By Donna Olson - Stoughton Mayor
The Stoughton Press - Holiday / Winter 2011 Edition  www.stoughtonpress.com

Donna was elected to serve as the Mayor for the City of Stoughton in April 2010 after serving for 13 years as the Administrative Assistant to the Mayor. Her passion continues to be working together with the citizens, organizations and businesses to ensure that Stoughton is a great place to live, work and play.  

Stoughton Holiday Light Park

This upcoming Holiday Season there is going to be an Exciting addition to downtown Stoughton.  The Stoughton Holiday Light Park will have it inaugural season. The Stoughton Holiday Light Park is a community wide project that is being headed by the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Stoughton.

The Stoughton Holiday Light Park is a Holiday Light Display of 25 natural and manufactured trees, illuminated by over 24000 LED lights, the centerpiece tree being 25 feet tall. The lights will be sequenced to Holiday Music and broadcast over low power FM radio so you can enjoy the display from the comfort of your auto. The Holiday Light Display will be located in the east end of the City Hall parking lot and in the green space east of the Fire Station. The illumination ceremony will be Saturday December 3rd in conjunction with the Silent Fire Truck Parade and Fire House Fun.

The display will be illuminated evenings from 4:30 to 10 pm thru New Years Eve.
The Stoughton Holiday Light Park project is totally funded through donations from Stoughton area individuals, businesses, Foundations and Service groups with the work being performed by volunteers.

The vision for the Holiday Light Display is to add to the display over 3 – 4 years, making the Stoughton Holiday Light Park a premier Holiday destination.  If you would like to make a donation to this exciting Holiday project contact David Phillips, Executive Director- Stoughton Chamber of Commerce at 608-873-7912

Concealed Carry Weapons ~ by Police Chief Greg Leck

On November 1st Wisconsin’s Act 35 goes into effect that will allow citizens to obtain concealed carry weapons permits for the first time in Wisconsin’s history.   There has been considerable media attention and plenty of controversy over the law change.  But what does it all mean to the average person?  Probably not very much really! 

Yes, there will be more firearms as an estimated 100,000 people are likely to obtain permits to carry concealed weapons in the initial start of the new licensing process.  People are likely to see others carrying firearms more often than in the past.  Although, we won’t see most of those weapons as those that will choose to carry concealed will do just that, carry them concealed. 

We are likely to see increases in postings of signage restricting possession of weapons in public and private buildings as some governments and private persons opt out of allowing weapons on premises they control.  Also, we may see an increases in work rule restrictions as some employers will also look at the new law and try to determine what’s best for their businesses. 

And yes, we may hear about more issues related to weapons, such as accidents and maybe even uses that prevented or caused some incidents.   Weapons, like other tools, are only as good or bad as the people that use them.  Used properly, they serve a purpose.  Used improperly, they can cause great bodily harm or death.  Like a chainsaw or any other tool that can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Although, I don’t believe there are many people are running around with chainsaws in their pockets or on their belts.  But you get my point.

I’m not here to debate the Constitutional Rights or the violence prevention aspects of the new law.  I only know that it is now the law and we need to understand it and evaluate the changes.  Many of those changes have more affects on law enforcement agencies than any others.   Changes like allowing loaded handguns in plain view in motor vehicles even if you don’t have a concealed carry permit will cause substantial training changes for police officers.  Other changes as well will affect how law enforcement officers approach contacts with citizens.You will likely see a lot more caution exercised by law enforcement personnel in the future.

What we are not likely to see are shootouts on the street like in Dodge City of the old Wild West.  Most people that choose to obtain a permit and carry weapons will be extremely responsible and have a full understanding of their rights and responsibilities when it comes to weapons and their use and safety.   So in the end, we go about our lives with the understanding that we all want to protect the freedoms that we enjoy without infringing on the rights of others in doing so.

Watch the City of Stoughton website for an opportunity to provide your personal input or send Mayor Olson an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Working Together, We make a Difference