"Regulate Pawnshops" by Bambi J Matzke

I am writing all of you a note, hoping to have a city regulation passed on Pawn shops. Yes, I have a personal experience that I have had to go through two years ago relating to this issue. But, most regulations, local ordinances, or laws are passed out of someone's bad experience. I will relate that experience down the road. But, the recent Gazette article has fueled my fire. Especially when the first sentences were.

Richard Erdman has more people wanting to sell him their televisions, jewelry and even their family heirlooms.

"You feel bad when it holds a sentimental value to them," The Coin Shop pawnbroker said. "There are some people that are really hurting out there."

This I know is a lie. He does not feel bad at all. But enough of my feelings.

In Eau Claire they have an ordinance requiring that pawn shop owners submit electronically their pawn sale slips. This has saved the taxpayers in that city a lot of money by allowing detectives to go back on the street.Contact the detectives in the Janesville police department and see what they have to say. They will tell you that this has been a problem. This is a computer age, it would be much easier to keep track of sales by computer. I might ask but then why use paper? I think we all know the answer to that.

With GM shutting down soon, and Lear and LSI, I think the council needs to be proactive, before someone sells their sisters Heirloom $10,000 ring to The coin shop for $150.

The point of my request for regulations is that this is a computer age, where everything is bought and sold with a computer trail.

Why is a pawn shop owner not required to have a name in his file and be able to look it up right away. If I walk in and say I know my Television was sold by John Smith, did John smith sell you a tv?

When I was missing an heirloom piece of jewelry, I went into the pawn shop on Center avenue and they looked through their paperwork with me standing right there, they were very willing to help me right then.

I went into the Coin shop and Richard Erdman was not out front but his employees said that they could not give me the information without a police order.

I went to the police department and Officer Blank went with me, then Mr. Erdman appeared and I gave him the name of who I thought sold it, and he said nope, did not buy it.

It was not until 4 months later after Detectives got involved did he admit that he bought the jewelry. He never once returned my phone calls. If you want to know how the pawn shop downtown works, talk to the Detectives down town. Ask if they have had them under surveillance. Ask them if they have bought new tvs in the box without question.

I leave you with this article.http://www.govtogovsolutions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=129

"Sustainability and Janesville's Comprehensive Plan" by Julie Beckenkeller

Sustainability – preserving working lands for future food growth.

Janesville’s Planning Commission has voted to send the City’s Comprehensive Plan to the City Council for adoption. Commission member McDonald made a logical argument, when he stated that this “Smart Growth” plan does nothing to actually protect vital farmland from development. It may slow development, but there is no protection element to the plan. If you haven’t reviewed the plan for yourself, then log onto the City’s website, and click on the link to the left for Comprehensive Plan.

As a member of Janesville’s Sustainability Committee, I remind myself continually what it means to be sustainable, with every decision. The EPA’s website defines sustainability as “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” In regard to farmland preservation, should this plan be considered sustainable by the citizens of Janesville?
According to the National Geographic Magazine, the future rests on the soil beneath our feet. This year food shortages, caused in part by the diminishing quantity and quality of the world's soil have led to riots in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. By 2030, when today's toddlers have toddlers of their own, 8.3 billion people will walk the Earth; to feed them, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates, farmers will have to grow almost 30 percent more grain than they do now. Connoisseurs of human recklessness will appreciate that even as humankind is ratcheting up its demands on soil, we are destroying it faster than ever before. "Taking the long view, we are running out of dirt," says David R. Montgomery, a geologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.
The plan admittedly earmarks more land than actually needed for the future projected growth of the City of Janesville, much of that growth is out, instead of up. In light of the recent economic situation, perhaps a closer look, an ounce of precaution, should be taken.
In communities across the nation, there is a growing concern that current development patterns -- dominated by what some call "sprawl" -- are no longer in the long-term interest of our cities, existing suburbs, small towns, rural communities, or wilderness areas. Though supportive of growth, communities are questioning the economic costs of abandoning infrastructure in the city, only to rebuild it further out. (smartgrowth.org)
“The comprehensive planning law, written only 10 years ago, uses terminology that today is outdated as a roadmap to the future. It tells us to plan for transportation and utilities, but doesn’t say a word about climate change, energy conservation or sustainability. As a result, we’re driving full speed ahead into the past”. Writer Rich Eggleston
Local programs are not yet completely in place for landowners to protect their farmland, and need to consider both farmland conservation and a land owner’s rights. Conservation easements would permanently protect land from development, but landowners would have to donate their land, instead of getting paid for it, because there is currently no land trust fund set aside in Rock County. Yet.
If you are interested in commenting on the Comprehensive Plan, contact Janesville’s City Council at citycouncil@ci.janesville.wi.us

Keep Leaders On Task by Judith Detert-Moriarty

The fall 2008 elections are now over and the next election cycle will undoubtedly begin almost immediately. Some are relieved. Some are excited. Others are disappointed. Indisputably, all are amazed by this monumental moment in our nation’s history. Yet, many are probably wary and skeptical for a variety of reasons. Some will ask if we can trust the newly elected leaders? Will they honor their campaign promises?

We should be asking: "What can we do now to help keep the elected representatives on task doing the work of the People?"

Don't let them think now that you've voted, their job is done. Congratulate the winners. Thank those who have listened to you. You have hired them to make good decisions for our nation but in subsequent days, months, and years, your input is more vital than ever. Tell them what you expect they should accomplish. Tell them how you expect them to go about making change.
A functional and flourishing democracy is far more than simply voting. Get serious about your daily role and be a participating citizen throughout the year. Demand accountability by letting your political representatives know they are your employees and you are paying attention. Stay aware of post-election actions and when promised changes aren't forthcoming, demand answers. Visit your elected representatives asking the tough questions face-to-face. Flood their offices with e-mails, snail mail, faxes, and phone calls with your concerns, with your questions, with your suggestions and with your thanks when it is deserved.

Whether campaign reform, tax relief, an end to the war, health care, Social Security, or any of the myriad of other issues that concern you, let those now elected know you are relentlessly watching and paying attention very closely for that next election cycle will be here again sooner than we can imagine.

Autorama, Cheese Days and more by Bob Keith

This past weekend I was able to start the threads of a regional venture I hope to expand on after I return from my third media project in Iraq. I will be dissecting Wisconsin culture. I was able to visit two events, in two adjoining counties, in two most different cities that share the same language and peoples.

The Beloit Evening Lions Club; the Coachmen Street Rodders; and, the Blue Ribbon Classic Chevy Club donate their time and donate the proceeds from the Beloit Autorama to charitable causes. The event has been held annually for over 30 years down along the Rock River in Beloit, Rock County's southern most large city. Find the Autorama on the North side of Beloit in Preservation Park. "Old cars" is the mantra. The Green County Cheese Days in Monroe, Wisconsin is held every two years on even years. The event was started in 1914 and has evolved into the bi-annual event everyone recognizes today. It celebrates the industry of cheese making - hence, the high school mascot name, "Cheese Makers." Monroe is a city in an island of agriculture. Cheese products are a result of that ubiquitous farming industry. To this day while other dairy regions of Wisconsin and the nation at large flounder and divert to cash cropping out the land, the Green County area boasts many dairy farms. Find Cheese Days clustered in the old downtown square in that consummate Midwestern city.

The Beloit Autorama is probably not an aberration. Beloit has long been an industrial town and the roots of that blue-collar culture still resonate today. Beloit is just a few miles from Janesville's General Motors plant. I worked in Beloit in the late 1970s. My co-workers always had a work in progress in their garages - a lost-cause car being rebuilt. It is fascinating to see a culture like that handed off like a track and field baton to the next generation - even though the industrial face of the community has changed.

The farms of Green County still plod on, the milk trucks peruse the many back roads and main drags picking up the fresh milk from the farms - often from three-time-a-day-milkings. I know my dad would only milk the herd twice a day. Green County still often marches to a drummer from even before my Dad's time. I worked in Monroe for a time, years ago. The building my company used shared its space with a firm that used cheese making bi-product as fertilizer spread for farm fields.

Along the river in Beloit during Autoroma you will find a flee market catering to trading parts, wheels, and tools. Hundreds of old cars, refurbished or otherwise line the grounds - owners chat and compare notes. The controversial Amphicar even made a cameo. The Cheese Days Parade boasts a host of old farm tractors. The Beloit Autorama boasts a host of old cars and trucks.

Find both of these events in mid-Septembers, just 35 miles apart, sharing the same geography, and cultural cuisine. This year they shared the same weekend. Brats, corn on the cob, hot dogs, burgers, beer, and Wisconsin colloquialisms are of course shared by both crowds.

The Powers of RLUIPA by Judith Detert-Moriarty

There is a little known federal act which is impacting YOUR life every day and I you probably have never heard about it. Those who have been already living with it's adverse consequences, know it all too well. It's known as the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA). Rarely have bills ever sailed through Congress with unanimous approval (albeit most legislators weren't present to vote) to the President's desk in less than 4 weeks with no public hearings.

Yet, RLUIPA is just such legislation.
In essence, RLUIPA favors the interests of religious institutions over the interests of their secular counterparts rather than it's original intent to p rotect religious believers who may be vulnerable to discrimination. Even if an existing zoning law (signage, historic preservation, parking, at-risk population facilities, etc.) is void of any discrimination, Congress ruled strict new scrutiny needs to be applied to city zoning regulations thus putting the burden of proving a negative (i.e. no religious discrimination) upon the city. Realistically, what cities have the financial where-with-all or tax-payer approval to spend millions proving they are not being prejudicial or discriminating? RLUIPA thus gives religious institutions special rights which other citizens, organizations, and facilities do not enjoy.

Theoretically, RLUIPA can be trumped by "health and safety" concerns, but even that was proven an abstract, dubious recourse in Janesville when it was a very valid concern with the opening of a local facility some years ago - and which remains even today. The fact so few people are even aware of RLUIPA indicates why its danger is very real.

In the past few weeks, RLUIPA has impacted Janesville yet once again when It was the city attorney's opinion that RLUIPA preempts the city from regulating church signs. Any church can threaten to sue a city under RLUIPA (and usually win) when denied anything they want while any other citizen/organization/institution has to abide by existing federal, state, and city regulations and statutes. RLUIPA gives religious landowners a SPECIAL right to challenge land use laws which t heir secular neighbors do not have. Some churches do try to abide by the law and act responsibly for their own, and the community's best interests. Others see this as a new opportunity to make lots of profit and build tax-free empires (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_2_32/ai_77482609 ). The local issue of too-bright light from a church sign may seem very minimal but the same law has led to far more severe problems and damage done since RLUIPA became law in 2000. http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hamilton/20060126.html
When the issue of a prairie planting on a local church property arose this past summer, it was odd that the city attorney didn't also advise the City Council this was a mute question - a waste of Council time and city research - given under RLUIPA the church could plant whatever it wanted on the land even regardless of environmental considerations. It's no wonder organized churches love RLUIPA but states, cities, secular charities, historic preservationists, homeowners, and even legal experts and the courts are seriously concerned.
As one writer confronted with the reality of RLUIPA noted: "Imagine that you live in a peaceful, quiet neighborhood and that the house next door to you has just been sold. But curiously, you hear rumors that the house has not been purchased by a family or individual, but by a church of all things. Being a conscientious yet perp lexed neighbor, you walk next door to meet your new neighbors and inquire into their intentions. The church’s pastor greets you in the front yard and excitedly explains, “Yes, this is just the perfect site. ..." Read more of this article at http://works.bepress.com/daniel_lennington/1/and then realize similar and worse situations have been happening in Janesville since 2000.

RLUIPAs objective was very well intentioned. Because of it's very vague language, the consequences have been very unintentional and disturbing. RLUIPA has been affecting neighborhoods in Janesville since the day it was signed. Throughout the nation there are numerous law suits on their way to the Supreme Court where it will eventually be reviewed. While these cases make their ways through the courts, the devastation being caused across the US continues unabated.
Ultimately what the people or a community think is acceptable, and what is legal to other people and institutions, simply doesn't matter under RLUIPA. What any given church wants to do on it's land, it will be able to do because of RLUIPA protections (http://74.125.95.104/search?q=cache:vw-PYghvrEQJ:www1.law.nyu.edu/journals/legislation/issues/vol6num2/Geller.pdf+religious+land+use+and+institutionalized+persons+act&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=29&gl=us) Today churches literally hold cities, neighborhoods, and individual families hostage to their whims.
Whenever any single institution has that much power, the people need to be informed and beware.

Labor Day Fest, Parade, retrospect by Bob Keith

The Janesville Labor Fest is held over Labor Day weekend on the United Auto Workers grounds. I popped over there a couple times over the weekend. There are a couple simple nuances I like about it and make an event like this work, at least in my fest play book. It is a casually affair. There is no charge to get in. Parking is abundant. The various labor groups that share volunteering at the event take an unassuming approach to manning the food tent etcetera - order your burger and brat and a team of folks make it happen rather quick.

You do not have to be a union member to attend - it is open to the public. Bands come and go on the main stage throughout the weekend. There is plenty of stuff for the smaller kids to snoop around in - petting zoo etcetera. The folks at the beer tent are friendly.
The Labor Fest is linked at the hip the Labor Day Parade in downtown Janesville. Some the parade participants head out to the fest after the parade. Something I found amusing on my own behalf was the Zor Shrine Temple Camels. They walked in the parade and then gave free camel rides over at the fest grounds. I have been in Iraq twice as a writer and never saw a camel there. I found myself snapping pictures of these local camels with the rest of the folks.
This year's Labor Day Parade is the first one I stayed for the duration. Being that it was a hot day I was relieved to see some of the bands marching in light clothing like T-shirts and cargo shorts. I remember back in my band days the status quo insisting on all uniforms all the time. But those were also the days when the football team was warned against drinking too much water while at practice. Thank goodness some things do not stay the same.

I see Ol' Stan Milam from WCLO 1230 AM radio in Janesville was manning the microphone down on Milwaukee Street as the parade went by. Prattling for three hours from the hip with no co-host, and doing it to a dynamic outdoor audience is not an easy thing to do.
The New Glarus Fire Department Ladder Company is near and dear to my heart because I was on the New Glarus Emergency Medical Service for 10 years. We worked closely with their fire department. The old guard I remember on the ladder crew have been replace by their sons and nephews - did not recognize any of the new players.

Final note - The current economy, business layoffs, and pending layoffs has taken its toll on all the workers in the Janesville area. I hope the future Labor Fest and its companion parade can weather the economic storm.

Rock Around the Block by Bob Keith

I had a chance to sneak down to the fourth annual Block Party in downtown Janesville on Sunday the 24th of August. At least one of the bar owners down there tells me it is the fourth one - I originally thought third, but who's counting? The Janesville Gazette did a prep piece on the Wednesday before the event which gives I believe a rather good lineup of what actually took place as far as bands etcetera. I was surprised to notice there was no after-event newspaper piece I could find.

This year's event boasted a lineup of 29 bands at eight neighboring locations in the downtown area - five bars and three outdoor stages. I arrived just as it was turning dusk. The event had already been going on for several hours. The event basically used the same general area as the Farmers' Market.

Remember the event was held on a Sunday just a weekend before Labor Day Weekend. What impressed me was - as I held my breath - the conspicuous absence of shenanigans. Police presence seemed to be minimal, even sparse. There were several vendors set up on Main Street. People were allowed to bring beer onto the street up until 9:00 p.m.

I took in the after-party Pat McCurdy session at the Looking Glass that started around the time the party outside drew to a close. Most die hards know Pat McCurdy - a Milwaukee origin self-stiled "niche singer, comic, poet, and generally musical character."

- just a political snippet. I know at least a couple small businesses whose owners sited too many bars in downtown Janesville as the last straw that finally pushed them out to outer Janesville locations. Those businesses had females and children primarily as clients. It is a hard thing when two business cultures can not coexist. I am not sure one can reconcile an economy where taverns, clubs, bars, and banks are primarily the last businesses standing in a downtown. Apparently the event went off with minimal alcohol related capers. One bar owner told me the event was, "A resounding success." It is a bitter sweet success I suspect, to a less tavern-oriented sect of our culture here.

Until next year then...

In Support of Paulette Garin by Tim Rutter

It was immediately obvious at each of 3 Democratic Congressional Candidate forums I attended who is best qualified to truly represent Wisconsin’s 1st District: Paulette Garin. The residents of the First Congressional District finally have a viable candidate to challenge Rep. Paul Ryan. We have an opportunity to send Paulette Garin to Congress.

Imagine what it would mean to send someone whose career has been in service to others as an educator, small business owner that works with children, and a non-profit executive. In addition, Garin has passed the CPA exam! You are sending someone with the heart of a teacher and the mind of an accountant to Congress. She will take care of our children and our money!!!

She is NOT a career politician or someone from corporate America - two special interest groups that are the problem in this country. We have the solution in sending a progressive citizen who understands the complexities and challenges we all face and who is equipped to fight for us. We have an intelligent, articulate person to vote for that we can feel good about.

Vote Paulette Garin, September 9, Democrat for U.S. Congress.

For those who live in the Janesville, Rock County area, you can see Paulette on a video replay of a recent forum on JATV-12.

Georgia and U.S. Foreign Policy by Norman Aulabaugh

The Bush administration keeps up their “Cowboy” mentality foreign policy provoking incidents by poking others in the eye. Their intent is to create conflict and re-open the cold war because in the fog of war, they can promote their agenda and especially now, that of John McCain.

Excerpts from a piece by Mikhail Gorbachev that appeared in the August 19 New York Times follow. Gorbachev makes a lot more sense than Bush.

The acute phase of the crisis provoked by the Georgian forces’ assault on Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, is now behind us. But how can one erase from memory the horrifying scenes of the nighttime rocket attack on a peaceful town, the razing of entire city blocks, the deaths of people taking cover in basements, the destruction of ancient monuments and ancestral graves?

The news coverage has been far from fair and balanced, especially during the first days of the crisis. Tskhinvali was in smoking ruins and thousands of people were fleeing — before any Russian troops arrived. Yet Russia was already being accused of aggression; news reports were often an embarrassing recitation of the Georgian leader’s deceptive statements.

It is still not quite clear whether the West was aware of Mr. Saakashvili’s plans to invade South Ossetia, and this is a serious matter. What is clear is that Western assistance in training Georgian troops and shipping large supplies of arms had been pushing the region toward war rather than peace.

If this military misadventure was a surprise for the Georgian leader’s foreign patrons, so much the worse. It looks like a classic wag-the-dog story.

Mr. Saakashvili had been lavished with praise for being a staunch American ally and a real democrat — and for helping out in Iraq. Now America’s friend has wrought disorder, and all of us — the Europeans and, most important, the region’s innocent civilians — must pick up the pieces.

Those who rush to judgment on what’s happening in the Caucasus, or those who seek influence there, should first have at least some idea of this region’s complexities. The Ossetians live both in Georgia and in Russia. The region is a patchwork of ethnic groups living in close proximity. Therefore, all talk of “this is our land,” “we are liberating our land,” is meaningless. We must think about the people who live on the land.

The problems of the Caucasus region cannot be solved by force. That has been tried more than once in the past two decades, and it has always boomeranged.

What is needed is a legally binding agreement not to use force. Mr. Saakashvili has repeatedly refused to sign such an agreement, for reasons that have now become abundantly clear.

The West would be wise to help achieve such an agreement now. If, instead, it chooses to blame Russia and re-arm Georgia, as American officials are suggesting, a new crisis will be inevitable. In that case, expect the worst.

Russia has long been told to simply accept the facts. Here’s the independence of Kosovo for you. Here’s the abrogation of the Antiballistic Missile Treaty, and the American decision to place missile defenses in neighboring countries. Here’s the unending expansion of NATO. All of these moves have been set against the backdrop of sweet talk about partnership. Why would anyone put up with such a charade?

There is much talk now in the United States about rethinking relations with Russia. One thing that should definitely be rethought: the habit of talking to Russia in a condescending way, without regard for its positions and interests.

Our two countries could develop a serious agenda for genuine, rather than token, cooperation. Many Americans, as well as Russians, understand the need for this. But is the same true of the political leaders?

Welcome to the Bigger Stage!

One of the great things about a Democracy is that anyone and everyone can have a voice. However, a problem arises when there are a lot of voices, but few ways to amplify and carry those voices to the ears of many. And so I would like to welcome everyone to an experiment in Democracy. The Bigger Stage is a place where local residents can post their personal editorials on any issue that is of importance to them. By setting up the Bigger Stage, a staging venue is created for local activists to get their ideas, suggestions and frustrations out to a wider audience. The plan is that as the number of contributors to this project grows, the number of total readers will grow as well and in the end, what one can not do, many will.

What are the rules? Few, at least for now. Please keep things civil as I plan to post everything that is submitted to me. Have questions or content you would like to post? Please email it to yrashkin@gmail.com. Please specify in the email that it is intended to be published on the Bigger Stage. As always, I look forward to hearing from you.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: The content that is posted on the Bigger Stage does not necessarily represent or reflect my views at all. My role in this project is to get the information out. That's all. Thank you.