Letters to the editor

I was not born or even raised in Black Earth. And didn’t arrive in Wisconsin until 1990. Despite that, it didn’t take long for me to discover the Black Earth Library and the unlimited support I was about to receive! You could call it the information hub in “living color.” Libraries had always been a place to discover everything!  And then came the internet. What’s next? I still need the library. We still desperately need our local library. For me and many others in and out of my circle we believe our special Black Earth library is the heart of our town.  It welcomes all ages and functions for all age groups. And might I add for the population who is not quite there in technical skills--the sainted librarians sometimes bail us out of  document snafus, and guide us through other disciplines. Prior to COVID-19 there have been times a young adult has helped me out on the computer. How great is that? Think of the self-esteem that individual feels? Yes, you can surf the internet in the comfort of your own home. You can shop, you can listen to a podcast, learn just about anything online. But when in the library, oh there is so much to explore. The front desk is an island of local and state pamphlets, cards announcing events, etc., and maybe something for sale. And just when you are ready to leave at checkout you might “overhear” a comment, suggestion or tip from another human to another human. And “pow” you are now engaged, curious, provoked to possibly pursue-perhaps another interest. You say, once again. You can get all of that and maybe more sitting at home over your computer screen. But I bet you won’t get hooked investigating something you weren’t even thinking about like one does when they enter the Black Earth library. It was there that I learned about Coffee With A Cop, and a book discussion group, among so many other opportunities. I had a great collection of friends prior to this but how grateful I am for the ever increasing number of new ones. And did I mention how great it is for children being able to browse with something physical in their hands with anticipation to check it out? Do you remember that anticipation when you first experienced the same? Magical it was. And the library is the place where children can listen to someone else read them a story other than their Mom or Dad. Might it be a dog that is waiting for a small human to read to them? Of course, this was all pre COVID. Hopefully we will have those days again. We have the best librarian and her staff.  I for one want them to know how very much their expertise and patience matter to me. A lot. I am so grateful the library is operating again during the pandemic. I encourage anyone who has taken the time to read my thoughts to hopefully express what our library means to them. I hope the village administration will continue to support our strong community library.   Connie Janousek Black Earth This month, our well tested positive for bacterial contamination.  Although it’s the first such report we’ve seen in the 15 years since the well became operational, we were not altogether surprised.  During the past decade, we have seen an increasing disregard for the safety of our region’s groundwater.  And it’s getting worse.   The Trump Administration’s utter contempt for prevailing environmental law – in this case the Clean Water Act – has resulted in a dramatic reduction in both the testing of our groundwater supplies and penalties for polluters.  Now, Trump is pushing the EPA to terminate outright federal protection of groundwater, while at the same time moving to block state and tribal interference in the authorization of harmful, new projects.   When my husband and I chose SW Wisconsin for our permanent home, the promise of clean air and clean water was a leading factor.  If there is to be a bright future for our region, we will need to retain the appeal of a healthy, natural environment.  Poisoned groundwater cannot be a part of that picture.   Janet Brandt Arena   Dear Editor, I am writing on behalf of The League of Women Voters of Dane County and its partner organizations and volunteers, to advise readers of The Star News that the League maintains a Voter Helpline that is available to assist voters throughout the State of Wisconsin, well beyond the borders of Dane County.  The telephone number of the Voter Helpline is 608-285-2141 and it is available so that voters throughout the state can call for assistance with their voting questions.  Dane County volunteers are able to answer most questions called in to the Helpline. But sometimes local volunteers are needed to provide information unique to other communities beyond Dane County (township and village polling places, etc.), or to provide direct assistance, such as (for example) serving as a witness for an absentee ballot when a voter is staying in due to COVID-19.  The Helpline’s statewide network currently has 22 local volunteers (and their groups) covering 31 counties and communities, and continues to grow with the participation of local League of Women Voters and local chapters of other grassroots groups as well as civic-minded individuals. Sincerely,   George Paul Prairie du Sac   To the Wisconsin Heights School Board & District Administrators: As a district resident and parent of three children, I am writing to express my disappointment in your recent decision to vote against adding the auditorium question to the upcoming fall referendum.  I’m sure many of you came to this decision in light of the current state of affairs in our world.  That I cannot argue with. Many of you are concerned about asking residents about funding a new school with the unknowns of today’s world.  I get that.  Perhaps now is NOT the time to be going to a referendum.  Don’t try to push it through quickly just to get it done. Do it right, and don’t settle. The auditorium should be part of the question.  It is not a luxury, it is essential to the success of a required part of this school’s curriculum!  It is vital to the students, district and the community.   The district vision is as follows, “Develop engaged citizens through diverse experiences and rigorous academic expectations”.  So, how is not having an adequate place to perform music and theater part of your vision?  It’s not.   There are certain classes that need specialized rooms in order to function properly. The chemistry class doesn’t lug their Bunsen burners and beakers full of chemicals down the hall to the library, nor are the elective Ag classes taking their animals over to the English rooms every day.  When taking a test, the school makes sure students have the tools necessary to achieve the district’s vision of reaching high academic expectations.  Performing in concerts are the band and choirs’ versions of tests.   For years, I have been attending band and choir concerts in a gymnasium of all places!  If you have never attended I encourage you to go.  Not only will you be unable to hear anyone speak audibly due to a lack of sound system and the horrible acoustics but your ears will be ringing after the percussion group performs.  Music is a required class from Kindergarten through High School, so all students would benefit from the auditorium.  We do not ask other fields of study to go through such efforts to hold classes.  This is simply unacceptable. Likewise, our extracurricular athletic teams have dedicated spaces in which to practice and play.  We would never think to ask them to just “make do”.  We wouldn’t ask the football team to play on the softball diamond, or the soccer team to practice and hold a game in the gym.  So, why are the music and drama departments asked to do this?   For many kids, the music and drama classes and clubs provide a place to belong.  Some of these kids have no interest or ability to play a sport, so the music department is a wonderful opportunity for them to feel like part of a group and develop bonds with peers.  From the years 2017 to 2020, on average, over 33% of the graduating class has participated in music, band or drama as an extracurricular activity!  These 33% of kids are not only significant in numbers, but significant in their diversity and inclusion, something much needed in today’s world.  There is a large amount of students who are doing amazing things with little to no resources. Neglecting the educational needs of 1/3 the student body does not adhere to the Vanguard vision.  Music and theater not only gives kids a sense of belonging but other lifelong skills to help them succeed in today’s world.  Studies have proven kids perform better on tests, improve memorization and have better communication skills then those who don’t participate.  They gain confidence in public speaking and learn to work as a team -attributes employers look for when hiring.   Not having an auditorium leaves a big hole in your vision.  There is no diverse experience and rigorous academic expectations without supporting the arts and giving them their rightful place in this school and in the curriculum.   Best Regards, Andrew & Shanon Bartel Mazomanie