Wisconsin Drivers

I drive to Madison a lot these days on family business. I am frustrated with Wisconsin drivers even though I am one of them. Many of them do not know how to drive on expressways. By this I mean they love to drive slowly in the left lane. Last week I was on my way to Madison and around Oconomowoc I got behind this SUV/ truck type vehicle. It looked more like a small truck than an SUV.  I followed him in the left lane for about five miles hoping he would move over when he saw me close behind him or when I blinked my headlights or hit the horn. No way; he was oblivious to my being there. Maybe he was on the phone, but that is no excuse. Anyway, I finally had to pass him on the right – not good although it happens a lot. As I got past him and sped away in the left lane, I watched him in my rearview mirror. He never did move over to the slow lanes as far as I could see. What a hazard. You are not supposed to be in the left lane if you are driving slowly. Why is that so difficult for Wisconsin drivers to understand? We are critical of Illinois drivers, but in many ways they are better express way drivers than Wisconsin drivers. Perhaps the Highway Patrol should start pulling over drivers who do not drive the proper speed in the left lane; but that could be a hazard also. Maybe they should come up behind them and with their bullhorn announce: “Driver of green vehicle: if you are not going to drive the proper speed in this lane, change to the right lane.” Wisconsin drivers need to take classes in how to drive on the freeways.

You may be following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on TV or in the newspapers.  They are being held in Spokane, WA.  Every time I read this I say to myself “Why not hold them in Milwaukee?”  They were also held in Spokane in 2007.  Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin have much more to offer for such an event than Spokane.  The city of Milwaukee is three times larger than Spokane.  The Milwaukee metro area has a population of about 1.2 million.  Spokane has only about 600,000.  We could offer them the Bradley Center with the Arena and the Petit Ice Center as a back-up for practices.  The BC is larger than the Spokane Arena. We also have a good core of local figure skating clubs and instructors in the Milwaukee area who could offer hospitality and volunteers.  Milwaukee has pro sports clubs at the highest level; Spokane doesn’t.  Milwaukee has great transportation with nearby Mitchell Field and O’Hare.  Think of the money and prestige that would flow into Milwaukee by having such an event.  Local and state officials who are responsible for tourism need to make a pitch for these kinds of events to be presented here.  If Spokane can do it, we can do it – better.

I was watching a local TV news program yesterday morning. This is one of those stations that does not tap into a national morning program such as Today or Good Morning America so it was all local.  They were interviewing a so-called expert on children’s electronic gadgets/toys.  The lady was explaining several electronic gadgets for children.  One was a small headphone set – stored flat, easy to carry, and easy for the child to put on his/her head.  One of the expert’s comments about the earphones was: “I love these.  I put them on my child for the 18 minute ride to school so she can watch/listen to a DVD while I listen to the radio.”  What are we coming to, I thought to myself, when we have to put earphones on a child for an 18 minute ride in an SUV.  Why do young parents think that children constantly have to be entertained?  What happened to the idea that a child can sit quietly in a vehicle, look around and take in the environment as the vehicle proceeds to its destination?  This goes along with the belief that we should let children play more on there own instead of trying to constantly entertain them.  As parents we did not try to constantly entertain our children either by our own interaction with them or by sitting them in front of the TV.  This does not mean that we did not play with them; we did, but not all the time. Children need time to discover things on their own or maybe just sit and think, if possible.  I fear that today’s children are too wired and will not be able to develop their imaginations.  This would be a sad development in a time when we will need new ways of solving new and old problems.

Many people are not happy with the Milwaukee Public School System.  You may have read that there is a proposed bill in the State Legislature to make the Mayor of Milwaukee responsible for MPS by allowing the Mayor to appoint the MPS Superintendent.  I don’t know if this is a good idea or not, but here I propose another solution.  Assuming MPS is too large, why not break it up?   While some school districts borders correspond to the borders of a city, town, or village (e.g., Greendale, Wauwatosa, Shorewood), many do not (e.g., Elmbrook, Glendale-River Hills, Nicolet UHS).  So breaking-up MPS should not be too difficult.  I propose that MPS be divided into fourths.   A line could be drawn down Wisconsin Avenue from west to east and down 60^th street from north to south.  One quarter of the MPS District north of Wisconsin Avenue and east of 60^th Street would go to districts such as Shorewood, Whitefish Bay and Brown Deer; the quarter south of Wisconsin Ave and east of 60^th Street would go to districts such as St. Francis, Cudahy, South Milwaukee, and Oak Creek; the quarter north of Wisconsin Ave. and west of 60^th St. would go to West Allis, Wauwatosa and Brown Deer; and the quarter south of Wisconsin Ave. and east of 60^th would go to the Greenfield,  Greendale, and Franklin school districts. There would be some busing, but we already have a lot of busing.  There would be a better mix of students and smaller administrative structures. Would it be perfect? No. Would it be better? Probably yes.

If you live in suburbs like Greendale, Franklin, or Hales Corners, it is likely that you don’t see many sidewalks in your neighborhood.  Some of us have no sidewalks and some have sidewalks only on one side of the street.  I am lucky; I have no sidewalk on my side of the street, but there is one on the other side of my street.  So when it snows all we have to worry about is our driveway.  When we want to go for a walk, we can cross the street and be on our way.  Now here is the issue: A Sendix grocery store recently opened about a half mile from our house.  We would love to save gas, get exercise, and help the environment by walking to Sendix, but we can’t.  Well we could, but we might get run over.  The traffic on 51^st street is just too heavy to take a chance on walking on the side of the road.  I suspect that lots of people in our area of Greendale and folks in new subdivisions in Franklin would also like to walk to Sendix. It would not take much money or planning to build a sidewalk on one side of 51^st street from the corner of College Avenue to the intersection of 51^st and Rawson, but it would take the will and cooperation of both communities to do it.  I’ve heard that some Franklin residents fear any expansion of 51^st street.  This would not be an expansion, but improvement for the benefit of all. Let your local leaders know that you think building this sidewalk is a good idea.

If you have ever wanted to see the inside of a Greendale Original home, this weekend is the time to do it. For the second year in a row, the Greendale Historical Society will present Greendale’s Tour of Original Homes on Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Tour is a great fun event for visitors and the community.  Greendale is one of the nation’s three historic Greenbelt communities and is recognized by the Wisconsin and National Registers of Historic Places. This year, along with the Originals, visitors will be able to explore Greendale’s historic Village Hall. Inspired by the Capitol at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, it is a fine example of the Colonial Revival style and its main meeting room has recently undergone a major restoration. 

Tickets for the Tour will be on sale in the Village on the day of the event or in advance at the Reiman Visitors Center or online at www.thegreendalehistoricalsociety.org

This is about dogs.  My wife and I do not have one. We have never had one; although I recall that my wife’s family had a dog when we started dating.  Our children wanted a dog when they were younger and living at home, but we are not “dog people”.  Besides, we figured if we got a dog for the kids, we are the ones who would eventually care for it (after the novelty wore off).  I see people in the neighborhood walking their dog(s).  I notice these days that a lot of people have more than one dog; some have two and some three or four.  I can’t imagine having two dogs, let alone three or four.  Why would they do that to themselves?  It often appears that a couple who has two dogs has “him” and “her” dogs.  When I see people with two to four dogs, I begin to wonder what they would do if they lost their jobs in these difficult economic times.  It seems to me that dogs can be expensive.  (We feed the birds and that’s a little costly).  Would they sell their dogs?  Would they sell the house or the extra car before the dogs?  Would they sell two or three dogs to get down to one or none?  I’m sure these are difficult questions/decisions for dog owners.

Dogs get people out walking and that’s a good thing.  They must make good companions for some (I saw a movie about that).  But we won’t be buying a dog ever; they are nice for some, but not for us.  Oh, by the way, our married daughter owns a dog – a real pedigree. 

What’s all the fuss about roundabouts?  They are those new circles that WisDOT is constructing in roads to avoid installing traffic lights.  Some people don’t like them or don’t understand them.  I have no problem with roundabouts; I grew up with them.  In New England we did not call it a “roundabout”; we called it a “rotary” and we had many of them.  You can also call it a “traffic circle”.  Anyway, using them is easy – only pull into the circle if there is no traffic coming on your  left.  In other words, you may have to yield before entering.  Once in the circle, proceed as normal.  Roundabouts are efficient and work well if each driver does what he/she is supposed to do.  I think we will see more of them as our roads are reconstructed.  Maybe the DOT should offer some educational seminars on how to use a roundabout for Wisconsin residents who are not familiar with them.  See you in the circle!

For most of the month of March there did not seem to be any activity at the house next to ours.  I didn't think much of it at the time because the young couple who occupied the house was often away.  The husband was a truck driver and sometimes his wife would accompany him on trips.  They had no children.  However, after about five weeks it became apparent that no one was living in the house.  Since there was no "For Sale" sign on the front lawn, I became curious and did some research on the Internet.  I learned that the house was in foreclosure.  I thought to myself, "Not in Greendale".  When I went to the police station to look at the Sheriff Auction notices on the bulletin board, I found this house and two others in Greendale.  I felt sorry for the young couple.  I also felt sorry that the community had lost a nice young couple; the kind all communities need.  In April a "For Sale" sign went up. 

"Yes, Virginia, it can happen in Greendale, in Fox Point, in Brookfield, and in ....."

What is all the fuss about the Bradley Center?  You may have read that Governor Doyle has requested $500,000 a year for ten years for a total of $5 million through bonding authority for maintenance of the building.  This is natural; any building which is twenty-one years old is going to require some maintenance and up-dating.  I like the BC.  I go there a lot during the college basketball season and I have been going every season since it was built. The concession areas are good and have been up-dated.  The areas for walking to your section or milling around at half time are large enough to accommodate plenty of people and the two atriums at the east and west ends bring light and space to the building.  Some people want to tear down the building and start over because they are afraid the Bucks will leave if we do not provide them with a better building.  Would you tear down your new house after twenty-one years?  I personally don’t care if the Bucks leave.  The building seats 18,600 for basketball and Marquette, the Admirals, and arena football seem very satisfied with the BC.  In addition to sports the BC very nicely accommodates ice shows, concerts and other events.  And for those who want and can afford more comfort, it has plenty of suites.  You may recall that the BC was a gift to southeastern Wisconsin.  Let’s keep it.  We don’t need a new arena.

It’s Monday morning March 9 and I’m reading the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  The main article in the Local Section is about the dismissal of the President of Milwaukee Area Technical College.  What strikes me is not the decision the MATC Board made, but the list of Board members.  They are all appointed.  None are directly elected to the Board and this Board has taxing authority for the District.  The nine members of the MATC Board are appointed by a group of twenty-five school administrators.  Since the District goes beyond the boundaries of Milwaukee County, the Board is making taxing decisions affecting those in Milwaukee County and beyond.  So why do we allow an appointed Board to tax us?  Isn’t this taxation without representation?  It happens because the Wisconsin technical college districts were set-up that way by the state legislature.  In other words, it’s the law; but the law can be changed if enough taxpaying citizens complain about it.  Let’s complain and get this law changed.

Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines Jr. recently proposed that the Milwaukee Public Schools add character building classes to its curriculum or integrate this topic into all of its classes.  This is an excellent idea. One definition of character education is the development of life skills necessary for a good/productive personal and social life such as, reasoning skills, emotional skills, social skills and positive character traits including respect, responsibility, courage, perseverance, honesty, fairness, caring, civility, and citizenship.  How can anyone argue with that!  It is not clear if MPS is aware of the character education movement in this country.  While it may say that it does all of the above throughout the curriculum, it appears that it does not do it in a formal, planned way.  There is an active curriculum movement in character education in this country. Some school districts in Wisconsin and other parts of the country are way ahead of MPS in implementing it.  There are Centers for the teaching of character education at universities on the east and west coasts.  These Centers educate teachers and school administrators on what Character Education is and how to implement it. MPS and other school districts in Wisconsin should contact these Centers and learn how to establish character education programs in their districts.  With the turmoil that exists in some of our schools and in society in general, particularly in urban/suburban areas, we need to help families by starting to teach students about respect, responsibility, honesty, fairness, caring, courage, civility, and good citizenship.

I don’t normally comment about another person’s blog.  Usually it is not appropriate.  However, I feel strongly that I have to comment on a blog written by a Franklin blogger in early January and printed by the Milwaukee Journal in the southwest sections of the NOW.com paper version on January 15.  He dealt with the issue of some nursing mothers who wanted to put pictures of themselves nursing on their Facebook accounts on the Internet.  In a condescending way he said in the blog “Sorry, sweetheart, but not everyone wants to see that. And not everyone wants to see you breast-feeding wherever you darn well feel like it.” He then pointed out that a state senator was trying to get sponsors to introduce legislation allowing breast-feeding in public.  I think he was trying to make two points: one, he didn’t think pictures of nursing mothers should be on Facebook and, two, we really don’t need a law in this area.  He did say that he was not opposed to breast-feeding.  I hope not; it’s a pretty natural thing to do and healthy for the baby. 

What is his problem here?  If Facebook doesn’t want these pictures, I guess is up to them, but I personally don’t see any harm in it as long as it is done discreetly.  And I am also not sure, as he is, that we need a law in Wisconsin on this, unless many people are objecting when they see a woman breast-feeding in public.  I think it is the woman’s right.  I came across women breast-feeding twice recently; one in a restaurant in Johnson Creek and one at a board meeting I was attending – no problem.  Why is this guy getting all upset about a natural and beautiful event?

If you have listened to the Kathy and Judy program on WGN radio, you may know that they do a segment on Wednesdays call “Speak Your Piece”.  The basic idea is to call in and say in one or two sentences what really bugs you or gets you upset about daily life.  It is sort of a way to get issues “off your chest”.  With that in mind, I have decided to list some of the things that really bug me.  Here are some of them:

            Guys who keep their baseball caps on while eating in a restaurant. What did their

            Mothers teach them? 

            Drivers, particularly in southeastern Wisconsin, who drive slowly in the left lane

            on the freeway.  Please move over.

            People in the grocery check-out line who engage in a conversation with the clerk

            and forget there are people behind them.

            Drivers who tailgate when I am driving.  Keep you distance!

            People talking on cell phones in their cars. (I must admit that I occasionally do this.)

If you are interested, let me know what bugs you in the comment section but remember that it has to be one or two sentences.  If I receive enough of them, I will post them on my next blog without names, of course.

Just recently I had the honor and privilege to attend the First Annual Charter Schools Awards Banquet in downtown Milwaukee sponsored by the Wisconsin Charter Schools Association.  Charter schools have been in existence in Wisconsin for about ten years.  In fact, the 9^th Annual Wisconsin Charter Schools Conference will take place in April of 2009.  Charter schools are public, nonsectarian schools created through a contract or charter with a state-approved granting agency, usually a school district but sometimes a for-profit organization. In 1991, Minnesota became the first state to enact charter school legislation.  Charter schools do some of the following:

• Charter schools provide teachers the flexibility to innovate in the classroom and teachers are held accountable for improved achievement. 

Many might think that most of the charter schools in Wisconsin are in Milwaukee, but that is not the case.  While Milwaukee has a fair number of charter schools, the list of nominees for awards reminded us that these schools exist in many parts of Wisconsin including Appleton, Kenosha, Rhinelander, Sheboygan, Oshkosh, Janesville, Verona and some rural school districts.  In fact, there is one right here in Greendale chartered by the Greendale School District.  It is called Time 4 Learning Charter School and it provides education for four-year olds in Greendale.

Listen up Milwaukee area this is about you.  In late August we went to Cape Cod on vacation.  On our return we went to Boston’s Logan Airport early in the hope of getting an earlier flight.  While waiting in the Midwest area for a flight, one of the flights from Milwaukee arrived.  A woman who had just gotten off the flight was talking to a couple she knew and was surprised to see.  “Where have you been” they said.  “I was in Milwaukee for Irishfest and it was wonderful.  Did you know it is the largest Irish festival in the country – 140,000 attend? The Fest was fantastic, the city and Lake Michigan were beautiful, and the weather was great”, she said.  She waited for three other ladies who had traveled to Milwaukee with her and they left while still talking about the wonderful time they had in Milwaukee. 

They traveled almost a thousand miles to attend a festival in Milwaukee. Think about that the next time you think nothing interesting happens here. There are great things going on in the Milwaukee area – talk it up!

There have been several excellent articles recently in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and in the Milwaukee Business Journal about public transportation, or the lack thereof, in the metro area.  Many writers and politicians have used terms which need to be defined because they confuse the reader.  For example, there is a difference between "light rail" and "commuter rail".  Most commuter trains are built to rail standards, differing from light rail or rapid transit systems by:

• being larger;
• having a lower frequency of service;
• having scheduled services (i.e. trains run at specific times rather than at specific intervals);
• serving lower-density areas, typically by connecting suburbs to the city centre;
• sharing track or right-of-way with intercity or freight trains.

Light rail would have its own right-of-way, run more frequently, connect close-in metro areas and perhaps connect with buses. KRM would be an example of commuter rail.  An example of light rail is the system that runs from downtown to the airport and Mall of America in the Twin Cities.

Let's be specific.  Just as an example, let's say that I live on the east side of Greendale and work in Menomonee Falls between Hwy 45 and 91^st street and I no longer want to drive. Can I get to work and back using the Milwaukee County Transit System?  I don't think so!  Do I have any other options but to drive or carpool?  No!  Or, let's say I live on the east side of Greendale and I work at the nursing home on Bluemound Road in Brookfield across the street from Kopp's - this is approximately 18880 west.  I don't think I can get there conveniently on a bus.  What are the problems here?  First, the route system doesn't take me where I want to go without many transfers or at all. Second, Menomonee Falls and Brookfield are NOT in Milwaukee County.  Get it - the bus stops at the county line. How stupid is that?  Basically this is not a metropolitan system.  It is not recognizing that we live in a huge metropolitan area, not just in Milwaukee or Milwaukee County.   Until the politicians recognize this, we will not have an adequate urban transportation system.

Below is something I wrote in August of 2006 which was printed in The Greendale Village Life.  I think it is still relevant so I am posting it here with slight modification.

With all due respect to the Greendale Lions Club and everyone who works so diligently to present the Greendale Village Days, isn’t it time to do away with “Rummage on the Green” during Village Days?  “Rummage” has a connotation which does not fit the image Greendale has been trying to present in the last ten years especially through the renovation of the Village Center.  How about an “Arts and Craft” show to replace what is basically a huge rummage sale?  Wouldn’t that be more appropriate to the image Greendale is trying to create?  Al McGuire used to say: “Let’s go first class. Let’s go Park Avenue” – it’s time for a new fundraiser to help the Lions Club continue the good work it does for the community.  Perhaps they could solicit ideas from the community or from an organization such as the Greendale Historical Society.  We need something that fits the image of Greendale as both a rejuvenated community and a historical community.