West Bend Community Information Blog

Stay current....

2009-04-14T13:38:00.003-07:00

Visit http://www.wissup.blogspot.com for current information on the West Bend Library issue.

West Bend Alderman & LIBRARY BOARD MEMBER Dobberstein confirms his position against WBCFSL

2009-04-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

West Bend 4th District Alderman, Nick Dobberstein, abused his position within his district and the West Bend community to lend influence to his personal convictions concerning the library policy requests we (now known as WBCFSL, West Bend Citizens for Safe Libraries) submitted.

To date, we have not spoken with any library board members, nor has there been any direct communication of any type between us. The WBCFSL is currently awaiting acceptance within the agenda of the next board meeting. We have fairly complied with all of the library director's/library board's requests thus far.

Though we did not agree with the City Attorney, Mary Schanning, or Mr. Tyree, on the unilateral withdrawal of our original complaint, we have started the process over respectfully, as requested by both.

Yesterday, a constituent emailed Dobberstein with information about an oppositional petition they were circulating, asking for the information to be shared with others. Alderman Dobberstein forwarded the email to his constituents and others in his email address book, making his position public concerning the library issue requests.

Alderman Dobberstein's choice to petition against the WBCFSL while acting as library board member, and representative of the taxpayers, is completely malapropos. We feel this is a hindrance to any decision the library will be making concerning our group's requests for policy creation, an inappropriate misuse of his aldermanic position, and shameful behavior of a library board member, whom we had hoped would remain fair and impartial, acting as an advocate on behalf of the ALL citizens.

After notification of his biased and inappropriate actions by another constituent, it appears that Mr. Dobberstein has furthered his efforts to discredit our group's requests by sending out another email.Though he states this second email was being sent out of "fairness" to us, it was quite the opposite. In this second email, he accuses the WBCFSL of censorship and shares a controversial and oppositional link to a website where our group is personally attacked and ridiculed in a raunchy and crude manner. (see this email below)

Just over a week ago, on behalf of WBCFSL, we supplied Mr. Dobberstein with a copy of the full power point we shared with the community at the March 26th "town hall" meeting. We included our personal contact information and website address, which was not the website listed within his email. The website Mr. Dobberstein passes on out of "fairness" does not contain the link to the library petition (though we have added it as of last night due to this misinformation), nor does it have complete information about the library issue. It is not the website we gave to him.

Mr. Dobberstein has clearly taken his opinion on this matter to a new level.

His unprofessional behavior should be disappointing to his district constituents, and it is most certainly an embarrassment to the City of West Bend.

The WBCFSL requests his immediate removal from the library board.

EMAIL SENT BY ALDERMAN NICK DOBBERSTEIN:

From: "Nick Dobberstein" <nick.dobberstein@charter.net>To: Subject: Petition FollowupDate: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:31:45 -0500

A few days ago I forwarded to a few friends a resident's link to a site and petition against censoring, labeling, or re-categorizing materials at the West Bend Library.

Out of fairness, I'm writing now to share a link to a petition from the Marziarkas which calls for censoring, labeling, and re-categorizing of materials:

http://randallmelchert.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/westbendpetition.pdf

Here's an additional article about the topic if you are interested:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/ozwash/42239872.html

In addition, a couple blog sites speak to the issue as well:

http://eema-le.blogspot.com/2009/04/some-good-old-fashioned-book-burning.html

http://wbcommunityinfo.blogspot.com/

Easter Praise

2009-04-10T17:58:00.001-07:00

Gay Marriage goes to WI Supreme Court at crux of elections

2009-04-09T10:52:00.001-07:00

No surprise.

Wisconsin's high court asked to review gay marriage vote
Associated Press — 4/09/2009 11:36 am

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether the state's ban on gay marriage was properly put to voters.Political science instructor William McConkey claims the referendum illegally put two issues to voters at the same time. A Dane County judge dismissed the20case last year, and McConkey appealed to the District 4 Court of Appeals.That Madison-based court on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to take the case. The appeals court says the case presents several new legal issues that should be decided by the higher court.

St. Joe's Hospital did NOT give the baby to the wrong family

2009-04-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

Though the newborn was erroneously given to the wrong mother BRIEFLY while in the hospital, the HEADLINE IN THE WEST BEND NEWS IS WRONG.

No babies were sent home with the wrong families.

St. Joseph's Hospital president, Michael Laird, stated "This morning our Public Relations Department received a call from Jill Badzinski, Managing Editor of the Daily News, alertng us to this major error. To correct this error, Ms. Badzinski assured our organization that the online version was already corrected on page A1 in tomorrow's edition.

We provided the newspaper with accurate information; however, during publication at the newspaper, the inaccurate headline was attached to the story."

West Bend School Board vacancy DEADLINE EXTENDED

2009-04-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

Good.

NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to qualified electors of West Bend Joint School District No. 1, Washington County, Wisconsin that a school board vacancy exists and an appointee will be named to serve from May 11, 2009 until the next general election in April 2010.

Any qualified elector desiring to be considered for this vacated position on the school board should submit the following:

1. Letter explaining their interest in being a member of the Board of Education,

2. A copy of their professional resume,

3. The answer to the following question:

The West Bend Joint School District is responsible for educating all of the students within our community well for their futures. How will you ensure that your decision-making is based on the best interest of all of the students we serve?

President, Board of Education, West Bend Joint School District #1
735 South Main Street
West Bend, Wisconsin 53095.

In an effort to expand the pool of candidates, the deadline for application has been extended to April 22, 2009, 4:00 p.m.

Interviews will be held April 27th from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

The new board candidate will be seated at the May 11th Board Meeting.

26-minute video - Town Hall Meeting - Library Issue

2009-04-08T17:47:00.000-07:00

WVCY "In Focus" was present at the West Bend Town Hall meeting of citizens held on March 26 concerning the library issue of sexually explicit books available to children.

The first portion of the show is a 26-minute clip of the last portion of the meeting. The second portion is informational and a call in show. Get a glimpse of what West Bend area citizens feel about the issue.

Click on the "older" program to the right.

http://vcyamerica.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=164&Itemid=153

Washington County stands firm on conservative roots

2009-04-08T16:32:00.001-07:00

I promised I'd make good on some commentary regarding the elections yesterday.

Let's just talk Washington County.

The solid conservative community we live in did exactly as I had predicted.

Predictions: Both ref’s will bite the dust - buh bye. Fernandez will surprise us with a superior lead over Dvers. Abrahamson will be purchasing plane tickets for a nice long permanent vacation. Cain will edge Grundahl with a small margin. Stepanski will stomp the other candidates.

Fernandez over Evers.

Rose Fernandez 13453 59.24%
Tony Evers 9226 40.63%

Koschnick over Abrahamson

Randy R. Koschnick 13461 58.23%
Shirley S Abrahamson 9642 41.71%

Cain over Grundahl

Steve Cain 7923 56.49%
John A. Grundahl 6048 43.12%

WB School Board:

Randall D. Stark 3973 23.80%
Kris Beaver 4737 28.38%
Carl W. Knepel 2600 15.58%
Tim Stepanski 5251 31.46%

REFERENDA: (Close, very close...)

Referendum-1

YES 5632 47.13%
NO 6317 52.87%

Referendum-2

YES 5971 50.31%
NO 5897 49.69%

Washington County is, has always been, known for it's very conservative stance. Though the state vote put Evers and Abrahamson on top, Washington County spoke loud and clear.

Putting Evers behind the driver's wheel of the DPI will give us more years of Libby Burmeister cloning. We can expect the public school systems to go head-first deeper into the liberal cesspool of life. Who endorsed Evers? Here are just a few...

Planned Parenthood
Wisconsin LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) PAC
Governor Jim Doyle
Senator Russ Feingold

That should say enough about Evers.

The referenda for the WB School District was pretty tight with Ques. #2. I thought that might happen as Badger could really use the TLC and we need to start "somewhere." Though I voted no on both, I am pretty content with the referenda turnout. The overall voice of West Bend on all the issues above backs what I have been saying over and over again:

We are a community that voted according to it's values; conservative, traditional, solid. We have spoken.

Citizen appeal - Dumpster anyone?

2009-04-08T03:44:00.000-07:00

I know I blogged about this, but more helping hands are needed...

BJ & Company owned by Barb Justman, local hair salon, long-time business owner - heavily damaged by fire this week.

Has enough boxes for now. THANK YOU! :-)

Can anyone DONATE A DUMPSTER for a day so this business can get all the ruined stuff off of the front lawn on Main Street?

Biggest loss was wigs and hair care for cancer patients.....

LOTS OF VOLUNTEER HELP is needed to scrub products damaged with smoke to prepare for a "fire sale"...

Just for the record, I don't know this business owner personally.

OK, WEST BEND......you know what to do!

West Bend Referendum going down, down, down

2009-04-07T20:01:00.001-07:00

Unoff. FINAL RESULTS - West Bend 10:45 p.m.

2009-04-07T18:44:00.002-07:00

West Bend School Bd Member

Kris Beaver 4737 28.38%
Carl W. Knepel 2600 15.58%
Tim Stepanski 5251 31.46%
Write-in Votes 129 0.77%

Municipal Judge

Steve Cain 7923 56.49%
John A. Grundahl 6048 43.12%

Referendum-1 West Bend School

YES 5632 47.13%
NO 6317 52.87%

Referendum-2 West Bend School

YES 5971 50.31%
NO 5897 49.69%

STATEWIDE

Statewide Wisconsin Wisconsin Public School Superintendent

Tony Evers 357,441 57%
Rose Fernandez 267,817 43%

Justice of the Supreme Court

Shirley Abrahamson 384,437 60%
Randy Koschnick 261,547 40%

Electioneering called on pro-referendum tribe in West Bend

2009-04-07T15:27:00.002-07:00

Seems the police were called to District #5 because "pro" referendum electioneers were handing out literature with "VOTE FOR THE KIDS" on it.

I'll see what comes of this story.

UPDATE 4/11/09:
Individuals handing out the flyers were standing too close to the entrances to the polling stations, Reuteman said. “We had several calls.”
AND
When informed the group’s treasurer also had to be named, the words “Chris Zwygert, Treasurer” were hand-written on the bottom of the flyers.

GUESS THAT'S HOW IT WORKS, FOLKS.

(2) (a) 1. No person may engage in electioneering during
polling hours on election day at a polling place.

12.035 Posting and distribution of election−related
material.

(1) In this section, “election−related material” means
any written matter which describes, or purports to describe, the
rights or responsibilities of individuals voting or registering to
vote at a polling place or voting an absentee ballot at the office of
the municipal clerk or an alternate site under s. 6.855.

(2) The legislature finds that posting or distributing election−
related material at the polling place, at locations where absentee
ballots may be cast, or near the entrance to such locations when
voting is taking place may mislead and confuse electors about
their rights and responsibilities regarding the exercise of the franchise
and tends to disrupt the flow of voting activities at such locations.
The legislature finds that the restrictions imposed by this
section on the posting or distribution of election−related material
are necessary to protect the compelling governmental interest in
orderly and fair elections.
(3) (a) No person may post or distribute any election−related
material during polling hours on election day at a polling place.
(b) No person may post or distribute any election−related
material during polling hours on any public property on election
day within 100 feet of an entrance to a building containing a polling
place.

(b) Whoever violates s. 12.03, 12.05, 12.07, 12.08 or 12.13 (2)
(b) 8., (3) (b), (c), (d), (g), (i), (n) to (x), (ze), (zm) or (zn) may be
fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 6 months
or both.

Planned Parenthood reminds us who NOT to vote for...

2009-04-07T09:35:00.002-07:00

CURTSY to "FROM WHERE I SIT"

Area Business Owner hit by Fire - Needs help of West Benders

2009-04-07T05:42:00.002-07:00

Local hair salon owner, Barb Justman, had her business, BJ & COMPANY, heavily damaged by a major fire yesterday.

Another area business, CREATIVE CUT SALON, 530 Walnut Street, has graciously allowed Barb to temporarily MOVE HER BUSINESS while damage is assessed and repairs take place. BARB CONTINUES TO TAKE CALLS FOR BUSINESS from her home at 338-6009.

Here is a time for WEST BENDERS to lend a hand, and a community hug:

1. DROP BOXES OFF AT 446 S. Main so Barb can pack up equipment and move things out for cleanup (she hopes to reopen in one week).
2. Call her and offer to lend a hand with packing or ??? word of encouragement ?? or ???
3. Get the word out (blog, email, etc.).

West Bend, do your thing!

YOUR VOTE COUNTS

2009-04-07T05:25:00.001-07:00

Get informed on the State Supreme Court race between Chief Justice Abrahamson and Judge Koschnick(click here for survey)

I AM VOTING FOR JUDGE KOSCHNICK.

Get informed on the State Superintendent of Public Instruction race between Deputy Superintendent Tony Evers and challenger Rose Fernandez (click here for survey and endorsements)

I AM VOTING FOR ROSE FERNANDEZ.

Find out which races and candidates will be on your local ballot (click here to find out how)

WEST BEND SCHOOL BOARD: I AM VOTING FOR TIM STEPANSKI and NOT casting SECOND VOTE (you may choose two) SO AS NOT TO GIVE EXTRA VOTES TO OTHER CANDIDATES.

See http://www.wbsbinfo.blogspot.com/

Determine which candidates align with your values on the pertinent issues (click here for ideas)

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE: CAIN OR GRUNDAHL Click here for info about Cain or Click here for info about Grundahl

I AM VOTING FOR CAIN.

NO !!! TO BOTH REFERENDUM QUESTIONS

NO to Evers, YES to FERNANDEZ

2009-04-06T18:21:00.001-07:00

Curtsy to James Widgerson, GMToday

There are, of course, serious issues in the campaign. As an employee of the state Department of Public Instruction, Evers spearheaded the effort to close down Wisconsin’s virtual schools. Evers has not shown any independence from the teachers unions. Evers endorses the lifting of the state QEO even though it will cause an explosion in Wisconsin’s already high property taxes.

Fernandez has a plan to attack the education problems in the Milwaukee Public Schools, supports exploring alternatives to the public schools, supports rewarding good teachers with merit pay within the qualified economic offer framework and has received bipartisan political support from across every demographic and geographic line.

Washington County Polling Places - GET OUT THE VOTE

2009-04-06T15:36:00.001-07:00

All polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Towns

Addison Town Hall, 127 First St., Allenton; 629-5420. Barton Town Hall, 3482 Town Hall Road; 334-2765. Erin Town Hall, 1846 Highway 83; 673-3682. Farmington Town Hall, 9422 Highway 144, Boltonville; 692-2377. Germantown, Rockfield School, N132 W18473 Rockfield Road; 628-1181. Hartford Town Hall, 3360 Highway K; 673-7214. Jackson Town Hall, 3146 Division Road; 677-4048. Kewaskum Town Hall, 9019 Kettle Moraine Drive; 626-2566. Polk Town Hall, 3680 Highway 60, Slinger; 677-2123. Trenton Town Hall, 1071 Highway 33 East; 675-6009. Wayne Town Hall, 6030 Highway H, 626-4818. vWest Bend Town Hall, 6355 Highway Z, 338-3417.

Villages

Germantown District 1, Bethlehem Ev. Lutheran School, N108 W14290 Bel Aire Lane; 250-4740; District 2, Germantown American Legion Post No.1, N120 W15932 Freistadt Road; 250-4740; District 3, Stony Hills Presbyterian Church, N112 W17655 Mequon Road; 250-4740; District 4, First Alliance Church, W156 N10041 Pilgrim Road; 250-4740. Jackson Village Hall, N168 W20733 Main St.; 677-9001. Kewaskum Village Hall, 204 First St.; 626-8484. Newburg Village Hall, 614 Main S.; 675-2160. Richfield, Northbrook Church, 4014 STH 167, Richfield; 628-2260. Slinger Municipal Garage (behind library), 300 Slinger Road; 644-5265.

Cities

Hartford District 1, Hartford Parks & Recreation Department, 125 N. Rural St; 673-8201; District 2, City Hall Community Room, 109 N. Main, main floor; 673-8201; District 3, Library Conference Room, 109 N. Main, second floor; 673-8201.

West Bend District 1, Meadowbrook Manor, south entrance, 475 Meadowbrook Ave.; 335-5103; District 2, West Bend Community Memorial Library, 630 Poplar St.; 335-5103; District 3, First Baptist Church, 2300 S. Main St.; 335-5103 (note: This is a permanent change from when districts 3 and 4 both voted at City Hall); District 4, City Hall, 1115 S. Main St., Council Chambers; 335-5103; District 5, Washington County Public Agency Center, 333 E. Washington St.; 335-5103; District 6, Washington County Courthouse, 432 E. Washington St., room 2024; 335-5103; District 7, Moraine Park Technical College, AMTC Entrance, 2151 N. Main St.; 335-5103; District 8; Cedar Ridge Retirement Campus, 113 Cedar Ridge Drive; 335-5103.

West Bend Library Board - A little FYI

2009-04-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

An important note that concerns the people who serve on our library board.

1. To correct any myths out there..they are NOT elected. The people who serve on our library board are appointed by the mayor, Kristine Deiss. They were not appointed by THE CURRENT MAYOR, though they ARE ACCOUNTABLE to her.

2. Library board members serve a term of three years. http://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us/Departments/Mayor/CommitteesCommissions.htm

LIBRARY BOARD
Consists of 9 members (3 year term) appointed by the Mayor. The Board shall have control of the expenditure of all monies collected, donated, or appropriated for the library fund and of the purchase of a site and the erection of a library building whenever authorized. The Board will audit expenditures of the public library.

MEMBERS
Ald. Nick Dobberstein
Barbara Deters
Kathryn Engelbrecht, Chairman
Mary Reilly-Kliss
Patti Geidel
Tom Fitz
John R. Aynesworth
James Pouros

Updated 7/08

3. We do not view the library board as our adversaries. On the contrary, it is our hope that this current library board will be an ADVOCATE for the City of West Bend; that they will act as representatives of their community on behalf of the children/families who are library patrons.

West Bend Referendum - Exposed

2009-04-05T12:15:00.001-07:00

Couldn't have said it better.... WB News

With family values and a fiscally conservative position, Tim Stepanski has my vote for School Board on April 7.

I’ll also vote against both referenda costing $87.8 million with the bond interest. I’m concerned about the accuracy of the district’s “information” sessions regarding the referenda.

During 2007, the district insisted Barton Elementary could not be expanded (untrue, since eight classrooms and hallways could be added to the north side.) Why? If you fell for that, they might justify converting Silverbrook Middle School into a new Barton and build a twin middle school, which the public hated.

The district said Barton’s lot was too small.

Barton has 6.85 acres with an enrollment of 379 students or 55.3 students per acre.

On Feb. 23, the board voted to buy 6.38 acres in Jackson for a new elementary. Joe Carlson said there are 3-plus acres next to it they might also be able to buy. Even if it’s 3.99 acres more, it’s a 10.37-acre lot for 650 students or 62.7 students per acre.

Per the district in 2007, Barton is too crowded at 55.3 students per acre, but now it's OK for a new Jackson with 62.7 students per acre. Unbelievable.

The district criticizes New Berlin, even though New Berlin addressed all facilities needs without referendums. Residents vote based on the total tax bill. The district alleges a low mill rate for our schools. What they don’t say is that five years ago, New Berlin was No. 2 in taxes in Waukesha County. Their School Board noticed and did something about it. Today, New Berlin is No. 12 in taxes in Waukesha County, but West Bend is No. 2 in taxes in Washington County.

Electing Tim Stepanski on April 7 and voting down two overpriced referendum questions are votes for fiscal responsibility.

Jodi Williams West Bend

I couldn't agree more with Jodi Williams. I attended the candidate forum and applaud Tim's BOLD AND COURAGEOUS stance against the referendum. This speaks VOLUMES for his future on a school board who, as we already can see, will oppose Tim's voice for the community. TIM LISTENS and HE IS NOT AFRAID.

Petition Signature Drive brought in droves of people...and signatures...

2009-04-04T13:35:00.002-07:00

SATURDAY PETITION SIGNATURE DRIVE.....

Beautiful day to be outside! Met lots and lots of folks! Great people in this community!

Someone brought us warm chocolate chip cookies....NICE! (Thank you!) Many offers from people to bring us food/drink, etc..... Some stayed to chat... Volunteers stood with families.. THAT is the community we know and love!

VFW crew were AMAZING! Great facility and super-nice gang! Thanks so much!

WBKV, what can we say? YOU ROCK! (in a "country" kind of way!)

So many brought stacks of completed sheets....HUNDREDS of signatures.... Some left and came back with pages after going through their neighborhoods. VERY ENCOURAGING! WOW!

WEST BEND CITIZENS - Your support today was an enormous statement of your love for the community's kids! WAY TO GO! (Don't stop now! Keep it coming!)

Signature "drive-thru" - West Bend Library Petition - SATURDAY 8 to 2

2009-04-03T21:34:00.002-07:00

WEST BEND, KEWASKUM, GERMANTOWN, SLINGER AND HARTFORD

THIS IS FOR YOU

AS PART OF THE SHARE LIBRARY - OUR BOOKS ARE YOUR BOOKS!

DRIVE-THRU PETITION SIGNING SLATED FOR SATURDAY
CITIZENS SAY NO TO PORN IN LIBRARY
VFW HALL
260 Sand Drive, West Bend
8 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

Area residents and other concerned citizens will be at the local VFW parking lot from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents, taxpayers and citizens who would like the West Bend Community Memorial Library to adopt a number of policies that protect children from easy access to sexually explicit materials will be able to "drive through" and sign a petition that will be presented to the library board. STUDENTS are encouraged to stop by and sign.

I AM VOTING

2009-04-03T12:30:00.002-07:00

VOTE - APRIL 7

Get informed on the State Supreme Court race between Chief Justice Abrahamson and Judge Koschnick(click here for survey)

I AM VOTING FOR JUDGE KOSCHNICK.

Get informed on the State Superintendent of Public Instruction race between Deputy Superintendent Tony Evers and challenger Rose Fernandez (click here for survey and endorsements)

I AM VOTING FOR ROSE FERNANDEZ.

Find out which races and candidates will be on your local ballot (click here to find out how)

WEST BEND SCHOOL BOARD: I AM VOTING FOR TIM STEPANSKI

and

NOT casting SECOND VOTE (you may choose two) SO AS NOT TO GIVE EXTRA VOTES TO OTHER CANDIDATES.

See http://www.wbsbinfo.blogspot.com/

Determine which candidates align with your values on the pertinent issues (click here for ideas)

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE: CAIN OR GRUNDAHL Click here for info about Cain or Click here for info about Grundahl

I AM VOTING FOR CAIN.

Censorship? Or Selective Review?

2009-04-01T14:59:00.002-07:00

WHEN NEWSPAPERS DECIDE TO PRINT OR NOT PRINT A STORY--THE ISSUE IS CALLED EDITING AND THIS CAN BE ESPECIALLY WITH LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

-WHEN TV/RADIO DECIDE TO AIR OR NOT AIR A STORY--IT'S CALLED PROGRAMMING

--WHEN LIBRARIANS DECIDE WHAT WILL BE IN THE COLLECTION-IT'S CALLED--SELECTIVE REVIEW

WHEN CITIZENS/TAXPAYERS DECIDE TO HAVE OR NOT HAVE BOOKS/MATERIALS IN THE LIBRARY--IT'S CALLED CENSORSHIP

ALL OF THE ABOVE IS THE CHOICE FOR OR AGAINST SOMETHING--BUT THE ONLY ONE WITH A STIGMA ATTACHED TO IT IS THE CITIZEN/TAXPAYER--CENSOR.

See how labeling can bring about an opinion--this is verbal gymnastics.

Hope you see the point.

(Source: NMC)

Opposition just doesn't get it - Book "banning"? NOT

2009-04-01T04:44:00.002-07:00

Saw the WB News today and noted two articles about the West Bend Library issue.

One librarian playing the "poor staff" card and trying to let the community know how they are "all" suffering greatly because of this issue and how there is not agenda to target children with inappropriate materials of any kind. She further went on to mention our book ban.

Another concerned citizen....again - mentioned our book ban.

::::sigh:::: They just DON'T GET IT.

Get the junk out of the kid's faces. How hard is this? And how can anyone possibly object? Go to previous posts and click on the links for a reality check for excerpts of what the kids currently have offered to them. It's disturbing.

West Bend CANDIDATES FORUM - TONIGHT

2009-03-31T11:13:00.002-07:00

Candidates Forum
Public Invited!

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

6 P.M.

1115 S. Main Street

West Bend

An opportunity to meet the candidates and listen to their views.
Email your questions in advance to info@wbachamber.org.

Candidates Invited are:

Mid Moraine Municipal Judge
John Grundahl (I)
Steven Cain

Common Council
Nick Dobberstein (I)
David Krochalk (I)
Neil Narveson (I)
Michael Schlotfeldt (I)
Roger Kist
Steve Hutchins

West Bend School Board
Kris Beaver
Carl Knepel
Randy Stark
Tim Stepanski

"Drive-Thru" Signature at VFW SATURDAY re: PORN in WB Library

2009-03-31T11:01:00.002-07:00

DRIVE-THRU PETITION SIGNING SLATED FOR SATURDAY

CITIZENS SAY NO TO PORN IN LIBRARY

VFW HALL

260 Sand Drive, West Bend

8 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

THIS Saturday, area residents and other concerned citizens will be at the local VFW parking lot from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents, taxpayers and citizens who would like the West Bend Community Memorial Library to adopt a number of policies that protect children from easy access to sexually explicit materials will be able to "drive through" and sign a petition that will be presented to the library board.

SIGNATURE DRIVE AGAINST PORN AT WEST BEND LIBRARY TODAY

2009-03-30T06:36:00.000-07:00

TUESDAY, TONIGHT!

MARCH 31

5:30 TO 9 P.M.

STOP BY THE LIBRARY at 630 POPLAR AND

SIGN THE PETITION TO

PROTECT KIDS FROM PORN

Just drop in (we will be in one of the conference rooms with a sign on the door) and sign peacefully, then pick up a complaint form at the desk on your way out if you like!

We would like to get as many signatures as we can this week!

We will be hosting another drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the VFW Hall on Saturday.

More info to come!

This is a simple way to lend a community VOTE on this issue.

These are the requests on the petition:

1. Reclassification of Youth-Targeted Pornographic Books: We request that the Library Board adopt a policy to provide for the mandatory reclassification of any books in the youth sections of the West Bend Library (i.e., children's, young adult/YA Zone) that (a) are obscene, (b) child pornography, (c) appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; (d) depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and that these books be reclassified to the
adult sections of the library.

2. Visual identification of explicit material: We request that the Library Board adopt a policy to provide for the labeling with a visible identification mark (similar to a RIAA or MPAA Parental Advisory warning) such materials targeted toward minors that (a) are obscene, (b) child pornography, (c) appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; (d) depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals;

3. Restrict Access to Library-produced Sexual Content Online: We request that the Library Board adopt a policy that any content and/or books promoted on a Library website that (a) are obscene, (b) child pornography, (c) appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; (d) depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; be either (a) removed from the library website; or (b) restricted to adults eighteen years or older using library card numbers
or similar technology as is currently used for the library computers.

4. Balanced Literature on Controversial Issues: We request that the Library Board adopt a policy to attain balance in the viewpoints of selections (both affirming and opposing) that the libraries carry in issues sufficiently controversial within the West Bend community (i.e., homosexuality). Specifically, we request faith-based and/or ex-gay books affirming traditional heterosexual perspectives be added to the library. A list of suggested books is attached.

5. Children's Internet Protection: We request that the Library Board adopt a policy to protect minors consistent with the Children's Internet Protection Act (required for libraries receiving federal funds) to implement technology protection measures with respect to any of its computers with Internet access that protects against access through such computers to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.

West Bend School Board Candidates Q&A HERE

2009-03-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.wbsbinfo.blogspot.com/

West Bend Library Board - Talk to 'em

2009-03-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Here is some helpful info, if you'd like to air your thoughts.

WEST BEND LIBRARY BOARD MEMBERS:

Kathryn Engelbrecht, President
1107 Hazelwood Ct.
West Bend, WI 53095

Tom Fitz, Vice President
1517 N. 10th Ave.
West Bend, WI 53090

Maryjane Burdge, School District Representative
120 Upper Woodford Circle
West Bend, WI 53090

Mary Reilly-Kliss, Co-Secretary
903 Mulberry Dr. E.
West Bend, WI 53090

Barbara Deters, Co-Secretary
1402 Decorah Rd. W.
West Bend, WI 53095

Patti Geidel, Financial Secretary
1527 Ridgewood Dr.
West Bend, WI 53095

Ald. Nick Dobberstein
1319 S. Indiana Ave.
West Bend, WI 53095

John Aynesworth
660 E. Tamarack Dr.
West Bend, WI 53095

James Pouros
O'Meara Law Firm, LLP
P.O. Box 348
West Bend, WI 53095

Judge Randy Koschnick for Supreme Court

2009-03-28T19:58:00.001-07:00

Widgerson writes about this here:

On April 7, Wisconsin voters will have a choice between two candidates for state Supreme Court, incumbent Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and Judge Randy Koschnick.

Abrahamson is a left-wing activist. Bill Lueders of The Isthmus in Madison even calls her record “progressive.” The state teachers union, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, described Abrahamson as a consistent vote for their interests.

.....

Of special interest to Waukesha voters, in 1995 Abrahamson was the lone vote against the law that keeps sexual predators behind bars if it’s determined they continue to be a threat to the public.

On other issues she likes to call them as she sees them, too, regardless of the laws created by the Legislature.

On school voucher programs, Abrahamson has been a reliable vote for the teachers unions, voting to strike the voucher programs down.

On medical malpractice, Abrahamson sided with the trial lawyers and voted to raise the caps, again contrary to the law and contrary to the public interest.

.....

Her opponent is a conservative judge, a strict constructionist. He is opposed to usurping the power of the Legislature as a judge. Despite his personal preferences, Koschnick would be bound by the law provided it is constitutional and would not give in to any ideological whimsy.

Bill Lueders calls Koschnick, “knowledgeable, measured, personable and articulate.

“He’s a far better candidate than any of the last three victorious conservatives. And, more to the point, he’s a far better candidate than Shirley Abrahamson.”

More importantly, Koschnick has run the style of campaign recent court watchers have wished for. He stuck to the issues and Abrahamson’s record. He has not run a misleading ad campaign. He authored a clean campaign pledge, something Abrahamson refused to sign. He has even raised the issue of campaign contributions from lawyers appearing before the court, something good government types should be praising him for.

This was the campaign everyone wanted after the last two state Supreme Court elections. We have a clear choice, a debate on the issues, and one of the candidates (Koschnick) is not expecting outside interest groups to intervene.

We will see if the voters recognize the opportunity for rewarding Koschnick for his campaign on April 7.

Random book banning thoughts and more...

2009-03-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

1) Book banning in the library is a myth and not at the door of school or public libraries. Banning begins at the door of the publishers. Publishers decide what will be printed and circulated on their publishers' book lists. Librarians simply buy what they want from the list. Since no library is exactly the same as another, all that occurs in any library is the choice in selection. Hence, censorship is a myth as the issue at hand is book selection and not banning.

2) When taxpayers' money is spent for library books/materials, taxpayers expect the best to be bought... They do not expect money to be spent on porn-laden reading material. Common decency demands such, as it is innate to all human beings.

3) Despite what is claimed, libraries do stand in "loco parentis " as do all other public entities serving children. We certainly expect the local park to take care of minors and watch out for them. To do otherwise is to neglect their duty to the taxpaying citizen. Staff is on hand to protect children from injury and assault, and not just let them play .

4)The public library has the same responsiblity to protect children from assault -- only in this case it is the assault of their mind as with porn-laden books like "Deal With It" or "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." When the state gives out driver's licenses, they have an obligation to protect us all on our streets and roads. The same is true with a child's library card, The library has an obligation to "Do No Harm" to young minds and emotions as they move around the library using their card as the right of passage to do so.

5) The issue in public libraries is not about parent rights. This pits one parent against another. The issue on hand is rather this important question: Is it right to sexualize children 11-12-13-14 years of age or younger and have taxpayer dollars subsidizing it?

Slinger school board "sees no evil" with teacher's terrorist assignment

2009-03-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

Curtsy to Mark Belling:

And nearby in Slinger, the school board doesn’t want to do anything about a teacher who is assigning students to write papers that may include plots to commit terror. School officials tell me it’s an attempt to examine our vulnerabilities and why the terrorists hate us. I’ll teach the class in 12 seconds: They hate us because we’re not Muslims and our vulnerabilities start with all the terrorists Obama will let out of Guantanamo. Far be it from Slinger’s school board to dish out such common sense to the hack teaching his students how to think like jihadists.

West Bend Library Issue "Town Meeting"

2009-03-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

I said I'd blog about the meeting later...and, well..it's later. So here it is.

I'd like to correct the WB News' recollection of the attendance. I helped set up the chairs. There were 40 to a rack and we used four racks of chairs and had the largest middle section of bleachers pulled out. The head count (yes, we actually asked someone to do that) was 137, which included media. The News said 50. I didn't get that, unless it was a typo.

We began the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. (I'd like to make a side note here and then we'll get on with the issue at hand.) A gentleman in the bleachers refused to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. He sat, kept his hat on, and refused. Just one guy. And he was one of those who spoke, too....so it kinda makes you wonder...does he really believe in the freedoms that others paid the price for him to enjoy? Anyway, I better not get started on that....

We briefly explained the steps we had taken, then asked anyone 18 and under to leave for the short, 15-minute Power Point we had put together with photos of excerpts from some of the books we had discussed with the library. At first, we were met with strong opposition from some teens who had come to share their feelings at the meeting (and were more than welcomed to). Oddly, we had an adult join in the objection, though we had made it very clear that the materials we were showing were sexually explicit. It was our meeting, and we felt we would be doing the very same thing that we were asking the library NOT to do if we allowed the youth to remain, so we asked for ID if kids were staying. Three young men respectfully showed ID. The few that were under 18 got up angrily and stormed out. I thanked them for respecting our request, and let them know that their viewpoints were important and we would appreciate their return once the Power Point was finished. (More on this later - and it's worth the read..so keep on).

We showed the Power Point that we had prepared with my husband (VERY uncomfortably) reading some of the excerpts out loud. The youth were invited back in to the meeting and we continued on...

I read some basic "rules of etiquette" for the meeting, i.e., no personal attacks, strong opinions are fine, but no foul language, etc. Most everyone played very, very fair. It was actually very interesting and should be done more often!

First speaker up is the lady that was on the front page of the WB News today. Now, this is a head scratcher. Christina (not sure of spelling) Smithers stood and did a radio interview with us at the cancelled board meeting stating her agreement with our position. Last night, she was shouting out about homosexuality and book banning. Oh well. We agreed that everyone would get three minutes, and she got hers.

We had a "non-heterosexual" youth (his words, not mine) stand up and give a passionate dissertation on his lifestyle, what gays endure and how gay kids need books like these, so please don't ban them.

Lots more homosexual speeches.

Then lots of Bible quoters.

More homosexual speeches.

More Bible quoters.

A couple people got it right.

A pastor from a local church addressed the crowd and got it back on track as to the "real" issue at hand. (glad someone "gets it")

A few other gentlemen dittoed the above further on in the meeting.

One lesbian woman (self-identified) said that she signed the petition in agreement, as she thought the materials in the books were much too graphic for children, and could not understand what all the ranting was about homosexuality. She was actually quite honest as to admitting that she had come prepared to defend her lifestyle, as she was "told" that this was what we were meeting about, only to find out that she actually agreed with our presentation and petition. (courageous and humble)

Two people that were especially profound representatives of their community were two life-long residents that spoke separately during the meeting; one was an 82-year-old gentleman, the other, an 80+ woman (not together). Each said that they had lived in West Bend all of their lives and would have never thought a discussion about materials such as these would be taking place, and how sad it made them, and how they could not understand why anyone would disagree. Not exact quotes there, but close enough.

A powerful testimony came from an area police officer who spoke at the end of the meeting. She testified as to the sad, difficult and terrible consequences she had seen in the lives of children who had been exposed to pornography. What was unfortunate is that the media had left half-way through the meeting (probably tired of the homosexual/Bible quote bantering, figuring that was all they were going to get). So that is what the media reported, and that is what the media played. Too bad.

My husband and I stood and patiently listened to each speaker. We did not comment. We did not rebut. This went on for about 2 hours or so.

When everyone had taken their turn at the mic, we took a last turn before closing the meeting.

I explained that this was not a meeting about homosexuality, book banning or book burning. It was about pornography, homosexual OR heterosexual, on shelves where kids had EASY access to. It was about RECLASSIFYING books and placing them in the ADULT section of the library. We gave the five requests below and explained them. We made sure that everyone was clear as to what we were going to present to the library after last night's meeting.

1. Reclassification of Youth-Targeted Pornographic Books into the adult section of the library.
2. Visual identification of explicit material with a parental advisory.
3. Restrict Library-generated Online Sexual Content.
4. Balanced Literature on Controversial Issues including homosexuality.
5. Children's Internet Protection – require the libraries to implement technology protection to protect minors from internet porn on public computers in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

Again, too bad the media did not stay. This is what took place after the meeting.

One of the youth that I mentioned above, who began the meeting with strong statements about homosexuality, in a very adult-like manner, came up to me, shook my hand and APOLOGIZED. He was very respectful and said that he had no idea that the meeting was about shifting the books with graphic sexual language in them to the adult side of the library and actually AGREED that much of the materials were probably not appropriate for children. We had quite a nice conversation actually. We talked a bit about why I had to ask him to leave for the Power Point, and he completely agreed we did the right thing. That was pretty humble, in my opinion.

Most of the crowd, from my own observation, had come to sign the petition and lend support, but not necessarily speak, as they already understood the issue and agreed.

We garnered 120 signatures. Considering there were 137 in the crowd, I'd say that is a pretty decent representation of the group that attended. Does it represent the entire WB community? Maybe. At least we offered the opportunity.

Like I said, we should do this more often. Perhaps next time, though, we could have it end with an ice cream social.

NOTE: I am sure some will be unhappy that I used the term "Bible Quoters", but my point is that there was dialogue that was OFF TOPIC going on for most of the meeting, back and forth, without ever really addressing the issue. We had asked that people present their opinion about the requests we were making, and the above persons used the mic to discuss things other than the requested opinion we were looking for. Not that anyone did something horribly wrong. It just didn't answer the question we were asking.

We closed the meeting in prayer. And everyone stayed for it.

WVCY segment on FOIA regarding library issue - grab the popcorn

2009-03-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

...and this is how the librarians and city attorney converse about the people and community they represent. Very caring indeed.

In Focus 3/25/2009: Vic Eliason, FOIA, West Bend Library from Crosstalk America on Vimeo.

Porn in West Bend Library? Citizens say NO

2009-03-26T20:35:00.001-07:00

This meeting was held tonight.

Owen blogged it. Here it is.

I'll blog more tomorrow. Just feeling drained and, quite frankly, I gotta work tomorrow.

Petition for a Child-safe, Family-Friendly Library

2009-03-26T20:00:00.002-07:00

Thursday, March 26, 2009

CITIZENS TO FILE PETITION FOR A CHILD-SAFE LIBRARY

WEST BEND, WI: Citizens in West Bend, and Washington County are signing petitions to request that the library board take a roll call vote to adopt policies to make the library child-safe and family-friendly. The petition includes 5 policies that the citizens want considered separately, and voted on separately for the public record.

“While much of this debate has focused on individual books, we want the library board to state on the record whether they believe that pornographic books should be in the youth sections of the library.” Ginny Maziarka said. “Filling out forms and arguing about whether or not a book meets some vague collection development and selection policy is pointless. We want to know if the library board will vote for or against targeting youth with pornography.”

The petition requests the board take a roll call vote on the following five issues:
1. Reclassification of Youth-Targeted Pornographic Books into the adult section of the library.
2. Visual identification of explicit material with a parental advisory.
3. Restrict Library-generated Online Sexual Content.
4. Balanced Literature on Controversial Issues including homosexuality.
5. Children's Internet Protection – require the libraries to implement technology protection to protect minors from internet porn on public computers in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

Petitions are being signed at the public meeting tonight at Silverbrook Middle School, and can also be downloaded here

For more information call 1-866-910-2840 or visit http://wissup.blogspot.com.

WVCY reveals FOIA from West Bend City Hall on Library Issue

2009-03-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

We watched WVCY "In Focus" tonight. They had done a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) open records request at the City Hall concerning the library issue yesterday and obtained nearly 400 pages of emails. What we heard them expose on the show last night was shocking, unprofessional, obstructive and, well, EMBARRASSING to the City of West Bend.

Emails exchanged between Mr. Tyree, the library board president Mrs. Engelbrecht, the city attorney, Mary Schanning, stated things such as:

What is the latest we have to announce the meeting date [with us}.... not ready to deal with the "media circus" (Board Pres. Mrs. E)

Contacted WBCC TV... "I am requesting the meeting NOT be taped.. " (Board pres. Mrs. E)

Referred to us and other complainants as "THOSE people" who go to CHURCH on Wednesday nights, so the meeting had to be moved to allow them to attend. (Really? I think people who are ATHEISTS would agree that PORN IS NOT FOR KIDS.)

LOTS MORE.

Will post the link once it is up and you can listen for yourself. (Tech probs...will be posted later, check back.)

The representation of West Bend by these people is an outrage. This is OUR hometown and they are poor representatives of this wonderful city and the residents and business owners that call this their hometown, too. This information brought disgrace upon us all.

A sad day...

West Bend School Board looking for a candidate, deadline nears

2009-03-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

Anyone interested in joining the West Bend School District Board has until April 8 to submit an application.

Application instructions are available on the school district’s Web site, said District Superintendent Patricia Herdrich during Monday night’s School Board meeting at Decorah Elementary School.

Long-serving board member John Duwell recently announced his resignation from the board.

The board will interview candidates on April 27 and seat Duwell’s replacement at the May 11 board meeting, explained Patricia Herdrich, district superintendent.

The person selected will complete Duwell’s term and be able to stand for election in April 2010.
Applicants are asked to present to the board a letter of interest, resume and a written answer to the question: “The West Bend Joint School District is responsible for educating all of the students within our community well for their future. How will you ensure that your decisionmaking is based on the best interest of all of the students we serve?”

The West Bend School District Web site address is www.west-bend.k12.wi.us.

West Bend School Board Candidates Questionnaire On Line

2009-03-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

An informational questionnaire that was given to the four school board candidates is now posted here:

http://wbsbinfo.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-03-24T09%3A34%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7

The current candidates are:

1. Kris Beaver (incumbent)
2. Carl William Knepel
3. Randy Stark
4. Tim Stepanski

Be informed on April 7th!

West Bend Citizens go ahead with meeting despite refusal of Library Board/Director

2009-03-24T07:38:00.002-07:00

PORNOGRAPHIC BOOKS IN THE WEST BEND LIBRARY MEETING BACK ON CALENDAR
THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 6:30 P.M.
SILVERBROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL GYMNASIUM

WEST BEND, WI: Though the West Bend Community Memorial Library director, Michael Tyree, has cancelled the meeting to discuss pornographic books in the Youth section of the library, concerned West Bend citizens will still be holding the meeting at the same place, same date and same location.

Excerpts from the explicit, graphic, and pornographic materials will be read and displayed for parents and other taxpayers to see what is in the West Bend Library. Parents are strongly urged NOT to bring children to this meeting. We will be explaining what has taken place and what we are asking for in a very clear and concise manner.

Open mic time will be provided for any community members who wish to express their viewpoints, both for or against our complaint with the library, that being the offering of explicit, graphic, pornographic books for minor children.

Time will be limited to 3 minutes.

For more information call 1-866-910-2840.

West Bend woman shares opinion on library issue

2009-03-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

Maria Hanrahan discusses her opposing viewpoint with Morning Show host Bob Bonenfant.

Listen to the interview on WBKV aired yesterday (03/23) here in its entirety:

http://www.wbkvam.com/

******************************************************************************

Rose Fernandez video gives solid info

2009-03-23T13:29:00.002-07:00

Impressive.

NY City pulled " DEAL WITH IT " book from 371 school libraries citing RACY, RAUNCHY

2009-03-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

This is one book we are vehemently contesting at our public library:

(Curtsy to SafeLibraries)

The three R's in education were almost racy, raunchy and risqué.

Embarrassed city Department of Education officials yanked an eye-popping book from 371 middle and high schools because it contains sexually graphic material - including crude street language - that somehow landed on the recommended reading list for students.

The 300-page book - "Deal with It! A Whole New Approach to Your Body, Brain and Life as a Gurl" (Pocket Books) - has chapters called "The Boob Files," "What's Up Down There" and "Mystery in Your Panties."

Department spokeswoman Margie Feinberg said the sexual primer was mistakenly put on the list of suggested classroom library books and was delivered to schools. But she emphasized that the book was ordered removed before classes started last month because it was deemed inappropriate for adolescents to read.

.....

The authors call masturbation the "ultimate safe sex" and say while it's not talked about as much, girls play with their private parts as much as boys. There's also discussion of sex toys.
It tweaks the "double standard" in society that it's OK for boys to have premarital sex, but not girls.

Parents were outraged.

"Who was the genius who purchased this book? Didn't they look at the book before they ordered? This shows they don't know what the he** they're doing," said Queens parent Carmen Santana, whose 12-year-old attends middle school.

"It's disgusting. It's so insulting. It uses ghetto language."

Even students were surprised that the popular teen book made the public school reading list.
"Some of it is X-rated. Only mature people should read it," said Christina Rosario, 17, a senior at Stevenson HS in The Bronx who bought her own personal copy at a bookstore.

"It talks about sex and all the positions."

SafeLibraries posts on broken trust in West Bend

2009-03-21T15:46:00.002-07:00

West Bend Library Commits "Gross Error"; Refuses to Honor Materials Reconsideration Policy in Possibly Illegal Manner

The West Bend Community Memorial Library, West Bend, WI, has refused to honor its materials reconsideration policy in a possibly illegal manner. It agreed to review a citizen's complaint under that policy, the review was underway, then it stopped the review based on the recommendation of someone from the city government. The city attorney is not on the library board, yet the attorney claimed that certain statements made by the citizen outside the library were tantamount to a withdrawal of the request for reconsideration, and the library relied on that to stop the review midstream.

**********************************************************************

Found this interesting quote from the American Library Association:

"As for obscenity and child pornography, prosecutors and police have adequate tools to enforce criminal laws. Libraries are not a component of law enforcement efforts...." Source: American Library Association.

I see. Hmmmmm... So kids can't buy porn mags or step foot in an "adult" book store until they are 21 (in WI), but they can get it for FREE at our local library?

Makes sense to ME! :::::rolling eyes::::::

OR HOW ABOUT THIS?

"Parents who would tell their children not to read Playboy 'don't really care about their kids growing up and learning to think and explore.'"Judith Krug, ALA Director of OIF, Citizen, 9/18/95.

YIKES! :::::shaking head sadly:::::

________________________________________________________________

West Bend Library policy validates complaint

2009-03-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

'TIS A PUZZLEMENT!

What I find interesting is that the only directive for a complaint is that it must be a "written explanation" - and that a form is available upon request, but not that the form is "required." This would essentially mean that when we gave the library our original letter (which we were told was not sufficient and required the accompaniment of the "official form") and additional information (trying to be helpful, giving good explanations and excerpts), this should have been totally acceptable, if we ARE truly following the policy. We are, aren't we? Or are we making up rules as we go along?

West Bend Library REJECTS citizen complaint

2009-03-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

Click here: www.wissup.blogspot.com

Citizen RESPONSE to WB Library

2009-03-20T13:45:00.001-07:00

For Saturday morning West Bend News coverage, click HERE.

Dear Mr. Tyree,

We received your email with your requests to begin the complaint process over again as well as your cancellation of next week's board meeting on the 26th.

Let us reiterate:

To date, this is what we have done:

1. We sent an original letter outlining our concerns about the homosexual materials in the library as well as on the website.

2. You could not accept our letter as a complaint unless we filled out the "official form", so we complied and resubmitted the letter with the form. Keep in mind, we did not reiterate every point on the form as it was not possible. The letter with the complaint form should have sufficed.

3. We complied with Step 1 of the complaint procedure, meeting with the Young Adult librarian, Kristin Pekoll. We went over our complaints and brought along additional books that contained not only homosexual porn, but heterosexual porn. We explained that we additionally had issues with the list of books containing sexually graphic and pornographic. Attached is a copy of the minutes of our meeting with this librarian. Following that meeting, we were invited to move on to Step 2 off the complaint process.

4. We complied with Step 2 and met with yourself. We went over the same issues again with you. You explained to us that, while you understood our concerns, you could not really move the sexually explicit books to the adult section (as sexually explicit was our opinion and librarians do not have opinions). You also stated that you would not set the books in a separate section as no other library practiced that; therefore, you were not interested in that procedure, either. As for balance, we were of the understanding that you were presently looking into some books that we had suggested, but could not make promises. At the conclusion of that meeting, you told us that the next step would be to meet with the library board.

5. You obviously clearly understood our requests. Since that time, we sent an "addendum" that included other sexually explicit books to add to the original list we provided to you. We did not feel this "altered" our request, since it was the same issue, just more books.

6. We never withdrew our request. We do not consider our request withdrawn simply because the City Attorney feels we "omitted" something on it, only to start the process over again in a rather ridiculous manner, book for book.

7. We complied with Step 3 of the process and met with the board, only to have the meeting cancelled because of a very large turnout and a room that was beyond capacity.

We would like to clarify that our original request stands. We made them clear in the letter and email communications, as well as the required library complaint form. The purposes of meeting with library staff were to engage in dialogue, which we did, and we were asked to clarify our position from time to time as we went through the process. To date, all of our issues have been addressed by your staff. Based on your responses to our meetings, there is no reason for us to believe that going through more staff meetings a second time would yield any different response from the staff. There is no point in breaking up the request into sub requests and starting all over.

We have been through this process once now and we have not withdrawn anything. All we have done is respond to your requests for clarification and more specifics, which we have done carefully and thoroughly.

We insist on our appeal rights as we feel your withdrawal of our complaint is in gross error. We wish to proceed with the staff decisions that have already been fully discussed.

03/21/2009 TODAY'S COVERAGE in WB News:

In their responding e-mail Friday morning, the Maziarkas called Tyree’s decision “the library board’s attempts to unilaterally withdraw our appeal without our permission and duck the issue that has now garnered much public attention so as to maneuver the issue out of the public eye and scrutiny with delay and the use of more private meetings with staff.”

“They know what is in these books and they know they will be shamed by any public airing of it,” Ginny Maziarka wrote to the Daily News. “We would like to clarify that our original request stands,” the Maziarkas wrote to Tyree.

West Bend Library REJECTS citizen complaint/CANCELS BOARD MEETING

2009-03-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

EMAIL FROM WEST BEND LIBRARY DIRECTOR:

I spoke with our City Attorney this afternoon about the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form which you submitted on February 12, 2009. The original compaint objected to all books in the "Out of the Closet" category listed in the Young Adult section of the Library website. It did not object to specific books, only to the genre of books. Since the cancellation of the March 3, 2009 meeting, you have stated to the media, in blogs and to the City Attorney via email that you do not want to ban all of the books in the "Out of the Closet" category. The City Attorney interprets this to mean that your original complaint has been withdrawn. Ms. Schanning's analysis of what has been in the media, in blogs and what you have emailed to her is that you are now objecting to specific books within the genre.

For the Library Board to fully understand your Reconsideration Request to be addressed at the Board meeting, you will need to file individual requests about specific books that you object to and state reasons for your objection. These complaints will go through the normal reconsideration process which involves two meetings with Library staff before your requests can go before the Board. Thus, in order to provide time for the new Reconsideration Requests to proceed through the process, the Library Board meeting will not be rescheduled at this time. Instead, the Library will wait for the complaints to move forward before the meeting is scheduled.

Regarding the other issues that you raised in your initial complaint (such as relocating books within the Library, adding books to the collection from the perspective of ex-gays and removing or password protecting the website link), the City Attorney stated these are issues that do not necessarily require action on the part of the Library Board. Under normal Library procedures, requests such as these are handled by the library staff and library director. We can meet again to discuss your concerns on these issues and I can report the outcome of these discussions to the Library Board. Should the Library Board wish to comment upon any of these subjects they can request that I have these issues added to a Board meeting agenda.

Essentially, what is being requested is that you clarify your complaint and work through the existing process regarding any specific books which you object to.

Personally, it's important that I contact you with this information before you heard it from any other person or source.

Sincerely,

Michael Tyree

Michael Tyree, Library Director
West Bend Community Memorial Library
630 Poplar Street West Bend, WI 53095
Voice: 262-335-5151, ext. 125
FAX: 262-335-5150

_________________________________________________

So we need to fill out a form for each and every book we are questioning. Again.

(View our response in next post.)

Supt. Pat Herdrich defends referendum at 9 a.m. TODAY on WBKV - Call-in show!

2009-03-20T05:02:00.002-07:00

Superintendent Pat Herdrich will be discussing and defending the school board's proposed referendum questions up for auction on April 7.

Listen to her here - AM 1470 WBKV - at 9 a.m.

Thi s is a CALL-IN SHOW, so feel free to ask the HARD questions!

338-8622

It's Perfectly Normal - Or IS it?

2009-03-19T21:16:00.002-07:00

Is this for your 3rd through 6th grader? Your West Bend Library thinks so.

WARNING: EXPLICIT!

It's perfectly normal : a book about changing bodies, growing up, sex, and sexual health 1st ed. Harris, Robie H.
1 copy available at West Bend Community Memorial Library in Non-fiction

http://www.myppmc.com/Books%20-%20Pornogrphic%20Sch.%20Library%20Pictures.htm

(Note: Books by this author actually suggest that the child use porn to become aroused, or to think "sexy thoughts" about their "geography teacher" while masturbating.)

One review reads "... librarians will find it well worth fighting for if, by some chance, the need arises."

Indeed.

West Bend Library - more imbalance - but we're not surprised

2009-03-19T19:26:00.002-07:00

So, we found this intriguing...

The SHARE library system at the West Bend Community Memorial Library has books that shed positive light on Planned Parenthood (in the adult section), but.....hmmmmm....nothing that lends the truth to the PP agenda....

But we're not surprised.

An interesting article from Plan2Succeed.org -

Censorship- The ALA’s Bait and Switch Shell Game

Every fall the ALA has its annual “Banned Book” listing! Anyone who formally (meaning in writing) requests a book be removed and pursues this with the Library Board of Trustees is automatically labeled a “Censor.”

The ALA has in place the step by step procedures for handling these “censors.” By labeling a person, like me, a censor and making the issue a 1st Amendment question for debate and scrutiny in the public eye, the “censor” is locked in a fierce argument with the army of ALA backers including the ACLU, Playboy lawyers, average citizens, etc., who don’t want their 1st Amendment right stripped in the local library. This ploy leaves the inexperienced, lonely “censor” in the bait and switch game of citizens engaged in a “my rights vs. your rights” battle. As the argument makes the rounds on radio, TV, and newspaper, the library escapes the heat and the two sides become the issue …

When there is a justified reason to question a book (e.g., “Show Me”) for being in the children’s section of the local library, the heated debate may force the library to create its own in-house committee to review the material. (Note: There is never an independent review of the questioned material but the review is by librarians who are pledged to support the Library Bill of Rights. Once reviewed a recommendation may be given to the Board of Trustees for action. In our local library because of the books questioned while I was on the Board, the Trustees gave full authority to the hired Library Director to resolve the issue. But the end result predictably is: the material stays and is not removed unless there is a legal liability for the library, which is rare.

Ignored in the debate is the librarian who put the book on the shelf. The process of putting books on the shelf in library circles is called “Selective Review.” But in reality censorship may be taking place in the local library if the librarian is stacking the shelves with the ALA’s agenda. By labeling everyone who questions the “Selective Review” process a “Censor,” the librarian escapes the label and can continue to stack the shelves in favor of the ALA issues expressed at their annual meetings!

Business afraid NCAA games will cost them

2009-03-19T12:25:00.002-07:00

Interesting.

In a company-wide memo, M&I Bank officials are reminding employees that they should not use their office computers to listen to music on the Internet or watch non-business streaming video.

The memo, which was obtained by the Journal Sentinel, comes as the NCAA men's basketball tournament begins Thursday. CBS Sports, which has the video streaming rights to the tournament, has a free service called March Madness on Demand that allows PC users to see any game live on their computer.

Business afraid NCAA games will cost them

2009-03-19T12:25:00.001-07:00

West Bend resident/retired securities rep dishes on referendum

2009-03-18T15:01:00.002-07:00

My thoughts exactly.

Neil and Barb Thompson nail it on the head.

OK, so now we’re down from a $100 million dollar referendum to an $80,785,086 million one. Boy, what a relief ! I am sure this really impresses the families that are in danger of losing their jobs, homes or the ability to pay their rising utility bills, grocery bills, gas bills, car payments, etc. Oh, by the way – get this: It’s only going to cost an additional $10 per month (based on a $175,000 home) on your property tax bill. Don’t forget, the cost gets higher if your home value is higher. Remember, this is a 20-year payback. You can be sure that within two years there will be another referendum, and so it will continue.

Has anyone figured that the incoming tax revenues are already showing signs of dropping? We would believe home and business failures are continuing in our community. In fact, the economy has worsened considerably since the November referendum was canceled. Unemployment, bank and company bankruptcy figures have sky-rocketed. Bailouts from the government keep coming and there is no end in sight. West Bend’s unemployment rate has soared to 10.3 percent.

If the School Board hadn’t taken the tactic of going for “all or nothing” in the original $200 million referendum (plus possible cost over-runs) and would only have addressed the most critical problems at that time, perhaps they would have had some success. The reasoning behind the “all or nothing” referendum was reported to be that district Superintendent Pat Herdrich and the board didn’t want to slight any of West Bend’s schools. This resulted in a 2-1 defeat. Well, they got “nothing.”

Our high schools were offered a $250,000 “gift” for a new fitness center. The catch was the board and taxpayers had to come up with an additional $300,000-plus to build it. The person in charge of the deferred maintenance fund offered to take a $225,000-plus of the budgeted maintenance money and use it for the fitness center. This seems to us like “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” This fitness center seems like pork.

MORE HERE: http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA5LzAzLzE4I0FyMDA2MDA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

Poll on local WBKV website reveals community's voice - PLEASE VOTE

2009-03-17T05:17:00.000-07:00

The community speaks.

Local radio station WBKV has added the question below to their poll. (Left-hand side of page on the bottom.)

As of 8:20 a.m.

Select a Poll Question Below

Should sexually graphic material available now to ages 11-17 at the WB Public Library be re-classified for adults?

Yes, plain and simple

93.33%

No, hopefully parents will do the regulating

6.67%

100%

CLICK HERE TO VOTE.

Vote on referendum issue here, too!

Even the animals are waiting for their stimulus...

2009-03-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

I know it's kinda cheesy, but I couldn't resist.

***************

Bearack Obearma -

___________________

Animals that were formerly self-sufficient are now showing signs of belonging to the Democratic Party... as they have apparently learned to just sit and wait for the government to step in and provide for their care and sustenance.

WBKV RADIO INTERVIEW

2009-03-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

Please go to http://www.wissup.blogspot.com/ to obtain links from today's radio show on WBKV with Bob Bonenfant concerning the West Bend Library issue.

The show in its entirety will be posted on the WBKV website shortly. I'll include a link once it is up.

CLICK HERE www.wbkvam.com to listen to library interview with Bob Bonenfant.

Links to websites concerning WB Library issue...

2009-03-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

IF you live in West Bend, Germantown, Hartford, Slinger and Kewaskum, this meeting is for you. If you live in Dodge, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth and or Washington County - you are part of the shared library system. TAKE NOTICE.

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING IS THURSDAY, MARCH 26, AT 6:30 P.M.

SILVERBROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL

LINKS:
West Bend Library Home Page: http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/
Out of the Closet book recommendations on WB Library website: http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/yaglbtq.htm
ACLU statement: http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/03/aclu-we-are-not-afraid.html and http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/03/aclu-misinformed.html
WHY THE ACLU? http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/03/agenda-exposed-aclu.html
KEWASKUM STATESMAN statement: http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/03/kewaskum-statesman-refuses-to-share.html

WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR: http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/02/west-bend-library-thumbs-nose-at.html

Our requests are three-fold:
1. To bring balance to the YA Zone as well as the adult section of our library by providing faith-based and ex-“gay” books that oppose a pro-homosexual ideology .
2. That the book recommendation list under the name “Out of the Closet”, which brings a pro-homosexual connotation to the list, be renamed and include an equal balance of faith-based and ex-“gay” books that oppose a pro-homosexual ideology.
3. We are asking for the removal of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “The Geography Club” for their explicit pornographic sexual nature. We have additionally requested "Deal With It!" be withheld, as it appears that it is in the works for our YA Zone.

Our Library’s policy, in part B, states that they will endeavor to acquire materials that “meet the community’s needs and interests.” We expect our public library to protect our children and empower parents to decide what their children can read.

EXCERPTS (WARNING! SEXUALLY EXPLICIT! Do not click on the "excerpts" links if you do not wish to view pornographic and sexually graphic material.)

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower: The entire book can be found here: http://www.wattpad.com/112156-The-Perks-of-Being-A-Wallflower-Stephen-Chbosky or select exerpts can be found here: http://www.librarypatrons.org/book.asp?ID=56
2. Deal with it! : http://www.librarypatrons.org/book.asp?ID=24
3. The Geography Club: http://www.librarypatrons.org/book.asp?ID=31

POLICIES:
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, policies 53.1.15, 53.9 and 53.12: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/policymanual/index.cfm#S2-53%20Intellectual%20Freedom
WISCONSIN STATE STATUTES: http://wsll.state.wi.us/topic/familylaw/childexpl.html

HELPFUL PARENTAL LINKS (gives excerpts of books that a parent may be questioning):
1. http://www.safelibraries.org/
2. http://www.pabbis.org/
3. http://www.librarypatrons.org/book.asp?ID=24 (our favorite)
4. http://www.coalition4families.com/site/ArticleComment.aspx?id=12045&rpid=4486

"How did we get here?" QUOTE read on the air by Dan Kleinman (view entire article here): http://www.metrovoice.net/www.metrovoice.net/2008/0908_stlweb/0908_articles/whos_controlling_county_libraries.html

STATEMENT FROM WISCONSIN FAMILY COUNCIL: http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/02/wfc-disses-west-bend-library.html

WBKV radio interview this morning

2009-03-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

As promised, I'll be posting links to everything that was discussed about the West Bend Library issue on the WBKV radio show this morning with Bob Bonenfant. These links are for you to peruse and educate yourselves on the issue at hand.

Check back again in a little while for a new post.

Fernandez vs Evers debate THIS Friday 7 p.m.

2009-03-16T04:50:00.001-07:00

This oughta be good.

A debate between the two candidates for Wisconsin state superintendent will be broadcast statewide Friday night on public television and radio.

Tony Evers and Rose Fernandez are running to be the next superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction. The election for the nonpartisan position is April 7.

Evers currently serves as the deputy superintendent. Fernandez is a leading advocate of virtual schools.

Current superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster decided against seeking a third term.

Friday’s debate between Evers and Fernandez begins at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live by Wisconsin Public Television and Radio.

The superintendent governs Wisconsin’s public schools and administers state and federal aid.

T-shirt anyone? Thanks to Sykes

2009-03-13T04:34:00.001-07:00

LOLOLOL! Charlie Sykes.....

Newest Obama appointee's office raided by FBI. Left finally comes to terms that Obama is not Jesus.

Jesus could actually build a cabinet.

________________.

Illegals trump WI students - Doyle

2009-03-13T04:03:00.001-07:00

FROM THE BADGER HERALD

As a parent of a UW-system kid, I wholeheartedly agree with Joey...

We might not realize it, but those of us paying in-state tuition (or something near that) have a pretty sweet deal. Our university education is actually worth a lot more than we pay. In fact, over the whole University of Wisconsin System, the budget is north of $25,000 per student per year. Of that, residents pay only about $7,500 and non-residents around $22,000 in yearly tuition at UW-Madison campus.

.......

Residents of Wisconsin pay into the system since they (or at least their parents) pay taxes here. In return, those residents get a heavily discounted tuition rate.

.......

There is one problem. There are many who live, work and go to school in Wisconsin who are not technically residents. In fact, they are not technically even citizens of the United States. And if you’re not a citizen then you can’t be a resident — right?

Gov. Jim Doyle doesn’t think that sounds fair, so he has included a measure to grant “tuition remission for a person who is a citizen of another country” in his budget, provided this person meets three conditions. First, they must have graduated from a Wisconsin high school or received their equivalency in the state. Second, they must have lived in the state for three straight years. And third, they must swear they will take action to become a citizen.

.........

Setting all arguments regarding illegal immigration aside, the fact remains, by definition, illegal/undocumented workers do not pay state or federal income tax — save for the precious few that care deeply about the 16th Amendment — and therefore do not contribute into the treasuries that are used to fund the majority of an in-state education at a Wisconsin university.

.........

-- those who contribute the most should get the biggest discounts.

........

By including a clause requiring some form of service to the state, the governor could transform this measure from a partisan hack piece to a viable component in a greater move towards immigration reform. While it may not be viable to expect every 18-year-old illegal immigrant to find a job, it would not be off-base to require a year of volunteer work, or a commitment to service work during the summer months.

There are few who would argue that making education more accessible is fundamentally bad, but doing it in a decided sloppily fashion certainly can be.

AND HERE'S ANOTHER FINE COMMENTARY:

How did it suddenly become a priority to provide reduced tuition for people in the country illegally at a time when Wisconsin is facing a $1.6 billion budget deficit?

When Governor Doyle delivered his budget address in February, he said, “… keeping true to my promise, we will eliminate this $1.6 billion deficit without raising taxes.”

What he actually did was propose to raise taxes and fees on nursing home beds, daycare, and healthcare and other items by $368 million dollars. And part of that money is to fund a new government entitlement program… reduced tuition for illegal immigrants.

READ the entire post here: http://www.coalition4families.com/site/ArticleComment.aspx?id=12045&rpid=4486

Chamber sings kumbayah with WB School Board

2009-03-13T03:38:00.002-07:00

The West Bend COC said this today:

At the January meeting of the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, the board had an extended and impassioned discussion regarding the upcoming West Bend School District referendum. Ultimately the board voted unanimously to support both questions on the referendum in order to improve the facilities in our local schools.

The chamber recognizes that there is never a good time to ask the citizens of our community to support a tax increase. However, we believe that making an investment in our school facilities is too important to delay until the economy completely recovers. There are significant advantages to negotiating favorable construction prices in a down economy, thus we have decided to take a proactive stand on this issue.

............

Note the underlined portion.

Now compare to Joe Carlson and Kathy Van Eerden's most recent guest editorial statement below:

"We know there is never a good time for a building referendum."

And listen to the gentle brainwashing of the referendum video that has been distributed for your listening enjoyment here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY_Vz4_Hh68

Sound oddly similiar?

Could it be that the Chamber forgot to think of the taxpayers when singing...

"Someone's cryin...my lord....kumbayah......"

Taxpayers want a frugal and streamlined referendum. Someone's cryin....

West Bend School District cuts back......TEACHERS?

2009-03-12T05:03:00.002-07:00

HUH? I smell a STRATEGIC "GUILT" MOVE here...

The West Bend School District plans to cut $233,125 – including two high school teachers – from its proposed 2009-10 budget, under a plan unveiled this week by Superintendent Pat Herdrich. The district’s proposed total budget stands at $73,286,236, Herdrich said.

OK, wait a minute. We have been screaming for the school district to show us they are making efforts to cut back and streamline the budget like everyone else, and they are going to take away TEACHERS? With a staff of 1100 people, only 5oo being teachers, the decision is to dump TEACHERS?

Changes in the curriculum include reductions in the referendum-planning dollars, supplies and materials and staff development, she said.

OOPS! TOO LATE! The referendum is already here! The money is already spent! Darn! But it sounded good!

Funds are being shifted into capital equipment and textbooks because of the growth of the district, she said. Reduction in business and human resources will include accounts payable, athletic consulting services, and equipment and software, according to Herdrich’s plan. There will be an increase for the position of human resources coordinator, she said. At Silverbrook Middle School, there will be a 12-percent reduction in clerical and aide time, Herdrich said.

There is also a reduction in a substitute teacher position that will result in a net savings of $6,000 while an art teacher position will be returned following the significant reductions on the middle school level a year ago, Herdrich said. In athletics, the West Bend East and West boys swim programs plan to combine into one, she said.

NICE. So let's make everyone be horrified that we have to let some teachers go. Shame, shame on us. More and more the school board is looking like fools.

Agenda exposed - ACLU

2009-03-11T17:06:00.002-07:00

So why EXACTLY is the ACLU involved? Perhaps this will help..

The LGBT Project brings impact lawsuits in state and federal courts throughout the country— cases designed to have a significant effect on the lives of LGBT people.

The LGBT Project fights discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures and public education across five issue areas:

RELATIONSHIPS – Since the first marriage lawsuit for same-sex couples in 1972, the ACLU has been at the forefront of both legal and public education efforts to secure marriage for same-sex couples and win legal recognition for LGBT relationships.
SCHOOLS & YOUTH – The LGBT Project’s Schools & Youth program defends free expression in public schools, demands that learning environments do not encourage bullying and violence, and helps educators create an atmosphere respectful of students’ sexual orientation and gender identity.

KINDA OBVIOUS, ISN'T IT?

ADF puts WB Library issue on alert

2009-03-11T17:00:00.002-07:00

Alliance Defense Fund posts West Bend Library info...

Thanks for getting the word out, ADF! These materials, too, could be in YOUR library.

http://www.alliancealert.org/2009/03/11/wisconsin-aclu-watching-librarys-handling-of-gay-themed-books/#comment-64231

ACLU - We are not afraid

2009-03-11T14:59:00.002-07:00

West Bend News today.

The Milwaukee chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union says that when the West Bend Community Memorial Library Board takes up the complaint filed over gaythemed books in the library’s young adult collection, it should follow young adult policies that ensure materials are accessible, inclusive and appropriate for young readers.

Emilo De Torre, ACLU of Wisconsin youth and programs director, came to West Bend’s City Hall last week to learn more about a formal complaint made by Ginny and Jim Maziarka of West Bend on what they called questionable materials within the library system. The meeting was postponed because the large crowd attending exceeded the room’s capacity and would have resulted in a fire code violation.

______________________________________

A friend of mine lent some info...

According to the ACLU's comments, parents are to protect their children from the library now, and apparently this is what the library recommends to children...

"Kids...stay out of the library!"

Here are some interesting WI Statutes on Crimes Against Children.

948.11 Exposing a child to harmful material or harmful descriptions or narrations ...... (2) Criminal Penalties (a) whoever...loans to a child any harmful material....

948.055 Causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity.... (See post below on the book "Deal With It." ) or http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/03/west-bend-library-is-this-for-your-kids.html

948.05 Sexual exploitation of a child .... (1m) Whoever ....promotes...distributes, any recording of a child engaging in sexually explicit conduct may be penalized... (p) if the person knows the character and content of the sexually explicit conduct involving the child and if the person knows or....that the child engaging in the sexually explicit conduct has not attained the age of 18 years.

Then, there is this for libraries:
948.11 (4) Libraries and Educational Institutions.... (b) carry out the essential purpose of making available to all citizens a current, balanced collection of books.....that reflect the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of American society.

We have very specific statutes guarding children with regards to what they see, read and hear concerning sexually explicit material. The library is not above the law.

Abortion - Just charge it?

2009-03-10T15:26:00.002-07:00

I went to a Milwaukee abortion clinic today.

I had never been to an abortion facility. I had never seen one, either. I really didn't know what to expect. I thought it would be good to plug in a two-hour shift for the "40 Days for Life" project taking place right now. At the very least, I simply wanted to observe others, pray and offer information to help anyone who may consider another option.

This is what I learned:

1. You can charge an abortion on Visa or Mastercard. Weird, sick, disturbing, but true. How exactly does that look on your statement? Dead baby.......$1,000 (I have no idea what the going rate for killing kids is these days.)

2. You can pop a pill to rid yourself of that nasty child. The poster in the window calls it "Medication Abortion" and deems it 90 to 95% reliable. So what happens in the other 5 to 10% of the babies? Are they maimed and left for the abortionist to chop up and suction out? That was an odd statistic.

3. I got to meet the guy who counts the parts of the baby after it is murdered. Really, I did. Wonder what it is like to look at this EVERY DAY.

And now for the part that deeply moved me:

In the two-hour time span I was there, a total of approximately 10 women entered the facility. (I just can't call it a clinic. Something seems wrong with associating a clinic with a place that kills children. Seriously, wouldn't you say "clinic" when you talk about booster shots, ear infections, chicken pox...? Just can't do it.)
A beautiful young hispanic woman made her way to the door. She was offered a pamphlet with information, phone numbers and the like. She was asked to take time for a conversation, a cup of coffee, lunch....an opportunity. Her eyes pooled up and she spoke some gentle words in Spanish. Thankfully, the pamphlet was in Spanish, so we can only hope.... The abortion door opened and she was whisked inside.
Another sad-appearing, young and very pretty black woman came next. She got to the door, refused to speak, but turned around before entering and said, "It's too late. My baby is already dead." She began to cry, then went in. I'll never forget those big, beautiful, dark eyes filled with painful tears. I doubt she will ever forget her child's death day. Abortion doesn't just kill babies, it hurts Mommies, too.
An older couple, say late 30's, maybe early 40's, was next, holding hands, heads down. They appeared upset and afraid. No response. Also pulled in through the clinic door quickly by a worker.
Next, a black couple approached the facility. They took a pamphlet, saw a tiny model of a 12-week-old baby and were swept into the clinic. It was very quick and we could only pray. Approximately 45 minutes later the woman exited alone. My friend approached her to talk. She began to cry. She hugged, cried, sobbed on my friend's shoulder. She was devastated. She did not want an abortion, knew it was wrong, was afraid, and was confused. Shortly thereafter the boyfriend exited the facility. As he approached my friend, he began to break down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. He, too, admitted he did not want his girlfriend to have the abortion, but he was feeling confused, as well. They both wanted desperately to find another avenue. They were given phone numbers of people to call for support. The woman was grateful and took information, and gave her phone number to us to follow up and lend help. This is what I call a "God thing", because it certainly didn't happen because we have these cool brochures or can offer some stimulating reward for choosing life. It was God, and God alone that worked that one out.

Others came and left, in and out....but the ultimate lesson was this:

It was worth it.

Former abortionist, Dr. Bernard Nathanson, who killed over 75,000 babies said this "It is clear that permissive abortion is purposeful destruction of what is undeniably human life. It is an impermissible act of deadly violence. One must concede that unplanned pregnancy is a wrenchingly difficult dilemma, but to look for its solution in a deliberate act of destruction is to trash the vast resourcefulness of human ingenuity and to surrender the public weal to the classic utilitarian answer to social problems."

Selah.

Explicit PORN BOOK for KIDS needs to be addressed at WB Library

2009-03-10T07:21:00.001-07:00

This is not for the faint of heart.

So I am giving you an option.

You can click on the link below to find out what book is on our shelves in YOUTH FICTION at the WEST BEND COMMUNITY MEMORIAL LIBRARY, or you can ignore the situation completely. It would be nice if it would go away if we just act like it's not there.....but acting doesn't change anything. It IS there. It IS PORNOGRAPHIC, COMPLETE WITH PICTURES.

WARNING ***EXPLICIT***

This link will send you to my other blog, one in which I lend commentary to, unlike this blog, which I only occasionally do.

I have posted a partial excerpt, blocked out some of the words, and refused to post in entirety as it is too explicit.

If I can't post it, the television stations and radio can't read it out loud, why can kids have it? If I have to warn you and offer protection before proceeding, that should be enough to be concerned.

It's beyond me.

Read the post at your own risk. But I am warning you HERE and allowing you the choice to become informed.

File your own complaint with the library and demand its' removal.

LINK: http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/03/west-bend-library-is-this-for-your-kids.html

West Bend School Board Plays Guilt Card with Community

2009-03-10T06:04:00.002-07:00

As the April 7 election draws near, West Bend School Board members remain united in their support for the $68.8 million referendum.

Fifth-graders from Fair Park, Decorah and McLane elementary schools will move to Badger and Silverbrook middle schools, respectively. Fair Park fifth-graders would move in 2009, Decorah in 2010 and McLane by 2011. In addition, the district discussed purchasing another trailer for Fair Park Elementary to handle the immediate student growth.

To accommodate the fifthgraders moving to Badger, classroom space would be made available in the Badger pool area and the presentation centers at Silverbrook. The Badger pool would be filled in time for the start of the 2009-10 academic school year to create more classroom space. Classroom populations, though, would increase.

OK, LET'S CLARIFY some things here...

I was at the prior work sessions and board meetings. This is the scoop.

1. Our school district has 1100 employees, only 500 of whom are teachers. DOESN'T THAT CONCERN YOU? Did our school board make any cutbacks to show they are sincere with our district finances before asking for referendum money? NOPE.

2. Split shifting and trailers and transition, oh my! Guess what? We might have to join the rest of the world. KNOW WHY? Because we have consequences for the deferred maintenance that have now caught up with us. SO BE IT until we take care of WHAT WE HAVE.

3. Though the district is claiming we need to, sadly, fill in Badger Pool to make room for more classrooms, in a prior meeting they had determined the COST TO FILL IN THE POOL WAS TOO EXORBITANT. Therefore, laying flooring over the pool and doing the same was more cost effective. Know what the REAL REASON behind the pool issue is? The school board couldn't get the CITY OF WEST BEND to assist with maintenance and upkeep. Well, you do what you have to do. Cover it up, get some classrooms in there, and move on. Why hasn't this been worked into the referendum before asking for $$$ for a new school and ridiculous high-tech security systems we can't afford. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out....

4. The Board is using the sad ADA compliance issue to shame us further. Puhlease. We have been in this state for YEARS. Again, why did this happen? Why aren't we sinking our teeth into this issue instead of asking for referendum money for a new school and high-tech security systems, etc. (sound familiar? read #4 above) Why aren't we looking at what DID NOT GET DONE AND DO IT before killing the community with this outrageous referendum? See #6 below.

5. We don't even take care of what we have. If you walked into someone's home that had paint peeling off of walls, piles of messy "junk" stacked in closets and spare bedrooms, unfixed cracks in walls and an overall feeling of "who cares", would you lend them the money to put on new siding? Build a new roof? Landscape? I think not. The same applies to this referendum.

6. Let's not forget that the school board just took it upon themselves to spend nearly $1K of our district money to purchase land for a school that has not been ok'd by the community in this referendum. Perhaps we could have done some long-overdue maintenance with that money? Here we go again...

By the way, the $10 per month quote does not compute. Add on the estimated bonding and the math is, not surprisingly, oddly different than the school district is quoting in their mailings. But don't take MY word for it. Email Brian Dasher bdasher@west-bend.k12.wi.us or call him at (262) 335-5403 and ask him to explain the figures to you.

The West Bend School Board thinks it can guilt and shame the community into voting yes on the referendum.

The only guilt and shame that should be recognized is upon our School Board.

Vote NO until they get it right.

West Bend Library - Is this for YOUR kids?

2009-03-09T18:42:00.002-07:00

***WARNING***

Before you go any further - offensive material below. Proceed with caution.

Offered in the Young Adult section of your West Bend Community Memorial Library:

http://www.sharelibraries.info/uhtbin/cgisirsi/ufPGimOcsb/WESTBEND/107910244/5/0

Deal With It ! : a whole new approach to your body, brain, and life as a gURL
Esther Drill
Pocket Books
309 pages
Copyright 1999
MCMLS Call No. YA – 305.235 - Dri
Library Catalog Summary: None given
Library Catalog Subjects: Teenage girls- Life skills
1 copy available at West Bend Community Memorial Library in Non-fiction

- A large portion of the book deals with sex instruction for girls. A FCPS library catalog review says this book is the translation of a website into print and "..a good deal of the text is made up of outtakes from girls' online dialogues culled from the site.." The review states the book is "happily nonphallocentric" and discusses "topics and details that more conservative guides might skip."

Well, if it is more conservative than Hustler or Playboy, I would have to agree.

- The book describes oral sex, anal sex, group sex, masturbation, orgasms, sex toys including dildos and vibrators, homosexuality, bisexuality, and other sex topics. The book has specific instructions for different sex acts along with cartoon images and "advice" from girls taken from the website describing their own sexual experiences and viewpoints.

And this advice came from minors FOR minors? This book has sex acts? FOR MINORS?

- The front cover has a girl in a flasher raincoat facing away from the reader flashing. The next page has her flashing the reader in a bra, underwear and boots. The back cover contains a plug for the book from Francesca Block, an author of many controversial books.....

- “MASTURBATION playing with yourself jerking off whacking off spanking the monkey jacking off jilling off buttering the biscuit So you get turned on. What do you do about it? ..do it standing, sitting, or lying down. ..use.. fingers (TOO EXPLICIT) a helpful way to get acquainted with your body… everyone is her own first and most efficient sex partner.. no risk, no pressure. ..ultimate safe sex. ..vibrator.. fingers in my XXXX.. rub your XXX with an ice cube.. feels great afterward.. put your hands or a blanket.. between your legs, squeeze.. rock.. apply pressure.. rub in a circle.. do it hard and fast. ..Many people get turned on by watching other people touch themselves. masturbating together is a fairly popular activity among couples who have sex on a regular basis.. Some people don’t start masturbating until much later in life.. whatever feels good to you is the right thing to do.”

- “ORGASM the big ‘O’ (EXPLICIT) getting off getting your rocks off the little death.. undeniably great.. pleasure center is the xxxx .. manipulating and stimulating.. sexual intercourse-inserting a (BODY PART).. moving it in and out-doesn’t pay much attention to the clitoris.”
- “My boyfriend wants to (EXPLICIT) me,..”
- “Hand job… Just squeeze and (EXPLICIT)… usually when I give a hand job, it’s after we’ve been making out for a while and we’re starting to take off each other’s clothes off.. seems to drive him crazy.. when it comes to me giving him (EXPLICIT).. he usually just stimulates himself by (EXPLICIT).. when he is about to go, I.. take over..”
- “dry sex.. felt his (BODY PART) through his pants..”
- “going down on him giving (EXPLICIT) oral sex on a guy..

and it only gets worse. I figured if they can offer this book to our kids, I should be able to post it here, right? Wrong. It is much too pornographic for me to put any more excerpts here. If you aren't concerned about this material being offered to kids as young as 11, then this post is not for you.

But you don't have to take MY word for it.

http://www.librarypatrons.org/book.asp?ID=24

Somebody ELSE can step up to the complaint file on this one. Won't you please join me?

Wikipedia erases Obama eligibility

2009-03-09T06:12:00.002-07:00

Amusing....

Wikipedia, the online "free encyclopedia" mega-site written and edited entirely by its users, has been deleting within minutes any mention of eligibility issues surrounding Barack Obama's presidency, with administrators kicking off anyone who writes about the subject, WND has learned.

A perusal through Obama's current Wikipedia entry finds a heavily guarded, mostly glowing biography about the U.S. president.

...............

Indeed, multiple times, Wikipedia users who wrote about the eligibility issues had their entries deleted almost immediately and were banned from re-posting any material on the website for three days.

In one example, Wikipedia user "Jerusalem21" added the following to Obama's page:

"There have been some doubts about whether Obama was born in the U.S. after the politician refused to release to the public a carbon copy of his birth certificate and amid claims from his relatives he may have been born in Kenya. Numerous lawsuits have been filed petitioning Obama to release his birth certificate, but most suits have been thrown out by the courts."
As is required on the online encyclopedia, that entry was backed up by third-party media articles, citing the Chicago Tribune and WorldNetDaily.com

The entry was posted on Feb. 24, at 6:16 p.m. EST. Just three minutes later, the entry was removed by a Wikipedia administrator, claiming the posting violated the websites rules against "fringe" material.

..............

The entire Wikipedia entry on Obama seems to be heavily promotional toward the U.S. president. It contains nearly no criticism or controversy, including appropriate mention of important issues where relevant.

For example, the current paragraph on Obama's religion contains no mention of Wright, even though Obama's association with the controversial pastor was one of the most talked about issues during the presidential campaign.

.............

WND monitored as a Wikipedia user attempted to add Ayers' name to an appropriate paragraph. One of those additions, backed up with news articles, read as follows:

"He served alongside former Weathermen leader William Ayers from 1994 to 2002 on the board of directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago, which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project, and also from 1994 to 2002 on the board of directors of the Joyce Foundation. Obama served on the board of directors of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge from 1995 to 2002, as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1991. Ayers was the founder and director of the Challenge."

Within two minutes that Wikipedia entry was deleted and the user banned from posting on the website for three days, purportedly for adding "Point of View junk edits," even though the addition was well-established fact.

Wikipedia erases Obama eligibility

2009-03-09T06:12:00.001-07:00

Wash. Cty, Homeschool team wins in Omaha, NB!

2009-03-09T06:07:00.000-07:00

I know some of these kids and they are majorly talented.... Congrats!!!

The Washington County Home School Association’s varsity boys and girls competed in the regional home school tournament in Omaha, Neb.

There are 16 varsity boys teams and nine varsity girls teams participating. So far the boys have won their first three games of the tournament.

The boys won their first game 72-39 over the Kirksville Knights.

They had an 84-44 victory over the Wichita Defeders in game two, in which Peter Giove lead all scorers with 17. Nate Gumness and Tyler Koepke adding 12 a piece and Josh DeSmidt with 10.

The second game, Koepke took top scoring honor with 19 and DeSmidt put in 17 a close second. McColloch and Gumness both added 14 points.

In the third game, the top scorers were Tyler Koepke and Daniel McColloch, both with 21 points. McCulloch came out with three 3-pointers in row in the first quarter and Koepke followed that up with three 3-pointers in the second quarter and ended with five 3-pointers in the game. The boys won that game 68-40 against the FFAI Defenders.

The girls Lost their first game on Thursday 74-48 to the Wichita Defenders.

They bounced back Friday with a 55-45 victory over the St. Louis Patriots.

In the first game, the Eagles were lead in scoring by Abby Hovorka with 11 points and was followed by Dannelle Schubert with 10.

In the second game Hovorka again lead all scorers with 14 points, while Joanna Giove had 12.

Daylight savings - set clocks ahead - reminder

2009-03-07T21:40:00.002-08:00

Daylight savings starts at 2 a.m.

Set clocks ahead 1 hour.

KEWASKUM STATESMAN refuses to inform locals

2009-03-07T20:54:00.000-08:00

And now, for the rest of the story.

Sent a letter to the editor of THE KEWASKUM STATESMEN with the information concerning the homosexual and pornographic books offered in the YA Zone of the WB Community Memorial Library. Parents can then choose to oversee their children concerning these books, or speak to their librarian directly.

This is Andrew Kuehl's response.

"I am writing to tell you, I will NOT be running your letter to the editor.

To tell my readers that they should avoid our wonderful community library would be in my mind very detrimental.

I think the library needs to carry books that will be enjoyed by all no matter what they are.I think parents and whom ever should take responsibility and avoid the library if they think what is in the library has on the shelves is unappealing. There are plenty of Christian book stores where you can buy the books or materials you want before your children until they are 18 and not in your control any longer. I think it is completely outrageous that you think it's the library's job to tell us what we can and can not read. Whatever happened to taking r esponsibility?

If you don't like what's at the library and you want to completely control what your kid reads then go and get a selection of books for he or she.

Furthermore, who are you to judge what's right and wrong. That's God's job. Yes, in the Bible is says homosexual acts are an abomination. It also says that you shouldn't eat certain things.

If people want to live that sort of lifestyle, they eventually will need to answer to the one who judges us all. In the mean time, just take of your front porch and make sure that everything you or those with your mindset do you can answer for when your judgement time comes.Please leave our Libraries alone.

If I run a commitment ceremony notice in the paper I suppose you'll be writing me a similar letter. This is the society we live in. You can't avoid it. All you can do is take care of ourselves and make sure we do the best we can!

Andrew R. Kuehl
STATESMAN
Printing & Publishing LLC
240 Main Street
PO Box 98
Kewaskum, WI 53040-0098
262-370-0831
Office/Mobile
262-626-1382 fax
andrew@kewaskumstatesman.com"

NOTE: Mr. Kuehl accuses me of telling his readership to avoid the library. I did not. I gave him the same information I gave our WB Library. Nothing more, nothing less. It seems he is not comprehending the information that was within my letter to the editor.

Furthermore, we are not asking for all "Christian" books to be placed on the shelves. People leave homosexuality every day. The information should be there for those wanting it, seeking it, needing it. Our library needs to give everyone with UNWANTED SAME SEX ATTRACTION the resources needed in order to make an educated decision.

Mr. Kuehl goes on to say it is God's job to judge what is right and wrong, not mine, yet he continues on with judging me for what I feel is dangerous to the children in the communities our libraries serves. So how exactly does this work? He can judge me and make accusations that are faith-based, but I should not?

What is clear is this.

Mr. Kuehl would rather keep his friendships with the local libarian(s) than respect the parents/families in his community by giving them the opportunity to know what is available to their children on the bookshelves at their local library.

It also seems that Mr. Kuehl is more concerned about his readership than the children in the Kewaskum area who are patrons of the local library.

This editor refuses to run my letter on the grounds that he does not agree that the families deserve to know.

A sad statement, indeed.

ACLU misinformed...

2009-03-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

The West Bend Community Memorial Library Board on Tuesday evening postponed consideration of a complaint filed over gay-themed books in the library’s young adult collection. Over 200 people came to the board’s scheduled meeting, including a representative of the ACLU of Wisconsin. When the library takes up the issue, the ACLU of Wisconsin believes it should follow young adult policies that ensure materials are accessible, inclusive, and appropriate for young readers

....

"The ACLU of Wisconsin will continue to monitor development in West Bend closely.”

_____________________________________________________________

The ACLU is misinformed about what our requests are pending before the West Bend library board.

In accordance with ALA policy, we are seeking more speech, balanced speech, not less. We are asking for inclusiveness of additional titles so that the entire collection regarding gayness is not gay-affirming or gay promoting. We are asking for critical literature about leaving the gay lifestyle and materials that explain the effects of the gay lifestyle.

We do not feel it is too much to ask that no books in the juvenile section of our library contain pornographic explicit descriptions of sex acts.

Every time a librarian makes a decision about what books to buy, keep and throw, they are part of the editorial decisionmaking, i.e., censorship, process. We expect our librarians to use wise editorial judgement pursuant to their own policies. If citizens have no input on this editorial process, then our library would be turned into a private library paid for by taxpayer money.

Just because a book is aimed at children does not mean it is appropriate for children. The publishers who are benefitting from the sale of these books have a biased interest.

If our librarians feel that homosexual books for our youth and books with explicit pornographic sex acts are appropriate for our youth, then we feel they are exercising poor judgement and should not be supported by taxpayer money.

Accountability is the hallmark of government; therefore, we are holding our library accountable for the choices it is making for our youth and our community.

Sensenbrenner Town Hall Meeting in West Bend THIS Sunday

2009-03-06T15:21:00.000-08:00

Join ................

Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner

for a Town Hall Meeting
THIS Sunday, March 8, at 1 p.m.
West Bend City Hall

...................to discuss the issues on your mind.

Location: West Bend City Hall, Council Chambers (2nd Floor).
The address is 1115 S. Main Street in West Bend.

For the complete list of upcoming town hall meetings,
please refer to the website at http://sensenbrenner.house.gov

Obama to give the checkered flag on stem cell research

2009-03-06T14:24:00.002-08:00

This comes as no surprise.

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is expected to sign an executive order on Monday reversing restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. The long-expected move is likely to stir up not only the promise of scientific breakthrough but also the controversy over where government crosses a moral line.

'SCUSE ME? That line was crossed a long time ago.

...

Such research is controversial because embryos must be destroyed to obtain the cells; they typically are culled from fertility-clinic leftovers otherwise destined to be thrown away..

Interpretation: "Such research is controversial because babies must be murdered to obtain the cells; they typically are raped from the wombs of abortion patients, called leftovers by the killers, and otherwise demeaned into something less than a viable life form gift from God.
...

But leading researchers consider embryonic stem cells the most flexible, and thus most promising, form — and say that science, not politics, should ultimately judge.

Interpretation: "But professional killers consider gleaning what they need from dead babies, and thus they are the most promising form - and say that murderers, not God, should ultimately judge.

West Bend Hits All-Time Unemployment Rate in Decades

2009-03-06T12:33:00.001-08:00

Keep this in mind with the upcoming referendum.... It's a reality check.

West Bend is one of six cities in Wisconsin where unemployment figures hit double digits in January.

Unemployment in West Bend is at 10.3 percent, according to statistics released Thursday by the state Department of Workforce Development. Only Beloit and Racine had higher than 10 percent unemployment the previous month.

“I think you have to go back to the 1980s to see unemployment levels as severe as this,” said John Heyer, chairman of the Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington Workforce Development Board. He is president of Kettle Moraine Coating Inc. in Jackson.

There were periods of recession in 1992 and 2000 that increased unemployment figures, Heyer said, but neither of those lasted as long as this economic downturn looks like it will run.

“A lot of people today have not experienced this before,” he said.

Heyer has worked with the W-O-W Workforce Development Board and its predecessor agency since the mid-1980s.

Local unemployment “is high and it’s been high for awhile,” he said. “A number of companies have had layoffs and it all added up.”

Also crossing the 10 percent unemployment threshold were Sheboygan, 10 percent; Green Bay, 10.3 percent; and Janesville, 13.1 percent.

Beloit and Racine continued to have the highest unemployment rates of the state’s cities: Beloit, 15.1 percent; Racine, 13.5 percent.

The Janesville area, including communities next to the city, had the highest metropolitan area unemployment rate at 11.6 percent.

The statewide unemployment rate is 7.6 percent.

Gina Ford Dashes Liberal Control Freaks

2009-03-06T12:21:00.001-08:00

Whether the liberals are passing a stimulus bill that creates a new government agency to compile an electronic database of the medical records of every American, “stealing” a working man’s money and giving it to an illegal alien, or attempting to prevent a person from owning a gun to defend themselves, it is obvious that they are delusional control freaks.

Delusional liberals want to punish good, honest Americans. However, with their simpleton mindset they think that criminals will be controlled by taking guns away from law abiding citizens. They think it is wise to subsidize the unproductive in society by rewarding them with the fruit of another man’s labor. Liberals promote universal health care, yet they also think it is compassionate to ration this care and deny grandma’s heart surgery because it is not cost effective. This is not change—it is mob rule by the federal government.

...........

Free men do not have to report ownership of their guns, pay taxes for the right to own a gun, and submit to psychiatric evaluations. Only subjects of an oppressive government are forced to submit to this kind of treatment. As Thomas Jefferson wisely noted, “. . . no free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” This bill is un-American and unconstitutional!

The liberals who support this legislation want you to keep your gun unloaded and locked up. A lot of good this will do when you wake up to a burglar or rapist in your home. Whatever happened to women’s rights that the liberals are so committed to? Shouldn’t a woman have the right to choose to defend herself against a rapist? The liberal elites want us to believe that criminals will obey this law when criminals already ignore the numerous gun laws already on the books. Obviously, liberals’ brains are fried. The only global warming going on in DC is in their heads.

Brownback plays abortion card

2009-03-06T12:14:00.001-08:00

A pro-life activist says Senator Sam Brownback's decision to support pro-abortion Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius for Health and Human Services secretary shows that his commitment to the unborn is merely political rather than a core value.

Kansas Republican Senators Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts issued a joint statement congratulating Sebelius on her HHS nomination, saying they "look forward to working with her on issues important to the state." Sebelius is a Catholic who says she personally believes abortion is wrong, yet has opposed restrictions on late-term abortions and is a friend and defender of notorious Wichita abortionist George Tiller.

Mark Crutcher, president of Life Dynamics, Incorporated, says Brownback -- a self-professed pro-life Catholic -- "abandoned" the unborn by backing Sebelius.

"I think it's typical of what we've seen over the years when somebody's commitment to the unborn is political rather than a core value with them," says the pro-life leader. "It's like the difference between a politician and a statesman." Crutcher says Brownback's desire to become the next governor of Kansas may be driving his support of Sebelius.

"All of Brownback's flowery words in the past don't really mean much," he says. "When push comes to shove, he'll throw the unborn under the bus for some political advantage -- and that's what's happened here."

And now, for a brief intermission. and an amazing feat..

2009-03-06T04:58:00.000-08:00

So..my kids decided to experiment with cupcake batter last week. After using various colors, they layered and mixed, drew and swirled.

I was most amused by the "battered state of Wisconsin", pun intended. Nice job, kiddos!

Moonbattery lends 2 cents

2009-03-06T04:52:00.001-08:00

For an appalling example of how the degenerate moonbat establishment is shaping the next generation in its image, check out the YA Zone for young adults (grades 6-12) at Wisconsin's West Bend Community Memorial Library. It features a large section entitled "Out of the Closet: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Fiction and Non-Fiction."

..................

The list goes on and on and on. The intent to encourage children to experiment with homosexual depravity is glaring.

If we don't take our culture back, it's going to continue to be transformed into something so unhealthy and unclean, we'll thank Muslims for wiping it away.

Wright State makes a mistake...

2009-03-04T20:07:00.001-08:00

DAYTON, Ohio, March 2, 2009

—Wright State University has banned a Christian group from meeting on campus because of its requirement that voting members be Christian and its refusal to accept "nondiscrimination" language that would eliminate faith-based standards for its voting members. In response, the Campus Bible Fellowship has turned to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) for help.

"A Christian group has the right to be Christian, a Jewish group has the right to be Jewish, and a Muslim group has the right to be Muslim," said FIRE President Greg Lukianoff. "Courts have affirmed this principle time and time again. It is shocking that in a free society, public universities like Wright State still don't seem to understand or respect this crucial component of religious liberty."

After more than 30 years of existence as a registered student organization at Wright State, the Campus Bible Fellowship (CBF) was prohibited from re-registering in 2009. On January 30, according to CBF representatives Joe Hollaway and Gary Holtz, CBF was informed by Wright State's Office of Student Activities that its registration was being denied for two reasons. First, CBF refused to adopt university-mandated nondiscrimination language in its membership requirements that would have stripped the group of the right to require voting members to adhere to religious and behavioral standards. (Nonvoting members did not have to meet these standards.) Second, Wright State objected to the requirement in CBF's constitution that voting members "accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior" and subscribe to the group's articles of faith. Strangely, however, Wright State has so far refused to put this decision in writing.
CBF, which has been unable to meet on campus since the decision, contacted FIRE for help. FIRE wrote to Wright State President David R. Hopkins on February 12, informing him of federal legal precedent setting forth the principle that "if Wright State is to allow expressive organizations to exist on its campus at all, it must allow religious organizations to exist, to define their missions, [and] to select their own members." FIRE also pointed to its victories in similar religious liberty cases at Ohio State University and at Tufts University.

"Wright State's demands are not only unconstitutional, they are nonsensical," said Robert L. Shibley, FIRE's vice president. "It makes no sense for the university to force a group that exists to communicate its version of the Christian message to accept voting members or leaders who reject that very message."

UW Hospital Board - Oppose the reelection of Abortion Supporters

2009-03-04T19:36:00.001-08:00

There will be a Public Hearing on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 10:00 AM in room 411 South at the State Capitol.

The Senate Health Committee will be voting on the following appointments to the UW Hospital Board:
Roger Axtell - voted FOR 2nd TRIMESTER ABORTION at the Madison Surgery Center
Mike Weiden - voted FOR 2nd TRIMESTER ABORTION at the Madison Surgery Center
Pablo Sanchez - voted AGAINST 2nd TRIMESTER ABORTION at the Madison Surgery Center

Also being voted on:

Sheldon Wasserman (Pro-Abortion) for State Examining Board.

Contact the following members of the Senate Health Committee and urge a NO on Axtell and Weiden:
Senator Jon Erpenbach (Chair) (D) (608) 266-6670 Or (888) 549-0027
Senator Tim Carpenter (Vice-Chair) (D) (608) 266-8535 Or (800) 249-8173
Senator Judith Robson (D) (608) 266-2253 or (800) 334-1468
Senator Julie Lassa (D) (608) 266-3123
Senator Mary Lazich (R) (608) 266-5400 Or (800) 334-1442
Senator Ted Kanavas (R) (608) 266-9174 Or (800) 863-8883
Senator Alberta Darling (R) - 608-266-5830 or 262-250-9440

Clearing the air - a necessary post

2009-03-04T04:25:00.000-08:00

I feel I must take a moment to clear the air about something that took place yesterday.

Channel 6 came to my house for an interview about the West Bend Library issue. The interview went well and they left.

These same interviewers approached a library patron, Kristina Smithers, and told her we were looking to "remove the homosexual books from the shelves" altogether (which we are NOT). With this misunderstood information, she went on the air last night as someone who was in "opposition" to what we are doing.

Kristina had the guts and grace to approach my husband and myself upon our arrival at last night's meeting to let us know she was in full agreement with our requests.

Because of the MISREPRESENTATION BY CHANNEL 6 NEWS, Kristina (whom we had never met before, by the way) took some undeserved hits from friends and others who know her strong Christian beliefs. We assured Kristina that we understood and sat together with her at the meeting (I'm sure that REALLY threw some people off...). All is well.

If you know this lady, and even if you DON'T, please call and encourage her today. She could use some Band-Aids over her wounds..... She lives in West Bend.

Thanks...

West Bend Library Board Meeting Will Be Moved

2009-03-04T04:22:00.000-08:00

What was anticipated to be a lengthy Library board meeting Tuesday night turned out to be a very short evening for everyone involved.

That’s because an overflow crowd forced the postponement of a meeting that was scheduled to discuss a recent complaint filed by West Bend residents Ginny and Jim Maziarka about questionable materials available within the West Bend Community Memorial Library.

The large crowd of people that included students and adults of all ages had hoped to offer their opinions on this subject, but the numbers exceeded the 265-capacity limit of the council chambers at City Hall. The room also included all four Milwaukee television stations.

“We have exceeded room capacity, and the meeting will have to be postponed to a later date to accommodate the (large) crowd,” Library Board President Kathryn Engelbrecht told the audience. “We apologize for the inconvenience, but it’s for the safety of everyone.”

Members of the West Bend Police Department became concerned about the steady flow of people entering the chambers minutes before and shortly after the scheduled 7 p.m. start. After consulting with the Library Board, Library Director Michael Tyree and West Bend Assistant City Attorney Cheryl Wentland, Engelbrecht announced that due to a fire code issue, the meeting could not start until a representative of the West Bend Fire Department arrived to take a people count.

A subsequent count by Fire Department Shift Lieutenant Chuck Briske and the Police Department determined that the room was over capacity and the meeting would have to be postponed. Engelbrecht announced the decision to a crowd, which filed out of the Chambers disappointed but in an orderly fashion.

“It’s disappointing that the meeting didn’t take place, but we agree with the Fire D e p a r t m e n t , ” Ginny Maziarka said. “It is there right to call the meeting off because of the large crowd.”

The board meeting was originally scheduled to take place at the Library, where it is normally held on a monthly basis, but the combination of limited space and the anticipated large crowd forced it be shifted to a larger venue.

“I know there’s a lot of disappointed people,” Tyree said. “I thought with a large place that we could have had the meeting tonight.”

The Library Board was scheduled to hear opinions regarding the Library offering pro-homosexual content through books in the YA (Young Adult) Zone and via a link on their Web site.

The Maziarkas had requested the Library to provide an equal balance of faith-based and ex-“gay” books that oppose a prohomosexual ideology, a change in a book recommendation list which is currently titled, “Out of the Closet,” the removal of two books for their explicit graphic sexual nature and the removal or password protection of a Web page that lists book titles about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender topics.

“ We’re disappointed by what happened, but this will give the community a chance to do more research (on this issue),” Ginny Maziarka said. “All we want to see is more balance in our library.”

Despite the meeting’s postponement, Jim Maziarka was impressed by the turnout. “This speaks volumes of the level of interest and the community involvement,” he said.

No timetable was made by the Library Board as to when the meeting will be rescheduled or when location will be determined.

Did interviews this afternoon with Channels 4, 6 and 58

2009-03-03T15:55:00.002-08:00

Watch your local news tonight for an update on the West Bend Library homosexual book offerings for children.

Watch the 5 o'clock interview here:

http://www.fox6now.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3506409

REMINDER!! West Bend Library Board Meeting About Gay Books for Youth TONIGHT

2009-03-03T10:53:00.000-08:00

***ALERT**

MEETING LOCATION CHANGED

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN LOCATION FOR THIS

VERY IMPORTANT BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT AT 7 P.M.

"Meet & Greet" Rose Fernandez in Hartford/West Bend

2009-03-03T10:43:00.002-08:00

MEET & GREET....

ROSE FERNANDEZ

CANDIDATE FOR STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION-SUPT.

TUESDAY, MARCH 10 6:30 – 8:00 PM
WEGNERS CEDAR LAKE INN
(FORMERLY THE LINDEN INN)
4919 HWY 144, HARTFORD

Take this opportunity to meet Rose and learn what her vision is for our

state education system

· Former President of Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families
· A small business owner who understands the need for an educated work force
· Former nurse and senior administrator at Emergency Dept. Trauma Center of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
· She and her husband, a Waukesha firefighter, raise their five children in Mukwonago

Light appetizers will be served
Cash bar available

Questions - Call Kathy (262) 628-3500

Coming soon to a theater near you -

2009-03-03T06:43:00.002-08:00

(Did I say that??)

West Bend Teen Artist Lends Talent to Fire Department

2009-03-03T05:21:00.002-08:00

I couldn't help but post this item. I know this young gal personally and her heart is as big as her murals... Her artwork is worthy of the front page today, and I am proud to know her. Kudos, Emily!

When firefighters at the Fillmore Fire Department decided their truck bay needed some atmosphere, they called on Emily Huf to do the job. The bay houses department vehicles, but when the equipment is moved out, it also serves as a social space.

“We have fundraisers, fish frys here. We wanted to make it look a little more welcoming,” said firefighter and First Responder Capt. Don “DJ” Neumann.

Department representatives called Kewaskum High School to ask for volunteers to dress up the station and Huf volunteered, Neumann said.

“I like to help people out, especially when it involves painting,” Huf said.

Huf conferred with the firefighters before getting out her paints and brushes, and now, four months after she started the first piece, sketches for a third mural showing the department’s two pumpers in the station’s meeting room is under way.

In the truck bay is a painting measuring 7 by 8.5 feet that bears the words, “American Heroes” and depicts firefighters in a field of smoke backed with the American flag.

ALERT West Bend Library moves board meeting to City Hall Council Chambers

2009-03-02T19:38:00.001-08:00

***ALERT**
MEETING LOCATION CHANGED
This information came to us from the WB Library director.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN LOCATION FOR THIS
VERY IMPORTANT BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW EVENING, TUESDAY, MARCH 3!

In light of the fact that there might be a large turnout for tomorrow night's Board meeting, the City Attorney has recommended that it be relocated to the City Council chambers on the N.W. corner of the second floor at City Hall. The address for City Hall is 1115 S. Main (it's on the N.E. corner of the intersection of S. Main Street and Vine across the street from McDonalds). The meeting is still set to begin at 7:00 p.m.The entrance to City Hall is around the back. There are parking lots immediately adjacent to the building. There is also an overflow parking lot across Vine Street.

Paul Harvey "If I Were the Devil"

2009-03-02T15:15:00.002-08:00

By Paul Harvey

I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world;
I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man's effort, instead of God's blessings;
I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around;
I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue;
I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership;
I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies;
I would make it socially acceptable to take one's own life, and invent machines to make it convenient;
I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that the life of animals are valued more than human beings;
I would take God out of the schools, where even the mention of His name was grounds for a lawsuit;
I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I would get sports heroes to advertise them;
I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the mind of every family member for my agenda;
I would attack the family, the backbone of any nation.
I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family crumbles, so does the nation;
I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movie screens, and I would call it art;
I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that their lifestyles should be accepted and marveled;
I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who call themselves authorities and refer to their agenda as politically correct;
I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, and the Bible is for the naive;
I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional;
I guess I would leave things pretty much the way they are.

Formal Complaint against WB Library - Large turnout expected tomorrow

2009-03-02T14:08:00.001-08:00

Concerned with the presence and appropriateness of some materials at the West Bend Community Memorial Library, West Bend residents Ginny and Jim Maziarka are taking action.

The Maziarkas have filed a formal, written complaint with the library. The complaint has been placed on the March agenda and will be heard by the members of the Library Board when they convene for their monthly meeting on Tuesday night. Due to a large crowd that is expected to attend the proceedings, the meeting has been moved from the library board room to the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

“We find the books for youth on homosexuality to be biased, gay-affirming, promotional and romanticized,” the Maziarkas said in an e-mail sent to the Daily News. “We believe our library should be offering appropriate, wholesome literature to our youth instead of pursuing the illegitimate goals of transforming the views of other people's children on the contentious issue of homosexuality.”

The Maziarkas said they are requesting the library take the following steps: Provide an equal balance of faith-based and ex-“gay” books that oppose a pro-homosexual ideology in both the YA Zone (Youth Adult Zone) and throughout the Library. The library’s Web site currently features a link to a YA Zone page and shows a list of fiction and non-fiction book titles about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues which are intended for reading by “young adults” in grades six through 12.

Library Director Michael Tyree said the Maziarkas have asked the Web page be removed or become password protected in order to prevent access without parental knowledge. That the book recommendation list under the name, “Out of the Closet,” which they say brings a pro-homosexual connotation to the list, be renamed and include an equal balance of faith-based and ex-“gay” books that oppose a prohomosexual ideology. The removal of the following books: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “The Geography Club” for their explicit graphic sexual nature. Their contention is that each book is offensive because of heterosexual oral sex and homosexual sex acts which are detailed in explicit/pornographic language.

“We expect our public library to protect children and empower parents to decide what their children can read,” the Maziarkas said.

As part of the process for making formal complaints to the Library, the Maziarkas met face-to-face with Youth Adult Librarian Kristin Pekoll and Library Assistant Director Sue Cantrell last Monday, and Tyree Wednesday to discuss their concerns. “I thought they had definite concerns,” Tyree said. “I thought they presented them in a good way. We listened (to them) and they listened (to us).“ Tyree and the Marziarkas have their opinions on how books are purchased and placed at the library.

Tyree said books are purchased through a bibliographer who relies on his or her training background and databases which serve as resources for book reviews that cover a wide range of genres. “We just don’t buy books that are based upon hearing that it is a great book,” he said. Tyree defended the process the library uses to purchase books and the collection of titles that are available to the public. “These books that they (the Maziarkas) are saying were pornography or leading teens down the primrose path toward sexuality or early sexuality are published by reputable publishers and not fly-by-night publishers,” he said. “The publishers themselves would have been prosecuted by the federal government if it was pornography for publishing these (titles that are) slanted toward that age range.“

The Maziarkas said while the library claims to use library review materials to make their book selections, they added that “we feel these media are liberal and do not provide a purely objective viewpoint.”

“We are in this community. We (feel we) know what is good. We don’t need review magazines to tell us.“

During last week’s meetings, the Maziarkas did provide the library with a list of book titles they felt were suitable for placement. According to Tyree, all but one of the 12 titles on the list are adult books. He went on to note that Pekoll researched how many libraries in the three-county library system and throughout the state carry the suggested titles and found some are available. Yet when asked whether or not the library will seek out to “balance” its current selection of book titles, Tyree said that decision will depend on the outcome of Tuesday night’s board meeting. “I can not call that shot because I report to a group of nine library board members,” he said. “It’s not my determination what our board members are going to do. It’s the board members that will make the determination.

“I think we do have a balanced collection. But Mr. and Mrs. Maziarka did not find that we had any books that showed there are ways out of homosexuality.” Tyree has received support and complaints through e-mails, phone messages and notes left at his desk regarding the issue. “I think what we are seeing here are many members of the community sharing their opinions,” he said. He was up front when asked if the matter will be resolved following Tuesday's meeting. “I have no idea which way this is going to be resolved,” he said.

West Bend Mayor Kristine Deiss acknowledged her belief in freedom of speech and freedom of the press because it affords everyone the right to speak out, and that she is pleased the formal process is moving forward. “I have faith in the process,” she said. “I don’t feel it’s my place to dictate what the Library Board does. They are experts at what they do.“

ALERT West Bend Library moves board meeting to City Hall Council Chambers

2009-03-02T11:25:00.001-08:00

***ALERT**

MEETING LOCATION CHANGED

This information came to me from the WB Library director.

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN LOCATION FOR THIS

VERY IMPORTANT BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW EVENING, TUESDAY, MARCH 3!

In light of the fact that there might be a large turnout for tomorrow night's Board meeting, the City Attorney has recommended that it be relocated to the City Council chambers on the N.W. corner of the second floor at City Hall. The address for City Hall is 1115 S. Main (it's on the N.E. corner of the intersection of S. Main Street and Vine across the street from McDonalds). The meeting is still set to begin at 7:00 p.m.

The entrance to City Hall is around the back. There are parking lots immediately adjacent to the building. There is also an overflow parking lot across Vine Street.

Thank you,

Michael Tyree

Michael Tyree,
Library Director
West Bend Community Memorial Library
630 Poplar Street West Bend, WI 53095
Voice: 262-335-5151, ext. 125
FAX: 262-335-5150

Americans for Prosperity meeting THIS Saturday

2009-03-02T06:34:00.001-08:00

Saturday, March 7
8-9:30 - Registration
Midwest Express Center
$36

Website: www.defendingthedream.org/WI/agenda.html

DPI candidate Evers supporter using state resources to campaign

2009-03-01T15:53:00.001-08:00

Curtsy to BadgerBlogger:

Mark Belling has broken a story that, if it were reported about a Conservative, would likely end with people doing prison time (actually, Scott Jensen is still fighting to stay out of prison on this very charge). But since it was done by big time liberals in support of the teachers union candidate for the Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction, it will probably never be investigated by either law enforcement (read J.B. “Empty-Suit” Van Hollen) or the main stream media. But Belling broke it, and we will help push the story along.

Jeff Dickert is the administrator of the Cooperative Educational Service Agency #7, a state agency that coordinates with the schools of Northeastern Wisconsin. Dickert, in clear violation of the law, has been doing political work on behalf of the teachers union and AFSCME backed candidate, the entrenched Tony Evers. Jeff Dickert has used state resources to not only campaign, but to raise money for Evers, by using his official Wisconsin email account and email list to campaign to public school administrators of Wisconsin and encourages them to pass the message along to their principals and teachers. This is clearly a violation of the law by a public official that is in a position that clearly knows the rules for doing political work with state resources. State Representative Scott Jensen was charged and convicted of this very thing a year and a half ago.

Both Dickert and Evers are long time liberal bureaucrats in the educational system, and thay know this law, but Evers, at least, blatantly violated it and a criminal investigation should begin immediately.

Please take the time to listen to Mark Belling break this story and provide more details.
It’s time to change this status quo in our educational system, lets throw the bums out and vote for Rose Fernandez, and Change DPI

Earth to J.B. Van Hollen and the Wisconsin media, reality is calling!

What's back. Guess we haven't learned from the past.

2009-03-01T12:31:00.002-08:00

What's back?

Democrat tax-raising Presidents.

and now

INDULGENCE.

According to church teaching, even after sinners are absolved in the confessional and say their Our Fathers or Hail Marys as penance, they still face punishment after death, in Purgatory, before they can enter heaven. In exchange for certain prayers, devotions or pilgrimages in special years, a Catholic can receive an indulgence, which reduces or erases that punishment instantly, with no formal ceremony or sacrament.

There are partial indulgences, which reduce purgatorial time by a certain number of days or years, and plenary indulgences, which eliminate all of it, until another sin is committed. You can get one for yourself, or for someone who is dead. You cannot buy one — the church outlawed the sale of indulgences in 1567 — but charitable contributions, combined with other acts, can help you earn one. There is a limit of one plenary indulgence per sinner per day.

West Bend Community Information Blog

Stay current....

West Bend Alderman & LIBRARY BOARD MEMBER Dobberstein confirms his position against WBCFSL

Easter Praise

Gay Marriage goes to WI Supreme Court at crux of elections

St. Joe's Hospital did NOT give the baby to the wrong family

West Bend School Board vacancy DEADLINE EXTENDED

26-minute video - Town Hall Meeting - Library Issue

Washington County stands firm on conservative roots

Citizen appeal - Dumpster anyone?

West Bend Referendum going down, down, down

Unoff. FINAL RESULTS - West Bend 10:45 p.m.

Electioneering called on pro-referendum tribe in West Bend

Planned Parenthood reminds us who NOT to vote for...

Area Business Owner hit by Fire - Needs help of West Benders

YOUR VOTE COUNTS

NO to Evers, YES to FERNANDEZ

Washington County Polling Places - GET OUT THE VOTE

West Bend Library Board - A little FYI

West Bend Referendum - Exposed

Petition Signature Drive brought in droves of people...and signatures...

Signature "drive-thru" - West Bend Library Petition - SATURDAY 8 to 2

I AM VOTING

Censorship? Or Selective Review?

Opposition just doesn't get it - Book "banning"? NOT

West Bend CANDIDATES FORUM - TONIGHT

"Drive-Thru" Signature at VFW SATURDAY re: PORN in WB Library

SIGNATURE DRIVE AGAINST PORN AT WEST BEND LIBRARY TODAY

West Bend School Board Candidates Q&A HERE

West Bend Library Board - Talk to 'em

Judge Randy Koschnick for Supreme Court

Random book banning thoughts and more...

Slinger school board "sees no evil" with teacher's terrorist assignment

West Bend Library Issue "Town Meeting"

WVCY segment on FOIA regarding library issue - grab the popcorn

Porn in West Bend Library? Citizens say NO

Petition for a Child-safe, Family-Friendly Library

WVCY reveals FOIA from West Bend City Hall on Library Issue

West Bend School Board looking for a candidate, deadline nears

West Bend School Board Candidates Questionnaire On Line

West Bend Citizens go ahead with meeting despite refusal of Library Board/Director

West Bend woman shares opinion on library issue

Rose Fernandez video gives solid info

NY City pulled " DEAL WITH IT " book from 371 school libraries citing RACY, RAUNCHY

SafeLibraries posts on broken trust in West Bend

West Bend Library policy validates complaint

West Bend Library REJECTS citizen complaint

Citizen RESPONSE to WB Library

West Bend Library REJECTS citizen complaint/CANCELS BOARD MEETING

Supt. Pat Herdrich defends referendum at 9 a.m. TODAY on WBKV - Call-in show!

It's Perfectly Normal - Or IS it?

West Bend Library - more imbalance - but we're not surprised

Business afraid NCAA games will cost them

Business afraid NCAA games will cost them

West Bend resident/retired securities rep dishes on referendum

Poll on local WBKV website reveals community's voice - PLEASE VOTE

Even the animals are waiting for their stimulus...

WBKV RADIO INTERVIEW

Links to websites concerning WB Library issue...

WBKV radio interview this morning

Fernandez vs Evers debate THIS Friday 7 p.m.

T-shirt anyone? Thanks to Sykes

Illegals trump WI students - Doyle

Chamber sings kumbayah with WB School Board

West Bend School District cuts back......TEACHERS?

Agenda exposed - ACLU

ADF puts WB Library issue on ** alert **

ACLU - We are not afraid

Abortion - Just charge it?

Explicit PORN BOOK for KIDS needs to be addressed at WB Library

West Bend School Board Plays Guilt Card with Community

West Bend Library - Is this for YOUR kids?

Wikipedia erases Obama eligibility

Wikipedia erases Obama eligibility

Wash. Cty, Homeschool team wins in Omaha, NB!

Daylight savings - set clocks ahead - reminder

KEWASKUM STATESMAN refuses to inform locals

ACLU misinformed...

Sensenbrenner Town Hall Meeting in West Bend THIS Sunday

Obama to give the checkered flag on stem cell research

ADF puts WB Library issue on alert

ALERT West Bend Library moves board meeting to City Hall Council Chambers

ALERT West Bend Library moves board meeting to City Hall Council Chambers