A student–run publication
Summer 2015
Sometimes real superheros live in the hearts of small children fighting big battles. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES Articles can be submitted to fvtcfoxtimes@gmail.com A DIGITAL VERSION OF THIS PUBLICATION CAN ALSO BE DOWNLOADED AT: www.fvtc.edu/foxtimes
CONTENTS Fox Times | Summer 2015
2
From the Editor
3
Ask Foxy
5 Farewell
6
Cheers and Jeers
7
Poetry Corner
8 Jamaica
10
Club Spotlight
33
What are we as students missing? 2015 Sole Burner
34
Spring 2015 Graduation
35
Goals clash as Wisconsin prepares to rewrite campaign finance laws
36
Wisconsin DNR mulls dissolving science bureau
38
Wisconsin FoodShare fraud crackdown questioned?
Advisor Shannon Gerke Corrigan gerkecor@fvtc.edu Fox Times Staff Members Rich Weber – Editor In Chief Patty Jacob – Editor of Fun William Miller – Layout & Design Ezra Kizewski – Staff
41
State makes filing fraud complaints ‘as easy as possible’
42 Did judge fail to report outside income? 43 Advocat Mike McCabe launches new party for the ‘polical homeless’ 44
Groups let Gov. Scott Walker’s backers give unlimited sums
45
Have John Doe probes trashed the rule of law?
46
Wisconsin prison guard fired for harrassing inmates
47
Wisconsin DNR auditor retreats from $3.5 million claim against family planning clinics
Comics by Phil Hands
49
Contributors Carol Young Jason Lilly Steve Cukierski Sandy Sickinger Zac Soltvedt Jason Oertel Yolanda Weber Kake Lulloff Aaron Tollefson
Andrew Krautkramer Nate Faust Mercedes Marcouex Angie Cook Jordan Terrell Bill Lueders Ron Seely Kate Golden
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F rom The Edit or By Rich Weber
The end of another year. Goodness the 2014-2015 academic year seemed to both fly by and drag at the same time. Many amazing things were accomplished this year by awesome people. Let’s see if I can recap. The Fab Lab created a 3-D printed hand for a little girl in Pennsylvania. You read that right, they created a hand. A real working hand. It works, is pink, with Frozen lyrics embedded all over it, and has already been delivered to her. If you happen to see anyone from the Fab Lab, tell them thank you.
struggling with cancer. Scarlett is featured on this month’s cover with one of her friends. You will find additional photos in this issue showcasing the benefit for Scarlett that took place at JJ Maloney’s in April. Unfortunately for cancer, it has decided to give Scarlett a fight. Not sure if cancer knows what it has gotten itself into.
Norah and Scarlett are two awesome little ladies that have more fight and determination in their pinky fingers than most of us will have in our entire life. They have the entirety of FVTC behind them and we will keep all of you updated on their progress. Many of our current international students will be going home at the end of the month, and we will be welcoming a whole new batch in the fall. Kevin, Farzana, Kayla, Jenny, Ivan and the rest will be sorely missed on campus.
The Fitness Center expansion is a go. Construction will begin by the end of May, with the completed and rebranded “Wellness Center” opening again as of August 31st. Student Government Association (SGA) brought this to fruition as a result of you, the students wanting it. The new facility is going to be fantastic. The women’s basketball team, YOUR Conference Champion Lady Foxes, adopted Norah, a little girl struggling with cancer. Norah and the ladies were featured on last month’s cover. The great news is that Norah’s struggle with cancer is postponed for now, as cancer has retreated under the onslaught of fury and strength from Norah. The men’s basketball team adopted Scarlett, another little girl
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A lot of faces will be missing from our hallowed halls after this month. Chad, Dan, and Andrew from Electronics & Automation Club are leaving us for bigger and better things. The next leaders of the Club have big shoes to fill. Monster Shop & Power Sports are going to be changing as well, Barb kept a pretty firm grip over there, again, large shoes to fill. Lastly, our very own Editor of Fun, Patty Jacob is leaving us for the world of a real job. Being President of the Student Activities Committee and Editor of Fun I guess just wasn’t enough to keep her here on campus. This is the closing of a chapter for many of you as you walk across the stage, and the opening of another as the rest of us return or attend for the first time. I look forward to seeing all of you in one form or another over the summer and into the fall.
Foxy’s Child?
Dear Foxy, I’ve heard that there is a lot of drama about parking. Especially motorcycle parking. Why do motorcycle riders feel they deserve special parking close to the building? Parking spaces close to the building should be reserved for Disabled Parking, Pregnant Lady Parking, or Senior Citizen Parking, in my opinion. I thought you would be the best resource to give the definitive answer on this world changing and important issue. Thanks! Parking Attendant Hey Parking Attendant, I heard that as well. I agree with you that the parking spots closest to the building should be reserved for the Elderly, Pregnant and Disabled. I am enclosing a photo I took of how motorcycle riders park on this campus. World changing? Not so much. Important? I shall let my silence speak to that…
Dear Foxy, Brazilian or bikini? Grizzly Adams Dear Grizzly, Nice name by the way. I do not have a preference here, and leave the decision up to each individual person. Foxy Dear Foxy, I didn’t see any letters to or from you last month. What’s up? I love opening the paper and seeing your sarcastic responses to some of the silliest questions. Hope to see more of you! Foxy Fan Hi Foxy Fan, Well, apparently people have been scared to write me lately. My rapier wit and scathing social commentary are intimidating, or so I am told. I do hope to get more letters over the summer. Foxy
Foxy Dear Foxy, With the summer months fast approaching, I was wondering what you do over the summer? Do you vacation on fancy, sunny isles of paradise, or lounge about campus? Summer Dreaming Hi Summer Dreaming, Ah, the islands, fond memories I have of lazing away the long summer hours on a beach with hot and cold running umbrella drinks brought to my side by lovely cabana people. Sigh… Currently I run a local motel… Foxy FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 3
Friends of Autism, Inc. would like to thank the many FVTC organizations that helped to make the 2015 Fox Cities Walk-4-Autism a great success! Students from the following organizations: Community College Initiative (CCI) Program Criminal Justice Student Association Early Childhood Education Student Life
Staff and faculty from the following departments:
Blackboard Team
Center for Instructional Excellence
Global Education
Educational Support Services
Criminal Justice Enrollment Services
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Early Childhood Education
Lean Performance Center
Farewell by Patty Jacob
So this is the last time that I will be working as the Editor of Fun and I will miss it. I recently graduated and will moving on, but I will miss providing the fun facts and scrambled words that I have been working
on for the last year. It has been a great year and I have learned a lot about running a newspaper. I hope someone will be interested in taking my place as Editor of Fun.
Random Summer Facts •
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The Dog Days of Summer refers to the weeks between July 3rd and August 11th. They are named after the Dog Star (Sirius) in the constellation of Canis Major. Ancient Romans and Greeks blamed Sirius for the extreme temperatures, drought, sickness, and discomfort that came in late summer.
The Summer Olympics take place every four years. They were held for the first time in Greece more than two thousand years ago.
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The modern Summer Olympics were revived in 1896.
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Mosquitoes, summer’s pest, have been around for more than 30 million years.
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Watermelon is summer’s most popular vegetable. It is part of the cucumber, pumpkin, and squash family. The average American eats 15 pounds of watermelon a year and these juicy favorites are 92 percent water.
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Summers spent throwing a Frisbee back and forth owe their game to a pie maker named Mr. Frisbee.
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The first bathing suit for women was created in the 1800s. It was long sleeved with woolen bloomers.
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June is named for the Roman goddess Juno (Hera).
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Romans began the summer wedding tradition, choosing June for Juno’s blessing. The tradition stuck.
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August is the busiest month for travel and tourism.
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Outdoor water parks open for the summer months and theme parks all over the nation are busy during the summer.
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Summer movie season is considered the most popular time for audiences to watch films.
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Summer television used to be repeats only as Americans were typically outdoors during the summer. New programming was added to summer television line-ups beginning with 90210’s special summer season of 1991, a network first.
July is National Ice Cream Month. More Americans buy ice cream in July than any other month.
Summer Weather Facts •
Days are longer in summer.
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Summer temperatures in the southern regions of the United States are significantly higher than northern regions.
Rainfall is less in summer than other times of year and droughts may seem more severe in summer time.
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The frequency of a cricket’s chirps fluctuates with the temperature. If you count a cricket’s chirps for 15 seconds and add 37, you will have the approximate outdoor temperature (in Fahrenheit).
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Both tornadoes and thunderstorms occur more often during the summer.
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Cheers
Jeers
Cheers — to all of the graduates! You did it! Now go earn your keep! Cheers — to the official dedication of the Public Safety Training Center! Cheers — everyone that made the SGA Awards Silent Auction a huge success! Jeers — to anyone that stands in the way of a student’s success, including the student themselves. Jeers — to Mother Nature for being unable to decide if it is winter/fall/summer. Jeers — to for-profit predatory businesses that prey upon students and their families.
If you wish to submit a cheer or jeer, send an email to fvtcfoxtimes@gmail.com with cheers and jeers in the subject line.
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Poetry Corner Don’t Be Afraid by Jordan Terrell
“Don’t be afraid to fall in love again, Learn from your mistakes, And you won’t regret them. Don’t be afraid to trust and be true, Take that risk as if it was you. Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams, Grow in your passion, Like a tree near the streams. Don’t be afraid to be who you are, Originality will make you a star. Don’t be afraid to smile so bright, With that kind of happy, We won’t need a light.”
-------------------------------------------------“This isn’t what I wanted, but I have to let it be. When you take the hard path, is the only way to see. Looking in every direction, not sure what route to take, holding on so tight, my heart starts to ache. This road isn’t easy, in fact, it’s scary in many ways. It’s when, “keeping your head up” means being cheerful while it rains.”
Hello, my name is Jordan Terrell. I wrote this poem to express the emotions I felt after going to the memorial and prayer service Wednesday, May 6th for the Trestle Trail shooting. In a part of the poem, I talk about memories pouring in. What I’m talking about is the fact that my mother, brother, and I just got off the trestle trail as the police arrived; in other words, we just missed seeing this tragedy unfold or even being a part of it. That night, I found myself praising God for protecting my family and I. When the following day came, we found ourselves mourning knowing who was shot and how much pain it was causing my family and close friends because they went to our church, Calvary Bible and Olivia attended my brother’s school (Fox Valley Christian Academy). This poem talks about turning to The Lord for help when situations like this unfold. After all, through death there is life thanks to our savior, Jesus Christ.
Trail of Conquer by Jordan Terrell
“With every breath I breathe, I’m holding onto grief. And with every step I take, I realize how much my heart breaks. Now I’m under the red roof, The memory starts pouring in, That flash of a moment starts to tear me within. As I write in this journal to the families, I start to realize all of the pain and agony. Tears hitting the page, And I don’t know what to say. All I know is that they’re home with God, And they’re going to stay. Lord, take away the pain, I don’t want to feel. How could something like this happen if you’re so real? Lord, I don’t understand, I don’t want to care. Why is this happening when you’re so near? I’m searching for the answer, I’m trying to understand. I know that you Oh God, have a plan. Lord, this world is full of sin,
Because you gave us the will. All this suffering is our own handmade pill. As I lay the pen back down, I start to walk away. Knowing how devastated the world is today. Tears falling fast, Not knowing what to do. I fall on my knees and pray to you. I give my heart to you, Knowing good things are true. Lord help me find the strength to make it through. Lord, grow my faith in you. Even as small as a mustard seed. Grant me the power to make your plans succeed. Through death, there is life. Because of you, Jesus Christ! Through death, there is life. Because of you, Jesus Christ! And through you we can conquer anything…”
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Jamaica
by Mercedes Marcouex
This is my second year having the wonderful experience of traveling to Jamaica on the service trip through student life. This year however it was a little different for me. It wasn’t a distant, unfamiliar place to me but it felt like I was just where I needed to be, it felt a little like home. When I was here last I made a lot of connections and lasting relationships. It was an eye opening experience. This year the director of the trip, Shannon presented us with a binder so we could document our trip each day. In the beginning of the binder was this article entitled “In the Service of Life” by Rachel Naomi Remen. This article was really relatable for the simple fact that last year when I went I always told people I was going to Jamaica to help others, when in reality I was not helping them, I was serving them. In the article Naomi states “Serving is different from helping. Helping is based on inequality; it is not a relationship between equals. When we help we may inadvertently take away from people more than we could ever give them; we may diminish their self-esteem, their sense of worth, integrity, and wholeness. But we don’t serve with our strength, we serve with our Selves. We draw from all of our experiences. Service is a relationship between equals.” I feel too often people feel like they need to help everyone and they have this “save the world” mentality. We see others less fortunate then us simply because we feel we have more. But more what; Money? Clothes? Cars? We have the inability to feel happy and content with what we
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do have so we always are seeking more. In Jamaica they might not be able to afford everything they need or want but they work towards it and they appreciate with what they do have. It is almost heartbreaking to think how happy the kids at the school were to get a new coat of paint on the walls of their classroom when some of them didn’t even have shoes to wear. It really made you take a step back and realize how privileged we are in the states even if it doesn’t seem like it. One thing that Shannon did differently this year that I really appreciated was she made us think about how we could apply what we have done to serve in Jamaica in our own communities. She asked us all to think of something we could do that would benefit the community where we live and how we would go about implementing it. Sometimes the simplest things like serving at a community table or volunteering at schools and different places in the area can make a difference. We don’t need to wait until an opportunity to go to a different country arises in order to make a difference and serve. Sometimes the biggest changes begin with one person and an idea. If you feel you have an idea that would benefit others in your community tell people about it and get others involved and you never know where it can lead to. If you wait until you can do everything for everybody instead of something for somebody, you’ll end up doing nothing for nobody. So I urge you to take the first step and help serve your community.
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Cinderella’s Boutique
___________________________________________________________ by Carol Young
On Saturday, April 11, 2015, Cinderella’s Boutique opened its doors to approximately 26 underprivileged teenage girls at the Community Clothes Closet in Menasha. Phi Theta Kappa Beta Epsilon Omicron Chapter members of Fox Valley Technical College participated in helping these teenage girls find the perfect dress, shoes, jewelry, and other accessories for this year’s prom. The Cinderella Boutique Event took place at the Community Clothes Closet in Menasha from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Each registered teenage girl that arrived also received a corsage and choice of gift certificate for a restaurant dinner or nail/salon certificate. Since prom can be expensive and not everyone can afford it, Phi Theta Kappa reached out to community businesses to work together in fellowship, service, honor, and leadership to provide gift certificates for beauty and restaurant needs for the prom. This year’s sponsors and volunteers helped make the Cinderella Boutique a success! It was a great morning of service and fellowship!
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PTK Pie-in-the-Face by Jason Lilly
Phi Theta Kappa teamed up with the Natural Resources club on 4/21/15 for a pie-in-the-face event. All of the proceeds for the event went to benefit the Fox Cities Greenways. The Fox Cities Greenways is a nonprofit organization funded by annual membership dues, grants, and donations. The organization formed in response to a growing need for trails and greenspaces in the rapidly developing Fox Cities region of Wisconsin and their mission is to foster the development and preservation of trails and greenways in the community.
This event is always so much fun for everyone, and throughout the semester we get many requests to do it again. Through our combined efforts with the Natural Resources club over $500 was raised for the Fox Cities Greenways. PTK and the Natural Resources club presented a check on May 14th. Later on in the year a tree planting ceremony will be carried out to commemorate the event.
Each time the event has been held a different organization was selected to support. This time the Fox Cities Greenways was chosen in honor of earth week. The week prior to the event, a few dozen volunteers from the student body, faculty, and administration agreed to set aside time and dignity to help raise money for the cause. Jars are placed in Student Life Center identifying each person, and throughout the week people can donate to any jar they wish. When the week is up, the jars are counted, and the three highest amounts receive a “mega pie� at high noon on the day of the event! The event itself lasts about an hour, and in that time, anyone who wishes can purchase pies of varying sizes, and select their target of choice among those who have agreed to be pied!
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Nerd Nation by Jason Lilly
I wanted to take a moment to write about my experience attending the international conference for Phi Theta Kappa in San Antonio, Texas on April 16th-April 18th 2015. This was the first time that a representative from the Beta Epsilon Omicron Chapter was present at the international conference. I believe attendance is critical in shaping the kind of year that our chapter will have for many reasons. Being able to go to San Antonio, Texas was an added bonus! The conference was excitement. There were close to 4,000 PTK members from around the globe in attendance. This conference was the culmination and celebration of an entire years’ worth of efforts. The main benefit of attending any PTK conference is networking, and seeing how things are being done elsewhere. I learned this at my first regional conference in the spring of 2014. Attending that regional conference in Lacrosse, Wisconsin opened my eyes to what our chapter should, and could be. I used that experience to shape our plan for the year, and we ended up having the most successful year this chapter has ever realized at Fox Valley Technical College. The information I was able to bring back will help shape this chapter further, allowing us to move up to the next level. We are currently recognized on the regional level, and the goal is to take the international stage this coming year at the next international conference in Washington DC. It is hard to capture the excitement of the experience on paper. Just getting on a plane and leaving my home state for the conference was exciting! Upon my arrival, checking into the hotel, and registering for the conference is when the real magic began. Phi Theta Kappa puts forth a tremendous amount of effort to put the international conference on. It has grown into quite a phenomenon over the years. Downtown San Antonio is an absolutely gorgeous place to be! Couple that with 4,000 new friends, an agenda that will make your head spin, and you are in for quite the experience! I had a mild idea of what to expect, but my experience by far exceeded my expectations.
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There were plenty of scheduled workshops that we could attend that dealt with a wide array of PTK topics over the three days of the conference. I not only attended many of them, I was also able to speak at one concerning an award our chapter had won for the honors case study challenge. I was selected to represent the state of Wisconsin for this. This is the first time any chapter from Wisconsin has won this award, and been invited to sit on a panel at the international conference! I was also the FVTC voting delegate for the international officers. There were so many firsts for our chapter this year! I learned so much from the informational sessions, and brought back plenty of notes with me concerning them. I networked with a host of people from all over the world. It was an experience like no other in just that regard. Even if that had been the extent of my experience, it would still have been well worth the journey! But that was not even close to the extent of the international conference. Beyond that there were general sessions scheduled for each day. These were assemblies with a great deal of planning behind them. These were very much like concerts. Remember, there were close to 4,000 people in attendance. During these general sessions, we were able to experience all things PTK. This was a time when all of the regional and international representation were introduced and recognized. They would speak on different topics informing the general population about things that were going on in those arenas. Each general session had its own guest speaker as well. The first general session had John Legend as a guest speaker. I knew of him and his music prior to this. I am not certain what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t what happened! John Legend is a famous singer and songwriter to be sure, but he is also an amazingly powerful speaker, and down to earth person. He spoke to us about the importance of what we do, and our role in shaping the future of others. He spoke to us about his life, experiences, and passions. I found out that he serves on several boards, including the Equality Project, Stand for Children, Teach for America and PopTech. He is also the national spokesperson for Management Leadership
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for Tomorrow. He supports education initiatives with a special focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). He also has his own educationbased organization, the Show Me Campaign. He is so much more than the music he is renowned for. Another general session featured Dr. Michio Kaku as a guest speaker. Until now, I have only known of him through the History channel. I found that Dr. Michio Kaku is an internationally recognized authority in two areas of the science world today. The first is Einstein’s unified field theory, which Dr. Kaku is attempting to complete. His goal is to complete Einstein’s “theory of everything”. The other is predicting trends affecting business, commerce and finance based on the latest research in science. He also took the time to recognize us and speak on our role in shaping the future. He explained how we were in a unique position as leaders to be on the cutting edge of everything that is about to happen, and affect positive change in that respect. When he was done speaking, he took time to sign copies of his book that people had purchased. The third general session was very unique indeed. It featured the AACC which is an association of all the community colleges and their administrations. Historically the AACC has their own conference to discuss what they have going on, plan for the future, and hand out awards to their members. In this case, they still had their own conference, but for the first time ever they paired up with PTK in a general session. There were about 6,000 people in attendance because of this. This is significant because it gave both organizations an opportunity to see the value in one another. Bringing the brightest students and their administrations together in a celebration of academic achievement was a brilliant idea in my opinion. Malcolm Gladwell spoke on the merits of education and the hard work and dedication it takes from students and administration. There were also PTK headquarters representatives that spoke of PTK, and what its role in the college is. They discussed how PTK and the colleges are partners, essential to one another’s success. I thought it was highly beneficial for everyone in the room. The atmosphere was certainly much different than if both organizations had met separately. It seemed that everyone that I came in contact had a better understanding and appreciation for one another upon the completion of that session. This was a historic event, and I certainly hope they do it again!
At this point the learning environment was at a close. It was time to get dressed in formal attire and attend our banquet. This dinner was very fancy, and very nice. Everyone looked their best, and the excitement in the air was not to be overlooked. Following the banquet, there would be one last assembly for awards and international office elections, with a dance scheduled after that. Once dinner concluded, we all made our way to the awards ceremony. The awards ceremony was amazing, and can only be compared to the academy awards seen on TV. The atmosphere was formal and electric all at the same time. Many chapters took the stage to accept awards that night. Although our chapter had won awards, we were not recognized for any further awards that evening. Beyond that, the new international officers that had been elected during the conference were recognized and sworn into office. The “changing of the guard” was an event in itself, and an inspiration on how our chapter should shape its election process. After the awards ceremony we all migrated to the dance that was scheduled. It was the last hurrah of the conference and we all enjoyed each other’s company for the final few hours of fellowship, which is one of the four hallmarks of PTK. Once again, the dance is yet another aspect of the conference that far exceeded my expectations. This was an amazing evening to be a part of, and we had so much fun, and made so many memories. Attending this conference was one of the best experiences of my life, and it was very beneficial on many levels. I learned so very much, and had the time of my life in the process! I was able to do some very important networking, and see the next stage our chapter should strive for. I will be able to share my experiences and new found knowledge with my fellow officers and members, and generate excitement and vision for the coming year because of it! One of the most beneficial things I was able to take away from the conference is that the more visible PTK is, the stronger FVTC will be.
Fox Times is looking for photographers willing to take random pictures, attend sports events, and attend school events. Email foxtimes@fvtc.edu if interested!
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Fox Valley Technical College Accounting Club – More Than Just Numbers! By Steve Cukierski
When you think of accounting, you may think of someone who is quiet and just counts all day. Well, the Fox Valley Technical College Accounting Club would like to prove you wrong with your preconceived notion! This semester, we have had several guest speakers come and speak to our club including Chris Czarnik from Employment Services, Lakeland College, and the Chief Financial Officer of Fox
In addition to networking we also have done various fundraisers. Early in the semester we sold hot chocolate at the drive in movie event, and you may have seen our popcorn and bake sale in March. At the end of April, we volunteered to assist the basketball team’s fundraiser for Scarlett, a little girl with cancer. We might not be a huge group, but we try to make a difference!
Valley Technical College Amy Van Straten. All of our guest speakers are wonderful resources on how best to approach obtaining the career of your choice.
So, are you interested in joining us? We meet the second Tuesday of the month from 11:30am to 12:20pm. To become a member, you only need to attend a meeting and pay your club dues of $2.00. Your $2.00 is good for the whole school year, grants you access to the resume book, and we even provide lunch! We have been known to have an end of the semester party, complete with games and prizes. Any future accountant can see the value that membership provides.
Speaking of career resources, the Accounting Club assembles a resume booklet every spring that gets distributed to over 50 employers in the local area. This is a fantastic way of getting your resume in the hands of an employer who is looking for the specific hands-on training that Fox Valley Technical College offers.
F x Times Articles Wanted Do you like what you see within these pages? Then join us. Do you think you can do better? Then get up off your duff and do it. If you need article suggestions, let me know. Email me at fvtcfoxtimes@gmail.com 14 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | SUMMER 2015
What Do Nursing Students Do In Their Free Time? by Sandy Sickinger, Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) Student
Maybe you have seen them on campus? I’m talking about those crazy students with the big roller bags loaded down with textbooks. They are nursing students. Although they come from all walks of life, it seems they have one thing in common. More specifically, it seems that all they do is study or complain about studying. Well…that is not exactly all they do. They can be found volunteering, working at FVTC sponsored events, socializing at SNA meetings, and studying abroad. There is an organization on campus known as the Student Nurses Association or SNA. If you are interested in a nursing career and want to know more about the student organization, come to the next SNA meeting. It will be held March 23rd in Room C140. Topics for discussion include resume building, Project Linus, volunteer opportunities, and officer elections. Free Lunch will be provided and all are welcome. For more information contact Leah at Schley3307@fvtc.edu or Shelly at dempewol@fvtc.edu.
Below is some additional background information on the “Healthcare Immersion in Jamaica” course that nine nursing students participated in this past January. The International Professional Field Study program to Jamaica provided health occupation students with a practical knowledge of working, interacting and studying in an international location. Nursing students engaged in professional and academic settings while interacting with local healthcare professionals. In addition, participants increased their cultural awareness and understanding of the values, beliefs and behaviors of a different society and workplace.
Team Nutty Nurses Jumped into Lake Winnebago February 21, 2015 for the Oshkosh Special Olympics Polar Plunge.
ADN and LPN students worked in a food booth at the FVTC Family Movie Night, Sepetmber 20, 2014.
SNA membres assisted in the medical tent September 21, 2014 at the Fox Cities Marathon.
Healthcare students provided wound care, vision screenings, blood glucose checks and blood pressure readings in rural Jamaica while studying abroad over winter break.
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Post-Secondary Agriculture Students (PAS) club by Zac Soltvedt
This past Feb. the Post-Secondary Agriculture Students club had the chance to compete in the state competition. There are various competition areas such as Agronomy, Dairy, Floriculture, Horticulture, Career Interviewing, public speaking and sales presentations. The FVTC PAS Club had 30 people that competed in state. I would say that we did very well considering that there was 25 students that placed high enough to qualify for National Competition. The National Competition was held in Boise, Idaho from March 11th through March 15th. The experience was very fun and also educational. When students weren’t competing they could attend workshops and local tours. When we arrived Tuesday night the whole club went out to eat at Joes Crab Shack and it was very delicious. When it came to competition Fox
Valley did respectively well, taking home a few awards. One of the dairy teams placed 6th, which is the best for quite a few years. Brittany Detert, Amanda Hughes, and Zac Soltvedt placed 3rd in the soils team competition, with Brittany Detert also placing 3rd individually. Zac Soltvedt also took 2nd place individually in Career Progress Marketing and Business Management. Amanda Hughes placed 3rd in Career Interview for Ag Education. Another 2nd place winner was Hannah Vasser who competed Career Interview for Plant Systems. On Friday night there was an auction where all the different states donated items. There was also a dance that was held for all the students to relax and not think about the stress of the competition. We would like to thank our two advisors that went, Dr. Lori Nagel and Tim Duel.
Fox Valley Technical College Auto Collision MRAP Project by Jason Oertel
The auto collision repair and refinishing class was given the opportunity to prepare a Military MRAP for the Appleton Police Swat vehicle. A few selected students were tasked to get it prepared to be painted. Then it was sanded and
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primer was added to be sent over to Oshkosh Corporation to be painted. After being painted at Oshkosh it would be sent to Peirce Manufacturing to have decals applied for the Appleton Police Swat Team.
Domestic Violence and Abuse by Yolanda Weber
Tracy Plamann from Harbor House came to give us some information and pointers on how to distinguish if someone had been a victim of Violence or abuse. What is Domestic Violence: “Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other.” http://www.ncadv.org/needsupport/what-is-domestic-violence It is a huge issue in the State and the country. Did you know that 1 in 4 is a victim of D/V.? 1 in 3 teenagers are victims. What is the #1 question or issue that society has asked? Why do they stay? Well it is not as easy to get away. There are a lot of issues with just trying to leave. You really have to stop and figure out why they can’t. Finances, housing, kids are just a few reasons. Who’s going to help them? You? This is what Harbor House and their sister programs and similar services offer. Not just to make a plan, but help implement what needs to be done. If you need help, know someone or just have questions, Call Harbor House: 920-832-1666 or 1-800-970-1171, Christine Ann Domestic Violence Services: 920-235-5998 or 1-800-261-5998. They can help guide you.
Power and Control Wheel — The Cycle of Violence: This cycle has three parts: The honeymoon phase—First, the abuser is embarrassed by his/her behavior. They express remorse, tries to minimize the abuse and might even blame it on the partner. They may then exhibit loving, kind behavior followed by apologies, generosity and helpfulness. They will genuinely attempt to convince the partner that the abuse will not happen again. This loving and contrite behavior strengthens the bond between the partners and will probably convince the victim, once again, that leaving the relationship is not necessary. Tension building phase—Tension builds over common domestic issues like money, children or jobs. Verbal abuse begins. The victim tries to control the situation by pleasing the abuser, giving in or avoiding the abuse. None of these will stop the violence. Eventually, the tension reaches a boiling point and physical abuse begins. Acute battering episode—When the tension peaks, the physical violence begins. It is usually triggered by the presence of an external event or by the abuser’s emotional state—but not by the victim’s behavior. This means the start of the battering episode is unpredictable and beyond the victim’s control. However, some experts believe that in some cases victims may unconsciously provoke the abuse so they can release the tension, and move on to the honeymoon phase.
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Cultural Cuisine 2015 by Kate Lulloff
What’s your favorite holiday? Is it trying your Irish luck on St. Patrick’s Day? Maybe your sweet tooth anticipates the arrival of Valentine’s Day. Perhaps you love the Cajun and Creole flavors of New Orleans, and wish you could travel south down the Mississippi to experience Mardi Gras. Maybe you like to slip on your lederhosen (we won’t tell) and celebrate Oktoberfest by visiting a beer tent for some delicious German cuisine. Or my personal favorite… indulging in a few last decadent morsels on New Year’s Eve before those resolutions force us to be “good” yet once again. Well, on Sunday, February 22nd, right here at Fox Valley Tech, guests had the opportunity to experience all of that culture and cuisine in one location. FVTC’s Culinary and Hospitality students hosted the annual event, Cultural Cuisine, and our theme this year was Holidays. Tickets were sold in advance for $40, or $55 at the door. Complementary water and soda was available to wet the palate while enjoying the delectable bites, with an option for those able to enjoy an adult beverage to purchase wine or beer as well. It was an amazing event that we as students spent months excitedly preparing for, and anxiously awaiting the culmination of our hard work and dedication. It was held in the Commons and surrounding areas from 4-7 pm. Each room or designated area was beautifully decorated to reflect the respective holiday, and each team also displayed an intricate ice carving, crafted by the students in the Ice Carving class. This year was the first time we utilized Student Life and the Spectator’s Lounge as well, for one of the teams. The feedback from our guests was very positive, and we plan to use these areas again in future years. The event was made up of five food teams (the five holidays listed above), as well as an Administrative team. Each team was led by a Culinary Instructor (Admin has 2) that acted as a mentor and served as a voice of experience for questions and concerns from the students on their team. In addition, each food team had an Executive Chef (or co-Execs), two Sous Chefs, and a team of cooks. As a requirement of applying for a Sous Chef or Executive Chef position, the student must have participated in Cultural Cuisine in the past, gaining experience and knowledge of how the event functions, as well as the type of menu items that our guests are seeking. The Executive Chef, assisted by his or her Sous Chefs, is in charge of planning the menu, researching recipes, ordering the necessary quantities of food, communicating well with their team, decorating their assigned room, and ultimately the timely preparation and execution of all menu items for the event.
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The Administrative team oversaw the event as a whole, and was in charge of all other aspects of planning, including ordering the tables, pipe and draping, signage, centerpieces and linens, programs, invites, thank you letters, ordering event coats for all students, preparing lunch on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, compiling and ordering all necessary food for teams, ordering plaques, etc. We spent Thursday and Friday setting up the building, and transforming the Commons and surrounding areas into a unique experience for our guests. The structure of the Administrative team consists of a General Manager, which is the position I was fortunate enough to hold this year, as well as 4 Directors (Food & Beverage, Marketing, Guest Services, & Public Relations), and 1-2 assistants per Director. Typically Hotel & Restaurant Management students choose to be on the Admin team rather than a food team, but not always. Being a part of this team helps a student to build organizational and teambuilding skills, as well as leadership and managerial skills. It presents to the team members a great overview of a large event from start to finish, and reiterates the importance of planning and timing in regards to the success of an event of this size. Cultural Cuisine served over 900 guests this year, and enough food had to be produced to feed everyone. Each team was responsible for 8-10 different menu items, all in appetizer-sized portions. Of course, not each guest will try every single item. In total our students produced an impressive 32,000 pieces of food for this year’s event! Preparation began on Thursday and Friday, with Saturday built in as a rest day (or catch up day, if necessary) to prepare for the big event. Then on Sunday morning, the magic began! In addition to the delicious food and beverages available, a huge part of Cultural Cuisine was our Silent Auction, held in the Jones Dairy Farm Culinary Theater. Each student who participated in Cultural Cuisine was asked to acquire a minimum of 2 items to be auctioned off at the event. Some items donated included tickets to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, room nights at various local hotels, restaurant gift certificates, aged wines, luxury spa services, Packers memorabilia and much more. The proceeds from the auction are used to fund Culinary and Hospitality Scholarships. I am very proud to say that this year set a record for the amount of items donated, as well as the amount of money raised for scholarships! Upon conclusion of the event at 7:00 pm, clean up began. Everyone worked tirelessly as a team to clean all used continued on next page...
areas and return them back to their prior state, as the students see them every day. It’s a bit like magic, as looking at the school at 9:00 pm Sunday night, one would never know that just a few short hours earlier, almost 1000 people were strolling through the school, enjoying delicious food, beverages, and social interaction.
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If you were one of our guests this year at Cultural Cuisine, we thank you from the bottom of our culinary and hospitality hearts for helping us make 2015 a huge success. If you haven’t attended in the past, I strongly encourage you to attend next year. I can promise you won’t leave hungry, and it should prove to be an evening none of us will soon forget. Now the burning question on the culinary and hospitality students’ minds… what will next year’s theme be?
FabLab Club Update
by Aaron Tollefson and Andrew Krautkramer
This semester we have been working hard on two community service projects that are close to completion. Our first project was making a prosthetic hand for a little girl named Bella in Pennsylvania, who was born with missing fingers on her left hand. This process included downloading the model provided through an organization called Enabling the Future, which matches people in need of a prosthetics with people who have 3-D printing capabilities. We customized the hand specifically to for Bella and strengthened some parts to hold up against daily tasks. After multiple attempts to make the perfect hand for the young girl, we finally assembled a hand we are proud to give her. With the hand, she will become more confident in herself as she is able to complete some of life’s tasks more easily. We are excited to ship the completed hand to her and hope she enjoys it. If you have any questions, or want more info about enabling the future, visit their website at http://enablingthefuture.org/.
Our second project we are close to finishing is making a working model of a hydroelectric generator for the Paper Discovery Center located in Downtown Appleton. The center educates elementary age school children on the history of the paper making industry in our area. Our model will illustrate to the children how electricity needed to run paper mills was produced using a water wheel and a generator. The model will be on display by the end of the semester. If you have any questions about what the fab lab club does or would like to work on a project of your own, stop by and check us out! Our usual meeting time is at 3:30 on Monday afternoons and we are located in room F100D. If you are unable to make it at this time stop by during school hours and there is usually someone around to show you around the lab.
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Mobile Transportation Lab
Diesel/Automotive/Auto Collision/Truck Driving By Nate Faust
In January 2012, the Diesel technology program purchased a rolled-over 2012 Freightliner M-2 truck with a 6.7 liter Cummins ISB engine. It is the first vehicle the FVTC Diesel program purchased meeting the 2010 emission standards. The truck is used to inform the community of the many opportunities Fox Valley technical College has for the transportation industry. The truck travels to high schools throughout the state and gives students a hands-on view of the transportation industry.
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The original plan was to use the M-2 truck for training purposes in the Diesel program, but after further discussion it was decided to rebuild the truck collaboratively, with Auto Collision, Automotive, Diesel, and Truck Driving programs.
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The rebuild of the truck was a community effort. Students from the Diesel program replaced the cab and auto collision students painted the cab, hood, and box trim. Quality Truck Care Center lent a hand in straightening the twisted frame. Fox Valley Truck donated the cargo box and with the help of the Diesel Trailer Repair program students, the floor of the box was replaced, and installed a side curb side door. They also finished the interior of the cargo box to complete the transformation. At this time the truck is maintained by the Diesel Technology program students. Diesel shop instructors aid Richard Baumgartner, “It is a great tool to show the potential transportation students what tools and resources that FVTC has to offer students who want to succeed in the industry�.
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Scarlett’s Benefit
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2014 – 2015 SGA Awards Banquet by Rich Weber
Wow. That is the word I heard most Tuesday night. Tuesday, May 7th was an amazing night of fellowship, celebration, and joy. Celebration of each Student Organization and the work they have done over this academic year. In the following pages, you will see many of the photos from that gala night. A true red carpet, black tie event, here in the hallowed halls of Fox Valley Technical College. Below, you will find the finalists for each award and then the winner! Next year it may be you! Civic Consciousness Award Collegiate DECA – Oshkosh for their Walk for Warriors event. Fab Lab Club for their 3-D printed hand for Bella. A little girl without a hand. Phi Theta Kappa for their Pie in the Face events. The winner is… Fab Lab Club! Collaborative Event of the Year Award Hmong Student Union & International Exchange Club – Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month Monster Shop & Power Sports – Manawa Snowdeo Natural Resources Club & International Exchange Club – Milwaukee Zoo Trip Phi Theta Kappa & Natural Resources Club & Electronics/ Automation Club – Pie in the Face The winner is… Phi Theta Kappa/Natural Resources/ Electronics & Automation! Non-Academic Student Organization of the Year Hmong Student Union International Exchange Club Japanese Club The winner is… International Exchange Club! Academic Student Organization of the Year Horticulture Club Medical Assistant Club Natural Resources Club The winner is… Natural Resources Club! Oshkosh Student Board Leadership Award Gage Engelman Alexandria House And the winner is… Gage Engleman! Student Government Association Leadership Award Barb Taylor Deni Lecus Matt Van Sambeek Terri Somers And the winner is… Deni Lecus!
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Foxy Award Dianne Tyler Kris Wilson Liz Jeffers Tucker Jahnke And the winner is… Dianne Tyler! Vicky Barke Award The winners are… Michelle Blick – Power Sports Nathan Faust – Diesel Club Barbie Taylor – Monster Shop Mary Beth Covill – Oshkosh Student Board Patty Jacob – Fox Times Zaida Landry – Student Activities Committee Alicia Garcia – Rotaract Matt Van SamBeek – Natural Resources Rick Helms – DECA Oshkosh Reigh Mallek – Japanese Club Jason Lilly – Phi Theta Kappa Olbis Morrobel – Student Government Association Mai Yang – Hmong Student Union Conner Brey – Electronics Club Event of the Year Collegiate DECA-Oshkosh – Walk for Warriors Electronics & Automation Club – Video Game Night Hmong Student Union – Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month Phi Theta Kappa – Phi Theta Kappa Regional Conference And the winner is… Electronics & Automation Club with Video Game Night! Student Organization of the Year Electronics & Automation Club Hmong Student Union Horticulture Club Phi Theta Kappa And the winner is… Phi Theta Kappa! Advisor of the Year Dale Drees – Monster Shop Kim Gropp – Medical Assistant Club Koua Thao – Hmong Student Union Jennifer McIntosh – Phi Theta Kappa Scott Heinritz – Natural Resources Club Wolfgang Wallschlaeger – Phi Theta Kappa And the winner is… Koua Thao! Hmong Student Union! Just remember! Next year it could be you! Have a great summer!
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What are we missing as students? by Angie Cook
NETWORKING! The problem is that many students assume that networking means meeting people within our field. We need to start looking at the big picture. As students, we are the next generation of employees with great technical skills. For instance, I’m in the Health Information Technology program (anything involving medical records and I’m your girl), but say as low woman on the totem pole I’m asked to host an event at the clinic. The first person I’m going to call is my friend Heather who is currently in the Event Management program. Another example would be if I’m asked to help find an employee that specializes in billing and medical records. Steven, who is in the Accounting program, would be the first person I would ask for assistance in coming up with interview questions. When I first started at the Tech, I didn’t have a clue on how to meet people from other programs. I knew many of the people from my own program, but there aren’t many people within it. After
a while I found that there were a few ways to meet students from other programs. Student Government Association made a huge impact. The assumption is that SGA meetings are for clubs, but it’s not. I have been attending the meetings for the past year and found that many of the discussions deal with all the students, not just the clubs. Another organization is SAC. The Student Activity Committee always has events going on that would be a great way to meet students in other programs. Many of these events are children-friendly so those with children still have the ability to network during these events. There are other clubs out there that seem as though they are specific to a program, but as I’m finding out, that’s not always the case. After speaking to some of the presidents of program-specific clubs, I discovered the most essential thing you need to be a part of them is an interest in it. My advice is to start networking now. Start checking out the various clubs within the Tech. Have a real conversation with that person next to you in your general education class. You never know, but that Business Management student may be the person that ends up interviewing you at your next job.
2015 Sole Burner by Rich Weber
I did it. I completed one of my life goals. A few years back I said I would do a 5k before I turned 40. Well, here I am, 6 months shy of that epic day and I have done it.
impact upon my wife, and was key in encouraging her to continue the pursuit of a nursing degree. I walked for my mother June, who was lost to us in 2007 due to cancer.
Many people were there honoring loved ones that fought bravely and won, and loved ones that fought bravely yet succumbed. Survivors were there as well, showing that they continue to fight and strive to live.
Did walking in this 5k change the world? I don’t think any of us would say that it did. Though the sheer number of people that were there to walk, run, or simply cheer others on just might. I’m not certain of the number of people that attended, though I can safely say it was like looking upon a sea of humanity. All of us united in our belief that we, we are stronger than cancer.
I participated in the 2015 Sole Burner 5k with the Fox Valley Technical College team, there was 101 of us, running and walking in memory of all who lost the battle with cancer. The FVTC team was there on behalf of Deb Woodworth, the former Director of the Foundation.
I invite all of you to join us next year, maybe we CAN change the world, or at least scare the heck out of cancer.
Why did I do it? I walked for myself. I walked for Deb, who lost her battle to cancer in March and had a profound
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Spring 2015 Graduation By Rich Weber
Congratulations to all of the Spring Graduates! This was a fantastic ceremony that ran quickly and without a lot of fluff. Yes, it was sweltering in the Kolf Sports Center, but it was an amazing experience and I was just taking pictures! A lot of my friends graduated this time, it will be a different experience this coming semester without a lot of you here. Great times were had and we accomplished much as student organizations and student government overall. Now is the time to make new friends! Make sure you see and say hello to the incoming International students, help them to feel comfortable and as at home as they can be, being 1,000’s of miles away from home. The spring ceremony. We had 459 graduates attend the ceremony out of 994 potential graduates. Only 459!
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Less than half of you walked across the stage. Why? That confuses me. Two or more years of your life, blood, sweat, and tears you have spent to get here and you do not participate in your crowning achievement? I don’t understand. Some of you may be inquiring when the actual diploma will arrive. The diplomas will be mailed the week of June 15th, or sooner if possible. You may also be wondering where you can purchase the photos from the graduation. Visit www. gradimages.com to purchase your photos. Have a great summer and I hope to see everyone at next May’s graduation, when yours truly will be strutting across the stage.
Goals clash as Wisconsin prepares to rewrite campaign finance law by Bill Lueders,Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
Testifying at a recent informational hearing on legislative plans to revamp the state’s campaign finance law, Jay Heck of Common Cause in Wisconsin made a keen observation. Two diametrically opposed camps, he noted, both see this as an opportunity. On one side are advocacy groups like Common Cause, which Heck said long “to strengthen our once effective and widely admired campaign finance laws and return Wisconsin elections and state government to the citizens.” On the other side, he said, are those who “view this as an opportunity to deregulate and dismantle all limitations on money in our elections.” As the process wends its way from informational hearing to bill to law, which side is more likely to see its dream come true? Heck laughs before making what is for him a painful response: “I don’t think there’s much question about where the majority in the Legislature is likely to go.” He expects more spending and less transparency. Chapter 11 of the state statutes, governing campaign financing, clearly needs a rewrite. Court rulings have blown huge holes in the law, which dates to 1974. One lawyer called the result “a confusing mess.” But as the March 24 hearing testimony before a joint legislative committee showed, there is vast disagreement over what changes should be made. Here are some contested areas: Campaign spending limits: Common Cause and Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, represented at the hearing by Matt Rothschild, argued that the $10,000 upper limit on individual donations to candidates for statewide office, like governor and attorney general, is already too high. They want the current limits of $1,000 and $500 for state Senate and Assembly races, respectively, to stay about the same.
Regulation of issue ads: Rothschild and Heck urged full disclosure for all electioneering communications within 60 days of an election. They noted that the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 2010 ruling that opened the floodgates on spending by outside groups, pointedly rejected the idea that disclosure rules can apply only to communications that expressly tell people how to vote. On the other side, Wisconsin Right to Life proposed bill language that would enshrine the express advocacy standard into law, exempting those who run so-called issue ads from having to report. The bill that passed the Assembly last session would have done the same. Coordination restrictions: A central issue in the stalled John Doe II probe involving Gov. Scott Walker is whether it is legal for campaigns to coordinate with outside groups that do not engage in express advocacy. The Legislature could change the law to explicitly allow this. Heck warned that doing so would be “a huge and tragic mistake.” He said it would “effectively eviscerate” contribution limits because campaigns could coordinate with those who gave unlimited sums. Public financing: Heck called for a robust state system of public financing, which he readily acknowledges is outside of the realm of political possibility. One of the first things Republicans did after gaining control of the Legislature and governor’s office in 2011 was to kill public financing for elections, even stripping away the statutory language that allowed it. Purpose of the law: Wisconsin’s current campaign finance law begins with a strong Declaration of Policy, including this: “When the true source of support or extent of support is not fully disclosed, or when a candidate becomes overly dependent upon large private contributors, the democratic process is subjected to a potential corrupting influence.” It will be interesting to see whether this language survives.
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In fact, these limits are likely to rise. Kevin Kennedy, director of the state Government Accountability Board, noted that they have not changed in 40 years. A bill introduced last session, as amended with bipartisan
support, would have doubled the limits; it passed the Assembly on a voice vote but stalled in the Senate.
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Wisconsin DNR mulls dissolving science bureau
Critics say possible reorganization would compromise scientific integrity; agency mum out of ‘sensitivity for staff’ by Ron Seely, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
Administrators with the state Department of Natural Resources are considering eliminating the agency’s Bureau of Science Services, a move that would go far beyond cuts to science staff proposed in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget.
agency “will go through some form of organizational change that will result in not having a Bureau of Science Services, in an effort to address the legislative perception of research not being well aligned with program needs.”
Internal correspondence obtained by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism confirms discussions about the possible dismantling of the bureau and a reorganization that would move researchers into other agency divisions.
Hull, in an interview, acknowledged the correspondence and said the reorganization is still under discussion.
Critics, both inside and outside the agency, say such a reorganization would rob the state of impartial science that should guide critical natural resource management decisions. Instead, they say, management would more likely be driven by policy decisions and politics. “Science is the bedrock of natural resource management in this state,” said George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and a former DNR secretary. “Without it, there will be mistakes made in management of our resources.” Meyer also said the change would undermine the agency’s credibility with policy makers and conservation organizations such as the Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited, which rely on the agency’s research. Two emails about the internal discussions were confirmed by the DNR via an open records request. In a Feb. 25 email, Scott Hull, a section chief in the Bureau of Science Services, asked Mark Aquino, director of the agency’s Office of Business Support and Science, for clarification on remarks made by Secretary Cathy Stepp on a radio show about possible budget cuts and personnel changes for the bureau. In his Feb. 26 response, Aquino informed Hull that the
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Bill Cosh, a DNR spokesman, refused to elaborate on any possible organizational change. “It is premature for us to discuss what internal plans we are making in response to the budget,” Cosh said. “Out of sensitivity for staff who may be affected by any structural changes, we owe it first to them before we reach out to externals through media.” Office had drawn flak The Bureau of Science Services, according to the agency’s own literature, “consists of researchers, analysts and other critical thinkers who provide the expertise and foundation of all science-based decision-making of the Department of Natural Resources. The methods the DNR uses to manage wildlife and handle other environmental issues are built upon the research completed by this bureau.” Researchers in the bureau conduct studies on everything from deer populations and deer health to the spread of invasive species and the threats to endangered species. They have published hundreds of papers that, among many other things, evaluate the removal of phosphorus from Wisconsin lakes, the impact of lakeshore development, how timber cutting might affect breeding birds. They do fish surveys in the spring to help determine the health of the state’s fisheries. They monitor air pollution levels and study the potential impact of practices such as frac sand and iron mining.
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The bureau has 59 budgeted positions; nine of those spots are now vacant. The governor’s proposed budget would eliminate 18.4 bureau positions.
Clausen added that the lack of independent science could come back to haunt the agency if its management decisions are challenged in court.
Stepp has defended the cuts as necessary to streamline the agency. The budget proposed cutting a total of 66 positions agencywide. She has talked publicly about moving some science staffers out of the Bureau of Science Services and into other divisions.
“When you start making decisions on hunter or user whimsy, you lose your ability to defend yourself,” Clausen said.
In an earlier response to questions about the bureau and budget cuts, Cosh said, “science has and always will be part of our agency’s decision making process.” He said a majority of the agency’s 2,600 full-time employees have advanced science degrees. “The budget does not eliminate our ability to conduct applied research and technical consultation that directly supports our management programs,” Cosh wrote. “When it comes to making decisions the agency remains committed to doing so by using sound science, following the law and using common sense.” The agency’s Bureau of Science Services has recently drawn criticism from state Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst. Tiffany criticized a bureau report on environmental concerns surrounding the now-defunct plan from Gogebic Taconite to build an open-pit iron mine in northwestern Wisconsin. He said the report was biased against the mine. Tiffany also told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he was not supportive of the bureau doing research related to climate change because the science behind global warming is still “theoretical.” Tiffany did not return a call from WCIJ for comment. Proposed move called a blow The potential elimination of the Bureau of Science Services drew harsh criticism from several in the conservation community, including former and current DNR employees. A manager in the agency, who also confirmed that administrators are discussing dissolving the bureau, said the move would be a blow to the agency’s reputation and natural resource management in Wisconsin. The manager, who asked not to be named because he said he fears possible reprisals by supervisors, expressed concern that the reorganization would destroy the independence and credibility of scientific research within the agency. Dave Clausen, former chairman and member of the state Natural Resources Board, which sets policy for the agency, said moving researchers out of an independent bureau and into other divisions will destroy objective science in the agency. He said researchers housed in divisions such as forestry rather than in an independent bureau would more likely be told to do research that only supports the division’s goals, even though those goals may be driven by a political agenda. In other words, he added, policy would drive science instead of the other way around. “It’s a bad idea,” Clausen said. “There is no doubt that if you are part of another bureau, you are not going to be able to do independent research.”
Timothy Van Deelen, a University of Wisconsin-Madison wildlife ecologist who has collaborated with the DNR, said he worries about the fate of some of the basic science that has been conducted by agency researchers in the past, such as monitoring and data collection. He said researchers outside of the agency rely heavily on long-term databases maintained by the DNR for decades on everything from wildlife populations to rare plant inventories. “Long-term data sets are so incredibly rare,” Van Deelen said. “And now a lot of that monitoring, such as with the deer herd, is up in the air.” Van Deelen also took issue with a possibility raised by supporters of the Governor’s cuts — that UW-Madison research could replace some of the science that in the past has been conducted by the DNR. He said university research would be more expensive and often involves more basic research than the specific studies on state wildlife or plant populations that has traditionally been conducted by the DNR. Prior budget cuts have already whittled away at data collection. The DNR, for example, by its own admission, is more than 20 years behind on a state wetlands inventory. “The program is underfunded and understaffed,” the DNR reports on its wetland inventory page. “As a result, there is no reliable qualitative and quantitative data about current rates of wetland loss.” A betrayal of trust? Aquino, in his email to Hull, indicated that any final decisions on the fate of the Bureau of Science Services will await the outcome of the budget debate. He said other reorganization options are being considered, with the goal of “maintaining as much ability to conduct in-house research and consultation as possible into the future.” But Hull, in his email to Aquino, said science staffers fear “that the outcome of our program has already been decided internally and in fact there IS certainty about what will happen to the science program.” Kimberlee Wright, executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates, a Madison-based public interest law firm that has frequently challenged DNR actions in court, is also concerned. She said elimination of the bureau would betray a public that cares deeply about Wisconsin’s natural heritage and has relied on the DNR to protect it. “Our DNR was once one of the best science agencies in the nation,” Wright said. “It was the trustee for my grandchildren and their grandchildren. But we’ve lost that and that really disturbs me.”
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Wisconsin FoodShare fraud crackdown questioned
Gov. Scott Walker is devoting major resources to fighting a small incidence of error and abuse; state says the efforts protect taxpayers by Bill Lueders, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
Under Republican Gov. Scott Walker, the state of Wisconsin has seen a nearly 12-fold increase in the number of persons suspended annually from the state’s food stamp program for fraud.
In 2011, Walker’s first year as governor, 102 people were suspended from the FoodShare program for violating program rules, according to DHS. That number has increased each year, to 1,184 in 2014.
The suspensions for “intentionally violating program rules” are part of a larger get-tough approach to people receiving federally funded nutrition assistance, called FoodShare in Wisconsin. Walker has also introduced new work rules for some FoodShare recipients, and proposes to seek a federal waiver to begin requiring all adult participants of the program to undergo drug testing.
“We’ve shown more intention and intentionality in preventing fraud and abuse,” said Alan White, appointed in 2011 to a newly created position of inspector general within DHS. He cites more workers, better training, and new strategies for finding fraud using social media. Also, “We’ve become more aware of the types of fraud that take place.” White thinks Wisconsin’s efforts to step up enforcement serves as deterrent to potential cheaters: “They see that we are serious about preventing and detecting fraud.” He notes that federal law requires the state to take action in cases where it believes fraud has occurred. But advocates for FoodShare recipients say the state is being overly aggressive, punishing needy people who make innocent mistakes. “There’s a lot of judgment going on by white, middle-class people and a lot of assumptions and disqualifications based on these assumptions,” said Pat DeLessio, an attorney with the Milwaukee office of Legal Action of Wisconsin, a federally funded nonprofit agency. The agency has successfully helped clients fight state efforts to suspend their FoodShare benefits. But in most cases, she said, “people are coming to us too late.” Sherrie Tussler, executive director of Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force, a nonprofit community group, blasts the state’s crackdown. “It’s silly, it’s stupid, and it’s a way of manipulating public opinion,” she said. “Everybody needs a scapegoat and it seems like the poor are the scapegoat in Wisconsin.” A ‘misuse’ of resources FoodShare is Wisconsin’s incarnation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Hunger Task Force Sherrie Tussler, executive director of the Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee, thinks the FoodShare fraud crackdown is politically motivated: “Everybody needs a scapegoat and it seems like the poor are the scapegoat in Wisconsin.”
Walker’s administration has long devoted energy and resources to cracking down on recipients of the supplemental food program. The efforts include a new office to fight fraud within the state Department of Health Services, which runs FoodShare, additional systems for citizens to report allegations of abuse, and new strategies to nab would-be freeloaders through stricter screening and income-verification rules.
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The average monthly number of FoodShare recipients rose steadily in Wisconsin, from about 350,000 in 2005 to more than 850,000 in 2013, according to DHS. Last year it declined slightly, to 836,000, or 14.5 percent of the state’s population. About two-thirds of last year’s FoodShare recipients were in families with children. The average monthly benefit was $112 per person and $224 per household. The total cost of the program was $1.1 billion in 2014. All of this money came from the federal government. Under Walker, the number of FoodShare program fraud investigations has grown dramatically, from 2,098 in federal fiscal year 2010 to 6,403 in fiscal year 2014, which ended last September. These efforts have been aided by DHS’ new Office of the Inspector General and the continued on next page...
and Enforcement Section. The overpayments accounted for 0.1 percent of the program’s total cost. Tussler, of Hunger Task Force, calls this intense focus on ferreting out a relatively small amount of fraud “a misuse of state resources.” She said the state’s disqualifications of needy people is putting additional pressure on local food pantries. How much fraud is there? Nationally, the error rates for SNAP overpayments (including fraud) fell for the seventh straight year to a low of 2.6 percent in 2013, USDA numbers show. That’s the lowest error rate since the USDA began its current system of measuring in 1981.
establishment of a hotline and web portal for citizens to report suspected public assistance program fraud. The office currently has 107 employees and an annual budget of $12.6 million. Thirty-one employees work on fraud investigation, including eight on recipient fraud. It said its fraud-fighting efforts in Medicaid, FoodShare and the Women, Infants and Children programs cost $1.3 million in the most recent state fiscal year, and generated $22.5 million in program savings, including “stopping future benefits from being fraudulently received.” In federal fiscal year 2014, the DHS identified nearly $1.1 million in fraud-related FoodShare overpayments and collected $675,448 in overpaid benefits from current or former FoodShare recipients, said Michael McKenzie, chief of the Inspector General’s Fraud Investigation, Recovery
Wisconsin’s error rate that year was 2.2 percent. In fact, Wisconsin’s error rate “has been consistently under the national average since 2008,” according to Alan Shannon, spokesman for the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service office in Chicago. “Our error rate is low, which is great,” said White of DHS. “We want to keep it low.” His office’s mission is “to protect state and federal money,” he said. “Our responsibility is to the taxpayers. Those are our stakeholders.” DHS statistics show that fraud accounts for a small share of FoodShare program overpayments. During the past three fiscal years, from 2012 through 2014, 10 percent of the total $13.2 million in overpayments collected by the state were attributed to client fraud. A larger share of this amount, 14 percent, was blamed on agency error. And the vast majority (76 percent) was chalked up to “inadvertent” errors by recipients. While the state’s incidence of FoodShare fraud may be slight, it remains a major talking point among conservative politicians. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wisconsin, recently urged an audience in Oshkosh to keep an eye on people they see using FoodShare at the grocery store, saying “some people are arranging their life to be on FoodShare,” according to the Oshkosh Northwestern. And Gov. Walker, a likely presidential contender, drew what the Wisconsin State Journal called “some of his biggest applause” at an Iowa summit when he talked about requiring food stamp beneficiaries to be drug-free and seeking employment.
Kate Golden / Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism Alan White, inspector general of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, is proud of his office’s record fighting fraud: “Our responsibility is to the taxpayers. Those are our stakeholders.”
Beginning April 1, all ablebodied adult FoodShare recipients without dependents must work or participate in job continued on next page...
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training, or both, for at least 80 hours a month, or meet an exemption, to keep getting benefits. It has been estimated that half of the 62,000 recipients in this category could lose benefits. Walker has also proposed, in his 2015-17 budget, to seek a federal waiver to allow the state to require that FoodShare recipients be tested for drug use, and receive treatment if they test positive. Republicans on the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, on a 12-4 party line vote, added a provision to make recipients who report FoodShare cards lost or stolen, as happens about 130,000 times a year, absorb the roughly $3.50 replacement cost.
“We have seen people disqualified for less than $100,” DeLessio said. White confirmed that his office looks for certain patterns, like large purchases, as “flags” of potential FoodShare fraud. And he acknowledged that “there are improvements that can be made” to the waiver form. He said that process is now under way. According to White, the administrative law judges have “raised the bar” in terms of what evidence is required to disqualify recipients, “as is appropriate.” DeLessio still sees inconsistencies in how the cases are decided.
And lawmakers plan to introduce a bill to seek a federal waiver to require FoodShare recipients to use benefit cards that include their photos. The measure would cost an estimated $2 million a year.
“The same evidence can lead to very different results depending on the judge,” DeLessio said.
Are rights being protected?
In one case that came to hearing in 2013, a judge sustained a fraud finding against an individual who made five purchases over a three-month period from a store that was later disqualified from being a state FoodShare vendor. The purchases totaled $183.54; the store, the judge noted, was “not particularly close to respondent’s residence.” The respondent, who did not attend the hearing, was booted from the program for a year.
Hal Menendez, an attorney with Legal Action of Wisconsin’s Madison office, said most of the alleged fraud he sees amounts to mistakes on the part of those receiving assistance. “Sometimes people forget to report a change in their income or are late in reporting,” he said. In the past this might be cured simply by having the person pay back any overpayment.
‘It was very unfair’
“Now, oftentimes overpayments are being looked at as fraud or an intentional program violation,” Menendez said. That makes the recipient subject to benefit suspension: one year for a first violation, two years for a second and permanently for a third. FoodShare recipients have a right to a hearing before an administrative law judge. But Menendez said many recipients are confused into signing forms sent by the state asking them to waive their right to a hearing. DHS numbers for a recent nearly 10-month period show that nearly a third of the people it sought to disqualify signed the waiver. DeLessio, also of Legal Action, said she is representing a client with intellectual disabilities who signed the waiver terminating her benefits even though she cannot read. The woman is now without benefits. Advocates for FoodShare recipients say when recipients contest a disqualification they often win. “The deciding factor may be whether the person appeared to explain the purchases,” DeLessio said. If the recipient does not sign a waiver, a hearing is held. During the recent period under review, 348 hearings were held, and 311 disqualifications imposed. “We were upheld in 89 percent of the cases,” said White. This includes cases that are not contested, but White said the state still must present evidence. Records of suspension cases provided by DeLessio show that some FoodShare recipients are targeted because they fall into a category of potential suspicion — for instance, by making unusually large or frequent purchases at a given store or having purchases that end in round numbers, like $20.00.
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Isthmus Publishing Co. Hal Menendez, of Legal Action in Wisconsin, says overpayments to FoodShare recipients once treated as error are now often “being looked at as fraud or an intentional program violation.”
After another hearing, in 2014, a different judge rejected DHS’s attempt to disqualify a man for making numerous small purchases from a store that aroused suspicion in part because its owner admitted to allowing FoodShare recipients to use their cards to buy diapers, not an allowable purchase. The man appeared at the hearing and explained that the store was near where his children and their mother lived. DeLessio represented Walter Triplett, 57, of Milwaukee, who in February 2014 was suspended from the FoodShare program for a year despite having appeared at a hearing to explain purchases that the DHS reviewer found suspicious. She filed a 25-page legal brief challenging this decision, continued on next page...
which the state then agreed to vacate. But Triplett, who is disabled, was without Foodshare benefits for several months.
the most efficient, effective way possible,” states the DHS website. “Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to report suspected fraud.”
“It was very unfair,” Triplett said of the grounds for his disqualification. He got by by going to church food pantries. Also, “my family members helped me out as much as they could.”
The two portals together generate about 300 tips a month, said DHS spokeswoman Claire Yunker. The department, in response to a records request, released the complaints it received for a single month, August 2014, with the names of individuals redacted. They log 104 hotline calls and 167 web reports regarding FoodShare and other forms of assistance. Some examples:
DHS’s budget request for 2015-17 calls for the agency to “expand and improve” its fraud-fighting efforts. It sets a goal of 7,000 fraud investigations for each of the next three years. The nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (WisconsinWatch.org) collaborates with Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television, other news media and the UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by the Center do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates. ==========================================================
State makes filing fraud complaints ‘as easy as possible’ In late 2011, the state Department of Health Services created a hotline (877-865-3432) for citizens to report public assistance fraud. In March 2012, it opened a web portal (www.reportfraud.wisconsin.gov) for such reports.
“(Name redacted) has tried to sell his food stamp card to me multiple times.” “This individual is working and should be ineligible based on how well her job pays.” The records do not show what follow-up action was taken. According to Yunker, “We don’t currently have the ability to track how many complaints from our hotline and/or portal lead to sanctions or savings. However, we are currently working on a systems redesign that will allow us to track this information.” Some contacts report problems other than alleged fraud. One woman called to say her FoodShare card was stolen, along with her wallet, and benefits used. “She wants to know if she can get some emergency funds replaced on the card,” the log entry states. “The complaint coordinator advised her that once benefits are gone, they’re gone. She asked what she could do to feed her child. Advised her to look to area food pantries.” -- Bill Lueders
Used with permission
“One of our main priorities is to make sure we are providing essential safety net benefits … while ensuring Wisconsin’s valuable taxpayer dollars are being spent in
“Ms. (name redacted) does not live at the address where her food stamps and benefits are sent. She lives with her boyfriend…”
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Did judge fail to report outside income?
by Bill Lueders, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
Each year more than 2,000 state public officials, from the governor to members of the Chiropractic Examining Board, must file annual Statements of Economic Interests. (Forms for 2014 are due April 30.) These list employers, other sources of income, creditors and more. This disclosure allows the media and public to check for possible conflicts of interest. Paul Adamski, a state prison inmate, thinks he’s found one such conflict — involving Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Mark McGinnis. But he didn’t find it on the judge’s disclosure forms. In 2009 McGinnis presided over a jury trial in which Adamski, 44, was convicted of multiple charges including the repeated sexual assault of a child and incest. McGinnis sentenced him to 45 years in prison, followed by 25 years of extended supervision. Adamski reasserts his not-guilty plea but says his main issue is accountability. McGinnis’ Statements of Economic Interests do not appear to list police training session income from the city of Appleton, for years in which other records show he was receiving substantial sums. Appleton police were involved in the case against Adamski. McGinnis, in a telephone interview and email exchange, said he believed his income from the city of Appleton was disclosed on the forms, but did not explain where this information appears. “I believe I reported it accurately and I’ll take it up with the appropriate authority at the appropriate time,” he said. “You can draw whatever conclusions you want based on the limited information and knowledge you have.”
Violations of the state law regarding Statements of Economic Interests can bring civil and criminal penalties. In 2001, the state Ethics Board imposed a $3,000 forfeiture on former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson for failing to report a stock holding. In 2003, it sought criminal charges against Democratic state Sen. Gary George for omitting some income sources. No such charges were filed, but George was later convicted of federal crimes. In other cases, said Jonathan Becker, ethics division administrator of the state Government Accountability Board (which replaced the Ethics Board), the agency has been satisfied with the filing of corrected forms. From 2007 through 2011, records show, Appleton paid McGinnis $18,450 for 41 half-day “Legal Update” sessions. The city’s finance director, Tony Saucerman, said the payments were made directly to McGinnis. “The fact that a judge instructed officers and then ruled on those officers’ performance is an obvious conflict of interest” that his attorneys did not know about, Adamski said. An explanatory comment in the state Code of Judicial Ethics says parties should be told of any potential grounds for recusal, “even if the judge believes there is no real basis for recusal.” McGinnis’ Statements of Economic Interests do list outside income for training sessions at Fox Valley Technical College and the federal Amber Alert program run through FVTC. The college says these payments totaled more than $150,000 for the six-year period between 2009 and 2014. In 2008, controversy arose over a $2.7 million, 15-year lease McGinnis signed with the state Department of Corrections for a building he owned. A DOC lawyer called this “problematic,” since DOC employees might appear in McGinnis’ court, but the state Judicial Commission okayed the deal. Adamski sued McGinnis and others in federal court, alleging conspiracy. On March 30, a federal judge dismissed the case as frivolous, saying McGinnis’ alleged failure to report money from Appleton for teaching legal updates “caused no harm” to Adamski.
Gannett Wisconsin Media Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Mark McGinnis.
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Adamski is also seeking post-conviction relief in state court, before Judge McGinnis. The case has stalled because Adamski says he can’t afford a $147 bill for records he is seeking from McGinnis under the open records law. This includes $125 for two hours of McGinnis’ time, spent locating the records. McGinnis declined comment on this case, saying it would be unethical for him to do so.
Advocate Mike McCabe launches new party for the ‘politically homeless’ by Bill Lueders, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
For 15 years, Mike McCabe headed Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, the state’s foremost — and feistiest — sentinel of the role of money in politics. He brought equal amounts of anger and optimism to the group’s nonpartisan mission, skewering Democrats and Republicans alike and sounding a clarion call for reform.
The group has just launched a website, bluejeannation. com, and already has organizers in all eight Wisconsin congressional districts and more than a quarter of its counties. McCabe has a mailing list of 6,000 names — and a concept for how that list could multiply. “This is about engaging people at the community level,” McCabe says. “It’s about getting people who are interested in these ideas and this cause to rediscover their capacity to influence others,” through conversation.
“I loved that job,” McCabe says wistfully. “I could have very easily done it for another 15 years.” But McCabe decided he needed to try a new approach. His 2014 book, “Blue Jeans in High Places,” calls for the creation of a new political movement for people like himself who feel “politically homeless,” alienated from both major parties.
What do the members of Blue Jean Nation talk about when they talk about politics? Here are some items from the group’s list of aims: ending corporate welfare, closing tax loopholes, encouraging local food production, expanding access to high-speed Internet, developing renewable energy, and building in automatic adjustments to the minimum wage.
“I wrote that book as a blueprint,” McCabe says. “Blueprints are worthless unless you use them to build something.”
Judy Goldsmith, past president of the National Organization for Women and supervisor on the Fond du Lac County Board, is a proud denizen of Blue Jean Nation. “Mike and his ideas are the only thing to come down the road that says to me, ‘We can do something about this,’ ” says Goldsmith, who also serves on the group’s board. “It is a way of energizing and activating the people. We’re looking at not a money-based but people-based movement.” McCabe, who has given 1,400 talks throughout his career, is now busy giving more — to college and high school students, civic groups and local political groups. He’s been surprised by the positive reception he’s gotten in some quarters. “I gave a talk to the Chippewa County Democratic Party,” McCabe says. “I told them I think their party is failing and I told them why.” It led to his getting a standing ovation and a referral to speak to the nearby Eau Claire Democratic Party.
Mike McCabe
He imagines how that suggestion was conveyed: “This guy came out and told us we suck. You should have him come out and tell you that you suck too.”
What McCabe wants to build is not a third party, which he jokes is a lock to come in third. His concept, similar to progressive movements in the past and the tea party movement of recent years, is to create a “first party” — one that demands change from within the existing political structure.
Of such conversations, can a movement be born?
Drawing on his metaphor about the threads of ordinary folk, McCabe calls this new party Blue Jean Nation — a collection of “commoners” organized around the notion that the major parties need a whack upside the head. For now, it is being run out of his north-side Madison home, with McCabe working as a volunteer. He hopes that it will someday pay his bills, and dreams that it will spur real change, perhaps even going national, like the Progressive Movement of a century ago.
Used with permission
“We are neither elephant nor ass,” McCabe has said, “but we recognize that America has a two-party system and we plan to work within that system to get the parties truly working for all of us and not just a favored few.”
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Groups let Gov. Scott Walker’s backers give unlimited sums by Bill Lueders, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
Once upon a time in America, there were limits on how much people or groups could spend to influence an election. Now those limits are gone, as shown by the bigmoney apparatus forming to back Republican presidential aspirant Gov. Scott Walker. In January, Walker launched a committee to spread his ideas and pay costs as he travels the country wooing potential voters and donors. The committee, Our American Revival, can raise and spend unlimited sums. At least two donors, including hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin, have given Walker $100,000 or more, according to press accounts.
Lukas Keapproth/Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism Scott Walker, 2012 photo
Had they so desired, these donors could have given $100 million. Walker’s committee can accept unlimited donations so long as he is neither a declared candidate nor “testing the waters” of a 2016 presidential bid. If and when that happens, individuals would be subject to a $2,700 cap. It may surprise some that Walker, officially, is not testing the waters. From most vantage points, it looks like his socks are off, pant legs rolled up, and both feet submerged. He’s been hitting primary battleground states and marquee national events, and has even used the term “candidate” to refer to himself. Complaints have been filed with the Federal Election Commission against Walker and other undeclared candidates, alleging violations of law. But the FEC is unlikely to refute the argument that these potential candidates are just exercising their freedom of speech. “We can call it a kind of legal fiction that Walker is not a candidate, even though he’s done lots of things that candidates do,” says campaign finance expert Ken Mayer, a professor of political science at the University of WisconsinMadison. Mayer thinks Our American Revival will likely wind down once Walker announces. (OAR spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski did not respond to a voice message or emailed questions.) Does that mean billionaires can no longer spend unlimited sums helping his cause? Ha! Good one! Walker associates have already formed a new super PAC, or political action committee, which allows unlimited giving by individuals and corporations. It’s called Unintimidated PAC, after the title of Walker’s 2013 book, itself seen as a prelude to a presidential run. Super PACs, unlike groups like OAR, can directly advocate for the election of a candidate. Some observers, like Rick
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Esenberg of the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, see super PACs as preferable to “the problems caused by attempting to place limits on people’s ability to come together and exercise their freedom of association and freedom of speech.” For one thing, super PACs must report where they get their money and how they spend it — though, as Mayer notes, “Often these organizations will give money to each other so it is more difficult to track.” And super PACs must be “independent,” meaning they cannot coordinate messaging or strategy with the campaigns they support. But many super PACs springing up around 2016 presidential wannabes have deep ties to the candidates. Unintimidated PAC, for instance, was formed by two of Walker’s former campaign managers, Keith Gilkes and Stephan Thompson. Walker could also get major help from other outside groups, like the political network created by billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch that plans to spend $300 million on the 2016 elections. And he’ll need his own war chest. A viable GOP candidate, it’s said, needs $75 million just to get through the first three primary states. Supporters of Democrat Hillary Clinton, who has expressed support for a constitutional amendment to curb campaign spending, are reportedly looking at total outlays of $2.5 billion. “There is an arms race dynamic here,” Mayer says. He believes it will only get worse until “there is enough voter reaction that it begins to affect the political interest of the candidates.” Wouldn’t you know it? Campaigns will keep sucking in more and more money until doing so comes at too great a cost.
Have John Doe probes trashed the rule of law in Wisconsin? by Bill Lueders, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
Fox News called it a “series of terrifying raids” reportedly conducted as “a form of political retribution against supporters of Gov. Scott Walker.” Rush Limbaugh blamed “a corrupt DA” and “corrupt police officers.” The national website PJ Media decried the “brass-knuckled fascists in Wisconsin.” Here and elsewhere, conservative commentators have embraced the narrative put forth by critics of the two John Doe probes involving Walker and others. Wisconsin is being defamed as a place where unethical law enforcers driven by naked political partisanship have run amok. Michael Lutz (left) and Eric O’Keefe on Fox News with Megyn Kelly.
At the core of this conflagration is an incendiary article in the National Review on John Doe-related searches. Exhibit A: the search of former Walker aide Cindy Archer’s Madison home in September 2011. Archer said police arrived with a battering ram and that a “furious” FBI agent yelled in her face and threatened to put her in handcuffs. She was purportedly forbidden from calling a lawyer and ordered to keep mum about the search. “They had a keener sense of due process in Salem, Massachusetts,” mused National Review editor Rich Lowry in a commentary inspired by this report.
Leonard Peace, a spokesman for the FBI in Milwaukee, declined to comment on “operational questions associated with investigations.” But Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney, whose office took part in this search, calls the National Review account “highly suspicious,” saying he cannot fathom why “there would be a warning that you could not call an attorney or tell others of the warrant.” John Doe secrecy rules apply to court proceedings, not searches. The National Review piece shrugs off the criminal convictions of six Walker aides and associates stemming from the first John Doe, saying it “failed in its ultimate aims” because “Walker was untouched, his reforms were implemented, and he survived the recall election.” Wisconsin Club for Growth director Eric O’Keefe, who has elsewhere likened the searches to rape, poured gasoline on the fire in an appearance on Fox News. He said the now-stalled investigation of alleged election law violations by his group and others is based on a theory “completely unsupportable under Wisconsin law,” launched because “the left was tired of losing election after election after election.”
Joining O’Keefe on Fox was “whistleblower” Michael Lutz, an ex-cop who worked briefly in Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. Lutz claimed DA John Chisholm, a Democrat who initiated the probes, professed his desire to “stop Gov. Walker and all Republicans” from achieving their political aims and turned his office into a weapon to “prosecute and persecute all those who had a different political ideology than him.” Lutz described Chisholm as “a good friend of mine.” Neither he nor Fox host Megyn Kelly mentioned that Lutz in 2013 left Chisholm a drunken message threatening to kill him and his family. Walker has joined the bashing, calling the probes “largely a political witch hunt” and “really about trying to intimidate people.” That drew sharp rebukes from Chisholm and special prosecutor Francis Schmitz, who said Walker’s “offensive” remarks would be proven “patently false” by case records that remain under seal. Schmitz, like other key John Doe players, is a Republican. Paul Bucher, a former GOP Waukesha County district attorney and two-time past president of the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association, calls the idea that the John Doe prosecutors are politically motivated “absolute nonsense.” Everything that happens is subject to judicial approval, he says. Prosecutors are bound by the law and by codes of ethics. You’d never know that from the commentators, abetted by Walker, now portraying Wisconsin’s law enforcers as lawless.
But released records show Walker and others engaged in campaign coordination of the sort that’s been punished in the past. And even one of the judges who sided with the John Doe targets called the prosecution’s position, which he disagreed with, an “arguable interpretation of the statutes.”
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Wisconsin prison guard fired for harassing inmates Investigation confirmed sexual misconduct, other ‘demeaning’ behavior
by Bill Lueders, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
Wisconsin Department of Corrections
Wisconsin Department of Corrections
The state Department of Corrections quietly terminated a correctional officer in 2014 for sexually harassing prison inmates, according to records obtained following the filing of a lawsuit. Sgt. Thomas J. Lukas, a 16-year DOC veteran, was fired last August for multiple violations of department work rules. An internal investigation found that Lukas engaged in “demeaning and harassing behavior” toward inmates at Fox Lake Correctional Institution, a mediumThomas Lukas security prison in Dodge County. This included an email he sent to another guard making a reference to inmate Antron Kent and another inmate that was determined to be “sexual in nature and inappropriate.”
Antron Kent
Kent, serving a 33-year sentence for plotting a 1998 attack in which acid was thrown on his exgirlfriend, sometimes uses a wheelchair due to a knee injury. He has since been transferred to Oakhill Correctional Institution, a minimum-security facility near Madison. His current girlfriend, Joan, who asked that her last name not be used, helped set up telephone interviews with him.
The records were released Monday, nearly seven months after they were requested by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. The Center sued the DOC in late January, citing the agency’s failures to respond to this and another records request. In response, the DOC produced a letter denying access to the records involving Lukas, claiming their release would expose DOC employees to “harassment and ridicule, infringing upon their privacy and reputations,” undercutting morale and the agency’s ability to “hire and retain competent personnel.” But after the lawsuit was filed, the DOC’s attorneys in the state Department of Justice released more than 100 pages of responsive records, with only minor redactions. Inmate Kent signed a “confidential information” release waiver. The records include an email sent by Lukas in March 2014, after he was transferred from Fox Lake to Dodge Correctional Institution. It described Kent as “a vertical set
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of lips,” which another correctional officer told investigators was a reference to female genitalia. Kent reported being shown the email and described other conduct involving Lukas, including his making “humping” motions on Kent and throwing a brush that hit Kent in the penis. DOC investigators Michael Green and Tony Ashworth conducted a range of interviews. Their report said Lukas confirmed throwing a plunger and scrub brush at Kent when he was in the shower and engaging in physical contact that may have looked like he was “humping” Kent. The investigators also documented allegations that Lukas put up photographs of half-naked men from a sports magazine in Kent’s cell, which Lukas denied. But Lukas did admit to placing an article about gay marriage in Kent’s cell, with a message suggesting that he could now marry another inmate. And Lukas admitted to partially pulling down another inmate’s pants, calling inmates “bitches,” and telling inmates “f--- you,” “f--- off,” and “get the f--- away from me.” “It is clear that you abused your authority by sexually harassing inmates, using inappropriate language toward inmates, and exhibiting demeaning behavior toward inmates,” Dodge Correctional Warden Marc Clements wrote in terminating Lukas on Aug. 12, 2014. “You have violated the trust of the Department and the public.” State payroll records archived by the Wisconsin State Journal show Lukas was paid $71,339 in 2013, including overtime. Attempts to reach Lukas, whose contact information was deleted from the released records, were not successful. But the file includes a written statement in which he acknowledged, “I have not always acted in the professional manner that is expected of me as a correctional sergeant.” He said some of the claims made regarding him were exaggerations, adding that “inmates lie.” DOC spokeswoman Joy Staab did not promptly respond to a request for information about how often complaints from inmates lead to disciplinary action against guards. But Peg Swan, an inmate rights activist in Richland County, said the case is an anomaly among the many hundreds of inmate complaints she has seen seen. “In my experience, no serious inmate complaints have led to disciplining of guards,” Swan said. “Usually, you cannot even get things investigated.” Kent said in a written statement that Lukas warned him that “no one would believe you” if he complained, and it would lead to Kent being “buried in the hole,” meaning solitary confinement. In an interview Tuesday, Kent said he wonders why Lukas was not criminally charged: “If I had done that, I think I would have done more time.”
Wisconsin DHS auditor retreats from $3.5 million claim against family planning clinics OIG’s Alan White concedes state’s instructions ‘created confusion’ by Kate Golden, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
The state Department of Health Services’ top auditor on Wednesday backed down from a claim that two family planning clinics serving low-income people were overcharging Medicaid for birth control by $3.5 million. In a case closely watched by state clinics, as well as their political allies and opponents, Inspector General Alan White reduced the amount of money his office is seeking in repayment by 93 percent. White acknowledged that the state’s own instructions on billing practices had “created confusion,” according to letters sent to the clinics. Since each clinic was relying on those instructions, the Office of the Inspector General “has determined that it would be unfair to the provider for DHS to request the repayment of these funds,” White wrote to Family Planning Health Services Inc. and NEWCAP Inc. White wrote that the OIG was recommending to the DHS Division of Health Care Access and Accountability that the Medicaid program should clarify its guidance on how clinics should bill the program. Last fall, however, when asked whether the fact that the billing practice was widespread was a signal the health department should clarify its policies, White had said that “wouldn’t be within the scope of what this office does.” After reviewing documents the clinics provided in rebuttals, the office reduced the figure it is seeking for “non-covered services” from NEWCAP by nearly $1.2 million to about $185,000. For FPHS, the auditors’ original claim of $2.3 million in overpayments was reduced to just under $45,000. Diane Welsh, an attorney representing both clinics, said the office got the matter “part right.” “I still don’t believe the remaining recoupment is supported by law,” she said. “We will be evaluating our options, including requesting an administrative hearing.” The claims concerned how the clinics used Medicaid’s 340B drug pricing program, in which pharmaceutical companies must provide discounted drugs to safety net providers. The federal government reimburses 90 percent of the cost of drugs, while the state pays 10 percent. Based in Oconto, NEWCAP’s Community Health Services division in 2013 served about 3,500 people in six counties. Wausau-based FPHS serves about 6,000 people in nine counties. Neither organization provides abortions, and
both operate in areas with shortages of health care professionals. The audits generated controversy. Beth Hartung, president of the Wisconsin Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, had said the auditors’ stance on the Medicaid billing practice would force other family planning providers to change their ways and lose money as a result. The money for birth control subsidizes other reproductive health care services they provide to low-income people. “It would mean, quite frankly, that we would all close,” Hartung said last fall. The audits prompted state Democratic legislators Rep. Chris Taylor of Madison and Sen. Dave Hansen of Green Bay to request a list of OIG’s open audits, as she suspected the clinics were being politically targeted — a claim strongly denied by the agency. On the other side, the OIG’s actions prompted 32 antiabortion Republican state legislators, led by Rep. Andre Jacque of De Pere, to write the bipartisan Legislative Audit Committee. The legislators called for an expansion of the audits to all the family planning clinics in Wisconsin, including the largest, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.
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Comics by Phil Hands
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