Star News Quotes of theYear:

“H e is a really good example of a public servant.” — Mikayla Kelz about Vice President Mike Pence. Kelz served as an intern in his office this fall.

“Y ou are looking at saving 15 minutes.” —Supervisor Rollie Thums about the actual time saved if the forestry department personnel were relocated to a proposed shop building near Westboro.

“I don’t exactly trust them, their track record on it sucks.” —Mike Bub about concerns over proposal to implement a carbon tax and rebate plan to Americans.

“W hat happens if we don’t move forward?”— Alderman Christine Weix about a plan to build a third city water tower.

“I think it should be a budget item and it is not budget time.” —Alderman Dave Roiger reacting to a funding request for a new baseball storage building in the Medford City Park.

“B e careful of putting brick walls on both ends.” —School board member Mark Temme cautioning against having hard limit on the start and end of the school year.

“I t’s a time for us to celebrate their writing.”— Rib Lake teacher Tanya Wiitala about a “Writing Bootcamp” held in the classrooms that encourages students to write.

“I don’t see that helping us recruit teachers.” — Medford administrator Pat Sullivan about a proposal to increase the minimum retirement age for teachers to 59.5.

“W e have to start over and create a state where teaching is respected again.” —State Sen. Janet Bewley about what has to be done to attract more teachers to schools in the state.

“C an we throw the net wider?” — Alderman Greg Knight about the possibility of hiring other fireworks shows.

“W e don’t know what will be next. We don’t want to panic, but we want to be prepared.” —Mayor Mike Wellner is ratif asking aldermen to ratify a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in the city of Medford.

“T his is fluid, we will wait and see what comes down the pike every day.” —Pat Sullivan of Medford Area Public Schools about the challenges the district is facing dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.

“I t is not the golden baton saying you are the king or queen of Taylor County.” —Corporation counsel Courtney Graff about the limits there will be on the power of the county’s emergency executive committee.

“Y ou just never know which side of the inch you will be on.” —Medford curler Jackie Lemke. She is heading to Spokane, Wash. to compete in the 2020 National Championship.