Selected Presidents Letter
President's Letter
Feb 10, 2009
PDF Version: 2009-Feb-10-President's Letter.pdf

President's Letter
February, 2009
Nadine S. Walsten
In the past month, my email box has seen an increasing number of messages about the federal stimulus package and
requests for projects that are potentially eligible for monies sifting down from the federal or state level to local
communities. I just received notice of a proposed bill which outlines how the stimulus money would be distributed in
Wisconsin which is to go to the legislature ASAP. Some of this looks possible for local communities like ours. It is
comprehensive, multifaceted and too long to cite here but email me at nwalsten@charter.net and I will forward it to
you. Your President is following this closely and passing this on to the Board.
Yesterday I attended a hearing on the foreclosure crisis in Wisconsin at the Capitol and in short, Wisconsin is in
relatively good shape. Property values have gone down somewhat but are holding in most areas; it is a buyers market,
however, which has people selling at a loss. Community banks and credit unions in Wisconsin are in good shape with
foreclosure rates of 1-2%; they are also the ones who are working for as long as a year or longer to avoid foreclosure
actions in contrast to outside lenders (63% of current foreclosures) who initiate actions within a few months.
After 6 weeks of new, interim leadership in the police department, I’m pleased to report that, except for a few
difficulties, the transition is moving forward and there has been little, if any, diminished police coverage or services
during this time. To achieve this goal, Interim Chief Pettit has implemented several changes which are designed to
improve day to day operations in the department, communication between officers and staff, and accountability by
implementing or updating procedures. Flexible scheduling for traffic control, for example, has decreased the speed of
commuters on Rutland as well as residential neighborhoods. Although we hope to have a new Chief in place in a few
months (who will put his own stamp of approval on things), Interim Chief Pettit is making changes that are compatible
with expectations a new Chief would have of our department. Two of our long term part time officers, Wade Engelhart
and Curt Quinn, are supportive of the new procedures and Chief Pettit’s leadership. Officer Curt Quinn believes the
changes “may make it easier to hire a new chief”. Almost all of the Board and the Village staff stand in support of
what Chief Pettit is doing and his willingness to help out this community when we didn’t have a viable plan to provide
police coverage on January 1 when Bill retired. We held a swearing in ceremony for our new temporary part time
officers from Oregon, Matt Wagner, Jeremy Hatfield and Cynthia Neubert. They are anxious to meet you so greet
them and make them feel welcome.
I understand, however, there is concern that Brooklyn will become attached to the Oregon Police Department given that
Interim Chief Pettit has hired 3 part time staff from the Oregon PD to make up for the loss of Bill Roberts and Alan
Ferguson’s hours. Please appreciate that a) the Board voted to retain it’s own department in December and I am behind
that decision; b) Chief Pettit is clear our budget prevents paying high enough salaries/benefits to make an arrangement
with either a County Department or Oregon PD an option; and c) all of the officers recently hired are here with the
understanding that their services may be terminated in a few months when a new Chief is hired. Please reread my
December letter. I believe in exploring ideas that might solve our problems--that doesn’t mean I’ve made up my mind
and that is my agenda. I am committed to having the best PD department possible because that means we are all more
safe, the Village is protected from liability, and this is a better place to live and bring up our kids.
Don’t forget to vote on February 17!!
Upcoming items:
1. We still need candidates for the open seats on the Board in the April election. This Board is engaged in some
very exciting and rewarding projects which is/will improve our community. If you are interested in local
government affairs, give us a call. (We don’t bite. Actually, some of us are sort of fun.)
2. I will resume my walkabout after the New Year. I enjoy visiting the homes of Village residents to get feedback,
ideas and suggestions about how we can make Brooklyn a better place to live, so I just might knock on your
door.
3. Channel 12—community TV station on Charter cable. Aha!! Brooklyn is alive and well on Channel 988! We
will resume taping our meetings next month.

Archive

• Dec 13, 2009 President's Letter
• Nov 10, 2009 President's Letter
• Oct 10, 2009 President's Letter
• Sep 08, 2009 President's Letter
• Aug 11, 2009 President's Letter
• Jul 12, 2009 President's Letter
• Jun 10, 2009 President's Letter
• May 12, 2009 President's Letter
• Apr 14, 2009 President's Letter
• Mar 11, 2009 President's Letter
• Feb 10, 2009 President's Letter
• Jan 19, 2009 President's Letter

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