Meeting Notes 5/20/2010

Our May meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an overview of last month's meeting. We recognized Guy Grube, City Council Member, and Cynthia Schmahl, School Board President, for coming to our April meeting.

We were joined this month by Randy Meyer, Mayor of the City of Sheboygan Falls, and Steve Kestell, State Representative of the 27th Assembly District.

A lively discussion of current news items followed.

The legislature recently signed into law in Arizona regarding illegal immigration, and the legality of it, was our first topic. Input from meeting attendees was positive regarding the law. If you have time, read the 16 pages of this law. I am not a lawyer, yet it seemed pretty airtight and legal to me. Read it and make your own determination, don't depend on the media to interpret it for you.

Several recent stories of students being disciplined and/or mocked for displaying, drawing, and defending the United States Flag. Further discussion ensued regarding the state of our education system. Steve Kestell informed us that Kiel Area School District receives roughly 2/3 of its money from the State of Wisconsin. We have, by allowing the State to pick up more of the education tab, given them more power and jurisdiction over our children and what and how they are being taught. I briefly touched on an issue we recently had to address with Zelanis Elementary and the difference of opinion on Earth Day.

Another story in the news (Fox News covered it, but I don't know if any other network did.) was that of SEIU (Service Employees International Union) and National People's Action busing 700 people from 20 different states to "protest" outside private homes. One of those was Greg Baer, Deputy General Counsel, Bank of America. This gentleman was at a Little League game with his 12 year old son, leaving his 14 year old son at home alone. The teen was so frightened when the angry mob surrounded the home that he hid and called his dad. The police were called, but refused to respond, saying that a police presence would "likely incite violence." Mr. Baer ended up parking a few blocks away and then walking back to rescue his son. He was treated to verbal abuse and total lack of respect. This man has been a life-long Democrat and a ranking official in the Clinton Administration. The protesters were completely out of line.

We have a right to protest. What I found so disturbing about this news item was that: #1. The police didn't respond, #2. These people were trespassing on private property, #3. There was no respect for family or children.

When we protest, we need to show respect. When we protest someone's actions, or business, we have to leave family out of the picture. We have the right to PEACEFUL protest, not scaring innocent children and harassing family members.

We need to put pressure on our State Representatives to end media arbitration. When teachers and city workers have a guaranteed raise each year, the economy doesn't seem quite so bad to them. I don't have a bone to pick with teachers, heaven only knows how hard they work to educate our children, but the teachers unions are getting too big, and don't have the best interests of the people they are supposed to represent at heart.

Mention was made that our voices are being heard. The “Motor Voter” bill which would automatically register anyone who gets a drivers license for voting, opening the door for massive voter fraud, was soundly defeated thanks to all the calls, letters, e-mails and communication with our legislative representatives. The “Global Warming” bill which would expand the governmental rules and regulations to reduce emissions from factories and automobiles and making many other regulatory changes that would further paralyze Wisconsin's economy and job market.

Our next meeting will be held on June 24, 2010, at 6:30pm at the Stoelting House in Kiel. Come if you can, and bring your concerns and join the discussion. Anyone is welcome.

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day.