Meyers speaks to Iron County Democratic Party

By TOM STANKARD

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Hurley - Wisconsin Sate Representative Beth Meyers came to Hurley to talk to the Iron County Democratic Party members Saturday morning.

Speaking in front of eager listeners, Meyers said she was selected to be a ranking member for the Aging Committee for a caucus. "Luckily" for her, Meyers said she didn't have any "aging" bills to report, in addition to the other 200 bills before her.

"A lot of things" have occurred recently, Meyers said.

To inform party members of recent events, Meyers said there is a bill which allows wells to be dug deeper in the sands area of Wisconsin where there's a water shortage.

"It doesn't remedy the water shortage issue, it prolongs (the issue)," she said. "We're keeping an eye on that one."

Meyers said there is a bill which could hurt public schools by "funneling money out of the public school system."

Meyers said the bill referred to as the "Mark Harris bill" is a political attack against the democratic senate candidate that prevents someone from holding a position as a county administrator and being in the Senate.

"It truly is to try to get (Harris) to not run on the senate position," he said.

Meyers said State Representative Robin Vos appointed her to the Speakers Task Force on Alzheimer's and Dementia because of her work with the elderly over the last six years.

"The task force did public hearings throughout Wisconsin," she said. "I held five listening sessions throughout my district and a lot of people told me the issue is important to them."

After she was done talking, Meyers listened to others express their concerns. Bob Traczyk, chairman, said he's concerned of a bill making it optional for counties to have a veteran's service officer in each county.

"If the veterans group didn't contact us, it would have went through," Meyers said.

Meyers said senior care was put on the "chopping block" for the budget. A month later, she said it was taken off the chopping block.

"That makes me so angry," she said.

Kelly Westlund, a regional representative, said she feels that things go on the "chopping block so later, when they need the extra political capitol, they could say, 'Oh, no I'm going to save this.'"

After party members had the opportunity to voice their concerns, they approved a resolution for the 7th CD Convention and Redistricting, urging federal, state and local governments and public health agencies to impose a moratorium on new Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations.

According to information provided at the meeting, the CAFOS produce immense amounts of manure containing phosphates, nitrates, bacteria, antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals.