PRSRT STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID The KOHLER, WI 53044 KKoohhlleerr PERMIT NO. 6 VillagerVillager219 Church St., Kohler, WI 53044 FREE Published Monthly In Kohler, WI 53044 DECEMBER, 2008 Volume 4, Number 5 Kohler family of five aims high Enlistment of youngest McKnight culminates family Air Force tradition Janet and son Brandon, 22, are reservists eral Base Realignment and Closure with the 440th Airlift Wing, based at Pope Commission and the wing reassigned to AFB, N.C. Son Robert, 20, is on active Pope AFB, which is located within the duty, stationed in Japan. Son Allen, 19, just Army’s Fort Bragg.) left for basic training and also will serve on It’s like seeing double looking at Janet active duty. Gregory (a.k.a. Dad) served on and Brandon’s military-civilian occupa- active duty from 1984-‘90 as a helicopter tions. Both are assigned to the 440th crew chief, attaining the rank of sergeant. Medical Squadron. Janet, a master ser- The Air Force even gets credit for Janet geant, is a medical laboratory specialist. and Greg’s matrimonial match-up and as Brandon, a senior airman who enlisted in the springboard for their offspring. Before July 2005, is a biomedical equipment jour- joining the Reserve in 1992, Janet served neyman. As a civilian, Janet is ACL on active duty from 1982-‘85 with a stint at Histology supervisor with Aurora Health Tyndall AFB, Fla., where Greg was sta- Care in West Allis. Brandon is a tioned at the time. They met, their relation- Biomedical Equipment Technician II with ship took flight, and they wed in 1986. Universal Hospital Services in Madison. Greg was later reassigned to Elmendorf He’s also a part-time volunteer firefighter AFB, Alaska, which became the McKnight intern with the Blooming Grove Fire boys’ birthplace. Department. Talk about full plates. Being a Kohler-based Air Force “I enjoy the small successes of rebuild- reservist requires stick-to-itiveness and get- ing the 440th at Pope,” Janet said. “I dis- up-and-go, in more ways than one. Once a like leaving home every month to go there. month on a Friday, Janet and Brandon drive But it’s been more than a year now so it’s 65 miles to Milwaukee’s Mitchell Airport, getting easier and feeling more like home board a 440th Airlift Wing C-130 transport away from home. There are good people plane with many comrades, and make the there who I enjoy working with.” 3-hour, 950-mile flight to Pope AFB. They And spoken like a true mom: “I’m also perform their duties on Saturday and able to see Brandon and am very proud to Sunday, then reverse the process: fly to see him build a strong reputation for him- Milwaukee, drive to Kohler, get home self. He’s really quite impressive in his The McKnights: Allen, Rob, Brandon, Greg, Janet Photo: Keith Leistekow about 8 p.m. Sunday. They’re also required work.” to serve two weeks of active duty each year, As for the reservist triad, “It has been a By guest writer Master Sgt. Bob Reeve You see, four among this familial quintet not necessarily at Pope or even in the U.S., difficult road to balance family, full-time (USAFR Ret.) are Air Force members and the fifth is a for- and are virtually on 24/7 alert status. work and a successful military career,” Kohler’s McKnights and their ties to the mer member. Interestingly, only one of the (Note: The 440th Airlift Wing was Janet said. “When away working with the Air Force make them a truly unique family, four works on airplanes and it’s Mom who based at Gen. Mitchell International Air Force I’m engaged and enjoy the chal- clearly dedicated to the noble cause of has the most service time. Airport Air Reserve Station in Milwaukee lenges. I know that my work is appreciated. national defense and scattered to the four Off we go into the wild blue yonder to from 1957 until June 2007 when the instal- Continued on page 3 winds in the process. meet these McKnights in shining armor. lation was abandoned by action of the fed- Village tax levy down slightly for 2009 How the Village’s 20% piece of The 2009 property tax levy for the Public Health Services (animal control): 0% 2008 Kohler property the pie is allocated Village of Kohler, which was approved by Culture/Recreation/Education (library, tax distribution the Village Board on November 17, has youth center, parks, etc.): 16.4% State of WI Lakeshore Tech 1% Debt General Sheboygan been set at $1,628,180 – down slightly from Debt Service (principal, interest & fiscal College Government 7% County 24% Service the 2008 levy of $1,628,836. The largest charges): 12.3% 12.3% 13.3% capital expense for 2009 is expected to be Although the Village mails out and col- Culture/ “street projects” at $620,500. lects property tax bills, only about 20 per- Recreation/ General fund expenditures are planned to cent of a property owner’s payment is allo- Education 16.4% be allocated as follows: cated to the Village. The majority of the Public Safety Kohler General Government (legal counsel, vil- property tax payment is distributed to 34.1% School Village of District 48% Public lage hall, postage, etc.): 13.3% Sheboygan County and the Kohler School Kohler 24% Works Public Safety (police, fire, etc.): 34.1% District. See the “Village View” on page 23 23.9% Public Works (streets, storm sewers, of this issue for details about tax bill mail- garbage collection, etc.): 23.9% ings and payment options. 2 DECEMBER, 2008 KOHLER VILLAGER KOHLERVILLAGER.COM The holidays are a WARNING great time for Jewelry purchased from The Corner Studio may: family gatherings. And, sometimes the best time to talk about Irritate eyes Q assisted living options with those you love. QCause spontaneous hugs QProduce unexpected amorous advances It’s our nature to want to remain independent as long as possible. But that can mean falls, medication errors, compromised nutrition, and The Exclusive Supplier of Pandora® Jewelry limited socialization. Friends and family aren’t always aware of what happens day to day when those they care about live alone. 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