Friday, January 29, 2010

Sex Offender Release Information

Below is information I received this afternoon from Chief of Police Jerry Schuetz. Any questions may be directed to the Sheriff's Department at 757-8000, as this placement is under the County's authority(but in near proximity to the City).

Sex Offender Release Notification: Charles A. Amble, 8749 N. Clearlake Road, Milton WI,53545

I write this electronic correspondence to all of you to notify you that our Officers will be conducting what is known as a “level 2” notification of a Sex Offender being released within the School District of Milton. At approximately 10:00 am this morning I was notified by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services that a two day trial had of a confined sex offender by the name of Charles A. Amble was scheduled to be released this morning. Amble petitioned the court successfully to have his sexual offender commitment under Wisconsin State Statute 980 overturned, meaning that he would no longer be confined at the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment facility.

Charles Amble has been released to the custody of his parents. He is not on any form of supervision as his sentence has been served, but pursuant to the Statute associated with his original confinement, will be on GPS monitoring.

Rock County Sheriff’s Office administration spoke with Mr. Amble’s parents, and they have arranged for him employment and long term residence in the State of Iowa. Thus, Amble is scheduled to only be in and around the Milton area on a permanent basis for approximately 3-5 days.

Officers of the Milton PD will be hand delivering the Special Bulletin Notice in this e-mail to all School District building administrators, the public library, licensed day care facilities within the City. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office will be mailing notices to residences of this release within 1.5 miles of the Clearlake road residence.

This notice and the forms being disseminated serve as official notice to community stakeholders associated with the release of a Sex Offender within our region. The notice is not designed to, nor should it be a cause for alarm, but instead serves to create community awareness about the release of a convicted sex offender from a secure facility, as prescribed by WI State Statute 301.46 (2m).

February 2nd Council Meeting Commentary

The Council will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, February 2nd. While not a relatively long agenda (click here to view whole agenda), there is one important item that I'd like to highlight: Item 5.d. - RFP for DPW Facility Needs and Site Selection Study.

As part of the 2010 budget, the Common Council included funds to hire a consultant to assist the City in making plans to replace or renovate the aging and crowded DPW facility. City staff have prepared a draft Request For Proposals (also known as an RFP) for the Council to review. As is stated in the draft RFP, the study's purpose is three-fold:
  1. To review and assess the facility needs of the Department, taking into account both current and future needs; and

  2. To perform a review of and offer recommendation on possible site alternatives with a cost/benefit analysis of each potential site; and

  3. To prepare a preliminary cost estimate and construction timeline for facility construction in order to assist the City in financial planning for the project.

If the Council approves this RFP, the City will solicit proposals from consultants who have experiences with DPW garage construction. A final report would be expected by early summer

To view a copy of the draft RFP, which goes in to more depth about the purposes and desired results of this study, you can download the meeting packet for the upcoming Public Works Committee meeting: http://www.ci.milton.wi.us/document_detail.aspx?document_id=3060. Below is a picture of the existing DPW garage and office facility.





Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Tupper Honored for Service to the Police Commission

At the council meeting on Tuesday, January 19th, Stephen Tupper was honored for his service to the Police Commission. Pictured to the left is Police Chief Jerry Schuetz with Stephen Tupper.

I would like to thank Steve for all of his years (30+) of service to the Police Commission.

Sharon Rozelle has been appointed to serve the remainder of Steve's term on the Police Commission.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Don't Forget - Christmas Tree Disposal Ends Soon

So, here's a picture of the evergreen needle aftermath from taking down my family's Christmas tree recently. Don't you like the nice "ring of needles" due to the tree skirt? I think we'll be finding stray needles for months.

My purpose for posting this picture is to simply remind everyone that the deadline for putting your holiday evergreen items out for brush collection is the end of January. Place the bottom cut end towards the street if possible. Also, please trim the tree so it is no longer than 10 feet. If it snows after you set it out for collection, do us a favor and shake the snow off. Plus - don't forget to remove those decorations.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

2010 Census: What to do if You're a Snowbird

"Snowbirds" is a common term for people who live in northern states, but migrate south for the winter. Many snowbirds may be wondering where they should be counted for the Census - in Milton or their winter home?

The Director of the Census, Dr. Robert M. Groves, addressed this issue recently in his blog. He stated that the general rule is to fill out the form where you live most of the time. If you live in Milton for 8 months and Florida for 4 months, then fill out the form for Milton. For the Florida form, answer only the first question (“How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?") with the number zero.

If you live exactly 6 months in one location and 6 months in another location, then fill out the form for where you are living on April 1, 2010.


Keep checking my blog, the City's Census webpage, and the Census Director's blog to stay updated on Census activities and information.

Monday, January 18, 2010

January 19th Council Meeting Commentary

For this week's Council Meeting Commentary, I am look at item #4, "Police Department Oath of Office Ceremony for New Part-Time Officers and New Full-Time Officers", on the January 19th Council agenda.

Chief Schuetz takes great pride in recognizing his officers. In particular, he enjoys the opportunity to welcome new officers to our community by holding an oath of office ceremony. There are several new employees of the department who will be recognized at the Council meeting - Full-Time Officer Arneson (previously part-time), Part-Time Officer Eric Schoonover, Part-Time Officer Megan Breckling and Part-Time Officer Laura Hauser.

I'm not sure what the actual oath language is that Chief Schuetz uses, but I think this version summarizes the type of commitment that these new officers will be making to our community: "On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the constitution, my community, and the agency I serve."

Please join me in welcoming these new officers to our organization.

Robin's Nest Styling Salon's Cut for a Cure

Robin’s Nest Styling Salon’s Cut for a Cure 2 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Southwestern Wisconsin will take place on Sunday, January 31st from Noon to 4 p.m. Robin’s Nest in Milton is located at 247 Parkview Drive. There will be $20 haircuts, a silent auction, and refreshments.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association assists adults and children affected by one of the 43 neuromuscular diseases covered by the Association such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). MDA counts on every dollar they receive so they can keep hope for a cure at the forefront while offering help to those served by the Association on a daily basis.

Robin’s Nest Styling Salons in Fort Atkinson, Whitewater and Watertown will also be participating in the event.

Click here to view the flyer for the event. Be sure to stop by and support the event and those served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A big thank you goes out to the staff at Robin's Nest for their efforts on such a worthy cause.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Art Contest for Middle and High School Students

Hey students! Get your art onto people’s backs! Help the Young Auditorium design a t-shirt for the 2010 Big Read!

Middle and High School students in Rock, Walworth and Jefferson Counties (and nearby communities) are invited to submit their own artwork to be considered for the official design of the region’s second Big Read. Artwork must be based on the theme “Waves Seen, Waves Heard” or another theme generated by this years’ Big Read book, Sun, Stone and Shadows: 20 Great Mexican Short Stories.

One design will be chosen as the official Big Read 2010 logo and printed on 100 give-away Big Read t-shirts. The student will also receive special recognition during the event finale. Up to 20 other designs will be framed and exhibited during the month of April at Studio 84, in Whitewater.

Submissions are due on February 5th by noon to the Young Auditorium. Finalists will receive tickets to the final Big Read event, Sones de Mexico on May 4th at 7:30 p.m.

Click here for the registration form and contest rules:
http://youngauditorium.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/br-release-12_15_91.pdf.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Update on ATC Transmission Line Planning

ATC has now finalized their route for the transmission line to energize Rock Energy Cooperatives new substation near the S/E area of the City. Click on this link for a recent press release and route map: http://www.ci.milton.wi.us/document_detail.aspx?document_id=3035. Many residents had expressed concerns about a route running along the rail corridor through the City. Those residents will be relieved because ATC has selected a route to the south of the City and along the new STH 26.

2010 Law Enforcement Citizens Academy

Next Tuesday, January 12th, the City of Milton Police Department and Rock County Sheriff’s Office will begin accepting applications for the 2010 Law Enforcement Citizens Academy. The application deadline is February 15th. Applications must be obtained in person and will be available at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office (200 E. U.S. Highway 14, Janesville, WI 53545) and the City of Milton Police Department (120 Parkview Drive, Milton, WI 53563).

The Citizens Academy is an 8-week, interactive program that meets once a week beginning on Thursday, March 25th from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. . It provides citizens with a “hands-on” experience to learn what it is like to be a law enforcement officer. The purpose of the academy is to provide an opportunity for learning and positive interaction between our law enforcement professionals and the citizens the two organizations serve.

Graduation night takes place during the third week in May. Those who complete the academy will be rewarded with a greater sense of understanding of what law enforcement officers do, how to partner with local law enforcement to keep their community safe, a certificate of course completion and a T-Shirt presented to them on graduation night. The program’s expense has been generously funded by private donations obtained from the 2009 City of Milton Citizens Academy graduating class.

For more information, click here to read the press release about the academy. If you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact either Rock County Sheriff Bob Spoden at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office at 757-7948 or Chief Jerry Schuetz at the Milton Police Department at 608-868-6910.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Entrepreneurial Training Program Offered

Below is some information I recently received from the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board...

The UW-Whitewater Small Business Development Center and the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board are proud to offer an entrepreneurial-training program beginning this spring for aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners in the Rock County area.

The E-Hub program is a proven, successful model that has resulted in over 500 business start-ups and reboots, and created thousands of part-time and full-time jobs in the Green Bay area since 1998. The program was successfully introduced to Ohio in 2006, and now the SBDC and Southwest SWWDB are bringing it to Rock County. E-Hub results in new businesses created, jobs created, and a better connected community of entrepreneurs, professionals, business owners and those who serve them.

E-Hub is for people considering starting a business and for owners of existing businesses who would like to "reboot" their businesses. Classes and counseling sessions will be offered in Beloit and Janesville beginning in February and again in April. Additional sessions and locations are being considered for the future.

Those dislocated workers (those who have been permanently laid off through no fault of their own) may attend E-Hub with assistance through Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board. Owners of existing businesses may be eligible for scholarships. With a scholarship, this $800 program costs business owners only $250.

For more background information on the E-Hub program, visit
http://sbdc.uww.edu/business-training/rock-county-e-hub.html or call Kaia Fowler, UW-Whitewater, SBDC Program Manager, at 262-472-3217.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

New Business for the Crossroads Business Park

On Tuesday evening the Milton Common Council approved a development agreement between the City and Penn Color Inc. to construct a 50K sq. ft. facility in our Crossroads Business Park. This is great news for the City and for Penn Color, who has been searching for a midwest location for nearly two years. With short-term plans for expansion to 100K sq. ft., this development is projected to eventually add 30 good-paying jobs to the community and nearly $4 Million in value to the business park.

For more information on Penn Color, you may visit their website at http://www.penncolor.com/. Or you can read the recent press releases by following this link: http://www.ci.milton.wi.us/document_detail.aspx?document_id=3027.

My research on the company has shown them to be wonderful corporate partners in every community in which they are located. Hopefully in a few short months I'll be able to post photos of the ground breaking ceremony.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A Blogger's New Year's Resolution

Personally, my New Year's resolution is to try and be 5 minutes early to everything... So far, not so good. I'll keep working on it.

For the Milton Matters Blog my resolution is to provide some commentary on at least one item that will be appearing on each upcoming Council meeting. For this week I'm looking at item 4.c. on the January 5th Council Agenda - "Resolution #2010-01 Honoring Jon Platts".

Jon has served as a member of the Milton Plan Commission since it's very inception. That's right - when the Village of Milton Junction and Village of Milton merged back in 1967 to become a City, Jon was appointed by Mayor Dickhoff to serve as a member of the City's very first Plan Commission. He's served under eight different Mayors and has reviewed countless site plans, ordinance revisions, permits, zoning changes, boundary amendments, and the list goes on... Jon's 40+ years of service on the Plan Commission will forever stand as an example of community involvement, service and dedication.

This Resolution will be considered by the Council at tonight's meeting at 7:30 PM. Jon will be in attendance to accept. For others who might be able to attend, please consider being a part of the audience to applaud Jon's service to the City and its citizens.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Christmas Tree Disposal

Just took my family's Christmas tree down tonight, and remembered that some of you may be wondering about the tree collection program in Milton. DPW crews will be collecting trees the entire month of January. Set your tree out at the curb any time before the end of January.

Place the bottom cut end towards the street if possible. Also, please trim the tree so it is no longer than 10 feet. If it snows after you set it out for collection, do us a favor and shake the snow off. Plus - don't forget to remove those decorations.

If you have tree limbs that were damaged by the recent winter storms, those may be set out for collection as well during the month of January.