Academy of Local Politics

The fact that the Wisconsin Badger Women's Hockey team won the NCAA Championship,
did not reduce the sting of having our beloved Badgers lose to UNLV in the Mens' Basketball NCAA second round.
In reality, the Badgers hopes of a Final Four berth crumpled to the floor with Brian Butch, two weeks ago.
A dislocated elbow.

On to Baseball.
Go Brewers!

I've been trying to put off this topic. Bird Flu preparation.
But, Millie Mishmash just won't let it die.
Millie is emphatic that Common Senseville begin preparations to combat the Bird Flu.

I mentioned a week ago that I had been in contact with Brendanne C. Phillips, author of
What you Must Do To Escape the Bird Flu.

Brendanne told me it would cost a little over $8000 for known costs, (body bags)
if Common Senseville were to seriously plan for the Bird Flu.
Let's say $10,000 with some contingency funds.
That's not a great deal of money in our budget.
We could budget for the body bags next year.

Also, last week I called an old friend of mine, Dave Osborn.
Dave has worked for (now called) Jenni-O Turkey in Barron for over 25 years.
There are millions of turkeys in northern Wisconsin.
Even though Dave works in the Accounting Department,
he, in general, has an abundance of knowledge about turkeys.
I asked him, "Dave, should Common Senseville include Bird Flu preparation in our Disaster Preparedness Plan"?
I Expected him to say, "Don't worry about it".
He didn't say that.
He didn't want to talk about it.
He wouldn't talk about it.
He certainly wouldn't say, "Don't worry about it".
Now, I'm worried.

Our Disaster Plan is due for revue again in May, just like it always is.
We update the personnel and equipment lists. Not much else.
The Disaster Plan has not been really "reviewed" in at least six years.
A thorough review is in order.
But, Bird Flu????

I just can't get over what people would think,
if Common Senseville were to spend time and money preparing for the Bird Flu?
I sometimes have a hard enough time convincing people of my seriousness of opinions now.
What would they think if I endorsed preparing for the Bird Flu?

The process of preparing for the Bird Flu might even lead to a better Disaster Plan in total?
Force us to look at things we might not have?
But, Bird Flu?

Any comments? Please?

Take a chance on being ridiculed?
Or, forget it?

Mayor Al

You are probably wondering what is going on
with some of the issues in the old home town, aren't you?
Time for a Weekend Update!

Here goes.

The proposed hand held cell phone ban goes to Council on Tuesday.
It won't be close. The ban won't pass.
Unless a miracle occurs between now and Tuesday.
Be lucky to get votes.
I'll fill you in after the vote.
-----------------------------
What's happening with the idea of purchasing life insurance policies to fund the city?
The City Administrator (Dick Orator) is looking into it.
Actually he found another City Administrator,
 who was instructed by his Mayor to also look into it.
So, I think they are working together on it.
Hope so.

Dick told me he had heard of this before,
but only for "capital projects", not operating revenue.

I'm not expecting an immediate response.
When I get a response,
I expect it to be complete however.

I'll keep you updated. This could become very interesting?

-------------------------------------
Bird Flu Preparation.
You were hoping this was going to go away?
So was I.
But, it ain't.

I've exchanged emails with Brendanne Phillips author of Escape the Bird Flu.
I had some "expense questions" to ask her and I was impressed with her follow up.
A more in depth post on this issue will be coming soon.
-------------------------
Oh Angell. Public TV. What to do?
The public's input on this issue was deafening.
Or, at least so quiet, it seemed like it was deafening.

I'm thinking. I'm still thinking.
I'm going to come up with something.
I just don't know yet.
It could be this week.
It could be next month.
It could be next year.
But, eventually, I will try something.

Not that you care.

We are off to see the Grandkids later today.
Be back in the office mid-Monday.

Mayor Al

I look for news items where my peers are screwing up.
I like to learn from other's mistakes.

Here is a beauty.

Mayor owns a bar.
City police officer responds to call, to Mayors bar.
City Police Chief (drinking in the bar) interferes in process.
Police Chief charged with obstruction.
Mayor becomes temporary Chief.
Mayor fires police officer who was doing his job.

Bar Owner - Mayor - Police Chief
In a small city, that is consolidation of power!

Over the past couple of days I have been looking over the "Bird Flu? Book.

Millie Mishmash is still insisting that CommonSenseville.US
begin "preparing" for an outbreak.
I'm coming up with some questions that I will need answers to,
before I would support spending any funds to "prepare" for the Bird Flu.

How much does 2000 body bags cost?
How much storage room does 2000 body bags take?
How long do they last?

That's just the start....

Mayor Al

Our District One Council Representative, Millie Mishmash, is one of the most respected ladies in Common Senseville.  Millie came into my office today to talk to me about the Bird Flu.

Yes, the Bird Flu.

Millie had received the following email and wanted to pass it on to me.

Dear family and friends,

A good friend of mine has written a book on surviving the Bird
Flu called What You Must do to Escape the Bird Flu.  I know her personally
and want to help her out, this is why you are getting this email.  This is
the second book Brendanne has written her first one was A Journey Through
Cancer telling her own cancer journey.  The book was written to support
others suffering with this disease, to give them comfort and guidance in the
midst of crisis.  Her second book  What You Must do to Escape the Bird Flu
has the same goal in mind to help during the moment of crisis.  Please click
on the link below to find out more about this fantastic life saving book.

http://escapethebirdflu.com/Promotion.html

Thank You for helping a friend.

Well, Millie has also decided that Common Senseville should start to prepare as a community, should the Bird Flu come to our area. After all, we do have a large number of turkeys in our area.

I have to admit, I have questions about this?
How much will it cost Common Senseville to do this?
Do the potential benefits of preparing for an outbreak, justify the costs?
That I am sure is just the start of my questions?

Millie wants to put this on the March 27 Common Senseville City Council Agenda.

I better buy the book and find out what this is all about.
I have a hunch this book will get read by many over the next month,
in preparation for the discussion.

What do you think? Prepare for the Bird Flu?

Mayor Al