On Trouble plagues bars that cater to growing minority population

Posted on August 3 at 8:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

A perspective that seems to be missing from this conservation is how the failure to revitalize Janesville's downtown has contributed to the downtown's status. Despite a few notable exceptions, downtown has become a place where many irresponsible people, often people from other cities, flock to party. The City has failed to invest in the downtown and support businesses catering to families and professionals. The current problems downtown are a direct result of the City's total lack of vision.

On Three area men die in plane crash

Posted on June 25 at 2:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Frank was my landlord for five years in a building he owned in the Courthouse Hill district. I cannot imagine a more courteous & conscientious landlord. A class act and true gentleman. I feel privileged to have known him. My heartfelt sympathies to his family. He will be missed.

On Edgerton teachers, board reach contract

Posted on May 13 at 3:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Bobb1951-"Teachers get there [sic] way again."
There was no bullying or strongarming involved here. This was strictly a business decision. If the Edgerton school board did not value their teachers and could not afford to pay them competitive wages, they would not have done so. Teacher salaries have always increased modestly, rarely if ever exceeding the rate of inflation. Perhaps private businesses could learn from the more conservative business model which makes education appear so unappealing in good times, but stable & desirable in bad. As for benefits, teachers receive no commissions, no signing bonuses, no relocation fees, no tuition reimbursement, no stock options. As for your taxes going up, Tommy Thompson promised that QEO would hold down property taxes while capping teacher salaries. How well did that work? Thank your lucky stars that you have well-funded schools in Wisconsin that still work.

On Edgerton settles teacher contract

Posted on May 12 at 11:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Amazing Larry. I guarantee you the money is there, at least in Janesville. For example, the school district has banked $30 million on savings from the teachers self-insurance program alone. All administrators receive 100% tuition reimbursement, and retirement bonuses. These are but two examples of the deep pockets of those who pull the purse strings. Teacher pay is a matter of priorities, pure and simple.

On Edgerton settles teacher contract

Posted on May 12 at 11:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Amazing Larry - You're only seeing half the picture with this article. In good times there are no performance bonuses for teachers. No commissions. No signing bonuses, no moving expenses. Skyrocketing tuition. No tuition reimbursement. Janesville teachers accepted raises roughly limited to the rate of inflation throughout the '90s. All of this has made teaching not look very attractive for the past 20 years. Now that its relative stability becomes apparent, folks in the private sector might want to consider adapting a similar, more conservative business model. Professional educators are decent, hard-working people. Neither they nor their compensation model has caused the current economic downturn. Strong, steady, modest but consistent investment will always pay off--in schools as in elsewhere.

On Displaced workers consider leaving Janesville

Posted on May 4 at 1:06 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Couchsit: Hear hear! I am a professional from outside the area as well. Many outsiders who bring a wealth of technical knowledge and cultural diversity to Janesville come originally from blue collar families. I know my father did not want me to have to work my body as hard as he did. We have great appreciation for the working man and woman, but those jobs simply don't exist anymore. It's time Janesville start marketing itself as a perfect housing option for professionals commuting to Madison, Rockford, etc. You will be shocked at how quickly this community turns around if it opens up to this demographic.

On Details stripped from historic home

Posted on April 27 at 12:36 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I'm sorry, they really fubared this landmark building. The first step was replacing the double-hung windows with huge sheets of--what? Plexiglass? The article didn't even mention this fact. It's a hollowed-out shell. All that money wasted. It's not how much you spend, it's what you do with it.

On Gay marriages expected to begin in Iowa April 24

Posted on April 4 at 10:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Rummagesale- You are entitled to your own beliefs. But they're not my mine! You're out of line to preach at anyone. The government is out of line to interfere in people choosing their life partners. End of story.

87-Save your sanctimony. "Pray for Iowa?" Puh-lease! Pray for yourself and stay out of other people's business.

On Charter files for bankruptcy reorganization

Posted on March 27 at 10:02 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

You gotta love free market capitalism. Charter buys out all the locally-owned and -regulated cable stations on credit, then raises rates to service the debt & fund even more acquisitions. They sell ads, jack up rates, & lobby Congress to deregulate even more. And who gets stuck with the bill at both ends?

On Enrollment questions: Close a school? Lay off teachers?

Posted on March 24 at 8:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I agree with SamuelAdams1775. Laying off highly qualified, energetic new teachers is a bad idea, and should be avoided at all costs. Last year alone Craig High School lost three top-notch first year teachers in a single department. The last thing we want is for the SDofJ to acquire a reputation for being a stepping stone district. The contentious contract negotiations, coupled with uncertainty in the wake of plant closings, have many teaching candidates justifiably nervous about setting down roots in Janesville, I can assure you.