Even the longest recession since World War II couldn't slow down the La Crosse Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which on Saturday will dedicate its 30th house since 1992.

This home, an energy-efficient four-bedroom on Hope Court in Holmen, was worked on by about 100 volunteers.

It won't be the last in 2009: The organization plans to finish its 31st home, in Houston, Minn., by year's end. Habitat for Humanity's many donors and volunteers prove that a community can work together - even when the going gets tough.

The power of faith

Habitat for Humanity volunteers aren't alone in making the La Crosse area a better place.

Peace and Coffee opened last week. It operates 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays in Crossfire's space at 422 Main St., La Crosse, and offers deli-style lunches at no cost, though the program sponsored by the Christian-service organization Renaissance Center accepts donations of both cash and volunteer service. Kwik Trip helped kick off the venture with a donation of $300 in food.

Walking the savings walk

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold has returned $270,000 to the federal treasury, money that was part of his office budget. That brings his total to more than $3 million in office savings since Wisconsin's junior senator took office. Feingold also has consistently turned down automatic mid-term pay raises totaling more than $70,000.

Feingold made deficit spending a focal point of the 1992 campaign that started his Senate career, and he continues to take matters of fiscal sustainability seriously: Last month he proposed a package that would take a half billion out of projected deficits over the next 10 years. And his Control Spending Now Act would ask the rest of Congress to find the same savings his office has routinely managed.

Would that more members of Congress followed suit.

Upholding standards

The Onalaska Police and Fire Commission finished a difficult task this week, unanimously backing Chief Jeff Trotnic's decision to fire a 24-year department veteran.

The chief accused Investigator John Walker of mishandling the identification of a suspect and then trying to cover up the matter.

Police in a free and democratic nation need to be held to the highest standard of integrity, and the vast majority of local officers meet and exceed expectations. The Onalaska chief and commission should be commended for taking their responsibility to enforce such standards seriously.