Inside New Berlin

GOP Hits New Low

Linda Richter — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:13:25 GMT

Whew, more bleak news for the Republican Party----

" Just 34 percent of Americans in a Gallup Poll released Thursday say they have a favorable view of the party, down 40 percent from a month ago, before the election.

What’s worse: 61 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of the Republican Party.

According to Gallup, that unfavorable rating is the highest the polling organization has recorded for the GOP since the measure was established in 1992. "

Thanks Golden Corral

Linda Richter — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:26:00 GMT

In a previous blog entry, I expressed appreciation for the free meal that Applebee's provided veterans on Veterans Day.

And now, I'd like to thank Golden Corral for the free dinner that it provided to veterans on Monday, November 17. There was a big turnout at the Waukesha restaurant despite that night's icy road conditions. My husband (a Vietnam War veteran), several of our friends who had served in the military and their spouses, and I were among the many who attended the event.

Alert: Eisenhower Classes Cancelled for Friday, Nov. 14 Due to Threats

Linda Richter — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:29:11 GMT

New Berlin Public Schools Web site has the following message:

Dr. Paul Kreutzer District Administrator 262-789-6220 kreutzer@nbps.k12.wi.us

FRIDAY CLASSES CANCELED AT NEW BERLIN EISENHOWER MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
NEW BERLIN, Wis., November 13, 2008 – This notification is intended to inform the New Berlin Eisenhower Middle and High School families that classes at New Berlin Eisenhower Middle and High School are cancelled for Friday, November 14th, 2008.

Classes are being cancelled due to recent developments of a threat at the school. School authorities had originally dealt with a threat etched in one of the boy’s restrooms on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008. Families and staff were notified of that threat yesterday evening. Since then, there has been a secondary threat that was received by some Eisenhower Middle and High School staff via email.

The District has chosen to take precautionary measures and has cancelled classes at Eisenhower Middle and High School in the interest of student and staff safety.

Classes are only cancelled at Eisenhower Middle and High School, while all other District schools will be in session.

School officials have been working in cooperation with the New Berlin Police and Fire Departments and other agencies. The New Berlin Police and Fire Departments and these other agencies will be assisting school officials in order to provide support with the situation and also with the investigation. The district will release other pertinent information as any further developments take place.

A Veterans Day Special

Linda Richter — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:46:00 GMT

How nice of Applebee’s Restaurants in Wisconsin to honor US veterans and active military for service to their country by offering them a free meal on Veterans Day.

My husband (a Vietnam War veteran) and I had lunch today at our local Applebee’s, which is located at 15505 W. Rock Ridge Road, New Berlin.

He wore his Air Force fatigue shirt to the restaurant and was pleased that it still fit after 40+ years.

Palin Calls Critics Cowardly

Linda Richter — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:59:00 GMT

In my April 6 blog, I referred to anonymous fliers attacking Alderman Bill Moore, which had been circulated in his district prior to the spring election. I remarked that whoever authorized and paid for those slimy fliers was too cowardly to identify themselves.

So, I am not surprised that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin objects to recent criticisms directed at her by unnamed McCain campaign aides. On Friday, Palin lashed out at her critics-- calling them jerks and cowards for deriding her anonymously. She claimed their allegations about her were untrue or taken out of context. She denounced their actions as cruel, mean-spirited, immature, and unprofessional. Click on this link to an Associated Press news report.

Saturday Parades

Linda Richter — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:25:00 GMT

VETERANS PARADE

The 45th annual Milwaukee Veterans Day Parade is set for Saturday (Nov. 8) at 11 am in downtown Milwaukee.

The family of state Rep. Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin), who is currently serving in Iraq with the Army Reserves, will be the Grand Marshalls of the Parade.

NEW BERLIN CHRISTMAS PARADE

The Christmas Parade, which is sponsored by the New Berlin Chamber of Commerce, will be at 3:30 pm on Saturday (Nov. 8) in New Berlin. Click here for Parade route and Tree Lighting Ceremony information.

Why McCain Lost

Linda Richter — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:44:00 GMT

In Tuesday’s election, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama cruised to victory and will be our 44^th U.S. President. In addition to winning the popular vote, Obama, a Democrat, won far more than the 270 Electoral College votes required.

Although Obama won the state of Wisconsin, in New Berlin, (Republican) John McCain got more votes than Obama. See the Community Watch report.

It was a historic election with a big voter turn-out. Naturally, there has been extensive media coverage of the campaigns and election results.

Some Internet news sources discussed McCain’s defeat/unsuccessful campaign. Examples:

Fox News cites 5 reasons why John McCain lost the election.
BBC News gives various reasons for McCain’s loss.
Newsweek ponders whether McCain’s campaign was the worst ever.

He Got My Vote

Linda Richter — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

My grandchild's shirt says voted most lovable.

Isn't he cute? He's 19 months.

In Loving Memory

Linda Richter — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:40:54 GMT

My dear mother passed away Sunday after a courageous battle with cancer.

I am glad her pain and suffering has ended and she’s found peace.

But oh, how I miss her.

I love you mom.

Peanuts

Linda Richter — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:45:29 GMT

Well, okay, one peanut.

That’s my grandson in the photo. His peanut costume was purchased last year from BuySeasons.

BuySeasons, Inc. is located at 5915 S. Moorland Road in New Berlin.

It is the world’s largest Internet retailer and supplier of costumes, accessories, seasonal décor and party supplies.

Sarah Palin Gets It Wrong Again

Linda Richter — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:46:50 GMT

For Sarah Palin to be so amazingly clueless and WRONG about what the Vice President---the position she is running for---actually does, would be comical if it was not so disturbing.

Click on this link for the video and Keith Olbermann's comments.

October Boos

Linda Richter — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:11:55 GMT

Earlier this month, John McCain was booed by his supporters at a Republican rally. (See Fox News article )

Sarah Palin was "resoundingly" booed at the October 11 Flyers vs. Rangers National Hockey League game. The owner of the Philadelphia Flyers team had invited her to drop the ceremonial first puck of the Flyer’s opener. (See New York Times article)

Is there any acceptable excuse for those mobs to exhibit such disrespectful, boorish behavior?

Racism in New Berlin

Linda Richter — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:17:00 GMT

According to an article posted on New BerlinNOW Community Watch Thursday:

A New Berlin man was arrested and faces state disorderly conduct charges with a hate crime enhancer for confronting a black man in a bar (Calhoun Station in New Berlin) on October 8 and telling him that he did not belong there because of his race.

I guess the community resident does not believe in equality, civil rights, or we are all God's children.

It’s distressing that racism still exists in the United States of America, including here in our own city.

Kudos to the bar employees who contacted police.

Sen. Obama Outscores Sen. McCain On Veterans' Issues

Linda Richter — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:13:00 GMT

The Huffington Post informs us that the non-partisan group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Action Fund, as part of its Congressional report card, gave Sen. Barack Obama a “B+” grade for his voting record on issues such as additional funding for combat body armor, post-traumatic stress disorder and other medical treatment. Sen. John McCain got a "D" grade.

That was for 2006. For the year 2007-08, Sen. McCain got a “D” from IAVA and Sen. Obama received a “B”. See Veteran Report Card and Project Vote Smart Web sites.

"The mission of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is to ensure the enactment of policies that properly provide for our Troops & Veterans, keep our military strong, and guarantee our national security for the purpose of a stronger America. We uniquely empower Iraq & Afghanistan combat veterans to use their credibility and experiences to speak truth to power, shape public opinion, and place a priority on these issues."

Additionally, Project Vote Smart reports that for his voting record on veterans issues, Sen. Obama earned an 80 percent rating from the non-partisan group Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Sen. McCain got a 20 percent rating.

“Formed in 1920 and chartered by Congress in 1932, the million-member DAV is the official voice of America’s service-connected disabled veterans--a strong, insistent voice that represents all of America’s 2.1 million disabled veterans, their families and survivors.”

Not Part of the Decision?

Linda Richter — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:05:00 GMT

Many of Sarah Palin’s comments have raised people's eyebrows.

It was interesting to read in Associated Press Writer Jim Kuhnhenn’s Friday, Oct. 3 news article titled “Palin questions McCain’s concession of Michigan", that Sarah Palin had only learned about John McCain’s decision to abandon efforts to win Michigan when she read it in the newspapers on that Friday morning.

When she read it in the newspapers that morning?

Uh, Gov. Palin, the VP candidate, wasn’t part of the decision, consulted or notified?

Per the news report, she said after reading about the decision, she “fired off a quick email questioning the move.”

Hmmm. If Sen. McCain and the McCain presidential campaign do not value Sarah Palin’s opinion, why should the voters?

Evidently, Sarah Palin was very surprised by what she read.

Of course, she wouldn’t be the only person to experience that----

During my tenure on the New Berlin School Board, I was amazed to read in the New Berlin Citizen newspaper that then-NBPS Superintendent James Benfield had accepted a superintendent’s position in North Carolina/ signed a contract. I had not been informed or notified by Dr. Benfield. (Nor by any School Board official).

Guess what happened next? Acceptance by the School Board of his resignation was put on the next New Berlin School Board meeting agenda. However, at that Board meeting, Dr. Benfield surprised folks again by announcing he’d changed his mind and intended to continue at New Berlin Public Schools.

Another Flip Flop--- Rejoining WASB

Linda Richter — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:40:00 GMT

In 2006, the New Berlin School Board made a rash, imprudent decision to remove from its next year’s budget the $7000 dues for Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) and withdraw from the organization. It was the only school board to do so.

Well, guess what? Last month, the School Board voted unanimously to rejoin WASB.

WASB is a non-profit, membership organization and shared resource for governing leaders. It shares information among school boards and offers services and programs in the areas of school law, policy, governance, legislative activity and employee relations.

Robert Butler, legal counsel for WASB, was at the September 8, 2008 New Berlin School Board Meeting to discuss the benefits of membership and answer questions. He explained that WASB, a voluntary organization, charges an annual fee of $7400, and the other school boards in the state are WASB members.

To his credit, NBPS District Superintendent Paul Kreutzer recommended rejoining WASB. Touting WASB as a valuable resource, he referred to its digital library, policy review services and publication of legal comments--and financial benefits to the District with WASB membership. Dr. Kreutzer argued that the difficulty and cost in having the District conduct its own research/ review of policies and legislation and retain attorneys knowledgeable in educational practice law exceeds the fee ($7400) charged by WASB annually.

In response to SB officer Joan Doberstein’s observation that WASB also offers legal counsel services for collective bargaining/greviances (on a fee basis above the $7400 annual fee), Dr. Kreutzer responded that the School District would not be using that particular WASB service because the District was happy with the law firm it currently uses for labor negotiations (von Briesen & Roper). However, Dr. Kreutzer admitted that their hourly rate/ legal services would likely cost the District more than using WASB’s. Gee, that doesn't sound very "fiscally conservative".

The motion to approve New Berlin Public School's Membership in WASB included a friendly amendment from Jennifer Eitel requiring administration to report back to the School Board at the first meeting in 2009 to show a cost/benefit analysis of membership.

During the Sept. 8 meeting, Board President Matt Thomas acknowledged that he had “led” the school board in its decision two years ago to get out of WASB. The motion to withdraw from WASB was actually made on June 12, 2006 and passed with Matt Thomas, Keith Heun, Jennifer Eitel and Susan Manley voting yes. Matt Weiss, Art Marquardt and Marc Duff voted no.

Thomas’ explanation for that action was that the School Board wanted to cut costs from the budget, SB members objected to a statement (which Thomas deemed “extreme left” and “liberal”) made by the WASB President concerning the proposed Taxpayer Bill of Rights, and the “previous administration” didn’t present much of a cost/benefit analysis regarding WASB membership.

Gimme a break.

Thomas is trying to make Dr. Benfield’s administration the scapegoat?

Just what stopped Thomas and the rest of the School Board in 2006 from doing their homework by researching the issue, asking questions, weighing pros & cons of withdrawal from WASB and the effect on the school district, financial and otherwise? Why didn't THEY request a cost/benefit analysis?

And how irresponsible to put the blame for that School Board’s radical decision on a statement made by the WASB President!

Apparently, Board members Thomas, Heun, Eitel and Manley did not realize or care that every school district gets one delegate vote and that the WASB President was advocating on behalf of the majority. Unlike that renegade New Berlin School Board, the other school boards in the state--including those in Waukesha County-- have had the good sense to recognize that WASB membership was beneficial to their districts and did not drop out.

Under Surveillance

Linda Richter — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:44:00 GMT

“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.

Win and Lose

Linda Richter — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:06:00 GMT

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:

Saturday’s UW football game was a real stinker. The Badgers blew a big lead. The Michigan Wolverines ended up beating the Badgers 27-25.

The Green Bay Packers were beaten by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today. The final score: Packers 21. Buccaneers 30. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw 3 interceptions, injured his right shoulder during the game. A possible separated shoulder. Ouch.

By the way, ironman Brett Favre, who now plays for the NY Jets, had 6 touchdown passes today. The Jets beat the Arizona Cardinals 56-35.

More on Van Hollen's Suit/Voter Suppression

Linda Richter — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:04:00 GMT

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.

Will Your Vote Count?

Linda Richter — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:08:00 GMT

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.

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin states, “Attorney General Van Hollen is seeking to overturn a recent decision of the Government Accountability Board and change election procedures--just before a Presidential Election. He wishes to impose an emergency rule dealing with matching the statewide voter registration list with the Department of Transportation database. Federal law (HAVA) requires that this matching be done. Matching is already being done in Wisconsin. What HAVA does not require is that people with non-matching data be disqualified from casting a regular ballot on Election Day. The Attorney General’s proposal would result in persons with non-matched data to clear up the “nonmatch” or re-register at the polls or use provisional ballots on Election Day…”

“All kinds of simple inconsistencies (e.g. La Follette in one data base and LaFollette in the other) and clerical errors (e.g. Mary K. Jones in one data base and Mayr K. Jones in another) can result in a non-match. Other examples include problems with hyphenated names, names with two words (e.g. MaryKay vs. Mary Kay); first or middle initials (present in one data base only); first names that look like last names and vice versa.”

The lawsuit has come under fire from others, as well.

Wisconsin Election Protection, a coalition formed to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process, has voiced objections to purging voters from the registration rolls whose names do not make a "complete match" to the voter's ID information and other government databases.

Mike McCabe of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a non-partisan political watchdog group that works for clean government, criticizes the lawsuit.

“This lawsuit smells of political mischief,” observes a recent Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel editorial.

Van Hollen claims that the lawsuit was not motivated by partisan ties and he knew of no ties between his agency and the Republican Party on the issue. But not only is Van Hollen co-chair of GOP nominee John McCain’s presidential campaign, the JS informed us that GOP lawyer Chris Mohrman pressed the Government Accountability Board to enact a rule on checking voter information--and when it refused in August--Mohrman complained to the Department of Justice. The newspaper also reported that the lead Dept. of Justice attorney for the Attorney General’s lawsuit met with Republican Party representatives about a week before the suit was filed.

Well, one doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to conclude that Van Hollen was deceitful or clueless about what’s happening within his own Department and the state Republican Party.

The Capital Times argues that the Attorney General's vote lawsuit threatens to undermine democracy.

Milwaukee Magazine has an interesting article about the suit and provides some background. It also includes a reference to an Associated Press story, which reported that ten voters complained to the Government Accountability Board that the McCain campaign sent Democrats the wrong ballot mailing information (poll location). State Republican Party Executive Director Mark Jefferson denied this was part of any voter suppression effort. He dismissed it as a mistake in the voter data the party had and noted that "no list is perfect."

Milwaukee Magazine suggests Jefferson might want to pass that thought on to the attorney general.