Here's one way to get God out of your face, buy real estate. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison-based national state/church watchdog offered $1,200 for a 990-ft. bite of land on what is known as the "Star Hill" cross site in Holmen, Wis.

The foundation has contentions with the village for owning and lighting a cross (and a lighted star most of the year) on public property. The local Lions Club has maintained the site for almost 50 years. The village plans to sell the parcel to the Lions for $100, which the Freedom From Religion folks say is a sweetheart deal closed to the public.

"It seems the real intent behind the offer to sell the property to the Lions Club is to simply ensure that this prominent symbol of Christianity remains exactly where it has been. We believe the Village cannot lawfully limit bidders for the land only to those who will maintain the cross on the same spot," says Annie Laurie Gaylor of the foundation.

Old Hand Gets Dealt Again: A collective groan was heard throughout the Milwaukee tavern industry when Ald. Jim Bohl was appointed chair of the Common Council Licenses Committee. Bohl had been chair previously but was removed from that post by Common Council President Willie Hines and replaced by the more even-tempered Jim Witkowiak.

Bohl has earned a reputation for being sanctimonious, paternal and preachy when common folk who have run into trouble must appear before the committee in order to get a license.

Granted, a license is a privilege, but Bohl seems to enjoy playing God with the hoi polloi before him. His rants were one major cause behind the committee's seemingly endless meetings. He also relished scolding members of the audience for the infamous cell phone ring.

Joining Bohl on a committee that has the longest work hours per meeting are the two council newcomers, Milele Coggs and Nik Kovac, along with Tony Zielinski and Ashanti Hamilton, leaving Bohl as the only returning member to the committee. This is his third stint there.

Returning chairs for other committees are: Ald. Robert J. Bauman, Public Works; Ald. Robert G. Donovan, Public Safety; Ald. Joe Davis, Community and Economic Development, and Ald. Michael J. Murphy, Finance and Personnel. Outgoing alderman Mike D'Amato was replaced as the chair of the Judiciary Committee by Ashanti Hamilton and chair of the Zoning Committee by Witkowiak.

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