I spent last night trying to find the automatic renewal clause in my contract with the radio station. I didn't find it because it's not in there. I'd be willing to bet that most contract employees won't find such a clause in their deals--because no employer would tie themselves to a potential dud of an employee.
Yet that is exactly what the Oshkosh School Board has done with it Superintendent. Now I am not saying that Ron Heilmann is a dud of an employee--but does it really matter? No matter what he does in his job, that contract automatically rolls over--unless a majority of the school board thinks he stinks and then they have to make their case for ending the contract--and paying out a big severance package.
That brings up a very interesting question when it comes to public employee contracts: Should the workers bear the burden of proof that they are doing their jobs? Or should the government body that hires them have to prove they can't handle the position?
I can certainly see why the employee would want to have the security of rollover clauses or automatic renewals--but taxpayers need the protection against ineffective leadership. What City Councillor wants to run on a platform of "I'm going to fire the City Manager" or what school board member wants to put "Replacing the superintendent" on top of their priorities list. Okay, what candidates outside the Oshkosh area will go around saying that?
Administrators doing a good job should have little to fear without automatic rollovers in their contracts. Those running things into the ground???? Well they may want to rent instead of buy. But then again, the taxpayers end up winning there.
While I'm making insinuations about the Oshkosh School Board this morning, I also have a money saving suggestion for you. You want to hire a consulting firm to compare Doctor Heilmanns' contract with the deals signed by other superintendents in the area? You're in luck. All of those contracts are considered part of the public record and must be turned over by the district upon request. We have copies of a couple superintendents' deals right here in the Newsroom and we didn't have to pay anyone to get them. Each member take a district or two--put in your open records request with their clerks--get the contracts for free. Then make copies for everybody else on the board and compare them all side-by-side. You need a consultant for that??? Geez, no wonder we can barely afford Middle School Mandarin Chinese in this district.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Monday 1-14
On Friday night I witnessed everything that is great about sports. I had the call of the Oshkosh North--Oshkosh West basketball games from the Kolf Sports Center.
Several thousand fans turned out for the games--getting there early to make sure they had good seats. It's a good thing too--because the boys game turned out to be a classic. A great hard-fought battle between two evenly matched teams. The score see-sawed back and forth and it went into double overtime following one of those bolt of lightning moments that no "reality show" can match.
Everybody involved showed great sportsmanship. Was the officiating great--no--but the refs didn't have to run for their lives after the game was done. The kids on both teams learned some great lessons that night. That nothing is impossible if you try...that nothing is over until the clock runs out...that sometimes your best effort just isn't good enough...that winning is great, that losing sucks and despite what happened that night the sun still came up the next day--and life went on.
The positives went beyond just the game itself. Dance teams, bands and drumlines from the schools also got their time in the spotlight--showing everyone that talent in the high schools extend beyond just the athletic field. I'm sure there are some school board members wishing that kind of enthusiasm for school activities will extend to a potential referendum in the future. Maybe they should threaten to cut those programs--that usually gets people fired up.
My wife always gets on my case about being too "obsessed with sports". But is seems better than some other people's obsessions. Maybe if we could get militant Muslims to become sports fans--and decide their grudges on the field instead of blowing each other up in the streets--we might have a more peaceful world.
Several thousand fans turned out for the games--getting there early to make sure they had good seats. It's a good thing too--because the boys game turned out to be a classic. A great hard-fought battle between two evenly matched teams. The score see-sawed back and forth and it went into double overtime following one of those bolt of lightning moments that no "reality show" can match.
Everybody involved showed great sportsmanship. Was the officiating great--no--but the refs didn't have to run for their lives after the game was done. The kids on both teams learned some great lessons that night. That nothing is impossible if you try...that nothing is over until the clock runs out...that sometimes your best effort just isn't good enough...that winning is great, that losing sucks and despite what happened that night the sun still came up the next day--and life went on.
The positives went beyond just the game itself. Dance teams, bands and drumlines from the schools also got their time in the spotlight--showing everyone that talent in the high schools extend beyond just the athletic field. I'm sure there are some school board members wishing that kind of enthusiasm for school activities will extend to a potential referendum in the future. Maybe they should threaten to cut those programs--that usually gets people fired up.
My wife always gets on my case about being too "obsessed with sports". But is seems better than some other people's obsessions. Maybe if we could get militant Muslims to become sports fans--and decide their grudges on the field instead of blowing each other up in the streets--we might have a more peaceful world.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Friday 1/04
The death of Lee Dreyfus provides a chance to look back on a much simpler--and more innocent--time in Wisconsin politics.
Dreyfus was a true underdog when he ran for office in 1978. He had absolutely no political experience before making his run. He was just the chancellor at UW Stevens Point. He didn't raise a lot of money for his campaign--worrying that it would make him beholden to someone other than the voters. He toured the state in a dilapitated old school bus painted his signature red. His campaign fundraising theme was "keep gas in the bus". He also had an impromptu high school band accompany him on many of his stops.
Dreyfus was not the choice of the Republican party leaders. He didn't march to the party beat--he didn't "pay his dues" by serving in the Legislature and building favors from others in the party. He didn't want to raise big money for the party--didn't even want to run TV ads. Yet somehow he won the primary and eventually the general election over Patrick Lucey.
So how did Dreyfus win? Simple--he connected with the people. Lee had a very populist platform--and he made people feel good about themselves. If you think back to the late 70's, things flat out stunk. Inflation, gas lines, the hangover from Vietnam, layoffs, disco--there was a lot dragging us down. But Lee had a positive message about life in Wisconsin and how things could turn around. Oh yeah, he wsa going to cut taxes as well. In a way, it was a small scale precursor to the same success Ronald Reagan would have running for President in 1980. Less taxes, more good feelings about ourselves.
While most will remember Dreyfus for the red vest and returning the surplus to the taxpayers--and eventually putting the state in a hole--which keeps getting bigger to this day--I'll also remember him for the greatest summary of Wisconsin politics anyone has ever coined. "Madison is 30 square miles surrounded by reality".
Dreyfus was a true underdog when he ran for office in 1978. He had absolutely no political experience before making his run. He was just the chancellor at UW Stevens Point. He didn't raise a lot of money for his campaign--worrying that it would make him beholden to someone other than the voters. He toured the state in a dilapitated old school bus painted his signature red. His campaign fundraising theme was "keep gas in the bus". He also had an impromptu high school band accompany him on many of his stops.
Dreyfus was not the choice of the Republican party leaders. He didn't march to the party beat--he didn't "pay his dues" by serving in the Legislature and building favors from others in the party. He didn't want to raise big money for the party--didn't even want to run TV ads. Yet somehow he won the primary and eventually the general election over Patrick Lucey.
So how did Dreyfus win? Simple--he connected with the people. Lee had a very populist platform--and he made people feel good about themselves. If you think back to the late 70's, things flat out stunk. Inflation, gas lines, the hangover from Vietnam, layoffs, disco--there was a lot dragging us down. But Lee had a positive message about life in Wisconsin and how things could turn around. Oh yeah, he wsa going to cut taxes as well. In a way, it was a small scale precursor to the same success Ronald Reagan would have running for President in 1980. Less taxes, more good feelings about ourselves.
While most will remember Dreyfus for the red vest and returning the surplus to the taxpayers--and eventually putting the state in a hole--which keeps getting bigger to this day--I'll also remember him for the greatest summary of Wisconsin politics anyone has ever coined. "Madison is 30 square miles surrounded by reality".
Monday, December 31, 2007
Monday 12-31
Today everybody is making their resolutions for the New Year--so I may as well make a few here as well.
I hereby resolve to not do any stories about Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan or Paris Hilton. Nobody over the age of 13 really cares what these idiots do with their lives. I just wish the major TV networks would make this same resolution.
I resolve to tune out all of the attack ads coming our way this year. If there are more than three candidates still in the running before the Wisconsin Presidential primary--you may want to keep the TV off for the entire month of February--because it won't be pretty.
I resolve to continue to publicly bash the idiots running the Big Ten Network for taking away Badger basketball from the fans just so the schools can keep the revenue for themselves rather than share it with standard cable networks and the athletic departments.
I resolve not to be disappointed when the New England Patriots crush the Dallas Cowboys again in the Super Bowl. Nobody is slowing down that juggernaut.
I resolve to do a better job of keeping the house neat. I promised my wife I'd get that one in there.
I resolve to knock eight strokes off my gold handicap this summer. There is no reason that I should be a 15--considering I spent more than a thousand dollars on new equipment this year--and played more than any year since I was in high school.
I resolve to get Senator Herb Kohl to actually do an interview this year. He's been in office for almost 20-years and he has never been on any of our radio shows. Does anyone actually know where he stands on any issues?
Finally, I resolve to continue to bring you the best in local news coverage in the Fox Valley. It's the least you deserve.
Happy New Years everybody.
I hereby resolve to not do any stories about Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan or Paris Hilton. Nobody over the age of 13 really cares what these idiots do with their lives. I just wish the major TV networks would make this same resolution.
I resolve to tune out all of the attack ads coming our way this year. If there are more than three candidates still in the running before the Wisconsin Presidential primary--you may want to keep the TV off for the entire month of February--because it won't be pretty.
I resolve to continue to publicly bash the idiots running the Big Ten Network for taking away Badger basketball from the fans just so the schools can keep the revenue for themselves rather than share it with standard cable networks and the athletic departments.
I resolve not to be disappointed when the New England Patriots crush the Dallas Cowboys again in the Super Bowl. Nobody is slowing down that juggernaut.
I resolve to do a better job of keeping the house neat. I promised my wife I'd get that one in there.
I resolve to knock eight strokes off my gold handicap this summer. There is no reason that I should be a 15--considering I spent more than a thousand dollars on new equipment this year--and played more than any year since I was in high school.
I resolve to get Senator Herb Kohl to actually do an interview this year. He's been in office for almost 20-years and he has never been on any of our radio shows. Does anyone actually know where he stands on any issues?
Finally, I resolve to continue to bring you the best in local news coverage in the Fox Valley. It's the least you deserve.
Happy New Years everybody.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday 12-28
Don't believe for a second that the reason the NFL is allowing CBS and NBC to show tomorrow night's New England Patriots--New York Giants game is because they don't want fans to miss out on a potential historic moment. This decision is based on nothing more than money.
I can guarantee that some time this week the head of CBS Sports called up Commissioner Roger Goodell and reminded him that the network pays a large chunk of the one-billion dollars the league gets in television rights revenues. The CBS exec likely pointed out that they would have broadcast rights to the game--since the Patriots will be the road team on Saturday--and that there was a very good chance they could have seen huge ratings for a show that would have spilled over into the important prime time hours. And that CBS executive most certainly reminded the Commish that his network may not be so keen on paying a billion dollars to air the NFL in the future. So Goodell capitulated and gave CBS permission to simulcast the game.
It probably didn't take ten minutes for the suits at NBC to find out that CBS was going to show the big game--so their head man was on the phone to Goodell as well. The NBC chief likely reminded Roger that his network also pays a fair chunk of that one-billion dollar rights deal--and that they have exclusive rights to prime-time Sunday night games. NBC also has the right to reschedule start times to get the matchup they think will bring the biggest audience--and they almost certainly would have put Pats-G-men on during the coveted prime time hours. And the NBC officials most certainly told Commissioner Goodell they would not be so keen on paying up to a billion dollars to air the NFL in the future.
So the Commish would find himself in the difficult position of granting another network rights to simulcast a game already on two channels. I can flat out guarantee that none of the men involved in these discussions at any time mentioned the word "fans". "Viewers" and "ratings" were likely tossed around--but "I'm concerned about the fans missing this historic moment" didn't roll off anyone's tongue.
By the way, if this is so historically significant--why isn't CNN or Fox News showing the game as "BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!"
Now, if the NFL really cared about the fans--they would take the clueless Bryant Gumbel off the broadcast and get a play-by-play man who actually knows the players names and which team has the ball.
I can guarantee that some time this week the head of CBS Sports called up Commissioner Roger Goodell and reminded him that the network pays a large chunk of the one-billion dollars the league gets in television rights revenues. The CBS exec likely pointed out that they would have broadcast rights to the game--since the Patriots will be the road team on Saturday--and that there was a very good chance they could have seen huge ratings for a show that would have spilled over into the important prime time hours. And that CBS executive most certainly reminded the Commish that his network may not be so keen on paying a billion dollars to air the NFL in the future. So Goodell capitulated and gave CBS permission to simulcast the game.
It probably didn't take ten minutes for the suits at NBC to find out that CBS was going to show the big game--so their head man was on the phone to Goodell as well. The NBC chief likely reminded Roger that his network also pays a fair chunk of that one-billion dollar rights deal--and that they have exclusive rights to prime-time Sunday night games. NBC also has the right to reschedule start times to get the matchup they think will bring the biggest audience--and they almost certainly would have put Pats-G-men on during the coveted prime time hours. And the NBC officials most certainly told Commissioner Goodell they would not be so keen on paying up to a billion dollars to air the NFL in the future.
So the Commish would find himself in the difficult position of granting another network rights to simulcast a game already on two channels. I can flat out guarantee that none of the men involved in these discussions at any time mentioned the word "fans". "Viewers" and "ratings" were likely tossed around--but "I'm concerned about the fans missing this historic moment" didn't roll off anyone's tongue.
By the way, if this is so historically significant--why isn't CNN or Fox News showing the game as "BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!"
Now, if the NFL really cared about the fans--they would take the clueless Bryant Gumbel off the broadcast and get a play-by-play man who actually knows the players names and which team has the ball.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Thursday 12-27
Do you trust Iowans to decide which candidate would best represent your favorite party on the November ballot? How about the people of New Hampshire? Or South Carolina? Even though Wisconsin moved up its primary date to mid-February from March--there will likely be little drama--or choices--left in the races.
I'm not sure how the tiny states of Iowa and New Hampshire got to be the first to vote (or caucus) on the Presidential campaigns--but I don't think its fair. Based on the fact the campaign started three years ago in those states, every resident has probably had at least two face-to-face meetings with each of the candidates. By the time the campaigns reach Wisconsin in a couple of months, the rallies will all be huge events with tight security and the candidates speaking from their scripts from the stage. Maybe I want Hillary Clinton to hear about my concerns personally. John Deer of Corn Lick, Iowa and Edith Kennedy-Smith-Shepardspie of Gobblers Knob, New Hampshire probably got the chance.
There is a reason these states keep moving their "First in the Nation" contests earlier and earlier to stay ahead of all the other states. If they didn't, nobody would ever consider going there. Do you think Rudy Giuliani really relates to the "great people of the heartland" or that any of the "old-timahs" in New England can understand half of what Mike Huckabee says?
I would rather see a series of national, elimination primaries where total votes knock off the stragglers. The first round could trim the field to four in each party, the quarter-finals would leave us with two candidates and the finals would give us the November tickets. Maybe we could put the candidates in brackets like the NCAA Basketball tournament and we could all have office pools. That might increase interest in politics--the chance to win big bucks.
The key to my plan is that it establishes who would really have the national appeal needed to win in November. It would also neutralize the influence certain sub-groups within the parties would have on selecting nominees. The downside? More endless political ads--and therefore more money influence. But at least you and I here in Wisconsin would have some actual say in who represents our party--instead of letting Iowa and New Hampshire have all of the fun.
I'm not sure how the tiny states of Iowa and New Hampshire got to be the first to vote (or caucus) on the Presidential campaigns--but I don't think its fair. Based on the fact the campaign started three years ago in those states, every resident has probably had at least two face-to-face meetings with each of the candidates. By the time the campaigns reach Wisconsin in a couple of months, the rallies will all be huge events with tight security and the candidates speaking from their scripts from the stage. Maybe I want Hillary Clinton to hear about my concerns personally. John Deer of Corn Lick, Iowa and Edith Kennedy-Smith-Shepardspie of Gobblers Knob, New Hampshire probably got the chance.
There is a reason these states keep moving their "First in the Nation" contests earlier and earlier to stay ahead of all the other states. If they didn't, nobody would ever consider going there. Do you think Rudy Giuliani really relates to the "great people of the heartland" or that any of the "old-timahs" in New England can understand half of what Mike Huckabee says?
I would rather see a series of national, elimination primaries where total votes knock off the stragglers. The first round could trim the field to four in each party, the quarter-finals would leave us with two candidates and the finals would give us the November tickets. Maybe we could put the candidates in brackets like the NCAA Basketball tournament and we could all have office pools. That might increase interest in politics--the chance to win big bucks.
The key to my plan is that it establishes who would really have the national appeal needed to win in November. It would also neutralize the influence certain sub-groups within the parties would have on selecting nominees. The downside? More endless political ads--and therefore more money influence. But at least you and I here in Wisconsin would have some actual say in who represents our party--instead of letting Iowa and New Hampshire have all of the fun.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thursday 12-20
Thank you celebrity obsessed national media for creating another embarassing situation for parents to deal with. Jamie Lynn Spears--the sister of you know who--and the star of Nickelodian's "Zoey 101" announced in OK magazine this week that she is pregnant. Normally that would be OK--but Spears is just 16-years old and is not married to the 19-year old father of the child. I'm sure more than a few young fans of the show will have some tough questions for mom and dad about what happened to Zoey.
Can we please do a few stories on young women who are doing something positive with their lives? I can't imagine what its like to be a girl nowadays--being bombarded with "breaking news" about every successful young woman running afoul of the law, getting pregnant out of wedlock, going to rehab and leaving their husband of a whopping two years.
I guess that goes hand in hand with the marketing campaigns of all young females with big, fake breasts, exposed by low-cut outfits and high-rise skirts. Remember a few years ago when we did stories on the problem schools were having with too-revealing clothes on female students? The response from parents was "that's all the stores carry now for teen fashions." I guess I picked the wrong time to go to high school. When I was a teen, it was the late 80's and multiple-layers covered with baggy sweaters were all the rage. The only girls who showed what they had played on the volleyball and basketball teams.
The male population doesn't make it any easier for girls either. Sometimes when I'm reffing a high school game I can't believe the lyrics of songs played over the PA system during warmups and timeouts. And there are the girls singing along with the suggestive and degrading lyrics.
And don't even get me started on the internet. One of my favorite websites features musical playlists posted by users. There is also a feature that allows the poster to put on a picture of themselves and to "chat" with other users. It never fails that the most "provocative" pictures are put on there by 15 and 16-year old girls--who then get dozens of responses from the thirty-something guys inviting them to chat at a different site.
My wife and I are trying to have a baby--but I fear having a girl. I wonder how I'm going to get her to have a positive self-image if she is not a size two and how I'll keep her away from all the dirty old men in cyberspace and real life. It would help a lot if being over-dressed and undersexed would become popular again.
Can we please do a few stories on young women who are doing something positive with their lives? I can't imagine what its like to be a girl nowadays--being bombarded with "breaking news" about every successful young woman running afoul of the law, getting pregnant out of wedlock, going to rehab and leaving their husband of a whopping two years.
I guess that goes hand in hand with the marketing campaigns of all young females with big, fake breasts, exposed by low-cut outfits and high-rise skirts. Remember a few years ago when we did stories on the problem schools were having with too-revealing clothes on female students? The response from parents was "that's all the stores carry now for teen fashions." I guess I picked the wrong time to go to high school. When I was a teen, it was the late 80's and multiple-layers covered with baggy sweaters were all the rage. The only girls who showed what they had played on the volleyball and basketball teams.
The male population doesn't make it any easier for girls either. Sometimes when I'm reffing a high school game I can't believe the lyrics of songs played over the PA system during warmups and timeouts. And there are the girls singing along with the suggestive and degrading lyrics.
And don't even get me started on the internet. One of my favorite websites features musical playlists posted by users. There is also a feature that allows the poster to put on a picture of themselves and to "chat" with other users. It never fails that the most "provocative" pictures are put on there by 15 and 16-year old girls--who then get dozens of responses from the thirty-something guys inviting them to chat at a different site.
My wife and I are trying to have a baby--but I fear having a girl. I wonder how I'm going to get her to have a positive self-image if she is not a size two and how I'll keep her away from all the dirty old men in cyberspace and real life. It would help a lot if being over-dressed and undersexed would become popular again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)