Thursday, February 28, 2013
Chili Cook Off Coming
Chili Cook-Off (Silent Auction)
It’s time for the 13th year of the Evansville Community Partnership‘s popular winter event, the Chili Cook-Off & Dinner. It starts at 6:30 pm on Sat. March 9 at Creekside Place in Evansville, and the adult ticket price is $18. Children 12 & under are admitted free with a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at Allen Creek Gallery, Creekside Place, Bank of Evansville, Evansville Pharmacy and Kopecky’s Piggly Wiggly.
The admission price includes lots of chili tasting from contestants, a spaghetti dinner and a pottery bowl made by Matthias James (or a coupon for $12 off his pottery at Allen Creek Gallery). There will also be live music by Duane Worden and a cash bar. This family-friendly night include kids’ activities for children ages 2 and older directed by Evansville Youth Center. There will also be a 50/50 raffle that benefits the EYC and a raffle for a Kindle Fire benefitting ECP.
The silent auction at this fundraiser features over 30 gift baskets and items donated by area individuals and businesses. With this selection and values ranging from $10 to $200 you are sure to find something fun for yourself, your home or family!
Bid on a Badger Gift Basket containing 4 tickets (plus parking pass) to the Aug. 31st Badger Football game donated by UB&T and an assortment of fun Badger items, donated by the Evansville Pharmacy. Enjoy an overnight stay at Viroqua Heritage Inn B&B. You can bid on some summer fun with a gift pack from the Evansville JAY’S Home Town Talent baseball team, or 2-18 hole rounds of golf from Evansville Golf Course.
Treat the kids to an Ice Cream Sundae gift basket from Betsy Ahner. Bid on music lessons from Academy of Sound, or a 2gb iPod Shuffle donated by Shannon Law Office. Indulge yourself with a cozy Evansville sweatshirt from Sew Many Threads, a spa package from All About You Salon, Swazi Secrets Gift Basket from Duerst Lahti Global, a lovely floral arrangement from Evansville Blooms or a dozen roses from Deo Gloria Flower shop.
Treat your pooch to a Doggie Pamper Package from The Grooming Room or enjoy a new quilt for your home donated by Grove Quilt Company. Choose from more items and gift certificates donated by Dave’s Ace Hardware, John & Sandy Decker, Nancy Brooks, Mary Calley, Studio Repeats, Vintage Birch Barn, Déjà vu Consignment Store, Evansville Farmers Market, Sarah & Company, Evansville Oil Pros, The Night Owl, The Armory Comedy Club, Indulge Salon, Model Uno, and party bundles from Capital Brewery.
For more information on the 13th annual ECP Chili Cook-Off, contact Jim Brooks, ECP Coordinator, at 882-0598 or ecpi@eishome.com.
Jim Brooks
Executive Director
Evansville Community Partnership
PO Box 321
Evansville WI 53536
608.882.0598
Evansville-wi.net
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
2007: Op:Ed Nostalgia
Monday, September 10, 2007
Evansville Population Study---the analysis--the perils of prophecy---OpEd
In the population study that was included in the Plunkett Raysich report by Evansville Schools and listed above on the Observer, they make the statement that their predictions of future population as well as future enrollment are more accurate in the near term than in the years out farther. This is a usual caution in all such reports.
The amazing thing is that in respect to population as well as enrollment, they were WRONG on BOTH counts---and for the very FIRST year of the prediction. In the past year we moved from population 4660 to 4666 and for the enrollment in Evansville Schools we showed a enrollment DECLINE. This is clearly in contradiction to all the graphs that show a continuation of the past rise of enrollment.
So--whether one would attempt to predict the future by looking at the past population or by looking at the past housing starts---both methods are filled with error possibilities---the future starts now, and the past provides no guarantees. Factors such as OPEN ENROLLMENT are growing in importance. The lack of virtual schooling options is one factor in the loss of students for the Evansville School district. The nationwide crash of the real estate market is of course another.
I would rather look at JOBS as a predictor of prosperity. I would guess that in job creation and business creation area, we have been going backward. That being said, one must also say that there will be an impact from the coming biodiesel JOBS in Evansville, although with a housing stock available for sale of 200, there is plenty of stock available for future residents. However, with the possible additional related economic growth related to the biodiesel core business, it is unclear how much demand for schools or housing will be created. I am not sure of the equation here. But then. The one thing we DO KNOW------ The equation of the population study that we do have is not an accurate predictor
Melissa Hammann Speaks: On Open Enrollment
Question 4: Open enrollment policy in Wisconsin continues to expand the opportunities for students to attend public school out of their resident district. What, if anything, would you do to encourage your fellow board members to take advantage of this opportunity to increase district enrollment and revenue?
Public education in Wisconsin has undergone a revolution in the last decade and now includes virtual schools, charter schools, voucher programs and open enrollment in addition to traditional brick and mortar options. Many of us who were educated more than twenty years ago struggle to keep informed of these modern educational concepts so we may best provide for our own children’s education. Folks might already know that Wisconsin families can apply to send their children to any public school district through open enrollment during a narrow time frame in February. The legislature recently expanded open enrollment opportunities to year-round for parents who apply and cite “the best interests of the child” on their petition to attend a non-resident district. The state aid portion of the per-pupil revenue becomes portable and follows students to their new district. The dollar amount changes annually and is based on state aid calculations. This year, each student attending a non-resident district brings with them $6447 in revenue to the new district, which is paid for by the resident district. Open enrollment presents an opportunity for the Evansville Community School District (ECSD) to decrease next year’s potential $750,000 shortfall in a student friendly way that helps preserve programs and teachers.
District business manager Doreen Treuden presented this steep deficit scenario to the board in January. The loss is predicated on a number of realistic assumptions: 3% salary increase, 8% benefit increase and 1-2% increases in all other areas. It also presumes that open enrollment figures for the ECSD will remain stable at the current levels of eighty-five resident students enrolled out of the district and 42 non-resident students enrolled in. Enrollment out has increased 37% since last year and 77% since 2006-2007. The number of non-residents enrolling into ECSD has not changed significantly in the same time frame, causing the net loss of students through open enrollment to increase from 3 to 43 in six years. The net loss exceeded the number enrolling into the district for the first time this year. These trends suggest that the net loss due to open enrollment will not remain stable but rather increase. If they do remain stable and if we presume a constant value for per-pupil state aid allocation, that imbalance of 43 students contributes over $277,000 to the projected 2013-2014 deficit, or 37% of the total.
A review of historical budget documents on the district website indicates that the deficit attributable to open enrollment has nearly quadrupled from about $78,000 in 2006 to about $280,000 this year. The cumulative funding lost since 2006 amounts to $838,315. Governor Walker’s next biennium budget calls for a freeze on the public school revenue cap, which further increases next year’s ECSD projected deficit to an eerily similar value of $840,000. The board has asked administration to explore this issue in depth on more than one occasion over the years. Last summer the board was provided with data that indicated the net loss of students due to open enrollment was projected to double this year and since the legislative expansion of the program enabled students to enroll out at any time, the numbers could get even worse. At that point, the board directed the new district administrator Mr. Jerry Roth to track open enrollment twice a year and report back to them with his findings. On February 11, the board was apprised of updated figures for this year which showed that the number out went up by two and the number in went down by two, further exacerbating the situation. Board President Kathi Swanson’s reaction to the news was to urge her fellow board members, “to find a way to keep over a quarter of a million dollars in revenue from walking out our doors.” In response to the board’s inquires over the years, the administration has noted that a majority of students enrolling out of the district have never attended Evansville and are not likely to attend under any circumstances. Ergo, it was implied, it is not worth the resources necessary to comprehensively explore the issue. That may be true, but it needs to be documented beyond word of mouth and gut instinct. The fact that the gap is widening over time shows there is some stress on the system causing change. An unbiased investigation could be very useful.
Gathering data through exit interviews and detailed tracking of programs to which students are going would be just the first step in reversing ECSD enrollment losses. The board has yet to focus on the “open enrollment in” side of the equation. In 2006, non-resident families enrolled 45 of their children into the ECSD and 28 of them had never attended Evansville. This year, 42 non-resident children have been enrolled into the district with only 8 new faces. The stories of people willing to go out of their way to enter the district year after year could inform the board as to which programs are attracting families. Once the data for open enrollment both in and out of the district is fully evaluated, trends and opportunities may come to light.
Current enrollment out data provides some insight, but more detail is necessary. For example, the number of outgoing students seeking virtual learning opportunities more than doubled this year from 7 to 15, with a tenfold increase in grades K-8. If this kind of growth out to virtual schools continues, it may behoove the district to investigate offering its own virtual school option to serve those students and attract even more families with alternative programming needs. Board Vice President Nancy Hurley noted at the February 11 meeting that it’s important to know why virtual learners are seeking this opportunity before the district spends money to create its own virtual school. If parents are unsatisfied with the district as a whole, simply providing a virtual option will probably not recapture this demographic. However, if virtual schooling is ideal for the child and parents are otherwise happy with the district, then creating this new educational option could recapture some lost enrollment.
“If you build it, they will come,” does not apply in today’s public education landscape. Parents who are determined to provide an education tailored to their children’s needs are no longer a captive audience obligated to remain frustrated with an unresponsive district. Districts that offer cutting edge programs accompanied by an unwavering commitment to excellence and community partnership will thrive as will their students. On the other hand, districts unable to keep pace with the rapid evolution of public education will continue to shrink, lose funding and descend into a self-perpetuating downward spiral, ultimately failing the kids. If I am elected, I will encourage the board to independently explore why students are enrolling out of the district at twice the rate they are enrolling into it. A comprehensive analysis of that information would enable the board to identify and actively support initiatives that will help recoup outwardly bound students. This in turn would make the district more attractive to non-residents. If the board applies their vision of excellence to this endeavor, the open enrollment deficit can become a surplus and everyone wins, especially the kids.
Note: I am very passionate about this. I am holding a “Meet the Candidate” forum on March 2 to explore this issue (see my ad in this week’s Review).
Bldg/Grounds/School 7-16-2007
Nostalgia: 2007:Discussion of Enrollment, discussion of placing purchase of one or even two pieces of land, maybe one on East and one on West for possible school sites with target of 5 Years hence.
15 minutes audio---
MP3 File
15 minutes audio---
MP3 File
"A lesson in Weather accounting...and more
Nostalgia: 2006: Comparison and reflection of how weather forecasting relates to other areas of life like school accounting, municipal accounting or even running times.
MP3 File
MP3 File
Saturday, February 23, 2013
School Scoop: Meet the Candidate March 2 at Eager Free Public Li...
School Scoop: Meet the Candidate March 2 at Eager Free Public Li...: Melissa M. Hammann , 2013 Candidate for Evansville Community School District Board of Education, invites you to attend a “Meet the Ca...
Friday, February 22, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Mailbag: Vinehout: On Mining Jobs
How Good Are Claims About Metal Mining Jobs?
“We have the potential for a billion and a half dollar investment,” said Governor Walker in his recent State of the State speech. “That could lead to as many as 3,000 construction-related jobs and 2,800 long-term jobs.”
I wondered, “Just how sure are we all these jobs will happen?”
I started to dig through the mounds of paperwork related to the proposed iron ore mine in Northern Wisconsin. It turns out the claim of jobs is related to one 28 page document: an economic impact study by NorthStar Economics. Unlike other reports by NorthStar, there is no author’s name and no client’s name on the title page.
As I read the report, I could hear my high school mathematics teacher telling me, “Show me how you got the results.” The problem was the details needed to check the results were missing.
Most of the report had little to do with the actual math used to make the calculations on the number of jobs created.
Nine pages described the economy of the 12 county region in Northern Wisconsin and Michigan. Five pages repeated what another study said about mining in Minnesota and Michigan. One page each described the purpose and scope of the report; definition of terms; executive summary and conclusion (almost word for word the same as the executive summary).
That left ten pages for the analysis. These ten pages were made up almost entirely of assertions about dollars and jobs without any supporting evidence.
There were only two sentences that described the basis for the author’s assertions. There was no basis on which one can evaluate the author’s assumptions, methodology or accuracy.
The study said the majority of jobs to be created by the mine are in transportation. We are not told, however, whether this estimate is based on ship, rail or truck transport, or some combination, or the destination, or how this might affect the communities through which the ore will be transported.
Even though NorthStar advertises its capability of pinpointing jobs by legislative district on its website, the mining report is careful to not say any more about where the benefits of the mine would occur except they would “primarily impact” the 12 county region in northern Wisconsin and Michigan.
A more sobering picture of the economic effects of mining on rural communities is painted in a 2002 academic article written by a professor with a joint appointment at UW-Madison and University of California – Santa Barbara, and a researcher at the Watershed Research and Training Center. The authors reviewed all the published economic research studies they could find about the impact of mining on jobs, income and unemployment rates in rural communities.
The authors described their methodology and assumptions in great detail and found that mining, rather than being a boon to rural communities, was more likely to be associated with lower incomes and more unemployment.
They write:
“There is a potentially telling contrast in two types of studies that have gauged the reactions of local leaders. In regions that are expecting increased mining or just beginning to experience a ‘boom,’ it is common to find what Gulliford calls ‘euphoria.’ Unfortunately, in regions that have actually experienced natural resource extraction, local leaders have been found to view their economic prospects less in terms of jubilation than of desperation.”
“Despite the widespread expectation that mining will lower local unemployment rates, actual findings of such favorable conditions prove to be relatively rare.”
The authors also point to evidence that the higher salaries of mine workers are often not captured by local residents, but go to out-of-area workers.
The authors conclude:
“To the extent to which past experience is to be our guide, there is surprisingly little evidence that mining will bring about economic good times, while there is a good deal of evidence for expecting just the opposite.”
What are we to believe? After reading both documents, placing them side-by-side, I concluded that the more sobering analysis was the more convincing. They showed me how they got to their results.
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Sen.Vinehout@legis.wisconsin.gov State Capitol Room 316 South - P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882 Toll Free: (877) 763-6636 or
Monday, February 18, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Apple CEO says they are not hoarders---stock drops
Apple CEO spoke today at an investment conference and disputed the assertion by Mr Einhorn, a famous bear on Wall Street, that Apple was suffering from a depression era malady that made them unable to part with their cash....the market responded by apple stock falling....stay tuned...
Retro Planning tonight at Common Council RE Fire Protection
Here is the published agenda:
11. New Business A. Motion to recommend that the Evansville Fire Protection District engage in planning about the best way to provide quality, efficient, economical fire protection for the region.
so...
after building the new and buying the fire trucks, one takes a moment to review what besides parades will be the mission? stay tuned....
Mailbag: Sue writes: Internet Marketing presentation tonight at I and E
Learn About Internet Marketing Basics This Wednesday, Feb. 13
On Wednesday, University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Barry Roberts will be speaking about various aspects of Internet marketing and how it can help businesses gain increased traffic and sales conversions. Roberts works as the education program manager at the UW-Madison Small Business Development Center and is also the SBDC’s webmaster. His talk, titled “Internet Marketing Basics,” will focus on topics such as search engine optimization, email and social media marketing, online paid ads, local search considerations and mobile website best practices. Learn, connect and grow by attending this presentation, starting at 6:30 pm Feb. 13, at Creekside Place, 102 Maple St., Evansville.
Monday, February 11, 2013
KUCINICH in Madison TOMORROW
TOMORROW: Tues, Feb. 12th, 2013
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53703
See map: Google Maps
Please forward widely! Send this event notice to 10 friends.
KUCINICH IN MADISON
Join Dennis Kucinich on the evening of Tuesday, February 12th, at the iconic Barrymore Theatre as the fighting progressive from Ohio, former mayor of Cleveland, seven term congressman, and twice presidential candidate rallies Wisconsin for democracy and against the influence of WMC and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
--> Get the details, get your tickets by clicking here.
This rally will be immediately followed by a protest the following day at the Monona Terrace.
Please be sure to join us, Wednesday, February 13th as we greet WMC at their annual lobby day at the State Capitol.
--> Spread the word on Facebook by clicking here!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Grassroots Festival Coming Feb 16th--Mazomanie
Come One Come All
FIFTH ANNUAL WISCONSIN PROGRESSIVE GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL
KEY SPEAKERS
Mark Pocan
United State Congressman
Mike McCabe
Executive Director of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Lisa Graves
Executive Director of Center for Media and Democracy
ENTERTAINMENT
Raging Grannies & Solidarity Singers
21 Breakout Sectionals
Saturday February 16, 2013
Registration 8:30 to 9:20
Suggested Donation $14 Donation (Includes Lunch)
Wisconsin Heights High / 10173 State Hwy 14
Mazomanie, WI
For More Information Call Nate Timm - (608) 220-0139
wisconsingrassroots.net
Wisconsin Grassroots Network on Facebook
Saturday, February 09, 2013
Evansville School Board Meets Monday: Technology Audit in Focus
EVANSVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Board of Education Regular Meeting Agenda
Monday, February 11, 2013
6:00 p.m.
District Board and Training Center
340 Fair Street
Note, public notice of this meeting given by posting at the District Office, Levi Leonard Elementary School Office, Theodore Robinson Intermediate School Office, J.C. McKenna Middle School Office, High School Office, Evansville School District Web Site: Evansville.k12.wi.us, and by forwarding the agenda to the Evansville Review, Union Bank & Trust and Eager Free Public Library.
The Board Members Listening Session Will Not Take Place At This Meeting. Time
I.
Roll Call: Dennis Hatfield Kathi Swanson Eric Busse John Rasmussen
Tina Rossmiller Sharon Skinner Nancy Hurley
HS Rep. Hunter Johnson HS Rep. Marissa Haegele
1 min.
II.
Executive Session – Under Wisconsin State Statute 19.85(1)(b)(c) to Discuss a Personnel Issue.
30 min
III.
Reconvene in Open Session at Approximately 6:30 pm.
IV.
Approve Agenda.
1 min.
V.
Public Announcements/Recognition/Upcoming Events:
• Open Enrollment Application Period – February 4 – April 30
• Bus Drivers Week- February 11-15
• Kindergarten Orientation Meeting – March 5, 6:30 pm
• Kindergarten Screener – March 20, 21, and 22
• Energy Fair – April 19
• Week of the Young Child Family Night, April 26
• Back To School Days – August 14 & 15 from 1:00 – 7:00 pm
2 min.
VI.
District Administrator Report – Wisconsin School Board Convention Update, Calendar Waiver and miLc (Midwest Instructional Leadership Council).
2 min.
VII.
High School Board Representatives’/Principals’/Administrators’ Reports – High School Events and Good Things Happening in our Schools.
5 min.
VIII.
Information & Discussion:
A. Technology Audit Presentation.
B. Second Friday January Attendance Report.
C. Handbook Committee Update –
1. Written Draft Part II, Sec. 7-8 (Certified Staff- Insurance and Leave, Retirement Benefits) and Part III, Sec. 7-11 (Support Staff-Paid Vacation, Holidays, Leave Benefits, Insurance Benefits, and Retirement Benefits).
2. Outline, Part IV (Administrative and District Level Staff), V (Co-and Extra-Curricular Staff), and VI (Substitute and Seasonal Staff).
D. Second Reading of Policy: #222.1-Compensation and Benefits for Non-Represented Employees.
80 min.
IX.
Business (Action Items):
A. Approval of Staff Changes: Teacher Retirement.
B. Approval of Written Draft Part II, Sec. 4-6 (Certified Staff-Discipline and Discharge, Certified Staff Assignments, Vacancies and Transfers, and Reduction in Force, Positions and Hours) and Part III, Sec. 3-6 (Support Staff-Discipline and Discharge, Job Vacancies, Reduction in Force, Positions and Hours, and Resignations From Employment).
15 min.
X.
Consent (Action Items):
A. Approval of January 14 Regular and January 12 and February 5 Special Meeting Minutes.
B. Approval of Policies: #534-Substitute Teacher Employment; #535-Assignments and Transfers; and #722.1-Staff Accident Reports.
2 min.
XI.
Set February 25, 2013, Regular Meeting Agenda.
5 min.
XII.
Adjourn.
Mission Statement:
The Evansville Community School District, in active partnership with families and the community, will provide a positive learning environment that challenges all students to achieve personal excellence and become contributing citizens of the world community.
Vision Statement:
Creating a culture of excellence in:
• Academic achievement
• Character development
• Pursuit of arts, athletics, and other activities
• Community engagement
• Highly effective staff
This notice may be supplemented with additions to the agenda that come to the attention of the Board prior to the meeting. A final agenda will be posted and provided to the media no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting or no later than 2 hours prior to the meeting in the event of an emergency.
Persons needing special accommodations or more specific information about the agenda items should call 882-5224, Ext. 3387, at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Posted: 2/7/13
Disc Golf, Peace Park on agenda Monday
City of Evansville, Wisconsin
Park & Recreation Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Evansville, City Hall
Monday, February 11th – 6:00pm
AGENDA – revised
1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Motion to approve Agenda as printed
3. Motion to waive the reading of the January 7th, 2013 minutes & approve them as printed
4. Citizen appearances, relating to Park & Recreation, not listed agenda items
a. Todd Campbell with Disc Golf Group
b. Denise Jansen Eager-Peace Park
5. Five-Year Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan
6. West Side Park, bathroom project Update
7. Chair's report from other Committees/Common Council
a. Baseball Player Monument Info
b. Antes Funding
8. Reports/Updates on projects or Maintenance
9. Old Business
10. New Business
10. Motion to adjourn
Next meeting Monday, March 11th, 2013 - 6:00 pm, City Hall
Friday, February 08, 2013
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Mailbag: Vinehout: Health Insurance: #1 Challenge to Small Business
Health Insurance: #1 Challenge to Small Business Owners
“What is the most important challenge facing your business today?” asked a recent survey from the Governor’s Office.
The answer? Health insurance. Tied in first place with “decreased demand.”
The survey was conducted as part of the Governor’s efforts to review regulation on business and is reported in the “Wisconsin Regulatory Review Report, 2013”.
Almost 600 business owners responded to the survey. Almost 80% were business owners of a company with 25 or fewer employees. According to the report, 86% of Wisconsin businesses employ fewer than 20 employees. There are over 100,000 establishments of this size in the state.
It’s not a surprise that health insurance tops the list of challenges to small business. Health insurance has been on the top of the list for many years. What is surprising, is that the leaders of our state, who seek to make Wisconsin a great state for business, seem deaf to the number one concern of small business – the greatest source of job creation in our state.
Other states are moving rapidly to assist small business in finding affordable health insurance. Utah and Massachusetts are ahead of the pack. Seventeen other states have declared their intentions to create a state based exchange including Minnesota. Another seven are planning partnerships to create a state-based exchange.
Wanting to attract small businesses to the exchange, Minnesota officials are working hard to craft an exchange that lowers cost and makes transparent the details of health insurance. Our neighboring state is also working hard to create report cards on doctors and hospitals to help business owners make wise purchasing decisions.
“It’s about finding a way to encourage plans to be more competitive on things that matter,” April Todd Malmlov, director of the Minnesota health exchange told the Star Tribune. Things like quality, affordability, customer service and improvements in health can all help drive down costs or create a better health insurance product.
According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota has spent more than a year developing guidelines for the exchange. Legislators are rushing to pass bills creating the exchange. Governor Dayton has used nearly $110 million in federal grants to create the framework for the new exchange.
Governor Walker, on the other hand, returned most of the $38 million allotted for Wisconsin back to the federal government and decided to let the federal government create the Wisconsin exchange.
The Governor said the exchange would cost too much for the state to operate ignoring the fact that federal law requires the state exchanges to be self-sufficient by 2015.
In private conversations with Wisconsin business owners, I hear over and over again the clear message that Wisconsin needs its own exchange.
Unlike many other states, Wisconsin has many insurance companies already offering plans; Wisconsin has relatively few uninsured; Wisconsin has many providers working with plans to lower costs and develop innovations in health delivery.
The exchange can lower costs to many small businesses by allowing the pooling of risk. As the risk pool increases, many small businesses would see lower costs.
Industry leaders fear a federal exchange would raise costs to Wisconsin businesses by including in the risk pool other states – like Texas or Louisiana that have very high numbers of uninsured.
If the Governor continues his present policy, the top concern of Wisconsin business owners will not be addressed.
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Sen.Vinehout@legis.wisconsin.gov State Capitol Room 316 South - P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882
Janesville declares snow alert---Feb 7th
Snow Emergency Alert
February 7, 2013
Snow Emergency Declared for February 7 at 6PM
The City of Janesville has declared a snow emergency for February 7 starting at 6PM. A snow emergency means that all parked vehicles must be removed from city streets and public parking lots until snow plowing operations are complete. To ensure that you do not receive a parking ticket, please move your vehicle prior to 6PM and keep your vehicle off city streets until they have been completely plowed.
The best place to park during a snow emergency is in your garage or driveway. If you are unable to park in a driveway or garage, please park in one of the designated snow emergency parking stalls. These stalls are located in the seven downtown municipal parking lots listed below.
East Wall Street Lot at East Wall Street & North Parker Drive
Municipal Building Lot at West Wall Street & North Jackson Street
South High Street Lot at West Court Street & South High Street
Senior Center Lot at St. Lawrence Avenue & Water Street
Hedberg Public Library Lot on Water Street
River/Union Street Lot at South River Street & Union Street
North Parker Drive Parking Ramp at North Parker Drive and East Wall Street
When you arrive at the lot, look for the signs designating the snow emergency parking stalls. Fines for parking on the streets during a snow emergency are $50. The Police Department may begin issuing tickets to violators before plowing operations begin.
Janesville residents can get additional snow emergency information from the City's website (www.ci.janesville.wi.us/snow) or by calling 755-SNOW. To report problems or concerns, please call 755-3110.
Sincerely,
City of Janesville - Operations Division
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
I and E: Internet Marketing: Feb 13
Internet Marketing 101 at the next I&E meeting on Feb. 13
How to Market Your Business Online
Feb. 13 at I&E Club
Many a business has chosen to establish its presence online via a business website, social media page, or through email newsletters. Establishing an online presence is well known to bring in additional traffic and sales; however, how does a business go about marketing itself online and doing this effectively?
The Evansville Area Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club’s upcoming speaker, Barry Roberts, will address several online marketing questions and issues in his talk titled “Internet Marketing Basics.” In this talk, Roberts will discuss search engine optimization, email and social media marketing campaigns, local search as well as mobile platform advertising. Roberts is an education program manager at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Small Business Development Center, having joined the SBDC in 1997.
Prior to that time, Roberts worked in a Madison-based consulting and training firm and helped in the areas of human resource and leadership development, team building, strategic planning and quality improvement. In his current position, Roberts oversees all aspects of the SBDC including program needs, instruction, marketing, and course and seminar evaluation. Additionally, Roberts is the SBDC webmaster and an expert in the field of Internet and social media marketing.
Roberts will be speaking at 6:30 pm Wednesday, Feb. 13, at the upcoming meeting of the Evansville Area Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club. The Evansville I&E Club meets every month at Creekside Place, 102 Maple St., Evansville. Club meetings are free and open to the public thanks to monthly meeting sponsors and donations.
Diane and Gil Skinner of Evansville’s Kelly House are this upcoming meeting’s sponsor. The Kelly House campus offers seniors a wide variety of living options including independent living apartments with support services, assisted living apartments and community-based residential facilities with close supervision. The Kelly House is located at 121 S. Fifth Ave., Evansville, and can be found online at www.KellyHouse.net.
To find out more about the I&E Club, please contac
Mailbag: Doc of Rock, Prof Dennis Cooper writes re Haiti Benefit Concert in River Falls
Music Lovers,
This is the ole' Doc of Rock inviting you to attend the Haiti benefit concert this coming Sunday.
Congregations from the River Falls community will send their choirs to perform music. Also, the River Falls Community Gospel choir, directed by Cammilla Horne, will participate as well. The finale will be a mass choir performance of two musical pieces.
In the middle of the concert, Dr. Curt Larson will update the audience on progress that has been made in the Haitian school that RF has sponsored for the past several years. A free will offering for the school will be taken.
Afterward, refreshments will be served.
It's all happening at Ezekiel Lutheran Church on Second Street in River Falls, as it was last year. One change, though, is the time of the concert: it will be held at 4 pm, not the previous 7 pm.
This is an enjoyable, even inspiring musical event put on for a worthy cause. Please attend if you can and enjoy the music!
Denny "Doc of Rock" Cooper
Mailbag: Jim at Creekside: Calendar notes
The weather is cold, cold, cold but the schedule is hot, hot, hot at Creekside Place. The Evansville Fund’s Chocolate Extravaganza is in the evening of February 16 and the Winter Indoor Market and Artisan Craft Fair is from 9-1 that day. We hope you can join us on the 16th or for some of these great gatherings at CSP.
February 11 Beer Study is back. Tom Calley will talk us through the differences in beer from August Schell Brewing Co., Boston Beer Co., Inc, Lake Louie Brewing, and Three Floyds Brewing Co.
At 7 pm on February 12 we’ll be joined by Mike Maddox. In August Mike started as the new director of the UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program. He’s been a horticulture educator with UW-Extension since 2001, working most of this time in Rock County. He’s also taught MGVs across the state and has been a frequent guest on Wisconsin Public Television’s Wisconsin Gardener and Wisconsin Public Radio’s Garden Talk. Join him as he talks about the Master Gardener program and about getting your trees ready for Spring.
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AARP/IRS Tax-Aide will be here from 10-2 on February 20 and March 20. Call for your appointment soon because they are filling up fast. Since 1968, a volunteer-based program has helped nearly 50 million low- to middle-income taxpayers prepare their return. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, an AARP Foundation program offered in cooperation with the IRS, helps low-to-moderate income taxpayers have more discretionary income for everyday essentials, such as food and housing, by assisting with tax services and ensuring they receive applicable tax credits and deductions.
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On February 20 at 6:30 John Gishnock of Formecology will join us to talk about Sustainable Landscaping - Beauty Today ... And Green Tomorrow. Formecology is an Evansville company with a national reputation. At Formecology, LLC, sustainable landscapes are those designed, installed and cared for in a way that is beneficial to the environment, while also sustaining essential human function, health and well-being. Careful incorporation of natural elements in our creations benefits the environment and provides restorative benefits to site users in a functional environment designed to reduce stress, inspire creativity and capture the imagination. We consider human health and well-being an integral part of sustainability - for a landscape that does not consider human needs will not be long lived. John will also present Designing Attractive Native Gardens for Home & Business on March 21and Rain Gardens: Designing for Function and Beauty on April 23.
It’s never too early to start planning your next getaway. On February 26 at 6:30, Kim Dooley of van Galder Bus Tours in Janesville will be on hand to tell us about all the great touring options available in 2013. Whether you are interested in scenery, shopping or just seeing this great countryside, Kim will have something to catch your interest.
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There’s much more to come at Creekside Place in the coming months. Luanne von Schneidmesser and Julie Plier from the Dictionary of Regional American English will join us to talk about Wisconsin Words and where they come from. Then, on April 17, just in time for Earth Day and the Energy Fair, we are proud to have Bill Cristofferson, author of The Man From Clear Lake, the biography of Gaylord Nelson; Father of Earth Day. Creekside Place strives to bring a variety of topical and useful speakers to Evansville. Please join in these discussions.
Jim Brooks
Program Coordinator
Creekside Place, Inc
608-882-0407
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Monday, February 04, 2013
Grassroots---get ready to rumble
FIFTH ANNUAL WISCONSIN
PROGRESSIVE GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL
Strengthening Our Democracy
Saturday February 16, 2013
Wisconsin Heights High School, 10173 State Hwy 14, Mazomanie WI 53560
$14 Suggested Donation Includes Lunch
Registration 8:30 to 9:20
9:20 am to 10:50 am
Raging Grannies
Welcome By Nate Timm
Opening by Mark Denning of the Oneida Tribe
Mike McCabe
Executive Director of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Lisa Graves
Executive Director of Center for Media and Democracy
10: 50am to 11:50am Section One: Defending against the Sand Mine Attack ~ Move to Amend (Fighting Money in Politics) ~ The Basics of Running for Office ~ Justice for Sale – Supreme Court Elections ~ “Messaging” Smithing Your Words Versus Speaking Your Values ~ Continuing the Conversation With Mike, Lisa & Mark ~ The Challenges of Gun Control – Dave Mahoney
LUNCH: 11:50 am to 1:15pm
Address by Congressman Mark Pocan
1:15pm to 2:15pm Section Two: Organizing in the Electronic Age: The Use of Databases, Websites, and Social Media ~ Demythologizing Economic Policy ~ Fighting for Retirement Security ~The Dangers of Metallic Mining ~ Making Voting Easy / Elections Fair & Accurate ~ The Iroquois Contribution to American Democracy ~ Being Heard: A Key to Finding Common Ground, and Reconnecting
2:15 to 2:30 Break
2:30pm to 3:30 pm Section: Capitalism and Freedom Revisited ~ WGN 72 County/Rural Strategy ~ Defending Against The TIF Attack ~The Grassroots Message Handbook ~ A Fairer Redistricting Plan ~ Protecting Public Education ~ Messaging through Signage
3:30 to 4:00 Closing
The Old Feed Mill 114 Cramer St. Mazomanie, Social hour 4:30pm to 5:30pm ~ Dinner, 5:30pm to 7pm after the event, three dinner choices $13 (All Inclusive) or $15 with dessert
For More information: (608) 220-0139, nptimm@chorus.net
Or Sign Up at www.wisconsingrassroots.net
Sponsored by
Plein Air Competitiom coming June 14-23rd===
Get ready all you artists for the upcoming competition Contact jim@creeksideplace.org
Last year was just the beginning....this year will be really special...get involved now...
Wireman: Vigil on guns Thursday
THURSDAY VIGIL ON GUN VIOLENCE
2/7 Thurs 7 pm Community-wide Candlellight Vigil in Support of Efforts to End Gun Violence - Madison. At First Congregational United Church of Christ 1609 University Ave.(corner of Breeze Terrace & University). (All are welcome.) Gather to light a candle for those who have been lost or hurt by gun violence. Words of inspiration will be offered by interfaith leaders, including Linda Ketcham, Director of MUM. Sponsored by Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE) Details: WAVE at 414-351-9283 or wave@waveedfund.org or Rev. Jerry Hancock at 608-658-6630 or jhancock@firstcongmadison.org
YOU MIGHT WANT TO COPY THIS AND HAND OUT COPIES ON MYTHS ON GUNS
CAPITOL TIMES, MADISON, WISCONSIN January 17, 2013
Peggy Wireman: Don’t buy into myths about guns
Dear Editor: Here are some myths about guns:
1. Having a gun in my home protects me.
Possibly, in some cases. But the person most likely to be killed if there is a gun in the home is a family member.
With a gun, it’s easy to protect myself. All I have to do is pull the trigger.
When I said this to four police officers, they burst out laughing. “Then you jerk and hit a stranger.” They receive 20 hours of training on each new weapon yet you can receive a concealed weapon permit in Wisconsin without ever having fired a gun.
Shooters don’t miss.
Even police officers shoot bystanders.
Guns don’t kill people; people kill people.
But pulling a trigger is easier and more deadly than fists or a knife. Over 80 percent of all murders and suicides of those under aged 35 are committed with a gun.
Nothing we can do will stop all violence.
Right. But a series of government actions significantly reduced the number of people killed by drunken drivers. For a decade Australia had one mass murder a year. Since enacting gun control measures in 1996, they have had none, markedly reduced firearm homicides with no increase in non-firearm homicides, and reduced suicides.
It’s a slippery slope; take any action and all guns will be confiscated.
No one is talking about confiscating all guns. The Supreme Court ruled that the free speech amendment did not give anyone the right to yell fire in a crowed theater. The logic for sensible requirements on gun ownership and use is the same.
Peggy Wireman
Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/opinion/mailbag/peggy-wireman-don-t-buy-into-myths-about-guns/article_01628ec1-1c57-5169-98f2-8cb925f2a482.html#ixzz2IO3Om6jz
-or http://bit.ly/10HtLsz
For Dr. Wireman’s other material on guns search her blog at Connectingdots.us
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Friday, February 01, 2013
Minutes: Plan: Jan 2013
City of Evansville Plan Commission
Regular Meeting
Thursday, January 3, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall (Third Floor), 31 South Madison Street
MINUTES
1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Sandy Decker.
2. Roll call. Members present: John Gishnock (arrived late), Mason Braunschweig, Sandy Decker, Bill Hammann (arrived late), Matt Eaton, Carol Endres, and Jim Brooks. Others present: Community Development Director Nicole Sidoff and City Administrator Dan Wietecha.
3. Approval of agenda. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig, to approve the agenda. Motion approved 5-0.
4. Approval of minutes. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Eaton, to waive the reading of the minutes from December 3, 2012 regular meeting and approve them as printed. Motion approved 5-0.
5. Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed. None.
6. New Business
A. Introductions. Plan Commission board members and new Community Development Director Nicole Sidoff introduced themselves.
B. Agricultural Service Uses. Wietecha explained that when property was annexed into the city in 2006 for the biodiesel plant, it was zoned as Heavy Industrial (I-2) District. It appears there was little, if any, discussion about Landmark Service Cooperative’s existing grain handling facility on the property. Agricultural Service Uses are not permitted in the I-2 District, and Landmark’s facilities are well over the district’s height limit. The existing facilities are “grandfathered” and allowed to remain as a non-conforming use. Landmark is interested in constructing additional grain bins and a dryer, with the potential for further expansion in the future.
Gishnock arrived.
Wietecha recommended amending the I-2 regulations to allow Agricultural Service Uses in the I-2 District with a conditional use permit (CUP) and to allow a height limit of 200 feet for Agricultural Service Uses within an I-2 District as part of a CUP. Plan Commission asked about increasing setbacks for taller structures. Plan Commission said that the Fire Department should comment during review of such a CUP. Braunschweig and Brooks said they would sponsor an ordinance to amend the Zoning Code.
Hammann arrived.
7. Report on other permitting activity by City Planner. No report.
8. Report on the Unified Land Development Code Committee. No report.
9. Report of the Evansville Historic Preservation Commission. Decker said that City Council has an ordinance before it to recognize the new historic districts and to clarify the historic preservation approval process.
10. Report on Common Council actions relating to Plan Commission recommendations. Wietecha said the City Council had approved the ordinances to consolidate the agricultural districts and to clarify the annexation process.
11. Report on Board of Appeals actions relating to zoning matters. No report.
12. Enforcement Report. Wietecha said a complaint about a sign without a permit would be followed up.
13. Introductions. Late arriving Plan Commission board members and new Community Development Director Nicole Sidoff introduced themselves.
14. Meeting Reminder. The next Plan Commission meeting is Monday, February 4, 2013.
15. Adjournment. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Endres, to adjourn at 6:14 p.m. Motion approved 7-0.
The minutes are not official until approved by the Plan Commission at their next regular meeting.
Mailbag: Wireman
MONDAY
You Are Invited
to a reception with
Superintendent Tony Evers
presented by
The Wisconsin Library Association
Monday, February 4th, 2013
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Inn on the Park, 22 South Carroll Street, Madison
$25 suggested contribution
All contributions gratefully accepted
Sponsorships are available, call Ashley Viste at 920-493-3213
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