Opinions

To the editor:

After reading the article about the second plan for re-use of the Shawano Medical Center property, I felt compelled to comment.

Realizing that the committee has a very difficult task of trying to satisfy all the different concepts that must be coming from the community, one that seems to be missing to me is the Wolf River Beach. Both of the plans would dissolve the public access for swimming in the river.

At this location presently we have the Shawano Ski Sharks water ski team performing during the summer. There isn’t a warm day when I come into town across the MM bridge that there are not 10 to 20 children swimming in the river. The two plans submitted do nothing to address this.

In my opinion, we have a great opportunity in front of us to create a destination for everyone and utilize this location to the maximum benefit of all.

“I believe fairness comes with obeying the rules.” — Al Green

Today I would like to tell new residents about some of our existing ordinances. I would also like to explain where additional information can be found. For those of you who are not new to the community, perhaps you will appreciate a reminder regarding some of the regulations that exist.

Winter parking regulations are now in effect. No person shall park any vehicle on any street or alley between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. of any weekday. On Saturdays and Sundays, the prohibited hours for parking are between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. Parking is prohibited in municipal parking lots from 3-6 a.m. These regulations are in effect until March 15. If you are going to have overnight guests, please call the Shawano Police Department to request a special parking permit.

“Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.” — Native American saying

One day the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their way back home, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”

“It was great, Dad.”

“Did you see how poor people live?” asked the father.

“Oh yes,”replied the son.

“So tell me what you learned from this trip?” the father asked.

The son answered, “I have one dog, and I saw they had many animals. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden, and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden, and they have stars at night.”

To the editor:

This is a letter to all backyard birders and all interested in feeding bird visitors in winter months. Now is the time to get your bird feeders cleaned and supplies stocked up, as we will soon see the regular winter bird visitors from farther north, as well as the year-round birds. It is a joy to watch all of them.

They all need help with food and open water in winter. All seed-eating birds need water. Suet helps insect-eating birds. Getting feeders out early will help birds establish a pattern for where to find food.

Yes, you will get squirrels, a fact of life in Shawano. If you want to watch birds, as well as help them, there will be squirrels. I have not totally surrendered to them but have a compromise.

For some special bird watching, there is the Navarino Nature Center (NNC), where an effort has been made for good bird watching comfortably from inside. There are many feeders to view from inside. Give it a try.

To the editor:

Recently 77,000 Wisconsin residents found out they are losing the health insurance they have. This, as revealed on Fox News, is only part of the 5 million across the nation who have found themselves on the short end of false promises from the White House.

Next year when the government mandate kicks in — Obama delayed it this fall, estimates by the CBO, Government Accountability Institute, The Heritage Foundation and others tell us 129 million more will lose the health care plans they now have.

Sen. Ted Cruz was vilified for trying to make us aware of the disaster Obamacare was to become. Do you think he was wrong now? Sen. Ron Johnson has tried to sound the alarm, as well.

The federal Department of Health and Human Services has spent millions of dollars on the website from hell, healthcare.gov, and it still does not work! Do you really think they will do a better job with the real thing?

“Of all exercises, walking is the best.” — Thomas Jefferson

Park and Recreation Director Judy Judd stopped at City Hall the other day. She commented, “Today I attended a meeting at the Shawano Community Middle School where I just saw an inspiring sight. I went past the gym and I saw dozens of students walking; one with crutches. They seemed to be quite focused and appeared to be enjoying themselves.”

Judd inquired and learned what she observed were Mileage Club participants. Judd told me if I wanted to learn about the program, I should contact Associate Principal Tami Bagstad, who is in charge of the program. I enjoy hearing about projects and programs our youth are involved in, so I did just that. Today, I would like to share with you the details of this amazing program, which Leader reporter Lee Pulaski also wrote about in a Page 1 feature story last month.

To the editor:

Everyone loves libraries, but libraries can’t live on love alone. Whether it’s for storytimes, job information for the unemployed, vital health care facts, online access, finding scholarships, planning travel, becoming a citizen or simply curling up with a good novel, each library in America serves a wide range of needs in the information age.

Far too often, funding priorities for libraries have not reflected their demonstrated value and service successes to the communities they serve. Despite this, there are few Americans who don’t clearly understand the value provided by their public libraries.

Public libraries are among the most effective of all public services, serving more than two-thirds of the public with less than 2 percent of all tax dollars. What’s more, they are an important part of the solution to the problems facing us from unemployment to staying up to date on changing world events.

As we observe the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, perhaps it is also time to lay to rest the various conspiratorial theories that have been perpetuated on our nation since those three shots were fired. It was, without a doubt, our generation’s seminal moment and one of the major factors that eventually defined who we are.

“If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew; just go right along and you’ll start happening too.” — Dr. Seuss

Earlier this week someone posted this comment on Facebook, “Driving through Shawano is like driving through Green Bay, sure does seem to be thriving.” No doubt the writer of that comment noticed existing businesses as well as several construction projects, new business signs and lots of activity throughout the community.

Several new businesses opened recently on East Green Bay Street. If you haven’t tried El Tequila’s, you are in for a treat! The décor is bright and colorful and the food is wonderful, with generous portions. Service is great too, friendly and helpful.

It is nice to have Papa Murphy’s back in Shawano. One day when driving by, I saw people lined up outside the door waiting to get in. Papa Murphy’s is located in the recently remodeled former Kwik Trip building.

“The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” — Vince Lombardi

The city of Shawano recently welcomed Eddie Sheppard as our new assistant city administrator/public works coordinator. Prior to Sheppard’s arrival, we were fortunate to have Mary Nordin, professional engineer, at the helm of DPW serving as interim director.

Administrator Brian Knapp commented, “I really appreciated Mary taking time from her business and her ‘normal’ life to help manage the day-to-day activities at public works. She continues to be a valuable resource to us.”

Nordin grew up in West Allis. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she met Scott, a Shawano native. Upon earning their engineering degrees, Scott convinced her to move to Shawano.