Many communities have found the right mix of housing, retail and manufacturing to keep it viable and Cudahy needs to do the same.  Cities are places where people can live, learn, work, visit and play.  They should offer a wide range of services - schools, parks, health care, stores, restaurants and transportation, just to name a few.  Cities that are vibrant, safe, and attractive are where residents, visitors and businesses want to be.  Cudahy has what is necessary to be successful; it just needs to move forward.

To move forward you have to identify your problems, except them and fix them.  Currently our city is in denial of many issues that plague our wonderful city.  Also, Cudahy has a sort of Identity crisis I am told which I covered in “Cudahy's Image Problem”.

Job number one must be to stop the decline in our city’s population, job losses, and keep Cudahy money in Cudahy.  To do that we must lower our crime and taxes.  Crime and population go hand in hand though; do GHOST TOWNS need to worry about crime and we can have all the development in the world and the greatest park system but if everyone is afraid of going there then what's the point?

Job number two is to increase tourism traffic to Cudahy and to bring in money from outside our city.

Look at the pie chart at the bottom of this post as to “The concerns of Wisconsin Residents”

Cudahy needs to find its identity and niche.  Obviously, the economy is foremost...having lost that much of the population I could only assume it was an economic issue again, taxes and a rise in crime (the issue of crime was so big I covered it in two blogs earlier).  By niche, I mean find an industry, which could thrive and then create economic incentives for corporations to move here.  We need to target biotech, drug industry, software and technology businesses.  We must identify areas that definitely need improvement and intervention.

One of Mayor Ryan McCue’s platform statements was “We need to concentrate on keeping businesses in Cudahy and make it easy and attractive for new businesses to locate in Cudahy.”  It is essential for Cudahy to keep the trucking companies that call Cudahy home.  These trucking companies pay good wages and has excellent benefits.  We need to keep the moniker of truck alley.  I know many people in attendance at the common council meetings in the past have talk bad about all of the trucks on the streets of Cudahy.  That is a sign of a living city, I have told them.  One woman told me “I just wish they were in some other city, not ours.”  We will never make everyone happy.  This is the same sediment the Wal-Mart has on some people.

Right now, we are a city losing jobs and people who live in the community.  Our enrollment in Cudahy schools is down.  Some people confuse the issue of specialty stores with big business retailer.  We need the big business retailer, Wal-Mart, to increase the standard of living of the residents who live in Cudahy.  The specialty stores help increase tourist traffic, not to say the Cudahy residents will not shop them because they will, but the very nature of the word “specialty shops” should be a clue.  This is not a daily or weekly destination, but a place to go for a special need, which is why many of them fail.

Once Wal-Mart is given the go ahead “The Shops of Cudahy” will fill-up with tenants.  Currently the prospective tenants would like to hangout in the weeds until Wal-Mart is named.  There is to be a hotel built on this 26-acre property.  That too is in limbo until Wal-Mart is named.  You have the classic “Chicken and the Egg.”

Yes, we need to increase tourism, but it is more important to stem the tide of good residents leaving our community and jobs moving elsewhere.  One-person blogged on the public forum about Generations of pride and that his own kids have moved out of Cudahy.  This is exactly why we need to make a reason for people to stay living in Cudahy.  Having a high tourism and high amount of people moving out will not cancel each other out as some people think.  It starts with this Wal-Mart, which is a destination of Cudahy residents.

Of course, the Mayor doesn’t like this Wal-Mart, check that, is not a fan of Wal-Mart and he doesn’t feel it is a destination spot, because he is looking through glasses marked tourism.  The part of the Master Plan is an excuses, it is not ridged but flexible.  Many communities have a Wal-Mart in them, why would someone from outside our community want to shop our Wal-Mart if they already have one.  They wouldn’t unless their Wal-Mart is out of a particular item, ours is closer to where they work, or they simply like to shop ours.  It is mainly for the residents, not tourism.

Obviously, the Mayor (who shops Wal-Mart) is not concerned enough about the citizens living in Cudahy, and is worried more about just how to drive up tourism to Cudahy.  That is only one side of the problem.  Take off the tourism glasses and use your own eyes to see that both can be accomplished.  Wal-Mart for the Cudahy citizens and the specialty shops for tourism along with the Wave Center.  There are plenty of vacancies dotting Cudahy that would work perfectly for specialty shops besides this need to be placed in Cudahy Station.  We only need find them and to fill them.

The Wave complex can host soccer training in 60,000 sq ft and doubles as a 40,000 sq ft convention center once converted to that mode.  It will have a pull of 100-mile radius.  That includes 60,000 soccer moms and dads shopping, eating and driving around Cudahy.  Talk about large numbers of shoppers!

Cudahy needs this Wal-Mart and we need it to be successful.  Our future depends on it.  This Wal-Mart is not the savior, but it is the first piece of a puzzle called “How to grow and fix Cudahy.”  It is imperative to our revitalization that this large retailer comes to Cudahy and the responsible thing to do for our city to prosper.  Some say that we are just copying what other cities have and that it does not set us a part.  To this I say, why not move out all grocery stores, gas stations since everyone has one.  The answer lies in conveniences.

Cities on the rise are enjoying developmental booms, embracing their history and their geography.  Stimulating the local economy for businesses and the job market, will in turn keep people in Cudahy and will keep us growing.  The military has a saying called the “6P’s”--- Proper --- Planning --- Prevents --- Piss --- Poor --- Performance, and if we follow that, we cannot fail.

What has plagued us in the past will haunt us.  A lack of vision and the carelessness nature of local politicians in the past has cost us dearly.  The town was governed by entirely by old-timers who were dead set against any kind of change and are running the town into the ground.  Status Quo is the term to describe that type of thinking.

It's the "we can do without that" mentality that suppresses new ideas for economic expansion.  I think that is what has kept young people from being drawn to and staying in Cudahy.  We need to engage them and entice them to stay.

Many locals want to retain a mid-sized city atmosphere but there is a great deal of influence from developers to change the demographics.  I am in favor of that as well, as long as the intent is not to push out the lower income elderly.  If we could push out or evict the lower income people who don’t want to work but instead live off the system, let us do it.  Far too long Cudahy has allowed the slumlords to use Cudahy and us.

Renters are fine as long as they care about the property, and contribute to the prosperity of the community.  Many do not.  Sometimes it does follow the lower income, but that is a case-by-case thing.  Would I like have the tax revenue of $300,000 plus homes, yes as long as it doesn’t change who we are.  Too many people would like to remake Cudahy into Whitefish Bay and that will not happen.  Cudahy is hard working class of people.  We can have a successful mix.     

I would support the KRM if taxes didn’t go up and the answer to that is private funding.  Funny how the people upset with the TIF are okay with taxes going up to fund the KRM.

So funny, don’t you think?

Yes, it would be an excellent opportunity existing to lure some of those new transplants into our neighborhood with several mixed-use projects featuring condos, lofts, and apartments in various price ranges.

Yes, tourism development would be nice.  Many proposed projects in Cudahy are shot down because the taxpayers are tired of paying for everything.  With some outside (tourist), revenue coming in we could get some help then the rest could follow.  I am just not convinced the KRM will make it and I don’t want to be the one paying for it then.  We you are on the right side you don’t have to do any convincing!

New residences downtown will generate more foot traffic that will help to sustain existing businesses, encourage new businesses to develop, deter crime, and boost the city's tax base.  We can entice people to move to our downtown, which already has all of the ingredients necessary to sustain residents (library, restaurants, shops, bars, pharmacies, banks, workplaces, houses of worship, etc.) if only Cudahy didn’t have the stigma of land of high taxes.  Adding more taxes for the KRM is not the answer especially as the country heads for a long recession.  We need to conserve our money.  I understand the philosophy that “you have to spend money to make money,” just now is not that time.

The "growth of a city" depends upon each individual in it.  Simply put, how we are treating each other.  I have said this before.  It’s not size.  It’s not money.  The better we treat each other that is the growth.  A modest size city where people treat each other well will attract much to it, everything that it needs to expand.

Yes, I become very discouraged and feel very sad to see so many people bashing my city all the time, but I know only better times are ahead for it (especially if and when I climb the political ladder as many of you would like me to do).

Cities need visionary, non-corrupt governments to progress and grow (I am not necessarily saying ours is).  The officials need to stop focusing on such micro issues, where if they focused on bigger picture problems, the micro problems would eventually be fixed.  The free market place has, in many cases led the change, as long as it was not tampered with.  Good planning leads to orderly growth and helps us to have the type of community we want.  Cities on the rise are enjoying developmental booms, embracing their history and their geography.

The Mayor's job responsibilities vary widely, but all are intended to ensure the well-being of the city and its people.  The Mayor and council members have the responsibility of representing not only the people who elected them, but all citizens.  Council members also serve as a resource to the residents of their district, making sure they receive quality services and helping them to solve problems.  Priority must be given to the well-being of the city and its people and is in an ongoing process to do so.

None of us are Mayors or are in charge (except the Mayor, Ryan McCue), but through this forum/blog our voices may be heard.  We still may not hear from the powers that be, but they will read your comments.

Everyone is looking for a formula that will provide healthy growth and stimulate the local economy for businesses and the job market.  With the challenges and opportunities we have, we can move forward and succeed.  We all must be trying to breathe life into our city and care about each other.  We must stem the tide of population and job loss.  We must lower crime and taxes.  We must, because if you don’t, Cudahy will become a GHOST TOWN.

Does the Mayor and its city officials get a report card?  I am working on that!

Maybe we should do an online one.

What problems does our city have and what suggestions do you have to help our city grow? 

At the Plan Commission meeting, I received and handed out “YES Wal-Mart” signs.  I kept a few for myself and my two neighbors. 

To those who emailed me for signs, I have not forgotten and more are on the way!

I put my sign out on my lawn Wednesday.  Thursday everything was fine.  Then Friday morning, sigh is missing.

This is what the “NO” crowd resorts to.  They don’t want the word to slip out and God forbid the PEOPLE of Cudahy promote and want Wal-Mart.

Remember what they did in the public forum?

**How childish to resort to such antics of someone posting as me! **

Everyone, this is what the opposition is now doing.  Cannot beat me in debating, so personally attack me.  If you have been reading for any length of time, I would never make such mistakes.  Cannot win on the issues so try and make me look dumb.  All it does is shows how immature you are!

To the “NO Wal-Mart” group, I hope you are proud of what your side does.

Don’t worry I have more signs coming.  You maybe able to steal a few signs, and a few of the voting, but you will not steal the voice of the people.

Please contact the Mayor and your Alderperson and tell them the NO crowd will NOT steal the voice of the people!

Contact:

Mayor Ryan McCue

Phone Number: (W) 769-2222

Address: 3927 E Plankinton Ave

mccuer@ci.cudahy.wi.us

Alderperson First District Joseph Mikolajczak

Phone Number: (H) 483-1255

Address: 3754 E. Plankinton Avenue

mikolajczakj@ci.cudahy.wi.us

Alderperson Second District Mary Schissel

Phone Number: (H) 744-0420

Address: 3836 E Munkwitz Ave

schisselm@ci.cudahy.wi.us

Alderperson Third District Mark Otto

Phone Number: (H) 769-6626

Address: 3324 E Mallory Ave

ottom@ci.cudahy.wi.us

Alderperson Fourth District Sean Smith

Phone Number: (H) 486-6221

Address: 5618 S Rosewood Ave

smiths@ci.cudahy.wi.us

Alderperson Fifth District Name Thomas Pavlic

Phone Number: (H) 483-7116

Address: 6015 Summer Winds Ct

pavlict@ci.cudahy.wi.us

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

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

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

1. The Mayor and I – I talked about the fact that Mayor McCue and I were mentioned in the OnMilwaukee.com article In Bars & Clubs and how the Mayor may or may not feel about bars in Cudahy.  You can make up your own mind.

2. Cudahy Wal-Mart Time Line – I talked about and laid out the time line for the IcePort and the Wal-Marts and how we have gotten here.  I pose some questions that still remain unanswered.

3. A Wal-Mart Hypothetical  – I talked about “what if” someone voted NO that had connections to Wal-Mart’s competition and why they voted the way they did and what should happen.  Just a hypothetical, right?

4. Soccer Economic Impact  – I talked about and had info from other cities on how soccer tournaments economic impact were positive for the cities involved and how having a training facility would be even bigger boost.

5. Death Penalty  – I give my viewpoint on the death penalty while the high court weighs in on lethal injection for Death Row Inmate.

6. Crime Part I – How to Reduce Crime In Cudahy  – I talked about what can be done to reduce crime in Cudahy.  This is a six part series.

7. State of Cudahy Address  – I talk about what I would have liked to see in the Mayor’s State of Cudahy Address

8. Wal-Mart What If  – I talked about other possible locations and what if they are working behind closed doors with the city.  Had a very good comment from an informed reader.

9. Lawn Care Part I – Correct Time and Fertilizer Selections  – I talk about the correct time and proper fertilizer selections to have an awesome lawn using the EMIL method.

10. What If Not Wal-Mart  – I talk about what should go there if not Wal-Mart as asking the question, I showed some awesome pictures of the proposed Austin Texas Wal-Mart.  These are truly beautiful.

My fastest one day viewer-ship was History Repeating  – This is where I talk about the proposal of closing a school and how in a few years we will be asked to build a new one.  We can learn from history if we choose to.

As I stated in my State of Cudahy post, just after the “Master Plan” meeting I was talking to Mayor McCue and asked him if he was going to do a State of City address?  He looked at me and said he had not thought about it before, but he thought it was a great idea.  I was ecstatic to find out he took my suggestion and was going to do it.

I was even more elated that he gave it.  I am disappointed in that roughly only 62 people showed up.  People you need to be involved.  I hope Mayor McCue has something in print and on the Internet to get to the masses that were not in attendance.

I do like the state of city address fashioned like Mayor Barrett’s in Milwaukee and County Executive Walker’s.  It might be because I love speeches and information.

I did find out that in the past Cudahy has had in informal version one in the city newsletter twice per year to keep all households informed.  In a formal sense, the budget presentation as the future needs of the city when presenting the yearly executive budget.

One thing that is related to many of my concerns about communications was solidified while reading the Milwaukee Journal on March 15, 2008.

The article was called, “More view government as secretive, poll shows” 50% of the polled respondents said government at the state level is secretive, while 44% viewed it as open.  Those who see local government as secretive increased from 34% in 2007 to 40% in the 2008 survey.  A majority of people also want access to information such as with whom did lawmakers meet with each day (82%), police reports about specific crimes in neighborhoods (71%) and permits for concealed handguns (66%).

One reader emailed me about a concern that Mayor McCue doesn’t take the full time job of mayor seriously in that the amount of time he spends not in the office is great (golfing, at home, out of town or just unknown).  They went on to say that since the job of mayor is full time, Mayor McCue should be in the office between 8 am to 5 pm unless he is at an off-site city meeting.  If McCue feels that, the Mayor’s job should be part time and he acts as if it is, will he take the pay cut that would go with the change?  Is this the right thing for Cudahy?  (I’ve found McCue available in the office when I’ve contacted him, therefore, I can’t substantiate what this emailer has stated.)  During the meeting, Mayor McCue talked that he works about 45-55 hours a week.

They continued to say when Ryan McCue ran for Mayor, he campaigned on his frustration of closed-door meetings on his website, and in his attacks.  When they were working out the 6-month extension for the IcePort lawyers, and all the meetings of the council and CDA regarding this MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Cobalt on Pennsylvania and Layton, the meeting notices all talk about going into closed session.  What happened to his idea of open government?  During the meeting, Mayor McCue stated these close door meetings protect the city.

Now if you look at the statistics provided from the Milwaukee Journal from above, 82% of people want access to information such as with whom lawmakers meet with each day and 40% think local government is secretive.  Since “WE” the taxpayers pay for the city employees, I can see that we should have access to the time cards and that salaried employees are putting in the amount of time WE are paying for.  Of course, I would want this posted on the web instead of having to drive to city hall to find out the info.

The stonewall and vacuum created by this lack of knowledge has been filled with the misinformation, rumors, theories, worries, and frustrations rather then the open honest truth.  It is time to open the spigot and have the gush of information flow to the citizens, and just as we all have city provided water in our homes, we should have city provide info in our homes on the Internet.

Just think of me as the third eye watching.

We can and have made a difference; the State of the City address is proof.

So what was said in the State of the City?  Here are highlights.  I will have an in depth report once I convert my recorder to mp3 and then to type.

Well, Mayor McCue said the state of the city is strong.  We have bumps in the road and we need to ID the problems and make sure we have solutions.

We did not have a HR manual (see the Mayor likes to have things in print, now only if he would give us the same) and no IT person.  He said we will work with and look at other cities to compile our HR manual and work with Milwaukee County’s IT staff.

Our website is getting better (Robert Goss – Clerk/Treasurer has been doing what he can to keep it updated and running, hats off to him) and again we will look at other cities for direction.  Remember people, our website was done by a high school student.

A lot of positive changes are coming down the pipe.

We are adding a police officer and looking at going forward with the K9 unit.  Right now Mayor McCue is 98% behind it.  The crime suppression unit is working very well.  As of the meeting, more search warrants were issued and followed through than all of 2007.

Continental has asked to be on the April 8^th Plan commission meeting agenda at 7pm, currently the land is zoned M1 for light industrial.

A parking lot on the vacant land just to the north west of the library will be paved connecting the city lounge and the library area.  Giving downtown more parking.

The city is still working with Cobalt on the use of land on Pennsylvania and Layton.

The Mayor did apologize for his failure of his campaign promise of communication (he followed the philosophy “Own up when you mess up” let us hope it continues in the future).  He hopes to hold many more open meetings, and again reiterated that you can call or stop by (he is not in the original Mayor’s office though).  I was saddened that again no mention of email.

Why must I have to data mine for information, which is public as part of the open records and should be front and center in the open on the respected websites.

Folks, it was nice to hear Mayor McCue use a Ronald Reagan quote I used “Trust, but verify” in my recent post “A Wal-Mart Hypothetical”.  I had to chuckle hearing it, as my post must have had a small impact, if only to jog people’s memories of the quote.  Reread that one or read it for the first time if you missed it, it was good (Lets hope it isn’t true or comes true).  Our elected and appointed officials do read my posts and do hear US.  I say US, since many of my blogs are inspired and include your emails.  Of course, without your names, unless you asked me to use it.

Overall, I was happy and thought the Mayor did a good job.  Again, I will have a more detailed report later.  I will be taking suggestions on doing a report card for his first year in office, but I will need your help when the time comes.  So be thinking how you would rate him!

- Randy Hollenbeck

Have any of our city leaders done anything lately that would enhance life for the elderly?  I am not aware, does anyone know?  Can someone site a few examples or just one?  Maybe I missed it.  I am not perfect.

They are (not all of the city leaders) holding up the Wal-Mart Supercenter, which would benefit all, including those on a fixed income.  We could say that this is age discrimination.  I love to sit at McDonald’s while my daughter plays and talk with the older people about Cudahy.  One of the older fellas said, “The younger members of our community are pushing the elderly around and out.”

We need to show more respect for our elders, to do so would be to move forward with the Wal-Mart.

Here is what one of those productive vital aging members of our society said:

“We are still a working man’s community that has gotten older, but these people still have good ideas and are very frugal and do not need the fancy, but enjoy each other for who they are and where they came from.”

I am also reminded to what one of our aging community members said in the public forum:

“As one of the ‘old folks’, I would find having a Wal-Mart very convenient to shop.  I am on a fixed income and any money I can save would be a blessing.  I make the trip to Franklin’s Wal-Mart to shop and having one in Cudahy just down the street from me would save me money in gas, not to mention the savings on items.  Having a Wal-Mart grocery store included, again will save me money from Pick N Spend.  They have driven everyone else out.

I am old and not afraid of this so-called crime wave that these kids talk about.  I just need to save money!  Having a Wal-Mart will save me and all that shop there money.  When you kids are on a fixed income, you will know what I mean.  Selfish, no, this will save all money.”

In Japan, the elders command respect; in the U.S., we tend to forget about them.  It is easier to place them in a group home than allow them to live in their homes.

A city like Cudahy reaches an aging tax base that has been shrinking and the city simply needs more money.  We cannot simply do it by forcing out the aging.  We must show the moral courage to do what is right.

Some called our identity problem the "other east-siders" attitude, that we had to have the ice port to raise our image, and make us into a River Hills, Whitefish Bay, and the other north shore communities.  Why not try and be Cudahy?  Looks like someone may have North Shore envy!  Get over it, this is the South Shore!!!!

My neighbor Wally, who is on a fixed income, came over to me this last summer and said, “Did you read the paper?  Whitefish Bay is trying to run the elderly out!  I sure hope Cudahy doesn’t try that!”

I am sure I will get an outcry of people in the 30-40’s segment saying something like “Let us not make this about age or about fixed incomes (real meaning – I don’t care about them, just me.  How does it affect me?), but what is best for the future.”  While that is all good and dandy, the elderly need it now, not in the future.

I know these people mean well but some are only capable of doing the right thing when it benefits them.  It is about ageism and control of the future.  It is too bad a compromise cannot be made.  For the 30-40’s segment opposing Wal-Mart it is all or nothing.  Of course, I get the “The Ice Port site is not right, let Wal-Mart come to Cudahy later and somewhere else!”  If only they were being truthful.

Where and when?

As the 40 crowd moves to the 50 crowd, they will be clamoring to save money, then asking “Where is my Wal-Mart?”!!!

As a fixed income person, they want to save money while shopping the Cudahy Wal-Mart, so don’t be surprised when they tell you “YES”.

In the 2007 fall/Winter newsletter, Mayor McCue talked and welcomed Sears Outlet Store – “items at affordable prices” he said.  Wow people can shop rejects, scratch, dents, and closeouts at the outlet store, just as long as it is not a Wal-Mart.

That outlet reflects the new Cudahy, right?  It is not, umm...What was it?...Oh yeah, “it feels too downscale.”

An outlet mall for me would be great.  But why would an outlet mall be okay if Wal-Mart is not?  What is your reason (speaking to those people against Wal-Mart)?

It is time to show some respect and get going on this Wal-Mart project and start saving money.  If not for us, but for our elders!

One cannot be too old or too smart to tell the truth!

-          Ronald Reagan