Tue 15-Jan-2002 Oshkosh Northwestern Web Edition
For many reasons, the country and the community face complex and unprecedented issues and challenges in 2002. To help our readers understand and find solutions to the issues, The Northwestern is launching Agenda 2002, an editorial examination that will sharpen the public debate on critical topics of the day.
The agenda began with a call to readers for opinions about what they think are the important issues to highlight. Many of those suggestions have been published as letters to the editor. The Northwestern editorial board next discussed these issues at length and categorized them into five themes:
1. Economic growth and development.
2. Taxes and financing government in Wisconsin.
3. A changing America.
4. Government reform and openness.
5. Education.
To start the discussion, here’s an overview of the five issues to watch in 2002.
1 ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. Continued housing investment in Winnebago County makes this the top issue. We think local growth issues need proper management to protect the environment and promote sound and sustainable development.
In downtown Oshkosh, corporations continue to expand their office presence much to the delight of an existing base of service businesses. The western and now northern edges of Oshkosh have expanded to accommodate new housing.
Also, the town of Algoma starts the year with a stagnant tax rate and increasing growth in the face of long-term community development goals. The battle involving an ethanol plant is a controversial example of the changing rural versus urban dynamic in the county that we plan to follow.
2 TAXES AND FINANCING GOVERNMENT IN WISCONSIN. We decry state government’s position of deep financial trouble by sporting a $1.3 billion deficit. Tax and spending policies in Madison are more important than ever.
Our schools will feel the state’s poor financial health, what with two-thirds of K-12 education paid for by the state. Local governments likely will get less financial support from Madison.
Perhaps these events finally will push the state to stop the cycle of endlessly higher taxes and top 10 tax rankings among the states. We will push for ways to trim government at all levels and reshape the relationship between local governments in Wisconsin, such as quantifying how many supervisors a county truly needs.
We also think state leaders lacked fortitude to change tax policies in good times and now must make them during a recession.
3 A CHANGING AMERICA. We picked this topic because, in the wake of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and war on terrorism, the nation undeniably has changed.
We have seen the changes appear in security at courthouses, police stations, airports and athletic stadiums. Most people accept longer lines and more scrutiny as necessary, but we must be vigilant in upholding our basic American values enshrined in the Bill of Rights.
We think the terrorists have won if we curtail our civil liberties in the name of security. As such, we will promote holding such discussions in the open and not in the kind of secrecy that promotes civic mistrust.
4 GOVERNMENT REFORM AND OPENNESS. The nation might be changing due to terrorism but that can’t delay our state’s plans for political reform. Wisconsin enters the new year with the reputation of 100 years of progressive government severely tarnished.
The original accusations in the state caucus fiasco are proving true, that public servants were campaigning on the state dime. As such, the public needs accountability. Each bit of information uncovered from the investigation by state newspapers is more troubling and two district attorneys continue their criminal probes.
We’re also of the mind that campaign finance reform has had enough talk. Real results will come from enacting legislation along the lines of what state Sen. Michael Ellis has proposed.
5 EDUCATION. Any parent knows the Oshkosh public school system has entered the decision-making stage of challenges in 2002, from building issues to improving scores on standardized tests. The resounding defeat of a November referendum will require school leaders to develop a combination of construction plans and busing of students to available space in other schools.
Likewise, our private schools must confront their challenges. This past weekend, parents of Oshkosh area Catholic schools learned they must decide whether to consolidate their elementary schools into one entity.
Fox Valley Technical College will continue to show leadership in a recession where unemployed workers must become trained with new skills into new, and, hopefully, better jobs. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh must balance traditional and non-traditional students while improving its academic mission and enhancing its campus.
In sum, we think our higher education institutions have a platform for future flexibility. We also think Oshkosh Public Schools need to stop brooding over November’s failed referendum and solicit public opinion for a new direction.
These are the Agenda 2002 issues. The items are by no means the only subjects or issues we plan to address. The Agenda 2002 items, however, are ones we will call to your special attention this year.
Watch for the logo to identify them. And, as always, please call or write to let us know what you think.