Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Town Of Chase Stone Barn

I received the following comment about my blogging on the Town of Chase Stone Barn that has been in the News of late. The $100,000.00 stone Barn project.

Read for yourself.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Got A Stone Barn To Sell You":

Since the Chase Stone Barn is on the State & National Register of Historic Places, and since it was nominated for America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list for 2009, and since it is one of the last surviving all-fieldstone barns in the country, and since it is part of Wisconsin's cultural heritage, and since the new Chase Stone Barn Park will create jobs and help WI tourism, the Town of Chase asked the state for help. Chase has to raise about $800,000, and the state is giving them a grant for $100,000. Not bad to help a small rural town save a state icon that represents what this state (and country) was built from.

I "since" have to leave a comment back. By the way "since" five times in one sentence was a little over the top. You can't be from Chase! I will assume you are a leftie liberal who likes to spend other people's money (taxes) or someone from Dave Hansen's office.





Why is Chase holding a fundraiser on June 6th? Your comment stated the town has to raise $800 G's for a park for tourism. Good for them. Why not raise $900,000.00. If the town takes the 100 G's will they now only have to raise 700 thousand? What are we to believe?

Anonymous said "will create jobs and help WI tourism" How many jobs will be created? How many jobs has the stimulus bill generated so far?

How about people volunteer to build the park? My mother tells me stories how BVM Church in Pulaski was built by everyone in 1907 and not completed till 1931. People from all over the area built that church.

Does the Town of Chase really need $100,000.00 of taxpayers money? Has the Town of Chase forgotten the hard economic times in the area? Karcz Ford closes, Carver Boat filed for Chapter 11, Broadway Chevy on HWY 32 closing, what will be the next shoe to drop for the people of the area? Our governor and the democratic leaders in Madison are spending like no tomorrow and raising every tax they can think of and they still have money for pet projects?

Times are tough right now and everyone is wondering what their future might bring. The state is in a six, seven billion dollar deficit and they are handing out money like candy and for what? Let's just call it what it really is, for votes in the next election.

The Town of Chase should come out and turn down the money!

Will the Town of Chase, do what is right?

Who know's? Time will tell. I always thought the people of Oconto County always lived with in their means. I guess I might be wrong.

Anonymous, Thank you for your comment. I also want to see the barn saved. Maybe a park is a good idea. Our elected officials are responsible for running government with in the budget. In a good economy this might be a good thing. But not a 100 grand and not now.

6 comments:

Kris said...

I live in Chase. We are one of the recipients of a $100,000 grant from the state. We asked for help over 2 years ago. These old barns are falling off WI's landscape at an alarming rate. Over 80% of the old WI barns are now gone or no longer in use. They are part of WI's cultural history. We are the dairy state. It's what we are known for and proud of.

We are a small rural community, population 2800. We just lost our big boat factory and a big car dealership. The new Chase Stone Barn Park will revitalize our town by creating jobs for the park project, running and maintaining the park, and through tourism.

What people don't understand is we are not receiving these funds all at once. It is a challenge grant where we have to raise funds before they will give us any money. We are doing everything we can to raise the funds ourselves.

The Stone Barn has a great potential to revitalize our small community. New businesses and residents may come to our town because of it. All we ask is that people take the time to learn about our stone barn park before they judge us. Please visit: www.townofchase.org

Please comment back...I would like to know if this changes anyones opinion about us receiving this grant. We do not want people upset with us. Thanks.

Paul - Berry Laker said...

Kris,Thank you for your comment.

I do not want to see the stone barn crumble. I would like to see it kept up. A new park , great idea.

But as you said the boat factory went chapter 11. Will it stay open for a handful of workers?

The only problems I have are ,

1)People are losing their jobs all over. Do you really need the money now?

2)Can the state of Wisconsin afford it with the deficits it's running?

3) why did the towns 100g's get tucked into the bill at 3:00 in the morning and who slipped it in.

I see a good thing the town of Chase is doing here but the timing is a little off. People are hurting and it's not over yet.

Paul-Berry Laker

Dad29 said...

Kris, at one time the Village of Brookfield was the largest single milk-stop in Wisconsin for the Milwaukee Road railway.

Today, there are not two barns remaining in Brookfield.

So some 'historical' stuff just goes away...

Surely Chase can wait a couple of years for this money, right?

Paul - Berry Laker said...

Dad,
It's funny how people are losing their jobs left and right, businesses are closing up, Wisconsin is already 7 billion in the hole and other peoples money (tax revenue) is just so hard to let go of when people think it's free.

I commend the people of Chase for their fund raising but I think some of the people kicking and screaming trying to hold onto the 100 G's are liberals who don't give a tinkers dam about debt, jobs, or taxes.

I wonder if Kris will care about her neighbors when they get whacked with all the tax increases in the coming years from their friend Dave Hansen.

Kris said they have been waiting two years for the money. Why can't they wait a couple more years. Let's get people back to work first. I bet the 100 G's is for paying consulting and legal fee's anyway.

The money might as well get burned at a camp fire or dropped down a well. Maybe there are a couple of wells someone will have to save someday.

Historical Wishing Well, Next.

Kris, answer the following. Who put the 100,000.00 in the state budget bill at 3:00 am in the morning? Why was it put in when no one was watching. Who's hiding what here? I say again, you mention people losing jobs in the area and Dave Hansen is buying votes!

Don't worry Kris, the dems are in charge in Madison and you will get your money. There's no stopping anything now.

I hope you spend it wisely! Everyone will be watching.

Kris said...

I can't answer why this was approved in the early hours of the morning. We had no idea we were being considered at this time. We did not find out until the Associated Press informed us last Friday after it was already approved. As I said, we had asked 2 years ago, before the economy crisis hit, so this is not something new to them.

As for buying votes, there are only 2800 in our town, and only half of that are of voting age.

I think the only person that can answer this question is Sen Hansen.

Our initial plans are to get the parking lot put in, start developing the park so people can start using it, and make immediate restorations to the stone barn; roof leaks, etc. Some of this work will be donated, but much of it won't. It will put people to work. Materials for this project need to come from other places which will give those companies work. It's a small trickeling start, but we have to start somewhere.

We are hoping for a new restaurant near the park in the next few years, a bed and breakfast, etc. It won't happen overnight, but it has to start somewhere. Like I said, we won't get the money right away, or all at once. I may sound bias, but I truly believe this is a great thing.

I really do appreciate all your comments. I will pass them on to our Stone Barn Committee. Please believe that we will spend this money very wisely, and please, keep watching.

How great it would be to have this be a great example of government money well spent. We will do our best to make sure it happens.

Thanks

Paul - Berry Laker said...

Kris ,thanks for the message.

I just hope gov money will be well spent but that is not the norm.

Good luck and I look forward to your progress. I was born a couple miles away from the barn and do care about the Town of Chase. I may try to stop and see the fundraiser on Saturday, maybe buy a beverage.We shall see.

Like I said, I see nothing stopping you getting the money. We will see what the future brings.

I just think with the way this went down that this is not in the best interest of the people of Wisconsin.

Best of luck.