Emergency Preparation

The Japan tragedy has put many of us on alert. The likely concern in our area is tornado destruction. Although, even at that the swath a tornado cuts is very narrow affecting a relatively small area and as such, neighbors in surrounding areas would be there to help with emergency supplies.

I think the greater likelihood of our entire village suffering a blow from nature is in the form of an ice storm where power is down for 3 weeks or more. Here's MY RECIPE for preparing for the possibility of nature's fury, simply and cheaply. These bare essentials will support of family of FOUR for 3 weeks.

1. Five gallon container of water from Culligan or like supplier.
2. Beans and rice. Six pounds each of dried beans and brown rice.
3. A propane powered camping stove and four gas canisters.
4. A chest and plastic containers for storage of food.

These items will store indefinately if kept cool and dry. Buy it, store it, and sleep well knowing your family will get through a tough time very nicely.

Interesting Bird Factoids

Did you know that the Belted Kingfisher often see around our village ponds builds its nest by digging a 3-6 foot long and narrow tunnel in the side of an embankment where its young are raised until able to fly? I encourage you to share our own factoids or ask questions.

Note to Senators

My note to WI (R) Senators... in appreciation.

I’m a conservative patriot to the core. I detest what the unions have done to this country. And even though my husband is a teacher and we stand to see a cut of thousands in our income, I stand with you. What’s RIGHT is sometimes very difficult but honor doesn’t come free and I’m willing to make that sacrifice to bring independence to Wisconsin and a voice to the taxpayers.

Now, you realize that support will turn against you the instant government waste you support is made public. We’re willing to pay our fair share, but NOT to ensure an able individual maintains tax breaks for making babies, incurring mortgages and free medical care.

Your strategy for success should be to reduce waste and expose fraud. With that, you’ll have the hearts of all citizens here in Wisconsin and the country. Set the pace for the nation.

Walker Budget Affect On Sherwood

If Governor Walker's budget passes, Sherwood will have new fiscal pressures since state funding will be cut dramatically. Does this mean your Village taxes will increase? Sherwood residents have already had the maximum increase allowed by our village by-laws. It would take a referendum vote in favor of an increase. You may see increases from the local school districts including Fox Valley Technical College as those operations would also see less state funding.

I am exploring options to reduce costs for future non-infrastructure projects as a means of containing costs and will post that proposal once the state decision is made and we can accurately predict the impact to our village. As always, your input is appreciated.

Sherwood Escapes Blizzard 2011

It's not unusual for the Fox Cities to get hammered this time of year with a Blizzard. We sure have the wind but we're lucky to have been spared the 12+ inches of snow that other areas of the country will experience as the first Blizzard of 2011 takes the stage.

Cell Tower In Sherwood WI

In a November meeting of the Board, AT&T recieved approval for the construction of a 100' cell tower to be located near the pumphouse off Stommel Road. Some residents have questioned why this tower is a benefit. It's true enough that although an effort was made to notify residents in the area surrounding the tower location, several homes were missed and this lack of information has inflamed a distrust of the municiple governing members. Let me attempt to provide a little background on the project, the justification and your options to voice an opinion. You can access images of the proposed project and get answers beyond what I'm offering here by contacting Randy Friday, Administrator at administrator.sherwood@newbc.rr.com

The communications company likes this location near the pumphouse #5 because it provides solid cell coverage to the lower cliff and marina areas of the village. AT&T could install the tower a few hundred yards north which would affect the views of fewer homes but would put the tower into the Town of Harrison and thus shift the income to that municipality while we'd still have the tower visible as we enter our village from Stommel Road. Residents in opposition that attended the public hearing in November voiced concern about potential health effects, though no evidence of harm was made available. The board did have research showing the range of cell eminations is less than 30' which on a 100' tower means no effect to those even walking underneath the structure. The earnings from a cell tower is estimated at $18,000/yr for the village.

Now when I visited 300 homes and talked with residents during my stumping for this thankless job, I heard over and over "What are you going to do to reduce my taxes?" and I promised to vote against expenditures that were beyond infrastructure and maintenance requirements and to vote for projects that would bring income into the village. It's that simple. That's why I was in favor of this proposal.

Not in agreement still? You are encouraged to come to the Board meeting on Monday Nov 22 and voice your displeasure. The contract is not yet signed. Gather an impressive list of residents opposed to the cell tower in a petition. I wish you luck and respect your opinion.

Obama Set Back, A Vote For Freedom

Americans have spoken. We've exercised our right to choose our Country's path, to choose the direction we want for our State, both in very serious economic strife, and today the people win. Some believe this election is a pronouncement against the Obama administration, others see the outcome as a vote against all incumbants which expresses sheer disgust with all government. Many are disappointed, even angry with the President who they believed would bring a new unity among Americans greater than ever before. That he would change government, not make it even more bloated. Obama's attacks against citizens that don't support his actions is atrocious. Never have I heard or seen this type of low level political rhetoric from the leader of the greatest country in the world. It's simply unpresidential and shows a complete lack of respect for his role in leading ALL the people. With the results in we can now hope that a new direction will take shape. Not a reversal to the same stagnant position we saw in previous administrations but a rebirth of the founding principles, where we the people embrace the republic under which we are blessed to live with freedoms to achieve or fail, with honor, with integrity, and renewed faith in the American way.

Fear Monger?

Glenn Beck consistenly strives to bring disparate elements together in ways that shock the viewer into seeing clarity where it wasn't apparent individually. Journalistic hype? I don't believe so. Logic and truth through painful cannot be denied.

Tonight Mr. Beck addresses the Fabian Socialists of 1884 (http://www.nolanchart.com/article4425.html), George Bernard Shaw's eugenics solution (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQvsf2MUKRQ), Woodrow Wilson's progressivism and how the gradual nudge toward, an otherwise appauling goal ,"for the greater good", succeeds where the direct leap would never get traction. We appear to be on the precipice of sliding into this frightening deep pit of socialism. Educate yourself. And then VOTE, make a difference in the future of our country.

Thank God for Mr. Beck's passion to save America?

Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness from Americans if they can prevent the Government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
--- Thomas Jefferson

It is uncanny that men 150 years ago had the vision to see what degradation could potentially occur. Jefferson and others warned us. We stopped paying attention when we allowed the supreme court to interpret the Constitution as they saw fit and forbid the pledge and prayer in schools. That led to dropping the teaching of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

So here we are, the hapless sheep who've been taught 'tolerance' have now allowed ourselves to not even realize that We The People, emboldened by our Constitution can decide the fate of our country. Is it too late? Are we too weak, too tired, too dependent on Government to wean ourselves from its grasp and flourish like the leaders who came before us with integrity, honor, commitment, faith and courage.

Quote of the Day

I've been reading a lot the past couple months about our constitution, the founding fathers and assessing why we think we can follow the mistakes of European countries before us and not have the same sad result. More than a century ago, men who gave us liberty could see the dangers and they had less education and less comparative wealth than those men now deciding the fate of our country. The founding fathers did have in abundance HONOR and INTEGRITY.

A democracy ceases to exist when you take from those willing to work and give to those who would not. ---Thomas Jefferson