The Bulletin: What Happened

• Jen Korbee (formerly Jennifer Peterson-Hind), a veteran of American Folklore Theatre, made the cut to the final 50 of American Idol before getting bounced from the show Feb. 11.

• The Village of Egg Harbor hired a new deputy clerk to replace Charity Forsch, who left to take the Clerk/Administrator position in Ephraim. The new deputy clerk/treasurer is Kelly Popp.

• Liberty Grove is investigating possibilities for joining a countywide bike route, which could involve bike lanes on some roads and better signage. The Door County Silent Sports Alliance is pursuing the idea with several municipalities in an effort to promote a cooperative effort and pursue grants for any project.

• Liberty Grove is pursuing grants from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund to help cover the cost of the Hidding property it agreed to purchase last year. The six-acre parcel property was purchased to expand a park adjacent to the Garrett Bay boat launch.

• The Miss Door County title stayed in the family, as Katie Sawyer of Egg Harbor won this year’s pageant. Her older sister, Kim Sawyer, won the contest last year.

• Al Johnson’s goat-grazed roof has inspired a man in Sycamore, IL. Joel Barczak, owner of Blumen Gardens, plans to plant native species such as Coral Bells in a rooftop garden above his store. The garden will be about 1,000 square feet.

• A proposal by District 1 Assemblyman Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay) in the State Legislature to restrict the sale of fertilizer containing phosphorous cleared two hurdles. The Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously to support the legislation and the Senate Environment Committee held a public hearing on the proposal. The legislation would restrict the sale of fertilizer containing phosphorous except for authorized purposes, including starting new lawns or for applications in areas that are shown to be phosphorous deficient. The legislation aims to reduce phosphorous runoff into Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers, reducing the nutrient overload experienced in numerous locations. The excessive nutrients lead to algae blooms, smelly beaches and other detrimental side effects.

• A rule banning fundraising during state budget deliberations was adopted by an Assembly committee to be included in the Assembly Policy Manual. The new rule, which would not apply to the State Senate or Governor, will allow for the sanctioning of an Assembly Member for a violation.

“This is a step in the right direction and constitutes real fundraising reform,” said Bies.

• Dr. Thomas Bennett, former Sister Bay Village Trustee, died Jan. 27. Bennett also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and The Ridges. He was 78. A memorial service will be conducted March 13 at 11 am at Stella Maris church in Sister Bay.