Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, Well, it happened. Someone’s heart got broken tonight (26 Mar 2021)  about 8:30 p.m. on N. Wood Street. Yes, someone was speeding and did not stop or even slow down (Hello - the speed limit is 25 m.p.h.) to see what they hit. My friend (who lives on N.  Wood Street, too) was walking her dog when a white car came, speeding, while my friend’s dog heard something and went into the road, got hit by the car and lost her precious little life. I just don’t get it,  can someone please explain why is there a 25 m.p.h. sign up yet almost no one obeys it?????  When I took Driver’s Ed we were taught to obey the speed limit, the right-of-ways, traffic signs, etc... Do ya’ll not remember what you were taught or did you get your license off of a Cracker Jack Box?? Sharon Pasowicz Spring Green   Dear editor, I am very disappointed that the River Valley School Board voted to sell the Arena School Forest. The forest was given to the school district in the name of conservation and education It is a shame the school board has not used the forest for education. For example: Highland High School has an excellent mentoring program. I was a mentor for a student and taught him how to plant, prune, and thin trees. I taught how to plant trees for wildlife. We went to seminars. At the end of the year he said to me, “When I am out of school and can afford to buy some timberland, I will use my knowledge to make the land better.” There are several organizations with members that would help support the River Valley School Conservation Forest Program such as: Wisconsin Walnut Council, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association (WWOA), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Natural Resources Conservation Service Agency (NRCS), to name a few. Most members are willing at no charge to teach students the value of the woods.  My question is why would the school board sell the land so cheap and without conservation easements? Why would you put the money in the bank with little or no interest? Why would you sell the forest if the money is not needed? Wisconsin state and local governments are expecting to receive nearly $6 billion from the recent federal COVID-19 relief bill of which the River Valley School District will surely receive a share. It was a terrible decision to sell this forest and lose control of it. Even if you don’t consider the value of education  and conservation, why would you sell an asset that is increasing in value if you don’t need the money?   Stop the sale of this forest!  Sincerely,  Dick Powell  Spring Green   Dear editor, Sigh. Will this ever end? Will the Republican legislature ever listen to their constituents? A Marquette Law Poll shows that 70 percent of Wisconsin voters want to accept the millions of dollars for Medicaid Expansion. Health care was the number one issue for voters in the last election. The number of families impacted by COVID-19 is huge - job losses, insurance coverage ended, deaths, long-term illnesses...all things Republicans could work for...but...power and greed are more important to them.  What has the senate done? Passed a bill to create a committee (another committee!!) to see if there was fraud in the 2020 election. The three audits and judges’ rulings weren’t enough. They pander to the alt-right anti-POC voters, while ignoring the other 70 percent. It seems like the self-proclaimed “pro-lifers” really aren’t. They don’t want people to have medical care, and they don’t care when mass murders are committed. Rep. Vos refuses to discuss gun control. Five polls show 56 to 70 percent of people want a ban on assault weapons. Republicans are also against “Red Flag Laws,” expanded background checks, and waiting periods. It’s time to end this do-nothing-other-than-go-to-court legislature. We all want representatives and senators who work for us, not for themselves. Sigh. Barbara Voyce Lone Rock