Viewpoint

Rhinelander makes us proud

Editor:

Coming up, our Hodag community has a chance to once again live out the old adage that “actions speak louder than words.”We don’t just talk about “taking care of our own.”  In the last two referenda, we have done it.

We have supported our schools, helping our kids while being practical about preserving our community’s best interests. Rhinelander has shown that it “gets it.”

We know what a failed referendum would cost us all.We will not abide unworkable class sizes, the loss of elective and programming offerings which allow our kids to compete in a wider world, or the end of artistic and athletic co-curriculars with the important lessons they teach.Still, those frustrated with repeated referenda are justified in feeling as they do.  In a perfect world, the district would not be asking help of its taxpayers.  However, the proper target of our frustration should be Madison’s school-funding formula. Literally, a portion of our tax dollars are outsourced to other school districts like those in suburban Milwaukee and Wausau. We also face declining support from the state.  Yet, the costs of doing business continue to rise.

Solutions, then, must be long and short term.

We must continue to ask our local representatives like Assemblyman Rob Swearingen and Senator Tom Tiffany to fight for the Northwoods and get the funding formula fixed, ultimately lowering our taxes in doing so.  It may be a tough task but it is tough tasks we elect people to get done.In the meanwhile, our school board is putting forth a reasonable referendum that honors what voters can support, minimizing increases in taxes with creative cost-cutting and use of the fund balance.This referendum makes sure our schools continue to do well by our kids.  In doing so, we also help ourselves.  We ensure a flow of skilled employees for the local workforce as well as a community center providing positive activities not only in the dead of winter, but year-round.

And, we invest in ourselves by strengthening our ability to compete for and keep good jobs and good people.

Rhinelander is a great place to live.  Our school district is part of what it makes it so, and we must do what we must to keep it strong. Most feel just as I do.

We have proven it before, and we will prove it again by action, by voting “Yes” February 16!

Gary Zarda, Rhinelander

Looking for common good

Editor:

Why can’t we stay focused on promoting the common good of this nation and its people? This country is sinking into an abyss. Problems are not being solved. Our government does not keep a grasp on it long enough to pull it above ground.

Every common good focus is reduced and fractured to finger pointing and individual and party priority points. The common good becomes buried in cloudiness of inability or excuses that accomplish nothing. The common good only loses its attention for cure and becomes a topic of debate. It has become a great way of talking yourself out of responsibility and a confusing the plan and direction to achieve nothing. What made the common good so bad?

Then in retaliation there’s a mass support for a storybook rhetoric as the ultimate cure where simple sentences tell the story of a fantasy ending. The truth is now a label but it is not included in the ingredients.

Only politicians and criminals can cloud the true meaning of truth.

We need to elect representatives that are true to themselves, the people and their actions. We have to eliminate the abstract and replace the fillers with reality in all forms of our government. We even have to oust the featherbedded good old boys in Northern Wisconsin government as well as those that represent everything but the will of the people. We need people with integrity that lock on the will of the people with strength that cannot be bought or compromised. We the people have to define and direct our government. We have to carve out the malignant to rebuild and demand a government of the people. It is time that WE claim ownership. We bear the responsibility for our future.

Our problems are real so therefore let’s demand that they are dealt with for the good of the people and according to our will. Let a man’s word or handshake again be a bond with the truth and reflect moral pride.

Lets’ rebuild this country on what is good.

Craig Strid, Rhinelander

Annual Lions tradition is on

Editor:

We have been waiting to announce -- and now thanks to the recent cold weather, the 40th Annual Rhinelander Lions Fisheree will take place this year February 13 and 14 on Boom and Bass Lake and part of Wis. River Flowage.

Who would have thought 40 years ago there would have been a question of ice on Boom Lake in February?

The Fishing Headquarters will again be in the pavilion near the Hodag Park Boat Landing.  Top prize is $500 each day for the longest Northern, plus other cash prizes.  Get your early entry ticket for $15 from the following: Mel’s;  Kemp St. BP; Holiday; West Side Shell, River St.; Hodag Pump and Pantry, N. Stevens St.;  Hodag Mobil, North 17; Kemp St. Marathon; The Fishing Hole, Faust Lake Rd.; River St. Tap or the Rhinelander Chamber.

Food and raffles will be available, and the YMCA is planning a snowshoe race for Sunday in the park. There will also be a free kid’s fishing event with hourly prizes to be awarded.

See rules and more details at the Rhinelander Chamber Web site:

www.explorerhinelander.com/rhinelander-lions-club-fisheree-winter-festival/. Thank You.

Rhinelander Lions