kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:32 AM:
" Sorry Krusty...oops I mean Earl. Darral ran for mayor to fix some of these problems as a write-in candidate. Unfortunately he didn't win and the city has suffered as a result. While Johnsrud won, he was better than Swanson would have been. This is not saying much for either of them, does it? "
Krusty wrote on Sep 22, 2008 10:16 PM:
" Kaminazi, I mean darral...err, I mean darral faase...I mean kwik trip teller, do you have a cape and tights that you change into when you get all this secretive government work done? I never realized just how powerful a "man" you truely are. I stand in awe of your greatness darral, perhaps your "greatness" when you get a free moment could you solve the problems faced by our city? "
Myturn wrote on Sep 22, 2008 12:47 PM:
" Kami- I believe that???? "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:26 AM:
" My Turn: My phone rings enough that it drives my wife nuts on occasion. I don't even to be looking for a story and it can show up on a moment's notice. Furthermore, there are times I can send my comments concerning public policy ahead by letters to the appropriate people who will determine its outcome. Saves time when I have a number of other things to do like work. Using proper follow up methods, things get accomplished as needed. Makes for less griping and notes who gets things done. Research is important, but sometimes behind the scene actions are more valued by those in power. Not everything in government is open for scrunity so my efforts are different than yours, but less costly in time, money and effort. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 21, 2008 7:43 PM:
" Kami-"you are being ignored by the decisionmakers"? Kami, were you at the one and only informational meeting at UWL regarding the City entering the Ambulance Business? Where any alternative view was limited to 2 minutes? Where Fireman, out-of-town Fireman, and Union Officials have since virtually taken over the only two City meetings with inordinate times to speak, and rambling off topic rants? Where I have taken the transcript of the Mayor in his WIZM Lacrosse PM Interview, and still cannot believe the statements this Mayor made? You have the audacity to attack me to 'I AM' being ignored. This fool was laughed at, and he 'accused' the audience of being Gund/Luth/Tri-State ringers. Then most of those present stood, to pledge other, by yet another stupid statement made by him? Ignore me? Wake up! "
Myturn wrote on Sep 21, 2008 7:12 PM:
" Kami, I mean who ever you are? I walk in a meeting they know who I am. If nothing else they have bile in their mouths. I know my talents, what they accomplish, what feedback I get, and I know who calls me each and every day. I know who I speak to and about what. I just do not know you. LOL.
I also know that people like you that think I am a nitwit', give me three steps, right out of the gate! Thanks. Without a 'straight man' like you, my job would be that much harder. Keep it coming! My phone rings with people on the other end telling me to keep up the good work. Your phone does not ring, nobody knows who you are! LOL, again. Figure it out? "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 20, 2008 3:47 AM:
" Craig...oh I mean My Turn: How can you think you're making any difference if you are being ignored by the decisionmakers that you want to influence and called a nitwit in the media? By not running for office or being a member of a group that advocates your causes, your ranting has no value to them. Simply blogging makes no changes. And your protests are hardly ever attended. So you are missing something. Whether its correct facts or the tone of your attacks, you rub many of those you want attention for your causes the wrong way. There must a way for civil disagreement without attitude reflecting that of madness. Please think about these things as an effort to improve your efforts. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 19, 2008 3:04 PM:
" Kami- Anybody that is not able to identify passing a $15.9 million dollar 27 year TIF for emergency pending employee growth needs for LHI, with 800 guarnateed parking spaces, and $3500 for each new to the area employee information I could write on a napkin as wrong. As they sat mute, I consider the source of "nitwit". That would include media reps as well if they were mute, as most remained. The same goes for those that remained mute while two Boards/Committees approved the exterior of a $20 plus million dollar taxpayer subsidised building, retroactively after it was up? Add to that an expensive IT Department that cannot post Agendas and information on time or even legally? AND I AM A 'NITWIT'? To those people I say, they have no courage. Tell them I said so! "
Myturn wrote on Sep 19, 2008 2:20 PM:
" Kami- I made a mistake, I admit it. I stated Fireman have a 18.5% contribution matching their pay for retirement, which includes an inexpensive disability policy. I am sorry, it is 19.6% for 2008. Forgive me.
Keep attacking, as I have said before it only means I make a difference. You only keep up my spirits. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 19, 2008 1:44 PM:
" Tell that to your local politicans. You rant as the day is long. And apparently they aren't listening to you, are they? I've even mentioned your name to certain people in the media and they have said that 'nitwit'. Seems to me you have an image problem from all areas. It's nice that they have time for me. For all the so-called research you do, you seem to miss out on the truth. You live in yesteryear, wanting the good ole days. And your failure to run for office proves your worthlessness to the system that you think needs fixing. Get out your dead behind and RUN so your views can be held accountable. You gripe too much and do so little of anything else. And why can't you answer my questions from my previous blog? Or haven't you done your homework? "
Myturn wrote on Sep 19, 2008 1:07 PM:
" Kami- You have no idea what you are talking about. You have no idea what I am currently involved in, how deep, and what role. If you were up to speed you would be embarassed. You are ignorant as the day is long. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 19, 2008 2:46 AM:
" Having talk to a number of those in the political arena on both sides of the aisle, that is how they describe you. And they barely listen to you because you don't know your facts from your interpretted stats. I don't question you for challenging the politicans, everyone should. But apparently you lack being anything but a mere unrespected nuisance. Since you'll never run for office and become accountable to others, your ranting is just what it is and nothing more than a waste of time for those reading. Oh BTW, does your company install solar panels on rooftops, yet? Or is your company still stuck in yesterday's technolgy like your blogs? "
Myturn wrote on Sep 18, 2008 9:00 AM:
" I have never made my identity a secret Kami. I have posted all my personal information on this Web and others numerous times. So your listing it again is limp at best. You did however make my morning when you called me a 'ranter'. Something about a black kettle? I will do what I feel is necessary to curtail expenditures like this and the Ambulance business, Sorry! Bad info, I think not! It seems your anonymous rear end lacks courage? "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 18, 2008 2:27 AM:
" Oh My Turn: Just because I don't agree with your lunatic rants and am willing to put out a different perspective than you have doesn't mean I receive government money. Quite the contrary, I get nothing whatsoever from the government. Now you on the other hand must be some roofer named Craig Nestor who is involved with La Crosse Roofing. Furthermore, your skewed perspective lives in the GOP lands of griping. I've asked the tougher questions which challenge your perspective on issues because of your narrowmindedness and now proving inaccurate information. I'm glad others are seeing this for what it is...a ranter whose facts are in question. Also a coward when it comes to running for office himself. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:19 PM:
" Mayor Johnsrud WIZM Interview- "This is a very difficult issue to get people to understand what the total process is. How can you educate 10,000 people in the City of Lacrosse what the right decision is."
We will try Mark, we will try.
But it might take more than 'two minutes'? "
Myturn wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:15 PM:
" There are Public Information Meetings coming, soon! My bet is that the people will fully understand what we have to tell and show them. Idiots as there are, according to our Mayor. And from professionals, can you imagine that! Rather than number "determined by the Chief and the Fire Deaprtment"? Best by far? We will give them more than two minutes to share their prorams, infromation, and numbers. Can you imagine that? "
Myturn wrote on Sep 17, 2008 6:53 PM:
" What do these bits have in common? Gows near $17k housing allowance, O'Malley's further education funds, and Kembers $10.5 contribution to an annuity on top of his ample WRS retirement? First, they are stipulated in employment contracts. Second, they are not know by almost all except a a handful of residents. Third, it could be argued that these are just additional income amounts hidden in other areas and texts. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:36 PM:
" Nevercease- Your friends are correct, and so am I. As I have posted literally hundreds of times on this Blog and others the teachers WRS contribution in Lacrosse is 11.7%. Fireman is 18.5%. minus the cost for a inexpensive disability policy. Pay attention!!! Also you reflect your mindset even contemplating disparities of CEO's and Doctors pay. Thank Goodness in some ways you and the government have limited control in that realm, so far. "
never cease to amaze me wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:16 PM:
" Once again Myturn people make a decision with their lives, do I think it is fair that CEO's are paid more then doctors, when the doctor is saving lives and spent more time in school. No, but their is nothing you can do about it. Please tell me where the 18.5 percent is from, my friends that are teachers were amazed that they get that because their retirement statements state a much lower percent. You comment about things you know nothing about.....Go lay by your dish!!! Better yet get back to work. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 17, 2008 10:28 AM:
" What I do see is a system that has been twisted that once was a employee/employer split. For teachers support staff and yes Fireman closer to their neighbors reality. As those missing appendages in large numbers ripped off by PTO shafts along with other private sector workers pay their 'fair share' for benefits they will never see in their lives working 7 days a week eeking out a living in a market where the government once again is up to their armpits with illogical, nonsensical, confusing control. Do I still sound just like a "Republican"? LOL NO!, this is about retention of jobs, benefits, and department budgets I am sorry to say. At school and the fire station. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 17, 2008 10:15 AM:
" I also find it humorous, yes I said humorous that the Chief parades out the 'Men in Blue'. As we are still reeling from 9/11 and the carnage. As some are still 'clinging' at time it seems to that carnage for their own personal mileage at times. Farming, Roofing, and Steel workers are on the 10 most dangerous jobs in the Country. So as scaffolding, cranes or other workplace tragedies regularly happen, and workers die or are maimed. I do not see a push or an attempt to rationalize a 18.5% retirement contribution, exceptional health coverage after early post retirement made possible by the same bloated retirement contribution, for these workers. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:54 AM:
" Kami/Mas- First, As if Kami is the "taken seriously" meter in Lacrosse. Now that is to LOL! As the 'school' continually turns out overachieving children from the "dungeon"? There has to be a government money link with you somewhere KAmi, but who would know, nobody knows you or even cares to find out. Then you explain the disabled needs to me, who is hearing and physically disabled? Another LOL! The figure of 18.5% is correct minus an inexpensive disability policy. I have already called Pfaff's office this morning and inquired who is 'entailed' in the 7.65x2 cost, will report back. Then how interesting he does not broach the working and post health costs. Or the total cost per Tri-State employee versus the Fireman for putting a body out there every day, or in the Fireman's case two days a week. "
JBK wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:30 AM:
" kamikazefaase wrote:
'Prayer won't help a handicapped person go from room to room or fix the bathroom they need to use.'
You are correct. Prayer will not help one bit. The $33 million in the fund balance might help solve that problem though. "
never cease to amaze me wrote on Sep 17, 2008 7:40 AM:
" You see myturn, if you want to come one here and be taken seriously, then stop lying and giving misinformation. Obviously MAS did some research unlike you who claim to, but then make up numbers to support your point of view. WOW you sound just like a republican. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:06 AM:
" Nanny8: Your religious doings won't work in public schools. Prayer won't help a handicapped person go from room to room or fix the bathroom they need to use. Prayer won't help someone unable to determine if an alarm is going off. While your Amish approach can work for fundraisers or installing playground equipment, boilers and safety equipment require certain licenses for installing because of codes in electrical and HVAC areas. While I point out the failures of your ideas, thanks for proposing one. It's more than we get most of the time from My Turn unless he wants to go back in time. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 17, 2008 3:50 AM:
" Darwinism: It is a social contract for society to educate its children. While you may have personally decided to not have children, you are a member of society and as such you pay taxes to insure your prosperity. Such insurance includes the education of children so as they can become active members in society. Whether you trade goods or services with them or pay them for working for you in some manner, these children require the ability to read, write, and think while being able to apply basic skills in areas of math, science, history or in some cases social means. Your survival of the fittest goes against societies call of a social contract for all children. We need less thieves in the night and doers in the day. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 17, 2008 3:36 AM:
" Say My Turn: How many disabled students attend Blessed Sacrament? You are to include blind or deaf children who don't know when a simple fire alarm is going off so as to move out of the building. What about handicapped children who need simple access to classrooms or use of the bathroom? How many ADD or ADHD children do they teach without using public school educators who specialize in these areas? How many have Down's Syndrom? My bet is few to most likely none. If rich parents wish to send their kids to the dungeon called Blessed Sacrament because the Catholic Church would rather spend its money on some Shrine instead of its schools and its teachers, fine. But remember, their mission in education differs with that of the general public schools and the results prove it. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 17, 2008 3:16 AM:
" Oh My Turn: Your post of 10:14pm about pledging everything 'you' owe is misleading. CEO's usually are taking INVESTORS money (not their own private capital) and doing something with it. This is just like the school board must do with the taxpayers money that pays for educating our local children. This includes what is paid out for employees, supplies, and maintenance. While our board members might receive some small token for their work, the CEO gains personally a tremendous financial package and still gets some 'Golden Parachute' even if they fail. This descrepancy is like how business treats its employees all across America. This alone must change. Afterall, those that know see the failure of "Trickle Down Economics" for what it is: trick-those-down economics. CEO greed does nothing to help anyone but themselves. "
mas wrote on Sep 16, 2008 11:08 PM:
" Myturn asks what portion of his posts concerning pay benefits are incorrect? How about the fact that according to the ETF website the contribution rate for protectives w/o social security is 14.2%, not the 18.5% that he constantly mentions. TSA employees receive 4% matching funds (according to myturn) plus 7.65 % paid to social security, a benefit firefighters do not receive. About a 2.5% difference, not the 14.5% that myturn would lead you to believe. In fact the rate for protectives w/o SS will decrease by .4% in 2009, making the difference 2.1%. Myturn can call it what he wants, I call it misinformation.
Michael A. Suchla "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:29 PM:
" BTW, Great example Nevercease. Two previous bankruptcies. I will notch another one on my side, as you unknowingly only made my point about the pledging of assets. Something Swantz, Kember, Gow, O'Malley, and Raasch will never feel the squeeze of, or risk all. While we are at it, you might add the Mayor/Kirch Team to that list as they are currently involved in the development business with our hard earned tax money in a very expensive game of long shot bets called 27 year 'TIFs'. Feeling that 'economic stimulus' yet? "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:20 PM:
" Plus, it's none of your darn business what a private corporate CEO makes, unless you are a stockholder. Then there are proper channels for that, and that is not what we are talking about here. Just another ruse. So tell me what talents ARE needed to give away disproportunate gifts of money, with no thought or worry to profit? Round and around it goes, where it stops nobody knows. We have a winner, it's 'Security and Safety needs, and air conditioning'. Say, how much was that air conditioning? "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:14 PM:
" "nevercease- "How much does the ceo of LHI make....I bet is is more then Kember." I will tell you the same thing I told Swantz year ago on radio airtime during his tenure, and run at our tax money. "you can use that excuse when you at one time or another sign the back of a Corporate note and pledge everything 'you' owe." What is that about a cold day in hell. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:06 PM:
" "The problem"? There are some that have done very good with,'the problem'. There are also those that have been headed this way for over two decades, long before, "The problem". The private vs. public sector worker pay/benefit gap has only widened for over twenty years now. The statistics are there for all to view. Never cease is in a severe state of denial, or on a course to attempt to confuse the ignorant. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 9:59 PM:
" nevercease- What portion of my posts concerning pay benefits are incorrect? I received all the posted informatiion from Ms. Rossiter. Just as I received the yearly pay for a Fireman Engineer today from the City HR office. Nobody drew the short straw over here. It is, and always has been called a trust. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 9:54 PM:
" Kami- Why don't you waste our time explaining the needs for the disabled to a disabled person? Also that is not the point, is it? They have called it a funding shortage when they could have called it for many other reasons, and expenses. I just want to know how much of the $18 million is for air conditioning. Blessed Sacrament is by far the highest concentration of rich kids in Lacrosse. They also are taught in the most stark environment. It is called, 'frugal'. "
never cease to amaze me wrote on Sep 16, 2008 9:47 PM:
" Myturn, Laxtaxpayer and everyone else crying about pay and benefits...You must have missed career day at school or maybe you are just perpetual whiners. No one can help you drew the short straw in life. Now get back on about the referendum and quitcherbitchen. "
never cease to amaze me wrote on Sep 16, 2008 9:44 PM:
" The problem with myturn is he only talks about administrator pay and benefits, while the majority of the school district employees receive nothing near what he is claiming on here. It is all public record and he is too lazy to call and find out facts first. Also compare some of the admin staff and their pay to public positions and you will see they are under paid, the benefits make up the different in pay. How much does the ceo of LHI make....I bet is is more then Kember. Similar size organizations. So Myturn you need to buck up and quit complaining. Get back to the main subject, you alway cry about benefits and you are worthless to help resolve the problem. "
Darwinism wrote on Sep 16, 2008 9:36 PM:
" At what point do children become societies problem? If I'm unemployed I'm told to get a job. If I commit a crime I do my time. If I buy a house I have to pay my taxes. If I drive a car I need a license and registration. If I have a child I must pay child support. If I have a child that support doesn't include education. Wait a minute, aren't these all choices with consequences? I have CHOSEN to not have kids so I can pay for my choices plus health insurance. Why should I have to pay for your choices and mine? "
J.T.B. wrote on Sep 16, 2008 9:20 PM:
" VOTE NO until Kember gives up his $200,000 salary and benefits package and they start really dipping into their $30 Million slush fund...OOPS, I mean Rainy Day Fund...well boys and girls, it appears to be pouring right now. Nice try, but put YOUR money where your mouth is. "
rprp wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:54 PM:
" The people of La Crosse will always pay a hugh amount of property tax for all the taxing bodies until the legislator's make taxation fair for all. The tax 18 of 1995 placed a hugh burden on seniors and working families while giving the farmers a hugh property tax break. The farmers use the same service and in many cases receive hugh benefits from all the forms of government that no on e else can get, We need a hugh change in Madison or TABOR. It is working for the taxpayer in COLORADO. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:54 PM:
" JBK: Please refer to my first post in this realm. Unless we know why or how this reserve has been built and what the goals are for this money are, we can only guess. If this reserve winds up protecting our district concerning bond related issues, or addresses other issues I have previously addressed there or throughout this blog, then our school board is doing its best to preserve our fiscal sanity. If this is a rainy day fund, then is the time to reduce or drain it? I think its time to ask our board this important question. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:42 PM:
" To "3xmom": While some parents have become lazy, others working in jobs that pay poorly and don't provide benefits contribute to this mess. I know of single parents who work more than one job trying to provide for their child. Yes, schools have become involved in what used to be just parent areas like breakfast and after school programs, but they aren't the reason we have more teachers and administration alone. The more we demand schools do in mandates, the more people are needed for service and paperwork involved including NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND. So you must reduce the demands on our school system. "
3xmom wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:04 PM:
" Schools are NOT responsible for educating our children. That responsibility belongs to the parent. However, we have come to EXPECT our TEACHERS and ADMINISTRATORS to do our parenting in: 1-THE CLASSROOM, 2-PROGRAMS, 3-THROUGH TEACHER AIDES, 4-NUTRITIONAL LUNCHES, 5-SPORTS, 6-SPECIAL ED CLASSES, 7-HIGH PERFORMACE LEARNINGthe list goes on and on. Now that we have to PAY for the PARENTING we, our parents and grandparents have become too LAZY to do ourselves, we complain. "
JBK wrote on Sep 16, 2008 4:55 PM:
" Kami - Our schools are not suffering for lack of money. Our schools are suffering because of this school board's unwillingness to use the already collected taxpayer money ($33 million) to improve our school's facilities with regard to safety and security for our children.
No one is arguing that the facility updates are needed. I'm also not against having a contingency fund to cover late payments from the state so that the district doesn't need to take out short term loans. However, $33 million in reserves is excessive. A portion of this taxpayer money should have been used over the past few years to repair/maintain the school's facilities. If money for proper maintenance would have been allocated in prior years, we would have no need for this bare-bones $18.5 million referendum. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 16, 2008 4:24 PM:
" For "My Turn": You already have some local control by using referendums like the GOP wants. However, the state's freeze and control actions have forced school boards to act this way. Eliminating the state controls would put the control back into local hands even if they should eliminate the 2/3's state promise of funds that they have failed to deliver on continuously. To not hold the state responsible for their part in creating this fiscal mess by making the rules AND not paying its full share is mere foolishness. Until we do fix the problem led by Mikey, our schools will suffer as the result of the GOP's effort to go after teacher unions. Since teachers have contracts and forced arbitration with school districts, the GOP will choke itself without fixing anything. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 16, 2008 4:08 PM:
" To "My Turn": Concerning your 'community organizer' comment, I was speaking of Mikey's cohorts in Madison otherwise known as the GOP assemblymembers. About your 3:25 posting: I agree with the first thought but would adjust your other ones. Your domestic partners should include contactual agreements establishing such partnership because they could be renters with wills. Concerning the first school to refuse mandates is like committing both fiscal and judical suicide. Our schools don't need to spend time or funds defending themselves in court over government mandates. The only ones that you can refuse deal with No Child Left Behind which the state must refuse before our locals can. We could end the one dealing with lower student-to-teacher ratio in lower grades, but then the state cuts funds to pay for these programs and once out you cannot get back in. This can hurt our kids. Is that what you want? "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:43 PM:
" To "My Turn": The security issues includes alarm systems for handicapped students like those blind or deaf. It also includes doors to help prevent an attack from guntoters like what happened in Weston. Protecting our kids in school has been an important issue since the Columbine shootings only amplified by the Weston tragedy. Since the La Crosse public schools cannot discriminate against children with disabilities like private ones can, staffing costs more for our public schools. Furthermore, whenever a private school student needs certain programs like help for ADD or ADHD, they are sent to the PUBLIC school instead of having the program at the private one. Can you see where space and personnel are more needed at public schools over private? "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:34 PM:
" Kami- You say tomato, I say tomoto. You say obstructionists, I say 'Community organizers'. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:32 PM:
" "Then go to any bean counter, portfolio manager, or retirement planner and ask them how much money would be there over a 30 year career?" I forgot we have Jimmy Gillman. If he is done beating on Palin, and moved on to something else. After all he was a financial advisor at one time. Ask Jimmy! "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:28 PM:
" To "cagey": I'm voting yes and I'm a homeowner with no kids in school anymore. Furthermore, people who rent pay property taxes INDIRECTLY through the landlord. So they have EVERY RIGHT to vote on local issues. Renters may have children who attend our schools as mine did before we were able to buy our home. So to discriminate against them because they might not have kids in school is as bad as telling to an elderly person with no kids in school that they cannot vote regardless if they own property or not. I realize that your bigger problem is with college-age kids, but they qualify to vote by our constitution and law. Maybe you need to educate them better with your position on the issue rather than discriminate against them. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:25 PM:
" Kami- Here is what I would like to see as beginning changes-
-Go back to the originally intended employee/employer WRS contribution. They still would have far more than the rest of us.
-Curtail now any post retirement health benefits.
-Ask domestic partners (gay or straight)to jointly own any titled or deeded property.
-Be the first School System to say NO to many of the curent State mandates regarding benefits/pay structure.
-Place much of the power back of funding in the hands of local Systems. Blaming the 'STATE'!!!!! is a merit-less ruse. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:13 PM:
" To "Krusty": Sorry I wasn't working at Kwik Trip last night. What I bring up about Mikey is important in the school budgetting process. When Mikey and his team of obstuctionists cut or slow down needed funds to our local schools, the local school board still has bills to pay. The present contingency fund keeps the board afloat while those in Madison set their funding. The problem is the state fails to pay its full promised share of 2/3's the cost of educating our kids due to those like Mikey. This includes building funds as well. Maybe Mikey can get kids to stop wrecking bathroom stalls and other areas of the buildings with their "Just Say No" and abstinence only programs. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:07 PM:
" Don't even try to confuse with the old, 'but they are teachers'. The same goes with support staff! "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:05 PM:
" Nanny8 and one for ole BlueState- You see it is like going to a neighborhood picnic. You 'all' paid the same per person. But when you get up to the food table, the government employees get two hot dogs, and private sector workers get one inexplicably. Hope you enjoyed that Bruce, again. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:00 PM:
" Wait a minute! Except if you work as a Librarian and then you receive retirement benefits part-time, and prorated leave benefits. Wait a minute! Oh forget it, I am tired for the day pointing out these disparities. Please remember to post, those of you with private sector jobs "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:59 PM:
" I thought I should add. The teachers and staff at Luther, CCS, and Tri-state receive around 4% for retirement. Now that would be full time employees. receiving 11.7-18.5% employer matching pay contributions. I am waiting! BTW way to figure those retirement piles of money after 30 years. The average teacher makes $47K and the average engineer Fireman makes $44,524.00. Maybe later we can talk about secretaries for Kember and Johnsrud making $20 plus dollars per hour! Don't forget all you secretaries log on and post who match that as well. Boy, we are going to busy answering that flood of posts (BTW, that is sarcasm). "
JBK wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:57 PM:
" Myturn - I keep forgetting sarcasm doesn't work well in text messages of 150 words or less. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:47 PM:
" JBK- I would hardly term holding our children up as hostages for more money, and air conditioning as "brilliant"? "
JBK wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:35 PM:
" 'balanced budget' stated:
"Education is a good investment. We all benefit from quality schools. Vote Yes"
This community has invested in education. However, this school board refuses to use the money ($33 million) given to them by the La Crosse taxpayers to improve our schools. They would rather hoard this taxpayer money and blackmail this community into giving more money, citing urgent safety and security concerns for our children. A brilliant, disgraceful and dishonorable strategy not uncommon in many Wisconsin school districts. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:34 PM:
" Aren't the similarities interesting? $18.5 million? That is the same number 18.5% that Ms. Schlua's husband receives from City taxpayers matching his pay for retirement each year. A pending referendum? Isn't that interesting, her husband has been a high profile speaker for the City run Ambulance Business. That will also go to Referendum in April 2009. Hey you posters, please post now who receive 11.7-18.5% (school/fireman) matching pay contribution to your retirement? Then go to any bean counter, portfolio manager, or retirement planner and ask them how much money would be there over a 30 year career? Then come up and I will introduce you to my neighbors, young and old to illustrate the disparity. "
JBK wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:23 PM:
" Mr. Kopp compared the school's facilities to a car in need of repair, stating how dangerous it is to drive with a child in this car, and that it should be fixed immediately before something bad happens. He was alluding to his position of spending $3 million from the fund balance immediately to address the most urgent security and safety concerns instead of waiting months for a possible successful referendum.
Ms. Troyanek expanded by stating that the child shouldn't even be put in the car. I'm not sure what her point was, but Ms. Clair agreed, concluding that taxpayers had the responsibility to fix everything that has beeen neglected by this school board, only regreting that more money is not being asked for.
The missed point is that anyone with $33 million in the bank would get their car fixed immediately without asking for a handout. "
JBK wrote on Sep 16, 2008 1:46 PM:
" Slight correction to my prior posts.
It was Debra Suchla, not Connie Troyanek, who claimed it would only additionally cost between $0.50 and $1.00 per week for the average La Crosse taxpayer if the referendum passes. "
balanced budget wrote on Sep 16, 2008 1:35 PM:
" Education is a good investment. We all benefit from quality schools. Vote Yes "
enuffalready wrote on Sep 16, 2008 11:36 AM:
" I'll preface my remarks by saying that I don't live in the School District of La Crosse so I don't have dog in the fight.
But it seems to me that a large part of the problem stems from the district wanting to stay with the low student to teacher ratios that they have had for years. If you increase the ratio from the desired:
K-3rd SAGE avg. class size: 1:15
4-5th class size: 1:22
6-8th class size: 1:26
9-12th class size: 1:27
what would that do to the number of schools needed, administrators needed, teachers needed, etc.,etc.?? "
get it right wrote on Sep 16, 2008 11:35 AM:
" I'm sorry. You can make a better school atmosphere through these improvements, but are making a better learning environment. The schools do not even have enough books, and were looking to spend money on AC and Safety & Security. Go back to the basics and quit wasting our money "
JBK wrote on Sep 16, 2008 11:03 AM:
" I neglected to include how much La Crosse taxpayers would pay per week in total to the school district, just to compare to Ms. Troyanek's argument of the referendum would only cost between $.50 to $1.00 per week more.
$100,000 home --- $976 + $26 = $1002/year or $19.27/week
$150,000 home --- $1464 + $39 = $1503/year or $28.90/week
$200,000 home --- $1952 + $52 = $2004/year or $38.53/week "
Nanny8 wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:47 AM:
" Even though I agree with most of you on the referndum I have this to offer. Instead of complaining maybe we can come up with a better idea than the school board. I am not sure what the amount is for safety and security but maybe if we put pray back in school we could save on the security amount. Only after something bad happens we pray at schools. If people are offended our schools could set a room aside for the non believes. Maybe us concerned citizens can gather our friends, neighbors and relatives to help complete projects we are skilled in and donate that to the children. Amish work together for the good of their people, why don't we. This would be a better mentor example rather than complaining and we would only have to finance supplies and boilers. "
packer backer wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:37 AM:
" The school board just don't get it. For example,(and there are many) take the airline industry. They negotiate with the unions to take pay cuts and even then the airlines need to cut employees or go out of business. Where is it ever said that the teachers union and over paid administrators, ever, ever get a pay cut! Nope, it is always back to the tax payers. Until an over paid school administrator takes a pay cut, just vote NO! "
JBK wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:35 AM:
" Ms. Troyanek brought out the same tired cliched argument that the it would only cost 50 cents/week for a $100,000 home, or $1/week for those taxpayers fortunate enough to own a $200,000 home. It is never pointed out how much we already pay to the school district. Here are the costs I have calculated from my 2007 property bill of how much La Crosse taxpayers are already paying and will pay if the referendum passes:
$100,000 home --- $976 + $26 = $1002/year
$150,000 home --- $1464 + $39 = $1503/year
$200,000 home --- $1952 + $52 = $2004/year
Mind you, this is just the amount going to the school district. This doesn't count the property taxes being paid to the city and county of La Crosse. "
JBK wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:34 AM:
" Ms. Clair made an emotional appeal about the schools needing this money to repair and add critical security improvements for our neglected schools and the protection our children. Mr. Kember gave a condescending speech about how this barebones plan adresses all the taxpayers issues from the last failed referendum. Both complained how this has dragged on since 2003 and needs to taken care of now before inflation makes the repairs too expensive.
However, neither addressed the school board's hoarding away of taxpayer money ($33 million) in a reserve fund instead of using some of it to repair/maintain our school facilities. Of course, they won't admit that this is a planned strategy to manipulate La Crosse taxpayers. Holding our children's safety hostage to blackmail taxpayers while the district has more than enough previously gathered taxpayer money to deal with these facility issues is disgraceful and dishonorable. "
Tuesday123 wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:14 AM:
" Cagey - don't stop there. Let's go even further and say that people that don't have children don't have to pay as well. "
cagey wrote on Sep 16, 2008 9:26 AM:
" I have to agree with the majority of people here - it doesn't matter if the amount is $5 or $500 - we cannot afford ANY more taxes. I certainly hope that everyone votes NO, NO, NO! And although I don't know how this could be accomplished, only homeowners should be allowed to vote on the referendum. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:34 AM:
" How much will Trane Company and it's Vendors ultimately receive in sales 'after' it gives us 3 'free' Air Condidtioning units? Tribune? Kember? "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:29 AM:
" UWL Chancellor Gow receives near $17k hidden in his little read employment package, with his public sector vs private sector disproportionate benefits/average pay. Kind of like O'Malleys employment package. Except we have watched as Gow humbly has given a large segment of his income back to the community. How about it Kember? You receive near $27k (or 19.3% matching salary contribution including WRS) per year to your retirement. 50% of us private sector workers have no employer contribution, the reamining that do receive 1/5 of what you do. AND THE SYSTEM NEEDS MORE MONEY FOR "SAFETY AND SECURITY"? "
unpolitical_correctness wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:25 AM:
" Just vote no, it's as easy as that. Kopp is right, the students do deserve better. I believe they deserve better leadership. It sure would be amazing if the district would put that kind of money to the education of the children. "
Senior Advocate wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:19 AM:
" Same old stuff. hand on to your wallets lacrosse taxpayers your going to shell out again. If you could not see this subrafuge coming you have a problem. I believe the only thing that would put a stop to this ongoing financial drain of tax dollars is when finally the majority of taxpers lose everything they have and still get asked for more money then maybe just maybe they will get involved and put an end to this robbery, but I doubt it. "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:14 AM:
" The City of Onalaska came to their taxpayers and told them they were going to save them 20% on a School employee benefit. They were going to transfer employees over from a conventionally funded benefit to an annuity. What they did not tell them is their present benefits had huge pending funding shortages, and the 'new' annuity's would have to be 'front loaded'. The problem these School System Leaders made is that they should have called the shortage "Safety and Security needs"? Oh yeah, then the System borrowed an unprecedented $4 million. Oh Yeah! "
Myturn wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:08 AM:
" The Lacrosse School System has a long and varied list of expenses each year. Although they have decided to pick "safety and security" as items that are short funded. Why? Because you are being manipulated. They could as other poster have reflected hung funding shortages on pay/benefits. They chose not to, for a reason. You are being manipulated. Go over and ask Mrs. Berra at Blessed Sacrament how old their building is, with their original boilers. Then ask her how her central air is. There is none. Then ask her what the cost to educate per student is? Those are the facts!!!! "
wisCONsin wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:29 AM:
" If you notice where the support for the 1st referendum came from, you would have notice the majority of the supporting districts are largely not property owners! The entire college areas supported this referendum, imagine that, these people are renters with their rent being paid either by mommy and daddy, or by state and federal loans and grants, and the majority of them will not be in La Crosse when they graduate from school, so they don't care about property taxes!! The other districts that supported it are largely rental areas, some are welfare and slum areas and they don't care about property taxes because the taxpayers are paying their taxes anyway! Some areas are not in the city of La Crosse itself,where their taxes are lower than La Crosse is to begin with! WHAT PART OF NO DO THESE MORONS NOT UNDERSTAND!!! "
idea wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:16 AM:
" When are the taxpayers of La Crosse going to learn how City-Hall operates?
All city departments put in anything and everything they can dream of, into their budget, hoping somehow they will receive it, where in reality they know theyll only receive a portion of what they ask for so they pad it many times over so they end up with what they really wanted in the first place! The school board received what they wanted, enough money to-pay their inflated administration salaries! If the school board would cut back on administration costs, like going back to one principle per school, getting rid of all of the administrators sidekicks, cutting back salaries of the Hogan administration staff, and getting rid of all but dead weight in administration would net the school district millions of dollars to do what they should be doing teaching our children!!! "
dktrmat wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:14 AM:
" "kit and caboodle"? Does anybody say that anymore? "
Big Spender wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:54 AM:
" "School referendum a go," but La Crosse citizen finances a stop. Local leaders have got to understand that we are living in a Republican economy: that's synonymous with a depressed economy. Hey, the Dow dropped 500 points yesterday, and our moron electorate may very well put McCain in office oblivious to all the Republican bungling of the past decade or so. (McCain admits that economics is not his strong suit.) You don't ask for money in an economic depression, unless it's to say "buddy, can you spare a dime?" "
Krusty wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:37 AM:
" Kaminazi-darral, if you would have at least glanced at the article you might have seen this sentence, "which would be used to repair heating, ventilation and air conditioning, upgrade safety and security and address other urgent facility needs" I find it hard to blame "Mikey Huebsch" for the incompentence of the LaCrosse School Board. Perhaps a hard night working the counter at kwik trip has made you ornery darral. "
La Crosse Taxpayer wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:56 AM:
" Why can't this school board get it that the La Crosse taxpayers are overtaxed already! The people in the private sector must learn to live within their budget and cut back if we do not have the money to buy additional things we would like! If this school board cannot budget the money allocated to them in their budget I believe we need to elect people to the school board that can!! What part of the last referendum to these morons not get? Maybe they need to start trimming some of the fat in their budget starting with all the administrators and their assistance and their fringe benefits! It would be interesting to find out if any of these idiots on the school board can even balance their own checkbook not alone the millions of dollars of taxpayers money we entrust to them. "
kamikazefaase wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:44 AM:
" Hey Krusty, is it possible that the board might need the money to pay for those retirement benefits promised to teachers and administration? Is it possible that this fund will be needed to pay the next contracts for teachers? Is it possible that this fund could build that new North side school if school age children population changes or if Roosevelt collapses? Being prepared is better than not. But conservative moles like you wouldn't know that. The board needs this kind of money set aside for when foolishness in Madison concerning its budgetary process prevents the district from paying its bills. With guys like Mikey Huebsch as the problem, maybe the board realizes what it can do. Finally, if this fails watch the actions of the board when it closes at least one school and new boundaries involved. "
Krusty wrote on Sep 16, 2008 1:08 AM:
" If it's truely "urgent" and it "can't be put off" then why doesn't the school distric dip into its 30 million it has ratholed away? "
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