A Supreme Court race that could change everything

I'm a people watcher so to speak. I like to think I am observant, and having said that, this race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court absolutely amazes me. We have a twelve year veteran of the court, David Prosser, who in the primary took an astounding 55% of the vote against I believe four other people. Yet he is now facing possible defeat. This amazes me because his opponent is not even close to being qualified to be on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. So, why does she have such a good chance now? Greed.

Here's the basic rundown on Joanne Kloppenburg. She's essentially an environmental attorney who has prosecuted mainly for the DNR. Not only has she never been a judge, she has been passed over to be appointed as a judge not only by Republican Governor Tommy Thompson, but also by ultra liberal Jim Doyle and President Obama. None of these men felt she was qualified to be a judge, but she has a strong chance of becoming a Supreme Court Justice.

The unions believe Kloppenburg will help overturn Governor Walker's budget repair bill. I can't help but wonder why they believe that so strongly. It would be less than appropriate for her to indicate how she might rule on the case before even being elected, but something has the left believing that. Money is pouring in from everywhere for TV ads. One ad in particular being run by the Greater Wisconsin Committee accuses David Prosser of failing to prosecute a priest for molestation back when Prosser was a District Attorney. The ad is not even close to being accurate and one of the victims of the priest in question has requested the Greater Wisconsin Committee pull the ad and has requested that Kloppenburg encourage the GWC to pull the ad. Both requests have went ignored. Here's the statement from the victim.
From http://wispolitics.com/1006/110324_Troy_Merryfield_Statement__1_.pdf

This is from his statement:

Signed- Troy Merryfield


Kloppenburg has refused to ask the GWC to pull the ad saying they as a 3rd party have a 1st amendment right to run any ad they choose. The ad is misleading, and offensive to the victim but this is the world of dirty politics from the left. Whatever it takes to win, that's what they will do.

A good commentary about Kloppenburg.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/118948209.html

Here are some accurate ads about Kloppenburg and David Prosser.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooSWZIhCRYI&feature=player_embedded


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9lUkpdIPEE&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiyVImlCd7M&feature=player_embedded

Many people, my own mother included have been duped by the lying attack ads against David Prosser. Conservatives need to step up and share the truth about this race. We need a qualified Justice, not a prosecutor for the DNR.


Obviously many people are against Scott Walker and the budget repair bill. I know a lot of these people and many are conservative and would NEVER think of voting for someone like Kloppenburg in any other case. Yet they will vote for her because of their own pocketbook. These people need to be reminded that this is a ten year vote they are making. A ten year vote over ONE issue because it may put money back in their pocket. Shame Shame Shame!!

The election is only five days away. Be sure to get out and vote for David Prosser!

Those endorsing Prosser as of March 22.

Gov. Scott McCallum

Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow 

 

Retired Supreme Court Justices:

Justice William Callow

Justice Don Steinmetz

Justice Louis Ceci

Justice Jon Wilcox

Judges:

Hon. Charles Pollex, Adams

Hon. J.D. McKay, Brown

Hon. Donald Zuidmulder-Brown

Hon. Kendall M Kelley, Brown

Hon. Mark Warpinski, Brown

Hon. Don Poppy, Calumet

Hon. Alan White, Columbia

Hon. Patrick Fiedler, Dane

Hon. George Glonek, Douglas

Hon. Kelly Thimm, Douglas

Hon. Leon Stenz, Forest

Hon. Dale English, Fond du Lac

Hon. Peter Grimm, Fond du Lac

Hon. Richard Nuss, Fond du Lac

Hon. Robert Wirtz, Fond du Lac

Hon. James Beer, Green

Hon. Randy Koschnick, Jefferson

Hon. Paul Curran, Juneau

Hon. John Roemer, Juneau

Hon. Chad Kerkman, Kenosha

Hon. Bruce Schroeder, Kenosha

Hon. Wilbur Warren, Kenosha

Hon. Mary Wagner, Kenosha

Hon. Todd Bjerke, LaCrosse

Hon. Scott Horne, LaCrosse

Hon. Fred Karalski, Langlade

Hon. Jay Tlusty, Lincoln

Hon. Tim Duket, Marinette

Hon. James Habech, Shawano

Hon. Carl Ashley, Milwaukee

Hon. William Brash, Milwaukee

Hon. Jane Carroll, Milwaukee

Hon. Dennis Cimpl, Milwaukee

Hon. Jeffrey Conen, Milwaukee

Hon. Pedro Colon, Milwaukee

Hon. Joseph Donald, Milwaukee

Hon. Tim Dugan, Milwaukee

Hon. Clare Fiorenza, Milwaukee

Hon. David Hansher, Milwaukee

Hon. Daniel Konkol, Milwaukee

Hon. Mary Kuhnmuench, Milwaukee

Hon. Kevin Martens, Milwaukee

Hon. Dennis Moroney, Milwaukee

Hon. Daniel Noonan, Milwaukee

Hon. Stephanie Rothstein, Milwaukee

Hon. William Sosnay, Milwaukee

Hon. Francis Wasielewski, Milwaukee

Hon. J.D. Watts, Milwaukee

Hon. Maxine White, Milwaukee

Hon. Jay Conley, Oconto

Hon. Michael Judge, Oconto

Hon. John Desjardins, Outagamie

Hon. Howard Froehlich, Outagamie

Hon. Michael Gage, Outagamie

Hon. Mark McGinnis, Outagamie

Hon. Mitchell Metropulos, Outagamie

Hon. Paul Malloy, Ozaukee

Hon. Sandy Williams, Ozaukee

Hon. Joseph Boles, Pierce

Hon. Dennis Barry, Racine

Hon. Faye Flancher, Racine

Hon. Gerard Ptacek, Racine

Hon. Gene Gasiorkiewicz, Racine

Hon. Edward Lieneweber, Richland

Hon. Daniel Dillon, Rock

Hon. Michael Fitzpatrick, Rock

Hon. James Welker, Rock

Hon. Scott R. Needham, St. Croix

Hon. Patrick Taggart, Sauk

Hon. Robert Kennedy, Walworth

Hon. James Carlson, Walworth

Hon. Todd Martens, Washington

Hon. Michael Bohren, Waukesha

Hon. William Domina, Waukesha

Hon. Donald Hassin, Waukesha

Hon. Lee Dreyfus, Waukesha

Hon. Mac Davis, Waukesha

Hon. Patrick Haughney, Waukesha

Hon. Ralph Ramirez, Waukesha

Hon. Mark Gundrum, Waukesha

Hon. Raymond Huber, Waupaca

Hon. Greg Dutcher, Waushara

Hon. John Jorgensen, Winnebago

Hon. James Mason, Wood

Hon. George Curry, Grant

Hon. James Eaton, Barron (retired)

Hon. Tim Vocke, Oneida (retired)

Hon. Ed Zappen, Wood

Elected Officials: 

County Executive Dan Vrakas (Waukesha)

Mayor John Antaramian (Kenosha--former)

Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer (Independent-Manitowoc)

Rep. Tyler August (R-Walworth) 

Rep Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan)  

Rep. Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz)

Rep. John Murtha (R-Baldwin)

Rep. Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater)

Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby)

Rep. Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls)  

Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette)

Rep. Alvin Ott (R-Forest Junction)

Rep. Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay)

Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon)

Rep. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg)

Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca)

Rep. Jerry Petrowski, Jerry (R-Marathon)

Rep. Warren Petryk (R-Eleva)

Rep. Mike Endsley (R-Sheboygan)

Rep. Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee)

Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford)

Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Beaver Dam)

Rep. Keith Ripp (R-Lodi)

Rep. Roger Rivard (R-Rice Lake)

Rep. Mark Honadel (R-S. Milwaukee)

Rep. Erik Severson (R-Star Prairie)

Rep. Andre Jacque (R-Green Bay)

Rep. Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh)

Rep. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield)

Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah)

Rep, Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake)  

Rep. Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna)

Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greenfield)

Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake)

Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend)

Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc)

Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford)

Rep. John Klenke (R-Green Bay)

Rep. Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel)

Rep. Joe Knilans (R-Janesville)

Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac)

Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown)

Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst)

Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson)

Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield)

Rep. Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City)

Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha)

Rep. Scott Krug (R-Wisconsin Rapids)

Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay)

Rep. Robin Vos (R-Caledonia)

Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin)

Rep. Tom Larson (R-Colfax)

Rep. Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay)

Rep. Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade)

Rep, Mary Williams (R-Medford)

Rep. Michelle Litjens (R-Oshkosh)

Rep. Evan Wynn (R-Whitewater)

Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton)

Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green)

Rep. Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River)

Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills)

Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau)

Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay)
Sen. Michael Ellis (R-Neenah)

Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau)

Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend)

Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls)

Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac)

Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse)

Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn)

Sen. Frank Lasee (R-DePere)

Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin)

Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls)

Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon)

Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center)

Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) 

Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine)

Past-Rep. John Dobyns

 

Law Enforcement Community

Milwaukee Police Association

Sheriff David Clarke, Milwaukee

Sheriff Dan Trawicki, Waukesha

Sheriff John Gossage, Brown

Sheriff Steve Helgeson, La Crosse

Sheriff Bradley Gehring, Outagamie

Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, Racine

Sheriff Todd Nehls, Dodge

Sheriff Paul Susienkea, Bayfield

Sheriff Jerry Moran, Crawford

Sheriff Mylan Fink, Fond du Lac

Sheriff Dennis Smith, Dunn

Sheriff Jerry Sauve, Marinette

Sheriff John Andrews, Pepin

Sheriff Dean Roland, Burnett

Sheriff Dennis Richards, Columbia

Sheriff Thomas Dalbec, Douglas

Sheriff Mark Podoll, Green Lake

Sheriff James Kowalczyk, Chippewa

Sheriff Ron Cramer, Eau Claire

Sheriff Jeff Rickaby, Florence

Sheriff Keith Glover, Grant

Sheriff Steve Michek, Iowa

Sheriff Brent Oleson, Juneau

Sheriff David Beth, Kenosha

Sheriff Scott Pedley, Lafayette

Sheriff William Greening, Langlade

Sheriff Kim Gaffney, Marquette

Sheriff Phil Malsack, Marquette (former)

Sheriff David Kaminski, Rusk County

Sheriff Michael Jansen, Oconto

Sheriff Maury Straub, Ozaukee

Sheriff Chris Schmaling, Racine

Sheriff Randy Wright, Shawano

Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, St. Croix

Sheriff Gene Carey, Vernon

Sheriff David Graves, Walworth

Sheriff Terry Dryen, Washburn

Sheriff Dale Schmidt, Washington

Sheriff David Peterson, Waushara

Sheriff Michael Brooks, Winnebago

Sheriff Randy Roderick, Green (former)

Sheriff Lewis Rosandisch, Clark (former)

Sheriff James Kanikula, Marinette (former)

Sheriff Randy Stammen, Sauk (former)

Sheriff James Meier, Sawyer (former)

Chief Randy Martin, RIO

DA John Zakowski, Brown

DA Mike Nieskes, Racine

DA Richard Dufor, Marquette

DA Brad Schimel, Waukesha

DA Carrie Schneider, Outagamie

DA Kurt Klomberg, Dodge

DA Daniel Bank, Douglas

DA Gary Luhman, Green

DA Gerald Fox, Jackson

DA Scott Southworth, Juneau

DA Adam Gerol, Ozaukee

DA Gregory Parker, Shawano

DA Eric Johnson, St Croix

DA John Snider, Waupaca

DA Scott Blader, Waushara

Past State Bar Presidents

 Gary Bakke, New Richmond

Pamela E. Barker, Appleton

Lawrence J. Bugge, Madison

R. George Burnett, Green Bay

Gregory R. Conway, Green Bay

John R. Decker, Evansville

James D. Ghiardi, Shorewood

Franklyn M. Gimbel, Milwaukee

D. Michael Guerin, Milwaukee

Donald L. Heaney, Madison

Myron E. La Rowe, Reedsburg

Gerald W. Mowris, Madison

Gerald M. O’Brien, Stevens Point

John Skilton, Madison

Thomas S. Sleik, La Crosse

Steven R. Sorenson, Ripon

John Walsh, Madison

G. Lane Ware, Wausau

Associations/Groups

Physicians for Responsible Government

Wisconsin Restaurant Association

Wisconin Realtors Association

Wisconsin Builders Association

Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Prosser Endorsement

Wausau Daily Herald:  Prosser Endorsement 

Sun Prairie Star

Past/Current or Future Law Clerks

Beth Ermatinger Hanan

Allan M. Foeckler

Irene B. Katele

Tyson A. Ciepluch

Michael C. Sanders

Thomas M. Hruz

Robert H. Clarke

David A Strifling

Bryan J. Cahill

Cynthia M. Davis

Clayton P. Kawski

Joshua K. Byers

Kyle S. Conway

Rachel M. Peterson

Philip C. Babler

---

Attny. Gregory Cook

Attny. Scott Beightol

Attny. William Gleisner

Tyler Kristopeit 

Kevin M. Kelly 

Mark Dahlberg 

Maude Dahlberg 

Michael Kawczynski

Kim Travis

Frederic Seefeldt

Robert Kirst

Amy Winters

Carol Diehl

Mary Jo Baas

James Ribnek

David Falstad

David Strifling

Waupun union resolution update. It just get's more and more insane

Due to prior obligations, I was unable to attend the city council meeting last night. However, my councilman represented my point of view and stated “I’m against any resolution, It’s not necessary.”

Here's a link to the story. 

http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/local/article_5e9dd5cc-5a7a-11e0-bcdc-001cc4c03286.html 

Alderman Mike Johnson moved to change some of the wording and vote on it during the April 12th meeting. But he also said this: "If we pass a resolution, will it be a feel good thing, or will it have an impact?" 

I am doing my best to not be a smart mouth here, I really am. But if a Capitol building full of people with signs (some comparing Walker to Adolph Hitler), people chanting, banging on drums, democratic lawmakers yelling "shame shame shame!", MSNBC and all of its 5 viewers, Michael Moore speaking with his socialist agenda and so on and so forth was not enough to get Governor Walker to change his mind, OF COURSE A RESOLUTION FROM WAUPUN IS NOT GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT!

I don't mean to shout but I can't help but wonder with Mike Johnson is thinking. 

As I stated in my last blog post, the city council can not possibly pass any resolution on this issue and fairly represent both sides, and only representing one side is not fair. The city needs to drop the matter and just be neutral. 

To the three that voted to move this along, those being Matt Hickmann, Mike Johnson and Nancy Vanderkin, get out of the hip pockets of the unions and realize you can't do this without making the residents angry, regardless of what side they come down on. Drop it.

Waupun council can't fairly represent both sides with resolution

On Friday I wrote about issues going on here in Waupun, including a proposed resolution requested by a handful of people essentially stating the people of the city of Waupun support collective bargaining and local decision making with unions. Here is the proposed resolution...

RESOLUTION #3-29-11-01

WHEREAS, The Waupun Common Council acknowledges the fiscal budget deficit of the State of Wisconsin and the shared participation in balancing the budget.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the entire community of City of Waupun including employees, businesses, and residents will be impacted as the result of the fiscal budget deficit of the State of Wisconsin.

WHEREAS, the Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun will participate in balancing the State of Wisconsin budget though the reduction in State Aid payments.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun employees will participate in balancing the State of Wisconsin budget through contributions to pensions and health insurance premiums.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun business community will be impacted with the loss of disposable income estimated at $33,378,342 throughout Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun residents may be impacted in a loss of services due to the reductions in State Aid payments.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Waupun supports local city employees and the approximately 190,623 public workers in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties and the City of Waupun supports the principals of collective bargaining and requests that the City of Waupun retain local decision making with its employee unions regarding good faith collective bargaining and decisions associated with local tax dollars,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Governor Scott Walker, State Senator Randy Hopper, State Senator Scott Fitzgerald, State Representative Jeff Fitzgerald, and State Representative Richard Spanbauer.

Adopted this 29^th day of March, 2011.

_____________________________________

Mayor Jodi A. Steger

_____________________________________

Angela Hull, City Clerk   

 ===============================================================

Yesterday afternoon, I spoke with Waupun City Administrator Kyle Clark regarding budget issues and this resolution. It was a very good conversation, and although we didn't agree on a couple of things, Kyle had no problem answering questions and clarifying some things for me. 

In discussing this resolution, Kyle feels it's worded in such a way that both supporters and opponents of Governor Walker are fairly represented. I have to respectfully disagree. Kyle asked how I would change the wording to make it seem more balanced. I feel there is no way to do that, so if it were up to me, the council would just leave the issue alone and not pass a resolution for anyone on this matter.

As a city we can't say we support collective bargaining but we don't support collective bargaining in the same resolution. The council can't pass this resolution and then get a request from another group saying something different in another resolution. It then becomes a matter of which side to support, and if the council chooses to pass one resolution but chooses to vote down an opposing resolution, one side is not going to be treated fairly. 

I have no complaints with the people that requested the current resolution. They feel very strongly about this issue and would like their viewpoint expressed. The council can vote no on the current resolution without being disrespectful to those that requested it. 

Everyone that lives in Waupun knows that, as a city, we are divided on this issue. Since both sides can't be equally represented in this matter, no action should be taken. 

Both sides can borrow a line from former President Ronald Reagan and say "Those voices don't speak for the rest of us."

Posted by Mike Schwandt. March 27, 2011.

Political games in Waupun. It seems we have our own Nancy Pelosi among other things.

This past Monday evening the city council here in Waupun agreed to new union contracts with city employees. There were no contract details provided publicly beforehand. In fact, my alderman was not told they were going to be voting on this until he received his pre-council meeting packet last Saturday. He told me he was caught off guard by this. He stated the last he knew several months ago the union had rejected the offer from the city and everyone was waiting for the budget repair bill to be passed. This apparently was not true, but the committee handling these negotiations were keeping a lid on it. Here's a link to the story.

http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/local/article_22529180-5443-11e0-8494-001cc4c03286.html

From the article..."Last week, Clark finally got information about the potential reductions in state aides, including state shared revenues, transportation aids, payments for municipal services, and recycling grant funds."
Please note the word "potential" there. I will be checking on Monday to confirm, but if I am reading that correctly, these numbers are not set in stone, but rather are based on the state budget proposed by Governor Scott Walker. I tried to get a definitive answer from Mayor Jodi Steger this afternoon, but she didn't know. All she would say was Kyle Clark had the information on what the shared revenue would be for this year.
So, it appears we have some unknowns here, yet it was decided to ink new contracts despite these unknowns. I'll go into that a bit more later on.
We also don't know what the details of the union contracts are. According to the article, "In fairness to the union, I'd like them to have an opportunity to vote on it before discussing what's in the offer," said Clark.
So, we apparently have our own version of Nancy Pelosi here in Waupun. Last year Pelosi said "We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it."
So, the people who actually pay these public employees don't have the right to know the details. Some elected members in our city did some number crunching, decided it looked okay, inked new contracts with little to no public notice and we still don't know the details. So much for representative government.
The next issue we have is an article written by Mayor Steger that appeared in the Action Shopper on March 23. Among other things, she addresses "rumors" that have been running rampant in our city. One of the rumors is that unions are boycotting area businesses that do not support their cause. The Mayor wrote "This is a false rumor according to all of the representatives."
I spoke with the Mayor this afternoon. As far as she is concerned, that's the end of the story. I asked how this meeting with these union reps came about. She stated the meeting was requested by City Administrator Kyle Clark and he asked her to join them. So, the union reps deny, case closed. I asked the Mayor if she bothered to check with the businesses to get their take, and she said she did not. When I asked why, she said she wasn't contacted by any of them. So, this is how our Mayor and City Administrator address rumors in our city. They ask the people accused of potential wrong doing, those people deny it and that's good enough.
Another rumor the Mayor addressed in the Action Shopper article was in regards to a resolution. Apparently former mayoral candidate Jay Graff and a handful of correctional officers requested the council draft a resolution that would "support all local union bargaining rights." She said the resolution was not considered because it wasn't on the agenda, and if it's not on the agenda, it can't be voted on...and that was, at least according to the Mayor's article, the end of it. But that's simply not the case.
The Mayor wrote that article on March 16, and it appeared on March 23. On the same day her article was published, an email was sent out with a rough draft of the proposed resolution. It will be voted on during the next council meeting on March 29. According to my alderman, it's first on the agenda and here it is in its' entirety.

RESOLUTION #3-29-11-01

WHEREAS, The Waupun Common Council acknowledges the fiscal budget deficit of the State of Wisconsin and the shared participation in balancing the budget.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the entire community of City of Waupun including employees, businesses, and residents will be impacted as the result of the fiscal budget deficit of the State of Wisconsin.

WHEREAS, the Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun will participate in balancing the State of Wisconsin budget though the reduction in State Aid payments.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun employees will participate in balancing the State of Wisconsin budget through contributions to pensions and health insurance premiums.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun business community will be impacted with the loss of disposable income estimated at $33,378,342 throughout Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun residents may be impacted in a loss of services due to the reductions in State Aid payments.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Waupun supports local city employees and the approximately 190,623 public workers in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties and the City of Waupun supports the principals of collective bargaining and requests that the City of Waupun retain local decision making with its employee unions regarding good faith collective bargaining and decisions associated with local tax dollars,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Governor Scott Walker, State Senator Randy Hopper, State Senator Scott Fitzgerald, State Representative Jeff Fitzgerald, and State Representative Richard Spanbauer.

Adopted this 29^th day of March, 2011.

_____________________________________

Mayor Jodi A. Steger

_____________________________________

Angela Hull, City Clerk   

Wow. In discussing this with the Mayor, I learned she is a true politician. On the one hand, she told me this wasn't her idea and she won't be voting on it. (She would only vote in the event of a tie and we currently have an uneven number of aldermen, so a tie vote is not possible.) But on the other hand, when I read the paragraph to her that contained the actual resolution, she said she agreed with it because the city has been balancing it's own budget for years, the people at the state can not say the same, and we don't need Walkers help. 

Fascinating. While they apparently don't NEED the Governor's help, they did TAKE the Governor's help from the budget repair bill to get the union to agree to concessions. According to the Mayor, they got everything the Governor asked for "and more." That's not true. According to my alderman, the unions do not have to re-certify under this new contract and, despite what's in the budget repair bill, union dues will still be withheld from paychecks. So, union membership will still be mandatory and so will union dues. 

Now, this get's back to an earlier point I drifted away from. As I said, it appears the numbers they used to make these decisions are "potential" savings. The state budget is not yet law, in fact it's not even been debated yet. If the "potential" numbers become reality, Waupun will get a significant break compared to other communities because we have an unusual problem here. We have a lot of state owned property in this city that is not subject to property tax, so our shared revenue from the state it higher. These "potential" numbers show the state is being quite fair and our cuts are minimal. 

Now, if this resolution is passed, we will, as a city, be telling Governor Walker, Senator's Fitzgerald and Hopper, and Assemblymen Fitzgerald and Spanbauer hey thanks for your help in not cutting our shared revenue to the bone, thanks for giving us the repair bill so we could get concessions from our employees, but stay the h*** out of our business and let us do our own negotiating in the future. 

Besides the fact that it's ungrateful, it's slightly less than bright since the budget has not yet been passed. 

My biggest issue with this is the complete lack of transparency in our city government. Had I not called my alderman and questioned what happened with these sudden contract agreements, I would have not known about this insane resolution. And while the Mayor went out of her way to address the "rampant rumors", the "what" has not changed, only the "when." 

My alderman knows how I feel about this, and he also knows I can't be at the council meeting on Tuesday because of prior commitments. He and I are on the same page on this, so I know my feelings will be represented. 

This week in unions and other goodies.

I have to begin with a bit of humor courtesy of comedian Dennis Miller.

"DennisDMZDennis Miller
NYTimes leans more to the left than NASCAR driver on muscle relaxants, thats why they have poorer circulation than Michael Moore in a Speedo"

Ok, aside from the disturbing mental image of Michael Moore in a Speedo, that's just funny stuff.
========================================================================

Wow, what a week in Wisconsin. There is no sign anything is slowing down with this union battle, and fortunately, at least from my perspective, unions are doing more damge to themselves than anyone could ever do to them.
First, we have this.
http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110317-walker-jobs,0,5848644.story?track=rss

A company currently based in Illinois is moving to Kenosha bringing 75 jobs to that community. The company also plans to add 30 jobs in the next few years. The company president stated he had been in contact with officials in Kenosha prior to the November election, but what sealed the deal was Lt Governor Kleefisch reaching out to them.
But while this is going on inside their new location, outside were union people were angrily protesting, yelling "recall Walker!"
I'm not going to be nice or polite here. Bottom line? These protesters are I D I O T S!! They are so butt blind with anger over having to pay their fair share, they lose sight of the fact that it's private sector jobs like these that result in them being employed! This is not rocket science. Private sector employees pay taxes. The companies that employ them pay taxes. That tax money is used to pay public sector workers. I can't believe I or anyone else actually have to sit and spell this out. Good grief!
Another interesting side note to this story. Now democrats, you really need to pay attention here. This company, Catalyst Exhibits, is coming to Wisconsin because Illinois just did a 2% tax increase. You people on the left keep insisting the answer to budget shortfalls is raising taxes. If you raise taxes, you chase employers out of your state into other states with less taxes.
Look at what the state of Illinois accomplished with this. They had tax revenue coming in from Catalyst Exhibits and from the 75 people they employ. They decide they want to take another 2% and now what will they have for revenue from this company? ZERO! Nadda. Zilch. Nothing. And unless all 75 current employees travel to work in the new location, they are on the unemployment lines. You people on the left get so bent out of shape when conservatives cut taxes. This is why conservatives cut taxes, to create incentives for companies to come here and do business. Hello, McFly, Hello? Are you getting this?

Moving on. Last week my wonderful (note the sarcasm here) county board members decided to ink new deals with the 7 unions representing county workers here in Dodge Co. Prior to the board meeting I heard a comment from a board member that was repeated during the board meeting when these deals were approved. "We already budgeted this money for 2011 so it's ok." Really!? I spoke with the county board chairman this week and gave a simple example of why this is so insanely stupid. Say you have a married couple who have budgeted $1,500 a month for their mortgage payment. Interest rates drop and they have a chance to refinance, dropping their payment to $1,200 a month. Would they pass that up just because they budgeted more? He didn't have an answer for that.

The next nugget.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu3BPOAwhAw&feature=player_embedded

The woman (another protester) shot this video of her attempting to gain access to the Capitol through a private underground parking ramp. She didn't get her way and was making this issue of the fact that the law enforcement officers who were telling her she needed to prove she could park there or leave refused to show her ID. First of all, cops don't have to show ID just because some putz with a sign and a camera phone demands they do. Second, while there may be a court order stating the Capitol must be open to the public, it doesn't mean the public has access to any entrance they choose. Case in point, the White House.
Like the Wisconsin State Capitol, the White House is also "the people's house." However, if you try and gain entrance to the White House through any other entrance than the one entrance used for public tours, you are going to have some explaining to do to the Secret Service. 

Another item: This is what democracy looks like? No, these are brainless thugs, spoiled children who are ticked off because they will actually have to pay their fair share.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2n4jo-4EWg

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20110316/WDH0101/103160687/Merrill-police-investigate-destruction-recall-petition-state-Sen-Jim-Holperin?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/statebudget/article_0aec73ce-5053-11e0-9529-001cc4c002e0.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704608504576208613404482884.html?mod=djemBestOfTheWeb_h

There are many more examples, but how many do you really need? This is insanity. People at the local level claim they just want to keep their collective bargaining rights and they don't support violence or threats of violence. Then I say this. If you local union members don't speak up and tell the people higher up the ladder you don't want to be associated with this and it needs to stop, you are just as guilty as the people that are being violent.

This one surprised me. A left wing blogger from the Huffington Post talked about the left wing media ignoring the death threats in Wisconsin. He called it "Intellectual Dishonesty and Journalistic Bias."

http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/lachlan-markay/2011/03/16/lefty-blogger-media-silence-wis-death-threats-intellectual-dishonest

Extortion?
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/110311_kwik_trip_letter.pdf

M&I Banks also got this same letter.
Happily, this thug tactic is backfiring. People are supporting these businesses and some police officers are calling on the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Professional Polica Association to back off.

Next!
The Dane County DA filed suit to stop the Secretary of State from publishing the Budget Repair bill which would keep it from becoming law. He didn't file based on the law being unconstitutional, but rather on a procedural issue. The Judge issued a temporary restraining order. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen is taking them on. Go J.B.!

http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110318-van-hollen-appeal,0,3899966.story

And the Republicans do have another option. Since they have the votes, they can call the Senate and Assembly back into session, do the 24 hours notice and vote again.

Proof that Unions aren't about the people they represent or the children or schools.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwxiRXqH_hQ

Many people, myself included have been saying this all along. Nice we have indisputable proof.

That's enough for tonight. Since I opened with something funny, I'll close with the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZoLaMGkw_U

Until next time.