" My suggestion is charge a county park yearly or daily fee to enter the park just like Jackson County does. One yearly park permit will let you in all of the Vernon County Parks. You will be amazed on how much revenue this could bring in. Think outside the box! "

" There is a fourth solution. To the extent that federal and State funds fall short of paying for necessary repairs, reduce County expenses as necessary. Belt tightening isn't harsh. It is exactly what the rest us us do when we have to deal with unexpected bills. "

" Although I realize a reader's poll has room for error.. I can definitely believe that 65% of the people are against the sales tax increase. I'm actually surprised it's not a bigger percentage. This is with all the propaganda that we don't "have a choice." Yes, we do realize that the money has to come from somewhere.. maybe cutting out waste? Funny, how when they ask us how we feel about spending our tax dollars, the great majority of us say "NO." I guess that's why they usually don't "ask"..or listen to what we say.... and just do what they want..

So much for "representation." "

" Both Dennis and the other guy pretty much sum it up. Dennis tells it like it could and should be when the elected guys listen (like him). The other guy tells it like it ends up being because the elected guys don't respect us. What has happend to him when writing senators and such happened to me, too. Form letters..."Thank you for your interest"..."Let me know what you think". And...nothing; or worse, the wrong thing. What a waste of time.

Taxes too much?...Taxes not enough?...Taxes are taxes, I guess. Most seems to go where it should, but some just gets blown or wasted. Also kind of like our own budgets at home sometimes, I guess. At any rate, the guys on the County board only meet six times a year, so it's no wonder there's a budget problem in this economy.

I do think if more people (a LOT more) worked at it like Dennis suggests, then things would change. Myabe people have to hurt even more to really pour it out. Closed banks and people in soup lines really gets politicians attention, but let's not hope for that. "

" I am "one of those citizens" who makes frequent phone calls and writes letters to our legislators and representatives on a regular basis. I have to admit that it seems that it falls on deaf ears every single time. If they respond at all, it is usually with a form letter regarding an issue completely different than the one I addressed; or a form letter stating why the "average citizen" can't possibly understand the complexities of the situation and that they are going to vote the opposite of what I requested. So much for representation OF the people.

As far as your 3rd paragraph is concerned, that is a very sound idea, and we are glad you are involved in this process. It makes the idea of any tax increase whatsoever (at a time when we need less taxes, not more) a little easier to take. Most people if they are dealt with fairly and feel like they are not being taken advantage of (and lied to, once again) a little less resentful. I do believe, however, that this issue should have been prevented in the first place by fiscal responsibility, cutting waste, and some planning just as we, as individuals, have to do to stay solvent. Since that responsibility again was not met, I realize that these dams are an issue that has be contended with.

Personally, I feel like those who make these decisions need to learn to stop promoting pet projects and have the courage to stand up to those who get angry every time their pet projects are voted down. They are not any angrier than those of us who are completely frustrated with our taxes in this area. We need to do away with the "extras" until Vernon County can once again get back on it's feet without progressively and consistently hurting the taxpayers. "

" I agree with Reality that to often in the past we have been lied to ("NEVER true") and betrayed to by our government ("There is always some other "need") . That is why it is incumbent upon us its citizens to actively participate more in our government. It is only through active citizen participation that "We the People" can hold our government accountable. While it is true that the "government was created FOR the people" it is also true that it is a government "OF the people", and "BY the people".

To better understand the dam issue go to a Land Conservation Committee meeting. You have every right to participate. Call your County Supervisor. Ask the County Clerk to be on the agenda when the County Board meets on this subject. Voice your ideas and concerns, and ask questions. Find the time.

I will not support a resolution to increase the sales tax by .5% for dam repair unless it contains a dam repair only clause and a secure sunset clause. "

" I take exception to the statement the sales tax will end when the dam repairs are complete. I have been on this earth long enough to witness similar statements over and over again, and it is NEVER true. There is always some other "need" that the money is used for, or the project took longer than expected or cost more than expected,or they forgot about "continued maintenance," and it goes on and on without end. Remember the interstate and the ever-growing "toll road" propaganda just for two examples? Case in point, the fees to use certain toll roads that we use personally have risen exponentially in just the last couple of years even though they were supposed to be paid for many,many years ago. There are countless examples. It's impossible to swallow propaganda when you know there is a very small possibility that it's true, and you know what they say about "history." It's insulting that those in positions of power actually think we are stupid enough to believe the lies. The problem with being lied to is that we can no longer trust ANYTHING that we're told. Propaganda is attempted first. Then, when some of us actually have memories longer than a few days and have witnessed and remembered the untruths, then we are threatened by the "consequences of not complying." There are repercussions when individuals lie to the government, why is the reverse not true? I also seem to remember that the "government was created FOR the people." "

" Vernon County is under orders from the DNR to repair Vernon Countys dams. If the county does not repair its dams several things can happen.

The first is the DNR can begin to fine the county for non-compliance. This fine could be $1,000 per day per dam. Right now we have 5 dams under repair orders. That works out to $5,000 per day, over 1.8 million per year and doesn't include court costs.

The second thing that can happen is that we have another flood while these dams are under repair orders and one or more of them fail. The county would both civilly and criminally be liable. The county could be sued for millions and the County Board could go to jail.

Therefore, I believe we must repair these dams.

In my opinion the DNR, the State of Wisconsin and the federal government have heard to little squeaking coming from Vernon County. Therefore, they feel little to no obligation to help pay for these dams. More political pressure is needed. Citizens of Vernon County we need to become the squeaky wheel if we want to save some money.

There are three choices that we citizens of Vernon County have.

One: Step up to the plate and help lower the burden on each other. Call and write and visit with your state and federal representatives. There is about $12 million in the States Natural resources fund dam safety projects budget. Ask your state representatives to appropriate some of this money to be allocated to our dam repairs. Ask Senator Kohl to appropriate federal money for Vernon County dam repair. He sits on an appropriation sub-committee. Every dime we can raise from the state or federal government will save us tax dollars we would otherwise have to pay.

Two: Vote in favor of the .5% sales tax. If the sales tax increase passes then we will have to pressure the state to also pass it. This will require an engaged citizenry that will actively lobby their state representatives.

The sales tax increase will Sunset (end) when the dam repairs are complete.

The sales tax increase will raise county revenues by about $1.2 million a year. This may help delay the non-compliance fines that will be coming and spread the tax burden more fairly to residents and non residents alike.

If the sales tax increase is voted in and passed by the State, then the county could bond the $15 million and use the sales tax to make our payments. A maximum 15 year bond would be needed. If we are successful through a citizens campaign in obtaining more federal or state money the sales tax increase would sunset earlier.

Three: If the .5% sales tax is voted down or the state fails to pass it then, in my opinion the $15 million will, at some point in time, be bonded and placed on the backs of only the property owners. Again, if we are successful through a citizens campaign in obtaining more federal or state money the amount the property owners would have to pay could be lowered.

Therefore, I urge you to vote for the .5% sales tax increase and stay engaged as citizens. I could use your help. "

" I apologize if what I said appeared to condescend or threaten anyone. My intent was a frank and honest description of the situation, and clarify some mis-statements by others. "

" The threatening, condescending tone of your letter only tends to frustrate and anger those who are already over-taxed (and already frustrated and angry). The bottom line is there are many out here who will have to make the choice between food and heat this winter. All the government is succeeding in doing is making more and more people dependent upon "assistance" just to survive. You are creating the need for more and more "social hand-outs" that would not be necessary without the heavy-handed tax collection that is going on.

You can use the terms "moral" and "ethical" all you want. This over-taxation falls under neither category. "

" Vernon County is the legal operator of 22 large flood control dams. It receives technical (engineering) assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture through its Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); and is further regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Dam Safety engineers. The County has a full-time staff person, while not an engineer, that has received training and has experience in hyrdaulics, hydrology and construction oversight; and has a degree in Geology.

The damage to the dams in August 2007 was significant and weakened many of them, and the hillsides that contain them. The flood of June 2008 made them worse and even overtopped one of them. As a result, the regulator (DNR) has ordered the operator (the County) to repair the damage. The engineer (NRCS) is providing the technical assistance and cost sharing (when available). The process will take a minimum of 3 years just to address the worst problems.

The County cannot legally ignore the orders just because of fiscal concerns. If your car has a broken windshield and you get a warning from the State Patrol to fix it; what do you suppose the consequences are if you are caught again without making the repair. "Sorry officer, I don't have the money to fix it." won't get you very far. The County, too, will face consequences if it ignores the orders to repair the dams.

Dams are infrastructure, like bridges and buildings. They were built for the benefit of society and must be maintained and repaired for the same reason. Government is a system of getting things done for all of us that none of us can do by ourselves. Taxes are levied to pay for the service. Town, schools, boards and state legislatures have people elected by the taxpayers to make policies about spending the taxes. People are hired to carry out the policies for the benefit of the taxpayers.

The county cannot legally, morally, or ethically abandon the dams or the expensive responsibilities associated with them. The repairs will cost the taxpayers, of which I am one, too. So will the road and bridge repairs. So will the state and federal payments to individuals who suffered damage to their homes and property.

Please call 637-5483 if you would like to discuss the dam issues in depth. "

" We completely agree with you. In a time where there needs to be tax cuts in every area of our government, Federal, State and local; it is hard to believe that they actually want us to vote for yet another tax increase. "

" Please people wake up. This is just another tax burden that will not go away. The Dams held the last 2 biggest rains ever and what makes you think they wont keep right on working. Who made this decision. I was under the impression it was a county employee. Now I am not sure but as far as I know the county does not have a hydrologist on staff or even an engineer. Vote this tax down. If we had the tourism of the Dells I could see it, but this tax will only put a burden on already over burdened citizens. I agree with raising the sales tax at the state and local level only if property tax goes by by. Also a Federal income tax if income tax goes away. Do not vote for another tax burden just because our state and local officials are not fiscally responsible enough to maintain are dams and balance a budget. Government will always find the best way to overpay everything they can. Look at the county employee unions and how strong they are. County employees are paid fairly and I would think maybe they could go a year or two without a raise, and pay just a tad more for health insurance. I know they work hard but they must also realize they get they jobs off the backs of people who for the most part make much less with a lot less benefits. So to prevent layoffs how about the employees give a little like the rest of us? "

" Your name says it all. "NON-native" The NATIVES are sick and tired of paying the amount of taxes we are ALREADY paying. This continuous raising of taxes in every area HAS to stop. "

" This idea of another .5% tax seems to make more cents at the present time than borrowing and putting it on your "very own" tax rolls.. If this money is borrowed as said the county itself will be taxed for all of it as said...So shy not let those who enjoy your county help pay to keep it not only safe but beautiful? Something has to be done... "