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The La Crosse Tribune from La Crosse, Wisconsin • Page 21

Location:
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Issue Date:
Page:
21
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

La Crosse Tribune, Wednesday, March 12, K. 0 CH. I ir- I 1 -S In in tmsogML. runxe mJ Science las nxt SCIENCE lApj wee science las arrow sroRrte a ZJ tfOMORY 1 HeAOH 5MQWEX fVnJee UNIT 3 r. i 1 omzxtoi 1 1 wc 1 1 5 3 Ca Crosse Cribune Committee OKs Tax On Hotel, Motel Rooms OMCT UNIT 5 3 2, i rW B5fj.

txwzv it no wetce unrr6 IM0 r.n-t r- i 3.. .3 Unit i OMIT 2 un UNIT 4 ONALASKA SCHOOL PLANS -The Onalaska Common Council last night approved the sale of $2,169 million in school bonds to finance construction of the new middle school. A floor plan for the school, above, drawn by the architectural firm of Hackner, Schroeder. Roslansky and Assoicates. was recently unveiled.

The bonds will go on sale about April 23. interest on the bonds is not to exceed 7 per cent, according to the resolution. Project To Cost $225,000 Onalaska Street Work OK'd By JEROME R. ROSSO Tribune Staff Writer The La Crosse Common Council Committee-of-the-Whole approved a 3 per cent tax on motel and hotel room rents last night and obtaining appraisals on the value of property north of City Hall for possible purchase by the city. If confirmed at Thursday night's regular council meeting, the room tax measure would provide funds to finance operations of the Greater La Crosse Cehamber of Commerce's con- See editorial room on Page 6.

vention and visitor bureau and for certain capital improvements to the city's recreation and convention facilities. The proposal to spend $4,000 for appraisals and soil tests on two properties in the area along 4th Street between La Crosse Street and the La Crosse river were presented as being preliminary to acquiring all the area and achieving a variety of goals. The major one seemed to be that a railroad spur track to the area would no longer be necessary. allowing the elimination of the Lang Drive crossing, which would have to be bridged at a cost of $400,000 if Lang Drive is to be improved. The room tax resolution provides that the city is to keep up to 10 per cent of the proceeds to cover administrative costs.

The rest is to be split between the convention bureau's budget and the recreational capital expenditures. The resolution, as worked out by convention bureau representatives and the council's judiciary and administration committee, says proceeds of the tax will finance 80 per cent of the bureau's annual budget, with a minimum amount of $40,000 a year, but not more than 50 per cent of the proceeds after administrative costs are subtracted. The judiciary committee split 3 to 3 on adoption of the measure, but the full group of aldermen favored it 14 to 6. During a public hearing on the matter, Thomas Sleik, convention bureau member and its lawyer, said the proposal was drawn so as to increase funds being channeled to the bureau if its operations are successful in attracting more conventions to the city. Another bureau representative, Thomas Woulfe.

operator of the Bluff View Motel, told the aldermen that majority" of the city's 25 motel and hotel operators favor the legislation. He estimated that that majority represents over 900 of the 970" rooms for rent in the city and added that only the operators of two smaller motels had opposed it. Woulfe emphasized that motel owners aren't in favor of any tax. But he noted, in the four years he has been in La Crosse, this is the third time a room tax has been urged, and motel operators see the handwriting on the ONALASKA. Wis.

On a report from the finance and personnel committee, the Onalaska Common Council last night approved street improvements in the city. The engineering department was instructed to draw up the specifications for the street improvements and advertise for bids. The cost of the project will be $225,000. The city will be advertising for bids on all streets on the board of public works priority list except Sand Lake Road and the first addition to Hilltopper Heights which will be done by the county. Streets to be blacktopped include: Sand Lake Road.

Larch Avenue North, Pierce Street. 10th Avenue North from Monroe Street to Well Street. Well Street from 11th Avenue North to Oak Avenue North, Lake Street from 10th Avenue North to Sand Lake Road, 11th Avenue South and Monica Court. These streets will receive curbs and gutters and blacktop, thus becoming finished. Other city streets to receive blacktopping include Monica Lane, Hope Court, Well Street from 11th Avenue North to 8th Avenue North, 10th Avenue North from Well Street to Lake Street, the first addition to topper Heights, and the south portion of 12th Avenue South abutting Wilson Street.

The estimated cost of $225,000 excludes Sand Lake Coulee and the first addition to Hilltopper Heights. However, some $58,563 can be recovered by curb and gutter assessments. City planners talked of a 10-year note at Sparta Hootenanny To Be March 22 SPARTA. Wis. The Sparta Jaycees will hold its 12th annual hootenanny and variety show at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 22, at the Sparta High School auditorium. The deadline for filing entries with the Sparta Jaycees is Friday. Among the early entries is the Country' Sunshine Singers Spring Grove, who were semi-finalists in the talent contest at the Minnesota State Fair and appeared in a Cancer Fund telethon. Four girls, ages 15-18. make up the group Diane Mentzel of Sparta is coordinator for a Sparta girls' duet and John Simones of Sparta will sing and play guitar.

Darwin Anderson and Wayne Edgerton are co-chairmen of the event. The Jaycees offer prizes of $100. $75 and $50 to winners of the hootenanny six per cent for the project. This would add 0.68 to 0 69 to the mill rate. In a second item, the finance committee reported on preliminary interviews for an employe for the street department.

The position is federally funded under Title VI. The finance committee recommended hiring gine for $130. the council accepted the bid Standing committees have been established by the administrative committee, but personnel rules and working regulations were referred to the April 8 meeting. Five ordinances were given first and second readings. Ordi- Attendance at three seminars and conventions was approved by the council.

Judge Charles Roddle was given permission to attend a municipal justice orientation seminar sponsored by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Judicial Education Committee in Stevens Point in April. Reasonable expenses are to be Women Oppose Funds To Back Women's Rights MADISON, Wis. (AP) Fergie Roth; he was approved nance 280 concerning annexation by the Judicial Edu- Women objected Tuesday to a by the council. Three items were reported to the council from the board of public works. First, the board of public works recommended purchase of the Richard Risberg property into the city also was given its third and final reading (on a suspended rules vote).

The property was accepted into the city. Ordinance 276 to raise the sal- cation enter. proposed budget appropriation Engineering aide Johnson was which they said would be used to given permission to attend a promote women's rights legisla- public works construction tion inspection seminar. The course Their target was $87,500 will be held evenings at the quested for the Commission on of a tar kettle for the street de- ary of the municipal justice to county courthouse. Cost to the the Status of Women, an appro- city will be the $40 registration priation being reviewed by the fee plus the cost of the course legislature's Joint Finance tek mittee.

Fire chief Paul Skogen and Opponents told a hearing that Stanley Borchert will be attend- if the legislature agrees to fund ing the fire chiefs convention in the commission, they will carry partment. Estimated cost of the kettle would be about $1,000. The council approved the purchase and instructed the department to advertise for bids. Secondly, a new street sweeper for the city was again discussed. It was the recommendation of the board of public works to purchase a new sweeper to replace the 16-year-old one.

Approval was given for the board of public works to draw up the specifications for the machine and advertise for bids. The city plans to rent a street sweeper from Bark River suppliers for $500 a month. To pay for the street sweeper, the council instructed the city clerk, city attorney, and engineer to draw up a description of city owned lots on 4th Avenue North and Main Street and then advertise them for sale. The money from the lots will be used to purchase a new sweeper. Third, the board of public works reported that an extra pump for emergency use was needed.

Paul Johnson, engineering aide, is working on securing a pump from the National Guard for emergency use. The highway committee reported on a pedestrian study on Oak Avenue South. Parents from the Terlingua Heights mobile home court had requested that the board of education and the common council look into the pedestrian and automobile traffic. They claimed the street, without sidewalks, was unsafe for children walking to and from school. Council members instructed the city clerk to write a letter to the county to request a lowering of the speed limit on Oak Avenue South from 35 m.p.h.

to 25 m.p.h. Council members noted that sidewalks could be possible at a later date. There is also the possibility of erecting signs reading Children." Residents of the mobile home park were urged to look into local bus transportation for the children. The administration committee received bids for a lawn mower for the cemetery. Lowest bid was from Mike's Small En- $2,400 a year was accepted.

Ordinance 277 was accepterd and will provide the city with a flood insurance program. By this ordinance, a floodplain and a floodline will be established. Ordinance 278, which deals with street openings, was approved. This ordinance requires a $4 fee for a street opening permit. Those wishing to open a street also will have to post a $3,000 bond stating they will return the street to the original condition to the satisfaction of the board of public works.

Ordinance 279. concerning upgrading and cleaning of city sidewalks, was approved. Janesville in April. The city will pay the registration fees. The final plat for the Gunther Addition was received by the their protest to news media throughout the state.

will leave no stone unturned." Mrs. Nat Doria of Elm council. The plat was referred to Grove said, the plan commission. Women already have equality On a recommendation from under the Constitution's 14th the plan commission, the rezon- Amendment, she said, ing of the Stan West property at person, which in- 1100 Main Street from residenti- eludes women, is adequately al to multiple family dwelling protected," Mrs. Doria said, was denied.

A legal objection work has against rezoning was filed with been completed. abolish the city clerk. it." Mary Dietrich of Milwaukee Divorced Women Deserve Support Groups Claim MADISON, Wis. (AP) Women involved in divorce deserve financial settlements, even if the legislature enacts no-fault divorce, groups argued Tuesday. A bill to provide additional grounds for terminating an broken" marriage would be harmful if traditional financial guarantees are overlooked.

they said. They cited as an example the housewife who might lack the skills with which to make a living on her own. The argument was reviewed before the Assembly Judiciary Committee concerning a bill which would not change divorce statutes, but which would create new grounds for divorce. Rep. Norman Anderson, D-Madison, testified.

The bill is similar to one introduced in the Senate by Sen. -Fred Risser, D-Madison. Anderson said the bill, allowing either spouse to change his or her name at the time of divorce. is an alternative for persons who prefer not to be vindictive. It would satisfy the needs of the divorcing couple when ther spouse wished to get up and testify about the terrible faults of the other person." he said.

But the bill does not provide three things deemed necessary by women's groups, Helen E. Gibson, a member of the governor's Commission on the Status of Women, said. To gain the commission's approval, a bill changing divorce laws should recognize the financial contribution of housewives in property settlements and subsequent payments, she said. It must require full financial disclosure by both divorcing spouses and must provide for stringent support payment collection procedures, Mrs. Gibson said.

The commission is uncomfortable" with the concept of no-fault divorce as currently proposed, she said. Elena Cappella, representing the Wisconsin chapter of the National Organization of Women, called for clear language. conditions which a judge is by present law bound to consider in dividing property are both too vague and too incomplete to guarantee sufficient economic protection for both divorcing parties," she said. Women married for many years stand to lose most in divorce. she said.

such women do not have property of their own. are limited in employment prospects if they have been homemakers for several years, have been socialized to expect and enjoy dependence, are often burdened with the care of young children and lack the training needed for jobs available," she said. She said divorced women should be allowed to maintain the standard of living achieved while married through additional support and possibly vocational training payments. Anderson said the bill would make modest changes in laws, but would allow a degree of rationality in this sort of social breakdown we call divorce." Present law sometimes forces lying under oath in order to meet the grounds requirements, he said. It a farce participated in bv judges, participated in by lawyers and acquiesced to by the public." he said.

said. Mrs. Floss Whelen of Oconomowoc, state League of Women Voters president, said she was puzzled by the opponents, who observers estimated outnumbered the supporters 2-1. She addressed herself to critics who say women's rights legislation could subordinate the individuality of a woman. matter of my femininity is important only to my husband," she said.

Among men and women joining her in support of the appropriation was Madison attorney Eunice Gibson, who said women need special consideration. have every legal problem that men have and more besides." she said. of our problems, we have had to concentrate on the more is illogical on the one hand to argue against equal rights on the grounds that we are special and now argue against funding the only agency that treats women because they are special," Mrs. Whelen pleaded. are special, if only in that we are relegated to second-class she argued.

Some speakers said the commission is simply promoting an equal rights bill sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Miller. D-Madison. Some also complained about pro-abortion laws and use of birth control devices. Virginia Meves of Brookfield, head of the Wisconsin Legislative Research Committee, said the commission appropriation would mean money to a body of women which would destroy men and women Helene Connor of Marshfield, president of Protect our Women, said the commission is pressing for another referendum on a rights amendment to the state Constitution despite the defeat of a similar proposed amendment in a 1973 referendum "I fought for my rights as a black." Jean Collins of Madison said.

I am fighting for my rights as a should men feel threatened when all we are talking about is rights?" she said. Mrs. Frank Falter of West Bend said she spent three months taking over the chores on her husband's farm I was just trying to prove my equality." she said. wall." If there's to be a motel tax, said Woulfe. the motel operators want at least part of the revenue to back to them" through the promotion of more conventions in the city When Alderman Loren Wardwell (9th Dist.) inquired why the motel owners should favor a 3 per cent tax when for perhaps one-third as much they could finance the bureau operations themselves, Woulfe said attempts to fund the bureau with voluntary contributions and with sales of memberships have failed.

And when Ferdinand Sontag (4th Dist.) asked how much business motels derive from conventions. Woulfe placed the percentage at zero for the smaller operations and up to 20 per cent for the larger. Salesmen in winter and tourists in summer account for most room rentals, he said. Alderman Patrick Zielke (19th Dist.) wanted to know if the lack of a room tax wasn't an advantage in selling the city as a convention site. Woulfe replied that without the tax there is no way to finance selling the city as a convention site.

Zielke also noted that other types of business profit from conventions and asked if Woulfe wouldn't favor a city tax on, for instance, restaurant income. Wolfe, while laughing, answered. no." And City Atty. John Flanagan interjected that the city has no authority from the state to tax restaurant sales, only room rentals. The resolution provides that the convention bureau budget will be overseen by a commission containing city and industry representatives.

It also would allow expansion of the commission to include representatives of any adjacent towns that adopt similar legislation. Woulfe told the council that he has been assured that if the city adopts the room tax proposal in the form agreed on, Ramada Inn representatives will petition the Town of Campbell, where that motel is located, to also elect to be included. During the council debate on the measure, an attempt to have it referred for further study was defeated 15 to 5. The land appraisal and soil test resolution applies to about nine acres of land now owned by Max's Auto Wrecking Co. and by Michael Asfoor, each of whom has indicated to the city an interest in selling Several other persons and businesses own property in the tract of nearly 15 acres.

An advocate of acquiring all the land. Alderman Donald Medinger 18th said it would many problems." In addition to making possible elimination of the spur track, he said, it would allow improving the intersection of 3rd, 4th and La Crosse streets so more traffic could be rerouted around the central business district. It would also allow improvement of a slum" area, possibly through the construction on the remainder of the site of a high-rise residence building. The action was fought by Alderman Harold Swanson (20th Dist. i.

who asserted the council would be with money." The area, he said, would be "astronomical to acquire" and would have a small resale value. Alderman Thomas Roellich (12th Dist.) replied that the city has previously in other ways, citing purchase of industrial development land for resale to businesses and the buying of sites for low-income housing projects. The resolution passed 15 to 5 over the objections of Aldermen John Schubert (2nd Sontag. Frank Kaufmann (15th) Swanson and Robert Johnson' (21st). What's In Wisconsin Union To Fight For Bonuses MADISON, Wis.

(AP) Members of a state employes union will not give up their controversial Christmas-time longevity payments without compensation. Tom King, Director of Council 24. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employes said Tuesday. The group has about 15.200 members. King, appearing before the Joint Finance Committee, opposed the proposal that the payments, which totaled more than $2 million last December, be dropped.

The payments range from $50 a year for persons with at least five years of service to $250 a year for persons with more than 25 years of service. Prisoner Is Suing D.A. WAUPUN, Wis. Anthony Scifo, a Waupun state prison inmate, filed a $2 million suit against the Milwaukee County district attorney Tuesday, claiming he not protecting the public from crimes several police officers committed against a young woman at a stag In the suit filed in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee, Scifo asked that Dist.

Atty. E. Michael McCann demand that the police officers involved in the case be sent to Central State Hospital for examination as required for alleged sex offenders. In Minnesota Gasoline Saving Plan Backed MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) More than 105,000 Minnesotans signed petitions supporting a gasoline-eon- servation plan proposed by service station operators' organizations, said Robert Borrett.

executive director of the Minnesota Service Station Association. The signatures were collected by station operators during a 10-day period in February The petitions support a plan under which crude oil would be allocated to refiners at a percentage of the amount they used in 1972. Borrett said gasoline would be allocated to service stations on the same basis. Minimum Pay Raise ST. PAUL.

Minn. (AP) Minnesota's $1.80 per hour minimum wage would be raised to $2.30 in two steps by July 1. 1976, under a bill approved Tuesday by a House committee. The House Labor and Management Relations Committee voted 16-4 to raise the minimum to $2.10 per hour on Jan 1. 1976, and to $2.30 on July 1, 1976..

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