Opinions

To the editor:

The Shawano Lake Lioness Club has been holding a fundraising craft fair for many years at Shawano Community Middle School and most recently at Olga Brener Intermediate School. The cost of using these facilities has risen considerably this year despite the facts that we are taxpayers and our club is a nonprofit organization.

The quoted price for us to use the commons area, kitchen and restrooms at Olga Brener in November is $440 for two hours on Friday afternoon and nine hours on Saturday. We understand that we have to pay for the custodian that entire time (even though that person is doing school district work and not working for us). At $20 per hour, that is only $220. Adding a small amount for the use of the kitchen still does not total $440. Every year, we have put away all tables and chairs, swept the floor and left the facility as we found it.

To the editor:

Heath insurance is a huge expense for small business owners. As it is, premiums are too high. I found out recently that my health insurance policy will no longer be offered at the same premium, so this December I will need to find a new plan. Originally, I chose my plan based on the best price and coverage, and that is what I will look for again.

Since I have to go through the process in December, having the option to choose a plan with a smaller network and a lower premium is very important to me. It would positively affect my bottom line, and that is key for any small business. I do not want to see the government step in and limit my choices. Politicians do not understand my health needs or my budget, and health care is not a place where “one size fits all.” I want to choose my own doctors and make my own health care choices.

There’s a fair in the air (Sept. 2-7). The Shawano County Fair has been around since 1881. It’s a wonderful annual event that brings folks to our community in droves — and that’s a good thing! Numerous businesses comment about how the fair boosts their business, too.

The excitement starts well before the fair actually begins. The 4-H kids are busy with their animals and other projects. The Rainbow Valley Rides start arriving, and stock car enthusiasts are getting their cars ready for one last performance.

To me, the fair is about people. I started going to the fair as a youngster, and I’ve missed very few since. One year my folks wouldn’t let me attend; it was the year when there were many cases of polio.

Thinking back over the years, some memories instantly come to mind: Remember “Sixty-six, clickity clicky, to the top of the house, to the bottom of the house, and I-16, oh how I wish?” Don Schoedel loved calling bingo at the fair, always a fun time.

To the editor:

Fellow seniors, if you are not already aware of the drastic loss of medical coverage by Medicare and Medicaid that took place this year, you will soon!

Costs for some routine tests and services that were covered last year are no longer! You can thank your Democratic legislators in Washington for this by their support of Obamacare. Obamacare stole millions from the Medicare-Medicaid programs to fund the giveaways to others. It’s in the law if you just read it!

Now that we (seniors) are on fixed incomes, we are the ones getting the shaft! Please remember this the next time you vote.

Bruce George Watters,

Bowler

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” — Edmund Burke

The Shawano Police Department will hold its second Citizens Police Academy of the year beginning on Monday, Sept. 14. Officer Brandy Hoffman is this year’s coordinator. The program will run seven consecutive weeks from 6-9 p.m. The first class will be conducted by Police Chief Mark Kohl. It will be held in the City Hall’s community room.

The academy is a program designed to provide information regarding the roles and responsibilities of the Police Department. Sometimes all the public sees is a uniform. The academy gives the residents an understanding of the person behind the badge. It allows the public to have a better understanding of the Police Department while allowing the officers an opportunity to become more familiar with the citizens they serve.

The program schedule and topics are as follows:

To the editor:

In a month from now, the doors to the old Shawano Hospital will close. Hearts may grieve. However, the employees who have served in the old building, some for a long time, will be the same caring people who will also serve at the new hospital.

We remember doctors of the past whose service has been very meaningful. By the same token, we are grateful for the doctors who are affiliated with the hospital and provide services now. Many of those providers will only be footsteps away from the patients who need them.

We think about all the families the old hospital has served through the years: the newborn, the young, the old and everybody in between. That old building has indeed seen a lot and has persevered. No one can ever take that away.

A story about a small child touched my heart, and I thought I would share it with you. A little boy entered a pet store and asked, “How much for the puppies?”

The store owner replied “Anywhere between $35-$100.”

The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. “I have $2.37,” he said.

“May I please look at the puppies?” he asked.

The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the store aisle followed by five teeny tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging way behind.

Immediately the little boy saw the limping puppy and asked, “What is wrong with that little dog?” The store owner told him the vet discovered it didn’t have a hip socket; it would always limp. The little boy smiled and said, “That is the puppy I want to buy.”

Today, I would like to provide you with information about our community service officers, who they are and the nature of their work.

The position is a part-time, non-sworn, civilian position within the ranks of the police department. The officer’s role is to respond to non-emergency calls, which allows our sworn department officers time to handle more pressing calls for service.

Supervisor Laura Woldt commented, “In the beginning of summer, the CSOs were asked to become familiar with our city ordinances as they relate to the appearance/cleanliness of our residential neighborhoods. I was totally impressed with how each of them embraced our mission and the noticeable improvements that have been made.”

Woldt added, “They try to handle ordinance violations in the most efficient way possible. While some residents become disgruntled or aggravated, the overwhelming consensus from neighbors is positive and sincerely appreciated.”

To the editor:

‘Twas the month before schools’ start and all through the house

all the children were reading and so was my spouse.

We went to the Library and picked books with care

in hopes that we’d read some and some we could share.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

with stacks upon stacks of the books they had read.

My spouse with a Kindle and I with my book

had just settled down for a long brainy look.

When what to my wondering mind should occur?

Why we’d gotten smarter, of that I was sure!

So I thought and I thought of the genres we found

and I realized libraries are the best deal around.

Your first card is free and that’s just one perk

you can even find info to help with school work.

Books, music and movies all lined up in neat rows

mystery, western and sci fi, Oh yes we read those.

More rapid than eagles I thought of the fame

The city of Shawano recently welcomed Brian Bunke to our staff. He will serve as the city’s zoning administrator/building inspector. Today’s column will help you get acquainted with Brian and some of the duties his new position includes.

Bunke left his position as building inspector for the city of Kiel (a position he held since May 2005) to join our city team. He also served as building inspector for the city of Manitowoc for five years.

He was the owner of Bunke Home Inspection LLC. As owner, he bid out construction work, gathered subcontractors’ bids and did everything from small remodeling projects to building new homes.

He commented, “I have decided to give up my business and concentrate solely on my new job with the city. I’m ready for an eight-hour work day, and I’m quite sure I will be kept busy in my new position. Having weekends free will be a nice change.”