A big shamrock blossom to Green County EMS for offering Saferide at the Celtic Crawl. Also, Irish Thanks to Jim, Veronica and Mac Bruce and the St. Pat's Committee for a great Main Street parade. - Tracy Hamilton
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A barb to "A Taxpayer" and "A Parent" and a couple of the names above who write almost in exactly the same style and technique. I wonder if it is one person? Also, how can 50,000+ people protesting peacefully be described as a "mob." If you are not prepared to put your name on your contribution, it is you who are a coward. - David D.
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A blossom to Monroe Dairy Queen Emily Schwarzenberger for driving a tractor in the St. Patrick's Day parade. That was awesome. - Billie Reynolds
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A blossom to the Times for running the candidate profiles last week. It brought to light that current Aldermen Hannes and Schuringa can no longer continue to effectively function as aldermen on the City Council. These gentlemen posted the same answers, almost verbatim, to the questions asked of them. It is obvious that these aldmermen were either told what to write or had someone write their profiles for them. Both of them mentioned common sense in their profiles. It is apparent that either of them have any common sense. Monroe should be glad there is a choice in both of these wards, because Monroe doesn't need these two on the City Council another day, let alone another term. - Calling Out the Copy Cats
•••
A blossom the Monroe school teachers. You have helped me decide how to vote on the referendum. A teacher friend of mine told me about the Walker donor list, that I am on, in the teachers' room at a school (to remain nameless to protect the teacher.) The teachers have been discussing which local businesses (including taverns) are being boycotted because of an employee or owner of the business having had donated to Walker. Because the teachers cannot, it seems, argue the validity of their side using logical points defending why they shouldn't pay part of their health and pension funds nor why losing collective bargaining harms them (it doesn't, because Wisconsin Civil Service protections are as strong), they resort to extortion. Be on our side or we will destroy your tax-paying business that pays our salaries. I will also be discussing this with the many other people who are on the fence about the referendum issue. - Fed up
•••
A barb to all those who believe union members are thugs, teachers are overcompensated; solidarity is a bad thing, etc., etc., etc. It is a disgrace that the general populace is turning against their neighbors because of what is perceived as overly generous compensation for the jobs people perform. City employees working on a broken watermain in the middle of the night in the winter, I'm thankful we have competent and dedicated staff performing this job function. I'm grateful for those city employees who pick up our trash, regardless of the elements. I'm grateful for those city and county employees who work year-round to maintain our roads for safe travel. I'm thankful for the parks and recreation the city of Monroe offers. I'm grateful for the city employees who clean our wastewater and those that ensure we have safe drinking water. I'm thankful we have a dedicated police staff and a volunteer fire department. I'm grateful for the multitude of state agencies we have to overlook our health and safety. Last, but not least, I'm grateful for the education the Monroe School District provides to my children. I enjoy the services we have in Monroe, and I'm willing to pay for a lifestyle we have all become accustomed. For those who believe union members are over compensated, I would suggest obtaining the necessary training and education and pursue your "dreams." It is evident, that in order to enjoy a higher standard of living, a secondary education is almost always required. I'm surprised the barbs against doctors, lawyers, and CEOs haven't begun. In the meantime, we are a community. Learn to live in harmony. - A taxpayer (which is everyone, even union members).
•••
A barb to Gov. Walker and his Republican friends because they sound a little delusional. Some say they don't care what anybody makes and the Democrats should quit talking about Gov. Walker taking sales and income taxes off the table. The state income tax would affect his rich friends, like the Koch Brothers, which he had a rather interesting conversation with on tape. The problem is, if they really don't care what anyone makes in income, how come there is so much concern about wages teachers, firemen, policemen, nurses, city workers are making or anyone else marching around the square in Madison? All the Democrats want is a fair hearing which is going to take more than four days, which is something we got when the 14 Democratic State Senators went to Illinois for about a month which made us better informed. - A Concerned Property Tax Payer
•••
A barb to Dave Searles. When 600-plus citizens of Brodhead signed a petition to bring the sidewalk issue to a vote by the people, we were not granted that. So, why Mr. Searles should they listen to or bend to one person? If you are so ambitious and physically fit to power walk all over Brodhead, then why don't you volunteer to shovel snow off sidewalks for the elderly and disabled? These people are on fixed incomes. They are trying to get by, some have to make a choice between food or medicine, and then there are water bills, fuel bills, electric bills, homeowner and health insurance bills and taxes. And yes clothing bills; it's just too cold here to be a nudist. So they can't afford to hire someone to remove snow, or pay $150 per snow fall to have the city remove it. Maybe just maybe our city council and mayor have felt some compassion for these people. And maybe they have noticed how many homes are for sale, because so many people have lost their jobs. So Mr. Searles be a good guy and quit pushing for more sidewalks and go out and shovel a few sidewalks, maybe then you won't want so many built. True environmentalists don't cement everything. - One of 600
•••
A blossom to these businesses: On the eve of Feb. 14, I was driving near Farm & Fleet in Monroe. My oil light came on suddenly. I drove my car there to see if they could help me. They were very helpful. Two young men helped me at first. They were very polite and kind. Then their manager advised me to allow them to put four quarts of oil in it, then take it to Dearth and put keys in the night box. It was what the manager thought it was - a badly leaking oil sensor. It was very lucky they were there to help me. It saved me form ruining my engine. Also, I need to add how wonderful Randy Sargent, owner of Black Hawk Motor Sports in South Wayne, is. He and his staff adjusted my newly put-in headlight bulbs. They were put on wrong by someone else. I could hardly see before and it is wonderful to have them put in correctly. We are so lucky to have two such great businesses in our area. I also wasn't charged for either service. Just awesome. Thanks again. - Susan Junk
•••
A barb to the Green County Fair Board officers and directors for raising the rent 65 percent for the Green County Fall Nationals. The fair loses money the last 3 years and income is down due to less rental from autos, boats, etc., due to raising rates. The Green County Pork Producers and Green County Beef Producers moved to the Stateline ice Area (SLICE) and the Green County Conservation League annual Gun Show also moved to SLICE for the 2011 show. To stock owners, ask the officers the real questions on the loss revenue and the future of the fair. - Ex Fair Fan
•••
A barb to Arlene Huffman. I've read enough of her rants to know she is a right-wing nut job. She needs to quite drinking the Republican kool-aid, turn off Fox News, quit listening to Rush and get a life! - A taxpayer
•••
A blossom to The Superheroes. Another home run boys. Way to go! - Anonymous
•••
Editor's note: The last line of the following barb was inadvertently omitted from last week's Barbs & Blossoms.
A barb: Where is Ron Johnson? He hasn't been heard from since he asked for his millions of dollars to be refunded. Is he still representing Wisconsin or is he in Washington D.C. on vacation? - Democrat Farmer
•••
A barb to "A Taxpayer" and "A Parent" and a couple of the names above who write almost in exactly the same style and technique. I wonder if it is one person? Also, how can 50,000+ people protesting peacefully be described as a "mob." If you are not prepared to put your name on your contribution, it is you who are a coward. - David D.
•••
A blossom to Monroe Dairy Queen Emily Schwarzenberger for driving a tractor in the St. Patrick's Day parade. That was awesome. - Billie Reynolds
•••
A blossom to the Times for running the candidate profiles last week. It brought to light that current Aldermen Hannes and Schuringa can no longer continue to effectively function as aldermen on the City Council. These gentlemen posted the same answers, almost verbatim, to the questions asked of them. It is obvious that these aldmermen were either told what to write or had someone write their profiles for them. Both of them mentioned common sense in their profiles. It is apparent that either of them have any common sense. Monroe should be glad there is a choice in both of these wards, because Monroe doesn't need these two on the City Council another day, let alone another term. - Calling Out the Copy Cats
•••
A blossom the Monroe school teachers. You have helped me decide how to vote on the referendum. A teacher friend of mine told me about the Walker donor list, that I am on, in the teachers' room at a school (to remain nameless to protect the teacher.) The teachers have been discussing which local businesses (including taverns) are being boycotted because of an employee or owner of the business having had donated to Walker. Because the teachers cannot, it seems, argue the validity of their side using logical points defending why they shouldn't pay part of their health and pension funds nor why losing collective bargaining harms them (it doesn't, because Wisconsin Civil Service protections are as strong), they resort to extortion. Be on our side or we will destroy your tax-paying business that pays our salaries. I will also be discussing this with the many other people who are on the fence about the referendum issue. - Fed up
•••
A barb to all those who believe union members are thugs, teachers are overcompensated; solidarity is a bad thing, etc., etc., etc. It is a disgrace that the general populace is turning against their neighbors because of what is perceived as overly generous compensation for the jobs people perform. City employees working on a broken watermain in the middle of the night in the winter, I'm thankful we have competent and dedicated staff performing this job function. I'm grateful for those city employees who pick up our trash, regardless of the elements. I'm grateful for those city and county employees who work year-round to maintain our roads for safe travel. I'm thankful for the parks and recreation the city of Monroe offers. I'm grateful for the city employees who clean our wastewater and those that ensure we have safe drinking water. I'm thankful we have a dedicated police staff and a volunteer fire department. I'm grateful for the multitude of state agencies we have to overlook our health and safety. Last, but not least, I'm grateful for the education the Monroe School District provides to my children. I enjoy the services we have in Monroe, and I'm willing to pay for a lifestyle we have all become accustomed. For those who believe union members are over compensated, I would suggest obtaining the necessary training and education and pursue your "dreams." It is evident, that in order to enjoy a higher standard of living, a secondary education is almost always required. I'm surprised the barbs against doctors, lawyers, and CEOs haven't begun. In the meantime, we are a community. Learn to live in harmony. - A taxpayer (which is everyone, even union members).
•••
A barb to Gov. Walker and his Republican friends because they sound a little delusional. Some say they don't care what anybody makes and the Democrats should quit talking about Gov. Walker taking sales and income taxes off the table. The state income tax would affect his rich friends, like the Koch Brothers, which he had a rather interesting conversation with on tape. The problem is, if they really don't care what anyone makes in income, how come there is so much concern about wages teachers, firemen, policemen, nurses, city workers are making or anyone else marching around the square in Madison? All the Democrats want is a fair hearing which is going to take more than four days, which is something we got when the 14 Democratic State Senators went to Illinois for about a month which made us better informed. - A Concerned Property Tax Payer
•••
A barb to Dave Searles. When 600-plus citizens of Brodhead signed a petition to bring the sidewalk issue to a vote by the people, we were not granted that. So, why Mr. Searles should they listen to or bend to one person? If you are so ambitious and physically fit to power walk all over Brodhead, then why don't you volunteer to shovel snow off sidewalks for the elderly and disabled? These people are on fixed incomes. They are trying to get by, some have to make a choice between food or medicine, and then there are water bills, fuel bills, electric bills, homeowner and health insurance bills and taxes. And yes clothing bills; it's just too cold here to be a nudist. So they can't afford to hire someone to remove snow, or pay $150 per snow fall to have the city remove it. Maybe just maybe our city council and mayor have felt some compassion for these people. And maybe they have noticed how many homes are for sale, because so many people have lost their jobs. So Mr. Searles be a good guy and quit pushing for more sidewalks and go out and shovel a few sidewalks, maybe then you won't want so many built. True environmentalists don't cement everything. - One of 600
•••
A blossom to these businesses: On the eve of Feb. 14, I was driving near Farm & Fleet in Monroe. My oil light came on suddenly. I drove my car there to see if they could help me. They were very helpful. Two young men helped me at first. They were very polite and kind. Then their manager advised me to allow them to put four quarts of oil in it, then take it to Dearth and put keys in the night box. It was what the manager thought it was - a badly leaking oil sensor. It was very lucky they were there to help me. It saved me form ruining my engine. Also, I need to add how wonderful Randy Sargent, owner of Black Hawk Motor Sports in South Wayne, is. He and his staff adjusted my newly put-in headlight bulbs. They were put on wrong by someone else. I could hardly see before and it is wonderful to have them put in correctly. We are so lucky to have two such great businesses in our area. I also wasn't charged for either service. Just awesome. Thanks again. - Susan Junk
•••
A barb to the Green County Fair Board officers and directors for raising the rent 65 percent for the Green County Fall Nationals. The fair loses money the last 3 years and income is down due to less rental from autos, boats, etc., due to raising rates. The Green County Pork Producers and Green County Beef Producers moved to the Stateline ice Area (SLICE) and the Green County Conservation League annual Gun Show also moved to SLICE for the 2011 show. To stock owners, ask the officers the real questions on the loss revenue and the future of the fair. - Ex Fair Fan
•••
A barb to Arlene Huffman. I've read enough of her rants to know she is a right-wing nut job. She needs to quite drinking the Republican kool-aid, turn off Fox News, quit listening to Rush and get a life! - A taxpayer
•••
A blossom to The Superheroes. Another home run boys. Way to go! - Anonymous
•••
Editor's note: The last line of the following barb was inadvertently omitted from last week's Barbs & Blossoms.
A barb: Where is Ron Johnson? He hasn't been heard from since he asked for his millions of dollars to be refunded. Is he still representing Wisconsin or is he in Washington D.C. on vacation? - Democrat Farmer
