Greetings all. As we fast approach the upcoming fall season, I hope everyone had great summer. While we all have been enjoying from 1 st Fridays to weekly beer gardens, and many more summer fun activities around our community, the Mount Pleasant village board and the staff have been working to continue to move the […]
Category: Opinion
Opinion: Racine Branch NAACP President issues statement regarding Tyrese West incident
The vision statement of the NAACP is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race. The recent shooting of Tyrese West on June 15, 2019 by a Mount Pleasant Police Officer highlights the fact that we still have much work to do. This incident shines light on […]
Opinion: The Highway KR Project – The Expendables
There once was a City and a Village, who dreamed of glory. The City hopes to return to its former days of being an industrial king, and the Village of being somebody—anybody? In 2017, County Executive Jonathan Delagrave and Mount Pleasant Village President, David DeGroot saw their chance for the fairy tale when an international […]
Opinion: Unaddressed Concerns
Questions are already being asked pertaining to the state of Wisconsin and Racine county’s plans to potentially build a juvenile correctional facility in our area. Of course, any mention of prison building agitates, as it should, many in the Black community. Also adding to those reservations is the fact that the first mention of the […]
OPINION: Skeptical about whether Foxconn is happening?
Whether you see the $10 billion Foxconn Technology Group manufacturing campus in Mount Pleasant as a boom or boondoggle, it’s happening. At least the first phase is. But you wouldn’t know it by reading some national headlines, which seemed to change significantly over the last week. Foxconn: Media report about suspending construction project inaccurate Homes have […]
Opinion: A public thank you to my mentor, Mark Maley
As I write this editorial, my mentor and friend, Mark Maley, is fighting for his life. If he were still my editor, he would likely call me on the phone and tell me to go focus on the election stories and not write a silly editorial about him. But I can’t focus on anything else […]
OPINION: Questions for our governor
How has the cumulative decline of $3.5 billion in school funding under your leadership improved public education? Why divert badly needed money to voucher schools instead? Why do you believe education should be for profit more than for the public good? Why did you try to change the University of Wisconsin mission statement to serve–and […]
Opinion: Changing times for a local AM Radio Station
I read with sadness this morning that two local radio news reporters, Tom Karkow and Janet Hoff are “retiring” at the end of this month. One after over 40 years, the other after 20+ years, all at the same station, WRJN. These two have been the heart of local news reporting on my local AM […]
Opinion: Nominate Horlick Football Coach Brian Fletcher for most valuable coach
The best coaches do more than just coach, they connect to the good in their players and inspire their communities. From elementary school to high school, the most valuable coaches are the bright lights that bring communities together with meaningful connections. U.S. Cellular empowers their efforts by connecting these coaches to the resources they need […]
Opinion: We Energies commitment to coal comes at expense of health
Over the years, a number of neighbors have lived with coal dust covering their homes. This swab came from a home that We Energies bought purchased as part of a mediated settlement. The homeowners suffered from several illnesses associated with living near a power plant. A few days ago, Alliant Energy and WEC Energy Group […]
Opinion: We Energies neighbors continue to suffer from exposure to coal dust
On March 4, a thick layer of coal dust blanketed Oak Creek homes, cars, and a neighborhood playground. On April 10 a letter went out from Thomas Metcalfe, Executive Vice President for We Energies, identifying “long-term strategies” to deal with the problem, including “Planting more trees for screening” and “Constructing a wind barrier either partially or fully […]
OpEd: Dear Foxconn, here’s the key to a healthy relationship with Racine County
Dear Foxconn, Welcome to Wisconsin. You will find that the Village of Mount Pleasant and the City of Racine are beautiful places to work and play. But please know that we are fiercely protective of our land, our water, our health, our work, and our pocketbooks. We also take our politics seriously because we understand […]
Opinion: Comments help measure public feelings about Foxconn
About a year ago Wisconsin’s southeastern counties began to rumble; a major industrial development was headed our way. After weeks of speculation and rumor, Foxconn Technology Group emerged as the company that could possibly reshape our corner of the state for decades to come. At last week’s groundbreaking County Executive Jonathan Delagrave said: “Less than […]
Opinion: Some thoughts about my dad on Father’s Day
My mom, Kathleen Lockwood, and my dad, Harold Lockwood. I’m certain that I will one day write a book. And in that book will likely be a character that will have a striking similarity to my dad. I haven’t thought the plot line through yet, but I am certain that elements of him will shine […]
Opinion: Todd finds hope on the horizon with RUSD
After years of listening to snide allegations and racist innuendoes plus living under discriminatory threats to our school system, there seems to be hope on the horizon. By promoting the knowledgeable and compassionate former Deputy Superintendent of schools, Dr. Eric N. Gallian, to the position of leadership, Racine has made a giant step forward in […]