Wisconsin Democratic Nominee for Assembly Hits Supreme Court Ruling on Proposed Factory Farm

 David Gorski, candidate for the Wisconsin State Assembly
blasted a proposed, massive factory farm this week in a
new campaign ad.

David Gorski, the Democratic Party nominee for State Assembly (72nd dist) in central Wisconsin, vowed to oppose the Republican-crafted Supreme Court decision against the town of Saratoga and a proposed factory farm that would would be sited in his district.

Saratoga and other communities have been fighting the proposed massive factory farm sited in Saratoga since 2012.

"One-hundred percent of my loyalty on this issue is with the property owners of Saratoga (Wood County) and Rome (Adams County)," said Gorski in the ad. "Because we all need to be good neighbors. And noone should profit while their neighbors lose. And I believe every community has the right to protect the health and wealth of their residents."

Gorski is a Democrat and member of the Progressive Caucus. He is a retired counselor and drug-and-alcohol prevention specialist for the Nekoosa School System, living in the town of Grand Rapids.

Gorski will face State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa) who is seeking his fifth term after breaking his promise to only serve two terms.

David Gorski's video is below:

Central Wisconsin Fetes Legal Victory over Factory Farm by Talking Tourism and Recreation

Huge sand deposits in region guarantee environmental and health
catastrophes if millions of gallons of liquid and aerial
cow manure are to be dumped into the environment.
(Mal Contends)

"I cried when I got the news," said Nancy Koch of Saratoga, Wisconsin reached this morning by phone.

Ms. Koch referred to news of a legal victory over a proposed massive factory farm in central Wisconsin that would devastate an entire region, (Golden Sands Dairy LLC v. Town of Saratoga, (Wisconsin Court System)), (Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune), (Mal Contends), (WSAW-TV).

It was a far cry from July 2012 when the Wysocki outfit sprung its plans for the proposed factory, (or CAFO for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation), that would become a hazardous-waste vectoring operation predictably polluting area groundwater, drinking waters, and surface waters, with millions of gallons of liquidized cow manure, among other detrimental health and economic effects, (Mal Contends), (John Ikerd).

At the July 2012 meeting, the local State Rep. Scott Krug, (R-Nekoosa, Wisconsin) and CAFO supporter, told Koch: "Quit your bitching," so Koch and fellow clean water supporters knew they were up against corporate money and political lackeys not connected to the future of the region.

James Wysocki of the Wysocki Family of Companies corporation thinks he can make more money in the glutted milk market so the costs that residents and communities would pay is acceptable to Wysocki who lives safely away from the proposed "Golden Sands Dairy, (LLC)," sited in the town of Saratoga located in the central sands region of Wisconsin.

Wysocki's inflicting costs onto society without consent is called a negative externality. Most folks in central Wisconsin think it's the work of a sociopath.

Notes Joshua Yelle, a research fellow in agricultural economics:

There are seven sources of negative impacts on human beings that can directly be correlated to the CAFO industry. They are as follows: Air contamination, water contamination, pathogens, insect vectors, obesity, resistant antibiotics and negative financial and mental externalities. 

Wysocki's purposes and lack of conscience in these matters offer a portrait of a societal nemesis.

Wysocki can still appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court but folks in central Wisconsin say they haven't felt this way in a long time.

Writes Criste Greening in one of a flurry of communications on social and local media by area residents the last 24 hours:

Thank you to all our town residents, town board, and the legal team who have stood along side us in this fight and who will continue to stand with us if Wysocki should decide to appeal to the WI Supreme Court. It has been 5 years of sacrificing time away from family, money from our bank accounts, and countless hours of sleep. Today we can celebrate a victory and a huge amount of stress lifted from our shoulders. And tomorrow we will begin the wait.

Wysocki has 30 days to appeal the decision so this fight is not over and if he chooses to appeal we will battle him all the way to the Supreme Court with just as much fire and determination as we have demonstrated these past 5 years. Wysocki's greed and contamination is not welcome in Saratoga.

What's the next step among residents and communities?

These families fighting Wysocki are so intimately tied to their communities that several reminded this writer in phone calls of their fight in promoting tourism and recreation in the coming warm months:

From Don Ystad of Adams County Wisconsin who has been promoting tourism and recreation for years:

Take a step back from the politics of this situation and ask yourself, 'what is best for the state of Wisconsin?  Another CAFO sited, or the preservation and growth of an existing, vibrant area, poised to be the 'golf mecca of the Midwest?' 

Think existing class A trout streams, existing lakes surrounded by 5,400 properties, two existing golf courses at Lake Arrowhead, the new Wisconsin Trapshooters Home facility, Dyracuse recreational area, TriNorse ski jump, and the new Sand Valley Golf Club just begun, all within a few miles of the proposed CAFO.  Weigh that against the proposed CAFO with it's 49 high-cap wells and manure enough to fill Lambeau field up to the cheap seats four times over.

Longtime families dating to the 19th century are still talking biking trails, hiking rails, recreational areas, connecting with existing attractions.

Even as a danger like Wysocki lurks, those caring about their communities plan. As one family contemplates:

POSSIBLE  OPTIONS for WOOD COUNTY and ADAMS COUNTY  RECREATION
AREA  GROWTH and REVENUE

We begin with encouraging the growth of existing recreation areas such as the new World Class Golf Course in Rome area and the Trap Shooting Facility in Adams County and the Tri City Ski Jump on East County O in Adams County.  There may be other sports facilities that can be added to this list.

Furthermore, there is a yearly Water Skiing Tournament held on Lake Wazeecha, just East of Wisconsin Rapids.  That event draws 5,000 people. Also, there is an annual Cross Country Running Event held at the Wisconsin Rapids Ridges Golf Course. That event draws 9,000 people. The Recreation Event Base already exists and could be expanded and be very profitable in increased sales for the business community and added sales tax revenue for Wood County.

The business expansion could be accomplished by developing a major Multi-Sport Recreation Area in Saratoga Township in Sections 19, 20, 29 and 30,  just to the West of Route 13. This would be another major step in  developing the Business Corridor between Wisconsin Rapids, Rome, Adams-Friendship and the Wisconsin Dells.  This new Rec Area would be about 2,000 contiguous acres that could be set up to provide a Central Wisconsin location for State High School Tournaments for various sports and other activities enjoyed in the two Counties. ...

There are many people and businesses that believe the Central Wisconsin Area is ideal for sports activities that draw from all areas of the State. Road access is good and many lodging facilities and restaurants are available.  Also, Wisconsin Rapids has enlarged its airport to facilitate access to the new Sand Valley Golf Course being developed by Mike Keiser just South of Rome.  This same airport could be used for access to other sports at the new 2,000 acre Recreation Park.

Not many years ago, some businessmen with vision developed the Wisconsin Dells and Door County and attracted many vacation people from Illinois.  That kind of vision is needed again for the Wisconsin Rapids and Rome area.

Environmental Statement on CAFO Factory Delayed; Pro-CAFO State Rep. Faces Mounting Opposition

Updated - The Wysocki corporation's proposed factory farm in central Wisconsin has caused a political furor since detailed plans were first sprung on citizens at a community forum in Wisconsin Rapids in July 2012.

The sitting State Representative, Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa), was present and told a clean water activist, Nancy Koch, to "quit your bitching," (Mal Contends).

Koch and 1,000s of clean water supporters have never let up, (Protect Wood County and Its Neighbors, Rome and Saratoga Concerned, (Facebook)).

Before plans can proceed with the construction of this massive facility, (a CAFO or Confined Animal Feeding Operation), an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has to be released by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, (DNR).

The Republican-led DNR is sensitive to the political fortunes of Krug, so once again the EIS release has been delayed so Krug, a Wysocki CAFO supporter, will not face more opposition than he already has arrayed against him.

Republicans and school privatization forces are dumping $100,000s in an attempt to beat back a challenge by clean water activist, David Gorski, (Facebook). Scott Walker and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos have held fundraisers for Krug.

So, naturally the DNR is doing its part with the Republican Party for the benefit of the CAFO champ, Scott Krug.

From Protect Wood County and Its Neighbors:

EIS release delayed and public hearing cancelled I received a call today from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regrading the pending Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS release has once again been delayed and the pubic hearing scheduled for October has been cancelled.

Although this does not come as a huge surprise we do feel the DNR is indeed getting closer to the actual completion of the document. No future release date or public hearing date has been determined at this time.

Of course, no release or public hearing has been determined, and the release date won't be until after the election.

Special delivery of liquid cow manure to Wisconsin streams and
lakes - Courtesy of Scott Krug, Scott Walker, and the
Dairy Business Association

Big Ag Pollution Is Coming to Wisconsin with Republican Invite

Atlantic Ocean - blue green toxic algae
blooms threaten tourism, fishing,
humans and other living things

What happens on industrial agricultural operations doesn't stay on agricultural operations

Updated - There are some 282 massive industrial agricultural operations, CAFOs, in Wisconsin with many new permits and permit expansions coming down the pike.

CAFOs are a menace to Wisconsin communities because the operations dump millions of tons of toxic and untreated liquid cow manure into the environment annually, befouling lakes, aquifers, streams, the air, and driving down property valuations for people living near CAFOs.

Florida -No Swimming, Blue Green
Algae alert on Florida beaches
2016 (Photo by Zach Brown)

To understand how politically powerful Big Agricultural operations are, consider what is happening to the Treasure Coast of Florida, now under a state of emergency as toxic Algea blooms created by Big Agriculture are dumped into the open toilet, called Lake Okeechobee, and vectored by Republican Gov. Rick Scott into the Atlantic Ocean.

"As we have described before, toxic algal blooms develop when water is polluted with high levels of nutrients, like nitrates and phosphorous. For algal blooms in Martin County, Lake Erie and other parts of the country, the primary source of pollution is conventional agriculture," writes Shannon Van Hoesen in AgMag. "In the Florida case, polluted runoff from sugar cane farms and other agriculture operations flows into Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in the state. When water levels of the lake rise too high and it risks flooding, state officials will flush waters from the lake into rivers, like the St. Lucie River that flows from the middle of the state into the ocean ... While the impacts of pollution from Big Ag may seem like a distant thought to most of us, the typically pristine beaches of the Treasure Coast covered in blue-green algae are a reminder that what happens on the farm doesn’t always stay on the farm."

Wood County Wisconsin 2104 - Swim at your own
risk, do not ingest lake water, shower after
swimming, wash hands before eating
and do not swim if you are ill. Area industrialized
agriculture is actively targeting central Wisconsin
in an effort to conspicuously dump
liquid manure that so repulses multi-
generational families that long-time
residents will pack and leave the region.

In Wisconsin, massive dairy CAFOs produce millions of tons of liquid cow manure that is vectored into area surface waters and aquifers to equally tragic consequence as in Florida.

Big Ag in Wisconsin has purchased the Republican Party and Republican polluter-friendly incumbents, including Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa, Wisconsin) and Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin), are targets in November 2016 though their districts have been gerrymandered by Wisconsin Republicans.

Central Wisconsin and their allies across the state are now fighting an area CAFO, the giant Central Sands Dairy CAFO, and the effort by Central Sands to get state approval to vector more cow manure into surface waters and aquifers. Central Sands' owner, the Wysocki corporation, is attempting to begin operations for another proposed area CAFO, the Golden Sands CAFO.

From Concerned Rome (Adams County Wisconsin) Citizens email this morning:

Subject:CAFO Alert - Action Required‏

Fellow concerned citizens,

It's interesting that again, it appears a request has been made just before a holiday weekend, trying to "fly under the radar".  The Nutrient Management Plan (NWP) they want to increase above recommended standards controls how much manure can be applied around the CAFO, in this case the Wysocki Central Sands CAFO across the river in Armenia. Neighboring drinking water wells there are already far above the state limit for Nitrates.

Why is that an issue for you?  These are the same Wysockis trying to force in a CAFO next door in Saratoga and we need to stop their manipulation of regulations at every turn. 

Please see Criste Greening's e-mail below and send your request to the DNR's Tyler Dix.

Dear friends & Concerned Citizens,

Time Sensitive - Response needed immediately

Once again the Central Sands Dairy and the Wysocki Organization is trying to sneak changes into their current Nutrient Management Plan. Their most recent request is to exceed manure application standards outlined by the UW Extension, this would allow them to apply much more manure to their fields than currently permitted to apply.  This is outrageous!

The public notice of this most recent modification request was posted on June 27th.  We have only 14 days to request a public hearing regarding the requested change.  Please do not delay, copy and paste the message below into a fresh email and send to Tyler Dix at the DNR.  This MUST be done before July 11th.  Tyler.Dix@wisconsin.gov

If choosing to construct your own individual email the following information MUST be included.

All petitions for a public hearing on substantial NMP modifications must include: the name, address and interest of the petitioner and reason(s) why a hearing is warranted.

Protect Wood County and Central Wisconsin, Say People

Shoveling some serious shite across Wisconsin -
Big Ag workers, State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa, Wisconsin)
and State Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay), work closely
with Scott Walker and polluters to help with pro-pollution,
effective political messaging. Krug and Kitchens made a
joint appearance on March 31, 2016 at Algoma City Hall
in northeastern Wisconsin. Krug and Kitchens
told residents to contact the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural
Resources (DNR) to have their concerns about polluted water
heard. The DNR under Scott Walker has abdicated its
traditional mission to protect natural resources, including
water. Citizens came out on a Winter evening and were lied to
repeatedly by two elected state officials who should be
looking out for constituents, not polluters.

Central Wisconsin citizens speak a simple and compelling message: Protect our communities' water, protect our environment, protect our children and protect our future.

Citizens' demands are met with just as clear a response from industrialized agricultural polluters and their protectors in the state and federal legislature: The response is, No.

For example, Rep. Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) belched up some blather in a June Is Dairy Month column. Kind does not mention corporate dairy agriculture and its ongoing environmental assault against family farmers and Wisconsin communities, used to having family farmers living on the land

Living near vast industrial manure ponds would be an act of madness, and suicide of course. One reason why the owners of one and every four pigs, for example, in the United States are Chinese and living safely away from their rural American colonies.

Death by manure pond

In a repulsive illustration of the scale of polluting industrialized agriculture, summer brings death by dairy and swine manure pond that happens every year across the nation. The deaths are every bit as horrific as they sound: See Another dairy worker drowns in a manure lagoon in less than a year, Two Wisconsin men die in manure pit accident, Iowa father, son die from manure pit fumes.

I guess CAFO owner and manure pond creator, James Wysocki of central Wisconsin, can't be blamed for not living on the grounds of his Confined Animal Feeding Operations, (CAFOs).

The problem is Wysocki and Big Ag have no reluctance to vectoring liquid manure into area communities with the predictable consequences of poisoning aquifers and surface waters with a lot of help from Scott Walker and the DNR. Big Ag both pollutes and deletes ground and surface water.

Political protection

Kind's constituents include Wood and Adams county residents where agribusiness, (Big Ag), is proliferating and targeting the region for shock-and-awe treatment in pollution and depletion-of-water tactics.

The business plan is to change a way of life so completely that multi-generational residents will become repulsed and terrorized, and they'll move out of their communities and leave the area as a colony to Big Ag polluters.

Doesn't seem right.

In Wisconsin state government, Big Ag's tools, State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa, Wisconsin) and State Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay), work closely with Scott Walker and polluters to help on pro-pollution, effective political tactics.

One example is a March 31, 2016 appearance at Algoma City Hall in northeastern Wisconsin at which Krug and Kitchens told residents to contact the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) to have their concerns about polluted water addressed, specifically the Ahnapee River, on Wisconsin’s Impaired Waters List.

Wisconsin's Republican attorney general working with the Republican governor and the Republican legislature has devastated the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources' ability to chronicle and respond to systemic attacks on safe and drinkable water so for Krug and Kitchens to suggest the DNR and feign no understanding of what their Party is doing is disingenuous.

Communities band together

I mentioned to clean water activists in central Wisconsin, that children being hospitalized and poisoned might finally elicit some spasm of conscience. The universal response: It's happened before and it won't matter to these people, [Big Ag].

Facing such inaction from state and federal government, communities have to monitor and document the devastation from liquid cow manure relying on citizen action.

Below is a video of decent central Wisconsin folk fighting a corporate-Republican assault on their way of life:

Citizen to State Rep. Scott Krug: YOU SOLD US OUT

Long Lake in Wisconsin - Used to be a lot of water
Kate Golden, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism

By Patt Pisellini (of central Wisconsin)

Scott [Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa)],

I have tried - really tried - to believe you. As our local representative, I have always given you the benefit of the doubt, hoping your motives were concerned with protecting your constituents. But, your performance on bill AB 874 leaves little doubt that you care very little about us.

First, your method of contacting me, by hacking Criste's (Greening's) email list, is unconscionable. It demonstrates a total lack of concern for private communications.

From your opening paragraph, you have shown total disrespect for the intelligence of your constituents. Intimating this bill would have gone forward out of committee regardless of your vote, is ridiculous. 

Second, the fact you offer elaborate scientific studies of watersheds, is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. There is scientific research already available. The vegetable growers have been conducting research for years. They know exactly what the performance of each watershed is. They just choose not to share it with the general public because it might force them to admit their agricultural practices need to be altered.

I watched your entire performance on the floor. Suggesting we drill more HCWs (High Capacity Wells) to fill up dried-up lakes, such as Long Lake, to study the hydrology is ludicrous. There are 5 monitoring wells already in place around Long Lake, that could, and should, have been used to study the hydrology over the past few years, but NOTHING has been done with them. We don't need to study the hydrology; all we need to do is take a drive around the perimeter of Long Lake, and the other Channel Lakes, and look at the proliferation of HCWs.

Your letter is a ploy to justify your actions, in hopes of getting back into our good graces.  Unfortunately, it is disingenuous, and lacks any substance. YOU SOLD US OUT - period. You have lost our trust, and do not deserve our respect.  I agree with Criste, I intend to support your opponent, and to actively campaign to oust you from office.

Rep. Krug Votes Against His Own Proposal … After He Voted for It

State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa) cannot decide what lie to tell his constituents as he works to deplete and poison his own constituents' waters.

So Krug last night decided to vote against his own bill.

Notes Assistant Democratic Leader Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) in a press releases: 

MADISON – Last night on the Assembly floor, in a highly unusual action, Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa) voted against final passage of his own substitute amendment to Assembly Bill 874, which grants indefinite water rights to some large water users at the expense of the average citizen.

This comes on the heels of Rep. Krug casting the deciding vote in favor of Assembly Bill 874 just two days prior in the Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry, and voting in favor of adoption of his substitute amendment on the Assembly floor last night.

“In all my years, I have never, ever, seen someone write their own amendment, vote for it in committee, and then vote against it on the Assembly floor. These are the kinds of twisted, political games that people are just fed up with,” commented Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha).  “Does he really think he can have a vote in both pockets, mislead his constituents, and get away with it?”  

When asked on the Assembly floor why he voted against his own proposal, which he claimed to have worked on for three and a half years and previously voted for, Rep. Krug said the proposal “fell a little bit short.”   

“The only person that can be blamed for this proposal falling short is Scott Krug. He wrote the proposal that he voted against. Is this really the best he could do for his constituents?” said Assistant Democratic Leader Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point).  “In a desperate attempt to protect himself and save face in an election year, he is willing to intentionally mislead our Central Sands community.” 

“The people of the Central Sands have asked for and negotiated in good faith for years for responsible groundwater management policy,” continued Rep. Shankland. “Instead, Rep. Krug fulfilled the Republican party’s and special interests’ bidding by casting the deciding vote in committee, voting for the adoption of his proposal, and then voting against its passage. This continues a clear pattern of Rep. Krug promising his constituents one thing and then doing another. It’s cynical and manipulative politics that he believes will fool people and protect his seat while selling out his constituents’ water interests.”

Walker Sells Out Wisconsin Peoples' Water

"As Flint residents are forced to drink, cook with and even bathe in bottled water, while still paying some of the highest water bills in the county for their poisoned water, we turn to a little-known story about the bottled water industry in Michigan. In 2001 and 2002, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality issued permits to Nestlé, the largest water bottling company in the world, to pump up to 400 gallons of water per minute from aquifers that feed Lake Michigan," (Goodman, Democracy Now).

Now that Scott Walker and legislative Republicans are set on a course of giving away the people of the state of Wisconsin's water, the water that has not been polluted yet, residents from around the state remain in a state ranging from trauma to disbelief.

Notes a friend from central Wisconsin:

In Rome, Wisconsin in Adams County, in there is a 40-acre piece of property on Alpine Drive and 15th, that is up for sale. It contains a high-capacity well that was never used by the former owner, Jim Hoffman. Jim lost the property through foreclosure. If this bill, (AB 874), goes through, anyone purchasing that piece of property could set up for extraction for bottled water, and no one will be able to do a thing about it. Very few people realize that the well is there.

Wisconsin is a trajectory as the new Flint, Michigan. Whether this stops is up to the people.

Central Wisconsin Legislator Has Residents Seeing Red, Feeling Betrayed

Increasing opposition to a proposed massive CAFO in Wood
County in central Wisconsin spurs State Rep. Scott Krug (R)
to lie he has support of clean water advocates for legislation
he is co-sponsoring in the state assembly. Krug's bill would
facilitate the permitting of high capacity water wells drawing
100,000 gallons of groundwater per day and used by CAFOs
to create pathogen-laden liquid cow manure that is dumped
into the environment.
- Photo by Mary Captain-Braund

Update: WisPolitics notes, "The GOP author, (State Rep. Scott Krug) of a sub amendment for a high-capacity well bill got his proposal adopted and then voted against the bill."
---
State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa) has rarely made a promise he has kept.

Krug was elected in 2010 after a solemn promise to serve two terms, and never accept a penny of per diem money. Both were lies. "I'm for real," two terms and I'm out, declared Scott Krug in a campaign plank in 2010.

Now Krug has committed another betrayal on protecting fresh water.

Wisconsin Assembly Bill 874, a dangerous anti-groundwater bill that would facilitate the operation and permitting of high capacity wells drawing over 100,000 gallons of water per day, was passed out of the Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry yesterday. Krug voted for AB 874 and broke his promise.

Krug serves as Vice-Chair of the Committee. He had promised citizen groups privately in the Central Sands region AB 874 would not advance in a series of emails last year.

"We are under assault by the state legislature. Krug has totally betrayed us," said a Saratoga man fighting the siting of a Concentrated (Confined) Agricultural Feeding Operation (CAFO) in central Wisconsin. CAFOs use massive amounts of water, and vector it back laden with toxins and feces into the environment.

Krug is a champion of Big Ag in Wisconsin and polluting CAFOs but in a particularly brazen series of moves has has told groups such as Protect Wood County and Our Neighbors that he opposes a proposed massive new CAFO and anti-clean water legislation opposed by citizen groups

"I’m very disappointed that Rep. Krug had the opportunity to kill Assembly Bill 874, but instead he chose to side with the lobbyists and special interests. I’ve heard overwhelmingly from you about your strong opposition to this legislation and appreciate your advocacy on this vital issue for the Central Sands," said State Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point).

Krug's advocacy for AB 874 comes after a raft of anti-clean water bills and other legislation giving away the fresh water of Wisconsin to special interests have been passed by Wisconsin Republicans. Special interests have also enlisted the Republican attorney general to provide legal backing to water depletion initiatives.

The betrayal following other betrayals and broken promises by Krug was feared.

"As feared, Assembly Bill 874 (Gudex bill) was approved in committee and now moves to the Assembly for approval.  It shortcuts the process for high cap well replacement, creates a 'de facto' water right and takes the DNR out of the permitting process when wells are replaced or ownership transferred.  Notice that our Representative Scott Krug was one of those approving it in committee.  So much for protecting groundwater in our district.  Don't forget the over 3,000 high cap wells in our central sands area.  It's up to voters like you and me," writes Don Ystad of Adams County in an email to fresh water advocates.

Writes the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters in a press release:

From the start, the intent of the Death by a Thousand Straws Bill has been clear. Big Ag has lobbied legislators to advance the interests of their thirsty clients at the expense of the state’s valuable groundwater and the many people who rely on it.

Today, in the year 2016, there are people whose drinking water wells are running dry and lakes and rivers are drying up because high capacity wells are over pumping our groundwater supply. Yet, Death by a Thousand Straws moves forward and heads to the floor of the Assembly later this week.

We are very concerned that, despite an outpouring of opposition from thousands of Wisconsinites, including many who are directly impacted by loss of groundwater, legislators chose to listen to special interests rather than their constituents. We have a real groundwater crisis in this state and Death by a Thousand Straws not only refuses to address this problem – it makes it so we can never reach a commonsense, bipartisan solution.

The people of Wisconsin – especially those affected by careless and irresponsible groundwater management – deserve better.

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters was disappointed to see Representatives Mursau, Krug, Czaja, Kitchens, Swearingen, Edming, and R. Brooks vote in favor of AB 874 during the executive session committee vote. Representatives Mason, Milroy, Hebl, Stuck, Considine, and Allen voted against the bill.

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters is calling on members of the Assembly to stand in opposition to Death by a Thousand Straws and with their constituents who have taken action thousands of times and urged their decision makers to vote no on this bill.

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to electing conservation leaders, holding decision makers accountable, and encouraging lawmakers to champion conservation policies that effectively protect Wisconsin’s public health and natural resources.

The lifeblood of civilization, clean water, is now a just another commodity Republicans are giving away to special interests, as they eviscerate protections against polluters.

Rep. Scott Krug Skips Wood County Groundwater Ordinance Meeting

Facing heavy lobbying from the polluters' lobby, the Dairy Business Association, the Wood County Board of Supervisors narrowly passed a groundwater protection ordinance Tuesday. (Anderson, Gannett Co. News) (Mal Contends)

Wisconsin State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) spoke in favor of the groundwater ordinance.

State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa and ALEC) was absent.

Why did State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa and ALEC) blow off this meeting?

Krug is quietly assisting Scott Walker, Walker's DNR and the Dairy Business Association in their project in which one objective and inevitable consequence is to contaminate and literally toxify area lakes and groundwater.

Nice.

This is what a corrupt group of politicians and Big Ag do when they sell out the people of Wisconsin for money.

The owners don't live on the industrialized factory farms, they safely live far away from the millions of tons of liquidized manure they deposit into the environment.

Krug is running a con on the people of 72nd state assembly district in central Wisconsin. Krug pretends to care about the health of water, and even instituted an informal surface-water citizens advisory group in which members say Krug never took minutes, often didn't show up, and then made numerous references to the group during campaign season.

Homes Under Attack in Wood Counties: Big Ag Suspect Number One

Message from proposed Wysocki CAFO to residents in
Wood County delivered in April 2015

Threats, Death Threats, Vandalism, Assaults and Now Slander

Residents in Wood and Adams counties in central Wisconsin working to halt a massively polluting proposed industrial dairy operation, a CAFO, are crime victims being met by a new spate of theft, criminal destruction, intimidation and a possible cyber attack on a home in the Town of Saratoga. (Madden, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune)

The proposed siting of the massive 5,300-animal, 7,000-acre Wysocki CAFO has already driven down property valuations in the area because of the predictable consequence of the pollution and inflictions on health that come with CAFO operations. (Mal Contends)

Ten more signs vandalized the weekend of May 29-31, 2015
in Wood County.

On one hand are multi-generational families working to stimulate the economic activity associated with tourism and recreation, and to protect their homes and their families' health.

Then there is James Wysocki whose proposed CAFO is already depressing a troubled economy, and should the CAFO ever begin operations tourism, recreation, streams, lakes and aquifers—already being drained by Wysocki's high capacity water wells used in potato-growing operations—would in short order become relics and the area an economic wasteland.

Protect Wood County and Its Neighbors are fighting back but Wysocki is protected politically by Gov. Scott Walker and local Wisconsin State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa) whose first public words on the proposed CAFO siting were "Quit your bitching," made to Nancy Koch, on July 19, 2012 at a special Saratoga Town Board meeting drawing 100s of people so the meeting was held at the Wisconsin Rapids Performing Arts Center.

"Your Hous [sic] Is Next," reads a threat left near the home and
on the land of a family protesting the proposed massive Wysocki
CAFO in central Wisconsin. It take a certain pathology of CAFO
owners to deliberately poison neighbors, and another pathology to
leave this type of sick threat. The note was left after the sign of a
cow (below) had the cow's head removed. Photo: Nancy Koch

Wysocki and his political allies in the GOP have nothing but contempt for the people of central Wisconsin.

"These good people are trying to protect their homes and existing lifestyle from this proposed CAFO that would surround their homes with the stink, dirt, noise, and water quality issues that come with these huge industrialized farms. Any of us would do the same to protect our own property values, and in fact, those of us living in the surrounding area will be the worse for it if this goes through. The odors from their existing CAFO in Armenia can be smelled 11 miles away in Nekoosa. How far away are you from the proposed CAFO?," writes area resident, Don Ystad in an email.

A resident of Wisconsin Rapids, in a letter to the Wood County Sheriff, references threats and vandalism on land owned by Thor Lasy—a cordial 84-year-old retired businessman with property in Wood County, who has not even taken a position on the proposed CAFO—but is a recreational enthusiast who believes a depressed area economy could become vibrant again if people could come together and promote the recreation and tourism potential of the region. (Madden, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune).

Following is Rhonda Carrell's letter of Wisconsin Rapids:

Sheriff Reichert,

I am aware that Thor Laisy has spoken with you. ...

Every time I enter a meeting that pertains to Saratoga and see city police or sheriffs deputies, I just cringe. ... We are residents of an area where a bad business plan is in the process of being executed. We have been wronged. Our lives have turned into a living hell because this will not go away. We, at our home, have been on the receiving end of so many possible acts of intimidation, I will not be able to recite them all. I have, at times, felt unsafe on my own property and keep a gun close. I am alone a lot because my husband works out of town. This has taken a major toll on my health and our lives.

1. Man threatened me at the Saratoga Town banquet hall (in the parking lot) before the first meeting pertaining to the proposed CAFO. I was circulating a petition in the parking lot pertaining to asking our Town Board to fight the proposal. I asked my husband to keep an eye on him. When he left, he got into a Wysocki truck.

2. Man threatened my life if I did not back off from opposing this project at the PAC Center in Rapids on July 17, 2012. He then went and stood at the end if the row where my family and friend were sitting and stood there the entire time.

3. The night before we submitted 43 lbs of info to the DNR as part of the EIS, I was sitting in our living room going over materials to be submitted. After 11:00 pm someone was banging on the French doors next to where I was sitting. It happened in the middle of the night on the French doors outside our bedroom. We could not locate who it was by the time we got outside. Our deck is almost 700’ off Evergreen Avenue. This was not a coincidence. No one would just stumble onto our deck.

4. We have had broken glass at the end of our driveway NUMEROUS times and roadkill twice.

5. My husband was at our mailbox parked in the ditch (not in the road at all). He heard a vehicle coming toward him, accelerating quickly, and looked up just in time to see a late model green Ford F150 4X4 supercab (identical to my husband’s truck except color different) swerving toward his car. The truck missed him by an estimated two inches. The truck had the Wysocki logo on the door. We asked around to see who it belonged to because it was not one of their field trucks and were told, at the time the incident occurred, the only green late model supercab in the fleet belonged to Louis Wysocki’s grandson.

6. Computer has been hacked. Will not type all details. If interested, I will share details. Phone also hacked via email.

7. We have had many signs & pink cows stolen as have my husband’s parents on Mill Avenue. They have had their ditch torn up many times. Their home is across the road from Wysocki field in Saratoga.

8. I have been followed several times by a Wysocki worker. Sometimes in work truck, sometimes in a different vehicle. I don’t know who he is but it is uncomfortable. He may be the same man that threatened me at the PAC & Saratoga Town Hall.

9. Someone used a shotgun to destroy a scarecrow that was wearing a Protect Wood County T-shirt displayed at the end of our driveway.

I have actually heard the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce blamed us for the tipping over of a beautiful stone community events sign just south of the Nepco Lake bridge. I have heard the developers who own the land have repeated this untruth. WHY would anyone do that? Through a source within the DOT, I was told the developers tore it down themselves for one reason or another. I’m not clear as to who owned the sign but have been concerned about this accusation since I heard of it. This is simply NOT true.

We are here and were living our dream until all this started. We do not deserve what we have been going through. I’m certain I have left out many incidents, but I believe this is enough to help you understand something isn’t right.

Late Sunday night and into Monday morning many of our signs were damaged and torn down. One resident who will not speak up said theirs were damaged at approximately 1:20 am Monday. Whomever is doing this drops someone off by the signs/cows and the person working on signs has tools. There have been bolts, nuts and other materials used to erect the cows left on the ground after they have taken them down. This is the current description on what occurred early Monday. We are aware of 1- pink cow beheaded and 4 other anti CAFO signs on Hwy. 13 at top of 5 Mile Creek hill being thrown out in the road, 1- large pink cow at Evergreen & Hwy. 13 and also tore down the 4X8 STOP THE WYSOCKI CAFO sign & frame, 1-large pink cow at Ten Mile Creek, 1- small pink cow beat up with a hammer on 10 Mile Ave. East of Hwy. 13, 1- large pink cow beheaded & tipped over at Bell Road along Hwy. 73 aling with 2- 4X8 signs, one a painting of cupped hands holding water and on the back of that was a STOP THE WYSOCKI CAFO.

I’m told this info should be referred to Deputy Christiansen with case #15-8145 attached. If you wish to speak with me, our number is [xxx].

If you could help, please do. We have just been doing our best to live some sort of normal life in the middle of this mess.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Carrell
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

Clean Water Group: Dana Duncan Gives Unique Access for Concerns, Scott Krug Ignored Outcry

Protect Wood County and Its Neighbors released a statement regarding Wisconsin's 72nd Assembly district race.

The Dana Duncan (D-Port Edwards) campaign released the following statement in response: "I am pleased that Protect Wood County (PWC) has recognized me as the candidate best poised to deal with the dangers posed by high capacity wells and CAFOs. Before becoming a candidate, I did not grasp the dangers facing the Town of Saratoga and Wisconsin from high capacity wells and CAFOs.  After looking at the issues, I took a clear stand without any equivocation. It was the right thing to do then and is the right thing to do now, regardless of political ramifications. This endorsement by PWC shows that they are frustrated by Scott Krug's efforts to protect the interest of big money donors to the detriment of the people of his district. They recognize commitment versus political expedience.  They see determination to act versus delay and apprehension.  I look forward to go to Madison to work on these problems and to provide real leadership for the 72nd District."

From Protect Wood County and Its Neighbors:

Dear friends and concerned citizens,

Election day on Tuesday, November 4th, is fast approaching. The Assembly race for District 72 and the Governor’s race are of utmost importance as the "Winners" will have a direct impact on the future of Wisconsin’s natural resources and environmental protection. The purpose of this email is not to direct you how to vote, but to briefly present some of the key environmental issues and candidate positions.

There are many among us who have misgivings about continuing to work with our current representatives.  The question has been posed, "Is it better to have a mediocre representative from the party in power or a strong representative from the opposing camp?" Ultimately, that decision is going to be left to the voters.

How you choose to vote is your choice.  What is ultimately important is that you vote.

As with the Gubernatorial email, comments provided below are from local residents who have been actively involved in our battle from the beginning and frequently communicate with our representatives. Comments have been edited to reflect environmental topics only and not those on education or the economy.

Representative Krug - Rep. Krug has been our elected official throughout the duration of our battle against the Wysocki group and their proposal to site a dairy CAFO in our backyards. Rep. Krug initially was determined that a “Win / Win” situation could be reached between the dueling parties, ignoring the outcry from his citizenry. Although continuing to sit solidly on the fence regarding the proposed CAFO, Rep. Krug created a Groundwater Advisory Committee in August 2013 in response to community outrage over Motion 375 sneaking into the budget bill.   The citizen committee never addressed Motion 375 because Senate Bill 302 was introduced and dominated the discussion by Krug’s lead.  Krug attempted to bring interested parties to the table to reach an acceptable compromise regarding water usage in the Central Sands.   The Groundwater Advisory group did not address the CAFO concerns. 
The following is an overview of citizen input regarding representation of our concerns over the past 2 years:
•Proposed CAFO announced in June 2012 - community research completed and given to Rep. Krug in September 2012.  Rep Krug did not stand with his constituents publicly until Aug. 21st of 2014 - two full years after the initial announcement.

•Rep. Krug takes sole credit for the defeat of Senate Bill 302 and indeed he played a part in the victory.  However, in actuality SB 302 was so bad it was defeated by a tremendous amount of statewide citizen opposition and activism preventing it from ever reaching the Senate or Assembly floor. 

•League of Conservation Voters Award - Voting for conservation bills 57% of the time and with a lifetime record of 38%, Krug ranked highest among Assembly Republicans.  Democrats like Katrina Shankland were typically at 100%.

•Rep. Krug formed the Groundwater Advisory Committee after significant pressure from environmental groups and touts the success of the group's accomplishments. However, numerous participants feel very differently regarding the accomplishments noting:

◦meetings were casual/informal and lacked focus - Follow-through from the previous meeting decisions hardly happened 

◦group had questionable objectives

◦creation of draft legislation was completed by Rep. Krug without the group’s input or knowledge - group actively spoke with Rep. Krug to NOT introduce this legislation due to its unacceptable content.

◦Rep. Krug had an ineffective communication style and often cancelled/rescheduled meetings.  The last meeting was held on May 23, 2014. However, Rep. Krug did try to get the group to meet in June and August - no one was available.

•Rep. Krug attended CAFO update meetings hosted by citizen groups but has also backed out of pre-scheduled appearances on multiple occasions.  Most recently, the following venues:

◦August Groundwater Summit (Almond)

◦Living Better/Longer Health Forum on Oct. 2 (Wisc. Rapids)

◦Ho Chunk candidate forum on Oct. 9 (Black River Falls)

◦League of Women Voters Forum on Oct. 20 (Wisc. Rapids)

◦Waushara County Debate on Oct. 22 (Wautoma)

•When asked on Wisconsin Public Radio about the vicious attack mailer being delivered to constituents, Rep. Krug admitted he was aware of the flyers and supported their distribution.

•Additionally, Rep. Krug takes credit for bringing tourism to Rome.  In actuality, both the State Trap Shooters and new Sand Valley Golf Course sought out the Rome location independent of any local representation.

•Rep. Krug voted for the 2013 AB 1/ SB 1 Gogebic Taconite Bill that removed many environmental safeguards from mining regulations.

Dana Duncan (D-Port Edwards) - Candidate Duncan is an attorney and local resident in the Central Wisconsin area.  Mr. Duncan officially announced his candidacy in January of 2014 to challenge Rep. Krug for the 72nd Assembly District seat.  Mr. Duncan has been an outspoken candidate on environmental issues. Provided below are comments and testimonials supplied by local residents who have communicated with candidate Duncan and asked difficult questions pertaining to our concerns.

•Citizens met with Candidate Duncan to share concerns on the proposed CAFO and water issues associated with the facility in late 2013. Citizen research was shared at that time.  Mr. Duncan studied the information and completed his own investigation leading to his announcement against the proposed Golden Sands Dairy proposed for Saratoga on June 12th, 2014.  Candidate Duncan continues to utilize citizen groups for insight and information regarding the proposed CAFO.

•Candidate Duncan believes the Department of Natural Resources should be an elected position not appointed by the Governor and will work to initiate this change to eliminate party politics from the DNR.

•Candidate Duncan has publicly called for a moratorium on high capacity well expansion until a further evaluation is done by the DNR assessing cumulative impact

•There are concerns that Candidate Duncan will have little clout with veteran lawmakers due to being a freshman in the Assembly.  When hearing this concern, Mr. Duncan outlined how he plans to form a freshman caucus so the new hires to the Assembly have more clout working together than standing alone independently. This idea was stated publicly at a meeting with members of the Protect Wood County group on July 21, 2014.

•An Attorney background provides knowledge of law and organizational ability not available to our current incumbent.

•Candidate Duncan ran his campaign with little monetary assistance from his political party.  After being the target of numerous mud-slinging ads from his opponent, Mr. Duncan’s campaign team continued to take the high road, including rejection of a mailer designed to strike back at his opponent even though he was encouraged to circulate it.

•Early on, Candidate Duncan chose two members of the Protect Wood County group, Bill Leichtnam and Bruce Dimick, to be on his Advisory Committee.  This has given our group unique access to the Candidate.

As with all political campaign seasons, deciphering fact from party propaganda is at times very difficult.  Do not believe every radio commercial you hear or every slam ad that hits your mailbox.  Comments provided here are from individuals who have been front and center in the fight to protect and preserve our townships and who are deeply concerned with current trends in our state government.  Unfortunately, our environmental battle has become very political.

Please honor their hard work by voting on November 4th.

Sincerely
Protect Wood County
Core Leader Group

Where Is Scott Krug?

Where Is Scott Krug? Not even Krug's
caucus trust him to show at joint
appearances with his opponent.

State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa) has gone dark, refusing any more appearances with his opponent between now and Election Day.

Krug pretends to buck the Republican Party, but the GOP assembly caucus is his boss, sending money his way and advisors so Krug does not appear the clown at joint forums.

But not even the Republican Caucus trusts Krug anymore.

Word is Krug is forbidden to show anywhere where he would encounter his opponent, Dana Duncan (D-Port Edwards).

The fear is that Krug's opponent, Dana Duncan, is an attorney with the ability to cross-examine Krug and make him look foolish.

Moreover Duncan reportedly gets under Krug's skin and makes him say stupid things, e.g., "(my water committee) stopped meeting when they started campaigning for you."

This comment refers to Krug's recent line at one forum where Krug claimed to be studying a proposed massive CAFO sited in Saratoga because Krug says he is not afraid of his own party and concluded he against this one CAFO, though outside his district Krug is silent on other CAFOs.

Scott Krug Admits His Ruse Last Night in Adams County

Scott Krug 2010 Campaign Promise: 'Two terms and I'm out, I'm for real'

Scott Krug was not supposed to even be at two debates this week before the pro-water environmentalists and other voters in Adams and Wood counties.

"I'm for real," two terms and I'm out, declared Scott Krug in a campaign plank in 2010.

But the lies of Scott Krug extend deep into the most important issues facing central Wisconsin, the environment, specifically the devastation liquid cow manure and high capacity wells are inflicting on this tourism and recreational destination.

The damage already done to the waters comes as a proposed massive concentrated agricultural feeding operation (CAFO) is being fought by the sponsors of the debate that was held Monday and Tuesday.

No one can trust Scott Krug is the prevailing sentiment among anti-CAFO residents, a truism I repeated here, when I included Krug in a list of "cynical, corrupt politicians" who are providing political cover for polluters.

Krug said he was going to sue be for libel for my pointing out his con game, then backed down. Coward.

Scott Krug confirmed it Tuesday night at a forum in Adams county.

One observer reports: When Scott Krug was directly asked last night by Dana Duncan (D-Port Edwards), "when was the last time that your Water Advisory Board met" at a forum on health in Adams County, Krug replied: "We stopped meeting around the same time that many of the members started campaigning for you."

Krug's informal Water Advisory Board, cited by Krug as an example of his leading, was a ruse all along, and Krug admitted it.

Wisconsin Assembly District 72 Debate Monday Night Is Citizens Leading

Wisconsin's 72nd Assembly District

State Rep. Scott Krug's (R-Nekoosa) race against disability rights atty Dana Duncan (D-Port Edwards) displays community action that used to define Wisconsin before special interests like the Koch brothers and mining interests began running the Republican Party.

A Monday night, Oct. 6 debate is the most anticipated political event this isolated part of the state has seen in years.

This following analysis is blunt, unlike the people of the 72nd assembly district who epitomize the friendly, open culture of Wisconsin.

Scott Krug is a policy lightweight, lacks an ethical center and doesn't belong in public office.

Krug will say anything to get elected and has, most notably promising in 2010 to serve two terms ("I'm for real") and not accept "one cent" of per diem money because he is so serious about spending Wisconsin taxpayers' money. Krug pocketed over $10,000 per diem money anyway to no shame when asked about his unusual promise.

Krug broke both promises with no explanation exceeding that of a first grader evading a teacher's concern about anti-social behavior. (Bice, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

The political landscape has changed in this district the last two years (gerrymandered though it is) and Krug cannot avoid Monday night's debate sponsored by two citizens' groups, Protect Wood County and Its Neighbors and Rome and Saratoga Friendly (Facebook) without committing political suicide.

This is a testament to the work of citizens deciding the nature of their community where they work, live and seemingly more frequently than most enjoy the company of their grandchildren.

Former Republican-voting citizens in the district now openly display Burke-Lehman signs in their front yards solely because of the clean water-CAFO-tourism-local control issues.

Against this, Scott Krug infamously told a constituent and public forum attendee to "quit your bitching" in 2012 as a Big Ag defiler of the environment (and Krug ally) spoke at the Wisconsin Performing Arts Center.

Citizen action for clean water, tourism and recreation—against the proposed massive Wysocki concentrated agricultural feeding operation (CAFO) and the vectoring of liquid cow manure into waterways and aquifers of the central sands—has forced prospective policymakers to seek an electoral mandate as Krug has raised well over $Six figures (a staggering amount for this district) steered his way from the Wisconsin GOP kings and special interests to fight off his own constituents.

Krug displays in his Wisconsin Bluebook biography that he is a 2012 recipient of the Dairy Business Association (CAFOs' mega lobby and industry drum beater.)

Seventy-four days before Election Day 2014, Scott Krug suddenly announced he is against the siting of the CAFO. (VanEgeren, The Capital Times)

Krug's ally, Scott Walker, well, enough is known about Walker to not elaborate except to note this morning's dailies report Walker still refuses to give a straight answer this late in the campaign and commit to serving a full term should voters reelect him. (Stein, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) (Nichols, The Capital Times)

Dana Duncan

Dana Duncan is the anti-Krug, the anti-Walker.

Earnest, wonkish and brilliant, Duncan is independent, engages voters to the extent that Krug runs from them, and when Duncan commits to events, interviews or forums there is an absolute assurance Duncan will fulfill his commitment, contra Krug.

Duncan has been against the proposed CAFO since it was dropped on the Town of Saratoga in the summer of 2012; Krug pretended he was studying the issue until called out, melting under the political heat.

Duncan speaks in detail about the proposed CAFO, clean water, the environment, tourism and recreation, against Krug's poorly formulated clichés.

Scott Walker, this lifetime politician living on the taxpayers' dole condemns any political citizen in Walker's disfavor benefiting from any aspect of the commonwealth and despite campaigning to lead the most "transparent" administration in Wisconsin history is the most closed-off, still refusing to hold a townhall style listening session.

Krug, though a policy lightweight, praises Scott Walker with adoration and is a member of the corporate bill mill, ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Dana Duncan was not the choice of the Democratic Party's controversial chair, Mike Tate.

Duncan didn't care. He's not running for the Party. Ducan's running for the community.

One hopes coverage of debate is heavy.

A certainty is Wisconsin will be hearing more of the concerns of the people of central Wisconsin who have found allies across the state.

Pro-Water Group to Host Debate for Rep. Scott Krug and Dana Duncan

Protect Wood County and Its Neighbors and Rome and Saratoga Friendly will cohost a debate on October 6 between State Rep. Scott Krug (Wisconsin Rapids and ALEC) and Dana Duncan, the Democratic Party nominee for the 72nd assembly district.

Duncan has made his opposition to a proposed massive Concentrated Agricultural Feeding Operation (CAFO) that would abut four counties in central Wisconsin a centerpiece of his campaign to oust Krug.

Krug is a strong ally of Scott Walker's and Walker's transformation of the DNR into a corporation-friendly permit mill that has abandoned its historical mission of protecting Wisconsin's land and water.

Krug is still pursuing policies that vectors toxic runoff into aquifers and streams and lakes (resources making the region a tourism and recreational attraction) while pretending to champion water in the face of a citizen action against the proposed CAFO and increased liquid manure spraying in Wood County.

Yesterday, Krug after over two years of pressure from constituents finally came out against the proposed massive Wysocki CAFO in Juneau, Wood, Adams and Portage counties.

Krug still supports the several CAFOs operating in or near his 72nd assembly district, and remains a captive legislator in the pocket of the Dairy Business Association and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

Rep Scott Krug Told Pro-Water Activist: "Quit Your Bitching," Citizen Don Ystad Didn't Get Krug's Order

Scott Krug's con game: Not working
Krug likes to portray himself as an
environmentalist. Fact:
Krug's Sierra Club -
John Muir Chapter Rating is
a dismal Eight Percent

"Quit your Bitching," said Rep Scott Krug (R-Wisconsin Rapids and ALEC) to Saratoga resident, Nancy Koch of Protect Wood County and Its Neighbors.

Nancy Koch of the Town of Saratoga was listening to Terry Rickaby (Saratoga Board Chair) and Big Ag's James Wysocki two summers ago.

Wysocki and his company officials did a PR gig on July 19, 2012 at a special Saratoga Town Board meeting drawing 100s of people so the meeting was held at the Wisconsin Rapids Performing Arts Center.

Wysocki's song and dance included how wonderful the Wysocki's Concentrated Agricultural Feeding Operation (CAFO) is going to be, and that area residents will like it.

Wysocki left out of his presentation that residents' preference is not relevant to his corporate plans.

Koch remarked how the Dairy Business Association (DBA) and Wysocki were trying to shove a proposed massive Concentrated Agricultural Feeding Operation (CAFO) down the throats of residents [in Wood, Adams, Portage and Juneau counties], and that the DBA and Wysocki co-authored the Wisconsin Livestock Siting Law (and the administrative law implementing it) that helps CAFOs site their operations against the objection of local communities.

"Quit your bitching," said Scott Krug to Koch at the Town Hall Meeting. Other attendees confirm the remark

Koch first mentioned this incident to me July 5, 2014 at a breakfast in Wisconsin Rapids at a restaurant on 8th Street, attended by members of Protect Wood County and Rome and Saratoga Friendly.

Emailed Koch yesterday, "Early on in this fight when I contacted Scott Krug at his Republican e-mail address I asked for his help with this CAFO issue. In the e-mail, I reminded him who I was ---- that I was the one he told to 'Quit your bitching' at the Wysocki presentation at the Performing Arts Center in Wi Rapids. I never got a response to the e-mail or an apology."

Approximately 50 million gallons of liquid cow manure would be produced every year, and "forty-nine high capacity wells would be capable of pumping 7.3 billion gallons of water from the groundwater aquifer annually" would be drained by this one proposed CAFO.

Wysocki, the DBA, Scott Walker and Rep. Scott Krug want this CAFO and will not let residents stand in the way of Wysocki's plan for the residents' community. Wysocki company officials live far and safely away from their cow manure dumping grounds.

Special delivery of liquid cow manure to Wisconsin streams and lakes -
Courtesy of Scott Krug, Scott Walker and the Dairy Business Associations

As for Scott Krug's statement that he is filing a libel suit against me for writing that Krug is a cynical, corrupt politician ... providing political cover for polluters and Krug is assisting Scott Walker, Walker's DNR and the Dairy Business Association in their project in which one objective is to contaminate and literally toxify Wisconsin lakes and other waters; well, Krug has now gone dark, apparently convinced by attorneys that truth is an effective defense against libel suits.

Fortunately for Wisconsin, Rome citizens Donald Ystad has not gone dark.

Here is Ystad's latest communication to Wisconsin policymakers referencing a CAFO in Kewaunee County:

Here's a question for politicians and agency people copied here: What can be done to make the water drinkable again for the residents of Kewaunee County? Really, can anything be done? 

 

Selfishly, as my community faces the spector of a possible 8,000 acre dairy CAFO  directly within our existing recreational community, what assurance will we have that our drinking water won't also be tainted, that our lakes and streams won't be decimated by withdrawals from high cap wells with more capacity than all the municipal wells in Waukesha County, that our air quality won't be reduced to the point that visitors begin staying away from the Wisconsin Trapshooters home facility. Our lakes, our existing Arrowhead Golf Courses, or the new Sand Valley Golf Resort?  What happens to our already suffering property values?  Are you aware there are nearly 1,500 private drinking water wells within a three mile perimeter of the proposed high cap wells?  Are we going to be asking the same questions about our community in 5 years?

I fall back on the Public Trust Doctrine which states that these are waters of the state. When I see comments that DATCP and DNR officials said nutrient management plans are designed to minimize, not completely eliminate, pollution, I cringe,  Why shouldn't I and and every resident of this state expect clean water, whether in groundwater, surface water, or in farm runoff?  At a time when the news is full of stories with drinking water sources tainted, area beaches closed and communities where over 30% of private wells are polluted, don't you think we are facing a crisis with our water?
  
When scientists tell us that ag pollution accounts for 75% or more of the pollution in our water, I ask what is being done to minimize it?  Our community requires septic system inspections every 3 years, has banned residential use of phosphorous fertilizers and is rolling out a Shoreland Protection Ordinance to protect our water.  My family has a long history of dairy farming in Wisconsin, but for me, the DBA (Dairy Business Association) has become the face of the enemy,  I'm tired of their fighting every attempt to bring a solution to our water issues, pointing blame at everyone but themselves, and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying in Madison to weaken environmental laws and gain favor of politicians.  It's time for a change in approach to protecting the waters of the state, before all our drinking water is fouled.

 

I'm sure you are all as tired of hearing from people like me, as I am writing e-mails like this.  In truth, I could find concerns about our water issues in a newspaper every day.  It's as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.  The hard part is getting through to you and overcoming the million dollars spent annually by the ag community lobbying to weaken controls over our water.  Fortunately, the groundswell of public concern continues to grow.

I'm a concerned citizen and I vote, as do the hundreds blind copied here.

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