Public Works Director John Cole says farewell
City of Tomahawk Director of Public Works John Cole contributed the following letter after announcing his resignation, which is effective June 5.
I am a better person, father and husband because of my years working for the City of Tomahawk.
I gave my all to the community and hope my efforts made life a little better. Life is always changing around us and my decision to move on to another community is just that, change. I never put much stock in job titles or a position. My goal was to always work hard and keep looking forward.
I have been blessed to work alongside some great people and to them I say “Thank you.”
Tomahawk is a great city. I will miss the view from the top of the water tower for sure. It is never easy saying goodbye to a place that means so much to me and my family, but the time has come.
Please wrap your arms around the next director and give him/her time to adjust. I am sure that person will do a much better job than I ever did or could.
To Mayor Taskay and the City of Tomahawk Common Council, thanks for everything. To my crew you made me look very good, and to Amanda, I will miss morning coffee with you.
There is a chance you may see me around from time to time as we return for a visit.
Take care Tomahawk,
John Cole
I know a horse apple when I see one
To the Editor:
As is so often the case, whenever someone is not able to dispute issues point for point, he or she often relies on name-calling or derogatory references. Consider Mr. Lyngdal’s May 6th response to my previous letter.
Never mind the pony from Santa reference. As a “child” of seventy plus years, who has actually shoveled draft horse manure, I know a horse apple when I see one. And that is exactly what Mr. Lyngdal’s response is.
I did not create the multiple progressive proposals that I listed. They exist (and are rapidly gaining support) after decades of review, refinement and discussion. Multiple studies, documents and comparisons confirm these tax-saving alternatives are real solutions to our failing social safety net, incarceration, educational and health care programs of today.
Times of crises are, in fact, most often the times of radical change. Take Social Security. The massive poverty of the Great Depression prompted its development. Medicare/Medicaid came into existence during our descent into that hell of the Viet Nam War. The Freedom of Information Act and Congressional limits on Presidential powers were in response to Watergate. These are only a handful of examples.
The Covid-19 crisis has magnified the errors in our systems of governance, manufacturing and services. If we do not act now, we may not have another chance to do so.
Diana C. Smith
Tomahawk
It takes a unified, cohesive effort
NOTE: The Tomahawk Leader opted, with the writer’s permission, not to include the name of the business that is the subject of this letter. This letter was submitted on Friday, May 1, 2020.
Dear Editor,
There is an open door in our community for the virus to get into our so far clear county. There are many people who are opting out of wearing masks, hand washing, social distancing, and wiping their shopping carts.
As I shopped at a local establishment yesterday, I was perplexed that no employees were wearing masks, there was nothing to wipe the cart, and there was no attempt at distancing from me as I asked for assistance. I felt very uncomfortable as this behavior is so inconsistent from other businesses. They did have 6’ markers at the cash register for safe distancing but the man behind me did not use it and was too close to me. It’s like there was no pandemic at this establishment. It takes all of the people in our community to work together to keep the virus from spreading here. It’s not optional.
I called the owner of the establishment to express my concern and complain that I would not shop there if employees weren’t wearing masks. To my shock she replied that masks were optional for her employees and she wasn’t going to live in fear. She said that I could live in fear if I wanted and not enter her store if I didn’t want to! She added she was not going to let the government tell her what to do.
I am mortified. The stalling of the spread or being infected is not a personal effort. It has nothing to do with personal preference. It takes a unified cohesive effort on the part of everyone.
Right now we have a neighbor from Illinois who is opening his cabin, fixing his dock, and making other repairs and probably picking up things from this establishment. I wonder if he has chosen not to live in fear and has brought the virus on his hands or breath.
JoAnn Nelson
Tomahawk