When I wrote a number of postings concerning the lack of snow and ice clearing on sidewalks throughout Shorewood, it became apparent from responses I received from Readers and postings from other bloggers, that a lot of us don't know how the system actually works here in Shorewood.

 I contacted Chris Swartz, the Village Manager, who explained that the task for enforcing the ordinance regarding snow and ice removal is in the purview of the Shorewood Police Department.  I confess that up to that point, I was under the impression that it would have been the Building Inspection Dept that would have been in the forefront.

I contacted the Lieutenant on duty today, Terry Zimmerman, who explained how the actual system works.  Lieutenant Zimmerman also shared that he personally has found it frustrating that property owners do not clear their walks, as he is a runner, and has found it hard to find suitable surfaces to run on this winter.

The systems works like this:

1) If there is a property owner who is not clearing their walks within 12 hours of the snow fall or ice situation, you should contact the Shorewood Police Department, their non-emergency number is 414-847-2610.

2) SPD will assign the complaint to an officer.  Upon inspection, if the walkway has not yet been cleared, the officer will contact the resident, and if no one is home, will post a notice with a 24 hour warning to remedy the situation.

3) If after the 24 hour period, the officer finds that the situation has not been remedied, he or she will write a citation against the property owner.

4) The fine for a first offense is $109.

On a personal note, If I continually find that one of my neighbors is not clearing their walkway, I would contact them and ask them to do so --- maybe there is a problem with an illness or an elderly person --- maybe it is a situation that neighbors can help each other with.

But for someone that just flouts the law, while endangering the safety of pedestrians and eschewing the Shorewood Walkable philosophy --- drop the dime --- call the Shorewood Police and they will do their job.

BTW -- there had been some discussion as to whether it is the Village or the School District that is responsible for the sidewalks surrounding the schools.  Per Mr Swartz and Lieutenant Zimmerman, it is the School District that is responsible.  If the school walks are not cleared, they too are subject to a citation and fine from the Village.  

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ? 

It has been very obvious that Shorewood has not been enforcing its ordinance regarding the clearing of walkways of snow and ice.  Despite all of our tax money spent on advertising Shorewood as a Walkable Community --- the Village Administration has truly fallen down on the job of actually making Shorewood Walkable.

Two of the Shorewood Trustees who have touted Shorewood as a "Walkable" Community, and who have voted to spend our tax dollars advertising Shorewood as Walkable, have not cleared their own sidewalks in front of their houses.

Taken yesterday (Sunday) at about 5:00 Pm are pictures of Trustees Hickey and Phinney's ice covered sidewalks.

These 3 pictures are of the sidewalk in front of Trustee Hickey's house.

The following pictures are of Trustee Phinney's sidewalks

WHAT DO YOU THINK ?

I have been astounded by the lack of concern for dealing with the Snow and Ice and making Shorewood a Truly WALKABLE Community.

I have to admit that I was becoming discouraged about the lack of response and discussion to my postings on the subject, until Suzanne Rosenblatt added a posting to her blog about the dangers in trying to navigate Shorewood this winter, and the indifference that the Village Administration has shown.

I then met Suzanne and her husband at Schwartz's yesterday --- and after reading her posting, and knowing they had to walk down the middle of the streets to get there as the sidelwalks are Not Walkable --- I knew that this issue has to be pursued further.

(To read Suzanne's posting click here on Thin Ice)

Reading about the Official Indifference by the Village Administration in Suzanne's blog, I wondered just how conscientious the Members of the Shorewood Board of Trustees  are in following the laws they set. 

There are 6 Trustees, and 2 of them have sidewalks covered with Treacherous Ice -- that makes them all but impassable.

To be more than fair, I waited until 5 PM today (Sunday), just in case they needed the weekend to get their salt, ice melt, or just get out there with an ice chopper.  I then took pictures of the offending walks to document their condition.

 To complete my Due Diligence, I am going to cross reference the addresses on the tax records, to ensure I have not taken a picture of a house that someone no longer lives at, or was listed in error on their address listing. 

 After the double check of ownership of the properties, I will post the photos and the names of the Trustees here tomorrow.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ?

Driving by the Lake Bluff school this morning, I observed that the sidewalks were still covered with hip breaking ice and snow --- and at the front entrance on Lake Bluff, there is such a large patch of ice --- almost pond size --- that the kids could go skating during their break !!

The School District is not alone in making Shorewood dangerous to walk in winter --- driving through the Village, it seems about 60% of the homeowners have not made their sidewalks safe either.

What is the Village doing about this situation ?  The rules are quite clear that sidewalks must be free of snow and ice within 12 hours.  It is disappointing that the School District is setting an example of ignoring the law --- and especially disappointing that the Village still holds itself out as the "Walkable" community, while doing nothing about the scofflaws !

VILLAGE ORDINANCE CONCERNING CLEARING SNOW AND ICE FROM WALKWAYS

  466-27. Removing snow from sidewalks.

A.	Every owner or occupant of every lot or parcel of land abutting upon any sidewalks within this Village shall keep the sidewalks abutting upon such lot or parcel of land clear of ice and snow and shall clear off the ice and snow upon such sidewalks within 12 hours after the same has been deposited or formed upon such sidewalks.
B.	Further, within the same twelve-hour period, every owner or occupant as aforesaid shall sand, salt, or place approved chemicals on said sidewalks for the purpose of making the same reasonably safe for pedestrian travel thereon.
C.	Further, the Director of Public Works shall keep the sidewalks of the Village clear of ice and snow in all cases where the owners or occupants of abutting lots fail to do so. The expense of so doing shall be charged as a special tax against the abutting lots or parcels of land and entered on the tax roll, all in accordance with the authority granted under the provisions of § 66.0907 Wis. Stats.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ?  PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS.

Did my civic duty at the Lake Bluff school --- and was amazed that the lot had not been cleared of the snow and ice.

Once you get close to the entrance, there was some clear pavement, but the rest of the lot is a broken hip waiting to happen.

Talking to the Poll Workers --- they said that when they first got there in the morning, even the entrances were treacherous.

Whose responsiblity is it to make sure that the voters --- old and young, able and infirmed --- have adequate access to the Polling Places.

I drove by the Village Hall, and it appeared that a much better job was done there near the entrance, although the crosswalks could have been done better.

Driving by the other Shorwood Schools --- I can see that the School District does not clear its sidewalks.  All of them, Lake Bluff, Atwater, SHS and the Middle School were all surrounded by slippery sidewalks.

Just for comparison, I drove past Riverside School in Milwaukee --- their sidewalks were nice and clear.  The same with the grade school on 9th street just south of National.

It is nice that the School District is going to have Artificial Grass and possibly a Dome at the SHS Athletic Field ---- in the meantime, maybe they can comply with the Village Ordinances and clear their walks !

 WHAT DO YOU THINK ?

As the Wisconsin Primary is coming soon and the Candidates increase the attention they are giving to the Dairy State --- it is very possible that as Wisconsin Goes --- so Goes the Nomination !  McCain is the Presumptive Candidate for the Republicans -- and based upon his "Independent" Leanings and willingness to work with the other side of the aisle for the Better Good --- even with our own Russ Feingold, McCain is the candidate I favored from the Republican Field.

On the Democratic side, it is "tooth and nail" between Clinton and Obama .... a race that may not be ultimately decided until it goes to the Convention Floor !  For the record, I am very supportive of Obama.

Ironically our very own Shorewood and the North Shore Communities could be the deciding battleground here in Wisconsin.  At least looking at the money flow --- more donations from Whitefish Bay went to Barack -- while more donations from Shorewood went to Hillary. 

It would be very interesting to more closely look at the demographic differences between the Bay and Shorewood, as polls have shown that older women lean to Hillary, while Barack gets more of the younger folks.  On the Sixty Minutes program on 2/10/08, it was very obvious that Hillary has built in a lot of subtle ques that would make women her general age, identify more with her.  However I did not see Barack using some ques to play towards the Black vote.  CLICK HERE TO SEE 60 MINUTES INTERVIEWS:

Looking at the Aging Demographics here in Wisconsin --- Hillary went back to Bill Clinton's playbook in 1992, when he ran ads in the Florida Primary,  that falsely said his opponent Tsongas was going to cut Social Security Benefits for the elderly.

As noted in an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel    by Craig Gilbert cgilbert@journalsentinel.com posted on February 15, 2008 --- Hillary's negative campaigning attack ads against Barack Obama used the same theme her husband used, in an attempt to scare Older Voters !

HERE IS AN EXCERPT

 Feuding extends to stepped-up TV ads

By CRAIG GILBERT

Posted: Feb. 15, 2008

"Then Clinton upped the ante Friday, charging Obama with "hiding behind false attack ads" and - mining a theme that Democrats usually save for Republicans - suggesting Obama "might raise the retirement age and cut benefits."

The Clinton campaign said this was based on Obama's saying on ABC last year that "everything should be on the table" when it comes to Social Security reform.

"Obama has said repeatedly he does not want to cut benefits or raise the retirement age," the Obama campaign said."

Milwaukee, Milwaukee County and the Milwaukee suburbs will play a major part in the primary

 Following are Postings on my other Blog I have made over the past few weeks on what was then a very Global Issue -- but is now a very Local Issue.

February 8, 2008

Hillary Clinton's Loan of $5 Million to Her Own Presidential Campaign Fund is Same Old Way to Get Around Campaign Finance Laws that Bill used in 1992.

A loophole in Campaign Finance Laws that is big enough to drive a Mack Truck through, is that the Candidate is not restricted in the amount they Give or Loan to Their Own Campaign !

That is why we see so many Rich Folks running for Office.

An added bonus for any politician who is in an office and who can attract a lot of Political Donations is that they can Lend Themselves Money Now --- and Pay Themselves Back Later from more than Willing Lobbyists, PAC Funds, and Those Who Want To Buy Influence.

In 1992 when Bill Clinton's campaign was neck and neck with Paul Tsongas, they both pretty much depleted their campaign war chests by the time of the Florida primary.

But Clinton, being the Sitting Governor of Arkansas was able to get an "unsecured" loan of $ 3 million for his Campaign from an Arkansas Bank --- Worthen National. With Fresh Money, he was able to bury Tsongas in Political Ads !

Much has been made of the fact that there was a lot of foreign intrigue involved in the Worthen loan --- but regardless of who owned or controlled the bank, and whether or not Clinton later paid off with political favors --- it was a very safe loan for the bank to make.

When you make a loan to a Sitting State Governor for political purposes, you know that whether they win or lose the race, they can hold fundraisers after the race (and a governor attracts a lot of political campaign funds) to pay off the loans.

So the question becomes --- Is Hillary Betting $5 Million that she can win the Nomination ? If She Loses the Campaign, does She Lose Her Money ?

My guess is that as a Sitting Senator from the State of New York --- Win or Lose --- Hillary can quickly Pay Herself Back through Future Fund Raisers.

Her $5 Million is as safe as being in the bank.



 

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Clinton Increased the Use of the Death Penalty Despite the Racial Imbalance of Its Application

As the Clinton's continue their Two for One campaign to get Hillary elected, it should be remembered that their prior Two for One Presidency dramatically increased the Death Penalty, despite the overwhelming bias against Blacks in its application.

Race influences . . .
A 1990 U.S. General Accounting Office report revealed "a pattern of evidence indicating racial disparities in charging, sentencing and imposition of the death penalty." In its 1997 call for a moratorium on executions, the American Bar Association concluded that "racial discrimination remain[s] in courts across the country."

. . . who gets charged
The local District Attorney (D.A.) makes the decision to pursue a death sentence. A 1998 Death Penalty Information Center report reveals that 98% of the D.A.s in death penalty states are white.

On the federal level, the pattern of racial bias in capital prosecutions is striking. A recent Justice Department study of federal capital cases from 1995 to 2000 found that 74% of the defendants were people of color. Upon release of the study, Attorney General Janet Reno said she was "sorely troubled" by such stark racial disparities.

. . . who gets a death sentence
Over half of those on death row are people of color. Black men alone make up over 42% of all death row prisoners, though they account for only 6% of people living in the U.S..

. . . who gets executed
Nearly half of those executed since 1976 have been people of color, with blacks alone accounting for 35%. All told, 82% have been put to death for the murder of a white person. Only 1.8% were white people who had been convicted of killing people of African, Asian, or Latin descent. Meanwhile, people of color are the victims in more than half of all homicides.

Congress and the President
Congress and the President also have refused to remedy the racism inherent in death penalty sentencing. Though the Racial Justice Act (RJA) has been introduced four times, Congress has yet to pass it. The RJA would allow prisoners to challenge their death sentences using standards normal in civil racial-discrimination cases.

Thanks largely to the Congressional Black Caucus, a weak version of the RJA was passed by the House in 1994, but the measure never reached the Senate. A final bill signed by President Clinton expanded the federal death penalty from two to 60 crimes and established procedures for resuming federal executions.

Then, in 1996, Congress passed and Clinton signed the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act. The law drastically limits federal court review of death row appeals. At the same time congress gutted public funding of legal aid services for death row prisoners - which, for most, offer their only legal representation.

 
Source:
Equal Justice USAA project of the Quixote Center
http://www.ejusa.org/moratorium_now/broch_race.html

Was Bill Clinton Really a Friend of Black Americans -- part one

I find it very interesting that Bill Clinton has somehow convinced many Black voters that he has an affinity with them --- and by osmosis, so does Hillary. In a delicate balance, it appears that Bill is the Black Hat with the job of bashing Obama --- while trying to inject Race while appearing not to inject Race, while Hillary sits above the fray.

In what may have been the most cynical political act ever, then candidate Bill Clinton, while in the middle of his presidential campaign in 1992, went back to Arkansas to Officiate over the Execution of a Mentally Incompetent Black Man.

Conventional Wisdom is that Clinton wanted to show that he was tough on crime to get crossover votes from conservatives, especially in the south.

Following is a recounting of this from Expedia:

Rector was subject to a unique overlap of controversies in 1992 during his execution in Arkansas. A question of the morality of killing someone who was functionally retarded. An oft-cited example of his mental insufficiency is his decision to save the dessert of his last meal for after his execution.[1] In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court banned the execution of people with mental retardation in Atkins v. Virginia, ruling that the practice constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Rector was African-American, adding to racial questions relating to the death penalty.
By 1992, Bill Clinton was insisting that Democrats "should no longer feel guilty about protecting the innocent" and took a position strongly supporting capital punishment. To make his point, he flew home to Arkansas mid-campaign to affirm that the execution would continue as scheduled. Some considered it a turning point in that race, hardening a soft public image.[citation needed] Others tend to cite the execution as an example of what they perceive to be Clinton's opportunism, directly influenced by Michael Dukakis and his response to CNN's Bernard Shaw when asked during a campaign debate on October 13, 1988 if he would be supportive of the death penalty were his wife to be raped and murdered.
Rector was executed by lethal injection. It took medical staff, with Rector's help, more than fifty minutes to find a suitable vein. The curtain remained closed between Rector and the witnesses, but some reported they could hear Rector moaning. The administrator of the State Department of Corrections Medical Program said "the moans did come as a team of two medical people that had grown to five worked on both sides of his body to find a vein. That may have contributed to his occasional outbursts." The state later attributed the difficulty in finding a suitable vein to Rector's heavy weight and to his use of an antipsychotic medication.
Rector was the third person executed by the state of Arkansas since Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 (1972), after new capital punishment laws were passed in Arkansas and that came into force on March 23, 1973.
Bill Clinton's critics from the anti-capital punishment left have seen the case of Rector as an unpleasant example of what they view as Clinton's cynical careerism. The writer Christopher  Hitchens, in particular, devotes much of a chapter of his polemical attack on Clinton, No One Left to Lie To what he regards as the immorality of the then Democratic candidate's decision to condone, and take political advantage of, Rector's execution.[2]

Monday, January 21, 2008

If Hillary becomes president -- will it still be all about Bill ?

The campaign news seems to be more about Bill attacking Barack, than about Hillary.

If Hillary were to become president, would she still rely on Bill for protecting her ?

If Iran's president says bad things about her, will Bill hold a press conference defending her ?

It just seems that Hillary is not able to fight her own battles --- which is one good reason to vote against her --- another, perhaps better reason --- is so we don't have to keep listening to Bill.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Tears Make Hillary Human -- They Made Muskie Weak

It is really ironic that the New Hampshire Primary brings a tear to the eye of a candidate. Is it the cold  Arctic air --- or the cold reality that competing to be President of the United States takes a physical and emotional toll on all the candidates.

In 1972, Edmund Muskie showed some emotion --- and that was the end of his aspiration to be President. The common consensus was that if a little thing like a hard campaign with all the slings and arrows it unleashes on the participants could bring a crack to his composure --- how was he going to hold up as President of the United States, which has to be the most demanding and hardest job in the World ?

Now we have Hillary in 2008 who comes to the brink of tears. A show of emotion that many of the pundits are crediting for her saving a little bit of her lead over Barack.

The show of emotion for a Muskie, as man, was a sign of weakness, but for Hillary, as a woman, it is a sign that she is actually human after all.

There are more than a few cynical pundits, who think that Hillary's display of emotion, was really a calculated ploy to reach out to the woman voters, many of whom she lost to Barack in Iowa.

It may seem perfectly plausible that Hillary was putting on an act, seeing how in the past, she has not let anything deter her ambitions, or break her implacable demeanor.

Over her "35 years of experience" (whatever that may mean) the constant affairs of her husband, the numerous scandals of her business dealings, and the whole humiliation of the Monica Lewinski dalliance, couldn't break her composure, or her laser guided political ambitions.

In fact, we can only imagine how many women Hillary brought to tears, when she joined with her husband and political loyalists, in characterizing his illicit conquests as being "those loose women who seduced the poor man past his the limits of his inner strength".

Normally of course, an avowed liberal feminist like Hillary, would never have condoned the condemnation of the subordinate female employee by a powerful boss such as the president of the United States. But in the past, it seems, such Meaningless Emotion had no place in Hillary's relentless march to the rhythm of Her Own Political Ambitions and Agenda.

What do you think ?

Real Emotion and Tears --- or a Sure Nomination for Best Actress ?

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Is Hillary the Cop Out Liberal Vote Against the Black Man

Back in 1970 or thereabouts, I was at a symposium on Civil Rights.

Noticeably at this symposium was a strong representation of Feminist Speakers, who were espousing that Women needed Civil Rights recognition, programs, incentives and advantages --- as much as Blacks did.

The New Feminist Movement was already a few years old and getting well established, but this was at a time when they were actively attaching their movement to what had been predominantly a Civil Rights movement against discrimination (and worse) against Blacks.

Leaving the symposium, I happened to be talking with a Black guy I knew from other such events. I was stunned when he said to me   something to the effect that: "With all the Feminists jumping on the Civil Rights Movement --- so much for advancement for the Black Man "His statement hit me like a bolt of lightning, and I have remembered it all these years.

Of course I asked him what he meant, as I regarded the Feminist Movement as being a neutral force, at worst, in regards to Black Civil Rights.

He explained that in his opinion, as the Feminists' movement gained traction, it would become an alternative for employers and other institutions, and allow them to proclaim they were being Tolerant, Diverse, Equal and Affirmative in their hiring and promotion practices, because they were doing so for the Women as a Minority --- while at the same time, doing very little for the Advancement of Black Men.

Although I could see his point, I didn't think it would come to that. I actually thought the inclusion of Feminists in the Civil Rights mainstream, would be like the fabled "rising tide", which would raise all boats.

Over the past 37 years, however, I regretfully have to say I was wrong and he was absolutely right. Every study I have seen in the past several years show that unemployment is worse for Black Men than Black Women. and White Women fare better than Black Women.

Of the three groups, both White and Black Women achieve more in education and wages than Black Men.

Even when it comes to assistance programs, almost all of them are geared to wards Women with far fewer to Men. Those programs in part, help to subsidize the increasingly prevalent single parent, female led households in the Black community. The common consensus is that such "Fatherless" households contribute greatly to increased crime, violence, drug use, lower educational achievement and poverty in the Black community.

It seems that the social safety net programs we do have, put Black Women in charge of the purse. The irrelevance of the Black Man, has to some extent become a product of the design of numerous government programs.

The Civil Rights Movement has failed the Black Man and America's Liberals have turned their backs on the Black Man, in favor of the Woman -- preferably White Woman, but makes some room for the Black Woman too.

The current Democratic Party race for President has been described by many as an opportunity to make history as either electing the first Woman President, or the first Black president. Based upon the history of Civil Rights in America so far, Women, and especially the White Woman, has been the overwhelming preference over the Black Man.

As the self proclaimed Liberal Voice of America will the Democrats be "copping out" by going for Hillary Clinton, a White Woman, over Barack Obama, a Black Man ?

Is the "Cop Out" in ---- to keep Obama out ?

What's YOUR TAKE ?

It has been very rough on the small businesses in Shorewood this winter, as the Village is unable to deal with the snow that blocks their business entrances from the street.  I have written many blogs about that and it is still a problem, but not one that I will address in this Posting.

I am very sensitive to the snow and ice situation, as I have had both a hip and knee replacement in the past four years.  The last thing I need is to try to traverse ice and snow when patronizing a business.

 I have an empathy for the small "mom and pop" businesses, as their resources are often limited to the person minding the shop (many of them elderly ladies and gents) --- for the most part, they do admirably with their sidewalks in front of their stores.

This evening I was trying to patronzie two of the largest businesses in Shorewood -- Pick and Save http://www.roundys.com   and Walgreens www.Walgreens.com .,

In my opinion, based upon how they DON'T provide safe access to their stores, they do not deserve the patronage of our community.

Pick and Save --- Forget It !!  24 Hours after the storm, their parking lot is still a treachoreous mess of slush, ice and snow.  I could not see the slightest effort having been expended to make their parking lot safe and accomodating to their customers.

Walgreens was Almost ok ---  Actually their lot was remarkedly well taken care of (Pick and Save could use them as an example) BUT --- the walkway to the actual front door of the store, was a narrow little path, between two mounds of snow, and was packed down with ice and hard packed snow.

I was hoping to be able to park in a nicely cleared lot at both businesses, and use my cane to make my way to the businesses without slipping and snapping my new knee or hip apart.  But there was no way I could have made it with any confidence, without pulling out my walker for the treacherous journey for each establishment.

Sooooooooo I said Goodbye to both ---- I'll patronize businesses that care about the safety and convenience of their customers --- and I hope you all do the same !!

 WHAT'S YOUR OPINION --- PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW

During the Cold War, there was a real possibility of armed conflict between the NATO Forces and the Warsaw Pact Forces.

Among other considerations if such a conflict occurred, was that the battleground would have been in Europe, with a fairly dense population living in cities.

Having recently gone through the nearly total destruction of many European cities in WWII, NATO Forces developed a nifty little nuclear bomb (called the Neutron Bomb) that killed people with radiation, while leaving the buildings standing! 

Fortunately in the political and military world, the conflagration in Europe did not happen (albeit due to millions of lives lost in various wars fought by the surrogate forces of the Super Powers and the threat of MAD - Mutual Assured Destruction ) .

But in the business world, Jack Welch the former CEO of GE  earned the nickname of ''Neutron Jack,'' due to a series of dramatic restructurings and layoffs he instituted, that cut over 100,000 jobs - cuts that  were so painful to employees that they began referring to him as  ''Neutron Jack,'' after the nuclear bomb that vaporizes people but leaves buildings standing.

Soooooooo about now, you are asking yourself "just what does Jack Welch or neutron bombs have to do with Shorewood Schools "?

The Connection between them became apparent to me as I contemplated the Dis-Connect of the messages that the Shorewood School Board has been sending to us over the past few months.

Just last September (07) the School Board was saying that we have to seriously look at closing a school due to falling enrollment. 

From an article by Dave Fidlin,  dfidlin@cninow.com published September 5, 2007 :

Shorewood school closing possible

Reconfiguration scenarios created for district

Dropping enrollment

http://www.shorewoodnow.com/story/index.aspx?id=657702

"Based on its examination, administration found that the district's four schools are currently at 75 to 80 percent capacity. By 2010-11, those figures could dip to 65 to 70 percent if the schools were to stay as is."

One of the options discussed was closing the Middle School. Superintendent Blane McCann said  "If the district were to close SIS, it could result in a savings of $622,000 in operational and staffing expenses." 

At the time, the School Board was of the opinion that it needed to go slow in reviewing the options and doing more research before taking action.

Back then Board  Member Paul Zovic said "I think we need to have some real numbers for all these options -- These are big decisions. We're not in planning mode."

Superintendent Blane McCann was quoted as saying "I would advocate careful planning,"

But now - barely 5 months later --  the School Board is asking for about $10,000,000 from Shorewood Taxpayers to Remodel and Upgrade the schools !

The message we now hear from the Shorewood School Board members is one of Urgency!  We need $10 Million NOW!

As quoted in http://www.shorewoodnow.com/  January 30, 2008:

"Board member Paul Zovic said he favored investing in the technology upgrades, for which the district will ask for $1 million.  (It is) something we not only haven't been keeping up with, but have been chiseling away"

"We're addressing some really, really old problems," board member Michael Mishlove said. "We're dealing with infrastructure that is ancient relative to the rest of the state. We need to take action. We can't hand it down to the next generation."

"Superintendent Blane McCann said there would be some reconfiguration of the north gym, with lockers and classrooms in new areas. The library remodeling, meanwhile, would encompass the construction of stadium seating and modifications to the computer lab. "

BTW (by the way) --- the School Board decided to request $9.65 million from taxpayers in a referendum, as "During deliberations, a consensus was reached that a referendum of less than $10 million would stand a greater chance of being approved by constituents."

I Am Wondering What Happened To The Slow And Steady Approach Of 5 Months Ago That Was Concerned With Dropping Enrollment And The Need For Consolidation --- And Taking Actions That Are Well Thought Out And Will Address The Future As Well As The Present ?????

Is the School Board "Neutroning" our schools?  We have already eliminated clerical, maintenance and librarian personnel among others --- and our student population is on a decline (in part from the inability of school age families to pay Shorewood taxes??).

 The student population that we do have is highly dependent upon Open Enrollment and Chapter 220 Students --- both programs which are vulnerable to the vagaries of political action in Madison and the decisions by the Courts!

The Village of Shorewood and the Shorewood School District are inextricably linked and co-dependent.  If the Shorewood Schools develop a cough, the Village gets the flu, and when the village has a temperature, the schools develop a fever.

We currently have a Village Board that is betting the economic future of the Village, with a plan that in a flat realty market could backfire into big time loses for the taxpayers.

 In one scheme the Village Board  is looking at, it will pay  duplex property owners to convert their buildings to single family residences, making living in Shorewood even less affordable --- and further diminishing the student population.

 Now the School Board wants to spend $10 million on buildings that are under-utilized, and may become more so, as families with children cannot afford Shorewood's taxes.

As our good friend and fellow blogger Joe Mangiamele wrote in his  Spirit of Shorewood blog on Monday, Jan 28 2008 

"We have acquired stacks of stodgy documents called plans, none interrelated nor integrated nor linked  to each other within a spirit of what is Shorewood. We have no "visible component" within our village that brings all of these together, to express the total of our community spirit.  We have no code or ordinance and no commssion or commission head to give us direction and leadership. "

http://blogs.shorewoodnow.com/from_the_village_square/archive/2008/01/28/spirit-of-shorewood.aspx

In summation, I urge the Shorewood School Board to step back, reconsider, and look at our school system from a "sum zero" perspective.  Don't "neutron" the system, saving the buildings at the sake of the students and teachers. 

If it costs more money --- so be it --- as long as the investment is the result of a unified plan, with the Village, in making our schools the best they can be - now and for the future - and maintaining our school system as one of the major factors in making Shorewood a place people want to live.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ?  PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW.

 For some thoughts on issues other than Shorewood, visit my other blog at

http://nonconventionalwisdomperspectives.blogspot.com/

  You Paid for It: A Shining Shorewood

 For some thoughts on issues other than Shorewood, visit my other blog at

http://nonconventionalwisdomperspectives.blogspot.com/