Trick-or-treaters can decide to partake or not in Prairie du Chien
By Correne Martin
“I don’t know that we have the power to formally cancel Halloween,” quipped Prairie du Chien Police Chief Kyle Teynor, “or stop people from taking their kids trick-or-treating.”
Based on this logic, the Prairie du Chien Common Council concluded a short discussion at its Tuesday night meeting agreeing that celebrating Halloween is a personal choice people have the right to make.
In years prior to the coronavirus pandemic, staff generally sounded the city sirens designating the start and end of trick-or-treating on Oct. 31.
“We also usually partake in telling people to turn their lights on,” said City Administrator Chad Abram, who mentioned both city hall and the police department have fielded many calls regarding trick-or-treating for 2020.
This year, the council decided the city will not officially promote or have any hand in observing the holiday. Yet, the council will also not take action to restrict people from trick-or-treating or turning their lights on welcoming trick-or-treaters on Halloween.
Alderman Nate Gilberts suggested, if homeowners choose not to participate, they should make sure their lights are turned off and/or put a sign on their door stating they aren’t handing out candy. He thought doing so could help clarify things for families coming to their door.
Other business
The council also approved:
•a request for the tennis courts at Hoffman Hall to be sealcoated and upgraded, at no cost to the city. Work was last done in 2014, though these improvements are needed again, according to Parks and Recreation Director Mike Ulrich. Resident Kati Forsythe has stepped forward with a donation of $28,000 to ensure the work will happen.
•a safe water drinking loan for the Villa Louis Road project, allowing for replacement and improvement to the water infrastructure on St. Feriole Island.
•moving forward with plans for a new, more user-friendly city website to be part of the 2021 budget.
•a new ordinance intended to hold people accountable for improper sexting actions.
•a new ordinance restricting vape product use and possession in the city.
