Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
12-18-79
A fourth candidate has stepped forward and thrown her hat into the ring in hopes of becoming the next mayor of Merrill. Jean Rogers, supervisor on the count board and an alderman in Merrill, announced her candidacy this past week. Rogers spoke of her continuing desire to cut the cost of municipal government and expand the tax base, retaining public and rail transportation, and seeking state and federal grants. Rogers is married to local attorney James T. Rogers and is a graduate with a master’s degree from UW Wisconsin-Madison; she and her husband have lived locally for the last 13 years and have a daughter Jennifer. For the school board race, Pat Weber and Dorothy Schneider are both seeking spots.
Other candidates include three newcomers for aldermanic positions. Richard Hayes, David D’Amico, and Frank Kloth have all declared candidacy in their home districts. Hayes is seeking the first ward alderman’s post; a resident of the last 17 years, Hayes formerly owned Dick’s Westside Market and now owns Northern Abstract with his wife Nancy and lives on Elm St. D’Amico is seeking the third ward post; he is a former resident of Oak Lawn, IL and works steel welder at Greenheck in Schofield where he is active in the union. He and his wife Linda reside on Logan St. Kloth grew up in northwest Lincoln County before traveling to the Milwaukee area for both school and work, returning to Merrill when the GM plant closed in 1968. He is the former parts manager for Sharon Chevrolet and Wilroy Motor Company. He lives on Cleveland St with his wife Patricia. Al Saeger has announced he is seeking to retain his post as City Treasurer, a post he has held since 1964. The 1938 MHS graduate, he served in the Army during World War II where he served in Europe.
As always, the paper is filled with advertisers right before Christmas. They include: Schulz Dairy, Paramount Studios, The Drapery Den, Gene Block Insurance, Gene Koss Marine, Schield Custom & Repair, Elmer’s Shoe Service, Pamida, Taylor Insulation, Lady M, Schulz’s Pharmacy, Howland’s Ace Hardware, Fox Point, Les & Jim’s, Wanless TV, Chips Hamburgers, Kids Korner Pizza, Black Heath, Lierman’s Ballroom, Caylor’s, M&I Bank, 3rd St Liquor, People’s IGA, Woller Realty, Mike Hill Realty, Double R Realty, Lincoln Realty, Semling Realty, Livingstons Department Store, Fowler Drug Store, Radio Shack, Merrill Federal Savings and Loan, Lincoln County Bank, Park City Credit Union, Gruett’s Appliance Center, Green’s Flower Shop, Whitburn Motors, Pat Bucket Realty, Brose’s, Ward Paper Company, Dave’s Red Owl, and the Merrill Foto News.
12-20-89
A study to determine space needs resulted in calls for the expansion of the Safety Building and Pine Crest. The plan was presented to the County Board at their monthly meeting yesterday. Court officials pointed to the fact that Clerk of Courts Janet Beyer-Thums and her staff are cramped, and they expect the space crunch to continue as the office receives more computers. Judges who visit the court do not even have a place to “hang their hat” much less conduct court. The county DA’s office is also crowded, as the victim witness coordinator has no office. The study recommends putting a second story on the Safety Building to house a second court room and a secured detention center for youths. Pine Crest is experiencing its own growth issues and the oldest portion has become obsolete and does not meet modern building and fire codes when it comes to common areas such as hallways as well as doors and bathrooms. The study recommends the oldest portion of the building be turned into offices for programs such as the County Nurse, Social Services, and the Health Care Center. The board also heard from the solid waste manager who advised that the City of Medford would like to start bringing their trash to our new landfill. Tipping fees were also discussed and all hoped the tonnage would drop yearly with mandatory recycling. In other action, the board raised the base rate for an ambulance trip to $110 and once again denied Sheriff Krueger’s request for three additional deputies.
More Christmas greetings from these businesses: Snyder Drug, Semling-Menke, Gene’s Refrigeration, Nissen Trucking, Church Mutual, River Valley Bank, Schneider Distributing, WCA Industries, Quality Print, Good Samaritan Hospital, Merrill Medical Associates, M&I Bank, Lincoln Realty, VIP Office Supply. Helmstadter Jewlers, Pine Grove Cheese, Drew’s, Gold-n-Way Video, Spurgeons, Bone and Joint Clinic, Campbells Dept Store, Estelle’s, Club Modern, Johnson Pharmacy, Carl’s Liquor, Van’s Meats, Caylor’s, Klug’s Country Gold, Bogie’s Bar, Becker Baits, Willies, Ed Klune, Viking Travel, Nelson Drug, Hardee’s, Lincoln Wood, Park City Credit Union, The Pike, Diamond Dave’s, Brickners, Courtside Furniture, Knab Insurance, Park City Liquor, Bruce’s Cover All, S&S Bar, The Cleaner’s of Merrill, Weaver and Sons, B&D Motors, Eastside Floral, Miller Home Furnishings, Carl’s Foodlane, Quality Furnace, Greens Floral, Trantow-Russell Insurance, Lee’s Mobil, Stillman’s Service, and the Foto News.
12-22-99
Gerald Whitburn has been named President of Church Mutual. Dieter H. Nickel, who has served as president since 1971 will continue on with the company as CEO and chairman of the board. Whitburn becomes only the seventh president and just the third fulltime one in the company’s 103 year history. Walter Schuster was the first full time president of the company, serving from 1951 until Nickel took over.