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.

With a tie vote (Alderperson First District Joseph Mikolajczak voted YES), Mayor Ryan McCue votes NO sending the Wal-Mart & the Wave Center (Which would have 500,000 visitors yearly, much more then the KRM) to a border city.  Killing our hopes and dreams of a better Cudahy.  A stronger economically viable Cudahy gone.

People have asked me who in the common council voted yes and no for the Cudahy Station.

Alderperson First District Joseph Mikolajczak as part of the Plan Commission voted YES

Alderperson Fourth District Sean Smith as part of the CDA voted NO

Alderperson Fifth District Name Thomas Pavlic as part of the CDA voted NO

Alderperson Second District Mary Schissel never got a chance to vote – My guess would have voted NO based on a readers reply from her.

Alderperson Third District Mark Otto never got a chance to vote – My guess would have voted YES based on personal talks with him.  He seems truly open-minded.

Remember the Commissions are appointed positions.

Surprisingly retiring Engineering Department Head Craig Faucett was very rude to the citizens when asked to speak up.  He replied “I don't care I  am not talking to you” to the audience. Forgetting the city works for the residents.

That was the tone for the meeting.  The city people minus a few don’t talk to the people, don’t talk with the people, but talk down to the people.  Craig Faucett voted NO.  He was conflicted.

This is truly a sad day and comment on our community. Thank you Mayor!  In the end, the Mayor did what was best for him and his Utopia not Cudahy!

A small amount of people clapped, but the majority booed (75 of those in attendance with YES Wal-Mart signs) and shouted, “RECALL THE MAYOR”.

A Wal-Mart rep said they are done with a city like this and I am told, if you draw a circle 5-mile radius from the proposed Wal-Mart site, that is where the Wal-Mart and Wave center will end up together.

You can thank your Mayor for having this one slip, no I am sorry, pushed away and with it 500 jobs and MONEY.

I will be doing more blogs on topics that have been slipped away or pushed away this summer; I know we will be losing more.  I will be adding to my posts, courtesy of the Mayor.

How to Recall a City Mayor Follow this link here: Link

According to one person in the crowd, he knew how the vote was going to go when the Mayor asked the Vandewalle & Associates person what he felt of the proposal.

A representative from the Wave organization said when leaving the building "I feel sorry for you people here in Cudahy."

Let the lawsuits start.  Joe Henika thought the amount was high before, just double that amount.

McCue what was the thought of asking what the people wanted if you really didn’t care.

I will tell you what, you didn’t like what the people had to say, so you made sure at this meeting you would not have to listen to them.  You were going to tell us!

As a reader emailed me this right after the meeting, I thought I would share it.

“I cannot believe what just happened.  They let the greatest opportunity in Cudahy pass us by without giving the people the chance to speak, now with no Wal-Mart coming or any other business, Cudahy is now going to be a backward hick town.

After the meeting and even how the Continental people about Cudahy "this is the worst treatment we've gotten in any city."”

Now that Wal-Mart is dead, and I truly believe it is, I wonder if the Mayor will answer the following questions.

1.  Since Mayor Ryan McCue stated that the liens against Sportsites have been paid off; the question is “Who” paid them?

2.  Now that the Wal-Mart / Wave is dead, and if Continental does not bring back another proposal before July 1st (the extension agreed to by the city), does the City of Cudahy get the land back free and clear with no additional payments by the City?

3.  When will the City of Cudahy demolish the shell of the Iceport and clear the land for future development?

Currently the city will have to cleanup the land and because the land is contaminated and people and kids are walking around the land, a fence for public safety needs to go up restricting people from the dangers, all of this at our expense.  Thank you Mayor.

Parents, maybe it’s time to contact the health department to see if they have any information regarding the safety of this land, i.e. the contaminated dirt. Maybe we need to contact our Alderpersons to find out what the city knows about the condition of this dirt.  Is it really safe to be walking near it or around it? Do we need to take precautions and have our family physician test our children for unknown toxins? What is the city going to do about this vacant, tainted land that is just going to sit here for who knows how long? Don’t you think it is time to erect a fence around the known sullied property? The city and THIS MAYOR have not had the due diligence to erect a fence around this area.

The Mayor quickly slithered out of the room with a smirk on his face.

Please watch this blog for information on the RECALL of Mayor Ryan McCue as it unfolds.

He showed us!

Now show him and your Alderperson your displeasure.

Contact the Mayor and your Alderperson and tell them this was a big mistake and actions have consequences!

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

Here is a comment someone said to me after the State of the City address.

“Randy, you have stated that you do not hate the Mayor, does that mean you dislike him?  Why use a flamethrower when a candle will do and what will it take to make peace with the Mayor?  Your flame-throwing style may have a flaw.  You can catch more bees with honey then vinegar.”

As I told the person – “First I don’t dislike the Mayor, it is just I don’t agree with a few of his polices and direction.  My blog is open to everyone and the Mayor and all of the city personnel can comment right on it!”

Of course that would be great because like I said before, “Once you write it, and sign it, you can’t hide from it.”  It is not like a phone call that can be disputed.  Maybe I should start taping my calls?  Maybe we should all do that?

I like the flamethrower comment – I guess I do make my comments forceful.  Why? Because I tried the route of being nice and a pacifist; it doesn’t work.  I will now refer to my comments as the flame-throwing style.  I am not going to make any more calls, stop-ins, or emails.  I will now do it all in the public eye in front of you.

What will it take to make peace – at the moment, getting the sidewalk on Whitnall Ave in which I am told, may be in the works), getting the Wal-Mart in, and open communication in the written format, which should include public documents, info and stats on the web.

I am sure I will have more issues with our leader in the future, but if you want to make me happy now, that would do!  All of those items are for the betterment of Cudahy.

I am not on an ego trip nor am I campaigning to run for office (Sorry to those who have thought I would run and be a good Mayor).  I just want Cudahy to be better, I am not trying to put a feather in my cap nor am I peacocking.  Am I ruffling feathers?  YES!

I do reserve the right to change my mind in the future on running for office.  Right now, I can do more from the outside looking in.

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