by Shawn Sullivan on October 9th, 2009
Wednesday night, my wife and I attended a meeting at St. Anne’s church regarding the future of the Newman Catholic School system. Schools will be closed, students will be impacted, and money needs to be saved. Both of our children attend the Newman Catholic Schools, and we wanted an opportunity to hear what was being proposed and have the chance to have our voices heard. I wish I could say I left that meeting confident in what the future holds.
Ultimately, it will be the decision of the Bishop of the diocese that determines our future, but the local pastors are the ones who will decide upon a recommendation to make. Four ideas were floated to us last night, and the St. Anne’s Education Committee actually did a presentation and made a recommendation based on their research. I won’t bore anyone with the details, but the WDH does an admirable job summing it up here:
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20091008/WDH0101/910080624/1981
As a point of full disclosure, my children are 3rd generation Newman students. I had a tremendous experience in WACS (Wausau Area Catholic Schools) and hopefully, my children can say the same for theirs in Newman Catholic Schools (NCS) as well. I realize many of the struggles NCS is facing, with reduced enrollments and reduced financial support from the parishes. I realize the task before the system is hard, but I also believe they are doing themselves no favors in how they are arriving to a decision.
There are going to be meetings at all of the parishes regarding the proposals, and surveys will be available for all interested parties. This is where things get a bit out of whack. As a concerned party, I suggested that all of the plans put forward by the other parishes should be put on a website or otherwise available for all to see and process. This way, we would have a lot of data with which to base our opinions.
I was looked at in a very strange manner and told that wasn’t really thought about. I know St. Anne’s had a vested interest in one of the options, and they made a case for it. What if St. Mark’s had an equally compelling argument? As a parent and consumer, I feel as though the system, and the pastors are ignoring an opportunity to arrive at the best decision.
Further, with the survey, there has been no discussion about releasing the data from it, or even scheduling a massive meeting afterwards to discuss all of the data collected at the many meetings being held. It feels as though this is being set up as a very divisive process. In the meeting, I likened it to the way the Olympic Committee makes their decisions. We all make an individual pitch, and they go behind closed doors, without the benefit of true dialogue. That disappoints me.
Without that ability to see and give feedback to the data, I fear that NCS will find themselves in a worse situation, and many parents will be saying their piece, not in a meeting, but by transferring their students to public schools. I hope that the NCS administration, as well as the local pastors, heard what the parents had to say, and I hope that other parents voice similar concerns in future meetings. This is a great opportunity to shed the view of the Church and system as out of touch. For my children’s sake, I hope they take that opportunity and run with it.
by Shawn Sullivan on May 15th, 2009
Tuesday, we found that a young man was arrested in the murder of Breanna Schneller. It was a heinous crime and the community is rightly shocked by this. We have also found out that the individual alleged to have committed this crime is in this country illegally, and many people have chosen to focus on this fact and seemingly forgotton the focus…grief for a young life taken too soon.
I’m not saying that the debate regarding illegal immigration has no place in this story. It most certainly does. In fact, for the community to heal, it will become necessary to engage in an intellectually honest discussion about the issue. I fear that making this story about this young man is simply losing focus Rather, this time should be about this young woman, her family, and other people she touched in her life. How can we help them and progress their healing?
I’ve already seen places like The Wausau Daily Herald Message Boards with The calls to action, and how we must now deport anyone we think may be an illegal alien. I acknowledge this country does have immigration problems, but we shouldn’t allow this tragedy to be the mantle of the illegal immigration zealots who choose not to have a discussion, but only to yell at the top of their lungs about how their way is the only way.
Instead, let’s help the healing, and have this discussion, a real discussion, about immigration in our city, state, and country. Let’s move past the discourse and come up with real ideas and not just rhetoric.
Let’s do this, but first, let’s remember Breanna Schneller, who clearly touched so many lives in her short time here. Let’s be there for her family and keep the focus where it needs to be, today.
by Shawn Sullivan on February 7th, 2009
1. This week, 21 teachers from the Merrill School District were laid off. Until now, education, while hurting, has not yet seen some of the troubles experienced in the private sector. What are your thoughts about this? Should teachers be the last to go, or should they be subject to the same ups and downs the rest of the economy faces?
2. Speaking of education, Rasmussen College presented their plan to expand into Wausau. With them, they will bring jobs and the opportunity to earn a Bachelors Degree in Wausau. We currently support two other colleges in our community. Do we have room for more? What are your thoughts?
3. For as long as I can remember, the Badger State Games have taken place here in Wausau, yet I’ve never seen them. Have you? What keeps you away, or draws you in?
4. Next weekend is Valentine’s Day. Based on your experiences here in Wausau, what is the most ideally romantic night you can put together, using Wausau locations?
5. Finally, just because it’s been bothering me…I’ve been thinking about whether it’s possible for a band to get better when it loses key members. The only ones I can think of that I can make an argument for are: Van Halen (Roth to Hagar, and it’s arguable) & Sabbath (Dio to Ozzy). I’m sure there are more, but most likely, the band ambles towards obscurity (see: Styx and Journey).
6. And now, an encore question. What is the best encore you have ever seen at a music show? I think mine was the encore from the Elton John/ Billy Joel show I saw in Milwaukee County Stadium in August of 1994.
by Shawn Sullivan on November 28th, 2008
I just returned from my first parent-teacher conference ever for my daughter, and it was a humbling experience. It is odd to see the child that you have spent the better part of 5 years molding and developing reduced down to a couple of strengths and weaknesses (not the words they used but that’s really the point). Overall, there were no surprises, but I was prepared to fight tooth and nail to make sure my daughter wasn’t unfairly criticized. Of course, I’ve already known for some time that I’m going to be a pain of a dad…That being said:
1. Who are the people in your life that you would fight to the end to protect? Is there anyone on that list who isn’t family?
2. Just so I can prepare myself, what is the appropriate age for kids to date nowadays? My background in juvenile corrections has left me with a skewed and cynical perspective on teenage dating. Please center me…
3. What’s the best age for kids? Is it when they’re cute babies, rambunctious toddlers, functional youth, or when they’re 18? I kinda like the whole 4-7 age period.
4. If someone gave you a chance to go back in time and relive your entire childhood, would you do it? I’m talking from 3-18….You couldn’t pay me enough…
5. So much of what we do is teach our kids with a reflection of our own values, biases, and interests. That being said, if you knew that your child would develop a passion for only one band or singer that you love, which band or singer would that be?
by Shawn Sullivan on November 25th, 2008
On Sunday, I taught my son’s Sunday School lesson about Thanksgiving and talking about being thankful for what we have. At one point, I asked the kids (all aged 2-5) what they were thankful for…In no particular order, they were thankful for:
-Mom and Dad
-Their toys
-Their pets
-Their dead goldfish
-Stuffing and Turkey (to be fair, we talked about what we ate at Thanksgiving Dinner)
As I sit here and reflect on what I’m thankful for, I realize that I’m thankful for many of the same things. I’m thankful for my wife and kids, who enrich my life in unmeasurable ways every day. I’m thankful for my family, who are there for me when I need them and who ask for very little in return. I’m thankful for friends who value my strengths and overlook my weaknesses. I’m thankful to have a job I love, at a place that truly allows me to make a difference every day.
Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for the wonderful blessings he has bestowed upon me, and in these tough times, it can be tough to find the light in the darkness. I am a lucky person, and I am truly thankful for it. Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!
Oh, and by the way, I’m thankful for turkey and stuffing too…
by Shawn Sullivan on October 24th, 2008
Fall is my favorite time of the year. There’s something inherently romantic about the trees turning colors, the weather cooling down, and every day being jeans and sweatshirt weather. Halloween is just a week away, and then comes the slide to Thanksgiving and Christmas (or whatever holiday celebrations are had during this time). I always look at Halloween as the last hurrah for the tolerable weather.
Also, I seem to have heard something about Citizen Wausau having a birthday in October. I also recall something about a meet-up at Malarkey’s on Oct. 30…that being said…
1. I remember fondly my time trick-or-treating as a child. It started at 5 and went until 9 pm, and it was always on Halloween. My friends and I ran around our neighborhood until our bags were brimming with candy. So many things have changed since then and I’m wondering if you prefer doing trick-or-treat on the actual date of Halloween, or the day or weekend before? How long should trick-or-treating last?
2. I’m kind of a coward, and as such, have never really been a haunted house kind of guy. What about you? If you are, what is the best one you’ve seen?
3. On the other hand, I really dig horror and scary movies. I’ve seen every Friday the 13th, every Halloween, and every Saw movie. I think the best horror movie I’ve seen is the original Nightmare on Elm Street. The best thriller I’ve seen is Seven. What’s the best one you’ve ever seen?
4. What is your stance on candy corn? What about the peanut butter toffee wrapped in the orange and black wrappers? I believe these are polarizing candies and were grounds for a serious toilet-papering in my neighborhood.
5. I believe that neighborhood location can make or break trick-or-treating. How is the trick-or-treating in your neighborhood? Do you “bus” your kids to other neighborhoods to trick-or-treat because the treats are better? Describe your best “haul” trick or treating.
by Shawn Sullivan on June 13th, 2008
1. What is one band you love that you think no one else in the CW community has heard of? Bonus points for stumping Dino ?
2. Do you think that “social norms” advertising works? I’m referring to the Merrill school district social norms project about underage drinking. The commercials are all over the TV…
3. Are you good at trivia? Have you ever participated in the Stevens Point Trivia Competition?
4. Are you still friends with your childhood best friend(s)?
5. What’s the best way to get on your bad side?
6. Father’s Day Special…Describe your father in one word.
by Shawn Sullivan on June 3rd, 2008
I had the best bacon cheeseburger today. It had a ton of bacon, a thick patty of beef, and a soft Kaiser roll. It was hot and juicy and I believe it to be the best bacon cheeseburger I’ve ever had. Now here’s where it gets a bit odd. I wasn’t at Applebee’s, The Back-When Café, or other established Wausau eateries. No, it came from Town Line Market.
I grew up here, but it was only a year ago that a co-worker turned me on to this little treasure on Town Line Road. Known to me mostly as a small grocer and meat market, I had no idea that they offered lunchtime fare, including an assortment of freshly prepared hot sandwiches. The object of my affection is known as the “Heart Healthy” bacon cheeseburger. I can only assume it’s their clever spin on the term. I highly recommend you check them out.
Now, my intent here is not to completely undermine Cheryl and the CW Wellness Challenge, but to point out the “diamonds in the rough” that are probably all around the Wausau area. Help me out and tell me what else I (and others) may be missing.
by Shawn Sullivan on May 21st, 2008
I’m a lurker. I like to look at message boards and blogs and just watch. Sometimes, I feel unqualified to add to a discussion, or my points have already been made by someone else. Other times, I don’t feel overly compelled to add to the discourse.
Then, there’s the Wausau Daily Herald Message Board.
I just want to say up front, that this is no indictment of the WDH moderators or employed contributors to the boards. I respect their attempts to mediate disputes and make sure that the entire thing doesn’t devolve into adult third-grade. Unfortunately, at times that seems like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound.
I respect good, honest discussion. I dig the free exchange of ideas meant not to belittle, but to encourage thinking, and, to be fair, you can find that on the boards. However, I find myself continuing to marvel at the level of anger and ignorance that I find on the board, and how, when the two collide, the results can be embarrassingly bad.
Bad, because it continually reminds me that Wausau isn’t as progressive as I thought (or hoped) it was. Bad, because solid ideas get buried under an avalanche of insults, bad grammar and spelling, and statements that seem to be outrageous for the sake of it. Bad, because it seems like people aren’t there to discuss, but to “win.”
Is it me? Am I naïve? Are my expectations too high? I’ll let the CW community chew on this one!
by Shawn Sullivan on May 12th, 2008
Pack One has been doing a phenomenal job keeping Packers fans abreast of all the off-season happenings with the green and gold. If you’re a fan at all, do yourself a favor and check out his Packer News blog. That being said, my intent here is to beat the dead horse that is, the retirement of Brett Favre.
For the longest time, Dino and I have been talking about the retirement of Brett Favre and how I feel about it. I was disappointed when I heard the news and I can never underestimate the impact that Brett Favre has had on my passion as a fan. So many times he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat (and unfortunately, vice-versa…) He is an icon and single-handedly led the renaissanceof Green Bay Packers football.
Given all that, I was…relieved.
Have you ever been in a relationship with someone, and they would always threaten to break up with you until, you were just ready for things to be over? That’s how I was. I was tired of the speculation every year about retirement and the veiled threats to the GM about going after the players that he wanted and so many people yelling about what the franchise “owed” him. Enough is enough.
We all knew that day would come, when he wouldn’t be the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. I respect him for going out the way he did…on top. He still could perform at a high level, but I also think he was a three-game losing streak away from musing that he made the wrong decision to come back. He didn’t need that, and the team full of young players definitely didn’t need that.
I choose to remember him as he was. He left on his own terms a hero to the fans of Green Bay. His number will be retired the first game of the season, and there will be some tears. People will clamor for him to reconsider, thinking he’s the path to success.
Then, Ryan Grant will run for a score and Aaron Rodgers will pass for 3 TD’s and the Packers will beat the Vikings, launching a new era…one I am ready to face.
