1. Truly, What’s The Beef With Wal-Mart? – This was a question and answer from the Wal-Mart public forum.

2. Recall Donations and Help Needed – Talked about the open record request and the recall and how to donate.  They still need money donations to keep doing the open record requests.

3. Setting the record straight by Lisa B. Nelson  – Guest blog from a Wal-Mart rep to debunk the Joe Henika post in the public forum on Wal-Mart asking for a tax subsidy.

4. Moving Forward  –About the Wal-Mart moving forward and what I thought of the future.

5. Putting People’s Mind To Ease – Some one in the Wal-Mart public forum made an accusation that K-Mart, Walgreen’s, and Pick N’ Save would close if Wal-Mart came to town.  I called and talked to management of each of the stores and they didn’t seem concerned and welcome them.

6. Business Conditions  – I talk about what I would include in the business conditions with the developer and Wal-Mart.

7. Water-boarding  – I let people know what exactly water-boarding is and how I feel about it.

8. Important Emergency Phone Numbers – A collection of Important Emergency Phone Numbers that I have collected.

9. Lawn Care Part II – Weeds – Creeping Charlie  – This one is about those pesky weeds that are everywhere in Cudahy and southeastern Wisconsin.  They are very hard to get rid of.  Normal weed and feed will not kill it.

10. Audio File – Cudahy State Of the City Address – You can download it or just click on and listen to the speech that the Mayor gave if you missed it.

1. April Top 10 – With over 170,000 views for just the top ten of the month of April that is fantastic.  Thank you to all that read my blog!

2. Reminder of Recall Meeting Today –I talked about when and where the meeting was to be held and a few of the reasons I was told for it possibility.

3. The Recall Of Mayor Ryan McCue  – Had a few emails about the recall and voting in the plan commission.

4. Wal-Mart & Wave Pushed Away  – Talked about the plan commission vote, thus ending the Wal-Mart and Wave site plan.

5. I Was Wrong Mayor!  – Satire of an apology to the Mayor.  I go over the Mayor’s platform and highlight important sections.

6. Tar and Feathers For McCue?   – Title came from an email to me from a McCue supporter asking me to stop the recall.  I listed a few of the reasons people emailed me why they support the recall.

7. Questions and Statements  – I took peoples’ questions and statements out of the public forum and answered them.  I had the drawings of the Wave and Wal-Mart buildings.

8. Thank You for Voting Against Wal-Mart Mayor McCue!  – Another satire this time from a person that wrote in the public forum thanking McCue for voting NO.

9. The Forbidden Store – Talked about Cobalt’s email to me and not trying to interfere with the proposal on the table.  This is before the vote.

10. Internet Child Predator Sterotype Changing Study Shows – Talks about how new studies show a change in the habits of the Internet Child Predator.

First, it was Jobs and that Wal-Mart pushes out small business.

Who is it going to push out?  What companies are going to shut down if Wal-Mart comes to town?  Dretzkas, a used bike shop, a used appliance store and a Laundromat?  Is it just empty fear?

Can somebody, anybody, tell me who is Wal-Mart going to run out, especially downtown?  I walked the shops and didn’t see one that will be knocked out.

30 Minute Photo, Acme Electronics, Cudahy TV & Monitor Services, Dretzkas Department Store, Radioshack, Supreme Cellular, Walgreen’s, Packard Plaza Barber Shop, CVS, Dunham’s

Now these places may or may not see some loss: Radioshack, Walgreen’s, CVS, Dunham’s, Fishing Hole, Pick n save, K-Mart, Merchandise outlet, Aldi, Family Dollar.  Big Lots (oh, they are gone already)

If we don’t let Wal-Mart in, will that make everything better?  High paying jobs will come to Cudahy?

I wish high paying jobs for unskilled workers were around.  It is no longer the 60’s anymore, where you could drop out of high school and get a job like that.  People need skills today.  I am tired of people talking as if everyone that works at Wal-Mart is the sole provider for the family.  Most families are dual income.  Many of these types of jobs supplement other income or are for those still in school.  Even though the perception for Wal-Mart is employing single or unmarried persons with three kids, not all of the employees at Wal-Mart fit these two categories, which, by the way, the persons who do fit those categories are thankful for Wal-Mart being in their area so they have a job!

Then because Wal-Mart finds products outside the U.S.

But, to their credit, they have developed an extremely efficient supply chain structure, one that has become a model for other businesses, and this has propelled them to the number one retailer in the world.  That sounds like someone admiring Wal-Mart, doesn’t it?  Understand that idealism is not always concordant with business realities.  Is Wal-Mart a Monopoly?  Is this not Capitalism?  Everyone except the government is in business to make money.  Is it fair for a store to charge customers $1.99 for a can of cat food, where another store sells it for $2.99?  Ask people living way up north how much things cost when your nearest store is 80 miles away.

History lesson - 

Migration of manufacturing jobs from the U.S. to China and other East Asian countries.  That is what is happening from the 1990’s to today.  Anyone remember the 80’s when Mexico was all the rage?  Automakers moved down there in droves.  Remember the 70’s, it was Taiwan and Hong Kong?  Remember the 60’s it was Japan?

Anyone see a business cycle?  Manufacturing jobs move to where the employee cost is the cheapest, then move on to the next.  You can ship in cheap raw goods from anywhere, but labor costs are different.  Would you like to know once the standard of living increases in China and workers get paid more where the companies will move to?  To the countries in Africa which are less developed. 

As I dust off my economics book, it is all because of “comparative advantage.”  Is a Ford car made in Mexico American or is a Toyota car made in Tennessee American?  Are both or neither?  What about Toyota’s business practices where just last year a man died at a plant after working over 48 hours straight with no breaks?  Does it matter?

Then it was Wal-Mart that does not increase the standard of living

The standard of living refers to the quality and quantity of goods and services available to people, and the way these goods and services are distributed within a population.  It is generally measured by standards such as income inequality, poverty rate, real (i.e. inflation adjusted) income per person.  Other measures such as accessibility and quality of health care, educational standards and social rights are often used too.  Examples are access to certain goods (such as number of refrigerators per 1000 people), or measures of health such as life expectancy.  It is the ease by which people living in a time or place are able to satisfy their wants.

Having a Wal-Mart in Cudahy would, by definition, increase the standard of living.  Wal-Mart is not replacing jobs, but adding jobs and the availability of goods.

BadgerCare and Wal-Mart Health Benefits – Came under attack.

2004 BadgerCare 1,813 employees & dependents $1.8 million 1st

2004 Medicaid 1,952 children (incl. above) 1st

2005 BadgerCare 1,252 workers & dependents $2.7 million 1st

Year 2005

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=328286

The biggest employer of BadgerCare recipients was Wal-Mart, which had 809 of its employees

According to the state analysis, Wal-Mart had 897 workers enrolled in BadgerCare in March and a total of 1,673 when family members are included.  That's down slightly from 904 employees and a total of 1,699 in March 2006.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=623312

Notice family members vs. workers

In June 2007, the state Department of Health and Family Services posted an updated list of Wisconsin employers with the largest number of employees (or their dependents) participating in BadgerCare, the state’s health insurance program for low-income working families.  At the top of the list was Wal-Mart (largest Wisconsin job provider at estimated 30,000 jobs), which had 897 employees enrolled, plus an additional 776 dependents.  The Department projected the annual cost to the state of those enrollees at $3.7 million.  Other employers at the top of the list were McDonald’s (248 employees; 149 dependents), the non-profit healthcare provider Aurora (193; 162), and home improvement chain Menard (163; 184).  The 116 employers with 15 or more employees on BadgerCare were said to cost the state a total of $23.9 million a year.

So for those upset, don’t shop Wal-Mart, Meanards or eat at McDonalds or see a doctor at Aurora!

In case you don’t get the Milwaukee Journal or missed it in Wednesdays 1-23-08 business section here is the link:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=710228

Here is a recap:

Wal-Mart says 93% of workers are insured

Wal-Mart said that 79% of its work force - or almost 1.1 million full-time and part-time associates - were eligible for health benefits in its most recent enrollment period.  That contrasts with 57% of workers in the retail sector.

From Muskegonow.com

Wal-Mart is generous

There are others in the community who defend Wal-Mart and favor building the supercenter in the city.  Dennis Koehler Sr. praised the company for its donations to civic organizations and charities.

"Wal-Mart takes very good care of its employees," Koehler said, noting his wife is a department manager at a Wal-Mart. "They move a lot of people up and there are bonuses."

Target matches Wal-Mart prescription drug program

Source

Wal-Mart said in a release that Wal-Mart Stores, Neighborhood Market and Sam's Club pharmacies would now fill prescriptions for as many as 350 generic medications at $10 for a 90-day supply.

A spokeswoman for Target said that the retailer "understands the challenges guests are facing in the current economic environment."

In 2006, when Wal-Mart launched its $4 generic prescription drug program, Target followed suit a few days later.

So look who the leader is.

I am also so tired of people finding a single or exception to how back Wal-Mart is to employees.  Here is what Target did:  TARGET CORP. TO PAY $95,000, IMPLEMENT TRAINING FOR FAILURE TO ACCOMMODATE DISABLED WORKER

Source

Any and every large company will at some point have problems.  Those that use thing like that are a weak argument and anyone with intelligence understands that.   

It was show me success stories.

In Pewaukee, a Kohl’s grocery store was built with additional space for several small retail shops.  Only a couple of those small shops were filled and after a couple years, then Kohl’s groceries were gone.  Pick-n-Save took over that store and still only a couple small shops. 

Then a Wal-Mart was coming!  The small shops began to get occupants as new proprietors banked their success on the Wal-Mart traffic!  An out-lot building was put up for a nice coffee shop and other businesses.  Then the Wal-Mart hate crew showed up and almost put these small businesses out of business.  The “I don’t like Wal-Mart – so you should not have a Wal-Mart” people held up the new store so long, it almost bankrupt at least one store owner that I personally know, others did not make it, likely for the same reason. 

The Wal-Mart is in and the shops are full or almost full.  More strip malls and restaurants keep popping up.  Now an office supply store and large Rec-Room store and Bw3 are a couple blocks away.  Pewaukee is thriving! 

Do you want to know about Delafield at HY83 and I94?  How about Onalaska near Lacrosse or the 2-3 year old store on the south side of LaCrosse, or I94 exit 89 at the Dells.  These are stores that I frequent and have seen the businesses boom around.  Wal-Mart is good for business and the community and Muskego. 

So many of you have said show me a thriving community, the proof is all around us. 

Just look around Germantown, Delafield, Pewaukee, West Bend, Mukwonago, and the list goes on.  As long as you look at the suburb Wal-Mart’s and not the ones in Milwaukee, you will see how well Wal-Mart can work.  Would you call those place dirty non-upscale cities?  I would feel safe living in any of those just as I do in Cudahy.

Just for Cudahy it was – Mayor McCue’s campaign platform was “NO” Wal-Mart!

Show me where it says that he still has it up http://ryanmccue.com/Platform.html

What it really says is: Wal-Mart:  I do not think that the City of Cudahy should provide a $12 million tax subsidy to the world’s biggest retailer.  Residents may not even see the tax benefits from the development for 20 years.

Add I agree that Wal-Mart doesn’t get a TIF, and they are not!  So if he was campaigning on NO Wal-Mart it is not there!

What does McCue want on the Ice Port Site?

He has said offices and a convention center.  While talking to Elizabeth Sanders in the

The Business Journal of Milwaukee on May 16, 2008 - Cudahy is ready for hotel, convention center Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue is making the case.

If you remember Continental Properties' proposal includes both.

Show me a Big-box retailer has economic benefit

From the J/S

WAL-MART

Big-box retailer has economic benefit

Letter writer Pamela Fendt made several incorrect assumptions about Wal-Mart ("Don't welcome store," May 13).

She incorrectly stated that Wal-Mart is using the state's publicly funded health insurance, BadgerCare.  This program is not used by stores.  It is set up for individuals.  Being a Wal-Mart employee is not an eligibility requirement for BadgerCare, which is based on income and other factors.  These folks would be getting BadgerCare whether or not they worked for Wal-Mart.

While it's true that Wal-Mart has used public subsidies, Fendt ignored all the revenue it brings to the state through sales taxes.  Without taxes, BadgerCare would not exist.

The claim is made that for every job Wal-Mart creates, 1.4 retail jobs are eliminated in the local economy.  Economists have questioned this claim.  At the University of Missouri, economist Emek Basker found that a Wal-Mart's move into a community increases employment.

We shouldn't forget the jobs created indirectly from Wal-Mart's distribution network. Many local businesses buy supplies from Sam's Club.

Successful economies are diverse.  Big-box retailers like Wal-Mart contribute to that diversity.

It was look at Crime and the substation

The Franklin PD asked Wal-Mart to put it in – Again asked and answered before.  The reason was not because of Wal-Mart the reason was just a location so they did not have to drive all the way to hwy 100, so yes, you knew the answer.  Call and ask the Police Captain.  I am glad you know more then the real police of Franklin.  Was this crime reports you have show just the Wal-Mart crime with the criminals stating how bad Wal-Mart is?  My parents live just 10 blocks from it in Franklin.  Come on, check with the police Captain or Chief!  Call them.  Even the Cudahy city people know the answer, they have called.

Any business is a magnet for crime.  Look at all the bank robberies.  Should we close all the banks?  Common sense should prevail.

Then it was I was not asked for the Wal-Mart

You can’t for the life of you remember being asked by anyone what I think about the Wal-Mart/Wave proposal?  Mainly you were asked at the open public meetings.  The Mayor did/does not want it to be a referendum on it.  It was asked of him to do so!

Next Wal-Mart did send out a lit drop about the Wal-Mart.  By the way, over 80% of Wisconsinites shop at Wal-Mart and the number is about the same from Cudahy.  Most of the time Wal-Marts get the approval in a referendum.  Just look it up!

It will hurt Cudahy’s Image

I don’t think Wal-Mart neither hurts or helps Cudahy's reputation among the south shore suburbs nor does anything to hurt Cudahy’s image.  Does Wal-Mart hurt Germantown’s image?  If you answer it honestly, you know it does not, just as Wal-Mart will not hurt Cudahy’s.  The Wal-Mart has not hurt Germantown.  No effect.  So for you only way to look at it is will it improve.  Sorry it doesn’t work both ways.  One way or the other.  Wal-Mart has no effect.  (By the way, what is this “Cudahy Image” you are afraid of hurting?????)

Cudahy’s Imagine right now is what bars and the smell from Patrick Cudahy?

What is the image of Cudahy?  Some think of the amount of bars we have, the smell of Patrick Cudahy, industrial, the parks, crime, a city losing companies and people, old, poor, dying, trucks, aged, old JC Penney’s outlet store, dirty, high taxes, pay loan, used car lots, and tariff free zone.  That is the comments I have received while traveling around the metro Milwaukee are asking people.

Why is Wal-Mart okay for Delafield, Pewaukee, Germantown, Mukwonago, Muskego, and Franklin’s image?  Do you think the Mayor of those cities feels the same as Mayor McCue?  Has McCue even talked to his counterparts?  By the way, all of those cities have higher income levels then Cudahy!  Is that not what we are trying to achieve?  Maybe having a Wal-Mart and increasing the standard of living has something to do with it.

Wal-Mart’s image is in harmony with Cudahy!  Both working classes.  My brother-in-law lives in a $750,000 home in Germantown and doesn’t feel Wal-Mart degrades his city.  He loves to shop and save money.  When you think of Germantown or Franklin, honestly, do you think of Wal-Mart?  Does Wal-Mart even represent a city’s image?

As I have said before, the community makes the store, not the store makes the community.

If you look at the story, “City's image needs a boost before shoppers will come”

http://www.cudahynow.com/story/index.aspx?id=729610

It states “Area business owners shared ideas for promoting economic growth in Cudahy, including opening a movie theater, a national-franchise restaurant and a name-brand outlet mall.”

I am positive the wording outlet mall just scares and makes Mayor McCue cringe.  If we are trying to improve, our image will and outlet mall that sells – scratch and dents, seconds, discontinued items improve our image?

How is Wal-Mart not coming to town going to help our image?  What about the crime and amount of bars and problem bars, oh wait Mayor McCue when asked about the problems presented by taverns, McCue pointed to the charitable work and team sponsorships of many bars and chuckled and said the city has "a very fine police department" to take care of any problems.

So if you think bars are a problem in Cudahy McCue doesn’t!!!!!!!!!!

Why does Cudahy need a Wal-Mart?

Cudahy needs the convenience.  Why do we need gas stations in Cudahy?  The Supercenter part draws from just 4 miles away.  Retail stores look at 7-9 mile radius.  Choices!!!  Economic increases as people drive into and around Cudahy.  Sales Tax and revenue.

Here is what it really is about – Unions, more correctly, lack of unions

The biggest problem people have is it is non-union.  Period!  

Chicago was held up as the bright and shinny land.

Chicago doing well?  You really mean the burbs right?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5069992/

Alderman Emma Mitts countered that people in her West Side ward need the jobs that Wal-Mart can bring.

"Take a ride in my area and see what I am dealing with day in and day out.  There's a lack of jobs and opportunity," she said.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=19286

The new Wal-Mart Stores Inc. location opening Friday in suburban Evergreen Park received a record 25,000 applications for 325 positions, the highest for any one location in the retailer’s history, a company official says.

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2008/03/chicago-gets-hi.html

Chicago Gets Highest Sales Tax in U.S.: 10.25%

Most of Chicago’s Wal-Mart issues are again union.  Large grocery unions.  That is why the size limit was place in Chicago.  Always comes back to unions.  Dems/libs for Reps/con against.  Why have all of this pretence with claims of other things.  That is the issue.  Just say it! 

The real big problem for Dems/libs is Wal-Mart would rather close a store then let it unionize.  I wish people could just come out and say the real reason.

The biggest problem people have is it is non-union.  Period!  That is the biggest hang-up.  That is why libs hate it.  It took all that just to get to the real problem.

Would you have been happy with Target?

Yes.  I would rather have Wal-Mart to save money, more money then Target.  Yes, I would have been happy if it were Target as well.  I don’t love Wal-Mart.  I am a supporter, but to say I “love Wal-Mart” is not correct.

If this Wal-Mart doesn’t happen, the lawsuit from Sportsite IS REAL!  Sportsite WILL follow through, it is not just talk.  McCue has backed Cudahy in a corner.  Most of you “No” Wal-Mart people just don’t understand it was a vote on land use not Wal-Mart.  As a whole, you are just happy that the vote was NO without understanding it was wrong for the agenda.  Even the Great Greg Kowalski who champions himself on procedures and government correct-fullness in Franklin is taking a blind eye to the fact the vote was wrong for the agenda.  He was just happy to was shot down.

Posted on May 30, 2008 by jknash

Source

I have a great idea. Instead of a recall, why doesn’t Randy Hollenbeck and his cronies spend their time and effort polling the citizens of Cudahy to see who really wants a Wal-Mart? He sits and pounds his chest while screaming from the rooftops about how the citizens of Cudahy have spoken, but I can’t for the life of me remember being asked by anyone what I think about the Wal-Mart/Wave proposal.

I moved back to Cudahy because I thought the city is trying to change its image. City Lounge and Sheridan House have proven without a doubt that upscale can work here. Randy talks about the lack of new businesses, but fails to mention two of the nicest places that have opened in recent years. Does he think upscale hotels, restaurants and shops are going to open next to a Wal-Mart?  We may as well put up a sign saying we want more liqour stores, check cashing stores, cigarette stores, and gun stores instead.

Randy, you can quote the Declaration of Independence and knit-pick the mayor’s platform and campaign promises all day long, but at the end of the day you and your group are doing nothing more than making more problems for this city and the hard working people who live here.

I feel honored that people will blog outside of Cudahynow about me.

You can’t for the life of me remember being asked by anyone what I think about the Wal-Mart/Wave proposal?  Mainly you were asked at the open public meetings.

Let’s see I didn’t talk about City Lounge  - By the way all things done before McCue was Mayor

McCue is Speaking But Nothing is Coming Out

Updated 7:19pm - Thank You for Voting Against Wal-Mart Mayor McCue!

Economic Downturn

Turf War - What to Build?

We can make a difference

David vs. Goliath

The Mayor and I

Has the Genie already been let out of the bottle?

BTW – The room of non-Cudahy residents at the first meeting will be in full force at the next one.  Maybe McCue called them up.  Phone records will show.

« Congratulations, Annette Ziegler!!!A Quick Note »

Wal-Mart Wants to Invade Cudahy…

Source

May 28th 2008ZacharyDebunking Conservatives & Ryan McCue & South Shore Suburbs & The Cheddarsphere & Wal-Mart

…but Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue is having none of it. Shortly after casting a vote against Wal-Mart, McCue became the subject of a recall effort spearheaded by two Cudahy citizens who support putting a Wal-Mart right in the heart of Cudahy.

Randy Hollenbeck of The Way I See It, a local Cudahy blog, has taken up the issue of putting a Wal-Mart in Cudahy, and among the arguments he uses to justify putting a Wal-Mart in Cudahy is as follows (emphasis mine):

Wal-Mart doesn’t affect Cudahy’s image, just like have Pick N’ Save does not. What it does do is increase the standard of living. Look up what standard living means if in doubt.

While Randy Hollenbeck would like folks to believe having a Wal-Mart in Cudahy will increase the standard of living, the opposite is true.  In fact, Wal-Mart has helped employees file for public asssistance, a fact which seems to fly in the face of Randy’s argument. Now sure, I suppose some will argue, “But Zach, you linked to the AFL-CIO…that proves that this is all about unions hating Wal-Mart.”  Now sure, I linked to an article on the AFL-CIO website, but here’s proof that Wal-Mart assisted employees in seeking out and applying for public assistance.

And let’s not forget that almost two thousand Wal-Mart employees here in Wisconsin receive BadgerCare, at a cost of almost 1.8 million dollars to Wisconsin taxpayers. Now while Randy Hollenbeck might not mind paying his tax dollars to foot a health insurance bill that Wal-Mart and its billions of dollars in profits should be picking up, I’m not into corporate handouts. But getting back to my main point, the fact that almost two thousand Wal-Mart employees in Wisconsin need BadgerCare just underscores my point that Wal-Mart does little to raise the standard of living, as Randy Hollenbeck asserts.

Putting aside Randy Hollenbeck’s argument about Wal-Mart raising the standard of living in Cudahy, I believe this is an issue of folks in Cudahy settling for a Wal-Mart when they could raise their expectations much, much higher. Why not seek out a development that enhances Cudahy’s reputation, instead of settling for the eleventh Wal-Mart within a twenty mile radius?

1.      capper on 29 May 2008 at 7:19 am #

My comment was simply this:

I can see how Wally World really improves the quality of life for people. If you need proof, just look at all the limos parked five deep in front of each Wally World store. And that’s just the employees. The customers have even bigger limos.

2.      illusory tenant on 29 May 2008 at 8:25 am #

Somebody said that Wal-Mart is the only retailer where people shop in their underwear both online and at the brick and mortar outlets.

3.      Zachary on 29 May 2008 at 9:34 am #

Heh….that’s not too far from the truth, iT.

4.      Matt on 29 May 2008 at 12:50 pm #

2000 walmart employees in WI have Badger Care. This doesn’t mean much unless I know how many people Walmart employs in WI? What is the percentage of their workers who have badger care, vs other similar retailers? By itself the 2000 number is rather meaningless, 2000 sounds like a lot, but Walmart is the number one employer in this state, so it may only be a small percentage…

5.      Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 4:40 pm #

Mr. Zippy - Choose what you want to hear and you will miss the truth

If we don’t let Wal-Mart in will that make everything better?  High paying jobs will come to Cudahy.  I wish high pay jobs for unskilled workers were around.  It is no longer the 60’s anymore, where you could drop out of high school and get a job like that.  People need skills today.  I am tired of people talking as if everyone that works at Wal-Mart is the sole provider for the family.  Most family both people work.  Many of these types of jobs supplement other income or for those still in school.  Not everyone is single or unmarried with three kids.

Just stop shopping big box stores.  Okay!  Be realistic…

6.      Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 4:40 pm #

In case you don’t get the Milwaukee Journal or missed it in Wednesdays 1-23-08 business section here is the link:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=710228

Here is a recap:

Wal-Mart says 93% of workers are insured

Wal-Mart said that 79% of its work force - or almost 1.1 million full-time and part-time associates - were eligible for health benefits in its most recent enrollment period.  That contrasts with 57% of workers in the retail sector.

7.      Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 4:42 pm #

Badgercare stuff Mr. Zippy left out

In June 2007 the state Department of Health and Family Services posted an updated list of Wisconsin employers with the largest number of employees (or their dependents) participating in BadgerCare, the state’s health insurance program for low-income working families.  At the top of the list was Wal-Mart (largest Wisconsin job provider at estimated 30,000 jobs), which had 897 employees enrolled, plus an additional 776 dependents.  The Department projected the annual cost to the state of those enrollees at $3.7 million.  Other employers at the top of the list were McDonald’s (248 employees; 149 dependents), the non-profit healthcare provider Aurora (193; 162), and home improvement chain Menard (163; 184).  The 116 employers with 15 or more employees on BadgerCare were said to cost the state a total of $23.9 million a year.

So for those upset, don’t shop Wal-Mart, Meanards or eat at McDonalds or see a doctor at Aurora!

8.      Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 4:45 pm #

The standard of living refers to the quality and quantity of goods and services available to people, and the way these goods and services are distributed within a population.  It is generally measured by standards such as income inequality, poverty rate, real (i.e. inflation adjusted) income per person.  Other measures such as access and quality of health care, educational standards and social rights are often used too.  Examples are access to certain goods (such as number of refrigerators per 1000 people), or measures of health such as life expectancy.  It is the ease by which people living in a time or place are able to satisfy their wants.

Having a Wal-Mart in Cudahy would by definition increase the standard of living. Wal-Mart is not replacing jobs, but adding jobs and the availability of goods.

9.      Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 5:10 pm #

I question Mr. Zippy13/Zackary’s count of Wal-Mart people on Badger care of 2000 – What is your source?

“I’m not into corporate handouts.  But getting back to my main point, the fact that almost two thousand Wal-Mart employees in Wisconsin need BadgerCare just underscores my point that Wal-Mart does little to raise the standard of living”

Year 2005
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=328286

The biggest employer of BadgerCare recipients was Wal-Mart, which had 809 of its employees

According to the state analysis, Wal-Mart had 897 workers enrolled in BadgerCare in March and a total of 1,673 when family members are included. That’s down slightly from 904 employees and a total of 1,699 in March 2006.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=623312

10.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 5:14 pm #

Notice family members vs. workers

11.  Zachary on 29 May 2008 at 5:22 pm #

Randy, I’ve linked to all the sources of my data, so please feel free to click the links in my post to get the answers to your questions.

12.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 5:25 pm #

2004 BadgerCare 1,813 employees & dependents $1.8 million 1st
2004 Medicaid 1,952 children (incl. above) 1st
2005 BadgerCare 1,252 workers & dependents $2.7 million 1st

That is old data and you missed an important part - workers & dependents

13.  capper on 29 May 2008 at 8:10 pm #

Randy

What is wrong with Costco then?  It has all the cheap prices of Wally World, and it treats its employees and its neighbors in a much more civil and respectful manner.  Or does it baffle the mind that not everyone is as profit driven as the Waltons?

14.  Zachary on 29 May 2008 at 8:31 pm #

There’s a lot of reasons I’m not a fan of Wal-Mart.  Other than the reasons I’ve already listed, I’m not a fan of Wal-Mart because over 80 percent of Wal-Mart’s 60,000 global suppliers are based in China.  I remember back to the days when Wal-Mart’s “Buy American” Program touted the fact that Wal-Mart bought American-made goods.  I’m not a fan of Wal-Mart because I don’t believe a company that had 12.88 billion dollars in profits last year should ask for millions of dollars in handouts in order to build stores in cities like Chicago.

There’s a lot of reasons not to be a fan of Wal-Mart.

15.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 10:27 pm #

Costco does not want to come to Cudahy.  They were asked.  Wal-Mart was not the first retail they asked for it was the seventh. It was the only one that wants to build in Cudahy.

16.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 10:29 pm #

K-Mart sells the same products as Wal-Mart, then if it is because they are made in China that point is moot.

Remember:

People hate Microsoft and Bill Gates because he is successful.

People hate Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway because he is successful! So what if his 31 Billion will be left to charity, mostly to the Gates Foundation (remember – We hate Bill Gates – he’s successful)

People hate Wal-Mart because Wal-Mart is a successful business.

People deserve choices!

I don’t Hate Microsoft, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett or Wal-Mart.  In fact, I’m writing this using Microsoft Word on a computer custom built buy a small local business.  Yes, I have Pampered Chef products at home from one of Mr. Buffett’s companies.  I wish I were as successful as any of them but I will not let my jealousy cause me to make poor decisions.

Yes, I shop at Wal-Mart as well as many other large and small businesses.  I’m not rich!  I do what I can for my family and my community.  I use the local tailor, to fix my kids clothes.  I help a local organization that supports the needy.  I shop for sales at the grocery stores.  I shop at Wal-Mart to buy things at a lower price, improve my standard of living, and improve my community.

As far as China Products: I prefer to buy American made when it makes financial sense.  I’m not hurting the Chinese when I buy their products.  The cost of living in China is between 1/10th to 1/4 that of Australia, North America and Europe (Source: http://www.china-tesol.com). In China, a Big Mac or 1/4 Pounder cost about 6.00 RMB (US $0.75) (Source: http://www.china-tesol.com). They don’t have to earn as much as we do, most people in the world do not earn as much or live as well as we do!  Do you want to give that up?  When I save money at Wal-Mart, I increase my bank account, buy more things (imported or domestic) increasing my family’s standard of living or I spend that extra money at a local restaurant or some other type of entertainment or even a Farmer’s Market, increasing that proprietor’s and their employee’s quality of living!

As far as, “Wal-Mart busts attempts to unionize” . . . YES. . .  OK . . . Well, what do you think they suppose to do?  What is the purpose of a Board of Directors, “The primary responsibility of the board of directors is to protect the shareholders’ assets and ensure they receive a decent return on their investment” (Source: http://beginnersinvest.about.com/cs/a/aa2203a.htm). As I remember it, in my Econ 101 course it was “The primary responsibility of the board of directors is to protect the shareholders’ investment and maximize return on their investment”.  I guess they even Econ has gone PC!  They are correct, they should try to keep out the unions if it keeps prices down and increases shareholder’s equity. I know, It sounds cold . . . unless you are a share holder and if you have any mutual funds, you probably are!  All, the poor employees can always go to work somewhere else.  I know, you are going to say all the good jobs will be gone.  If you look around, you will find many better jobs that have popped up around due to the new Wal-Marts.  I have small business customers who have fought to keep their doors open until Wal-Mart arrived.  Afterwards the added traffic to the area has saved their businesses.  Look around southern Wisconsin at the Wal-Marts and all the businesses that they have attracted i.e. Watertown, Wis Dells, Onalaska, Lacrosse, Delafield and Pewaukee stores and you will see the same!

People deserve choices!

17.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 10:35 pm #

Who has the highest percentage of China made cheap goods?  Hint, not Wal-Mart!

The dollar stores!!!

18.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 10:47 pm #

Why is Wal-Mart okay for Delafield, Pewaukee, Germantown, Mukwonago, Muskego, and Franklin’s image?  Do you think the Mayor of those cities feels the same as Mayor McCue?  Has McCue even talked to his counterparts?  By the way, all of those cities have higher income levels then Cudahy!  Is that not what we are trying to achieve?  Maybe having a Wal-Mart and increasing the standard of living has something to do with it.

Http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=647387

It’s a win for the city,” said Mayor Ryan McCue.  “Either we get a good retail development with Continental Properties, or we get the land back.”

Isn’t Wal-Mart good retail development, since they are the number one retail in the world?  Is there something above being number one?  As originally proposed, IcePort was to have been an anchor for LakePort Village, a larger commercial and retail development.  Again the Zoning Issue!

19.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 10:53 pm #

First it was that Wal-Mart pushes out small business.  Then because Wal-Mart finds products outside the U.S.  I love how people let the manufactures off and it is the big bad Wal-Mart that is at fault.  Is this all about items only sold at Wal-Mart?

But, to their credit, they have developed an extremely efficient supply chain structure, one that has become a model for other businesses, and this has propelled them to the number one retailer in the world.  That sounds like someone admiring Wal-Mart, doesn’t it.  Understand that idealism is not always concordant with business realities.  Is Wal-Mart a Monopoly?  Is this not Capitalism?  Everyone except the government is in business to make money.  Is it fair for store to charge customers $1.99 for a can of cat food, where another store sells it for $2.99?  Ask people living way up north how much things cost when your nearest store is 80 miles away.

History lesson -

Migration of manufacturing jobs from the U.S. to China and other East Asian countries.  That is what is happening from the 1990’s to today.  Anyone remember the 80’s Mexico was all the rage.  Automakers moved down there in droves.  Remember the 70’s, it was Taiwan and Hong Kong.  Remember the 60’s it was Japan.  Anyone see a business cycle?  Manufacturing jobs move to where the employee cost is the cheapest, then move on to the next.  You can ship in cheap raw goods from anywhere, but labor costs are different.  Would you like to know once the standard of living increases in China and workers get paid more where the companies will move to?  To the countries in Africa which are less developed.  As I dust off my economics book that is all because of “comparative advantage.”  Is a Ford car made in Mexico American or is a Toyota car made in Tennessee American?  Are both or neither?  What about Toyota’s business practices where just last year a man died at a plant after working over 48 hours straight with no breaks?  Does it matter?

20.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 11:18 pm #

What millions of dollars in handouts in order to build stores in cities like Chicago?

US: Wal-Mart Likes Chicago, But Not City’s Wage Plan

by Gary Washburn, Chicago Tribune
June 13th, 2006

A Wal-Mart official said Monday that his firm could be interested in building “10 or 20″ stores on city sites during the next five years, but he added that passage of a minimum wage measure by Chicago’s City Council could have a chilling effect on the company’s plans.

“First things first,” said John Bisio, Midwest director of community affairs for the giant retailer.  “We have to figure out if this lopsided, unconstitutional, unfair ordinance is going to be adopted, and then we will go from there.”

Under two “big-box” proposals pending before the council, operators of large stores in the city would be required to pay their employees a minimum of about $10 per hour in wages and another $3 in fringe benefits.

“There is a tremendous amount of opportunity that can be lost, not just by Wal-Mart but by other businesses that would be affected by this,” Bisio said.  “If you were a businessman, why would you want to continue to invest millions and millions of dollars … and subject your business [to a requirement] that applies to some, but not all?  It is an unfair ordinance.

“If you want to raise it for all businesses, if you want to do it to all retailers, then you might have something,” he continued.  “But not like this.”

After winning a zoning battle with the help of Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), Wal-Mart is nearing completion of its first Chicago store, which is in Mitts’ West Side ward.  Plans for a South Side store were thwarted in 2004 by aldermen who contended that the company exploits its workers by failing to pay a living wage.

Younger and inexperienced employees start at about $7.25 per hour, but the average pay of workers is about $11, Bisio said Monday.

“When you look at the fact that Chicago residents continue to spend more than half a billion dollars at our Wal-Mart stores in the suburbs, just outside the city, our homework keeps telling us there is a tremendous opportunity to do a better job taking care of Chicago residents,” said Bisio, who attended the ribbon-cutting of a new Chicago library in the same area as the company’s West Side store.

Passage of a big-box ordinance in its present form, however, would “put the brakes” on the plans for as many as 20 new city stores in the next few years, he said.

Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd), who supports the big-box ordinance, said that passage would not change Wal-Mart’s plans.

“We won’t lose them,” he said.  “Wal-Mart wants to come into Chicago because they see the market.  They see how much is being spent in Chicago proper.  They want to be here.  They just have to pay a living wage.”

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13713

21.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 11:26 pm #

Most of Chicago’s Wal-Mart issues are again union. Large grocery unions.  That is why the size limit was place in Chicago.  Always comes back to unions.  Dems/libs for Reps/con against.  Why have all of this pretence with claims of other things.  That is the issue. Just say it!

Ryan McCue was once a conservative republican (he really was a RINO) and now calls himself a democrat.

The real big problem for Dems/libs is Wal-Mart would rather close a store then let it unionize.  I wish people could just come out and say the real reason.

What else do you have?

22.  capper on 29 May 2008 at 11:31 pm #

Being the biggest retailer doesn’t make them the best.

There are things more important than money in the world.  And Oak Creek is not the first community that didn’t want a Wally World corrupting their neighborhoods.

And the last time I checked, Chicago is still doing quite well, even without Wally World.

23.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 11:33 pm #

limo at walmart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWSdHtQJnGA

24.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 11:34 pm #

Who said Oak Creek didn’t want Wal-Mart?

25.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 11:35 pm #

What does make the best?  Highest prices?  Highest pay?  Union shop?  Do tell?

26.  Randy Hollenbeck on 29 May 2008 at 11:40 pm #

Chicago doing well?  You really mean the burbs right?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5069992/
Alderman Emma Mitts countered that people in her West Side ward need the jobs that Wal-Mart can bring.
“  Take a ride in my area and see what I am dealing with day in and day out. There’s a lack of jobs and opportunity,” she said.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=19286

The new Wal-Mart Stores Inc. location opening Friday in suburban Evergreen Park received a record 25,000 applications for 325 positions, the highest for any one location in the retailer’s history, a company official says.

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2008/03/chicago-gets-hi.html

Chicago Gets Highest Sales Tax in U.S.: 10.25%

Capper - Do you still really mean it?

27.  Zachary on 30 May 2008 at 12:26 am #

Oak Creek won’t want or need a Wal-Mart with the Woodman’s and the strong possibility that they’re going to get a CostCo as well.

28.  Randy Hollenbeck on 30 May 2008 at 7:42 am #

Mayor Richard Bolender of Oak Creek doesn’t mind if Wal-Mart would come to the O.C. Wal-Mart was/is looking at Van Beck’s farm to go on that land along with the U.S. Postal Service.  Costco would be looking at the area around Delco.  Costco made the comment that Cudahy is not a good option as it is too close in their circle and wanted something 10 miles or more south of that.

Plenty of room in the O.C.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

29.  Randy Hollenbeck on 30 May 2008 at 1:32 pm #

Just a number for Van Beck’s farm

64 acres = 2,787,840 sq ft

So if the post office is going to take up 800,000 sq ft = a lot of room left.

 Day 23 – Still No real response from the Mayor – A real leader will admit to mistakes

Reminder of Recall Meeting Today

Thursday May 29, 2008 at 7:30 PM located at 6020 Buckhorn Ave. It is behind K-Mart in the community room of a condo complex.

The “NO” vote on Wal-Mart was not and is not the single reason for the recall I am told.  It is about many failures of Mayor Ryan McCue in his campaign promises or pledges in his platform.  Even his failure to give reasons for the vote don’t hold water.  He was told not to talk about it in great detail, not no detail.  This just shows the communication failure to the citizens.

Reasons

1. Did not end the ice port - Ice Port: It is time to end the Ice Port debacle – He had the chance to do it and didn’t!

2. Has not concentrated on keeping businesses in Cudahy.  How many businesses has Cudahy lost in compared to gained?

3. Has not made it easy and attractive for new businesses to locate in Cudahy – Ask the new businesses if he is pro-business?

4. Did not vote correctly to the land use issue, made it about Wal-Mart, at that point the name on the side of the building was not the issue at hand

5. Stated in State of the City address he is working 50-55 hours are all the time he claims verifiable?

6. Made statements of I was frustrated that the mayor scheduled numerous closed session meetings, excluding the public.  – and yet had closed meetings.

7. Made statements of Taxes and our taxes have increased: The City of Cudahy followed by the Cudahy School District both had higher tax increase than the county. The best way to lower the property tax burden is to grow the tax base though positive economic developments.  Costs to run a city continue to rise, therefore it is vital that the mayor runs an efficient operation.  2007 Tax Bill Increases

Hohenfeldt             City                      3.8% plus a new $20 garbage fee

McCue                  County                  0.4%

Did the taxes not go up?

http://www.ryanmccue.com/Platform.html

http://www.ryanmccue.com/Taxes.html

http://www.ryanmccue.com/IcePort.html

I once heard or did I read it, a statement that fits very well in the citizen’s right to petition a recall with the intent to change the leaders of government.  It went like this:  A quote from the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness

Read the whole Declaration of Independence Here

Cudahy rejected Wal-Mart for parcel

By DON WALKER

dwalker@journalsentinel.com

Posted: May 28, 2008

The developers of the defunct Iceport project have filed a multimillion-dollar claim against the City of Cudahy, saying the city committed fraud by rejecting a Wal-Mart Supercenter on the same parcel.

In its claim, Sportsites attorneys said they would seek at least $7.5 million in damages, and perhaps more than $20 million from the city.  Such a notice often is a precursor to a lawsuit.

The dispute centers on a parcel south of E. Layton Ave., between S. Nicholson Ave. and Sweet Applewood Lane.  It was on that site that Sportsites had proposed a development that included Iceport, a multi-rink ice center.

The Iceport project never materialized.  Last year, as part of an agreement to settle a legal dispute with the city, Sportsites agreed to sell the parcel to Continental Properties Co. to develop the site.  Under that arrangement, if Continental failed to develop the site, the city would take back the parcel.

Continental eventually proposed an $11.5 million development plan for the city, which included construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter.  At a May 5 meeting of the city's Plan Commission, Mayor Ryan McCue cast the tie-breaking vote to reject the project.

McCue didn't initially explain his vote, but he later said he was advised by city lawyers not to discuss his decision because of ongoing litigation with Sportsites.  He did say in a letter to the Journal Sentinel that the city could do better than a big-box retailer at the site.

The Plan Commission is expected to meet June 10 to reconsider a modified version of the Wal-Mart proposal.  The deadline for the land sale is July 1.

McCue referred questions about the claim to Cudahy City Attorney Paul Eberhardy.

Eberhardy said Tuesday that he disagreed with some of the assertions in the claim.

"It's odd and a little disconcerting that this notice is filed a mere week before the matter comes back before the Plan Commission," he said.  "Frankly, it smacks of intimidation."

In the notice of claim for damages, attorneys Brad Hoeschen and Marty Greenberg contended that the city's and McCue's interference "caused Sportsites to lose the entire value of the Continental contract as well as additional damages.

"Sportsites would not have entered into the contract with Continental nor would it have entered into the stipulation for foreclosure with Cudahy if it had known that McCue had no interest in approving a Wal-Mart for the site."

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=756150

Did I not tell you a lawsuit was coming?  Yes I did! 

The thought is that McCue’s personal dislike for Wal-Mart instead of looking at this with Mayor’s open eyes, that his interference "caused Sportsites to lose the entire value of the Continental contract as well as additional damages.

What is the Milwaukee Wave Premier Training Academy?
Continental Properties Company, Inc. and the Wave are partnering on an innovative soccer training academy and multi-use facility as part of the Cudahy Station development in Cudahy.

The Premier Training Academy will provide a local, regional and national attraction for serious soccer players of all ages.  Under the direction of Michael King, the Wave’s all-time leading scorer, the academy’s curriculum will be aimed at improving ball skills, technical development, fitness, mental strength and nutrition in a personalized, focused environment.

The game emphasizes technical play — ball skills — and quick decision-making.  Those elements transfer well to the outdoor game.
Yet the need for a limited amount of space makes it an ideal game in climates where year-round outdoor training is not feasible.

What is the benefit to the citizens of Cudahy?
The benefits are two-fold.  First, the Premier Training Academy will be a destination for people throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois.  While players train, their families will be able to shop, eat and even stay in Cudahy Station, keeping dollars in the community and bringing additional money, and exposure, to the city.
Second, the facility will give Cudahy the opportunity to develop community programs. The Wave appreciates the responsibility attached to a TIF project and looks forward to partnering with the citizens of Cudahy to support the programs they see as most in need of a great facility.

Will you bring tournaments to the Premier Training Academy?
With four futsal courts and access to nearly 100,000 youth players in a 100-mile radius, this facility would certainly be attractive for tournament play.  Though leagues are not in our plans, some tournament play is in consideration, while always keeping our training emphasis No. 1.

Are you sure this facility will get enough use?
It's the least of our worries.  Most teams train in school gyms or wherever they can find an empty indoor space, and all of them are looking for a quality place to develop players. We will start by training players of all ages, from beginners to serious high school and college players looking for an edge in earning scholarships, professional opportunities and national team consideration.
In addition, the open space of the futsal courts is designed to accommodate exposition business, as well as programs benefiting the citizens of Cudahy.

Will the Wave move its offices to the Premier Training Academy?
It is not practical at this time to move the Wave business offices into Cudahy; the whole of the facility will be devoted the soccer and multi-purpose uses. We certainly expect to have a presence at the facility; plans are still being shaped but it could take the form of a pro shop/merchandise store or ticket outlet.

How do we know you’re committed to the long-term viability of this project?
The Wave are in the midst of their 24th consecutive season of professional indoor soccer; with local ownership, a thriving camp program and strong ties to the community, we expect to be around for decades to come.
And we expect those decades to be spent training in Cudahy.  A project of this magnitude is not something we take lightly, or expect to discard in favor of the newest thing. 

How will the Premier Training Academy work with the Wave Summer Soccer Camps?
More than 4,000 kids attend our camps every summer, at more than 50 locations, including Cudahy.  We see the academy as an extension of that program, offering age-appropriate soccer development year-round, leaning on and expanding on the curriculum we’ve created over more than 15 years of Wave Summer Soccer Camps.

Why should Cudahy be providing TIF dollars to help a professional sports team?
The Milwaukee Wave do not live in the same economic neighborhood as Major League Baseball, the NFL or the NBA.  A top NBA player, for example, will receive as much salary in 2 games as the entire Wave roster does for a season.  We have great television partnerships with Fox Soccer Channel (national) and Time Warner Sports (local), but neither provides us a revenue stream at this time.  In short, the Wave cannot tap into the kind of revenue available to those other leagues.  TIF support is really a re-investment in the economic development of Cudahy, and makes the whole of the project possible.

Source

Day 17 – Still No real response from the Mayor – Can you say Change

Two blogs today

After reading the comments from the residents that support the building of a Wal-Mart and the recall of the Mayor I have even more reason to believe that the outraged citizens have firmly planted the bar on the ground and are intent on stepping down from there.  I have been a resident of Cudahy for 30 plus years and am convinced that many here are more than willing to remain uneducated and uninformed.  If you are insulted by this observation -you are part of the problem.  If you are not-you're the only hope Cudahy has to change.

- Laura, Cudahy

Outraged Citizens – You bet!  After the Mayor would not comment and gives a lame Outside counsel told me not to go in detail or specifics.

Wait, let us get the quote exact – “My supposed “refusal” [McCue on Thursday again declined to cite the factors in his decision.  "I don't have specific comments for that," McCue said.  "The Plan Commission's vote was on Continental Properties' proposed use.”  "He won't say what's wrong with the plan," Lafferty said sounds like a refusal not a supposed refusal] to discuss my vote regarding the development proposed by Continental Properties Co. Inc. was mischaracterized.  I was advised by our city attorney and outside legal counsel not to discuss this matter in great detail (how about any detail if he cannot give great detail, they just told you in great detail) due to litigation issues surrounding this site.  To this end, I offered a brief statement to the media regarding the action taken by our Plan Commission.”

Let us look at this – “I ran for mayor on a platform that we can do better than a big-box retailer such as Wal-Mart at that location” – When was Wal-Mart considered on the Iceport or for that fact big-box retail?  Can someone show us documents that McCue stated the Iceport site?  Perhaps it was after the election!

Since I am informed and educated on this, I am not insulted by the observation.  Everyone has their own opinions even if they are right or wrong.  I must not be part of the problem, so you know what that means – I am part of the solution and the hope for change!  A new Mayor will give us change!

If you are reading my blogs – I keep you informed and maybe, just maybe, you learn something and walk away with an understanding of a viewpoint that may or may not be the same as yours.  I know from the comments and emails from you, the readers, I learn something every time.

Bar on the ground – Well you have to have a good solid foundation, which may include a bar on the ground so you can build up and not have it fall down.  Most bars cannot float in the air without some sort of anchor or foundation.

Stepping down – No that should be the Mayor

Day 16 – Still No real response from the Mayor – What is done can be undone

What Mayor McCue and the Plan Commission members need to do, to make up for the blatant disregard of the due process and fairness of being impartial, is place a symbolic hand of “Glasnost” out to Wal-Mart to keep them interested in Cudahy, if the City is interested at all, in making the Wave a reality.  The real lost opportunity is the Wave – Wal-Mart always has options, but the synergy of the Wave and the Wal-Mart is a real benefit and the kind of development communities generally seek...

At the bottom of the page are the latest artist’s renderings of the Wave facility and of Wal-Mart.  These were the drawings from the last Plan Commission meeting that was voted down.

Rest assured that Wal-Mart attorneys will be watching this site like a hawk and if any other retail plans are approved Cudahy can expect a nice corporate discrimination lawsuit.  Guaranteed!

-         Forget about retail!, Cudahy

As I said before McCue has backed himself and Cudahy in a corner.  With McCue’s vote of “no”, this has set a precedence of no Big box retail on the Iceport site.  Since McCue didn’t allow it to move forward as land use, which should not have had anything to do with Wal-Mart, that is what was set.  Forget about retail!, Cudahy is right!!

Wal-Mart Yes!

Milwaukee Wave Yes!

Specialty Shops Yes!

Hotel Yes!

KRM YES!  So we can send Ryan McCue packing back to Illinois!  He will have the honor of the only Mayor in Cudahy's 101-year history to BE RECALLED!

Time for the recall to begin, so us citizens, who pay his salary, can take our town back!

In the old west, they would formed a posse and get him out!  Today, we have the power of the RECALL!!

McCue and his minions will threaten everyone who attempts to recall him!  Now, the people who have been denied Wal-Mart, and all citizens, need to rise up, and TAKE OUR GOVERNMENT BACK!! He has done nothing good for this community, and has made us a laughing stock!  Everywhere I go in the state, people are laughing at us, because of our Mayor.  Time to get rid of him!!!  Or, he could do the honorable thing, and just resign, and leave town!!!!

Jason P.

Well said and love the old west thought!

One should drive down Packard Ave. and count all the vacancies.  Do you think there won't be a bunch more if Wal-Mart moves in.  Look at all the crime and houses for sell.  What does that tell you?  Cudahy is a city at a crossroads.  Making the wrong decisions now will have a long term effect on us all.  I've lived in Cudahy for 20 Yrs and have heard many negative comments from people outside the community.  The questions we have to ask ourselves is what will the city be like for future generations?  What will the impact be regarding crime, housing values, and our city image.  We all have to look at the whole picture.

- Dave P., Cudahy

Dave P – Looking at the whole picture is good If and only IF you do, do it with eyes and mind open.  We have all of these vacancies because the economy is bad and a lack of support from the city along with a dash of vision.  Wal-Mart could drive someone out, but look at all of the business that sprouts up after Wal-Mart comes in.  Remora or Symbiotic Stores are what I like to call those stores.

Remora - They eat parasites that reside on the shark (e.g. in the gills).  The symbiotic relationship between them ensures that the Remora have food and the sharks get a "free clean.  These are the fish that swim around the sharks.

Wal-Mart fits in with Cudahy’s image and do you think the Wal-Mart in Germantown hurts their image.  Come on Dave P. give all of this some real thought.  Don’t fall into the Wal-Mart bashing because it is easy to do.  Most Wal-Mart haters dislike Wal-Mart because of the unions, or correctly the lack of a union.  If you objectively look at this Wal-Mart, it makes sense for Cudahy.

A fellow blogger from Franklin Greg pointed out that most conservatives are mainly for Wal-Mart and why is that?

Is it that conservatives typically don’t like unions?  Is it that conservatives don’t like to waste money and like to save a buck?  Is it that conservatives don’t fall for the let us beat on Wal-Mart because they built the best mousetrap?  Is it that conservatives just love Wal-Mart or have to be on the opposite side of the liberals?  Is it that conservatives don’t live in the doom and gloom world?  Is it that conservatives rally behind Wal-Mart because the no crowds are protesting?

So we let this land sit there a rot, and have no revenge coming in for this, shame on you mayor, perhaps it's time for a recall on your position...then maybe you will work for the people of Cudahy

- Karen, Cudahy

Continental Properties likely to return

Continental Properties, the developer that proposed building Cudahy Station on the former Iceport site, has indicated an interest in appearing before the Plan Commission at the Tuesday, June 10, meeting, Mayor Ryan McCue said.

The project would have included a Wal-Mart and Milwaukee Wave training facility.  The Plan Commission voted against the plan at a recent meeting.

Although representatives of Continental Properties have verbally indicated interest, they have yet to formally file an application to be placed on the agenda, McCue said.

No more information about the company's plans is available at this time.

 

Day 13 – Sunday May 18th 2008 - Still No real response from the Mayor – Does it matter - YES

Mayor Ryan McCue’s relationship with the city of Cudahy maybe changing soon.

Sue, a Cudahy mom and resident, along with 22-year-old college student and Cudahy resident, Ryan, are going to be leading the recall drive.

Currently we need to get people to help sign up to go door-to-door before we move on this, Sue told me on the phone.  She went on to say that, she thought of having a few days where we would setup shop and allow the Cudahy residents to come to us.  She currently has a few people willing to help and I told her I would do all I can.

Sue told me that she had already started collecting names on signup sheets to personally talk to the Mayor with, but if they will not do much, then having the power of the recall is what is needed.  She will be looking at contacting the media and not allowing this action to go as silent as McCue’s comments.

I know with my many conversations with Ryan, he has been very unhappy with Mayor McCue on this Wal-Mart issue.  Currently Ryan is finishing up finals for the spring semester.  Ryan is attending summer session and his time will be limited, which is why he too needs help.

The final straw was when McCue voted down the Wal-Mart and Wave center. 

In an email to me just after the vote, Mr. Antross stated,” I cannot believe what just happened.  They let the greatest opportunity in Cudahy pass us by without giving the people the chance to speak, now with no Wal-Mart coming or any other business, Cudahy is now going to be a backward hick town with nothing to show but a KRM Line that was approved by the city without our approval.

We have to make McCue realize what BIG MISTAKE he made.”

We only need around 1800 signatures.  If you are interested in helping out please contact Sue at spurple9bear@att.net

Here is a list of Cudahy citizens who may want Mayor McCue out:

People who wanted the Wal-Mart

People who wanted the Wave

People who wanted the Iceport to be done with

People who believed he would keep businesses from leaving

People who believed he would do something himself about the absentee landlords

People who believed he would communicate to the people

People who thought he would do something about the Payday Loan Stores

People who thought he would do something about the Used Car Lots

People who thought he would do something about the lowering taxes

People who bought in to his making it easy and attractive for new businesses to locate here

People who bought in to his work hard to attract new business

People who bought in to his “he is a reformer”

Anyone who sees McCue in a light they don’t like

As I was told from a reader this is not the first time Ryan McCue faced the possibility of a recall.  Take a walk down memory lane – is this maybe a pattern?

http://www.onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/wispol113004.html

Nov. 30, 2004

Why would a member of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors who was elected in a recall election under the guise of reform and tax cutting not only vote for a tax increase, but also vehemently defend it while attacking the community's No. 1 taxpayer hero, County Executive Scott Walker?

That is a question that a lot of folks are asking, and one that has Sup. Ryan McCue trying to defend his actions over the past few weeks.

Run to the courthouse if you have an answer.

McCue, elected amid the post-Ament recall elections of eight supervisors (seven of them lost their bids) was quickly elevated to the position of vice chairman of the board's Finance and Audit Committee.  In his role, McCue has an influential seat in the crafting of the board's budget and discussion on setting the property tax levy.

In defending his actions, McCue pointed out that not one of his colleagues could find any government spending so appalling as to introduce an amendment to eliminate it.  He also criticized a proposal by Walker to issue pension obligations bonds, calling them irresponsible.

McCue was noticeably quiet when Gov. Jim Doyle, the state of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Public Schools proposed and passed similar packages, as was the daily newspaper.

So, McCue is clueless, but that's not his only worry.  In the end, McCue may have far greater concerns than a frugal county executive; he may find himself at odds with the very reform movement that vaulted him into office.

Citizens for Responsible Government have had their hands full lately with the antics of a certain suburban state legislator, but lest the supervisor from Cudahy forget, it was their relentless assault on politicians that say one thing and do another that resulted in the sweeping change of power at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.

Could McCue be the next victim of that reform movement?  Stay tuned.

With less than 160 days remaining before McCue is eligible to be recalled, there is already talk about trying to oust him.  While many have doubted the ability of CRG and others to mount such a challenge in the post-reform era, they do so at their own peril, because thanks to CRG, there is no such thing as a post-reform era.

Cleaning up a little business back home, so to speak, might be exactly what CRG needs to really kick-start a statewide effort.

Regardless of what that determined crew has planned, McCue and others who defiantly sell themselves as tax hawks and reformers only to forget that when they cast their vote on the public's behalf should beware.

The anti-tax movement is not dead; it is alive and well, and may be coming to a town near them soon.

Further west the upcoming budget battle at the state level promises to be equally as challenging and entertaining as the ones we've seen here in Milwaukee County.  Republicans, led by Assembly Speaker John Gard, will raise the no-tax-increase flag high and proudly, and, amazingly enough, so might Doyle.

However, unlike the tough decisions made locally by Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, look to Doyle to once again raid the patients' compensation fund, raise University of Wisconsin tuition and impose higher fees for a variety of services, perhaps including hunting and fishing licenses and for automobile registration.

This will undoubtedly fuel the anti-tax fires and give CRG and its counterparts continued media exposure, fundraising prowess and increased legitimacy to continue the fight.

Unfortunately for Ryan McCue, he has already cast his ballot.  All that is left is to see how his constituents, with the help of CRG, will cast his fate.

Jim Villa, a former top aide to Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, ran Walker's re-election campaign and now runs a political consulting business called The Markesan Group.

Mayor explains Wal-Mart vote

“Milwaukee Journal Sentential NOW South Shore Thursday, May 15, 2008, Vol. 115, No. 20” (By the way, it was so important, McCue OBVIOUSLY thought hiding his "opinion" in the newspaper versus the CudahyNow site or city website, was important!)

Public Forum:

My supposed “refusal” to discuss my vote regarding the development proposed by Continental Properties Co. Inc. was mischaracterized.  I was advised by our city attorney and outside legal counsel not to discuss this matter in great detail due to litigation issues surrounding this site.  To this end, I offered a brief statement to the media regarding the action taken by our Plan Commission.

On May 5, the Cudahy Plan Commission deliberated the merits of the proposed use and conceptual site plan brought forth by Continental Properties Co. Inc. regarding the former Iceport site. While the proposal was voted down, 4-3, Continental Properties Co. Inc. still has the ability to bring forth another proposal.

I ran for mayor on a platform that we can do better than a big-box retailer such as Wal-Mart at that location.  Sixty percent of the voters agreed.

Furthermore, I felt that the motion to approve without any conditions to the development was not in the best interest of the city.

It is under the Plan Commission’s authority to mandate store hours and bonding if the store closed.  Just to name a few.  While these and other conditions were discussed, no conditions were tied into the motion to approve.

Year after year, Cudahy has ranked in the top five municipalities when it comes to economic growth within Milwaukee County.  We need to continue to attract and keep high-quality developments such as Sheridan’s, City Lounge and Papa Luigi’s, just to name a few.

More important than saying “no” to this particular proposal is my desire to lead Cudahy into saying “yes” to an exciting development that will carry Cudahy into the next century.

Ryan McCue

Cudahy mayor

Here are some problems, or holes if you will, for “Mayor explains Wal-Mart vote” - McCue's public statement was pretty lame. 

First – It was not a Wal-Mart vote – It was a land use.  Right here is the big problem of the whole thing.  What is forgotten in the whole mess is the vote was about the usage of the land.  Store names should not have played into it at this time.

Not to discuss in great detail – how about any detail!  “I will treat residents with the dignity and respect they deserve”?

He ran on a platform that we can do better than a big-box retailer such as Wal-Mart at that location – Where does it say this and Wal-Mart was not announced until after the elections.  I need to point out that there WAS NO PROPOSAL FOR A WALMART ON THE ICEPORT LAND, when he ran for election.  HE IS REINVENTING HISTORY!

He is good at that, career politicians are the best!

Here is what the Mayor said, “Wal-Mart:  I do not think that the City of Cudahy should provide a $12 million tax subsidy to the world’s biggest retailer.  Residents may not even see the tax benefits from the development for 20 years” http://ryanmccue.com/Platform.html

Again, Wal-Mart didn’t, and I agree, we do not need to give Wal-Mart a tax break!

Another question in his statement is OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL, who, who hired them, and why?  Yes - Why would we, sorry, McCue need to bring in outside council?  Last I knew, the City Attorney (Paul Eberhardy) was handling the foreclosure action.  The Council did not authorize use of outside legal counsel, which would be an expense to the taxpayers of the city, and MUST BE APPROVED by the Council. 

Third, I need to continue to point out that he is the one that brought Continental Properties to the table, by stopping the foreclosure action.  His developer, that he chooses, brought the Wal-Mart and the Wave!

Fourth, the high-end development of Sheridan House, City Lounge, and Papa Luigi's were all started during Mayor Hohenfeldt's term.  He has started nothing!!!

Fifth, see Lee Barczak's comment in the NOW article (found below) about the lack of clarity (direction) from the city.  We had direction, a Wal-Mart and Wave.  Be it as it may, that Mr. Barczak did not like the direction changes noting in the fact there was direction.

Can a vote be changed - Someone would have to ask to have an item brought back on an agenda and as a motion to reconsider.  So, yes, something that is done can be undone.

Public Forum Questions

Another poster, Dana Z, writes, "What happened to the downtown market?”  This is a wonderful question.  The answer: When the Wal-Mart was proposed potential tenants of the market pulled out and the developer suspended plans to build it.

Many people in Cudahy were excited about this market, and nobody that I talked to was against it.  This is the kind of business we should be encouraging and if Wal-Mart would chase them away, Mayor McCue was right in stopping Wal-Mart.  Let's hope that now that Wal-Mart is off the table, the Market will come back.

- John S., Cudahy

What John says is what we are told is the truth.  If the potential tenants of the market pulled out, then you should be back.  I was told that Lee Barczak did indeed put his plans on hold and if the Wal-Mart was approved may not have gone forward with the project. 

However, Market plan still trying to take root - No vendors signed yet, but Barczak optimistic

The idea of a daily market in Cudahy, similar to the Milwaukee Public Market, has not been forgotten.

Lee Barczak, president of Greendale-based Morgan Kenwood Advisors LLC, said he is looking for more vendors to rent spaces in a South Shore Daily Market.

"I have about seven right now who I think are serious candidates," he said. "No one has signed an agreement."

If constructed, the daily market is to be part of a larger mixed-use redevelopment on two city-owned lots at the northwest and southwest corners of Packard Avenue and Library Drive.

Some hesitant about change

Barczak said some merchants have been hesitant to make a commitment because they are unsure if the city will be able to maintain a small-town atmosphere amid new businesses and developments.  Several vendors have said residents seem divided in their opinions on how the city should change, he said.

"There's a lack of clarity as to what's happening in Cudahy," he said.  "The perception is that it seems like there's not a consistent view here."

In addition to concerns about how Cudahy will change, some merchants at the Milwaukee Public Market are struggling financially, causing them and others to re-evaluate whether they should invest their resources in a similar business, Barczak said.

Lessons for success

Barczak said several lessons learned from the Milwaukee market could help make Cudahy's more successful.

For one, when vendors sign an agreement to rent space, a business plan would be created to guide them toward success.

The market would also devote more money to advertising, Barczak said.

"It's just crucial, because you got to get that business through the door," he said.

People, habits shifting

Despite the obstacles, Barczak said he is not giving up on the development and believes that more and more South Shore residents are falling into his target demographic: homeowners with an annual income of $75,000 or more.

Rising gasoline prices and the possibility of a Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee rail line would also impact residents, causing them to be less dependent on their vehicles.  He said the numbers of people who walk or bike will likely increase, enhancing a village-like downtown atmosphere.

"People's habits will change," he said.  "We're not Tosa or Cedarburg, but we can look like it.  But it will take time, money and effort."

Plans started in 2007

Plans for the market were unveiled early last year.  In June, the city's Community Development Authority, the Common Council and builder MK Realty, LLC, approved the terms of a developer's agreement.

Construction was set to begin last October, but the lack of commitments from vendors delayed the plan.

Barczak said construction on the market could begin this fall if enough merchants agree to participate.

I snuck this into Thursday’s post after it was posted.

Clarification – Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue is a regular voting member of the Cudahy Plan Commission.  He cast his “NO” vote, rejecting plans for Cudahy Station, last in roll-call vote after three commissioners voted for the measure and three against.

Okay so let us break that and all of it down.

Was it not a tie vote when it and the drama came to McCue’s vote?  Three for (yes) and three against (no)?  YES it was.  So his vote did break the tie at the time!

What I feel he wants us to know is his vote was no more important than anyone else’s vote.  Why is his vote last?  He is the chair!  He gets the last vote!  If this ended on a positive note, I think he would be talking this up that his vote broke the tie.  He is trying to turn down the heat on him.  He would like us to know that there were a total of four NO votes.  Regular votes.  He would like I feel the blame to be equal and not just on him.

To the chair comes the glory and the agony.

Was it a mistake that the Mayor killed it that early to know if IKEA would come forward, he would have to deny it plus this sets in motion that big box retail is not and cannot be used or a lawsuit will happen?

Thus McCue’s mistake has cost the vision and hopes of many that do not support Wal-Mart but would support Target let’s say.  He could have allowed it to move forward and then kill it later without this problem.

His problem was he wanted to exterminate it (Wal-Mart the first chance he could) and did so without thinking it all the way through.

Day 10 – Thursday May 15th 2008 - Still No response from the Mayor – Will a recall change that?

“Grandstanding over governing”

Silence is complicity.

I was told from a reader in email that the Recall has begun.  It is not from the person who contacted me, but if someone knows who is doing it please let me know.  I have found out her name is Sue.  We need to have the person who contacted me join forces.  Get them to join forces to conquer, rather than divide and conquer.

The first thing we need to do to make this recall a reality and happen is to be organized.

I was told we need 1750-1800 signatures.  Is this the same number the rest of those involved with the recall have?

It should not be that hard since we had 1300 Pro Wal-Mart Cudahy resident signatures.

Once the paperwork is filed, 60 days is all the time given to reach the correct mark.

So, we must be organized.  We must have in place before paperwork is registered who will help go door to door in “Circulating the Recall Petition” for signatures.  I, for one, will help do that.

As far as the recall, let it roll!

I have included some info that some people passed on to me.

McCue is going to try and head this recall off, by allowing some sort of revote.  This recall is being taken very seriously.  If the recall gets close to the magic number, McCue will step down rather than be recalled.  He would be looking at the big picture since politics is his career.

Then I received this info:

So let us think that this info is correct for discussion.

I also will include this info

Maybe Lying McCue likes the sight of the condemned steel skeleton of the once greatly anticipated Ice Port.  If Cudahy were to allow the supercenter along with the indoor training facility, this would consume precious "condo land.”  That is just what a failing city needs... more condos.  How about business?  Cudahy needs to become more appealing to businesses.  Right now if I were to open a business, I sure as hell wouldn't open it on Packard Avenue.  Get some paint.  Offer GOOD incentives to open a business in Cudahy.  Thank you Lying Ryan McCue, I just moved out of Cudahy and can't be any more thankful.

Now that the Mayor and Plan Commission have shot down the Wave and Wal-Mart plan that would pay taxes to the city, when will we get some development on the site that will pay taxes?

While not perfect (nothing in life is), the Wave / Wal-Mart / Cudahy Station (what the city called it) retail development would have been good for the city, and the area.  It would have brought in people, dollars to local businesses, and tax dollars to the community.  Now today, the city STILL DOES NOT OWN THE LAND, and THE TAXES in 2007 WERE NOT PAID!!

That's right folks, check it out yourself on the cities websites.  Sportsites did not pay the 2007 property taxes, so guess who will foot the bill, THE TAX PAYERS OF CUDAHY!  I wonder if our Mayor would like to comment on that?

Another day, another wasted opportunity, here in Cudahy!

Only here in Cudahy does Alderman McCue vote to give the land away to Sportsites, and Mayor McCue can do any thing to get it back on the tax rolls!  Maybe we could sell the rights to this story for a made for TV Movie, and that could be used to pay the taxes, since Wal-Mart and the Wave wont!

Thanks guys, and keep up the good work!  NOT!!

The word I have heard is that Continental is looking at the property off of College & Pennsylvania at the old Van Beck farm land to develop.  Oak Creek gets the development and tax base, we get a rusty contaminated eyesore.  Thank you Ryan McCue and the planning commission.  Like Ryan said when he ran for election, "A new day for Cudahy.”  We did not know at the time it was bad days!!!

Randy did you see this?

It was a bad week for Milwaukee's retail market.  Three national chains announced plans to close stores.  Home Depot will close its northwest side Milwaukee location, Linens 'n Things will shutter its Shops of Grand Avenue downtown Milwaukee location and Walt Disney Co. is closing its Disney store at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa.

Cudahy, led by Mayor Ryan McCue, made a mistake in turning down a Wal-Mart Supercenter and soccer-training academy on the abandoned Iceport site on East Layton Avenue.  The rejection means the partially constructed Iceport, which failed due to a lack of financing, will remain an eyesore in the southern Milwaukee County suburb.

Source

I see that the so called Mayor must be waiting for a blue light special for the iceport.  He turned down the best Cudahy could get.  Wal-Mart was not the first choice, just as Cudahy is not most retailer’s first choice.

He is not only being laugh at, but he has the audacity to make claims that he didn’t break the tie vote, because his vote is the same as everyone else’s.  He is a whiner as well.  What a so called Mayor we have.

 Day 9 – Wednesday May 14th 2008 - Still No response from the Mayor – Will we ever get one

Here are two emails from different sides of the issue I received.

Quick question – Now that the Wal-Mart is done and most likely moving to Oak Creek, is the public market back on after Lee stopped it in protest to Wal-Mart?

---------------------

Lisa Nelson and Cudahy readers of CNI

This is in response to the recent meeting about the Cudahy Wal-Mart.  I have never seen such a disrespectful display of poor leadership as I did at the last meeting.  If these are the leaders of our community than I think, it is time the citizens of this community start ridding Cudahy of its political pollution.

When someone asks, one of the speakers to speak up because of the poor sound system that is used and they are told to, "shut up, they are not being spoken to,” it is time to take a stand.  From the moment the community really started voicing an opinion in favor of this project, it never received a fair shot.  

It came down to a 3-3 vote with the Mayor breaking the tie.  What a set up.  Leave it up to the person who objected from the beginning for no real reason except HIS dislike for Wal-Mart.  Maybe the tiebreaker should have been left up to the community.  A vote they couldn't have tampered with.  

The mayor wants more condos and office buildings.  Let’s put the engineer in charge who built a beautiful library than set condos in front of it.  I have been a member of this community for 20 years and have never seen such a turn over of houses for sale and empty businesses.  

Many of us simple-minded people understand why.  Unfortunately, we now know what we want or say doesn't matter.  Every village has an idiot, but I think we have more than our share.  When the taxes go up AGAIN, it would only be fair that those who took this negative rude attitude consume my share along with that of the other positive people who never even had a chance to say anything at this last meeting.  We will not be able to just bang a gavel and escape.

Once again, we have earned the right to bare the title of "CRUDAHY.”  No longer does Cudahy Pride exist.  Now added to our being noted for the bar capital of the Southside, housing more than our fair share of sex offenders, gangs, dog beaters, slumlords, and long list of weekly police reports we can now add political pollution.

Has anyone of the village idiots taken a ride through the community lately and noticed all the houses going up for sale and taking longer to resell or the number of empty businesses in just Packard Plaza alone or the increase in taxes with nothing to really show for it.  

The Wal-Mart company offered us something too good to pass up.  They deserve to be in a community that deserves to better themselves.  CRUDAHY is not one of them.  They also deserve an apology for the rudeness they were showed from this communities so called leaders.  I hope they don't walk away thinking all of us are like the few who had the final say so.  

I wish them the best.

Second letter

First of all,

I want to apologize for the way you people were treated since this mission began.  

Ever village has an idiot, but after living here for twenty years there is no doubt in my mind that Cudahy has more than one.  I think we have enough for several villages.  I was very sad and upset to see the turn out of what would have been the best thing this community has had offered to them in a long time.  

Being an eighteen-year associate of Wal-Mart I am sorry so many in our community will miss out on what Wal-Mart offered them.  Last night the rudeness of those in charge of the meeting was inexcusable.  I have never seen such lack of respect for the individual.  It was admirable the way the Wal-Mart representatives conducted themselves.  

Once again, please let me apologize on behalf of so many of us that would have welcomed you with open arms.  

There is one more thing that I would like to see happen.  It is not out of revenge, but could send a very important message to our village idiots and their polluted politics.  

Something that might help us in the future if something like this ever came along again.  I work at Store #1551, in Franklin Wisconsin.  All the paper towels and toilet paper that we order for our 99 supplies comes from right here in Cudahy.  Other stores may get it from Majestic Paper as well.

Also, I was told that some of our Super Centers carry Patrick Cudahy Bacon etc.  If this is the case, I would really like Wal-Mart to find another supplier.  I am sure these things can be bought elsewhere.  

It upsets me that what our village idiots and polluted politicians are saying is, we will sell our products to you for your store, but you are not good enough to put one of your stores in our community.  Something has to wake up these people who are making the decisions for all of us taxpayers.  To let it be known would also help.  Cudahy does not deserve what you offer.

Much of the community does but until we clean up the polluted politics, we will fight like we did this time.  Knowing that it really didn't matter because of the pollution.  Again, I am sorry for the way you were treated.  Don't worry, you will find a welcome place.

Wherever it is, it will be their gain and our loss.

Hi Randy,

I thought I'd give my two cents personally rather than in a forum.

Personally, I think Cudahy did the right thing by denying Wal-Mart the prime location. I know you're a supporter of Wal-Mart, and that's fine, but I hope you understand my reasoning for this.

1. The prime location is still prime: What I mean is, Cudahy still has a massive parcel of land near its core downtown area open and ready for development. Patience can be a virtue if Cudahy plays it right.

2. Wal-Mart won't leave Cudahy: It's already noted that Wal-Mart was eyeing land on Layton & Pennsylvania for some time. They packed their bags and moved east because of the future KRM line.  If the KRM never was proposed, I'd bet you $100 that they would've stuck with the original plan, the same plan they're going back to now since Cudahy denied them the KRM opportunity.

3. Cudahy has options: Because of the prime location open, and the proximity to Lake Michigan and the land along the future KRM line, that location can truly turn into something amazing.  You mentioned that Cudahy doesn't have a Bayshore.  You're right, they don't.  But that certainly doesn't mean they can't.  St. Francis is currently going through a transition thanks to their lake properties providing them with fortune.  Many high-end condos are under construction, and the prices will remain the same if not continuing to go up due to Chicagoans making Milwaukee their second home.  Thanks to the new condos, Mandel Group is almost ready to break ground on the Lakeside Market Place, on the former WE Energies parcel.  This development will be strictly high end, with a grocer, restaurants, office space, and retailers.  I can assure you this wouldn't have happened without those condos and the current transition.  Cudahy is right now on the crossroads of entering that same transition, with lake properties open and the County desperately needing extra cash.  With this, on top of further upscale development in St. Francis, the land that almost became Wal-Mart could become something similar to Bayshore.

Randy, give it time.  Yes, it doesn't look pretty now - we agree on that.  But just because it doesn't look great now shouldn't mean the community's willingness to cave for the very first proposal.

Wave may look to Oak Creek for training academy

http://seattle.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/12/story13.html

Day 7 – Monday May 12th 2008 - Still No response from the Mayor, but a new home for Wave & Wal-Mart 5 miles away in the O.C.

One starting observation to rid the mind of cobwebs, wake up the thought process, to be coffee for the brain – How is the Iceport the gateway to Cudahy?

Gateway - any passage by or point at which a region may be entered.  So no matter where the Wal-Mart is located is that not a gateway? 

So the NO crowd will complain no matter where it is!

Layton & Pennsylvania – Gateway to Cudahy from Milwaukee

College & Pennsylvania – Gateway to Cudahy from Milwaukee

Lakeshore Drive – Gateway to Cudahy from South Milwaukee and St. Francis

So no matter where the Wal-Mart is located is that not a gateway? 

Sorry if I hurt anyone’s feelings!

On to the apology

-------------

I do have to publicly apologize to Mayor Ryan McCue.  Many of you have known that I have been pretty harsh on our Mayor about the importance of “Communication”.  I have been very critical of him for a failure of “communication” with the citizens, mainly in written format.  I was wrong.  I am deeply sorry!

On the Mayor’s website (http://ryanmccue.com/Platform.html), he talks deeply about “Communication.” 

It is my fault for one, wanting the “Communication” to be a two-way street and two for it to be in written format.  We see “Communication” differently.  I actually think “Communication” means to communicate to the people.

Nowhere does he articulate that “Communication” would be either in his platform.  How about open communication to the citizens?  Is that in there? NOPE!

I guess we didn’t read the fine print.  Bait and switch, bait and switch.  Where is Ryan McCue the reformer?  Would the real Mayor please stand up!  You have heard me say that before.

Please accept my deepest apology on this matter.  One final thing, Mr. Mayor Ryan McCue, is being silent on the issue to why you voted “NO” and not explaining yourself, open communication?  “I will treat residents with the dignity and respect they deserve”?

If McCue thinks that silence, and ignoring the people is RESPECT…Wow, we do have a bigger problem on our hands then Wal-Mart.  Instead of standing up, just give your resignation and allow a real Mayor to step forward!

Maybe the Mayor is too good for us.  Maybe somewhere in Illinois is better.  McCue is right “we can do better” – he was just talking about a Cudahy Mayor.

What is forgotten in the whole mess is the vote was about the usage of the land.  Store names should not have played into it at this time.

When Ryan McCue ran for mayor, he campaigned on his frustration of closed-door meetings on his website, and in his attacks.  When they were working out the 6-month extension for the Iceport lawyers, and all the meetings of the council and CDA regarding this MOU with Cobalt on Penn and Layton, the meeting notices all talk about going into closed session.  What happened to his idea of open government?  Maybe I was wrong about this as well!

I will leave all of you with then candidate Ryan McCue’s “Communication” talk in written format.  Courtesy of http://ryanmccue.com/Platform.html 

Communication

Once elected as you Mayor, I will carefully listen to all the points of view of my constituents and then make to best decision for the majority of the people.  My record proves that I am committed to having open communications.  As your Milwaukee County Supervisor, nearly every month since June of 2002 I have held “Round Table Discussions” to listen to what is important to my constituents.

Residents: I will return your phone call in a timely fashion.  I will treat residents with the dignity and respect they deserve.  Once elected as your Mayor, I will host “Meetings with the Mayor” to afford residence an opportunity to learn more about city issues, give suggestions and ask questions.

Businesses: Working with the Cudahy Chamber of Commerce to improve the local economy is a top priority for me.  I will re-institute breakfast with Mayor for Cudahy’s businesses.

Common Council: As a former Alderman, I understand the importance of having open communications with the members of the common council.

City Employees:  It is important to have open and honest communication with city employees.  Once elected as your mayor, I will host brown bag lunches with city employees to discuss city issues.

I know one of hang-ups to the Wal-Mart was the fact it would be open 24 hours.  To me it makes sense since it is just next door to Patrick Cudahy and other jobs that run around the clock.  It works perfect for the workers who would like to shop.  As Lisa Nelson from Wal-Mart said, "A 24-hour operation is not for us," she said, "it's for our customers.  We're not making a lot of money in the middle of the night."

I guess it is okay to over look who can benefit from shopping at the Wal-Mart, everyone.  Where are people who work at odd hours to go?

Demand and Ask for honest answers for the hard questions.

McCue wants to do what he wanted and that was not allow Wal-Mart at all costs, those costs are to the citizens in the loss, he is answerable to us.  His decision not to explain himself is unacceptable and unreasonable; maybe there is a way around just to remove him based on mental incapacity or failure to do his job properly.  I have to agree with a caller to the Jay Weber show “No public official has the authority to arbitrarily make decisions”!

I have been saying the Mayor needs to clue people in on the game plan for months.  Does he have one?  What is the BP (battle plan) for the problems in Cudahy?

People, I am not writing to just bash the Mayor.  These are important things a leader should be doing.  Maybe he has no clue besides the personal things he allows to govern over himself and us.  He is supposed to be answerable and accountable to the people, and he is not answering the call from people and I am not talking about his phone use.

I would like to put to rest that McCue did not campaign against Wal-Mart or keeping them out of Cudahy as some have wished, but the use of tax dollars going to Wal-Mart.  Wal-Mart didn’t ask for any money. 

Here is what the Mayor said, “Wal-Mart:  I do not think that the City of Cudahy should provide a $12 million tax subsidy to the world’s biggest retailer.  Residents may not even see the tax benefits from the development for 20 years” http://ryanmccue.com/Platform.html

So, it is bait and switch.

Is McCue an elitist?  A Mayor is more then just doing what you want! 

It is doing right by the city and its people.  McCue has done none of this.  He is just doing his own thing and not explaining it, because he doesn't want to or have to.  He is getting in the way of progress in the city.

K9 unit, gangs, violence – the K9 is not 100% the answer, but a huge factor.  It is another tool the police can use.

Wal-Mart – It is not the silver bullet, but an economic clog in the wheel, a piece of the puzzle.  People are not busting down the doors to get in Cudahy, we are much like Cuba in many ways.  Just think about it!

This is round one - The people pushing for Wal-Mart ousting seem to be winning these battles. But will they win the war?

It is a win, be it a small one, that the Mayor is silent for Wal-Mart.  Maybe there is hope a real Mayor who doesn’t govern by personal thoughts, but sound plans will come forward.

To use the NO Wal-Mart crowd’s battle cry, anything is better than McCue!  No wait – I did change a key word there!!!!

On Second thought – No, I am not sorry on any counts!

A few people said they just about missed my thoughts that I include in the April Top 10 post because they keep up with my daily posts and if it was not that they just wanted to see the order, it would have been missed.  I have included them again in this post.

I hope everyone enjoys reading my posts.  You may not agree with me, but maybe what I have to say will shed some new light on matters and make you pause.  I am not a reporter, but a commentator.  I do not get paid, work for the city, or have a secret agenda.  I gain nothing personally from doing this blog other than the satisfaction of being able to put “The Way I See It” out for others to read.  I do it because I think it needs to be said.  I try to be fair and when I see something I don’t agree with, I let it be known.

Many people have said I am hard on the Mayor in his first year and I write blogs that don’t show his job performance in a good light.  When I see something that he does great, I will blog on it.  Hey, I am not the only one blogging on the Cudahy Now website, Greg Janisch was McCue’s campaign Treasurer and he can blog.  Just because I am critical of the Mayor’s job performance, does not make me a person who is attacking Ryan McCue personally nor am I character assassinating him!  This is about his job performance period!  We all have freedom of speech and a voice; I just choose to use mine.

Here is what a reader, Dave Taylor, said in a comment:

“Randy, there's a lot of people in Cudahy who back you up, even if they are too scared to admit it.  We should all be thankful that someone is willing to take a stand for what is right for our city; like you said, "...just want Cudahy to be better", too bad there are egos that get in the way of the good the city could do.  There isn't any reason to be shameful of an opinion, that's what makes us human (not robots) and why our country is a great one!

Sometimes you may feel your comments fall of deaf ears, but the truth is that people ARE reading and they ARE listening.  We rally behind you and hopefully, you are stronger in your plight for a better Cudahy because of it.  You are a voice that matters!  You are looking out for the betterment of Cudahy!  You are taking a stand, unafraid of whose feathers you ruffle!  Those of us who stand behind will continue to support you, even if the “powers that be” wish we weren’t listening!

Keep up the good work…your supporters need your voice!”

Someone has talked to my superiors at mycommunitynow.com to have my work censored or shutdown.  The claim was I lie, spread rumors, and have false and inaccurate information.  I try to source my work and some comes from people in government that do not like the direction we are headed or people close to a situation that feel some injudicious is being done.  I have always believed in correct information and not disinformation.  If something is truly wrong let me know and I will correct it, but don’t be all that upset and try and shut me down because you don’t LIKE what I am saying!  People, if what I am hearing from those inside is true, some scary things are coming or happening.  Hypothetically, it might even be something like a change of salary ordinances for health insurances that is not fair and done evenly.  Should it not be changed for all and not leave out anyone?  Fair is fair.  That is a hypothetical, but watch,  it might just come true.

I will not stop until the misinformation, disinformation and no information are brought to light.  More and more people are emailing me with things.  These are very reliable people and trustworthy people.  Together we can all make a difference.  I will NEVER sell you out and I have been asked who is telling me things.  The wheel of information doesn’t need to stop spinning just because it might ruffle some feathers.

http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/charliesykes/18804009.html

WAL-MART HATERS

By Charlie Sykes

Story Created: May 9, 2008

Story Updated: May 10, 2008

Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue... and these guys:

And more..... here they focus on the role of unions in Wal-Mart hating (WARNING GRAPHIC LANGUAGE; GRAPHIC IMAGES, NUDITY):

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Educating the Idiot Politician of the Week

Day 5 – Still No response from the Mayor

Amazing, the leader (in name only) votes something down, is silent, and will probably gets away with it.  Hey, only in Cudahy!

It was requested that I do a monthly review of the most looked at topics I wrote.  I will run down the top 10 and give a small overview of each. 

Some of these have an unfair advantage because they are older and have had the chance to be looked at longer.  By far, the shorter time Wal-Mart articles have more people view them quicker.  Many people still want to hear about Wal-Mart from both sides of the issue.

People keep emailing me offline in private and that is good.  I would like people to start making comments.  The South Shore viewers don’t seem to want to publicly comment, by how many private emails I get vs. the comments feature used.

1. Turf War – What to Build? –Yes it is a Wal-Mart post and I talked about TIFs and how the Mayor doesn’t want the Wal-Mart and how this chance may not come again. I also included a letter from a reader that they sent to the Mayor and my responses to what the Mayor replied.

2. Real Voter Intimidation – I talked about how during the 2006 election my neighbor was intimidated and took down his sign in fear of retribution from his union steward.

3. ** Adults Only **  – The title maybe misleading to a few, but the subject matter was how adult content is on the web and we must watch what our children do on the web.

4. One Must Look Back To See The Future  – Here I wrote about that sometimes one must look back to see the future and how Mayor McCue had some foreshadowing in his campaign pledge about Wal-Mart.  Cudahy, as is the nation, is in a recession and how in a downturn we should not pass up the opportunity of this Wal-Mart.

5. History Repeating Page Two  –I wrote about the info a reader emailed me about a Cudahy School closing and Wal-Mart spin.

6. Plan Commission   – I wrote about what happen at the last Plan Commission meeting about Cudahy Station.  How some members didn’t even understand what they were to be voting on that night.

7. Proposal On The Table  – I wrote about what is the Wal-Mart proposal, TIF, and the Plan Commission.

8. Teen’s Common Sense Sometimes Lacking  – I wrote about a report I came across on how Florida legislators are encouraging a review of their "abstinence only" sex education programs after a recent survey completed by Florida teens returned some curious results of not understanding things like drinking bleach prevents HIV.  By now way am I attacking "abstinence only", just bring to light what they found.

9. Flamethrower  –I wrote about what a person said to me about how I deal with the Mayor and if I hate him.  I may be ruffling feathers and again once you write it, and sign it, you can’t hide from it something I wish the city would do.

10. Keeping Us In The “Noir”  – Keeping Us In The "Noir" is about how we are in the dark (Noir) on may things in government and how with open records laws, the information should be public and easily obtainable.  I wrote about how many of these very things should be on the web at a mouse click away from you and I to read and know.

I hope everyone enjoys reading my posts.  You may not agree with me, but maybe what I have to say will shed some new light on matters and make you pause.  I am not a reporter, but a commentator.  I do not get paid, work for the city, or have a secret agenda.  I gain nothing personally from doing this blog other than the satisfaction of being able to put “The Way I See It” out for others to read.  I do it because I think it needs to be said.  I try to be fair and when I see something I don’t agree with, I let it be known.

Many people have said I am hard on the Mayor in his first year and I write blogs that don’t show his job performance in a good light.  When I see something that he does great, I will blog on it.

Hey, I am not the only one blogging on the Cudahy Now website, Greg Janisch was McCue’s campaign Treasurer and he can blog.  Just because I am critical of the Mayor’s job performance, does not make me a person who is attacking Ryan McCue personally nor am I character assassinating him!  This is about his job performance period!  We all have freedom of speech and a voice; I just choose to use mine.

Here is what a reader, Dave Taylor, said in a comment:

“Randy, there's a lot of people in Cudahy who back you up, even if they are too scared to admit it.  We should all be thankful that someone is willing to take a stand for what is right for our city; like you said, "...just want Cudahy to be better", too bad there are egos that get in the way of the good the city could do.  There isn't any reason to be shameful of an opinion, that's what makes us human (not robots) and why our country is a great one!

Sometimes you may feel your comments fall of deaf ears, but the truth is that people ARE reading and they ARE listening.  We rally behind you and hopefully, you are stronger in your plight for a better Cudahy because of it.  You are a voice that matters!  You are looking out for the betterment of Cudahy!  You are taking a stand, unafraid of whose feathers you ruffle!  Those of us who stand behind will continue to support you, even if the “powers that be” wish we weren’t listening!

Keep up the good work…your supporters need your voice!”

Someone has talked to my superiors at mycommunitynow.com to have my work censored or shutdown.  The claim was I lie, spread rumors, and have false and inaccurate information.  I try to source my work and some comes from people in government that do not like the direction we are headed or people close to a situation that feel some injudicious is being done.  I have always believed in correct information and not disinformation.  If something is truly wrong let me know and I will correct it, but don’t be all that upset and try and shut me down because you don’t LIKE what I am saying!  People if what I am hearing from those inside is true, some scary things are coming or happening.  Hypothetically, it might even be something like a change of salary ordinances for health insurances that is not fair and done evenly.  Should it not be changed for all and not leave out anyone?  Fair is fair.  That is a hypothetical, but watch it might just come true.

I will not stop until the misinformation, disinformation and no information are brought to light.  More and more people are emailing me with things.  These are very reliable people and trustworthy people.  Together we can all make a difference.  I will NEVER sell you out and I have been asked who is telling me things.  The wheel of information doesn’t need to stop spinning just because it might ruffle some feathers.

Cudahy mayor silent on vote denying Wal-Mart

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=748815

Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue cast the deciding vote against a proposed development anchored by a Wal-Mart Supercenter and an indoor soccer training facility this week, but he refuses to explain why.

"He won't say what's wrong with the plan," Lafferty said.

Of course, he was silent and is silent that is his MO people.  Lack of communication to the people.  That is what I have been saying all a long!!!

He is not a leader, he governs by personal reasons, that is why he doesn’t want to say anything.  He doesn’t want to admit it.  I think he feels if he doesn’t say it we will not believe of own eyes and ears.

Lisa Flowers – Public Post

I am appalled and ashamed at the lack of foresight that the Cudahy city planners, and especially Mayor McCue, showed on May 5.  Instead of a vibrant shopping center complete with a soccer venue that would draw throughout a large portion of the Midwest, we are stuck yet again with a rusting pile of steel on contaminated land, sucking up our tax dollars.  As for driving out competitors, what competitors?  We have a overpriced Kmart that people can't afford to shop at and is a mess besides, and an overpriced Pick-N-Save - they could use some competition.  And the numerous senior citizens of Cudahy, who now drive out to 27th Street to get generic prescriptions at a price they can afford rather than Walgreen's prices, could instead not drive as far.  My mother is one of them, and she'd far sooner shop locally rather than have her money go to Franklin.  Wal-Mart has agreed to help pay for the environmental cleanup of that site, which none of the small shop retailers that Mayor McCue hopes to attract would.
 
The city planners say that Wal-Mart does not fit with their downtown city plan, and had quibbles about it blending into the area.  Well, in that case they should make it look like a huge collection of taverns, because that's what the downtown is.  For all the talk I heard when I first moved here about not allowing any new liquor licenses, new taverns seem to pop up all the time.  All this talk of Cudahy being the new near-eastside is ludicrous; Cudahy is a working town, always has been.  And I CHOSE to purchase my house in Cudahy for specifically that reason - it was a nice, working class town without any airs or pretensions.  I had the option of Bayview, or the north side, or downtown closer to work, but Cudahy, with its solid working class core was by far the best choice and I'm very glad to be here.
 
Mayor McCue's vision apparently includes numerous little trendy shops like out in Brookfield that nobody in Cudahy would have the money to patronize, and would probably fold shortly because of the economy.  If you notice, the Gallerias out in Brookfield are sitting empty, while, GOSH, Wal-Mart just lumbers on.  And they can afford to pay their property taxes, which is something that is getting harder and harder for us little people to do - maybe having a big retailer here on vacant, city-owned and city-improved land might help us poor schmucks.  All in all, while not a perfect solution, it certainly is the best that has come around in YEARS and we should thank our lucky stars that it did and hope that there's some way to rectify the errors of May 5th.  Maybe a recall election?

Thank You for Voting Against Wal-Mart Mayor McCue!  Yes, thank you for keeping Cudahy safe from the big bad Wal-Mart.  Wow, you kept a campaign promise.  How are you doing on the rest?

You quickly and bravely exited after saying NO, like anyone would.  This was your glory moment, you peaked at your zenith!  If they and  you are so proud where is your public statement?  A message from the Mayor is coming just as fast as the KRM –Metra to Cudahy.  Maybe you can phone it in!

A Wal-Mart in Cudahy would have been a tragic addition of jobs and showing we are business friendly.  You could not have that!

This is a great first step toward a new Cudahy, no wait – it is the same old Cudahy.  Thank you Mayor McCue for status quo!  We are going backwards not forwards.  As other cities go up, we shall be going the opposite way.  Once again - the opinion and wishes of the people are irrelevant.  All that matters is the Mayor.

Hail Caesar McCue!

I am thrilled that Mayor Ryan McCue voted against a Wal-Mart so people can see the softer side.  No wait that was a Sears commercial jingle.

Cudahy can be, there I go again, I mean Cudahy is already dying a slow death from McCue slowly leaching life from the vitality of the city.  How we could have grown.  How we could have prospered. 

Wal-Mart was not a silver bullet, but a piece of the puzzle to recovery.  McCue would rather burn the city wait, here I go again, that means there's no bend with McCue and if the earth is scorched, so be it.  He would like to start over and remake Cudahy instead of build on what we have.

Please people go watch the cult Wal-Mart hater videos.  Like I said before if you watched a movie on how they kill and process the meat we all eat, one could become a vegetarian or how much bugs we eat in our grains and not want to eat grains.

If “No Wal-Mart Is Best For Our Community” I hate to see what is the worst!  Maybe it will come.

Who is a Mom & Pop store?  Could someone please tell me!!!!  Please!!!!  Dretzka's?  Is that who we are worried about?

Wal-Mart is moving, but not way down the road, just five miles to a city that is pro business.  Heck to a city that enjoys and wants to have an upswing in their economy.  To a city where, eek a mouse – sorry I could not help myself with the eek.  To a city where over 500 people will be able to make a living with new jobs from Cudahy.

Even the owner of City Lights is questioning Cudahy’s pro-business, oops, mistake, I meant, anti-business climate and should he leave. 

It was very nicely written that I needed to include it right in the middle of what I am writing.  I was almost finished and thought it was that good I should just place it in.

Sorry, that it broke up such a good parody!

Wal-Mart is the flagship corporation among those that have prospered in transforming a once prosperous people into a nation of wage slaves.

Slavery was abolished in the U.S. with President Lincoln

I am still a proud prosperous people.  Look at the skill set needed for a job there.  He is angry because good jobs are not around like the 60’s and 70’s

 "business friendly" not with McCue at the helm!

As Goes Wal-Mart, So Goes the Nation

For a better understanding of our budget consciousness, check out the world's largest retailer.

By Jennifer Barrett | Newsweek Web Exclusive
May 7, 2008 | Updated: 4:32 p.m. ET May 7, 2008

No matter how bad the economy gets this year, Americans aren't about to stop buying groceries or gas.  But as fuel tops $4 a gallon and the costs of basics like bread and milk rise, consumers are learning to economize.  How?

For a clear view of our readjusted shopping habits, head to Wal-Mart.  With an average of more than 100 million customers a week, the world's largest retailer offers a telling glimpse of how consumers are responding to the economic downturn.  Not surprisingly, the company has largely benefited from the increase in budget-consciousness: it reported record sales of more than $106 billion for the quarter that ended Jan. 31, the majority of that coming from its domestic stores. 

What's hot and not?  During a presentation to analysts last week, Eduardo Castro-Wright, CEO of Wal-Mart's U.S. stores, pointed to strong sales in groceries, health and wellness products, as well as flat-screen televisions and other consumer electronics.  Clothing and furniture, however, are not selling well.

Apparently, new wardrobes and home-decorating projects are giving way to economic woes.  Recently, the Labor Department said clothing prices nationwide fell by 1.3 percent in March, the largest monthly drop in nearly a decade.  Recent markdowns, say analysts, haven't done much to move clothes off the racks or furniture off the showroom floors.  Furniture stores have reported slower sales in the first quarter of the year.  "It's less about the new couch and more about a new slipcover," says Pam Goodfellow, a senior analyst at BIGresearch, a firm that tracks consumer behavior.  "The losing categories in this downturn include things you can make last a little longer or things that you don't really need like furniture and jewelry."

As in previous downturns, Americans are once again tightening their fiscal belts by eating at home.  Stephen Quinn, Wal-Mart's senior vice president for marketing, says the company's sales of frozen dinners and premade pizzas are up.  So too are sales of coffee and cappuccino makers.  That's more bad news for stores like Starbucks, which last week reported a 28 percent drop in profits during the last quarter.

As for brand loyalty, it's not something retailers can count on anymore.  Wal-Mart, for example, has seen double-digit growth in sales of its more than 1,000 private-brand, or generic, products--from toaster pastries to pain relievers.  That supports findings in a recent nationwide survey by BIGResearch that found nearly 29 percent of consumers are now buying store-brand products, up more than 6 percent from a year ago.

That's when they are buying.  The Commerce Department reported last week that consumer spending grew just ..1 percent in March, after being adjusted for inflation.  And it was clear why: income rose just .3 percent while inflation was up 3.2 percent from a year earlier.  And the situation isn't likely to improve anytime soon.  The Conference Board, which administers a monthly survey of 5,000 households, said consumer confidence has plummeted since last summer.  It described consumers' short-term outlook as "quite grim.”  Peter Hooper, chief U.S. economist for Deutsche Bank, says he doesn't expect consumer spending to pick up significantly until next year when economic conditions improve.  In the meantime, Americans are going to have to keep coming up with ways to cut back.

"Consumers at all [income] levels have become value-conscious," says Dana Telsey, founder of the Telsey Advisory Group, an independent equity research and consulting firm focused on the consumer sector.  "The overall uncertainty of the economic environment is making both consumers and retailers cautious."

Wal-Mart is responding with price reductions and promotions targeted to its most popular products, along with the offer, announced last week, to cash tax rebate checks for free.  Though no purchase is required in return, the retailer is clearly betting that consumers will spend all or most of the proceeds there.  Data compiled last month on behalf of the company found at least six in 10 Americans expected to use their stimulus checks to cover groceries and other necessities.  To encourage them to do so in its stores, Wal-Mart is further discounting household items like shampoo, juice and cereal in the coming weeks.  "It's a different time," says Quinn.  "Customers are changing their behavior.  We've really had to make sure we're competitive."

The retailer is also trying to capitalize on some of the other ways consumers say they are cutting costs: like substituting "staycations" for vacations this year, and entertaining at home instead of going out to movies or restaurants.  The company hopes to offset lower sales of indoor furniture, for example, with an increase in sales of patio furniture and outdoor grills.

In the short run, such changes may benefit Wal-Mart a lot more than the overall economy, which is heavily dependent on consumer spending.  But by trimming their budgets and seeking out bargains, Americans themselves should be better prepared to weather the downturn until the economy improves.

With a tie vote (Alderperson First District Joseph Mikolajczak voted YES), Mayor Ryan McCue votes NO sending the Wal-Mart & the Wave Center (Which would have 500,000 visitors yearly, much more then the KRM) to a border city.  Killing our hopes and dreams of a better Cudahy.  A stronger economically viable Cudahy gone.

People have asked me who in the common council voted yes and no for the Cudahy Station.

Alderperson First District Joseph Mikolajczak as part of the Plan Commission voted YES

Alderperson Fourth District Sean Smith as part of the CDA voted NO

Alderperson Fifth District Name Thomas Pavlic as part of the CDA voted NO

Alderperson Second District Mary Schissel never got a chance to vote – My guess would have voted NO based on a readers reply from her.

Alderperson Third District Mark Otto never got a chance to vote – My guess would have voted YES based on personal talks with him.  He seems truly open-minded.

Remember the Commissions are appointed positions.

Surprisingly retiring Engineering Department Head Craig Faucett was very rude to the citizens when asked to speak up.  He replied “I don't care I  am not talking to you” to the audience. Forgetting the city works for the residents.

That was the tone for the meeting.  The city people minus a few don’t talk to the people, don’t talk with the people, but talk down to the people.  Craig Faucett voted NO.  He was conflicted.

This is truly a sad day and comment on our community. Thank you Mayor!  In the end, the Mayor did what was best for him and his Utopia not Cudahy!

A small amount of people clapped, but the majority booed (75 of those in attendance with YES Wal-Mart signs) and shouted, “RECALL THE MAYOR”.

A Wal-Mart rep said they are done with a city like this and I am told, if you draw a circle 5-mile radius from the proposed Wal-Mart site, that is where the Wal-Mart and Wave center will end up together.

You can thank your Mayor for having this one slip, no I am sorry, pushed away and with it 500 jobs and MONEY.

I will be doing more blogs on topics that have been slipped away or pushed away this summer; I know we will be losing more.  I will be adding to my posts, courtesy of the Mayor.

How to Recall a City Mayor Follow this link here: Link

According to one person in the crowd, he knew how the vote was going to go when the Mayor asked the Vandewalle & Associates person what he felt of the proposal.

A representative from the Wave organization said when leaving the building "I feel sorry for you people here in Cudahy."

Let the lawsuits start.  Joe Henika thought the amount was high before, just double that amount.

McCue what was the thought of asking what the people wanted if you really didn’t care.

I will tell you what, you didn’t like what the people had to say, so you made sure at this meeting you would not have to listen to them.  You were going to tell us!

As a reader emailed me this right after the meeting, I thought I would share it.

“I cannot believe what just happened.  They let the greatest opportunity in Cudahy pass us by without giving the people the chance to speak, now with no Wal-Mart coming or any other business, Cudahy is now going to be a backward hick town.

After the meeting and even how the Continental people about Cudahy "this is the worst treatment we've gotten in any city."”

Now that Wal-Mart is dead, and I truly believe it is, I wonder if the Mayor will answer the following questions.

1.  Since Mayor Ryan McCue stated that the liens against Sportsites have been paid off; the question is “Who” paid them?

2.  Now that the Wal-Mart / Wave is dead, and if Continental does not bring back another proposal before July 1st (the extension agreed to by the city), does the City of Cudahy get the land back free and clear with no additional payments by the City?

3.  When will the City of Cudahy demolish the shell of the Iceport and clear the land for future development?

Currently the city will have to cleanup the land and because the land is contaminated and people and kids are walking around the land, a fence for public safety needs to go up restricting people from the dangers, all of this at our expense.  Thank you Mayor.

Parents, maybe it’s time to contact the health department to see if they have any information regarding the safety of this land, i.e. the contaminated dirt. Maybe we need to contact our Alderpersons to find out what the city knows about the condition of this dirt.  Is it really safe to be walking near it or around it? Do we need to take precautions and have our family physician test our children for unknown toxins? What is the city going to do about this vacant, tainted land that is just going to sit here for who knows how long? Don’t you think it is time to erect a fence around the known sullied property? The city and THIS MAYOR have not had the due diligence to erect a fence around this area.

The Mayor quickly slithered out of the room with a smirk on his face.

Please watch this blog for information on the RECALL of Mayor Ryan McCue as it unfolds.

He showed us!

Now show him and your Alderperson your displeasure.

Contact the Mayor and your Alderperson and tell them this was a big mistake and actions have consequences!

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 Fourth District Sean Smith

Phone Number: (H) 486-6221

Address: 5618 S Rosewood Ave

smiths@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

____________________________________________________________________

Here is an email from a reader who would like to share their thoughts on Wal-Mart and the city with you.

There are some things about Wal-Mart that you probably didn't know about and I

think you should share with your bloggers.

Wal-Mart has helped Cudahy and others in the South shore more than you think.

Two products from Cudahy are carried by Wal-Mart that includes the Patrick Cudahy meats in the Supercenters plus some paper that is made in Cudahy.

It's (removed, by request), again, I decided to write to Alderwoman Schissel about the Wal-Mart plan because apparently she was another alderperson who is against it.  So, once again I decided to write another letter.

Dear Ms. Schissel,

My name is (removed, by request), and I’ve been a Cudahy citizen for 17 years living in the district you represent.  I’m writing to discuss something that has been on my mind and the citizens of Cudahy’s as well and that is the Wal-Mart plan that‘s coming to Cudahy.  I’ve heard that you are not a supporter for the Wal-Mart plan but I would like to tell on how this would be a great thing for Cudahy.  This is probably the one and only time we will get something like this as a gift to Cudahy, this will help us in the long run, it will bring jobs and people that this town so desperately needs.

Wal-Mart has helped Cudahy and the other South Shore cities in the past and they are willing to help us clean up the Iceport debacle so we don’t get stuck with it.  I told this to Mayor McCue before; you need business and not tourism.

Business is what Cudahy desperately needs and they will bring it to us, Wal-Mart is not that evil big box company that people make it out to be, they have the guts to at least come to Cudahy and say “will help you, will fix it.”

Ms. Schissel, I believe that Cudahy is at a turning point, it is on that edge to where it could tip in the favor of Wal-Mart and bring back the business and the spark back that Cudahy once had.  Or it could tip into saying no to the Wal-Mart and the land will remain vacant and empty, nothing will be put there, it will be empty for years and the remaining businesses will leave, the people will leave and Cudahy will be deserted.

I know from what people have said that you are against this, but you have to put this into consideration, nothing else has worked, the more we stall the more Cudahy will dig itself into a debt that we will never get out of.  This could be the last chance that Cudahy has, and I ask as a representative of your district that you support the Wal-Mart plan.

                               A Cudahy Citizen,

                                       (Removed, by request),

I sent it out, and I got a message on the machine a week later from her saying that she is not against it, however she is going to vote the way that the districts wants.  I live in District 2 of Cudahy and she told me that I'm am the 5th person to say yes to the Wal-Mart and everybody else in the district doesn't want it.  I find it hard to believe that only 5 people want it when city wide 1,150 people want it.

Like I have stated to you before, my mother is a Wal-Mart manager and there is a display there where people from Cudahy can sign up to have the Wal-Mart built.  And my mother has stated that more and more people are signing it.

Something else I found out, Schissel actually has a job [Industries of the Blind] that is boxing and shipping pencils and those pencils go to the Wal-Mart stores.  Imagine the lies people will do to better themselves.

I hope you read the articles that I sent you about McCue's former job, especially the ones about the taxes going up.  That person was right, my mother has a good friend in Cudahy who is 65, works as a secretary, single, taking care of her 91-year-old mother, her taxes went up a lot and she barely and I mean barely got them paid off.

I don't know what McCue wants in Cudahy, he needs to realize that he's is making a huge mistake not bringing this in.  I guarantee you this Randy, if McCue denies the Wal-Mart, I know this, heads are going to roll.

One more question, what are these meetings on the 5th and the 13th about, are they both public meetings or closed meetings?

One more thing I forgot to add, share my email with your bloggers and everyone else, this town needs to realize what is going on, as Hamlet stated in Act I "SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF DENMARK" Well, something is rotten in the city of Cudahy and all arrows point to McCue.

I don’t know if many of you go back to the older posts to check for comments.  Since I post everyday, some good comments can be buried quickly.  Since this subject matter is time sensitive I thought I should include it with another post in the same subject.

Randy, I see the Cobalt people are making a statement that if Monday’s meeting is shot down, there may be hope for Wal-Mart   “If Continental Properties' proposal for a Wal-Mart is not approved by city officials on Monday, a Wal-Mart could potentially be constructed on Cobalt Partners' site at Layton and Pennsylvania avenues.”

I just wonder if Cobalt is just saying this so that proposal is shotdown on purpose?

Randy you posted a letter from the Wal-Mart person saying Layton and Pennsylvania are not an option just a day before this story breaks.

Do you think it is real?  Maybe someone from the city asked Cobalt to say it so people back away from the Ice port.

With Cobalt saying this doesn’t it make a conflict for in good faith?

Yes I would like a bigger store, but is this real?

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Randy how is office space a destination?  Is that not what McCue said he would like to see on the Ice Port instead of Wal-Mart and the wave at the last meeting?  Does that fit with the master plan he raves about?  No. What a hypocrite he is!  It fits that master plan when he wants it to and not when he doesn’t.

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Randy with McCue not a fan of Wal-Mart and the others in the city showing their hand on Wal-Mart what do you think the chances of Cobalt getting Wal-Mart in? McCue will make his claim that downtown includes the Cobalt land, thus the master plan covers it so no Wal-Mart.  That guy from the place helping on the master plan he doesn’t like Wal-Mart. That is forsure. I think those who don’t want Wal-Mart and Cudahy Station to go forward make the statements to kill that project. In the process kill Wal-Mart. You pointed out before that McCue was against Wal-Mart on the Cobalt site before and noting has changed.

I just don’t like how this is all going down. Again how in good faith is this Cobalt thing? A lawsuit is coming. More money the city will have to waste. I know Joe is all about the money and with a lawsuit wasting more of our money how does it help the cause. Joe wants it to go forward with Cobalt, was he involved with them before? Is it not a part of sour grapes with the Iceport people and he worked with Cobalt? Who in the city tells the truth? Cudahy sounds like a mob city.

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Randy one other thing. You have to question the timing of all of this with Cobalt. As the Wal-Mart people said the size is what is right for Cudahy so would the size not be the same on the Cobalt development? It is based on what the cities needs are not by the location. We all assume it will get bigger, but we don’t know that is the case. Many people feel that is one reason to kill the Iceport one. But we don’t know it will be bigger. Again that questions Joes push for Cobalt if it may not be bigger.

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Larry, I don’t see Joe as having a connection with Cobalt.  He is looking out for the amount of taxes we the citizens must endure.  He may have been in office when they were looking at developing the land, but I think that is it.

You are right about the timing; yes, it strikes me as odd.  I think you hit on the same thing I said before; there is no guarantee the store on Penn and Layton will be any bigger or will happen.  

I wonder if the meeting on Monday May 12 with cobalt, is a result of a closed door meeting somewhere sometime.  Is it to backdoor Wal-Mart to the cobalt site or to force a NO vote on the Iceport?  

Look at it this way, you have those not in favor voting NO, then the YES people are divided with wanting the Wal-Mart as it is and those who want a Wal-Mart just a bigger one (a promise that may not come true) on the Penn and Layton site who would vote NO for it on the Iceport.  This could move some of the YES people over to the NO vote (but still supporting Wal-Mart) to end the Iceport with Cudahy Station.

I wonder if someone has loose lips, and has let some of this word out.  

I would not even be surprised if more people attend the Monday Plan Commission meeting (May 5th) and help to try and SHOOT DOWN the site plan.

They are going to use the argument that retail development on that site, will ruin Cudahy's downtown. (Especially, if it brings a Wal-Mart).  That is why you are hearing the extreme rumbling out there on the street.  

There is a reason why the Commission doesn’t want to vote just on the land usage like it was originally to do.  They lumped in the site plan (which had to be rushed) to help force the end to Cudahy Station.  This is all the plan.  You are right about the lawsuits that will be coming.

Could Lisa Nelson from Wal-Mart be playing me on both sides?  Sure, then again, does it matter which site Wal-Mart goes on?  NO!  Just as long as we get a Wal-Mart.

I do think you are right and have made that same conclusion that VandeWalle and Associates are not for Wal-Mart and will try to include Penn & Layton in the downtown master plan.  I was told that the former dumpsite was never even considered for anything in the old master plan, since the 1st drawings of 794 had a ramp running through the middle of the Penn and Layton site, the 2nd set only brought it up to Layton.  Remember who drew up those plans (VandeWalle and Associates) and the later expansion to Edgerton, again, no one ever gave thought that the land could ever be used for anything.  I take that back, the last Mayor and Cobalt did.

Again, Monday May 12th could be extremely interesting.  Watch to see if Wal-Mart shows up.  If they have no interest in the site, why would they come to Cobalt's presentation?

On a side note, I checked with the K-Mart store manager and the Cudahy K-Mart is 97,000 square feet and the Wal-Mart at 3355 S. 27th Street is138,000 square feet. Wal-Mart had proposed a new 99,000-square-foot Supercenter store on the south side of Kenosha.

Not sure if the timing of Barczak putting his downtown market on hold (if Wal-Mart comes in he pulls out), and Cobalt coming to the plan commission at this particular time, will help, or hurt the Wal-Mart / wave proposal.  My guess is it will kill the project and that is what the powers that be want, just not the people.  Are we getting the “We know better” than the people do attitude?  When you stand too far from the people, you cannot tell the difference of a person saying NO or YES.

The Wave's facility will be unique to the metropolitan area and will bring large numbers of soccer parents to the facility for their children's games, practices, etc.  It is certainly predictable that these people will be shopping in Cudahy before and after games and during practices.  And there is ample local and national evidence of soccer's growing popularity here and throughout the country.  $$$$$$$$

Some people at the Plan Commission meeting were upset with the TIF being used for the Wave.  These people fail to recognize that an investment in a sports center creates jobs and generates tax monies.  The tax monies come not only from the employment of local people, but also from the salaries of out of town athletes that train & those who will use the convention center.  They also fail to see the investment for Cudahy Students that can use the facility during school for FREE.  The quality of life that having the Wave Center brings to the Cudahy area far exceeds the more traditional job creation and other tax revenue areas.  $$$$$$$$$$

Many of the Wave’s office people will have their offices at the center.  $$$$$$

The academy would feature 60,000 square feet of training space for both indoor soccer and futsal (five-on-five game) and will serve the estimated 100,000 soccer players who live within 100 miles of Cudahy.  $$$$$$$$

The facility could provide training for 250 to 500 players a day, with the center led by Wave coach Keith Tozer, who would serve as academy director, and the Wave's all-time leading scorer Michael King, who would manage the training programs.  The center would provide professional quality training to children and adults in the same way the Wave trains.  If approved, the training academy is expected to be completed by 2009.

The benefit to those who live in town and to those who will be coming in (with copious disposable income) to shop, eat or take advantage of the Wave's programs is likely to be more positive than some seem to think. 

If Cudahy wants to move forward, let it start here…let it start now. 

"Poor People have been voting for Democrats for the last 50 years, .............and they are still poor."

- Sir Charles Barkley

In case you missed M. Schroeder’s post in the public forum on April 25, 2008, I felt it was important to repeat.

http://www.cudahynow.com/story/index.aspx?id=743633

Clarifying Details on Wave Premier Training Academy

Milwaukee Wave

Joe Henika's post on April 16 regarding Cudahy Station and the Milwaukee Wave Premier Training Academy contained some claims that deserve some clarification.

The Wave's 61,000-square-foot facility will be unlike any in the state, if not the nation.  It will feature a regulation-size Major Indoor Soccer League field with turf, boards and glass that will be the training home of the Wave, along with four regulation futsal courts dedicated to high-level training of players of all ages.  The indoor facilities in north Milwaukee (Uihlein) and out in Brookfield each have three permanent indoor fields, but no futsal courts.  The Milwaukee County Sports Complex in Franklin, meanwhile, has only the four-futsal courts.  The Wave's facility will be able to accommodate more players than any of these other locations.

Covering approximately 40,000 square feet, the hard-surface futsal courts have been designed to meet the needs of the Cudahy Chamber of Commerce, allowing for easy conversion to exposition center space.  With the facility's multiple uses, the Wave expects it to attract more than 500,000 visitors annually.

The Milwaukee Wave is a for-profit company entering their 25th year of operation.  They have earned 15 consecutive postseason appearances on the field, and run the state's most successful summer camp program in the off-season.