Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, As an owner and Master Cheesemaker at Klondike Cheese Company in Monroe, I am thankful to see State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) re-introducing his Truth in Food Labeling legislation to promote dairy product protections in our state. At Klondike Cheese Co., all of our products contain real dairy milk, and we’re proud of it. Real dairy products, like the award winning cheese crafted at Klondike Cheese Co., is not only delicious – but also an outstanding source of protein, calcium, vitamins, zinc, phosphorus, and riboflavin. The dairy imitators that are promoted with misleading packaging often only offer a fraction of these nutritional benefits. Our community members deserve to clearly know what is in the food they buy, yet oftentimes companies misrepresent the actual contents of their food. Marklein’s bill will protect the consumer from deceptive food labeling so that they can clearly know when cheese is real cheese. I know Howard was raised on a dairy farm in Spring Green and has continuously advocated for rural issues in the legislature. I am grateful for his work promoting this Truth in Food Labeling legislation so that people know when they are buying genuine dairy products here in the cheese state. Dave Buholzer Master Cheesemaker Klondike Cheese Co. Monroe   Dear editor, To the “Helping Hand” lady – thank you for helping me into Nina’s Department and Variety Store on February 3. I did get my baby gifts and I hope you found your Irish sweater. Again, thank you, Trish Dickinson Town of Spring Green   Dear editor, Open letter to Senator Howard Marklein: Senator Marklein, I received your newsletter regarding the budget on February 19. wrote: The Governor’s budget would un-do all of the hard work and responsible budgeting that have put us in a terrific fiscal position.  He is selling his budget as a “change” budget.  But I don’t know why we would want to change the responsible budgeting that has produced a massive budget surplus despite a pandemic. I don’t know why we would want to change the reforms that have given us the largest rainy day fund in state history. And I definitely don’t want to change our focus on respecting taxpayers while funding our priorities. The Governor’s change budget is a bad budget for Wisconsin. Well, Senator, that “rainy day” is here, now. A “massive budget surplus” tells me you are neglecting your duty to your constituents. People are hurting and afraid, the food banks can’t keep up with demand, hopelessness is growing because people can’t pay their bills to stay in their homes, the environment is degrading, and it’s surely the time to bolster economic health by aiding individuals, households, and the planet to stay afloat. Spend that surplus, Senator! Invest in small businesses and unemployed or underemployed folks and they will keep that money in circulation, ultimately returning it to puff up your surplus again. Besides, it’s the humane thing to do. Your priorities appear to be focused on broadband and creating massive budget surpluses and rainy day funds while turning your back on real suffering when Wisconsin has the means to help. Should they just eat cake, as Marie Antoinette reputedly said of the starving in France? I can see why Governor Evers wants to see some change. A lot of us do.   Katie Green Plain,   Dear editor, My name is Matt Johnson and I am a field director at the Wisconsin Land and Liberty Coalition. We are a nonprofit effort focused on protecting the private property rights of farming families who recognize the benefits renewable energy projects can bring to their communities.  In the past few years, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) and local governments have approved several wind and solar projects. Not only do they provide clean and affordable power, renewable energy projects are a significant benefit to local communities across the state of Wisconsin. Every large-scale renewable energy project creates hundreds of construction jobs, boosts local businesses, and increases economic activity in rural areas. Additionally, land lease payments can help farmers keep their land in the family by providing a guaranteed revenue stream for decades. Farms go out of business every week in Wisconsin and renewable energy projects are a way to help farming families stay operating through difficult economic conditions. If farmers want to voluntarily participate in a renewable energy project, who is to say they shouldn’t be allowed to? It is their land and they know best how to take care of it. Large renewable energy projects also provide shared revenue payments to local communities. Wind and solar projects can vary in size, but they often bring in several hundred thousand dollars in new revenue per year for counties and towns that host the project facilities. These projects can be a lifeline that provide decades of stable revenue for schools, roads, fire departments, and other essential public services.  Fundamentally these solar and wind projects are a chance to help farmers stay in business, increase revenue for vital community services, and create hundreds of quality jobs at a time when they are needed most. Rural communities across southwest Wisconsin stand to gain significantly when renewable energy projects are developed and approved. Matt Johnson Albany   Dear editor, I need to correct the record and clarify the coverage of the recent River Valley School Board meeting that appeared in last week’s Home News.  The story included a quote from me in regards to Susan Lee’s comments about how RVSD needs to do better in equity, inclusion and anti-racism. The quote read, “Board member Sara Young also told Lee that the board will tackle the issue but anticipated ‘There will be people who think this isn’t something that needs to be addressed.’” I didn’t say that. I reviewed the video to be sure. In addition to being misquoted, I was also taken out of context. What I said in the meeting was, “I nod to the fact that this [working on Equity and Inclusion] is scary and uncomfortable, that there are going to be people who do not agree that we should be spending time or resources on this...” As written in the Home News article, the (mis)quote sounded flip and dismissive...as in “people aren’t going to like this.” Worse yet, it seemed to imply that I myself don’t think this is a priority. This is not true. Rather, my intention was that working on these issues is going to be complex and difficult, but it’s absolutely necessary and we -- as a school district and as a community -- are up to the task. Furthermore, we can and should reach out to people who are more uncomfortable with these conversations, find common ground and draw them in. I encourage readers and The Home News to review the video which is available on River Valley’s YouTube channel. My comment starts just after the 12-minute mark. It seems I’m never as eloquent, clear and concise as I want to be when I speak during school board meetings, and this time is no exception. But the (mis)quote in the Home News was not at all a good representation of my comments.  Fortunately, I believe we’ll be talking about equity and inclusion in our district much more in the coming months, so the Home News and I will both have a chance to do better.  Sincerely, Sara Young RVSD Board Member Area 6