Burlington Spotlight
June 2006

FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH TOWN

by Lt. Scot Eisenhauer, Burlington Police Department

Commerce Street Closure

In early June, Commerce Street will be closed to through traffic. That means that one of the main thoroughfares between downtown Burlington and westbound Highway 11 will be closed to all but local traffic.

There will be a clearly marked detour route for traffic coming from Walworth County into Burlington. For continued access to eastbound Highway 11 through Burlington, simply take Highway 120 south (the intersection is a stop sign in Spring Prairie Township) from Highway 11. Turn east (left) onto Highway 36 north. Follow the detour signs for Highway 11.

Leaving Burlington, to access Highway 11 west, take Highway 36 south to Highway 120 (it is also an intersection with a stop sign). Turn north (right) onto Highway 120. Follow Highway 120 to Highway 11 (stop sign). Turn left (west) onto Highway 11.

You will be able to access the businesses along Commerce Street during most of the construction. There may be short periods of time when the street will be shut down completely but generally you may carefully drive in the area for local access. It will not be permissible, however, to use Commerce Street as a throughway and those who do so may be cited.

Please be extra cautious as you drive in the construction area. Road surfaces may change periodically and there may be pedestrians in areas that you might not normally expect to see them. Speed limits may be different than those normally posted. Be vigilant for drivers that may be lost or driving in the wrong direction.

It promises to be a busy construction season in and around the City. Should you have questions about local access, please feel free to call the Police Department (342-1100) or the Street Department (763-2060). Drive safely!

 

LIBRARY JUNE NEWS

by Gayle Falk, Librarian

Adult Book Discussion Group

Join the Burlington Public Library Book Discussion Group on Monday, June 26 for a lively discussion of the current bestseller FREAKONOMICS by Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. This is not your average textbook Economics but rather an easy and sometimes amusing read.

Civil War Program
 

Don't let the kids have all the fun! Sign ups for the "Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales" adult summer reading program will begin June 26. Stop at the reference desk to sign up and receive a registration packet. Read or listen to any books then register for a drawing for weekly prizes and a grand prize drawing August 15. For more information call or visit the library.

Children's Summer Activities Begin!

Come to the library starting June 19 to sign up for the Summer Reading Program. Babies through teenagers can join, read and record minutes and win small prizes! The program ends August 11, and is filled with all kinds of different activities. Preschool storytimes will begin, Listen While You Lunch will be Wednesdays at noon again and the Wednesday evening programs will also start in June. A writing group for kids and teens will be Thursdays, and the book clubs will continue to meet.

Check the website for full details! www.burlingtonlibrary.com/youth

 

SPECIAL EVENTS SHOCKER

by Police Chief Dave Walsh

ChocolateFest was a great success! The crowds were large but orderly, the food was delicious, the rides were a blast and the music rocked. On Memorial Day, however, there was a major storm event that challenged ChocolateFest staff members and visitors. I am happy to say that everyone rose to the challenge.

At about 4:10 in the afternoon, a storm system that had been circling Racine County blew into Burlington. Thunder crashed and lightning began to brighten a very dark sky. ChocolateFest organizers have an emergency plan for response to these sorts of storms and the plan was activated. Rides were shut down and participants were urged to seek shelter.

In a matter of a few minutes, there were four festival participants that were victims of "secondary lightning strikes", receiving their electricity from a pulse that surrounds the primary strike, either through an object (an umbrella or some other metal object) or as the pulse bounce over water or the ground.

Fortunately, members of local rescue squads volunteer their time to be present on the grounds when the festival is open. These trained medical personnel began to treat the victims immediately. Numerous police officers were also on the grounds and they also responded and provided aid. There were many emergency vehicles traveling in many directions on the grounds. Patrons were very careful and generously made room as these vehicles moved in to aid the injured. Ultimately members of the Burlington, Rochester and Waterford Rescue Squads responded to the festival grounds and transported the victims to Burlington Memorial Hospital. The injuries were not life threatening.

Police officials surveyed the weather radar. It appeared that the storms were continuing to circle the city and based on the storm that produced the lightning, it was obvious that the storms were powerful and unpredictable. Police and ChocolateFest officials met and decided that the risk to visitors that an electrical storm might return was too great. Because of this threat ChocolateFest was closed three hours early.

Festival visitors showed true community spirit as they left the grounds. It was an orderly evacuation with no major incidents. This community spirit made it possible to evacuate hundreds of families from the grounds in just a matter of minutes.

City and ChocolateFest officials train and plan for these sorts of incidents. The response to this storm (from the emergency workers, festival personnel and patrons) was a shining example of how wonderful ChocolateFest really is!