TMCnet News
Jauch reflects on service [Superior Telegram, Wis.](Daily Telegram (Superior, WI) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Nov. 07--The fall day was picture perfect. As Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, caught nature's beauty with his camera, he looked back on 32 years as a legislator. Advertisement Advertisement "I love to shoot reflections in the fall," Jauch said. He has been toting around a camera for the past 15 years, often focusing on the landscape of northern Wisconsin. "Thoreau had it right," Jauch said of nature. "It's where you go to discover yourself. It's that powerful." Passing up the over-photographed waterfall at Amnicon Falls State Park, the Poplar legislator was drawn to a different view. "I like those steps with leaves on them," Jauch said, framing a shot from the covered bridge. He meandered through the park, stopping to capture moss, water and a cascade of roots in digital pixels. Leaves in particular called to him, in part because of his affection for Leo Buscaglia's book, "The Fall of Freddy the Leaf," which follows a leaf through the changing seasons. "It's not the end of a season," said Jauch, who is retiring at the end of the year. "It's the beginning of something new." Jauch, senator for the 25th District, is known in Madison for his passion, eloquence and determination as well as his ability to reach across party lines to find common ground. "Bob expects a lot out of people," said Rep. Nick Milory, D-South Range. "I think Bob expects a lot out of people because he expects a lot out of himself." Having Jauch as a mentor over the past six years has been tremendous, Milroy said. "First and foremost, Bob has been very grounded in fighting for justice for the people of northern Wisconsin," Milroy said. "He is passionate about the people and area he represents." Jauch's path to the legislature can be traced back to grade school when he confronted prejudice for the first time. "My start in working for justice began when I was in the fourth grade," he said. "I learned my best friend couldn't get a haircut at my barber." Jauch went home, cried, slammed the door and made a decision he was going to fight the rest of his life to make sure that people were treated equally. "When I ran for office 32 years ago, I made one pledge and that was to try to make sure northern Wisconsin citizens were treated as equals with the rest of the state," Jauch said. The legislator has been a passionate proponent for the environment and education. Education is vitally important, Jauch said. "It defines our communities; it's the centerpiece of who we are." It's also personal. "Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I flunked seventh grade," Jauch said. "I was a good kid, but I was never a good student." Jauch's career was book-ended by controversial issues -- Native American spear fishing when he took office and mining in the Penokee Hills as he leaves. "I haven't looked back," Jauch said. "I finish one task and take on another." He's been honored to represent his constituents. "I don't apologize for a second of being a politician or for telling it like it is," Jauch said, but it's time to step down. "I'll be 69 this year," Jauch said. "That's not old, but I've travelled 750,000 miles in this job and I've got the passion, I don't have the energy. I don't think I have another 125,000 left in my tank." The list of Jauch's achievements in Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Sawyer and Washburn counties is extensive. Douglas County projects alone include a four-lane Highway 53, the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, University of Wisconsin-Superior improvements, the veterans outpatient clinic in Superior, the opening of a DNR office in Superior, critical access hospital designation for Essentia Health-St. Mary's Hospital, SAGE expansion, terminal tax revenue as well as funding to start summer concerts in Lucius Woods Park, and build a sanitary sewage treatment project in Poplar. Statewide, Jauch fought for the Spousal Equity Bill, passed in 1984, which created a community property system for married spouses, allowing women to be treated as equals in the home. He also negotiated a multi-billion dollar aging schools agreement under then-governor Tommy Thompson to bring older, outdated buildings up to code. And he fought for years to ratify the Great Lakes Compact to protect "our greatest resource." One of Jauch's defining moments in office came unexpectedly. Leaving the state for Illinois to prevent passage of Act 10 in 2011 was, he said, an accident of timing. "I didn't know about it until 7:30 that morning," Jauch said. "(Dane County Sen.) Mark Miller called me and said 'Bring a suitcase.'" Their aim wasn't to stall so much as to negotiate. "We thought a little time would make a difference," Jauch said. They nearly hammered out a deal with Gov. Scott Walker's staff to keep collective bargaining for public unions intact, said Sen. Tim Cullen-D, Janesville, but it fell through. "Bob is really my best friend in the state senate," Cullen said. "He made my time in Illinois bearable. He really educated me about the mining issue." Cullen, chairman of the senate's committee on mining, came up to Jauch's district three times to visit the Penokee Hills and talk to the people who lived there. "It was fun to watch him with constituents," Cullen said. "People really know him. He's been their person in Madison for a long time." The Janesville senator is also retiring at the end of this term. He's been impressed by Jauch's eloquence and ability to coin a phrase on the floor of the Senate. "I don't mind having a good argument with somebody who's arguing the facts but willing to find some middle," Jauch said. "And the middle's been lost." Jauch served as representative in the Assembly for four years and senator for 28. He's been a member of the majority as well as the minority. "He's lived in both worlds," Cullen said. During the past 32 years, Jauch has influenced many people. "He had the highest respect for people on both sides of the aisle," Milroy said. "He knew everybody and treated everybody with respect. He expected the best out of them." Although Jauch has been toting a camera around for the past 15 years, both Milroy and Cullen have escaped being photographed. "He never took a picture of me because he would rather take pictures of pretty things," Cullen said. "I never made the cut." But the Poplar man has spent many hours traveling the back roads of Wisconsin with his wife, Cecelia, catching scenes with his camera. "It's amazing how much of Wisconsin life we've discovered doing that," Jauch said. "It's such a beautiful state." Photography is one of his passions, a way to escape the stress and conflict of the job while reconnecting with the values that matter the most. And, Milroy said, "He's actually pretty good." Jauch said he has no definite plans for retirement. "I enjoy life, take some time for myself and try to do the things I want to do," he said. "But still contribute to community and society in whatever way I can." Whatever that new phase will be, Jauch will continue to focus on the people and places of northern Wisconsin. ___ (c)2014 the Superior Telegram (Superior, Wis.) Visit the Superior Telegram (Superior, Wis.) at www.superiortelegram.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |