In my post titled: Cudahy Common Council Meeting Dec 2nd, 2008 (includes audio file) a reader reached out and posted the following comment:

“Randy, is there anything the citizens can do to still make the Wal-Mart happen?  What about a protest outside city hall, and try to get as much news coverage as we can?  WISN radio has been doing a good job, but I think more exposure is needed.  I hate to see this just end like this.  What can we do?”

While out and about the city having my daughter’s picture taken with Santa, a few people came up to me and asked me basically, “Yes what can be done?” 

Which I replied to the people and the reader that reached out:

“It is the right of people to protest, but someone would have to come forward and lead and organize it!  I will look into it.”

I also received an email about a possible City Hall protest:

“Good.  If I can get off of work, I will be there, and I will drag my mother along.  Thank you again.”

So I decided to email the Cudahy Police Chief Thomas D. Poellot and CC’d in the Mayor and Common Council members for information.

Here is what I said:

“Dear Police Chief Poellot,

It has been asked how can Cudahy citizens lawfully protest at City Hall.  What would be the do’s and don’t of the protest?  I would not want anyone to get arrested, but don’t want to squash the First Amendment right of free speech and the Right to Demonstrate and Protest. 

I fully understand that the First Amendment prohibits restrictions based on the content of speech.  However, this does not mean that the Constitution completely protects all types of free speech activity in every circumstance.  Police and government officials are allowed to place certain non-discriminatory and narrowly drawn “time, place and manner” restrictions on the exercise of First Amendment rights.

I also just want to clarify that an organized group can gather and protest at City Hall. 

I know that generally, all types of expression are constitutionally protected in traditional “public forums” such as public sidewalks and parks.  Public streets can be used for marches subject to reasonable permit conditions.  In addition, speech activity may be permitted at other public locations such as the plazas in front of government buildings, which the government has opened up to similar speech activities.

This is coming to light due to the Common Council and the Mayor’s decision not to allow the MOU for the Cudahy Station to be passed, thus closing the doors on Wal-Mart. 

Some feel this is unjust and that the City, most notably the Common Council and the Mayor, are not listening and following the voice of the people, so the people must voice louder and be visible.

I am not coming to you with the intentions of leading or supporting a protest at this time, however, I am addressing these questions in order to provide the answers to many of the other City of Cudahy residents that will or have contacted me to investigate their rights.

Randy Hollenbeck”

The gracious response back from Police Chief Poellot is as fellows:

“I would be happy to sit down and talk to the protest organizer.  We can talk about how many people the organizer expects and what accommodations can be made for that amount of people.  I would like to keep traffic safely flowing on the street and make sure that access and egress at City Hall is not impeded.  Due to the close proximity of the High School, another concern that I have is for students going to or coming from school.  I wouldn’t want to have kids having to walk out into traffic to walk around people blocking the sidewalk. 

As far as the do’s and don’ts of protesting, I’m sure that we’re on the same page.  I don’t believe that these folks want to come here to break the law.  No one wants intimidation or harassment of others, property damage, injury or other unlawful conduct. 

I don’t know if anyone’s heart is set on City Hall as the location, but it’s always possible that an alternate location would work for the organizer.

Again, I would be happy to sit down and talk to the protest organizer. 

Sincerely,

Thomas D. Poellot, Chief of Police

Cudahy Police Department

5050 South Lake Drive

Cudahy, WI 53110-6108

Phone: (414) 769-2260

Fax:     (414) 769-2259

chiefpoellot@ci.cudahy.wi.us”

If someone were looking at organizing a protest at City Hall, I would post the information you wish to have out just email me the information @ rhollenbeck@gmail.com or post it in the comment section.

Just remember it is within your right to protest if you so choose to, just do it lawfully!

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

Here was a suggestion I received on this subject:

“In case the party of whom you requested the info will not be of assistance, I offer the following.  According to our constitution, we all have the right of "Peaceful Protest.” 

This includes utilizing the sidewalk in front of city hall property to march back and forth in an orderly manner utilizing signage and verbal chants so long as they do not disturb the peace in volume. 

You may not disrupt traffic either foot or vehicle, you may not block driveways or stop vehicles or pedestrians.  If one is so inclined to utilize their constitutional rights to Peaceful Protest, it may be advisable to contact the media so as to gain full advantage of the situation and inform the citizenry of Cudahy in a manner as to maximize the effect of the protest. 

One thing to remember is that the police department will probably monitor any protest march that takes place and it is advisable to stay within the letter of the law.  I would also suggest that you check to see if there are any permits are now required for protest marches or "parades,” since the executive branch of the city government may have factored this into the equation already.

Good luck.”

Jay Weber Talking about Oak Creek Booming and Cudahy NOT

With Oak Creek’s Mayor Chasing retail. (located at the end of the pod cast)

Pod Cast Here

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

-------------

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

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