Hey! Hey! Hey! It's About to Get Hot, Hot, Hot in Dunn County : )
What are They so Afraid of?? - The August 13th Partisan Primary Election Means More Referendums - Different Ways to Chill and Relax This Summer in Dunn County!
I believe we are witnessing a stumbling block when it comes to our County Board of Supervisors of not executing common sense by refusing to put the Refugee Resettlement to Pause Resolution on the Dunn County Board agenda. So after attempts of addressing to the Executive Committee, Dunn County Board Chair, Kelly McCullough and emails to County Board Supervisors of placing the Refugee Resettlement to Pause Resolution on the agenda for discussion, on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 at 7 PM approximately 45 residents came to either support or speak during public comments in regards to the Refugee Resettlement to Pause Resolution along with a few others that spoke up in response to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Amendment on Accessory Dwelling Units. Those that spoke in regards to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance on Accessory Dwelling Units believe that this would be a start of relief with the current housing crisis situation in Dunn County. With that being said, this is why it is necessary to have a pause with bringing in refugees into Dunn County and have a study of the financial impacts on the county and it’s residents, the county’s infrastructures and if we have the resources including housing to meet the needs of the refugees. It just makes sense to be proactive and not end up in a county financial and infrastructure collapse because the county board did not do their due diligence by doing a study of the possible impacts it could create after World Relief no longer has financial or social responsibilities to support the refugees after 90 days of resettlement in Dunn County. Not only will the County be responsible for the welfare of the refugees but also at the expense of the taxpayers of Dunn County. This would mean our tax levy possibly increasing which will not sit well with those that are on fixed income or have been dealing with stagnant wages and salaries. Let’s not forget high inflation at our door which puts a strain on Dunn County residents financially. Many variables that need to be considered. If the Dunn County Board approved of a Housing Study for Dunn County, they can do a County Impact Study before accepting Refugees into the area.
What are they so afraid of by putting the Refugee Resettlement to Pause Resolution on the agenda? The fact that 470 signatures have been collected from Dunn County residents in favor of the Refugee Resettlement to Pause Resolution. That a letter from Otter Creek Township with their concerns thus in favor of the Refugee Resettlement to Pause Resolution. That it is about an issue involving Dunn County residents and not a partisan issue. That it is about following the laws that are in place according to State Statue Under the Refugee Act of 1980 - 8 U.S.C. 1522 (1)(A)(iii) the “local voluntary agency activities should be conducted in close cooperation and advance consultation with State and local governments”, in which World Relief, an NGO did not follow and is not about the refugees themselves. The hard reality that the county is currently in a 40+ million dollar deficit that makes it difficult to maintain a healthy county infrastructure and provide the necessary services and needs of the people who currently reside in Dunn County. That Barron County, St. Croix County and Chippewa County Boards passed the Refugee Resettlement to Pause Resolution. The fact that many cities and towns across the nation are imploding because of the illegal immigration invasion taking place and the Refugee Resettlement program installed by NGO’s. Here is a link to the situation in Whitewater, Wisconsin recently reported on June 24th, 2024. This is on the illegal immigration crisis that hit a small town that caused the town’s infrastructure to weaken. Whitewater's Immigration Problems. Even though the illegal immigration issue is not the same as the Refugee Resettlement Program, the Refugee Resettlement Program has ties to the Refugee Reunification Program in which family members and relatives can come into those resettlement locations to reunite with their families, meaning the population will increase over time. Lastly, if you want to hear the public comments segment from the Dunn County Board of Supervisors on June 19th, 2024 meeting, click below and begin at time stamp 5 minutes and 38 seconds. Dunn County Board of Supervisors Meeting for June 19th, 2024. Simply put, the Executive Committee that sets up the agenda for the next Dunn County Board Meeting needs to place the Refugee Resettlement to Pause Resolution on the agenda for a discussion and awareness among the county board members and it’s residents.
Come Tuesday, August 13th, 2024 there will be a 2024 Partisan Primary of various County, State and Federal office races that comes with two referendum questions in regards to State of Wisconsin Delegation to Appropriation Powers and State of Wisconsin Allocation of Federal Moneys. So, here is my take on referendum question numbers one and two. First one which states as follows from “What’s on my Ballot” section on myvote.wi.gov
State of Wisconsin Delegation of Appropriation Power Referendum-QUESTION 1
QUESTION 1: “Delegation of appropriation power. Shall section 35 (1) of article IV of the constitution be created to provide that the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how moneys shall be appropriated?”
Yes
No
This is basically stating that legislative body should not be delegating it’s authority to one person or state agency(s). For example, giving sole power to the Governor of allocating particular funding where he thinks it should or should not go. Our Legislatures who best represents their districts and constituents would have a better idea of the needs of their districts than the Governor. I believe this stemmed from the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) and CARES (Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Securities). It becomes dangerous when you have just one person or appointed agencies in charge of how the moneys shall be appropriated. While digging in Ballotpedia.org come to find out our state executive agencies were in charge of allocating the relief funds. By the way, approximately $160 Billion was allocated toward the national vaccination program and responses.
Next up, question number two as follows:
State of Wisconsin Allocation of Federal Moneys Referendum - QUESTION 2
QUESTION 2: “Allocation of federal moneys. Shall section 35 (2) of article IV of the constitution be created to prohibit the governor from allocating any federal moneys the governor accepts on behalf of the state without the approval of the legislature by joint resolution or as provided by legislative rule?”
Yes
No
For question number two, it simply stating that the Governor will not be able to allocate any federal moneys without the approval of the legislature either by joint resolution or by legislative rule. It is keeping the authority of allocation of moneys to the state legislative branch.
These two referendums were from Assembly Joint Resolution 6. It is also interesting to note that the Wisconsin Association of Local Health Department and Boards along with Public Health Association are opposed to the above referendums. Apparently, the local and state health agencies do not want to lose their power that they were given in 2020.
It’s time for some chillin time this summer in Dunn County. And there is plenty of ways to relax and chill out in Menomonie and throughout Dunn County. Let’s start with the Ludington Guard Band concert on July 2nd, 2024 at the Ludington Guard Band shell at Wilson Park for their Patriotic Night! The concert starts at 7:30 pm. Wear your red, white and blue attire along with bringing your favorite lawn chair, blanket and snacks. On the 4th of July, Jake’s Supper Club is having their annual 4th of July Tainter Boat Parade starting at 1 PM. Also Half SHEBANG plays from 2 pm to 6 pm then it’s DJ Karaoke from 8 pm until midnight at Jake’s. A great lineup of bands will be playing at Jake’s throughout the holiday weekend. On Saturday, July 6th, 2024 at Wakanda Beach is the Community Fireworks which will take place at dusk over Lake Menomin. So once again, bring your favorite lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to enjoy the show. Then on Friday, July 12th and August 9th, 2024, it’s Music on Main from 4 pm to 8 pm with live music at downtown venues along with sidewalk sales and extended shopping hours. Sounds like a great time in downtown Menomonie! If you are into racing, how about heading on over to Kid’s Night at Red Cedar Speedway on Friday, July 19th, 2024 where the kids can meet the drivers at 5:45 pm, a Lucky Ducks Prize Giveaway, a kids bus ride around the speedway courtesy of Menomonie Transportation and a Bounce House. Racing starts at 7 pm and a fireworks show after the races. The next day which is Saturday, July 20th, 2024 will be “Let’s Paint the Town” event which will take place at Wilson Park and Downtown Menomonie from 8 am to 7 pm. It is sure to be a fun day for the whole family. Shortly after on Wednesday, July 24th through July 28th, 2024 is the annual Dunn County Fair in which the theme is “Christmas in July”. For more information on the upcoming fair go to Dunn County Fair. For August, it is Wheeler Days on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th with the BIG Fireworks Show on Saturday night at dusk given by B & B Fireworks. In Downtown Colfax at Tower Park every Thursday evening except on the 4th of July from 7 pm to 8 pm is ”Music in the Park” series throughout the summer. In Menomonie, there is “Music over Menomin” at the Menomonie Public Library every Thursday evening with the exception of July 4th and 25th from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. With so much to see, hear and do, those lawn chairs, blankets and tennis shoes will be very well used.
From One Dunn County Neighbor to Another - Have a Fun Dunn Summer!!
Laurie J Christianson
Wow! Thanks for all the research, Laurie! And I had no idea all those things were going on this summer. I should pay more attention. :)