Advertisement While some groused about the cost of the city system, most visitors had plenty of compliments for both systems.
Here’s a sample of what readers left behind:
An Onalaskan wrote: “... The people of the city of La Crosse should be very, very thankful someone had the foresight to set up such a wonderful amenity for its residents. ...”
audifan08 wrote: “Libraries are obsolete. Modern information technology involves two-way communication between providers and users of information technology. ... Rather than build expensive new libraries in the mistaken belief that such a monument to 19th century information technology will bring the community together, the taxpayers need to consider the real advantages to bringing our entire community’s information infrastructure into the 21st century.”
The Truth wrote: “Right on, audiofan08! Present day libraries are nothing more than extravagant places for people who have nowhere to go all day to hang out. ...”
The Moderate wrote: “Audiofan — obviously you haven’t been in a library for quite some time. Things have changed since the ’60s!”
jmf wrote: “Libraries are not obsolete; nor are they places to go for people who have no place else. My grandchildren and I go to the library every weekend. They love it! They pick out books and movies that they either read themselves or have an adult read to them several times during the week. The library fostered my two adult children’s love for reading. ...”
elocs wrote: “This being La Crosse, I am not surprised that we will hear from those who never go to the libraries and therefore resent any of their tax dollars going to support them. ... Right, libraries — we don’t need no stinking libraries.”
Whatever! wrote: “I think the country libraries provides great services for the amount of money they get. ... We love what you do for us and will continue to support county libraries ...”
Chip wrote: “The library system around here is great, and the librarians are HOT! WOW! Enough said.”
Stadium funding a pet peeve for some
Trying to beat a Friday deadline for raising $2 million for a new stadium, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Foundation asked students reallocate a $750,000 contribution to initial construction. They’ll vote on it in an April 29 referendum.
That didn’t sit well with critics of the stadium project at www.lacrossetribune.com.
Drael wrote: “... None of this money should be coming from students. The university is there to provide education, not to house sporting events. ...”
cataractjack wrote: “I hope they don’t sucker in the local taxpayers to pay a penny for it. ...”
Yellow media watch wrote: “This is the equivalent of stealing money from your little kids to go golfing or to a Texas Hold ’em tournament. The students should demand that it be a LOAN, not a giveaway. They have already given way too much for building projects to enhance the university, which they can’t take with them.”
Joe Student wrote: “... the students had already earmarked this money for the stadium, just a different piece of the stadium. And if the stadium doesn’t get built, all the money that students put forth is void, the (state) track meet is gone and everybody loses.”
No more cold beers at the station
A fire chief’s decision to ban alcohol from the Galesville, Wis., fire station started a discussion at www.lacrossetribune.com.
While many site visitors agreed there was no room for drinking at a fire station, others argued that volunteers should get to toss back a few cold ones after fighting a fire. In a way. banning alcohol was just a formality: The new chief got rid of the supply shortly after he started, more than a year.
Here’s a sample of readers’ comments:
doyoudovoodoo wrote: “Where are all the firefighters going to get their beer now? ... I feel like I could drink a beer right now. Quick, call the fire department!”
HonestAbe wrote: “These are volunteers in a brotherhood more than anything, and I doubt any of them got staggering drunk while discussing what they had just worked on. Once the perks go away, so will the volunteers, then the chief can sit there and read his rules to himself. ...”
Darwin wrote: “... I don’t see why having alcohol is allowed in any fire stations. Maybe since doctors work really hard they should be able to have a cold one after saving a life. Sounds silly, doesn’t it? Have a beer when you go home. Period. ... "
Vicky wrote: “They (the Galesville firemen) can always cruise up to Trempealeau and toss down a few at their fire station.”
By the numbers
Here are a few numbers from recent just-for-fun online polls at www.lacrossetribune.com:
You may reach Marc Wehrs at mwehrs@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8218.
