On Wisconsin DOT warns Sturgeon Bay bridge will close

Posted on February 20 at 8:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Used to live up there and am happy to hear this, because all the traffic will have to drive through town, which should help the small businesses. Hope the work isn't done until tourist season is over.

On Will longer school year help or hurt US students?

Posted on January 15 at 7:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Public schools are already doing a lousy job; why would we want more of that by going to a longer school year?

The length of the school year isn't nearly as important as a high-quality learning environment. Let's have tax credits so parents can choose their children's schools.

On Perspectives differ on website that ranks child care providers

Posted on December 16 at 5:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Bachelor's degrees in ECE mean very little. The degree-earning process is so dumbed-down at this point (and research shows ed majors have the lowest test scores of all majors) that requiring a childcare provider to have a bachelor's is silly.

What you want is someone who is responsible, moral and has a wonderful way with kids, and the only way you'll find that is by watching the person in action, more than once.

This YoungStar program sounds more like a way to keep funneling money into adult education (requiring ever-higher levels of so-called education) than something truly useful for parents looking for the best daycare providers.

Some people spend more time researching the car they're going to buy than scoping out the people they're leaving their kids with all day---sad.

On Evers wants all students to take the ACT

Posted on September 12 at 4:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

They did this in Illinois several years ago. It didn't make a bit of difference, other than the college dropout rate is worse than ever.

Bring back vocational training. Teach the kids to do useful things. We already have more college grads than we need; how are these kids supposed to pay back all the student debt on $10 an hour????

On Can you identify with squeeze on middle class?

Posted on August 24 at 4:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Hey Greg, that TX woman will likely lose the collector car and the fancy house given she already filed for bankruptcy. Will that make you feel a little better?

Janesville's not the only city that's hurting. It's happening all over the country. My husband had to close his business when his industry basically moved to China. We had to downsize, selling our home of 20 years that we built and raised our large family in. We ended up in Janesville where we now make about 1/3 of what we once did.

You know what? We like it here. We're grateful to be debt-free, and we like our old cars (1997 and 2003) and our tiny house. If there's anything we've learned from the forced downsizing it's that money isn't everything.

P.S. Almost everybody's house is less valuable these days, not just yours. Be grateful you have one!

On Donation allows parrot rescue to provide a place for the birds

Posted on June 14 at 3:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I've been to this shelter a few times and Randy is the real deal. He really cares for those birds and it's a nice, clean place. And how wonderful that Bob Barker came through with enough money to save the shelter. See, folks? One-percenters aren't all bad!

Thanks to the Gazette for running such a nice story.

On Rent or buy? Officials say ownership is the way to go, and it's the right time for it

Posted on June 3 at 8:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

SuperDave asks "Why would anyone buy in a market where prices are still falling?"

Because they have cash but don't have enough faith in our economic future to leave it in the bank.

Because finding a decent rental house of 3 or more BR is tough in Janesville.

Because prices in Janesville are so much more reasonable than almost anywhere else and it's a nice town.

Because sometimes buying is a better deal than renting (see http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/busin...)

Those are just a few reasons why we recently bought a house in Janesville :)

On Walker surprised with GOP turnout in primary

Posted on May 9 at 5:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Gov. Walker: We made sure to vote yesterday in support of you and your policies. In 2007 we escaped from IL, where Democrats and unions have long ruled and pretty much destroyed our home state. We're very grateful to be in WI; brought our businesses here and bought a house last year. Our family could not be more pleased with your efforts, sir!

BTW we firmly believe that recalls are for dereliction of duty (like running off to the Clock Tower Inn to avoid a vote), not for fulfilling campaign promises. That you are up for recall is a travesty; you have our votes in June.

On Illinois manufacturer considering move to Janesville

Posted on January 20 at 2:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Escaped "The Greece Next Door" a few years ago and brought our family and small business to Wisconsin. We'll be voting against recalling Gov. Walker because we don't want to end up in another Illinois.

BTW It made me sick to see imported union thugs pushing their recall petitions all over Janesville and Madison. We pay our own health insurance premiums and have no pensions, so we don't understand people who won't contribute to their own.

Vote Walker!

On Janesville's rental vacancy rate a worry

Posted on August 30 at 11:37 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

There are probably too many 1- and 2-bedroom units here, but not enough 3 bedroom homes for rent. We had a terrible time finding a decent one when we moved here two years ago. They go very quickly when they come up for rent.

As for the rent in Janesville, it's still cheap compared to some places. Our daughter rents a one-room apt. in an average part of Chicago for $600...a one-bedroom in her building is $800. And she says there are few jobs there anymore; many of her friends are now out of work.