Do they still do this wrote on Apr 30, 2008 11:53 AM:
" 1- This is probably a title AJ could handle. Probably. Well, maybe. Ronn Kale? Bwahahaha.
2- Did I read correctly that the Miss Onalaska is from West Salem? Then it makes perfect sense that the Marshall is from Holmen.
3- If people want to whine about what the Festival-types do, perhaps they should GET INVOLVED. Otherwise, buy yer button and shut it. It's not city government, it's a dinky-town festival that anyone can participate in. "
big dog wrote on Apr 28, 2008 5:28 PM:
" I vote for A>J>Williams "
Ive met Dawn personally... wrote on Apr 26, 2008 6:52 PM:
" ...and what a great gal she is! I think Onalaska is the one who should consider themselves honored to have this gal work so hard on their behalf all these years. No one knows all the behind-the-scenes work that is involved until one actually does the work. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then obviously you haven't done the work. I've haven't had the honor or the privilege of working with Dawn personally, but I've seen the fruits of all her labor and volunteering. Congrats Dawn!!!!! You deserve being our Parade Marshall! "
Just my opinion wrote on Apr 25, 2008 4:35 PM:
" Parade marshals don't have to be living in the city the parade occurs in -- some of the parade marshals in Oktoberfest parades, for example, have been non-La Crosse residents. Dawn grew up in Onalaska, worked here for most of her adult life, and has done many good things for the people of Onalaska. She is generally very well liked in town and I am happy she got the honor. "
Big El wrote on Apr 25, 2008 2:46 PM:
" Wow.....come on people.....we are talking about the "Parade Marshal" here. Not the Pope. Not the Mayor. Not even someone who sits on the city "Committee to Appoint Committee Members" To complain about who gets nominated as the "Parade Marshal" is one of the goofiest things I've seen in a long time. For what it's worth, I know Dawn and I think it's a great choice. So Bite Me!!! Go Class of 83!! "
Marshal wrote on Apr 25, 2008 1:30 PM:
" I vote for A.J. Williams. "
Or ... wrote on Apr 25, 2008 1:29 PM:
" The parade marshal wouldn't even have to be somebody who now lives in Onalaska but it could be somebody who grew up in Onalaska and has gone on to much success. I'm thinking of Mike Huebsch, for one, who as Assembly speaker is probably the most powerful Republican in the state.
Or maybe Frank Pooler, if his health would permit him to return from California.
Or how about Chuck Hockenbery, who pitched in the major leagues and came back to run a business and coach youngsters, or Tom Newberry, who played professional football.
Yes, Dawn Kulcinski has been a benefit to the Sunfish Days organization, but is she the person we want to hold up as representing our community. She works at Kwik Trip, and was president of Onalaska Festivals Inc. for a two or three years. That is truly no big deal.
The people who choose the parade marshal need to get out more or take nominations from the community. "
Sunfish days is kinda ran like political races. wrote on Apr 25, 2008 1:07 PM:
" You never see these politicians at sporting events or out with people.
What they need is a drawing they take a list of names and draw them from a hat or something like that.
It would be a way to make it more fair. "
YAY DAWN wrote on Apr 25, 2008 1:01 PM:
" Dawn did alot of great things for the festival, especially the battle of the bands and the wrestling. I wish she was still in charge cuz it probly won't be as fun this year. "
What wrote on Apr 25, 2008 10:17 AM:
" There's no doubt that Dawn has done a lot for the festival, but this is a really disturbing choice, almost as disturbing as picking Lil Smith last year.
For one thing, Dawn is from Holmen. How about honoring people who live in Onalaska who have contributed to the community in ways beyond this festival? We can't have run out of Onalaska people yet. Maybe Jim Bialecki would have been a good choice, in recognition of his years of service, or how about a longtime teacher who's retiring this year, like Ronn Kale, or how about a former teacher like Paul Gulsvig?
It appears that the only way to be chosen as Onalaska parade marshal is to be involved in putting on Sunfish Days. Look at all the recent picks and it's all people involved in Festivals Inc. There's definitely more to the city than this festival, and the sooner the festival organizers realize that, the more buy-in they will get from the community and the better off they'll be.
One thing they need to do is go back to having kids compete for the button design. This year's design is a big improvement, but the ones in recent years have been a joke.
They also need to take a page from the Holmen Kornfest organizers and get some big-name entertainment in there, even if it is someone on the way down in their career. People can see these local bands any time they want at local bars.
And another thing: Let's not have any smoking in the OmniCenter. It's a filthy habit and it's not allowed, even for festival big-shots. "
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