Onalaska police chief Charles Ashbeck is about to retire, after 30 years of service.

We got the chief to tell some stories to the WIZM audience, including one that was promoted by a caller on La Crosse Talk PM.

Ashbeck also talked about his career path and ending up in Onalaska, plus what he's going to do in retirement.

Onalaska police chief Charles Ashbeck is about to retire, after 30 years of service.
We got the chief to tell some stories to the WIZM audience, including one that was promoted&nbsp;by a caller on La Crosse Talk PM.
Ashbeck also talked about his career path and ending up in Onalaska, plus what he's going to do in retirement.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM - La Crosse  Talk Interviews

WIZM’s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin.
Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at wizmnews.com and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities. Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM&rsquo;s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin. Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">wizmnews.com</a> and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities.&nbsp;Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM - La Crosse

Onalaska Police Chief Charles Ashbeck reminisces, before retiring after 30 years 

Today at Viterbo University is the 21st annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Community Celebration. The opportunities are designed to uplift the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr.  King, but also provide spaces of learning, service and advocacy with underrepresented communities in the Coulee Region and beyond.

This morning on La Crosse Talk with Sean Dwyer, Dr. Carolyn Bostrack, who is the chairperson of King events talked about the event. She spoke about what's taking place during the day and Monday evening.

Click here for a full list of events at Viterbo University honoring Rev. Dr. King. 

Today at Viterbo University is the 21st annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Community Celebration. The opportunities are designed to uplift the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr.&nbsp; King, but also provide spaces of learning, service and advocacy with underrepresented communities in the Coulee Region and beyond.
This morning on La Crosse Talk with Sean Dwyer, Dr. Carolyn Bostrack, who is the chairperson of King events talked about the event. She spoke about what's taking place during the day and Monday evening.
<a href="https://www.viterbo.edu/social-justice-and-equity/mlk-day-service-learning-and-celebration">Click here for a full list of events</a> at Viterbo University honoring Rev. Dr. King.&nbsp;

Honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. Those words are from William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act 3, Scene 2.

Now the Pump House Regional Art Center and Viroqua Shakespeare are partnering once again to bring the works of Shakespeare to the community. 

It is the 4th annual Bard-a-thon, a weeklong 24/7 community reading of William Shakespeare's full works. The readings begin on Sunday, January 18 and run through Sunday, January 25.  The readings take place in Viroqua and the Pump House.

Colin Thelen joined Sean Dwyer on La Crosse Talk to declare there is no mondegreen in the playwright's works.

Find out more about the Bard-A-Thon event here.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. Those words are from William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act 3, Scene 2.
Now the Pump House Regional Art Center and Viroqua Shakespeare are partnering once again to bring the works of Shakespeare to the community.&nbsp;
It is the 4th annual Bard-a-thon, a weeklong 24/7 community reading of William Shakespeare's full works. The readings begin on Sunday, January 18 and run through Sunday, January 25.&nbsp; The readings take place in Viroqua and the Pump House.
Colin Thelen joined Sean Dwyer on La Crosse Talk to declare there is no mondegreen in the playwright's works.
<a href="https://www.thepumphouse.org/bardathon-2/">Find out more about the Bard-A-Thon event here.</a>

Much A Do about Bard-A-Thon

Earlier this week, the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce came out with an endorsement of a City Administrator for La Crosse.  

Chamber CEO Sam Scinta spoke on La Crosse Talk Thursday morning with Sean Dwyer about the position and what it means to the business community.  

They held a forum on Monday for chamber members featuring two current City Administrators, one from Onalaska and one from Viroqua.  

Both were asked about the challenges and success they’ve encountered in their respective positions. 

In the conversation Thursday, Scinta was asked about some of the topics that came up at the forum including what La Crosse was proposing for a salary for a City Administrator.  

Scinta talked about how the salary of approximately $248,000 a year with benefits seemed high, he said the position pays for itself pretty quickly through efficiencies in government.  

What you’re achieving immediately is some of those operational savings with this position. And a lot of studies that have looked at this have shown, and we talked about this a lot on Monday, that yes, this is a pricey position, but it is also achieving a lot of savings for these communities.” 

Another advantage that Scinta pointed out is that an administrator can ensure continuity as council members or mayors come and go.  

He did point out that both administrators noted that every community needs to decide what works best for their community as every location is different.  

Lastly, he brought up that there are many communities in Wisconsin with City Administrators that can offer La Crosse information on what to do or the type of person to hire.  

“Let’s tap that knowledge base and ask other communities, ‘What criteria were you looking for? What criteria did you go in thinking was important that maybe wasn’t as important? What criteria do you wish you maybe made more important in this process?’” 

La Crosse’s City Council is expected to vote on whether to establish a City Administrator position during February’s meeting.   

Earlier this week, the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce came out with an endorsement of a City Administrator for La Crosse.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Chamber CEO Sam Scinta&nbsp;spoke on La Crosse Talk Thursday morning with Sean Dwyer about&nbsp;the position and what it means to the business community.&nbsp;&nbsp;
They held a forum on Monday for chamber members featuring two current City Administrators, one from Onalaska and one from Viroqua.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Both were asked about the challenges and success&nbsp;they&rsquo;ve&nbsp;encountered&nbsp;in their&nbsp;respective&nbsp;positions.&nbsp;
In the conversation Thursday, Scinta was asked about some of the topics that came up at the forum including what La Crosse was proposing for a salary for&nbsp;a City Administrator.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Scinta&nbsp;talked about how the salary of approximately $248,000 a year with benefits&nbsp;seemed&nbsp;high,&nbsp;he said the position pays for itself&nbsp;pretty quickly&nbsp;through efficiencies in government.&nbsp;&nbsp;
What&nbsp;you&rsquo;re&nbsp;achieving&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;is some of those operational savings with this position.&nbsp;And&nbsp;a lot of studies that have looked at this have shown, and we talked about this a lot on Monday, that&nbsp;yes, this is a pricey position,&nbsp;but it is also achieving a lot of savings for these communities.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Another advantage that Scinta pointed out&nbsp;is that&nbsp;an administrator can&nbsp;ensure continuity as&nbsp;council members or mayors come and go.&nbsp;&nbsp;
He did point out that both administrators noted that every community needs to decide what works best for their community&nbsp;as every location is different.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Lastly, he brought up that there are&nbsp;many&nbsp;communities in Wisconsin&nbsp;with&nbsp;City Administrators&nbsp;that can offer La Crosse information on what to do or the type of person to hire.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s&nbsp;tap that knowledge base and ask other communities,&nbsp;&lsquo;What criteria were you looking&nbsp;for? What criteria did you go&nbsp;in&nbsp;thinking was important that&nbsp;maybe wasn&rsquo;t&nbsp;as important? What criteria do you wish&nbsp;you&nbsp;maybe&nbsp;made more important in this process?&rsquo;&rdquo;&nbsp;
La Crosse&rsquo;s City Council is expected to vote on whether to&nbsp;establish&nbsp;a City Administrator position during February&rsquo;s meeting. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Onalaska Police Chief Charles Ashbeck reminisces, before retiring after 30 years

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