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.

I get the impression Wal-Mart is NOT really interested in the Pennsylvania and Layton site as some people would wish they should be.

This is our last, best hope for a Wal-Mart!  Period.  People please don’t fall under the spell that a gift like this will come again!

In working with Cobalt, the long narrowness of the site, coupled with the environmental problems, won't generate enough revenue to probably make it economically affordable.

I respect Joe Henika very much, but I think he is “Naïve” in thinking Wal-Mart will want to stay focused and willing to build in Cudahy.

Contrary to belief, everyone’s driveway is a destination!  I strive to park my car every day and plan my day to do so.  Maybe some don’t feel that way and don’t want to go home.  I want to see my family!

Wal-Mart is a destination!  Any shopping place is!  Unless you are talking tourism.

Based on numbers run by Cobalt, to get about $10 million in TIF assistance on the environmental on that site, they needed to create $53 million in development for the numbers to work.  People, they will ask for TIF money!  Any business building in Cudahy in a TIF can! 

Is it that all TIFs are bad or just bad at Cudahy Station?

Is 10 Million the most ever asked for?

What is the most ever received?

I just wanted to clarify something Wal-Mart is not getting a TIF; the TIF is for the Wave.

In the Mayor’s 2008 State of the city address, 36 minutes into the speech, he states “Wal-Mart itself is not asking for a tax [TIF] subsidy.”  I just think it needs to be said again.  Taxpayers are not paying for Wal-Mart.

Again, anyone can ask for a TIF.  Not all do, Joe Halser (City Lounge Co-Owner) was kind enough to inform me that City Lounge is in a TIF district but they have never received nor requested to receive any tax dollars for their venture.  It has all been privately funded.

Does Cudahy have a master list available to look at what TIFs have been requested and approved over the years?  Does the Mayor have the last say if one is approved?  Who’s name is stamped on the document?

With all of this fuss over the Cudahy Station TIF, don’t you think the city should have the records posted for the public to see?  After all, we are paying for it!

As Mayor McCue said, “Once elected as your next mayor, I will work hard to attract new business that will benefit and enhance our community.  At the same time, I will not give unnecessary incentives to developers.”  Source

How do we know if unnecessary incentives are or were given to developers?  Remember the classic Ronald Reagan quote “Trust, but verify.”

Cudahy offered $8 million in TIF funds for the United States Bowling Congress to locate in a new 70,000-square-foot building at Cudahy Station, located at the intersection of Layton and Nicholson avenues.  The building would have cost $13.5 million to build.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/localnews/1603842.html

The part about Cudahy offering the $8 million tax [TIF] subsidy to get $13.5 million building is truly amazing.  If the residents of Cudahy knew about that one, they would go ballistic! 

Oops, I guess I just told them if they didn’t see it already.

I am told from Mayor McCue, that the information from The Business Journal of Milwaukee is wrong.  Neither the city nor the Mayor can offer a TIF.  The developer must request one.  Mayor McCue said it should be that the developer Continental Properties, offered it to the Bowling Congress. I just wanted to include what Mayor McCue had to say.

Can you imagine if Joe Henika knew that they were giving $8 million tax [TIF] subsidy to get $13.5 million building?  Again, I just told him.  Please, someone check in on Joe.

I can't believe that the Milwaukee Journal did not report about the incentives offered.  Well, I guess I can.

Pennsylvania and Layton site - Even when the market was booming, at most, with a Wal-Mart Supercenter, two to three medium box stores (size of Best Buy), and a couple of small special stores or a restaurant closer to Layton, top end you could only push about $47 million in assessed value on the site.  (Remember there is a height restriction of no more than three floors.)

That is why, if Wal-Mart doesn't feel that they can get the city to move in the next 30 days, they will probably throw in the towel on Cudahy, and move onto other sites in other cities.  Other more cooperative and welcoming, not to mention, an organized city.

In the end, we will be driving, and the steel will be rusting, the city will be cowering (having to cleanup the site) and because of the issue those NO group are making on the TIF, the next developer will not come forward because of the false stigma of asking for a TIF.  Nothing like shooting yourself in the foot.  We will sit on it, just as the Mayor wants us to do. 

We can drive for our goods.  We don’t need a convenience of having a Wal-Mart in Cudahy. Right? Why have any retail in Cudahy, we can all drive to Oak Creek. 

Those that twist the truth when convenient shall be tangled in their own ways!

If I'm the problem, then I'm the one that needs to get out of the way so it can get better.  If somebody else is the problem, then they've got to be big enough to step out of the way or do what is right!

Maybe it is my own “Naïveté” that sees this!

Here is an email I received and my response back, with some additional comments.  Please people keep the emails coming.

Here is my response back!

I think you got the double talk politician answer.  Answering the question without answering it.  He has not to mine or many others stated what should be in there instead.

Also, if you look back at his campaign platform ( http://ryanmccue.com ), he talks about Wal-Mart coming to Cudahy.  That was when Wal-Mart was not on the Iceport, but Pennsylvania and Layton.  So all of this gobbledy-gook about Wal-Mart is fine just not on the Iceport is not so much truthful as a political answer.

Yes, I do think his mind is made up, yet I do think he is softening.

The Master Plan is flexible and not rigid as the Mayor makes it out to be.

If he was misquoted “Why not have it fixed right away”?  When the paper misquoted me, I have them fix the online on and run a retraction.  Which they did.  Why is it now he is just bringing it to light?

Maybe the reader is wrong, maybe he misheard Mayor McCue, maybe not.  I was not there to know the truth (on the phone).  Why would the reader lie?  Why would the Mayor deny it?   What can be accomplished from this?

It sounds to me that the Mayor is still banking on KRM, probably at the insistence of VandeWalle and Associates and is willing to just sit out the 20-30 years before it happens.

Didn’t your parents teach you to bank on something you know is real?

The Mayor’s view of utopia for Cudahy does not include Wal-Mart

He, Smith, the Pavlic types (remember they voted against), have no intentions of having their name on the Wal-Mart.

When I offered “YES Wal-Mart” signs to some of the city personnel they acted as if I was giving holy water to a vampire.

People, think back to the 2004 election and it was no surprise that Bruce S (lost reelection), Tom Centernowski and Jill Gestwicki (decided not to run) disappeared from the political landscape, and all voted in favor of the Iceport development.  Smith survived because he had no challenger, and truth be told, if the construction had not have stopped in Feb 04, probably Jack Vaccaro would have been Mayor of Cudahy from 2004 to 2007.

A very informed reader emailed me this info about Cudahy School closing and Wal-Mart spin.

Wal-Mart has helped the schools in the South Milwaukee and Cudahy area, in 1992 Kosciuszko Elementary School was closed due to declining enrollment, it reopened in 1997 after a surge in the population and was reopened, it didn't have enough money for playground equipment.  The Wal-Mart on 27th and college (near the Menards) that stored donated two tetherball poles to helped them out.

In 2004, Wal-Mart named Rene Winter who is a Special education teacher at Kosciuszko School a Teacher of the Year Nominee and received $1,000 for the school.

In the Wal-Mart and Sam's Club store on 27th Street.  There are framed letters from businesses and schools thanking them for their donations and volunteer time for helping them.  A few of the letters I saw were from K-Ranch I believe, one was from the South Milwaukee booster club plus the Athletics department for donating towards there football program I believe.

This is what the public doesn’t know and should know, plus, Rene Winter, the Teacher from Kosciuszko, she is a staunch supporter of Wal-Mart and many of the teachers want this Wal-Mart.

If you ask around the school system, I don't if you have any kids in the public schools but many of the teachers want this.  Teachers want a Wal-Mart because of the prices and would have more options to choose from.  Pick 'N Save has very little to choose in school supplies plus the stuff is to expensive.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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