Change - Wisconsin Grocers Association

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Events Review By Cheryl Lytle, Events Director Grocers Lobby Day JANUARY 30 & 31, 2008 It was a record turnout at the polls for the 2008 presidential election. Americans met the candidates, educated themselves on the issues, turned out, and voted. All too often, this is the extent of involvement Americans play in politics, and this only happens every two or four years. Politically and legislatively, Grocers Lobby Day is the most important event each year because it showcases the impact of current legislation to grocers and legislators. This year’s issues were: • Organized Retail Crime • Retail Food Establishment License Fees • Competitive Marketplace Act • Plastic Bag Ban Grocers commented how educational Grocers Lobby Day is because of the indepth information on legislative issues, and their effect on the grocery industry. WGA educates members on the issues in the Wisconsin Grocer Governor Doyle spoke at the 2008 WGA magazine, but Grocers Lobby Day. Grocers Lobby Day provides an opportunity to learn and ask questions. Lobby Day starts with a briefing by WGA presents informative and engaging events to give you the opportunity to meet with your representatives, colleagues and associates. Here’s a review of 2008 events. Brandon Scholz and Michelle Kussow on issues. Then they invite legislative leadership to expand on issues. This year’s invited speakers were: • Governor Jim Doyle • Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch • Assembly Democratic Leader Jim Kreuser • State Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald Once all the issues have been discussed, grocers then personally meet with their legislators to share the impact of proposed legislation on the grocery industry. Once all the issues have been discussed, grocers then personally meet with their legislators to share the impact of proposed legislation on the grocery industry. Legislators enjoy meeting with their constituents and more importantly, grocers learn what their legislators think of the current legislation. Being involved every four years for the presidential election is not enough. Legislation is regularly passed in Madison and Washington, D.C. Grocers become members of the Wisconsin Grocers Association to monitor and effect legislation as it comes up. But the most important tool to any association is member involvement. Health Care Forum The 2008 Grocers Lobby Day was coordinated with a Health Care Forum. State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) explained the democrat’s Healthy Wisconsin Plan, which would provide near-universal health care to Wisconsin residents by requiring small business owners to pay a payroll tax of up to 12% of their Social Security payroll. Employees would also contribute with a two percent flat tax on their Social Security wages. State Representative Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) explained the republican opposition to Healthy Wisconsin by providing a multi-faceted approach to solving the healthcare problem without completely overhauling the system. Governor Jim Doyle gave an exclusive address to WGA members, which outlined his BadgerChoice plan for reforming the healthcare systems. Doyle’s plan creates a virtual insurance marketplace specifically for business with less than 50 employees, encouraging more competition between insurance companies to lower prices. 2008 Grocers Care Political Action Award John Leemkuil, former owner of Capitol Center Foods in Madison, was honored with the 2008 Grocers Care Political Action Award. John has been exceptional in lobbying and testifying on behalf of the WGA. WGA Golf Outing JULY 29, 2008 FIRE RIDGE GOLF COURSE June 10 threatened rain so the WGA Golf Outing was rescheduled to July 29, which was a beautiful, warm day. Over 130 golfing grocers participated in the 2008 WGA Golf Outing at the scenic Fire Ridge Golf Course in Grafton, Wisconsin. The WGA Golf Outing is a casual, fun, interactive day of golf and companionship. Challenges and contests throughout the day raise funds for the WGA Education & Scholarship Foundation. 26 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com
Plan to attend the 2009 WGA Innovation Expo September 29 and 30, Wyndham Hotel & Convention Center, Milwaukee. 1st Place, -21 par (L-R) Dave Berrera, Matt Stinebrink, Mark Stinebrink, Gary Suokko 2nd Place, -20 par, Jerry Tadych, Dave Tadych, Larry Syring, John Tadych, (not in photo) Steve Lauson; 3rd Place, -19 par Bill Smits, Jason Fritsche, Charlie Harvey, Dick Stodola HOLE PRIZE WINNERS HOLE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPONSOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WINNER 1.Shortest Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . H.E. Stark . . . . . . . . . Kerry Van Kleeck 2.Closest 2nd Shot . . . . . . . . . . . . . JWR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Hardy 3.Closest to Pin . . . . . . . . . . . . Blue Bunny . . . . . . . . . . Dave Ausprung 4.Closest 3rd Shot . . . . . Mehmert Store Services. . . . . . . Steve Lauson 5.Closest to Water . . . . . . . . . . Crossmark . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Scholz 6.Closest 3rd Shot . . . . . . . . . Affiliated Foods . . . . . . . . . . . Jon Tadych 7.Closest 2nd Short . . . . . . . . . . Old Dutch . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Weber 8.Closest to Pin . . . . . . . . . . . Miller Brewing . . . . . . . . . . . John Miller 9.Longest Putt . . . . . . . . . . . Badger Inventory . . . . . . . . Mark Menzel 10.Closest 3rd Shot . . . . . The Redmond Company . . . . . . . Mike Sisler 11.Closest to Pin . . . . . . . . . . . . Pan O Gold . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Smits 12.Shortest Drive . . . . . . . . . . . Kehe Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Tate 13.Closest 2nd Shot . . . . . . . . . . . Certco . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob Wagner 14.Closest 3rd Shot . . . . . . . . Anheuser-Busch . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Lau 15.Longest Drive (Women) . . . . . . GTECH . . . . . . . . Margaret Balistreri 16.Longest Drive (Men) . . . . . . Kemps Dairy . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken Duff 17.Closest to Pin . . . . . . . . . . Averill Anderson . . . . . . . . . . Mike Smits 18.Longest Putt . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kraft Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken Walsh Each hole along the course hosted additional challenges. This year’s challenges included: • Altria’s Big Putt • Averill Anderson’s Dollars for Scholars • Ball Bag Challenge • Coca-Cola’s Putting Contest • Dean Foods Team Ball • Furthest Drive with a Marshmallow • Guaranty Bank’s Money in the Bank • Hit the Green & Win Everyone got many samples along the course from these sponsors . Anheuser-Busch Blue Bunny Coca-Cola Enterprises Dean Foods Golden Guernsey/ Morning Glory Johnsonville Brats Kemps Dairy Kraft Pizza MillerCoors Old Dutch Pep’s Pizza/ Benetti Foods For a full report of the WGA Golf Outing, please see the 2008 Score Newsletter. WGA Innovation Expo 2008 One of my favorite events of the year is the WGA Innovation Expo. This year’s Expo was on September 30 and October 1 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wisc. There are so many aspects of the Expo that makes this event special for me, but I think the best part is meeting new people, making new friends, and catching up with friends and associates that I haven’t seen in a while. As with many important aspects of life, it’s not the things that count, it’s people. Each of this year’s honorees at the Expo shared similar feelings. Leo and Rosemary Hansen, Hansen’s IGA, were recognized with the 2008 Grocer of the Year award. They have spent their life growing their business and their family. In the 2008 fall edition of the Wisconsin Grocer magazine, we presented their growth from one store in 1968 to their current five locations: Bangor, Cashton, Elroy, West Salem, and Westby. You can also see their loving family members, who have all been involved with the family business at some point in their lives. The Excellence in Operations awards recognized individuals who have high standards of work ethic, and commitment to the grocery industry and creating opportunities for store associates. This year the following were honored: 2008 Excellence in Operations honorees. Leo and Rosemary Hansen, Hansen’s IGA, were recognized with the 2008 Grocer of the Year award. ...the best part is meeting new people, making new friends, and catching up with friends and associates that I haven’t seen in a while. Dennis and Karen Wautlet, Denny’s Supervalu, Algoma (left) Glenn Palmquist, Richter’s Sentry, Twin Lakes (second from left) Nate Pederson, Sun Prairie Sentry (second from right) Mike Geidel, Geidel’s Piggly Wiggly, Kewaskum (right) PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 2008 Year End Review WISCONSIN GROCER 27
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Page 10 and 11: GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS For more informa
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