Dear Friends,
This week I attended a conference on the environmental impacts of large livestock facilities; the Annual Confluence of the River Alliance of Wisconsin; the Dane County Democratic presidential delegate caucus, and the monthly Dane County Democratic Party meeting. I also went door-to-door talking to interested voters. Discussion topics included education, healthcare, environmental concerns, and dog rescue efforts.
The “Environmental Impacts of Large Livestock Operations in Wisconsin” conference hosted by FightingBob.com, Midwest Environmental Advocates, and Garvey McNeil & McGillivray, S.C. was an in depth look at the environmental, political, and social considerations of large livestock operations. I was impressed that Peter McKeever and Jamie Saul pulled together such a large group of people, including a number of large scale farmer operators to discuss and explore this issue. All left with a clearer understanding of the significant trade offs of this type of intense livestock farming. I had the opportunity to talk briefly with progressive spokesperson and agricultural expert, Jim Hightower about my campaign and the direction of our state. His address to the group will be available online at FightingBob.com. Melissa has posted a photo of Jim and I on her photo blog, which can be found in the additional links section of my website: www.sargentforassembly.org.
I joined conservationists from across Wisconsin at the 2008 Spring Confluence of the River Alliance of Wisconsin. We came together to chat and celebrate another year of hard won victories and to honor some whose efforts to safeguard and improve our waterways stood out. More details can be found at: http://www.wisconsinrivers.org/.
There were two Democratic Party events this past week: the county level presidential delegate selection and the monthly party meeting. The delegate selection was fun. There is a lot of enthusiasm for both phenomenal Democratic presidential candidates. As a neutral candidate for public office, I was able to help out the party by circulating party membership information in both the Obama and Clinton delegate caucuses. The second event was the monthly meeting of the Party. They had a great presentation by Paul Fanlund, Editor of The Capital Times. The topic of his discussion was the reinvention of The Capital Times. I was left with the impression that this progressive media cornerstone will continue to host such heavy weights as John Nichols, and that the paper’s new format may ultimately provide a stronger progressive voice.
Quote of the week: “People say I’m everywhere, but you’re there and more, you’re everywhere.” Peace activist Jane Jensen, who is tireless in her work to honor our troops by bringing them home. Jane is the energy behind the organization “Military Families for Peace”.
Door to door efforts are going well. I’m out knocking on doors as often as possible. I thought that the good weather would make them easier to do. Well, when the sun is out and the thermometer reaches 56 degrees everyone seems to go outside to their back yard. There also seem to be a great deal more dogs out. I’ll not let the good weather or pets deter my efforts! As a campaigner I know the importance of visiting door to door, as an elected official I will keep up that direct personal contact. I believe that it is vital that voters have direct access to their elected officials.
Justin
