Blog Archives - Richfield Today

When You Think Of Richfield WI What Images Come To Mind

4/30/2013

When we think of New York, we often think of Broadway, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Empire State Building and Times Square. Milwaukee has the Domes, Summer Fest, Art Museum, Breweries, Harley-Davidson and great county parks and golf courses, to name a few. Many of these images are etched in your mind and you might feel a sense of loss if anything happened to them. When you think of Richfield WI what sights and sounds come to your mind? What would upset you if it was gone?

Unlike a metropolitan area, Richfield has a rural feel and for me I see farmlands, rural residential subdivisions, lakes, schools, limited businesses and great parks. One of those parks is the Richfield Historical Park and within that park sits the Messer Mayer Grist Mill and house.

The mill constructed in 1871 operated until the mid 1950’s. In 1997, the Town of Richfield purchased the property, buildings and created the park. Their intention was to preserve one of Richfield’s great heritage images. While members of the Richfield Historical Society restored the outside of the mill, over time it became apparent the Messer Mayer Grist Mill’s foundation needed restoration.

On October 13, 2006 the Messer/Mayer Mill and House Site was placed on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 30, 2007. These historic buildings became a Washington County Landmark on June 27, 2009.

A Capital Campaign Committee was organized in 2011 with the kick-off at the September 2011 Theresheree. As of today, the committee has raised over $400,000 and additional funds are needed to complete the restoration project.

The best way for you to know more about the mill is to visit the park during one of the upcoming events in 2013. You will have a chance to meet your neighbors whose hard work has made the preservation of Richfield history possible.

I hope you will seriously consider a donation to the society so this great image of Richfield will be preserved.

2013_rhs_letter_to_richfield_residents.pdf
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2013_messer_mayer_mill_brochure.pdf
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2013_rhs_events.pdf
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2013_gift_pledge_card.pdf
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Cats Responsible for Billions of Deaths

4/29/2013

We recently received our May 2013 issue of American Hunter magazine. I found this article to be very interesting.

Cats Responsible for Billions of Deaths.

Hunters have long known feral cats and pet cats allowed outdoors pose a problem to native wildlife. Now, according to a study authored by scientists from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and published by Nature Communications, an online research journal, it is thought that outdoor cats are responsible for the deaths of birds and mammals by the billions. Though the damage was previously thought to be much less, the study found the annual bird mortality rate from cats is now estimated to be between 1.4 billion to 3.7 billion, and the mortality rate for mammals is a staggering 6.9 billion to 20.7 billion.

The study determined that 67 percent of birds and up to 100 percent of mammals preyed upon by cats are native species. The mass removal of these prey items from the food chain dramatically reduces the available food source for native animals such as foxes, bobcats, and birds of prey. Cats also raid the nests of upland birds and small game, thereby reducing birth and survival rates. Furthermore, accoridng to The Birding Wire, free-ranging cats on islands have caused or contributed to 14 percent of modern bird, mammal and reptile extinction. Current policies for management of free-ranging and outdoor cats focus on animal-welfare issues such as trap-neuter-return efforts, but do not address the destructive ecological impacts. If we want to conserve native birds and mammals, including many game species, perhaps it's time cat-management efforts focus on permanent removal from wild ecosystems.

Washington County 2013 Clean Sweep

4/27/2013

As a Washington County Resident this Full Service Clean Sweep is your opportunity to dispose of unwanted hazardous chemicals and electronic goods from your household. Pre-registration and a $10.00 per vehicle fee is necessary for hazardous waste and/or
E-goods.

The link below takes you to the registration form and additional information.

http://www.co.washington.wi.us/uploads/docs/lcd-cspreregistration2013.pdf

Wild Wacky Weekdays Day Camps

4/25/2013

If you have children ages 5-9 and they like crafts, nature programs, hiking and more, sign them up for a fun hands-on program this summer. Wild Wacky Weekday Camp will be held June 17, 19, and 21.

Glacier Hills County Park is the place to be for this great day camp situated in the heart of the Village of Richfield.

This year the theme is "Wild with Nature" . There will also be a Safety Day Camp held on June 28. Youth do not need to be 4-H members to participate. Visit the UW-Extension website for more information. Click on 4-H Youth Development, then "Camps".

Summer fun is on the way!

Is Global Warming Over

4/24/2013

Have you noticed this spring is cooler than in recent years? Are you wondering if we will ever have a nice spring? If the climate control pundits are right and have their way we should be experiencing a warm spring.

I recently read an article on the weekly Standard which contrasts what the pundits have said for the past few years. Take a moment and read for your self.

The Climate Circus Leaves Town

I am prone to believe the recent raise in temperatures is short lived. Bring on Summer.

Soda Licenses Not Needed in Richfield

4/23/2013

The Richfield Village Board voted Thursday to recind requiring a license for non intoxicatings beverages as well as requiring licenses for vending machines within the village. The decision means the village will not receive revenue from the fees. But it was done as a cost saving decision. Richfield Village Administrator Joshua Schoemann, said “I think the revenue is offset by savings in expense of staff”.

Staff time is needed to prepare, mail applications, process the paperwork, print and mail the applications. Village staff time is more costly than the revenue generate from the license fees.

The state of Wisconsin requires licenses to serve nonintoxicating beverages in its statutes. But it is unknown why the WI State statute was originally placed on the books. Probably as a way to generate revenue..

The repeal of the ordinance was met with approval.

Are You Looking For Outdoor Recreation And More?

4/16/2013

Richfield is blessed with a history of planning that led to great Village Parks to serve the recreation needs of our residents. In addition, Richfield has Glacier Hills Washington County Park centrally located for easy accessl. But, you may not have heard of Howard Buth Memorial Arboretum located just north of Richfield here in Washington County. This park offers more than recreation it also offer new ideas for plants and trees for your own back yard.

Village of Richfield Parks:

Bark Lake Park offers Picnic Tables, Playground, and Shelter

Richfield Heritage Park offers Baseball Field, Picnic Tables, Playground, Public Restrooms, Shelter, Tennis Court, and Volleyball Court

Richfield Historical and Nature Parks offers Picnic Tables, Public Restrooms, and Shelter

Fireman’s Park offers Baseball Field, Basketball Court, Playground, Shelter, Tennis Court, and Volleyball Court.

Recently I learned of Howard Bluth Memorial Arboretum in Washington County Family Park, 6375 Clover Rd, Hartford WI 53027.

If you enjoy the outdoors, and are looking for some different plants for your yard, trees to replace ash trees, or for some new ideas, you might want to visit The Arboretum. Come and see spring flowers, unusual summer folliage and brilliant fall color for multi-seasonal displays of flowering trees and shrubs.

Arboretums are used for plant research, so visit the Arboretum for ideas to add spice to your own landscape. But remember our local parks are just outside your back door. Enjoy the outdoors this summer!

UN Arms Treaty What Does It Mean

4/14/2013

If you are concerned about controls over US arms and losing our Constitutional rights, now is time to read this:

ACTION ITEM: Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot
Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 1:49 PM

Your Liberty -- as a United States citizen -- was weakened and threatened yesterday when the Obama Administration helped the United Nations pass the Arms Trade Treaty. Immediately after this disappointing vote, I wrote a letter to President Obama urging him not to sign the treaty.

If the President signs the treaty allowing the UN to be involved in regulating firearms in the U.S., Texas will lead the charge to have the treaty overturned in court as a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

I need your support. Please help us get the word out by referring 3 of your friends right now, and forwarding this email to 5 of your friends. Together, we can make a difference.
America is exceptional in part because our Constitution safeguards our individual liberties – including the right to keep and bear arms enshrined in the Second Amendment.

The new UN treaty threatens your rights: it doesn't recognize the individual right to keep and bear arms or the fundamental right to defend yourself, your family, or your property; it empowers a new UN bureaucracy focused on firearms restrictions that will be run by international bureaucrats who are not accountable to the people of the United States. It could imposefirearm registration requirements that may empower international authorities to get information about American citizens and businesses.

This UN treaty does more than trample Second Amendment rights. It also threatens to erode all liberties guaranteed to Americans in the Constitution by giving the UN power to govern our lives. Please refer 3 of your friends today and forward this important message to 5 of your friends right now. Your voice must be heard on this issue.

When the Constitution says, “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed,” it means no one—including the UN—can infringe upon that right. UN treaties do not trump the Constitution. And with your help, we will make that message clear to President Obama and this administration.

Sincerely,

Greg Abbott

A Precious Crystal Teardrop

4/12/2013

What does one do when one loses a precious remembrance of one’s Grandmother? This recently happened to me and I was desperate. I was frantic. It felt as though I lost my heritage. Sounds extreme but that is how I felt. Today we live in what some call a disposable society.

It was just a crystal teardrop from an old necklace. However, I had retrieved it from the tattered, but favorite, jewelry box, which sat on my Grandmothers dresser. It held just a few items and all I asked for was this one broken necklace, which was missing smaller crystals.

My Grandmother Viola died in 1955 when I was a mere 14-year-old girl. I remember visiting her often. Just writing this, I can see her and visually walk through my grandparent’s home on the east side of Milwaukee. We would walk hand in hand to the park near Riverside High School. She told many stories of when she was a little girl. The one I remember most is her describing the gaslights that lined the city streets. How many remember the song, “The Old Lamplighter”? I sure do.

All these fun memories came back because recently I lost my precious crystal teardrop. After she passed and we had to take care of her personal belongings, I found a broken necklace that had one center large crystal teardrop remaining. Many of the smaller crystals were gone but I did not care. I longed for the necklace no one else wanted.

Many years ago, I removed the crystal teardrop from the necklace and wore it as a single teardrop. I treasured it. It brought back many family memories. Now 58 years later it was gone. We cleaned our home, searched our cars, cut the vacuum cleaner bag open in case it was there, but nothing. Then I said a silent prayer asking to find it, somewhere.

I thought of where it might be, where had I gone? I remembered I had worn it to church one recent Sunday, so I called church and God answered my prayer. Much to my surprise it was there on the secretary’s desk. They had it for weeks and did not know of the owner. Perhaps it is time to get a new chain for my precious crystal teardrop.

Richfield Public Works Projects Ordinance

4/11/2013

Recently the Daily News published a letter to the editor by someone whose name has the initials BM. Why didn’t BM read the ordinance? If he had, he would know the truth. But BM has chosen the same path as the write-in candidates.

Like the write-in candidates BM wants to generate fear and spew distortions. The residents of the Village of Richfield did not drink the kool-aide in the April election because they know the truth. For those with any doubts, I suggest you read the details of the Public Works Projects ordinance. I suggest all blog viewers read the full ordinance.

Subsequently someone at the email address of richfieldvoice@gmail.com forwarded a copy of the “letter to the editor by BM” to some Richfield residents. An addendum included the following:

Unfortunately, Bill is correct. The election was fair and we lost, but the voters were lied to. But I wonder, Do they pay the same taxes I do? Is "Big Government" a better approach? If sewers are not in the plans, why the need for an ordinance giving trustees the authority to bypass the voters?

I suspect the “We lost” group lost because they were the ones who lied. Did they provide you with correct salary data, or was it written to mislead you? They lied when saying Village property taxes have increased yearly. You saw my clarification on that in a prior post on March 29, 2013. They tried to scare residents with the idea of low-income housing. Again, not possible based on Richfield zoning ordinances. Now I ask you, who LIED?

The person at richfieldvoice@gmail.com asks “Do they pay the same taxes I do?” Who is "they" in that question? If one looks at the village budget, one can see the tax rate per thousand is the same for each property, $1.6522/thousand in 2013. Perhaps he was trying to refer to residential versus some other designation such as commercial or agricultural. It is suggested that Richfield is “Big Government”. That should make you chuckle. Richfield staff is a modest number of full time employees; I believe Richfield has only eight full time employees. Of those eight people, whom do they want to cut? What services should be eliminated?

Again, when one reads the Public Works Projects ordinance one would understand the restriction.

http://www.ecode360.com/documents/RI3087/source/455886.pdf