DISC GOLF COMING TO GREEN LAKE?

There is a project underway to put a disc golf course in Riggs County Park east of Ripon. Green Lake may have one as well:

There is a group trying to install a disc golf and handicap accessible park at Zobel Park. For those of you unfamiliar with disc golf it is a game played with Frisbees instead of a golf ball. There are tournaments all over the country and we have several local players. For those of you who might be interested in donating I've put a Pay Pal button on the right. For those of you who would rather send a check this is the address:Oshkosh Community FoundationGreen Lake Zobel Park Recreational Fund404 N. Main Street #205Oshkosh, WI 54901Make checks payable to Green Lake Zobel Park Rec FundAll donations are tax deductible.Thanks for your support!For those who would like more information you can email nathanomirr@hotmail.com

Thanks to http://www.dartford.blogspot.com/ for posting the information.

CORRECTION: I said Riggs County Park, but I believe the disc golf will be in Murray. I will check it out.

LAST WEEK'S MEDICAL CENTER MEETING

Last week, I, along with 50 or so others, took part in a Town Hall meeting regarding the Ripon Medical Center and its plans to build a new hospital in the Business Park along Highway 44. I was impressed with the turnout and the feedback RMC received from the crowd. I am sure the newspaper will have extensive coverage, but here were my observations:

1 - The groundbreaking for the new hospital will likely take place in 2010, not this spring as originally planned. The rough economy has made the fundraising environment a little bit difficult to say the least
2 - Most of the people at the meeting said they were looking for more collaboration between RMC and the other providers (Affinity, Aurora, etc) in the community. With Agnesian HealthCare looking to build a clinic in Ripon, that collaboration may become even more of an issue.
3 - Another issue that was discussed extensively was the long-term financial health of the facility. New CEO Jim Tavary assured the crowd, and had the facts to back his argument, that RMC is profitable and is heavily-used, despite some rumors to the contrary
4 - Other issues that were discussed included making the new hospital "green" and improving security, and making area residents more knowledgable of what services are offered at RMC.

Overall, I thought it was a very good night for the free flow of ideas. I hope RMC does these town hall meetings on a more regular basis in the future, as the new facility is in the process of being planned and built.

COMMENTS TO BE CLOSED DOWN

Effective immediately, the comments page on this website will be closed down. The level of personal attacks and accusations have reached a level where I am not comfortable with allowing people to continue to post anonymously. It is a shame a few people, assuming it is only a few, have ruined this page. I am tired about arguing about turf and the parking around the college, when those issues have been decided long ago. I like a spirited debate, but it always comes back to the same issues and the same accusations. When I have people on this blog accusing me or other officials of "screwing the people" and being corrupt, I believe we have reached the point where the blog is no longer effective, and simply becomes a soapbox for individuals who can certainly find their own blog site and blog on their own to publish their conspiratorial theories and visions for the future.

A disturbing trend has taken place on this blog. Once a person is challenged, or does not like the answers they read, there has to be something corrupt, evil or hidden with the person doing the answering. We are seeing this with the school district, Congress, the legislature, etc. I don't want to play that game. No one comes out ahead, and nothing productive comes from it.

I have never made a decision with the intent of "screwing the people:. To even insinuate something like this is completely baseless and without proof and merit. I have made my decisions, and, in many cases, I do not even vote, but don't let some facts get in the way of a good argument, with the best interests of the city in mind. I represent EVERYONE, but I can not represent EVERYONE'S interests and objectives. Some decisions will be unpopular, and may be detrimental to some people, but that does not make them unethical or corrupt.

If you wish to comment or ask questions, you certainly can email me : arkramer@charter.net. I will post the questions on the blog, and answer them to the best of my ability. You can also post comments if you choose to have a signed account. Once again, I am sorry that a few bad apples have ruined it, and, maybe, down the road, I will allow comments to be posted again, but, for now and the foreseeable future, that will not be offered as an option. Thanks much.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN CITY GOVERNMENT

Periodically, I put this information out on the web or in the paper. If you are interested in serving on any of these committees, please feel free to contact me, as, in many cases, I make the appointments for the committees, with approval from the Council. There are other special and limited-term committees which we put together from time-to-time. One is the Community Appearance Team, which has been making some great recommendations on improving the look of the community. We are also considering a committee to come up with recommendations on a revamped, graphically-improved city website, and a committee to explore options for improving the Silver Creek corridor. Stay tuned. Several of our committees will have openings in 2009. If you are interested, please email me or call me at 920-291-5250. Now, on to the existing committees:

NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC MEMBERSHIP
Board of Review: The board of review has the powers and duties as established by state statues. Membership consists of the mayor, city administrator, a council member from each district, and the assessor, who is not entitled to a vote. The board meets annually in city hall on the date(s) set by state statue.
Ripon Area Fire District Governing Board: The fire district board governs all operations of the Ripon Area Fire District. The fire district serves the City of Ripon and Towns of Ripon and Nepeuskun. It is supported by assessments to each of the members. The board is represented by four members from the city council, two from Town of Ripon and one from Town of Nepeuskun. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 in the fire station conference room. September and November.

OPEN TO PUBLIC MEMBERSHIP
Board of Zoning Appeals: The board of zoning appeals considers and approves zoning variance requests. The board is made up of five members plus two alternates. Memebers serve three-year terms. Meetings are held as needed on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:00 PM in city hall.
Business Improvement District: The primary mission of the business improvement district (BID) is to assist in efforts to: a) Achieve a livable, attractive, economically viable, and dynamic downtown, b) Improve and maintain the quality of life in the downtown, c) Encourage economic vitality in the Ripon area. BID activities are supported by a special assessment on properties in the district. The majority of the members must own property within the business improvement district. Members serve a three-year term. Meetings are held at a time and location determined by the board.
Cable TV Committee: The cable TV committee serves in an advisory capacity to the mayor and council with regard to development and enforcement of specific rules and regulations relating to the use of the city's public cable TV channels and to make recommendations concerning cable TV program offierings. Membership consists of one each from the Ripon school district, Ripon College, Ripon library, city government and two at large. Members serve a five-year term. The committee meets in city hall as needed.
Historic Preservation Commission: The historic preservation commission considers matters relating to the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of improvements or sites of special character, archeological, architectural, or historic interest or value. Members serve a three-year term and are city residents, including one plan commission member. Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 5:00 PM in the city hall conference room.
Hospital Board of Directors: The purpose of the hospital board is to support, benefit, promote and otherwise assist the health care activities of the Ripon Medical Center (RMC). The RMC buildings are owned by the city and leased to an independent corporation. Five of the nine directors are appointed by the mayor, one of whom must be an elected official of the city and the hospital board appoints four directors. Members serve a three-year term. The board meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 5:15 PM at the Ripon Medical Center. This is a non-public meeting.
Housing and Community Development Authority: The housing and community development authority (CDA) acts as agent of the city in planning and carrying out community development programs and activities. Membership is seven residents, two of which are members of the city council. Members serve a four-year term. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month in the city hall conference room at 6:00 PM.
Library Board: The library board has exclusive control of the expenditure of all moneys collected, donated or appropriated for the library fund and the supervision, care and custody of the library and reading rooms. Its seven members are residents of the City of Ripon or surrounding towns. No more than two are town residents and one must be a school district administrator or representative. Members serve a three-year term. Meetings are held the last Tuesday of the month at the library at 6:30 PM.
Loan Review Board :The loan review board makes standards and policy recommendations and reviews, selects and recommends loan applications to the city council. Membership is the mayor, city clerk, city council representative, president of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, president of the Ripon Community Development Corporation, city resident and an executive officer from each of the state and/or federally chartered commercial lending institutions in the City of Ripon. Terms are continuous except bi-annually for the council representative and a three-year term for the city resident. Meetings are held as needed in the city hall conference room.
Park and Recreation Committee: The park and recreation committee advises and assists the city recreation director, city administrator, city council and the board of public works in planning and developing the Ripon park system to include parks, open spaces, forestry, waterwasy and other related areas. The committee consists of five members, including one representative from the city council. Members serve a four-year term. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month except December and January at 5:00 PM in the city hall conference room.
Plan Commission: The plan commission has the powers and duties prescribed in Section 62.23, Wisconsin Statutes and such other powers and duties vested in them by law or the city council. The commission considers matters regarding the physical development of the city, such as site development, conditional use, planned unit development, re-zoning, etc. It's seven members are made up of four citizens, the city engineer, an council member and the mayor. Members serve a three-year term. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the city hall conference room.
Police Commission: The police commission has all the powers and duties delegated to it in Section 62.13, Wisconsin Statutes excepting the optional powers in Section 62.13 (6) and any additional powers designated by the city council. Members serve a five-year term. Meetings are held ervery other month on the third Wednesday at 7:00 PM in city hall - January, March, May, July, Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission assists a private operator to establish, operate and maintain a public transportation service,or in failing this, to move to implement a regular limited transit service for senior citizens in conjunction with the senior citizen center and the area council on aging. Membership consists of four citizens and one council member. Members serve a four-year term. Meetings are held when necessary.

CITY OF RIPON CALENDAR - MARCH 2009

2 - Historic Preservation Committee 5:00 PM
3 - Fire District Board 7:00 PM / Compost center open 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
4 - Housing & Community Development Authority 6:00 PM /Recyclable pickup east of Watson & Eureka
7 - Compost center open 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
9 - Cable TV Committee 4:00 / Curbside brush pickup
10 - Compost center open 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM / City Council 7:00 PM
11 - Recyclable pickup west of Watson & Eureka
14 - Compost center open 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
16 - Assessor office hours 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
17 - Compost center open 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
18 - Recyclable pickup east of Watson & Eureka / Plan Commission 7:00 PM
21 - Compost center open 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
23 - City Council 7:00 PM
24 - Compost center open 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
25 - Recyclable pickup west of Watson & Eureka /Park & Recreation Committee 5:00 PM
28 - Compost center open 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
31 - Winter parking restrictions end / Dog & cat licenses due /Compost center open 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM /Library Board 6:30 PM

Ripon referendum

From the Fond du Lac Reporter:

Ripon School Business Manager Rick Ketter said the district is asking for necessities listed on three separate referendum questions. This year, the district's budget deficit is $545,000, a spike from previous years when it hovered around $330,000. The first resolution calls for $500,000 to replace a high school boiler that dates back to 1962, and repair roofs on various school buildings.
"There's not any place in our budget to do these things. The boiler dates back to 1962 and is on borrowed time," Ketter said.

The second question asks taxpayers to allow the district to exceed revenue limits by $500,000 annually for six years. The money is necessary, Ketter said, to replace textbooks, update curriculum and technology, perform maintenance and repair vehicles. The third referendum question asks for an additional $2.15 million over three years to pay for classroom staff and related instructional expenses. The latter question seeks to maintain class size, he said. If all three referendum questions were approved, the tax impact would mean about $93 on a $100,000 home.

"We've been fortunate staying ahead of the curve, finding places to maintain most of our programs and staffing. But we are at the point we just can't do it anymore," he maintained. "If something doesn't change we will have to cut deeper."

http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20090223/FON0101/902230322/1985

ADDED TO COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA - February 23rd

Reconsider motion approved February 10th – Ripon Area Fire District
On February 10th, Council approved a motion authorizing payment of the City’s share of a fire district shortfall in the amount of $25,002.39, using monies from the “Welcome to Ripon” sign project. The City wouldn’t make payment until the towns submitted payments, and the city would designate up to $15,000 in the 2009 contingency budget for possible overruns in 2009.” Councilmember Brockman, who voted for this motion, has asked that it be brought back before the Council for reconsideration, due to concerns about whether the amount was sufficient, given the fire camera donations fund issue.

NOTE: This is the money that was going to be used on benches for the downtown and other projects, but has been re-directed at my suggestion.

STATE SCHOOL REFERENDUMS - THE SCOREBOARD

Based on the returns so far, the odds for Ripon passing its referendums do not look good. Some of these links work, some do not:

January 20, 2009 election
Central/Westosha Referendum - Issue debt not to exceed $7,890,000 for parking lot improvements and improving athletic facilities and other infrastructure. - Passed
February 17, 2009 election
Appleton Area Referendum - $10,900,000 by 2011 to improve class size ratios and purchase curriculum materials. - Defeated
Appleton Area Bond - Issue debt in the amount of $5,000,000 to improve school building safety and technology system security. - Defeated
Clinton Maintenance Referendum - Issue debt not to exceed $9,630,000 for maintenance and security upgrades. - Defeated
Highland School District Referendum - Exceed revenue limits by $405,000 by 2011 and every year thereafter. - Defeated
Salem School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $3,480,000 to prevent an increase in class sizes. - Defeated
Siren School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $1,250,000 in order to sustain current levels of operation. - Defeated
Waupun Area Materials Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $450,000 for acquiring educational resources. - Defeated
Waupun Area Maintenance Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $450,000 for capital improvements and maintenance expenses - Defeated
Waupun Area Operations Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $4,000,000 for ongoing operational expenses. - Defeated

April 7, 2009 election
Benton School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $965,000 over three years to sustain current levels of operation
Bowler School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $750,000 over three years for non-recurring operational expenses
Herman School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $375,000 for ongoing operational expenses
Horicon School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $300,000 for one year for non-recurring operational expenses
Keil Area School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $650,000 for seven years for non-recurring expenses
Loyal School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $1,500,000 for non-recurring operational expenses
Manawa School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $3,000,000 by 2014
Maple Dale-Indian Hill Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $800,000 per year until 2019
Maple Dale-Indian Hill Bond - Issue debt in the amount of $4,000,000 for for school repairs
Medford Area Exceed Revenue Limits - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $235,000 per year for recurring operational expenses
Medford Area School District Referendum - Issue debt in the amount of $13,190,000 for additions to the high school
Merrill Area School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $2,125,000 by 2012
Middleton-Cross Plains Exceed Revenue Limits - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $1,425,000 per year
Middleton-Cross Plains Referendum - Issue debt in the amount of $33,980,000 to rebuild and equip Kromrey Middle School
Middleton-Cross Plains Bond - Issue debt in the amount of $34,750,000 for additions to district schools
Mineral Point School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $1,000,000 over three years to maintain current levels of operation
North Lakeland School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $943,000 per year for recurring expenses
Northland Pines School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $8,700,000 by 2012
Oshkosh Construction Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $2,500,000 by 2014 to pay for small scale construction projects
Oshkosh Maintenance Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $6,500,000 by 2014 to pay for deferred district maintenance
Oshkosh Elementary School Bond - Issue debt in the amount of $15,000,000 for the construction of a new elementary school
Peshtigo Advisory Referendum - Seeks the opinion of Peshtigo School District members on issuing debt to make district improvements
Phelps Fitness Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $45,000 over three years to improve the school fitness area
Phelps School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $2,460,000 over three years for operational expenses
Reedsburg Kindergarten Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $1,200,000 over three years to fund a new kindergarten
Reedsburg Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $2,400,000 over four years to maintain current levels of operation
Reedsville Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $350,000 per year for ongoing operational expenses
Reedsville Bond - Issue debt in the amount of $9,965,000 to fund improvements to the high school
Ripon Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $3,000,000 by 2015
Ripon Exceed Revenue Limits - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $2,150,000 by 2012
Ripon Bond - Issue debt in the amount of $500,000 for roof repairs and to replace the high school boiler
Riverdale School District Referendum - Exceed state-set revenue limits by $610,000 per year for operational expenses
West Bend Badger Middle School Bond - Issue debt in the amount of $27,400,000 for renovating the Badger Middle School
West Bend Elementary School Bond - Issue debt in the amount of $41,450,000 to construct a new elementary school

CORNERSTONE MEETING TO BE HELD ON MARCH 5

This will be noticed as a possible public meeting, since a quorum of the Common Council may be in attendance as they have been invited, although NO city-related action will take place at the meeting:

The Cornerstone Project Inc. would like to invite the local Municipal leaders to participate in a Regional Collaborative Discussion on Thursday, March 5th 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Town Hall, Green Lake, WI

* Discuss The Cornerstone Project, Inc. status
* Discuss ideas and input for the delivery of comprehensive integrated health and wellness care for all of the surrounding communities
* Discuss how to collaborate with each other and develop forward thinking initiatives to make our communities stronger

We have invited Mayor Jim Tipple from the City of Wausau to discuss how he has participated in community collaboration and to discuss the benefits he has witnessed.

About The Cornerstone Project
The Cornerstone Project is a 501©3 non-profit organization that was formed to provide resources in health, wellness and fitness to enhance the quality of life in Berlin, Green Lake, Markesan, Princeton, Ripon and surrounding communities. The Cornerstone Project is a collaborative effort with community residents, families and organizations including hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, schools, colleges, corporations and recreation departments.

COUNCIL PREVIEW - February 23

CLOSED SESSION

The Council will discuss an amendment to TIF District #4 (Industrial-Business Park) with a prospective developer, and will discuss the creation of a new TIF District for another possible development project

OPEN SESSION

* The Council will discuss the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS). Ripon Fire Chief Mike Fredrick is requesting the city join an intergovernmental cooperation agreement, which provides rapid deployment of emergency assistance to those in immediate need of more resources. Fond du Lac County's Emergency Management Director Erin Gerrad and the Chief will be in attendance to discuss MABAS

* Plan Commission - The Council will be asked to approve a request from John Duchatschek, owner of Cliff's Tire and Battery, to rezone part of a lot in the Rolling Hills Subdivision from R-1 Residential to B-2 Highway Business to allow for the expansion of the business. The Plan Commission unanimously approve the change at its last meeting

* Stormwater management issues - Luther Hills - At the last Council meeting, Gary Will requested that the council explore options for improving the drainage in the Luther Hills area. City Engineer Travis Drake has compiled a preliminary report. First of all, the subdivision was approved in April 1959, and construction began shortly thereafter. A 1971 survey showed that a storm sewer system was butil the entire length of Hope Avenue. Similar systems on on Mount Zion and Joy Avenues drain to the east away from Hope. According to the report, "runoff from Hope Avenue combines with the runoff from Ardmore Avenue and Sandmar to make its way east under the railroad across the fields to Silver Creek. Aerial topography suggest that the flow from these sources will overtop the railroad before reaching ground floor saturation. The issue of groundwater conditions remain. The City has not addressed issues of groundwater in the past." The Council will review and discuss the report on Monday

* Blackburg Street Parking Lot - The Council will receive an update on the land issues which have been preventing us from moving forward with the project.

Ripon College again makes president’s honor roll for community service

Congratulation to Ripon College. We are blessed to have the College in a city our size:

The Corporation for National and Community Service honored Ripon College today with a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to America’s communities.

“Ripon College counts civic engagement and service among its most cherished values,” said David Joyce, president of Ripon College. “This honor is a validation of how our students, faculty and staff put those values to work every day for the betterment of the community.”
http://www.ripon.edu/news/2008-09/020909_service.html

DON'T FORGET TONIGHT'S TOWN HALL MEETING

Community leaders and citizens are invited to a Town Hall meeting to discuss the future of Ripon Medical Center (RMC) and its role within the community from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Royal Ridges of Ripon.

I will be there, and I hope to see many of you as well. For more information on the developments involving RMC and the RMC Foundation, click here

OMRO TO LEAVE EASTERN VALLEY CONFERENCE?

http://www.ripontigerfootball.com/index.html

MILWAUKEE BUCKS MASCOT FOLLIES

I am sure this was not scripted:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_VdySnHsJY

RIPON (CALIFORNIA) WORKS TOWARD FIELD TURF

Ripon, Wisconsin has had field turf for a year. Ripon, California continues to work toward raising the money to install turf on their football field. Their group - the Ripon Community Athletic Foundation - has been working since 2007. Their mission statement reads:

We are a group of caring citizens like you.Our mission is to help athletes, students and Ripon's community to realize their full potential through athletics and physical activity.The initial way we plan to fulfill our mission is to replace, as soon as possible, Ripon High School's track and football field with an all-weather track and synthetic athletic field which would accommodate both soccer and football.

We will support replacement and expansion of existing non-ADA compliant bleachers to accommodate a growing population. New ADA compliant bathrooms and sidewalks will also be part of the plans.Unchanged for many years, R.H.S.'s track and field is in need of replacement. It is our goal to bring Ripon Athletic programs into the 21st century. This facility will encourage students along with the community to build healthy lifestyles and prepare them for lifelong physical fitness.We can only do this with your help.

If you look at pictures of their existing field, it looks a lot like Ingalls Field prior to the recent renovations. The Ripon Community Athletic Foundation has to raise a bit more than we did in Ripon - $2 million for the track and to replace the football field with synthetic turf. Here is wishing them best of luck in their fundraising efforts in 2009. Their next big event is in May - Rina's Run, Saturday, May 9. The 2nd Annual Rina's Run is a 10K Run or 5K walk or run through Ripon neighborhoods, which will money for the Stouffer Field Revitalization bringing a synthetic turf field and allweather track to Ripon High School.

PLAN COMMISSION RECAP - February 18

Action items
Public hearing – request to rezone land south of 1049 West Fond du Lac Street - The Commission unanimously approved the rezoning of a parcel of land behind Cliff's Tire and Battery from R-1 residential to Highway Business. Cliff's has a deal with Doctor Robert House to buy the piece of land, which is in the Rolling Hills subdivision, in order to expand or replace their current facility and increase parking and storage.
Discussion items
Review and discuss master plan streets found on the current official City map - The city wrote its current master street plans in 1990. Since things have changed since then, the Commission wants to review the existing streets to see if they still make sense, and look at other possible streets that may need to be planned. Some areas where more work is needed is north of the city where a new school will be built near Murray Park Elementary, and along Highway 23 East, where the city has annexed more than 140 acres of land along Douglas Street. The Commission agreed to break the map up into quadrants. The first area we will focus on is the Northwest (Highway 23 West, Berlin Road, Canterbury Subdivision, Murray Park area)
Discuss possible creation of special sign district for East Fond du Lac Street - The Commission decided to review the entire sign ordinance and will be looking to appoint a sub-committee to review and modernize the existing ordinances
Project updates
TIF District #6 neighborhood plan - This would cover Highway 23 West. The report should be ready for the public to view in the spring
Covenants for new business park - A subcommittee continues to work on building covenants for the new park, and should have a final report ready in March or April

EDITORIAL ON THE MAYOR'S TERM LENGTH

By as early as next month, Ripon’s Common Council may pass a charter ordinance to amend the city’s bylaws, extending the mayoral term from two years to four. If passed, the change would take effect with the April 2010 election.The public will have an opportunity to weigh-in on the issue during a March 10 listening session at 7 p.m. in City Hall.Aldermen seem to favor the idea, which Ald. Dan Luskey first introduced at the Jan. 13 council meeting. None have spoken out against doubling the mayor’s tenure.Most popular argument for moving to the four-year term is that it gives the mayor time to learn the job and to then preside over the city without having to assume “campaign mode” so soon. The longer the term, the thinking goes, the less political the office, permitting the mayor to be more of a statesman, less a politician.After making a few comments in favor of the four-year term at the council meeting last month, Mayor Aaron Kramer wisely said nothing when the council revisited the matter last week and, in fact, had council President Ald. Barb Miller preside during the discussion while he remained silent.One need look no farther than Kramer, and whoever will one day succeed him, for best reasons why a two-year term is not only desirable but preferable to a four-year term.Ripon’s current mayor is a winner.Kramer is knowledgeable, creative, accessible, innovative, entrepreneurial, articulate, sensible, conservative, funny and proud.If he continues to govern as he has in the past, his mayoral seat should be secure. As the city’s CEO, Kramer surely has many issues that may keep him up at night, but re-election likely is not among them.So whether his term is two years or four should matter very little. As long as voters continue to agree with Kramer’s leadership, governing style and policy declarations, continued incumbency seems to be his for the foreseeable future. Every two years, he is accountable to the city. And with his seat as well as four aldermanic seats up for election, that means every two years more than half the Common Council turns over. Not a bad thing.Because when the day comes that Kramer steps down, voluntarily or otherwise, his successor may not be as talented. Or as selfless. Or as effective.His successor could have the best of intentions but govern Ripon poorly, resulting in a divided council, overindebtedness and a demoralized staff.The new mayor might be as honest as the day is long, but just have no idea how to govern. Absent evidence of malfeasance, taxpayers would then be stuck with that individual at City Hall for four years. That’s a long time to endure a non-leader in so sensitive a position.But what about the ultimate chief executive, the president? He or she serves a four-year term. True, but presidential candidates are vetted far more thoroughly than are people who run for Ripon mayor. They attend a League of Women Voters forum, are interviewed on the radio station and fill out a newspaper questionnaire. Then voters decide whether to elect them to lead a council that controls a $5.2 million annual budget. A recitation of promises and a resume of experiences offers insight into candidates’ policy goals and more broad, philosophical inclinations, but they provide limited evidence as to candidates’ ability to govern. Kramer’s been terrific. But he could just as well have been a flop. Ripon voters won their gamble in 2004 and 2006. (Kramer was first elected mayor in 2003 by council members to fill the remaining term of former Mayor John Reinsch, who had moved out of town.) But if electors are not so lucky with their next choice, they’ll only have to wait two years for the opportunity to revisit their decision. This is once instance when four years are not twice as good as two. — Tim Lyke

ELECTION RESULTS

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS
FERNANDEZ - 59
PRICE - 16
MOBLEY - 16
HOLTZ - 11
EVERS - 101
VOTER TURNOUT - 206
TTL NO. OF VOTERS REGISTERED IN CITY - 5,194
% OF THOSE REGISTERED WHO VOTED - 4

GOVERNOR UNVEILS BUDGET

From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

Gov. Jim Doyle proposed a budget Tuesday that closes more than 40 regional service centers, bets that more criminals can be safely released from prisons and raises income taxes on capital gains and couples with taxable incomes of $300,000 or more. To close a budget gap that has grown to $5.7 billion by mid-2011, the Democratic governor said he used $2.1 billion in federal stimulus cash to protect education and health care programs. He slashed new spending requests and said there would be no pay raises for state workers in the next two years. For what may be the first time in state history, general-fund spending will drop for the fiscal year that begins July 1, by about 5%. Total state spending - including tuition, fees and federal aid - will rise, however.
Doyle said he had no choice but to ask the Legislature to approve $1.4 billion in tax increases - the largest reworking of the tax codes in decades. The tax increases include: $540 million paid from oil company profits; $318 million by creating a new 7.75% tax rate for the richest 1% of taxpayers; $290 million in higher taxes on cigarette smokers; $215 million in higher corporate income taxes; and more than $85 million paid on capital gains.

"My budget stands up for the people who earn regular paychecks and the people who, through no fault of their own, have lost theirs," Doyle said. But Assembly Republican Leader Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon said the plan was larded with tax increases at a time when Doyle's fellow Democrats control the Legislature. "There's nobody here to protect the taxpayer," Fitzgerald said.

Budget Highlights
* Create a new income tax bracket, with a tax rate of 7.75%, for 1% of taxpayers with the highest incomes, costing them $318 million over two years.
* Raise Wisconsin's tax on capital gains, costing taxpayers more than $85 million.
* Tax oil companies, raising $540 million over two years.
* Raise the $1.77 per pack state tax on cigarettes to $2.52, costing smokers $290 million more over two years.
* Authorize police stops of vehicles for suspected seat belt violations, qualifying Wisconsin for more than $15 million in federal funds.
* Grant hospital-visitation rights and provide other benefits to same-sex couples who are state workers.
* Eliminate pay raises for state workers for two years.
* Put levy limits of 3%, or new growth in communities, to control property tax bills.
* Abolish the qualified economic offer law that has limited teachers' raises since 1994.
* Require that vehicles have only one license plate, saving an unspecified amount.

WAUPUN REJECTS REFERENDUMS

I think this does not bode well for Ripon's upcoming referendum:

WAUPUN – For the third time in three years, voters rejected a multi-million dollar referendum in the Waupun Area School District.All three questions of the three-pronged, three-year $4.9 million referendum failed to gain voter support.“I wish we could blame this on the economy, but the outcome of tonight’s vote is the same as it was back in April 2008,” said School Board President Cathy Loomans. “I guess what people are trying to tell us is to continue to look for cuts and make some major changes in how we do business.”