Throwing my hat into the ring

“Throw your hat into the ring”

Make or take up a challenge, or demonstrate one's willingness to join an enterprise.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Throw your hat into the ring'?

The ring in question here is a boxing ring. These, of course used to be circular spaces in a crowd of onlookers, rather than the square, roped 'rings' of contemporary pugilism. Any Jack the lad who fancied his chances in a bout would throw in his hat - presumably this was a more

reliable way of putting oneself forward than just shouting over the hubbub of the crowd.

The expression dates from at least the early 19th century. The earliest citation of it that I have found is from an 1805 issue of The Sporting Magazine, or as the publishers preferred to call it The Sporting Magazine or Monthly Calendar of the Transactions of the Turf, the Chace, and every other Diversion Interesting to the Man of Pleasure, Enterprise and Spirit

from the Phrase Finder

I'm making it official: I'm throwing my hat into the ring for a third term as Mayor of Chetek. I don't know if the hubbub is loud enough for me to ceremoniously do this but I'm doing it just the same.

I was first elected in 2016 and then re-elected again in 2018. We have lived in Chetek for over 28 years now and during all that time I have never known any mayor to serve less than two terms. My theory as to why that is is that the first two years fly by so fast that when it's time to take out election papers again people's response tends to be 'Already?' So if you get elected once there's good chance based on historical precedent that you'll get elected twice. But during that same time I am only aware of Diane Knowlton serving a third term. (If I'm wrong about that fact I anticipate I will be quickly corrected).

In any case, I'm running again. And here's why: I thoroughly enjoy serving this city as mayor. Sure, I hear complaints from time to time and criticism, fair or not, but this comes with the territory for an elected official. But having said that I also hear a lot of 'atta-boys' and get enough pats-on-the-back to make the thought of continuing to serve in this capacity something to look forward to.

Welcoming then Gov. Walker
to our city a few years ago was
a BIG honor

The mayor of the City of Chetek, contrary to what some may believe, really doesn't have a lot of power. After all, it's the council that by and large makes the decisions that our staff then enact. Sure I get to weigh in on matters and vote in case the council is deadlocked. And surprisingly, though we all get along very well, in three and a half years I have voted twice. Once in 2016 to allow Kwik Trip to offer a small selection of distilled spirits and recently to increase the hanger lease fees at the Chetek Municipal Airport. Otherwise, its the elected aldermen who are the ones who decide yeah or nay on all the matters that come before them.

So if the Mayor isn't sitting on some kind of throne at city hall pontificating directives for the operating of this city, just what does he do? Well, technically, he (or she) sets the agenda of the monthly council meetings and then chairs them. (I gotta tell you, though, in my experience the aldermen generally skip talking to me and just call Carmen to add something to the agenda. I suppose it's just one less thing to do.) He also chairs the monthly plan commission meetings. He appoints both councilmen and local citizens to various committees to serve. It's his signature that goes out on pretty much every legal document that we send out (and in the course of a year I sign dozens of documents). Legally, he's the head of the Police Department and can request the Chief of Police to act on matters that are of his or the council's concern. When Diane Knowlton served as Mayor she asked then Chief Mark Peterson to have his officers stop in regularly at The Garage (the former Youth Center) to maintain healthy relationships with the kids that hung out there – and they did.

In order to raise money for a family's adoption fees
I don't take myself too seriously

The mayor represents us and is an ambassador for our community. He is, from time to time, asked to appear at certain community functions and gatherings. But for the most part – at least in my experience – he gets to be a part of the conversations that are going on regularly about city matters with both department heads (Public Works, City Hall and Police Department) and elected officials. And in my mind, this is a big deal.

When I was seated as mayor in 2016, the sale of then Knapp Haven Nursing Home had just been completed the day before. Many of us recall what a contentious and difficult season that was for our city. In my early months as mayor I was frequently asked if I had been serving at the time of the sale would I have voted to sell Knapp. I refused to publicly comment because I live by a rule that you should never criticize anyone publicly and if you do you better have the story straight. Better to simply keep your mouth shut. I'm real glad I did. Because this is what I've learned during these past three and a half years: that with every “big” decision that a council makes – and the selling of Knapp Haven was über-big - there have been (usually) many meetings that have preceded that decision and many, many conversations that have occurred as well as the council slowly works toward a decision. To me, it's like accompanying your girlfriend to her family's reunion for the first time and hearing all kinds of family stories and inside jokes that everyone laughs at. But since you don't know the people nor get the context all you can do is politely laugh even though you're pretty much clueless at the time. City business feels like that to the new guy (or girl) on the block. There's a lot that's gone on and a lot more that's been said before you're ever seated at the council dais.

A lot has changed in the last three and a half years. Ron Ambrozaitus was installed as Chief of Police and with the exception of (now) Lt. Jessica Larson he now commands a whole new crew of officers. Over $150 thousand dollars worth of new sidewalks in the downtown business district have been laid down. Main Street Park has been added to and much needed improvements have been made to it (with more to come). When Lakeview Cemetery Association chose to dissolve, the City became the new caretaker and owner. A new sexton was hired. Significant upgrades to the The Center have been made with the generous help of private citizens. To address the current housing shortage in Barron County the city purchased the old breeder farm on Knapp Street and are currently in the process of working out the details of the best way to move forward with this 39 acre addition. In order to extricate ourselves from the failing Central States pension plan, we had to take out a note for a negotiated $700 thousand-some dollars (but to have remain attached to this sinking ship any further would have cost us even more!) And on at least two occasions the city helped two local businesses remain local and expand (Chetek Cafe and Sather Family Dental).

Getting to ride in the parade is always fun

Mind you, I'm not taking credit for these things. All these decisions (and many, many more) were made by your elected aldermen. While there are only four who serve at one time in three and a half years I have served with eight different individuals and each council in my experience has sought the same thing: to live within our means (have you noticed that your city tax rate has stayed even for three years in row!?) and yet at the same time seek to continue to find ways to improve the amenities and services of our city. Frankly, I've enjoyed working with every one of them.

We have wonderful people who serve our city. At the top of the list I'll state the obvious: Carmen Newman our City Clerk extraordinaire. She is smart, intelligent, charming and one tough cookie. Public Works Director Dan Knapp is not only knowledgeable but a straight-shooter, too. He'll tell you what you need to know as well as (at times) what you don't want to hear. City Inspector Joe Atwood knows his stuff and works with both residents and business owners to resolve things that are not in compliance with our code of ordinances. But he does it professionally and graciously. Chief Ron, Lt. Jessica and the rest of Chetek PD not only keep us safe but do so in a common-sense, friendly manner. Of course, when bad guys need to be stopped, they do that too. And I haven't even mentioned the rest of the guys at Public Works or the gals at City Hall. But the bottom line is we are served well.

Photo credit: the Chetek Alert

Looking ahead, improvements to our city parks and docks will continue. The property committee has identified and prioritized what they feel needs to be addressed with regards to the property the city owns (i.e., The Center, City Hall, Chetek PD and the Calhoun Memorial Library) and will look to the council's response. A plan is going to emerge over the winter months of how we precede with that 39 acres on the west end of town. We have serious concerns about the rapidly increasing price of our ambulance services. And a wastewater treatment plant is now at the beginning stages of development. All these matters (and others that I haven't mentioned) involve meetings and many conversations that will occur as we try and work out what's the best way forward.

In my experience, this is how city business tends to get done: talk, talk, talk; mull, mull, mull; further talking, further consulting and then...the glacier moves one inch and we return to talking again. Of course, I'm oversimplifying but not by much. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of these conversations and hope to continue to be a part of that. I've tried to represent us well. I've tried to keep people in the loop of what's going on either through my column, blog or the mayor's page on Facebook. And, one of the greatest things of local government, perhaps, is that you can call your mayor up at his home number or stop him on the street or at the diner to either ask your question or vent your spleen of the goings on in town. I'm not saying I like getting an ear-full (that really doesn't happen too often) but I welcome the opportunity to talk with people and share with them the things I've learned while sitting in meetings and participating in all that talk at City Hall.

I'd appreciate your consideration next April and if re-elected look forward to continuing to serve the town that we call home.

In case you hadn't noticed: some of the changes going on around town

It's been awhile since I posted anything so here's a long overdue installment of a few of the things that have been going on around town.

We are now in the cemetery business

If you recall, last year the Lake View Cemetery Association's membership voted to dissolve. Once their decision became official both the City and the Town of Chetek received a cemetery under our mutual tree last Christmas. According to State ordinance, an “abandoned” cemetery ultimately becomes the responsibility of the municipality in which it is found. Since we both have a stake in it (they own 3/5 of it and we own 2/5) we could have agreed to do nothing. It's only after five years that the State can order a municipality to “adopt” an orphaned graveyard. But there's no way we – or them – would allow that much time to elapse before taking ownership. So like it or lump it now we've got it.

This past spring a joint agreement was written up where essentially we will go “halfsies” with the Town on both the maintenance and the upkeep of Lake View as well as the hiring of a sexton. In this arrangement, the Town will mow the grass and bill us. Meanwhile Town of Chetek Board President Mark Carlson and I interviewed a handful of applicants for the sexton's position and decided to offer Donna Bachowski the job. Donna, who is also the Director of The Center, has both good organizational skills and is great with people. Unlike previous sextons she will not have to deal with any kind of maintenance or mowing schedules. Her sole responsibility will be sales and locating. She has a designated phone for this (715-642-0052). In the future our hope is to digitize the records so that those who call for genealogical purposes can find their information through a link on our website. This season is a bit of a trial run for all of us. Between the two municipalities she will be paid $200/month throughout the year. Come fall we'll reevaluate to see if that is realistic or needs to be altered. But it's for real: we are in the cemetery business.

Previous sexton Robert Lund and his crew
did a great job of improving the look of Lake View

The new dock is in!

Last year the council voted unanimously to initiate a boat launch fee ($5/daily and $25/seasonal) for city dock. While the Resort Owners Association expressed their disapproval of this decision for fear it would scare people off the council decided to move forward on it all the same. Municipalities like ours are always looking for more revenue streams as a way to spread the love around. We don't mind if people launch from our dock. We also don't think most people will mind contributing to its upkeep and improvement. In our inaugural season over $3,200 was collected at the unmonitored box at the top of the hill. All of that went to the Parks Department and with additional outlay funds a brand new handicapped-accessible dock was purchased and installed just a week ago.

Carmen tells me that as of last week already $2,300 has been collected this season (and its only mid-June!) This money will be funneled right back to the boat dock for its ongoing upkeep as well as the improvement of the site. We think this modest fee has been successful in helping us provide a quality dock for both residents and visitors to our lakes.

The new look of Main Street Park

Improvements to Main Street Park

If I've learned anything while serving as mayor these last three years is that when you change something or move something people get nervous. This past spring Main Street Park underwent some serious renovations. The eagle totem sculpture was removed for safety purposes on account of its deteriorating condition. The flowering crab was removed (all that was left of the original shrubs that were planted there in 2001) and in order to make room for the new stamped concrete that was laid down the rocks with the memorial plaques upon them were moved to the side. Both Jeremy Gesler of Gesler Concrete and the mayor got an earful from a few local citizens who took issue with those rocks being tossed away. Of course, they weren't tossed away – they were just moved to the side until the concrete work was completed. The pavilion (which still needs a new roof) got power-washed and a fresh coat of stain

Natalie Turner

(courtesy of Scott and Donna Bachowski and city inspector Joe Atwood) and the rocks were carefully reinstalled in a new location along Ohde's south wall. A local citizen who wishes to remain anonymous donated new flower boxes and standing pots and monies given in memory of Natalie Turner, the 17-year-old C-W HS student who was tragically killed in 2017, helped us purchase the new sunflower benches.

Local artist Dylan Martinson
has been enjoying the courtyard on Saturday mornings

There's more to come just probably not this year. We spent $1,500 to move a power supply that allowed Taste of Chetek to be held on the grounds of the new edition to Main Street Park. We'd like to add things like a privacy fence between the park and the private

Taste of Chetek was held on the grounds
of the new edition this year

residence to the immediate east, a concrete border on either side of the edition to allow vehicles to access the park if, for example, a farmer's market were ever to return to the city, as well keep adequate green space in the middle. One of the big ticket items on our dream list are public restroom facilities for the park as well. All of these things, of course, cost money – way more than we have outlay funds for. So we're always on the look-out for creative partnerships between the city and local citizens. If you think you could help with that please let us know.

Credit Donna Bachowski for her leadership on the Parks Committee for helping bring about many of these changes. If you've been keeping count this is the third time I've mentioned her name in this article for not only is Donna the director of The Center and the new sexton of Lake View Cemetery but she is also the chairperson of the Parks Committee. We should all be grateful that she works for us and does such a capable job of it.

Donna with husband, Scott, who also serves
as the current President of the Chetek Common Council

There's more going on around town but that will have to keep until next time. I don't need to tell you that our summer residents and visitors are back. Even though this is the season of No-Left-Turns-Onto-Second-Street it sure feels good to have the town humming with activity again. It makes me hope it will be a prodigious summer for both those who visit here and for those who live here too.

Funny you should ask: What's going on at Main Street Park?

Summer 2016

"We just want to provide a sheltered spot on Main Street where people can meet, sit, talk, eat and come together." Doctor Ivan Sletten on the dedication of Main Street Park, July 2001

The talk around town these days is, among other things, about all the changes currently going on at Main Street Park. Rocks with dedication plaques fastened upon them have been moved, a flowering crab and a pole with a carved eagle upon it have been taken down. And to some it appears that the pavilion has been moved further away from Second Street. What gives? And who authorized such changes?

from The Chetek Alert

First, a little history

On July 3, 2001, a standing room only crowd dedicated Main Street Park. Spearheaded by the generosity of Dr. Ivan and Grace Sletten, then Mayor John Banks received this wonderful donation to our city. Among the notables in attendance that day was Wisconsin State Representative Mary Hubler. It's a big deal when a small community like ours receives such a generous donation from one of her own. According to an article in The Chetek Alert at the time of the dedication, “Doc” Sletten's idea was to provide a “grassy, shady, sheltered spot on Main Street...where people can meet, sit, talk, eat and come together.” What's more he hoped that the park's presence in the heart of our city would “contribute to a sense of hospitality, friendliness and help foster a community spirit.”

from the Chetek Alert

Who can deny that it certainly has? Privately funded by the Sletten family, for many a summer Main Street Park hosted the weekly “Music in the Park” series. During Harvest Fest the Boy Scouts set up shop there for their annual chicken feed. One Christmas it was the site of a live Nativity that was sponsored by a couple of local churches complete with mule, cow, and a couple of sheep (that got loose for a time at the end of the evening but that's another story.)

The summer following Main Street Park's dedication, the Slettens commissioned local artist Rick Purintin to create a large eagle totem that was raised in memory of those who had died in the September 2001 terror attacks.

from the Chetek Alert

In 2011, an attempt was made by the city to purchase the lot behind Ohde's as an addition to Main Street Park but failed because we couldn't negotiate an affordable price. Fortunately, in the summer of 2017 and a new owner later, we tried again and this time we were successful in securing the property which we hope to develop in time.

In 2017 this vacant lot was added to the footprint of Main Street Park

Main Street Park is getting a new look

Things fall apart and wear out

It has now been 19 years since the park was originally dedicated and time has taken its toll on our park in the center of town. The original fountain's plumbing froze up and was removed several years ago. The eagle totem became weathered and unsafe for display and so was taken down last fall. The pavilion is in much need of being power-washed and a new coat of stain. The shakes on the roof have reached their life expectancy. And just like everything else the whole complex needs sprucing up.

The memorial stones were moved temporarily
so that the concrete work could be completed

The new cement benches being set

This past winter the Parks Committee convened to prioritize 2019 projects and in a relatively short period of time committed ourselves to approximately $50,000 worth of improvements and additions city-wide. One of the first orders of business was improving and expanding Main Street Park. Bids were put out and awarded to local contractor Jeremy Gesler of Gesler Concrete to lay down stamped concrete and create some bench seating at the park. What's more the memorial stones remain at the park but are displayed in a new location along the green space adjoining Ohde's. The pavilion not only will get its make-over but some non-supporting posts will be removed to create access from the pavilion to the new addition. What's more new signage will be erected that includes a new kiosk that includes a map of the city and where local businesses may be located.

And what about the new addition part? Well, at the very least we plan to erect electrical boxes on either side of the property so that during Harvest Fest or other community events vendors could have access to electricity. We're still kicking around the general plan but personally my hope is that whatever we finally do agree upon it will include some green space as well as some shade trees so that some of those “shady spots” that “Doc” Sletten originally imagined for Main Street Park will be realized. One of our “dream goals” is public restroom facilities to be located on the property as well. Last summer, 2^nd Ward Alderperson Denise Moran and I did a walking tour of the downtown business district and in every case all but one of our business owners thought it would be wonderful if the city were to provide such facilities.

The work has begun in earnest and whenever changes happen people become anxious. Jeremy told me he had at least two visitors

Please note the memorial stones are now located
adjacent Ohde's Hometown Pharmacy

while he and his crew were laying the new concrete who took him to task for destroying the park. I myself received a piece of unsigned mail which chastised me for allowing the “beautiful Military Park to be ruined.” Well, for starters, the Veterans Park is located up on the north-end of town on the other side of the Long Bridge. Secondly, while we recognize that the changes that are happening will alter the appearance of Main Street Park we also hope people will enjoy the final product when everything is done and find it aesthetically pleasing.

He was a very generous soul

In the later years of his life, “Doc” Sletten and I became acquainted and whenever he would come to town he would go out of his way to encourage me in my work as a pastor. As everyone who knew him knows he was a very generous man not only monetarily but in friendship as well. I don't know what he'd say about all the changes that are going on at Main Street Park today but I think he would approve that the spirit of his original donation – a place that fosters a sense of community – is being adhered to. I guess we'll just have to wait and see until the work is complete.

Architectural image of what it might look like when complete

Wheezle Mayfield and his ilk (Complaints, Inc.)

“I wish I were taller.”

from the Seinfeld episode “The Cartoon”

Whine. We all do it at one time or another. We whine about the weather. We whine about traffic. In this town, we whine specifically about the traffic on the main drag during the summertime because we can't turn left onto Second Street because of all the tourists in town. We whine...well, you get it. Who hasn't heard this retort after we've gone on our little rant about whatever it is we're upset about, “Would you like a little cheese with that whine?” Yes, it is a time-honored tradition around here and my guess everywhere.

From time to time people ask me, “How's the mayor-ing job going? Are you tired of all the complaints?” to wit I'm happy to respond that by and large over the last three years I've really received more “attaboys” than any thorough tongue-lashings. Oh, sure from time to time I do get an ear-ful but with few exceptions they are expressed with no personal vendetta behind it (or at least, that which I perceive as personal).

But still, there are people that seem to me to be just contrary. You know the type: they are quick to point out what's wrong with an issue but never have any helpful suggestions as to how they think it should be fixed. And even if a matter that they're upset about gets addressed its not fixed the way they think it should have been if they were the ones calling the shots. Every town has got people like that.

The other day I asked the girls at City Hall what were common complaints they received and in no order in particular they rattled off five recurring issues:

1. Taxes are too high.
   
   
   

Okay, who hasn't griped about taxes? But too high compared to what? New York? Minneapolis? New Auburn? If you're going to live in a municipality and expect 24/7 police protection, garbage, sewer and water services, fire and ambulance coverage I guess we have to be prepared to pay for it. By the way, a little fun fact here: your 2019 city taxes went up just a skosh. If you're looking for a culprit as to why your taxes went up look again at your school and county taxes. We have no control over either one.

2. Recycling bins are always fill.

They are! They really are. In fact, if you don't get to the recycling bin at the dam early in the week during the summertime you are setting yourself up for frustration. We would argue that

at least one of the reasons that they are is that the Town of Chetek, unlike the Town of Prairie Lake, has no recycling site whatsoever. Therefore, Town of Chetek folk drop off their recycling at our locations which are designed for City residents. Just saying. This past winter Atrium informed the City that they wanted the recycling bin on their property moved. The plan is to relocate it behind City Hall. Expect that to happen soon.

3. Why isn't the brush site open longer?

   

   Be nice to Jack. He only
   enforces the rules on the books

The brush site will be opening again soon and once again Jack will resume his post at the entrance. For the last couple of seasons the brush site has been open on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from 3-6 p.m. Inevitably, some folks are upset about that and wish it could be open longer and more frequently. Or how 'bout we go back to the day when it was just open all the time? Well, here's the thing with that: on May 1, 2013 the heavens opened up and dumped over a foot of snow over the area. Soon our brush site became Ground Zero for every clean-up crew in this part of the county. We had so much brush back there that ultimately we had, at city expense, to hire a grinder to come in to mulch it all up. The pile was just way to big to burn per DNR regulations. If you recall, in response to that in 2014 there was no municipal brush site. I believe in 2015 it was reopened but this time with someone on the city's payroll to monitor brush that was brought in (again, Town of Prairie Lake has a brush site while Town of Chetek does not). Jack's been our guy the last two seasons and it's his job to check everyone who brings brush and yard waste there to ensure they are city residents only. We only pay him minimum wage and we're happy to have such a competent and polite monitor. All this to say is that put it on your calendar to serve as a reminder that it is only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 3-6 pm and never when it's raining.

4. 

   They don't seem to get it

   Goose poop at the beach.

This is a common complaint in the summer time. Dan has tried all kinds of tricks to keep the geese out but they still do their business where our kids and us would like to go barefoot. Per Carmen the only real way to fix this problem is to invent a goose pooper-scooper and then hire someone to go down there – what, twice a week? - to scoop it up. I suppose we could find the money to pay that person but who wants that job? (Please do not suggest one of the guys at Public Works get delegated that task. I'm telling you now that's what they call a 'non-starter').

5. 
   City dock/Hydroflites

While not a fisherman myself I have it on good authority that the city dock can get quite busy in the summertime. Between fishing boats and the flotilla that makes up the Hydroflite fleet it can feel as crowded as Times Square at times (that is a definite exaggeration but you get what I'm saying). The Hydroflites are a long-lasting tradition in our community and we're grateful that they're here. At the same time, we want people to have access to the lake to fish. There will be some significant improvements coming to the city dock this summer which probably won't fix the traffic issue but it certainly will increase accessibility to the Chain especially for handicapped residents. At peak times (right before show time, for example) a little patience and a little grace are required by all parties involved.

I reached out to Public Works Director Dan Knapp and City Inspector Joe Atwood via email regarding the complaints they get and only Joe responded with a one-sentence email: “Property appearance and junk vehicles.” I do get it that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What appears as 'junk' to one home-owner is a little diamond in the ruff that needs just a little TLC by another. We have no ordinance against how many vehicles you can store on your property. Last year I suggested we might consider such a regulation and immediately there was a general hue and cry about “government overstep”. We do have a requirement that every one of our vehicles has to have their registration up to date AND has to move on its own accord. Chief and his crew are generally pretty good about sending out a gentle reminder about this right about this time or risk citation.

I didn't get anything from Dan but I don't think it's rocket science to suggest that one of the frequent complaints he does get is about snow removal. Last Thursday's snow storm is a perfect case in point. The county was out in force but our guys were sight unseen. And then about mid-morning on Friday, Dan unleashed the hounds and the guys got to it. Snow removal in the late spring is one of those “Damned if you do”/ “Damned if you don't” kinda things. If you don't people complain – like this complaint that was lodged at our City of Chetek Facebook page. 

If you do then the complaints start coming in about how the city just filled in everyone's driveway. What's a Public Works Director to do? I don't tell Dan how to run his department. I don't know what formula he uses to determine when to send the plows out and when to keep them home. Personally, I think our guys do a darn good job and we should be thankful how helpful they frequently are.

For me, the few complaints I have received have to do with (no surprise to anyone who is paying attention to municipal activity in the last few years):

1. The Mill

You have a venue on the edge of a neighborhood full of little kids which is busiest on Friday and Saturday nights. What's more, 'quiet hours' begin at 10 pm (even for The Mill). Add in alcohol that is served at weddings and other celebrations and that spells loud and (sometimes) obnoxious behavior by a few of The Mill's patrons. It's my understanding that years ago there were many of the same issues with Red's as this is a tavern-restaurant right in the middle of a neighborhood as well. But the current owners of Red's police their patrons, erected privacy fences and as far as I know do a good job of being good neighbors. My hope remains that the Helms, the owners of The Mill, will work as hard as those guys who own Reds, to do the very same with their neighbors.

2. Purchasing the old Chetek Cafe

Since the building has come down I don't hear this as much but it's out there all the same. $175K seems like a lot of money for an empty lot that we'll never sell for the same price. If you're looking for a dollar-for-dollar return on your money I guess that's a fair criticism butI look at it as 'seed money'. We helped a business owner (the Wojkes of Chetek Cafe) expand and we gained acquisition of a prime piece of real estate in the heart of the business district. The old cafe was on its last leg and had we not spent the $50K to tear it down it would still be standing slowly falling apart. 'Sure we'll gladly sell you this old building but you'll not only have to buy the property but you'll also have to spend the money to tear it down'. Yeah, not a great marketing plan. So the city did the heavy-lifting, invested a little seed money and if in time a new business arises at that locale it will be a property back on the tax-rolls. Personally, I think it's gonna work out in time. But sure as shooting, if we did nothing whatsoever, there would be complaints about that to.

There's a lot going on in town right now. We just had soil samples taken out at the 40-acre addition at the end of Knapp Street. As soon as we get the results back we'll begin Phase 1 of the new development out there. Significant improvements to Main Street Park are in earnest. New roofs have already gone up on all the other park pavilions. 

Airport Park pavilion has a new roof

The newly re-formed Property Committee has toured all the city-owned facilities and will soon be producing some recommendations for the council to consider. Conversations have been taking place with a few other groups in town that could result in other significant changes to certain properties. But like so many things in municipal goings-on there are a lot of moving parts and nothing happens quickly. Which is a good thing in the overall scheme of things. 'Slow and steady wins the race,' right?

Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolan is all about a man named Harvey Potter who, unlike his neighbors who grow corn, okra and tomatoes, grows balloons. One of his more contrary neighbors, a certain Wheezle Mayfield, was so upset about his peculiar farming practices that he called the government on Harvey and soon a group of government scientists in white coats and gloves descended on his farm to investigate. As the little girl who is the narrator tells us “They pulled and they pried and finally they pricked one of those plants with a pin. And what was supposed to

happen did – the balloon popped. Even they couldn't argue with that. So they gave Harvey Potter the right to grow balloons. He never asked them for it, mind you. But he took it anyway, just to be polite. Let me tell you, it made everybody happy. Well, almost everybody. Wheezle was sore.” 

Every town has a got a Wheezle Mayfield or two who are only happy when they're grousing or complaining about something. Which is too bad but some folks have trained themselves to be that way and nothing but the grace of God can help there.

There are constructive ways to work toward solutions about certain things. For starters, settle down before you pick up the phone to rant to someone at Public Works or City Hall. They're people, too, busy with their work and haven't been sitting idly by waiting for you to blast them with your Jeremiad. Ask questions. Show up at city council meetings and get educated. Call your alderperson or the mayor (or both) and ask for a sit-down to discuss the issues that concern you. Dialogue is always more helpful that lobbing vocal grenades at whomever you believe may be 'the enemy'.

Its warming up out there. The sun's out (okay, not today). Let's hope we're done with the snow. And hey, just remind yourself, it's gonna be a great day!