Greater Burlington and Waterford community blog
March 2008
Monday March 31, 2008
The book on Tony Romo
Posted by: Mike Moore at 2:23PM CST on March 31, 2008

Dallas sports writer Mac Engel wrote a book on Burlington grad Tony Romo called "America's Next Quarterback". It's sold through his Web site. Here are a couple of excerpts, courtesy of Engel.

First, from Romo's younger days in Racine County (Joan is his mother):

He wasn’t much for mischief. About the closest he got into trouble was in the first grade when a teacher called Joan -- turns out his sister had forged Joan’s signature for something. Or the time he found his sister Danielle’s diary when he was a teenager, “And that nearly started World War III,” Joan said. There was the time when rain prevented the normal recess period. He taught whoever was interested how to make the triangular paper football, which led to bit of a mess at school. “It was always little things,” Joan said.
Tony did not have the conventional teenage job, either. He had but a few summer jobs -- worked at a hospital once. That didn’t last long. Worked at a restaurant once, and that didn’t last long, either.
Nor was Tony exactly what one might call a nerd. “Tony Romo, sophomore, power mechanics, Row 3, Seat 2,” said one of his high school teachers, Bob Musgrave. “Always thought he was paying attention when he got there early. We sat at this bench on stools and he’s looking at his knees. I thought he was paying attention. Little did I know had he swiped the sports section from my table and was reading it during the class. He didn’t care much for the class room. But he was good enough.”

Then this one about Romo battling with Drew Henson for the Cowboys' backup quarterback job under coach Bill Parcells:

What people didn’t know is that almost immediately Parcells balked at automatically buying into Henson the way fans and the media did. Henson was Big Time. The son of a coach, he played at Michigan, and had all of the measurables Romo didn’t. Henson was 6-foot-4, 235 pounds. NFL scouts said had Henson not played baseball he would have been one of the top quarterbacks when he entered the draft.
Romo had none of this. Not that Romo had done much to advance his hopes for advancement up the ladder in the preseason. In his first preseason game, at Houston on Sept. 8, 2004, he was awful. He threw two interceptions, and was sacked twice, including once for a safety. Romo met with his parents outside Reliant Stadium after the game.
“How did I do?” Tony asked his father.
“You sucked,” Ramiro said. “Are they going to give you a ride back? If not, I have room in the car.”
Romo needed to show something, or risk the Cowboys signing a more established third quarterback. In the Cowboys’ season preseason game, at Oakland, he took over at his own 41-yard line with the Cowboys trailing 20-15 and 4:01 remaining. This drive nearly ended his career twice, but ultimately it saved it. He threw an interception, but the play was nullified thanks to a defensive holding call. With 23 seconds remaining, he completed a 13-yard pass to tight end Sean Ryan to the 1-yard line. The Cowboys were out of timeouts.
“Kill the clock. Spike the ball,” his coaches told him through the headsets.
Instead, he went to the line, called his own play. This was playground elements his teammates would eventually love. Romo scored a touchdown on a quarterback keeper with seven seconds remaining. The play was challenged by instant replay, but the touchdown was upheld. Romo had won the game with a last-minute drive. “If he had not scored and we hadn’t stopped the clock and lost on the 1-yard line, he might have been cut that night. But he scored,” Lee said. Funny to think how a little thing like the meaningless conclusion to an equally meaningless preseason game turned out in retrospect to be a decisive moment for the future of a man and an entire franchise.

This blog is open to anyone with something to say about Burlington or Waterford. Feel free to post!


Friday March 28, 2008
Make administrators earn merit pay
Posted by: Mike Moore at 3:38PM CST on March 28, 2008

This post submitted by Paul Beyerl, who cast the lone vote against approving a new contract for Waterford Graded school administrators. He would prefer to see a switch to merit pay:

I have been on the Waterford Graded School District (WGSD) Board for the past year. I won the third write-in position last year which was only a 1 year position. I am not on the ballot this year because of some confusion about incumbents needing to have papers in earlier than others.
[Editor's note: Beyerl is a write-in candidate in this election.]

I spent two years on the West Allis / West Milwaukee school board before moving to Waterford. I have been amazed how simular contacts are from district to district. Teachers get an automatic 3.8% increase every year of both salaries and benefits(at a minimum) because of the QEO (Qualified Economic Offer). This is closer to 6% increase in salary because their benefits are so high.

We don't have much control over the teachers and the QEO, but we could hold our administrators accountable. Our lowest paid administrator makes over $80,000 for a 220 day contract. I believe that Christmas, Spring Break, holidays and other days off are counted as work time. I have included a spreadsheet that shows that by calculating a full year (260 days) contract, they would almost all have salaries over $100,000 before benefits. The spreadsheet does not show the district payout for insurance benefits after retirement. This allows teachers and administrators to retire at 55 years of age.

This past year, the majority of the school board (not me) voted a 4.1% increase in salaries and benefits for the teachers. This is before their step increases for years of service and higher education increases. The easy way to compensate the administrators is to give them all the same increase.

The WGSD has added a Director of Technology, Mr. Bui and added the title of assistant superintendent to Mr. Joch's function. These are above the other "normal" increases.

I strongly believe that we should hold all of the staff to higher standards. At his point we can only do that with our administrators. I feel that with the level of pay and the number of administrators we have we should push for excellence.

This blog is open to anyone who's got something to say about Waterford or Burlington. Feel free to post!

Thursday March 13, 2008
Remembering Julie Carpenter
Posted by: Mike Moore at 3:34PM CST on March 13, 2008

This post was compiled by those who knew Julie Carpenter, who died last week:

I met Julie Carpenter while we were lying side by side on treatment tables at the chiropractor. I noticed the beautiful watercolor sitting next to her & told her my then, 91-year old, mother just moved in with us and also was a watercolorist. Julie invited us to join The Gathering, an artist open studio that met weekly to paint, share, and enjoy art together. This was my introduction to watercolor and it also gave my mother a wonderful outlet to continue her artistic growth and meet new friends. If it were not for Julie’s inspiration & leadership of this group, I would never have become an artist. She was also an absolute blessing for my mother, now going on 95, who paints 10 to 14 hours a day. My mother, Jane Lenz, said it best, “once you met her, you knew you would be friends forever”.

Julie was a “giver”. She taught in everything she did. She would always do a demonstration or two at every painting session. She also encouraged those of us who were “beginners” to share what we were learning, allowing us also to contribute. She always said she was not the “leader” or “head” of our group, but we all knew better. She was the ultimate leader and mentor. Her sense of fairness, and uncanny ability to know & understand what was right for our group was astounding. We always deferred to her knowing she knew best.

Aside from being a wonderful mentor for our artistic lives, Julie was also a role model for the rest of our lives. Her volunteer work inspired all of us to share our good fortune and give back to the community for our many blessings. In particular, Julie showed us how to live and die with cancer. Dignity is an often used word, but Julie personified it.

We miss her dearly. When we look at a beautiful sunset or landscape, be assured that Julie and our friend Ken Weeden, who also passed this winter, had a hand in choosing the colors. We also look to their guidance from above to continue on with the work we do through the Gathering.

Judi Greenwood and Jane Lenz
Burlington

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We had the privilege of meeting Julie at The Gathering's first Miniature Art Show shortly before she was diagnosed. Upon hearing of our interest in art and, knowing we had no background or experience in it and had just begun taking watercolor classes, Julie invited us to participate in The Gathering's weekly painting sessions. Realizing how intimidating it could be in the company of talented artists, it was Julie's enthusiasm that convinced us to join the Group. It was Julie's passion for art and all of life's beauty that inspired her to form The Gathering to give 'artists' like us the opportunity to share and learn from each other. We have Julie to
thank for the inspiration and encouragement she has given us, and for introducing us to a wonderful group of people who have become our friends and mentors.

Marcy & Dick Gay
Rochester

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I admired Julie's talent as an artist and her generosity in sharing her talent with everyone. I'll never forget watching Julie help her young neighbor boy with his painting skills and the painting demonstrations she did for the benefit of all of us who came to 'The Gathering'. Julie used her time to help others by organizing 'The Gathering' for people who enjoy painting and although she always said she was not our 'leader', she provided the leadership that was invaluable.

Julie also gave her time to others by working at Love, Inc. where she helped those less fortunate in the community.

And Julie found ways to help her family cope with and understand Autism, which afflicts her grand-daughter.

I feel sad that Julie has left us too soon, but glad that she left us with good memories and qualities to which we can all aspire.

Kay Price
Park City, Utah

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Julie was my mentor.

She was a true blessing in my life she helped me to discover a hidden talent within myself and encouraged me to continue and to share that talent with others who wanted to paint and those who just wanted to enjoy art.

Julie’s life besides family was art and she wanted to share her gift to the world

And she did that by forming a group called The Gathering which brought all of us artists together not only for Art and sharing but for lifetime friendships.

Thank You Girlfriend……..

Ps Knowing Julie I‘m sure she met up with other Great artist we lost in 2007 Ken Weeden and they starting The Heavenly Gathering.

Save us some seats in the future!

Geri Brady
Burlington

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Julie was a wonderfully talented artist, but it was her modesty and generosity that impressed me. Most friends know nothing of her career as an executive in the banking world. Julie quietly volunteered at Love, Inc. She formed The Gathering, a workshop for artists, where she freely shared her expertise with those not as skilled. Then she recruited those artists to donate paintings for Love, Inc. benefits. Julie purposely remained behind the scenes, the mark of a true lady.

Vera Frosch
Burlington

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Always ready to teach someone a new technique, from a humble standpoint.

Always encouraging someone to "just do it", and to do their best.

Always "up", even after the bad news about her health.

Always willing to go the extra mile for a good cause.

Always ready to share whatever she had.

Always ready to listen.

Always positive.

I will miss her dearly.

Sue Alby
Burlington

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I find it hard to put in a few words what friendship with Julie meant to me. Anyway--that dear lady can be remembered for many things in our community. And what a spirit she had! She was the quintessential entrepreneur and because of that talent our open studio " The Gathering" thrived. The words, "hard work, artistic talent, caring", all easily come to mind, but for me personally I will always remember Julie's unfailing generosity, and the wonderful comfort and joy of our Friday morning "spiritual coffees" at "Veronico's". She will always live in my heart.

Marilyn Ahler
Lyons 

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Julie Carpenter's funeral was beautiful in it's simplicity and reverence; but sad in it's necessity.

Julie's accomplishments were many, and she did them all with love and dedication. Art was her love, but her passion was the artists. That passion developed into "The Gathering", an accumulation of artist and artist wannabe's brought together to paint and share the knowledge and magic of paint, paper and water.

She so wanted to see Burlington have an art gallery/workshop studio. She wrote letters to the City officials, and was saddened by the fact that not one replied - no letter, no phone calls. But she never gave up the dream.

And so we persevere without our mentor, our force, our leader. But, we will go on and "The Gathering" will continue the magic.

Nancy Welch

Burlington, WI

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I feel such a loss. I was looking for inspiration among my photos the other day, and came across an envelope with photos of Julie and I that had been taken at some of the classes we had
taken together. I think I cried looking at them. It was the day she died although I did not know it at the time. Maybe she was telling me she was still around in all our hearts. I know she will not be forgotten in mine.

How nice that so many people came to the funeral. I was inspired by her example to push for a painting group here, and we now have a small one in the basement of one of the churches. So far about 5 people come on a regular basis, and we do a lot of painting. We pass on tips to each other and have a great time. A small group is fun although it is too small if a couple cannot come for one reason or another.

I also have a couple of the little paintings that we did at workshops and she gave me. One was done at Pat Nortons class where she became re-inspired after returning from Chung kai kees class and was sure she could not paint any more. I remember her on her hands and knees under the table splashing paint about and really enjoying the experience. We both had a good laugh about that and talk of it often in later groups. Funny how little things
can mean so much.

Heddys Stevenson
Sault Ste Marie, Ont, Canada


Wednesday March 12, 2008
Kerkman bills
Posted by: Mike Moore at 7:35PM CST on March 12, 2008

Rep. Samantha Kerkman, a Republican who represents Burlington, has introduced a couple of bills:

  • Assembly Bill 940, which would make school districts spend 70 percent of their budgets in the classroom. It's an idea gubernatorial candidate Mark Green raised in the 2006 election.
  • Assembly Bill 952, which would increase tax exemptions for seniors with retirement accounts.

Monday March 10, 2008
Group shouldn't hijack veterans' project
Posted by: Mike Moore at 1:48PM CST on March 10, 2008

From our Letters section:

Why would someone go to Madison to prove something is not in a flood plain, and then plan to install a $100,000.00 five foot wall to keep the flood water out all around the Veterans Memorial Building?

In the beginning the veterans only wanted to remodel and make the building more handicapped accessible. But they were approached by a group who wanted a building they could later take over — the Burlington Community Fund LTD.

Upon completion the building would be turned over to this group. A for-profit group. Sounds a little like Miller Park.

The veterans and auxiliary will only have limited access to the building. Not able to even hold their pancake breakfast there. We also would need to ask for permission to hold meetings.

Sound like a good deal? When we donated to the “Veterans Memorial Building Fund” we expected it to go to that. Not to some for profit group. That is what shall be done.

As for not having a plan “B” why not go back to plan “A” and give the building back to the veterans, to honor all veterans past, present and future?

Let's give this group a discharge.

LeRoy J. Welke
Burlington

This neighborhood blog is open to Burlington residents or anyone with something to say about the town or city.


Miller is a leader
Posted by: Mike Moore at 1:45PM CST on March 10, 2008

From our Letters section:

There is a dangerous leadership myth that leaders are born – that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not.

That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal or any goal.

Bob Miller has worked hard. For 12 years he has willingly devoted himself to serving the community, serving those around us and serving those who come after us.

For public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be complete dedication to the people and to the community. Its deepest roots are moral because it is a responsibility expressed through action, and for the whole. If elected as mayor Bob is fully aware (as were his predecessors), that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be expected but fought, and that honor is to be earned, not bought.

Bob Miller knows he must not, in trying to think about how he can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences he can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee. The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You put first things first and carry it out. You take people where they want to go. There will also be times when you take people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.

This is why I ask you to join me in casting your vote for Bob Miller as Mayor for Burlington.

Bob Geason
Burlington

This neighborhood blog is open to Burlington residents or anyone who's got something to say about the town or city.


Monday March 3, 2008
Is town sign law unconstitutional?
Posted by: Mike Moore at 1:41PM CST on March 3, 2008

This post submitted by Donald Schlesak, who notified the town of Burlington of his intent to sue over a sign displaying his house number:

The town of Burlington contracted a private party to install uniform address signs on every property in the rural area of the township. My sign became missing along (on different occasions) with two of my flags and my neighbors trailer. I have also read that people steal traffic signs to use as decoration in their homes. The town of Burlington decided to issue a citation (ticket) to me for not replacing the sign with their definition of a sign. In preparing to defend myself against their citation I reviewed their ordinance and believed it to be un-Constitutional.

  1. They did not use the proper procedures to install the signs and wound up “taking” private property without due process.
  2. They require the owner to pay for replacement of the sign if it becomes missing. Again a “taking” of private property without due process.
  3. They require the owner maintains the sign and the surrounding area. Subjection to slavery and/or involuntary servitude.
  4. They forbid the owner to move or remove the sign if he so desires denying the owner the right to control over his property.
    When the "character of the governmental action," Penn Central, 438 U.S. at 124, is a permanent physical occupation of property, our cases uniformly have found a taking to the extent of the occupation, without regard to [p435] whether the action achieves an important public benefit or has only minimal economic impact on the owner.
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