The sun 9 23 15

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Serving Polk County’s St. t Croix C i Valley V ll since i 1897

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SPORTS: OHS volleyball wins tournament in Eau Claire. PAGE 12

A case study in victory Part I: Examining rising meth use in Polk County BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

Colin Hastings says he didn’t hit rock bottom – he lived there and thrived. From the mid 1990s to 2010, he inhabited in a world ruled by methamphetamine. It was a dangerous one, and the price of admission was steep. “I’ve lost every friend I’ve ever had at least twice,” he says. “I lost my son once to the county. I’ve lost everything I’ve owned, twice. I know my mom spent at least a hundred nights without sleep, wondering where her baby was.” Five years after quitting, Hastings describes himself as a committed father, trusted friend, reliable son and dependable partner to the woman who stood by him through years of use. He’s worked his way up from a minimum wage job to union crane operator. He volunteers on Osceola’s fire and rescue squad and the coun-

ty’s Criminal Justice Collaborating Council, which searches out rehabilitative alternatives to incarceration. But Hastings is one of few in Polk County who has managed to shake the addiction, say local drug investigators. A strong stimulant to the

“If it would’ve been crack I would have done that. If it had been heroin I would have done that. Now it’s dirt bike racing and my kids.” Colin Hastings central nervous system, meth is highly addictive. And once hooked, most users find it difficult to honor social ties or keep a job. “It’s devastating,” says Polk County drug investigator Tony Grimm. “I don’t think people realize that the first time they hit the pipe.

It’s very addictive because it’s easy to access and it’s cheap. … It’s rare to find people who just use on the weekend.” The first time Hastings tried it, he was 16. “I was with friends. I cried uncontrollably, actually,” he said. “I couldn’t sleep for a couple days. Back then it was considered crank. It wasn’t near as potent as it is nowadays.” He didn’t use again for years. When he did, it consumed him. “It’s all you think about,” he says. “You could have a gram in your pocket and you know you’ll run out some time so it’s constantly on your mind. ‘I’ve gotta get more. Where am I gonna get more?’ And if you run out you’re screwed. You’ll sleep for four days, wake up and have to find a way to get more.” The emotions that accompany the addiction, says Hastings, are complicated. “I felt guilty,” he says. “I hated it, but I had no choice. There would be times I’d get high and sit there and cry. SEE METH, PAGE 2

SUZANNE LINDGREN |THE SUN

Colin Hastings with his family, headed to a dirt bike race in Almelund. Clockwise from left: Hastings, Bobbi Jo Denver, Wyatt, 7, and Waylan, 9.

Polk County heads off construction near shores BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

In response to state legislation limiting counties’ control over shoreland zoning, the Polk County Board modified its zoning code Sept. 15, removing language that had allowed for setback averaging. Setback averaging allows construction of homes or other buildings closer to shore than the official setback, if buildings on surrounding properties are already closer. In those cases, the average setback of existing buildings determines how close a new structure may be to the shore. Wisconsin’s latest budget mandated that local regulation over shoreland zoning could not be more stringent than statewide standards, changing the county’s setback to 75 feet from any shore and taking away the county’s ability

to require permits for repairs or rebuilds within the existing footprint of “nonconforming structures,” buildings built closer to waterways than the law allows. However, the budget mandates allow for some expansion. “If a building is only ten by ten, you can make it 750 square feet minimum for a livable house,” said board supervisor Kim O’Connell, Osceola. “Also, you can add 200 square feet one time.” That’s why, said O’Connell, the committee revising the shoreland zoning ordinance changed the setback averaging rules: to stop new nonconforming structures from being built. Variances can be granted, allowing construction based on a setback average. But with a variance, said O’Connell, the county retains more SEE COUNTY, PAGE 5

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County proposes $21.4 million levy for 2016 BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

SUZANNE LINDGREN |THE SUN

Board supervisor Josh Hallberg, Balsam Lake, opposed the removal of setback averaging in Polk County, arguing that the state allows new construction near shores if neighboring properties have already built, and the county should too. Patricia Schmidt, right, opposed a state-mandated reduction in setbacks.

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Polk County taxpayers could see a roughly 1.4 percent levy increase in next year’s budget, a number that would cover existing programs and allow the county to spend on a few new items. In his budget proposal, Frey recommended a levy of $21,460,018. The 1.4 percent increase is the most the county can increase with a simple majority vote and basically covers inflation and other rising costs. Including the levy, county revenues are projected to be $58,725,182. That’s down 2.4 percent from last year, said Frey, but an early bond payoff this year distorts the comparison. The overall revenue is enough to cover the county’s basic costs, with a little extra for new spending. “Each department has gone through and tried to list the minimum amount needed to continue programs that already exist,” said county administrator Dana Frey. “That’s at the same level of service. We’ll continue to plow the roads as fast as we can. After that we have a little left over for new spending requests.” Frey recommended applying it to increased security at the courthouse, paying off a contract early – anSEE LEVY, PAGE 6

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