person.”

Shambeau said he’s confident he can do the job. “The biggest way is to bring credibility and professional leadership to the city and by leading by example,” he said. Shambeau’s salary will be $125,000.

Shambeau has been with Washington County since 2014.  He had been Calumet County Administrator from June 2008 – April 2014 and prior to that he was Village Administrator in Kewaskum from July 2006 – June 2008.

As far as filling Shambeau’s post with Washington Co. Parks, he said he had just started discussing it with County Administrator Schoemann. Shambeau will start his new job September 21.

On a side note: In Waukesha County Court a jury trial was scheduled for December for Justice, who has pleaded not guilty to a pair of Class D felony charges.

Badger Masonry & Fireplace opens in West Bend

A new locally-owned store has opened in the former Tennies Buick building, 545 N. Main Street.  Badger Masonry & Fireplace Supply specializes in brick and stone materials, as well as fireplace units and supplies. Stop in the store and check out the 12 fireplace displays, 4 free-standing stove displays, natural stone and cultured stone displays. A grand opening will be Sept. 16 – 17.  The office phone number is 262-343-8580.

Special note following death of Matt Roberts

A touching note following the death of Matt Roberts, formerly with 3 Doors Down. +-Roberts was found in the hallway of the Hampton Inn & Suites in West Bend early Saturday morning. He had been in town as a guest headliner at the Rockin’ for Heroes fundraising concert at Our Place Sports Bar & Grill. An employee from the Hampton Inn posted this note and I thought it was worthy of bringing to the front page.

“I worked at the Hampton the day he was found. It was a very sad morning for all who worked there. (He was also supposed to do an appearance at my other job Exclusive for a signing.) The day after his passing the housekeepers went to the place he passed and said a prayer for him. He shall be missed.” Signed Ixchel

Roberts died Aug. 20, 2016. He was 38. Autopsy results are expected to be released within the next week.

Bike for Blue Pig Roast is Sept. 10

The 7th annual Bike for Blue Pig Roast is Saturday, Sept. 10. Tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased from any Wisconsin Rider or at the West Bend Chamber of Commerce or Xpressions Yarn and Bead Boutique. There will be food and great raffle prizes. Due to slower than expected registration the Bike for Blue bike ride has been cancelled.

St. Mary’s Landmark campaign exceeds goal

The Landmark 160 Campaign to help fund repairs on the steeple at St. Mary’s Parish has exceeded its goal. Sunday’s bulletin showed the total pledge to date $197,891.94 and the total received to date $146,238.05. Volunteers helped raise a minimum of $160,000 as a way to fund maintenance on the historic church.

Rev. Nathan Reesman said the community parish was reaching a milestone and rapidly approaching the 160th anniversary of its founding. “We will officially mark our anniversary in September 2017,” said Reesman. “How wonderful it will be to celebrate our anniversary by both completing and paying for needed repair work on our church.”

Recycled Ash trees on display at Germanfest

Some insight on the tables at this year’s Germanfest.  Habitat for Humanity volunteer Russ Lang made the tabletops from rescued wood from the Ash trees that were cut down in West Bend. The locally harvested trees were kiln dried. The wood is for sale for $1.95 per board foot at Habitat for Humanity in West Bend.

Appreciation lunch for men in blue

The West Bend School District showed its appreciation to police officers and firefighters by treating them to lunch. “In lieu of recent events in the nation I just wanted to show appreciation for the people who aren’t being appreciated by some,” said Badger Middle School Principal David Uelmen.  Members of West Bend and Jackson Police and Fire departments were treated to a fabulous picnic-style lunch of burger and brats, salads and fruit and homemade desserts thanks to a generous donation by Klotz’s Piggly Wiggly and Jeff and Sarah Szukalski.

“The response has been they’re very grateful,” said Uelmen. “And that’s reciprocated because it’s nice to see them come here and enjoy it.” West Bend Fire Department Battalion Chief Todd Van Langen said the lunch made their day. “It’s always nice to get a little recognition and the outreach was so thoughtful,” he said.

Updates & tidbits

– Monday, August 29, the Wisconsin DOT will start resurfacing the US 45 and WIS 33 Interchange in Washington County. Built in 1986, and with its last rehabilitation in 1999.

-Wisconsin’s largest gluten-free food expo is coming to Washington County Fair Park on Saturday, Sept. 24. The event is sponsored by Wellness Found Organic Foods. Tickets are $7.

– Watch for a soft opening Sept. 1 for Halloween Express which is making its home at the former Walgreens on Decorah and S. Main Street in West Bend. Halloween Express secured its lease until Nov. 2 through Adam Williquette at Anderson Commercial Group.

– Fifth Avenue Methodist is holding a free Street Fest on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 323 S. Fifth Avenue across from the Old Courthouse. Starts with a service and celebration of First Responders. Followed by games and entertainment.

– The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has been notified by the Dodge County Highway Department that State Highway 26 from Highway 33 to US Highway 151 will be closed on September 1, 2, and 6. The Highway Department will be repaving State Highway 26.

-The 21^st annual Boltonville Fire Department Street Dance is Saturday, Sept. 10 featuring Rebel Grace.

-The West Bend Moose Lodge horseshoe team won the traveling trophy after hosting the annual State Moose Horseshoe Tournament, Aug. 20 and 21. There were 65 participants from communities like Beloit, Eastern Kettle Moraine, Janesville, Kenosha, Monroe, Muskego, and Racine. West Bend Lodge had 29 people on its team.

– St. Frances Cabrini will host a Used Book Sale on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 11, 8:30 a.m. 12 p.m., in the Mother Cabrini Hall.

– Kristy Davidson of West Bend won $500 during Thursday night’s Music on Main.  The giveaway was part of a ‘thank you’ to the community for its support

– BargainMart has opened in its new location, 822 S. Main Street, in the West Bend Plaza. The new store has twice as much space and a fantastic inventory. The locally-owned business relocated from its site, 325 Chestnut Street in West Bend.

– Crossroads Music Fest is Sept. 10 at St. Luke Church in Slinger. The free festival includes bands, food, games for kids, and raffles.

On a history note Kuester Bros. Garage

This week the building that is home to Casa Tequila Restaurant was sold, 146 S. Main Street. With help from historian Terry Becker we’re able to give you some history on that location.

Some of the businesses in the past included Eaton’s Pizza, The Daily Grind, and Jaliscos.

Jerry Mehring chimed in that, “Next to Muggles was Motor Grinding run by Ollie Klemp. They rewound electric motors. Next was West Bend Auto Parts run by Joe Strenke. Joe had a Christmas lunch every year, in his basement, for all his customer mechanics.”

An article published in “The West Bend Reader” in 1949 talked about the early years of H.W. Kuester & Sons.

The article titled Meet your Merchants read: Their beginnings in the garage business was pure accident. It all started when Herman purchased a second hand 2 cylinder Studebaker in 1906. (1 of the first cars in W.B.) for $485. As Mrs. K. tells it, “He’d run it 1 night and spend a week fixing it.”

After a breakdown on a trip to Fond du Lac, rather than spend a week waiting for parts he concocted a distributor head out of cork hung from a beer barrel & 2 nail heads filed to points, and decided that if he could fix his car he could fix other peoples, so Herman and his brother Henry purchased a 3-story structure, formerly a factory, then inhabited by pigeons and in 1912 opened Kuester Bros. Garage, on its present site. It wasn’t long ’til they took on auto sales too.

If you’re familiar with this area you’ll note the building pictured is located behind Century Farmhouse Soaps.  Photo courtesy Herman’s great grandson Josh Giese.