My candidate of choice for the Dane County Executive position just received a very important an endorsement from Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney.
“Scott has shown a creative approach to public safety that really works for Dane County,” Mahoney said. “Working together, we have made our jail more efficient and our corrections programs more effective. Scott has been a true leader on getting the new interoperable radio system in place, and that system is going to save lives, without a doubt.”
Scott McDonell also had guest column over the holidays in the Capital Times. It was a column that I wish our current governor would read:
While each of us will have individual resolutions for the New Year, there are some fundamental shared values that I hope we as a community, county, and state will resolve to in the New Year:
• Health care for kids. When kids get sick, a parent’s first thought shouldn’t be, “How can we possibly afford this?” Kids should be able to go to the doctor without mom and dad fearing how they’ll eventually pay for lifesaving prescriptions or treatments.
• A strong safety net for vulnerable citizens. Our seniors and disabled contribute so much to our community — they deserve our support and the opportunity to live life to its fullest.
• Support for quality public education. My daughters, ages 5 and 3, are among the next generation of job creators. For them and all young people to succeed in tomorrow’s work force, we need to invest in good schools and great teachers.
• Lifting families out of poverty. Despite what some politicians would lead us to believe, there are a lot of families struggling to make ends meet through no fault of their own. More moms and dads are juggling multiple jobs, putting in long days of work while still trying to find time to put dinner on the table and help their young ones with homework.
• Eliminating homelessness and attacking its root causes. We must continue to confront poverty, substance abuse, and the mental health issues that force too many people out of their homes and into their cars or out on the street.
• Equality and fairness for all. Regardless of sexual preference, gender, religious beliefs, or socio-economic class, we all deserve the right to the highest quality of life — free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination.
• Preserving our lakes and lands. Whether it’s an afternoon out on the boat, a bike ride through some of our most picturesque natural areas, or a walk along one of our lakes or trails, we’re most fortunate to have so many natural treasures in Dane County to enjoy with friends and family.
• Respecting each other. Too often differences over public policy decisions devolve into name-calling, insults and scare tactics. If public service as an elected town, village, city, county or state official was as simple as hosting a three-hour radio show, just think how full our ballots would be for each election!
It’s also interesting that Zach Brandon got some mad props from Dick Leinenkugel, going so far to say Zach’s practically a republican.
I found that interesting.
I missed that, and it is interesting. Although after the last few months I think Leinenkugel is a man without a home. He seems to have alienated everyone.
Why do I feel like McDonell has a government program in mind to “solve” every one of those problems that he lists.
forgot i think he wants to hire a lobbyist from Virginia that should solve WI problems
Thanks for bringing up something completely irrlevant, but my point was that McDonell brings up a lot of serious problems that he resolves to eliminate in the New Year. It makes for a good list of New Years resolutions, but much like dieting or losing weight, how is he going to accomplish these things? He doesn’t say, so I am only left to guess that a brand new shiny government program must be answer (since the numerous current government programs already in place in Dane Co. and elsewhere aren’t getting the job done).
Sorry sometimes I still am in awe that we elected someone as blatantly incompetent and has no interest in representing WI like ROJO.
My guess is these are major issues and he wants to have a discussion on how we best solve them. A 100% government solution wont work, just like a 100% private sector solution wont work. It is a balance that we need to find.