Stealing Water from the Lake Michigan Basin

It is my honor to have been asked to serve our state as a member of a Legislative Council Committee that is examining whether or not the fresh water of Lake Michigan should be allowed to be shipped to areas outside of the Great Lakes Basin.

It would seem to me to be a mortal sin to risk the future of the greatest source of fresh water in the world for the purpose of profit, but apparently somebody has enough influence in Madison to have the legislature reexamine this already answered question.

By the way, the folks in Brown County that are going to be the beneficiaries of Manitowoc’s water live in the Lake Michigan basin.

I think it was Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus who said that if someone outside the state of Wisconsin wants our water, tell him or her we sell beer. The governor was a little simple in his summary, but not too far off the mark.

Veterans' Day

This Past Saturday morning, Veterans’ Day was celebrated with a very traditional commemoration ceremony at the Veterans’ Memorial across from Evergreen Cemetery on North 18th Street.

There were the usual and appropriate remarks from veterans and other dignitaries, but what made the event so poignant was the presence of the family of a young, local man, very recently killed in action.

This family reminded everybody that those dying for us in Iraq and in other active duty around the world are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, neighbors and friends and not some strangers that we’ve enlisted to do the business of freedom.

We owe our veterans everything. Let’s make sure we take care of them.

Retail Rumors 1/6th True

After hearing false stories regarding his own demise, Mark Twain quipped that "...the rumors of my death have been greatly exagerated". The same is true with rumors circulating regarding a huge retail demise in Manitowoc.

Lowes in not closing.

Charcoal Grill is not shutting down.

Newey's is not closing it's doors.

Hobby Lobby has no intent of ceasing business.

Family Dollar, too, is doing very well, thank you.

Unfortunately, both for the employees and for faithful customers like myself, the word I received from the store manager at Big Lots is that the Manitowoc store is closing as of January 15, 2006. It appears the closing is part of a system-wide effort to increase profits. The store manager also mentioned that Big Lots' lease terminates on January 15th, hence the choice of that date for shut down.

We will miss Big Lots and the associates who served us there and hope they quickly find new employment. Big Lots has been an appreciated business in Manty since 1994. Thanks for the friendly service and amazing array of merchandise at great prices!