AntigoBuzz Blogs

How Will the School Board Deal With Employees in Criminal Complaint?

After looking at the criminal complaint for the Principal/Coach, John Lund, it seems as though there are a few names in there that are currently working at the school.  One name that sticks out to me is Jeff Neufeld, isn’t he a teacher or coach? Are there others also?

Is the school board going to put those people on Administrative leave with pay also?  Are those people also being investigated? How many people are we going to pay to stay home and do drugs while they are investigated?  Is there a better way to handle this?

I understand that the names mentioned in the complaint have not been charged with anything, but, neither was Mr. Lund when they sent him home.

All this going on when the School Board is trying to pass a referendum, I would hope at this point they would rethink their plan.  I feel that it is a total waste of time and money for another referendum vote ANY time soon.

Names mentioned in the criminal complaint:
Joe Adams
Anthony Crabb
Robert Hurlbert
Mark Incha
Bradley Maahs
Peter Miller
Jeff Neufeld
Chris “Gumby” Nicholson
Jay Peterson
Mike Peterson
Scot Peterson
Dan Witman
Paul Fermanich
Tim Smith

Links to the criminal complaint:
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT – PART 1
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT – PART 2

Other AntigoBuzz blogs related to this:
Looks Like Antigo Coach/Principal Finally Charged

Antigo Principal/Coach on Admin Leave for What?

Repeat of Certain Antigo Police Officer Cover-Up?

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Reality Check (by Ben)

In the recent past, Governors Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Chris Christie of New Jersey have implemented progressive changes related to public employee benefits, bargaining rights, and the educational process in their respective states. Governors attempting to be advocates for taxpayers and get a handle on powerful unions that are attempting to control their states. The tail has been wagging the dog for too long and now it’s time for the dog to wag the tail and retake control of the states business.

This “assault on education” as teachers in New Jersey and Wisconsin commonly refer to it, has brought the kettle to a boil. Of all the public sector employees, it has been the teachers (Educators as they prefer to be called) who have made the most noise. They have, without a doubt, the most powerful union of all the public employee sectors.

Teachers marched in protest in Madison and New Jersey against the same changes that have been quietly taking place for the majority of private sector employees for a few years now. It appears teachers (and other public employees) didn’t really care about their neighbors and relatives when our wages, benefits, and jobs were being compromised and outsourced. When the rubber hit the road for the teachers, the s— hit the fan. How dare anyone infringe on “their rights”. Teachers (and other public employees) mounted a recall on our governor and are hell bent at any cost to boot him from office.

The teachers rubbed us common folks the wrong way by all of their pompous and pious attitudes that their profession was on a pedestal above the rest of us commoners. When taking hits about their Cadillac benefits and 185 work days per year, teachers fired right back attempting to justify how important their jobs were. They act as if their profession is above the rest of us, because they are the ones who are educating our children, shaping and molding their lives. They are the ones who somehow work harder, have more stress, and take more flak than other occupations. They spend countless hours at home preparing for class and grading papers and spend money out of their pockets for supplies “for the children” (as if the rest of us don’t). They have higher college degrees than the rest of us and yada yada yada.

Since the march on Madison last spring, it was hard not to notice how many wayward teachers around the state made the news downloading porn on school computers, having inappropriate relationships with students and now our own school principle allegedly involved in illegal activity per the school board administrator.

As in every occupation and profession, there are some really good and above average people. There are some excellent teachers out there and it shows. Like every occupation and profession there are average employees and unfortunately there are also poor employees. The educational system is no different.

In the past week, I believe the Antigo School Board made a poor decision to re-run the referendum less than two months after a majority of voters said no. I also believe the recent news regarding a local school principle and football coach as well as a retired Antigo school teacher have really tarnished the profession and the school district. Like any profession, it only takes a few rotten apples to spoil the basket. It is unfortunate for all the quality teachers out there to have the spotlight on your profession like this.

I think it’s time for a reality check. A reality check for the school board members who voted in favor of re-running the referendum and a reality check for all those teachers who believe everyone in their profession is above reproach. A reality check that the educational system has some serious chinks in its armor.

Do yourselves a favor and quit acting like others owe you a new school, owes you a benefit package better than your neighbor, and owes you summers off. Come down to earth and treat your private sector neighbors like the equals they are. Be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Take a step back and look at the big picture instead of just yourselves for a moment. The world doesn’t revolve around teachers, the teachers union and a new school building.

The teachers in the videos below made an a$$ of themselves on the world wide web. Unfortunately, this behavior is how the general public sees the teaching profession.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Nqk9e1kfY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEKhS2Dzcec&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbGLwAb-rMY&feature=related

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This article by Linda Falkowski , president, White Water-North Realty appeared in the 01/14/12 edition of the Antigo Daily Journal. I found it to be a very interesting and informative article that really hits home.

Langlade County has been in a housing crisis and the worst may still lay ahead for local governments because of the time it takes for property assessments to reflect home depreciation. Many local governments weathered the early years of the financial crisis partly because tax revenues they so heavily depended on held steady or actually rose due to assessments that still reflect inflated residential values. In their latest assessments, the local governments are forced to recognize the lower prices in home values and the shrinking tax base that comes with it.

Since 2005, state law has placed a cap on all municipal and county levies, limiting increases to the greater of net new construction value or a specified percentage ranging from 2.0 to 3.86 percent. In the new state budget, approved in August, that cap in now zero, making new construction the only way local governments can increase their tax levy short of voters approving an increase by referendum.

The bad news for local governments however is good news for the property tax payers. In the past, local tax levies could be increased to make up for the decrease in property values, helping local governments’ revenues but hurting property owner pocket-books.

Langlade County has one of the highest median property tax rates in the United States and is ranked 493rd of the 3,145 counties in order of average property taxes.

Our local governments have some hard decisions ahead. Hopefully, the markets rebound and everyone wins.

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Pro Life vs Pro Choice

The Wausau Daily Herald had an article in todays (03/29/11) edition regarding a pro life organization that had reserved a room at the Wausau Public Library to show a film promoting pro life / anti abortion issues. When the room was reserved the topic of the movie was not identified. When the manager of the library discovered pro choice / pro abortion protesters where planning on protesting outside the library during the movie, he canceled the room out from under the pro life organization because of a potential disruption at the library.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20110329/WDH0101/103290427/Library-cancels-anti-abortion-movie-face-protests?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|WDH-News|s

As we all know, the Democratic party is historically a pro choice / pro abortion party and the Republican party is historically a pro life / anti abortion party.

The majority of Democratic public school teachers who were protesting in Madison claim they got into the teaching profession not for the money/benefits, but because they love children and love teaching children.

I’m not attempting to start anything here, but have a legitimate question and food for thought.

Why are people from the same political party (democrats / liberals) who claimed to love teaching children a month ago in Madison, now ready to protest against a pro life organization who is against abortion?

Is there a line between personal conviction and professional conviction for some ?

How can someone have a passion / love for teaching children, yet protest against a pro life organization showing an anti abortion movie?

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For decades, educators (and other public employees) and their powerful unions have received new contracts with wages and benefits above and beyond the average private sector employee. They basically held school boards and taxpayers hostage with arbitration that always favored the teachers and their unions. For at least the last four decades the teachers unions has reaped handsome rewards. More power to them.

Well, times have changed. For a number of reasons, including the auto industry bailout, the banking industry bailout, the Freddie and Fannie bailout and two wars just to name a few. The country is broke because state and federal government does not know how to manage money. They spend money they don’t have, like an 18 year old with a credit card. The U.S. Government is now over 14 trillion dollars in debt and the economy is still in the tank. The unemployment rate is over 20% in real numbers, since our government does not count those who are still unemployed but no longer collecting unemployment benefits.

The current national debt clock
http://www.ethanpope.com/

Individual states like New Jersey, Arizona, California and Illinois are so broke they can no longer pay their bills. Illinois is now know as a deadbeat state because they don’t have they money to pay their bills. Wisconsin is not far behind.

Here is a real time debt clock for the state of Wisconsin
http://www.usdebtclock.org/state-debt-clocks/state-of-wisconsin-debt-clock.html

So now we finally have a new Governor who realizes, that not only can the state and federal governments can longer continue to tax and spend, but we have to make significant changes in the current system to dig our way out of the mess we are in.

At this point it doesn’t matter who is to blame anymore, we have reached a point where someone has to step up to the plate and say no more. We can’t continue like this. Changes have to be made for the sake of our future, and the future of our children.

Governor Walker is doing just that. He has decided to make serious and obviously unpopular decisions to stop the madness.

While pretty much everyone in the private sector that still has a job is taking pay freezes, pay cuts, concessions in benefits, furlough etc., the teachers are now livid because they are being targeted.

http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/Local_Teachers_Outraged_Over_Gov_Walkers_Budget_Proposal_116097574.html

Educators not only receive handsome wages for a 190 (+/-) day work year but currently receive 11% of their annual wages contributed into their retirement fund 100% by taxpayers. Teachers contribute nothing, zip, zero, nada, towards their retirement fund.

There is absolutely no one outside the public sector who receives anything even close to that. Most private employers who do offer retirement plans will only match between 3% to 6% of the employees contribution into a 401k. That means the employee must first contribute to even receive the matching funds.

While most private sector employees are paying several hundred dollars a month towards health insurance, teachers pay little for health insurance coverage for plans that are far better than the coverage non educators receive.

I work for a private company who ranks in the top 100 hundred of the fortune 500 company list. My employer employs tens of thousands of people world wide. For 2011, not only are we receiving little if any pay increase, the company has announced they will be contributing less towards our 401k and we are now paying between 8% to 15% more towards our health insurance premiums each month, depending on the coverage we choose. I believe I fall into the same situation that the vast majority of private sector employees are currently in, if they are even fortunate enough to have any benefits at all.

Governor Walker sees the debt problem, knows we cannot continue on the fiscally irresponsible path, and knows something has to be done and has to be done now.

All he is asking, is for public employees to make the same concessions private sector employees are making. He is not doing it because he wants to, he is doing it because he has to. Jeez, what is so hard to comprehend about that ? The state is broke, the nation is broke. The good times are over and it is time to face the music.

The Antigo school board will begin negotiating a new contract with the Antigo area teachers union, maintenance staff union a support staff union next month, March 2011 for the next contract beginning in July 2011.

C’mon teachers, (and all public employees), stop whining and be thankful for all the good years.

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We just want to post this and let people know what alot of us are seeing with our police officers and parole officers.
Most of us know as parents alot of our kids and others kids are not perfect by any means. And we do know the laws,, drugs and ect. are alot different than they were 20 years ago.

Two of the people that have alot to do with the outcome of how are children do after getting into trouble are. Officer “Dan Bauknecht ” and
Parole Officer, ” Karen Boodry”

There are alot of us as parents that can see our children do not have much of a future in Antigo. We have alot of children “kids” here “15-20″ years old that are in some sort of trouble with the law and some are repeat offenders. Us as parents do not understand why there is a need for Dan Bauknecht and Karen Boodry to threaten these kids over and over again and again. By saying to them that they are basically no good and that they are going to get them “No matter what”. And also telling them that if they dont come up with money to pay fines, and ECT. They, ” Dan and Karen will throw them in jail. I guess why threaten them when you know most of them do not have a job in this town. Do you want them to go out and steal or do some other crimes so you both get your money and then they get caught for another crime????? I didnt realize that this is how your suppose to take care of these kids…. Is this what is says in YOUR job description?? Us as parents know that you both have a job to do,, and a very hard one at that. But will badgering and threatening these kids make things better?? Do you think you will get any more respect from them or by us parents by doing this?? You guys must think this is a fun cat and mouse game to play. Do you both realize that alot of these kids do want to work and pay off their fines and ect.???

Would it be a problem helping them or would you both rather mess with their heads and back them into a corner until they feel there is no way out??? If you both feel the need to keep repeatedly threating kids and putting families in more turmoil,,, than your both in the wrong line of employment.

We know some kids will not change their ways,, You also cant stop who kids hang out with and who their friends are.. its a small town and that will never change.

So STOP judging and start helping. Maybe instead of thinking you are both God,, maybe we could get some of these kids off to a new start and give them some light at the end of the tunnel.

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Has anyone noticed in the last several years that when a person gets arrested for drugs, theft, robbery or any other felony crime, the DA takes it to court, has several hearings, ie. plea hearing, status hearing, bargaining hearing, sentencing hearing…etc.?

My question is this….If a crime has been committed, reported to the police, and evidence is gathered by the victim of the crime, or the police if they so choose to do their job correctly, why does the DA dismiss charges, or plea a drug crime, or robbery crime, or assault crime down to a misdemeanor and sentence the perpetrator $100.00 fine, and no jail time? Or dismiss the charges all together?

This seems to be an ongoing problem in Langlade County, as I have noticed more often that certain criminals get off with a slap on the wrist. What happened to the repeat offender 3 strikes you’re out law? What happened to the victims rights to have a fair trial? What happened to getting the dirt bags in jail where they belong?

I an elderly person J walks in town….they get fined a ridiculous amount….but if a drug dealer is caught with a large quantity of drugs with intent to sell…they get a $100.00 fine and let go.

Can someone tell me when the last time the DA put someone in jail for more then 30 days for a felony crime?

Our tax dollars are paying for ALL the numerous court appearances these criminals ave to attend. Our tax dollars are also paying for the Public defenders to defend these criminals…..
3 strikes….you are out…..!!!!
Insanity: Repeating the same actions over and over expecting different results……ummmmmm…HELLOOOO!!!!

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I am still in shock after reading the article in the Antigo Daily Journal, which you can read HERE.

According to that report, the Village of Mattoon has now banned the sale or possession of these incense items, commonly known as K2, Spice, Genie, or Yucatan Fire.  Even though the items are legal, they are not allowed in Mattoon and also in other nearby areas. The controversy seems to be due to the fact these incense are made with some type synthetic chemical called cannabinoid, which is said to have intoxicating effects.

I find this to be an outrage.  The “government” is finding more and more ways to put limits on us as to what we can and can’t have and use, even when the items are legal.  The way I understand this incense deal, is that if used as it is supposed to be and as directed, there are no issues or problems with it.  It is only when people consume or “smoke” it that it is dangerous and can cause illness or death.  The same could be said with any item that kids use to “huff”.  Are we next going to be banning gasoline or computer duster or paint because some people use it to get high!?

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After reading a bit in the Antigo Daily Journal about a proposed storm water utility, a few questions have come into my head. I don’t feel that it is right that anyone should have to pay for rain water runoff on their property. It is something that is beyond our control. When you look at the big picture though, it may not cost any more in the long run as when flooding problems occur. When flooding occurs and/or problems with the city’s water system, who pays for it now, we do, as taxpayers. So, the creation of this “utility” will do what really? Will we just be placing more taxes on certain individuals or businesses who have more run-off than others? How is that fair? Do we really need a “utility”, why, so we can pay out more money to workers with government benefits! Do we need another utility? I think many questions need to be answered before this plan goes forward.

You can find the ADJ article here.

Another article can be found here.

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According to reports on WSAW, Mr. Brandt has won the election for Antigo’s Mayor.  Bill Brandt won the spot over Gary Cernoch, a leader in the Elks organization.

After the resignation of Mike Matousek last year, Sam Hardin had filled the post.  Mr. Hardin did not seek election.

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