Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr.
4-19-79
A revised plan for the proposed new jail building in Merrill has garnered approval from the county board. The board held their re-organizational meeting yesterday and heard a presentation from the architectural firm, Stubenrauch Associates, which calls for a jail and safety building to wrap around the current structure. Once the new jail is constructed the board can then decide if they want to re-purpose the building or tear it down. The 16,800 square foot building is still within the projected budget of $1.9 million dollars. Henry Miles of Stubenrauch advised one the selling points of the proposed building is two additional floors could be added on as space demands increase. Also at Tuesday’s meeting the board members voted to retain Neil LeMay as the board chairman.
The doors are now open at the new M&I Citizens American Bank in downtown Merrill. On today’s front cover bank board members and Mayor Ralph Voigt are shown cutting the ribbon for the new building. Special entry ways will be needed until the previous bank, which now stands in front of the current bank, is demolished. The bank will feature 15 teller windows so you should have a minimum wait time when you do your banking. Board members and staff that are pictured include: Len Schmitt, Walter Schuster, Paul Duginski, Edward Chartier, Ron Lass, William Natzke, George Page, Robert Savaske, H.C. Rostal, City Clerk Robert Klug, Dieter Nickel, and for some reason Gerald Voigt of Merrill Federal Savings and Loan.
Don’t forget this Wednesday starts the annual Knights of Columbus Tootise Roll Drive. Members of the Knights will be doing a neighborhood (and tavern) canvas until Friday evening.
4-19-89
A will timed visit by a Merrill Police Officer likely kept a smoldering fire from destroying the Merrill City Garage this past Monday evening. Patrolman Daniel Caylor found the garage filled with smoke when he entered the facility to activate the fuel pumps to fill his squad car. A call was made to the fire department, and when firefighter Ron Hocket entered the building with a breathing apparatus he immediately determined the fire was in the year old garbage truck and drove it out of the garage where his fellow firefighters waited with charged hose lines. Street Commissioner Ralph Sturm reports the rear packer unit on the truck is likely a total loss and he may have to rent a truck with the city’s annual city wide spring pick up being just two weeks away. (Ron went on to work for the Appleton Fire Department and retired as assistant chief last year.)
The Merrill Chamber Ambassadors are pictured on the Entertainment page welcoming Merrill’s newest restaurant, Salvo’s Italian at 201 E 2nd St. Sal and Flori offer up a complete menu including their specialty, an 18” pizza. Just down the street John’s United Foods is offering specials for their 9th anniversary. Door prizes will be given out during the celebration with the grand prize being a Magnavox VCR; if you stop by this weekend Pat’s Pizza Fry’s will be giving out free samples every day until 5:00 PM.
4-21-99
Do you think your city property tax assessment was too high? Starting next week the city will be holding their annual Board of Review hearing. City Clerk Bill Heideman told the Foto News that the process is very stringent and any evidence or testimony is given in a court room type setting with witnesses being sworn before they testify before the board. Further, a court stenographer is present to record the hearings for the formal record. The Merrill board consists of Heideman, Mayor Michael Caylor who is chair, and council members Michael Willman, Roger English, and Kurt Helmstadter. Heideman reminds those who wish to contest their assessment that the city did not create the procedures involved in the appeals as they come straight from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
The local Hardee’s Restaurant is one of the top in the state after being receiving a Signature of Excellence Award from their parent company. The award is based on service, quality, and cleanliness. The store was inspected almost every month for a year by a group of local and regional managers who went through every aspect of the operation. The local store was one of three in the state of Wisconsin and 86 system wide to receive the award. Hardee’s has 3000 franchises in 39 states and 11 countries. Darlene Ek is the local manager.