Also, a very big blossom to all the individuals that volunteer at Green County Humane Society. >It's the dedication of these people that helps to eliminate the dumping of unwanted animals in our county. Keep up the good work! - Kelly Bartels>
A blossom to the Monroe Middle School teachers and faculty. >I would like to thank all of you for helping my daughter have three exceptional years. She soon will be moving on to the high school, but she will be taking some very cherished memories with her. Great job, MMS, and thanks again. - Laurie Hegi>
A blossom to the many Monroe High School students >who are so kind to Miss Swanson's special needs students. We really appreciate all you do for us. - Diane West>
A blossom to the lady with a lime green billfold >who, ahead of me in line at a local store, paid for my groceries. - Anonymous>
A huge blossom to instructors Kim Cairy, Dan Saunders and their talented students at Monroe High School >in the woods and metals manufacturing classes. They have generously donated wooden shelves, clocks, cutting boards and rerod quilt racks to our silent auction for Relay for Life. Our "Special Beginnings" team at Monroe Clinic hospital has truly been blessed with many wonderful items. Our silent auction runs through June 17 on the Family Birth Center in the hospital. Our team is determined to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. The money raised through our fund-raisers will give assistance to cancer patients and fund research to discover new and better treatments. We are truly thankful to Kim Cairy, Dan Saunders and their students at MHS for helping us fight cancer in our community and making a difference. Thank you! - Diane Moelling, Monroe>
A barb to The Monroe Times. >Terrible damage has been done to an innocent man and his entire family. Anyone who has seen the award-winning movie "Atonement" or read the book knows how an "accusation" can destroy peoples' lives. Our Monroe Times has sunk to a new low and has shown no decency or sense of balance in their reporting about Mr. Vahlsing. (Note the repetitive, big front page headlines, photos, dirt digging and innuendoes.) In this country, we are all innocent until found guilty by a court of law. The Monroe Times obviously has forgotten that fact ... or have they? As I write this, there is a $10 million-plus lawsuit being tried, for the past two weeks, at the Green County Courthouse against a big advertiser in The Monroe Times. We have, as appropriate, not seen any front-page headlines about this case. Surely, The Monroe Times is waiting until the jury has decided. Why didn't The Monroe Times treat Mr. Vahlsing with the same fairness? The citizens of Monroe deserve much better. - David A. Babler, Monroe>
A large barb to Monroe's City Street Department. >Here it is already the first part of June, and many potholes created by this past winter's extreme conditions have yet to be filled. I understand there are other projects on their plate, but in some cases, the repairs are extremely necessary! Madison has filled tens of thousands of its potholes already this year. What's taking Monroe so long? With gas prices at almost $4 a gallon, we don't need the extra expense of additional wear and tear on our vehicles because we're driving on streets that so heavily pock-marked. It'll be interesting to watch all the vehicles in the Cheese Days parade with their occupants bouncing so much because of Ninth Street being such a mess (especially from Stop-N-Go to the 20th Avenue intersection)! - CC>
A huge barb to the people who destroyed our library. >You might think that it is funny, but it really isn't. You should feel really ashamed of yourself. You might think that you're not going to get caught, but you will, and I hope you do. - A high school student>
A huge blossom to the Monroe Police Department's Officers Cpl. Vig and Officer Mortimer and the five-member crew of the Monroe EMS> who responded at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m. on June 12 to the Lifeline alert of Clara Zimmerman. In a very short time, Monroe officers were at our home taking care of Clara until the EMS arrived. The actions of both groups were swift and very professional. What a great service they all provide to the Monroe community. Monroe can rest easy at night knowing the Monroe Police Department and Monroe EMS are there for you, no matter what time of day. Mere words can't thank them all. - Morlin (Clara) and Lisa Zimmerman>
A big blossom to the amateur (HAM) radio operators of Green and Stephenson counties >who took weather spotting classes and have been out watching the skies during the recent storms. These weather spotters see and report what radar cannot show. - Claudia McGonigle>
A big and bright blossom to our German exchange student, Amelie Seifert, >for the best "experience" that any family could possibly ask for. Your infectious smile lit up every space that you entered and warmed all of our hearts. We love you and are truly going to miss you. Another blossom to all of those in our community >who welcomed Amelie into their hearts and their homes since she arrived on Sept. 1. Your kindness and generosity are a perfect demonstration of what living in the Monroe community is all about. You have truly made her feel a part of us and have left her with a lifetime of memories. - Jeff, Melissa, Kimberlee, and Jordan Everson.>
A blossom to the Monroe Police Department, in this instance Officer 244, >for your efforts in dealing with a loud muffler and audio system complaint this past week.
A barb to those who continue to blast your thumping music and mufflers >at Recreation Park, for that matter all over town. Yes, this includes you, the owner of the green SUV, red/maroon full-size pickup, black primed small truck, black primed mini hatchback and others who feel the need to compensate for something. The residents in the surrounding neighborhoods and visitors to the park and pool do not want to hear your music and muffler but would much rather listen to their families laughing and having a good time, instead.
A blossom to Alderman Hannes >for having enough conviction to state your case. The citizens in Monroe have no idea as to what actually happened and may never really know. Your comments give us something to think about and leaves us wanting the truth more than ever on this situation. - Rob McCarthy, Monroe >
A blossom to The Monroe Times> for the editorial of June 11, "The city power structure must be defined" and in the quote of Alderman Hannes, "Personally, I think there was getting to be a power struggle between the mayor's office and Mark." I personally will even go further, when Alderman Hannes said in his letter of June 10, "One other question I have regarding the private investigator - did the mayor have the right to hire him without City Council approval? Some say yes; others say no. There seems to be a bit of perception that the mayor acts on his own without full council approval." Also, when I attended the Monroe Salary and Personnel Committee meeting on June 10 and asked William Frueh that since he's a consultant for Public Administration Associates, LLC, did he also consult in state matters, and he said no, and I said that's the problem. There's no coordination between the two, and you get criticized as a voter as well as a council member. If you ask the state, they say one thing and our hired consultants say something else. So the state consultant should work with the local consultants if you are thinking about eliminating elected offices which I oppose. The voter must have a voice in this, since he's the one paying the bills. - LaVern and Linda Isely, Monroe>
A large barb to the MonroeTimes> for not posting comments online. Good to know that the paper has now started to cover up things, too. - Jess>
To all that are posting comments online, I am very happy with the Monroe Times! I don't care if they didn't post all comments. This story is over. The Monroe Times did a wonderful job on this story. Stop leaving barbs for the paper. If I can be happy with the Times, then you should be, too. So, a HUGE blossom to The Monroe Times> for all of their hard work on my story and all the other stories they post! Great job! - Jessica Krutke>
