Gun shop issue at Plan Commission

By Jason ArndtCORRESPONDENT      In Village of Union Grove Plan Commission business Sept. 16, village resident Brett Buisse received approval to seek a permit by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to open a gun repair shop in the industrial park on Commerce Drive.      Buisse assured commissioners the shop will not sell firearms, after member Ann Kerkman questioned him about it.      “It will be mostly repair, the license that I will carry will cover all,” Buisse responded. “A little retail.”      Prior to the meeting, Buisse said his intent of opening the business is not to become a firearms dealer.      “There could be, but that is not what I went to school for,” Buisse said. “I went to school to be a gunsmith.”      Buisse hopes to open his business near the location of Rasmussen Industrial, an electric equipment business.      Village President Mike Aimone expressed concern about the possibility of discharging repaired firearms on the property.      “There will not be any discharging,” Buisse said, explaining that he will “go to nearby firing ranges (to test) them.”

State law with big effect on small community

When new bills and laws are passed by the state legislature, many do not understand the implications regarding the "fine print."
The political environment in Wisconsin continues to be energetic with passionate opinions from both sides of political ideals - including the the 2011 debate over the Budget Bill - which drew widespread protest at the State Capitol.

Union Grove was affected by the new measures which led to an additional hundreds of dollars billed to local taxpayers - a big deal within a small Village of 4,000 residents.

Business development in small community

Small village municipalities often have a difficult time recruiting new businesses into the community for a variety of reasons, but one Village is engaging in proactive efforts to bring them in.

Public Health issues

What a difference between two county-based agencies and the services they provide. My continuous follow up on the developments and difference between Central Racine and Western Racine County Health Departments lasted three months.
It spanned two different jurisdictions to gauge opinions and feedback from elected officials on the satisfaction of both departments.

Village neighbors disagree, create hour long debate

Public hearings in small village municipalities are seldom attended by residents. But there was an experience involving two business owners and a patio owned by one of them. While there was some emotionally charged debate regarding the use of a patio - it was approved.

I continued to follow up on this after the Planning Commission was given notice the club had the desire to modify its agreement in question.

McDonald's sharing space with Government

Big difference in small community

My eyes lit up when I attended a Union Grove Village Board meeting and saw elementary school children attempting to make a difference in a small community.

The customary Village Board meeting typically is about policies and ordinances but the night I attended had a much difference feel to it.

As a dozen school students stated their goals in making a difference and through my observations discovered the Board really focused in on them. They did everything they could to make their aspirations come true at that moment.