Governor Walker Announces* "Five Main Priorities" for 2013-15 State Budget

 Wisconsin Budget Project (with red text box added by RG)

1.  Creating Jobs
2.  Transforming Education
3.  Developing Our Workforce
4.  Investing in Infrastructure
5.  Reforming Government

No specifics are offered.

*E-update From the Desk of Governor Scott Walker. (10/13/2012)

Also found here.

Rupert Murdoch Continues to Flog* "Won't Back Down"

[*as in sense 3c of the word]

Advertisement from the 10/13/2012 New York Times

The quote at the top of the ad is from a 10/8/2012 New York Post editorial -- not from a review of the movie.  The Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch, who helped bankroll Won't Back Down.

I'm sure there's no conflict of interest here.


And how is the movie doing at the box office?


In its first 2 weeks of release, Won't Back Down has grossed less than $5,000,000.  On Thursday, October 12, it averaged 5 viewers per screen.  

No wonder the Regal Crown Club is offering a "buy one ticket, get the second ticket free" promotion!

Related post:

Flying Around the Aurora Public Library



Aurora Public Library Seeks $30 Million Tax Increase First, Says It Will Make Bold Changes and Look for Private Funds Later. (openlineblog, 2/29/2012)

Support the Library.  (Donate.  Due to difficult financial times, the Aurora Public Library had to close three of seven locations and cut spending by 50 percent in 2010.)

Friends of the Aurora Public Library helps alleviate budget cuts. (Denver Post, 10/10/2012)

The Human Library @ the Brantford Public Library (Ontario)



Human books available:
  • Adventures of an Immigrant
  • Being an Entrepreneur in a Small Town
  • Birth and Babies:  Dialogue with a Doula
  • Brantford's First Female Firefighter
  • Brantford's Poet Laureate
  • Canadian Reservist
  • Comedy and Tragedy:  A Tale of 10 Years of Living on the Streets of Vancouver
  • Confessions of a Cat Breeder
  • A Day in the Life of Police Officer 
  • Envision Yourself as a Solo Concert Artist
  • Everything You Wanted to Know About Being a Videographer
  • Eyewitness to Events of September 11, 2001 in Washington, D.C.
  • Former Nurse Becomes Local Farmer
  • Go to the Principal's Office
  • Horse Tales 
  • How I Settled in Caledonia
  • How to Live without Gluten
  • I Believe in Sikhism
  • Is Santa Claus a Happy Solution?
  • Jehovah's Witness:  Who Are We
  • The Joys of Building Your Own Home
  • Life @ 42:  Is Your Career Having a Midlife Crisis?
  • Microfinance:  Hopes of Millions 
  • Mount Everest Climbers
  • A New Life, A New Home
  • Newcomer, Immigrant, and Professional Woman:  Career and Life Changesec
  • On Becoming an Author
  • Senior and Having the Time of my Life/Community Volunteer 
  • A Survivor's Story:  What It Means to be Truly Inspirational
  • Swimming for Life
  • Unfinished Business
  • Vegetarian/Stay-at-home Mom
  • Women of Muslim Faith
  • Young Canadian Photographer Living Abroad
  • Z to C:  Leaving Zimbabwe for Canada

"A Total Embrace" @ the Denver Public Library



One question.  (OK, I probably have more, but I won't ask them here.)

Who are Haley and Heir Linder?

Viroqua New Library Progress Report

Progress made toward new library in Viroqua.  (Vernon County Broadcaster, 10/10/2012)

Excerpt: Erickson said the plan could fluctuate depending on many factors, including the success of fundraising. Erickson said the board has signed a contract with fundraiser Jodi Sweeney to conduct its capital campaign. Erickson said design work needs to be complete to give potential donors something to get behind. 

"It's hard to talk to donors if they can't even picture (the library)," Erickson said. "We need to go through some more of the process before we can even tackle a capital campaign." 

 Erickson said rough drawings of locations of items in the library could become available after Thanksgiving, but things like what the exterior of the building will look like, or details such as fixtures and furniture won't be included.

Related posts:
Viroqua Center, Viroqua library update.  (4/15/2012
Plan B unveiled.  (12/16/2011)
A move to plan B for Viroqua Center/Library Project. (10/25/2011)
Site plan for new Viroqua Library as part of complex of 4 buildings. (9/2/2011)
Library applies for $750,000 Community Development block grant.  (8/25/2011)
Fingers crossed for grant for new library.  (6/26/2011)
Library project gets aid from city.  (6/7/2010)
New library moves into conceptual design phase.  (5/28/2001)
New library cost estimate:  $5.7 million.   (5/20/2010)
Library building project update.  (3/15/2010)
Viroqua's McIntosh Memorial Library Space Needs Study Update.  (1/16/2010) 
Viroqua's McIntosh Memorial Library Space Needs Task Force.  (12/28/2009)
Viroqua's long look at a new library facility.  (11/6/2009)

Say Hello to Fond du Lac's New Children's Services Coordinator Sarah Newton


Fond du Lac welcomes new head children's librarian. (Fond du Lac Reporter,10/10/2012)

Excerpt: She has resided in Germany, Georgia, Belgium, Kansas, Maine and Virginia, but Sarah Newton has wanted to live in the Midwest for many years. 

As the new children’s services coordinator at the Fond du Lac Public Library, the 27-year-old former military child finally has her wish.


Who's Running for State Office in Wisconsin 2012: 72nd Assembly District (General Election Edition)



Public libraries in the 72nd Assembly District
Adams County Library (service area)
Coloma Public Library
Hancock Public Library
Lester Public Library of Rome
McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids
Plainfield Public Library
Plover Branch (Portage County Public Library)
Wautoma Public Library

The Republican incumbent

Biography.  Born Wisconsin Rapids, September 16, 1975. 

Graduate Lincoln H.S. 1993; attended UW-Stevens Point; A.D. Mid-State Tech. Coll. 1999; B.A.S. psychology UW-Green Bay 2009. 

Employment training specialist. Former Wood Co. jail discharge planner, Juneau Co. law enforcement officer. 

Member: Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance; Cubmaster, Pack 379, Auburndale. 

Elected to Assembly 2010.  (Won a 3-way primary with 35% of the vote.  Defeated longtime incumbent Marlin Schneider, who was first elected to the Assembly in 1970, in the general election . )


The Democratic challenger:  Justin Pluess


Wisconsin Eye interview

Related posts (General Election Edition).
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Assembly District 2.
Assembly District 3.
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Assembly District 71.

Who's Running for State Office in Wisconsin 2012: 71st Assembly District (General Election Edition)


Public libraries in the 71st
Lettie W. Jensen Library, Amherst
Portage County Public Library  (Stevens Point, Plover, Rosholt)

Academic library
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Rep. Molepske: Will Not Seek Re-election to the State Assembly. (Wisconsin State Assembly news release)  First elected in a 2003 special election.  Is now running for Portage County District Attorney.

An open seat.

The Republican Candidate

About:  [selected, with bold added] Patrick was born in Madison, WI to proud parents Matt and Paula. He was raised in Marinette, WI where he graduated from Marinette High School in 2006. Patrick then attended the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science in May of 2011.

Prior to graduation, Patrick has worked a number of different jobs, ranging from busing tables, working in lumber yards and factories back in Marinette, and serving as a volunteer football coach for the Crivitz High School football team. In 2008 Patrick became politically involved and volunteered for the McCain-Palin presidential campaign. Patrick then became a member of the Portage County Republican Party where he served on the executive board as Chairman of the UWSP College Republicans.

Patrick also served on the UWSP Student Government Association as a Student Senator where he took on a leading role in passing a number of reform packages that benefited the university and the students. Patrick is a proven leader, as is evident by the numerous awards he received throughout his college career. He was awarded the Student Government Association Senator of the Year award for two consecutive years, as well as the Student Senate Service Award for his service to the university.

Patrick served as deputy field director on Congressman Sean Duffy’s 2010 campaign, heading five of twenty counties. During the summer of 2011, Patrick served as the field director for the Kim Simac for State Senate campaign leading the grassroots efforts. Following his experiences on campaigns, Patrick decided to try his hand at business and is currently operating and managing a store in Plover called Mattress Firm.
Wisconsin Eye interview

The Democratic Candidate:  Katrina Shankland

Shankland won a 9-way primary with 28% of the vote.




About: [selected, with bold added]   Originally from Wittenberg, a small town about 35 miles from Stevens Point, Katrina grew up in a humble household of teachers who quickly taught her the importance of life-long education. She graduated from Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School and attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she earned a degree in political science.

She has interned for Governor Jim Doyle, the Marathon County Courthouse, and the Burleigh Street Community Development Corporation. She also served for four years as a counselor at Badger Girls State and assisted a former teacher’s campaign for Assembly. From directing an international nonprofit based out of D.C. to serving as a volunteer English teacher in rural Mexico, she has experience in the nonprofit sector, especially in program management, budgeting, and making tough decisions.

As a resident of Stevens Point, Katrina spent two years managing solar programs at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), a nonprofit that promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration.

Inspired by the grassroots effort to recall and replace Governor Walker, Katrina felt compelled to lead, and left her job at the MREA to work double-time on the recall campaign as a Field Organizer for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Shankland is currently a State Political Leader Fellow with the Center for Progressive Leadership and a Fellow with the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. She lives in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Eye interview

Related posts (General Election Edition).
Assembly District 1.
Assembly District 2.
Assembly District 3.
Assembly District 4.
Assembly District 5.
Assembly District 6.
Assembly District 7.
Assembly District 8.
Assembly District 9.
Assembly District 10.
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Assembly District 70.

Who's running for State Office in Wisconsin 2012: 70th Assembly Distinct (General Election Edition)


Public libraries in the 70th.


Biography.  Born Wisconsin Rapids, May 22, 1975; married; 2 children.

Graduate Auburndale H.S. 1993; B.S. Marian University (Fond du Lac) 1997.

Full-time legislator. Former legislative aide to U.S. Representative David R. Obey and Area Program Director for the Minnesota Farm Bureau.

Member: Marshfield Business and Professional Women; Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Marshfield Eagles; Wood County Farm Bureau; National Rifle Association; Wisconsin Bear Hunters; Central Wisconsin Fair Association; New Visions Art Gallery.

Elected to Assembly 2002; reelected since 2004. Minority Caucus Secretary 2005, 2003.  No primary opponent in 2010, won general election with 53.8% of vote.

The Republican Challenger:  Nancy VanderMeer

VanderMeer defeated Central Wisconsin Tea Party member Dan Wald in the August 14th primary.






Wisconsin Eye interivew

Related posts (General Election Edition).
Assembly District 1.
Assembly District 2.
Assembly District 3.
Assembly District 4.
Assembly District 5.
Assembly District 6.
Assembly District 7.
Assembly District 8.
Assembly District 9.
Assembly District 10.
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Assembly District 69.

Who's Running for State Office in 2012: 69th Assembly District (General Election Edition)


Public libraries in the 69th Assembly District


Biography.    Born Medford, September 28, 1968. Graduate Abbotsford H.S.; B.A. UW-Eau Claire 1991. 

Former legislative aide. Member of Wis. Air National Guard, 2003-2010; veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Member: Abbotsford Sportsman Club; Loyal Sportsman’s Club; NRA (lifetime mbr.); NRA-ILA; Natl. Assn. of Sportsmen Legislators; Lublin Amer. Legion-Sons of the Amer. Legion; Wis. Farm Bureau; ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force (chm. 2011); ALEC Criminal Justice Task Force, which was renamed the Public Safety and Elections Task Force in 2009 (chm. 2002-04); ALEC Homeland Security Task Force (since 2004); NWTF; Abbotsford Lions Club.  

Abbotsford City Coun. 1996-2001. 

Elected to Assembly since 1998. Majority Leader 2011; Minority Caucus Chairperson 2009.  

No primary opponent, ran unopposed in general election in 2010.



About  [with bold added].  Paul Knoff is a familiar face and an even more familiar voice to the people of Central Wisconsin. 

As the news director at Central Wisconsin Broadcasting in Neillsville, Paul covered local, regional, state, national and international news for 17 years. He also reported for the Wisconsin Radio Network and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

Telling the stories of the people of Clark, Wood and Marathon counties was a dream job for the Granton-native, who has lived in the area his entire life. 

In school, Paul spent his time learning about community service in the Granton FFA. He learned about hard work shearing Christmas trees at Lindsey Trees. He learned about teamwork by participating in athletics. 

Paul and his wife, Michelle, married in 1999. They lived in the City of Neillsville for seven years before moving back to rural Granton in 2006. 

While in Neillsville, the couple purchased and remodeled a downtown commercial property, owning and leasing it for several years. 

He was elected to the Granton School Board in 2009. He is also an active participant in the Clark County School Board Forum, which is striving to find innovative and more efficient ways to guarantee our rural students get a great public education for years to come. 

Paul is an active member of the community, serving on numerous committees, hosting area events, volunteering and coaching Little League baseball.   

Paul and Michelle have two children, Andrew, 6, and Collin, 3.



Wisconsin Eye interview

Related posts (General Election Edition).
Assembly District 1.
Assembly District 2.
Assembly District 3.
Assembly District 4.
Assembly District 5.
Assembly District 6.
Assembly District 7.
Assembly District 8.
Assembly District 9.
Assembly District 10.
Assembly District 11.
Assembly District 12.
Assembly District 13.
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Assembly District 40.
Assembly District 41.
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Assembly District 44.
Assembly District 45.
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Assembly District 47.
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Assembly District 49.
Assembly District 50.
Assembly District 51.
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Assembly District 68.