Editor,
This year marks the 28th year Citizens for Decency Lincoln County, Inc. has supported the National Anti-Pornography Awareness Week, Oct. 28-Nov. 3, 2018. It is combined with the White Ribbon Against Pornography (WRAP) campaign.
The White Ribbon symbolizes the decency movement around the nation. CDLC, Inc. encourages everyone to take a stand against any immoral activity which only harms family; particularly women and children, both locally as well as human trafficking worldwide, men included.
Locally, WRAP banners are posted on the east and west side in Merrill. White ribbons will be dispersed in many churches as well as the T.B. Scott Library and some businesses.
For free ribbons, call 715-536-4126. For more information, see endsexualexploitation.org.
Take a stand! Wear your white ribbon proudly!
Marlee Schreiber
Citizens for Decency Lincoln County, Inc.
Editor:
Legalizing medical marijuana and hemp in Wisconsin will create incredible opportunities for local farmers, factory workers and businesses. Hemp has been hailed as a “miracle product.” It is used in 5,000 textiles and 25,000 products. U.S. hemp is a billion dollar industry. Unfortunately, the U.S. is the only developed nation which still bans hemp, lumping it together with marijuana as a Class I Drug, so hemp must be imported from countries like Canada. Canada has declared hemp a “near perfect” crop, with 100,000 acres under cultivation. If it can be grown there, it can be grown in Lincoln County. Marijuana and hemp are members of the same species (Cannabis) but very different plants. Hemp is planted like wheat, 4 inches apart; marijuana is planted 6 feet apart. They can’t be planted together because hemp’s pollen will ruin marijuana’s pollen. Hemp is low in THC (psychoactive ingredient). Smoking it will give you a very bad headache. Both plants have beneficial properties. Marijuana has been used to treat the side effects of cancer chemotherapy, HIV-AIDS, glaucoma, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, severe and chronic pain, muscle spasms from MS, and Crohn’s disease. Both are huge job-creators and revenue-raisers. Last year, Colorado’s marijuana industry created 18,000 new, full-time jobs, generating $2.4 billion in economic activity and $248 million in tax revenue—revenue that can be used to improve health care and education. In contrast, Wisconsin’s Gov. Walker promised FoxConn $4 billion in tax breaks, plus $764 million in local aid, to create just 13,000 jobs in just one city, Mount Pleasant, WI. How does this benefit residents in Lincoln County? Which model of economic development do you prefer? Choose wisely, vote wisely, this November!
John H. Natzke
Merrill
Editor:
I am voting for Tony Evers for Governor. As a lawyer, (and Merrill HS graduate) who has devoted many years to representing people who work for a living, I have seen first hand the devastating impact of the laws enacted by Governor Walker and the Republican legislature.
To give one example – Governor Walker and the Republican legislature enacted new barriers to qualifying for unemployment. Until 2014, discharged workers could only be denied unemployment if they were discharged for “misconduct.” But in 2014, Wisconsin became one of only two states to deny benefits to workers terminated for conduct that constitutes “substantial fault.”
This law is a step backwards for our State. In 1932, Wisconsin was the first state to provide for unemployment benefits. Such benefits were intended to help local economies, and provide transition funds for workers to help pay for food and rent.
Now the Wal-Marts and Walgreens, are able to terminate workers, and deny them benefits under the lesser standard of “substantial fault.” I have been successful in overturning some of these denials, including a case I won on behalf of my client before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Operton v. LIRC. But attorneys’ fees for such cases are capped at ten percent of the amount at issue, and few workers are able to obtain representation to assure a just outcome.
We need to elect a Governor who will level the playing field and reverse the disadvantages that Governor Walker has imposed. Join me in voting for Tony Evers.
Marilyn Townsend
Madison
Editor:
In a recent news interview, I answered questions about things that happened involving the Sheriff’s Office leading up to the Primary. I was straightforward and answered those questions honestly.
I pointed out that certain individuals from the Sheriff’s Office have gone to great lengths to help my opponent win this election at all costs. Much information published by the Schneider for Sheriff campaign was misleading and untruthful. For example: (1) The bias yellow comparison chart published in the newspaper and on Facebook, (2) Schneider campaign lied about being endorsed by the Mayor of Tomahawk, (3) Schneider was dishonest about the take-home squad program/costs (4) Sheriff Jaeger lied about personal use of take-home squads.
The reporter and I also discussed the fact that at least 11 Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office supervisors, including candidate Ken Schneider, were contacted by Lincoln County Administrative Coordinator Jason Hake by letter and told them that they had violated Personnel Policy. These officers are not rookies – they know the Personnel Policy; or at least they should. This isn’t something I dreamed up. This happened.
Sheriff Jaeger voiced his opinion recently and said that he “concluded that no violation of any policy occurred.” Jaeger is the Treasurer for Ken Schneider’s campaign. Do you honestly think he’s going to admit to any wrong doing by the Schneider supporters? He’s trying to divert attention away from the facts.
Since that interview, I have been contacted by several Sheriff’s Office employees who support me privately. They thanked me for standing up to the select few “entitled” Sheriff’s Office employees who have taken advantage of their positions and seem to be more concerned about themselves than our citizens.
Most of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office employees are good ethical people, and I am proud to serve with them. Someone needs to stand up to the select few who threaten the integrity of the organization.
I assure you, I will manage the Sheriff’s Office and your tax dollars with true integrity in the best interests of the citizens. Please write-in Pete Borchardt for Sheriff on Nov. 6. I won’t let you down.
Pete Borchardt
Merrill
Editor:
Negative ads are being run by desperate individuals trying to discredit both the Sheriff’s Office and me, Ken Schneider. The accusations are baseless and only meant to inflame and divide people. I have a 28-year track record of proven leadership at the Sheriff’s Office and I will not be drawn into that absurdity.
I have real experience supporting the people at the Sheriff’s Office and the professional work they do. I have real experience training Deputies to be the professionals they have proven themselves to be many times over.
I have a real understanding of the work done by the Corrections Officers because I was a Corrections Officer. I have a real understanding of the work done by the Patrol Deputies because I was a Patrol Deputy. I have a real understanding of the work the Special Response Team does because I was the Team Commander. I have a real understanding of the work the Lieutenants do because I have been a Lieutenant for 18 years. I have real experience with the budgets because I have been a part of fiscally responsible budget decisions for nearly two decades. I have the real support of my co-workers.
Do not be misled by desperate negativity and accusations that are NOT real. I am very proud of the Sheriff’s Office and the professionals that work there. I have a real vision to lead this agency forward. Vote for real experience. Vote Ken Schneider for Sheriff Nov. 6.
Ken Schneider
Merrill
Editor,
With 2018 being an important midterm election year, people may think that local elections don’t matter as much as state or nation-wide ones. Make no mistake- the office of county sheriff is important. It’s so important that 27 of the 63 clauses in the Magna Carta directly address sheriffs and their responsibilities. The office of sheriff originally started as an elected position to provide leadership and representation to the common people. Even the word “sheriff” comes from the term shire-reeve, literally meaning “guardian of the shire.”
This position is important; and yet I hear people say they plan on voting for a candidate for reasons like “we went to school together” or “he goes to my church.” Just knowing somebody does not make him qualified to be the guardian of our county. It does not make him qualified to be our leader or to carry the responsibilities of sheriff.
Ken Schneider has the training and experience to be Lincoln County’s Sheriff. He knows how the sheriff’s office works – and, more importantly, he knows why. He has his own ideas for change; ideas that have been sculpted by experience and that work within the parameters of the job. He can start implementing those changes immediately, working with the respect and support of his coworkers.
Join me in voting for Ken Schneider for Sheriff. The position of county sheriff is important, and Ken Schneider is the best candidate for the job.
Rachael Waldburger
Merrill
Letter to the editor;
In regards to Pete Borchardt’s recent comments there are some glaring details he fails to mention. Regarding the yellow flyer that he claims is biased… it is. It is biased toward the candidate with a better resume. Just because it isn’t flattering, doesn’t make it less accurate. Secondly, the Schneider campaign didn’t lie about being endorsed by the Tomahawk mayor. The mayor stated he would endorse Lt. Schneider and lied about it after meeting with Pete. This meeting could have been coincidental, but I’ll let you draw your own conclusion. Lt. Schneider took the high road and let it go despite the obvious lies by the mayor and Pete perpetuating them. In regard to the letters of reprimand, there wasn’t a violation of policy. This issue was taken to several lawyers and the policy, when interpreted this way, is unconstitutional. It is a violation of the employees’ First Amendment rights. Pete is trying to use a violation of the rights of the employees in Lincoln County for POLITICAL GAIN!!! Pete is vying for the top law enforcement job in the county; which is as much about protecting rights as it is enforcing the law. If he is willing to do this to his potential employees, how well will he protect the rights of the citizens of the county? The voters spoke on Aug. 14 when Lt. Schneider won the primary election. Lt. Ken Schneider has my vote on Nov. 6.
Very respectfully,
Roger Sir
Merrill
Editor:
Ken Schneider won the Primary Election for Lincoln County Sheriff on Aug. 14, 2018. Pete Borchardt now launches a write in campaign continuing with misinformation.
Mr. Borchardt states the comparison chart identifying each candidate’s qualifications was misleading. He stated he had served as Officer in Charge of “countless shifts over the years” (letter to the editor 08/08/18), that is misleading. Following an open records request to the Merrill Police Department, Chief of Police Corey Bennett indicated, “we do not possess a job description for Officer in Charge as it is not an independent position to be held.”
Mr. Borchardt further stated he has vast training in supervision. Per the open records request, having served under four Chiefs of Police, Mr. Borchardt has been unable to obtain any of the 12 promotions or two assignments to detective which have occurred in the Merrill Police Department since 2004.
Recently Mr. Borchardt has gone public and attempted to lead the public into believing the Sheriff’s Office is a corrupt agency and that Ken is a liar. Those who know the agency and Ken, know these statements to be untrue. Ken serves the community through integrity and professionalism. He is the right person to lead the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Please join me in voting Nov. 6 for Ken Schneider who has true leadership experience and training.
Tim Fischer
Merrill
Letters to the Editor Policy
The Foto News welcomes letters to the editor and makes every effort to publish as many as possible. The following guidelines apply: Letters are generally limited to 250 words. First preference will be given to timely letters of local concern. All letters must be signed. No anonymous letters. Each letter must contain the writer’s address and phone number for verification.
Deadline: Letters received after 10 a.m. Monday will be held for the following week’s issue.
NOTE: With the general election coming up on Nov. 6, the Oct. 24 issue will be the last issue the Foto News will publish letters to the editor from the public regarding candidates or the election.