October 1, 2009
Independent DNR chief will reduce politics
Recently legislation restoring the appointment authority of the DNR secretary back to the Natural Resources Board was voted on in the state Assembly.
This bill received wide bipartisan support in the Assembly and is of major interest to the Wisconsin sportsmen and women who have been patiently paying attention over the past 14 years. We’ve given this appointment system a good look and it has come up short under both Republican and Democratic administrations. It is time to reduce the influence from special interest groups and take the politics out of the DNR.
Representative Mary Williams of the 87th District provided one of the key votes for the bill on the floor of the Assembly. A special thanks from Wisconsin’s hunters, anglers and trappers goes to Representative Williams for supporting their interests.
Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker of Wausau will have a key role in getting the bill scheduled in the near future. Sportsmen and women also appreciate his support for this needed legislation and his efforts to obtain an early vote on the bill in the state Senate.
— Jerry Knuth, director, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
Says U.S. pays defense cost for Europe
That's true, Germany uses a progressive tax system but I still found that average workers were taxed heavily.
However, Germany and most of Europe, can afford to allocate more funds into healthcare because they don't have to worry about defense costs, compliments of the U.S.A.
FYI, Veteran's Benefits are federally mandated and funded. Perhaps many Arizona citizens agree with the banning of nationalized healthcare because they didn't want the already shortened funds to go for social benefits to non-citizens?
Name calling is the last tool in the quiver of a liberal.
— Donna Maguire, Sierra Vista, AZ
Health care or getting rid of undesirables?
I have been watching the debate over the health care issues for some time.
But those of us who are getting close to the end of our working years, and those already retired are maybe a little more interested than some others. My son has a child who will never be able to make her own way in life and I know he is very interested in the health care issues. So to those who are interested it runs deep and wide.
This is not an issue that is unsolvable, but it does take a partnership and a respect for life. Now we know there is no partnership attitude in our government. I think two terms in office is enough. That seems to be the only way to get new blood in, and the old, my way or no way politicians out of office.
Respect for life is something that our politicians say they have. If we look at history maybe we can see what it tells us.
About 1850 the Supreme Court ruled the slaves could be dealt with any way their owners cared to. As I understand it even to putting them to death.
In 1972 the Supreme Court allowed the killing of babies. This was and is equally as bad.
Now we have this health care bill. Our politicians tell us they will have compassion for the elderly, for my son's child who will never be able to work, for your child with autism, how about those wounded in war? I don't think they will.
You say “how do you know that?” I have a grandson. He is the best little guy, he is good. I just cannot tell how much I would like to hug him and watch the things that he does.
I know that many of you feel the same way about your child or your grandchild.
Do you realize there are more politicians that would just as soon that you kill that baby before it took its first breath.
We kill our babies because they are a burden. Guess what? There are people out there who have no problem saying who lives or who dies.
Look at history, leaders in most every part of the world have put to death the undesirable. Here in the US we call it pro-choice. Pro-choice is our law. What are we going to call the killing of undesirables? Maybe we'll call it merciful death. Think about it.
— Charley Heath, Medford
Person who killed dog will need to live with the deed
On Saturday evening (9-19-2009) someone came into our yard and ran over our daughter's dog “Tinker,” and threw her into the woods.
Where is your sense of decency? How do you kill someone's animal, in their own yard and not leave a note or anything? I believe you are an insensitive coward. How do you live with yourself?
I just want you to know you have broken a little girl's heart. Tinker was my daughter's dog. She got her as a puppy about three years ago and was her best friend.
Do you have any idea how hard it was to tell her what happened to her dog? I just thank God she was not the one to find her after searching all morning. I know it will be some time before we get past this, but we will. You will have to live with what you did forever.
— Deb Risch, Medford
Raises questions about NTC’s campus expansion plans
I applaud Northcentral Technical College’s desire to expand educational offerings in the Medford area and to include “green” technologies in their plans, but I have several concerns about the current proposal as it was presented at a joint meeting of the County Finance, Land Information, and Building, Grounds, and Parks committees on September 18 and in the September 24 edition of The Star News. One concern is the negative impact on the Campus Woods and Trail resulting from the proposed siting of the golf course and the new building. Other concerns are the environmental cost and the possible property tax implications.
NTC’s proposal states that its “Green Institute” programming will “build a greater understanding and appreciation for the environment and community.” The proposal also states that renewable and alternative energy concepts will be used in the renovation and construction. These are positive sentiments. However, the first step in “green” building is to select and utilize a site in a way that minimizes negative environmental impacts and that benefits the environment where possible. NTC’s proposal does neither. The proposed site plan would have a very negative impact on both the Campus Woods and the Campus Trail, which are valued by the community as a natural area and for recreation.
The proposed two-hole golf course, which NTC staff prefer to refer to as a “green management learning center,” would directly destroy about five acres of the Campus Woods, and would negatively impact much of the rest. The Campus Trail is the only area within the city that serves as a cross-country ski and snowshoe trail system, as well as a walking and natural area for many residents, both adults and children. In spring the floor of the Campus Woods is covered with a spectacular array of wildflowers. In summer it provides nesting habitat for many birds, including six woodpecker species, hawks, and songbirds such as great-crested flycatchers, eastern wood pewees, vireos, and several warbler species, to name a few. The Campus Woods also includes at least one vernal pool that would be paved over according to the site plan. Vernal pools provide important breeding areas for frogs and salamanders.
The Campus Woods has great value as an area where children and families can experience nature in a relatively undisturbed setting. In his book, “Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder,” Richard Louv brought to public awareness the importance of nature and being outdoors to the health and well-being of our children. His concerns that our children are suffering a number of problems from not having enough time in nature have been echoed by many educators, medical professionals, and social scientists. The Campus Woods and Trail provide an easily accessible natural area for the almost 25 percent of county residents who live in the city, as well as for other residents and visitors. The City of Medford recognized its value by including the Campus Woods as a conservancy area in its Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
According to NTC’s proposal the “Green Institute” will have a collection of publications and online resources so that various entities “can research, learn, and experience ways they can make a positive carbon imprint on their neighborhoods.” The NTC plan does quite the opposite. While many golf courses have made attempts to lesson their negative environmental impact, especially the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, golf courses are all too often antithetical to a “green” concept. This is especially true when a golf course is replacing a naturally-forested area. A golf course would have a “greener” footprint than a parking lot, a landfill, or a brownfield site, but not a forest. The NTC proposal includes the statement, under its horticulture section, “programming may include protection of natural areas, … reduction in use of turf and pesticides, … reduction in use and expense of power equipment, … creation of additional wildlife habitat.” Converting a forest to a golf course does not coincide with any of these concepts.
One also has to question the need for a greenskeeping program, especially in this area and at this time. A look at golf industry statistics reveals declines in several measurement criteria in recent years and not just since the current economic crisis. The industry is not optimistic about seeing any significant turnaround. The number of golfers is decreasing, and the number of golf courses opening each year is declining, with closures exceeding openings. This is not a growth industry – how many new greenskeeping jobs will there be in the future? There are also other golf course training programs in Wisconsin. Both Southwest Technical College and UW-Stout offer golf course management programs. Our neighboring Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Landscape, Plant and Turf Management program includes training for golf course management careers and may be expanding its program. What would happen to the golf course if the greenskeeping program is not successful? We would have a white elephant and the Campus Woods and its associated benefits would have been sacrificed for nothing.
Another impact on the Campus Woods is the proposed location of the NTC Classroom Lab Addition. Rather than intruding into the main part of the Campus Woods, the building could instead be placed on the north side of the present AgCenter and have almost no effect on either the Campus Woods or the Campus Trail.
NTC President Dr. Lori Weyers stated that no county tax money would be required for the proposed project. However, this does not necessarily mean that county taxpayers would not feel some impact. NTC would be providing matching funds for the grant, and an increase in facility size and an increase in student numbers would surely increase NTC’s operating expenses. NTC is also expanding programming and facilities at other campuses. The money to support these programs needs to come from somewhere, and the property tax is the largest source of revenue for the Technical College System. Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges are one of the four major entities (public schools, counties, municipalities, and technical colleges) that are part of our property tax levy, and, of the four, the Technical Colleges are the only ones whose governing boards are appointed rather than being elected directly by those being taxed. While expanding job training opportunities is a worthy goal, the NTC Board should carefully consider the expenditure of our tax moneys and use these funds for programs that will truly benefit the community as a whole for the long term, not for a project that will have a negative impact on a treasured community recreation and natural area and be of questionable value.
The community, the environment, and the taxpayers would be better served if NTC dropped the greenskeeping program and the county board reduced NTC’s impact on the Campus Woods and Trail by transferring only the minimal amount of land needed for building.
— Cathy Mauer, Medford
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