The Milwaukee Post

September 20, 2013 • Milwaukee Post • 7 First lady brings laughs to Watertown with water-drinking initiative Michelle Obama seeking to make 'huge splash' By ARTHUR THOMAS Conley News Service WATERTOWN – An event about water held in Watertown just seems to naturally lend itself to a play on words. For instance, officials said the purpose of first lady Michelle Obama's visit on Sept. 12 was to encourage every town to be a water town. The jokes did not stop there. "This isn't a drop in the bucket," Obama said of her new "Drink Up" campaign at Watertown High School. "We're aiming to make a huge splash." The campaign encourages Americans to drink at least one more glass of water every day Obama's Let's Move! initiative . and the Partnership for a Healthier America brought together companies from throughout the water industry including nonprofits, bottled water brands, filters and others. "Let's be clear, we aren't asking you to stop drinking anything," said Larry Soler, president and CEO of the Partnership for a Healthier America. The entertainment industry also got on board. Actress Eva Longoria was on hand at Thursday's event, getting students fired up in the gym before the first lady joined the festivities. A number of morning and late-night television shows also began pro- Mary Catanese/Special to The Post Watertown High School Principal Michael Daniels and actress Eva Longoria join first lady Michelle Obama as they toast to drinking water. The school was the launch point Sept. 12 for the first lady's message of the importance of water. moting the "Drink Up" campaign. Obama said she understood if some people were skeptical about a campaign around water. "It's not new, it doesn't come in different colors or shapes," Obama said, adding that sometimes water can be "drowned out" by other drink options. She said that increasing water consumption was an easy, simple change that could lead to increased energy and focus. Many of those at the high school were anything but skeptical. "Needless to say, I'm a little excited," Watertown Mayor John David said. He acknowledged it took some time for the first lady's visit to sink in. "I thought for sure one of my friends was pulling my leg," he said of receiving the initial email from The White House. "I just got a hug from the first lady, so I'm pretty sure she was here." Students at the high school also got behind the visit. When Obama took the stage at a water festival held after the campaign announcement, a sea of students put up their cellphones to try to get a picture. After speaking, Obama greeted a number of students and played some of the carnival games set up in the gym. "We just hugged the first lady," one girl exclaimed as she walked away from the stage. Other highlights included free water bottles with the "Drink Up" logo. There was also a dunk tank and five students got the opportunity to soak their principal. Games included a ring toss, photo booth and a mechanical surfboard. Not everybody was happy about the Obama visit. As event attendees streamed out of the parking lot, three protesters stood on the street corner holding signs. One said Obama should be more concerned about the IRS scandal involving her husband's administration. Another accused the first lady of taking luxury vacations while Watertown residents struggled to get by . The third questioned the purpose of the new campaign. "Drink water, who knew," the sign said. AREA BRIEFS State tree nursery program buying seed MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin State Tree Nursery Program is again buying seed on the open market from private collectors. Seed buying stations are located around the state and at the three state nurseries in Wisconsin Rapids, Boscobel and Hayward. "Jack pine is one of the high priority species for collection this year," said Pat Murphy nursery leader for the Department , of Natural Resources. "There are a couple of things to remember about selling your seed to the state." Contact one of the purchasing sites to make sure the DNR is buying the species you want to sell. Call ahead to make sure there are no changes. The DNR is purchasing seed for balsam fir, jack pine, basswood with wings attached, butternut, shagbark hickory sugar maple, , swamp white oak, red oak, white oak and walnut. Check regulations before picking on public lands and contact the property manager to get a permit to pick on state forests. For more information, contact Murphy at 715-839-3760. Johnson Controls appoints corporate development executive GLENDALE – Johnson Controls Inc. on Wednesday named Bill Jackson to a newly created position of executive vice president of corporate development, according to a company statement. Jackson will report to Vice Chairman Alex Molinaroli, who on Oct. 1 will become Johnson Controls' chief executive. Jackson will continue serving as president of the automotive electronics and interiors business. His new position will focus on mergers and acquisitions and executing growth plans within its various businesses. Prior to joining Johnson Controls in 2011, Jackson worked for 20 years as a business consultant. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master of business administration from the University of Chicago. Glendale-based Johnson Controls is a manufacturer of automotive interior systems and services. Public hearing set for crowdfunding bill MILWAUKEE – Legislation to allow state companies to use crowdfunding for raising capital will have a public hearing Friday . The hearing will be held in 417 North at the State Capitol. Rep. David Craig, R-Town of Vernon, first circulated the bill in mid-August. The bill allows investors to purchase stock and equity in a business, not just make a donation like many online crowdfunding websites. The bill achieves this by exempting certain securities and transactions from regulation by the Department of Financial Institutions. Rep. Chad Weininger, R-Green Bay and , Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, joined Craig in introducing the legislation.

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