Week of October 6, 2014
WCA Names Representative Nygren 2014 Friend of County Government

The Wisconsin Counties Association has named Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) as the 2014 recipient of their "Friend of County Government."

This is the highest honor given by the Association to an individual that has performed outstanding service to county government in their official capacity.

Representative Nygren was honored at the WCA Annual Conference in Sauk County in September.

"As this biennium wraps up, it was very clear to us that Representative Nygren stood out and was a tremendous leader on county issues," said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O'Connell. "He has gone above and beyond on critical county issues and because of his efforts, all of Wisconsin has benefitted."

Read the full media release on Representative Nygren's WCA Friend of County Government Award here.
Green Lake County's Bostelmann 2014 WCA Friend in County Government

Green Lake County Clerk Marge Bostelmann has been named the 2014 recipient of the Wisconsin Counties Association's (WCA) "Friend in County Government" award.

This is the highest honor given by the Association to an individual who has performed outstanding service not only in their own county, but also for the Association and counties statewide. Bostelmann was honored September 16, 2014 at the WCA Annual Conference in Sauk County.

"The role of clerk is imperative in the day-to-day operations of a county and Marge Bostelmann excels in serving as Green Lake's County Clerk," said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O'Connell. "Marge is not only a true treasure for the association but all of Wisconsin as well.  She is the embodiment of public service.  WCA is proud to recognize Marge for her years of dedication and service with the '2014 Friend in County Government Award.'"

Read the full article on our 2014 Friend in County Government here.

WCA President Willie Johnson, Jr. to be Featured in November Wisconsin Counties Magazine

Milwaukee County Supervisor Willie Johnson, Jr. was elected as WCA President at last month's WCA Annual Conference in Sauk County.

Be sure to look for the November issue of Wisconsin Counties magazine, where President Johnson, Jr. will be featured.

DNR and DATCP Update on the Progress of Manure Irrigation and Timeline for Release of Report

As of April 2013, the DNR has committed $338,000 to fund a manure irrigation research project to meet three objectives. 
  • Evaluate drift and fate of manure of processed wastewater pathogens using different equipment and under various field and weather conditions
  • Develop "drift" models using field collected data
  • Complete a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment

We have been informed that the research project is on schedule and will be completed by June 2015.   

 

UW-Extension Seeks Public Input on Planning
 
The University of Wisconsin-Extension encourages state residents to imagine the needs of Wisconsin families, businesses and communities 10 to 20 years in the future - and how the organization could help serve those needs.

This invitation, first via a survey, is part of a 13-state effort in cooperation with the Kettering Foundation.

Wisconsin's Extension service differs from the other states, where services are generally limited to Cooperative Extension services. In Wisconsin, Cooperative Extension is one of four divisions, which also include: public broadcasting, continuing education and services for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

"We're in communities throughout the state, so we're regularly talking with Wisconsin residents, businesses and local leaders about their needs," said Aaron Brower, interim chancellor of UW Colleges and UW-Extension. "We also try to anticipate future needs so that we'll be prepared to respond. The best way to do that is by listening to our constituents around the state, including through this survey and the subsequent forums."

 Read the full media release from UW-Extension here.

Sheboygan County: Amsterdam Dunes Purchase Complete
 
Sheboygan County along with its partner, the Glacial Lakes Conservancy (GLC), closed on the Amsterdam Dunes property last month. 

The 333 acre purchase will establish a Wetland Mitigation Bank and Preservation Area.  The property is located along Lake Michigan in the Town of Holland and is one of the few remaining undeveloped beach shorelines between Sheboygan and Chicago.  

The property contains a total of seven contiguous parcels and is comprised of rare sand dunes, forest and wetlands of various types, bluffs, farmland, streams and diverse plants and wildlife.  There is 1,920 feet of frontage along Lake Michigan, and a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Raptor Research Station is directly contiguous to the property.

Read the full media release from Sheboygan County here.


Learn About WCA Associate Members

The role and relationship of government with the private sector has changed in recent years. The creation of the WCA Associate Member Program is one more way WCA is reaching out to bring together the public and private sectors.

The WCA Associate Member Program helps to foster the critical and growing relationship between government and business. We believe that helping to nurture a strong partnership with private businesses and organizations will prove to be beneficial to all of Wisconsin.

WCA Associate Members include:

AECOM
American Transmission Company, LLC
Discover Mediaworks
General Motors  
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.

We encourage you to learn more about our WCA Associate Members by clicking here.  For more information about this program please contact WCA Marketing and Events Manager Cheryl Fleck at 866.404.2700.    
IN THIS ISSUE
Rep. Nygren Named Friend of County Government
Green Lake's Bostelmann 2014 Friend in County Government
WCA President Willie Johnson, Jr. to be Featured in November Magazine
Update on the Progress of Manure Irrigation
UW-Extension Seeks Public Input on Planning
Sheboygan County: Amsterdam Dunes Purchase Complete
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JOIN WISPOLITICS.COM FOR POST-ELECTION EVENT WITH POLITICO'S MIKE ALLEN

WisPolitics.com is hosting a Post-Election Event on Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Brink Lounge in Madison on 701 E. Washington Avenue, just blocks from the Capitol. The event is from 5-8 p.m.

 

WCA is sponsoring the event. It is a non-partisan event and includes national political landscape analysis by Mike Allen, POLITICO's chief White House correspondent and author of the must-read morning newsletter "Playbook'' and host of POLITICO's event series Playbook Breakfast.  

 

COST: $15 for subscribers/$30 for non-subscribers.

 

To learn more and register for the WisPolitics event, click here.
HANDOUTS FROM 2014 WCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE NOW ONLINE

Last month's WCA Annual Conference included many speakers at our breakout sessions. 

Find presentations from the 2014 WCA Annual Conference here.

 

Note: We have posted all presentations that have been submitted.  If you are looking for a particular handout that is not on the site, please contact us at 866.404.2700.

 

2015 WCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPONSOR AND EXHIBITOR INFO ONLINE!

The 2015 WCA Annual Conference will be held in La Crosse County September 20-22, 2015.

To learn more about being an event sponsor or exhibitor for the 2015 event, click here.

For questions, please contact WCA Marketing and Events Manager Cheryl Fleck at the WCA office at 866.404.2700 or via email at fleck@wicounties.org.
OCTOBER WCA WEBINAR ON PHOSPHORUS COMPLIANCE

WCA will hold a free webinar on October 20, 2014 on "Phosphorus Compliance: What You Need to Know."

 

Hear the latest on Wisconsin's new phosphorus compliance law and find out how Wisconsin counties can benefit from the newly-designed policy recently signed into law by Governor Walker.  

 

The program will presented by Carla Fischer, PE - Water Resources Manager, AECOM Water and Marney Hoefer - Partner, Stafford Rosenbaum, LLP

 

Learn more and register here for the October WCA Webinar.  


FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!

We love to hear what is going on in your county, be it interesting board action, fall festival or economic development news. When posting to social media, be sure to tag your posts with our hashtag, #wicounties.

If you haven't already, be sure to "Like" the Wisconsin Counties Association on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @wiscounties.

For questions on social media, contact Michelle Gormican Thompson at WCA at 866.404.2700 or onsite at 608.577.9405.