METRO BRiEFS
Homelessness solutions A new social worker position that would work with some of the city’s homeless population, meant to replace the officer position in the same role, received the first steps in its approval process. The city’s Human Resources Committee Monday approved the position, which would be housed under the police department but would be a non-officer position. The city’s Finance Committee and city council will still need to approve the position, which will likely be funded through American Rescue Plan Act dollars. But Monday’s meeting also revealed more details about the situation downtown. Wausau Police Chief Ben Bliven highlighted the number of police hours being dedicated to the downtown on incidents relating to homeless individuals. In April 2021, officers spent 37 hours on such incidents; those numbers increased to the 50-60 hour range in the months of February, March and April. Ald. Tom Kilian requested the number of incidents in those months. Bliven told stories about uncooperative homeless individuals in the Third Street Lifestyle building, and about patrons witnessing fights in the library. While the library makes efforts to be inclusive of everyone, including the homeless, people are starting to become afraid to come to the library because of violent incidents that
by B.C. Kowalski
A new social worker position to work with the homeless received its first approval amidst more details around the downtown situation was seeking to unionize its non-management workers, following a similar move by workers at the Oak Creek Starbucks in the Milwaukee area. The 7-5 vote is still under review by the National Labor Relations Board. Plover is the second store to vote for unionization but more votes are expected in other Wisconsin stores such as Madison.
have occurred there, the chief says. Similar comments have been made about downtown. Kilian argued that a human services department might be in order — that all of these issues the city is dealing with might be best addressed through a department designed to handle them. Bliven agreed more needs to be done around issues such as homelessness, and mental health and addiction issues, but for now this step makes sense.
Starbucks in Plover votes to unionize Employees at a Starbucks in Plover became the second store in Wisconsin to vote for unionization. The Chicago & Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United announced the results of the vote last week. The union announced in February that the Plover store
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Mall $1 parking ramps deal stirs controversy A portion of the newly amended agreement with Wausau Opportunity Zone that deals with parking ramps sparked some new controversy. The city council passed an amended version of the agreement Tuesday. But a provision that had already existed in previous versions of the agreement — that WOZ be entitled to the two mall parking ramps for $1 should the city abandon them — drew some fresh criticism. Ald. Lou Larson attempted to amend the agreement so that if WOZ wanted to purchase them, it would need to pay fair market value for the ramps. That amendment failed, with only Larson and Ald. Tom Kilian voting in favor. City Finance Director Maryanne Groat told the council that it would be difficult to assess a fair market value of the ramps, since any would-be developer would need to tear down the ramps. Appleton recently tore down a parking ramp and it cost in excess of $2 million, Groat told the council. WOZ Secretary Joe Mella told the council that if WOZ were to take advantage of the deal offered in the agreement, it would likely use the ramps for any projects that might pop up on the mall property. If highdensity housing was built, for instance, the ramps would be valuable as parking for those tenants. Kilian questioned the assessment of the
ramps having no fair market value in that light. In other council action, the city council approved amending the Riverlife Condos agreement to give the developers more time to build. Delays from supply chains and worker shortages have slowed the project. And the city approved a one-year contract with FlashVote to conduct surveys for the city. It’s meant as a more effective means of gathering citizen input.
Schofield Alder announces run for 85th A city of Schofield city council member has announced her intention to run for the 85th District State Assembly seat. Kristin Conway announced last week she would run as a Democrat for the seat currently occupied by Pat Snyder (R—Schofield). “I don’t believe that the majority of voters in Central Wisconsin are on board with the extreme right cultural agenda of the current leadership,” Conway said in her announcement on her campaign Facebook page. “Central Wisconsinites care about clean water, abortion access, and ensuring that our children are protected and nurtured, not targeted and marginalized.” Besides serving on the Schofield City Council, Conway has spent a career working at non-profits and still works as a social media manager for several local and national non-profits. She currently works at the Mount Sinai Congregation. Snyder last month announced his intention to run for his seat again. No other Democrat challenger has announced so far, and no primary challenger to Snyder.
Join 4-10’s with overtime worked on Fridays, the weekend! our not Saturday O.T. is typically offered voluntarily. Best part is, you Team! can work ANY HOURS (10-Hour Shift) between 5:00 a.m. &
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May 12-19, 2022
BENEFITS & PERKS • High Starting Pay • Employee Bonuses • 401K Retirement Plan • Family Scholarship Program • Flexible 4-Day Work Week • Medical Benefits • Life & Supplemental Insurance
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What do people like most about working at Northern Wire? The people they work with and dramafree environment! We employ approximately 100, so you won’t get lost in a crowd! We truly care about our workforce, and we give back to our community by donating to a cause each month. We recognize challenges that working parents struggle with which is why we offer flexible hours – both full-time and part-time! Need more cool reasons, how about: • Pay-on-Demand!! • Pay for performance AND based on skills acquired • Monthly raffles – Kayaks in May • Competitive benefits include Life, STD and LTD paid 100% by company • Excellent communication - monthly small Group Meetings and Large Town Hall Meetings • Two weeks paid vacation your first year (prorated based on start date) & 10-paid holidays! • $1000 Sign-On Bonus! • $500 referral bonus for employees you bring! Knowledge of the manufacturing process is helpful, but not required. Must be 18 years or older. Machine Operators start at $16/hr. for 1st shift, and $18/hr. for 2nd shift (starting rate may be higher based on experience with further progressions for jobs learned and performed). Skilled positions, such as CNC’s, starting pay is based on experience. 1st Shift: 5:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; 2nd Shift: 3:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.; orflexible shift/choose your hours either part-time or full-time. Stop in to complete an application – open interviews conducted daily - or send cover letter and resume to: Northern Wire/Attn: Human Resources 1100 W. Taylor Street, Merrill, WI 54452 • nwhr@elginfasteners.com. EEO/AAP Employer. Check us out at www.elginfasteners.com 156927
