All content, of both the original Brookfield7.com and this blog, is written from my point of view and is my opinion. I believe it to be accurate at the time it is written. ~ Kyle Prast, Brookfield resident since 1986
Elmbrook Historical Society Civil War Encampment: Sat. May 4, Sun. May 5, 2013
The Elmbrook Historical Society is holding their 19th Annual Civil War Days Encampment
at the Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum on Saturday, May 4th and Sunday,
May 5th. The historic Dousman Inn, outbuildings, and grounds are located
at 1075 Pilgrim Parkway (north of Blue Mound Rd.) in Brookfield. Park
for free nearby at Pilgrim Park Middle School at 1500 Pilgrim Parkway
and take the shuttle to the Inn.
The 2 day event, 10am - 4pm
(both days), includes craftsmen, soldier camps, cannon fire,
President Lincoln, fashion show, field hospital, and more! This year, I hope to attend the fashion show. At a past encampment, we had
quite an interesting conversation about President Lincoln with the
embalmer. Check the schedule for times and events.
Admission
is $5 for adults, $2 for children 6 - 16, children under 5 are free.
Food and beverages are available both days. There is also a silent auction.
Two 'Weed Out' Days at Mary Knoll Park! Saturday, May 4 & 11, 2013
This year there are 2 Weed Out days at Mary Knoll Park in Brookfield on Saturday, May 4th and then Saturday, May 11th. Both dates start at 9 am and finish at noon. We may be having a slow spring, but the Garlic Mustard marches on!
The first weekend's focus on May 4th, will be on pulling the invasive Garlic Mustard. It is already up and easy to identify. Don't worry if you are inexperienced. As always, Patty Gerner will give instruction on what to look for and how to pull the weeds. (Usually Gary Majeskie from Park & Rec. Forestry Department attends too.) It is a great opportunity to learn about these invaders so you can check your own yard for the pests.
On the second weekend, May 11th, the more hearty will help Boy Scout Troop 23 volunteers dig out the bigger invaders: Buckthon trees and (possibly) Honeysuckle bushes. Both produce numerous berries and are prolific spreaders. The Buckthorn trees shade and crowd out native plants and trees; Honeysuckle berries irritate bird's digestive systems and provide no nutritional value.
To help, give the Parks, Recreation & Forestry department an idea of how many volunteers to expect, call 262.796.6675 to register. (Not necessary. If you forget to call, come anyway.)
So consider joining the group this Saturday and/or next at Mary Knoll Park, 615 S.
Sunnyslope Road, just south of the I-94 overpass bridge, in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
I've been to most of the Weed Outs and it's always been an enjoyable
workday, not to mention a great opportunity to enjoy a morning in the park and see the wonderful native plants that are thriving now that they aren't being crowded out by the aliens.
Weed control links:Garlic Mustardand garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash and labeled Garlic Mustard: Do not compost.
Local Business Executive Jerry Frye Explores Evidence For Creator's Existence: April 16, 2013
Passion flowers display Fibonacci number sequences
On Tuesday, April 16th, Jerry Frye will explore the overwhelming evidence of our Creator's existence, exhibited throughout our earth and even our universe. He will present this intriguing program at the Creation Science Society of Milwaukee's* April meeting, held this month at Brookside Baptist Church, 4470 Pilgrim Road in Brookfield, Wisconsin, at 7:15 pm. (Directions)
Mr. Frye entitled his talk "A Created Universe: God Is Angry and Man Is Without Excuse," because God created our earth, and all that is in it, in such a way that it could not be mistaken for an accident. He designed it as a means to point man to Himself--the Creator. Even our earth is set apart from all other heavenly bodies in our universe, as the only planet able to support life.
This type of evidence is called general revelation--meaning it is obvious to anyone intellectually honest, who cares to look.
The second part of his title issues the warning for denying this type of evidence, as given in Romans 1: 20 New King James Version:
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
Mr. Frye is an engaging and thought provoking speaker. Don't miss this fascinating glimpse into the universe and the overwhelming evidence of God's hand in its design! This presentation is free and open to the public. Creation Science based books and DVDs are available for purchase.
Elm Grove resident Mr. Frye is president and owner of The Benefit Services Group, Inc., an employee benefit brokerage firm that serves employers nationwide and consults for healthcare systems in Wisconsin and Illinois. He has been a featured speaker at events from physician symposia to employment-law seminars. He majored in chemistry and accounting at UWM and holds many professional designations. In addition to his professional speaking engagements, he is also a very popular presenter at Creation Science events.
April 2, 2013 Election: Roggensack, Pridemore and other Conservative picks
Everyone in Wisconsin votes for Supreme Court and DPI Superintendent
in the Tuesday, April 2, 2013 General Election. This election is of utmost importance, so don't sit this one out!
The other statewide race on our ballot is for State Superintendent of Schools.
This race has not been talked about much, but after hearing about the DPI's White Privilege
curriculum controversy along with my desire to provide Wisconsin parents
with more choices for their children's education, I am voting Don Pridemore for Department of Public Instruction Superintendent.
Many areas of the state also have races for mayor, judges, school board members, and aldermen on their ballots. You may look up your sample ballot here
In Brookfield, the other races on our ballot are unchallenged.
Milwaukee
County residents have an important Circuit Court race on their ballots.
Judge Rebecca Bradley has the support of 22 judges, Sheriff Clark,
Milwaukee County Exec. Chris Abele, etc. (Don't confuse her with the
Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley who had the
run-in with Justice Prosser 2 years ago.) JudgeRebeccaBradley.com
A conservative friend emailed me this link: Wisconsin Conservatives Vote April 2nd! Election Guide
It includes many races across the state, including the non-binding
referendum in Milwaukee on ending same day voter registration. I do agree with their vote "No" stance--at least at this point in time.
Here is another race I can toss out here, CudahyNOW blogger Randy Hollenbeck is running for Alderman in Cudahy. I met
him several years ago at a blogging meeting at the Journal Sentinel
offices. Cudahy voters can just read his past posts to learn about his political bent. He is Conservative. His opponent is also a blogger--a liberal. So that race is a battle of the bloggers! Interesting. Hope Randy wins!
April 2, 2013 Election: Wisconsin needs Don Pridemore, a fresh, independent leader, for State Superintendent of Schools
Want more local control over schools? What about increasing a parent's right to choose which school they send their children to? How about an independent leader for State Superintendent of Public Instruction instead of one tied to the teachers union?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, I urge you to vote for Don Pridemore on Tuesday, April 2, 2013.
Add to these concerns the very disturbing news of the Wisconsin Department of Instruction "White Privilege" sensitivity courses that are being taught to our teachers, as part of a training program called CREATE Wisconsin for public school teachers. I watched the following video, compiled by the Education Action Group, and was sickened by some of the ideas being promoted by our DPI and courtesy of our tax dollars!
At the 38 second mark, this quote caught my attention: "We must be aware of how power holders oppressed all people of color to shape the country as they wanted it. Racism is one of several systems of oppression. Others are class, sexism, hetero-sexism, the institutionalized primacy of Christianity, and able-bodiedism. These systems work toward a common goal: to maintain power and control in the hands of wealthy, white, heterosexual, Christian, able-bodied men." The quote came from Dr. Francis Kendall.
And Wisconsin teachers aren't the only ones subject to this type of indoctrination. "White Privilege" is creeping into some Wisconsin public schools as well. In January, the Delavan-Darien District made national news when it was learned students there were being taught similar white privilege ideas.
Another area of curriculum concern is "Common Core." Wisconsin agreed to use that Federally mandated curriculum when Gov. Doyle signed us on to the the U.S. Department of Education's Race to the Top program. (In order to compete for Federal dollars, we had to agree to use their national "Common Core" curriculum.) The math program in Common Core is called "Just Math."
We all know a firm foundation in math is necessary for so many career choices, but unfortunately, the Federally mandated "Just Math" curriculum transforms mathematics into a vehicle for pushing social and ecological justice subject matter onto our students. Don Pridemore is concerned about this as well. He believes we need to take a "closer look" at Common Core and its Standards, "This Federally administered program has a far reaching impact on a local
school district’s ability to control the curriculum of their schools."
I also like that Pridemore wants to take an audit of DPI, “'DPI has never been audited as a whole but only on individual
instances,' Pridemore said. 'Because we are in tough economic times we
must ensure that every tax dollar is spent efficiently and with a
purpose of giving our children the best chance to succeed in our
educational system. Due to all the mandates and programs DPI is
responsible for and some of the alarming issues that have come from that
department, we must determine that our tax dollars are being spent
wisely. A thorough audit will answer that question.'"
Don Pridemore has served as a Representative in the state Assembly since
2004, and has been on the Education Committee there during the 2011-2012 session and again this 2013-2014 session.
Everyone in the state votes for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in the Tuesday, April 2, 2013 General Spring Election. Public education accounts for the lion's share of most people's property tax bills. Don't you want your hard earned dollars to be used wisely?
Take a few moments and explore the issues on Don Pridemore's website. DonPridemore.com
Easter 2013: 'Christ Is Risen' musical Good Friday and Saturday & Easter Sunday Services
CHRIST IS RISEN: HE IS RISEN INDEED
"Over
two thousand years ago Jesus Christ willingly endured the anguish of
the cross--then three days later rose from the dead proving His deity
and power. The amazing part of this true story is that He did it all for
you so that you could personally experience His free gift of salvation."
If you do not have a church home, I would like to invite you to Brookside's church services this weekend. (My church). Find out how Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection can change your life.
On Good Friday and Saturday,
The Brookside choir and orchestra will present their musical: Christ Is
Risen at 7pm on Friday, March 29th and at 5pm on Saturday, March 30th.
On Easter Sunday morning,
there are 3 service times to choose from on March 31st: 8am, 9:30am and 11am. A
Continental Breakfast is served from 8:40am - 10:40am in the Fellowship
Hall. There is no Sunday evening service this week.
Brookside is easy to find. It is just 1/2 mile north of Capitol Drive on Pilgrim Road, just south of Lisbon Road. For more information, check the church website: Brooksidebc.org
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid,
for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
This year, it will again be held at the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel, at 375 South Moorland Rd., just south of Brookfield Square and north of I-94.
The 2013 event runs from Saturday, March 23, from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday, from 10am to 5pm. Check their Event Guide for the schedule. Tickets are $35 for the entire weekend or $30 on Saturday and $15 on Sunday. Children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult. There are pinball and video arcade games to play--all set on free play, pinball and video arcade machines, accessories and parts to purchase, and fun to be had!
25 new homes proposed for Linfield Crossing resubdivision
Photo taken from Red Mill parking lot on Tulane
Up to twenty-five new single family homes are proposed for southeast Brookfield on the former Linfield Elementary School site*.
If the re-subdividing of the 6.539 acre site is approved, it will be called Linfield Crossing, and so far, it seems like a good fit for the existing neighborhood.
If this is of interest to you, there will be a Public Information Meeting, conducted by city staff, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 20th, at Brookfield City Hall. Kevin Anderson of Neumann Companies--the applicant--indicated, "Lot purchase packages on the lots may range from $350,000 to $325,000."
A Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 for 7:45 pm at Brookfield City Hall. The parcel is presently zoned R-3, single family with a Conditional Use overlay for the school. The zoning will need to be changed to solely R-3.
The Linfield School site is located just north of Greenfield Ave. between Elm Grove Road and Chester Street, with Tulane Street on its northern border. It once was part of the Elmbrook School District but was closed in 1984. It sat empty until Heritage Christian Schools rented the school in 1989 and eventually purchased the property for just over $1 million in 1997. Heritage moved out a few years ago and the property has been up for sale since then. The expense of asbestos removal put a stop to re-purposing the building.
The Linfield Crossing proposal calls for the razing of the school building and subdividing the acreage into about 25 single family lots in the Kinsey-Garvendale subdivision That subdivision was originally recorded in 1929, and predated the incorporation of the City of Brookfield in 1954. Before Lindfield was built, students in this area attended Shady Nook School on 124th and Greenfield.
Incidentally, the Kinsey - Garvendale land was once owned by the late Alderman James Garvens' family and the Kinseys. Kinsey Park, on Elm Grove Road and Kinsey Park Drive is named after the Kinsey family, who set that land aside as a bird sanctuary.
Kinsey-Garvendale, with its smaller lot size, was set up to be a more affordable alternative to neighboring Sunnyside (where I live), where lots are at least one acre or more. The Kinsey Garvendale subdivision lots were originally platted much smaller than they are today and had an alley for garage access, but with each home needing its own septic system and well, these small lots were not appropriate. So they reconfigured them, sometimes combining 2 to 3 lots to make one. This is why Linfield Crossing is called a re-subdivision.
Brookfield does not have much new, build-able land. If Linfield Crossing is approved, the new residents will find the area, as we do, a very convenient location: close to shopping, the interstate, downtown Milwaukee, etc.
*Thank you Aldermen Lisa Mellone and Renee' Lowerr for sending out the Lindfield Crossing information.
Dr. Jerry Bergman: Hitler and the Nazi Darwinian Worldview, Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Did you know that Adolf Hitler and his henchmen were heavily influenced by Darwinian dogma? That, in fact, Darwinism was the driving force behind their attempt to wipe out the Jewish people as well as others they considered racially inferior?
Dr. Bergman will explore these aspects of Hitler’s Third Reich and the Holocaust at an upcoming presentation to the Creation Science Society of Milwaukee. His talk is slated for 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, at Grace Bible Church, 2643 S. 117th St., West Allis--north of Cleveland Ave, south of Lincoln. The presentation is free and open to the public. (Note time change: The talk will immediately follow a 7 - 7:15 pm short CSSM business meeting.)
Among the questions Dr. Bergman will answer are these:
Was Hitler a Christian, or did he hate Christianity?
Were Christian leaders in Nazi Germany deceived by Darwinism?
What contribution did Darwinism make to the anti-Semitism and eugenics that reigned in Nazi Germany?
What lessons should we be applying in the U.S. today?
Dr. Bergman has done massive research to demonstrate the impact
Darwin has had on our world in what is arguably the signature event of
the 20th century. Though a difficult subject, given the continuing triumph of evolutionary thought in today’s
world, from classroom through boardroom, and renewed interest in topics
from eugenics and euthanasia, it’s a topic that we should all study as
relentlessly as the Nazis did. One very sad fact regarding the Holocaust was that the Nazi's counted on Christians choosing to compromise.
Don’t miss this important presentation! I heard Dr. Bergman speak on The Dark Side of Charles Darwin 2 years ago, when he gave a chilling look into the life of Charles Darwin. Tuesday's talk promises to be even more compelling. Whether you are a student of history or just concerned about society's growing disrespect for life today, you will find Dr. Bergman will provide you with new insights into the connection between Darwinism, Nazism, and racism.
Dr. Bergman's education and background:
Dr. Bergman has taught biology, genetics, chemistry, biochemistry, anthropology, geology, and microbiology at Northwest State College in Archbold, Ohio, for over 25 years. He has also taught at the Medical College of Ohio, the University of Toledo, and Bowling Green State University.
He has nine degrees, seven of them graduate or post-graduate, from such schools as the Medical College of Ohio, Wayne State University in Detroit, The University of Toledo, and Bowling Green State University. He has over 800 publications appearing in 12 languages, as well as 20 books and monographs on topics ranging from mental health and religious discrimination to vestigial organs, psychology and religious cults. He has also contributed to dozens of textbooks and has presented over 100 scientific papers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Obama on Sequester for Low Information Voters and other updates
Saturday Night Live aired a very clever parody last week, featuring President Obama (Jay Pharoah) holding a press conference to explain the consequences of sequester. True to form, Obama brings in individuals negatively affected by the crisis-of-the-moment to illustrate his point.
If you could use a good laugh, watch. My favorite budget cut solution was offered by the air traffic controller.
As for President Obama's take on the dire consequences of cutting $45 billion from future growth this year, maybe he could fund the essential services by cutting back on his perpetual campaign mode travels, which burn $180,000 / hour for Air Force One services and numerous multimillion dollar vacation schedule? Another option would be to "fire Obama's $100,000 a year dog trainer"? After all, the Presidential pooch is no longer a puppy.
We have plenty of money. The government's own CBO just revealed Federal Revenue to Set Record in 2013, "In fact, the $2.7 trillion in revenue will be the most money the federal government has collected in history." Keep this in mind when the President insists we still need to increase tax revenue as a solution to our deficit. (Been there, done that, in January.)
Clearly, we don't have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem.
And this would be an example of cutting the music program so to speak: More sequester pain: White House cancels tours. Guess they had to do this since the Washington Monument already was closed for repairs.
As for our we are so broke we will have to furlough TSA agents, etc., how is it we have the money to post 400 Help Wanted ads for new government workers right after sequester, to do important work such as grow insects for the Agriculture Department or recreation aids for the Forest Service? Maybe they found some new couch cushions to search or started looking through the Presidents pants pockets for loose change?
We've known it was coming. The very idea came from the White House. He approved it a year and a half ago, and in November 2011, insisted it be done. What is it? Why the Sequester, of course.
What is a sequester? Automatic spending cuts triggered to go off in 2013, after the 2012 presidential campaign. Sequester was a gimme the money now, I'll economize later deal.
And here is a graph of that Sequestration deal. Nothing cut from present levels of spending, just $85 billion cut from 2 years of* FUTURE spending! Take a look here. (Put your reading glasses on or you might not notice the change.) *Correction: About $44 billion cut from this year, remaining cuts spread out over the next 7 years.
Now our Spender in Chief doesn't want to go through with Sequester cuts and threatens the sky will fall if we don't increase the increase in government spending on Friday. So much for his famous last words from November of 2011 regarding welching on the deal: “Already, some in Congress are trying to undo these automatic
spending cuts. My message to them is simple: No. I will veto any effort
to get rid of those automatic spending cuts – domestic and defense
spending. There will be no easy off-ramps on this one.”
But then our President seems to enjoy running our government in sky-is-falling-crisis mode, or as Peggy Noonan just wrote, "Government by Freakout". And to make sure you freakout, Obama's Federal Immigration officials just approved 100s of illegal convicted criminal detainees released from prison for emphasis on how these budget increase cuts will affect us. Now the President could easily find $85 billion savings by eliminating redundant programs, fraud, and wasteful pork spending but instead chose this avenue to make his point.
Refreshingly, for once Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner is not negotiating this one in advance but is challenging the Senate to 'Get off its [posterior]' to propose other cuts if those in the Sequester deal are unacceptable. Reason being, the House has come up with 2 proposals thus far with no response from the President or Senate. Hope the Republicans stand firm on this.
One reason the president might be balking is that he again is talking about increasing revenues in any substitute sequester deal: "So
when the president asks that a substitute for the sequester include not
just spending cuts but also new revenue, he is moving the goal posts."
Increasing revenues could be the real reason for Obama's flip-flop. Incidentally, $85 billion in sequester cuts funds the government for about a week and a half--hardly worth freaking out about.
And here is another heads-up: The debt ceiling/government shut down could come at the end of March, so I would avoid planning any extensive vacations touring our National Historic Sites and Parks until later in the spring. Like a school district facing a budget cut with the threat the cut will eliminate the music program, government threatens to close the Washington Monument* or Grand Canyon, etc. (We had an extensive National Park trip tour planned for the last debt ceiling crisis in April 2011! Rangers told us they put up barricades to block park entrances the eve of the debt ceiling agreement--just in case. That agreement was reached at the 11th hour, 11pm our time.) *Washington Monument is presently
closed for repairs.
Jay Seegert: 'Faith is not a 4-letter word', 7:15 pm, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013
Photo from last event: Nature without Naturalism
People are often led to believe they must choose between believing in God and believing in science--that the two are mutually exclusive. And if they do believe in the God of the Bible, and the Genesis account of creation in particular, their faith is treated with the same disdain as a 4-letter word. The assumption being that science deals with "facts" and certainty and the Bible with faith, feelings, and wishful thinking, none of which are academically credible.
However, the assumption that God and science are opposing beliefsis utterly wrong, and nationally known lecturer Jay Seegert will address this very topic at the Creation Science Society of Milwaukee's meeting this Tuesday, February 26th. Seegert will discuss the relationship between science and faith and demonstrate that true science always lines up with the Bible.
The real question revolves around which faith is best: believing in origins via evolution or believing in origins via creation. Each position requires faith. This very encouraging talk defines and discusses both science
and faith and the relationship of one to the other, concluding that it
is not a matter of choosing between the two but that true science always
lines up with God’s Word when properly understood.
Interestingly, as I learned from last month's talk: Nature without Naturalism, as science advances and they are discovering the complexity of just one human cell with it's many systems, the information coded on a single strand of DNA, or even the intricacy of a bacterial flagellum, it is becoming apparent that the source of these highly developed, organized systems had to be some sort of intelligent agent. As a result, following or going where the evidence leads has caused some scientists to renounce naturalism and come to a belief in a Creator. Following the evidence, the truth, has led some of our board members and speakers to a belief in God and the Bible.
'Faith is not a 4-letter word' will begin at 7:15 pm at Milwaukee Lutheran High School Cafeteria 9700 W. Grantosa Drive, Milwaukee, WI The event is free and open to the public. Enter by the doors under the
archway, turn left, and follow the corridor to the Cafeteria. Milwaukee
Lutheran High School is located on Grantosa Drive, north of Capitol Drive, west of 92nd St. Directions
Jay Seegert is the co-founder and principal lecturer of the
Waukesha-based Creation Education Center, as well as a national speaker for Creation Ministries International. He has degrees in Physics and Engineering. Upcoming Events: March 12, 2013, 7 pm, Dr. Jerry Bergman presents Hitler and the Nazi Darwinian Worldview at Grace Bible Church, 117th and Cleveland Ave. West Allis April 16, 2013, Tuesday, 7 pm, Jerry Frye speaks on God is Angry and Man is Without Excuse - Romans 1: 18-20 at Brookside Baptist Church, 4470 N. Pilgrim Road, Brookfield.
'VIP' Primary Election for Justice Roggensack Feb. 19, 2013
UPDATE: Justice Pat Roggensack and Ed Fallone advance to the April 2nd election.
Spread the word: Wisconsin has a V.I.P., as in Vitally Important Primary, election coming up on Tuesday, February 19th for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. We must reelect Incumbent Pat Roggensack to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Though in many areas of the state there is only race on the ballot, this election is still of the utmost importance to our state, because Wisconsin's Supreme Court is the court of last resort in our state. Every court case appealed, every law or reform ruled "unconstitutional" by liberal lower courts come to this court for the final decision, the final word.
Roggensack recently explained her judicial philosophy is based on the
Wisconsin Constitution, which sets up 3 branches of government. The
Legislative branch's power resides in the Assembly and Senate, so when she interprets a statute, she strives to figure out their intent and uphold the statute (if in accordance with the Constitution), not change the statute. She doesn't play favorites; she respects the separation of powers.
Why this emphasis on experience? Because her 2 opponents have NONE. Justice Pat Roggensack is the only candidate running who has17 years of judicial
experience. She is currently on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, finishing
her 10 year term. Before that, she was twice elected to the Wisconsin
Court of Appeals, serving for 7 years, and prior to her time on the
bench, she practiced law for 16 years.
Justice Roggensack is often referred to as being a brilliant jurist with tremendous experience. Even Wisconsin Vote, a service of Wisconsin Public Television / Radio said this of her: "As
a 1980 honors graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, she
has shown herself to be a thoughtful and scholarly justice who respects
the rule of law and the separate responsibilities of the three branches
of government."
Her campaign websiteRoggensack For Justice notes she has "strong and broad support from both the law enforcement and judicial community in Wisconsin". She is endorsed by 53 sheriffs across the state, Milwaukee Police Supervisors' Organization, Milwaukee Professional Fire Fighters' Association and Milwaukee Police Association. As for the judicial community, "Justice Roggensack has earned the endorsement from 108
current Circuit Court judges, 11 retired Circuit Court judges, 3 current
Court of Appeals judges and 3 retired Court of Appeals judges. In
addition, Justice Roggensack has also been endorsed by four former
Supreme Court Justices (a total of 129)."
Roggensack's opponents are both liberals. Vince Megna is dubbed"king
of lemon law litigation" with a very limited scope of practice,
who recently proclaimed he wouldn't serve Republicans! (Justices are to be
impartial) Ed Fallone is the other man running; he is the liberal's
favorite. He no longer practices law but is a Marquette Law School
Professor. His former practice specialty was in academic, corporate and
nonprofit
law--again a narrow field.
Currently, our Supreme Court has a 4/3 split, Conservative to Liberal.
And remember, Conservatives interpret the Constitution on the basis of
what it actually says; Liberals view the Constitution as a living document, subject to their whim and their opinion on what they feel is right--sometimes called legislating from the bench.
Though we may be a weary from our constant election mode in Wisconsin, we
cannot afford to stay home on this one. This is likely to be a contest much like the Prosser / Kloppenburg race two years ago. So if you value the separation of powers and don't want the court to elbow their way into the legislature's authority, go out and vote Pat Roggensack.
This is a non-partisan election so all voters choose one of the three
candidates running, and the top two vote recipients advance to the
April 2, 2013 ballot.
For Brookfield residents, Supreme
Court Justice is the only race on our ballot. In Milwaukee County, Justice Rebecca Bradley is running for Milwaukee County Circuit Court against 2 liberal attorneys. Bradley was appointed last year by Gov. Walker and has the support of 22 Judges, Milwaukee Professional Firefighters, Police Association, and others. She would be the candidate who respects the rule of law and is the Conservative's choice. She states, "The role of a judge is to interpret the law – not invent it." Do not confuse Justice Rebecca Bradley with Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. They are as different as night from day.
