Becker for tax relief

On April 2, Platteville residents will have a choice of re-electing Steve Becker to the Common Council or one of his opponents.

As someone who has lived in Platteville and closely followed city government for many years, I have always been greatly concerned about our city’s constantly rising property taxes. However, when Steve Becker was first elected into the council in 2007, we finally had a strong voice from someone who was interested in keeping property taxes down. In fact, since Steve’s election, the city’s portion of real estate taxes on a house assessed at $150,000 has decreased by $365, which is a significant decrease.

I appreciate the focus and attention that Steve Becker has brought to this issue and his efforts to curb spending.

John Duesbury
Platteville

Incumbents’ ‘prudence’

On April 2, I am voting to re-elect Steve Becker and Mike Dalecki.

I want to keep us on a path of fiscal prudence, tax base expansion with development, and stewards of our tax money. A vote for them will keep us on a fiscal agenda of not spending money the city doesn’t have. These two guys don’t shy away from “hard” decisions and they have a vision. I’m supporting both of them, and if you look at the facts, they both have done a great job for the city.

Barb Stockhausen and Mike Denn are running a single-issue candidacy. Returning to a 40-hour work week for hourly city employees will only end up raising our property taxes.

I hope you vote for staunch supporters of fiscal sanity, and getting value for our tax dollars. Vote Steve Becker and Mike Dalecki on April 2.

John Miller
Platteville

To the rescuers

I am writing on behalf of our family with heartfelt appreciation to all of you involved in the rescue of our son. Not the call we expected to receive on a Sunday evening, but no one is ever ready for a call like that except for all of you who put our son before yourselves.

We know this could have turned out so differently if you would not have responded as you all did; it wasn’t his day to leave this earth. And all of you are part of the reason he has his toes and fingers where they belong.

We are also thankful that his friends stayed on shore and called for help. No pain can be greater than losing a friend who wanted to help you.

We wanted you all to know how thankful we are that all turned out the way it did. It just doesn’t seem like enough to express appreciation once again for the saving of our son; he is our baby and I really don’t know how our family would have been changed! We hope you realize that till the end of our lives we will be grateful for what you did on that cold March night. Everyone was just wonderful; even the next day he had people checking in with him — we had a long drive down from Minnesota because of the snow — and it helped him deal with the day!

Diane and Gene Wellman, Nick and Toni Wellman, Joah and Brynleigh, Kelli Wellman, Tylor Montgomery

Wrong mine decision

It was about the saddest day in the history of the Town of Bridgeport, now likely doomed to 60 years of frac sand mining unless citizens take legal action against their own Township. The final decision will be made at the Bridgeport Town Board meeting on March 27. This is the first mine of what will likely be many if the township stays on its present course.

For over three hours, the Planning Commission hemmed and hawed around with township lawyer Todd Infield on the Pattison Sand Conditional Use Permit application. There was more silence than talk, with the commission seemingly having done little in the way of research, relying on Kyle Pattison for many of their answers. The most egregious and insulting was their decision to determine that the CUP is not injurious to use of other property, nor substantially diminishes and impairs the property values. The Commission members diminished the effects on those citizens living across from the driveway, along the truck route, and in the neighborhood.

The Commission voted against their own citizens and their zoning in favor or three landowners and profits for an out of state sand mining company. Why did they do that?

The account of a landowner whose home was turned down by a buyer because of the Bridgeport proposed mine was determined to be of little importance in their discussion on potential reduced property values.

Citizens spoke out despite being told they could not. Comments on the support of Pattison Sand over the resident’s interests, the truck traffic, and the complete disregard for the citizens of the township peppered the evening while the commission had little content in their comments.

Despite promises that there would be thorough review, the Commission failed to answer the myriad of questions offered by the citizens. The committee did not adequately address any of the issues and set no boundaries for Pattison Sand except to require that some trees get planted at the site. May as well plant tulips. No limits were made on hours, number of trucks, etc. The CUP uses nonregulatory terms like “plan to” which hold no legal requirement. And without strict regulations, only DNR rules apply, which includes little monitoring. Discussion on air monitoring is likely to be meaningless, as Pattison will likely be applying for a waiver of air monitoring requirements from the DNR.

We would like for all media to enter the video link and the concerns and thoughts of Bridgeport residents on the Planning Commission decision on March 14 and as well their lack of interest in the current board members — www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2QqCtVRBCc.

Crawford Stewardship Project
Gays Mills

The Platteville Journal will print most letters to the editor, regardless of the opinion presented. The Journal reserves the right to edit material that is libelous or otherwise offensive to community standards and to shorten letters the Journal feels are excessively long. All letters must be signed and the signature must appear on the printed letter, along with a contact number or email for verification. Some submitted letters may not be published due to space constraints. “Thank you” letters will not be printed. All letters and columns represent the views of the writers and not necessarily the views of The Platteville Journal.