Attention – Two posts today!!!!!

One of my major issues with Cudahy’s local government with Mayor McCue at the forefront is lack of communication and transparency.

While at a meeting at City Hall, someone came up to me and said, “There is a plan to have TIF money used to remodel City Hall.

It would include utilities (phone, network, Internet, electric) to be charged back to the TIF and the office space to be rented from City Hall and charged to the TIF.

How can TIF money be used to fix up and remodel City Hall for the Director of Economic Development’s office at City Hall if the .5 mile outside the TIF allowed is exceeded at City Hall?”

So in a nutshell, I asked the basic question to the Cudahy elected officials:

“How can TIF money be used to fix up and remodel City Hall for the Director of Economic Development’s office at City Hall if the .5 mile outside the TIF allowed is exceeded at City Hall?”

I did so after another person said that yes, there was a plan out there from which they understood was the office could have been remodeled and the utilities and office space could have been rented to the TIF district.

I found out that plan was not agreed upon and never acted on.  That it was a plan that was just out there for discussion.

There was “NO” TIF money used on building the office for the Economic Development

Director (Lara Fritts).  Instead, the Mayor asked that the money be taken out of Mary Jo Lange's

(DPW) budget.

TIF Money was proposed but not approved for the City Hall office remodel.  Those expenditures will hit the 2009 General Fund Budget. 

One person did say they did hear about the renting but, they haven't seen anything to confirm that from Ehlers nor the city’s Auditors. 

If the question is: Can the city expense 2009 utilities for Ms. Fritts’s office to TIF?  Their answer would be, “Maybe.”

It wouldn't be rent but rather a journal entry.  If the city can and wanted to do this, they would need to make a journal entry by end of this year.

Mr. Williamson, the comptroller, has ultimate control which fund expenses go under.  But the Common Council has not given direction to use funds in this matter.  It also wasn't included in the Director Economic Developer's Budget (which I posted).

I was told that Ms. Fritts's salary is considered an administrative cost for TIF.  Expenses for her office possibly could be considered under the same administrative cost guidelines.  This something that was considered, but the Council didn't approve.

The state has strict guidelines for TIF funds.  The city is audited each year including TIF.

So bottom lining this:

The answer is "No"; the Common Council has not authorized the use of TIF for the office remodel.

The answer is "No"; the Common Council has not authorized the use of TIF for Ms. Fritts’s office utility expenses.

So until the Council takes some other action, the answer is "No".  I'm also not aware of any plans to take any action.

Any changes in the future would require Council Approval.

I, as others, was and am not a supporter of taking the money out of the DPW budget.  Taking away from the DPW that provides service, to fund an office remodel, takes away from the citizens, who utilize their services. 

I would have liked the office that in the past with Jack Vaccaro at the People’s Credit Union used.  A space that Paul Burkhardt and the Cudahy Chamber of Commerce in the past have allowed to be used for free.

It was my understanding that the Chamber didn't offer and the city didn't ask to use it.  Partly because the Mayor would be working hand and hand with Ms. Fritts and there were concerns of driving back and forth.  Insurance and weather conditions, I was told played a factor. 

Well with NO City use vehicle policy in place, I would be scared as well.

So where did this all come from in the first place?  Was it a rumor or did it have a bases of truth.  Well go back to December of 2008

The Cudahy Common Council, under the leadership of Mayor Ryan McCue, just spent $150,000 on renovations of city hall, and now I see this on the Dec 16th council agenda.

“Discussion and appropriate action regarding creation of office space for the new director of economic development, not to exceed $7,500, 80% paid by TIF, 20% from reserves.”

So, if the City of Cudahy would spend a little bit of the time and effort they are giving to the new Economic Development Director Lara Fritts’s website http://www.cudahy4business.com/ on the City website all of the TIF/TID information would be online for anyone to peruse and find the answers we so desperately need and deserve.

It comes to a head that Mayor McCue just doesn’t care if the City website is updated and the people are informed.  He must want us to be that way for a reason!  WHY????

BTW, Lara Fritts is using the same web person that the city used and wanted to keep using until we entered into a pact with the Milwaukee County tech people.  So why is she not using them and when is the City’s website going to be updated?

More on the City’s website this weekend!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

People I would like to see on it!

Jerry Kotarak of K-Ranch

Lee Barczak of The Sheridan’s

Kevin at Dad's [tailor] Shop

Alderman Joe Mikolajczak

Any member of the police department would fit right in

Myself

Jack Vaccaro

I just wonder why I have not heard anything on why nothing is being done on the log or, for that matter, the policy concerning the use of City Use Vehicles.

It cannot be that hard to find another city’s template policy and modify it for Cudahy!  It cannot be too hard to log in and out the cars since other cities do it and so does the private sector.

I hope this subject didn’t get bogged down because of resistance from those who could be using the cars.  That would almost sound like foul play is going on and would want to be continued.

Let us hope and pray that it was not killed to scratch someone’s back to get other proposals moving forward. 

I understand picking your battles, but this should not be a battle and if it is, that MUST be a sign of wrong doing!

Maybe the radio or newspaper personalities should be talking about “Why this hasn’t been done already once it was brought to light!”

We already found out with "NO" paper trail, "NO" accountability!

Hopefully someone gets this info to the insurance company provider that the city doesn’t want to correct this violation of "NO" accountability if damage occurs to the cars or someone else’s property.

Mandatory sick pay, it will have a negative effect on jobs and companies that are located in cities that have them.  I hope the Cudahy Common Council placed an ordinance that would prevent mandatory sick pay from coming to town.

Let us follow the lead of West Allis, South Milwaukee, and Waukesha in getting this done.

Looks like Franklin is going to do it as well!

http://www.franklinnow.com/watch/?watch=40&date=1/8/2009&id=49318

Those that place opposition to it will be those who are not business friendly/pro-business.

Jay Weber’s Podcast “Milwaukee's sick-leave mandate leads to businesses either closing or moving”

Click Here

West Allis, South Milwaukee move to prevent mandatory sick pay

Here are highlights – Full article here

Scared by results of a referendum that will force Milwaukee employers to provide paid sick days, two suburbs have adopted ordinances that prohibit their common councils from imposing wage or benefit requirements on private businesses.

Attorney Daniel Finerty, who is helping employers prepare for the Milwaukee mandate, said the direct-legislation referendum approved by Milwaukee voters in November very likely would trump ordinances adopted this month by West Allis and South Milwaukee.

But at minimum, said West Allis Ald. Michael Czaplewski, the ordinances "put up barricades" to anything like the sick days referendum that passed overwhelmingly in Milwaukee.

Czaplewski, who owns a West Allis jewelry store that has two part-time employees, said supporters of the sick days measure don't realize it will result in job cuts.

"The people who sponsored the whole referendum, they obviously don't know business," he said.  "Small business can't afford to offer things like that.  By putting that on them, you're not only going to hurt the small business, you're going to hurt the people who work for them, too."

The West Allis ordinance was adopted 9-0, with one alderman absent; the South Milwaukee ordinance, patterned after the West Allis ordinance, was adopted 6-0, with two aldermen absent.

Besides Milwaukee, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., also mandate that private business provide paid sick days.

http://www.southmilwaukeenow.com/story/index.aspx?id=830327

Public officials ward off private sector say

Employee pay, benefits cannot be mandated

By ISRAL DEBRUIN

idebruin@cninow.com

Posted: Dec. 23, 2008

City officials are hoping to prevent a South Milwaukee version of the paid sick leave referendum passed in Milwaukee this fall — and the resulting lawsuit brought by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce.

The South Milwaukee Common Council on Dec. 16 passed an ordinance that prevents local residents from doing exactly what Milwaukee voters did: mandating specific employee pay or benefits to private employers within city limits.

Mayor Tom Zepecki said the South Milwaukee ordinance has as much to do with saving taxpayer money as with ideology.

“We just don’t want to get caught up in that kind of turmoil,” Zepecki said of MMAC’s lawsuit against the city of Milwaukee.

But the mayor also disagrees with Milwaukee’s paid sick leave referendum on principle.

“I kind of believe in separation of government and private industry, as best as it can occur,” Zepecki said.

Alderman Mike McCarthy said he agrees.

“I don’t feel the city should be in a position to dictate benefits and wages,” McCarthy said.

Paid sick leave

On Nov. 4, a majority of voters in Milwaukee enacted mandatory paid sick leave for all employees.  MMAC is in the process of filing suit against the city, challenging the legality of the ordinance and contending it is already having a chilling effect on Milwaukee commerce.

Voters passed the ordinance by using a Wisconsin statutory right for direct legislation via referendum.  South Milwaukee City Attorney Joseph Murphy said this statute and applicable case law only apply to topics not already governed by legislation.  Under the statute, voters can create a law, but cannot change or erase an existing one.

South Milwaukee’s legislation, now that it is on the books, should suffice to prevent a repeat of the Milwaukee situation here, Murphy said.

Scott Post, West Allis city attorney, and Dan Thompson, executive director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, said they agreed with Murphy’s interpretation of direct legislation.  West Allis has passed legislation similar to South Milwaukee’s.

MMAC applauds

Steve Baas, government affairs director for MMAC, said the organization is pleased but surprised at the new suburban ordinances. Baas said more suburban communities may follow suit.

“I think that most governments and leaders understand the anti-competitive impact that the sick leave ordinance here in Milwaukee is having,” Baas said.  “I think they understandably want to protect their own economies and their own businesses from that sort of thing happening in their own backyard.”

South Milwaukee City Administrator Tami Mayzik said the ordinance was not prompted by any specific incident.

“The reason that we moved forward with it more than anything was to protect the taxpayers from any unnecessary legal costs,” Mayzik said. “Whatever I can do to avoid that, I will do.”

Aldermen R. Patrick Stoner and Ramon Navarro were absent from the 6-0 vote.

Sick pay meets more opposition

Waukesha County chamber sees Milwaukee ordinance as threat

By Joe Taschler of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Dec. 30, 2008

Waukesha - The Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce plans to aggressively oppose Milwaukee's sick-leave ordinance, saying it would create a negative business climate for the region and have consequences for companies doing business in the city regardless of where the firms are based.

"This is a direct threat to the success of businesses not only in Milwaukee, but Waukesha County, too," said Brian Nemoir, a member of the chamber's board.

Nemoir owns a communications firm in Delafield.

"It's very easy to say, 'Hey, this is bad for Milwaukee so it must be good for Waukesha.' Then you sit down with business owners," he said.  It becomes clear the ordinance is something that concerns them greatly, Nemoir said.

The Waukesha County chamber is joining the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce in opposing the measure.

"We're not going to merely sit and applaud MMAC's efforts," Nemoir said.  "We're going to aggressively engage on this."

The MMAC has filed suit to block the ordinance.  The MMAC includes 2,000 employers with 300,000 employees in the metro area.

Accounting nightmare?

The Waukesha Chamber is concerned that the movement will spread beyond Milwaukee's city limits.

"The supporters of this effort will not rest at the county border," Nemoir said.

The chamber also opposes the ordinance on the grounds that it would create a recordkeeping tangle where any employee who does work in the city of Milwaukee must have their hours tracked separately from when they are working elsewhere.

"It's just an accounting nightmare," said Patti Wallner, president of the Waukesha County chamber.

In arguing for a temporary restraining order to block the ordinance, MMAC lawyers say it "unconstitutionally regulates employers located outside the Milwaukee city limits."

The restraining order request also argues that the ordinance "requires that paid sick leave be provided to all employees who work in the city regardless of the location of their employer," according to the petition.

Jeff Hynes, an employment lawyer who has served as a staff attorney for the National Labor Relations Board, said it appears there is some ambiguity in the ordinance regarding the issue of where workers are working and how that applies to sick leave.

"That is a matter that needs to be ironed out," he said.

He added, though, that the issue is something that can be fairly easily resolved and does not appear to be an onerous regulation for businesses.

"This law requires things that employers here are already doing," he said, adding that he has not taken a position on the ordinance.

The Common Council Agenda – Who and How

Revisiting the Common Council Agenda

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some would say that that causes a walking quorum. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repeat!

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

Now or in the future!

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

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

Expends funds as authorized by the Council's budget

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

Hires city employees and may remove them

Investigates and acts on complaints

Negotiates and administers contracts and agreements

Represents the City at conferences, meetings, and committees

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

How do I get an item placed on the Agenda?

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

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

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

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

Make sure you have explained in detail your concern.

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

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

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

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

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

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

While open record requests for public information is new to Cudahy and the City Hall people, it is not a new thing in most cities.  I had the chance to meet a few fellow bloggers recently and many of them do them all the time.  While there is a link on the city website, it is not easily found. 

So here it is: http://www.ci.cudahy.wi.us/CityDepartments/Clerk/RecordsRequest.html

I am also told that many times in years past the form might not have been used and if you requested something, the city would just give it to you without filling it out.

In Cudahy, the people doing the open requests are looked bad upon and chastised, they should be applauded.  A few people do not want things to be looked into.  Why is what you must ask yourself?  The city should not be making filling the request hard as it is give just about the highest priority.

What has been requested you might ask?

For one is email.  I was told that the city wants to charge $175 an hour to pull the emails together.  Talking to my counterparts, that cost is way too much, just as Orville Seymer of CRG has stated as well. 

I was told Orville showed the City of Cudahy how the data is to be collected and transferred to a CD.  I listed below a few links of a fellow blogger who has done an open records request for email and included a recall blog she did.

Attorney Brad Hoeschen, who represents Sportsites, said an open records request was submitted to Eberhardy, requesting to inspect city e-mails.  http://www.cudahynow.com/watch/?watch=28&date=12/10/2008&id=48849

Folks we need to get used to these open record requests because from here on out, I do think people running for Mayor or any elected position will be doing them.  I know I would be.  I would check emails, phone records, gift contributions, text messages and the likes.  This is called “Data Mining” and is not a witch-hunt.  Once more it is not a fishing expedition for engaging in a witch-hunt but a legal process to make information and the government more transparent and honest!

Again, while many people think open record requests are a bad thing and waste money, it is quite the opposite.  It is a tool to make sure the city public servants are honest.  It is a check and balance system.  It is something that will be used from now on.  It is something the city of Cudahy needs to just accept and live with.  The public is no longer going to sit back and be in the dark. 

Some things are online and it is nice to over look whom people are connected to or where money goes.

Campaign Finance Report

http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/election/candidateResources/campaignFinance/2005/WIPEOPLE1.pdf

City of Franklin blogger open record requests.  Notice how detailed they are.  I have been asked to place up the records that has already been done for Cudahy like the Credit Card statements, work calendar, and phone number dump.

http://blogs.franklinnow.com/in_the_race/archive/2008/01/04/final-emails-record-request-04-07.aspx

http://blogs.franklinnow.com/in_the_race/archive/2008/01/03/communications-grade-quot-f-quot-email-50-51.aspx#comments

Recall

http://blogs.franklinnow.com/in_the_race/archive/2008/01/01/update-school-board-members-recall-petition.aspx#comments

Side Notes - During the summer, for those who did not know that deputy clerk / confidential secretary Judy Masarak quit, I would like to thank her for her service and helping me in the past.

The city brought back Carolyn Thoms-Neary as director of office services. 

While keeping a theme of politics.

If you remember I did “Elected Or Appointed” about how I don’t think we should appoint but keep clerk/treasurer positions elect able.  I know Mayor McCue and some of the Common Counsel members would like to have the clerk and treasurer appointed and I still think that is the wrong direction and takes the control from the people.

Here is what happen in Vernon when asked about making a similar change.   Notice the percent of the outcome and Cudahy leaders please take note.

By Amy Nixon

Wednesday, Nov 5 2008, 08:43 AM

Vernon town residents voted "no" to appointing the clerk/treasurer positions in a referendum last night.  2,786 (62%) voted not to appoint, while 1,711 (38%) voted to appoint over elect.

http://community.livinglakecountry.com/blogs/lake_country_watch/archive/2008/11/05/vernon-will-not-appoint-town-clerk-treasurer.aspx

On Oct. 29, 2007, Molly Collins of Wisconsin Wins, reported that “Within the City of Cudahy 23.81% of the surveyed retailers with tobacco retail license allowed minors to have access to tobacco products after one of two surveys were performed earlier this month.”

She further went on to say, “The selling of a tobacco product to a minor is illegal and violates municipal law.  Owners and employees of establishments who possess tobacco retail license are strongly advised to always ask for identification in order to verify that a customer is of legal age when requesting to purchase tobacco products.

This is the fifth year that the Wisconsin Wins (WI Wins) campaign is being conducted.  Retailers in surrounding municipalities and counties undergo the same inspection.  The WI Wins project was launched in 2002 to assure compliance with Federal Synar regulation.  Synar requires states to maintain a youth tobacco access rate of less than 20%.”

Source

Fast forward to July 28, 2008, it was reported that eight retail workers were cited for selling cigarettes to minors and the identification of a ninth offender is pending, Cudahy police officials said.

On July 19, Cudahy police officers, James Karweik and Andrew Ayala, teamed up with representatives of the Wisconsin Wins project, a state-based initiative designed to decrease youth access to tobacco, Cudahy Police Lt. David Aamodt said.

During the sting, a 15-year-old volunteer attempted to buy cigarettes from 31 Cudahy businesses.  Nine businesses sold cigarettes to the minor. 

The violators are:

Gerry's Inn, 4767 S. Packard Ave.,

Speedway Gas Station, 4944 S. Packard Ave.,

Stingray's bar, 5132 S. Packard Ave.,

Whiskey River tavern, 5260 S. Packard Ave.,

Benn There tavern, 5270 S. Packard Ave.,

CVS Pharmacy, 5740 S. Packard Ave.,

The Country Club, 5928 S. Packard Ave.,

Citgo gas station, 2415 E. Layton Ave.,

Citgo gas station, 2400 E. College Ave.,

Source

Many of you might have picked up that I am not in favor of smoking in general.  I am very adamant that under age smoking is bad and not just because it is against the law.  I cannot tell you how many times, while working at K-Mart, parents would come in to buy the smokes for their children.  Many times the parents would say, it is only illegal to sell them to minors not that they cannot smoke.

When I would drop off my younger sister at Bay View and just see the kids smoking at school and to find out my little sister smoked and her friend’s mom would buy them for her, it would just upset me.  I didn’t tattle on her, I did look the other way.  She quit smoking on her own after it was no longer the cool thing to do with her friends.

As a kid, I tried smoking twice, a regular Marlboro Red and Newport menthol.  Didn’t like either.  I swiped them from my grandparents.  My grandma died six years later from lung cancer.

I will probably lose an aunt to lung cancer later this year as well.

Cudahy needs to kick the habit of selling to minors, not just because it is against the law, but because it is the right thing.  People will smoke, but you don’t need easy access for kids to develop the bad habit which is hard to break.  Just ask my aunt Ellen who is on oxygen and still cannot quit the thing that will kill her.  

Why just one cigarette can hook some smokers

Study: Region of the brain may explain vulnerability to nicotine addiction

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26043695/

Here is an email I received

“Randy, I'm a Democrat and I support Obama.  However, one bill he's purposing to sign if he gets elected might change my vote.  My mother’s place of work had a meeting about it.

This could change the whole workforce everywhere if Obama is elected.

Source and full article Here”

Indeed, Big Labor is launching its largest political campaign in its history, and this year, more than ever, Big Labor means Big Money.  The two largest union coalitions — the AFL-CIO and the "Change to Win" Federation, a coalition of labor unions formed in 2005 as an alternative to the AFL-CIO — admit that they will spend at least $300 million on federal elections alone.  When combined with political action committees, local unions and other union funders, at least $1 billion of pro-union money is being dumped into electioneering.  You can bet the union bosses expect a lot of "change" from Obama next year on labor law.  An Obama administration — possibly coupled with a filibuster-proof Senate — will feel a real sense of obligation to repay Big Labor that supported them.

Top on the Big Labor agenda is the "Employee Free Choice Act" (EFCA), which is better described as the Employee 'No Free Choice' Act.  If it passes, employees would be subjected to a "card check" system, which effectively requires them to declare publicly their support or opposition to unionizing their shop.  Without the protection of the secret ballot, workers would be subject to coercion and deceptive practices by pro-union forces.  Mandatory card check union drives will mean that millions more American workers will be forced to join unions and facing the "choice" between paying union dues or being fired.  Both President Bush and John McCain have said they would veto this union power grab, while Obama is a co-sponsor and leading advocate.

Another pro-union bill on the fast track is the misnamed "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act.”  If it becomes law, the bill would force state and local governments to collectively bargain with union officials over all contracts involving police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.  This would be required even in "Right to Work" states that currently guarantee workers the right to choose whether or not to join a union.  Public safety employees would no longer be permitted to bargain individually and could be forced to accept the union's "representation" — like it or not.  The bill would also facilitate union efforts to stamp out the proud tradition of volunteer firefighting.  It would create massive unfunded mandates by imposing significant additional costs on state and local governments which are not reimbursed by the federal government.

Like the other bills, the police and firefighter unionization bill has so far been blocked — barely — in the Senate, backstopped by a Bush veto threat.  But it would likely be unstoppable under an Obama presidency.  One of Obama's pet projects is the Patriot Employers Act, which he introduced last August.  The bill offers incentives — in the form of tax breaks — to employers that comply with a litany of Big Labor demands.  To get these tax breaks, companies need to agree to eliminate secret ballot elections for unionizing in their shop and to enforce a gag rule on truthful speech about the downsides of unionization.

An Obama White House will also seek law changes that prohibit permanent replacement of striking workers.  Under current law, an employer has the right to continue operating during a strike by hiring replacement workers.  In advocating a ban on striker replacements, Obama's message is clear — union-ordered strikes would be automatic winners, and American workplaces would come to a screeching halt in the face of extortionate union demands.

Obama would also invariably promote the ultimate, though rarely spoken, goal of Big Labor: ending the rights of "Right to Work" states to preserve the rights of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union.  All Right to Work protections would be eliminated by repealing Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley Act.  Without this provision, forced unionism would prevail in all states, and states could not protect private sector workers from union demands to pay dues to them as a condition of employment.  This would be a huge win for unions and pro-union candidates — literally billions of additional dollars in new coerced dues would flow into Big Labor's coffers which could be used to support pro-union candidates.  So the union bosses have found their man.  With their billion-dollar bet on Barack Obama, they know that the payoff of new union coercive powers will be worth the trouble.

McCain campaign charges Obama playing race card

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

I just wanted everyone to know that the Finance Committee voted to sell off the cities car fleet.  One will be kept for the engineering department.  The other 7 are to be sold off. 

Also the committee, directed the Mayor to create a car use reimbursement policy.

So if someone has a meeting in Green Bay they can drive their own car and get paid mileage.

I hope the proper records will be kept for the mileage reimbursement.

I would like to thank Aldermen Mark Otto and Joe Mikolajczak for the updated info.  It is very nice when people in city government have the lines of communication open and share the info freely and without asking for it. 

Thanks again!!!

Obama Changes His Stance on his Website to Reflect "Current Events"

Obama has removed criticism of the Troop "Surge" in Iraq on his Website this weekend.  His website described the Surge as a "problem" that did not reduce any violence.  Obama stuck deep within the democrat party lines and was heavily against the surge.

Obama’s site used to read, "The surge is not working.”  The statement also said that it was the work for the Sunni sheiks to curb the violence, not the US military.

Insurgent attacks have fallen to the fewest since March 2004.  Now Obama’s new plan states an "improved security situation" paid for with the blood of U.S. troops.  An Obama aide states they often update the site to reflect changes in "current events.”

Source: www.nydailynews.com

This is not a flip-flop, just a change of Obama’s mind.  People can change their minds.  As new information is found, things change.  He is just adapting to change, that is all.

Randy, just in case you were not aware of what ANWR really looks like.  Here is an email I received explaining it. 

Original Author unknown.

FIRST… do you know what ANWR is?

ANWR = Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Now…  A comparison

And some perspective…

 

NOTE WHERE THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AREA IS…

(it's in the "ANWR Coastal Plain")

 

THIS IS WHAT THE DEMOCRATS, LIBERALS AND "GREENS" SHOW YOU WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT ANWR

…and they are right… these ARE photographs of ANWR

 

ISN'T ANWR BEAUTIFUL?  WHY SHOULD WE DRILL HERE (AND DESTROY) THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE?

WELL… THAT'S NOT EXACTLY THE TRUTH

Do you remember the map?

Do you remember the map?

The map showed that the proposed drilling area is in the ANWR Coastal Plain

Do those photographs look like a coastal plain to you?

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE…

THAT IS NOT WHERE THEY ARE WANTING TO DRILL!

THIS IS WHAT THE PROPOSED EXPLORATION AREA ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE IN THE WINTER

 

AND THIS IS WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE IN THE SUMMER

 

HERE ARE A COUPLE SCREEN SHOTS FROM GOOGLE EARTH

 

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE AREA WHERE THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT DRILLING IS A BARREN WASTELAND.

OH… AND THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL WILDLIFE…

HERE IS A PHOTO (SHOT DURING THE SUMMER) OF THE
"DEPLETED WILDLIFE" SITUATION CREATED BY DRILLING AROUND PRUDHOE BAY *…
DON'T YOU THINK THAT THE CARIBOU REALLY HATE THAT DRILLING?

 

HERE'S THAT SAME SPOT DURING THE WINTER.

 

HEY, THIS BEAR SEEMS TO REALLY HATE THE PIPELINE NEAR PRUDHOE BAY *…

 

*The Prudhoe Bay area accounts for 17% of U.S. domestic oil production

NOW, WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE LYING ABOUT ANWR?

REMEMBER WHEN AL GORE SAID THAT
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK TO ARTIFICIALLY RAISE GAS PRICES
TO $5.00 A GALLON?

WELL…

AL GORE AND HIS FELLOW DEMOCRATS HAVE ALMOST REACHED THEIR GOAL!

NOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN LYING,
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun-control Laws By John R. Lott

Does allowing people to own or carry guns deter violent crime?  Or does it simply cause more citizens to harm each other?  Directly challenging common perceptions about gun control, legal scholar John Lott presents the most rigorously comprehensive data analysis ever done on crime statistics and right-to-carry laws.  This timely and provocative work comes to the startling conclusion: more guns mean less crime.

Preview the book here

I have already covered guns and the laws for them.  As I found out Wisconsin already has an open carry law.

Wisconsin Summary 

Wisconsin is an open carry state.  They have complete state preemption for firearms laws.  However, you may not openly carry a firearm in a vehicle.

Legal Disclaimer

We make every effort to provide correct information on this site.  However, the legal landscape surrounding open carry is fluid and subject to a myriad of political influences in the various states.  Therefore, any and all information you glean from this site should be independently verified!

State Constitution         Article I, Section 25

The people have the right to keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation or any other lawful purpose.

Minimum Age to OC    18

Preemption       Complete State Preemption of All Firearm Laws

NOTE: Almost all states allow local regulation of the discharge of firearms

Open Car Carry           You may NOT open carry in a car.

Private Sales     Not Yet Determined

Permit Issued    Not Yet Determined

K-12 Carry      Not Yet Determined

NOTE: The Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act Restricts Carry to Permit Holders

College Carry   Carry Prohibited by Statute

NOTE: Even if Legal, Students May be Subject to Academic Sanctions

Places Off Limits          None

State Law         •           Wisconsin Statutes

Official Documents       •           Governor Doyle Acknowledges Legality of Open Carry

State Organizations      

Local Ordinances        

Concealed Carry          Available at Handgunlaw.us

Source

While I already gave my thoughts why I do not support the Sales Tax increase, I thought it was important to post both sides of the coin.  I emailed 8th District Milwaukee County Supervisor Patricia Jursik for her reason for voting yes and she emailed me back, very quickly I may add, a link with her reasoning.  I have included District #17 Milwaukee County Supervisor Joe Sanfelippo response to why he voted no and does not support the referendum. 

Keep in mind, when has a sales tax been reduced, and when do you say enough is enough and look at what can be done to lower the costs?

Here are two sides of the County Board Approves Sales Tax Referendum

Patricia Jursik

8th District Milwaukee County Supervisor Patricia Jursik

901 N. 9th Street, Courthouse RM 201, Milwaukee, WI 53233

Phone: 414-278-4231 Fax: 414-223-1380

E-mail: patricia.jursik@milwcnty.com

Website: http://www.milwaukee.gov/Jursik

Source

Parks, Transit & Paramedics Funding; Property Tax Relief

The County Board passed a non-binding, advisory referendum question to ask voters whether they would approve a 1% sales tax to pay for parks, recreation and culture; transit; and emergency medical services (EMS).  This would provide property tax relief by removing $67 million from the property tax levy.  It would also provide additional money to purchase buses (currently we have depleted our bus replacement program) and to care for our deteriorating parks, which have also faced cuts over the last 5 to 7 years.

It is estimated that an owner of a home valued at $150,000 would save about $165 on the property tax bill.  A 1% increase in purchases subject to the sales tax would also collect revenue from visitors who enjoy Milwaukee County’s amenities.  While I would have preferred asking the question in a different way with perhaps a ½ cent hike, I voted yes on the question to give constituents an opportunity to indicate whether they want parks and transit preserved by taking these systems off the property tax levy and paying through a dedicated sales tax.  It is my pledge to educate voters on the referendum question before the November 4 election.  I will honor the will of the voters.  It must be made clear that if we choose to say No, the Board will need to make deep cuts in both transit and parks spending.

County Board Approves Sales Tax Referendum

By Joe Sanfelippo

Milwaukee County Supervisor

Source

Last week the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors by a vote of 12-6 voted to put a referendum on the November ballot asking Milwaukee County residents to approve a 1% increase to the County Sales tax.  I was one of the six that voted against the resolution.

I cast my no vote for a variety of reasons, the first of which is the misleading wording of the referendum.  The referendum asks whether you favor a 1% county sales tax increase, with proceeds to fund parks, transit, emergency medical services and property tax relief.  On the surface, it appears that a yes vote for the sales tax increase will result in a reduction of your taxes.  On the contrary, a yes vote will RAISE taxes.

Currently, the County Tax Levy for the parks, transit system and EMS services totals $67 million dollars.  The 1% sales tax increase will cost taxpayers an extra $130 million dollars per year, $63 million dollars more than you are currently paying to fund these programs through the property tax roles.  In reality, a yes vote is a vote to RAISE overall taxes.

Second, imposing a new tax dedicated for "transit funding" amounts to double taxation.  The State of Wisconsin will collect $1.5 billion dollars in 2008 for transit funding from gasoline taxes, vehicle title and registration fees.  A reasonable estimate is that almost $200 million dollars of that tax will be collected in Milwaukee County.  Why do we need another transit tax when we already have one?

Since entering office, Governor Doyle has taken nearly $1 billion dollars out of the transportation trust fund and spent it on non-transportation items.  Rather than burdening the taxpayers with another tax, we should be working with the Senate and Assembly in Madison to stop the Governor from raiding the transportation fund, and to properly fund transit programs.  We don't need to collect more taxes, we just need to use the money already being collected for the reason it is being collected in the first place.

Third, sales taxes are regressive, meaning they hurt some people more than others.  Studies have shown that lower income people, the working poor and seniors living on fixed incomes, pay as much as five times more of their income in sales taxes than the most financially well off citizens.  Simply put, those earning the least in our County will feel the hardest hit.

If the referendum makes it onto the November ballot, and it appears that it will, please remember that a yes vote in reality is a vote for a tax increase.

Joe Sanfelippo

Milwaukee County Supervisor

District #17

Shall the State of Wisconsin grant Milwaukee County the authority to provide property tax relief of at least sixty-five million dollars ($65 million) by levying a one percent (1%) county sales and use tax to be used to removed the following three items from the property tax levy: parks recreation culture, transit and emergency medical services (EMS)?
YES
NO

It has come to light that the city use vehicles (four of them not including Police/Fire) have not been logged for mileage or use.  It is true that this has been going on for many years and many Mayors.  Each time it was talked about getting fixed it was forgotten.  

So any valid city employee with access to the key board can walk in say they are taking the car, grab the keys, use the city valid gas card to fill up the car at the city gas station and drive away.  We are not and have not tracked the use of the car. 

Now I was told that the city people get a car allowance and have very few needs to use the city cars.  This brings to light and makes me scratch my head to why would we do not log and track the car use.  That opens up the floodgates for the cars to be improperly used.  I understand that there are insurance problems with having non-valid personnel in the cars, just as there are insurance problems with the use of personal cars for city business. 

My guess is taxpayers have paid more in gas, maintenance, insurance, for the unlogged city use cars then we should have.  This may not be done on purpose, but with no oversight or procedures to make sure, your guess is as good as mine.

Here is what I emailed:

It has come to light that the city use vehicles (four of them) have not been logged for mileage and use.  It is true that this has been going on for many years and many Mayors.

I am told that a post-it is placed on the keys with something like "I need the car on Wednesday".  One would think that the insurance company would want to have car use tracked.  Do we (Cudahy) have any car use policies and procedures in place?

Are there policies and security checks in place to prevent someone from using the gas card in the city vehicles from pumping gas into non-city vehicles at the city gas station?

Are there state regulations that require logs to be kept?

I would like to know if this is true and why it has not been fixed over the years.  This shows that improper car use would be next to impossible to find and correct.  I would think that city car use for in city and out of city should be tracked and I think most Cudahy residents would agree.

Randy Hollenbeck

He is what Mark Otto had to say. 

“You make a good point about the car use.  As for a car use policy, we probably don't have an official written policy.  As you may remember from the Mayor's state of the city, we don't even have an employee handbook.  I don't know the status of the project, but we hired a temp to help document practices and procedures.

The other thing to consider, the finance committee has discussed getting rid of the fleet.  It will more then likely be discussed again in July's finance meeting.”

The adding of business conditions on Cudahy Station is tricky, because of the involvement of the council and CDA.  If a business is not regulated by municipal ordinance or code (roller rinks hours of operation are in city code, for example), then it would be up to the Plan Commission to put any additional restrictions on a business.  The Plan Commission has certain powers and they could have made any reasonable conditions, such as hours of operation, noise, landscaping, at the Plan Commission level. 

However, here is the tricky part, because this is a public / private partnership between business and government (council and CDA), either or both body could ask for business conditions to be added into the development agreement, or as additional conditions (an addendum) to the agreement.  The key here is ask.  So far they have not asked.  McCue made a mention of it in his reason for not explaining, but the conditions were not asked yet.  But usually, main restrictions would be at the Plan Commission level and would have been set in advance for both parties to look at.  This did not occur.

Razing fees for big box stores is something that I brought up at the first Master Plan meeting and is something that should be hammered in to any big deal.  Don’t get me wrong, I want the Wal-Mart in Cudahy, but it needs to be a nice looking store and has to have the right conditions on it.  I think putting in a clause that will either force Wal-Mart to find a new tenant in reasonable defined time or include something which assesses developers a fee that can be used for demolition if needed, as counterproductive to attracting new business, is needed.

We need to protect the city from unneeded and unsightly vacant sites, so-called ghost boxes, the remains of what are often big box stores left vacant when retailers downsize, relocate or go out of business.

Hours of operation – I am in support of a 24-hour store as long as crime during that time doesn’t increase.  Typically, Supercenters are open 24 hours and with its location just next to Patrick Cudahy, which employs people who work all shifts, it makes sense.  It would be nice when the kids get sick late at night to be able to shop close to home at anytime.  The Walgreen’s is no longer open 24 hours with the closest one in South Milwaukee, I was told from a manger at the Cudahy store.  I say let the store stay open for the 24-hours but watch it for crime at those hours, if after a set time period, 6, 9 months or 1 year mark, look over the crime reports.  Why get all upset about something that may not happen, why not do the right thing and watch for it?  It may not even be a problem.

Lighting – Work with the Police department, the city personnel and the citizens on the lighting.  Make sure the lighting is very good, yet is not over done for the residents who will complain.

Noise – Use nature barriers like shrubs and bushes rather than fences where you can.  It will give a good look as well as natural look and appeal.  The use of Evergreens is best since it will keep its foliage year-round.

Look at these things as well - adopt a big-box ordinance that requires developers of buildings 50,000 square feet and larger to set aside 20 cents a square foot in the city's land conservation fund.

Higher architectural standards that make buildings easier to reuse; requiring developers to take out demolition bonds; and banning clauses in leases that prohibit the owner of a building, once vacated, from renting it to a retailer's competitor.

Take a look at Wauwatosa's provisions has been touted by the American Planning Association as one of the innovative ways communities can protect themselves if a retailer departs.

In the end, discussion is the best thing to do and it takes all of the parties involved to do.  Without discussion, you would never know if someone would be willing to change something or if someone has a better idea. 

Wauwatosa information provided by Milwaukee Journal and Wauwatosa’s Big Box Ordinance.

Wauwatosa’s Big Box Ordinance

Chapter 24.25 LARGE RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS

B. The costs of all studies and investigations reasonably necessary to prepare a community impact statements required under this section shall be borne by the applicant. If it becomes necessary for the city to hire outside professionals to review the impact statement, the cost of hiring the consultant(s) shall be borne by the applicant. (Ord. O-05-7 § 3 (part), 2005)

D. Roofs. The roof design shall provide variations in rooflines and add interest to, and reduce the massive scale of, large buildings. Roof features shall complement the architectural and visual character of adjoining neighborhoods. Roofs shall include two or more roof planes. Parapet walls shall be architecturally treated to avoid a plain, monotonous look.

B. Vehicular Access. The use shall provide safety and protection to adjacent uses by having motor vehicles access only from an arterial, major or business district road as designated in the master plan.

D.with the amount and placement to be determined through consultation with the city forester. Species should be suitable for their location including resistance to salt damage and appropriateness for climate. Landscaping must be in compliance with Chapter 24.44 of this code and receive approval from the design review board.

F. Pedestrian Flows. The project shall provide pedestrian accessibility, safety, and convenience to reduce traffic impacts and enable the development to project a pedestrian-friendly, inviting image. Continuous internal pedestrian walkways, no less than six feet in width shall be provided from the public sidewalk or right-of-way to the principal customer entrance of all principal buildings on the site. Sidewalks shall also connect the store to transit stops on- or off-site and to nearby residential neighborhoods. If possible, walkways shall connect focal points of pedestrian activity such as, but not limited to, transit stops, street crossings, building and store entry points, and shall feature adjoining landscaped areas that include trees, shrubs, benches, flower beds, ground covers, or other such materials for no less than fifty percent of their length. Sidewalks shall be provided along the full length of any building along any facade featuring a customer entrance, and along any facade abutting public parking areas. Such sidewalks shall be located at least six feet from the facade of the building to provide planting beds for foundation landscaping, except where features such as arcades or entryways are part of the facade. Internal pedestrian walkways shall provide weather protection features such as awnings or arcades within thirty feet of all customer entrances, constructed parallel to the facade of the building. This is not intended to extend into the driving aisles or parking areas. All internal pedestrian walkways shall be distinguished from driving surfaces through the use of durable, low maintenance surface materials such as pavers, bricks, or scored concrete to enhance pedestrian safety and comfort, as well as the attractiveness of the walkways.

L. Temporary or Seasonal Uses. Nonenclosed areas for the storage and sale of seasonal inventory shall be permanently defined and screened with walls and/or fences. Materials, colors, and designs of screening walls and/or fences and the cover shall conform to those used as predominant materials and colors of the building. No such sales/displays shall be allowed unless reviewed and approved by the board of public works.

N. Parking Lots and Structures. Parking areas must provide safe, convenient and efficient access for vehicles and pedestrians. They must be distributed around large buildings in order to shorten the distance to other buildings and public sidewalks, and to reduce the overall scale of the paved surface. Ideally, no more than thirty percent of the total parking provided should be located on any side facing a street unless approved by the city plan commission. If buildings are located closer to streets, the scale of the complex is reduced, pedestrian traffic is encouraged, and architectural details take on added importance. No more than sixty percent of the off-street parking area for the entire property shall be located between the front facade within the front yard of the principal building(s) and the primary abutting street unless the principal building(s) and/or parking lots are screened from view by outlot development and additional tree plantings and/or berms. Landscaping shall be used to define parking areas, primary vehicular drives and pedestrian areas in an aesthetically and environmentally pleasing manner. Parking structure facades should achieve the same high-quality design and appearance as the buildings they serve. The parking structure’s utilitarian appearance should be minimized by utilizing effective design treatments such as colonnades, arcades, awnings, street furniture and other public amenities. Compatible materials, coordinated landscaping and screening, appropriate building color, sensitive lighting and signage should all be considered for garage facades. (Ord. O-05-7 § 3 (part), 2005

C. Prior to issuance of a building permit for any development subject to these provisions, the building owner shall be required to contribute to the Land Conservation Fund described in Section 20.14, Charter Ordinances, city of Wauwatosa. The amount of such contribution shall be calculated based upon the number of square feet of retail space being created, and shall be as set forth in the consolidated fee schedule. (Ord. O-05-7 § 3 (part), 2005)

Okay people, now is the time to give money donations for the recall effort.  The money will be used for lit drops, stamps, photocopies of open records (we will have some good ones), paper, fees, and other such costs.

Contact Sue at spurple9bear@att.net for more details.  Checks must be personal, no business checks.

If you would still like to volunteer, we could always use the help.

Please make a small donation to help pay for the Recall of Mayor Ryan McCue.

Contributions under $10 may be completely anonymous.

Here is what has been requested so far in the public open records request.

 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.

It is not just Mayor McCue – All public servants fall under the open records law

Who's Visited the White House?  Bush wants it Kept Secret

The group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is seeking Secret Service records, normally made public, of who has visited the White House and Dick Cheney's residence.  The Bush administration is seeking to keep the records sealed.

The administration wants the documents, often used by journalists and watchdog groups to report on who has access to the leaders of the executive branch, to be declared White House documents, which would seal them from the public for over a decade.

The White House claims that releasing such normally available information would erode President Bush's power.  President Clinton was often undercut by the information, used by his opponents to document visits by Monica Lewinsky and others.

Source: news.yahoo.com

Day 20 – Still No real response from the Mayor – Inability to make decisions based on anything other than his own self-interest

I hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day and pauses to remember those in the military that are no longer with us!

In one of my writing classes in college years ago, my teacher gave us a print out/hand out of Logical Fallacies to watch for.  I have scanned them and converted them to word.  There was no mention of a source nor did she cite it (I guess teachers can forget to work cite in handouts, such an oversight.  Should we flog them or let them off.  What do you think Mike?).  I was able to track down the current source of it as the Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers, Seventh Edition and it has a few new things to which I didn’t include.

She said it was so important to watch these unfold in debates.  Since we are in the mitts of the Presidential debates, each week I will post one.  Watch for them and you will see them happen all around you.  You might even become more educated/informed and isn’t that a good thing.  To one person I think not.

Logic is correct reasoning.  Logic is the process by which statements are supported with adequate proof by being tested against the right amount and kind of evidence, the process by which knowledge is rendered reliable—in short the “Science of proof.”  Pure Logic is unbeatable. 

How can I recognize and avoid logical fallacies?

Daily Practices to improve logic:

1. Don’t accept anything as true, which you do not clearly know to be such; that is, avoid hasty judgments and prejudice will prevent jumping the gun.  It requires a disciplined mind.
2. Divide each difficulty under examination into as many parts as possible, or into as many as necessary for the solution of the problem.  Most problems are combinations of problems and this failure to understand such will lead to jumping to conclusion.
3. Begin with the things that are simplest and easiest to understand, and then ascend to knowledge of the more complex.
4. Make enumerations so complete, and reviews so comprehensive, that you may be assured that nothing is omitted.
5. Draw out in tables or lists of what you know, and that which is wrong.  If Boolean algebra is needed make, your truth tables of items.  Make flow charts of the problem(s).
6. The answer is in the details. Study each part as itself and then as a whole.
7. Ask yourself this: “Is it logical, illogical, or nonlogical?  Nonlogical does not mean illogical.  Nonlogical is a statement like “I like to travel,” or “I love you” (showing emotion or opinions) are ordinarily regarded as nonargumentative and do not require supporting evidence since it solely is in the head of the person making the statement.  Illogical is one, which violates the rules of sound reasoning (like added 2 plus 2 and getting 5).
8. Do not use All, Always, Never, Forever, Not ever, as they lead to false conclusions by over simplifying and generalizing.
9. The most simplest answer may or may not be the one.  If it truly is only one problem, then the simplest answer is most likely the correct one.  If it is a series of problems, or more than one interconnecting problem, then it is no longer just simple.

Here are the topics I will be posting on this subject.  I will post one or two of them together depending on size.

Hasty generalization

False analogy

Begging the question

Irrelevant argument

False cause

Self-contradiction

Red herring

Argument to the person

Guilt by association

Jumping on the bandwagon

False or irrelevant authority

Card-stacking

The either-or fallacy

Taking something out of context

Appeal to ignorance