A homeowner in Waukesha for 20 years, Steve is president of the Waukesha Dog Parks Organization and enjoys motorcycling, fishing and staying on top of politics.
First I want to acknowledge an oversight of mine in commenting on the Parks Department survey. It did contain a reference to dog park within it. So make that three items that had something to do with dogs. Speaking of which, Kanook and I did a few laps around the City's dog run on MacArthur Drive today. The trail of freshly laid wood chips was covered with multicolored leaves. Given the wet weather recently, I made it around the trail without so much as mudding up my shoes. Even if you don't have a dog to walk, it is a pleasant walk in the woods. Just remember that it is for dogs and dogs running free at that.
I have to add my two cents about the failure of the proposal for a round-about on Summit Ave. I hope the neighbors in the immediate area realize that they might have perpetual annoyance of flashing lights in the evenings. I drive through the round-about in Okauchee from time to time on the way to and from my son's pet store out there. I wish those opposing the one here would have checked that one out before fearing change. Speaking of lights, some night drive south on Hwy T/Grandview Ave from north of Interstate 94. The blending of traffic lights, the red airport clearance lights and store lights further up the road all blend together into a confusing mess.
Finally, I am amazed at all the press being given to pit bulls attacking the unfortunate little Vizsla puppy. I can understand the puppy's owner wanting the dogs to go away, but a ban on the entire breed? Putting on my dog park president's hat, I can say that one of Kanooks favorite playmates is a pit bull and she is very well behaved. On the other hand, some of the most poorly behaved dogs at the park are Labradors, which happen to be the most popular breed around. It's how the puppy is raise and socialized, which is where dog parks become a very important community asset. Did I ever mention that Dane county has NINE money making dog parks? We can't get the county supervisors or city aldermen to catch up with the surrounding counties but the city seems quickly ready to consider some new laws base on emotion rather than reason. I hope reason wins out quickly. Again it is a case where existing laws are adequate so long as they are enforced!
