This month, we celebrated Correctional Officer Appreciation Week, highlighting the vital role of Correctional Officers (COs) in maintaining public safety. Our budget prioritized them, resulting in significant wage increases for COs in state prisons.
Widespread staff shortages have left COs overworked and overstressed, but our budget allocation of $344 million has raised the starting wage to $33 per hour, up from $20.29. Additional funding has been provided for medium, maximum security, and high-vacancy prisons, leading to wage add-ons.
This financial boost has not only benefited COs but also reduced prison staff vacancies. By early 2023, we witnessed a drop in average vacancy rates from 35% to 25% and a record number of COs graduating from Department of Corrections training programs. While there are still significant challenges facing our prisons, staff numbers are trending in the right direction, which means safer prisons and safer communities.
Beyond state prisons, we have supported COs in county jails by ensuring they receive benefits equal to other law enforcement members. The commendable service of COs in keeping our communities safe deserves appreciation and support.
In-District Doings
It was my pleasure to attend the grand opening of Yesteryear Village of Curative Connections, an innovative dementia-specific experience for patients, caregivers, and the community.
Curative Connections has helped families, seniors, and people with disabilities find support and care due to aging, dementia, brain injury, or other disability. Yesteryear Village is their new and innovative 14,000-square-foot area that allows clients with memory loss the freedom to wander in a controlled setting. The concept emphasizes safety and a sense of purpose through reminiscence and interactive experiences.
The Village simulates an environment modeled after the targeted participants’ younger self, age 18 – 30 years, including a café, an interactive auto garage, a train depot, a pub, downtown shops, and much more.
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Little Chute Public Library, in District 5, will be participating in ‘Read On, Wisconsin!’ This program is made possible through the cooperation and support of public libraries across the state of Wisconsin, as well as the James and Sue Patterson Foundation.
‘Read On, Wisconsin!’ helps further the foundation’s mission to strengthen the efforts of people, organizations and communities by focusing on issues that address common aspirations, foster wide participation and encourage learning and sharing. With a focus on literacy, the Badgers’ summer campaign will help foster and celebrate young readers as the school year wraps up and summer reading begins.
Off-the-Grid Living
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Thank you to my constituents, Lila and Dave, for inviting me to tour their ‘off the grid’ home. They have chosen, and encourage others to live, a sustainable life through self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources, and making the most of what nature provides.
They shared their concerns with wind and solar farms and encouraged creating the energy closer to those who use the energy in order to waste less energy. Thank you so much for inviting me into your home, and for sharing how ‘green energy’ can be more efficient.
Blue Books Are Still Available!
District #5 Residents, please contact my office for your copy while supplies last.
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Upcoming Events in District 5
Kaukauna Farmer’s Market
June 5 – August 28
Every Wednesday 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
AND
September 4 – 25
4:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Centennial Center Neighborhood Garage Sale
June 13, 14, 15
Thur-Sat 8am-4pm
Pebblestone Cir, Castlestone Ct. Isabella Cir, Adriana Ct. Hobart
50th Annual Oneida Pow Wow
Saturday, June 28th – June 30th,
Norbert Hill Center
N7210 Seminary Road, Oneida
3rd Annual Hobart Summer Celebration
Saturday, June 29th 4:00-8:00
Four Seasons Park, Hobart
Family Fun Fest at Doyle Park
Tuesday, July 30th
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Little Chute
3rd Annual Hobart-Lawrence Police & Hobart-Fire Rescue Golf Outing
Monday, August 12th
9 AM
Thornberry Creek Country Club
4470 North Pine Tree Road
Hobart
Gun Raffle Hosted by the All-American Garage
Maloney’s
Saturday, September 7th
N1994 Malony Rd., Kaukauna
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Do you know of an event in District 5?
Please contact my office with any upcoming events. I look forward to sharing your event details in the next Goeben Gazette.
KAUKAUNA — THE 50 on the FOX, sponsored by the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce, is back and bigger than ever.
New this year, chose to sign up for 50 miles or for a bigger challenge sign up for 500 on the Fox.
50 on the FOX, is a challenge that rewards participants for completing 50 OR 500 miles using the trails in & around the Fox River and Heart of the Valley!
▪️ It’s FREE to sign up and simple to participate!
▪️ Log 50 or 500 miles between May 15 – Sept 1.
▪️ NEW! Everyone who completes 50 or 500 miles will receive a a lucky Chamber Bucks Scratch Off ticket that will reveal your reward of anywhere between $5 – $50 in Chamber Bucks!
▪️ Those who complete 500 miles will be entered to win a Shop Local Package with $250 in Chamber Bucks and other great prizes.
▪️ Sign up now at www.50ontheFOX.com.
Last year, more than 750 community members registered and used 50 on the FOX to get out and get active and explore the Heart of the Valley.
Click Here to Sign Up for My E-Update
Contact Information
My staff and I are here to serve you. If you have general questions or concerns regarding legislative matters, or if you need assistance with a state agency, please feel free to contact us. We are here to assist you!
We are also happy to schedule a meeting with you, either here in Madison, or in District 5.
Representative Joy Goeben
State Capitol, Room 209 North
PO Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
Rep.Goeben@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 237-9105 or Toll Free (888) 534-0005
