A View of the Valley

by Linda Schwanke Last week in this space, I thanked all the people who ran for local elected offices and the Spring Green Village Board. This week, I want to thank and acknowledge all the women and men who will carry on the work of local government and also the people who work for us in our communities - the clerks, treasurers, patrolman, public works, police, fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the people who go out into the world each day to make sure our lives are safe and healthy.  I often think, when I’m talking to one of those many people, that they all have the most unsung and underappreciated jobs there are.  Think about the clerks and treasurer’s (separate in towns and elected, combined in villages and on staff). They are in charge of a huge array of duties and wear so many hats it’s hard to grasp. Accounting, taxes, agendas and meeting minutes, utility billing, ordinances and zoning, election administration in all its ever-changing and complex detail, licensing and permiting, government reports (there are a lot!) and audits, public notices… there’s more, I know. Above all, though, they work day in and day out, answering emails and phone calls when their people (us) have questions about everything under the sun. For many, they answer questions that don’t even have anything to do with their office like do I need a building permit for what-it-may-be, when is garbage picked up, where do I get a driver’s license… you get the idea. The great part is that almost always they know the answers and if they don’t they tell us how to find out. Patrolmen – the guys who patrol the roads in the township - plow snow, take care of all the heavy lifting in the towns, trim branches and trees, patch roads, keep up with mowing and weeding, repair and maintain town vehicles, and all manner of work regardless of the weather. Public works guys are much the same but have the added duties of wastewater treatment plants, water testing and management, street work including plowing, parks and pools, buildings and equipment, down manholes, up water towers. It’s not for the faint hearted. Much of the work they do is mandated by the state and feds and reports, endless reports, are part of their daily lives. The police officers in our communities do an extraordinary job of keeping us safe. Regardless of what’s going on in the larger world, here in the Valley they are here for us to serve and protect. The same with the firemen. On call around the clock, when they get a fire call, they hit the ground running. In their down time, they maintain their equipment and keep up with training to respond to fires, accidents and river rescues. Emergency medical services people are on the job when we are often at our worst. Calling an ambulance is probably never for a fun reason. They respond quickly with compassion and care.  The Spring Green EMS has gone above and beyond in these dire times first with testing for COVID-19 (which continues) and now with vaccinations for COVID-19.  In our community, and around the world, there are countless people who can’t stay home and work. People like farmers who didn’t stop doing what they do because their jobs are necessary to the way of life we hold dear. Everyone who works in a food related industry, in addition to farmers, like grocery store works has been there for us. Teachers, postal workers, daycare providers – so many people being so brave for so long it’s difficult to comprehend.  None of these jobs are easy. All require a lot of training. These people, our friends and neighbors, have been on the job through thick and thin, regardless of the pandemic and even because of it. Thank you all. Without you getting through the pandemic would be impossible. You inspire us all to be the best that we can be. Stay in touch. My number is 574-3159. Email me at homenewseditor@newspubinc.com or write to me at the Home News, P.O. Box 39, Spring Green WI 53588.  The news deadline is 12 noon on Mondays.  Visit our website at homenewsrv.com Get in touch with Gwen for sports or features at homenewssports@newspubinc.com. If you need a display ad, Dave Pronold can be reached at homenewssales@newspubinc.com or by calling him on his cell at 588-4777. Display ads, or ads that are in boxes, are due by 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. The classified ad deadline is noon Thursdays the week prior to publication for both the Buyer’s Guide and Home News. Classified rates are $13 for the first 10 words, then 30¢ per word for each additional word. Call (608) 767-3655 or email classifieds@newspubinc.com  Legal notices are due by 2 p.m. on Fridays, email them to legals@newspubinc.com Call the NewsPub central office at (608) 767-3655 for subscriptions and all other information Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, although afternoon hours can vary. Closed Fridays.