The next meeting of the Assembly Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools will be held in the 35th Assembly District, on Wednesday January 8th, 2014.  The committee will be touring both the Elcho and Antigo school districts, and the public hearing portion of our meeting will be held in 1:30 – 4:00pm at Antigo High School. 

The first portion of the hearing will feature invited speakers, including representatives from the Merrill and Antigo School Districts.  We will also hear from staff from CESA 9, headquartered in Tomahawk, and Wisconsin Virtual Schools.

The second portion of the hearing is open for public testimony; including teachers, parents, and local taxpayers.  I realize the hearing occurs during normal work hours, and many schedules cannot be rearranged.  If you are unable to attend but would like to offer input and suggestions to the committee, please send them to Rep.Czaja@legis.wi.gov, and I will ensure your comments reach the task force members.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is seeking a public relations and communications professional to be the next Alice in Dairyland. 

Alice in Dairyland is responsible for conducting a large number of media interviews with television, radio and print publications to promote Wisconsin agriculture.  She needs to be able to execute social media and communications strategies, develop and deliver speeches at community events and present to students in schools.  Alice in Dairyland applicants should have considerable knowledge of Wisconsin agriculture, at least three years of education or training in communications, public speaking experience and the ability to plan and execute a marketing campaign.  Applicants must be female, a Wisconsin resident and at least 21 years of age.

This one year, full-time contractual position begins on June 2, 2014. The Alice in Dairyland position is headquartered in Madison, and the selected individual will travel nearly 40,000 miles through the state and surrounding area.  The salary for Alice in Dairyland is $40,000. This position includes holiday, vacation and sick leave as well as use of a state-owned vehicle for official business. Reimbursement is provided for an individual health insurance premium up to $450 a month and professional travel expenses.

A cover letter, resume, three professional references and summary of qualifications must be submitted to DATCP by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2014 to be considered.   Application materials are available at online.   Qualified applicants will be invited to a preliminary interview in February.  The top finalists will be announced in March. The three day final selection will be hosted by Clark County on May 15-17, 2014.

For an overview of the selection process, a short video called The Road to Becoming Alice in Dairyland is available.  To learn more, contact Becky Paris, the Alice in Dairyland Program Manager, at 608-224-5115 or rebecca.paris@wi.gov.
 

Wisconsin’s second annual winter Free Fishing Weekend is set for Jan. 18-19, 2014.  No fishing license or Great Lakes salmon stamp will be required to fish any Wisconsin water, including all inland waters and Wisconsin's side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River and other boundary waters.  Regular fishing rules still apply, such as bag limits and catch and release regulations.

This is an especially good time to introduce kids and young adults to the sport of fishing.  If you have a youth groups or other organization that would like to host its own Free Fishing Weekend events, the DNR has provided an electronic form on their website for groups who would like their fishing experience publicized to their communities.  Please note these forms must be returned to the DNR by Friday, January 10th.

Happy New Year

Enjoy a safe and Happy New Year with your family and friends.  My first year serving as your state representative has been an incredible honor.  Thank you to all who invited me to attend your local community events, were gracious enough to bring me on a tour of your small business, or took the time to personally send your thoughts and comments about issues pending before the state legislature.  I am looking forward to the year ahead, and may 2014 bring you many happy returns.

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