Mailbag: 11/06
Taxes, fees should have us steaming It is odd to me that more people aren’t steaming mad over some of the taxes and fees we are seeing in utility bills. For example the new "Fire and Police Protection Fee." I am told by our 50th District representative, Ed Brooks, that all $107 million collected through the new 75-cent telephone line charge goes directly into the general fund and has nothing to do with police and fire protection. It sounds a lot like the Alliant Energy’s "Low Income Assistance Fee" that cost 3 percent of our electric bill. Remember the 3 percent sales tax that was supposed to have a sunset clause? Our town board (Excelsior) must be taking lessons. Some of our board members are also on the Rural Reedsburg Fire Commission. So when the Reedsburg police chief asked for $3,000 by letter to the commission to cover "dispatching services," our Town Board chairman proposed to pay it with township money he didn’t have. Township landowners and renters pay taxes to support the 911 system through a variety of fees and taxes. The rural police, fire, and ambulance services, all separate functioning entities, have received letters from the Reedsburg police chief asking for money, from $3,000 to $10,000 for "dispatching services." Our five townships surrounding Reedsburg will wind up paying the tab. I hope not. First, your township will have to get the money in the budget. Excelsior Township already commits over $21,000 for services before anything else is added on. You may ask why the Reedsburg police chief has anything to do with rural jurisdictions. If I’m one of the unfortunates who live within this fire district, I call 911 because my house is burning down. I get the dispatcher at Sauk County 911. The dispatcher speed dials the police department in Reedsburg. (No, it doesn’t go to the fire department, nor do the ambulance calls go to the ambulance service). And sometimes there are busy signals because the police department’s "state of the art" system is properly allocated with staff or sufficient number of incoming lines. Busy signals are not what we are paying for. Nor are we paying for the police chief of Reedsburg to have any involvement in our affairs. This whole story gets even worse. The fire chief informed me that the police department is trying to establish their own emergency telephone number, other than 911, so that calls, at least in his world, get handled more efficiently. I can’t even imagine anyone remembering to call a 524-xxxx number. Reedsburg city folks should really be impressed with this idea. And it is the only city and rural area in our system being treated this way. If you live in Excelsior, Reedsburg, Seven Mile Creek, Winfield, or Dellona, call your town board and county board and make them stop this madness. One person can’t make the changes necessary because no one will listen to a lone voice. Mike Clark, Baraboo Halloween was a fun night Once again we have been privileged to welcome many young people of Baraboo to our home for "tricks or treats" on Halloween night. We wish to congratulate all the parents who participated in this event with their children. Every single child was extremely courteous and without exception said "thank you" with a beautiful smile. To the parents involved, your training of your childrens’ manners showed and was appreciated by us. It was a fun night for us, too, especially in this day and age. Ruth and Max Herrmann, Baraboo Get off your hands, Mr. President An open letter to the President of the United States: Dear Mr. President, Don’t wait for Rahm Emanuel to advise you on the result of the polls and their political impact. We are in an eight-year war; either we should take the advice of the military and win it, or turn tail like "Harry" did in Korea. I was in the Air Force during that one. If the inaction of the White House is indicative of the next three years, provided we had another 9/11, the fire trucks would still be en route. Please Mr. President, stand up and get off your hands; you’re the chief executive. Dick Napier, Baraboo Trick-or-treaters a delight What a delight to go to the door and welcome the trick-or-treaters of every young age. Their adorable costumes were well worth waiting a year to see and their greetings of "Happy Halloween" and their heartfelt "thank yous." Their parents have taught them well. Thank you all. Luon High, Baraboo