Clintonville Mayor Judith I. Magee honored city employee Jack H. Beggs at the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8, for his many years of service to the City of Clintonville.
Beggs was hired in 1971 as a heavy equipment operator, and he is currently a shop foreman.
Beggs has been involved with almost anything that was made or repaired in Clintonville. His ability to operate machinery, metal fabrication, and welding-much of which was done with his own equipment-has made him a valuable city employee. Beggs was involved in the cleaning of the Honey Creek box culvert, fabricating a device that could transport employees, equipment, and load out debris from the culvert. He designed a motorized trailer from an old railroad gurney. Mayor Kirchner, at that time, was so impressed that he requested a tour of the culvert on that gurney.
Some of the projects Beggs has been involved with include the re-design and rebuild of garbage trucks, snow blowers, and dump bodies for several city trucks. He also refurbished earth dozers, steamers and stump grinders. He supervised city crews that have built metal storage buildings for machinery and vehicles, storage buildings for CAWS, and large sheds for both salt and sand storage.
Beggs also served 18 years on the Clintonville Fire Department, retiring as an assistant fire chief. After 40 years of service to the city, he continues to provide his expertise in fabrication, welding and machinery operation.
The council went on to approve the following items, as explained in a memo distributed by City Administrator Lisa Kuss:
• In the 2011 budget the Park and Recreation Department is replacing their Chevy C3500 truck, and the truck was declared surplus by a council vote. It was originally intended to be traded in with the new purchase; however, the city believes it can get more revenue if they sell it on their own.
• The Clintonville Youth League lease for the concession stand in the amount of $143 was approved by the council, with Alderperson Mark Doornink abstaining from the vote due to his involvement with the youth league.
• A liquor license for Al’s Pub and Grill (formerly the Wagon Wheel) was approved.
• The first restriction that the city made for the semis and trailers that park near the skate rink was Resolution 2009-08. After this, Resolution 2009-14 was adopted, which addressed parking for all types of vehicles in numerous lots. This new Resolution is to clarify that the two Resolutions that were passed in 2009 regarding parking were not meant to conflict. In addition it directs staff to put a sign in the semi and semi trailing parking area that requires those parking to contact the Police Department with information on the owner of the trailer. The council approved Resolution 2011-02 to establish these requirements.
• The bars are issued Class B licenses and the gas stations and grocery store have Class A licenses. The State regulates the number of Class “B” (beer) and “Class B” (liquor) licenses a community can have but has no limits on the number of Class A licenses. Many years ago, Clintonville adopted limits on Class A. At this time the state has no limits on Class A licenses. The city has received inquiries from three businesses that will be looking to get such licenses. With the current ordinance they would be denied for an application based on the city’s current local quotas. After discussion with Tim Schmid, Kuss , along with their recommendation from the Committee, recommended to the council that they lift the local quotas. The ordinance 1066, which was approved, repeals the quotas.
• The small, residential size snow blower used at the library was declared surplus so that it can be sold. The piece of machinery had reached the end of its useful life for library purposes.
• The State was made some changes to the laws that govern municipal courts. The changes attempt to assure that the court is treated as a separate branch of government, separate from the Administrative and Legislative branches. This item was presented to council members as an information-only item.
• There is an inexpensive advertising opportunity for the motels with regard to EAA attendees. The Tourism, Marketing and Advertising Committee recommended to pay the $75 per motel ($225 total) to advertise with EAA. This recommendation was approved by the council.