Local News Briefs Thursday 9/25/14

The Fond du Lac City Council Wednesday evening approved an agreement with TNT Holdings for an option to purchase two lots in the Fox Ridge Business Park. TNT is buying the spec building in the park and will be leasing it to ACH Foam a major supplier to Mercury Marine. Community Development Director Wayne Rollin says the option to purchase the two lots for $195,200 would allow for the future expansion of the spec building.  A two year option will cost TNT $2,000 per year and right of first refusal for the subsequent threes years will cost $1,000. In other business the Council got an update on the Transit System from Transit Manager Lynn Gilles.

Unemployment Rates Drop In FDL County

Unemployment rates for the City and County of Fond du Lac both dipped last month. According to federal labor statistics the City’s jobless rate fell from 6.7 percent in July to 5.9 percent in August while the County’s rate slipped from 5.5 percent to 4.9 percent. Department of Workforce Development officials say unemployment rates decreased in all of the state’s metro areas, counties and largest cities in August. For more click here.

Senator Fitzgerald On Ballot Decision

Wisconsin Republicans have lost their legal challenge to the state Government Accountability Board’s new ballot design. A Waukesha County judge dismissed the lawsuit Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says the old ballot design was a lot clearer for voters to understand. He says it designated the office then listed the candidates under that. He says the ballot Republicans challenged includes the first candidate’s name in the block on the ballot along with the office title, which can be confusing to voters. Fitzgerald says the way it’s designed it gives the appearance that first person might be the incumbent in the race and some may interrupt that candidate is the only one running for the office. He says Republicans aren’t the only ones who have problems with the new ballot design. He says a number of County Clerks from both parties won’t be using the new ballot. Only 16 counties will be using the new design.

Kiwanis Pork Fest At The FDL KC Hall

The Kiwanis Club of Fabulous Fond du Lac holds their 38^th Annual Pork Fest at the Knights of Columbus Hall Thursday evening. The annual event runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Harry Schneider of the club says money raised from the annual event goes towards projects that benefit youth. He says the past year they did over 30 projects including donating to purchase naming rights for the Fruth Field concession stand. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for those under 10 years of age, but you get a lot with your meal including an extra thick pork chop, baked potato, sour cream, coleslaw, applesauce, dinner roll, desert, coffee or milk. The KC Hall is located on Fond du Lac Avenue. Carry outs will be available and tickets can be purchased at the door. 

Forest Mall Employment Fair Today

With the holidays quickly approaching the Forest Mall in Fond du Lac is hosting an employment fair today to help mall retailers fill positions to better serve mall guests. The fair is from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight at the mall. Interested applicants are invited to the Center Court to meet with hiring managers to learn more about available positions and participate in screening interviews. Applicants should be dressed to impress and bring copies of their resumes or work history. Some retailers that will participate in the employment fair include American Eagle, Aeropostate, Bath & Body Works, rue21, Christopher & Banks, CJ Banks, Books-A-Million, Radio Shack and Applebee’s.

Thanks For The Back To School FDL Effort

Organizers of the Back-to-School effort in Fond du Lac say over 1,200 area students started school a few weeks ago with backpacks, calculators, and other school supplies thanks to the donor and volunteer support for the effort. The group thanks its supporters who contributed to the program that supplied back-to-school items to students who might not otherwise have been able to afford them. Among the donations were cash, backpacks, gas cards, supplies, flu shots and discounts, advertising and the use of the Boys and Girls Club and YMCA facility for distribution and storage of school supplies and bus service for the four Fill the Bus dates.

Rock River Hills Golf Club For Sale

How would you like to own a golf course of your own? City officials in Horicon are looking for someone interested in buying the city-owned Rock River Hills Golf Course. Mayor Steve Neitzel says they want to get a good price for the 18-hole course, but are also interested in finding someone who would like to improve the course. Offers will be accepted through the middle of next month. Neitzel says if the City doesn’t get a reasonable offer they will keep the golf course open until the City can no longer financially support it. The Horicon City Council will have to approve any offer to purchase.