Spring Green, Wisconsin
Thursday, May 2, 2024 | Vol. 5, No. 9 FREE, Single-Copy
Inside this edition
Arena police department resigns
2024 Best of the River Valley Reader Poll dates announced
UW-Platteville vacating Richland campus
Pages 1, 9
Pages 1, 5
Pages 2, 4, 5
Arena police department resigns completely, Village of Arena Board terminates fire/EMS agreement with Town of Arena
Trustee resigns amid arrest, village president seeks to fill vacancy with handpicked appointment as public safety concerns loom Alex Prochaska, Editorial Intern At the April 20 meeting of the Village of Arena Public Safety Committee, Chief of Police Nicolas Stroik, Sergeant Wyatt Miller and Officer Stephanie Benish of the Arena Police Department submitted their letters of resignation effective May 8, 2024. K9 unit Cougar, who is 9, intends to retire as well and reside with Miller. Later, at an April 22 special meeting, the Village of Arena Board of Trustees decided to terminate the existing Fire Protections and EMS Services Agreement with the Town of Arena effective at midnight July
31, then authorized village staff to enter negotiations with the Town of Arena to create a new agreement.
Police Resignations
Stroik said he and his colleagues resigned because the board’s future plans do not include the current officers, as shown by a community survey the board created. The board is currently in the process of mailing the survey to Arena residents presenting three options for the future of policing in Arena: two full-time and one part-time officers, one full-time officer or getting rid of the Arena Police Department entirely and relying instead on the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department. Stroik also said the board’s replacement of the Public Safety Committee as
motivating the officers to resign. At their April 9 meeting, the board abolished the committee—which was composed of three Arena residents and no board members—and voted to replace it with a new committee composed of two board members and one resident. Prior to an official ordinance change, this meeting consisted of the old committee. When asked by someone in attendance if the board can choose to retain the current officers at the upcoming May 7 regular board meeting, Stroik said yes. “If the board chooses not to accept resignations and chooses to have discussion regarding how to go forward— absolutely. That's a discussion that can be entertained,” said Stroik. “But basically, the [survey option] information that we're
seeing right now—that was provided via the internet and not by the board itself— it doesn't look as if we're included in the future plans of the Village of Arena.” The officers decided to go from full-time to part-time in November 2023, and cited low morale and disrespect from the board as reasons for their decision. Now the officers have resigned completely, and will not work even part-time hours in Arena. They have since taken positions with the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department. The committee passed a motion to present the board a legal agreement that would retire the department’s canine unit, Cougar, and allow Miller to adopt the animal. Miller requested the adoption.
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Valley Sentinel announces the 2024 Best of the River Valley reader poll, nominations open May 16 also a place to brag about your business or your favorite Old Fashioned, with a healthy competitive spirit. As voting opens in the beginning of June, tools will be made available to businesses and those interested to share the poll and get out the word and drum up support for their favorites. But no funny business! Literally. Exchanging free or discounted goods and services for votes is prohibited. The poll will focus on the goings-on of the past year, from June 2023 to May 2024. Nominations will generally be limited to 15 miles around the Spring Green area — Arena, Lone Rock, Plain and Spring Green — unless stated as regional. The poll will cover various categories from the staple business services, to outdoor adventures, to arts and culture. Winners will range from businesses to natural areas to artists and specific
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PRESENTS
BEST OF
THE
Valley Sentinel is excited to announce our 4th Annual Best of the River Valley reader poll! Again, drawing inspiration from cities like Eau Claire, Madison and Milwaukee, we’re excited to facilitate this reader poll that showcases your voice in sharing the best of what our area has to offer to our community and those who visit it. As always, with winners announced in June, the Best of the River Valley is designed to maximize engagement with area businesses and attractions heading into the busy summer months. The poll results will be on stands during the Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair and when the start of the season for American Players Theatre is in full swing. The Best of the River Valley is not only a complement to existing guides that help community and newcomers alike navigate our area, but also — especially now more than ever — a time to share where you believe the area is headed, what the area needs to focus on, and
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LOWER WISCONSIN
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VALLEY SPRING GREEN AREA
READER POLL