Wake Up! Waukesha

"It's not over till the fat lady sings..."

This winter past is a reminder that we do indeed live in Wisconsin. Several of the most recent winters often arrived late; brought out snowblowers only 2-4 times; and left early. Having had between 9' and 10' of snow, many of us are crying "Uncle".

Regardless of how I personally feel, there are many who have benefited from the white plague above. Start with the dedicated plow drivers who kept their equipment running and streets clear against long odds. Their well-earned OT preceded the wonderful tax season. And when they collect OT, the State is there ready to collect taxes on the extra income. And as long as we are in a tax-paying mood - peruse your gas pumps for how much more petrol was used plowing and how much we pay in gas taxes. The State thanks you, the plow drivers thank you, salt companies really thank you.

Auto body shops? Full for weeks to come. Car part vendors are having a banner year and...more wages with more State taxes. Small appliance repair shops fixed snowblowers and never gave much thought to lawn mowers. Windshield fluid companies had to invest in more blue dye because we all know spraying snowy and icy windshields is faster than a defroster. The company that makes the reflectors tarred onto our highways will be filling replacement orders for the ones who fell victim to constant plowing.

Other (unintended) profiteers? - Chiropractors with long lines of "shovel-backs" waiting to get in; replacement mailbox manufacturers; landscapers waiting to fix lawn-scarring from the municipal plows; TV weather-people who get more air-time than national or local news reporting; roofers contending with ice dams, and many more.

Me? I am screaming "Uncle"!! ...Enough!!  Give me the dull grey-green of an emergent lawn. Let me switch garage places between snowblower and lawn mower.Allow us the pleasure of driving without a constant coating of road spray. Who do we call to explain we are sorry and won't do whatever it is we did wrong to get this much snow?

I just checked again and...no... the "Fat Lady" isn't singing - she's at her real estate agent's office and looking at cheap Florida housing.  

POLITICAL:

Are the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates collecting money, re-grouping, and catching a spirited 2'nd wind for the home stretch? (Or has everyone, including the press, lost complete interest because they all are starting to sound the same?)

When will someone explain why being "Tough on Crime?" is so vitally important in the Gableman vs Butler Supreme Court election? (And no..."just because" doesn't work for me)

Why has Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson (a declared Democrat) suddenly become a lightning rod for Republican criticism? (Is it possible the GOP finally added up presidential primary results in Waukesha and realized Democrat votes far outnumbered the Republican faithful?)

COMMUNITY:

Waukesha School Superintendent David Schmidt is retiring. There will be a "send-off" luncheon at the Country Springs Hotel on April 10'th. Co-sponsored by the Waukesha Education Foundation and the Waukesha Chamber of Commerce, there are more groups offering plaudits than time available for speakers. A nice tribute to a man who will be missed. Call the Chamber for details @ 262-542-4249.

Retired Waukesha North Marching Band Director Jim Doepke remains active during retirement. He has announced his desire to play the National Anthem on the trumpet at all Major League Ballparks. Commissioner Bud Selig has endorsed this and we wish Jim the very best!

Kudos to the various Departments of Public Works who kept the streets clear this winter. Let's try to remember the costs connected with this year when their budgets are blown by the end of the third quarter.

We in Waukesha will all feel the loss of Senior Journal Sentinel Editor Bruce Gill who passed away at the young age of 56. He was instrumental in bringing the Waukesha Bureau the resources to showcase the goings-on in our Community. He will be remembered as a class act.

FAMILY:   

Upcoming trip to Mexico with four families holds promise of relaxation, sun, warmth, friendship, and many memories for the upcoming year. (Why do "Dirty Monkeys" and "Miami Vice" beverages only taste good in warm climates?)

Spring Fever has gripped our family. How long before the ice is gone from Okauchee Lake??

Kelly, my oldest, graduated last Spring and has a stimulating, professional job which challenges her while giving her occasional glimpses into career satisfaction. With rents set extremely high for a single occupant, we jointly agreed that she embark on a mission of saving for a down payment on a home.

We started by balancing her "net" against expenses including monthly mortgage, tax escrow, insurance, utility, car, food, entertainment (not much left for that..) and misc. expenses. I then offered the tax advantages she would receive from interest and taxes paid after she survived her first year. Ultimately, we ran these scenarios and put together a range of what she could afford now for housing.

I am shell-shocked! "Affordable" housing?? We ran on-line searches and basically became numb with the realization that housing is truly not affordable for many single wage-earners. A $150,000 home with 10% down would produce a monthly payment of approximately $1,050.00 for principal, interest, and taxes. That's with a fixed 30 year mortgage at 5.875%. Now add the aforementioned expenses and...

We are glad Kelly's home and saving. And while the current mortgage crisis plays out, we are discussing the opportunity this could present for her later this year if timing works out: Reduced home prices/ historically low interest rates/ and the ability to "make an offer" free of the dreaded "Contingent upon sale of my home" clause that has doomed many a recent deal. 

But, particularly with a starter home in the $150,000 range - minimum (and many Communities significantly higher than this), even a very good deal will leave her cash-strapped. Realistically, she might very well have to leave the immediate Waukesha area to find affordable, safe housing in this price sector.

With all of the other challenges facing the Waukesha area, I suggest adding "affordable housing" to the "NOW" list before we wake-up one day in the near future and join many Wisconsin Communities in asking - "Where did all the bright young people go?"