Janesville City Weekly News

Weekly Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, April 03, 2008
Contact: Rebecca Smith, Management Assistant
Phone: 608-755-3104
Fax: 608-755-3196
E-mail: smithr@ci.janesville.wi.us
Website: www.ci.janesville.wi.us

Child Safety Seat Inspection Event Planned for April 10
The Janesville Fire Department will hold a car seat inspection event on April 10. This program will take place at Fire Station #5 (1414 Newport Avenue) from 8AM-Noon. Two other inspection events have also been planned:
• May 8, 2-6PM
• June 12, 8AM-Noon

The purpose of this program is to assist parents in protecting the lives of Janesville’s youngest residents by providing certified child safety seat technicians who will inspect, instruct and correct improperly installed child safety seats. During the event, several technicians from the Janesville Fire and Police Departments will be available to inspect child safety seats. Each inspection takes approximately 30 minutes and is free of charge; however, donations are accepted. The donations will be used to fund the operating costs of the inspection program. The Fire Department also has safety seats available. If a safety seat is found to be unsafe during an inspection, parents may choose to conveniently obtain a new safety seat from the Fire Department. Please contact Firefighter/Paramedic Jamie Kessenich at Fire Station #5 at 752-5815 if you have questions or to schedule an appointment.

Adult Sand Volleyball Leagues Begin in May
Informational Meeting Planned for April 10
Leisure Services offers adult leagues for competitive and recreational players at Traxler Park and Riverside Park. An informational meeting for all interested teams and players is scheduled for April 10 at 7PM at the Senior Center, 69 S. Water Street. The cost per team is $140 and includes six resident players. Additional resident team members cost $10 per player. Non-resident team members cost $13 per player. The price for substitutes is $6; this cost will be waived if a team representative attends the informational meeting. Team rosters must be finalized and registration fees must be paid by April 28; league play begins May 19. For questions, please contact Shelley Hansel at 755-3030.

JTS Provides Service on School Make-Up Saturdays
In the aftermath of a winter with record-setting snowfall, the School District of Janesville will hold school on two Saturdays to replace the days lost as the result of inclement weather. To facilitate attendance at school on these two Saturdays, April 12 and May 3, 2008, the School District has asked the Janesville Transit System to provide expanded public bus service on those dates.

The School District is reimbursing the City of Janesville for the cost of providing this additional service. Under Federal Transit Administration regulations, this service will be open at all times to the general public, will operate in accordance with published schedules, and the regular fares will be charged.

On April 12 and May 3 JTS will make the following modifications to its regular Saturday schedule to assist Janesville families and students in attending the school replacement days:

o JTS Regular Routes will begin service at 7:15AM on these dates, rather than the normal Saturday start time of 8:45AM. This will allow adequate time for persons traveling from home to the schools for the 8:15AM Middle School and 8:30AM High School start times. School dismissal occurs during normal Saturday operating hours, so no service changes are necessary for that purpose.

o The following Extra Service Routes will operate on April 12 and May 3:
o Ontario–Alpine/Wuthering Hills Combination
o Atwood-Holmes/East Milwaukee Special Combination
o South West Special
o Northwest/West Court Special Combination

Extra Service Routes are open to anyone wishing to ride and the regular fare ($1.25) will be charged. Schedules will be modified to meet the changes in the school opening and closing times on these Saturdays.

For more details and route planning assistance for service on April 12 and May 3, please contact JTS at 755-3150.

Home Buyer’s Workshop Offered in April
The Home Buyer’s Workshop is a series of classes geared toward those who have never owned a home and may be wondering what it takes to become a homeowner. Whether you are thinking about buying a home in the near or distant future, these classes will give you the information you need to make a wise purchase decision. Topics discussed include: the benefits of homeownership, household budgeting and credit, the benefits of a home inspection, writing an offer to purchase, the mortgage application process, property taxes, and local down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

The next series of the Home Buyer’s workshop is scheduled for Tuesdays, April 15, 22, 29 and May 6 from 6:30 – 8:30PM. The classes are held at the City of Janesville Municipal Building, located at 18 N. Jackson Street. Participants must attend all classes to earn a certificate of completion.

The workshop is sponsored by Anchor Bank, Associated Bank, Blackhawk Community Credit Union, Commercial Bank, Johnson Bank, M&I Bank, Rock County Planning & Development, and classes are taught by Community Action, Inc. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please call Neighborhood Services at 755-3065.

Police Accreditation Assessment Planned for April; Public Information Session Planned for April 16
A team of assessors from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG) will complete an assessment of all aspects of the Janesville Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operation, and support services in April. This assessment is part of the Department’s re-accreditation efforts and is completed to ensure the Janesville Police Department meets the Board’s state-of-the-art standards.

As part of the on-site assessment, employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on April 16 at 7PM. The session will be held in the City Council Chambers on the fourth floor of the Municipal Building, 18 North Jackson Street.

If an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone or in writing. The public may call 373-3436 on April 16 from 8AM – 5PM to share comments. Written comments should be addressed to:

Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group
4760 Schneider Drive
Oregon, WI 53575

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with WILEAG’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Janesville Police Department (100 N. Jackson Street).

This accreditation is a voluntary process and is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. The Janesville Police Department was first accredited in May 2000. Accreditation is now for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

The Team Leader for the Janesville Police Department On-Site Assessment is Chief Ann Wellens from South Milwaukee Police Department. She said the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from agencies similar to Janesville. The assessors will review written material, interview individuals, and visit offices and the places where compliance can be witnessed.

The assessors are: Chief Ann Wellens, team leader, Administrative Assistant Ann Wissing from Muskego Police Department and Captain Tim Kriz (ret.), West Allis Police Department. Once the Board’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full board, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status, Chief Wellens stated.

“The Janesville Police Department has to comply with 233 standards in order to gain accredited status. The accreditation process has necessitated a complete review of all department policies, procedures, and operations. The process challenged the department to seek excellence in providing service to the community.” explains Deputy Chief Steve Kopp.

For more information regarding the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group or the accreditation process, please write the group at the address listed above or contact Deputy Chief Steven Kopp at 755-3213.

S.A.F.E Training Scheduled for April 29
On April 29 from 5:30 – 7:30PM the Janesville Police Department will conduct safety training for women who are interested in learning more about personal protection. This event will take place at the Mercy Center at Mercy Hospital (1000 Mineral Point) in Janesville. If you are unable to attend this session, feel free to contact the Police Department to inquire about future training sessions.

What is “S.A.F.E.” Training? S.A.F.E stands for Self defense, Awareness, Familiarization and Exchange. The program is taught by police officers and is designed to educate women on how to protect themselves from crime by introducing them to physical training methods. To register for the class, please contact Mercy Health Systems at 756-6100. For additional information, call Sergeant Donohoue at 755-3133. Register early because classes fill quickly!

Emerald Ash Borer Survey Results Available
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) recently completed a survey of ash trees in Rock County including the Janesville area. No emerald ash borers (EAB) were found in Rock County during the survey.

During the survey process, state employees cut down live ash trees on public property and stripped the tree bark looking for the borer larvae. EAB has been found as close as Kane County, Illinois. Leisure Services estimates 25,000 ash trees are present in Janesville and all of them are endangered by this insect.

If you suspect an infestation of emerald ash borer (EAB), please contact the DNR immediately by calling 1-800-462-2803 or e-mailing DATCPEmeraldAshBorer@wisconsin.gov.

How can you prevent EAB from coming to Janesville? Please consider these outdoor tips:
1. Never carry firewood around with you. Buy it locally and burn it all at your campsite. This is one of the primary ways that insects relocate and start new populations.
2. Become familiar with the look and activity timing of the emerald ash borer. There are other metallic green/brown beetles that may, at first glance, look like the emerald ash borer. The “D”- shaped exit hole is very distinctive.
3. If planting trees, plant non-ash species until further research provides viable treatments or resistant tree varieties.

For more information on EAB you can visit these websites http://www.emeraldashborer.info or http://www.jstac.org.

Janesville Figure Skating Club Profiled in National Publication
The Janesville Figure Skating Club (JFSC) was recently featured in LifeSkate Magazine, a national publication for the figure skating profession. The JFSC is the first club to be featured in this magazine’s new series about local figure skating clubs. Please find attached a PDF of the article.

Deb Tatroe is the Club President and Tina Matykowski is responsible for club marketing and made arrangements for the article. Individuals interested in learning more about the JFSC are encouraged to visit their website (http://www.janesvillefsc.org) or call Deb Tatroe at 758-5418. For questions, call Cullen Slapak at 754-7840.

Officer Chad Sullivan Recognized by the Elks Lodge
Officer Chad Sullivan was recently recognized by the Janesville Elks Lodge #254. This service club presented Officer Sullivan with its “Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award”. This award is presented to one individual each year that demonstrates outstanding and meritorious services to humanity. Specifically, Officer Sullivan was recognized for his involvement with the club’s drug awareness programs and community activities. This award was presented to Officer Sullivan as a surprise on March 28 at the Elks Lodge Annual Dinner.

Sergeant Brian Donohoue explains, “Officer Sullivan is passionate about serving his community and his drug awareness efforts are to be commended. The Janesville Police Department is very appreciative that he was recognized by the Elks Lodge in this way.” For questions, call Sergeant Brian Donohoue at 755-3133.

Library News
For questions or more information about any of the library items below, please call the library at 758-6607.

Celebrate National Library Week @ HPL
National Library Week is a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide – and the perfect time to discover how you can Join the Circle of Knowledge @ Your Library. Celebrate National Library Week beginning Sunday, April 13 through Saturday, April 19 at Hedberg Public Library, 316 S. Main St.

Our Circle of Knowledge Just Got a Whole Lot Safer
Identity theft is a common concern, and libraries across the country are taking measures to keep patrons’ personal information safe. Soon, your personal library account information will have a new level of protection!
During National Library Week, all HPL cardholders will have their image added to their account, which will help secure your personal information and prevent unlawful use of your library card.
Just stop at checkout and say cheese! And don’t worry, the electronic picture is for staff view only, so you can keep your card with those cute, colorful lollipops!

Meet the Newest Member of our Circle
Mosi the giraffe is traveling all the way from Africa (courtesy of the Friends of HPL) to join his giraffe family in the Children’s Room. Stop in to the library to track his journey and see where Mosi has been “spotted” lately. You can also track his journey online at www.hedbergpubliclibrary.org/mosi.php. Mosi’s official arrival will be celebrated on Saturday, April 19 from 2-4 p.m. Stop in to enjoy the festivities!
Don’t miss these other great events during National Library Week @ HPL!
Poetry Open Mic - Sunday, April 13 from 2 - 4 p.m.
April is National Poetry Month. Celebrate by reading your original work at the library. Not a writer but appreciate poetry? Come and listen! For adults and high school students. Poets are asked to check in at 1:30 p.m.

Clare Norelle - Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m.
Join us for an evening of music and storytelling. Sing, move and share ideas while learning about new languages and cultures. Family fun for all ages. No registration necessary.

Visit www.hedbergpubliclibrary.org to learn more about National Library Week and the library’s new mascot, Mosi!

Minnesota Crime Wave @ Your Library
"Minnesota Crime Wave," a dangerously humorous trio of prolific mystery authors from Minnesota, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at Hedberg Public Library, 316 S. Main St., Janesville. Writers Carl "Sailor" Brookins, William Kent "Iceman" Krueger, and Ellen "Murder Most Fowl" Hart will appear in gangster costumes, present a panel discussion about mysteries, and answer questions from the audience about mysteries and mystery writing. The program is free and open to the public as part of the Nancy Parker Library Programs for Adults series funded by the Nancy B. Parker Endowment.

Among them, the authors have written 35 crime novels and received more than 23 national and regional awards. William Kent Krueger is the author of the Cork O'Connor mystery series set in the great Northwoods of Minnesota. His recent novels are Thunder Bay and Mercy Falls. His awards include the Minnesota Book Award, Friends of American Writers Prize, and Anthony Award for Best Novel.

Before he became a mystery writer and reviewer, Carl Brookins was a freelance photographer, public TV program director, cable TV administrator, and university counselor. He is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Private Eye Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. With his wife and friends, he has sailed in many locations across the world. He writes a sailing adventure series featuring Michael Tanner and Mary Whitney and the Sean NMI Sean private investigator series.

Ellen Hart is a three-time winner of the Minnesota Book Award for Best Popular Fiction and five-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award for best lesbian mystery. For the last 11 years, she has taught an introductory mystery-writing course through The Loft Literary Center. Her newest novels are No Reservations Required, Night Vision, and The Mortal Groove. For more information about library programs for adults, call the library service desk at (608) 758-6588 or visit hedbergpubliclibrary.org.

April Exhibits @ Your Library
Watercolor paintings by Carla Day-Johnson are on view this month at the Hedberg Public Library, 316 S. Main St., Janesville. The artist, who lives on a farm in Rock Township, draws her inspiration from nature: wild and farm animals, visitors to her bluebird trail, and flowers in her large gardens. Day-Johnson states, "My father always said if you have a bit of land, you can survive no matter what else happens." The exhibit includes "Woodland Series," a group of 24 paintings depicting the artist's childhood surroundings in northern Wisconsin in different seasons and from different vantage points. Day-Johnson graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a bachelor's degree in interior design and art. She has taught painting and drawing at Blackhawk Technical College since 1989 and formerly served on the art committee at Hedberg Public Library.

Also on display at the library is a collection of unique kitchen implements owned by Maureen Birchfield of Janesville. Exhibit items represent the 1920s, '30s, '40s, '50s and '60s, and include potato baking nails, "The incredible cheese machine," Rocky Mountain bean spoon, and kraut pounder, among many others. Both exhibits may be viewed during all library hours through April 30. For more information, call the library service desk at (608) 758-6588 or visit hedbergpubliclibrary.org.

Photo Opportunities Available
There are several City of Janesville events that would make excellent photo opportunities and story ideas. Please mark your calendar for these upcoming events and look for more information in future press releases.

Date Event Time & Location Contact
April 29 S.A.F.E. Training 5:30-7:30PM, Mercy Center at Mercy Hospital (1000 Mineral Point) Sergeant Donohoue, 755-3133.