In Oxford, George is just another visitor

OXFORD, Wis. -- George who?While Illinoisans were treated this week to minute-by-minute updates on the status of George Ryan's freedom, the 536 people of the small town of Oxford, Wis., barely knew who the former governor of Illinois is, let alone that he had been convicted of racketeering and sentenced to serve time in their prison for the next 6#189; years."I didn't know that til today," said Maggie Mae Hilliard, owner and proprietor of Maggie Mae's Cafe on Route 82 in Oxford.While the town may be small, the residents weren't so unsophisticated that the arrival of a former governor and Nobel Peace Prize nominee set their hearts atwitter."It don't mean nothing," said Ken Driscoll, a real estate salesman dining at Maggie Mae's. "We've had plenty of Illinois politicians here before."No doubt. The prison has already hosted former U.S. House of Representatives member Dan Rostenkowski from Chicago. It also has seen its share of aldermen, judges and lawyers caught up in the corruption busts that occur as regularly in Illinois as the leaves fall from Oxford trees every autumn.Still, a former governor is a novelty, even at this oft-visited, involuntary home for wayward politicians."I don't think there was a governor (here)," mulled Driscoll.Right you are, Ken. The last Illinois governor to go to the hoosegow was Dan Walker, and he served his time in Duluth, Minn. Ryan was scheduled to serve his time there, but he and his lawyer -- former Gov. James R. Thompson -- used their influence to prevail upon the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to send George to this friendly burg instead.Not that the good people of Oxford aren't happy to host Ryan. Prisoners mean a prison, and a prison means jobs and an economic engine for the Oxford region, where wild turkeys still can be seen crossing the country roads from time to time. It also means visitors and customers for the nearby businesses like the Redneck Saloon, just a ways up the road from the prison."A lot of women go in there (the prison) and take stuff for the guys," said Driscoll. "It's good for the restaurants, the gas stations."In fact, by the time Ryan reported for prison, a local businessman even had a sign up advertising a "Welcome George Ryan Special" on cabin rentals.With 200 prisoners in the minimum security camp, plus the 1,000 or so in the medium-security prison next door, visitors generate a lot of traffic in this town, said Village President Dennis Head, who welcomed reporters into his small white-framed house like they were long-lost cousins rather than the pesky Illinois busybodies they really are. Head himself worked at the prison -- the medium security portion, not the camp where Ryan will serve time -- before retiring."There's a good relationship between the community and the prison," Head said.The relationship is especially good for Hilliard, who's not only a restaurateur but a country music singer of local fame. Maggie Mae didn't start singing until five or six years ago, when a divorce served as her unlikely muse. Now she's doing appearances on country music channels.She apologizes as she has to interrupt her interview to go sing for her customers. She promised, she explains with a smile.When she returns, she's non-judgmental of Ryan and the other guests living in the prison nearby."They're going to have to do their time -- doesn't mean they're a bad person," she says. "He (George Ryan) may inspire a new song."