Griesbach tosses BCTA suit on student loan forgiveness
BROWN COUNTY – Federal Judge William Griesbach last week threw out a lawsuit filed by a conservative law firm on behalf of the Brown County Taxpayers Association (BCTA) against the Biden Administration’s student loan debt forgiveness plan just days after it was filed.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) filed the lawsuit last week on behalf of the BCTA, claiming the Biden Administration’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debt for people who make less than $125,000 a year is an illegal executive overreach.
WILL had argued that because the BCTA’s members pay federal taxes, they’re able to bring a suit against the executive branch’s use of that money.
Griesback wrote that simply paying federal taxes was not enough to give the BCTA standing to sue the federal government.
“The Supreme Court has repeatedly held, however, that the payment of taxes is generally not enough to establish standing to challenge an action taken by the Federal Government,” Griesbach wrote.
WILL said it plans to appeal the decision.
Rebranding as Metro Market
ASHWAUBENON – The Pick ‘n Save grocery store on Lombardi Access Road in Ashwaubenon recently underwent a rebranding and officially became a Metro Market on Friday, Oct. 7.
The new store is still a member of the Roundy’s Supermarkets family, but it will now have more of an “upscale feel” and feature more organic options in the produce department, an updated deli and a Murray’s Cheese section among other changes.
“I’ve heard very good things from the community,” Ashwaubenon Village President Mary Kardoskee said of the grocery store’s recent changes. “I am usually here two to three times a week, so I can say that the store is looking absolutely great. So, I just want to thank you for the investment in our community and wish you lots of continued success.”
Officials from Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc., a subsidiary of Kroger headquartered in Milwaukee, were on hand to make the reopening official and to present NEW Community Shelter with a $2,500 donation.
Metro Market also donated $2,500 worth of gift cards to the Ashwaubenon Department of Public Safety.
FyterTech recognized for diverse hiring practices
BROWN COUNTY – On Monday, Oct. 10, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) visited FyterTech Nonwovens, a company with locations in Green Bay and De Pere that manufactures non-woven materials for spill control and filtration, to recognize owner/CEO Andy Hetzel and his company for being an exemplary employer for diverse and inclusive hiring practices that welcome individuals with disabilities into the workforce.
“The disabled community has been a part of our culture, frankly, from day one,” Fytertech owner/CEO Andy Hetzel said. “It’s easy for us to do it. We have a family culture. We care a lot about our employees. We care a lot about our community. This is easy, but we’re delighted to be recognized for it.”
Gov. Tony Evers has proclaimed the month of October to be Disability Employment Awareness Month across the state in an effort to highlight businesses that recruit and hire individuals with disabilities and who are also encouraging others in the business community to do the same.
Danielle Williams, Assistant Deputy Secretary for the DWD said that the opportunities being created at FyterTech go beyond just giving a person with disabilities a job — what they’re doing changes a person’s life.
“I think it’s important that we show our appreciation to them for doing that,” she said. “But it’s also important because it shows other employers the benefits of bringing people with diverse backgrounds into their operations. Government can always come in and say, ‘Yes, you should hire people with disabilities. It’s the right thing to do.’ But if you hear it from other employers, it really has an impact.”
De Pere Historical Society to host annual dinner
DE PERE – On Wednesday, Oct. 19, the De Pere Historical Society will host its 53rd annual dinner.
The dinner will be held at the Swan Club, 875 Heritage Rd., De Pere.
A cash bar will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.
The event will feature guest speaker Mike Van Asten, CEO of the Mulva Cultural Center, as well as a presentation of the Historic Preservation and Volunteer Awards and the De Pere Historical Society Building plans.
Reservations can be made by contacting White Pillars/De Pere Historical Society at 403 N. Broadway, De Pere 54115, calling (920) 336-3877 or online at Deperehistory.org.
Starbucks workers unionize
GREEN BAY – The hourly workers at Starbucks, located at Auto Plaza Way and Main Street, have petitioned the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for an election and demanded union recognition from Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and local management.
In doing so, the baristas at this location became the first in Green Bay and most recent in Wisconsin to join the nationwide Starbucks Workers United movement.
A letter signed by a majority of the cafe’s workers and sent to Schultz read:
“It is our belief that the working conditions we are regularly forced to endure disrupt our ability to do our jobs with dignity, and taking collective action to change said conditions is our best, and only, way forward. We are committed to forging a strong contract that returns the pride and honor that the position of Starbucks Barista should have, and hold Starbucks to its promise of working with us, ‘with transparency, dignity, and respect.’”
GBASO to hold fundraiser
ASHWAUBENON – Green Bay Action Sports Organization (GBASO) will hold its Sneak Peek fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Epic Center.
The fundraiser will feature handmade crafts and baked goods for sale and tours of the new facility located next door at 2351 Holmgren Way.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards work that needs to be done before GBASO can officially open its doors.
Pulaski Dental to break ground on new clinic
PULASKI – Pulaski Dental, formerly Hammerbeck Dental, will break ground on its new clinic Thursday, Sept. 20.
Construction of the new clinic will feature a larger working area and new specialty rooms to enable Pulaski Dental to continue to serve its patients with the highest level of technology and in a more effective way.
Skogen to present at CEO Breakfast Series
DE PERE – Mark Skogen, president and CEO of Festival Foods, will present “Festival Foods: A Culture of Service” at St. Norbert College’s CEO Breakfast Series Thursday, Oct. 20.
Festival Foods operates 42 retail grocery stores across Wisconsin under Skogen’s leadership.
Skogen also serves on the board of directors for the Green Bay Packers and the Food Marketing Institute, is active in fundraising efforts for the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay and the United Way, owns the Green Bay Rockers baseball team and opened the Epic Event Center.
The CEO Breakfast Series, run by St. Norbert’s Donald J. Schneider School of Business & Economics, provides opportunities for local businesspeople to network with leaders in the business community while hearing their strategies for facing business challenges.
For more information, visit schneiderschool.snc.edu/ceobreakfast.
WPI celebrates 50th anniversary
GREEN BAY – This year marks 50 years in business for Wisconsin Plastics Inc. (WPI), a company that provides services including research and concept testing, design and development, manufacturing and assembly solutions, storage and shipping to manufacturers in a variety of industries.
Getting its start as a small plating operation in 1972, WPI has grown to service a wide variety of diverse global markets and has plans to double the size of their main manufacturing plant in 2023.
“Throughout the past 50 years, Wisconsin Plastics has continually evolved to provide our customers with a steady influx of new and innovative products,” Jim Christensen, president of Wisconsin Plastics Inc. said. “We’ve grown to where we are today by staying on top of trends, keeping everything under one roof, and driving as much efficiency into our processes as possible. Even as we grow with a focus on automation and technology, we rely heavily on our team for continued improvement. Together, we aim to keep manufacturing in the United States and offer a turn-key solution for our customers.”
Greater Green Bay Chamber receives grant
BROWN COUNTY – The Greater Green Bay Chamber announced that it received a federal grant from the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE), part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), totaling $467,500.
The Chamber will use the grant, which is provided as a part of the EDA’s “Build to Scale” program, to strengthen the area’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by expanding its startup accelerator services and employing an Entrepreneur in Residence.
“This grant will enable the Chamber to scale up our tech-based entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Laurie Radke, Chamber President and CEO. “These dollars will complement the Chamber’s existing entrepreneurial efforts, infusing even more businesses into the community and aiding in providing further support for those individuals looking to start a business.”
Itagaki joins BayCare Clinic Radiology
GREEN BAY – Interventional radiologist Michael W. Itagaki, MD, is the newest member of the BayCare Clinic Radiology team.
Itagaki earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Urbana-Champaign, completed a residency in radiology at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, completed fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle and has more than a decade of experience at hospitals in Washington state and Hawaii.
Board certified in interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology by the American Board of Radiology, Itagaki practices at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay.
Ajam to join Prevea
BROWN COUNTY – Dr. Yousaf Ajam, a board-certified neurologist, will join the neurological care team at Prevea in Green Bay, Oconto Falls and Sturgeon Bay.
A graduate of the Shifa College of Medicine, Ajam completed his training in neurology at University of Texas Medical Branch and completed his fellowship training in clinical neurophysiology at the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Ajam specializes in comprehensive neurological care with a special focus in epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology (EEG and neuro monitoring).
North Shore Bank reactivates free coin counting and exchange
BROWN COUNTY – North Shore Bank will offer free coin counting and exchange at all 43 of its branches through Oct. 31 in order to assist with coin circulation.
This announcement comes in response to a recent plea from the U.S. Coin Task Force, created in 2020, to address COVID-19 related disruptions to normal coin circulation, for the public to #GetCoinMoving during the month of October.
“While North Shore Bank hasn’t faced any disruptions, the national coin circulation interruptions continue and can be an issue that impacts local businesses and consumers as well. It’s our hope that those who previously didn’t take advantage of the free coin counting, or have accumulated more coin, will bring it in so that together, we can assist local businesses that rely on coin to operate,” Susan T. Doyle, senior vice president of retail banking at North Shore Bank, said.