n r u b h s Wa unty Co
Register
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Vol. 121, No. 34 • Shell Lake, Wisconsin
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I NS ID E
Cultural Arts Day See page 11
Mothers would get break under DNR proposal
by Larry Samson SPOONER — Under a new proposal presented at the DNR annual Spring Fish and Wildlife Rule Hearing the fishing opener would move to April 30 if the opening Saturday fell on Mother’s Day weekend. That question was one of 44 proposed rule changes presented to the sportsmen and women who attended the public meeting held by the Wisconsin Department of Resources and the Conservation Congress. The meeting was held at the Spooner Agriculture Research Station in Spooner on Monday, April 11. The public gives input and each question is voted on in advance of any rule change the DNR and the Legislature would make. The only question on the fishing season pertaining to Burnett and Washburn counties was about eliminating the minimum size on most of the lakes in the two counties. Balsam, Birch, Red Cedar and Shell lakes would retain
75¢
Brothers
His sibling challenges the alpha male cub. A slight scrimmage sends the attacker back into the den. This is how they play, exploring the world around them and their place in the family. More photos and a story about living safely around bears are on page 6. — Photo by Larry Samson
Sheriff stands firm
See DNR, page 2
“Little Women” See page 24
Using a forest ranger deputy to fill a vacant position in the sheriff’s department is a matter of public safety, Dryden says
by Jessica Beecroft WASHBURN COUNTY – The executive committee met Monday, April 11, and had questions about the legalities of Sheriff Terry Dryden taking the forest ranger deputy and placing him into a patrol position with the Washburn County Sheriff’s Department. The tension in the room was palpable. Steve “Fluffy” Sathers, executive committee chair, read the position description of the forest ranger deputy which states in part that the sheriff will not remove the po-
Sheriff Terry Dryden stands firm with his decision of pulling a forest ranger deputy to fill a patrol deputy position at the Washburn County Sheriff’s Department. - Photo by Jessica Beecroft sition unless it is a “qualified emergency.” Dryden said, “This was a qualified emer-
gency in my opinion. This is a case of public safety.” Dryden was told at the meeting that it appears he is undermining the county by not following the rules. Dryden said he stands firm that this was an emergency, and it is now going to be brought to the full county board to decide whether or not the sheriff’s deputy position will be filled. The Washburn County Board will be deciding on this position on Tuesday, April 19, in the Elliot Building in Shell Lake at 6 p.m. All concerned citizens are welcome to come and voice their opinion. The issue involves a position opening up after the termination of an employee at the county jail. A deputy is now working that position, and the county was concerned about all the overtime that was being paid while waiting for the patrol deputy position to be filled. The position then went to the county’s law enforcement committee,
More help, please
SPORTS Page 13
by Jessica Beecroft WASHBURN COUNTY – Tammy TomSteinmetz, director of the Department of Aging for Washburn County, brought a request for two positions to the personnel committee, Monday, April 11. All ears perk up when the county hears anything about new positions because this is the time the county is dealing with budget issues. The work has not been done at the four area senior centers because there is not enough help, it was noted at the meeting. Therefore, according to Mike Keefe, Washburn County finance director, by adding a position to make sure all the paperwork is done and submitted to the state, the county can actually save tens of thousands of dol-
Tammy TomSteinmetz asks for approval of two new positions that are expected to save the county tens of thousands of dollars. - Photo by Jessica Beecroft
lars. The state cannot reimburse the county for meals served to the elderly if the paperwork is not submitted to the state. How-
See Deputy position, page 3
ever, no one has been working at each center to make sure the paperwork is taken care of. Tom-Steinmetz said, “Once we start capturing the funds, I’ll have the numbers.” Keefe will be pulling together some numbers to bring to the county board meeting Tuesday, April 19, and the Washburn County Board will be voting on a site aid position, as well as a replacement position as a nutrition coordinator. If one does not pass, the other will not be able to assume the responsibilities. So, if the board passes the two positions, it is believed the county will actually be saving a lot of money, as well as providing better service at the senior centers.
“ O n th e s h o re s o f be a uti f ul S he l l L a k e” • wcregister.net