I'm sure by now you've heard the news: the Sports Complex at Gotham Pioneer Park is done! On Sunday, September 14, with over a hundred folks or more on hand, we had our ribbon cutting ceremony. Immediately afterwards, beautiful day that it was, all the pickleball courts quickly filled up and the plink-plunk of six whiffle balls on six different courts being hit back and forth could be heard. Meanwhile, various kids streamed onto the basketball courts and were shooting hoops there. The tennis court, of course, couldn't be used at the moment but quieter times during the weeks ahead await.
Even if you don't play any of these sports it does your heart good to know that those who do now have access to a place to engage in some of their avocations. The fact that they do credit goes to the perseverance and generosity of the members of the Chetek Pickleball Club, Sterling Bank, Nathaniel Hardin, Stacy Marik and so many others that helped bring an idea to life. This Sports Complex is a wonderful addition to the City of Chetek's park system and I anticipate will remain so for years to come.
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| Admittedly, this view looks way differently than it did a few weeks ago |
Three weeks ago we had the ground-breaking out at the 38-acres at the corner of Knapp and 15th Street. Since 2017 the City has pursued developing the property that had been formerly owned by the Turkey Store. Over the past eight years we've had lots of meetings and spent lots of time honing and shaping what exactly we hope to see happen there. At long last the project has officially begun.
Already I've received a few complaints about all the trees going away. That's understandable given the fact that the property has essentially been an unofficial municipal forest for decades. But given the prospect of building living space for what could be five hundred new citizens in our community, and the tax dollars they will generate, in the long run it'll be a good thing. No municipality the size of Chetek can afford to not develop vacant land within its boundaries. Keep in mind, all communities, regardless of their size, are competing for people. If they can't find a place to move to here they will move elsewhere. That means the onus is on us to give them great reasons to make the City of Lakes their new hometown.
In last week's Chetek Alert a reader expressed concern about the environmental impact on the local wildlife these new “fancy-schmancy” homes that will be built during the next two years.
My first response actually is to say 'thank you.' Referring to them as “fancy-schmancy” as opposed to government housing for immigrants means that we must be doing better at explaining just what kind of development will be going up back there. This will not be subsidized housing. There's a place for that but not at the corner of 15th and Knapp. These will be 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments most of which will be on a single-level with the exception of one building that will be two floors. To get a better picture of what it will look like visit SC Swiderski Chetek at the following link. SCS Chetek development
Preview of coming attractions
It's for real
All department heads hired by the city do so under a one-year probationary period. During that year, if it becomes apparent that the “shoe doesn't fit”, the City can lawfully terminate that individual's employment. Ten days ago the City chose to terminate the employment of new Public Works Director Drew Smith. I cannot speak to the specifics of the matter but after four months of service it became clear to us that a change had to be made. It just wasn't working out. I wish Drew the very best in his future endeavors.
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| Justin Hutzler |
Last week the council had an emergency meeting and at the end of it Foreman Justin Hutzler was made Interim Public Works Director. During the various discussions in Personnel meetings that led up to our decision to switch horses, it became clear to me that there's a whole lot more involved in the DPW position than I previously understood. Therefore, in order to give Justin every possible chance to be successful in his new position, the City accepted previous Public Works Director Dan Knapp's offer to return to “active duty” and serve as Justin's assistant (to use Dan's words, “Justin's flunkie”). During the next three months he will be working with Justin helping him to learn the ropes as well as serve as an extra hand if called upon. So if you happen to see Dan drive by in one of our city trucks, you're not seeing things. He's back for the time being or at least until Justin finds his sea legs.
