Racine Post

Girls just wanna have fun: PJ party at HALO

2009-07-05T23:08:00.004-05:00

Six "Glamorous Girlz" from San Juan Diego Middle School presented a “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” pajama party to the mothers and daughters at HALO last week.

The girls were able to host the party after writing and receiving a grant from Youth As Resources through the Racine County United Way. The girls planned six different activities, including a beauty station, cookie decorating, karaoke, quilt making, a night time mask station, and pictures.

Mothers and daughters from the shelter, the transitional housing program and the outreach program attended. The girls purchased new pajamas and a goodie bag with girly treasures for each of the attendees. “Everyone got new pj’s and changed into them right away,” said Deejae Kober, 12, who was one of the grant writers. “We wanted everyone to feel comfortable and just have fun.”

Besides the pictures, the karaoke was the hit of the night as everyone took turns singing. Stephanie Kober, family program manager at HALO said, “It was a great idea to do this with the participants, it gave everyone a chance to relax, and kick back and remember (at least for the moms) what it was like to be a kid.”

The party lasted three hours and included a movie and popcorn. The Glamorous Girlz are Deejae Kober, Luna Font, Minerva Galvan, Elissa Ramos, Jessica O’Connor and Jocelyne Mendoza.

Fireworks light up the harbor

2009-07-04T23:57:00.008-05:00

And a few more pictures, just for fun

2009-07-04T16:43:00.014-05:00

Those spontaneous cheers and applause on TV? Here's the secret...

And, finally, a few random photos from the parade that just didn't seem to fit in any other category.

Abe and George rode Segways, right after the Harleys

A colorful clown from the McMynn Tower

Horlick cheerleader flashes an enhanced smile

Intense Racine Scout in Drum and Bugle Corps

Theresa Peterson, Lil' Irish Leprechaun

A Baby Boomer Biker

'Drop and give me 20!' Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

Central Bark's mascot rode in the parade

From left, Nicholas Rossi, David Hotchkiss, Ernie Rossi, Chelsea Oscarson

and Marie Hotchkiss in their annual family costume competition

The parade in pictures...

2009-07-04T15:57:00.025-05:00

Racine loves a parade, and is rightly known for hosting one on July 4th that is better than most communities. Here are some pictures from today's three-hour extravaganza, mostly in the order of march in which they appeared.

More pictures -- of the kids along the sidelines -- are here.
Pictures of the bubblewrap poppers are here.
Here's the rude reception given Rep. Mason and Sen. Lehman.
And a few more pictures, just for fun

John Dickert and his wife, Teresa, in his first parade as mayor

Miss Racine, Sha-Nita Rhea

American Legion Boys of '76

Tripoli Motor Corps' hair-raising precision

The Academy of Dance

The Lighthouse Brigade

Re/Max Realty brought a fiery hot air balloon demonstration

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 767

O&H Bakery's float made us hungry

SC Johnson's float won the Ken Weill Grand Prize Award

Park H.S. Cheerleaders

Bill Reid's Art Car Assn. entry won the Tex Reynolds Award

Rotary's Dragon Boat reminds us of next weekend's festival

Racine Threat football club had a float...

...and here is the Raiders' mascot in action

Kilties played Auld Lang Syne at the home of a former member,

Mike Meredith, who was killed in 1992

Mostly, parades are for kids...

2009-07-04T15:09:00.013-05:00

Whether they rode in the parade, as the kids above, or just watched from the sidelines, kids had a great time at Racine's July 4th Parade. Here are some of the smiling faces we spotted along the parade route.

And, yes... parade-watching can take it out of you, too. Nap time!

Plane crashes in Lake Michigan just south of Wind Point Lighthouse

2009-07-04T15:00:00.007-05:00

A small airplane went down in Lake Michigan Saturday just south of the Lighthouse about 300 yards East of Shoop Golf Course's parking lot. The accident occured about 1:20 p.m. The pilot was helped off the plane by the Racine County Sheriff Department Boat 1.

The Sheriff later identified the pilot as Christopher D. Stone, 51, of Kenosha. He said he was doing practice landings on Lake Michigan when, on his final landing he believes his port pontoon struck an object in the water, possibly a log, which damaged the pontoon and brought the plane to an instant stop from 70 miles an hour. Stone said he suffered some trauma in the accident, but refused treatment.

When the Sheriff's Water Patrol initially responded to the scene the plane was still under power, operating in a circle, with the left pontoon torn from its mounting brackets on the wing, and the plane listing with that wing in the water. Once the pilot cut the power to the engine, the patrol boat was able to come alongside and take the pilot on board; he was wet from the waist down from water in the plane.

The pilot told deputies that if they could cut the damaged pontoon away from the wing, and attach flotation to it, the plane could be towed to a sand beach. The patrol boat was maneuvered to lift the port wing from the water and an air-filled boat fender was attached to the underside the wing to provide flotation for that side of the plane. The plane was then towed to the beach between North Beach and Zoo Beach and secured.

Photographer Kevin Barz was on the scene and took these dramatic photos of the plane down in the water (top) and the pilot's rescue.

The Sheriff's Department approaches the downed aircraft.

The pilot is pulled safely from the plane.

Dream comes true for bubblewrap poppers

2009-07-04T14:26:00.006-05:00

Doug Wick, the owner of Common Scents in the 300 block of Main Street, filled time before the start of the 4th Fest parade with a giant bubblewrap stomp.

Wick brought a 100-foot long roll of bubblewrap into the middle of Main Street, unrolled it to the song "Wipeout" and invited kids and their parents to pop the bubbles. Dozens of people took him up on the offer. Here's some photos:

Getting ready to unroll the bubblewrap ...

The crowd swarms ...

"Pop, pop, pop!"

Mason, Lehman opponents take to the air

2009-07-04T14:15:00.009-05:00

Opponents of Sen. John Lehman, Rep. Cory Mason and Gov. Jim Doyle took the air Saturday with two signs pulled by airplane over the 4th Fest Parade route.

It wasn't immediately clear who paid for the signs, which read: "Representative Cory Mason is bad for Racine" and "Doyle Lehman & Mason raised your taxes."

Lehman and Mason seemed undeterred by the aerial assault. Both walked the parade and happily waved at the crowd.

Here are some photos ...

Note to sign writers: Using 14 letters on "representative" isn't a good use of space. You could have gone with "Rep" and saved yourself 11 letters to write: "Rep Cory Mason is really super bad for Racine"

Rep. John Lehman and his wife Cathie (center)

Rep. Cory Mason with his wife Rebecca and their daughter Eleanor.

First Friday: A prelude to the Fourth

2009-07-03T21:04:00.013-05:00

First Friday came and went last night, with the usual music, shopping and attractions Downtown -- face-painting clowns... ice cream, beer and hot dogs for sale on Monument Square... free snow cones... horse buggy rides... that sort of thing -- serving as an appetizer to tomorrow's July 4th parade. As usual, it was a great time to wander from store to store, listening to the music, running into friends (and former Mayors Tom Friedel and Jim Smith). Here are a few pictures:

Scott Scheuber of Groove Factor at Monument Square

Jeff Ward played in Crosswalk Park

Racine Unified Summer Show Band led off the evening's music

And then there were horses...

...and very big cookies for the little kids...

...and cars at the Heritage Museum, like this '40 Willys for older kids.

Dover Flag and Map is ready for the Fourth

New Miss Wisconsin Teen will be in parade

2009-07-03T16:00:00.000-05:00

Appearing near the beginning of Racine's July 4th parade is the city's newest "royalty," Racine native Jeanette Morelan, who won the title of Miss Wisconsin Outstanding Teen in Oshkosh just two weeks ago, on June 17.

Jeanette, a student at the Prairie School, is the daughter of Dr. Robert and Helen Morelan. She and other contestants competed in scholastic achievement, talent, interview, fitness, onstage question and formal wear. A vocalist, Jeanette performed “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked for her talent.

The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen program promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America’s teens. Through her platform “The Power of One,” Jeanette hopes to inspire and encourage every person to realize their power: the power to dream, the power to believe in that dream and ultimately the power to act on that dream.”

In addition to winning a $1,000 scholarship, she also received a $200 savings bond for optional categories of Most Photogenic and Best Smile. She will represent Wisconsin at the National Outstanding Teen program in Orlando, FL, in August.

Her ambition is to graduate from Harvard with a degree in political science and government as well as a degree in law. Setting her sights high, she plans to become President of the United States in 2040.

Racine 4th Fest Parade Lineup

2009-07-03T13:04:00.002-05:00

For anyone attending the parade tomorrow, or watching CAR25's live coverage, below is a lineup for the 2009 Racine 4th Fest parade. (Click here to download a printable copy of the lineup to take to the parade.)

Parade Lineup

001. First Team Trooper Color Guard
001a. U.S. Flag, Fourth Fest Flag, and Military Representatives
002. Jim Deibler, Fourth Fest President
003. Honorary Parade Marshals: Police Chief Kurt Wahlen, Fire Chief Steve Hansen, Public Works Commissioner Rick Jones
004. Honorary Grand Marshal Vince Jurkiewicz, Racine County’s last remaining survivor of Pearl Harbor
005. Agerholm-Gross Detachment #346: Iwo Jima float
006. Racine Concert Band
007. Racine Mayor John Dickert
008. Joe Wade, Mr. Fourth Fest 2009
009. Jim Kaplan, 4th District Alderman
009a. David Maack, City Council President and 5th District Alderman
009b. Jeff Coe, 1st District Alderman
009c. Ray DeHahn, 7th District Alderman
009d. Robert Turner, 61st Assembly District Representative
009e. Ron Hart, 14th District Alderman
009f. Sha-nita Rhea, Miss Racine 2009
009g. Jim Ladwig, Racine County Register of Deeds
009h. Cory Mason, 62nd Assembly District Representative
009i. John Lehman, State Senator, 21st Senate District
009j. Jeanette Morelan, 2009 Miss Wisconsin Outstanding Teen
010. Racine Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps
011. Victoria Colonna / Italian Women
012. Theresa Peterson, Lil’ Irish Leprechaun
013. Jolly Giants Stilt Walkers
014. Red Apple Elementary (Part 1)
015. Prospect Heights Community Living Center
016. Boys of ‘76 Color Guard
016a. American Legion Post #310 Boys of ‘76 Float
017. Tripoli Motor Corp.
018. Penguin Players
019. Academy of Dance
020. Wisconsin DeMolay
021. Racine Belle City Lodge #18
022. Job’s Daughters
023. Cheryl McCrary and the Heir-Born Praise Band
024. Racine Area Soccer Association (RASA)
025. O.C.D.
026. Hott Gurlz Drill Team
027. Fifth Street Yacht Club
028. Otto Last, 1923 Ford Model T
029. Knights of Columbus
030. Senior Lighthouse Brigade
030a. RE/MAX Newport Realty
031. Telstar Racing
032. Debbie Hahn Miniature Horses
033. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 767
034. Paws-Up Dog Grooming
035. Home Depot
036. Baby Boomer Bikers
037. Freddie’s Friki Tiki / Chancery Family Pub
039. Wisconsin State Patrol
040. 501st Legion Midwest Garrison / Star Wars Costume Club
041. Milwaukee Alarm Co., Inc.
042. O & H Danish Bakery
043. Papa Murphy’s Pizza
044. SE Wisconsin Council, Boys Scouts of America
045. Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps
046. Donald Dinges
047. Christ Church
048. Racine Youth Sports, with special guest Joe Haban
049. Corvettes for Christ
050. Pier 29 Watersport Rentals
051. Johnson Family of Companies
052. Racine 4th Fest Calliope, featuring Gerald Buck
053. Racine Belles Fast-Pitch Softball
054. Racine Studio of the Performing Arts
055. Navy Club USA Ship #60
056. Racine Soccer Club
058. Gentile Automotive
059. Park High School Cheerleaders
060. Park High School Pom Pon Squad
061. Old Timers Athletic Club
062. Central Bark Doggy Day Care
063. UW-Parkside Alumni Association
064. Junior Lighthouse Brigade
065. St. Catherine’s Alumni Association
066. Carthage College
067. Main Marine & Ski
067a. Main Marine / Doo-Wop Diner / CAR25 / AM1050 WLIP
068. Racine Art Car Association
069. One-Hour Heating and Air Conditioning
070. J&J Motorsports
071. Racine Moose Lodge #437
072. Racine Unified Summer Show Band
074. Racine Rotary West
074a. Racine Rotary West / Pink Paddling Power Dragon Boat Team
075. City of Racine Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services
076. Culver’s
077. Black Belt Karate Studio
078. Racine County ARES
079. First Friends Animal Rescue, Inc.
080. American Professional Driving School
081. Heather Fix, American Co-ed Pageants
082. Big Fish Bash
083. Racine Boy Scout Troop #203 Drum & Bugle Corps
084. McMynn Tower
085. Case High School Athletes
087. Wisconsin Wildcats Sports Organization
088. New Day Drum & Bugle Corps
089. Taylor Anne Stefanski, Dream Girls USA National Spokesmodel
090. Racine Dairy Statesmen
091. Horlick High School Pom Pon Squad
092. Horlick High School Student Government
093. Horlick High School Cheerleaders
094. Racine County 4H
095. Lite Rock 92-One / News-Talk 1400 WRJN
095a. Mark Eickhorst, “Mr. Racine”
096. Gorman Products
098. 40 ET 8 Voiture 210
099. Racine Public Library
101. LaTapatia
102. Alicia Villa Realty
103. Miss Latina Racine Scholarship Corp.
104. Trinity Lutheran Church -- Caledonia
105. Racine Gladiators Youth Football
106. Racine Unified Lighted Schoolhouse Program
107. Celtic Nation Fife & Drum
109. Abundant Life Christian Center Ministries
110. Amvets Post #120
111. Sturtevant Memorial Post 9948 VFW
112. Racine/Kenosha Community Action Center
113. Schmidt Industrial Truck
114. Racine P.H. Shrine Club of Zembo Temple #70
115. Focus on Community
116. Racine Zoo
117. Lutheran Vangaard of Wisconsin Marching Band
118. Racine Lutheran High School
119. Grace Temple Choir
120. 336 Firefighters U.S. Army Reserves
121. Community Church of the Nazarene
122. VFW Post 1391
123. Bethel Church of God
124. Racine Branch NAACP
125. Golden Show Band
126. 2010 Census Complete Count Committee
127. Shadows of Life
128. Racine Threat Football Club
129. International House of Pancakes
130. Caledonia Baseball and Softball
131. Racine Yacht Club Youth Sailors
132. QPS Companies
133. Racine Raiders Football Club
134. U-Bake
135. Girl Scout Troop 5822
136. Trinity Lutheran Church – Racine
137. Racine Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
138. Sons of Norway Lodge 5-183
139. Knight Rider replica
140. Hispanic Business and Professional Association
141. Racine Kilties Drum & Bugle Corps
142. Martin Luther King Drill Team
143. L&B North Driving School
145. Red Apple Elementary School (Part 2)

Property Transfers: Echo Lane home sells for $154,000

2009-07-03T10:48:00.005-05:00

Eighteen properties sold in Racine last week with the largest sale a three-bedroom home at 235 Echo Lane for $154,000, according to the property transfers .

The Echo Lane home, located on the west edge of the city near Ohio Street and Westway Ave., was assessed at $175,000.

The big-seller in the county last week was a Wind Point home, 7 Cederwood Court, for $429,000. The home was owned by JohnsonDiversey President and CEO Ed Lonergan. It was assessed at $342,000.

Download last week's property transfers here.

The above home at 1620 Crossway Road in Burlington sold last week for $330,000. The five bedroom, 2,880-square-foot home was assessed at $470,000.

Doyle's gambit: Gov to meet with legislators next week on KRM

2009-07-03T09:48:00.003-05:00

Word is Gov. Jim Doyle is planning to meet with southeastern Wisconsin legislators next week to talk about regional transit.

No doubt the governor will have to explain vetoing Milwaukee County's sales tax increase to improve its bus system. The veto has Milwaukee County legislators aligned against KRM, which hurts Racine's chances of connecting to Milwaukee and Chicago by train. (Though the bigger benefit is attracting development around a train station in the State Street area, which needs some outside cash to turn things around.)

But it seems KRM may not be dead - just heading back to the beginning. Doyle initially proposed a true regional transit authority to cover Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. Clever legislators - hastened by Sen. John Lehman's stance against a sales tax - decided to split Doyle's RTA into two pieces in hopes of being all things to all people.

Doyle thwarted their plan with his veto pen and now seems ready to take a run at a single regional transit authority. But Lehman stands in the way. Doyle's plan would require some sort of sales tax increase to pay for KRM and buses throughout southeastern Wisconsin. While this is an elegant solution to eroding public transit, it could come at a steep political cost.

Lehman is likely facing a tough challenge from Republican Rep. Robin Vos next year, and a vote in favor of a sales tax increase could hurt his re-electability quotient. But the reality is Lehman's going to have a tough time fighting off Vos even if he does stand up to the governor and torpedo KRM in the process.

This is the best chance Racine has to fix KRM and its bus system, align itself with Milwaukee and Chicago and bring lucrative development to the central city. It's up to Lehman to make this happen. (And here's a thought on how to deal with Vos' opposition: Take out the Caledonia KRM station and add one halfway between Kenosha and Racine, which would be a short bus ride to UW-Parkside. If you're not going to support investing hundreds of millions of dollars in your district, maybe that money has to go somewhere else.)

Racine Community Foundation gives out high school scholarships

2009-07-03T09:24:00.001-05:00

RACINE - The Racine Community Foundation recently gave out $46,050 in scholarships to local high school students. Below is a list of the scholarships and their winners:

Perkins Family Scholarship

One student from each of seven Racine high schools is chosen yearly. This year's recipients are: J.I. Case High School, Amanda Bartel (UW-Green Bay), William Horlick High School, Mary Kotleski (UW-Parkside), Washington Park High School, Heather Schweissinger (University of Minnesota), Walden III High School, Nicole Zach (UW-Parkside), Racine Lutheran High School, Margaret Stevens (Concordia University of Chicago), St. Catherine High School, Madeline Helwig (UW-Oshkosh) and Prairie High School, Jonathan Baird (University of Minnesota).

Bud and Mary Androff Scholarship

Seven Students from Racine area high schools received scholarships from the Bud and Mary Androff Scholarship Fund within the Racine Community Foundation. The students are: Washington Park High School, Katelyn TeVrucht (UW-Whitewater), St. Catherine High School, Maggie O’Brien (Saint Mary’s College), William Horlick High School, Trisha Smithers (UW-Oshkosh), Union Grove Union High School, Mark Osmundsen (Fordham University) and Scott Hetzel (Ripon College), J.I. Case High School, Alyssa Celeste (UW-Eau Claire) and Jean Molinaro (UW- Whitewater). This fund was established in 1996 to provide college scholarships to students showing interest in the study of general education, physical education or the human relations areas.

Alan B. Grossberg Scholarship

Emily Lumley is the 2009 recipient of the Alan B. Grossberg Scholarship. This scholarship was established by Alan Grossberg in 2007. The fund is to benefit a UW-Parkside student in his or her second or third year with a declared major in the one of the hard, traditional sciences. The hard sciences include; biological science, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics.

Karle P. Guth Scholarship

John Maerzke, Waterford Union High School graduating seniors, was named recipient of the Karle P. Guth Scholarship. This fund was established in 1996 to provide scholarships for students attending UW-Madison in pursuit of an undergraduate degree in agri-business, secondary education, history or political science.

Leopold K. Kerschitz Scholarship

Five students from Union Grove Union High School were awarded scholarships from the Leopold K. Kerschitz (Mr. “K”) Scholarship Fund. These students are: Justin Pipol (Milwaukee School of Engineering), Marlyn Fink (UW-Milwaukee), Joseph Raguse (UW-Whitewater), and Kyle Koerber (University of Minnesota), Jordan Lee (UW-Parkside).The Leopold K. Kerschitz (Mr. “K”) Scholarship Fund was established in 1995 to provide college scholarships to those students who show academic potential and to encourage students to obtain further education beyond high school.

Lockwood Scholarships

Eight students received Lockwood Scholarships this year. The Lockwood Scholarship Fund was established in 1983 by Mrs. Florence E. Lockwood and her son, James E. Lockwood Jr. The Lockwood’s were former Racine residents. The Lockwood Fund is designated exclusively to provide scholarships to graduates of Washington Park High School. The 2009 recipients of the Lockwood Scholarships are: Ben Andrews (UW-Madison), Kathrin Walter (UW-Madison), Stephanie Bailey (UW-Parkside), Aaron Gunn (UW-Parkside), Michael Ivey (UW-Parkside), Traci Sorensen (UW-Parkside), Logan Covelli (UW-Whitewater), and Vince Lang (UW-Whitewater).

Shirley Nelson Scholarship

Jean Molinaro was named as the recipient of the Shirley Nelson Scholarship. Jean, a graduating senior from J.I. Case High School, will be attending UW-Whitewater in the fall. This fund was established in 1996 to offer assistance to students who show steady, constant improvement over the course of their high school career.

Onnick Family Scholarship

James Radwill, The REAL School and Daniel Kuzia, William Horlick High School, were named recipients of the Onnink Family Scholarship. James will be attending Milwaukee School Of Engineering and Daniel with be attending UW-Madison. The Onnink Family Scholarship Fund was established within the Foundation in 1994 by Allen and Florence Onnink. This scholarship is awarded to students within the Racine Unified School District having high academic potential. The students are selected by the Racine PTA Scholarship Committee.

Park High Hall of Fame Scholarship

Steven Henning (UW-Madison) and Kimberly Rouze (UW-Madison) have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Park High School Hall of Fame Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 1986 by the former principal of Park High School, James C. Thompson. He initiated this plan to recognize distinguished graduates of Washington Park High School by designating them as members of the Washington Park High School Hall of Fame.

Racine Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Scholarship

Graduating senior Thomas Green from Union Grove Union High School and Elizabeth Phillips from Lutheran High School are the 2009 recipient’s of the Racine Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 1994 by the Racine Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Commission, and is awarded to senior graduates of a Racine County High School who show outstanding academic achievement in history. Thomas will be attending Milwaukee School of Engineering and Elizabeth will be attending UW-Madison in the fall.

Alice Jane Sokol Scholarship

Adam Stachow has been named the recipient of the Alice Jane Sokol Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 2003 and is to benefit a Racine native currently in his or her third or fourth year at UW-Whitewater School of Education. Alice Jane Sokol is a retired Racine Unified Elementary teacher and an alumnus of UW-Whitewater. Through her dedication to education she developed this scholarship fund to benefit other individuals who have the same dedication.

Jeannette F. Sokol Scholarship

Katie Roosa is this years recipient of the Jeannette F. Sokol Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 2003 for Racine natives attending the UW-Milwaukee School of Education. Alice Jane Sokol started this fund to honor her mother, Jeannette F. Sokol, who was a graduate of the Milwaukee School of Education.

John J. Sokol Scholarship

The John J. Sokol scholarship was awarded to Joseph Hordyk, a graduating senior of the Lynde & Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School. This scholarship fund was established in 2003 by Alice Jane Sokol to honor her father, John J. Sokol, who was a member of the very first graduating class of Boys’ Trade and Technical High School now known as the Lynde & Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School in Milwaukee. Hordyk will be attending Milwaukee Area Technical College in the fall.

Martha M. Trautman Memorial Scholarships

The Martha M. Trautman Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Katelyn TeVrucht, a graduating senior from Washington Park High School. This fund was established in 2007 and within the Racine Community Foundation. This fund was developed to provide scholarships for graduating seniors of Racine Unified School District high schools who are pursuing a career in education. The 2009 recipient of this scholarship is Katelyn will be attending U.W. Whitewater in the fall.

The mission of the Racine Community Foundation is to encourage and provide opportunities for charitable giving, to manage and distribute the funds in a responsible manner and to enhance the quality of life for the people of Racine County. The Racine Community Foundation is located at 245 Main Street, Garden Level, Racine, WI 53403

Fourth of July events

2009-07-03T08:12:00.003-05:00

Flags in the 1700 block of Villa St.

The Fourth of July weekend is here! Here's a look at the weekend events to celebrate our nation's 233rd birthday ...

Friday

Sturtevant Fireworks

Village residents rallied this year to save the annual fireworks display. Head down to watch the show and help pay off this year's bills and earn some money for next year's show. The fireworks will be held at Fireman's Park on Charles Street at dusk (around 9:15 p.m.). Admission is free, but there's a $5 parking fee.

Saturday

FourthFest Parade

Racine's July 4 parade is one of the largest in the Midwest -- so big, in fact, that it has two starting times. At 8:15 a.m. Saturday, the "pre-parade" of fire engines and motorcycles starts the fun. At 9 a.m. the parade itself begins, at Goold and Main Streets, heading south on Main to 14th Street and then west to the Golden Rondelle.

Early-risers can reserve their spot along the parade route beginning at 5 a.m. Click here to see the parade lineup and to download a printable copy to bring with to the parade.

Cookie Decorating at the Zoo

Children can decorate a star-shaped sugar cookie provided by O&H Bakery from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. They'll receive a free flag when they enter the zoo. The event is part of the Racine Zoo's Safari Saturdays.

Jam for Uncle Sam

The Racine Chapter of the Harley Owner's Group will present “4th Jam for Uncle Sam" at Festival Park following the parade. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. and the festival runs until 11 p.m. It features three bands, food, a presentation of colors, 50/50 raffle, karaoke stage and premium seating for the fireworks.

Admission is $10; a $20 advance purchase package includes admission, parking and pork plate dinner, and one of the best seats in town to view the Fourth Fest Fireworks. Tickets are available at Racine Harley-Davidson, the Racine Civic Centre Box Office and at Ticketmaster.

Proceeds benefit the Wheaton Franciscan Pediatric Center. Event will occur rain or shine at Festival Hall.

Fireworks

Racine's fireworks on the lakefront (shot off from North Beach) begin at dusk around 9:15 p.m.

Community garden proposed for north side could work - and that's the problem

2009-07-02T22:03:00.004-05:00

Wayne Clingman has a great idea for a large vacant lot on the city's near north side - and that's the problem.

Clingman (known on this site as "colt") wants to turn the site of the former Homeward Bound/Danish old folks home near Julian Thomas Elementary School into a huge community garden. He presented his plan this week to the city's Redevelopment Authority.

Clingman's vision is to divide the 2.3-acre property (click here for a map of the site) into plots and invite neighborhood residents to grow vegetables and flowers in the spaces. It wouldn't cost the city a dollar, he said, and he's already lining up support from group like Growing Power in Milwaukee and County Board Supervisor Jim Kaplan.

But the undoing of Clingman's plan may be its potential for success. The city has already invested $190,000 into the plot to acquire the property and tear down the former Homeward Bound, which was in disrepair. To make that money back, the city created a tax incremental finance district and intends to develop single-family housing on the land. Current plans call for 13 new houses, and the city has been working with an environmentally sensitive builder out of Milwaukee to plot out the property.

While the housing market is weak at the moment, particularly for new homes in high-crime areas, a couple of factors suggest development could occur in the future. First, the economy will come back and get people thinking about buying new homes. Second, Racine's KRM commuter rail station is within blocks of the site. If the train becomes a reality, the vacant lot could become an attractive buy for people looking to ride the train on a regular basis.

Given all of that, the city's biggest concern may be that Clingman's community garden is successful, said John Crimmings, chairman of the RDA. If the gardens take off it'll be harder for the city to sell the land for redevelopment. Opening the land - even if it goes undeveloped for five years - risks "taking away" a community asset when it comes time to build houses on the property.

"The more successful that garden is, the harder it is to sell it (the land)," Crimmings said. "The more successful he (Clingman) is, the worse it is for us."

Despite his concerns, Crimmings left the door open for Clingman to flesh out his proposal and bring back a plan for further consideration.

"I'm not debating at all that this is a wonderful idea," Crimmings told Clingman. "... It's a good thing, we support it, just not on this site."

And while Clingman has good intentions, his idea is underdeveloped. For example, he didn't have a plan for dividing up the plots and giving them out to residents. He also didn't have much to share on whether people actually want a community garden on the site.

RDA member Scott Terry asked Clingman if he'd asked anyone in the neighborhood if they wanted a community garden. Clingman said he planned to survey the neighborhood and find out.

Another problem is Clingman's relative inexperience. While he's had success working on film projects, he didn't have much to offer in terms of experience in running a community garden. Crimmings said that was a concern.

"Ideas are only as good as the people who run them," he said.

My impression from the meeting was Clingman has a good idea that needs to find a home. Community gardens have been successful in Racine and other cities, and there's a particularly strong movement now, with the down economy and a push toward healthy eating, to grow food locally. Clingman himself said part of the impetus for his his plan is that he grew up on a farm and wanted to bring that experience to an urban neighborhood.

Kaplan suggested the site could qualify for state or federal funds as farmland. Money is available to preserve farms, and smaller plots (like those available in cities) now qualify for the money.

But, ultimately, the city needs to make back the $190,000 it spent clearing the Homeward Bound site (which was a dangerous eyesore in the neighborhood) while thinking about its long-term housing plans and needs. There's not many large chunks of property in Racine to develop, so the few the city does have needs to be converted into tax base.

RDA member David Lange suggested a compromise. The city had talked about a "green" development on the land, and perhaps any new housing on the land could include a community garden to help the neighborhood.

More likely Clingman will have to find a new location for his community garden plans.

Meet the Dragon Boat Festival teams...

2009-07-02T21:14:00.012-05:00

Johnson Bank Vikings paddling up the Root River,
with Kenosha West Rotarian Craig Phillips at the helm

The real stars of the Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival are the teams themselves, consisting of 20 paddlers, a drummer to mark the stroke and a helmsman. Besides practicing for the July 10 and 11 competition, some of the teams competing in Racine's Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival have lavished time and work in coming up with original names. This year there are 45 teams (down from 58 last year); here's some background on 24 of them:

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE IS HERE

AngelFish: "A student 'Name the Team' contest was held three years ago, and AngelFish was the winning name of St. Catherine's team. Angel's is our school mascot. We are sponsored this year by a friend of St. Catherine's and we are the two-time defending champions. Our team is comprised of current students, parents, alumni, teachers and friends of SCHS. Our team leader is 2009 alumni Joey Granite and we are happy to see so many of last year's alumni participating." -- Celeste Henken

Arashi: "Arashi (are-a-she) is Japanese for 'storm.' As members of the Racine Dragon Boat Club, we are a self-sponsored, traveling team. In 2009 we are competing in Tampa, Racine, Lake Superior & Oshkosh. We start our season paddling in the pool in January and move to the boats May through October." --Connie McCarty aROARa Team: Gracie, captain/manager for the aROARa team, wrote: "Our team is sponsored by Aurora Health Care. This is our second year competing in the dragon boat race. The team had a great time last year; the excitement of the actual race and being able to work together was great. Our team is made up of mostly employees and a couple of family members. We do have a few new paddlers this year. They are really excited."

Bucky’s Concrete Crew: "Bucky’s Concrete Crew is associated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Concrete Canoe team. The team is comprised of students, alumni, and family members. This being the team’s first year of participation, we hope to gain experience, sportsmanship, and team unity that will aid us in our regional and national competitions throughout the country. The UW-Madison Concrete Canoe team has advanced to the national level for the past 16 years and has come away with five national titles. We hope our knowledge in building and racing a concrete canoe will help us in sinking the competition. We are going to display this year's concrete boat, "Cutting Edge," on the festival grounds." --Julie Chapman

Carnauba Waxers: The team is sponsored by the JMBA (Johnson Mutual Benefit Association), which is part of the recreation organization for SCJohnson. This is the team’s fourth year in the event. We chose the Carnauba Waxers name as a tribute to the Johnson family and their grandfather's expedition in search of Carnauba Wax. The year we became the Carnauba Waxers is the same year the Johnson Family found the original plane the was a part of the expedition. It was a good feeling that year and every year we compete in the event. Everyone on the boat is an employee of SC Johnson.

City Slickers Dragon Boat Team: "The City Slickers Dragon Boat team is made up of City of Racine employees and family members as well as patrons of our sponsor’s tavern, Joey’s on 6th Street. Our sponsor, Joey LeGath , who is also a member of the team, is the owner of four taverns in Racine including, Joey’s on 6th Street, Joey’s on Taylor, Joey’s on Douglas, and his newest establishment, Joey’s on Lathrop. Two other local celebrities on the team are Alderman Jeff Coe and Racine Police Chief Kurt Wahlen. The City Slickers have been participating in the Dragon Boat Races for the past 5 years and our biggest rival is Racine County’s 'Flyin’ Dragons.' --Jennifer Ebben

Cooling Running Dragons: "This is the Modine team name because Modine is in the engine cooling business and since the dragon boat has an 'engine' section in the boat the engine (and the rest of the boat) should be running 'cool.' Some teams from prior years may remember us as the 'Hot Dawgs,' named after a type of commercial heater manufactured by Modine. Modine Mfg. is our sponsor and has been for the four years." --Marty Weishoff

Draggin’ Dragons: "This will be the fifth year for the Draggin’ Dragons. Last year we took 1st place in the Family and Friends category and we came in 12th overall. Our goal has been to be in the top 10 boats overall by our 5th year, so this is an extremely exciting year for us and we are going full out! We are also anticipating the 2010 races as by then we will have a four-generation boat! The team is self-sponsored and made up entirely of our family and circle of friends. Even those who are not in the boat have responsibilities: the children participate in the parade and take turns carrying our dragon, Graunge; some individuals provide childcare; others are in charge of capturing the event in photos and video; and some just come down to cheer for us! Our boat is dedicated to George and Jeanne Grabher. Jeanne never had a chance to see us race but we carry her name on our shirts, so she rides with us in every race!" --Karen Grabher

Draggin’ You Down: "Draggin’ You Down is sponsored by McLane Foodservice – Milwaukee, located west of I-94 in Sturtevant. With 232 employees we service seven states, supplying the industry’s leading quick-service restaurant chains. This is McLane’s second year sponsoring a team. Last year we paddled under McLane Company, this year the name, Draggin’ You Down, was cleverly thought up by our HR manager. We are comprised of ten employees and 13 of our friends and family members. Seven of the 23 paddlers are returning for the second time and we plan on draggin’ our competitors down!: --Grace M. Ekeroma

Dragon Brew: The team consists of MillerCoors employees from the Milwaukee and Chicago offices, and is sponsored by the Asian Employee Affinity Network (AsEAN) at MillerCoors. The team name was chosen to represent the symbolic strength of the dragon and the rich heritage of MillerCoors in the beer industry. Dragon Brew is a new team at the Racine race and we hope to make this one of the traditions of the AsEAN group at MillerCoors. Rowers on the boat include the entire span of the organization from senior executives to summer interns. --Lynnette Le Clair

InSink or Swim and Slippery When Wet: InSinkErator sponsors two dragon boat teams: “InSink or Swim” and “Slippery When Wet.” Both names were picked by team members. The “factory” team (Slippery When Wet) has one less year in the competition than the “office” team (InSink or Swim). Each year, there is great rivalry between the two teams. One year the “office” team won, and the next year the “factory” team won. This year the “office” team is due! Both teams are made up of employees, friends, and family members. May the most “in-sync” team win! --Lorrie Emmons

J. C. Jammers: "Sponsor of this team is J.C. Mufflers and Brakes of Racine, an auto repair business, 'Much More than a muffler shop.' Locally owned and operated for 27 years. This is our third year of racing. All members of this team are competive or they would not be doing it. We come from all types of backgrounds and originally wanted to do this as a company to get everyone working for something fun, and actually shut the shop down for the day, However, no one from the shop felt they were physically fit enough to do this (too bad for them), so our team consists of friends and neighbors. Each year about a third of the people are new. We have friends and family members on this boat; by the time of the race we are all family." --Kristine Carlson

Johnson Bank Vikings: Johnson Bank has been a sponsor of a team since the first race, and it has always been named the Vikings. Our team is made up of employees, spouses and friends. We like the camaraderie of the event. --Tanya

Kenosha West Rowtarians: "We are the Kenosha West Rowtarians and are sponsored by and represent the Kenosha Rotary West, a hard working group of folks who raise monies for local charities. We started out paddling for the festival about five years ago because Kenosha Rotary West wanted to do something nice for the Racine Rotary folks, to build a better community connection and awareness to Rotary kinship. Our paddlers include massage therapists, firemen, sheriffs, hair stylists, a photographer, physical therapists, politicians and business people who love to come together for paddling for fun. We are the Happy Team and we demonstrate being good to each other." --Pam DeGrace

Pale Ale Paddlers: "It's a pirate's life for the Pale Ale Paddlers who have been taking to the high seas as a team for five years. Most of our team belong to the "Belle City Homebrewers and Vintners," our sponsor, and their families. These are people you want to know as they are folks who make their own beer, mead and wine. Also, many of our team members work for the un-official co-sponsor "Seams Unlimited" making fine costumes. It turns out that this is a marriage made in heaven for the self-styled pirates. All other teams: Beware! We take no prisoners."

People Powered Propulsion: "We are People Powered Propulsion sponsored by Twin Disc, Inc., the leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of power transmission equipment. We have participated in the Dragon Boat races since 2004 and have finished 1st in our class every year. Our team is comprised of employees, family members and friends. Our favorite part of the competition is being able to spend time together outside of work and hanging out together between races. We have several members of the original team from 2004 on our team again this year." --Eve Boehme

Pink Paddling Power: "Pink Paddling Power is the only all-woman team in the competition; we are a group of breast cancer survivors sponsored by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-All Saints. Our youngest paddler is in her 40s, our oldest paddler is 60+. Some team members are in treatment now, during the season. This is our 4th year competing in the Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival. We have also competed in Oshkosh and in two Canadian festivals. We will be competing in London, Ontario, in August. Our name indicates not only our survivorship, but also our mission: to enhance friendships while paddling dragon boats. Our logo was designed by a team member; the with pink ribbons wrapping a dragon boat paddle. We are not only a dragon boat team, but also an activity-based support group for breast cancer survivors. We enjoy the competition of the races, but the camaraderie of our team is also important to each of us. We welcome any survivors who might be interested in joining us. Paddles UP!" --Lee Nehmer

Pirates of the Cari-bean Counters: "Pirates of the Cari-bean Counters is a team sponsored by Clifton Gunderson LLP, and comprised of employees, family members and friends. Clifton Gunderson is one of the nation's largest public accounting and consulting firms. As most of the team is accountants, incorporating bean counters into the name was appropriate. This is the third year for the Pirates of the Cari-bean Counters and they were even lucky enough their first year paddling to make it to the finals." --Cortnie Pfarr

Red Hot Rebels: The Red Hot Rebels are representing Racine Horlick High School and the Student Council members. Their sponsor, Frank Sterbin, CPA., is a proud parent of Horlick High School graduates. The Student Council is an active group of students who promote school spirit by organizing Homecoming, the Bonfire, Winter Formal, and Prom. They also sponsor the Horlick High School Holiday Fair in November which was voted the Best Holiday Fair in Racine in 2008. Here they are, The Red Hot Rebels!

Scrubbing Bubbles Paddlers: We chose the name to represent one of the products that S.C. Johnson, our sponsor, produces. This is the 5th year we are participating. The team is made up of employees from our BPT (Business Process and Technology) department. --Mark Mathwig

Smilemakers: The Smilemaker team is sponsored by Racine Dental Group S.C., celebrating 40 years of dental service. This is the team's 2nd year in competition. Smilemakers are comprised of employees, family members and even patients. They come together to make new friends, renew acquaintances, have fun in the sun and paddle like crazy toward the finish line. -- Jenny Quizon

Team RFD: The Team RFD name was picked because it describes who we are: the Racine Fire Department. The “Yoc Strap” is our event sponsor; it is a firefighter drag-rescue device that fits in the back of the firefighter’s turnout gear. In the event of a downed firefighter, this device will assist with dragging that firefighter to safety. This is our fourth year competing. We are a mixture of employees, family and friends. Scott Yocco, who is recently retired from the Racine Fire Department, is the owner and inventor of the “Yoc Strap.” --Angela

UW-Parkside Paddlers: "We tried a funny name and but it was too lengthy and hard to explain so we reverted to something simple. Our sponsor is the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, a proud member of the University of Wisconsin System for 40 years. We have been paddling in the festival since the first year. We are a mixture of employees, students, family, friends and new friends we have met just by talking about dragon boating while doing business." --Dawne Bogardus

Wellness Warriors: Our team is called The Wellness Warriors from Wheaton Franciscan healthcare/ Allsiants. The team, started about six years ago, consists of Cardiac Rehabilitation staff and associates of the hospital, and family and friends. The team is driven off the fun and the challenge of the race and the camaraderie of the event itself. --Moses Stevenson

Check out our new home!

2009-07-02T13:21:00.002-05:00

RacinePost is preparing to move, and we need your help to make it happen.

We've been working on designing a new web home for several months and we're ready to test the new site with the public. We're excited about the changes and feel it'll be a huge step forward for the Post. Here's a few of the upgrades:

* More features and a more efficient organization to streamline our operation and allow us to offer more content while retaining the look of our original site.

* User registration will allow us to manage comments, offer community forums and unveil "community builder" features that will allow readers to connect through RacinePost.

* A sophisticated advertising system that will give our advertisers real-time data on their ad's performance.

* Room for growth. The new site allows RacinePost to evolve from being a "blog" into a professional news site.

Before you visit the new site, it's admittedly it's still in rough shape. We're not regularly updating the content and we have a few more pieces to add before we make the switch. (For example, we need to test our RSS, email and Twitter feeds before changing the site.)

But we're at the point where we need your help. If you have a minute, please visit:

www.racinepost.com/joomla2

and kick the tires on the site. We need to test if the new design is stable and can handle reader traffic. We love all reader feedback, but we're especially interested in things that don't work. So if you come across a problem, please email us at: racinepost@gmail.com

Also, just a note about website redesigns: It's a huge undertaking. Pete and I have cobbled together the current RacinePost using a variety of free websites and basic HTML that are user-friendly and economical, but not advanced enough for where we hope to take the site. The new website is quite advanced, but that's required a huge learning curve for how to operate a piece of software used by newspapers around the world to create their web homes. We're still amateurs, at best, at web programming so please bear with us as we wrestle with computer code.

Lastly, while we're going public with the redesign today, we're a ways away from making the permanent switch. That gives us time to make needed changes to avoid a major disruption in our work. So look around, send us a note and wish us luck as we move on to the next stage in this online news adventure.

Sturtevant rallies to save its fireworks show

2009-07-01T18:38:00.008-05:00

Friday's fireworks

Update: Thousands of people attended Sturtevant's fireworks on Friday night, lining up as far away as Durand Avenue to watch the show. Here are pictures from the dramatic display.

By Heather Asiyanbi

Annual fireworks displays to mark the 4th of July are as American as backyard barbeque. Thanks to a group of enterprising citizens and two village board members, Sturtevant will maintain tradition and light up the sky once again.

Friday's fireworks

Starting at 5 p.m. Friday, everyone is invited to Firemen's Park behind village hall for the festivities. Live music from Just East of You opens the party followed by two, 90-minute sets from Positive Feedback, one each before and after the fireworks. The main event is set to begin at dusk, probably around 9:15, and last from 30 to 40 minutes.

Like other cities and villages across the state, Sturtevant has had to tighten its belt, cutting anything not deemed necessary to the health and safety of village residents. The fireworks fell victim to the trimming, but board members Daryl Lynaugh and Linda Busha, with the support of Village President Steve Jansen and the other trustees, felt the fireworks were too important to not try and save them.

"We need to have an event that brings the community together," Lynaugh said. "Things are depressing enough right now with the economy. We need this because it means something for the quality of life in Sturtevant."

Friday's fireworks

The total cost of the annual fireworks runs approximately $17,000. The committee, made up of Lynaugh, Busha and seven residents, has managed to raise just over $10,000 so far. They are counting on beer and food sales, as well as a $5 per car parking charge, to bring in the balance.

"It's not cheap to put this on every year," committee member Gary Bublitz pointed out. "Residents enjoy it because it's free, but it's not free for the village." People also expect it, he went on to say, and for the most part, were more than willing to give when they were told the fireworks wouldn't happen if people didn't pull together to make it happen.

"We've built our bank based on lots of smaller donations instead of bigger blocks of money from just a few people," Bublitz confirmed.

Friday's fireworks

According to Jansen, the village has been looking for ways to take the fireworks off the budget for a number of years while the board struggles every year to keep taxes at a minimum and service levels high.

"I'm really proud of this citizen group," Jansen said. "They've really worked hard to pull people together to make sure we still have a great community event to attend."

Friday's fireworks

Busha agreed. "It's important to keep things like this in our community. It brings people together for a good time and helps forge connections so neighbors can get to know one another and help out when and if times get hard."

The 2010 budget is already shaping up to be even more lean, Jansen added, and residents should expect to come together in the same way next year if they want fireworks.

"The Sturtevant fireworks are a long-time tradition," Busha noted. "Even in hard times, it needs to happen. People can come out and have a good time for no or low cost."

Friday's fireworks

Surprisingly, committee members say they didn't run across anyone who didn't care if the fireworks stay or go and the money raised backs up their claim.

"There are more people who don't want to see the village fireworks disappear than who don't care either way," Busha said. "We're hoping this new way of funding the 4th of July celebration can become a tradition with the same kind of the support the fireworks have always enjoyed."

Friday will also be declared Hank Johnson Day. Johnson was a lifelong village resident with a deep commitment to his community. Father of current board member John Johnson, Hank attended nearly every village board and committee meeting, served as a volunteer firefighter and helped organize youth activities over the years. Jansen will present a plaque to the family and a tree has been planted at Firemen's Park in Hank's memory.

If you go: Friday, 5 p.m. at Firemen's Park, 2801 89th Street, Sturtevant; (262) 886-7200. $5 per car parking; admission is free.

Heather Asiyanbi is a veteran journalist who covers Sturtevant, Mount Pleasant and Caledonia for RacinePost. Have a story idea? Contact Heather at: asiyanbi@wi.rr.com

Friday's fireworks

Sewer plant adjustments save the city millions

2009-07-01T07:47:00.002-05:00

Some nifty engineering work may have saved the city $10 million in upgrades to its sewer plant, according to Racine wastewater officials.

The state determined in 2008 that Racine's sewer plant was non-compliant in the treatment of ammonia. Ammonia levels are monitored and regulated by the state because high levels of ammonia can harm the environment and harm people (the Australian government ranked ammonia 45th out of 90 harmful pollutants).

In 2008, the state required the Racine utility to reduce its ammonia levels or risk further sanctions that could force the utility to install expensive equipment. Rick Pace, superintendent of the Racine Wastewater Utility, reported Tuesday that his staff had found a way to reduce ammonia levels by making relatively minor adjustments - what Pace called " process control" - to the sewer plant.

As a result, the city likely will avoid needing to spend between $500,000 and $10 million on new equipment, Pace said.

Tom Bunker, former head of the Racine water and wastewater utility, thanked Pace and his staff for their efforts. Pointing to a single sheet of paper reporting the declining ammonia levels, Bunker said their efforts saved the city millions of dollars.

"I applaud them," he said.

Lake Michigan dumping

The city of Racine has spent millions of dollars improving its sewer system in recent years to reduce, even eliminate, the need to bypass effluent into Lake Michigan. While mostly successful, the system couldn't handle the massive rain that hit the city - particularly the southside - around June 19.

Six inches of rain fell on the city in a short period of time, overwhelming the sewer system and forcing bypasses into the lake. (In other words, so much rain fell the utility's holding tanks ran out of capacity and had to release water into the lake or risk damaging the utility's equipment.) In all, the city had to dump 322,723 gallons of untreated effluent into Lake Michigan - a number that's not as bad as it sounds four a couple of reasons:

1. The massive rain in a short amount of time means a majority of the bypassed effluent was rainwater, which dilutes any effluent that had to be dumped.

2. A few years ago it would have been much, much worse. The utility doubled its capacity in 2005 thanks to the "sewer agreement" between communities east of I-94. That allowed the plant to handle more stormwater and avoid dumping millions of gallons into Lake Michigan. During the same storm, Milwaukee dumped nearly 1 billion gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater into the lake.

Racine area officials aren't resting on their improved system. Water and wastewater utility head Keith Haas said a committee is working on a plan to eliminate all dumping in the lake - even in massive storms - by 2035. The initial price tag seems to be around $210 million, he said.

It's also worth noting that sewage backups into homes are also being addressed. Eighteen homes experienced backups during the June storm, which is a small number compared to about 1,000 in Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie during the same storm, but still more than the utility wants.

Utility officials said Tuesday they are studying pieces of the wastewater system - much of which is owned by the city of Racine, not the utility - to eliminate backups in specific areas like along Illinois Street in Racine and Danbury Lane in Mount Pleasant.

Audit

An auditor from Clifton Gunderson reported an audit of Racine's water and wastewater utility Tuesday night. He gave the utility the highest rating possible for how it was managing its finances.

State Report

Racine's wastewater utility passed a state inspection with a 3.63 GPA, according to a report discussed Tuesday. The one blemish on a report card that was otherwise straight-A's was an "F" for the city's "Collection System." But Pace said the grade had more to do with the weather than the system itself. He noted in 2005 the city received an "A" for its system. Last year heavy rains flooded the Root River and caused problems for the wastewater utility, which likely led to the failing grade. Recommendations from the state to increase the score are underway, Pace said.

Open Cell Technology

The utility is applying for about $250,000 in stimulus money to pay for a piece of equipment that will help break down effluent and save the city money.

Haas said the utility is looking into buying an open cell structure that zaps wastewater as it enters the sewer plant and ruptures its tough cell walls, which breaks the waste into smaller pieces and allows it to be further digested.

If enacted, it would reduce the amount of waste that needs to be trucked away from Racine's sewer plant and increase the amount of methane gas produced to run generators and heating systems in the plant. Haas estimated the $1.5 million piece of equipment would save $300,000 per year, essentially paying for itself in five years. And, the equipment would run for far longer than five years, he said.

The downside is the upfront cost, which has to be split by all communities east of I-94. Receiving stimulus money would be a big help in convincing the communities to support the new technology, Haas said.

The utility won't know if it will receive any stimulus money for several weeks, he said.

Household Hazardous Waste collection

The Racine Wastewater utility held its household hazardous waste collection on June 20. A total of 387 people brought hazardous materials for safe disposal. Here's a breakdown of where they came from:

Racine - 126
Mount Pleasant - 142
Caledonia - 112
Sturtevant - 5
Elmwood Park - 2

The utility is also close to adding North Bay to the program. The City Council needs to approve an agreement that will add the village's 97 homes next year. It will cost village residents $3 on their sewer bills, though they get half off in the first year.

Once North Bay is added, Wind Point will be the only community east of Interstate 94 not included in the program. Haas said negotiations are underway to include Wind Point in 2010.

Police honor citizens for heroic acts

2009-06-30T21:47:00.007-05:00

The Racine Police Department gave out five awards Tuesday to citizens who took dramatic action to help protect the community. The winners met with the Police and Fire Commission, including Police Chief Kurt Wahlen, and received plaques to honor their actions. Here's the winners and their deeds:

Robert Flores and Ruben Martinez

On March 9, 2008, Robert Flores and Ruben Martinez, employees of Racine Public Safety Security Company, were working security at International House of Pancakes. While conducting crowd control, they heard a single gunshot in the parking lot. Both guards immediately responded to the parking lot and observed the suspect standing in the parking lot, holding a handgun. Both reacted, appropriately, by drawing their own duty weapons and ordering the suspect to drop his weapon. The suspect threw the handgun and fled on foot. Without hesitation or thought for their own safety, they pursued the suspect and captured him after a brief struggle. Mr. Flores and Mr. Martinez then detained the suspect until officers arrived.

This incident occurred during bar time, when the restaurant was crowded, which added to the confusion and danger of the situation. Mr. Flores and Mr. Martinez confronted and disarmed a dangerous person. Their courageous actions, culminating in the suspect’s capture, prevented any additional gunfire or injuries.

Both Flores and Martinez said the man with the gun came with the intention of shooting someone. They said by intervening they prevented further violence.

"It happened so fast we didn't consider our safety," Flores said.

Fausto Esquivel

On April 26, 2008, at approximately 12:43 a.m., Officer Freidel and Officer Boeck responded to a civil trouble at 1661 Douglas Ave. Upon their arrival, a nearly-full-term pregnant woman tried to explain, in Spanish, the multiple problems she was having with her husband and his mother. This call was complicated and involved many people in several different locations. The officers were experiencing difficulty getting to the root of the problems because of the language barrier.

Fausto Esquivel, 15, volunteered to translate. Fausto translated many conversations for the officers and did so in a rapid, professional manner. He translated for over 30 minutes and did everything that was asked of him.

Fausto is recognized for his helpfulness and maturity, notable for someone his age. Without his help, the officers would have been unable to help the family, because there were no Spanish-speaking officers on duty, that night.

Josiah Williams

Mr. Josiah Williams is currently serving the Racine Explorer Post 286 in the capacity of an Associate Advisor and has done so since June of 2004. As an adult leader and former Explorer, Mr. Williams represents a wealth of knowledge and is a living history of Post 286. As a youth Explorer, Mr. Williams joined Post 286 in 1996 and has held every youth leadership position available in the Post. At age 21, all youth are forced out of the program, but Mr. Williams stayed on as an adult leader.

Mr. Williams is a capable young man, on whom we have come to rely, for not only running Explorer Post meetings and providing a history of past activities and dealings of Post 286, but for being the anchor by which Post 286 is grounded. Mr. Williams is an invaluable member of the Post 286 leadership team as he possesses a special connection with the youth that not only challenges them, but with his friendship and candor, also keeps them honest.

Mr. Williams is commended for his continued dedication and service to the Racine Police Explorer Post 286, the Racine Police Department, and the City of Racine.

Jared Smerchek

On May 13, 2008, Jared Smerchek, Alexander Lopez, and Mark Lopez were in the drive-thru of the Burger King restaurant, at 5400 Durand Ave., when they witnessed an armed robbery in progress. They observed one of the offenders holding a gun to the head of a female employee of Burger King. Realizing what was happening, Mr. Smerchek and the Lopez brothers waited and, then, observed the offenders enter a waiting vehicle.

Jared and Alexander decided to follow the offenders and contacted the police, via cellular phone, to report the robbery, as well as a description of the get-away vehicle. Mr. Smerchek continued to follow the vehicle and provided officers with its direction and location, until Racine Police Department officers were able to locate and stop the vehicle. William Walrup, Jaschiro Willis, and Michael Lewis were taken into custody as suspects in the robbery. All the money taken in the robbery and several items of evidentiary value were also recovered from the vehicle. During interviews of the suspects, it was learned that Julian Rutherford, a Burger King employee, was also involved in the planning and execution of the robbery. He was charged on May 14, 2008.

Jared Smerchek, Alexander Lopez and Mark Lopez are recognized for their courageous actions as private citizens, when they placed themselves in peril to follow the offenders in an armed robbery until officers were able to apprehend the offenders. Due to their quick thinking, the arrests of all the offenders were completed within hours of the robbery.

After seeing the gun to the head of the female employee, Smerchek said he and his friends didn't question the need to follow the suspects. They received high praise from the police chief and Police and Fire Commission Chairman Charles Johnson.

"The system really works better when citizens are involved," Johnson said.

Wahlen added: "The system doesn't work at all without citizens getting involved."

Andrew Kothe

On Aug. 30, 2008, Andrew Kothe was working at Erickson Ambulance Company, when he witnessed a person who had been shot, at 9th Street and S. Memorial Drive. Mr. Kothe called police and then entered a large crowd of people surrounding the victim, to administer CPR. The victim was later transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. Mr. Kothe remained at the scene and provided information to the investigating officers.

Mr. Kothe did not hesitate to render emergency assistance to another person, even at a fresh crime scene having a large crowd in the area. Mr. Kothe is recognized for his willingness to act and come to the aid of a fellow citizen and the police.

After receiving his award, Kothe said he was doing his job.

"If I didn't want to do it, I wouldn't be in the business," he said, adding any EMT or paramedic would have done the same. "Any of us would have done what we did that night."

Johnson responded: "But you actually did it."

William Thompson

On June 17, 2008, at 1:26 a.m., Officer Boeck responded to 1017 Birch Street for a welfare check. Upon his arrival, he learned that a five-year-old female had wandered out of her home after her older sister, supposedly babysitting, left the home. William Thompson noticed the young girl, outside, without adult supervision. Mr. Thompson thought it very unusual, so he stayed with the child and called the police.

Mr. Thompson was aware of the many things that could go wrong for an unsupervised child, in the early hours of the morning, and made sure “Nioka” would be safe. Mr. Thompson is commended for taking the time to do the right thing and protecting the child.

Racine native fights discrimination in Georgia

2009-06-30T15:20:00.006-05:00

The Civil Rights Act may have been passed in 1964 (Thank you, JFK and LBJ!), but racial discrimination is still a fact of life in America.

A skirmish to end yet another bastion of segregation is going on right now in Atlanta, GA -- led by a Racine native, Michael Bjelajac (pronounced "Bee Logic.") Born and raised in Racine -- his father, Atty. John Bjelajac, still lives here -- the younger Bjelajac is a police officer for the city of Atlanta.

It is in his role as the head of an Atlanta Masonic Chapter that Michael Bjelajac is fighting racism. His Gate City Lodge No. 2 chapter, with roots going back to the 1880s, just did the unthinkable (for Georgia): it admitted a black person into its membership, the first time that has happened in the history of the state.

And all hell broke loose: the Grand Lodge of Georgia Free and Accepted Masons wants to dissolve the 190-member chapter and expel Bjelajac from membership; he in turn has gone to court to prevent that from happening.

You can read all about in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. And the Associated Press.

Michael's father tells us: "Michael`s mother (Carrie Payne, of Mount Pleasant) and I are very proud of him."

Going Out: Joey's on Lathrop gives classic tavern a modern look

2009-06-30T11:06:00.018-05:00

The interior of Joey's on Lathrop.

Joey LeGath prides himself on owning working-class bars with few frills.

"They're shot-and-a-beer places," LeGath said.

But as his newest bar Joey's on Lathrop shows, a traditional Racine bar doesn't mean a dive. LeGath invested $100,000 into his bar at 2054 Lathrop Ave. (across from Buckets) to create a sleek interior, refined bathrooms and a promising outdoor patio area. He even spent $10,000 on a European-style front window to create an open-air feel during the summer months.

LeGath's wife, Anna LeGath, designed the interior and bathrooms and Realistic Builders, of Racine, did the work.

The open front window.

The investment is paying off. LeGath said the first night at Joey's on Lathrop was his best night ever and crowds have been strong ever since. He described the bar's customers as a "nice, diverse crowd that's well behaved." They're also not looking to order anything too exotic.

LeGath laughed recalling a story from when a designer asked him where he wanted a blender station behind the bar at Joey's on Lathrop. The bar doesn't serve any kind of blended drinks, so if you're looking for an ice cream drink you'll want to try another bar.

"A margarita on the rocks is probably our most expensive drink," LeGath said.

With the smoking ban coming next year, LeGath built an outdoor patio that extends the bar behind the building. (If you do visit, park in the lot behind the bar.) He's working out a few details, but eventually the patio will have seating for smokers or simply people looking to sit outside on a nice night.

LeGath opened Joey's on Lathrop in November 2008 partly due to nostalgia. He remembered his parents taking him there when it was Mully's American Bar and the bartenders wore ties to work. (Mully's opened on Lathrop in 1957 after moving from Main St.)

"I remember it fondly," LeGath said. "I like buying bars that have been in the community a long time."

The patio behind Joey's on Lathrop.

LeGath's background in bars started working for his father, Art LeGath, a retired Milwaukee police officer who owned several restaurants in Racine including George Webb's, Mary's Restaurant on Taylor and the Hitching Post restaurant with a donut shop inside.

Joey's on Lathrop is LeGath's fourth bar in the Racine area. His first was Joey's on Taylor, which he took over from his father. LeGath is planning the bar's 25th anniversary this August with a block party on Meachem Street.

He then bought Joey's on Douglas, which will be open six years in October, and then Joey's on Sixth, which is going on four years.

All four bars share LeGath's basic belief in creating a place for people to relax and have a few drinks.

"We have some of the best prices in town," LeGath said. "We're serving a working-class crowd."

Details: Joey's on Lathrop

Owner: Joey LeGath
Address: 2054 Lathrop Ave., Racine
Opened: November 2008
Entertainment: Pool, darts, video slots, jukebox, flat-screen TVs, plans for live music
Food: Frozen pizzas (Buckets Pub across the street)
Specials: Happy Hour every day from 3-7 p.m. with $2 domestic beers and rail drinks

The Final Word: What the governor did to KRM...

2009-06-30T10:54:00.005-05:00

This memo, from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, is helpful in understanding what was included in the budget re: SERTA and what the Governor's vetoes did to the KRM and BUS legislation originally contained in the Legislature's budget:

June 29, 2009
TO: Senator Robert Wirch
Room 316 South, State Capitol
FROM: Fred Ammerman, Program Supervisor
SUBJECT: Regional Transit Authorities in Southeastern Wisconsin

At your request, I am providing information on how the Governor's partial vetoes of Enrolled AB 75 affected provisions related to the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority, the Milwaukee Transit Authority, and Milwaukee County's ability to levy additional sales and use taxes.

Southeastern Regional Transit Authority

As affected by the Governor's partial vetoes, Act 28 would do the following relative to the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority:

Create a Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SERTA), a public body corporate and politic, comprised of Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee counties. Specify that the jurisdictional area of the Authority would be the territorial boundaries of the member counties. Specify that the powers of the Authority would be limited to those necessary and convenient for the creation, construction, and management of a KRM commuter rail line, defined as a commuter rail transit system connecting the cities of Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee. In addition, specify that the powers of SERTA would be vested in a board of directors consisting of the following members:

a. two members from Milwaukee County appointed by the Milwaukee County board chair;
b. two members from the City of Milwaukee appointed by the mayor of the City of Milwaukee;
c. one member from Racine County appointed by the Racine County board chair;
d. one member from the City of Racine appointed by the mayor of the City of Racine;
e. one member from Kenosha County appointed by the Kenosha County board chair;
f. one member from the City of Kenosha appointed by the mayor of the City of Kenosha; and
g. one member, who must reside within the Authority's jurisdictional area, appointed by the Governor.

Specify that a majority of the board's full authorized membership would constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the authority's business and exercising its powers and that any action may be taken by the board upon a vote of a majority of the directors present and voting, unless the bylaws of SERTA require a larger number.

Provide the SERTA board the authority to impose up to an $18 per transaction vehicle rental fee in the jurisdictional area of the Authority (the existing Southeastern Wisconsin RTA would no longer have authority to impose the current law $2 fee after the effective date of the budget act). Allow for revenues equivalent to up to $2 of the vehicle rental fee to be used for SERTA administration. Specify that the remaining revenues from the vehicle rental fee could be used for costs related to the KRM commuter rail project, including the planning, engineering, construction, maintenance, and operation of the project. Allow the board to provide for the annual indexing of the vehicle rental fee by the average, annual change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (the CPI-U) for the twelve months ending on September 30 in the year before the adjustment. Specify that any indexed rate would be rounded to the next highest quarter-dollar amount. Specify that the SERTA board would have to notify DOR of any indexed fee adjustment at least 90 days before it becomes effective and that DOR would have to publish the adjusted fee at least 30 days before it becomes effective.

Provide the SERTA board the authority to issue up to $50 million in bonds, excluding refunding bonds, for the anticipated local funding share required for initiating KRM commuter rail link service. Specify that bonds would mean any bonds, interim certificates, notes, debentures, or other obligations of the Authority.

Specify the following relative to the bonds issued by the SERTA board: (a) the board could secure the bonds by a pledge of any income or revenues from any operations, rent, aids, grants, subsidies, contributions, or other source of funds; (b) neither the governing body of the board nor any person executing the bonds would be personally liable on the bonds by reason of the issuance of the bonds; (c) the bonds would not be debt of the counties within the Authority and neither the counties nor the state would be liable for the payment of the bonds; (d) the bonds would only be payable out of funds or properties of the Authority; and (e) the restrictions under (c) and (d) would have to be stated on the face of the bonds.

In addition, specify the following relative to the Authority's bonds, including refunding bonds: (a) the bonds would have to be authorized by resolution of the SERTA board; (b) the bonds could be issued under a resolution or under a trust indenture or other security instrument; (c) the bonds could be issued in one or more series and could be in the form of coupon bonds or registered bonds; (d) the bonds would have to bear the dates, mature at the times, bear interest at the rates, be in the denominations, have the rank or priority, be executed in the manner, be payable in the medium of payment and at the places, and be subject to the terms of redemption, with or without premium, as the resolution, trust indenture, or other security instrument provides; (e) the bonds would be issued for an essential public and governmental purpose and would be public instrumentalities and, together with interest and income, would be exempt from taxes (specific exemptions for interest income would be created from the state's individual and corporate income and insurance company taxes); (f) the bonds could be sold by the Authority at public or private sales at the price or prices determined by the SERTA board; and (g) if any member of the SERTA board whose signature appears on the bonds ceases to be member of the SERTA board before the bonds are delivered, the signature would remain valid.

Provide the SERTA board the authority to issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying any of its bonds at or prior to the maturity or upon acceleration or redemption. Specify that the SERTA board may issue refunding bonds at such time prior to the maturity or redemption of the refunded bonds as the Authority deems to be in the public interest.

Provide that the refunding bonds may be issued in sufficient amounts to pay or provide the following: (a) the principal of the refunded bonds together with any redemption premium on the bonds and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of payment of the bonds; (b) the expenses to issue refunding bonds; (c) the expenses of redeeming the bonds being refunded; and (d) such reserves for debt service or other capital or current expenses from the proceeds of the refunding bonds as may be required by the resolution or under a trust indenture or other security instrument.

Provide that the balance of funds from the existing Southeastern Wisconsin RTA would be transferred to SERTA, no later than the first day of the third month beginning after the budget act's general effective date, to assist in the planning of the KRM commuter rail project.

Specify that SERTA is the only entity in Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Racine counties that could apply to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for federal new starts funding for a Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail project. Require that no later than one year after the general effective date of the budget act the Authority would have to submit an application to the Federal Transit Administration to enter the preliminary engineering phase of the federal new starts grant program for the KRM commuter rail line.

Specify that the operator of any transit system in Kenosha or Racine counties that is eligible to receive state mass transit operating assistance must provide copies of all their annual and long-term transit plans to SERTA as they become available.

Specify that SERTA would be an eligible applicant for the southeastern Wisconsin transit capital assistance program that would be created under the budget act.

Provisions Vetoed by the Governor

As passed by the Legislature, Enrolled AB 75 would have created the following additional provisions related to the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority. These provisions were all deleted by the Governor's partial vetoes:

1. Specify that revenues equal to the amount derived from $1 of the vehicle rental fee would be provided both to the City of Kenosha and the City of Racine for their respective transit systems if each city generates new funds to match the vehicle rental tax revenues. Specify that SERTA would only be allowed to provide Kenosha and Racine revenues from the vehicle rental fee if the cities have demonstrated that they have established a new funding source to produce matching funds for those revenues.

2. Specify that no municipality within Kenosha or Racine counties, other than the cities of Kenosha and Racine, would be allowed to have a stop on the KRM commuter rail line unless the municipality provides a sustainable funding mechanism to contribute to the existing Kenosha or Racine transit systems.

3. Specify that any transit system in Kenosha or Racine counties that is eligible to receive state mass transit operating assistance could, by a vote of the municipal governing body, contract with SERTA to provide transit services.

4. Require that the KRM commuter rail project include stops in the City of Milwaukee at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Bay Street and at the point where the line intersects National Avenue.

Milwaukee Transit Authority and Milwaukee County Sales and Use Taxes

As passed by the Legislature, Enrolled AB 75 would have created a Milwaukee Transit Authority, which would have been coterminous with the boundaries of Milwaukee County. The Authority could have contracted with Milwaukee County to provide transit services in Milwaukee County. If such a contract had been executed, Milwaukee County would have been allowed to impose 0.5% sales and use taxes. The County would have been required to turn the proceeds from these taxes over to the Milwaukee Transit Authority and would have been prohibited from levying any property taxes for transit purposes. Further, if the county imposed the 0.5% taxes, the County would have been allowed to impose additional 0.15% sales and use taxes to be distributed to municipalities in Milwaukee County for police, fire, and emergency medical services.

The Governor's partial vetoes deleted all of these provisions in their entirety. Therefore, under the budget act, there is no Milwaukee Transit Authority and Milwaukee County does not have the ability to levy any additional sales and use taxes.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me.

Flags unite 1700 block of Villa Street

2009-06-30T10:27:00.003-05:00

Flags along the 1700 block of Villa St.

Neighbors in the 1700 block of Villa Street got into the holiday spirit last weekend by hanging flags outside of their homes. A walk down the street on the city's near south side gives way to a lovely row of American flags prominently displayed on homes. They're just in time for this weekend's Fourth of July festivities.

The neighborhood activity was sponsored by State Farm and Neighborhood Housing Services. NHS has helped organize neighbors on the block into a block watch group, which hosts activities to foster relationships among the residents.

The Block Captain James Oates and neighbor Sylvia Rodriguez distributed flyers along the block inviting neighbors to participate with State Farm and NHS. State Farm agent, Michelle Christiansen, invited agents to help hang flags. Oates invited participants and neighbors to a cookout at his home afterward.

The event fits NHS's goal of renewing pride, restoring confidence and promoting reinvestment in the neighborhood.

A resident trims shrubs outside of his home in the 1700 block of Villa St.

More flags along the street.