From our readers

Times Editor:

Agriculture is one of the largest industries in Wisconsin, and I and my family are proud to be part of that. We strive to supply a safe, healthy product for your enjoyment.

On Friday, Sept. 23 the animal rights group that masquerades as a physicians group, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), dropped press releases about a billboard it bought from Next Media Group into the Green Bay media market. The local media, state media and finally, national media began covering the event, not knowing that this was really a manipulation of the media by an organization that lives to hide its real intentions in order to erode consumer confidence in products we have been consuming for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

By now most everyone knows about the billboard, what it says and what it looks like. What most people don’t seem to know is that PCRM is a group whose ultimate goal is to eliminate animal agriculture, which is why all of its nutrition advice excludes dairy products and animal protein. That’s just one of the reasons the American Medical Association (a legitimate physicians’ group), has called PCRM “irresponsible and potentially dangerous to the health and welfare of Americans.” The National Council Against Health Fraud, a nonprofit, health agency focused on health fraud, misinformation and quackery views the PCRM as a propaganda machine whose press conferences are charades for disguising its animal rights agenda, as news events.

PCRM has spent about $3,500 for the billboard on Hwy. 41, but was able to generate perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of publicity through its skillful manipulations. PCRM has a long track record of such tactics, deploying an anti-hot dog campaign targeting NASCAR fans in the Indianapolis market just this past summer. Less than 5 percent of PCRM’s members are doctors and none of its nutrition recommendations say it’s okay to eat products from animals.

The billboard as it exists today is far less impactful than it was and frankly, doesn’t work anymore since the visual joke, of the cheese head, has been removed. The media also, thankfully, called the organization funded by Wisconsin’s dairy farmers to build demand for their products, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, for comment on the billboard. WMMB’s nutrition messages are based on science, so the organization’s response is one consumers can trust. Many cheeses are excellent sources of calcium and sources of high quality protein and phosphorus. Cheese plays a critical role in filling Americans’ nutrient gaps as outlined in the Dietary Guidelines - it’s all about balanced diets and moderation. Interestingly, cheese provides only 5 percent of the calories in the U.S. diet, yet 21% of the calcium.

Many groups worked on this issue, and still are. As a Dairy Producer, I’d like to thank them. Any organization involved in agriculture was aware of this issue and “lent a helping hand” as neighbors are known to do.

So remember to eat your dairy products, rely on accurate information, and thank Wisconsin Agriculture for a safe, “close to home” supply of food!

Connie M. Seefeldt

Victoria Kronenberg, Pike River 4-H Club secretary/ reporter, paid tribute to the Marinette County 4-H program:

National 4-H Week, Oct. 2-8, is an excellent opportunity to thank leaders and volunteers for all they’ve taught me. I would also like to share some of my experiences to convey how 4-H has impacted my life.

I reside in Dunbar with my family, am 19 years old and the second oldest of nine children, ranging in ages 3-22 years. Eight of us are currently or were previously 4-H members.

When I started 4-H in 2001, as a shy, little eight-year-old girl, I never dreamed I would be as involved as I am today. I just wanted to learn more about horses. Since I lived in the suburbs of Chicago, I had to be satisfied with acquiring “book knowledge” of horses. Having a need for hands on activities, I also pursued my interest in arts and sewing. However, each passing year enticed me into a wider variety of projects including foods, nature and intercultural studies.

I have always had a great affection for animals and have been enrolled in animal projects my entire 4-H years. I started in the small pets project with my hamster, Calico, and when we moved to our farm in northwestern Illinois, I was amazed at the endless acres of farmland and livestock. I experimented with poultry and rabbits and was finally given a chance to work with horses! I spent every day with my first horse, Jonquil. My horse project leaders taught me how to care for, ride, train, condition, and finally show a horse. Being eager to learn, I soaked in every last bit of information. Three years ago I moved to Marinette County, joined the horse project club and acquired more knowledge about horses from my leaders and fellow members. This year I showed 2-year-old Addie and 21-year-old Domino.

Not only did 4-H help me to pursue my known interests but it sparked new ones. For example, my mom encouraged me to try new things and push farther than my perceived limits. So I shouldn’t have been surprised when my mother (and my scheming horse bowl coach) pushed me into the public speaking arena. They suggested that I create and deliver a speech for the Horse Public Speaking Contest. This suggestion struck the fear chord in me but I finally got the courage to try it out. I prepared, practiced and presented my first horse speech. It was an illustrated talk about eliminating equine external parasites.

The speech was written using a western theme. I was the sheriff explaining the crimes committed by this gang of mischievous bugs, and to my great surprise, I received a first at both county and state levels! This qualified me to attend two national competitions my first year. Then I decided to put my public speaking skills to good use. With newfound confidence, I have spoken to several civic and community clubs promoting 4-H. I have also spoken to area businesses to solicit donations in support of 4-H projects. 4-H has also provided a number of leadership opportunities for me to learn responsibility and cooperation, as well as improve my problem solving, time management and organizational skills.

Reflecting back, I was a standard beginning member, anxious to show projects at the fair, but terrified to speak in front of a small group of people. Gradually, however, I was able to achieve more than I thought imaginable.

Over the past 10 years I have been involved in three 4-H programs in two states. This exposure has allowed me to identify similarities and differences in each program. Even though the selection of projects varied from county to county, one thing was always consistent. No matter where I participated, the 4-H community was ready to assist me in all my undertakings and share their experiences and resources. That is something I appreciate more than words can express. I will always be grateful to the individuals in 4-H who helped me to be the best I can be. This experience has left me with a desire to give back to others what I have been given.

I have entered into my final year as a member of the Pike River 4-H Club. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. As I reflect on memories of years past, I am filled with joy and hope others will be just as blessed by the 4-H program in the future.

Respectfully submitted,

Victoria Kronenberg

To the Editor:

This letter is in response to the Sept. 28 article regarding the Brazeau Town Board meeting that was held on Sept. 21. In that article you pointed out that the Board held a number of meetings prior to Sept. 21. In fact, to date, the Board has met eight times thus far since Supervisor Hanna first made the motion to adopt Rules of Decorum for our Town Board meetings. However, during this time period Chairperson Wendt failed to place this topic on the agenda in order for rules to be formally adopted by the Board.

It should be noted that a Town is governed by the Town Board, not the Chairperson. It is now without question that Wendt’s stall tactics for the past two months was an illegal attempt at usurping the Board’s authority. It is further evident that the rule of law means nothing to Wendt. As Wendt stated in his Sept. 28 letter to the editor, “they (meaning Supervisor Hanna and myself) have held the Town hostage with their ideology of being right.” In other words, the law, in Wendt’s eyes, is nothing more than ideology. Wendt goes on to state that “this is certainly not how democracy was intended to function.”

Does Wendt even know what he is talking about? Democracy is a system of Government based on the principle of majority decision making. Wendt’s ideology of the law, as he mentions in his letter, is silly and nothing more than a game. Well, I for one, do not think that way and neither does Supervisor Hanna and neither does the Senior Legal Council at the Wisconsin Towns Association.

As for the Town being held hostage, I think Wendt can spare everyone the drama. When the Chairperson presents an improper agenda and business is conducted, any action(s), if challenged, can be revoked. All Wendt needed to do that night was correct the agenda and the meeting could have continued. However, Wendt chose to rebel against the authority of the Board and then he went and hid out for eight days. Wendt’s conduct demonstrates his lack of respect for the law and clearly reveals his inability to govern.

Wendt’s actions thus far are far more akin to a disobedient child that locks himself in his room because he didn’t get his way, than that of a Town Chairperson.

Darrell Enix,

Supervisor

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