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Letters to the editor, April 1, 2007
Reject ethanol plant
The proponents of the ethanol plant proposal in the Town of Dover have tried to blind the citizens of Dover with dollar signs. Stories have been circulating that residents will see their property taxes reduced by 40 percent!
Now, this is wishful thinking as ethanol plants are the recipients of many subsidies, tax incentives and tax exemptions. In fact, all of the manufacturing equipment is tax exempt so claims that this plant will significantly broaden the tax base are simply not true.
In other communities where these plants have been built, property owners were very disappointed. In Cambria, Wisconsin, the estimated tax benefit was $26 per household per year “ they have 792 residents. In Necedah, their taxes went up, some as high as $1,500 “ they have 888 residents.
Who is going to pay for the upgrade of the railroad which includes the crossing gates, the upgrade of the roads, and the upgrade of the fire departments? Who is going to pay for the doctor bills from the emission ash falling on us each day? Who is going to pay? Look in the mirror “ it will be you.
I urge Dover citizens to vote NO on the Ethanol plant referendum April 3rd.
Union Grove
Rendon supported
It has come to my attention that Guadalupe "Wally" Rendon is seeking election to an aldermanic seat in Racine. This correspondence is sent with my unequivocal support as to his candidacy. As president of the state Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I have known Wally for many years. I can attest to his attributes without reservation. Rendon is a multi-faceted individual who is conscientious, innovative and industrious. His affable personality and profound sense of integrity serve to enhance his ability to interact with others. He has the capacity to effectively communicate with persons of all levels including those of different economic, cultural and educational backgrounds. Rendon has distinguished himself with his long time and effective efforts to improve Racine County, earning the confidence and admiration of the community at large. Furthermore, he is highly respected and considered to be of impeccable character.
Our changing demographics in particular, the tremendous growth of the Hispanic population make it vitally important to fill positions with individuals who have sterling qualifications. Rendon's background, expertise, experience and his keen sense of awareness and thorough knowledge of current issues, needs and concerns of an emerging diverse population make him the ideal choice. His accomplished record, particularly in law enforcement and community building, is truly indicative of his outstanding leadership skills, remarkable discipline, exceptional determination and exemplary commitment.
I have every confidence that Guadalupe "Wally" Rendon would carry out the responsibilities, goals and objectives of an aldermanic position with distinction while proving himself exemplary of the high standards held by Racine, Wisconsin. I urge your thoughtful evaluation of his candidacy.
Maria Monreal-Cameron,
Milwaukee
Elect Ruud and Sondej
I am a junior at the University of Platteville majoring in geography with an empphasis on geology and enviromental conservation.
I really like the non phosphorus fertilizer ordinance our town board passed. This will help protect Browns and Bohners lakes for future generations.
Although I have known Tom Sondej's opponent most of my life, I feel our community should be led by someone with life experience, not a 21-year-old college student.
I am voting for Barb Ruud and Tom Sondej to preserve our township.
Jenna Peterson
Burlington
Ruud deserves support
1. Barb Ruud allows people to speak their minds.
2. Rued is not beholden to land developers.
3. She supported banning phosphorus fertilizers where they might leach into our Lakes. Barb is committed to preserving Brown's and Bohner's Lakes for future generations.
4. She gives straight answers when asked (we noted her opponent says things like, "This is not a debate").
5. She picks competent people to work on projects.
6. She is a team leader, not a spotlight seeker.
7. She started the Police Commission as required by law (her opponent did not do this while in office).
8. She is renegotiating the building inspection department budget to reduce costs (No point in paying twice for the same job).
9. She balanced the budget based on the amount of new construction growth last year. She accomplished this despite the loss of $12 million worth of property valuation due to the bypass.
10. She has established and supported the Smart Growth Committee which is making excellent progress in finishing the job left incomplete by her opponent.
11. She has stated her support for action to repair or replace the aging Brown's Lake Fire Station. Barb is prepared to build sensibly for our community's future.
Dan Buse
Town of Burlington resident
Jail adds to quality of life
After reading letters to the editor regarding quality of life issues, I am troubled by those who are critics of the jail expansion.
The expansion of this jail is adding to my quality of life.
It keeps child molesters, burglars, thieves, killers, drunk drivers, dopers and those who sell dope to our children and other drugs of society off the streets. When they are locked up they can't prey upon us.
I have no problem paying for this quality of life issue.
If those opposed are serious, I suggest they show real compassion and tell judges not to jail them, that you will take them into your homes and turn them into model citizens.
Problem solved, we can empty the jail.
Thank you, County Executive McReynolds for seeing the need to make room for these evil people.
John J. Halverson
7100 Meadowlark Court
Look at what we build
A community's architecture reflects the delight and hope of its collective soul. The efforts of Johnson Wax to clean up around its homebase and to enhance the portals to its latest downtown construct remind us that we are terribly influenced by the beauty around us, because beauty, Dostoevsky reminds us, will save our souls.
Thus the fame of skylines on Michigan Avenue, New York and San Francisco. The attention we pay to the design and patterns of our architecture remind us of the God we know as we wander under the shade of trees in Her vast countyside. Thank you JWax for your Lloyd-Wright care for Racine's soul.
But be careful as you head south on Main Street, and worse, on Wisconsin Avenue. Careful lest your eyes meet the Frankenstein monster that rises from the concrete at 8th Street. The new county jail wants to reach out and engulf us on that route, or worse, to collapse upon us in our inattention.
A year or so ago I stood in the openness of that spot with a group of others protesting even the idea of such a waste of resources, human and financial. The organizer of that collection of artists was a young man running for county executive.
Can you imagine the beauty a community proclaims about its own existence when it builds state of the art schools to grace our landscapes instead of jails to steal our souls? Which architecture will inspire us, which remind us that perhaps life is just as empty as our hopes? I'll vote on April 3rd for life and hope. And for Ken Hall.
Father Bruce Clanton SDS
Casa Cesar Chavez
Racine
Conflicts of interest
You've gotten the short end of a certain financial deal or contract dispute and you're going to court about it?
Would you be happy if the judge taking the case has a large investment in the business in question and in several others in which she did not disclose that fact? That's a conflict of interest and she should have declined to take those cases.
Would you trust her to be impartial if you knew she had presided over numerous cases involving the bank her husband is connected with and ruled in favor of the bank in more than 90 percent of those cases? You wouldn't? Then vote for Linda Clifford for judge on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Do you think it's OK for a handsomely-paid county official to use taxpayer-paid office time to attend to a private business? Do you think a county official expecting reimbursement for travel expenses should not be expected to provide documentation for those expenses? You don't?
Then vote for Ken Hall for County Executive.
Isabel Rossey
Mount Pleasant
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