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 - April 9th
Village Buzz - March 21st
St. Patrick's Day resulted in less-than-expected incidents from the Germantown Police Department's perspective according to Chief Hoell. He described the activity level as "manageable but steady" throughout the day, but the department did have extra staff on duty using state grant traffic enforcement funding. There were officers held over from the second shift to the third shift given the number and magnitude of incidents escalating that night as could be expected.
Can You Even Begin to Imagine?
"Can you even begin to imagine the size of the crowd cramming itself into Erin on this St. Patty's Day?"
Black Friday...From The Inside
I had the privilege to awaken at 3:30AM this morning, dress and present myself to CPO Ray Borden at the Germantown Police Department. Once there, I joined with a group of four other Citizen Police Academy graduates and a member of the Police Explorer post. Our reason? We were going to provide a "presence" at the local Wal-Mart Super Center from slightly before 5:00AM until the crowds had subsided as most of the specials were sold to the bare walls.
Village Buzz - Police Dept. Elimination?
Among the potential cost-cutting changes suggested by at least one member of the Village Board was the elimination of the Germantown Police Department by replacing it with a Washington County Sheriff's Department contract. This was thought to be a way in which the budget numbers could be lowered without seriously affecting village safety.
Village Buzz - Budget Debate: 2
The trustees came together last night as the Committee of the Whole to further discuss the budget for 2010. Department heads testified regarding their areas of responsibility and the potential cuts if a "zero increase" budget were to be approved by the Board. This was a confusing meeting; it was apparent that not all the trustees have a good grip on the budgeting process and that not all trustees are as concerned with some aspects as those in attendance seemed to be.
Village Buzz - Village Budget Debate
The Committee of the Whole (Village Board but not a formal Board meeting) reviewed the proposed budget for the coming year during a meeting this past Monday evening. Dave Schornack and Kim Rath presented the initial proposed budget that added increased costs to current levels and it came in at a rate increase of some 3.7%.
Guns, Guns, Guns...
Guns are in the news, and seemingly have been in the news forever and a day. There are several things at work here, in my opinion.
State-Mandated Traffic Stop Database
Part of the budget bill is a requirement that police departments maintain a database of information concerning the race of drivers who are stopped for violations. That information would apparently be maintained at the state level. It is obvious that this is aimed at the issue of "racial profiling" by law enforcement agencies.
Cell Phone Debate...
There seems a perpetual debate over the use of cell phones while driving. Likewise, there seems the general thought that a new law ought be devised to ban the use of cell phones while driving.
Drugs: What You Need To Know
The Germantown Youth Futures organization is sponsoring a program that I previewed during my Citizen Police Academy experience last year.
Citizen Police Academy...
I've mentioned, several times, the fact that I had been participating in the 8th class to go through the Germantown Police Department's Citizen Police Academy (CPA). Our group 'graduated' last night after our final session which involved Officer Jeff Schnell and Officer Bosco (who sure seems to be healthy in spite of a couple of shaved spots following his recent medical adventure...Bosco, that is; not Jeff Schnell).
This & That...
Several things keep coming to mind this morning and I can't choose between them so...
A "Simple" Traffic Stop...
Our Citizen Police Academy group went through the next to last week of education last evening and the subject was traffic stops. Officer Ray Borden had enlisted the aid of two graduates of earlier classes and they posed as drivers and/or passengers in vehicles that we were to stop in mock situations.
John Doe Investigation...
A story in the morning Journal Sentinel by Mike Johnson discusses a John Doe investigation ordered by Waukesha County Circuit Judge Ralph Ramirez at the request of a Mr. James M. Hermann who was a Germantown resident at the time of his arrest.
Too Naive...
Two different classroom experiences in the past two days have convinced me that I am too naive for my own good.
They Never Know...
They never know just what to expect when a call comes in; in the case of the Mequon police officer responding to a domestic disturbance call yesterday, the uncertainty became a known very quickly.
Village Buzz - November 4th...
Wow, voting day is finally here and my telephone will quit ringing so much, my mailbox will be less cluttered and I can either celebrate or cry in my proverbial beer. This election 'season' has seemed to go on forever. Several things are at top of mind this morning...
Police Department Budget Issues...
This Blog promises to be too long...and I apologize up front. BUT, this topic is critical, in my estimation, to the safety of our citizens and our property. While we're getting everything on the table, you should know by now that "I am in the tank" for our Police Department; I make no bones about it and I am unapologetic for that!
Shocking Experience...
I had a shocking experience last evening courtesy of the Germantown Police Department. I have been, along with several other citizens, participating in the current Citizen's Police Academy offered by the department as a means of informing more people about the department, its duties, its tools and so on.
Village Buzz - September 25th...Chap. 1
There will be two versions of the Village Buzz posted today given two relatively lengthy subjects each of which deserve a more detailed review.
Mequon Road Intersection Update...
I received several emails that provided some additional information and thoughts on the subject of the intersection at Mequon and Wausaukee Roads at the very east edge of the village.
Village Committee Assignments Made...
President Kempinski has made his committee assignments for the coming year and the Board has approved those assignments.
Great Job By Two Police Departments...
The Journal Sentinel reported this morning that the two suspects, aged 23 and 22, in the robbery of the Guaranty Bank branch in the Germantown Pick 'n Save are nicely ensconced in the Washington County Jail.
