From Harry Pulliam
New Glarus
To the editor:
As I think nearly everyone is aware, Big Money - not the needs of the American People - controls the outcome of our national and statewide elections. On April 3rd Green County residents will have an opportunity to voice their opinion on whether that should continue. On the County ballot will be the question of whether:
1. Only human beings - not corporations, unions, nonprofits or other legal entities - are endowed with constitutional rights, and
2. Money is not speech, and therefore regulating political contributions and spending is not equivalent to limiting political speech.
Please vote Yes. Here's an example of why:
I'm an advocate for clean and abundant water. On these issues Attorney General Brad Schimel repeatedly shows his disdain for everyday people and his loyalty to campaign contributors from the Big Ag and manufacturing sectors. One example was when in 2016 he issued the opinion that the DNR has no authority to take into account cumulative effects on streams, rivers and lakes when issuing well permits. Wells, lakes and streams in our state, especially in the Central Sands, are drying up. Schimel's opinion, which by the way is in direct conflict with a 2011 state Supreme Court decision, is expected by many to accelerate the process.
Schimel again showed his stripes when in January 2018 he appointed former dairy industry lobbyist and lawyer Anna Wildeman to direct the Wisconsin Department of Justice Environmental Protection Unit. Her appointment was a travesty, considering that Wildeman had worked as a Dairy Business Association lobbyist. That industry has done well by Schimel, supporting him between January 2013 and June 2017 with $57,350 in large individual and PAC contributions. Also important is that from 2007 to 2014, while Wildeman was with the law firm Michael Best and Friedrich, she represented dairy interests when they faced complaints about environmental damage from high-capacity wells and manure. Between January 2013 and June 2017, her firm gave Schimel $28,168.
Many people are concerned about the impact that the 5,800-cow manure factory being built outside Brodhead will have on our community. It may be of interest that the husband of Schimel's appointee Anna Wildeman is David Crass, the lead attorney for Tuls Dairies LLC. Crass is the same fellow who has threatened to sue the Town of Sylvester and Green County for any attempt to hurt Tuls' business interests. It looks like manure does in fact run downhill.
New Glarus
To the editor:
As I think nearly everyone is aware, Big Money - not the needs of the American People - controls the outcome of our national and statewide elections. On April 3rd Green County residents will have an opportunity to voice their opinion on whether that should continue. On the County ballot will be the question of whether:
1. Only human beings - not corporations, unions, nonprofits or other legal entities - are endowed with constitutional rights, and
2. Money is not speech, and therefore regulating political contributions and spending is not equivalent to limiting political speech.
Please vote Yes. Here's an example of why:
I'm an advocate for clean and abundant water. On these issues Attorney General Brad Schimel repeatedly shows his disdain for everyday people and his loyalty to campaign contributors from the Big Ag and manufacturing sectors. One example was when in 2016 he issued the opinion that the DNR has no authority to take into account cumulative effects on streams, rivers and lakes when issuing well permits. Wells, lakes and streams in our state, especially in the Central Sands, are drying up. Schimel's opinion, which by the way is in direct conflict with a 2011 state Supreme Court decision, is expected by many to accelerate the process.
Schimel again showed his stripes when in January 2018 he appointed former dairy industry lobbyist and lawyer Anna Wildeman to direct the Wisconsin Department of Justice Environmental Protection Unit. Her appointment was a travesty, considering that Wildeman had worked as a Dairy Business Association lobbyist. That industry has done well by Schimel, supporting him between January 2013 and June 2017 with $57,350 in large individual and PAC contributions. Also important is that from 2007 to 2014, while Wildeman was with the law firm Michael Best and Friedrich, she represented dairy interests when they faced complaints about environmental damage from high-capacity wells and manure. Between January 2013 and June 2017, her firm gave Schimel $28,168.
Many people are concerned about the impact that the 5,800-cow manure factory being built outside Brodhead will have on our community. It may be of interest that the husband of Schimel's appointee Anna Wildeman is David Crass, the lead attorney for Tuls Dairies LLC. Crass is the same fellow who has threatened to sue the Town of Sylvester and Green County for any attempt to hurt Tuls' business interests. It looks like manure does in fact run downhill.
