Thursday, March 07, 2019

Winter played havoc with the Fond du Lac Public Library’s new Community Chat series schedule in February, but that means two great programs will take place in March.

Fire Prevention Division Chief Troy Haase will host a chat at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 7. And County Executive Allen Buechel, who was originally set for February, will give his update at 6 p.m. Monday, March 11. 

Haase, who works to identify fire hazards and risks throughout Fond du Lac, will discuss what steps the average person can take to make their home safer.

Buechel will provide an update on the state of the county, including information on the .5 percent county sales tax and progress of the new highway garage, among other topics.

Community Chat programs give residents opportunities to hear directly from local government and nonprofit organizations. Representatives share information about costs, goals, accomplishments and more. The informal programs will take place every first Thursday of the month.

Haase is a 21-year member of Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue. In his current role as division chief of fire prevention, Haase conducts fire safety inspections and fire investigations. He also serves as the department’s public information officer. He has a Fire Protection Technician associate’s degree from Fox Valley Technical College and has continued his training through the National Fire Academy and Department of Homeland Security.

Buechel was born and raised in the heart of the Holyland, where he still lives on property his great-grandfather settled in 1871. He has served as county executive since 1993 after serving on the Fond du Lac County Board for 17 years. Since he took office, Buechel can count significant countywide achievements, including piloting a welfare reform program that has gained national attention, piloting a successful long-term care program for the elderly and disabled that is being rolled out statewide and establishing a regional medical examiner program that serves 14 counties. In addition, there’s been a major jail expansion, 911 system enhancements and building and remodeling at UW-Fond du Lac.

Community Chat programs coming up:

  • April 4: Jackie Braatz and Kristen Theisen of the City of FDL Human Resources Department
  • May 2: Jordan Skiff of the City of FDL Public Works Department
  • June 6: Cody Schoepke of the City of FDL Public Works-Wastewater Treatment

(No program on July 7.)

The Fond du Lac Public Library supports a high quality of life in Fond du Lac through reading, lifelong learning and community involvement. There are two locations: the Main Library downtown at 32 Sheboygan St., and FDLPL Express near Festival Foods at Highways 23 and 151. For more information, visit www.fdlpl.org.