EVB Meeting July 2010

Elmwood Prepares for UFO Days

Submitted by Citizen Journalist Rick A. Talford


Elmwood, WI- The Elmwood Village Board met Monday, July 12th for their monthly meeting, and discussed the upcoming UFO Days celebration coming the last full weekend of July. The Board Lifted the Open Container rules to allow drinking in the streets for the weekend. They also provided Class B Retailers Picnic Licenses for the Community Club, having a Food/Beer Tent in front of the Village Auditorium and also having a Class B License for the Car Show at Butternut Park. Temporary Operators Licenses were also provided for the Community Club for serving the beer. Larry Hofacker was present from the Community Club to speak on the Donation Request for the Fireworks. He explained to the Board that the cost for the fireworks have leveled out this year, after having an eighteen percent increase two years in a row. Village President Bill Stewart then stated that he and the Village Clerk looked into last years amount they donated, and he believed the five hundred dollars they donated would be about the same this year. Bruce Hartung then added that the amount was a budget item already, and made the motion to approve the donation.

In Other News- The Board made another change for the Auditorium Rental Contract, this time the change was made to the Non-Profit Group. Now, anyone that requires the elevator to be turned on, must sign the agreement that was made during last months meeting in regards to any maintenance needed due to abuse of the elevator. Stewart asked when this change was made, and Brian Buck explained they had a Committee meeting just prior to the Board meeting. Brian then gave information on a request by the Enrichment Council to hang a Quilt that was created ten to fifteen years ago with the creation of the council, that has anywhere from two to three hundred names of people within the community in print on it. They would like to get this hung in the Auditorium prior to UFO Days, he added. The Council also have four signs that date back to around the 1920’s that they would also like to be hung in the auditorium after they get framed. These are old local business signs that hung in the community. The Board approved the initial operators licenses for three people, and renewed another operators license for the Longbranch. There were no Committee and Board reports to be heard this month, so the board finished up by approving the bills and adjourning.

After the meeting adjourned a citizen requested to speak to the board, stating he wondered why the Village was not having Verizon Wireless come into the community and placing a antenna on the water tower. This would give the village income for allowing the antenna. Brian Buck and Stewart both responded, by stating that Verizon is on their way out, around the area. Stewart stated the company already came and removed their equipment from the County Sheriff Dept., while Buck stated the company dropped his contract claiming not enough customers in the area. The Citizen then had a complaint about some fireworks being shot off on HWY 72, and Stewart said the County responded to the complaint, due to the Village Officer was not on duty at the time. The Elmwood Officer added “They got spoken to”



NOTE- I also spoke to the Elmwood Officer and requested a copy of the report provided to the board on the Police Dept.’s activities, and he responded by stating they do not do that anymore. He is not the Chief, so he does not make out any reports to the board. I find this a bit troubling. Why is there no reports going to the Board or the Police Committee. The Officer has no protection of his job now, because he cannot prove what he does monthly for his job. I guess, the Village President did not want Elmwood Business to be provided to the Papers, now he has accomplished that. It continues to prove the Board wants information hid. No one is to know about all the Break Ins in the community,(unfortunatly, My Son is accused of being involved with these cases. He has also admitted to being part of them, but he is the only one being charged...No surprise there...) or if there are drunk drivers in the town. The Past is catching up once again in Elmwood. “What happens in Elmwood , Stays in Elmwood”. Citizens have the right to know what the police dept. is doing, and I will be investigating this much more, to find out the Citizens Rights to this information, and the Board Responsibilities in providing the information.

AN added bit of information or rumors if you want to say it that way......It has been said that the Village Board has already started making statements about getting rid of the officer they have, for a list of different reasons....Elmwood's Police Dept. has had many problems in the past years, mostly due to a board that believes they make the rules/laws to follow, whether they are legal or not..with the help of their attorney...This is something I have documented before from officer to officer..The Village may not like the officers speaking to me, but they do once the board crosses the line with them..One can only hope that soon there will be people with more ETHICS on the board to change this normal practice..It is very much needed for the small community....There has been plenty of bad talk about the reputation of the Board, and this has been spoken about at the meetings, and on the streets..