Researched by Michael J. Caylor, Jr.
3-17-71
The Merrill Rural Fire Association has voted to formally accept a new pumper truck. The truck was delivered last week by local vendor Otis Radke. The engine was built on a Ford chassis at the Melray factory in Hortonville using equipment salvaged from the pumper truck that was destroyed after rolling over while responding to a call last summer. Total cost of the new engine is $13,000 which will be split equally among the rural fire members which include the towns of Corning, Merrill, Pine River, Scott, and Texas. (The price of those has increased slightly – now averaging $500,000)
Those who are thinking spring may have to wait a few more weeks. The weatherman is only forecasting temperatures hovering around the freezing mark and small storms have left a few more inches of the white stuff. Most farm fields still have several feet of snow in them.
The Lincoln County Board has agreed to once again study the use of take home vehicles for employees. Supervisors Patrick Nugent and Gordon Schroeder questioned the logic in allowing some County employees to take vehicles home at night and what the liability the use of those vehicles while not on the clock may be. County Clerk Ken Oldenburg felt the County is not liable for any incidents which may occur while the employee is driving while off duty, but he does not know if they would be liable if anything occurs when an employee is traveling to or from work. Supervisor Harry Johnson noted some employees are doing the County a favor by keeping their vehicles stored in garages overnight, space the County lacks. Highway Commissioner Francis Fox pointed out his Supervisors can quickly respond to incidents from their homes thanks to the take home policy instead of having to drive to the shop to get a County pickup truck. The Sheriff and Chief Deputy also enjoy a take home vehicle, according to Oldenburg. The Board agreed to study the matter more and bring it back to a future meeting.
Negotiations between the MAPS Board of Education and St. Francis Parish seem to have stalled. Superintendent Roger Lowney formally offered the church $250,000 for the church and school building, along with rectory for future MAPS expansion. Father Peter Szleszinski rejected that offer, calling it out of line. Szleszinski explained any sale must be approved by both the Parish itself and the Bishop. St. Francis feels a recent appraisal valuing the property at around $550,000 is more in line with what a reasonable offer should be. The church would like to wait until the start of next school year before it officially decides what to do with the vacant school. (Father Peter didn’t give away much back in the day; the city still plows the cemetery under a deal he worked out for City wells on the property.)
3-18-81
News out of the Chamber this week includes the final decision on the new slogan which will brand Merrill and all it has to offer. Chamber Executive Vice-President Delores Olsen announced the slogan “Enjoy the Merrill Advantage” was chosen as the winner. The submission came from Dennis Schalow and was one of 650 entries into the contest. Olsen said the chamber intends on printing up signs and bumper stickers to help promote the city. Schalow will receive a $200 Chamber certificate for his effort. The Chamber is reporting yet another successful sales campaign with numerous residents getting extra spending money thanks to a phone campaign organized by the Chamber. Calls were placed to homes in the area this past week and those who answered “Green Tag Sales begin today” won a $10 Chamber buck’s certificate. The sale ran for four days in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day.
The lack of snow and quick melt are being blamed for a sudden start to the state’s wildland fire season. The Merrill DNR ranger responded to two such calls this weekend causing officials to demand permits for all outdoor burning. The low snow totals will likely result in a much dryer season this year and a more active fire season, says DNR Fire Ranger Wayne Schutte.
Kathleen Gosz has announced her resignation as Director of the T. B. Scott Library. Gosz has served in that position for the last 5 ½ years, coming to Merrill from Green Bay. She will take the position as Head Librarian in Waukesha starting next month. Harry Osness, President of the Library Board, promised quick action to seek out a new Director.
It appears we have an anniversary to celebrate today or tomorrow, but no one can say for sure. Recent research shows that the area known as Jenny was named Merrill on March 18, 1881. We do know that Merrill as a City was not established until 1883, but from all appearances, we changed the name on this date 100 years ago. The Town of Merrill can confirm it was formed on March 19, 1881, so they certainly can celebrate tomorrow according to an article in the Lincoln County Advocate.
3-20-91
T. B. Scott Library is kicking off their 100th anniversary this year with a ribbon-cutting and open house. Mayor Ken Sparr led ceremonies at the library; he was joined by County Board Chair Frank Mangus.
The Merrill Chamber’s biannual Business and Industry on Parade has set the dates for their 1991 event. The event will be held in the Merrill Senior High School Fieldhouse starting on Saturday, April 20, and will run through Sunday. Then on Monday businesses looking to hire are invited to stick around for a career day sponsored by the High School; call Jack Kasper for more details.
The city of Merrill is short one resident this morning, Bill E. Goat is no longer with us. The wayward goat has been living in the Wal-Mart/Pine Ridge area for years and sort of became a novelty. Recently, however, the goat has become aggressive and this past weekend jumped on the hood of a car in the plaza parking lot. When officers went to speak to Billy, he got up on his hind legs and charged at the officer, prompting the officer to respond with lethal force.