The Journal Times from Racine, Wisconsin • 3

the Journal Times, Wednesday, May 20, 1987 Racine, Wis. 3A Ossdoes ETiTDOSUlirSlt woe coinfliplteji Razing question raised it will not cause traffic congestion, an increase in fire hazards or a substantial drop in neighborhood property values. "The city has no right to tell him what he can build on his, land if he meets all our requirements, Torhorst said. "And we have no authority, right or title to tell a person what kind of financing (a developer) can have for developing their property," he added. Torhorst's second comment referred to the opposition aimed at more subsidized housing settling in their neighborhood.

Two other low-income housing projects are within a mile of the proposed complex. Campbell has said he intends pick up his permit today. The maximum time the city can stall a permit with reason is 30 days. Campbell's permit application has until June 6. Robert Suhr of 256 Parkview Drive, said the commission was in error or was misled by Campbell's plans in review and that should be enough cause to reconsider its decision.

"You haven't determined if it will diminish or impair the property values nearby," said Suhr, as several other residents followed with shouts of "it already has." Calling the neighborhood already "a zoo," residents said the new complex will add more problems by bringing in more cars and driving down property values. "We've already shouldered our responsibility in housing low-income housing in our neighborhood. You (the city council) should be trying to integrate them throughout the city or on annexed land," Suhr said. Suhr and other residents said they plan to hire an attorney on their own to fight Campbell's project in court whether the city issues the permit or not. They also said they've contacted Sen.

Robert Hasten, for help and plan to contact other state officials. By Jam Rider Journal Times BURLINGTON In heated debate here Tuesday night, city officials and residents near a proposed low-income apartment complex attempted to determine whether the project's developer should be issued a building permit. No decision was reached, but more problems surfaced. The city's building inspector says he believes Robert Campbell has met all legal requirements to continue construction of the $680,000 Farmers Home Administration project on Meadow Lane. But nearly all of the 81 signatories of a petition opposing the project, and attending Tuesday's meeting, charged the city planning commission with "gross negligence." Residents said the commission did not carry out its assigned duties before approving site plans for the complex which will contain 17 two-bedroom units, two 3-bedroom units and a single-bedroom unit.

Building inspector Jerry Weber said late this morning that if Campbell arrives for the permit he will issue it because no written legal point had been gathered in time to establish a cause to delay issuance. "Legally, he has met all our requirements. You can't stop this unless you've got a good reason," Weber said. Several other council members echoed that concern Tuesday night, saying a reason has to be strong enough to stand up in court. City Attorney Allan B.

Torhorst said if the city denies Campbell's permit, it must be prepared to defend its action in court because the developer said he will sue the city if his project is further delayed or denied. But residents are also threatening to sue the commission if the building permit is issued. They cited an outline of job responsibilities that states a plan should be approved only after commissioners determine jf 4vZ'f elm ill if I I' i f. 1 Charlca 8. Vallona, Journal Timet Disability Day Willie Quadraccl, Sentry Food store man- trict, Gateway Technical Institute and S.C.

ager, said he felt "confined" by the hand)- Johnson Son in recognizing "Handicap he assumed for the day. Quadraccl, capped Awareness Week" Wednesday by Joined Racine Mavor Owen Davies and re- becomino. wheelchair bound, visually or aMniaMun trim BboIka I IhIIIa C.U..I ni. Ik. Ua By Mike Hill Journal Times Racine Alderwoman Dorothy Constantine Tuesday questioned why the city keeps tearing down dilapidated buildings instead of requiring them to be properly maintained.

"I don't feel there's any place in this city that should be so run-down that they have to come down," Constantine told the city council. Empty lots and loss of taxable property occur when the city doesn't enforce its building code and properties deteriorate, Constantine said. Constantine's comments came as the council was voting to demolish a former store and apartment build- 1 ings at 1406 and 1408 State St. The buildings are not fit for I human habitation and the owner has ignored the city's demolition order, city officials said. The city plans to have them razed as a cost of $3,444, which is to be covered when the land is sold.

In other matters, the council: Approved festival park daily rental fees of $500 for the hall for -local tax-exempt groups and $900 for others; $50 for the hall's meet- ing room; $250 for the large event area and colonnade; $150 for the small event area and colonnade; and $100 for the colonnade. Local tax-exempt groups may rent the entire park and its facili- ties for $850 a day, while other groups would pay $1,250. Agreed to hourly weed cutting -rates of $55 for machine cutting; $35 for hand and machine cutting; $32 for hand cutting; and $25 for each trip to a residence, plus overhead costs and sales tax. Referred back to various revisions and fee in the city's building code so some areas may be clarified. OK'd a conditional use permit for Tire America to construct a -service facility at Regency Mall, north of Durand Avenue and west of Roosevelt Avenue.

Approved a certified survey map for the north part of the DeKoven Center grounds at DeKov-r en and Wisconsin avenues, but dej," layed action to change the zoning to allow a 162-unit cooperative housing facility for senior citizens. (' Referred back to committee a resolution that would establish a $1 individual player fee for youths whq want to participate in the. youth sports programs. A fee is to be charged for each sport a youth is involved in and a nonresident fee of $5 is included in the measure. Approved a conditional use permit for the Rev.

Gene Matthews to have a hand car wash at 1100 S. Memorial Drive. Alderwoman Con- stantine said she and other city off i-; cials changed their minds on this matter because Matthews has. bought more property to enlarge' the site and make the business workable. Awarded the city's council pro-' ceedings and, legal notices printing' contract to the Journal Times.

Legislator urges seat belt law GREEN BAY (AP) A motori? who chooses to travel 30 miles arf hour without a seat belt might flinch at the idea of jumping from a three-story building, but the conse-, quenccs are much alike, Rep Cletus Vanderperren says. Traffic-accident research demon-, st rates injuries can be the same in either situation, Vanderperren says, in defense of legislation that would; require motorists and their passen-' gers in Wisconsin to be strapped in their seats. Vanderperren, D-Green Bay, was among speakers who testified Monday during a hearing by the Assembly's State Affairs Committee on a bill carrying a $10 fine for failure to buckle-up. aiiHiiiic9 iiuiii nawiia uiiiiicu biiuui Ultt- licaimy uiaiicu iui llio uay. OfOO goal Sim chairing drive DuDSdSG'ainjc cost bDsiinnxsdl ddd Dos) deinniDse "The big thing for them is there's nothing for them to do here." The insurance tangle might affect more than just the flea market.

"Oh, gosh, yes, we're limited to what we can do," she said. The SYO a dance at Schulte School in December that drew about 630 teens, and Woiteshek said there were tentative plans to hold more dances this summer. If there is an admission charge to the dances, as there was in December, the village's insurance policy won't cover the event. The future of a planned outdoor concert for this summer is also in jeopardy, she said. "Isn't it a shame it's just a darn shame we can't get something going for the kids without worrying about getting sued if there is an accident," said Woiteshek, a former beautician.

"Someone could lose everything. I don't want to go back to cutting hair." The SYO has been given $3,000 from the village budget for activities, but Woiteshek said that money isn't available for insurance coverage because it is earmarked for activities like trips to Six Flags Great America and Milwaukee Brewer games, during which the SYO would provide free bus service for teens. She said she might contact local businesses to ask them if they could donate money to the group. "We can do lots of things if we have the money." By Don Schauf Journal Times STURTEVANT The snowballing liability insurance crisis has left its mark on the Sturtevant Youth Organization. The SYO had planned a fund-raising flea market for the end of June, but Lori Woiteshek said today those plans have been scrapped because the group can't afford the insurance premium for the one-day event.

Woiteshek, chairwoman of the village board's recreation committee, said it would cost the group about $1,200 for liability insurance for the flea market. "My gosh, there goes all of your profit," she said. "With insurance the way that it is, we can't have it (the flea market)." When the plans were laid out for the event, program organizers thought the village's liability insurance would cover the fund-raiser. But, Woiteshek said she was told by the village's insurance agent, James V. Celeste, and village attorney Kenneth Hostek that the village policy can't cover fund-raising efforts.

"The village can donate money, but it cannot be involved in fund-raisers," she said. The SYO was formed last year to provide recreational activities for teen-agers. "There is such a need out here for something for the teen-agers," Woiteshek said. Thompson opposes extending hospital commission By Lin Bin Journal Times For the first time in 35 years, the Racine YWCA is turning to the public for help. The organization today launched a capital fund drive intended to raise $600,000 over a three-year period to renovate its downtown and River Bend facilities.

Mavis Kryzanek, the Racine YWCA executive director, said the fund drive would end in mid-September, but the contributions could be made either in one payment or over three years. "The YWCA has provided services to the Racine community," said Kryzanek. "Now we call on the public to help us to raise funds for the needed building repairs. I think we will succeed. I feel positive." "During the past 35 years, we have been doing whatever we could to keep the facilities in top shape," said Barb Kroupa, the campaign coordinator.

"Now we just can't simply patch things up." Kroupa said membership and activity fees help cover the cost of programs but do not cover building improvement or repair needs. In addition, the United Way contribution $185,000 this year can only be used for programs, not capital expenditures, she said. The United Way grant accounts for about 22 percent of the Y's budget. Kroupa said the YWCA has no way of making capital improvements unless it receives gifts or endowments. And, she noted, the national YWCA can offer managerial and administrative support services but does not have resources to help local Y's with building or repair projects.

She said the YWCA hopes the campaign will solve the organization's building problems for the next 10 to 12 years. Kroupa said the corporate campaign, which began in March, has provided a good start. Roughly one-third of the money needed has been pledged. "The corporations have been very understanding and generous so far," she said. "We have raised substantial money already before even go to the public." Kryzanek said the major projects of the downtown facilities renovation included new roofs, a new boiler, insulation, lighting, pool plumbing, hot water and heating systems.

The restoration of River Bend, the first YWCA nature center in the country, include roof and mansonry repairs. She said the renovation and repairs would be done in three years. They would start to replace the downtown facility's roof and repair ceilings in early July. The restoration of River Bend Nature Center would begin in May. "Over 200,000 people go through the downtown building every year.

And this kind of weather does terrible things to the facilities, especially the flat roof," Kroupa said. The roof of the downtown building has been leaking and walls have been damaged, she said. "I think it is important that women who enter the door here feel safe and secure," said Kroupa. "We have to have the control of our environment in order to continue to provide quality service to the community." Kroupa said two extensive surveys were conducted before the campaign was initiated. The building study identified problems and recommended repairs.

The feasibility study, conducted in last October, showed that there was support from the Racine community. During the campaign, said Kroupa, more than 100 volunteers would go to both businesses and the community to ask for help. The Racine YWCA, founded in 1894, has 4,400 members, 400 more than the Racine YMCA. Annually, it offers more than 200 programs and provides 200,000 units of service to the Racine community. MADISON (AP) Gov.

Tommy G. Thompson pledged to the Wisconsin Hospital Association today he would veto a proposal to extend the Hospital Rate-Setting Commission if it reaches his desk. In a speech at an association breakfast, Thompson urged association members to help convince lawmakers who seek to prolong the life of the commission that it should be allowed to die July 1. If the Legislature passes a bill to extend its life, "I will veto it," said Thompson, whose declaration received prolonged applause. "The people of Wisconsin want free enterprise" in the health care sector as elsewhere, Thompson said.

"The Hospital Rate-Setting Commission has not accomplished anything," he said, adding it has only created "increased paper work and consternation for hospital administrators." Meanwhile, the Allied Council of Senior Citizens, the Wisconsin Action Coalition and the Service Employees International Union said at Milwaukee they were initiating a Wisconsin Health Care Campaign which would, among other things, seek to prevent the commission from going out of business. "The Wisconsin Hospital Rate-Setting Commission saved consumers $90 million and at no cost to the taxpayers," said Dorothy Seeley, presiudent of the Allied Council. "Last year, national hospital costs grew by 8.5 percent. With our rate-setting commission in Wisconsin, hospital costs grew by 4 percent." Flra files lawspit wee 7- 1 Point Beach nuke plant under more scrutiny By Gary Metro Journal Times A dispute about a courthouse job has moved into the courtroom with a legal action seeking a halt to the paychecks of an employee promoted against the wishes of Racine County Clerk of Courts Lawrence Flynn. Flynn, blocked by the county's eight Judges from hiring his political campaign treasurer as felony court case manager, has Gled an action seeking a court order halting the position's pay.

The action asks for a judge to prohibit County Clerk Joan Rennert from ordering the county treasurer to pay Sandra De Bonis for the position she has occupied since March 30. Flynn has said throughout the hiring dispute that De Bonis, appointed to the $20,775 to $27,049 per-y ear-job through a grievance decided in her favor by county Personnel Director Victor Long, could not be hired in the supervisory position without his authorization. The legal action, filed on Flynn'i behalf by Racine attorney William ployment. DeBonis was hired by Long March 30, but Flynn continued to say Andrews was his choice for the job until early May, when he recommended that a clerk from traffic and misdemeanor court, Barbara Cook, be hired as the felony court case manager. DeBonis, however, remained on the job today.

Long has told the Journal Times that DeBonis has the job, is getting paid for doing the work and won't be removed from the position. Long said the county is on firm legal ground in the employment controversy. County Corporation Counsel William Bock today said he will represent Rennert in the dispute, and is gathering and reviewing facts about -the hiring dispute. From a preliminary review of the matter, "it appears as though the proper procedure was followed and that Sandy DeBonis has the job," Bock said. Bock said he has instructed Rennert to continue the pay to DeBonis.

Whitnall, repeats his claim that state law was circumvented through the hiring of De Bonis, a county court clerk since 1976 and a felony court clerk since 1980. The disputed position, felony court case manager, is not governed by the county's civil service plan, according to the legal action, which contends other jobs not subject to the civil service plan are family court case manager, traffic and misdemeanor court case manager and administrative deputy clerk. Flynn 's action contends only the clerk of courts has the legal authority to make an appointment to those four positions, and the county's judges must then appprove or disapprove the appointment by a majority vote. That wasn't done in the hiring of De Bonis, and Flynn contends the felony court case manager job remains vacant. The county's judges also didn't take action on Flynn's candidate for the job, Charlene Andrews of Racine, having decided in a March 20 special meeting to take no action on the paperwork authorizing her ero- TWO RIVERS (AP) Federal documents show a worker at the Point Beach nuclear power plant was contaminated with radioactive material last year.

In addition, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has cited Wisconsin Electric Power which runs the plant, for operational errors and security lapes. NRC records, obtained by the Ap-pleton Post-Crescent, show a worker was discovred to be contaminated with radiation on July 20, 1966. Tests on the worker showed the contamination was below limits. Jim Zach, manager of the Point Beach facility, said the levels were "a relatively small fraction of the limit" The federal documents did not indicate the specific contamination levels. The worker was in a control area of the plant when low levels of radiation were released, Zach said.

In addition, the NRC documents revealed two security lapses which occurred in January, 1965. The agency did not specify the nature of these lapses, but Zach said the documents referred to the plant's internal security doors. Lawrence Flynn A hearing date for the matter hasn't been set, according to Bock, who said he expected the case to be assigned to an out -of -county judge because Racine County's judges are involved in the dispute..