Excess county land

According to the UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE ST.CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Regular Meeting – April 17, 2012: "Supr. Malick requested Thompson’s progress on selling excess county-owned land. Thompson reported the County has identified 290 parcels of county-owned land consisting of approximately 1900 acres with 189 parcels (290 acres) being Highway Department related, 39 parcels are conservation related, and 17 parcels are in use by county/tax deed related. Thompson reported he will be dealing with the excess Government Center property and the Health and Human Services land which includes approximately 600 acres of farmland." It sure would be nice if the county sold the excess land to allow them to be more productive.

County Nursing Home Support

On Tuesday the ballot will ask if county tax dollars should pay for operating expenses for the county-run nursing home on New Richmond.
In my research on the issue, I can't find one good reason that the county should run a nursing home.

Why should the county run a nursing home?
Because it only costs $300,000 in operating costs? If it isn't needed then why spend it?
Because it is 5-star? There are other highly-rated nursing homes in the county -- including Glenhaven.
Because it is only a small amount per person helped per day per parcel? Well we don't know if those people need that help and we know others need help -- it would be better to help those that have lost their homes or jobs!
Because it provides unique, needed services? Other local nursing homes provide the same services.
Because the county is responsible to care for some people? The county can take care of those people by paying for their care at other nursing homes and save money.
Because we need those beds? There are plenty of open beds available at county nursing homes.

Why should the county *not* run a nursing home?
The ballot only mentions operating expenses -- once you add capital expenses and non-scheduled maintenance the costs are much higher.
Even with pay reductions, the labor costs are significantly higher (~40%) than other regional government-run nursing homes (not even counting privately run nursing homes). It isn't as efficient and cost-effective as it should be.
It isn't providing any service that isn't already provided by other local nursing homes -- it isn't meeting a need.
Its support comes from the whole county but its benefits are focused in the New Richmond area.

I have at least one friend and one relative that work at the nursing home but I can't ask the county residents to provide so much extra support just for their sakes.

Candidates for County Board

Contests develop for 12 seats on St. Croix County Board.

The old district 8 is now in the following districts (info from article):

District 15: Incumbent Karen Meyer, Roberts, is being challenged by David Peterson, town of Kinnickinnic, and Donald Schumacher, rural Baldwin.

District 16: Incumbent Joe Hurtgen, Woodville, is the lone candidate.

District 19: Incumbent William Peavey, Woodville, is being challenged by Roger Bauer.

Resigning

I am sad to announce that I am resigning my position as a county board supervisor because I am moving out of my district. I feel honored to have been given the opportunity to represent the people of our district to improve St. Croix County and truly regret that our district may not have representation for the remaining 4 months of the term.

My wife and I have looking for a better house for our growing family for 2.5 years. Even when we recently bought a better house, I planned to continue living in the district to finish my current term (unless our old house sold first). But that plan is turning out to be too hard on my family.

Local lawmaker says: Let voters approve wheel tax | River Falls Journal | River Falls, Wisconsin

Local lawmaker says: Let voters approve wheel tax | River Falls Journal | River Falls, Wisconsin: Assembly Republican Dean Knudson of Hudson says voters have a right to be heard before their local governments slap “wheel taxes” on their autos.

Milwaukee, Beloit, Mayville, and St. Croix County charge $10-$20-dollars a year, on top of the $75 and more that vehicle owners pay to Madison.

Concealed weapons banned from St. Croix County Government Center | River Falls Journal | River Falls, Wisconsin

Concealed weapons banned from St. Croix County Government Center | River Falls Journal | River Falls, Wisconsin: 'The [Administrative Committee] unanimously approved a motion to place signs on the building designating it as a courthouse for purpose of carrying concealed weapons through November.'

Concealed Carry in County Buildings

A county employee sent me the following email:

I am writing regarding the conceal & carry law that will take effect on November 1, 2011. As a citizen in your district and employee of St. Croix County, I am asking that the Board of Supervisors pass a resolution banning concealed weapons inside ALL buildings housing County operations (i.e. not just the Government Center, but buildings in New Richmond, Baldwin and Hammond).

Without a resolution banning concealed weapons in ALL buildings housing County operations, employees and the general public will be subject to the increased anxiety of knowing any member of the public who walks through the door may be armed. Please take into consideration the employees of St. Croix County, as well as the general public, in your deliberations.

Thank you for your consideration.

My response:

Thank you for contacting me.

I believe that the right to Life is one of the most important rights a
person will have and I very strongly support the right of people to
defend their life.

I don't believe that a ban on weapons in all buildings housing county
operations will increase safety -- in fact I think it will decrease
safety because it will only stop the law-abiding citizens while
serving notice to violent people that the buildings have little to no
protection (especially outside of the government center). The Sheriff
and D.A. have both stated that they agree that just posting the
buildings won't help safety. Right now it is also true that "any
member of the public who walks through the door may be armed".

I do also support the employees right to safety so I won't support
limiting employee rights to self-defense.