Shawano Leader News
GAB orders Clintonville to set Rose recall election
Leader Staff
The state Government Accountability Board on Thursday ordered the Clintonville Common Council “to promptly convene to call the recall election” targeting District 4 Alderman Greg Rose.
The council had voted 4-2 Tuesday not to accept the certification of sufficiency issued Sept. 22 by City Clerk Peggy Johnson.
No council members disputed the validity of the recall petition Tuesday, but some said they did not think it was warranted.
Michael Haas, the GAB’s elections division administrator, told the Leader it is the council’s mandatory duty to call the election upon certification of the petition. He said similar situations have arisen in other communities, where council or board members thought calling the election meant they were supporting the recall. It does not.
Failure to call the election, as the order issued by Kevin J. Kennedy, GAB director and general counsel, stated, “would constitute willful neglect or refusal by an election official to perform a duty prescribed by Wisconsin election laws.”
Alderpersons Mary Beth Kuester, Gloria Dunlavy, Jim Krause and Jeannie Schley voted against accepting the certification of sufficiency. Bill Zeinert and Phil Rath voted to accept it. Rose abstained. Mark Doornink and John Wilson were absent.
Rose, who had submitted a written challenge to the validity of the recall petition, said he wondered whether the residents who signed the recall petition knew the election would cost $2,500. He said he had done nothing wrong.
Resident William VanDaalwyk launched the recall effort against Rose in July. The campaign collected 87 signatures; 56 were required.
Johnson had 31 days from the filing date in August to determine whether the signatures are valid. Rose, who was elected to a two-year term in April 2013, had 10 days after that to challenge the decision.
Johnson said the recall election could not be held with the regular election on Nov. 4 because Waupaca County already had the ballots printed. And with Nov. 11 a holiday, she asked that the election be held Nov. 18.
Nomination papers for the recall election will be due by 5 p.m. of the fourth Tuesday preceding the election. Former Alderperson Lois Bressette has already indicated she will oppose Rose in the special election. If more than two candidates emerge, the Nov. 18 vote would become a primary election.
VanDaalwyk said Rose’s actions have proved to be hostile to business and industry in Clintonville, and have incited divisiveness within the community. He also said Rose breached his fiduciary duty by voting to replace a competent municipal attorney with an inexperienced relative of two council members.
The recall effort coincided with the council’s decision to suspend then-City Administrator Lisa Kotter for unspecified allegations of misconduct. Kotter resigned Sept. 10. She and the city issued a news release saying her departure was not based on any misconduct but rather on “philosophical and stylistic differences.”
The city will continue paying Kotter through May 15, 2015, and through August had spent more than $17,000 on legal fees for the investigation and subsequent negotiations with Kotter.
Correspondent Grace Kirchner contributed to this report.Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetClintonville mayor takes leave of absence
Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Clintonville Mayor Judith Magee announced Thursday that she is taking a medical leave of absence.
Magee said she will return to her position when her health is better but no later than Nov. 26.
Jeannie Schley, Common Council president, will assume the mayor duties in Magee’s absence.
Schley said her most important concern would be getting an interim city administrator as soon as possible. Earlier this week, the council directed Magee to proceed with contacting several potential candidates for the position.
In a statement released to the media, Magee said she was honored to be elected by city voters to the position, which she takes seriously, but needs time away from the turmoil that has enveloped the city since the April election.
“Since April 1 I have had numerous threats made to me and my position, six members of the council are regularly attacking the work I do, we have had a council member resign, the city administrator resigned and a new city attorney who is related to two council members,” Magee said in her statement.
One of the council members, District 4 Alderman Greg Rose, is also facing a recall election.
Magee said she disagrees with the direction being taken by a majority of the council and urged residents to speak up, as well.
“If you do not agree with the path we are on, it is critical that you speak up and be heard publicly,” Magee said.
Magee said she could no longer at this point, carry, along with a few council members, the weight of 4,535 people on her shoulders. She said she first needs to get her mental health back to a good place.
Magee said finalizing next year’s budget will be a difficult task and likely will require some cuts.
“It is critical that stakeholders in the community be heard as to what they want the city to look like,” she said.
The council’s next scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. Oct. 14.
Magee asked that any agenda items added by the council members, attorney or anyone else regarding her be held in open session so that the taxpayers of Clintonville know what is being said about her.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
The Shawano Plan Commission on Wednesday recommended approval of a special zoning exception to allow for a new assisted living facility catering to frail elderly residents.
The 24-unit facility proposed for 820 Olson St. will go to the Common Council on Wednesday for final approval.
Kevin Kadlec of Checkmate LLC said the 28,000-square-foot facility will offer many amenities, lots of common areas and extra large rooms.
He also said it would be an energy efficient building with a very residential look that will include a stone facade, shingle roof and circular driveway.
The property is located in a Light Industrial zoning district.
Kadlec said a management company that also manages other facilities he owns will run the new facility and a manager will be on site at all times.
“We generally hire a local person for that,” he said.
The facility would have 15 employees, about 12 of whom would be full-time, he said.
Kadlec said he hopes construction can begin by the end of the month, provided the weather cooperates.
Some commissioners noted other assisted living facilities in the Shawano area generally have waiting lists, which suggests there is a need for others.
Kadlec agreed.
“I really do believe there’s a need for it, or I wouldn’t be here,” he told the commission.
A site plan and exterior plan will still have to come back to the Plan Commission for approval.
The facility will also be the first project required to meet new landscaping requirements included in the city’s revised zoning code, even though that code has not been adopted yet.
The new code would set a score for landscaping on site plan maps that proposed developments would have to meet. They would get points toward that score for various types of landscaping included in the site plan.
The commission added a condition to the special zoning exception that the new facility meet the specifications of the proposed zoning code. Kadlec said he did not see that as a problem.
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Shawano Police Department
Sept. 30
Police logged 28 incidents, including the following:
Juvenile — Police responded to a 16-year-old runaway in the 1100 block of South Lafayette Street.
Littering — Police issued a citation for littering after two people threw cigarette butts out the window near Dairy Queen, 1005 E. Green Bay St.
OAR — Police cited a 23-year-old male for operating after revocation on North Main and Alpine streets.
Hit-and-Run — Police investigated a hit-and-run in the Aldi’s parking lot, 1253 E. Green Bay St.
Accident — Police investigated an accident in the parking lot of Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Theft — Police investigated a gas drive-off at the Store Gas Station, 404 E. Green Bay St. The driver returned to pay the charge.
Threatening — Police investigated a woman for threatening behavior in the 100 block of Prairie Street.
Intoxicated — Police investigated an intoxicated man for inappropriate behavior in the 100 block of South Franklin Street.
Juvenile — Police investigated a disorderly juvenile in the 200 block of North Bartlett Street.
Suspicious — Police investigated a Peeping Tom in the 200 block of North Humphrey Circle.
Disturbance — Police responded to a juvenile disturbance in the 1000 block of South Franklin Street.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
Sept. 30
Deputies logged 33 incidents, including the following:
Property — A car window was reported smashed on County Road J in the town of Fairbanks.
Animal — Authorities responded to a stray horse on Friendship and Spruce roads in the town of Belle Plaine.
Accident — Authorities responded to a school bus causing damage to a building in the 400 block of Swanke Street in Tigerton.
Juvenile — A disorderly conduct citation was issued to a juvenile at the Wittenberg-Birnamwood District Office, 400 W. Grand Ave., Wittenberg.
Theft — A cellular phone and cash were stolen on Julius Street in the town of Angelica. Complainant discovered suspect attempting to sell the phone on Craigslist.
Hit-and-Run — Authorities responded to a hit-and-run complaint at Ho-Chunk Casino North, N7214 State Highway 45, Wittenberg.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle on County Road A in the town of Herman.
Criminal Damage — Authorities investigated criminal damage to property involving rear windows of a vehicle smashed in on Witt-Birn Townline Road in Wittenberg.
Assist — Authorities assisted Shawano Police with a disorderly juvenile in the 400 block of West Picnic Street.
Accident — Four accidents involving deer were reported.
Clintonville Police Department
Sept. 30
Police logged 11 incidents, including the following:
OAR — Police issued a citation for operating after revocation on 16th and Industrial avenues.
Fraud — A complaint of a worthless check was made on South Main Street.
Theft — Campaign signs were reported stolen on North Main Street.
Welfare — Police completed a welfare check on Motor Street.
Accident — A traffic accident was reported at Pickerel Point.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Shawano Police Lt. Brad Rabideau (in safety vest) explains a scenario that participants will act out and the options available to them during an active shooter drill Tuesday at Shawano Community High School.
Confident. Hopeful. Empowered.
Those were some of the words participants used Tuesday after a drill that gave them a chance to use some of the options they learned to deal with an active shooter.
More than 60 people took part in several scenarios at Shawano Community High School acting out the school district’s new policy that changes the way schools respond to emergency situations, such as an armed intruder entering a school building.
Participants included representatives from several area day cares, the Department of Community Programs, county employees and some substitute teachers.
“It’s exciting to know we have this many people in our community that are interested in the safety of our kids,” SCHS Principal Scott Zwirschitz said.
The district’s previous policy was to go into lockdown, which involved the staff locking their doors, moving the students to a part of the room where they could not be seen and quietly remaining there until an “all clear” announcement was given.
The new policy relies on a program known as ALICE, which is an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate.
Lockdown is still an option, but with the added initiative of barricading the door if there’s no way out.
In cases where evacuation isn’t possible, the ALICE model promotes the “counter” option, which could include anything from distracting the shooter by throwing things at him to swarming over him and taking him down.
Participants were split into three groups for Tuesday’s drills.
Zwirschitz, on loudspeaker, announced a shooter in the school building. Participants locked the doors and shut the lights off.
The first scenario called for them to use only the old policy of lockdown, though one group barricaded the door, anyway.
Police Capt. Jeff Heffernon, playing the role of the shooter, entered all three rooms in quick succession, firing off a mock, plastic gun at participants who cowered on the floor.
At least 12 participants were “shot” under that scenario.
Participants said they felt “helpless,” and “like sitting ducks.”
Another scenario called for participants to use the counter option.
They swarmed over Heffernon as soon as he was in the door. Though he continued to fire, no one was “shot” under that scenario.
ALICE will be implemented in all Shawano School District buildings this year.
All school district staff have received training on the concepts. School principals will guide their staff in providing the training and implementation of the plan to students with the assistance of School Resource Officer Jody Johnson and other members of the Shawano Police Department.
School officials will meet with Shawano police Oct. 3 at a safety committee meeting to discuss a plan for informing students about the ALICE program.
Zwirschitz said those concepts would be shared with students in an appropriate way depending on their age.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
The Shawano Common Council and several Plan Commission members Tuesday got their first detailed look at a proposed zoning code for the city that would replace the one that has been in effect for 31 years.
The public will also have a chance to weigh in on it at an open house next week.
The new code would put a premium on landscaping for any new development proposed in the city and would toss the “legal nonconforming” designation for properties that don’t fit in with the zoning in their neighborhoods.
Mike Slavney, of consulting firm Vandewalle and Associates, called the elimination of the legal non-conforming status “one of the most important things we’re doing.”
One of the flaws in the city’s existing code, according to city officials, are a number of areas where existing property uses don’t match their zoning. In particular, two large areas near the downtown are zoned two-family residential but consist mostly of single-family homes.
Those areas would be mostly rezoned single-family under the new code.
Multi-family already in that zoning would remain and would be considered legally conforming, but no new multi-family properties would be allowed.
Slavney said he and his firm counted close to 300 lots in the city that don’t comply with the existing zoning code.
“There are hundreds of buildings that don’t meet the requirements,” he said.
That has put a cloud on the title of those properties, making it difficult for owners to sell or make improvements to the properties or obtain loans, he said.
The change would apply only to physical characteristics, not unauthorized uses, such as a business being run out of a home, which would still require a permit and be subject to limitations.
“The idea of a home occupation is, it’s hard to notice that it’s there,” Slavney said.
When it grows into something that becomes a noticeable in the neighborhood, drawing increased traffic and becoming a nuisance, it becomes a violation of the code.
Slavney said it would be a violation even under the existing code, but hasn’t always been enforced.
The new code would reserve its most rigid requirements for downtown Shawano, which under the proposed new zoning map would run from the 100 block of North Main Street to Presbyterian Street on the south and would promote two-story storefront buildings with no setback from the sidewalk.
Any proposed renovations, designs or projects in that area would be closely scrutinized by the city, down to which storefront colors would be appropriate.
Slavney said it was intended to preserve the architectural integrity of the downtown.
The new code would also set a score for landscaping on site plan maps that proposed developments would have to meet. They would get points toward that score for various types of landscaping included in the site plan.
The requirement would only apply to new development and to those portions of existing properties that are significantly remodeled or expanded.
The existing code was last adopted in October 1983. Though it has been frequently amended, this is the first complete overhaul in 31 years.
The city hired Vandewalle and Associates for the project, which was budgeted at $50,000. The firm worked with the city’s Zoning Code Rewrite Steering Committee to draft the final proposal.
The proposed code will be presented to the public at an open house at from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 9 at City Hall, followed by another joint meeting of the Plan Commission and Common Council.
There will be a public hearing before the Common Council and possible adoption of the code on Nov. 12, with another public hearing Dec. 10 on the new zoning map that will accompany the code.
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Shawano Police Department
Sept. 28
Police logged 20 incidents, including the following:
Disturbance — Police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of South Sawyer Street.
Theft — A wallet was reported stolen from a vehicle at The Gathering, 2600 E. Richmond St.
Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 800 block of South Park Street.
Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 1000 block of South Sawyer Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of South Main Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of Humphrey Circle.
Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 300 block of Swan Street.
Theft — A purse was reported stolen from a vehicle at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Sept. 27
Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:
Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 400 block of North Main Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 600 block of West Fifth Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of South Lincoln Street.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 900 block of South Lafayette Street.
Shoplifting — Goodwill Industries, 300 Lakeland Road, reported a shoplifting incident.
Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 700 block of East Center Street.
OAR — A 32-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation at Green Bay and Union streets.
Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 1000 block of South Lafayette Street.
Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident in the 300 block of Willow Wood Street.
Sept. 26
Police logged 35 incidents, including the following:
Loitering — Police responded to a loitering complaint at Kwik Trip, 1241 E. Green Bay St.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Green Bay and Bartlett streets.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 900 block of South Prospect Street.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 700 block of South Main Street.
Warrant — A female subject was taken into custody on a warrant at Green Bay Street and Lakeland Road.
Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 300 block of Alpine Drive.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
Sept. 28
Deputies logged 38 incidents, including the following:
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road MMM in Richmond.
Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on County Road A in the town of Herman.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on North Avenue in Mattoon.
Assault — Authorities investigated an assault on Hemlock Road in Wittenberg.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road T in Waukechon.
Accidents — Authorities logged six accidents, including three deer-related crashes.
Sept. 27
Deputies logged 56 incidents, including the following:
Bail Jumping — A 35-year-old man was arrested for bail jumping at The Bad Habit, 1219 Main St., Gresham.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Maple Road in Aniwa.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Almon Street in Bowler.
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.
Assault — Authorities investigated an assault on Lake Drive in Wescott.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on U.S. Highway 45 in Aniwa.
Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Lake Drive in Wescott.
Accidents — Authorities logged three deer-related crashes.
Sept. 26
Deputies logged 46 incidents, including the following:
Warrant — A male subject was taken into custody on a warrant on Arrowhead Court in Wescott.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Sabrowsky Road in Tigerton.
Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Park Street in Gresham.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Grand Avenue in Wittenberg.
Accidents — Authorities logged five accidents, including two deer-related crashes.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
Luke W. Hennigan
Wallpaper in a residence once owned by a Shawano County sheriff’s detective provided a key piece of evidence for the state during a preliminary hearing Friday for a rural Shawano man accused of having sexual communications with a 14-year-old Arizona girl.
Luke W. Hennigan, 31, was bound over trial after the hearing on six counts of child porn possession, three counts of child sexual exploitation, five counts of causing a child to view sexual activity and 11 counts of exposing a child to harmful materials.
Shawano-Menominee County District Attorney Greg Parker told the court additional charges could also be filed.
Detective Chris Gamm testified Friday that Hennigan is living in a house that once belonged to a retired sheriff’s detective and wallpaper from one of the rooms can be seen in sexually explicit photos that Hennigan allegedly sent to the girl.
Gamm said Hennigan had initiated contact with the girl through an online chat room and continued exchanging messages over Facebook, Skype and other messaging programs.
He said personal information and photos on the girl’s Facebook page should have made it obvious to Hennigan that he was communicating with a minor even if she didn’t volunteer that information.
Gamm described graphic photos exchanged between the two, including pictures of the girl performing sexual acts and alleged photos of Hennigan’s genitalia.
None of the photos show Hennigan’s face and he was allegedly using a fake Facebook account under the name of Marc Marcus.
According to the criminal complaint, police in Gilbert, Arizona, learned from a counselor in February that a 14-year-old girl had been in an online relationship with an older male since June 2013. Gilbert police identified Hennigan through an IP address and contacted the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, which took over the investigation in May.
When Hennigan contacted the girl again, Gamm took over the online exchanges posing as her. Those exchanges continued until June 23, when authorities executed a search warrant at Hennigan’s residence, seizing a cell phone and tablet computer belonging to the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe.
According to information from Hennigan’s bail hearing last week, he had been a hydrologist for the tribe.
Hennigan could face a maximum 40 years in prison and $100,000 on each count of child sexual exploitation if convicted; 25 years and a $100,000 on each count of child porn possession; six years and a $10,000 fine on each count of causing a child to view sexual activity; and 3 1/2 years and a $10,000 fine on each count of exposing a child to harmful materials.
Hennigan is free on a $10,000 signature bond and is scheduled for arraignment Nov. 3.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
A rewrite of Shawano’s zoning code will go before a joint meeting of the Plan Commission and Common Council next week, ahead of an open house for the public the week after.
The new code would put a premium on landscaping for any new development proposed in the city and would toss the “legal nonconforming” designation for properties that don’t fit in with the zoning in their neighborhoods.
One of the flaws in the city’s existing code, according to city officials, are a number of areas where existing property uses don’t match their zoning. In particular, two large areas near the downtown are zoned two-family residential but consist mostly of single-family homes.
Those areas would be mostly rezoned single-family under the new code.
“There was a concern about the number of homes in this area that were being converted to rental properties,” City Administrator Brian Knapp said.
Multi-family already in that zoning would remain and would be considered legally conforming, but no new multi-family properties would be allowed in that zoning.
Knapp said there is no specific number or percentage, but many properties in Shawano do not conform to their current zoning.
“I think there’s probably a lot of it, because it appears that Shawano hasn’t had real strict zoning code enforcement,” he said.
Knapp said property owners should be pleased that the new code eliminates the legal nonconforming status.
“Even though it may not be consistent with the zoning code for that district, they can continue to make improvements, they can continue to use it as it is,” he said.
“Under legal nonconforming, if you had a fire for instance and it cost more than 50 percent of the value to restore it, you couldn’t do that. You had to tear it down and reconstruct to conform with the existing code,” Knapp said. “There’s a lot more flexibility with this approach.”
One of the first points of major discussion for the zoning code rewrite steering committee when work on the rewrite began nearly a year ago was the lack of landscaping on many properties in the city.
The new code would set a score for landscaping on site plan maps that proposed developments would have to meet. They would get points toward that score for various types of landscaping included in the site plan.
The requirement would only apply to new development and to those portions of existing properties that are significantly remodeled or expanded.
The new code will be much more detailed, replacing the 56-page old code with a 248-page document, which includes many more charts, graphs and tables than the old code.
The existing code was last adopted in October 1983. Though it has been frequently amended, this is the first complete overhaul in 31 years.
The city hired Vandewalle and Associates for the project, which was budgeted at $50,000.
The proposed code will go before the Plan Commission and Common Council at a joint meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St.
It will be presented to the public at an open house at from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 9 at City Hall, followed by another joint meeting.
There will be a public hearing before the Common Council and possible adoption of the code on Nov. 12, with another public hearing Dec. 10 on the new zoning map that will accompany the code.
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Shawano Police Department
Sept. 25
Police logged 22 incidents, including the following:
OAR — A 50-year-old woman was cited for operating after revocation at Main and Division streets.
Disturbance — Police responded to a verbal dispute in the 1200 block of South Bartlett Street.
Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Peace United Church, 208 E. Maurer St.
Theft — A bike was reported stolen at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Burglary — Police investigated an apparent burglary attempt in the 800 block of South Franklin St.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
Sept. 25
Deputies logged 39 incidents, including the following:
Theft — A utility vehicle was reported stolen from a shed on Jefferson Street in Bonduel.
Vandalism — A mailbox was reported vandalized on Swan Acre Drive in the town of Washington.
Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Bonduel Middle/High School, 400 W. Green Bay St., Bonduel.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Oak Street in Bowler.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Webb Street in Wittenberg.
Accidents — Authorities logged an injury accident in the town of Herman and five deer-related crashes.
Clintonville Police Department
Sept. 25
Police logged nine incidents, including the following:
Harassment — Harassment was reported on West Morning Glory Drive.
Disturbance — Police responded to a report of an unwanted subject on South Main Street.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on South Main Street.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
Shawano’s Department of Public Works this past week took steps to make a pedestrian crossing on East Green Bay Street more obvious to motorists.
The crossing previously had only a warning sign in the middle of the four lanes designating it for pedestrian right-of-way.
This week, additional signs outlined with flashing lights went up on either side of the street.
Pedestrians using the crosswalk will also find a container of red flags that they can carry with them across the street to get the attention of motorists. They then deposit the flag in the container on the other side.
“These were attempts to try and make that crossing more visible and make it a safer crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists,” City Administrator Brian Knapp said.
The crosswalk, located just west of Lakeland Road near Woodlawn Cemetery, traverses a four-lane state highway that is perhaps the busiest street in Shawano.
Knapp said the lighted signs, which cost $1,200 apiece, were something he saw in Marshfield.
“I thought they might work here,” he said.
State statutes require motorists to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and uncontrolled intersections. They must also yield to a person riding a bicycle or electric personal assistant mobility device.
Police recently announced they would be more aggressive in enforcing that law.
City officials have long been concerned about the East Green Bay Street crosswalk, which is part of the Mountain Bay Trail.
The city has been applying annually since 2007 for grant money that could make the crosswalk safer and has been denied every year.
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Substantial battery
A Shawano man has been charged with felony counts of substantial battery, intimidating a victim and false imprisonment in connection with an alleged domestic incident in the city last month.
Cory L. Lohman, 33, could face a maximum 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if found guilty of intimidating a victim, six years and a $10,000 fine for false imprisonment and 3½ years and a $10,00 fine for substantial battery with intent to cause bodily harm.
Lohman is accused of striking a woman several times, causing her to lose a tooth during an Aug. 3 disturbance. He allegedly also kept the victim from calling 911 and kept her restrained against her will, according to the criminal complaint.
Lohman is also charged with several counts of misdemeanor bail jumping, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.
Lohman is due in court for an initial appearance Thursday.
Throwing bodily fluids at a public safety officer
A Bowler man is facing a felony charge for allegedly smearing blood on a Shawano County sheriff’s deputy after the man was arrested for a disturbance at a bar in the village.
Aaron J. Arndt, 29, was taken into custody after allegedly starting a fight at the bar on Sept. 7. He was being restrained by several customers when deputies arrived, according to the criminal complaint.
The complaint states Arndt was taken to Shawano Medical Center, where he allegedly wiped blood from his face and smeared it on the deputy’s arm.
Arndt could face a maximum 3½ years in prison and $10,000 fine if found guilty of throwing or discharging bodily fluids at a public safety worker. He is also charged with several misdemeanor counts, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and criminal damage to property.
Arndt was ordered held on a $1,000 cash bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Monday.
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Shawano Police Department
Sept. 24
Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:
Theft — A wallet was reported stolen in the 1400 block of East Green Bay Street.
Arrest — A male subject was taken into custody at the Probation and Parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 2400 block of East Richmond Street.
Vandalism — Police responded to a vandalism complaint in the 500 block of West First Street.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
Sept. 25
Deputies logged 44 incidents, including the following:
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Lake Drive in Wescott.
Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Bonduel Middle/High School, 400 W. Green Bay St.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Micks Road in Bowler.
Assault — Authorities investigated an assault on Hiawatha Court in Wescott.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Webb Street in Wittenberg.
Theft — A child support card was reported stolen on County Road F in Angelica.
Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Loon Lake Drive in Wescott.
Theft — Authorities investigated a property theft complaint on Swanke Street in Tigerton.
Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on Cedar Street in Tigerton.
Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Clark Road in Tigerton.
Accidents — Authorities logged five deer-related crashes, including one motorcycle versus deer accident involving an injury on County Road N in Birnamwood.
Clintonville Police Department
Sept. 25
Police logged 12 incidents, including the following:
Theft — A theft from a vehicle was reported on Torrey Street.
Suspicious — A suspicious incident on North 12th Street was investigated.
Theft — A theft was reported on Brix Street.
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Jason Arndt, [email protected]
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Shawano residents Gregg Arneson, Charles Stuart, Jessica Mills and Amber Arneson collaborate on identifying community health issues at a meeting Tuesday in Shawano.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Jamie Bodden, right, public health officer with the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department, discusses health concerns with Jay Moynihan, of Shawano, and community health educator Megan Suehring at a meeting Tuesday in Shawano.
Poverty was identified as a key factor affecting the overall health of residents of Shawano and Menominee counties at a meeting this week in Shawano.
The Community Health Improvement Plan meeting Wednesday at the Shawano County Courthouse was part of a community health assessment conducted every five years by the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department. A similar meeting was held earlier in the week in Tigerton.
About 15 residents attended the Shawano meeting, although many participants were employees of the health department and the Shawano County University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Participants were asked to write their top area health concerns on easel pads. The list included poverty, lack of jobs, access to health care and transportation.
“I was surprised that people were recognizing poverty around our area and community as well as our need for interconnectedness between different departments,” said Megan Suehring, community health educator for the health department.
Suehring said poverty leads to unhealthy food choices. As an example, she compared the price of orange juice at $5.69 per carton to $1.69 for a 2-liter bottle of soda.
“As much as they would like to utilize that money toward the healthier food, at some point they will have to make a decision, and it leads to unhealthy choices,” she said.
Shawano resident Gregg Arneson suggested residents need to take a more holistic approach to health, including, for example, eliminating wheat and gluten from their daily diets.
Participants also talked of the need for social support systems.
“It is knowing that you have those support systems if you need them, including if I have a job interview would I have someone to watch my kids so I can get there. Will I have reliable transportation to get there,” Suehring said.
In the 2014 County Health Rankings released in March, Shawano County ranked 60th and Menominee County 72nd of the state’s 72 counties.
Suehring said the rankings resulted in the health department amping up its efforts to educate and help residents.
“We went around the county to talk to a diverse group of individuals, everywhere from nursing facilities to 4-H clubs,” Suehring said.
The rankings consider 29 factors that influence health, including tobacco and alcohol use, education, unemployment rates, obesity and physical activity, and housing conditions.
Local health officials said the rankings and community health assessment reveal similar needs for the area, including mental and oral health services, alcohol and drug services, more physical activity and better nutrition, and more physicians.
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Lee Pulaski, [email protected]
The Shawano County Board voted unanimously Wednesday to merge the existing social services and community programs departments into a single human services department to streamline efficiency in vital services.
The merger takes effect Jan. 1.
“It is time for Shawano County to form a human services department,” County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann said prior to the vote. “We are one of the last counties that doesn’t have a human services department.”
Only 10 of 72 Wisconsin counties have separate departments for their social services and community programs, according to Tom Madsen, county administrative coordinator.
An ad hoc committee of county supervisors and residents has met for the last three months to consider the merger and its impact on the county.
Yvette Mueller, a community programs department employee who helped research the merger, said the county annually can expect to save 6 percent of the $1.2 million it spent in 2014, about $71,200. Miller said the fiscal impact will be minimal, with most savings coming from reduced audit and technology service fees, along with fewer per diems due to having one governing board instead of two.
The big change is going to come in efficiencies. Mueller said there is no duplication of services between the two departments, but there will be point of entry for clients, as well as one system for computerized record keeping instead of the two.
By state statute, the county cannot eliminate any existing positions during the merger, Mueller said. However, more savings can be realized when positions are not refilled after staffers quit.
The merger received favorable recommendations from the community programs and social services boards, which both met on Sept. 11.
Melissa Schuler, who sat on the human services ad hoc committee, said that everyone on the committee agreed it was in the county’s best interest to merge the two departments into one. The employees agreed, she said.
“We found that they were ready and willing to merge those two departments,” Schuler said. “They were already working together to merge those two departments. We feel that, after our studies and working in our work groups, that they are ready to do that.”
Rick Kane, the social services director, will head the new department. Kelly Bueschel, the interim community programs director, will serve as the deputy director.
Several county supervisors expressed concern that the two department heads were put into their specific positions without prior approval from the County Board or committees. It was suggested to strip names from positions on an organizational chart, but Madsen said doing that would make the merging process more cumbersome.
Other supervisors said the board should not be tinkering with the merger plan at the 11th hour.
“We’ve gotten recommendations from the ad hoc committee and the other two boards. Let’s move forward with this so we can implement this by the first of the year,” Supervisor Kevin Conradt said.
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Joan Koehne, [email protected]
Brad Olsen
An Oconto County sheriff’s deputy with 16 years of law enforcement experience has been named police chief in Oconto Falls.
The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the hire of Brad Olsen, of Bonduel, subject to a satisfactory psychological evaluation. He replaces Mike Roberts, who retired June 3 after 35 years with the department.
Olsen, 38, is scheduled to begin his new job Oct. 20.
Olsen grew up in Shawano. His parents, Marty and Jerry, owned the Bamboo Bar on Shawano Lake for over 30 years. According to Olsen, years of bartending, waiting tables and occasionally breaking up fights helped him learn how to interact with people, which proves helpful in his law enforcement work.
After years of having a squad car for an “office,” Olsen said it will take time to get accustomed to an office at City Hall and adjust to his new administrative duties.
“However, I do not want to be a chief who’s in the office all the time. I want to be out on the road and in the schools,” he said.
The personnel committee interviewed three finalists: Kurt Kostuch, Patrick Runge and Olsen. Two other candidates were scheduled for interviews but were no-shows. Twelve people applied for the position.
Sgt. Corey Rank, the only member of the department to apply for chief, had been scheduled for an interview but withdrew his application. Rank was promoted to sergeant and named officer in charge of the department after Roberts’ retirement.
Alderman Kevin Rusch, committee chairman, said Olsen was one of two strong candidates for the position, and it was the consensus of the committee to recommend him for the job.
Olsen earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and worked as a summer intern for the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department. After graduation, he worked as a community service employee for the city of Shawano. In 2000, was hired by Oconto County.
Olsen is a certified instructor for firearms, Tasers and emergency vehicle operation. From 2002-2010, he was a K-9 handler, working with two dogs.
According to Rusch, the direction of the department will be left to Olsen.
“We’ve expressed a couple thoughts of what we’d like to see and didn’t really pinpoint any problem areas we’re aware of,” Rusch said.
Olsen said he is looking forward to leading the department, which has four full-time officers and three part-timers.
“I think it will be a good fit. I’m excited to get started,” Olsen said, then paused before adding, “It also makes it very easy walking into a department with very good officers. I’ve worked with all of them.”
He said he became interested in police work when he was kid, after Shawano Police Officer Gary Burr visited his grade school.
“Boy, I thought he was a movie star!” Olsen recalled. “I had never seen an officer in uniform, except on TV and in the movies. I was mesmerized by it.”
It was simple things like classroom visits and bike safety lessons that left an impression on Olsen, who said he’d like to make a similar impact on today’s youth.
“I’d like to make a good presence known at the schools, even myself. I’d like to spend more time working around the schools, getting to know some of the kids so they feel comfortable talking to our officers,” he said.
He’d also like the department to run anti-drug programs in the schools.
“I think it’s very important to get that drug awareness at a young age,” he said.
Olsen is married, with two teenage sons. The family lives in Bonduel and has plans to build a home in Gillett. For about 12 years, Olsen lived south of Oconto Falls and is familiar with the community.
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Jason Arndt, [email protected]
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Two workers with Boldt Construction bolt two tiles with approximately 400 signatures to a top beam of the new ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano for a topping off ceremony Wednesday.
A “topping off” ceremony was held Wednesday to celebrate the final and uppermost steel beams being placed atop the new ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano under construction at County Road B and state Highway 22.
Two tiles affixed to one of the beams bore approximately 400 signatures from area residents and hospital staff.
Two workers from The Boldt Co., of Appleton, the project’s general contractor and construction management firm, secured the two tiles, with a tree nestled between them, to the beam.
“To say the least it was very emotional and I have tremendous pride,” said Dorothy Erdmann, CEO of Shawano Medical Center. “These type of milestones reflect how far we have come.”
Residents were able to sign the tiles at Shawano Medical Center and ThedaCare Physicians last week.
Larry Klement, 68, of Shawano, autographed one of the tiles and attended Wednesday’s ceremony.
“It is part of history in Shawano and was tremendous undertaking,” said Klement, who served on the SMC board of trustees for a decade. “For a community of this size to have this facility is just breathtaking.”
The topping off ceremony is traced back to ancient Scandinavians, who placed a tree atop a new building to appease tree-dwelling spirits displaced in its construction. Today, the ceremony marks a milestone for large construction projects and often is a major public relations event.
Erdmann said she and fellow board members began planning for the ceremony nine months ago.
“I could not be happier with Boldt Construction for the time they put in,” Erdmann said.
Boldt’s project manager, Matt Peterson, said the outer shell of the building should be done by the end of fall or early winter.
The goal, he said, is to fully enclose the building before the cold weather so the medical center’s interior finish and most mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems can be installed during the winter.
Peterson said construction is ahead of schedule despite a 25-day delay last winter due to subzero temperatures.
A centralized utility structure, which includes air conditioning, heating and electricity, was fast-tracked and completed in four months, he said.
ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano will replace the 81-year-old Shawano Medical Center and is slated to open in fall 2015. It is adjacent to ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano.
The center will also house ThedaCare At Home-Shawano and ThedaCare At Work-Shawano.
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Jerry Shidell
Jerry Shidell is running for the office of state treasurer in Wisconsin with just one goal in mind. He wants to get fired.
That comprises his entire platform as he campaigns for an office he doesn’t believe should exist.
“The office of the state treasurer takes two phone calls a month and that’s basically the duties,” Shidell said.
Under the state Constitution, the treasurer is a commissioner on the Bureau of Public Lands.
On the first and third Tuesday of each month, bureau staff call to give the treasurer a list of municipalities looking to borrow from the state trust fund and the treasurer makes recommendations for approval, which are usually rubber-stamped, according to Shidell.
“Those are the only duties the Legislature has decided to give to the state treasurer,” he said.
The job pays $68,000 a year.
The treasurer previously also had the duty of returning unclaimed property to the rightful owners, but that has since been given to Department of Revenue, where Shidell believes it belongs.
Shidell brought his campaign to get kicked out of an office he doesn’t yet hold to Shawano last week.
“I’m a Libertarian,” he said. “Libertarians believe in minimal government, maximum freedom. The only way we’re going to scale back the government is if we get rid of these useless jobs that are floating around.”
A retired business man from Rhinelander who still owns some rental properties, Shidell has served as mayor of that city and has been on the City Council and Oneida County Board.
“I don’t have any ambitions for higher office,” he said.
He feels he is doing his small part to curtail in a minimal way the growth of government by running for a job he will then campaign to eliminate.
Shidell may be half way there already. During the last Legislative session, the Assembly passed a bill eliminating the job, but it was never acted on by the Senate.
Shidell said that as treasurer he would be out actively promoting eliminating the position in the media.
“I would become the spokesperson for the elimination of the state treasurer’s job,” he said. “If I’m in there I have a pulpit from which to speak from. I have the ability to command a little bit of attention and rally the state to action. If person who gets the job doesn’t do that, the Legislature’s not going to act on its own.”
If approved by the Legislature, the voters must also concur with a vote to amend the state Constitution.
Shidell said he won’t seek a second term if the Legislature fails to act.
“If at the end of the first (Legislative) session, I haven’t convinced them to eliminate the position, I will donate half my remaining salary to charity because I failed in my job,” he said.
Shidell said he has an advantage in accomplishing his goal because he is neither a Republican or Democrat and has no political pressure.
He also said he provides a unique opportunity for voters who would otherwise never vote for a Libertarian.
“The job has no power, no authority, no influence,” he said. “If you really think this job needs to go, here’s a chance to send a strong message.”
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Shawano Police Department
Sept. 23
Police logged 30 incidents, including the following:
Trespassing — Police investigated a potential trespassing complaint in the 800 block of East Green Bay Street.
OAR — Police cited a 29-year-old man for operating after revocation at East Green Bay and South Union streets.
Burglary — Two chainsaws were stolen from a garage in the 200 block of East Maurer Street.
Shoplifting — Police responded to a male shoplifter at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Burglary — A report of a burglary attempt, by kicking in a garage door, was made in the 200 block of East Randall Street.
Loitering — Police responded to a male loitering and asking for money at the Walmart parking lot entrance, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Disturbance — Police responded to physical altercation between two residents of Evergreen Health Care Center, 1250 S. Evergreen St.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
Sept. 23
Deputies logged 35 incidents, including the following:
Scam — Authorities responded to a complaint of fraudulent use of a telephone on West Sandy Drive in the town of Washington.
Protective Custody — Deputies investigated a potential need for protective custody of a disorderly and intoxicated female in the 300 block of Main Street in Birnamwood.
Domestic Disturbance — Authorities investigated a domestic disturbance involving a male striking a female on County Road J in the town of Fairbanks.
Harassment — Authorities investigated a 22-year-old female making telephone threats toward another female on Rustic Drive in the town of Belle Plaine.
Escape — Authorities responded to a report that a man who escaped from the Marathon County Jail had visited a residence on County Road M in the town of Grant.
Burglary — A burglary was reported on Pine Drive in the town of Red Springs. A television was reported stolen.
Accidents — Five deer-related accidents were reported.
Clintonville Police Department
Sept. 23
Police logged nine incidents, including the following:
Disorderly Conduct — A disorderly conduct complaint was made on Green Tree Road.
Domestic Abuse — Police took a male into custody for domestic abuse disorderly conduct and bail jumping.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Shawano Community High School Principal Scott Zwirschitz and Shawano Police Capt. Jeff Heffernon discuss options available for responding to emergency situations under the ALICE program to attendees at a community informational meeting at the high school Tuesday.
The Shawano School District on Tuesday unveiled its new options-based plan for responding to emergency situations in the schools at a sparsely attended community informational meeting.
The district recently adopted a policy that would change the way schools respond to life-threatening emergencies such as an armed intruder entering a school building.
“In the past, most of the response was, ‘let’s hide and hope the bad person doesn’t come and find us,’” said Shawano Community High School Principal Scott Zwirschitz.
Previous lockdown procedures — more accurately referred to as “secure hold,” Zwirschitz said — involved the staff locking their doors, moving the students to a part of the room where they could not be seen, and quietly remaining there until an “all clear” announcement was given.
The new policy relies on a program known as ALICE, which is an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate.
Lockdown is still an option, but with the added initiative of barricading the door if there’s no way out.
In cases where evacuation isn’t possible, the ALICE model promotes the “counter” option, which could include anything from distracting the shooter by throwing things at him to swarming over him and taking him down.
ALICE will be implemented in all Shawano School District buildings this year.
The “counter” option is seen as the most controversial part of the ALICE plan, but, Zwirschitz said, the option doesn’t mean putting one’s self in harm’s way if it can be avoided.
“We’re not asking people to go out and act like commandos,” he said.
Zwirschitz said the first choice would always be evacuation if it’s possible, and he said staff has already been instructed in that.
“I tell them, ‘if you’re on the first floor and you have a window, open it up and get out,’” he said.
The district has designated rallying spots for students who have evacuated the schools. High school, middle school and intermediate students are to go to the Zion Lutheran Church.
Hillcrest students are to go to the Methodist Church across the street.
Zwirschitz was joined for the presentation by Olga Brener Intermediate School Principal Karen Smith, Shawano Police Capt. Jeff Heffernon, Lt. Brad Rabideau and School Resource Officer Jody Johnson.
“We want to increase survivability,” Heffernon said.
Heffernon said it was his goal to change the passive response to emergency situations that has become traditional.
“We’ve got to train for a more aggressive approach,” he said.
Fewer than 20 people turned out for Tuesday’s meeting at the high school, which was geared to parents, guardians and community members. Those who did attend were mostly concerned about how students would be trained in the new policy and how it would affect them.
Zwirschitz said the information presented to students would be tailored for their grade level.
He also said some options, such “counter,” are primarily for staff and not the students.
Heffernon compared the training for the elementary grades to learning what to do in a fire drill; a practice he said that often gets the younger children excited to tell their parents what they learned today.
Smith said the ALICE information shared with students would be handled carefully.
“The last thing we want to do is scare the students,” she said.
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