Wag the Dog - All Comments

The Morni...er, Afternoon Scramble - 7/2/2008

steveegg — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:52:55 GMT

I warned you today would be a recovery day. It’s a good thing too, because Mary came across the reason why I’m no longer featuring Summerfest acts; they pulled the US Army display. Wyatt Earp remembers that it was this day...

No Runny Eggs » Blog Archive » The Morni…er, Afternoon Scramble - 7/2/2008

No Runny Eggs » Blog Archive » The Morni…er, Afternoon Scramble - 7/2/2008 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:49:44 GMT

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re: Give Me a Piece of This Action.

Kevin Fischer — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:25:13 GMT

And because the MATC Board is an un-elected board, the voters have no recourse. We can't do a thing about this.

re: It's Dangerous for Bloggers out there! - Updated

ddorsan — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:49:46 GMT

The best way to protect free speech is to continue to speak freely!

Greg you have done great good for this city. We need more voices like

yours not fewer. Stay on the NOW blog site and keep us informed.

re: It's Dangerous for Bloggers out there! - Updated

Greg Kowalski — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:32:00 GMT

Bryan,

Thanks for the update; it's much appreciated.

As for secret police and PC confiscations, I'm pleased to say nothing of the sort has happened. However, I'm sure if some elected officials had their way my free speech would be severely limited.

re: It's Dangerous for Bloggers out there!

Unfettered Candor — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:03:32 GMT

BRYAN: I liked your topic and your encouragement for GREG.

Blogging and speaking your mind is just another benefit of living in the great old U.S. of A. That right has been preserved thoughout time by the sacrifice of others and loss of life. We don’t have to wait for another Memorial Day to talk about that. Thanks for reminding us of the privilege other countries do not enjoy.

With this in mind, I would ask Greg Kowalski to reconsider his thoughts of leaving the blog site. Please continue to exercise that wonderful freedom that allows you, and others who comment, to stimulate our thinking, leave our apathy behind, and replace it with confrontation.

I would say that to all bloggers. We need to discover what people are yearning for in government and in society. This is also an avenue that should guide the actions of politicians.

All bloggers have stirred the emotions and awakened the realization that it is only those who get involved and speak out that can bring about change.

So, Greg, stay with the group and keep us thinking and acting. We will appreciate it.

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

In this new cyber age we all have the opportunity to air our concerns. This is what America is all about. I am sure that this new technology has caused angst for many politicians. Some have even pressed for laws that would prevent anonymity in connection with blogging.

Apollo makes a good point too. The operative words are: SEPARATE & BALANCE. Get enough from both corners and follow the dictates of your conscience. I say conscience because that inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives impels one toward right action.

Then again, I guess it all depends what influences your conscience.

re: It's Dangerous for Bloggers out there!

Apollo — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:27:15 GMT

Bryan,

I agree with you. My worries are always that people who watch the news, read the papers, read the blogs etc. do not take the time to look at differing opinions and alternate sources to come to their own conclusion. Some people mindlessly just accept the fact that if someone says it or writes it, well then it must be true. I just hope that people digest as much information on a subject as possible to come to their own conclusions.

As a note; I am disappointed in Steve Taylor's lack of good judgement (my opinion).

re: It's Dangerous for Bloggers out there!

Greg Kowalski — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:45:01 GMT

Thanks Bryan for the kind words.

You'll have an answer as to whether I'm staying or going tomorrow morning. I think that would be fair for my readers instead of keeping them in infinite limbo.

re: It's Dangerous for Bloggers out there!

Bryan Maersch — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:12:51 GMT

Apollo

I would guess bloggers are guilty of the same thing "so called" credentialed professional journalists are accused of. Trying to get information and opinion out in a timely fashion so that it means something.

Lets not forget Dan Rather (CBS News) and why he was forced to retire over the bogus Bush story. Even journalistic pillars of society like the New York Times is accused of fraudulently presenting the news.

Most FranklinNOW blogs are the views of common Franklin citizens who often attend the city and school system meetings to give there perception of what they see.

A good example of this is last nights common council meeting at which Alderman Steve Taylor disappointed his constituents and they are writing about it.

re: It's Dangerous for Bloggers out there!

Apollo — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:09:10 GMT

Here's the problem I have with blogs, they go way past regular citizens commenting on a subject. Bloggers should find a topic they wish to discuss and comment on it....that's it. Too many people write their blogs on various subjects with very little supporting data. They site one or maybe two sources; however, this is far from writing a true thesis on a topic. People "could" easily start to believe nonsense based on the lack of numerous supporting materials to back an opinion. This is still seen repeatedly on various blogs still today.

wtmj4

wtmj4 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:01:30 GMT

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wtmj 4

wtmj 4 — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:01:50 GMT

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re: Hard Decisions Ahead for FPS

FranklinParent — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:31:28 GMT

Thank you for this commentary. I wholeheartedly agree. Funny thing is that the type of fees you are talking about will likely hit my household the hardest. We'll be in the middle. Not eligible for subsidies, but tightening the financial belt enough that we might have to forego an expensive extracurricular.

Discrimination - no, life lesson yes. We aren't always entitled to the extras in life. If we were, my mini van would be the one with the custom flamejob.

re: Hard Decisions Ahead for FPS

Janet Evans — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:07:14 GMT

Bryan,

Thanks for your thoughts about my reporting on the School Board.

I understand where you and Greg and coming from regarding the extra-curricular activities. And, I know there are many who will agree with you. I was getting ready to respond on Greg’s blog when I saw your blog, so I am going to address both of you. Greg already knows I have differing views on this. And it’s not that I’m not thinking “out-of-the-box, either. I’m trying to put the responsibility where it should go first.

You see, we’re talking about making “budget cuts.” And I guess I don’t see raising extra-curricular fees…the fees for those students who participate in activities above and beyond the regular school day…where they must attain a set passing GPA…where they bring acknowledgement, pride, and recognition to their school and city is the first place we should look. I’m not saying we should never raise those fees. And I want to clarify that Dr. Patz was trying to convey that raising the extra –curricular fees too much might discourage some families from participating in general, I think just because they are tired of everything going up in price right now. It isn’t that they are the families that would qualify for filling out the form you are speaking about.

Take a look at the budget link on my blog. It sure doesn’t look to me like the Board batted an eye at Administrative raises. Sounds like Dave Szychlinski, who doesn’t have children in the schools (his children and my daughter, in her thirties, graduated together) acknowledged he didn’t know the current fees or how they compare to other districts. Why can’t the Board try to make cuts from within first before going out and asking for more money from the citizens. We already pay taxes. To me that’s just the easy way out. They need to tighten their belts first.

That list I compiled ….the district can go through every inch of their operation with a fine tooth comb. They can run the entire District more like a business instead of only the Business Dept. being run that way, and they will be guaranteed to save some money. Then they should come out to the families and ask for more money. And when that time comes, then by all means raise the fees. But perhaps, since all students in Phy Ed. use the sports facilities, start by raising regular student fees for all students first. Then charge or raise fees for entering sporting and fine arts events, along with raising extra curricular fees.

I still say, when we have so many Administrators making such large salaries in our district last year:

James Milzer Business Manager $119,893

Judy Mueller Central Office Administrator $108,574

Michael Cady Principal 101,630

Karen Zalucha Director of InstructionSupervisor $100,114

Paulette Kroll Director of Special Education $97,920

Matthew Lesar Principal $95,942

Charles Wedig Principal $91,538

Lawrence Madsen Principal $89,461

Phillip Posard Principal $87,859

Michael Zellmer Central Office Administrator $84,201

Thomas Reinke Principal $81,134

Sally Carlson School Social Worker $78,152

Carol Dixon Principal $77,982

Gregory Jenks School Psychologist $76,240

Jeff Nelson Assistant Principal $74,995

John Budish Assistant Principal $72,000

Mark Finne School Social Worker $70,907

Jamie Foeckler Assistant Principal $69,500

Luann Zielinski District Inst Tech. Coordinator $69,500

Maybe one year without a 3 percent raise wouldn’t kill them.

re: Sacrificial Lambs to be Appointed

Unfettered Candor — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:27:42 GMT

In connection with the Mayor’s appointment of Chairman Steve Taylor and Ald. Wilhelm to the Finance Committee:

I am waiting for the Mayor to discover his Pyrrhic victory! And he thought he was being soooo clever!!

I believe the Mayor has misjudged these two very capable Alderpersons.

The following overview of past events in Franklin have not gone unnoticed:

I believe that Council Chairman Steve Taylor and Ald. Wilhelm have savvy. You will not have savvy if you ignore history.

Remember what our history teachers told us: “Those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them”.

I am sure that Council Chairman Steve Taylor and Ald. Wilhelm know about the shameful Franklin Citizens for Responsible Leadership (euphemism for “The Special Interest Subsidiary League for Commercial Development”] tactics that were employed to stack the deck on the Council to promote rampant and irresponsible commercial development at all costs. Then they banded together to remove those who opposed them. The Asst. DA of Milwaukee County ordered this conclave to disband. I’m sure he saw this as a parallel to “putting Typhoid Mary in a kissing booth”.

I am confident that Council Chairman Steve Taylor and Ald. Wilhelm will do all that he can to thwart another “sleaze machine” that threatens to raise its ugly head.

Current alderperson members of that former “sleaze machine” [to my knowledge] were Olson, Sohns, Skowronski, Solomon, and Tom Taylor.

Not so coincidentally, it was Olson, Sohns, Skowronski, & Solomon who were instrumental in abolishing Franklin’s EHTICS BOARD. This “dead canary in the coal mine” should tell us that Franklin’s government will never be safe as long as we have elected officials who are dead set against ETHICS and a board that will monitor that virtue!! We need the ETHICS BOARD reinstated...post haste!

This is according to a Journal Sentinel article at the time:

The city is considering disbanding its Ethics Board, saying it has become a tool of warring political factions in this community known for its often down-and-dirty politics.

The likely demise comes after a particularly rancorous year in which politicians, advisory committee members and city staff traded accusations before the panel, and two Ethics Board members resigned - one voicing frustration over the "witch hunts that have driven the board's activities."

"I feel bad for them. They are people of conscience who wanted to do the right thing," Mayor Fred Klimetz said of the commission members.

"I think they were taken aback by the absolute viciousness, the fight to the death" among the adversaries who came before them.

The Common Council will take public input on the issue at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4.

Three of the six aldermen who will ultimately vote on whether to disband the panel had cases before the Ethics Board in the last year.

Two of them, Aldermen Steve Olson and Jim Bergmann, support abolishing the board. The third, Ald. Lyle Sohns, said he is undecided but could support its demise "as long as we replace it with something that works."

Among the cases filed before the Ethics Board in recent months:

Before his election to the council in April, Olson and members of the Franklin Citizens for Responsible Leadership accused Bergmann and Aldermen Ralph Netzel and Basil Ryan of abusing their powers by abstaining on votes. The complaint was dismissed, with the Ethics Board declaring unconstitutional a city ordinance that required aldermen to seek mayoral approval before abstaining. The law has since been rescinded, and Netzel and Ryan are no longer in office. Sohns and Economic Development Commission Chairman Kenneth Skowronski were accused by Sohns opponent Fred Knueppel of failing to divulge a business relationship with a city consultant. Sohns said the three had submitted a joint proposal for a project but that they weren't required to divulge it because they did not win the contract. The case stalled after Sohns and Skowronski refused an Ethics Board order to produce the proposal, saying it would be self-incriminating. Franklin's Environmental Commission member Kristen Wilhelm alleged that city planner Mary Kay Buratto deceived her board in an effort to award a contract to a predetermined company. Buratto, who has since resigned, denied the allegation. The case is pending. Knueppel accused Del Sievert, a former alderman and member of the Board of Public Works, of bidding on a $70,000 city contract for soil removal in violation of city policy. The case is pending.

Yes, history IS important!!

DISCLAIMER: The opinions mentioned above are not necessarily those of certain politicians but certainly those of the author.

re: Will FPS face a 9% School Budget Increase or More?

Janet Evans — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:28:42 GMT

And here is this news too, Bryan:

Property taxes on a typical home in Wisconsin increased 3.8 percent this year:

www.wisinfo.com/.../article

re: Memorial Day Memory

Fred Keller — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:12:11 GMT

Thanks for sharing your grandfather with us. It's men like your gransfather that helped make this great country what it is today.

re: Memorial Day Memory

Bryan Maersch — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:57:10 GMT

Janet / Clem / Fred

Thanks for the sentiments.

By the way, my son Nick is named after him which I thought was a good way to remember him also.

I wish the same for all those who have and haven't come back that they are remembered and pass on their legacy to their families.

re: Memorial Day Memory

franklinresident — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:03:00 GMT

Bryan,

I know this is a few years too late.

Thank you and you're family for your Grandfathers' service.

We wouldn't be able to bicker back and forth the the way we do on this website; if not for those that came before us.

Clem

re: Memorial Day Memory

Janet Evans — Mon, 26 May 2008 21:19:38 GMT

Thanks for telling us this story, Bryan. I know you are very proud of your grandfather, an American hero.

While many Veterans do share their stories, there are many that do not. Some memories are too painful.