News – May 16, 2019

(Juneau) Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt is refuting criticism of his leadership. Three county board supervisors appeared on WBEV’s Community Comment last week to refute for themselves claims made by the sheriff against them on previous programs, offering their side of the story on budget reductions, budget shortfalls and its impact on staffing, placing the blame squarely on the sheriff.  Yesterday, Schmidt called the group a “vocal minority” and says as an elected official he answers to the people, not the county board.  He says there are challenges and he never claimed to be perfect but that is what he is trying to do. The sheriff says the false claims degrade morale and drives a wedge between staff and administration. Schmidt says there needs to be more working together rather than constant negativity.

(Mayville) The grand opening for the Gold Star Memorial Trial is scheduled for June 1st. The ten-foot wide paved trail – so named to honor local fallen veterans – extends two miles from Mayville’s Theiler Park to the Horicon Marsh Visitor Center, running along County Highway TW and State Highway 28. Festivities begin at 9am with dedication will begin at 10am. Army Chaplain Colonel Douglas Fleischfresser is the keynote speaker.

(Juneau) Former Dodge County Sheriff Ted Meekma said he prays daily for those who work in public safety. Meekma, who began his career in law enforcement in 1964 and was elected sheriff in 1976, was the keynote speaker yesterday at the Dodge County Executive Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Juneau. Law enforcement agencies from around the county attended the ceremony honoring police officers who died in the line of duty. Twelve officers, dating back to 1880’s, were honored. Meekma says his daily prayer for officers is that God will always be with them and watch over them.

(Madison) The change in the federal corporate tax policy has benefited Wisconsin’s fiscal coffers.  The Legislative Fiscal Bureau says the current state budget will have 753-million dollars more in revenue over the next three years.  Governor Evers has set aside 56-million to be paid towards debts.  There are some differences on how to use the rest of the money. Joint Finance Committee co-chair, Representative John Nygren, said that the entire amount ought to be put in the state’s rainy day fund, to prepare for a recession. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald may want to use some of the money for things like building maintenance and roads.

(Beaver Dam) Spending for the current Beaver Dam Unified School District budget is slightly outpacing last year’s numbers at this time. Director of Business Services Anne-Marie Malkovich says as of April 30, spending as a percentage of the total budget is at 66.5-percent this year compared to last year, which was at 65.7-percent. Malkovich says the increased spending is primarily attributed to maintenance needs, like higher than anticipated snow removal and salt expenses, which was up $50-thousand dollars. She says the district will continue to monitor the budget as they approach the end of the fiscal year and recommend any adjustments as needed.

(Columbia County) An alleged “pepper sprayer” has been arrested. Sauk county authorities say a man wanted for pepper spraying an area deputy earlier this week was taken into custody Wednesday morning. Joshua Martin is accused of spraying the Columbia County deputy early Monday after the deputy pulled him over for speeding. Martin was also allegedly driving a stolen vehicle.

(Pardeeville) Congressman Glenn Grothman has announced a series of upcoming town hall meetings later this month. The Republican from Glenbeulah will be in Princeton and Green Lake on Tuesday, May 28. The following day he will be in the Wisconsin Dells, Arlington and Pardeeville.