Mailbag: 11/05
County jail remains inefficient Pod A proponents often claim efficiency gains of the current jail over the old one. This is refuted by the facts. The net cost of the jail in 2008 was more than four times higher than in 2000 which was the last year prior to the beginning of new jail construction. The number of sheriff’s staff increased by 79 (69 for the jail), while the average number of Sauk County inmates increased by 126 including renters from 2000 to 2008. If the school district were that "efficient" they would hire a teacher for every two new students. So far in 2009, the efficiency of the current jail is no better than in 2008 and the proposed county budget allows it to be even worse in 2010 at the expense of the taxpayers and other needed public services. We shouldn’t fully staff three half-full jail units. Tom Kriegl, member of the Sauk County Board representing the Town of Greenfield, most of the Town of Fairfield and part of the Town of Baraboo Economy shows signs of recovery The United States economy grew for the first time in a year this last quarter, ending the longest economic decline since World War II. Federal officials report that the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), the basic measure of a country’s total goods and services produced, grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the quarter that ended in September. That means that more people are spending, more businesses are making bigger investments in product development and worker training, and employment levels are beginning to stabilize. In the manufacturing sector, a recent report from the Institute for Supply Management shows that employment increased for the first time in 15 months — and it’s important to note that for every one manufacturing job, it creates three service jobs. Not only are we bringing more money into the state through increased exports outside the region and overseas, we’re creating more opportunities for local workers and businesses. On a more local level, a recent report from the Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment shows that the state’s use of stimulus dollars has created or saved more than 22,000 full-time jobs for Wisconsin workers. These jobs are helping families pay their bills and keep food on the table, while the money workers earn is feeding back into the local economy, keeping businesses open and communities secure. While the recovery still has a long way to go, these are clear signs that stimulus is working. The big-picture perspective is that the stimulus package, which passed last winter and is still being distributed, halted the economic free fall and prevented another Great Depression. At the business level, it’s clear that the stimulus package and state-sponsored growth initiatives are increasing production, expanding worker retraining, and providing new growth opportunities for Wisconsin companies. Beyond that, at the individual and family level, we can see that stimulus initiatives are encouraging consumer spending, reviving housing sales, and most important, savings jobs. Economists predict that the stimulus will ultimately create or save more than three million jobs in schools, hospitals, and businesses across the country. There’s no doubt that things have improved, but we still have work to do. We need to do more to (1) lower business costs (i.e. health care and energy expenses), (2) encourage private investment as the effect of the stimulus fades, and (3) help struggling workers re-enter the labor force. We’re on our way to sustainable recovery, and we have to continue to build on the success of stimulus programs. Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, 51st Assembly District Right-wing letter was way off mark Dick Napier’s letter of Nov. 31 contained more of the same right wing extremist propaganda tactics. He made false charges and untrue claims, ignoring facts to create false perceptions. Referring to the H1N1 vaccine shortage he blamed the Obama administration, ignoring the fact that the drug companies were unable to produce the quantities needed in the time between the flu appeared last spring and the regular inoculation season, a failure of the free enterprise he loves. Then he referred to administration proposals to improve health care as "the Obama take-over plan." His claim that there is no governmental program that "runs properly" is also false. Medicare operates with just a 3 percent administrative cost, compared with private insurance companies’ 25-30 percent of premiums paid. The Veterans Administration’s medical care program is a marvel of efficiency, achievement and administration. Calling our government "Uncle," and labeling it a "lousy manager" is certainly a case of the pot calling the kettle black. The big shots of Wall Street brokerage firms and banks managed us into the present recession. They also "managed" several million people out their jobs and their homes. All in the name of greed. Not only jobs but our very existence as a society and nation will be ruined if we leave private enterprise unrestricted to operate on the foundation of unbridled greed. By the way Mr. Napier, are you and Wayne Lain a tandem? On Saturday you set up pseudo-facts, and (then) his letter appeared accepting your inflated accusations as facts. Richard F. Bates, Baraboo Giving Tree sale a huge success Thanks to the generosity of the Baraboo community, the annual Sauk County Children’s Giving Tree free rummage "sale" was a huge success. The Baraboo National Guard Armory was filled with gently used clothing, toys, and bedding, assisting more than 150 local families. We are especially grateful to the Baraboo National Guard Armory for the use of their facility, Baraboo Tent and Awning for the use of their tables, and Pierce’s Market and St. Joseph’s School for collecting an amazing amount of donations. In addition, we would like to thank the Baraboo News Republic and WRPQ radio for publicizing this event, as well as the numerous volunteers and donors. It is heartwarming to witness the generosity of this community. Mary Bowers, president, Sauk County Children’s Giving Tree