A huge blossom to Jeannie Blumer, as well as some of her staff,> for taking on the responsibility to keep what was once the Job Center afloat and keeping the resources available to area citizens. Some people do not realize what kind of effort has been put forth in order to keep these resources in our community available once the State of Wisconsin decided to take them away. I know this personally, as I work with a private vendor that works directly with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and individuals in this area and helps them find employment, that these resources are very much needed. Area citizens do not have a lot of resources available to them in order to help them find employment in our area, and by keeping the resources alive it is ultimately benefiting us. The State of Wisconsin chose to close several of the job centers due to the limits on the budget. This was not something done by Green County. In fact, this is a misconception that many people have. So, once again, thank you to Jeannie and her staff that continues to provide the citizens of Green County the resources for employment as they are doing. And I have to add an even bigger blossom to Kelly >for the packets she puts together for people of the available jobs in this area. There is no other personnel in any of the employment resource areas throughout the southern part of the state that does this for people. This packet of local area jobs that are available takes a lot of time and effort, which is greatly appreciated and makes people's work search a lot easier. Thanks! - Angie Arians, employment placement specialist with Placement Opportunities.>
A huge barb to the Monroe Police Department >for not doing a better job of patrolling 13th Street (a.k.a. Highway 13th Street). As a resident of 13th Street, it is not uncommon to have vehicles, especially motorcycles, racing down the street at speeds of up to an estimated 60 mph. We personally have contacted the MPD regarding this matter, to which we get the standard response, "We will patrol that better" and that they will put up a sign to show how fast people are going. Do they really think that sign is a deterrent? On the contrary, these speeders use it to see exactly how fast they are going. The one time an officer actually did come out and talk to some of these individuals, the officer parked his car on the wrong side of the street and did not even exit his vehicle. He had the "offenders" come stand in the street to talk to them, which did not have any effect on the offenders. Additionally, I have not seen a police car anywhere near 13th Street performing and radaring of vehicles. The MPD needs to do a better job of patrolling this street before someone get hurts or even killed. - Resident of 13th Street >
The biggest of blossoms to Martha Bernet >for all the wonderful entertainment over the years. Her singing, yodeling, playing her accordion and the jokes she could tell - you really are a great lady, Martha. Also, let us not forget the wonderful Swiss Singers and Maennerchor. They all deserve a big pat on the back and a thank you. Also, I think the Swiss Singers have Turner Hall looking the nicest it has ever looked, and it is a very nice place to go. Thanks to all the Swiss Singers. - Rodney Zimmerman>
I agree with Ms. Hirsch's comments about former Monroe school district ag teacher Kirk Kramp. >Kirk, it has been a pleasure to work with you and I want to thank you for the help you gave on different ag projects during your time here and for doing a good job with the FFA. I felt you gained not only the trust and respect of the kids, but the parents, as well. Good luck to you and your wife, and take a whole bucket of blossoms >with you. - Jeff Ditzenberger, Monticello>
A barb to the store on the west side of Monroe >whose lights were on and the "open" sign was in the door on Monday afternoon, but was not open. Upon getting to the door, I found a Post-it note with "Be right back" on it and a locked door. I left and went to another store for at least 20 minutes. Upon returning, the store was still closed. If you have to close like that, at least leave a time you expect to be back. I don't think I'll "be right back" to that store soon! - Anonymous>
I would like to send out a blossom to Makayla Bates, the man in the red truck, and the two girls down a few blocks >who all banded together in their own way late Thursday afternoon to look for a runaway puppy. What makes this so special is that not one of these people I mentioned knew the family that lost the puppy. The man in the red truck who was flagged down by the crying girl saying her puppy just ran way made multiple rounds of the neighboring blocks in a search pattern. Meanwhile, Makayla and the other girls down the block were scouring the neighborhood looking for a stranger's puppy, asking anyone they could find if they've seen the black lab puppy with the red collar. I hope that the family got their new puppy home, but this sure does serve notice as to just how wonderful the people of Monroe truly are. - Rob McCarthy, Monroe>
