cp..if you couldn't echo fear and WR what would you do? Do you ever have an original thought of your own?

So what if fear's posts sometimes happen to be long? He is trying to give you important facts that you all need to consider. And he makes alot of sense, something Repubs. and Democrats alike should take into consideration. Sorry, but that's my opinion and that's how I see it.

Mr. Murray, go for it. You will have my vote. I never voted for Knilans either. And I am proud to say that I didn't. I knew he was a mistake about to happen. I sure was right about that one. Get rid of Knilans. We need people in the Capitol who will stand up for the poor and the middle class and not try to stomp on them. Mr. Knilans, you are pathetic!

"you are with us or with the terrorists"- George Walker Bush. Started us down this path of divided country we are in. From the WORST president in AMerican history.
No such thing as a non-partisan politician. Even if you dont think you are a partisan, you will be labeled as one. I used to be a republican, now I am an issue basedperson, i dont subscribe to ideology. I make decions based on issues. Individual issues, and what I think is right and wrong, not what certain news networks preach. YUK!

No leftist- all of us are taxpayers. I am speaking of the goup of uninformed union haters. You seem to say that all taxpayers want to cut teachers salary and benefit packages. That is NOT the case, as usual you are very uninformed and use a false broad brush. Whatever makes you feel good about your rhetoric I guess. Incase you care, your a$$umption about me like most of your short sighted posts is WRONG, I own my own business. I just happen to care about education and am tired of the hatred and misinformation spread by silly partisans, like you!

Karl I would love to meet with you! Unfortunately while we have this current superintendant, I am afraid revealing my identity may endanger some that I care about in the district. I have it on good authority that Ms Schulte is the type of person that remembers when people speak up and will hold it against them later. When the new contract comes up she may be given ultimate power to fire people. As wasevidenced by her reaction to the rumors that counselors and learning support teachers were displeased with her lack of plan for their future, she responded by sending an email to them all that she would be suggesting they all be laid off. Very adultlike behavior right? Schulte is constantly on the news and in the paper trying to "convice" the teachers to open their contract, when all of you know it just isnt going to happen. Can you blame them?
With test scores in Janesville on the rise, why in the world would we be looking for a way to drive educators away? Sorry to say but you guys have plenty of pet projects( buffer wall at Craig) that are NOT necessary, and refuse to raise the levy , that would get more matching funds from the state. Kind of a double whammy for the teachers and the district.
Hate the teachers and their union all you like, but they need it in this town, its OBVIOUS why. Cutting education funding will not make it work better, it will worsen it. Education in jaJanesville is working well, why are we so intenet on driving quality down, because you have a political axe to grind(Vato)? Stick to the comedy vato

cmon Vato your hatred of unions is well noted. I would not have a problem here if I wasnt aware of Mr Ds flip on his vote. Taxpayers are a stakeholder in education? Fair enough, but your personal axe to grind has to do with the JEA and the teachers they protect. Without the JEA certain members of the board and this community would just prefer that teachers make 10 bucks an hour with no benefits. Or possibly match their salaries with that of say....a phones plus employee. I am NOT a huge proponent of unions. I do believe that certain professions NEED protections from certain groups of citizens. We need to maintain a certain level of compensation for these professions( Police, Fire, and teachers are a few), these are professions of great sacrifice and deserve nice pensions and benefit packages. They certainly are in need of unions, sorry just the way I see it.
What gets old to me is the mentality that somehow we can IMPROVE education quality by destroying teachers unions and cutting salary and benefits. Tell me please that we have no money for educators in this town but we can spend 3 million on an ice arena? Thanks to Gvernor Walker , now localities have no control on how to fund their districts. Along with cutting a billion from public ed, we will see the quality of teachers and education in Wisconsin fall. Why would anyone spend 50,000 dollars on an education to teach? It may be your passion to educate, but it will not be a career choice possible that would enable you to recover from student loans by retirement.

youkillme-

False logic. False dichotomy. Black or white. Nothing in the middle. Either you are part of the solution or part of the problem mentality.

This is a bit of unsolicited advice for all holders of non-partisan government offices. If you want to appear "independent" or non-partisan as an individual or as a group - avoid attending party caucus meetings and party celebratory dinners and get togethers unless you support or agree with the agenda. Friends or no friends or just looking for the good in everything - expect at some point to be challenged and answer for your attendance.

Referring to taxpayers as just "a certain group in the community." Classic snobbishness from a lefty who's likely on the dole, biting the hand that feeds it (i.e. the taxpayer).

Knilans is about as sharp as a basketball.

Kevin Murray has my vote.

“youkillme”, I was not at the Beloit Inn this year for Republican Party caucuses, but I have attended periodically in past years, just as I have attended some Democratic events. I try to find the good from all parties, which they certainly have. I also have very dear friends that belong to both parties and always look forward to spirited discussion to accentuate the positive and feed debate with respect between us.

“fearandrhetoric4dummies”, you have me at a disadvantage because I do not know who you are, but would like to talk more in person. I do believe that some of your statements have merit, some are a little strong, and definitely recognize some good questions that I will be glad to answer. I wish to open those conversations, to allow us to have genuine and friendly discussions without being afraid, and not leave any lingering questions about my positions.

I invite anyone to come to my office to sit down for specific answers on any subject that I can legally discuss. Please call first because I am not always in the office, but I am available on most weekends and will find time for these conversations and give answers. This invitation is for those who would like to understand me better, receive specific answers to any questions, and allow me to know his or her views and opinions to a finer degree.

As I said before, this is Kevin’s space in this article and I do respect him immensely, so I wish for the conversations to continue about Kevin.

Thank you and remember I am only one of nine commissioners,

Karl Dommershausen
Janesville School Board Commissioner
(608) 752-2700 office
(608) 774-8660 cell

"who voted no do NOT care about education"

"Karl- then why did you flip on the recent teaher contracts? It was widely known that you were a vote for and flipped at the last second, why? Please dont talk about balancing things with taxpayers, that one always seems to make me gag. Its just a line to garner favor amongst a certain group in the community, and it works.'

You logic is very faulty fear. It is called "Either you are part of the solution or part of the problem. Also called a false dichotomy.

If this guy had voted for, then he is a hero. If he votes no, he is vilified and does not care about the students and school.

Taxpayers are important stakeholders in the education community and they should be included in the decision making in budgets. The unions cannot and should not be strangle holding the bargaining process by the use of students to get what they want. Getting old fear. If anyone votes no in salary or benefits negotiations the union starts crying foul that those who voted no do care about education blah blah blah.....I agree there has to be a balance.

Fear ...if you are such an expert why don't you run for the school board. Oh I see, its easier to sit on these blogs and criticize those who try to do right by their community. Posters are only bi-partisan if they agree with you.

I admit, I may have been a touch sloppy with the "card-carrying" rhetoric. You don't know me, but I've talked to you two times in person about issues and if you want to refer to yourself as a "independent conservative," no problem - more power to you.

Karl- then why did you flip on the recent teaher contracts? It was widely known that you were a vote for and flipped at the last second, why? Please dont talk about balancing things with taxpayers, that one always seems to make me gag. Its just a line to garner favor amongst a certain group in the community, and it works.
If the school board is supposed to be "non-partisan" then why is it certain members will do anything and everything to cut teacher compensation and benefits? Writing op-eds for the Gazette about teachers not living in the real world? Non-partisan? I think that in itself is a silly idea, every person in the world has their beliefs and their actions are shaped that way, including yours. Isntthe supreme court supposed to be "non-partisan" too? As we all can see that is obviously NOT the case, nor as it with the school board. You can hide behind the "non-partisan" label all you like but most can see through it.
I would ask you then Karl, when Sculte(also a right wing partisan) decided to cut all learning support teachers, and counselors as a part of her budget plan, why were you okay with that? How is that good for the needs of the kids? I also would love to hear what you think about Schulte and Sodemann continuing to run to the media barking about teachers contracts being re-opened. Especially when they have been told no by the JEA over and over. Why would the JEA trust any school board member other than kevin Murray right now? (Maybe Lori Stottler as well) I can tell you, they dont. If Dave Parr or anyone on the school board thinks that they will vote to open them now that Knilans is trying to play politics , they are really not thinking to clearly. AND YOU KNOW IT!!

Karl, just to keep the record straight. Were you at the Rock County Republican Party Caucus held in February at the Beloit Inn.

Are saying you are NOT a Republican? Just to keep the record straight.

“fearandrhetoric4dummies”, I am not hard to read if you follow my votes. I always attempt to balance my personal values with the needs of taxpayers, students, and employees. I always look deeper than the surface because what you see is not always the correct perception. Being on the Board does make it slightly easier to gather information, because I deal with school information virtually every day, but it is available to all with some research and just asking.

“youkillme” should be careful of statements that have no basis in fact. I do not now or have ever carried a membership in any manner in the GOP or Democratic Party; in addition, the School Board position is non-partisan, but individual positions are not exempt from partisan leanings occasionally. I consider myself a slightly conservative independent, which makes me only answerable to those my actions could affect, those who vote, and me. I do attend Republican and Democratic gatherings and will continue to do so to be with friends and attempt to understand more.

This article is about Kevin and the conversation should be just about him, so perhaps we can keep the discussion there. I only responded because of inaccuracies about me.

Thank you,

Karl Dommershausen
Janesville School District Commissioner

Sheridan had residency issues of his own, but they came well after he was elected. I have to admit though, Knilans beat Sheridan fair and square. I saw him knocking on doors almost daily and getting his name and face out there. But the tide has turned. I believe any challengers that can articulate the issues and puts in that effort will defeat Loudenbeck, Knilans and Wynn. Only the challengers can lose the seat for the people.

you kill me, yer absolutely right. knilans should have never gotten the job. the law should state that you must live within the district from the time of your filing as a candidate.

Call it what you like. Knilans thought Mike Sheridan was weak an saw an opportunity for a government job. Knilans was like a hungry hyena chasing down an injured doe even if he didn't live in the district. Talk about opportunity. What goes around comes around.

Mr. Murray....It is soften said that timing is everything.........

Opportunist of the highest order.

an early retirement, public sector democrat, jumping back on the bandwagon. go figure.

Good Luck Kevin:-) You will have my vote. Time for Joe to go!

fearandrhetoric4dummies
just wondering why your posts are always longer then the articles?

Sorry Joe,you gotta go--But don't sweat it- The koch bros. will probably give you a job for being such a good little puppet.

I certainly wouldn't want to be a teacher these days,without the ability to maintain order in the classroom, having to defend each and every aspect of the job, the lack of respect from students and parents alike. Rest assured that I respect the job that they do. But, like any other jobs there are good ones and bad ones. Weeding them out is the hard thing to do but it must be done one way or the other. Taking away bargaining rights is not one of them. This was a stupid move and will only hurt the schools and students. Many people have moved out of this town and state because of the stupidity of fitzwalkerstan, or as we used to call it wisconsin, and more will follow. Watch for the recalls and lets see what happens next. I'm thinking something like "clinging chads".

doc0430 - Don't flatter yourself, it's hard for an IQ of 4 to drop much lower!

Good luck Kevin! Just don't pull a 180 like Knilans and vote against your union brothers as he did. Nice how he can collect a "union" pension and pull the shenanigan he did! I can't imagine you'll have a tough time beating him in the election. You'll definately take the Janesville vote!

"The teachers , if anything , are UNDER compensated for dealing with all of your kids in this community that are VERY under parented and under supervised."

Fear....It is the teacher's actions that people despise, not the teachers themselves.

Calling in sick without being sick to the detriment of leaving students at home for parents to pick up the inconvenience of finding babysitters. In Madison, 4 or 5 days schools closed.....I would be very irritated.

Also fear....give some credit to the parents of these students who are successful in school. I know there are great teachers out there but they are not solely responsible for ALL of their academic success.

"that he is “concerned” with the direction of state government, especially with the hastily passed legislation that takes away most collective bargaining rights from public-sector employees."

I wonder if Mr. Murray was as "concerned" about collective bargaining privileges as Doyle's catastrophic billion dollar tax increases.

Pretty soon, he will be in the teacher's union pockets.

I vote for doc0430.

Oh man! Murray doesn't have a clue on the school board and certainly won't have a clue in the assembly. He's already run once and got beat. He's been trying to suck up ever since for one more shot at it. The problem is he forgets from one minute to the next what he's said and end ends up having to apologize for his ignorance. I suppose he figures if he gets elected he will just ask TIM Cullen which way to vote on everything.

Hey if the man wants to throw his hat in the ring more power to him.School teachers are what they are nothing more nothing less.I really do not think anyone on here is a "Punk" for writting there oppions about teachers or anyone else for that matter.Gezz it's just chance to "sound off".

Straight, no offense, but there isnt one of the board members that has a clue. they spend money like drunken sailors and then want to balance it on the teachers backs. Look in the Gazette archives, its all there for you.
Murray is a well principaled guy and I hope will unseat a dishonest guy in Knilans.
BTW, could anyone please show me a politician that CAN pay for all the crap they propose? Scott Walker is a career politician, i dont hear any of the right wing cronies coming out of the woodwork on that like they did against Russ Feingold.

I have NO respect for teacher bashing, i will "stoop" to name calling on that point. Make your case all you like, but when you start bashing teachers, that crosses a line. I am not on here trying to make my case, I will defend a teacher and his/her profession as sternly as possible. If you bash a teacher , you are a PUNK. Soryy if you dont like the name but its just how I feel. the knuckleheads trying to dumb down society and future generations by destroying education are winning and i for one am TIRED of it.
Make your case and I will make mine but when I see the poop flying the other way I will get defensive, you can count on it!

I heard Kevin speak at a public forum while he was running for school board. Seems like a nice enough guy who is well intended. But, he clearly has no idea of how to operate a budget. He had no answers for tough questions on how to pay for the programs he supports. He also showed that by committing Janesville to higher costs while he knew revenue cuts were coming.

Good luck Kevin!

And, I am still trying to figure out why jqpublic, is still around here since he has been preaching forever that Janesville citizens are so against the teacher alliance he is so much a part of....

slow learner maybe?

fear...you were doing well...until...you stooped to the name calling.

That only hurts your' cause.

Good lord! I swear, some nights I come on here and can actually feel my own IQ going down reading some of these comments here.

FYI, Karl Dommershausen is a card-carrying member of the Rock County GOP.

Fear, Your post is right on about Janesville. The problem is that people that have lived here their entire lives think that it is normal for a community to hate teachers. No matter what you say on this website or blog most in this uneducated city will NEVER get it!

Lets see, First off the trumpeteers about the supreme court race are just silly. An incumbent Justice that had a 30 point lead 6 weeks before the election , survived by 7 thousand votes of 1.5 million cast, and you are dancing around like YOU won something?
Secoond, Knilans won an election in a TERRIBLE environment for dems and beat a candidate in Sheridan who was equally disliked WIDELY in this community by both sides. Many of the folks that worked at GM had an axe to grind and voted him out, deservedly so. Its not like Mr Knilans didnt have the perfect storm.
Third, does this man even live in his district? My guess is that he is still "renting" out his brothers basement. He actually should have been investigated further for that, and I am guessing it may be a pretty important issue in the next election.
Murray is a very well respected candidate that many democrats in this area like. I would like to remind all of you getting loud about the Supreme court race, Janesville went for Joanne Kloppenberg 60/40 and so did Rock county. If you think this guy is 1 getting re-elected, or 2 not getting recalled, I think youd better take a good look around!
Also , Donna I know you said earlier that you like to sip the wine, have you looked at the Janesville school board lately? Who on there is pro teacher? Murry and maybe Lori Stottler, then whom? No body knows about Dommerhausen, he flipped and voted NO on the last contract so who are these union plants that you keep lying about? Why do school board groups constantly support republicans? I think the Merlot is getting to you, dont drink and blog.
All of you anti-teacher punks , should be ashamed of yourselves. The kids in Janesville are achieving above the averages of the rest of the state and all you can do is trash them? You are really uneducated , silly people with no lives. Mostly jealous because YOUR career is in the toilet and you want others to suffer your fate because you work for a company that cuts your pay and cuts your benefits. Jealousy and envy will get you nowhere. The teachers , if anything , are UNDER compensated for dealing with all of your kids in this community that are VERY under parented and under supervised. Wake up Janesburg, before you lose the great teachers you have because the NECKS are taking over sentiment. Bowling alleys and taverns are always full around here when the race is on, just watch your NASCAR and leave the teachers alone, embiciles!

At least Joe Knilans had the guts and the equipment to do what had to be done. At least he knew the ramifications and political fallout from his decisions. Murray's tenure on the school board has been one misstep after another. I'd rather go with Knilans, who is conservative, was in management, but also has been a union member, than a guy in Murray who clearly does not know what he is doing and has no business making decisions for even the PTA.

Joe Knilans is an idiot and a Walker puppet. He's helped to dismantle education in Wisconsin. How could he honestly think that the ridiculous amendment he added to the State budget will actually help to bring back Janesville teachers? They have already completed their staffing for the fall. Those jobs are lost because he has no clue how schools operate and are staffed. Knilans is simply playing politics and trying to look good to his fellow Republicans. He's in over his head, and the fact that he is a rookie is evident. Keep drinking the Kool Aid, doc0430.

Joe Knilans voted for the Walker's Budget Bill. That's nightmare number one. The three assembly districts that comprise over 90% of Rock County are represented by Evan Wynn 43rd, Joe Knilans 44th and Amy Loudenbeck 45th. In November, Rock County voted Barrett 53% to Walker's 46% - Janesville numbers were even greater for Barrett and keep in mind that was when people thought Walker was at least trustworthy. When these three voted for Walker's budget plan, they voted for Walker and their party. In casting his vote, Knilans actually said he "balanced his GOP affiliation with the demands of his constituency in a strong union district." That statement is from a Gazette article. He weighed his party affiliation and his party won. Knilans was not honest with voters during his campaign when he told them he was domiciled in his brother's basement (44th) only to turn around and vote in the 45th during the primary. This is the guy that made a big deal over voter ID. Murray is a far better candidate to serve our district.

Love donnaw's comment! Knilans is exactly the kind of "real" person we need in office to fix the partisan BS and represent normal people. Go ahead and waste your time and money Mr. Murray.

I knew it. Remember this?

http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/opinion-m...

Check out my comment made on May 26th at 12:40 am. I put the last part in there as a jab because I knew this joke would show up and run as a democrat.

KilgoreTrout said, "When it come to excellence in education, red states rule — at least according to a panel of experts assembled by Tina Brown’s Newsweek. Using a set of indicators ranging from graduation rate to college admissions and SAT scores, the panel reviewed data from high schools all over the country to find the best public schools in the country."
-
Now tell the rest of the story. The "panel of experts" looked at the "top" 100 schools out of the 27,000 schools in the nation. And then relied heavily on the top 10 of these. Three of them in Texas... Texas doesn't teach evolution, sex education and recently wiped Thomas Jefferson out of their history textbooks because he opposed religion being mentioned in founding documents. Is that really the kind of school you want your kids attending? If they had scored all 27,000 schools, the blue states would have easily out-performed the red states. Particularly if based on SAT scores. A very misleading analysis and interpretation of results.

Nice try Kilgore but I have that magazine and 52 of the 100 are from blue states. So contrary to your assertion that the best schools are "heavily concentrated in red states", the majority are in BLUE states.

You want to elect a guy to the assembly whose only solution to our 13 million dollar structural deficit was to spend away your operating money so the district would have to resort to short term spending? The same mess the city council is trying to get themselves out of? I would not trust this guy to run a lemonade stand. He is truly incompetent and demonstrated that with his years on the school board. You know what Murray, I voted for you because you caused the mess the district is in and I wanted you to have to do the difficult job of cutting and fixing what you screwed up! I got a good feeling who the other democrat is likely to be and they like jacking your taxes just as much. Like I always say...nothing that happens in Janesville surprises me much anymore! LOL!

lovetoread, please name one thing Joe Knilans has done since he's been in office that is nightmarish to you? Just one, that's all I'm asking for here, and to realist, how is this as you put it, "Yet another blow to the already crappy future of this town"? Your words not mine here, are you saying if Kevin Murray is elected it will be another blow or are you thinking he already resigned from the school board as the story clearly states he hasn't? I'm still voting for Joe either way.
Lovetoread, I'm still waiting..... Just one, surely with such a statement like that you must have at least one.....

I SAW THIS COMING A MILE AWAY.

When it come to excellence in education, red states rule — at least according to a panel of experts assembled by Tina Brown’s Newsweek. Using a set of indicators ranging from graduation rate to college admissions and SAT scores, the panel reviewed data from high schools all over the country to find the best public schools in the country.

The results make depressing reading for the teacher unions: the very best public high schools in the country are heavily concentrated in red states.

So you want a union teacher troll like this guy????

Re-enforces the impression that school boards are mostly democrats who negotiate the teachers contracts. Wonder how much the unions will donate to Murray's campaign.

Just like the PEOPLE SPOKE when they elected OBAMA! Why fight health care reform?

You have my vote, Kevin! Knilans has been an absolute nightmare, and he needs to be ousted quickly!

Looking great for the school system in Janesville once again. Kevin was one of the few that actually cared about something other than just his taxes. Yet another blow to the already crappy future of this town.

The Gazette really needs the addition of a like button next to comments.
Toasy2k I would click like next to your comment if I could! Com'on GazetteXtra install a like button option just as many other online news outlets have done long ago, it's time to catch up with the times.

Hey Janesvillian,a recall? Seriously? How did that Supreme Court Election turn out again? That's right, you people lost again. Apparently ,Wisconsin supports Walker! WE SPOKE,NOW DEAL WITH IT!

So janesvillean are you trying to tell me that Knilans could be recalled around the same time that the re-election of him will be going on? That would make little to no sense trying to recall someone a month or two before his/her term would be up, not to mention another huge waste of money. If you don't want Joe Knilans to be an assemblyman then don't vote for him in November!
I for one will be voting for Joe again come November 2012

It's not early, because Knilans is going to face recall as soon as he's eligible in January.