About the Creator
Occupation: Student
Where: University of Wiscosin-Eau Claire
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Minor: History
Age:19
Experience: Reporter for the Altoona Star Newsaper, freelance writer for the UWEC student newspaper, The Spectator, and a Member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Bush's State of the Union Address
In his final State of the Union address Monday, President George W. Bush asked the country to abstain from worries about a possible recession and stay focused on the war in Iraq.
In attempting to calm citizens regarding money issues he promised to reduce taxes and issue government rebates to stimulate the economy.
With that aside, he guaranteed that the United States will stay on the offense to deliver justice to enemy terrorists.
“One of the first steps we can take together is to add to the ranks of our military…so that the American Armed Forces are ready for all the challenges ahead,” Bush said.
He then asked Congress to increase the size of the active Army and Marine Core by 92,000 in the next five years.
All Contents By: Ashley Bobka
Rod and Gun Park Receives Facelife
In a unanimous vote from the Eau Claire City Council today, Rod and Gun Park will receive some touchups, but not a complete makeover.
At Monday night’s City Council meeting Eau Claire residents favored improving Rod and Gun Park to meet Americans with Disabilities Act Standards, but opposed a complete overhaul of its facilities.
Recreation and Forestry Director, Paul Fieber, presented a detailed summary of the purposed park renovation. In addition to ADA upgrades the master plan called for the rebuilding of ponds to sustain wildlife, the relocation of numerous park activities, and moving and restoring pavilions and picnic locations.
Although the council members approved the plan they made a few alterations. The park will keep its current wishbone path, its current water fountain location, but be made ADA compatible, and eliminate the wetland outlook.
“We won’t get as much money from the DNR if we don’t restore some wetlands,” Fieber, said.
Now that the City Council has approved the park plan that is estimated to cost $2 million and take at least ten years to complete the city can apply for grants.
Fieber said that to do everything they have outlined is going to take many years, but it definitely would improve the park.
On the other hand, some are still in opposition to the proposal.
“Some changes are needed, but we have got to limit how far we go with this,” Eau Claire resident, Penny Von Haden, said.
A number of those that have fought the proposal suggest that the park does not need to be rebuilt, but restored.
Some of their concerns include overuse of the park, moving the main pavilion, and the issue of the wetland outlook that could be raise again.
Last week the Waterways and Parks Commission approved the project; however, there is still the issue of limited funding.
City officials have $250,000 saved for the changes, enough at least to make them eligible to apply for grants from the Department of Natural Resources.
Fieber spoke about his monetary concerns, yet suggested some options for collecting money such as fundraising.
Despite the fact that the plan has been approved, all park improvements and additions will need to be approved annually by the Waterways and Parks Commission and the Eau Claire City Council.
The council has spoken, but some citizens aren't ready to give up just yet.
"I'll attend the meetings as they come through, I might even help to initiate the discussion about having a meeting...maybe a follow-up meeting with the city," (For audio version click here) Eau Claire resident, Doug Reace, said.
Former Waterways and Parks Commission member Larry Gansluckner said, “We have staff pushing in one direction and the public that is hearing a very different tune.”
Residents React to Park Plans
“Had it been voted on last July by the Waterways and Parks Commission…we would have had an easier time accepting the decision.” Eau Claire resident, Penny Von Haden, said.
Von Haden, the wife of Eau Claire City Council Member Bob Von Haden, is referring to last Tuesday’s city council’s decision to upgrade Rod and Gun Park facilities.
“This park is in dire need of maintenance, but we will not let anyone wreck it,” Von Haden said.
She has been visiting Rod and Gun since childhood, and as a result fought for over a year to dismiss six different plans to renovate the park.
Last week Recreation and Forestry Director, Paul Fieber, presented a detailed summary of the newest purposed park renovation. In addition to ADA upgrades the master plan called for the rebuilding of ponds to sustain wildlife, the relocation of numerous park activities, and moving and restoring pavilions and picnic locations.
The council unanimously approved the plan although they made a few changes. The park will keep its current wishbone path, its current water fountain location, but be made ADA compliant, and eliminate the proposed wetland outlook.
Nevertheless, citizens including Von Haden aren’t satisfied.
“The overwhelming response I hear from the public is to leave this park alone,” Eau Claire County Board Supervisor, Joel Mikelson, said.
Residents question whether the proposed changes would lead to negative affects on the park’s wildlife.
Fieber agrees, and is therefore considering a recommendation by Schreiber, Anderson, and Associates of Madison that advises to move park traffic away from the waterfront which would reduce possible damage to aquatic life.
Yet, with so many suggested transformations, council member Dave Duax doubts if the character of the park will be compromised.
Von Haden advocates that the park should be restored not rebuilt. She furthers her suggestion by recommending only four park changes. They include, lowering the terrain, adding a serpentine path on the parking lot, parking lot maintenance, and preservation of the park’s ponds.
Waterways and Park Commissions Chairman, Steven Ludwig, says that the commission members and city staff are also reluctant in choosing how many modifications should be made.
“Less is more in our eyes,” Ludwig said.
Consequently, each and every project proposed for this 12-acre park located Northwest of Carson Park on the shores of Half Moon Lake, has to be approved by both the City Council and the Department of Natural Resources.
Penny Von Haden describes her fight as an unbelievable journey.
She says, “We have only been the voice for the park, and thus far the park has prevailed.”
Pavelski Pulls Through
Eau Claire political newcomer, Jackie Pavelski says, “I’ve always admired those risk-takers that run for office…and this time I had the opportunity to do so.”
Despite factors that many would have seen as obstacles, political novice, retiree, widow and self-proclaimed frugal Pavelski campaigned for 13 weeks and on Tuesday April 1, 2008 was elected to the Eau Claire City Council.
With fifteen-point-seven percent of the vote she was one of out of six candidates to claim one of the five open seats.
As a matter of principal, Pavelski was determined to run a low-budget campaign.
She says, “I don’t want money to limit who runs.”
Her one-thousand dollar limit allowed for flyers, candidate forums, questionnaires, and one-hundred signs.
While never having run for a previous office sixty-five-year-old Pavelski considers herself knowledgeable in both politics and community affairs.
Her qualifications include being Public Affairs Director for the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, a member and past president of the Community Television Board of Directors, Chair of Eau Claire Chamber’s Health Care Committee, and a participant in both the Chippewa Valley Public Affairs Council and the Eau Claire County Healthy Communities Council.
Pavelski says, “I care about our community, and I will work hard to bring about greater efficiencies through collaboration, program accountability, and good decision making concerning economic growth and development in order to foster a vibrant and growing economy.”
She says that throughout her career she has worked with issues and feels comfortable providing workable solutions to the difficult problems facing Eau Claire.
Having worked with diverse groups and organizations Pavelski believes she will be a positive addition to the Eau Claire City Council.