Letter to the editor: State should restore rearing pond funds -- John Bilotti

Recently I was informed that republican legislators, who control both houses in Madison, took out the funding for Kenosha's rearing pond, which has been funded by the state ever since the rearing pond was constructed in 1970. That's 54 years the State of Wisconsin funded our rearing pond, which has pleased not only Kenosha fishermen but thousands of fishing individuals up and down the shores of Lake Michigan.

That means thousands of people enjoy the wonderful sport of fishing and catching lake coho and trout ranging from 20 to 40 pounds. Let's not forget the fishing boat captains that have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy their boats and equip them for all the happy people who love fishing.

Therefore, something that existed for over 50 years is now very much in doubt. I am sure these ignorant Republican legislators thought they did a wonderful job of cutting out this cost, but absolutely no thought as to what they would be destroying.

People who are sent to Madison are expected to act responsibly. Something they absolutely did not do in this case. I hope by raising this issue now will trigger a mass response across our state by all those affected by the thoughtless action of our Republican legislators.

Sometimes our representatives do dumb things. This certainly is one of them. I hope our County Executive Samantha Kerkman will call her colleagues and ask them to undo this terrible deed.

John Bilotti, Kenosha