I just heard on the news today (radio) that John McCain said, "Under my administration,  Osama Bin Laden will either be killed on the battlefield or executed." 

I like a little decisiveness as opposed to being wishy-washy, especially when it comes to Osama.

Barack Obama on the other hand...isn't. 

This contrast in approach, along with their differing agenda on US oil and taxes, gives me hope. Keep it up, McCain.

Vive la Difference!

Click here to sign the DRILL HERE. DRILL NOW. PAY LESS.  domestic drilling petition and see the latest links to related oil news (updated every day).

Drill Here's goal is to have 3 million signatures by the Democratic and Republican Conventions this fall.

Links:

Barack Obama would prefer that most people think he is John Kennedy the 2nd. But where Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country", Obama seems to have an opposite campaign theme: Don't do anything for yourself that the government could do for you.

No, to me, Obama more closely resembles former President Jimmy Carter. They both favor negotiating with terrorists and both seem anti-semitic. They also both share the same opinion on windfall profit taxes for oil companies.

"'SPEAKING OF WINDFALL PROFITS',  Barack Obama said yesterday [Monday] that he wants to impose a "windfall profits tax" on American oil companies. This is a stupid idea, unless you want to reduce the supply of oil and thereby increase prices even further." Barack Obama said Monday:

"I'll make oil companies like Exxon pay a tax on their windfall profits, and we'll use the money to help families pay for their skyrocketing energy costs and other bills," the Illinois senator said.

That same Reuters piece mentioned that "CRITICS SAY TAX DOES NOT WORK": (My emphasis)

Critics of the windfall profits tax say it proved to be counterproductive when it was last put in place in the United States in 1980 during the final year of President Jimmy Carter's administration.

Those critics say the measure prompted oil companies to cut back on domestic production while failing to raise as much in tax revenue as lawmakers expected. It was repealed in 1988 during the Reagan administration.

What's that saying about history? Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it? That's  Change we can't afford:  

“At a time when American families face record gas and energy prices, Barack Obama has called for even higher energy taxes. At the center of Barack Obama’s plan is a scheme last tried under Jimmy Carter that only increased our dependence on foreign oil. We shouldn’t expect anything more from a politician who has consistently voted to increase taxes on energy, including natural gas purchases in Illinois. Barack Obama doesn’t understand the American economy and that’s change we just can’t afford.”

BARACK OBAMA’S PLAN TO INCREASE ENERGY TAXES WILL HURT AMERICAN CONSUMERS (from the McCain campaign.)

Barack Obama is trying to call a McCain presidency George Bush's 3rd term. Tuesday I heard John McCain fire back that an Obama presidency would be Carter's 2nd term.

I don't believe McCain would be a 3rd Bush term, but if we are going to have a rerun...I know which presidency I would pick.

Links:

What's in a name? Plenty.

In case you missed this, the Friday edition of the Detroit News printed this headline, "Clinton, Osama meet to discuss unity"

The paper claims it was a mistake, but the error appeared on "about 45,000 newspapers distributed north and west of downtown Detroit." 

Appropriate apologizes made and accepted. I wonder if the first copy has made it to eBay yet? 

Links:

The big election buzz this week was Obama became the nominee.

I could not listen to his entire speech, but this part caught my attention:

It’s not change when John McCain decided to stand with George Bush ninety-five percent of the time, as he did in the Senate last year.

It’s not change when he offers four more years of Bush economic policies that have failed to create well-paying jobs, or insure our workers, or help Americans afford the skyrocketing cost of college – policies that have lowered the real incomes of the average American family, widened the gap between Wall Street and Main Street, and left our children with a mountain of debt.

I think his statements show how little he understands conservatives and economics.

Most conservatives do not consider McCain as standing with Bush. I would say McCain has been a thorn in Bush's side on many fronts for years. (Most likely, I am still voting for McCain because he is really my only choice, but he is NOT this conservative's dream.)

Secondly, the phrase, "left our children with a mountain of debt." What does he think all of his spending programs will do? He supports National Health, help with college, Global Poverty Act, more biofuel, and Cap and Trade * to name a few.

Every new spending program saddles our children with more debt. So how is it that his new spending programs are OK and those of the past are not? (I am not in favor of many of those either.)

If he had come up with a plan like Paul Ryan's Roadmap for America to reform Social Security, Medicare, and the Tax Structure, and did not have all of these new government programs as his platform, then maybe I could swallow his "mountain of debt" statement.

As it stands, he is the pot calling the kettle black. 

*WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- "Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama on Monday said that if elected he would establish an economy-wide cap-and-trade program that would sharply cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050."

Links:

Here is a little news for residents to our north, Randy Melchert* is running for State Assembly, 24th District. That area starts just north of Lisbon Road on up to Pioneer Road and from 124th St. west to Hillside Road and includes Butler, Menomonee Falls (most), Germantown, Hubertus and Colgate.

Suzanne Jeskewitz, the current area's representative, announced earlier this month that she would not be running again.

If you live in the 24th District, Melchert will start collecting nomination signatures on June 1st. The primary is September 9th. Check out his website:

"Melchert envisions a pro-life, pro-family, pro-growth Wisconsin. Melchert will be working to make Wisconsin an economic greenhouse attracting high quality corporations, jobs, and families. As posted on his website (www.randymelchert.com) Wisconsin has the seventh highest state and local tax burden according to The Tax Foundation. Melchert believes we need to stop raiding settlements and reserved funds to pay for our out-of-control budget. With aggressive spending controls we can begin to reduce taxes, and thereby revitalize the state economy."

His blog, Randall Melchert for Assembly Blog has interesting (and disturbing) postings containing graphs and information on how Wisconsin is losing jobs and increasing taxes and debt. This would be of interest to all Wisconsin residents, not just those in the 24th District.

Wish we had more like him in Madison! 

*I have known the Melchert family for 8 years. 

Don't forget the Music Concert to Benefit Chinese Quake Victims, Saturday, May 31st, 10AM - 1PM, Brookfield Civic Plaza

Links:

Yesterday, I caught a bit of Mark Belling's show. He was talking about needing a photo ID to make a bank transaction. That got me thinking about how many times I need to show my drivers license more than the average person.

Because of my name, when I use my credit card I frequently am asked,

Is that your husband's card?

I say, No, it is mine.

Oh, could I see your driver's license?

Sure, and I show them. Conversation about my unique name follows. (Good reason to name kids with classic names.) 

I would not be allowed to use the card if I did not have a photo ID to prove who I am. 

Mark Belling (Podcast), talked (griped?) about his experience at the bank trying to make a deposit. He needed a photo ID to complete the transaction. He then thought about how many places everyone needs a photo ID just to carry out everyday life besides banking transactions: buying liquor and cigarettes, obtaining a Blockbuster card, library card (?), and checking in at the airport to name a few. Yet we are unwilling to take the ID step to securing our elections.

A little past the last half of the podcast, Mark got into the phony idea State Democrats promote of how requiring a photo ID disenfranchises voters. Jim Sullivan of Wauwatosa was mentioned as voting against photo ID, yet he (and other democrats) don't campaign against any other place that requires a photo ID.

The photo ID is a basic form of security in America, but we aren't willing to use the basic security for securing our vote!, Mark exclaimed. What we have allowed to happen regarding safeguarding our elections in Wisconsin is a disgrace.

Since I am planning some summer vacations, I got to thinking of all the places I need a photo ID for. We purchased a National Parks Pass. I needed a photo ID to purchase it and must show one every time I use it for admission. I have to prove I am the person on the card.

We might go to Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. I will need one to purchase a membership (its cheaper if you go more than once) and then need the photo ID to use the membership card to prevent fraud.

Some states, especially in areas with lots of tourism, require a photo ID every time a credit card is used. The National Park concessioners require one as does Disney World. Frequently gas stations along the interstate require a photo ID to charge at the counter. Oh, and of course you need one to rent a car. 

You might say, these are all areas the poor would not be utilizing. True. But remember the basics of life mentioned earlier  all require a photo ID: check cashing (that would include a welfare check), banks, purchasing cigarettes and liquor, and let's not forget, driving. 

What we have allowed to happen regarding safeguarding our elections in Wisconsin is a disgrace. I couldn't have said it better.

If your State Senator is Jim Sullivan, let him know what you think about his NO vote last session. 

State Senator Jim Sullivan, Democrat, 5th District
Sen.Sullivan@legis.wisconsin.gov  608-266-2512,  866-817-6061

Don't forget the Music Concert to Benefit Chinese Quake Victims, Saturday, May 31st, 10AM - 1PM, Brookfield Civic Plaza

Links:

Just when I finally think I can stomach a McCain presidency, John goes and does something else that makes me shake my head in disgust.

McCain just joined 23 other senators in asking the EPA to reconsider some pollution standards. Good, I thought. Then right on the heels of that positive action, McCain still is talking Cap and Trade.

Oh well, he is still better than the alternative. But now this. The possibility of a McCain/Huckabee ticket.

Reason? To woo evangelical voters like me. With the Huckster? Ugh. McCain just alienated me again!!!

If McCain wants to woo the greatest number of evangelical voters, all he has to do is pick a true social and fiscal conservative as a running mate. Someone we would like to see as the next president in 2012. That is NOT Huckabee. 

First rule in picking running mate: First, do no harm.

Possible running mates better than Huckabee: J. C. Watts Jr. (He was even a Southern Baptist Youth Minister for 7 years),  Bobby Jindal, Paul Ryan, hey, even Haley Barbour is looking good compared to Huckabee.

If the conservatives squash Huckabee like they did Harriet Miers, McCain might come to his senses. Let the squelching begin. 

Links:

Can you imagine going to the polls and not having an opinion on a $62.2 million dollar referendum? Well, at least 294 voters did just that on Tuesday.

Anyone have any ideas why that would be?

Elm Grove had 45 ballots left blank; Brookfield had 249, both work out to be around 2% of the vote.

I did speak to one younger woman about the referendum on Friday. She said she really did not know much about it. She didn't feel she needed to look into it, because she did not have any children.

You do pay taxes though, I said. She seemed confused by that.

Another person told me of an older neighbor who did not feel it was their place to make any decision about the referendum, because they no longer had school age children. I can only wonder how many people share this view.

I am not sure where that idea comes from, but the school system belongs to all of the taxpayers, not just the parents of the students. Collectively we make the decision to increase spending by referendum.

Links:

Don't worry, I am not going to drag on about the referendum too much, but I think some things need analyzing before I move on to other areas of interest. It is important to understand why it passed and how the process works...for next time.

Some of us asked ourselves, how did the referendum pass in a climate of rising food prices, increasing taxes and the prospect of gasoline hitting $4/gal by summer? Pretty remarkable considering the dollar amount, $62.2 million, was sizable for a declining enrollment.

First, voter turn out was key to the referendum passing or failing. No question about it, apathy played a huge role in the referendum's passing, but the timing of the election played a larger part. The apathetic are always with us.

Voter turn out was expected to be higher. I expected it would be lower.

Holding an election the Tuesday after Easter vacation and before all the snow birds returned home, indicated to me turnout would be low. By placing the referendum question on the spring ballot then, known for lower turnout than a November Presidential election, timing alone eliminated a huge percentage of the voters. (I am pretty sure Waukesha County had a 97% turnout in 2004.)

The spring election, based on past voting trends, was sure to garner fewer total votes from the general public than the November election.

Some might be thinking that because of the dire need in our schools, the district felt it could not wait until November. They could have included the referendum question however, in the Presidential primary, where a broader field of voters participates. 

Second, there only are so many YES votes in the Elmbrook School district. Getting those likely Yes voters out to vote then was key to passage.

Elmbrook informed (they are not allowed to promote) the need to renovate their schools every chance they could on tours, at PTO meetings, on their cable channel, and in publications sent to residents. The only alternative they gave was to let things continue as they were.

Considering only 1 out of every 4 homes in the district have children in Elmbrook schools, getting out the vote amongst those parents* was very important. They were the key Yes voters.

Low voter turnout of the general voting population, who don't have children in Elmbrook Schools, then was key to this referendum's passage.

But the district also needed to add to that number of Yes votes. How would they do that? The HSST. 

Sure, some people changed their minds because the total dollar amount was lower. Maybe some thought this time the cost was not too outrageous. But next to timing the election, the HSST, I think accounted for a goodly portion of those 577 new yes votes this go around.

With referendums, timing and perception is everything. 

If you did not bother to vote last Tuesday and now are upset that the referendum passed, I can only say we get the government we deserve sometimes. Don't let it happen again. 

Next time, a look at the HSST and what it represented.

*Not all parents voted this time for the referendum. I don't blame those of you who did. As a parent we all want what is best for our children. I am just sorry Elmbrook did not get the most for our tax dollar here and we still have done nothing to address maintaining our schools.  

I am very pleased that Dan Sutton and Ron Balzer will be returning to the council, but extremely sorry that Terry Halmstad will not be joining them. Thank you, Terry for making the effort to make a difference.

 
Renee' Lowerr will join Brookfield's Common Council though, and that is a good thing too. She won by 105 votes:  Lowerr, 797  Schellinger, 692. That one was closer than I thought.

I think Lisa Mellone will appreciate having an enthusiastic fellow alderman for our district. Congratulations Renee'.
 

Elmbrook's referendum passed by 634 votes: Yes, 7,557 to No, 6,923. I would have thought in our current economic climate that it would not have passed. Note to self, next time I move (I should really say, if I move, since I never pictured myself living anywhere else), make sure our household income is not below the median.

Chanel 4 is calling the State Supreme Court for Gableman, so that definitely lifts my spirits. It has been 40 years since an incumbent lost, so this is quite a remarkable win.

He stated in his acceptance speech, "I believe the proper role of a judge is to apply the law not make it." I like that! He offered thanks to God for keeping him through the campaign. I like that even better.  Gableman's victory shifts the court by 1 vote to the conservative side, so that makes me very happy.

Gleisner lost. His race was not a hill to die on. Gleisner was more of a social conservative, but Neubauer maybe be better for the business climate in Wisconsin.

One oddity, in the school board race, the candidates who dropped out of the race each received over 4,000 votes!

Do we interpret that as voters are not very well informed or chalk it up to a protest vote?

OK, I can go to bed now. Glad this is over and done. Zzz   

Links:

Or, "TYPICAL JUVENILE TACTICS BY THE PERENNIAL CANDIDATE"

It happens nearly every election, I should not be surprised. The Schellinger signs pop up overnight like an unwanted crop of mushrooms.

My husband alerted me about this early today. He voted at 7am. They were all over across from our polling place. He called Brookfield's City Hall and spoke to City Clerk Kris Schmidt.

She indicated it would be taken care of. I think a poll worker could go take the errant ones down.

I went to vote at about 11:30am. That is when I snapped the 1st photo.  5 on one corner!

My Alderman Lisa Mellone had sent this photo to me in an email with this comment:

" Attached is a typical sign violation by Tom Schellinger (multiple signs placed in yard) placed in the final hours. Ask the residents on Chester St.(across from the District 7 polling place) if they gave Tom permission to place those signs in their yards.  Not surprisingly, it was discovered from at least one who was home, that Tom did not ask for permission.  Typical juvenile tactics by the perennial candidate." (Emphasis added)

This is typical Tom Schellinger.  He pulled another stunt even more juvenile  2 years ago when he ran for 3 races at once!

Lisa Mellone sent me this update at 1:49pm from Dean Marquardt, "Tom [Beinert, code inspector] just returned from this area.  He removed signs on five parcels.  Four of the properties were Schellinger sites, he pulled eight signs on these
sites.  Two Schellinger signs were left on each property (one for alderman, one more generic). "

Poor Kris Schmidt has been inundated with these types of calls today and she has an election to run! Unless something is extremely important, I think we have to let it go. 

Everything associated with campaigns is becoming "anything goes." Even with the referendum. Last night Chanel 4 did a spot on Elmbrook's referendum at Central High School. Molly Steffan was interviewed. The whole piece was slanted to why we need to spend $62.2mil. (No mention of why the school was allowed to get to this state.)

I was interviewed too, but I got a knock on my door around supper time and had about 5min.to think. Does that seem equitable?

Renee' Lowerr is playing by the rules. She has worked very hard going door to door, speaking with area residents.

Tom Schellinger went door to door too, to some selected residents if they had a Lowerr sign in their yard, to ask why they supported Renee'. He went to other households, but did not bother to ask to post a sign.

Is it any wonder Lisa Mellone defeated him in 2006?

I hope the same happens this election. 

I had this email early this a.m.:  "Interesting note--did you notice the Schellinger signs, which have appeared around the neighborhood in the past week or so?  (Spouse) has talked to a lot of these folks, whose properties the signs are on; of the folks (spouse) was able to talk to, none of them gave permission for the signs to be placed on their properties; some did not  even know they were there. Seems like Mr. Schellinger will never learn. Or perhaps he has and knows he is not wanted in the 7th district. Go Renee!" (Emphasis added)

Tom Schellinger was a Brookfield Alderman. He knows the law; he knows better. His method takes less work though, and that sums up "Mr. Roll-a-dex" pretty well. (He will be my County Supervisor, heaven help me if I ever need anything!) 

ACADEMICS, NOT ATHLETICS AND AIR CONDITIONING!

Brookfield Academy's $12.5 mil high school, we can too

Correction: C G SCHMIDT Cost summary of Referendum

Today is the BIG MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TUESDAY--no fooling  GO VOTE! 

Elmbrook School District Referendum Links:

Frequently Asked Questions  Not to be missed!

HSST Meeting Minutes 

Cost Breakdowns of Type of Work (cost per square footage)

Architect's Conceptual High School Floorplans--East and Central

Facility "Needs" comparison of failed 2007 and present 2008 referendums

Tax Calculator  

Former 2007 Referendum Facilities Facts Sheets (Still a good read)

I'm not sure who dropped off this referendum brochure; it is a copy of Elmbrook Schools April 1, 2008 High Schools Facilities info sheets.

There was no disclaimer on it stating where it came from or who paid for the printing.

When I opened it, it was obvious it was not just run off on someone's laser printer. The paper size was very unusual: 11 1/4 x 11 inches.

If it was from Elmbrook Schools, they should have known it is illegal to place any flier in or on a mailbox.

If it was from the Vote Yes group, then that should have been noted?

No matter. I was concerned that voters would not know there even was a referendum to be voted on come April 1st. I think this will let residents know. How was yours delivered?

FYI, affixing any kind of mail or flier to a mailbox, inside or out is not allowed. I checked with my favorite Postmistress today, and she said this type of delivery was not OK with the U.S.Postal Service. In fact, if any fliers survived the weekend and rain, if the mailman sees them on his route, he is to bring them back to the post office and the listed responsible party can be charged postage due. 

The picture is not from my home, by the way. I grabbed mine on my way out to do an errand on Saturday and then noticed that all of the mailboxes on my street had them stuck under the flags. This was true of other streets in other neighborhoods.

My flier had a personalized note on it. It read: "The referendum contains significant improvements to academic areas :)" 

I thought the word significant is a bit strong since by the flier's own statistics $22,694,288 goes for mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing for 275,707 square feet at Central and 243,675 square feet at East.

Add to the flier's $22.7mil (rounded) for mechanicals, and the $14, $15.8, $18.2, how much? million dollars for new gyms and we are well over 1/2 of the cost for non-academics. 

Today I found out that the referendum includes air conditioning the gyms: 2 acres of gyms at least 2 stories tall. That utility bill money is not going for academics!

As usual, the more information I get, the more questions I have. This $22.7mil struck me as not being consistent with some recent information I received on the HVAC replacement alone being $26 million. Glen Allgier was good enough to explain: The higher number reflects those "soft" costs that were included elsewhere.

Brookfield Academy's $12.5 mil high school, we can too

Correction: C G SCHMIDT Cost summary of Referendum

ACADEMICS, NOT ATHLETICS AND AIR CONDITIONING--did you know they plan on air conditioning even the gyms?

Tomorrow is the big day, Millions of Dollars Tuesday! Be sure to vote.

Elmbrook School District Referendum Links:

Frequently Asked Questions  Not to be missed!

Cost Breakdowns of Type of Work (cost per square footage)

Architect's Conceptual High School Floorplans--East and Central

Facility "Needs" comparison of failed 2007 and present 2008 referendums

Tax Calculator  

Former 2007 Referendum Facilities Facts Sheets (Still a good read)

It is nearing the big day for the 2008 spring election on Tuesday, April 1st. True, it is April Fools Day, but this election is no joke. There is a lot riding on the ballot this day, for one thing, a $62.2 million dollar school referendum.

Add an important State Supreme Court race and half of Brookfield's Common Council too, throw in a Constitutional Amendment and a few other races and I hope it adds up to a good turnout.

I will start with the biggest ticket item first. My picks are in bold and marked with an X. I live in the 7th district, but I will also include my picks for other districts as well. As always, familiarize yourself with the candidates and issues and make an intelligent choice.

My policy is to only vote for those I support. Unless I am reasonably familiar with a candidate's stance, I do not vote for them. If a candidate is unopposed and I don't support them, I don't vote for them. I may vote for a write-in instead as a protest vote. (My comments are in parenthesis.)

HERE IS TUESDAY'S BALLOT  (Thanks Fairly Conservative for the tip on looking up your area's ballot.)

AUTHORIZING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS (A.K.A. Elmbrook's $62.2 Million dollar referendum )

_ YES

X NO!!!

QUESTION 1: Partial Veto (A.K.A. Frankenstein veto)

X YES

   NO
 

Non-Partisan Races: 

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT 

X MIKE GABLEMAN (Endorsed by Cong.Sensenbrenner, Ryan, Wisconsin Right to Life, and more info)

   LOUIS BUTLER (Endorsed by Sen. Feingold, Kohl, AFT & WEAC, Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender Center Advocates)

COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, DISTRICT 2

X WILLIAM GLEISNER (Endorsed by Paul Bucher, who's ads state Gleisner is pro-life, gun rights, and voter ID)

   LISA S. NEUBAUER (Gov. Doyle appointee, more liberal than Gleisner)

 

COUNTY BOARD SUPERVISOR

THOMAS SCHELLINGER (Tom will make it for this one without my vote, remember 2006?)  

Former alderman JIM HEINRICH is also on the ballot for another area.

ALDERMEN, City of Brookfield  My picks if I could vote in every district. My district 7.

DISTRICT 1

X DAN SUTTON*  (Hands down my favorite here. Dan has great instincts. I hope to see him as council pres.)

DICK BRUNNER (My impression: Voted with mayor's agenda for every development and against neighborhoods.)

DISTRICT 2

X TERRY HALMSTAD (Seems to be everything I would look for in a candidate, he would be an asset on the council.)

RICK OWEN (Seems he votes with mayor's agenda for every development and against neighborhoods--including ours. Will the real Rick Owen please stand up?)

DISTRICT 3

X RON BALZER* (Ron often votes independently of mayor's agenda.  I would vote for him if I lived in 3.)

JACK SHAW  

DISTRICT 4

STEVE PONTO (I can't remember a vote of his that wasn't the mayor's agenda. Drives a cute red VW convertible though.)

DISTRICT 5 

SCOTT BERG* (His votes sometimes surprise you--not always with the mayor's agenda--he also is surprising.)

DISTRICT 6 

X CHRISTOPHER BLACKBURN* (I am so glad he is running again and has no opponent. He is very pro resident.)

DISTRICT 7 

X RENEE' LOWERR (Very energetic, hard worker, and I think will be sensitive to neighborhoods regarding development since she had her own NIMBY experience.)

TOM SCHELLINGER*, AGAIN. (Nice enough guy, but a neighbor refers to him as Mr. Roll-a-dex, because when he called Tom about an issue, Tom got the neighbor a phone number to call to solve for himself. Position never known on an issue until vote.) 

*The star denotes the aldermen who voted with our neighborhood to preserve our little Kinsey Park woods from an unwanted, paved, bike road. We barely squeaked a victory and would not have won had Gary Mahkorn not been on vacation.

Oh, I almost forgot...

SCHOOL BOARD: all unopposed 

X TOM GEHL (Tom and I don't see eye to eye on everything, like the referendum, but he made the hard decision to vote NO to 4K because it did not show academic merit. He is very prompt and polite in his response time to email questions.) 

DAVID MARCELLO (David is also pro referendum and will probably get in unless enough people write in CINDY KILKENNY as I will do. Then maybe we can start maintaining our schools.)

GARY JONES (He will get in, but this is another chance to choose your ideal candidate with a write-in. Gary seemed nice enough at the forum, but again, he is pro referendum.) 

Correction: C G SCHMIDT Cost summary of Referendum

ACADEMICS, NOT ATHLETICS AND AIR CONDITIONING!  

Tomorrow is MILLIONS OF DOLLARS Tuesday!

Links: Brookfield7, Betterbrookfield,  Vicki Mckenna 

We've heard the term: Frankenstein Veto, and we have seen what it can do: Doyle's raiding the transportation fund to give to the general fund, comes to mind. But before any Republicans start acting smugly, Tommy Thompson created Frankenstein monsters too. But do you know what it really is?

Mark Belling explained this monster the other day. The Frankenstein Veto uses the trick of the veto pen, altering legislative language, to create something totally unintended. It allows the Governor to eliminate numbers, words, phrases, or sentences from legislation that crosses his desk, and those eliminated parts allow him to alter the intent of that legislation.

Fictitious Example: All monkeys must be licensed by April 15th. The license fee of $10.00 is payable to the City of Brookfield to offset costs incurred by the police department and Elmbrook Humane Society. 

On April 1st, voters will have the power to end the Frankenstein Veto through a Constitutional Amendment. If you want to end this practice, vote YES. You are saying, Yes, we want to alter the state constitution. Of course they don't call it the Frankenstein Veto, they call it the Partial Veto. (Thanks FairlyConservative.)

Both sides of the isle are generally in favor of ending this practice, Belling said. Doyle probably would not want it to end, however, since it gives him the power to create something uninteneded out of legislative language.

Eliminating this type of Partial Veto would still allow a governor to veto certain parts of a law, just not transform the intent of a law.

Links: Brookfield7, Betterbrookfield,  Vicki Mckenna 

FYI, Mark Belling, is talking about our referendum and Wisconsin taxes right now on his radio show at 4:35pm. 

He mentioned the alderman who called our schools an embarrassment (Mahkorn) and the 12 aldermen who endorsed Elmbrook's referendum.

Mark said, if the residents vote for this, then they better not call his show complaining of their high property taxes.

A caller noted that the two aldermen who did not endorse the referendum were former city employees. Possibly they know something the other aldermen don't? Belling did not want the caller to speak for Balzer or Carnell. It was an interesting observation though. 

UPDATE: I almost forgot that Bill Carnell once was on the school board too! 

Belling notes and quotes: Wisconsin ranks 44th in favorable business tax climate, 50th for retirees.

"The one positive thing about referendums is that you at least get to vote NO."

"I know it is very hard to be the lone wolf." 

He praises the New Berlin school district in their approach. "I hope the (Elmbrook) referendum fails." New Berlin has built 2 new schools without raising taxes.

"At what point in Wisconsin are we going to say, enough is enough."

You may want to listen to the podcast (hour 2, part 1-housing values, raised taxes, fees, Brookfield council and 2) if you cannot listen live.

The countdown continues: Just 13 days until MILLIONS OF DOLLARS Tuesday!

Email me your thoughts on the $62.2 million dollar referendum.

ACADEMICS, NOT ATHLETICS: VOTE NO

Links: Brookfield7, Betterbrookfield,  Vicki Mckenna 

Former 2007 Referendum Facilities Facts Sheets (Still a good read)

Jessica Rasmussen reports, "The Elmbrook superintendent will see $5,280 added to his salary for the 2008-2009 school year.", so that answers my question from last week, Will Gibson get hefty raise this year?

"The School Board voted, 5-1, to approve the 4 percent package increase, which will bump Superintendent Matt Gibson's salary to $147,510." (Remember that Dr. Gibson's complete wage and benefit package is substantially more than just salary.)

True to form, Patrick Murphy did not support that raise. I'm going to miss Patrick's presence on the board. " 'I think these wages are excessive,' Murphy said, adding that the administration should show restraint in light of a possible $62.2 million construction project, which will go to referendum April 1."

I agree. It is rather difficult to swallow the Superintendent telling us how dire the need is for improved facilities in our schools or how we face $1.5 to $2million dollars in budget cuts due to declining enrollments and then see him accept a raise like this one.

But Murphy's opinion was not shared by all. Some "viewed the increase as both deserved and as inconsequential in the district's budget."

The $5,280 raise is 3.58%, below the QEO of 3.8% (which I think only applies to teachers).  Often a person in Dr. Gibson's leadership position will make a gesture to refuse the raise or at least make an offer to donate it back to some cause connected with the schools. I have not heard any report of that.

I don't know how deserved the raise was however, since Gibson's contact was only extended by one year, through June 30, 2010--one year beyond the coming school year. If the board had not extended it, his contract expiration date would have ended at the end of June 2009.

.

Elmbrook School District Referendum Links:

Wording of the April 1, 2008 $62.190.000 referendum 

Architect's Conceptual High School Floorplans--East and Central

Facility "Needs" comparison of failed 2007 and present 2008 referendums

Key Academic Benefits: It's direct address is:  www.elmbrookschools.org/.../displayFile.aspx

(I am sorry, I still cannot access it from the 2008 referendum Table of Contents page.)

Tour Schedule  

Tax Calculator  

Frequently Asked Questions

Elmbrook asks for smaller expansion--JSOnline (Also includes links to past articles)

Still no link to the 2008 Election Edition of the Link. Hope you got your copy.

The countdown continues: Just 13 days until MILLIONS OF DOLLARS Tuesday!

Email me your thoughts on the $62.2 million dollar referendum.

ACADEMICS, NOT ATHLETICS: VOTE NO

Links: Brookfield7, Betterbrookfield,  Vicki Mckenna 

More and more information is coming out about Barack Obama's preacher(his own words, not mine)  and church.

I raised the question of just what kind of church was Trinity U.C.C. a few weeks ago in the comment section and took a bit of heat for it. Contrarian, for one, liked what she saw on Trinity's website, "Kyle, thanks for the invitation to look closely at one aspect of Barack Obama's background, his church.  I spent 30 minutes or so wandering around the website, and came away completely impressed."

But since then, more and more people are questioning what kind of "preaching" was really going on at Trinity.  More specifically, did Barack Obama agree with everything the Rev. Wright preached?

Today Mr. Obama gave a speech regarding his church and preacher and race in America.

Early in that speech, Barack answered the question about his preacher, Rev. Wright*, Did I hear him make statements I strongly disagreed with? Barack answered, Absolutely. Then he added something akin to, Just as I am sure that you have heard remarks that you disagree with at your church. The senator also acknowledged that his (Wright's) comments were wrong and divisive.

So what would posses someone to stay in a church like that for 20 years? 

I can't say. I don't know what Obama's reasons were to staying under the teaching of someone who's comments were wrong and divisive and made statements Barack strongly disagreed with.

If you have ever had to leave a church because of doctrinal differences, you know it is not an easy thing to do. I grew up in a very tiny Bible Church** that was all volunteer--lay preacher, staff, teachers, etc. We finally had to close our doors in 1995 because the workload became too much for the membership. Now we had the task of finding a new church home.

We looked at the statements of faith for a few in the area and tried one out. At first, everything seemed fine. But as time went on, we started noticing some things that made us feel uncomfortable. No statements that were wrong or divisive, it was just that they seemed more interested in entertaining than they did in proclaiming the gospel.

We decided to leave after about 3 years. It took us that long to put all the pieces together. No false doctrine, just not the focus we were looking for.

But to stay for 20 years? That is difficult to understand. 

Seems at least there is some willingness to look a little deeper into Obama's candidacy and beliefs. It will be interesting to see what the media does with this speech.

Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think. Benjamin Disraeli

Links: Brookfield7, Betterbrookfield,  Vicki Mckenna 

Fairly Conservative now has a link to the actual speech and text.

*Not exact quotes.

**FYI: You have probably passed my former little church many times. It is now the offices of ECFA on 124th Street, just south of Greenfield.

I spent last night going through all of my past Practically Speaking postings from the last referendum up until Easter 2007. I gave them a quick read and made the appropriate subject tags.

Many of them are still very pertinent this year. I hope to make a master list with titles, but if that never materializes, you can just click on the High School tag or Elmbrook to the right and they all should come up.

Brookfield7's postings can be found by typing in High School in the search box at the top of that blog. (I will try to list those too if time allows.)

One tidbit I found of interest was about Matt Gibson's raise from last year, just before the referendum. Last year he got an extra $4,881.

Uncle Matt wants you, Even if it means we have to build bigger schools:

Why would the administration, led by Matt Gibson, want to recruit every possible student if this means greater expenses for district taxpayers and shortages of classroom space?

One reader commented, “He’s trying to build a for profit empire out of our wallet! The bigger the empire; the bigger the check.”

Well big empires justify big raises, and we just gave Dr. Matt Gibson a hefty one of $4,881 for a total of $142,230 this year.

I wonder what it will be this year? 

Elmbrook School District Referendum Links:

Wording of the April 1, 2008 $62.190.000 referendum 

Architect's Conceptual High School Floorplans--East and Central

Facility "Needs" comparison of failed 2007 and present 2008 referendums

Key Academic Benefits: It's direct address is:  www.elmbrookschools.org/.../displayFile.aspx

(I am sorry, I still cannot access it from the 2008 referendum Table of Contents page.) 

Tour Schedule  

Tax Calculator  

Frequently Asked Questions

Elmbrook asks for smaller expansion--JSOnline (Also includes links to past articles)

The countdown begins: Just 20 days until MILLIONS OF DOLLARS Tuesday!

Email me your thoughts on the $62.2 million dollar referendum.

ACADEMICS, NOT ATHLETICS: VOTE NO

Links: Brookfield7, Betterbrookfield,  Vicki Mckenna 

Although I am not in favor of the present $62.2+ million dollar referendum, I was pleased to see this practical solution for creating larger classrooms while on the Central High School Tour this week. They are proposing removing the approx. 8' x 9' office cubes from some of the classrooms.

(These would be those classrooms you visit at the top of the stairs at the beginning of the tour--same ones that last year were mentioned as only having 3 working outlets: The Tale of Three Outlets)

I have no idea what they were thinking when this school addition was built--like so many "new" ideas, it seemed like a good idea at the time? But the office within the classroom really plays havoc with the arrangement of student desks.

You can see in the first photo the front of the classroom with the green board. The 15 student desks are arranged perpendicular to the front wall.

The second photo shows the teacher's office cube in the back. The
remaining 15 desks are arranged perpendicular to the back wall.

Each set of 15 desks face each other.

Now, I am not claiming credit for this idea. I think the referendum committee just saw what I saw, a relatively easy and inexpensive way to expand and improve the layout of some classrooms.
 

I had suggested removing those small teacher's office cubes last year in a posting : Post WW2 era buildings = modern construction: 

One “need” on the referendum wish list is larger classrooms. Classrooms at Central are not large enough. Solution: knock out the teacher’s office cube inside the classroom and suddenly the room meets No Child Left Behind standards. Presently we are told the rooms are 750 sq. ft. If the office were removed the room would exceed 825 sq. ft. The layout of the room would improve too. The concept of a teacher having their own classroom is necessary at elementary schools but not at the high school level. This work can all be done “in house” with maintenance staff during the summer as other districts do.

By removing the office cube, the layout of desks improves and the number of potential students per room could increase--if needed. The teacher would be moved to a department office room that would have a private area for student/teacher meetings. Moving the teacher's office out of the classroom also helps when the classroom is used by another teacher. Where this departmental teacher's office area will be is not know at this time Principal LaBonte told us.

I don't believe we need a $102 million referendum ($62.2 million dollar + interest) to make this type of improvement.  Like School Board Member Patrick Murphy, I favor increasing our Capital Improvement budget--I suggested  by $1million a year, last year Murphy suggested by $2 million.

Elmbrook School District Referendum Links:

Wording of the April 1, 2008 $62.190.000 referendum 

Architect's Conceptual High School Floorplans--East and Central

Facility "Needs" comparison of failed 2007 and present 2008 referendums

Key Academic Benefits: It's direct address is:  www.elmbrookschools.org/.../displayFile.aspx

(I am sorry, I still cannot access it from the 2008 referendum Table of Contents page.)

Tour Schedule  

Tax Calculator  

Frequently Asked Questions

Elmbrook asks for smaller expansion--JSOnline (Also includes links to past articles)

The countdown begins: Just 25 days until MILLIONS OF DOLLARS Tuesday!

Email me your thoughts on the $62.2 million dollar referendum.