County Board
Judge Czajkowski addresses
County Board about courthouse
remodeling, drug problems in county
By Ted Pennekamp
Crawford County Circuit Court Judge James Czajkowski will be stepping down after six years on the bench and he addressed the County Board at Tuesday morning’s meeting. Czajkowski did not seek another term in the recent April election.
“It has been a wonderful experience,” said Czajkowski. “I’ve been able to make a difference in the lives of some people.”
Czajkowski praised the County Board for helping the court system by approving the courthouse remodeling project that was completed a few years ago.
“It is a significant achievement,” he said. “Judge from all over the state have visited and praised our courthouse.”
Czajkowski also mentioned the growing methamphetamine problem and alcohol abuse in Crawford County. He noted that the jail is usually at or near capacity and that nearly all incarcerations are due to alcohol or drug abuse.
“We should be alarmed by this,” he said. “What does a judge do (with chronic meth and OWI offenders)? Something needs to be done.” Czajkowski said that increased jail time or prison has not worked because offenders keep repeating. He also said that most of the offenders, especially for OWI, are residents of the county, have jobs, pay their bills and support families. “We need to do something more than put them back in the slammer.” Czajkowski advocated a “treatment court” and said that the County Board and the residents of Crawford County will be hearing more about a treatment court in the future, whereby offenders get jail time but also have to go to counseling. He pointed out that the Human Services Department has no alcohol or drug counselor on staff.
Czajkowski concluded by thanking the County Board for all that they have done for the county.
In other business, all County Board supervisors took the oath of office with Judge Czajkowski officiating.
The board then elected officers. Tom Cornford was elected as County Board Chairman, replacing outgoing Chairman Pete Flesch. Duane Rogers was elected as vice chairman.
The County Board, by unanimous voice vote, approved of commendations for outgoing supervisors Pete Flesch, Marge Sheckler, Ron Leys, Phil Mueller and Elling Jones for their many years of service.
