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| Supervisors seek enforcement of sewage dumping |
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Town of Cedar Lake chairman Jon Sleik challenged Barron County
supervisors Monday to direct authorities and financially support
enforcement of the land use ordinances. “Unfortunately, the practical impact of the land use ordinances has been greatly diminished by a lack of follow-through and enforcement by the county,” Sleik said. In September, town resident Mary Joe Wheeler brought the issue of a number of recreational vehicle owners near the Loch Lomond Beach Club dumping raw sewage and gray water onto the land. Wheeler has sought the services of Midwest Environmental Advocates in Madison and retained Green Bay attorney Mary Beth Arnett. Arnett’s interpretation of the county ordinance pertaining to the matter is that all RV owners have to have a septic system. She has called for corporation counsel John Muench and Zoning Administrator David Gifford to enforce the ordinance. Sleik, who said he was not speaking for the Town Board, spoke Monday during the public comment portion of the County Board meeting. Monday was the first of the 2-day 2006 budget setting session. “One of the biggest issues I hear is budget—that we do not have the money to fund enforcement,” Sleik said. “I must say the obvious response to that is we cannot afford not to have enforcement.” He said part of the cost would be offset by the fines imposed for failure to comply. Sleik said the message given to land speculators and developers is to do what they want and not bother getting permission. Sleik said the most many violators get is a “slap on the hands” fine. “The county administrator and the zoning administrator do not make the policy,” Sleik said. “They do not approve the taxes and cannot improve this situation if you as a group do not give clear direction and financial support. “I am challenging you to give [county administrator] Duane [Hebert] and David the tools they need to be successful,” Sleik said. Following Sleik’s presentation, Supervisor Ron Novotny said he got a recent call about people dumping raw sewage near the Loch Lomond Beach Club. “It needs to be investigated, and it should be addressed,” Novotny said. Zoning Committee chair Marv Thompson said the incidents have been investigated as they come in. Zoning Committee vice-chair Keith Hardie said the county and town need to work together to enforce the ordinances. “It is a two-way street,” Hardie said. “We don’t have the manpower. We all have to work together.” County Board chair Ole Severude said he’d like to see Hebert, Gifford and Muench address the issue with Wheeler’s attorney.-11/10/05 |
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