POLITICAL:

Are the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates collecting money, re-grouping, and catching a spirited 2'nd wind for the home stretch? (Or has everyone, including the press, lost complete interest because they all are starting to sound the same?)

When will someone explain why being "Tough on Crime?" is so vitally important in the Gableman vs Butler Supreme Court election? (And no..."just because" doesn't work for me)

Why has Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson (a declared Democrat) suddenly become a lightning rod for Republican criticism? (Is it possible the GOP finally added up presidential primary results in Waukesha and realized Democrat votes far outnumbered the Republican faithful?)

COMMUNITY:

Waukesha School Superintendent David Schmidt is retiring. There will be a "send-off" luncheon at the Country Springs Hotel on April 10'th. Co-sponsored by the Waukesha Education Foundation and the Waukesha Chamber of Commerce, there are more groups offering plaudits than time available for speakers. A nice tribute to a man who will be missed. Call the Chamber for details @ 262-542-4249.

Retired Waukesha North Marching Band Director Jim Doepke remains active during retirement. He has announced his desire to play the National Anthem on the trumpet at all Major League Ballparks. Commissioner Bud Selig has endorsed this and we wish Jim the very best!

Kudos to the various Departments of Public Works who kept the streets clear this winter. Let's try to remember the costs connected with this year when their budgets are blown by the end of the third quarter.

We in Waukesha will all feel the loss of Senior Journal Sentinel Editor Bruce Gill who passed away at the young age of 56. He was instrumental in bringing the Waukesha Bureau the resources to showcase the goings-on in our Community. He will be remembered as a class act.

FAMILY:   

Upcoming trip to Mexico with four families holds promise of relaxation, sun, warmth, friendship, and many memories for the upcoming year. (Why do "Dirty Monkeys" and "Miami Vice" beverages only taste good in warm climates?)

Spring Fever has gripped our family. How long before the ice is gone from Okauchee Lake??

 

My son Jordan spent much of Christmas Break time-off from college on the blustery surfaces of Okauchee Lake, He and his friends were... Ice-Fishin'!

No fancy shelters, firepits, or heaters for these intrepid outdoorsmen. These lads went out with their gear loaded in a couple of old 5 gallon paint buckets. Jigs, shiners, tip-ups, and hand-warmers. They carried Jordie's Grandpa Darrell's "Lucky" ice auger and a snow shovel. Spots were scouted and friendly hello's extended to others in the general area. Ice was cleared and after careful deliberation, holes dug.

 And they waited...and talked, and they jigged their lines...and they waited...and "Strike!!" Their tip-up had a line set and they dove for their first-ever ice-fishin' catch - a beautiful Northern Pike. They screamed and jumped and laughed. They could not believe some fish picked their 12" spot on all of Okauchee to hit on a minnow. Other fishermen in the area waved congrats to the couple of college kids who "got lucky". And everything settled back down. 

"Strike!" Another hit - another fish! More laughing and backslapping. Only this time the other fishermen didn't appear quite as happy for my son and friend. The kids didn't even notice - cellphones were out and the boys were calling anyone who would answer with news of their incredible success!

After 2-3 more catches that first day, they packed it in and 7 hours after leaving, they headed home for warmth and storytelling. Digital photos were produced and emailed, and suddenly Jordan had several friends including Jeff, Drew, Ryan and more volunteering to keep him company on his next trip.

There were several more "next" trips to Okauchee with quite a few different buddies. Grandpa's "Lucky Auger" never let them down. Every trip a success. Sometimes only Northern; other times perch and bass for good measure. The fish stories were fun to play over and over again, and yes - they looked cold...really cold. The truth is they enjoyed the best memories ever - each other's company. The upside down buckets provided these kids with the best fishin' memories - memories shared with good buddies.

I know Grandpa Darrell is proud that his Lucky Auger got a second wind with Jordie and his friends. Darrell also noted to all that "he was the first to take Jordan ice-fishing" several years ago. Jordan came home and told his mother how he had called Darrell from the ice to let him know how well they were doing. My own joy at seeing these kids enjoy something non-electronic and get "back to basics" was heartfelt.

They are back at school now. The fish were all "catch & release". The auger dried-off and put away. The tip-ups and jigs now stored in those 5 gallon buckets. And, under strictest orders from my son, I can only tell you the holes have frozen back over on  "that southern part of the Lake". 

Like the ice on Okauchee, my son and his buddies will return.

    

This is the time of year to reflect, and a time to prioritize the important things in one's life. It's also the perfect opportunity to appreciate and respect how many positive things happen around us in the Waukesha area. Things may not be perfect here, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. Stay focused on these positives in 2008 - It's a better place to expend your energies. 

On behalf of myself and my family, we wish a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season to all!

Last night we visited Frame Park and took in the 2007 Badgerland Water Ski Show. While enjoying the show, a wave of memories surfaced…

Our entire family joined the Badgerland Team in the mid-90’s. As parents, we were simply hoping our young kids would learn to ski more proficiently. Well – things don’t always turn out as you planned. Our kids certainly became proficient skiers, but their club opportunities and experiences continue to play huge roles in their lives more than 12 years later.

Team History
Badgerland was formed 24 years ago and has skied on Nagawicka Lake, Silver Lake, Lake Keesus, Fowler Lake, and on the Fox River within Frame Park. In addition to numerous WI State Championships, they are past National Champions. They consistently place in the “TOP 10” Nationally to this day. Family-oriented, the shows feature skiers and performers aged 4 to 70! The Show Skiing; pyramids, barefooting, jumping, water ballet, swivel skis and more, is a colorful, fast-paced blend of precision skiing coupled with an ongoing stage show (you know…good guys vs. bad guys…good guys get the girls!).


The Family - Then!
As a direct result of Badgerland, our kids gained poise, believe in teamwork, understand the need for practice and discipline, developed stage presence, and learned the values inherent from skiing with “The Best”. They performed at Summerfest, Harleyfest, Riverfest, and countless road shows criss-crossing the Country. Quite literally, they helped bring that “Badgerland Magic” to hundreds of thousands of fans. Kelly and Caitlin have been on world-record pyramids; the Club has been on all the local television networks, ESPN, Outdoor Life, and the list goes on… Our oldest, Kelly, traveled as a high school senior with several team members to China in 2002 where they competed against the Chinese National Team – once in front of +100,000 spectators! As an aside, volunteer clubs get everyone involved. Before I knew it, my summers were spent on hot stages as an announcer, initially in a full tux playing the role of a casino owner followed by turns as a tribal chieftain in a grass skirt; a camp counselor in knee socks; and worse.

The Family – Fast Forward to today!
Kelly, Jordan, and Caitlin are tremendous skiers with abilities to swivel, jump, barefoot, and even climb 20 feet in the air on water-skiing pyramids! Like most club members, past and present, they are natural performing hams who love making difficult skiing appear effortless. More importantly, our “kids” show little or no fear towards public speaking; they interface well in group activities; they have instructed and introduced dozens of younger kids to their first-time “up” on skis; and it’s now obvious to us the many positives show-skiing played in their development. One of Kelly’s recent job interviews ended with the interviewer asking her all about her show-skiing experiences - she got the job!


The banks of the Fox River came alive last night as boat after boat brought the grace, beauty, splendor, comedy, speed, and excitement of Badgerland Show Skiing to (almost) Downtown Waukesha. With the season winding down, there are still 2 remaining 6:30 Wednesday evening shows. And the shows are free!!

…Now wouldn’t it have been great if I had learned to ski?

The golf driving range could be considered a microcosm of parenting. We bring our kids into our lives at the tee boxes with short clubs and big dreams. Parents then offering advice and support as the young learn to “take their swings”. Over years, the young grow up and the advice from behind the tee mats diminishes…

My son Jordan and I went to the "driving range” today. Jordan has evolved to become a solid mid to upper 70’s golfer. Watching him go through his drills, I was taken back to the Jordan of old. The Jordan who could, at 3-4 years old, hit a plastic ball with a plastic club with a solid, fluid motion. There were early memories of taking him to the range and offering reinforcement of “a straight-back takeaway and maintaining an even tempo swing”. No matter the quality of shot, we always found something positive to share and reflect on later.

Every father who has coached his son knows the uniquely warm feeling when they execute a great shot which is immediately followed by their backward glance of pride - and their hope you saw it. They paused and waited for those parental words of support and acknowledgement which were as important to them as the thrill of a well-driven ball. Interestingly, as my son gets older, I now recognize how much his desire for approval meant to me back then. His youth prevented his sensing my growing pride in him which was deeply rooted in marveling at his progress. Then again, it is possible he intuitively knew his progress and successes as a golfer were shared, quietly, by me.

Watching him now hit at age 20, he still occasionally turns back, only now it’s with satisfaction and a “Hey Dad – pretty nice, huh?” look. And while the shots are now better (some fairly awesome), and much longer, he might not be looking for as much advice from “behind the mat” these days. But it is obvious that “little boy” who looks back for my stamp of approval is still very much alive and well.

What a great Father’s Day gift!

Summer is right around the corner. The fishing boat just received a new fish locator which guarantees success on the water (and below it). And, while looking forward to the upcoming months, I also have to recognize this year as a “biggie” in our parenting: Our two daughters are graduating!

Kelly, the oldest, graduated from the business school at UW La Crosse, moved back home for a day, and left for a 3½ week back-pack tour of Europe. This will be followed by job interviews and her eventual (sooner rather than later?) embarking on a career in marketing and public relations.

Caitlin, the youngest in our clan, will be graduating from Waukesha North in a few short weeks. She started in a new job this past week, and restaurant hostessing appears to be a good fit for her and the dining establishment. Her summer will culminate in her moving to dorm life at UW La Crosse and applying her time to class and studies (OK… – Include some social activities as well).

The cumulative effect on me has been somewhat unsettling. My wife and I feel it was just “a couple months ago” that these girls started high school and college, and now they are both graduating 4 years later! We both remember having dinner with a very good business friend and his wife in La Crosse and asking them to act as surrogate parents “in case our daughter needs immediate assistance”. The memories of saying “goodbye” to Kelly that late summer night in 2003, 4 years ago, and driving home from La Crosse, lost in our own thoughts, seem as clear as if they happened last month.

Watching “Little Caitlin” go off to high school was a reality check for us. Caitlin truly enjoyed the “High School Experience” (she learned from her older brother and sister) and maximized everything the Waukesha District has to offer: Full, challenging class loads; loads of interesting extracurriculars; marching band trips; new friendships; and now a “Summer of Fun” before she heads out. Why, her marching band New York Macy’s trip – a very memorable trip, was way back in 2004 !

This year is indeed a “biggie” in my life as a parent. And yes, as most parents will tell you, these years do fly by. Certainly there is no reason to suspect the next 4 years won’t be different and all 3 kids will be out of college. “Empty Nesting” is imminent…It all seemed to happen in the blink of an eye.

Maybe, lurking just beneath the surface (similar to the fish taunting me at Okauchee?) of my sub-consciousness, there is a sense of the unknown awaiting us as parents and as a married couple. The kids are doing well, progressing, and their dependency on us will (should) wane. Maybe the “dreaded unknown” is really not so much concern for our children anymore as it is an acceptance that time is quickly accelerating by...

OK – Too much introspection for today. Time to go fishing!

Does "sticker shock" occasionally keep you from selecting that premium steak place? Are you impacted by the pace set by the restaurant's reservation book and the conversations of the too-close next table? Do the ala carte prices affect what kind and how much wine you have? And after a great meal out, does the dinner check typically average about $150.00 - 200.00/couple?

Here's an option that took the chill out of one of our recent winter whiteouts - Dinner in!

Six of us got together to celebrate the wives' birthdays. The men decided it would be our turn to wait on these fine examples of pulchritude in the manner they are so deserving of - "Hand and Foot." We planned the menu, we shopped the stores, we reconnoitered, we compared notes and, finally, we were ready for our turn to really turn on the charm.

The evening started with a 3-litre bottle of a South African Shiraz, cheeses (3 - Gouda, Swiss, and Cheddar w/cranberries), crackers, and guarded looks on the women's faces. After an unhurried time, the ladies were seated as Jim and Paul fired-up the grill. Fresh flowers and candles added to the mood. A fresh relish tray (w/cracked ice on top) consisting of radishes, black olives, celery and carrot sticks, and green onions was passed as the freshly-tossed salads were served. Again, conversations were somewhat reflective of Colleen's, JoAnn's, and Sue's concerns that maybe things were going "too well." Salads were completed and the main course was served!

Filet mignon for the ladies while the gents had bone-out ribeyes. Seared and grilled by Paul perfectly, the steaks were accompanied by asparagus in Hollandaise sauce; 3 lbs. of mushrooms flash sautéed; and baked potatoes (covered in extra-virgin olive oil and hand-rubbed by Jim with sea salt before baking) averaging over 1lb. each! Rolls and Italian bread filled available spots on the table. Birthdays and friendship were toasted, and the blizzard outside went unnoticed.

As the entrees were finished to the best of everyone's ability (there were doggie bags), the women were finally relaxing, and a zesty sorbet was presented which cleansed the palates. NOTE: No one makes desserts like my wife Colleen. When she found out the men were planning dinner, she promptly "whipped-up" a cheesecake and strawberry schaum tortes from scratch. Needless to say, we men are weak...and we accepted her offer.

Desserts were ultimately served balanced by fresh-ground Colombian coffee topped with a little of the whipped cream from the schaum tortes. And the wine was finally finished! The guys cleaned the table, Jim cleaned the kitchen, and we rejoined the conversations.

WHY!?... YOU SAY WHY DID WE DO IT? Because Jim, Paul, and I knew we could! Because we really wanted to do something unique and special for the ladies! Because the planning without our wives' input made it that much more special for us! Because we really wanted to have a throwback meal where we conversed and ate at our pace, not the dining establishment's.

Costs for dinner were literally less then a third of dining out. Sure we shopped, prepped, cooked, and cleaned-up, but it was truly worth it. And it was heartwarming for me to observe women who often exhibit "control freak" behavior around their kitchens finally relax and marvel that their husbands could actually plan and then pull a culinary feast off!

Chef's hats off to Jim, Paul, and myself! And ladies, that Saturday dinner was just a gentle reminder "nudge" of the many reasons you married us so long ago...

In one of my other endeavors, I serve as Chair of the Waukesha Education Foundation (WEF).
The WEF raises money to give back to the District in grants, scholarships, and endowments. These funds can only be used for programs and opportunities outside of traditional education rigor. In short, the WEF accentuates the learning experiences for the students in the Waukesha School District.

As the WEF Chair, my proximity to the District often encourages comments from parents and other concerned parties about the extreme financial challenges confronting Waukesha schools. After explaining what the WEF can and cannot do, their follow-up questions mostly deal with "How bad is it really?" and "Why isn't anybody doing anything about it?"

Answer to question #1: It's bad...really bad! And unless something changes, almost immediately, it will have a compounding effect which will be felt by students, parents, teachers, area businesses (employers), real estate agents, and everyone else in the path of this ripple. Larger average size classes, continued cuts in staffing, elimination of "unneeded" (band, sports, drama, clubs, DECA) programs, and many more cuts are awaiting us in the upcoming years.
Alarmist opinion??!! No - Much more a realist approach!!

On to question #2: No one person can do anything about it! The basic State funding program (forged in the mid-90's) increases the amount of money for the District in lesser amounts then the District's costs increase. In this scenario, and in order to balance the budget, cuts must be made. One can argue where to cut costs including educator salaries and benefits, class size, get back to "readin', writin', and 'rithmetic," and many other theories. The facts are; Cuts are happening as you read this and every local, legal remedy is being considered by the Waukesha School Board.
In summary: "District funding is insufficient to maintain status quo, and there is nothing any one person can do!" There are opportunities for change available, but in all sincerity, it will take many to accomplish this.

Writing to Gov. Doyle is one avenue - but why stop there? He's 60 miles away in Madison. Get your local State Representatives attention - this is theirs and our "Ground Zero", and isn't this their official purpose anyhow - to represent us? And if they cleverly and conveniently push the blame off on Doyle, high taxes, Funding Formulas, the opposing political party, etc., ask for their "clear and concise" professional and personal opinion on what is occurring and what the effects will be if this problem continues? Simplistically raising taxes for Waukesha schools won't be the answer from any currently-elected officials, and it's truly not a good solution long-term.

Now is a very good time to get educated on the challenges of school funding today! There are workshops and listening sessions occurring. Visit one and learn more. If you sense and believe in the importance and urgency of what lies ahead, then maybe you too will engage. And ultimately the power of one has the potential to become the voice of many.

 
The Sadie Hawkins Dance Night has arrived. Our daughter had her “group” over. The (8) seniors enjoyed dinner and stories after the hum-drum of perfunctory picture-taking. And now they are off to their second-to-last formalized school event before graduation.
It’s also my wife’s and my second-to-last event - the difference being that our run of events was quite a bit longer then our daughters’. We started “our” run (8) years ago with our oldest. A quick count shows our picture archive should have (35) different sets of pictures: Homecoming, Sadie’s, and Proms times (3) kids times (4) years with only the last prom to go.
Sometimes the same date shows up for multiple appearances – some “runs” were longer then others; often the faces changed as often as the Events; and the longest “same couple” series continues as our collegiate sophomore son is still dating the same sweet girl.
What about the dresses and sport coats they wore? Did we rent an offsite storage space to save these items – assumedly to give them back to the kids some day? Or is there a secret, very large closet lurking in my house where these clothes remain - hoping the styles (in the correct sizes?) come back some day?
Regardless, the lasting memories won’t be wrapped-up in the pictures (Who was that girl with Jordan at sophomore Homecoming anyhow?). And the dispersal of these “memorable, one-time” garments to the kids when they have room to store them will assuredly bring tears to my wife’s eyes as she realizes another phase of raising our kids has come and gone. And could I really remember back to where they had dinner at Homecoming 2001?
The memories started coming back to me tonight: The excitement of the girls looking for dresses with their Mom. Finding a sport coat that would fit my ever-growing son (4) weeks after we bought it. Secretive phone calls to the parents of the date to make sure the flowers matched the color of the dress or tux. Getting pictures printed the next morning (pre-digital era) so the kids could re-live the night the next morning. Post-prom sleepovers where we force-fed juice and breakfast to kids attempting to function on 2-3 hours sleep. Limos for (18) pulling into our cul-de-sac and then watching the guys get in before the girls. Dried flowers with petals falling off still hanging in corners of our basement from some long-forgotten time.
And now, after all the build-up, all of the anticipation, all of the hopes for “The Very Bestest Whatever Event ever”, it’s coming to an end… The kids have mostly forgotten most of the particulars of these events and they continue moving on. Amazing - they’re moving forward… and my mind and the memories are reflecting backwards.
Thanks, kids – thanks for the memories of your Homecomings, Sadie’s, and Proms.
 
 

 

Christmas arrived on December 22’nd this year.

Every year my family asks “What do you want for Christmas this year?” Every year I give the same ritualistic response: “Good kids”.

My wife received a call from the Waukesha North School Resource Officer, Terry Thieme. Officer Thieme related how our senior daughter, Caitlin, had been commended for turning in a “wad of money”. She found the money in a school hallway and, without disturbing or counting the money, turned it in to the Officer.

The bundle of money was $107! His call reflected on how a fellow student had reported the loss and was able to identify and get the money back. We were told the student had the money to pay for Christmas presents. We also received an email from the North H.S. Principal, Dr. Ryan Champeau, congratulating us on Caitlin's actions.

The Officer has a fund which rewards students for positive actions. He gave Caitlin $25. She rejected the reward because she was “just doing the right thing”. When pushed, she accepted the money and then promptly drove to the Elmbrook Humane Society where she donated it in the name of Waukesha North. (She has volunteered there over the years.)

Interestingly, Caitlin had not even found her actions worth mentioning at home…

It's rare when as parents you get concrete validation that your efforts and hopes are paying off. Our entire family is very proud of Caitlin from start to finish. Hers is a heart-warming story for the holidays, and I have to believe the student who lost the money has to be relieved.

Christmas came early this year to the Walt household, and I received everything I asked for and more – “Good…no…Great Kids!”

Here’s to the most unsung hero of the 2006 Walt Holiday Season – my wife, Colleen!

My co-workers have just left our home following a nice out-of-office get together and clean-up commences once again. Fast becoming a choreographed routine, Colleen has once more organized, cooked, arranged, set-up, and presented a wonderful array of appetizers, snacks, treats, and beverages. …Enough to feed our group and another dozen or so.

Feeling guilty because clean-up is disproportionate (“I’ll do it because you don’t know where it goes…”), I was overwhelmed by the amount of personal effort and number of hours Colleen has invested to make these Holidays special for Family and friends alike. (6) Christmas trees (4’H or larger) individually decorated and color coordinated to match the rooms they are in; another 4-5 smaller trees in bedrooms; and her special “Rock ‘N Roll” tree layered in singing ornaments with Elvis, Bing, Sinatra, Marilyn and many more musical icons represented in the kids lower-level disco. Every surface including mantels and hearths, stair railings, counters, ledges, is festooned with bright festive decorations.

And as I was actually, finally, taking the time to recognize and acknowledge her work, I heard our kids’ voices. Suddenly the true sense of Holiday spirit came over me. Kelly and Jordan are home from college; Caitlin finished her school day; …we’re home together as a family! A warm feeling welled-up while recalling the many memories we have shared over the years during the Holidays: the many ornaments with special significance harking back to the kids first Christmases; the fireplace stockings so critical on St. Nick’s; milk and cookies for Santa; the many different shapes and sizes of Christmas presents under the tree on Christmas morning; and the parental transition from excitement for the young kids to appreciation for the shared experiences we have had.

Thank you Colleen! Assuredly, you are not taken for granted! You truly have made this special time all the better for those around you. Photos and movies are fine, but in the coming years the true spirit of the Walt Family Holidays will live on in the rich textures of our personal memories.

The Thanksgiving Holidays have come and gone. This year's Feast was hosted by the in-laws and it held many special meanings. Our (2) UW LaCrosse kids were home as was my wife's brother from Las Vegas. The cousins and grandchildren were all in attendance. The house was alive with warm feelings, and the smells of cooking turkey, dressing, pumpkin and apple pies, and much more filled the air.

The grandkids caught-up with each other during dinner in the dinette. Stories touching on each other's lives were exchanged with several promises made to see each other during the upcoming semester break. The adults "deformalized" the formal dining room with teasing and bad humor that somehow seemed just right. The food was savored and complimented; tired and old family stories resurfaced; harmless jokes were made - usually at someone's expense; and Grandma Ginny lapsed into her comfort zone as she tried to keep order while making sure we all had too much to eat.

The contrast between Thursday's family gathering and Friday morning's retail free-for-all was striking. How did I lapse from truly appreciating the genial family Thanksgiving mood to then, just 10 hours later, becoming a rabid, maniacal Friday AM shopper willing to almost commit a felony in my pursuit of those coveted "Doorbuster Specials"?

Was it the "once in a lifetime" savings? Would I be judged better by my neighbors if I could brag about how little I paid for items not really needed? (What was really wrong with my old shop vac?) Did it feel good to "compete and triumph" over others in the melee of competitive shopping? What if "everyone else is doing it" and I wasn't a part of it?!

...And now my kids have gone back to school; the brother-in-law is on his way home; leftovers have already been sampled; and we have the tender reassurances of another round of Thanksgiving memories being added to the family archives.

It's striking how comforting those personal memories are - and how insignificant and trivial my "retail bonanza" has already become.

A lesson learned as I approach the balance of the holidays...

It’s been a tough few weeks to be a student.

It’s been a troublesome, emotional week for students in and from Waukesha and Brookfield.

And it’s been a week of concern and questioning for the parent of (2) current UW LaCrosse students and a Waukesha North High School senior. And that parent is…me!

Eight young men have died since 1997 under suspicious circumstances, and, tragically, we all “hope” (not really) they were so drunk they fell in the Mississippi…Why? …Because we consider a “drunk death” preferable to the possibility of a psychopathic killer preying on young people?

A high school sophomore makes threats that are so relevant, so timely, and so concise that he is suspended. Within days, the student is reported to have repeated the same threats and now faces possible/probable expulsion and misdemeanor charges. Am I to be comforted by the fact the police searched his home and no guns were found?

My wife and I have listened to and felt all (3) of our kids very real fears and concerns over these last few weeks. Fears that can’t be washed away by a simple “Oh, these are just isolated cases – don’t worry about it (them)”. Concerns that bring their future; their vulnerability; even their mortality to the forefront of our conversations. And all of this then followed by rumors flying in the aftermath on both campuses.

Our kids are scared! There… it’s said. These soon-to-be “independent” (so they think) young adults are frightened. They have abandoned their veneers of self-sufficiency and unashamedly are talking about their heightened insecurities during these unsettling times.

And how helpless I feel… This isn’t about me having the “right’ answers – I don’t! My thoughts don’t turn away on to the next item when I finish my phone call with them. Their fear is my fear, and right now I am very concerned that short of being with them every minute of every day, they are vulnerable.

It’s not the schools’ fault nor do we really know how to prevent the next tragedy. Blame placed with the schools is truthfully and understandably misdirected frustration and pent-up anger. Making the schools “armed camps” is impractical and won’t protect against an off-campus episode.

This is a different world from the one I grew-up in. My typical “persona” is to assess issues; deal with them; and move on. That doesn’t hold water right now. My kids are experiencing very real fears… and I don’t know how to help them…

(Bloggers note; Sorry for the length…)–


First: This is not promoting a school referendum!

The Waukesha School District is faced with challenges many Districts either are, or will be coming to grips with: Relatively flat enrollments, increased wage and benefit costs, increased basic costs of operation and maintenance, and revenue streams (State aid, fees, and property taxes) which don’t keep pace with the preceding. Discounting critics who come armed with the age-old arguments starting with “Teachers make too much” or “Teachers don’t pay enough for benefits” or “Property taxes are already too high” or a myriad of other “Don’t bother me with reality – School funding isn’t my problem”, it’s time to challenge ourselves to plan for education right here in Waukesha for the upcoming years.

Do you know our School Board members? I do, and whether I personally agree with each of them on politics, religion, or taxes, my first-hand experience is they are truly committed, well-qualified, and make educated decisions balancing a responsible tax rate with the specific needs of our Waukesha District. Critics hide behind the above arguments, stir emotional outcries, and they seem to avoid constructive, eyes-open discussions with acceptance of the real facts. Watch our Board closely – They represent an excellent cross-section of Waukesha; they really are good people; and they need your input and support moving forward.

How well do you know the District Administration? Starting with the Superintendent, David Schmidt and his staff, I challenge anyone to find a more qualified, more highly-principled, and more professional group. Ask your local Community and Business leaders, and their answers invariably are “We’re fortunate to have the leadership of Dave Schmidt here in Waukesha”. Ask the Waukesha United Way Leadership and Board who demonstrated their confidence in naming Dave Schmidt Chairperson of this year’s campaign. And ask people such as myself who consider themselves fortunate to have worked constructively with David on Boards and Committees relating to the ever-changing challenges of Public Education.

Do you understand what’s different about the Waukesha School District? All too often, a simplistic comparison between school districts will focus on ACT scores for college, curriculums, and “per pupil funding” from the State. Open your eyes and acknowledge the economic, social, and ethnic differences separating Waukesha from Elmbrook, Kettle Moraine, Arrowhead, and most other oft-compared, adjacent Districts. Comparing educational programs and budgets between communities doesn’t neatly work into a “One size fits all” compartment. Cultural, economic, and social diversity in the Waukesha District creates pupil needs far beyond our near-neighbors, and there are, like it or not, costs connected with this diversity. Maintaining quality educational opportunities for the entire cross-section of Waukesha in this era has thus far been nothing short of miraculous.

Is maintaining the current education program important to you? If you take the stance “someone else will take care of it”, or “my kids are out of the house” or any of the original generalities listed earlier, stop reading now. The Board and District Administration leadership have worked tirelessly for the past several years to minimize the impact of today’s funding formula for education. Paradoxically, their great work is their own worst enemy. By minimizing and spreading out the current impact, there have been no outcries of what is, and will be happening in the immediate future. And the Board and Administration have again demonstrated professionalism with their restraint and decency in accepting their responsibilities to make it all work without public whining.

Will you now be taken “by surprise” when next year’s School District budget increases class sizes (again); when the existing teaching staff is reduced (again); when “at-risk” programs are “at-risk” (again); extracurriculars are either “gutted” and/or too expensive for all students (ongoing); and when deferred basic building maintenance needs are classified lower the educational needs (again)? And do you understand there are no quick, no-cost solutions?

Again, this should not even be considered as laying the groundwork for another school referendum in Waukesha. The raw emotions exposed during previous referendums has distracted from the real questions looming large in Waukesha’s future. The issues facing our School District and Community can only be addressed if all vested parties accept and understand the challenges in the context of the current funding realities. Education is neither a commodity nor a business in the traditional sense, so don’t categorize it as such.

More then anything else, educational opportunities impact our local economy, property values, and most important, they affect our Waukesha C

The kids are going back to school already?

What happened to the Summer of ’06? Seems like it was only a couple of weeks ago and we were steeling ourselves for the return (invasion) of our (2) college kids and planning out the summer activities and trips. The kids were arranging gainful employment and everyone was anticipating the promise of great weather and great fun.

Summerfest, graduation parties, the 4’th, waterskiing at the lake, vacationing “up-north”, State Fair, the Brewers… all quickly becoming distant memories. Superseding everything and adding to the blur was our family dealing with the health challenges and eventual loss of a loved one. And a parent’s quest to spend just a little more quality time with each of the kids looks like it will fall short – again.

Maybe all the summer’s shared events will create their own aura of positive images in the minds of the 17, 19, and 21 year old. And its’ entirely possible that at some (hopefully) distant time they will build on these activities with their own families. Finally, these are pivotal years in the context of their advancement to young adulthood. Did I as a parent grow with them?

Summer is quickly becoming a vapor trail of recollections with its’ swift passing. Time to move the (2) college kids into their first apartments and initiate a new type of learning cycle. I’m reminded our youngest child’s senior year is bringing our seventeen years of elementary and high school to a close. We will now watch her car drive off for the last two semesters instead of waiting with them for that late school bus on the first day of school.

Yep, the kids are really going back to school already …and I’ll miss them.

“Personalize it…Make it your own…write about anything…There’s an audience for (almost) everything…Remember – it goes out live!”

These were the core instructions from our recent Journal/Sentinel orientation class for Community Bloggers. Many questions from these budding bloggers were raised and then concise answers received from “Master-Blog Mark”: How long should it be? (Whatever you think). What should we write about? (Whatever interests you). Can it be controversial? (Sure, but expect feedback and threats). Will our blogs be edited? (No, check your own speling, commas,,, and grammar). Can we write about our families? (Sure, but remember these blogs can be read world-wide. They also have the shelf-life of a Twinkie-20 years. So, write nice things).
Given the preceding, crisp directive, let’s segue on to my family.

Colleen carries the torch as my wife of 23 years, and she works as an old-fashioned, caring R.N. at a local hospital. Her responsibilities to our ever-aging brood of (3) kids keeps her challenged as she slowly transitions from Discipline Mom (the early years) to Friendly Mom (kid’s college years). Colleen is an incredibly driven volunteer who desires anonymity when thanks and accolades are rolled out. Landscaping, reading, decorating, party planning, and driving (read: shopping) Bluemound Road keeps her grounded.

Our youngest has carried the moniker of “Shrimp” most of her life. While not an endearing nickname to her, “Shrimp” is the absolute opposite of her occasionally out-sized personality. A senior who really works for good grades at Waukesha North, “Shrimp” is deeply involved in Interact (Rotary volunteerism for high schoolers), school boards, marching band (flute), and has many great friends. She loves water-sports, has an enduring crush on a (much older)resort entertainer met in Mexico over Easter break, and believes she is closer to 25 then her real age of 17. Her summer job as a secretary receptionist is described as “working for a tyrant (me) in a sweatshop”.

Our son, “Vinnie” (not his real name) is 19, and a sophomore finance-accounting student at UW- LaCrosse. Failing to have thus far reached his goal of wealth without work, he “toils” at a local golf course taking reservations in air-conditioned comfort. Percs include golf and nachos. His golf game (averages in low to mid 70’s) competes for time with poker, watersports, vacations, and anything else that keeps him from being home. “Vinnie” has an absolute sweetheart of a girlfriend who is starting to detest golf, poker, watersports…

The oldest, “Princess”, will be completing her senior year at UW-LaCrosse with a degree in Marketing and Public Relations. Always trying to squeeze 26 hours out of every day, she has summer internships in Waukesha at the Boy Scouts of America and, starting next week, the United Way. Her expenses are covered by selling power tools at Sears (think “Tool Time”). Whenever possible, “Princess” indulges her love affair with water-skiing. And she devotes herself, in the remaining 26 minutes of her weekly free-time, to her very patient boyfriend from Monroe; “Hoser”.

That’s it! A wife, 3 kids, a dog (“Cujo”), and a house in the suburbs. While that appears fairly typical demographically, my life continues to be unique and special. The kids are home for summer, and the house becomes more of a home. Every day has more meaning. If nothing else, Colleen and I are exposed to very new, and very different, music samplings and styles. As parents, we are starting to see the fruits of our labors blossom. And in reflection, much is owed to our Waukesha area for providing the cultural, educational, and social opportunities for my family's development.

(I encourage comments and your Waukesha items, places, people, and events of interest)