OK, I have seen enough in the Sound Off and the letters to the editor about the train horns.

When is someone going to get it that the people of this city need an apology, or someone who just comes right out and says "I screwed up"? It's arrogant that you think that the people of this city do not deserve an explanation. There hasn't been anything from any of the politicians in this city - the mayor, the city administrator or the alderm(e)n. Except (Alderwoman Kathleen) Cummings' comment that, "We will get used to it." I am glad that Cummings is not my alderman.

No, I am not going to get used to it. It's outright stupid and it is why we have a city government to stay on top of these things. It is why I chose to live here and why I want a quiet community. It is why I would expect my neighbor to call the cops on me if I was to do something this heinous. So guess what Mr. Politician, when you are voted out of office ... perhaps you will "just get used to that" too.

Doreen Wigderson, Waukesha

It’s important to maintain funding for services provided by public agencies. Health departments, public transportation, emergency responders, public school systems, state social services, parks - this is the stuff that makes our country great.

These public service jobs must continue to be held by dedicated employees of the government and not contracted out or eliminated by funding cuts. Most government workers really have respect for the citizens they serve; they take care to maintain your confidentiality, and they appreciate the fact that they have a job they can be proud of.

It’s important to maintain funding for these vital services and not chip away at them. When you vote for politicians who say they want to save the taxpayers money, just be careful what that means. Remember, there’s a good chance that by the time that person you voted into office is on to their next job, the toilets in the bathrooms at the museum are overflowing, there is blood on the floor at the courthouse and sick animals at the zoo. Usually, when you hear of big screw-ups, it’s a contractor - someone either untrained or someone who

doesn’t care. Signed, (an) American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees member and big huge taxpayer ...

Kathleen Bronson, Elm Grove

Historic marker to recognize downtown business

I’m writing to extend an invitation to a reception I’m hosting at the Almont Gallery, 342 W. Main St., on Tuesday, July 29 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The reception celebrates the installation of the historical marker at the Clock Tower on Clinton Street commemorating Cohn’s Shoe Store which was in business from 1921 to 1998 at the Almont Gallery site.

I’ll be attending the 60th reunion of my Waukesha High School class of 1948 on July 26 and hope to see many of you during my visit to Waukesha.

I would also like to thank you all for your kind responses to my articles in the Landmark magazine.

Marilyn Cohn Kagan, San Diego

As a 15-year-old, I eagerly look forward to the day when I will be able to drive. I stand with the rest of my peers awaiting our driver’s licenses. But with the price of gas going up, a driver’s license doesn’t do you much good if you cannot afford the gas.

President Bush has finally made a step to resolve this problem. On July 14, he lifted the executive embargo against coastal drilling, a bill put in place by his father in 1990. Experts believe that the Outer Continental Shelf alone could produce around 18 billion barrels of oil. That would be enough to match America’s current oil production for almost 10 years, which would mean gas would have more availability at an affordable rate.

Unfortunately, Congress has restricted access to key parts of the OCS. Advances in technology have now made it possible to conduct oil exploration and drilling safely. Removing the executive bill isn’t going to be enough; Congress needs to remove its restriction, and they don’t seem to be in any hurry.

They may not feel the drain in their pocketbooks, but most Americans do and the time has come to remove the "outdated and counterproductive" bill and help ease America’s distress.

There is no immediate relief to the gas issue. President Bush even acknowledged it will take time for full productivity.

I applaud our president’s effort to finally help lower the price of gas and I hope that Congress will follow suit. Immediate help is, unfortunately, out of grasp, but not our hope for the future. Congress must act now!

Amy Buchmeyer, Mukwonago

There is a video floating around cyberspace of a gentleman claiming to be an "Average American Joe" with something to say about the current oil crisis.

He begins his oratory by giving our presidential candidates a tongue lashing, accusing them of ignoring the needs of the people, something most Americans will no doubt agree with. But as he addresses the oil problem, his true colors become evident.

Mr. "Average American Joe" accuses representatives who resist off-shore drilling and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge of putting nature and animals before the American people. What he fails to mention is that the oil industry currently holds leases for more than 600,000 acres of federal land that they have yet to start drilling on.

This gentleman never mentions that much of the billions of barrels of oil currently being sucked out of other parts of Alaska by the oil industry is not consumed in this country but is sold to other countries for a much higher profit, or that long ago the U.S. Geological Survey concluded that ANWR contains only a few months’ supply of oil.

Finally, as evidenced by current off-shore drilling which costs exceedingly much more than is profitable, allowing more of it will not decrease the price of gas in this country, in fact it may very well cause an even greater increase in cost to the consumer. And, of course, none of the president’s recently proposed drilling will increase U.S. supply for seven to 10 years.

The gentleman on the video only suggests solutions at the supply end of the oil problem. Never once does he suggest any solution that addresses the need for this country to decrease its demand.

Facts are facts. We created this crisis by putting all our eggs in one basket. We continue to consume 25 percent to 30 percent of the world’s oil, yet if the oil industry were allowed to drill at will anywhere in this country, we still would only produce from 3 percent to 5 percent of all the world’s oil. We must fervently pursue alternative means of energy if we are to break our addiction to oil. To quote the legendary 80-year-old Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens, "... I’ve been an oilman all my life, but this is one emergency we can’t drill our way out of."

Patricia D. Mitchell, Waukesha

To the Town of Mukwonago Planning Commission and (town board members) Dave Dubey, Robert Lawn, Peter Topczewski, Fred Leppin and Tom Stefanowski:

My name is Scott Dingus. I am a recent former resident of the village of Mukwonago. I was lucky enough to have my wedding be one of the first weddings held at Sherry Towns’ residence (Millennium Gardens) in 2005 while it was still a work in progress. My wife and I were reflecting on our wedding a few days back and went to the Web to look at what Towns has continued to create and bring to the town of Mukwonago. As we read through some of the more recent articles on the Web about the restrictions the town board has put on the Towns property and your justification for doing so, I was completely, to say the least, shocked.

Doing some additional reading on current residents’ feedback who have been to an event or just toured the Towns property, I wanted to send you a message not speaking to the grandeur of the facilities, (but) the serenity and allure of such a facility being located in the state of Wisconsin (and) the added benefit this facility brings to your town and community as a whole.

My wife wanted a fairy tale wedding. I was the excited fiance who wanted to give my bride the world. She went venue to venue looking for the perfect location and was lucky enough to meet with Towns, who agreed to allow us to use her property, at no cost due to the still young landscaping she was yet installing hours before our wedding to make it perfect. So we had a site. I had a blank canvas to build my now wife’s fairy tale wedding from.

For my wedding alone, I contracted with Mukwonago and surrounding nearby communities for the following services: catering for the rehearsal dinner and reception; wedding cake; flowers; disc jockey; string trio; photographer; hotel; videographer; four golf cart rentals; horse and carriage rentals; tent rentals; chair, table, dance floor lighting, runway, tablecloth, glasses, plates and silverware rentals; portable toilet rentals; and countless other items. When all was done, we spent in excess of $34,000 on the wedding and rehearsal dinner with businesses in the town of Mukwonago area. This sum does not include thousands spent by out-of-town guests on lodging, food, shopping and other amenities.

The town of Mukwonago, by placing these restrictions on Towns’ property, is making it clear to local business owners that their livelihood and survival are not on the minds of the board and not a priority of the town of Mukwonago. The board is also ignoring the blessed opportunities this is taking away from its citizens.

I strongly believe you and the board are making the wrong decision and should reconsider if you are ever lucky enough for Towns to seek approval moving forward.

Scott Dingus, East Providence, R.I.

Train whistle issue should have consequences

You must be kidding. The trains coming through Waukesha now blast their horns at all hours because certain publicly paid individuals didn’t do their job. I have to wonder if some go-joe let loose an air horn as frequently at their back door if they would have made sure such disturbances would not continue upon their own. Whoever did not do their job should be reviewed, with potential for release. So much for a more quiet community. Great rest for those along the tracks!

A strobe light at an engine’s front would be an effective warning, certainly not the racket at present. They were even told but did not follow through. Wow!

Steve Straub, Waukesha

As I sat through two hours of the ad hoc committee hearing on the Northwoods baseball league in Frame Park, I thought, "Why wouldn't Northwoods want to turn Frame Park into a moneymaker? It's beautiful, it's on the river, it's well-known for its hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and playground and it's free."

But, why in the world would Waukesha want to "sell" it to them? Baseball is a great summer sport, but why would anyone want to despoil a beautiful park and commercialize it when other locations in the city and the county are available?

After seeing slides of many other Northwoods sites, I realized that it was the cheapening of Waukesha's best city park that was so offensive. Billboards around the outfield, higher fences so that people will have to pay to see the game and permanent bleachers big enough to hold 2,000 people would be a poor trade-off for the purely recreational open green space there now.

The City of Waukesha accepted the gift of this park from Andrew Frame and now it feels as though with the other hand it's considering "selling" the park to commercial interests. True, it may be that no covenant in the deed prohibited a baseball league, but Andrew Frame must have assumed that city leaders would exercise good judgment in its use.

The people who will invest about $1 million in this franchise will want a good return on their investment and that will come from ticket sales, billboard advertising, beer and concession sales and in short, the commercialization of Frame Park.

If Waukesha gives in to Northwoods it will forever lose a gem given to the city for the use of rich and poor, young and old. Citizens of Waukesha need to make their feelings known. There were only five of us who attended the last hearing, all of whom spoke in opposition, but there were many more on the ad hoc committee who spoke in favor of Northwoods. Attend the ad hoc meeting at 6 p.m. today, the common council meeting at 7 p.m. July 29. Call your aldermen, write a letter to The Freeman and to the council. Time is short.

Beverly M. Chappie
adviser to Fox River Development Fund

Fire department’s heritage disrespected by city of Muskego

I am a proud member of the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company. Members of my family have been members of the MVFC for a total of 155 years:

My grandfather, Louis Ludwig, was a founding member of the department and served 45 years, including 20-plus years as chief.

My father, Thomas Ludwig, is still a member of the department as he has been for 44 years, including nine years as chief.

I’ve been on the department for 26 years, including six years as chief.

My brother, William Ludwig, is on the department for 13 years now.

My cousin, Steve Ludwig, and uncle Ted Ludwig also served.

Why do we do it? It’s about pride and giving back to the community. It’s part of our heritage and a way of life. My wife and three children are reminded of my commitment regularly, like over the past two weeks when I left them at a fireworks display and two graduation parties to respond to fire calls. They know that when I get a call, they may need to find their own way home.

I take my commitment to the MVFC and the city of Muskego very seriously. I live about 300 feet from station two, which is a great asset for response times, especially in the middle of the night. We have a truck on the road in three to four minutes. Muskego needs us, especially at this end of the city.

I feel disrespected by the city. They are not listening to us when they talk about forcing us to merge with the other fire department. Our performance record is exemplary. We have a contract that Muskego is not honoring. We are 50 Muskego residents and families. All we ask is to be treated fairly.

John Ludwig, Muskego

To sleep or not to sleep, apparently I have no choice in this matter anymore. I live five houses away from a set of railroad tracks in the city of Waukesha. I woke up this morning with a headache and so tired I could hardly get out of bed, the result of being woken up several times to the sound of train horns blaring through the dead of night. There are gates and lights at the crossing, is there really a need to deprive the entire neighborhood of some quality sleep time?

Sleep deprivation affects every aspect of a person’s life, from their health to being able to function on a safe, responsible and alert level each day. What can I do to ensure that a basic need in my life - the need for some quality, undisturbed sleep - can be restored? I cannot even imagine what kind of shape I will be in in a week, or month, if I feel this sleep deprived and out of it now. Can I send the city my doctor bills when lack of sleep begins to adversely affect my health? I spend about 50 percent of my day on the job behind the wheel of a car. Sleep-deprived people behind the wheel are a danger to everyone out there. When I can no longer drive for my job because I have become a danger on the road, can I turn to the city for support? I doubt it. So all I ask instead is please quiet the trains so we can all get a good night’s sleep!

Laura Burbie, Waukesha

Residents becoming uneasy over blaring train whistles

Many months have passed since we’ve set pen to paper in a letter to the editor of this newspaper. We vowed never again to write one until you rid the pages of our beloved local (and historic) newspaper of the distasteful writings of "Revolter," "Bellering" etc.

But "It is a long road that never turns ... "

And: "Times change, and with them, their demands."

Something has come up of such community concern that we of the part of town known as the "Sewer Raccoon District" must speak out. That district is centered at Arcadian Avenue and Colton Street, including the railroad crossing one block away from here. (The coordinates more familiar to your readers are Arcadian and Hartwell avenues.)

We residents of this immediate vicinity - both above and below ground - have had it with the blaring train whistles day and night, especially at night. We understand that there is some dispute as to who is at fault in the easing of the restrictions designed to create quiet zones as the many, many, many trains pass through our city.

The populace is becoming uneasy over this. Petitions are being circulated. Politicians’ offices are in danger, for the trains in the approaching distance bisect several aldermanic districts. Alas, we fear that somehow the mantle of disgrace (noose) will be hung around the already-laden neck of the well-meaning Mayor Larry Nelson.

There is an Internet organ called the Sewer Raccoon News emanating from the raccoon district. It has not taken up the cudgel of the train blarings yet, but it is about to.

The raccoons, co-citizens of this zone, are mumbling as they slip into the storm grates about how living in the sewers used to be an elective. Now, they must go below to escape all the noise.

Those of us whose bedrooms are perforce above-ground and adjacent to the tracks have no such option. We’ve heard that nearby church services are being disturbed, also.

Beware an aroused populace!

David Dix Sr., Waukesha

Isn’t city paying attention? Don’t change Frame Park

I have been following this story closely for the last few months. Actually, I have been following this story in The Freeman since it broke approximately three years ago.

Three years back these people came from Green Bay with their proposal to build a mini baseball stadium at Frame Park. Their proposal at the time was rejected. Now three years later, here we have these same people with basically the same proposal, which I don’t understand because it was voted down by the common council once before.

These people paint a real rosy picture but at the meeting June 4 when they were asked to show a finance report, they didn’t have one with them.

A friend of mine who has attended both of the meetings that have been held so far is under the opinion that the mayor and two of his well-trained aldermen are going to try to railroad this proposal through by the middle of September. What is the big rush?

If Mayor Larry Nelson and his aldermen are so much in favor of this proposal, they haven’t been reading The Freeman the last few months because almost every person writing in on this subject says to leave the park as it is, and some of these people I have talked to believe this proposal should be brought to a referendum vote in the city’s next open election.

I have been following baseball down at Frame Park for the past 40 years and I have come to the conclusion that Waukesha is not a baseball city.

For example, last Wednesday night, I went to Frame Park to a Land o’ Lakes ballgame and counted 37 people in attendance. I also saw the scoreboard and the loud speaker system both working and also 48 of the 58 lights. The park itself looked beautiful and it was nice and quiet and peaceful, which most of the people who have written in have said that’s the way they would like to keep it.

My friend that has a lot of baseball knowledge says that upgrades on the lights, the speaker system and a new scoreboard would cost the taxpayers less than $15,000, which is just a drop in the bucket compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars that has been stuck in other projects which I don’t want it to go into at this time, but believe me, they are out there.

Let’s send these people back to Green Bay and let them find another location for their stadium; they have the whole state of Wisconsin to find a place for it.

Let’s keep Frame Park the way it was meant to be, the way the majority of people who have written in say they want it to stay.

All you people out there reading this article, please contact your aldermen and mayor before Wednesday and let them know where you stand on this issue and even if possible attend a meeting to be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall. Voice your opinion.

John Nelson, Waukesha

The creation of a "North American Union" which will merge Canada, Mexico and the United States is a very dangerous threat to the USA as a constitutional republic! Such a "union" as this would:

* completely wipe out the borders with Canada and Mexico;

* would bypass constitutional requirements concerning trade policy;

* would replace high-income American truck drivers with cheap Mexican and foreign labor and;

* would enrich Red China and multinational corporations that do business with Beijing by making it easier for the People’s Republic of China to flood America with cheap goods made by slave labor.

The North American Free Trade Agreement superhighway would run from the west coast of Mexico through the United States and into Canada. Confiscation of the 851,000 acres of private property needed for this would be obtained by using "eminent domain" procedures. They (the NAU) could replace our U.S. dollar with an "amero" modeled after the European Union’s euro. Such a "union" could spell the end of the United States as a free and independent nation.

People should be encouraged to rise up and demand action to halt this challenge to our nation as an independent constitutional republic!

Charles Ruck Jr., Waukesha

I want to thank Roger Danielsen for responding to my previous letters on shifting school to warmer months. I was unaware of the law mandating that public schools must start their school years no earlier than Sept. 1. I don’t understand how school districts like Milwaukee can have 18 schools hold classes year round, as is now being done.

I also don’t agree that students would be sweltering in the classrooms. Starting school at 7 a.m. and finishing earlier, windows that open and ventilation should alleviate those issues. So far this summer it’s been very cool; it was 48 degrees Wednesday morning. It does get light earlier in summer, 5 a.m. currently. Perhaps holding some classes outside in the fresh air would be possible. The warm classroom issue doesn’t seem like a sufficient reason to reject my idea.

I did see an article this week about heating costs skyrocketing next winter, so we can expect this particular cost to get much worse, very quickly. That price increase for We Energies that went into effect this week was caused by skyrocketing natural gas prices.

We can work to get the law changed for now and explore other ways to raise revenue that don’t put additional burden on the property taxpayers.

If I go to Miller Park to see a ballgame, I pay $15 for parking. My sister works in downtown Milwaukee and pays $100 a month to park. When I go to Chicago, parking costs more - $25 per day in the Loop.

How much are we charging to park in the lots at our schools? I think it should be at least $5 per day. Anyone who can afford to drive a car to school can also afford to pay to park. No exceptions to anyone for any reason. Five dollars per day, $100 per month.

Someone who wants to park for just one day should pay more, perhaps $7. We would need to hire parking officers, one for each high school to oversee and administer the lots, and for grade and middle schools, one for each two schools. Pay them maybe $200 per day total compensation. We would be creating badly needed jobs for our community plus raising additional funds to operate the schools.

The school district could require uniforms be worn by all students, then sell the franchise to sell those uniforms to the highest bidder.

Advertisers covet young people and pursue them in hopes they will become lifelong customers of their products. Why not sell advertising rights - done in moderation, of course. (It could be) a billboard in the lunch room or lobby, an ad on a page of textbooks, a new carpet in the library that Coca-Cola pays for in exchange for having its logo on it ... Perhaps local school districts could band together, form a consortium and leverage the monies that could be received.

Are we currently doing any of these things? I sincerely hope we are. If not, we should be.

Steve Atkinson, Eagle

American ingenuity can solve energy problems

As we face ever-increasing oil costs there are those who say drill everywhere there is oil. This does seem to make sense; if there is a greater supply, the price will come down. They tell us, "It’s simple economics," but therein lies the problem, they do not think beyond the simple.

Let’s say we let big oil go to work tomorrow. It would take eight to 14 years to bring that oil to market. Their simple solution fails to tell you that. Then what is to stop OPEC from cutting its production by the same amount we increase ours? There is nothing to stop any of the other oil producers from saving their resource for the future. Now simple economics tell us we gave up all of our oil reserves to gain nothing but the mess left behind when the oil is gone.

There are other shortcomings to their simple plan, with the greatest being it traps us into using technology from the 19th century well into the 21st. Just think of how things would be if our medical community relied on technology from the 1800s because it is simple.

We stand at a fork in the road. There are those who want you to believe that hanging onto outdated technology is the right way to go. They want us to give up our natural resources so big oil can make a quick buck while giving us nothing but threats that if we rescind the oil tax breaks, the price of gas will go up.

I know there is a better way. Americans have always been inventors and problem solvers, leading the way in technological advancement. So why do we limit ourselves to an outdated, dirty energy source? It is time we as a nation get behind the development of new sources of energy. We need to rescind the tax cuts from big oil and invest that money in the development of renewable energy sources. We need to look to the future rather than rest on the past.

In short, we need to get behind the development of new energy sources the same way we did when we went to the moon, when we defeated the Axis powers, when we built the Panama Canal after others failed and the thousands of other ways we have led the world to a better future. Let us prove once again that America can solve the biggest problem of the day and in doing so, reap the national prosperity that always comes when we work together as a nation.

James Honeck, town of Mukwonago

The Delafield Legion Post 196 would like to thank the Delafield community for coming out and attending the Delafield Fourth of July parade. We have been expanding it for the last two years and appreciate the support of all who attended and all who participated.

Next year we will be combining our efforts with the city of Delafield and its 50th birthday celebration. Our parade has always been about the kids and we will keep the kids foremost in the planning. We will be adding many marching units and floats to make our parade even better.

A big thanks to Wholly Cow and its staff for donating the ice cream that was handed out and to Veolia Environmental Services for the hot dogs and soda. Thanks again for your continued support and we will see you all again on Saturday, July 4, 2009.

Kelly Bukowsky, parade coordinator
Delafield Legion Post 196

Heroin problem evident in Pewaukee, county

I have just read that in 2008 four deaths in Waukesha County were related to an overdose of heroin. Two of those deaths were young adults who lived in the village of Pewaukee. In Pewaukee, heroin has become the very dangerous drug of choice.

I would believe that we all know someone who has been, or is still involved with this drug. What can be done? I wish I had an answer. So please: Parents, relatives, friends - get involved. Talk to other people, try to help - not condemn. This problem affects our whole community.

Jean Gruber, Pewaukee

In the coming months we will be hearing much about lifting the bans on drilling oil in the offshore continental shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. What we will not hear is that we could gain about twice as much as will ever be produced in those areas by switching to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, a move that would, incidentally, rejuvenate the U.S. manufacturing and auto industries, rather than oil company profits. What we also will not hear is that the reserves in the banned areas would amount to less than three years of our current oil consumption and take a decade to develop.

The entire idea of lifting the ban on these areas amounts to a mirage. It might give the appearance of lowering gas prices and reducing our dependence on oil - until we realize that those reserves are only a drop in the bucket of world oil demand - demand that is expected to nearly double before those reserves have been developed. It amounts to a wild goose chase in our pursuit of an energy policy for the coming decades.

Marga K. Krumins, Waukesha

Where will U.S. economic policies get us? Probably in a world of hurt

I think I have finally figured out our economic system. It works like this: First, start a company in this country with as much borrowed capital as you can, high-interest loans, junk bonds etc. Don’t be concerned; that will all pay off. Once established to the minimum, look for and demand all the government help you can get. Just about every community is getting desperate for new employers. They will offer you tax incremental financing districts, free land, other deferred taxes, access roads at taxpayer expense etc. Then utilize all the highly educated people available to you courtesy of the taxpayer-financed educational system. Use all the vast raw materials and resources second to none that are available to businesses in this country to build your company. Most of all, take advantage of being able to sell your product in the biggest and richest consumer market in the world, where everyone wants to sell their product - in the United States. Once your company starts to succeed and looks viable, fire all your employees, pack up the production facility and ship it to another country where the cost of doing business is a lot cheaper. Pack up all the patents and knowledge that you got for free from this country’s education system, put it in your suitcase and wave goodbye to all the employees who worked so hard to make money for you on the assumption that they would get some economic security in return. All the while you were doing business here you should not have forgotten to make generous contributions to the right politicians so they would make sure that all your business practices were legal.

Once relocated, take advantage of the cheap labor and the operating system there that greatly favors people with investment money. Take the 60 percent or so increase in profits, lower the price of your product 10 percent and stick the rest in your pocket. Of course, you send your product back to the United States, where there are still enough people making enough money to afford your product.

If every manufacturer in this country took advantage of cheap foreign production costs, there eventually (would) be very few people here who could buy their products no matter how cheap they became. People with no income can’t buy anything. The wheel would have come full circle. The way these transfers are going, that time may not be that far off. For most of us here, the reality would be that if you don’t produce anything, you can’t buy anything. At that point all our land, minerals and natural resources would have to be sold to foreigners and we would be reduced to serfs in our own country.

That prediction might be too drastic, but I never hear any government officials say where our present policies will eventually take us. Ask anyone in authority who should know and all you get is a blank look. I don’t see anyone else out there worrying about where we will end up. I hope my conclusions are wrong, for the sake of our future generations.

Sigurd Anderson, Waukesha

A reader in Saturday’s Sound Off blasted the aldermen who voted against the spray paint and marker ordinance. Your logic in banning the tools of the crime is faulty. I ask you to drive to the city’s dog run at MacArthur Road and Comanche Drive and look at the graffiti on the utility building there. It was done with a bottle of "white-out," which comes with a little brush, which makes it a great alternative to markers. I know that because I found the bottle the day after the deed was done. While not as bold as spray paint, it still allows one to make their visit known and leave a lasting impression until someone cleans it off. I suggest it be people previously convicted of graffiti. Now there’s a novel idea! Punish the criminal rather than the citizens.

So it would seem that we must also put white-out on the list of forbidden products to under-aged artists. While we are at it, don’t forget the hobby section of the store where model car paint is sold, often in small, easier-to-hide spray cans too. Oh heck, why not do the same at artist supply stores downtown? Oil paint takes a bit more time but now we can really be treated to masterpieces while we wait for the train to cross by Frame Park.

We are all into recycling these days. So since the Supreme Court eliminated the need for the slogan, "When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns," we can recycle it to, "When spray cans are outlawed, only outlaws will have spray cans." Or white-out.

With that I’d like to congratulate the aldermen seeing the illogic of the ordinance and voting against it.

Steve Bukosky, Waukesha

Alaskan oil not the answer to U.S. fossil fuel consumption

In response to Ann Coulter’s editorial: The current annual consumption of crude oil in the United States is 19 million to 20 million barrels per day. It is estimated that crude oil reserves in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are around 8 billion to 10 billion barrels of oil. To a math person like myself, this translates into a two-year supply of crude oil to the United States.

Economists estimate that oil from ANWR would only lower the current price of crude oil by less than 75 cents per barrel. Unfortunately, the U.S. crude oil reserves are a tiny fraction compared to the Middle East. We really need to look at conservation, efficiency and other sources of energy as the answer to the problem of fossil fuel consumption. This is the point that (Barack) Obama is trying to make.

Yes, back in 2002, Bush did support opening up the ANWR for oil drilling, but Coulter did not mention that Bush dodged the offshore issue. Back in 1990, President George H. W. Bush issued an executive moratorium on offshore drilling. Bush still refuses to lift this executive ban imposed by his father. Bush has asked Congress to vote on offshore drilling, thereby passing the blame.

What Coulter fails to identify is the root cause of high crude oil prices and that is supply and demand. America is the largest consumer, with China and India up and coming. There is no extra supply capacity in the world. We must cut our consumption. ANWR is not the answer.

If Bush really did care about $4 per gallon of gas and he had the foresight to anticipate this crisis because he is an elected official and a Republican, perhaps he could have used the word "conservation" during his first term as president or done something about it.

Paul Hartzler, Waukesha

Mayor’s comment was disrespectful, unnecessary

Mayor Nelson:

It was brought to my attention that you were a guest of honor at Master Z’s Cue Club ribbon cutting celebration. That is great. That is the good publicity that they will need and want to have.

However, it was brought to my attention while you were there that you stated that, "We thought it would take a flood to get rid of Sharkey’s, well the flood came last week and now we have Master Z’s Cue Club."

Now I can certainly understand the perception that you and other city officials may have of Sharkey’s, but remember perception is 10 percent truth and 90 percent not. I am here to set the record straight with you and help you understand what the reality of Sharkey’s really was so that the next time you are publicly speaking and refer to Sharkey’s, you have accurate information.

First and foremost, Sharkey’s was always an excellent establishment. For you to degrade its integrity, employees, loyal customers and myself was entirely unnecessary and disrespectful.

Sharkey’s had served our time with the suspension of license for 30 days. We also served our probation period after. I feel that you as a city leader should have realized that and not commented the way you did. To me it just seems like pure ignorance.

What you should have mentioned was that one of the many things Sharkey’s should be remembered for was its service and commitment to the children in the community, how they used their buses and limousines to move school children around to educational after-school programs because the city couldn’t afford to rent regular school buses for several school years. The program would have been a total failure if it was not for Sharkey’s. Mayor Carol Lombardi even commended Sharkey’s in a common council meeting on its efforts and dedication to the community. Or maybe you should have stated how the deputy chief of police stood up and commented to the council that "Sharkey’s is a model establishment in the city" in May of 2007. Regardless of what your perception is, the fact remains that over the years, Sharkey’s was involved in any community effort we were presented. We never turned down anyone who looked to us for help. Maybe instead you should have stated to Master Z’s that you hope they do some good for the community like Sharkey’s did.

Needless to say, but obviously I must remind you, Sharkey’s has employed many citizens of Waukesha. We have always paid our taxes and our mortgage. We always strived to ensure that we were always one of the best establishments in the area. Maybe you cannot understand what it is to work hard and earn your customers and loyal employees. But I certainly do. I have owned two businesses in the city of Waukesha for more than 15 years. I have lived in the city for 14 years. My children go to school in the community. I love the neighborhood that I live in. My wife is a school teacher in the county. But people like you are the ones who make us think we should leave, and choose to live in another community.

It’s sad that a man of your stature in the community could use so few words, and disrespect so many.

I hope in the future that you consider this when speaking publicly. You have definitely lost my respect and more importantly, my vote.

Ryan D. Reitman, Waukesha

In response to Steve Atkinson’s letter to the editor about shifting school to the warmer months, a few things should be pointed out.

Back in about 2001, the Wisconsin Tourism Federation lobbied the Republican Legislature and Republican Gov. Scott McCallum to mandate that public schools in Wisconsin should have to start after Sept. 1.

Here are a few quotes from a press release at the time:

* "A Sept. 1 school start date is pro-family, pro-student and pro-tourism."

- Wisconsin Tourism Federation

* "We found that all schools that began classes after Sept. 1 in the 1997-98 school year had test scores above the national average. Also, some schools with September start dates were actually among the highest performing schools in the state - with the average being 29 percent above the national average in reading and 32 percent above the national average in math."

- Wisconsin Tourism Federation

I don’t for a minute believe any of that, but the Republican Legislature and Republican governor apparently did listen to the tourism industry lobbyists and did believe it, because it’s now against the law to start school before Sept. 1. Isn’t it funny how much the party of less regulation (the Republicans) loves to regulate?

I don’t really think that expecting kids to learn in non-air-conditioned, possibly three-digit temperature classrooms in the middle of the hottest part of the summer heat really is a viable alternative to school funding, but it does offer a little glimpse into how complicated school funding can be.

Roger Danielsen, Waukesha

Your articles about the flood have been eye opening to what our local community members are going through, but what I have learned from this natural disaster is, you create community when you ask for it. I had been a member of this community for many years, but my family, the Laimons who own the infamous landmark business, Smokey’s Bait Shop, have lived in Pewaukee for over 25 years. I am now living in Los Angeles, and when I caught word that the bait shops were in trouble, I felt like my childhood memories were shaken. One day my mother, Loie Laimon, called me in tears saying she could not move forward with repairing this bait shop and she was completely overwhelmed with the damages, the business lost and the water not leaving. Day in and day out she was working her fingers to the bone, heard the complaints of her employees, and was losing money because no one was fishing during the flood.

Then, I got the call that my father, John Laimon, was taken to the hospital, because he was suffering from heart attack-like symptoms. In fact, it was stress that was causing his sickness. At that moment, I choose to take a red eye home and help my parents restore their livelihood, health, business, home and faith. On June 24, I found myself flying back to Pewaukee to ASK for community to be formed around my parents who have helped their community out for the last 25 years here in Pewaukee.

After three weeks of the major flooding, my local family, friends and the community thought everyone was OK at the bait shop, but still the water was not leaving my parents’ domain. I just started calling everyone I knew in southern Wisconsin. My parents have worked with lots of people and families over the years and everyone I talked to was overjoyed to help. I realized that my parents just had too much pride or stress to ask anyone for help. Over 30 volunteers came Saturday and Sunday in and out of the bait shop and surrounding buildings and literally transformed our space from something that was unhealthy to something that will be fully operational by July 4, one of the busiest days of the year for the bait shop.

As I write this on Monday, I only have a few hours left here in Pewaukee. We are finishing up on paperwork for FEMA, insurance, and getting my parents the infrastructure for success. But I am writing this letter, to ask again for community to be formed. My parents are a lot like farmers; their entire livelihood is tied to their business, and bad weather brings bad business. My parents can’t afford any more bad business, I am asking all of you to visit Smokey’s Bait Shop this summer. Instead of going somewhere else, buy your bait from Loie, get your company to rent a pontoon, get your musky lures from John, and tell your friends to do the same. For 25 years, John and Loie have taken care of so many people; it is our turn to take care of them.

I want to thank everyone, who in these last two days listened to my pleas and joyfully helped my parents. The entire Festering Family, The Pingels, Mike, Judy, Mary, and Matt Burke, The Agoudemos Family, Jean Pless for cooking for my family, Stephanie and Heather Scherzeg, Chris Wistrom, Christ Lutheran Church, The Pewaukee Ski Club, Steve Koerner, all my parents’ friends and employees that are always there for them. Natural disasters will happen, our lives will be tested, but remember, community is our glue, we can build it anywhere anytime, just don’t forget to ask!

Greenly Yours,
Sara Laimon

Sex predator information should be readily available

To the editor:

What kind of world are we adults leaving for our children? Every day when I look in the newspaper or turn on the television, there is a sex predator who has taken another youth from a child. I know that there are laws against it, and I know that we try to educate our children as well as parents - and that’s good. Education is a key, but not the only key. We need to know who these people are (all the time). I notice that the Web sites for sex predators are not always kept up to date, whether a sex predator moves out of one area to another or whatever the case may be. There seems to always be offenders going unregistered.

This is why in the town of Oconomowoc there should always be a current updated copy of all local sex offenders, including full name, age, current picture, place of residence and the offense or offenses that this person has committed. These copies should placed at the clerk’s counter at the Town Hall for everyone who wishes to be educated as to who lives in their town. Many mothers as well as fathers have told me that this is an excellent idea and (that they) would make a point of stopping at the town clerk’s office counter whenever they needed to take their kids on an errand or before they would go to the barber shop. This would be a great opportunity to discuss it with the children as well as others.

If we don’t do more than what we are doing right now to stop predators, I’ll ask again: What kind of world are we adults leaving for our children?

Tom Martin, Okauchee

No compelling reasons given for Carroll College name change

Based on e-mails from alumni and conversations with students, faculty and staff, I am not alone in feeling disappointment, sadness and anger at the decision by Carroll College’s board of trustees (in a nonpublic agenda item executive session) voting to change the name of Carroll College to Carroll University. Months of discussion? The item was "discussed" a couple of times in formal faculty meetings with the understanding that it was just an idea. Twenty six thousand people associated with the school "asked their opinion"? Of those 26,000, how many responded? Of those who responded, how many were from each Carroll constituency? How many of the 26,000 were for the name change? Against it? Indifferent? Is "indifference" or failure to respond a legitimate reason to change the name - or merely a window of opportunity to do something?

A change in name of an institution with such a proud tradition and history as Carroll College’s is far more than semantics. Many other fine colleges inside and outside of Wisconsin have adopted to the global market and offer off-campus, online and weekend courses, and graduate programs, without changing their name or risking their identity. None of the reasons advanced for the name change were or are compelling.

I totally agree that we should continue to call ourselves what we are - Wisconsin’s pioneer college. For me, July 1 will be the saddest day in my 30 years of teaching at Carroll College.

David Simpson, professor of psychology
Carroll College, Hartland

Baseball league wouldn’t fit well in Frame Park

To the mayor and the council of the city of Waukesha:

Please do not allow that baseball league to use Frame Park. Please, and I repeat again, do not allow that baseball league to use Frame Park in the city of Waukesha

The Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has built a beautiful park for the people of Waukesha for their pleasure.

In The Freeman it stated that the attendance for ball games would be about 2,000 people. If there were four people in each car, where would you park 500 cars in that area?

Please move these ball games over to the expo where there is plenty of parking space.

Griffith S. Jones, Waukesha

I find it interesting that Mark Belling states no actual facts regarding mass transit - just lots of conjecture about "what everyone will do."

It is a fact that Milwaukee is woefully behind other cities with regard to transit. It is a fact that poor options for mass transit directly affect how many people use transit. It is a fact that quality mass transit directly contributes to a city’s growth.

He ignores the fact that many downtown businesses directly benefit from mass transit, and a large number of individuals use mass transit to get to work.

He ignores the fact that availability of affordable mass transit affects unemployment rates, crime and costs. He completely glosses over the fact that businesses consider mass transit availability in their decision to move to a city, bringing jobs, prosperity and growth.

Finally, his proposition for continued use of personal vehicles for transportation ignores the growing concern that we are hanging on to an outmoded perception of transportation. Mark Belling is a voice of the past, of where we used to be. Change is hard to accept and he can make whatever claims he wants. It doesn’t change the fact that we have to embrace where the world is moving, and Milwaukee - in order to be competitive in today’s AND tomorrow’s marketplace - needs to get onto the bus with everyone else.

Mark Belling’s June 18 column, "Forget Mass Transit," did not make much sense. Since when is transit only about getting to jobs? Transit is also about reducing pollution, congestion, and our dependence on foreign oil - not to mention having to fill our gas tanks less often.

The fact that so many business leaders support the proposed half-cent sales tax dedicated to funding transit should tell us something. Perhaps these business leaders realize that tourists will help pay the tax, and that this sales tax would allow property taxes to be reduced. Or, perhaps these business leaders realize that not having an efficient, viable transit system does not make our region more attractive or competitive.

In short, perhaps these business leaders know something Mr. Belling does not.

He can name-call all he wants ("sellout," "moronic," "transit cult"), which I believe serves to lower the level of our discourse. But the fact remains that many cities - large and small - have found that people actually like to ride buses and trains.

As for those washed-out roads, I don’t know, maybe having more travel options might not be such a bad idea, even for Waukesha.

I would like to express my thanks to Lynn at the Almont Gallery, Ryan at the Potter’s Shop and Amy at the River’s End Gallery.

It is evident that the art community in Waukesha is alive and thriving. These three local galleries contributed to the success of a private, unforgettable mini art crawl retirement event for a very close friend and colleague, Candy Lang, art teacher extraordinaire.

The owners of the galleries went above and beyond by displaying Lang’s work, having extra staff on hand and graciously providing refreshments.

Special acknowledgement goes to Lynn Gaffey, owner of the Almont Gallery, for her enthusiasm, creativity and support.

Thanks also go to Sandy and the staff at Mia’s, who provided us with a fabulous meal.

As an intern for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, I had the opportunity to attend MDA Summer Camp, where I witnessed local supporters’ generosity and MDA’s impact on the community.

Upon arriving at Wonderland Camp, it is easy to see why all the campers love it. Campers walk and ride around the beautiful grounds with smiles on their faces, moving from one activity to another. While I was there, they engaged in a competitive, spirited game of baseball. Players put their powered wheelchairs on "super speed" as they ran the bases in the hopes that their cabin would win the championship. At arts and crafts, they created a wide variety of projects, including painted pictures, model airplanes, beaded necklaces and tie-dyed T-shirts. In the afternoon, campers had some free time and could choose between swimming, fishing or computer games before heading to dinner and a special themed activity.

Even with all of the special activities planned, new and old friendships were the best part of summer camp. Campers smiled and laughed as they participated in the activities with people just like them. There was even a hint of romance and summer love in the air.

On behalf of MDA, I would like to thank everyone who supports the association. I can honestly tell you that your generosity and support make a profound impact on the lives of campers and their families.

Kristen Buettner
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Wauwatosa

School closing would have ‘devastating effects’

My understanding is that the Waukesha School District is considering closing Blair or Saratoga (elementary schools). If this is being done to close a gap in the budget, this needs to be reconsidered, as closing a school will have devastating effects on the quality of life in Waukesha.

Parents of children in the Waukesha School District and community members of Waukesha are happy to work with the Waukesha School District and the Enrollment Management Committee on finding ways to ease the gap in the budget while maintaining our excellent school system and strong sense of community.

A full study regarding both the educational and economic impact needs to be completed. Property values, quality of learning and when the remaining schools will become overcrowded must be considered; as (the) closing of a school is a permanent step that will be hard to reverse.

I look forward to assisting with tackling this issue, as I know together as a community we can find lasting solutions without closing a school. After all, our mission is to educate and graduate students by providing equal access to quality education with high academic standards that develops socially responsible citizens with the skills, attitudes and behaviors necessary for lifelong learning, higher education and employment.

Tera Sage, Waukesha

Donated eyeglasses being put to good use

Many thanks to all who have donated used eyeglasses to the Waukesha Lions and Lioness clubs. Since last summer, we have collected more than 7,000 pairs and will continue to collect them. They will be sent to the Lions Camp Recycling Center in Rosholt where they will be cleaned, sorted by prescription and prepared for distribution by Lions and other groups. They are donated, free of charge, to people where eye care is often unavailable or unaffordable.

More than 70 collection boxes are placed around town (all the schools, eye care centers, several banks, some churches, ProHealth facilities, other businesses). If you don’t find a place to donate them, feel free to call me at 695-0805 for the location of one near you.

Doris Dolph, president
Waukesha Noon Lions Club

More than a woman passed away in Waukesha on June 6, unnoticed, except in what remains of the farming community. Sometimes ages end, not with an election or an invention or a war, but with a quiet death.

In Waukesha County, there was such an end June 6.

Jean Baumgartner Moyer - what a woman - wife, farmer, neighbor, friend. Reading her obituary, I realized these words, these adjectives, didn’t convey who she was, because the meaning of the words have changed.

To Jean and Russ, and a few of you here, being a farmer was not a job or vocation. Being a farmer was a way of life, a living synthesis of farmer and family and land and animals.

Her farm was in her blood. The farm was her blood. She was born on her family farm in 1922, the daughter of Ed Baumgartner, who was the son of John Baumgartner, who bought the land and built a farm in 1880.

Jean spent her entire life working, and walking, the Baumgartner place down on Milky Way. She was there before the two wagon wheel ruts with the grass strip in between even had a name. Her friend Al Steinke named it Milky Way.

Before Jean had her accident and medical problems, to my knowledge, in her entire life, she was never off the farm for more than five days in a row.

When Jean and Russ grew too old to dairy, and sold their cows, the first big trip of their lives was motoring to Marathon County to visit their herd.

She was a farmer, rooted in the soil she so lovingly tended.

She was a neighbor, forged in a day when neighbor meant so much more than it does today. As her next-door neighbor for 55 years, I can speak to this.

A neighbor, a good neighbor, maintains good fences and is always available when help is needed. Help could be lending a hand, anytime, or equipment and even animals.

From their generosity, I have cherished memories of riding hay in back of Tom and Gerry, their last team of draft horses.

Think of that life, from dirt road and draft horses to a modern, award-winning dairy farm.

Jean was real, genuine and generous; a woman of the farm and the soil. She cared about and for her husband, Russ, family, friends, animals, and her walking companions - Bobbie, and before him, the often reincarnated Blackie.

She was among the last of her kind. In my mind, her passing represents the end of an age. The age of farming in Waukesha County has passed.

My neighborhood, although growing more and more crowded, suddenly seems so much emptier.

She was a loving wife, tending to her husband all those many years, and particularly when old Russ began to fail.

I have learned that in the early morning hours (of that) Friday, soft music was heard coming from Jean’s room at the hospital. A tall, lean, dark-haired man was seen by her bedside. Moments later the man was gone and the room was quiet and still.

I believe Russ came to be with Jean, and to take her to a better place. She joined him later that day.

Rest in peace, Jean and Russell. You were as good neighbors as anyone has had the good fortune to enjoy.

Thank you both.

Morgan R. Butler IIl, town of Waukesha

Muskego residents should consider recall carefully

I am writing in support of embattled Muskego Alderman Noah Fiedler. He does not deserve to be recalled.

I do not live in his district, but I know Fiedler through a business association. I have found him to be engaging and caring on issues facing not only his district, but all of Muskego.

It appears there are outside groups who are helping in these recall efforts and that only makes the situation worse. I am a Muskego resident and I know that we do not need outsiders mingling in our business. I ask my fellow residents to really study the issues and understand who is supporting this recall before making a final decision. This is our city and our progress must be allowed to continue; it’s up to us. We need to keep our quality representatives in office.

Marge Weiler, Muskego

This nation pays tens of billions of dollars a year in oil and natural gas revenues to overseas regimes which overtly or covertly are working to kill Americans and destroy our country. These foreigners are siphoning the financial lifeblood out of our economy. This suicidal economic policy is sheer lunacy.

This senseless economic policy also gravely threatens our national security. Incredibly, we are placing our ability to fuel the operations of our critical infrastructure, manufacturing base and military forces in the hands of foreigners who would do us harm. This is an insane approach to national security.

We must eliminate our dependence on foreign oil and natural gas producers as quickly as feasible. To that end, we must immediately authorize environmentally sound exploration for, and extraction of, commercially retrievable oil and natural gas deposits wherever they exist in the United States and under our territorial waters. In addition, we must immediately authorize the construction and operation of new environmentally safe oil refineries and nonpolluting nuclear power plants within our shores.

Our economic future and our sovereignty as a free nation depend on our country achieving energy independence, starting now. Then, instead of sending tens of billions of dollars annually to oil and natural gas producers overseas, we could keep these lucrative oil and natural gas revenues for ourselves and use them to fund the development of alternative "green" sources for our energy needs in the years to come.

Contact your federal and state legislators now. Urge them to strengthen our economy and safeguard our nation by immediately voting to do what is reasonable and necessary to achieve national energy independence.

Jeffrey P. Clark, Brookfield

John McCain lives in la-la land when he says the economy is strong. Unemployment stats do not begin to tell the story of the thousands of skilled workers who have been laid off and unable to find employment with a living wage and benefits. They are at the end of their working life - aged 50 to 65 - and many, if not most, have lost their pensions or will receive a bunch of teeny-tiny pensions from several employers. These are individuals with high work ethics who simply were sufficiently unlucky as to work for greedy companies and corporations who don’t want to pay a living wage - either here in the United States or abroad somewhere.

The economy is strong only for the wealthy.

Kathryn Farseth, Milwaukee

River area improvements could ease future flooding

Once the flooding has subsided, I think we need to take a long-term look at improving some things.

A few years ago when river park improvements were made, some of the dam redesign allowed more water to flow over the dam head itself, which allows more flow and less water rise in the area around the dam itself. It seems that further up the stream from the dam, water still overflows the banks, comes around and floods areas that may not be flooded if the dam was not there. I observed this situation happen in 1973 and this year.

Could we add a small floodgate system, which could be coordinated in conjunction with modern weather forecasting? This way we could protect ourselves better and not flood neighbors downstream. Could we look at areas where the water overflows the banks (upstream from the dam); could the areas be raised a little, without building a levee per se?

How old is the Barstow bridge? Could it be better built to handle a large volume of water flow, before having to be shut down?

Riverbank debris should not be allowed to accumulate along the banks (like that just northeast of the Moreland Boulevard bridge). I noticed flotsam coming down the river and you will have debris in any flood. But, why increase the chances of increased amounts of flotsam making a greater disaster? One should not destroy habitat, but one needs to carefully look at the closeness to homes and businesses of this river and come up with designs compatible for humans and nature.

I realize that some of these are difficult and expensive projects to look at. But it also seems costly to downtown development, that floods of this nature can basically isolate downtown, including making emergency services harder to provide.

Of course we can only do so much flood prevention if we have a 100- or 500-year flood, but we should be able to do more prevention on the sort of high water situations that occur more frequently, if we want a viable downtown.

Rick Loeffler, Waukesha

Rep. Paul Ryan recently unveiled a plan addressing many of our nation’s top domestic challenges, calling it "A Roadmap for America’s Future." It’s the first attempt by an American politician to offer a comprehensive solution to several pressing problems. This shows an understanding that we cannot solve these problems individually because they are interrelated. I’m using the acronym "SMART" to summarize the plan’s main components.

"S" stands for Social Security. Ryan’s plan saves this vital program for young people while protecting it for current and soon-to-be retirees.

"M" stands for Medicare and Medicaid. Ryan’s proposal secures the program for those older than 55 while providing options to meet future needs of those 55 or younger.

"A" stands for access to affordable health insurance. There’s flexibility depending on whether one has employer-provided coverage, options to buy insurance that would be carried over if one moved or changed jobs, and help for those with serious health problems.

"R" stands for restraining the growth of federal spending and reducing the national debt to produce long-term economic growth.

"T" stands for tax reform. Ryan’s plan offers individuals a choice between using the existing tax code or a simplified "postcard-sized return" code. Businesses are offered incentives encouraging investment and promoting jobs in America.

Ryan’s road map is SMART for America, guiding us down not the road of shirking responsibility but the road of confronting problems boldly and realistically. Let’s hope we, as a nation, have the courage to follow this road map so that we may say, in the words of Robert Frost, "Two roads diverged in a wood. I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference."

Tom De Fazio, Kenosha

Tougher OWI penalties, expanded justice facilities are common sense

This letter addresses two articles authored by Brian Huber collectively: "Tougher OWI laws come with higher cost"; and "Crowded jail could see some inmates kept in Racine," Thursday, June 5, The Freeman, Page 1.

It should not even be a question of "if"! Public policy dictates that tougher operating while intoxicated laws are necessary to protect everyone. It is not even acceptable that it took the violent deaths of three people in a single instance to finally have this come to a head; the point is that it finally did.

It is common knowledge that innocent people die each and every single day at the hands of individuals who drink and drive. We allow drinking establishments to exist in which many patrons leave and drive away. In all honesty, we have to admit that what we’re doing is addressing the symptom of a terrible, terrible affliction that affects millions of people, and has been going on for many decades - it’s nothing new.

With this knowledge and understanding, it puzzles me - and I did not understand it about 10 years ago when they passed the current legislation that makes OWI a felony only upon the fifth offense - that the public would accept so many opportunities for needless deaths of innocent people before it finally becomes serious enough to constitute a felony offense. It’s absurd!

Waukesha County recently spent $60 million on a new jail, but we’re already out of space. We’re going to need more judges, staff, storage, jail space and better security to feasibly accomplish all of this. So can someone help me understand why this county would not simply cut to the chase and expand the courthouse and jail to ensure its efficient operation? Why expend revenues to another county to house prisoners, when all this county has to do is promptly make the necessary investment in this county? In the meantime, what about the empty (old) jail that still remains? There’s plenty of room there, and it’s going to be needed for OWI offenses.

Scott A. Ludtke, Waukesha

Stop the hypocrisy and let me off. The Democratic Party, the party of "let every vote count," has selected Barack Obama as its candidate. This despite the fact (Hillary) Clinton led in the number of popular votes in the primaries, especially if Florida and Michigan are counted. Seems they voted on the wrong day. So I guess only votes cast according to the Democratic Party are worth counting. But Obama’s nomination is assured because party hacks, known as superdelegates, say so. Makes you wonder why we vote.

Of course the Republicans are no better. The gyrations state parties are going through to disenfranchise (Ron) Paul supporters both amazes and sickens one. Nevada may not even be represented instead of bringing Paul supporters!

Will this finally be the year Americans reject the bankrupt two-party system? (Bob) Barr is receiving between 2 percent and 7 percent in early polls. We shall see.

Thomas Byrne, Waukesha

Congdon, fellow Dems must be clapping at gas prices

There are a few elements that (Rick) Congdon conveniently leaves out of his opinion piece about the "Lone Clapper." One was that it was the Democrats that did not vote to override (President) Clinton’s veto of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; I imagine Congdon clapping on that day. I can also imagine him clapping to hear that China and Cuba are drilling 200 miles off the coast of Florida, while the Democratic environmentalists prohibit the USA from doing that. I can also imagine Congdon clapping to hear that the U.S. government and the state of Wisconsin each take more in taxes from a gallon of gas than Exxon makes in profit.

So while Congdon was deriding Bill Kramer, Congdon’s Democratic pals in the U.S. Senate were trying to pass the cap and trade bill which would have taken at least an additional 50-plus cents per gallon in taxes out of our pockets, not to mention devastating our economy. (Fortunately, President Bush’s threatened veto sealed the fate to kill the bill this year).

The next time I pump gas I will hear all the Democrats clapping because they are getting what they really want: for the U.S. public to feel the pain so that they will save the planet by using less energy.

I clapped that day with Kramer, a man of courage and principle not found too often these days in our elected public officials.

Tom Riechert, City of Pewaukee

I am writing in response to the assault made on oil companies by Rick Congdon in his editorial piece printed in the Saturday edition of The Freeman, "There’s a reason the ‘Lone Clapper’ stands alone." In his editorial, Congdon also assails my assemblyman, Bill Kramer, and the courageous stand he made against Gov. Jim Doyle during his referenced speech to the Legislature where Doyle proposed, in effect, the socialization of oil companies who do business in Wisconsin. Since I own some oil stocks as part of mutual funds held in my retirement portfolio, I am, by legal definition, a part of Big Oil. I, therefore, take great umbrage in Congdon implying that I am evil, mean, greedy and corrupt. Since Congdon and his socialist ilk seem to have a perpetual aversion to understanding macroeconomics, let me offer a few facts about oil and $4 per gallon gas at the pump.

First of all, the reason we are paying $4 per gallon for gasoline is simply that demand is outpacing supply. The nascent industrial societies of China and India are consuming far more of the world’s oil supply than they once did, and that supply has not been able to keep up with the increasing demand. Secondarily, the price at the pump has been going up because the value of the dollar against other world currencies has been going steadily down. If we want to drive the price at the pump down, the answer lies in creating greater supply through increased domestic exploration and production of oil, building new refineries and embracing the use of more fuel-efficient forms of transportation and alternative sources of energy, not in regulating the oil companies. If you detest $4 gasoline, imagine how much you will enjoy standing in line for an hour and a half waiting to get your gasoline ration coupon book at the local office of the Federal Bureau of Petroleum Regulation.

Congdon also does not point out in his editorial that, while oil companies do generate very large profits in dollar terms, those profits are based on an enormous scale of operations and very high risk. If oil company profits are compared in percentage terms with other corporations, they are not really all that huge. Also, Congdon fails to mention that many, many pension funds, which provide monthly incomes to millions of retirees, have oil company stocks in their portfolios. So, while Congdon would have you believe that billions of dollars are pouring into the pockets of evil oil company executives because that notion sells within the Democratic Party, the fact is that those profits are providing a livelihood to a very large portion of the American people.

I also had a dream the other night, but it was very different than Rick Congdon’s. In my dream, he and a platoon of jack-booted agents from the FBPR (see above) were bashing down my garage door with a battering ram to siphon some gas out of my car’s tank since I had exceeded my federal quota of gasoline for the month. How’s that for a nightmare?

Bob Lawrence, Waukesha

Make motorists aware of bridge closings

On Monday I was going to work on Highway 83 north turning onto county road I. I was going along the north side of the Vernon marsh. After three miles there was a sign that read "bridge out." I saw cars coming from the road next to the sign. Great, a detour. Wrong, it led into a dead-end subdivision.

After swearing, I went back and turned onto Holiday Road. I drove about four miles, only to find that bridge closed. After swearing some more, I drove to (Highway) H, only to find it closed too!

Why couldn’t the Waukesha County transportation department put signs at 83, X, and H, warning us of the bridge closings? Maybe they should watch a truck with a double axle trailer behind it try to turn around. They created such a mess for hundreds of people. I hope the head of the department is fired. A monkey could do a better job!

Donald J. Lutzke, town of Mukwonago

I read the guest opinion of Roger Danielsen in the Wednesday Freeman with interest.

In my opinion, no referendum or tax increases are justified in Waukesha School District, until all cost savings have been examined and given a fair trial.

I ask again why the school semesters can’t be shifted to the summer months, to avoid heating the large and numerous buildings in the school district through the heart of winter. I wrote a letter to The Freeman six months ago and got zero response.

Why not start the fall semester Aug. 1? Then take December through February off and pick up in March with the second semester continuing into the summer? Why not shift the school year to the warmer months and avoid heating the schools through the dead of winter? How much money could we save in this way?

I realize this is a departure from the traditional scheduling of the public schools. Can’t we at least try it for a year and see how it works? Could someone from the school system enlighten us on how much could be saved in reduced heating bills?

No additional equipment or technology purchases would be necessary to shift the schedule, just turn down the thermostats in the empty schools during our coldest winter months.

Why are new taxes being bandied about when every cost saving hasn’t been tried?

I believe a healt