Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Samantha Marcus: La Crosse Common Council wants you

By Samantha Marcus / La Crosse Tribune

Nary a South Sider has filed an application to succeed Joe Ledvina as the city’s District 15

alderman, and the deadline looms at 5 p.m. today.

Residents in the district should submit a letter of interest to the city clerk’s office at City Hall, 400 La Crosse St.

The South Side seat has been vacant since Ledvina resigned April 5.

District 15 includes the swath of La Crosse bounded by State Road to the north, Broadview Place, 33rd Street, Leonard Street and Robinsdale Avenue to the south, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks to the west and city limits to the east.

Council president Bill Harnden said he’s disappointed in the response — or lack thereof — and plans to readvertise the vacancy if no candidates emerge by the end of the day.

It seems it has been a while since the aldermanic district churned up much interest. Ledvina didn’t face a challenger in 2003 or 2007.

A little ‘chair-ity’

The La Crosse Public Library is in the midst of a $15,000 fundraising effort to replace the chairs in the facility’s auditorium.

Library Director Kelly Krieg-Sigman said the chairs are hard, uncomfortable and not suitable for most users.

“As the usage of our meeting room continues to increase, and the demographics of our users continue to change, the discomfort of these chairs will increasingly detract from the quality of the meetings, programs and events being held,” she wrote.

Some seed money from the Dr. Gunnar and Mary Baldwin Gundersen Fund already is lined up, Krieg-Sigman said.

“We thank you in advance for your support; I am certain with your help, we can put this problem ‘behind’ us,” she wrote.

Rockin’ for the Road

Plenty of tickets still are available for the May 25 Bliss Road fundraiser, said Alpine Inn owner Jim Pickett.

The event will feature 3 Beers Til’ Dubuque and Mr. Blink.

The Alpine Inn is partnering with the town of Shelby on the concert to aid the scenic Grandad Bluff route, which has been closed since August and is expected to cost more than $1.8 million to repair.

Tickets are for sale for $20 at the blufftop tavern and at the Shelby Town Hall, 2800 Ward Ave.

Pickett also said he’s accepting items for both live and silent auctions.

Samantha Marcus can be reached at (608) 791-8220 or smarcus@lacrossetribune.com.