Tag: Opinion

Rep. Dave Considine column: Shifting to a restorative model

Over the past twenty years, Wisconsin’s prison population has grown twenty percent. This growing prison population puts a strain on our budget and the people of Wisconsin. Instead of heavily funding prisons we need to fund restorative programs like the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) program. Wisconsin’s TAD program allows District Attorneys or judges to offer off enders the opportunity to enter into voluntary substance abuse treatment, case management, or another risk reduction program as a safe alternative to jail or prison. TAD was implemented in 2005 in Wisconsin and has had a positive impact on many lives. As a member of the Committee on Mental Health, I recognize the trauma that many off enders have faced in their life that led them down the wrong path. I commend Governor Evers’ proposed investment in TAD so we can continue to more towards a restorative criminal justice system.

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Letter to the Editor: Inspiring Hope through Healing

The year 2021 was a unique year for Sauk County Rural Safety Days. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event was held virtually. We had nearly 1,100 third and fourth graders (last year’s third grade who missed the event due to COVID-19) participate this year. This event would not have been possible without the generous donations and support from our numerous sponsors. We believe that prevention is the best medicine and are so thankful for their support.

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Guest Column: Driftless Grace—Familiar rhythms return to the Valley

I had a busy April, but most of that was one-on-one activities with friends (or events with a defined endpoint where I couldn’t linger). Recently, though, I had the pleasure of going to a real live Event. It came complete with kids running across the lawn, adults from outside my “bubble”, delightful vintage items for sale, and lunch served by a local business. It was my new community in miniature, and the energy was infectious.

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More Officials, Better Fan Behavior Needed in High School Sports

After months of working with state government, education and health leaders, schools in all 50 states have been given the go-ahead to resume high school sports at some level of competition. Schools in the District of Columbia were the last to receive the green light on April 1. This is great news and signals that a return to normalcy may be on the horizon by the time schools begin sports and activities this fall.

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Letter to the Editor: Inspiring Hope through Healing

The Richland community has much to celebrate during this National Hospital Week, May 9-15. The staff at the Richland Hospital, along with the County Public Health and Emergency Response teams, took the lead in addressing the Covid pandemic from early on. During those first few months, adapting to the newly reorganized clinic and hospital structure added challenges.

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Considine: Governor Nelson, Milli Zantow, and Earth Day

Wisconsin’s former Governor and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a day for Americans to speak out about preserving the environment and the crises that our fragile environment faces. This year as we’re beginning to return to “normal” from COVID-19 I encourage you to observe and participate in an Earth Day celebration. This may include a masked and socially distanced park clean up, planting something in your garden, taking a walk to discover native plants, or learning about recycling.

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A look at ‘Sunshine Laws’ and where we go from here

Legal Editor’s Column

If I had to write all the world’s sunshine laws, I’d start with Wisconsin’s Open Meetings and Public Records Laws, because those are the laws I know. We tend to view these laws as some the best in the world, which they could well be, but how many people really keep tabs on other states or countries’ laws? Wikipedia has a huge article on the public records laws of Finland, but I’ll bet you haven’t read it.

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Letter to the Editor: Sale of school forest doesn’t match district values

As a River Valley resident since 2003, I have always admired our community for striving to support the common good. Here, actions match values. Whether it’s the community coming together at 4PeteSake, confronting racism when we find it, supporting the arts, or sustaining The River Valley School Fair, we strive to live our values. Most communities do not have the courage or conviction to make these same choices.

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Column: Funding Our Priorities While Respecting Taxpayers

The Governor’s budget message, once again, is a wish list of things for Madison and includes several divisive policy items that should be discussed in the regular legislative process. Despite the fact that Wisconsinites have weathered an unprecedented pandemic, economic impacts and ongoing uncertainty, the Governor’s budget does not focus on our most important priorities, nor does it respect taxpayers.

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Gov. Evers unveils historic agriculture investment proposal

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced Feb. 5 his 2021-23 biennial budget proposal will include a more than $43 million investment in Wisconsin’s agriculture economy and farm families aimed at expanding market opportunities, supporting new and innovative farming practices, strengthening the agricultural workforce, connecting local producers to foodbanks and pantries, and supporting farmer mental health and wellbeing.

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