HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May your 2008 be filled with family, joy, luck, health and wealth.

Merry Christmas!

Packers 7, Bears 35

What a disappointing game. Nothing looked good on offense, defense or special teams. Let's all hope this was a fluke but sure doesn't seem that way lately.

Pun-tacular!

Thought you might laugh!
The ability to Make and Understand Puns Is the Highest Level of
Language Development. Here are the ten first place winners in the
International Pun Contest:

1. A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The
stewardess looks at him and says, “I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion
allowed per passenger.”

2. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and
says 'Dam!'

3. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire
in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you
can't have your kayak and heat it too.

4. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my Electron.'
The other says 'Are you sure?' The first replies, 'Yes, I'm
positive.'

5. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a
root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.

6. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were
standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament
victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office
and asked them to disperse. 'But why?', they asked, as they moved
off. 'Because,' he said,' I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an
open foyer.'

7. A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them
goes to Spain , they name him 'Juan'; the other went to a family in
Egypt and is named 'Ahmal.' Years later, Juan sends a picture of
himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells
her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her
husband responds, 'They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen
Ahmal.'

8. A group of friars were behind on their belfry payments, so
they opened up a small florist shop to raise funds. Since everyone
liked to buy flowers from the men of God, a rival florist across
town thought the competition was unfair. He asked the good
fathers to close down, but they would not. He went back and begged
the friars to close. They ignored him. So, the rival florist
hired Hugh MacTaggart, the roughest and most vicious thug in town
to 'persuade' them to close. Hugh beat up the friars and trashed
their store, saying he'd be back if they didn't close up shop.
Terrified, they did so, thereby proving that only Hugh can prevent
florist friars.

9. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time,
which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also
ate very little, which made him rather frail, and with his odd
diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him (Oh, man, this is
so bad, it's good) a super calloused fragile mystic hexed by
halitosis.

10. And finally, there was the person who sent ten different puns
to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make
them laugh. No pun in ten did.

We All Sure Hope that Abbott Builds and Soon

From Kenosha News "Pollocoff said having the $1.5 billion complex built in the village would be a good return on the $6 million to $8 million investment. The village already has spent $17 million to obtain blighted properties and install some sewer and water lines up to the Abbott tract." 20 years or less to pay off bonds is a long time and a lot of interest but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on this one. We've heard many times it won't cost the taxpayers any money and I sure hope so. How much money did Village invest in Lakeview Corporate Park and what has been the payoff? I think we should see these numbers as it would help people understand what this type of investment has done in the past and what it can do in the future. Village really needs to get the Kenosha News behind it if they want to keep rolling along unscathed. Why the short meeting notice? If they could wait this long, what's another couple of weeks? Let's put it all in the open now.

UW-Whitewater Wins National Championship!

Congratulations to the Warhawks. 31-21 winners over Mount Union Purple Raiders. The third time was a charm. Nice job and way to show class. No personal fouls versus the three MU received.

Bain Station Road Railroad Crossing

I take it that the meeting with the Railroad Commissioner didn't go well last week since the Village is requesting residents to call and write the Railroad Commissioner:

http://www.pleasantprairieonline.com/utility/news/newsitem.asp?NewsID=497

I think it is a good idea. In fact, I think the Village (and you) should request that some of the lesser used railroad tracks be turned over to the Village/County and converted into bike trails. Works both ways doesn't it?

New Garbage Collection

The Village has decided to switch to an automated garbage collection system like they have for recycling. I hope the lids stay down on windy days and that the garbage doesn't blow out when they dump the containers into the garbage trucks. I also see they default you to the most expensive service if you don't fill out and return forms stating otherwise. Maybe they should call each household and find out what they want as we already know how good residents are at seeing, and responding to, Village information. Or perhaps they can review how much garbage they collect at each household for the next few weeks (see next item). Another question, how will they know what service you signed up for when they collect your garbage? Some type of scanning system and computer to say whether someone has unlimited service or not? Should be interesting.

Icy Street--Not Good

My street this morning was a glare sheet of ice. Someone just missed my mailbox last night and crashed into the snowbank around 9PM. I noticed the street was a big sheet of ice on way to work this morning as I pulled out of my driveway. I was barely able to stop at the stop signs even though I was driving extremely slow. Where were the salt trucks? They were salting in the rain yesterday when the roads were fine. Sure hope the school buses made it OK on the icy roads this morning. Why the delay in salting this morning knowing the cold was coming last night??? Not a bang up job and I'm sure Village residents were upset.

KNews

There sure has been a lot of controversy lately, and animosity, between the Kenosha News and Village staff/Trustees/President/Administrator. Can't wait to see what happens at the next Village Board meeting. I guess the bottom line is that both need to make sure they can back up their stories with facts. Don't say anything that can't be backed up with irrefutable evidence. Interpretation and intent are too easy to dismiss but hard facts will always win the day.

Taxes

Village increase on my tax bill was 5.6% and KUSD was 5.1%. I thought Village was supposed to be less than KUSD? Sure glad the referendums didn't pass. What will next year look like with the big housing slowdown? What is state law; 2%? I sure hope the Board and staff are planning ahead behind the scenes for a big reduction in new money for next year as I didn't see anything about future in budget discussions other than money for roads.

Village Board Meeting Minutes

The Village has again refused free offers of DVD video and audio to post on the Village's website. "Too expensive" is all they can say but offer no real proof that they ever looked into any reliable cost estimates. Clyde Allen said $175,000 dollars but presented nothing to back up his claim. No one else offered anything even close to that figure based on discussions with media and IT representatives. The Village Board voted to post audio only for now. "Baby steps" said Mr. Serpe. The Village wants to be a leader, then take the steps necessary to post video online. The Village has said they will eventually also post presentation materials. These presentation materials should be available before the meetings so that residents can review and have a chance to comment during Citizen Comments before the item is even discussed by the Board. As far as Meeting Minutes, great CYA by Mr. Pollocoff. He said that minutes wouldn't reflect what was actually said because of Robert's Rules only recognizing who the President has given permission to speak. Read through the last few years of meeting minutes and you'll see a lot of instances were this wasn't followed. Why the new explanation Mr. Pollocoff?

HQ moving to Pleasant Prairie?

Interesting to note that the Corporate Vice President for Human Resources for Abbott Laboratories recently purchased a million dollar home in Pleasant Prairie. He's moving from Libertyville (next door to current Abbott HQ) to Pleasant Prairie. Does he know something the rest of us don't? Interesting.

Road Plowing

The Village did another fine job of plowing the roads. They must have gone by my house six or seven times. The roads were really bad and one can see that just from the number of crashes on the Police Incident Log (mostly non-Village maintained roads--looks like County knocked down at least 3 mailboxes on 39th Avenue between 116th and Russell Road). Now if we could get the County to take better care of their roads within Village and get people to move their cars off the street and far enough into their driveways, then the Village wouldn't have to re-plow, thus saving us taxpayers money. Come on people, move your cars!

Sad--tragic death of a young child

Another young life lost to curiosity. We all know this could have been prevented but please pray for this family. No one should ever have to go through such a tragedy.

Anti-Bloggers

I find it ironic that those who find this and other blogs problematic are the same ones who write in their opinions anonymously or even at all. Why do they seek these out? What is the purpose of a blog to them? I for one think that blogs are a great way to communicate and put out information for others to see. Whether they agree or not is a whole other issue. At least the blog is there for everyone to see and not whispered in some backroom or private phone calls. Which do the anti-blogger's prefer?

Recycling Bins and Wind Loss

After watching a lot of recycling material blowing out of the Village's recycling bins today (and then blowing into the areas pond), I'm worried about what will happen when Village approves the use of a similar styled but larger garbage bin. The recycling bin lid blows open in strong winds allowing the contents to blow out all over the place. Some of the bins even blow over and dump their contents. I thought the new bins would prevent what used to happen with the old-style tub bins. Perhaps since recycling is collected less often, and people are encouraged to recycle as much as possible, that residents are overloading and lids aren't properly seating to keep wind from getting underneath and flipping open. Another problem is people put their recycling next to bins when their bin is full (or on top). Maybe a heavier lid will do the trick, or re-educate residents to not fill so full and place bins on level/flat surface, or encourage the use of two bins or a larger bin (who has room for the one we use now?), or start doing recycling pick-ups weekly like they used to do and do with regular garbage. I do know you can get a 95 gallon bin for no extra charge but some residents have said even these aren't big enough. Not sure what will work but something has to improve or even more garbage will be blowing all over the place with the new garbage bins.

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a wonderful day and go Packers!

Village Board Meeting Minutes being altered???

On 11-05-2007, page 50 of the Village Board Meeting Minutes, there is no reference to Clyde Allen's clearly stated "no comprehende" when Monica Yuhas asked if RecPlex signs were in Spanish (I was there). Are these minutes being edited? I think the State Ethics Board needs to examine this question.

Thoughts from Village Cafe

The Village Cafe went well. Many items were pointed out as highly desirable including bike trail access, easy walking access and within, no thoroughfare road/street through the Downtown,...etc. I was very impressed with the turnout and ideas. Just a couple of items that bothered me:

• When a group at another table pointed out that the empty land to the northeast of 39th Avenue and Highway 165 (104th Street) might be a good candidate to increase size of proposed downtown, Trustee Serpe (who is on the Design Committee) said no way quietly to our table because the empty field was next to his house. How ironic. Mr. Serpe sits on Plan Commission and Village Board and puts developments and businesses next to other people's houses yet when someone mentions same for his, he says NIMBY. I almost fell out of my chair.
• The other item that bothered me was one most suspected and that was that the Village staff have their ideas and that's what we'll end up with as Trustee Serpe was already saying this will be there and that will be over here. Then he said Clock tower. Clock tower? What is the benefit of that? Can't we come up with something more unique like a nice park-like focus or unique sculpture/fountain? Maybe even those ideas are too lame? Need to come up with something better than a clock tower.
• Lastly, where was Trustee Clyde Allen? Mr. Allen loves to point out that the Kenosha News and others weren't present at special budget presentations yet when the Village residents come together to hear everyone's ideas, Trustee Allen is nowhere to be found. In fact, his attendance has been lax lately. I wonder if President Steinbrink will start discussing that during Board Comments? Hahaha.

Over all, the Village did a nice job and I'd really like to see some of the residents ideas come to fruition (Brew Pup!).

Village Green Cafe

Don't forget about the Village Green Cafe meeting Thursday night at Village Hall:

http://www.pleasantprairieonline.com/utility/news/newsitem.asp?NewsID=487

See you all there!

Tree Preservation/RV Ordinance

Where's the Tree Preservation Ordinance that the Village promised? The budget item to write said ordinance was $2000 but was removed. The Community Development Director Jean Werbie said at the last Plan Commission meeting that The orchards, and any new subdivisions, have language in HOA covenants that prevent trees from being removed. But what happens if an HOA Board decides to ignore enforcement or rule and cuts down all the trees because people want to expand their yards, put in a pool, add a park, or just open up for light? Without a Tree Preservation Ordinance, the Village has little legal recourse.

Where's the RV parking Ordinance? The one that supposedly ensnared former Trustee Jeff Lauer before last election. I have asked repeatedly when it will be written and approved but have heard nothing from the Development Administrator. Again, seems like a lot of energy is spent discussing why the Village is treated so poorly by Kenosha News but not much on substance.

The Orchards Subdivision--Village Doesn't Hold Up Promises

The Village Plan Commission approved the Preliminary Plat for The Orchards subdivision despite the objections of area residents and one Plan Commissioner John Braig because the proposed homes would be on half an acre or less whereas most surrounding homes are 1 to 8 acres. I consider Mr. Braig a wise old owl. He is the lone Commissioner or Village Board member that sees the issues that new development can create for existing residents and is not afraid to vote in dissension. The Village promised area residents that construction traffic would have to come from Russell Road through the proposed Prairie Trails East development and not from 116th Street. Yet the Village is requiring the Developer JM Squared to meet with area residents from dead-end to 116th Street to discuss times that 28th Avenue children will be walking to the bus stop located on 116th Street as the street is too narrow for a bus to turn around. The Village says the meeting needs to occur so that they can require the Developer to prevent construction traffic during those times. So why is the Village requiring a meeting with area residents when they promised them that there would be no construction traffic from 116th Street? In addition, when Prairie Trails East was proposed, the Village said that the Developer Ted Pickus had to improve 26th and 28th Avenue connector streets as these streets weren't made to handle the traffic that will come from the proposed 146 home subdivision. Even though we asked what happened to this requirement, we were ignored and those road improvements were not required in the approved Final Plat. The Village has once again gone out of their way to make a development happen at the expense of area residents who have, or are now in the process, of selling their homes. When will the rest of the Village get in line with the one and only Wise Old Owl?

Railroad Petitions to Close Bain Station Road

The railroad says there have been three accidents since 1979. Is this even significant? What is the accident rate at any other crossings that are not gated in Kenosha County? I'd be willing to bet there is no difference or that it is even less since the traffic on Bain Station is not as significant at this time. The railroad's near misses statement in paper today is unsubstantiated speculation. I'm sure it has occurred but you could say the same for any gated crossing. The Village really needs to play up the safety aspect, like they did with the bike trail emergency crossing they so demanded, if you want to even have a chance of convincing the Railroad Commissioner. Has our State Rep. Steinbrink been communicating with him since this is a State Railroad Commissioner? I don't see any Rep Steinbrink web-page with information on it (does he have one?). As President of the Village, he should be meeting with the Railroad Commissioner and working this issue out behind the scenes. How many other crossings in the state have they asked to do same or is this specific to our area since everyone complained about the road crossings having to be repaired? So what will the Village do if they block? I guess they can always sick the Village Administrator on the Railroad Commissioner and try and get him fired? :-)

Maybe it's time to ask that the majority of the railroad tracks in the Village be converted to bike and hiking trails!

Budget/Website postings

Trustee Allen invited everyone to come and see the budget process during special meetings to see what happens and what items are removed. I think that is a great idea except there is one big problem. No Citizen Comments are on these special meeting agendas. If you want to have our input, don't wait until you are ready to adopt the budget before Citizen's are allowed to speak.

On a related item, the Village has finally found a way to put the budget and some other items on their website. Too bad it takes the Citizen's asking for it before these items are placed on the website. The Village should put each and every public item on their website as soon as they are ready, not after meetings or after Citizen requests. The Village should also put the details of agenda items that are given to the Plan Commissioners and Village Board members on their website too. Also, I have asked the Village to put the Plan Commissions recommendations on the agenda for Village Board meetings so that Citizens will see their recommendation since PC meeting minutes aren't usually available before VB meetings. How many questions would be answered by these simple, easy steps?

Administrator’s Report

I don't understand why the Village Administrator spends so much time during meetings discussing why he feels the Kenosha News never prints a story correctly. He continues to discuss non-agenda items and takes 15 minutes or more of valuable board time to address why he feels slighted by the Kenosha News. Why doesn't he spend that time addressing the Citizen Comments that have just occurred? Why is it called Administrator's Report when in reality he's just making political comments? Time to focus on the Village issues and quit wasting every one's time with the Village Administrator's rants (as he even stated himself during last week's meeting).

Citizen Comments/Village Board Comments

The Village has debated about when Village Board comments should occur during public meetings. I don't understand why the Village Board doesn't adopt a similar method for Citizen Comments as is performed during Plan Commission meetings. During Plan Commission meetings, Citizens can make non-agenda item comments at the very beginning of the meeting. Then, when a specific agenda item comes up that a person wants to address, they can talk right after the Community Development director, or whoever, has given their presentation to the Commissioners about the specific agenda item. Why the Village Board doesn't adopt the same method is beyond me. The Village Trustees are so concerned about speaking about a non-agenda item or taking action on something that isn't on the agenda. Citizens are worried that they would have to sit through an entire meeting before hearing Board comments. In general, this method would address both issues. Everyone would be speaking about the same agenda item at the same time and there would be a lot less confusion. Non-agenda items could be addressed at the end of the meeting during Village Board comments. What a simple solution!

Village Green Center

Follow the link below for the first public meeting on the proposed Village Green Center that is intended to be the future Village downtown. Here's you chance to have input on what would be best for our area's residents. What do you want to see? Easy access? Bike and walking trail access? Theater? Coffee shop? Book store?...be involved.

http://www.pleasantprairieonline.com/utility/news/newsitem.asp?NewsID=471#

Not one of the Village Boards better moments

At the last Village Board meeting, a disallowance of claim was denied by the Board for a slip and fall at the Village RecPlex as a person had slipped and injured themselves supposedly coming from the pool area to a party room. Trustee Clyde Allen held up a sign from the RecPlex that says individuals are not supposed to walk from pool area into party rooms with wet swimsuits. During the discussion, Trustee Yuhas asked if the signs were in Spanish as the person named as claimant was Malgorzata Vargas . There were several murmurs and laughter from the President and other Trustees, including a loud and clear 'No Comprehende ' from Trustee Allen. Trustee Yuhas was visibly upset and stated why she asked the question. Most audience members were taken aback by Trustee Allen's, and the rest of the Boards, handling of her question. I'm interested to see what the approved Meeting Minutes from 11-05-2007 will look like. I think Trustee Allen and other Board members have a little explaining to do.

Clean Water Utility

At a recent Village Board meeting, Doug Snow commented, as a supporter of the CWU, that the Village should double his CWU fee and he'd gladly pay it. I whole heartedly agree that his fee should be doubled. I think the Village should start a fund in his name of like minded Village CWU fee supporters. This fund would help those on fixed incomes who are charged significantly higher fees than nearly every other resident in the Village only because they happen to own a large, undeveloped parcel of land. Thanks Doug and we'll make sure the Village changes your fee soon!

Random thoughts

Hi all. I've created a new BLOG called Villaging in the Prairie. I'd like to hear general comments about different issues in the Village of Pleasant Priaire and I'll be adding my own once in a while. Let's keep it constructive and see if we can create a better Village. Thanks.