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Brookfield Happening Now

A resident of Brookfield since 1986, I have lived in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Ohio and settled in the Milwaukee area in 1978. I think I can see issues from many different perspectives.

School referendum

By Jack Shaw
Wednesday, Mar 19 2008, 08:58 AM

 

I am not the biggest sports fan in the world and I have no children. I hate the idea that my taxes will increase for any reason. But I am a realist. So, I feel there is no agenda when I say I support the upcoming school referendum. There is nothing more important than a well rounded education for young people. That includes athletic development as well as scholastic development.

 

I heard in a report to the City of Brookfield Plan Commission Monday night, that the quality of schools is one of the two most important reasons people choose a location in which to live. Brook field can be proud of its academic ranking. But the ranking of the condition of the two high schools, not so much. Perhaps over 100 million was too much too spend at one time for the majority of Elmbrook area residents. But the new proposal is a great compromise.

 

Please be sure to vote on April 1, whether you agree with me or not is not important. Your expressing your desires is.

Comments

Larry Knetzger   

Hi Jack, you apparently have not toured the schools and see the waste of tax payers money once again. It is nice of you to show your ideology on spending the tax payers money prior to election. It's a real shame that our community aldermen take the position of spend, spend, spend, stick it to the tax payer. It just never changes even though the vast majority of our citizens said no to your yes. Tax, Tax, Tax. It's unfortunate that no one is opposing you in the election that would offer a no to all your impending yes'.

Try reading Kyle's blog if you don't have time to do the tour once again. Black Box , just stupid, replace all the lockers instead of doing a partial replacement and do a reserve of those replaced for parts for all the rest. There are lots of other areas that are being painted replace color that need not be done, just spending money. Brick and Mortar do not make the student.

March 20, 2008 8:18 AM

intewedm   

"But the new proposal is a great compromise."  Baloney!  You are an obvious "Yes" voter and are trying to sell a bill of goods.  They cut the cost and that's supposed to change our minds?  All it does is show how poor the original concepts were, and how out of touch with the taxpayers they are.  They are still trying to bamboozle the taxpayers and doing unnecessary things.  We want to know what the NEEDS are and what it will cost to fix them.  Until then I'll vote "NO" on every referendum.  The fact that they didn't do maintenance and now tell us the schools are falling down only says the board is in need of overhaul and the ouster of most of them.  I'd be ashamed if I were one of them who's pushing these terrible referendums!

March 25, 2008 3:16 PM

had to comment   

Jack, it's good to see another realist. Some people only support things if it will benefit them personally and in a very obvious way. It's great to see someone who sees that a strong education system is probably "the" most important thing we can ever "throw our money away on".

I don't like my taxes to go up either but trying to stand in the way of anything that might raise my taxes is not very responsible. There is a lot of "irresponsibility" going around these days.

I think a guy like you will do a great job.

March 26, 2008 12:00 AM

WI Sports Guy   

Bravo. I commend you on your big picture view rather than the "blinders on" style. At some point, Brookfield and Elm Gove will see a massive shift in demographics. A lot of younger families are already "infiltrating" the suburbias once reserved for retirees and CEOs. So while the current enrollment numbers may not reflect or justify to some this referendum, people need to be aware of something called "futures planning." Most successful organizations and businesses practice this, and a community should be no different.

Sure the first referendum was a bit too expensive, but here's another business practice - always go in asking for the most you can get but be satisfied with what you think they will offer. Who knows? Maybe you could get more than you originally thought?

I also would like to echo your comment about why people cite their preference to a certain community - the education. Who needs education? Families...families with children. The same families that will be invading a neighborhood near you.

Thanks again for your thoughtful post and thinking ahead when many think of themselves.

March 26, 2008 1:21 PM

intewedm   

Referendum "yes"

Shaw "no"

Well that's a reason to find some consolation in the voting!  

April 3, 2008 11:22 AM

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About Jack Shaw

Profession: Commercial actor for radio & TV commercials and recorded non-broadcast presentations. In the past I acted as spokesperson for Wheaties, State Farm Insurance, Sears, and other national companies. I have been the spokesperson for Wilde Automotive for over 25 years. Served in the U.S. Air Force 1960-1963 as a Russian linguist. City service: Alderman 2002-2004, Past President Brookfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, BCVB Board member 2003-2007, Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Ambassador 2003-2007.

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