Sounds like the Menominee City Council meeting got a little heated last night. Read about it here.
A majority of the council refuses even to discuss the Back Forty Mine, much less take a stand on it, something every other major area municipal oversight board has done.
Only two council members - Frank Pohlmann and Steve Fifarek - plus Mayor Jean Stegeman have been vocal in their opposition to the open-pit sulfide mine, to be located not far from the Menominee River.
Opponents of the mine are understandably frustrated. They’ve been diligent and persistent in their protests.
By refusing to discuss the issue at a council meeting, the remaining six council reps are shirking their duty to constituents and the community. I’m disappointed, especially in Bill Plemel.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Another Road Work Challenge for Local Drivers
We've had our share in the past 20 years: The Interstate Bridge, Marinette Avenue, Hall Avenue, Tenth Street in Menominee and countless smaller projects.
This year, the projects have been smaller in scope, but no less annoying to some drivers: The Hattie Street Bridge, 14th Avenue in Menominee, 10the Avenue in Menominee, and now Marinette Ave/US 41/Highway64 in Marinette.
Wouldn't it be terrific if both states, both cities and the railroad would coordinate their efforts?
This year, the projects have been smaller in scope, but no less annoying to some drivers: The Hattie Street Bridge, 14th Avenue in Menominee, 10the Avenue in Menominee, and now Marinette Ave/US 41/Highway64 in Marinette.
Wouldn't it be terrific if both states, both cities and the railroad would coordinate their efforts?
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
No Great Loss to Green Bay
I no longer read the local paper daily because the errors and inconsistencies irritate me, but I do buy one at least once a week when I want to read something behind the paper's paywall.
Equally irritating in Tuesday's paper were a letter and a Sound Off from people pledging to abandon their support of the Green Bay Packers. (No great loss to the team, I suspect.)
Both former fans profess to be from military families. They don't like arm linking and they don't like knee taking. They want players to salute the flag.
No matter where you stand in this controversy, swearing off the team seems silly and dramatic.
I'm not much of a professional football fan myself, but abandoning support for the local team just seems like an overreaction. Most of us disagree with loved ones from time to time but it rarely leads to estrangement in normal, healthy people.
Clearly there are more important things to focus on, like mass shootings, natural disasters, racial/gender equality and possible collusion with foreign enemies.
Get a grip, former Packers fans.
Equally irritating in Tuesday's paper were a letter and a Sound Off from people pledging to abandon their support of the Green Bay Packers. (No great loss to the team, I suspect.)
Both former fans profess to be from military families. They don't like arm linking and they don't like knee taking. They want players to salute the flag.
No matter where you stand in this controversy, swearing off the team seems silly and dramatic.
I'm not much of a professional football fan myself, but abandoning support for the local team just seems like an overreaction. Most of us disagree with loved ones from time to time but it rarely leads to estrangement in normal, healthy people.
Clearly there are more important things to focus on, like mass shootings, natural disasters, racial/gender equality and possible collusion with foreign enemies.
Get a grip, former Packers fans.
Saturday, September 23, 2017
More Bad News for Wisconsin's Quality of Life
The Wisconsin Idea may be on its way to becoming a mere fleeting notion.
The state has always taken great pride in its belief that the boundaries of its world-class university are "the boundaries of the state." In other words, the UW system extends beyond campus to small towns and rural outposts.
That is why Wisconsin counties have UW Extension offices which employ experts to help with agriculture, food, family life, economic and community development and a whole raft of other areas.
Wisconsin's governor, Scott Walker, never graduated from college and doesn't place too high a premium on education of any kind. He's tried to trash the Wisconsin Idea in the past.
Now it's under threat again, albeit in a sneakier fashion. The UW Extension will be restructured because of the governor's budget. Read more In the EagleHerald.
Expect Walker's toadies to defend it. They don't care much for education either: Because the smarter the electorate, the greater the chance the toadies - and the dimwit governor - will be thrown out of office.
I don't know one single informed person who likes Scott Walker.
The state has always taken great pride in its belief that the boundaries of its world-class university are "the boundaries of the state." In other words, the UW system extends beyond campus to small towns and rural outposts.
That is why Wisconsin counties have UW Extension offices which employ experts to help with agriculture, food, family life, economic and community development and a whole raft of other areas.
Wisconsin's governor, Scott Walker, never graduated from college and doesn't place too high a premium on education of any kind. He's tried to trash the Wisconsin Idea in the past.
Now it's under threat again, albeit in a sneakier fashion. The UW Extension will be restructured because of the governor's budget. Read more In the EagleHerald.
Expect Walker's toadies to defend it. They don't care much for education either: Because the smarter the electorate, the greater the chance the toadies - and the dimwit governor - will be thrown out of office.
I don't know one single informed person who likes Scott Walker.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
You Can't Make This Stuff Up
Life in the Marinette-Menominee area provides great inspiration for a situation comedy, I've often heard it said.
Or, depending on your perspective, a tragedy.
Tuesday we learned that Menominee's prosecuting attorney is suing the county. Bill Merkel, who was the assistant prosecutor for more than 20 years and has held his current job for two years, filed the lawsuit to protect his retirement benefits.
A request for a restraining order was also filed. I can't for the life of me figure that one out, unless Merkel is being harassed by other county employees or, heaven forbid, certain board members.
In today's paper, we learn Twin County Airport has lost its general utility license following an FAA inspection for which it had little advance notice.
Ouch.
The violations that caused the licensing issue should be easily corrected. It will be interesting to see if they are. I'm not holding my breath.
Or, depending on your perspective, a tragedy.
Tuesday we learned that Menominee's prosecuting attorney is suing the county. Bill Merkel, who was the assistant prosecutor for more than 20 years and has held his current job for two years, filed the lawsuit to protect his retirement benefits.
A request for a restraining order was also filed. I can't for the life of me figure that one out, unless Merkel is being harassed by other county employees or, heaven forbid, certain board members.
In today's paper, we learn Twin County Airport has lost its general utility license following an FAA inspection for which it had little advance notice.
Ouch.
The violations that caused the licensing issue should be easily corrected. It will be interesting to see if they are. I'm not holding my breath.
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Size Matters
Looks like the oversized Marinette County Board of Supervisors won't be shrinking any time soon.
The board's executive committee voted recently to remain a bloated entity of 30 by nixxing a proposed spring advisory referendum on reduction. Read more here.
Generally, large oversight boards are unwieldy, inefficient, and prone to inaction. The Marinette County Board is no exception.
Allow me to submit these facts for you to ponder:
Less than an hour away, Brown County is the fourth largest county in Wisconsin in terms of population with 260,401 people. About 30 years ago, the board reduced in size from 32 (as I recall) to 26 members.
Marinette County is 37th in population, with 40,491 people - and 30 supervisors on its county board.
You do the math.
Kudos to Board Chairman Mark Anderson for at least trying to reduce board size. While previous chairs have vigorously protected the status quo, Anderson has always tried to be progressive. This isn't his first stint as chair. He's on the right track.
The same cannot be said of a majority of his colleagues on the executive committee.
The same cannot be said of a majority of his colleagues on the executive committee.
Saturday, September 16, 2017
No Guts, and Certainly No Glory
Whether you are a staunch supporter of an open-pit sulfide mine near the banks of the Menominee River or a relentless opponent, you've got to be shaking your head with wonder at the wimpiness of the Menominee City Council.
Other municipal governing boards have taken a stand, mostly against the mine, but the Menominee council can't even put the matter on its monthly agenda. The next meeting is 6 p.m. on Monday, and unless the agenda is amended very soon, no mine discussion is scheduled.
Such cowardliness is astounding.
When you run for public office, you can't be afraid to take a stand. But Menominee's council can't even get the matter on the agenda.
It was clear last month that some council reps might be reluctant even to hear opinions on the matter. Listening to public opinion is part of the job, every bit as important as taking a stand based on what you hear. If you can't handle that, resign.
My hunch is that 3-4 council members need to give serious thought to stepping down.
They won't go out in a blaze of glory.
Other municipal governing boards have taken a stand, mostly against the mine, but the Menominee council can't even put the matter on its monthly agenda. The next meeting is 6 p.m. on Monday, and unless the agenda is amended very soon, no mine discussion is scheduled.
Such cowardliness is astounding.
When you run for public office, you can't be afraid to take a stand. But Menominee's council can't even get the matter on the agenda.
It was clear last month that some council reps might be reluctant even to hear opinions on the matter. Listening to public opinion is part of the job, every bit as important as taking a stand based on what you hear. If you can't handle that, resign.
My hunch is that 3-4 council members need to give serious thought to stepping down.
They won't go out in a blaze of glory.
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