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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Nov 26 2008, 12:57 PM
Or on any day, for that matter.
Have you paid a visit to Fred Keller’s blog Bullseye today ?
See why Keller says
"If Lazich were a car she would certainly be a “Dodge.”
[...]
"Franklin’s assemblyman, Jeff Stone...that would make him an “Edsel.”
Click Here to go to BULLSEYE
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Oct 12 2008, 08:30 AM
Dismal, mainly because a study is reporting children are being harmed.
Mexico City has such high pollution levels that children are suffering from neurological problems...swollen tissues, cognitive disorders.
"Brain scans of many Mexico City youngsters revealed alterations that can impair the prefrontal cortex, a neural region heavily involved in memory and thinking skills, say environmental pathologist Lilian Calderón-Garcidueñas of the University of Montana in Missoula and her colleagues.
Similar brain alterations, as well as evidence of neural inflammation, appeared in 1- to 2-year-old dogs that had grown up in Mexico City, the investigation finds.
Widespread declines in intelligence of the type and magnitude observed in the new report would have a huge impact on a country’s economic productivity, says psychologist and study coauthor Randall Engle of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. “Saving money by failing to curb pollution truly is a matter of ‘pay me now or pay me later,’” Engle says."
Read the article from Science News HERE
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Oct 4 2008, 07:56 PM
Well, a friend of mine says, "In light of the country’s financial situation, a little education goes a long way."
And I agree!
Hopefully, you’ll find something of interest or usefulness on this site.
"Money Smart Week WisconsinSM is a public awareness initiative made for you. It began in 2006. It aims to build your financial knowledge so you can deal with your own money more quickly, confidently and shrewdly. Use this site to find classes and events near you. Most activities are free. They offer unbiased financial education. "
Click old Ben Franklin for a visit...
I’m hoping Gov. Doyle visits his site often!
H/T Scott T.
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Sep 23 2008, 12:05 PM
...and a secretary is always the first to go...
If you are an elected City Official, an elected School Board Member, or an elected Official of the State…a reimbursement is the same...although, actual amounts may differ.
What about regular employees of the state? Superintendents? Business Managers? HR people? Any staff from the top to the bottom who travel for business.
City Administrators? Planners? Building Inspectors? Health Department staff?
School Districts have their own reimbursement guidelines, as do our city employees. Here is the State of Wisconsin Pocket Travel Guide effective July 2008 for our state employees:
PocketTravel Guide 2007-2009
If our state officials are reimbursed for mileage, why shouldn't our city officials be reimbursed?
Elected officials or regular employees?
My opinion?
If you are using your own car I don’t have a problem with it. But I think the reimbursement in Franklin needs to be restructured from a lump sum to receipts and a detailed log. Annoying, yes, but it’s pretty standard to have to be held accountable for reimbursements. I think we would find out that some deserve to be reimbursed far more ...and others far less.
My Alderman should not be expected to pay calls on constituents and do city business on his own gas, should yours? The city engineer and planners have city cars they use.
Reimbursement for food? Not so much. You need to eat anyway.
Classes/conferences or functions to improve the city? As long as they are specifically for that purpose and not entertainment or just for a “goody bag,” then yes.
As far as the cuts of city staff, I question exactly who is going to do the work of the secretarial staff that is being cut. Clerical staff is always the first place to go when you need to cut…but administration seems to forget who is actually doing all of the work at city hall.
Okay, the benefits are going to be a savings. It’s already been stated the staff at City Hall was overburdened the way it was. What now? Will Temps be hired when it gets too overwhelming? You can’t have overtime. Are you saying those secretarial positions weren’t needed in the first place? Are you saying current staff wasn’t efficient and now all of a sudden they will be? I’m just curious…where is this work going to go?
That's my opinion...let's hear yours.
Common Council meeting is tonight at 6:30 p.m.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Agenda for Tonight's meeting
Mayor's Recommended 2009 Budget
Related reading:
Bullseye - Is Alderman Steve Olson Grandstanding, Again? - Fred Keller
Franklin Today - Positions Not To Be Filled In 2009 Budget, - Greg Kowalski
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Sep 19 2008, 07:05 AM
I know, gas prices had been rising.
But then they tapered off.
If it hadn’t been for the hurricanes, they probably would have kept falling.
When I saw United Airlines was going to double its fee for a second checked bag to $50…I was shocked. That’s each way!
You know, you can mail a decent sized box of clothing to just about any state for $15, insured. Maybe that’s the way to go. If you can plan ahead for a trip, just pack up the wardrobe you need fro your vacation, and ship it off to your destination.
Extra bags or ones that weigh too much can add
hundreds of dollars to the price of flying. Kitchen/Getty
Extra bags or ones that weigh too much can add hundreds of dollars to the price of flying.
United has already made $700 million from the additional fees they have imposed. So it's not "irrational" for them to want to hike their fees more. They'll do it until passengers stop bringing the extra baggage and paying the higher fees.
Skyrocketing fuel prices prompted that trend, but on Thursday there was already one sign that competition may push it back: Air Canada said it would stop charging for a second checked bag. It had not added a fee for the first checked bag.
So if you want to do all you can to try and keep your luggage to one suitcase, what should you do?
Suitcase savvy
Battle those new luggage fees by adapting your packing habits.
1. Use soft-sided luggage or duffle bags. Some hardshell suitcases weigh up to 15 pounds when empty.
2. Select luggage that has multiple compartments, allowing suits to stay wrinkle-free and be kept separate from shoes and toiletries.
3. Instead of packing coordinated outfits that can be worn just once, choose clothing that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.
4. Consider rolling jeans and T-shirts instead of folding them. This will save space and keep the clothes wrinkle-free.
5. Weigh your suitcase before leaving home. (Get on a scale with the bag, then without, then subtract.) If the bag is more than 50 pounds, remove a few items or use a second suitcase.
Checking a second bag is typically cheaper than the fee for overweight luggage.
Combat new airline luggage fees
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Sep 16 2008, 05:53 PM
This Forum on the FranklinNOW site annoyed me.
We elect our government officials. They take an oath to serve.
There are state statutes. Granted, something may seem small.
Remember I blogged about Clayton County, Georgia a couple weeks ago? The State removed four Board Members for violating ethics. The District has lost accreditation. Remember? Who loses out? The students. The City. The County. The School Board members took an oath.
Are State Statues meant to be broken?
You tell me.
None of us are perfect. But let’s be clear here. There are select positions in government to be filled by a select few. Some of these positions are coveted. Some of them, in the end hold many benefits.
No, a Franklin School Board member, Alderman or Mayor does not fit that description itself. But look where it may lead.
The chosen few. ..chosen by the people, for the people.
We may not always agree with the decisions they make as they represent us…we hope they are listening to us. If we believe they are not…we are to tell them so.
But, please; do not tell me that breaking state statutes is the norm.
Do not tell me that we must turn a blind eye because someone who follows the beat of a different drummer and is misunderstood is the one who is filing the charges, do not tell me because this is something small, that it should be brushed under the rug.
Better yet…do not tell me…tell city hall. Because you can fight it.
The only way you can do that is to speak out.
You want an Ethics Board back in Franklin? Let the Aldermen know this…over and over.
Not happy about an issue? Or just have an opinion? Call your Alderman.
If they don’t hear from you they think you are happy.
Disappointed in these current actions of the Mayor you elected? Let the Assistant D.A. know.
Talk to your neighbors about issues. Most importantly…pay attention to what city government is doing. They need to know they are being watched closely.
Now...the Statues that were alledgedly violated by Mayor Tom Taylor - explained:
First and Second violations: 11.36(2):
11.36(2)
(2) No person may solicit or receive from any officer or employee of a political subdivision of this state any contribution or service for any political purpose during established hours of employment or while the officer or employee is engaged in his or her official duties. and 11.60(1)
Third abd Fourth Violations: 11.25(1):11.25
11.25 Unlawful political disbursements and obligations.
11.25 (1)
(1) No person, committee or group may intentionally receive or accept anything of value, or any promise or pledge thereof, constituting a disbursement made or obligation incurred for political purposes contrary to law. and 11.60(1)
and added to each violation:
11.60 Civil penalties.
11.60(1)
(1) Any person, including any committee or group, who violates this chapter may be required to forfeit not more than $500 for each violation.
Original Forfeiture complaint
Wisconsin State Statutes
This will most likely be all I’ll have to say about this issue, unless something new comes up to give me cause to elaborate on it further.
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Sep 16 2008, 11:54 AM
I was planning on doing something else at my noon blog..I only have a short time. Oh well…
What’s a girl to do?
It appears some people may not be able to read .pdf files…
I thought that may be the case before…as with the School Board budget documents.
It’s as easy as downloading Adobe Reader and installing it (from the Adobe website).
If that isn’t the case, then I don’t get it.
I guess the Journal’s Cliff Note’s version of what transpired is the version you are to believe? Not the version in the actual legal papers. If you want to read the “41” steps that took place you can do that below. Mayor Taylor's adventure begins on line 16 of page THREE:
Page TWO
Page THREE
Page FOUR
Page FIVE
"Wow."
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Sep 16 2008, 07:18 AM
Sometimes someone may think they are helping a situation, but in essence, they may be making it worse.
First of all...I was invited to this issue, as a blogger, and handed the paperwork I posted, by Mr. Ryan. I did not have to call the Assistant D.A. and speculate on anything or "read tea leaves."
Trying to divert the crux of the situation, which is the “four charges of election violations” against Mayor Tom Taylor away and put the blame on to who brought the matter to the attention of the office of the District Attorney is a sly move. But it won’t work for the intelligent citizens of Franklin.
This is about We, the people. This is not about Basil Ryan, the former candidate for Mayor. And let us not forget that Basil Ryan is a citizen of Franklin.
Let us not forget that as a citizen of Franklin who was running for election, he has every right to make sure that the election he was participating in was run according to state law.
Let me say, that I have not shown non-support for Mayor Taylor since his reelection. Just as I will have a desire to support whomever is running my country if my candidate is not elected for president, I have a desire to support whomever runs my city. How else can things be accomplished?
I don’t know how being “trounced” in an election has anything to do with this issue. Am I to understand that the DA gave the impression that the “nature” of the source of a complaint regarding a violation is a deciding factor as to whether an elected official should be prosecuted for possible wrong doing? Have there been charges filed against Mr. Ryan for something?
I read over every alleged violation…every step that Mr. Cal Patterson made in the complaint. A comma put in the wrong place? Where is that coming from. This complaint is very precise…should I type it out? Dictate it into a podcast for all to hear?
If this is going to be classified as politics as usual in Franklin…. then we need our Ethics Board back now and we need to question why it was taken away and why the sitting officials who took it away won’t let us have it back.
Read the complaint carefully, Franklin citizens…again, here it is in full.
2008-09-15 Forfeiture Summons & Complaint.pdf
Perhaps we need to put it up page by page to analyze it. Here is the first page...the complaint.
Like I said, sometimes someone thinking they may be helping a situation may be making it worse…
Forfeiture complaint~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ **Breaking News** District Attorney Charges Franklin Mayor Tom Taylor
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Sep 15 2008, 10:33 PM
Charges were filed today by Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf against Franklin Mayor Thomas Taylor for four violations regarding his campaign in the April 2008 election. The charges stem from the complaint Basil Ryan filed in March of 2008 accusing Tom Taylor of using city personnel to gather information for his mayoral campaign. According to a Milwaukee Journal article by Annysa Jones, in April, 2008, Mayor Taylor denied the allegations.
You can view the complaint below:
2008-09-15 Forfeiture Summons & Complaint.pdf
The State is demanding a $2,000 Judgment in the Case against Mayor Taylor.
Allegedly, Cal Patterson, the Director of Finance for the City of Franklin, was asked by Mayor Taylor to do some investigative work regarding Basil Ryan's term of service, compile information and forward that information to Mayor Taylor.
I'm sure there will be much discussion on these charges in the coming weeks.
I am going to start the discussion by saying this.
I try to be very fair on my blog regarding Franklin issues. Of course, yes, my opinions do shine through.
Back at election time, I clearly stated my support for Basil Ryan.
There are those of you out there who say, "He's a crook."
When I did my two hour interview of both candidates for Mayor before the election, I specifically asked each candidate "Are you a crook?" I looked them both in the eye, and asked them that. I did it specifically, because of that accusation being made of Ryan. Basil Ryan says he's not a crook. Mayor Taylor didn't tell me he was one either.
Scott Jensen was convicted for having staff do campaign work on state time. Remember the consensus when he was convicted...feelings were very mixed.
Back to Franklin...our city has a budget to approve, and now the DA files charges against our Mayor, which he denied back in April....
This is going to be an interesting month.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Election Violation Charges Against Franklin Mayor Taylor
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Sep 8 2008, 11:50 AM
I don't know why I checked the Wisconsin Court System's site...something just made me do it.
I knew Eddie Lynn Keck had been sentenced on September 3rd...I guess I knew sometimes additional text is added to the site after the trial. So I went back.
I was surprised to see "Case Closed" already. I remember when it would take months to get cases updated on the site. I was more surprised by what I found when I entered the case. I didn't expect to see the detail and it just gave me a heavy heart....
| 30 |
09-03-2008 |
Sentencing hearing |
Wagner - 38, Jeffery A. |
Bohl, Barbara |
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Event Party |
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Keck, Eddie Lynn |
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Court ordered restitution in the amounts of
As to Gary Kitchen: $15,533.83:$9662.28 for funeral, $5239.00 for cemetary and $632.54 for flowers.
As to Barbara Kitchen: $11,569.54: $5698.00 for funeral, $5239.00 for cemetary and $632.54 for flowers.
Restitution to be collected by the Department of Corrections from 25% of funds under Sec. 973.05(4)(b), Wis. Stats.
Any unpaid amount to revert to Civil Judgment.
Defendant remanded. |
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| 31 |
09-03-2008 |
Dispositional order/judgment |
Wagner - 38, Jeffery A. |
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| 32 |
09-04-2008 |
Judgment of conviction |
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Additional Text: |
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Reported to DOT, counts 2 and 4. | |
_______________________________________________________________
A plea...A sentence...CASE CLOSED...
Easy.
I hope things are going as easy for the family of the Kitchen's.
_______________________________________________
Previous:
Eddie Lynn Keck Sentencing - Do You think He will find God in Prison? (09/06/08)
_______________________________________________________________
Eddie Lynn Keck was sentenced to 36 years in prison for killing of Gary Kitchen, 53, and his wife, Barbara, 52.
Now the special prosecutor will be sending his recommendations to our Licensing Committee of Alderman Solomon, Alderman Taylor and Alderman Wilhelm so they can make a determination as to what should happen to the Buckhorn Tavern and bartenders licenses.
So, does the Committee go solely off of that recommendation? Who knows...we will wait as the wheels of "due process" turn.
In the meantime, as Keck goes off to prison, I wonder if he will find God, as so many criminals do while they are locked up. I ask because of a comment I received on this yesterday from "Suzanna." I don't know if Keck is a religious man already. Perhaps he is. But the topic of the comment was forgiveness. It's an interesting read. Check it out below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update ~
When Eddie Lynn Keck plead Guilty on June 23rd, his sentencing date was scheduled for July 24, 2008.
That sentencing has since been postponed twice. Sentencing is now scheduled for September 3rd.
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23 |
07-17-2008 |
Motion |
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Additional Text: |
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Defense motion to adjourn sentencing date received and filed. ls | |
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24 |
07-23-2008 |
Notes |
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Additional Text: |
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Attorney Hartley and ADA Molitor appear to request an adjournment of the sentencing set for 7-24-2008. Court will adjourn sentencing to 7-30-2008. ls | |
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25 |
07-23-2008 |
Report |
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Additional Text: |
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PSI received. Additional statement to be filed if obtained by sentencing date. ls | |
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26 |
07-28-2008 |
Notes |
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Additional Text: |
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Parties contact the court and advise that private PSI will not be completed by sentencing date of 7-30-2008. Sentencing adjourned to 9-3-2008 at 8:15 in Branch 38. Court will retain case post-rotation. ls | |
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27 |
08-04-2008 |
Judicial transfer |
Franke-25, John |
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28 |
08-04-2008 |
Responsible court official changed |
Wagner - 38, Jeffery A. |
This was brought to our attention by a comment left on this post 8/15 by reader Scott Thinnes. He has some interesting observations (see below).
When will our Common Council bring the Buckhorn issue back into the Common Council Chambers?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
June 23rd. 2008:
Eddie Lynn Keck Pleads GUILTY to two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.
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06-23-2008 |
Plea hearing |
Wagner - 38, Jeffery A. |
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 |
Event Party |
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Keck, Eddie Lynn |
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Additional Text: |
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Defendant Eddie Lynn Keck in court with attorney Christopher Hartley. Defendant Eddie Lynn Keck in custody. William J Molitor appeared for the State of Wisconsin. As to counts 1 and 3: Defendant was advised of constitutional rights and maximum penalties, waived all rights, plead GUILTY and was examined as to the plea. Plea Questionnaire/Waiver of Rights and Addendum received and filed. Parties stipulate to the complaint as a factual basis for the plea. Court found defendant guilty as charged in the Information.
As to counts 2 and 4: Pursuant to plea negotiations and on motion of State, Court ordered counts dismissed.
Court will order a PSI and remand the defendant. Defense counsel is also having a sentencing memorandum done by Cedar Creek Counseling. Court orders case adjourned to 7-24-2008 in Branch 38 at 8:15a.m. for SENTENCING. ls Sentencing hearing scheduled for 07-24-2008 at 08:15 am.
~~~~~~~~~~
Charge(s)
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Count No. |
Statute |
Description |
Severity |
Disposition |
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1 |
940.09(1)(a) |
Homicide by Intox Use of Vehicle |
Felony C |
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2 |
346.67(1) |
Hit and Run-Involve Death |
Felony D |
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3 |
940.09(1)(a) |
Homicide by Intox Use of Vehicle |
Felony C |
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4 |
346.67(1) |
Hit and Run-Involve Death |
Felony D |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Sep 1 2008, 07:05 AM
Oshkosh Corp. Earns Top Employer Support AwardBy Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
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| WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2008 – Oshkosh Corp. is slated to receive the Defense Department’s top award next month for supporting its employees who volunteer to serve in the National Guard and reserves.
The Oshkosh, Wis.-based company will be among 15 employers nationwide to receive the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award during a Sept. 18 ceremony here.
The Freedom Award is the highest recognition the U.S. government gives to employers for outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and reserves.
Company employees nominated Oshkosh, which designs and builds military vehicles and vehicle bodies, for the award for creating an environment they said made its employees who serve in the military feel not just accepted, but also applauded and rewarded.
Marine Corps Maj. Dion Angling, a company employee, reported that the company hosted a special going-away dinner before he deployed to Iraq in 2006, sent him care packages while he was gone, and hosted a welcoming lunch on his return. His co-workers surprised him by decorating his office for the occasion.
Army Capt. Nguyen Trinh, another company employee, praised Oshkosh for giving him the time he needed to prepare for his upcoming deployment, and keeping up its support when he was deployed.
“My company was very proactive in ensuring that I understood all the benefits I would continue to receive during my deployment, and what I could expect upon my return. The company has reached out to my wife by taking an interest in her well-being,” he said. “I am very fortunate to work for such a great organization.”
Oshkosh demonstrates its support for its citizen-soldiers in other ways, too. A “Wall of Honor” appears at each plant, displaying reserve-component members’ photos and profiles. The company contributes to deployed employees’ unit family support groups and has coordinated transportation for their Guard and reserve employees to visit their families.
The company also contributes to the Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots program, regularly attends military hiring conferences seeking current and former servicemembers for its management positions, and pays the difference between its employees’ civilian and military pay while they’re on active duty.
Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh chairman and chief executive officer, said the company is honored to receive recognition for the support it provides its employees serving on active duty.
“Our company continued to succeed, not only because of the strength of our product and services, but also because of the integrity of our people,” he said. “We are grateful for these employees who are essential in helping Oshkosh succeed while also serving the country in a separate capacity, and to support them is the right thing to do.”
Gordon Summer, executive director of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, credits employers like Bohn with ensuring citizen-soldiers are able to carry out their important dual roles.
“In the military, the best leaders are those who always take care of their people – and it is no different in the civilian workplace,” he said. “Oshkosh Corp. has shown that it takes care of its people. Its employees who are also reserve and Guard members know the company is helping take care of their family while they are away serving this country.” |
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Aug 18 2008, 10:17 PM
“Art is often utilized as a form of propaganda, and thus can be used to subtly influence popular conceptions or mood. In a similar way, art which seeks to sell a product also influences mood and emotion. In both cases, the purpose of art here is to subtly manipulate the viewer into a particular emotional or psychological response toward a particular idea or object. “
Roland Barthes, Mythologies (1972), Hill and Wang:New York.
"No one seems to know where the mysterious stickers came from -- colorful dots that appeared in this eastern Wisconsin town, apparently placing a value on the most mundane of public objects. An orange dot on a decorative light post is labeled "Art Object, $10,000."
Nearby another sticker declares a green fire hydrant an art object worth $10.
The dots are all around downtown Appleton -- on cigarette-butt containers, trash cans and parking
meters.
They all have "Art Object" typed on them, with prices ranging from one cent to $10,000."
Read the entire article
HERE
A sticker labels this pole at College Avenue and Oneida Street in
downtown Appleton as "art object $100.00." The stickers mysteriously
appeared throughout the business district. Post-Crescent photo by M.P. King
Many people believe this “graffiti “ originated from area college students. But it seems no one will know. Especially if the culprits from the previous year weren’t found out.
An innocent enough scheme…As long as the stickers aren’t destroying any property. And it certainly is a unique way to draw attention to the yearly art festival.
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Jun 17 2008, 11:41 AM
Question….
What cost you, the Wisconsin taxpayer $187 million?
Answer à here
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, May 22 2008, 07:11 AM
'What do you mean 'Where's the anchor'?'"
It's not everyday a 6 ft. tall, 2000 pound anchor goes missing...and then it's not noticed for months.
But that's what they're asking in LaCrosse,WI at a Naval Reserve station.
Not only are they asking why and how it was stolen, but they wonder why no one noticed for months, even though the anchor is in a residential area, facing a well-traveled street.
Tom Sweeney said the subject came up last Wednesday at a meeting of the Naval Reservist Oversight Committee, which he chairs. The committee, which owns the anchor, is planning a memorial at the station.
The city took possession of the building earlier this year after the station closed. It last had drills in 2006.
A committee member asked where the gray-blue anchor went, said Sweeney, a city councilman whose district includes the station.
"And I said, 'What do you mean 'Where's the anchor'?'" he said.
Sweeney, who served four years active duty in the Navy and 21 years in the reserves, went to look. Sure enough, the anchor was gone. He inquired at the fire department, which is nearby and uses the station for training exercises. Firefighters knew nothing. Neither did neighbors. And he asked the city, to make sure workers hadn't removed it without telling anyone. No leads.
Coming up empty, Sweeney called police. He told them the anchor hadn't been seen since Dec. 31. He couldn't even remember the last time he saw it, but he figured it weighed less than the police said, most likely no more than 700 pounds.
Lt. Bob Berndt said police don't think the theft was a prank because the anchor was so big and sat on a steel plate at least a quarter-inch thick. They consider it stolen. "This doesn't sound like any type of prank," Berndt said. "This would take some serious effort, I think, to move this thing."
Read the rest of the article at FirstCoastNews í here
Alright, you've got to wonder who would steal a 2000 pound anchor.
Where can you put it?
Someone obviously sold it.
Are people really getting that desperate?
I'd have loved to have been the detective on this case.. just for fun.
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, May 21 2008, 11:51 AM
Greta Van Susteren
According to Greta Van Susteren, host of Fox News' On the Record, Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport isn’t fair and balanced.
They won’t allow Fox News to be shown in their public television areas.
“Van Susteren, an Appleton native, wrote that she was in Madison’s airport recently when an employee told her “We can’t watch Fox in this airport we are not allowed to, but we sneak it in an office – we can only have the other cables on the airport televisions, by direction of one of the members of the board of county supervisors.”
The employee said that’s “standard at most airports.”
Read the article from the Hudson Star-Observer
Appleton native Greta Van Susteren blasts Madison airport ç here
I guess I’ll use my laptop for the news while at the airport….
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, May 15 2008, 06:35 AM
It’s all Gouda…
No problem.
Wisconsin still keeps the #1 spot as the nation's top cheese producer, beating out California.
For a while there, and just for a while, it was thought that California had a chance of overtaking Wisconsin and taking our "Cheese head" title with it.
About half of the 9.7 billion pounds of cheese made in the U.S. comes from the two states, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Production has grown much more rapidly in California in the past decade as large plants opened there year after year.
Wisconsin's lead in annual production shrank to about 164 million pounds in 2007, according to NASS. Last July, California came within less than 6 million pounds of Wisconsin in monthly production.
But then the gap started growing again, reaching 30 million pounds in March.
The quick shift is partly due to two plants closing in California in 2007, while two opened in Wisconsin this year, [Dick] Groves said [longtime owner of the Madison-based trade publication, Cheese Reporter.]
This is good news.
While, besides cheese, we're also known for beer, sausages, and cranberries, somehow I can't see our football fans wearing a foam Pilsner glass or brat on their heads during games. It just wouldn't be the same.
And, we might have had to replace the "Dairy" in "Dairy State" with something like, well, I don't know, apples or something clever like that.
Maybe one of the reasons we produce so much cheese here in Wisconsin is because of our demand for cheese curds....
Seriously, can you get them anywhere else? And if you can, are they as fresh as ours?
Do they "squeak?" I think not...
So, to celebrate, why not have a little California w(h)ine with some Wisconsin cheese this weekend.
Both states will thank you.
From the Fresno Bee
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