Native American Drug and Gang Initiative Project recognized

Many of you know that in addition to being a Supervisor and owning a construction company, I am also a Deputy for Menominee County Sheriff''s Department. Menominee County is the only place in the state where the entire county is designated as an Indian Reservation. This past year, I've worked with the Sheriff's Department on the Native American Drug and Gang Initiative (NADGI) Project.

NADGI is a partnership between eight tribes and the State Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) The Project allows local departments to work as a team with state and federal law enforcement agencies to combat drug, gun, and gang crimes on Wisconsin’s Native American Reservations.

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of accepting a certificate of recogition at a presentation in Meonominee County from Congressman Steve Kagen. The NADGI project was funded this past year by a $400,000 federal grant that was supported by Congressman Kagen. This important grant provides officer training and other resources, and has been instrumental in successfully removing drugs from reservation communities.

The Shawano Leader featured the NADGI project in an article yesterday.

Behind the 2009 Budget

This series of posts over the next few days will examine spending in the 2009 Grand Chute budget

I've had a few emails regarding the $15,000 in professional fees "for professional assistance to assist the new town administrator in negotiations with the town's bargaining units."

This line item jumped out as a red flag when I first reviewed the budget, and I questioned the reasoning at the budget workshops.

What this article doesn’t explain is that all three unions (police, fire, and public works) are up for contract negotiations next year. With the state of the economy, it is reasonable to assume the town will want to limit concessions at the collective bargaining table. If the union and town refuse to come to an agreement, both parties must go to arbitration. The town is responsible for legal costs associated with arbitration, including retaining a judge.

This $15K is set aside in a contingency fund, and is only to cover such costs in the event of arbitration.

Realizing "professional assistance" did not mean hiring a consultant to show the new administrator "the ropes", but rather paying legal costs associated with arbitration, I agreed to the contingency fund.

2009 Budget kept under spending cap

The Town Board voted last night to pass Grand Chute's 2009 budget and limit the increase to 9.8%. This is under the 10.5% limit residents passed in last April's referendum. More budget details to follow.

Avoid lines on Election Day by voting early

Grand Chute residents can vote by absentee ballot at the Town Hall. In order to obtain an absentee ballot, you must be a registered voter in the Town of Grand Chute. You must make an application for a ballot. An application form (PDF file) is available here. The requesting individual must sign the application/letter. If husband and wife are requesting, both must sign the application/letter. If you come into the Town Hall your balloting can be completed that same day.

If you are not a registered voter in Grand Chute, you can register to vote at the Town Hall. You can bring:

1. A Wisconsin driver’s license if you have one, OR (if you do not) the last four digits of your Social Security number --AND--
2. Proof of residence SUCH AS a Wisconsin driver’s license, a state issued ID card, a residential lease, a utility bill, cell phone bill, bank statement (online print outs ok), paycheck, government check, property tax bill from 2007 or 2008, or other government document showing your name and current address.
3. No proof of residence? You can still register and vote if you bring an eligible voter from your municipality who shows proof of residence and affirms you live at your address.

The Grand Chute Town Hall is open 8-4:30, Monday thru Friday.

Upcoming meetings this week

Postings have been a little sparse the last couple of weeks. It's budget time of year. I take this part of my job very seriously, and and a lot of my free time is spent reviewing the proposed budgets. Our first budget planning workshop was last Wednesday. Because of the current state of the economy, each line item is being reviewed, and the budget meeting has been extended to this Wednesday at 6:00 pm, at the town hall.

A Police Merger Advisory Panel meeting is also scheduled for tomorrow evening, 6:30 pm in the Town Hall Board Room. The agenda follows:

Town of Grand Chute
1900 Grand Chute Blvd.
Appleton – Grand Chute Police Merger
Citizen Study Committee Meeting
October 28, 2008
6:30 PM – Board Room

Agenda

A. CALL TO ORDER

B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ORDER OF THE DAY

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Approval of the September 23, 2008 meeting minutes

D. NEW BUSINESS
1. Police Merger Proposal Presentation by Appleton Police Chief David Walsh
2. Police Management Plan and Service Level Comparison Presentation by Interim Chief Greg Peterson
3. Presentation on Police Costs and Asset Distribution by Consultant Ed Henschel

E. Discuss Differences and Similarities Between the Appleton and Grand Chute Police Departments

F. Other matters, questions, discussions.

G. ADJOURNMENT

Jim March named new Town Administrator

October 21, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT: Stephen T. Nenonen
Interim Town Administrator
(920) 832-4773



New Town Administrator Hired:

The Town of Grand Chute announced the appointment of Mr. James V. March as the new Town of Grand Chute Administrator. Mr. March is currently City Administrator in the City of North Oaks, MN. Mr. March will begin employment on December 8, 2008 with an annual salary of $94,472.

There were more than 30 applicants for the position of Town Administrator. The position of Administrator opened last July when Mr. Mark Rohloff accepted the position as City Manager in the City of Oshkosh.

Mr. March is married and has two children. He will be visiting the Town before starting work to look for housing and to prepare for the move to Grand Chute.

For More information, contact Steve Nenonen, Interim Administrator (920) 832-4773.


* * * END * * *

Scenes from Romp in the Swamp 2008

Members of the Grand Chute Kiwanis pal around with Smokey Bear.

Families gather at one of the Romp in the Swamp stations.

The sun peeked out for the 15th Annual Romp in the Swamp held Saturday at Bubolz Nature Preserve. Many families attended the event. Local groups gave educational presentations, ranging from honey bees, herbal growth, and environmental awareness. The Grand Chute Fire Department was on hand, along with Smokey Bear. Free food and games were offered at stations along the walk. There were cookies, hot cider, breads, smores, carmel apples and more. The Grand Chute Kiwanis sponsored a "walking taco" station.

How to make a walking taco:
(with a digital camera on the wrong setting)

Crunch a bag of Fritos or Doritos, then cut the long end off.

Scoop some warm taco meat inside.

Add your favorite fixings.

Eat with spoon and enjoy.