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

August 2nd Public hearing

Mark your calendar for next Monday. Attend the Public Hearing notice on the changes to TID boundaries. You'll learn more about how an Incremental Tax District is formed, why and what it means to village projects. 6:00 Aug 2nd. See you there.

Tree Swallows Take To The Sky

Two nests of Tree Swallow chicks fledged (left the nestbox) this weekend. Safe travels little ones. You'll likely see them about in increasing numbers now. The newly fledged chicks are deep gray in color as compared to the browner shade of the female adult and irridescent blue of the male. And both nests of bluebirds have hatched. We'll add images of those soon.

Village Board Meeting 6/14

Improper Agenda. It is my opinion that Monday's meeting agenda deters village residents from attending because a training session has been put into the time allotted for the Board meeting pushing the start time to 8:00pm. A training session should be scheduled before or after the regular meeting or at any other time during the week, certainly not in place of the reasonable, earlier, accustomed timeframe for our regular meeting. Doing so suggests a disregard for resident involvement or worse, creates suspicion of an ulterior agenda.

Bluebirds Make Village Home

More pale and slightly smaller than a Robin's egg, laid in a carefully woven grassy nest, the Eastern Bluebird has two nests underway at Sherwood Forest Golf Course! Stay informed as these families progress.

You can help Bluebirds by removing House Sparrow nests every week from boxes in your yard. House Sparrows are not protected, will kill Bluebirds and in fact the DNR encourages you to keep them from nesting. The easiest thing to do is simply plug your box and enjoy its appearance.

Bluebird arrival on new trail

There are 17 boxes up at the Sherwood Forest G.C. and the battle to remove invasive House Sparrows was arduous. But our efforts have paid off. A pair of beautiful Bluebirds just built a nest near an oak grove. Perfect. Early morning sun, mid afternoon shade, low grasses for easy feeding. The remaining boxes are nearly full with Tree Swallows leaving just 4 boxes available for bluebirds seeking a second nesting. Welcome Bluebirds. We await thee.

Village Board Mtg 5/24

$30,000 approved to rebuild pumphouse #5 on a vote of 5:1. I voted NO. It isn't logical to me that our village has spent nearly $4 million to connect to the Appleton water source; that we have a backup system for that new water supply in pumphouse #6 so we should completely rebuild a broken down #5 to the tune of $30,000 for a secondary backup to the backup system. Redundancy that goes beyond practical in my view. "It'll add assets to our balance sheet" yeah, so will cash in a savings account!

Political Opinion

I enjoy a good debate and welcome you to challenge my views with your own.

Like a growing number of Americans, I'm concerned about the state of our nation's economy. I've been concerned for several years already not just since the recent hype hit the news. History is our best teacher. And when I look at the basics it's not hard to summarize; post war baby production entered the workforce with alot of tax dollars entering the system. Debt could be high because income was high and investments from other countries very high. Today, we don't have the baby boom to demand hard goods, lower hard goods production is further challenged by China and India with unlimited low wage resources and our increased aging and unemployed citizens strain a failing 'welfare' system. The candle is burning at both ends and this cannot be sustained. Is this why we should legalize 15 million illegal aliens? Will that add the tax dollars we need? Perhaps in a strong economy but in a state where jobs are not available means alot more people on the wrong end of the system. France, England, Germany, Spain, Greece have all found that a system of universal health care and paid retirement programs cannot be sustained. Looked at the Euro lately. It is on the verge of collapsing from the strain with no way to improve short of increasing the retirement age and reducing health benefits. Hmmm. We already have those elements in place and our government thinks NOW we can add these generous programs? It is insanity. That's my perspective. What's yours.

Sherwood Forest GC Bluebird Trail

Diane and I had a super day today, though the weather was miserable, as we found several Tree Swallow nests, #9 and #10 with 2 and 6 pure white eggs respectively. Three other boxes have completed Swallow nests and we should have egg laying soon. On the maintenance front, We set 4 traps and successfully removed 2 male House Sparrows. It is very desireable to get the male as the female will generally move from that location. We also had 4 boxes that had House Sparrow eggs already totaling 11 which we disposed of. the disruption may encourage them to nest behind the sign at the hardware store and leave our boxes open for bluebirds.

Village Board Interest

The DOT will present plans for future traffic management on Hwy 114! This is a meeting you want to be involved in. Even though the agenda puts your opinions up first, before you even hear the plan, get your name on the list and request an opportunity to speak after the DOT presentation. You can then decline when offered. But at least you know you'll get a chance to voice your valued opinion and ask critical questions.

Of secondary note: If you wish to express your preference for natural versus paved trails in the village plans you need to attend Monday's meeting 5/10 at 6:30. See you there.

More Eggs Named

The clever kids in 3rd Grade at Sheridan Grade School have put together more names for our anticipated wood duck chicks. #7 "Duckie, #8 "Quackie", #9 Daffy, #10 "Madera" (wood in Spanish), #11 "Sheridan". Love it! Well done.

And if I may suggest, could we name one Mrs P?

Names for the ducklings

From Mrs. P's 3rd Grade Sheboygan WI class:

We worked on names today and came up with the following: #3 "Donald", #4 "Daisy", #5 "Cinco" (since we're learning Spanish), #6 "Mayo" (which is May in Spanish).

You kids are sure using your creative skills. Nicely done. I love the mix of English and Spanish. April assures me she'll be able to keep track of who's who.

Doyle Damages Our State...Even More.

Govenor Doyle's passage of a global warming bill disguised as a 'green' jobs program will result in skyrocketing energy costs and 43,000 jobs lost statewide (according to a WPRI study). Your energy bills are estimated to triple because of the renewable electricity mandate costing WI residents $16 billion. And that's just one example of the harmful effect of this inept administration. You can attribute the coming higher gas prices, 61 cents per gallon, to cover another $3.2 billion for a global warming tax. The bottom line is this will cost more than $1000 per household each year over the 10 years of implementation. Spain lost 2.2 jobs for every temporary 'green' job, Germany spent $240,000 for every 'green' job it created and the programs have resulted in failure for all. Clearly, Governor Doyle and the Obama administration think that somehow because we're the U.S. we will have different results than the countries who failed before us. Sounds alot like the healthcare plan to me. The arrogance is astounding.

Wood Duck Dinner

"April" teased us for two nights, foregoing her dinner break as dozens watched ustream.tv/quacker-cam for her to cover the eggs before leaving. Not to be. But tonight she did not disappoint. It's amazing that she leaves not a trace of ever having been there. Anyone or thing peering in would have no clue of the treasure she has hidden below the down blanket.

Hey kids, I need another name. We're down to 14 days until they hatch.

Village Board Meeting 4/26

It was my first meeting. I requested that the Rules of the Board be changed to state that citizen positions on committees are to be held by non-trustees. Presently that is not the case and could be construed as priming the pump on decisions. Another topic of concern is the TIF expenditures for the sprinkling system at High Cliff Golf Course. I'm told it's been in the works for over 15 years now so there's history here that I simply haven't gotten to the bottom of yet. But it sure seems to me that the owner has little incentive to maintain the existing system when there's a promise of funds down the road. And I have trouble seeing how this expenditure raises revenues for the village. But it does fit in the definition of recreation improvements since the deal will result in properties for parks and trail easements. I voted against the program along with Joyce Laux. It passes. My focus must be the future. But I need your input continuously to know what you want for the future of our village. Be heard.

HUNTING: in State Parks approved

State Parks are no longer for all citizens, all year long. WI Statute 29.089 was passed to allow trapping and hunting on WI State Park Lands, giving the DNR the authority to regulate the activities. Now I feel safe knowing the DNR will ensure the safety of the residents of Sherwood living along the park boundaries and for my safety as I bird quietly in subdued colors. Don't you too? Contact the legislators and scream your opposition!

SFGC Bluebird Trail Report 4/23

Tree Swallow nests have been started in 6 nestboxes (#2, 4, 5, 8 10, 11). They are a neat placement of cupped grasses unlike the previous post showing a House Sparrow nest; sloppily built right to the roof. There are no bluebirds apparent at this time. I trapped and destroyed 3 House Sparrows and 2 eggs. Box #9 had a dead Tree Swallow (seen here), with a House Sparrow nest built atop her. Devils. The male HS will enter the box immediately after the Swallow, trapping her and peck her to death with that vicious seed-eating beak. Yes I'm mad. It was good intention that lured that Swallow to her death. Vigilance must prevail.

VIDEO -Keeping Warm on Cold Nights

You can see that our hen has so many down feathers pulled from her breast to create the brood patch that ensures direct warmth to the eggs, but also pulled from her back and under her wings. I doubt she has a single one left. The down is mixed with the 4" of pine shavings we placed in the box for her to start with. I'm sure it helps alot on a cold night like last night.