Several NB Aldermen Opt To Deprive Fifth District Of Representation
If New Berlin Aldermen Ament, Harenda, Hopkins, Seidl and Wysocki genuinely cared about the whole city and its residents, they would not be depriving the 5th District of aldermanic representation.
The Fifth District’s elected alderman was Joe Poshepny. In 2007, Poshepny was elected to a 3-year term that expires in April 2010. Poshepny had a bout of serious illness earlier this year. His health has significantly improved and he wants to finish his term, but Ald. Wysocki, Harenda, Ament, Hopkins and Seidl refuse to let him. Not only did they seize an opportunity to rid themselves of Poshepny, an outspoken Council member who often disagreed with them, they’ve ensured that District 5 has no vote in budgetary or other Council decisions!
Supporting the Gifted Child in School and at Home
During the October 26 NB School Board Meeting, Dr. Paul Kreutzer introduced Larry Lueck as the District’s new administrator in charge of the District’s Gifted and Talented Program. Lueck will have a duo role: He’ll serve as NBPS’s Coordinator of the K-12 Talented & Gifted (TAG) program (as it is now called) and Assistant Principal of Poplar Creek Elementary School.
At the Board meeting, Superintendent Kreutzer rightly asserted that the District needs to spend as much time identifying gifted children as it does those that may struggle. He argued that NBPS should be meeting the unique needs of these exceptional students.
Veterans Salute
On today, Veterans Day, we thank veterans and the men & women on active duty for their service to our country.
USA Today appropriately reminds us that veterans deserve thanks year-round. Click on this link to view the editorial.
City Council Shuffle & Suit
On September 22: Joe Poshepny, who had been ill, got a less than warm welcome form his fellow aldermen at this City Council public meeting. In fact, Ald. Ament remarked that he had not expected Poshepny to be wheeled in there and called it highly irregular! After hearing Poshepny’s recitation of circumstances and events regarding the August letters of resignation and rescission, City Attorney Mark Blum advised the aldermen to give Poshepny’s explanation thought before making their decision. If the aldermen accepted Poshepny’s explanation, no District 5 aldermanic vacancy existed. It’s doubtful the City Attorney would have voiced such an option if he thought it inappropriate or illegal in this case. In any case, a few minutes later, the Council rendered a decision: It voted 5-1 to advertise the vacancy.
On October 13: The Council went into closed session to discuss a letter from Poshepny’s attorney James Gatzke. When it returned to open session, the Council voted to “table” advertising the vacancy.
Mark Gundrum in Non-Partisan Race
State Rep. Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin), who was elected to the Assembly in 1998, would rather be a judge.
A few days ago, Gundrum announced that he is running for Waukesha County circuit court judge in the upcoming April election against incumbent Judge Richard Congdon. (Congdon had been appointed to the bench by Gov. Doyle in January to fill a vacancy created by Judge Mark Gempeler’s retirement. )
Council Mtg. Tonight! Ald. Seidl's Request for Reconsideration of Nov.10 "Vacancy" Motion; Possible Action on Proposed City Budget
The Proposed 2010 City Operating Budget is on tonight’s meeting agenda for discussion and possible action.
And note this interesting latest development in the Council/Aldermanic District #5 seat saga---
Ike Boiler Blues/Nov. 18 School Board Mtg; Tonight's (Nov. 23) SB Mtg Cancelled
New Berlin Public Schools spent mega-millions on New Berlin West renovation and the new Ronald Reagan Elementary School. Meanwhile, Eisenhower Middle/High School has been limping along with 1969-vintage boilers.
The NB School Board met last Wednesday (Nov. 18) to discuss Eisenhower's boiler dilemma. Calling it a "boiler challenge", Superintendent Paul Kreutzer asked the Board to identify a solution for the heating problem at Eisenhower. Kreutzer explained that the school operates 2 boilers and both are needed to heat the building. At 40 years old, the boilers are 10 years beyond their expected life. Kreutzer referred to this as an “acute” need.
NOW Newspapers Invites You To Share Your Positive Stories Of 2009
For its end-of-the-year edition, NOW newspapers is planning to feature stories that tell of people's positive experiences in what has been such a difficult year for most of us.
The birth of two grandchildren were just two of the bright spots in this year for me.
