We have Town Board elections in a few days and I’d hope the residents of Rome will vote based on the issues we face rather than the old buddy system that has slowed much needed progress.

We all have a vested interest in the condition of our lakes which have deteriorated over the last several  years and our town board has not committed any funds towards solving the problems we all face. They have given verbal support to the 14 Mile Watershed committee, but as I’ve said in the past, they cannot force farmers into their 9 key element plan, there is no guarantee that it will reduce the contaminants coming into our waters and it does not address the issue of resolving the current status of our lakes. Seeing as our lakes have suffered over the years while the DNR and County were supposed to be protecting them, I’m of the opinion that we truly need to bring in unbiased professionals, Environmental Engineers, to identify the problems, offer alternate solutions and determine associated costs.

Once we have this information, I’ll work with the residents to determine the best approach to resolving the ongoing problems. We had 2 outbreaks of E-Coli last year and 2 beach closings due to blue green algae.  Last October, I hand delivered a letter to each of the county supervisors, the county health officer and county administrator outlining the issues and asked for a much needed protocol for timely information. Hopefully the county will have a preliminary sample for us concerning the county beaches before the season starts. The town has done nothing in this regard and I would immediately work with the lakes associations and Tri Lakes to develop our own protocol and testing since the county has admitted they have no jurisdiction over non county beaches. For additional information see my Facebook page: Carl Hasdal for Rome Town Chair.

Thank you!

Carl Hasdal

Rome, WI

As we approach another election, we’d like to remind you that positive changes occurred after our current Town Chairman Wayne Johnson and Town Supervisors John Haugen and Bob Radder were elected two years ago.  They have helped to focus attention on the importance of our lakes to our community, and they fully supported creation of the 14 Mile Creek Watershed Joint Committee, expanding it to improve and protect all waters within our town boundaries.

You may recall that this support was not always the case within the ranks of past town boards. We appreciate this board’s support for our continuing work.

With three of our four lakes in Rome continuing to remain on the state’s impaired list, and recurring blue-green algae and e-coli warnings each summer, we stress the need for continuing the work to find solutions to our water quality problems.

Our town was built on these lakes and Rome’s success is directly related to the health of our lakes.  We, your Concerned Rome Citizens Core team, fully support the re-election of Wayne Johnson for Town Chairman, John Haugen as Town Supervisor, and Gerry Iverson as Town Supervisor to replace Bob Radder, who is not running for re-election as town supervisor.  We feel these three individuals are best equipped and dedicated to continue working towards improving our lakes, our property values, and the quality of life here in Rome.

We hope you will support them as well.

Your Concerned Rome Citizens Core team

Don Ystad, Bob Benkowski, John Endrizzi, Rick Antin, Steve Raap

Rome, WI