On job since 2006: LaCrosse Mayor Burgess retires 2006

After about a decade of being involved in city government, LaCrosse Mayor Larry “Butch” Burgess handed over his gavel May 2.

“I want to do more fishing and traveling and seeing the grandkids,” he said as he enjoyed a piece of cake after the city council meeting.

Burgess said with his wife retiring in June, the couple would now have time to do all those things.

He has served as mayor since 2006 and served on the city council before that.

Councilman Randy Camp has moved to the mayor’s chair, and Jamie Nelson was appointed to fill Camp’s position as a new councilwoman.

Burgess has worked to land grants for the LaCrosse waste water treatment plant and also a drinking water grant.

The waste water grant was a five-year process, and he believes final approval will come from the state some time in July. For two years, Burgess said the city worked on getting a drinking water grant and will meet May 23 about the process.

New mayor Randy Camp May 9 conducted the remainder of the meeting.

The council reviewed a report from code enforcement officer Jim Peltier about enforcement of mowing property and dog licenses. He also recommended the council inquire about adding an ordinance for buildings in danger of collapsing.