Inside New Berlin

“Eagle Eye”, an action-packed movie about computer/government surveillance run amok, debuted last weekend.  It was #1 at the box office and is playing at Ridge Cinema in New Berlin.

In the film, abuse of power and misuse of technology have dire consequences. Technology was used to spy on citizens and control people through fear, intimidation, and retaliation.

Speaking of computer/government surveillance:

On September 8, the New Berlin School Board approved a maximum of $60,000 for a multi-camera Web-based surveillance system for New Berlin West Middle-High School. See my September 14 blog titled “Big Brother is Watching.”

District administration referred to the proposed surveillance system as a “deterrent”.   Isn’t it disquieting to know that when at New Berlin West, you’ll be under camera surveillance and your photo image can be transmitted and viewed by who knows who or when? ----Not to mention the funds that are being spent for it.

Sports-wise, it was an eventful weekend that was full of highs and lows.  

The big news is that the Brewers won today!  It means the Brewers will be in the playoffs--the first time in 26 years! The Brew Crew beat the Cubs 3-1. CC Sabathia pitched a complete game. Ryan Braun had a 2-run homer.  The Mets lost their game today (giving the Wild Card to the Milwaukee Brewers)  

Both New Berlin high school football teams scored big wins Friday night. NB Eisenhower beat Cudahy 54-13. New Berlin West trounced Wauwatosa West 63-20. See JS report.

That was terrific.  On the other hand:

Donna Richards, a municipal clerk from North Fond du Lac, calls Wisc. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen’s lawsuit against the state Government Accountability Board, “ a red herring”. She writes that it’s an attempt at scaring people away and if it causes delays, will discourage voters on a very long day or evening. The elderly, first-time voters, the infirm, those without driver’s licenses, or without cars to run home for more identification, will be hurt the most. Also, to have voters take off of work the next day or get “downtown” to complete the identification process for a provisional ballot to count, is asking a lot.

Ms. Richards argues that fraud has nothing to do with a perfect match of someone’s name or information on his voter registration vs. his drivers license. She asserts that whether she calls herself Donna H. Richards, D.H. Richards, Donna Horowitz Richards, Donna Horowitz-Richards or Donna Richards, she should be able to vote. She maintains that any delay, any question, any removing of names from the voting list on this basis under Wisconsin law would be voter suppression. Her guest blog  titled “The real fraud in Van Hollen’s lawsuit” appears on FightingBob.com

The Journal-Sentinel reports that it’s unlikely that the legal battle over voter checks will be concluded by the November 4 election. On Wednesday, Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi said she won’t rule on the merits of the case until 12 days before voters go to the polls. The judge is allowing the state Democratic and Republican parties to join the case. She also dismissed the attempt to disqualify Van Hollen from the case that was brought by a lawyer for the Government Accountability Board

Also, OWN's website has a petition requesting the Government Accountability Board and the newly-elected election task force created by Wisconsin AG  J.B.Van Hollen & Milwaukee DA John Chisholm investigate faulty absentee ballot applications that were mailed by the John McCain for President campaign.

Eligible citizens deserve to have their votes counted. A rule the state Attorney General wants to impose would disenfranchise voters and cause election chaos, says the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.

In George Orwell’s novel "1984" about a repressed society, people were kept under high surveillance by their government via technology.

Perhaps New Berlin Public Schools should change its slogan from Excellence in Educational Experiences to Big Brother is Watching You.

On September 8, the New Berlin School Board voted unanimously to spend up to $60,000 on a “Web-based” camera surveillance system (involving about 40 cameras) for New Berlin West Middle-High School.

Those cameras would be hooked up to the internet. Yup, that’s handy for the Police Department ---and others. The School District's Assistant Superintendent joked that with this system, he could be in Hawaii and tune in to see what was happening at the school.

But what prevents hackers, other mischief makers, thieves, predators, perverts, etc.  from getting access to the photo images of children and school? 

Were students, their parents and the school faculty consulted?  How do they feel about the cameras and surveillance? Do they object to the invasion of privacy?  

Furthermore, didn’t Superintendent Kreutzer recently claim that Eisenhower needs about $44 million in upgrades? So, why is installing this high-tech camera surveillance system at West a priority?  And isn't this measure a bit extreme?

Although the camera surveillance system was dubbed a “security” solution, District Administration publicly maintained that there were no serious problems at West. They also said the camera system would be more “pro-active” than “re-active”.  Indeed, the Superintendent called the surveillance system a “passive observer”, which would serve as a “deterrent”. He acknowledged it would not prevent violent incidents like Columbine’s. 

Does Administration and School Board have documented evidence that a Web-based camera surveillance system has reduced or deterred acts of student misconduct, violence, theft or vandalism at suburban schools?   If so, it was not presented publicly at the school board meeting. 

Who is choosing the company that provides the camera equipment and service? Is the district getting bids from different companies?

Finally, what about metal detectors for safety and security?  Aren’t those considered pro-active measures and deterrents?   West does not have them.

Today, on the 7^th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks:

At 3 p.m., the New Berlin Fire Department will have a September 11 memorial ceremony at Fire Station #1, which is located at 16260 W. National Avenue. ( National and Casper).  Afterward, there will be a swearing in for eight firefighters.

These events are open to the public.

Mayor Chiovatero plans to attend.

Tonight on Monday Night Football, it’s the Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings. 

Whew.  A big game.

There’s that rivalry between these two Midwest teams, which adds to the excitement.  Of course, people are wondering how the Packers season will go with quarterback Aaron Rogers.  The Jets won yesterday with Brett Favre.

Many people will be watching tonight’s televised game.

Me, I am going to the 7 pm  New Berlin School Board Meeting.

Hey, we’ve got choices. We are fortunate that technological advances allow us to record a game broadcast and play it later--- and/or watch a School Board Meeting on our computer.

Here’s tonight’s School Board Meeting agenda/public notice: 

Update on Start of School

Electronic Board Packet

Resignations