The Way I See It!

The rematch game will be held on May 2nd, the Cudahy Police and Fire Departments will square off at 5pm in their annual battle.  Members of the Cudahy School District faculty will play at 3pm on May 2nd.  The proceeds for the May 2nd games will benefit Dennis LeDoux, a Cudahy Firefighter who was forced to retire following a duty incurred injury and who is still struggling from his injury.

Since 2002, Battle of the Badges has raised $20,187 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

As the Swine Flu moves up levels, be alert, take precaution, be informed, but don’t panic. 

The World Health Organization Wednesday raised the global alert for the swine flu to a level 5, meaning a pandemic is imminent.

Swine Flu can already be in the Milwaukee area:  Three probable swine flu cases in state, two in city

A number of children with connections to the two Milwaukee cases are exhibiting symptoms of swine flu, Baker said.  Those children attend various Milwaukee Public Schools and are being monitored by health professionals, Baker said.

Officials did not identify any of the children or the adult, or say whether they had been hospitalized or quarantined.  The news conference lasted approximately 20 minutes.

Officials said the following schools will be closed Thursday and Friday:

• Mitchell Elementary School, 1728 S. 23rd St.

• Riverside University High School, 1615 E. Locust St.

• Clement Avenue Elementary School, 3666 S. Clement Ave.

• Rogers Street Academy, 2430 W. Rogers St.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/44019787.html

This is something to take seriously, but not to over react.

If this blows over and truly didn’t have a bite and was all bark, it was a good thing to happen.  This will have given us some experience in the modern era of globalization of what to do if the next pandemic is deadly.  Look at it as a trial run.

Currently the virus outside of Mexico doesn’t seem to be killing people.  Why is the big question!  It might have something to do with the poor health care in Mexico or the government run part of it.  It could be something genetic to do with ethnic background!  We don’t know and neither do other nations.

One of my friends here in Milwaukee emailed me this:

“Swine Flu - This might actually be more serious than I thought.  I just received notice that they are "Virucidally" (didn't know that was a word) cleaning/disinfecting our office to protect against the Swine Flu.”

Be cautious!  It is not time to don the medical masks just yet! 

Do simple things like washing your hands a lot during the day. 

Do not cover your mouth with your hand, but do use the inside of your arm at the bend of your elbow.  That is the safest place to sneeze in or cough to.  If you cover your mouth with your hand and not wash it just after it, you will be spreading the germs from your mouth to your hand, to the object your hand touches.

Try not to touch your face while out and about as that is the way many people get sick from.

After you blow your nose, wash your hands.

Proper hand washing with soap and water

Follow these instructions for washing with soap and water:

Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid soap or use clean bar soap.  Lather well.

Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 to 20 seconds.

Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.

Rinse well.

Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.

Use a towel to turn off the faucet.

Proper use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers — which don't require water — are an excellent alternative to hand washing, particularly when soap and water aren't available.  They're actually more effective than soap and water in killing bacteria and viruses that cause disease.  Commercially prepared hand sanitizers contain ingredients that help prevent skin dryness.  Using these products can result in less skin dryness and irritation than hand washing.

Not all hand sanitizers are created equal, though.  Some "waterless" hand sanitizers don't contain alcohol.  Use only the alcohol-based products.  The CDC recommends choosing products that contain at least 60 percent alcohol.

To use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

Apply about 1/2 teaspoon of the product to the palm of your hand.

Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they're dry.

If your hands are visibly dirty, however, wash with soap and water, if available, rather than a sanitizer.

And people we need to stop licking the handles on the grocery carts - gotta stop that practice.  Ha-ha…  We need to keep a sense of humor during this time!

While driving through Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota I noticed one thing while filling up gas in my car. 

Gas prices were very close to what we are paying in the metro Milwaukee area, but you could buy the mid-grade for cheaper than the regular grade gas.

Regular $2:12

Mid-Grade $2:04

Premium $2:16

Now you will notice that the prices don’t reflect the normal 10 cents different between grades that you normally see.  So what is the catch?

Let me further add this:  The Mid and Premium grades have stickers on them saying this – “Enriched with Ethanol” 

You look around and see signs that say, “Enriched with Iowa Ethanol for superior performance and mileage” 

So in a nutshell the Regular gas is real gas!  The good stuff that we used to have!  We have seen our mileage reduced by 25% with going to the “Enriched with Ethanol.”

Who is really being “Enriched”?  The commercial farmers growing corn and the ethanol plants, not the consumer!

A virus designed to target Mac computers has been detected in the wild.  The virus, called 'iBotNet', first came to the attention of computer security firms at the start of the year and infected at least several thousand machines.

According to Symantec director of security response Kevin Haley, Macs haven't been targeted because virus writers want to go after bigger targets.  He says he expects to see more viruses like this one.

"This isn't the first.  It's getting a lot of press mostly because it's Mac and people are talking about how Macs are immune to malware -- and, sure enough, they're not," said Arbor Networks senior security researcher Jose Nazario.

Source: www.upi.com

In a city were heroin drug overdoses are happening, we need to put more money and resources to the police and NOT flowerpots!  Businesses and residents are not going to want to relocate to Cudahy with a drug problem that we, as a city, have.

Some people would just like to brush this under the table or become an ostrich and stick their head in the sand and wish it wasn’t happening.  But it is and at an alarming rate! 

I am sure I will get the flood of emails from supporters claiming that I am making this up!  Yeah, the last few times I have done stories on crime and drug deaths, that is what I have received.

We need to take action and it needs to be swift and unrelenting.  We need to clean up the city of crime and drugs before worrying about which streetlight looks the most posh!

Novice heroin user overdoses

A 28-year-old Cudahy man, who overdosed on heroin after using it for the first time, and a 24-year-old Cudahy man were arrested following the drug incident in an apartment in the 3600 block of East Munkwitz Avenue at 11:18 p.m. March 29.

I have to say I was a very big Devo fan back in the 1980’s.  Come to think about it that was a perfect way to use flowerpots during a recession!

http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE52979X20090311

Had to go with the live version, as the video version could not be embedded.

Devo "Whip It” You will notice they were giving flowerpots for free.

While attending an event at the Bradley Center, we decided to park in the Bradley Center Parking Structure that is adjacent to the Bradley Center.  The Parking Structure on 1030 North Sixth Street that MATC students and faculty and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel employees use has well.

While driving up the parking ramp, I noticed so many reserved parking spots for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel employees.  Many vacant spots! 

And YES this was not during the normal business working hours, but with all of the job cuts that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is going through it might be time to adjust those valuable parking spots.

On my way out while paying I asked the guard how often the reserved parking spots are evaluated based on needs?  He didn’t have a clue, but he did think it was a waste and a shame not to get paying customers in those spots.  He then said, “Well the Journal does pay for those spots, but at a reduced rate and not the premium value they get on special events nights.  They fired a whole lot of people and I don’t think they need all of them, just a shame all the way around!”

Many times downtown parking is more valuable than gold and the guard is right it is a shame that many of those spots that are no longer needed but cannot be used.  Well used legally!  Park in them and you just might get a ticket!

So here is hoping the powers that be read this post and inquire about reevaluating the needs verse the current supply.

I have sent an email to the Bradley Center itself about this and have not received a word back yet!

The US has declared a public health emergency. 20 U.S. cases in 5 states

United States government declared a public health emergency Sunday as the number of identified cases of swine flu in the nation rose to 20.

The declaration is part of a "standard operating procedure" that will make available additional government resources to combat the virus, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said at the White House.

Additional cases of swine flu are expected to be reported in the coming days, added Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No one has died in the U.S. from swine flu, officials said Sunday.

In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said eight students at St. Francis Prepatory School in Queens have tested positive for swine flu.  More than 100 students at the school were absent with flu-like symptoms last week, he said.

State public health officials in Ohio confirmed one case of swine flu on Sunday.  There have been seven confirmed cases in California, two in Kansas, and two in Texas, Besser said.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/26/swine.flu/index.html

From the CDC  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ - Symptoms of swine flu include high fever, body aches, lethargy, lack of appetite, respiratory congestion, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  It also can be spread from person to person.

This new flu will be something to watch.  It happens at a very bad time as spring break has just ended and a favorite destination is Mexico where the virus originated at.  Be alarmed, be informed, but don’t panic!

81 dead in Mexico as flu emergency goes global

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/26/swine.flu/index.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090426/ap_on_re_au_an/swine_flu_world_29

Don’t forget it will take months once they get the go a head to create a vaccine for it.

1918:

The Spanish flu pandemic that started in 1918 was possibly the deadliest outbreak of all time.  It was first identified in the U.S., but became known as the Spanish flu because it received more media attention in Spain than in other countries, which were censoring the press during World War I.  The 1918 flu was an H1N1 strain — different from the one currently affecting Mexico and the U.S. — and struck mostly healthy young adults.  Experts estimate it killed about 40 to 50 million people worldwide.

1957:

The 1957 pandemic was known as the Asian flu.  It was sparked by an H2N2 strain and was first identified in China.  There were two waves of illness during this pandemic; the first wave mostly hit children while the second mostly affected the elderly.  It caused about 2 million deaths globally. 

1957:

The most recent pandemic, known as the Hong Kong flu, was the mildest of the three pandemics this century.  It was first spotted in Hong Kong in 1968 and it spread globally over the next two years.  The people most susceptible to the virus were the elderly.  About 1 million people are estimated to have been killed by this pandemic, an H3N2 flu strain. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/

For reasons of cross species contaminations, I think it is a good idea when people don’t live with pigs and chickens.  I know it is a growing trend in the US including Madison.

Obama's health fine after trip to Mexico

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-04-25-obama-mexico_N.htm

The WHO's pandemic alert level is currently at to phase 3.

The organization said the level could be raised to phase 4 if the virus shows sustained ability to pass from human to human.

Phase 5 would be reached if the virus is found in at least two countries in the same region.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090426/ap_on_re_au_an/swine_flu_world_29

There are eight genes in the flu virus.  According to Dr Hay, this new one has six genes from swine flu viruses already known to have been circulating in the US, and two from swine flu viruses from Europe and Asia.  The US swine flu virus genes in this new virus are themselves mixtures of swine flu, bird flu and human flu viruses - what's described as a classic "re-assortment" - a combination feared most by those watching for a flu pandemic.  Experts around the world have been warning for years that this is inevitable. The last pandemic was in 1968 and killed around a million people worldwide.

These items can be considered rumors, gossip, street talk, the word or they could be true.  Only time will tell!

It was brought to my attention that the Boys and Girls locker room signs are not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1988, 1990) compliant in height and it doesn’t have Braille at Cudahy Middle School.  How could that have been missed?  I will have to check in with Superintendent Jim Heiden on the progress of the issues in the blog post Cudahy Middle School.  I do know the pool water is now warmer, but I was told the showers are still cold.

There is talk, a hiss if you might, of moving the six graders from the elementary schools to the middle school.

Joe Henkia’s name keeps popping up as well.  I am hearing he will run on a campaign platform that since Mayor McCue works part time, so shall he, but he will donate half his pay back to the city!

There is even some chatter that Lara L. Fritts the Director of Economic Development might move to Cudahy and run for Mayor.  It was said that she is doing a vast portion of what the Mayor’s job entails now as the Director of Economic Development and other parts of a Mayor’s job are mainly formalities.  Did Mayor McCue accidentally hire his replacement?

All of those thinking of running for Mayor in June or July, people will start coming out of McCue’s pocket and start moving away from him.  With August or September as the time when they truly will decide until if, they are going to make a run. 

Whose names are people talking about for a run at Mayor in 2010? 

- Jack Vaccaro, Robert Goss, Sara Eberhardy, Lee Barczak (now that he lives in Cudahy), I already mentioned Joe Henika, Alderman Joe Mikolajczak from district one, maybe ex-

Mayor John Hohenfeldt and, as I said last month, Tina Dondajeski.

Four homes in the 3800 block of  Martin Ave are about to be declared a nuisance and torn down, these places are vacant and up for sale.

There is talk of the city using “Eminent Domain” to takeover the rest of the buildings on Pennsylvania Avenue just South of Layton to accommodate building a complex on that area along with the open land on the corner of Pennsylvania and Layton.

This one is more or less a suggestion to Mayor McCue from a neighbor of mine – We can replace the bus stop benches with recycled beanbags material and add potpourri to the bus signs.  Maybe supply scented candles for the buses and play new age music on board.  Look at painting the sidewalks with pinks, blues and yellows. 

Lost Witness - Red Sun Rising

Buy It here

As Cudahy looks to improve downtown and have storefronts redone, Cudahy should look to the problems South Milwaukee has had with their ‘Façade Grant’ so Cudahy doesn’t make the same mistakes down the road.

We learned at the Common Council meeting on Tuesday April 21, 2009, that if the CDA rejects the façade grant request, there is no real recourse the business has to appeal the decision.  The decision is final in the hands of the CDA.  

The City Lounge was just rejected asking for an $18,000 façade grant request

According to this CudahyNow report, façade grants are available for landscaping, but the CDA's program is intended to revitalize dilapidated buildings, CDA Chairwoman Sara Eberhardy said, adding that the exterior of City Lounge "looks fantastic" and CDA members did not believe the project warranted grant funding.

Façade Grant Ineffective

Submitted By Michael

Posted: Apr. 1, 2009

After reading the Voters Guide for District One candidates, shown on the home page of this publication, a particular point stuck out for me.  Both of Gail Krugs’ opponents point out that the there already exists and façade grant and that it has been in place for years.  I get that there is a grant that resembles the tax break she proposes.  But how many years will it remain idle on the books while we watch the Milwaukee avenue business district disintegrate?  Or better yet, let’s allow the building owners to continue to patch and paint their corners of the district without any rhyme or reason.

I think the point Gail was trying to make is that new businesses that want to start-up or relocate to South Milwaukee aren’t moving in because of municipal roadblocks and a less than desirable storefront aesthetic.  Take Pete Sorces’ place on the corner of 10th and Milwaukee.  Now I haven’t talked to Mr. Sorce, but I am impressed with his storefront stone and awnings.  I could easily see Sorce Martial Arts on any corner in Lake Geneva. It would fit right in.  So I get what Ms. Krug is trying to say.  Let’s tie some urban design to the façade grant.  Use Sorce Martial Arts as a building block.  Let’s create a timeline for execution .  I am not suggesting we fine non-respondents, but light a fire under our business owners.  Fellas, if you want people to live, work and shop in South Milwaukee for things other than beer, bread and anything for a dollar, let’s make our town as attractive as its intentions.

Honestly, even if Gail doesn’t win a seat on the council, the powers that be need to do something before South Milwaukee falls into a irreversible tailspin.  And Mr. McCarthy, building condos and apartments is NOT good for the city.  Let’s focus on bringing in business and tax revenue to support the services that are currently left wanting for the current residents before we welcome more.

If you ever get the chance to visit Washington D.C and Smithsonian Museum of National Air and Space Museum, you will find Martin B-26 Marauder called “Flak Bait”.

My grandfather was a tail gunner and bombardier on that plane.  Recently looking at old photos of WWII most notably D-day, I started to think about Nose Art and plane painting.

My thoughts quickly were saddened that in a world run amok of “PC” we will not see many of the pictures and could not even think of doing it now.  Sexist would be thrown out!

Please take the time to look at the website I have listed below and some of the pictures of the art and think about our history and where we are going!

I would have posted them, but those who just want to complain and find objectable and offensive things would complain to Mark Maley.

So, I will not post them and my rights of free speech are diminished. 

These same people would love to have the bloody pictures I am sure wiped clean because they might be offensive.  Yes, change the whole history of things!  In the end, those “PC” people will have diminished more than our rights and freedoms!  They will have diminished the sacrifices those that fought and came before us.  They will have diminished our future and that of our children.

My niece told me that in school she is taught, “Practice makes progress not perfection!”  She told me that her teacher said you cannot be perfect, so don’t try! 

Oh yeah remember teachers are not suppose to be political just like Mayors, Alderman and school board members.  All nonpolitical positions!  All non-partisan positions!  Yeah, right!  Ideology is in the core beliefs of all.

Pictures here

C-47 "Lady Luck"

C-47 "Ready 4 Duty"

EC-135 "Nasty Stuff" Avionics Test Bed

EC-135 "Bird of Prey" Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA)

"Widow Maker"

A while back, I wrote about the Open Records request and how on one of them the City or Mayor McCue was stonewalling or just plain ignoring the request and Wisconsin’s Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen was sent a letter detailing such disregard to the law.

I was sent a copy of a letter dated September 9th explaining that the “Custodian of Records – City of Cudahy” Mayor Ryan McCue claimed to never have received the request dated June 26, 2008.

Here is the scanned document.

I should give Mayor McCue an apology for this claim of stonewalling since if he didn’t receive it and someone else in the City government failed in doing their job than the blame belongs somewhere else. 

I think we should all know who failed at doing their job.  That way we can place the proper blame where it belongs!

I wonder what the process is at City Hall once the request has been given.  Maybe the City needs to review that process and make corrective changes.  Understand that things fall through the cracks, but this is a matter for law.

Open records law section 19.31-19.39 –

The Law says:

A response is mandatory, while it is not required to be in writing, you can request a written response

The Attorney General has opined that 10 working days is generally a reasonable period of time to respond to a request.

That requests for public records should be given a high priority.

Arbitrary or capricious delays or denials without sufficient cause or reasons can cost the custodian punitive damages up to $1,000 dollars.

If your request is in writing, then it is incumbent upon the custodian to provide a denial or partial denial in writing.

A custodian must provide specific reasons for the denial.

The purpose of the written denial is to restrain custodians from simply denying access to records.  It also gives the requestor notice of reasons for denial and allows the requestor to re-draft another request or prepare a legal challenge.

Maybe disabled Cudahy Firefighter Dennis LeDoux needs to contact Wisconsin’s Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen since he has not been able to get his open records request fulfilled!

I would like to inform my readers that the NOW blogs will be doing a rollout change.

Waukesha-Brookfield-Elm Grove-Tosa: April 23

Men Falls-Germantown-All North Shore Sites: April 28

West Allis-Greenfield-Oak Creek-Hales Corners-Franklin-Greendale-Muskego-New Berlin: May 6

As you remember from some server changes before, there could be issues plus I will not be able to post a new item 24 hours near the timed change.

Please be patient as this transition takes place. 

The new blog program is the same blogging program that Journal Sentinel bloggers have been using for several months, so if you want to get an idea of how it's going to look check out Tim Cuprisin's blog as an example:

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/timcuprisin.html

This information is provided by NOW Online Editor Mark Maley

If after the change you notice anything odd, not working or not right please email Mark Maley MMALEY@journalsentinel.com with the problem and details to which you found it.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

This is just a reminder to please come down and be a part of Cudahy history on Tuesday for Ezzo’s swearing in as a Cudahy Police Officer!

Ezzo, part of the Cudahy K-9 with Officer and handler Brian Olson, will be sworn in as a Cudahy Police Officer at the beginning of the Common Council meeting on Tues. 4-21-09 at 7:00 P.M. at City Hall.

Please come and watch this historic and important event.  It will be in the beginning of the meeting so they don’t have to sit through the entire thing. 

Joe Sindric, proof! 

Where’s the PROOF that McCue ran on an anti Wal-Mart platform?  Please show us proof!  I stand on facts, proofs and truths!  NO McCue did not run on an anti Wal-Mart platform!  He didn’t want Wal-Mart getting tax subsidies, which they are not! 

Exact McCue quote - Wal-Mart:  I do not think that the City of Cudahy should provide a $12 million tax subsidy to the world’s biggest retailer.

Joe, if you truly believe that McCue ran on an anti Wal-Mart platform, you are on shaky ground and are drinking the Mayor’s kool-aid.  All of you anti Wal-Mart zealots point to that yet cannot back it up.  NOT ONE!  Give us some literature!  I gave you the Mayor’s own platform discrediting that!  Your turn to give something concrete!

I will take it as a complement that I am Cudahy’s version of Mark Belling.  Mark stands up for Milwaukee and I am standing up for Cudahy!  Thanks!  I do make a difference!  People are listening in city government and the citizens of Cudahy!

As far as "whining,” naw I will leave that up to you!  You are doing a fine job already!

I am not hiding behind anything!  Reasonable and fair criticisms of any elected official are acceptable in our democracy that enjoys free speech.  Being a citizen of Cudahy gives me a special advantage point of reference, of relevance, of voice since it directly affects me in a day manner!  I am getting involved and doing something are you?

“Never has done the job,” odd I do not see that on your resume as Cudahy Mayor either.

“I’m a citizen of Cudahy” - JTozz made the comment of “I can not believe someone actually said what gives you the right to rate a public servant”, I guess we can add your name to it Joe or you just might be the no name hide behind a fake name email.

“How about building owners who do not improve their store fronts to attract new business” now you are talking about something of real value.  Yes, you are right, businesses should have to keep up storefronts and build on the community.  I have talked about that in the past!

“Bloggers like you have hot, stale air.”  Not sure, you understand the meaning.  Full of hot air - Talking a lot, especially without saying anything of value or meaning.  That sounds like your comment, not my posts my friend! 

You added stale or old.  NO, my ideas are fresh and current!

“Nothing concrete for improvement,” again are you and have you been reading my posts for long.  I give many concrete ways to improve Cudahy.  Some many come by what NOT to DO!  What is WRONG to look at what IS RIGHT!

It was nice to see you at the meeting, Joe.

Take up the challenge I have out there.  Take McCue’s platform, item by item and show us proof to back up YOUR HOT AIR!  Your misconception of McCue!  Stop hiding behind empty words and give us proof!  Take the shot!

Believe and hear what you want and you will miss the truth!

Side note - Joe, you will have to use my copy of Ryan McCue’s platform because his site and the sub sites are NOW gone!  I did say they would disappear soon!

Amazing that McCue has taken down his old site.  I am sure that he did this in preparation for upcoming election.  He does not want any opponent, or potential opponent, having easy access to that information.  Then, once he comes up with his new stuff, can claim that other things did not exist.  Typical McCue!

www.ryanmccue.com/

www.ryanmccue.com/Documents/McCue%20for%20mayor%20second%20flier.pdf –

Foot Note – Mr. Sindric let us all look back at your hot air from the Wal-Mart forum on CudahyNow

bravo mayor mccue, what a wonderful sight, a wal mart in the gateway to downtown cudahy. are you kidding me?? i've read the comments, we have the usual wal mart is great comment, let's look at the big picture. 1. more police services because crimes will rise,2. how about the employees who will go on state progams for medical benefits, because their wal mart pay doesn't the amount of the benefits. 3. or how about what wal mart will want for traffic control ie,traffic lights, new roadways. as for mayor mccue he has done an excellent job. not like the last mayor who could not decide on a gang ordinance when they were running wild in the city.

well, well, well another class action lawsuit against wal-mart. this one is in the heartland, and making people work off the clock. hey, is this the 1930's? oh no it's 2008 and we are discussing wal-mart coming to cudahy. i've read comments about some movie that is out of date. i don't think so!! support a co. that puts people on our tax rolls for health insurance? support a co. that makes people work off the clock?? support a co.like this, never!!!

will I whine like the pro walmart people and ask for a recall of craig faucett,or that he should be fired. no I will not. I will say mayor McCue has done an excellent job. was it the mayor who did not fill the old kohls building with busineses? what did mayor jake do?? most of these pro walmart people want to use the recall, because like little children they did not get their way. mayor McCue has stood by his pledge as anti walmart, and did he not get the majority of the vote. when it is all said and done I hope this walmart thing doesn't rob more money from the people of cudahy.,

Congratulations to the Cudahy Police Department for the win in the 8th annual Battle of the Badges.  Congratulations to the Make-A-Wish foundation of Wisconsin.

In a friendly game of basketball between rivals at Cudahy High School, the game was very evenly matched.  In the end, the Cudahy Police basketball squad won 69 to 63.

The most important aspect of the game was the money raised for the Make-A-Wish foundation of Wisconsin.

Cudahy’s K-9, Ezzo, along with Officer and Handler Brian Olson were in attendance.

Cudahy Fourth District Alderperson Jason Litkowiec was there along with Cudahy Police Chief Thomas D Poellot and South Milwaukee’s Police Chief Ann Wellens.

I did not see Cudahy Mayor McCue in attendance.

Cudahy’s Sgt Chris Blunt's family won the prize of a free sub each week from Cousins Subs.  A big congratulations to the Blunt family.

Cousins Subs was the sponsor and had concessions on hand at the game.  Even the Cousins Subs mascot was there for support and pictures.

The rematch game will be held on May 2nd, the Cudahy Police and Fire Departments will square off at 5pm in their annual battle.  Members of the Cudahy School District faculty will play at 3pm on May 2nd.  The proceeds for the May 2nd games will benefit Dennis LeDoux, a Cudahy Firefighter who was forced to retire following a duty incurred injury and who is still struggling from his injury.

Since 2002, Battle of the Badges has raised $20,187 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Open Honest McCue

I saw on CudahyNow (Plans in works for former Kohl's Food site) that the CDA met in closed session, then came into open session and voted unanimously to approve the financial structure in concept at the Kohl’s Site. 

While that old building is a dump, how much city money is going into the development, and what are the plans?

If Mayor McCue, who ran on an open meetings platform, can't come out and tell the public how potentially taxpayer dollars are going to be used, shouldn't he eat his words?

Why is the CDA always meeting in closed session, and then giving candy away to everyone who walks into the city, except Wal-Mart!

I don’t want to give the store away nor do I think Wal-Mart should get funds, but be fair to the developers and the businesses they bring!  The name on the building should not matter!

I would love to see a comment out of the Mayor, other than, “No Comment”!

A quick check of the new website http://www.cudahy4business.com has the following:

Source Page

Former Kohls Site – The CDA has begun discussions with a business looking at revitalizing the former Kohl's building on KK.  Because real estate negotiations are currently underway, and the CDA does not want to jeopardize these negotiations, the name of the business cannot be disclosed at this time.

From CudahyNow

Plans in works for former Kohl's Food site

The identity of the developer has not been disclosed at this time.

The site at Plankinton and Kinnickinnic avenues is outside the city's tax-incremental finance district, but the project may be eligible for TIF funding because the state now allows TIF funds to be spent within a half-mile of a TIF district.

Tax-incremental financing, or TIF, is a mechanism that allows municipalities to borrow money to fund infrastructure improvements for an area that otherwise would be difficult to develop or redevelop.  The increased property tax revenue from the improved land is then diverted from the tax roll to pay off the loan.

Eberhardy said the allocation of TIF funds are key to getting the proposed project accomplished.

Plans for the vacant site are consistent with the Cudahy 2020 Comprehensive Master Plan, she said.

"Those of us who know about the plans are very excited," she said.

Specifics on the proposal likely will be disclosed next month, she said.

Side Notes Source Page

Cobalt Site - On April 14, 2009 the City of Cudahy Community Development Authority (CDA) voted to stop negotiations with Cobalt Partners and recommended termination of the Memorandum of Understanding.  This matter is expected to appear on an upcoming Common Council agenda.

Downtown Décor – The new banners have been ordered replacing the old tattered ones.  The will be installed for this Summer from Cudahy to Holmes along Packard Avenue.  The flower baskets are expected to be installed at the end of May but no later than the first week of June. 

I would like to thank Roland Melnick of BadgerBlogger for taking this picture of my car driving to the event.  I had 3 other bloggers with me and it is nice to see other bloggers there at the Alliant Center.

Car Picture H/T Roland Melnick of BadgerBlogger

http://badgerblogger.com/?p=11929#more-11929

I looked for Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue who just last week said this: "The State of Wisconsin is the most screwed up state in America and the state should mind their own business"

With Mayor McCue’s disgust of the state, thus Jim Doyle, wouldn’t he have been there to show how really upset he is?  Makes you wonder if Mayor McCue just said those hollow words or does he mean it?

Isn’t it something so small like the First Amendment to the United States Constitution!

I saw on CudahyNow (Cudahy to repay Walgreens $211,000 in taxes) on Friday that the city is paying Walgreen’s $211,000 as a part of the tax settlement from the challenge of their assessment.

The question for city officials, mainly the mayor, the city accountant, and city financial advisors, is....

Why do the taxpayers of Cudahy have to pick up the tab on the lower tax assessment in 2009, when this property is in the TIF? 

- From the CudahyNow article Cudahy to repay Walgreens $211,000 in taxes)

Each household will have to pay about $10.88, which will appear on the 2009 tax bills, he said.”

If I challenge my assessment and win, will it appear on yours and your neighbor’s tax bill?  If so, please let us know. 

I am sure there are unscrupulous assessors (who for the right payoff under the table) that someone could find that will challenge the city, split the proceeds, and stick it to you, your neighbors, and all my neighbors!  All while helping out the person who hired the unscrupulous assessor at others expense.  The saying goes – If there is a will, there is a way!

To me, I am wondering if the city even thought about what they will do when people challenge the assessments and win or what about the unscrupulous assessors.

Mayor McCue is using TIF money for everything from promotion to flowerpots, why not this? 

I would love a response other than no comment from our city officials on this one!

Well, he decided to put a hold on the streetscaping so the flowerpots are out.

(That is the power of pressure people that all of you hold.  Without your emails and calls, $4,500 tax dollars would have been used in this bad economic time.  I will take some credit for getting some needed sunlight exposure on it, but it was the sheer numbers of people upset that made the difference!)