Here a “thin blue line flag” is flown in a cemetery after a police officer was killed.
A “thin blue line flag” recently depicted on a public works vehicle has caused somewhat of a stir in the city of Lake Geneva.
City Administrator Dave Nord said a public works employee recently installed a board with a “thin blue line flag” depicted on it on a public works vehicle.
Nord would not identify the employee, but said the employee has family members in the area who work in law enforcement.
“To be clear, the board was made with the employee’s own personal materials and during non-working hours,” Nord said.
The “thin blue line flag” has been known to show support for law enforcement, but it also has been flown as a counter to the Black Lives Matter movement and some people have found the symbol to be offensive.
Nord said two residents complained about the board, while about a half dozen other residents showed support. He said the city currently does not have a policy that specifically addresses items that can be placed on city vehicles.
“At this time, it does not seem to have risen to the level of a major issue,” Nord said. “The city’s existing policies do address a variety of issues but not this specifically.”
Nord said he made city aldermen aware of the situation and informed them that they could discuss the issue during a future committee meeting.
“If the city council believes it to be an issue, it will be brought forward at a meeting,” Nord said.
Public Works Director Tom Earle deferred comments regarding the situation to Nord.
Earle confirmed that the board was placed by a public works employee who has relatives in law enforcement— but would not identify the employee.
“I did not expect any issues coming from it,” Earle said.
Alderman Ken Howell said he was informed of the situation but did not receive too much information about it.
“I don’t know what the significant is,” he said.
Howell said he was told that the board had been removed from the vehicle already.
“That’s all I know about it,” Howell said.
Alderwoman Mary Jo Fesenmaier questions why the logo was placed on the vehicle around the time of Winterfest and how soon city officials knew about the incident and the amount of time it took them to respond.
“The response time by the city administration and the mayor also is interesting,” Fesenmaier said. “When did they know and put a stop to it?”
Watch now: A look back at Majestic Hills ski hill
The tow rope
Skiers go up a tow rope to the top of a hill at Majestic Hills in this undated photo.
The grand opening
A look back at an advertisement for the grand opening of Majestic Hills.
A cover model
Here Majestic Hills made the cover of a 1957 Chicago American magazine. On the cover is Melita Grunow, whose husband owned the hill. She was a frequent model in photos for the hill, said her son Randy Grunow.
A look at the old lodge in the back
Here skiers go up a tow rope, in the background is the lodge at Majestic Hills before it was remodeled. The lodge was made from old chicken coops because the property used to be the family’s old chicken farm.
Majestic Hills
An old image advertising Majestic Hills in Lake Geneva.
The A-frames
Here the lodge at Majestic Hills is shown after the A-frames were added to give it character.
Making the hill
Here is a look at the area that would later become Majestic Hills ski hill. The family had to build up the area to make it a ski hill.
The hill
Another look at Majestic Hills.
All that is left
All that is left of the former Majestic Hills ski hill is an old fire place that used to be in the chalet that burned down in 1988.
High above the rest
While Majestic Hill was known as more of a beginner hill, that didn’t stop people from more advanced moves and jumps. Here, in this photo from the mid-80s, Randy Grunow, whose skis are sideways in the air, can be seen high over a jump at Majestic Hill. Grunow was the owner’s middle son. Behind him in the air is friend Matt Crocke and under him is ski instructor John Zeigle.
A look back
Majestic Hill ski hill is shown here with its A-frame lodge in the background.
The Roost
The Roost bar was in the upper level of the chalet.
The beginner's hill
Skiers are shown on the beginner's hill at Majestic Hill in the early years of the hill before the A-frame was added to the lodge.
1957 story about Majestic Hills
1957 story about Majestic Hills opening
Making snow
The 1957 story about Majestic Hills opening advertised that people wouldn't have to depend on natural snow because they are able to make 3 1/2 feet of packed snow each week, more than enough to cover to the hill.
The famous flag
In the background to the left a large American flag can be seen. That would fly year-round.
Putting up the lift
A helicopter had to come in to help put up the hill's four-person lift.
The Majestic Hills trail map
House on the hill
For a number of years a house sat on the top of Majestic Mountain. It was later taken down.
Majestic Hills
The many skis
Melita Grunow stands by a row of skis at Majestic Hills. Her and her husband ran the hill.
Dennis Hines
Reporter
