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Paul's Falls

I have lived in the Falls since 1968. My great-great grandfather was one of the village founders. I have served the community in multiple ways: Firefighter, various boards and commissions and for many years was president of the Falls Cable Access Corp. Currently I own, and am active in, a restaurant equipment manufacturing company.

An Uncomfortable Feeling

By Paul Wickesberg
Thursday, Jan 31 2008, 06:26 PM

 I don't know why.
There is no immediately apparent reason for my feelings - but something is putting me on edge.

No, I'm not hearing the voices.  I'm much better now.

But, all kidding aside, somethings are making me edgy. Some self analysis reveals my feelings:
    I do not care for any of the presidential candidates that have survived this far.
    I'm hoping that President Bush doesn't start something else that we can't finish.
    Our natural resources are running out faster than they can be replenished.
    Our monetary system (US dollars) is/are shrinking relative to the rest of the world.
    I am treated like a criminal when I take a trip on an airline for vacation.
    "No child left behind" has left our school "No money left at all".

I could go on and on a lot more, but:
THIS IS SUPERBOWL (oops, I meant the big game) WEEKEND. 

I will  repress the above for a few days and enjoy the um, S*%^!  Bow#!
Enjoy the game!I have

 
Disclaimer: I  have been asked to publish the following response to this blog. It was submitted by Andy Mohrfeld. His views regarding the school system are often quite different than my own. I'm suggesting that Andy contact Journal Communications and set up a blog of his own. It is easy to do and he will have free reign to express his views in detail.
 

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Comments

Andy Mohrfeld   

Schools have "no money left".  Are you kidding?  The MF school district collects almost $13,000 per student, one of the highest revenue per student figures in the county.  And the number increases a very healthy 4 - 5% every year, well in excess of the inflation rate. Schools don't have a revenue problem.  They have a spending problem.  

 Andy,

Please write a summary of what you know about the term: "unfunded mandates"
You may have some reason to complain about spending, but that was not my issue when I wrote this blog.
 

February 1, 2008 4:25 PM

Andy Mohrfeld   

Paul,

I'm well aware of unfunded mandates.  They are not the problem.  Employee compensation is.  District employees have not one, but two pension plans.  They have a health care plan in which they pay almost no cost.  They receive retiree medical coverage.  Oh, and most employees can retire in their mid-50's.  Find a company in the US that offers such lavish benefits.  They are prohibitively expensive; much more expensive than any unfunded mandates.  In fact, employee compensation makes up approximately 80% of the school's total costs.  So if you're going to complain about costs, pick the right thing to complain about.

February 5, 2008 12:22 PM

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