Posts under ‘Politics’
Lake Benedict’s Dan Rostenkowski, former Illinois congressman, dies
The New York Times and other media outlets are reporting that former U.S Rep. Dan Rostenkowski died at his Lake Benedict summer home today. He was 82.
Rostenkowski had been "treated for prostate cancer in the 1990s," the Times article said.
Rostenkowski also lived in Chicago and represented an Illinois Congressional district, but had a summer home in Randall for many years… Continue reading
State Rep. Kerkman commends Trevor-Wilmot retirees
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman attended the retirement open house recently held in honor of Jan Sielski and Dale Kolmos, who are both retiring from the Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District after 36 years of service each.
To commemorate their service to the school district, Kerkman presented Sielski and Kolmos each with a citation on behalf of the Wisconsin Legislature.
“I commend Mr. Kolmos and Mrs. Sielski on their service and contributions to… Continue reading
Kerkman announces re-election bid
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Randall) has announced she is seeking re-election to the State Assembly.
Kerkman, 36, is running for her sixth term representing the 66th Assembly District. The district includes most of Western Kenosha County, the city and town of Burlington in Racine County and parts of Somers.
“This past session I fought for the taxpayers of the district by supporting an audit of the Wisconsin Shares Program and the Medical… Continue reading
Rep. Ryan received death threat in Janesville
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, whose district includes all of Western Kenosha County, received a death threat that was investigated by the FBI, it was reported Tuesday.
The website Politico and other media outlets reported on the the incident yesterday.
Ultimately the man that threatened Ryan while he as walking in a parking lot with his daughter in Janesville was charged only with disorderly conduct after an investigation by the FBI showed he… Continue reading
Rep. Kerkman takes the bus for office hours
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman took her in-district office hours Tuesday on the road, riding a Western Kenosha County Transit bus.
The idea to take her office hours mobile was suggested by transit officials.
Kerkman was accompanied on the trip by Stephanie Phillips, transportation coordinator with the transit service, and Kerkman's mother, Marge Starzyk (and me for about one hour of the two-hour trip).
Only a couple of other passengers rode the buses Kerkman was on during her two-hour trip. The bus recently has seen… Continue reading
Kerkman hosts visitors for Law Day
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Randall) welcomed students, parents, chaperones, two members of the Kenosha County American Legion, and two area law enforcement officials to the Capitol in honor of Law Day, May 13.
Joining Rep. Kerkman to discuss the role of law in society to 30 area students were Kenosha County Sheriff Deputy Ray Rowe, Officer Dennis Walsh of the Kenosha Police Department, and Steven Kolas and Raymond Johnson Sr. of… Continue reading
Kerkman to use Western Kenosha County Transit for mobile office hours
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Randall) will hold mobile office hours throughout the 66th Assembly District on Tuesday, May 18 in a unique way.
She will kick off her office hours tour at Aurora Medical in Twin Lakes at 9:30 a.m. From there, she will travel aboard the Western Kenosha County Transit bus to Paddock Lake, stopping at Village Plaza. The tour… Continue reading Another candidate seeks 32nd State Assembly seat
Williams Bay Village Board member James P. D'Alessandro is the latest candidate seeking the 32nd State Assembly seat now held by Tom Lothian.
Lothian is not seeking re-election.
The 32nd District includes Wheatland… Edenhofer lauded at college for community contributions
Carl Edenhofer, Jr. was honored Thursday at Carthage College for his service and philanthropic contributions to the community.
Edenhofer is a small business owner who has practiced law for 27 years. His law office is located in Paddock Lake In addition, Edenhofer has taught paralegal studies with a focus on legal terminology at Carthage College for more than 23 years. He also owns the facility that now houses Brightree Reimbursement Services, the medical billing company… Continue reading
Rep. Kerkman welcomes Brightree
Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Randall) issued the following statement in response to the recent decision made by the medical billing company Brightree Reimbursement Services to relocate 80 jobs from Antioch to Paddock Lake:
“I am extremely pleased with Brightree’s decision to relocate their operations and jobs to Paddock Lake. Their services and opportunities are the breath… Continue reading
“I am extremely pleased with Brightree’s decision to relocate their operations and jobs to Paddock Lake. Their services and opportunities are the breath… Continue reading Russell Olson, former lt. governor with local ties, dies
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman issued the following statement in response to the recent passing of former Lieutenant Governor Russell Olson. Olson served in the position from 1978 until 1982. He previously served as the state representative for the 66th Assembly District from 1961-1964 and 1967-1978:
“My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of former Lt. Governor Olson during this time of sadness and loss,” said Rep… Continue reading
Kerkman meets with Kenosha County constitutional officers
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman met with Kenosha County Constitutional Officers during their recent visit to Madison. The officers met with their state elected officials during their Constitutional Officer Day to discuss issues effecting local and county units of government.
“I enjoyed meeting with Kenosha County’s Constitutional Officers and sharing information and ideas with them as to how we can work together in turning the economy around,” said Kerkman. She… Continue readingBrown makes his candidacy for 66th Assembly official
Salem resident Steve Brown officially announced his candidacy for the 66th Assembly seat currently held by state Rep. Samantha Kerkman in a press conferences today in Burlington and Kenosha.
The 66th District includes most of Western Kenosha County, except for eastern Bristol and all of Wheatland. The district also includes Burlington and most of Somers.
Here is some video of the Kenosha press conference, which was held outside the main gate of… Continue reading
Former Salem School Board member to challenge Kerkman
Former Salem School Board member Steve Brown of Salem has scheduled two press conferences Friday at which he is expected to announce a run at the 66th State Assembly seat now held by state Rep. Samantha Kerkman, R-Randall.
Brown is expected to run as a Democrat.
Brown has been making the rounds of local municipal meetings of late, but would not comment on why.
The 66th District includes most of Western Kenosha County expect for some of eastern Bristol and Wheatland. Much of Somers also… Continue reading
Lothian chief of staff anounces bid to replace retiring chief
Tyler August, retiring state Rep. Tom Lothain's chief of staff, has announced his candidacy to replace his boss.
August is 1st Congressional District Republican Party chairman and a seventh-generation, lifelong resident of the district
“Tom has represented us well for the past seven years and it would be my honor to fill those shoes,” said August. “I have had the privilege to work closely with Representative Lothian fighting to reduce our tax… Continue reading
State Rep. Tom Lothian announces he will not run for re-election
State Rep. Tom Lothian, whose 32nd Assembly District includes Wheatland, announced today that he will not seek re-election in November.
Lothian, a Republican from Williams Bay, has represented the district for seven years.
Here's a copy of his statement.
State Rep. Kerkman issues statement on Doyle’s state of the state
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Randall) issued the following statement following Gov. James Doyle’s final State of the State Address and the decrease in revenues:
“I find it disheartening that Governor Doyle credits himself with creating or saving 44,000 jobs and for ‘saving’ companies such as U-Line and Mercury Marine. In reality, we… Continue reading
“I find it disheartening that Governor Doyle credits himself with creating or saving 44,000 jobs and for ‘saving’ companies such as U-Line and Mercury Marine. In reality, we… Continue reading Rep. Kerkman calls for audit of Family Care
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman is seeking an audit of a state program that provides long-term care to the elderly and people with physical and developmental disabilities.
Kerkman sent a letter to Sen. Kathleen Vinehout and state Rep. Peter Barca, co-chairs of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, with her request. Kerkman is a member of the committee. In he request, Kerkman alluded to concerns expressed by providers in her district over contracting under Family Care and its lack of uniformity throughout the… Continue reading
Kerkman issues statement on Wisconsin Shares Audit
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman has issued a statement on the release of the Legislative Audit Bureau's second phase of its year-long audit of the Wisconsin Shares program.
Kerkman, a member of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee which requested the audit, said:
“The taxpayers have every right to be outraged by what the audit bureau found.”
The audit revealed at least eight instances in which felons and other individuals with records of child abuse and neglect were either… Continue reading
Kerkman meets with area dentists
State Reps. Samantha Kerkman and Robin Vos recently attended a legislative dinner and forum with the Racine and Kenosha Dental Societies. The purpose of the forum was to discuss dental care access in Wisconsin and exchange ideas aimed at improving access.
“Overall, the event went very well and it gave Rep.Vos and me a chance to meet directly with our constituents who practice dentistry and learn what concerns they have… Continue reading
Ryan speaks about health care on MSNBC
If you're still wondering what West of the I's congressman, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, is thinking on the health care issue (that's assuming you haven't attended a town hall meeting or read the mail he's sent you or seen one of his other TV appearances) he laid it out for the nation on MNBC's Morning Joe show today.
Here's the video:
If you're not a watch the video type, here's some quotes:
On what needs to be… Continue reading
Kerkman-backed bill banning cellphone use by school bus drivers clears Assembly committee
A bill that would ban cellphone use by people driving school buses that was introduced by state Rep. Samantha Kerkman and state Sen. Timothy Carpenter has cleared a state Assembly committee.
"Too often the use of cellphones while driving results in tragic accidents," Kerkman said. "These accidents become even more tragic when several young children are involved either on their way to school or on the way home."
The bill, Senate Bill 91… Continue reading
Polictical and not political views tie in Obama speech poll
Western Kenosha County school districts that decided to leave the decision about whether students should see the president's speech to the nation's school this morning in the hands of parents may have made a prudent choice, when results of a West of the I internet poll are considered.
The poll presented five options on the speech… Continue reading West of the I poll: Should kids see president’s speech?
Western Kenosha County school districts are deciding whether to broadcast President Barack Obama's address to the nation's students scheduled for this Tuesday. Here's your chance to weigh-in on the issue:
Some West of the I schools say their students will not be watching the president's address to school children Tuesday. How do you feel about the issue?(survey)
Salem School to pass on president’s address
At least one Western Kenosha County School is not going to show President Barack Obama's highly publicized speech to the nation's school children Tuesday.
Salem School sent home a letter with students Friday afternoon explaining the district's position.
"This decision was made to honor class time in the district, and because we have no opportunity for prior review to determine if it… Continue reading What do you think of Ryan on health care?
Word is that a pretty good crowd showed up for U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's listening session in Paddock Lake Wednesday.
I was not able to make it due to a family commitment, but I bet some of you did. What did you think of what you heard on the congressman's views on the topic of the hour -- health care reform?… Continue reading Kerkman critical of pending state budget
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman, along with colleagues Robin Vos and Scott Gunderson, has issued a statement regarding the pending state budget.
They don't like it:
The end result of this process, which will be voted on by the Assembly on Wednesday, is nothing short of a bad deal for Wisconsin taxpayers. Instead of working to facilitate a better economic environment during the worst recession in 25 years by cutting spending and… Continue reading
Kerkman spends time in firefighter training
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman last weekend spent some time learning about firefighting hands-on.
Professional Firefighters Union of Racine and Kenosha invited local elected officials and members of the media to attend Fire Ops 101, an all-day training seminar designed to give certain civilians an idea of what it takes to be a firefighter. Of the experience, Kerkman said: Overall, it was a very exciting and educational day that I was glad… Continue readingLaw enforcement leaders discuss top issues
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen met Tuesday with law enforcement leaders, elected officials, community leaders, judges, and public safety officials from throughout Kenosha County at a law enforcement roundtable hosted by state Sen. Robert Wirch and state Reps. Samantha Kerkman and Tom Lothian.
Topics discussed at the roundtable included the open carry memo, Internet Crimes Against Children, law enforcement cuts in the state budget, the need for background checks on certain… Continue reading
Rep. Kerkman issues statement on Chrysler closing
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman issued the following statement regarding the planned closing of Chrysler's Kenosha Engine Plant in 2010.
The recent news coming from Chrysler has dealt another major blow to the state of Wisconsin, especially for Kenosha and the surrounding communities. My
thoughts and prayers are with the workers and their families during this… Continue reading 
