Rep. Jean Hundertmark (far right) with group participants Annette Bjorklund and Andy Morton. Dawn Olson (center) at welcome picnic. Participants introduced themselves and were limited in time by how long they could hold their hand in a bucket of ice water. L-R: Marv Prestrud, Bob Unertl, Jack Herricks, Annette Bjorklund, Lorna O’Donovan working on small group project.

Group XI (2004-2006) News

Wisconsin’s Rural Leaders Visit State Capital

by Elmer Dvorachek, Group XI Participant

On July 27-30, 2004, twenty-eight participants of the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program met at the Concourse Hotel and State Capitol in Madison to increase their knowledge and understanding of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the state government. They also studied the structure and function of local government and how the roles of interest groups help shape state policy. Increased awareness and understanding of Wisconsin’s comprehensive planning and “Smart Growth” law was also a focus of their four-day studies.

Mike Koles, Community Resource Development Educator, Waupaca County Extension, and Brian Ohm, Extension Land Use Law Specialist and Associate Professor, UW-Madison Department of Urban and Regional Planning, were co-chairs for the seminar.

Not to diminish any of our presenters, but certainly a highlight of the seminar for me was our visit with the Supreme Court Justice, David T. Prosser Jr., where he showed concern and caution about where our state could be heading without developing future leaders that can carry on the tradition of our great state.

Our discussions of land use in Wisconsin were lead by a panel presentation consisting of Mark O’Connell, Wisconsin Counties Association; Dan Thompson, Executive Director, League of Wisconsin Municipalities; Rick Stadelman, Executive Director, Wisconsin Towns Association; and Jerry Deschane, Deputy Executive Vice President of the Wisconsin Builders Association. The role of counties, cities, villages, and townships were explained and how non-governmental interest groups come into play.

All members of the WRLP participated in interest group visits. We broke into smaller groups and traveled into the community to talk with local groups about one assigned topic: large scale farming, Walmart and communities, or the role of schools in building community. Each of our groups was assigned a pro or con stand on the issue. We then presented our views to a mock legislative council study committee as a learning process for testifying before Congress in order to have some laws or policies changed. Much information was learned and shared along the way. Legislative Council Committee Members critiqued the presentation skills, group dynamics, and critical thoughts. These members included Linda Bochert, Attorney Michael Best & Fredrich, LLP; Richard Chenoweth, Professor, UW-Madison, Department of Urban and Regional Planning; and Jennifer Grondin, UW-Extension Special Assistant to the Chancellor.

Seminar Chairs and all speakers helped us to see how history, as well as current ideas are called upon in the planning process. The fact that more dollars are spent in the State Corrections Budget than for the University of Wisconsin System was an eye opener to all. As Yogi Bera said “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else”.

I have a renewed feeling that individuals really can make a difference in our state. I don’t know how our experience can get more interesting, but somehow I feel it will.

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