Local News Briefs Monday 8/11/14

Randy Melchert of Menomonee Falls is one of two Republicans you will find on the ballot seeking the State Treasurer’s job in tomorrow’s primary election. He’s an attorney, co-founder of the Waukesha County Taxpayer Association and describes himself as a conservative. He says he believes the state should go after money that’s owed state residents including about $300 million in unclaimed U.S. savings bonds. He says there’s been some recent success by another state in that effort. Melchert says some candidates have been talking about repealing the state income tax and that’s something he would be able to give independent objective information to the public about. He would also like to see the overseeing of the unclaimed property and EdVest programs returned to the Treasurer’s Office. He says the unclaimed property program is lagging way behind since it was handed off to the Department of Revenue. There are also two Democrats, Constitution, Libertarian and Green Party candidates running for the office.

FDL School Board Considers Assistant Principal Hire

The Fond du Lac School Board this afternoon will be asked to approve the hiring of an assistant principal at Woodworth Middle School. Amy Rettler was one of 65 applicants for the position. She was the top candidate following an extensive screening and interview process. Rettler last worked for the Joint 1 Hartford School District where she was a middle school special education teacher. The board will also consider approving four text books for the high school. The board meets at 5 p.m. at the District Administration Center Board Room at 72 W. 9th Street.

Offers Coming In For What’s Next In Congressman Petri’s Life

Congressman Tom Petri says he is getting offers for the next chapter in his life, but can’t act on any of them while he’s still representing the 6th Congressional District. Some have suggested a teaching role to him. He says one of the more interesting suggestions came from former Wisconsin Congressman Mark Green who now heads up the nonprofit group Initiative for Global Development. He says the group works on institution building around the world to help them develop a free democratic society. Petri announced in April that he wouldn’t be seeking another term in Congress after 35 years representing the 6th Congressional District.

Habitat Home Dedication

A dedication ceremony was held this past Saturday for the 25th home Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County has built. The Taylor and Sarah Schanilec family will be moving into the home at 141 Hamilton Street in Fond du Lac once it’s complete in October. Sarah says they like what they so far. Sarah and Taylor put in about 500 hours of labor on the home themselves. Their young children Mason and Lilly will also be living in the home with them. Sarah says she’s putting together furnishing for the home while it’s being completed. One feature in the home is a sprinkler system to put out fires. Taylor says that’s a great safety measure.

                        

FDL Assistant Fire Chief Completes Executive Fire Officer Program

Assistant Fire Chief Todd Janquart has successfully completed the four-year Executive Fire Officer Program at the United States Fire Administration/National Fire Academy. The program is designed to provide senior officers and others in key leadership roles with an understanding of the need to transform fire and emergency service organizations from being reactive to proactive.  Fire Chief Peter O’Leary completed the same program in 2010. He says there’s a lot of work that goes into completing the program. He says Assistant Chief Steve Beer is also going through the program and will complete it next year. He says it says a lot about the caliber of people they have leading the fire department. He says the program gives leadership of the fire department better tools in their tool box for what they have to do every day.