Day 5 – Still No response from the Mayor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gag Order - Judicial ruling barring public disclosure or discussion (as by the press) of information related to a case; broadly: a similar nonjudicial prohibition against the release of confidential information or against public discussion of a sensitive matter.  (Definition by Merriam-Webster)

Someone in the public forum had stated that maybe Mayor McCue had placed a gag order on our elected officials from posting or emailing about Wal-Mart (while understanding “working in good faith and the walking quorum” problems) and with information about the pending lawsuit (s) it maybe true then.  The poster went on to say that the Mayor doesn’t want anything in print so he/they can deny whatever is said and conversations on the phone, therefore it would be hearsay.

During the State of the City meeting, Mayor McCue stated these close door meetings protect the city and don’t show our hand.  On his campaign website (http://ryanmccue.com/IcePort.html) he states “As a citizen, I was frustrated that the mayor scheduled numerous closed session meetings, excluding the public.”

Maybe there are valid reasons that at the time McCue was unaware of why the Mayor (to which one is he talking about) had for the closed meetings.  Maybe he sees things in a different light now.

If they had been told in closed session by legal counsel, to keep their mouth's shut, not to further damage the city’s position, then they should just come out and say so.  We don’t need all of this secrecy and mystery.  This muzzle, without explanation, just creates mistrust and distrust, misinformation and rumors.

With all of this information that was stated in the public forum, like the Eminent Domain put out there months before it was publicly announced and now this, I stated this before it sounds like someone inside the local government is not happy with the direction our captain and the ship are heading.

If I were the Mayor, I would be very uneasy if there truly is this secret discontent floating information out.  It begs the question, is there more coming? 

I don’t care who it is as long as it is the truth that comes forward.

It is just like “Deep Throat of Watergate” and makes this interesting!

At this moment, we will classify it as a rumor, until the press (Cudahynow) releases a statement from the Mayor’s office telling us that it is true.  My money is on that it is true to some degree.

By the way, a neighbor of mine has made an observation that things in meetings get tabled if there is no media present to record them and passed when someone is there to report on it.  You and I will have to watch for that.  If it is true, we have egomaniacs in office.

Gates Says Web Helps Government Transparency

Using Denmark and Sweden as examples, Bill Gates credited the internet with making governments more transparent.  According to Gates, those two governments have taken steps to have detailed postings of all government activities.

While not as easy to access as their Nordic counterparts, he said that the US government has made a lot of data available, but it is complicated by jargon and often difficult to navigate.

He also indicated that the Nordic countries are the model to follow, not the US.

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

If you suffer from back pain these, two items are great.

Three years ago, I had back surgery.  My back still gets sore and I have a hard time sleeping.

Of course, I found these two items at Wal-Mart.  Such a savings place!  I could save more if I didn’t have to drive so far out of Cudahy.

First, is a muscle, joint and arthritis pain relief gel.

I have tried all of the others on the market, Ben Gay, Flex 454, Icy Hot, etc…  My physical therapist showed me a product call Biofreeze and told me Wal-Mart sells the generic version for almost 1/3 the price.

It is called Freeze It, costs about $9 and comes as a spray and gel.  It works the best!!  First, it has an odor that disappears.  It starts out hot and then goes to a cooling sensation.  I have friends that use this after their workouts.  I have not found anyone that has tried it that doesn’t like it.  Made in America!

Second is a visco-elastic foam pillow.  Sells for around $18.  It is a high-density foam with the feel of plush.  It is temperature smart foam adjust to your shape and movement.  It features a zippered cover (fits standard pillowcases) Made in America 5 year warranty!

This has made sleeping so much easier and longer.  I have not tossed and turned because of not having a comfortable pillow.  I have gotten better sleep, which in turn make my back feel much better.

I strongly recommend these two items.  You can pick them up at the Franklin Wal-Mart, since ours has not been liberated yet.

Have you checked out Oak Creek’s Woodman's at 8131 S Howell Ave. & Forest Hill just between Drexel and Puetz next to the old AC Delco?  As of writing this, I have not been there.

From the people I have talked to, prices are jaw dropping low.  I thought they would be, since Pick N’ Save did the big 5000 lower price item campaign.  I am told they have 59 cent heads of lettuce and very low price fruits (strawberries at 99 cents).

They have Mexican Coke there.  Made with sugar cane not corn syrup.  They have a polish gingerbread cookie with an apple filling that any 3 yr old would like.  (It is in the international food section in a bag.)

Just remember no credit cards.

I was also told that during the weekend the checkout lines are long and you can save yourself some time if you go after work.

Now on to the “Is it Fair & Right?” part.

The Woodman's in Oak Creek is a 237,000-square-foot store and stocks around 67,000 to 70,000 items.

Woodman's prices are generally around 12% lower than prices at Pick 'n Save. (p.s. Woodman's is open 24 hours a day)

That all sounds great Randy, so where is the problem, you know, “Is it Fair & Right?”

Glad you asked…

Is it Fair & Right for this store to take away customers, sales, and profits from Pick N’ Save?  Come on people, those against the Wal-Mart for Cudahy you know the answer.  You have to answer YES or you are a hypocrite.

Hypocrite - a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives

Then again, most of you against the Wal-Mart are hypocrites and just hate Wal-Mart.  I wish you could just own up to the real reason you are against the Wal-Mart. 

Unfortunately, you don’t have real morals or integrity, which is why you cannot admit to everyone the truth of why YOU don’t want the Wal-Mart to come to Cudahy.

The irony of this is that those against Wal-Mart say they are looking out for folks.  But apparently not the working folks!

Your claim is that this will hurt Pick N’ Save and people don’t need a bigger selection.

Pick 'n Save stores average 70,000 square feet and contain 15,000 items.

So, Woodman’s is doing the very same thing.  Please don’t shop the Woodman’s then, since you would have to get off your high horse.  I will love shopping there and hopefully someday the Cudahy Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Wait, there is more.

In some ways, Woodman's resembles Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation's largest supermarket operator, through its heavy buying power and low cost structure. 

Ouch…  That must sting…

That was a battle cry for you.  Put Woodman’s on your hate list.  It's a trend to blame Wal-Mart so consider yourself posh.