Curmudgeon's Corner

Milwaukee seems to view us in the 'burbs' as the enemy that doesn't contribute sufficiently so as to permit it to solve its myriad problems.

Two indications came forth again involving the Milwaukee 'Wheel Tax' that passed the Milwaukee Common Council and the approval of the sale of Lake Michigan water to New Berlin.  These are but two small indicators of a pervasive anti-suburb feeling amongst elected officials.

Mayor Tom Barrett had this to say about the 'wheel tax':

"While I agree with the need to increase our investment in local streets, I am opposed to a funding scheme that is totally financed by City residents while businesses, not-for-profits and non-City residents - all generators of traffic on City streets - pay nothing.  I do not want Milwaukee to become a 'tax island' and I think it's unfair for residents to carry the sole burden of street repair when so many others benefit from those repairs."

Yet again, on the subject of Lake Michigan water being sold to New Berlin, Alderman Bob Bauman tried, unsuccessfully, to block the action.  He was against it on the grounds that it would increase 'sprawl' because New Berlin had failed to agree to conditions such as adding increased public transportation and affordable housing.  Bauman was defeated in another attempt where he sought to limit the agreement to encompass only those buildings already connected to sanitary sewer services for the city.

Barrett was again quoted as saying about this subject, "There are regional issues that continue to demand our attention.  Regional public transportation, housing, workforce and infrastructure investments have to be addressed and solutions agreed upon.  We must keep moving forward."

They seem to forget that the Germantown School District taxpayers are disproportionately supporting MATC that is indirectly supporting the lack of quality within the Milwaukee Public School system.  They seem to forget the 'regional' sales tax that is going to the Stadium District that sits amidst the City of Milwaukee.  They seem to forget all the business done in Milwaukee by people from the suburbs.  They seem to forget inter-government revenue sharing that favors them over us.

If I thought that Milwaukee would use our money to 'successfully' attack and correct its issues, I might be more prone to going along with this tripe.  But, Milwaukee has demonstrated, and continues to demonstrate, that it so far has been incapable of solving its problems.  No amount of suburban support is going to alter the outcomes of their school system, or reduce the tax rates for their citizens, or stimulate more business to want to locate in Milwaukee.

The author I quoted in a MATC Blog a few days ago had it correct when he stated that Milwaukee is inherently socialist down deep in its genes.  Tom Barrett and Bob Bauman believe that we have more and, therefore, we should pay more for their inadequacies of management.  They favor income and wealth redistribution so long as it benefits them. 

They seem to ignore that we in our small communities have our own sets of problems and that we do not look to them for our salvation.  Germantown needs to come to grips with roads and schools and general cost increases...and we'll get that done.  But, the idea that we are somehow responsible for the failures of the City of Milwaukee simply boggles my mind.

MATC Board...

Former superintendent Victor Rossetti has apparently moved from Germantown.  I have no idea to where he has relocated but his home has a sold sign in front and the new owners are moving in.

I have sent an email to MATC seeking information about his status as a Director.  The MATC website shows that his term is currently set to run through June 2009.  Requirements for positions as a Director are spelled out in quite some detail and residency is one of those requirements.

Some commenters have speculated in the past that MATC selected Mr. Rossetti to appease the residents/taxpayers of the Germantown School District.  Whether or not that was part of the selection process and decision I'm unaware. 

It seems that MATC would probably need to vacate his position through his resignation and I suspect that an appointment would be forthcoming to fill out the roster of Directors.  Among the requirements was the stipulation that one of the positions must be filled by a superintendent.  I don't know if MATC would consider our new superintendent or not, but it does seem that someone will need to be selected to fill that position.

If and when I receive a response to my email, I'll certainly publish the contents.

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Lilac Lane Bridge Out?

There have been signs across the roadway on both ends of Lilac Lane announcing that the bridge crossing the river is out.  This occurred relatively close to the time of closure of Maple Road where a new bridge was placed into service.  Maple Road has been open to traffic for at least a week and probably more.

Inquisitive as I am, I drove down Lilac Lane this afternoon and discovered that the old bridge is still there and still navigable albeit with a wide swing around barriers on either side of the bridge.  I don't know what is happening there but presume that plans have been delayed for some reason. 

It seems that the signs might be removed or moved off to the side of the road to permit regular traffic flow until work commences.  Those of us who make regular use of that road have been compelled to travel a distance to the north or the south to get where we're going.

Governor Doyle heard from his Wisconsin-based study group on carbon footprints, wind generators, etc., etc. a few days ago after it spent 16 months studying the 'problem'.  He recently defended his participation in the Midwest Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord Advisory Group (the acronym MRGGRAAG just doesn't work for me, by the way) by saying that the various regions across America have to get to work on the issues surrounding us without regard to what others may or may not be doing.

What is missing in all this rhetoric?

Our environment is globally-dynamic.  Remember the Mount St. Helen's ash clouds moving around the earth?  Do we see any continuing issues from that eruption other than (possibly) in the immediate vicinity?  How about forest fires?  Our small local, state or regional efforts to solve the perceived ills of the globe might be likened to the effort to drain Lake Michigan with a thimble.  The dynamic environment is pouring water into the lake all the while we're trying to empty it with our thimble and we think we're having a noticeable impact?

This is yet another vestige of the climate change/global warming/global cooling group.  There still is no scientific proof behind the myriad suppositions.  Nothing has changed since the last time we discussed this other than for the rhetoric to have been dialed up by the Gore groupies. 

Just as the United States threatens its own economy by thinking it needs to establish the magical 'cap and trade' marketplace when China and India and the emerging economies in the rest of the world ignore the issue, it is equally as damaging to Wisconsin and the Midwest to think that it can solve the 'problem' in the face of much greater odds.

Just because John McCain was unwise enough to voice support for a national 'cap and trade' plan for campaign purposes alongside Barack Obama, it still isn't true.  Al Gore notwithstanding, this is bunk...but I repeat myself.  I far and away prefer the 'preaching' of Representative Jim Ott (an accomplished professional meteorologist and student of the sciences).

The Governor's medicine threatens the patient far more than the perception of a 'problem' that has yet to be proved. 

The July 25th edition of the Small Business Times includes a great article featuring an interview with Michael Grebe, President & CEO of the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation based in Milwaukee.  The Foundation has spent something in the range of $250,000 to develop the project referred to in the title.

If you are a conservative, you know all about the Foundation and probably think it does great work.  If you aren't a conservative, you may not wish to read the rest of this Blog.

The Foundation commissioned a survey of 2,421 American citizens and concluded that there is an American "identity crisis".  84% of those surveyed believe there is a unique American identity and yet 63% of those surveyed felt that America's shared national identity is becoming weaker.

The Foundation has set forth on an ambitious project that centers on the teaching of American history by teachers who have a major in history.  They seek classes that expose students at all levels of school to the period of America's founding and that would explore the leaders of the time including their warts.

I would encourage you to check this full report if you're interested.  This comes at a time when we hear about "citizens of the world" while we seem embarrassed to have instructors concentrate on our founding, our heritage and our achievements.  Those of us under the age of 25 likely have limited knowledge of American history, may never have seen the great documents upon which the country is based, and have little idea of what it really means to be an American unless they've majored in the subject.

There has been what I see as a concerted effort to downplay our founding, to talk about the things of which we're all embarrassed while paying no attention at all to the things of which we should be proud.  We have been a nation seeking political correctness to a fault...and the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation has set about curing that problem.

Board of Education Meeting Review:

The agenda item concerning the secession petition involved some back and forth amongst board members.  Mr. Warnimont pointed out that the Board was already on record with its action of September 24, 2007 to the effect that the secession petition would go forward.  There was some discussion as to which district would be preferable to MATC.  Mr. Bowe indicated that his position favoring WCTC would probably change given new information he had developed.  Among the reasons was the indication that fire fighters seemed to favor the program offered by MPTC over that offered by WCTC.  Mr. Warnimont indicated that he remained in favor of WCTC based on his analysis.

The long and the short of this discussion and the ensuing vote is this:  The Board will have the petition in its hands by the meeting on September 8th, will make its final decision on desired district and will proceed with the filing prior to the deadline established by the Technical College System.

There was some consternation amongst Board members that they were being castigated in the press for having delayed this process.  It was pointed out that, given the Technical College System process, filing last year or filing this year prior to the deadline would have no effect on the actual date the secession could occur if approved.  The date of such a change, if approved, is set forth and is inflexible.

Discussion concerning the building referendum issue included a review of the findings from the recent survey.  There were 11,647 pieces mailed to district homes, and a response rate of some 15% had been logged.  This was felt to be a good return at a total cost of $4,200.  The results seemed to echo the election results in terms of the number in favor and the number opposed.

Mr. Warnimont indicated that recent reviews of the cost changes since the referendum was defeated showed an overall increase of about 20% if no changes were made to the plan as presented earlier.  This increase was caused by the general increase in prices being felt in most sectors of the economy.

If I had to guess as to what direction the Board will take regarding the referendum, I would expect that we'll not see the question on the ballot again until possibly in the spring of 2009.  I would also expect that the proposal for the elementary building will have been revised.

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Tax Knowledge Test Answers:

Remember that the questions asked for a true or false answer.

• Property taxes pay for most of the costs of the K-12 public schools in Wisconsin.
• False.  The most recent data we have available states that in 2004-05, gross property taxes paid for 38% of school districts' budgets in Wisconsin.  During that same period, inter-governmental aid paid for 56% of school districts' budgets.  The public opinion survey showed that 65% of survey respondents believed that property taxes fund the majority of costs for public K-12 education.
• Wisconsin taxpayers pay more of their personal income toward state and local taxes today than they did 10 years ago.
• False.  In 1994, the Wisconsin tax burden as a percent of personal income was 13.5%.  The most recent data available is for 2006; that year, Wisconsin taxpayers paid 11.6% of their income in taxes.  The public opinion survey found that 78% of respondents believed the statement was true.
• Wisconsin collects more money from sales taxes than it does from gasoline taxes and corporate taxes combined.
• True.  In 2007, sales tax accounted for 19% of all state and local taxes collected.  Corporate and gasoline taxes accounted for a total of 9% combined.  The public opinion survey found that only 26% of respondents believed the statement was true, while 35% believed the statement was false.

 (This courtesy of The Wisconsin Way.)

Test Your Tax Knowledge... 

A group named The Wisconsin Way sent an email today that had the following test of tax knowledge.  I'll re-publish this tomorrow with the answers added so you can check yours.

True or False:

1. Property taxes pay for most of the costs of the K-12 public schools in Wisconsin.
2. Wisconsin taxpayers pay more of their personal income toward state and local taxes today than they did 10 years ago.
3. Wisconsin collects more money from sales taxes than it does from gasoline taxes and corporate taxes combined.

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School Board Meeting Tonight...

The Board of Education meeting convenes at 7:00 PM tonight in the District Administrative Offices and agenda item VIII. B. "Discussion with appropriate action regarding secession from the MATC district" is included under "Unfinished Business".

This is an important topic and I'll cover the discussion and any public action tomorrow in another Village Buzz edition.

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Sendik's: Beehive of activity...

If you've not been past the new Sendik's facility during the day, it is a beehive of activity.  The crews working on this project have consumed most of the parking spaces in front of the building.  If they don't make their target opening date, it won't be for lack of trying!

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Thomas Square Bread Bagels...

Believe it or not, the George Weston Bakeries company responded by mail to my question about Thomas Square Bread Bagels.  Unfortunately, they told me that these are not currently available apparently anywhere in the U.S.  They didn't say 'never', so I'll continue to hope.  I wonder what the problem is that is keeping those off the market.  They sold very quickly.  Could it be that they stepped on another firm's exclusive process or something along those lines?  Or, is the cost of production so great today that they simply didn't think they could sell them?

If you find out, please let me know.

Have I lost my mind?  I hope not.

My concern is this:  With gas prices dropping and now at the mid $3.80s per gallon, will we lose our impetus to keep the pressure on our elected officials to get more drilling going and to relax the myriad rules on new refineries?

We are a strange group, we humans.  We got used to paying $4.20 per gallon for regular for a week or two and now we're "saving" nearly $.40 a gallon.  We forget very quickly that only a year or so ago we were paying a dollar or more less for our gas.

We seem to forget that we were upset over ethanol and its impact on our mileage and on our food prices.

We seem to forget that reformulated gas is costing us more and causing lower miles per gallon.

Are we going to meekly go about our daily business now until prices go back up?  Are we going to give our politicians a 'free pass'? 

Are we going to let the presidential candidates avoid dealing with this issue...even though they'll make promises that'll probably be forgotten in a week or two?

Are we going to demand that our state representatives push hard to get the ethanol lobby off our backs?

A current employee of MATC (Milwaukee Area Technical College) living in the Germantown School District wrote what I thought was a well-constructed treatise on MATC that was sent to both the Germantown School Board members as well as to the Germantown Village Board members.  He shall go unnamed although he signed his letter and provided his address information, so it is my decision not to name him.

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"First, I recognize that I feel an affinity for and a community of interest with WCTC (Waukesha County Technical College) or MPTC (Moraine Park Technical College) more than I do with MATC.  Culturally, I'm not a city boy and neither are my neighbors.  When we shop or travel to entertainment, we go north or west but are not oriented to travel to Milwaukee. 

I am based at the Mequon campus.  As is typical of my neighbors, my commute is from the suburb I live in to the suburb that I work in.  Economic activity clusters close to the freeways in the industrial parks of the suburbs that ring Milwaukee County.  We're our own community with our own economic base and culture and do not identify with being part of Milwaukee.

I personally grew up with the rural orientation of the 'Protestant Work Ethic'.  This philosophy says that if you work hard to support yourself and your family, you are a good person and worthy of respect.  If you are a good person, God won't visit more trouble on you than you can endure.  On the other hand, if you live by your wits and off of other people, you are due less respect. 

Milwaukee, by contrast, is known for a long history of electing socialist mayors.  There is the idea that one should take from society according to your need and contribute according to your ability.  Since the suburbs are perceived as being more affluent than the big city, it's natural for Milwaukee residents to think that the suburbs should contribute more per capita to the support of MATC than do city residents.

We need to recognize that there is just a clash of cultures in play that have different mores and ethos.

Second, I don't like the arrogance with which Milwaukee appears to have responded to its suburbs and has treated us like a cash cow that can be milked for Milwaukee's benefit.  There seems to be a feeling of entitlement to do this and the following examples show an ongoing pattern of this."

The writer goes on to cite the Milwaukee County Stadium tax that subsidizes Milwaukee but not Germantown.  He cites the 'sewer wars' and the result of suburbs paying a disproportionate share of the costs calling it 'a redistribution of resources that subsidizes Milwaukee'.  He discusses the Chapter 220 lawsuit that 'was perhaps the ultimate insult to us'.  He discusses a new "U-Pass" program being instituted by MATC this fall that will charge every full time student an activity fee that includes the cost of a Milwaukee County Transit System bus pass (the U-Pass) even if the student lives in a rural area that is not served by public transportation.  And, finally, he refers to the disproportionately large share of the MATC budget spent on remedial programs compared to either WCTC or MPTC.  He states, "This is necessary to make up for what Milwaukee Public Schools fails to do in adequate;y preparing its graduates to succeed in the Technical College System".  He makes the point again that the suburbs once again subsidize services used primarily by the city.

He points out that part of the mission of Technical Colleges is 'personal enrichment' and seems to indicate that MPTC is doing more of that in the West Bend campus than MATC is doing even though "when MATC did more personal enrichment than now, those offerings were hugely popular".

He mentions that 'economic development' is part of the Technical College mission and cites the fact that any such courses would require Germantown residents to drive into Milwaukee to attend courses at one of the two business incubators run by MATC.

"Third, MATC is one of the largest Technical College districts in the nation.  The $5 million that Germantown contributes to the MATC budget is significant but it still makes us a small fish in a big ocean.  Our contribution may not be big enough to give us a large sphere of influence on what services get offered and where they get offered.

If we were affiliated with WCTC or MPTC, our $5 million contribution would make us a much larger fish in a smaller pool of money.  Money gives us influence and providing a larger share of a budget puts us in a position of greater power over a district; which leads to being treated with greater respect by Technical College District officials and trustees."

He cites the fact that MATC has grown used to using our money and they would feel a pinch in losing us to another district.  MATC apparently fears that the loss of Germantown would potentially lead to a 'domino effect'.

He goes on to indicate that while "MATC employees and its Board of Trustees haven't always been very receptive or sympathetic to Germantown's point of view", he feels there may be a change coming on that score.

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He draws no conclusion having apparently simply set out to frame the debate from his unique perspective.

I come away with the conclusion I made long ago.

Germantown needs to petition for a move to another district, and I feel that should be the WCTC district since their center of mass is much closer to us even though there is a MPTC campus in West Bend.

The School Board has this subject on its agenda for Monday evening, and it sounds as though the Village Board may be disposed to take this banner up again if the School Board defers for whatever reason.  Time is running short.  I, for one, will be very disturbed if the School Board decides to not pursue this action after it has rested on this matter for many months while the clock was running.

Chrysler announced that it is getting out of the leasing business.  It cannot, apparently, find lenders that will continue to supply money to this part of its business.  Similarly, Ford and GM continue to burn through capital and will or are facing similar realities.

Leases of automobiles and trucks account for something on the order of 20% of the U.S. market.  The lease holders permit the monthly rental (lease) of the vehicle and expect to be able to recover the vehicle and resell it for more than they have invested in it.  This carries risk, and it is that risk that seems now to be threatening at least this portion of sales activities.  The risk is that the vehicles owned by the leasing company will lose value faster than the leasing company expected and that the leasing companies will be "upside down" when the time comes to sell off the vehicles that come off lease.

"Upside down" is a phrase that has become familiar to many consumers of autos and trucks.  That happens when the vehicle purchased devalues more rapidly than the loan repayments reduce the amount owed.  The term has typically been applied to the individuals who purchased a vehicle and learn, at the time they hope to purchase a new vehicle, that they are the owners of a vehicle for which they owe more than the vehicle is worth.  The SUV marketplace is full of "upside down" deals given the cost of fuel and the effect that has had on resale prices.

Where will this lead?  Well, it will certainly have a lingering effect on individuals who find themselves in an "upside down" situation.  They'll either suck it up, buy a new vehicle and take extended payment terms, or they'll drive what they have for another year or two or three.  The magic for the auto industry has been the short-sightedness of the typical consumer.  If we can afford the monthly payment, we do the deal.  We do not look out to the end of the term with any thoughts about where we'll be financially.  We just want new wheels and we're gonna' get 'em.

If consumers continue to be pinched with rising costs on virtually all fronts, something more will have to give.  If it is the purchase or lease of a new vehicle, that will continue to exacerbate the condition of the auto industry in general.  How much more resiliency is left in the auto industry?  What more will it take to actually cause a GM or a Ford or a Chrysler to go out of business?  

Another terribly tragic story hit us yesterday.  A four-month old child was left in an SUV and died sometime during the day.

I simply cannot understand how this could happen.  How could the driver not remember that there was an infant in the SUV?  How could the owner of the day care service, who is reported to have asked the driver to look again, forget to follow up?

I suppose that things can be very hectic in a day care environment, but it seems that there must be a way to safeguard against these occurrences.  This, unfortunately, is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred...and it may not be the last.

There is probably more than enough blame to go around, but that doesn't change the event.

Apparently the owner of the day care center has been ordered to appear in the DA's office today.  Maybe there will be charges brought, if the DA determines those appropriate.  Somehow, the very strong message has to be communicated throughout the day care center world that there will be a terrible price to be paid to society for such things.

There is obviously a terrible price being paid by all those involved, but society must speak and speak forcefully.

Barack Obama has succeeded in making the November Presidential election an international event.  This world tour that "isn't a campaign trip" certainly seems like a campaign trip.  The mainstream press is falling all over itself providing wall-to-wall coverage, television time, and chatter.  Obama is welcomed with open arms where ever he happens to be.  Apparently countries around the world have been craving "change", and they see Obama as the purveyor of change.  He has been delivering his typically eloquent speeches and he seems to have captivated his audiences.

He seems to have caused the 'victory' in Iraq and has determined exactly what needs to happen to have the same results in Afghanistan.

He has been whatever his particular audience at the time has wanted him to be.  He seemed to be hawkish while in Israel and conciliatory in Germany.  He has apologized, in so many words, for the mean old America and promised a new, open and understanding America that will be easier with which to negotiate, that can be expected to try much harder to be the friend that Europe wishes it to be.

A first-term U.S. Senator, with virtually no foreign policy experience and only limited credentials based upon his actual experience, has met with, and likely made certain commitments or inferences of commitments to, heads of state and high ranking dignitaries across the globe.  While I understand that this kind of thing has no doubt occurred in the past, it is unseemly at best and dangerous at worst. 

There is a reason for the excitement about the Obama candidacy overseas.  The people there believe they will fare much better at the bargaining table with this American and his administration than they may have with the current administration.

Their glee is palpable.  They only wish this was already November because they'd be that much closer to the swearing in ceremony.

We would be wise to step back and take a deep breath before this deal goes down. 

Okay, this is 'picky' but I have to do it. 

I loved Thomas Square Bagel Bread in the normal size.  We bought this product regularly until it wasn't to be found on the shelf at any local stores.  It worked well for breakfast and was wonderful as a sandwich medium.  Then, I opted for the 'mini' version and bought that until it, too, disappeared.

(Note: I found that these items appear to still be made based on the Thomas website.  The website permits product location by zip code area and there are no locations in this area that appear to have this product any longer.  I've e-mailed them asking about this situation and when, if ever, the product will return to our area.)

From there, I switched back to English muffins.  I tried several brands and decided that I preferred those with the brand name 'Village Hearth'.  I bought a couple of packages over the course of a week or so from the local Pick 'n Save store on Mequon Road.  Then, they disappeared from the shelf.  I found Thomas muffins and Roundy's muffins and Sara Lee muffins, but no Village Hearth muffins.  I have been eating the Sara Lee brand but it just doesn't do the trick for me.

My morning is started with me thinking about how much I'd enjoy a Thomas square bagel or even a Village Hearth muffin while I eat the Sara Lee version.

This is minor, I admit, but it is indicative of my experience with our Pick' n Save.  I'm pretty sure this is uniform across all Roundy's stores.  There seems to be a near-constant change of brands.  I understood that Roundy's private brands were replacing some of these changed products.  That probably speaks to the profit margins that Roundy's achieves on their private brands.  But the changing of brands seems almost a constant to me.  I don't know if there is that much volatility in the costs from month to month or if this simply points to a special deal having been cut that deprives us of the brands we were accustomed to having available.

Is it just me, and therefore I should just get used to it, or are there other 'picky' readers who have similar feelings?

This discourse from a CNN interview of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D - California) by Wolf Blitzer on July 17th, concerning offshore oil drilling legislation, appeared in the Notable & Quotable block on the WSJ Opinion page a couple of days ago:

Blitzer:  John Boehner, who's the Republican leader in the House, he says you have to let this come up for a vote.  He says that you're walking your blue dogs, who are moderate and conservative Democrats, and other vulnerable Democrats off a cliff by not allowing this to come up for a vote, the offshore oil drilling legislation.

Pelosi:  Is that right?  Well, you know, just because John Boehner, who is my friend and whom I respect, says it, doesn't make it so...

Blitzer:  Are you afraid if this comes up for a vote in the House you will lose, given support for offshore oil drilling among these so-called blue dogs, or moderate Democrats, who will join with the Republicans?

Pelosi:  Afraid is not a word that is in my vocabulary...

Blitzer:  So let me get - will you allow this issue, offshore drilling, to come up for a vote on the floor of the House?

Pelosi:  We're going to exhaust our other remedies in terms of increasing supply in America by...

Blitzer:  So the answer is no?

Pelosi:  I have no plans to do so.

Here we see that there is a single reason for no vote on offshore drilling to reduce our dependency on foreign oil and to force oil prices down.  That reason is Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D - California).  Sen. Harry Reid (D - Nevada) who is the Senate Leader need not risk his skin so long as she is willing to carry the water for the Sierra Club and other environmental groups paying the bills for many liberals in Congress.  She is simply not going to permit the vote to occur.  That's democracy from a liberal perspective, I guess.  Play by my rules or I'll take my ball and go home.

We really need to remember these kinds of attitudes and the obstructionist moves when we go to vote in both September and November, but especially in November.

We really need to get in front of the Democrats in both the House and Senate and let them know in no uncertain terms that we want an up or down vote on offshore drilling.  And we don't want some political gamesmanship that makes it seem as though there is such a vote; this must be a single item bill before both chambers that has no waffle language and no add-ons that can be blamed for a "no" vote by one of our elected Representatives or Senators.

They're either with us or they're against us!  It really is that simple.  This isn't a Democrat or a Republican issue; this is impacting everyone of us no matter our political persuasion.  It is costing thousands of jobs.  It is draining millions of bank accounts.  It threatens our economy far more seriously than did the trumped up mortgage 'crisis'.  That it would be blocked by the Democrats places the blame squarely on their shoulders, however!

Barack Obama is the presumptive Democrat nominee for President of the United States.  He and his campaign staffers, and much of the press, appear to also have concluded that he is the presumptive President of the United States. 

The audacity of Obama is yet again on center stage for all to see.  He has kowtowed what passes for the 'free' press and the big three networks have trailed along in awe of the new President.  His campaign staffers refer to him as President when they say things such as, "When the President speaks..." which they did in the last day or so.  His campaign staffers refer to him as President when they create the phony 'Seal' that appeared on the podium behind which he was speaking.  Nothing about this campaign is an accident except for when Obama speaks extemporaneously without benefit of scripting.

Obama gets a 'free pass' on all this because the press is in his back pocket.  Thank goodness there is a Fox News Network.  Were that not the case, Obama would already be living in the White House so far as public opinion was concerned.  The election is a foregone conclusion.  He will undoubtedly deliver his 'inaugural speech' in Denver at the Democrat Convention; why wait for January 2009 and the Inauguration?

The 'World Tour' has taken him to Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel and on to Europe.  He has become an expert on foreign affairs.  He is telling General Petreaus when and where to position troops.  He has already convinced most that he, alone, can resolve the domestic issues.  He is the 'whole package'.

Hard to believe that this is a person who got a law degree, served as an Illinois state senator and has been in the U.S. Senate for 143 days of actual Senate sessions (as Jay Weber pointed out this morning on WISN 1130AM).  He is obviously the gift of a lifetime to us citizens who apparently have been stumbling about in the darkened wilderness all this time.  How in the world have we managed to even feed ourselves without Obama's guidance?  And we thought that JFK was something!

He may become our President, but he isn't there yet.  I, for one, am sickened by the sycophant press.  I am angered by the lack of criticism for Obama's actions.  This man has changed more positions than most people hold to begin with.  Politicians are chameleons, but he is the master chameleon.  He has built one of the most effective campaign organizations ever seen in our country or the world, for that matter.  It puts the 'Clinton Machine' to shame.

It seems that we now elect our leaders based on their charisma alone without regard to their experience.  That will demonstrate the shallowness of us as a people if he prevails.  As always, we will get the government we deserve. 

The Citizen Input agenda item of the Village Board's meeting last evening saw Trustee Jim Langer state his request that Fire Chief Gary Pollpeter resign from his position.  Langer stated that the Fire Chief is lacking in management skills and has been a poor administrator for the department.

No action is taken under this agenda item, so there was no discussion following Langer's statement.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Trustees met as the Committee of the Whole following the Board meeting last evening and the agenda item discussed was that of a possible referendum for Road Repairs that would be on the November ballot if it were to be approved.

President Kempinski stated that he felt this needed to be addressed given the state of road repair in the village and given that there had been fewer road repairs over the past few years as budgets were squeezed and costs increased across the board.  Village staff had prepared an analysis that suggested something in the range of $1 million per year would be required to keep village roads in a good state of repair.  (This was half of the amount originally talked about when this news broke.)  The study concluded that nearly 30% of village streets were in need of structural repair.

Village Administrator Dave Schornack reminded everyone of just how difficult the coming budget was going to be based on the process of last year that would be compounded by increased personnel costs, increased fuel costs and increased salt costs among other things.

Village Clerk Knaack stated that September 19th was the deadline for filing the question with the County Clerk so as to have it placed on the November ballot.

Trustee Langer stated his opposition to the referendum, feeling that the Board needed to work through the issues and that a pay as you go plan was to be preferred over borrowing funds.  Trustee Ewert was adamant that expenses needed to be cut.  Trustee Zabel reminded the others that year-end spending needed to be carefully controlled and that this might generate a surplus that could be used for some repairs.

Trustee Wolter said he favored a three-pronged approach:  Reduce expense costs; then increase taxes; and, finally consider a referendum.  Several other discussion points centering on expense reduction possibilities were made by others.  President Kempinski discussed several points including the decision to replace the Village Engineer that would carry a cost in excess of $100,000 per year, overtime issues in various departments in the village, limited increases in state shared revenue over the past five years and stated that he would be proposing a hiring freeze for the village that would be in place for the next five years.

The question has been referred to the General Government and Finance Committee which meets tonight at 7:00PM to consider the issues. 

I may be in the minority on this, but I haven't had the thought that our roads were terrible.  Maybe I am not driving where there are real problems or maybe I'm just oblivious...many would say it is the latter reason.  I guess I have to presume that the staff-prepared analysis for the Board was on the mark;  I'll try to stay tuned into street conditions more over the next few days and weeks.

The Journal Sentinel carried an article this morning about the Practical Nurse program offered by MATC.  This program has been on probation for some time and that continues.  Another evaluation visit is scheduled for the Fall of this year.

Low rates of graduation apparently had prompted the probationary status and the state Board of Nursing has been carefully monitoring the progress or lack thereof at MATC in this program.

Dessie Levy was quoted as saying, "When you talk about implementing standards, our (graduation rate) will reflect a decline because we haven't had any standards (in the past).  She is Dean of Health Occupations for MATC.

WCTC has a similar program and it isn't on probation from all indications.  I was unsuccessful in contacting the Associate Dean at WCTC today, but there is no indication on the state Board of Nursing's website that WCTC is anything but in compliance and good standing.

We have been told repeatedly that our secession petition cannot simply focus on tax rates because apparently the Technical College System isn't concerned about the waste of our money.  We certainly can focus on substandard performance which seems to be the case in this program.

Students who have failed in this endeavor believe the fault lies with MATC and the curriculum.  Stephanie Wren was quoted as saying, "They just didn't prepare us, and I believe they set us up for failure.  When you have that much of your class failing, it seems like there's something wrong at that point."

How many other instances of low standards or no standards are there within MATC?

Another reason to petition for secession and permission to become part of the WCTC district in my opinion.

Discussion by liberal Democrats about the so-called 'fairness doctrine' is once again in vogue.  They seem to reason that if there were more radio airtime devoted to liberal viewpoints, there would be more people buying into their premise.  This concept was shoved into a dark, dank closet some time back but we probably should've known that it wouldn't stay there.

This is the supposed antidote for Limbaugh-itis and Hannity-itis, that disease that afflicts liberals because it seems to nourish conservatives.  There is a significant imbalance if one looks at the airtime devoted to conservative talkers as contrasted with that devoted to liberal talkers.  Those of the liberal persuasion believe that, since they are the bright side of this equation, there can be only one possibility; somehow the broadcasters are intentionally skewing the time made available.

The liberals are correct.  The broadcasters are skewing the time devoted because advertisers, who pay for the airtime, like larger audiences to hear their messages.  And that means that most advertisers will buy conservative talk show ad blocks long before they'll waste their money on liberal talk show ad blocks. 

Darned if that silly old idea of supply and demand didn't come around again.  Liberals can't believe it works in the world of oil futures and they apparently can't believe it works in advertising, either.

This doctrine is really all about limiting conservative airtime; it has nothing to do with increasing liberal airtime.  It is not about fairness at all.

This is our glimpse into the future if we elect Barack Obama and a Democrat majority in both houses of Congress.  Fairness will be whatever they define it as being.  We, the loyal opposition, will grouse and complain but they will control the strings and us puppets will dance to their tune; it will be the only tune available.

Let us all think very seriously before we decide to vote for the neat feeling 'change' thing.  Change isn't always what it is cracked up to be. 

Have you tried out the Germantown Farmer's Market in its new location at The Livery in Rockfield?  I stopped there yesterday at about 10:30AM to see what the new venue was like.  The first thing that impressed me were the mosquitoes...wow, were they ever out in force.  They would've been out in force at the former location, too, in all likelihood.

There was music, some recorded and some live, being broadcast through the PA system, a few people were strolling through the vendors' booths and there was a nice spirit about the place.  I counted some seven or eight outdoor vendors that featured currently available vegetables, jewelry and various foodstuffs on display and available for sampling.  The Livery itself was a nice place to visit with interesting items that aren't often seen in Germantown and pleasant people in attendance.

I noted that some of the former vendors weren't to be seen.  Maybe that was simply due to items not yet being ripe enough for sale, or it might have been that they were either too old to do this 'thing' anymore or simply didn't want to be in the new site; I don't know the answers.  New vendors had taken their places.

The new location, from my perspective, is just far enough out from the village proper to make the visit one of intent rather than impulse.  Not that it isn't worth the trip, but it will take some time for this site to become the one that comes to mind when you think Farmer's Market.

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I am actually excited over the new parking lot layout that is now apparent at Sendik's.  The old approach that required a left or right-hand turn once you'd entered from Mequon Road is gone.  It looks as though you'll be able to drive straight ahead and access parking areas without quite the rigmarole that used to be required.  The lot is divided with curbed islands that appear to be prepared to hold plantings.  The surface has been repaired where necessary and the whole place is taking shape.

You can probably detect that I'm anxious for this new shopping opportunity to become reality.  I suspect that this will cause some improvements in the local Pick 'n Save so far as selection and service.  I would be surprised if Sendik's wasn't a bit higher priced, but maybe we'll learn differently.  Competition is good for consumers...and for merchants, too, although they are not always convinced of that.  Better that we're kept on our toes rather than resting on our laurels.

I do dread learning the layout of new stores so far as product location, but, with luck, maybe Sendik's will use a bit more sense than seems to have been decreed by the Roundy's store layout team.

While reading a Wall Street Journal editorial this morning, I was reminded of the insidious manner in which Washington causes change in America.  This editorial was titled "The Lawnmower Men" and dealt with the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) epistle, a 588 page document.  In this latest EPA document released on Friday, the EPA lays out its vision for America's future.  The upshot of the document is that the EPA shows us exactly the degree of its "power grab" notions.

The document's future will rest with the next Administration and the next Congress.  It could be largely emasculated or it could be given the force of law and cause massive change in our land and in our economy.  It doesn't take too much 'vision' to see into the future so far as this is concerned.  If we have a President Obama and a Democrat-controlled Congress, these ideas and postulations will stand a very good chance of finding their way into your life and mine...into your wallet and mine.

A Supreme Court decision in Mass. v. PA in 2007 found that greenhouse gases are "air pollutants" under current environmental law, and the EPA was ordered to regulate if it determined that carbon emissions are a public danger.  This was a 5-4 decision with the liberal court members comprising the majority position.  How important elections are, huh?

The EPA has now shown just how it would like this court decision to look when put into practice.  It finds that cow flatulence is such a threat that herds of greater than 25 head would exceed EPA-proposed carbon limits.  The same goes for farms with more than 500 acres of crops.  It would regulate farm tractors and lawn and garden equipment.  Fuel efficiency standards would be increased even before the current set of standards is due to be met in our automobile and truck fleet.  EPA would develop regulations to standardize how airplanes can taxi on the ground.  Boat design would fall under EPA regulations.  Buildings, even those in existence, would be regulated by EPA. 

The rules are so broad and sweeping that the EPA was quoted as saying, "We expect that the entire country would be in nonattainment."

The fact that Congress has not found it within itself to accomplish various regulations in this arena notwithstanding, the EPA believes it has the power to impose carbon fees and that it might be able to establish the "cap and trade" program that would control every aspect of our modern lives.  This has to have excited those who believe the bunk fed to us by the global warming crowd as fact when there is virtually no science to support its theories.  The EPA's final ruling will come in the the era of the next Administration.

What about this "Hidden Government" I mentioned earlier?  The reality of all this is that there is a solid cadre of career bureaucrats in every agency in Washington.  We see that in the FBI where infighting can cripple the Attorney General of the moment.  We see it in the State department where the same happens to the current Secretary of State.  Ditto for the Pentagon, and so on.  In almost every instance, the career people have decidedly left-leaning principles and simply hunker down, and obstruct as best they're able during some administrations while waiting for the opportunities to surface during other administrations.  This is where many of the 'leaks' come from that keep the Capitol Hill press and talking heads in business.  These leaks are often prevented by law, but seldom do we see any punishment levied for the leakers...if we ever determine who those people are.

We have a "hidden government" and it is very powerful though virtually invisible to us 'fly-over' people who actually keep this country perking along.

Nancy Pelosi continues to amaze though I shouldn't be amazed by her any longer.  She is really a proven quantity by this time.  She has made up her mind that we'll simply not have any more oil because it is not good for us and she knows best what is and isn't good for you and me.  She maintains that more drilling will do nothing to lower the price of gasoline, jet fuel and diesel fuel, but she derides President Bush for not having already agreed to release some of our strategic oil reserves that would be a mere tiny blip on the radar scope of fuel prices and would do nothing to cause a decrease in futures prices.

She has led, and continues to lead, the effort in the House of Representatives to castigate the greedy oil companies, to threaten to take away their leases on the 68 million acres that have already been searched and determined to hold little that could be drilled economically, and to apply tax surcharges just to teach them a lesson.

Every action such as these does nothing but exacerbate the real problem and cost us money; it costs us more and more tax dollars and it costs us more and more as companies push their tax bills down to the consumer where all tax bills go to be paid.

More than two-thirds of the people in the United States (across all racial and political and economic strata) have told Congress to open up drilling and reduce taxes, but they won't do it because they know better.  We miserable Neanderthals called voters just need to pay whenever and whatever asked (told in reality) and trust that Congress will take care of us.

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Al Gore delivered yet another pronouncement to the politicos, the press and the masses yesterday, as well.  Jay Weber made, I thought, an excellent point on today's show on WISN 1130AM when he said that so much of Gore's emphasis on reducing our need for oil seems to hinge on electric power...none of which is generated by the use of oil.  Some is generated using gas to fire the gas turbine generators, some is generated by solar and some by wind power.  But, the vast majority is generated using coal-fired plants.

The idea that we should spend $3 trillion dollars in the next decade, scrap all the electric generating facilities we have now, string the power transmission lines necessary to get solar and wind-generated power to the point of use from the middle of nowhere, etc. simply defies imagination.  He maintains that we need to 'green' the world through our efforts and through our example.  China told us again within the past few days that it is not going to play that game.  China is going to continue its economic development as is India.  Yet the United States is expected to go 'green' at the expense of its own economic well-being when that will have no significant lasting impact on the global environment.  The $3 trillion doesn't begin to address the debt-service we're still going to be paying on all the facilities that we've ceased to use.

So, we are being told that we need to bankrupt our economy while we're abdicating our position of power in the world community...and we're to take Al Gore's word for it that this is the way of the future.  Reminds me of the old tune with the lines: Don't Worry, Be Happy.

Out of touch & out of control!