NOW.........THE CHIA OBAMA

If it was not $19.99, I can think of two or three people who I would buy this for, knowing they would put it in a prominent location in their home. So far, the only economic stimulus I have seen from the Obama administration are the Obama-related trinkets (dishes, coins, painting, and now, CHIA PETS). Anyways, if you would like one...

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=213041&catid=91413

Contains:

* Chia Obama handmade planter
* Chia Seed packet for 3 plantings
* Convenient Drip Tray
* Planting and care instruction sheet

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RIPON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WINNERS

The First Lady and I had the privilege last night of attending the 2009 Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. Congratulations to the following awards winners:

COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUP AWARD - Boy Scouts Troop 735
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD - Nita Krenz
LARGE BUSINESS AWARD - Culvers
SMALL BUSINESS AWARD - CJ's at the Wayside
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Laura Kegler

I also want to thank outgoing president Mary Avery for her service to the Chamber, and her kind words about the pro-business atmosphere I and the council have worked to develop here in Ripon. Also, a show of support is order for the new Chamber president, John Porter, who discussed his ideas for putting more of a Ripon presence on the internet in 2009 and beyond.

MORE FLOOD DAMAGE ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
Fond du Lac County Executive, Allen J. Buechel, is announcing that Fond du Lac County has been awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) under the Emergency Assistance Program from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to assistance eligible county households with flood damage.

This program is for low and moderate income households in non-HUD funded communities and these grant funds do not need to be paid back. There is no cost to apply and all information submitted is strictly confidential. These funds are for eligible disaster related expenses such as furnace and water heater costs with supporting documentation that have not been paid by insurance or FEMA.

MSA Professional Service in Beaver Dam will be administrating the CDBG and can be reached by phoning 1-800-552-6330 and asking for Stacy Griswold. Applications will be mailed to households that have applied for Federal Assistance and those that had an unsafe well that was tested by Fond du Lac County Health Department. Applications will also be available in village and township offices as will as at the Fond du Lac County Clerk’s Office located in the City County Government Center, 160 S. Macy Street or by calling MSA Housing Program Office.

The City of Fond du Lac is a HUD funded community and as such city residents are not eligible for these grant funds. All other Fond du Lac County low and moderate income households may be eligible.

The Community Development Block Grant Program is an equal opportunity program and women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

For more information - CLICK HERE

CITY SOLICITING FUNDS FOR FIREWORKS, WHICH WILL BE JULY 3, 2009

January 8, 2009

Dear Fourth of July Fireworks Supporter,

Thank you very much for your past support of the City of Ripon’s Fourth of July Fireworks Display. It is because of your contributions that the City of Ripon is able to celebrate the Fourth of July in a truly fitting manner.

The City of Ripon is pleased to present the annual July 4th Fireworks celebration to commemorate America’s birthday, celebrate our nation’s independence and honor those who made and keep our freedom possible. The 2009 display is scheduled to be held on Friday, July 3rd, 2009.

In order to make this event a success, we are requesting your assistance, in the form of a monetary donation, to help with the cost of the Fireworks display. We appreciate your past generosity and ask you to consider a contribution for 2009. We need your help to keep Ripon’s July 4th celebration a quality fireworks display. Many businesses, organizations, and individuals respond generously and promptly to help with these costs. We hope you can help us by making a donation for the Fireworks fund.

Your check should be made payable to the City of Ripon. Please mail your contribution to the City of Ripon, 100 Jackson Street, Ripon, WI 54971. With your help, we can ensure Ripon’s July 4th celebration is a spectacular fireworks display. This treasured summer tradition has existed for generations, where large crowds gather each year with their family and friends to take in the splendor. It is an event that has been enjoyed by so many people, young and old. It is something they look forward to and gives them a measure of pride in their community.

Our goal is to provide a safe and “feel good” community wide celebration. Your donation today will help provide the continuity we need to make this goal a success.

Please help us continue this magnificent holiday tradition. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely yours,



Steve Barg
City Administrator

SCOTT WALKER HAS IT RIGHT

The Milwaukee County executive hits it out of the ballpark:

The federal government should not be bailing out failed operating budgets of state and local governments. What taxpayer would want to use one-time funds for operations to bail out governments that cannot balance their budgets? Yet that is exactly what Gov. Jim Doyle and four other governors recently called for from the federal government. .... The real way to stimulate the economy is not to put more money into the hands of the government but into the hands of the people.... Unlike infrastructure projects that take months - if not years - to have an impact, tax cuts can go into effect immediately. This will truly stimulate the economy.

SICK - RACINE MAYOR CHARGED WITH CHILD SEX CRIMES

Racine - Agents of the Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation arrested Racine Mayor Gary Becker at Brookfield Square Mall Tuesday and booked him into the Kenosha County Jail while seeking several charges including child enticement, according to the state attorney general's office. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said in a news release this afternoon that the department was seeking charges against Becker of possession of child pornography, exposing a child to harmful materials, attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child, use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and misconduct in public office.

Becker is being held in the Kenosha County Jail in lieu of $165,000 bail. He is scheduled to make an initial appearance in Racine County Circuit Court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Racine County District Attorney Michael Nieskes said today that he needs more reports from investigators before deciding whether to file charges. Any filing could be done today or, more likely, Thursday morning, he said. Becker, a Racine native elected in April 2003 as mayor and re-elected in 2007, is a former two-term alderman. As mayor, he has been a proponent of regional solutions to problems in southeastern Wisconsin.

At a news conference Wednesday morning at Racine City Hall, City Administrator Ben Hughes said Ald. David Maack, president of the Racine Common Council, will serve as mayor in Becker's place, and day-to-day operations will continue as usual under the direction of the city administrator's office. Hughes assured Racine residents that the city would continue to run smoothly and that all city services would continue to be delivered without interruption.

THOUGHTS ON NEWBURY STREET

The council has had one lengthy discussion on the Newbury Street project, which was not overwhelmingly embraced by the neighborhood. We also held a neighborhood meeting late last year, and, yes, I, along with the Council members who attended, did hear the issues and concerns. There has been another request to bring the issue back to the Council for discussion. The main issues are:
* The width of sidewalks, which have been increased from four to five feet. Part of this is to comply with the Americans With Disability Act, according to city staff
* The loss of trees, which is going to occur with the widening of the sidewalk and the overall disruptions caused by the project
* The grade of the street, which have led to retaining walls for some residents and some unpleasant driveway grades

I am NOT an engineer, first of all, but I do hear the residents' concerns. We have done one-half of the project, with the bids set to be sent out in late February for Phase Two. It is my responsibility and my call as to whether we discuss this issue one more time before moving forward. At this time, I am considering a somewhat radical approach to the entire issue, along with another public works project:
* Delay the second phase until 2010. One issue which will determine the width of the street is the future of the Medical Center. We expect RMC to move to a new location in the Business Park, and this would allow us to narrow the size of the street due to less traffic. Studies show that narrower streets lead to lower speeds, which, of course, translates to better vehicular and pedestrian safety. If we can narrow the street, we may be able to save more trees in the long run
* Combine the second phase with an entire reconstruction of Ransom Street from Griswold north to the college. That project is set to run from 2010-2012. I simply have a hard time with putting those residents through three years of construction, especially those in the middle, who will be most inconvenienced.
* We pay off another year of existing debt before we add another borrowing to pay for the project.

I have asked the city staff to analyze this proposal, and bring me the pros and cons before making a final decision. Stay tuned, and, if you have some thoughts, please share them with me.

COUNCIL MEETING - January 13th Recap

1. Request for extension to use "Class B" liquor license – Boca Grande - On October 14th, the Council granted a 90-day extension to Boca Grande to use its "Class B" liquor license for 312 Watson Street, formerly Big Stella’s, or to appear before the Council with an update on their plans and to seek s longer extension. Frank Cumberbatch, representing Boca Grande, appeared befor the Council tonight, asking for an extension until June 1st. The Council approve the request by a 4-3 vote. There is still one liquor license which is unused in the city's possession/
2. Contract – shared FCEDC community development specialist position - The approved 2009 budget includes $35,000 toward a new FCEDC staff position, shared with North Fond du Lac and Waupun, in lieu of funds previously given to RCDC. FCEDC drafted a contract for approval by each community, which the Council approved tonight unanimously. The new employee, Melissa Hunt, begins her employment with FCEDC on January 19th.
3. Ordinance – establishing maximum distance between street lights - On August 25th, the Council approved a motion directing staff to prepare an ordinance to set a maximum distance of 400 feet between street lights. The staff wanted clarification on when this applies, and if the intent was to retroactively address areas where the standard isn’t met. I proposed that the staff bring back an ordinance which makes the 400-foot rule the standard for all new and reconstructed streets, and allow city staff to make the decisions on street lighting requests on existing streets, with the residents having an appeal opportunity before the Council.
4. Possible goals and workplan items for 2008 - In the past, we’ve adopted an annual workplan to set goals and keep us on track during the year. A review of last year’s workplan showed we reached nearly all of our goals, and my proposed goals were published on this website earlier this week.
5. Update – use of 2007 budget surplus monies for approved projects -
* $21,000 – emergency fund for fuel overruns - As of right now, it appears that we did not use much of this money due to the drop in gas prices
* $20,000 – construction of 2 concrete dugouts for girls softball field in Murray Park - Working with Howard Hansen, the city's Park and Rec Committe chairman, and a number of local businesses and volunteers, I believe we will be able to build FOUR new dugouts in the spring, at a total price less than the $20,000 we originally thought. I have asked the Council to use some of the money (less than $1,000) to build a pathway and install some small benches around the Forever Young Memorial, which was dedicated in Barlow Park late last year.
* $10,000 – purchase of additional and replacement playground equipment - Staff is working on a plan which may involved the replacement of some of our larger playground equipment in 2009, and rolling this money into the package
* $ 9,000 – consultant fee for determining feasibility of moving rail system through Ripon - Staff has not yet signed a contract with the consultant we have identified
* $ 6,000 – repair for Street lights in Barlow Park - The company we signed on with did not get to the work late last year, so the work will be done in 2009
* $ 3,000 – replace toilet partitions in Ceresco Park - Same answer as the street lights repair in Barlow Park
Mayor’s communications and appointments - Several appointments to the Historic Preservation Committee were approved. Interested in serving the city? Contact me, as we have several committee openings on the horizon in 2009.
Agenda items for future Council meetings - The Council directed the staff to look at the steps needed to extend the mayor's term from two to four years. Let me be VERY clear on this. I did not initiate, nor am I advocating this change, but, from my personal observations, a four-year term, which would be the same as the Council's terms, would be a definite positive for the city.
NOTE: Under the public comment portion of the meeting, two residents spoke about the Newbury Street project. The Council last month voted to NOT change the dimensions of the project (street width, sidewalk width and tree removal) for the second half of the project. Alderwoman Barb Miller asked that we re-visit the issue again in the future. As the mayor, it is my responsibility and decision to place items on the agenda. I will consider Mrs. Miller's request, as well as the issues raised by the residents, and make a decision in the next 5-7 days on whether to bring the issue back to the Council for another discussion. Bids on the second half of the Newbury Project will go out in the end of February.

STATE OF THE CITY AND GOALS FOR 2009

As we begin the final year of the first decade of this new century, I believe Ripon has made great strides during the past decade, with challenges, those we can plan for and those we have yet to dream up, around the corner. I would strongly encourage this Council and this staff to approach this coming year with a philosophy that when this economy rebounds, and history tells us it will, this city is at the forefront of the rebound, and in a position to lead rather than follow in the regional economy.

AS such I am proposing the following agenda for the 2009 year, with the idea that if we reach for perfection, we can grasp excellence, in trying to accomplish all of them

* Brownfield Redevelopment – Several cites around the city have been identified as Brownfield locations, and our record has been mediocre, at best, in cleaning up and re-developing these areas. I would propose the Council make the redevelopment of these locations, in a series of private and public partnerships, a priority in 2009, so that we do not pass on these problems to future leaders and residents.
* City Beautification Efforts – I am optimistic that the first of the Welcome to Ripon signs will be installed in 2009, and I am also taking a personal interest in the beautification of our West End. Our city’s Community Appearance Team has made a number of realistic and affordable suggestions, and it is the role of the Council to make these happen in 2009 and beyond.
* Extension of the West End – Geographical and development barriers have been created that have limited the opportunities on our west end of the city. I am proposing the Council direct City Staff to develop and analyze a plan for the extension of city utilities and services to the areas west and north of the current Silver Creek boundary for this area, and the development of existing properties in the West End which remain underutilized.
* Debt review and restructuring – With interest rates at historic lows, we should be working to re-structure our current debt to avoid large increase in debt payments in the next 2-3 years, and re-issuing this debt with lower interest rates, allowing us to save future payments, in addition to investing a portion of the savings in the future to our infrastructure.
* Improvement of the city’s presence on the Web – We have spent considerable time discussing this issue, but I would challenge us in 2009 to move past the discussion and into the actual planning and implementation stages. Our goal should be to create a website, which is the central portal for the City of Ripon, with audio and video capabilities, which is consumer-friendly and attractive to those outside Ripon considering our city as a future home or location of their business. I envision a site where a person could turn to for all of their answers, from when the Little League games are scheduled to where do I go for my accounting needs to how to I purchase a building permit.
* Full implementation of the city’s Housing Incentive Program – I would ask that the Council direct the staff to notify all eligible business of the availability of this program in the first six months of 2009, as we continue to move forward with the development of our existing and future subdivisions
* Silver Creek Green Corridor – I believe that one of our most underutilized assets is the Silver Creek corridor. I would ask that we begin a serious and involved discussion into the future of the corridor from a development and “green” aspect, from the purchase of existing properties along the corridor to the creation of a walking/biking component along the Creek to the cleaning up of the Creek throughout the city
* Bike trail connections – I would encourage the Council to direct the staff to work with neighboring municipalities, as well as Fond du Lac and Green Lake Counties to move our bike and walking trail network forward, with the ultimate goal of connecting our trails from Berlin to Ripon to Markesan to Fond du Lac and Waupun.
* City Park, Recreation and Events Director – This council eliminated the position in 2008. I would ask that we re-visit this position, in conjunction with the Chamber and other local entities and organization involved in recreation and athletics, but expand upon the responsibilities of this position. I envision the person who would take this position would be also be responsible for our city’s park and recreation system, but also work to develop and grow our existing festivals and special events, with the goal of bringing back a new and vibrant summer event to replace the now-departed RiponFest.
* Meeting with local entities – I would set as a goal for this Council to hold a joint meeting with the Ripon Area School District Board of Education to discuss issues of common concern, including, but not limited to, the future development of a new school north of Murray Park Elementary, encourage the Fond du Lac County Board to hold one of their meetings in Ripon, as the size of the board has been reduced.

I admit this is a daunting list of goals and incentives for 2009, and we may fall short of reaching them this year, but I believe we have momentum and involvement on our side. I am excited by the prospects ahead for the City of Ripon, and I ask you to share the optimism with me in the months ahead.

Communities prepare stimulus wish lists

Let me go on record right now in saying I will NOT support any attempt to have Ripon take part in this boondoggle. WE should be embrassed as a country for this whole sorry episode. One of the main reasons our economy is in the mess it is in right now is because of the massive amounts of debt which choked the credit and finance system. AND the solution is the federal government borrowing MORE money and creating more debt to prop up our standards of living and sentencing our children to a life of debt repayments and high interest rates? No thanks....I will pass.

FROM THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL: Communities have begun compiling their "wish lists" for federal economic stimulus money, should Congress approve such a package after the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. Greendale's list, which exceeds $9 million, includes a proposed $3.8 million to restore the original police and fire station building, 6600 Schoolway. There would be some symmetry to that project, in that the building was constructed in 1938 as part of another historic federal program, President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. The village proposes that the building, vacant since 1998, would be used by the historical society and the school district and would highlight Greendale during the Great Depression. Oak Creek, meanwhile, is asking for $82 million, including $7.6 million that it would use toward a proposed new I-94 interchange at Drexel Ave. A Drexel interchange is not part of the state's planned rebuilding and widening of I-94, but the state has said it would consider the interchange if the local funds are committed.

Ripon Schools Receive A+ on Financial Report Card

From the desk of the superintendent:

The Ripon Area School District recently had its financial records and practices carefully examined by Standard & Poor’s as part of the process for determining interest rates for the upcoming refinancing of the district’s bonds. The thorough review by professional analysts resulted in an A+ rating. This rating is higher than the district’s previous A rating that was given in 2006 for the last referendum and the highest rating for the district in more than 15 years.
The higher rating is recognition that the district is using the best financial practices for Ripon taxpayers. The district is being upgraded for sticking to sound financial practices that minimize risk and maximize fiscal responsibility. An added benefit of the A+ rating is lower interest rates when the district borrows money when refinancing bonds, issuing new bonds, or arranging cash-flow borrowing. Lower interest rates mean that less money is diverted from instruction for the district’s financial operations. “We’re very pleased that the top financial analysts have given us their seal of approval for running a fiscally responsible school district,” said Superintendent Richard Zimman. “These are tough economic times for our nation and our state’s schools, and we pledge to continue doing what is necessary to preserve the financial integrity of our school district for the benefit of our community’s taxpayers and children.”

This is great news as the district is considering a re-financing of their existing debt. Hats off to Doctor Zimman, Rick Ketter and the rest of the staff....

KAUKAUNA — Schools Supt. Lloyd McCabe says his district has no choice but to consider laying off more than 10 percent of its teachers

I expect to see more of these stories in the next few years:

KAUKAUNA — Schools Supt. Lloyd McCabe says his district has no choice but to consider laying off more than 10 percent of its teachers to deal with ongoing budget challenges. The proposal, to offset a $2.7 million deficit the district could face next school year, goes to the Board of Education on Monday for review. At least 27 teachers could be laid off. "It's not easy," McCabe said Thursday, echoing a downbeat sentiment of the tough economic times facing school districts. Layoff announcements were being made to teachers that same day.

Eliminating teachers could increase class sizes by two students. Under the district's guidelines, kindergarten and first-grade classes should have no more than 20 students and high school classes no more than 28. Administrators have been saying for the past three years they have exhausted areas to cut, but the layoff proposal is the least disruptive to students, McCabe said.
Last January, board leaders closed Nicolet Elementary School, sold the building housing the district's administrative offices, cut staff and reorganized the other schools to avoid sizable layoffs that would have led to larger class sizes.

Kaukauna, which operates on a $52.1 million budget this year, bases its next budget on receiving $100 per student in state aid, not $284, given the state's projected $5.4 billion deficit. This comes as the district also grapples with a number of maintenance jobs it can no longer afford to delay. Financial officer Bob Schafer said he will seek proposals for nine different projects in the spring. The board has set aside nearly $1 million for the work, which includes replacing sections of roofs at three schools, fixing all of the parking lots, moving athletic facilities at the high school and installing a sound system at River View School. "Every one of those (projects) is because there is a safety aspect," Schafer said. How much work gets done will depend on how far Schafer can stretch the dollars.

McCabe is hoping state lawmakers will tackle the school funding issue to relieve pressure on districts. "I think that there's pretty good agreement that state funding has to be revised and the problem that the state has is that they don't have the money to do anything about it," he said. "Wisconsin schools cannot continue to produce students who rank at the very top of the nation with the funding structure that exists today."

http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090109/APC0101/901090533/1979?source=nletter-news

BLOSSOM STREET VACATION RESOLUTION DELAYED UNTIL 1-26

UPDATE: The introduction of a resolution to vacate a portion of Blossom Street in downtown Ripon has taken off the City Council's January 13th meeting agenda, and is now scheduled to be introduced January 26th

Is severe cold in our future?

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL - Jan. 7, 2009 10:34 p.m. A cold wave expected to head south from Alaska could send temperatures in southern Wisconsin plunging below zero for most of next week, according to the National Weather service in Sullivan. That would follow snow showers expected to dump up to six inches of snow on the area Friday, according to the weather service. Extreme cold has already gripped Alaska, with temperatures falling to between 40 and 60 degrees below zero in recent days. The cold air mass will likely slide south and east of the Rocky Mountains and could result in wind chill watches and warnings. If the air mass tracks as expected, temperatures will fall below zero Monday night and stay below zero much of the time into Friday, resulting in "one of the colder periods we've experienced in the past 15 years or so," according to the weather service.

From the National Weather Service:
Naturally this is a long way off and much can happen a week out to change the final outcome. But there is a strong possibility that temperatures fall below zero Monday night and stay below zero much of the time into Friday. If this happens, it would be one of the colder periods we've experienced in the past 15 years or so. Comparison of forecast parameters for next week are comparable to those seen in the cold wave of January 18-20 1994, when Madison saw 3 consecutive days with low temperatures of 27 degrees below zero. If the cold wave materializes next week, both daytime highs and nighttime lows would be approaching record levels.
Although we are not yet predicting record cold, for informational purposes, here are the record temperatures for Tuesday through Friday of next week:
Milwaukee Record Low Record Low
Minimum Temperature Maximum Temperature
Tue Jan 13 -18 in 1929 -7 in 1929
Wed Jan 14 -19 in 1881 -2 in 1893
Thu Jan 15 -24 in 1963 -13 in 1972
Fri Jan 16 -23 in 1982 -5 in 1977
Milwaukee All time record low -26 on January 17th, 1982, and Feb 3rd, 1996
Milwaukee All time record low maximum -13 on December 28th, 1880 and January 15th, 1972
Madison Record Low Record Low
Minimum Temperature Maximum Temperature
Tue Jan 13 -22 in 1916 -8 in 1929
Wed Jan 14 -26 in 1963 -5 in 1963
Thu Jan 15 -30 in 1963 -13 in 1972
Fri Jan 16 -28 in 1979 -5 in 1977
Madison All time record low -37 on January 30th, 1951
Madison All time record low maximum -15 on Feb 9th, 1899

THE TICKING TIMEBOMB

I was recently criticized for using the term "ticking timebomb" to discuss the looming crisis over public employee benefit packages. As such, I will now refer to the entire entitlement structure as a ticking NUCLEAR bomb. This information comes from Congressman Paul Ryan's office:

Even before the current financial crisis occurred, the government faced a tidal wave of entitlement spending that is now at hand, as the first of the baby boomers begin to retire.
* Based on Treasury’s financial report, the government has $56 trillion in unfunded liabilities (of which $36 trillion is in one program: Medicare).
* Each year Congress fails to act, that long-term problem grows by $2 trillion to $3 trillion.
* This unsustainable rate of spending will smother the U.S. economy and sacrifice the longstanding American legacy of leaving the next generation better off.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, federal spending is projected to outpace revenue by an unprecedented $1.186 trillion this year (fiscal year 2009). That deficit will be the largest in history, more than twice last year’s deficit of $455 billion. At 8.3 percent of gross domestic product, it is also the largest deficit as a share of the economy since World War II (the previous post-war record was 6 percent in 1983). If the additional costs of “stimulus” legislation are added, the deficit rises to 12 percent of GDP.

But because that deficit is based on “current law” – assuming only enacted legislation, it does not account for additional policy actions Congress is certain to take, which will significantly increase the government’s red ink. For example, the Obama stimulus plan could add another $500 billion to the deficit. In fact, Ryan's office projects a $1.72 TRILLION deficit by the end of the current fiscal year. The National Debt exceeded $10 trillion last September. Based on CBO estimates and projected costs, the debt will increase by $2 trillion this year, to $12 trillion.

By the way, the CBO also projects the economy will shrink by 2.2 percent this year and recover only slightly in 2010, and the unemployment rate eclipsing 9 percent early next year unless the Obama administration steps in. Unfortunately, stepping in means those deficits will grow.

And I keep wondering why people like Dave Obey and Tom Petri and Jim Sensenbrenner keep being sent back to Washington over and over and over...

SENDOFF FOR LOCAL NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS

It appears that we will have a sendoff on Wednesday February 11th at 7:00 p.m. at the Ripon High School for our local National Guard troops who are being called into active duty. Stay tuned for more details as we work on the sendoff.

I HAVE SEEN IT ALL...

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Another major American industry is asking for assistance as the global financial crisis continues: Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis said Wednesday they will request that Congress allocate $5 billion for a bailout of the adult entertainment industry.“The take here is that everyone and their mother want to be bailed out from the banks to the big three,” said Owen Moogan, spokesman for Larry Flynt. “The porn industry has been hurt by the downturn like everyone else and they are going to ask for the $5 billion. Is it the most serious thing in the world? Is it going to make the lives of Americans better if it happens? It is not for them to determine.”Francis said in a statement that “the US government should actively support the adult industry's survival and growth, just as it feels the need to support any other industry cherished by the American people."Flynt and Francis concede the industry itself is in no financial danger — DVD sales have slipped over the past year, but Web traffic has continued to grow.But the industry leaders said the issue is a nation in need. "People are too depressed to be sexually active," Flynt said in the statement. "This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex.""With all this economic misery and people losing all that money, sex is the farthest thing from their mind. It's time for congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America. The only way they can do this is by supporting the adult industry and doing it quickly."So far, there has been no congressional reaction to the request.

SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM MEETING

Well, I took the time to attend last night's first listening session on the possible referendum for the Ripon Area School District. Unfortunately, not many others took advantage. Here are my observations:
* I can support the first referendum question - $500,000 bond for replacing the RHS boiler and roof maintenance at various schools. By taking advantage of lower interest rates to refinance current District debt, the cost to taxpayers of approving this proposal would actually LOWER the mill rate 72 cents
* I cannot support Question 2 - $500,000 annual revenue limit override to be used for purchasing textbooks, computers & technology, maintenance repairs and vehicle replacements that have been eliminated from the budget. My biggest issue is that the override has no sunset clause. It would continue indefinitely, and one thing I have learned about government is that once a program/tax is in place, it is very hard, if not impossible to overturn it. I could, possibly, support the issue if it had a 3- or 5-year limit before it had to go back to the voters.
* I have a hard time with Question #3 - $500,000 annual revenue limit override for five years to maintain current staffing and class size levels. When one realizes that the salary and a benefit package for a teacher is nearly $78,000, with the benefits portion making up $26,000, I have a hard time approving a referendum which addresses the symptoms but does not address what ails the district. The superintendent said the district saved $100,000 by moving the non-union employees to a Network Health Insurance plan. IF the district is in such a financial predicament, why can't we move ALL employees to such a plan. I do NOT want to hurt the teachers with a less-quality plan, but it is hard to argue with the potential savings. I am hopeful that the school board and the REA leadership can sit down and work out this issue.
* If all three referendum questions were approved, it would likely add 83 cents to the mill rate the first year and 55.5 cents in the second year and thereafter. For a $100,000 home, the passage would mean $83 more in taxes the first year, and $55.50 the next four. The reason for the drop in the second year is that the district would receive more state aid by spending more due to the referendum.

There are three more listening sessions. I strongly encourage you to attend:
Thursday, January 8, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ripon Public Library
Wednesday, January 14, at 1:30 p.m. at the Ripon Public Library
Thursday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m. in RHS room 167

UPDATED: Let me add one more thought. PLEASE stop connecting the FieldTurf on Ingalls Field with this referendum. After reading tonight's paper, it pains me to see ANOTHER negative reference to the turf. IT is in. It is NOT coming out. Move on. And for the last time, the voters said no to borrowing money for the turf. They did NOT say no to the turf. Sadly, the rest of the letter may have made some good points, but all I can focus on right now is that fact that some people continue to insist the turf raised taxes, and is leading to the downfall of the educational system in Ripon. We did NOT sacrifice textbooks and teachers for turf. To infer that shows a clear deficiency in the logic of any argument and is a blatant misrepresentation of the facts.

At the bare minimum, let us have a truce on the turf and focus on TODAY's problems, not yesterday's. With the additional two games on the field (which the supporters had used as a selling point), the positives have outweighed the negatives on this issue. At the very least, if one is going to claim such wild theories as taxes going up to pay for turf, show me the numbers. One cannot accuse the district and the superintendent of using "fuzzy" numbers when one is guilty of the same sin.

UPDATE ON BLOSSOM STREET VACATION

To refresh, here is the timetable and resolution for the Blossom Street vacation:

January 13th - The Council introduces and approves the attached resolution, starting the process, and referring the matter to the Plan Commission
January 21st - Plan Commission reviews it and make a recommendation. This is not a public hearing. As chairman of the Plan Commission, I will take limited comments, but the time to speak is...
February 23rd - Council holds a public hearing and votes on the vacation, which is at least 40 days after the resolution is introduced by Council, as required by state law.
NOTE: The area to be considered for vacation is roughly covered by the "W Blossom St" on the map to the right. It is between the American House and the former Mapes Hotel in downtown Ripon.

I have been asked by some people when they can speak for or against the vacation. The proper time would be February 23rd, according to the timetable proposed above. This is NO different than any other timetable we have followed in the past, and there is NO attempt to squelch public comment on the issue. Everyone will have their opportunity to speak on the issue. If someone cannot attend the February 23rd meeting, they can certainly email or snail-mail their comments to me and the Council.

THANKS FOR EMBARASSING US, GOVERNOR

Thank you, Governor, for embarassing the State of Wisconsin and going to Washington with your tincup in hand, crying for a bailout. Our state, which used to pride itself on financial conservatism, is nothing more than a beggar at the doors of the Federal treasury.

The Federal money is BORROWED, you have signed a budget which, to quote the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "solved each budget with one-time fixes, relying on accounting tricks, increased borrowing and transfers from the state's transportation fund." Maybe someone should point out to you that a major contributor to the current fiscal crisis in this country is the MASSIVE amounts of borrowing, both at the government and consumer level. We MUST stop creating this monstrous legacy of IOUs, which my children and grandchildren will be paying for when the debt comes due.

The first step we need to take is removing the D and R from the end of each legislator's names. Too much rhetoric has already been wasted in Washington on finger-pointing and the blame game. This is a BI-partisan issue. Rather, let me say a NON-PARTISAN issue. Anyone who is looking to increase their support base and vote totals via this financial crisis ought to be voted right OUT of office.

Gov. Jim Doyle joined four other Democratic governors today to call for a $1 trillion federal economic stimulus package that would include $250 billion for education. Doyle and the others - Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, New York Gov. David Paterson and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick - said in a conference call with reporters that federal assistance for education was essential to avoiding deep cuts in cash-strapped states.
Specifically, they wanted a $1 trillion, two-year package to include:
• $350 billion for road and other infrastructure projects that could quickly put thousands of people to work.
• $250 billion to cover education costs - from preschool through college - that are currently covered by states.
• $250 billion for Medicaid, unemployment insurance, welfare and other assistance programs.
• $150 billion - or more - for middle-income tax breaks.
“The assistance would be manna for us,” said Paterson.
(From the Milwauke Journal-Sentinel)