Fox Point and Bayside Week in Review: March 6-12

Fox Point-Bayside Patch is featuring a weekly recap of the top stories from March 6-12.

After three hours of debate, everyone turned and looked at eachother asking, "Did they just pass the vote?"

Thursday afternoon, the Assembly voted to approve a portion of Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill, the part that eliminates public employees rights to collectively bargain. That vote caused a massive uproar with protestors outside the Assembly floor, an appearance from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and very specific frustrations from democratic senators and representatives.

See the link above for more details, click for a video inside the Assembly chambers, or click for a photo gallery of protesters inside and outside the Capitol.

Thursday a portion of Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill was passed which eliminates the collective bargaining rights of public emloyees. Since then, efforts to recall Sen. Alberta Darling have doubled.

Kristopher Rowe, the organizer of the recall campaign, said the canvassing effort kicked off last weekend with 600 volunteers, now, he says he has well over 1,000.

“We had a really strong showing of support this past weekend when we thought the bill might pass. But with the actions of the Senate, then the Assembly and with actions today, it basically solidified our base,”Rowe said.

Hundreds of volunteers working to obtain signatures to recall Sen. Alberta Darling, but she says it's lead by big unions.

“I respect the voters' right to have a recall. But I hope people will look at my record and I see that I got elected on the platform that we would grow jobs and the economy, and put Wisconsin on the right track without raising taxes,” Darling said.

Darling supported the governor's bill before it went to the Assembly, painting a large target on her back.

Public Union's rights to collectively bargain for benefits were stripped away Wednesday night when the state Senate passed a modified version of Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill.

One lone voter stood against the modified bill, Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center. The remaining Democratic senators are still in Illinois.

The Fox Point Village Board agendaed additional discussion on the Bridge Lane Ravine Footbridge Tuesday night, and many residents attended to voice their opinions. 

"My father proposed to my mother on the bluff behind the bridge," said Linda Gale Sampson, a Fox Point resident. "I want to see it totally replaced, as strong as possible, as low or no maintenance as possible."

The board took no action on the bridge though, postponing additional discussion until the April meeting.