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Scenes from the year 2013
VOL. 122, NO. 1 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 SINGLE COPY PRICE: $1.25 www.MiddletonTimes.com
The Times recap of the years top stories begins on page 4
Photographer Michael Knapstein captured this stunning image of a field of blooming sunflowers at Pope Farm Conservancy in the Town of Middleton.
Residents in the Hidden Oaks neighborhood hit the streets in October to deal with (and take part in) a mock zombie outbreak. The group started on the corner of Red Beyrl and Sand Pearl Trail and made its way through the neighborhood.
Terrence Wall announced in 2013 that he had regained control of the Bishops Bay development. Wall was the man who first pitched the massive development to the Middleton City Council, but he was later deposed when the T. Wall Properties Board of Directors voted to remove him from his position as CEO.
The ever-busy Russ Feingold, pictured here at his longtime home in the City of Middleton, took the time to sit down for an interview with the TimesTribune before taking a new position as special envoy to Africas Great Lakes region.
Martin Hanna enjoyed a hot dog at Pioneer Park during the Town of Middletons Fourth of July Freedom Fest.
The City of Middleton utilized a new weapon in the fight against invasive plants in 2013: goats. A herd spent part of the summer munching on unwanted plants within the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
The Middleton Fire Company hosted its annual Festival and Raffle at Capital Brewery. The event took place under a blazing July sun and featured live bands, food, festivities and a kiddie pool, seen here being enjoyed by Ansley and Rosie Neff.
Kromrey Middle School honor roll listed. Page 3
Education:
Revisit the top stories of 2013 starting on Page 4
A look back:
Middleton High Schools 2013 homecoming parade featured an array of clubs and organizations, as well as plenty of school spirit. Above, Storm Dalgety marches with her fellow cheerleaders.
File photos
Middletons year in sports. Page 9
Sports:
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Dining Guide. . . . . . . . . . 6 Classieds . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Inside this issue:
PAGE 2
MIDDLETON TIMES-TRIBUNE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014
A number of media outlets have recently run stories outlining allegations of cheating at Middleton High School. The faculty and the administration take these allegations very seriously and will continue a thorough investigation to determine the facts of this situation and how to ensure academic integrity in all classes. One challenge faced by administration and faculty is that the allegations leveled are anonymous. This makes it very challenging to verify broad accusations. Parents and stu-
District responds to cheating allegations

To the editor, dents will be encouraged to come forward and talk with our administration even if they choose not to go on the record publicly. It is also important to recognize that Middleton High School administration began their investigation immediately upon receiving the anonymous allegations. They also took immediate actions to address the specific instance in a calculus course in which they had some reason to believe that an exam had been compromised. Although it is deeply disappointing that academic integrity and honesty may have been compromised, the immediate response to this problem is encouraging. Questions of academic integrity will not be swept under the rug. However, we also will make sure that we do not make unsubstantiated accusations against students without evidence that can be verified. Although the review of protocols to address questions of academic integrity have not been finalized, there are several policies that will likely be in the mix to strengthen and implement as soon as January 2014. Not allowing students to have access to cell phones during examinations is already in place, however, requiring students to turn in phones to teachers during tests will be at the top of the list. Utilizing different versions of examinations is already practiced in many courses and it may be necessary to make this a requirement. Staff will be reminded to be even more diligent about monitoring and proctoring tests during examination periods. Middleton High School has an excellent reputation for academic achievement. The intent of actions by the high school administration and fac-
ulty, along with district administration, is to ensure that this issue is addressed and that students recognize that academic integrity will be expected and required. I have confidence that a fair and thorough investigation will be completed, and that appropriate safeguards will be put into place to prevent issues of cheating in the future. Dr. Donald Johnson, MCPASD Superintendent
This morning Ive been sitting at my dining room table, downing cups of decaf coffee and making lists. I love planning things; major events like symposiums, educational fairs and fundraisers; vacations with all the details of transportation, lodging and sights to see. When I was teaching, I immersed myself in picturing all of the details that would bring a unit of study alive for my students and for me. Its been awhile since I invested myself in planning, even though I just reported that I loved doing it. Last June, I helped plan the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Brewfest that was held here in Middleton. That felt good. But, in the last few years, I havent planned much else. Ive spent my time in other ways like getting to know my
Setting Priorities
new hometown, doing some part time work and admittedly, at the Sidetrack Tap. Im speaking figuratively with the last bit. Anyone who has listened to A Prairie Home Companion on WPR and Garrison Keillors Lake Wobegon stories might recognize the Sidetrack Tap, The dim little place where the pinball machine never tilts, the clock is a halfhour slow, and where love never dies. My adrenal glands got a bit whacked out with the pace that Id been keeping when I was still teaching and through a rocky patch of loss and change. So, I wanted to take a bit of a break before throwing myself into something new. Since moving to the Madison area, Ive watched plenty of movies and tv, read lots of books and articles, discovered and ate too many Gail Ambrosias Chocolate Caramels with Seasalt, (boy theyre good!) made some new friends, volunteered here and there and cranked out these articles. My inner critic has accused me of wasting too much time. This morn-
ing a kinder word came to me. Cocooning! Thats the word that more aptly describes the ways that Ive mentally and emotionally spent this last year. Without realizing it before and naming it, Ive been adjusting, not just to my new home, but recalibrating my life in many ways. Now that my adrenals are better, I have more energy again. Im getting restless and ready to fly, to continue the cocoon metaphor. At Christmas, my sister gave me a little packet of sticky notes with positive statements to consider at the start of each day. The first two go like this: I set smart goals and take action. I create a space for my passions in my daily life. When I read that second statement in the tablet from my sister, I understood why Ive been a bit restless lately. TV is not my passion, nor are sudokus, Facebook, or chocolate. Todays lists arent typical New Years resolutions. They are lists about what I love, books that I want to read, who I enjoy being with, the ways that I enjoy playing, what I like to eat, classes that Ive wanted to take, etc. Its been wonderful fun to remember things that I havent done for awhile, even though I enjoyed doing them, very much, in the past. I havent felt
such enthusiasm in a long time! It mimics the feeling that I had when I picked up my first college catalogue! Theres a fellow in the world named Martin Seligman. Hes a psychologist, who in the year 2000, changed his practice from one centered on learned helplessness, to its opposite. Hes credited with founding the positive psychology movement. An article about him says that his name is the 13th most likely name youll run into in psychology textbooks today. In a 2004 talk, he describes three different kinds of happy lives: The pleasant life, in which you fill your life with as many pleasures as you can, the life of engagement, where you find a life in your work, parenting, love and leisure and themeaningful life, which consists of knowing what your highest strengths are, and using them to belong to and in the service of something larger than you are. Research has shown that the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake, has hardly any contribution to lasting fulfillment. Pleasures mean much more when they are in proportion, like having a bit of dessert as part of a satisfying meal. The bulk of my life has been spent in engaging work and parenting. Part of that time was spent in serving something larger. But, truthfully, I never really asked myself what my highest strengths were and how to use them in the service of something larger than myself. I love the invitation of that. Todays lists are more exploration than determination. They are not about what I dont like and want to change, like resolutions. They are about what I love about myself and my life and what my strengths are. Its almost like a resum , only Im not arranging and prioritizing them to get a job. What a boon to embark on
another year with these lists in hand. 2014 will unfold with many conscious and unconscious actions by many individuals, institutions, corporations and governments. How we add to the years unfolding depends on how well we know ourselves and how committed we are to act in loving ways towards ourselves, others and the world. Instead of making new years resolutions, I invite you to make lists about your gifts and about what you love. Then, turn those lists into a consciously lived life. I wish you all a truly happy and meaningful new year.
PAGE 3
Kromrey lists honor roll students

KROMREY MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR ROLL AND HONORABLE MENTION 1ST QUARTER 2013-2014 Allen, Mara Baird, Lily Ballamudi, Apurupa Becker, Maya Berryman, Hunter Bills, Conner Boorstein, Aaron Boswell, Miles Braaten, Oliver Browning, MaryAnn Buchholz, Anna Buck, Charlotte Carpenter, Wesley Chang, Annie Chen, Alan Chen, James Collier, Benjamin Collin, Erica Compton, Julia Connell, Madeline Cownie, James Craker, Clay Demitrios, Ada Dietz, Gavin Donndelinger, Ryan Dorn, Juliette Elliott, Georgia Engle, Elizabeth Engle, Julian Engler, Samuel Espinoza, Isabella Feldt, Adam Ferderer, Nicholas Florin, Emily Fortney, Lauren Foster, Benjamin Francois, Kennedy Frisch, Carson Frye, Katherine Giles, Payton Goldrosen, Hannah Gonter, Maeve Hafeman, Lauren Hanson, Adam Hauser, Saskia Healy, Sarah Hellenbrand, Annika Hesselbein, Kathryn Hu, Maylynn Huang, Christine Humphries, Sarah Hussain, Tehreem Hutter, Grace Inman, Alec Irwin, Indy Jenkins, Jesilyn Joers, Mattie Johnson, Chance Johnson, Egan Jones, Julie Kean, Joseph Kessenich, John Kim, Geneghee Kortbein, Jonathan Kostecki, Emma Kruck, Andrew Lamers, Nathan Larson, Ava Lavallee, Raymond Lee, Jung Won Leffel, Zachary Lim, Cheryl Lima Sanchez, Julio Lohrei, Zoe 6TH Grade Honor Roll (3.600-4.000) Bold denotes 4.0 London, Shayla Ludtke, Megan Ludwig, Delaney Maasch, Aimee Mackey, Amelia Matejka, Kathryn Maves, Logan Mayhew, Zachary McDonough, Maxwell McGrath, Caitlin McGuffey, Lili McKenney, Jackson Meland, Nolen Miller, Mallory Mitchell, Elizabeth Mormino, Madison Morton, Jackson Mosley, Owen Newcomer, Anja Nurani, Rithika Nutini, Caleb OConnor, Caitlin Ohly, John Opland, Avery Patton, Sophia Paulsen, Anna Peterson, Brett Pflasterer-Jennerjohn, Isaiah Pierobon Mays, Gabriela Raval, Serena Reisinger, Julia Richards, Thomas Roach, Gabriella Roberts, Calvin Roden, Elena Roquet, Kendall Rosen, Elizabeth Ross, Emily Rozum, Emma Sacchetti, Elena Salyapongse, Zoe Sanchez Cortes, Cecilia Schroeder, Bailey Schuster, Alexander Scudder, Paul Shi, Stephen Shulfer, Bailey Smink, Moniek Smith, Berkley Smith, Sydney Spence, Addison Stine, Richard Sullivan, Keara Ulfig, Emily Vander Sanden, Lauren Vinje, Kara Vogt, Isaac Vogt, Jacob Voss, Nicole Waddell, Casey Walsh, Zachary Walther, Kevin Warren, Quinlan Weigert, Clare Worth, Jenna Zahed, Bjaka Zeker, Sarah Zens, Daniel Zhang, William Zopf, Magdelena Honorable Mention (3.400-3.599) Adkins, Tyrell Allawi, Raad Carranza, Hernan Elliott, Brady Fussell, Gianna Gerkey, Emmett Kane, Maggie Kinne, Natasha Knupp, Colton Martinez, Claire McHenry, Madison McLeod, Aidan Moyer, Callie Patel, Shankhil Perez Reyes, Osvaldo Roush, Isaac Sonzogni, Maxwell 7th Grade Honor Roll (3.600-4.000) Bold Denotes 4.0 Adams, Hazel Akbar, Salaar Andrews, Megan Armani, Lauren Ashe, Alexis Babler, Jazmyn Ballweg, Kyle Batley, Kai Becker, Elora Berge, Amaya Bergenthal, Robert Bertalot, Sean Bowers, Erin Braaten, Hadley Braun, Harrison Brenton, Aaron Briggs, Jack Brunel-Hamel, Maia Burns, Abigail Buxton, Isaac Carey, Bryce Carey, Margaret Carranza, Jennifer Cheng, Jordan Chi, Meixi Culp, Joseph Dagitz, Isabel Dahler, Lauren Davey, Megan Dillon, Grace Dohse, Tyler Drane, Owens Druzba, Madison Duborgel, Tanguy Dunk, Brandon Eggert, John Eichelberger, Melanie Farquhar, Tianna Fischer, Erin Flock, Stacia Foth, Brianna Fullerton, Leigha Garlough-Shah, Isabel Germann, Megan Greenberg, Jack Griffith, Dylan Gundlach, Kyia Hathaway, Kelly Hellenbrand, Casey Hendricks, Lauren Hiorns, Charles Hoffman, Joseph Hogendorn, Tristan Huang, Stephanie Huggett, Leah Jarman, Emily Jensen, Katie Jessie, Briana Joseph, Benjamin Jurgella, Luke Kaplan, Allison Kim, Jessica Kim, Mia Y Kim, Sae Mee Kirch-Whitmore, Rachel Krenke, Grace Krider, Courtney Krueger, Mackenzie Kushner, Rachel LaJeunesse, Margeaux Larson, Olivia Laurent, Maria Lewandowski, Aidan Libert, Elizabeth Lohrei, Mason Long, Cassidy Lorman, Claire Madigan, Grace Mahal, Madeline Mangas, Abigail Martin, Danielle Meyer, Chloe Miller, Samuel Monroe, Terra Newcomb, Gretchen Newcomer, Max Noughani, Hanna Oelerich, Lars Ozkan, Orhan Perez Wilson, Katherine Peters-Michaud, Eagan Petersen, Benjamin Prestigiacomo, Maxwell Prichard, Logan Pritts, Taina Rahman, Melina Raisleger, Emily Ramirez, Alexa Regan, Cameron Robinson, Mitchell Ronnie, Nicholas Saleh, Amena Scher, Benjamin Schremp, Carmen Schroeder, Ella Schuster, Bryce Shoemaker-Allen, Aliza Shulla, Michael Simani, Nora Smith, Connor Struck, Alexander Sullivan, Andrew Taylor, Emily Teodorescu, Alexander Thayer, Brynn Thomas, Chandon Thomas, Zachary Trinrud, Raina Wagner, Jenna Wagner, Madelinn Ward, Ethan Warriner, Amalia Weber, Gabrielle Whitford, Josiah Wiegand, Kayla Williams, Noah Wodzro, Stuart Yan, Alton Zambrano, Angel Zheng, Susanna Zillner, Blake Zimmerman, Megan Zocher, McKenzie Zopf, Isabella Zweber, Jakob Honorable Mention (3.400-3.599) Asmus, Natalie Bachmeier, Heidi Ball, Taylor Banke, Lauren Bauer, Bryson Bauer, Morgan Bekasova, Katherine Bhattarai, Safrika Bick, Shane Bills, Haley Borden, Nathan Bresnahan, Karen Brophy, Ashley Bucheit, Benjamin Buenfil, Claire Callaci, Sophia Callahan, Madeleine Chen, Grace Chmielewska, Lillian Cole, Chloe Cory, Emily Cownie, Clara Cryns, Henry Cushman, Brett Cushman, Payton Dai, Haiwen Dean, Alexandra DeLeo, Tara Demitrios, Drake Dower, Payton Eid, Emily Epstein, Natalie Feldt, Jacob Fleischman, Seamus Fosdick, Katiya Fox, Mary Fumusa, Ian Garcia, Michelle Gillitzer, Jessica Grande, Sophia Guse, Calvin Harris, Ashley Hellenbrand, Nora Henry, Allison Herder, Lauren Hoerres, Alexander Hoskins, Jacob Jaeger, Samuel Kasdorf, Jonah Katovich, Gavin Katovich, Jaime Koistinen, Koby Konishi, Shuka Lamers, Jacob Lee, Youn Joo Liegel, Colin Ljumani, Izabella Lohrei, Veronica Lynch, Nicholas Mackey, Eleanor Manna, Piyasa Martin, Hunter Matejka, Rachel Mayers, Marie McKean, Casey McKersie, Sydney Melum, Logan Mettel, Kaden Mintz, Madeline Morris, Katherine Moser, Macey Ohlrogge, Iris Olszewski, Athena Opitz, Peter Orr, Alexus Ostlie, Andrew Pagel, Jackson Parkin, Molly Pasch, Bryce Pence, Morgan Peterman, Jacob Peterson, Grace Pierobon Mays, Chiara Pollard, Noah 8th Grade Honor Roll (3.600-4.000) Bold Denotes 4.0 Powers, Robertson Puchalski, Lindsay Quan, Qiuwen Rader, Erika Rader, Jack T Regan, Quinlan Regele, Zola Reisdorf, Derek Richards, Allison Riddle, Alec Roberts, Stanley Parker Robertson, Jillian Roden, Alan Roden, Isabel Rodriguez, Dale Adrian Rongstad, Mallory Roquet, Davis Rose, Griffin Ross, Carley Ruhly, Shea Salgado, Josie San Juan, Jazmine Schafer, Sophia Schmitt, Brady Schoepp, Shayle Schramm, Hayden Shaw, Lydia Shoemaker, Olivia Sinha, Dhruv Smink, Mark Smith, Samantha Somasundaram, Nitin Spellman, Cami Spevacek, Nicholas Squires, Anne Steele, Brendan Sue, Charlotte Sun, Kelvin Taylor, Eleanor Taylor, Henry Thao, Keng Thompson, Lauren Ticknor, Joel Tillett, Zoe Tung, Anton Valentine, Seth Veeramani, Balaji Vergenz, Brian Vining, Cassandra Waddell, Eliot Waleffe, Derek M Warholic, Alexander Williams, Jackson Wilson, Ruby Wiltzius, Nathaniel Witkovsky, Merete Worth, Jessica Young, Chloe Yu, Kirstin Zucker, Andrew Honorable Mention (3.400-3.599)
Alcorta, Elena Antoine, Alexander Balderas Hidrogo, Luz Bindl, Ashley Burck, Anders Callahan, Danielle Dohse, Cooper Gonzalez, Antonio Kryshak, Nicholas Parkin, Archer Pauly, Gregory Porras, Nina Ramirez, Josie Reitano, Marguerite Smith, Devin Speth, Adriana Wirkus, Wyatt Zabrowski, Zeke
Anderson, Darin Aviles, Jordi Berthelon-Lathrop, Nicholas Boswell, Paris Brunker, Brogan Casey, Liam Crisp, Anders Diaz Tinoco, Samantha Ennis, Kyron Fortney, Ryan Frye, Owen Gold, Samuel Gonzalez, Anguie Handowski, Ryan Hibner, Nathan Howell, Amanda Jeje, Moubarak Klubertanz, Geena Meneses, Diana Mitchell, Samuel Sackey, Christable Schauer, Rebecca
2013 was a busy year in Middleton

PAGE 4 MIDDLETON TIMES-TRIBUNE
Y EAR I N R EVIEW
in the United States. Those who voted against it said the non-binding resolution wont do anything to prevent future tragedies. Some supervisors abstained from voting, saying state and federal gun laws fall well outside the jurisdiction of the Dane County Board of Supervisors. From a grocery store parking lot to a movie theater to a place of worship here in Wisconsin to an elementary school, this crushing string of mass shootings has one thing in common the wrong kind of guns in the hands of the wrong kinds of people, said Corrigan. We can talk about the culture of violence, we can talk about mental health care, we can talk about a wide range of long-term solutions. But the first step is clear - get the assault weapons off the streets. The resolution calls on the federal government to renew and strengthen the federal ban on military-style assault weapons and also ban domestic and imported large capacity ammunition magazines. It also urges the state legislature to ban habitual criminals from obtaining concealed carry permits, make the purchase of a firearm for someone who is prohibited from possessing a firearm a felony, make the possession of a concealed firearm by those prohibited under Wisconsin law a felony, and require that private gun sales be subject to criminal background checks performed by a federally licensed gun dealer. Supervisor Dave Ripp (District 29, Springfield) cast one of the two votes against the resolution. Its been tried before, this gun ban
The Middleton Common Council on Jan. 15 approved The Carey Groups request for $400,000 in developer-financed Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The deal is designed to attract Affiliated Construction Services (ACS) to a yet-to-be-built facility in the Good Neighbor City. The Madison-based developers formal request for TIF, dated Jan. 2, said The Carey Group Real Estate Services, LLC is pursuing a 40,000 square foot build-to-suit development for ACS on Lot 19 within the Middleton Corporate Center. (The parcel is on the northwest corner of Nursery Drive and Deming Way.) In an effort to provide ACS with favorable economic terms and a level playing field relative to the competition, we are seeking city assistance through developer-funded TIF financing, wrote developer Timothy Carey in a letter to city planner Eileen Kelley. ACS is a single-source provider of what it calls fully integrated facility and equipment solutions, serving the international engine- and vehicle-testing markets. The company specializes in the design, construction, integration, and commissioning of development and production testing facilities for engine, vehicle, and components manufacturers. Created in 1978 as a spin-off from Flad Architecture, the company has grown to provide services internationally, serving Harley Davidson, John Deere, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Navistar, Caterpillar, Whirlpool Corporation and other companies.
TIF FOR ACS BUILDING
The preliminary development budget, according to Careys figures, is $4.34 million. It includes $605,000 for the land, slightly more than $3.155 million for construction, and $580,000 to remedy soft soils. According to Middletons city administrator, Mike Davis, the TIF promised last week will be primarily for soils remediation as well as an economic development incentive to ACS. Davis said the company would bring about 40 total employees to Middleton, including 25 who work in manufacturing or support, and 10 to 15 engineers from the companys Madison office. Davis said ACSs current facility in Verona is undersized.
The Dane County Board on Thursday, Jan. 10 approved Resolution 206, calling for President Obama, the United States Congress and the Wisconsin legislature to enact a list of measures intended to curb gun violence. The board approved the resolution, which was introduced by Supervisor Sharon Corrigan (District 26, Middleton) and co-sponsored by 27 supervisors, by a margin of 29-2. Supporters said the resolution is part of an effort to counterbalance the National Rifle Associations political sway. It calls for action to curb access to certain kinds of firearms and to reduce the number of guns in the hands of criminals in order to decrease the number and impact of mass shootings
CORRIGAN AUTHORS GUN RESOLUTION
stuff, he said. It didnt work, and I dont think it would work this time around either. Ripp said there are other tactics that would be more effective in limiting mass shootings. My thought is we need to focus more on mental health, and we need to change the way we see things, Ripp said. A lot of these shooters actually warn people theyre going to do it, yet people just ignore them. We need to change that. Ripp said he owns a semi-automatic rifle, which he uses to hunt. Personally, I got it when I was 12 and Ive hunted with it ever since, he said. The resolution was delivered to President Obama, Congressional Leaders, Governor Walker and Dane County legislators.
The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Board of Education in February approved a new contract for fulltime teachers. The deal, which was hammered out amidst the fallout from Act 10 and a cloud of lingering uncertainty about the state of collective bargaining for public employees, covers the 2013-2014 year. The Middleton Education Association (MEA) teachers union ratified the contract on Valentines Day. Following the school boards vote, MEA president Chris Bauman said she was proud the two sides came to an agreement. Under the new deal, salary increases will be determined at the school boards discretion, after the district receives pertinent information about state aid levels. Teachers who take part in a Health Risk Assessment maintain their current 12 percent contribution toward their annual health insurance premiums. Those not completing the assessment will contribute 15 percent. Gone from the new deal is Fair Share, so the district will no longer automatically withdraw union dues from all teachers paychecks. While emails show the union initially fought hard to maintain Fair Share, the contract approved by the school board makes it clear teachers may opt out of and stop funding union activities. According to the district, the contract includes calendar changes and less frequent, but full-day, professional development days for staff. Following the school boards ratifi-
TEACHERS GET NEW CONTRACT
cation of the deal, MEA president Chris Bauman thanked the school board in an email. On behalf of the MEA bargaining team and every teacher in the District, I want to thank you for approving the Master Contract last night, Bauman wrote. A special thank you [to] those who sat on the negotiating team. I know it meant time away from your families and other obligations, but I believe all of our work was worth it. Bauman wrote that the MEA negotiating team is thrilled that we were able to reach an agreement given all of the uncertainties with the legal process surrounding Act 10. Superintendent Don Johnson said the overall tenor of the talks was respectful and productive. He called the new contract a foundation that will allow the district to move forward in a positive environment to support students, staff, parents and the community at-large.
The Middleton Common Council in February reiterated its opposition to, and significantly increased local penalties levied against, adults who help minors gain access to alcohol. District 1 alderman Paul Kinne said the ordinance, which was approved unanimously, was designed to counter a disturbing trend in which adults believe they are preventing drunk driving and other dangerous activities by allowing minors to drink in a safe setting. [P]eople assume that if teenagers arent driving theres no harm, no foul, Kinne stated. The vote to impose fines of up to $5,000 for repeat offenders showed the See 2013, page 5
CITY COUNCIL WORKS TO CURB UNDERAGE DRINKING
Middleton Common Council disagrees CHURCH NOTES
with parents who feel that way. The ordinance says it is intended to clearly address the problem of adult-hosted underage drinking parties, and to discourage underage possession and consumption of alcohol,regardless of the location within the City of Middleton. Adults contributing to underage alcohol violations, who in law enforcement circles are called social hosts, are now subject to $500 in fines for each of the first two violations, $1,000 for the third violation, and $5,000 for each subsequent violation, during a 30month period. The fines were also reviewed and approved by Municipal Judge Marjorie Schuett. According to a report by the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy project, the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of Wisconsin high school students showed 39 percent had consumed alcohol within the proceeding 30 days and 24 percent had engaged in binge drinking in the previous 30 days. Middletons ordinance says it is intended to stop parents from providing a safe haven for unlawful consumption or possession of alcohol. Its already illegal, Kinne pointed out. (Hosting such parties is unlawful under a state statute that had been adopted by reference in the City of Middleton Code of Ordinances.) So Kinne said the changes approved by the city serve as a restatement of policy and to drastically increase the penalties. The ordinance seeks to punish parents who host, facilitate, or even fail to stop such parties if they have knowledge of them. Itasserts that too frequently adults in the City of Middleton facilitate underage drinking parties where underage persons are permitted to consume and possess alcohol without being accompanied by their parent, legal guardian or adult spouse. The ordinance goes on to say that regardless of intentions, such events frequently lead to irresponsible,dangerous and unlawful behavior. Violations listed in the ordinance include knowingly permitting underage persons to consume alcohol; providing a hotel, motel or other room or property for rent where teens will consume or possess alcohol; and failure to take reasonable action to prevent such violations. District 7 alderman Hans Hilbert said social hosts might unwittingly be causing destruction to young people, so it was time for the city council to act. It really is our role as government to show that these laws are on the books for a reason, Hilbert said.
2013
PAGE 5
Much of 2013s State of the City Address was similar to what was presented in recent years: the mayor touched on property values, develop-
MAYOR TALKS TAXES
ment, employment, sustainability, taxes, public safety and growth. Some wasnt: this was the first time a member of the state legislature made an impromptu appearance to let the audience know local schools were closed due to a nasty ice storm. (It was Rep. Dianne Hesselbein.) On the surface it was a minor change, but perhaps the most significant aspect of Mayor Kurt Sonnentags speech Thursday morning at the Marriott was that he altered the way he presented information about the local tax rate opting to delve deeper into the data in order to preemptively address accusations the citys low tax rate is merely the result of high property values. Sonnentag said the city had the lowest tax rate among cities (and some villages) in Dane County. While in past years he has used the mill rate to illustrate his point, on Thursday Sonnentag factored property values into the equation, showing tax bills for Middleton residents are second lowest, after Stoughton, even when adjusted to reflect home values. Sonnentag told those gathered at the meeting, which doubled as the Middleton Chamber of Commerces monthly Get Moving Middleton event, that the city is near pre-recession levels of building permit activity. He used the speech to jest about what he called a golden opportunity both for the city to further enhance quality of life, and for those present to play hooky for a couple hours to hear his address. Sonnentag said local property values rose 2.2 percent in 2012, bringing the municipalitys land worth back up to $2.7 billion, where it stood in 2007. He also pointed out that crime is down, with the rate in 2012 at its lowest point in more than a decade, according to the FBI Index. Sonnentag stressed the fact that Middleton is a net importer of employees, attracting an estimated 16,000 daily workers while 8,000 residents who live in the Good Neighbor City commute to work elsewhere. Our employment base here is wonderful, he commented. Sonnentag didnt exclusively cheerlead. The mayor acknowledged a challenge currently faced by the city: debt for Pleasant View Golf Course. While the course benefited from warmer weather in October and November of 2012, and finished the year with an operating profit of $454,757, Pleasant View remains saddled by debt from the initial purchase of the land and upgrades to its facilities. Sonnentag also said the city is working to come up with a stable revenue source to pay for storm water maintenance. That source will likely be a new utility charged to citizens.
continued from page 4
Lucille Taylor, a long-time volunteer at the Middleton Senior Center, is stepping up to make sure Middleton stays verdant long into the future. Taylor made an initial gift of $100,000 for the development of a new park in the city. She plans to eventually donate the bulk of her life estate for local greenspace. The donation was be recognized by the Middleton City Council on Nov. 5. Pictured here, Taylor, at left, works with Penni Klein, the citys public lands manager, on the parks design.
Taylors gift
HEATED RACES FOR TOWN BOARD
File photo
The general theme of 2013s three contested races for Middleton Town Board was nothing new in the world of politics: The incumbents said local government is on solid footing, and their experience can help keep it that way. The challengers said its time for fresh voices, accusing many on the current board of being out of touch with their constituents. What was unique, at least for the Town of Middleton, was the hostile gist of the candidates and their supporters. Those who endorsed challengers Cynthia Richson, Greg DiMiceli and Troy Alton said the Town of Middleton is growing and changing, and its time to break up a current Good Old Boys Club that doesnt listen to most citizens. (There are currently no women on the board.) The challengers said town government sat idly by while the American Transmission Company (ATC) plans to birfurcate the town with
a total of four high voltage power lines, all of which are slated to link up with the West Middleton Substation. They said the town should do more to determine where those lines go, fighting to protect property owners from devastating effects on property values, health and quality of life. The incumbents didnt claim to be fans of ATCs plans, but they contended the town has little, if any, jurisdiction over the lines. The incumbents said the towns levy, debt load and other finances are
all in order, and that challengers distorted the ledgers in an attempt to paint an overly grim picture of municipal finances. One of the most divisive issues stems from Altons platform. He said the town should allow people to walk their leashed dogs in local conservancies. Incumbents said they tried allowing dogs in the past, and it didnt work because dog owners let their pets run freely. See 2013, page 6
PAGE 6
Photocopied signatures of support prevented David Dahmens name from appearing on the April 2 ballot, according to an order issued by the Government Accountability Board (GAB). Dahmen had hoped to challenge Area 1 school board incumbent Jim Greer for his seat. However, the GAB ruling asserted that Dahmens failure to turn in original signatures before the filing deadline constitutes a clear failure to follow Wisconsins election laws. In his summary of the ruling, Michael Haas, elections division administrator for the GAB, writes that Middleton-Cross Plains School Board Clerk [Annette Ashley] did not act contrary to the laws or abuse her discretion when she opted to disqualify Dahmen in January. Ashley concluded Dahmens nomination papers were not timely filed, and were not in the physical possession of the filing officer by the statutory deadline as required by [Government Accountability Board] rule 2.05(2). Haas expressed regret that the GAB was unable to place Dahmens name on the spring ballot. In general, the board prefers to allow candidates to remedy defects in nomination papers and allow voters to sort out any concerns regarding a candidates actions in filing required paperwork, Haas wrote. In this case, however, the law is clear that original nomination papers must be filed and that the error cannot be corrected after the filing deadline. Haas added that Dahmens problem is one consequence candidates risk when submitting nomination papers on the day of the filing deadline. Most of the facts in the dispute were not in question. Dahmen submitted his nomination papers on January 2, 2013, the last day before the deadline passed. When he submitted his nomination papers, Dahmen had in his possession both original documents and photocopies of the nomination papers. Dahmen later said he was prepared to file either the originals or the photocopies and that he intended to rely upon the advice of the filing officer, Cheryl Janssen, as to which set of papers he should file. At the time Dahmen submitted his
TEACHER KICKED OFF BALLOT
2013
paperwork, he waited for Janssen to indicate whether he had complied with the filing requirements. He also states that he asked if the documents were adequate and Jansen replied in the affirmative. Janssen stated that, in response to Dahmens question, she reviewed his nomination papers, and stated that he was all set. On Jan. 3, one day after the filing deadline had passed, Janssen reviewed candidate paperwork and determined that Dahmens nomination papers were photocopies. She contacted staff at the GAB, who confirmed that only original documents were acceptable. Janssen then contacted Dahmen, requesting that he bring the original nomination papers to the District Administrative Office in Middleton. Dahmen delivered the original paperwork on January 3. The GAB order asserted that it the responsibility of assuring that nomination and candidacy papers are prepared, circulated, signed, and filed in compliance with statutory and other legal requirements lies with the candidate, David Dahmen. Mr. Dahmen cannot rely on Ms. Janssens general statement that he was all set as a conclusion that the filing officer had reviewed the nomination papers for sufficiency, the ruling continued. Although there may have been a miscommunication between Mr. Dahmen and Ms. Jansen at the time the copies of nomination papers were filed, or simply a failure to address the issue, the candidate must bear the consequence of not clarifying that he was filing copies rather than original documents. The order also states that neither Ashley nor the GAB has the authority to extend the statutory deadline for filing nomination and candidacy paperwork for any candidate.
respectively - crossed the 40 percent threshold. In their race for a seat on the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School Board, incumbent Diane Hornung trounced Fred Zietz for the second time in a row. Teacher David Dahmens write-in campaign was little threat to the candidacy of sitting school board member Jim Greer in Area 1.
Sitting local candidates easily defeated their challengers across the board in the Spring Election. In the Town of Middleton, Chair Milo Breunig, Seat 1 Supervisor Tim Roehl and Seat 2 Supervisor Bill Kolar all overcame spirited challengers and walked away with decisive victories. None of the challengers - Greg DiMiceli, Cynthia Richson and Troy Alton,
INCUMBENTS TROUNCE CHALLENGERS
The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School Board in 2013 unanimously approved a resolution awarding the sale of $59.86 million general obligation school building bonds. Proceeds of the bonds fund additions and renovations at Kromrey and Glacier Creek middle schools, projects that were approved by voter referendum in November of 2012. The winning bid came from Piper Jaffrey & Co., based out of Minneapolis. The interest rate is 3.0957 percent, which equates to $27,222,548 in net interest costs over the life of the borrowing. The vote came three days after Moodys Investor Services applied a glowing Aaa rating to the district for the issuance. Middleton-Cross Plains is one of only five districts in the state to earn the maximum rating, which Moodys attributed to a favorable location within the greater Madison economy, a growing population and robust general fund. The school districts land wealth again came into play, with Moodys noting that the district, which included 37,298 people as of the 2010 census, has a full valuation of $5.8 billion. Moodys also took into account the fact that the districts per capita income of $45,626 is 171 percent that of the national average. Dane Countys low unemployment rate of 4 percent also factored into the rating. Post sale the district will have $92 million in outstanding general obligation debt. The interest rate suggests citizens living within Middleton-Cross Plains will see an impact on their tax bills that is extremely close to what the district suggested when it rolled out the referendum. The school board followed its vote to approve with a round of applause. Now we will have the money to See 2013, page 7
REFERENDUM BUILDING BEGINS
In many ways it was just a fun summertime baseball game at Firefighters Park in the City of Middleton. In other ways it was not; this was the second annual Battle of the Badges, raising awareness and funds to help families impacted by childhood cancer. Everyone there, the police, the firefighters, the medics, the volunteers and the fans, rallied around five-year-old Cole Truitt, who was diagnosed in 2012 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The event collected $2,800 to help pay some of the Truitt familys medical bills. Pictured here, Truitt gives Middleton Fire Chief Aaron Harris five after throwing out the first pitch.
More than a game
File photo
pay for these projects, stated Tom Wohlleber, the districts superintendent of business services.
2013
PAGE 7
American Transmission Co. in 2013 energized the completed 32-mile, 345kilovolt Rockdale-West Middleton Transmission Line. The project was first introduced to the public in 2004, kicking off with a comprehensive outreach effort which included 22 public meetings attended by 3,300 people over three years. More than 2,600 written comments were submitted by stakeholders and included in the companys application to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. In 2009, after nearly two years of regulatory review, the PSC ordered a portion of the line to be built along the Beltline Highway. The line can carry 1,267 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 239,000 homes. ATC is a Wisconsin-based company that owns, operates, builds and maintains the high-voltage electric transmission system serving portions of the Upper Midwest. Formed in 2001 as the nations first multi-state transmissiononly utility, ATC has invested $2.7 billion to improve the adequacy and reliability of its infrastructure. ATC now is a $3.1 billion company with 9,440 miles of transmission lines and 525 substations.
ATC LINE POWERS UP
A 2013 study suggested there is little need for a downtown parking ramp, news that was met with chagrin by many local business owners who have been calling on the city to build the structure with Tax Increment Financing. Talk of constructing a new parking ramp is still circling, and parking limitations in the downtown area and beyond have been the source of much frustration for some time now, according the group that has been applying pressure on city leaders. In response, the City of Middleton recently hired Walker Parking Consultants to conduct the downtown parking ramp study. On February 26, Philip Baron of Walker Parking Consultants presented the results of the draft study to Middleton residents. Baron offered a summary of the studys findings, discussing the parking counts that were conducted, noting the total amount of public and private parking spaces, and pinpointing the peak weekday and weekend parking demands. The Walker Parking Consultant study found that after identifying Middletons parking issues, current parking needs can be taken care of with the current parking supply. Baron indicated that even with existing vacancies filled, in addition to future anticipated parking demand, there would still be an adequate supply of parking spaces within a reasonable walking radius and that a public parking ramp is not justified at this time. Resident and local engineer/urban planner Wayne Pferdehirt agreed, noting, there is lots of parking, its just underutilized.
STUDY SAYS NO NEED FOR PARKING STRUCTURE
The National Mustard Museum is down but not out. Literally. The Middleton Common Council voted 5-2 last year to provide an additional $10,000 in Tax Increment Financing for the kooky but financially troubled museum, which will soon
MUSEUM HEADS UNDERGROUND
move into the basement of the building at 7477 Hubbard Ave. where it is currently located. Barry Levenson, owner of the National Mustard Museum, which includes both a for-profit store and a non-profit collection of memorabilia, said the money will be used for reimbursable moving expenses. The city approached the propertys owner, Anchor Bank, in an attempt to maintain street level access for the museum. However, Levenson said the move to the basement, which currently houses a collection valued at $100,000, is not being forced upon the business. The bank did not in any way force us into this, Levenson said. It is a rational and reasonable business decision that we have made in consultation with Anchor Bank and the city. The new subterranean National Mustard Museum will have a gift shop similar to what we already have, different but exciting, he continued. People will find us because we will continue to be worth finding. Levenson said he is looking forward to the challenge. And being just on the one lower level will mean less wear and tear on my knees, he added. The National Mustard Museum has struggled to pay its rent and debts in recent years; a problem Levenson said was caused by the fact that his forprofit store was unable to full subsidize his free non-profit museum. He said it is too early to tell if calls for donations will yield enough additional funding. We know that Middleton is behind us and that is a very important motivation to us, Levenson said. Ald. Jim Wexler (Dist. 4), who made the motion to provide $10,000 for moving expenses, said the Mustard Museum plays an important role in Middleton, attracting vital tourism dollars to the Good Neighbor City. I think the city should do everything it can to keep the Mustard Museum here, said Wexler. Im sorry to see it move into the basement, but I believe they can make it work. It really is in our best interest to work with them, Wexler added. Not everyone on the city council agreed. Ald. Gurdip Brar (Dist. 2) opposed the funding, calling it simply outrageous. Would the city do the same for another business in the downtown area or elsewhere? Brar asked rhetorically. I doubt it. The National Mustard Museum (formerly the Mt. Horeb Mustard Museum) moved to Middleton with the help of $1,450,000 in city assistance. The final agreement was a three-way deal between the City of Middleton, HP Holdings and the Mustard Museum. A $1.4 million Tax Increment Financing (TIF) loan went to HP Holdings for construction of the building. $50,000 went directly to the Mustard Museum for costs associated with relocating from its former home in Mt. Horeb. HP Holdings later went bankrupt, which is why Anchor Bank ended up owning the building. Ald. Hans Hilbert (Dist. 7) said hes a big fan of mustard, but went on to say he doesnt relish the idea of providing another round of TIF funding to the museum. I think that the free market will ultimately dictate what happens to the museum and to the other units in the building, said Hilbert. Rewarding a business owner who just decided to only pay half his rent because he felt that it was too much isnt exactly a good partnership. For his part, Levenson said the move will allow the museum to move forward and convince the council to declare the entire city of Middleton a ketchup-free zone.
Middleton High Schools graduating class of 1963 held its 50th reunion. Our 50th class reunion was terrific, raved organizer Jo Ann Woodford. Its nice how sooner or later everyone grows up! It began August 15 and ran through Aug. 18. We had the largest attendance ever, Woodford added. Pictured left to right while touring Middleton High School (back row)Judy (Schumann) Schaefer, Randall Schaefer, Sally Monogue, Ginger Collins, Cathy (Meinholz) Breunig, Donna (Ripp) Breunig, Jerry Goth, Mike Breunig; (front row) Janet (Sauk) Hanson, Jo Ann Woodford, Marge (Kalscheur) Stern, Helen (Markart) Adler, Vicki (Mergen) Spink, Mary (Gibson) Gill and DuWayne Fischer.
Class of 1963 back together
File photo
The Middleton City Council got its first glimpse of a development proposal that would transform 162 acres of rural land between U.S. Highway 14 and Pleasant View Golf Course into an assortment of residential neighborhoods situated around a working farm. Erdman Holdings, Inc. submitted early-stage conceptual plans for the project, which is being called Pleasant View Ridge. The developer indicated it needs feedback from city leaders before returning with a more refined proposal. Planning documents show Pleasant View Ridge containing 104 home sites on lots both large and small. About half of the homes would be on parcels of about 6,500 square feet and would utilize community septic. The larger home sites, occupying about 20,000 square feet, would use individual septic systems. Proponents of community and individual septic systems (as opposed to urban utilities) say they are environmentally friendly because they help recharge groundwater. The developer hopes to break ground in 2014 and complete the project by the end of 2019. Erdman is best known in the Good Neighbor City as the developer behind Middleton Hills, an exercise in new urbanism. An April 9 letter from Erdmans Jane Grabowski-Miller to city leadership indicated the new proposal is based on the related ideology of new ruralism. Building on the principles and practices of new urbanism, Pleasant View Ridge will have the features of new ruralism which, as defined by the Urban Land Institute, combines the development of livable communities with the preservation of a communitys rural character, often through sustainable agricultural practices and clustered home sites, Grabowski-Miller wrote. In a subsequent interview with the Times-Tribune, Grabowski-Miller went on to say the philosophy is intended to work as an antidote to urban sprawl.
CITIZENS SPEAK OUT AGAINST ERDMAN DEVELOPMENT
Alderman Jim Wexler (Dist. 4) responded positively to the pitch, saying he is really looking forward to making it a reality. But not everyone was so impressed. The Erdman proposal has sparked public outcry, both locally and across Dane County. Critics have said Pleasant View Ridge is simply urban sprawl using greenwashed name, and that its reliance on private septic systems could damage the ecology of the treasured Black Earth Creek watershed.
Plans to redevelop Terrace Avenue and North High Point Road were turned on their head when the Middleton Common Council abruptly decided to proceed with phase two of the project before it tackles phase one. The new plan is markedly different than any of the three options recommended by the Middleton Plan Commission seven says earlier. Phase two involves rebuilding Terrace Avenue between Parmenter Street and North High Point Road. The project, which is being funded using Tax Increment Financing and costs an estimated $2.8 million, includes new sewer and water utilities and a new streetscape using decorative bricks to match pedestrian friendly areas elsewhere in the downtown. Construction is slated to begin in 2014. Phase one, which city councilors made a point of saying has not yet been explicitly approved, had previously been the primary focus of planning work and committee discussions. Phase one would focus on improving the intersection of North High Point Road and Terrace Avenue, and could include a new parking lot in the area, a re-alignment of the intersection and possibly public art. Work on phase one was initially expected to begin in 2013. But the city councils motion, which was approved 6-2 with aldermen Hans Hilbert (Dist. 7) and Howard Teal (Dist. 5) in opposition, means the city could easily re-appropriate the $1.5 million it already borrowed for phase one. The additional $1.3 million to fully fund phase two could also be borrowed using TIF.
TERRACE AVE. PROJECT FLIPPED
Miriam Share used to spend her Tuesday evenings singing in the Madison Symphony Chorus. As the newest member of the Middleton Common Council, she now occupies those nights using her alto/soprano to vote yay or nay on policy decisions that shape the citys future. Share ran unopposed for the councils District 1 seat after incumbent Paul Kinne chose not to seek another term in the Spring Election. She was sworn in by assistant city administrator John Lehman on Tuesday night. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and has lived in the Good Neighbor City since 2007. She works as an account executive for Clear Channel, Madison While shes a freshman councilor, Share is no stranger to the inner workings of city hall. She served as a citizen member on Middletons sustainability and arts committees, as well as running an unsuccessful campaign for the District 4 common council seat back in 2010. Ill say now what I said when I first decided to run for this seat, she said three days before taking the oath of office. I see this as a natural extension as the next step in the work Ive been involved in here in Middleton for a number of years. Shares ascent means the eight-person council which was all male until Susan West (Dist. 6) first won her seat in 2008 - now has three female members. The trajectory toward gender equity is a good thing, Share observed. In fact, she sees much of whats happening in the city right now in a positive light. Middleton is growing, and from a sustainability standpoint, in terms of stewardship of natural resources, balancing beauty and resources when making decisions, its leadership has been terrific, she said. In terms of public safety, I think we have some of the finest police, emergency medical services and firefighters anywhere. She was sworn in alongside incumbents JoAnna Richard (District 3), Howard Teal (District 5) and Hans See 2013, page 8
SHARE JOINS CITY COUNCIL
PAGE 8
Hilbert (District 7), all of whom were unopposed in the Spring Election. She quickly became one of the fiercest critics of the proposed Pleasant View Ridge development.
2013
1963 was a busy year in the United States. Within the span of 12 months, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his I Have A Dream speech, John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Iron Man made his debut in Marvel Comics, and Beatlemania took off. Its also the year Middleton, which had already been a community for more than a century, officially became a city. It happened on Tuesday, April 9 at 3 p.m., according to that weeks Middleton Times-Tribune. City clerk August Dahlk and new Mayor A.M. McDermid, D.V.M, looked on as Wisconsin Secretary of State Robert C. Zimmerman signed the document changing Middleton from a village to a city. McDermid had won election as Middletons first mayor one week earlier, receiving a minority vote of 680 out of 1,636 total votes cast for the office. His nearest opponent, Bruce Bennett, earned 565 votes. Leonard Bruce and Ben Denson came in third and fourth, respectively. McDermid was an incumbent candidate, of sorts, because he was already Middletons chief executive when it was a village. In the same election, all village trustees won re-election, and were given the new title of aldermen. There were events throughout 2013 to commemorate the citys birthday. The official kickoff was Tuesday, April 9.
CITY CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
president Susan West and it differed an earlier one authored by ald. Hans Hilbert and former common council member Andy Lewis. Wests resolution includes updated assessments of acres designated for civic land use, an indication that the Middleton Hills Neighborhood Association is now comprised solely of Middleton Hills residents, and other language about encouraging discussion surrounding appropriate civic uses for lots in question. The city received a petition including more than 350 signatures in favor of deed restrictions, but a letter from Alan Hembel, Corporate Secretary for Middleton Hills, Inc., called the resolution unnecessary. The common council took up the issue because of a developers proposal to turn Lot 80 into an apartment complex rather than a civic facility.
It doesnt exactly sound like a glamorous issue, but deed restrictions did spark some fairly strong emotions in 2013. The Middleton Common Council on eventually approved a resolution reaffirming deed restrictions on civic lots in the Middleton Hills neighborhood. The resolution was authored by council
DEED RESTRICTIONS UPHELD
One sweltering summer day in 1982, a young Middleton resident picked up a clipboard, walked out his front door and embarked on a political career. He climbed into his Chevy Nova, the busted trunk of which was secured by a swath of tape, and drove out to Black Earth. There he went door-todoor, telling people why he wanted to serve in the state legislature. Thirty-one years later, Russ Feingold sitting in his backyard on another hot summer day prepared to set out again in 2013. This time, however, he was embarking on his new job one with the State Department. Feingold had been appointed and confirmed as special representative for the Great Lakes region of Africa. His goal is to bring peace to the war-torn region commonly associated with the terror of Idi Amin, Rwandan genocide and bloodshed in eastern Congo. Im ready to serve, said Feingold, who became a resident expert on African affairs during his tenure as one of Wisconsins United States senators. The position wont be based in Africa, it will be based out of Washington, but my main residence will continue to be right here in Middleton. Just as it has been all these years.
MIDDLETONIAN NAMED SPECIAL ENVOY
we buy to begin with? If we can get it torn down for 26,000, Id like to get it torn down and The Middleton Plan Commission get the hole filled in and make grass views demolition as the most reason- out of it until we decide what we want able course of action for the former to do with it longer term, just so it is Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) not a nuisance, the mayor continued. The commission made a recommenheadquarters due to its deteriorating to the city council to demolish dation condition. Despite a request for proposals from developers made by the the building and include the cost in the city earlier in 2013, there has been no 2014 capital budget. The city will also interest in renovating the aging build- seek additional quotes for the demoliing, commissioners learned in the fall. tion. MOM left the building late in 2012 in an effort to consolidate services and forego the costly maintenance needed to remain operational. The site was acThe Middleton Common Council in quired by the city earlier using tax increment financing (TIF). The purchase 2013 unanimously approved the use of was for the purpose of future parking up to $400,000 in Tax Increment Fineeds and potential redevelopment nancing (TIF) to help fund the expansion of Natus Neurology. downtown. Natus Neurology maintains its North The request for proposals involved a long-term lease keeping the property in American corporate headquarters in the citys possession with no option to the Good Neighbor City. The company provides healthcare products used for buy outright. With no one willing to lease the the screening, detection, treatment, building the commission was left with monitoring and tracking of common only a few options. If city leaders medical ailments in newborn care. Products are sold worldwide with leave it as is its likely the pipes and boiler will freeze and break. The cost distributers in more than 100 counof blowing out all plumbing and heat- tries. The company recently decided to ing lines is $1,200, according to some estimates. Another option is to main- expand its headquarters and wants to tain the buildings temperature at 50. maintain its Middleton location. The The estimated cost for that option is expansion will ramp up its customer about $4,000 through the winter. An- training, supplier/contractor and corpoother potential drawback is the site rate business meetings. This is expected to have a substanwould likely attract vermin. The city could also make the space tial positive impact on the local econlivable in order to rent out. This option omy, increasing commerce at hotels, comes with a $35,000 price tag just to restaurants, and in entertainment and shopping. Natus also pledges to the meet the basic legal requirements. The final and ultimately most per- city it will maintain 174 full time posisuasive option for the commission is tions after the project is complete. We are talking about a company demolition, commissioners decided. The city received two estimates for the expanding and creating a global headquarters for its neurology division in demolition, both at about $100,000. Abby Attoun, assistant director of Middleton, commented ald. Mark community development, mentioned Sullivan (Dist. 8). For the expansion, Natus Neurology an email she received from Jeff Kramer, a local developer once inter- planned to move into a facility owned ested in the site. Kramer said in the by Fairview Ridge LLC, a Wisconsin email he had a demolition quote of limited liability company. The facility needs to be developed $26,000 - a price Mayor Sonnentag jumped at. Unlike the other two esti- by adding a mezzanine level and makmates, that cost does not include back- ing other internal changes to the propfilling, repairing or replacing the erty. The changes make it more suitable sidewalk, or restoring the site. My position from the beginning has for laboratories and offices for the been to tear it down, said Sonnentag, medical device business. The total cost of the project is nearly We bought the property to be able to control that property. Selling it doesnt $1.5 million. Fairview Ridge agreed to make any sense at this point. Why did pay for the changes with the availabil-
OLD MOM TO BE DEMOLISHED
TIF FUNDS NATUS EXPANSION
ity of tax increment financing to recover certain costs. The company is eligible under state statutes that authorize the city to provide economic development assistance for project costs and other development incentives. Middleton pays no more than $400,000 in the agreement. The city plans to hold the developer accountable by reducing the annual payment by $230 per employee if the number of staff drops below the pledged amount of 174 full-time positions.
A state appeals court in the fall concluded that firing a Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District teacher for viewing pornography on the job was excessive and inequitable in light of sanctions imposed on other teachers in 2009. The District 4 Court of Appeals opinion upheld a Dane County circuit judge who had ordered reinstatement of Andrew Harris, a Glacier Creek Middle School teacher. The appeals court also upheld reducing suspensions to reprimands for teachers Mike Duren and Gregg Doc Cramer. On appeal the district contended that anything less than termination for Harris violates public policy against exposing children to pornography in schools. The District 4 Court stated we are not persuaded, noting the district cited no case law to support its position and the district undermined its own position by not terminating any other teacher who viewed sexually explicit pictures on school computer. Instead, the court found the discipline was appropriate for each teacher and supported the public policies the district emphasized. The arbitrators decisions also showed that the teachers conduct was so obviously inappropriate, even without a district warning that it would be grounds for discipline, according to the appeals opinion. The district has unsuccessfully sought to fire Harris since it learned he had received sexually explicit images on 22 emails of the hundreds of emails his sister had sent him over two years. The district made a system-wide search of its computers after another teacher reported Harris had shown her a nude photograph of a woman on his classroom computer. The investigation revealed more than 30 teachers and administrators had accessed sexually explicit materials or inappropriate jokes. The district imposed the following sanctions, according to a brief filed in the case: Harris, discharged; Duren, 12-day suspension; Cramer, 10-day suspension, Paul Gustafson, 15-day suspension, Brad Rogeberg, seven-day suspension; Parker Vivoda, three-day suspension. An unnamed administrator was pressured into retirement and other teachers received letters of reprimand, according to the appeals opinion. The school district before arbitration told the Middleton Education Associations attorney, William Haus, that it had no choice but to fire Harris and would contest any unfavorable decision as far as it could. After an 18-day hearing, arbitrator Karen Mawhinney changed Harris termination to a 15-day suspension, and Durens and Cramers suspensions to reprimands, finding they were excessive in comparison to sanctions others teachers received. The district appealed Mawhinneys See 2013, page 18
TEACHERS UNION WINS LATEST ROUND IN BATTLE WITH DISTRICT
Follow Rob Reischel on Twitter at @robreischel
PAGE 9
MIDDLETONS YEAR IN SPORTS
Middletons girls tennis team (above) got a ride through town on a fire truck after winning the state championship in October. Below, Drew Farrell and Middletons Home Talent League team won the league championship in September.
Sports fans around Middleton have come to expect greatness. And why not? For decades now, thats exactly what the sports teams around town have delivered. This year was no different. Heres one persons opinion of the top-10 stories of 2013. It was the goal from the first day the stepped onto the courts. A state title. This, of course, is what every team strives for. But with Middletons girls tennis team, fantasy became reality. The Cardinals defeated Eau Claire Memorial, 5-2, in the WIAA Division 1 state finals. It was the first girls state tennis title in school history. It feels awesome to win state, said sophomore Kaisey Skibba, Middletons No. 2 singles player. Our team has worked so hard all year theres nothing that feels better than to win state. Baylie Gold, who plays No. 2 doubles, agreed with Skibba. Its just amazing, Gold said. Weve all put so much work into it and weve all worked so hard and Im just really proud of everyone because I just think we really deserve it this year. This is our year to win and we got it. Middleton got it thanks to a dramatic win in the semifinals over fivetime defending state champion Mequon Homestead. That battle was tied, 3-3, and Skibbas match at No. 2 singles was the only one left. Skibba trailed in the third set, 4-1, but rallied back for an improbable 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3) victory over Anna Kreynin. Skibbas rollercoaster match left some of her teammates on edge. I literally thought I was going to
Another big year for Middleton

Rob Reischel 1. Grabbing the gold
pass out, joked teammate Allison Ragsdale. I was hyperventilating. Darcy Hogendorn and Emily Oberwetter were so nervous they couldnt watch, but they followed updates on Skibbas match via Twitter. When we heard about Kaisey we both just started sobbing, crying, Hogendorn said. I feel bad for not watching, but at the same time, I knew Kaisey could do it. Skibbas heroics vaulted the Cardinals into the finals. And from there, Middleton finished off Eau Claire Memorial. Skibba, who notched the clinching victory over Homestead in the state semifinals, also clinched the match against Eau Claire Memorial under far different circumstances. Skibba blanked Emily Pepperl 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 singles to give Middleton a 4-1 lead. That was our ultimate goal from my freshman year and we havent done it until now, senior Bridget Bellissimo said. Its a good year to do it though. It most certainly was. Middletons Home Talent League team has been a model of consistency for years now. But Middleton hadnt won a title since 2002. That all changed during a glorious run in the summer of 2013. Middleton finished the season with a 10-game winning streak and defeatSee 2013, page 13
File photos
2. Summer stars
PAGE 10
Middletons boys basketball team ends 2013 with rout of Edgewood

by ROB REISCHEL
Times-Tribune
Ready to ring in the new year

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014 MIDDLETON TIMES-TRIBUNE
PAGE 11
Max Oelerich will be the first to admit it: the 2013 portion of Middletons boys basketball season hasnt gone according to plan. But with 2014 here, Oelerich and the rest of the Cardinals are feeling pretty good again. Middleton closed out 2013 with a 74-56 rout of host Madison Edgewood last Saturday. The Cardinals improved to 4-4, and in this season of great expectations, headed to the new year with renewed hope and optimism. I think this first half was more of a reality check, said Oelerich, a senior forward. We thought the Big Eight would be awfully good, and then we found out just how good it really is. But I think well go into 2014 now with a chip on our shoulder. And I think were all excited about the direction were headed. Middleton brought back the overwhelming majority of a team that reached the sectional semifinals a year ago. But the Cardinals have struggled to a .500 start and a 2-4 record in the Big Eight. After a loss to Madison West two weeks ago, Cardinals coach Kevin Bavery opted for the tough love approach and put his team through their two most grueling practices of the year. The results were evident against Edgewood, as Middleton posted its most lopsided win of the season. Our start has been disappointing, for sure, Middleton senior point guard Luke Schafer said. Everyone wants to be 8-0. I mean, no one ever wants to lose, but youd rather take losses right now than in the playoffs. Were finding out the things we need to improve on and I know were getting better. That was obvious against Edgewood, as the Cardinals played arguably their most complete game of the season. Middleton put four players in double figures, outscored the Crusaders, 19-4, in the second quarter and shot 15-of-23 in the second half (65.2%). The Cardinals also held a 30-22 rebounding advantage. Senior guard Derek Rongstad and senior forward Derek Rogeberg led the way with 16 points each. Schafer went 8-of-8 from the free throw line and scored 15 points, while Oelerich shot 6-of-8 from the floor and added 14 points. I think the big thing weve found out is we werent in great shape, the kind of shape we need to be in, Bavery said. So we just need to improve our physical condition and our mental toughness. So (last) Thursday and Friday, we had two really tough practices. We went old school. Thats how were going to practice now and I think its going to help us out. It certainly did against an Edgewood team that had defeated Middleton three straight seasons. But the Cardinals put an end to that streak. After an uneven first quarter in which Edgewood led, 15-13, the Cardinals went wild in the second quarter.
Middleton opened the period on an 8-0 run to take a 21-15 lead. Then after a Crusaders basket, the Cardinals went on a 9-0 burst and surged to a 30-17 lead. Remarkably, Middletons lead stayed in double figures the rest of the night. I thought we did some really good things to get the lead, Bavery said. And then we never gave it back. Middleton did several things extremely well while outscoring Edgewood, 19-4, in the second quarter. The Cardinals shot 8-of-9 from the free throw line, scored on 8-of-12 possessions, and limited Edgewood to 2-of-9 shooting in the quarter (22.2%). We had never beat these guys since Ive been in school here, Schafer said. That was under our skin a little bit. Junior center Ian Hokanson helped spark Middletons big second quarter run. Hokanson started the fun with a layup, then had two free throws as the Cardinals surged to a 21-15 advantage. After an Edgewood basket, Oelerich scored five straight points and Schafer knocked down a threepointer as Middletons lead grew to 30-17. This was definitely one of our better games, Oelerich said. Not just the score and to win by 20 but I thought we got better at a lot of the little things. The Cardinals also refused to let the Crusaders back into the game. After Edgewood pulled within 3222 early in the third quarter, Middleton answered with a 8-0 run. Rongstad scored the first three points in the burst, then after an Oelerich basket, Rogeberg had an old-fashioned three-point play that gave the Cardinals a 40-22 lead. Oelerich went on to make all four of his shots in the third quarter. And Middleton shot 10-of-15 in the period (66.7%) while building a 55-36 lead heading to the fourth. I thought we really played well together, Schafer said. It was probably as sharp as weve been all year. Middletons lead ballooned to as many as 23 in the fourth quarter. And even though Bavery went deep into his bench, the Cardinals shot 9-of-10 from the line (90.0%) and 5-of-8
(62.5) from the field in the final period. Wed like to have a better record but I hope this is a confidence builder for us, Bavery said. Everything is still in front of these guys. On deck: Middleton hosts Verona Saturday at 7:30 p.m., then
Max Oelerich and Middletons boys basketball team are 4-4 this season.
Times-Tribune photo by Mary Langenfeld MADISON EDGEWOOD Dorn 3, Wendler 15, Haefer 5, Roehrig 3, Noyce 7, DeMorett 2, Zellner 6, Semrow 6, Bondoc 6, Triege 4. Totals: 19 11-20 56. Three-point goals Mi 2 (Schafer, Rongstad); ME 7 (Dorn, Haefer, Noyce, Roehrig, Triege, Wellner, Zellner). Personal fouls Mi 22, ME 22.
travels to Sun Prairie on Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Middleton 74, Madison Edgewood 56 Middleton .. 13 19 23 19 74 Madison Edgewood .... 15 4 17 20 56 MIDDLETON Ballweg 2, Hokanson 4, Schafer 15, Rogeberg 16, Oelerich 14, Zillner 2, Rongstad 16, Revord 4, Gardner 1. Totals: 25 2230 74.
Figuring things out

PAGE 12
Girls basketball team plays well at Franklin tourney

by ROB REISCHEL
Times-Tribune
FRANKLIN Jeff Kind continues to tinker. Middletons girls basketball coach keeps mixing and matching, adjusting and fine-tuning. And for the most part, its paying big-time dividends. Middleton went to the powerpacked Christine Rathke Memorial Tournament at Franklin last weekend and won two of three games. The Cardinals dropped their tournament opener, falling 62-58 to Oshkosh Lourdes in overtime last Thursday. That sent Middleton to the consolation bracket. There, Middleton cruised past Racine Case, 62-33, last Friday. The Cardinals then toppled host Franklin, 67-65, in the fifth place game last Saturday. I like where were headed, said Kind, whose team is 8-2 overall and leads the Big Eight Conference at 6-0. This is always a really good tournament and these are games we can certainly grow from. Cardinals junior forward Cole Jordee agreed. Were working really hard and improving every day, Jordee said. And a tournament like this is fun. Its
good team bonding and good for our confidence. Middletons confidence could have taken a hit with its opening round loss to Oshkosh Lourdes. The Cardinals led, 44-39, heading to the fourth quarter. But Lourdes forced overtime and prevailed in the extra session. Jordee led Middleton with 17 points, while senior forward Liz McMahon added 16. It was definitely a game that was winnable, Kind said. We had our chances, but just had too many mistakes. That wasnt a problem the next day, when Middleton blew out Case. The Cardinals led, 11-10, late in the first quarter. Middleton then went on a remarkable 26-1 run to take a 37-11 lead and put the game away. We really picked up our defense, Jordee said. And our defense leads to a lot of our offense. Middleton was extremely sharp on both ends of the floor. First, junior guard Elizabeth Norregard knocked down a threepointer to give Middleton a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Cardinals then scored the first 13 points of the second quarter, extending their run to 16-0 and their lead to 2710. Jordee opened the second quarter with a basket, then converted a threepoint play that made it 19-10. After a free throw by sophomore guard Grace Douglas, senior guard Darby Raffel See GIRLS BB, page 17
Elizabeth Norregard (4) and Middletons girls basketball team won two of three games at the Franklin tournament last weekend.
Times-Tribune photo by Mary Langenfeld
PAGE 13
ed Stoughton, 7-1, in the championship game. It was definitely a team effort all through the year. Every member of this team contributed in one way or another, said Middletons Josh Hinson, who had three hits in the title game. We had a stellar lineup, one through nine, and were getting performance all the way up and down. Middletons Brandon Scheidler agreed. We just laid it on the line the whole postseason, Scheidler said. We never got nervous. We never got down. Once we got started, we just kept getting our at-bats and getting our runs. Middleton finished the year 18-4 overall and 3-0 in the Final Four. This means so much to me, Middleton pitched Drew Farrell said. In my earlier years in the league, you play for fun and you make a couple of playoff runs. But as you get older, you realize how special this really is. The year didnt end as they hoped. But everything about Middletons girls golf season was extremely memorable. The Cardinals finished third at the WIAA Division 1 state meet after entering the tournament as the states No. 1 ranked team. It wasnt the storybook ending Middleton had hoped for, but it couldnt take away from the Cardinals sensational season. We definitely didnt play our best, Middleton senior Sheenagh Cleary said. I guess we just feel like we let one get away. This tournament doesnt define our season. We still had a great year. We just wanted to finish better. Arrowhead shot a two-day total of 638, the second-lowest score in Division 1 history, to win the title. Verona was second at 648, while Middleton was third at 655. We didnt play our best,
n 2013
3. Big swingers
Middleton coach Becky Halverson said. But we still had pretty good numbers both days. The hard part is we knew we had it in us to be No. 1. And right now, thats hard to deal with. But I think a week from now, well look back and realize what a great year it was. Thats highly probable. Middleton won the Big Eight Conference dual meet season with a perfect 9-0 record. The Cardinals then won the conference tournament, as senior Meggie Acker stunned the field and captured medalist honors. Middleton won its own regional as Cleary earned medalist honors. Then the Cardinals won the Madison West Sectional when Loren Skibba was the medalist. I enjoyed the year and I know the kids did too, Halverson said. We definitely wanted to be higher (at state), but third is nothing to hang our heads about.
Middletons girls cross country team had a sensational season. And the Cardinals capped it off with a fourth place finish at the WIAA Division 1 state meet. Arrowhead won its third straight title, finishing with 84 points. Whitefish Bay and Neenah tied for second at 122, while Middleton (138) and Brookfield Central (154) rounded out the top five at the 20-team event. I think the field this year was stronger than last year, Middleton cocoach Isaac Mezera said. Last year we went in with nothing to lose and See 2013, page 14
4. Running down their dreams
Middletons girls cross country team (top) finished fourth at state. Sheenagh Cleary (above) and Middletons girls golfers finished third at state.
File photos
PAGE 14
surprised ourselves. This year we went in with expectations, predictions, pressure and we kept our composure. Having raced in the meet before helped the girls make pushes at key times. All of the girls got out really hard as we expected them to. What was really impressive was how well they held on, even pushing the pace on occasion. Middleton had several record setting performances during its memorable showing. Sophomore Sam Valentine was the Cardinals top performer, finishing 13th overall and 10th in the team scoring. Valentine completed the 4,000meter course in 14:54.70. Rachel Wians set a personal-best, finishing the race in 15:05.74, which was good for 14th in the team scoring. Middleton senior Delaney Foster was 20th in the team scoring (15:14.97), junior Bobbi Patrick was 32nd (15:30.72) and junior Jenny Phillips was 62nd (15:57.97). That capped a big day of personal records by all of the Cardinals. Wians and her teammates certainly werent disappointed. Im so incredibly proud of my team, Wians said. State had been the goal all season and when we got here we knew the competition was going to be tough. We knew that if we wanted to do as well as we did last year we all needed to have the right mentality and work off of each other during the race. I think everybody stepped up and did what they needed to do and I couldnt be happier. Middletons swimming teams enjoyed a sensational season. The Cardinals boys finished fourth at the state meet in February. It was the second straight year Middleton finished fourth at state.
n 2013
Senior Jackson Uselman led the way by winning the championship in the 200-yard freestyle. This is my senior year. Its the biggest year for me and I was trying to go out with a bang, Uselman said. I just wanted to leave my team with a good image of me as a swimmer and I wanted to give our team a chance to stay in there with Memorial and West and all of them. I just wanted people to know that were also a high caliber team that can come out and have good swims across the board. Middletons girls swimmers then one-upped their male counterparts by finishing third at state. Our goal was top five and we knew if we swam at our best we could get there, Middleton coach Lauren Cabalka said. To come out with that just shows that we swam our best. Its just really exciting. Our girls really stepped up. They wanted it really bad and it showed. Middleton also won the Big Eight Conference for a fourth consecutive year. This is probably the best season of my career because I just love my team so much and we always pump each other up and help each other along, senior Ashley Aegerter said after the state meet. Were way strong. I think that it played a huge role in my success. Its the best team that I could ever ask for.
5. Splish, splash
Middletons football team began the season with a loss to Madison Memorial, and admittedly, had plenty of doubt creep in. That didnt last long, though. The Cardinals won their next five games and finished the regular season 7-2. See 2013, page 15
6. A terrific turnaround
Middletons football team (top) finished 8-3 last season and reached the second round of the postseason. Above, Ashley Aegerter and Middletons girls swimmers finished third at state.
File photos
PAGE 15
Middleton then got revenge with a first round playoff win over Madison Memorial, before eventually falling to Oconomowoc in the second round of the playoffs. Im going to look back on the year and be really proud, offensive tackle Hayden Acker said. Losing the home opener, a lot of teams might drop their head. But this team, we persevered. No one hung their head after that first loss and it showed. Since third grade, I dont think Ive been on a team where we came together as such a family. It was probably one of the most fun years Ive ever had. Middleton placed 17 players on the all-Big Eight Conference team. The Cardinals first-team players included senior offensive linemen Jack Mayers and Acker, senior running back Charles Braxton, senior defensive end Derek Rogeberg, senior linebackers Matt Hong and Elliot Tanin, and senior cornerback Luke Schafer were all named first-team all-conference. We had a great season, Middleton coach Tim Simon said. We started out 0-1 (with a loss to Madison Memorial) and we went on to have a heck of a season. Youre never ready for the season to be over. Nobody is. I dont care if its Level 1 or the state championship. But you feel for the kids and you feel for the seniors. Our seniors have given everything to our program and I couldnt be more proud of them. Im proud of the whole team, but especially the seniors.
n 2013
league for the seventh time in eight years. The Cardinals then reached the state tournament for the first time since 2009 before losing to Germantown. It was a great year, no doubt about it, Middleton coach Ben White said. Our goal all along was to make it to state and we did that. It would have been great to win a match, but I couldnt be more proud of these guys. There was a lot to be proud of. The Cardinals upended Germantown, 28-26, 27-25 in the first two games at state. But the extremely talented Warhawks battled back and won the final three games. Im really proud of our guys, Middletons Andy Keeler said. Coach told us, Theyre definitely a bigger team than us, but we thought we could stay with them if we played smart. We just couldnt finish it. Cardinals standout Connor Zimmick agreed. For my senior year, this was definitely the best year, Cardonals standout Connor Zimmick said. It was the most enjoyable. This was a great team to be part of and Im really proud of everything we accomplished. For much of the year, Middletons boys basketball team was plodding toward mediocrity. The Cardinals were 2-2, 4-6 and finished the regular season 12-10. But Middleton got hot down the stretch, and had a postseason its faithful will remember for a long time. The Cardinals upended Madison West in a regional semifinal. Middleton then stunned Sun Prairie the sectionals top-seeded team in the regional final. Theres no fear in this team at all, Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. For us, its about being Middleton. See 2013, page 16
8. A run to remember
Middletons boys volleyball team (top) reached the states quarterfinals. At left, Derek Rongstad and Middletons boys basketball team reached the sectional finals.
File photos
Middletons boys volleyball program has become one of the states best over the past decade. And the Cardinals enjoyed another sensational season in 2013. Middleton went a perfect 10-0 in the Big Eight Conference and won the
7. Model of consistency
PAGE 16
Steven Harris (left) and Middletons boys track and field team won the Big Eight Conference title last spring. Above, Katherine Marshall and Middletons girls gymnastics team finished in sixth place at state.
File photos
Its a special group, Bavery said. And theyre not ready for this thing to end. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, it ended one round later, when they fell to Madison Memorial in the sectional finals. Still, it was a memorable run for everyone involved. Everyone said this would be a team of primarily juniors and wed finish in the middle of the pack, Cardinals guard Luke Schafer said. But every day we got better and really gelled. This was the most enjoyable team Ive ever been on. Bavery agreed. You really do appreciate the ride, Bavery said. The seniors were unbe-
n 2013
lievable and I have no regrets with how hard we played. I dont think we could have played any harder. Middletons girls gymnastics team has been one of the states elite for years now. And the Cardinals performed at that level again in 2013. Middleton finished seventh at the WIAA Division 1 state meet. This season was one of the strongest seasons growth and depthwise I think Middleton has seen in a long time, Middleton coach Kari Steck said. The girls improved significantly, and I think thats what sets Middleton apart from some of the other schools in our conference and
9. Seventh heaven
sectional. We do not have just the one strong standout that carries the team, we have several. Thats what really makes the team and I think that makes it more fun for the girls as well. The Cardinals had a number of terrific individual performances. Junior Aryn Skibba finished sixth in the all-around competition, while senior Bianca Bakkar placed ninth in the all-around. Overall I am happy with sixth because I stuck all my routines and I did the best I could, Skibba said. Middletons boys track team hadnt won a Big Eight Conference title since
10. Life in the fast lane
2004. But the Cardinals changed that with a dominant performance this spring. The Cardinals scored 148 points to easily outdistance runner-up Madison La Follette (113) and the rest of the field to win the Big Eight title. It was just the second league title in school history. We showed a tremendous team effort, Middleton coach Isaac Mezera said. The Cardinals later won the Middleton Regional, placed second at the Madison Memorial Sectional and went on to finish 19th at state. I couldnt have asked for a better year for the MHS program, Middleton standout Harris said. We
have worked so hard this year and it shows pretty well with winning conference and regionals and taking second at sectionals. Its been a lot of fun watching how much success the whole team has had this year. Mezera said. It was a great end to a dream season, Middleton coach Isaac Mezera said. We will miss all of the seniors that helped make our goals a reality, but we bring back an extremely talented crew for next season. Im confident this wasnt just a one-year thing.
drained a three-pointer to make it 23-10. Senior forward Kelly Roach knocked down a pair of free throws and Norregard hit a 10-footer. That fast, Middletons lead had ballooned to 27-10. Case scored its only point of the second quarter on a free throw with 1:59 left. Middleton then scored the final six points of the half highlighted by an Emily Bergum three-pointer at the horn. The Cardinals then scored the first four points of the third quarter and stretched their lead to 37-11. That was a really good stretch for us, Kind said. We did a lot of fundamental things better in this game. Weve been having some trouble with our press. But if we just follow the basic rules of the trap, were going to be OK and our defense will be fine. Middletons defense was more than OK during its memorable run against the Eagles. Case went nearly 11 minutes between the first and third quarters without a field goal. In that time, the Eagles went 21 consecutive possessions without a basket. Middleton forced 13 turnovers in that time, and Case missed 12 consecutive shots before finally converting. On the flip side, the Cardinals scored on 12 of 22 possessions and put the game away.
n GIRLS BB
Sports briefs
Cardinal Tailgate party Soccer fundraiser
PAGE 17
The Middleton Cardinal Tailgate party will be held Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at Keva Sports Center. Tickets bought in advance are $50 each and are 50% tax deductible. Tickets bought at the door are $60. All tickets include two drink vouchers. If the MBC fundraiser t-shirt is worn to the event, the person gets a free raffle ticket. There will be a silent auction, tailgate cookout, games and raffles. Tickets and t-shirts can be ordered at http://middletonboosterclub.com/events. Proceeds benefit Middleton High School athletics.
Wow, said Jordee, who was pleasantly surprised by those statistics. Thats pretty good. Middleton continued to pull away, and when Bergum hit another threepointer at the third quarter horn, the Cardinals lead was 49-17. Middleton stretched its advantage to as many as 35 in the fourth quarter, before coasting home. Norregard led the Cardinals with 13 points, while Bergum added nine. Jordee had all seven of her points in the game-turning third quarter, while
Anna Bunyan and Middletons girls basketball team are 8-2 this season.
Times-Tribune photo by Mary Langenfeld
Douglas also added six. It was a good game for us, Kind said. After (Lourdes), we needed a game like this. Middleton closed the tournament in style, too, with a big win over host Franklin. The host Sabres held a 17-11 lead after the first quarter, but Middleton surged to a 33-28 halftime lead. The Cardinals then stretched that advantage to 53-40 heading to the fourth. Back came Franklin and made things extremely interesting at the end. But the Cardinals held on for an impressive win. McMahon led Middleton with 15 points, while Norregard added 13. Freshman Bria Lemirande and Jordee both scored 12 points, as well. It capped a solid tournament for Middleton, which appears to be settling in as the new year arrives. I like this team a lot, Kind said. We have a lot of parts and its all about finding just how to fit them. Once we do that, I think were going to be pretty good.
A fundraising effort is underway to build a pavilion for the soccer stadium at Firefighters Park. The preliminary plans call for a concession stand, ticket window, restrooms and space to display the accomplishments of our distinguished boys and girls soccer programs. Preliminary drawings are done and our fundraising efforts are moving forward. The goal is to raise $250,000 by May of 2014. One way to help is by purchasing an Engraved Brick to be placed in the new pavilion at Firefighters Soccer Stadium. There are three sizes available at corresponding levels of donation. The first is an 4x8 inch brick that accommodates three lines of text with a maximum of 12 characters per line. That costs $125. The second size is an 8x8 inch brick that accommodates six lines with a maximum of 12 characters per line. That costs $250. The third size is a 16x16 inch brick that accommodates eight lines with a maximum of 24 characters per line. That costs $500. For all general questions, or to purchase an engraved paver (brick), contact Ken Burghy at (608) 576-3426 or kburghy@gmail.com.
Dec. 28 Rathke Tournament Middleton 67, Franklin 65 Middleton .. 11 22 20 14 67 Franklin 17 11 12 25 65 MIDDLETON Bergum 2, Bunyan 8, Jordee 12, Lemirande 12, McMahon 15, Norregard 13, Raffel 4, Roach 1. Totals: 21 17-26 67. FRANKLIN Bobos 2, Falzon 7, Graverson 23, Mahan 6, Neumann 4, Schauer 13, Schell 6, Selear 4. Totals: 23 13-19 65. Three-point goals: M 8 (Bunyan 2, Lemirande 2, Norregard 2, Raffel, Jordee); F 6 (Mahan 2, Falzon 2, Graverson, Schauer). Personal fouls M 14, F 23. Norregard 13, Raffel 6, Roach 4. Totals: 19 17-19 62. RACINE CASE Farr 1, Floyd 2, Garcia 1, Hamilton 10, Long 2, Riser 13, Townsend 4. Totals: 13 7-13 33. Three-point goals: M 7 (Norregard 3, Raffel 2, Bergum 2. Personal fouls M 19, RC 12. Fouled out Hamilton.
Dec. 27 Rathke Tournament Middleton 62, Racine Case 33 Middleton .. 14 19 16 14 62 Racine Case .... 10 1 6 16 33 MIDDLETON Bergum 9, Bunyan 6, Douglas 7, Fermanich 2, Jordee 7, McMahon 6,
Dec. 26 Rathke Tournament Oshkosh Lourdes 62, Middleton 58 (OT) Middleton . 13 16 15 10 4 58 Oshkosh Lourdes 17 12 10 15 8 62 MIDDLETON Bunyan 7, Douglas 4, Jordee 17, McMahon 16, Raffel 6. Totals: 24 7-11 58. OSHKOSH LOURDES DeGroot 6, Fischer 17, Godfroy 2, Reed 28, Van Scyoc 6. Totals: 19 19-25 62. Three-point goals: M 2 (Raffel 2); OL 5 (Reed 3, Fischer 2). Personal fouls M 18, OL 10. Fouled out Douglas.
PAGE 18
2013
decision but in 2012 Dane County Circuit Judge William Foust upheld Mawhinney and, and in 2013 the District 4 Court upheld Foust. Haus said he was very pleased with the decision, and expected it. I didnt think the district had much of a basis for appeal and appealing because you dont like a decision is not a good place to start, he said. The district indicated before it went to arbitration they would contest any unfavorable decision as far as they could, said Haus. Haus didnt dispute Harris should be disciplined for having pornography on a school computer. The attorney said Harris deserved better than a kneejerk reaction from the district, however. This is a 17-year teacher with no prior disciplinary action. What he did wasnt right but what should be the penalty? They were out to destroy him, they act like hes some kind of deviant and thats not true, said Haus. Harris didnt search out the pornography, it was sent to him, Haus continued, and no student ever saw it. The district retained the emailed porn on
City clerk August Dahlk and new Mayor A.M. McDermid looked on in 1963 as Wisconsin Secretary of State Robert Zimmerman signed the document changing Middleton from a village to a city. This image appeared on the front page of the Middleton Times-Tribune 50 years later, in 2013, as part of a special edition commemorating 50 years of cityhood.
50 years a city
Good neighbors gather

significant. There is evidence of his viewing, receiving and showing pornography for one and one half years and he didnt contest a statement that he had a nine-year track record of viewing pornography, Johnson said. While Harris may be employed by the district in the future, Johnson said he didnt think it was in the best interests of the children or community for Harris to return to the classroom. District, was in possession of graphic sexual images of children as young one or two years of age, according to the complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court. School district officials and police said no pornography was discovered on Andersons work computer. Todd Anderson, a librarian and media specialist at Sunset Ridge Elementary, retired for personal reasons on Sept. 13. Mr. Anderson was arrested on Friday, Oct. 11 and was arraigned today on six counts of child pornography on his home computer, reads a statement released by the school district. The district was made aware of allegations not related to possession of child pornography against Mr. Anderson in late August. The allegations were not related to anything that happened at school. The district notified police immediately. Law enforcement officials informed the district of possible charges against Mr. Anderson following his retirement. It was while investigating the initial allegations that Middleton detectives became suspicious regarding Ander-
File photos
As usual, residents in the Middleton lined University Avenue for the Good Neighbor Festival parade in August. sons sexual interests. Law enforcement obtained permission to search Andersons home, finding an overwhelming number of images of children between the ages of one and 12 years of age, some of whom were actively engaged in sex acts, according to the complaint. Anderson later admitted to police that he viewed child pornography three to four times a week. Ellen Lindgren, president of the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, said the district was shocked and saddened by the news. The district conducted an incredibly thorough search of its technology and came up with nothing, she stated. This was all on his home computer, which we didnt have access to. School officials had no knowledge of the pornography at the time Anderson retired for personal reasons. According to the school districts statement, the investigation did not uncover any utilization of the districts resources, including computers, network, or other electronic devices, for the purpose of committing any crime or violating any district policy. The investigation also did not uncover any evidence that students or staff were exposed to any inappropriate or illegal material.
their computer servers and kept printed copies of it in district offices, even offering the public the opportunity to view the material. Haus argued the district targeted Harris, who was then a Middleton Education Association (MEA) union vice president, for his role in the prolonged and contentious contract negotiations that were ongoing at the time. Andy was a thorn in their side, said Haus. An email Harris sent to MEA members about the lack of progress in negotiations that was leaked to the Middleton Times-Tribune further eroded Harris relationship with the district, said Haus. District administration felt the email unfairly blamed the school board for the lengthy negotiations, he said. Theres no question the district was upset with Andy over the letter, said Haus. Don Johnson, district superintendent, denied Harris role in negotiations influenced the decision to terminate him. No, it was the severity and duration of his viewing pornography which was
A Middleton man who worked at a local elementary school until September was charged in October with six counts of possessing child pornography on his home computer. 63-year-old Todd Anderson, a librarian and media specialist who retired Sept. 13 after 22 years working for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School
FORMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WORKER CHARGED FOR CHILD PORN
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Scenes from the year 2013

The Times recap of the years top stories begins on page 4

Kromrey Middle School honor roll listed. Page 3

Revisit the top stories of 2013 starting on Page 4

Middletons year in sports. Page 9

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Dining Guide. . . . . . . . . . 6 Classieds . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Inside this issue:

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

District responds to cheating allegations

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

Kromrey lists honor roll students

2013 was a busy year in Middleton

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

TIF FOR ACS BUILDING

CORRIGAN AUTHORS GUN RESOLUTION

TEACHERS GET NEW CONTRACT

CITY COUNCIL WORKS TO CURB UNDERAGE DRINKING

Middleton Common Council disagrees CHURCH NOTES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

MAYOR TALKS TAXES

continued from page 4

TEACHER KICKED OFF BALLOT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

continued from page 5

INCUMBENTS TROUNCE CHALLENGERS

REFERENDUM BUILDING BEGINS

More than a game

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

ATC LINE POWERS UP

STUDY SAYS NO NEED FOR PARKING STRUCTURE

MUSEUM HEADS UNDERGROUND

continued from page 6

Class of 1963 back together

CITIZENS SPEAK OUT AGAINST ERDMAN DEVELOPMENT

TERRACE AVE. PROJECT FLIPPED

SHARE JOINS CITY COUNCIL

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CITY CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

DEED RESTRICTIONS UPHELD

MIDDLETONIAN NAMED SPECIAL ENVOY

OLD MOM TO BE DEMOLISHED

TIF FUNDS NATUS EXPANSION

continued from page 7

TEACHERS UNION WINS LATEST ROUND IN BATTLE WITH DISTRICT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

Follow Rob Reischel on Twitter at @robreischel

MIDDLETONS YEAR IN SPORTS

Another big year for Middleton

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

Middletons boys basketball team ends 2013 with rout of Edgewood

Ready to ring in the new year

travels to Sun Prairie on Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Figuring things out

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

Girls basketball team plays well at Franklin tourney

Times-Tribune photo by Mary Langenfeld

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

MIDDLETONS YEAR IN SPORTS

continued from page 9

4. Running down their dreams

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MIDDLETONS YEAR IN SPORTS

continued from page 13

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014