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Regals serve Notice of Claim, seeking $54,000 in damages

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By Correne Martin

The proprietors of Regal Marine Group personally served the city of Prairie du Chien a Notice of Claim on April 24, for damages due to power loss sustained at their marina business for over a year.

The Regals are seeking $54,417.62, according to the notice, and the city has 120 days to respond, by either allowing or disallowing the claim. If allowed, the city would pay the Regal family the amount of damages. If disallowed, the Regals would then have to decide within six months whether or not to move forward with a lawsuit against the city, explained City Attorney Lara Czajkowski Higgins.

“The Regals are now in a desperate situation where they cannot even function without revenue. They want the city to clarify their motive for doing this,” said Ed Erdos, a family friend and retired Veterans Administration field examiner. “We just hope the city doesn’t stretch its decision out 120 days, which would put these people in an even worse situation.”

An April 28 statement on the Regal Marine Group Facebook page also stated, “It is with no uncertain terms that we are at the brink of closure due to the financial struggle this city has placed upon us by way of economic starvation. We are doing everything we can to keep our heads high on this matter.”

Dennis Jr. and Sue Regal, co-owners, contend that about 15 of their regular customers have taken their boats elsewhere for the 2017 boating season. They said some of them had to do so due to electricity needs for medical equipment.

“But they say they will be back,” Sue stated.

The intention of the Regals in serving the Notice of Claim, other than demanding monetary damages, is to force communication from the city regarding its lease with Regal Marine Group. In previous dealings between the two entities, as covered in the Courier Press, the city offered a one-year lease, though the Regals wanted a longer term in order to acquire the funds needed to upgrade its electrical system and meet state code. A proposed lease from the city contained revised terms, albeit it extended funding resources to the Regals as well. However, upon an impasse, arbitration was the next step agreed to by both parties.

The Regals’ son, Josh, said many of their customers have been wondering about the business’ status for the boating season. “We really want to clue them in,” he said.

“They feel like they’re being strung along,” added Jesse, another son, “but we’re waiting to hear from the city and it’s just a chain reaction.”

Dennis Jr. maintained that the marina will be open May 15.

Anyone with further questions is asked to call the marina at 326-8032.

In the meantime, the Notice of Claim awaits the city’s response, and a May 3 arbitration scheduling conference determined that the arbitrators will meet on May 22.

“Each party was allowed the opportunity to submit written materials to the arbitration panel,” Czajkowski Higgins said. “There will be three arbitrators along with [the Regals’] attorney and myself. They determined there was no need for an evidentiary trial, as there are no facts in dispute. But they will make a written decision, which will be available by the end of May.”

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