2.29.12

All eyes are on the FIRST AND NOT FINAL Downtown Task Force meeting tonight...

Rumor has it that a call to gather the "troops" to save FFNL was out, not everyone bought in and post a rally cry on Facebook. Some also said it is a calculated effort to hype things up. Is there gonna be any real issue discussed at the downtown task force or are we all playing in the little dog and pony Scri-Drama show? "People" who are calling for war, what are you trying to accomplish? The Hekkers are not going anywhere unless you have deep pocket to buy their places. Street Closing for FFNL is a police decision and the police chief already said nothing is going to change. Plus all the street critics agree that the "Task Force" is leaning one side by design so where is the real danger? The Common Council will be the ultimate decision maker, after the Task Force's recommendation.

Let me quote Wiggy before it gets deleted.

James Wigderson Can someone please calm down the rhetoric a bit? Friday Night Live is not in danger. Yeeesh.

Some said even Police Chief is on edge about tonight, we will know how serious if the SWAT team is out there.

(BTW, the Hekkers picked up the phrase "Magical Downtown Committee" here when I was describing how this group of people are expected to solve all the downtown issues in a month. I am to blame. One can urge the Hekkers to back off on the bar owners and let them run their business and perhaps change their approach, but you can not try to run them out of town.... )

One day someone will write this page of history with lots of interest...

I can't say it enough, chaos is bad for business, and bad for Guitar Town. Peace on Main, PLEASE!

Find cuts before the annual budget Scri-Drama.

Wow, I have to go check this out!

See you there Friday night! (Hint: check out WTC Facebook site for more info.)

Got towels?

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

Brien has a new entry. Is that a foreshadowing for tonight?

Here is more hype:

People's Park

Please join the meeting tonight and help us SAVE DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA...

Kerry Mackay

‎! FACEBOOK CALL TO ACTION ! Friday Night Live survival needs the voice of the people. Tonight a ‘supercommittee’ will come together to help decide the fate of the event. A small group of negative-thinking individuals have come up with a method to try to stop the event. Their past efforts have failed and Friday Night Live in Waukesha has become an entertainment powerhouse for our little town. This new effort is to use city government to pass restrictive & expensive permits. The event is financed only by small businesses. It costs the city next to nothing. DO YOU WANT IT TO END? We need the government people to hear the real positive voice of the people! So you can do this in a couple of ways: 1. Come to the meeting tonight 2/29 at city hall at 6:30pm – Bring your voice! 2. Grab a piece of paper – put your name and address on it – write – I support Waukesha Freeman’s Friday Night Live – keep the restrictions on street closing as they are – let us have an inexpensive fun Friday Night in downtown Waukesha. Then drop this off at The Steaming Cup, Martha Merrels Bookstore, People’s Park or Almont Gallery. (Remember, we’ll head up to the meeting by 6pm – so anything later will need to be turned in to a later supercommittee meeting. 3. Comment to this posting – POSITIVE COMMENTS ONLY – then we can print this out and take it to the meeting to represent your voice. Thanks for the help and for taking an active part in keeping a great event LIVE!!!

Yikes.

Here are Eat's comments:

Jeff Fortin

I support FNL and don't want to see the street closures stop. However the goal of this committee is to look and and discuss issues. Having an angry, misinformed mob at this meeting will do nothing to foster discussion. There shouldn't be public comment at an ad-hoc committee meeting. That should be reserved for the Council when they consider the recommendations of this committee. I think it is doing a disservice to the committee and their role by turning this into a forum for a bunch of people who are being misled into thinking the City is ending all of these great events is really not what the committee is about.

Jeff Fortin

So for the record, I support FNL 100 percent and support it having extended hours and even looking at open intoxicants on a limited, trail basis. I think that the noise levels downtown are acceptable for a downtown setting. This isn't the Country or a subdivision, its a vibrant downtown. I also think that excessive complaints are troublesome (but out of the scope of this committee). All I would like to see is some honesty and civil discourse downtown.

For fairness purpose, I think this task force member also need to show some restraint, PLEASE!

2.28.12

I was a working fool yesterday, and it was a mistake not to eat lunch... I finally had a chance to eat at 9pm at Magellan's. I then realized I missed an invitation to "Escape to the East End" at Ryan's Pub... Sorry, guys, next time.

I did have a House of Guinness Brunch burger over the weekend, it was very good. I had not eaten there or been in there since the first year or two it was opened. I remember taking my frat brothers there for lunch in the early 90's.

Jason went to the Guitar Town media day as he was one of the artists chosen, along with Kya from Soma Gallery, the Waukesha living treasure Wis Guthrie, son and grandson, and the Katie Musolff/Andy Fletcher team. ( I see Amy and Peggy from Carroll also made it! Congrats!) We are very proud to had shown them in our galleries. Jason wants me to thank Lynn for all her help BTW.

Jason is in for so much grief now he is on the front page of Freeman... ;)

Of course it did not go without a little drama, it will just set up for the big drama coming up. I think we have a "real" problem now when the Mayor thinks he is above the rules... When is Common Council gonna stop this "Scri-Drama" episode?

"Troublemaker" Wiggy is having problem with Alderman Patton... What is hiding in the deleted public records? Perhaps we will know the real reason for the repeated push for Angle Parking if not for seniors, bar patrons or Kendal Lofts. There is an elephant in the room, isn't it?

History lesson 1 of 10

Real info for water.

Interim fire chief named.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

Medical tattoo- I had done them before...

Erik gave me the sinking feeling...

Some Men's XL Peace On Main tee shirts are on hand if you like one free, JohnRat is helping with the cause. Quantity is limited but he does have a good deal on custom tee shirts. Do check his site out and support another local Waukesha business.

Interesting exchange:

People's Park

Friends, Family, Customers, and Facebook followers.....
This is the MEETING OF ALL MEETINGS!!
The Downtown Waukesha Task force is holding the FINAL MEETING to determine what the appropriate use of Downtown Waukesha is..
Do you enjoy Freeman Friday night live, art crawl's the farmers market, Christmas Parade, horse drawn carriage rides,the bike race and so much more??
Downtown Waukesha restaurants, Business owners, residents and volunteers have put so much energy and so much hard work into making Downtown Waukesha the place to be.
PlEASE COME AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA.
"Leap" on over WEDNESDAY FEB. 29th at 6:30 PM to City hall 201 Delafield street and PLEASE voice your opinion. You don't need to be a Waukesha resident to speak. Thank you.

Shawn Reilly This isn't the final meeting. It is the first meeting. I would be truly surprised if any recommendations to the Common Council are decided upon at the very first meeting. The Task Force will only be making recommendations to the Common Council, not determining anything on its own. This doesn't mean you may not want to be there but anyone who attends should know correct information before they decide to attend or not attend In addition, City of Waukesha meetings generally limit comments to Waukesha residents or property owners.

Please do think before turning the Task Force meeting into another Save XYZ frenzy now public comment is allowed, if they need to work stuff out for real, we need to focus on the issues.

PEACE ON MAIN.

Would this be reasonable?

I propose for the Downtown Task Force to focus on the parking around Five Points during this round, because if parking behavier changes, it might change the need for turn around at far West End a little.

Another factor is that Kendal Lofts and 453 project will require construction and put in angle parking now will create a different set of chaos.

I propose we wait and let Kendal Lofts figure out their parking as the conditonal permit dictates, then see how the parking behavier and traffic pattern change, we can all talk about it then.

Does that make sense?

Street Update

Regarding the Downtown Task Force, several people said Alderman Paulson sent out an email to request the removal of item 3e, because Common Council did not approve that for the Task Force. There is also a question if there is even going to be public comment, since Common Council did not approve that neither, perhaps it is more for people to observe. I sincerely hope there will be reasonable, respectable, and logical discussion and ignore some politicians' attempt to further divide the street.

Regarding this issue, some said the outgoing members were given a certificate BEFORE the annual meeting and not mentioned during the meeting. It could signal a deepening of conflict between two recent BID presidents. Adding the smelly 12-20-11 factor does not help. Once again, I point that to the dividing political trick. I urge all the downtown leadership to rise above all the mess and seek Peace on Main, conflict is good for control but bad for business and the long term health of the street.

I remember when I was addicted to certain Facebook war game and it was emotional and personal when I was attacked, but once I stepped back for a while and see it for what it is, I wonder why I wasted so much energy on that. Please, everyone, let's step back and see it for what it is. Sometime one has to be honest on what carrot one is chasing after and realize who is holding that carrot. We all have skin in the game and we all love Downtown Waukesha, let's start from there.

PEACE ON MAIN.

Angle Parking part13

Well, I lost track on how many time I had talked about this. A meeting was called at the far West End at downtown's favorite "villain"s' house, another neighbor showed up and I suggested all the possible solutions that I worked through with one of the people on the pro side.

I am NOT against more parking and despite what is being advertised, I just think the safety issue with all the driveways, fast turn at Veteran's Park and the need of a turn-around, should be addressed. If this is secretly an attempt to get parking for Kendal Lofts, the city really should not take a private problem, turn it into a public problem and have a "solution" to create another private problem across the street.

I sincerely hope the Downtown Task Force will ignore the noise and take a good look at the downtown parking issue and listen to the property owners at the Far West End. There is a reason why angle parking did not go through in 2004, another reason why no one is proposing this for in front of Ace Hardware, and this is bigger than a petition that people signed without knowing the issues we see everyday down here.

The parking spots "gained" with angle parking can easily be gained and more if there is no more "Parking Game". If we want downtown to be easy to navigate, taking out the "buffer area" at the far West End will not help, and trust me, this "band aid" will not solve the parking problem of downtown Waukesha.

Thank you for listening.

What does it all mean?

Someone smarter please connect the dots... ( I am leaving out the noise on FFNL/ Street closure, "driving school", Lori-gate, and the recent Hekkers issue.)

WAUKESHA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION-Public Charity

NEW DAY FUND-Project Fund under the above.-Still non profit, right?

Mayor Scrima and the Half Pay Pledge.

Mayor Scrima and a 12-22-11 report.

Wiggy details a 12-20-11 Gibson Invoice to BID without BID approval.

WAUKESHA BID-(Downtown) Taxpayer funded, I know, because I wrote the checks to pay the BID tax.

NEW DAY FUND through WCCF wrote the check to BID, BID wrote the check to Gibson. ?????

BID APPOINTMENTS

A Common Council report from 12-20-11 and 12 keys given out on 12-20-11.
What is up with 12-20-11?

Guitar Town Steering Committee.

Non-Taxpayer Funded Public Art Project as Mayor Scrima claimed.-What is BID's role as a Taxpayer Funded entity? ( Last time I checked, I think the Mayor's Office is also taxpayer funded, right?)

Wiggy was not given answers, and started digging.

Waukesha Guitar Town INC.-Private or Public? Profit or Non-Profit??? But New Day Fund (Non-Profit) already paid for the guitars through BID ( Taxpayer Funded). If it is private and for profit, the city will no longer have a say, but you can see all the conflict of interest issues and potential tax issue with sales tax.

Even if all parties' intention are great, if proper procedures are not followed, then this can be a house of cards, and soon we will all be under international spotlight and scrutiny.

I am just a blogger with questions and I had pledged to supporting Guitar Town with my wallet.

2.25.12

Here is the Downtown Task Force agenda, it means I have to find a way to get around a full schedule to sit in about the "Parking Solution." (Despite repeated warning how the angle parking will be " shoved down my throat.") Not sure who wrote up the topics, but come on, topic 3e is pretty clear to be pointed at the Hekkers and I am not even defending any of their actions. This is such a bad faith to start out this group. Mayor Scrima is manipulating the downtown dynamics so badly... I mean, REALLY!? There are serious issues to be discussed and there is no room for this noob move...

I am surprised that the Guitar Town steering committee did not put its foot down yet with all the controversy with BID/New Day Fund/Mayor. People on this group have now risk their reputation, and even if there is no wrong doing, the stubbornness of being secretive by the mayor and his recklessness with Conflict of Interest issues will become a liability. Instead of having this perception of going after Hekkers as a Wag the Dog move, I would like to see the mayor come out clean and explain his dealing with BID, apologize to Wiggy, and stop hurting this potentially great project needlessly.

We don't need an Occupy Main Street movement because we already do, we are the business people, residents, renters, and property owners saying ENOUGH ALREADY! The drama needs to stop, and we need PEACE ON MAIN! We want to talk about how to cross promote, how to pool our resources, how to improve accessibility, not who is on whose side or who is standing too close to whom.

Congrats!!!

This is how you handle a PR nightmare.

Can't wait!

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

Don't worry, it is not me...

Maybe one day the WTC rooster will be in there too...

I need to mention that our acupuncturist Robin, Ms. Kool and I had a wonderful meal at Key Westconsin. Robin requires Gluten Free diet and she was quite impressed. Chef came out and explain the careful process of separating Gluten and gluten free cooking, and the street whisper is true, the gluten free fish fry is delicious! I would order that next time regardless. The crab cake also lived up to all the raving I have heard... Robin was quite happy that there were gluten free dessert too. I had to have some homemade key lime pie.

Have a great weekend everyone... Crazy week coming...

2.24.12

BID's hardest working man came to drop off the new flyers, I had to comment on how fast and how extensive BID had put this project together. When I first heard of it at the annual BID meeting, even the Biker Gang did not know about it, and it went from a little idea to a full blown benefit with sponsors. Meghan is truly an asset, and is Guitar Town gonna rely on that asset or is that using taxpayer money? Is it really a non-taxpayer project as Mayor Scrima claimed or is this path gonna lead to a snag down the road with the Common Council and even legal issues? We do not need the last minute showdown Scrima style again like the last two city budgets, it hurts and divides the city. It is also not fair to all the hard working people and artists (with a very tight time frame) in this project. (We are very happy for some of the artists selected by the way, and the public will find out who they are on Monday...)

Another alleged issue is also being raised with the BID power struggle... Yikes... ( Shady is shady if proven, but man, when is Peace on Main in sight?)

Other than that, there seems to be a news blackout or a hangover from all the recent news...

New home for firefighters.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

Awesome! Opening Day tickets were mailed out by the way... Baseball is coming!

Good stuff.

We are #1.

Give Peace a chance... I guess...

2.23.12

I really don't know what went down at Common Council the other night for Guitar Town, but I had two versions of it. I see it as all positive when I hear it from West End Artist, but as soon as Mayor Scrima's name comes up, there is that (alleged or perceived) shadiness all the sudden... Why can't it just go as open and transparent instead of all the (alleged or perceived) tricks and games? This is not good PR for the project! UPDATE: I am a little confused too.

Note this comment from Wiggy:

By the way, I like GuitarTown as a concept and hope it succeeds. The biggest threat to GuitarTown isn't me, or Vicky Hekkers, or Jeff Barta, or Shawn Reilly, or even a Koolfool blogger asking questions. The biggest threat is Jeff Scrima.

Wiggy hit a wall with his Open Record Request with Alderman Patton whom said to delete all his emails, but I am sure he will figure out a way to get what he is looking with some Geek Squad help. I even said hi to Wiggy on an email to one of his requestees... :)

Letters to the Editor-Darn that local blogger! ( Politicians come and go, we still have to be here on the street with each other for years to come... Peace on Main.)

SOUND OFF- Did I "appoint" them the term "Watchdogs'? Oops.

POLICE BLOTTER

Waukesha Tattoo Company is going to be a sponsor for the Bike Rack fundraiser at Carroll, we might even have some free tickets for our loyal customers... Stay tuned.

Good stuff and more.

More goodies for foodies.

Does this mean Appeal?

Had lunch at Sakura yesterday when I had a cancellation.... I sure have forgotten what a Sushi Coma feel like....

We need one of these in the Reading Room...

Be careful out there today if the snow is coming ...

Peace On Main

John Rat is gonna make this shirt for me to join the effort... Thank you!

2.22.12

I did not make many friends yesterday, I will just let the few warning shots fly right past me as I walk the line with kid gloves on, but I did have an uplifting gift of a peace sign that I proudly display in the front window now... (Peace on Main.) Thank you, the silent ones.

Despite it all, I pray the effort by both sides to reach across will not be mocked and dismissed, I sincerely hope Mr. J. Taylor, Mr. Barta and Mr. Igielski become the positive change and voices of reason we need. I did have to defend HBR a few times that half of her article was edited out, but she did not make many friends yesterday neither. Even Switzerland is getting bombed these days.

There will be a media day next Monday for all the artists picked for Guitar Town. I have heard the bar was set pretty high from the selection committee and the selected artists will make Waukesha proud. I have also heard the May 31 VIP party will be a very big deal, the limited amount of tickets for this event will likely be in high demand. A lot of hard works are being done by volunteers in almost unreasonably short time, and the few "negative people" are not helping. ( That is you, Wiggy...) I do need to defend Wiggy a little, I think Wiggy is not going after the project itself but more in the New Day Fund/Mayor/BID/BID appointment aspect of it. Let's not have a rally cry of Wiggy is trying to kill Guitar Town... ( Still walking the line...) UPDATE: Wiggy is positive that he is not negative...

Moxie girls made their donation to The Women's Center yesterday and I was honored to go along for the photo op. We were given a tour and we were all surprised on how big the place is. We did not know they have such a large capacity for women in need and even a daycare. Waukesha Tattoo Company is very proud to help for this good cause, but all the credits really should go to the Moxie girls.

We got no money! This question will not likely receive a good answer.

Here comes the Gibson fever.

Gregg's column.

Hang in there, Brien. It is nice when one can have a long goodbye.

Darn that Open Record Requests...

Let's hear the truth and have a new start...

Biker Gang had a great day!

Darryl said, not so fast, I want to be a part of this "Negative People" thing...

SOUND OFF- Surprisingly mild...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR-Hey, that is Pete, he sits on the Salvation Army Advisory Board too!

POLICE BLOTTER-I have a hat like that...

Before the whole downtown stressed out to the max, I like to point out that we have Massage Therapy by Chelsea on Thursdays and Acupuncture by Robin on Fridays but you have to wait until after my appointments with both... ;)

UPDATE: Little bird said CC did not officially approve Guitar Town for some reason, contrary to what is being said on FB, I guess more news is to come...

UPDATE 2: Here is the CC agenda and this is what was done.

4. Matter of Report

The Board of Public Works has approved the placement of five 10’

tall fiberglass guitars in the public right-of-way in the proposed

downtown locations.

and a quote:

From Asst. City Attorney Miles Eastman: “The council has not acted in any way that would "approve" guitar town.” Full story tomorrow (on Freeman).

I am actually kinda worried now for the artists' media day.

2.21.12

I was handed a copy of this information a few days ago and I did not know what to do about it. It is not new information, the whispers had been heard around town for a while and now there is an actual printout (allegedly) from the city, rumored to be handed out by the mayor to a vocal local merchant on North Street. Is this a Biggest Bully contest? Or is the mayor taking out "Troublemakers"? Do the Hekkers have the right of a taxpayer to file complaints or did they go too far? Did it cost the city and taxpayers with the huge volume of them? Why is Mayor Scrima going after one of his biggest former supporters all the sudden (allegdly)? What is the rumored connection between Mayor Scrima/ IT department/ Derek, the human target/leaked info on Lori Luther and Derek? There is a big difference between proposing a Cry Wolf ordinance and going after someone with a personal vendetta (allegedly), right? I do not know the answers, and I am tired of this. Peace on Main.

HBR and Freeman took the high road and did a nice article with a lot of restrain... Even Danny and Alderman Patton said something nice with a lot of restrain. We all love this city, and we all show it in our own ways, and at times things can go way too far and become something ugly, yet it takes intense love to have intense hate instead of indifference, but can we all remember the part we have in common first is the love and work from there? Now I feel like this guy...

(I will be placing a small peace sign on the door/ window and wish for a new beginning for downtown. Stop the bullies, press RESET, and let's all be neighbors again. The silent ones can have a voice too. Peace on Main.)

Good enough...

More fight ahead...

City Hall needs some help...

SOUND OFF

Letters to the Editor-Darryl has a fan.

POLICE BLOTTER

Real info on water.

See you there?

First meeting coming for the Downtown Task Force.

First look

Here is the first look of the 453 project... Plan Commission coming up soon.

Peace on Main?

Before the next big tidal wave hits, I just want to say that a lot of long time downtown people who are not in the spotlight are wondering when is peace on Main in sight?

Guitar Town is on the horizon but the shady stuff is overshadowing all the hard work people put in. The chaos in the City Hall IS on the street and people are being turned off. Bulls are running... backroom deals were done, power players are throwing shots and drawing lines. it is cray cray.

People who love downtown and had been silent are sad... very sad...

Kitty angel and puppy angel

Fellow blogger Brien gained another angel. Regardless if you are a cat lover or dog lover, they are a part of the family, and the void they left is hard to live with for a while...

I was told last night that another whippet Robert also passed away. He was in Sharon's pack, where Georgie came from, but he was an abused rescue. He was shy but very sweet, and I hope Angel Georgie was there to welcome him across.

Sometime you wish these wonderful souls see nothing but love and stability but at time that is not the case and they need second or third chances until they find their true home. Do rescue and open your heart, because these heavenly creatures do appreciate it and deserve it.

Thank you.

2.18.12

The word on the street is that if Mayor Scrima is out to round up troublemakers, he is gonna find them now. Power players are getting hit with open record requests, and BID members/steering committee members are facing ethical inquiries... Yup, it kinda does not help all the extremely hard work people had been putting into the Guitar Town Project, all the so called "transparency" Mayor Scrima champions becomes quite a distraction...

On the other front, there are also whispers that there will be a major blow back on the extremely vigilant "watchdogs" of Downtown Waukesha. Some business owners are fed up... More is to come.

Yes, chaos rules the street right now, the trench warfare is just about to turn into an all out fire fight. I was even warned to "pick a side" by several people... I suppose combat field reporters get shot all the time... :( I posted a question before on the possibility of one seeks gains amid the chaos one creates or this being a Wag the Dog move, but then I also have to remind myself that it can be like a kid playing with an advanced chemistry set without knowing what one is doing... If "shaking things up" is the goal, the mission is accomplished and more, the scientists had helped to create a monster and now regret it...

Take cover... it might get much worse before it gets better...

Wow, a major and a fool on the front page (where is the spell-checker :) )... If I remember it correctly, I have Brien to thank for the "Mike Tyson".

What the heck? Another round on angle parking BEFORE it goes to Downtown Task Force? This is getting ridiculous...

Efficiency is good...

That guy can hit the high note...

Darryl's column- No more beer and burger? :(

SOUND OFF-I think downtown people do want a Harley Fest, and that is from ALL sides, but no one has the money or time to take the lead...

POLICE BLOTTER

You can check out Major Ron's purple hair here and have some breakfast too!

DON'T FORGET THIS IS TODAY TOO...

Purple Challenge

We honored the bet like men... (Unlike someones unnamed...) ;)

Thanks to Holly From Moxie Beauty Lounge and Shay from Infidel Images.

Big thanks to Waukesha for a successful Red Kettle Campaign!

2.17.12

George,
The BID voted 10 – 3 to enter into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Guitar Town Committee this morning. I was opposed to signing this document for the following reasons.
• There is currently not enough information to make an informed decision at this time. No real details have been communicated to the public or the BID Board. There is a lot of rumors but no hard facts. How can the BID agree to participate if we have no idea what our financial exposure would be?
• While Meghan has been invited to participate in the meetings, it doesn’t appear that she is a member. Why would the BID commit financial resources to a project that we have NO control over?
• We were assured that this is a non-binding agreement. If it’s non-binding why does it need to be signed? The Steering Committee is not a legal entity, the BID will be the only legal entity connected to this project which legally will make the BID the only option for creditors to pursue if things go bad. It sure seems like this will be binding, not to mention the fact that if things go poorly it is almost impossible for the BID to pull out of the project from a PR point of view.
• The threat of missing a deadline appeared to be the main motivation for passing this motion.

I hope everything goes well and there are no problems with this project. It is worthwhile and has the potential to boost Waukesha to a new level. Unfortunately, I don’t believe we did our due diligence. It was more of a leap of faith for a very worthy project rather than a well thought out business decision base upon facts and information.

Jeff Barta

I had a few visitors today, and I can tell you that people working hard with Guitar Town project are frustrated. It is super hard to put one year worth of work in four month, but this deadline is also not a good excuse to overlook things. Remember, when a salesman tells you how you need to buy it right there and right away, it is likely a raw deal that you should have looked at it a little closer... I had been a supporter of the project in term of sponsorship pledge and artist recommendations, but I do have doubts with the New Day Fund involvement and all the secrecy from the Mayor. It is not the transparency we were promised, and if BID becomes a personal political tool, I am also not okay with it as a taxpayer. Didn't his appointee Mr. Larson just said:

“If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.”

I made a big mistake trusting someone like a brother recently and I so wanted to believe the pretty picture painted, but you can only overlook so many little warning signs to realize it is an illusion. We have warning signs now, and if one blows the whistle, then one is an obstructionist or a troublemaker? The Band of Bloggers, I mean, the Band of Troublemakers will stand for our rights to continue the dialogue.

Moxie's will be honoring Major Ron's Purple Challenge this afternoon, but there will be only one true purple haired diva in this town, Major Ron will be going with a lighter shade. I too will be honoring the challenge, Shay Armstrong from Infidel Images will be painting my face tattoo too... Thanks for all the people donating to help the homeless and the needy through the Red Kettle campaign, it is truly a community effort. (Update: Holly said it might be a problem to make it lighter but she will play with it so it will be different...)

Good stuff. Hats off to her...

POLICE BLOTTER

P.S. I also need to add this on the record, I like Shawn as the BID president and his sudden non-reappointment was quite fishy and now with the Dec. 20 thing with Gibson/Mayor/BID behind his back is even more smelly... Why does one need the control of BID, WDBA and WEAA and now this Downtown Task Force, and where is Common Council in all of this? Questions and more questions...

2.16.12

This is a sticky Wiggy bomb dropped before the BID meeting... Was that a hint of bullying the BID director AGAIN on how she comply to Open Record requests? My guess is that the rumored secret re-branding of downtown Waukesha will come to light soon. No more " historical", but just Waukesha Guitar Town. The problem is that, if the rumor is true, this is not a decision for the mayor and the Smart People to make... Or is this about all the not so transparent moves while Shawn was the BID president and then the effort to get him out so there is a BID board the mayor can control? Like I told Lynn before, hooking up with New Day Fund can be troublesome... The brains in the BID will get this mess straighten out this morning I hope.

The street had been too quiet for a reason, perhaps this is it. ( But I also had been too busy to put my ear to the ground, I was informed by Carrie that I am booked up for two week... )

I do need to go to HoG before they stop serving food, rumor has it that it will end in April.

Water info meeting with tons of real info. No Mayor Scrima, he was at the HR meeting.

Oops, that was a decision he instantly regret.

Here is a debate, but vote yes by going to this event. Here is why we need bike racks downtown.

This is actually kinda intriguing.

Wiggy's nice and gentle column. (BTW, I was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in Taiwan.)

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

That is a super gorgeous house next door to this awesome project!

Brien is a fan... more or les.

Oops, again.

Now I am tempted to go to the BID meeting but that requires me to get out of this warm comfortable bed, and HBR will be there anyway... I think I will let the real reporter work her magic... *** BTW, the meeting is 7:30 AM, I am not making it for sure...

2.15.12

Moxie girls and Danger Girl #2 (Happy Birthday!) came in to help us celebrate Valentine's Day, the only problem was that we are a cynical bunch in the shop... I did take Ms. Kool to a business meeting at the Union House however... ( Argyle Boy seemed to drop the ball with Sabrina, FYI.)

Rich said I was on TV, but I did not remember being chased on Cops... The Tattooed Lady famed writer/historian Amelia was the one on TV.

Major Ron is talking about honoring the Purple challenge even though it came in short of the fundraising challenge goal, does that mean I have to keep my word of doing my pledge with him?! Stay tuned...

How about some flapjacks?

Jobs are coming back!

Gregg talked about WCCX.

Please wear your seat belt... This is terrible... My thoughts are with the victim's family. One uncle of mine was killed when he fell out of the car in an accident and hit his head on the curb when I was young...

Divino Gelato and Sloppy Joe's are back!

Gambler Darryl tells a tale of the Wild Wild West Main...

SOUND OFF

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR- Once again, Alderman Payne also raised concerns and had several NO votes but Alderwoman Cummings is being singled out and picked on.

POLICE BLOTTER

Did you sign up yet?

We all need to take a lesson on how to get along...

WDBA meeting is at Montecito tonight... I do have a late appointment... Sorry again.

UPDATE: Patch just updated this. The name sounded very familiar so I checked my database and it is true... :( This is not the way to lose a customer... I am so sorry for the family.

2.14.12

Happy Valentine's Day! Or to us working stiffs, Happy Tuesday... ;)

I had an interesting tattoo yesterday, I did a portrait of a dog that is a Medal of Honor winner on his partner. Zip was in action for Oklahoma City, 9-11 and in war zone like Afganistan. It would make a great story or even a movie but no one had been told the whole story yet. I am just so honored to be a part of his memorial.

Downtown crime is down. Some has different thoughts.

We also have an idea what Curt's Test of City could be about...

Isn't it time for everyone to know what happened? Or are we "Attacking the Past?" Th search is still on.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

We talked about merchant's side yesterday, I think we should talk about property owners today as equal time. I can tell you that remodeling a place is a quite an undertaking, some said the process dealing with the city approval is a pain, the maintainace is also a headache, and there are all the external factors as well like vandalism, all kinds of tax and insurance, threat of flood or other natural disaster. Why would anyone hold on to properties downtown? Perhaps it is the Buy Low, Sell High dream or one operates business on it like me. Is there really a war between property owners and the merchants? What do you think?

Things are pretty quiet in downtown... It is kinda scary, it could be the calm before the storm or the build up to a something big happening... or people are just too busy working...

2.13.12 Bonus

This is usually my off day but I will throw this interesting topic out to the floor:

My take is that retail business is hard work that some just don't realize, and it can be seasonal and affected by external factors. The service business is the same way, but the hardest thing is management of people in both cases. Not everyone care about the business like the business owner, and sometime a small business owner has to wear many hats, one has to deal with internal issues and external challenges.

What if someone wants to close the street in front of you, or call in noise complaints on you? What if the place you rent is falling apart? What if you have 2-3 more competitors show up? How do you motivate your team members and keep things in line and in harmony? How do you maintain a bottom line when things are tough all over? Sooner or later it is an internal dialogue on if all is worth it.

It is true that many visions of downtown are out there and they are at odds some of the time. There are people on the street that just ignored the noise and thrive in their own niche, but it is hard when resources are limited and things become political... I do think everyone has skin in the game and when one's interest and livelihood are threaten, it becomes very personal. Some just get fed up when they do not think their voice will be heard and some will point to the few loudest power players as bullies.

In the end, supply and demand is still a big factor, big money is lurking out there if downtown is gonna go through another transition and as we look into 2012 and beyond, I wonder who will be selling out at the high point or shut down at the low point, and who will stay... I had been observing downtown for 20+ years and I hope the best is yet to come...

2.11.12

Slow news day in Waukesha, but I am more focused on Linsanity. He is a fellow Taiwanese and coming out of nowhere to take NBA by storm. The most impressive thing is that he is talking about teamwork, he understands it and it is also very Confucius influenced that when everyone plays one's role with respect to each other, harmony and success will come. Note this anonymous entry, we try to do our part as well, and I can honestly say tattooing kept people coming to downtown through the lean years too and it is all for a better Waukesha.

If that is the law, he does have the right... That brings us to the T T bar debate, like Eat said:

If I were Larson and Scrima I would be careful accusing them of future plans because as you mention it could result in a lawsuit even if the rumors are true. The City could end up with a strip club that we helped financed if they were to win money in a lawsuit. However, even if they wanted a strip club in that location there isn't a thing the City could do to stop them. You cannot ban strip clubs from a City you can only limit their location, which in Waukesha is the Manufacturing zoning district.

Even if it is a duck, it is a duck with lawyers...

I am looking forward to front page news on Purple Challenge next holiday season...

Bird watcher found gem in the city... Very kool!

I saw these in Almont Gallery the other day, part of the guitars were in a controversy earlier. Waukesha Guitar Town will be a good PR campaign to bring positive focus to where it should be.

I don't see any meeting I need to go next week... ;)

SOUND OFF- That was an uphill battle for local residents that night. Wiggy and I both commented on the thinly veiled threat from lawyers on our twitter conversation.

POLICE BLOTTER

Hey, I tattooed another person Chef with Many Names owe money to... Oh, the stories...

2.10.12

Last night was the BID annual meeting, I had a chance to talk to a few fellow downtown stakeholders. I did find out that some angle parking supporters did not really know the whole story nor understand how Far West End is different from the rest of the Main Street with 13 driveways, downhill slope and the sharp turn to West Ave. I saw a document earlier in the day that the whole angle parking thing was talked about and defeated in BID in 2004, and I saw a signed petition from some Far West End property owners then siting the many driveway make it very dangerous for angle parking there. I guess this fight was started long ago, the angle parking stopped at Maple now for a good reason, and I certainly hope people do not support something just because the slogan sounds good to make the whole West Main uniform with more parking, or the secret agenda of sticking it to so and so due to all the ill will, because there are others in Far West End you are sticking it to.

I did shake hands and talk to Alderman Patton and I told him even though we are on the opposite divide of this issue, I still respect him. I think he jokingly challenged me to a fist fight because he is bigger, but I am no street fighter. :)

I know BID was different in 2004, the need for parking was different then too, but the number of driveways did not change, the same safety/liability concern is still there. I wonder if anyone is hearing me or am I just fighting the windmill by myself?

For the hot button issue of street closing, one opponent told me the current format will likely stay due to police decision, the event had just gotten to be that big, now the talk is the frequency of it. One supporter told me he fear changes to the street closing requirements will be too great of a financial burden to the stage owners and effectively kill FFNL.

For the guitar town, more will be revealed after the Common Council approval on 2-21.

The main concern on the horizon is the Hwy 18 road construction project and how it could affect the traffic to downtown Waukesha, but BID does not have all the detail yet.

River's End Gallery did win the downtown Renaissance award, congrats to Joan, she did a wonderful job with the project.

The good folks at Key Westconsin put out a wonderful spread; some stakeholders and I were hitting that bite-sized key lime pie pretty hard... Thank you for being a great host.

There was a mention of a bike rack fundraiser on 3-2-12 at Carroll U. but the biker gangs I ran into did not know anything about it, more detail to come I guess.

I am not messing with her...

Oops, I hope everyone will be okay.

Good stuff.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

There were also a lot of talks on the street about the T T bar... The consensus is that it will pass or a lawsuit is coming, and someone is gonna make a ton of money using that unique zoning.

BTW, a shout-out goes out to Mr. HBR whom is under the weather, from the League of Husbands.

P.S. Even some members of the Magical Downtown Committee are doubting their super power to handle all the issues by April 1st, some said it is a stalling tactic to push it off to this group to duke it out and make suggestions. I suppose when appointment time for committees comes in April, things will change again in the city government...

2.9.12

I think Mayor Scrima has to watch out for his public statement, he is getting a reputation for going after minorities disagreeing with him, fair or unfair. (Alderman Payne expressed similar concerns if I remember correctly.) Alderwoman Cummings has a unique voice, I might not agree with her all the time and at times criticized her, but she does have the passion and not afraid to speak the truth from her perspective and that deserves some respect. Remember how much an alder-person is getting paid to sit through all these meetings, I would not want that job. There is definitely a transparency issue if you happen to be on the dissenting side, and I can tell you that from the dealings with angle parking and Kendal Lofts.

I remembered getting that news tip phone call.

Is that area even zoned for adult entertainment but that is not even what they are asking? If it is and they are not asking for it but for TT (table tennis) bar use, then the lawyers will have fun with that. I also need to see how this woman with body paint thing go because we have Shay Armstrong doing live body painting in our future plan and that is art. ( Note the end of the Patch article, wow!) New WackySha shirt design coming on a reader's suggestion: Don't fear the duck.

Guitar Town moving ahead.

Good stuff.

Both artists were shown at Galleria Edge!

New show at WCT.

Hard hitting Wiggy.

SOUND OFF-Being an artist myself, I can tell you the money is not that much especially on the big guitars. The time put in seldom reflects the true cost and we are not even talking about materials. Lynn had said there will be strict control with this very public project, art direction will be there.

POLICE BLOTTER

The chief makes his presence known, I wish I was a fly on the wall though.

Wiggy showed some love... Now I have to buy him another beer...

There is something to say about all the meetings for biz owners to attend, it sucks when you have to physically work for a living. (... and I had to miss quite a few of them and feel guilty about it.)

Thanks to Carroll's famous "Tattoo Lady" Amelia, I was mentioned here.

The search goes on...

One more day until the artists are announced for the Gibson guitar town... I hope some of the artists we recommended make the list!

BID annual meeting is tonight at Key Westconsin. Who is going to win the award for renovating a downtown building this year? River's End or People's? Place your bet now...

2.8.12

I was the only audience left at the Common Council meeting and Alderman Patton called me out to talk about angle parking. I said what I needed to say about a lack of solution for a turn-around area, safety concerns and the much larger parking issue, Alderman Patton then raised his not so secret petition and said 30 operators on West Main are supporting it ( yet he did not mention some support it with condition), then he said he could have gotten 7 (or several?) more to 30 if he had more time, and only 3-4 people are against it. The problem is, the 3-4 people own 7 out of 9 properties on south side of West Main from Maple to West. Round one (tabled) with angle parking, Alderman Patton said it was for bar patrons, round two (killed) he said it was needed for Kendal Lofts, now round three (on hold) is from this Community development study, and round four is headed to the new downtown task force then back to Common Council for round five. Despite all the changing stories, someone really wants this to happen regardless of safety and liability concerns from property owners, and that really troubles me. It is funny that the downtown parking issue, which no one had solved for a long time or dare to touch, is now in the lap of this magical downtown committee to come up with a suggestion along with other hot button issues... I do not envy anyone sitting on it but some thinks it leans to one side a bit by design, it is likely not 4 pro+4 con+2 neutral+1 as Alderman Patton proclaimed. ( ...and I do still like him BTW.)

There were some fireworks earlier regarding this magical committee and Alderwoman Cummings blasted Mayor Scrima on transparency, he was annoyed and fired back. There were also fireworks on Meadow Lane project and I think the city just avoided a lawsuit... The whole time I was thinking that Kendal Lofts did not even get near this kind of scrutiny on green space and density...

Mr. Jim Taylor did reach out to me about what I think of street closing and I told him I am neutral and relayed an idea for compromise from the moderates to him: Closing Clinton after public parking lot entrance by Hannon's to Mia's before the next public parking lot entrance. Leave Broadway to Five Point open and Main from Five point to Clinton open. Put Steaming Cup's stage on Clinton so it is still close to the coffee shop. That open street section should help Clarke Hotel and Nice Ash. The only big drawback: Police chief might not approve it because he will need more than three cops if the street closing areas are separated. Yup, we can talk compromise all we want, the police can veto all that some said.

I did take Wiggy's advice though, I sneaked out, speed away before Mayor Scrima can get into his car... ;)

More jobs coming!

Gregg's column

Darryl's column

Letter to the Editor

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

It was a late night, I sure can use some coffee and breakfast now... (Kodiak sayz how about a milkshake too?)

2.7.12

Someone from one side of the divide came to talk to me, it was explained to me how difficult is to work with the other side. I was reminded that the street closing decision is still in the hand of the police chief. Is there any room of coming to a compromise? I do not know.

One more step to Waukesha Guitar Town and just a little more detail is being shown to the public. Is this a teaser or an effort to be vague, or everything is just that much in flux that they are making it up as it goes? Some said the big guitar might last only 4-5 years out there or the trust can only maintain them for so long? Who knows? We are not short on speculations, but there is certainly a buzz all over town.

Way to go, kids...

Michaela was one of the artists shown in Galleria Edge!

80 years... The League of Husbands salutes you...

Let's get the real info out there...

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

Batting cage proposal?

Biker event coming up!

Common Council is tonight, I should pack a snack and get a good seat this time... I wonder if angle parking is going to be debated, that is another issue with a lot of secrecy and who knows who is pulling the strings. See you in the crowd, it is the new "happenings" in downtown Waukesha!