Opinion
| Your Letters
Your Letters 10/07/09
Can you hear me now?
To the editor,
My name is Bob Heinemann. Trustee and lifelong resident of Big Bend and Mukwonago alumnus, I have two kids there, a daughter at Madison and a 5-year-old at Christ Lutheran here in Big Bend. I care very much about the area.
I was thinking about the direction we're headed. This after being yelled at for about 10 minutes by a Vernon supervisor and threatened with being "outed" for not being a very outspoken member of the Village Board, all because I had the nerve, after days of calling, to suggest he owed a fellow trustee an apology for a comment made during a joint meeting discussing the Fire Department budget.
Maybe it's me, but most people would agree or disagree - and that's it. Not attack me for not talking to hear myself talk. (People who know me are thinking, "What? He never shuts up!") He threatened "serious consequences" for us passing zero increase budgets and told me he would "point me out" to "my people." I assumed he meant village voters. How? Would I be the subject of anonymous letters written by anonymous letter writers? Targeted on anonymous Web sites by anonymous committees? Could I lose my position? While sitting in long, drawn-out joint board meetings I'd miss daydreaming of train wrecks. I might get time at home with my 5-year-old and the rest of my family.
I asked if these were things that might happen and had to turn the volume down on my phone. "What are you suggesting?" screamed the supervisor "I'll sue your *#* off!" Not a bad idea, I thought, as my posterior is somewhat, well, huge. Why would my mention of a Web site that aided in the ouster of the former evil regime that ruled the town be bad? It was very successful. They haven't yet stepped into the light of day, but the generators of that site should be congratulated.
So where is his board headed? Forcing established businesses to flee in favor of paying higher village taxes? Breaking agreements to allow fireworks companies to build permanent stores in industrial areas, even though the owners had purchased property? Forcing the town's most dedicated and brightest off committees to avoid abuse by him and his board?
Meanwhile, Big Bend works to move forward. The I-43 development is on the horizon. The sewage plant to service that area is close at hand. The Lake Park development is getting ready to sell lots. We're not perfect, but we're not the enemy either.
So if the supervisor wants to point out my flaws, which are many, ask my wife. Or if he wants to abuse the Fire Board, which has made mistakes, but were asked to serve by the town and village, maybe he should analyze his conduct or his board. None of us are perfect; some of us just think we are. Wake up, Vernon, please.
Bob Heinemann
Village of Big Bend Trustee
Oops, wrong answer
To the editor,
In last week's article about the Mukwonago town treasurer collecting 25 cents on dog licenses had missed a few facts I would like to bring to everyone's attention.
First, the dog license fees total $210 (all of 2008 dog licenses) - a nominal fee, a nominal issue.
Second, Bob Lawn spent $315 hiring the town attorney to look into this matter of $210. I shake my head on this one. Imagine if the time spent on this was used focusing on significant issues like the $850,000 it costs us for the Police Department. We might actually solve some issues in this decade.
Third and foremost, Bob Lawn opened a can of worms when he forced this issue, basing it on the town treasurer being full time - she was considered part time until this was brought up. Now it is being asked why the full-time town treasurer was never compensated for health benefits, pension and so on. Is it not against the law to offer one person of the same capacity (town clerk) those benefits and not offer the same to another? Talk about shaking my head.
Wow, Bob, thanks, great job. Not only did you spend more money than what the issue cost, focused on a nominal issue, but you also may have just cost us a whole lot more. Maybe next time you should consult with your partners on the board to think things through before making decisions as an island of your own.
Which brings up another issue, "partners" being the operative word here. The fellow board members are Bob Lawn's partners, his equals. The treasurer, the clerk and any other elected official are Bob's equals. Those elected are not subordinate to each other. In last week's article, Bob indicated he did not discuss the dog license issue with the treasurer because she was his subordinate. The buzzer just went off, Bob, wrong answer; you do not become a millionaire and hopefully you won't get to stay in your seat for another chance. Elections will be coming soon. People, remember this in April.
Vickie Harbold
Mukwonago
The meaning of subordinate
To the editor,
I looked up subordinate in the dictionary and the definition is as follows:
1) Placed in or occupying a lower class, rank, or position;
2) Submissive to or controlled by authority.
I would like to comment on Supervisor Bob Lawn's quote in the article about the town's dog license compensation. Supervisor Bob Lawn was quoted as saying, "The town has to make decisions on how money is spent prior to any conversation with subordinates. That's why I didn't say anything to Diane."
It is my understanding that the treasurer's position is elected by the town residents the same as the Town Board, town chairman and clerk.
Since we have elected them, why does Mr. Lawn think that the treasurer or anyone else is in a lower position then him; or that he has control over them?
Shirley Harbold
Town of Mukwonago
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