Stevens Point Journal from Stevens Point, Wisconsin • Page 2

Stcuens JJomt Journal Saturday, July 13, 1991 Charges expected in fatal accident The driver of a vehicle that crashed into two trees Thursday night, killing four passengers, was released from St. Michael's Hospital Friday. Charges in the incident are expected to be filed Monday. Scott A. Romportl, 22, returned home to Apple-ton Friday after being treated for head and external injuries at the hospital.

Four other men, however, died of head and internal injuries when Romportl lost control of his vehicle on a curve on Second Avenue the town of Belmont, left the road, struck two large trees and split in half around 11:30 p.m. Thursday. accident. Uphold's half brother, Michael J. Bram-er, 20, Neenah, died early Friday at St.

Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. Corey J. Harrington, 21, Appleton, was pronounced dead at 9 a.m. Friday during surgery at Madison's University Hospital. A detective from the Sheriff's Department is in Appleton today to obtain statements from Romportl about the incident, Wanta said.

Tracks near the site of the accident indicate that Romportl's vehicle left the road about 75 feet from the trees it hit. The front half of the car was about 75 feet from the impact of the trees, deputies said. "We haven't received any definite word on what (Romportl's) going to be charged with from the district attorney's office," Capt. Vince Wanta of the Portage County Sheriff's Department said this morning. "We expect to hear something definite from the district attorney's office on Monday as far as charges are concerned." Romportl was cited for operating while intoxicated, according to Sheriff's Department deputies.

He told them that he swerved to avoid hitting a deer. Donald D. Uphold, 25, Menasha, and Jeffrey A. Lorenz, 28, Neenah, both died at the scene of the River Road. The Rev.

Daniel Kieding-er will officiate. A memorial has been established in his name. Mr. Jensen was born on Jan. 12, 1955, in Appleton, son of William T.

and Yolanda (Newby) Jensen, both of Appleton. He attended St. Stephen's Grade School, Iola-Scandinavia School and St. Therese School in Appleton. He graduated from Appleton Xavier High School in 1973, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1978 with degrees in mathematics and philosophy.

Mr. Jensen attended a two-year graduate program in library science at UW-Madison in 1980 before moving to Houston, Texas, to work for an insurance company. Survivors besides his parents include two brothers, Stephen (Kate), Edina, and Carl, Appleton; five sisters, Kitty (Jim) Rosenberger, Nut-ley, N.J., Ginger (Jeff) West, Brooklyn Park, Jane (Steve) Levine, Neenah, Susan (Vic) Richard, Decatur, 111., and Margaret (Marv) Vis- Marianne Popelka Marianne Popelka, 60, 5250 Howard died Friday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. Services will be at 11 a.m.

Monday at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The Rev. Bob Barnes will officiate, and burial will be in the Restlawn Memorial Park in the town of Grand Rapids. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m.

Sunday at the Boston Funeral Home. A memorial was established in her name for the St. Paul Lutheran Church. Mrs. Popelka was born June 11, 1931, in Shawano, a daughter of the late Oscar and Hermina Dettman.

She graduated from Lincoln Elementary School and Shawano High School in 1949. She then worked in Shawano at the Jolin Manufaturing Co. prior to her marriage to Charles J. Popelka May 22, 1954. The couple was married at St.

James Lutheran Church in Shawano. After their marriage the couple lived in Zion, 111., for a short time. They then moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. She worked as a payroll clerk at the Kincheloe Air Force Base in Michigan.

The couple moved to Stevens Point in 1972 where she worked in the office at Midwest Signs. She enjoyed camping, gardening, ceramics, needlepoint and collecting antiques. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, and the church's Young at Hearts club. She was also a sers, South Milwaukee; and a grandmother, Eileen Saari, Stevens Point.

Edward Gord Edward Gord, 65, 319 Wisz Road, Mosinee, died Thursday at St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Peplin.

The Revs. Al Wozniak and Joseph Grassl will officiate. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Mosinee. Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m.

Sunday at the Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee. There will be a parish prayer service at 8 p.m. He was born Oct. 1, 1925, in Mosinee, son of the late Stanley and Lottie Gord. He was married to the former Cecilia Gorski, Aug.

20. 1949, in Mosinee. She survives. Mr. Gord worked for Mosinee Papers for 45 years, retiring in 1988.

He served with the U.S. Marines during World War n. He was a member of the Peplin Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors besides his wife include two sons, James (Debbie), De Pere, and Thomas, Merrill; a daughter, Kathleen (Glenn) Rohde, Wausau; six grandchildren; and a sister, Laura Prazuch, Mosinee. He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.

H' A p. I K' 1- i l' i 7 BID meeting will feature panelists A downtown business organization will host an informational meeting on business improvement districts this week. The Downtown Management Task Force has invited three managers to discuss BIDs and their potential benefits. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Sentry Theater, North Point Drive.

Speakers include Jay Schlinsog, program manager for the Marshfield Main Street Program; Keith Voss, private consultant, and former Antigo Main Street Program manager; and Tom Reiter, project coordinator of the Department of Community Development for the city of Eau Claire. The panelists will speak for about 45 minutes. After a 15 minute break, the panelist will spend an hour answering questions. The event is free. The public is encouraged to attend.

A BID is basically a self imposed tax on property owners who are included within a special district. Some Stevens Point's downtown business people have said they want to form a BID in order to secure professional management for the downtown area. Among the other items commonly financed by a BID are advertising, event marketing, training, parking programs, snow removal, street lighting, building rehabilitation, maintenance programs, business recruitment and promotional programs. Efforts to create a BID can be blocked if the owners of 40 percent or more of the assessed valuation sign a petition opposing it. A group of downtown business people tried to form a district in 1985, just a year after state legislation made it legal.

That effort was shot down, however, when owners of about 48 percent of the assessed valuation and 80 percent of the property in the district fought the effort. Supporters of the most recent BID effort say they believe the concept will fly this time around if they do a better job of educating downtown property owners and the general public about the BID and its potential advantages. member of the Dorcas Society, and she was on the advisory committee for Portage County Human Services. Survivors include two daughters, Susan (Rick) Julson. Chippewa Falls, and Karen (John) Loggin, Stevens Point; one brother, John E.

(Jean) Dettman, Stevens Point; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. Elizabeth Meyer Elizabeth Meyer, 96, formerly of Plainfield, died Friday morning at the River Pines Living Center where she had been a resident for three years. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St.

Paul Catholic Church in Plain-field. The Rev. Michael Betley will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Friends may call after 5 p.m. Sunday at the DzikoskiPisarski Funeral Home and from 9 a.m.

until the time of services Monday at the church. A Bible vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. She was born June 17, 1895, in Plain-field, a daughter of the late Martin and Cecelia Pionke. She attended local schools.

She was married to Matthew in 1919. He died May 26, 1958. After their marriage, the couple settled and farmed in the town of Almond for number years. Mrs. Meyer also was employed in a number of homes in the Stevens Point area, caring for the sick and the elderly.

She enjoyed gardening and crotchet-ing. Survivors include two daughters, Cecelia Robakowski, Steves Point, and Grace Wodlarski, Stevens Point; two sons, Matthew (Delores), Lakeland, and George (Leora), Menomonee SO MANY DECISIONS faced Kaitlyn King of Stevens Point as she searched for the perfect pair of shoes during Crazy Days in the downtown area. (Journal photo by Tom Kujawski) John Meindle John "Jack" Meindle, 72, Milwaukee, formerly of Junction City, died Saturday, July 6, at Samaritan Hospital in Milwaukee. Services were held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Wood National Cemetery Chapel.

Burial was in the Wood National Cemetery Mr. Meindle was born April 6, 1919, in Junction City, a son of the late John and Alma Boettcher. He was married to Eleanor Klein Dec. 19, 1941. He served in the U.S.

Navy from 1937-44 and was stationed at Great Lakes, 111. He later served in the Naval Reserves. Mr. Meindle was employed as a laborer for the Falk the Grain Belt Brewery, and was a carpenter. Survivors include one son, Louis, Illinois; one daughter, LuAnn LeBash, Illinois; and one brother, Ormond "Opie," West Allis.

Brett Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Raymond F. Wayerski Raymond F. Wayerski, 67, 1217 Main Junction City, died at at 2 p.m. Friday at St.

Michael's Hospital. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Michael Catholic Church in Juntion City. Friends may call after 4 p.m.

Monday and again Tuesday until the time of services at the MartensKundinger Funeral Home in Junction City. The St. Michael parish rosary service will be said at 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. A complete obituary will be follow.

Chases lead to two arrests in Point Falls; 14 grandchildren and 20 greatgrandchildren; and one sister, Gertrude Doherty, Almond. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers and two sisters. Stevens Point police were involved today and Friday in two early-morning chases through Stevens Point. A 21-year-old Stevens Point man was cited Friday afternoon for operating a motor vehicle after revocation a third time, endangering safety by reckless driving, and fleeing an officer. The incident occurred at 2:22 a.m.

Friday. Police said the man fled officers for 13 blocks after an officer began following him to notify the driver of a non-functioning taillight. The chase started in the 900 block of Main Street, then went north on Second Street. The man failed to obey traffic signals, police said, and the maximum speed reached during the chase was 68 mph before the man and two other individuals left the car and fled on foot. The driver was apprehended and is set to appear in Portage County Circuit Court on July 22.

The man was driving after his li cense had been revoked his third violation in five years. Police said the man denied the charges. Officials are investigating the incident. A 24-year-old Stevens Point man was cited at 4:11 this morning for operating a motorcycle while intoxicated a second time, fleeing an officer and operating after suspension. Police said the man turned the wrong way down one-way Main Street on a motorcycle this morning.

An offi cer followed, and the chase continued north on Phillips Street, east on Briggs Street to Reserve Street and then west on College Avenue, ultimately ending at the intersection of Vincent Court and Franklin Street. Speeds averaged 40 to 50 mph, police said, and an open intoxicant was found in the motorcyclist's traveling bag. The man is set to appear in Circuit Court on July 22. A female passenger on the cycle was not charged, according to police. Patrick Louis Jensen Patrick Louis Jensen, 36, Houston, Texas, formerly of Stevens Point, died Monday after a lengthy illness.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Plover Cemetery on Mall debt deferral request faces Common Council Report of Board of Public Works meeting of July 8. Report of special Board of Public Works meeting of July 15. Ordinance, recycling. Resolution, supporting county application of second bridge.

Finance Committee report of July I meeting. Resolution authorizing the mayor and clerk to sign mall agreement extension. Report of the Public Protection Committee meeting. Ordinance provisional operators licenses. Report of special Public Protection Committee meeting of July 15.

Report of Personnel Committee meeting of Jul? 8. Report of Fark Commission meeting of July 10. Report of City Han Space Needs Committee meeting of July 10. Public hearing, sanitary sewer, water main and appurtenant services for all property on the west side of Brilowski Road from 200 feet north of Highway 10 to Walter Street; on both sides of Sandy Lane from 400 feet north of Windy Lane to Walter Street; on both sides of Walter Street from Brilowksi Road to Sandy Lane; on both sides of WUdwood Drive from 300 feet north of Highway 10 to Walter Street; on the south side of Yvonne Drive from Indiana Avenue to 800 feet east; on the east side of Indiana Avenue from Yvonne Drive to Rice Street And, sanitary sewer, water main and appurtenant services and street improvements for all property fronting on both sides of a proposed street from WUdwood Drive to 800 feet east; both sides of Heritage Drive from Leahy Avenue to Parkway Drive; both sides of Parkway Drive from 100 feet north of Heritage Drive to 200 feet south of Heritage Drive; west side of Leahy Avenue from Heffron Street to 450 feet south; both sides of Park wood Drive from Heffron Street to 400 feet south; both sides of Sequoia Drive from Parkwood Drive to 350 feet east could lose its investment if the mall were to go under. Deferring payments may be the best way to keep it alive, they said.

Mall owners have made their first mortgage payments on time, and they've paid all real estate taxes. Portage County has recommended that a second Wisconsin River bridge crossing be constructed within the city limits, as an extension of Riverview Avenue. Aldermen will act on a resolution that would support that recommendation. The Board of Public Works will 'meet in special session Monday to discuss the second bridge resolution. It will also discuss a recycling ordinance.

The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the city conference room of the County-City Building. The Public Protection Committee will then meet at 6:45 p.m. in the conference room. It will consider a license for a limousine service.

The council agenda includes the following: Minutes. Persons who wish to address the mayor and council. A public hearing for a conditional use for an enlarged off-premises sign on Highway 51 and Reserve Street Resolution on the above. City Plan Commission report from July I Airport Committee report from July Special Board of Public Works report from June 17. Public bearing, sanitary sewer and water main, area assessments for property on Sandy Lane, which is owned by the Church of Christ and Alois B.

and John A. Klein. Also included is property fronting on Windy Lane, owned by the Kleins and Frank's Hardware Co. Inc. Final resolution on special assessments for the above.

Final resolution on the above special assessments. Public hearing, sanitary sewer, water main and appurtenant service in the town of Hull: all property on both sides of Sandy Lane from 400 feet north of Windy Lane to Golla Road; both sides of Walter Street from Brilowski Road to Sandy Lane; both sides of WUdwood Drive from 300 feet north of Highway 10 to Walter Street; both sides of South Maple Bluff Court from Walter Street to the north end; both sides of Joe Street from Walter Street 360 feet north; both sides of Leonard Street from Walter Street to 360 feet north. In the town of Plover: all property fronting on both sides of Yvonne Drive from Indiana Avenue to Sunset Boulevard. Sanitary sewer, water main and appurtenant services and street improvements, town of Plover: all property fronting on the east side of Leahy Street from Heffron to 450 feet south. Final resolution, special assessments (deferred) on the above.

Resolution, final plat approval for Treder's Woodland Park North Subdivision. The CenterPoint Mall's debt to the city and the location of the second bridge are among the Common Council's agenda items this month. The council meeting is slated for 7 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers of the County-City Building. Mall owners have asked that their $3.5 million debt to the city be deferred for another four years.

The first payment to the city, which holds the second mortgage, was due in October. The owners, however, have said that the mall isnt generating enough money to enable them to make that first payment. The mall is doing better than it was in 1987 when the financing was restructured. But, it's still not doing as well as had been expected, owners said. The Finance Committee recommended that the payment be deferred.

Committee members said the city Report of various offices and commia-.