Greetings, Citizens of Bantry!

Allow me to introduce Ms. Vicki Burke, another active member of our La Crosse-Bantry Friendship Association. This article will focus on our County’s government structure. Burke has served on the La Crosse County Board for eight years, and is well-qualified to speak about our County’s government. As a County Board member, Burke chairs the Judiciary and Law Committee and the Law Enforcement Center Construction Committee. Enjoy!    ~Dee

 Having traveled in Ireland, I now know why my great-grandfather chose this area to settle in when he came to the United States in 1865. La Crosse County is much like the hills and fields of Ireland. Like Ireland, Wisconsin is divided into counties. La Crosse County is one of 72 counties in the state of Wisconsin. The county is further divided into twelve townships, four villages, and two cities. 

 The City of La Crosse, located in La Crosse County, has a government structure that consists of a mayor, elected every four years, and a city council. There are 17 council members who serve four-year terms. Those terms are staggered so that every two years, either eight or nine seats are up for election. The city clerk is also elected every four years.

Grapevine readers have learned much about the City of La Crosse, but I am a La Crosse County Board Supervisor. I will explain the government structure of the county in which La Crosse resides.

 The La Crosse County Board represents all the people in La Crosse County, with a population total of about 110,000 people. So those living in the City of La Crosse have a city council member and a county board member who represent them on two different governing bodies. The district of each county board member contains approximately 3,000 people, and there are 35 districts in La Crosse County. The boundaries of the districts in the City of La Crosse are the same for council members and county board members, so some members serve on both governing boards.

 Unlike the La Crosse City Council where approximately one-half are elected every two years, all members of the La Crosse County Board are up for election every two years. It is possible that all members could be replaced in one election, but usually only about one-third of the seats have challengers in any election year. These are non-partisan positions which means they do not have to declare a political party affiliation. After each election, there is a reorganization meeting in which the County Board elects its own chairperson. Since 2002, our chairperson is Steve Doyle. Our County Administrator is Steve O’Malley, who, as a member of LBFA, visited Bantry just last year and met with Mayor Mary Hegerty.  So you see, we have people of Irish heritage in very important positions!

 The La Crosse County Board has primary responsibility for health and human services, the county roads, the judicial system, waste management, zoning, and land conservation. Much of the state funds for these services are funneled through the county.

 The La Crosse County Board can make ordinances which impact the towns in the county, but all villages and cities have there own jurisdictions.

 Other elected offices for La Crosse County are the District Attorney, Sheriff, County Clerk, County Treasurer, and the Register of Deeds. All have a four-year term. The five Circuit Court Judges serve six-year terms. The District Attorney, Sheriff, County Clerk, County Treasurer, and Register of Dees are all partisan offices and the elections occur in November. This means they declare which party, usually Republican or Democrat, as their affiliation.

 Perhaps this gives Grapevine readers a better idea of the structure of government in La Crosse and La Crosse County. The city and county governments work together to make this a great area in which to live, work, and raise a family. For more information, see the County of La Crosse website at: http://www.co.la-crosse.wi.us/

Ed. Note:  Vicki Burke was born in La Crosse County. Her paternal great-grandfather came from Ireland in 1865. Her great-grandfather was John Burke and her great-grandmother was Lucy Fay Burke. From New York, they moved to Minnesota, then to Wisconsin, where they were farmers. Vicki has never been able to trace the family in Ireland, so any help in that area would be appreciated. In addition, Vicki is active with the Greater La Crosse Area Shamrock Club, St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church, and Democratic politics.