Saturday, October 4, 2014

Birrenkott Appliance: Small Town USA circa 1964

Every time I drive through this intersection at night, 50 years is subtracted from my life.  This could be a nighttime scene from when I was in junior high in Warren PA 16365. 

But some of you will recognize it as the intersection of Fair Oaks and Atwood in Madison, Wisconsin. The photo was taken on Sunday, September 28, 2014.

To be honest, the traffic signal ruins the effect I'm striving for here.  There should be a stop-and-go light hanging over the middle of the intersection.


Longevity in Business: Old-school Birrenkott Appliance is a one-man show.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 6/9/2014)

A little bit of history.
Birrenkott and Ken Snell started the company in September 1961 as Snell & Birrenkott Appliance & TV. They were the exclusive dealer for General Electric appliances in Madison. Located on Williamson Street for the first 10 years, in 1971, the business moved to the corner of Fair Oaks and Atwood avenues and has been there ever since. When Snell retired in 1983, Birrenkott renamed the business Birrenkott Appliance. 
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Governor Walker Makes an Appearance at World Dairy Expo


Gov. Walker: Kicks off World Dairy Expo with ribbon cutting for New Holland Pavilions at Alliant Energy Center. (Office of the Governor news release, 9/30/2014)

The reason for his appearance.
“World Dairy Expo draws agriculture partners from around the world to Wisconsin to share innovative ideas and products, and allows us to showcase the state as a prominent leader in the dairy industry.” Governor Walker said. “Our investment in this project allows the Alliant Energy Center to continue to host world class events, which have a direct effect on Wisconsin’s growing economy.”

$24 million partnership

New facilities
  • Pavilion 1
    • 90,000 square feet
    • Concessions
    • Restrooms with showers
    • Livestock stalls
    • Wash bays
    • Mezzanine level with pre-function space heated for year-round use
  • Pavilion 2  
    • 200,000 square feet
    • Livestock stalls
    • Restrooms
    • 24-stall BouMatic milking parlor

Economic impact of the 5-day event in 2013:  $25,500,000

But there's no mention of his appearance at the "Press Releases" webpage of the Office of the Governor website.


Perhaps there are too many Democrats in the picture.

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Langlade County: Public Library Circulation and Program Attendance, 1996-2013


2010 population:  19,977
2012 estimated:  19,575 (-2%)

Public libraries in Langlade County



                  % change (1996-2013)
                  • Circulation:  13.4%
                  • Program attendance:  136% 

                    Line graphs data source:  Wisconsin Public Library Service Data

                    Related posts: (with 1996-2013 % changes)

                    Adams County.  (9/1/2014)
                    • Circulation:  320%
                    • Program attendance:  132%
                    Ashland County (9/2/2014)
                    • Circulation:  13.5%
                    • Program attendance:  116%
                    Barron County  (9/3/2014)
                    • Circulation:  32.1%
                    • Program attendance:   237%
                    Bayfield County (9/4/2014)
                    • Circulation:  127%
                    • Program attendance:   (7.2%)
                    Brown County (9/5/2014)
                    • Circulation:  35.2%
                    • Program attendance:   (22.3%)
                    Buffalo County (9/6/2014)
                    • Circulation:  1.9%
                    • Program attendance:  812%
                    Burnett County (9/7/2014)
                    • Circulation:  104%
                    • Program attendance  466%
                    Calumet County (9/8/2014)
                    • Circulation: (32.7%)
                    • Program attendance  20.0%
                    Chippewa County (9/9/2014)
                    • Circulation: 24.6%
                    • Program attendance  28.8%
                    Clark County (9/10/2014)
                    • Circulation: 21.6%
                    • Program attendance  86.5%
                    Columbia County (9/11/2014)
                    • Circulation: 40.5%
                    • Program attendance  84.2%
                    Crawford  County (9/12/2014)
                    • Circulation: 58.1%
                    • Program attendance  (28.3%)
                    Dane County (9/13/2014)
                    • Circulation: 83.0%
                    • Program attendance  246%
                    Dodge County (9/14/2014)
                    • Circulation: 53.9%
                    • Program attendance  186%
                    Door County (9/15/2014)
                    • Circulation: 23.2%
                    • Program attendance  (7.1%)
                    Douglas County (9/16/2014)
                    • Circulation: 81.1%
                    • Program attendance:  33.9% 
                    Dunn County (9/17/2014)
                    • Circulation: 14.2%
                    • Program attendance:  178% 
                    Eau Claire County (9/18/2014)
                    • Circulation: 23.7%
                    • Program attendance:  86.6% 
                    Florence County (9/19/2014)
                    • Circulation: 251%
                    • Program attendance:  195% 
                    Fond du Lac County (9/20/2014)
                    • Circulation: 24.2%
                    • Program attendance:  72.6% 
                    Forest County (9/21/2014)
                    • Circulation: 68.4%
                    • Program attendance:  261% 
                    Grant County (9/22/2014)
                    • Circulation: 44.3%
                    • Program attendance:  87.9%
                    Green County (9/23/2014)
                    • Circulation:  14.4%
                    • Program attendance:  111% 
                    Green Lake County (9/24/2014)
                    • Circulation:  33.8%
                    • Program attendance:  125%
                    Iowa County (9/25/2014)
                    • Circulation:  39.8%
                    • Program attendance:  122% 
                    Iron County (9/26/2014)
                    • Circulation:  5.4%
                    • Program attendance:  121% 
                    Jackson County (9/27/2014)
                    • Circulation:  57.3%
                    • Program attendance:  52.3%
                    Jefferson County (9/28/2014)
                    • Circulation:  19.9%
                    • Program attendance:  68.3% 
                    Juneau County (9/29/2014)
                    • Circulation:  41.9%
                    • Program attendance:  166% 
                    Kenosha Public Library (9/30/2014)
                    • Circulation:  10.7%
                    • Program attendance:  62.5% 
                    Kewaunee County (10/1/2014)
                    • Circulation:  (3.4%)
                    • Program attendance:  186% 
                    La Crosse County (10/2/2014)
                    • Circulation:  54.6%
                    • Program attendance:  31.9% 
                    Lafayette County (10/3/2014)
                    • Circulation:  55.2%
                    • Program attendance:  67.0% 
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                    Wisconsin Fall Election Preview: Assembly District 49

                    Republican incumbent vs. Democratic challenger


                    Travis Tranel, Republican incumbent

                    Chad Henneman, Republican challenger

                    49th Assembly District

                    Public and academic libraries in the 49th Assembly District
                    Public libraries
                    Benton Public Library
                    Bloomington Public Library
                    Boscobel Public Library
                    Brickl Memorial Library, Dickeyville
                    Cuba City Public Library
                    Dwight T. Parker Public Library, Fennimore
                    Eckstein Memorial Library, Cassville
                    Hazel Green Public Library
                    Livingston Library
                    Montfort Public Library
                    Muscoda Public Library
                    Platteville Public Library
                    Schreiner Memorial Library, Lancaster

                    Academic libraries
                    Elton S. Karrmann Library, UW-Platteville
                    Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Library, Fennimore

                    Related posts and notes:

                    1st Senate District  (9/6/2014)

                    2nd Senate District.  7-term Republican Rob Cowles (Green Bay) is not up for re-election this year.   Cowles also served in the Assembly from 1982 to 1987.

                    3rd Senate District:  3-term Democrat Tim Carpenter (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.

                    4th Senate District.  Three-term Democrat Lena Taylor (Milwaukee) is not up for re-election this year.

                    5th Senate District (9/8/2014)

                    6th Senate District.  Freshman Democrat Nikiya Harris Dodd (Milwaukee) is not up for re-election this year.
                    • 16th Assembly District.  11-term Democrat Leon Young (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.
                    • 17th Assembly District (sorry, somehow got lost in the shuffle; need to re-do)
                    • 18th Assembly District.  Freshman Democrat Evan Goyke (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.

                    7th Senate District.  (9/9/2014)

                    8th Senate District.  6-term Republican Alberta Darling (River Hills) is not up for re-election this year.   Darling also served 2 1/2 years in the Assembly (May 1990-January 1993)

                    9th Senate District.  (9/15/2014)

                    10th Senate District.  4-term Republican Sheila Harsdorf (River Falls) is not up for re-election this year.  Harsdorf also served 12 years in the Assembly (1989-2001)

                    11th Senate District.  (9/22/2014)

                    12th Senate District.  First-term Republican Tom Tiffany (Town  of Little Rice) is not up for re-election this year.  (Tiffany also served in the Assembly for 2 years -- 2011-2013.)

                    13th Senate District.  (9/23/2014)

                    14th Senate District.  3-term Republican Luther Olsen (Ripon) is not up for re-election this year.  (Olsen also served 10 years in the Assembly, first elected in 1994.)

                    15th Senate District.  (9/29/2014) 

                    16th Senate District.  3-term Democrat Mark Miller (Monona) is not up for re-election this year.  (Miller also served 6 years in the Assembly -- 1999-2005.) 
                      
                    17th Senate District.  (10/3/2014)

                    at No comments:

                    Friday, October 3, 2014

                    GOP Reaches Out to Blacks and Hispanics While Making It Harder for Them to Vote

                    As for point #1, all you have to do is Google.

                    On the other (deceptive, point 2) hand......

                    How the Supreme Court will continue helping GOP game elections.  (Washington Post, 9/30/2014)

                    How do they sleep at night?  Very comfortably since they have no conscience.
                    If you were a Republican looking to shape the voting laws to your partisan advantage, that’s a natural target, since a black person voting almost always means a vote for Democrats. Voter ID requirements are another obvious path to pursue, since the millions of Americans who don’t have driver’s licenses are more likely to be poor, urban, young, or minority — all groups that tilt Democratic. Or you can do what they did in Texas, writing the law so that a state-issued hunting license counts as a legitimate ID, but a state university-issued student ID doesn’t.

                    Related posts:
                    What are the odds? Joint Finance provides funding for Voter ID campaign.  (10/1/2014)
                    In the news: Wisconsin Voter ID law and absentee ballots.  (9/18/2014)
                    Wisconsin Republican legislative leaders cry like a baby.  (9/17/2014)
                    Reality sandwiched between two slices of Leah Vukmir white bread.  (9/15/2014)
                    Scott Walker on Voter ID: It's going just according to plan.  (8/2/2014)
                    Meet Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack, who authored majority opinions in voter ID cases.  (8/1/2014)
                    So as a result, you want your government to make it harder for you to vote?                     (5/22/2014)
                    The cat's got Fitzgerald's tongue.  (5/14/2014)
                    I can see how these pie graphs from a 2005 report might have informed the discussion for voter ID proponents.  (5/11/2014)
                    Rand Paul wants to have it both ways on voter ID....and does a sloppy tap dance in the process.   (5/10/2014)
                    I can see how one of these facts might inform the discussion for voter ID proponents.  (5/6/2014)
                    When it comes to diversity, all they want to do is talk.  (5/4/2014)
                    We're still awaiting a statement from Governor Walker.  (4/29/2014)
                    Voter suppression: Rep. Tom Larson uses the City of Milwaukee as the bogeyman.  (3/31/2014)
                    Sen. Mary Lazich shows her true colors.  (3/18/2014)
                    Wisconsin headline? No, the Ohio legislature also approved model voter suppression legislation from ALEC.  (3/14/2014) 
                     And the hypocrisy just keeps on coming: Republicans can't even give lip service to their "principles".  (2/14/2014)
                    Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald sez "no" to 40 of his Assembly colleagues.  (12/30/2013)
                    Your Wisconsin Republican Assembly hard at work promoting Governor Walker's jobs agenda (and GOP principles).  (11/15/2013)
                    Mary Lazich: Caught in the act of undermining confidence in the voting process.  (11/4/2013) 
                     The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement asks a question about voter ID laws.  (11/28/2012)
                    Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) still drinking the Kool-Aid.  (11/12/2012)
                    Tennessee Supreme Court gives Memphis Public Library cards a thumbs up for voter ID.  (11/4/2012)
                    Tennessee Court of Appeals ruling pisses off Republicans.  (10/27/2012)
                    Early voting begins today (Monday, October 22) in Wisconsin.  (10/22/2012)
                    Judge finds at least one aspect of Tennessee voter ID law "nonsensical".  (8/1/2012)
                    Judge to weigh in on library cards in Memphis voter ID skirmish.  (7/30/2012)
                    Library card/voter ID fray in Memphis.  (7/10/2012)
                    I'd be careful making any long-term Voter ID assessments based on the February 21 primary election turnout.  (2/26/2012)
                    Hope you signed at least one recall petition, Ruthelle.  (12/5/2011)
                    True, but why not share a couple of examples with us, Deborah.  (11/11/2011)
                    Hoping that other state newspapers have similar local news to share.  (10/29/2011)
                    Walker sez "We're broke" but GAB could spend $600,000 on voter ID public education plan.  (10/12/2011)
                    ACLU of Wisconsin denounces photo ID policy reversal.  (10/7/2011)
                    Voter ID:  "A solution without a problem".  (9/25/2011)
                    Wisconsin State Bar's Civil Rights Section requests AG Holder to monitor Voter ID Bill.  (9/1/2011)
                    League of Wisconsin Voters challenge voter ID laws as unconstitutional.  (8/22/2011)
                    What's the matter with Wisconsin?  (7/27/2011)
                    Wisconsin Legislative Council information memorandum.  (7/15/2011)
                    Appleton Alderman Wants Pushback on State Voter ID Bill.  (2/7/2011)
                    Voter ID in Wisconsin:  A bill and a constitution amendment.  (1/13/2011)

                    Related reading:
                    New G.O.P. Bid to Limit Voting in Swing States. (The New York Times, 3/29/2014)
                    ALEC Exposed:  Democracy, Voter Rights, and Federal Power.  (Center for Media and Democracy, 9/28/2012)
                    Right-Wing Operatives Take Up ALEC's Voter Suppression Agenda.  (Center for Media and Democracy's PR Watch, 4/19/2012)
                    Voter Suppression 101.  (Center for American Progress. 4/4/2012)
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                    Robots at the Westport Library



                    Robots arrive at the Westport Library.  (9/29/2014)
                    Developed by the company Aldebaran, the 23-inch-tall robots are an incredible resource in the educational realm, as they allow students of all ages to learn computer programming in a fun and practical way. Named Nancy and Vincent, they can be programmed to respond to vocal commands, recognize faces, carry out conversations, walk, catch and kick a small soccer ball, and even dance!
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                    Meet Jean Badalamenti, D.C. Public Library's First Health and Human Service Coordinator



                    D.C. adds a social worker to library system to work with homeless patrons. (Washington Post, 8/27/2014)

                    Engaging the disenfranchised
                    “I really was brought on to figure out how the library can engage more disenfranchised populations in the city,” she said. “And make connections with other organizations to help provide programming.” 

                    Badalamenti knows the situation at MLK best, because her office is there, but she noted that there are homeless “hot spots” throughout the system, as there are in most cities, and in many suburban library systems as well. One of her tasks is introducing the issue to the approximately 100 new staffers hired last year when the library system expanded its hours. 

                    “Those people haven’t necessarily worked in an urban environment before,” she said. “And so [we are] helping them understand what it means to be homeless, what people experience when they’re homeless. Just a sort of sensitivity training, but hopefully we’ll be doing some other kinds of training, even around de-escalation. Identifying folks who might be in a crisis, so the library can respond and be helpful.
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                    Florence Miller Pring (1926-2014) Warren High School Class of 1946


                     1946 Dragon yearbook
                    Florence's activities.  (None are listed.)  Her nickname was Flossie.

                    Considering her extended period of popularity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and her precipitous decline in the 1960s and 1970s, I'd call "Florence" the quintessential old-fashioned girl.


                    A huge hit during the spring of '46.

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                    "That time is now." Appleton Mayor's Capital Budget Include $30 Million Over 3 Years for New Library



                    2015.  $5 million for acquisition of the Trinity Lutheran Church and Fox Banquets sites. 

                    2016 and 2017.  $12.5 million -- "earmarked" -- in each year for the library's construction.

                    Appleton budget focuses on $38M library, downtown. (Appleton Post-Crescent, 10/2/2014)

                    From the mayor's budget letter to Appleton residents.
                    "There comes a time when every city must make a decision when, if and how to invest in its future. For the city of Appleton, that time is now,"

                    Related posts:
                    Consultant presents fundraising report to Appleton Public Library board.  (9/18/2014) 
                    Half of respondents to unscientific poll consider themselves cheapskates.  (9/18/2014)
                    $42 (million) new library project may raise taxes but not much, sez Appleton Post-Crescent.  (9/16/2014) 
                    The tug-of-war continues.  (9/10/2014)
                    Not sure how "fast track" can be used to describe a 6+ year new library planning process.  (9/7/2014)
                    The Appleton Public Library and eminent domain.  (9/1/2014)
                    The new Appleton Public Library's "pre-funding schematic".  (8/26/2014) 
                    Appleton council member challenges her colleagues to "Do your job"  (8/18/2014)
                    Site selected for new Appleton Public Library.  (4/16/2014)
                    Post-Crescent interview with Appleton Public Library Director Colleen Rortvedt.  (4/9/2014)
                    Consultants recommend 3 sites for new downtown Appleton Public Library.   (3/19/2014)
                    Appleton Public Library hires Godfrey's Associates to gather data and public input on future of library.  (8/19/2012)
                    Appleton Public Library Colleen Rortvedt interviews on Post-Crescent's newsmakers.  (4/19/2012)
                    Community conversations about the Appleton Public Library.  (4/18/2012)
                    "Quirky" Geenan favors new Appleton library over downtown exhibition center.  (2/14/2012)
                    Post-Crescent editorial board agrees with decision to wait on library building project.  (7/18/2011)
                    Appleton Public Library Director Colleen Rortvedt provides context to Post-Crescent article on library expansion.  (7/7/2011)
                    New library placed on indefinite hold.  (7/6/2011)
                    On the need for a new library.  (2/4/2011)
                    Director responds to 'frequently observed misconceptions'. (12/4/2009)
                    Readers weigh in on new library. (11/9/2009)
                    Mayor provides his perspective on library planning process.  (10/7/2009)
                    Post-Crescent supports next step in library facilities planning process.  (10/6/2009)
                    Financing options for Appleton's library project.  (10/6/2009)
                    Potential sites for new library under discussion.  (10/4/2009)
                    Membership of capital facilities committee for library project approved.  (8/7/2009)
                    Terry Dawson's discusses Appleton library building project.  (7/16/2009)
                    Library building project update.  (6/18/2009)
                    Appleton's library planning escapes budget cuts.  (11/13/2008)
                    Post-Crescent endorses library design study.  (11/11/2008)
                    Study:  New library should be built downtown.  (7/10/2008)

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                    London's Little Venice: Then and Now

                    Then



                    Now

                    In London, Houseboats Offer Alternative to High Rent, but New Problems Emerge.  (The New York Times, 9/26/2014)

                    Houseboat as affordable-housing option.
                    Lately, though, the houseboaters are facing a new and potentially bigger sort of problem: urban overcrowding. London housing prices continue to soar, up about 20 percent so far this year. One result is that the canal houseboat — once mainly an alternative lifestyle choice — has become an increasingly sought-after affordable-housing option. 
                    “The last two years have been an explosion,” said Mr. Ros, 53, who works as a freelance sound designer and lives alone in his one-bedroom boat. “With the cost of housing so stupidly high, there are a load of new, inexperienced people on the water. And a lot less space."
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                    Malawi's Client Health Booklets


                    Readers submit flurry of comments about New York Times story featuring Epic Systems Corp. (Wisconsin State Journal, 10/2/2014)

                    Here's one that is quoted in the article.
                    A Florida poster, who claims to be a doctor, said a simple system can be best. "In Malawi, Africa, every patient is required to carry a small notebook ("health passport") into which the doctor or nurse writes a one sentence summary of each visit. Without that document, patients are not seen.

                    I'm more interested in the notebook claim.

                    From Design and implementation of a health management information system in Malawi: issues, innovations and results.  (Health Policy and Planning, 2005)
                    Client health booklets.   Three client health booklets (child, woman and general) were introduced to improve the quality of personal health care. All booklets contain records of the medical history of the individual, assessment of current problems and types of care given. The child health booklet is issued at birth. It contains specific information on immunization, vitamin A and growth monitoring. For a boy, the same booklet can be used for his entire life. The general health booklet can be annexed to the child health booklet for continuous recording of assessment and care. A girl, however, is given a woman's health booklet when she reaches puberty. The woman's health booklet contains specific information on tetanus toxoid injection, family planning services, antenatal check-ups, obstetric history and postnatal services, as well as her general history. These booklets are sold at cost to ensure re-supply of booklets without adding a burden to the already stretched government's financial resources.
                    Related reading
                    Malawi:  Improving Health Services Through Stronger Systems.  (U.S. Agency for International Development)
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                    Wisconsin Fall Election Preview: Senate District 17

                    Open seat.  Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) not running for re-election.


                    Howard Marklein, Republican candidate

                    Pat Bomhack, Democratic candidate

                    Bomback won a very close, highly contested Democratic primary.


                    17th Senate District
                    (Includes all of Grant and Lafayette counties and portions of Green, Iowa, Vernon, Sauk, Monroe and Juneau counties.)

                    Public and academic libraries in the 17th Senate District

                    Public libraries in the 49th Assembly District, which is represented by Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City):
                    Benton Public Library
                    Bloomington Public Library
                    Boscobel Public Library
                    Brickl Memorial Library, Dickeyville
                    Cuba City Public Library
                    Dwight T. Parker Public Library, Fennimore
                    Eckstein Memorial Library, Cassville
                    Hazel Green Public Library
                    Livingston Library
                    Montfort Public Library
                    Muscoda Public Library
                    Platteville Public Library
                    Schreiner Memorial Library, Lancaster

                    Academic libraries in the 49th
                    Elton S. Karrmann Library, UW-Platteville
                    Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Library, Fennimore


                    Public libraries in the 51st Assembly District, represented by Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green):
                    Argyle Public Library
                    Blanchardville Public Library
                    Cobb Public Library
                    Dodgeville Public Library
                    Johnson Public Library, Darlington
                    Kraemer Public Library, Plain
                    McCoy Public Library, Shullsburg
                    Mineral Point Public Library 
                    Monroe Public Library
                    Spring Green Community Library
                    Turgeson Memorial Library, Belmont


                    Related posts and notes:

                    1st Senate District  (9/6/2014)

                    2nd Senate District.  7-term Republican Rob Cowles (Green Bay) is not up for re-election this year.   Cowles also served in the Assembly from 1982 to 1987.

                    3rd Senate District:  3-term Democrat Tim Carpenter (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.

                    4th Senate District.  Three-term Democrat Lena Taylor (Milwaukee) is not up for re-election this year.

                    5th Senate District (9/8/2014)

                    6th Senate District.  Freshman Democrat Nikiya Harris Dodd (Milwaukee) is not up for re-election this year.
                    • 16th Assembly District.  11-term Democrat Leon Young (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.
                    • 17th Assembly District (sorry, somehow got lost in the shuffle; need to re-do)
                    • 18th Assembly District.  Freshman Democrat Evan Goyke (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.

                    7th Senate District.  (9/9/2014)

                    8th Senate District.  6-term Republican Alberta Darling (River Hills) is not up for re-election this year.   Darling also served 2 1/2 years in the Assembly (May 1990-January 1993)

                    9th Senate District.  (9/15/2014)

                    10th Senate District.  4-term Republican Sheila Harsdorf (River Falls) is not up for re-election this year.  Harsdorf also served 12 years in the Assembly (1989-2001)

                    11th Senate District.  (9/22/2014)

                    12th Senate District.  First-term Republican Tom Tiffany (Town  of Little Rice) is not up for re-election this year.  (Tiffany also served in the Assembly for 2 years -- 2011-2013.)

                    13th Senate District.  (9/23/2014)

                    14th Senate District.  3-term Republican Luther Olsen (Ripon) is not up for re-election this year.  (Olsen also served 10 years in the Assembly, first elected in 1994.)

                    15th Senate District.  (9/29/2014) 

                    16th Senate District.  3-term Democrat Mark Miller (Monona) is not up for re-election this year.  (Miller also served 6 years in the Assembly -- 1999-2005.) 

                    at No comments: