11/19 MAIL BAG

Who will gain if auto companies get bailed out?

Our government has already helped the big three multinational automobile manufacturers by giving them $24 billion to retool their auto plants.

Now they want billions more because they're experiencing double-digit sales losses and they claim they'll go bankrupt if they don't get part of the $700 billion dollar bank bailout now being considered by Congress.

Gee, let's see.

What do average American workers do if times are hard and they can't make ends meet? We cut our budgets. We cut back on the things we don't absolutely need to survive. We sell things. We cancel trips, vacations and forgo expensive dinners. Some begin buying the family's clothes at second-hand stores. Some work two jobs. Those who don't have medical insurance cut their pills in half or take them every other day.

We divest ourselves of some of our possessions to keep going. Maybe it's time for these international automobile manufacturers to do the same thing American taxpayers do.

Do you think that France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, India, China, Japan and Turkey would help bail out Chrysler, Ford and General Motors in these tough times?

The big three have automobile plants in all those countries, as well as in South America and Africa. Foreign workers have a stake in this world-wide recession too, but who will come up with the rescue funds?

Yes, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors are in serious financial trouble. So are a lot of American businesses. So are most American workers. Maybe Congress should force these multinational automobile corporations to sell off and downsize as part of any bailout package.

These are countries and corporations ready and willing to buy some of their overseas assets. And it would bring jobs back to America.

Education is celebrated this week

During American Education Week, Nov. 17 to 21, we would like to publicly recognize the dedicated staff of the Sauk Prairie School District, whose daily efforts help our children become intelligent, caring, and creative people.

We are so fortunate to have a team of quality people to guide our children as they enjoy a safe bus ride, walk down the immaculate hallways, learn in the classrooms, eat a healthy lunch, and play safety together at recess.  

This team of bus drivers, custodians, teachers, administrative assistants, administrators, nurses and health aides, counselors and teaching assistants has dedicated their lives to providing our children with an excellent education and they do it with the same care and compassion that we do when they are at home.  

This week is the perfect time to honor their commitment to our children and our community and to thank them for working so hard to provide our children with the very best environment in which to learn. Your dedication and enthusiasm is greatly appreciated. Happy American Education Week.

We would also like to thank the following local businesses who have so generously helped to make this a special week for the staff at Grand Avenue and Spruce Street elementary schools: Ace Sauk Prairie, Alure Salon and Day Spa, Ballweg Family of Dealerships, Blue Spoon Cafe, Cedarberry Inn Motel, Cody Chiropractic, Community Education Services Center - Aquatics Department, Community Education Services Center - Employee Wellness Program, Culvers, the Dorf Haus, JT World Class Subs, Kayser Automotive Group, Leystras Venture Restaurant, McDonalds, Papa Murphy's Pizza - Baraboo, Piggly Wiggly, The Press Box,  Sauk Cenex, Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital, Sentry, Subway and Wyttenbach Meats.  

Sauk Prairie area recognizes community education day

Community education has been a part of the Sauk Prairie School District since 1987 and we've seen dramatic growth and opportunities develop over the last 20 years.

It continues to be a tremendous joy to serve the Sauk Prairie community each and every day.  Join us as we celebrate National Community Education Day on Nov. 18.

Community education is a lifelong learning process that combines resources to meet the needs of the people to improve their quality of life.

It is an educational philosophy that underlies community schools, advocates the creation of opportunities for community members - individuals, schools, businesses, and public and private organizations - to become partners in addressing community needs.

Community education utilizes facilities beyond the traditional school day for the purpose of providing academic, recreation, health, social service, and work-preparation programs for people of all ages.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the community that supports our programs and instructors who share their time and talents.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our advisory council as well - they continue to be the "eyes and ears" of the community. Their leadership continues to guide us as we serve the Sauk Prairie community Happy Community Education Day.

Education week started in 1921

American Education Week is Nov. 16 to 22. The first observance of American Education Week occurred in 1921, with the National Education Association (NEA) and American Legion as the co-sponsors.

This week, the 87th annual American Education Week, spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college, and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making our public schools great.

The annual NEA tagline, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, reflects the call for America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century.

The NEA has pointed out that parents, of course, aren't the only members of the community affected by the quality of the educational system. According to the U.S. Census Bureau figures, between 35 and 40 percent of U.S. households do not include children. Often, those households are disconnected from, and largely uninterested in, what is happening in their schools.

However, as Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) pointed out in a speech delivered on November 23, 1900, popular folk wisdom says that every time a school is closed, a jail must be built. "I believe," Clemens said, "it is better to support schools than jails." The education of our children is as important to the community at large as it is to families with children. Community support (funding, social programs, and business resources) is vitally important to the success of our schools.

Please join me in recognizing the efforts of all members of the staff at Sauk Prairie Schools who commit their lives to educating our students. We thank them for the excellent work that they do.

Kindness goes a long way

On Sept. 20 my family organized a garden tractor pull to help me and my family with financial support during my illness.

I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, to all of you who contributed so kindly and generously. It's hard enough going through this unexpected illness with my family, but then to worry about money just makes it harder.

So, you kindness has eased my worry and I hope some day I will be able to help another family in need, such as so many of you have helped me. Thanks so much to all of you.

Seniors have vehicles prepared for winter

The eighth annual Sauk County TRIAD senior citizen vehicle winterization safety check was at the Kayser Chrysler Center in Sauk City on Oct. 24.

TRIAD is a cooperative effort between senior citizens, police departments and sheriff's departments in the community to work together to reduce victimization of senior citizens.

A huge thank you to the senior citizens that attended our car clinic - without you the Sauk County TRIAD program would not be as successful as it is.

I would like to thank Tim Dolson, Phil Martin, Frank Ereland and Harley Putman of the Kayser Chrysler Center for volunteering their service and expertise in checking vehicles to make sure they were properly prepared for winter driving. This service included the checking of fluids, hoses, belts, lights and other equipment on their vehicles.

The winners for the drawings were Linda Caflisch, tap lights; Tharsilla Breunig, shake flashlight and June Bare, first aid kit.

We look forward every year to teaming up with the various sponsors in Sauk County to provide this service free of charge for our wonderful senior citizens of Sauk County.

Partnerships equal quality education

Nov. 17 to 21 is American Education Week, a time to salute Sauk Prairie's great schools.

The steadfast partnership between the Sauk Prairie School Board, teachers, administrators, support staff, students, parents, and the community create a lifetime of hope for the students that we have the privilege to serve.

Today's teachers do more than teach basic skills. They nurture and inspire children. They help students learn essential skills not always measured in testing, such as critical thinking, conflict resolution, cooperation, and problem solving that help students throughout life. These are among the skills that give us great schools that benefit everyone in Wisconsin.

We invite parents and community members to visit Sauk Prairie's classrooms during American Education Week. Interactions between children, parents, teachers and support staff are essential. When this partnership is strong, children achieve and succeed.

We are proud to make a difference in the lives of the students we teach. We invite you to join us in experiencing the pride of making a difference in the lives of children and in gaining a better understanding of what educators mean when we say "Every Kid Deserves a Great School."