THE RIPON REVIEW - Downtown News Update

What Course of Action Will You Take?
Shopping at the mall is considered by many to be a "retail experience," and it is convenient to shop at the big box retailer to get those "tremendous savings." But what is the cost to our community? This attempt to save money by purchasing groceries, clothing, furniture, jewelry, or product for that home remodeling project costs Ripon much more than we realize. The fact is that those out of town purchases are eliminating employment opportunities at area businesses due to lower gross income, and every job lost creates a negative economic impact on other goods and services that could be purchased in Ripon. In a recent news article published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, community columnist Roger Frank Bass wrote about the positive attributes offered by a merchant in Spring Green, Wis. Roger talked about an occasion where he saved money by purchasing a retail product at a discount store in the big city. As it turned out, shortly after the purchase, his life was saved by a local retailer who was also a volunteer with the community ambulance service. The same can be said about Ripon's generous business owners. After reading the article, I started to think about who knows my family best, and who is going to be their in case of an emergency. My money is on the local pharmacist, insurance agent, or other small business owners. What happens when you purchase eyeglasses, prescriptions, building supplies, furniture, or other products out of town? The trickle down effect is that as gross income decreases, fewer dollars are available for local charities and community projects. When is the last time you heard of a chain store or franchise donating to one of our non-profit organizations? So before you get in the car for your shopping trip to the Fox River Mall, WalMart, Festival Foods, Menards, Shopko, Best Buy or some other chain store, think about who contributes to our public school and college athletic teams; donates to Ducks Unlimited, local scout troops, and United Way; sponsors community events like Dickens of a Christmas, Village Green Concerts and Cookie Daze; and volunteers at community service activities organized by the Kiwanis, Rotary or Lions. Ripon business owners are far more generous than most people realize, and we need their businesses to be prosperous in order for this to continue. Given the current economic situation that our country is experiencing, shopping locally is a perfect investment that will generate a positive return.
Sincerely,

America is Ripon's Newest Restaurant
America, the highly anticipated classic American restaurant, recently opened in historic downtown Ripon. The restaurant focuses on traditionally and impeccably prepared food and sparkling service. "The Ripon Restaurant Group is extremely happy to bring America to Ripon," said Bill Ledger, President and CEO of the Ripon Restaurant Group. "What better place to celebrate warm, comforting, classic cuisine than in America's Hometown." "America is the culmination of a focused vision by an excited and committed group of talented people," he said. "We want to give Ripon the best restaurant within 50 miles." The menu is the only one of its kind in the area, offering the best variety of daily soups from scratch, salads, gourmet sandwiches, steaks, handmade pastas, and fresh seafood. Some of the specialties include Signature Baked French Onion Soup, Baked Brie en Croute, Grilled Duck Breast with Door County Cherry Sauce, Lobster Ravioli, and homemade Manhattan Ricotta Gnocchi. A comfort food menu of Chicken Pot Pie, Lamb Stew, and Meatloaf will be highlighted during the holiday season. In addition, America also has many great vegetarian options, like the Veggie Burger, Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli, Vegetable Primavera, and a Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad. Some of the items on the menu are grown and raised locally by Manager Michael Zink at Prospera Farm in Green Lake County. "America showcases seasonal produce from Prospera Farm, which currently includes our red heart radishes, baby carrots, and local heritage breed pork," said Zink. America is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 9 pm. The restaurant is also open for dinner on Saturday from 5 to 10 pm. Lunch sandwiches and entrees range in price form $7 to $15, and dinner entrees range from $15 to $28. The bar is open for happy hour and snacks weekdays between lunch and dinner service. Please call 920-748-FLAG (3524) for more information or to make a reservation. Holiday gift certificates are available.

Downtown Strategic Plan Progresses
The City of Ripon has established TIF No. 8 which encompasses most of the central business district. This will help us implement various projects identified in the Downtown Ripon Strategic Plan that was released earlier in 2008. The plan can be downloaded from the Ripon Main Street, Inc. web site (

http://www.downtownripon.com/). Projects planned for the initial phase of redevelopment through the use of TIF funding include: improving the Blackburn Street parking lot, enhancing downtown parks, trails and public spaces, and creating a low interest loan fund for building renovations. Additional funds will be available in the future for use on larger projects identified by the READI Team which is comprised of representatives from local organizations.The READI Team has discussed numerous improvement projects including landscaping, lighting, signage, planters and other public improvements. The group would like to see an immediate visual impact made in 2009, and have recommended purchasing light pole banners and additional planters. Another priority identified is to begin replacing the wood sign posts at intersections with decorative wrought iron, and to utilize brick pavers rather than colored concrete. Beautifying and improving the Village Green was also discussed.

The group believes an urban designer/landscape architect should be hired to assist with guiding the downtown beautification effort. Due to possible budget constraints, bike racks were not deemed an immediate priority and felt it was important to better utilize the existing racks. The group did however feel that a bike rack(s) should be added to the side of Ripon Drug in the short term because there are no racks on the south side of the downtown area. Over the long term, decorative bike racks should be designed into the urban environment so they are appropriate placed. The group currently meets on the first Thursday of the month.

New Development:
Numerous business and building improvements have developed recently.

* Uncorked has opened at 211 Watson Street, sharing space with Tango. Owners Lisa Diedrich and Julie Bartz embarked on the business to fill a "fine wine" need in Ripon and surrounding communities. The specialty wine shop features more than 60 labels from California, Washington and Oregon in addition to other countries.

* Huberty & Associates has expanded and relocated to 201 E. Fond du Lac Street. They occupy the upper level of the building. The Phoenix Group has moved into the lower level, sharing space with Wurtz Law Office. Huberty's old building on E. Jackson is available for purchase.

* Paul Cummings and Heidi Krueger are planning to open Naturally Ripe Juice Bar at 109 W. Fond du Lac Street. The business will also feature art work from local artists. Later on, they plan to add a catering element to the business. Their goal is to open the business by the first of the year.

* Sherry Liptow opened Cutting Edge Hair Salon at 11 W. Fond du Lac Street this past summer.
* Boca Grande is nearing completion on the renovation of 303 and 305 Watson Street. The renovation includes new retail space on the first floor, along with three large upscale apartments on the second floor. The former Spot Restaurant and Ripon Variety Store buildings haven't look this nice in decades. Contact Frank Cumberbatch at (414) 736-4548 for additonal information.

* Holiday Food & Sport has added an archery range to their Eureka Street location. Six lanes are available at the range, and they plan to organize a winter archery league. Stop in for more information.

Ripon Main Street Update
Two openings are currently available on the Ripon Main Street, Inc. board of directors as well as positions on committees. All interested parties are encouraged to contact the Main Street office for information.

Main Street Mission Statement: The purpose of the Main Street program is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Ripon. Main Street works with the public and private sectors to restore the vitality once common in the central business district by enhancing our community identity and heritage, fostering a center of activity, and ensuring economic stability.

About the Ripon Review
The Ripon Review is a community newsletter published by Ripon Main Street, Inc. Ripon Main Street, Inc is a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing historic downtown Ripon. Our success is directly related to the support we receive from our sponsors, partners and members. Please consider including an aspect of the downtown revitalization program, such as the Village Green Summer Concert Series, in your estate plans. Bequests, no matter how large or small, will play a critical role in our ability to transform the downtown into a vibrant place to live, work, and play. Contact the Main Street office at (920) 748-7466 for additional information.

Ripon School News Email Network

Administrative Restructuring Plan Unveiled
After a prolonged 15-year absence that began as a two-year temporary measure, the Ripon Board of Education is reinstating the position of Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the 2009-10 school year. This position will consolidate the numerous tasks related to overseeing student learning—from testing to curriculum development to teacher training—that have been dispersed as add-on duties of various administrators. The position will be funded by eliminating the middle school Assistant Principal position and transferring stipends for various tasks that are now being assigned to the new position. Melanie Oppor, current Ripon Middle School principal, has been appointed to the new position for her experience and expertise. An extensive search process will be conducted for a new principal of Ripon Middle School.

Soda Ban Remains
The District’s Wellness Policy prohibits the sale of soda during the school day or at concessions stands operating at school events such as football games at Ingalls Field or basketball games in the RHS gymnasium. After reviewing the pros and cons of continuing the ban on sales from concession stands at after-school events, the Ripon Board of Education decided to provide a single wellness message for students that is consistent with the school’s curriculum and the school day prohibition by renewing the ban on soda sales at after-school events.

Board Honors Former and Current Staff Members
The Ripon Board of Education honored retired teacher Jack Frank and current staff member Wendy McCulloch at its November meeting. Jack Frank was recognized for his coordination of the Art Presenter program that brings community members into all K-5 classrooms to teach art appreciation lessons. Wendy McCulloch was recognized for her ongoing commitment and outstanding service in District health services to students exemplified by the rare 100% compliance rate that Ripon has with immunization standards on an annual basis.

Possible April 7 Referendum
Administrators were directed by the Ripon Board of Education at its November meeting to research District needs and report back at the Board’s December meeting with information about referendum options for the April 7 election. The 15-year revenue limits law has squeezed District resources to the point where $545,000 must be cut from current programming for the 2009-10 school year. This cut brings the 3-year total to more than $1.2 million of annual recurring operating expenses. A referendum is the only way allowed by state law to supersede the revenue limits. All neighboring school districts have had successful referenda to maintain their programs, maintenance, and class size. Currently, the District is being allowed to raise its budget for 2009-10 by 2.9% at a time when state law requires staff to receive a raise of at least 3.8% each year. The difference in revenue and expenditures requires annual budget cuts.

Distribution of the Ripon School Email News:
To subscribe to this email news network, please send an email to ZimmanR@ripon.k12.wi.us from the address you would like the news delivered to along with “Subscribe” as the subject.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE FIRST FAMILY OF RIPON

ROAD CONDITIONS

I have received a number of emails regarding the street conditions yesterday. While I do not like to offer excuses for the situation, there were a number of factors leading to the perception that we did not get to the streets quick enough.

According to City Administrator Steve Barg, "we had a couple of things working against us that hindered our snow removal efforts. First, because the weather forecast seemed pretty good, we had left the leaf collection equipment on our trucks, intending to pick up yard waste at the curbside until Thanksgiving. So our crew had to scramble early yesterday to replace this equipment with the plow attachments, which slowed down our response. Second, with the short week and hunting season, we had a couple of Public Works employees on vacation, so we were a little short-staffed. But please know that we have heard you and your neighbors loud and clear..."

I would agree with Steve in his assessment of the situation. We will do better next time, and all of us should hope and pray that this early snow does not mean a second straight winter of heavy and continuous snows.

COUNCIL PREVIEW - November 24

630 PM - The Council will conduct a public hearing on the proposed 2009 budget and tax levy, then consider a resolution dealing with the adoption of 2009 budget and tax levy.
700 PM - At the regular meeting, the following issues are on the agenda...
* Stormwater management concerns – Public Works Director’s report - At Council’s request, the Public Works Director has been studying several drainage issues involving City-owned properties. The city has invited the neighboring landowners to attend our November 24th meeting
* Borrowing to repaint water tower – State Trust Fund Loan program - The old water tower is in need of repainting, but we don’t have monies set aside for this work. As outlined in a memo from Assistant City Administrator Lori Rich, staff recommends that the Council approve borrowing $400,000 from the State Trust Fund Loan program, with payment to be made over a 10-year period at a 4.5% interest rate.
* Parking for the Ripon Senior Center - Councilmember Stoeberl requested review of the parking situation at the senior center, now that we have moved it to the lower level of City Hall. Staff prepared a report, and EMS Chief Teachout wrote a memo for the council as well. Representatives from the Senior Center will be present to address this issue.
* Status of "Open Gym" program - The City did not specifically include funds in the 2009 budget for the Open Gym program. The intent was that the program would end unless the school, backboard club, or another group took responsibility and provided supervision, which has not occurred yet. Staff will seek direction on Monday night.
* Adjourn to closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) "Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session
RE: Request to purchase vacant property from the City of Ripon
RE: Request to amend developer’s agreement – Sandmar Village

STATE DEFICIT? LET'S TAX OUR WAY OUT OF IT

I read this Sunday in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and nearly got sick to my stomach. Not ONE single suggested cut in spending, but a laundry list of revenue increases and justification for making those increases. First of all, revenue assumptions and increases have put us in this position. AND the Wisconsin Taxpayers' Alliance said last week that the Governor's projections for the deficit may be a bit overblown (perhaps to justify some of those "revenue enhancers"). According to the Journal-Sentinel, "Todd Berry, president of the group, said the $5.4-billion number assumes that state agencies will get an additional $2.8 billion in spending they requested for the next two years, which he calls a "fictitious" assumption. And, Berry said, Doyle's scenario also assumes that the so-called "structural balance" -- the long-term imbalance between spending commitments and tax collections - remains at $800 million per year for each of the next two years. That's about $1.6 billion of Doyle's $5.4-billion deficit. Berry said. But, if the $800-million per year structural imbalance was fixed in the first year of the two-year budget cycle, it is not a problem in the second year, he added. Sure, Berry said, there are major financial problems facing state government. It results from the "collective bad judgment" of past Capitol officials from both parties, he added. In reality, Berry said, if elected state officials found the courage to raise an additional $1 billion in the first year of the next two-year budget, "The (deficit) problem evaporates." Berry said Doyle's $5.4-billion deficit estimate is "really the opening pitch in a multi-inning budget game. It's in the interest of the executive ... to get people to pay attention." Also accusing Doyle of over-hyping the deficit number was Republican Sen. Neal Kedzie of Elkhorn. In a column Friday, Kedzie also noted that the $5.4-billion deficit figure assumed that state agencies would get $2.8 million more in new spending by mid-2011."

OK, now on to more ways to take money from your wallet/paycheck....

How to raise money for our state - By Dennis Collier, Jack Norman And Jon Peacock
Posted: Nov. 22, 2008

Wisconsin must weather the global fiscal crisis in a way that protects vital services and infrastructure. Our communities and businesses will not rebound well if we allow deterioration in the quality of our public structures, including everything from roads to schools, from the justice system to help for the unemployed, from public health to public transportation. Caught between increasing needs and stagnant revenues, Wisconsin faces difficult choices. There is a search for greater efficiencies and reductions in public institutions, but there are limits to what this can accomplish without harming essential services. Wisconsin is not a high-cost state for state and local government, nor does it have a large civil service. Wisconsin ranks 21st among the states in revenue collected for state and local government - taxes and fees - as a percentage of income, according to the Census Bureau. Wisconsin ranks 42nd in public employees relative to population. Thus, it is both necessary and feasible to examine the revenue side of the equation and find additional funds so communities can survive the economic crisis without slashing the very public institutions needed for renewed prosperity.

With that perspective, we offer a menu of options to increase revenue. No specific item is endorsed. However, some subset among them is necessary for a balanced approach to addressing deficits while preserving vital public infrastructure. Gov. Jim Doyle already has said he will seek new taxes on oil companies and hospitals. Other possibilities for revenue-enhancing tax reforms include the following (revenue estimates based on the most recent government data):

Sales taxes, in which Wisconsin ranks 33rd in the United States as a percent of income:
• An increase of one percentage point in the state rate - from 5% to 6% - would generate at least $800 million annually.
• Extending the sales tax to non-medical professional services - from advertising to tax preparation - would generate $300 million.
• Extending the sales tax to business services - from credit rating agencies to public relations to outplacement services - would generate $230 million.
Business taxes, in which Wisconsin ranks 27th:
• Closing loopholes that allow the largest firms to avoid paying state taxes on profits earned in Wisconsin - enacting so-called "combined reporting" is the best method - could ultimately generate several hundred million dollars.
• Eliminating the "domestic production deduction," which almost entirely benefits companies with over $100 million in assets, would eventually generate at least $40 million.
• Switching to an alternative method of taxing business activity, such as replacing the tax on corporate profits with a tax on business receipts. This could not only make the business tax less volatile but would prevent large firms from using accounting techniques that eliminate their tax liabilities. Even if smaller firms were exempted -say, exempting the first $1 million in revenue - a tax of only 0.2% could generate an additional $400 million.
Personal income taxes, in which Wisconsin ranks 14th:
• Increasing the top individual tax rate from 6.75% to 7.75% would generate about $180 million.
• Taxing all capital gains, as the federal government does, would generate about $280 million.
• Restoring the tax on up to half of Social Security earnings - for couples' income above $32,000 - would generate $100 million.
• Eliminating the itemized deductions credit - most of which went to filers with income above $100,000 - would generate $320 million.
Miscellaneous taxes:
• Reinstating the tax on inheritances - while exempting the first $1 million in an estate - would generate $95 million.
• Restoring the annual inflation indexing of the gas tax would generate $32 million for each penny of gas tax.

For a fuller description of these and other changes, including a summary of which taxpayers each change would effect and their status as progressive or regressive in impact, see our Catalog of Tax Reforms Options for Wisconsin, available at www.wisconsinsfuture.org. Dennis Collier is a consultant for the Institute for Wisconsin's Future and a former director of the Tax and Fiscal Policy Bureau in the state Department of Revenue; Jack Norman is research director for IWF; and Jon Peacock is research director for Wisconsin Council on Children and Families.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/34903414.html

TACKLING THE NATIONAL DEBT

(Money Magazine) -- Al Gore put global warming into the family dinner conversation; now David Walker, former U.S. Comptroller and the star of "I.O.U.S.A.," a documentary about our ballooning national debt, says that if we don't face up to our fiscal problems, the U.S. could go broke. Among his possible solutions: reforming the tax system and reducing health-care spending.
Question: Just how bad are things?
Answer: Even worse than advertised. Everyone talks about this year's deficit, which is $455 billion. And the national debt, the accumulation of all our past deficits over the years, recently passed $10 trillion. But the real problem is the nearly $41 trillion in unfunded promises and off-balance-sheet obligations.
Q. What are those?
A. Specifically, $7 trillion attributable to Social Security and $34 trillion for Medicare.
Q. But we had a surplus a few years ago. What happened?
A. In 2002, Congress failed to extend the budget controls that were in place in the '90s that helped take us from deficit to surplus. Since then, Washington has been totally out of control. We have unfinanced war costs, a new Medicare prescription drug benefit, unfinanced tax cuts and now the bailouts.
Q. But sometimes you have to go into debt, right?
A. Individuals do that, and when they pass away, the debts go with them. But government debts stay, and they have to be assumed by our children and grandchildren. That's not only fiscally irresponsible; it's morally reprehensible.
Q. How can we lower the debt?
A. Younger people and those who are middle or upper income will see a reduction in their Social Security benefits. We also need to encourage people to work longer. And we have to reform health care. Even countries that have socialized medicine limit what they'll spend. There could be universal coverage for basic care. Those who want heroic measures will be on their own. We are also going to need more revenue - taxes. Over time, I think we're going to see an income tax with fewer deductions and tax preferences, but that keeps rates low.
Q. All that doesn't sound like it will be politically popular.
A. True. That's why I support the creation of a bipartisan fiscal future commission that would make a range of budget, entitlement, spending and tax reform recommendations to the next President and Congress for an up-or-down vote. We need to do the right thing for America's future, and that means enduring some degree of shared sacrifice today.

CELL PHONE-DRIVING BAN PASSES IN WAUPACA COUNTY

Heads up if you are driving north of here, but you should be careful anyways when driving and dialing. The Waupaca County Board of Supervisors, by a 26-1 vote last week, approved a ban on using cell phones when driving. The ban includes "dialing, answering, talking, listening, and texting". Of course, calls to public safety officers or 911 are allowed. The fine is $75.

UPDATE: Texting while driving outlawed in Kenosha - An ordinance passed yesterday by the Kenosha City Council prohibits drivers from reading, writing or texting while driving a motor vehicle in the city. The 12-2 vote Monday approving the ordinance left some question of how to enforce the ban, but Alderman David Bogdala said it didn't matter. He said if someone is foolish enough to text while driving and get into an accident, there should be a severe penalty. As approved, the ordinance carries a $150 fine, but it jumps to $500 if the violation leads to an accident. Aldermen Dan Prozanski and Michael Orth, who both teach at Tremper High School, said the main thing is raising public awareness, especially among young drivers, of the danger involved. According to Prozanski, "teenagers are text messaging at a rate most adults cannot comprehend."

A GOOD PERSPECTIVE ON THE STATE BUDGET

This recent blog on the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute website points out some disturbing facts about our state budget system (Bold-faced added by me):

Cognitive Dissonance at the Capitol

Filed under: Budget — Christian Schneider @ 4:30 pm

Governor Doyle and legislative leaders tell us we have a $5 billion budget deficit, and that “tough choices” are going to have to be made. Yet according to Doyle, none of those tough choices are going to involve reducing state spending in any meaningful way. Instead, we’re going to see higher taxes on oil companies and hospitals, so we can get more “free” money from the federal government. Not exactly a profile in courage. What is truly amazing about this budget Kabuki theater we’re seeing at the Capitol is how the governor and legislators are acting as if they had nothing to do with the budget shortfall. They pretty much say, “yeah, the economy is bad, and we’ll have to tighten our belts,” as if they bear no responsibility whatsoever for the current shabby financial state we’re in.

Imagine a bank robber going in and holding up a bank, and running off with a million dollars. Then, imagine the same robber going in two years later and making off with two million dollars. When the bank finally has to close, the robber holds a press conference blaming the whole thing on the bad economy. The only thing the governor and legislature are missing are the ski masks.
Take a look at this Legislative Fiscal Bureau document. On page 7, it details the structural deficit left to taxpayers by the most recent budget adjustment bill, passed earlier this year. According to the Fiscal Bureau, the budget left a $751 million hole in fiscal year 2010 and an $883 million hole in 2011. That adds up to a $1.6 billion budget deficit even before the housing market sunk the economy.

Page 8 continues to add up the state’s liabilities. The $1.6 billion number above assumed a zero increase in school aids and medical assistance funds. When these cost-to-continue commitments are considered, the budget hole balloons to $2.4 billion - before anyone even considered the current bad economy. When the legislature passed the budget and the governor signed it back in May, they knew these numbers. They also knew nobody would care.

But now, with the economy in a recession, sales and income tax receipts are dropping - which makes the deficit much larger. And, as I demonstrated in a paper earlier this year, Wisconsin is completely caught with its pants down. Our elected officials are the worst in the nation at planning for fiscal downturns. We have virtually no rainy day fund and no minimum statutory balance to soften the blow when the economy goes bad. Most states reserve between 5% and 10% of their general fund revenues to maintain programs when tax receipts fall. But not Wisconsin, which holds less than 1% in reserve. As a result, we’re driving our state’s economy on a flat tire - the axle is going to break in half, sending us careening into a ditch. And you know whose fault that is? It’s not the economy’s fault - it is Jim Doyle and the Legislature’s fault. They have absolutely no one to blame but themselves. In January of this year, I pegged the coming budget shortfall at $4.2 billion. Months later, the Legislature purported to “fix” the budget hole, but in fact, they actually made things worse. They can’t say they weren’t warned.

Given this shoddy record of fiscal management, it is amazing that they now stand before us, trying to convince taxpayers that they can “fix” this problem. In fact, each budget they have passed has made things progressively worse. Yet nobody in the legislature is willing to step forward and be a grown-up in this process. The recession of 2001 apparently taught out legislators nothing - it’s going to be the taxpayers that learn the lesson.

Milwaukee County retiree drawing big payout

This is just plain wrong....

Watching your 401(k) dwindle to nothing? Afraid your retirement might not be there when you reach 65? Too bad you didn't take a job with Milwaukee County years ago. Then you might be sitting pretty - just like George Brotz. Brotz retired in August after 38 years with the county, leaving office as a $75,000-per-year accounting manager in the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department. Last week, the county Pension Board approved Brotz's retirement request for a lump-sum payment of $847,861 under the "backdrop" provision in the lucrative 2001 pension deal. In addition, Brotz will be receiving a monthly retirement check of $2,887, or nearly $35,000 per year. Just think about it. The career government bureaucrat will receive more than $1 million within five years of quitting his job. With his lump-sum payment, Brotz will become the county's all-time backdrop champ, pulling down $160,000 more than that paid out to the next-luckiest county retiree. Under the backdrop, employees who stay on after they are eligible to retire can receive both a lump-sum payout and a monthly retirement benefit. The lump sums can be rolled over into a tax-deferred IRA or taken as cash. Brotz, 66, could have left the public trough as early as 1993. The public eruption over the remarkably generous retirement changes led to the ouster of then-County Executive F. Thomas Ament and many supervisors. Ament's team promised this provision wouldn't cost taxpayers anything extra. In truth, more than $137 million had been paid out in backdrops to former county workers through the middle of this year. Called Friday, Brotz hung up when asked about his pension package. His wife, Ann, was just as testy. "I'm waiting for a call from the Social Security Administration," she said before hanging up. Later in the afternoon, she said she was still awaiting that call. In addition, nobody answered the door at the couple's Shorewood residence. They live in a three-story, stucco and stone house - assessed at some $570,000 - with immaculately maintained hedges. Clearly, the pair wants to keep to themselves any discussion of their record-setting etirement income, compliments of the taxpayers. The payout comes at a terrible time for the county. So far this year, its retirement portfolio has lost about 30% of its value because of the stock market meltdown. Overall, the county is facing major cuts just to balance its budget. Just image what the officials could do with an extra $850,000. They could replace the old heating and ventilation system at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Or they could double the size of the witness protection program or underwrite the entire budget for a greatly expanded public integrity unit within the district attorney's office. For that matter, the annual budget for the office of County Executive Scott Walker is $1.3 million. Walker - who spent last week at the Republican Governors Association and met with a team of new advisers about a 2010 gubernatorial run - could put most of his campaign team on the county payroll with that kind of money. "We do keep that very separate," Walker spokeswoman Fran McLaughlin demurred. In fact, Brotz could pay the salaries of 17 county supervisors for the next year with the money he'll be getting from the backdrop. Not that anyone is suggesting Milwaukee County expand its board. As far as most county residents are concerned, supervisors did enough damage already by giving their blessing to the backdrop proposal.

http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquarter/34563709.html

In times like this, such a payout system is even more unjustifiable. I cannot believe articles about park program cuts and deferred maintenance issues in Milwaukee County when I see the price of the misguided promises made in the past.

SCHOOL BOARD TO CONSIDER SODA BAN TONIGHT

From the School Board Agenda Notes (The meeting is tonight at 630PM in the high school):
2. Consider approval of Wellness Policy revision—first reading (R-09-52/#09-28)Attached is information regarding the current Wellness policy that prohibits the sale of soda. This prohibition includes selling to the public in concessions stands at RHS football and basketball games. The Board is being asked to reconsider the soda ban that extends beyond the school day.

Personally, I would like to see the board lift the ban. I can see the validity of the ban of pop in the schools, but, as an adult, I do not see where this ban has to be extended to the athletic events. I know that I would have loved to drink a Diet Pepsi at the football games....

Former NFL player to espouse perseverance at Dec. 1 talk

(RIPON) - NFL player Anthony Griggs is no stranger to hard work and perseverance both on the field and off. He will bring his story and the pertinence it has for all to the Ripon College Campus at 4:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1 in the Great Hall of Harwood Memorial Union. The Ripon College Intramural department, with support from the Student Media and Activities Committee, will bring the former Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns footballer to campus. Griggs spent some 23 seasons in the NFL and has faced challenges both on and off the field. After retiring, Griggs began coaching within the league. While playing for the Eagles, Griggs was name the 1985 “Man of the Year” within the organization. He served as director of player development and assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 13 seasons. Griggs founded Stepping Toward Success, an organization that helps people find the tools they need to be successful. Through their website Griggs says, “The tools that we need to be successful in life are inside of each of us waiting to be used.” At Ripon he will deliver a motivational presentation outlining the need to persevere in life challenges. The event is free and open to the public.

STREET CLOSURE NOW COMPLETE

Now that the street closures through the Ripon College campus is now complete, and the new walkways are in (and look nice, but will look a lot nicer when the landscaping is done in the spring), I thought the following article from the college, issued last summer, would be pertinent:

Street Vacation - FAQ

Why are you closing the portions of Elm and Seward Streets that run through campus? - The short answer is that we've envisioned a pedestrian-friendly upper campus for many years and felt that the competitiveness of the liberal-arts college "market" demanded that we move forward. A pedestrian upper campus impacts the safety and health of our students, as well as aesthetics -- key aspects impacting a student's decision to attend Ripon College. The City of Ripon unanimously recognized the role these plans would play in the future of the College, tied as it is to the community at large, and approved vacation of the streets. The long answer is that when Ripon College was founded, the campus was self-contained. Travel between student residences, administrative buildings and classrooms did not require the crossing of any streets. In retrospect, the acquisition of Harwood House (a women’s residence hall at the corner of Thorne and Woodside) in 1916 or the completion of the Tri-Dorms in 1939 would have been great times to close these roadways, but it is unlikely anyone could have predicted how much the College would grow over the next several decades, let alone how many cars would someday be whizzing around the city. It is through this rather forgivable lack of foresight that we inherited a situation where the residence halls in which 90 percent of our students reside are separated from the classes they must attend by a single section of roadway. We contend that this is an unsafe situation. The fact that no major accidents have occurred involving pedestrians does not prove otherwise; it merely suggests that we’ve been very lucky to this point.
When will the streets be closed? - We are aiming for a summer 2008 closure, shortly after the end of the College's fiscal year on June 30. A number of factors could influence the specific date, in particular the mix of necessary capital (fund-raising + financing). Also, the time required for construction and landscaping of the area depends on the final scope of the project, which is still being determined.
What are your plans for that space? - The areas currently covered in asphalt and cement will be torn up and replaced with walkways, plazas, grass, trees and other attractive landscaping features. The essential goal is to make the area look as though the roadway was never there. For a conceptual rendering of proposed elements, click here (PDF, 108K).
How much will all this cost? - Cost has not yet been determined, as we are still working with contractors to develop a hard estimate.
What will you do about parking? - There will be plenty of ADA-compliant parking adjacent to Harwood. In addition, the renovation of Harwood (currently underway) adds one more ADA-accessible entrance to the building (at the southwest corner). The parking lot at the corner of Woodside and Seward (capacity = 43) will become an employee and visitor’s lot during business hours and a visitor’s lot after business hours – not a student lot. This location is very convenient for members of the community who attend the events at Harwood. The maintenance department is moving out of Pickard to our new facility currently under construction north of Rodman. This will move the parking and traffic associated with 30 employees out of the center of campus.This new maintenance facility will become the primary receiving area for campus deliveries – moving much of the delivery traffic out of the center of campus. Drop-off space, ADA accessible parking and a turn-around area will be available in front of Pickard. The Smith Hall parking lot (capacity = 53) is an employee and visitor’s lot during business hours and is primarily a visitor’s lot after business hours. It is not a student lot, and is convenient for Harwood/Pickard events. We feel that the combined capacities of the Woodside and Smith Hall lots (96) are sufficient for most events that take place on the upper campus.
How will emergency vehicles access that area? - A turn-around area with at least a 70-foot radius will be constructed where the intersection of Seward and Elm is currently located. This will serve well for emergency vehicles and for drivers who are dropping off visitors to Harwood. Emergency vehicles will also be able to drive on the grass or walkways should the need arise.
How will people access the cemetery? - The portion of Seward street being replaced by walkway will continue to extend down into Woodlawn Cemetery and will remain available for vehicles accustomed to using that route to enter the cemetery. The entrance on Congress Street is unaffected.
What about the Memorial Day parade route? - The parade will follow the same route as it always has, with the only difference being a vastly more appealing area of campus.
How will I get up the Congress or Elm Street hills when they're icy? - The City Administrator has expressed a commitment to making these hills the City's top priority for winter plowing and salting/sanding. Many cities in our region deal with steep hills as a matter of course; now, it will be an even greater focus for the City of Ripon.

For more pictures - CLICK HERE

Local police take issue with state gang report

From the Fond du Lac Reporter

November 12, 2008

Local law enforcement officials say they are perplexed by a state Department of Justice report that indicates Fond du Lac and Ripon may have "a significant gang problem." "I talked this morning with (Fond du Lac Police Chief) Tony Barthuly and (Ripon Police Chief) Dave Lukoski, and we're all very surprised about the findings," Fond du Lac County Sheriff Mick Fink said Tuesday. The report says law enforcement agencies in Fond du Lac County report a significant problem with street gangs, and a moderate problem with both Hispanic and motorcycle gangs. The Fond du Lac and Ripon police departments reported more gang activity and gang-related problems than did the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Department, according to the report. "To date, 10 known gangs are believed to be operating in Fond du Lac County," the Northeast Wisconsin Gang Assessment reports. Ripon reports 10 to 12 active members in the Warriors street gang. Ripon has had a very minimal gang problem, counters Lukoski. "We've had little pockets of gang activity that have cropped up, but we've pretty much taken care of them as they've developed," he said. He was surprised when he heard the findings in the assessment and said he is trying to track down when the survey was conducted and who supplied the Ripon data.

Subjective reporting
The state did not define gang activity when collecting data, said Craig Klyve, director of the Investigative Services Bureau, the agency that coordinated the report. "It was more of a subjective reporting from the agencies as to what their experiences have been." That means police or school officials who saw graffiti or vandalism could have reported it as gang activity, and many did. The report linked other crimes such as disorderly conduct and drunken driving to gang members. The report relied on data from 20 of 58 police agencies in the seven-county area, and information from 35 schools and community groups in Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Outagamie, Sheboygan and Winnebago counties. A list of the police agencies that reported was not included. The Ripon School District reported street gangs as a significant problem and the Fond du Lac School District reported them as a moderate problem, according to the report. Fond du Lac and Ripon law enforcement also reported moderate problems with various motorcycle gangs, including the Outlaws in Fond du Lac and the Zodiacs in Ripon, according to the report. Five known gangs are operating in the city of Fond du Lac and Ripon has six, according to the report. Fond du Lac's gang problems have all but disappeared since a flare-up in the mid- to late-1990s, said Major Dennis Fortunato, who said it appears answering "yes" to a survey question may have moved a community into the "significant problem" category. Periodically, Fond du Lac police officers receive a report of a crime committed by someone with gang affiliations elsewhere, he said. Graffiti tied to gangs with a presence in Wisconsin also shows up. "But do we have people walking down the street that are known gang-bangers? No," he said. It's the same with drug activity. Police will arrest an individual who espouses gang affiliation, Fortunato said.

'Big stretch'
"But it's a big stretch to say we have organized gangs running crime in Fond du Lac," he said. Fink said he received a survey from the DOJ in July and forwarded it to a jail officer who tracks gang information on inmates. County dispatch records, he said, show two calls since January 2004 that were prioritized as gang-related. Both were in the city of Fond du Lac in 2007.
"If gangs are here," Fink said, "they are staying under our radar. Usually you see gang indications by graffiti or wearing of colors. I drive through areas of town some might describe as the rougher areas and I'm not seeing it." He said a possible explanation for the local results could be data supplied to the state from school districts and agencies that work with kids.
Other findings from the report:
* The Sheriff's Department reports that gangs were tracked extensively in the late 1990s, but gang activity has been relatively quiet over the past 10 years.
* Gangs move to Fond du Lac from the Milwaukee and Chicago area and use Highway 41 as a major route of travel.
* Gangs in Fond du Lac and Ripon are associated with the crimes of battery, criminal damage to property, harboring runaways, drug trafficking, sexual assaults, stabbings and theft.
The Department of Justice drafted the report after the local district of the U.S. Attorney General's Office offered grant money to an agency that would study gangs in northeastern Wisconsin. The state does not plan to conduct similar studies across the state. The report, the first of its kind, should not cause panic, Klyve said. "It shouldn't be anything that alarms people, and it's not like there's a gang problem in the Fox Valley region that is anywhere near as severe as Milwaukee or Chicago or some of the large, urban areas."

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WAUPACA COMETS

The Waupaca Comets completely throttled the Kewaskum Indians today, 42-0, at Ingalls Field before a crowd of over 3,000 fans. While we all hoped for a closer game, it was a great opportunity to show off the improvments at Ingalls Field, as well as pulling the curtain down on a successful initial season (no Ripon team lost on the turf). And, while I cannot give you an exact, precise number, today's game was a boost to the local economy and that cannot be denied or debated or disputed (though it probably will be). You could see the evidence downtown just based on the number of people, with their decorated Comet vehicles, after the game eating in our establishments. The comments from the fans and players was also very positive. All in all, it was a good day to show off Ripon and its facilities.

Good luck in Madison, Waupaca, and make us fellow Eastern Valley Conference members proud.

UPDATE ON SANDMAR SUBDIVISION

This email went out to the neighbors of Sandmar Subdivision this morning:

I apologize, because I had planned to write to you by the end of October, which is now 2 weeks ago. In waiting, I hoped to be able to share more with you, but unfortunately that's not the case. I want you to know I've been in regular contact with the developers and their engineers over the past 6 weeks (since my last update), and that the Mayor and City Council have discussed issues related to Sandmar inclosed session at each of their last 3 meetings. Although Sandmar's engineers have made progress, there really isn't anything specific thatI can report at this time. But please know that the City is continuing to work with others in an attempt to adequately address your drainage concerns in a timely manner.We have a meeting set with the developers and their engineer on Thurs,Nov 20th, and hopefully this will be productive. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting or the Council meeting on Nov 24th, I'll write you another update on December 1st. In the meantime, I wish each of you a very safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving!
Steve Barg
City Administrator

OPEN FORUM

Free-for-all Friday on the blog....any issue, ask away. I will try to answer to the best of my ability, including to, but not limited to the following issues:

* Sandmar
* Ingalls Field
* Boca Grande
* Taxes and the budget
* The local economy
* Trees
* Road projects

You can post as "Anonymous", and I will publish the questions on the main blog page, so people do not have to go flying through the comments section, which can be tedious.

A PEAK AT THE 2009 BREWERS

Interesting reading on ESPN.com

CC Sabathia is a workhorse, and the Brewers were willing to ride him. The midseason acquisition made three consecutive starts on three days' rest down the stretch, bringing the playoffs to Milwaukee for the first time in 26 years. Left fielder Ryan Braun and first baseman Prince Fielder combined for 71 homers to help reward owner Mark Attanasio's aggressive pursuit of a winner. But after losing a four-game Division Series to Philadelphia, the Brewers are left trying to figure out what to do with the front of their starting rotation.
Primary needs
No starting pitcher committed for 2009 won more than 10 games -- and among those returning, only Jeff Suppan, Manny Parra and David Bush made more than 12 starts. The Brewers' bullpen is also a problem, as no one would pencil in Salomon Torres for another 28 saves after he compiled a 4.70 ERA in the second half. Improved fielding would help the pitching staff. The most immediate need was filled when Ken Macha was hired to replace Dale Sveum, who wasn't retained despite his success after Ned Yost was canned on Sept. 15.
Free agents
LHP CC Sabathia, RHP Ben Sheets, 2B Ray Durham, RHP Eric Gagne, RHP Guillermo Mota, INF Craig Counsell, LHP Brian Shouse, INF Russell Branyan, 3B Mike Lamb, OF Gabe Kapler, RHP Salomon Torres (option) - GM Doug Melvin has made a five-year, $100 million offer to Sabathia, who enjoyed his time with the Brewers, but he seems headed elsewhere. Sheets is the guy they'd have a chance to retain if they wanted to, but his dubious health history makes that problematic. Melvin exercised an option to retain center fielder Mike Cameron.
Trade bait
With exciting shortstop Alcides Escobar in the wings, J.J. Hardy could be traded or moved to second base, where Rickie Weeks has made himself expendable. Fielder could be dealt in a huge package for pitching.
Farm aid
In addition to Escobar, the Brewers have a big supply of prospects coming. The organization is deeper in position players than pitchers, however. Mat Gamel's left-handed bat could be valuable at third base if he cuts down his errors and avoids a shift to the outfield. Catcher Angel Salome hit .360 to win the Southern League batting title but is an unconventional hitter and an easy target for opposing base stealers.
OUTLOOK
With Macha in place, the focus moves to replacing pitching coach Mike Maddux, who was wooed away by Texas president Nolan Ryan, and finding arms for the rotation. An improvement in the bullpen, possibly even including an established closer, is also needed. Melvin should have some money to spend in that pursuit.

SMOKING RATE HITS RECORD LOW

As a former smoker, my first thought is GREAT. AS a taxpayer, my first thought is OH NO, who is going to pay for the programs Wisconsin is implemented with that cigarette tax increase money....

WASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The number of U.S. adults who smoke has dropped below 20 percent for the first time on record but cigarettes still kill almost half a million people a year, health officials said on Thursday. About 19.8 percent of U.S. adults -- 43.4 million people -- were smokers in 2007. That was a percentage point below the 2006 figure and followed three years of little progress, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report. Smoking and secondhand smoke kill 443,000 people annually from cancer, lung disease, heart disease and other causes, the CDC said. Half of all long-term smokers, especially those who start as teens, die prematurely, many in middle age.And smoking burns a large hole in the economy. Including direct health care expenditures ($96 billion) and productivity losses ($97 billion), the economic burden of smoking on the United States hit $193 billion per year, the CDC said.

WHAT'S HAPPENING - NOVEMBER 13TH

From Ripon Area Builders
TONIGHT!!! - Ripon Area United Way Fundraiser and Silent AuctionItalian Style Buffet, raffle, live music - CARRYOUTS AVAILABLEThursday, November 13, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. Ripon College Great Hall$12 advance, $15 at door, $5 kids 10 & under

Ripon's Home for the Holidays Christmas Open House
This weekend Friday and Saturday - November 14 & 15 - Be the first to check out new merchandise for the season - Shop at your pace with great personal service! - Santa and his reindeer on 200 block of Watson Friday 6-8 p.m.

From Marigold Yoga
Bring in canned or non perishable food items - For Ripon Community Food Pantry the week of November 17 - And attend a yoga class free - Includes special Brand New Beginners' class - Saturday November 22nd, from 10:45 to 11:45 am. - Pre-registration not required. www.marigoldyoga.com

From the Heidel House Sunroom Restaurant
Sunroom now open for dinner - Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday - New menu items this year - Stop by and try us!

From Spartech Technologies
Ripon-Green Lake Area Women in Management MeetingThursday, November 20 from 5:30 to 8:00 - Goose Blind in Green LakeProgram on public speaking and perfecting presentations by Jody Roy, professor and chair of the Communication Department at Ripon College

From Huberty & Associates
You are invited to an Open House to celebrate our new office facilities at 201 E. fond du Lac Street - Wednesday, November 19, 5 -- 7 p.m.- Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served

From Culver's of Ripon
New $4.99 LunchPak Menu! - Available weekdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - 8 selections; combinations to suit all - Choose from: Butterburgers, chicken, soup/salad, tuna & chicken salad

From the Buyers' Guide
Spot the Turkey Contest - Now through November 19th - Scan your local Buyers' Guide for a chance to win - a 12-14 lbs turkey from Pick 'n Save - Clip the page with the hidden turkey & fill out entry form - Mail to: 2075 S. Washburn St. Oshkosh 54904

From Fond du Lac County, Planning and Parks
Riggs County Park - Temporary disc golf course ready to be played - Give the new course a try and share your thoughts (Sam.Tobias@fdlco.wi.gov or 920-929-3135) - Course starts and ends near the old Adams School parking lot across from Brandon RoadOnce the course is finalized, there will be a course map - For distribution and placement on the FDL County web page

From Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corp.
Oshkosh/Fond du Lac Entrepreneur's Connection 2008 - Wednesday, November 19; 4 to 7:30 p.m. - EAA AirVenture Museum, Oshkosh - Keynote speaker Craig Culver, CEO and so-sounder of Culver's Frozen Custard - Go to www.econnectevent.com or call Melissa at 920-303-2265 Ext. 28

PLAN COMMISSION MEETING

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008 - CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL - 7:00 p.m.

AGENDA
1 - Call to order/roll call
2 - Approve meeting minutes – October 15th
3 - Action items
a - Public hearing – conditional use permit – 560 West Fond du Lac Street
b - Certified survey map (extraterritorial) – Gale Pankratz & Lisann Yackel
c - Preliminary review of annexation request – Steve & Jenny Machkovich
4 - Continue work on joint comprehensive planning project
5 - Adjourn

Thanksgiving meal at Ripon Medical Center

RIPON – Ripon Medical Center is hosting a free meal for all comers from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, in the lower level dining room. The outreach, begun last year by Jeanne Payton, is for anyone who wants to participate, no strings attached. They may not be able to afford the meal, or don't want to be alone, or simply don't feel like preparing a large meal, Payton said in a news release from the hospital. The meal will include turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, dinner roll and pie. Live music will be provided by several people, including children who will play violins. Anyone wanting to help or make donations may do so by calling Payton at (920) 748-0407.

IDEAS ON THE STATE'S $5 BILLION DEFICIT

So, we have a $5 billion deficit staring us in the face in Wisconsin. And, so far, the only committment from the Governor is to not raise taxes other than the hospital tax and a tax on oil companies. He would not rule out the possible increase of the state sales or income tax. The Governor has presented "balanced" budgets since being sworn in five years ago, but, as the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel pointed out, "that's because Republicans and Democrats have solved each budget with one-time fixes, relying on accounting tricks, increased borrowing and transfers from the state's transportation fund." WE MUST stop these tricks, borrowings and transfers (raids). Here are some ideas I would throw out there:

1 - Elimination of the state patrol. Controversial, yes, but do we really need a state patrol, when most cities, like Ripon, have their own police department, and we also have a county sheriff's department as well
2 - Stop buying land, and start selling some state land. We have been on a land purchasing spree in recent years, and it simply reduces the amount of taxable property. If you want people to conserve the land privately, re-assess them as "environmentally-protected" land or something of that nature
3 - Reduce or eliminate state shared revenue. Leave it up to the local units of government to determine their own tax rates.
4 - Merge the technical college and 2-year university system into one unit of education, and, perhaps, roll it all into the state university system.
5 - Revise the state retirement system, so that contributions are guaranteed to be paid out at retirement, not the payouts guaranteed. I noticed in the most recent story about the reduction in the state retirement fund that the taxpayer will be covering the difference. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel - November 2 - Taxpayers are also expected to take a hit, as the Department of Employee Trust Funds is warning municipalities, counties, school boards and the state that they will have to boost contributions to the pension fund that covers approximately 540,000 active employees and retirees...If the city or county pension funds ever did go sour, local taxpayers would be required by state law to make good on retirees' pension checks, officials said.) Why? I would love to have the "taxpayer" cover the shortfalls in my 401-K, and my wife's. Wouldn't you?
6 - STOP the raiding of segregated funds. If I am paying a gas tax, I expect it be used on roads.
7 - Change the bid process. A number of years ago, the Journal-Sentinel did a study of state road projects, showing that the final tabs ended up being considerably higher than the initial bid prices. Who pays the difference? You and I. I would propose that any company which secures a road project bid, and delivers a final product that is more than 10 percent over the intial bid, will be required to cover half of the overrun, and be banned from bidding on any state transportation project for one year
8 - Review all property tax exemptions every five years. These little "gifts" do add up after awhile, and the Legislature should be required to re-authorize them every five years, with a full fiscal analysis of what the exemptions do to local and state government bottom lines. Start with 20 percent of the exemptions the first year, and go from there.
9 - Adopt a "pay-go" system. ANY increase in spending in one area must be balanced by a cut in another portion of the budget, or, if a person has the desire, a tax increase.

These are just "ideas", but I would hope we have some discussion in Madison...non-partisan, substantive and respectful of the people paying the bills.

THIS IS STARTING TO GET SCARY...

DETROIT
(November 12) - The Detroit City Council passed a resolution today calling for a $10-billion bailout for the city of Detroit. Council President Pro Tem JoAnn Watson sponsored the resolution to use the money for public service employment, to fund mass transit plans and to place a moratorium on home foreclosures for two years. The resolution specifically requests the council meet with Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr., Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the state’s congressional delegation, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and officials from President George W. Bush’s office and President-Elect Barack Obama’s transition team...The city recently received $47 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help stabilize neighborhoods hit hard by the nationwide foreclosure crisis. Officials with the city’s Planning and Development have prepared a plan the city council is expected to vote on in a week.

CHICAGO
(November 13) - Mayor Richard M. Daley says the economic woes in Chicago will get much worse, and more local workers could soon be getting pink slips. As CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports, the news is especially alarming because the discussion concerns not just city jobs, but the private sector. Thus, it seems the City That Works is about to become the city that gets laid off.Mayor Daley says chief executive officers told him huge layoffs will impact the city this month and into the new year. He also says city, county and state governments should be prepared for their revenue to fall dramatically because of the souring economy. "This is going to be all year, so it's going to be a very frightening economy," Mayor Daley said. "Each one tells me what they're laying off, and they're going to double that next year. We're talking huge numbers of permanent layoffs for people in the economy. It's going to have a huge effect on all businesses." The mayor said the gravity of the situation cannot be underestimated. "We never experienced anything like this except people who came from the Depression," Mayor Daley said. "When you have that many layoffs early – and they're telling me this is only the beginning of their layoffs – that is very frightening." Mayor Daley also warned that local governments will be in jeopardy and may not have enough money to meet payroll, although he is not worried about paying City of Chicago employees...The City Council will take a vote on the 2009 city budget Nov. 19. The budget contains layoffs, a slowdown in police hiring, and new taxes and fines – some bad news for Chicagoans who remain employed.

ATLANTA
(November 13) - Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin said Wednesday the city’s employees will have their hours —- and pay —- cut by 10 percent each week to help the city weather an expected budget shortfall of $50 million to $60 million.The pay and hour cuts, which begin Dec. 1, affect 4,600 city employees.Franklin also announced an immediate hiring freeze for most city agencies and said the city will have to cut back some services, dip into its reserves for about $12 million and make other personnel moves.Blaming the shortfall on the nation’s economic crisis, Franklin said the city needs a “federal rescue plan” in addition to its cuts to balance the budget. In a letter Tuesday to U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, she asked for federal investment in Atlanta’s —- and other cities’ —- infrastructure, public safety, and programs for job training and placement.“The future prosperity of this country is tied directly to our ability to provide basic services and quality infrastructure to our citizens,” Franklin wrote. “We are at serious risk in failing in that most basic public responsibility.”And if current economic conditions continue, she told the City Council’s Finance/Executive committee, “This will not be the last time you see me before the end of the fiscal year.”Although Franklin and her staff said they have not made decisions about how they will make the service cuts, some union leaders said the changes will erode morale and threaten public safety.“This is a dangerous time for our firefighters,” Atlanta fire Lt. Jim Daws, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 134, told reporters. “The city is putting them in a dangerous position.”

NEW YORK CITY
(November 5) - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Wednesday he has instructed the finance commissioner not to send out $400 property tax rebates to homeowners because the crisis on Wall Street has cost the city dearly in lost tax revenue. Bloomberg, who hopes to win a third term by convincing voters he is best suited to guide the city through its fiscal crisis, told a news conference that Wall Street already has taken half a trillion dollars in write-downs. Financial companies might not pay city or state taxes for three to five years as they struggle with losses, he said. The mayor estimates New York Stock Exchange member firms will have to earn a combined $10 billion a year for several years before the city can resume collecting taxes from them. Wall Street, which could shed over 30,000 workers, represents about 35 percent of the city's wage base. Adding to the gloom, the mayor is expecting a total of 140,000 job losses city-wide by July 1, 2009. Even financial planning has its limits. "If it turns out to be a meltdown, nobody can prepare for that," the mayor said. Should the economy fail to recover soon, sales or income taxes may have to be raised to plug the $1.3 billion deficit in next year's budget -- despite $1.5 billion of new cuts that begin now, Bloomberg said. To illustrate the problem, the mayor said a 7.5 percent increase in income taxes for a family of four earning $50,000 to $70,000 annually would mean they would pay an extra $116 a year. That "does put in perspective what might have to change," Bloomberg said. The harsh remedies he unveiled on Wednesday include cutting 3,000 city jobs, mainly through attrition. "If you're going to spend less, then you clearly have to have fewer employees," he said. New York City has about 300,000 workers.

MEETING TO BE HELD ON NEWBURY STREET

On November 18th at 5 PM, the City of Ripon will host a neighborhood meeting at the Council chambers to discuss the Newbury Street project. As mayor, I have received a number of complaints and concerns about the project, and have asked staff to host this meeting so that we can air all of these issues. I have met with our City Engineer as recently as last Friday morning to review the complaints and concerns, so that he had some idea of the issues. The project is part of a two-year effort to reconstruct Newbury Street, and I would like to avoid the same issues in 2009, so I would encourage ALL residents on Newbury north of Griswold to attend the meeting next Tuesday night. Then, stick around for the Cornerstorne Project informational meeting at 630 PM.

COUNCIL REVIEW - November 11th

1.Proposed increase to room tax rates - On October 14th, the Council requested that a public hearing be scheduled to consider raising the room tax rate from 6% to 7%, effective 1/1/09, to gain more funds for tourism and promotion. The last increase took effect on 1/1/05, when the rate was increased from 5% to 6%. After considerable discussion, the Council voted 6-0 to reject the room tax increase.

2.Proposed increase to taxicab fares - Upon recommendation by the Transportation Commission, the Council authorized submission of a request for federal and state taxi grant funds based upon a $.25 across the board fare increase, effective 1/1/09, and our 2009 budget is based on this, too. The taxifare increase passed 6-0.

3.Proposed 2009 employee health insurance renewal – Network Health - Network Health’s 2009 renewal includes an 11.1% premium hike. This would continue benefit levels required by the agreements with our unions, and it is within the range of premium increases that Network is seeing with most of its other clients. The renewal passed 6-0

4.Proposed 5-year agreement for assessing services – Action Appraisers - At Council’s request, staff sought bids for assessing services under multiple options, as highlighted on the attached spreadsheet. After reviewing the bids, staff recommends Action Appraisers with Option #3, at a cost of $149,500. Our 2009 budget covers the first year amount. There will be a MAJOR change in the way we do appraisals. Instead of one city-wide appraisal in 2012, we will do a quarter of the city each year, starting in 2009. One of the main reasons is to reduce the potential hit on 2012 budget, which would have been about $50,000 over the amount we will pay under the new system.

5.Request for “Media Director” position – Cable TV Advisory Committee - At our last budget meeting, the Council showed willingness to add a “Media Director” position, who would be responsible for cable programming, website management, news releases, etc. Proposed budget and a job description are attached. The council rejected the proposal, 6-0

6.Request to reduce and modify membership for citizen advisory board - Passed 6-0
Loan Review Board, from 10 to 7 members (3 bankers, mayor, city administrator, one council member, and one citizen at large)
Park & Recreation Committee, from 7 to 5 members (we have 5 members now, so no immediate membership change is needed)

INFORMATIONAL MEETING

INFORMATIONAL MEETING -CORNERSTONE PROJECT

On Tuesday, November 18th at 6:30 p.m., an informational meeting will take place in the Council chambers of Ripon City Hall regarding the proposed Cornerstone project. This is a collaborative effort to build a new facility in this area to provide fun fitness activities to families at an affordable price. The purpose of the meeting is to present information on this project, and to address any questions that residents have. If you have questions about this meeting, please call Steve at 748-4914 or e-mail him at sbarg@cityofripon.com.

Ripon Shack-a-thon offers residents a chilly glimpse of homelessness

RIPON — Ripon's Village Green will be transformed into a shantytown the night of Friday, Nov. 21. Community members and college students alike are invited to build, and spend the night in temporary shelters to bring attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness in the community. The event, sponsored by the Ripon College Office of Community Engagement and Habitat for Humanity club, begins at 9 p.m. with the construction of shelters for the night, Teams of six or fewer will be provided cardboard boxes, wood, tape and other materials to create a home to withstand the chilly night. Prior to constructing the shacks, teams may participate in a scavenger hunt to gather items for local food pantries. Teams will meet at Ripon College's Pickard Commons at 5 p.m. to start the event, and prizes will be awarded to the fastest teams. More information or registration is available by calling (920) 748-8153.

Brewers' Torres decides to retire

I did not see this coming at all.............

By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel - Nov. 11, 2008 1:32 p.m.
I just spoke on the telephone with Brewers reliever Salomon Torres and he gave me some surprising news. Torres said he called general manager Doug Melvin today to announce he is retiring from baseball as an active player. The Brewers had a $3.75 million option for 2009 on Torres, which they certainly would have exercised by the Saturday deadline after he emerged as their closer last season. But Torres said he wanted to take that out of Melvin's hands by telling him he was retiring. "I wanted to make it easy for him," said Torres, 36, reached at home in Pittsburgh. "I already had made up my mind and wanted to tell him this was my last season."
Torres, a deeply religious man, said he wanted to devote more time to his wife and three children as well as his faith. "It's time for me to dedicate more time to my family and my religion," said Torres. "Doug was very understanding, which I appreciate. I had a wonderful experience in Milwaukee but he knows I am serious about it." The loss of Torres creates a huge hole in a bullpen already thinned by free agency. Torres took over for faltering closer Eric Gagne in late May and was a stalwart in the pen, saving a career-high 28 games in 32 appearances from that point (he was 28 for 35 overall). Torres led the Brewers with 71 appearances and 80 innings out of the bullpen, compiling a 7-5 record and 3.49 ERA. His numbers were much better until a September fade in which he posted a 12.46 ERA over his last 10 outings. Torres said the fact that he would walk away from the $3.75 million option shows how serious he is about retiring.
"It was a given (that the Brewers would exercise the option)," said Torres. "It's a small sacrifice I'm making. I know I'm doing the right thing. It might be a surprise to a lot of people and some might not understand, especially from a money standpoint. That shows you how determined I am to lead by life in another way." Torres briefly thought of retiring after he was traded to the Brewers last December but decided to give it a shot in Milwaukee and said he was grateful for doing so, especially after experiencing the playoffs for the first time. He saved the Brewers only victory in the NLDS against Philadelphia, escaping a bases-loaded, no-out jam. "It was a great season," he said. "I thank everybody in the city -- the fans, my teammates, the reporters -- for all their support. It was a privilege to play there but you don't want to have me there half-hearted. "This decision has been a long time coming. I'm happy I have the strength and faith to do it. This is the route I want to go." Torres retired in August 1997 after pitching for Seattle and Montreal that season, but returned to baseball in 2002 after signing a minor league deal with Pittsburgh. Torres said he would not change his mind this time about leaving. "I am very confident I am doing the right thing," he said. With Gagne, Guillermo Mota and Brian Shouse all free agents, Melvin has to do some retooling of his bullpen, including finding a reliable closer.

MADNESS IN MADISON

Ok, can we all admit now that the Governor's budget skills were less than honest and forthright? It is time to STOP electing people who cannot say no to spending. NOT ONE mention in this article about cutting taxes...

Madison - Gov. Jim Doyle gave a grim assessment of the state budget Tuesday, saying the deficit would top $5 billion through mid-2011, making it by far the biggest budget gap in state history. The Democratic governor also endorsed plans to impose taxes on oil companies and hospitals - ideas he has pushed for two years but that Republicans who controlled the state Assembly blocked. Doyle's tax proposals have a much better chance after last week's election because Democrats will now run both houses of the Legislature and the governor's office.
Doyle said he hoped to avoid increases in the sales tax and income tax, but could not rule them out. "Let me just say this: I am going to do everything humanly possible to avoid any general tax increase," he said. "We got through the last significant deficit (in 2003) without raising taxes and that is what I really want to accomplish here. I just want to say, having said that, if you finally get to a point where you would just have to destroy schools or have such high tuition increases at the university that ordinary people wouldn't be able to afford it, you know, then you have to look at everything. But I think people know me well enough by now to know that I work to do these budgets and I've worked very, very hard to do them without tax increases." The $5 billion shortfall includes up to $500 million in the current budget, which runs through June 30. Doyle stressed the deficit may continue to balloon as the scope of the national economic crisis becomes clear. When Doyle came into office in 2003, he inherited what at the time was a record deficit of $3.2 billion. He balanced that budget, but each subsequent budget has opened with a sizable gap between revenues and expenses. That's because Republicans and Democrats have solved each budget with one-time fixes, relying on accounting tricks, increased borrowing and transfers from the state's transportation fund. Now, resolving the budget gap will be the sole responsibility of Democrats. Democrats captured the Assembly in Tuesday's election for the first time in 14 years, giving Democrats a lock on running the government.

And of course, this comes from the Democratic Part chairman. At least he admits there will need to be some spending cuts.

State Democratic Party Chairman Joe Wineke said today that Democrats who control the Capitol should consider a temporary increase in the income tax to fix the state budget, as long as they also cut some spending programs. “Sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet,” Wineke said in an interview with a Journal Sentinel reporter on the WisconsinEye public affairs network. He said he thought voters would understand a one-time surcharge to finally fix the state’s budget, which he said has been running a deficit since the 1990s. Wineke was the second Democratic official to call for a temporary increase in the income tax to fix the 2009-’10 budget, which Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle has said faces a budget deficit of more than $3 billion. Former Gov. Tony Earl made a similar suggestion in an interview last week. In 1983, Earl signed into law a 10% temporary income tax surcharge to pay for state services in the face of another national recession.

Try this on for size tomorrow. Go into your boss' office and say you need a wage increase of, say 10 percent. But you are also willing to cut back your spending, but at a percentage you won't disclose. Think he will go for it?

I HOPE YOU DID NOT FORGET............

THANK YOU TO ALL THE VETERANS

CALIFORNIA FACES $28 BILLION DEFICIT

Funny thing about this article is that there is NOT one mention of cutting spending, but numerous hints at raising taxes and fees....



SACRAMENTO (AP) - California's budget deficit will grow to $28 billion through June 2010 unless lawmakers take bold action, possibly including a hike in the state income tax, the Legislature's nonpartisan analyst said Tuesday. The Legislative Analyst's Office urged lawmakers to act immediately on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposals to close the deficit for this fiscal year, projected at $11.2 billion—about 11 percent of the state's general fund. They include a 1 1/2 cent sales tax increase and $4.4 billion in across-the-board spending cuts.
The Schwarzenegger administration had projected a $24.5 billion hole for the rest of this fiscal year and the one that runs from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010. But the analyst's office estimates tax revenue will be even lower than the administration expected. The revenue collapse is so bad that if lawmakers did nothing, the state would face $22 billion shortfalls each year from 2010 to 2014, the analyst's report said. "With the expected slow recovery of the state's economy, it is imperative that the Legislature attack the grim budget problem aggressively, making permanent improvements to the state's fiscal outlook," wrote Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor. He said the governor's proposals would address only about half the state's long-term problems. Taylor proposed raising the state income tax by 5 percent for all taxpayers in 2009. Another option is to boost the licensing fee on vehicles, which Schwarzenegger cut when he took office in 2003. That action cost the state about $6 billion a year. Lawmakers scheduled a budget hearing Friday to debate the governor's proposals. The legislative session ends Nov. 30.

Planning under way for Obama holiday

From the The Topeka Capital-Journal - Published Sunday, November 09, 2008

Plans are being made to promote a national holiday for Barack Obama, who will become the nation's 44th president when he takes the oath of office Jan. 20. "Yes We Can" planning rallies will be at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. every Tuesday at the downtown McDonald's restaurant, 1100 Kansas Ave., until Jan. 13. The goals are to secure a national holiday in Obama's honor, to organize celebrations around his inauguration and to celebrate the 200th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, who was born on Feb. 12 1809. At 7:30 a.m. on Inauguration Day, Obama Cake will be served at the downtown McDonald's, and a celebration is scheduled for 8 p.m. to midnight Jan. 20 at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, 420 S.E. 6th. For more information, contact Sonny Scroggins, (785) 232-3761, 845-6148 or at biasbustersofkansas@yahoo.com; Lamont Lassiter, McDonald's general manager, 608-2739; Ava Chander-Beard, (785) 234-9138, ava.beard@sbcglobal.net

Here is a novel idea....let's see the new president do something for the country before we even think about a national holiday for him. At the same time, I read the above, I find this on the Washington Times website, and I am getting increasingly nervous:

EXCLUSIVE: Agenda disappears from Obama Web site - Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Over the weekend President-elect Barack Obama scrubbed Change.gov, his transition Web site, deleting most of what had been a massive agenda copied directly from his campaign Web site.
Gone are the promises on how an Obama administration would handle 25 different agenda items - everything from Iraq and immigration to taxes and urban policy - all items laid out on his campaign Web site, www.BarackObama.com. Instead, the official agenda on Change.gov has been boiled down to one vague paragraph proclaiming a plan “to revive the economy, to fix our health care, education, and social security systems, to define a clear path to energy independence, to end the war in Iraq responsibly and finish our mission in Afghanistan, and to work with our allies to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, among many other domestic and foreign policy objectives.” “We are currently retooling the Web site,” said Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro. The site went active on Wednesday and was available to the public Thursday. The agenda items, which were active for at least part of the weekend, appear to have been deleted by late Saturday.

COUNCIL PREVIEW - November 11

CITY OF RIPONCOMMON COUNCIL MEETING

Council Chambers, City Hall - Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - 7:00 p.m.

I.Call to order/roll call
II.Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation
III.Public communications and comment
IV.Hold public hearings and consider resolutions
1.Proposed increase to room tax rates - On October 14th, the Council requested that a public hearing be scheduled to consider raising the room tax rate from 6% to 7%, effective 1/1/09, to gain more funds for tourism and promotion. The last increase took effect on 1/1/05, when the rate was increased from 5% to 6%.)
2.Proposed increase to taxicab fares - Upon recommendation by the Transportation Commission, the Council authorized submission of a request for federal and state taxi grant funds based upon a $.25 across the board fare increase, effective 1/1/09, and our 2009 budget is based on this, too. At Council’s request, a public hearing has been scheduled to consider this fare increase.)
V.Consent calendar (Unless the Mayor, Council or staff asks that one or more of the items listed below be pulled, this list may be approved with a single vote.)
1.Reports from standing committees and staff
2.Request for street closures (December 5th) – Dickens of a Christmas
VI.Other business
1.Proposed 2009 employee health insurance renewal – Network Health(Staff note: Network Health’s 2009 renewal includes an 11.1% premium hike. This would continue benefit levels required by the agreements with our unions, and it is within the range of premium increases that Network is seeing with most of its other clients
2.Proposed 5-year agreement for assessing services – Action Appraisers(Staff note: At Council’s request, staff sought bids for assessing services under multiple options, as highlighted on the attached spreadsheet. After reviewing the bids, staff recommends Action Appraisers with Option #3, at a cost of $149,500. Our 2009 budget covers the first year amount.
3.Request for “Media Director” position – Cable TV Advisory Committee - At our last budget meeting, the Council showed willingness to add a “Media Director” position, who would be responsible for cable programming, website management, news releases, etc. Proposed budget and a job description are attached.
4.Plan Commission minutes and action items – October 15th
a.Request to amend concept PUD map – Sandmar Village - As noted on the attached map, the developer wants toamend the concept PUD map, replacing the YMCA with seniorapartments. The Commission recommended approval.
b.Declaration of surplus property – land at Hillside/Van Dyke - The City owns a small strip of land on the south side of Hillside Terrace at Van Dyke Avenue. It was likely kept for an entrance to Kiwanis Park, but this is no longer possible. The Plan Commission recommended disposing of it as “surplus property”, as set forth under Wisconsin Statutes.
5.Request to reduce and modify membership for citizen advisory boards
a.Loan Review Board, from 10 to 7 members (3 bankers, mayor, city administrator, one council member, and one citizen at large)
b.Park & Recreation Committee, from 7 to 5 members (we have 5 members now, so no immediate membership change is needed)
VII.Mayor’s communications and appointments
1. Review Community Appearance Team’s preliminary recommendations
VIII.Agenda items for future Council meetings
IX.Adjourn to closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) “Deliberating ornegotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session
RE: Possible modification in lease terms for City-owned property
RE: Request to amend developer’s agreement – Sandmar Village

ALLIANCE HAS GREAT EARNINGS....BUT WARNS OF THE FUTURE

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Alliance Laundry Holdings reported third-quarter earnings more than tripled on higher sales of commercial laundry equipment, but its CEO warned of slowing demand in the coming quarter. The Ripon maker of Speed Queen and Huebsch washing machines and dryers said today net income rose to $4.2 million from $1.2 million. Sales increased 3.7 percent to $117.6 million from $113.4 million. More than three-quarters of the company’s revenue increase was attributed to higher commercial laundry revenue of $3.2 million. Chief Executive Thomas L’Esperance said the company has seen a drop in demand in North America and Europe in the quarter. In expectation of a continuing slowdown, Alliance has already taken steps to reduce its work force and spending, he said. “Overall, we are confident that our strong market position, continued focus on our strategic priorities and our ability to control costs, should enable Alliance to manage the current economic challenges while maintaining our commitment to long-term profitable growth,” L’Esperance said in a statement. Alliance Laundry is privately held but some of its debt is publicly held.

SANDMAR VILLAGE UPDATE

I have enclosed two memos - one from our City Administrator to the residents on October 6th, and then an update that was sent shortly after:

October 6, 2008


Dear Sandmar area residents:

Here is an update on what has happened since the Plan Commission met on August 20th:

· The developer (Hank Mehciz) has submitted the attached new concept plan, and a public hearing will be held by Plan Commission on Wed, Oct 15th. (You should have received a letter from me regarding this meeting.) As you see by comparing this plan with the concept plan approved 2 years ago, the major change is putting senior apartments where a YMCA was first suggested, on the east side of Pleasant Street, extended to the south of its current endpoint.

· There have been communications and discussions between the developer and City officials regarding conditions that need to be met in order for the City to allow the extension to the south into Phase 2 to facilitate construction of assisted living and senior apartment projects on either side of an extension of Pleasant Street. As of now, no decisions have been made and no approvals given, but I’m expecting that the developer will submit a proposed amendment to the developer’s agreement (a document signed by the City and the developer in 2007 that clarifies the rights and responsibilities of both parties), and I will bring this to the Council for review and discussion in closed session on Tuesday, October 14th. Please understand that City approval of additional work into the next phase of this project will be based on, among other things, the developer adequately addressing drainage issues and resolving a number of outstanding items remaining from Phase 1 of this project.

· With respect to stormwater management, which is of great importance to most of you, the developer’s engineer (Jim Knowles) has been working on this issue over the past 6 weeks, and he has offered the attached update. I’ll stay in close contact with the developer and his engineer to ensure that progress continues according to the schedule that Mr. Knowles has outlined.

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Hi Steve,

I wanted to update you on our progress:

We met with the COE onsite two weeks ago to go over the issues and what is needed to get water moving through site; namely, the ditch clean out effort. According to the COE they would seek to issue an exemption under the Clean Water Act as a minimum and/or look to issue a permit if exemption rules for the ditch clean out effort would not apply in this case. The COE agrees that the exemption rules would allow for sidecast of dredged material but if a permit is needed that the spoil material would need to be relocated into nearby farmed uplands. We will need to delineate the wetlands as part of this effort. I have scheduled the wetland field work October 9th with a report to be written on the 10th and into the COE and WDNR the following week.
We have been in touch with a surveyor that works frequently with Montgomery Associates. The surveyor has submitted a proposal to Hank for approval. We have scheduled both the topographic survey of the ditch area and wetland mapping to occur the same day.
Ann-Marie and her team are working on the stormwater engineering effort; she is shooting to have the draft report ready by October 15th. We are going to try to get her the results of the survey and wetland mapping details by the 10th or the following Monday so that she can incorporate that material into her study and draft report.
Once the field work and draft engineering is complete, we are scheduled to meet with Hank and go over the results; we are shooting to meet on the 16th or 17th here in Beaver Dam. At that point we should know what is needed and be able to develop a more precise schedule.
In the mean time we have some other steps to undertake, which are:
Meet with neighboring property owners that own land where the ditch is located and seek their approval to do the work; survey, wetland mapping and eventual ditch work.
Meet with the County to discuss permits at their level.
Meet with the railroad track owners and operators to discuss what may need to occur within the track corridor as part of this effort. We may want to hold off on this step until after October 16th.
We need to identify qualified contractors that can do the ditch clean out work. I believe that Navis Excavating in nearby Waupun is probably the best equipped to the do the work. I can make contact with those folks directly and seek a proposal from the owner Dennis Navis.
We need to meet with the WDNR but they have declined until some more concrete direction is obtained from the COE. I recommend we invite the WDNR and COE to a meeting, along with County, to be held at the City of Ripon the week of October 20th.

My hope is that we can get a permit package together and into the COE and WDNR, as needed, that same week of October 20th but no later than the end of October. With a potential 60 to 120 permit review time frame we would be looking at doing the ditch clean out some time in January or February which is ideal! We can seek County approvals simultaneous to the WDNR and COE review. I would assume that we will need to appear before the Plan Commission and/or City Council at some point during this process, also.

Any questions, feel free to give me a call.

James R. Knowles
Senior Environmental Professional
President

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Please call me at 748-4914 or e-mail me at sbarg@cityofripon.com if you have questions, or if you wish to discuss this further. I’ll provide another update on or before the end of October, or earlier, if conditions warrant.


Have a great week everyone!

Steve Barg
City Administrator