REP. WOOD, FISCAL CONSERVATIVE, HAS UNPAID JUDGMENT

A Crystal Ball Vision Two Years Ago
Returns as a "Character" Study Today

Special to the Readers of Milwaukeeworld.com

By Michael Horne

And The Milwaukee World Hound Dog Team

Two years ago, in November, 2006, I sent a letter to Rep. Jeffrey S. Wood wondering if he had anything to say about an unpaid judgment entered against him in Eau Claire County in 1990. I never heard back from him, but the judgment, in the amount of $367.50, owed to the Herrick Hart Duchemin law firm, remains unsatisfied. Back in 1992, Luther Hospital in Chippewa County satisfied its judgment against Wood by garnishing his wages at Old Country Buffet.
I wrote then about what a train wreck he appeared to be, but that was back before he decided Republicans weren't fiscally conservative enough for him, and he became the first Independent elected to the legislature in over 80 years.
It was also before he was arrested for drunk driving (third time) and marijuana possession on December 12th, 2008.
Those charges have yet to be filed against Wood.
Wood was a sponsor of 2007 Assembly Bill 68 which was designed to increase from two to 10 the number of special temporary "Class 'B'" alcohol beverage licenses a municipality could grant to qualifying clubs, organizations, etc. These licenses allow church groups, veterans posts and the like to hold fundraising festivals that politicians like to attend. The bill failed to pass.
Wood was successful in changing a law to permit underage attendance at the Chippewa Falls Renaissance Fair, heedless that it might lead to a lifelong pattern of Mead consumption among Northwoods teenagers.
In addition to drinking, naturally Rep. Wood takes an interest in driving, and he was a sponsor of a failed bill to require Driver Education programs to include training about the need to stop for emergency vehicles, like when the State Patrol has your drunken assemblyman pulled over on the side of the road in his crashed car, and urinating into the ditch. Who wouldn't want to stop for that?

BALDWIN CO-CHAIR OF INAUGURAL COMMITTEE

Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Madison has been chosen as a co-chair of the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee according to an announcement posted on the inaugural website today, Monday, December 22nd, 2008. Of the 15 members, three (Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton) are ex-presidents.

BARRETT LISTS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Mayor Tom Barrett submitted his list of infrastructure projects that are ready-to-go to the incoming administration last week. Here it is.