Burlington Spotlight
August 2006

LIBRARY AUGUST NEWS

by Gayle Falk, Librarian

Children's Summer Programs

Come do some pet-related arts and crafts in the storytime area on August 3. We'll have tables set up with three or four different crafts to choose from. You do not need to register for this program.

Reader's Theater is happening this month! If you like to act in plays and enjoy reading, then this is the activity for you! We'll have two practices and one performance: August 1 and 9 at 2 pm and August 10 at 2 pm. Please try to make it to both practices and be available for the performance! We'll have parts for everyone who comes, with easy parts and more difficult plays for all ages.

Burlington Public Library
166 East Jefferson Street
262-763-7623
 

GARBAGE PICK-UP

by Megan Johnson, Administrative Assistant

You may soon notice a change in the appearance of the city garbage trucks. Onyx Waste Service Midwest, Inc. has changed their name to Veolia ES Solid Waste Midwest, Inc.-Muskego, effective as of July 1, 2006. Please keep in mind that this is a name change only, not an ownership change and the services you received before will continue on as always. If you have any questions you can contact Veolia at (800) 232-0860.

 

CAUTION AROUND AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES

by Lieutenant Scot Eisenhauer

Occupations that involve people working along highways can be very dangerous. Every year there are police officers who are struck by a passing motorist. The Burlington Police Department wants to let motorists know that there is a law that specifically tells motorists what they need to do when approaching an emergency vehicle.

If an authorized emergency vehicle giving visual signal is parked or standing on or within 12 feet of a roadway the operator of a motor vehicle approaching shall do either of the following: if the roadway has four lanes as the operator approaches they shall move the vehicle into the lane that is not nearest to the standing or parked vehicle and continue in that lane until you clear the emergency vehicle, or slow the vehicle maintain a safe speed for traffic conditions and operate at a reduced speed until you safely pass the emergency vehicle.

An emergency vehicle is not limited to squad cars and ambulances. An emergency vehicle includes a tow truck with a flashing red light, a motor vehicle used in highway construction or highway maintenance machinery showing proper lights.

The Burlington Police Department plans on enforcing this law for their own safety. If you were to be given a ticket for violating the above law you would be fined $167.00, 3 demerit points on your driving record, and your license will be suspended.

HIGH PRICE OF GAS HAVE YOU DOWN?

by Megan Johnson, Administrative Assistant

With the recent soaring of gas prices, why not partake in a different kind of transportation, biking. Since 1967 the State of Wisconsin has been implementing a program called "Rails to Trails", converting over 1000 miles of old railway beds into scenic bike and pedestrian trails.

Whether traveling north, south, east or west, the City of Burlington offers a picturesque stretch of trails to get you to your destination. To connect with the northbound system, you can enter off of Congress Street near Riverside Park. This trail will take you along Hwy. 36 leading to Wind Lake, where it will connect you to other northward trails. You can also find a connection point to the trail system off of Spring Valley Road on the southwest side of the city to take you westward through Walworth County to the City of Elkhorn.

More locally within the City of Burlington, lies the bike trail with connections in several locations throughout the city, such as off of Congress Street, Fox Street and Bridge Street. This charming trail will take you through Riverside Park, over the Fox River, through Wehmoff-Jucker Park, over the Fox River again to Bridge Street, where the trail parallels and connects with the Riverwalk. You can continue on through St. Mary's Park, and onward to Bushnell Park on Hwy. 142, which connects to the Burlington High School, Gateway College and the Aurora Wellness Center. In the near future Racine County has plans to convert a railway bed heading eastward connecting from Bushnell Park to Vandenboom Road in Kansasville. So why not take in the beautiful Wisconsin weather, breathtaking views and save some hard earned money at the same time.

 

TRAFFIC SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION ZONES

 

Please use caution when you have to drive through a street construction area. The work is inconvenient, but necessary and the workers deserve driver courtesy and a safe environment.