Academy of Local Politics

Sometimes I read things that just make me shake my head in disbelief. It happened this morning.

An Informational Meeting held in the Village of Pewaukee on the chemically treating of Pewaukee Lake, was facilitated by a DNR Warden. He was there only to facilitate the discussion and make sure comments were kept within the time limit and the meeting stayed on track. The problem? He wore his sidearm.

"Having an armed person there limited people's participation," claimed one participant.

I wonder what she had planned that limited her participation?

As much as I disagree with the DNR at times, it would never enter my mind that a DNR Warden would open up and fire on me at a Public Meeting, because they didn't like what I said about chemically treating a lake.

There is medication for paranoia. Someone needs it.

Mayor Al

I do know a few people who don't have a cell phone, but not many. In the future land line phones will become fewer and fewer. I doubt my son and his friends will ever have a land line phone. In order to have the best coverage we need cell phone towers.

Whenever a new tower is proposed, it is normally met with opposition from the neighbors. A few years ago cell towers started to be disguised. That trend continues, but even disguising them causes controversy.

In Pequannock Township, New Jersey there is a proposal to disguise the tower as a cross  on a church.

In Leawood, Kansas the proposal is to disguise the tower as a tree on a golf course.

Here in CommonSenseville.US we rent space on the water towers. Compared to the mammoth size of the water tower, the cell phone tower on top looks minute. That works for us, but it doesn't necessarily means it would work every where.

Don't complain about cell phone coverage, then resist new towers however they are disguised.

If you do, you are expecting perfection in an imperfect world. I'm not a doctor but, I don't think that worrying about absolutely everything that isn't perfect in your world, is good for your health.

Mayor Al

This article from the Appleton Post-Crescent is a cry for help. Municipal Clerks seek extra help at the polls. We are close to crisis in getting people to work at the polls. This is not an exaggeration.

I have long advocated a maximum age of 75 for poll workers. Especially since photo IDs are not required. How many times have you gone to the polls and announced your name and address only to have the poll worker reply "What?" They couldn't hear. Once they do have your name, they slowly page through the voter list to attempt to find your name. It is a very slow process that is made even worse by well intentioned, but nevertheless ineffective, workers. They make a cumbersome process even slower, simply because they are no longer as mentally quick as they once were. No all, but many. Enough so that some type of maximum age should be instituted.

Adding to the mental fatigue is the long hours. Reporting for duty at 6:30 am and not finishing counting write-in ballots until 10:00 pm or later is not conducive to error free work. Split shifts should also be mandatory.

I am happy to see the League of Women's Voters of Wisconsin is going to kick off a state wide campaign in an attempt to recruit more and younger poll workers. They are desperately needed everywhere.

Mayor Al

I've written a few times about the Bloomer Police Chief/Mayor controversy.

The quick recap is ...

Mayor owns a bar.
City police officer responds to call, at Mayors bar.
City Police Chief (drinking in the bar) interferes in process.
Police Chief charged with obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct... Put on Paid Leave by City Council.
Mayor becomes temporary Chief.
Mayor fires police officer who was doing his job.
Recall Election is petitioned by citizens...New Mayor elected.

To quote Yogi Berra...'It ain't over till it's over". And, in Bloomer it ain't over.

It has been six months and Police Chief Mike Bungartz is still on paid leave. On the advice of legal counsel they will continue to pay his salary while also paying the salary of the Interim Chief. The Chief's next court date isn't until September 25 and that is just a motion hearing. This could drag out for many more months.

Local Politics is fun sometimes.

Sometimes, it's not.

Mayor Al

I can often be heard to say that I love "blacktop and concrete".

There is nothing more beautiful than a freshly laid street or parking lot. But, as they age they need attention. The time has come to seal coat some streets in CommonSenseville.US. Some fresh oil with small gravel does the trick. This action greatly increases the life expectancy of streets. It is worth every penny we spend on it.

This year we have budgeted for 28 blocks to be seal coated. It is a regular maintenance line item in the Street Department budget.

During many a budget session I have heard Council members attempt to reduce or eliminate the amount of money we spend on seal coating. Luckily I have been able to beat back those attempts each year. How short sighted! It is like buying a new car then never changing your oil.

I believe it was Ben Franklin who said..."An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".     

Mayor Al