Tami_Hughes' Blog

The death of little Christopher Thomas was one of those things that, as a reporter, it stays with you.  We become desensitized to a lot of things, but when I read the criminal complaint that detailed the abuse of the 13-month-old and his 2-year-old sister, I was horrified and saddened.  I don't know if it's because I have kids of my own, I really think you don't have to be a parent to be completely outraged at what happened.

So as a result, I have covered the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare a good bit over the last two months.  Though the person responsible is allegedly Crystal Keith, who is charged with the abuse and murder... it is clear that many people are culpable, including the agency.

Which is why it is heartening to see the agency respond the way it has over the last few weeks.  As a journalist, it was incredibly frustrating at first, to get any information, especially at the local level.  But it appears someone in charge is taking the little boy's death seriously, and changes are being made.  It of course will never bring little Christopher back-- but hopefully his death will stay in the hearts and minds of social workers and others in the agency.  Accountability is an important thing, especially when little lives are at stake.

 

Did you get to see my story on Friday about the Sales Tax Referndum facing voters in Milwaukee County of Tuesday?  You should, it's very intersting, just search "sales tax" and you can watch it on our website.

It calls for a 1% sales tax increase... saying that money will go to transit, parks and emergency management services, PLUS provide property property tax relief.  Well, County Executive Scott Walker says when the sales tax was increased back in 1991, it was also said that it would provide tax relief for property owners.  However, he showed charts that illustrated property taxes GOING UP every year since.  From 1992 to 2007, he says they've gone up 71%!!  So he's encouraging people to vote 'no' saying you just shouldn't trust that your property taxes will go down as a result of increasing the sales tax.

However, several county Supervisors spoke out, about how bad of shape those agencies are in, one even called it a "life and death situation"-- referring to the EMS budget.  They say the sales tax increase would result in a property tax savings of  about $150 a year, on a $150,000 home. 

Watch my story so you can decide for yourself!

I know the title sounds horrible- let me explain.  It was no nice and refreshing, on this, the anniversary of that horrible day, to see our political leaders STOP for a moment and get back to what matters.  I have been so sickened over the last few weeks with the horrible tone of the presidential campaign- it really doesn't do anyone any good.  I wish the general public and especially the media didn't feed into it like we do.

And that's why I'm thankful for today- to have a ceasefire in all the campaign B.S. and have Americans be civil to one another again.  I know tomorrow will likely be back to the drama again, but that makes me sad.  Aren't we better than that? Didn't that day teach us anything?

Did you see my story Monday on County Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs' proposal to give supervisors a $300 a month "transportation allowance"?  Her proposal cited the growing districts they manage and of course, the growing gas prices.  In our interview she also pointed out that board members have not had a raise since 2000.  But here's the thing, Coggs only lives a few miles from the courthouse and when asked how many miles she does rack up a month, she didn't even know. 

$300 is a lot of money per month, considering they don't even keep track of their mileage.   HOWEVER-- She also pointed out that Milwaukee aldermen do get a "transportation allowance" of $337 a month.  They also make close to $23,000 a year more than county supervisors.

So what do you think?  Do the supervisors deserve a transportation allowance?  What about mileage reimbursement?  Or are they just up a creek like the rest of us?

Am I the only one confused about what's going on in our economy right now?  I'm sure it's part of the global economy, but I'm really, truly perplexed about something.

I covered the story of Midwest Airlines' job cuts on Monday... 1,200 people are going to lose their jobs.  The company says mostly to blame, is fuel prices.  Mike Brophy, an airline spokesperson said, "It's a very, very tough environment for airlines, probably the most difficult ever.  Definitely more difficult than post 9-11."  That's an exact quote.  And it's not just Midwest, as I'm sure you know, airlines everywhere are suffering-- cutting jobs, charging customers more, etc.

So my confusion is... How in the world is this happening, while oil companies claim record profits?  I don't understand this.  How is this possible?  Are oil companies more valuable than the airline industry?  Are their profits worth more than food prices at the grocery store or families being forced to sell a vehicle just to get by?  I just don't get it.  Really, I'm not trying to make a political statement because I'm not trying to blame anyone with this blog-- I truly don't get it.

So-- if you can offer any explanations to end my confusion, I'd love to hear it.

Did you see my story Thursday on ways to save money?  I talked to a stay at home mom of three, who's about to give birth to their fourth any day now.  I thought her ideas really were great, things people can relate to... Making sacrifices like giving up her favorite soda, staying home more to save on gas and money spent at events, and making everything at home... from meals to even play dough!  And of course-- LOTS AND LOTS OF COUPONS!  Plus, a deli manager at Sendik's could not stress enough the importance of shopping somewhere in which the employees are familiar with the store, and asking the questions, like what's on sale, or how can I save money, etc.

What are your ideas?

I loved the play dough so much... here's the recipe...

1 c. flour

1 c. water

TB. oil

1/2 c. salt

tsp. cream of tartar

Food coloring

-Cook it all over medium heat, knead until cool

My husband and I haven't even received the official "rebate" but we went crazy at Menard's this weekend, just with our state return!  I didn't think we would, but it was sortof nice to spend a little and not feel a horrible sense of guilt and doom.  The purse strings have definitely been tight around the Hughes home.  Though I definitely will spend some of the rebate paying off debt, I might actually buy something nice for once.  How about you?

A recent episode of Oprah really got me thinking.  She put two seperate families on a "waste diet".  Each family had several kids, she limited them to things like one hour a day of TV, computer, IPod, etc... they couldn't eat any meals out for a week, they had to all eat the same meal and finish leftovers, no shopping at all for a week, etc.

It really opened my eyes to how much we, in America, waste and how we sortof abuse our advantages in this world and on this planet.  It really made me ill to see how these families just throw food away, often in packages that were never opened or completely finished... how the kids would have the internet, TV and stereo going at once, all the while they're texting on their phones, etc. 

Not only is it wasteful, but what these families all learned, is it was taking them away from what should matter most- themselves and each other.  Lately, I've tried just leaving off the TV, sitting down with my kids and talking.  And then making my son eat leftovers the next night (when he really wanted Chinese food.)  I'm so mean, huh?  :)

It actually feels good to fill up your soul instead of your cupboards or closet.

I saw there was already a topic on this, but we're supposed to initiate stuff for our own blog, so here goes.

First, let me say my heart really went out to the woman in Racine who was practically kicked out of WAL MART of all places for breastfeeding her baby.  Here's what initially popped into my head... How many butt cracks have you seen in Wal Mart in your day?  I'm not trying to be crude, I'm serious.  Honestly, I grew up in Appalachia and let me tell you, there were many more butt cheeks than cleavage in that place- do people say anything to those people?  No!  We'll let that guy walk around with his crack hanging out, but let's harass nursing mothers!!!

For those of you who posted that it's as easy as taking a bottle- clearly you've never breastfed a baby, or your infant was the most easy going child on earth.  My daughter, who I nursed for eight months, REFUSED to take a bottle while I was breastfeeding her.  After I returned to work, she went hungry for awhile in the beginning because she just wouldn't take a bottle, it's not always that easy.

Do I think mothers should try to be as discreet as possible?  Of course.  And have I ever been a little put off by someone I see nursing her child in public for everyone to see?  Yes, I have.  But honestly, I think that says much more about me than it does a woman who's doing the absolute best thing she can for her child.

I got a rare, and very nice message today from a viewer.  I came back to my desk after the 11 AM news and there was a message on my phone.  Right away, I know it's a viewer, and I'm thinking, "Oh boy, what did I say this time?"  or "What horrible thing am I wearing?" 

Well, much to my surprise, it was a man thanking me for making him smile.  He thought something I said during the show was funny and he called to thank me for giving him a smile today.  Isn't that kind?  I never get calls like that, and frankly I think we don't hear enough of that from most of the people in our lives.  So I wanted to thank the man for thanking me, I made his day, and he just made mine.