March 17, 2011 Letter to the Editor

In a letter to the editor I previously sent in about the open meetings situation filed to the Pierce County District Attorney. I have spoken with an attorney from the Attorney General’s Office in Madison, WI. I gave the attorney as much information about the case as I could, and he gave me a bit of insight to the laws.

The individuals that are creating these meetings, are working around the Open Meetings Laws as much as they can. If a group holds a meeting, without having more than half of the board members, or the township members as this involves. They can keep from having the meeting fall under the open meeting laws. This is a practice that has been seen by the Attorney General’s Office, and they do not condone these type of meetings, but they are not able to enforce the laws against them. They believe this to be questionable, and the constituents can simply vote these individuals out of office for taking this type of action to keep the public un-informed.

Reporter Sari Gordon wrote “They will continue with more of these meetings.”

The other side of this case was the possible “Conflict of Interest” involved with the Chief of Police for Spring Valley, being involved with the investigation of his employers who were the center of the accused violations. To have anyone that could be considered a conflict of interest involved with the investigation, was a showing a “Very Poor Judgment” added the attorney. Everyone involved with this case should have been attentive to the possibilities of any conflicts.

This is my feelings as well. I believe there is no right in denying people into open meetings, especially members of the board itself.

On a different note,

I hope everyone is praying and keeping those in Japan in their thoughts.





Health advisory related to drugs marketed as bath salts


River Falls law enforcement and hospital officials are reporting several cases involving dangerous health effects related to use of a drug marketed as “bath salts”. These synthetic cocaine-like drugs are being packaged and sold over the internet, through some convenience stores and head shops as bath salts or plant foods which are not for human consumption. Product names include Vanilla Sky, Ivory Wave, Cloud Nine, Blue Silk, Purple Wave, Ocean Snow and Snow Leopard. Preliminary testing indicates that the active ingredients in many brands contain MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and/or mephedrone.

These substances, which are typically inhaled but can also be injected or ingested, are addictive and have been linked to severe paranoia, hallucinations, and violent or self-destructive behavior. Severe, potentially life threatening health effects may occur such as agitation, disorientation, seizures, faster than normal heart rate, rapid breakdown of muscle tissue, and kidney failure. Medical attention should be sought immediately if these symptoms are observed.

The Pierce County Public Health Department urges the community to be aware of the health hazards associated with this drug. Parents and school officials should be alert to the availability and serious health threat the drug poses to youth in the community. Law enforcement, medical providers, and school officials are asked to notify the Health Department of numbers of cases by calling 715-273-6755.