A FACT-DRIVEN VOICE FOR

MIDDLE WISCONSIN VIEWS

Middle Wisconsin
Information Technology Solutions
FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE
FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS
News
www.MiddleWisconsin.org MARCH 2011

WELCOME
Welcome to the first edition of
Middle Wisconsin News:
A Fact-Driven Voice for Middle
Wisconsin Views. Like all things
“Middle Wisconsin,” we have been
organizing at breakneck speed.
Our goal of publishing a first edition
before the State Supreme Court
election has left much undone.
Format will be changed, webpage
developed, timelines established,
content expanded, and members
asked to contribute submissions.
For now, we simply wish to swiftly
disseminate facts to keep people
informed of important local topics
and area events.
This project began as a response to
the limitations of reaching out to the
public through standard means (op-
ed pieces, etc.). Although the estab-
lished news media are important in
addressing social and political issues,
these organizations have different
goals than those of Middle Wisconsin.
Developing our own media outlet
enables us to more effectively speak
to the larger community.
Middle Wisconsin News is intended
to be “our” newspaper. Its purpose is
to support our collective goals. We
will be reaching out to all of you for
your thoughts and comments, and we
hope to represent the broad spectrum
of people who form Middle Wisconsin:
blue collar and white collar workers,
public and private employees, union
and nonunion members, business
owners, farmers, and more. We all
have the common desire to make
Wisconsin and America a better place
for working people and families.
There is much to be accomplished
in the weeks and months ahead.
Political battles must be fought and
won. Middle Wisconsin News
plans to be a force.
Editorial Committee
Dave Svetlik, Jim Mattes,
Sarah Thurs, Paul Svetlik
© 2011Middle W is c ons in
The Next WI Battle:
Supreme Court Justice
By Dave Svetlik
Recent decisions in the U.S. Supreme Court
have made it painfully apparent how important
the makeup of the justices is to the future of
American democracy. Overturning years of
precedent, the Citizens United v. Federal Elec-
tion Commission case effectively gave corpo-
rations the rights of individual citizens. Chief
Justice John Roberts, Jr.’s decision removed
all limits on the amount of money that corpora-
tions could spend on political campaigns and
made it a near certainty that fair and demo-
cratic elections will become a relic of the past.
Justices are expected to honor precedent and
be impartial in their interpretation of the law,
but neither was seemingly done in the Citizens
United case. Although polls have shown that a
majority of both Republican and Democratic
constituents oppose this new
law, little has been done at
either the legislative or the Arguments over the
executive levels to change it.
This is because lawmakers
governor’s pending
now fear the loss of corporate Budget Repair Bill
funding in their future cam-
paigns. With no one willing to will almost certainly
stand against corporate inter- be settled at the State
ests, a government “of the
people” has surely been Supreme Court level.
diminished.
Wisconsin is currently witnessing a highly con-
tested campaign between JoAnne Kloppenburg
and David Prosser for a 10-year position as
Justice on the State Supreme Court. As the
rulings of Justice Roberts’s court at the federal
level have shown, the long-term results of this
state election can hardly be overstated. The
outcome of this latest state-level battle may well
determine the success or failure of Governor
Scott Walker’s war on average, working families
in Wisconsin. Arguments over the governor’s
pending Budget Repair Bill will almost certainly
be settled at the State Supreme Court level.
Electing an independent and impartial candi-
date is vital to protecting all that we hold dear
as citizens, parents, and grandparents.
Wisdom and impartiality in our justices is a
prerequisite for democracy. That is why
it’s vital to support JoAnne Kloppen-
burg in the Tuesday, April 5 election.
Middle Wisconsin’s Research Commit-
tee has produced a helpful Kloppen-
burg Talking Points document
(available under Resources at
www.MiddleWisconsin.org). It con-
tains information for those interested in
canvassing neighborhoods, making
phone calls, or sharing with family and
friends. It encourages you to learn
more about each candidate so you can
complete your own research.
The article “Statewide
Voting Network” by Phil
and Barb Keller (see p. 2
in this edition of Middle
Wisconsin News) de-
scribes the “1 to Get 10”
method of reaching large
numbers of friends and
neighbors in an effort to
increase voter support for
Kloppenburg. I encour-
age you to read it to learn
how easy it is for you to
take immediate action and reach out to
10 people asking for their support for
Kloppenburg in the April 5 election.
So many of us are committing our
strengths to seeing that Kloppenburg is
elected. Thanks for everything you’re
doing.
As we look into the future, it is obvious
that electing JoAnne Kloppenburg as the
next Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
is the first of many battles that lie ahead.
Much has been lost in the past 30 years,
and even more is now at risk. We can
recover our state and our nation, but we
must be ready to endure…one battle at
a time. 
 UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2011

 Thursday, March 31
Middle Wisconsin News Page 2
Worker Rights Rally, 4:00 -
5:30 pm, Corners of Courtney

Statewide Voting Network:

& Pelham Sts, Rhinelander

 Thursday, March 31
Middle Wisconsin meeting
focused on Kloppenburg
“1 TO GET 10”
election, 6:30-7:30 pm,
Wausau Labor Temple
By Phil and Barb Keller

Simple. Costs nothing. Takes little time. This type of grassroots campaign has been very
 Friday, April 1
Worker Rights Rally, 4:00 - successful in winning other elections in Wausau and throughout Wisconsin.
5:30 pm, North of bridge,
Minocqua
HOW:
 Sunday, April 3
 Contact 10 like-minded people you know and ask them to vote for JoAnne Kloppenburg
Interfaith Witness, for State Supreme Court Justice on April 5. Ask each 1 of them to contact 10 more
"45 minutes to recommit to people. Each of those 10 people reach out to 10 more
nonviolent activism &
people, etc. This builds a solid voting
prophetic witness throughout
our state budget process." network for future elections.
4:00 pm, St. Stephen's
Lutheran Church,
 Phone calls are more personal and allow you to dis-
512 McClellan St, Wausau cuss talking points (see Kloppenburg Talking Points
handout, available as a PDF under Resources at
 On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin www.MiddleWisconsin.org). Phone calls tend to get
Luther King Jr. was assassi-
nated in Memphis where he
better results than using the Internet, but choose the
stood with sanitation workers method your time permits.
demanding their rights & their
dream of a better life.  Don’t try to change any minds; accept a “no” politely.
MAKE APRIL 4
A NATIONAL DAY TO  On Tuesday, April 4, make a quick call or send an
STAND IN SOLIDARITY. email message to remind your 10 contacts to vote the next day.
On the job, in our schools, &
in our communities, we will  Keep your contact list for future use and for reference with any issues that might occur during
stand together to remind the campaign.
elected officials that workers’
rights are human rights.
WHO: Anyone can do it! Simply contact like-minded friends, neighbors, and relatives. Bring this
 Monday, April 4 idea to your church, union, PTO, or other community organizations.
Martin Luther King Jr.
documentary: "At the River I
STATE-NETWORKING: Contact someone you know in another area. Recruit them to vote and to
Stand." Be inspired to contin-
ue the legacy of MLK & to start the 1~10 campaign in their area. SPREAD THE POWER!
stand strong against Walker.
Remember to call your
EARLY & ABSENTEE VOTING: Ballots are available at all city, township, and village halls in the
"1 to Get 10" people to remind
them vote April 5. Film show- state. It's easier and you're sure to do it. Tell your 10 contacts that absentee ballots are helpful for
ing, 7 pm, First Unitarian college students, travelers, and people with disabilities.
Universalist Church, 504
Grant St, Wausau
RECRUITING FUN: Host a simple coffee or wine tasting, or invite a small group to go out for coffee
 Tuesday, April 5 or lunch. It’s great group-building and a quick, fun way to start your 10!
Election Day:
VOTE KLOPPENBURG & NOTE: There are several other important layers of 1~10 that we couldn’t implement in such a short
Wausau School District Board
candidates: TROLLOP, time. After the April 5 election, we would be happy to meet with anyone to explain them further.
HENNING, & OSTERTAG If interested, please contact us at: kell9756@gmail.com. 

 Thursday, April 7
Joint Finance Committee
hearing on Walker's biennial ONGOING INVITATION
budget bill, 10 am - 6 pm, Mondays  5 pm  Day’s Bowl-A-Dome  Wausau
UW-Stevens Point (Lee Drey-
fus University Center, Melvin Bring a friend or two and join Middle Wisconsin members
Laird Room), Stevens Point each Monday night to talk current events, be around like-minded folks,
and support a local business that champions our cause.
© 2011Middle W is c ons in

Middle Wisconsin News
Middle Wisconsin’s Recommendations for
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Middle Wisconsin News is
seeking submissions. We are
looking for letters to the editor,
articles on relevant topics, and
reports from people on the street
(rallies, visits with politicians,
school board and city council
meetings, etc.) We ask that
letters be limited to 600 words
and that references be cited
where appropriate.
Please provide author name,
municipality, and phone number
for purposes of verification. We
may also include a short (1–3
sentences) author bio in future
issues.
Feel free to contact us with your
ideas for articles and reports.
We are seeking people who wish
to submit occasional work and
those who would like to be
regular contributors. Topics can
include politics, social issues,
economics, education, local
business, unions, events, and
other appropriate topics.
Submissions may be edited for
length, clarity, accuracy, and
taste, but we will seek the
author’s approval before
publication.
Emailed submissions should be
sent in plain text or as Microsoft
Word attachments. If you would
like to contribute, contact
dave@middlewisconsin.org.
© 2011Middle W is c ons in
MARCH 2011
Page 3
Wausau School Board Candidates
By Jim Mattes
As voters get ready to go to the polls on Tuesday, April 5,
we have been focusing on the State Supreme Court race,
which is vital in respect to the Budget Repair Bill and other
important state concerns. However, we need to remember
that local races are equally important in determining deci-
sions that affect us in our own communities.
In Wausau, there are 3 seats being contested in this
election: There are 2 incumbents running for re-election
and 2 newcomers challenging for those seats.
Middle Wisconsin recommends the following candidates for the Wausau School Board:
 Yvonne Henning  Lance Trollop  John Ostertag
Our rationale for endorsing these candidates ties into our philosophy as a group, which is to take
back control of our government and be less passive and more involved in taking part in issues that
have an impact on our daily lives.
Yvonne Henning has been a long-time resident of Wausau, with 26 years of experience as a sec-
retary in the school district. Her children all graduated from Wausau schools, and she has been
active in the National Education Association at the local and national levels. She is an unapologetic
advocate for every child in our district getting an excellent education through maintaining high
standards and keeping our young teachers in the district through the board’s supportive policies.
Lance Trollop is a lifelong Wausau resident and a product of the Wausau public schools. He has
three family members who are teachers, so he made it clear that education is part of their daily
kitchen-table talk. He is an attorney at Bremer and Trollop Law Offices. His biggest asset is his lack
of a “single agenda” as a board member. This will allow him to look at all sides of issues from the
perspective of having his “eyes and ears wide open.”
John Ostertag is a retired school teacher who spent his entire teaching career in Wausau. He has
served on the board for 9 years. He wants to maintain the district’s record of success and feels he
has an “insider’s view” of what works in educating our students. One challenge he has focused on is
our students’ access to technology due to many students not having such access from their homes.
He wants to support certified staff and support staff in being able to earn a “respectable living.”
While some have expressed concerns about not feeling heard by Ostertag in the past, recent com-
ments and actions he has taken on the board indicate that he wants to work together with mutual
respect with the district’s employees to ensure student success.
Robb Shepherd is owner and president of Shepherd and Schaller Sporting Goods in Wausau and
is a product of the Wausau schools. He has had 3 terms on the School Board and has had experi-
ence as a board member of the local Chamber of Commerce. When asked about challenges facing
the district, he emphasized the physical plants and repeatedly connected all challenges back to
financial issues. He also emphasized the ways in which we deliver technology through the buildings
in order to keep up with current trends. While Mr. Shepherd has experience on the board, he looks
at issues from the lens of a businessperson and the “bottom line.”
In keeping with Middle Wisconsin’s philosophy of taking back our country from corporate oppression,
we feel most comfortable endorsing Ms. Henning, Mr. Trollop, and Mr. Ostertag and are asking you
to do what you can to ensure the election of these Wausau School Board candidates on April 5. 