FREE PRESS AMERY
1892 - 2017
TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017
125 YEARS STRONG
VOL. 121 NO. 40 www.theameryfrepress.com $1.00
SPORTS: Track season underway with indoor meet at U-W Stout PAGE 14
Amery hotel gets warm reception BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
KATIE BENSEN
The cast of ‘The Odd Couple, The Female Version’ will entertain crowds at the Amery High School auditorium starting this Friday at 7 p.m.
‘The Odd Couple, Female Version’ promises laughs galore BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Local audiences will enjoy some much needed laughter this weekend, as Amery Community Theater presents a female take on Neil Simon’s beloved comedy classic, ‘The Odd Couple.’ This time it won’t be a poker party at the center of attention. It’s the girls turn for antics when Florence Unger (played by Maralyn Saleh) and Olive Madison (played by Kathy Christensen) invite the Constanzu-
ela brother over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. Simon’s twist on his original classic has earned rave reviews from the likes of the New York Post and USA Today, and will be presented to Amery audiences by Amery Community Theater and the directorial talent of Jim Thompson and Lisa Bensen. The Female version of ‘The Odd Couple’ also stars Andy Bensen as Manolo Constanzuela, Tom Hartman as Jesus Constanzuela, Bekah Hart as Sylvie, Emily Flatten as
Mickey, Ruth Mugerauer as Renee, and Linnae Seaman as Vera. Don’t miss this delightful comedy for the whole family on stage for the next two weekends. Performances will be held at the Amery High School Auditorium March 31, and April 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:00 p.m. Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Tickects are $10 and available at the door, or for a $2 advance discount at Chet’s.
It’s too early to tell. That’s a lot of what we know thus far about a proposed hotel along the Apple River Flowage in downtown Amery. But what we do know is that reception to the idea has been overwhelmingly positive. And its primary investor, Ronald Anderson, has a little more incentive to push forward. A public meeting was held on March 23 to gather feedback on the concept. Anderson presented a preliminary drawing during the meeting, conceptualizing a three-story design with approximately 47 rooms (many river facing), a pool, meeting space, expanded bar area with a river view, and a riverfront boardwalk. The proposed property would sit along Riverside Blvd. between Center and Birch Streets. The design would not impact the Cattail trail. Anderson says the pool would be available for public use during certain hours, with the ability to host birthday parties and other functions. No restaurant space has been incorporated. Anderson says they plan to use local restaurants for catering needs. The idea of a hotel has been SEE HOTEL PAGE 2A
Voter Guide: Spring election is April 4 BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ AND SUZANNE LUNDGREN SENTINEL PUBLICATIONS
Voters will elect numerous Village and Town representatives this April 4, in addition to a Polk County Judge and State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Amery School District is also one of four Polk Co. districts asking voters to weigh in on a proposed referendum. Amery Referendum Fast Facts As a large chunk of the District’s
WD The Law Firm of Williams and Davis
existing debt load gets paid off next year, the district must ask taxpayer permission to continue spending that same amount of money. At the advice of financial advisors R.W. Baird, the district is requesting a recurring $1.9 million referendum in order to take advantage of the school’s full debt levy limit without raising property taxes. The money would be used to regain many of the $3 million in programming and operational cuts that have
been made within the last five years. The district has specified that roughly $550,000 would apply to staff needs, $500,000 to technology needs, $700,000 to maintenance and security needs, and $150,000 toward curriculum and resources. By being requested as such, none of the funds could be used for facility needs. Facilities may be taken into consideration during the next debt drop off in 2020-21, which would re-
quire another referendum. Amery School District voters will be asked for a yes or no to the following question on April 4: “Shall the School Board of the School District of Amery be authorized to exceed the revenue limit under Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes beginning with the 2017 18 school year by an amount of $1,900,000 on a recurring basis for District operation and SEE VOTE PAGE 11A
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