Shortcuts | Feb. 5, 2009

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REFERENDUMS WILL DECIDE FUTURE OF HEALTH CENTER
The Dunn Country Health Care Center could get a boost in funding after a series of referendums scheduled for April and November. Dunn County Board members voted 25-3 to hold an advisory referendum on April 7, scheduled to determine public sentiment on raising state-imposed tax levy limits by $500,000. The board then intends to hold a binding referendum in November, after the state Legislature nails down specific tax levy limits. The health care center has been forced to spend its reserves and is in need of supplemental funding from the state or county in order to keep its doors open.

WEBSITE CONNECTS STUDENTS WITH AREA EMPLOYERS
A call has sounded across the Chippewa Valley for interns and employers alike – in the form of the Chippewa Valley Internship Central, a new website constructed and maintained by the Career Services department of UW-Eau Claire. The site functions as an effective intermediary for employers seeking, or curious about, potential internship positions within their company; it details the incentives interns can add to a business, describes the wide array of duties interns can take on, and will advertise internships through the UW’s Career Services center. Its key tool, though, is the Project Planning Worksheet, which provides an easy, organized way to develop internship positions for any given business, and to express the characteristics best suited for any prospective intern. Visit it at www.uwec.edu/career/cvinternconnect.

DUNN COUNTY NEWS EDITOR INDUCTED IN HALL OF FAME
At the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation’s annual convention on January 29 and 30, longtime Dunn County News Editor Wally Smetana, 83, was inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame. In the business since 1953, Smetana’s career includes praise by the association for a series of political features on the city management form of government and a widely recognized reputation for objectivity and accuracy in reporting. Still active as an editor emeritus who contributes a regular column on political and business news, Smetana was recognized for his commitment to community journalism, service to local readers, and contributions for improving newspaper journalism.

CAMPUS GROUP TACKLES HUNGER
Sometimes the best ideas are simple. This spring, the UW-Eau Claire chapter of the national initiative known as the Campus Kitchens Project will recover unserved food from campus dining halls and repackage it into well-balanced meals. This student-run organization will then deliver the meals to low-income neighborhoods. The chapter held a preliminary kickoff in January, but hopes to start serving about sixty meals a week starting February 9, depending on volunteer turnout. Students will also be using campus kitchen space to teach culinary skills to unemployed men and women. Ultimately, these efforts will reduce waste, satisfy basic needs, and foster teamwork in our community.

SCHOOLS DITCH FOUR POSITIONS
In anticipation of a projected $5.1 million budget deficit for 2009-10, the Eau Claire School Board is making cuts – likely the first of many. The board voted unanimously to a plan anticipated to save $423,588. The plan includes cutting four administrative positions (executive director of teaching and learning, deans of athletics at Memorial and North, an interim associate principal at Northstar), making changes to others, and combining positions across multiple schools. The board also decided to freeze salaries of non-union personnel and administrators at 2008-09 levels for 2009-10.

ROCK FEST LINES UP BANDS
Cadott’s Rock Fest recently announced some of the bands performing at this year’s festival on July 16-19. They include: Sheryl Crow, The Steve Miller Band, Barenaked Ladies, Lifehouse, Seether, and Shinedown. More to be announced soon.