Senators Lassa & Olsen to Visit Waushara County Tuesday

State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) and State Senator Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) will hold a meet and greet roundtable in Waushara County, Tuesday, January 3, 2012. The two senators will hear from local elected officials, economic development professionals, community leaders and local business owners about local and state issues affecting Waushara County.

Senator Lassa will tour La Clinica, which is the leading health services provider in the area and a major employer in Waushara County. They will also visit CAP Services, a private, non-profit corporation that offers anti-poverty programs in Marquette, Outagamie, Portage, Waupaca, and Waushara counties.

Senator Lassa is known as a strong voice for economic development efforts in the legislature. She is the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Economic Development and Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and serves on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (which replaced the Wisconsin Department of Commerce). She also served on Governor Walker’s Venture Capital Commission this fall. Beyond economic development, she also focuses on rural issues, government accountability, and child protection.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 3
10:00 a.m.

WHERE: La Clinica
400 Townline Road, Wautoma

WHEN: Tuesday, January 3
11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Waushara County Courthouse Rm 263
209 Ste Marie Street South, Wautoma

WHEN: Tuesday, January 3
1:30 p.m.

WHERE: CAP Services
205 E. Main Street, Wautoma

Barb Fleisner to join WEDC

Later in January, 2012, Centergy’s current Executive Director, Barb Fleisner will join the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Based in Green Bay, Fleisner will serve as the Regional Account Manager for Florence, Marinette, Oconto, Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan Counties. In her new role, she will lead extended economic development enterprise performance; facilitate coordination of resources in northeastern Wisconsin; work with local economic development organizations to support business expansion and attraction; and manage economic development and business accounts in the region.

“Barb is a talented professional with a track record of accomplishment in local and regional economic development. She will be an asset to partners and businesses in the region. We are very pleased to add Barb to the WEDC team,” said Mike Klonsinski, Chief Operation Officer of the WEDC.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working for Centergy, in helping to create Central Wisconsin’s new regional model for economic development”, Fleisner states. “I value the professional relationships I have been able to develop with my board, business partners, local economic development professionals, educational and civic leaders, and hundreds of volunteers. My time here has been a very positive, rewarding experience. I look forward to working with the Centergy Board in the transition to a new leader and the continued support of regional development in my new role. I have been very impressed with the transformation of the previous Department of Commerce into the new WEDC and its leadership structure and am looking forward to continuing my work with state, regional, and local stakeholders,” said Fleisner.

Bill Tehan, President of Centergy, praised Fleisner’s professionalism and dedication to Centergy. “Barb has been an invaluable resource for Centergy and has provided tireless energy and dedication to the growth and success of the Central Wisconsin region. Under Barb’s leadership Centergy has developed and successfully implemented a program of work which focuses on workforce development, business development, and community development. This effort has benefited our five county region which includes Marathon, Portage, Wood, Adams, and Lincoln Counties,” said Tehan. “We wish Barb well in her new position with WEDC and look forward to working closely with Barb and other leaders at WEDC in the years to come,” added Tehan.

Interim Executive Director hired for Centergy, Inc.

Centergy, Inc., the Central Wisconsin Alliance for Economic Development, recently announced that Peg Sullivan has been hired as Interim Executive Director effective as of January 16, 2012. Sullivan assumes this interim role in connection with the upcoming departure of Barb Fleisner. Fleisner has served as Executive Director of Centergy since August 2008 and will be joining the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) as Regional Account Manager based in Green Bay in mid-January 2012.

“Peg brings a wealth of senior management experience to Centergy and is very familiar with our programs and priorities. Peg was a member of the board of directors of Centergy from 2007 through 2011 and played a leadership role in Centergy’s recent restructuring,” said Bill Tehan, President of Centergy.

Sullivan resides in the Stevens Point area and was employed with Sentry Insurance for a number of years, most recently as Vice President of the Sentry Insurance Foundation and Director of Community Relations.

“I am looking forward to assuming an active working role with Centergy and to continue Centergy’s programs during the upcoming transitional period until a full-time Executive Director can be hired,” said Sullivan.

Centergy has posted the position of Executive Director and is accepting applications for this position through January 31, 2012. “We have formed a search committee comprised of members of the Centergy Board and hope to complete the process of selecting a new Executive Director for Centergy by the end of March 2012”, stated Tehan.

Stevens Point Skatepark Wins Design Award

The Stevens Point Skateboard Park has won a Concrete Design Award from the Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association (WRMCA).

Designed to provide the highest level of enjoyment for skateboarders, the Stevens Point Skateboard Park was constructed with ready-mix concrete provided by County Materials Corporation, including all exterior flatwork and shotcrete for curved, ramped, and vertical surfaces.

The park was designed to resemble a street plaza. Because concrete is a three-dimensional building product, the designer was able to replicate obstacles within it to look like typical street features, including stairs, walls, railings, planters and even benches.

New Year’s Resolution: GOP Needs to Focus on Jobs

By State Senator Julie Lassa

As we begin another new year, many people will probably be glad to see 2011 come to a close. Between layoffs and plant closing notices, it’s clear that Wisconsin’s economy is still reeling from the effects of the global economic downturn.

That is why, throughout the year, I focused my efforts on promoting public policy that will help create good-paying, family-supporting jobs. Back in April I introduced a bill that would leverage $500 million to create a state venture capital fund to help struggling businesses get the investments they need to grow and add new jobs. In June, I introduced my Rural Jobs Initiative, which would boost incentives to spur expansion in agriculture-related businesses; and my manufacturing and workforce development package beefs up programs that give workers the skills businesses say they need. These are just a few of the job creation bills I introduced in 2011 that would help new businesses start, small companies grow, large companies retain jobs, and workers update their skills. Unfortunately, the proposals are bogged down in committee, even though the majority of the bills strengthen popular existing jobs programs and some have Governor Walker’s support.

As the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, I have tried to work with my Republican colleagues to promote common-sense solutions to move our state’s economy forward. As a board member of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the public/private entity created to replace the Department of Commerce, I have worked with WEDC Secretary Paul Jadin, to make sure that executive decision makers there are subject to strict ethics standards as they decide how $176 million of taxpayer money is spent.

This year I was also asked to be a member of the commission Governor Walker put together to try to forge a bipartisan consensus on a venture capital bill, and I continue to be involved in negotiations to try to get that bill done. The responsibility for helping Wisconsin’s economy create jobs doesn’t belong to Republicans or Democrats alone, and I have worked with legislators on both sides of the aisle to move job creation policy forward.

Unfortunately, while there was a lot of talk this year about jobs, very little has actually passed the legislature that would help the state’s economy create good-paying new jobs. Few of the so-called “jobs bills” touted by the governor and Republican legislative leaders had anything to do with boosting Wisconsin’s economy or putting people back to work. Instead, they used the two legislative “jobs” special sessions to rush through special favors for special interests.

This failure to focus and act on real job creation has contributed to the continuing erosion of Wisconsin’s economy. Wisconsin lost 14,600 jobs in November, including 11,700 in the private sector. It was the fifth straight month of job loss in our state; we’ve lost almost 35,000 jobs since July, while surrounding states like Illinois and Michigan gained jobs. In fact, Wisconsin led the nation in job losses in November.

Wisconsin should be leading the nation in job creation, not job losses. We have talented, hard-working people, and businesses that want to grow and expand. I’ve been willing to work with my Republican colleagues to advance job creation efforts, but bipartisanship has to be a two-way street. Our New Year’s resolution should be to find real and meaningful solutions to get people back to work. The quarter million unemployed people of Wisconsin are tired of waiting.

The Metro Has a New Hit Music Station

Plover, WI – Radio listeners in the Wausau-Stevens Point Metro now have a new hit music station playing today’s top artists featuring Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and more. The All New Hot 96.7 “Today’s Hottest Hits” launches on the 96.7 frequency at noon today after weeks of holiday music on its former adult contemporary home of Mix 96.7.

General Manager Charlie Thomas says WLJY “Mix 96.7” has undergone a complete transformation. “Hot 96.7 has been designed to provide our Wausau-Stevens Point listeners with the hits of contemporary artists of today. The station’s slogan says it all – “Today’s Hottest Hits” and we expect it to appeal to a younger adult listener under the contemporary hit rhythmic (CHR) format.”

Programming leadership at Hot 96.7 said the station is laser beam targeted to appeal to the millennial listener. “Hot 96.7 is a result of extensive research to provide a reflection of the market area. It has been carefully crafted to offer a wide variety of contemporary hit music from the pop, rhythm, and alternative musical genres,” said Brad Austin, Hot 96.7 Program Director and the Music Director of the new station’s format.

Under the “Mix 96.7” banner, the station was largely appealing to the 43-year-old listener, whereas the Hot 96.7 brand will target the millennial consumer group with a median age of 30. Appealing to a balanced demographic group of 25-34 year old listeners, Hot 96.7 is designed to attract an active lifestyle, mobile listener who prefers the very best in new music from top musical artists of today.

The all-new Hot 96.7 will be commercial free through January 6, 2012 at 6pm when it will launch with limited number commercials each hour in order to keep focus on the music.

Release of Sex Offender to Stevens Point Area

A Sex Offender will be released in the Stevens Point area on January 3. The sex offender in this bulletin, Dale W. Neumann, has completed his required sentence and will be released from prison under the supervision of the Department of Corrections.

The Stevens Point Police Department is releasing the attached information pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 301.46(2m) which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender’s release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety, awareness and protection. The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense.

This sex offender has served the sentence imposed on him by the courts. He is NOT wanted by the police at this time. This notification is not intended to increase fear, rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

Sex offenders have always lived in our communities, but it was not until the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Law was enacted that law enforcement was able to share this information with the community. Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated.

When will the Winter Sports Areas Open?

The Stevens Point Parks Department crews will begin to prepare the sled hills in Iverson Park when we have adequate snow accumulation and prolonged periods of cold temperatures. Continuous days and nights of subfreezing temperatures are also required to form layers of ice on skating rinks and in the toboggan runs.

In order to promote safe sledding, our staff has to: create a barrier of snow in the lower Iverson parking lot to prevent cars from driving into the sledding area; form a ramp of snow at the bottom of the sled hill to prevent sleds from crashing into the trees; build up snow mounds between sled and saucer hills to prevent sledders from colliding with each other; and pack and groom the snow on the hills for smooth, fun, exciting sledding.

As soon as weather permits, we’ll begin preparing the Iverson and Goerke Winter Sports Areas and have them open as quickly as possible!

Lassa Bill Toughens Penalties on Internet Predators

Madison —Tougher penalties against pedophiles that use the Internet to target children, along with greater protection for child pornography victims, are features of the Internet Crimes Against Children Act, a bill authored by State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) and Representative Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis). The bill, introduced in collaboration with Attorney General J. B. Van Hollen, had a public hearing today by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Lassa & Van Hollen

“This bill will create important new protections for children who are preyed upon by online predators and child pornographers,” Sen. Lassa said.

Senate Bill 56 would allow prosecutors to seek maximum penalties in cases that arise from undercover investigations where the perpetrator is using the Internet to try to engage in sexual activity with a child. The bill also amends the criminal discovery statute to prevent inadvertent or intentional reproduction and further dissemination of child pornography images and video. The bill is modeled after a similar federal rule adopted in 2006. While increasing the security of these images, the bill maintains a defendant’s opportunity to fully present a defense to criminal charges.

“Regardless of whether a pedophile is caught by an under cover officer in a sting operation or actually makes online contact with a victim, their intent is the same – to have sexual contact with a child. Judges should be able to hand down the same punishment either way, and prevent these criminals from successfully preying on kids in the future, and that’s what this bill will do,” Sen. Lassa said.

“The bill will also protect child pornography victims by preventing child pornography held as evidence from being inadvertently or intentionally distributed. Child pornography will be treated the same way as drugs and other contraband. While defendants will still have access to it, it will remain in police custody,” she said.

Sen. Lassa originally introduced the Internet Crimes Against Children Act in 2010. The bill received broad bipartisan support but time ran out in the session before it could advance out of the legislature.

WHERE IS THE YIELD?

By Peter Brey, Partner, Buena Vista Investment Management
In 2007, an investor could easily get 4-5% in one year to three year certificates of deposits and government bonds. These rates on a $500,000 fixed income portfolio generated income of almost $25,000. Retired people used this income to pay off budget items or for discretionary purchases. Today, a similar portfolio of government bonds and certificates of deposits might generate only $2000-$3000. The giant reduction in this income stream has put many seniors in difficult situations. Do they cut back on their spending or do they begin to spend their principal? Neither of these alternatives is very attractive. The pursuit of income is going on worldwide. I believe that this search may go on for at least the next two years. The Federal Reserve is on record that they intend to leave the fed funds rate at 0% at least into 2013. The Federal Reserve is also using their proceeds from the bond maturities in their portfolio to buy long bonds (10-30 years). The result of that strategy is that the yield on long bonds will probably decrease or minimally, stay at the current returns. Yesterday, ten year treasuries were returning 1.86% and thirty year treasuries were yielding 2.92%. Therefore, investments in long bonds are extremely aggressive as the return does not merit the length of time an investor must tie up their money.

So the question becomes what type of assets should a person invest in, in order to get back to 4-5% interest rate returns? Currently, Buena Vista is investing in three types of investments generating income returns from 2.5% to 9%. These areas are corporate bonds with maturities of 1-3 years, preferred stocks and dividend yielding common stocks.

The Europe situation has led to an increase in the current yields of corporate debt as investors have sold corporate bonds. These bonds are similar in structure to certificates of deposits and government bonds. They have a stated interest rate and the y come due on a specific date. The strategy is to buy these bonds so that the investor has maturities in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The current yields are 2.5% to as high as 5%. The bonds are rated investment grade which is the highest rating of safety given out by the rating agencies.

Preferred shares are issued by corporations as part of their capital structure. These shares have yields which are similar to bonds but trade on exchanges like stocks. The current rate of income returns are 6% to 9%. They pay the same distributions on a quarterly basis. Maturities on these instruments vary. Some preferred shares never mature. Other issues have a date where the company can buy them back at a stated price. The fluctuations in the current price of preferred stocks are greater than bonds.

Finally, the last option is dividend paying common stocks. During the volatility of this year’s stock market, the stocks that held up the best were ones which were yielding greater than 3% in dividends and that had a record of increasing that dividend every year. Utilities, REITs, Master Limited Partnerships, Drug Companies and Consumer Staple Companies all have these characteristics.

If you would like advice on how to increase your income stream, please give us a call at Buena Vista for a free consultation.

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Buena Vista Investment Management
241 Third Street South l Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Phone: 715 422-0700