My husband and I walk almost daily in Grafton and we often see people walking and bicycling on the wrong side of the street.

We also experience the reluctance of drivers to move over and allow us room to walk; at times we fear for our own safety! With all the hit-and-runs outlined in the news this summer, one recently in our own hometown resulting in injury and others across the state resulting in death, I think people need to be re-educated regarding the safe way to walk, bike and drive next to people who are walking and biking.

Somewhat recently, re-education brought immediate results when most drivers were not pulling over to give police room to conduct their business on the side of our roadways; I am hoping that with some great informative articles about the topic I suggested above, we will see less people killed or injured due to ignorance and/or apathy when it comes to walkers, bicyclists and cars safely coexisting on our streets.

- Peg Haischer, Grafton

One card can bring you the world

Many cards in your wallet promise reward but can cost you the world. Only one card - your library card - can bring you the world. That’s why it’s called "The Smartest Card."

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. What better time to get a library card. With school back in session, students can use their library cards to get homework help, research their papers or find a title for their next book report. It’s no wonder that studies show that the children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

In this election season, voters can find the information they need to help them make an informed decision about candidates for office and issues of local, state and national importance. Access to information has never been more crucial to the functioning of our democratic society, and the library is the perfect place for making that information available to all people.

From health to history, from food to fundraising, whether it’s online or in print, you can find it at your library. And a library card will get you there. Visit your library and sign up for one today. It’s your ticket to a world of opportunity and no doubt the smartest card you can own.

- David J. Weinhold, director of the Eastern
Shores Library System

McCain cares about America’s security

I hate to admit it but as a Vietnam-era youngster, I am now one of those older guys who never thought he would reach 60. I look back at a lifetime of presidents from Truman on, that makes me feel like those centenarians who people look at curiously because they remember when there were no cars. In my life not much about politics has excited me - let alone caught my interest.

When John Kennedy was elected, I fell in love with him and Jackie and their family as many Americans did. They inspired hope drawn from a man who showed the courage to lead - with no real executive experience save for the U.S. Senate. Something in President Kennedy so inspired me and many others that as a 12-year-old I would rush home from school to catch his afternoon press conferences. I even took to imitating him via the Vaughn Meander comedy albums "The First Family."

When he left us my spirit for that leadership position also left. Vietnam changed it all. I was a staunch Democrat supporting his style of leadership - one that presented real possibilities, real vision and exciting adventures for a people who were otherwise bored.

Democrats of today are in no way, shape or form the Kennedy Democrats I knew. When I worked for LBJ’s re-election, Democrats were peaceful people who didn’t smash windows, slash tires, trample cars and create small riots during the opposition’s conventions. We were peaceful and worked hard to get our man re-elected in a fair and honest manner.

Democrats of today that I see, not all but many, are mean spirited, much misinformed and historically naive, buying into media hype. They embrace a man for their candidate who they knew absolutely nothing about when they did so. And they cling to him out of pride and refusal to admit they didn’t do their homework before picking him. Barack Obama is a good man - a decent man - a fine family man and father. He worked hard to get where he is. He is clearly smart and has a unique charisma about himself. I believe he is honest as much so as we might expect of a politician in an election year. But those seems to be the limits of his persona.

Beyond that, he has done nothing, has no record, has nearly no experience at anything on the national level and in honest evaluation is no more qualified for the presidential nomination than you or me, save perhaps that he has inside contacts.

Perhaps those qualifications will evolve as he gains experience and does something truly meaningful in his life relative to national politics. But for now he is simply a novice who just doesn’t have what it takes. Regardless of what his fellow Democrats say now, I well remember what most said when they were his opponents. How can they just brush those comments aside and pretend that now he is someone ready to lead.

In the end, this is about the best candidate. I do not agree with Sen. McCain on all topics - nor did I with Presidents Kennedy or Johnson. But one thing is for sure. We can never question McCain’s patriotism, nor his mental determination and resolve to stand up for what he believes in. We cannot question his ability to work in the bipartisan arena with all parties. If he can work with Sen. Feingold as he did - he can work with any liberal or conservative - make no mistake about that.

In the end John McCain is so far out of Sen.Obama’s league in qualifications that it is clear the only thing that anyone can oppose him on is his list of beliefs and agenda. Democrats want to elect the far less competent leader for the sake of getting the programs they want - no matter the leader’s ability to lead. That is purely an agenda-driven vote with no care about non-agenda matters such as national security et al. Plainly our national security is not even a matter of concern - it wasn’t mentioned even once in their convention. Yet failure of national security with 9-11 was the leading and indisputable cause of what led to the economic concerns we face now. It all but destroyed the transportation industry, emboldened the Middle East to jack up prices after we spent billions saving them from the spreading tyranny of Saddam in both Kuwait and Iraq. It shook us to the core with anthrax letters and fear of doing almost anything social.

In the end the difference I see here is this. McCain cares about security - Obama has no concern about security in this country. All other issues aside, we will be able to do nothing at all if that security is not in place.

- Marty Moore - Cedarburg

Town losing its recycling choice

I want to thank Gary Wickert for his educational column on the town of Cedarburg recycling center. I have been going there for almost 12 years and was able to learn a number of new things from Gary that I have apparently overlooked. While it is an ugly building (sort of matches the neighborhood - what’s with that Road House paint job?) I had not noticed the rusting that he spoke of, so I guess it is also quite dangerous. I also must confess that I have not noticed one car with the engine idling while the folks are inside, but apparently they are there and in great numbers wasting our precious resources. Also, I don’t have smelly milk cartons because I take a second to rinse them out, but I don’t have a new car either. Thanks for pointing that out Gary.

What I really want to thank Gary for is sharing his vision for a "spectacular commercial and retail center" with "crowds of people from around the Midwest" descending on our town. I can only dream about having spectacular retail so close so I don’t have to drive through Grafton to get to their spectacular retail or downtown Cedarburg to get to their spectacular retail or Mequon ... . What a wonderful vision. Yes, let’s not allow others around us with their new fangled e-mails, fancy cell phones and flat screen TV to get the jump on our town. I hear you loud and clear Gary. I didn’t realize we were being called "stupid" for having a recycling center but I guess it goes with not having spectacular commercial and retail.

I moved here from Chicago and San Jose naively thinking I was coming here to get away from traffic (but not too far away from spectacular commercial and retail). And as a bonus, I thought teaching my kids that they don’t have to pay someone else to do their chores was maybe a good lesson. I realized that, like Gary, I had a choice when I moved here of curbside recycling. I chose not to.

So, thank you Gary for taking the choice away and showing me your vision of lots of people and lots of places to spend money for our town. You certainly make the case that not only is tearing down the old, rusty, smelly, car fumy recycling center the right thing to do, but it is the only option we have to keep our taxes low.

Got a spot at your poker game for a few more?

- Thom Peters, Cedarburg

I would like to recommend to the Cedarburg School Board that the high school soccer field be formally named in honor of the man who put Cedarburg High School soccer on the map - Hayden Knight.

It seems like only yesterday that Hayden came to us as the third head coach in as many years, following Dave Hodgson and Rose Carroll. CHS had a strong core of players but no consistent leadership at the top. All that changed for 20 years in July of 1988. Coach Knight not only brought that much needed leadership but also his reputation as an outstanding player in his own right. The players took to him immediately. The results were also immediate: many "Top 5" state rankings and the school’s very first trip to the state tournament.

Subsequent years saw even more success with state championships and many players going on to successful college careers and even into the pros.

We’ve had the privilege of knowing Hayden and calling him our friend for all of these 20 years. He has worked very hard and has generated real results. Prior to Hayden’s arrival, Cedarburg High School soccer was a mere whisper. Today it enjoys an outstanding and well-deserved reputation as one of the premier high school programs in the state.

Things would likely have been very different had Hayden Knight not come to Cedarburg. I can think of no more fitting tribute to the man than to name the CHS soccer field in his name - Hayden Knight Field.

- Bob and Pat Pearson, Cedarburg

Let’s reflect on America’s democratic process

In this landmark election year, the League of Women Voters is working nationwide to highlight the significance of our democratic process and reaching out to voters in an effort to encourage a better common understanding of the Constitution and the rights it ensures us.

"Constitution Day (Sept. 17) marks an important opportunity for us to reflect upon the foundations we still rely on today," said national League president Mary G. Wilson. "In a year of unprecedented civic energy, it is especially critical for us to all realize why our constitutional rights are so important."

In 2008, the League has been especially active in ensuring that the third branch of government - the judicial branch - is strong and impartial. In July, Wilson spoke before the Judiciary Council of California Commission for Impartial Courts, urging the council to put more effort into citizen education:

"It is essential for Americans to remember key ideals such as responsive government, individual liberties and the separation of powers, especially an independent judicial branch. It is our responsibility to teach those lessons to future generations, and also to ensure our leaders are actively protecting the basic civil liberties we fought to obtain."

On Jan. 23, the League of Women Voters of Ozaukee County held a forum on the topic of judicial independence. Our speakers were Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Shirley Abrahamson and James Alexander, director of the Judicial Commission. Chief Justice Abrahamson noted that apathy, campaign financing, and what judges can say hinder a system where judges are elected. She stressed that judicial independence is important for the people. James Alexander maintained that the Wisconsin Judiciary must maintain independence, integrity, and impartiality which are necessary for the public's confidence.

"For more than 88 years, league members all over the country have rolled up their sleeves to encourage citizen engagement and strengthen our system. Constitution Day serves as an important reminder of that work, and inspires us to keep working to build a better democracy," Mary Wilson concluded.

- Carol Hertz, acting president, League of Women Voters - Ozaukee County

Town should lease, not sell, recycling center land

The Town of Cedarburg should lease the recycling center land for business development, not sell it.

Commercial developments of the kind that the town board has in mind for the recycling center property commonly are built on land that is leased for a long term, 35 years or more. Owners prefer to lease their land to developers, rather than sell it, in order to assure a cash income over the term of the lease. The owner retains the land, as well as the developer-built improvements, at the end of the term. By that time, the land has increased in value and the owner can lease it to a new developer.

A long-term ground lease by the town to a commercial developer will retain the land in the town’s ownership, generate rents, generate real estate taxes and preserve the increasing value of the land as a town asset.

Selling the recycling center parcel for a one-shot gain would be a waste of a principal town asset. The sale price would be spent and would never again be recovered. The land should be leased for commercial development that will generate rents, taxes and increased value for years to come. It’s money in the bank.

- Stephen L. Castner, Cedarburg

Wearing flip-flops can be risky when driving

Many of you have been wondering why B.J. Beck’s Toys on S. Washington Avenue in Cedarburg has part of its front entrance boarded up. We are here to advise you, "Do not wear flip-flops or sandals" when driving a car.

An unfortunate thing happened to a customer last Friday. She got her foot caught in the accelerator pedal of her car before it ran over the curb and into the front of our store.

Gratefully, although significant damage was done to the front of the store and some damage to merchandise, no one was hurt in or outside the store.

- Jane and Bruce Beck, B.J. Beck’s Toys

We’ve had enough campaign falsehoods

Voters would like a change for the better. After almost eight years of the Bush administration, many of us would like some honest leaders. We have had enough falsehoods, misinformation, malicious deceptions and sometimes outright lies from the current administration.

That is why I was disappointed by the lack of candor and truth at the Republican Convention. For example, in (Sarah) Palin’s first major speech to the nation, with all the best speechwriters helping her get it right, she told us many misleading if not outright falsehoods.

One seemingly minor deception concerned her role as a maverick and reformer in the sale of Alaska’s Westwind II executive jet. She promised in her campaign she would sell it. After going unsold for several months, her administration finally put it in the hands of an Anchorage aircraft broker and sold it for a loss of about $600,000.

But that wasn’t enough for either her or the Republican handlers. In her speech, after explaining that some things needed to be gotten rid of, she said she put the executive jet on e-Bay. The implication was that she sold it on e-Bay. The RNC also featured that story in its video tribute to Palin that emphasized her decision to use e-Bay. It was so important to cast Palin as a maverick and reformer that the actual truth didn’t matter.

It is bad enough for the RNC to try to mislead the public, but ironically they may have misled their leader too.

When John McCain came campaigning in Cedarburg (recently), he embellished the eBay story when he said this:

"You know what I enjoyed the most? She took the luxury jet that was acquired by her predecessor and sold it on e-Bay -- made a profit."

Now that is either an outright lie or McCain doesn’t know what is going on in his own campaign. He certainly did not display much regard for the truth. Either way, it is not a hopeful sign that he’ll be a change from Bush. Americans deserve better.

- Joel Brainard, Niskayuna, N.Y.

Bless those motorcycles that hum

A blessing to motorcycles which hum. Nothing to the rest.

- Dorothy Boyer, Cedarburg

As one of the investors of the Ozaukee Sports Center, I would like to clarify our position regarding the town of Grafton. We did not "give up" on the town of Grafton as stated in the headline of the "Sports center investors give up on town of Grafton" article in the News Graphic last week. The town of Grafton supported our project, helped us to improve the facility design, and was heading toward an approval.

Unfortunately, we concluded that the specific site was not large enough for what we wanted to include in the project.

We appreciate the time and effort the town staff, chairman, and plan commissioners put into our project. As a resident of the town of Grafton, we selected the town as our initial location, and we would have been more than happy to be located there.

We would like to note that the Ozaukee Sports Center continues to be devoted to improving sports and recreation facilities in the town of Grafton, and we plan to support the proposed development of an outdoor baseball complex by Grafton Little League in the town of Grafton.

We also hope to contribute to and participate in the proposed outdoor Sports Complex in the town of Cedarburg as well.

- Dan Wade, Grafton

Let’s expand dog ban to include baby strollers

As a community member who tries to support the local festivals, let me respond to three separate letters in your 8-28-08 letters column.

Maybe I need a velociraptor on a leash. Yes it would be sad to have to tell adults not to bring animals to a festival as Laurel Kashinn states. Especially when adults integrate animals into crowds that are shoulder to shoulder and barely maneuverable by humans.

I, an animal lover and owner, watched dogs being stepped on, heard them yelp and saw them quiver out of fear. I wouldn’t blame them if they had all gone home and urinated in their owners’ shoes. At ground level they don't know what is going on and are trying to maneuver a sea of shoes, shopping bags and strollers. This was the larger dogs as well as the "2 pounders."

It was even sadder to see dog owners become irate with someone who accidentally stepped on their precious fashion accessory, er, I mean pet. Take your dog to a dog park and let them run, they would surely enjoy it more. We don’t need to train the dogs, we need to retrain the people to think about the well-being of their pet. Common sense people, common sense.

And, yes, we have outgrown the space for the size of the festival, it has reached a point where people are starting to say that they will not attend because of the crowds. Guess who suffers when attendance goes down, the vendors. For their sake alone, do something.

And Nedra Clague asked, "What’s next? Baby strollers?" For the love of God I hope so.

I actually saw a man and his wife with a stroller that had a wagon attached to it with a cooler on wheels attached to that. I can’t tell you how many times I got hit in the heel of a foot by strollers pushed by inattentive drivers. Attach this to the fact that you will have three or four "stroller parents" stop in the middle of the street to talk and BAM! Stroller Jam! ... everything stops - people, dogs, strollers and business.

We need to enjoy these festivals again, stretch it out, or mark my words, they are going to start showing up with "stretch strollers," for their kids and their dogs.

- Harry Sutton, Mequon

News Graphic reporter will be missed

I would like to say a heartfelt "farewell" and "thank you" to (News Graphic) reporter Tim Carpenter who I understand is leaving for an overseas teaching job.

I always enjoyed reading Tim’s articles because I know that he researched his material and delivered the story with an honest perspective. Tim’s stories had an intellectual element of depth and his interviewing process was very humble. He always seemed to take personal interest in the stories he wrote.

Tim, I wish you well on your new adventure and hope that your talents in communication, researching, and writing will continue to open new doors.

Thank you for your coverage of Grafton. You will be missed.

- Angela Mack, Grafton

McCain visit was a great, but frustrating, experience

Friday’s McCain arrival was a great celebration for Cedarburg. I am happy that any campaign would select Cedarburg for their show, it is a great city that I love, and have lived near for over 40 years.

I happen to be supporting Obama. He is a great family man and I do not see color.

I arrived in Cedarburg with my Obama sign and walked down the sidewalk close to the Chocolate Factory. Police met me along the way and there was no response. I was asked if I wanted to enter the secure area, and I said no, I was happy to stand on the sidewalk.

I was approached by a young man carrying a handful of flags which he was giving out, and told by him that I could not stand there. He said that it was a secure area. I told him that I was outside of the white gates and should he want to check me, he would find that I had nothing that could cause a problem. He insisted that I had to move, so I said I would stand in the area where there was a driveway, and he said that I could not stand there either. So I said that I would move a block away. He said that was secure also, and then said he would escort me to my car.

After walking a long distance with me, he decided to stop. I walked to Mill Road and Washington Avenue and was able to stand the same distance from a white secure area on a corner. I got a lot of thumbs up signs, so I don’t think all who came were McCain supporters. The only people who made contact with me were those who were pro-life people.

I personally don’t believe in abortions either, I think contraception is the answer for those who don’t want children. I also think that those who truly believe that abortions are bad should adopt all of those who are presently in orphanages. I also believe that abortions should be a personal choice, and not one ruled by our government. I have Republican friends who feel the same way. Most Catholics don’t believe in abortions and (Sen. Joe) Biden is a Catholic.

My husband was a farm boy who served in World War II. He was able to receive his education from the GI Bill. McCain supports the troops and yet voted against the GI Bill for our present men returning from two and three tours of duty in Iraq. I think they deserve the same help.

Out of thanks to our government for the life they have given us, and because I do not want another unjust war that caused the largest deficit a president has ever given our grandchildren to pay, as someone who loves my 14 grandchildren, I will continue to back a party that I feel will change our government, and keep our country free of war. If I can help by carrying a sign, I will continue to do so.

I am an Independent who voted for the first Bush, but Republicans are not Republicans anymore.

- Trudy Hannam, Cedarburg

Wanting to dominate an industry is greed

I would like address this letter to both (Ozaukee County supervisors) Mr. (James) Uselding and Mr. (Gustav) Wirth (Jr.).

There is NOTHING wrong with making money! But! When those who make the money, or try to, want to dominate the industry, which ever that might be, that is called GREED!

It is indeed a shame that this attitude should even exist!

Especially, coming from our own elected representatives, who we voted for with hopes that they represent all of us, instead of their OWN personal interests!

Mr. Wirth, have you forgotten who it was that saved Wirths’ Store during the years of the Great Depression?

It was the POOR PEOPLE of this area! Oh yes Mr. Wirth, your store extended lots of CREDIT! But!, they gained much more than they lost!

My father and many of my relatives spent thousands of dollars on John Deere farm machinery at Wirths years ago!

All of this helped pull Wirths’ Store through the great depression back then! AND NOW!, when I need help to find an assisted living facility of MY CHOICE you turn your back on me?

Shame on you!

Here after, before, we cast our votes, let’s be sure we really know our candidates!

- Roy J. Eickstedt, Cedarburg

Woman could have avoided arrest for overdue books

I find it unbelievable and nauseating that this publication, as well as many other news outlets, is making Heidi Dalibor out to be a victim "just" because she was arrested for overdue library books.

Sure it started out simply as some overdue library books but she let it escalate into some thing more and from all accounts I’ve read or heard has failed to see that she has done anything wrong at all. She is NOT A VICTIM! Miss Dalibor has only shown that she is inconsiderate, lacks responsibility, lacks good judgment and has no respect. It would have been considerate to anyone waiting to check these books out to return them on time. It would have been responsible to pay the late fine and return the books. It would have also been responsible and shown good judgment to take care of the ticket. It would have been respectful to all involved if she had taken care of this at any point before it got this far.

Miss Dalibor had every opportunity to avoid her arrest by either returning the books on time, returning them and paying her fine after she was notified they were overdue, paying the ticket on time or showing up for her court date to contest the charges. Maybe Miss Dalibor thought everyone would forget if she did not respond to any notices, after all she was a baby sitter.

By failing to pay her fine or show up for court, a warrant was issued for her arrest and the police properly carried out the warrant. So she was handcuffed and transported to the police station. The same would happen to any other person served a warrant. What did she expect? Does she think that she is above the law? Does she think that there should be no consequences for her actions? Does she think that just because she babysat for the neighbors’ kids that the police should alter their policies? Apparently so and so does everyone else who thinks she is a victim.

Maybe this will be the wake-up call that Miss Dalibor needs to start taking responsibility for her actions in the future. Until then she can only expect the same results.

- Mike Uutala, Grafton

Let me see if I understand the rantings of Gary Wickert.

He doesn’t like the free speech allowed by our Constitution when the content of that speech doesn’t agree with his views of the world. He expands that thought by suggesting that those who disagree with him leave the country.

We have heard that mantra before: America, love it or leave it. Basically the thought is that if you do not love something as it is, you should abandon it.

Unfortunately for Gary and others like him, that is exactly the opposite of what this country is all about. So, Gary, if you really don’t like free speech, maybe you should follow your own advice.

Our forefathers believed that the world they were living in was less than perfect and fought the intellectual and physical battles needed to create a better place. They knew that it still was not perfect and created the Constitution as an outline to follow to allow this new America to continue the process of becoming something even better - a more perfect Union.

Over the years several amendments to that document were created to continue the refinement process. Yes, free speech was one of those to allow Gary and me and everybody else to express our beliefs and thoughts, as well as to prevent the Garys of the world from kicking people out or silencing them when they express something different from what he believes.

If I understand Gary’s world, his life here is perfect. It must be nice to make enough as a trial lawyer to have enough free time to research and record the thoughts of dozens of people who have a different view and to write lengthy diatribes about them ...

Unfortunately, millions of Americans are not so lucky, women and minorities are still not equal in many workplaces, millions of Americans struggle to make ends meet, the housing market is devastating the finances of millions of us, and the stock market and pension losses over the past several years have caused many to question their retirement.

I do agree with Gary that this is still the best country to live in. However, since I am not one of the privileged few, I don’t think it is perfect. Like my family, my friendships, and my jobs, I love this country too much to abandon the struggles needed for achieve the vision of a more perfect union and have spent my life working for, volunteering for and donating to causes that help in that pursuit.

I know not everyone has my same beliefs on the environment, our education system, politics, religion, or concern for the less fortunate, but unlike Gary, I do appreciate the opportunity to hear the views of others, to disagree with them, and to tune them, not throw them, out.

- Tom Balliet, Mequon

Let’s help send WWII vets to Washington

As they approached the tiny island in the Pacific, sunshine and blue skies merged with blood and saltwater. They were teenagers mostly, slogging through the water, toward the beach they ran. It was as if "eminent death was somehow mixed with eminent hope, we were just so young," one of them would say. Another aging hero would talk of Europe, of their plane being shot down and hearing nothing but "wind in the cockpit and the Lords’ Prayer" as the plane plummeted and all hell broke loose.

Gold stars in windows. Prison camps. Friends killed. The brotherhood of Word War II. There are of course countless other stories, but they are stories in an epic with a common theme: freedom literally hung in the balance. And, our young men and women of the time answered the call.

It’s our turn.

We have just formed a local chapter of the national organization "Honor Flight." Honor Flight’s mission is to fly World War II and any terminally ill veterans of other wars to see their memorial in Washington DC. We hope to complete our first charter flight in November of this year.

As the last of the Greatest Generation reluctantly, humbly share their stories of selflessness and sacrifice, as they approach their final curtain call, we are witnesses to a tremendous loss as we embrace a golden opportunity. They will die. Nine hundred heroes, men and women who defined honor and dignity pass from us each and every day. They take their stories and history and enormous bravery with them. But, many are among us still. There is no earthly way we can approach a gift that reflects our depth of gratitude.

But thank them we will. With your help, we will.

And, it is urgent. We are making remarkable early progress but we need your time, talent and especially treasure. Guardians and volunteers are needed and we are trying to raise $97,000 to charter our first plane and join with the National Honor Flight entourage in Washington, D.C. Sixty years in the making, this is the first real opportunity many of these veterans have to see their World War II Memorial! Please click on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight banner at the Ozaukee County Web site www.co.ozaukee.wi.us or contact me at jdean@co.ozaukee.wi.us. Donations are tax deductible; there is zero overhead as everyone working with us is a volunteer.

It has been said that a veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life." On islands in the Pacific. In the skies above Europe. On the beaches of Normandy and Iwo Jima, in the middle of nowhere, far from home, they served, they bled, they died. Harder still, they will tell you, was watching their buddies suffer. You have all heard a similar refrain from the selfless generation: "those that never came home, now they were the real heroes."

For those that did return and are with us still, it is time for a simple thank you; for a profound day of reunion and renewal. For a trip to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. Before it is too late. Help Honor Flight fly. Please.

- Joe Dean, Port Washington, 
president of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight

Washington County GOP endorsing Dan LeMahieu

The Washington County Republican Party has endorsed our incumbent Rep. Dan LeMahieu in the primary race for the 59th State Assembly District.

Rep. LeMahieu has been a lifelong Republican and a Republican Party member for many years. He is a tireless supporter of Republican Party functions and community events in the counties he represents. Rep. LeMahieu’s opponent, Karl McCarty, is not a member of the Republican Party in any of the counties in the 59th District, and has no history within our party. There is no evidence to suggest Mr. McCarty is capable of delivering the high level of conservative representation that Rep. LeMahieu already provides.

Rep. LeMahieu has been a solid, conservative voice for the constituents of his district for the past six years. He has a proven track record of cutting taxes, controlling spending and providing the leadership we need in Madison. He is a skilled public servant who is pro-life, pro-second amendment, and an advocate of Wisconsin farmers and business owners.

Wisconsin needs more leaders like Rep. LeMahieu. I urge the voters of the 59th Assembly District to join the Washington County Republican Party in supporting and re-electing Rep. Dan LeMahieu on Sept. 9.

- Jim Geldreich, chairman of the Washington County Republican Party

Memory of Sept. 11 must live on forever

September 11, 2001, may have passed, but the memory of that day must live on forever.

As Americans, we may sometimes take the blessings of freedom and liberty for granted. Every day, around the World, American troops serve to defend our liberty and freedom. Police, fire, and emergency service personnel stand ready to protect us at home.

We shed many tears watching the firefighters and policemen that were on rescue and recovery duty and we now look upon a firefighter, policeman or EMT with renewed respect and appreciation.

For some, remembrance is difficult and painful. They do not want to be reminded. For the rest of us, it is our duty to remember and to honor the victims, the heroes, and their families. We owe it to them to remember, and to make sure that it never happens again.

On Thursday, Sept. 11, veterans groups, firefighters, policemen, Scout groups, and citizens from throughout the area, will march in silent tribute from the Saukville Fire Station on Highway 33 to Grady Park in Saukville, where a candlelight program will be conducted at dusk.

We Must Never Forget. You can honor 9/11 by participating in the Ozaukee County 9/11 Commemorative March. Marchers will form at 6:30 p.m. at the Saukville Fire Station; the parade will begin at 7 p.m. A bus will be provided to shuttle marchers from Grady Park back to their cars at the Saukville Fire Station.

Please pass the word to your family, friends, neighbors, church and school. Should you have any questions, please contact John Kovatch at 375-8626, jtk007@wi.rr.com or Saukville Fire Lt. Richard Schoenfeldt at 284-9747, rschoenfeldt@wi.rr.com.

- John T. Kovatch, commander, Landt-Thiel American Legion Post 470, and Lt. Richard P. Schoenfeldt, Saukville Fire Department

Sensenbrenner has shown great leadership

I have been curious about Jim Burkee’s positions and philosophy and found his guest column in today’s (Aug. 14) News Graphic most helpful in that regard.

Mr. Burkee criticizes Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner for failing to ensure greater pork barrel spending is not allocated to the state of Wisconsin. The congressman has shown great leadership in resisting expanding the government bureaucracy and demanding efficient value for taxpayer's money. The Republican Party lost control of congress because they lost the discipline and leadership to reject bigger government, more spending and the requisite higher taxes to support same.

Mr. Burkee exposes himself as a rino (Republican in name only) who, along with Democrats, think we can restore a sound economy by improving some roads and researching "stuff." I do, however, appreciate his honesty and find that most refreshing. He has made my decision for the September 9th primary.

- M.E. Stone, Cedarburg

The Cedarburg American Legion Post 288 members and myself would like to express our sincere appreciation and a well-deserved thank you to the total community at large, but especially to the following named individuals and/or groups who helped to make our program of Troop Gift Boxes for Cedarburg and Grafton service members a complete success:

Thorson Elementary School students and teachers

Webster Middle School students, Ms. Handal and teachers

Parents of all these students

To the community that donated money at our monthly fish fry

To everyone else in the community who donated money for post-age

Cedarburg/Grafton Rotary for their sizable donation for postage and for troop phone cards

Members of the Cedarburg American Legion Post 288

Johnson Level and Tool in Mequon for 2,000 batteries for our troops

Mr. and Mrs. David Barrow for Hoffman’s meat

Bublitz in Saukville for a container in their entrance

Costco Foods in Grafton

Grafton State Bank in Cedarburg for a donation container

Ozaukee Bank for donations

I would also like to personally thank Ms. Goets, the daughter of Gary Goets, who sold an additional 160 boxes of Girl Scout cookies for the servicemen and women serving our country overseas. This young Girl Scout donated 160 boxes to our Legion post for these veterans to enjoy. Our post was unable to ship all these boxes overseas, but we were able to distribute them to veterans hospitals as well as to those serving in foreign countries.

The Legion post just currently completed the mail out of all these boxes, but because the Fox Company Marines from Cedarburg and Grafton are returning home this August, we were able to assemble a list of additional Cedarburg servicemen and women to finish the balance of boxes ready for mailing out.

The post has received several letters from these service members, explaining how much they appreciate our efforts and wonderful acceptance of these boxes of goodies that they were able to share with their buddies and the civilian children and population.

The post mailed out approximately 65 Troop Gift Boxes at an average weight of 10 pounds per box, which equated out to about 650 pounds, give or take a few pounds.

Therefore, with the help of the entire Cedarburg community and several business people, the particular program to support our local troops was a total and complete success. Hopefully in the future, our post can again depend on the support of this great and wonderful Cedarburg community in showing their dedication to both their country and their community.

Again, the committee and myself would like to thank everyone involved for their wonderful dedication and help through this total project.

- Legion Committee: Marnee Drews, John Katzka, Post Commander James Lee, Tom Ingram, Rocky Myers, Carl Odemann, Conrad Karnish, Carol Maumee

What’s wrong with making money?

Enough is enough about how the county keeps saying the "public sector is not interested in housing low- and moderate-income residents." This is a direct quote from the Ozaukee Press made by Supervisor Kathy Geracie, chairman of the Aging and Long Term Care Committee.

A statement was also made in the News Graphic on how the private sector just wants to make money. Now you tell me - anyone who is in business and does not make any money will not stay in business very long. Anyone who has a garage sale will check the sales to see if there is enough taken in to pay for the ad - so making money is important. Except, that is, when it comes to government; then we are spending someone else’s money, not my money, so it is not important to make money.

Supervisor Rose Hass Leider of Fredonia said, and I quote from the same Ozaukee Press: "The facility would affect facilities owned by the taxpayers." This is correct. This is to inform the public that there are a number of private assisted living facilities in Ozaukee County that will provide care for the low- and moderate-income families. I know as I own two homes - one in Grafton and one in Cedarburg. My company is Family Tree Residential Facilities Inc. and we have been in business since 1985. I am also a county supervisor and have been since 1992.

James Uselding, Cedarburg

The members of the Cedarburg American Legion, Peter Wollner Post 288 and myself would like to commend Beyer’s Hardware and all those who participated in the distribution and layout of approximately 1,500 American flags throughout the Cedarburg downtown area prior to the July 4 parade.

The groups that participated in placing this vast number of flags are shown below and I would like to personally thank them for their efforts:

Fifteen Fire Department Explorers
Four Beyer’s employees
Four Fire Department firefighters

Hawthorn Party and Cards (tags)

It is not often that an individual or a single company would have the pride or take the time to show their strong patriotism to our wonderful country by displaying that many flags.

This particular show of patriotism by Mr. Beyer and the above mentioned groups is a testimony of how our wonderful Cedarburg community at large feels about our flag and the July 4 holiday.

Beyer’s Hardware has been placing this many flags around the Cedarburg community for the past six years and hopefully they will continue this tradition for many years to come.

Along with the placement of the flags, a tag is attached to the flag that reads as follows and is very appropriate for this holiday:

"On this 4th of July, please join us in thanking God for the freedom He has given us and for those who have fought to preserve it. May God continue to bless America."

We the members of the Cedarburg American Legion fully concur with this poem or reading and fully support our country and what the American flag represents and stands for.

Thank you,

James A. Lee, post commander, Cedarburg American Legion Peter Wollner Post 288

On Sept. 9, primary election day, Mequon voters will be asked to approve a referendum to allow Mequon to acquire the We Energies water utility.

The utility distributes Lake Michigan water, supplied by the Milwaukee and North Shore Water Utilities, to some 2,300 Mequon customers. We Energies wishes to exit the water business as no longer a fit with their growth strategy. So now is the perfect time for Mequon to purchase the utility and join other Ozaukee County municipalities such as Cedarburg, Grafton and Port Washington in operating its own municipal water system.

A Mequon-owned water utility benefits all residents whether customers or not. A municipal water utility, complementing the existing sewer utility, makes Mequon a more attractive community - increasing property values for all. Customers will see a reduction in water bills upward of 27 percent; fire protection via hydrants and mains will insure continuation of a Class 5 fire insurance rating with concomitant reduction in fire insurance premiums for all properties; and strain on the Lake Superior aquifer is reduced for private well users with hook-up to the utility always an option.

There is no discernible down-side. The capital cost of the purchase will come from a bond issue which the utility will repay over 20 years. No property tax revenue is at risk as all capital, operating and maintenance expenses will fully derive from utility customer billing under rates approved by the PSC. Property owners who are not customers of the utility will never be at any financial risk under the terms of the referendum.

Mequon residents are encouraged to read the full referendum text in Mequon’s August News, distributed to all postal customers -- and to vote "YES" on Sept. 9.

Warren R. Stumpe, Mequon

Roundabouts help save lives

A great deal has been written recently about the construction of roundabouts throughout the state. Some letters to editors have complained that they’re confusing and expensive; others, that they’re easier to navigate and are safer. For the roundabout novice, they take some getting used to. But over time, people generally come to understand how they function and embrace them.

Some roundabouts can be more costly, some less costly than a standard signalized intersection. It’s really a case-by-case evaluation. But a signalized intersection requires ongoing operational and maintenance support - someone has to pay for the electricity to run the traffic signals and to replace the burned out lights and knock-downs from traffic crashes. Roundabouts, on the other hand, don’t require signalization, and have fewer operational costs, which saves money in the long run.

No, not every intersection is suitable for a roundabout. But where they make sense, and the Federal Highway Administration requires that we consider roundabouts as an alternative for all proposed new intersections on federally funded highway projects, WisDOT will recommend their installation.

It should be noted that a typical intersection has 32 points of conflict where collisions could occur. A roundabout has only eight. Slower speeds in roundabouts also give people more time to react to other vehicles within the roundabout and, when crashes occur, reduce their severity.

Roundabouts have shown to reduce fatal crashes by 90 percent, injury crashes by 76 percent and pedestrian crashes by 30 percent to 40 percent. Violent T-bone crashes are virtually eliminated. These staggering safety statistics are difficult to ignore.

Things to keep in mind when encountering a roundabout: slow down, yield to pedestrians and traffic already in the roundabout, and then turn right onto your destination street, again yielding to pedestrians when exiting.

The Wisconsin Department of transportation has a helpful Web site, www.dot.Wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/roaddesign/roundabout.htm, that can answer your questions. I encourage you to visit it and learn about the advantages of modern roundabouts.

Frank Busalacchi, secretary of the Wisconsin 
Department of Transportation

I have a response that should be posted in reply to the "I’ve got a gripe" in the July 24 News Graphic, regarding the "what gives?" comment.

I own the southeast corner of the intersection, and in preparation for the design of our new state-of-the-art facility, much thought was given to preserving the habitat that was located there. We painstakingly mapped each tree on the property and had them judged for health and position in their life cycle. While to the lay person, it may have looked like a vibrant wooded lot, to the expert that I hired to judge the health of the trees, most were unhealthy and dying.

The Crimson King maples are in excellent health and we are able to save them. The few mature pines that stood were diseased and showed signs of dying. It was determined they may have lasted another year or two, and should be removed and replaced with new, healthy specimens. The rest of the trees that most would know in a wooded area were actually brushy offshoots of nuisance trees that propagate disease, such as elm.

With regret, it was decided to remove any trees that would cause further damage to the existing trees on both lot lines, and to replant with healthy trees, shrubbery and flowers. We hope that the result will far surpass the beauty of the previous pines for many years to come.

Had Georges Seurat the legendary neo-impressionist painter been seeking the perfect locale for a follow up to his famous work featuring families at leisure in the park, he certainly would have been enchanted by the scenario at Cedarburg’s Cedar Creek Park on the 4th of July. Observing a sea of citizens decked out in celebratory red, white and blue on a perfect summer day, would have brought as much joy to Seurat as it did to those of us who orchestrated the 2008 Cedarburg hometown celebration.

On behalf of the Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to the following organizations, businesses and individuals who assisted us in making the day memorable with the finest small town celebration one could hope for:

Heartfelt thanks go out to our Blue Ribbon Sponsors: the city of Cedarburg, town of Cedarburg, US Bank and Olsen’s Piggly Wiggly. Additional financial support was generously offered by our American Pride sponsors: Bank Mutual, Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary, Cedarburg Light & Water, the Howard Kirmsee Family, Ozaukee Bank, Sendik’s Food Market and Time Warner Cable, as well as our Community Firecrackers: Aurora Health Care, Cedarburg Junior Woman’s Club, Cedarburg Lions, Columbia-St. Mary’s, Port Washington State Bank and Tri-City Bank. Special thanks go to our Stars & Stripes sponsors: American Legion Peter Wollner Post No. 288, C. Wiesler’s Saloon & Eatery, Cedar Creek Settlement Merchants Association, Cedar Creek Winery, Conley Publishing Group, Cornerstone Community Bank, Kubala-Washatko Architects, Landmark Feed Seed & Supply, McDonalds of Cedarburg, Mueller Funeral Home, Reliant Fire Apparatus, Stone Mill Development and White Rice Advertising & PR.

We also wish to express our sincere appreciation to A-1 Fence, the City of Cedarburg Department of Public Works, Parks and Recreation Department, Cedarburg Civic Band, Cedarburg Police and Fire Departments, Cedarburg School District, Emergency Government, Patty Gallun-Hansen and Dr. Michael Hansen, Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce coordinators Lisa Primuth and Lisa Taubner, 5 Corners Dodge, Newman Chevrolet, the organizers of the Summers Sounds Concert series and our many additional volunteers for their kind assistance.

There is simply no place like home for the holiday if one celebrates it in Cedarburg!

A warm thank you for supporting the Strawberry Festival

The Festival Committee would like to thank each person and organization that contributed to a very successful Strawberry Festival. A warm thank you is extended to the city of Cedarburg, the Cedarburg Police Department, Cedarburg Parks and Recreation and Mikko Hilvo, Cedarburg Department of Public Works, and the Cedarburg Fire and Rescue Department. The Festival Committee sincerely appreciates your support for all of the festivals.

The Strawberry Festival is presented to our community through the participation of these businesses. Their generosity ensures the success and overall quality of our event. Please join us in thanking these companies by rewarding them with your patronage. Presenting sponsor: Time Warner Cable. Major sponsors: Columbia St. Mary’s, Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited, Inc., Cedar Creek Winery, Miller, Saturn of Milwaukee, Sommer’s Buick, and VIVA. Contributing Sponsors: Amy’s Candy Kitchen, Bank Mutual, Home Depot, Port Washington State Bank, US Bank, Waste Management. Supporting Sponsors: Bella Lei Salon & Day Spa, Cedar Creek Settlement Merchants Association, Olsen’s Piggly Wiggly, Washington House Inn. Friends of Festivals: Cedar Creek Motorsports, Kemps, M&I Bank - Cedarburg, Segway of Milwaukee, The Bog, Tri-City National Bank, Zuern Building Products, Inc.

We gratefully express our thanks to supporting merchants including All That Pizzazz, Amish Craftsmen Guild II, Amy’s Candy Kitchen, August Weber Haus, Autumglo Pet Boutique & Spa, Blou Heaven, Boulangerie Du Monde, Brother John’s Art World, Bungalow by the Bay, Cedarburg Coffee Roastery, Classic Traditions, Creekside Books, Downtown Dough, Emporio Bambino, Fiddleheads Espresso Bar & CafŽ, Floral Expressions by Ron, Garden Goodies, Giralte Gems and Beads, Glaze, Good Things from the Heart, Halcyon Mode, LLC, Herman’s, Hoffman’s Market, Java House, Mary Jane’s Confectionery, Material Matters, Maxwell’s, Nouveau Antique & Jewelry Parlour, Patricia Frances Interiors, Rivoli Theatre, Robin’s Paperie, Sal’s Pizza, Savon Nouveau, Screamin’ Tuna Surf Shop, Settlers Inn, Studio 6, T.J. Ryans, The Briar Patch, The Chocolate Factory, The Stonewall Pub, Tomaso’s, Vintage CafŽ and Take Away and Wyndrose Fine Jewelry

The Festival Committee applauds the numerous businesses and non-profit organizations that provide volunteers for this festival. Thank you to American Legion Post 288, Cedarburg High School Booster Club, Dan Wrolstad and Shorewest Realtors, Grafton State Bank, Miller, Ozaukee Bank, Ozaukee Day Care, Port Washington State Bank, Ozaukee County Tourism, Ozaukee County Historical Society.

Thank you to the businesses that support the festival by offering property usage or transportation: Cedarburg Public Library, Cedarburg Emergency Government, Cedar Creek Motorsports, Newman Chevrolet, The Bog and Segway of Milwaukee.

A very special thank you to the Retzlaff Family for their continued support of Festivals.

We appreciate the gift of time and support from our many individual volunteers. It is through their spirit of volunteerism that we are able to bring the festival to Cedarburg.

Our appreciation goes out to the Cedar Creek Settlement Merchants Association, Cedarburg Cultural Center and the Ozaukee Art Center for organizing the Arts on the Avenue. We are also grateful to the Cedarburg Artist’s Guild for planning the Plein Air Painting Competition which makes our Strawberry Festival so unique.

A final thank you from the Festivals Committee is extended to the Cedarburg community for supporting this family fun festival. Your hospitality is what makes Cedarburg a great place to live and visit. We hope to see you at the Wine & Harvest Festival, being held on Sept. 20 and 21!

Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc.

Your guest viewpoint authored by Chad Pentler in the July 10 issue was very well done. First, Chad is currently a student as noted by his biography and it is refreshing to see Ozaukee County’s young folks get involved in resolving some of the issues we face. Second, the specific topic Chad asked our congressman, Jim Sensenbrenner, "why he did not vote for the new G.I. Bill" highlights one of the issues we face as Ozaukee County residents.

Whether one agrees with Congressman Sensenbrenner or not on the recently passed G.I. Bill (61 percent of his fellow congressmen and 94 percent of the U.S. senators did not agree with him), his vote in this matter shows a continued issue with his long-term incumbency creating an environment where he is out of touch with his constituents. On this specific matter, we personally feel that if we can spend the money to send our kids off to war, at a minimum, we should be taking care of them when they return. The argument that we "can’t afford the G.I. Bill" is absurd given its cost vs. the total war’s cost.

The good news for all of this for Chad, and the rest of Ozaukee County, is that we have an option in this year’s September Republican primary. Until this year’s Cedarburg Fourth of July parade, we were unaware that Jim Burkee is also running. In our view, the competition for this congressional seat is sorely needed.

Lyle and Dianne Gray, Cedarburg

Generous financial support makes scholarship fund possible

The Cedarburg Community Scholarship Fund Board of Directors takes this opportunity to publicly thank everyone in the Cedarburg community who assisted our organization this year in providing financial assistance to graduating high school seniors.

On May 28, the CCSF board awarded scholarships to 104 seniors who reside in the Cedarburg School District. These students attended five high schools. The total of the CCSF awards was $127,850.

Those dollars were the result of generous contributions of many individuals, businesses and organizations in the Cedarburg area during the past year. They were also the result of countless volunteer hours.

The Cedarburg Community Scholarship Fund is truly a community effort. Many people play roles in efforts that culminate in the annual awards night program which for our board is the highlight of our year. That evening exemplifies the essence of our organization.

We extend a special thank you to everyone.

Kay Castner, Cedarburg Community Scholarship Fund president

To the Editor and Community Members:

I had the privilege and honor of being Felix Boller’s second grade teacher at Thorson Elementary.

Without a doubt, the Cedarburg School District has impressive state test scores. That is definitely something to celebrate. However, I want to share with you something that we should be even more proud of that can’t be measured by paper and pencil, which is the care and compassion that the children of this community have demonstrated.

The children in my class learned from each other. They learned how to care for a friend - how to push his wheelchair, how to help him around the classroom, even how to just listen when he needed someone to talk to.

They learned lessons as a 7-, 8-, 9-year-old that most adults don’t ever face. At the end of the school year, we stopped our academic learning a week early to celebrate Felix and participate in his "favorite things." We had a board game day, movie party and we ate his favorite foods. I know that week was one of the best and most memorable weeks for all of us.

I want to thank my class for helping each other and myself through this year. I want to thank the parents and staff at Thorson for how supportive they have been. Finally I want to thank Becky for sharing Felix with me. He taught us all to love life. You don’t find children like this in just any community. We all have so much to be proud of! I know Felix will be in our hearts forever!

Allison Voeller, Thorson Elementary School second grade teacher

(Editor’s note: Felix Boller, 8, of Cedarburg, died last week after a battle with cancer.)

Thanks for curbing the throwing of candy

After the Cedarburg Fourth of July parade, I noticed Amy Canapa’s Letter to the Editor ("Stop Throwing Candy") regarding this year’s Fun Before the Fourth parade. Amy should bring her family to Cedarburg’s parade in the future.

This year, Cedarburg apparently implemented a no-throwing candy rule. All candy and items were to be handed out at the curb. The Cedarburg auxiliary police on the parade route worked diligently to remind parade participants that candy and items were to be handed out at the curb not thrown. While a few parade participants ignored or "forgot" the rule, the majority were handing things out only at the curb.

A flying piece of hard candy did hit me hard in the neck during the parade after an adult carelessly threw a large amount from the back of the truck she was riding in. She missed her target group of children by about 5 feet. Thankfully, my 3-year-old son wasn’t sitting on my lap at the time as it would have hit him in the eye or face.

Thank you Cedarburg for implementing the rule to only hand out items at the curb. Thank you auxiliary police for your hard work. It definitely helped keep the children out of the street and away from moving vehicles. We’ll see you again next Fourth of July.

I was happy to read the article about the Tele-Care service provided by the Cedarburg Police Department (May 29 News Graphic). It is a valuable, free, community resource for those who live alone, especially the elderly.

This unique program is available to Cedarburg seniors and enables them to have daily contact with someone.

Cope Services offers free, confidential telephone visits to the senior population of Ozaukee County. Jo Heckenbach, the senior specialist, will call citizens in the community who request the service.

Unlike the anonymity of the Cope Hotline, the seniors and Jo know each other by name and Jo calls them weekly. She provides emotional support and seniors can safely discuss any issues or concerns.

There are also other senior services offered by Interfaith Caregivers, Ozaukee Family Services and the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Ozaukee County.

Hopefully, together as a community we can serve seniors who have need of our assistance.

Nancy Bell, outreach coordinator,
Cope Services
377-1477
www.copeservices.org

A poem for a special day

On Thursday, May 22, I attended the Memorial Day ceremony at Webster Transitional School in Cedarburg. I was touched by the kindness and thoughtfulness shown to me by the students and staff that morning.

As (News Graphic reporter) Lisa Curtis noted in her (May 27) story, this was an opportunity for everyone attending to share many things with one another.

One young man gave me this poem that morning. He made this Memorial Day a very special one for me.

A Soldier Lives On

He may be gone in this world,

But his spirit will always live on.

He will take refuge in the stripes,

And the fifty stars.

When his feet were on this soil,

Under the dark midnight sky,

He’d think of you and you’d do the same,

And in thought you were side by side.

He may be gone in this world,

But his memory still lives on.

In mine and yours and all that have heard,

How bravely and proudly he served.

- Riley Neuville, sixth grade,

Webster Transitional School

Kay Castner, Cedarburg

(Editor’s Note: Kay Castner is the mother of Army Spec. Stephen W. Castner, 27, who was killed in Iraq on July 24, 2006.)

Praise for Ride Share

The reason for this letter is to praise Ozaukee County’s Ride Share program. I recently had surgery on my right foot and therefore I could not drive my automobile.

Since I am a county supervisor and would have several meetings per month in Port Washington my wife suggested that I try the Ride Share program.

What a delightful experience. The vehicles were clean, the drivers personable, they came on time and the cost is a fraction of what it costs to operate your own personal vehicle.

Because it is "ride share," I met other Ozaukee residents who like myself were impressed with the ride share as well.

The reason why Ride Share is so reasonable, it is because it is a federally-, state- and county-funded program.

Bob Walerstein, Mequon
District 28, Ozaukee County Supervisor

We are conducing a senseless war that has cost, so far, over half a trillion dollars on credit. We have borrowed money from China so that we can give taxpayers an economic stimulus rebate in order to enable them to purchase more merchandise from China.

Our troops are paying an average of $3.23 a gallon for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel in Iraq while Iraqi citizens are paying about $1.36 a gallon for the same fuel.

We have mortgaged our children’s and our grandchildren’s future. We are printing money like the Confederacy did during the latter stages of the Civil War.

Our balance of payments is grossly out of sync. We are living in a world economy and the world has lost confidence in the strength of the U.S. dollar. It now costs approximately $1.50 in U.S. currency to purchase $1 worth of Euros.

Our dollar has been devaluated by approximately 50 percent on the world market. We are paying 50 percent more for each barrel of oil which we purchase in the world market than what European nations are paying. We will continue to pay a higher price for oil than the rest of the world is paying for it until world confidence is restored in the value of our dollar.

George W. Bush has said that Bill Bradley wrote a book while Bradley was in college and that he (George W. Bush) read one. President Bush certainly did not read a book on economics.

Wayne Brogelman, Mequon

Save the recycling center

Perhaps it hasn’t been made public and if that’s the case; that’s really a shame. I’ve been told that the Cedarburg Town Administrator aims to close and tear down the Cedarburg Recycling Center. A center that only 10 years ago was built and costly to the taxpayers.

Since its opening, the residents have developed, well, sort of an alliance with recycling; taking care of Mother Earth. Adults along with our children learn to separate plastics, aluminum, newspaper, office paper, even to take in old gym shoes so the soles can be used to create playground surfaces.

We have learned that protecting our environment protects our future.

We have four children; our daughter has started two different projects at her school through the assistance of personnel at the facility.

Other groups I know have done so as well. Whether it’s milk caps, soup can labels, water bottle labels; we have all benefited from the funds provided by such. Our local schools have benefited from these programs as they have obtained new athletic equipment and supplies from these programs. I’m told the administration wants to stop this too in order for them to keep the funds.

The recycling center should not be torn down and replaced by a private service whereby the taxpayers will then have to pay for curbside pickup every week. The recycling center should remain open and the residents should be able to continue doing their part in taking care of our environment; a private service will not do what our local residents and recycling center personnel do.

Furthermore - the town should not be holding a meeting and "publicizing" their intent to do so in a 2-inch-by-2-inch article in (a newspaper) small enough for no one to see.

This should be publicized in our local papers and the public should know about it so that they may attend if so desired.

Worse yet, it’s the town administrators belief that this is the proper manner to handle this.

Lisa Hansen, Town of Cedarburg

Time to act on climate

The League of Women Voters calls on Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl to take strong action against global climate change and move our nation toward an economically secure energy future.

The Senate will soon take up "America’s Climate Security Act," legislation that will establish the basic framework necessary to curtail the pollution causing global warming.

The League believes the legislation should be improved in four ways:

- Pollution reduction goals must be based on the best science.

- Advances in scientific knowledge indicate the need for quicker and greater reductions in pollution.

- Economic efficiency is essential. We shouldn’t be subsidizing polluting industries. Instead, we must speed the transition to renewable energy and conservation.

Our nation must move quickly to a clean-energy economy. There is tremendous economic opportunity in reforming the way Americans useand produce energy.

Fairness is needed. We must protect vulnerable groups and help to spur world-wide action against global warming.

Opponents will also offer amendments that will create loopholes in the legislation. These must be strongly resisted.

Global climate change is one of the most serious threats to the environment, health and economy of our nation. Recent scientific studies show that global warming is already causing environmental changes that will have significant global economic and social impacts.

It is time for Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl to help lead our nation toward solutions.

Dorothy Boyer, director, State Study Issues, 
League of Women Voters, Ozaukee County

I wish to offer a rebuttal to the editorial "Round and round we go" by Tim Schilke in the Thursday May 8 Graphic.

I’d like to start by saying that roundabouts in Wisconsin or any other U.S. city are truly a waste of time and money.

Tim goes on and on about how wonderful and convenient roundabouts would be here in America, because he offers, they have been proven for over 100 years in Europe.

Let’s stop right here and look at that statement. Roundabouts work in Europe, and here’s why: First, Europe does not use 80-foot-long semi-trucks, nor do they have the large school buses we have.

How about the snow plows and fire trucks, have you ever seen these vehicles navigate a roundabout?

Second, Europe has 100 cars per population of 1,000 people compared to our 776 cars per 1,000 people.

Third, Europe does not have the space we have to build roads, and they have much narrower roads and roundabouts work where space is a factor.

Then there is the argument that Sheboygan, Brown and Washington County has them so Ozaukee county has to "Keep up with the Jones’’ right!

I have driven in these roundabouts in De Pere where they have a two-lane roundabout. Does it move traffic faster, yes, however not during peak driving times or "rush hour" and not when semis have to use them, so says the De Pere police department.

I’d really like to know if Mr. Schilke has ever seen a semi-truck try to negotiate a roundabout.

If you ever witness this event you will know then and there that roundabouts in the U.S. are a big mistake.

Have you even looked closely at our roundabouts compared to Europe’s?

Why do our roundabouts have no curb on the inside like they all do in Europe? That’s because the larger trucks and schools buses and RVs and cars with trailers cannot negotiate these turns, and they run up on the brick work that extends from the center.

The suggestion was made to place a roundabout at Green Bay Road and Pioneer Road I’d be willing to guess that the construction costs involved with installing one of these roundabouts large enough to accommodate a truck route would exceed the complete resurfacing cost of Pioneer Road itself.

Another suggestion was Highland Road and Port Washington Road another truck route!

Talk to any commuter that drives Pioneer road on a daily basis and I’m sure they will opt for a new road over driving on the same old pot hole riddled road with a new roundabout on it.

The suggestion of tearing up good intersections to replace them with these roundabouts is financially poor decision making. If Mr. Schilke wants to get to his destination earlier, leave earlier!

If drivers rarely come to a stop at certain intersections, shouldn’t we be asking for more law enforcement in those areas than build a roundabout and let everyone drive without stops?

Placing a roundabout at Five Corners? Are you kidding, it’s a state highway, it was just rebuilt a few years ago, you think that should be torn up now? Unbelievable!

Mr. Schilke’s argument is basically that these roundabout save time. Really! If that was the case then why hasn’t the (Wisconsin Department of transportation) DOT embraced this concept and installed them everywhere?

Maybe it’s because they only save time during periods of low traffic volume. These roundabouts have been in use for a few years now out East in Massachusetts, and the drivers out there don’t like them either!

One accident and all the roads are blocked; think about it, in order to get to any of the other roads you have to go in the circle. If that circle is blocked due to an accident the entire intersection closes down there is no ability to route traffic to one of the other roads.

Take the money Mr. Schilke wants to spend on these new roundabouts and spend it on repairing and rebuilding our roads!

So here’s the bottom line, narrow our roads, take away seven of every 10 cars on the road, get rid of the semi trucks, large school buses, RVs, and trailers and these roundabouts are a great idea!

Short of doing the above these roundabouts are no great idea for the U.S.

Roger Goecks, Cedarburg

How about a gift for Mother’s or Father’s day that involves time and effort instead of money?

That gift would be a pledge to remove all the garlic mustard from their yard.

Destroying garlic mustard might be beyond the ability of some older people, they might appreciate the help.

Once garlic mustard is in a yard it’s seed - for every year it blooms white not yellow - is viable for seven years. So your pledge should include followup visits for the next seven years.

This is a seriously invasive plant. Plants that are removed must be disposed of along with regular garbage, and not included with yard waste.

Because garlic mustard is now listed on community weed lists, neighbors can report its presence and demand its removal.

Lesley Ammons, Cedarburg

When we’re sick, we seek the counsel of qualified, trained medical professionals. When we need legal help, we seek the counsel of qualified, trained legal professionals. When we have financial needs, we seek the counsel of qualified, trained tax and/or investment professionals.

That’s the way it works.

It’s also why we ask that the Cedarburg School Board listen to and immediately act on the unanimous recommendation of the qualified, trained educators that the board asked to assess the move to full-day kindergarten for our schools.

Without exception, our Elementary School principals and kindergarten teachers have made the case for the benefits full-day kindergarten provide our kids and our community.

Our superintendent, in good faith, has joined these qualified, trained educators in making this recommendation to our school board.

Over two-thirds of parents in the district with children beginning kindergarten in September also favor this move.

It is time for the board to vote, immediately and unanimously, to accept the recommendation to implement full-day kindergarten in the Cedarburg schools.

Steve and Jodi Heston, Cedarburg

Contrast is striking

I was struck by the contrast of the two communities featured in the News Graphic on Tuesday, April 22. The headline on page one read "Ordinance change forces retirement." The decision made by the Mequon council and the new Mequon fire chief has ended the career of a dedicated public servant based solely on age.

As I turned the page, the next article I noticed was "Fire prevention is his primary goal." The story about Roger Rahn and the Cedarburg Fire Department is quite a contrast as Mr. Rahn has served for 58 years!

This is cruel treatment for former Chief (Charles) Neman (Sr.). The city of Mequon obviously felt he was qualified and capable to step in as interim chief when they desperately needed one. However, under the new chief’s plan he was demoted without any cause to the rank of captain.

His years of sacrifice for the city were completely disregarded and now he is told that he is too old and unsafe merely because he had a birthday.

He had risen through the ranks over the years and performed well in each rank that he achieved. He was never accused of being unsafe during the time he was acting chief, nor in the previous years that he served the Mequon Fire Department.

Exactly what has changed and why is Mr. Neman being targeted?

I am very saddened to live in a community where age is a determination for the ability to perform a job. Cedarburg certainly has a better plan.

Utilize the abilities and vast experiences of people regardless of their age.

Sue Schneider, Mequon

‘Mouse’ won one

What a surprise, the drug sweep by "numerous law enforcement agencies" that consumed a month of planning and 70 minutes of a school day at Cedarburg High School found no drugs.

What did this cost the taxpayers!?

Now Cedarburg Police Chief Tom Frank’s department is trying to determine if students were tipped off; what is this costing taxpayers?

Come on people, adolescents love the intrigue of cat and mouse. Mouse just won a major victory, including the boasting and bragging rights that come with the game.

A "tip off" does not justify the wastefulness of this episode. The discussion within our district is decades old - random drug sweeps are costly and ineffective. Statistics back the fact.

The linear-thinking (Superintendent) Daryl Herrick and his board need to educate themselves on the adolescent developmental process.

Small group discussions that promote self awareness, self esteem and self worth target the real issues and benefit not only the students but our community.

This will not be the first or last time the current administration has heard this idea.

There are many professionals in our community that would and have offered their services. It would prove more cost effective than the debacle that took place at the high school.

Come on people, let’s nurture our children as they navigate the journey into young adulthood.

(Superintendent) Herrick and the (Cedarburg School) Board: It is time to start implementing some positive change at Cedarburg High School.

Lou Ann Campbell-Peterson, Grafton
(resident of the Cedarburg School District)

Here we go again, "Mequon closer to buying We Energies Water Utility" (April 10 News Graphic): I feel for the water customers of We Energies, and everyone likes to save money.

But a majority of the residents of the city of Mequon voted down a public water utility once before, so why are we addressing it again? Solely to reduce user rates for 2,300 Mequon customers?

This is not the reason taxpayers should be buying a utility. If the health and safety of Mequon’s residents are in jeopardy, there would not be an issue.

We are all experiencing high gas prices, why doesn’t the city buy a gas station for its residents? That is how foolish this idea is.

Does the city think that they can run a "business," which the water utility is, better than the private sector? If this was a viable venture, We Energies would have people lined up to purchase it instead of the "for sale" sign being up for the last several years.

Again, I feel bad for the customers of We Energies, but they have reliable water service. Much different than when each development had their own system.

The mayor is naive if she thinks "no tax dollars will be used." We have already spent money on consultants, and even they (Ruekert & Mielke) must think this will be a hard sell if they believe public hearings and educational sessions will be needed prior to a referendum.

Who pays this tab? The taxpayers!

We need smaller government, not a bigger one.

Scott Devereux, Mequon

Questionable guidance

I found Gary Wickert's article (April 17, As I See It) about our three presidential candidates to be the most inane and insulting piece I’ve read since the last time he wrote something.

Insulting in two ways:

p First: his choice of examples and his rhetoric insults the intelligence of the average person. I submit that most readers can see through the half truths, questionable allegations, and hyperbole that he recycles from the media and all the well-known, right-wing spin meisters.

p Second: because I, personally, dislike George W. Bush and his policies, I, and others like me, are identified as members of an "insidious Fifth Column ... of Americans willing to throw their country under the bus." This is not true, and is an insult of the first order.

It appears that Gary Wickert’s policy is, if you are not as far right as I am, and disagree with me in any aspect, you are a Fifth Column traitor. In intimating things like this, Mr. Wickert obliquely questions everyone’s patriotism. Shades of the 1950s.

I am a loyal American who wants to stop the Bush Bus of Destruction. And there is not a mere "battalion" of us, but millions of patriotic Americans who find Bush, because of the Iraq War/Occupation and his policies in general, the most destructive and inept president in many, many decades.

Gary’s article is inane because of the shallow attacks he makes on the three fine presidential candidates. Each of these people walk a very fine line, daily, trying not to say something that will be misinterpreted by the opposition, the media, and the public in general. And they all make speaking "errors" from time to time.

And one of these candidates will be left with the almost impossible job of undoing the damage Bush has created in Iraq, here at home, and elsewhere around the globe during the past seven-plus years.

Fortunately, I think that each individual voter can decide, without Mr. Wickert’s questionable guidance, for whom to vote.

Tom Gerber, Cedarburg

Family and its dog say thanks

Our family would like to thank everyone in Cedar Hedge subdivision, the Cedarburg Police and above all, the city of Cedarburg Public Works Department who all helped us try and find our dog who was injured and missing for nine days.

While on their daily work detail, the Public Works Department were kind enough to keep their eyes open for a missing dog. Ella was evenutally found when a Public Works employee spotted her on his way home from work.

Their office then notified the police who were able to send us constant updates as to where this frightened and injured dog was running next.

We would also like to thank the countless people who called in reports of her on Monday and tried in vain to catch her as she ran through traffic on Bridge Road.

We are so grateful for the kindness of this community and although we had some miserable and unseasonable weather during the time Ella was gone, it was a comfort to us knowing that many eyes were out looking for her.

The Godbout family and Ella, Cedarburg

Points of disagreement

The following points are in response to the April 10 column by Clyde Winter ("Wisconsin’s Supreme Court elections: Past and in our future, sadly").

1. The public seldom gets to know much about candidates until just before an election. They are then fed (bombarded) with information which may or may not be honest and accurate. The public is seldom aware of ways to verify such information.

2. The public has difficulty knowing if the ads they see/hear are by the candidates and their supporters, or if they are by "third party" groups.

3. In judicial elections in particular, the public has little access to what an incumbent or his/her challenger have done or are doing.

4. If any candidate does wrong, while in office or running for office, they should be held accountable. The public is seldom aware of such wrongs and those in law and politics who do know seldom choose to act.

5. The public has little access to information on how much influence corporations have on elections. Political Action Committees have great influence at the Federal level too, but the public is not informed of their actions and can do little to change the situation.

6. Note the following quote from Mr. Winter: "Not many voters know that the extremely intelligent, thoughtfully moderate Louis Butler comes from a law enforcement family. Indeed, a close relative of Justice Butler was a police officer who had been killed in the line of duty." The preceding quote means nothing. Mr. Butler was running on "his" actions, not his relative’s actions or occupations. As Mr. Butler should be able to attest to, even good families sometimes produce "bad apples." Also, Mr. Winter’s reference to Mr. Gableman as "a mediocre third stringer" is unsubstantiated in the editorial and is an open show of bias.

7. Mr. Winter refers to a "racist" ad in which Mr. Butler’s picture is shown next to the picture of a convicted African-American rapist. I was concerned about the accuracy of the information, which the news media verified was incorrect, rather than any racist intent. I think you’ll find that most voters were fed up with the total negativity of the campaigns and had little thought about racist positions. The failure of both candidates to have any control over the ads that were run was surprising since both of them specialize in law.

8. To Mr. Winter: Mr. Butler, like Governor Doyle, supports the gay agenda. I was unable to find any information on Mr. Gableman’s position on this issue. I personally didn’t like either candidate. Rather than totally withhold my vote I decided to vote for the "lesser of two evils." Mr. Gableman got my vote. My vote was not based on race or ability. I suspect you’ll find that many in the state were in the same position as I was when it came time to vote.

Larry Luckjohn, Cedarburg

Proverbial nail accurately hit

As a long time subscriber to the News Graphic I would like to make comment on one of your editorial writers.

I sometimes agree with Clyde Winter, and sometimes disagree with his thought process. Saying that, I have enjoyed his writing.

His views in reference to the involvement of the USA and Iraq ("The facts my critics are ignoring about the Iraqu War," April 17) hit the proverbial nail right on the head in my view.

It crystallized a very confusing issue in just a few paragraphs.

Looking forward to continue reading your newspaper.