Issue of the Week: DNR Pushes Back on Waukesha’s Water Request
Plus Hero and Jerk of the Week
However, the state Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) more stringent look at Waukesha’s water request has consistently found it less than convincing. Since the head of the Waukesha Common Council canceled a November meeting with the DNR due to the inclusion of a watchdog group, the agency sent a letter detailing the deficiencies in Waukesha’s application for Great Lakes water. Some of the problems are highly technical, while others are pretty basic. For example, Waukesha hasn’t provided complete information on all of its water supply alternatives or how, exactly, it would discharge the water into Lake Michigan. The city is also planning to increase its water supply area, but hasn’t provided evidence that the affected communities—the town of Waukesha and Genesee, for example—approve of that change.
Waukesha officials are spinning the DNR’s feedback as helping to “move the process forward.” That’s true. But it’s also a sign that the DNR is taking its responsibilities seriously. After all, the other Great Lakes states must sign off on Waukesha’s precedent-setting request. If the DNR sets the bar too low and approves Waukesha’s request, the other states will either reject it and deal a huge blow to Waukesha or go along with it so that their own requests will have to meet a very low standard. That would be a shame. The next DNR secretary should continue the agency’s tough but fair and transparent review of Waukesha’s application.
Heroes of the Week
Herzing
University Staff
Well known for its support of American service
members, Herzing University sponsors letter-writing campaigns to troops,
collects donations to benefit the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Foundation,
and offers a Military Appreciation Scholarship for service members and their
families.
On Dec. 3, local Herzing staff assembled care packages
at their headquarters (525 N. Sixth St.) to be shipped to members of the 1st
Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment of the National Guard, based out of Madison.
These members of the military are on active duty in Iraq and will not be able
to spend time with their families this holiday season.
Readers who wish to help Herzing in support of the
troops can “like” the “Herzing University Military/Veteran Appreciation
Program” Facebook page, in return for which the university will donate money to
the VFW Foundation. For additional information, visit www.herzingmilitary.com.
Jerk of the Week
Gov.-elect Scott Walker
Scott Walker’s first decision is an example of how he will govern the state: He’ll take care of himself and his friends, and show little compassion for the disadvantaged. Most inaugural parties try to find a way to benefit a charity while wealthy attendees celebrate. But unlike his predecessor, Jim Doyle, who donated the proceeds from his inaugural events to the Boys & Girls Clubs, Walker has decided that the proceeds from his inaugural party in January will be divvied up between his campaign fund and the Republican Party.
DNR hopefully find something that benefits Waukesha's water woes.
Hero of the Week: That's good to know that our troops are being remembered at this time of the year.
Jerk of the Week: What can I say: I am not really surprised to read this regarding Mr. Walker at all.
1. Jerk of the past 6 Years: Former governor Jim Doyle for raiding the Patients Compensation Fund of $200 million and the Transportation fund of $1.3 billion. Also for lowering state employee salaries with unpaid furlough days, then stating his office would lead by example, reducing his personal employees salaries but not his own.
2. Jerk of the Decade: “President” Obama, on his first day in office following a campaign promising “transparency” signing into law Executive Order 13489 barring the release of any specific materials, the disclosure of which he believes may raise a substantial question of executive privilege.”
2a. On the other hand the campaign was a brilliant piece of deception, so perhaps this title should go to each person who were fooled by the campaign lies, voted for him and refuse to recognize this act as the ultimate antonym for his transparency promises.