From our readersIssue Date: July 29, 2020 Dear Editor:
On behalf of the members of The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion and the American Legion Riders, we are outraged and saddened by the defacement of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum entrance in Madison. The effects of the defacement have been disturbing to the veteran community. Everyone has a voice and a right to protest peacefully.
The American Legion Family is made up of veterans and their families who continue to serve within their communities educating the public on programs that teach history, the Constitution, patriotism, sportsmanship, citizenship, and much more.
The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion and the American Legion Riders honor all those who serve, past and present, their families, and their communities. Our veterans and communities have been called to action to protect and preserve our history. A veteran is a veteran; no difference in color, race, or gender. Veterans serve to preserve the constitutional rights of American citizens, serving side by side to ensure that everyone has an equal voice.
The American Legion Family of Wisconsin exceeds 70,000 members, and our Family speaks in unity, loud and proud of our heritage. While we have fought in the trenches around the globe, we will also fight to ensure that the history of those battles are forever preserved. The American Legion Family discourages all forms of violence and damage within our communities. We are asking all Veteran Service Organizations and supporters to join together to defend Americanism within our communities.
David Wischer
Department Commander
The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin
Joanie Dickerson, US Navy Retired
Department President
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Wisconsin
Robert Sirovina, Jr.
Detachment Commander
Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Wisconsin
Tim Hyma
President
American Legion Riders of Wisconsin
Editor:
I would like to set the record straight in response to a letter in the newspaper from State Senator Rob Cowles and State Representative Joel Kitchens praising Representative John Nygren's "leadership" on the PFAS contamination. Since neither of these gentlemen live in our area and have no direct knowledge of the facts locally, let me share a few.
First, Rep. Nygren was not "the first and often only voice to highlight the challenges PFAS are creating" in our area. That person was State Senator Dave Hansen. A name these two letter writers just couldn't bring themselves to mention. Sen. Hansen and his staff worked tirelessly to draft comprehensive legislation to address PFAS regulation in our state and did so with constant contact with many of us locally battling Tyco/JCI's corporate public relations spin masters and legal attack dogs. That legislation became known as the CLEAR Act and was in large part "our" legislation. Nygren never reached out to us for input on any PFAS legislation he introduced or supported. Sen. Hansen always did.
Second, the bipartisan legislation finally introduced that passed Sen. Cowles' and Rep. Kitchens' committees was negotiated between Sen. Hansen and Rep. Nygren. Again, Sen. Hansen's staff kept in constant contact with us and sought our input on these negotiations. Nygren and his staff did not. At our request, we met twice with Nygren and urged him to find a compromise on the CLEAR Act with Sen. Hansen. He didn't lead this effort; he was pushed into it by local citizens literally begging for his support.
Finally, the most grievous thing Cowles/Kitchens state in their letter was their hyping of an amendment to a bill offered by some clueless legislator from Rhinelander. That amendment was drafted with the corporate pollution lobby literally sitting at the table with Nygren telling him what they would support. This bill, had it become law, would have forced the Department of Health Services to use industry sponsored "research" in determining the harmful effects of PFAS. Like the tobacco company scientists proving smoking was safe. This amendment was introduced after midnight on the last day of the Assembly floor session (because Assembly Speaker Robin Vos would not bring the CLEAR Act to the floor for a vote) with no hearing or input from anyone but the business lobby. Rep. Nygren told me this was the best he could do and it was better than nothing. I told him then and I say it again: "No John, this was worse than nothing." Thank goodness it didn't become law.
Rep. Nygren did not prove himself to be leader on PFAS, not to those of us who have lived with this poison in our wells.
Jeff Lamont
Marinette
Editor:
MAPS Cares was established in March, 2020 to ensure that Menominee Area Public Schools (MAPS) students and families continued to receive adequate meals and supplies in response to the
COVID-19 mandatory school closure. Throughout the year, MAPS partnered with local businesses
(JCI, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group, and Air Gas) to ensure at-risk students received
non-perishable meals over weekends and breaks. We wanted to make sure that even during a global pandemic, that our families continued to have the food and supplies that they need. We would like to formally thank the following businesses, grant committees, and individuals for their support over the past 4 months to help ensure that the needs of MAPS students will be met during these challenging times. Thank you to MAPS Teachers, Marinette/Menominee County Veterans In Need, Andy's Ace Hardware, Community Covenant Church, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Christ Lutheran Church, Jack's Fresh Market, JCI, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group, Farm Bureau Grant, Thrivent, Superior Health Foundation Grant, Provident Health Foundation Grant, Peninsula Federal Credit Union, Air Gas, Bethel Lutheran Church, Go Fund Me, Site Logiq, M&M Community Foundation Grant, GFWC Menominee Woman's Club, and several anonymous donors. If you would like to donate to MAPS Cares in any capacity, please contact Josh Jones at "‹ jonesj@gomaroons.org"‹ .
DeeAnne Pohlmann
Central Elementary School Principal
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