Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Eagle Forum to Host Richfield Village Trustee Candidate Forum

Richfield: Eagle Forum of Wisconsin-Washington County will host a candidate forum for Richfield Village Trustees on Thursday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m.

The event will be held at Richfield Elementary School, 3117 State Hwy. 167.

The format will include an introductory statement by each candidate. Candidates will take turns answering questions and will be allowed conclusion time.

Trustee candidates for the village of Richfield are Rock Brandner (I), Bill Collins (I), Reid Snedaker, and Sandy Voss.

The moderator will be State Representative Don Pridemore.  Pridemore is a 1977 graduate of Marquette University, a former electronics researcher and engineer, and an amateur chili judge. A veteran from the Vietnam Era, he served in the Air Force from 1965-1969. He is a former president of the Hartford Area Taxpayer Association, a member of the Hartford Lions, and Greater Hartford Optimists, as well as the American Legion, VFW, and the NRA. In the past he has served as assistant scout master for Boy Scout Troop 741, and state director for Wisconsin Citizens for Legal Reform, and a member of the Erin Park Board since 1995. In 2004, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, and has been unopposed for the last two elections.

Eagle Forum is offering this event as a community service to the greater Washington County area. The forum will be videotaped and shared via the Eagle Forum website at www.eagleforumwc.blogspot.com for later viewing.

No direct debate will be permitted, and no questions will be taken from the floor.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Washington County chapter president Ginny Maziarka via email at eagleforumwc@gmail.com.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Legislators Aim to Expand Educational Options and Opportunity

From the office of State Sen . Glenn Grothman:


Grothman, Jacque Offer Tax Credit Proposal for Increased Access to Independent and Religious Schools

Today, Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) and Representative Andre Jacque (R-Bellevue) announced they will be introducing legislation providing a non-refundable tax credit for religious and independent schools beginning in school year 2012-2013.   The credit will start at $1,500 per year for every first grade student and $2,500 for every ninth grade student.  The following year, second and tenth graders will be added to the program with additional years added each year until all students will be covered by the 2021 school year.
“With the government already subsidizing private education by up to $6,500 per year for Milwaukee residents, the proposal would offer assistance, albeit a lesser amount, for outstate parents who want an alternative to the public schools for their children,” said Grothman.  “Whether their concerns are Wisconsin’s declining test scores, a radical new sex education program pushed through the Legislature last year, or public school teachers proselytizing a liberal political agenda in their schools, it is unfair not to provide a little assistance to independent-minded parents.” 
“The taxpayers already provide over $12,000 per year per child in the government schools, so any parent who is persuaded to enroll their children in the private schools creates a huge tax savings for Wisconsin’s taxpayers,” said Grothman.
“As a proud supporter of charter school expansion, open enrollment for public schools, and non-public school choice it is very important to be consistent in offering families in my district, and across the state, access to the full range of educational alternatives.  When it comes to educational instruction, one type doesn’t fit all,” said Representative Jacque, further noting that the proposal would not reduce state public school funding.  “We should always look at enhancing our state educational offerings to benefit students,” added Jacque.
“Private school enrollment has declined in recent years in part because of the proliferation of 4-year-old kindergarten.  The current budget, which allows for a further expansion of 4-year-old kindergarten despite the state’s fiscal shape, will have a further negative impact on private school enrollment,” said Grothman. 
“This is a frugal and modest proposal that can make a dramatic impact.  Just this week, we’ve heard a bill dedicating $7,500 in government funds to parents who send their children to charter schools,” said Jacque.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Vote EARLY!

Early voting is the key to assurance that, should an unforeseen event take place on April 5, your vote will COUNT! 


Vote at your convenience all next week!


Simply stop in at the West Bend City Hall, 1115 S. Main Street (back side of Police Department).  Go to the second floor and ask for a ballot!  Hours:  8-4:30


If you live in the Town of West Bend, early voting is available as well.  Vote at the Town of West Bend Hall at 6355 Hwy. Z.  Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8-3; Fridays 8-10:30.


For information on polling places, your voting history, registration and a sample ballot, visit VOTER PUBLIC ACCESS.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Sensenbrenner Town Hall Meeting *WEST BEND* THIS WEEKEND

Topic: General
Official: Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI 5th) 
When: 03/12/2011
Starts: 09:00 AM
Where: West Bend City Hall 
1115 South Main Street 
West Bend, WI 53095 

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Schlafly: Warning about Things to Come

Have you seen the television pictures of the tens of thousands of demonstrators at the Wisconsin State Capitol who are protesting proposed budget cuts for state employees? If so, you've had an advance peek at the sort of demonstrations that will take place if state legislatures are foolish enough to pass resolutions asking Congress to call a national convention to consider amendments to the U.S. Constitution. 


Read column and watch video online