The Business Journal reports that Milwaukee to Madison high-speed rail line with stops in Brookfield and Oconomowoc is moving quickly through the planning stages.

This press release just arrived from Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas:

Many Waukesha County top elected officials announced this week that they will make monetary donations to the Waukesha County general fund equal to two days of their pay in support of the County’s 2010 furlough days.

As part of the County’s 2010 budget, all hourly and salaried Waukesha County employees are required to take two unpaid furlough days.  The donations by the elected officials are a gesture of unity with county employees.

“Donating this pay is the right thing to do,” said County Executive Dan Vrakas.  “During tough budget times, such as those we are currently faced with, it is important to be a cohesive team and do what we can as individuals to support our hard working employees and support Waukesha County.”

The state of the current and forecasted economy necessitates the need for the County furlough program.  Due to the current economic recession and the increasing demand for County services tied to rising unemployment, the furlough days are needed to balance the County budget without compromising service delivery.

The Wisconsin Constitution prohibits elected officials pay from being raised or lowered between elections, so furlough funds could not be withheld from their checks.

“I am glad to be making this donation to Waukesha County,” said Clerk of Circuit Courts, Kathleen Madden.  “We cannot ask our employees to give up pay without doing the same.”

Confirmation of this commitment also has been made by: Register of Deeds Jim Behrend, County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus, Treasurer Pamela Reeves and Sheriff Dan Trawicki. the release said.

The Waukesha County Courthouse and Administration Center will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18^, due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the furlough day.  Both buildings will reopen Tuesday at 8 a.m.

The Journal Sentinel reports that fund-raising for our charity group isn’t going  well.

For those without power due to the winter weather, Waukesha County shelters are available to provide warmth and shelter, according to Ellen Nowak , the county’s chief of staff.

County Executive Dan Vrakas says there have been reports of numerous homes without power throughout the county, and based on weather forecasts for Wednesday evening and Thursday, temperatures are expected to drop to the single digits and wind chills below zero.

Those seeking shelter should dial 2-1-1. This service will provide local information on available lodging. Your call to 2-1-1 is free and confidential, and is available throughout Wisconsin. 2-1-1 service is available 24 hours 7 days per week.  If your cellular provider does not allow calls to 2-1-1, please call (877) 947-2211 or (262) 547-3388.

The Waukesha County Aging and Disability Resource Center of Waukesha County will consolidate its three senior dining centers in the Waukesha to one.

As of Jan. 1, 2010, the La Casa Village senior dining center will be the single senior dining center in the city and the centers currently located in the Saratoga Heights and Willow Park apartment buildings will close.

Additionally, the Waukesha County Exposition Center will house the Home Delivered Meal program within the City of Waukesha.  As of Jan. 1, all meals will be assembled at and distributed from the Expo Center.

The consolidation, which became finalized with the passage of the Waukesha County 2010 budget in November, is part of an effort to increase efficiency, minimize costs and allow for future growth of the home delivered meal program which, over the past few years, has seen consistent and progressive growth.

Seniors, age 60 and over, previously receiving meals at Saratoga Heights and Willow Park locations, are able to attend the senior dining center at La Casa Village.

All Waukesha County residents age 60 and over, regardless of income, are eligible to receive the meals, which are funded by the federal government through the “Older Americans Act,” at senior dining centers.  Transportation may be available for $1, each way, for seniors to attend the dining center.  Homebound seniors are encouraged to contact the ADRC regarding home delivery of the meals.

“It was a very difficult decision to make these changes,” said Cathy Bellovary, Director of the ADRC, “but the decision was made strategically.  After thorough deliberation, the La Casa Village senior dining center was chosen because it is a community friendly center with a large room available for future growth, plenty of parking and availability five days a week.”

Bellovary said that La Casa de Esperanza, the organization which owns and operates La Casa Village, has been a longtime partner of Waukesha County and the ADRC.

Seniors with questions about the senior dining center changes or those who would like information regarding meals through the home delivered meal program are encourage to contact the ADRC by calling 262-548-7848.

Waukesha  County Executive Dan Vrakas announced the appointment of Ellen Nowak as his chief-of-staff .

Nowak replaces Allison Bussler who was recently appointed the Waukesha County Director of Public Works.

“Ellen will be an outstanding addition to the Waukesha County team,” Vrakas said.  “Her policy experience and knowledge of the issues facing the state of Wisconsin and Waukesha County will make her a very successful chief-of-staff.”

Nowak has nearly ten years of experience working with the state legislature.  She served as chief-of-staff and legal counsel to State Representative and Speaker of the Assembly John Gard.

Prior to her tenure in Madison, Nowak practiced law in the private sector in Milwaukee.  Most recently, Nowak served as director of government affairs for School Choice Wisconsin, a non-profit group advocating in favor of vouchers for low-income Milwaukee students to attend the school of their choice.

“I am very excited to be part of the Waukesha County team,” Nowak said.  “I look forward to serving the residents of Waukesha County and continuing to encourage and promote Waukesha County as a leader in Wisconsin.”

Waukesha County is reporting it used up all of its swine flu vaccines yesterday, causing it to cancel the next scheduled clinic.

Here’s the press release:

Waukesha County Public Health Division has administered all H1N1 vaccine available over the course of two clinics held on Tuesday and Thursday.  Clinics will be cancelled indefinitely until additional shipments of vaccine are received.

The Division of Public Health expects additional shipments of the intranasal vaccine, as well as the injectable vaccine to be available in the coming weeks and will announce clinics to administer the vaccine once the shipment has arrived.

For more information, and to learn more about the H1N1 virus and upcoming clinics please visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/pandemicflu or dial 2-1-1. This service will provide information on prevention and community resources. Your call to 2-1-1 is free and confidential, and is available throughout Wisconsin. 2-1-1 service is available 24 hours 7 days per week.  If your cellular provider does not allow calls to 2-1-1, please call (877) 947-2211 or (262) 547-3388.

Mike Johnson of Journal Sentinel reports that Circuit Judge Richard Congdon will have a challenger in the spring election

Waukesha County Public Health Division will begin the next round of free, H1N1 vaccination clinics starting Tuesday, Nov. 17.  The clinics are intended to provide both the intranasal and injectable H1N1 vaccine to Waukesha County residents in the following targeted groups:

• Health care and emergency medical personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material
• Pregnant women
• Persons who live with or provide care for infants age 6 months or younger, such as parents, siblings, daycare providers
• All children age 6 months to 18 years
• Adults age 18 through 64 who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

The H1N1 vaccination will be given on a first come, first serve basis until the vaccine supply runs out at the Waukesha County Expo Center Forum Building on the following dates and times:

• Tuesday from 1 to 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday from 1  to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, and to learn more about the H1N1 virus and upcoming clinics please visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/pandemicflu or dial 2-1-1. This service will provide information on prevention and community resources. Your call to 2-1-1 is free and confidential, and is available throughout Wisconsin. 2-1-1 service is available 24 hours 7 days per week.  If your cellular provider does not allow calls to 2-1-1, please call (877) 947-2211 or (262) 547-3388.

]]> http://www.waukeshanewsonline.com/2009/11/new-flu-clinics-next-week/feed/ 0 http://www.waukeshanewsonline.com/2009/11/next-round-of-waukesha-county-flu-clinics-announced/ http://www.waukeshanewsonline.com/2009/11/next-round-of-waukesha-county-flu-clinics-announced/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:16:15 +0000 Darryl Enriquez http://www.waukeshanewsonline.com/?p=468

The Waukesha County Public Health Division will begin the next round of free, H1N1 vaccination clinics Tuesday, Nov. 10.

The clinics are intended to provide both the intranasal and injectable H1N1 vaccine to Waukesha County residents in the following targeted groups:

• Health care and emergency medical personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material
• Pregnant women
• Children age 6 months to 4 years
• Persons who live with or provide care for infants age 6 months or younger, such as parents, siblings, daycare providers
• Children and adolescents age 5 to 18 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

Vaccinations will be given on a first come, first serve basis until the vaccine supply runs out at the Waukesha County Expo Center Forum Building on the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 12 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, and to learn more about the H1N1 virus and upcoming clinics please visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/pandemicflu or dial 2-1-1. This service will provide information on prevention and community resources. Your call to 2-1-1 is free and confidential, and is available throughout Wisconsin. 2-1-1 service is available 24 hours 7 days per week.  If your cellular provider does not allow calls to 2-1-1, please call (877) 947-2211 or (262) 547-3388.

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