Dear Editor:
I would like to make an apology to Mr. Chris Marlowe and to his family and friends. In a letter that I wrote and was published in the Oct. 10, 2012 Foto News I stated that Mr. Marlowe had a criminal history. Mr. Marlowe has no criminal convictions.
I, like Mr. Marlowe, am not a lawyer, but I will admit when I have made a mistake. The information that I was referring to can be found on the Wisconsin Circuit Courts Access website at http://wcca.wicourts.gov by typing in the name and birth date of any individual. I apologize for my misinterpretation of any information on this website.
With this being said I stand behind the rest of my letter 100%.
Sheila Pudelko is still the more qualified candidate for the job of Lincoln County Clerk. If you are voting based upon qualifications she is the only choice. If you are voting for any other reason I ask you to reconsider.
Again, I do apologize for any pain or embarrassment that my previous letter may have caused Mr. Marlowe or his family and friends.
Sincerely,
Amy K. Duley,
Town of Pine River
Editor’s note: The above letter was submitted Monday, Oct. 15, however, due to an email error it was not included in last week’s issue.
Editor,
Here’s some really good news: The school children of Merrill, and the Wausau area, will again collect for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) this Halloween.
Merrill children will be collecting for the children of Syria, where the destructive conflict continues, 200,000 refugees have escaped into neighboring countries; more than half of these are children. All have seen many incredible horrors, and many are injured. The children are often in need of immediate surgery, nutrition, inoculations, clean water, and other support such as safety and shelter.
A recent note from the U.S. Fund for UNICEF states (Oct. 10, 2012): “Scorching hot temperatures, no natural shade, and frequent sandstorms rip through refugee camps, compounding the enormously challenging situation as thousands of families arrive each week. UNICEF is leading emergency water and sanitation efforts, including trucking in water for immediate needs…”
Wausau area children will be collecting for the 150-plus other countries that receive urgently needed help from UNICEF. Did you know?:
1. UNICEF provides vaccinations for more than half of the world’s children. Vaccinations are for measles, polio, TB, whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus, the “six killer diseases.”
2. A leading cause of death in poor countries is dehydration from disease and unsafe water. The Oral Rehydration project of UNICEF has rescued many children from dehydration and death.
3. In many famine-ravaged countries, UNICEF is the main provider of ready-to-eat therapeutic foods that can bring children back from the brink of death.
Congratulations to the children of our communities who will go out again with their orange boxes! Appreciation is due also to the schools and staff who support them.
UNICEF has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and receives the highest ratings from Charity Navigator, and the Better Business Bureau.
More information is available from www.unicef.org or 1-800-FOR-KIDS.
James A. Lewis
Town of Maine
Former member, Merrill UNICEF Committee
To the Voters of Lincoln County:
If you do not want a smooth running Lincoln County in 2013, then don’t vote for “Write In – SHEILA PUDELKO.” If you do not want someone in the County Clerk’s office who has certification from WMCA (Wis. Municipal Clerk’s Association), the don’t vote for “Write In-SHEILA PUDELKO.” If you do not want someone who has worked patiently with town clerks and treasurers, with their numerous questions, then don’t vote for “Write In-SHEILA PUDELKO.” If you do not want someone with 30 years of municipal clerk’s experience, then don’t vote for “Write In-SHEILA PUDELKO.” If you want chaos by Jan. 10, 2013, then don’t vote for “Write In-SHEILA PUDELKO.” If you do not want someone in public office who has the highest praise from WMCA, then don’t vote for “Write In-SHEILA PUDELKO.” If you do not want someone who was appointed as the most qualified from several applications, then don’t vote for “Write In-SHEILA PUDELKO.” If you do not want someone whose heart and soul is in a County Clerk’s office, then do not vote for “Write In-SHEILA PUDELKO” next month!
Barbara Dunst
Treasurer, Town of Harrison
Dear Editor,
Mary Czaja is running to represent us in the 35th state assembly district. We want to thank her for making the effort and taking the time to get on the agenda at our town board meeting to give us the opportunity to meet her.
One of the questions asked was what she thought a living wage should be. This is an unfair question as there are so many variables such as where one lives, marital status, children, cost of living, etc. She mentioned a doctor may require more, not because it costs more for him to live but because he has expenses such as paying his staff, paying off loans for many years of expensive education, carrying malpractice insurance, etc.
We don’t feel she should be an expert in all fields, as she indicated she wasn’t when asked a question pertaining to mining. Mining may be beneficial to our district and we should not close our minds to such a possibility. Mining would bring many good “living wage” jobs to our district but should be considered only after our representative has done a comprehensive study asking the help of experts to determine the safety of our environment.
We endorse Mary Czaja to be our next representative in the 35th Assembly District.
We would also like to endorse Tom Tiffany to be the next senator for the 12th Senate District of Wisconsin. Tom has been our town supervisor for the past four years and is our current assemblyman. He has done a superb job in both.
Town of Little Rice residents,
Vern & Iva Fernholz
Don & Nancy Ritter
Mary Eggebrecht
Tomahawk
Dear Editor-
With the general election only a few weeks away, we voters have a decision to make. Mary Czaja will be my choice for state Assembly. As a lifelong educator, I understand what it takes to provide the best education possible for our children. Mary will fight for responsible education reform here in the Northwoods because she understands our unique community and what we need most.
A third generation resident of Tomahawk, Mary has been very active in our community. She took over her parents’ family business and she has served on numerous local boards, is an active member of the Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce, and was the founding board President for New Beginnings Day Care, currently Tomahawk Child Care.
Mary has raised her children here and now wants to give back to the community by making sure we have a bipartisan voice in Madison. I know she has what it takes to get our economy back on track and bring more good-paying jobs to our area.
Please join me on Nov. 6 and vote for Mary Czaja for state Assembly.
Janiece Fischer
Tomahawk
Editor:
History is important. As the article by Patrick Henry indicated (July 4th in the Herald). He states that he has but one lamp to guide him and that lamp is the lamp of experience. He knows of no way of judging the future, but by our past. We also can judge our future by our past four years. De we want to be beholden to China for our finances, more deficit spending, lower family income, higher prices on goods we buy? It’s time for our elected officials to stand up against this OUTRAGEOUS (monstrous, heinous, atrocious) spending.
Would it not be wise to have Mr. Romney attempt to get us out of debt? Mr. Henry cries out to a just God, who presides over the destinies of nations to rescue us from these chains (quote: “You oughta be in chains” per VP Biden) or bloated Washington.
I desire these changes not for myself, but my grandchildren and great grandchildren. I also ask for support for Tom Tiffany and Mary Cjaza, both business people, who more than anyone know the pitfalls of Big Government.
God bless America.
Roger Gutknecht
Merrill
Editor,
The people of the 35th have a choice to make to be their new voice in Madison next year. I have met all of the candidates and I believe that Mary Czaja best fits our needs to be an effective legislator. Mary believes that Madison should look to how families budget, and live within our means. We should look to limit new spending, and cut up the credit cards so we don’t burden our children and grandchildren with mounting debt.
As a small business owner, Mary Czaja understands that only through new jobs, education, and smart effective reforms will we turn our economy around. We need a common sense voice of reason to fight for our values in the Capitol. Mary will fight for this entire district, not just a few special interests.
I knew Mary’s parents, Ed and June Behling for a number of years. They raised Mary with many of the values that we in northern Wisconsin admire. Mary has shown those values: strong work ethic, community pride, common sense resolve, and the ability to reach out to find common ground. Please join me in voting for Mary Czaja this Nov. 6.
Bob Koth
Tomahawk
To The Editor,
I believe that District Attorney Donald Dunphy should be re-elected to serve another term.
I believe that he and his assistant, Mr. Zengler, have done a credible job in fulfilling the duties of an elected office that is always under constant pressure from many different sources.
I believe that Mr. Dunphy has earned the right to continue to serve.
Thank you,
Mike Nolan
Merrill
Dear Editor,
I am concerned for America. Let me ask you this: Would you continue to invest your money in stocks that lost six trillion in the last four years?
How about: Would you keep a coach in your football team that has a record of four years with no wins?
Would you trust a president who was negligent and then covered up failed protection that cost four lives at our U.S. embassy in Libya?
How would you like to buy some property on Arizona/Mexican border, and you can count your life on government protection that he’s done everything he can to make it safe. Even though he didn’t have time for the security legislation he promised to pass first year in office?
What tax increases to fund Obamacare do you like the most? It’s free, remember? Who gave him the right to take millions from Medicare?
You can be loyal to a sinking ship, or admit there is a huge hole in it and join the people in restoring it to its former glory. America is still a good ship! It was built by people who loved God, wanted freedom to pursue their dreams. America is great, and we the people need to unite and keep the freedom that men and women have given their lives for.
We say NO, you can’t have our children, you can’t kill them in the womb, you can’t get them hooked on drugs, you can’t send them off to war.
We say NO, to more tax increases, policies that drive jobs out of our country.
We say NO, to a government that will not protect our borders, that will not protect our ambassadors, who gives benefits to illegal immigrants who haven’t done anything and denying citizens who pay for it.
We say NO, to ignoring the terrorist threat, for associating and protecting them, for harassing God fearing Americans.
If YOU say NO, it’s time to stand up America, start talking about how big our God is, “IN GOD WE TRUST” and get out and vote for those who love and honor and will protect America again. We need a President we can trust, who believes in America!
Sincerely,
John Rell
Merrill
To the American Voter:
Being bombarded by numerous political ads and phone calls has prompted me to write this. How can anyone vote for 4 more years of what we have experienced the past four years? Our United States Government is fiscally irresponsible. Do any of us spend 75% more than what we earn? Our government does, and does not even operate under a formal plan (a budget). Our government’s annual spending has exceeded its income by more than 6 TRILLION dollars in the past 4 years compared to 1.2 TRILLION dollars the 4 years before (1 trillion dollars equals a million million dollars). The Federal government just keeps spending and taking out more loans (check out the government web sites). The total debt obligation of our country today exceeds $16 TRILLION with more than 48% of this debt owned by foreign countries. If this behavior continues our currency will become worthless, and our children and grandchildren will experience a life worse than our grandparents of the Great Depression and they will ask us why we let this happen.
Our currency is already being affected by the government’s manipulation of lower interest rates, so they can maintain lower loan payments on the money they borrow. As a result, our savings accounts and retirement plans today are receiving almost zero earnings and percent rates of approximately 1 tenth of one percent for money market and savings accounts and 1 half of one percent for CDs and Bonds compared to about 5 percent four years ago. We are experiencing the LOWEST interest rates in U.S. history, even lower than they were during the Great Depression. Will negative interest rates be the next step our government takes (like Sweden in 2009)?
We have a dysfunctional government that is NOT FOR THE PEOPLE. I believe this election will determine the future and fate of America. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, please SAY NO TO FOUR MORE YEARS of fiscal chaos and incompetence. Our current government representatives (starting with the White House) must be replaced with fiscally responsible people that have a proven track record of positive economic performance and they understand what is happening to our country. Only vote for a candidate (not a career politician), if they have a goal to reduce our country’s debt and balance the government’s annual spending.
Thomas J. Semling
Merrill
To the Voters of Lincoln County,
We strongly support Sheila Pudelko as the write-in candidate for Lincoln County Clerk. Since Sheila was appointed to this position things have run much smoother for the election poll workers. Sheila is very knowledgeable and stays up to date with all the GAB (Government Accountability Board) changes and updates. In fact, she is having a final training session for the poll workers on Oct. 18 prior to the election. She gives excellent training sessions and answers all of our questions.
On election night Sheila is very organized and makes the processing of the paperwork run smoothly. Sheila and her knowledgeable staff spend time with each township’s representatives making sure that we have the proper paperwork completed correctly.
Sheila also shows her appreciation for everything we have done and makes us feel that we have done a good job for our township and for Lincoln County.
We strongly urge you the write in Sheila Pudelko for Lincoln County Clerk – vote for experience.
Beverly Schoepke
Janet Griffin
Mary Wolfe
Town of Skanawan Election Poll Workers
Letter to the Editor:
I am totally confused as to why someone would vote for a candidate for the one reason only – that being because “they are local.” As a former employee of County government, I know that experience and knowledge are what is most important. County officials need to provide accurate information to the residents of their County. That is exactly what Sheila Pudelko offers to the residents of Lincoln County. She has been an invaluable resource to me as a newly appointed Town Clerk and I hope to God that she prevails as a “write-in” candidate in the November 6th, 2012 election. In addition to her experience and knowledge, Sheila requires that her staff perform to her high standards.
As a taxpayer, I am glad to see that she is getting the most out of my tax dollars. The residents of Lincoln County need to realize what they have to lose if Sheila does not prevail as a “write-in” candidate.
Let me stress, the voters of Lincoln County must “write-in” Sheila Pudelko for County
Clerk on November 6, 2012.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lora Walters
Gleason
Letter to the Editor,
If you have not had a chance to meet Susan Sommer, you are missing something! Susan is the Democratic candidate for the Wisconsin State 12th Senate District. Susan and her husband live in Phelps, and she is campaigning in the 12th district with the intensity that befits her mission to bring back home the values of the Northwoods area. Including: Number One – protection of the environment. This administration is trying to push through a mining bill to accommodate speculators, rather than follow the Wisconsin law already in place that was thoughtfully constructed to protect the land and groundwater. Number Two – education. This administration, which includes the representative opposing Susan on the ballot, has taken funds (lots of funds!) from our schools here in the north to give to the Milwaukee charter schools. Susan knows the law (a graduate of Marquette Law School and a former prosecuting attorney) and has the integrity and vision to bring lawmaking in Madison to a just conclusion. An example of her dedication and service is her time spent recently in the AmeriCorps project (domestic Peace Corps) building homes with Habitat for Humanity in the southern States, Cheyenne Indian Reservation and Northern Ireland. The 12th District is fortunate to have this remarkable woman ready to represent us in Madison. Please don’t let her down on November 6th. Check out more about Susan on her website susansommersenate.com. Thank you.
Judy Weaver
Merrill
Dear Editor,
The political environment today is filled with hatred and intolerance. Advertisements for candidates no longer state the virtue of their candidate. They now only swear the incompetence and stupidities of their opponent. Compromise, the basis of our form of government, has become a dirty word. The House Majority leader says he rejects the very word. When one side of an argument refuses to listen and insists upon only one possible answer to a problem, our government grinds to a halt and cannot function.
Today’s elections are no longer about who will lead or who has the best plan for the future. Elections today will determine our very form of government. These are no bullets flying, but there is great conflict between two sides. This conflict is artificial. It is a distraction. A people divided are easier to conquer. This is what is being done.
We have a choice in the coming elections. On one side we have a party that refuses compromise. They have made the limitation of the Obama presidency to a single term their number one priority. Not job creation. Not health care. Not rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. Not ending the war in Afghanistan. Not civil rights. We have seen this in their deeds and actions. Candidates like Tiffany, Thompson, Duffy and Romney have shown that they are following a corporate agenda which will not help Americans. Their agenda will help American corporations. With corporate profits at RECORD levels, Wall Street soaring, and productivity at its highest level in many years, those that benefit from this are now buying elected representatives and judges with their new found profits. They are trying to buy our nation. The aim is to increase income for the few while taking it to the many.
Here in Wisconsin we have seen this played out clearly. Representatives like Tiffany have supported massive cuts to education so that Wal-Mart can have tax breaks. They decry tax increases while raising taxes on the poor and elderly by repealing the Earned Income Tax Credit. They support limiting the amount you can spend on a lawyer to sue for damages, which will protect the corporate bottom line. They have even proposed giving corporations a free ride to pay NO tax while you and I pony up our taxes to run the state. Duffy showed up in Merrill after the tornado, not to help his constituents, but to use the press to advocate spending cuts. Again, a part of the corporate agenda.
Is the solution to all our problems then simply to vote Democrat? Of course not. Anyone we elect needs to be watched very carefully and confronted when they stray from representing their constituents and turn to representing corporate interests. Studies have shown that Conservative representatives answer to money. Those same studies show that Democratic representatives do the same thing. Rejecting one side for another is no solution. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Presently, those who represent a more progressive viewpoint have a much better platform and better ideas to solve today’s problems. This may not always be so, but for now it is clear.
This election is about so much more than who will lead. It is about protecting our very form of government. I close with a quote from F.D.R.: “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” THIS is what this election is all about.
Doug Curtis
Gleason