Story originally printed in the Vernon Broadcaster or online at www.vernonbroadcaster.com
Published - Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Frie to take on new challenge in Monroe County
Gail Frie resigned as Vernon County Solid Waste Administrator last week to take a similar position in Monroe County.
Frie turned in his resignation to the personnel office last Thursday and his last official day with the county will Sept. 5.
Frie was instrumental in developing Vernon County's landfill in 1991 when he came to the county from Buffalo County and has been the county's only solid waste administrator since it began. Frie said he is leaving the county on good terms and is taking the position in Monroe County because he was pursued by Monroe County officials to help turn that county's facility around.
"They offered me a very appealing new challenge," said Frie. "I like my job with Vernon County, I enjoyed it very much, but it was time for a new challenge, and this will be a new challenge."
Monroe County's solid waste facility has experienced significant financial issues in recent years and raised rates and Frie said it will be his job to help turn the facility into a financial stable entity again. The Monroe County Personnel department approved exceptions for Frie as a new employee, granting him both vacation and sick leave in his first year, which is not typically offered. Frie is supposed to start in Monroe County on Sept. 8.
Monroe County was in need of a solid waste manager as a trial management of that department in the county by its highway department is set to expire on Sept. 30 and has not been renewed.
Frie said his departure was unrelated to the recent controversy surrounding the potential siting of a coal ash landfill by Dairyland Power Cooperative next to the Vernon County landfill.
"Absolutely not," said Frie. "There wasn't anything happening here that I was afraid of or couldn't handle."
Frie said he will continue to live in Vernon County and commute to Monroe County. Frie is also a member of the Viroqua City Council and intends to continue in that position.
Vernon County Board Chairman Tom Spenner said the announcement is a big loss for the county.
"I will be difficult to fill those shoes," Spenner said. "Gail has been with the county for a long time and it is big loss, but we will do our best to find someone that is qualified and can take his place."
Frie, a Democrat, twice ran unsuccessfully against Lee Nerison (R-Westby) for the 96th Assembly District seat, being defeated by narrow margins both times. In 2006, after a recount, it was found that Nerison defeated Frie by just 302 votes.
Frie said he is proud of what has been accomplished in establishing Vernon County's Solid Waste and Recycling Center and a number of recycling programs in his time with the county.
"It was more than a job, it was a passion," said Frie.
Frie said the facility is running smoothly and in good condition.
"I will have the spreadsheets available to anyone who is coming in to show them what good shape this landfill is in, environmentally and financially," Frie said.
But, Frie said the county will need to find someone fairly quickly to fill the position, because the facility begins construction of its second to last cell on Monday and will have to look to the future soon to make sure the facility has sufficient capacity for the county's needs.
"Within the next five years the county is going to have to start thinking about what they will do by 2019 and start planning their budgets to put aside some money for that," said Frie.
But finding someone to fill the position will only be part of the issue the county will have to deal with. With a $308,000 deficit, the county has placed a six-month moratorium on refilling positions and to override that policy will take county board action.
Frie said there are monthly DNR reporting requirements and it will be essential for the county to get someone in the position as soon as possible.
"I don't see it as an option that this position stay open for six months," Frie said.
Frie said Monroe County will allow him the capacity to continue to consult with whoever takes over the position to ensure continuity, but he will not be able to offer assistance beyond a certain point if the position is not filled.
Spenner said he is unsure how the county will handle the moratorium. Spenner said the vacancy will be discussed at a solid waste committee meeting on Aug. 19.
"It will really be up to the committee to see what they want to do," said Spenner. "And I am not quite sure how we will attack that yet. It will have to come to the county board if they decide to hire someone. It is really a technical position and I am not sure we can go six months without someone."
(Paul Medinger contributed to this story.)
All stories copyright 2006 Vernon Broadcaster and other attributed sources.