Conservatively Speaking

During June, I blogged that one of the great communities that I represent in Senate District 28, Greendale, was participating in this year’s America In Bloom competition. America In Bloom is a national campaign and contest devoted to promoting beautification and community involvement through the use of trees, plants, flowers, and other environmental enhancements. I am happy and proud to report that Greendale is the America in Bloom winner in the 10,001-15,000 population category! 

Village of Greendale President John Hermes and Greendale Park and Recreation Director Jackie Schweitzer travelled last week to Columbus, Ohio to attend the National America in Bloom Symposium and got the exciting news about Greendale’s impressive victory.

During the 7^th Annual Competition held this past summer, Greendale went up against communities of comparable size across the United States. Judging was conducted in eight categories: floral displays, environmental awareness, landscaped areas, tidiness, urban forestry, heritage preservation, turf and groundcover areas, and community involvement.

Greendale residents cleaned up neighborhoods, planted flowers at schools, held garlic mustard pulls, and raised funds to place trees at schools. The hard work and community-wide commitment paid off.

Greendale received the National Criteria Award in the Urban Forestry category, a competition involving all participating 30 communities in all population categories. The Urban Forestry award is given after communities are judged on municipal policies, bylaws, and regulation plans; distribution of trees, variety, suitability; new plantings, main street programs, new survey developments; preservation of heritage trees, woodlots, and re-planting procedures; and proper maintenance practices. Within Greendale’s population competition, the village received special recognition for their heritage preservation and was selected as the community of the year.

Greendale compiled outstanding scores. To achieve the 5-Bloom Award, a community must receive a score in each category of at least 90 points out of a maximum 125. Here is how Greendale scored in the various categories:

Tidiness (112); Environmental Effort (112); Community Involvement (119-isn't that awesome!!); Heritage Preservation (118); Urban Forestry (118); Landscaped Areas (116); Floral Displays (112) and Turf & Groundcover Areas (109).

That is truly amazing! Greendale scored 5 for 5 in 5-Bloom awards!

Greendale America In Bloom co-chair Mary Helen Block says a community celebration is in the works, to be held either sometime soon, or the village may wait until spring blooms next year.

I congratulate the entire Village of Greendale for your award-winning efforts and bringing wonderful civic pride to your community. It is an honor to represent Greendale in Senate District 28!

Here is more information from GreendaleNOW.

WHEREAS, New Berlin Lioness Club members, past and present, share a bond and camaraderie induced by service and friendship; now

THEREFORE, the members of the Wisconsin State Senate, on the motion of Senator Mary Lazich, congratulate The New Berlin Lioness Club on their fiftieth anniversary.  The Wisconsin State Senate further thanks and commends The New Berlin Lioness Club for fifty years of outstanding dedication and service to New Berlin and to the State of Wisconsin.

• Beginning May 1, 2010, the tribe can deduct payments made to counties totaling $1,000 for every acre of land owned by the U.S. government in trust for the tribe located within each county’s jurisdiction in July, 2003. The LFB informs me that during July 2003 the Ho-Chunk had approximately 2,300 acres of trust land that could result in a reduction in their annual state payment of $2.3 million.
• During a 10-year period from May 1, 2009 to May 1, 2019, the tribe could deduct the amounts it paid for public works projects that benefit both the tribe and the state. Deductions would be limited to no more than $1.0 million in any one year and the total deductions for the period could not exceed $5.0 million. That means there could be an average annual deduction of $500,000.
• The  tribe can also deduct any additional amounts paid by the tribe for projects that the state and the tribe agree provide a substantial public benefit in areas of economic development, infrastructure, health, safety, or welfare. These deductions would begin May 1, 2019, would be limited to a total of $4 million, with annual deductions limited to a maximum of $1 million. 

Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in America.

A new Wisconsin law went into effect October 1, 2008 that requires carbon monoxide detectors be installed in most new residential construction units as of that date. The units include tourist cabins, bed and breakfast establishments, and any public building used for sleeping or lodging, such as hotels, motels, condominiums, apartment buildings, dormitories, fraternities, sororities, convents, seminaries, community-based residential facilities, and home shelters. Hospitals and nursing homes are exempt.

The law requires that the detectors be installed in existing residential buildings of the types mentioned above by April 1, 2010. 

Carbon monoxide is without odor or color, making it difficult to realize when it has become a problem. Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses. If untreated, the symptoms can lead to long term health problems. Symptoms of low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning include shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches. Moderate levels of exposure can be fatal if symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and light-headedness persist. High levels can cause death in a matter of minutes.

To help those suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, get them outdoors immediately, or open all doors and windows. Get them to a hospital or emergency room as quickly as possible.

I voted in favor of Senate Bill 289 that was approved by the Legislature and signed into law. Here is a Legislative Council memo about Senate Bill 289 and details about the enacted law.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is issuing the following warning to motorists: Be extremely cautious the next several weeks. Here’s why:

“Deer will be abundant and their movement unpredictable along Wisconsin roadways in coming weeks.”

The risk for car-deer crashes increases this time of year. During fall, deer on the prowl to mate are active and while on the move often find their way in the path of vehicles. October is a bad month for deer collisions and so is November. The most commonly struck objects in Wisconsin crashes are, in this order, another vehicle, a fixed object, and deer.

As a motorcycle enthusiast, I especially want to emphasize this finding: Motorcycles were involved in 10 of the 14 fatal deer-vehicle crashes in Wisconsin during 2007.

Here is a press release from the DOT including advice about how to prevent car-deer crashes.

I blogged during May about the trend of voting via the Post Office.  As one election official put it, “There is no line at your mailbox.”  Just how popular is the absentee ballot? The Associated press reports that nationwide, about a third of the electorate is expected to vote before Election Day, November 4, 2008.

The numbers show an increasing percentage of voters want to take advantage of the absentee ballot because they are travelling, they are elderly and have difficulty getting to the polls, the convenience of considering their choices in the comfortable confines of their home, or simply because they can. Many states, including Wisconsin, allow anyone to vote absentee, no questions asked.

During 2000, 16 percent of voters in the United States cast their ballots early. The number increased to 22 percent in 2004.

Statewide in Wisconsin, according the Government Accountability Board’s Kyle Richmond quoted by the Associated Press, about 365,000 people used absentee ballots or cast early votes at clerk’s offices in 2004, about 12 percent of the voting age population in the state. The number is expected to grow this year to 15 percent.

Voters who request an absentee ballot should start getting them in the mail the week of October 6, 2008. Here are details on obtaining an absentee ballot in Wisconsin.

Here is an Associated Press story on the popularity of Post Office voting.

Congratulations to the Little Muskego Lake Association (LMLA) on having a very successful carp shoot on September 20, 2008. Approximately 100 fish were removed from Little Muskego Lake. When the carp shoots from the spring are factored in, a total of approximately 630 carp were removed from Little Muskego Lake during 2008. Carp shoots provide great environmental benefits, including making the water clearer and improving the populations of other fish.

Ridding our waters of carp is critical. During the early 1900’s, biologists discovered carp were filling waterways to the point of crowding out other more prized game fish. Carp are known as bottom feeders. They literally suck up mud and spit it out before selecting their food from the water. The carp cause sediment to stir up resulting in poor water conditions and feeding problems for desirable fish.

Carp eggs stick like heavy-duty industrial strength glue so it can get quite messy. Carp shooters are a special breed of people, willing to get down and dirty to help the environment.

The carp shoot was truly a team effort. Organizers made perfect plans. Crews removed floating weeds on the lake. Police patrolled in two shifts. The event went off without complaints or problems as all riparians gave their full cooperation and support. Videographers captured the carp shoot for broadcast on Madison’s Fox Channel affiliate in October.

Little Muskego Lake got a big boost in quality thanks to everyone who played a part in this successful event. Congratulations carp shooters for your contribution to our environment and quality of life!

The state of Wisconsin seems to be on a roundabout binge. The philosophy of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) is that whenever major intersection improvements on state roads or four-way stops are planned, the installation of roundabouts must be considered. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on August 24, 2008 that statewide, there are 58 roundabouts open on state and local roads, seven to 10 more are scheduled to open by the end of the construction season, and 140 or more are in various planning stages.

Before the state proceeds with its plan to blanket roadways with roundabouts, it should slow down and I have made that request to the DOT. I have also asked the DOT to rethink the roundabout at Racine Avenue and I-43 in Muskego because of concerns with the roundabout at I-43 and Moorland Road in New Berlin.

The design at the New Berlin roundabout left much to be desired with poor signage and lane markings. There have been a number of accidents at the roundabout, not to mention a high level of anxiety and frustration. There are also complaints about the roundabout on Drexel Avenue in Franklin near Highway 100 and the new Shoppes at Wyndham Village.

Some of my constituents that have corresponded with me about roundabouts have been receptive to the roundabout concept. They agree with the DOT that roundabouts improve safety and reduce crashes. The DOT contends, “Roundabouts move traffic safely through an intersection because of slower speeds, fewer conflict points, and decision-making. Studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that roundabouts provide a 90% reduction in fatal crashes, 76% reduction in injury crashes, 30-40% reduction in pedestrian crashes, and a 10% reduction in bicycle crashes.”

However, constituents I have heard from angrily oppose roundabouts. I am very concerned about the danger posed by roundabouts resulting in accidents. There are other concerns including poor signage and lane markings that I have already indicated. What about semi-trailer trucks?  The configuration of roundabouts makes it extremely difficult for semi-trailers, long trucks, campers, and cars with boats to successfully negotiate the turns.

Proponents at the DOT suggest frustrated motorists, in time, and with more education will learn to accept roundabouts.  How does DOT  adequately train the masses, the vast number of motorists on our roadways?  Most of them will never get their hands on a DOT brochure or see a roundabout video on the DOT website.

That is why I suggest the state put the brakes on roundabouts until the kinks can be worked out. The idea is to improve all aspects of roundabouts: design, safety, ease of use. The DOT should bring together special study groups of designers, engineers, and importantly motorists to determine the best model for roundabouts. I have asked the DOT to conduct simulations with a cross-section of Wisconsin drivers and cross-section of vehicles before proceeding further with roundabouts.

Until then, the state should put away the plans to build more and more because the current roundabout design at I-43 and Moorland Road is not ready for prime

On February 4, 2008, I agreed with pessimistic forecast that there would be major problems with our elections this year. My blog quoted Dr. Robert A. Pastor, director of the Center for Democracy and Election Management at American University in Washington, DC:

“Voters are likely to face hassles with registration lists and voting machines. Poll workers will remain under-trained and overworked. Election management remains under the thumb of partisan officials, and voter identification is likely to remain problematic. 2008 is unlikely to be an improvement over 2006.”

You can read my entire blog here. 

Seven months later, the Washington Post concurs, reporting that, “election officials across the country are bracing for long lines, equipment failures and confusion over polling procedures that could cost thousands the chance to cast a ballot.” 

The tragedy is that Wisconsin does not require photo ID’s to vote. Governor Doyle and state Senate Democrats killed any chance of a photo ID requirement being in place for the critical November elections when the governor vetoed photo ID legislation three times and Senate Democrats refused to allow a vote on a photo ID constitutional amendment. A common sense photo ID requirement would not be an obstacle to voting or hamper the process. Such a law would be a great step in cleaning up an election system in disrepair.

Photo ID opponents in Wisconsin, albeit a minority, got their wish. Even so, it appears there are going to be  many problems on Election Day, here and across the country.

This isn’t exactly a news bulletin.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) reports, “Since last November, Americans have driven 53.2 billion miles less than they did over the same period a year earlier – topping the 1970s' total decline of 49.3 billion miles. Americans drove 4.7 percent less, or 12.2 billion miles fewer, in June 2008 than June 2007. The decline is most evident in rural travel, which has fallen by 4 percent – compared to the 1.2 percent decline in urban miles traveled – since the trend began last November.”

Here is the news release from the FHA.

The reasons for the decline are obvious and indisputable: high gasoline prices and a sluggish economy. But how does the federal government know the decline between November 2007 and June 2008 is 53.2 billion miles? How does the federal government arrive at the figure?

The answer is a matter of modern technology and mathematics. States have installed special sensors on our roadways that can determine the amount and size of cars. The data is sent to the feds every month and they do the math.

Read about it in Slate.

The state of Wisconsin has an online job center to assist the unemployed find work. The website operated by the state Department of Workforce Development features county-by-county job listings, job fair postings, and assistance for creating quality resumes. For employers, the website has a search feature to help them find applicants qualified for their open positions.

You can visit the website here.

If you want to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance for damages from June flooding, the deadline is today, September 15.

You can apply online here or call FEMA's toll free line at (800) 621-FEMA.

• Bow - Sept. 13 - Nov. 20, 2008 and Dec. 1, 2008 - Jan. 4, 2009
• Gun - Nov. 22 - Nov. 30, 2008
• Muzzleloader - Dec. 1 - Dec. 10, 2008
• Youth Deer Hunt - Oct. 11 & 12, 2008
• Statewide Antlerless Hunt - Dec. 11 - Dec. 14, 2008