City of Oshkosh leaf collection undergoes revision

(Oshkosh, WI) Due to safety concerns, the Wisconsin State Patrol has instructed the city of
Oshkosh to discontinue use of its one-person leaf vacuum trucks. Crews will be using alternative methods for leaf collection, which will lead to delays in the previously advertised schedule.

Citizens with a permit are encouraged to bring their leaves to the yard waste drop-off site located at 639 Witzel Ave. (entrance off Idaho Street). The hours of operation for the dropoff site have been revised to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Please remember that all yard waste transported to the drop-off site must be properly secured with a tarp.

In addition, the Sanitation Division will also collect leaves and flower/garden waste placed in paper biodegradable bags during the brush collection week, scheduled for Nov. 5 to Nov. 9. Biodegradable bags can not exceed a weight of 50 pounds, and bags containing grass clippings will not be collected.

As another alternative, residents are also encouraged to recycle their leaves at their residence by mulching them into their lawn or by creating a compost area.

Citizens are asked to exercise extra patience during this collection season, and are reminded that leaves should still be raked to the terrace for pickup. Loose leaf collection from the terrace will end on Nov. 16.

For more information on loose leaf collection, please visit the city’s website at www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us or contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.

Red Cross Says Have a Happy and Safe Halloween

Oshkosh, WI …October 23, 2012 — Halloween is just around the corner and youngsters will soon be out trick or treating. As they get ready to collect their Halloween treats, the American Red Cross has tips to make this a fun and safe Halloween.

“Halloween is a fun time, especially for the little ones,” said Lisa Stanchfield, Community Preparedness Coordinator. “The Red Cross has steps everyone can take to make sure their Halloween is also a safe one.”

COSTUME SAFETY There are steps parents can take to keep their little ghosts and goblins safe in their disguises:

• Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
• Use flame-resistant costumes.
• Use face makeup instead of masks, which can cover their eyes and make it hard to see.

BE SAFE WHILE OUT AND ABOUT To maximize safety for the trick or treaters, plan a route ahead of time. Make sure adults know where children are going. If the children are young, a parent or responsible adult should accompany them as they walk through the neighborhood.

Here are more safety tips to follow as children go from house to house:

• Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight.
• Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door—never go inside.
• Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.
• Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.
• Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.
• Be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.

GREETING TRICK OR TREATERS For those who expect to welcome trick-or-treaters at their door, they can make sure it’s fun for everyone by following a few tips:

• Make sure the outdoor lights are on.
• Sweep leaves from sidewalks and steps.
• Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
• Restrain pets.
• Use a glow stick instead of a candle in jack-o-lanterns to avoid a fire hazard

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

US 41/WIS 21 interchange celebration scheduled!

(Green Bay) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), along with the West Side Association and the city of Oshkosh, is announcing a celebration event including a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new US 41/WIS 21 interchange. The event is scheduled for Monday, November 5 at 10 a.m. outside of Robbins Restaurant, 1800 Omro Road.  The public is invited and parking is available in the restaurant’s parking lot. 

The celebration will include remarks by U.S. Congressman Tom Petri, Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb, P.E., Oshkosh Mayor Burk Tower, and Oshkosh Chamber President John Casper.  Following the brief ceremony and ribbon cutting, light refreshments will be available.

The $54 million project included rebuilding the WIS 21 interchange so that WIS 21 passes over US 41; construction of four roundabouts on WIS 21, at the US 41 ramp terminals and Washburn and Koeller streets intersections; and the reconstruction and expansion of US 41 between Witzel Avenue and US 45. 

 In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside of Robbins Restaurant.

* * * Winter Farmers Market Opening Day Celebration * * *

Join us for the Oshkosh Saturday Farmers Market - Winter Opening Day celebration at City Center by Becket's Atrium on November 3, 10am.

We're so excited! It's the first winter farmers market in Oshkosh and Mayor Burke Tower will cut the ceremonious Red Ribbon to officially mark the occasion.

Throughout the day they'll be a strolling Barbershop Quartet, vendors with fresh locally grown fall veggies, poultry and eggs, cheeses, butter, and meats, artisan food vendors with breads, sweets and treats, and crafters with unique handmade crafts.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you there! Friends and family welcome.

Michelle Schmitz-Schulz
Kathleen Witman
Co-Managers

Oshkosh Saturday Farmers Market - Winter
Parking: Jackson Street entrance, near Becket's Restaurant
Winter Market Days & Hours
When: 1st, 3rd & 5th Saturdays, November - April.
Hours: 9am-1pm

New law that prohibits cell phone use for many teen drivers takes effect on November 1

A new state law that prohibits drivers with an instruction permit or probationary license—which includes many teenagers—from “using a cellular or other wireless telephone except to report an emergency” while driving takes effect on Nov. 1. A driver violating this restriction on cell phone use is subject to a forfeiture of $20 to $40 for a first offense and $50 to $100 for a subsequent offense within a year.

“We hope that the new law will deter teenagers and other inexperienced drivers from using their cell phone while behind the wheel, which can be a dangerous distraction,” says Wisconsin State Patrol Maj. Sandra Huxtable, director of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Safety. “In a national study, 43 percent of 16 and 17-year-olds said they have talked on a cell phone while driving, and 40 percent of teens up to age 17 said they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put themselves or others in danger.”

According to Major Huxtable, cell phone use can distract a driver’s attention from traffic and road conditions. “Distracted driving is a problem even for experienced drivers. But it often is even more hazardous for teen drivers who are not experienced,” she says. “Traffic crashes kill more teenagers in Wisconsin and the rest of the nation than any other cause of death. And distracted driving is a factor in many of these crashes.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 11 percent of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.

Although the law will affect many teen drivers, the cell phone restrictions also apply to other drivers with a Wisconsin probationary license, such as:

·         Drivers licensed in other countries

·         Persons with suspended or revoked instruction permits or probationary licenses

·         New state residents who have fewer than three years of driving experience

·         New state residents under the age of 21

·         New state residents who surrender a license that is expired for more than six months

Wisconsin law also prohibits texting while driving for all motorists of all ages. To prevent distractions from cell phone use and texting while driving, the State Patrol advises all drivers to:

·         Turn off your phone or switch to a silent mode.

·         Use voice mail to tell callers that you’re driving and will return the call as soon as possible.

·         If you absolutely need to use your cell phone to call or text, pull over to a safe area.

·         Ask a passenger to make a call or text for you.

Cell phone use and texting are just two of many types of distractions that increase a driver’s risk of causing a crash or failing to avoid one, according to Major Huxtable.

“Every time you drive, you are legally and morally responsible for safely operating a potentially destructive—and even deadly—force,” she says. “That’s why driving requires your undivided attention. Any lapse in attention to traffic or road conditions is a grave danger to you, your passengers and everyone else on the road. No attempt to multi-task in your vehicle, no phone call, and no text message is more important than a human life.”

Please help this dog receive life-saving heart surgery

http://www.animalleague.org/support/support-rescue-medical-programs/help-me-heal/animals/cordelia.html

Larry Spanbauer brings local taverns talk to Oshkosh Public Library

Oct. 22, 2012– For a guy who hasn’t spent much time on a bar stool through the years, Larry Spanbauer is quite the authority on taverns. On Tues., Oct. 30, Spanbauer will share his knowledge of local barroom lore, along with his impressive collection of tavern memorabilia, at the Oshkosh Public Library. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. in the lower level meeting room.

Spanbauer, an Oshkosh native who is active in the local memorabilia club, is the author of Oshkosh Taverns and the People Who Ran Them. The new book compiles pages of historic information and photos, licenses, tokens and other memorabilia that tells the story of more than 100 years of Oshkosh taverns.

An interest in history, along with a penchant for collecting, led Spanbauer down the barroom path. A jar of tokens he picked up while appraising the collection of a local coin shop owner sparked his interest in tavern tokens and he now has more than 1,000 of the plastic, paper and metal tokens that tavern owners passed along to their customers. Some are one-of-a-kind and he is still on the lookout for another 30 that area collectors have yet to find.

The book took Spanbauer about six months to compile, but he admits it is the result of about a decade of “gathering things.”  Wading through city directories, advertisements, liquor licenses and other historic documents, he learned a great deal about not only the establishments, but the people who owned them. “It just snowballed into what this is,” he says, pointing to his book.

At its peak, there were 120-130 taverns in Oshkosh. Today there are half that many.

Some establishments are no longer operating – or even standing. Others are still in business, though under a different name. In researching the evolution of the tavern community, Spanbauer noticed the correlation between local manufacturing and the fortunes of local watering holes. The Giant Grip Tavern, opened in 1916, took its name – and in all likelihood drew its customer base - from the nearby Giant Grip Manufacturing Company. Even a change in the length of a shift at a local plant could affect the profitability of the nearest bar.

“Lots of taverns went out when some of the big manufacturers left town,” he explains. “They were supported by the working class and the employees weren’t there to come to the tavern anymore.”

Oshkosh Taverns offers a historical perspective that helps to tell the story of life in Oshkosh. Reflecting on one establishment, Spanbauer writes, “The tavern was a gathering spot, in this south side neighborhood, for the men to socialize, talk politics and play cards. It was like the TV show Cheers, where everyone knew your name.”

Spanbauer will have books available for purchase and signing at the event. For more information about this program or other library events and services, call 236-5205 or visit www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

Food Day Event coming up

Oshkosh Middle School Students to Celebrate Food Day

Sampling healthy, locally-grown food, and promoting Farm to School possibilities
WHAT

Chefs from Primo’s Restaurant and The Roxy in Oshkosh will take part in a live healthy cooking demonstration during the 6th and 8th grade lunch periods at South Park Middle School in Oshkosh. Approximately 300 youth and school staff will have the opportunity to taste test and choose the winning dish in this "MasterChef"-inspired cook-off. Both dishes will incorporate jicama, the vegetable featured in the Oshkosh elementary schools as The Fun Food of the Month.

WHO:  Members of re:TH!NK’s Nutrition, Obesity, Diabetes Committee
Chef Drew Steinke from Primo’s in Oshkosh

Chef Elliott Boushele from The Roxy in Oshkosh

Lisa McLaughlin, Principal of South Park Middle School

6th and 8th grade students at South Parl Middle School 
Peggy West, Food Services Director of Oshkosh Area School District

Ellie Krueger, AmeriCorps member with re:TH!NK and the Winnebago County Health Dept.

Sarah Wright, WCHD Public Health Nurse and re:TH!NK Committee Chair

VISUALS:
Kids tasting fresh, healthy foods. Cooking demonstration. Chefs preparing taste-testing samples. Recipe Cards. Student-made Food Day posters/signs. re:TH!NK staff dressed in carrot costume.
 

Obama sinks Romney's battleship in third, final debate

http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/presidential_debate_wrap_obama_sinks_romneys_battleship_20121022/

Here's what's playing this week on Eye on Oshkosh...

Be sure to join us starting Monday, October 22 when Cheryl and Dan spend the hour talking with local attorney George Curtis. A few weeks earlier Curtis helped put in perspective the recent court action declaring Gov. Walker's Act 10 legislation against public sector workers unconstitutional. During this visit he explains for us and viewers how there are many new laws under a Walker administration that negatively impact people - laws they may actually know very little about. These laws run the gamut from lack of car insurance protections and lack of protections if a loved one is abused or even mistreated in a nursing home to changes with regard to consumer protection and criminal justice. This is one show you certainly want to see before the election because, as Curtis puts it, it's not just Walker but Republicans statewide who have created these bad laws, making it even more important for us to carefully consider everything before voting in the Nov. 6 election - whether you're voting for local assemblyman, state Senator, or any of the federal offices. This show will run for 2 weeks.

In the Oshkosh area, "Eye on Oshkosh" can be seen Mondays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. on local cable access channel 2 (Time Warner Cable). Check with your local cable company or its TV listings for replay times in other, more outlying areas. “Eye on Oshkosh” also may air at times other than just those listed. Check the guide on your cable access channel for other days and times, as well. “Eye on Oshkosh” is copyrighted and any unauthorized copying or use of any portion of the program is strictly prohibited by law.

City of Oshkosh automated garbage collection less than two weeks away

(Oshkosh, WI) The city of Oshkosh will officially make its switch to automated garbage

collection on Monday, Oct. 29. In preparation for the change, the city will start distributing
new garbage carts to residents beginning Monday, Oct. 22. All new carts should be
delivered by no later than Thursday, Nov. 1.

Upon receiving a new garbage cart, residents are urged to begin using the receptacle

immediately. On collection day, the carts should be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. It
is also advised to have the cart’s white identification number face the street, and allow three
feet from any potential obstructions.

“In order to make a smooth transition to automated garbage collection, we need the help of

city residents in following the rules as closely as possible,” said Public Works Field
Operations Manager Kevin Uhen. “If everyone does their part, this switch to automated
garbage collection is designed to make trash pickup much more efficient.”

Any small items or excess bags placed outside a cart, that don’t meet the large item

definition, will require a sticker. Residents will receive three free stickers prior to the switch
to automated garbage collection being made.

Those wishing to recycle their old garbage cans may do so by placing them upside down

and empty, and marked with an “X” or a note, at the curb on their regular scheduled
collection day. Do not place any old garbage cans inside the new garbage cart, or your
recycling cart.

All new carts will be delivered with an information packet on the inside of the receptacle.

For more information on automated garbage collection, please visit the city’s website at

www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us  or
contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.

US 41 Project lane closures for October 22 - October 26

(Green Bay) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region is announcing US 41 Project lane restrictions for October 22 – October 26 in Brown and Winnebago counties. Drivers should to be aware of 11-foot wide lanes and reduced speed limits in both counties. WisDOT urges all motorists to use caution while traveling through any work zone. Details of all closures are included below.

US 41
Winnebago County
Drivers will encounter overnight single lane closures on north and southbound US 41, between 9th Avenue and US 45 throughout the week between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. 

Brown County
Drivers will encounter overnight single lane closures on north and southbound US 41, from south of Schuering Road to Lineville Road throughout the week between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. In addition, several full freeway and ramp closures will occur this week. They include:
• Monday, October 22 - Northbound US 41, between Velp Avenue and Lineville Road, will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The northbound US 41 on-ramp from Velp Avenue, and the northbound I-43 to northbound US 41 ramp will also be closed.
o Northbound US 41 traffic will be detoured north on Velp Avenue to Lineville Road, east on Lineville Road to US 41.
o Northbound US 41 traffic wanting to enter southbound I-43 will use the entrance ramp from Velp Avenue. Northbound I-43 traffic wanting to enter northbound US 41 will exit I-43 to southbound US 41 to Velp Ave, follow Velp Avenue north to Lineville Road, east on Lineville Road to US 41.  
• Tuesday, October 23 - The southbound US 41 on-ramp from Dousman Street will close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Thursday, October 25 - The northbound US 41 on-ramp from Dousman Street will close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

WIS 29
Drivers should anticipate daytime single lane closures on east and westbound WIS 29, between Packerland Drive and County FF throughout the week. All closures will occur between the hours of 4 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

I-43/Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge
Brown County
I-43 at the Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge is reduced to a single lane of traffic with speeds reduced to 55 mph in both directions over a 3.5-mile segment of the highway through November 2012. Expect significant travel delays. In addition, the following ramps are closed to traffic:
• Southbound I-43 off-ramp to Webster Avenue
• Northbound I-43 on-ramp from Webster Avenue
• Southbound I-43 on-ramp from Atkinson Drive

All lane restrictions and work operations are subject to change.

City of Oshkosh's Rainbow Park and Boat Launch Master Planning

The City of Oshkosh is currently in the process of developing a Master Plan for Rainbow Park and the Rainbow Park boat launch. It is holding two public meetings on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 to hear what the public has to say. The information gathered from these public meetings will provide an opportunity to assist the City in collecting community-wide input and identifying the various outdoor recreation needs at Rainbow Park.

Rettler Corporation, a Park Planning firm retained to complete the Master Plan, will be in attendance to listen, provide expertise, and gather documentation. Following are the times of the meetings:

USER GROUP INPUT MEETING (for members of the boating and fishing community only)
October 30, 2012
5:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M.
Oshkosh Senior Center
200 N. Campbell Road, Oshkosh, WI

PUBLIC INPUT MEETING (for members of the general public)
October 30, 2012
6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
Oshkosh Senior Center
200 N. Campbell Road, Oshkosh, WI

Thank you for your time. Your input is greatly appreciated.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, and would like to submit comments or suggestions please email The City of Oshkosh Parks Department at rmaurer@ci.oshkosh.wi.us.

NEW SCHOOL REPORT CARDS HELP OASD SET FUTURE DIRECTION FOR LEARNING

[We have received the following press release from the Oshkosh Area School District and are happy to publish it on their behalf.]

 

The State of Wisconsin has developed a new system to report the results of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam (WKCE) along with attendance rate, graduation rate, and performance on the ACT for high schools. Using numerous formulas and data, the state now assigns a score and category for each school in a district. The intention is for schools to use this information to identify areas for improvement and set goals for the future so that all students graduate ready for college and career.

 

As they do each year, the Oshkosh Area School District administrators and professional staff have been examining the WKCE results to find areas where they can improve instruction for students.

 

Holly Rottier, the district administrator who assists principals in setting their school improvement goals, points out, “The temptation will be for people to rank the schools based on the score that they received. That would be a mistake.”

 

Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Julie Mosher adds, “Schools are more than a single test or number. Each school has an independent climate and culture. Each school has
individual teachers and students who all have unique needs. These scores help everyone identify areas where we can improve to help students achieve their fullest potential.”

 

On October 22, 2012, Public Preliminary School Report Cards will be posted to the DPI website (www.dpi.wi.gov), organized alphabetically by district name. To view the report cards, select a district to access the list of schools in that district. Each school will have two documents: the Public Preliminary Report Card and the Public Preliminary Report Card Detail.

Wiouwash Trail to see partial closure beginning Thursday, Oct. 25

(Oshkosh, WI) Thursday, Oct. 25 Wisconsin Public Service will be closing a portion of the

Wiouwash Trail, between River Mill Road and Riverside Cemetery. The closure is necessary in order to install a new natural gas line.

The trail is expected to remain closed until Friday, Nov. 9. However, dates may vary slightly due to weather and working conditions. Wisconsin Public Service apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

During the closure, there will be a posted detour to help route trail users to Algoma Boulevard.

For more information on this project, please direct questions to Bob Hernke, Wisconsin Public Service Community Relations, at (920) 236-5945.

Wisconsin State Patrol announces results of aerial enforcement missions

To crack down on speeding and other dangerous driving behaviors, Wisconsin State Patrol Air Support Unit pilots have flown 79 traffic safety enforcement missions this year as of September 30.

The State Patrol Air Support Unit currently has three sergeants, a trooper and an inspector who are licensed pilots. They fly three specially equipped Cessna 172 Skyhawk planes based in Madison, Oshkosh, and Eau Claire. From their airborne vantage point, they can detect speeding, aggressive driving, tailgating, unsafe lane changes as well as other traffic violations and relay that information to officers on the ground for enforcement action.

As of September 30, State Patrol aerial enforcement missions yielded the following results:

·         2,197 traffic stops

·         1,324 speeding citations

·         476 speeding warnings

·         Fastest speeding violation was 116 mph.

·         1,662 total citations

·         1,238 total warnings

 

Missions were flown over 26 different counties. Federal funding supported 71 of the 79 total missions. Sixty-eight of the missions were flown in August and September, which typically are high-traffic volume and high fatality months.

The State Patrol will continue aerial enforcement in October and will plan missions for 2013.

"Aerial enforcement is a valuable traffic safety enforcement tool. From the air, our pilots can identify traffic violations as they occur over an extended distance and expanse of roadways," says State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable, director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety. "In addition, pilots can detect traffic violations in areas that are difficult for enforcement by officers on the ground such as construction work zones, no passing zones, and roadways without adequate shoulders or median crossovers for stopped cruisers."

The goal of the State Patrol’s aerial enforcement is to improve traffic safety, which ultimately will save lives and prevent injuries, according to Major Huxtable.

"Speeding is prevalent and deadly in Wisconsin. Last year, 160 people were killed and 7,700 injured in speed-related crashes. Despite the obvious dangers of speeding, it is by far the most common traffic conviction in Wisconsin. Last year, drivers amassed more than 180,000 speeding convictions statewide," she said. "At higher speeds, you’re at greater risk of a crash. Furthermore, the violently destructive forces of a crash become more severe as speeds increase. Drivers traveling at high speeds for an extended period of time on the open road also tend to not slow down sufficiently when approaching an intersection, work zone or traffic congestion. By slowing down, drivers can save both time and money as well as conserve fuel. And even more important, obeying speed limits will help make progress toward the goal of zero preventable traffic deaths in Wisconsin."

Note: Digital photo (jpg) of an Air Support Unit plane is available at the WisDOT website (www.dot.wisconsin.gov/news/images/asuphoto2.jpg).

Wisconsin State Patrol Air Support Unit fact sheet

State Patrol Air Support Unit capabilities:

Aerial traffic safety enforcement is an effective tool that can readily detect violations that occur over an expanse of roadways, including speeding, reckless/aggressive driving, and unsafe lane changes. Pilots also can detect violations in areas that are difficult for enforcement by officers on the ground, such as construction work zones, no passing zones, and roadway sections without adequate shoulders or median crossovers for cruisers.

In addition to traffic safety law enforcement, the Air Support Unit is trained and equipped to assist law enforcement agencies statewide in search and rescue missions, aerial observation for traffic control and direction, criminal and drug activity surveillance, tracking of criminal suspects, VIP escort support, aerial photography, and emergency organ transport. While monitoring enforcement actions, pilots also can enhance the safety of officers on the ground.

Current Assets:

·         Five active licensed pilots—three sergeants, one trooper and one inspector.

·         Three Cessna 172 Skyhawk planes based in Madison, Oshkosh and Eau Claire, which are capable of flying missions statewide.

·         Planes are equipped with VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer And Recorder) for enforcement of speed limits. A You Tube video (http://youtu.be/CguKS7FlKRY) provides a brief explanation of how VASCAR works.

·         Planes also are equipped with thermal imaging devices for search and rescue missions and locating subjects attempting to elude law enforcement.

Summary of Air Support Unit missions in 2012 (as of September 30):

·         79 missions

·         26 different counties

·         Missions averaged—28 traffic stops, 17 speed citations, 21 total citations.

·         Missions were flown in March (2 missions), June (4 missions), July (5 missions), August (23 missions) and September (45 missions).

Here's why veterans should vote for President Obama

Veterans faithfully serve their country and deserve to return home to futures of opportunity, security and respect.  Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan won’t honor America’s promise to veterans.

Romney suggested partially privatizing the Veterans Administration, giving coupons to veterans instead of providing them the coverage America promised. (ABC News, 11/11/11)

The brutal Romney-Ryan budget would slash funding for veterans’ services -- health care, education, job training -- by $11 billion. (MSNBC, 3/23/12)

In Congress, Paul Ryan voted against expanding the G.I. Bill to cover the increased number of veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. (H.R. 2642, Vote 330, 5/15/08)

Veterans deserve better than Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan’s slash and burn approach to services.

Barack Obama will keep our promise to America’s veterans and work to ensure that everyone who fights for our country comes home to opportunity.

•    The President’s Veterans Jobs Corps program will provide tens of thousands of good-paying jobs for veterans.  (Los Angeles Times, 9/11/12)
 •    Obama signed a law to improve VA services, help end veteran homelessness and protect the dignity of military funerals.  (UPI, 8/6/12)
•    Obama’s Joining Forces initiative has helped more than 125,000 veterans and spouses transition to good civilian jobs.  (Army Times, 8/22/12)

Your union has done the research and believes Barack Obama is the best choice for working families. Support candidates who support America’s heroes. Support Barack Obama, President of the United States.  Report to the polls and vote on November 6.

In Solidarity,

Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO

A message from the cats at the Oshkosh Area Humane Society

Us cats have hijacked the computers at OAHS to let you know that we are in need of canned, pate-style cat food and soft cat treats.

Please bring some here to us so we can eat it. We're hungry.

Head boops and paw smushes to all of you.        -The Cats of OAHS

 For more information on how you can help the animals at OAHS, please visit their web site at www.oahs.org.