EDITORIAL PAGE - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Bike Helmet Safety
by Christopher GreenbergMarch 16, 2009
Dear Villagers;
With warmer temperatures in our sights, it is a great time to think about bike safety especially the simple task of wearing a bike helmet. It is our goal here at the Heath Department to alert you to the need and provide some important statistics relating to this issue.
Per the National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior study that was done in August of 2008, 50% of Bicyclists wear a helmet for some trips with only 35% using one all of the time. The Board of Health and Health department is asking Villagers to step up to make head injuries from bike accidents a low level statistic.
In 2006 (the latest data recorded) in the same study listed above 730 bicycle deaths where recorded where the participant did not have a bike helmet on. 37 deaths were recorded where the participant did have a bike helmet on. As you can see wearing a bike helmet is an easy way to possibly save your life in the event of an accident!
The final statistic provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that in 2006 88% of severe brain injuries related to bike accidents were prevented when the subject was wearing a helmet!
The Board wants you to be leaders in the Village by wearing a bike helmet each and every time you take a bike ride. Children learn by example, thus if you are wearing one, they will as well. Their designs have become much more appealing from earlier bike helmets and kidsą helmets feature cartoon characters and interesting colors.
With regards to children, be sure to check with your child's health care provider as there are several programs sponsored by Children's Hospital area where bike helmets are given to your child at no charge or a reduced fee.
The Greendale Health Department is also working on a program to provide this resource as well as helpful brochures regarding bike helmets and as always, we are open to your comments on the subject. We will keep you up to date on its developments and wish you a future of good health!
Health and safety,
Christopher Greenberg, Member
The Greendale Board of Health
If you'd like to respond to this, email us at info@greendalelife.com.
Fear and Hatred on the Campaign Trail
by Ron Faiola, Publisher/Editor of Greendale LifeOctober 11, 2008
Walking around Greendale, I see a peaceful community, nice houses, beautiful fall colors and a healthy mix of McCain/Obama lawn signs. The lawn sign: our visual vote - how we express our opinion to our neighbors without getting negative. And our political rallies are supposed to be a forum to tell the citizens what you will do for them and the country.
HOWEVER...
Its getting downright scary to see the hatred spewed out at McCain rallies. Palin and McCain (and Fox News and all the Right Wing radio hosts including local WTMJ announcer and African American, James T. Harris) have stirred up a harsh brew of anger and fear, turning the Republican followers into "kill the witch" zombies.
Now that its gotten a bit too out of control (OFF WITH HIS HEAD!), McCain has started to try to tone it down but was booed by his own crowd. The Hockey Moms and Joe Sixpacks have turned on their leader! (Or was he ever their leader? Maybe they'd rather have Sarah Palin as president?)
Their anger should be directed towards the subprime mortgage lenders who made their millions and are now getting bailed out by us taxpayers. (Where's my $440,000 junket to a luxury resort??). But its not. Its getting lost in the dirty politics, something the Republicans are all too ready to use against their opponents.
For some, instead of being concerned with the collapse of the economy and the wars in Iraq and Afganistan and health care, etc., fomenting hatred and white-hot anger over race or personality is much easier to grasp. And it is dividing the country.
Don't fall into that trap. Learn the truth about the issues, think for yourself and take the high road, don't let the mob rule in these dangerous times.
If you'd like to respond to this, email us at info@greendalelife.com.
US Bowling Congress May Leave Greendale
February 3, 2008There's been talk recently on the Greendale Forum and area blogs about the possibilty of the US Bowling Congress moving it's headquarters from Greendale, Wisconsin to Arlington, Texas.
Today's Milwaukee JournalSentinel has a longer story confirming the USBC's possible move. In that article, there were some comments from both sides that were very interesting... From the City Hopes to be spared article:
"Is it a done deal? No," says Jeff Boje', a Florida-based bowling center owner who is the president of the USBC.
Boje' says Milwaukee-area officials did not act quickly to ease the USBC's concerns over what he says is the high cost of doing business in Wisconsin.
"There were some discussions early on," he says. "Greendale expressed great interest in the USBC staying in Greendale, but they were able to offer little, if anything."
Why should Greendale offer anything at all? What would Greendale get out of it? The USBC doesn't seem to be a tourist draw; they employ about 200 people, but how many actually work in the USBC offices or even live in this state? Their own president works and lives in Florida. What is the incentive to keep this non-profit company here?
Given Milwaukee's long history of being the unofficial capital of American Bowling, business leaders are more concerned about Milwaukee's loss than Greendale's. They've even offered State Fair Park to the USBC, so whether it's Texas or somewhere else, Greendale loses.
Personally, I'd like things to stay the way they are - without Greendale having to give out financial incentives to the USBC just to stay here. However, if they leave, the USBC building sits on 10 prime acres on 76th street, which I think would be perfect for a hotel/office complex which would be much more beneficial to Greendale residents, visitors and area job seekers.
Plus it already has a bowling alley in it.
-Ron Faiola, Publisher/Editor of Greendale Life
2/27/08
Sports Illustrated collumnist Frank Deford says, "Keep bowling where God meant it to be."
2/6/08 Reply by Charlene L., Franklin:
I agree with the idea of a very nice hotel (not another "no-tell motel") in the land currently occupied by USBC. When we have friends or relatives visit and we do not have a guest room in our condo, there is no place close by that is upscale, clean, reliable quality. They usually end up in Brookfield.
Click on the link to respond by email to info@greendalelife.com.
Greendale's 70th Anniversary 1938 - 2008
January 17, 2008Greendale turns 70 years old this year and I was wondering what types of celebrations will be planned. Certainly 70 isn't like 100, but we still need to have a party.
Back in August of 2007, I presented an idea to the Greendale Historical Society for a 70th Anniversary Concert and fund raiser for their former Police Station renovation. The GHS needs to raise $2,000,000 by September 1, 2008 and my idea, if done properly would have generated anywhere from $100,000 - $300,000 for the Historical Society, not to mention the huge amount of press it would have attracted, both for the Village and for the Historical Society.
I met several times with some of the members of the Historical Society to go over my plans. I did many hours of research, assembled a budget and a list of potential sponsors and spent almost $500 of my own money. My idea was to hold an event that was on a much larger scale than Village Days. It would have been the only way for the GHS to make a lot of money. It wouldn't be the whole two million dollars, but it would have been a lot more than they have collected as of now.
Unfortunately, after offically presenting my plans to the GHS at one of their meetings, I haven't heard back from them at all. I don't have any hard feelings - I think they just weren't ready for such a big project. Yet raising a couple million in one year is a big project in itself, so they need to have something big planned.
Maybe they will explain that "something big" tonight during their "Free Soup" event. The event is to let people know more about their projects, new board members and their ideas for Greendale's 70th Anniversary Celebration.
In any case, we need to have some sort of party marking the 70th anniversary of this historic Village. I propose a gathering sometime between May and July - maybe the 4th of July, but before Village Days.
We should honor "original" residents, invite dignitaries from other Greenbelt Communities, have some displays of artifacts, invite a descendant of FDR to be a guest of honor, sell some souvenirs and throw a real old fashioned wing ding with cold beer and potato salad.
I think we should raise money for a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt since she visited Greendale and was part of the process that brought Greendale to life. The finished statue could be our goal for the 75th anniversary party.
What do you say?
- Ron Faiola, Publisher/Editor of Greendale Life
2/6/08 Reply by Charlene L., Franklin:
Our family lived in Greendale (now in Franklin) during the 70s and 80s and I believe a celebration is needed to promote the uniqueness of this special place and a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt is indeed a great idea! She was behind many of FDRs projects. If $85,000 can be raised for the"Fonz" I certainly think money can be raised to commemorate her visit and her initiatives.
Click on the link to respond by email to info@greendalelife.com.
If you'd like to respond to this editorial or you have comments of your own, please submit them by email at info@greendalelife.com, or send a letter to the Editor, Greendale Life, PO Box 83, Greendale,WI 53129.
Greendale Life has the right to edit or refuse to print any letter. You must include your name with your submission. We will not print your email address unless you request that we do so. All submissions become property of Greendale Life and Push Button Gadget Inc.
Greendale Life, GreendaleLife.com is a division of Push Button Gadget Inc.
Publisher/Editor: Ron Faiola
Sales: Ron Faiola
Greendale Life
PO Box 83
Greendale, WI 53129