Wisconsin Rapids' 2016 People of the Year

The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune presents the people who made an impact this year.

Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

We were blown away by all the great nominations we received for 2016 People of the Year — because we are blown away by the great things people here do to help make their community a better place. Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune editors had fun reviewing readers' nominations and adding our own. We hope you enjoy reading through some of the year's highlights and recognizing the people who made them possible.

Team U.S.A. performs it's Ballett line during the World Water Skiing Show in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, September 10, 2016.

The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune 2016 People of the Year are:

Mayor Zach Vruwink

Sen. Tammy Baldwin meets with, from left, Incourage Community Foundation's chair Kristopher Gasch and Tribune building project manager Chelsey Mazurek and Mayor Zach Vruwink to discuss the plans for the Tribune building in Wisconsin Rapids, Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

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Molly McGrath

Molly McGrath, who works for VoteRiders helping people get the required identification needed to vote, assists Mike Battles in August with questions about early voting in Madison.

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The town of Saratoga

Saratoga officials and residents continue to research the possible effect of a proposed large-scale dairy farm there. The grassroots efforts by opponents of the project have been ongoing for years, and this year the town took unusual steps to build its case. The town, which has sandy and permeable soil, is testing groundwater to develop baseline measurements of water quality there — the idea being to have a reliable measurement against which to test the impact, if there is one, of the proposed mega-dairy. Saratoga also has taken legal and legislative actions to protect water from contamination.

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John Fanta

Wisconsin Rapids Rafters general manager John Fanta was recognized in October as the Northwoods League's executive of the year. And no wonder: In his third year with the club, Fanta's Rafters drew huge crowds and won the Northwoods League World Series. The 7-year-old club was dominant on the diamond this year, winning both the first- and the second-half schedule of its division and sending five players to the Northwoods League All-Star game. As important as that success, of course, is the point of pride the team was for the community, and the terrific, affordable family fun Rafters games and events provided all summer.

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Police Chief Kurt Heuer

Heuer

When Wisconsin Rapids Police Chief Kurt Heuer decided he wanted to retire from law enforcement sometime in 2016 or 2017, it wasn’t difficult to make his last day later rather than sooner.

There were good things going on in the Police Department and Heuer said he wanted to be a part of them. One of the biggest ongoing efforts has been the department’s actions to fight back against the heroin epidemic in the city.

As part of the effort to slow the drug problem in the city, Heuer persuaded city officials to create a new drug detective position. The position doubled the number of drug detectives and Heuer hopes it will allow the department to spend more time finding dealers.

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Bill Haack

Bill Haack stands among veterans during the American Heroes Café on March 16.

A retired Navy gunner’s mate, Bill Haack of Nekoosa started the Wisconsin Rapids American Heroes Café in 2015. Offering free coffee and donuts and a place for veterans to sit and talk wasn’t an original idea, but it’s a good one.

Haack brings a special kind of energy to the Café. He’s an outgoing, talkative guy who loves a good joke and revels in the brand of B.S. that anyone who has served in the military knows and understands. His personality has helped the Café grow in popularity. Earlier this year, it had to be moved from the Lowell Center to Woodlands Church.

Haack laughs a lot, but he takes the Café seriously. We should, too. It’s an important way to show gratitude to those who served.

World Water Ski Show Tournament volunteers

Wisconsin Rapids in 2016 for the first time hosted the 2016 World Water Ski Show Tournament, held Sept. 9 through Sept. 11.Maggie Muleski and the Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers spent months preparing to host the tournament at Lake Wazeecha’s Red Sands Beach. Wisconsin Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau director Laura Nelson worked with local businesses to prepare for the amount of visitors staying in the area for the weekend. The event wowed the crowd and gave the region an economic boost.

Honorable mentions

Other great people of 2016, as nominated by readers and Daily Tribune staff:

Joe Ancel, president of the Clean Green Action group, city sustainability committees and other citizens groups. Since he retired from a career at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, he has given his time to help improve the community.

Collin Cushman, 6-year-old boy with Krabbe Leukodystrophy, a rare genetic disease with no cure. Collin’s parents have shared his journey with the community through a Facebook page, Collin’s Crew.

Juliann Engum-Korpal, director at the Wisconsin Rapids School for the Performing Arts, for mentoring and encouraging the arts in Wisconsin Rapids.

Doug King for work as an owner of the indoor play space Blu Play Cafe, a member of the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce.

Steve and Nancy Klevene, SK Construction, for development of the Rosewood Estates development, which had a record number of groundbreakings and owners moving into new homes in 2016.

Melissa Linzmeier, general manager at Taco John’s, for organizing monthly benefits to help local causes.

Peggy Ose, vice president of patient services at Aspirus Riverview Hospital, for leadership of the hospital.

Chuck Weiss, leader at Bethesda Thrift Store who with his wife, Bonnie, keeps the store running.

Mike and Bonita Wolosek, whose Halloween Aid benefit raised $13,000 for Ronan Mateer, an 8-year-old boy who was diagnosed with cancer.

Jonathan Anderson, Karen Madden, Caitlin Shuda, Keith Uhlig and Robert Mentzer contributed.