Finally, it is not just that Governor Evers wants to spend money we do not yet have. It is that he wants to pour it into the bottomless pit of government schools for no benefit. The governor lists 14 spending items directed at government schools from general state aid to grants. Nowhere does he even pretend that the additional spending will improve educational outcomes for the kids. Even Evers appears to know that more spending will not result in better education.
In fact, Wisconsin spends more on government education than at any time in its history, and yet, test scores and student performance continue their steady decline. It is a travesty that liberals like Governor Evers continue to spread the lie that more money leads to a better education because it distracts from advancing policies that will actually improve education for our children. Governor Evers’ spending plan is a boon for government workers, special interest groups, and school construction companies, but it once again leaves our kids behind.
February 11, 2020 – West Bend, WI – Outgoing West Bend School District Superintendent Don Kirkegaard on Monday night secured an interim superintendent’s position in the Meade School Districtin his home state of South Dakota.
[…]
Kirkegaard is to take over in the Meade School District on July 1, 2020. Kirkegaard’s last day in West Bend School District will be June 30, 2020.
Kirkegaard was paid $175,000 in the West Bend School District. The district also covered his moving expenses up to $15,000.
Meade School Board is not going to pay moving expenses for Kirkegaard to return home.
According to board officials it has not been determined whether Kirkegaard would be considered for a full-time position as Superintendent in the Meade School District. According to state law in South Dakota, an interim position can only run for one year.
[…]
It was February 3, 2020 when WashingtonCountyInsider.com broke the story about West Bend School Superintendent Don Kirkegaard looking to return to his former school district and expressing interest in the interim superintendent position in the Meade School District.
“I’m not ready to be done done yet …. the departure truly is a personal decision,” he said.
A top Space Force official has lashed out at Russia for trailing a US spy satellite with two spacecraft.
Gen John Raymond, the chief of space operations for America’s newly-minted Space Force, said the two Russian satellites began pursuing the multi-billion dollar US satellite in November and have at times flown within 100 miles it.
‘This is unusual and disturbing behavior and has the potential to create a dangerous situation in space,’ Raymond said in a statement to Business Insider.
‘The United States finds these recent activities to be concerning and do not reflect the behavior of a responsible spacefaring nation.’
The US has raised concerns about the matter to Moscow through diplomatic channels, Raymond told Time magazine, which first reported the stalking on Monday.
The confrontation marks the first time the US military has publicly identified a direct threat to a specific American satellite by an adversary.
Remember this waste the next time someone complains about UW being “underfunded.”
The governing body of the University of Wisconsin System approved tuition increases for some students, as well as tens of millions of dollars worth of construction cost overruns, at its meeting on Friday.
Regent Bob Atwell said killing the Babcock project would be worse than increasing its budget, but he still expressed some reservations.
“(The Babcock) project was launched and approved in 2012, and it won’t be completed for eight or nine years after it was initiated, and the total cost will be over 100 percent more than the initial approval,” he said.
In 2012, the project’s estimated cost was about $32 million. Now, it’s over $72 million.
When the Babcock Hall project is completed, students will learn in a state-of-the-art facility. The average enrollment in UW-Madison’s food-science department is 101 undergraduates and between 35 and 40 graduate students, said Rankin, chairman of the department,
A slow start to the year held down Wisconsin’s average wage growth in 2019, but the state finished the year by averaging more than 3% growth during the fourth quarter in most industries.
In December, the average hourly wage for private sector employees in the state was $27.10, up from $26.19 in December 2018, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Wisconsin averaged year-over-year wage growth of 1.9% for all of 2019, a figure that ranks 43rd in the country.
In the fourth quarter, however, Wisconsin averaged 3.6% wage growth, good enough to rank 14th in the country.
The wage gains come amidst sluggish job growth for the state. Private sector employment increased just 0.33% from December 2018 to December 2019, according to BLS data. The state also had a strong year of wage growth in 2018, averaging 4.9% growth for the year.
In video clips of the encounter at the campaign event in Hampton, New Hampshire, a woman identified by multiple news organizations as Madison Moore, 21, an economics student at Mercer University in Georgia, warned Biden her question was “going to be a little bit mean.”
“You’re arguably the candidate with the greatest advantage in this race. You’ve been the vice president; you weren’t burdened down by the impeachment trials. So, how do you explain the performance in Iowa, and why should voters believe that you can win the national election?” asked Moore.
“It’s a good question,” Biden said. “Have you ever been to a caucus?”
Moore indicated that she had.
“No, you haven’t. You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier,” Biden said…
The documentary maker who invoked Karl Marx during her Oscars acceptance speech by saying ‘workers of the world unite’ was previously nominated for an Academy Award for a film about communism.
Julia Reichert, who is battling terminal cancer, took to the Dolby Theater stage in Hollywood on Sunday to accept the award for Best Documentary for American Factory, which is the first film to be released by Barack and Michelle Obama’s new production company Higher Ground.
Her speech was among the many political statements of the evening.
‘Our film is from Ohio and China. ‘But it really could be from anywhere that people put on a uniform, punch a clock, trying to make their families have a better life.
[…]
American Factory was produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s new venture, Higher Ground.
The former president congratulated the filmmakers on Twitter after their win on Sunday night.
Four members of the Chinese military have been charged with breaking into the networks of the Equifax credit reporting agency and stealing the personal information of tens of millions of Americans.
The 2017 breach affected roughly 145 million people, with the hackers successfully stealing names, Social Security numbers and other personal information stored in the company’s databases.
The Justice Department on Monday blamed China for one of the largest hacks in history.
The four – Wu Zhiyong, Wang Qian, Xu Ke and Liu Lei – are members of the People’s Liberation Army, which is an arm of the Chinese military.
This is Big Fitz’ seat. He is running for the 5th Congressional District, so it’s an open run. Don Pridemore was a staunch conservative in the Assembly during Scott Walker’s first term and would be a welcome addition to the State Senate. Here is Pridemore’s press release.
West Bend School District Superintendent Don Kirkegaard has resigned after less than two years in the job and plans to return to his newly built house in South Dakota. Although he has not shared any career plans, one might posit that the vacancy for superintendent in his old school district may have factored into his decision. The folks in the West Bend School District thank him for his short time in our community and wish him the best. The School Board now must look for the district’s fifth superintendent in four years.
The search for a new superintendent comes during a time of turmoil in the school district. After Superintendent Ted Nietzke resigned in 2016, the School Board hired a strong replacement, Erik Olsen. 2016 is also when the School Board began its turn to the left when Tiffany Larson was elected. 2017 completed the turn with the election of Joel Ongert, Nancy Justman, and Tonnie Schmidt. With a solid majority, Superintendent Olson was quickly paid a handsome severance to leave. Interim Superintendent Laura Jackson served well until Kirkegaard was hired by the board in 2018 after an expensive search.
Through these years, the school district has burned through four or five HR directors and business managers, ended innovation like the charter school, abandoned merit pay for teachers, stunted community and stakeholder communication, roiled the electorate with a poorly thought-out referendum that failed, and generally regressed from the gainsmade a few years ago. The results have been distressing as student performance has been stagnant and much of the community is disengaged and disinterested.
Meanwhile, the school district is facing some serious challenges. Due to a general demographic shift, enrollment is declining in the district and is projected to continue to decline for the foreseeable future. A district that once had 7,000 students will likely have less than 5,000 within this decade. This will mean substantially less money and the need to downsize personnel and facilities. The district is also facing competitive pressure with the expansion of school choice and the maturity of online and home-school learning options. These are structural pressures that are not unique to the West Bend School District. They are systemic and unavoidable.
Taking all of this into account, the next superintendent of the West Bend School District needs to be a strong, transformational, visionary change agent. It is exponentially more difficult to properly manage an organization through a contraction than through an expansion. The leader must be a phenomenal communicator who can motivate employees and build support with all of the stakeholders in the district. The West Bend School District does not need a caretaker or a toady. The district needs a strong leader to guide it through a transformation to improve educational outcomes, infuse modern innovations, and reconnect with the community while also consolidating and economizing personnel and facilities. The folks in the West Bend School District deserve a better, if smaller, school district that reflects the values of the community it serves.
To find a superintendent that matches all of those criteria will not be easy, especially given the recent turnover in the position. To do so, the West Bend School Board should follow the lead of the University of Wisconsin System and consider candidates who do not come from the government-education industrial complex. A school district superintendent must have a vision for education, but must also have skills in budgeting, contract negotiation, public relations, personnel management, finance, facilities management, organizational behavior, recruitment, marketing, legal, and more. These are skills that most seasoned, successful business executives have acquiredand are not unique to people who have spent their career in education.
Finally, we must remember that this process will be conducted in the midst of an election where three incumbent school board members are on the ballot who have overseen the dysfunction of the district for the previous three years. As a sign of the disengagement of the community from the district, only one challenger stepped up, but she is a true conservative who is eager to set the district back on a path to success. Jody Geenen had three kids graduate from the district and has been an active, involved, conservative member of the community.
Electing Jody Geenen to the School Board will not only put a vocal taxpayer steward on the board, it will signal to the superintendent candidates that the citizens of the West Bend School District are ready to accept progress and change. Furthermore, Geenen would be in a position to invite the public into the process of choosing a new superintendent with a transparency that has been so sorely lacking from the West Bend School Board.
The West Bend School District needs strong leadership that can lead it through the next decade. The voters can begin by electing Jody Geenen to the School Board. Then the School Board will need to recruit and select a transformational leader as the next superintendent.
by Owen | 1022, 9 Feb 2020 | Off-Duty | 0 Comments
Walden – A Supper Club has sold
There will be new life for Walden – A Supper Club as the restaurant on Wallace Lake is under contract for purchase.
Kevin and Amy Zimmer gathered with staff at the restaurant Friday afternoon and introduced themselves as the new owners.
“We are very excited to preserve an iconic property,” said Kevin Zimmer. “We were most attracted to the dedicated staff as well as the faithful clientele that we saw every time we came out for dinner. Waldens has been our go-to restaurant for many years. We are committed to keeping the restaurant open while making improvements yet preserving the Wisconsin supper-club feel.”
The supper club is located on the shores of Wallace Lake; it started as a summer home in the 1940s.
The future of the popular restaurant had been in question after the former owner, Bob Walden, died October 4, 2019.
Walden moved to West Bend in 1974 where he was a principal at Jackson and Green Tree Elementary.
In 1989 Bob owned and operated Walden – A Supper Club. In his younger years, he was a member of the Musical Masquers theater group in West Bend. Bob liked solving crossword puzzles, driving cool cars, and being a restaurant owner. He enjoyed vacations in the Eagle River and St. Germain areas, fly fishing, and watching the Packers.
The supper club on the lake has quite a bit of history. “Bob purchased the restaurant in 1989,” said Karen Walden, Bob’s wife. “It used to be Benike’s before we got it. George and Carol Benike purchased the club from Dot who ran it as Dot’s Club.”
Dot and her husband Nick added the cocktail lounge in 1974.
David and Nancy Slinde lived down the block from the supper club. “Bob has been a great neighbor on Wallace Lake,” said David. “He had an understanding of his customers by offering a familiar setting and great food. His restaurant is a historic place in the Barton community. While many said he should do this with the building or that with the building, he stayed firm in offering the community a historic supper club pure and simple and rich in memories.”
Neighbors across Washington County are familiar with the supper club that sits on the south shore of Wallace Lake.
According to supper-club website,
Walden presents a Northwoods ambiance of knotty pine and lake shore, a relaxed fine dining experience. Excellent service and delicious entrees accompanied by mouth-watering salads, breads, potatoes, and desserts.
Prime Rib, the house specialty for over 50 years, is served every night. A dry aged center-cut tenderloin steak is also very popular. Walden also features Bavarian Pretzel Chicken, Frog Legs, Lobster Tails, Shrimp, Salmon, a most delicious Shaum Torte. Several other exciting entrees are served including Fish Frys on Fridays, nightly specials and sandwiches.
Walden is available for larger group luncheons and for banquets depending on availability. Several weddings followed by wedding banquets have been held along the shores of the lake.
The dining room seats up to one hundred guests. the cocktail lounge, overlooking the lake seats 52 people at the bar and side bars.
A bit more history on the supper club is below.
Walden-A Supper club began life as a summer home for Lucy and her family from the Milwaukee area in the early 1940’s. Emil Kufahl and his family operated the White Oaks Resort using the current dining area as a bar and four cabins once located along the western boundary of the property.
Kufahl’s were convinced by several Friday customers that they should start offering a Friday Fish Fry. In addition to adding a small kitchen, Kufahls added a bait shop lake side. Rental cabins, boat rental, fish bait sales, bar business and Friday Night Fish Fries kept the White Oaks Resort quite busy.
Several owners succeeded Kufahls each bringing a uniqueness in talent, interest and personality, blending to give Walden a character all its own.
Karl and Mush Hansen greatly expanded the dinner menu beyond the Friday Fish Fry. At this time, the bar was located across the fireplace wall. The Hansens sold the supper club to Nick and Dorothy Jonas who named the restaurant Dot’s Club.
Over a 22-year period, Dot’s Club became an even more inviting place to enjoy the food, the company, the lake and turtle soup. Nick and Dot added the Cocktail Lounge in 1974. The knotty pine was added to the dining room along with the beautiful field stone fireplace.
The Waldens made significant changes in the kitchen, enabling them to expand the menu. Windows were added to the dining room for the view and expanse. Booths were added in the area which had been a front porch for Lucy. Banquets were added to the Cocktail Lounge. And a beautiful patio has been added outdoors, lakeside, next to a waterfall garden.
The property was last assessed at $496,800. Fair market value is listed at $533,100.
WWII veteran Joe Demler who survived Nazi prison camp has died
World War II Army veteran Joe Demler of Port Washington has died. Demler was 94 years old. Demler was recognized around the world after a photo of him was published in Life Magazine. Demler was 19 years old and lying in a bunk while in a Nazi prison camp, Stalag 12-A in Limburg, Germany. He was a mere 70 pounds.
Demler was featured in the 2012 documentary film “Honor Flight: One Last Mission.”
A note from the Honor Flight reads:
Joe told us that he learned while he was a prisoner of war that “every day is a bonus,” which has become the motto of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. He has spent countless hours over the years helping to raise funds so his fellow veterans could take an honor flight.
Funeral services for Joe Demler are pending. Details will be posted when information becomes available.
West Bend School Superintendent contacted Meade School District in South Dakota on January 13, 2020
Just a day after WashingtonCountyInsider.com broke the story about West Bend School Superintendent Don Kirkegaard looking to return to his former school district and expressing interest in the interim superintendent position in the Meade School District the story got picked up by Rapid City Journal in South Dakota.
Reporter Jim Holland writes:
STURGIS | Former Meade 46-1 superintendent of schools Don Kirkegaard has offered his services as an interim superintendent of the district, following the release of current superintendent Jeff Simmons in January.
Kirkegaard also confirmed he had contacted the Meade 46-1 Board of Education about the superintendent’s opening, but only in an interim capacity. “If you decide you’re going to do an interim (superintendent). I would be interested in being considered,” Kirkegaard said.
“If you’re going to do a full-fledged search, I will do everything I can to help you get the right candidate, but I’m not going to re-apply for the position,” he said.
Dennis Chowen, president of the Meade 46-1 Board of Education, confirmed Tuesday that Kirkegaard had contacted the board the day after a Jan. 13 meeting in which the board and Simmons announced a mutual agreement of his release from the remainder of his three-year contract.
“He (Kirkegaard) has certainly expressed interest, but the board, at this time, hasn’t officially made any statement one way or the other whether he’s going to be offered…
Kirkegaard started in West Bend in July 2018 after a search firm, McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, was hired by the school board to find quality candidates. The district also held stakeholder meetings.
Kirkegaard came from South Dakota. He said he and his wife Lois are returning to the home they built in the Black Hills. “We did not sell our house in the Black Hills,” said Kirkegaard. “We kept it with the idea that we knew that’s where we would retire.”
Kirkegaard is 62 years old and spent 60 years in South Dakota.
Kirkegaard’s last day in West Bend School District will be June 30, 2020.
The West Bend School District will now have five superintendents over the last four years. Kirkegaard was hired after former Superintendent Erik Olson submitted his resignation December 14, 2017. Olsen was hired June 2016. The School Board approved a two-year contract with Olson at a salary of $155,000. In 2017 that contract was extended another two years. The payout to Olson was about $300,000.
Prior to Olson, Ted Neitzke served as superintendent from 2011 – June 2016 when he resigned and Laura Jackson served as interim superintendent after Olson left and prior to Kirkegaard.
American Construction Services is part of $132 million redevelopment in West Allis
West-Bend based American Construction Services Inc. is one of the contractors in a $132 million redevelopment underway in West Allis.
ACS is working with an Iowa-based firm to develop a 1128-room Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel. The project is part of the Allis Yards redevelopment on 70th Street.
According to an article by reporter Sean Ryan in the Milwaukee Business Journal,
Crews are clearing the southern parts of that office building first to open land for the new Hilton, according to an emailed statement by Scott Yauck, president and CEO of Cobalt, Milwaukee. Yauck’s development group last week sold 2 acres at South 70th and West Madison streets for $1.83 million to the hotel’s developers, according to state records.
Iowa-based Kinseth Hospitality Cos. is co-developer and operator of the Home2 Suites. It is working with West Bend general contractor American Construction Services Inc., led by Kraig Sadownikow. Yauck said the same team previously teamed up on a Home2 Suites in Menomonee Falls at White Stone Station, another Cobalt-led project.
Cobalt Partners is the lead developer.
American Construction Services was started by Kons Sadownikow in 1980. The company, founded as West Bend/American Building Systems, later became American Companies. In 1997 Kons hired his son Kraig who is now President of American Companies.
“I’m proud of the pace we’ve been able to grow the company that my father started 39 years ago,” said Kraig Sadownikow. “We believe in investing in our people and we work hard as a team to provide exceptional service to our clients. Construction projects are significant investments for a company and I’d personally like to thank each one we’ve worked with; we don’t take your business for granted.”
Germantown man killed in motorcycle accident in Colorado
A Germantown family is mourning the loss of their son after he was involved in a motorcycle accident January 31 in Thornton, Colorado. According to police Patrick Olson, 29, was killed after crashing into an SUV that turned in front of him.
Olson was a graduate of Germantown High School. Family and friends are rallying to help support the family.
Below is a note from Patrick’s mother Mary Kay.
“I was overwhelmed with the love and support for my son Patrick Olson. After going through Patrick’s paperwork in Colorado and coming across a paycheck stub, we found he donated $50 per paycheck to a children’s toy foundation and was paid twice a month. It brought tears to eyes; I never knew. Patrick loved Christmas and wanted to make sure every child had a Merry Christmas. All donations received will go towards keeping his memory alive and will be donated half to Colorado and half to Wisconsin Salvation Army. Patrick helped shop for toys this past Christmas, he was a big kid.”
Mary Kay Olson said she is working on funeral details. She said the service will be held with Rev. Mike Petrie at St. Boniface Church in Germantown, hopefully February 22 at 1 p.m. with a reception to follow. More information will be posted when details become available.
Washington County Sheriff investigating Thursday crash on Hwy 60 off ramp
The Jackson Police Chief said the 22-year-old West Bend man who crashed his vehicle at Highway 45 and the Highway 60 off ramp on Thursday afternoon is listed in critical condition at a Milwaukee hospital.
Chief Ryan Vossekuil said charges against Adrian Jollie are still pending. Police said the vehicle Jollie was driving exited onto the off-ramp for State Highway 60 at a high rate of speed and crashed into a guardrail on the off-ramp.
The driver suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash. He was transported by the Jackson Fire Department to Froedert West Bend, and subsequently flown by Flight for Life to Froedert Milwaukee.
There had been a warrant out for Jollie’s arrest. The crash remains under investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.
Don Pridemore announces candidacy for 13th State Senate District
Former State Assembly Rep. Don Pridemore is announcing his candidacy for the 13th State Senate District. Pridemore issued the statement at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon, February 7.
“Today I am announcing my candidacy for the soon-to-be-vacated elected office of the 13th State Senate District. I am very confident the current occupant of that seat, Senator Scott Fitzgerald, will win the right to represent Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional District, replacing Congressman James Sensenbrenner; I am making this announcement early. The election of Donald J. Trump has given me new hope that reforming government is a high priority of the electorate.
What is causing today’s youth to look favorably at socialism is what is happening in our classrooms. What is being taught in history and social studies classes makes no mention of American exceptionalism and too often takes the tone of blame America first.
I currently serve on the Hartford Joint 1 School Board and have seen how local control can make a difference in the lives of children. If elected I will lead Wisconsin out of the education swamp and address the problems our cities like Milwaukee have and address the problems which have made them unique and underserved.
Pridemore was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2004. In April 2014, Pridemore stepped away from his seat in the Assembly.
Spaulding Clinical names new CEO
Spaulding Clinical has names Cassandra Erato as chief executive officer. Erato has been with Spaulding since its inception in 2007. “We are very excited about her taking the helm and leading us into the future,” said Spaulding Clinical spokesman.
Randy Spaulding will still be an integral part of the team, assuming the role of founder, chairman, and chief visionary officer. “Our vision is to continue to deliver new technologies that enable our customers to make decisions faster and bring new, life-enhancing drugs to market faster than before”
“I am honored to assume leadership of Spaulding Clinical. Mr. Spaulding built our Phase 1 site based on the vision of building the first fully paperless Phase 1 CRO and a world-class cardiac safety testing site,” said Erato. “He was clearly 10 years ahead of his time, as we’ve seen other Phase 1 units start to adopt eSource solutions in the past year. He has introduced many new functionalities and integrations; recently, he introduced a new functionality that allows us to deliver flash results faster than anyone in the industry. I am committed to continuing to grow Spaulding Clinical and build upon the excellent foundation that has been laid.”
Randy Spaulding will continue an active role as managing member and will focus on the next innovations of the company.
“Our vision is to continue to deliver new technologies that enable our customers to make decisions faster and bring new, life-enhancing drugs to market faster than before,” said Spaulding. “Mrs. Erato is the best person to execute on this vision and help us achieve our next phase of growth. This enables me to focus even more time on developing new technologies for the pharmaceutical development industry.”
Erato is currently the COO of Spaulding Clinical and has held the position since 2015. She has been with Spaulding Clinical since its inception in 2007 and has played a key role in developing the operational procedures and systems in place today.
Erato will be attending SCOPE 2020 in Orlando, Florida, the week of February 17 and is available for interviews.
New seating being installed at Historic West Bend Theatre | By Kine Torinus
The Historic West Bend Theatre, 215 N. Main Street, is starting to take shape. Theatre seats were installed today and it looks like Kevin and Amy Zimmer stopped in to give them a test run.
The renovation of the “The Bend,” its new brand name, is nearing completion. The old seats were beyond saving, so the HWBT board decided to buy new seats from Irwin Seating Co., a Michigan company that specializes in theatre seating.
Former Gehl site sold for Marriott hotel development in West Bend | By Jessica Wildes
The sale of 3.3 acres in Downtown West Bend has been sold from the City of West Bend to construct and manage a new 68-room Marriott TownePlace extended stay hotel and 16,000-square-foot multi-tenant commercial office building in the heart of downtown.
Paul Stangl of RafRad LLC led the purchase on behalf of the Downtown West Bend Hotel Associates (DWBHA).
DWBHA has partnered on the development with Iowa-based Kinseth Hospitality Companies and American Companies. A portion of the site is formerly home to Gehl Company’s manufacturing facility.
DWBHA has partnered on the development with Iowa-based Kinseth Hospitality Companies and American Companies to construct and manage a new 68-room Marriott TownePlace extended stay hotel and 16,000-square-foot multi-tenant commercial office building.
The same group was also part of the development team for the Hampton Inn and Suites on 18th Avenue in West Bend, managed by Kinseth since opening in 2008. Construction on the buildings will start this spring.
The City of West Bend acquired the property from Gehl Company (now Manitou Americas) in 2008 when it relocated itsheadquarters to a larger site two blocks east. Recognizing the potential for the site located in the heart of downtown West Bend, the City took on the responsibility of the remediation and demolition of the multiple buildings that were obsolete for future manufacturing.
“This is an extraordinary location for a hotel,” said City Administrator Jay Shambeau. “Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore and enjoy downtown West Bend. They can frequent our thriving restaurants and shops, the Riverwalk, Eisenbahn State Trail, farmer’s market, Museum of Wisconsin Art, and newly–renovated Historic West Bend Theatre, all within walking distance.”
West Bend is a founding member of the Washington County Site Redevelopment Program (SRP). The SRP was awarded two U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield grants and contributed $18,000 for a Hotel Market Demand Study by Patek Hospitality Consultants, Inc. which determined current and future demand for hotel accommodations in the market area. The study proved the viability for the hotel and was instrumental in securing the interest of Marriott and the development team.
The site was considered by other developers in the past, primarily for apartment buildings and commercial office space.“We knew this site had high potential for redevelopment and are pleased to present the first hotel located in downtown West Bend,” stated Kraig Sadownikow, President of American Construction Services and American Architectural Group. “This is the type of project that will enhance the community and attract new visitors and businesses.”
Approximately 7,000-square-feet of Class A office space is available for lease within the new office building. For details, please contact Adam Williquette of American Commercial Real Estate at (262) 424-3217.
Mike Jentsch approved as new Park, Rec and Forestry Director for City of West Bend
The West Bend Common Council unanimously approved the appointment of Mike Jentsch as the new Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry for the City of West Bend.
The Parks and Recreation Commission also recommended the appointment on Thursday, January 30, 2020. An employee of the City of West Bend since 1999, Jentsch will transition from his current role as Parks and Forestry Superintendent.
“Mike has been a standout employee with the City of West Bend for 21 years. It is with great excitement to welcome him to our department head team,” said City Administrator Jay Shambeau. “Mike’s knowledge of our community and his ability to complete projects made this promotion an easy decision for the Parks and Rec Commission and Common Council. Congratulations, Mike.”
Jentsch, 50, said there are a couple projects he’s eager to tackle including the update on Carl Kuss Field and the remodel of the west side of the downtown River Walk.
“If we were to pencil something on the calendar, we’re targeting utility work this year,” he said. “It means we’ll tear out the west side of the River Walk and We Energies, Charter and AT&T and all the utilities will be upgraded. In 2021 we’d upgrade from the north pedestrian bridge to Veterans Avenue and then the next year target north of the bridge to Highway 33.”
Jentsch expects that work to begin around June 2020.
The Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry is responsible for implementing acquisition and development plans for new and existing park facilities, and for ensuring the provision of park and recreational programs and facilities for the public.
As department head, Jentsch will administer the operational budget, policies, plans and projects, and the Parks and Recreational Facility Developmental Program. He will engage in community and media relations, and coordinate cooperative activities with other city, county, state, and private organizations.
“I look forward to working with the Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, service clubs, and local businesses to keep moving West Bend forward,” said Jentsch. “Team Green is a group of highly dedicated professionals who enjoy serving the community. Our staff goes above and beyond to make West Bend a place we can all take great pride in.”
The position of Park, Recreation and Forestry director opened in mid-July 2019 after Craig Hoeppner resigned to take a similar job in Oconomowoc.
Property home to Le’s Bridal in Downtown West Bend sold | By Adam Williquette
The building home to Le’s Bridal, Darling Diva Boutique, and Exhale Salon in downtown West Bend has been sold.
AH 262 N. Main, LLC has sold the building at 262-4 N. Main Street to Elmazi Real Estate, LLC for $400,000. Adam Williquette, president of American Commercial Real Estate handled the transaction. The property is made up of multiple units. It was last assessed by the City of West Bend in 2018 at $338,500.
Other spaces available downtown through ACRE include the first floor of the Alexssa building at 301 N. Main Street. Alexxsa purchased the former Chase Bank branch at 801 W. Washington Street in January 2020. There is also 3,000 square feet available at the 801 W. Washington building, as Alexssa will only be occupying the first floor.
New to the market is also the former RiverShores Chiropractic space at 705 Village Green Way. Located in the same building as Tochi Ramen, Café Floriana, and Children’s Hospital, the space will be available in June of this year when they move to their new building at 235 N. 18th Avenue.
Questions about commercial real estate? Contact Adam at 262-424-3217 or adam@americancre.net.
West Bend business owner creates frozen luminaries for Feb. 8 hike at Pike Lake State Park
A local business owner has become inspired by the beauty of the annual Luminary Walk at Pike Lake State Park. The event is Saturday, February 8 starting at 6 p.m.
Jim Sprouse from Property Loss Management in West Bend has been working with a couple staffers on making Glowing Ice Luminaries.
“We use a five-gallon plastic bucket and we’ve lined the bucket with some weeds from Pike Lake State Park as decorations,” he said.
The water freezes from the sides down and the secret to creating a clear hurricane lantern is well water. “If we used City water from the tap because it’s cloudy,” said Sprouse. “We go down to the neighbor’s farm and we use his well water; that’s not chlorinated and it’s super clear.”
“I was so moved by this project and we called the Ranger Station for some help and then started making some on our own,” he said.
There are four miles of trail at Pike Lake State Park and two miles are lit with luminaries.
31st Annual Pike Lake Candlelight Ski and Hike Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Activities: Astronomy, Candlelight events, Cross country ski, Hike, Night event, Outdoor activity, Snowshoeing Location: Kettle Moraine SF – Pike Lake Unit
This whimsical event is one the whole family is sure to enjoy. Bring the skis or hiking boots to enjoy the park from a whole new perspective. There will be a total of 2 miles illuminated by candlelight, so you are welcome to be out for however long you’d like. Afterwards, meet at the North Shelter for a bonfire, complimentary treats, guest presentation on WI mammals, and of course hot chocolate! Please help us reduce our waste by bringing along your own mug or thermos. Meet at the Beach.
Kettle Moraine Lutheran’s Jacob Stoltz hits career 1,000 points | By Megan Himm
With a three-point shot Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School senior Jacob Stoltz was able to secure the 1,000th point of his high school career. Going into the game, Stoltz only needed to score five points. After the shot, the achievement was announced to the crowd, who erupted with cheers as the team congratulated Stoltz. The Chargers would go onto win the game against Winneconne, 93 – 57.
Stoltz started playing basketball when he was just a toddler. He remembers playing at the YMCA, “It really was my dad just putting a basketball in my hands and going through stuff with me at a really young age.” Stoltz would continue improving his skills while playing on his grade school team at St. Lucas, for the KML Junior Chargers, and Kewaskum Youth Basketball.
Cole Biesterfeld, a senior, has played with Stoltz since fifth grade, “One thing that has always remained the same throughout those years has been his love of the game. He is one of the smartest basketball players I have met and has an abundant amount of knowledge and passion for the game. He will do everything in his power to help benefit the team and help us will our way to victory no matter what it takes.”
Once in high school, Stoltz landed a spot on the JV team as a freshman. The next year, he was on varsity. It was that first year on varsity when KML had its state-run. Describing the experience, Stoltz said, “Being new to the team it was right away a hard adjustment to go to the varsity level and play with a bunch of new guys. About halfway through the season, I finally got good with the guys, and then we put on a nice run where we all gelled together and we were able to make it to state.”
This year, Stoltz has been a true leader both as a teammate and as a scorer. Austin Wagner, a sophomore on the team, describes Stoltz as “a great leader and someone that the whole team can count on. The energy he brings every game is huge for us; it pushes the whole team to bring energy. He wants to win and he pushes the rest of the team to be as successful as we can be.”
With a scoring average of 23, he has led the team in scoring for most games. Earlier this year, during a game against Sheboygan Falls, Stoltz tied the school record, scoring 35 points. “Being able to lead more than scoring is big for me. Being able to be a leader, being able to pass, and helping my teammates get better is just as big as me scoring. I try to motivate my teammates to keep scoring. I wouldn’t score as much as I do without them. They set screens for me, they drive and pass to me and let me shoot. They are right with me through it all, so definitely give credit to them.”
Looking ahead, Stoltz said we can’t get complacent. “We have to keep working hard, we have to keep getting better. At practices we need to work harder and get better each game. Once we do have some hard games, we need to be ready to attack them and play our best.”
While basketball may be his passion, it’s not the only sport he has played at KML. Stoltz ran cross country his freshman and sophomore year and played football his junior and senior year. A broken arm halted his junior year, but he was still able to have a successful senior season. In the spring, Stoltz is a member of KML’s baseball team. Freshman year he was able to earn a spot on the JV team. His sophomore year on JV was cut short when he tore a ligament in his knee, but he was able to come back his junior year on varsity. Stoltz is planning to play baseball again this spring.
Stoltz is the embodiment of a student-athlete. Not only does he excel on the court, but he also does well in the classroom. As a member of the National Honor Society, he has demonstrated scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Stoltz is also an honor roll student, maintaining a GPA of 3.3 or higher. Second quarter he achieved high honor roll with a GPA of 3.6 or higher. Some of the classes he’s taking this year include World Literature, Transition to College Math, Lifetime Sports, Computer Application, Word of God, and United States Government.
Stoltz uses his leadership skills outside of sports as a member of Cross Trainers. As such, he is paired with a freshman and serves as a mentor to that freshman.
2020 winners from Kiwanis Early Risers Chili and Soup Cook off
The annual Kiwanis Early Risers Chili & Soup Cook off was a huge success. Twenty-six teams were won over the record crowd on Saturday, February 1. There were so many people additional seating had to be created and many of the vendors started running out of chili around noon. The event lasted until 2 p.m. Winners are listed below.
People’s Choice Chili: 1st West Bend Firefighters, 2nd Olde Cedar Inn, 3rd Badger Transmissions
People’s Choice Soup: 1st Brazen Head Pub, 2nd Riverside Brewery and Restaurant, 3rd Sandy’s Barton Café
Judge’s Choice Business Chili: 1st Badger Transmission, 2nd Don Patnode Agency, 3rd Minuteman Press
Community Service Chili: 1st Interfaith Caregivers, 2nd West Bend Firefighters, 3rd West Bend Noon Kiwanis
Restaurant Chili: 1st Olde Cedar Inn, 2nd El Pig’s Butt Bar-B-Que, 3rd Billy Sims Barbeque
Restaurant Soup: 1st M&JS Moonlighting, 2nd Brazen Head Pub, 3rd Riverside Brewery and Restaurant
Thanks to everyone who participated and a special shout out to Property Loss Management for its donation of water.
by Owen | 1052, 8 Feb 2020 | Politics | 36 Comments
To be fair… people who crossed Hillary ended up dead.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Exacting swift punishment against those who crossed him, an emboldened President Donald Trump ousted two government officials who had delivered damaging testimony against him during his impeachment hearings. The president took retribution just two days after his acquittal by the Senate.
First came news Friday that Trump had ousted Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the decorated soldier and national security aide who played a central role in the Democrats’ impeachment case. Vindman’s lawyer said his client was escorted out of the White House complex Friday, told to leave in retaliation for “telling the truth.”
“The truth has cost Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy,” attorney David Pressman said in a statement. Vindman’s twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, also was asked to leave his job as a White House lawyer on Friday, the Army said in a statement. Both men were reassigned to the Army.
Next came word that Gordon Sondland, Trump’s ambassador to the European Union, also was out.
“I was advised today that the President intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union,” Sondland said in a statement.
The White House had not been coy about whether Trump would retaliate against those he viewed as foes in the impeachment drama. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Thursday that Trump was glad it was over and “maybe people should pay for that.”
Seriously, though, is this a problem? Put yourself in Trump’s shoes. He believes that he was falsely accused of wrongdoing and these two people were among the accusers. They work for him, but he no longer trusts them, their judgement, or their willingness to carry out his administration’s policies. Why would he keep them on board? Are they entitled to the jobs?
The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, which became official on Jan. 31, may prove opportunistic for Wisconsin’s trade industry, according to a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) official.
Mark Rhoda-Reis, director of the International Agribusiness Center at DATCP, said Wisconsin hasn’t been as focused on the U.K. in the past because of the size of its market, but that could be shifting as the country breaks away from the EU.
[…]
In agriculture and food products alone, the U.K. imports about $55 million worth of goods from Wisconsin. Rhoda-Reis said there’s room for growth, because the U.K. imports several billion dollars worth of agriculture and food products — about 73 percent of which comes from the EU, he said.
“Wisconsin has a lot of room to grow in that, considering that we’re only $55 million of that several billion dollar import,” he said, noting there’s especially room to grow in soy sauce and yeast exports, as well as bull semen, wood, animal feed, meat and packaged vegetables.
Thank goodness. This is probably the most life-impacting news of the day.
Netflix is to finally give viewers the option of turning off its autoplay function for previews for its show.
The streaming provider became a source of irritation for many users after viewers would be scrolling through an endless list of titles only to have the shows previews start playing in the background on its homepage.
Netflix introduced the option of being able to disable the autoplay of the next episode in a series since 2014 but this new option will allow watchers to browse through the index of offerings in peace.
(CNN)Pete Buttigieg holds a slim lead over Bernie Sanders in the Iowa caucuses with the Iowa Democratic Party announcing on Thursday night that 100% of precincts are reporting.
The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor leads the Vermont senator by one-tenth of one percentage point in the all-important state delegate equivalent count. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are trailing behind Buttigieg and Sanders.
Sigh… it’s never enough. He doesn’t even pretend to offer a plan for how dumping this in the government school system would actually improve education for a single kid.
MADISON (WKOW) — Surrounded by educators and school administrators Thursday morning, Gov. Tony Evers announced he would call a special session to focus on education.
The session is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 1 p.m.
The governor wants the state Senate and Assembly to use $250 million of projected revenue surplus to give more money to schools and take the pressure off of local referendums.
A new bill to make school spending more transparent will get its first public hearing at the legislature on Thursday.
The bill, Assembly Bill 810, would create a computerized database of public school expenditures maintained by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The agency would then post the information on the internet for the public.
“DPI must present the data on its Internet site in a format that allows the public to download, sort, search, and access the data at no cost,” according to the Legislative Reference Bureau memo. “Finally, the bill requires DPI to annually conduct a public information campaign on the availability of financial data on its Internet site.”
The law, if passed by the legislature this session, would go into effect for the 2021-22 school year.
MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers is standing by his child services officials who warned a reporter he could face jail time if he reported information from a confidential child abuse investigation.
Evers said Tuesday the Department of Children and Families acted appropriately by sending an NBC News reporter a cease and desist letter threatening legal action, a move that media law experts say is likely unconstitutional.
“I believe it’s appropriate that DCF protects the kid in this case. Somebody’s got to stick up for that young kid who was deemed to be abused,” Evers told reporters Tuesday. “Somebody’s got to stand up for the kid, and we did and I support that.”
DCF officials sought to block NBC News reporter Mike Hixenbaugh from publishing information from a confidential child abuse investigation file, saying reporting such information would violate state law and could result in six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
As we put more and more privacy laws from HIPAA to FERPA to others, this is becoming more of an issue. Business and government officials hide their abuses and wrongdoing behind these laws and use them to thwart the people’s ability to get to the truth.
