Local News Briefs Wednesday 9/23/15

Officials with Fond du Lac’s Engineering and Traffic Division have advised us that the intersection of Main and 9th Streets will be reopen to traffic late this afternoon. The intersection was closed while a contractor was replacing concrete pavement.

Walker Return To State Politics

State Senator Rick Gudex believes Governor Scott Walker will be able to put his failed bid for the presidency behind him and still accomplish some things for the state during the remainder of his term as governor. The Fond du Lac Republican state lawmaker says Walker’s campaign did draw some of his attention away from some important matters in Wisconsin such as what to do about transportation during the state budget process. Some feel Walker burned a few bridges during his campaign for president, but Gudex believes he can still be an effective leader in the state. He says there are still directions they want to head and that hasn’t changed. Walker took credit for a lot of things during his presidential run, but Gudex says he doesn’t believe Walker embellished on any things the state has managed to accomplish during his two terms as governor.

Chicken Keeping Request Goes Before FDL City Council

Fond du Lac’s Plan Commission is recommending that the City Council not approve a change to a City ordinance that would allow two women to keep 4 to 6 chickens. A similar request in 2012 was denied by the Council. Community Development Director Dyann Benson says nothing has really changes since then especially regarding land use. But she says there are other concerns like the type of animal predators the keeping of chickens might attract. She says chickens can also give off some odor. A public hearing was held during the Plan Commission’s meeting last week on the ordinance change. The women requesting the change also presented two different petitions from people who support their request. The Council meets at 6 p.m. at the City-County Government Center tonight.

Effort To Defund Planned Parenthood Falls Short

Congressman Glenn Grothman recently voted to defund Planned Parenthood. But he says that won’t likely occur until we have another president in office. He says Planned Parenthood is getting a lot of money through the Medicaid program. He says that money could just as easily be made by a more traditional pharmaceutical outlet. He says while the house passed an effort to defund Planned Parenthood there aren’t enough votes in the Senate, which he says doesn’t surprise him given Planned Parenthood’s influence and financial support.

NFDL Village Board Discusses Capital Improvements Plan

The North Fond du Lac Village Board this week discussed their 5-year capital improvements plan. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says they have been in the process of fine-tuning it for several meetings. He says the only thing they moved was an improvement at the Village Library. He says the library is looking at re-carpeting. He says he moved that borrowing out to 2017, which won’t affect 2015-16 borrowing. Meanwhile discussions continue on the possible purchase of a new ladder truck for the fire department, but Hornung says that’s more likely to occur in 2017.

Sheltering Exercise Scheduled

Fond du Lac County Emergency Management will host a “Full Scale” sheltering exercise at the Fond du Lac Health Care Center Friday morning. The Red Cross, County Health Department, Emergency Management and other supporting county and community organizations will be participating in this exercise, which runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m.  The event will be located in Fond du Lac County Health Care Center gymnasium near the north entrance.  September is National Preparedness Month.

Registration Being Accepted For MPTC Pink Pumpkin 5K Run Walk

The founder of Moraine Park Technical College’s Great Pink Pumpkin 5K Run and Walk has a lofty goal for this year’s participation. MPTC Business Management Instructor Jeff Stueber says he came up with the idea for the event in January of last year. He says he’s hoping for 1,000 participants this year. The pink pumpkins they give participants is in honor of Breast Cancer Recovery. Money from the event pays for a four day retreat that women fighting the breast cancer battle can get together with others involved in the same struggle. Last year the 311 participants in the event raised $6,000 for Breast Cancer Recovery. He says that paid for the sponsorship of about 15 women at the retreat.This year’s event will be on Saturday, October 17th at 10 a.m. at the Fond du Lac campus. To register visit  www.greatpinkpumpkinrun.com 
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