WiscNews: Local
By Trevor Kupfer, Dells Events
April 2, 2008
About 20 members of Rep. Tammy Baldwin's staff met with Wisconsin Dells city officials Friday afternoon, driving throughout the area and discussing issues of economic development, environmental protection and public safety.
"On this particular occasion we were doing our annual staff planning meeting," the Democratic congresswoman said. "When we convene in Wisconsin one of the things that's important to me is to expose the staff — especially those that work in Washington D.C. and aren't regularly exposed to Wisconsin — to see the diversity of the district and Wisconsin Dells, in particular, because it's unique in so many ways."
The staff members met with Bill Brown, chairman of the Business Improvement District Committee, Alderperson Debbie Kinder and Public Works Director Mike Horkan. Brown said they toured the area from MooseJaw Pizza to the Lower Dells, then across the bridge to Church Street, and down Wisconsin Avenue to the RiverWalk.
During that time, Brown said they discussed economic development issues such as business competition, changing customer preferences, seasonal changes, growth rate, infrastructure, the interstate and the political division of counties and towns.
"There aren't many places with the seasonal and year-round population of Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton, and yet hosts hundreds of thousands of guests," Baldwin said. "That creates challenges that very few communities face, so it's important to understand the workforce needs, the housing needs and all those things in order to do our job better."
The congresswoman has assisted the city in the past — perhaps most prominently with securing $2.1 million for the RiverWalk — and the meeting gave them a chance to briefly discuss five projects the city hopes Baldwin can help by securing funding.
Baldwin said she sees the projects as falling into two groups — public safety and transportation/infrastructure. The five projects are: a police and EMS building, emergency services equipment, RiverWalk, a bike-pedestrian rail underpass near Finnegan Avenue and a permanent performance venue.
"We're looking at public projects in terms of teaming up with the city and village, and that was certainly part of our discussion," Baldwin said. "Actually all of the ideas that Wisconsin Dells has presented to me are meritorious, and have different parts to them. As we move forward, I believe there's a number of different projects I'm going to push."
In light of the earmark process, and its recent scrutiny, Baldwin said she's glad many of her constituents present valid projects that she's "proud to sponsor and fight for."
"She has been very good to the city in recent years," Brown said, referring not only to funding but also making them aware of opportunities and important contacts. "I think she legitimately wants to help the city. She's supposed to help, but I think she really wants to. I feel very comfortable with them and confident that they will listen and do what they can."
Kinder said she was pleased with the meeting, and Baldwin's staff seemed interested and receptive.
"I'm guessing they're using this to inform their staff about the area and be more informed about one of their constituents, and the other part is to consider the funding requests for development," Brown said.
Brown's guess about the intent of the meeting was exactly what Baldwin said she hoped to accomplish.
"From my standpoint it was a chance to reconnect and hear from community leaders in terms of the long-term vision for Wisconsin Dells, but also a chance for my staff to see what a unique treasure the area is," she said.
http://www.wiscnews.com/wde/news/279810