Present Issues

• Learn about a proposed new High School for Jefferson. Read the report of the Task Force assigned to study the problem. Learn more about the project here.
• Follow the debate about Wal-Mart in Jefferson. Read the developer's agreement and see the Germanic-themed facade design. The Board of the Town of Jefferson files a lawsuit against the City of Jefferson, protesting the annexation. Annexation and zoning approved again - Read it all here. Will Jefferson's City Council negotiate in secret? They did in Beaver Dam and Milton. Read John Foust's story here. View Wal-Mart's slideshow presentation from the September 28, 2004 debate. Or, browse Al Norman's full slide-show presentation online.  Read Chris Nash's survey of Wisconsin communities with Wal-Marts.  Guests include the Coalition for a Better Jefferson, Beth Gehred on Wal-Mart in Fort Atkinson and economic growth in Jefferson County.
• Restructure Jefferson's Economic Development Mechanism - In the light of a twice-failed Wal-Mart annexation debate, Jim Schroeder, candidate for Mayor in 2004, gives the Mayor and Council some advice on how to improve the City's economic development mechanisms.
• Will The County Government Leave Downtown Jefferson? - Examine the plan that might move the County offices to the south edge of Jefferson.
• Fire Cyndi and Dan? - Paul Keller on Ald. Chris Gang's proposal to eliminate the Park & Recreation Director and the City of Jefferson's Engineer.
• The County has begun the process of evaluating whether they'll stay in downtown Jefferson or build a new facility somewhere else. Read the architect's interim plan of the options.
• Secret meetings and strategic plans - The City Council meets secretly to discuss every issue facing the City. Includes the full text of the strategic plan report.
• Wal-Mart in Jefferson? - The debate begins.

Past Issues

• Jefferson County Fair - July 14-18 2004 - View the pictures from the webcam!
• Ellen Hamill of Albany, Oregon on the Jaeckl Bros. vs. the County situation
• Do you wonder what the City of Jefferson is doing when it comes to economic development?  So did John Foust, and boy did it get him into trouble
• Our first resident of the Opinion section was Bill Krupinski, who not only writes letters to the editor but draws a mean editorial cartoon, too.
• Our multimedia tradition continues, with an opinion on Tomorrow's Hope from Jim Schroeder.
• Greg David comments on sprawl, highways, bike paths and other topics.
• James Ortega questions DOT and Watertown bypass decisions.
• Mary Ellen Ganser wonders why the Jefferson Chamber and DOT won't consider "No bypass".  She's circulating a petition to this effect.
• Beth Gehredl writes her opinions about Wal-Mart and growth in Fort Atkinson and economic development in Jefferson County.
• William Reichertz speaks out against the Watertown bypass.