A barb to The Monroe Times. >We don't agree with hiring another city administrator. I don't believe any town, regardless of the size, should have one because they are not elected positions. It's too much like hiring a consultant. The strength of the city is the council members, and so long as there are 10 wards it should take six votes to decide any issue. The mayor has strength, but in ideas. Since all of us read and we all should rely on an open media, if this takes place, I'm quite sure the right decisions will be made because I'm quite sure we, as voters and taxpayers, have insight enough to give the council our opinions, as well as pay our taxes. - Mr. and Mrs. LaVern Isely, Monroe>
A barb against the Brodhead Historic Preservation Commission >for not doing their job. As the consulting historian of the commission, I have nominated homes as historic sites and a North Residential Historic District. The response of the chair and one other member of the commission when I presented these nominations was that they were none of the business of the commission. This is not true. Making nominations and adding sites and districts to the Brodhead Register of Heritage Landmarks is part of the job of the commission. The problem is that they want to avoid controversy. Historic preservation by nature is controversial. Harry S. Truman said, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the damn kitchen." If they do not like controversy, then they should not be serving on this commission. They are being obstructionists. - Dave Searles, Brodhead>
A barb against the Brodhead Parks and Recreation Board >for not taking seriously a proposal for a park, to be called Prairie Park, in southeast Brodhead. Most of the park would include a Prairie Nature Preserve of an oak savanna and wetland prairie. There are parks in northwest, northern and northeast Brodhead, but there are no parks in southeast, southern and southwest Brodhead, although there is a playground at the elementary school in southwest Brodhead. The Parks and Recreation Board showed little enthusiasm and gave no support for this park proposal. The land and development costs would be paid for by grants from the Wisconsin Stewardship Program. Since most of the park would be a nature preserve taken care of by volunteers, there would be only a minimum annual expense for mowing the grass in the athletic field and playground part of the park. Applied Ecological has shown an interest in helping develop this park. The land, although zoned residential, is not suitable for housing development because it is too low and generally wet. Although not legally a wetland, scientifically it is wetland. It is a cache basin for an arroyo or dry creek. People that are not officials of the city believe that this proposed Prairie Park is a "great" or "wonderful" idea. - Dave Searles, Brodhead>
The Monroe Police Department deserves a huge blossom! >Police officers these days deserve medals for what they have to put up with. We need to thank them for the things they do to make Monroe a wonderful and safe place to live. How many of you thanked an officer when you were in a car accident and they came to your aid? Or, when your car got stuck in the snow and they helped you push it out? How about the time you were at your wits' end with your teenager and you called for their help? Or, when they were the first to arrive after you called 911 because you had a medical emergency? I thank God they are here to protect us and make our streets safe. The next time you see a police officer, tell them "Thanks, for a job well done!" I know I will. - Proud of our men and women in blue, Anonymous>
A blossom to the two-dozen-plus Monroe Woman's Club, Girl Scout Troop 250 and community volunteers> who planted the 65 flower barrels in the Monroe Main Street area last Saturday. Your efforts are appreciated throughout the growing season. - Monroe Main Street, Barb Nelson>
A blossom to all the Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops >in the area helping the elderly, cleaning up parks and streams, planting flowers and all the other community-enhancing things they do to improve our society!
A blossom to the Monroe Middle School band directors and their bands> for putting on an awesome concert Thursday night. I would rather listen to them then go to any symphony anywhere!
A blossom to Habitat for Humanity and their volunteers >for building homes for area residents who need them. I can remember as a youngster going and helping with our local church group to build homes in Lone Rock. Was always a good time and it was really great to see the looks on the families' faces when things finally came together. Leaves me wondering ... "Can I still swing a hammer and hit a nail?"
A blossom to all those this Memorial Day from the VFW and American Legion and all the Auxiliaries,> that will be taking the time to honor our fallen brothers and sisters from all the past and current conflicts.
A blossom and a prayer of safe keeping to all of our troops,> defending our rights, whether here at home or the world abroad, and hope for peace and an end to the conflicts that are costing us the lives of true heroes. God Bless and watch over them all.
And to follow that up, a blossom to all of our emergency services personnel >who keep our streets safe or provide us with prompt medical attention when we get hurt. Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone. Be safe and God bless! - Jeff Ditzenberger, Monticello >
