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.

Wave may look to Oak Creek for training academy

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

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

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

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

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

Layton & Pennsylvania – Gateway to Cudahy from Milwaukee

College & Pennsylvania – Gateway to Cudahy from Milwaukee

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

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

Sorry if I hurt anyone’s feelings!

On to the apology

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Communication

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Demand and Ask for honest answers for the hard questions.

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

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

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

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

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

So, it is bait and switch.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WAL-MART HATERS

By Charlie Sykes

Story Created: May 9, 2008

Story Updated: May 10, 2008

Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue... and these guys:

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

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Educating the Idiot Politician of the Week

Noir – French - means black or dark; noting the black numbers in roulette.

Why must I data mine for information on our city websites only to find it on non-government sites?  This is public information.  I am sure you have heard me state that.

Is it “The less you know about the better”?  To whom?

Is it “We just forgot, but we will fix it.”  When?

Is it “That information is secret!”  Why?

Is it “It protects the city?”  From who or what?

Is it “You may not understand the info!”  Why not?

Why be secretive about facts and figures?  Give us clear and concise information (it does belong to us), I think we would surprise the city in our abilities to understand and want.  Don’t underestimate us!  Do what is right, not what is easy.  I believe that being informed on what's going on in the city and the neighborhood keeps a lot of misinformation and rumors at bay.  I believe in the power of the people.

Which raises another question: What do all these guys know that we don’t?

As one of my daughter’s favorite words “MUCH!”

The reality is it is politics.  They don’t want the stats at your finger tips because you may figure things out.  They purposely leave them out or bury them.  We live in a digital age, where nothing can be more simple then posting the info on the web.  If I can do it, so can others.

Are they “Avoiding the Hard Questions (a future blog)” by not having us in the know?  I think so!

Information, to them, is great as long as they can filter it and make it hard for us to find.  We have earned the right to be in the loop, but we get very little, if any, information.  It is not as if I am asking for the Mayor’s web access records, you know, the websites he visits while on the job (I am sure we would find my blog was viewed).  YOU KNOW YOU CAN ASK FOR THAT UNDER THE OPEN RECORDS ACT! 

I just watched a great Channel 4 (TMJ) I-Team investigation report on that very subject.  “You Paid For It: More Surfing on My Dime”

I am sure all government workers who saw that special report had to worry citizens would start asking questions and for reports.

My grandma use to say, “If you are acting like you have something to hide, you probably are!”

I just want, on the City’s websites, to have easily found up-to-date facts and figures about:

Economic growth

Status of development and projects

Taxes

Crime

Schools

Services

In the area of public safety, traffic and pedestrian safety

Fire and Police departments

As I stated before in, “We can make a difference,” the public doesn’t fully trust our local governments.  Given the long-standing concerns of mistrust and corruption in our past, can you blame people?

How can we fix this?  A very simple way to bring accountability and transparency is to let the public see information posted as clear as day and easily accessible.  There needs to be a change of attitude towards clear, open, written and easily attainable information.  We are missing out on vital information, since they don’t share.  Even my 22 month old knows how to share.

What I find really frustrating is not so much the dodgy-ness, but the lack of respect we get from in being able to decide on choices we make without having the answers.

Don't keep us in the dark, otherwise how would we know of “Conflicts of Interest”, cost, bad planning, lack of vision, or worse.

If we are kept in the dark, how do we watch them of abuse or corruption?  We will have lost the checks and balances.

If the Mayor fumbles the ball and so does the council, who will pick up the ball if we don’t know what is going on?  If the government cared about people, it would not keep it’s "secrets.”

The main thing is to keep us informed.  There’s nothing worse than being kept in the dark; I would rather be led into the dark, than kept in the dark.  All I know is we need to be kept in the loop, since they work for us.

Shhhh, that's a secret!

Link - On December 13, 2006, Alderman Sean Smith had this to say, “It's no secret that there are serious concerns with having a Wal-Mart in our community and I share some of those concerns.  That is why I and some others have been arguing for a series of public meetings for the developer to present its plans to the citizens of Cudahy.”

The question in your mind should be, “Then why are most of the meetings behind closed doors?”

While I did not attend the Mayor's most recent meeting, I understand that he took a bit of a beating regarding snow plowing and the ice port.

So far, I have not seen very much come out of this Mayor, and this council.  Even at the committee level, personnel, finance, board of public works, I don't see much of anything coming out of committee and up to the council.