Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
12-12-79
The crowd of candidates vying to be the next mayor of Merrill is growing as two local insurance salesmen have tossed their hats into the ring. Richard F. Holt, 49, the owner of Holt Insurance, he is a former member of the county civil service grievance committee, a member of the Optimist Club, and former chairman of the medical recruitment committee. He is a graduate of Merrill High and served in the US Air Force. Dick Baumgart of Riverside Ave in Merrill was a bit more forthright in his announcement, noting this was his second time running for mayor and adding that the council ignored the wishes of the voters when they “appointed a man had previously been ousted by the voters,” referring to current Mayor Voigt who was appointed to finish the term of Pat Nugent. Baumgart continued, “has anything been done in Merrill since March? I feel Merrill city government is sadly lacking leadership. It is more interested in duck and sidewalk sales ordinances then it is obtaining millions of dollars in federal grant money to improve our tax base.” The former alderman of the seventh ward pledged to return leadership to city hall if elected, citing his time also on the county board including as its current chair. Baumgart is a graduate of Merrill High and is a veteran of service in the US Army. Glorian Klempke has announced she is running for alderman in the fifth ward; she is a cook/matron at the jail.
An advertisement questions the logic in building a prison on the south side of Merrill. The state is looking to build a new maximum security prison in the state and some local leaders are encouraging Lincoln County to seek the placement locally, either in the Town of Birch or on a tract of land north of Joe Snow Rd. The advertisement encourages citizens to attend a meeting at the Junior High tomorrow night, and it also questions what the impact a prison would have on our police and firefighters as well as the cost of running water and sewer to the area.
In briefs: Edward Klein has been appointed to the Police Department; he fills the spot vacated by the promotion of Jack Kleinschmidt to full time juvenile officer. Three local residents were killed in two separate accidents this past week. Linton and Myrna Martinson of Rock Falls were killed when their vehicle slid into a Nagel Lumber Company truck last Thursday on Hwy 51 south of Irma. Bernice Jaeger died Saturday when her vehicle slid out of control and collided with a vehicle being driven by a Merrill woman; that accident happened on County Rd W in the Town of Texas. Jay Tlusty and Gerald Whitburn have been selected to serve on the steering committee to elect George Bush President. Richard Giese has been selected as Chief Deputy Sheriff in Juneau County; he is the son of former Sheriff Alfred Giese. Richard Reindl has opened a printing shop on Genesee St; he has four presses and employs two. (I bet he does OK)
12-13-89
The Eye Clinic of Wisconsin, Family Medical Clinic, and Good Samaritan Hospital have all announced a joint venture to bring an eye clinic to Merrill. The Eye Clinic of Wisconsin plans on opening a clinic within the Family Medical Clinic and will provide a doctor for emergencies at Good Samaritan.
Merrill’s own Mayor Ken Sparr has been elected president of the Wisconsin Valley Mayors and Chamber of Commerce Executive Association. The group was organized by former Merrill Mayor Gerald Voigt.
Merrill’s oldest resident centenarian Mabel Whitman has died. The former Mabel Downie celebrated her 100th birthday this past September 2nd. She was the oldest living graduate of Merrill High and Lincoln County Normal School, and she later graduated from University of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Teachers College. When her father died in 1916, Mabel took over the family business, Downie Insurance Agency, operating it with her husband until she retired at the age of 72. She is survived by her daughter Sister Ann and sons Joseph and Walt “Jibo” Wittman. (We later lived in her home on Prospect St)
12-15-99
Measurable snow finally covers the ground in Merrill. Saturday evening was the annual luminary event in the Park Lane Manor neighborhood. Over 1000 people came through Bell Tower while on the tour but no snow was to be found, but on Sunday morning residents woke up to a dusting putting to use idle sleds and skis.
Sick of the snow already? Travel Adventures at 911 E Main St has a round trip vacation to Puerto Vallarta for only $508 per person.
Carl’s Foodlane has reduced prices to 50% off as they close out the business. In a full page advertisement Bill and Judy, Russ and Laurie, and Rich and Brenda Grefe thank their loyal customers.