Small Street Journal: June 28, 2019

WNB Financial held it’s first of two summer concerts on June 14, drawing a crowd of over 2,000. The concert featured Bob & The Beachcombers as well as the famous $1 lunch and $1 root beer floats, raising $1,014.25 for The Friends of the Winona Public Library. The purpose of Friends of the Library is to support and promote the Winona Public Library, offer volunteer services, and stimulate the use of the library’s resources and services. Don’t miss WNB Financial’s next summer concert on Friday, July 12. A Pool Party Concert will be held at the Bob Welch Aquatic Center from 12:00-2:00 p.m., with free admission to the Aquatic Center until 6:00 p.m. This concert will feature Rip Roaring Entertainment and all proceeds will benefit Ready Set School. 
 
U.S. employers are reporting the strongest nationwide hiring intentions in 13 years at +21%, according to the Q3 2019 ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) Employment Outlook Survey.* The last time the survey of more than 11,500 employers reported an Outlook as high as +21% was in Q3 2006. Among survey participants, the Wisconsin area employment outlook is the best in the nation.
 
“In today's market, it is all about networking, connecting and collaboration. We seek the highest levels of talent in the market and share with our clients seeking those same skills and experience, whether the need is now or for down the road,” said Kim Peterson, Executive Vice President of Manpower in Wisconsin/Minnesota. Peterson continues, “To find the best candidates, we invest in in our recruiters through innovative training to help provide them with every advantage to win for our clients.” 
 
Junior Achievement (JA) of Wisconsin, Inc. received a grant for $5,000 from the Xcel Energy Foundation. The Education Focus Area dollars help Junior Achievement continue to reach area youth with programs teaching them about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy at the JA in a Day Career Exploration Events. These skills help empower area youth to manage their own economic success. 

Xcel Energy Foundation grant is part of the company's corporate giving education focus area, which supports nonprofit organizations like Junior Achievement in areas of science, technology, engineering, economics and math education.

"Xcel Energy has been a long-time supporter of Junior Achievement programs in Wisconsin. The program is in great alignment with our company’s mission of supporting a variety of educational opportunities. We are thrilled to support these students in their hands-on learning,” said BJ (William) Rauckman, Senior Director – Distribution Operations NSPW, Xcel Energy. “And getting kids excited about a variety of careers is something that is of great interest for Xcel Energy’s future.”

The investment to Junior Achievement allows the nonprofit organization to serve communities throughout northwestern and southern Wisconsin to provide economic and financial programs in area schools. These dollars will impact more than 1,400 area students in their classrooms.

“JA programs help prepare our young people for the ‘real’ world by bringing in a business volunteer to show them how to make money, manage their finances and how to create jobs which makes our communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking at work." said Junior Achievement Director, Susan Peterson.
 
The RCU Foundation announced that local charities will receive over $27,000 following the 2019 Rock the Riverfront featuring the Charity Classic, held on Saturday, June 22, 2019 in downtown Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park. The event featured over 700 run/walkers and hundreds more who enjoyed the food, games, and entertainment. This was the event’s 25th anniversary.
 
The proceeds are being donated to three partner charities: Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation, The Open Door Clinic and Stepping Stones: Food, Shelter, Support.  Registered participants received one free vote at the time of registration; additional votes were available to be purchased online at $2 each. Stepping Stones received 46% of the votes and will be awarded a $15,000 donation, The Open Door Clinic earned 35% of the votes and will receive $7,500, and the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation will receive $5,000 after earning 19% of the vote.
 
The RCU Foundation’s Rock the Riverfront featuring the Charity Classic included a 10K and 2 mile walk/run, ½ and ¼ mile kid’s races, music, family games, and food trucks. Save the date for next year’s Rock the Riverfront on Saturday, June 27, 2020. 
 
The biennial Wisconsin state budget and other recent bills in the legislature will be discussed on “The West Side” at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 1 on 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls.

Host Dean Kallenbach welcomes Sen. Patty Schachtner (D-Somerset) and Rep. Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer). Monday marks the start of the new biennium, and the guests will talk about the differences between the two-year budget proposed in February by Governor Tony Evers and the bill considered by the legislature, and how western Wisconsin will be affected. The program will also explore other recent legislation, including bills related to abortion that were vetoed by Governor Evers, changes in drunk driving laws and measures aimed to deal with poverty and homelessness in Wisconsin.

“The West Side” is a call-in program focused on issues specific to western Wisconsin. The show airs at 10 a.m. on Mondays on 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls, with a live stream at www.wrfw887.com. Listeners may call in with questions and comments during the program at 1-800-228-5615. Archives are available at www.wpr.org. 
 
Jay Dobson, a member of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Police Department for 23 years, has been selected as the department’s next chief following a national search.

Dobson has served as a lieutenant with the department for the past nine years and has been interim chief since the April retirement of former Chief David Sprick. Dobson will officially assume the chief role on July 1.
 
“Jay Dobson is widely respected for his depth of knowledge and professionalism while serving in his many integral roles in the UW-Eau Claire Police Department — as indicated by his selection last fall as the recipient of the university’s Excellence in Performance Award for University Staff,” said John Haven III, vice chancellor for finance and administration. “His contributions to the department over time have been significant, and he brings much knowledge and experience to the table to lead his team in ensuring a safe living, learning and working environment here on our campus.”

As chief of the UW-Eau Claire Police Department, Dobson will oversee 11 full-time and two part-time officers and will be responsible for the management, planning and direction of the university’s law enforcement program. He also will work closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Dobson has had progressively increased responsibilities during his career at UW-Eau Claire. Fiscal management, delivery of departmental trainings, participation on various on- and off-campus committees, and educational presentations to community groups have been among his many departmental administrative duties. His police duties have included supervision of the department’s sergeants, detective, officers and student staff in addition to his varied law enforcement responsibilities. Dobson also has served as an adjunct instructor since 2002 in the Chippewa Valley Technical College Law Enforcement Academy.

“Jay Dobson was selected from a strong pool of final candidates for the chief position,” said Deb Newman, UW-Eau Claire associate director of Housing and Residence Life and chair of the search and screen committee for the position. “Through the interview process, he demonstrated his commitment to our students, mission, and goals and has excellent professional experiences that have prepared him well for his role as chief.”

Dobson earned a bachelor’s degree in management from UW-Eau Claire and an associate degree in criminal justice from Chippewa Valley Technical College, and he is a graduate of CVTC’s Law Enforcement Academy. He also completed the Supervision of Police Personnel training program at Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety and is currently enrolled in the Executive Leadership Institute and the Command Leadership Institute through the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

“Being a Blugold for the last 23 years has had such a positive effect on my life,” Dobson said. “I take seriously the value of leading our department in building relationships with our campus and community partners, all while continuing our tradition of exceptional protective services. I look forward to the opportunities for continued contributions toward UW-Eau Claire’s mission, values, and vision.”
 
On Thursday, June 20, the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library’s Board of Trustees recognized the contributions of outgoing members Sarah Harless and Rob Reid.
 
​Harless, an attorney recently elected to a local judgeship, served two terms on the Board (2013–2019) and held the offices of Secretary (2014–2015), Vice-President (2015–2016), and President (2016–2017). Reid, a children’s author and former library employee about to retire from his position as Senior Lecturer in Education Studies at UW–Eau Claire, served one term (2016–2019) and held the office of Vice-President (2017–2019).
 
“Both members have made important contributions during the recent, very active time for the Board,” says Bob Eierman, President of the Board of Trustees. “Sarah was a clear, strong advocate for the library, and was frequently called on to provide legal expertise,” Eierman continued, “and Rob’s vast experience in libraries and education was very valuable during deliberations.”
 
Two new members, Katherine Cook and Seng Xiong, have been appointed to replace the outgoing members starting in July 2019.