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Village People 2006 President’s Report
There are many accomplishments for the Village People in
2006. The credit for this goes to the hard-working people who have
volunteered and devoted many hours to making our organization a
success. It’s been my privilege to help steer the ship in the past
year.
The overriding theme to 2006 was a year of strengthening
partnerships and ties in the community. As an organization, the
Village People can accomplish much. But when we work together
with the community, we can accomplish anything.
Thanks to new leadership at Village Hall under Dennis
Manthei and the Village Board, the Village People worked
very closely with the village to apply for a Department of
Transportation Enhancement Program grant that became
known as Pathways, a dynamic, visionary streetscape and
downtown enhancement project that was truly exciting.
While we were disappointed to hear that we didn’t get the
grant, our ranking was favorable which confirms that it is a
great proposal and we will try again. And all of this would
not have happened had it not been for the chair of the
village’s Economic Development Advisory Committee and
a Village People Board member, Sharon Fuller, who pulled
it all together. Thank you, Sharon.
The fledging West Salem Boys and Girls Club moved closer
to spreading its wings this past year. Starting in January
with a wonderful kickoff event featuring West Salem’s own
Damian Miller, the club officially became a part of the La
Crosse Boys and Girls Club, a board of directors was
chosen, and then, in August, came the big news – the club
has a temporary new home at the former Franciscan-Skemp
Clinic in West Salem. This tremendous news again
reinforced the good things that the Village People does for
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the community. My personal thanks to the many people who
were involved in making this happen.
We strengthened our partnership with the West Salem
Business Association. For the second straight year, our two
boards had a joint meeting to discuss how we can work
together. The WSBA is working on a Celebrate West Salem
event for 2007 that will highlight the community’s business
and organizations. There also is a new Business Welcome
program started by the WSBA to official welcome new
businesses to our community.
We put the finishing touches on the wonderful bike shelter
that is a tremendous asset to the downtown and had the
fourth successful season of the Farmers’ Market.
These are just a few of the highlights, but as you can see,
2006 was a tremendous year for our organization. It’s been an
honor serving as your president this past year, and I look
forward to more exciting news to come.
Sincerely,
Chris Hardie
Cheryl and Sue
(with Chris)
were both
recognized
for their
contributions
to the Village
People.
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Pathways
Here’s to Bob and Paula Martell!!
The Village People would like to recognize Bob and Paula Martell,
previous owners of Neshonoc Lakeside Campground, for being honored
as the 2006 West Salem Business People. Paula has been active with the
Village People since its conception and has served on the Oversight and
Downtown Development committees. Here’s just a little look at their
story.
When two young West Salem graduates went searching for some
property to raise their family on, they ended up buying a small
campground business. They had no idea what kind of an impact this
would make on their lives and the lives of many others. Their business
provided first time job experiences for many area youth and brought
thousands of tourists to enjoy the beautiful West Salem area and its
businesses.
Bob and Paula have been strong supporters of local, county, state, and
national organizations. Over the years, their business has been featured in
many newspapers and magazines as a result of their high standards in the
campground industry. Thirty-five years of hard work and personal
dedication have earned them numerous awards for their accomplishments,
including the honor of being rated the No. 1 campground in Wisconsin.
We thank Paula for her dedication to the Village People. She and Bob
have now retired from the campground and enjoy spending lots and lots
of fun time with their four grandsons and families.
The Village People will continue to focus on downtown development
throughout 2007 by preparing for the next round of financing for the
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Transportation
Enhancement (TE) program.
Pathways, the downtown streetscape project proposed by the
Village People and the Village Economic Advisory Committee, did not
get approval by the state in 2006, but we will prepare for the next round
of funding in 2008. The program is designed to fund projects that increase
multi-modal transportation alternatives and enhance communities and the
environment. The public sponsor is reimbursed for 80% of the approved
project costs.
While we did not get funding in 2006, the ranking of Pathways
was third out of eight projects presented in our Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO). This is considered a very good ranking, and
excellent reviews were given the project. Most projects funded by the
state are submitted several times before giving money.
The criteria used to rank the project will be studied and changes
made where applicable. Criterion included such evaluation as economic
development, safety, positive social and community effects, supports
efficient land use patterns, impacts on natural environment, energy
conservation, promotes implementation of land use plans, multimodalism, and 11 more points of consideration.
Each criterion was given a point value from zero to six, with six
being the desirable number. The totals were tabulated from each
committee member to determine the ranking of a project. Other cities
presenting were La Crosse with four projects and Onalaska with three.
Pathways had significant support from local, county, state, and
federal levels of government, with numerous letters of support. The next
cycle for application of the program will be 2008. Dennis Manthei,
Village President, remains enthusiastic about Pathways and favors
resubmitting our application in 2008.
The Village People will continue to work with the village and the
application process in the future. A great job was done on Pathways! If at
first you don’t succeed, try, try again--and so we shall. Thank you to each
and every one of you who has been involved in Pathways.
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WEST SALEM AREA BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
Youth Committee Report
HELPING OUT
As a nonprofit group, we need to work hard to raise funds.
We have several opportunities for you to pitch in and give us a hand
this summer.
Hansen’s food sales
This year our major fund-raisers will be four food sales
events, grilling brats and pork chops, at Hansen’s IGA. The dates
for this year are April 21, July 28, Aug. 25, and Sept. 22. Clip this
and post it on your refrigerator! We need four or five people for
three to four hours at each event. It’s a good time and a chance to
get to know some of your fellow volunteers.
If you can’t volunteer that day, you can still help out. Spread
the word about these sales. Buy lunch for your family, friends and
neighbors! The more food we sell, the more successful the event is.
The Youth Committee of the Village People is excited to move
forward with establishing a West Salem Area Boys and Girls Club! We
hope to open the Club by late spring or early summer of 2007. The Youth
Group’s goal is to raise all of the dollars needed for the first three years of
club operation, plus start an endowment fund which will help sustain the
future operation of the Club. Once we have opened our doors and apply
for a charter, the Club will operate under the National Boys and Girls
Clubs guidelines.
The Club will be located in the heart of West Salem’s downtown
in the former Franciscan-Skemp Mayo Health System Clinic Building.
We are so very grateful for the unbelievably generous lease agreement of
$1 per year from Franciscan-Skemp for the first two years with the option
to extend the lease or to buy the facility.
WEST SALEM AMERICAN LEGION will hold a CHICKENQ, on Saturday, March 24 from 11 a.m. until the chicken runs out
on or before 4 p.m.
All the proceeds will benefit the new West Salem Area Boys &
Girls Club! Tickets will be $7.50 in advance and $9.00 at the door
and are available from any legion member, members of the Boys &
Girls Club Advisory Board & Village People volunteers. To make
it simple, just call 304-6000 for your tickets today! Support the
club and enjoy a fantastic chicken-Q dinner at the same time.
Photos of the work going on at the West Salem Boys and Girls Club
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As previously stated in earlier editions of this newsletter, the
West Salem Area Boys and Girls Club will provide a positive place for
area youth and meet a variety of needs in an open, accepting environment.
Club programs will focus on complementing the Village Park and
Recreation Department, the School District, and other local offerings.
The club will attract and guide young people with core programs in five
areas:
♦ Character and Leadership Development -- emphasizing
interpersonal relationship-building, self-image, and contribution to
the community.
♦ Education and Career Development -- teaching basic education
disciplines and technology.
♦ Health and Life Skills -- encouraging goal-setting and selfsufficiency.
♦ The Arts -- nurturing creativity, cultural awareness and appreciation
for the arts.
♦ Sports, Fitness, and Recreation -- developing physical and social
skills, stress management and appreciation for the environment.
An independent study done by the University of Wisconsin-La
Crosse confirmed the need for a West Salem Area Club by systematically
comparing West Salem with four other communities with successful Boys
and Girls Clubs as well as fitting strict criteria for community similarity.
This study was based solely on the West Salem School District and did
not factor in the surrounding areas of Bangor, Barre Mills, or Rockland.
Comparisons and forecasts were deliberately on the conservative side, and
the study objectively predicted the Club would have approximately 280
members by the end of the third year of operation!
Recently we reached a Management Agreement with the Boys
and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse. This agreement allows us to
benefit from the massive resources of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater
La Crosse, yet keep our local community-based identity and input in
meeting the needs of our youth. The agreement also allows West Salem
youth seamless access to the La Crosse Clubs. Countywide agreements
like this one are encouraged and endorsed by the Boys and Girls Club of
America guidelines and requirements for chartering.
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Here are the latest facts on our progress:
Students are helping to decide the focus of Club
programming by completing surveys and communication via
student representatives.
Remodeling of the clinic building began in March utilizing
as much donated time, talents, and materials as possible to
accommodate programming needs.
A recent Damian and Jeanne Miller Fundraising Event was
held at Maple Grove on January 27, and more than 200 people
attended. The community and beyond was extremely generous in
providing funds and auction items for the event that were so
sincerely appreciated. The attendees were also unbelievably
generous in their participation by purchasing silent- and liveauction items and by buying raffle tickets.
Because of all the support, we had a net income of more
than $16,000 after expenses. These funds are targeted for the clinic
building remodeling costs not covered by donations of materials or
labor.
Fundraising began in early December of 2006 and has
almost reached two thirds of the target goal of $600,000.
Damian Miller at the Fundraiser
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Membership fees will be nominal, and scholarships will be
available in special need circumstances.
The Club will become a key element in providing a place
where kids will feel safe and where they will find a sense of
belonging.
The Village People are committed to making this Club a
reality and ask for your continued support. We still have a long
way to go, but we have faith in this project. Don’t forget the West
Salem Area Boys and Girls Club when you give a memorial or a
gift in honor of a special person or occasion. We are more than
happy to acknowledge the gift for those involved. If you haven’t
made a donation yet, consider doing so at this time. If you have
already given, consider giving again when and if you can.
All donations are appreciated. When considering an
amount, remember that money pledged can be
given over a three- or more year time frame.
Donations may be sent to:
Village People/B&GC
P.O. Box 10
West Salem, WI 54669
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Please consider a financial investment to support
the work of the Village People in the downtown
revitalization process. Thank you to those who have
invested in 2006 and made this community work
possible.
Community Investor (Up to $100)
Harold O. Dahl Trust
Richard & Mary Gabriel –
In Honor of Marge & Doug Jewett’s 50thAnniversary
Edwin & Dorothy Traisman –
In Honor of Marge & Doug Jewett’s 50th Anniversary
Please call me with any questions or offers of help as
well!
Community Partner ($101 to $500)
None
Respectfully,
Don Brenengen
Youth Committee President
Community Benefactor ($501 to $1,000)
June Dairy Days Association
We are always looking for people to join
the Boys & Girls Club effort!
Community Philanthropist ($1,001 to $5,000)
Bill & Terry Wagner
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In-kind Donations:
Pat Hofer – Newsletter
Stacy Hutchinson – Talcott – Legal counsel
Jim Brickl – Façade design assistance
Ernie Tourville, Jim Brickl – Streetscape design
assistance
River Valley News Group (Coulee News) – Meeting
room
West Salem Elementary School – Meeting room
(B&GC)
Brenengen Chevrolet – Meeting room (B&GC)
Greg Mader – Web page
West Salem Historical Society – Bulk mailing rate
Hansen’s IGA – Grilling days
Dave Hofer, Don & Cheryl Brenengen – Gas grill
use
EZ Print – Newsletter printing
Karen McGarvey – Annual account audit
Don & Cheryl Brenengen – Annual meeting hosts
***This list does not include item or cash donations
made before or at the Damian and Jeanne Miller B&GC
Fundraiser or any donations to the Boys & Girls Club
of West Salem during 2006. If we’ve missed your
generous donation, please let us know, and we’ll
include in our next newsletter.
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The mission of the Village People is to engage the community in
identifying and facilitating projects for growth and development,
beautification, historic preservation, and community awareness of the
benefits of proactive planning. Our primary focus is on the
revitalization of downtown, capturing the spirit and uniqueness of
the past, present, and future of our community.
“I studied the lives of great men and famous
women, and I found that the men and women who
got to the top were those who did the jobs they had
in hand, with everything they had of energy and
enthusiasm and hard work.”
--Harry S. Truman
The Village People always appreciate your tax-deductible
contribution to our work.
Your financial support plays a vital role in “Working Today
for West Salem’s Tomorrow”.
Please send your contribution to :
The Village People
P.O. Box 10
West Salem, WI 54669