OPEN HOUSE APRIL 4TH 4:30-6PM
Thursday, March 29, 2018 • Vol. 53, No. 45 • Verona, WI • Hometown USA • ConnectVerona.com • $1.25
You're Invited!
Spring election
New VAHS
Done deal
Mayoral contest tops April 3 ballot Council, VASD, county also have contested races
Council approves agreement with VASD after strong words from alders
JIM FEROLIE AND SCOTT GIRARD
SCOTT GIRARD
Unified Newspaper Group
Unified Newspaper Group
Photo by Scott Girard
Fourth-grade “clown” Morty Arnol, right, has kindergartner Iyanna Evans pull a long string of colorful tissue out of his mouth as part of his act during the lunch theater.
Lunch and a show
Country View Elementary School students got to show off their talents to classmates on the final day before spring break at the school’s “Lunch Theater” event. The school holds the event a few times throughout the school year, with students dancing, playing instruments, dribbling basketballs, acting out scenes and more.
Mayor candidates March 15 issue Alder candidates March 22 issue School board candidates Page 14 County board candidates Page 15
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VAHS graduate’s film screened at DC march HELU WANG Unified Newspaper Group
Questionnaires
Nearly a year after voters approved a $180 million referendum for a new high school, the City of Verona and school district have a deal on funding for a second access road into the site. But, as any observer has likely come to expect over the past few months, alders had some harsh words for the district before voting unanimously (with Ald. Evan Touchett absent) to approve the latest term sheet Monday night. “The lack of planning that these issues stem from date back at least a few years now, and it’s not showing any signs of improving,” said Ald. Elizabeth Doyle (Dist. 1). “It’s not (city taxpayers’) fault that the school district didn’t plan appropriately and over promised amenities before conducting a thorough financial analysis.” Both bodies often used closed sessions to discuss the dispute over the past few months, but would only mention it in open session to offer criticism
“Words just flew of the page” for Kyle Hausmann-Stokes earlier this month as he wrote a script for a film to be shown at an upcoming national gun control protest. But when the 2001 Verona Area High School graduate realized what he had created in such a brief time was seen by hundreds of thousands of people Saturday at Washington, D.C.’s “March for Our Lives,” he said he felt a sense of shock. “I had no idea that the impact is so big,” Hausmann-Stokes told the Press. In solidarity with the March 24 demonstrations around the country, 16 veterans called for gun reform and a ban of military-style assault rifles for civilian-use in a film Hausmann-Stokes directed. The
Verona Press
“We know its power first hand and there’s no reason that anyone other than military and law enforcement should have an assault weapon like this,” the veterans said in the 2-minute film. Having served in the U.S. Army for five years, Hausmann-Stokes said he is passionate about the issue and has had the idea for the film for years, waiting for the right time to put it together. After the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., left 17 people dead, he decided it was that time, as he wanted to show support for the students, families and supporters looking for a solution to end mass shootings. “We are on their back and stand with them,” he said. Photo by Audrey Ma W i t h i n s p i r a t i o n a n d 2001 Verona Area High School graduate Kyle Hausmann-Stokes on the set of a gun control film he wrote and directed that was shown at the WashingTurn to Film/Page 8 ton, D.C. “March for Our Lives” protest Saturday, March 24.
Verona Area Performing Arts Series The Lettermen
presents
Tony Butala, Donovan Tea and Bobby Poynton entertain you with their first hit in 1961 “The Way You Look Tonight” through current hits of today, the sound is undeniably Lettermen!
Sat., April 21, 2018 • 7:30pm VAHS Performing Arts Center 300 Richard St., Verona
Tickets available at www.vapas.org, State Bank of Cross Plains-Verona, Capitol Bank-Verona or call (608) 848-2787
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An open race for mayor for the first time in 12 years is the big-ticket item on next week’s spring election ballot in Verona, but there are other important races, as well. Whoever wins the April 3 race between Dennis Beres and Luke Diaz will preside over a council with at least one new member and as many as three, as there are contested elections in Districts 2 and 3. In addition, there are contested races on the Verona Area School District board (three candidates for two seats) and the first open, contested County Board race since 2014. The county will also have a race for circuit court judge. The three city races could have a significant impact on the direction of the Common Council, which has changed dramatically since 2013, in terms of politics, age and gender diversity. At mayor, Diaz, 36, is
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416 E. Verona Ave
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