Governors’ joint appearance in Hudson pushed back to 1:30 p.m. Friday

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An announcement by Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty originally scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Friday in Hudson has been pushed back to 1:30 p.m. Friday.

An updated media advisory from Doyle’s office now also says the meeting will take place at St. Croix Marina, located at the south end of First Street. The governor’s office originally said it would take place in Lakefront Park.

The Star-Observer has learned through parent company Forum Communications’ Minnesota Capitol Bureau reporter Don Davis that the two governors plan to take a boat ride on the St. Croix River following the announcement at the marina.

Neither of the governors’ offices have said what the announcement will be.

Doyle’s visit to Hudson will begin with an 8 a.m. Friday “community breakfast” at Hudson Bagel and Coffee Co., located in the Prairie View retail center at the corner of Vine Street (County UU) and Carmichael Road.

The governor is on a three-day trip, visiting communities along the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers. The trip started Wednesday in Cassville in the southwestern corner of Wisconsin and will conclude Friday afternoon in Hudson.

Doyle is being accompanied on the trip by state Ag Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matthew Frank.

The media advisory says the state officials are stopping at parks, tourist sites, local businesses and community meetings.

“The people and communities along the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers are part of what makes Wisconsin so great,” Doyle was quoted as saying in the press release that announced the trip. “These communities have so much to offer – from great tourist attractions to thriving businesses – and I look forward to visiting them all.”

“I believe that government works best when leaders have a chance to get to know people one on one, and hear directly from the people we serve,” the statement continues. “Over the next couple of days I will have the opportunity to see what makes this region unique, meet with the hardworking families and community members, and take their ideas and concerns back to Madison.”

Following the breakfast meeting in Hudson, Doyle will travel to Osceola, where he is scheduled to visit the Crystal Ball Organic Dairy Farm. He’ll also visit Interstate Park at St. Croix Falls before returning to Hudson for the joint appearance with Gov. Pawlenty.

A news release issued by Doyle’s office Thursday morning may offer a clue about the purpose of the governor’s visit to the St. Croix River in Hudson.

The news release announced the start of a federal Recovery Act funded green jobs pilot program that will employ 55 young adults who will work at state boat landings.

The 18- to 24-year-olds have been trained as watercraft inspectors by the DNR. Their duties will include educating boaters about invasive species, observing boater behavior and entering the information into an online database.

Tags: local news, wisconsin, doyle, pawlenty, hudson