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8/16/2007
News Snippets
Two guys. Running against each other. Staunch political opponents, both seeking their party’s nomination in the 5th congressional district. And friends! It’s an article worth reading.
“What people want is just a greater sense of decency, a greater sense of cooperation, a greater sense of collaboration… [we represent] a Democrat and Republican joining forces to tackle and address the important issues.”
“Our whole message is if you’re Republican, vote for me; if you’re a Democrat, vote for Jeff. And when we’re through the primary, we’re going to give you the campaign you always wanted. It’s not going to be run with negative sound bites, and it’s not going to be dominated by outside money. Once we’re past the primary, we’re going to debate every day, across the district, Lincoln-Douglas style.”
How absolutely refreshing.
Substitute teacher costs are high – too high
A Kenosha News article, featured in FoxPolitics News yesterday, exposed a skyrocketing budget for substitute teachers that went almost $800,000 over the $1.56M budgeted. Wow. Teachers in the Kenosha School District each took an average of 12 sick days in the 2006-07 school year. 22% of 23,367 sick days occurred on a Friday, 30% were due to illness lasting just one day. The school board president:
“We don’t really have an incentive for our teachers to not take the sick days.”
Here’s what a FoxPolitics reader had to say – a reader who knows of what he speaks:
“Substitute teacher costs are too high. Once again a blue ribbon investigation is needed. It may already be in the process locally. I have known many teachers who use all of the leave they can, and do not build any up. In Appleton teachers get 10 days per year. It can accumulate to 130 days.
“Should there be a payout for days not used upon retirement? NO. Teachers who reach retirement should be thankful that they were blessed with good health.
“I have seen teachers on sick days at the shooting range and on Lake Winnebago."
If it’s time, fire the guy
A Wisconsin State Journal story Sunday described the precarious hold David Denig-Chakroff has on his job as the head of Madison’s water utility. It reminded me plain as day of the situation with Appleton’s former Director of Utilities. (Disclaimer: I have no knowledge of the Madison situation and I have no idea of the quality of Denig-Chakroff’s work.) In Appleton, in the early years of this decade, the utility boss presided over reports falsified by the wastewater plant chemist, directed a contractor to delay submission of billings, purchased land for the spreading of biosolids ($370,000) without having obtained the needed permits (which never were granted), constructed a water plant that after 6 years still is not producing the quantity of water paid for, and lastly built a $2M white elephant backup generator at the wastewater plant that sits idle – as it has since just months after its completion. Unbelievable. And still, the mayor just would not fire the guy.
COMMENTS
Hi Jo! Love reading your articles daily,you are so informative. Elaine and I discuss your articles and what a good job you do. Miss you at class. Have good day, keep up the good articles know it is a big job to write them daily. You are better than reading the paper.
Marge Parish (Thu Aug 16 09:51:44 2007)
Yikes, snippets are what happens around Corgies, Queen Elizabeth's breed of choice, who are known for nipping at the heels of whatever animal they herd. I feel as though every day I learn of another nip out of my flesh through government waste and abuse of privilege.
I wonder if the Queen puts up with nipping?
I love it. I bet she puts up with snippets, but not nipping! Funny thing that you should mention nipping - after these hundreds of years of walking neighborhoods for some political purpose or another, I got bit by a dog the other day! A big St. Bernard! Small nip, but scary, nevertheless. Grrrr. JE
Richard (Thu Aug 16 11:32:06 2007)
My impression of these pieces today is that we have to address the issue of the "Entitlement Society."
Before you nod yes and say there should be no public assistance for the poor, I'm talking about the perceived entitlements of the middle class professionals who have muscled a lot of benefits and so-called tenure (in the case of the guy that couldn't get fired) to the point of abuse.
Be assured Lon, that story wasn't about a middle class professional "muscling benefits," but rather about a boss that couldn't pull the trigger. JE
Lon Ponschock (Thu Aug 16 14:10:52 2007)
When the Madison Water Utility fiasco is mentioned along with Appleton's water plant debacle don't forget to mention the mayor of Menasha, Condo Joe and his steam plant.
m pavino (Thu Aug 16 20:56:27 2007)
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