Letters To The Editor

Garett Tomasek, Lake Mills
I read last week’s obituary of a local Jefferson resident, Roman J. Ropinski, who had made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. I, too, have members of my family who served our country admirably in Vietnam and the Middle East. I am grateful for the sacrifices they have all made for our freedoms, and most especially for Mr. Ropinski, part of the Greatest Generation. 

Kay Wilson, Jefferson
I read with interest this paper’s reporting of the recent joint Fort Atkinson-Jefferson Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, which included incumbent William Penterman and his challenger, Terri Wenkman, for Assembly District 38. The quotes from the forum included in the article made it seem as if both candidates equally challenge the rash of Big Tech’s data centers, the proposed 765 powerline, and the abuse of Flock cameras here in Jefferson County. I was at the forum. I heard, saw and know something different about the two candidates. 

Benjamin Adams, Watertown
I run into a lot of young workers finding their way in the world. The Walmart clerk at Electronics Desk helping with a phone that won’t charge. The other workers filling orders, biding time until better opportunities, wondering when the robots are coming to replace them.

Randy Golz, Fort Atkinson
As I watched the news clips of the Republican Convention, horror overcame me as Donald Trump demanded the masses pledge allegiance to “the greatest president in history”. As the crowd raised their hands and faithfully repeated his pledge, images came into my head of the masses of Germans pronouncing their loyalty to Adolf Hitler, yelling “Heil Hitler” with outstretched arms in a Nazi salute.

Gina Arnieri,  Marquette County
In Wisconsin, we take care of each other. When the chips are down, we show up. That’s why I’m asking my neighbors across Senate District 13 to take a close look at our choices on the ballot this November. Do you know who our current state senator is? Have you seen him anywhere in our communities? He’s been absent and can’t be bothered to show up for the people he’s paid to represent. We cannot keep sending politicians back to Madison while our way of life — and our paycheck — slips away. Legislative leadership has been in power for 15 years and has chosen not to vote on critical bills we need. We have a choice to elect someone who will work for us: Sasha Ripley.

Jean Brooks, Fort Atkinson
There have been some significant developments recently in the ongoing Enbridge Oil Company vs northern Wisconsin debacle. In just two years, Enbridge has been responsible for Wisconsin’s largest crude oil spill, numerous smaller spills and recently the state’s largest natural gas liquid spill.

Leigh Barker Cheesebro, Helenville 
The recent closing of the Drug Store Pharmacy on Main Street in Jefferson cuts deep into the fabric of our community. An independent drug store has been in this location since 1899, serving as a key part of Jefferson’s history.

Ben Adams, Watertown
Watertown Assembly Representative William Penterman wants to have his cake and eat it too when it comes to protecting Wisconsin residents from the rising cost of, well, just about everything. He claims to “work tirelessly” to make our state government more effective and yet seems to avoid any bill that will create a meaningful difference in his constituents’ lives. We know better.

Jean Brooks, Fort Atkinson
Making war on another country should be a very serious thing to do. The pros and cons must be gone over by all with power and authority. Alternatives need to be discussed. Letting President Trump make war because former President Biden got to do so is not rational.

Margaret Schroeder, Fort Atkinson
During the many years I lived in Germany, I used public transportation like most people, which allowed me to chat with everyday Germans. When older Germans realized I was American, they generally gushed with profuse apologies about the Nazi era. As young people, they did not know what was really going on. They did not know about the camps yet, so if there was a dictum to attend a youth march and rally, “we just went.”