Serving the Greater Northwoods  

 Oneida - Vilas - Florence - Forest

District Dialogue

April 1, 2016

In March, St. Germain Elementary School students traveled to Madison for a group picture and tour of our state Capitol.  I hope you found your trip to our historic Capitol both educational and fun, please come back soon!

On Tuesday, March 29 the Speaker's Task Force on Youth Workforce Readiness held its final public hearing and manufacturing tour in the Eleva - Strum region in Wisconsin.  I would like to thank Rep. Kulp (R-Stratford) for spearheading these important issues by holding bipartisan hearings all around the state.  Our group was tasked with the following initiatives:

• Improving collaboration between schools, technical colleges and local employers.

• Better informing parents and students about apprenticeship and internship programs.

• Expanding career-focused counseling to more comprehensively include technical careers.

• Studying creative models in schools throughout the state that are already incorporating technical education and workforce into curriculum.

• Examining future industry needs and challenges in Wisconsin.

• Reducing barriers for students to participate in a dual enrollment program with high school and technical colleges.

• Exploring additional programming at UW System for CTE certified instructors.

• Remarketing the perception of the manufacturing field from “dark, dirty and dead-end” to family-supporting, challenging and stable careers.

• Leveraging the Labor Market Information System (LMIS) to provide real time data on current and projected workforce pipeline.

The Speaker's Task Force on Youth Workforce Readiness in Eleva - Strum.

Youth Workforce Readiness is an extremely important subject for our children and students across the state.  For the Northwoods in particular, our task force wants to showcase the highly technical and highly skilled manufacturing jobs that are available in our own local communities. The goal is to keep high school students and college graduates in our local communities where these highly technical fields exist.  One way that this has been addressed in the Northwoods is the Heavy Metal Tours that Northcentral Technical College has implemented in local schools.  These tours allow eighth grade students to see the true identity of manufacturing in Wisconsin.  These jobs are no longer the dark, dingy, dirty factory jobs from a century ago, but a highly technical field and well-paying career path.

I believe that each task force hearing around the state involved pertinent discussions and was truly beneficial to all involved parties.  I look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Kulp and all other legislators to get our youth ready for the workforce!

Rob tours Cardinal Manufacturing, a student run facility located within the Eleva - Strum school district.

Please click the image below for a quick video of our tour at Cardinal Manufacturing. 

On Friday, March 25, I was invited to speak to residents at the Avanti Health & Rehabilitation Center in Minocqua.  I sat down with a small group senior citizens to discuss Wisconsin's SeniorCare Program, BadgerCare, and other measures that were debated during the current legislative session.  I would like to thank all those who attended the meeting; it was a great discussion.  Nice meeting you all!

Rep. Swearingen meeting with resident at Avanti Health & Rehabilitation Center.

On Wednesday, March 30, I had the opportunity to meet with constituents from the 34th Assembly District for the annual Wisconsin Hospital Association’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol. It was great to have representatives from Howard Young Medical Center, Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital, Ministry Health Care, Ministry Healthcare-St. Mary's and Ministry Sacred Heart Saint Mary's Hospital travel to Madison to discuss their experiences in the healthcare industry. We discussed topics ranging from Medicaid and BadgerCare, to the interstate medical licensure compact, behavioral health care, and worker’s compensation. Thanks for the great discussion and taking the time to visit the Capitol!

Rep. Swearingen with members of the Wisconsin Hospital Association

Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities

The Wisconsin River Power Company (WRPC) is once again accepting applications for the annual Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities. The 2016 hunt will take place on October 7- 9 and is held at the 750-acre Petenwell Wildlife Area located adjacent to the Wisconsin River in Necedah, Wisconsin. Each year WRPCO sponsors the 3-day gun deer hunt in early October. The Petenwell Wildlife Area is a parcel of land, approximately 750 acres in size, which has been set aside by WRPCO as a wildlife refuge. The majority of the area is permanently closed to other hunting activities. Any hunter with a Wisconsin Class A disability permit is welcome to apply. Applications for each year's hunt need to be received by June 1. Successful applicants for the year's hunt will be notified by June 30. WRPCO provides the following hunting services for the hunt without charge:

Placement and preparation of deer stands in the Petenwell Wildlife Area.

Hunters transported from deer hunt base camp to the deer stands and back to base camp again.

Hunting partners, if hunters don't bring hunting companions with them.

Field dressing, dragging, tracking, etc. of harvested deer.

Convenient, nearby storage of deer until the hunt is over.

Friday evening banquet dinner.

Saturday & Sunday morning continental breakfasts before departing to the deer stands.

Full deer camp breakfasts following the Saturday & Sunday morning hunts.

Space is limited. Interested hunters must apply by June 1st. More information is available on the website http://www.wisconsinriverpower.com/hunt.aspx along with an easy on-line application.

PSC Announces next round of Broadband Expansion Grants

Public Service Commission-Wisconsin / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2016
Contact: Elise Nelson, 608-266-9600
Elise.Nelson@wisconsin.gov

Wisconsin River Power Company (WRPCO) operates two hydroelectric plants, Petenwell and Castle Rock, on the Wisconsin River. It proportionately sells the energy produced to the two companies that own all of the outstanding shares of stock of the company. Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, based in Green Bay, WI, and Wisconsin Power and Light Company, based in Madison, WI, each own 50% of WRPCO.
 

(Madison) –The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin is now accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2017 Broadband Expansion Grants. Governor Walker’s 2015-17 state budget tripled the funding for grants meant to extend broadband to underserved areas, from $500,000 to $1,500,000 annually.

“We’ve witnessed great success since Governor Walker created the grant program in 2011,” said PSC Chair Ellen Nowak. “It’s been rewarding to see Wisconsin’s investments towards broadband access come to fruition and provide communities with such critical infrastructure.” 

Since its inception, the grants have rewarded $2,420,941 yielding a total of $6,318,655 in investment via grants and private matches to 25 applicants, state-wide. “Going forward, the State Broadband Office at the PSC will work even closer with communities, local officials and providers who are interested in learning about applying for the grants by hosting a series of Broadband Expansion Grant Writing Workshops,” Nowak explained. “We hope to not only encourage communities to apply but strengthen the crop of submissions.”

Applications for the Broadband Expansion Grants for Fiscal Year 2017 are due Thursday, June 16, 2016.

Instructions and additional information may be found at: http://psc.wi.gov

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Workshops led by the PSCW with co-presenters from the UW-Extension Broadband & E-Commerce Education Center will help guide community participants toward a stronger understanding of grant guidelines, grant-eligible areas, possible public-private partnership models, previous grant awardee examples, and timelines for grant applications. They will take place at the following locations (listed below).

Tuesday, April 12, 2016
9—11: 30 a.m.
Eagle River Northwoods Center
115 S 3rd St
Eagle River, Wisconsin 54521
RSVP http://goo.gl/forms/hhG4UpaEVp

Monday, April 18, 2016
9—11:30 a.m.
Suring Red Maple Golf Course
501 Golf Course Rd
Suring, WI 54174
RSVP http://goo.gl/forms/hhG4UpaEVp

DNR Outdoor Report

The temperatures have been below freezing at night and above freezing during the day, which has allowed for good sap run in maple trees. That's good news for the annual MacKenzie Center Maple Syrup Festival that will be held this Saturday, April 2. Enjoy guided tours of the sugar bush, demonstrations on tapping maple trees, and displays of how maple syrup has been made throughout history. The festival runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information about the center search the DNR website for keyword "MacKenzie."

Wind and rain pelted most of the state following last week's larger storm continuing to make for some very wet conditions. Most mountain bike and horse trails remain closed at state parks and forests.

Most of the snow from last week's storm has already melted. Despite the wet conditions this spring, there have already been 73 wildfires in DNR Protection Areas and numerous other wildfires in parts of the state where fire departments are the primary responders. Homeowners cleaning up their properties are encourage to use a alternatives to debris burning - the number one cause of wildfires in the state -- such as composting or leaving brush in the woods for wildlife cover.
Lakes are now starting to open up as far north as Polk and Burnett counties in the northwest and Marinette County in the northeast. With all the recent rain, many river systems are running very high. The Lower Wisconsin River was running at more than twice its normal flow this week at Muscoda.

Brown trout and walleye continued to be caught on the Menominee River in the northeast. There has been lots of fishing pressure on the Wolf and Fox rivers, but not many reports of success so far. Anglers on the Fox River are reporting water temperatures of 38 degrees below the De Pere Dam. Many anglers have been out casting for walleyes below the dam with little success being reported so far.

Southeastern Lake Michigan tributaries were running high and muddy after snow melt and rain last week. Anglers were taking steelhead prior to the rain, but fishing pressure dropped dramatically by the weekend. By early this week, fishing conditions improved on the Milwaukee, Root and Pike rivers, but rain later in the week could raise water levels again.

New panfish regulations will take effect on 93 Wisconsin lakes April 1. Three different experimental bag limits are being applied to 93 lakes to determine which is most efficient at improving panfish size. The new rules will be evaluated to determine whether they are improving panfish size as well as whether anglers continue to support the changes.
Black bears are beginning to emerge from their dens and many sows with cubs will be foraging for food during a time when little natural food is available. People living in bear country are encouraged to remove bird feeders, and secure garbage and pet food to avoid nuisance bear problems.

Numerous songbird species are finalizing their return to form this week and next. Keep your ears open for eastern bluebirds and phoebes, red-winged blackbirds. Woodcock are peenting and turkeys are gobbling. Trumpeter swans have returned to Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area and have claimed their nesting territory, feeding in the wetlands and moving about daily searching for food. Bald eagles are on nests with eggs due to hatch any day. Ruffed grouse are starting to drum.

The temperatures have been below freezing at night and above freezing during the day, which has allowed for good sap run in maple trees. That's good news for the annual MacKenzie Center Maple Syrup Festival that will be held this Saturday, April 2. Enjoy guided tours of the sugar bush, demonstrations on tapping maple trees, and displays of how maple syrup has been made throughout history. The festival runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information about the center search the DNR website for keyword "MacKenzie."

Wildfire Report

Two-thirds of wildfires that burn in Wisconsin, occur in spring. There is a great deal of dry vegetation and fallen leaves present this time of year, which is quick to dry out. Accompanied by drops in humidity and winds, wildfires can quickly ignite and spread. So far this year, 73 fires have occurred in DNR Protection Areas (about half the state, generally the more forested areas). Numerous other wildfires have occurred in parts of the state where fire departments are the primary responders. With the nicer weather, homeowners are cleaning up around their properties, sometimes choosing to burn leaves and branch debris. Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires, especially this time of year. Burning is not your only option. Try alternatives such as composting or leaving brush in the woods for wildlife cover. The best practice is to not burn at all or to wait until surrounding vegetation greens-up in the summer. If you do burn, get a burning permit and follow the rules of the day. You can stay aware of fire danger and burning permit requirements by checking the DNR website dnr.wi.gov (search 'fire danger') or calling 1-888-WISBURN. Information is updated each day at 11 a.m.

Fire season is just beginning. On average, the 1,500 wildfires burn in DNR protection areas each year and another estimated 2,500 wildfires burn in parts of the state where fire departments are the primary responders.

Firewise Tip: Keep the area 3 to 5 feet around your home "fuel free." Remove anything in this area that can burn, such as leaves, plants, mulch or piled wood. This includes the areas under and around decks and porches. - Joanne Ackerman, wildland urban interface coordinator, Madison
 

Upcoming Community Events

Please click the following links for upcoming community events!

Rip, Zip and Sip: April 2, Minocqua

ArtStart Opening Reception & ArtyParty: April 2, Rhinelander

Maple Syrup Fest: April 2, Phelps

A Celebration of Easter with the Celebration Brass Quintet: April 3, Three Lakes

Bake Sale & Luncheon: April 5, Boulder Junction

Bake Sale: April 5, Presque Isle

Minocqua Winter Farmers Market: April 8, Minocqua

Levis & Lace Square Dance Club: April 8, Woodruff

Only Fools Run at Midnight: April 9-10, Minocqua

Hazelhurst Lions Club Spaghetti Dinner & Sundae Bar: April 9, Minocqua

TLS/CAA Wine & Cheese Social & Concert: April 12, Three Lakes

2016 Northern Advantage Job Fair: April 13, Rhinelander

TL/Phelps Football Pig Roast: April 16, Three Lakes

North Stars Garden Conference: April 16, Florence

National Citizen Science Day Hike: April 16, Manitowish Waters

Minocqua Home, Lifestyle & Recreation Show: April 16, Minocqua

Sustainable Forestry Conference: April 21, Florence

Please contact me at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov if you would like to UNSUBSCRIBE from my E-Updates

Office of Representative Rob Swearingen

Room 123 West

PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708

Office: 608-266-7141

Toll Free: 888-534-0034