1st Place: School board rehiring Bill Klaus
2nd Place: Stones Throw closing
3rd Place: School board cuts
 
Just imagine a TV movie was to be made about this year’s winner for most annoying happening. Bill Klaus, played by Jeremy Irons, craftily deals with the school board to secure his retirement stipend early. The issue comes to the public’s attention, Klaus is relegated to a middle school, then suspended. Just when you think the movie is over, KA-POW! Klaus is rehired. The film wraps up with a mob replete with pitchforks and torches marching on the school board building. Of course, the ending is hyperbolic, but the collective disgust of many in the community certainly warrants a melodramatic Lifetime movie. The Stones Throw movie would be a little shorter, but no less annoying – after several owners, one of Eau Claire’s landmark bars and music venues shuts its doors. The third place winner is a film playing out all over the state – the school board keeps gutting the schools to deal with constricting budgets, this time lopping off teachers, support staff, and school aides. – Eric Rasmussen

Chippewa Choice: The city’s failure to close down the street for a farmers market pedestrian mall.