Grave dug up, remains of baby stolen - Cameron, WI

This is just plain disgusting...


Cameron - A grave has been dug up in a rural cemetery in northwestern Wisconsin and the remains of an infant apparently taken.

A marker on the grave has the date of 1925 and the words "Baby Locke."

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said pieces of the casket were found, but not any human remains. He said investigators are "under the impression the remains were taken."

"We're not sure if it was targeted or some sort of a prank or bad joke," possibly having something to do with the Halloween season, he said.

The sheriff said the grave in Bandli Park Cemetery, also known as Pioneer Rest Cemetery, in the town of Canton likely was unearthed between Sunday night and Monday morning. The incident was reported Tuesday about 11 a.m.

The hole measured about 20 inches wide, 54 inches long and 48 inches deep.
No other damage was reported in the cemetery, described as well-kept and still in use.
Fitzgerald said the marker had only the one year on it, leading him to believe it might have been the grave of a newborn or stillborn baby.

He planned to consult with the state crime lab on what investigators should look for at the site. They already had dug deeper than the parts of the casket and found no human remains, he said.
The size and rectangular shape of the hole indicates the grave was the target of whoever dug it, he said.

"We believe they probably gained access to the casket area," he said. "If there was remains they did remove them."

Judges for Lego Tournament Needed ... Marquette

Service Opportunity
Volunteers and Judges Needed for First Lego Competition

Saturday Nov 8th
Marquette High School
3401 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Two Shifts Available to Volunteer:
Þ 7:30 - Noon
Þ Noon - 4:30 shifts …. (or both)


Dear Friends,

On November 8, more than 50 adult and student volunteers are needed for the Marquette FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Regional Robotics Tournament.

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an exciting and fun robotics program that ignites an enthusiasm for discovery, science, and technology in kids ages 9 to 14 (16 outside of the U.S. and Canada). Each year FLL teams embark on an adventurous Challenge based on current, real-world issues. Guided by a team coach and assisted by mentors,

The kids:
Research and solve a real-world problem based on the Challenge theme
Present their research and solutions
Build an autonomous robot using engineering concepts

Throughout a typical tournament day, teams meet with panels of judges who evaluate their teamwork, science presentation, and technical skills. In the afternoon, teams participate in head-to-head "cooperatition" in sports-like robot games.

The Marquette Tournament is in need of Volunteers and Judges. (Preferably NOT robotics team family members). There are a number of volunteer positions that are needed, from crowd control, set-up, to technical Judge (programming), science project presentation judge, teamwork judge, timers, field re-setters, and much more. What ever your personal expertise is, there is sure to be a nitch where you could fit in, and make this a wonderful opportunity for the students involved.

Volunteers who sign-up to work the 7:30 - noon or noon - 4:30 shifts (or both) on November 8 will get lunch and a volunteer t-shirt for their efforts.

If you are interesting in volunteering on Nov 8th,
Please Contact Sue Wanninger (414) 764-3272

A vote for Obama is a vote for holocaust in the U.S.

Provocative article written by Uwe Siemon-Netto, a German citizen permanently residing in the U.S.:

If most Americans, and shockingly even a majority of Catholics, think physicians should have the “right” to suck babies’ brains out so that their skulls will collapse making it easy for these abortionists to drag their tiny bodies through the birth canal; if even most white evangelicals think that economic woes are a more important concern (78 percent) than legalized mass murder (57 percent), then surely a moral lobotomy has been performed on this society.

I agree it would be unscholarly to claim that what is happening in America and much of the Western world every day is “another holocaust.” No two historical events are exactly identical. So let’s leave the word “holocaust” where it belongs – next to Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen and Mauthausen. Still there are compelling parallels between today’s genocide and the Nazi crimes...

MORE HERE:

http://concordia.typepad.com/vocation/2008/10/remembering-col.html

Obama - Economic Crisis - Who is the cause? Must watch!

Proof of Who Caused Our Economic Crisis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aeq1eWTzzHM

West Bend Schools TRUMP Parental Authority

FINAL VOTE ON UNCONSTITUTIONAL HARASSMENT POLICY TONIGHT

7 P.M.

WEST BEND EAST HIGH SCHOOL

WEST BEND SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

The "administrative rule" has been drafted for this policy (though parents AND/OR board members do not have the right to vote on this).

The paragraph at the end of the administrative rule is not specific enough. This is the problem:

The administrative rule states:

If the complaining student or alleged harasser is a student under the age of eighteen, the administrator handling the harassment complaint shall notify a parent of the situation if the outcome will result in disciplinary action to their child.

(SO PARENTS ONLY GET TO KNOW IF THERE IS DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN? WHAT ABOUT NOTIFYING A PARENT WHEN THEIR CHILD FILES A COMPLAINT?)

It is the first priority of the District to ensure student safety and to investigate the circumstances of the situation. Parents will be notified as soon as practical.

(A TIME FRAME NEEDS TO BE SPELLED OUT HERE. 30 MINUTES? 30 DAYS?)

This notification will occur in all cases as outlined except those in which the harassment complaint official believes the notification will result in serious physical, emotional, or mental harm to the student.

(SO IF A CHILD SAYS THEY MIGHT GET SPANKED, THEN THE PARENTS WON'T BE TOLD? WHO DECIDES WHAT IS PARENTAL "HARM"? AND WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES?)

Parents are NOT MENTIONED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE STEPS TO CARRY OUT FORMAL OR INFORMAL COMPLAINTS. This paragraph is ALL THERE IS.

www.wbcommunityinfo.blogspot.com

Appleton's Egelhoff contradicts her own blog (ANTI-GUN?) - Jekyll and Hyde?

Note to all political bloggers: Be careful what you write, because one day you might decide to run for public office. Consider the case of Jo Egelhoff, the Republican candidate for an open Assembly seat in Appleton. Before entering the race, she was a regular blogger on FoxPolitics.net, a political Web site that she runs.

Egelhoff has removed everything from her blog. But nothing on the Web ever truly disappears, and a review of her old posts makes one thing clear:

The candidate is not always in line with the blogger.

http://www2.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=809683

See Owen's take on this story. He makes some very valid points.
http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/weblog/permalink/lake_express_ferry/

Surprise Gay Day for Kindergartners

The school is scheduled to host discussions about families and has posted fliers on school grounds portraying only homosexuals. According to the report, a "TransAction Gender-Bender Read-Aloud" will take place Nov. 20. Students will listen to traditional stories with "gay" or transgender twists, to include "Jane and the Beanstalk."
Some parents only recently noticed posters promoting the school's "Coming Out Day" tomorrow – celebrated 12 days after the national "Coming Out Day" usually observed on Oct. 11.


http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78829

School Board Controls Closed Circuit TV in West Bend?

The week of July 8th there was an onslaught of parents who requested that the HARASSMENT POLICY WRITING COMMITTEE MEETING be taped on July 14th.

Mike Ryan, the Coordinator, for West Bend Community Television, responded to the parents by letting them know that he could only provide this service if he had "someone available."

Ryan then forwarded all the requests from these parents on to Pat Herdrich, West Bend School District Superintendent.

The District Office's reply to Mike Ryan's forwarded requests was this:

"I see you're getting quite a few requests for videotaping Monday's meeting. A DECISION WILL BE MADE LATER THIS MORNING AND I'LL LET YOU KNOW THEN. If you receive any additional requests, please forward them."

_____________________________________________

Here are some questions..

WHO makes the decision as to whether the committee meeting gets taped? Obviously, the School District has SOMETHING to do with it.

WHY would the School District need to have all the emails from the requesting parents forwarded to them? What purpose does this serve? Interesting!

I smell television monopoly.

Sex offenders get "No Candy" signs for Halloween

Sex offenders get signs for Halloween

"One year on Halloween, we ran out of candy well before the trick-or-treaters were finished for the night. In an attempt to dissuade them from knocking on our door, we turned the porch light off. When that failed to stop them, we put a sign on the door reading "sorry, no more candy". That didn't work, either. Based on that experience, I am somewhat doubtful that Maryland's plan to keep children away from sex offenders on Halloween will be successful."

What about those people who choose not to participate and hang a similar sign? OOOPS! This could be a tad bit confusing....

Bank Robbery Near Mayfair Mall

3:25 p.m. Journal/Sentinel

Wauwatosa police and Milwaukee County Sheriff's deputies are on the scene of a robbery at Wells Fargo bank on Mayfair Road. Southbound traffic on Highway 100 is being rerouted through the Mayfair Mall parking lot while police investigate and attempt to keep traffic moving. Sheriff's deputies are helping with traffic and have also deployed two K-9 units to the scene.

(Never assume your safety - anywhere.)

West Bend Referendum video distributed - but NO referendum?

So whose idea was this? And why are we finding these coercive videos around town?
http://wbcommunityinfo.blogspot.com/2008/07/wb-school-board-promo-video-coerces.html

I filed a formal complaint with the district attorney on August 14 .... NO RESPONSE from Attorney Martens.

http://wbcommunityinfo.blogspot.com/2008/08/complaint-fileddistrict-attorney-re.html

There will be no referendum this November, but the videos are in stacks at your local library.

Who is the skilled marketing firm handling this? And who is wasting yet MORE of our tax dollars???

Do your part and ASK.Elected Officials:
President: Joe Carlson = 262-334-1042 or jkcarlson@west-bend.k12.wi.us
Vice President: Kathy Van Eerden kvaneerden@west-bend.k12.wi.us
John Duwell: 262-338-2024 or jduwell@west-bend.k12.wi.us
Kris Beaver: 262-677-3412 or kbeaver@west-bend.k12.wi.us
Mike Weston: 262-338-2251 or mweston@west-bend.k12.wi.us
Bruce Koenig: 262-335-2408 or bkoenig@west-bend.k12.wi.us
Todd Miller: tmiller@west-bend.k12.wi.us

Obama's Disarming Plan is Alarming

Zebras & goats & piglets, oh MY!

I had to interrupt our regularly-scheduled conversations to comment on a particularly enjoyable side-track to life we experienced...

While in a get-away weekend with another couple who are friends of ours (of course!), we took the scenic drive to Boscobel along Highway 60. Though the colors have not exactly peaked yet, it is still gorgeous, as always, as the highway winds along the Wisconsin River and teased us with splotches of red here and there.

Passing through Spring Green, we noticed a large farm-like establishment with an enormous amount of produce out front, not to mention the most gigantic pumpkins I have EVER seen! Since we needed a bathroom call at about this time, we decided to investigate. We were pleasantly surprised!

Now, most people would, perhaps, not have been so amused, but we literally had the place to ourselves. I think that is what made the stop at PECK'S FARM MARKET so enjoyable in a child-like kind of way..! Everything was under the cover of mature trees and was very clean, well-kept and maintained, and even the bathroom was convenient to the zoo location!

http://www.pecksfarmmarketeast.com/


The "Petting Zoo" (free) was not just your average "caged" animal. The zebra had a PVC pipe of large diameter, which hosted a feeding frenzy if you dropped a handful of corn (25 cents) through the opening into the cage. Mr. Zebra knew just what to do and we had fun sliding kernels through the pipe!

Next, the multitude of goats were equally well-versed in what to do! Ramps that went way HIGH above our heads provided us entertainment as we filled the "feed cup" and turned the pulley that hoisted it to the top of the collage of ramps. Billy Goat stood ever-so-proudly waiting for his treat, and we got quite a kick out of him, as well! Other things we experienced here...

Tiny piglets..
Chickens and ducks...
A llama...
A CAMEL...


APPLE CIDER SLUSHES for $1.00! (Absolutely delicious!)
FREE CANDY for visitors!

Hay rides were available (but we didn't have time).

TONS of produce!
The giant pumpkin was $250 (we decided against it, although "someone" thought it might be interesting to blow it up)!
Some craft items, but not too many,.......
Jams and jellies (I got cranberry jelly!)
All kinds of gourmet treats.
Fresh cider!
Apples from GAYS MILLS!
POPCORN - ALL KINDS!

This treasure-find of a stop is PERFECT for families AND adults! We had a blast, the animals were hysterical, and the produce was amazing and reasonably priced! The staff was run by well-mannered young adults.

Put it on your list of places to go!

West Bend School Board Shuns Protesting Parents

A large group of taxpayers, families and parents stood outside of Green Tree School in West Bend, the site of the District School Board meeting that evening. Holding signs with statements, such as "How Would George Washington Vote", "We said 'NO'", "I Love the First Amendment" and "Table the Harassment Policy", each petitioner was sending a message to the School Board, and to the community. The Harassment Policy is NOT ACCEPTABLE AS WRITTEN.

A group of over 50 people filed into the meeting, quietly holding their petition signs up for the school board members to read for the duration of Monday's meeting.
Though over 12 people had requested to speak to the agenda on the subject of the harassment policy, board president Joe Carlson only allowed an additional 5 minutes on the agenda for community members to address the issue, SHUTTING OUT AT LEAST 8 PEOPLE. The school board made it clear they were NOT WILLING TO LISTEN TO PARENTS at this meeting, nor were they interested in this large group who were asking for the policy to be tabled and looked at again to address the disturbing and unconstitutional wording within it.

After six people were allowed two minutes each to speak to their elected officials, the school board called up Kathy Zarling and, together with the school board, Ms. Zarling proceeded to try justifythe specially protected gay and lesbian groups, the wording that shuts up Christian kids, and a policy that leaves parents OUT.

School Board members stated that they felt they had looked at all of the materials that were sent to them by community members/parents (but did not use), spent over 1-1/2 hours with one certain member of the community (that was me)and had changed wording to what the "community wanted" (but never changed the CONTEXT of the policy - there IS a difference). The policy was then MOVED ON FROM SECOND READING and will go for a final reading at the next school board meeting.

Bummer for the parents who voted for these officials, thinking they would be their representatives. This conservative community deserves better representation that this.

ACORN Video - Dishonest Politics Revealed

Lesbian wedding a "teachable moment" for CA public school

A public school in San Francisco bused 18 first-graders to City Hall yesterday, so the youngsters could scatter rose petals in celebration of their lesbian teacher's wedding.
The students, from Creative Arts Charter School, waited on the steps for their teacher with bags of pink rose petals, bottles of bubbles and, at least for some, with political buttons asking Californians to vote down Proposition 8, a ballot measure that seeks to define marriage in the state as a union between one man and one woman.

...

The school's interim director Liz Jaroflow, however, defended the field trip to a homosexual wedding as academically justifiable.
"It really is what we call a teachable moment," she told the Chronicle. "I think I'm well within the parameters."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=77734

China Stiffing the U.S. for $1 MILLION

"While Chinese companies are in line to benefit directly from U.S. taxpayers' $700 billion-plus bailout of Wall Street, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other financial institutions, Beijing is stiffing the U.S. for $100 billion or more in unpaid debt."

...

"The situation is crystal clear," said another. "China has an obligation and if it wishes to operate globally it must meet this and any other obligations."

"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck. China's credibility should be disclosed so investors are aware of the risk. China needs to pay its debts," added another.
Gallegly's effort also was to encourage that knowledge among investors.

"This action will put all investors on notice that China has refused to honor its obligations in contravention of international law," he wrote. "It will also encourage China to negotiate in good faith with American bondholders to settle their claims on defaulted bonds."
O'Brien called China's actions "selective default."

He said that's "a practice whereby a government selectively defaults on one specific class of full faith and credit soverereign obligations … yet honors repayment to selected creditors of a separate class.."

"China's refusal to honor repayment of its full faith and credit sovereign debt to American bondholders is best characterized by a statement that appeared in a recent news article: 'When it comes to territory, China claims Tibet and Taiwan based on historical claims predating the current communist government assuming power, but when it comes to debts owed to American citizens, it's a different story," he wrote.

MORE HERE:
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=77687

A Glimpse into McCains Integrity & Character

But then something weird happens: He acknowledges the "energy" people have been showing at rallies, and how glad he is that people are excited. But, he says, "I respect Sen. Obama and his accomplishments." People booed at the mention of his name. McCain, visibly angry, stopped them: "I want EVERYONE to be respectful, and lets make sure we are."

........

Indeed, he just snatched the microphone out the hands of a woman who began her question with, "I'm scared of Barack Obama... he's an Arab terrorist..."
"No, no ma'am," he interrupted. "He's a decent family man with whom I happen to have some disagreements."

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/10/mccain_denounces_pitchforkwave.html

Obama - Audacity - and a book that tells ALL

When Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination, many had high hopes that his breakthrough would move American social consciousness forward into a post-racial era. Many thought the time had come when candidates would be judged by their qualifications and dedication to our country, not by their race.

To see why it is impossible for Obama to play this transcending role, read his autobiography: "Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance." His Dreams are obsessed with race and race conflict.

.........

With his new all-black identity, Obama stews about injustices that he never personally experienced, and feeds his warped worldview by withdrawing into a "smaller and smaller coil of rage." He lives with a "nightmare vision" of black powerlessness.
Obama says that the hate doesn't go away. "It formed a counter-narrative buried deep within each person and at the center of which stood white people — some cruel, some ignorant, sometimes a single face, sometimes just a faceless image of a system claiming power over our lives."

Obama's worldview sees U.S. history as a consistent tale of oppressors and oppressed. He objects to the public schools because black kids are learning "someone else's history. Someone else's culture."

He even criticizes his white grandparents who worked hard to give him a privileged life. Their motives are a mystery to Obama because they came from the "landlocked center" of the United States which, he asserts, is full of "suspicion and the potential for unblinking cruelty."

http://www.eagleforum.org/column/2008/oct08/08-10-10.html

West Bend School District 1st vote on harassment policy THIS Monday

"The first reading of the West Bend School District’s both criticized and supported harassment policy will be held at Monday night’s School Board meeting."

"Kathy Zarling, district administrator of pupil services, said the latest version satisfies state requirements and guidance, including the state administrative code, which establishes procedures on complying with the state statute on harassment (118.13). In addition, an Aug. 13 letter from the state Department of Public Instruction to the district essentially says “the enumeration of protected classes” is required to provide “clear notice” as to who the state statute on harassment applies (118.13). "

http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA4LzEwLzExI0FyMDAzMDQ=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

THIS IS A CROCK.


Wisconsin State Statute 118.13 is a pupil discrimination law. This law pertains only to school admission, and the nondiscrimination of these protected classes thereof. By bringing “sexual orientation” into the protected class of persons, we open the door wide to leaving others out. What about short people, pregnant, tattooed, pierced, tall, thin or fat people? One would wonder if, perhaps, they should also be mentioned as a protected class, as well. As you can see, setting apart children into protected classes is inappropriate and further causes division between students.

This harassment policy states that if student speech is "creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment", then the interpretation of harassment is left wide open to the person being harassed. With such a vague policy as this, all school children become threatened with disciplinary action and are prohibited from speaking freely, lest they risk "offending" another. Can you see how intimidating this could be in the classroom? With such a subjective policy based on individual interpretation, how will students know where the line is drawn and whether they have crossed it. What are the consequences they will have to succumb to?

From my vantage point as a mother/grandmother/taxpayer/citizen, it is unthinkable to place a behavioral choice into a protective class and afford special rights over the rest of the student body. At issue is an overreaching interpretation by our district of Wisconsin State Administrative Code PI-9.

I also believe the proposed West Bend policy, goes way beyond the statutory requirements and creates a policy controlling student behavior. It makes the public school administration the “thought police,” and shuts down the students’ rights to free speech, violating the First Amendment.

Protection from harassment should be for ALL people, not just certain defined classes. This is an unnecessary area to expand on and providing preferential treatment goes beyond the limits of what the law requires.

PLAN TO ATTEND, BE A VOICE

REQUEST THE SCHOOL BOARD TO VOTE "NO" ON THIS POLICY

THIS CONSERVATIVE COMMUNITY WISHES TO MAINTAIN ITS VALUES AND MORALS FOR OUR DISTRICT CHILDREN

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Green Tree Elementary School.

Recognize these Saul Alinsky methods? ACORN & Obama

Obama Sex Ed Bill

By now, you have probably seen the Obama sex ed ad on television. This too has peaked my interest as I wanted to see how Wisconsin's sex ed statute compares to our neighbor's bill to the south. Below is a copy of the proposed Illinois Sex Ed bill from the 1993 session as well as my observations.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=3&GA=93&DocTypeId=SB&DocNum=99&GAID=3&LegID=734&SpecSess=&Session=

Observations:
1. Kids are automatically opted-in to the sex ed classes unless parents submit a written statement. This often happens in Wisconsin so active parenting is needed in this regard.
2. This bill would expand the Illinois law which originally applied to grades 6-12 to instead include grades Kindergarten- 12th grade.
3. Wording about the fact that abstinence is the best option was removed from the current law. This statement was struck. - "Abstinence is the expected norm in that abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only protection that is 100% effective against unwanted teenage" pregnancy.
4. The Illinois bill referenced the benefits of marriage 5 times. EVERY reference to marriage as an option was deleted under 1993 Senate Bill 99.
5. Sexually transmitted "disease" was replaced with Sexually transmitted "infection." If you don't know the politics of "disease" vs. "infection," please let me know. (While I am at it, if you don't know the difference between "abstinence- only" vs. "abstinence- based" instruction, let me know. There is a day and night difference between the two terms.)
6. A Values-Free Clause was added - "Course material and instruction shall be free of racial, ethnic, gender, religious, or sexual orientation biases."
7. "All options" counseling was added (which means abortion is discussed as an option) while "the alternatives to abortion" language was struck.
8. The definitions section is most interesting.

Reminisce: Obama's statement on Freedom of Choice

"When South Dakota passed a law banning all abortions in a direct effort to have Roe overruled, I was the only candidate for President to raise money to help the citizens of South Dakota repeal that law. When anti-choice protesters blocked the opening of an Illinois Planned Parenthood clinic in a community where affordable health care is in short supply, I was the only candidate for President who spoke out against it. And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president."

(Interpretation: I stepped in and helped get the bucks to kill babies in South Dakota. I refuted the actions of people who don't want babies murdered. If I become president, I will make sure that babies continue to be killed.)

"As President, I will improve access to affordable health care and work to ensure that our teens are getting the information and services they need to stay safe and healthy. "

(Interpretation: I plan to make sure that even teens can have their babies killed, easily. And I also plan to make sure they don't have to tell anything to their parents if they don't want to AND I'll make sure they get condoms and birth control pills, too! I'll even throw in the "day after" pill "just in case.")

http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/22/obama_statement_on_35th_annive.php

West Bend School District "Listening Session" on Referendum TONIGHT

JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
7 P.M.
IN THE GYM

BE INFORMED
BE VOCAL

Burmeister not running again? SAY IT ISN'T SO!

:::too overwhelmed with gratitude to comment:::


Curtsy to Owen/Boots & Sabers:

Elizabeth Burmaster, state superintendent of public instruction since 2001, said Monday that she will not seek a third term as the state’s highest ranking kindergarten-through-12th grade education official.

West Bend Referendum put on HOLD???

The West Bend School Board is “strongly considering” postponing November’s two-question, $68 million referendum due to the recent historic economic tumble.

:::Gasp! The economy? In a downtrend?:::

The board will discuss moving the referendum to either the February primary or the April election at a special meeting Wednesday night, which leaves enough time for the county clerk to deactivate the computer chip counting the referendum votes. That deadline is Friday, and ballots are already printed with the referendum on them. The board is considering the option “because of what’s going on in the economy, the uncertainty, people’s anxiety,” said Joe Carlson, board president.

:::Ya, don't say! People's anxiety? Uncertainty? Why, I think I have heard these words before!:::

People are afraid for their 401K plans, he said. Since the referendum was put on the ballot in August, the country’s banking industry and thus the stock market have tanked, leading Congress to pass a $700 billion bailout and triggering investors to hit the panic button.

:::Actually, the downturn has been unfolding for a tad bit longer than "August":::

Wednesday’s meeting agenda was faxed to the Daily News minutes after the Dow Jones closed at less than 10,000 points for the first time in four years. “You look at all those factors together, it’s unprecedented,” Carlson said of the economy. Carlson said the School Board has several options for the referendum, according to the State Elections Board and the district’s legal counsel:

Hold it like it had planned and take its chances; (It will go down in flames)

Postpone it to the Feb. 17 primary; Postpone it to the April 7 election. (Kind of interesting choice with low voter turnout post presidential election...but, hey, whatever works, right?)

If the referendum is postponed, the board has some options on what to do with the November ballots already printed.

Regardless, the board will put up signs at polling places saying the referendum has been rescinded. Have the computer chip not count the referendum votes; (Thankyouverymuch)

Let the referendum vote go through but don’t canvass it; the public would then be able to see the vote via open records requests; (And we will.)

Reprint the ballots at the district’s expense. (OH MA GAH! Not more wasted EXPENDITURE!)

Regardless, the contents of the referendum will stay the same, Carlson said. “The plan that we have in place is really the plan,” he said. (Bummer for us all. Too bad they won't "consider" fine tuning. Oh well. Can't say we haven't tried.)

The cost may increase “slightly” due to the delay, from an expected increase in construction costs. Carlson said should the board decide to delay the vote, the board will examine ways to cut costs to offset the increase. (Like hold off on the Jackson school and cut the high-tech security systems?)

Help may come from the down economy as inflation may not be as bad, he said. Carlson knows the economy could even be worse come spring. “It could be and I guess that goes back to the comment that it’s never easy to pass a referendum in any community,” he said. The district had scheduled five community information sessions this month on the referendum. The first, scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Jackson Elementary School, will be held, Carlson said. The rest may rely on what the board decides Wednesday.

(In the interest of playing fair... IF the School Board does the RIGHT THING in this case, here's a pat on the back and a high five.)

http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA4LzEwLzA3I0FyMDAxMDM=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

Find your School District and Compare!

SCHOOL REFERENDUMS FOR GENERAL ELECTION BALLOTS

Auburndale
09-10 $300,000
10-11 $350,000
11-12 $400,000
12-13 $450,000
13-14 $500,000
Total: $2,000,000
Exceed revenue limit for five years to sustain educational programs and to pay operational and capital expenses.

Birchwood
08-09 $325,000
09-10 $325,000
Total: $650,000
Cost of maintaining educational program quality, purchasing instructional materials, acquiring hardware/software for instructional technology use, providing technology support and maintaining district buildings.

Boscobel
09-10 $500,000
10-11 $550,000
11-12 $600,000
Total: $1,650,000
Exceed revenue limit for three years to maintain educational programs, facilities and equipment.

Brillion
$23,690,000
Construction and equipping a new K-8 elementary school and demolishing and removing the existing elementary school and maintenance facility; constructing replacement maintenance facilities; and making improvements at the elementary school site including asphalt improvements. (Issue debt)

Clinton Community
$9,630,000
Maintenance upgrades at elementary and middle schools, addition at elementary school, and security upgrades at all buildings. (Issue debt)

Denmark
09-10 $700,000
10-11 $800,000
11-12 $900,000
Total: $2,400,000
Exceed revenue cap to fund educational programming for students.

Ellsworth Community
$2,000,000
Paying for the cost of improvements, replacements and upgrades at existing school facilities. (Issue debt)

Ellsworth Community
09-10 $900,000
10-11 $900,000
11-12 $900,000
12-13 $900,000
13-14 $900,000
Total: $4,500,000
Maintain current programs.

Germantown
$500,000
Operate elementary school (Recurring)
Germantown
$22,500,000
New elementary school construction, furnishing for it; technology and safety district wide. (Issue debt)

Gibraltar Area
09-10 $2,425,000
10-11 $2,875,000
Total: $5,300,000
To fund educational programming for students.

Hilbert
$6,815,000
Construction an addition to the middle/high school building; making renovations to the elementary and middle/high school buildings; and equipment acquisition related to said projects. (Issue debt)

Jefferson
09-10 $300,000
10-11 $300,000
12-13 $300,000
13-14 $300,000
Total: $1,200,000
Exceed revenue limit for maintenance projects.

Jefferson
$39,700,000
Addition and renovation to high school including 2 story classroom addition; pool and gymnasium; demolishing a portion of the existing high school; improving the high school grounds including the track, and constructing new tennis courts. (Issue debt).

Kiel Area
$350,000
Exceeding the revenue limit from 2009-2010 until 2018-2019 for operational costs associated with building and site expansion including the high school auditorium addition and other improvement projects.

Kiel Area
$650,000
Exceeding the revenue limit from 2009-2010 until 2018-2019 for continuing and expanding upon the programs and projects previously approved in April, 1999 which include supporting technology improvements and increased maintenance and operational expenses.

Kiel Area
$17,430,000
Upgrade and improvement projects at Meeme LEADS charter school and Kiel Middle School and sites; constructing additions to, including an auditorium addition to the high school, and renovating, upgrading and improving Zielanis Elementary and Kiel High schools and sites; construction and improvement projects at District athletic fields; and acquiring equipment, furnishings and technology hardware and software district wide. (Issue debt)

LaCrosse
$18,500,000
Adding to, renovating and upgrading existing school facilities including HVAC, safety, and security systems. (Issue debt)

Lafarge
Maintaining and improving instructional materials, programs and staff, replacing technology equipment, upgrading facility equipment and maintaining the current School District Facilities.

Lake Mills
$15,600,000
Adding to, improving, remodeling and renovating the middle school and acquiring related equipment. (Issue debt)

Lodi
09-10 $875,000
10-11 $875,000
11-12 $875,000
Total: $2,625,000
Maintaining and improving instructional programs and staff, replacing technology software and equipment, updating facility equipment and maintaining the current school district facilities.

Madison
2009 $5,000,000
2010 $4,000,000
2011 $4,000,000
Total: $13,000,000
Recurring purposes. (Recurring)

Mercer
09-10 $350,000
10-11 $350,000
11-12 $350,000
12-13 $350,000
13-14 $350,000
Total: $1,750,000
Maintain District educational programs, technology, and facilities.

Merton Community
$3,000,000
Renovating, remodeling, improving and maintaining school buildings and grounds; upgrading technology infrastructure and the telephone systems; and acquiring and installing related fixtures and equipment. (Issue Debt)

New London
$300,000
Acquiring and installing technology hardware, software, infrastructure, and associated training. (Recurring)

North Crawford
$400,000
To exceed revenue cap by an amount not to exceed $400,000 for a recurring purpose. (Recurring)

Oconto Falls
$20,000
Paying the costs of operation of expanded outdoor facilities. (Recurring)

Oconto Falls
$4,595,000
Cost of new football, track and softball fields at high school site, and improvements at the Abrams, and Memorial Field baseball sites, including related facilities, fixtures and equipment. (Issue Debt)

Oregon
10-11 $400,000
11-12 $400,000
12-13 $400,000
13-14 $400,000
14-15 $400,000
15-16 $400,000
16-17 $400,000
17-18 $400,000
18-19 $400,000
19-20 $400,000
Total: $4,000,000
Capital maintenance projects.

Pittsville
2008 $175,000
2009 $175,000
2010 $175,000
Total: $525,000
Operation and maintenance expenses.

Plymouth
08-09 $775,000
09-10 $1,100,000
10-11 $1,400,000
11-12 $1,400,000
12-13 $1,400,000
Total: $6,075,000
To support the ongoing educational and maintenance needs of the District.

Poynette
$13,6750,000
Construct and equip new Pre K-3 elementary school; closing the Arlington and Dekorra Elementary schools; renovating the existing Poynette K-8 building and equipping it to be a grades 4-8 building; upgrading security systems in district building; and removing asbestos. (Issue Debt)

Random Lake
$640,000
Repair, replacement and improvement projects at the K-12 campus and acquiring equipment. (Issue Debt)

Rhinelander
$225,000
Paying operational costs associated with 1.) renovations, improvements and/or additions at Central, Crescent and Pelican Elementary schools, James Williams Middle School and Rhinelander High School; 2.) a new pool; and 3.) a new multi-purpose facility. (Recurring)

Rhinelander
$23,350,000
Remodeling, renovating, improving and/or adding to Central, Crescent and Pelican Elementary schools, James Williams Middle School, and Rhinelander High School; constructing a new multi-purpose facility; constructing a new pool; and acquiring and installing related equipment, furniture and fixtures. (Issue Debt)

Saint Francis
$14,900,000
Various repair, replacement and improvement projects at the Saint Francis High School, Deer Creek Intermediate School and Willow Glen Elementary school. (Issue Debt)

Seneca
$800,000
Maintaining, increasing, and improving instructional materials, programs, and staff, replacing technology equipment, updating facility equipment and maintaining the current school district facilities. (Recurring)

Sun Prairie
$288,205
Paying operation and maintenance costs of a new swimming pool at the high school. (Recurring)

Sun Prairie
$3,900,000
Construct and equip new swimming pool at the new high school. (Issue Debt)

Tigerton
$1,980,000
Various remodeling, repair, and improvement projects at the middle/high school complex; and acquiring equipment, furnishings, and fixtures. (Issue Debt)

Washburn
2009 $300,000
2010 $250,000
2011 $200,000
2012 $150,000
Total: $900,000
Operating and maintenance costs. (Recurring)

Watertown
10-11 $560,000
11-12 $560,000
12-13 $560,000
13-14 $560,000
14-15 $560,000
15-16 $560,000
16-17 $560,000
Total: $3,920,000
Secure funding for the addition of teaching and custodial staff to operate additions on school buildings throughout the district.

Watertown
$22,385,000
Remodel, renovate and add additions to school buildings throughout the district. (Issue Debt)

West Bend
$41,450,000 (CAN WE AFFORD THIS?)
Construct new elementary school to serve Jackson area and closing and possibly demolishing Jackson Elementary school; constructing additions to, remodeling, renovation and site improvements at the Silverbrook Middle and Decorah Elementary schools; security improvement projects at Fair Park, Green Tree and McLane Elementary schools and East and West High School (high-tech security systems!); addressing traffic/parking issues at McLane and Fair Park Elementary school; and acquiring land, equipment and furnishings. (Issue Debt)

West Bend
$27,400,000
Demolition work; construction and addition to and remodeling and renovating the Badger Middle School including site improvements; and acquiring equipment and furnishings. (Issue Debt)

UW-MILWAUKEE ATTACKS AGAINST COLLEGE REPUBLICANS CONTINUE

UNIVERSITY PULLS SECURITY FOR CONSERVATIVE SPEAKER

MILWAUKEE – In the latest in a series of assaults on conservative ideals and speech, Scott
Gore head of the Student Union at UW-Milwaukee has pulled security for guest lecturer
Robert Spencer who is scheduled to speak at UWM in two weeks. Without security the event can not take place.
This is not the first attempt by UW-Milwaukee administration to pull the plug on this event. Two weeks ago Dr. Ruth Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, tried to revoke a room reserved for Robert Spencer without any legal or practical reason to do so.

Contact: Matt Capristo
Communications Director
Email: capristo@uwm.edu
Phone: (414) 839-9681

McCain - Palin Town Hall Session in WAUKESHA

Please Join

John McCain and Sarah Palin

at a

Straight Talk Town Hall

Thursday, October 9th

Doors Open at 9:30AM


Please Arrive No Later than 10:30 AM

at

Center Court Sports Complex
815 Northview Boulevard
Waukesha, WI 53188
(414) 326-4250


Tickets are required for admission and are first come first serve at the following Ticket Distribution Centers.

Waukesha County Victory Center
1701 Pearl Street, #10
Waukesha, WI 53186

West Allis Victory Center
1470 South 84th Street
West Allis, WI 53214

Germantown Victory Center
N112 W15800 Mequon Rd
Germantown, WI 53022


*Tickets will be distributed from 9 am - 9 pm
*Name, Address Phone Number and E-mail must be provided for each ticket distributed
*No more than 4 tickets distributed per person

Sen. Grothman to speak in West Bend TONIGHT

Senator Glenn Grothman

at St. Andrew's Church just north of West Bend

TONIGHT
Monday October 6th at 7 pm.

TOPIC: "It's time to get off the bench and into the cultural battle".

All are invited to come and hear Senator Grothman's urgent plea for help in the fight to save our liberties and Christian values. St. Andrew's Church is located at 7750 N. Hwy 144 North of West Bend.

Wayne, WI pastor disses Pastors with LEFT WING VIEWS

::::“I do not preach about specific a candidate from the pulpit. I think it’s thoroughly inappropriate and I would go so far as to say it is reprehensible for a pastor to do that,” said the Rev. Dan Schultz of Salem United Church of Christ in the town of Wayne.

Schultz is also the leader of an online community — streetprophet.com, where he clearly expresses his viewpoint — and the author of a chapter in Frederick Clarkson’s book “Dispatches from the Religious Left,” that was released Wednesday. He expresses his views in those forums. ::::

http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA4LzEwLzAyI0FyMDAxMDU=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

Here are my thoughts about this:

Check out Rev. S's website at http://www.streetprophets.com/

This guy obviously does not know how to apply Biblical Truth and is leading others to the pit right along with him. He claims himself a christian from the "Religious left".... (ick)

He states on his blog:

With our financial system teetering on the brink of collapse, Obama pulling away, McCain sputtering helplessly and Palin proving herself to be a complete and utter idiot, what progressive has time or inclination to worry about theocracy, much less religion in general? We live in weird and disconcerting times, but I really don't think the problem of faith is at the top of anybody's agenda.

Okay, perhaps Sam Harris. But as I've said before, f*** him. He's not a progressive, and he has utterly no power within the movement. P.Z. Myers is more of a liberal, but he'd probably be the first to tell you he's hardly an earth-shaker.

Democrats have perhaps the most religious-minded presidential candidate since, well, ever - if you measure by the outreach programs he's put in place. How at this late date can it be argued with a straight face that religious people are shut out of the progressive movement?

The article, written by Gay Griesbach of the WB News, went on to say this:

The Rev. Bruce Dunford, pastor at the First Baptist Church of West Bend, agreed. “I always endeavor to talk about biblical principles. You can’t separate the principles that guide our life from the rest of life,” he said. Dunford said if there is an occasion to flesh out biblical truths with a political comment he may use it, but seldom preaches political issues and never endorses candidates. “I encourage people to get out and vote, I encourage them to look into the position of a candidate and the character of the candidate and to look at the biblical principals that guide us.”
___________________________________________________________________


UM, GAY? If you read what you just wrote, Pastor Dunford did NOT agree. He said he NEVER ENDORSES A CANDIDATE (Pastor Emrich did not endorse a candidate), and that he SELDOM preaches political issues (which means he SOMETIMES DOES). Let's get the slant back to the middle again, OK?

FELONS registering voters in Wisconsin???

Curtsy to "Texas Hold'em Blogger"..


The vote fraudsters at ACORN — the Association of Corrupted Organizations for Registration of Non-eligible voters — have been caught paying convicted felons to register voters in Wisconsin.

MADISON, Wis. (al-AP) — At least seven felons convicted of crimes including cocaine possession and robbery were recruited by a liberal group to register voters in Milwaukee, raising fears they may have committed voter fraud.

All seven were designated as special registration deputies, which allows them to solicit and keep voter registration applications before turning them in to local election officials.
Get a load of the statement from the ACORN representative quoted in the story:
We have a lot of folks with felony records and, frankly, they need jobs.

THE REST HERE:
http://texasholdemblogger.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/felons-paid-to-register-voters/

Excellent article and I fully agree with the thoughts presented here. This is an ILLEGAL ACTION and lends a fraudulent edge to Wisconsin's voting practices. ALL EYES SHOULD BE WIDE OPEN ON THIS.

(The only statement I don't agree with is the name-calling of felons as "lowlifes." I believe EVERYONE is redeemable. But..the law is the law.)

Pulpit Freedom Recommendation of McCain/Palin Transcript from West Bend church

"If we would consult God on national issues, if our leaders would consult God, we would be better off for it. I realize that as I come to this point in the recommendation that I'm going to make for you, it will be perceived as an oversimplification for many, many people. But in reality, there are millions of American citizens who do not see it as an oversimplification, do they? Furthermore, Moses did not believe that it was an oversimplification........"

READ ENTIRE TRANSCRIPT HERE:
http://wbcommunityinfo.blogspot.com/2008/10/transcript-of-local-pastors-pulpit.html

Hate email sent to Pulpit Freedom Pastors/Addresses Christians

Though I am hesitant to give this self-proclaimed, on-line Ph.D. reverend additional exposure, I couldn't help but view this poorly-written letter (and her website) as "amusing entertainment" of sorts....

"Over the last eight years the radical Christian conservative fundamentalist beliefs and practices have spewed forth a war mongering agenda that involves trading on our human fears and ignorance. It has impoverished the lives of 36.5 million people, approx 1 in 8 Americans, who were below the official poverty thresholds in 2006. The poverty rate for children under 18 years old increased from 16.2% to 17.8% from 2000 to 2004 and had dropped to 17.4% in 2005 and 2006. The Bush War on Terrorism military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will exceed their budget by 12.3 billion this fiscal year, after 5 years of national effort that has included the loss of over 3,000 service members in combat operations."

AND

"We must put a stop to Christian conservative fundamentalist religious empires and the corporate entities they build that chew people up and spit them out. They despitefully use people in the name of God. These 33 Christian conservative fundamentalist Pastors seek to take advantage of our democratic freedoms in order to eventfully obliterate them. These 33 Christian conservative fundamentalist Pastors are more dangerous to our nation than any secular counterpart. These 33 Christian conservative fundamentalist Pastors intimidate our nation through various forms of spiritual terrorism. These 33 Christian conservative fundamentalist Pastors are very dangerous in that their radical views rarely can be changed or moderated and will lead to the destruction of our nation’s Constitution and political system."

Reverend Linda Miskimen, PhD, D.C.S.
(I really can't say what the D.C.S. means - perhaps Director of a Communistic Society?)

FULL EMAIL/LETTER HERE:
http://circleministries.org/issues.aspx

Gee, I wish I had THAT kind of power! IT'S AMAZING!

You see, if you read Linda's website, she states the people of her church "will fight for the civil rights of all." Um, I think I see a contradiction here. For more contradictions, ridiculosities and absurd notions, feel free to visit the above website. Don't forget the popcorn!

And during ***INTERMISSION***

Here's more of Linda...

"Religion, government and the medical-industrial-complex are teaming up together to keep power in the hands of the majority. It not about equality, it is not about fairness, it is not about any of those human value. It is about power, control and greed. The medical-industrial-complex is in a runaway mode headed for a crash that will cost them any honor or respect they once had. Every one of us that are TS have made a visit to mental health professional and asked/begged to be declared mentally ill to receive medical care. I believe we are mentally ill by accepting the fact that we believe only from being declared mentally ill we can get medical care. We need to stop the craziness and take reasonability for our own well being and find a reasonable way within our own community to help each other outside of the medical-industrial-complex. If they get away way with declaring TS mentally ill just how safe is the GLB community?"

http://gidreform.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/diagnosis-vs-treatment-barriers-to-medical-care/

Did she say she declared herself mentally ill? Scarily, I must admit, I think I agree....