Curmudgeon's Corner
cur-mud-geon: anyone who hates hypocrisy and pretense and has the temerity to say so; anyone with the habit of pointing out unpleasant facts in an engaging and humorous manner
Village Buzz - December 31st...
To Log or Not to Log?
The JournalSentinel carried a Don Behm article this morning that suggests our community has a mini-controversy underway. This involves what some call the ‘Germantown Swamp’ and what is officially known as the ‘Germantown Wilderness Park’. Park & Rec Director Brett Altergott has had an exchange of e-mails that first suggested that “selective harvesting as a forest enhancement” was the driving force and then later suggest safety, because “There’s trees falling down all the time”, as being the driving force behind the discussions to selectively log in the park. Maybe it is a combination, but this promises to be controversial given the sanctity of the 200 year old habitat to some folks as contrasted with others who would prefer a more open park, and given the publicity it has attracted.
Of course, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission had to enter the fray. Time will help settle the discussion although it apparently has been ongoing since early this year.
Recycling Container Exchange…
The period for registering to exchange the 96 gallon recycling containers for the smaller 64 gallon containers is over. I’ll be curious to learn just how this process will be handled, as well as just how many people registered to make the exchange. It still seems that citizens could’ve been given the option at the beginning of this process rather than to need to remedy complaints after the fact.
We are among those requesting the exchange, so I’ll be interested in what the process will be and when we’ll learn of dates involved. At any rate, the village now advises that changes will only be possible when a property changes hands and that will cause a fee of $20 to be levied.
G’town Police Radio System Update…
The switch to the new digital radio equipment for the police department is now scheduled for July, 2011. That means that our department is last in line in the county for the change-over. Chief Hoell indicated that maybe being last is a good thing in this instance. Given the issues that have been raised in Milwaukee regarding their similar system being offline periodically, requiring their officers to rely on cell phones, being last would very well seem to be the best place in line. By that time, any issues will have likely been resolved. In matters of life and death, being certain of the ability to communicate is critical.
Settlement Discussions…
The case involving a former village president and a former village staff person whose allegations of sexual harassment became a federal case now seems destined to be settled through the efforts, and at the direction, of the village’s insurance carrier. This has been a sad chapter for the village and it will be good to have it behind us no matter the guilt or innocence of the village president or the motivations of the complainant. As in such settlements, there will be no admission of guilt.
A healthy, happy and prosperous New Year to us all!
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