Please Email me any questions or comments you want me to post for Mayor McCue to answer for his Cudahy State of the City Address.

The talk around Cudahy is that Thursday was selected so low turn out and the room would be stacked in his favor.  Maybe Mayor McCue will have a meeting with Tom like last year and then have Tom standup and give a speech supporting Mayor McCue. 

After looking at Mayor McCue’s calendar, it was pointed out that Tom had a meeting with the Mayor and as it turns out gave the support speech last year.  Could it have been staged and worked out?

rhollenbeck@gmail.com

Let us move the Bi-Annual Cudahy Newsletter into the 21-Century!

It should contain the email addresses along with the telephone directory since we are a world of the electronic age.

More and more of our elected officials need to get using those blackberries and email instead of the phone.  A phone conversation can be said to be hearsay, but when you put it in print, it is in black and white!

It would be nice if the City would start to collect the citizens email addresses by having people signup on the City Website and email out items like when meetings are, the minutes, newsletters, and such.

Save Cudahy money by having a check box that you would like to opt out of getting the newsletter by mail and instead would like it emailed to you.  Place it right on the city website.  We could save on paper, printing costs and postage. 

Should we not look for cost savings and moving us into an informed 21-Century city?

All of this talk from Mayor McCue to move Cudahy forward and our newsletter and city website are so in the past.

Oh, the Cudahy City website that is tomorrow’s post.

http://www.ci.cudahy.wi.us/pdfs/Newsletter2009Spring-Summer.pdf

And yes, I do know you can download it from the city webpage, but having a place to opt out and having it emailed (so you don’t have to keep checking when it is posted) would save money.  City taxpayer’s money!

Before I get into each race, I would like to give some thoughts.

School Superintendents, School Board Directors (Members), and Judicial posts (Supreme Court and Circuit Court Judges) are all to be Non-partisan.

So what does Non-partisan mean? 

Non-partisan - free from party affiliation, bias, or designation

Based on, influenced by, affiliated with, or supporting the interests or policies of no single political party

The role of any non-partisan position should be non-partisan!  The key problem of all of this is you cannot exclude your ideology from the decisions you make everyday in life.  It is the core of your beliefs; the basis of your conscience.  It is what helps give us our morals and boundaries.  It tells us when something is black and white and shapes our gray areas.

Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about Democrat Vs. Republican here.  Again, it is ideology at question.  You can be a Democrat but not a Liberal!  Any decision I make has a fiscal conservative angle to it and I never hide it.

Liberals say they dislike labels yet they hide behind them and try to confuse people when they are the same thing “liberal” or “progressive.”

Side Note – A little misnomer on big business CEOs.  Most of the big bad CEOs for big businesses are liberal democrats.  That many times is forgotten when liberals attack CEOs and capitalism! 

Basically, the rule of thumb for a Conservative is whatever the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS) and the Unions back and endorse we choose the opposite.  Why you might ask because isn’t that voting against someone instead of for?

Well if MJS was not slanted liberal and just reported news as it should and allow the reporters opinions be known as opinions with the Newspaper staying out of it (since when the paper endorses a candidate it does it for all that work at the paper).  Just like the Union telling people who they will vote for!  That is not democracy!

Cudahy Recommendations

Referendum – School District of Cudahy

Recommendation - NO

Referendum reads as follows:

Shall the following Initial Resolution be approved?

BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of the School District of Cudahy, Milwaukee

County, Wisconsin that there shall be issued, pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds and/or Qualified Zone Academy Bonds ("QZABs") in an amount not to exceed $3,775,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of (i) remodeling, renovating and improving school facility and grounds and (ii) acquiring equipment, furnishings and fixtures.

For more on why NO on the Referendum click on the my previous story here: $4.4 Million Cudahy Referendum

Recommendation - NO

School District

School Board Director

Recommendation - Bob Grams (Please see separate post just on him)

Bob Grams for Cudahy School Board

Recommendation – Any of the others would do just fine.

South Milwaukee Recommendations (reminder, I do not live in South Milwaukee)

School District

School Board Director

Recommendation - David Maass

Recommendation - Nick Szablewski

While reading what the candidates had to offer in the Q&A’s I really liked what David Maass had to say and he has the proven track record to back them up!

I have gotten to know Nick Szablewski from talking to him for hours on the phone and conversing with him in email.  I think he can bring a fresh set of eyes to the school board with a good sense of fiscal conservatism and responsibility.  I do not get the feeling it is all talk just for the election.  I feel it is legitimate and sincere. 

I think Kathee Molus would do very well, but I don’t have any first hand knowledge and some people that live in South Milwaukee feel she might have too much on her plate already.

As far as Zachary Wisniewski.  My parents raised me that if you don’t have anything good to say about a person, don’t say anything.  So I won’t!

The small exception to the rule my parents said is, if it affects you directly, say it!

Please Vote April 7th.

Some people have asked me to participate in doing things in the city.  Some don’t think that my blogs and the time that goes in, are enough. 

Please remember, I don’t get paid for this.  I do this because I have a voice and choose to use it.  I don’t hide behind anything!  Not like the childish Oak Creek individual that has taken a point to try and belittle me on my weight.  All that does is shows he is a child!

So… The Cudahy Triad of Triumvirate would be a group of 9 interested volunteers. 

3 Cudahy Business Owners/Mangers (2 of which must live in Cudahy and 1 might be from big business or live outside Cudahy)

3 Cudahy City Personnel (1 from the Common Counsel, 1 member of the Cudahy Police Department and 1 member of City Personnel that is not elected or currently serving on a committee)

3 Cudahy Citizens not in government (2 of which would be homeowners (one must represent residents over 50) and 1 which is a renter)

This would be to discuss issues that are concerns of all or any of the three different groups.  Unlike the CDA or Mayor controlled committees, this would function outside of the normal circles to bring back to the citizens, government of the people.

Would they officially have any power?  NO, but a voice is power.  The meetings would be completely open to the public and would be video taped and place on the web for download and a copy or two at the library to be viewed.

The group would meet once a month to discuss topics at hand.  Some might have been emailed to members.  Some might come from neighbors.  Some topics might come from events that transpired at official city meetings.

They might be development orientated subjects or what out of the box thing can Cudahy do to improve relationships with City Hall to the residents.  They might be where in Cudahy older retirees look for outlets or how better can we engage the youth in Cudahy.   They could be how to encourage the renters to take better care of the outside appearance and bring them back in the fold of the city as proud citizens.

Having a member of the Common Counsel is needed to bring any good ideas to the proper channels to have them dealt with.  The Common Counsel is the branch of real power and doers and to have any impact, the group needs that connection.

If you really want to help Cudahy, it takes ALL of the types of people living and working in Cudahy, not just elitists and the young.  ALL the people! 

The Cudahy Triad of Triumvirate should collectively “assume the responsibility of facing the challenges and embracing the opportunities created by the disconnect that currently is prevalent with City Hall to the citizens.  It would bring the citizens of Cudahy together.

People I would like to see on it!

Jerry Kotarak of K-Ranch

Lee Barczak of The Sheridan’s

Kevin at Dad's [tailor] Shop

Alderman Joe Mikolajczak

Any member of the police department would fit right in

Myself

Jack Vaccaro

Mayor McCue’s statement on the city gaining control of the Iceport land:

"There are no bad ideas when it comes to developing this land."  He forgot besides Wal-Mart, otherwise Wal-Mart is a good idea for the development according to Mayor McCue!  (Then why are we not doing it?)

Here is a prediction:  Mayor McCue will take the first RFP that is NOT a Wal-Mart no matter what it is!  He is desperate.  Anything will be on the table besides a Wal-Mart! 

NO BAD IDEAS!

Junkyard, yes he will take it!

Recycling center, yes he will take it

Zares retail (might want to come back), yes he will take it

Treasure Island, boom, yes he will take it

Mega-Bar, you bet, yes he will take it

Thirsty Moose relocation, I think he would go for it!

Mega-Pay loan, oh yeah

SuperMax, Cudahy here it comes

Outdoor music festival grounds, Alpine Valleyish, you bet!

Smashup derby, don’t have one close by, yes he will take it

Relocation of Super Video to a mega store, still not a Wal-Mart, so okay!

Dog walking park with poison ivy and contaminated soil, sounds good!

Besides, any of those would not nearly have the traffic drive as a Wal-Mart!

See he needs something in there quick because the April 2010 elections are coming fast!  He needs to show something was done on his watch as Mayor!  Something, anything!

Once he picks his favorite non-Wal-Mart choice, he will become a Mayor to be heard! “I am Mayor now, hear me roar” will be his motto! 

He will have no problem giving a comment to the radio, newspaper or TV.  He will not pull, “I’m Not At Liberty to Divulge that” or the city counsel (attorney) told me not to comment, so I will be silent!  NO, he will be a loud megaphone Mayor all of a sudden!  He will be doing the rounds to all the businesses burning up the pavement to sell his non-Wal-Mart choice! 

McCue could try and psych us out!  It is a virtual building complex.  To see it, you must login to this website.  See no additional traffic!  We can place up a solid wood fence with the website so people can look at it.  Hey man, this is the future!  Virtual building complexes!  Cudahy would be ahead of everyone!

I think IKEA would be open to a virtual store.  Paint one of the boards with an IKEA building and direct them to http://www.ikea.com/us/en/ to shop.  Just like shopping in a real store, but without the hassles.  Cudahy wins!  No taxes collected, but no TIF money given out either!

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you ....

HOW MUCH IN TIF MONEY ARE WE GOING TO PAY?  A LOT!!!  REMEMBER THIS MCCUE QUOTE “RESIDENTS MAY NOT EVEN SEE THE TAX BENEFITS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT FOR 20 YEARS” IF A LARGE TIF IS GIVEN!

“Be careful what you wish for,” goes the old chestnut “it might come true.”

Let me remind you of the Karma Story!  Forgot, here it is again!

Karma?

Town Chases Out Wal-Mart; Gets Insufferable Recycling Plant Instead

Pennsylvania: Residents in Plainfield County recently chalked up what they thought was a neighborhood-saving move by spending years chasing out Wal-Mart, which was planning on building a new store.  Instead, they got a noise-polluting recycling plant.

The site now creates wall-shaking explosions and noises that resemble a freight train on a daily basis.  A fire last week at the plant rose tensions even higher between residents.  Developer Nolan A. Perin says he is being unfairly blamed.

He says $200k was spent to quell the noise and that he doesn't understand all the criticism over the plant, which is in an industrial park.  Residents say they weren't notified, but since it is zoned for it, no additional approvals were necessary.

Source: www.mcall.com

Instead of just focusing on the 4th of July with a committee, I think the Cudahy committee’s name and purpose needs to change and evolve to the Special Events Committee.

Changing to the Special Events Committee would allow that committee to work on Halloween, Christmas, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day and July 4^th.  There is much more than just the 4^th of July to do.

Imagine if the city took an active role instead of a passive role for Christmas.  Yes, we have breakfast with Santa and 2008 was a good showing for it minus the Mayor not being there.  However, as a few people have suggested that the tree lighting ceremony be moved to the library on a Saturday and have a weekend celebration.  It makes it more community instead of city hallish (Hellish).  You know, stuffy!

You could have Christmas Carols. 

Have people buy ornaments to place on the tree. 

Have breakfast with Santa.

Maybe if there is snow a contest of create the best snowman.

Pay to throw a snowball at an elected official for charity.

Sell hot chocolate, coffee or tea.

Night sledding

Bonfire

Ice Skating

Seek donation money for horse and carriage rides.

Parade down Packard Ave.

See if local business would like to donate money for lights and decorations.  Create a synergy between the citizens, government and business.  The triad of trifectas’.

The committee could look at all of the holidays to make it more community in nature to get more community involvement.

There might be local businesses that would donate time or money let say for Halloween that currently do want to donate for July 4^th.

Why put all the eggs in one basket and hardly nothing the rest of the year?  If you want to engage and encourage the citizens of Cudahy, start thinking outside the box.

Side Note – I was just emailed this:  Forming a civic celebrations committee is another campaign promise that Mayor McCue has not fulfilled!

It’s Friday and time for another installment of Mayor Ryan McCue’s Report Card.  We tally up the grades today.

This is the continuation of Mayor Ryan McCue’s Campaign Platform and promises and how, in my viewpoint, he has done so far in a report card format.  This is part five of the five part series.  We have just the wrap up left to look forward to.

If you would like to do one just email me rhollenbeck@gmail.com

Have not heard from Mayor McCue himself on pointing out how my grading is wrong!  Tick Tock!  Almost time to forever hold your peace.

Some people just think I should back off of McCue, but the truth IS what it is!

So without further ado, here we go!

Please Click here for Mayor McCue’s Report Card Part V

SoccerNut was correct.  The Director Economic Developer exact budget for 2009 is $348,734.

Please see the detailed two pages for a breakdown of the cost.  Please notice that on page two we are paying for retirement and life insurance on the TWO so called "needed" interns.  What are they going to do?

Also, remember that the Iceport TID is where the money for the Director Economic Lara Fritts salary is coming from.  So, if it doesn’t get developed this year, WE will foot the bill not the TID.

Here is Lara Fritts’s email address for those that may want it.

frittsl@CI.CUDAHY.WI.US

Just how much will the taxpayers, US, keep paying?  The city has US, the taxpayers, picking up the tab on taking down the Iceport structure, paying for the fence around the Iceport, cleanup of the contaminated land, and I am sure the creek that already was cleaned up, now has run off from the Iceport land, will have to be cleaned up by the taxpayers, of course. 

We have yet to get the bill for the redo of Mayor McCue’s glass room, sorry, City Hall remodeling!

I cut myself on Sunday and my blood was red not green! 

I find it odd that “NO” goals are being set for Lara Fritts. 

Whose responsibility would that have been?  Maybe instead of puppy shopping, the Mayor should spend more time actually working on the things he should be doing.  Mayor McCue, if you wish to spend most of your time at home, please quit your Mayor’s job!  We should all find it unacceptable to hand in an unfinished assignment!  Incompletes are just as bad as failures.

How will Lara Fritts, the city, and us know if she is meeting expectations or not with no goals?  She only has a one-year contract.  She reports directly to the Mayor.  So does that mean that the goals are known to the Mayor or will it be whatever he feels like it should be? 

I think that is unfair for both Lara Fritts and us!

I am including an excellent public forum letter to the editor that fits right in.

Economic development, high taxes don't mix

Posted: Feb. 17, 2009

Public Forum:

I must compliment the city of Cudahy for creating a brand new position, economic development director, at taxpayers' expense.  However, one must question whether throwing out more of the taxpayers' money is the best answer in light of the large price hikes that many business property owners experienced in 2008.

As a resident of a single-family dwelling, I was shocked at the huge increase in property taxes - approximately 20 percent - simply because the land my homes sits on is in a business district.

The property next to mine was once a business; today it remains unoccupied and for sale.

I certainly don't have the extensive education as the newly installed economic development director has, nor do I have a salary of $80,000 annually.  However, I do know that extensive economic development can never happen as long as the city of Cudahy extensively raises property taxes for land located in the business area.

Thomas V. Brunner

http://www.cudahynow.com/news/39749577.html

"Creeds must disagree: it is the whole fun of the thing.  If I think the universe is triangular, and you think it is square, there cannot be room for two universes.  We may argue politely, we may argue humanely, we may argue with great mutual benefit; but, obviously, we must argue.  Modern toleration is really a tyranny.  It is a tyranny because it is a silence.  To say that I must not deny my opponent's faith is to say I must not discuss it . . . It is absurd to have a discussion on Comparative Religions if you don't compare them."

G.K. Chesterton

Hi Randy:

Your article once again is true.

These are my thoughts on things the Mayor is lacking on.

Care for Cudahy – NOT!  I have not seen much in the care factor.  There are still too many rental properties with crappy lawns in the summer, no grass cutting, chipping paint on the home or windows etc...

Gang ordinance – NOT!!  That was Alderman Joe's project.  He spent months getting it into effect and thanks to him it is helping Cudahy.

Absent landlords – NOT!!! When will that take place???  There seems to be 70% rental properties in Cudahy.  When are we going to get these places owned?

Rental places and people do not care.  The owners live elsewhere are never check on their places, they just take the money each month.

The mayor supports business in Cudahy, NOT!!!!  He turns down every company that wants to come here.  He has no view of the future and never will.

I hope we do not have to live in the 1970's  forever.  Although I had fun as a kid then, we do not need the old buildings and the past.

I guess we will just have to keep giving our money to Oak Creek.  They seem to be in the year 2009.

Oak Creek is doing it right!  Taxes lower, crime lower, school enrollment up, business friendly, Mayor who is in the office seen and heard.

I was very saddened to read the story “Disabled and in pain, firefighter says city has abandoned him” for various reasons.

One reason was I was friends with Dennis LeDoux and his twin brother back in middle school where we were classmates.

As a person who went through a microdiscectomy, I can relate to the pain he is going through.  Some doctors wanted to do spinal disc fusions, but after some other opinions, my family and I decided not to have it done.

But most of all, if other city personnel have had their insurance paid for that is just not right to deny Mr. LeDoux.  I am very glad to see that the South Shore NOW is going an open record request (I know that makes a few people’s blood boil) and find out.  And again, very disappointed in Mayor McCue (starting to sound like a broken record) and his non-answer of; Mayor Ryan McCue would not confirm if other employees have received health insurance coverage from the city.

"That benefit is not in the union's contract," he noted.

Dennis LeDoux put his life on the line to save lives and was hurt.  Yes, it sucks to have taxpayers pay especially in the tough economics of today.  That is why each and every tax dollar is special and important and we cannot afford pizza parties, improper use of cell phones, and any other wasteful spending.

It sucks worse to be injured though.

This brings up a slight off topic question –

If people are on vacation and not on city business should they get their full month per diem/stipends that they receive for using personal vehicles for city purposes instead of a city car?  Should it not be ¾ of the amount instead of the whole thing since they could not be on city business if on vacation/approved time off?

And if they are driving around in a city vehicle nearly everywhere that is business related?

Maybe that topic needs to be addressed in a blog.

Here is what another one of our fellow schoolmates said, “McCue is in the story, after all, doing nothing as usual.  I know I'm definitely not pro-union, and am against wasteful spending, but when someone is injured in the line of duty for the citizens of a community, they should get support.  I can only imagine having that kind of pain, all the time, without relief and knowing it could be that way for the rest of your life unless you find a different or new treatment, at 39.  If you look at the money the city is going to lose cleaning up the iceport, fighting (and potentially losing) several lawsuits, wouldn't a fraction of any of that pay his health insurance?  If they don't do anything, you could always set up a fund at a local bank and blog again asking for donations to pay his medical bills, I've seen that done before.”

Mr. LeDoux you might want to try the Back2Life (Back Exerciser) http://www.getback2life.com/ as that has helped me and a few of my friends.  Just a suggestion, but check with your Doctor.

Disabled and in pain, firefighter says city has abandoned him.  I would say Mayor McCue has abandoned the city and all of us again!  How much more of Mayor McCue can the City of Cudahy take?

One more thing, Mr. LeDoux, I want to THANK YOU for putting your life on the line for the safety of those in which you served.  THANK YOU for your selflessness.

Jeff Wagner talks about the Cudahy Firefighter

"The Department Of Justice" with Jeff Wagner, 12noon to 1pm.

As a continuation and a preface to me grading Cudahy Mayor McCue’s campaign platform and the promises he has in it, this blog post is chalked full of insights and even a surprise acknowledgement by me.  It also has a commentary by my friend WISN talk show host Jay Weber on Mayor McCue that aired February 11^th.

Did you notice where Cudahy was in taxes for 2008?  If you didn’t please do.

Please click here to check out my post

Bayside blogger, Bernard Hall, of “Logos of the Bogus” has the subject of public leadership and conduct not becoming those in the government down perfectly in his post.

Please click here and read his post “What is Wrong with Milwaukee Leaders?”

Talking about “What IF’s” and “gotchas” on a Mayor and City Administrator

Follow my story here

You will remember I did a post on “The People Know Better” and “Elected Or Appointed” which talked about Cudahy’s lust to have certain local government positions that are currently elected by you, “THE PEOPLE”, taken away under the cloud of “This will be better for the city”

“This will be better for the city” Translation - This is a power grab and I want to install my “YES” people in the positions.  I will keep up the claim that those that run might not be qualified and so I will stick out that the requirements of the positions could be filled by someone for the treasurer of a city for example being 18 years old, registered to vote, and can't balance their own checkbook.

Let me make this a little more clearer to the people who will be reading this, exactly what the change would mean to them.

Taking the power and voice away from the people is very bad no matter what the intentions are!  The right to vote and the power of the vote is the single most democratic thing you can do.  Having people appointed is hearken back to the days of Kings and Queens where those in power are able to setup and stack the deck to keeping power by placing people who have their backs in power.

In the end, “WE” "THE PEOPLE" lose our ability to self govern because we are now relying a few powerful people to hand pick others who may have only the person that put them in power’s interest and not the people’s interest!

We have to be smart enough not to fall for the smoke and mirrors and all the rhetoric of the worst-case scenarios.  Don’t let the wool be pulled over your eyes.  Wakeup and smell the coffee and all of those used up clichés.  Informed people make the best decisions, not the people in power!

The most and fairest way to all the people is to have “THE PEOPLE” elect who they think should and will work the best.

This elected versus appointed will not just go away unless you tell Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue and your alderperson to allow the process as it is now to work.  It has not failed us and it is democracy at its finest.

I do not, as you should not, want to see a movement afoot to change the clerk / treasurer and comptroller’s position from elected to appointed.  This doesn’t serve the best interest of the city.  Democracy does!  Voting does!  The people’s voice DOES!

If the Mayor wants to change it, it must be done through a change to the charter ordinance.

Just because a Mayor doesn’t like the person currently occupying the elected position for personal reasons we cannot allow an end around of the process called democracy.

One tactic that may be employed as an end around is too just simply plan on gutting the position of clerk/ treasurer by cutting the salary drastically.  If the salary is too low people will not run which would give a reason to install the appointed need or if they affectedly have no say thus no power than it is just a title with no job.

Don’t forget “THE PEOPLE” in Cudahy recently voted to split up clerk / treasurer and comptroller’s positions.  We want more transparency and responsibility instilled in our local government not less!

Now just because of a disliking is not a reason to have “THE PEOPLE” give up the right to elect.  If the Mayor feels this strong, then allow the people to vote on making it appointed and not elected.  He will not do this just like he would not put Wal-Mart on the ballot because the final outcome would not be to his liking.  Ironic that the outcome would not be to his liking for the reason to place it as a referendum item is a dislike of the person.

Yes, everyone must work together as a give and take, put not as a puppet system with someone pulling strings.  Being a “YES” man doesn’t help the city, but constructive criticisms does!  Many different choreographed voices that see the world and the city through different prism glasses does! 

I truly believe that gutting the salary because you don't like the current person in office is WRONG!  By gutting, the position by salary or authority is a means to that is just a way to get rid of someone you don't like is very undemocratic and irresponsible.

Do not allow the arrogance of others to tell “us” “WE the people” that they know better.  That is elitist talking.  We know better.

President Obama: "The way to make government responsible is to hold it accountable and the way to make government accountable is to make it transparent.  I will also hold myself to a new standard of openness."

I don’t want to hear the cry that the President of The United States (POTUS) gets to appoint his cabinet members and that is just like all the rest of local positions in government.  It is not! 

The issue of gutting the salary, if that is to be done, should be at or after the next election.  The clerk/tres. ran for the office based upon the salary that was published at the time, to gut it half way through the term is flat out wrong. 

I strongly disagree with lowering the pay at all, because it weakens the talent pool and just opens the door for mischief as a means in the end to justify making the positions appointed because good candidates will not run for low wages. 

We are governed by a "Republic" not a true democracy and voting is the only democratic thing that we do.

The choice is and should be ours not the Mayor’s or not even the Common Council’s, but ours with the right to vote.  If after a referendum vote that “THE PEOPLE” want to voluntarily, give up the right to vote in clerk / treasurer and comptroller elections then by all means the city must appoint.

Until that referendum vote happens, the city and the elected officials need to back away from this and leave it in the hands of the people.

Here is where we must exercise an abundance of caution.  Heed my warning Common Council members, “You Reap What You Sew” and next the cry will be that it would be best suited to not elect Common Council members, but have the Mayor take applications and select them.  After all, do we really want non-elitists or the top of the top as the Mayor would see them?  What fairness would the Common Person have?

Maybe the Mayor and our friend that emailed me that wonderful email (Today’s Humor) truly don’t care about the Common Person.  Would any of the current Common Council members have the proper pedigree to still be in office serving “THE PEOPLE”?

Believe all that you will, but the best interest is still in the hands of the people not in a Mayor who might not put the best interest of the city in front of personal interest or personal distain.  One doesn’t need to look that far and see that Wal-Mart was not given a chance because of a personal dislike. 

The Mayor is NOT the CEO of the City, unless you recognize that the citizens, "THE PEOPLE", are the owners.

Remember words are only 7% of communication.

Please contact the Mayor and your district Alderperson and tell them leave their hands off the election process that “WE” “THE PEOPLE” know better!

Contact:

Mayor Ryan McCue

Phone Number: (W) 769-2222

Address: 3927 E Plankinton Ave

mccuer@ci.cudahy.wi.us

Alderperson First District Joseph Mikolajczak

Phone Number: (H) 483-1255

Address: 3754 E. Plankinton Avenue

mikolajczakj@ci.cudahy.wi.us

Alderperson Second District Mary Schissel

Phone Number: (H) 744-0420

Address: 3836 E Munkwitz Ave

schisselm@ci.cudahy.wi.us

Alderperson Third District Mark Otto

Phone Number: (H) 769-6626

Address: 3324 E Mallory Ave

ottom@ci.cudahy.wi.us

Alderperson Fifth District Name Thomas Pavlic

Phone Number: (H) 483-7116

Address: 6015 Summer Winds Ct

pavlict@ci.cudahy.wi.us

A big Congratulation goes out to Jason Litkowiec for winning the Cudahy 4th District alderperson seat.

I hope and wish you the best.  Your strong anti-crime resolve will be much appreciated and needed to help turn the city around!

Crime is one of the biggest problems saddling the city.

I an going to start this off by saying this is a long post, which may make some other bloggers upset that they have to read.  Many of the younger crowd are so self centered and need things to be short because they lack big attention spans.  This is what society has created.  I am sure they will quickly run to their blogs and write about me and my comments or how long they feel my blogs are.  They may even pull out the statements that what I write is boring that they almost fall asleep reading it.  I don’t think these people could just curl up on the couch or sit in a chair and read an entire book in one sitting.  If there isn’t a big explosion or cliff notes, they cannot keep their attention to read.

Choose what you want to hear and you will miss the truth

I will not say I am sorry for the length of my post(s)!

Emphasis is mine!

When you read Patrick McIlheran’s take on the KRM, think about Cudahy’s Mayor McCue, who to me appears to be condo happy and I know he places a lot of hope that the KRM will turn things around in Cudahy.  While that is all fine and dandy, how realistic is it after looking what the costs are and how much use it actually will get?   What is the bang for the buck?

Remember there were people touting how much visitors would be coming from the KRM, and then we found out least than 1% of riders will do this.

Think hard and deeply about this as well - M&I forecloses on Cudahy condo project

Marshall & Ilsley Corp. has obtained a $3.6 million foreclosure judgment on a new condominium development in Cudahy, and the city's taxpayers are facing a possible loss from their role in helping finance the project.

http://www.cudahynow.com/watch/?watch=28&date=12/17/2008&id=48961

(Condo sales at a trickle due to stagnant market)

http://www.cudahynow.com/story/index.aspx?id=638608

Be informed is all I ask.  Please look at the study and listen to the pod casts and then read 8th District Supervisor Milwaukee County Patricia Jursik response to the study.

Milwaukee's Commuter Rail Plan's Supposed Economic Benefits

Aren't Credible; System Would Require Massive Subsidies

Report outlines several better transit options for region

Reason Foundation

Policy Study 372

Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Corridor Transit Service Options: An Investigation and Analysis

By Thomas A. Rubin

Project Director: Robert W. Poole, Jr.

KRM Commuter Rail Plan’s Supposed Economic Benefits Aren’t Credible;

System Would Require Massive Subsidies

Reason Foundation report outlines several better transit options for region

The claimed economic benefits of the proposed commuter rail line for the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee corridor are “not credible” and other transit options should be studied, according to a new study by Reason Foundation, a free market think tank.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee analysis of the local economic benefits of the construction of the rail line wrongly assumes all expenditures, and jobs created, would be local, even though there is no local capacity to produce many of the components, such as the $48 million rail cars.  And the $2.1 billion increase in property values the rail project alleges would mean that each of the 3,696 projected 2035 round-trip riders would be “worth” $568,000, a claim that “cannot be taken seriously” the Reason Foundation concludes.

Reason Foundation finds every new passenger boarding the commuter rail system would cost $28.  Yet passengers would pay just $2.92 for a ticket, meaning taxpayers would subsidize over $25 for every new one-way rail passenger.  By comparison, the total cost per passenger for the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) in 2007 was $3.

“Amidst a recession and tough economic times, it is more important than ever to make decisions based on cost-effectiveness and benefits to citizens,” said Tom Rubin, author of the Reason Foundation analysis and a transit consultant.

http://www.reason.org/ps372/

Full study report here http://www.reason.org/ps372.pdf

Vicki McKenna’s Pod casts on

“Tom Rubin discusses the realities of rail.”

Click Here

“Some people continue to believe rail would solve all economic and social problems.”

Click Here

Jay Weber’s take on this

Rail is expensive if it is or isn't used.

Click Here

Jay Weber's Podcast Click Here

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Patrick McIlheran’s take on this

(Please read all of the article, but here is a snippet.)

Magic costs more than mere rides

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/36263929.html

Backers of commuter trains down the south shore start off with a measured tone, but they soon get to the chorus of dreams.

To them, rail transit isn't just about commutes.  It's about transforming us, drawing smart young people to work downtown and cocoon in new industrial-chic lofts in Racine.  Without trains, we're not just immobile; we're Dullsville.  With them, we could be Manhattan.  Can you put a value on that?

Well, you can put a price.  It's fairly high, according to transit backers' data and Tom Rubin's merciless accountancy.

Rubin, who used to be the chief financial officer for a transit agency in Los Angeles, was almost hired by train backers here to study how great the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee, or KRM, line would be.  They demurred, so he ended up doing the study anyhow for the Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank.  He uses numbers from the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority to calculate how much we'd be spending for each of the new transit passengers lured out of their cars by the train.

We'd spend $28 per ride, an estimated $25 of which would fall on the taxpayers.

I'm not saying KRM is dumber than dirt or that it'll fail," he told me.  What he is saying is that the region has other good options it hasn't looked at, ones that may cost a lot less.

One that he suggests examining is running express buses up I-94.  The freeway's problem is that it's nine miles west of downtown Racine.  But there's room to put in park-and-ride lots, and the buses in Racine and Kenosha easily could run routes out to the freeway. Depending on how you run the express coaches, they could serve as their own feeders and distributors, picking up riders in town and distributing them to destinations beyond downtown Milwaukee, meaning fewer transfers.  And buses would be much cheaper and could be started much sooner than trains.  All they would lack is rail's sex appeal.

On the other hand, moving a lot of people around - the basic idea of transit - at fairly low cost is pretty appealing itself.  In New Jersey, about a quarter of long-distance commuters into the real Manhattan go by buses.  Taxpayers subsidize rail riders there by $4.42 a ride and bus riders by 80 cents.  In Los Angeles, coaches from far suburbs carry commuters on jam-free high-occupancy toll lanes at reasonable fares that cover more than 90% of the cost, a figure unheard of in rail.

"For the vast majority of riders, the mode of transit isn't important," said Rubin.  Surveys repeatedly show regular users care more about how far they'll have to walk, how many times they'll transfer, how long they'll have to wait - all things where buses can beat trains.

He isn't saying a bus scheme up I-94 is a cinch, only that it deserves study.  Especially since they adapt.  You can add buses one at a time, and change them or drop them if routes flop.  With a train, we'd be on the hook for $249 million in construction before the first passenger rode.

"Commuter rail is, to a very high degree, an all-or-nothing option," he writes.  It's impossible to erase a mistake, so we'd just keep throwing money in.

That's a virtue, say rail's backers: Such permanence means riders won't worry that the route will change.  This will induce them to buy nice condos nearby and sell their cars.  Thus, say rail backers, it will reshape the lakeshore cities and downtown Milwaukee.

But think about what that permanence implies.  To lure people to live in downtowns rather than elsewhere, authorities would be saying they'd spend hundreds of millions of dollars to install a train and to run it even if no one rides on it.  They don't believe such profligacy would spook off tax-weary citizens.  They're betting that such a faith-based wager - which, again, costs taxpayers many times what a bus would - would transform us.

By this point, we're way past transit and into the realm of hope and magic.  Nothing wrong with hope and magic, but, for the money, there may be better ways of getting people to work.

Patricia Jursik’s Email to me

“Thank you for contacting my office.  I am familiar with the Rubin study.  It is interesting to note that a very conservative business group The Metropolitan Milw. Assoc. of Commerce, specifically Pete Beitzel, criticized Rubin and stated his opinion follows the money that is paying him.  I would also note that all of the chambers of commerce in our south shore communities favor the KRM piece, Cudahy has created an economic development plan that uses a transit station as a catalyst for development, as well as So. Milw.  While the county board's transportation committee voted against the RTA proposal, I have reservations about the total elimination of KRM because of the many business groups that see it as a positive move on behalf of their businesses.”

Patricia.Jursik@milwcnty.com

New study questions commuter rail line

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/36210564.html

Tina Dondajeski of the Patrick Cudahy Park Friends group has decided to run for the Fourth District Alderperson seat in the Jan. 20 special election as a “Write-In” candidate to fill a vacancy on the Cudahy Common Council from when Sean Smith resigned.

Eighth District County Supervisor Pat Jursik suggested she run for the spot when Mr. Smith first resigned, but home improvements diverted her attention from the race. 

After recently reading there would be only one candidate running for the position, she contacted City Hall to see if she could still be considered to being placed on the ballot. 

She was told that she could run as a "write-in" candidate and just needed to complete some paperwork at City Hall. 

She has filled out the proper paper work and would like to get the word out.  I consider her a friend and think she has a lot to offer.

She would like to have a debate with Jason Litkowiec who is on the ballot seeking the fourth district alderperson seat as well.  The topics Tina would like to see are all on the City of Cudahy such as, "Why do you want to be alderperson,” “What problems do you see facing the City of Cudahy” and “What is your the vision of how to fix them?”.

Tina feels she would like to give something back to the community and would like to have a voice in the issues facing Cudahy.

You might see Tina at Cudahy Park as I have many times this past summer, I would call it her second home.  Her name also might sound familiar to you as she was chosen one of the three people in Cudahy that made a difference in 2007.  I have re-listed the article at the bottom of the post.

Some At-A-Glance information on Tina Dondajeski. 

Background - Resident of Cudahy for 12 years, married with two children in the Cudahy School District.

Occupation - Human Resource/Compliance Assistant for Symbiont in West Allis

Education - Bachelors Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix

Affiliations - Founder/President of the Patrick Cudahy Park Friends, School District of Cudahy Building Usage Committee member, Cudahy High School Parent Advisory Committee member, General Mitchell PTO member.

She would like to see Cudahy become the "City of Choice" when people are looking for a place to live or bring a business.  “Communities to the north and south of Cudahy are booming, but we seem to be stuck in a rut,” Tina told me.

Dondajeski, Hollenbeck, McCue made a difference in 2007

By Chantel Balzell

Staff Writer

Posted: Jan. 1, 2008

South Shore NOW staff selected three residents, from among many, who made a difference in Cudahy in 2007.  Those people are Tina Dondajeski, Randy Hollenbeck and Mayor Ryan McCue.

Tina Dondajeski - Improving community parks and revitalizing interest in park activities is Tina Dondajeski's bread and butter.

Since founding the Patrick Cudahy Park Friends group in January 2007, Dondajeski has organized an Easter egg hunt and fall festival at the park.

She hopes to hold more activities at the park in 2008, including a spring event in April, a wine-tasting event in June and another fall festival in October.  She is working with the Milwaukee County Parks Department to arrange movie showings in the park, too.

For winter, she is trying to get snow piles at the park on which kids can play.

"I have lots of plans," she said.  "It's just a matter of finding money and members."

The 41-year-old and mother of two said she would eventually like to see the Cudahy Park Friends, the Pulaski Park Friends and the Sheridan Park Friends groups merge into a Cudahy community park group and plan events that would alternate among the three locations.

Dondajeski said it is important to contribute to the friends groups because the county's budget is making cuts to park funding and no longer has the manpower to host activities that were once popular years ago.

"When I was a kid, Cudahy Park had an ice skating rink and toboggan sledding," she said.  "Now, everything's gone."

Already, Dondajeski has received positive feedback from residents after organizing the Easter egg hunt and fall festival.

"I'm looking forward to 2008," she said.  "It's been a learning experience, but also a lot of fun."

http://www.cudahynow.com/story/index.aspx?id=702815

Tina Dondajeski can be contacted at tina4alderperson@sbcglobal.net she would be happy to hear from you!

Elections FAQ 11

What procedures, if any, must write-in candidates follow?  There are virtually no procedures or rules which specifically relate to write-in candidates for local office.  Although the lack of specific procedures and requirements relating to write-in candidates may seem puzzling at first glance, it makes sense when you consider that write-in candidates are considered candidates under state law and thus are subject to whatever requirements pertain to candidates in general.

Section 11.01(1) of the Wisconsin statutes defines “candidate” to mean “every person for whom it is contemplated or desired that votes be cast at any election held within this state whether or not the person is elected or nominated, and who either tacitly or expressly consents to be so considered.”  Thus, write-in candidates, like other candidates, are required to comply with sections 11.05(2g) and (12) of the Wisconsin statutes which require that every candidate file a campaign registration statement (Form EB-1) no later than the time that he or she becomes a candidate as defined in sec. 11.01(2) of the Wisconsin statutes.

The only statutes which specifically relate to write-ins pertain not to write-in candidates, but rather to the form of the ballot and to determining elector intent.  Spring primary ballots must allow room for write-in candidates.  Wis. Stat. sec. 5.58.  Curiously enough, the law specifically requires that villages leave sufficient space for write-in candidates under each office on spring election ballots, but does not contain a similar requirement for cities.  See sec. 5.60(5) and (3).  If the ballot card used by a municipality does not provide a space for write-in votes, the municipality is required to provide a separate write-in ballot, which may be in the form of a paper ballot, to permit electors to write in the names of persons whose names are not on the ballot whenever write-in votes are authorized.  Sec. 5.82.  The statute relating to determining elector intent with regard to write-ins is sec. 7.50(2)(d)(e) and (hm).

Source Here

It is just too bad the rest of the Cudahy Alderpersons didn’t send out a questionnaire like Third District’s Mark Otto.

To know is to be.  As information is all power, so too can power come from not knowing.  It is only for the knowing to wield instead of the all.  As if information is known, the power is diminished, but the glory can be shared.

It is easy for Fifth District Alderperson Thomas Pavlic and Second District Alderperson Mary Schissel to sit back and claim that their Districts were not in favor.  The same could have been made for the Fourth District when Sean Smith was still in office.  Do they have any real proof that is the case?  Real proof, not just that they claim phone calls which cannot be verified.

Remember Ronald Reagan’s Quote “Trust but verify!” 

What would be the outcome if an Open Records Request were done on email for Wal-Mart with the two alderpersons?  That would not necessarily take in count the phone calls.  We would never truly know now will we?

An honest person walks a straight path, while a less than honorable one bends and twists.

My opinion is they didn’t want to really know what the residents in their districts wanted as they had no intention of voting that way.  My guess because of some personal dislike of Wal-Mart.  This gives them plausible deniability, as the military would say I couldn’t confirm nor deny anything.  All you have is my word.

He who seeks the enlightened path, knows the truth when he is confronted with it not!

Now you may have noticed that First District Alderperson Joe Mikolajczak was not singled out, because in the end he wanted to at least hear out what Continental Properties had to offer.  (In cases where it would be split 50/50, don’t you think it would be reasonable to hear out the plan?)

Trust is earned not given!

Wal-Mart was not a silver bullet, but it would have helped the city.

Lamin Perfect Balance: I move forward in life with ease and with joy at every age – I trust the process of life.  All that I need is always taken care of!  Lamsafe

Oh yeah by the way, what was the results of Mark Otto’s questionnaire?

To look is to see.  To see is to know! 

(340 total sent out)

1.  Do you want WALMART in Cudahy?

YES 51 NO 22

1a. Should tax revenue generated from a WALMART be used to assist the creation of other development?

YES 29 NO 36

Please keep in mind that the Milwaukee Wave was in the picture back in July of this year.

Also, keep in mind that the IcePort site is in the third district and would have impacted those residents more, so it should have carried more weight.

The only correct answer is the truth!

A reader emailed me that “the whole Iceport/Wal-Mart is a Greek Tragedy, where fear ruled the hearts of those who oppose change and forward movement.”

They also gave me this link:

The classic discussion of Greek tragedy is Aristotle's Poetics.  He defines tragedy as "the imitation of an action that is serious and also as having magnitude, complete in itself.”  He continues, "Tragedy is a form of drama exciting the emotions of pity and fear.  Its action should be single and complete, presenting a reversal of fortune, involving persons renowned and of superior attainments, and it should be written in poetry embellished with every kind of artistic expression.”  The writer presents "incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to interpret its catharsis of such of such emotions" (by catharsis, Aristotle means a purging or sweeping away of the pity and fear aroused by the tragic action).

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/tragedy.html

The trampling death of a Wal-Mart employee is blamed on the store not being unionized.

 Jay Weber’s Pod Cast Click Here

Family of man trampled at Wal-Mart sues retailer

The Common Council Agenda – Who and How

Revisiting the Common Council Agenda

90% of the problem is asking the right question(s).

An alderperson could try and have the item be reconsidered to try and have a reverse or modify the decision.  The body was not unanimous, but split so a resend and nullify the action taken by the council on December 2 could be an option.

A reversal is unusual but it could be said that Alderman Tom Pavlic was falsely under the impression that a bidding war would ensue for Wal-Mart (Funny how all of a sudden the city was hoping for a Wal-Mart in Cudahy).  He could not have been more mistaken or ill-informed.  That might be grounds to ask for the reversal.

It might be said that District 4 had no representation since they didn't.  If the other alderperson’s don't agree then the voices of District 4 don't matter to them.  (Soon Jason Litkowiec will become the Fourth District’s alderperson after running unopposed for Cudahy council seat)

Just a reminder that to bring it back for reconsideration later, a council member would have to request that the item be put on the agenda.  According the Cudahy code, if three or more (I believe it is) alderpersons request in writing that an items be placed on an agenda (if the Mayor won't do it), then the items must be placed on an agenda for a meeting of the common council. 

What if that is the will of the residents in the district that the alderman is in?  Should it not be considered and the Mayor places it on the agenda for discussion? 

Some would say that that causes a walking quorum. 

Not really, they are just asking that the item be brought up and they are not saying how they are going to vote.  Remember it is a way to get their item on an agenda, if the Mayor attempts to block it.  Just because an item is put on the agenda doesn’t mean the person(s) are voting in favor of it.  All it means is it should be discussed and then voted on.

It would not constitute a walking quorum any more than having more than one Common Council member on any of the lower committees that presents/recommends things to the Common Council.

Now back to the agenda.  Unless they have the third vote, STRONG, it makes no sense to ask for the item to be placed on the agenda. 

Depending on who becomes elected in the Fourth (Congratulations to Jason Litkowiec), someone could ask for the item on an agenda.  Even if the newly elected Fourth District is in favor of it, here is where you have to watch out for trouble.

If you end up with a 3-2 vote in favor of the Wal-Mart, the Mayor vetoes, and you need four votes to override.  Even if you get the fourth vote, and it goes through after about 1 - 2 months of rig-a-ma roll, remember, it still needs to go back to the CDA. 

However, with that much political football, you may have trouble getting four votes to move it in the CDA.  Again, several months could pass, and from a developer’s standpoint, that is a lot of wasted time and effort.

Okay so that is one route what about if a citizen wants to have an item on a City Common Council Agenda?

Please keep in mind that the Mayor’s job by powers of the executive branch are:

1. To set the budget
2. To set the agenda

The Mayor, just like the President, can either sign off or veto.  (What happened to the Mayor’s Town Hall Meetings he was going to hold often?)

A Mayor is in charge of running the city every day.  His job includes talking to citizens of the city and other government leaders to help solve problems.  A Mayor is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The City of Cudahy has a FULL TIME Mayor!  Don’t forget that!

The Mayor, the city's chief executive officer (this analogy only works when you realize the citizens are the stockholder/owners since the CEO works for them just like the Mayor works for the citizens of the city), directs city departments and appoints department heads, with the advice and consent of the City Common Council.

The Mayor submits a budget to the City Common Council.  The Mayor presides at City Council meetings and can vote in the event of a tie.  He does not have to, but can if he so chooses.  The Mayor must approve or veto all ordinances passed by the City Council and has the power to veto ordinances.

The Mayor also appoints members of city boards and commissions.  (It would be nice, check that, it should be only people living in the city can be appointed to city boards and commissions!  If someone doesn’t live in the city that their decision affects.  Why should their voice matter since they have no stake in the city?)

The Common Council is the legislative branch and are the one making laws and ordnances.  They are considered the doers and hold the power.

Since we have a Mayor, we have NO need for a City Administrator!

Repeat!

Since we have a Mayor, we have NO need for a City Administrator!

Now or in the future!

Please note that this is a duplication of job duties that the Mayor handles already!

Manages the City's business and carries out the Council's plans and directions by coordinating the work of all the City's departments and employees

Expends funds as authorized by the Council's budget

Recommends the Council on legislation, financial program, capitol improvements, policies, employment, and service

Hires city employees and may remove them

Investigates and acts on complaints

Negotiates and administers contracts and agreements

Represents the City at conferences, meetings, and committees

Just a question – Who do the staff/city workers work for?  The correct answer is the citizens.  Remember - Public servants.  To serve the public!

How do I get an item placed on the Agenda?

On many occasions I am sure, citizens have questioned how an item they are interested in can be placed on the City Common Council Agenda for discussion and possible action.

Items the City Common Council might consider taking action on should be placed on the City Council Agenda.

To have an item placed on the City Council Agenda the following must take place:

Submit a letter, by mail or in person, addressed to the Mayor and City Common Council, to the City Clerk's Office explaining what you wished placed on the agenda.

Make sure you have explained in detail your concern.

The letter should be submitted at least 20 days prior to the City Common Council Meeting.  This allows the Mayor and City Common Council time to review and staff to research, if necessary.

When the item is placed on the agenda the City Clerk's office will contact you so that you will be able to address the Mayor and City Common Council at the meeting.  Please include your phone number or address.

The Mayor should notify you in a letter as to why your request was denied since you requested it in letter format.

One would think that the Mayor and Common Council would invite citizens to participate in the innovative and progressive activities taking place within the City.  The way to be heard is by taking an active role and by attending the Common Council Meetings to understand what and why the Common Council makes the decisions it does.

Do not feel excluded from the process, but feel excited and included and the only way that is going to happen is IF you get involved in the first place.

Time doesn’t change a man’s word, but you learn his sincerity of action during it!