Star News Top Stories

December 24, 2009

Organization praises efforts of modern farms
It’s becoming increasingly popular to reminisce about simpler times and how good things used to be. Today’s dairy farmers, like their agricultural forefathers, share a commitment to produce safe, nutritious and affordable food products. But agriculture is very different now.
Remember the ’57 Chevy? That wonderful body style made it a classic. But have you driven one lately? No power steering, no air conditioning, no seat belts, no air bags, no computers to manage performance, horrible gas mileage and no emissions controls.
Comparing modern farming with the old days is like comparing the ’57 Chevy with a 2010 model. Today’s dairy farmers use technology never dreamt of by our parents or grandparents. Can you think of any business in the United States that hasn’t changed significantly in the last 50 years? Dairy farmers have changed in order to remain competitive with other states and other countries. And they have done so responsibly.
The rural beauty of Wisconsin is close to the hearts of dairy farmers. Environmental protection and the adoption of new farming practices are not mutually exclusive. In fact, research conducted at the University of Minnesota and published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers indicates that larger farms do a better job protecting the environment because they have the resources to have specialists dedicated to managing environmental issues.
Wisconsin has strong laws that hold permitted dairies to a “zero discharge” standard. These laws are more stringent than those governing municipal treatment plants. Dairy farmers support these laws because they are concerned about protecting our land, air, and water.
The milk and cheese produced in our state are important economic pillars. The Dairy Business Association feels it is important that we grow and sustain an industry that is critical to Wisconsin’s future. You can rely on our dairy farmers to protect and maintain a quality rural way of life and to take their environmental responsibility seriously.
— Laurie Fischer, executive director, Dairy Business Association

Writer questions if love is immoral?
Ms. Riley wasn't worried about her losing her freedoms. If she were, then she would have written a letter about how Bush's Patriot Act allowed American citizens to be jailed without representation and tortured and others to be spied on on the pretense that they were “terrorists.” She would have brought up how this same act allowed the government to take away legal guns during Katrina. What she was really complaining about is that gays and lesbians seem to be gaining freedoms that everyone else has. It seems Candice Riley is ready to send her four beautiful children to a Madrassa to learn hatred for gays. Proving that the American Taliban is no different than the Muslim Taliban.
To hate an entire segment of your community and, let's face it, the world, and to teach that hatred to your children is immoral. To deprive these people of their rights is immoral. To condemn people because of whom they love is despicable. Our country was founded on the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” it also mentions that “all men are created equal” and “with liberty and justice for all.” Yet she believes teaching her children to accept everyone is immoral? What a strange, twisted sense of morality this woman has. Why is she so obsessed about what other consenting adults do in the privacy of their own homes? For all we know the GLBT community is another step in evolution (that she probably doesn't believe in either) designed by whatever God/dess, Supreme being/Nature to nurture the children that the heterosexual community throw away like used tissue paper. I assume her hatred is fueled by her Christian love. Christians are obsessed crotch-sniffers.
Candice is married and has four beautiful children but is determined that a loving gay couple will never have either. Sounds like “I've got mine and the hell with you” syndrome. Of course nothing that I say here will change her mind since she and her like-minded friends will quote very limited and well selected passages from the book of contradictions (Bible) to make them feel good about their hate. Just like snake handlers and preachers who justify war and slavery by quoting Bible verses. This isn't ridicule it's just pointing out how redic..... oh, I guess it is ridicule.
— Linda Osolkowski, Rib Lake

Residents, board address issues with North Breeze Dairy plan
Comments about the North Breeze appeal to the county requesting the use of Lake Breeze numbers.
The lawyer, David Crass, made the comment that the proposed North Breeze CAFO was similar to the Lake Breeze CAFO.
1.) Those people who visited Lake Breeze in January saw a flush system,with sand settling lanes, a digester, a separator, two small lagoons and two large lagoons. North Breeze will only have two smaller ponds and one large pond. The manure will be not flushed, but moved to storage via a vacuum vehicle. Flushing results in volitization of manure nutrients into the air that vacuum removal will preserve. Manure is flushed at least three times per day at Lake Breeze.
2.) Mr. Sturgis, the NMP planner admitted that there is a 30 percent difference between the Lake Breeze data and the "book values.” It was implied that the book values are "assumed,” when in reality they are the average of all samples collected for a particular type of system and species in Wisconsin.
3.) When it is was admitted by the planner that there is a 30 percent difference in the numbers, it is easy to see the reason. It should be noted that by law the spreading of nutrients is allowed up to 115 percent of an expected crop already, without accounting for starter fertilizer also allowed legally, which can add additional nutrients above what a crop will remove. These recommendations are based on “ideal” growing conditions which in Wisconsin occur only 2 in 10 years on average.
4) In the first review of the North Breeze NMP both the township and the county reviewed the plan cooperatively with the WDNR at the Madison office. Many of the objections that were brought forth were from the township and the county. This shows that we have greater concern for what goes on in our area than does the DNR. Why were we left out of this process this time?
5.) In reviewing the justification for using Lake Breeze data here in Taylor County, shows that the one half of the samples were taken from points NOT directly prior to field application. In fact two points immediately prior to field application of manure were NOT sampled.
6.) There is also a question on the scientific validity of the calculation of the number used in the NMP plan. There is the question if some of the samples were taken following the standards.
Allowing the use of data from another facility not even close to being alike would set a very bad precedent. If the proposed CAFO has numbers that are significantly higher than the Lake Breeze numbers, what then? If the numbers are lower than the book, then the CAFO will have plenty of land to spread on, so the dairy becomes a winner and the environment benefits.
The fact that the county is willing not to rubber stamp the DNR is really terrific. A letter is being prepared to be sent to the Taylor County Land Conservation Committee.
— Little Black Chairman Dan Hoffman, supervisors Brian Jochimsen and Al Peissig and Little Black citizens Neil Micke and Steve Suchomel

Now is the time for us to stand up for our county veterans
I recently volunteered to help with the Wall That Heals when it was in town. I saw such emotion and pride in our community during this time that I cannot fully articulate how much of an impact it had on me. Yet, much to my dismay, in last week’s Star News I read that Dave Thomas, our county’s current Veteran’s Service officer, will be retiring from his position in the near future, and that his replacement will not be a full-time officer. Before I get to that topic, as a disabled veteran I’d like to thank Dave for his many years of service to the veterans in this area.
With Dave’s departure, Jim Seidl — the chairman of the Taylor County Human Services Board — has suggested that Dave’s replacement should only be allowed to devote 60 percent of his or her time to serving veterans. The remainder of this person’s time would be spent as a counselor for the Human Services Department. I understand that cuts need to be made during these harsh economic times, but this proposal is both ridiculous and would be a disservice to our veterans.
The bottom line here is that our veterans deserve to have the best services available to them. If the Taylor County Human Services Board decides to go with this proposal, they will reduce the availability of the new Veteran’s Service officer by 40 percent. Providing assistance to our veterans is not a half-time job; it is a full-time position. Our veterans have done so much for us, and it is only right for us to provide the best services to them in return. Failure to do so will be a failure on our behalf to support them.
The way in which we can ensure that the new Veteran’s Service officer supports veterans full-time is simple: to those who live in Taylor County, call your county board representatives and tell them to support a full-time officer. Our veterans have stood up for us in the past, now it is our turn to stand up for our veterans.
Civility and decency are reciprocal processes. It would be hypocritical of us as citizens to honor our veterans verbally one month and then, through our actions, dishonor them by cutting their services. We should therefore be compelled to fight against this proposal so that we do justice to those who have fought and served our country.
As a final comment, many veterans continue to serve their communities after their military service is over.
— Jeffrey R Lange, Adjutant General Disabled of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 31; Medford School Board President; Board of Directors of the Medford Area Housing Centennial Apartments; Founding Member of Medford Reads; past president Board of Directors of Stepping Stones; past president Taylor County Literacy Council; member of the Medford Honor Guard.

Area soldier sends Christmas greetings while serving in Mid-east
Christmas Greetings to you and yours from the Middle East. While there’s nothing like being home for the holidays, I will have the good fortune of spending Christmas with some of America’s finest soldiers. Although I won’t be able to share in the magic of Christmas with my family and friends this year, my spirits remain high this Christmas and into the New Year.
This is my second tour of duty in a war zone and I’m honored to be able to play a role in this very important mission. While I can’t talk about any specifics involving our mission, I do want your readers to know that I am blessed to work with some truly extraordinary men and women from all walks of life who are making America proud each and every day through their service and dedication to protecting democracy. They are my family away from home and we all have each other’s backs. It’s a good feeling.
The number one question I get asked by folks back home is what I miss most while on duty. I think the answer, other than friends and family, is fresh milk and Wisconsin cheese. They seem like small things to miss, but as a Clark County farm kid I know what good milk and cheese tastes like. A nice fresh bag of squeaky cheese curds sounds really good right about now. They feed us very well in the military, but there is nothing like having the tastes of America’s Dairyland.
I have been very thankful to hear from so many wonderful people during my deployment. Well wishes from my family, friends, neighbors, and constituents help keep morale up and remind us all of what we are fighting for. The cards and handmade Christmas ornaments from students from my area were especially appreciated!
I hope that each and every one of you takes time this holiday season to recognize a soldier in your community who is unable to be home with their family this holiday season. A simple letter to a soldier to let them know they are in your thoughts and prayers really means the world to us.
I would like to wish everyone back in Wisconsin a very Merry Christmas and abundant blessings to each of you in the New Year.
God Bless.
— Scott Suder, Staff Sergeant, USAF

Reform or wishful thinking?
Why wouldn’t the rest of the world love Obama, they are mostly socialists and he is going to give them everything they want, politically and financially, let all the taxpayers pay for it. I can’t wait until after 2010 when we get rid of this Congress and 2012 when we get rid of this whole lousy administration.
The Obama team believes there is only one person who can redeem his political agenda. That is he, himself. Wishful thinking?
— Gerald Gums, Santa Ana, Calif.