According to this Cudahy Now article, “Thirsty Moose seeks damages; panel recommends license revocation”

Alderwoman and Rules, Laws and Licensing Committee Chairwoman Mary Schissel also is under fire.  Bonchek's attorney, Alan Eisenberg, is collecting signatures for a recall petition to remove her from her aldermanic post.  The petition states that Schissel "appears to exhibit reckless harassment of a Cudahy business owner to gain personal advantage of a relative and has publicly expressed a bias against a local tax-paying business owner."

Eisenberg said Schissel is related to the owner of Club Bagdad, a tavern across the street from The Thirsty Moose.  He requested Schissel recuse herself from the committee during the Feb. 25 hearing on the liquor license revocation.

City Attorney Paul Eberhardy said Schissel has no personal financial interest in Club Bagdad and that she did not need to recuse herself.

The question ringing in my head is why not recuse yourself?  Why setup a potential problem? 

Plus a $2 million harassment claim against the city.  We must bleed green!

Jeff Wagner talks about the Thirsty Moose and Mayor McCue chimes in on the show (about 2/3 of the way through)

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.

Regarding C.R.G., Cudahy and Muskego, it was suggested that “You don't let wolves inside the hen house.”, because on one instance C.R.G. is helping with a recall effort of local officials who are allowing a Wal-Mart in their community and another recall effort against Cudahy’s Mayor for trying to block a Wal-Mart. 

What is so hard to accept about that?  Why are so many of you confused?  Do you know what C.R.G. is?

C.R.G. stands for Citizens for Responsible Government.  Let us define starting with the easy ones in my own words.  Citizens are the people of the venue that the government serves (city, state, nation, etc.).  The Government is the entity or people who are elected, hired or appointed to serve the people.  That should be pretty clear to us all.  I think they are confusing the last part “Responsible” as meaning, “I want Wal-Mart” or “I don’t want Wal-Mart.”  I have included the definition of responsible from Dictionary.com.

Responsible re·spon·si·ble as defined from Dictionary.com:

1. answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or

2. anagement (often fol. by to or for): He is responsible to the president for his decisions.

3. involving accountability or responsibility: a responsible position.

4. chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually fol. by for): Termites were responsible for the damage.

5. having a capacity for moral decisions and therefore accountable; capable of rational thought or action: The defendant is not responsible for his actions.

6. able to discharge obligations or pay debts.

7. reliable or dependable, as in meeting debts, conducting business dealings, etc.

8. (of a government, member of a government, government agency, or the like) answerable to or serving at the discretion of an elected legislature or the electorate.

As you should now see, C.R.G. is about holding government officials accountable to the people that they serve!  Eventually, elected officials will wake-up and realize that they are in office to serve the people (public servants) and their self-serving or arrogant stands will not be tolerated!  C.R.G. is not for or against Wal-Mart.  They are for the people, majority, minority or both at the same time.  It doesn’t matter, they are just for the people.

I don’t think C.R.G. is taking both sides.  They are on one side, the same side each time, the people’s side.  C.R.G. does not go out looking for a fight; they are there to respond to citizens who wish to correct a problem that the citizens have in their governments.  In these two communities, as far as I know, the citizens have asked for C.R.G.’s guidance in a recall effort of local officials for a reason that should not be of ANY importance to C.R.G. and it isn’t!  Again, they are there to help citizens who wish to correct a problem that the citizens have in their governments.

In both cases, the recall efforts transcends Wal-Mart and go to the very heart of the problem, the politicians who are not listening to the people’s wishes and not following the proper processes.  There may be corruption once both cities dig into them.  You want the people to uncover the truth and expose any wrong doing, don’t you?  

As for a recall being a waste of taxpayer’s money, there is a reason that this option is part of the setup of our government.  Look into the process.  Checks and balances!

To start, it is my understanding that there is a filing of an attempt to recall.  Next, and most importantly, they need to gather valid signatures equal to 25% of the number of people who voted in the community in the last election for the Governor.  These may not even be the same people who voted in the election.  It could be new people who moved in, people who did not vote or people who did vote but have changed their mind.  All that is need is they are Cudahy or Muskego, respectively, residents and are eligible to vote.  They don’t even have to be registered, just be able to vote.  That means, they have not lost the right to vote because of a felony or are not the correct age.  All of this is not costing the community anything!  Not one cent! 

But if they are able to gather the signatures, then it becomes obvious that there are at least one quarter of these voters in the community that are unhappy enough with the elected official to desire a recall of that official. 

Let’s face it, if that was an insignificant number, then the elected officials would not be so afraid of it.  This is not the number of people desiring the recall; it is the number of signatures that must be collected in a limited amount of time in order to force the recall.  To an elected official who has done their job and been responsible to the citizens to represent, this should be nothing more than an inconvenience.

As to waiting for the person’s term to end to “throw the bum out,” why would you?  You would be giving them a blank check for 3-6 years without accountability.  That statement is basically, do what YOU want for your term and we will sit by and take it! 

NO!!!

Elected official’s represent and are responsible to all their constituents, those that voted for them, those who did not, and those who didn’t vote.  THAT IS THE PROBLEM IN POLITICS TODAY!  Too many people vote or don’t vote for that matter, then stick their heads in the sand and allow their officials to do whatever they want.  Make them realize whom they are there for and that there is no free pass!

Finally, as to the mistake that Orville Seymer from C.R.G. made in Muskego with not having the correct person from the correct district file the paper work, the people have the right to no longer ask him for help, or as some would say, “throw the bum out”.  Those in Muskego still show trust in C.R.G. and have properly filed the paper work and have begun the signature drive again.

However, most people will probably see this as an oversight or a mistake and most humans are not infallible.  Again, my understanding is that he is corrected the error and are proceeding forward.  It is suspicious to me that some people’s standards for elected officials are so loose, while their standards for someone who helps to make them responsible to the people are so strict.  Not just for the C.R.G. people, but to those helping out on the recall.  Look at this as an audit of the elected officials in power and in that audit the power is restored back to the people truly in charge.

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.

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.

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.

Day 21 – Still No real response from the Mayor – He is answerable to the people

Elected officials carryout the will of the people! 

They don’t get to personally detach themselves from the peoples’ will and follow their own ideals or goals.  They should be a noble politician in leading the people with the peoples’ will as the main cause and path.  They should not succumb to individual’s wants and desires or even their own.  They must, at all times, hold the vision of the peoples’ spirit in their hearts and follow the direction the people set forth, even if they personally disagree or it conflicts with their own personal agenda.  It is the peoples’ will and the elected official’s job to carry it out, not the other way around.

By now, most people have heard that Sue Hoyt and Ryan Antross are leading the recall effort to recall Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue.

The EB-1 form should be handed in today to allow for information, organization and exploratory of a recall will start.

Sue Hoyt represents Cudahy at the present, while Ryan Antross represents Cudahy’s future generation.

We will be looking for volunteers to help with the canvassing to obtain the 1749 signatures needed for the recall.  A number of 2200 is the target number though.  If you would like to help in any way please contact Sue Hoyt at spurple9bear@att.net 

For all those interested in helping in the recall, there will be a meeting Thursday May 29^th at 7:30pm 6020 So. Buckhorn ave

I was told to try to overshoot the number of signatures you need in a big way.  They will be challenged/certified, and some are bound to be false or contain an error.  But it's an old trick by those who will oppose you.  They will also try to get enough of them thrown out that your recall 'didn’t' work'.  So shoot for a high number.  Swamp them in signatures if you can.

That is exactly what we are going to do.  While leading the Wal-Mart pro Cudahy grassroots group, we were able to get 1300 Cudahy resident signatures.  Yes, the people that signed from outer cities did not count in the total only Cudahy residents expressing their desires for a Wal-Mart did.  Many of those same people I am sure would be willing to sign the recall after Mayor McCue voted NO and gave NO reason why, except the lawyers told me not to tell.

At this time, we cannot accept money donations, but in the future, we will.  Companies can donate, but it must be a personal check, not a business check.  When the time comes for the money donations, I will post on it, because we will need to raise money for signs, stickers, flyers, buttons, and things of that nature.

Once this is in full swing, there will be a big media buzz around town.  In 102 years, never has a Mayor been recalled in Cudahy.  Until NOW.  This is history in the making.  Remember I talked about how will history remember Mayor McCue, we now know.

McCue was the first elected over the recall of Tom Ament and CRG (Citizens for a Responsible Government) helped put McCue in the county seat. 

Now CRG is helping to remove him.  This is not secret that we have involved CRG.

Funny how what goes around comes around.

You don't give politicians a 3 or 4 year “NO” cut contract.  You would not keep a plumber on board who flooded your basement or an electrician who wired your house incorrectly and caused it to burn down so why do we keep politicians around who are not following the wishes of their constitutions?

People for far too long, we have sat by, made the statement of recall, and never followed through.  Empty threats that the elected officials knew were not going to be carried out.  The time has come to put teeth into the bark and bit.  The time has come to take back our government.  The time has come to have our elected officials respect our wishes.

It is our right to have a recall as long as we get the proper amount of signatures.  It is our right to have our voice heard.  Our elect officials have a deaf ear to us!  Some feel that they know better then we do.  Some just don’t care to listen to us. 

This recall will give us, the people, back the power and the voice.  This recall is a notice to all now and in the future, that Cudahy residents will be heard and our expectations of the elected officials is high.  They must respect us and serve the public!  They are in fact public servants.

Again, if you would like to help in any way please contact Sue Hoyt at spurple9bear@att.net

Don't forget for all those interested in helping in the recall, there will be a meeting Thursday May 29^th at 7:30pm at 6020 So. Buckhorn ave

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.

City embraces a redeveloping trend

Greenfield markets itself with new effort

By STEFANIE SCOTT
sscott@cninow.com

Posted: May 13, 2008

Big-name hotels, restaurants and shops could come to Greenfield if a new marketing endeavor proves successful.

The campaign - dubbed Grow Greenfield - to attract developers and grow the city's commercial tax base will mostly focus on redevelopment in a city that's largely built out.

As part of the effort, Greenfield officials have established an Economic Development Committee made up of Mayor Michael Neitzke and department managers and staff.

The city has also joined a trade group, the International Council of Shopping Centers, and put together a brochure touting the city's high points.

The right place

Neitzke said the city wants to capitalize on its high traffic counts, its educated residential population and its proximity to downtown Milwaukee and Gen. Mitchell International Airport.

"The city has everything a commercial enterprise would want," he said.

Greenfield has recently already seen Bilt-Rite Furniture, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa Savings Bank and Aldi moved in, and the upscale grocery store Sendik's opens today, May 15.

But the mayor sees plenty of further opportunities to bring in quality restaurant and shopping establishments.

He said the city must pursue development rather than waiting for organizations to come calling.

In touch with developers

To that end, Economic Development Committee members recently attended an ICSC networking event in Milwaukee that allowed them to plug the city to real estate brokers, developers and retailers, many who have contemplated Greenfield for development projects.

The experience let developers know the city wants to work on development opportunities.  Committee members have already started getting responses from interested parties, said Rick Sokol, Greenfield director of neighborhood services.

"It was surprisingly successful," Sokol said.

Although committee members won't divulge too much for fear of hurting a potential deal, they said there may be some exciting announcement to make as early as this summer.

Targeting certain areas

Some elements are already in the works.

At the May 6 Common Council meeting, Sokol said the Target store at South 27th Street and Layton Avenue will likely be demolished after this year's Christmas season so that the retailer can construct a more modern building to open in fall 2009.

That led city staff to suggest looking into the potential of establishing a tax-incremental financing (TIF) district along 27th Street between Layton and Grange avenues, which could encompass the Kmart and former Kohl's sites, the Willows golf range and the Target corner.

Tax-incremental financing, or TIF, is a mechanism that allows municipalities to borrow money to fund infrastructure improvements for an area that otherwise would be difficult to develop or redevelop.  The increased property tax revenue from the improved land is then diverted from the tax roll to pay off the loan.

The city has had little experience with TIF districts so far, but they may serve as a tool to redevelop some of the areas where land parcels need to be assembled, which can prove costly and risky without some help, Sokol said.

Ongoing campaign

Taking a more proactive stance on development was one of the goals set for the Neighborhood Services Department when it was created, Neitzke said.

"One thing I've learned (as mayor) is that everything takes a long time to get moving, but we've already developed positive momentum," he said.

Economic Development Committee members will try to continue that momentum by attending a regional ICSC conference this fall in Chicago.  They also hope to talk to other groups, including the Milwaukee 7, to make sure it's mentioning Greenfield in its marketing efforts.

In the future, the committee may be opened up to resident members similar to the Plan Commission.

The mayor also hopes to get the Community Development Authority more involved in the process.

For instance, the CDA could consider how certain zoning regulations impact redevelopment.  One area the CDA could examine is the required height allowance for buildings near the freeway to allow the potential for hotel development, Sokol said.

High-quality effort

Beyond merely attracting redevelopment, the city wants to encourage higher-quality projects, Sokol added.

The mayor concurred, noting the need for the city to stay on top of redevelopment opportunities so the quality of the city's economic base doesn't erode, Neitzke said.

"Low quality or lack of redevelopment is a sign a city is denigrating," he said.

Stefanie Scott can be reached at (262) 446-6618.

AT A GLANCE

Greenfield Director of Neighborhood Service Rick Sokol reviewed development opportunities within the city with the Common Council on May 6.  The following are a few areas to consider:

• West Loomis Road and Interstate 894 corridor: Developers have shown interest in building a hotel in this area.  Greenfield is working with Milwaukee County to relocate the Park and Ride operation from the freeway to a different location so the city could use the site for commercial development that would bring revenue to the city.  A developer already has acquired control of many of the surrounding properties.  However, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has said it plans to use the site as a staging area for the Interstate 94 reconstruction project, which could delay progress for up to six years.  Developers have also shown interest in redeveloping the northwest corner of West Layton Avenue and West Loomis Road and the northeast corner of South 43rd Street and West Loomis Road.

• Spring Mall: The retail center at 76th Street and Cold Spring Road is owned by a large real estate corporation.  However, during the past few months, several companies have indicated they'd be interested in redeveloping it.  In addition, an anchor tenant has show interest in rebuilding on the site and a big-box development could go up across the road on the west side of 76th Street.

• South 84th Street and I-894 corridor: There are two large parcels - one zoned for agricultural and one for institutional uses - that could be developed.  Steinhafel's Furniture, which has indicated it would like to expand, has acquired some adjoining properties.  A traffic light may be installed at South 80th Street and Layton Avenue to help with traffic flow from the new Sendik's Commons, which has filled its vacancies.  A dental office has been proposed for the north side of Layton, just south of 80th Street.

GreenfieldNOW.com

What kind of development would you like to see come to Greenfield?  More restaurants?  Upscale retailers?  Hotels?  Share your views in our community forum.

After reading all of that does, Mayor McCue and Cudahy seem pro-business to you?

One final thing did the Mayor’s name popup all the way through the article or was it just “the Mayor”? 

Maybe Mayor Michael Neitzke doesn’t have a complex problem with not seeing his name attached to the word Mayor!  Can we trade for him, we could throw in a few city people (loyalists - Loyalty is good as long as you don’t get blinded by it) and a financial compensation.  Maybe along with signing the recall (more on that Monday) we could each chip in some cash.

The American President Lewis Rothschild: They don't have a choice!  Bob Rumson is the only one doing the talking!  People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone.  They want leadership.  They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand.

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.