Ballot measures run the gamut across America
In South Dakota, voters will decide on an abortion ban and term limits. Merit pay for teachers is on the ballot in Oregon. Maryland will decide whether to approve slot machines. There are marijuana questions before voters, where else, in California.
A host of referendum and initiative questions are on ballots all across the country this Election Day. Here is the rundown.
ADOPTED Are you looking at me?
Betsey is wondering why you haven't visited her yet!
She's not only charming, but this 3-year-old Beagle has chocolate brown eyes that will warm your heart. Naturally curious, Betsey is really starting to blossom after spending many years in the largest breeding facility in Wisconsin with thousands of other dogs. She likes to investigate everything from fallen autumn leaves to interesting textures in the dirt and grass. To Betsey, everything is a new phenomenon worthy of serious study! Oh, and she loves to cuddle after a nice walk in the woods, especially on a warm lap! Interested? See her and all the dogs at www.wihumane.org/animals/dogs.
Holiday Tree Lighting Just Around The Corner
As I write this, it's the middle of November. Christmas music has been playing on the radio for two weeks, our first measurable snowfall came today, and the Black Friday sales at the stores are coming up at the end of next week. Therefore, it must be time to advertise Greenfield's Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony.
Join us on Saturday, December 6th from 1:00-2:00pm in the Greenfield City Hall Rotunda area for the annual holiday tree lighting. Brighten up your holidays by celebrating with fellow neighbors. Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate while listening to festive music. Children can visit with and have their picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Best of all, this is a FREE event for the entire community.
Holiday Review
The holidays are coming up so I thought it was a good time to re-issue some previous blogs.
Keep Your Purse!
By Sergeant Peter Regenfelder
Friday, Nov 23 2007, 02:30 PM
The holiday season is coming up and the purse snatchers are already hard at work. This is a group of people I would really like to see unemployed! They are ruthless and mean! With your help, we can minimize the damage they do.
If possible ladies, leave your purse at home. If it’s not with you it cannot be taken from you. When you leave the house take what you need with you and put it in your pockets. A driver’s license, credit card, cash, keys and cell phone will fit in pants or jacket pockets.
If you feel the need to carry a purse, minimize the valuables in it. Don’t carry large sums of cash and take only the credit cards you need. When thieves steal purses they are looking for these two items. Cash can be saved and spent at leisure but credit cards get used quickly and for large purchases. This creates a financial nightmare for the victim. Leave jewelry and other valuables at home. Do not rely on your shoulder strap to keep your purse near you. Use a purse with a short handle and keep your purse in your hand.
Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to who is near you and who is taking a particular interest in you and your purse. If someone is making you uncomfortable and seems too interested in what you are doing, move away from them and keep your purse close. If this persists, tell a security guard or police officer. When driving home, pay attention to vehicles behind you as well as in front of you. There are thieves that will follow a victim home and steal from them when they get into their garage. If you feel you are being followed call the police or drive to your local police station. If you are not sure where that is, drive to a gas station and use a phone there. Gas stations usually have video surveillance and usually have a teller paying attention to the pumps.
If you plan your shopping adventure and only take what you need, you will minimize the chances of becoming a victim of a purse snatching.
Shop til you Drop Safely
By Sergeant Peter Regenfelder
Tuesday, Dec 4 2007, 09:30 AM
By Ofc. Regenfelder
Saturday, Dec 2 2006, 09:20 AM
1) Clean out your trunk before leaving for your shopping experience. This will give you space to put your holiday goodies where they cannot be observed from the exterior of the vehicle.
2) If possible, only take the credit card you will use and a driver's license with you. These items can be placed in your pocket so you do not have to bring your purse with you. Purses are targets for thieves. If possible, leave them at home.
3) Preplan your shopping. Know where you are going. There are a lot of drivers on the road this time of year that are browsing while they drive and not paying enough attention to the road. If you know where you are going, you can concentrate on driving.
4) If you will be shopping until it gets dark, try and park where there are street lights or parking lights so that you will be in a lighted area when you return to your car.
5) If you are going to leave valuables in the car, keep them out of sight. Put them in the trunk or out of view under the seat.
6) While you shop, if you had to take your purse with you, keep it with you. Do not leave it in the cart while you select items from the shelf or try on clothing. It may not be there when it is time to check out.
7) When returning to your car with your holiday cheer, have your keys in your hand so you can access your vehicle quickly without searching for your keys. Also, do not leave your newly purchased gems unattended while you get the kids situated, start the car, unlock the driver's door, etc. It does not take long before those items could be gone.
8) Return home for some holiday nog and a foot massage from your significant other!
If you do become a victim of theft during your shopping experience, have emergency credit card phone numbers available so that you can cancel your account before the criminals have a chance to use it and call the police .
I hope these hints are helpful and make your holiday shopping experience more cheerful!
Abyssianian Guinea Pig
Carlos is no ordinary small animal. He's a fluffy, cute-as-a-button, 10-week-old Abyssinian Guinea Pig! This handsome little guy is one of many amazing small animals currently available for adoption at WHS. See sweet gerbils, rabbits, mice, parakeets, hamsters, rats and even chinchillas at WHS today. Live in a small apartment? Allergic to cats? Don't have time to walk a dog every day? Consider a more petite pal like Carlos. Sure to keep your lap warm in the winter, a guinea pig like Carlos will also warm your heart. Visit www.wihumane.org/smallanimals to learn more about Carlos and his buddies.
Join Us At The Bradley Center For Greenfield Bucks Night
If you are a Milwaukee Bucks fan, then mark your calendar for Wednesday, December 3rd as the Bucks take on division rivals Chicago Bulls at 7:00pm. The Greenfield Parks & Recreation Department is selling upper level seats for $18 per ticket. That's a savings of $11 off the gate price of $29. Two dollars from each ticket will benefit the Greenfield Parks & Recreation Partners group. Up to 20 participants under age 14 can take part in the "Hi-Five" fan tunnel for the Bucks and their opponent as they enter the court for the 2nd half. For further information and to purchase tickets, stop by the Greenfield Parks & Recreation Department office in City Hall or call (414) 329-5370.
Hunters will be asked for deer heads
State wildlife biologists will be in 17 northern counties collecting deer heads during this year’s deer hunt. Officials are hoping to collect as many as 500 to test Wisconsin deer for chronic wasting disease.
Here’s how the program will work. Biologists will ask successful hunters for a tissue sample or possibly the entire deer head to be tested. The DNR is specifically looking for samples from Polk, Barron, Washburn, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, Rusk, Taylor, Sawyer, Price, Lincoln, Langlade, Oneida, Vilas, Forest, and Florence counties.
Here is more information from the Department of Natural Resources.
BREAKING NEWS: State budget in massive deficit
Governor Doyle will announce this afternoon that the state budget deficit is worse than expected. The deficit is $5.4 billion. More details later.
UPDATE from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A new welfare migration to Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Our state’s high level of taxation is forcing too many residents to pack up and leave. During November 2005, the Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance issued a very troubling report entitled, "Moving In, Moving on: Migration in
Individuals with college or advanced degrees were more likely to leave, while those with less education tended to come. Individuals with household incomes above $75,000 left
The huge exodus of wealthy Wisconsinites leaving the state caused a loss of an estimated $4.72 billion in net worth and a loss of $455 million in income over the five years of this study. That means far fewer in-state bank deposits, less stock in
Arthur Laffer, president of Laffer Associates and Stephen Moore, senior economics writer for The Wall Street Journal editorial board confirmed that high taxing and spending have had a negative impact on Wisconsin’s ability to compete and cause many people to relocate elsewhere.
Laffer and Moore write in the Wall Street Journal, “Five of the states near the bottom of our competitiveness ratings --
New evidence suggests the disturbing pattern continues.
The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University released a study during September 2008 examining migration trends in
The study says the following about
“At low income levels, there is strong net in-migration into
Authors concluded that in
Why is
Factor in other benefits like child care, BadgerCare, the earned income tax credit, and low income housing, and the incentives for low-income residents to flock to
This migration is clearly putting a strain on our finances. Just how much it is costing in taxes is unclear but my guess is that it is substantial and needs further study.
Meanwhile, our wealthiest leave
The deadline to sign up for the Wisconsin No Call List is Sunday
If you wait until after Sunday, your number won't be on the list until April 2008.
There are two ways to sign up for the Wisconsin No Call List. You can sign up over the phone by calling 1-866-9NOCALL (1-866-966-2255), toll-free in Wisconsin. You can sign up at the Wisconsin No Call List website here.
Only one adult in each household needs to register. There is not a charge to register for the Wisconsin No Call List.
2008 "Keeping The Wreath Green"
Starting December 1, 2008 the Greenfield Fire Department will be starting their 2008 "Keeping The Wreath Green" campaign. More Details to follow.
Take care and stay safe!
