On Elkhorn School Board grapples with tax increase plan

Posted on May 16 at 11:23 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

The status quo collective bargaining was opened up with the cooperation of all of the teachers and staff last year. They have reduced benefits, which saved over 1 million dollars last year - those benefits are also reducing again over a period of years for retirees, thus saving many more dollars. And each year benefits including pay, etc are reviewed. There is no more status quo.

We could all just gaduate our chillins from lil' ole Elk Horn at age 12 .... save lots of tax money and as cynicaleye said...put those same chillins to work in ALL of the fine factories that are a sproutin up all over the place...in fact, we could even probably cover the cost of the bussin to those wunnerful jobs! Baa hum bug...that would cost tax payers money two!

On Retiring teachers' benefits altered in Delavan

Posted on May 16 at 11:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Koch-Bros: Just food for thought: What is the percentage of Walmart employees that are considered full-time, so they can receive any benefits?

On Wis. board to set recall ballots

Posted on April 16 at 6:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

By law, Tuesday is the last day municipal clerks can mail ballots to the military voters. How is that going to work?

On Elections board to discuss recall timing

Posted on March 12 at 11:01 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Also...having an election the day after Memorial Day would be almost impossible to be prepared for on the local level!

On Raises, Act 10 and compensation create payday dilemmas for elected officials

Posted on March 1 at 5:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

The fact is currently these positions are elected. The law can be changed, as we recently have seen in this state. What I would truly like an answer on though, is really why are these positions partisan? These positions should NOT be partisan - the County Board is non-partisan. I'm sure this is something that was set up by the parties many years ago. BTW - these positions are not "office managers".

On Raises, Act 10 and compensation create payday dilemmas for elected officials

Posted on March 1 at 7:44 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

You can't make the "unelected" positions - they are set by State Statutes. I am familiar with several of these positions through contact with other counties and believe me - they earn every penny they get. They typically work way more than 50 hours a week, have so much responsibility and have to deal with law changes that affect what they do, sometimes almost on a monthly basis. They are responsible for more than the several employees in each of their offices - they reach out and work very closely with the municipalities within their County.

I'm not making any comments regarding Act 10 or the benefits. Compensation is set before they take office and compensation includes pay and benefits. It is the pits when you lose that much salary, but all in all, the community where the individuals shop, eat and play all feel the negative effects of the results of Act 10. We have businesses closing down in our community because people aren't spending what they used to. I'm not saying it's wrong - just stating that there is a cause and effect that the media doesn't seem to report on.

On Walworth County child center project heading for speed bump

Posted on February 28 at 4:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I believe the Advocacy is a separate tax-exempt organization (501c3), not a part of the County. Thus, the reason they are being treated differently by the Town. The City of Elkhorn does provide fire service, but the Town of Geneva is currently a part of a joint district with the City to provide those services. Their financial responsibility in that joint district is calculated on the amount of calls within the Town, therefore, the possibility of additional financial burden with another facility increases.

On Wis. Assembly names 12-12-12 Aaron Rodgers day

Posted on February 21 at 3:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Albeit I like Aaron Rodgers, this hardly seems like a way to create more jobs in Wisconsin. In fact, I see it as a waste of government funds - all of the time it takes to create a Resolution, make copies of it, send it around to everyone, then following whatever procedures to make it official. It seems more like job security for the legislature.

On Frontier Airlines cutting 450 jobs in Milwaukee

Posted on February 14 at 6:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

This is in response to Southwest Airlines taking over. I liked Southwest when they were an economic alternative when I had to go to Midway to pick up their flights. But they no longer are economically such a great deal - I would rather have the better service that Frontier provided!

On Concerns raised about child advocacy center site

Posted on February 9 at 6:40 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

The 5 acre minimum is set by the City so they can control any development outside of their City limits (allowed by State Statutes) within 1.5 miles. The City wants tighter development for a tax base, should they ever annex that far out (in the future). With 5 acres, they will definitely be able to subdivide the property. This property falls within the extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction - allowed by State Statute.

BTW - good luck in getting the City to bend on the 5 acre minimum!