The Capital Times from Madison, Wisconsin • 27

I THE CAPITAL TIMES City News and A pile of broken branches is all that remains of the farmer's in the background. Five are under construction with a we on Pataam Road, now that the have come total of 14 to be balk this year, as part of a plan to expand the te make way for sewers and sidewalks to serve the subdivision. (Staff Photo by David Sandell) Trees Fall Like Toothpicks As Bulldozers Sweep Land For Subdivision Expansion BY The WHITNEY GOULD Times Out on the southwest fringes of the city, cams graze lazily in a pasture, a cornfield soaks up sunlight, and tiny insects teem inside the yellow coneflowers that grow in profusion by the side of the road. Just across the street, which is called Putnam Road, is a row of shiny suburban homes. each surrounded by a lawn that looks like the top of a pool table.

In that sort of collision between the country and the city, the country is bound to lose. The process started back in the '50s, when developers began to carve the suburb known as Meadowond out of the cornfields and pastures. A little more of the county began the transformation to city recently, as Meadowood's developers, the Midland Realty Corp. doorway to better began to expand the subdivision on the south side of Putnam Road. Fourteen new houses will go up this year on what was an 80-acre farm, with another 75 homes to come.

However, some of the suburbanites on the north side of the road have grown accustomed to their country vistas and they don't like what is happening to them. They were incensed last week when Midland's bulldozers ripped out all the trees and brush along what had been a farmer's fencerow, to make way for sewer and sidewalk construction for the new homes. trees fell like teethpicks; it sounded Ike bones breaking." said Carol Moore. 6006 Putnam Rd. are just sick about it.

One Delivery Man Robbed A man wielding a knife and a an accomplice robbed a pizza delivery employe of Geno's Restaurant early today and caped with about $25. The robbers confronted the employe while making a delivery to an apartment building in the 400 block of Cantwell Court. at about 2 a.m. The employe said the men were wearing a stocking and a bandana over their heads. reason we moved out here was because of the beautiful trees across the street.

There were blackberry bashes and lets of birds and now all of that is gone." Mrs. Moore coneded that some of the vegetation would have to be removed to accommodate driveways, but some of it could have been saved, she said. Midland president David Crocker said he, too, would have preferred to see the trees remain, but the city gave him no choice when it routed the sewer line, he said. "We Ike nature, too," he added. "We can always sell houses he quicker if there are some trees.

Bat these were mostly scrub, anyway; of them were less than two Inches in dameter." Not so, says Mrs. Moore. "Some of these trees mast have been at least six inches Robert Schoenbeck of the City Engineering Department said the fencerow was within the street right-of-way, which must accommodate a sidewalk probably next year and eventually, curbs and gutters. "Any trees in that area would have to be for the sidewalk, so we Ick as well the sewer in the same the he said. have to de a let of catting and to maintain the grade of this read for drainage.

It would be hard to keep the trees while all of that is taking place." Schoenbeck noted that the city has occasionally changed its sewer routes to bypass trees and other obstacles. But in this case, it just wasn't practical, he said. To move the sidewalk back into the front yards of the homes, he said. "would take tee much of the yard and that would be quite a problem for the hemeowners." Also, trees would have to be removed to make way for driveways, he said. As they say, that's progress.

Or is it? Then again, perhaps the real issue is not the loss of a row of trees but the land use practices and tax policies which hastened the conversion of farms into suburbs in the first place. Report UW President Weaver Improving After Heart Attack University of Wisconsin President John Weaver continues to improve after suffering a heart attack Friday, according to a spokesman for University Hospitals. Meanwhile. Senior Vice President Donald Percy said that he and Senior Vice President Donald Smith will assume Weaver's duties while the president is ill. Cardiologists attending Weaver in the intensive care unit of University Hospitals said today that he continued to improve.

They said that Weaver was resting comfortably and has experienced no complications. If no complications occur, he'll be transferred to the general cardiological unit of the hospital late Thursday or early Friday. Weaver, 60. was stricken with a myocardial infarction while working at home Friday. A myocardial infarction is a heart attack which damages the muscle tissue of the heart.

His assistant, Robert Doyle. said that Weaver had been in good health and did not have a history of heart trouble. Weaver's condition remains stable and he continues under routine monitoring. said University Hospitals spokesman Kurt Krahn. Percy said that he will fill in for Weaver for the present.

"For the next two weeks I'll be doing that because Don Smith is out of town." he said. Percy said that it would be up to the Board of Regents to name an acting president should Weaver remain in the hospital for a prolonged period of time. "It's hard to think in these terms new," he said. "But for now, we're handling basiness as usual." Attorney Francis Lamb Dies Francis Lamb. 74.

of 228 Lakewood a prominent longtime Madison lawyer, a former city attorney and Assemblvman. died unexpectedly Saturday' in a local hospital. During the administration of Gov. Walter Goodland, he served as Francis Lamb Francis Lamb MADISON. Monday, July 28, 1975 -27 City Part of Shared Taxes Drops $800,000 From '74 An already battered and bloody 1975 city budget took it in the gut again today with the announcement that the city's share of the first payment of state shared taxes I is off from last year.

A portion of today's underpayment will be made up when the second half of the shared taxes is paid, the third Monday in November, state revenue official Ralph Taylor said today. But city administrative analyst Darrell Dillman said this morning that "it looks like" the year's today total will be "under what we got last Last year, the city's share of state tax collections totalled $9.4 million. This year's A thick growth of trees and bushes lined the south side of Putnam Read until last week, providing feed and cover for birds and a scenic vista for residents of the north side at the street. city budget projected an increase to $9.7 million in 1975. Dillman said that "current projections" are that the city budget will suffer a $300,000 to $400,000 "revenue shortfall" when the final payment comes in.

When added to already announced increases in city spending, including a boast of $500,000 in welfare costs, the city's budget is off by about $1 million for the year. By TOM FOLEY 01 The Times Stat Taylor said the reduced state payment was caused by several drains on the state shared tax accounts, leaving about $18 million less to be distributed this time around. As a result, the per capita distribution the amount a municipality receives based upon its population was reduced from $25 per person last year to $21, he said. This per capita underpayment will be made up in November, he said. The only variable remaining to affect the size of the November payment is the "per cent of levies" account, he said.

This is made up of collections of several state taxes, including income, corporate, utility, liquor, highway privilege and mass transit, he said. Dillman said some state officials are predicting reduced collections in these categories, particularly in income and cor. porate taxes. The reductions are the result of current economic conditions, including a less healthy economy than had been it is ton soon to predict the impact of parted last year, he said. the current $1 million "shortfall" on the taxpayer, other officials said.

Much of the money could be made up by reduced expenditures or by increased revenues elsewhere. Anyway, the reduced state tax payments are "likely to have considerably less impact" on next year's city budget than the new state budget which Gov. Patrick Luxey will unveil Tuesday, Dillman said. The way in which some portions of the budget are interpreted by the state is likely to be "a major determinant" of what the city's own property tax rate is to be for next year, he said. Preliminary work on the 1978 city budget is already underway with the mayor's proposed budget slated for presentation to the City Council in September.

First Federal Bank Robber Given 5 Years Probation By IRVIN KREISMAN 01 The Capital Times Staff Eugene L. Semke, the 29-year-old Madison man who held up a cashier of the First Federal Savings and Loan Association last March 13 only to be apprehended by police a short time later when another loan employe trailed him to his home, was placed on five years probation today by Circuit Judge Michael B. Torphy, Jr. Torphy first sentenced Semke to five years' imprisonment but then stayed the sentence and imposed the probation. As a condition of probation Semke is to avoid illegal drugs, alcohol and possession of any weapon.

He used a pellet gun in the MATC Union to Ask Mediation the two parties have been unable to agree on wages, hours and working conditions. Ed Hellegers, chairman of the union bargaining team, acknowledged the unusual nature of the situation, commenting. "This may be the first contract that gees right into mediation before any real discussion District director Norman Mitby said today the board has no objection to mediation. The two sides met to resume negotiations Friday, but no progress was made. A Wis.

State Journal reporter who showed up for the meeting was asked by the union to leave. Board negotiators said they did not invite the reporter, but that they had no objection to his staying. The scheel beard and the anion have parently. agreed to permit release of infer. mation after bargaining sessieas.

Up until Foes of Couper File for Fees Seven Madison police officers who spearheaded a petition drive against Chief David C. Couper beginning two years ago today went to court in an effort to collect for the attorney fees they incurred in subsequent hearings. By DIANE SHERMAN Of The Canital Times Staff The union representing teachers at Madison Area Technical College plans to ask for mediation to get contract talks going, the chairman of the union bargaining team said today. Bargainers for Local 243 of the Wisconsin Federation of Teachers and the area vocatienal scheel beard have been unable to agree en ground rules for negotiations. The stambling beck has been the question of open negotialeas.

The request for mediation, which the anion says will be made some time teday, is unusual since 1 not a single contract prepesal has been exchanged to date. It may not be unprecedented. but it's certainly rare, according to Howard Bellman, a member of the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission. Generally, mediation takes place when In a lawsuit directed against Madison and Mayor Paul Soglin, the seven demand judgment in Dane Circuit Court for a sum of $22.464 in expenses incurred in the filing and prosecution of a verified complaint against Couper before the Police and Fire Commission. They also ask an additinal $3,650 for representation before the "Select last week, the unica maintained a "no comment" policy en the progress of talks.

Hever, the union wants the board to agree in writing not to open the negotiating sessions to the public. According to ground rules proposed by the board. "private negotiations are more meaningful and accomplish more than public negotiations. The board must. however.

reserved the right to tell the public their story, should such disclosures become necessary as a component of the board's obligation to the taxpayers they represent." problem is not that we disagree on the effectiveness of private negotiations, Hellegers said. "The problem is that Mr. (Desald) Johnson (the beard's attorney a member of the bargaining team) dees net want to commit himself in writing that he'll keep the sessieas Hellegers said the union might consider opening up the sessions if members of the MATC board would attend. The MATC board has said school will not open Aug. 20 if no contract agreement is reached by Aug.

11. Mithy defended that decision, saying the school has an obligation to students who have to sign leases and decide when to quit summer jobs. The contract expired June 30. holdup in which he took $1,400 from a teller at the loan firm. Semke had pleaded guilty to the armed holdup on June 3.

He has been free on bail. Semke, who resides at 209 E. Mifflin was followed to that address by David Rorge, 21, Stoughton after the robbery. The cash he had taken, along with the pellet pistol, was recovered by police who res. ponded to a telephone call from Rorge.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher Spencer, who prosecuted the case. recommended a jail term of unspecified duration today at the sentencing hearing. A presentence report ordered by Torphy at the time Semke changed his plea recommended against any incarceration for Semke who lost his arm some years ago in an accident at Mendota Hospital. Rorye noticed the "shocked" expression on Baughs' face divined that holdup was in progress. He then followed Semke down North Henry Street as the holdup man casually walked home with the bay.

Not Guilty Pleas Entered for Trio Not guilty pleas were entered by Circuit Judge Michael B. Torphy, Jr. today in behalf of three men charged with the slay. ing of Michael I Posthuma after they stood mute at their arraignment in circuit court. The three Robert S.

Zelenka, 20, of 2340 Melody Lane; Ronald S. Schilling. 24. Horicon, and Thomas D. Stanton, 20.

of 205 Division formerly of Beloit are charged with first degree murder and armed robbery. Torphy set a trial date of Sept. 22 for the trio. Defense counsel notified the court that they plan to file extensive pre-trial motions before that date. Committee" consisting of three judges who later held hearings on the Couper matter in behalf of the City Council.

The seven were represented before the Commission and at the Select Committee hearings by the Madison law firm of Aberg. Bell. Blake and Metzner, which also filed today's lawsuit. The seven officers include Detective Supervisors Roger C. Attoe.

Keith Hackett. Roth C. Watson, Clarence Olson and John Shesky: Detective George Croal, and Set. Franklin Oswald. The case was drawn by Judge William C.

Sachtjen. Madison Man Killed in Fire One man was killed and another was jured in Madison early today when ravaged a one-room apartment at Monroe St. Fire destroyed a room at the rear of this apartment house at died in the apartment where the fire started. Firefighters, one 2005 Monroe St. early today and claimed the life of a young man of them masked with an oxygen tank strapped to his back.

are whe lived there. Another tenant in the three-story building suf- shown here shortly after the 12:50 a.m. alarm. (Staff Photo by fered minor burns attempting to rescue Mark Mohr. 21.

who Tom Kelly) The body of Posthuma, 20, of Knowles (Dodge County) was found in a wooded area near Sun Prairie June 11. According to the complaint, he was stabbed and bludgeoned to death on June 9. All three defendants have been unable to furnish bail and are being held in Dane County jail. Torphy continued the bail amounts. in- Dane County Coroner Clyde (Bud) fire Chamberlain.

identified the dead man 2005 as Mark Mohr, 21, who had lived in the rear, ground-floor apartment for about two months. Firefighters from Station No. 4 dis. covered Mohr's body lying on the floor against the apartment door. The coroner's office said he died of smoke inhalation and severe burns.

Madison Fire officials said Bill Jezwinski suffered first degree burns on his hands and arms while attempting to resuce Mohr from the flaming apartment. "But he couldn't get in." Lt. Paul McCallum said, "it was too hot for him." counsel to the governor. Born at Freeport, Mr. Lamb had been a Madison resident since 1905.

He was a 1925 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, and entered law practice here the same year. He was married Aug. 31, 1929. to Gertrude Harley of Madison, who survives him. Mr.

Lamb was a 32nd degree Mason. belonging to the Madison Consistory and Zor Shrine. He was also a member of the Madison Club. Chi Phi and Phi Alpha Delta fraternities. and was elected to Coif.

He was also a member of Christ Presbyterian church. He was preceded in death by a brother. Leland. Funeral rites for Mr. Lamb will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m.

in Christ Presbyterian Church. There was to be no visitation. and it was requested that flowers be omitted. Memorials may be made to Christ Presbyterian Church or the Attic Angel Tower Fund. The Frautschi Funeral Home.

3610 Speedway is in charge of arrangements. Jezwinski, who lived directly above the fire-gutted efficiency apartment, declined conveyance to a hospital for his injuries. Five other tenants in the three-story wow-frame building escaped unharmed at about the time the alarm was turned in at 12:50 a.m. Fireman on the scene said Mohr's apartment was an "inferno" upon their arrival. The blaze was confined to that room.

The fire loss, including smoke damage to the rest of the structure. was estimated at $8.000. The building is owned by Max Miller, 3738 Atwood Ave. 1 Cause of the blaze remains "undetermined. State Fire Marshall Frank Roberts and other fire investigators were to resume an inspection of the scene this afternoon.

Mohr, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Mohr, 1906 Heath was a client of the Complex Offender Project, which attempts to rehabilitate persons on probation. The program is funded by the Wisconsin Council of Criminal Justice through Mendota State Hospital, according to Dr. James Kloss, a psychologist, who is the project director.

Funeral arrangements are being made by the Port Funeral Home, Portage..