The La Crosse Tribune from La Crosse, Wisconsin • Page 11

ft Isr Pending Suit Hampers Selrite Grocers Authority May Close Elevator Selrite Grocers, being notified that its elevator may be closed within 10 days, will determine at a board of meeting what to do, firm manager Samuel Monsoor said Friday. they (the landlord, the La Crosse Redevelopment Authority) shut that thing down, out of he said. Faced with a possible $57,000 fine for the allegedly faulty elevator, as a result of a pending lawsuit against Selrite and the authority, the authority board Thursday afternoon voted to notify Selrite that it will close the elevator within 10 days there is no other The authority hopes to get a delay in the deadline Nov. 18 so it can seek alternatives other than spending $2,000 to $3,000 to repair an elevator in building that will be torn down early next year. Monsoor said he understands the reluctance to spend the money.

In legal papers not yet filed in La Crosse Circuit Court, the state attorney office, on behalf of the Department of Labor and Human Relations, has said it will seek a permanent injunction against Selrite operating in the buiding because of the allegedly faulty elevator. If the elevator is not shut down, the authority and Selrite, named as co-defendants in the pending lawsuit, face a $57,000 fine. Charles Parrott, the executive director, said it is based on $100 a day for violations on the elevator since before the authority bought the building in August 1969. The authority bought the building for clearance in the Harborview Plaza urban renewal project. Parrott said that one gate on one of three floors served by the elevator close automatically, and the state says it must.

Also, the state wants automatic electric locking devices on the elevator, he added. He told the authority board that it has these alternatives to the pending lawsuit: Shut down the elevator entirely, but Selrite, he added, says it needs the elevator to operate. Allow Selrite to use the vator in the adjoining F. W. Means Co.

building by opening a wall, but F.W. Means expected to vacate until December, well after the deadline. Allow Selrite to use the first floors in other nearby buildings. Parrott also said that Selrite knows of parts in the old La Crosse Plumbing Supply Co. building that it could use to repair the elevator, but there is no guarantee that the state actually halt legal action.

New parts wouldn't be available for about two months. Noting that Selrite relocated in more than two years, Alderman Kenneth Niedbalski (17th Ward) said the authority be responsible how they get out of The authority, said Parrott, is obligated to pay relocation ccsts. He said the lease with the space that Selrite formerly owned provides that any violation of laws in a building is grounds for eviction. But the authority has never used it, he said. If the elevator was faulty when the authority bought the building, our contended Alderman Donald Medinger (18th Ward).

But the authority is named in the lawsuit, said Parrott. Apparently hoping that it can get a delay in the state's deadline, the authority voted to notify Selrite that the elevator will be shut down within 10 days. Health Planners Officials of the Western Wisconsin Health Planning Organization Thursday examined plaques they propose to give to firms assisting in the financial goals. Standing are Frank Papenfuss (left), secretary of the board of directors, and Harold Ristow, president. Seated are Eugene Molitor, executive director of the WWHPO and his wife.

Molitor was introduced at the meeting in Heileman Photo. Board Opposes Flood Evacuation Labor Unit, Committee Oppose Loiter Ban Plan Campbell To Get 1-90 Overpass The Town of Campbell may finally get its long-awaited pedestrian overpass of Interstate Highway 90. That was the report of Chairman Robert Benson to the Campbell Town Board Thursday night. At the meeting, the board also voted to oppose the flood evacuation proposal of the Army Corps of Engineers and ordered that all new apartment ings in the town be constructed with one-hour fire walls. District Highway Engineer LeRoy Schneider said that surveys and preliminary plans for the 1-90 overpass are being prepared, with the final construction plans expected to be ready by next spring.

hoped, he said, that the contract for the overpass can be awarded in June and the project completed by early fall. Cost of the walkway is estimated at $65,000, with the federal government paying 90 per cent of it and the state paying the rest. Benson explained that Campbell has wanted an overpass since the Interstate system construction cut Bainbridge Street. The overpass is needed for children living north of the interstate in the Callaway Addition, who attend Summit School south of the highway, he said. Now the students have to walk to the Lakeshore Drive overpass to get across 1-90.

It has been the same situation for children attending Olivet Lutheran Church, 2100 Bainbridge St. Benson said that studies have estimated that between 9,000 and 10,000 persons would use the overpass annually. That may even be a conservative estimate, he added. He said that the proposed shopping center with its Ramada Inn near the proposed walkway was the key to finally getting the project approved by the state. Both Schneider and Benson agreed that lack of state funds were a prime factor in the five- year Wait for the overpass.

Benson said the Town Board voted 3-0 to oppose the Corps of evacuation measure and come up with alternative flood control proposals. The corps proposal calls for evacuation of much of the northwest portion of French Island in an area west of Lakeshore Drive south to Kime Street. Benson said, have too many people living in the area. There are their homes and there is a lot of investment Benson said an organizational meeting of interested town residents is to be called at a date still to be determined. He said the Town Board also would be willing to consider cooperation with other areas involved, such as Barron and Green Island if those residents are interested.

Benson 6aid the Town Board also approved by a 3-0 vote an amendment to the fire ordinance to require a one-hour fire wall to be built in all new apartment construction. He said the action stemmed from the fire last summer which destroyed an eight-unit apartment building and claimed one life while seriously injuring two other persons. The La Crosse AFL-CIO Labor Council turned out en masse Thursday night to oppose legislation to ban loitering in Crosse, fearing that the ordinance could be used against pickets on strike. The Common Council Judiciary Committee reacted by reversing a position taken in October, and voted 3 to 1 to oppose the legislation. Its recommendation goes to the council committee-of-the-whole Monday night.

In October, City Atty. John Flanagan had said that state laws allowing picketing during labor strikes would supersede a city ban on loitering, but Thursday night he conceded that the proposed ordinance can be interpreted as a ban against union picketing. That was not its intent, however, he stressed. Flanagan and Police Chief Ronald C. Wold had offered the legislation which prohibits loitering that blocks motor vehicles or pedestrians or blocks entrances to businesses.

Some downtown businessmen had complained that persons loitering block cess to their businesses. The AFL-CIO council had met at 7 p.m. Thursday, but adjourned to attend the judiciary committee to oppose the loitering legislation. There are laws now on the that can be used to prevent the blocking of streets, sidewalks and business entrances, said Gerald Powell, business agent for Painters Local 374. David Forer, labor council president, said if the ordinance aimed at labor, it should say that picketing by strikers included in the loitering ban.

Flanagan offered to study the legislation to see if it includes labor picketing without destroying its constitutionality, but the vote precluded any further study. Robert Joanis, a local attorney, said the proposed ban could be used against those waiting for a bus, students or persons attending Oktoberfest, He called it saying that the ordinance leaves it up to the discretion of the policeman as to who is arrested. Architect Carl Schubert Is Named College Trustee Committee Rejects City Lodging Tax Common Council judiciary committemen, faced with overwhelming opposition from La Crosse motel and hotel operators, voted Thursday night to reject legislation for a proposed 3 per cent room tax in La Crosse. Thomas Woulfe, manager of the Bluffview Motel and spokesman for the La Crosse Hotel- Motel Owners Association, and Alderman Thomas Roellich (12th Ward), who offered the legislation, clashed on the impact of the legislation. Roellich, the only speaker for the measure Thursday night, estimated the 3 per cent room tax would bring in $70,000 revenue, based on 83 per cent occupancy.

can we turn down an alternative to an increase in the property he asked. Woulfe, saying that a room tax would send motel and hotel users into adjoining communities without a room tax, said the occupancy rate in La Crosse is close rto the national average of 65 per cent. The revenue, at 65 per cent occupancy, would be $54,000, he said. He said that Milwaukee gained $344,000 from its room tax, and on a prorated basis, La gain would be only $24,700. Madison, he said, gained $170,000, and on a prorated basis, La gain would be $46,300.

Woulfe said that the Bluffview, and three other motels along Highway 14 and Welch are in the city but are further from downtown than other Highway 14 motels that are in the Town of Shelby. He predicted a 10 per cent loss of business and, as a result, of jobs, if a room tax is enacted. Hassan M. Ghalam, assistant manager at the Hotel Stoddard, said that the Park-Sheraton Hotel, New York City, and the Park Motor Inn, Madison, where he had formerly worked, both lost substantial business when their cities imposed a room tax. He said La Crosse has to offer the tourists cept a few and this, he added, enough to keep motel and hotel customers here.

Earl Wookey, operator of the Guest House Motel, said nessmen often stay at La Crosse and fan out to Winona, Prairie du Chien and into Iowa. learned quickly they can stay outside of he said, suggesting that they also would stay out of motels and hotels within the city. Roellich disputed that La Crosse motels would have a 10 per cent business loss when only 17 per cent of the motel units are outside the city. People take rooms for the accommodations, he said. A 30- cent tax on a $10 room, he said, is only two cups of coffee or half the price of a cocktail.

LADYSMITH, Wis. Carl W. Schubert, president of Schubert, Schroeder and Associates, La Crosse architects, was recently elected a trustee of Mount Sena- rio College in Ladysmith. addition of this talented man to our board of trustees is an asset to the institution and attests to the genuine interest he has for the growth of this college and independent higher said Dr. Robert E.

Lovett, president of the college. Schubert, 2635 Schubert Place, long-range planning, serving as lon-range planning, serving as architect and general physical plant consultant, said Lovett. Active in civic and professional affairs, Schubert was named of the by the greater La Crosse Chamber of Commerce in 1967. He is a member of the Elks Lodge, Masons, Shrine and Rotary. He also serves as a council member of the Small Business Administration of Wisconsin and as a director of the La Crosse Country Club.

He attended Lawrence University and the University of Minnesota. A registered architect, he founded his firm in 1930. His three sons, Karl, Franz and Frederick, serve as officers in the firm with him. CARL W. SCHUBERT Bus Firm Passenger Totals Decline; Token Use Drops JOSEPH G.

WERNER Use of free bus tokens to help boost the financially ailing La Crosse Transit Co. dropped for the fourth straight month, while passenger use of the local transit firm dropped far below 1970 totals. Opposition Arises To Plan For State Home For Girls Rotary Charter Night Youth Gets Speaker Is Announced For high school (Aquinas). He asked that the legislation be returned to committee so neighbors could have a chance to speak on the proposal. Judiciary committeemen, however, split on the request from James Shay for a conditional use permit to allow the state to operate a lodging house at the Uth Street property.

The legislation goes to the Council committee of the whole Monday night without a committee recommendation. attorney, Neal J. Gleason, said that the home would be while Kent Helman, group home coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, said that the nearness to Aquinas would be no problem. Students from Aquinas be in the home, nor will girls from the home be in Aquinas because of close supervision, be said. In another rezoning request faced with strong opposition, Curtis bid for a multiple dwelling zoning on the old Webster School site to allow the construction of four apartment buildings with a total of 22 units, was sent back to the plan commission.

attorney, Robert Joanis, said that while he think it would dissuade any of the opposition some 21 home owners within 100 feet of the property he would have time to present the facts on the development. The committee voted 3-1 to rezone property at 951 Adams St. to allow the owner, Home Savings and Loan Association, to use it for a tent and awning business, the La Crosse Tent and Awning now at 901 S. 4th St. 3 Addition Permits Approved Opposition to a proposed home at 405 S.

11th t. for 14-through- 21-year-old girls under state guardianship emerged Thursday night. just think the right former Alderman L. Peter Groves (13th Ward) told the Common Council judiciary committee. He questioned locating such a home across the street from a Permits for three additions to existing buildings were issued Thursday and Friday by the La Crosse Inspection Department.

A $34,000 addition to serve as a warehouse and garage for the La Crosse Liquor 229 N. 2nd was approved Friday. The 47 by 92-foot structure will be added to the present building. Peter Nelson and Sons Inc. is the contractor and Frank Fuchs is the architect.

Approval was granted for an 8Va by 23-foot addition to A and Root Beet Stand, 3005 South Ave. Peter Nelson and Sons Inc. is the contractor for the $15,000 addition. Approval of a $17,800 auto sales outlet building was granted Thursday. The 60 by 82-foot structure, requested by Low Motor will be located at 608 Cass St.

Fuchs is the architect and Nelson again is the contractor. The metal building, expected to be completed before Christmas, will be a new car display area for about 30 vehicles. Joseph G. Werner, a former district governor of Rotary International, will be the speaker Wednesday, Nov. 10, for the Charter Night Dinner of La Crosse Rotary East.

The new club, sponsored by the La Crosse Downtown Rotary Club, was granted provisional membership in Rotary International Oct. 25. The dinner, to be attended by representatives of other Rotary Clubs in District 625 of Rotary International, will be at 7 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom, Hotel Stoddard. Presenting the charter to La Crosse Rotary East President Charles Northup will be Dist.

Gov. Charles C. Center of Madison Harold Cram, a former district governor, will be toastmaster. He is a past president of the sponsoring Rotary Club. Other charter officers and directors of La Crosse Rotary East are Charles Hanson, vice president; Leonard Brown, treasurer; Kenneth O.

Blanchard, secretary; and Norman Olsen and John J. Schwem, directors. There are 19 charter members in the club which meets Mondays at 12:10 p.m. in the Cerise. Werner, a Madison lawyer, has been a member of the Rotary Club of that city since 1947 and is a past president.

He has served the internationai-organi- zation as a director, district governor and committee chairman. A past president of the Dane County Bar Associatin, Werner is a former member of the board of governors for the Bar Association of the 7th Federal Circuit. He was a Madison alderman, is past chairman of Ma i Commission on Youth, and former chairman of the Patent Trademark and Copyright Section of the Wisconsin State Bar. Cold, Windy, Snow Forecast Cold, windy and some snow are forecast for the Tri-State area Friday night through Sunday. The La Crosse area will have temperatures dipping down into the lower 20s Saturday and Sunday mornings, but is expected to escape with only snow flurries.

Minnesota and Iowa will take a heavier brunt of the early winter-like weather with Minnesota experiencing some blowing and drifting snow in addition to the cold. A cold wave warning is forecast for Iowa with the temperatures expected to remain low through Saturday even though sunshine is predicted. The extended outlook for Wisconsin through Tuesday calls for a dry period with fair to partly cloudy skies and cool temperatures. Drug Sale A La Crosse youth convicted of selling marijuana to a state undercover agent was placed on probation Friday in County Court on condition he serve the first 30 days in jail. Judge Eugene Toepel withheld sentence on Paul M.

Leonard, 19, of 2627 Leonard and placed the youth on probation for two years for having sold marijuana Feb. 5 at 1651 Lakeshore Drive to state agent Kim Kasabuske. A warrant for arrest had been issued, along with 29 others, in May, but at that time the youth had left the city. Upon learning that he was wanted, Leonard returned, surrendered himself, waived preliminary examination, refused an offer of a court-appointed lawyer to represent him and pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Toepel had ordered that the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services conduct a presentence investigation in the case.

The department report on the investigation included a recommendation that Leonard be placed on probation. Dist. Atty. Burleigh Randolph agreed with the recommendation, adding a request for the jail sentence. The judge ordered that Leonard may serve the jail sentence under the Huber Law, allowing his release from jail during his working hours.

According to figures released by D. J. Petruccelli, manager of the Greater La Crosse Chamber of Commerce, use of the chamber backed bus token program dropped to 1,571 for October. It was the fourth straight month of declining token use. In July, peak month since the program began in June, 3,030 tokens were used.

In August the figure dropped to 2,434, and in September it fell again, this time to 1,878. Under the plan, more than 60 area business firms buy tokens at 15 cents apiece and then give a bus token coupon to persons who purchase $5 or more in goods or services. The bus rider redeems the coupon for a bus token. Bus passengers also declined sharply over the same period a year ago. For the five-month riod, from June through October, bus riders dropped from 406,724 in 1970 to 324,436 in 1971, or 82,288 below a year ago.

In July 1970, 75,610 passengers rode La Crosse Transit Co. buses. In July 1971, that figure dropped to 60,560. In September 1970, the firm had 83,759 passengers, in September 1971, there were 65,220 riders. In October 1970 there were 89,868 passengers.

In October 1971, that total dropped to 70,708. In an effort to support the bus business here, the La Crosse Common Council approved a subsidy of up to $40,000. Of that total, $25,000 was given during the summer. The remaining $15,000 will be spread over the last nine months of the fiscal year, which ends May 31,1972. Footprints Lead Police To Juvenile Burglars Two La Crosse juveniles were arrested late Thursday for reportedly entering the La Crosse Concrete 1725 Gillette and charged with taking about 80 packs of cigarettes and $25 in cash.

Police received the report at 11:13 p.m. and found the office had been entered and pop and cigarette machines broken into. They found footprints that indicated the burglars had been wearing canvas shoes. Later police received a report of two youths creating a disturbance on George Street. The investigating officers noticed that the youths, one 17 and the other 14, were wearing canvas shoes.

The youths had in their possession the money, cigarettes and some tools taken from the concrete company. They admitted taking the items, according to police. At 5:17 p.m. the theft of a transistor radio valued at $35 was reported from a boathouse belonging to Leonard Schmit, 2411 S. 30th St.

His boathouse, moored on the Black River north of the Clinton Street bridge, and one near it, belonging to William Prestwood, 528 Kane were both entered, but nothing was missing from the Prestwood boathouse. At 10:14 a.m. Thursday Harry Meinking, 1902 Charles reported the theft of 18 duck decoys valued at $60 from a boat in his back yard. Police Thursday said that a $115 22-caliber pistol had been stolen from Montgomery Ward and and that $100 worth of fishing gear, owned by Mark Dunn, 14, of 1421 State was stolen from the Lagoon Bridge (in Pettibone Park)..