4A

The First Amendment

The Platteville Journal

SEPTEMBER 16, 2015

ETC.

My news week

s you know, to me Hometown

Festival Week was created
with the intent of driving
the editor of your favorite weekly
newspaper into the ground.

Thats how I feel about this past week,

except that only three of those days are
attributable to the three Platteville Dairy
Days. This was one of those weeks where
this newspaper had more front-page-worSteve Prestegard
thy stories than room on the front page.
plattevillejournaleditor@
In chronological order:
gmail.com
Sept. 8: The newspaper was on the way
from the printing plant to our retail outlets
when I got a text suggesting I check out the Chicago State University presidential search page. That was my tip for one frontpage story, before two stories that other weeks might have been
front-page stories expanding the citys taxi service and providing free wifi downtown, though the city has funds for neither.
I have some background in the subject of presidential
searches, having witnessed a few searches for presidents of
colleges. The more interesting part of this story is not what
chancellor Dennis Shields has done at UWPlatteville (or
the other two finalists at their respective schools), its the
mess (and thats an understatement) the winner, if thats
what you want to call him, will walk into at Chicago State.
When the Huffington Post says that Chicago State risked
losing its accreditation over allowing failing students to remain to improve enrollment numbers, well, Id be wanting
lots and lots of money to take that job.
The wifi would be of the rudimentary kind found on the UW
Platteville campus or in Platteville Public Schools buildings.
(Where, I have found, Facebook posts require using up part of
your data plan.) It would really not compete with CenturyLink,
though given the quality and price of said service some might
prefer an Internet service competitor. If you need Internet for
your business, youre not going to get very far with free wifi.
Wednesday: My morning was taken up by the strange
sight of a tipped-over milk truck that failed to successfully
negotiate the Adams Street-to-Lancaster Street curve. While
I was at that, a reader came in to tell us the strange sight of
a large number of police officers outside a house elsewhere in
Platteville. That was my tip for another front-page story.
Thursday: Its unclear why the aforementioned object of
police interest was reported outside Wisconsin to be from
Platteville, since there is no evidence he grew up in Platteville. It took some time to investigate that, along with a trip
through Georgias death penalty law.
Friday: Since I was at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium,
I missed night number one of Dairy Days. I didnt miss day
number one of the Historic Re-enactment, which had nearly
2,500 students, along with, among other re-enactors, three
giant Newfoundlands. I forgot to check how the Newfies
felt about the periodic explosions of cannons, though in my
experience Newfies are very laid-back dogs, which is good
since they are the approximate size of small bears.
Saturday: Due to a change in plans, I ended up spending
nearly the entire afternoon and evening at Dairy Days, following, of course, the morning parade. (Not for the first time
I noticed a huge temperature difference between the south
side of Main Street, where photos should be taken, and the
north side of Main Street, where the sun shines.) Youll have
to check out The Journal next week for winning float photos,
because there is no room for them this week. I think I got
scooped in my nighttime midway shot by John Urness, who
shot his (on page 14B) one night before mine (on page 1).
While eating Optimist cheese curds, the question was posed
of whether Elvis Presley impersonators, such as Tony Rocker
Saturday night, grew up wanting to be Elvis impersonators.
I was just impressed with Tony Rocker and the Comeback
Specials beginning its second half with the beginning of Elvis 1973 Hawaii concert, which I remember watching. Rarely
do you hear Also Sprach Zarathustra followed by See See
Rider, though you do hear Burning Love, Elvis last number
one hit and perhaps his best rock song, slightly more often.
Sunday: I ran to Legion Field before church to shoot photos of the Platteville United Methodist Church service (see
page 4B) including its contemporary band, Blind Faith.
Classic rock fans will be amused because Blind Faith was
the name of a 60s supergroup that featured Eric Clapton
(well, Clapton), Steve Winwood (of the Spencer Davis Group
and Traffic) and Ginger Baker (of Cream). For exactly one
album and one concert tour. On the other hand, one of Blind
Faiths two recognizable songs is Presence of the Lord.
Later, I walked through the Southwest Wisconsin Auto
Club show while trying to monitor the PackersBears game.
In addition to Corvettes and Mustangs (one signed by Carroll Shelby, who devised the Shelby Cobra and GT-350 and
GT-500), there was a 1967 Chevrolet Biscayne coupe, with a
not-from-the-factory 540-cubic-inch V-8 engine. The owner
proudly said he gets up to 13 mpg.

The Platteville

journal
www.swnews4u.com

Serving the Platteville Area Since 1899

USPS 435-560
John Ingebritsen, Publisher

Editor
Steve Prestegard
journaleditor@centurytel.net
Sports Editor
Jason Nihles
journalsports@centurytel.net
Advertising
Ann Rupp
journalads@centurytel.net

Ad Design
Carol Tyson
journaldesign@centurytel.net
Bookkeeper/Receptionist

Kellie Houtakker
Shirley Thalmann
journalaccount@centurytel.net

Periodicals postage paid at Platteville, WI 53818. Owned and

published by the Morris Newspaper Corporation of Wisconsin,
P.O. Box 266, Platteville, WI. Published once weekly on Wednesday for 4,300 subscribers. Telephone (608) 348-3006. FAX
(608) 348-7979. Subscriptions are $19.50 for 6 months, $36
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W ashington J ournal

On Constitution Week

ept. 17 begins the national

celebration of Constitution
Week.

The weeklong commemoration of

Americas most important document is
one of our countrys least known official
observances.
Our Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans
throughout history to maintain their
liberties and freedom, and to ensure
those inalienable rights to every American.
The tradition of celebrating the
Constitution was started many years
ago by the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1955, the DAR petitioned Congress to set aside Sept.
1723 annually to be dedicated for the
observance of Constitution Week. The
resolution was later adopted by the
U.S. Congress and signed into Public
Law 915 on Aug. 2, 1956 by President
Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The aims of the celebration are to (1)

emphasize citizens responsibilities for

protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it for posterity; (2) inform the people that the Constitution
is the basis for Americas great heritage and the foundation for our way of
life; and (3) encourage the study of the
historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September
1787.
The United States of America functions as a Republic, under the Constitution, which is the oldest document
still in active use that outlines the selfgovernment of a people. This landmark
idea that men had the inalienable right
as individuals to be free and live their
lives under their own governance was
the impetus of the American Revolution. Today, the Constitution stands as
an icon of freedom for people around
the world.
Constitution Week is the perfect opportunity to read and study this great
document which is the safeguard of our

American liberties, said DAR President General Lynn Forney Young. We

encourage all citizens across the country to take time this week to reflect on
our heritage of freedom and come together to celebrate America.
In 1928, the DAR began work on a
building as a memorial to the Constitution. John Russell Pope, architect of
the Jefferson Memorial, was commissioned to design the performing arts
center, known as DAR Constitution
Hall. Today, DAR Constitution Hall
is one of the only structures erected
in tribute to the Constitution of the
United States of America.
DAR has more than 180,000 members with approximately 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and 13 foreign
countries. The DAR has long promoted
patriotism through commemorative
celebrations, memorials, scholarships
and activities for children, and programs for new immigrants.

LETTERS
The Platteville Journal, P.O. Box 266, Platteville, WI 53818-0266 plattevillejournaleditor@gmail.com

Why probation?
Ryan J. Barthel got not one day in
jail for threatening employees with
a knife during a robbery of Dominos
Pizza in Platteville. He got enough of a
break with the charge being reduced.
The man is let off the hook for having a
gambling problem, and needing money.
Circuit Judge Day listened to his highpriced lawyer rather than protecting
the community.
I feel sorry for the Grant County District Attorneys Office, the public, and
law enforcement. Your job is to provide
justice and community protection, not
coddle criminals again and again. Being a nice guy is not being an effective
judge! Judge Day needs to return to
private practice. That is what he does
on the bench anyway.
Scott Martin
Lancaster

Support the library

Andrew Carnegie once said, A library outranks any other one thing a
community can do to benefit its people.
It is a never failing spring in the desert.
I appreciate that quote. Although
Platteville has many outstanding resources, our library offers an endless
supply of knowledge to nurture both
young and old.
As a child I spent long hours at
the library walking the aisles, diving

into books, and learning whatever I

wanted. Now as a parent myself, I intently set forth to the library to provide
my children with the same opportunities that I enjoyed.
To me, our library can stir hearts to
love reading and learning just as much
as a school, but the best part its a
resource to all of us.
Soon our community will embark on
raising funds for library resources, and
I hope youll take the time to learn how
you can help. Investing in the library
will pay dividends for many years as
people of all ages will, as Carnegie
said, drink from a never failing spring.
Jessica Brogley

on cases involving special interest donors. This is not how a democracy

works.
Our protections of transparency
and oversight are being compromised
again. The Government Accountability
Board, which is charged with overseeing state elections, lobbying, and ethics, is under attack by the legislative
majority. They want to change the current non-partisan Board selection to
give a governor more discretion in the
selection process. This is not in our
best interests.
We need more transparency in our
elections, not less.
ErnieWittwer

Platteville

Hillpoint

The GOP and the GAB

The Platteville Journal will print

most letters to the editor, regardless of
the opinion presented. The Journal reserves the right to edit material that is
libelous or otherwise offensive to community standards and to shorten letters The Journal determines are excessively long. All letters must be signed
and the signature must appear on the
printed letter, along with a contact
number or email for verification. Some
submitted letters may not be published
due to space constraints. Thank you
letters will not be printed. All letters
and columns represent the views of the
writers and not necessarily the views of
The Platteville Journal.

Our nation was built with checks

and balances designed to protect our
democracy from the excesses of any
one person, party, or institution. At the
state and federal level, we have three
branches of government. Each has the
ability to balance and check any overreaches or missteps of the other two.
This system has protected our freedoms for more than 200 years.
Unfortunately, the system that protects our freedoms is breaking down
in Wisconsin. In part, this is the result
of one party, one ideology ruling both
houses of the legislature, the governors office, and our polarized Supreme
Court, where some justices are ruling

(1) In recognition of the fact that a representative government of the American type is
dependent upon an informed electorate, it is declared to be the policy of this state that the
public is entitled to the fullest and most complete information regarding the affairs of
government as is compatible with the conduct of governmental business.
(2) To implement and ensure the public policy herein expressed, all meetings of all state
and local governmental bodies shall be publicly held in places reasonably accessible to
members of the public and shall be open to all citizens at all times unless otherwise expressly provided by law.
Chapter 19.81, Wisconsin Statutes (Open Meetings Law)
In recognition of the fact that a representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate, it is declared to be the public policy of this state that all persons are
entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the
official acts of those officers and employees who represent them. Further, providing persons with such information is declared to be an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees whose responsibility it is to provide such information. To that end, ss. 19.32 to 19.37 shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the
conduct of governmental business. The denial of public access generally is contrary to the
public interest, and only in an exceptional case may access be denied.
Chapter 19.31, Wisconsin Statutes (Open Records Law)