Nickels vetoes residency rule

MANITOWOC — Mayor Justin Nickels on Friday vetoed a residency restriction for city department heads.

The City Council voted 7-3 on Monday to require future hires for the city's 14 department head positions to live within the city limits. It will take at least seven affirmative votes from the council to override the mayor's veto when the issue is brought up for a second vote.

Proponents say the move would stimulate community activism among employees, but Nickels wrote in his letter to the council that is not guaranteed. Instead, the ordinance could actually increase moving costs and invite lawsuits from employees who feel they are victims of discrimination, Nickels wrote.

All city employees once were required to live within city limits, but that ordinance was repealed in 1991, Nickels said.

Also on Friday, Nickels vetoed a new fee which would charge owners of vehicles the cost of materials to clean up spills after an accident. That ordinance passed 6-4 on Monday.

County officials to forego pay raises

MANITOWOC — Five elected Manitowoc County officials announced on Saturday they would not accept their scheduled 2010 pay raises, according to a news release.

Compensation for elected offices is finalized by the County Board before circulating nomination papers, and the officers were to receive a 3 percent salary increase next year.

Clerk of Courts Lynn Zigmunt, Coroner Curtis Green, County Clerk Jamie Aulik, County Treasurer Cheryl Duchow and Register of Deeds Preston Jones have all said they will decline their raises because of the economic situation the county faces, according to the release.

The officials are seeking "fair treatment," after the board froze wages on Oct. 15 for all nonunion county employees, according to the release.

Information sought on burglaries

TOWN OF STOCKBRIDGE — The Calumet County Sheriff's Department and Calumet County Crimestoppers are seeking information concerning two weekend burglaries that resulted in the theft of $12,000 worth of tools.

Both took place on Friday night or Saturday morning in the town of Stockbridge. Welders, chainsaws and drills were among the equipment taken.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Calumet County Crimestoppers, (877) 765-8327. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

County X will be closed this week

MANITOWOC — The Manitowoc County Highway Department will conduct bridge repair work on Manitowoc County X, between Manitowoc County A and Wisconsin 67 in the town of Schleswig, from Monday through Friday.

The road will reopen for traffic at 3 p.m. Friday.

The detour route will be Manitowoc County XX.

Tannenbaum Festival Nov. 4-8

MANITOWOC — Lakeshore Community Action Program, a nonprofit service organization, will present the Tannenbaum Festival at the Rahr-West Art Museum, 610 N. Eighth St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 4; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5-7; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8.

The public is invited to view Christmas trees and holiday items and enjoy live entertainment. They also can bid on designer decorations through a silent auction.

Children are invited to eat breakfast with the elves from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 7 and 8. They also can drop off letters to Santa, hear stories and make a craft. A donation of $3 per child is requested.

Family photo sessions will be available for $20; the Christmas Café will serve desserts and beverages from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 7 and 8; and Mainly Manitowoc will host a holiday fashion show from 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 8.

Funds raised will support children and family programs.

To sponsor or design a tree, call Lakeshore CAP at (920) 682-3737.

Stars to return for 'Nutcracker'

MANITOWOC — The Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance has announced that Houston Ballet stars and local natives Amy Fote and Nicholas Leschke will return this year to perform the major roles in "The Nutcracker" ballet.

Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20 at the Capitol Civic Centre, 913 S. Eighth St.

Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Nov. 2. Cost is $23 for adults and $12 for children on the main floor and mezzanine; balcony tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children.

For tickets, call (920) 683-2184 or visit www.ccc shows.org.