Berge has experience and is willing to listen

To the editor: In the September 20th edition of the Cornell Courier Sentinel the editors called for a change of leadership in the Wisconsin legislature and the State Senate in particular. In order to accomplish anything in Madison we need to replace the leadership in both the Senate and Assembly. Robin Vos in the Assembly and Scott Fitzgerald in the Senate are both obstructionists, if it’s not proposed by them it’s not happening.

In this area we are represented by an all Republican group; they vote as a block and do what they are told as does our State Senator, Kathy Bernier. My current representative is Jessie James; I have no idea what he stands for other than that he votes the party line 100% of the time. In the last few weeks I’ve been talking to some of the local government members from this area, none of them has heard anything from him in 2 years! When you always vote the party line you don’t need to talk to those you represent, you only need to listen to your leader and pull whatever lever he tells you to pull. I feel like I don’t have anyone actually representing me, however, he does represent the special interests and wealthy donors from anywhere by constantly voting as he is told to vote.

In Wisconsin 17 counties have passed referendums supporting independent, nonpartisan redistricting; 53 County Boards representing more than 75% of Wisconsin residents have also passed resolutions supporting the same nonpartisan redistricting. In contrast 10 years ago our current State Senator Bernier signed a nondisclosure agreement regarding what was being discussed behind closed doors of the Republican parties redistricting commission. As with everything else Jessie James has remained silent on this subject but you can bet that, just like everything else he votes on, he will follow the party line and oppose any reforms. We need a nonpartisan, independent commission similar to Iowa’s to give us fair elections.

Berge has experience. State Representative Jessie James may have a catchy name but he’s not the one to reform anything, he’s a follower and not a leader. This legislature has been on vacation for over 150 days while the state’s problems go unaddressed. When the governor tried to call them together to address concerns in special sessions, they rebuffed him and refused to do anything. Jessie James was silent through all of this.

A few weeks ago a group of us met with Emily Berge, who is running against James for his Assembly seat. She is very experienced in local government, an independent leader willing to listen and willing to collaborate with others to get things done; she is also very supportive of law enforcement. She supports an independent redistricting commission. I was impressed with her willingness to listen to the concerns of the rural residents and by her knowledge of the relationships between the local, county and state agencies. She has my vote and I urge you to give her yours.

Mike Burke, Boyd