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- Chief Highknocker
- You aren't local until you have at least three generations in the cemetery.
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81 comments:
Thank you Chief.
Another referendum is planned for April. According to the Commonwealth, the school board ran out of time at their meeting last Wednesday and is considering salary raises for the Administrative Staff, and non-union positions, etc. Regarding the Administrators salary, I'd suggest the BOARD TAKE CHARGE, and recommend that he follow the example of over 47 other administrators (school districts were named) and FREEZE his salary enabling the money to go to other seriously needed budget items, i.e., school repairs, etc. The ones named in Wisconsin include large districts in the Milwaukee and Madison area - where the administrator oversees many schools. Bates is one of the highest paid administrators in the State of Wisconsin. .....If there is any chance of the referendum passing in April, this would be a perfect way to let the people know that Ken Bates is seriously willing to do his part in cutting some of his salary, benefits, and perks to help our school and students. From the comments already circulating that "they are crazy" to think anything they say will encourage people to vote yes, this might be just the thing that proves the Board and Bates are sincere in taking personal actions to keep our school.Mr.Bates, please prove to the residents - and STUDENTS - that YOU SINCERELY CARE about our students - and not getting more money. Thank you. A parent of 3 of your students
Excellent comments, I couldn't agree more. However, I do not believe that a referendum for more spending will EVER pass as long as Ken Bates is still the administrator of the GLSD. He should have been let go a long time ago. Will the school board to the right thing (finally?)
I doubt it, because those on the school board who are responsible for the fiasco that is Ken Bates are not thinking of what is right for the school or the community. Wendy, Gordy, Mead and Amy have let us down time after time. It seems apparent that we need to replace these school board members before we can reclaim our school FOR THE GOOD OF OUR CHILDREN.
What could be more ironic than the statement of Mona Aumann in the newspaper saying that she cannot trim the budget any further ("bare bones". Since Mona Aumann is in fact doing the job of Ken Bates and the school board, she should be the first thing to be cut from the budget!
Word has it that 3 people considering running for school board are 100% backers of Ken Bates. Once again he and Wendy are picking candidates for the school board.
Ken Bates' weekly column supporting the IB program was (obviously) slanted and inaccurate. He claims that the "programme" is merely "endorsed" by the United Nations, when in fact this program has far deeper roots in the organization.
http://www.truthaboutib.com/
I also do not believe that Ken Bates is being honest about the true costs of the IB in GLSD. The affluent community of Mequon recently terminated the IB program in their middle schools because "At this point in time, it's cost prohibitive,"
Please refer to the website and educate yourself about the TRUTH ABOUT IB. Thank you.
Check out the Mequon Junior High School's website. A COMMITTEE of 6 people studied the facets of the IB program for 2 1/2 years. It was then decided that it was cost prohibitive - in one of the wealthiest school districts in the State.
That is the same reason that THREE school districts west of Madison merged and formed one IB school.
1. Why did we (the school board) take Ken Bates word for it and not spend months investigating it? (PhD dissertation the reason?) He owes GL school district and tax payers money if that is so? Another reason to freeze (cut??) his salary as mentioned above.
2. Now that the grants are done, WHO/HOW/WHERE is the money coming from? Teachers are still going for training - and substitute teachers for them are being paid over $100 a day. Hopefully this money is not from the budget designated for basic school learning and teachers/subs.
3. Another reason to vote no until we get these answers - and get rid of Bates and a "Yes sir, anything you say" school board.
Bates is already WAY overpaid. There are administrators in other Wisconsin school systems with thousands of students that make far less money than Bates. To think that there were THREE failed referendums and yet the teachers received a raise???? It seems that Harley Reabe is the only member of the school board with a brain in his head.
The school board should NOT renew Bates contract. Period. If in fact they do, we will all know that they are not acting in the best interest of the school or the children. We can start over with a shared administrator, either shared with the principal position or shared with another school such as Markesan. Princeton has done this very successfully, combining the position of principal and administrator. GLSD SCHOOL BOARD, ARE YOU LISTENING????
Please read the PDF file on the Truth about IB website under the "IB Unraveled". The opening paragraph on page 2 tells how this program "strains school budgets" and incites divisiveness in the community and alters the content and purpose of education.
But what is interesting is the last paragraph on page 2 that explains that IB FEES INCREASE after the school has initiated the program. Is it any wonder that GLSD continues to hold referendums for more money when they ALREADY SPEND OVER $20,000 PER YEAR, PER STUDENT?
GLSD, QUIT DIVIDING OUR COMMUNITY AND GET THIS EXPENSIVE, UNWANTED PROGRAM OUT OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM!!!
I see the IB Black Helicopters are hovering about again.
The school board voted for a pay increase for the already overpaid Ken Bates. Just remember that in April when they try for another referendum to increase spending.
I haven't had a raise in years. My spouse took a pay cut last year. We know lots of unemployed and underemployed folks around here. And we get to pay even more now for the overpaid teachers and administrators. Thank you school board. Each of you who voted for these pay increases should resign in shame.
Why don't you move to a district that did not get a pay raise?
I hear property taxes are cheap in Tennessee or Louisiana.
Why don't I stay in my OWN home and not have to deal with an unbalanced, brain-dead school board?
The school board and administration has proven that they don't care about the children, it's all about the paychecks.
Even the Federal government has issued a pay freeze. What part of "NO MONEY" doesn't the school board understand? The public should begin a recall for all school board members who voted for the pay increases. They are not representing their constituents.
When we moved here 24 years ago right before a school board election, we were told that in Green Lake the administrator - NOT THE School Board - runs the school. Sadly for our children it is still true today. The Administrator is to REPORT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD, elected by districts residents. As someone mentioned, another referendum will not pass, but as said at a school board meeting, they "hate to do it", (Yeah right) but will get what they need from raising our taxes.And they will. Unfortunately we have heard that the next round of candidates for school board have been handpicked - again - by King Bates. Our hands - and pocktebooks - are tied. If there was one person elected at the end of year as Green Lake's most unrespected and least trusted person, without a doubt King Bates would win that too. Bah humbug to our School Board and "leaders"!
Is there legal recourse for a school district that is being run so irresponsibly? What,(as a community), are our legal options? They obviously are not getting the message, NO MORE SPENDING! Just how can they justify their decisions, when the voters told them three times NO!!! 3x0=0
This is either stupidity or willful negligence. Either way, we need to REPLACE THIS SCHOOL BOARD.
We need an entirely new set of school board members (save one)who will act in the best interest of the community. Enough of the brown-nosing, the voting public expects far more.
The school board's powers are described in state statutes under:120.13 School board powers. The school board of a common or union high school district may do all things reasonable to promote the cause of education,including establishing, providing and improving school district programs, functions and activities for the benefit of pupils, and including all of the following.....
This says nothing of acting in the best interest of the community or cutting spending. Their state mandated job is to ESTABLISH, PROVIDE & IMPROVE education PERIOD. They are doing their job.
From the truth about IB website:
"We are searching for widespread evidence that an IB education doesn't produce communicationally challenged, radical environmentalist youth with ferverently left-wing/anti-American leanings."
I've been trying to figure out why people would want to destroy a successful district with some of the lowest taxes in the state. Is it really true that it has nothing to do with taxes and everything to do with paranoia???
Todays front page of the Green Lake Reporter pretty much says it all. Main Headline: School Approves Pay Raises. The subtitle is a freaking joke: Administration agrees to six-month pay freeze. WHAT PAY FREEZE??? Clearly stated: "they will still receive a salary and benefits increase of 3.32 percent for 2009-2010, and 2.74 percent for 2010-2011. How can ADMINISTRATION GET A PAY INCREASE FOR LAST YEAR? HOW IS $5,909 PLUS $10,234 INCREASE A PAY FREEZE???
Has the school board completely lost their minds???
Now look at the story directly underneath that hideous collection of lies, District to Survey Residents. Why? Because the school has a $430,000 deficit "looming on the horizon". The story goes on with the sad sob story to say that "the district dipped into fund balance to cover a $290,000 gap this school year". (That from the woman who is paid by our tax dollars to do Ken Bates job for him because he is apparently not capable, Mona Aumann.)
The last two paragraphs should have you all screaming like hell. Bate's is proposing bringing 20-30 students here from Milwaukee and housing them at the GLCC.
IT IS TIME TO RECALL THE SCHOOL BOARD AND TERMINATE KEN BATES CONTRACT. THEIR INCOMPETENCE IS CLEARLY DOCUMENTED AND OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER THAN THIS GHASTLY DISPLAY OF STUPIDITY.
From this weeks edition of Newsweek: The total cost of attending an in-state public university has nearly doubled to $16,140 since 2000.
That is the average annual cost across our nation for a college education.
Green Lake currently spends over $20,000 per student., and yet this is not "enough" for them. You tell me, what is wrong with this picture? How could GLSD spend several millions dollars more this year than they did several years back when there were 25% more students?
Nearly 80% of the school budget is salaries and benefits.
Recruiting kids from Milwaukee scares you? Are you worried they might be a minority? I smell racial undertones.....
But you love Milwaukee tourism money and real estate purchases....
Open enrollment allows districts to recruit more student thus helping their bottom line.
You are crazy. This is how off-balance the school is. You would take kids in Milwaukee (regardless of race) away from their parents and families for the sake of boosting Green Lake enrollment. I think you are evil.
My son is wondering why a new boy was in his class at the beginning of the year but he and his older brother left a few days later because, as he told our son, some kids weren't nice to his older brother so they were going to Ripon instead. Though this isn't the first time we have heard of students not being treated nicely at school, we hope this was not due to the fact they were not white.
Hey, get your own blog!
This one is for the angry mob of six or so that are prodding their pitch-forks and torches on Bates and the school board (except Harley of course).
News Flash: "Green Lake spends more per student"
-or-
News Flash: "Over 98.5% of Wisconsin school districts have higher school tax rate than Green Lake"
Both true, however taxes are calculated on property value, not per student expenditure, which is a by-product of the levy, determined by the funding formula.
All of this divisive activity has created a confidence crisis, causing good students and staff to consider going elsewhere.
Let's support OUR school before we pass a "tipping point" which leads to not having enough critical mass to keep the doors open. The result of "closing" would be to pay much higher taxes and have less input into a combined district's operation.
It comes down to a choice:
Higher taxes & loss of local control - then vote against a referendum
Lower taxes & local control - then vote to support a referendum.
Folks, we are dealing with the classic "penny-wise' and "pound-foolish" scenario here!!!!!
In case you didn't notice how many people voted AGAINST the referendum, there are a lot more people than 6 who are against the rampant spending at the school.
More spending should equal paying less taxes? Sure.
Thanks for the laugh...take kids away from their parents????? In case you missed the important word in school choice-CHOICE...this is not forced. I'm evil- you ares hort a few marbles...
BULLETIN: The City of Green Lake is planting trees on private property at taxpayers expense. Call City Clerk for details. 294-6912.
Speaking of the city, I read that they are considering wasting $7,500 on a study of the old courthouse. Here is my advice: SAVE OUR MONEY FOR BETTER THINGS! The courthouse should be torn down. Any other solution will be too costly. Don't throw good money after bad ideas.
Also, speaking of bad ideas, why did the city snowplow go past our house 3 times for one inch of snowfall? Most of the snow melted on it's own! I even saw Bill Wagner out plowing on Monday morning by the tennis courts, a street that had already been plowed. Are these guys so happy to play with the plows are our expense? I wish the city would use common sense and plow only when necessary. I guess we should all brace ourselves to have our lawns all ripped up by the snowplows again. So great to live in Green Lake....what a joke this place is.
You mean you don't understand why the city plows and puts down salt, waits 20 minutes, then comes back to scrape all that salt off and put new salt down, and repeats this 3 or 4 more times?
Gotta maintain the need for that budget they have. If they aren't out plowing, they don't need as much budgeted for them.
How about this, wait at least 3 hours between plowings and saltings to let the salt do its work!
It doesn't have to be as bad as the city of Ripon, where they seem to plow once, and put salt down 5 feet in front of the stop signs, but how they currently salt and plow in the city is just wasteful.
Did you know that when you calculate the total expenses per property owner...the City of Green Lake and the Sanitary District are among the highest municipalities of their type in the state.
It would be very helpful to have some competent council members instead of the hormonal coffee clique running the city. They are so ineffective, and the taxpayers are the losers. Let's elect some capable people to run our city for a change.
The problem at the council is one man with a personality problem who is constantly screaming and disrupting business, and it's not the mayor.
First thought... Who's getting free trees and can I get some?
Snow plowing - I'm just glad they do it. I've lived where they don't do it very well at all.
When you bozos find some competent persons to run for city council, you can cut out all that you consider wasteful. Then you'll bitch a blue streak when nothing gets done right.
And how come there aren't 50+ people running for city council and school board. You all think you could do such a better job, sign up and run yourselves! The way you all shoot your mouths off, you must have all the answers.
And yes, tear down the courthouse. That money pit is going to hang around the neck of the city and county for years! Ideas will come and go, projects will start and fail, and all it will do is cost us money. Eventually a state of disrepair will seal its fate.
Lastly, wake up and realize, aside from all the complaining, this is a really nice place to live and a lot of people are trying to do some really good things around here. To bad we don’s spout off about the good like we do the bad. Seems it’s that way all over.
That guy on the city council that used to be mayor and wants to be mayor again. Well this guy is a mental case. We do not need a mental screwball tied into the mayor's office again. It is bad enough he is on the council. Green Lake is a nice place to live, let's keep it that way.
The Attorney General needs to investigate the City's lack of transparency,conflicts of interest,and misappropriation of taxpayers' money.
Hey Chief- you need a City page...
I for one like the fact that we have one city council member with a brain and the compassion to stand for what is right. He can yell all he wants to. The rest of you should shut up and listen to him for a change. He's the only one on city council who knows what the hell is going on and understands how to effectively deal with things. You have my vote, Joe.
You can't listen to someone who is screaming, and the point of having a COUNCIL is so that many views are represented and heard. He's the one who does not listen.
How do you make a hormone? Don't pay her!
Raising your voice is not the same as screaming. Maybe he needs to raise his voice in order to be heard. Everyone knows that Italians are very emotional people. I don't have a problem with it. The fact is, Joe is usually right, and gets frustrated with all the dunder-heads who don't have a grasp on how to run a city. Ever hear of fiscal responsibility? I have, and I love the idea.
I agree, Parise is the only one on the council with fiscal common sense. The rest of them don't even seem to understand that our economy is on life-support. Economists are predicting a double-dip recession, and these local-yocals act like all is well, they are clueless. Same problem at the school, only one school board member understands the seriousness of the failing economy and is trying to do something about it. Pull your heads out of your butts and take an honest look at what is going on in the world. The voters want less spending and more accountability. Keep up the good work Joe. Green Lake needs you!
He is screaming, not raising his voice. He is not always right. He doesn't know more than anyone else. If his ideas had so much weight, they would prevail.
Well in reading the news on WRPN it appears the school went around the taxpayers anyway and took advantage of the green law... and went over 1.6 million dollars - the third highest over budget in the state --- may I remind the school declining enrollment bloated payroll all is coming to the final answer -- closing the doors -- It is very sad you no minds do not follow the will of the taxpayers and also face the reality of the free ride is being over ---
One more reason to add to the list of this city/county as being closed minded and backwards
Mr Bates and the rest should be handed pink slips immediately
The problem with city council, or politics in general, is it's not what you know, but who you know, and how many people know you. Elections are simply a glorified high school popularity contest.
Think the governator out there in CA would have gotten elected otherwise? How exactly did chuck get elected mayor? I've seen the man operating, and he's not qualified to run to the store to get a grocery list, much less run a city. The platform you run on means practically nothing.
As crazy as it is, closing the doors will cause our taxes to rise a lot more than keeping them open. Do you want to pay a little now, or more later. With the doors closed, we will have to consolidate with a higher tax district and the number of voters in our district will be insufficient to carry any weight in the larger, higher tax rate combined district.
so, ..... how do we come together and build a plan to keep our doors open and get on with educating our kids???
START BY GETTING RID OF KEN BATES!!!!
The school board and the administration should hand in their resignations immediately. Harley can stay on and see to a smooth transition for the new school with new school board members. The current school should be shut down, the high school can consolidate and we re-open a "normal" public K-8 school.
$1.6 MILLION DOLLARS over budget is inexcusable. This type of irresponsibility goes beyond any type of justification. It should in fact be considered criminal to blatantly abuse the taxpayers and their children this way. Do we need to initiate a law suit against the school?
Citizens Unite! Attend the City of Green Lake Council Meeting on Monday 12/13/10 at 7pm. See your representatives in action. Kevlar vests are optional.
Joe should be on the County Board. He could do more as far as waking those people up. City of Green Lake is too small for his antics. County needs some sort of direction towards the rest of the world. Green Lake County thinks it is an island and does not gear up with the rest of the state.
The K-8 idea has been around for a long time. To date the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has not allowed the creation of any new K-8 Districts. That is a change that requires lobbying in Madison, which Mr. Bates is better qualified to do than any recent administrator.
A K-8 district would still result in higher taxes for district residents.
Vote for Polzer! We need a Queen for Mayor. The old boy network is terminal.
Actually, taxes would be lower if the high school consolidated with Markesan. Once the dust settled, you would see that we here in Green Lake would not be paying the high salaries for high school teachers here, but would share the cost with Markesan. The idea that taxes would go up is a myth created to save the teachers jobs here in Green Lake. Face the facts, the high school is far too small to sustain, and it is only a matter of time until consolidation happens.
Polzer for mayor is the worst idea that I have ever heard in my life. Why would anyone vote for that nut?
A school board should be required to work with a balanced budget, period. If you can't figure out how to work within a budget then you have no business working for the school district. I don't have a degree in education or business, but I could in fact run the school better than Bates is doing.
really????? then quit complaining here and get involved! get on a committee or run for school board!
We should be able to expect that the people who are elected to represent up would do so in a responsible fashion, including working within an ample budget. We do need 6 new school board members. Only one of them is worth keeping.
I plan on attending the Monday night city council meeting at 7:00. It should be eventful! I hope that Glen McCarty brings a signed resignation to hand in to the council. McCarty has been caught red-handed and there is no way to wiggle out the lies he has told. As a tax-payer, I am livid that the city council have allowed our tax dollars to be squandered for their own perverted purposes. The purchase of 24 trees for $1,900 may not be a big deal to you, but it is to me. There was absolutely no reason for these trees to be purchased and given away. They did not replace trees that were lost in the water main project, there were no trees at this location previous to the project. The land was repaired and re-sodded, and that should have been the end of it. But for "some reason" 24 arbor-vitaes were purchased by Glen McCarty and given to the property owners. The trees were not planted where the land had been remediated, but instead planted intentionally to block their neighbors view of the river. There simply is no justification for the purchase of the trees at taxpayer expense. I feel the right thing would be for Glen McCarty to resign and pay for the trees himself.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, stay tuned for more allegations of fraud, embezzlement and abuse, all courtesy of the ineptness that stems right our of the city office. I see that Princeton is hiring a city administrator, and perhaps it is time for Green Lake to do the same. Our city government is a bad joke, except that none of this is funny.
What a bunch of venom you are spewing. The city has never looked better. It runs well. I'm really tired of the vendetta against Glen because Joe lost the election.
All tax payers: Glen McCarty gave as a gift 24 arborvitaes to the Wallners at 588 N. Lawson after a new watermain was put in right next to the existing sewer line. It runs down from the road to the river on the side lot at Wallners and next to McIntyre's white fence.
There were NO TREES on either the watermain area or on the sewer easement. The city paid to have the land that was dug up all repaired as it was before with new grass. After that was all fixed, Glen McCarty bought them 24 to 30 trees to plant on top of the sewer easement!!! He said in the paper it was to repair the land! He is lying!
The Wallner's threatened to damage the McIntyres property last year, and Judge McMonigal ordered an injunction against them. It is public record. Planting 30 arborvitaes that will grow to 30 to 60ft. will damage the value of the McIntyre's home as they will lose their view and sun for their pool. Who gave Glen the right to allow the city to be involved in this? Who gave Glen the right to have 30 trees planted on top of the city sewer easement at our expense? If the sewer ever has to be worked on over there, the trees will have to come down and then replanted at taxpayer's expense! This act of planting these trees is illegal and against state statues according to McIntyre's attorney.
If Joe Parise cares so much about where the city is spending our money, why hasn't he put this issue on the agenda for Mon. night? Instead, it looks like the McIntres are going to be complaining again for all of us taxpayers. I say go and show them some support so the city will have to discuss it. As usual, they will do nothing if we don't all complain. Why won't Glen give us all some trees...but 24 trees? It is obvious he used the city for a personal vendetta that the Wallners have! I want his resignation too!
There is no vendetta against Glen. He has misused taxpayers money. That is all it's about. This has nothing to do with Parise, except he will do nothing either because he hates Glen and the McIntyres. Go find out why the city council allowed this mess. No the city is not working well at all.
I know this is the school post but where can one bring attention to the fact the city council is voting for big pay raises for non-union city staff. Most cities are freezing wages. Attend Monday night's meeting citizens! Also our Police Chief wants a severance package since he plans to retire. Who get that upon retirement in the private sector? Mr. Huber is a nice guy but that is not right! Will all workers than want that upon retirement. Not a good move by our council. Citizens get to the meeting and make yourself heard. Call your alderperson!!!!!
Out of curiosity we found the McIntyre-Clune house to see what all their anger, obvious hatred, and accusations are about. Some questions:
1. How can they complain about the trees (which are very attractive by the way) blocking their view of the river? Their tall white fence along their lot line blocks the neighbors on Mill St. from seeing any of the river - and most of the trees are not even as high as the fence. Even if they were, it is not illegal and one does not need a neighbor's permission to plant something in their yard. (Did you get your neighbor's permission to build that tall fence, which we noticed according to lot markers, is right on their lot line.)
3. As to the sun being "blocked" from their pool, what exactly is the purpose of the TALL UGLY "tacked on" high addition to their fence on the West side - which, by the way would block the sun from the pool area - NOT the trees.
From the talk that is going around after reading their posts, we understand ever since they moved in and started remodeling they, especially Clune, are known in the area to sue if she is not happy or if they have a complaint. Now their vicious accusations and threats are causing people to wonder why they don't move back to the south side of Chicago where we understand they are from, and quit spreading such vindictive false comments, threats, and hatred to not only their neighbors, but to Green Lake residents.
An irony to this, when driving by the first thing we saw was the Star of Peace as a Christmas decoration on their front porch. How about practicing what you preach Barbara and Larry?
We quite regularly attend the City Council meetings and have utmost respect for all Glen and his crew do for our City, as well as the majority of our council people and other workers. We feel ashamed and bad that you have to spend your good time (and our tax dollars) dealing with the Clunes and people in this town who are like them.
To the above person who is slandering me with no foundation whatsoever: It is clear you do not know me at all and there is not one true statement you made!
1. I have never sued anyone in my life! The Wallners threatened to cut our drainage pipe that was put in under BOTH yards illegally by Bill Kinas and Wallners 12 years ago, and was not disclosed to us when we bought the house. It forced us to go to court to stop them from cutting it and blocking it and to legalize it running under our 2 yards. The judge filed an injunction against the Wallners and would not dismiss Kinas out of the case. We got the legal easement from the court and it was recorded two months ago. It is the only law suit we have ever been involved in,and I guess the whole town knows about it. Glen knew all about it as it involved the city and dnr as well. If Kinas had put in the pipe legally 12 yrs ago when he hit water digging out the basement here, there would never have been any problem. Not disclosing it,AND not obeying the law ended up in a 2 yr. suit. Anyone in this city would have been in the same position as us if they had bought this house from Kinas. It is true and all the proceedings are public record.
2.Larry and I have done more in getting involved in this city in the past 8 years than many people out there. Larry served 2 terms on the council,a term on the zoning board, the rotary,and it was purely out of caring about the city we all live in. He was instrumental in voicing his opposition to the annexation of the ABA, and while Joe and many others disagreed with him, I believe his foresight of the costs and our economy collapsing were correct. Just read all the info about Lindenwood and the suits they are in. How many houses are built after several years? Two? How much would we be paying to plow the snow today over there? He predicted all of this. A lot of people come up and thank us. Larry was on the council and fully supported Glen and was instrumental in hiring him! We have had no problem with Glen and I belive he has done a good job. It was therefore a shock to find out that he was behind the taxpayer's paying for the trees.
3.Again,get your facts straight and stop gossiping.I have NEVER spent one day of my life on the south side of Chicago. I have never lived in Chicago.I was not born in Chicago. I owned and managed an equestrian horse farm in northern Il. after spending many years in Ireland. Again,you have no idea what you are talking about. Larry grew up in Chicago, not me.
4.I am not Clune anymore and since you are an expert on me, why don't you know that?
5.I worked for the late Tom Jones doing a lot of reasearch for his ad hoc committee to help serve the city. So,you think people like me should leave? I think we need more people who are willing to get involved. I went to city meetings for years. I am involved right now.
5.Larry and I paid for a permit for our fence 8 yrs ago and paid for a survey. Our neighbors, the Bakers on Mill St. are our very dear friends and love the fence. They never had a veiw of the river. Their garage is in the way of a view. Our fence was placed behind their 6ft hedge. The corner house was empty and for sale for 3 years. The current owners like the fence as a backdrop for their flowers. Our fence is 6ft per code and the side by the river is a 4ft. picket so we can enjoy the view. The city sewerline is next to that fence. What was the purpose of planting 30 trees on top of the sewer line when there were no trees before?
6. We think the trees are pretty too, they are 5ft. now and will grow to form a huge wall of trees unless the state statute is upheld to 6ft.which is fine for us...so if the council and taxpayers like you don't care that you all PAID for them and don't care that they're on top of the sewer line, then so be it. It is obvious that you don't care that you helped to pay for trees in a private yard.I say move them to one of the parks where we can all enjoy them.
TO BE CONTINUED
To the above person who is slandering me with no foundation whatsoever: It is clear you do not know me at all and there is not one true statement you made!
1. I have never sued anyone in my life! The Wallners threatened to cut our drainage pipe that was put in under BOTH yards illegally by Bill Kinas and Wallners 12 years ago, and was not disclosed to us when we bought the house. It forced us to go to court to stop them from cutting it and blocking it and to legalize it running under our 2 yards. The judge filed an injunction against the Wallners and would not dismiss Kinas out of the case. We got the legal easement from the court and it was recorded two months ago. It is the only law suit we have ever been involved in,and I guess the whole town knows about it. Glen knew all about it as it involved the city and dnr as well. If Kinas had put in the pipe legally 12 yrs ago when he hit water digging out the basement here, there would never have been any problem. Not disclosing it,AND not obeying the law ended up in a 2 yr. suit. Anyone in this city would have been in the same position as us if they had bought this house from Kinas. It is true and all the proceedings are public record.
2.Larry and I have done more in getting involved in this city in the past 8 years than many people out there. Larry served 2 terms on the council,a term on the zoning board, the rotary,and it was purely out of caring about the city we all live in. He was instrumental in voicing his opposition to the annexation of the ABA, and while Joe and many others disagreed with him, I believe his foresight of the costs and our economy collapsing were correct. Just read all the info about Lindenwood and the suits they are in. How many houses are built after several years? Two? How much would we be paying to plow the snow today over there? He predicted all of this. A lot of people come up and thank us. Larry was on the council and fully supported Glen and was instrumental in hiring him! We have had no problem with Glen and I belive he has done a good job. It was therefore a shock to find out that he was behind the taxpayer's paying for the trees.
3.Again,get your facts straight and stop gossiping.I have NEVER spent one day of my life on the south side of Chicago. I have never lived in Chicago.I was not born in Chicago. I owned and managed an equestrian horse farm in northern Il. after spending many years in Ireland. Again,you have no idea what you are talking about. Larry grew up in Chicago, not me.
4.I am not Clune anymore and since you are an expert on me, why don't you know that?
5.I worked for the late Tom Jones doing a lot of reasearch for his ad hoc committee to help serve the city. So,you think people like me should leave? I think we need more people who are willing to get involved. I went to city meetings for years. I am involved right now.
5.Larry and I paid for a permit for our fence 8 yrs ago and paid for a survey. Our neighbors, the Bakers on Mill St. are our very dear friends and love the fence. They never had a veiw of the river. Their garage is in the way of a view. Our fence was placed behind their 6ft hedge. The corner house was empty and for sale for 3 years. The current owners like the fence as a backdrop for their flowers. Our fence is 6ft per code and the side by the river is a 4ft. picket so we can enjoy the view. The city sewerline is next to that fence. What was the purpose of planting 30 trees on top of the sewer line when there were no trees before?
6. We think the trees are pretty too, they are 5ft. now and will grow to form a huge wall of trees unless the state statute is upheld to 6ft.which is fine for us...so if the council and taxpayers like you don't care that you all PAID for them and don't care that they're on top of the sewer line, then so be it. It is obvious that you don't care that you helped to pay for trees in a private yard.I say move them to one of the parks where we can all enjoy them.
TO BE CONTINUED
continued from above:
7.The Tall Ugly you mention is not on our fence. It is on our deck railing.It does not block any sun from the pool! It was installed temp. to give some privacy for an ill parent to be on the deck. What a mean person you are to judge something you know nothing about!! Our parent died. Sorry it offends you so much!
8. Our fence was installed due to our insurance co. for the pool. It is totally legal and everyone loved it when we put it in and several in town got our contractor to put up similar fences.
9. It is not a star on our porch. It is a Peace Dove. If you knew me at all, you would know that I have been very involved in peace and justice issues my whole life and will continue. I have represented my church on a mission overseas.
10.I have lived in small towns most of my life, here and overseas. I am in support of following the laws or changing them if they don't work. This is democracy. Four laws were violated in the purchase and planting of the trees. It is that simple. If this city continues to overlook the codes and laws on the books as in this case and others, our city will have more and more problems and many more will just give up.
11.We have NO INTENTION of leaving our home and the city we love. We have many dear friends here and I have my business in Princeton with many friends there. We have 6 children and 6 grand-daughters. WE ARE VERY,VERY HAPPY. JUST ASK OUR FRIENDS.
GOSSIP IS EVIL AND UNKIND. THIS IS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND WHOEVER YOU ARE, I HOPE YOU CAN FIND PEACE AND LET GO OF YOUR ANGER.
peace, Barbara
Barb, when your husband leaves a post about bringing Kevlar vests to the council meeting, that is not peaceful. This issue does not deserve the amount of attention you are demanding. It's turning into a vendetta, like so many thing here do now. If you've got a gripe, just politely go to the council and ask for review.
To the above person who is slandering me with no foundation whatsoever: It is clear you do not know me at all and there is not one true statement you made!
1. I have never sued anyone in my life! The Wallners threatened to cut our drainage pipe that was put in under BOTH yards illegally by Bill Kinas and Wallners 12 years ago, and was not disclosed to us when we bought the house. It forced us to go to court to stop them from cutting it and blocking it and to legalize it running under our 2 yards. The judge filed an injunction against the Wallners and would not dismiss Kinas out of the case. We got the legal easement from the court and it was recorded two months ago. It is the only law suit we have ever been involved in,and I guess the whole town knows about it. Glen knew all about it as it involved the city and dnr as well. If Kinas had put in the pipe legally 12 yrs ago when he hit water digging out the basement here, there would never have been any problem. Not disclosing it,AND not obeying the law ended up in a 2 yr. suit. Anyone in this city would have been in the same position as us if they had bought this house from Kinas. It is true and all the proceedings are public record.
2.Larry and I have done more in getting involved in this city in the past 8 years than many people out there. Larry served 2 terms on the council,a term on the zoning board, the rotary,and it was purely out of caring about the city we all live in. He was instrumental in voicing his opposition to the annexation of the ABA, and while Joe and many others disagreed with him, I believe his foresight of the costs and our economy collapsing were correct. Just read all the info about Lindenwood and the suits they are in. How many houses are built after several years? Two? How much would we be paying to plow the snow today over there? He predicted all of this. A lot of people come up and thank us. Larry was on the council and fully supported Glen and was instrumental in hiring him! We have had no problem with Glen and I belive he has done a good job. It was therefore a shock to find out that he was behind the taxpayer's paying for the trees.
3.Again,get your facts straight and stop gossiping.I have NEVER spent one day of my life on the south side of Chicago. I have never lived in Chicago.I was not born in Chicago. I owned and managed an equestrian horse farm in northern Il. after spending many years in Ireland. Again,you have no idea what you are talking about. Larry grew up in Chicago, not me.
4.I am not Clune anymore and since you are an expert on me, why don't you know that?
5.I worked for the late Tom Jones doing a lot of reasearch for his ad hoc committee to help serve the city. So,you think people like me should leave? I think we need more people who are willing to get involved. I went to city meetings for years. I am involved right now.
5.Larry and I paid for a permit for our fence 8 yrs ago and paid for a survey. Our neighbors, the Bakers on Mill St. are our very dear friends and love the fence. They never had a veiw of the river. Their garage is in the way of a view. Our fence was placed behind their 6ft hedge. The corner house was empty and for sale for 3 years. The current owners like the fence as a backdrop for their flowers. Our fence is 6ft per code and the side by the river is a 4ft. picket so we can enjoy the view. The city sewerline is next to that fence. What was the purpose of planting 30 trees on top of the sewer line when there were no trees before?
6. We think the trees are pretty too, they are 5ft. now and will grow to form a huge wall of trees unless the state statute is upheld to 6ft.which is fine for us...so if the council and taxpayers like you don't care that you all PAID for them and don't care that they're on top of the sewer line, then so be it. It is obvious that you don't care that you helped to pay for trees in a private yard.I say move them to one of the parks where we can all enjoy them.
TO BE CONTINUED
Larry and I did go to the meeting to complain about the misuse of tax payers money last mon.and about the violations. It was not put on the agenda for tomorrow for review, so we will ask again tomorrow. I am sorry that you do not feel it is important. I disagree with you. Our city has financial issues and all of our taxes are going up. Wasting any money at all in this economic climate is a serious problem. It is not a vendetta. It is a request for truth and transparency...something our whole country is asking for at the moment.
Larry follows this blog. I do not. I have not looked at this for years until I got slandered yesterday by someone who doesn't have the courage to give their name. If you knew Larry,you would know he likes to joke. That joke was about Joe's behaviour in council and the warning from our Police chief to cite him with disorderly conduct last week. We were at that meeting. It is in the GL paper this week. If Larry wants Joe and the council to lighten up that is his opinion. Isn't this blog about opinions? Can't we all have our own? The level of anger and bad behaviour at the last few meetings is so immature and insane that it almost is a joke.Some people feel it is bordering on violence. That is their opinion. It may not be mine.
As for Larry, if you knew him he is a very loving and peaceful man who also loves to joke and be lighthearted. I wish we had more of it. Joe's anger problem is a real problem for the council at the moment and much more "not peaceful" as he is an elected official. I really think Joe has some good statements, but I really wish he could get help for his anger.
I do not know the McIntyre's personally, I have met them both and feel they are good, decent people. Their moral character should not be scrutinized in this matter, nor should their motives be an issue. The fact is that the city bought and paid for 24 trees for $1900 and then gave them to a private home-owner. Since there is no justification for this expensive purchase, the question remains: WHY???
It's as simple as that.
I fully side with the McIntyres on this matter, and hope that the trees are removed. The district attorney should review the matter and legal charges should be brought if the law was broken. Certain people should lose their job if the law was broken.
As long as we are on the subject, a complete audit of Kunkel is in order as well. It is required that his work for the city be itemized and apparently he has not complied. If this is not a red flag then what is? The tax-payers are fed up with the lack of accountability in Green Lake!
Go to the new city blog the chief has put up if you want to discuss the city. I have a comment there
Why can't people understand the simplest of math problems? Look at the total property value of the 4 neighboring districts and compare it to ours. Taxes are calculated as a % of property value. It will always cost GL taxpayers more to consolidate, regardless of the efficiencies.
Several years ago, Woodland Circle left the Ripon district and returned to GL. Nothing else changed, but their actual tax bill went down by as much as $1000, based on the change in school tax rates alone.
Is it really true that people dislike Bates so much that they'll "kill" the district, even though taxes will go up? THAT"S JUST PLAIN STUPID!
WE HAVE THE ^TH LOWEST TAX RATE IN WISCONSIN AND IT IS LOWER THAN OUR NEIGHBORS. OUR TAXES HAVE NO WHERE TO GO BUT UP WITH CONSOLIDATION. BE CAREFUL. BE VERY CAREFUL!
GET RID OF BATES!
It is only a matter of time before the high school in Green Lake joins with one of the other area schools. Bates is already spending over $20,000 PER STUDENT, PER YEAR! One of the highest in the entire state!!!
If that's not enough money to educate a child, then we definitely need a new administrator, and a new school board. Enough is enough!
The school system in the city is the reason that I don't send my children there because of all the BS I hear. They get a better education elsewhere without all the political crap that comes out of our administrators mouth. A school this small does does not need an IB program for 2 kids. Get rid of it... this is ridiculous
The school here will never succeed or grow as long at Ken Bates is still the administrator. He has proven that he is inept, cannot work within a very ample budget, doles out all of his work to consultants that WE pay for, and is a total failure at his job. He drove away students and teachers in droves, has done far more harm to our entire community than anyone else in history. What else does this jackass need to to before the school board gets rid of him? The people have spoken, and they don't want IB or Green Charter! WE WANT OUR SCHOOL BACK!
Randy or whoever you are--the previous rants about Ken Bates are blatant lies. They were written by a pathetic clod who refuses to know the facts. For shame.
Now the school is wasting our tax money on a "survey" that they will be mailing out to residents. It will be asking for input on what classes/programs should be kept or eliminated. I have seen a copy of it and it is missing one very important (the most important) program. Apparently the school does not want the public to give their opinion on the expensive (socialist/new age) International Baccalaureate program. This is the first thing that needs to be eliminated from the school!
WHY ISN'T THIS ON THE SURVEY?????
testing
Why the comments about Bates this and Bates that? To the best of my knowledge, he hasn't done anything that wasn't approved by a majority vote of the school board.
They approve the budget, they approve the curriculum, etc.....
One thing Bates has done is to make a reasonable effort to see that any new funding scheme dreamed up in Madison doesn't result in re-visiting "negative aid", where "rich districts" like ours, end up sending money away to Milwaukee. There is value to having someone looking out for our interests in Madison!
Ken Bates for possibly another 5 years??????????? That's what's going to happen folks! Kiss you school district good-bye as he makes mega bucks, is never in the building, can't do the financial aspect of his job and rides off into the retirement sunset........then where will our school district be?????? Oh wait, that's right, we won't have one anymore! Contact your school board representatives NOW to let them know that this is NOT ok. We will NEVER pass a referendum as long as the used-car salesman is at the helm. People who know the truth don't refer to him as Master Bates for nothing.........
My- aren't you professional! The only place a 5 year plan was discussed was in a closed session with your school board- closed session means confidential. What does this say about the Board Member who is doesn't follow their own legal duties?
The only place anything has been discussed about a 5 year plan was in a closed School Board session- closed means CONFIDENTIAL. So, which Board member is leaking this information? Is this the type of person you should trust? If he or she does this here- where else?
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