Pinardi recognized for anti-drug ordinances

HURLEY - Representatives from the Iron County Human Services Department and the Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach gathered in the county's board meeting room Monday to recognize Joe Pinardi for his work - as both the county board supervisor and mayor of Hurley - in passing ordinances, both at the county and city level, to combat drug abuse in the area.

The awards specifically recognized the work that had been done to help prevent the spread of inhalants and synthetic marijuana to the county, said Bob Kovar, a tribal services manager with the Marshfield Clinic, who presented Pinardi with the certificates.

Kovar explained that Pinardi's efforts began through the Northwoods Coalition, a statewide coalition of tribal and county governments, that the clinic helps manage and support.

One of the services that the coalition provides for members, Kovar said, is using grant funds obtained through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to develop a number of menu items that local coalition members can choose to implement in their area.

Last year, the Iron County's coalition chose to work on a policy initiatives that was one of the menu options, which led to the passage of the two ordinances that Pinardi spearheaded.

The success that Iron County and Hurley have found in passing the measures was significant, Kovar said, as many local organizations have been working on similar ordinances but have been unable to complete their projects.

"A lot of coalitions work on policies, but they don't always get the support from their local governing body to be able to pass them," Kovar said. "We have a lot of coalitions that are in the process of working on their policies, and this passed pretty quick last year and it was pretty impressive."

The speed was especially necessary for the synthetic drug ordinance, Kovar explained, as the drugs were suddenly appearing all over and the quick passage put Iron County "ahead of the curve."

Pinardi said that he started the ball rolling on the ordinances as mayor and incorporated the rest of the county once he was elected to as county board chair as well.

"Everything came in place and we got it done, I was really glad for that," Pinardi said. "I was quite pleased with the way that ordinance went through as fast as it did."

The awards were originally presented in Eau Claire Wis., in June, Kovar said, but scheduling prevented Pinardi from being able to be recognized at that event.