Governor Walker Announces 2012 Trailblazer Awards for Women in Business

January 27th, 2012 by Robert Rosati

Governor Scott Walker, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and the Wisconsin Women’s Council are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 Governor’s Trailblazer Awards for Women in Business, recognizing women pioneers in the business community.

“Private sector businesses are key to our state’s job creation strategies,” said Governor Scott Walker. “We are fortunate to have many women who have started a business and now employ their fellow Wisconsinites. I hope that these Trailblazers can serve as role models to other women who are considering opening a business and creating jobs.”

The fourteen 2012 Trailblazer award recipients represent seven counties and a wide range of industries–including non-traditional industries for women. These businesses have sustained families and anchored communities. Our 2012 Trailblazers bring leadership and lasting economic benefits to communities across our state, providing jobs and promoting innovation.

“Women business owners and entrepreneurs are a driving force in moving our state’s economy forward, ” said Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. “We are grateful for their contributions to job growth in Wisconsin.”

Trailblazer Awards are given to businesses statewide to recognize the legacy of women’s business ownership in Wisconsin. Categories including family-owned businesses that are currently majority woman-owned and have been in operation for three generations or more, and businesses with sole or majority ownership by a woman, or series of women, for 25 years or more.

Since the award was established in 2007, Governor’s Trailblazer Awards have been given to 44 Wisconsin woman-owned businesses across 22 counties.

“The value of these winners is not just in the past accomplishments we celebrate today- it is also in the women their trailblazing example will inform and inspire in the future to follow their own entrepreneurial passions and dreams,” said Mary Jo Baas, Chair, Wisconsin Women’s Council.

Woman-owned businesses were nominated for Trailblazer Awards through an open nomination process, including nominations from business and professional associations, elected officials, friends, colleagues and employees.

Recipients of the 2012 Trailblazer Awards are:

Brown County
Ed Gersek Inc.
Lorraine Gersek
Diane M. Bisick, President
Green Bay • 1963

Dane County
Awards Mall/Total Awards
& Promotions, Inc.
Donna Gray, CEO & President
Madison • 1977

Drake & Company Staffing Specialists
Kelly Starr-King, CEO
Madison • 1978

Lindsay, Stone & Briggs, Inc.
Marsha Lindsay, CEO
Madison • 1978

Milwaukee County
Heartland Information Research, Inc.
Kate Hill, President
Wauwatosa • Special Recognition

Kujawa Enterprises, Inc.
Sally Kujawa, President
Oak, Creek • 1964

MJ Care, Inc.
Mary E. Van Lare, P.T., CEO
Milwaukee • 1977

Zoe Engineering
Daphne E. Wilson, P.E., President
Milwaukee • Special Recognition

Racine County
2100 Lathrop, Inc. (dba McDonalds)
Dorothy A. Metz, President
Racine • 1957

Badger Trailer & Equipment Corp.
Karin Lee-Fournier, CEO & President
Jean A. Lee, Owner & Vice President
Franksville • 1920

Insider News Wisconsin
Yolanda James, Owner & Publisher
Racine • Special Recognition

St. Croix County
J&L Steel & Electrical Services
Lou Anne Berg, CEO
Hudson • 1977
Waukesha County
James Imaging Systems
Lola A. Tegeder, CEO
Brookfield • 1977

Winnebago County
Directions Marketing
Kristine R. Sexton, President
Neenah • 1955

Information used in this article was retrieved from a press release on Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s official website.

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Congressman Ron Kind Meets with Local Ag Stakeholders, Discusses Upcoming Farm Bill

January 27th, 2012 by Robert Rosati

Ron Kind today met with his agriculture advisory committee, a group made up of local farmers and stakeholders from across western Wisconsin. Rep. Kind hosted the meeting in his La Crosse office today to share news from Washington as well as to hear the group’s concerns about ag issues, including the upcoming farm bill, risk management tools, milk markets and changes to the MILC program, and newly proposed labor rules, among others.

“It’s important to sit around the table and discuss the issues that so greatly impact western Wisconsin and our state,” said Rep. Kind. “Hearing from this group helps me understand where our family farmers are struggling, how I can help facilitate support, and the things we can work on together to bring greater efficiencies and growth to the industry.”

A major topic of today’s discussion was the upcoming farm bill, which is expected to be considered later this year as programs are set to expire on September 30, 2012. Rep. Kind has long been an advocate for reforming the programs that steer taxpayer funded subsides to very few but very large agribusinesses, resulting in the top 10 percent of recipients getting 76 percent of subsidy dollars.

“These subsidies are fiscally irresponsible and only distort the marketplace,” said Kind. “Our local farmers are not getting the support they need, while addresses in Chicago and San Francisco are getting thousands of dollars in direct payments. We must reform these subsidies.”

According to the Environmental Working Group, in 2010, the government sent $394 million in farm subsidy payments to residents of U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 or more. In Chicago alone, 734 farm subsidy recipients pulled in a total of $2,173,344.

Attendees at today’s roundtable included: Steve Boe, Wisconsin Farm Bureau; Mike Compton, Director of UW-Platteville School of Agriculture; Wade Miller, Farm Service Agency; Timothy K. Rehbein, Vernon County UW-Extension; Missy Hughes, Organic Valley; among more than a dozen others.

Information used in this article was retrieved from a press release on Congressman Ron Kind’s official website.

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Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address

January 27th, 2012 by Robert Rosati

“President Obama did a fabulous job of laying out a blueprint for building a stronger America both in the short term and in the long term.

The President tonight was very much in touch with what’s happening in this country and what I’ve been hearing as I travel around the state. He understands the frustrations citizens have with the disconnect between the policy debates in Washington and people’s real lives. He called on Congress to act swiftly to help revive our manufacturing industry by ending incentives for companies to outsource jobs, providing targeted incentives for businesses to create jobs here at home, and ensuring that our students and workers get the education and training needed to fill those jobs.

I support President Obama’s efforts to restore the values that made this country great – fairness for all and responsibility from all.”

Information used in this article was retrieved from a press release on Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin’s official website.

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Congressman Ribble Pens Letter to Chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission

January 26th, 2012 by Robert Rosati

Representative Reid Ribble sent a letter to the Chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Jon Liebowitz, outlining his concerns over the negative impact the proposed merger between Medco Health Systems and Express Scripts Inc. would have on consumers and patients throughout Wisconsin. The merger of these two companies, classified as pharmacy benefit managers (PBM), would create a new company that would have excessive market share and cover roughly one-third of the U.S. population.

Excerpt from letter:

“The new combined PBM will use their market share to push pharmacies out of their network and eventually out of business. These pharmacies represent a life-line to health care access, not only providing much needed medications, but also health monitoring services, immunizations and even private consultations with pharmacists. They are truly on the frontline of the health care delivery system in my state.

“This merger will drive up prices for patients, as the new PBM will operate without significant competition, the only mechanism that keeps prices in check. Given the current economic climate, higher prices and less access for patients and consumers is more bad news than the people of Wisconsin can take.”

To read the full text of the letter, click here.

Information used in this article was retrieved from a press release on Congressman Reid Ribble’s official website.

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‘Project Leap’ set for Febuary 18 at Lambeau Field Atrium

January 26th, 2012 by Robert Rosati

The ninth annual ‘Project LEAP!’ is set for Saturday, Febuary 18, 2012, at the Lambeau Field Atrium. The free community event is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

‘Project LEAP!’ (Lambeau’s Exercise and Activity Playground) is focused on getting kids out of the house to enjoy non-strenuous physical activity.

In addition to the popular inflatables, climbing walls, bungee trampolines and face painting, the day will feature entertainment by the Sideswipe Performance Team, a martial arts-based group that blends traditional martial arts, such as karate and tae kwon do, with gymnastics and acrobatics, to create an extreme, high-flying display of talent, strength and stamina. Based in Los Angeles, Sideswipe has been entertaining audiences across the country over the last six years, performing on television, stage, at sporting events, live action shows and karate tournaments.

The group is scheduled to perform three times: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. It also will offer three workshops: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

‘Project LEAP!’ is one of several free community events the Packers host each year, each geared toward bringing families together.

The illustration in this article was drawn by Joseph Szabo.

Information used in this article was retrieved from a press release on the official website of the Green Bay Packers.

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Local Red Cross Responds to Union Grove Families Needs

January 26th, 2012 by Robert Rosati

There is never a good time to be displaced by a house fire. Early yesterday morning residents of the 12-unit apartment building in the Village of Union Grove had to evacuate to safety. Not only did several fire departments respond, the local Red Cross also sent trained disaster staff and volunteers to lend aid to a families affected.

“This is not the kind of weather you want to be standing out in the cold for an extended period of time,” said Anne Tabbert, from the local Racine office. “That’s why we deploy highly trained volunteers to make sure the families, touched by events like this one, are receiving the basic need services the Red Cross has to offer.”

The Red Cross is meeting with each family to assess their individual needs. A Family Assistance Center opened yesterday at Union Grove Fire Department, 700 Main Street at 3 p.m. to meet with families. They can also call (414) 345-8678 to begin the recovery process. They ensured that the famlies have the means necessary for warm winter clothing to protect them; food to eat; a roof over their head and a friendly shoulder to lean on. In addition to that, the Red Cross can be instrumental in securing refills for prescription medication and eyeglasses that are lost in fires.

“Nobody expects to loss their home in a fire. But when it happens, I want people to know that the Red Cross stands ready to help our friends, families and neighbors in need,” concluded Anne. All disaster assistance is free. It is a gift to the American people from the American people. To make a donation, please call 800-RED-CROSS, go online redcross.org or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 and a $10 donation will be added to your next cellular phone bill.

The illustration in this article was drawn by Joseph Szabo.

Information used in this article was retrieved from a press release issued by the Racine Office of the American Red Cross.

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Statement of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl on the President’s State of the Union Address

January 25th, 2012 by Robert Rosati

“We appreciate that the President is focused on the right things for our country: increasing our economic output and decreasing unemployment. In Wisconsin we’re particularly happy about his focus on manufacturing since our state’s economy and employment, more than most any other state, is dependent on a strong manufacturing base. The President also recognizes that education is the foundation of our country’s future, whether it means providing all students access to a quality education or ensuring that workers have opportunities for job retraining. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to grow our economy and job market.”

Information used in this article was retrieved from a press release on the official website of Senator Herb Kohl.

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Ron Johnson Applauds Passage of St. Croix Bridge Legislation

January 25th, 2012 by Robert Rosati

Senator Ron Johnson made the following statement today after S. 1134, the St. Croix River Crossing Authorization Act, passed the Senate with unanimous consent. This legislation will expedite the construction of the St. Croix River Crossing Project without spending any additional federal tax dollars.

Johnson said:

“I am pleased that the St. Croix River Crossing Project Authorization Act passed the Senate today. Constructing the St. Croix bridge is important for both economic activity in western Wisconsin and the drivers that use the bridge. The people of Wisconsin and Minnesota have waited far too long for this replacement.

“I’m happy to have been a part of this bipartisan effort. This legislation would not have passed the Senate without the strong leadership of Senator Amy Klobuchar and the help of Senators Al Franken and Herb Kohl. I’m also gratified that so many of my Wisconsin delegation colleagues in the House, led by Congressman Sean Duffy, supported this bridge project.”

Information used in this article was retrieved from a press release on Senator Ron Johnson’s official website.

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Dairy Pricing Association donates cheese to help end hunger

January 25th, 2012 by Robert Rosati

The Dairy Pricing Association, a local cooperative organization of milk producers, will donate 2,000 pounds of cheddar cheese to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin in a ceremony to be held at Meister Dairy (1050 E. Industrial Drive, Muscoda, Wisconsin) on Thursday, January 26, from noon to 1 p.m. Second Harvest is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. This will mark the third donation of dairy products by the Association to a Feeding America member since August, 2011.

The Dairy Pricing Association is a collection of dairy producers whose mission is to establish a minimum price the dairy industry receives for its production, while at the same time maintaining a level of milk production to meet the needs of the consumer. The members of the Association pay a monthly assessment of 10 cents per hundred pounds of milk produced. This assessment is used to purchase surplus dairy commodities which are donated to Feeding America.

Robin Berg, Chairman of Dairy Pricing Association Inc. said, “This program is not being funded by any processor or marketer. We welcome all dairy producers, no matter what size, or what grade of milk you produce.”

The donation to Second Harvest will be fifty 40-pound blocks of cheddar cheese. Once received, volunteers will split the blocks of cheese into two-pound, family-size portions that will be distributed through a network of partner agencies to thousands of individuals, families, children and seniors who struggle with hunger.

“Dairy products are a critical component to achieving our goal of providing high-quality, nutritionally balanced food to those struggling with hunger. We are thankful to the Dairy Pricing Association for their continued commitment to ending hunger.” – Dan Stein, president and CEO, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.

Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger in southwestern Wisconsin through community partnerships, serving nearly 141,000 people who struggle to put food on the table, including 43 percent who are children. Through food and financial donations and volunteer support, Second Harvest Foodbank acquires and distributes food to 315 partner agencies, including food pantries, shelters and meal sites, in 16 counties. From July 1, 2010–June 30, 2011, Second Harvest Foodbank distributed 8.6 million pounds of food. It is one of 200 members of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity.

Information used in this article was retrieved from a press release issued by the Dairy Pricing Association.

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Kenosha Unified School District Service Employees agree to help District save over $1.2 million

January 24th, 2012 by Robert Rosati

Members of Service Employees International Union Local No. 168, representing custodial workers at Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD), have voted to begin contributing to their retirement and health benefits. The agreement will save Kenosha Unified School District over $1.2 million between the end of this month and June 30, 2013, when the Service Employees Union contract expires.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michele Hancock expressed her sincere appreciation to the union for their willingness to help the District reduce a $28 million budget gap, while also helping KUSD transform into a 21st Century school district.

Information used in this article was retrieved from a press release on the official website of the Kenosha Unified School District.

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