POST-CRESCENT, APPLETON-NEENAH-MENASHA, WIS. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2000 must decide whether it wants park or new garage At 1994 meeting, Town of Menasha residents wanted 69 acres sold to finance new facility By Steve Wideman Post-Crescent staff writer TOWN OF MENASHA Should 69 acres of town-owned land be converted to a nature park or sold to developers to help finance construction of a municipal garage as directed by citizens in 1994? The question will be posed to town residents at the annual town meeting on April 11 and possibly put to referendum in November. Two offers to purchase the land east of Winnebago County CB and north of E. Shady Lane for a total of $1.4 million expired on Wednesday, a month after the Town Board denied, under public pressure, a request to rezone most of the parcel from public use to light commercial use. Town supervisors met in joint session Wednesday with the Park Commission to decide what to do with the parcel.
"If the people want this land to be a park and want to accept the responsibility for developing a park and constructing a town garage then it's all right with me," Town Chairman Arden Tews said. Although the town's five-year park development plans notes there is a surplus of parkland in the town, a crowd of 40 residents at Wednesday's meeting told town officials 69 acres of what was formerly known as the Tipler farm should be preserved as a nature park. During the 1994 annual town meeting residents voted to direct town officials to sell the land to finance construction of a town garage and to partially offset expenses to construct the current Municipal Complex. Community Development Director George Dearborn said the town actively marketed the acreage. Twenty-five acres were sold and rezoned for residential development, but that deal fell through.
The remaining acreage was marketed until the two recent offers, which were contingent upon the town rezoning the land for commercial development. The Town Board in January reversed a Plan Commission recommendation allow the rezoning, leaving the future of the entire 69 acres in limbo. "The town needs to decide what to do with that land so I can tell developers," Dearborn said. The message sent by town residents on Wednesday was clear make the parcel a park. "The sentiments have changed since 1994," said Jerry Sitter, 1847 Ridgeview Drive.
Sitter said residents have become more sensitive to the effects of land development plans in the town. "Vacant land is becoming scarce," he said. "I think we have to address the temperament of the times, which is right now." In the early 1970s the town's comprehensive land use plan identified the 69 acre parcel as part of a 139-acre parcel development of a -super-regional park" complete with an amphitheater and swimming pool. Winnebago County's plan to construct CB cut the parcel in two. Except for a smali town garage and a tree nursery, the 69 acres east of CB have remained undeveloped.
Neighboring residents, including Mike Lynch, 1274 E. Shady Lane, have used the vacant land as an informal park. Lynch said red-tailed hawks, owls and other woodland creatures inhabit the 69 acres. "You have a chance to leave some nature in the town," Lynch told town officials on Wednesday. Tews said a referendum on what to do with the land could be put before the town, possibly in November.
"If the community wants the land to be a park, then fine. We'll make it a park. I think that is fair for everyone," Tews said. But residents at Wednesday's meeting did not want to wait until November, preferring to' have the issue decided at the annual town meeting a month from now. Tews said residents have to support park development and operations and the financing of a new town garage.
Town Administrator Bob Vitas said construction of a garage alone could add more than 11 cents to the tax rate. That translates to $11 more in property taxes for the owner of a $100,000 home. Most of those in attendance at Wednesday's meeting expressed a willingness to pay higher property taxes to finance park development and the construction of a town garage. But Supv. Jerry Jurgensen said other town residents likely have an opposite view of paying higher taxes.
"We were directed by the electorate in 1994 to use money from the sale of that land to build a garage. We will have to go back to the electorate to change that decision," Jurgensen said of the move to have the question on the annual town meeting agenda. Complicating the question is an unexpected proposal to construct a 30-acre youth sports facility on the town- owned land. A group of investors with local ties plans to make a presentation of the sports complex proposal before the April 11 meeting. Vitas, administrator since 1991, may take Florida job By Steve Wideman Post-Crescent staff writer TOWN OF MENASHA Town Administrator Bob Vitas has been offered the job of city manager in North Port, Fla.
Vitas said Wednesday that he accomplished "much more than I wanted to" since he was hired as town administrator in 1991. Vitas had a role in negotiating a 1999 border agreement with the city of Menasha that ended 40 years of border wars. Most recently, he worked with Valley Gateway Development to develop a "town center" that will feature a minimum of $75 million in residential, retail and commercial development on the town's west side. "I was looking for a new challenge and this (North Port) would be a big challenge. I think I'm ready for that," he said.
Vitas was among 88 applicants and one of three finalists who participated in public interviews for the city manager's post in the community of 15,000 on Florida's west coast. He was offered the job on Feb. 22, shortly after completing the public interview. North Port is located south of Sarasota and, at 74-square miles, is the fourth largest city in area in Florida, said North Port City Clerk Doris Briggs. Briggs confirmed that contract negotiations are continuing with Vitas.
She described North Port as a residential community that is looking to boost its industrial development. "It's kind of like an awakening giant," Briggs said. She said North Port is so big in area that Myakka State Forest lies within the city. Town of Menasha Chairman Arden Tews said he was shocked to hear of Vitas' possible move. "This is the first I'm hearing about it," Tews said Wednesday.
John M. Bridges N3794 Meade Appleton Age 80, formerly of Kenosha, passed away Tuesday, February 29, 2000, at Appleton Medical Center. He was born May 11, 1919, in Musselbrough, Scotland, son of the late James and Elizabeth (Moffet) Bridges. On June 1, 1946, John married the former Betty Wood. She preceded him in death in September of 1990.
John served in the U.S. Army in World War II in the 779th Engineer Petroleum Distribution Company in Central Burma and India Burma. Survivors include three sons, John J. (Carol Lynn) Bridges, Appleton; Archie C. (Debra) Bridges, Indianapolis, Indiana; Richard P.
(Cindy) Bridges, Kenosha; two daughters, Diane (Waino) Kleimola, Racine: Betty (Ken) Allan, Kenosha; 11 grandchildren, Nathan (Lynn) Bridges, Appleton; Philip (Sharon) Bridges, Appleton; Melinda Bridges, Appleton; Jan (Kimball) Green, Leaksville, Mississippi; James (Kelly) Bridges, Indianapolis, Indiana; William (Rachel) Bridges, Watertown; Katie Kleimola, Racine; Greg Allan, Kenosha; Eric Allan, Kenosha; Jason Bridges, Deerfield, Illinois; and Bonnie (Mark) Johnson, Appleton. John is further survived by seven great-grandchildren, nieces. nephews, relatives and friends. Other than his parents and wife, Betty, John was preceded in death by a brother, Archie Bridges. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m.
on Friday, March 3, 2000 at CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER, 670 N. Green Bay Road, Neenah with the Reverend John W. Grant officiating. Friends may call directly at the church on Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Interment will take place in Green Ridge Cemetery in Kenosha. WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME 537 N. Superior Street Appleton 739-1231 Frank J. Brum 1321 W. Spring Street Appleton Age 86, died Wednesday morning, March 1, 2000.
He was born August 30, 1913, to the late Joseph and Rose (Winters) Brum, in Appleton, where he was a resident all of his life. Frank served with the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II in Italy. He had been employed by Fox River Paper and by the City of Appleton, as the caretaker of City Park, retiring in 1979. He was a member of St.
Joseph Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Marie M. (Wolfgram) Brum, to whom he had been married for 63 years; a sister, Mary Hahn, Appleton; many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Mark (Kitzie) Brum. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Anna Brum, Rose VanDinter, and Theresa Holzer; and four brothers, Joe (Vivian) Brum, Louis (Gladys) Brum, Leo Brum, and Henry Brum. The Funeral Liturgy for Frank will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 3, 2000, at ST.
JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 410 W. Lawrence Street, with Father John Holly officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wichmann Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m.
Thursday and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the mass. A Parish Prayer and Scripture Service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday. A memorial fund is being established.
WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME 537 North Superior Street Appleton 739-1231 Kathryn H. Hartzheim St. Paul Home, Kaukauna Age 91, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2000 at a local nursing home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and pending. FARGO FUNERAL HOME 400 W.
Wisconsin Avenue Kaukauna 766-6200 Richard A. Kaski Neshkoro, Wisconsin 65, formerly of Neenah, my dearest is the was taken into the arms of the Lord on February 29, 2000. Dick was born on May 13, 1934, in Crystal Falls, Michigan, son of the late Arne and Impi (Kautinen) Kaski. He married Kristine Phillips on August 16, 1958, in Negaunee, Michigan. He spent his early years in Ishpeming, Michigan.
Dick served in the U.S. Air Force in the 11th Bomb Wing as a tail gunner in a B36 during the Korean Conflict. He graduated with a BA and Master's degree from Northern Michigan University. He taught English Literature and Composition at Alcona Community School in Harrisville, Michigan, and Graverite Junior High School in Marquette, Michigan. In 1966 Dick and his family moved to Neenah.
He taught and coached football at Butte des Morts Junior High School and taught at Menasha High School where he was also a Key Club advisor. During that time he also was a Little League coach and manager in Neenah. Dick was a Sunday school teacher at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. After teaching for 31 years, Dick retired in 1992 and moved to Neshkoro.
He was an active member of the Lions Club in Neshkoro. Dick was a member of the 11th Bomb Wing Association. Survivors include his wife, Kristine; a daughter, Kristine Kelly (David) Zedler, Pottsboro, Texas; two sons, Joseph Richard (Jennifer) Kaski, Arlington, Texas; Jeffrey Paul Kaski, Oshkosh; four grandchildren, Kristen Kaski, Bucky, Bob and Becky Zedler; stepparents, Sylvia and Walter Steidtman, Irving, Texas; and a step-sister, Carol Mangum, Irving, Texas. He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Stankewicz. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 3, 2000, at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home at 11 a.m.
with Fr. William Johnston officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to University of Wisconsin Cancer Research. WESTGOR FUNERAL HOME 205 W.
Doty Avenue Neenah 722-7151 Glen R. Krueger Neenah Age 75, died Tuesday, February 29, 2000, following a brief illness at Theda Clark Medical Center. He was born September 30, 1924, in Hortonville, son of the late Charles and Ella Krueger. Glen married Pearl Bondow on August 19, 1950. He worked for Banta's for 28 years, retiring 1988.
Survivors include his wife, Pearl; two daughters, Nancy Russo, Pat Zeinert, both of Neenah; two grandsons, Scott and Brad Zeinert; a sister, Charlotte (Joe) Werner; a brother, Fred (Alice) Krueger. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Paul Zeinert; two sisters, Dorothy Baehman and Helen Mae Draheim. Funeral services will be Friday, March 3, 2000, at 1:30 p.m. at Martin Luther Ev. Lutheran Church, 436 S.
Lake Neenah with the Reverend Richard Maurice officiating. Interment will be in Clayton Cemetery. A visitation will be Friday directly at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established.
WESTGOR FUNERAL HOME 205 W. Doty Avenue Neenah 722-7151 Walter G. Kuehn Appleton Age 85, formerly of Neenah, died on Wednesday, March 1, 2000, at his home. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 22, 1914, to the late Benjamin and Rose (Miller) Kuehn. On September 9, 1946, he married Bernice Rosenthal; she preceded him in death on November 17, 1991.
Walter served in the army during World War II and was a veteran of the European Theater. He was a member of the VFW in Menasha and the American Legion in Neenah, for which he was a Past Commander. He was a Packer Fan and held season tickets for 40 years. He worked for the Galloway Company, and was a member of their Quarter Century Club. He is survived by his children, John Kuehn and Susan (Clayton) Bundy, Appleton; grandchildren: Brin Quick; Jeremy, Amanda, and Christopher Bundy, all of Appleton; brother, LeRoy Kuehn, Menasha; sisters, Leola Dobbertin, Rose- mont, Illinois; Marilyn (Earl) Boldt, Appleton; sister-in-law, Verna (Don) Fessenden, Two Rivers; other relatives and friends.
The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, 3, 2000, at, 12 p.m. at St. March, Catholic Church, 500 W. Marquette Appleton, with Father Don Zulegar officiating. The visitation will be at the church from 10:30 a.m.
until the time of Mass. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Neenah. The family wishes to thank the Affinity Home Health Care for all of their support and help. Valley Funeral Home 2211 N. Richmond St.
733-5435 as would be Served Florence R. Nufer Neenah Home. Marvin T. Pirk Manawa Age 78, died Wednesday, March 1, 2000 at Theda Clark Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with Neenah's Westgor Funeral Age 79, died Wednesday March 1, 2000 at the Manawa Community Nursing Center following a lingering illness.
He was born December 17, 1920 in the Town of Lind, Waupaca County son of the late Max and Alma (Niemuth) Pirk. On March 13, 1943 he married Joyce P. Abrahamson in Waupaca. the They. lived farmed in Town Lind and moved to a farm in the Town of Little Wolf in 1963.
He also drove school bus for the Little Wolf School District. Marvin was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Manawa. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; two sons and daughters-in-law: Richard and Karen Pirk, Waupaca; Robert and Kathy Pirk, Manawa; six grandchildren: Donald, Douglas, Daniel (Kathy), Gary, Paul (Tori) and Lisa; two greatgrandchildren: Natasha and Lexi Rose; a sister, Elaine Anthony, Weyauwega; two brothers-in-law: Bob Gudmandsen, Baraboo; Perry (Jean) Abrahamson, Waupaca; two sisters-in-law: Inez Batten, Waupaca; Helen Affeldt, Sugar Bush; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, two sisters: Ruby and Ardis preceded him in death.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday March 4, 2000 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Manawa with Rev. H. William Jordan officiating.
Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Weyauwega. Friends may call at the Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral Home in Manawa from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday and at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m.until the time of the service. Charles A. Pribbernow N7683 Round Lake Road Brillion Age 62, died at his home on Wednesday, March 1, 2000.
He was born December 16, 1937, in Eland, Wisconsin, son of the late Ray C. and Aletha A. (La Gest) Pribbernow. On December 27, 1958, he married Evelyn G. Franzen in Phlox, Wisconsin.
Charlie served in the U.S. Army, and worked for the Ariens Co. in Brillion for years and the Brillion Iron Works for 34 years. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn; his children, Wayne and Faye Pribbernow; Lisa Huybers and fiance, Gary Chupita, all of Brillion; Scott A. and Tammy Pribbernow, Reedsville; Deborah Pribberand Kim Pribbernow, both of Brothertown; ten grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
He is further survived by two sisters-in-law, Arlene Pribbernow, New Holstein; Theda Pribbernow, Mount Home, Arkansas; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Tyler; and two brothers. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 4th at 11 a.m. at the Wieting Funeral Home in Brillion with the Reverend Sue Stull officiating. Burial will be in the St.
Mary Cemetery, Brillion. Friends may call at the Wieting Funeral Home, Brillion, on Friday from 4-8 3 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Gertrude Steinfest Appleton Age 1.
89, died on Wednesday, March 1, 2000 at Franciscan Care Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and pending. WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME 537 North Superior Street Appleton 739-1231 Rosella I. Stern (nee Schreier) Appleton Age 84, passed away Monday, February 28, 2000. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated 11 a.m.
Friday, March 3rd, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 W. Pine with Fr. John Bergstad officiating. Burial will be in the Tigerton Union Cemetery.
Friends may call directly at the church from 10 a.m. Friday until the time of service. Brettschneider-1 606 N. Oneida St. Appleton, Wis.
920-733-7383 Elmer C. Strassmann 2031 Jackson Street New Holstein Age 91, died Wednesday, March 1, 2000, at his home. He was born August 1, 1908, in the Town of Schleswig, son of the late William and Lena Wiess Strassmann. On November 18, 1936, he married Rose Portmann in Chilton. At the age of 13, Elmer was taken in by August and Wilamena Jochman.
He graduated from New Holstein High School in 1926. After graduation, he worked at several businesses, farms and factories. At the beginning of the Depression in 1928, he went to Oconto County to live with the Shirley and Mae Cox Family. In 1933 he returned to Calumet County where he worked as a farm hand on the Walter Campbell Farm. In April of 1937, he began working at the Lauson Engine in New Holstein which later became Hart Carter Co.
which eventually became Tec*mseh Products, from which he retired from on January 2, 1974. Elmer and his wife Rose have been members of St. John United Church of Christ in New Holstein since April 7, 1944. Survivors include his wife, Rose, New Holstein; a sister, Jennie Rabe, New Holstein: two brothers, Howard, Eau "Claire: Kenneth, School Hill. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lucille Poppe, and two brothers, Harry and Clarence.
Friends may call at St. John United Church of Christ in New Holstein on Friday, March 3, 2000, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Funeral services will be held at the church at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000, with the Reverend James E.
Werner, Pastor, officiating with burial in Appleton. A memorial fund will be established for St. John's Church. Sippel Funeral Home of New Holstein is assisting the family. Rose would like to thank Rachel Schroeder, Cathy Bates, Millie Thielman, Imelda Watry, Dr.
BarLev and Dr. Campbell and his nurse, Laura, for all their help. Elizabeth N. Wiesner Centerville, Ohio Tews said that if Vitas takes the Florida job the town will likely hire a consultant to conduct a nationwide search for a new administrator. Vitas told North Port officials that he could start the new job 30 days after signing a contract.
Tews said it took six months to find and hire Vitas in 1991 and he would expect a lengthy search for a new administrator. Tews said department heads would be selected to take over Vitas' duties pending completion of a search for his replacement. Supv. Jeanne Krueger said Vitas has been hinting for the last few years that he was looking for another position. "I am not really surprised or shocked," Krueger said.
"North Port's, gain is the Town of Menasha's loss. This is good for him." North Port has reportedly put a $70,000 cap on the city manager's position, but a report in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune said the job could pay up to $82,000 a year. According to town records, Vitas earned $62,902 in 1999 as Town of Menasha administrator, making him the highest-paid non-represented town employee. FREE HEARING AID FREE ANALYSIS FREE Consultation 731-6477 1-800-458-4327 Miracle-Ear' Hearing Systems by Bausch Lomb tests always free. Not a medical exam.
Performed for prop amplification selection only. Age 88, passed away Tuesday, February 29, 2000, at Hospice of Dayton. She was a member at Church of the Incarnation, a graduate of The Academy of the Sacred Heart (now Edgewood), and the University of Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by a son, William, and her husband, Francis. She is survived by six sons and daughters-in-law, Frank Jr.
and Marilyn, Neenah; Tom and Lynn, Vegas, Nevada; Paul and Nancy, Atlanta, Georgia; Richard and Louise, Menlo Park, California; George and Cindy, Madison; Michael and Maureen, Centerville, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Norma Wiesner, Ft. Wayne, Indiana; a brother, Francis D. McGuire, Virginia; a daughter-in-law, Marion Wiesner, Oxnard, California; 22 grandchildren; 'six great-grandchildren. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 2000 at Church of the Incarnation.
The family will receive friends at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME, Far Hills Chapel, 5471 Far Hills Ave. at Rahn Road, Dayton, Ohio, on Friday, March 10, 2000, from 6- 8 p.m. If desired, memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Hospice Dayton or the Francis and Elizabeth Wiesner Scholarship Fund at the University of Wisconsin Foundation, P.O. Box 8860, Madison, WI 53708-8860. VITAS VITAS IT'S YOUR Have an opinion, voice it.
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