Kiwanis Happenings – March 22, 2012


Here is another two week update on what has been happening at the Kiwanis of Fabulous Fond du Lac Service Organization.

Monday Morning
We had 22 folks at Monday’s meeting with 19 members, our guest speaker, Jordan Skiff and two MPTC Business Protocol Students, Kathe Gilbert and Evelyn Matz. “Happy Bucks” were donated by John Cooper for a great vacation in the Florida Keys last week and Bob Kahl for his family’s traditional attendance at the High School State Basketball Tournament last weekend. Gary Ring donated three “Honor Bucks” to Jan Krug, Donna Miller and Annie Sabel for their sponsoring new members at the Club Satellite. Gary Miller noted possible Inter-Club opportunities to the West Bend German Fest on March 27th and/or a visit to the Ripon Early Morning on Wednesday, March 28th. Let Gary know if you can make either and/or both events. Gary Miller also announced a “Bowling with Unmatched Big Brothers-Big Sisters” date of May 20th at Karl Ray Lanes. Watch for additional details in the very near future. Dan Leeds announced that our sponsored “Free Play Day at the FDL Children’s Museum” is Saturday, April 28th. More details and sign-up to follow. Marlin Towne was the 50/50 Raffle winner, and he drew the three of diamonds, not a winner. That leaves 49 cards in the deck with eight pay cards and at least $262 in the pot. Still plenty of chances to win.

Allen Buechel, FDL County
Allen Buechel joined us on Monday morning to give us an update on what’s happening in FDL County government. Al started out by updating the status of the Pioneer Road project. The bridge over the Fond du Lac River is complete and the next phase of the project from Morris Street to Hickory Street is almost ready to begin. The current hang up has to do with the ownership of the new railroad bridge over the Pioneer Road underpass. That issue will probably be settled at the State or court level in the not too distant future. Al also talked about the Hwy V/151 interchange and also the possible overpass at 151 and Hwy T. Al then talked about a soon to be operational Priority Medical Dispatch system to assist the 911 dispatchers when they get medical calls. He also told us about a recently received National Wellness Award for FDL County’s virtual clinic. Finally, Al talked about possible Ledge Property Acquisition to preserve some of this valuable geography. However, this idea also comes with significant controversy.

Jordan Skiff, FDL Public Works Director
Jordan Skiff is FDL’s newest Public Works Director. Jordan joined the City of Fond du Lac on September 12th after more than 11 years as the Sparta Public Works Director. Jordan is a native of Neillsville, WI and did his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Minnesota. Jordan and his wife spent five years in North Dakota as a member of the Air Force working in an engineering capacity. Jordan talked about the 120 people that are employed in the FDL Public Works Department and the $40 Million Public Works budget. Topics that Jordan discussed were various storm water retention ponds that are new to the city, the Pioneer Road Project, the Water Utility’s radium removal system, the emerald ash borer that is only 40 miles away and the City’s sidewalk replacement program.