September 14, 2001 e-newsletter
Alliance Honors Public Employees
As the nation observed a day of prayer and remembrance in honor of those who were lost in the terrorist attacks in New York City and the nation's capital, the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities today passed a resolution recognizing public employees for their service to the citizens of the state and nation.
The terrorist attacks took the lives of many emergency responders, particularly in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers in New York City. Other public employees have worked around the clock in the search and rescue and cleanup.
"Every city in America faces tragedy on a daily basis, but on a much smaller scale," said Edward J. Huck, executive director of the Alliance. "It is appropriate today to pause, reflect and thank public employees and those who give their time -- and sometimes their lives -- in public service."
The action came during a telephone conference call that was held in place of a meeting scheduled for today in Marinette. The meeting was cancelled because of the tragedies in New York City and Arlington, Va.
City Spending Charted
A soon-to-be released report from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, "Perspectives on City Finances," details per-capita growth in operating budgets and capital spending over a five-year period, as well as growth in general government, street maintenance and public protection costs in Wisconsin cities with a population over 10,000.
Alliance members are across the lot in the rankings, but some of our members are prominent among the most frugal in both per-capita capital and operating budget increases and in spending increases for general government, street maintenance and public protection.
City leaders in the Alliance have been mailed copies of the report. The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance provided it to us with the understanding that there would be no premature public release of its findings. Those who agree to respect the taxpayers group's embargo may obtain a copy of the report from Rich Eggleston. Pre-release questions may be directed to Richard Sheil of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.
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Regionalism Conference in Madison Sept. 28-29 A conference is being held in Madison at the end of the month to explore how the philosophy of pioneering landscape architect John Nolen (author of the 1911 work, Madison: A Model City ) is relevant in the age of suburbs, superhighways and the Internet. Substitute "Wisconsin's major cities" for "Madison," and the questions the conference seeks to answer have statewide significance:
Participants will include regionalism guru David Rusk. For information, go here.
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| Fish ladder regulations eyed MADISON -- The DNR is proposing rules that would restore state authority to require dam owners to install passages to allow aquatic species to travel around dams. Fish ladders built on Wisconsin streams in the past often haven't worked, and the agency in 1999 lost its ability to require fish ladders on dams. A new law, requiring the state to contribute to the cost of fish ladders, prompted a set of hearings on Ch. NR 331, Wis Adm Code. The hearings began Sept. 14, but continue Sept. 20 and 25. Written comments on the proposed rules may be submitted to Mr. Karl Scheidegger, Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, no later than September 30, 2001. For more information, go here. |
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Quick takes
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Local officials have high hopes for the commission headed by Lt. Gov. Margaret Farrow that will be charged with continuing the work of the Kettl Commission, Amy Rinard reported in her Milwaukee Journal Sentinel column Sept. 8. To read the column, click here. Steve Billings left the post of director of parking and transit for the City of Sheboygan earlier this month. Steve had worked for the city for more than nine years. He has accepted the position of administrator of transit with the Missouri Dpartment of Transportation. Steve filled in for Mayor Jim Schramm at several Alliance meetings, and helped bring city leaders closer to the transit community. Click here and e-mail him in Jefferson City. Rep. Michael "Mickey" Lehman (R-Hartford) asks Ed to pass along to Alliance members his reminder that, with limited exceptions, clerks must transfer tax rolls to their treasurers by Dec. 8 To see a copy of Lehman's letter to Ed, click here. |
Upcoming Events
Sept. 17-23 Pollution Prevention Week
Sept. 20 Fish ladder
hearing, Eau Claire
Sept. 20 Public hearing, AB 490, to divert sales
taxes to transportation fund. 9:30 a.m.,
417 N.
Sept. 20-21 Hearings, SB 238, data collection
on traffic stops. Contact: Sen. Gary George
Sept. 25 Ch. 30 Recodification
Committee
Sept. 25 Fish ladder
hearing, Park Falls
Sept. 26 Public hearing,
compromise TIF bill,
(LRB 2253/1) 9 a.m., 415 NW, Capitol.
Sept. 28-29 David Rusk et. al., Nolen Conference,
Edgewood College.
Oct. 4 Speaker's
telecom task force,
328 NW, Capitol, 7:30 a.m.
Oct. 10 Speaker's
telecom task force,
417 N, Capitol, 7:30 a.m.
THE WISCONSIN ALLIANCE OF CITIES
14 West Mifflin Street Suite 206
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
(608) 257-5881
Amy Rinard