BUCHANAN LEAVES COUNCIL SEAT
    Eau Claire Councilman Brandon Buchanan is stepping down this August in order to pursue a law degree at Marquette University. The youngest council member in city history, elected at age 23 in 2006 and re-elected in 2008, Buchanan has been known for his liberal and progressive viewpoints and outspoken manner. Some were skeptical of his age at first, but his passion for his convictions eventually taught them to listen, even if some found him too political. In his short time on council, he advocated city transit, landscaping standards, eco-friendly building regulations, and strongly opposed building the Eau Claire County jail downtown. Thanks for all your hard work! I’m sure we’ll see you in political office, again.

UNIVERSITIES GET TUITION HIKES
    College education does not come cheaply, and rumblings about the growing cost of higher learning are not unfounded. In response to a new, slimmer UW System budget of $2.2 billion, the Board of Regents recently approved a 5.5 percent tuition increase for four-year UW schools. The breakdown for UW schools in the Chippewa Valley? UW-Eau Claire undergraduate students will see a $287 rise in annual tuition in 2009-10. By lowering the cost of its laptop program, UW-Stout will increase its annual tuition by only 3.2 percent.

LOCAL MAIN STREET DIRECTOR HEADS STATE ORGANIZATION
    Main Street: a term that gained new significance in the 2008 election against its opposing force Wall Street. The Main Street movement focuses on revitalizing downtowns through four major principles of city planning (organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring) all while promoting citizen participation. Area resident Jim Schuh has been involved with the Main Street movement for over 15 years, serving as Chippewa Falls’ Main Street director for much of that time. Schuh recently took on the role of directing the Wisconsin Main Street Alliance, a statewide organization that oversees 36 different local programs. As director, Schuh will serve as advocate and consultant for the Main Streets of Wisconsin. –

MEMORIAL GETS NEW PRINCIPAL
    Tim Leibham’s tenure as principal of Memorial High School will leave large shoes to fill for the recently hired candidate, David Oldenburg. Although Oldenburg possesses a two-year history with Memorial from 2005-2007 when he was dean of students, the appointment of someone outside the district came as a shock on July 13. Previous to his new position, Oldenburg was principal of the relatively smaller schools of Holmen and Loyal. Oldenburg will be replacing Leibham as principal of a population of 1,769 students due to Leibham’s promotion to district executive director of administration.

CONTEST ALLOWS KIDS TO RUN THEIR OWN BUSINESS
    Head up your own floral business using mom’s flowers; develop an enterprising “pick-up-sticks” company; really, the possibilities are endless for managing something you already love to do and making money doing it. The Youth Business Plan Contest encourages motivation and creativity in the generation of tomorrow. So kids, put on your thinking caps and prepare for a fun experience capable of earning $500! Ages 12 to 17 years in Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Buffalo, Trempeleau, and Jackson counties qualify for this contest held by Western Dairyland Business Center. Karman Briggs of WDBC said they “will continue to work with him or her to make sure the business he or she starts is a success.” Download an application at www.SuccessfulBusiness.org/youth and submit it before July 31.