FRIDAY, August 20, 2010 MEETING NOTES Volume 44, Issue 47
We had 19 Optimists & guests today. Nicky Eggebean – Director of Development at St. Augie’s and Joy Schewe from Fennimore’s club were our guests – other than our speaker. The Mystery Greeter was Milt Rewey who greeted Virg Pufahl. John Urness, Virg Pufahl, Maxine Lane, Charlie Clark, Gary & Eileen Engelke, Milt Rewey, Joy Schewe, Tom Nall and Ken Kamps wore their Optimist shirts today.
Today’s Speaker – Dave Berner – State of the City of Platteville
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Dave Berner is the City Manager of Platteville and he spoke to us about the state of the City. He said he was given 10 minutes by Doug Wegen of WPVL to discuss the happenings and it wasn’t long enough. Dave looks at the citizens as his Boss and tries to do what is best for the City as a whole. He appreciates Optimists and other volunteers for all they do for the City. He was the Mystery Greeter for his grandson's class! The Police Station should be occupied by October 1 with an Open House later in the month. One question was why it cost less than the new Chestnut & Markee project. Dave answered that bridges are expensive, plus they phased the construction of the building to get the underground in early. This allowed us to get good bids on the project. |
Dave said the Platteville economy is not well but better than most. We have about 3% growth where most of the state is 0% or less. Grant Co has 7% unemployment – about the state average. The July 25, 2009 hailstorm is still being felt with over 1100 permits for roofing and siding. He believes this prompted other fixes and upgrades. We have had disappointment with the Governor Dodge project, but have others like Hartig Drug and O’Reilly Auto Parts coming along nicely. UW-P and Avista are growing, but Swiss Valley is closing and moving to Shullsburg. We are holding our own. |
The Council has made it a priority to finance 1.6 miles of street reconstruction. We are 2 years into the program and people can see the work when they try to move around the City. Weather has been a detriment, but there will be paving in the next couple weeks on many of them. Our budget has been a challenge. We are in good shape financially. The tax levy has been level for 4 years now. We have reduced staff and gained some efficiencies but are looking at more. The Strategic Worksession had a consensus to cut the budget by 5%. There was 0 growth in the budget from 09 to 10, now a 5% cut from that level for 2011. Thanks for the wonderful speech! |
This Friday - Dean Isaacson - Platteville School District Update
UPCOMING EVENTSAug 18 - 22 – Grant Co Fair Sep 10 - 12 – Dairy Days Oct 2 – Installation Banquet |
UPCOMING SPEAKERSSeptember 3 – Diana Trendt – UW-P Career Center September 10 – Steve Lucas – Scenic Rivers Energy Coop |
JOKER DRAWHoward Crofoot was selected again. He drew the 8 of Hearts and won $2. The pot started all over this week with a minimum $100 pot. Good Luck to next week’s winner. BOARD MEETINGThe next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, September 9th at 7 AM at Badger Brothers. Current and next year’s Board Members are encouraged to attend. |
CHEESE CURDSIt is that time again! Sign up for Grant Co Fair August 18 – 22 and Dairy Days September 10 – 12. Sign up on the web.
THANKSWe received a Thank You note from the Library for our donations to their programs. |
SWIS DISTRICT CONFERENCEGary Engelke received a Builder of Excellence medallion for his efforts in building the Noon Club. The Installation Banquet for the 2010 – 2011 officers will be held on October 2, 2010 at Take 2 Restaurant starting at 6:00 p.m. Sign up on line! |
Optimist International | SWIS District | Platteville, Wisconsin--Information
Please send comments, questions and suggestions about the web page to Howard Crofoot at crofooth@platteville.org
Last Modified: August 29, 2010