The year 2017 will be remembered as a tumultuous period on the international, national and state stages.
Locally, it was a year of progress.
Deteriorating relations with North Korea has brought us closer to hostilities that will cost lives. North Korea is a wildly unstable totalitarian state that's stepping into an uncomfortable level of nuclear capability. Recent intercontinental ballistic missile tests by North Korea, which show it can deliver a small payload virtually anywhere in the world, should be a concern for all. It's not known if North Korea yet has the technology to create a nuclear warhead that's small enough to deliver with its most advanced missile. We know that North Korea's technological growth in nuclear ability and missile technology are improving rapidly. The United Nations Security Council and Assembly continue to pass sanctions against North Korea, yet unless there's a coup or change in the head of state, the safety of Americans and all our allies are threatened.
Nationally, 2017 was the year in which sexual harassment and abuse came to the forefront, with many executives, entertainment industry moguls and well-known media figures being accused and often admitting to long-term bad behavior. President Donald Trump has nearly 20 allegations of wrongdoing regarding sexual harassment or abuse publicly made against him. Congress is the only body that could begin an investigation into Trump's behavior. Such probes are tricky, as we're finding out with the Russian campaign-tampering investigation. Often an investigation will not come up with answers on the ultimate issue it investigates, but it ensnares people along the way for perjury. It is hoped that what we learn about sexual harassment on the public stage translates into better workplace conditions for those who work in all areas.
In September of 2017, the credit bureau Equifax, one of three such bureaus which monitors the credit and transactions of all Americans, suffered a security breach. This compromised financial information for 145 million Americans - half the adult population of the country. The most important function of Equifax isn't to analyze credit. Its top priority must be protecting the sacred, private information with which it is entrusted. To see Equifax hacked and cough up so much data shows how far we've surpassed our ability to employ effective security measures for data.
Wisconsin's Republican revolution rolled on in 2017 with Gov. Scott Walker forwarding his agenda. Walker, in some cases with bi-partisan support, doubled down on bringing Foxconn and potentially 13,000 jobs to the Racine-Kenosha area. The state's economic package to Foxconn and the benefits Foxconn will reap from tax incremental finance districts and other instruments will become the largest economic development deal in state history. While Walker has never delivered on his original campaign promise to bring 250,000 new jobs to Wisconsin, there are areas of the state where the labor market is tight. For the first time since the Great Recession, wages are slowly creeping up, which they should as the stock market ballooned past 24,500. Those in leadership in the capital made the Foxconn development a major focus - offering long-term, steady, technology-based manufacturing jobs at a good wage.
Green County blossomed in many ways in 2017. Monroe's Eighth Street project progressed nicely and has left the city with a much-improved thoroughfare on the west side. Monroe Clinic started a major expansion. The Green County Veteran's Memorial Park was improved with a gazebo and engraved lists of those who have served in our military. Many new businesses opened and existing businesses grew. It wasn't all good news - we saw the closure of stalwart business Brennan's Market in Monroe and several other locations. It was a good year for civic and volunteer efforts. Our local governments largely kept taxes low while providing services necessary for a quality lifestyle. While Wisconsin didn't have bumper corn and soybean harvests, it didn't suffer any crop catastrophes. The winter wheat crop in the state registers 83 percent either good or excellent, according to the Wisconsin Crop Weather Report.
Everyone wants 2018 to be better than 2017. Realistically, there is room for improvement over 2017 when it concerns our personal safety and security.
Locally, it was a year of progress.
Deteriorating relations with North Korea has brought us closer to hostilities that will cost lives. North Korea is a wildly unstable totalitarian state that's stepping into an uncomfortable level of nuclear capability. Recent intercontinental ballistic missile tests by North Korea, which show it can deliver a small payload virtually anywhere in the world, should be a concern for all. It's not known if North Korea yet has the technology to create a nuclear warhead that's small enough to deliver with its most advanced missile. We know that North Korea's technological growth in nuclear ability and missile technology are improving rapidly. The United Nations Security Council and Assembly continue to pass sanctions against North Korea, yet unless there's a coup or change in the head of state, the safety of Americans and all our allies are threatened.
Nationally, 2017 was the year in which sexual harassment and abuse came to the forefront, with many executives, entertainment industry moguls and well-known media figures being accused and often admitting to long-term bad behavior. President Donald Trump has nearly 20 allegations of wrongdoing regarding sexual harassment or abuse publicly made against him. Congress is the only body that could begin an investigation into Trump's behavior. Such probes are tricky, as we're finding out with the Russian campaign-tampering investigation. Often an investigation will not come up with answers on the ultimate issue it investigates, but it ensnares people along the way for perjury. It is hoped that what we learn about sexual harassment on the public stage translates into better workplace conditions for those who work in all areas.
In September of 2017, the credit bureau Equifax, one of three such bureaus which monitors the credit and transactions of all Americans, suffered a security breach. This compromised financial information for 145 million Americans - half the adult population of the country. The most important function of Equifax isn't to analyze credit. Its top priority must be protecting the sacred, private information with which it is entrusted. To see Equifax hacked and cough up so much data shows how far we've surpassed our ability to employ effective security measures for data.
Wisconsin's Republican revolution rolled on in 2017 with Gov. Scott Walker forwarding his agenda. Walker, in some cases with bi-partisan support, doubled down on bringing Foxconn and potentially 13,000 jobs to the Racine-Kenosha area. The state's economic package to Foxconn and the benefits Foxconn will reap from tax incremental finance districts and other instruments will become the largest economic development deal in state history. While Walker has never delivered on his original campaign promise to bring 250,000 new jobs to Wisconsin, there are areas of the state where the labor market is tight. For the first time since the Great Recession, wages are slowly creeping up, which they should as the stock market ballooned past 24,500. Those in leadership in the capital made the Foxconn development a major focus - offering long-term, steady, technology-based manufacturing jobs at a good wage.
Green County blossomed in many ways in 2017. Monroe's Eighth Street project progressed nicely and has left the city with a much-improved thoroughfare on the west side. Monroe Clinic started a major expansion. The Green County Veteran's Memorial Park was improved with a gazebo and engraved lists of those who have served in our military. Many new businesses opened and existing businesses grew. It wasn't all good news - we saw the closure of stalwart business Brennan's Market in Monroe and several other locations. It was a good year for civic and volunteer efforts. Our local governments largely kept taxes low while providing services necessary for a quality lifestyle. While Wisconsin didn't have bumper corn and soybean harvests, it didn't suffer any crop catastrophes. The winter wheat crop in the state registers 83 percent either good or excellent, according to the Wisconsin Crop Weather Report.
Everyone wants 2018 to be better than 2017. Realistically, there is room for improvement over 2017 when it concerns our personal safety and security.
