Star News Quotes of theYear:

“W e are trying to do the best we can for the moment we are in.” —Marie Koerner, county human resources director, about how the county is reacting to the COVID-19 crisis.

“I tried to get AT& T hotspots three weeks ago. I was told I could get them in two weeks. Last week, at the beginning of the week, they told me it would be more like 30 to 45 days. By the end of the week they told me 60 to 90 days.” —Walter Leipart, Gilman administrator about efforts to increase internet access to students during the COVID-19 school closures.

“W e were sitting at the kitchen table eating lunch, and all of a sudden my middle son said ‘I think there’s smoke coming out of the barn!’ and Ryan ran and instantly killed the power to the barn, and I dialed 911.” —Cheri Klussendof about how her family reacted when they realized their barn was on fire.

“I f people are patient and work together hard enough there are amazing stories that will come out of this.” — Teacher Donley Niskanen about the work being done to continue education despite schools being closed.

“I have failed miserably but also have had great success while trying to navigate unknown waters.” — Physical education teacher Jena O’Flanagan about the challenges of adapting to online education.

“I made it.” —Medford native Wanda Bearth (nee Walczak) about her illness and recovery from COVID-19.

“I hope to be a force for compromise and common sense.” —Alderman Greg Knight stating why he felt he would be the better candidate for city council president.

“S he is the baker queen.” —Rocky Mantik of his mother Carol whose homemade pies have been hot sellers at his restaurant.

“I f an employee feels safe coming to work, that should be the employee’s decision.” — Sheriff Larry Woebbeking about if county employees should be made to work from home.

“N o matter how good you might be at a job, you have to be able to work with other people.” —Rib Lake village clerk Dawn Swenson about the skills needed for the person the village hires to replace her when she retires later this year.

“I t B “B eing in the heart of the town, we want to do something for the good of the community.” —Scott Teigen of Kwik Trip about options the company will use in selling the existing store in Medford after new ones are built.

“I ’m to the point where I just want to shut it down and go get a job.” — Linda Pittman of Northside Cafe in Rib Lake about the impact the Safer At Home order has had on her business.

“W hen is a good time to spend $465,000? There is never a good time to spend $465,000.” —Buildings and Grounds supervisor Jeff Ludwig on the timing of asking the county to purchase the Bauer and Miller properties adjacent to the fairgrounds.

“W e are all in the same boat. The only thing certain right now is uncertainty.” — Rick Cardey, Rib Lake school district administrator about the benefit of continuing a food service plan into the summer.

“Y ou are not just taking the chance for yourself, but for the next people who come into contact with.” — Mayor Mike Wellner opposing the argument that people who are uncomfortable with opening procedures could always stay home.

“I think a cut policy is a cop out for our coaches and administrative staff.” — Medford Area Elementary School principal Dan Miller about a proposed team selection policy. The policy was withdrawn from consideration.

“A certain amount of debt isn’t a bad thing.” — County finance director Larry Brandl about plans to borrow for highway projects.

“W e’re not going to go out there with yardsticks to see that they’re two yardsticks apart, but we can say if they hop out of the pool and they’re sitting touching shoulder to shoulder, our lifeguards will have to tell them that they have to move apart.” — Mayor Mike Wellner during the discussion on whether or not to open the city pool.

“I believe that by freeze up this winter, they’re going to be making paper there and that once they get the word out they’re taking wood, the loggers will fill that yard up in two weeks.” — Gary Beadles during the Taylor County Forestry Committee’s discussion on the Verso paper mill closings.

“C hloe was just a wonderful little dog.” — Jan Rodgers calling for the driver of a pick-up truck that struck and killed her dog to come forward.

“Y ou are literally borrowing at almost zero percent interest.” — Brian Reilly senior municipal advisor with Ehlers Public Finance Advisors about the city borrowing $4.5 million at .92% interest rate.

“W hy do we have to take any action?” — Sheriff Larry Woebbeking questioning why the county executive committee was going on record enforcing the mask order for county buildings and employees.

“I t is because of you.” — Courtney Graff, Taylor County corporation counsel in response to the sheriff’s question at an executive committee meeting.

“Y ou have to take care of what you got, before you can go out and get more.” — Myron Brooks, county forestry committee member on using land acquisition “I “T hese are great ideas, but what about right now? How can I be safe with my littles crossing the road right now?” — Kristianna Fogo owner of Big Adventures Childcare about work that needs to be done to make crossing Hwy 64 safer.

“I t is a lot more than just a plain phone call.” — Patty Krug, Taylor County public health director about the many hours of work her department put in over the weekend contacting everyone who needed to be quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure.

“W e are not quite as stupid as we appear by this incident.” — Chris Goodwin, water resources manager for Ayres Associates about an error the firm made in submitting a dam grant for Taylor County.

“I don’t think it is out of line.” — County board member Lester Lewis about shifting more insurance expense to county employees.

“W e all have a social responsibility.” — Public health director Patty Krug to members of the Medford School Board urging people to take precautions against spreading COVID-19.

“G iven what is happening, this is not the time to relax.” — Dale Husted, CEO Aspirus Medford Hospital about the need to follow safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“I f we want schools and business to stay open we have to make some conscientious decisions.” — Taylor County Public Health Director Patty Krug about the public’s role in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

“R elatively speaking, property taxes are going to look the same.” — Gilman district administrator Walter Leipart about the school district’s tax rate dropping while property values increase.

“W e are asking almost the impossible out of our teachers,” — RVA administrator Charlie Heckel of the challenge of traditional classroom teachers being called on to teach both in-person and virtually at the same time.

“T hey ignored information because they didn’t have the stomach or the budget for it,” — Rod Mayer, a Chelsea Lake property owner, about what he says is the county not living up to its responsibility of the berms and dikes that he says are part of the Chelsea Lake Dam.

“I f there are no teeth then what’s the use?” — Alderman Clem Johnson about the need for enforcement of law requiring motorists to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.

“F or some kids that is the best meal of the day.” — Rick Cardey, Rib Lake district administrator about the importance of the school lunch program. Free meals were extended for area schools through June.

“I am always hesitant to limit people’s access to law enforcement.” — Sheriff Larry Woebbeking about public access to sheriff’s deputies being maintained despite county restrictions on access to buildings.

“T he majority said no.” — Board member John Zuleger about the outcome of the school district referendum during a discussion about bringing it back to voters for a second try in April.

“W e are solving a temporary problem with a permanent solution.” — Personnel committee member Scott Mildbrand about a new policy that governs how county employees can work from remote locations.

“I t is heartbreaking to drop off your child to go into chemo alone.” — DeAnna Miller about needing to take her son Jobe to chemotherapy treatments and not being able to go inside due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“M y running joke with my wife is who is this Judy who calls me every weekend about four times.”

— Rib Lake district administrator Rick Cardey to school board members about the ongoing communication with school nurse Judy LeMaster in reaction to COVID-19.

“A health care hero is somebody that puts other people before himself. This means that sometimes they might miss holidays with family, their kids sporting events, and time at home because they are helping other people in their community.” — Oliver Nuernberger a fourth grader at Stetsonville Elementary School in his Lites of Love essay describing health care heroes.

“H e become a priest.

is like dominoes. At some point we have to decide to knock down the first domino so the others follow.” — Mike Bub chairman of the county’s broadband committee on the need to move ahead with the project.

“V iruses

doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies those he calls.” — Father Joseph Stefancin about his decision to answer the call and take up the journey to are contagious, but so is panic, fear, hysteria, calm, grace, empathy love and kindness. You choose which one you plan to spread.” —Public health director Patty Krug giving an update on COVID-19 and its impact on the community.