Leader-Telegram from Eau Claire, Wisconsin • 13

CALL 1 r. sen Ll CC3-C2C3 cr Li 4 fc tefaas Grant to help police snare speeders By Thomas BPfankuch City Council Washington School as a rental hall and auction house. Resident Hugh Passow told the council he would provide adequate parking for the facility and would not significantly change its use. Accepted a $3.7 million state grant for a voluntary program to buy flood-prone properties in the city. The city will begin to make offers to property owners sometime this spring or summer.

Most of the eligible properties are along the Chippewa River on First Avenue between Water and Hudson streets and along Forest Street north of Madison Street. to the program, he said. Typically, Eau Claire officers do not work specifically on traffic enforcement, Malone said. Instead, they watch for speeders and moving violations while on patrol, he said. The grant will allow the department to add two more patrol cars to enforce traffic rules during rush hours, Malone said.

There'll be a Substantial increase in traffic enforcement," he said. Also Tuesday, the council: Disagreed with a Plan Commission recommendation and unanimously approved a rezoning for the former Mt. Streets likely to be targeted by the patrols include all school zones, Clairemont Avenue, U.S. 53, State Street and possibly the North Crossing. time pay of $23.50 an hour between the months of April and September, Malone said.

There also will be an educational element ueaaer-1 eiegram staff Heavy-footed Eau Claire motorists should slow down this summer or face more speeding tickets as police plan to increase the number of officers on traffic patrol. The department recently received ad $18,500 state grant to pay overtime for officers to spend more time taking radar readings on some of the city's busiest streets. The grant was accepted Tuesday by the Eau Claire City They'll be working specifically on traffic," Police Chief Dave Malone said. "We'll be in highly visible areas." Streets likely to be targeted by the patrols include all school zones, Clairemont Avenue, U.S. 53, State Street and possibly the North Crossing, Malone said.

"The statistics continue to show that there's a need for greater enforcement," he said. In all, the grant will enable the department to perform an additional 472 hours of traffic enforcement at the estimated over- Board shies away from donating land to veterans 4-- donated farm land. The building wouia oe usea ior veterans runcnons andould have a kitchen for Chippewa SS'S Chlppova i County member of two county 9 Wfelf iitetsG By Tim J. Sheehan Chippewa Falls News Bureau CHIPPEWA FALLS Chippewa County Board member Eugene Rineck's voice cracked with emotion Tuesday as he spoke of his World War II experiences. But Rineck's appeal wasn't enough to persuade other Chippewa County Board members to donate five acres of land foe a county ans facility.

Board members tabled a resolution to donate the land from the county farm for the facility. A majority of board members said they support veterans and the sacrifices they have made. However, several members questioned the lack of details the veterans gave board members about the planned facility and its impact on the long-range plans for the farm property. "Take a look at that flag over there," said Rineck, town of Wheaton. "This could have very well been a Japanese flag or a German (flag).

There was a time it was that close." Most of the veterans groups in the county, with the exception of the VFW, have no place to hold monthly meetings or display items, he said. The proposal would have the groups cooperate with each other in a joint effort to build the facility on the orgamza- tions, opposed the proposal. Schroeder said extension of city sewer and water would require annexation and could cost more than $100,000. Supervisors Jerilyn Brost, Chippewa Falls, and Larry Willkom, town of Lafayette, said the board needs more information before making a decision on land donation. "There is no real plan here," Brost said.

"This has nothing to do with respecting or not respecting our veterans. I don't think there is anyone here who doesn't respect what they have done. That's not the point here." County Veterans Service Officer Myron Olson said the plan is to form a consortium of veterans that would own and operate the facility. Willkom proposed tabling the request, a motion that passed 15-12. The jnatter was referred to the Veterans Committee.

Staff photo by Doug Melt the proposed state budget, area superintendents were less enthusiastic. The Assembly is meeting in a temporary chamber in a downtown Madison office building while the state Capitol is being renovated. State Rep. Rob Krelbich, R-Eau Claire, is surrounded by his colleagues Tuesday while watching Gov. Tommy Thompson deliver his 1995-97 budget message.

Although Eau Claire officials welcomed Locally produced Proposed rise in aid has city officials emitting sigh of relief By Thomas B. Pfankuch Leader-Telegram staff After expecting bad news, Eau Claire city officials were pleasantly surprised to see state aid to cities would rise slightly as part of the show makes debut tonldht on Fox TV More reactions to Gov. Tommy Thompson's budget. Pages 1A.5A. budget Gov.

Tommy Thompson released Tuesday. Thompson said Tuesday he plans to increase the pool of shared revenues by $15 Municipalities across the state rely heavily on state shared revenues, payments made annually to cities to help support local government operations and compensate for property tax exemptions. v. Last year cities received about $915 million from shared revenues. Eau Claire received 'J $11.5 million, or about 40 percent of the city's 5, general operating budget, Norrell said.

Depending on a complex schedule used to determine the breakdown of the revenues, Eau Claire could see a small increase in the amount of aid or stay about the same, Norrell said. Eau Claire still faces a budget crunch in 1996 as part of a five-year budget tightening. Norrell said he expects the council may have to consider cutting as many as six positions next year. "We'll still have problems meeting our goals in 1996," he said. But council member David W.

Carlson said the council should be pleased that it probably won't be forced to cut services and raise taxes, which would have been likely if state aids were reduced. "That does clear one cloud," said Carlson, a candidate for City Council president in April. Carlson also praised Thompson for vowing to reduce some state-mandated programs that usually force cities to use local tax money to comply. Council President Mark Lewis also had a favorable review of Thompson's budget proposals, saying he's glad the governor wants to eliminate general relief programs and continue to provide strong support to cities. "It certainly removes a concern that many council members have had," said Lewis, who is running for a second term this spring.

By Rod Stetzer Leader-Telegram staff WEUX-TV (Channel 48) begins a foray into public affairs program' ming tonight with a 30-minute program on the Hmong community in Eau Claire ana La Crosse. Sue Ramsett, a former reporter for La Crosse station WKBT-TV (Channel 8), reports and produces the monthly program called "IMPACT? The program will pre-empt a 6:30 p.m. showing of "Real million, a small amount but one that relieves Eau Claire officials who feared a decrease in aid to cities. "It's good news that they won't be decreasing," City Manager Don Norrell said Tuesday night. "We were almost betting that they would be reduced." Hansen: Budget won't do much for education "IMPACT will air at 6:30 p.m.

the third Wednesday of each month on WEUX-TV (Channel 48) of Eau Claire and WLAX-TV Shannel 25) of Crosse. Stones of the Highway Patrol," which resumes Thursday. "IMPACT" is the first locally produced project for WEUX and its sister station, WLAX-TV (Channel 25) of La Crosse. "We thought we could get more in-depth with these half-hours," said Nancy Martinson, general manager for both stations. Starting a public affairs program to serve the community has been discussed for about a year, said Wayne Kohlhaus, sales manager for WEUX.

than 33 percent in Eau Claire and Altoona. Thompsoahad promised that his budget would address funding inequities between property-rich and property-poor school districts-Elk Mound Superintendent William Vincent, who also serves as president of the Association for Equity in Funding, said the budget appears to have fallen short on the equity issue. "I don't think the big bullets have been bit," he said. "But I haven't seen how all this will play out yet." Under Thompson's budget, school districts spending less than ah average of $5,200 per See EDUCATION, Page 4B By Dan Holtz -and Pamela Powers Leader-Telegram staff Gov. tommy Thompson's proposed state' budget may be a victory for property taxes but doesn't enhance the educational system, Eau Claire Superintendent Lee Hansen said Tuesday.

"It's a great benefit to our taxpayers, which we should all be pleased with," Hansen said. "But it doesn't really give our district more money because we're still under the revenue caps," he said. Educationally, Thompson's proposed 1995-97 state budget "doesn't help us or hurt us," Hansen said. Thompson is proposing making spending caps on school districts permanent. "We're surviving," Hansen said of the caps.

"But over time they're going to prevent us from making a lot of improvements." Thompson's budget commits the state to picking up two-thirds of the cost of public education by the 1996-97 school year as a means of providing property tax relief. Thompson's budget calls for an average school property tax reduction of 26 percent statewide. If Thompson's budget were in effect for the 1994-95 school year, the school property tax levies would decrease by more than 39 percent in Chippewa Falls and Rice Lake and by more Both WEUX and WLAX are affiliates of Fox Broadcasting which is encouraging its stations to develop local news departments. "It isn't something that we're looking at immediately," Martinson said of adding a nightly news program. "We don't know if we'll be able to do more or not." Tonight's program, called "A New Beginning," focuses on Hmong history, including why Hmong fled their native Laos.

It also examines problems Hmong encountered when settling in western Wisconsin. Martinson said "IMPACT' will cover issues affecting both the Chippewa Valley and La Crosse. Teen sex is scheduled to be the topic of next month's program, Martinson said. Kohl official to be in Altoona ATTHHWA Morinrif Tinnv rpoinnnl rAnrPCPintn. tive for U.S.

Sen. Herb Kohl, will be in Altoona Thursday to 'meet with constituents. Bunce will be in the council chamber of Altoona City Uoil vnn Ave from 3:30 to 4:30 n.m. No The board voted unanimously to expel each of the students for the remainder of this school year. The students can reapply in the summer to return to school for the 1995-96 year.

South administrators uncovered a small marijuana dealing ring at school, which led to the expulsion of the two students. A Memorial administrator on Jan. 27 discovered a freshman had a knife with a four-inch blade at school. The knife was in a sheath and was not used against anyone, but bringing a knife to school violates a district policy that bans weapons. Lu'dwigson, who represents the town of Seymour, said it's unlikely the decision will be reversed.

Benefit for Buchholz set FALL CREEK A benefit auction and dance for the Brent Buchholz family will be held March 25, from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Fall Creek Community Center. Buchholz, injured in a December car accident, is out of the hospital but faces a long The fund-raiser will include a charity auction, raffle and dance. To offer help or contributions for the auc-.

tion, call (715) 877-2960 of (715) 877-2828. Gunderson meeting Sunday "U.S. Rep. Steve Gunderson will be host for a "town hall meeting" Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grand Aye.

The meeting starts at 4 p.m. and will be held in the church basement. Gunderson, R-Osseo, said he is especially interested in getting feedback on the initiatives that are being considered under the GOP's Contract With America. from etaff reports Clausius said. If Thompson's proposal is approved, Clausius said a private company would manage the lottery and determine where winners of large prizes would go to collect.

It could be Madison, Eau Claire or somewhere else, he said. Rezoning issue not dead The Town of Seymour Board will consider asking state Attorney General James Doyle to issue a legal opinion on reversing Eau Claire County's rezoning of the former Black School. The matter will be taken up at a Town Board meeting next Tuesday, town Chairman Douglas Kranig said. The Eau Claire County Board last week voted 19-7 to rezone the former school and seven acres frpm rural residential to general business. Property owner John Torgerson wants to' remodel the building for retail sales and business offices.

Kranig said about 30 people attended a board session Monday evening. One of them, Leonard Eckel of 1431 Peterson said he was encouraged by the Town Board's consideration. "Hopefully, this can be (reversed). But it doesn't appear likely," he said. County Board chairman Supervisor Howard 1 m-ij I appointments are necessary.

Bunce also can be contacted at Kohl's regional office at 402 Graham Eau Claire. The telephone number is 832-8424. Board expels two students Two Eau Claire middle school students who reportedly sold marijuana and a high school student who allegedly brought a knife to school were expelled Tuesday. Two South Middle School students and a Memorial High School student attended the closed school board expulsion hearings with their parents. The first two hearings for the Memorial student and one of the South students lasted an hour each, while the: last hearing for the second South student was completed in less than an hour, board President John Flynn said today.

Lottery office on bubble The Wisconsin Lottery offices, including one in Eau. Claire, would close under Gov. Tommy Thompson's proposed budget. "Everything (would be) gone. Boom.

Including the Eau Claire office," at 709 S. Barstow said William Clausius, Wisconsin Gaming Commission spokesman. The Eau Claire office has nine full-time employees and four limited-term workers who fill in when needed. The Wisconsin Gaming Commission would be cut from 213 to 7rpositions under Thompson's proposal,.