Local News Briefs Monday 12/22/14

Governor Scott Walker recently met with the Republican caucus in the state legislature including State Senator Rick Gudex and State Representatives Jeremy Thiesfeldt and Michael Schraa. Gudex says the governor talked about the budget and some other issues that will come up during the next legislative session. The state lawmaker from Fond du Lac says the Governor took some suggestions on ways to save money and make the state a better place. Gudex says he contributed a few thoughts. He says there are some job training needs in the area and they want to make sure there is a strong technical college and educations system. As for the budget Gudex says they won’t see a copy of that until February.

No FDL School Board Meeting Tonight

There is no Fond du Lac School Board tonight, one of the few times in a year when the board doesn’t hold a second meeting during a month. District Superintendent Jim Sebert says board members put a lot of time in reading and preparing for meetings. He says the budget alone is a big time commitment. He says learning about the budget, understanding it and representing the community on it is a lot of work. He says the board deserves to have a little time off to be with family and friends. The school board also has no second meeting during the month of July.

FDL Area Transit Creates Facebook Page

The Fond du Lac Area Transit System has joined the ranks of those participating in social media with the creation of their own Facebook page. Transit Manager Lynn Gilles says they thought it would be a good way for users of their buses to find out things that affect them as users. She says that would include updates on road construction detours, delays, changes in fares and things they get lots of calls about. Current posts to the Fond du Lac Area Transit Facebook page include news on holiday hours and that there will be no increase in fares for 2015.

Marian Teacher Preparation Program Gets National Accreditation

Marian University recently received reaffirmation of its accreditation for its initial and advanced teacher preparation programs under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards. The performance-based accreditation system for teacher preparation ensures that teacher candidates are prepared to make a difference in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade student learning. Marian dean of student education Dr. Sue Stoddart calls it a “highly positive outcome.”

RFPs Sought For Lakeside Park Food Concessionaire

The City of Fond du Lac is soliciting proposals for a new concessionaire in Lakeside Park. The successful food service professional will be able to use the concession area within the Lakeside Park Pavilion, as well as have the option of establishing a satellite site within the Park. The contract is intended to run for 2015 and 2016 and may be renewed on an annual basis thereafter. Complete details are outlined in a Request for Proposals on the home page of the City website. Proposals are due by Friday, January 16th.

Empty Bowls Raised $8,500 For Local Food Pantries

Over $8,500 was raised in support of area food pantries thanks to attendees, donors and sponsors of the 2014 Empty Bowls Fundraiser.  The event, which was held on December 3, 2014 at the Retlaw Plaza Hotel, brought nearly 500 community members together in support of a great cause. Organized by the Leadership Fond du Lac Alumni Group and sponsored by Associated Bank and Consultants Laboratory of Wisconsin, this event brought awareness to hunger in our community and world and it provided an opportunity for the community to come together to raise money for local food pantries and shelters.  This year, five area food pantries benefited from the generosity of the Empty Bowls Fundraiser, with each receiving a check for $1,703.00.  The following food pantries were assisted: Broken Bread, Fondy Food Pantry, Loaves & Fishes, Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul.

THELMA Announces Holiday Hours

The Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts in Fond du Lac will be open today and tomorrow, but will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It will also be open this Friday and Saturday. Next week it will be open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday but will be closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the museum is open. The current exhibit is by a German-based artist who highlights the global work of Michels Corporation.