Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, Did you know, in at least one way, Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) is further right, and considerably less forthright than Donald Trump? In common with Tucker Carlson, Marklein refuses to reveal if he has been vaccinated against COVID-19. (Call his office at (800) 978-8008 or at (608) 266-0703, to confirm this accusation.) Under normal circumstances, this would be a problem. But right now, it is potentially catastrophic:  There is overwhelming evidence that the risks associated with the vaccines are minute, and that the vaccines are highly effective against severe disease caused by the pandemic. They are a critical tool in our fight against this horrific virus.  But many Wisconsin residents, egged on by Tucker Carlson et al, need to be convinced of this. (Only 50 percent of eligible recipients in Juneau County, for example, have been vaccinated.) At least some of those residents would listen to Senator Marklein if he declared his strong belief in the safety, efficacy, and vital importance of the vaccines. In short, he could save lives. But he refuses to do it.  Of course, it is extremely improbable that he hasn’t received the shots. Assuming he has, there is only one way I can account for his obstinate silence: He prefers staying in power to saving lives. I cannot think of a more compelling reason for voting him out at the first opportunity. David Frank Spring Green   Dear editor, Local governments in Wisconsin rely on support from the state to fix our roads, provide fire and EMS services and to accomplish all of the various other functions expected by our constituents. As the Town Chair of the Town of Washington, I can tell you definitively that the level of state support our town receives directly impacts our ability to provide the local services that you have come to expect. That is why I was so pleased to see our state leaders invest new money into local governments through the recently passed state budget. We our lucky in this part of our state that our own Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Representative Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) are members of the legislature’s budget writing committee, providing our community with a direct link to the state’s budgeting process. Senator Marklein, Representative Kurtz and the Joint Finance Committee heard the calls of local government officials and provided additional support for local government priorities in the recent budget including support for local roads, emergency services and broadband. Thank you, Senator Marklein, Representative Kurtz and other legislators who supported our local government in the recent budget. Our local officials are better positioned to serve Wisconsin because of it. Jim Huebsch Hillpoint   Dear editor, I encourage all area school boards to create a policy to mandate mask wearing by all students, staff, administrators and visitors, including those involved in sports activities. We know the Delta virus is spreading throughout the counties.  It is highly infectious and deadly, especially to those who are unvaccinated, which includes roughly half of the K-12 student population, children under the age of twelve.  We also know that our best protection is to be vaccinated and to mask in public spaces.  By doing our part to slow down the transmission of this virus, we minimize a situation in which it can mutate and possibly evolve into an even deadlier virus; one that our current vaccines may not effectively combat. Last year, my husband and I helped our family care for pre-school aged grandchildren.  We now view the upcoming school year, in which one grandchild should attend kindergarten, with uncertainty.  Last year, all school experiences were virtual.  Since many families in our district did not wish their children to mask at school, our grandchild was denied the experience of meeting his classmates and teacher in person, all year long.  As childcare providers, the decisions of a school board in this matter ripple to us.  My husband and I are former careered school teachers and we understand the value of students engaged in in-school activities and community organizations.  Just as our help to our family to care for grandchildren enables their parents to work productively in the community, mask wearing allows a safer return to in-person school and all that it offers.   My advice for school boards is to follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and county public health recommendations as you craft a COVID-19 policy for your school district.  Policies can be altered as circumstances change, but this should be based on solid public health recommendations, not politics.  Those who do not wish to adhere to a mask mandate at this time may choose to use the virtual school option.  That option should not be reserved for those willing to protect others at school, at home, and in the community. Andrea Kaiser Hillpoint   Dear editor, I know…the Iowa County Fair is all about animals, tractor pulls, corn on the cob, and 4H projects, but please consider stopping by the Iowa County Fair Maps booth in the commercial building (near the 4H exhibits) to learn about how our democracy is being threatened. Yes, that sounds like a downer, but I think if you stop by our booth you’ll meet some of the most interesting folks that live in our county! They are smart, funny, and great conversationalists. And while chatting with these engaging people, learn why it’s so important to fight for fair maps. Time is of the essence because the lines are currently being drawn to determine our voting districts for state Assembly, state Senate, and US Congress. Your vote should count. It currently doesn’t.  Stop by and talk to us. We’d love to hear your thoughts on gerrymandering and how the district lines should be drawn.  We’ll have yard signs, magnetic bumper stickers, literature, and postcards already labeled and stamped to send to your current representatives. Don’t know who your representatives are? We’ll have maps available to figure that out. And we’ll have great people at the booth ready to chat (6’ away and masked up)! See you at the fair!  Claudia Looze Iowa County Fair Maps Team Highland   Dear editor, What a great night of music took place at the Post House Garden on a recent Thursday Local Night. An overflow crowd was afforded an offering of jazz and big band music you would be hard pressed to find anywhere. The evening started with the River Valley Middle School jazz group and the youngsters showed there are many good things coming up in the near future. Next came the main event, the Solstice Jazz Band, and they delivered a knockout performance. The band is made up of mostly River Valley area musicians, many with River Valley High School backgrounds. They feature Goodman, Miller and James standards as well as many other jazz offerings. Some of their selections take me back to my high school days, a long time ago as I am older than dirt. The band has a strong trumpet section and each section offered many soloists throughout the evening. Great vocals from John Christensen and Janna Johnson. John has some Sinatra (my man) and Bennet favorites and Janna does a wide range of music but this girl can wail. Her Blue Bird Skies was outstanding. The final act of the evening was All That Jazz of Madison who play a similar type of program as Solstice. They are a fine group but on this night came in second place. All That Jazz was founded by a former Spring Green resident, Bruce Johnson, who was the son of former Spring Green High School band master Bill Johnson. All in all this was a great nigh of fine music in a great setting. The Shed and their crew did a knockout job of offering delicious food and drink. A big thanks should go to Eric and Irene Rapp for providing the performance venue. In closing, if you haven’t heard Solstice perform, you are missing some fine, fine music. If you get a chance, go see them – it’s fantastic music. Respectfully,  Bob Nachreiner Spring Green