By Mike Moore
Journal Times | Posted: Monday, November 17, 2008 12:00 am
This question came from a reader who said he saw an officer fire up a big stogie at a community event and didn't appreciate the stench.
According to the Racine Police Department's conduct policy, "A member of the department or a uniformed civilian employee shall not smoke in uniform while in view of the public, standing in ranks, in city vehicles or under any condition which might bring discredit to the department," spokesman Lt. Jim Dobbs said.
If an officer lights up while eating out, it probably won't reflect as badly on the department as it would if he's puffing away while on patrol. Even then, nobody is likely to lose a badge over something as minor as a nicotine fit.
First the department alerts an officer to the possible violation, spokesman Sgt. Bernie Kupper said. If the problem continues, the officer could face a reprimand and eventually worse.
Things must be a lot more lenient in cowboy circles. Nobody challenges the Marlboro Man while he's wheezing through a cattle drive.
Is it true the Ronald McDonald House collects soda pop-tabs as a fundraiser? If so, how can I participate?
Somehow soda cans became the source of umpteen Internet hoaxes. This tale is true.
The most direct way to chip in is to guzzle lots of canned soda. While you're hopped up on caffeine, you can use that energy to start a collection box.
Once you accumulate some tabs, you could bring them to the Ronald McDonald House at 8948 Watertown Plank Road in Milwaukee. A closer option is to take them to a recycling company yourself - the organization lists Racine Metals at 1506 High St. and Memorial Scrap at 3056 Hamilton Ave. - and have the check made out to the Ronald McDonald House.
The charity provides shelter for parents whose seriously ill children are receiving medical treatment. Printable labels for boxes and other details on the tab program can be found at the local organization's Web site, http://www.rmhcmilwaukee.com.
Pearl Harbor survivors
A column item last week looked at Pearl Harbor survivors. Only one survivor living in Racine County still belongs to the state Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, but there are at least three others here who were on Oahu when the Japanese attacked:
n Bill Proeber, 88, of Racine. He was a mechanic in the Army Air Corps, the precursor to the Air Force, and his 47th Fighter Squadron was doing maneuvers about 40 miles north of the harbor at the time of the bombing.
Proeber later fixed parking meters for the city of Racine and is known for playing the accordion at nursing home events.
n George W. Hoffmann, 87, of Mount Pleasant. He had a clerical position in the Army Air Corps, and his barracks at Hickam Field sustained some damage in the attack.
Hoffmann worked at Case Corp. for more than three decades.
n Glenn Robe, 87, of Caledonia. He was a storekeeper in the Navy, ordering supplies for the destroyer USS Ramsay, which was tied up a couple of miles from the larger ships that were bombarded.
A native Kansan, Robe moved to the Racine area around 1970 and worked as an engineer.
C-book update
Here's another place to buy the Gold C coupon book with its two-for-one or half-off deals: Racine Cooperative Preschool, 2500 N. Green Bay Road.
The book costs $15 and can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The drive is raising money for new tables and chairs where kids work on projects, said Kristen Hyatt, assistant administrator for the school.
For more information, call Missy at (262) 634-1123.
Mike Moore compiles the Glad You Asked column, which seeks answers to questions of local interest. Call us at (262) 631-1758 or e-mail: