Chancellor Shepard Leaving UWGB

UW-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shepard will leave UWGB for the presidency of Western Washington University. UWGB press release is here. With Chancellor Shepard's departure, the UW System will have chancellorships to fill at five of its campuses - UW-Whitewater, UW-Madison, UW-River Falls, UW-Parkside, and UWGB.

Chancellor Shepard has been the shining star of UW System leadership. No other UW chancellor has done more to bring campus and community together. He used every means available to engage with the public. His departure is a loss for UWGB, the city of Green Bay, and the entire state of Wisconsin.

The move to Western Washington is undoubtedly a good career move for the chancellor. Western Wash. is about twice as large as UWGB, and Chancellor Shepard has strong ties to the Pacific Northwest. He came to UWGB from Eastern Oregon University and served as a faculty member at Oregon State prior to that.

Chancellor Shepard will be difficult to replace.

Inequity Bake Sale

Homemade baked goods were priced at $1 for men and 75 cents for women at UWEC on Tuesday. The Spectator reports here. The bake sale was held by the American Association of University Women and was designed to highlight gender disparities in pay. The AAUW states that the price differential was intended to reflect that women earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men.

I fully support equal pay and equal opportunity for all, regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or national origin. And I fully support the AAUW's efforts to demonstrate their grievance.

These bake sales make me uncomfortable, though. And maybe that's the whole point. Anti-affirmative action bake sales have been held on numerous campuses throughout the country, including UWEC. In this variation of the bake sale, members of racial minority groups receive discounted prices. Some of these bake sales have generated enormous controversy.

Universities should be a place where robust debate is encouraged and tolerated. However, I fear that these bake sales are counter-productive. Do they encourage productive debate or stifle it? Did the AAUW bake sale further the cause of equal pay? I wonder.

EC House Hunt 2008

Did any of you participate in the annual House Hunt sponsored by the Historic Preservation Foundation? This year, the spotlight was on eight Victorian-style homes, and 62 people submitted entry forms correctly identifying all eight homes. The Foundation randomly selected first-place winner Steven Hagmann of Eau Claire and second-place winner Elizabeth Spencer of Eau Claire. Click here for pictures and addresses of the eight houses. Do you have a favorite?

God Hates Minnesota & Wisconsin?

So says a "news release" from the Westboro Baptist Church. In fact, the "news release" goes on to label Minnesota and Wisconsin as the "Ungrateful, Unholy Land of Sodomite Persecutors of WBC." If you care to read more of this nonsense, click here for the full "news release."

Maybe we're just playing into the WBC's hands by mentioning their visit to Menomonie. Maybe this is just what they want. I don't know. What I do know is that this is all very sickening, and I can't stomach much more.

Hate Group in Menomonie

While still mourning last weekend's tragic loss of April Englund, Amanda Jean Rief, and Scott Hams, the UW-Stout community has now been visited by the hate group known as the Westboro Baptist Church. This is just horrible. The Leader-Telegram has a report here.

The Westboro Baptist Church has been identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group. Click here to view the Southern Poverty Law Center's hate map. The Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church is not affiliated with any recognized Baptist church. Like the KKK, the WBC is a hate group.

Chancellor Betz Leaving UWRF

UWRF Chancellor Don Betz has announced that he will leave his post at UWRF on June 30 and assume the presidency of Oklahoma-based Northeastern State University. Leader-Telegram story here. Official announcement from UWRF here.

I am quite disappointed to learn that Chancellor Betz will leave UWRF. Chancellor Betz is a first-rate leader and scholar. He also reached out to the broader community in many ways. As one example, he penned a regular column for the River Falls Journal. Nowadays, it's quite rare for a chancellor to be simultaneously engaged in the international arena and the local community, but Chancellor Betz showed the way. We need more university leaders like him, not fewer.

EC Draws National Attention

I am not going to take sides in the controversy surrounding South Middle School teacher Stephanie Rowe and her decision to inform her 7th grade health classes that she is gay. I just don't think that I have anything to add to the conversation.

However, it's really quite interesting to see how this story is spreading across the country. Today's update appears in the City/Region section of the Leader-Telegram. View here. This story is not confined to EC, though.

The St. Paul Pioneer-Press is running the story here. The Chicago Tribune has it here. Twin Cities-based WCCO is carrying it here. Click here for Wausau Daily Herald coverage. Twin Cities-based KSTP has it here. The New York Blade is here. Click here for the Marshfield News-Herald. Milwaukee's WISN weighs in here. Minneapolis-based KARE is here. Madison-based WISC is here. Green Bay's WBAY is here.

Well, you get the point. Again, I don't want to address the issue of whether Ms. Rowe acted appropriately or inappropriately. Instead, here's my question: Why is this story getting such widespread attention? Does it deserve such widespread attention? Is this good for EC? Is any coverage better than no coverage? I really don't know, but I would like to hear your thoughts on this aspect of the story.

Big Read is On

The Eau Claire Big Read is off and running, and this year's selection is The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Free copies of the book are available at the public library, so please stop by and pick one up.

A series of related events will be held throughout the month. There will be book slams, book discussions, and film screenings. The grand finale takes place on April 26, when Hammett biographer Richard Layman and Hammett's grand-daughter, Julie Rivett, lead a discussion at DeLong Middle School.

For more information about the Eau Claire Big Read, check here.

Tragic Fire in Menomonie

A tragic fire claimed the lives of three UW-Stout students over the weekend. UW-Stout is using its website to keep everyone informed and updated.

My thoughts are with the families and friends of April Englund, Amanda Rief, and Scott Hams, as well as the entire UW-Stout campus community. While this is rightfully a time for mourning, I hope that students living in off-campus housing will also take a minute to check their smoke alarms. No, smoke alarms don't always save lives, but they often do.

If you can't reach your smoke alarm or aren't sure if it's functioning properly, please contact your landlord. I'm sure your landlord will be happy to check your alarm. Students lead busy lives and checking smoke alarms may not be a top priority, but please make it a priority today.

City Council Meets Tonight

The City Council meets tonight at 7:00. Here's a link to tonight's agenda. I would guess that Item #7 will draw the most discussion. This item addresses a proposal to increases fees for use of the Hobbs Municipal Ice Center for the 2008-2009 season.

The Council packets show how Hobbs compares to other ice centers in Wisconsin and Minnesota in terms of its fee structure. In short, Hobbs is somewhat more expensive than many other ice centers in Wisconsin but is a bargain compared to most ice centers in Minnesota.

While this issue may not generate the same spirited discussion as we saw with the smoking ordinance, I would expect that there will be lively discussion. And this is always a good thing. Right?

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who supported me in so many different ways in my candidacy for the Eau Claire City Council! Your assistance, words of encouragement, and faith in me will always be remembered and appreciated. Even though I didn't make the cut, it is very humbling to have received 3,720 votes. I will be forever grateful.

Vote Today!

Polls are open today from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Not sure where to vote? Just plug in your address here. This website also allows you to view a sample ballot. Very cool! If you haven't registered before, you can do that at your polling place today. The City Elections Office is also happy to address any questions or concerns. They can be reached at 839-4913.

The Riverfront Jail (in a nutshell)

City and county residents have not been given the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue concerning the location of a new jail. The proposed riverfront jail is inconsistent with multiple provisions of the city's resident-inspired Comprehensive Plan. Locating a new jail outside of the city is feasible and represents the will of the people.

Economic Development (in a nutshell)

Too many young adults are compelled to move away from the area because they cannot find attractive career opportunities here. We need to ensure that our economic development professionals have the tools they need to help local businesses grow and to attract new, progressive employers to the city.

Campus-Community Relations

Year after year, UWEC students integrate themselves into the community and enhance the city's quality of life. Oddly, relations between elected officials and UWEC administration have been less than ideal. Fortunately, we are starting to see some improvement here. We must continue to breakdown "town vs. gown" barriers.

All Together, Now

As noted below, Nicole Strittmater from the Spectator assembled a very helpful article on the candidates seeking seats on the City Council. Due to space limitations in the paper, it was not possible to provide the candidates' responses in their entirety. I will thus do so, beginning with this post on the issue of civic engagement.

We need to engage all city residents in charting our city's future. This, of course, includes UWEC students! Too often, we hear the same familiar voices and the same tired ideas. To achieve meaningful change, local government must share more information with city residents and permit greater resident involvement in decision-making processes.

The Frankenstein Veto

The matter of the Governor's so-called "Frankenstein Veto" will also appear on tomorrow's ballot. The Spectator offers a good explanation of the issue on today's front page. You can also view the article here. Leader-Telegram editor Tom Giffey offered his view on the proposed amendment here. Mr. Giffey opposes the Frankenstein Veto and thus supports the proposed amendment. Your thoughts?

Spectator Profiles Council Candidates

Today's issue of the Spectator profiles the six candidates for City Council on page 4A. Pick up a copy if you have a chance, or view here. The Spectator also has a message board for you to comment on the article.

On the Couch

Question: Describe your style and personality traits as they pertain to serving on the council. What about your personality will make you an effective council member?

My Response: Throughout my career, I have been required to work effectively as a team member and to function independently. As a result, I believe I have the communication skills and self-discipline which are so critical in a council member. Also, living and working in Japan helped me to develop the ability to communicate across cultural lines.

As a college instructor, I tried to function as a facilitator, encouraging discussion and participation. I would bring this same approach to the Council by sharing information with community members, encouraging discussion, and responding to feedback.

I have great faith in the people of Eau Claire, and I am willing to listen to everyone. Our city is faced with many challenges, but we can face these challenges and overcome them if we work together.

Smoking Ordinance - Not so Fast

Question: What is your position on the proposed smoking ordinance? Why do you support or oppose the measure?

My Response: I am very disappointed by the manner in which this proposal has been pushed forward. This is a complex, far-reaching ordinance, but there has not been enough time for any kind of meaningful public discussion. The Council has not engaged in the type of public dialog which should always precede a Council vote on any issue of this magnitude.

Legislation frequently produces unintended consequences. Before adopting a new ordinance, it is important to carefully consider the likely consequences. This critical step has been skipped.

For instance, research has shown that prohibiting smoking in taverns actually increases the likelihood that children will be exposed to second-hand smoke. Researchers in England have demonstrated that banning smoking in taverns causes smokers to retreat to their homes and smoke in the presence of children. In Sweden, a sharp rise in the use of chewing tobacco followed that country's adoption of a smoking ban.

Can we expect to see similar patterns in Eau Claire? How many tavern owners will face financial ruin with the passage of this ordinance? How many tavern employees will have slightly clearer lungs but completely empty pocketbooks?

What about Downtown?

Question: Downtown development has gotten off the ground, but much more needs to happen to continue with those efforts. How big of a priority should downtown development be, and how can the city come up with money to continue those efforts?

My Response: Downtown development must remain a priority. This is about more than just nostalgia. We cannot expect to have a thriving, dynamic city without a vibrant downtown. Downtown is the heart of our city. Without a healthy heart, the rest of the city will eventually wither.

Collaboration between public and private sectors is vital. The city must play a supporting role, but private investors will be the primary financial drivers. We do not need to re-invent the wheel or chase after the latest development fad. We have outstanding architects, engineers, and developers right here in Eau Claire who have the best understanding of the needs of downtown Eau Claire and the city as a whole.

While downtown development is a priority, we must not neglect the needs of our other neighborhoods. Our city is a collection of neighborhoods, and each neighborhood has its own unique set of needs, challenges, and pressing issues.

Our neighborhoods are interdependent. When any one of our neighborhoods is struggling, the city as a whole suffers. Our at-large council members must understand this dynamic and serve the city as a whole by ensuring that each of our neighborhoods prospers.

Higher-Paying Jobs Needed

Question: City employment is relatively good, but wages still lag behind most comparable-size cities. What specific ideas do you have for boosting wages in EauClaire?

My Response: Census data show that per capita income in the city of Eau Claire is below state and national averages, while our poverty rate is above state and national averages. Many of our friends and neighbors are struggling to make ends meet.

Meanwhile, city residents are skilled, educated, and hard-working. Our high school graduation rate is above state and national averages, as is our college graduation rate. In other words, our residents are doing everything right to compete in the global workforce; but our local economy is not meeting our workers' needs.

Economic development has never been more important. We need to ensure that our economic development professionals have the tools they need to help local businesses expand and to attract new employers to the city. When done correctly, economic development is a solid, long-term investment for working families.

I have lived and worked in Japan. Many Asian firms have significant U.S. dollar holdings from export earnings, and these firms are eager to use these dollars to establish operations on American soil. We must approach economic development from an international perspective and be receptive to international investors.

Increasingly, forward-thinking employers are seeking communities with excellent schools, first-rate public services, and well-maintained infrastructure. Our competitive advantage is that these are the areas in which we excel. We must renew our commitment to our schools, public services, and infrastructure so that we remain an attractive community for such forward-thinking employers.

City Employee Health Insurance

Question: Last year the City Council changed city employees' health insurance plan, increasing some co-pays and changing providers for some procedures. Do you support continued attempts to boost employees' health insurance contributions given that those costs comprise such a significant portion of city expenditures?

My Response: We all recognize that increasing health insurance costs are straining our public and private sectors. In addressing health insurance expenditures for city employees, the matter of employee contributions will be one of the issues on the table.

However, there are other avenues which present greater opportunities for reducing health insurance expenditures. Significantly, the city must work more effectively with health care providers and insurers to reduce costs without jeopardizing the quality of employee health care.

The city's approach to employee health care must be more cooperative and collaborative and less confrontational. Furthermore, when the city enters into an agreement with city employees regarding health insurance - or any other issue, for that matter - the city has a legal and ethical obligation to abide by the terms of the agreement.

We do not want to start chipping away at city employees' wage and benefits packages. By providing competitive wage and benefits packages to our city employees, we attract and retain the highly-skilled and productive workers who make Eau Claire a community we are all proud to call home.

Budget Woes

Question: The city must cut at least $1.7 million from the 2009 budget. What specific reductions would you make to balance the budget, or how can the city increase its revenue to make up the difference?

My Response: There is a tendency in government to mistake symptoms for problems. Let us recognize that we do not have a budget problem. Rather, our annual budget challenge represents a symptom of two major problems: an anemic local economy and an inequitable distribution of shared revenues. We need to address the underlying problems and not just treat the symptom.

So, the long-term solution is to extricate ourselves from this difficult budgetary environment through enhanced revenue streams produced by a more robust economy and a more favorable distribution of shared revenues. To this end, we must focus our efforts on creating a more dynamic local economy and advocating tirelessly for a more equitable distribution of shared revenues.

In the near-term, we need more community participation in budget decisions. Our residents are better-positioned to tell us what they desire in terms of city services and how much they can afford to pay for these services. I also believe in a utilitarian approach to the city budget: provide the greatest good for the greatest number of people, given our fiscal limitations.

Why the Council? Why now?

Question: What prompted you to seek a council position? What about your background do you believe qualifies you for a spot on the council?

My Response: Serving the community as a member of the City Council is a high honor and a significant responsibility. Thus, my decision to seek a seat on the Council was not made lightly. However, I believe that my experience in the public and private sectors has prepared me to assume this responsibility.

I have taught at the college level in public and private schools in Wisconsin and Japan, served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Nebraska, and worked for a large, multinational firm in the Twin Cities as well as a small business here in Eau Claire.

Given that every action taken by the Council affects various segments of the community in different ways, my first-hand experience in these various segments would enable me to provide input and help make decisions which best serve the community as a whole.

The theme of my campaign is "Everyone Counts Now." That is not just a throw-away slogan; it is my perspective and my goal for Eau Claire. This city belongs to everyone, and everyone must have a voice in charting the city's future.

There are people in our city who have fantastic ideas, but their voices are never heard. Too often, we hear the same familiar voices and the same tired ideas. I would like to play a role in amplifying the voices of everyone throughout the community, which would inevitably lead to real change in Eau Claire.

The Role of the City Council

Question: Can you please tell me your stance regarding what you see as the role of the council? To what degree is that role to carry out the role of city staff, or should council members act more proactively in shaping city policy?

My Response: The residents of Eau Claire form the top layer of the city's organizational chart. By electing council members, the residents grant the Council legitimacy. The Council maintains its legitimacy by carrying out the will of the people. If the Council pursues actions which are inconsistent with the will of the people, the Council surrenders its legitimacy. I believe this in an absolutely literal sense.

As the people's agent, the Council must necessarily play a major role in determining city policy. The Council, of course, must work cooperatively and collaboratively with city staff in this process. In charting policy, city staff members provide valuable input and lend much-needed expertise. However, the entire process is driven by the will of the people. The chain of command is quite clear, and we must not forget it.

Leader-Telegram on the Council Race

Here's a link to today's front-page story on the Council race. So far, the article has generated just one comment on the Leader-Telegram's message board. You guys can do better than that, can't you?

The candidate profiles can be found on page 11A. There is no link to this on the online version of the paper. A number of questions were asked of each of the candidates, but not all responses were printed in their entirety - due to space constraints, I'm sure. So, I'll share my complete responses in the above posts. As always, feel free to share your thoughts.

City Council Coverage

Sunday's Leader-Telegram will profile each of the six candidates for City Council. Each of us met separately at the Leader-Telegram office for interviews. Editor Don Huebscher grilled the living daylights out of us. (Just joking; he was extremely professional.) Each of us has also responded to a series of questions posed by L-T reporter Julian Emerson. So, check it all out in tomorrow's paper.

The Spectator, UWEC's student newspaper, will profile the City Council candidates in its Monday edition. I'm very impressed with the Spectator's interest in the City Council election. UWEC students represent a vital component of our city's population, and I'd like to see UWEC students, local government, and the community as a whole become better acquainted with one another. So, pick up a copy of the Spectator, too!

The Education City

Carol Craig, Doug Mell, Bob Janke, and Adam Shiel - the four candidates seeking two seats on the ECASD School Board - were profiled in today's Leader-Telegram. Yes, I do devote a fair amount of time here to education issues; and I will continue to do so after the election. Education is important in any community, but it is especially important in Eau Claire. We have first-rate public and Catholic school systems, UWEC, CVTC, and Immanuel Lutheran College. Compared to other communities our size, we have an amazing number of quality education options.

Any thoughts on the School Board race? Do you have a favorite candidate?

Election Countdown

In less than 72 hours, the spring primary will be history. No, I don't have a hotel ballroom reserved. And I haven't started writing a victory speech - or a concession speech, for that matter. Our 11-year-old son seems a little surprised and disappointed. He's watched the election coverage on Super Tuesday and seen the large crowds of supporters gathered to cheer on their favorite candidates.

Hey, maybe there's still time to book that hotel ballroom and get Tim Russert and Chris Matthews on a flight to Eau Claire! Anyone have the numbers for CNN and MSNBC? If only we had that new convention center . . .

School Board Taps Heilmann

The School Board announced this week that Dr. Ron Heilmann will become the next ECASD Superintendent. Dr. Heilmann is currently the Superintendent of the Oshkosh Area School District. Here's a link to the Leader-Telegram announcement and a link to a similar announcement in the Oshkosh Northwestern.

Dr. Heilmann's departure from Oshkosh has been the subject of spirited conversation on the Oshkosh Northwestern's message board. View here.

From everything that I've read and heard, I believe that Dr. Heilmann is an excellent choice for Superintendent. He has led a similar-sized school district in Oshkosh since 1998, and the consensus is that he was a successful, engaged Superintendent there. I trust he will bring the same qualities to EC.

What do you think? Should the Board have continued with its scheduled site visit to Clinton, Iowa to learn more about the other finalist, Dr. Clegg? Or was it proper to go ahead and offer the job to Dr. Heilmann, as he represented the unanimous choice of the Board?

Council Adopts Smoking Ban

The Council voted 7 to 4 last night to adopt the proposed smoking ordinance. Voting for the ban were Council Members Duax, Davis, Von Haden, Buchanan, Klinkhammer, Vue, and Kemp. Council Members Kincaid, Hughes, Middleton, and Adler voted against the proposal.

Like Robert, who commented below, I'm very disappointed with the manner in which this was handled. In my opinion, this proposal was pushed through before we had enough time for any meaningful public discussion. We should have had numerous listening sessions before this ever came to a vote.

The community was given just one opportunity to speak to this proposed ordinance, which was a rambling, 5-page document. As a point of reference, the state statute prohibiting first-degree intentional homicide is less than one page.

I was also upset by the way in which some of the opponents of the ban were treated by certain Council Members. Community members deserve respect when they take the time to attend a Council meeting and express their views. They don't deserve to be ridiculed and badgered.

City Council Meets Tonight

The City Council meets tonight at 7 p.m. Here's a link to tonight's agenda. The most contentious issue on the agenda is Item 6, the public discussion of the proposed smoking ban. It should be a packed house and a long night. Are you planning to attend?

Convention Center?

Action City owners Mark Steil, Tom Hahn, and Kerry Kjelstad, along with Florian Gardens owner Dave Marke announced Monday that they plan to construct a convention center near their respective facilities which could accommodate approximately 2,000 people. Their plan was described in Tuesday's Leader-Telegram.

In Wednesday's L-T, EC Chamber of Commerce president Bob McCoy and Chippewa Valley Convention and Visitiors Bureau executive director Linda Adler expressed concern that the proposed facility was not large enough to meet the city's needs.

What are your thoughts? Does EC need a new convention center? Is this the right time? Is a 2,000 seat facility adequate? Fire away . . .

Adam Shiel & Doug Mell on the Web

Adam Shiel and Doug Mell, two of the four candidates for EC School Board, have an Internet presence. Mr. Shiel's blog can be found here, and Mr. Mell's website is here. I applaud Adam Shiel and Doug Mell for using the Internet to reach out to the public. It seems to me that the Internet is a very useful tool for prospective candidates and elected officials to share information and obtain feedback.

EC School Board Member Mike Bollinger maintains a blog here. Mike's not up for re-election next month, though. Adam Shiel and Doug Mell will face incumbent Carol Craig and former School Board Member Robert Janke.

If you are aware of any other local candidates or elected officials who maintain blogs or websites, please share that information with us.

EC Speaks on Proposed Smoking Ban

Wow! I don't know when I've seen so many letters in the Leader-Telegram addressing a single issue. Readers were asked to share their thoughts on the proposed smoking ban, and they came forward. Twenty-one letters ran in the paper this morning, and both sides of the issue were represented. Here's a link if you don't have the paper handy.

Which of the letter writers is the most convincing? Have you formed an opinion on this issue? Please share your thoughts.

Put Out that Cigarette, Buddy!

Will bar patrons be required to snuff out their cigarettes this summer? If adopted, a proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking in public places, certain outdoor areas, and places of employment, including taverns, with an effective date of July 1, 2008.

The proposed ordinance is quite extensive. It's a 5-page document which would repeal and replace the current 2-page ordinance which prohibits smoking in indoor areas of restaurants. Here's a link to the proposed ordinance.

What do you think? Interestingly, the city of Marshfield will hold a referendum on a similar smoking ban on April 1. Is it better to put such an issue in front of the voters, as is being done in Marshfield?

The City Council will invite public comment on the ordinance at its next meeting on Monday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. However, you don't have to wait until then to comment. Please share your thoughts right here.

City Council Candidates' Forum

Shortly after the School Board candidates' forum, the six City Council candidates took to the stage. Yes, there was perfect attendance at the Council forum. The School Board, as noted below had 75% attendance.

This was the first time that I had participated in such a forum, and I managed to spill a cup of coffee on the sheet of paper containing the forum questions and guidelines. Nervous, I guess. Anyway, I thought the forum was successful in helping the public understand the candidates' positions on a number of important issues.

If you didn't have a chance to attend either the School Board or City Council forum, Community Television will rebroadcast both events this week on cable channel 12. The broadcast times are Monday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 8 p.m., and Friday at 8 a.m.

I would like to thank the forum sponsors: the Leader-Telegram, WQOW-TV (Channel 18), WAYY-AM (790), Community Television and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.

Did you get a chance to see the Council forum? What were your thoughts? As always, all opinions are welcome.

School Board Candidates Square Off

Thursday was a busy night in EC. In addition to state basketball tournaments and the community forum for ECASD Superintendent finalist Dr. Ronald Clegg, School Board and City Council candidates also participated in public forums.

School Board candidates Carol Craig, Robert Janke, and Adam Shiel participated in Thursday night's forum at DeLong. Ms. Craig is the sole incumbent seeking re-election in the School Board race, however Mr. Janke is a former School Board member. Candidate Doug Mell did not attend the forum. The Leader-Telegram reports that Mr. Mell had a work-related commitment. The four candidates are vying for two open positions on the Board.

To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Shiel is the only School Board candidate with a web presence. You can find his website here. If any of the other School Board candidates have websites or blogs, please share this information with us.

Also, please share your thoughts on the School Board race. What are the most important issues facing the School Board? Which of the four candidates is best-positioned to address these issues?

Dr. Randall Clegg Speaks at Forum

ECASD Superintendent finalist Dr. Randall Clegg answered questions at a community forum held last night at DeLong Middle School. I commend the School Board for holding a forum and permitting the community to meet Dr. Clegg. This is exactly the type of community engagement that we need to see on a more regular basis here in EC.

I had the opportunity to attend last night's forum and was very impressed with Dr. Clegg. He has excellent communications skills and a genuine passion for children and education. He also has a demonstrated track record of serving in challenging positions and achieving results by bringing everyone to the table.

The second finalist, Dr. Ronald Heilmann, will appear at a similar forum tonight at DeLong at 5:30 p.m. I'm involved in Scouting and will need to attend tonight's much-awaited Pinewood Derby, so I will be unable to meet Dr. Heilmann. I hope some of you will be able to attend, though, and share your thoughts here.

Choosing the next ECASD Superintendent is one of the most important decisions we'll make in this community. What are your thoughts? Do you think Dr. Clegg or Dr. Heilmann would make the better Superintendent?

Meet the Candidates

Here's your chance to meet the candidates for both the Eau Claire School Board and the Eau Claire City Council. A Candidates' Forum will be held at DeLong Middle School this Thursday, starting at 6:45 p.m. The invited School Board candidates include Carol Craig, Bob Janke, Doug Mell, and Adam Shiel. The invited City Council candidates include Larry Balow, Brandon Buchanan, Scott Gunem, Kerry Kincaid, Jackie Pavelski, and Thomas Vue.

The Forum is sponsored by NewsTalk 790, the Leader-Telegram, WQOW-TV 18, Community Television, and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce. Moderators include Tom Pulse of the Chamber of Commerce and Don Huebscher from the Leader-Telegram. The School Board Forum will begin at 6:45 p.m. and the City Council Forum will follow at 7:45 p.m.

Don't forget that ECASD Superintendent finalist Dr. Randall Clegg will also appear at DeLong on Thursday. The Forum for Dr. Clegg will begin at 5:30 p.m. It promises to be an interesting Thursday night in Eau Claire! The second Superintendent finalist, Dr. Ron Heilmann, will appear at DeLong on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Mark your calendars!

Public - Private Partnerships

Strengthening bonds between public and private sectors has always made sense. Given current fiscal restraints, building relationships between public and private sectors is a necessity. Thus, it is heartening that a standing-room-only crowd gathered at RCU yesterday to attend a program entitled "Public-Private Partnerships - Planning for the Future."

Hats off to UWEC Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich for moderating the program, which featured keynote speaker Steven Semingson. Mr. Semingson, a UWEC alumnus, is the CEO of a California company which specializes in mixed-use developments in downtowns and town centers.

Now more than ever, EC's public and private sectors need to tap each other's strengths. We need more collaboration and less competition, and yesterday's program is a very positive step in that direction.

But that's just my view. And you don't have to agree. Should public entities such as UWEC, ECASD, and the City itself work more closely with private businesses and enterprises? Is this a win-win situation? Or do you see potential problems?

Say "No" to 3-Year Council Terms

"The upcoming referendum to extend council terms to three years presents a dubious quick-fix solution to problems as seen by council members only. Why not try waiting for a citizen-based initiation of a more thoughtful and inclusive process?" Eau Claire resident Jim Olson offered this convincing argument in a Voice of the People letter appearing in Monday's Leader-Telegram.

Mr. Olson's well-stated letter was written in response to L-T editor Don Huebscher's earlier editorial which endorsed a change to three-year terms. In that editorial, Mr. Huebscher stated "Let's give City Council members a third year, and if for some reason it becomes clear it's not in our best interest, we can always revisit the issue."

Mr. Olson's view is that any initiative to switch to three-year terms should have originated with community members rather than the Council itself. This is my view as well. Is this referendum the result of a community-wide discussion about the need for a change in Council terms? Not that I'm aware of.

As always, your thoughts are welcome here. For better or worse, the referendum will appear on the April 1 ballot; and it's not too late to have some discussion. It would have been helpful to have that community-wide discussion before the Council opted to place the issue on the ballot, but we must play with the hand we've been dealt.

UWEC Students Provide Free Tax Help

UW-Eau Claire accounting students are now providing free tax assistance to area taxpayers who are unable to afford professional tax help. The students are participating in a program known as VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). Click here to find information on dates, locations, and other details about the program.

This is an excellent example of UWEC reaching out and providing a needed service to members of the larger community. It's a win-win situation. Community members who cannot afford professional assistance receive free tax help, and the UWEC accounting students receive valuable, practical training. Hats off to Ms. Stacy Lacktorin-Revier of the UWEC Accounting and Finance Department for coordinating this program!

I served as a volunteer in the VITA program when I was a law student at Creighton University in Omaha and can attest that this is an excellent program. It's a meaningful and useful service for all involved.

It's Our Turn

Voting is now underway in the Wisconsin presidential primary election. Polls will remain open tonight until 8:00 p.m. Not sure where to vote? Click on this City of Eau Claire map to see which ward you live in. Now, click here to see where residents of your ward vote. You may direct any questions you might have to the City's Election Office at 839-4913.

Please share any thoughts about your voting experience today. Was your polling place quite crowded? Did you have to wait in line? Any thoughts are welcome.

Do We Like Mike?

Gov. Mike Huckabee is scheduled to appear at the Davies Center at UWEC tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. (With the weather conditions in the state, that may be subject to change.) Does anyone plan to see the Huck? Huck may not be quite as engaging as Barack, but he has a surprisingly good sense of humor. He also plays a pretty mean bass guitar, and he's an ordained Southern Baptist minister. Interesting guy, this Huck. Your thoughts?

Waiting for Barack

I should have arrived earlier. After waiting in line about 90 minutes for the opportunity to get inside Zorn Arena and hear Sen. Barack Obama speak, several hundred of us were told that the Zorn was full and no one else would be allowed inside. Speakers were set up on the steps of Brewer Hall, and we were given the option of standing outside and listening to the Senator's speech. I opted to return home and watch the speech on TV.

Still, I'm glad that I tried. The long line of folks hoping to see Sen. Obama was an amazingly diverse group. A wide variety of age groups, ethnic groups, and socioeconomic groups were represented. There were high school students, university students, middle-aged folks, and seniors. It was very heartening to see such a diverse group come together for a single event in EC.

We can now put to rest any notion that Eau Clairites are apathetic about politics. The crowd inside Zorn was energetic and engaged. The crowd outside was also enthusiastic, albeit disappointed that they would not be allowed inside. Eau Clairites are not apathetic; they remain engaged in politics when they believe that they have a voice. In contrast, many of our elected officials have become apathetic; they have disengaged from the public. To steal a line from Sen. Obama, it's time for change.

Did any of you attend the rally yesterday? What are your thoughts and reflections?

School Board Names Finalists

The School Board has released the names of the two finalists for the position of ECASD Superintendent. The finalists are Randall Clegg, Superintendent of the Clinton Community School District in Clinton, Iowa and Ron Heilmann, Superintendent of the Oshkosh Area School District.

The public will have the opportunity to meet the two finalists at community forums, which will be held on March 6 and 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at DeLong Middle School. The School Board deserves our applause for its spirit of openness in the Superintendent search process. The Board has consistently demonstrated its interest in seeking public input and engaging with the public in this search process. Way to go, Board Members!

Barack Obama at UWEC!

Sen. Barack Obama will appear at the Zorn Arena at UWEC on Saturday, according to a Leader-Telegram report. The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m., with Sen. Obama scheduled to address the crowd at approximately 12:30 p.m. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

This should be electric! It's great to see one of the major presidential candidates - and quite possibly our next president - visit Eau Claire. So, are you planning to attend?

Council Urges Less Democracy

The City Council voted 7 to 2 on Tuesday to place a referendum on the April 1 ballot which, if approved by voters, would extend Council terms of office from two to three years. Council Members Duax and Von Haden cast the courageous dissenting votes.

Council Members have argued that the extension of terms would allow for more long-range planning and spur more interest in the upcoming election. I believe in long-range planning and increased voter participation.

However, the answer to any problem or set of problems should never be less democracy. By extending Council terms, we will have fewer elections and less accountability. By definition, this means less democracy. The Council is pursuing a very dangerous path here.

If 3-year terms are superior to 2-year terms, then why don't we opt for 10-year terms? Why not lifetime terms? This would really allow for long-range planning and avoid those pesky, time-consuming elections. We'd have to sacrifice democracy in the process, but who cares?

The voters, of course, will soundly reject this referendum, as they did in 2000. Sadly, the mere presence of this Council-endorsed referendum on the ballot will damage the Council's credibility and further alienate voters. And that's a tragic loss.

Chelsea Clinton at UWEC

WQOW is reporting that Chelsea Clinton will appear tomorrow at 3:15 at the Davies Center on the UWEC campus. The event is scheduled to last one hour and is open to the public. A large crowd is expected, so those who wish to attend are encouraged to show up early. If you have a chance to attend this event, please share your thoughts with us here.

City Council Meets Tonight

The EC City Council will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber. The agenda for tonight's meeting can be found here. One of the most contentious issues up for public discussion is a resolution to change Council Members' terms of office from two to three years. Outgoing Council Members Ray Hughes and Hal Davis have requested that the resolution come before the Council.

If the Council votes to adopt the resolution at tomorrow's Legislative Session, this issue will then go before the voters in the April 1 election. Interestingly, a similar resolution was approved by the Council and placed on the April, 2000 ballot. At that time, voters soundly rejected the initiative by a vote of 5,915 to 4,082.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Should the term of office remain at two years or be increased to three years?

Presidential Hopefuls to Visit EC?

Can we expect to see Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee, or Ron Paul here in EC? That's very likely, according to Rodd Freitag, UWEC associate professor of political science. Prof. Freitag anticipates speeches and larger events, not just airport tarmac visits.

It's been a long time since EC was a regular destination for major presidential candidates. My mom, who was born and raised in EC, can recall the enthusiasm in the community when JFK came to town. It will be interesting to see what unfolds leading up to the Feb. 19 Wisconsin primary.

If you hear about any scheduled EC visits by the candidates, please share this information with all of us here. Thanks.

The Forum - Tonight

The Forum lecture series, hosted at UWEC since 1942, has a storied history of bringing engaging speakers to the UWEC campus. The Forum is UWEC at its best, bringing campus and community together to hear some of the nation's leading public figures address important and oftentimes controversial topics.

Tonight, Anthony Romero, the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will speak at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Fire Room of the Davies Center. I have a prior commitment and will be unable to attend tonight's presentation. However, I hope that many of you will attend and share your thoughts here.

Super Tuesday

Yes, this blog is mainly concerned with matters affecting the City of Eau Claire; but please allow me to stray into national politics on occasion. Did any of you stay up all night last night to watch the returns from the presidential primaries and caucuses?

Earlier in the season, the politics pundits predicted that the Democrats and Republicans would have their presidential nominees determined on Super Tuesday. Well, it didn't turn out that way. Now, the Wisconsin primary, which will be held on February 19, is important again. We can expect that the candidates will visit Wisconsin. With any luck, many of them will also visit us here in EC and address issues important to us. And that's a very good thing.

Which candidate or candidates would you like to see visit EC? What would you hope to hear from them?

Little Red School to Close

The School Board voted 6 to 1 last night to close the Little Red School at the end of the school year. As I do not know all of the relevant details, I will refrain from commenting on the decision itself. However, I believe everyone recognizes that this decision was driven, in large part, by declining enrollment in the Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD).

In 1968, Paul Ehrlich wrote a best-selling book entitled "The Population Bomb." Ehrlich's argument was that population growth would outpace agricultural growth and lead to mass starvation. Well, here in Eau Claire we face a "Depopulation Bomb." This depopulation is now playing out most dramatically in terms of school enrollment, but its consequences are city-wide. Unless we reverse this demographic trend, there will be more school closings in the future.

"Politics is just so Boring"

How many times have you heard someone say "Politics is just so boring?" Have you said it yourself? I'll admit that I have. But let's clarify things.

Politics itself is not boring. Politics is about life, purpose, justice, freedom, and opportunity. Politics is about building better neighborhoods and more vibrant communities. Politics is about making the world more peaceful and just. Nothing boring there, folks.

No, politics is not boring; but many politicians are extremely boring. Many of our elected leaders have sucked the life out of politics. They have diminished its significance by engaging in petty bickering and squabbling about inconsequential details. In turn, they have lost sight of the larger picture and have tried to bring us along for the ride.

Let's reclaim politics! Let's breathe life back into this most noble pursuit. And let's toss out those elected officials who rob politics of its vitality and make politics seem boring.

Go, Blugolds!

With yesterday's 60-53 victory over UW-La Crosse, the Blugold women's basketball team remains undefeated in the WIAC with a 9-0 record. Coach Tonja Englund's team has a very impressive 15-3 overall record this year. If you're still trying to recover from the Packers' loss to the Giants last weekend, I suggest that you start cheering on the Blugold women.

I've had a cold/flu the past few days. Otherwise, I would have been at the Zorn to cheer on the Blugolds. Attendance at the Blugold women's game was an impressive 913. It's great to see the community come out and support Blugold athletics. We need to bring the community and the university closer together, and Blugold athletics represent an important part of this process.

The Blugold men didn't fare quite so well yesterday, falling to UW-La Crosse 72-65. Still, the Blugold men are right in the middle of the WIAC with a 4-5 conference record and a 10-8 overall record. Coach Terry Gibbons' team has put together some impressive wins this year, and they are still very much in the chase.

On Wednesday of this week, the Blugold women will travel to UW-Superior, while the Blugold men will face UW-Superior at the Zorn. Game time at the Zorn is 7:00 p.m. If you want to watch the Blugold women in Superior, that game also starts at 7:00 p.m.

Reported Unemployment Rate is Misleading

On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Dept. of Workforce Development (DWD) reported unemployment data for the month of December. The good news is that EC fared quite well. The city of EC had an unemployment rate of 4.0%, which was better than the statewide unemployment rate of 4.6%. Meanwhile, the city of Madison reported the lowest unemployment rate of 3.0%, while Racine reported the highest at 8.9%.

Now for the bad news. "Reported" unemployment rates understate "actual" unemployment in a number of ways. First, an individual is counted as employed if she is working at least one hour per week for pay. She may prefer to work 20 or 40 hours per week, but she is counted as "employed" if she works just one hour per week.

Consider an individual who has been looking for work so long that he has just given up hope. He is able to work and wants desperately to work, but he feels the situation is hopeless. Well, economists refer to him as the "discouraged worker" and he is not factored into the reported unemployment statistics. As more workers become "discouraged" and no longer bother to look for work, the unemployment rate declines. So, one way to reduce the reported unemployment rate is to created more "discouraged workers." Bizarre, but true.

We've also talked here about the underemployed worker - someone who works in a position which does not make full use of her skills or abilities. Again, the reported unemployment rate does not account for the underemployed worker. Finally, those who are incarcerated are not considered part of the workforce and thus they do not find their way into the reported unemployment rate.

Everyone asleep yet? Well, it's good news that EC has a "reported" unemployment rate lower than the state average. However, we must be careful to remember that the "reported" rate does not measure the "actual" rate of unemployment, which is considerably higher. Indeed, the "reported" rate of unemployment is actually a rather crude measure of our economic well-being.

Everyone Counts Now!

"Everyone Counts Now" is not just a campaign slogan. It's my perspective and my goal for Eau Claire. Whether you go to bed in a large home, small apartment, dorm room, nursing home, jail cell, or homeless shelter, you count. And everyone counts equally. This city belongs to everyone, and everyone must have a voice in its future.

There are people in this city who have fantastic ideas, but their voices are not heard. We need to change this. We need to open up the lines of communication. Too often, we hear the same familiar voices and the same familiar ideas. This is not the way forward.

I'm also rather impatient about this. We need to hear everyone's voice now. Too many have been stifled for too long. While I have a number of ideas for amplifying the voices of everyone throughout our community, I hope that this modest blog can play some small part in this process.

So, who are you, anyway?

Many of you know me; many others do not. I don't want this blog to look like a resume. That's my complaint about so many campaign websites. They oftentimes read like a resume and don't invite much interaction. Still, people around town who don't know me rightfully want to know a little about who I am and what makes me tick. Rather than having a lengthy, resume-like post, I'll address this question in a series of posts.

As I've mentioned previously, my great-grandparents emigrated to EC from Norway. My maternal grandparents were born in EC, and so was I. I grew up just south of EC in Osseo and graduated from Osseo-Fairchild High School. Like EC, Osseo was a great place to grow up. Like so many of my high school classmates, I moved away from Osseo to attend college. (I'll talk about my college experience in a subsequent post.)

In March of this year, my wife, Lalaine, and I will have been married for 18 years. We have an 11-year-old son, Andrew, who is in 5th grade. We have lived in EC since 2002. Just before Andrew was to start kindergarten, we moved to EC from Omaha, Nebraska. We liked Nebraska, but we wanted Andrew to grow up here. My parents live here, and EC is such a great place to raise a family. More later . . .

Martin Luther King Day

State and federal offices will be closed tomorrow in observance of Martin Luther King Day. City offices in Madison, Milwaukee, and Stoughton also will be closed. Meanwhile, EC city offices will remain open. In fact, our City Council will meet tomorrow night. This is a mistake and an embarrassment. The City of Eau Claire should give the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the respect which he so rightfully deserves.

In Minnesota, some of the municipal offices which will close in remembrance of Dr. King include: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Lakeville, Burnsville, Bloomington, Prior Lake, Fridley, Albertville, St. Peter, Hopkins, Victoria, Oak Grove, Proctor, and Minnetonka.

Across the country, some of the municipal offices which will close for Martin Luther King Day include those in: Opelika, Alabama; Huntington, West Virginia; Lubbock, Texas; Wichita, Kansas; Snellville, Georgia; Norman, Oklahoma; Hickory, North Carolina; Kankakee, Illinois; Reno, Neveda; Durango, Colorado; Laurel, Mississippi; Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and Missoula, Montana.

We are becoming an anomaly. Given Wisconsin's proud history of championing civil rights, this is all the more distressing. If you are interested in learning more about Dr. King, here's a link to the King Center in Atlanta.

Go, Packers!

Is there anyone in EC who is not talking about tomorrow's Packer game? We all have a case of Packer fever, and that's great! The Packers are a significant unifying force in this state and in our community. People from all different walks of life share a common interest in the Packers.

In so many other ways, we've grown apart as a state and a community. We're divided along racial and socioeconomic lines. Each group seems to go its own way, and there isn't enough interaction between the various groups. The Packers, however, bring us back together; and that's something worth cheering about!

Paycheck to Paycheck

A new National Cash Advance store is opening just a few blocks from our house. A Payday Loans store is also just a few blocks away. The Payday Loans store was previously a maternity store and was a toy store before that. National Cash Advance states on its website that it is "one of the nation's leading payday advance companies."

First, I recognize that payday advance companies are legal and useful business enterprises. Eau Clairites staff the offices of payday advance companies, and the offices are used by many of us. I intend no disrespect whatsoever to anyone who works for these companies or uses their services.

Have you noticed how many payday advance companies have opened in EC in just the past few years? It's astounding. Payday advance companies must be one of the most rapidly growing businesses in the city. The growth of these companies is a sign of economic distress in our city. People who have difficulty making ends meet are often said to be living "paycheck to paycheck." Payday advance companies serve those of us who cannot make it from "paycheck to paycheck." They help to buy time until the next paycheck arrives.

The growing number of payday advance stores is a symptom of our anemic economy. We need to revitalize our local economy by creating well-paying jobs for anyone who wishes to work. Right now, we have many Eau Clairites who are willing and able to work but cannot find employment. We also have many of our friends and neighbors who are under-employed - they are working in jobs which do not make full use of their skills and education.

We need to build a local economy which does not require so many of us to use the services of payday advance stores. That's a tall order, but the first step is to admit that we're in trouble and realize that the growing number of payday advance stores is a warning signal. The payday advance stores are not a problem; they are a symptom of a problem.

Why Run?

Why am I seeking a seat on the City Council? There are multiple reasons, but I'll start here and follow this up with additional posts. First, I believe that EC is a great place to live! My great-grandparents believed this when they came to EC from Norway. They found opportunities here, as did my grandparents. We all continue to be blessed with great neighborhoods, schools, parks, community organizations, and the nicest people you'd ever find.

However, I am very concerned about the future of our city. Too many of our young people move away because they cannot find attractive career opportunities here. Too many of our families have a hard time making ends meet. Too many of our senior citizens find that it's too expensive to retire here.

We Eau Clairites tend to look at the glass as half-full rather than half-empty, and that's generally a desirable trait. However, we need to face up to the fact that our quality of life is deteriorating. Many of our young people, families, and seniors want to stay here, but they cannot. We cannot develop solutions unless we are first willing to admit that we have a problem.

So, I'm running for City Council because I want to help restore the vitality of the city which attracted my great-grandparents to come here. I don't want to move away, and I don't want others to feel that they must move away for economic reasons. Everyone who wants to live in EC should have the opportunity to do so; that's not true today, and that's a major reason why I'm running.

Better without Uniroyal?

As I drove past the former Uniroyal plant yesterday, I was reminded of former CVTC President Bill Ihlenfeldt's recent remarks in the Leader-Telegram. In an article discussing Ihlenfeldt's years at CVTC, Ihlenfeldt stated that the 1992 closure of the Uniroyal plant ". . . was one of the best things that ever happened to these communities." You've probably heard many people say the same thing.

I couldn't disagree more. Uniroyal was the primary economic engine of west-central Wisconsin for decades. Uniroyal provided family-supporting wages and enabled a large middle class to flourish throughout the region. Following Uniroyal's closure, this middle class has been under economic assault. I just don't see anything positive in that.

Post Uniroyal, we've seen some growth in higher income employment and a large expansion in lower income jobs. We need to revitalize the once formidable middle class. At heart, we're an industrial city. From sawmills to tires, we're a city of builders; it's in our genes. I sense that we've forgotten who we are.

Sorry to be so strident here, but I feel very strongly about this. As always, I welcome your thoughts.

Why Blog?

Why no campaign website? A blog, in my view, is much more informal and conversational. Importantly, a blog allows for much greater interaction; and greater interaction between our local elected officials and all EC residents is much needed.

Please join the conversation by offering your comments or sending an e-mail. (You may post comments here and remain anonymous.) To build a better EC, we need everyone to join the conversation. Everyone's voice must be heard and respected. After all, Everyone Counts Now!

The Contestants

Six candidates filed nomination papers for the five at-large positions on the Council. The six candidates are Brandon Buchanan, Kerry Kincaid, Thomas Vue, Larry Balow, Jackie Pavelski, and me. Buchanan, Kincaid, and Vue are all incumbents. Balow previously served on the Council and has also served in the state Assembly. Election day is April 1, 2008.

Thank You!

I would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to all of you who signed my nomination papers! Your support is greatly appreciated. It was a real pleasure talking with you and hearing your ideas about how we can make Eau Claire a better city. Thank you again for your support, and please keep your ideas coming.