October 15, 2009

 

Stories on the Front Page

Prescott's new full-time officer comes with experience

by Russ Dibb

 

"He has the right kind of temperament and skills for Prescott," said Chief of Police Mike Bondarenko when asked about the newest police officer on his staff.

Brian Trowbridge of Eau Claire, beat out 105 other applicants for the latest full-time peace officer slot in the Prescott Police Department.

Bondarenko explained that, while Trowbridge started working part-time for the department in June, the new position was advertised and open to qualified applicants from all over.

They received 106 applications, Trowbridge's included.

A lengthy and deliberate hiring process ensued. Of the original 106 applicants, 25 were offered the opportunity to take the test.

The top seven were called back for further consideration, with that number being reduced to four finalists.

Extensive background checks, coupled with  interactive testing and exhaustive interviews over a two month time frame resulted in the final selection.

"After all the interviews and tests were done, Brian just rose to the top," said Bondarenko. "This was a group of extremely qualified candidates and he was the best."

 Prescott Police Officer Brian Trowbridge started working part-time for the department in June. He was just hired as Prescott's newest full-time officer and begins his full-time duty Wednesday, October 28. Photo by Russ Dibb.

Trowbridge is originally from Eleva, Wis.

After high school he went to the University of Minnesota and attended the Carlson School of Business, the Honor's Program.

While at the U of M he worked part time as a security guard for the University and also worked two seasons as a guard with Valleyfair Amusement Park.

"It was during this time I realized that business school wasn't for me, and I was being drawn toward law enforcement," explained Trowbridge.

While at the U of M he met his wife, Erin. She was from South Dakota and fate found them moving to Sioux Falls where Trowbridge took a job as a correctional officer at the State Penitentiary.

While in Sioux Falls, Trowbridge completed an associates degree at Kilian Community College.

In 2005 the couple moved back to Wisconsin with their young son, and Trowbridge joined the Dunn County Sheriff's Department as a jailer. He also became a member of the Dunn County Sheriff's Reserve force in 2007.

The Trowbridges now have two sons and have been thinking about a move to a bigger home with more room to romp for the family. "The timing couldn't be better," said Trowbridge.

After working for many years inside correctional facilities Trowbridge looks forward to spending much more time outside the walls. "Doing the job and having the freedom to move around is so great," Trowbridge said. "I'm really excited about being on the department," he added.  "And we're really glad to have him here," confirmed Bondarenko.

Trowbridge begins his full-time duty Wednesday, October 28.

That brings the department count back to seven full-time, and four part-time officers.

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Western Wisconsin shows fast population growth

Governor Doyle announced that Wisconsin has added nearly 325,000 residents since the 2000 U.S. Census and its population continued to grow through 2008, according to data released by the Department of Administration. 

The state added 324,325 or 6 percent more residents, with growth distributed throughout communities of all sizes.

"Wisconsin continues to offer good opportunities and a great quality of life to its residents," Governor Doyle said. "This year's report shows that our efforts to grow Wisconsin's economy by investing in our priorities have paid off. I am committed to investing in high-paying jobs, protecting our environment, and supporting our strong education system to provide opportunity and grow Wisconsin into the future."

The Department of Administration produces population estimates each year as required by state statute. The estimates are used by state and local officials for a variety of purposes including the distribution of state funds, district attorney allocation, and calculation of voter turnout. State demographers use vehicle registrations, tax filings, school enrollment, changes in housing units, institutional enrollment, and records of births and deaths to make their estimates. The report shows that the state's population was 5,688,040 as of January 1, 2009.

Wisconsin's growth rate remains strong compared to other Midwestern states, ranking second behind Minnesota in the region and fourth out of all 12 Midwestern states. Unlike other states whose population growth has centered on large metropolitan areas or one particular part of the state, Wisconsin's growth has extended to communities of all sizes.

Much of the growth is seen in four areas: the Fox River Valley, parts of Western Wisconsin, Dane County and Southeastern Wisconsin.  Dane and Waukesha Counties had the largest growth in the state, adding an estimated 47,096 and 22,423 residents respectively since April 1, 2000.

St. Croix County recorded the fastest rate of growth in the state, with a 26.5 percent increase since 2000, followed by Calumet County with a 14.8 percent change. Other counties with rapid growth include Polk and Washington counties.

While the Milwaukee Metropolitan area (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha) continues to show modest growth, the population estimate shows a slight decline for Milwaukee County.

The Milwaukee County estimate shows that in percentage terms, Milwaukee County's population declined 0.9 percent while the other counties in the Milwaukee metropolitan area increased by 40,850 since the 2000 Census, resulting in an overall metropolitan growth rate of 2.2 percent between April 1, 2000 and January 1, 2009.

In the past year, due to reduced interstate migration-common throughout the country-Wisconsin grew at its slowest rate this decade, 0.2 percent.

Nonetheless, the state had shown positive increases-ranging from 0.5 to 1 percent annually-in previous years this decade. Other states that grew rapidly during the earlier years of the 2000s have estimated flattened growth, or even declines, in population recently. For example, state demographers in Florida, where the population grew at an average of more than 2 percent annually in the first eight years of this decade, estimated a net loss of 60,000 people, its first decline in 63 years, for the past year. Nevada grew an estimated 4.3 percent per annum from 2000 to 2007 but predicted a gain of only 0.8 percent in 2008.

The final population estimates released today have been reviewed by county and municipal officials.

For more information on county and municipal estimates, please visit www.doa.wi.gov/demographics or contact the Department of Administration at 101 E. Wilson Street, 10th Floor, P.O. Box 8944, Madison, WI 53708.


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Park Service joins River Confluence Project

At a site in Southeastern Minnesota and West Central Wisconsin where two great rivers merge, two states touch, three counties intersect, two cities partner, and two National Parks (The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and the St Croix National Scenic Riverway) converge, local organizations have partnered to start the Great Rivers Confluence Project.  

The Project's main purpose is to help create a common protective vision of Mississippi and St. Croix River area usage in this hub near Hastings and Prescott.

Other goals include trail and recreational enhancement efforts. The project has been spearheaded by the Friends of Freedom Park at the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center in Prescott.  

The Rivers and Trails Program of the National Park Service is actively involved and will be providing technical assistance including facilitation and coordination.

 "The National Parks need to work cooperatively with local groups if we are to enhance and protect our national treasures," said Paul Labovitz, Superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.  

"All people, whether city council members, birders, business owners, or hikers, are essential in this effort. Common vision and cooperative efforts can accomplish many tasks otherwise unattainable. A project with this many partner jurisdictions and private organizations is unique and worthwhile." 

Chris Stein, the Superintendent of the St Croix Scenic Riverway, concurs.   "The St Croix Riverway is one of the pristine assets of the nation. We need common commitment and cooperation to preserve these assets for next generations, particularly in these challenging economic times. I am pleased to participate in this new effort."

 Randy Thoreson of the National Park Service Rivers, and Trails Program, and a facilitator of the project adds, "I'm excited about this project and the key partners it brings together."

 In addition to creation of a common vision, the project intends to work on such issues as promotion and building of recreational trail connections.  

Currently a seventeen mile gap exists between trails in this area.  Completion of the missing links will allow people access from St Paul, to Carpenter Nature Center, Prescott, Hastings, Red Wing, and beyond. The possibility for good preservation and enhancement work through this collaborative project is exciting.  

Interested people can contact Margaret Smith at the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center 262-1014 or Char Vick at 262-4124.  

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Greg Lauser won 2009 Pierce County Library Trustee of the Year Award

Greg Lauser won the 2009 Pierce County Library Trustee of the Year

Indianhead Federated Library System (IFLS) is pleased to announce that Greg Lauser won the 2009 Pierce County Library Trustee of the Year Award.

Greg Lauser and his Austin-Healey 3000 went on the road for a worthy cause - to raise money for Prescott Public Library with a fundraiser called "Bonneville Bound for Books."

Greg, who is a member of the library's board of trustees, travelled to the Bonneville Salt Flats in western Utah.

Prescott community members were asked to donate funds to the library based on the round-trip mileage he would drive. People who pledged a penny a mile for the 3,000-mile roundtrip made a $30 contribution to the Prescott Public Library. Head Librarian Jane Enright submitted an innovative grant request to the Prescott Foundation asking them to match up to $2,500 in donations.

Lauser kept the library and friends involved in his trip, sending updates and photos when he had access to DSL Internet hook-ups.

 Greg is shown driving through Yellowstone National Park with a moose bull and cow in the background. You have to look closely to see them. Photo submitted.

Greg's innovative fundraiser helped raised over $16,000 last year for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Awards were given at the 31st Annual IFLS Recognition ceremony on Thursday, October 8. Award recipients were selected from nominations given by the six public libraries within Eau Claire County.

Indianhead Federated Library System (IFLS) is a state-funded, non-profit, educational organization encompassing 53 public libraries and 3 county library services in 10 west-central Wisconsin counties. Founded in 1978, IFLS operates to promote libraries, the profession of librarianship, and access to library services.

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