Reverend Robert Wildman

A dear friend, Reverend Robert Wildman, passed away on Saurday, February 26. He will be remembered not only as a great humanitarian, but as a wonderful human being. Our condolences go out to his lovely wife, Lois, his children and grandchildren. He will be missed by those who knew him through Kiwanis. He was one of my mentors, especially inspiring me to serve as Lieutenant Governor. May God bless you and may your legacy of service, dedication, and love of the Lord live on.
Robert B. Wildman, 80

ROCKFORD -- Memorial Celebration of Life for Rev. Dr. Robert B. Wildman, 80, who died Saturday in SwedishAmerican Hospital, will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6, in Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3000 Rural St. Memorials to the church, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Alpine Kiwanis Endowment Fund. Julian-Poorman Welte Funeral Home, 304 N. Fifth St., assisted the family.

Academy Awards

The Academy Awards are handed out tonight and for the first time in years I have not seen a single best picture nominee. I don't get out to the movies much anymore, but watch quite a few on DVD. Each of the past 5-6 years, though, I have made it a point to see the movie that I thought would win the Best Picture award. Movies, such as Lord of the Rings, Chicago, A Beautiful Mind, Saving Private Ryan (which should have won hands down), and Finding Nemo (okay, so I have little ones still at home). I will bravely make my predictions without the benefit of having seen any of the movies in the major categories this year. These predictions are based on reading the entertainment magazines, online and newspaper hype and that good old ever expanding gut feelings:

Best Picture: Million Dollar Baby Oscars love a weepy movie (See, Ordinary People and Terms of Endearment)

Best Director: Clint Eastwood Sorry, Marty, they just don't like you

Best Actor: Jamie Foxx Too much buzz, too good of a role, one sure winner

Best Actress Hilary Swank Beats Annette Bening to the punch (sorry about that) once again

Best Supporting Actress: Virginia Madsen Don't know why, maybe it is the Chicago connection

Best Supporting Actor: Morgan Freeman How do you vote against God (Bruce Almighty)?

Best Academy Awards Host: Johnny Carson There better be a quality tribute to the Master of Ceremonies!

Best Song: Learn to Be Lonely (Phantom of the Opera) Academy usually goes for the high brow stuff,
personally I like The Counting Crows and would vote for Accidentally in Love (has a nice beat
and you can sing along)

Best Animated Movie: The Incredibles Though, I laughed my way through Shrek 2 (when I wasn't at the concession stand for my children) and Shark Tale

Best Documentary: Super Size Me The announcement for this will be followed immediately by a McDonald's or other fast food restaraunt commercial.

Number of Bleeps for Chris Rock: 7 Flashbacks of George (in rehab for WINO radio days) Carlin and the seven things you can't say on radio or television (though most of those are no longer taboo)

Length of the Awards Show: 4hrs 12 min Two hour show stretched out to handle the commercial gods

Number of People Missing Work the Next Day: 4.5 Million (Followed the guidelines in the Oscar
drinking games a bit too closely)

I have to go. I have a real column to write for the Journal Standard for this week before I head out to the floating city of LA. Conference this week in Hollywood, where the stars were out for the night.

Twelve Angry Jurors

Okay, so it wasn't Henry Fonda and Lee J.Cobb battling wits in the juror's room. The dialogue didn't come flowing out, but the message came across. It was opening night for Twelve Angry Jurors by the Winneshiek Players. There were opening night jitters and lines that were forgotten, but there was also the passion of commuity members who wanted to put on a good show for an appreciative audience. Changing the dynamics from all men to men and women and to a mix of ethnic backgrounds allowed for new and intereting interactions. Female threatening male and me changing their minds more readily than females added new perspectives to the play. It made it seem more current and representative of today's world. It puts into perspective a trial like the Michael Jackson circus that is going on now. The media has swayed many peoples' opinions. Most people you talk to are either prejudiced about him or are apathetic about the whole thing. Court TV wouldn't exist if it weren't for these celebrity trials and Nancy Grace, despite her cocksuredness, would most likely be out of work. Twelve Angry Men (or in the local theatre: Twelve Angry Jurors) reminds us that our civic duty, while certainly not always cut and dry, allows a man or a woman to a fair trial and a jury of our peers (though it is more difficult to go into a trial without some preconceived notions, especially given the medial onslaught of at least the high-profile crimes). Local readers are encouraged to see Twelve Angry Jurors, not so much for the quality of the performances, though there were a few that stood out, but for the message that it conveys. It may just make you think about how fortunate we are in this country to have a judicial system that, though not perfect, is a lot better than the alternatives in most of the world. The play continues tonight and on March 3, 4, and 5. Box office number is (815) 232-6718.

Update on Reverend Bob Wildman

Lois let us know through Kiwanis that Reverend Bob Wildman was taken off of life support. His wife and two of his three children are with him. One duaghter is on her way from Minnesota to be with her family. Our prayers go out to this incredible man and his wonderful family. He has meant a great deal to the people of Rockford and to people throughout the world.

More on Compassionate Conservatism

Just came across this in the Best of the Web from the Wall Street Journal site. Follows up on the idea of compassionate conservatism. Ties in with some earlier thoughts.

Friends in Service

The past week has seen three people that have been longtime members of Kiwanis that have either passed away, Reuben Baumgartner and William Koenig, or have been injured severely, Reverend Robert "Bob" Wildman, a member of the Rockford Alpine Kiwanis Club. At this time Bob's wife, Lois, let us know that he is incoherent and that Bob has bleeding on the brain after suffering a fall at the funeral of a friend's daughter. He is currenly in Swedish American Hospital in Rockford and is in critical condition. He is in our prayers. All three of these gentlemen have given many years and hours of their lives to serving the children of our communities and of the world. Bob was the first recipient of the Amador Medallion for Division 12 of the I-I District of Kiwanis International. As a member of Kiwanis, I can attest to the dedication that these three have shown toward service and their communities. Bob has even traveled around the world in support of the IDD project collaboration between UNICEF and Kiwanis. I hope that the legacy of giving and commitment to service that these men share is emulated for generations who may not have known them or do or did know them and served with them.

Brave New World of Journalism

Just finished reading Blog by Hugh Hewitt. New book about the changes in journalism I've started is We The Media by Dan Gillmor. There are increasing numbers of articles, columns, opinion pages, and letters about Blogs that are appearing in the mainstream media and various internet outlets. Freedom of the press is being explored and who is now considered a journalist in this fast-paced, ready to publish world of ours. Are more voices better? Does one have to pass a test to be considered a journalist or writer? I certainly hope not, especially since a large number of people who are columnists for small and large market papers are not bona fide graduates of journalist programs like the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern. Many happened upon the position after writing a guest column or a book or possibly even letters to the editor. Can we be regulated? Sure, everything can be governed to the nth degree, but that takes away the impetus for wanting to write. Freedom of expression is what this country was built on and one of the reasons we are the most successful country in modern times. We can question the government. We can offer criticism, praise, state problems and suggest solutions.

Don Wycliffe, public editor for the Chicago Tribune offers his perspective on shield laws and the need not to overregulate the title of journalist. Amy Ridenour covers the same subject in depth, and has a number of links to articles about this topic, as well. In this everchanging age of media proliferation and consumption of news there will be those who change the landscape of media as we currently know it. There will be (and already are) pioneers in the field of news gathering and dissemination that will keep us honest, up-to-date, and at times test our limits and our patience. In the process, however, we will gain new knowledge, new perspective, and possibly a new understanding that is not jaded by the conglomerate news sources that feed us their daily output of what is considered news. Niche marketing of news will follow the trend of magazines and journals that are delivering specialized articles about everything from photography to the Atkins diet. Those that write and find their niche will continue to have an audience and those that write without direction will find a waning and temporary readership, if any at all. Most importantly, it will become a dialogue between writer and audience, unlike mainstream media, that picks and chooses what to print, whose letters to share, and what perspective to hold on to, even as readership dwindles.

The bloggers will not be immune to this. We can choose to accept comments or not. We can choose our own perspective and what to write or not write. The difference, though, is that in a nano second, the reader can click us off and have thousands of other choices. There are news sources, news groups, other web logs, and e-zines just to name a few. The choice becomes limitless, but human nature dictates that people tend to gravitate toward what they like. The good news with the new media is that there will be a choice for most every taste and unlike the days when mother told us, "This is what's for supper. You'll eat it or you'll go to bed hungry," we no longer have to digest what the mainstream media in print, television or radio, feeds us. We have a complete smorgasbord from which to choose.

Compassionate Conservatism

I read a letter to the editor recently in the JS that bemoaned the President for his failure to address certain social issues in the budget. While I can certainly understand many of the writer's concerns, she and others need to keep in mind that many of these social problems are also a result of budget cuts within the state of Illinois (Budget). It is the state that slashes the money that goes to the schools, to Medicaid (with assistance from the federal government), and to aid those that are disabled. Politicians usually tell us what they are going to do, no matter what party line they espouse, but when it comes to crunch time, those that have the least say in our society are cut off from support. Our daughter, who is disabled and will require assistance for the rest of her life, is of primary concern for us. If we did not advocate for her, there would be no voice. What of the disabled when they become adults and are cared for by people other than their family members, do they have a say or do they get the proverbial scraps? It is easy to say that it is the President's fault. It is easy to say that it is the Governor's fault. What is not easy is to write your congressmen and senators and advocate for the homeless, the destitute, the disabled and the children all of whom usually either don't have a vote or are disenfranchised and do not vote. A letter to the editor is a nice start, but I suggest that you start a grass roots campaign and not only write, but have your friends write, to those that make the policies. Start somewhere, don't just lay blame to get it off your mind.

Is That All They Had to Say?

What is it about authors and suicide? Do they finally reach the point where they have nothing else to say and figure they can drum up additional book sales with one last publicity blitz? Hunter S. Thompson, who hasn't been particularly relevant since his drug-addled days of the 60's kills himself. He follows in the shadow of such luminaries as Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, and Virginia Woolf. I know the legacy of their writing. I do not know the depths of which their minds were tortured. I have experienced the death of a loved one by suicide and I can say without hesitation that I still don't understand it. Most days it is still difficult to reconcile that it ever happened. And yet, you take extremely talented people like these writers and they shoot themselves or walk into a river with stones in their pockets. Recently, a podiatrist, who was an acquaintance and one of the most respected in the profession murdered his wife and then took his own life. To date no one knows why Dr. Douglas Sowell killed his wife, Linda, and then turned the gun on himself. He was the past president of the American Podiatric Medical Association and was highly regarded in the profession and among his medical colleagues. Who's to say what the prompting factor(s) is (are) in these situations. Some people find out they have inoperable cancer and essentially euthanize themselves. Others have suffered from mental illness for years and feel or decide that they can no longer live that way. Still others feel like there is no hope or nothing to live for or feel like they are in a quandary that they cannot escape whatever situation they are in. Having worked in a psychiatric hospital for 3 years I experienced a gamut of reasons, but still it is never so simple to figure out why. As for journalists and writers, perhaps they shouldn't take themselves so seriously.

Another Late Night

Once again I am awake past midnight and reading online news from around the region and the world. Earthquake in Iran. Mudslides and tornadoes in California. Car crashes and police shootings and suicide/murders in Chicago. Waiting for the morning paper to read the election accounts in the J-S. With so much information to be gathered is it any wonder that our sleep patterns have been interrupted. Perhaps Emerson and his colleagues had it right-go out into the wilderness and observe nature. Learn from it. Live in it and forget your laptop, forget the cell phone, turn off the pager, and take a good book, a camera, and a note pad. Of course, my kids would find me in no time. Oh well, there are always the mental vacations, imagining time in exotic lands, especially someplace warm. Time to wander up to bed and get my usual six hours of sleep in. The rest of the news will have to wait until morning....

The Results Are In

The results are in and Pat Leitzen Fye has won the Citizens Party's primary for mayor of Freeport. The race finished in the order that I thought it would if there was to be a change in leadership. The results reflect that Freeport wants to change, but not drastically.

IL Freeport Mayor - 100% of Precincts Reporting
Pat Leitzen Fye 1,627 36%
James Gitz 1,108 24%
Craig Joesten 917 20%
Dean Wright 717 16%
Mariann Garvens 164 4%
Mel Lemanski 47 1%

We want more jobs and that is the overarching factor that will decide the general election. We need a reason for our young adults to stay in Freeport. Mayor Gitz gave his all to this city and is to be commended for the work he did. In the end, though, he, much like Mayor Weis before him, fell victim to the 8 year or two term curse. There was talk from the Mayor that he would only serve two terms. When he decided to run for a third term, enough people decided that two was the limit, his chances for a third victory were in doubt. Tonight's results bear that out. I hope that once the general election is over that Mayor Gitz will help with the transition. He still has a role to play in Freeport if the new mayor will ask for his assistance. He has many personal contacts in state government and among mayors throughout the country. He can still be a great ambassador for the city of Freeport if he is given the chance. Don't let him walk away after all of the time he has dedicated to our city.

So congratulations to Pat Leitzen Fye! You ran a clean campaign-not overstated, not over-hyped, not overly negative-if she works toward the goal of building a consensus in Freeport and building upon our positive attributes, she will go a long ways toward establishing a strong voter base for the general election. At this point of the race, like it is said in sports, it is her election to lose.

Election Day in the City

Well, we'll find out either tonight or tomorrow who the next Citizens Party candidate for mayor will be. The rhetoric will die down until the actual mayoral election kicks in. It appears that the frontrunners are current former alderwoman, Pat Leitzen Fye and Mayor Jim Gitz. They will most likely be followed by Craig Josten, Dean Wright, Marianne Garvins and Mel Lemanski. Good attributes for all of them, better ones for some. Whoever wins will be expected to elevate our town's economic climate, build a consensus among the east and west sides of town, fix the sidewalks, and do it all with a smile on their face. Interesting times for rural America.

Heard the first referral to our community as "Free Pork" with Trim-Rite possibly coming to town. When I first heard the name of the company I foolishly thought that it was an aluminum siding company. I guess we have enough pork producers (remember when they were called pig farmers?) in the area to support this type of business. We can definitely use the jobs in the area, but will the people in our area flock to this type of labor. I guess we'll find out...if the state grant is forthcoming.

My Blog and Welcome to It

I'm trying to enter the 21st Century. The world of technology is fun and exciting, but often overwhelming and confusing. It makes programming a VCR seem effortless. The "blogosphere" is a pioneering way of keeping up-to-date with the vast amounts of information that flood the world every day. Whether one is leaning to the left, right, center or any point in between, there is a blog site for a person's taste. I tend to lean right-center with social issues divided: support for the handicapped and disabled, a hand for the working poor, less government intervention in daily life, but decidedly for paying my taxes to support security, police, fire, and necessary services. The problem arises when most politicians and the people who have their ears try to gain influence that all of "their needs" are essential. The wealthy landowners that still get government subsidies, gentleman farmers who hire out their farms for tax breaks and subsidies, big businesses that pay CEO's exorbitant amounts while fleecing the stockholders, landlords who are never in the buildings they own, and politicians who line the pockets of friends and families with construction contracts and high-paying, do-nothing jobs are the people that I have little or no tolerance for. At the same time there are millions that are disaffected through disabilities or who are down on their luck because of the economy or hung out to dry through ageism or other such forms of discrimination. How do we truly put into effect the passionate conservatism that is such a buzz word in politics, but often seems to be just a word with no concrete actions. These issues and others will be addressed within this blog. Maybe some answers and solutions will eventually present themselves. We can hope and we can take action.

Presidents' Day

Whatever happened to separate days for Mr. Washington and Mr. Lincoln? Instead of an extra day off of school, the entire day should be devoted to teaching about these two Presidents. How fascinating and utterly tasteless to turn the day into another "Sale Day" at the local department store. I'm sure that our fine stone-faced friends that grace Mt. Rushmore are pleased to know that we can get half-off some already overpriced item that was made by someone in Sri Lanka, who is getting paid 25 cents an hour. At least the people of Freeport will have one more day to consider their options for the mayoral primary tomorrow. At least we can think of George and Abe and what they sacrificed so that we can live in a free country and go to the voting booths willingly and without constantly looking over our shoulders for the militia like the good people of Iraq. So let's show off our purple fingers and let the world (at least our town) know that we are honored to have the privilege to vote. There is a certain symmetry and grace in knowing that Mr. Reuben Baumgartner, a man who promoted interest and action in current affairs, has his funeral today. I think he will see the irony and would appreciate the day. We'll miss him.

Election Season

It looks like the candidates are out in full force for the final days. Billboard-sized campaign signs are showing up in various locations. Candidates and their campaign workers are canvassing the neighborhoods passing out flyers and shaking hands. It comes down to Super Tuesday next week in Freeport. Six candidates in the Citizens Party. Good qualities among them, but my suspicion is that it will come down to two- current Mayor Jim Gitz and former Alderwoman, Pat Leitzen-Fye. Will it be the fear of change or will it be the desire for change. Neither will be able to solve all of the problems our community faces, nor should Mayor Gitz be blamed for all of our economic and societal woes. There are times when a team or a company or a community responds to a change in leadership. There are other times when it is just circumstanial and then there are times when we have been too entrenched in the situation and cannot see where new answers lie. In that case it is time for new perspective. How will Freeport perceive this situation? The election hinges on the outcome of that vision. We'll know more in just a few days. Then, of course, there is the actual mayoral election still to come.

Lost Jobs: We're Not Alone

"In the global marketplace, those commodoties operate with ever thinner margins," says Mark Drabenstott of the Center for the Study of Rural America."So the real challenge for most rural areas is (getting) from a commodity {or in our case manufacturing community} economy to a knowledge-driven economy." This is something for our next mayor to consider. We have the skilled workforce. We have a willing workforce. We have lost around 3,000 jobs as local companies have shifted positions, headquarters and eliminated jobs in Freeport. Have you had friends or family have to relocate to keep their job? An NPR report on Rural Sourcing, specifically in the community of Magnolia, Arkansas (pop. 10,000). There are enough service calls that go to India and other countries that could just as well be directed through Freeport, Illinois. We have to look beyond our manufacturing base and move into the service and knowledge sectors of the economy if we are to thrive or even survive these economic times.

Godspeed, Dear Friend, Reuben Baumgartner

Reuben Baumgartner was one of the most important people in Freeport over the past 50 years. Whether it was as a teacher, principal, founder of Highland Community College, or his forum on global affairs, Reuben was on the forefront of education. He shared his knowledge and love of learning with our community. The beneficiaries of his educational endeavors are spread across the country. Many of these men and women have gone on to teach others, serve in the government, and develop into altrustic, citizens who contribute to our society. Reuben also was a life member of Kiwanis International, first as a member of the Freeport Kiwanis Club and then as a founding member of the Golden K Kiwanis in Freeport. He was one of the first members from Freeport to serve as the Lieutenant Governor for Division 12 of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis International. Mr. Baumgartner continued to contribute to our community by holding informal "current affairs" discussions with senior citizen groups in Freeport. The Reuben Baumgartner Global Affairs Forum held each year at Highland Community College has brought in stalwarts in business, government and education to discuss national and international topics. His legacy will continue to inspire those who knew him personally and those who benefit from Highland or the Freeport School District. To his son and daughter-in-law in California and to the many friends in Freeport and Northwest Illinois may you know that his influence leaves a positive and lasting impression for all of us. His passing leaves a gaping hole in the fabric of our community. God bless you, Reuben, for all that you stood for and for all of the lives that you touched over the years.