Common Ground

Seldom is there a blog on a blog but I'm a bit amused about Curt's observation about downtown being cleaner than usual. It might be that the BID wasted no time buying a new street sweeper? You see, at the last council meeting it was announced that the current downtown sweeper is worn to the point of not being worth repairs. Some aldermen questioned why this was being brought up in the eleventh hour rather than as part of an equipment review that should have been done some time ago. There was some throat clearing and glances exchanged but the the bottom line was that it was needed and because the department of public works decided a couple trucks could function for another year rather than be replaced, it was voted to buy a new sweeper. Unlike the Journal reported, the vote was NOT unanimous. If the reporter was watching channel 25, the uncertainty is due to, no doubt, that the IT department claims the cost of twine and duct tape keeping the audio video equipment functioning is exceeding the cost of new equipment.

You know, city hall is looking pretty dated. Once the four new fire-stations are finished, built and relocated.....

Last night was the final discussion and public hearings before the city budget was to be voted on. I don't know the out come as I left at about 11PM when the regional cooperation broke down due to procedure and a few bent noses. I was told by one of my friends that there are some who refuse to have any cooperation between the city and the county. Some aldermen gave that impression.

What I'm talking about is the Minooka County Park dog park proposal. You see, the county is willing to create the park and foot most of the initial bill and all of the responsibility for upkeep so long as about 1/3 of the initial money comes from outside sources. Two thirds of that money has been agreed on by two entities and the City of Waukesha has been asked to buy in with the other third. It seems that such a plan has been floating around the city for a few years, but it took citizen involvement to bring the issue back to life.

Alderwoman Kathleen Cummings district covers part of Minooka Park. Some of her constituents, city residents, can walk across the street and enter the park. For $5,000 the city can participate in a dog park convenient for all of the citizens. Cummings wanted a vote on it last night, but some council members, insisted that it go through normal channels first. Two of those objections came from members of just that particular committee! I left feeling that if the fire alarm went off, some members would prefer to be toasted before moving without following Robert's Rules of Order.

The County is anticipating a cost of $45,000 for the initial phase of the Minooka Dog Park. That is cheap folks! By providing their own labor to install many hundreds of feet of fencing, gating and brush clearing, the county will save big time. Should the city spend $5,000 and let the county do it? Or, should the city foot the whole bill to build one within the city, controlled by the city and be responsible for maintenance and liability? To me the decision is obvious.

Even if you don't have a dog, you should be for spending $5,000 rather than many thousands of dollars more for one totally owned by the city. Here is an opportunity for some regional cooperation. It makes good sense and should be supported by ALL the Aldermen. In the mean time, thank You Alderwoman Cummings for seeing the great opportunity for the citizens of the city and making a great case for it.

Followers of my blog know that I am a dog lover and have been promoting the concept of a secure area where dogs can run around and play with their owners and socialize with other dogs without the constraints of a leash. The County Parks Department has had a proposal for such an area in Minooka park and in Nashotah park. Many times dog walkers are the biggest users of the county parks system but the rules require that dogs be leashed. People have been asking for space where they can play fetch with their dogs, socialize with other dogs and chat with other like minded dog owners. Current offerings at the Waukesha Dog Run and in Brookfield do not have the security of a fenced in area with gated access.

Secure dog exercise areas have been extremely popular across the country with over 900 having been developed. The county proposals include user permit fees which many others also require which can often make such an area profitable. The City of Waukesha Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department has recognized this trend and the requests of city residents. It has investigated several sites that have potential for off-leash dog activity. However, spending constraints have put such proposals on the back burner.

Realizing that the potential for duplication of services is present, it has been recommended that there be regional cooperation in this. Since Minooka Park is within the boarders of the Cities of Waukesha and New Berlin, a single regional dog exercise area there, funded partly by the cities, can save the cost of each going it's own direction. It is a winning concept for the city and county taxpayers.

City of Waukesha residents have their opportunity to speak out about it at a public hearing Tuesday evening at the City Hall's council chambers at 7:30 PM. More information about what a dog park or dog exercise area is all about can be found at the website of the Waukesha Dog Parks Organization at www.waukeshadogparks.org

Recent news in the city has been considerations about possibly banning certain breeds of dogs and modifying the number of pets one can have in a residence.

Sunday's Journal Sentinel has news from Beijing China that demonstrators were protesting limits on how many dogs may be owned (one) and the size of the dog be no taller than fourteen inches. That would be the size of a Beagle or smaller. Violators or dogs that were unlicensed were seized and some beaten to death. Dogs that is, but in a communist country, who knows?

Last Thursday at the meeting of our publicly elected council, I was allowed to speak regarding the interpretation that off-leash dogs are illegal anywhere within the city on public property. To it's credit, the council and Mayor Nelson graciously heard my comments and corrected such ordinance that evening. I believe they would have regardless of my presence.

I wonder if the people of Beijing had the same opportunity to participate in government?

As reported by the Journal today, an assistant city attorney has opined that dogs must be on a leash in any public location in the city. This includes the little known but important to many city Dog Run located off of MacArthur and Comanche roads.

Apparently the ordinance covering dogs running loose was written with a bit too broad of a pen. The Parks Department wanted to have that modified to allow dog walking in some parks and to open the possibility of some off-leash dog parks which have been a very popular attraction across the country. The dog run was thought exempt because it is not technically under the Parks department jurisdiction. It would seem that walking your dog off-leash at the dog run is no different than doing so on Main Street, at least according to the law.

I am hoping and expecting that this is remedied at the next council meeting.

In a past blog I wrote about missing Real Chili brand of chili from Milwaukee. Well, I don't miss it as much after having a bowl of real chili from the Brat Builders located at 310 W. Saint Paul Avenue here in town. Often after helping at my son's pet store in Oconomowoc, my wife Pat and I will often end up at another local favorite, Christina's, for a late supper. George makes a very good bowl of chili. But as good as it is, it isn't made as the purist would have it, That is, how Cookie would make it with whats available on the chuck wagon down on some Texas cattle drive. Two items that were never used is tomato and any kind of pasta. Brat Builders holds true to the list of genuine ingredients and has just the right amount of spice to leave a pleasant glow in the mouth. Louie Brouwer's chili will make any Texan feel at home.

Something else that they provide is the namesake, Bratwurst. Why it is so hard to find bratwurst in Wisconsin is a puzzle. We are fortunate to have a local source to get our bratwurst fix. I had mine as I have it when I grill my own, brown mustard and chopped onions. Louie has just about any topping that you'd want on yours.

I had a good conversation with Louie after I finished my meal. Louie is a dog lover as am I. No, not hot dog but the canine type. I highly recommend stopping by sometime and try his two specialties. It's located just south of the convergence of North Street, St Paul and South Street and north of Prairie Ave.

When I moved my family from Milwaukee to Waukesha twenty years ago, we were excited with the prospects of a better life. Just a few months later tragedy struck when I was in a nasty accident. While in surgery, I needed several pints of blood.

I appreciated each of those individuals that took the time to donate that blood, even though I know not who they are. What their sex, race or politics were didn't matter. A bit of their person was in me and saving my life. How intimate and caring can something be?

Once I mended, I got back to work and never gave it much thought other than thinking that I'd like to repay these marvelous donors sometime by doing the same. Many years later, I was at the Waukesha Kennel Club's dog show at the fair grounds. It was a scorching day but time spent with my furry friends is always fun. After the event, I saw a sign saying there was a blood drive across the street at the Center Court Arena. Being a spontaneous person, I thought now's the time.

It was a rather pleasant experience over all. Even though it was a mobile operation, the people made you feel like you were really doing something special. A complete medical background was taken and some blood tests made. Because of the hot day, I needed some fluids that were provided along with plenty of pizza and other snacks to keep you hydrated and blood sugar levels up to norm. After a while, I was escorted to a portable but sturdy recliner and the donation process was soon over. A trip back to the drink and snack room was made for some time to make sure I didn't suffer from wobbly legs and it was off to my regular duties.

The other day a received a phone call asking if I could come back in and donate again? I made an appointment and took a long lunch from work. The facility on Springdale road is close by. Again, I was made to feel welcomed and appreciated. A competent technician made the donation process comfortable. Soon I was directed to the "recovery room" where an abundant selection of snacks and beverages were available at comfortable tables along with reading material. I found one of my favorite beverages in the refrigerator, a can of V8 juice. A little red juice in to replace the red juice taken out! That and a couple pieces of wrapped cheese and I was ready to leave. The receptionist gave me a sincere thank you as I left. The whole donation process made me feel great and I scheduled another donation appointment just before Christmas.

Being a volunteer for a public service organization is a very noble activity. For many of us it isn't possible due to other obligations. However, the Milwaukee Blood Bank makes it easy to give of one's self for the benefit of the community. Give them a call and become a hero!