Email bag

From Kerry of Steaming Cup:

CALL FOR HELP:
On Monday 1/23 at 6:30 PM there is a meeting in the Waukesha Common Council Chambers of the Ordinances and Licensing committee. They will discuss a dramatic increase of regulations in the street closing policy. This increase will most likely make the street closing too expensive for the businesses that sponsor stages for Freeman Friday Night Live.

It seems that there is a street closing proposal that asks for these expensive new regulations - some of which look to be highly unreasonable.

• Do we need an increase in the number of porta-potties (at 3000-6000 people, the proposal asks for 34 porta-potties)
• Are the animals on the street causing high concern? The proposal restricts animals from being at any of the events. We ask why?
• Do we have such security issues that we need a dramatic increase in police/security presence? (at 3000-6000 people, the proposal asks for 14 security personnel) We have been operating with two police officers who believe the FFNL assignment to be an easy assignment. The police describe that FFNL might be the cause of a 50% decrease in some crime statistics. Why the call for increased security?
• The proposal also asked for a $2,000,000 insurance policy to cover all closed streets - is our city that unsafe?

We, at The Steaming Cup, cannot understand why this is wanted, we are sure that the originators will plead that they are only concerned about the liability to our city. This is the same group that gave their best efforts to try to stop street closing last year. This looks to be a new effort to do the same thing. Please do your own research and come to represent your position on this serious issue. We will be there to say our piece! Will you? If we lose the ability to host our events, the cost to our businesses and our community is incredibly high. The Committee needs to hear the voice of the people, not just the plans of these few!

From Roger

Please read the attached email and show up tonight to show your support for Freeman Friday Night Live!

Thanks,
Roger

Roger Igielski, President
Waukesha Downtown Business Assn

From Mayor Scrima

Roger,

Thank you for your leadership, collaboration and planning for downtown safety, business vitality and a positive future!

Everyone, please share your comments with all your friends and encourage them to contact their aldermen, come to the Ordinance Meeting tonight (Monday night) at 6:30 at city hall, and write in to the newspaper.

Thank you

Jeff Scrima

Mayor, City of Waukesha