Joe Heim, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse political science/public-administration emeritus professor and area political commentator, will be the keynote speaker at a Vernon County Democratic Party event in Viroqua on Sunday, April 2.
The program, which is open to the public, is set for 5 p.m. at Gassers Bar and Grill, 920 N. Main St. It will begin with an improv performance by the SOUP improv group of Viroqua, followed by Heim’s talk and a taco bar dinner.
Heim, a political analyst for WKBT (Channel 8, La Crosse) TV and occasional guest analyst on Wisconsin Public Radio, will talk about Wisconsin’s redistricting controversy and other current political issues.
“Joe Heim is an amazing and astute observer of all things political, said Vernon Democratic Party co-chair Karen Dahl. “His presentation will be factual, well thought out and nonpartisan. He’s always entertaining and informative and should not be missed.”
Heim is Public Administration Program director at UW-L and board member of several La Crosse and regional organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Chileda Institute, the UW-L Foundation and Riverfront. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1964–66 and was a Naval Reserve Officer from 1966–1984.
He has served three terms on the UW-L faculty senate, including two as chair; been a governor’s appointee to the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board since 2003; and has been a member of the Wisconsin Judicial Campaign Integrity Committee. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Marquette University and his PhD from UW-Milwaukee.
Members of the improv group will include Seth Anacker, Kyle Glenn, Taryn Greendeer, Grant Hicks, Jen Horton and Dodie Whitaker.
The suggested donation for the program, including dinner, is $10. Noting their meat or vegetarian choices, attendees must make reservations by calling 637-7710 or 632-0224 or emailing kdahl@mwt.net or bit.do/april-2-event-rsvp.
