The La Crosse Tribune from La Crosse, Wisconsin • 1

WaoCwBODG dbuBoc otoFOdirilypo D-'l LACROSSE Serving the Coulee Region since 1904 tSUNDAYlMORNINGl Vtl Lisin West Salem: Village Board debates adding an officer to police department By JOAN KENT Of the Tribune staff agreed to recommend the hiring. By comparison, the village of Holmen has 191 more residents than West Salem but, with a staff of seven, has three more full-time officers. Community concern about the lack of a fifth officer in West Salem has escalated as the number of police calls and thefts has increased. The West Salem Business Association decided at its April meeting to send a letter to village trustees registering their concerns. Several local businesses said they have experienced thefts at times when no West Salem police officer was on duty.

On April 23, the committee of three, including two new members elected in March, unanimously voted to recommend that the village hire a fifth officer. Patrick McGuire, a four-year member and the new chairman of the law enforcement committee, was joined in voting in favor of the fifth officer by new members Dennis Manthei and Mary Jo Murphy" Robert Mulder and William Davis were former members of the committee, but both lost their village board seats in the spring election. I was quite certain there would be a new committee, at least in part, after the election, and that it would be a high priority to review staffing of the police department, said board president Robert Machotka. The recommendation has a very good chance of passing the full board, he said. The committee vote was 3-0 (in favor), and I will vote for it.

The board has seven members. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall, 175 S. Leonard. See WEST SALEM, A 7 WEST SALEM, Wis.

After operating one officer short for a year, the West Salem Village Board on Tuesday will consider hiring another police officer. Police chief Dennis Abbott has sought a fifth officer since longtime officer George Brown retired last May. The department could not provide around-the-clock protection without a fifth officer, he said. The board budgeted for the position last year. But the villages law enforcement committee never West Salem police chief Dennis Abbott, standing, and officer Robert Schuppel Inside ujrr I I Why God, why this man I Minnesota state trooper Gary Har-mening describes to the family what happened at the accident that killed Lyle Belcher.

II t. Cathy Acherman of the Tribune staff Sandy Harper places a guardian angel on the cross for her father, Lyle Belcher, who died in an accident near Rochester, Minn. The family visited the site of the accident and placed a cross under the overpass near the west bound lane of 1-90. There was an outpouring of welcome home wishes for Shawn Werner in response to our Connect question, Heres a sample of what youll find on A-2: Just want to welcome Shawn home. Hes been in our prayers ever since the tragedy that happened in January.

Hes been a good friend for a long, long time and Im glad to see him home because it really makes my heart warm inside. John Swertfeger La Crosse New comics format The Tribune introduces a new format for the comics today to better meet our readers concerns. You will still find all of your favorite comics, but now in broadsheet Nation: Clinton announces steps aimed at keeping teen mothers in school A-3 Hometown: Lee Rasch took flak from his fellow candidates after winning his own straw poll at the 3rd Congressional Districts democratic convention C-1 Issues: Gundersons decision to stick to his plan and not run means a wide open field E-1 SPORTS Sunday Spotlight: After narrowly missing a spot on the Twins roster, West Salems Damian Miller is off to a strong start for Class AAA Salt Lake City B-1 Kentucky Derby: D. Wayne Lukas Grindstone wins by a nose in photo finish B-1 What do you think? Do you think attack ads are an acceptable tool in a political campaign? Call TribVoice by 7 p.m. today at 796-INFO (796-4636) on your touchtone phone and press 3000 to access todays question.

Please leave your name (spelled out), address and phone number. Opinion: Voters have the power to end negative campaigning E-2 By J.C. KISH Of the Tribune staff Lyles three grandchildren and a tiny guardian angel memento, stands atop the guard rail under the County Road 32 overpass, about 10 miles east of Rochester. Every couple of seconds, a semitrailer truck roars past and is swallowed up by the surrounding farmland. This desolate place, some nine hours from Lyles home, was the last tribute to a simple man who died doing Gods work helping others.

Its something that happened but it shouldnt have happened to him, Belcher said. Lyle died around 7 a.m. on March 25. Death on highway brings a family together You just got to deal with it, Belcher said. Ive stopped three, four times since He wouldnt want me to quit driving.

Once when he stopped he found his brothers watch in the tall grass. Hes still looking for Lyles glasses. On Friday, Belcher and Lyles wife, Doris, her three daughters and one grandson made another stop along the highway to put up a cross. Minnesota Trooper Gary Harmening, who arranged permission to put up the memorial with the state Department of Transportation, also paid his last respects. The cross, arrayed with roses from DOVER, Minn.

Two or three times a week Alan Belcher drives his Peterbilt rig down the long, lonely highways between his home in Decatur, 111., and the Twin Cities. Each time he passes the place along Interstate-90 in Minnesota where his brother, Lyle, also a trucker, died two months ago. And each time he has to dig through his memory, through the pain of his brothers legacy and ask, Why God, why this man? See FAMILY, A 7 Homeless veterans find hope at Fort McCoy By TERRY BURT Of the Tribune staff Soldiers stories: Down-and-out vets tell stories of renewed optimism B-1 Model program: Federal, state officials laud Fort McCoy program B-1 Anderson said 10 of the 44 residents now in the McCoy program which drew praise last week from Marsha Martin of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Raymond Boland, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs are currently working at the Tomah VA hospital. Several others have jobs in the local community, including ones at Northern Engraving Toro Ocean Spray Cranberry Cardinal Glass, Rolling Hills Nursing Home and Fort McCoy itself.

Sometimes, Anderson said, a veteran arrives at the center looking for nothing more than a place to live and eat. That doesnt work here. If they dont work they dont last, he said. Anderson, a former Army chief warrant officer, said each participant starts the program on a 30-day probationary period. During that time, they stay on base while medical and other needs are determined along with the participants willingness to follow the rules.

Two of the rules are that a participant must get a job and never use alcohol or other drugs. Were not here to work for them but, to work with them, said Anderson. FORT MCCOY, Wis. Jim Anderson, director of the Veterans Assistance Center at Fort McCoy, puts it simply. The key to this, said Anderson, is that this is a jobs program, not a hotel.

The center, which has been open about a year and a half, is a safety net for military veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The Fort McCoy program is one of five similar ones operating in Wisconsin..