ELECTED Representation and Interim Successors
Contrast State Sen. Mary Lazich’s (R-New Berlin) stance on elected representation and interim successors with what several New Berlin aldermen recently did:
In her Oct. 1 "Conservatively Speaking" blog, Sen. Lazich vehemently objected to proposed legislation for devising a system to replace state lawmakers killed or incapacitated due to terrorist attack or pandemic, whereby legislators would provide a “secret” list of successors to the chief clerk. Sen. Lazich argued that instead of relying on such lists, special elections should be held so that citizens would continue to have elected representation. Sen. Lazich complained that the proposed Senate Bill would have removed the electoral power from voters and placed expansive taxing and spending powers in the hands of unelected officials. To illustrate how problematic that can be, she referred to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s controversial appointment of Roland Burris as successor to then-president-elect Barack Obama. Sen. Lazich said, "The state of Wisconsin should allow citizens to maintain their voting rights and choose their representatives.
Blogging Perspective
I've lived in New Berlin 33 years, been actively involved in the community and have held elected public office. A few years ago, when New Berlin NOW advertised for local bloggers, I signed up. Being a Community Voices blogger is voluntary and I receive no pay for it. My blog entries sometimes take hours to compose, especially when time-consuming research is involved. Finding time to blog can be quite a challenge. I enjoy blogging, though, and don't intend to quit.
MyCommunityNOW has made several changes in the blogging format over the years. A comment feature was added to the blogs. Last spring, bloggers were informed that any comments made to the blog would be automatically published. NOW’s editor/staff—not the bloggers—have the capability to remove comments.
President Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
In awarding our president the Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said Obama was being honored for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” It gave him the award less than a year into his presidency.
The reaction to President Obama's surprise win of this prestigious award has been mixed. While some have praised the decision, others have expressed skepticism.
Benefits of Walking and Sidewalks
Travel by car, even when the destination is only a few blocks away, is commonplace in suburbia.
Many people enjoy or would like more local sidewalks and trails for pedestrian and bicyclist use and do not consider them trivial items. Communities should have or promote those alternate means of transportation, especially given concerns about rising fuel costs, pollution and obesity.
Sextortion Scandals
Two different plots dubbed sextortion by the media, have received national attention.
An alleged blackmail attempt against talk show host Dave Letterman has been in the spotlight recently. Letterman reported that a man (a CBS producer) tried to wring $2 million dollars from him for sleeping with some female co-workers.
Expect Excellence & Excrement Expenses, Etc.
A few years ago, the New Berlin School Board authorized spending mega-millions of tax dollars on New Berlin West upgrades, including construction of a spiffy field house. The spending spree has resulted in separate but unequal secondary school facilities in the District.
Unlike West, NB Eisenhower has no field house. Eisenhower has been utilizing “chemical toilets” for their outside athletic events, including football games. Chemical toilets are also known as metros, port-a-johns or port-a-potties.
Nude Photo Contest?
Parents and school officials in our community and elsewhere have been trying to impress upon kids/young adults that sending nude photos of themselves is not only a dumb idea but can be dangerous.
News outlets are reporting that a Madison disc jockey encouraged his listeners to send in nude pictures of themselves for a concert-ticket promotion.
