What my sister had been up to... Nine shows with Juliette Binoche in a French production... Interesting...
Sunday, September 30, 2012
News from UK
What my sister had been up to... Nine shows with Juliette Binoche in a French production... Interesting...
Saturday, September 29, 2012
9.29.12
So... Let's just pretend this is all kosher and stuff... Here are the possible chess moves coming:
1.) Follow what HBR said,
Sarah PryorSeptember 27, 2012 9:02 AM
For clarification George, remember that before the city administrator was hired, the Common Council reverted the position's job description to the way it existed prior to the June 2010 closed session meeting about Lori Luther. Thus, Mr. Henschel reports to the Common Council AND mayor, with the Common Council given final authority in cases of a conflicting directive. Hope that helps!
a. Common Council step in and assert its authority. (Bad PR)
b. Common Council does nothing.
2.) 51% (value) of property owners step in and take down the BID district with no choice but to protect the money and its interest. (Bad PR)
a.WDBA leaders/ex-BID leaders complete the take over of certain fee based BID events- achieve complete dominance of downtown.
3.) Following the same logic in the Henschel article, current operation plan expires at 12-31-12, if no board is in places by then, there can be no operation plan and no more money can go out.
a. Mayor Scrima magically appoints new board members, re-purpose the BID reserve fund for re-branding.
4.) 51% (value) of property owners sues city. (Bad PR)
5.) Former BID executive director sues city. (Bad PR)
6.) World ends at 12-21-12, we are put out of this misery... (Yay!)
The vigorous one is winning, I think he had it figured out... His opponents are tied down for following stupid rules... (Checkmate!)
However, Mayor Scrima does not want people to remember his earlier failure ("I drove to Oak Creek, it was FAR!")...but we just might have water...
Money, Leverage, and Pain... We can learn a few things here... Bill used to say that people don't change untill things are getting so bad that it reaches Max Pain level... How I wish he is here to advise me at this time of quandary...
History Lesson 5 of 10.
My Ditka...
Do the robot... (Bonus)
POLICE BLOTTER
Info on Boardway Fall Festival:
Various businesses on Broadway have come together to organize a “Broadway Fall Festival”.
The event will be held Saturday, October 20th from noon-5pm on Broadway from Wisconsin Ave to the Riverfront Plaza. The event will include music at two locations, family friendly activities, wine/beer tasting, great food, raffle, and much more! A street closure permit has been filed for Broadway between Wisconsin Avenue and Barstow.
If anyone would like to participate in the event please let Laura at Cake Pops by design know as soon as possible. Save the date flyers will be out this Friday with more detailed fliers to come.
Find us on Facebook ~ www.facebook.com/BroadwayFallFestival
Have a great Autumn Season Everyone!
Participating merchants (so far):
North American Computer, Wise Art Glass, Andrea's Hair Salon, Monticeto Restaurant and Lounge, Poppin on Broadway, Rochester Deli, Cake Pops by Design, Lena's Tailoring and more to follow……!
Contact info:
Zombie Caturday!
Ms. Kool and I were at the Brewers game last night... :(
Friday, September 28, 2012
9.28.12
A number of us were contacted by a WDBA member who said she was taking over "Diva Day" and was told to go ask the city administrator for the money that was in the BID budget for the event.
That's not to say she'll get it. Just pointing out that someone apparently thinks the BID money is up for grabs and all you have to do is go to the city administrator to get it.
I guess Diva Day 2012 is happening???
Wiggy asked the question and he got an answer. How does the city attorney explain this then? The mayor needs to appoint new board members like yesterday, that is his job. Not to do so and let BID fund go out this way might be seen as a popular fix short term and a good chess move, but it will generate more distrust and create even more polarization of downtown in the long run... Yet I am not holding my breath for him to do the right and honorable thing, my trust level with the vigorous one is insufficient these days if you haven't noticed...
I think this is the legal language in question regarding BID fund: ( You make your own call...)
Here is the legal language in question regarding termination of BID:
Here is something from Waukesha Now:
BID is in suspension, WDBA pretty much got rid of most dissenting voices, and any dissenting/independent voice in downtown now will likely be seen as trouble making, pro-Hekkerses, replaceable, unintelligent, anti-progress and/or anti-WFFNL... Merchants have a choice to make: Shut up or get out... It is not a healthy business environment... but shhhh...
HBR said the S word...
Not too sweet...
No problem...
Carroll Homecoming!
History Lesson 4 of 10...
Give me Five!
POLICE BLOTTER and more...
I did not know that...
Add WTC's own Barry to this list...
Good stuff...
No comment...
Oh, it's love...
The question is still...WHY!!??
Oops...
Don't forget to RSVP!!!
Zombie Walk update!
M.H. came to town to say good-bye and for his favorite burger from Chef Nate, he has accepted a new VP job at Dallas with a one minute commute. It is way different than the weekly flights here for work, plus he will be taking the company G5 to Asia now in place of crowded commercial flights like most of us... Instead of working with J Lo's fashion collection, he will likely be working with Justin Timberlake... WTC crew wishes him all the best... There is no more deserving guy and more down to earth person...
That's not to say she'll get it. Just pointing out that someone apparently thinks the BID money is up for grabs and all you have to do is go to the city administrator to get it.
I guess Diva Day 2012 is happening???
Wiggy asked the question and he got an answer. How does the city attorney explain this then? The mayor needs to appoint new board members like yesterday, that is his job. Not to do so and let BID fund go out this way might be seen as a popular fix short term and a good chess move, but it will generate more distrust and create even more polarization of downtown in the long run... Yet I am not holding my breath for him to do the right and honorable thing, my trust level with the vigorous one is insufficient these days if you haven't noticed...
I think this is the legal language in question regarding BID fund: ( You make your own call...)
(4) All special assessments received from a business improvement district and all other appropriations by
the municipality or other moneys received for the benefit of the business improvement district shall be
placed in a segregated account in the municipal treasury.
No disbursements from the account may be made except to reimburse the municipality for appropriations other than special assessments, to pay the costs of audits required under sub. (3) (c) or on order of the board for the purpose of implementing the operating plan.
On termination of the business improvement district by the municipality, all moneys collected by special assessment remaining in the account shall be disbursed to the owners of specially assessed property in the business improvement district, in the same proportion as the last collected
special assessment.
Here is the legal language in question regarding termination of BID:
(4m) A municipality shall terminate a business improvement district if the owners of property assessed
under the operating plan having a valuation equal to more than 50% of the valuation of all property
assessed under the operating plan, using the method of valuation specified in the operating plan, or the
owners of property assessed under the operating plan having an assessed valuation equal to more than 50% of the assessed valuation of all property assessed under the operating plan, file a petition with the planning commission requesting termination of the business improvement district, subject to all of the following conditions:......
Here is something from Waukesha Now:
jbarta - - Report Abuse
10
BID is in suspension, WDBA pretty much got rid of most dissenting voices, and any dissenting/independent voice in downtown now will likely be seen as trouble making, pro-Hekkerses, replaceable, unintelligent, anti-progress and/or anti-WFFNL... Merchants have a choice to make: Shut up or get out... It is not a healthy business environment... but shhhh...
HBR said the S word...
Not too sweet...
No problem...
Carroll Homecoming!
History Lesson 4 of 10...
Give me Five!
POLICE BLOTTER and more...
I did not know that...
Add WTC's own Barry to this list...
Good stuff...
No comment...
Oh, it's love...
The question is still...WHY!!??
Oops...
Don't forget to RSVP!!!
Zombie Walk update!
M.H. came to town to say good-bye and for his favorite burger from Chef Nate, he has accepted a new VP job at Dallas with a one minute commute. It is way different than the weekly flights here for work, plus he will be taking the company G5 to Asia now in place of crowded commercial flights like most of us... Instead of working with J Lo's fashion collection, he will likely be working with Justin Timberlake... WTC crew wishes him all the best... There is no more deserving guy and more down to earth person...
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thank you, Mr. Running
Rules should be followed. The BID is not being administered according to law right now, neither the city administrator nor a non-member of the board is authorized to conduct any business on behalf of the BID.
Once again, I do not believe that the city attorney advised that the BID, or the BID board, has ceased to exist, he certainly knows that's not true. The BID will exist until it is dissolved according to section 66.1109. As long as the BID exists, it is required to have a board of directors consisting of 13 people. The fact that it's at 2 right now does not mean that the BID or the board doesn't exist, it just means that 11 people need to be appointed to the board. That's the mayor's duty.
The BID's bylaws create authority for conducting business and handling funds. That authority cannot come from anywhere else. That authority is given to officers, who are to be appointed by the board of directors. There is no provision for giving it to anyone else, even in the case of "crisis" - which, by the way, this is clearly not.
There are only two alternatives for the BID right now: Either terminate it, or the mayor must appoint 11 board members and they in turn must elect new officers to conduct business. There is no in-between, the city administrator has no authority to jump in, and no authority can be exercised by an ex-board member, no matter how admirable their intentions.
and
And I should add, nothing can be done with the BID's assets unless and until the board is reconstituted and officers are duly elected. Any attempt to do so would be what we call an "ultra vires" act. No funds should go out of the BID's accounts, and for that reason, it's a little alarming that someone has apparently claimed to have authority to write checks for the BID - if in fact someone has.
and
Okay, I just read the Freeman article about the WDBA and the farmers market. Holy smokes. The city administrator can't do that. I'm sure he's doing it out of "practical" reasons, as he said, but he has no authority to do that. Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. Every business in the BID that has paid BID assessments should have standing to object to it. Those assets can't be redirected to non-BID uses, even if the attempt were made by authorized individuals. This can't be happening.
Editor's note: I am no lawyer, just a ranting blogger, but he is one...
Once again, I do not believe that the city attorney advised that the BID, or the BID board, has ceased to exist, he certainly knows that's not true. The BID will exist until it is dissolved according to section 66.1109. As long as the BID exists, it is required to have a board of directors consisting of 13 people. The fact that it's at 2 right now does not mean that the BID or the board doesn't exist, it just means that 11 people need to be appointed to the board. That's the mayor's duty.
The BID's bylaws create authority for conducting business and handling funds. That authority cannot come from anywhere else. That authority is given to officers, who are to be appointed by the board of directors. There is no provision for giving it to anyone else, even in the case of "crisis" - which, by the way, this is clearly not.
There are only two alternatives for the BID right now: Either terminate it, or the mayor must appoint 11 board members and they in turn must elect new officers to conduct business. There is no in-between, the city administrator has no authority to jump in, and no authority can be exercised by an ex-board member, no matter how admirable their intentions.
and
And I should add, nothing can be done with the BID's assets unless and until the board is reconstituted and officers are duly elected. Any attempt to do so would be what we call an "ultra vires" act. No funds should go out of the BID's accounts, and for that reason, it's a little alarming that someone has apparently claimed to have authority to write checks for the BID - if in fact someone has.
and
Okay, I just read the Freeman article about the WDBA and the farmers market. Holy smokes. The city administrator can't do that. I'm sure he's doing it out of "practical" reasons, as he said, but he has no authority to do that. Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. Every business in the BID that has paid BID assessments should have standing to object to it. Those assets can't be redirected to non-BID uses, even if the attempt were made by authorized individuals. This can't be happening.
Editor's note: I am no lawyer, just a ranting blogger, but he is one...
9.27.12
"Scrima added: "Most of the downtown activities that include Friday Night Live, art crawls, GuitarTown, Silver Bells, Santa Run and other activities were not originated by the BID and not operated by the BID. We're saddened not everyone gets along. However, through this we've been able to see that most downtown activities and events have always been done by private organizations and volunteers." (Waukesha Now)
(So much for Diva Day 2012...)
Wiggy, truth, logic, or rules don't apply to the Emperor of Waukesha... You should have known better...
Even though my company only own a very small piece of downtown, it does not mean I do not care about the BID fund that we contributed to and how the fund generating Farmers' Market is being hijacked. Rumor has it that there was even a notice of fee increase for Farmers' Market and an instruction on where to send the money... This is going way too far, it is downright theft at this point... Are the downtown leaders gonna follow Mayor Scr-Manipulation right off the legal cliff over GREED? Instead of avoiding a property owners vs. renting merchants division, the vigorous one pushed it past the point of no return...
I thought the City Admin is acting on instruction of the Common Council, not the Mayor's anyway... That is another ongoing division that is getting new legs... (Editor's note: See Comments, HBR corrected me...)
Is there any integrity left in the city government? So much for Mayor Scrima's attempt to "Win over"...
While some were talking about parking...
(10) CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT EXEMPT. The parking and loading space
requirements of subsections (2), (3) and (8) shall not apply to the Central Business
District as defined in sub. (11), except for new residential construction of 5 or more units,
and provided further the parking and loading facilities, if voluntarily established, shall
comply with all standards and specifications of sub. (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), and (3)-(7).
(11) CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT DEFINED. For purposes of this Chapter, the
Central Business District of the City is defined as follows: From the Fox River, north, to
the center line of Wisconsin Avenue, south; from the center line of Maple Avenue, west,
to the center line of Barstow Street, east.
Hey, transit center is a VIABLE option according to Mayor Scrima and Plan Commissioner Larson... Oh, wait, what problem? Downtown Task Force solved them all!!!
At least our mayor went to Harvard to learn how to be a better leader...
Shouldn't the city listen to the people that are there all the time? Oh, wait, I should have known better...
Fuzzy's got lucky to get a plan commission review without Scrima...
History Lesson 3 0f 10.
Manufacturing Day...
Q and A.
To Wiggy and Pete, it is over...
POLICE BLOTTER
Tom, there is always Eric's and also Gen 5's petite filet... On a side note, Chef Jeff from Gen 5 is looking into my Australian Red Deer request... Yay!
Huh?
It is for real...
Amazing mind reader...
Can I put ketchup on that?
New frozen yogurt place...
Big check...
Cat star...
Cleaning tips...
Always funny...
ROFLMAO!!!
Sorry for the extra ranting today... I feel a little better now....Okay, maybe not...
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
9.26.12
I guess WTC should be honored to be representing but we did not do it for Mayor Scri-Manipulation, we were told it was for some website promoting Waukesha... Either way, I hope the city gets the money even with the score-setting language by the vigorous one.
Wow, so that is the $18,000 "prize"?! Once again, if WDBA is threaten by some free donuts from a non-profit, the chemistry of Farmers' Market will change if it is to be brought to Main St under the Scrima plan....
Wiggy has a different take on the mess... By the way, I want BID to continue but not in this Scrima 50 shades of gray area and I do not mind the BID tax, I just would like to see it stop being a political tool, and that is to both sides of the chess board... ( Strangely, I am hearing talks from both sides about the magical departure of Scrima or Hekkerses...)
The only Main and Grand place is old Bieg Boutique place and it is not big enough nor with a kitchen. Are they talking about Clarke Hotel? That would be exciting... If not, then I do not know how it is gonna work...On a side note, you know the Mayor has opened up the downtown parking issue to abuse. ANYONE can now say the transit center parking is a VALID option when questioned. That is the sad thing when the integrity of a city guarding dynamic is gone...
Another war front...
New re-branding effort...
Need one in downtown...
History Lesson 2 of 10
POLICE BLOTTER and More
Darryl's column.
Sarah's new entry... $2 Miller Lite!
N-F-aiL... By the way, Gregg said he had applied to be a replacement ref...
...but WHY!!!???
One "dream" collection destroyed...
Ha ha ha...
Oh, such a sweet story... and then some more...
We shall see what downtown drama will evolve into in the coming days, it is getting more ridiculous and frankly a bit obvious on the power/money grab agendas...
Wow, so that is the $18,000 "prize"?! Once again, if WDBA is threaten by some free donuts from a non-profit, the chemistry of Farmers' Market will change if it is to be brought to Main St under the Scrima plan....
Wiggy has a different take on the mess... By the way, I want BID to continue but not in this Scrima 50 shades of gray area and I do not mind the BID tax, I just would like to see it stop being a political tool, and that is to both sides of the chess board... ( Strangely, I am hearing talks from both sides about the magical departure of Scrima or Hekkerses...)
The only Main and Grand place is old Bieg Boutique place and it is not big enough nor with a kitchen. Are they talking about Clarke Hotel? That would be exciting... If not, then I do not know how it is gonna work...On a side note, you know the Mayor has opened up the downtown parking issue to abuse. ANYONE can now say the transit center parking is a VALID option when questioned. That is the sad thing when the integrity of a city guarding dynamic is gone...
Another war front...
New re-branding effort...
Need one in downtown...
History Lesson 2 of 10
POLICE BLOTTER and More
Darryl's column.
Sarah's new entry... $2 Miller Lite!
N-F-aiL... By the way, Gregg said he had applied to be a replacement ref...
...but WHY!!!???
One "dream" collection destroyed...
Ha ha ha...
Oh, such a sweet story... and then some more...
We shall see what downtown drama will evolve into in the coming days, it is getting more ridiculous and frankly a bit obvious on the power/money grab agendas...
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
9.25.12
If there was ever an official photo of this whole replacement ref debacle, this is it.
At least we can blame WackySha on funny water, what are their excuses?
History Lesson 1 of 10.
Oops...
Big plans ahead...
False alarm...
Funny...
Talented pup...
It is another sign pointing to the end of the world...
Alright, some political funnies to end this entry... Have a great day!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
9.22.12
HBR's reporting from the front line... Chess match (?) continues... Some said Mayor Scrima is fighting to keep the downtown sandbox, but it is not his sandbox... nor WDBA or certain property owners, it is OURS, from the mayor to the annoying guy keep taking cigarette butts to smoke! Everyone has to learn how to share...
How did New Day Fund get so padded?
Art in court...
Priceless comments... The Freeman version.
What is up for next week.
SOUND OFF-"What problem, there is no problem..."
POLICE BLOTTER
Bike plan passed...
Cute Overload...
This is so kool...
Funny stuff...
Whoa!
MacGyver approves... Or is it MacGruber?
Have a great weekend... We shall see what next week brings...
How did New Day Fund get so padded?
Art in court...
Priceless comments... The Freeman version.
What is up for next week.
SOUND OFF-"What problem, there is no problem..."
POLICE BLOTTER
Bike plan passed...
Cute Overload...
This is so kool...
Funny stuff...
Whoa!
MacGyver approves... Or is it MacGruber?
Have a great weekend... We shall see what next week brings...
Friday, September 21, 2012
9.21.12
Chef with Many Names is in the news again and I hope more victims will step forward... I think his real name might be Ramon Daniel Mitre which makes sense with D Mo's. I was just talking to Chef Nate about the night "Tony" was knocked out with one punch and pissed his pants, I guess some said it happened because he stiffed these Mexican guys after they fixed his truck... I hope justice will be served and that will restore some of my faith in the system... Either way, karma is a "beautiful thing" and it will always come back at you. ( My heart goes out to the victim in the case and the few others I know of...)
With the downtown mess, I don't know where it is going... The sad truth is that people do not care much, they just want to go to an event that is free. No one will care if Farmers' Market is putting on by XYZ group, as long as there is one... We have people asking us what is going up across the street (Kendal Lofts) at least three times a day, and no one really follows what happens in Plan Commission... It will take a courageous Common Council to restore some dignity to the city government...
Someone close always tells me to FOLLOW THE MONEY... Wiggy did not miss a beat. In the long run, this move by Mayor Scrima will actually hurt WDBA and WEAA because it will cut off some funding for events like Silver Bell and Art Crawl... Unless he is still eyeing the BID reserve fund for the secret re-branding project or he is buying time with some possible questionable stuff of New Day Fund pass through.
It is not the first time Ms.Kool and/or I experienced this kind of drama, and in the end it was always about money...
Head Judge...
Big issue...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
SOUND OFF
POLICE BLOTTER
Poppin' On Broadway has agreed to be on board with Waukesha Zombie Walk too, joining Magellan's, Rochester Deli, Gen 5, Montecito, Steaming Cup, Moxie's and WTC!!! It should be a great afternoon and an awesome after-party! You can still help!!!
Brien's new entry...
Sarah's new entry...
We LOVE Union House...
Pig to the rescue... That'll do, pig, that'll do...
Coffin art...
Movie list for Wiggy... ;)
He is a funny guy!
The decisive moment...
Pretty funny site...
Kool street art!
Alright, let's end today's blog entry right...
Hope you go through your day with a smile...
With the downtown mess, I don't know where it is going... The sad truth is that people do not care much, they just want to go to an event that is free. No one will care if Farmers' Market is putting on by XYZ group, as long as there is one... We have people asking us what is going up across the street (Kendal Lofts) at least three times a day, and no one really follows what happens in Plan Commission... It will take a courageous Common Council to restore some dignity to the city government...
Someone close always tells me to FOLLOW THE MONEY... Wiggy did not miss a beat. In the long run, this move by Mayor Scrima will actually hurt WDBA and WEAA because it will cut off some funding for events like Silver Bell and Art Crawl... Unless he is still eyeing the BID reserve fund for the secret re-branding project or he is buying time with some possible questionable stuff of New Day Fund pass through.
It is not the first time Ms.Kool and/or I experienced this kind of drama, and in the end it was always about money...
Head Judge...
Big issue...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
SOUND OFF
POLICE BLOTTER
Poppin' On Broadway has agreed to be on board with Waukesha Zombie Walk too, joining Magellan's, Rochester Deli, Gen 5, Montecito, Steaming Cup, Moxie's and WTC!!! It should be a great afternoon and an awesome after-party! You can still help!!!
Brien's new entry...
Sarah's new entry...
We LOVE Union House...
Pig to the rescue... That'll do, pig, that'll do...
Coffin art...
Movie list for Wiggy... ;)
He is a funny guy!
The decisive moment...
Pretty funny site...
Kool street art!
Alright, let's end today's blog entry right...
Hope you go through your day with a smile...
Thursday, September 20, 2012
9.20.12
Scri-Manipulation!
Wiggy, "New Day"? Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha... ROFLMAO
(Wiggy also said this yesterday:
James WigdersonSeptember 19, 2012 8:39 PM
Nobody, and I repeat nobody, wanted Guitar Town to fail. There were people behaving unethically, there were violations of the open records law. These are facts, not opinions.
The bullying complaints have been out there a long time. To deny that the problem exists, you would have to believe that Sprager was somehow planted in the BID to personally destroy Norm Bruce, and that some secret meetings are being held by a number of downtown businesses with the sole purpose of making Lynn Gaffey look bad.
When you become a defender you become an accomplice. At the very least, he certainly is a poor judge of character when it comes to the people he chooses to defend.
If Kerry really believes what was published under his name, then he is too delusional to serve on the BID Board. If he doesn't believe it, then he is too unethical. Either way, his resignation, along with the others, was a good thing for the community.
from here. )The bullying complaints have been out there a long time. To deny that the problem exists, you would have to believe that Sprager was somehow planted in the BID to personally destroy Norm Bruce, and that some secret meetings are being held by a number of downtown businesses with the sole purpose of making Lynn Gaffey look bad.
When you become a defender you become an accomplice. At the very least, he certainly is a poor judge of character when it comes to the people he chooses to defend.
If Kerry really believes what was published under his name, then he is too delusional to serve on the BID Board. If he doesn't believe it, then he is too unethical. Either way, his resignation, along with the others, was a good thing for the community.
Big Brother
POLICE BLOTTER
Mr. Seymour goes west...
It is Oak Creek then?
Brien's newest entry...
Whoa!
Huh?
Mind blown...
I did not know that...
Good ending...
( Still laughing...)
Have a great day, everyone!
BONUS QUESTION OF THE DAY: WHO IS IN CHARGE OF BID's MONEY??? (Good time for an audit?)
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
The "good ship" according to Tom
Quoting Tom H:
The Good Ship Waukesha is fortunate to have MANY rowers.
The ship needs a Captain to point the way, a Helmsman to steer the ship...
and a lookout!
The Good Ship Waukesha is fortunate to have MANY rowers.
The ship needs a Captain to point the way, a Helmsman to steer the ship...
and a lookout!
Editor's note: This refers to Roger I. in this article...
I think I am a pirate... Yarrrrr!
I missed this
From Kerry:
How do I explain this?
What is happening? I and others have been unjustly accused of many, many violations of ethics and open meetings law. Called terrorists, henchmen, goons, bullies and more, all the charges laid against us are false. We have been accused of starting hurtful rumors and destroying businesses downtown. We have been accused of keying cars and breaking windows. How much more
What is happening? I and others have been unjustly accused of many, many violations of ethics and open meetings law. Called terrorists, henchmen, goons, bullies and more, all the charges laid against us are false. We have been accused of starting hurtful rumors and destroying businesses downtown. We have been accused of keying cars and breaking windows. How much more
can we take?
Who is accused? The people accused include the long standing originators of events like Friday Night Live, GuitarTown, ArtFest, Art Crawls and Silver Bells.
Why is this happening? The search for power must be a consuming passion for one who has tasted its sweetness. After losing a seat of power, this campaign began. It started back when the sidewalk caf̩ permits began. Anger flared when baseball in Frame Park was proposed. Then came the fight and humiliation when they pitted downtown against the homeless shelter at St. Mathias. Street closings looked to be the strongest consuming effort. Years have been spent fighting that. The GuitarTown opportunity arose Рthe fight continued. All the fights concluded without clear success. When the downtown taskforce was formed early in 2012, the fight looked to have turned. So that is when it took a new direction. A personal direction. Why attack events when they grow to be so powerful. Why not instead attack the originators and key workers for the events. To discredit them and hurt their operation, maybe they can be driven from downtown. So that is the new direction for the fight.
How did it look? Emails, phone calls, letters and personal appearances, all orchestrated to make the point clear were planned. Who was the key focus for the campaign, our own Waukesha Common Council. It was framed around the position of the BID Executive Director. The attack was planned to highlight the atrocities that poor employee had to endure. A very pretty scandal was painted. It had all the elements of a great Hollywood staging. But there was so little true depth to the allegations that they had to be built up to a fever pitch. So claims of bullying were built. The campaign of hate was developed, volunteers to testify were called to the front. Some were cultivated, some might even have been paid. But the fight was so convincing. It had threats(never admitted –never described) Bullying was an easy charge, but no lawyer would file charges – little risk there to the attackers. The media ate it up, hook, line and sinker. They helped to add credibility to the fight. Their key bloggers went out to vilify the players. Without any checking of detail, they supported the false charges, making the public believe them, hey they were in print, they must be true!
This fight is false. The charges are false. Tomorrow, Tuesday 9/18, the Common Council will accept the guilty plea that the attackers have charged. Will there be any chance for the defense to be heard? Why you ask? This type of drama is so persuasive that there is no need. The Common Council has tried all the members of the board and found them guilty! Guilty of what? Guilty of being targets of a brilliant campaign of hatred. Guilty of being falsely charged in the media. Guilty as charged by the opposing power players. The real guilt though, is in refusing to name and hate and threaten and ridicule the people doing the attacks. The real guilt is in having too much character and class to lower ourselves to the level of the attackers. How would we do this if we had a chance to do it over? Exactly the same. We LOVE Waukesha! We REFUSE to drag her name through the dirt. We will plan no evil other than to plan her growth and continued success. Count us guilty of that!
What should happen next? No trial or punishment should be designed or executed. Anyone who has been asked or demanded to take action should make a real attempt to do the proper responsible action…investigate…you can do no more damage to our fair city than to kill off the loyal supporters of her downtown. Call in a fair and impartial investigator to determine the real answer to the charges. Listen to their recommendation. Harsh and unfair judgment will force the unjustly accused to want to take more serious action. Do not add your salt to the wounds we have endured. Our silence is our cry for you to do what you were elected to do, protect our city and its members. Start in downtown.
If you read this and you want to contribute – come to the common council chambers tomorrow(Tues 9/18) You must be there before 7:30 to sign up to speak. Your support is appreciated!
Who is accused? The people accused include the long standing originators of events like Friday Night Live, GuitarTown, ArtFest, Art Crawls and Silver Bells.
Why is this happening? The search for power must be a consuming passion for one who has tasted its sweetness. After losing a seat of power, this campaign began. It started back when the sidewalk caf̩ permits began. Anger flared when baseball in Frame Park was proposed. Then came the fight and humiliation when they pitted downtown against the homeless shelter at St. Mathias. Street closings looked to be the strongest consuming effort. Years have been spent fighting that. The GuitarTown opportunity arose Рthe fight continued. All the fights concluded without clear success. When the downtown taskforce was formed early in 2012, the fight looked to have turned. So that is when it took a new direction. A personal direction. Why attack events when they grow to be so powerful. Why not instead attack the originators and key workers for the events. To discredit them and hurt their operation, maybe they can be driven from downtown. So that is the new direction for the fight.
How did it look? Emails, phone calls, letters and personal appearances, all orchestrated to make the point clear were planned. Who was the key focus for the campaign, our own Waukesha Common Council. It was framed around the position of the BID Executive Director. The attack was planned to highlight the atrocities that poor employee had to endure. A very pretty scandal was painted. It had all the elements of a great Hollywood staging. But there was so little true depth to the allegations that they had to be built up to a fever pitch. So claims of bullying were built. The campaign of hate was developed, volunteers to testify were called to the front. Some were cultivated, some might even have been paid. But the fight was so convincing. It had threats(never admitted –never described) Bullying was an easy charge, but no lawyer would file charges – little risk there to the attackers. The media ate it up, hook, line and sinker. They helped to add credibility to the fight. Their key bloggers went out to vilify the players. Without any checking of detail, they supported the false charges, making the public believe them, hey they were in print, they must be true!
This fight is false. The charges are false. Tomorrow, Tuesday 9/18, the Common Council will accept the guilty plea that the attackers have charged. Will there be any chance for the defense to be heard? Why you ask? This type of drama is so persuasive that there is no need. The Common Council has tried all the members of the board and found them guilty! Guilty of what? Guilty of being targets of a brilliant campaign of hatred. Guilty of being falsely charged in the media. Guilty as charged by the opposing power players. The real guilt though, is in refusing to name and hate and threaten and ridicule the people doing the attacks. The real guilt is in having too much character and class to lower ourselves to the level of the attackers. How would we do this if we had a chance to do it over? Exactly the same. We LOVE Waukesha! We REFUSE to drag her name through the dirt. We will plan no evil other than to plan her growth and continued success. Count us guilty of that!
What should happen next? No trial or punishment should be designed or executed. Anyone who has been asked or demanded to take action should make a real attempt to do the proper responsible action…investigate…you can do no more damage to our fair city than to kill off the loyal supporters of her downtown. Call in a fair and impartial investigator to determine the real answer to the charges. Listen to their recommendation. Harsh and unfair judgment will force the unjustly accused to want to take more serious action. Do not add your salt to the wounds we have endured. Our silence is our cry for you to do what you were elected to do, protect our city and its members. Start in downtown.
If you read this and you want to contribute – come to the common council chambers tomorrow(Tues 9/18) You must be there before 7:30 to sign up to speak. Your support is appreciated!
9.19.12
Late hours of 9.19.08 was the time my mentor Bill Hanson finally cast off his broken body and became free. A lot had happened in four years, but it says something when all three tattoo shops in Waukesha are in his lineage, his photo is still in display in Magellan's and his art work is proudly displayed as the logo for Nice Ash... We miss you, Bill.
Last night was strange, first Crystal found out his friend left her hanging after he told her the wrong date to play, then this happened... ( When did Mr. Kassens resign?)
People were asking about downtown when I was at a closing earlier in the day, and the question will remain for a while longer... Now the ball is in Mayor Scrima's court again... It is a do-over and no more blatant Scri-manipulation please... Some balance in downtown is desperately needed, Common Council has to safeguard against all manipulations from all sides... ( Thank you, CC, for stepping in...)
Gregg's column.
Hebron House plan...
What is the spread on this game?
Other's TIF issue...
Darryl's column.
Erik's new entry.
Wiggy's new entry.
He is super cute!!!
Pretty good for a supposed One-Hit-Wonder...
Hey, did you save the date for Zombie Walk? It is gonna be a wide range of fun stuff happening this year!
(Of course there is this other thing happening on the same day too...) :(
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
From Dani
From here...
Even though this conversation is happening on a blog rather than face to face, I just have to comment on the respectfulness going on here – even though opinions and perceptions differ. This is what problem solving focus, civil discourse, common courtesy and professional respect can accomplish if given a forum!
As Jeff said, this is not about one isolated incident. This is not about what happened at the WDBA meeting last week, 6 months ago or even last year. This is about the culture and environment of intimidation and bullying that has permeated the downtown and two of its strongest organizations.
This is about people being marginalized and vilified for their “minority” opinions and positions by some who hold elected positions of leadership and influence in the downtown district.
This is about people feeling marginalized and vilified for their “minority” opinions and positions by some who hold elected positions of leadership and influence in the downtown district.
If it were just one person coming forward with an account of “bullying” behavior directed against them, we might be able to chalk it up to an unfortunate misunderstanding between the two. But this isn’t just one or two people. It’s many.
As Vicky stated, “perception is reality.”
This is, unarguably, a valid perception and reality for those on the receiving end of it.
What makes it especially reprehensible to some (myself included) is that it is (whether by action or inaction) being enabled and/or facilitated by a certain few who were appointed, affirmed and elected to levels of leadership and hold positions of influence within this downtown community. The positions that charge them with the responsibility of exhibiting and maintaining a higher standard of moral, ethical and just behavior towards those they serve.
Business owners have come forward to share detailed and substantiated accounts of the degradation and marginalization they’ve experienced in their organizations, with the current leaders, in these blogs, in the newspapers, with the downtown alderman, in private meetings with the mayor, and in front of the common council.
And how has the current downtown “leadership” responded?
One appointed himself to an ad hoc committee in charge of “investigating” the allegations against him and other board members and then made sure no investigation happened; one categorically dismissed the claims, calling them crazy and ridiculous; and one turned to the business owners at the common council meeting, calling them liars; accusing them of being the real bullies and guilty of a well organized effort.
Not one of them apologized. Not one of them reached out to the business owners who came forward to give detailed accounts. Not one of them has tried, in any way, to do anything more than avoid, ignore, defend, deny, or refute.
That is what this is about.
Not what did or didn’t happen at one particular meeting – that’s only one easily identifiable symptom of a far deeper issue - one that it appears our current leadership is either unable, incapable or unwilling to fully (and courageously) confront or address.
As Jeff said, this is not about one isolated incident. This is not about what happened at the WDBA meeting last week, 6 months ago or even last year. This is about the culture and environment of intimidation and bullying that has permeated the downtown and two of its strongest organizations.
This is about people being marginalized and vilified for their “minority” opinions and positions by some who hold elected positions of leadership and influence in the downtown district.
This is about people feeling marginalized and vilified for their “minority” opinions and positions by some who hold elected positions of leadership and influence in the downtown district.
If it were just one person coming forward with an account of “bullying” behavior directed against them, we might be able to chalk it up to an unfortunate misunderstanding between the two. But this isn’t just one or two people. It’s many.
As Vicky stated, “perception is reality.”
This is, unarguably, a valid perception and reality for those on the receiving end of it.
What makes it especially reprehensible to some (myself included) is that it is (whether by action or inaction) being enabled and/or facilitated by a certain few who were appointed, affirmed and elected to levels of leadership and hold positions of influence within this downtown community. The positions that charge them with the responsibility of exhibiting and maintaining a higher standard of moral, ethical and just behavior towards those they serve.
Business owners have come forward to share detailed and substantiated accounts of the degradation and marginalization they’ve experienced in their organizations, with the current leaders, in these blogs, in the newspapers, with the downtown alderman, in private meetings with the mayor, and in front of the common council.
And how has the current downtown “leadership” responded?
One appointed himself to an ad hoc committee in charge of “investigating” the allegations against him and other board members and then made sure no investigation happened; one categorically dismissed the claims, calling them crazy and ridiculous; and one turned to the business owners at the common council meeting, calling them liars; accusing them of being the real bullies and guilty of a well organized effort.
Not one of them apologized. Not one of them reached out to the business owners who came forward to give detailed accounts. Not one of them has tried, in any way, to do anything more than avoid, ignore, defend, deny, or refute.
That is what this is about.
Not what did or didn’t happen at one particular meeting – that’s only one easily identifiable symptom of a far deeper issue - one that it appears our current leadership is either unable, incapable or unwilling to fully (and courageously) confront or address.
Editor's note: A lot of stuff was deleted overnight at the source of this entry.
Monday, September 17, 2012
9.18.12
Huh? Mr. Kassens is already out?!
The big meeting tonight... I will miss it... We are having a team building session before Crystal's big night... Don't forget about this...
Why blog about Salvation Army Civic Dinner myself when I can have someone else write it cohesively with photos!!! ;)
The weather was crazy yesterday...
Just practice...
Visiting hours cut...
Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Endres!!!
She is good!
Not in time for Waukesha Zombie Walk... I hope...
Whoa!
How about neither?
I guess it's art...
Rich cats...
Huh? That is pretty high...
Whoa... Interesting... (Mr. Dixon owns Iron Horse...)
Mind blown....
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