WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Bull’s Eye Credit Union and State Rep. Scott Krug (R-Wisconsin Rapids) will be collecting cell phones throughout the month of October. The cell phone recycling program supports Cell Phones for Soldiers, a charity that uses recycling proceeds to buy and send free phone cards to military members stationed away from home.

“This program is a very easy way for us to show our gratitude toward our service men and women who are serving away from their homes,” Rep. Krug said.  “Keeping the lines of communication open between our service personnel and their loved ones is so important for morale and the emotional health of our troops.”

Area residents are encouraged to recycle their old wireless phones at either of the following Bull’s Eye Credit Unions from October 3-31:

“Bull’s Eye Credit Union was gracious enough to be the collection point for this charity drive,” Rep. Krug said.  “My sincerest thanks go to the employees and especially President David Stark for being so accommodating.”

The Cell Phones for Soldiers program was founded in 2004 by teenagers Brittany and Robbie Bergquist as a way for military families serving overseas to keep in touch with family back home.  Since July 2007, AT&T has been working with Cell Phones for Soldiers to collect phones for the cause.  Every time a customer recycles a used wireless phone with AT&T, part of the proceeds support the Cell Phones for Soldiers program, which sends free prepaid phone cards to troops overseas.

This year, the group’s goal is to donate 12 million minutes to soldiers. With the help of wireless customers throughout the country, AT&T will match its 2008 recycling totals with the charity, year to year, through 2011, aiming to provide Cell Phones for Soldiers with $1 million in proceeds in that time.

“Our service members deserve our deepest gratitude for the sacrifices they make for our freedom,” said David Stark, President of Bull’s Eye Credit Union.  “Helping our military families remain together across long distances is the least we can do to support them, and I encourage all area residents to participate in this drive to show their gratitude to these great American patriots.”

Please share this with everyone on your e-mail list, we would love to collect as many cell phones as possible to help out our troops!!!!!!

Monthly Column

It’s my favorite time of the year. The crisp air, the smell of the leaves, the stretch run for the Packers and of course time to get back into session. The Wisconsin Legislature kicked off its fall session this week in conjunction with the governors Special Session on jobs.

We had some success during our first special session and our spring session when we created more than 30,000 jobs for Wisconsin. In addition, there are 34,000+ jobs waiting to be filled on the Job Center of Wisconsin website according to the Department of Workforce Development.

Outside of my legislative work, as an employment and training specialist, I know that up to 80% of all job leads are NOT posted on a website or in a newspaper or elsewhere.

This is called the “iceberg effect” or the hidden job market by many in the job industry. As you know, most of an iceberg is below the water and is much bigger than the visible tip.

The same principal applies to job seeking. Those who rely on the want ads or websites are missing out on many opportunities for employment. Larger companies with larger human resource budgets will always post openings, but the backbone of our economy-- the small businesses--can’t always afford to do so.

For this reason, networking plays a key role in finding a job. If you’re looking for work use those key websites, get some help at the Job Center, polish up your resume and cover letter, practice your interviewing skills, but most importantly get out there and start pounding the pavement meeting business owners and managers.

Join some local groups, meet some new people, stay active and keep working hard. If you are looking for full time work, your job right now is to spend 40 hours a week looking for that opportunity. Using the numbers I mentioned before and including the hidden job market there are possibly over 150,000 jobs open in and around Wisconsin. With the addition of technical college saving grants we are working on, skill improvement and networking will be a great one-two punch for job seekers and local businesses.

On another topic, we are also seeing results of changes brought by Act 10. Places like Pittsville and Westfield are lowering their taxes. The Marshfield school district saved over $850,000 by switching insurance plans. In Wisconsin Rapids, preliminary numbers   show a savings of $1.8 million from the additional contributions. The Necedah schools along with Mauston, Baraboo, Neenah, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Ashland, Fond du Lac, Appleton, Sheboygan, and Madison all show significant savings. At the city and county level, Wood County is going to start its budget process with a surplus, Portage County’s tax rate will stay put and Marathon County will balance its budget without raising taxes. The City of Wisconsin Rapids is planning to have a lower tax rate. The most striking example of all is the City of Milwaukee is looking at savings of up to $36 million. With savings come less debt, less deficit spending and most of all lower than expected property tax bills and that’s where we all win.

Our office has received our supply of Blue Books for the District and we are eager to get them to you.  Please contact us if you would like one.  Also if you are a teacher or know a teacher please pass this along to them.  We have study guides to go along with the Blue Books, a good way to teach Wisconsin history.

Your chance to be on a committee