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| Gregg Hoffmann
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10-10-2008 02:08 PM ET (US)
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This column first ran on http://www.wispolitics.comWisPolitics: McCain hits Obama on economy in La Crosse 10/10/2008 By Gregg Hoffmann For WisPolitics LA CROSSE - John McCain pitched his ideas on stopping the bleeding in the U.S. economy this morning in this western Wisconsin city, the second visit by a presidential candidate in just more than a week. McCain addressed a crowd that police estimated at 4,500 people in the La Crosse Center. It was McCain’s final stop on a two-day, three-city swing through Wisconsin. McCain delivered a stump speech, railing against Barack Obama on a host of topics. “It’s time to put the financial strength of our government on the side of working families,” McCain said as he pushed his plan for the government to buy bad mortgages. “We must go to the heart of the problem at the heart of the housing crisis.” Under McCain’s plan, the federal government would buy bad mortgages at face value and then issue homeowners new, 30-year fixed-rate loans at interest rates of just more than 5 percent from the Federal Housing Administration. In many cases, homeowners owe more on their homes than they are currently worth. The new mortgages would match the decreased value of those homes. In pushing his mortgage plan, McCain said funds for the proposal aren’t new, “but the priorities will be when we put the financial strength of our government back on the side of working families.” Obama's campaign issued a statement after the speech saying McCain had pledged Thursday to use new money if necessary for his plan. "John McCain's response to the economic crisis has grown so erratic that in the span of 12 hours, he completely reversed his position on whether or not his risky and illegal bailout scheme would be financed with additional taxpayer dollars," Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan said in a statement. "Whatever position Senator McCain finally settles on, experts from across the political spectrum have made it clear that his bailout scheme is a guaranteed loser for taxpayers and would hand our money to the very Wall Street banks and lenders who got us into this mess." McCain also called for suspending some of the rules that require retirees to liquidate stock investments once they reach a certain age. “We must also protect investors — especially those relying on their investments for retirement,” he said. “Current rules mandate that investors must begin to sell off their IRAs and 401Ks when they reach age 70 and one half. To spare investors from being forced to sell their stocks at just the time when the market is hurting the most, those rules should be suspended.” McCain hit on many familiar themes in the speech, emphasizing his leadership and experience. He said he has been a maverick who has been trying to clean up Washington for years. He criticized Obama’s lack of experience and proposals for economic fixes that “would include higher taxes.” “Which candidate’s experience in government and life makes him a better candidate?” McCain asked, to which he received a loud “John McCain” response from the crowd. During Thursday’s stop in Waukesha, McCain fielded a series of questions from the crowd urging him to go after Obama as well as some who expressed their anger that the Dem’s ties to people like William Ayers and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright have not been played up more in the media. Friday’s crowd was partisan, but not as vocal as the town hall meeting in Waukesha yesterday. Supporters regularly chanted "John McCain" and "USA, USA." Periodically, somebody would cry out "fight for us, John." The crowd also booed when McCain mentioned financial contributions to Obama’s campaign from "executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac." McCain made only a passing reference to Ayers, the former 1960s radical that has become the focus of a new ad campaign from the Republican National Committee raising questions about Obama’s background. At one point, a woman in the crowd shouted, "It’s a lie," when McCain said Obama’s economic plan would lead to taxes on the middle class and small businesses. She was quickly drowned out by chants of "USA, USA." McCain acknowledged he was behind in the polls, but added, "How many times have the pundits written off the McCain campaign? We’re going to fool them again." Wisconsin could be a key state in swinging the election, McCain maintained. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, one of the warm-up speakers before McCain took the stage, said Wisconsin is one of six key swing states. "Wisconsin needs to be a red state," Thompson yelled to the crowd. "Are you ready to help us make it that?" Before the rally, some Obama supporters and protestors of the Iraq War chanted and shouted with bullhorns from across the street to the people lined up waiting to get into the La Crosse Center. People had to obtain free tickets to get into the event, but were not screened for the political affiliation. Obama was in town a week ago for a rally outside the La Crosse Center that drew an estimated 15,000. Dem U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl was scheduled to lead a counter session to McCain’s appearance Friday afternoon in La Crosse. A statement released by the Democrats said the session was intended to "tell John McCain that the citizens of Wisconsin cannot afford four more years of the same failed Bush policies." | | |
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10-10-2008 01:07 PM ET (US)
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Halloween Highlights WFSC 10/07/08
West Fork Sportsmen’s Club is proud to announce that we are having a Halloween party on Friday Oct.31 .Festivities began at 6:00pm with a light pork dinner. We will serve pork sandwiches, beans, chips until gone. Same recipe as the conclave.
John Ward and Jay Hoffman will play from 8pm to midnight. These guys are very entertaining, plus they can play all types of music. No cover charge.
Cabins are still available, as of this writing. Book the cabin very soon if you are interested. We want to close them up as soon as possible for the winter. Area motels are as listed:
Central Express/Westby 608-634-2950
Hickory Hills/Viroqua 637-3104
Kickapoo Crossroads(New)/Readstown 629-9999
Midway /Viroqua 637-2929
Old Towne/Westby 634-2111
River Valley/LaFarge 625-2501
Super 8/Viroqua 637-3100
Consider yourself invited and please pass the word, THANKS
Trapper, Secretary.WFSC
Avalanche,Wi In the heart of the Driftless Area
trapafox@hotmail.com
There is still work being done every week day on the club grounds. We are very fortunate to have them here working under the AmeriCorps program.
Please forward this correspondence to all interested parties.
Send me a email if possible if your are coming so I can get the right amount of food set up.
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10-09-2008 04:52 PM ET (US)
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Greetings all,
Listed below is another opportunity to hear a presentation on the importance of understanding the challenges of living on top of KARST geology. Please consider attending this important gathering which will help you understand how vital land use issues are to all who live, play and work in the greater watershed.
Gary Thompson
Water Quality Monitoring coordinator
Valley Stewardship Network
124 1/2 South Main St.
Viroqua, WI. 54665
608-637-3615
garyvsn@frontiernet.net
Learn ways to deal with contamination risks:
“Protecting Our Water: Issues & Challenges”
The unique issues and challenges relating to ground and surface water protection in Southwestern Wisconsin’s karst geology will be the focus of a presentation on Monday, October 20 in the Pippin Conference Center/Melvill Hall on the UW-Richland campus, 1200 Highway 14 West in Richland Center. The program, entitled “Protecting Our Water: Issues & Challenges,” is scheduled for 7:30 to 9:30pm and includes question and answer time.
Presenters include co-directors of the Wisconsin Discovery Farms program UW-Madison soils scientist Fred Madison and livestock specialist Dennis Frame. Hydrogeologist Maureen Muldoon, UW-Oshkosh associate professor of geology, will discuss the results of a multiple year Wisconsin karst geology study and risks to the local water supply.
The presenter’s findings will be of particular interest to those who depend on drinking water from area wells and those involved in the area’s cold-water stream and river recreational activities. While karst geology often produces beautiful landscapes, the land is vulnerable to ground and surface water contamination. Hear about approaches for dealing with risks resulting from landfills, livestock operations, urban runoff, and failing septic systems.
The presentation will include an explanation of the nature of karst geology, risks of contamination, and ways to protect ground and surface water.
This program is sponsored by UW-Richland and the Crawford Stewardship Network of Gays Mills. Those interested in additional information can contact Dr. Norlene Emerson, UW-Richland assistant professor of geology by e-mail at Norlene.emerson@uwc.edu or by calling (608) 647-6186 Extension 109.
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| Gregg Hoffmann
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10-08-2008 07:38 AM ET (US)
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This column first ran on http://www,wisbusiness.comObama message hit home in region 10/6/2008 Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama drew thousands at an appearance in La Crosse last week, as he has all around the country since the primaries. Obama’s message, on the day the Senate passed a $700 billion bailout measure, hit home in western Wisconsin as strongly as any place in the country. He emphasized help to small businesses and people making under $250,000 a year. Those type of businesses and people are the backbone of the economy in western Wisconsin. Sure, you have Trane, Ashley Furniture and other large corporate businesses in the region. You’ll find Wal-Marts throughout the area. But, this also is a region where Logistics Health and S&S Cycle started small and have built themselves into leaders in their respective industries. It’s an area where hundreds, even thousands, of entrepreneurs run businesses like Dregne’s Gift Store, DiSciascio’s Coon Valley Inn, Ole & Lena’s Kaffe Huis and many more retail stores, restaurants, small manufacturing and service businesses. Cooperatives flourish in the region. Organic Valley, an organic dairy and other organic food products coop, started with seven farmers looking for a better price for their milk and has become a leader in the organic movement. The recession certainly has hurt businesses and people in western Wisconsin, but they aren’t whining. They’re still going to work every day, tending their farms and stores, and adapting to high fuel prices, higher health care costs and tight credit prompted in part by the irresponsibility of the large financial institutions in the country. Certainly, foreclosures are up in the region. But, this is an area where neighbors rally to a farmer or resident who is in jeopardy of losing his or her property. Small town bankers try to work with people struggling. These are the people who need to be heard by Obama, GOP candidate John McCain and others running for office. They don’t feel they have been heard by the Bush administration. Obama picked Nikki Brown, a manager at a La Crosse Wal-Mart, to introduce him at his rally last week. Brown, whose husband is a partner in an area auto care shop, talked about the difficulty of raising three kids in tough economic times. She was a good choice. She put a human face on a large corporation, and through her husband’s work also represented small businesses. Nikki and her husband are not partisan in their politics. Yet, they admitted they could use some of the breaks Obama has been talking about in his economic plan. McCain and the Republicans undoubtedly also will visit the area and pitch their ideas on how to improve the economy. As it was in 2004, western Wisconsin is considered a “swing” area, and offers easy access to Minnesota and Iowa, two other swing states. Voters in western Wisconsin have backed Democrats for president in recent elections, but have voted Republicans into office, especially for local and state offices. Democrat or Republican, Obama or McCain, any candidate should listen to the people of the region when they come here seeking their votes. Western Wisconsin represents a mixture of agribusiness, manufacturing, retail and service businesses. The people running and working for those businesses are hard working, enterprising. Most are members of the middle class and fear they are becoming extinct under the policies of the last eight years. These folks don’t ask much from their government. But, in these tough economic times, they certainly can use incentives that help them move forward on their own, and at least not have obstacles thrown in their ways by government, Wall Street and financial institutions that first give tax breaks to the rich, money and credit too freely, then taketh away. |
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10-08-2008 07:36 AM ET (US)
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Greetings all,
I would personally like to invite everyone to this important public presentation and discussion!
Supporting Family Farms
The public is invited to attend a free presentation by Karen Hudson, President of Families Against Rural Messes (FARM), to be held on Thursday October 16, 7:30 pm., at the Soldiers Grove Community Room (next to the public library), 102 Passive Sun Dr., Soldiers Grove. She will address the topic of ORGANIZING IN SUPPORT OF INDEPENDENT FAMILY FARMS. Ms. Hudson brings 15 years of experience of support- ting sustainable agriculture and resisting concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), from expanding into communities. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in education and farms with her family in south central Illinois. Ms. Hudson will focus on community organizing, agricultural policy, and the impacts of industrial farming on water, air quality, and public health.
Crawford Stewardship Project (CSP), 608-735-4277, csp.country@gmail.com and Valley Stewardship Network (VSN), 608-637-3615, infovsn@frontiernet.net, are co-sponsoring this lively event. The presentation will include a question and answer period followed by an informal discussion with refreshments provided.
Learn more about FARM by visiting their website, www.farmweb.org
Gary Thompson
Valley Stewardship Network
124 1/2 South Main St.
Viroqua WI. 54665
garyvsn@frontiernet.net
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| VSN
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303
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10-08-2008 07:33 AM ET (US)
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Greetings all
Please consider spending an afternoon visiting an area of our beautiful county, and learn more about how Dairyland Power Co-op's (DPCs) plans will effect you. This productive farmland will change forever, if residents don't weigh-in on DPCs plans to build an industrial landfill to store their waste by-product.
Don't be caught unaware of what is happening in your own backyard! See announcement below!
GT
Gary Thompson
Valley Stewardship Network
124 1/2 South Main St.
Viroqua, WI. 54665
608-637-3615
garyvsn@frontiernet.net
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| Gregg Hoffmann
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302
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09-30-2008 11:59 AM ET (US)
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This column first ran on http://www.wisbusiness.comWind power should move forward in western Wisconsin 9/29/2008 Some proposed wind power developments in Minnesota could benefit western Wisconsin and also should spark leaders in that region to consider more such projects. Illinois wind developers are pitching a $220 million plan to generate 100 megawatts of electricity in Winona County across the Mississippi River by building up to 67 wind turbines on two ridge tops along Interstate 90. The proposal, hailed by Winona County leaders as a potential spark plug for wind development in the area, is part of a larger wind-turbine plan to generate 200 mega-watts in Winona and Olmsted counties by as early as 2011. Some western Wisconsin communities, including La Crosse, could also get some of their energy from the project. Wind projects usually face opposition for these reasons -- environmental if the turbines are in flyways or other sensitive areas, aesthetic reasons because people just don’t like how the turbines look, and intrusion of the transmission lines that transport the electricity from the turbines to plants and eventually customers. This proposal’s fate might be linked to the latter. EcoEnergy, the developer of the proposed wind farm also has pitched a 400-megawatt, $850 million wind farm near Harmony, Minn. The company wants to cluster the proposed turbines in an area east of St. Charles, Minn., and another area south of Winona, stretching from the Rushford I-90 exit to Ridgeway. Transmission lines would run through the I-90 corridors as much as possible. For example, the line that would serve La Crosse would connect that community with Rochester, Minn. Opposition to transmission lines often is understandable. The lines can eat up farm land and at times run through environmentally sensitive areas. But, in this case, it looks like EcoEnergy is trying to contain the turbines and transmission lines along corridors that already have been developed for the interstate. The company also is going out of its way to meet with landowners very early in the process. A recent meeting drew more than 100 people. Winona County Board Chairman Dwayne Voegeli told the La Crosse Tribune that local landowners could benefit if they partner with the company to gain a large ownership stake in the turbines, “If local people benefit from them, you’re going to see a lot more local acceptance,” Voegeli told the Trib. Other officials in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin should keep an eye on the EcoEnergy project. If the company lives up to its promises and does the project with the environment and landowners concerns adequately addressed, other wind projects in other areas of the region should be pursued. It’s a natural since many of the high areas of the region consistently get wind. No alternative energy is without its negatives. That’s also true for wind. Nobody wants to see turbines and transmission lines on the bluffs above the Great River Road, for example. What you would gain in energy would be negated by harming the aesthetics and environment that attract tourists to that road and the area it runs through. But, to concentrate projects alone the interstate, and other established corridors for rail transportation, etc. could make a lot of sense. It’s time we pursue alternatives in several forms -- wind, solar, biomass and others -- work to minimize the negatives and start moving the region and entire country in a different direction on energy production. |
| VSN
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301
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09-30-2008 11:57 AM ET (US)
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Hello VSN Members and Friends! Last Chance To Stop Alliant Energy’s Dirty Coal Plant! The Public Service Commission will be making their final decision to deny or approve Alliant Energy’s application to build another coal-fired power plant on the Mississippi River in Cassville Wisconsin. The experts have had their say, now the Public Service Commission wants to hear from YOU the Wisconsin energy user. Comments must be received by midnight on Tuesday September 30th. We have to stop this plant! Go to http://psc.wi.gov/apps/erf_public/comment/...680&case=CE&num=170 to tell the Public Service Commission that Wisconsin doesn’t need another coal-fired power plant contributing to global warming, producing toxic ash, emitting dangerous mercury and spewing out air pollution. Just how bad is Alliant’s proposed coal plant? It will: Emit nearly 3 million tons of global warming pollution annually – that’s the equivalent of adding nearly 650,000 cars to Wisconsin’s roads. Produce more global warming pollution than coal plants built in Wisconsin 40 years ago! Create 2 – 9 times more toxic ash than other coal plants. The ash will not be able to be recycled or reused in a beneficial way. Alliant examined Vernon County as a potential site to store their waste ash. Raise electricity bills for Wisconsin energy users 5 – 6 % a year for the foreseeable future. Cost over 1.2 BILLION dollars Make it extremely difficult for Wisconsin to meet federal air quality standards, making it difficult for children, the elderly and asthmatics to breath. Contaminate our lakes, rivers and streams with mercury pollution that makes fish from our waters unsafe to eat. Prevent us from reaching our goals to reduce global warming pollution 80% by 2050 Please go to the Public Service Commission Website and tell them we want clean, safe and affordable renewable energy NOW, not another coal-fired power plant. |
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09-23-2008 06:52 PM ET (US)
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Fall Presentation Series
Join Valley Stewardship Network and Crawford Stewardship Project for a lively presentation from Karen Hudson on "Organizing in Support of Independent Family Farms". Karen lives on a fifth generation family farm in Illinois. A graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in Education, she is president of Families Against Rural Messes (F.A.R.M.), a grassroots organization formed when livestock factories targeted Illinois for expansion. Karen's presentation will focus on: community organizing and media relations; agriculture policy and regulations; and how industrial farming impacts water, air quality and public health.
October 16th
7:30 p.m.
Community Room
Soldiers Grove Library
102 Passive Sun
Soldiers Grove
We look forward to seeing you there.
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| Archived Stories - 9/21
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299
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09-22-2008 11:31 AM ET (US)
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This column first ran on http://www.wisbusiness.comSparking young entrepreneurs good idea 9/22/2008 When it comes to sparking entrepreneurship, you can't start too young. The Crawford County UW Extension and Vernon County Economic Development Association obviously believed that by bringing in 20-year-old Ben Casnocha, already the CEO of an e-government technology firm he founded six years ago, to talk to a couple hundred high school students last week. Casnocha is a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur, author and college student. He founded Comcate, that e-government firm, at the age of 14. He is the author of the best-selling book, "My Start-Up Life; What a (Very) Young CEO Learned on His Journey Through Silicon Valley." He's been named one of Business Week's best young entrepreneurs and PoliticoOnline's "25 most influential people in the world of Internet and politics." His resume goes on and on, to the point where you believe he must be at least 50 rather than 20. But, Casnocha's credentials weren't the important thing about his presentation. It was his message to the students from eight different schools in a region of the state where entrepreneurship is strongly needed. "Entrepreneurship is an idea in itself. Think entrepreneurially," Casnocha told the students in a presentation called "Becoming CEO of Your Life." He told them that entrepreneurship is more of a "life idea" than only a business term. Entrepreneurs should strive to constantly self improve and seek knowledge, he stressed. They also should take action and not find excuses to not get started on their ideas. "Do something, then make corrections when you see what you are doing is wrong," Casnocha said. A lot of great companies and efforts start with a "mediocre" idea by somebody who takes "baby steps" in starting action on that idea, experiences some failures and then makes adjustments, he added. Persistence, optimism, creativity and the willingness to seek mentors also are important for young entrepreneurs, Casnocha said. His presentation concluded a day in which the students attended workshops on boosting their creativity, business and personal relations etiquette, coming up with business ideas, networking and other topics. Casnocha's impact on the students was evident during a Q & A session after his presentation. Yes, he got one question you'd expect: does he have a girlfriend? He answered yes to the disappointed female questioner without blinking an eye and went on to others that were very thoughtful and detailed. His message, and that impact it had on a group of western Wisconsin kids, could be very important for a region of the state that needs creative, energetic, bright young people to stay in the area and start up businesses -- in agribusiness, alternative energy, technology, many other areas. Casnocha's appearance and the day-long event also demonstrate progress for VEDA. This writer first reported on the organization a couple years ago. At the time, its organizers were just raising funds to hire an administrator. They had some great ideas and a long way to go. Sue Noble now serves as that administrator. VEDA is planning several things to foster economic development and networking in the region. Its cooperation with the UW Extension is a good move. Fifteen area businesses and organizations served as sponsor's for the Casnocha event. That coordination of existing businesses in concentrated efforts also could be a big role for VEDA. VEDA will be most effective if it works with people and organizations within Vernon County and beyond. No county is an island, and cooperating with surrounding counties and their organizations is a wise move. Bringing in a dynamic, young phenom like Casnocha, to talk to young people who show potential, also is a wise move. Their energy and optimism can be built into the businesses and ventures of tomorrow -- which benefit western Wisconsin and beyond.. At the end of his book, Casnocha concludes: "We have reached the end. I hope I've shown how wonderful an entrepreneurial life can be, what some of the drawbacks or challenges are, and that only you can decide whether carving your own life path is Your Way. "If you choose to join the legions of 'life entrepreneurs,' there will be people older and younger, side-by-side in the wonderful capitalist framework that is competition, working to effect change, working to make the world a better place." That's a great message for people of any age in western Wisconsin and beyond. |
| Gregg Hoffmann
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298
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09-20-2008 10:10 AM ET (US)
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This column first ran on http://www.onmilwaukee.comIt seems like just yesterday we were reporting tiny Potosi, in southwest Wisconsin, had been awarded the National Brewery Museum over St. Louis and Milwaukee. Of course, that sparked some controversy in Brew City and triggered a debate over whether Potosi could really be considered the nation's Beer Capital. That didn't matter to the folks in Potosi, however, and today the museum is up and running, with an additional sister museum centering on transportation along the Mississippi River. The National Brewery Museum is a joint venture between the Potosi Brewery Foundation and the American Breweriana Association. These two organizations have teamed up to create a world-class national brewery museum showcasing a collection of beer bottles and cans, glasses, trays, coasters, advertising materials and other breweriana collectibles. The museum opened in June and is located within the historical setting of the Potosi Brewing Company building that operated from 1852 to 1972. Founded in 1852 by Gabriel Hail and John Albrecht, the Potosi Brewery began as a small brewery quenching the thirsts of area farmers, fishermen and miners. In 1886 Adam Schumacher bought the brewery and started brewing beer. In 1906, the Potosi Brewing Company was founded by Adam and his brothers, Nicholas and Henry. At its peak, the Potosi Brewery had grown to be the fifth largest in Wisconsin, shipping a variety of labels including Good Old Potosi, Holiday, Garten Brau, Augsburger and others to destinations throughout the United States. In 1972 the brewery ceased operations and closed its doors. The restoration of the Potosi Brewery began in 1995 when Gary David bought the ruined Potosi Brewery Bottling buildings. This nearly one square block of buildings had just suffered a major fire and most of the buildings were a total loss. In 2000, the Potosi Brewery Foundation was founded and some restoration work was started. In 2004, with restoration underway, the Potosi Brewery Foundation was selected by the American Breweriana Association to be the home to its national museum. Restoration cost $7 million and was handled through the two organizations, donations and grants. According to Len Chylack, president of the American Breweriana Association, Potosi was selected over cities such as Milwaukee and St. Louis because of the community's passion for beer, brewery history and beer-making culture. This passion is evident in the museum, with great attention to detail. In addition to the beer museum, the facility includes The Great River Road Interpretive Center, Potosi Brewing Company Transportation Museum and Gift Shop, All are completed. The Transportation Museum tells the story of how an industrial building on the Great River Road made use of the river, the highway and the railway. Through exhibits and interactive displays, the history of the Potosi Brewery is told through various modes of transportation. Beer is once again being brewed at the facility. The brewmaster has five beers on tap: Good Old Potosi, Potosi Pure Malt Cave Ale, Snake Hollow IPA, Holiday Bock and Potosi Steamer Hefe Weiss. They also brew root beer. The restaurant has a unique atmosphere, with a flowing spring below the floor and a real feel of a 1850s brewery. A handcrafted bar was designed by local artist Gary David. This unique piece fashioned out of walnut, maple and oak pays homage to the history of the brewery, and community. The National Brewery Museum is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The museum also will sponsor various events in the area. Next is the Potosi Brewery Great River Road Bike Tour on Saturday, Sept. 20. |
| VSN
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297
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09-19-2008 05:09 PM ET (US)
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Hello VSN Members and Friends:
As the leaves begin to change color, we are excited to begin our Fall Presentation Series.
Join Valley Stewardship Network, Crawford Stewardship Project and U.W. Richland Center's Geology Department on October 20th at 7:30 p.m. for the presentation "Karst Issues in Southwestern Wisconsin". Dennis Frame and Fred Madison, co-directors of UW-Madison Discovery Farms along with Maureen Muldoon, Associate Professor of Hydrogeology at UW-Oshkosh will present an informative discussion on karst geology and its effects on ground and surface water.
The presentation will be held at UW-Richland Center Science Building - Room 102. The building is located on the east end of campus. Walk across the foot bridge over Brush Creek.
We look forward to seeing you there.
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| Gregg Hoffmann
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296
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09-16-2008 08:07 AM ET (US)
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This column first ran on http://www.wisbusiness.com Another coal plant on river raises questions 9/15/2008 A coalition of union, farm and environmental groups has lauded Alliant Energy’s proposed coal power plant in Cassville. Supporters like the fact Alliant proposes to produce up to 20 percent of the plant’s power from wood and non-food crops such as switch grass and cornstalks. Certainly, some foresight is being shown by using the alternative sources, and Alliant will create hundreds of construction jobs in building the plant and 40 fulltime jobs at it. All these things should indeed be lauded. But, building another coal powered plant, along the Mississippi River, also does raise some questions -- a few which are being raised rather loudly just up river at Dairyland Power Co-op’s Genoa plant. Much has been written in this column and elsewhere about Dairyland’s problem with storing coal ash from its Genoa plant. Nobody wants the stuff anywhere near their backyard, or in the case of Vernon County residents anywhere in their county. The problem has been created in part because Dairyland is installing scrubbers to make their air emissions cleaner In doing so though, the leftover coal ash contains lime, which limits its recycling possibilities, according to the co-op’s officials. Dairyland also does not have the space on its own property to land fill the ash. That’s in part because the plant is pinned up against the Mississippi River. It very well could be that Alliant’s proposed plant won’t have the same ash problem because of its use of alternative sources. They also might have plans in mind for storing whatever ash is produced. But, to date, that potential problem has not been adequately addressed in public statements. Alliant officials have said additional emissions of carbon dioxide will be offset by initiatives like greater use of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Statewide, the company will offset overall emissions by shutting down an aging coal operation in Sheboygan. But, what about any leftover ash? Clean Wisconsin and other groups also have raised questions about the increases in costs of the plant -- to what is now estimated at $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion --- and about only “off-setting emissions” when what needs to be done is ‘reducing them pretty dramatically’.” Hearings on the proposed plant will be held in upcoming weeks. These questions and others should be adequately addressed, and conveyed to the public via the media, before any additional work is done. Alliant does seem to have a business plan that includes long term vision which takes in the environment as a major factor. Groups like the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation have supported the plant because they promote the use of switch grass, which also provides bird habitat. It’s also good to see that Alliant won’t further dig into the corn as food supply. Of course, that has become a problem for ethanol plants. But, by using corn stalks rather than the ears, Alliant can avoid the problem. Alliant might have a chance to build a plant that truly deserves the praise its plans are receiving, and is looked at as a truly green operation years from now. But, first it has to adequately address some of these potential problems, so it doesn’t have the same problems Dairyland faces today. |
| Mandy
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295
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09-15-2008 05:45 PM ET (US)
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Hi all,
Below is our meeting agenda as outlined by Danne and Christie at the start of the season, as always, we will be flexible depending on what we find in the beeyard!
We had a good meeting last month with lots of Q&A from new folks who heard about us at the Kickapoo Country Fair. We hope you will all come back this month, and bring your veils and gloves if you have them, as we have a lot to do to start putting the bees to bed for the winter!
Thanks,
Mandy
489-2162
Hands On Beekeeping
September 20, 2008 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location, Organic Valley HQ – LaFarge, WI.
1) Open meeting
2) Take attendance
3) Meeting objectives, Organic Valley Colony Management Team (OVCMT) & members
A) Inspect HOB packages, feed, prepare for winter, mite check.
B) Packing and selling your honey.
C) Dinner meeting?
4) Organic Valley Colony Management Team (OVCMT) tasks
A) Continue feeding, medication, mite control.
B) Store and protect supers, moth crystals.
C) Prepare winter equipment, entrance reducers, winter covers, hive wrap.
D) Begin to install/ adjust entrance reducers (mice)
Q & A time
Next meeting date and review
Close meeting
Show and Tell
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294
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09-12-2008 04:39 PM ET (US)
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Hello VSN friends and members:
On September 18, the Valley Stewardship Network is co-sponsoring a free event at the Viroqua Public Market. This is a great chance
to meet and talk with some of our local farmers and hear Mark Kastel speak about industrial-scale farms. Mark your calendars and we
hope to see you there.
Mark Kastel, Cofounder of the Cornucopia Institute, one of the country’s preeminent organic industry watchdogs, will give a talk Thursday, September 18, at 7 p.m., at the Greenman Music Hall in Viroqua.
Kastel, perhaps the most provocative voice in the organic community, will discuss how farmers and consumers can join together to protect the integrity of the organic label. Although thousands have heard his fiery oratory around the country this is the first time Kastel, a Vernon County resident, will speak in the area. This November he is a featured keynote speaker at the Weston A. Price Foundation convention in San Francisco.
Will corporate investments in industrial scale farms, monopolistic practices, and foreign imports decouple the organic farming movement from the environmental, animal husbandry and social justice ethics that consumers believe they are supporting? And, in order to protect us from the fallout from factory farm livestock production (E. coli, salmonella), will federal and state government partner with agribusiness to mandate that all fresh food be sanitized or sterilized before sale? Kastel will have some answers followed by a town hall style discussion.
Corporate agribusiness and the USDA seem to have one clear goal: produce the cheapest possible food, regardless of quality, and if contaminated, use technology (irradiation, fumigation, heat treatment, etc.) to fix production problems after the fact.
From 5:30-7 p.m., prior to Kastel's speech, everyone is invited to break bread with farmers. Several of the area's top value-added agricultural producers will sell and sample their wares in the Viroqua Public Market at 215 S. Main Street. Sibby’s Ozone restaurant will be open with organic ice cream, meals, beer and wine. It's an evening all about the meaning of food and community.
The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Viroqua Food Co-op, Kickapoo Free Press, Valley Stewardship Network, The Cornucopia Institute and Viroqua Public Market. For more information: 625-2042 or cultivate@cornucopia.org
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09-09-2008 06:57 PM ET (US)
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I'm forwarding the previously sent message (see below) as a reminder of an important informational meeting with Mike Murray, DATCP, dicussing something we all should be commenting on, as we engage in the public input process with the Comprehensive Planning process in Vernon Co.! See you on Wed. at the Reserve! GT Gary Thompson WQM coordinator Valley Stewardship Network 124 1/2 South Main St. Viroqua, WI. 54665 garyvsn@frontiernet.net ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------- Hello All~ Hope the summer has treated you well (minus that June 8 event). I hear bits and pieces of how the Comprehensive Planning process in the area Towns but I think now that summer is coming to a close we need to meet again. In discussions with committee members and Steve (UW) and Doug (LWCD), alot of this is a learning process for all. Some topics seem to be consistent through the Towns in the "I need more information" category. So, we've come up with a list of those topics including but not limited to: Livestock Siting, Water & Septic regulations, Wind Farms, Transportation, Building Codes and Inspections. Steve Ventura and I will match speakers to the topics as best we can and host informational/educational sessions throughout the coming months. In addition, Steve will be in attendance to answer questions regarding the Nuzum Grants at each session & you'll be able to compare notes with your fellow planning members on progress and/or problems. We'll start it off on Wednesday, September 10. Mike Murray, Livestock Facility Siting Program Manager for the Department of Agriculture Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP) out of Madison has agreed to come and speak (and answer questions) about the Livestock siting law. Let me know if there is some huge conflict with the 10th but I'd really like to go with that date because Mike has a tough schedule. We may add one more of the topics that night if Steve can line up a speaker. The program will start with mingling and refreshments at 6 and Mike will begin at 6:30pm here at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center (S.3661 Highway 131). Please feel free to forward this to others that have expressed interest in the topic. Attached is a fact sheet via DATCP and there are loads of additional publications on their website http://livestocksiting.wi.gov Hope to see you on the 10th! Marcy |
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