Burlington Spotlight
May 2005

FAREWELL ALDERMAN McCOURT!

A thank you is certainly in order for retiring Council Member Jim McCourt of the Third District. Jim has served our City in a number of areas over the past thirty-one years as a representative on various boards, committees and commissions; as Alderman and also as Council President. His dedication and willingness in giving his time and effort to our community is appreciated, as well as appreciation to his family for allowing him the time to conduct City business.

 

VETERAN'S MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

With ChocolateFest moving to its new weekend (May 25 - 30, 2005) the annual parade will change dates moving to Monday, May 30th. Traditionally this is the day when the local Veteran's organizations hold a Memorial Day Parade. Beginning this year ChocolateFest is proud to join forces with our local Veteran's in remembrance of our military heroes past and present and will hold the Veteran's Memorial Day Parade, which will include a 10:00 a.m. fly-over by the 440th Airlift USAF Reserve.

The parade route will be adjusted to suit the needs of the event. The pre-parade will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and the parade will start at 9:00 a.m. It will have a starting point the same as the ChocolateFest parade at Kane Street and Wainwright Avenue. The parade will go north on Kane Street to Milwaukee Avenue. Turn right on Milwaukee Avenue and continue on Milwaukee Avenue to the Veterans Memorial in Echo Park. Following the parade will be the annual Memorial Day Service held in Echo Park at 10:30 a.m. with all parade attendees encouraged to attend. Please note that the parade route will not proceed through the Chestnut Street loop, or down Pine Street this year.

Traffic will be detoured around the parade using Highway W (Browns Lake Road). All detours will be signed. Vehicles will still be allowed south of Highway W on STH 36 for access to area business. They will not be allowed south of Grove Street during the parade. STH 11 east and west will be detoured along city streets, please follow signage.

If you have any questions about the parade or detours please call Lieutenant Scot Eisenhauer (262) 342-1103

 

FARMERS MARKET

The Farmers Market will be available again this year at the Echo Park parking lot on Saturdays from May 7th through November 26th. Hours for the Farmers Market are set at 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. There will be no Farmers Market on May 28th (Memorial Day Weekend) due to ChocolateFest activities.

It is our hope that many local vendors will take advantage of the opportunity to sell their homegrown goods and products. Crafters are also encouraged to display their talents. If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact Beverly Gill at City Hall, 342-1171 to obtain permit information.

Please be sure to visit the Farmers Market on Saturdays to support our local producers!

 

MAY NEWS AND ACTIVITIES AT THE LIBRARY

Join the Burlington Public Library's Adult Book Discussion Group on Monday, May 23rd at 7:00pm for a discussion of INTO THE FOREST by Jean Hegland. Eva, eighteen, and Nell, seventeen, are sisters, adolescents on the threshold of womanhood-and for them anything should be possible. But suddenly their lives are turned upside down, their dreams pushed into the shadows, as sickness and anarchy rage across a country on the brink of collapse. In a time of suspicion and superstition, of anger, hunger, and fear, Eva and Nell are left to forage through the forest, and their past, for keys to survival. They must blaze a new path into the future as pioneers and pilgrims-not only creatures of the new world, but creators of it. Set in the near future, INTO THE FOREST is a mesmerizing and thought-provoking novel of hope and despair set in a frighteningly plausible near-future America.

Burlington Public Library will host three upcoming History Programs to celebrate Wisconsin Historic Preservation and Archaeology Month. On Saturday May 7 at 1 PM, Robert Birmingham, State Archaeologist at the Wisconsin State Historical Society, will present a program on Ancient Aztalan. His presentation is sponsored by the Wisconsin Humanities Council. On Monday May 16 at 7 PM, Carol Lohry Cartwright, Historic Preservation Consultant from Whitewater, will show you how to research the history of your house. She'll give tips for searching tax rolls, historic maps and other historic documents.

Maria Kinsey will do a program about the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) on Saturday June 4 at 2 PM. Maria, a Burlington resident whose father was a member of the OSS during World War II, will talk about her father's experience and the role of the OSS during the war.

All programs are free and open to the public. No registration is required. For more information call 763-7623.

 

NEWS FROM DPW – STREETS AND PARKS

City parks officially open on May 1st. Spring is in the air and the Parks Division is busy getting the parks ready for opening on May 1st. Summer and Fall Park Reservations for Echo, Riverside and Wehmhoff-Jucker Parks can be made by calling the Department of Public Works at 763-2060.

The City has many parks and ball fields. With it's location on Echo Lake and adjacent to the White River dam, Echo Park is one of the City's most beautiful parks. It has much to offer to the citizens of Burlington with the pavilions for rent, the playground equipment, the gazebo, charcoal grilles, rest rooms, walking paths and canoe launch not to mention the beautiful view, special events like the volunteer Firefighter's July 4th dance and fireworks display, and summer long special events such as the free Kiwanis band nights held weekly from June 24th through July 29th on Friday nights. Echo Park also has available a handicap accessible fishing pier available for fishing. This pier is a wonderful amenity for any person with accessibility needs who enjoys fishing.

Dogs are not allowed in City parks per City Ordinance, unless that dog is assisting a sight-impaired person and is trained for this function. Please be respectful of your neighbors and fellow park users and respect this law.

Curbside brush pick-up continues on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Please call in your address the Tuesday before the second or fourth Wednesday to be placed on the Brush Pick Up List 763-2060. You must call and be placed on our list, as our DPW Crew will only pick up brush from addresses that have been called in. Please call the Department of Public Works with any questions.

Tornado warning; what will you do? In the City of Burlington, we have three (3) outdoor warning siren locations, and these sirens would sound in the event a tornado warning is issued. These sirens are tested weekly on Saturdays at noon. If activated during severe weather, seek shelter immediately. Remember that, even with the latest forecasting technology, tornadoes can occur with little or no warning.

In your home you should designate a safe place where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way. This should be in the basement, but if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet, away from any windows or glass doors. Another step to being prepared would be to assemble a Disaster Supply Kit. Items needed may include a first-aid kit and essential medications, a battery powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries, nonperishable food items, bottled water, telephone numbers of family and friends, and written instructions on how to turn off your home utilities, gas, electric and water. Conduct periodic drills, so everyone remembers what to do when a tornado is approaching.