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City of Verona Newsletter
Issue Ten - February and March 2014
This Issue:
Emerald Ash Borer in Dane County
Meet the New Verona Police Officers
Spring Election: April 1st
Lincoln Traveling Exhibition at Verona Library
Identity Theft Information
Children's Events at the Verona Library
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February Events
8:     Mandarin Story Time,
         Library 11 a.m.
10:   Book Discussion at 
         Verona Library, 11:30 a.m.
15:   Let's Talk About It: 
         Muslim Journeys 10 a.m.
18:   Colon Cancer, 6:30 p.m.
18:   The Strollin Colon, 
         9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
20.   Dr. King's Dream, 7 p.m.
20:   Books n Booze, 5:30 p.m.
26:   Planning for Your
         Retirement, 6:30 p.m.

March Events
4:     Technology for Small
         Businesses, 6 p.m.
8:     Let's Talk About It: 
         Muslim Journeys 10 a.m.
12:   Deadline to Register to
         Vote by Mail
17:   Laughing with Animals,
         Library 3 p.m.
17-28:
        Early Voting at City Hall
18:   Social Security 101,
        Library 6:30 p.m.
20:   Books n Booze, 5:30 p.m.
27:   Last Day to Request a 
         Mailed Absentee Ballot
20:   Spy Training Day, Library
         1:30 p.m.
  Dr. King's Dream
February 20, 7:00 p.m.
Verona Public Library
Join us for this powerful depiction of the life and career of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., starring Mixed Blood Theatre's Shawn Hamilton in a stirring solo performance. Sponsored by a grant from Beyond the Page.
Colon Cancer Awareness Events at Verona Library
Colon Cancer: Polyps, Prevention, and Possible Treatments
2/18 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Learn more about colon cancer screening, prevention, and treatment with one of the U.W. Carbone Cancer Center's leading colorectal cancer physicians, William Schelman M.D., Ph.D.

The Strollin Colon
2/18 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
For one day only, visit this interactive, walk-through inflatable reproduction of the human colon.
 Planning For Your Retirement
February 26, 6:30 p.m.
Verona Public Library
Are you approaching retirement? Have you recently retired? It's never too early or too late to start planning.  Join Jesse Grutz, from The Retirement Classroom, as he provides information that will help you make informed financial decisions. 
 Technology for Small Business
March 4, 6:00 p.m.
Verona Public Library
Technology can make your small business thrive. Become more efficient, productive, and responsible to customer needs by correctly implementing the latest technologies. Presented in partnership with the Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation. Registration is required. To register, call 608-257-5450.
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 Social Security 101
March 18, 6:30 p.m.
Verona Public Library
There are more than 500 different combinations of Social Security benefits for married couples. Jesse Grutz, from the Retirement Classroom, will be available to help you decipher this government program.
 Book Discussions at Verona Library
The Verona Public Library hosts a book discussion on the second Monday of every month, at 11:30 a.m. Copies of the books are available at the service desk. Below are the upcoming dates and details for the next two book discussions:

February 10, 11:30 a.m.
The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Deborah Kiernan
 
March 10, 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore  by Robin Sloan
Books 'N Booze Book Discussion
The Verona Public Library has a new book group targeted toward young adults. Books 'N Booze Book Discussions take place at Pasqual's Cantina, 100 Cross Country Rd., on the third Thursday of each month. Below are the upcoming dates, times, and book titles.

 

February 20, 5:30 p.m.

Big Trouble by Dave Barry

March  20, 5:30 p.m. 
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
 
"We don't urge readers to drink, we urge drinkers to read"
Contacts:
  
111 Lincoln Street
845-6495
  
111 Lincoln Street
Commercial - 845-0963
Residential - 845-0909
  
410 Investment Court
845-6695
 
111 Lincoln Street
845-7623 - Non Emergency
 
101 Lincoln Street
845-9401 - Non-Emergency
 
500 Silent Street
845-7180
 
108 Paoli Street
845-7471
Emerald Ash Borer in Dane County
The recent announcement by the DNR officials that Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in Madison marked the first time the pest was found in Dane County. Every Ash tree in Verona will be affected by this insect and landowners will have to choose to either treat their trees or remove them.

Treatment Options
Removal of trees, either before or after they become infected, is perhaps the easiest and most permanent solution but can be quite expensive depending on the size and location of the tree. This is a good option for small trees that are easily replaced or those that are in poor condition. Removal should also be considered for those who are not prepared to treat their trees regularly for the foreseeable future.

Insecticide treatment for Emerald Ash Borer can be very effective and quite economical compared to the cost of removal. Large trees with sentimental value or those that provide landscape or shade benefit are good candidates for treatment. There are several treatment options available, some of which can be purchased by homeowners and some are restricted to use by licensed arborists. In general, 'over the counter' treatments are less effective on larger trees so those with a trunk diameter over 8" should be professionally treated. The cost of chemical treatment depends on the size of the tree and the product, but usually the product ranges from $6 to $10 per trunk diameter inch, per year.

The City's Plan for Public Trees 
The City of Verona has 480 publicly owned Ash trees along streets and in our parks. Our plan is to treat approximately half of these trees and replace the rest of them as soon as they become infected. The largest and most valuable trees will be treated first and those that are small and in poor condition will be slated for removal. The City has licensed staff to apply restricted use chemicals directly in to the trunk and the treatments are effective for 2 to 3 years.

For more information on Emerald Ash Borer or if you suspect you may have an infected tree, contact the Parks Department at 845-6695. The State of Wisconsin also has developed an Ash Borer Information site with a lot of good information at http://datcpservices.wisconsin.gov/eab.
Meet the New Verona Police Offices
The Verona Police Department would like to introduce their two new police officers: Michael Johnson and John Clay. Both officers were hired on December 30, 2013 to fill existing vacancies. 

Officer Michael R. Johnson was previously employed by the Iowa County Sheriff's Department as a Corrections Officer/Dispatcher from January 2007 until August 2010, and was then promoted to patrol deputy in August 2010. He also worked as a part-time patrol officer for the City of Dodgeville and the City of Mineral Point Police Departments from October 2006 through December 2013. Officer Johnson received a B.S. degree in Physical Education from the University of WI-LaCrosse in December 2002, and graduated from the Madison Area Technical College police basic recruit academy in October 2006. Johnson is assigned to patrol and is currently serving in the field training program.
 
Officer John Clay received a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of WI-Platteville in 2012. On May 10, 2013 Clay graduated from the police basic recruit academy at Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, WI. Prior to obtaining employment with the City of Verona, John worked as a cheese maker in Monroe, WI. Officer Clay is assigned to patrol and is currently serving in the field training program. 
Spring Election: April 1st, 2014
The Spring Election will be held on Tuesday April 1st. Offices on the ballot include:
  • Court of Appeals Judge - District 4
  • Dane County Circuit Court Judge - Branch 1
  • Dane County Circuit Court Judge - Branch 7
  • Dane County Board Supervisor - District 32
  • Verona Area School Board Member - Portion 3
  • Verona Area School Board Member at Large
  • City Mayor
  • City Alderperson Districts 1, 2, 3, & 4

The Spring Election will be the first election in which new voting machines will be used. These machines accept and read your ballot after you have voted. The new machines do not cause any changes to the polling place layout or voting procedures. The most notable change that will impact voters is the ballot itself. Instead of connecting an arrow next to the candidate in which you wish to vote for; you will now fill in an oval. 

 

A few weeks before the election, sample ballots will be available for viewing at the following locations:

City Website - Elections

Verona City Hall

Verona Public Library

Miller & Sons Supermarket

 

Please familiarize yourself with the look of the new ballots and remember these important dates in regards to voting:

 

Wednesday, March 12th 

Deadline to Register to Vote by Mail

Monday, March 17th

Early Voting (Absentee Voting at City Hall) Begins

Thursday, March 27th  

Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot to be Mailed to You

Friday, March 28th

Last Day to Register to Vote prior to Election Day AND Last Day of Early Voting.

More information on the Spring Election can be found on the City website www.ci.verona.wi.us under the Elections tab.
Let's Talk About It: Muslim Journeys 
Verona Public Library Discussion Series, February to May 2014
Participants will explore the histories, faith, and cultures of Muslims around the world and within the United States in this five-part, scholar-led reading and discussion series. The Verona Public Library was one of 125 libraries and state humanities councils across the country selected to participate in this project. The Muslim Journeys theme the library will explore is Points of View. Book selections and discussion dates are listed below. 

2/15 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar
3/8 10:00 -11:30 a.m. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood 
                                            by Marjane Satrapi
4/12 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. House of Stone by Anthony Shadid
5/3 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Broken Verses by Kamila Shamsie
5/24 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Dreams of Trespass by Fatima Mernissi
 
This grant is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.
Identity Theft Information
professional-adults.jpg The Verona Police Department is alerting citizens to be aware of identity theft during the current tax season. An identity thief uses a legitimate taxpayer's social security number to file an early season, fraudulent tax return and claim a refund. 

The IRS will notify potential victims of identity theft via a mailed or electronic notice depending on how your tax return was submitted. Victims should suspect identity theft if the notice indicates more than one tax return was filed using their SSN, a balance is due, or records indicate you received wages from an unknown employer. If you receive a notice from the IRS you should file a report with your local law enforcement agency and respond to the name and number on the back of the notice. The IRS requires victims to complete an Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039, which can be downloaded from their website HERE.

You can minimize your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and tax fraud by following these simple steps:
  • Don't carry your social security card or any documents containing your SSN with you
  • Shred unwanted documents containing personal information and secure needed personal information in your home or safety deposit box
  • Protect your personal computer by using firewalls or anti-virus software
  • Don't provide personal information over the telephone, through the mail, or on the internet unless you have initiated contact or know and can verify who you are dealing with.

It is recommended that all citizens obtain their free credit report every 12 months from one of the three major credit bureaus.

Children's Events at the Verona Library
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Young and the Restless: Open Indoor Playtime
Run, jump, slide, balance, dance! Our Young and the Restless indoor play time is an opportunity for kids to be active, develop motor skills, and make new friends. Ages 0-5 and their caregivers. No registration required. Here are the dates:
  • Friday February 7, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
  • Friday February 28, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
  • Friday March 7, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
  • Friday March 21, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Mandarin Story Time
Saturday February 8, 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Presented by VAIS (Verona Area International School). Join us for stories read in English and Chinese. Have fun with crafts, activities, and new friends. Ages 3-8. Meets in the Community Room.

David Stokes: Laughing with Animals
Monday March 17, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Naturalist, humorists, and educator David Stokes will entertain you with live animals, songs, and stories. All ages welcome.

jungle-gym-feet.jpg Spy Training Day
Thursday March 20, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Smart? Sneaky? Develop spy techniques like our favorite characters Alex Rider, Cam Jansen, Harriet the Spy, and the Mysterious Benedict Society. Decode secret messages, conquer obstacle courses, and perfect other secret spy skills. Meets in the Community Room. Ages 6-10.