The the Obama administration and the Federal Congressional Budget Office has predicted  that there will be NO increases in Social Security Benefits in 2010 or 2011. This report was covered in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Sunday issue on Page 4A.

There will be no increases because inflation is expected to be low due to economic downturn and a decline in energy prices.

However other factors may increase costs for some Social Security recipients, Higher priced prescription drug premium coverage in Part D Medicare. Or your income may be too high and other Medicare premiums may increase too.

Spending on Social Security and Medicare totaled more than one Trillion Dollars last year. This is more than 1/3 of the total Federal Budget.

It is time for local and State Governments to recognize the plight that the unemployed and older Americans face and reign cost of Government at all levels.

NBCRG and a majority of New Berlin Voters, would like to thank Jennifer Eitel and Keith Heun For their many years of service on the New Berlin School Board.

Both decided last year that other people deserve a chance to serve and they decided not to seek another three year term,

Their accomplishments included finishing remodeling New Berlin West and consolidating New Berlin Center and Prospect Hill elementary schools into the new Ronald Reagan School.

This was done without asking for divisive referendums while maintaining the other facilities and changing curriculum as needed to reflect the difficult  times that confront our children.

It was also accomplished while lowering the overall costs on individual property tax bills for the past several years.

We also welcome Peggy LaSalle and Susan Manley to the School Board, and wish them “Good Luck” and 'Best Wishes”.

Now that you have received your 2009 New Berlin property tax bills...

How about that, it is lower than last years'.

That's right! Lower school property taxes have more than offset the increases in the City, County, State of Wisconsin and Waukesha County Technical College portions of your tax bill.

We actually received property tax relief !

It is very important to maintain this tradition of tight budgetary controls, by continuing to elect school board members that recognize that "Throwing Money" at a problem, or passing a tax increase referendum, is not necessary to provide a good education for all.

We encourage possible candidates to run for office by picking up an election package at the New Berlin School district office at Eisenhower High School on Sunny Slope Road. The deadline to return the form is 5:00pm  January 6, 2009

 At this time 5 people have indicated an interest in the mayoral contest.

To New Berlin Common Council, Re: Agenda item on December 9, 2008

NBCRG, New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government are on record to ask the Common Council to reject the report of the December 1, 2008, Planning Commission in regard to the New Berlin Utility Service Area.

The Common Council requested that the west boundary line be fixed along Calhoun Road from Greenfield to Beloit Road and from that point generally in a southeast direction to the City line.

The Planning Commission approved that line AFTER they ADDED a number of properties west of that boundary line.

The Planning Commission also REJECTED a number of properties in which the owners expressed an interest to be included in the service area.

We feel that the Planning Commission in adding properties to and rejecting other properties, are ignoring the express wishes of the Council and are subjecting the City of New Berlin to lawsuits.

It is better to do it right the first time rather than opening a legal Pandora,s box.

We would like to offer congratulations to the New Berlin Board of Education for the 4th straight year by approving  a budget increase of less than 1%.

Residents approved the budget at the Annual Meeting, which was held at 7:30pm Monday July 28, at the New Berlin West Performing Arts Center, with an unanimous vote.

The salaries of six Board members will remain the same as last years, which are $3000, and $4000 for the Board President because of the president's additional duties. This was also approved unanimously.

There were no questions or amendments from the floor