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Letters -- June 18, 2002
By Journal Times readers
"Any program that has proven itself as successful as Walden should and has received the full support of the community." -- Jane Steker
Noxious burn piles
All of us in Wisconsin truly appreciate warm and sunny weather, and we look forward to these lovely days all through the cold winter.
What a shame that people choose these fair weather days to burn grass or branches or whatever it is from their yards that has become their "burn-pile!" It is so wonderful to be able to have doors and windows open to the fresh air, and then so awful to have smoke or just that terrible "smoky smell" come into the yard and the house instead.
It is necessary to show consideration and respect for your neighbors as well as the general area. The town of Mount Pleasant currently allows burning every day from 12 noon to 5 p.m. This burning can be done on a cold day when windows are closed, or on a chilly, cloudy day when no one wants to sit or work in their yards.
Everyone knows we have plenty of "not-so-nice" days like that all through the year, so please, save your burn pile until then. We need to use some common sense and courtesy about burning in order for everyone to breathe clean air and enjoy the warm weather as much as possible.
Mount Pleasant
Walden flourishes
Racine Unified is fortunate to have an alternative school that leads the district in all test scores.
That school has proven it is worthy of all the local and national accolades it has amassed over its 30 years of existence. That school is Walden III. The recently released results of the Tera Nova Standardized tests support Walden's excellence.
Walden students tested at or above the district average on 262 of 266 questions. They scored above the district by an average of 14 percent per question. The WKCE state test showed 77 percent of Walden's students to be proficient to advanced in all areas. Walden tests all students. These statistics are available at Central Office or at Walden. 73 percent of Walden's graduating seniors are enrolled in a four-year college while 19 percent are enrolled in technical programs/armed forces.
Rumors have been circulating once again concerning the future of Walden. Again the Walden family needs to ask why anyone would circulate such rumors. Walden is flourishing. Walden is at full enrollment.
This year there were 130 applications for 75 slots in sixth grade. Superintendent Hicks has given absolutely no indication that Walden's future is in jeopardy. Any program that has proven itself as successful as Walden should and has received the full support of the community. In return for that support, Walden gives back to the community in the form of food drives, donations to local organizations and physical help to local projects.
If anyone has any questions about Walden, please stop in and see for yourself what sets Walden apart from the rest of Racine Unified. I guarantee you will be impressed.
Jane Steker
1127 N. Sunnyslope Drive, Racine
Art Fair thanks
Thank you to everyone who is part of the Monument Square Art Fair, the Board of Directors, and all the wonderful volunteers. Each and every one of you is responsible for keeping alive an important part of the arts scene in Racine.
A big thank you to all of the art fair visitors who, in spite of a shortage of parking spaces, came and were part of this wonderful weekend on Racine's beautiful lakefront.
Thank you to everyone on the festival site staff. Thank you to the Journal Times for their fine coverage of this event, to WRJN, and to the Milwaukee TV stations for promoting our art fair. The weather was incredibly perfect.
The music was great: Racine Symphony String Quartet, Mark Paffrath, Don Nedobeck's Water Street Tavern Band, and the Pete Revelle Duo were an integral part of the art fair. Thank you for sharing your talents with us. Thank you to all the participating artists from Racine and from all over the country, who displayed a diverse and creative ensemble of art.
There was something for everyone at this fair. Thank you to anyone or any organization I may not have mentioned here or not be aware of. It takes a lot of cooperation and hard work to put on an event like this. As a participating artist, and former board member of this and several other arts groups, I fully understand what it takes to keep the arts alive in Racine, and throughout this country.
Jean Thielen
Racine
Unity still needed
Following the tragic attack on the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon, a long awaited and welcomed unity among political leaders was shown.
At last, this nation knelt together and prayed to the God in whom we have trust for help and guidance as we faced a frightening future. What a refreshing new attitude following such an inhumane act.
It now appears that those who once stood united have defected and are vocalizing to discredit and destroy those currently in control of America's battle to annihilate global terrorism.
Perhaps those who criticize so blatantly have forgotten what the job they have been elected to do is really about. While recognizing divergent views exist on all subjects, the overall task is to work together for the ultimate preservation of this country, be it safety from terrorism, providing affordable health care for seniors, establishing sound foreign policies, ending racial hatred, eliminating poverty, returning prayer to school and public gatherings, and many more.
Please, politicians and media, direct your power toward supporting and strengthening current executive leadership. Be not bent upon bringing it down by giving word, ink and broadcast time to statements which demean sincere and honest efforts to preserve America for future generations.
I enjoin you both to show Americans what powerful results can be attained by working together as you both lead our nation in the years ahead with renewed resolve and strength no other nation on earth can match.
I, for one, will be watching and evaluating -- then voting.
John A. Hollingsworth
Waterford
Save spot for culprits
On two successive days, June 13 & 14, The Journal Times ran front page stories about racial slurs directed at a Park and Rec employee. The June 13 issue included a huge photo of a racial slur written in shaving cream along Pershing Drive.
It seems to me that this type of coverage is exactly what these bigots like. It gives them a free forum in which to espouse their racist ideas.
All racial discrimination is wrong whether directed at blacks, Arabs, Jews, Indians or any other nationality or ethnicity.
To get that point across in The Journal Times, why not reserve the front page for photos of the culprit in a jail orange jump suit with cuffs and shackles after he gets caught?
David Kristopeit
1905 Thurston Ave, Racine
Mascot idea
Regarding the Rebel mascot and nickname at William Horlick High School.
After much thought, I'd like to suggest something that has a great history and would be a really neat mascot to reproduce, in so many different ways.
How about: The Warriors!
Bob Schneck
617 Royal Park Road, Racine
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