News Bulletin: EMS, Recall Challenge, Fincantieri Grants

WHAT HAPPENED

• At its July 8 meeting, the Door County Public Safety Committee took no action on the two proposals submitted in response to its request for proposals on the privatization of emergency medical services. The two respondents were American Medical Response, based in Greenwood Village, Colorado; and Curtis Universal Ambulance of Milwaukee. Both organizations wrote that with its unique geography and seasonal population changes, residents are best served by the county. However, both said they would be interested in partnering with the county to seek efficiencies. Public Safety Committee Chair Joel Gunnlaugsson said county Administrator Ken Pabich and his staff will gather more information on what the companies have in mind before returning with a recommendation.

• County officials are reviewing a challenge to the recall election petition submitted against District 3 Supervisor Roy Englebert and the subsequent rebuttal by the organization that started the recall, the Friends of the Forestville Dam. Englebert submitted six affidavits from constituents who said the purpose of the recall petition was misrepresented. The friends group also submitted a petition to recall District 2 Supervisor John Neinas, but he told the Pulse earlier that he intended to retire from the county board after this term, which ends with the April 2020 elections, so he didn’t think it was worth challenging the recall. The group is upset that Englebert voted for the two-year drawdown of the Forestville millpond and that Neinas, whose district encompasses the millpond, abstained from voting upon recommendation from Corporation Counsel Grant Thomas, because Neinas owns property near the millpond. County Clerk Jill Lau said the county should have a decision next week on the sufficiency of the petition to recall.

• Fincantieri Marinette Marine will receive grants totaling $31 million from the state of Wisconsin for workforce development and shipyard upgrades. The funding was part of Wisconsin’s recently signed two-year budget and will come in the form of two grants. The shipyard will receive a $29 million grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Harbor Assistant Program and a $2 million Wisconsin Fast Forward grant administered by the Department of Workforce Development. Together, the funding provides for additional capacity to support the anticipated production of the Multi-Mission Surface Combatant and future programs. Fincantieri Marinette Marine continues production of Littoral Combat Ships for the Navy and is one of three shipyards competing to build the first of the Navy’s new guided-missile frigates. The frigate contract is worth $1.2 billion for the initial ship and more than $19 billion for additional ships in the next 10 years. 

COMING UP

• A 30-hour Personal Care Worker Certificate Program is available this fall at the NWTC Learning and Innovation Center in partnership with Nicolet National Bank. The class will meet on five consecutive Fridays beginning Sept. 6, 9 am – 3 pm, at NWTC, 2438 S. Bay Shore Dr. in Sister Bay. Participants will learn skills for providing personal in-home and facility-based health care, including communication, moving and positioning, grooming, nutrition and feeding, and infection control. Taught by a registered nurse, the program is beneficial for those who want to work in health care or provide care for loved ones. The course fee is $158; the textbook is $29. Space is limited. To register, call NWTC at 920.746.4900 or 920.746.4970.