Researched by Michael J. Caylor, Jr.
5-19-71
U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson has announced a second grant to Holy Cross Hospital for their proposed expansion of the hospital. In total, the facility has received $480,000 ($3.1 million in today’s dollars) in Hill-Burton funding to expand the first floor of the facility. Plans have been scaled back since it was announced the fund would be handing out less money this year; the project is still expected to carry a $2.5 million dollar price tag.
Meetings continue in closed executive session in an effort to resolve the dispute between Sheriff Alfred Giese and his Chief Deputy, Harvey Woodward. Both lawmen, along with their lawyers and the County’s Law Enforcement Committee, have been trying to resolve the differences between the two since Giese fired Woodward earlier this month. Woodward never left the job, after his attorney and DA James T. Rogers told him that Giese has no legal authority to terminate him. Giese tried to get a restraining order against Woodward to prevent him from acting as Chief Deputy, but dropped his attempt when meetings to resolve the issue were scheduled.
What effect, if any, will a four lane highway bypassing the City of Merrill have on the city and its surrounding townships? The state is proposing building a four lane highway from the north part of Wausau around the city of Merrill to be built around 1975. Plans are underway, and landowners in the Town of Scott, Pine River, and Merrill have all been informed of the potential use of land to accommodate this highway. However, the question has also been asked, what, if any effect will this have on the City of Merrill and its retail community? Zoning on the outskirts of the city is being reviewed to see if the potential is there for a commercial development near any of the intersections accessing the new roadway. Committees are being formed by both the towns and the city to discuss any potential changes.
5-20-81
The Merrill community in general is doing well despite the harsh economic times and double digit unemployment numbers. That is the conclusion of Chamber Executive Dee Olsen and Lincoln County Community Development Agent Tom Geiger. The backbone of our local economy is small businesses, with approximately 400 such businesses listed on the Chamber rolls, less than 10% of which have 20 or fewer employees. Geiger told of how many look at industrial jobs as a cure-all, but it is, in fact, local businesses that are truly pulling their fair share of the weight in the economy. Olsen noted one industry falling on hard times right now is the automobile dealers who are paying high interest rates to maintain inventory, and small businesses who are squeezed out by large retail franchises who can buy products for less money in bulk are also hurting. Both Olsen and Geiger agreed though, that the Merrill advantage is that our local retailers are selling an attitude and a service.
With Memorial Day right around the corner, local gas stations are, in fact, trending lower gas prices. A small war with crude oil reserves and local prices did see an increase over the past month, however, most have now once again lowered their prices to around $1.21 a gallon on average. The AAA said travel will be mixed this holiday, with high unemployment keeping many home.
The occupants of the Lincoln House at 120 S. Mill St. have 90 days to pay or get out. So says Judge Gary Carlson of Medford who found for the purchasers of the property. Candido Dimitri, who had been the manager, Thomas D. Trucko of San Bernardino, CA, and Frank Esposito, Colton, CA, were all found in contempt of the sales agreement. Delos Nelson and his wife, Dorothy, sold the property to the defendants in a now defunct land contract in 1979. The building now houses a cocktail lounge, several small businesses and offices, and three stories of apartments.
Sgt. Donald Trantow of the Merrill Police Department is set to lead the local safety patrol members on their annual trip to Wisconsin Dells. The group of 116 youngsters will leave Merrill at 6:00 a.m. Thursday and return at about 3:30 p.m. Friday. (I can still see that whistle around Don’s neck.)
5-22-91
Thousands of school districts around the country are looking at eliminating or severely curtailing summer school plans in light of budget constraints. Many cities in the rust belt to our east are reporting no funds for programs from Milwaukee to Boston. Locally Jim Boettcher, Director of Curriculum of MAPS, feels school will go on, but to what extent he does not know, as the School Board will take up that discussion in the coming weeks. Boettcher noted cost cuts have eliminated bussing for summer school children, which is driving down numbers; however, last year over 1,000 students took part in the program. Boettcher said the Merrill curriculum is more appealing to many student,s as it emphasizes enrichment opportunities and not just remediation.