W E D N E S D AY, F E B R U A RY 1 1 , 2 0 0 9 • V O L U M E 7 6 • N O . 2 5 • 2 S E C T I O N S • S E C T I O N A
W EEKEN D WA TCH :
• Book an bake sale @ Frederic • Winter Carnival @ Luck • Ice-fishing contest @ Wood Lake • Valentine’s dance @ Grantsburg • Ice-fishing contest @ Clam Falls • Ice-fishing contest @ Siren • Vaudeville Valentine @ St. Croix Falls See Coming Events and stories
IN SI DE
Compliments to the cook
CeCe Andrewson brings nutrition and good taste to Burnett Nutrition program CURRENTS FEATURE
Leader INTER-COUNTY
Serving Northwest Wisconsin
Referendum vote at Siren, Tuesday
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S le d di n g se n a t or
School needs voter approval to continue current levy rate PAGE 3
Restorative Justice coming to Polk County
With a little help from the Burnett program PAGE 28
Judge rejects plea bargain What’s Yappening? Dogs, cats seek homes CURRENTS, page 6
Hjelseth says she was not aware her actions would cause harm PAGE 2
Ruby’s Pantry director explains new donation system Big Read continues
Anne Bancroft, fifillm series this Saturday at SCFalls See page 16
S PO RT S
Distribution of food was never “free,” says director PAGE 13
Fluoride stays in city water, for now
SCF city council has yet to decide issue PAGE 15
With the help of Cliff Maxfield, state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf was given a dogsled ride at Forts Folle Avoine historical park in Danbury. The winter rendezvous at the Fort brought to life many of the elements of Jack London’s “Call of the Wild" which is featured in this year's Big Read project. More photos in Currents section. - Photo by Sherill Summer
What if we had an election..and no one voted? High cost for next Tuesday’s primary raises questions
Tigers scratch Pirates perfect record See front page of SPORTS Inside this section
by Gregg Westigard B U R N E T T / WA S H B U R N / P O L K COUNTIES – There is a statewide primary election next week with a single issue on the ballot in most areas, narrowing the field of candidates who want to head the state education system. The election will cost many thousands of dollars in our area. And if history repeats, almost no one will vote. In Washburn, Burnett and Polk counties there are 85 towns, villages and
cities. Two areas have local election issues, a school board primary in Osceola and a referendum in Siren. There are 12 local governments in those two school districts The other 73 municipalities in our area do not need to open their polls except for the superintendent of education race. The Leader has asked area county clerks and municipal clerks what it will cost to hold the Feb. 17 primary. Here is a sampling of the answers, plus some comments on the system. Lynn Hoeppner, Washburn County clerk, comes up with a total of $11,246 to conduct the “ridiculous” (her word) election in Washburn County. That
See What if, page 11
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