Note: The Oshkosh Northwestern on December 24, 2001 asked readers to submit ideas as to what topics should be under the editorial microscope in 2002. Below is my submission to Managing Editor James Fitzhenry. The letter was published in The Northwestern on January 1, 2002. On January 15, 2002 the Northwestern placed its own agenda on its website. --Tony Palmeri

December 26, 2001

To The Editor:

I nominate 5 issues to be placed under the editorial microscope in 2002:

"Smart Growth" education and planning. State law mandates that as of January 1, 2010, all local land use actions be guided by a comprehensive plan. The Northwestern should take the lead in educating the community about smart growth and urging local officials to get the public involved in the planning process.

Government reform. In Madison, the caucus scandal and special interest control of the budget prove the need for a LaFollette style shakeup. Budget planning at the local level needs more media scrutiny, as officials have shown themselves not able to act in the interests of all taxpayers.

A focus on working people. In 2001, employees at Lapham-Hickey and UW Oshkosh Food Services valiantly struggled for decent wages and working conditions. As the economy slips further into recession, the needs of working people ought to be at the top of the government and media agenda.

The race for governor. The next governor will be expected to reform state policies that impact the Fox Valley, including shared revenues, funding K-12, and unfunded mandates. In-depth reporting and explanations of the candidates' views on such matters is vital if we are to make an informed vote.

The war on terror and civil liberties. Senator Feingold has said "there is no doubt that if we lived in a police state, it would be easier to catch terrorists . . . But that probably would not be a country in which we would want to live. And that would not be a country for which we could, in good conscience, ask our young people to fight and die." I hope that in 2002 the Northwestern will expose vigorously all assaults on liberty committed in the name of fighting terror.

Tony Palmeri
212 W. Parkway Ave. 
Oshkosh, WI 54901 
(920) 235-1116
 
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*Throughout 2002 I plan to keep track of how often the Northwestern editorializes on the topics mentioned in the above letter:

• January 2, 2002: The Northwestern carried an editorial dealing with the Winnebago County budget.
• January 3, 2002: State must tighten belt, not cash out.
• January 6, 2002: Cliff Kurowski cartoon regarding the caucus scandal appears on editorial page.
• January 11, 2002: Mike McCabe op-ed on special interest control of budget appears on editorial page.
• January 13, 2002: Northwestern editorial lays out the paper's 2002 editorial agenda.
• January 14, 2002: Brief editorial supports recent City Hall decision to charge citizens for a copy of the budget.
• January 15, 2002: Northwestern agenda placed on web site.
• January 17, 2002: Northwestern editorial on "Caucus scandal's shadow deepens over statehouse;" mentions LaFollette tradition.
• January 18, 2002: Cynthia Tucker synicated column on "Racial Profiling is demonstrable failure."
• January 23, 2002: Gordon Doule letter agrees with Palmeri.
• January 24, 2002: Editorial on "State trends that deserve close tracking" (discusses Joel Rogers and COWS).
• January 26, 2002: Jim Genisio op-ed on "Where's the state headed? Progressive legacy in jeopardy."
• January 30, 2002: Editorial on "USA's human rights record safely intact" (deals with treatment of war prisoners).
• February 5, 2002: Leonard Pitts syndicated column on "Treatment (of war prisoners) a Question of our Character."
• February 18, 2002: Editorial on "A hollow pledge for campaign finance reform."
• February 19, 2002: Editorial on "Bad government, high taxes ignite voter rebellion." (discusses govt. corruption)
• February 27, 2002: Editorial on how "Administration Hawks Need To Consider Consquences Of War;" also op-ed piece by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's Mike McCabe on "Television and Declining Government in Wisconsin."
• February 28, 2002: Leonard Pitts synidcated column on "Pentagon Retreats From False Strategy."
• March 10, 2002: Michael Burayidi op-ed on "City must acquire detailed data on downtown project."
• March 17, 2002: Editorial on "Controversy shows need for county land-use policy"
• March 24, 2002: Editorial endorsements of McDermott, Smits for school board; Hintz, Esslinger, Tower for council
• April 3, 2002: Editorial on "Voters fiddling as city, school burn in budget crisis"
• April 21, 2002: Editorial on "Tax on records perpetuates state corruption"
• May 7, 2002: Editorial on "Bloated Board lacks defenders"; editorial on "County officials take wise approach to budget"; Jeff Holmes op-ed on "Wisconsin can unite to contain health-care costs"
• May 8, 2002: Editorial on "It's about time clerks released legal bill names."
• May 10, 2002: Editorial on "State should be a leader in solving nursing shortage"; Eileen Appelbaum op-ed on "Working moms should get time to spend with kids."
• May 14, 2002: Editorial on "Census stats don't tell full story on taxes."
• May 16, 2002: Editorial (written as memo to Olsen, Underheim, Owens, Kaufert, McCormick) on "Republicans must influence Jensen to resign as leader."
• May 17, 2002: Editorial on "Old buildings part of city's renovated face;" two op-eds on Second Amendment--one by Cal Thomas, other by USA Today.
• May 22, 2002: Editorial on "Wisconsin could take budget lessons from other states."
• May 23, 2002: Editorial on "Supervisors take tough stand on pay."
• May 28, 2002: Erip Tapley op-ed on "Proposal for 'old' Mercy changes neighborhood."
• June 4, 2002: Editorial on "State budget no way to resolve escalating health care costs."
• June 7, 2002: Editorial on "Rainy day fund requires restraint from lawmakers"; Cynthia Tucker op-ed on "Welfare policy ignores economic reality."
• June 21, 2002: Editorial on "Zoning appeals board oversteps its mission."
• June 27, 2002: Editorial on "Drug squad changes necessary to improve supervision, control."
• July 10, 2002: Editorial on "Assembly ducks duty to produce fiscally responsible budget"; Terri McCormick op-ed on "Passing budget repair bill was responsible."
• July 12, 2002: Editorial on "UW education still a bargain"; Ellen Goodman op-ed on "US needs to stand up for women's rights."
• July 14, 2002: Editorial on "Property purchase moves city forward (WAMCO)"; Richard Kern op-ed on "Teachers penalized by qualified economic offer"; Cartoon on tobacco settlement giveaway.
• July 21, 2002: Editorial on "EAA, Oshkosh have benefitted from partnership"; Cartoon suggesting congressional hypocrisy in pointing fingers at corporate accounting scandals.
• July 22, 2002: Front Page Above the Fold Headline "EAA benefits Oshkosh"
• July 23, 2002: Front Page Above the Fold Headline "EAA celebrating 50 years"; Editorial on "Tax increases reflect need to move forward"; Ellen Goodman op-ed on "You too can be a spy for your country."
• July 26, 2002: Editorial on "Campaign finance reform package is ruse on citizens"; Dallas Morning News editorial on "House should protect security and liberties."
• July 30, 2002: Editorial on "Administration takes security to extreme;" Editorial on "Overthrowing Iraqi leader currently lacks rationale."
• July 31, 2002: Editorial on "50th birthday bash celebrates flight, freedom."
• August 5, 2002: Cindy Sorenson op-ed on "Town of Utica ethanol plant opposition based on facts."
• August 6, 2002: Editorial on "Downtown's new dawn not too far in city's future"; Dallas Morning News editorial on "Iraq attack needs wider debate"; Leonard Pitts op-ed on "Linking MLK to anti-gay effort is an outrage"; Neal Barnard and Mindy Kursban op-ed on "New fast food lawsuit is good news for America."
• August 7, 2002: Editorial on "State needs to erase its tape recording law."
• August 8, 2002: Editorial on "Poverty report paints troubling picture for state."
• August 9, 2002: Editorial on "Bush needs more evidence before attacking Iraq."
• August 11, 2002: Editorial on "Mosher deserves prison time for abusing student."
• August 14, 2002: Editorial on "Text book fees deserve review."
• August 15, 2002: Editorial on "Business proposal may appeal to Winnebago county board"; Ann Coulter op-ed on "Liberal media ignores threat posed by Iraq."
• August 16, 2002; Editorial on "Orion deserves warm welcome to airport"; Editorial on "Leach family played vital role in charitable causes."
• August 18, 2002: Editorial on "Senator off base on open record issue."
• August 20, 2002: Leonard Pitts op-ed on "A whiter shade of privilege."
• August 21, 2002: Editorial on "Land acquisition a bittersweet deal (WAMCO)."
• August 22, 2002: Editorial on "Chvala's sneak attack shows what's wrong in state government"; Dallas Morning News editorial on "Iraq or not? Scowcroft heats up the debate"; Ann Coulter op-ed on "Liberal do opposite of what they say."
• August 29, 2002: Ann Coulter op-ed on "Proper military use varies by administration."
• August 30, 2002: Editorial on "Wisconsin election carries hefty price tag"; Cynthia Tucker op-ed on "New black leaders abandon rhetoric of '60s."

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