Paying off the Shawano Community Middle School project will cost taxpayers $2.5 million less that originally forecast, thanks to low interest rates.

Shawano School District officials have secured a favorable interest rate of slightly more than 2 percent while borrowing $9.25 million in the bond market for the voter-approved middle school renovation.

Officials last fall had projected interest rates as high as 4 percent when presenting the project’s potential cost to voters before a district-wide referendum Nov. 3 on whether to borrow the money.

Voters passed the referendum by nearly a 2-to-1 margin on the assumption that the ultimate cost, with interest, could total $14 million.

With the lower interest rate, officials say the total cost will be about $11.5 million.

Louise Fischer, the district’s business manager, said the school district secured the more favorable terms by going to the bond market on Monday at a time when interest rates were momentarily in decline.

“We picked the perfect time,” Fischer said.

Members of the Shawano School Board voted unanimously earlier this week to approve the bond issue, in which Milwaukee-based BOSC Inc. underbid five other firms offering slightly higher interest rates.

Board President Tyler Schmidt said he credits the district’s staff and financial advisers with delivering savings to taxpayers on the middle school project.

“We hit the bond market at just the right time,” Schmidt said. “It’s always good to have that kind of news.”

The proceeds will be used for a major upgrade of the middle school, including improvements to the heating system, cafeteria, locker rooms, kitchen, band and orchestra rooms, and more. Since voters approved the project Nov. 3, district officials have been considering borrowing options with financial advisers at PMA Securities Inc.

Another factor in securing the low interest rate was the district’s decision to issue a 15-year bond rather than a 20-year bond, meaning that the project will be paid off five years sooner.

According to figures provided by the district, yearly debt payments will range from about $330,000 to $1.1 million. Property tax increases for the owner of a $100,000 home will fluctuate between $21 and $83 a year, averaging $51.

Fischer said the accelerated borrowing strategy means that the school district will be debt-free by the year 2031.

“That is huge,” she said.

Candidates for Shawano mayor are taking a variety of campaign tacks ahead of the Feb. 16 primary, ranging from simple word-of-mouth to full-on mobilization of friends and volunteers.

Most say they are concentrating on introducing themselves one-on-one to those in the community who don’t yet know who they are.

All of the candidates, however, will get their first widespread introduction to the community Monday at 7 p.m. when they gather for a candidate forum in the Shawano Community High School auditorium, 220 County Road B.

The six candidates are Rich Belongia, Jeanne Cronce, Kasey Hohn, Jim Oberstein, Brian Retzlaff and Sandy Steinke.

Hohn said his campaigning so far has consisted of talking to numerous people at public events, such as basketball games.

He said he was holding off on campaign signs until after Monday’s forum.

Belongia said he has put out numerous campaign signs and has had fliers printed, and has done some radio advertising, but a large part of his campaign has also included visiting local businesses.

Oberstein, who has put out campaign signs and placed newspaper ads, said he has also visited merchants downtown and elsewhere in the city, and is taking an informational packet with him as he goes door-to-door.

Steinke said she has not yet started knocking on doors, but will be doing that soon.

In the meantime, she said, she has been talking to people while she’s been out and about in the community.

Steinke said she also has a group of campaign volunteers who have been out spreading the word for her.

Cronce also has volunteers; supporters whom she called a “campaign committee,” who have been helping her get campaign signs put out.

She has also been out introducing herself to the community and answering people’s questions, she said.

Retzlaff said he has done some radio ads, but that his campaigning has been financially limited, and he has declined to accept any financial support.

He has also not yet gone door-to-door and has been relying mostly on word-of-mouth, he said.

A military veteran living in a car in Wittenberg was among 21 people found homeless in Shawano County in the most recent census aimed at tracking the local homeless population.

That is three times the number of homeless people reported locally at the same time a year ago.

Officials said the apparent statistical spike does not signal a worsening problem, but rather it highlights the success of Shawano’s new homeless shelter in serving people whose struggles otherwise would likely go undetected and unreported.

SAM’s House, the area’s first emergency overnight homeless shelter, opened in November in downtown Shawano.

Stacey Cicero, coordinator of the twice-a-year homeless census, said the homeless population is growing in numbers because people who previously were unseen and unheard are now coming forward to get help.

“I think we just have the resources now,” Cicero said. “There wasn’t anything in our community before.”

Chief Deputy George Lenzner of the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department agreed that SAM’s House likely is serving homeless residents whose plight was not known before the shelter opened its doors two months ago.

“You don’t see the people sleeping in the parks,” Lenzner said.

The homeless census, which is conducted in communities statewide every January and July, involves volunteers and police officers canvassing populations at local shelters and also checking vacant buildings or out-of-the-way places where homeless people gather.

In Shawano County, searchers on Jan. 27 found 21 men, women and children living homeless, as compared with seven found at the same time a year ago.

The most recent census included three women with nine children living at the Safe Haven shelter for victims of sexual assault or domestic violence; four more women living alone at Safe Haven; three men and one woman living individually at SAM’s House; and one man living in his car in Wittenberg.

Wittenberg Village President William Switalla said he was surprised to hear about the homeless veteran found living in a car on Howard Street.

Although Wittenberg does not have many resources to help homeless people, Switalla said, the new shelter in Shawano is conveniently located, and another shelter operates not far away in Wausau.

“I would know where to direct people,” he said. “I wouldn’t let them live in their car, if I knew about it.”

Lenzner said the veteran living in a car, who was estimated to be around 30 years old, refused offers of assistance. The man was not violating any laws, and he asked sheriff’s deputies to leave him alone.

Lenzner said it is common to find people living a homeless existence for specific circumstantial reasons, such as temporary difficulties with family, or because they want to hitchhike across the country.

“Are they homeless? Yeah,” he said. “But a lot of them choose that lifestyle.”

Last January, the homeless census turned up two women with five children living homeless, all of them at Safe Haven.

Cicero, who is executive director of Safe Haven, said many people staying at SAM’s House probably were previously sleeping in their cars or couch surfing, which means moving from one friend or relative’s house to another.

Expressing doubt that homelessness is getting worse in Shawano County, Cicero said it is more likely that SAM’s House simply is bringing the issue out into the open.

The homeless census conducted last July — before the new shelter opened — found four women living at Safe Haven with 10 children, as well as one woman with two children living at a local campground.

Another census is planned this July.

SAM’s House, operated by a group called Shawano Area Matthew 25, has enjoyed much community support since opening its doors in November in leased facilities at 213 E. Green Bay St. The shelter is open overnight daily between November and April.

Many local companies, groups and individuals have donated materials and funding to get the shelter started. A bake sale was held Friday at BMO Harris Bank in downtown Shawano to raise money for the shelter.

Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl said the new shelter provides a worthwhile resource and has not created any significant problems in the community.

“It seems to be working well,” he said.

The predominant issues facing the city of Shawano seem to be of common concern to most residents, based on what mayoral candidates say they’re hearing from the public.

Whether the city is on the right track to addressing those concerns or significant changes need to be made in the city’s direction appears to be a hot topic in the mayoral race.

Vacant buildings, attracting new business and creating jobs would seem to be at the forefront of voters’ minds with less than two weeks before they go to the polls in a Feb. 16 primary to choose from a field of six mayoral contenders.

Those contenders are Rich Belongia, Jeanne Cronce, Kasey Hohn, Jim Oberstein, Brian Retzlaff and Sandy Steinke.

Incumbent mayor Lorna Marquardt is not running for another two-year term after 14 years in office.

The candidates will get a chance to state their views at a forum Monday starting at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Shawano Community High School.

The messages they’ll be bringing will vary based on the feedback the candidates say they are getting from the public.

“They want change,” Oberstein said. “They want new ideas; something different; a new direction. Not the same old thing that’s been going on here for years.”

Filling empty buildings, bringing new stores to Shawano’s downtown and bringing in business that will pay good wages are priorities Oberstein said he is hearing from the city’s residents.

Hohn said there was no specific thing he has heard people want to see changed, but he said people feel change is needed.

“They feel we’re stuck in a rut,” he said.

Hohn said he has gotten a positive response from people who feel the city needs a younger person at the helm who can relate to a younger generation.

Retzlaff said residents he has talked to are saying they want to see some new and fresh ideas from the city, not just from the mayor’s office but from the Common Council as well.

“They feel the city hasn’t been moving forward, that it’s idle,” he said.

Retzlaff said there is a feeling in the community that the city has fallen into a complacent, “happy where we are” mindset.

Belongia said there is a sense from people he has talked to that city government has not responded to the city’s needs, particularly the needs of the business community.

“They want change. They want a whole new direction,” Belongia said.

Belongia conceded that one of the business community’s main concerns — the lack of people applying for open jobs in the city — is not a problem that the city can solve.

“I’d like to see more response on the community’s part,” he said.

However, Belongia said, there is a sense that the city should be doing more to attract new businesses, particularly shopping options for such things as clothing and accessories.

“We’re losing millions of dollars to Green Bay, Appleton and Clintonville for basic necessities,” he said.

Each of the candidates cited filling empty buildings and bringing new business to the city as priorities they’re hearing from the public, but views apparently differ on whether the city’s efforts along those lines have so far been sufficient.

Some feel the city is already doing what it can, according to Cronce.

“I’ve been hearing a lot of positives,” she said. “People feel Shawano is in a good place.”

Cronce said residents are telling her Shawano needs more industrial and business development, but, she said, few people she has talked to are criticizing the steps the city has taken so far to make that development happen.

“There’s not a lot of complaining,” she said. “There’s not a lot of negativity.”

Some candidates are also taking note of what they’re not hearing from the public; including topics that generally might be considered to be standard in a municipal election.

“Nobody has brought up taxes,” Steinke said.

Instead, she said, residents are telling her their priorities are filling empty buildings, encouraging the city’s youth to stay in Shawano, and bringing in new retail business such as clothing and home goods stores.

The candidates will get a chance to expound on these and other issues at Monday’s forum.

Voters in the Feb. 16 preliminary will winnow the field down to the two candidates who will be on the spring election ballot on April 5.

Shawano Police Department

Feb. 4

Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of South Washington Street.

Theft — Police responded to a property theft complaint in the 100 block of South Bartlett Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of East Maurer Street.

Theft — A purse was reported stolen from a vehicle at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Fraud — Police investigated a scam complaint in the 100 block of Madison Way.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Feb. 4

Deputies logged 23 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A domestic incident was reported on Wescott Lane in the town of Wescott.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Upper Red Lake Drive in the town of Red Springs.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on North Shore Lane in the town of Wescott.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Lake Drive in the village of Cecil.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Main Street in the village of Gresham.

Clintonville Police Department

Feb. 4

Police logged 14 incidents, including the following:

Traffic — A 19-year-old Clintonville male was cited for operating after revocation, no insurance and non-registration after a traffic stop on Flora Way.

Accident — A property damage accident was reported on Motor Street.

Harassment — A harassment and disorderly conduct incident was reported on South Clinton Avenue.

Theft — An ATV was reported stolen on Flora Way.

More than $570 million in government subsidies will be used to bring faster Internet service to rural Wisconsin.

The money from the Federal Communications Commission's Connect America Fund II program will be given to three telecom companies in an effort to expand service to about 230,000 Wisconsin households. CenturyLink Inc. will receive $330 million, Frontier Communications will be given $186 million and AT&T Inc. will get $54 million, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The FCC said it plans to spend more than $10 billion to subsidize broadband expansions nationwide over the next five years, using money paid by telecommunications customers as part of the $4.5 billion-a-year Universal Service Fund.

Wisconsin is second only to California in the dollar amount allocated to states from the Connect America Fund II program, while Minnesota is ranked fifth and Michigan is sixth, according to the FCC.

The Fox Valley and Eau Claire areas likely will be the first to benefit from the spending, said Scott VanderSanden, president of AT&T Wisconsin.

The program is an incentive for telecom companies to expand in areas that otherwise wouldn't receive broadband expansions soon because of the cost, he said.

"This money is specifically earmarked to go to those parts of the state," VanderSanden said.

Under the program's terms, the companies taking the money must build at least 40 percent of their expansion commitments by the end of 2017, and all of it by the end of 2020.

One in three rural Americans lack adequate broadband service, a high-speed Internet connection capable of handling data through fiber-optic cable or other means. Many rural areas are limited to a slow-speed connection that isn't suitable for certain purposes, including watching videos or operating a business.

The lack of broadband service is a problem for areas such as northern Wisconsin that are missing business opportunities, according to economic development officials.

Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats plans to expand its facility in Wittenberg, increasing its manufacturing facilities and adding more jobs.

Nueske’s, a third-generation family owned and operated 83-year-old specialty smokehouse is known for its rich, flavorful Applewood Smoked Bacon. Nueske’s also creates a variety of smoked hams, poultry, sausages and other meats that have received national acclaim for their flavor and consistent quality.

The Wisconsin smokehouse employs about 170 people and plans to hire more employees for additional permanent positions created by the expansion.

“Our loyal customers know that our signature flavor, consistency and quality are our top priorities," said Tanya Nueske, CEO of Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats. "This expansion will provide us with an even greater ability to give our customers everything they expect from Nueske’s.”

The wide-open race to become Shawano’s next mayor took center stage Monday night, as all six candidates gathered for a lively exchange on issues ranging from job creation to tribal relations.

The forum at Shawano Community High School, in front of an audience of about 120 people, was the only scheduled event featuring all candidates before the primary Feb. 16 in which voters will narrow the field to two finalists.

The winner in the April 5 election will win a two-year term and will succeed Mayor Lorna Marquardt, who is stepping aside after 14 years in office.

The candidates are business owner Rich Belongia, plan commissioner Jeanne Cronce, business owner Kasey Hohn, retiree Jim Oberstein, former Alderman Brian Retzlaff, and current Alderwoman and Shawano County Supervisor Sandy Steinke.

Although the candidates did not always agree on issues during Monday’s forum, there were no harsh conflicts or personal attacks.

On the question of whether Shawano is headed in the right direction, Belongia joined others in calling for stronger city action to revive vacant commercial properties and generate new economic activity within the city.

Belongia said he would work to lure a YMCA or similar youth recreational center.

“We have a lot to improve on,” he said. “These steps should’ve been taken a long time ago.”

The 90-minute forum was sponsored by Wolf River Media, which publishes The Shawano Leader, the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce, Results Broadcasting/WTCH Radio and Shawano Community Education.

Candidates fielded questions from panelists Tim Ryan of the Leader and Brad Williams of WTCH, as well as audience questions read aloud by moderator Chuck Dallas.

Asked how they would promote a “buy local” attitude to support Shawano businesses, candidates acknowledged that the local marketplace is lacking in some products for which shoppers must go elsewhere, such as school supplies. All agreed that the city could do more to promote businesses that are here.

Oberstein called for city government itself to adopt a more ambitious “buy local” program to steer city purchases to hometown vendors whenever possible.

“We have to support these people,” he said. “We need to promote our local businesses.”

Oberstein also advocated conducting an economic summit to bring local industry together and guide the city on economic development.

Cronce added that new businesses would find Shawano a more attractive place to invest if they saw strong local consumer support for merchants and industries already operating here.

“If we don’t look carefully at what we already have, our businesses won’t grow,” she said.

In a far-reaching range of topics, the candidates generally agreed that Shawano’s mayor should aggressively promote the community, that the city should work to improve relations with Native American tribes, that government should use eminent domain sparingly to spur development, and that the city should look for ways to control tax increases.

Asked about the future of the former Shawano Medical Center property, most candidates advocated redeveloping the former hospital as some sort of community recreation center.

Steinke, however, said renovation could cost millions of dollars and that it might make more sense to demolish the old hospital and seek a developer interested in transforming the riverfront property into a hotel or resort.

“This is a great vacation area,” she said. “That is another option.”

The candidates spoke frequently about a need for the city to engage young people and keep them from leaving Shawano, either by improving job opportunities or addressing other quality-of-life issues.

Retzlaff advocated creating more job-training opportunities for young people to connect with local industry. That sort of step, Retzlaff said, could be necessary to keep young people here and avoid turning Shawano into a retirement community.

“Let’s give these kids a shot and keep them here,” he said.

Hohn, who is the youngest candidate at age 27, said the city should encourage young entrepreneurs and work to entice young people to remain in Shawano.

“We’ve been stuck in the past,” he said. “Let’s bring Shawano the future it deserves.”

The Shawano County Commission on Aging is looking to fill two upcoming vacancies. Applications are due before 4:30 p.m. March 11.

The commission oversees the Shawano County Department on Aging and reports to the Shawano County Board of Supervisors. The seven-member committee meets every other month to approve departmental financial and program reports, make policy decisions on older adult county issues and plan for future needs.

Three members of the commission are County Board supervisors appointed by the board chairman. The other four members are county residents selected by the commission and submitted to the board chairman for appointment.

Residents at least 60 years old constitute at least 50 percent of the membership on the commission.

The vacancies are for a member at large from anywhere within the county and for a member from the western district, which includes the townships of Aniwa, Hutchins, Birnamwood, Almon, Bartelme, Red Springs, Wittenberg, Morris, Seneca, Germania, Fairbanks, Grant and Pella.

The two new members are expected to be appointed in May.

The commission meets every other month, usually in Shawano, for a daytime session. Members receive a meeting stipend and mileage reimbursement.

For application information, contact the department on aging at 715-526-4686.

ThedaCare this week announced Kary Cappaert, a nurse practitioner specializing in family medicine, will see patients at ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano.

Cappaert earned bachelor’s degrees in nursing and business administration from Lake Superior State University. She completed her master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner at Concordia University. Cappaert is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and she has special interest in treating patients of all ages.

Outside of work, Cappaert spends time with her family and enjoys many outdoor activities. Her favorite hobbies include reading and running.

ThedaCare serves more than 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,800 health care professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has hospitals in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose, and 35 clinics in 14 counties.

ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving ThedaCare’s specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center opened in February.

For information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.

After a turbulent year in office, Menominee Tribal Chairman Gary Besaw has been voted out by his fellow tribal leaders.

The nine-member Tribal Legislative Council voted Tuesday to replace Besaw in the aftermath of a casino expansion defeat and a federal drug raid.

Elected the tribe’s new top leader was Joan Delabreau, a longtime tribal lawmaker who previously served as chairwoman about 10 years ago.

Besaw retains his seat on the legislative council, but Delabreau took over the chairmanship immediately after Tuesday’s vote.

Details were slow to emerge from the tribal government’s annual organizational meeting, which took place behind closed doors, and the exact reasons for Besaw’s replacement were not made clear.

Those close to the situation voiced confidence in Delabreau’s ability to take the helm of a Native American tribe that has been shaken recently by setbacks and controversies.

“The tribe will be well-served,” said Lisa Waukau, another veteran lawmaker who gave up her legislative seat this year because of term limits.

Besaw, who could not be reached for comment, said in a prepared statement released by the tribe that he respected the election results and that the needs of tribal members “always come first.”

He added: “I want to thank the membership for allowing me to serve them as the chairman. I never went a day without feeling so humbled serving such a beautiful people.”

The Menominee tribe includes about 4,000 members living on the reservation north of Shawano, and another 5,000 living off the reservation.

The tribe was dealt a significant blow in early 2015 when Gov. Scott Walker rejected a proposed new Menominee casino development in Kenosha. Tribal leaders fought hard for the casino as a source of revenue for their severely impoverished community.

Besaw was not chairman when the governor made his decision, but Besaw led an unsuccessful effort to salvage the casino project, including a march on Madison.

Shortly after the casino defeat, tribal leaders presented a new potential money-making idea: legalizing marijuana as a cash crop on the reservation. Members of the tribe approved referendums on the issue in August, setting in motion a process that could lead to legalization.

That was followed in October by a federal drug raid on the reservation in which government agents reported seizing thousands of marijuana plants, some up to 6 feet tall. Besaw insisted that the confiscated crop was not marijuana, but rather a related hemp crop that was being grown as an experiment permitted under the law.

The tribe ended up filing suit against the federal government over the drug raid, in a case still pending in federal court in Green Bay.

In the prepared statement released Tuesday, Delabreau made no mention of any specific issues surrounding the tribe’s leadership change. Instead, she thanked Besaw for his service as chairman and said she was honored to be succeeding him.

Three seats on the legislative council were up for election last month by tribal members. Incumbent lawmaker Crystal Chapman-Chevalier was re-elected, and newcomers Doug Cox and Pershing Frechette won seats on the council.

Legislators serve three-year terms, but leadership elections are held every year around February.

Chapman-Chevalier was elected vice chairman and Myrna Warrington was elected secretary.

Frechette, who is embarking on his first term as a legislator, would not say how he voted in the chairman election, noting that he had talked privately with Besaw on the matter and wanted to keep their exchange private.

Looking ahead, Frechette said fallout from the casino defeat continues to loom large as an issue for the tribe. He described Delabreau as a capable leader.

“I have all confidence that she’ll do well for the tribe, moving forward with all the important issues we have right now,” he said.

Voters in Shawano County Board District 2 have a three-person race on the primary ballot Tuesday.

The top two finishers will advance to the April 5 election to decide who represents the district for the next two years as county supervisor.

The candidates are incumbent Patrick Hoffman and challengers Mark Bolin and Wesley Bucholz.

County supervisors are paid $75 per meeting.

District 2, which includes generally the west side of Shawano, was represented by Supervisor Ronald Kupper until Kupper died last May after a long battle with cancer. The County Board in June appointed Hoffman to serve out the remainder of the term.

Here are the three candidates in the race, based on information they provided in a questionnaire:

Name: Mark Bolin

Age: 44

Address: 415 W. Wescott Ave, Shawano

Family: Wife, Gina, and two children, Brandon and Ethan

Employment: Self-employed, Bolin’s Speedy T’s and Custom Graphics; former PepsiCo district sales manager, 16 years

Education: University of Phoenix online; Heritage Christian High School, Milwaukee

Experience (elected office only): None

Community involvement: Youth baseball coach for eight years; Shawano Youth League Board of Directors for six years.

Why are you interested in serving on the Shawano County Board? I have always wanted to give back and serve, which is something that I do with my business, but I wanted to broaden my service to more than just to my customers and be more community-based. I think with my business background and my love for the community, in which I have raised a family, it would be a great opportunity to help bring new ideas to the County Board.

What is the most significant current issue facing the county? Development for business and expanding our tourist base. Shawano County is a great place to work, play and raise a family. I want to see that continue for future generations and make Shawano County a place that our graduating classes want to return to and start their career or start a family.

What is your opinion of the county’s current budget and property tax levy? I do not have an opinion on current budget and property tax levy at this time. I will not go into this position with a biased opinion. I will, however, make sure that our tax dollars are spent wisely. I will always review where we as a county can save taxpayer dollars, but also look for wise investments and make sure we are building a future.

Do you favor eliminating, adding or expanding any specific programs in the county? As stated previously, I am not running for County Board with a specific agenda. I will review all information with an open mind and make a decision based on facts and whether or not the taxpayer money or program is being used wisely and efficient.

If you could change one thing about Shawano County government, what would it be? Shawano County government should always be transparent and I believe we can do a better job communicating with the public on the vision we have for Shawano County. County Board meetings should be held at times when people from the public can attend and give input. I believe technology can help Shawano County be more efficient, which in turn will help our taxpayers and the county save money long-term and stay informed.

Name: Wesley Bucholz

Age: 77

Address: 1105 S. Franklin St., Shawano

Family: Spouse, Joyce, and three children, Wes, Craig and Dennis

Employment: Retired

Education: High school diploma

Experience (elected office only): None

Community involvement: Shawano Senior Citizens Commission; past president of AARP; AMVETS, Legion; AARP

Why are you interested in serving on the Shawano County Board? I have always had interest in the Shawano County Board. I study the atlas and plat book often and know Shawano County very well. All my adult life I had someone on the Shawano County Board to keep me informed.

What is the most significant current issue facing the county? To sell or not to sell county land farm in the Township of Belle Plaine.

What is your opinion of the county’s current budget and property tax levy? I think the members of the Shawano County Board are doing a good job. I would fit in very well with my conservative views and common sense.

Do you favor eliminating, adding or expanding any specific programs in the county? Help the rural area in every way we can. Also try to get more industry and jobs in the towns and cities.

If you could change one thing about Shawano County government, what would it be? Try to get more input from the young and old citizens in Shawano County.

Name: Patrick Hoffman

Age: 49

Address: 508 S Smalley St. Shawano

Family: Six children, Alex, Liz, Matt, Christine, Tim and Ben

Employment: Hoffman Wood Fiber since 1992

Education: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; BYU

Experience: Shawano County Board, appointed, June-present

Community involvement: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) in the Young Men’s program; Cub Scouts; Boy Scouts; youth soccer

Why are you interested in serving on the Shawano County Board? I am interested in politics, have been for years. I think the board can use my decidedly constitutional-leaning perspective at times.

What is the most significant current issue facing the county? The most significant issue facing local government is always budgetary concerns.

What is your opinion of the county’s current budget and property tax levy? The current budget and tax levy is too high; government spending is always too much. That being said, the difficult task is to find places to responsibly cut spending within the things mandated by the federal and state governments.

Do you favor eliminating, adding or expanding any specific programs in the county? Again, see the above question and answer.

If you could change one thing about Shawano County government, what would it be? Wishfully thinking, I would cut in half the number of County Board seats.

Shawano Police Department

Feb. 8

Police logged 18 incidents, including the following:

OWI — A 31-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Richmond Street and Lakeland Road. According to police and sheriff reports, the vehicle had been involved earlier in a property damage hit-and-run in the county.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano, 100 County Road B.

Arrest — A 23-year-old man was taken into custody for a violation at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 300 block of North Franklin Street.

Feb. 7

Police logged 17 incidents, including the following:

Fire — Police responded to a vehicle fire in the 1000 block of South Andrews Street.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint on Kleeman Court.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 600 block of East Fifth Street.

Feb. 6

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Theft — Police investigated a theft complaint in the 400 block of West First Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 1300 block of South Andrews Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 500 block of South Main Street.

Feb. 5

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run in the 500 block of South Main Street.

Fraud — Police investigated a fraud complaint in the 1100 block of Birch Hill Lane.

Theft — An iPod was reported stolen in the 400 block of West First Street.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 400 block of East Fifth Street.

Shoplifting — A juvenile male was cited for shoplifting at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Feb. 8

Deputies logged 32 incidents, including the following:

OAR — A 26-year-old Shawano man was cited for operating after revocation on County Road K in the town of Waukechon.

Warrant — A 36-year-old Gresham man was taken into custody on a warrant on Beauleau Lake Road in the town of Red Springs.

Fraud — North Star Casino, W12180 County Road A, Bowler, reported a counterfeit $10 bill.

Accidents — Authorities responded to an injury accident on state Highway 29 in the town of Maple Grove and logged five other minor accidents.

Feb. 7

Deputies logged 31 incidents, including the following:

Vandalism — A vehicle was reported vandalized on Cedar Court in the town of Wescott.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Red Oak Lane in the town of Wittenberg.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Witt-Morr Town Line Road in the town of Morris.

Accidents — Authorities responded to an injury accident on County Road S in the town of Maple Grove and logged five other accidents, including three deer-related crashes.

Feb. 6

Deputies logged 28 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Hemlock Road in the town of Wittenberg.

OAR — A 24-year-old Shawano man was cited for operating after revocation on state Highway 29 in the town of Belle Plaine.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on County Road D in the town of Seneca.

OWI — A 43-year-old Keshena man was arrested for operating while intoxicated after a minor accident on state Highway 47-55 in the town of Wescott.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Nichols Drive in the town of Angelica.

Feb. 5

Deputies logged 38 incidents, including the following:

OAR — A 43-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation on state Highway 117 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 report of a disturbance on Express Way in Bonduel.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on River Road in Bowler.

Accidents — Authorities logged six accidents.

Clintonville Police Department

Feb. 8

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Disorderly conduct was reported on South Clinton Avenue.

Suspicious — Police checked on a suspicious incident on Eighth Street.

Feb. 7

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Child abuse — A complaint of physical abuse to a child was under investigation.

Suspicious — Police investigated a suspicious incident on East Morning Glory Drive.

Disturbance — Police responded to a neighbor dispute on McKinley Avenue.

Feb. 6

Police logged 10 incidents, including the following:

Theft — A retail theft was reported on West Madison Street.

Theft — A theft was reported on South Main Street.

Feb. 5

Police logged 11 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — A suspicious incident was reported on South Clinton Avenue.

Trespass — A trespassing complaint was reported on West 13th Street.

Accident — Police assisted Waupaca County sheriff’s deputies at a a single-vehicle accident at County Road I and County Road Y.

For the third time in two months, the Shawano Common Council has approved a conditional use permit for a church to use commercial space in the city for its services.

The council on Wednesday approved a permit for Toni Properties LLC that will allow tenant New Hope Presbyterian Church to use space at 1415 E. Green Bay St., otherwise known as Sterling Plaza, for Sunday services.

The three-year lease is an expansion of church operations conducted at 104 N. Airport Road. The move will allow for a larger, more permanent facility to accommodate the church’s following, according to their permit application letter.

The church will use Suite 121B, which had been vacant for many years and went through foreclosure proceedings before being purchased and rehabilitated.

In December, the Common Council approved conditional use permits for the use of two other buildings for church services.

Both churches were new start-up operations in Shawano that could move to permanent locations at some point in the future, according to the permit applications filed with the city.

Shawano Baptist Church was given approval to move into Suite 100 at 102 E. Green Bay St. for church services to be held Wednesday evenings and Sundays.

The Baptist church has entered into a one-year lease, with expectations of moving into a larger facility after the lease expires, according to the permit application.

The roughly 960-square-foot suite was used by Security Finance until July and has been vacant since. The building is also occupied by Wells Fargo Mortgage.

Freedom of the Word Inc., a nondenominational church, was granted a conditional use permit to share space with All Floors & More at 805 E. Green Bay St., for worship services on Sunday and another service midweek.

Freedom of the Word would occupy the southwest corner of the building, or roughly 1,800 square feet. The church entered into a five-year lease for the space, according to the permit application.

Shawano Police Department

Feb. 9

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

Truancy — An incident of student truancy was reported at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St.

Shoplifting — A theft of unspecified items was reported at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

School offense — Two students were issued warnings about a rules violation at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B, Shawano.

Assist — A parent reported a dispute with a school bus driver at a residence in the 200 block of South Sawyer Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Feb. 9

Deputies logged 27 incidents, including the following:

Threats — A woman reported getting threatening text messages from a man at her residence in Wittenberg.

Disturbance — A woman reported a domestic incident with a boyfriend on Town Line Road in the town of Angelica.

Clintonville Police Department

Feb. 9

Police logged six incidents, including the following:

Traffic — A minor traffic accident was reported at a business on South Main Street.

Welfare — A welfare check was completed for a person on Flora Way.

Voters in the Bonduel School District will narrow the field Tuesday in a race for school board member serving the village of Cecil and town of Washington.

Incumbent Judy Rank is being challenged by Nathan Burton and Kara Skarlupka for a two-year term.

The top two finishers in Tuesday’s primary will advance to the April election.

Skarlupka also is running unopposed in April as the incumbent in an at-large seat on the Bonduel School Board, saying that she will accept only one seat if elected. Skarlupka did not respond to The Shawano Leader’s candidate questionnaire, and she declined to comment on her dual candidacy.

Here is how the other two candidates responded to the questionnaire:

Name: Nathan (Nate) Burton

Address: N5139 Lakeview Road, town of Washington

Age: 63

Family: Wife, Mary, and two children

Employment: Technical and safety services manager, Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Education: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, bachelor’s degree, marketing

Experience (elected office only): None

Community involvement: Attended at least a dozen Bonduel School Board meetings, three district annual business meetings, and Bonduel High School classes to observe.

Why are you interested in serving on the Bonduel School Board? My interest is in being a good steward of our schools for our children, our region, and taxpayers. Education is the responsibility of district residents. Administration, staff and teachers need community support. The role of the board is to monitor and oversee district education on behalf of the residents.

What is the most significant current issue facing the school district? There may be no single most significant issue in the district: open enrollment - gain more students than lost; keep curriculum leading edge; opportunity for a head start on college credits; full use of every asset, staff, equipment, buildings; education needed for adulthood; schools are partners with parents.

What is your opinion of the school district’s current budget and property tax levy? District and resident budgets are tight. Spending doesn’t guarantee better education. Planning and execution is critical. Bonduel has so many excellent teachers. They know what and how to teach. A defined national curriculum, from Madison or Washington, that supposedly suits Milwaukee, Chicago, Cleveland, and Los Angeles, is not best here. Hire and keep good teachers.

Do you favor eliminating, adding or expanding any specific programs in the school district? They can’t get it all from textbooks. Extracurricular activities are important. Student organizations (FFA, FBLA, Forensics, Sports, Band, etc.). I believe these programs round out classroom education and will advocate for them.

Do you believe capital improvements are needed to any facilities in the school district? I am aware of the building updates and expansions financed in recent years so hopefully major improvements aren’t needed in the near term. However I don’t have the knowledge of capital expenditure plans needed to answer this question at this time.

Name: Judith Rank

Age: 54

Address: 109 Meyer St., Cecil

Family: Husband, Chris, and two children

Employment: Shawano County Department of Administration

Education: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, human resource management certification, 1996; Fox Valley Technical College, vocational degree, 1982; Bonduel High School, 1980

Experience (elected office only): Bonduel School Board, September 2015 to present

Community involvement: Volunteer at high school and grade school for athletic, extra-curricular and school events for the past 30-plus years; involved in church activities, boards, committees and children’s events at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School for the past 30-plus years.

Why are you interested in serving on the Bonduel School Board? The students are the most important asset of the school district. I would like to continue to serve on the board to be part of providing our students with the most efficient, cost-effective and resourceful educational opportunities to help them become productive members of society when they leave school. We have a tremendous administrative staff, educators and support staff that strive to provide each student with what the student needs to help shape their future.

What is the most significant current issue facing the school district? State aid and open enrollment out of the district.

What is your opinion of the school district’s current budget and property tax levy? Current budget is bare bones. Although this may be effective in keeping tax levy increases to a minimum, it may not always help the end result of the state aid we receive.

Do you favor eliminating, adding or expanding any specific programs in the school district? The Early College Program, in partnership with NWTC, is a pilot program this school year at Bonduel and in my opinion, is phenomenal. I hope to see this expand even more over the next several years.

Do you believe capital improvements are needed to any facilities in the school district? Yes. There is a 10-year Capital Improvement/Maintenance Plan which outlines the school district’s needs. Projects include Mill Street Project, VOiP, classroom carpeting, miscellaneous painting, repair and boiler replacement, to name a few.

A city committee tasked with addressing vacant and blighted properties in Shawano met for the first time Wednesday at City Hall.

The Shawano Redevelopment Authority is a new incarnation of a similar board that met and eventually disbanded some years ago after concluding there was little to be done to force action on blighted, vacant buildings.

City Administrator Brian Knapp said that conclusion might have been the result of a misunderstanding of the law.

Knapp said there was a Supreme Court ruling that limited government use of eminent domain. Subsequent court cases clarified that the limitations were mainly on the taking of residential property and don’t apply to commercial properties, Knapp said.

The new RDA will meet on a regular monthly basis, but plans to get the process jump-started with a special meeting next week.

A meeting has tentatively been scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, pending the availability of the city’s planning consultant on the project, Madison-based Vierbicher.

That meeting will focus on designating redevelopment districts in the city where at least 50 percent of the properties are considered blighted. That could include any property that has been vacant for a lengthy period of time. There is no limit to the size of a district the RDA could designate.

The districts are likely to follow the general outline of the city’s tax incremental finance districts, two of which run along East Green Bay Street and South Main Street, though some properties not yet in those districts could be added.

TIF districts are areas where municipalities invest in infrastructure, such as sewer and water, to attract development where it might not otherwise occur, or to make improvements, such as eliminating blight. Whatever increase in tax revenue that results from development in those districts goes to paying back the debt the municipality incurred from making improvements to the district.

The RDA is a statutory body that is under the umbrella of the city but is quasi-independent, similar to Shawano Municipal Utilities or the Shawano City Housing Authority.

The RDA can enter into contracts with consultants and contractors and other parties, can borrow money and purchase property. The borrowing and purchasing will need the approval of the Common Council, but there is no city oversight of the budget.

The RDA does not yet have a budget. That will happen after the RDA identifies blighted properties and develops an action plan.

Most of the RDA’s budget will come from TIF district funds, but it’s also possible some additional operational funds could come from the city’s coffers.

The RDA could also employ its own staff if necessary, Knapp explained to the board at Wednesday’s meeting.

“If you were to acquire half a dozen properties, say, and they became rentals while we were getting them ready to go (on the market) or we engaged in remodeling and needed a staff person attracting tenants, renters or purchasers — if you are actively engaged in managing properties, you might need someone to help you with that,” Knapp said.
Knapp said in an interview after the meeting that such a scenario would be “a long way down the road, if ever.”

Knapp said the intent is for the RDA to work with private parties as much as possible first to affect change.

“This isn’t just an authority that goes out there and takes every property they think is blighted,” he said.

Knapp said the RDA could start engaging with property owners within the next several months.

“The outcome of that will determine what happens next,” he said.

Knapp said the goals of the RDA are long-range and it could take time before results are seen.

“”This is not an overnight thing,” he said.

Officials are planning to eliminate about 80 University of Wisconsin-Extension positions as part of a reorganization plan drafted to absorb a state budget cut, the head of extension said Wednesday.

Chancellor Cathy Sandeen said the job reductions will come from a branch that works with people at a local level on agricultural, parenting and economic development issues through offices in each of the state’s 72 counties.

The Extension is a University of Wisconsin System division designed to apply UW research and expertise across the state. Its responsibilities include providing online degrees, running public broadcasting and along with the local operations that help with everything from growing crops to family finances.

No county offices will close, and about 40 of the positions already are vacant, Sandeen said. The rest of the eliminations, which are likely to include research positions, in the 700-person Cooperative Extension division will become clear in the coming months. A news release detailing the reorganization said it will “consolidate administration, educators and researchers.”

The “changes are in response to a significant budget cut,” Sandeen said, referencing the $250 million reductions to the UW System in the two-year state budget Gov. Scott Walker signed in July. The extension’s share of that cut is about $7 million.

Hundreds of letters poured in during a public comment period, Sandeen said during a conference call with reporters. In the statement, she said that “we considered every single piece of input, and the directions we’re announcing reflect many of the ideas we’ve heard.”

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau, however, criticized the plan as vague and said not much had changed from early versions.

“They say they’re hearing what ag groups around the state are saying,” Karen Gefvert, the farm bureau’s government relations director, said, “but I don’t know if it’s really sinking in.”

“We still have concerns,” she added, “about what does the plan really mean for our research specialists that the farmers really need.”

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, the Wisconsin Association of Professional Nutrient Applicators, the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association and the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association all have come out against the plan to cut researchers.

UW System Provost Aaron Brower said it’s not clear how many research positions will be affected. The cuts planned for county extension workers, campus faculty and division administration will be specified by work groups and planning committees, he said.

Shawano Police Department

Feb. 10

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 100 block of River Heights.

Shoplifting — Pick ‘n Save, 190 Woodlawn Drive, reported a shoplifting incident involving a theft of liquor.

Warrant — A woman was taken into custody on a warrant in the 100 block of South Main Street.

Fraud — Police investigated a fraud complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 500 block of South Sawyer Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Feb. 10

Deputies logged 41 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 24-year-old Green Bay man was taken into custody on a warrant and cited for operating after revocation on state Highway 29 in the town of Angelica.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Chestnut Street in Tigerton.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Derby Lane in the town of Washington.

Warrant — A 64-year-old man was arrested on a warrant on Little Road in Gresham.

Accidents — Authorities logged five accidents, including one deer-related crash.

The city of Shawano will host a public viewing of a video recording of the mayoral candidate forum at City Hall on Friday, as a result of audio problems some viewers experienced during the public access channel rebroadcasts.

Deputy Clerk Lesley Nemetz said the city is working on addressing the audio technical difficulties, but in the meantime the public is invited to come to City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St., at noon Friday to watch a video of the forum.

The city will continue to rebroadcast the forum on the public access channel at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday and Monday on Channel 987 for Charter subscribers and channel 4 for Cellcom subscribers.