From our readers

Jan. 3

Letter to the Editor:

Ms. Karban, I read your article announcing that you have entered the Mayor’s race. I do take exception to several statements that were made.

Your sources that helped write the article were wrong in many ways, wanting to hide what really took place the last six (6) years. We have started our four (4) TIF districts and are planning to start our fifth (5th). We have managed our City resources and had a balanced budget all six (6) years. With a great team we are planning for the City’s future development thanks to our excellent employees and have maintained respect, balance and integrity.

Since you have been a member of the City Council, you have received information from outside sources who still want to be running the City. You and four (4) other members of the Council have been discussing issues between meetings, which constitutes a rolling quorum, which is illegal.

The City of Marinette is fiscally responsible. Moody’s, a credit rating company from New York, has given our City an A1 rating. They study city, county and state governments’ spending, borrowing and investing. The highest rating is an A3 and they are looking at upgrading Marinette to that level.

Marinette has moved forward, making more jobs available through use of our TIF program. These include jobs at the following: Marinette Marine, Tyco/Ansul, Winsert, Karl Schmidt Unisia, Waupaca, Kimberly Clark and Vargo Tool & Die. We also need to include the Wal-Mart Super Center and Country Inn and Suites.

Recreation programs are important to families and the community. A $12 million recreation center is not a feasible option for Marinette’s population; we cannot afford to build and maintain it. In 2006 Kubiak Pools advised not to invest any additional monies in our outdoor pool as it was built on wetlands. The cost of operating the pool is $70,000 a year for approximately two (2) months (this is after the revenue from the pool). Our Twin Cities have three (3) other pools plus outdoor swimming at Red Arrow Park, and in Menominee there is Henes Park, Memorial Beach, Victory Beach and the beach on Third Street. I had a plan to replace the Ice Dome for $2.4 million but the City Council denied it.

There is a public open meeting before the budget is passed with an opportunity for citizen comment; this past year there was no one there to participate. The Office of the Mayor has an open-door policy and is available to any citizen or community member, thus monthly meetings at the City’s expense were not held.

Across the street from the church on Taylor Street there are no-parking signs, initiated by one neighbor. The Council asked about the complaint and deferred to you, as a member, and went with your recommendation. This eliminated several parking spaces and you are responsible for that.

In closing, people need to know that the Mayor cannot spend without the Council’s approval but does not have a vote except in the case of a tie, so the power is in the hands of the Council and not the Mayor.

Respectfully,

Robert M. Harbick,

Mayor, City of Marinette

Dec. 28, 2011

To The Editor: This is my personal political “Ten Most Wanted List” for 2012

1. Wanted: Less spending by the federal government so that deficit spending becomes a thing of the past.

2. Wanted: People who run for public office at every level to be more concerned with being “public servants” than they are about being re-elected and seeking personal power and notoriety.

3. Wanted: The Federal Reserve to become extinct so that the stealth tax of destroying the value of our money is ended.

4. Wanted: Political office holders to be held to the highest level of integrity and subject to the same rules and regulations as every other citizen without any special consideration. One example would be “insider trading” of securities.

5. Wanted: Two laws stricken from the books for each new law passed by congress and state legislatures.

6. Wanted: Any new law that is passed to be no more than 100 pages in length and an affidavit signed by each legislator that they have read and understood the implications of that law in its entirety, and that such laws conform to the original intent of the Constitution. In addition new laws should be so written that any non-lawyer, with a high school education, can understand them.

7. Wanted: A return to corporate and individual responsibility that while encouraging prudent risk taking will not become a safety net for failure through “bailouts” of any kind. Examples are Banks, Insurance Companies, Auto Companies, GSEs such as Fannie and Freddie, Countries and underwater home mortgages.

8: Wanted: A drastic reduction in foreign aid, especially to countries whose leaders manage to pocket most of the aid without allowing it to go to help the truly needy for which it was targeted.

9. Wanted: A large cut in support of the United Nations, which is an organization comprised of Nations, the vast majority of which are outright enemies of the United States, and which has demonstrated for decades to be actively working against the best interests of the citizens of the United States.

10. Wanted: A halt to the growth in “foreign entanglements” warned against by the founding fathers and by which our best and brightest young men and women, and the wealth of our country, are sacrificed on the fields of battle for causes that are clearly not in the best interests of our citizens and lack a well defined “end game.” This includes the support of bases and personnel scattered throughout the world in most cases located in nations fully capable of financially underwriting such efforts.

Wishing you peace on earth and good will to mankind in 2012.

Dave Kipp,

Wausaukee

Editor:

I recently read a letter to the editor praising Gov. Walker for his apparent role in reducing property taxes. The person who wrote that letter lives in the Wausaukee School District and can thank himself. In 2011 the school district met its debt obligation for the new building. The taxpayers no longer have that burden on their tax roll, and that is why Mr. Teachout's (as well as the district property owners') taxes went down.

Let's not be so hasty in giving Gov. Walker so much credit. One issue our governor has undeservedly taken credit for is lifting the cap on long-term care. This program affects the elderly and disabled. Gov. Walker proudly announced a plan to lift the enrollment cap on our state’s long-term care program to continue providing for those needing it. This good deed wasn’t done by Walker’s good intentions, but only because the federal officials ordered it so.

Gov. Walker claims to be open and transparent regarding his business vs. personal travel (something his predecessor was criticized for). But, that’s not exactly the case. Since July of 2011, the Governor’s campaign has amassed $5.1 million. Nearly one-half that amount has come from beyond the state’s border. This all makes me wonder about his numerous out-of-state trips (i.e. California, Arizona, New York, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee and Kentucky). Are they to benefit our state in some way or the governor’s campaign fund?

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I encourage all to look beyond the media and be well informed about all aspects of our state’s leadership. Do all that you can to keep your bi-partisan eyes wide open.

Respectfully,

Chris Proctor,

Crivitz

Letter to the Editor:

After seven years of picking up the Village of Pound garbage and plowing snow, I was done as of Jan. 1, 2012. I would like to take this time to thank all the Village of Pound residents that I have had the pleasure of helping over the past seven years. I have met so many nice people and I will miss the interaction that we have had over the years. If we meet in passing, I will surely say hi.

I would also like to thank Dave and Keith from the Beaver Landfill for all the good times we had. Judy at the County landfill, enjoy your retirement. And thanks to Dan and Keri Bieber for hiring me and giving me the chance to meet all these wonderful people. Happy New Year and thanks for the memories!

Del Hannan

Letter to the Editor:

This letter is my response to Brazeau Town Supervisor Darrell Enix’s letter dated Dec. 14, 2011. As a resident and taxpayer in the Town of Brazeau I will squawk, protest, dispute and challenge anything that jeopardizes the stability of our town. The public can read these letters and form their own opinions.

Fact: The 2012 Brazeau Town Budget is $679,133 compared to the 2011 Budget of $720,555, a difference of $41,422. This reduction is due in part to a $4,574 in Wisconsin State Shared Revenues; a reduction of $2,000 in state grants and a reduction of about $40,000 in Bridge Aid plus increases in other budget lines. Source: Town of Brazeau 2012 Budget Revenue Worksheet.

Fact: With a $41,422 reduction in revenues the board reduced expenses across the budget but the Treasurers’ line remained the same at $20,000; the Highway Construction budget increased by $30,740 and the Highway Maintenance budget decreased by $43,187. There were minor increases to elections, assessment, insurance, cemeteries and the contingency fund. Source: Brazeau Budget Expense Worksheet. Opinion: Enix has a stake in the treasurer’s salary, mileage and highway construction.

Fact: Based on WI Statute 60.50(2) the town board is responsible for all town highways including lanes. Several years ago it was reported to the board that Tank Lane was located on private property. It is the town board’s duty to address issues such as Tank Lane. Leaving it alone was not an option. Working with the landowner and Oconto County, Tank Lane was moved to its present location. Source: Wisconsin State Statutes. Opinion: Tank Lane is not a road to nowhere. Landowners and sportsman use this lane to access their property and county lands.

Fact: There are many sources for the information I have shared with the public in my letters. Some of my material comes from: Enix’s own letters to the editor, town minutes, town monthly financial reports, budget revenue & expenditure worksheets and attendance at town board monthly meetings.

Fact: Enix tried, in vain, to restrict my access to town board meetings thus curbing my right to Freedom of Speech. A result of his fear of public opinion is the Rules of Conduct and Decorum which disrupted the governing of the Town of Brazeau.

Opinion: Leadership is a key component in town government. Mr. Enix and Mr. Hanna do not have these qualities. Enix and Hanna continue to undermine the authority given the chairman by the voters. During his campaign for public office Enix made many promises to voters. I heard the following quote recently, “Beware of a politician who tells you what you want to hear for they are deceitful.” Most of his promises were not kept while some were. Stay tuned.

Pam Duddek,

Town of Brazeau

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