Elm Grove FREE NEWS- INDEPENDENT Volume 4, Number 7 Serving Elm Grove, Wisconsin SEPTEMBER 2016 TH OUR 6 ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! Photo by Lisabeth Passalis-Bain / EGNI Katherine Cornell Courtesy of the Village of Elm Grove New Trustee Selected Rendering of the Watertown Plank Road bridge railing, as it is expected to look when completed. By Lisabeth Passalis-Bain The Village of Elm Grove Board of Watertown Plank Road Bridge Project Nearing Completion Trustees, during a special meeting on By Lisabeth Passalis-Bain, [email protected] August 8, voted unanimously (6-0) via written ballot to appoint Katherine In the epic film “The Agony & the and additional, at times frustrating, penalty (beginning on August 22) would Cornell to fill the vacancy created by the Ecstasy” Pope Julius II, frustrated with delays in the past few weeks, the more be accessed to the construction firm by the recent resignation of trustee Jack Nelson. the artist’s extended delay in completing than $600,000 project to re-construct the Village until the project’s completion. work on the ceiling of the Sistine slowly-crumbling bridge on Watertown Cornell was chosen from a field Chapel in Rome, repeatedly approaches Plank Road in downtown Elm Grove On a positive note, work by Canadian of applicants which included James Michelangelo with the plea, “When is apparently now on track to end by Pacific (CP Rail) to smooth the track area Jodie, Irwin Johnson, Joseph Coffey, will you make it end?” Michelangelo’s September 16. Or, when it is finished. crossing Watertown Plank was completed Adam Berger, Tadeo Balderrama, consistent reply: “When I’m finished.” earlier this summer, during the first weeks James Sayas, Derek VanderHeide, and Financial incentives had been offered of the Bridge Project. Reports by those Richard Fronberry. And so it stands, that after lengthy for an early, mid-August completion. But, who have already crossed that section discussions and planning by Village as was reported by Village Manager Dave speak to a job well done. Raised in Elm Grove, Katy is a graduate officials and others in recent years; road De Angelis during last month’s Board of Marquette University and the married closure / traffic detours starting in June; of Trustees meeting, a $1,500 per day mother of four children, ages 2-11. ADVERTISE! She served as president of the Elm Grove Promote your Products & Services within 53122 & surrounding communities! Junior Guild (2012-2013) and is the current To request an AD Rate Sheet, e-mail [email protected] or call (262) 782-6193 co-president of St. Mary’s Visitation’s Home & School organization. (See New Trustee – Page 2) Cruisin’ the Grove Elm Grove’s 4th Annual Coordinating Sponsors: - The Village of Elm Grove - All of the sponsors and supporters - Participants that brought vehicles - The community that came out to see and enjoy the classic cars and bikes - All of the volunteers that gave of their time PAID POSTAGE US Elm Grove, WI Elm Grove, Permit No. 30 No. Permit PRSRT STD PRSRT Photos courtesy R&C Jaeschke Page 2 Elm Grove NEWS-INDEPENDENT September 2016 Elm Grove News-Independent LLC “I Know Where You Live!” Owner Editor & Publisher Lisabeth Passalis-Bain News & Advertising [email protected] Lisabeth (262) 782-6193 Passalis-Bain Our 6th Anniversary Issue! Graphic Designer My sincere THANKS to everyone who Barbara Kolb has collaborated in the production and on- going success of the News-Independent. Photography James L.W. Bain Despite ever-increasing options for “getting news” online, I know the Assistant to the Publisher importance of being in personal contact with Christos Passalis-Bain my community and offering you something of value that you can hold in your hands. And, if you truly believe in the phrase Published monthly. “Shop Local” — please support the many advertisers who make this FREE paper Distributed via the U.S. Postal Service to every Residence, Business & P.O. Box possible! Take care! in Elm Grove, Wisconsin 53122, with additional copies available at locations in (Cont. from Page 1) Photo courtesy of the Reusch family Elm Grove & neighboring communities. New Trustee Cornell’s passion for this community Hunz Reusch during his tenure as Fire Chief for the Village of Elm Grove. was evident during a pre-vote period at Mailing address: the special meeting when candidates were allowed time to introduce themselves Elm Grove News-Independent and explain their qualifications for the P.O. Box 372 trustee position. In Memoriam Elm Grove, Wisconsin 53122-0372 “I will be active, listen, speak up, ask Duane F. “Hunz” Reusch, questions. I will be fair and give my best Copyright 2016 by to this Village,” Cornell said. Businessman / Community Volunteer Elm Grove News-Independent LLC A large gathering of family members, But it was his strong interest in giving All rights reserved. Cornell will serve out the remaining longtime friends, and fellow fire back to our community, most notably as Any reproduction without written permission months of Nelson’s term, through April department volunteers filled the specially- a charter member of the Elm Grove Fire from the Publisher is prohibited. 21, 2017. arranged rows of seating at the Elm Department and his leadership as Fire Grove Fire Department on the afternoon Chief and Assistant Fire Chief for many of Saturday, August 20 to honor and years, that will be a major part of his remember Mr. Reusch who passed away legacy. He continued as an active member on August 13 at the age of 82. of the fire department until the end of his life. And so it was fitting that several large Waukesha County News A life-time resident of Elm Grove, he fire trucks and other vehicles were moved was the dear father of Wendy, Ronald outside on the afternoon of his visitation (Joell) and Duane (Laura) and the and service — allowing sufficient room An Inside Look at Waukesha County Government loving grandfather of Chad, Shaun, Billy for people to congregate and bid Hunz a By Thomas A. Michalski, District 8 – Supervisor Mochman, Richard, Taylor, Austin, heartfelt, final farewell in a place that, to [email protected] Canton, Raymond and Everett. He him, had meant so much. was preceded in death by his parents, I love this time of year. I particularly Paul Farrow) to a four-year term. The Raymond and Anna; his son, Richard; As was succinctly noted in an online enjoy all the fresh vegetables at the Executive is responsible for coordinating and his sister, Betty Jacobson. obituary, “His presence and goodwill farmers’ produce stands, just bursting and directing all administrative and in the Elm Grove Community will be with flavor. If my BLT sandwiches didn’t management functions of the County Hunz, who served in the U.S. Army greatly missed.” demand bacon, I could easily become a that are not vested in other elected from 1956 to 1958, was widely known vegetarian for a few months. officials. One of the primary functions (some even say “famous”) for being the Donations to the Elm Grove Fire of the Executive’s office is to develop the proud owner of Ray’s Auto Service, on Department in memory of Mr. Reusch It’s been just over four months since County’s annual budget. This budget is Watertown Plank Road in Elm Grove, would be appreciated and may be sent to you elected me to represent you as used in determining the County’s portion where generations of families brought the Village of Elm Grove, 13600 Juneau District 8 County Supervisor. I want to of our Property Tax Bill. their vehicles for repair. Blvd., Elm Grove, WI 53122. thank you for your overwhelming support and for your literal vote of confidence. The voters also elect a County Board. The I am honored and truly appreciate this County Board is made up of twenty-five opportunity to be your representative Supervisors, who are elected to two-year in Waukesha County’s Government. I terms. Every other year, the entire board promise to try to keep you informed of is up for re-election. I represent District 8, the County Board’s actions. which includes Elm Grove and the north- east quadrant of the City of Brookfield. Last winter I was campaigning door- to-door, introducing myself to as many of At the first County Board meeting in you as I could. I was surprised to discover April, the twenty-five elected supervisors Services, Human Resources, Judiciary The majority of the budget work is that many of the voters didn’t understand voted for Chairman of the County Board and Law Enforcement, Land Use Parks accomplished in September and October. how County Government is structured, (currently Paul Decker). At this meeting and Environment, and Public Works. The I am told that, during this period, the and many did not know how County the Supervisors also voted to choose four purpose of these committees is to oversee meetings are numerous and long. Government serves our community. As members of an Executive Committee. the corresponding Waukesha County I was campaigning, I resolved to make a Two additional members of the Executive Departments operations and progress on Believe it or not, I am looking forward concerted effort to educate voters. To this Committee are appointed by the Chair departmental projects. In most cases the to going through the budget process. With end, I will periodically write an article in of the County Board, who also Chairs departments report to multiple committees. an eye to maintaining our high quality of the Elm Grove News-Independent, where I the Executive Committee. These seven life, I am extremely interested in ensuring will attempt to let you know what Waukesha elected/appointed Supervisors on the All Supervisors serve on two our tax money is used responsibly.