Hopes raised then dashed

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel headline:
"Nelson opts for free agency"

Sorry Waukesha Republicans. Wrong Nelson.

Notes and updates

1) State Senator Mary Lazich explained why constituent e-mail (i.e. public records) may have ended up discarded as spam. Since I like Yahoo e-mail, like many people, and it avoids the necessity of changing my e-mail address every time I change internet providers, I'm not sure what the solution is everytime an idea for inquiry hits me beyond the normal business hours. I feel sorry for those constituents that rely upon e-mail services like Yahoo who ask questions of some personal importance.

Still, would it have hurt to link to the reason for my inquiry?

2) The state senator still has not taken a position on the recall of Governor Doyle.

3) Meanwhile, her colleague to the north, State Senator Ted Kanavas, has launched a new blog. Kanavas is taking every day of April to find fault with the governor's proposed budget. It will by no means be an exhaustive list unless we find some way to extend April well into December. I would be in favor of the extension if it meant a corresponding delay in consideration (and likely passage) of Doyle's budget.

Among the faults, Doyle's unfettered appetitite for government even takes in the tailgate parties on Brewers opening day.

4) Darryl Enriquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discovered my report of a career change for Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson was premature. Enriquez reports Nelson "...was still in negotiations with Little Caesars pizza about becoming the firm's mascot." Pizza Pizza.

Mayor Nelson not running for re-election

Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson (D) is expected to announce today he is not running for re-election. Nelson tells the Wigderson Library & Pub he is taking a job as a regional mascot for the Little Caesars pizza chain.

"I always wanted a job where I could meet so many people and never wear a tie. And my Crocs look a little like Roman sandals, so corporate had no objections to me wearing them."

Nelson's new duties include ribbon cutting ceremonies, visiting stores, and making public appearances at sporting events.

"I can't wait to appear at the new stadium at Frame Park in my toga handing out free pizza to all of the people looking for parking spots."

(Pictured at right, Mayor Nelson at Little Caesars Mascot Academy)

"Unpaid taxes may be the Lord working in mysterious ways"

It was a packed house at today's town hall meeting with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner and State Representative Bill Kramer. There were 90 people there (not including staff), three times the normal amount according to Congressman Sensenbrenner. Among the notables: former Waukesha mayoral candidate Jim Young, blogger M.E. from Stand in the Trenches, Alexander from A Little Off Main, Waukesha County Treasurer Pam Reeves, former Waukesha County Supervisor Alicia Silva. The Spring City Chronicle also reported Lynn Gaffey, owner of the Almont Gallery, was there. Token liberal Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson was there but did not speak or ask any questions.

I say "token liberal" because this was clearly a conservative crowd. The most critical questions were those wishing the Republicans would fight harder against President Obama and Governor Doyle.

Sensenbrenner replied that "elections have consequences" and that he and Kramer are "out of the legislating business." The agenda is being set by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan. However, he pointed with some hope to the House Republican unity in voting against the "non-stimulus stimulus bill." In response to a question about universal health care, he also pointed out Democrats had a bigger majority when Hillarycare was shot down in the House.

When asked about alternative fuels, Sensenbrenner explained some of the problems with ethanol, noted that biomass fuel is still a ways off, and then declared his support for nuclear power to applause from the room.

To the amusement of the room, one woman asked who is it in Washington that determines they don't have to pay a fine when they don't pay taxes. "Why, the secretary of the treasury," replied Sensenbrenner. He then explained that he did not think Treasury Secretary Geithner made an innocent mistake, and he praised Feingold for voting against Geithner.

Along the same lines, in response to another question about universal health care, he pointed out that the President hoped to have an easier time pushing it through because former senator Tom Daschle is a former majority leader and something of a policy wonk on the issue. "Unpaid taxes may be the Lord working in mysterious ways."

One person asked about the federal stimulus bill, noting that the $13/week we'll be giving back next year in taxes. Sensenbrenner told her, "Your calculator works better than the one in Washington."

On the subject of global warming, Sensenbrenner called the proposed "cap and trade" carbon tax "cap and tax." He said global warming sceptics were being subject to "scientific fascism" in the way they are ridiculed and personally attacked.

"What is clear," he told the audience, "is the economic devastation of cap and tax."

But the repeated question was what could the members of the audience do to help fight the Democrats? Both Sensenbrenner and Kramer answered the best thing people could do is stay informed and tell their friends and neighbors. To one member of the audience with a brother-in-law in Wausau, Kramer and Sensenbrenner listed the Democrats representing the city and told him to tell his brother-in-law to call those Democrats. Sensenbrenner also suggested they all show up the next time Feingold had a meeting in Waukesha and express their concerns to him.

As for Senator Kohl, Sensenbrenner noted dryly that the only way any of the audience would see him is to "purchase $110 seats at a Bucks game. You might see him there."

It's too bad neither Kramer nor Sensenbrenner said, "Join the Republican Party."

C'mon big eight. Baby New Year needs a new pair of shoes

Let’s take a last look back at 2008 at the eight events that shaped Wisconsin and Waukesha.

Waukesha’s Big Eight:
1. The Flood. How often does a city emergency come up where a city handles it well?
2. The Great Lakes Water Compact passes, complete with a process for Waukesha to apply for a diversion. Speaking of water, you can never have enough. Where do we stick the $50 million straw?
3. Todd Gray becomes Waukesha Schools Superintendent. Already we’re seeing the changes. But do we have to have four-year-old kindergarten? Gray has ended talk of referendums and has moved the debate to reforms.
4. The great Frame Park baseball stadium debate. Compared to other cities, when we argue, we argue nicely. Unfortunately, the home team lost. But I predict we have not heard the last of some of the people involved in the argument, and this city will be better for it.
5. Bill Kramer defeating Ruth Page Jones after her squeaker victory over Steve Schmuki. It’s official. The seat is mostly safe for Republicans, especially if the Republican works hard to keep it.
6. The passing of Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus. An institution.
7. Chris Lufter steps down as head of the Waukesha Taxpayers League. Great work is done by great people.
8. Evil genius Lori Luther takes over as the new city administrator. She sends the other guy to funerals, ribbon cuttings, and to buy lunch occasionally.

Wisconsin’s Big Eight:
1. The Flood. Governor goes golfing with contributors while parts of the state are washed away. Lake Delton still recovering. Golf course got free advertising.
2. Hillary Clinton bypasses the Wisconsin primary. What? Is she lactose intolerant?
3. The state assembly falls to the Democrats. You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!
4. Judge Gableman defeats Justice Louis Butler. State Supreme Court race still stirs political rancor and sets the stage for the Koschnick – Abrahamson battle.
5. Great Lakes Water Compact passes. I know some on the right disagreed, but a generation from now we’ll be thankful it passed.
6. Rose Fernandez leads coalition of virtual school parents and teachers to Madison. WEAC, Democrats back down and virtual schools are saved.
7. General Motors announces closure of Janesville plant. Ripple effects just beginning. Look at Paul Ryan’s support for the auto bailout.
8. Tommy Thompson’s presidential ambitions end in the cornfields of Iowa. I never did understand the logic behind his campaign.

The foggy oracle of 2008

Each year at this time I peer into the magic crystal ball, and each year I just see my reflection. But I still make predictions. Using the typical sportswriter's accuracy for predicting NFL games as my benchmark, I don't do half badly. On the other hand, have you noticed how few sportswriters chuck the job and move to Las Vegas?

Herewith are the results from last year's predictions with the update in italics.
1. Despite high turnover on the Waukesha County Board, Jim Dwyer will remain as County Board Chairman. Meetings will still continue to be held during the day preventing many qualified people from running and serving.
Well, yeah. I gave myself an easy one to start.

2. The Waukesha School District will win its arbitration case with the teacher’s union. The teachers will retaliate by behaving unprofessionally even though the district didn’t get very much.
The school district opted instead to punt.

3. At least one local radio personality will be suspended for something said on air.
Not even off air. I was really betting on Joel McNally.

4. State Representative Bill Kramer will only face token opposition from the Democrats.
Well, define token. Okay, I was wrong, but it proved to be a safe Republican seat.

5. There will not be a school referendum in 2008 in Waukesha.
Hah! Score one for me.

6. Jonah Goldberg’s book will be judged more by its cover than by its content.
Too easy.

7. Mayor Larry Nelson will wear a suit, tie and even real shoes to a city function.
Yes, yes he did. Unfortunately, it was Governor Lee Dreyfus' funeral.

8. Alderman and County Supervisor Kathleen Cummings will be caught talking to herself oddly. No, but how can you be in favor of train whistles?

9. I will lose weight, stop snoring, and figure out my sinus problems. (Cross-reference my New Year’s resolutions) I stopped snoring, just in the nick of time.

10. The Dallas Cowboys will win the Super Bowl. Only if you play Madden 2008.

11. Rumors will start about Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas running for governor in 2010 (even if I have to start them). I'm trying Allison, but I'm the only one mentioning his name. The problem is there's this guy over in Wauwatosa...

12. The Milwaukee Brewers will finish 88-74. (88+74=162, okay I didn’t screw that up this year.) 90-72, not a bad prediction.

13. Bud Selig will not finish 2008 as Baseball Commissioner. This was wrong early.

14. Some politician will go to jail in Madison but it won’t be Governor Doyle or former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen. Close. How's the drunk tank, Representative Wood?

15. Paul Soglin will be arrested for counterfeiting tickets to enter downtown Madison on Halloween. He’ll be sentenced to community service – snowplowing Madison’s bike trails. He'll be caught this year.

16. The Republican nominee for President will be… Mitt Romney. So much for the barnstormin' Mormon.

17. The Democratic nominee for President will be… Barack Obama. Do we have to kiss his ring?

18. Joe Liebermann will run for Vice President. And I’m leaving it at that. He gave a great vice presidential speech at the Republican convention.

19. Britney Spears will be pregnant. With John Edwards' love child.

20. Assembly Democrats will win the state assembly and State Senate Democrats will retain control. Oh, the humanity!

21. There will be a human rights protest or incident at the Beijing Olympics that will be ignored by the media until the blogs and talk radio forces them to cover it – too late. The protestors were better organized worldwide than the Chinese.

22. Jim Doyle will propose his own version of Healthy Wisconsin. Lord help us, but Doyle may be the only one to save us from the madness.

23. Jim Doyle will propose shifting school funding to the sales tax. He’ll call it "property tax relief." I think this idea is actually DOA. How'd that happen?

24. State Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler will win re-election. Federal Judge Louis Butler. It's like whack-a-mole.

25. Local activist Steve Edlund will be caught skinny-dipping in the Waukesha South High School Pool. No, but we had to hear about sex in Frame Park. Ewwww.

26. Ed Thompson will be elected mayor of Tomah. Somebody in the family has to hold a steady job, even if he is a conspiracy theory nut.

27. The United States will have forces inside Pakistan by the end of the year. Barack has a list of 41 other countries to invade, too.

28. Ann Coulter will be fined by the FCC for uttering an obscenity on the air. She will blame her critics. I think the broken jaw saved her.

Bonus leap year prediction:
29. JB Van Hollen will not find any terrorist training camps in Wisconsin.
No, the GAB doesn't count.

I count 10 of 29 for a correct score of 34%. Better than your daily horoscope, almost as good as the weatherman.

Does Herb Kohl Twitter while watching games?

The Milwaukee Bucks are following me on Twitter. Do you think the players are sitting around in the locker room checking on their Blackberries for my latest updates on hot dog stands, drunk legislators, baseball parks and Mayor Nelson's fashion sense?

By the way, you can follow me and follow my blog on Twitter, too.

Downtown Waukesha is open for business

There will be a record eight ribbon-cutting ceremonies downtown this Saturday. The mayor is really going to have to burn rubber on his Crocs to keep this schedule:

•11:00 a.m Beyond Studio and Publishing, 131 W. Broadway;
Specializes in fine art reproduction

•11:30 a.m Poppin on Broadway, 260 W. Broadway;
Gourmet popcorn shop

•12:00 p.m. Guitar 4 Life, 266 W. Broadway;
Specializes in guitar lessons for all ages

•12:30 p.m. Bling N Things, 271 W. Main Street;
Clothing and jewelry store

•1:00 p.m. Three Sisters Spirit, 308 W. Broadway
Retail Store & Woman Spirited, Heart Centered Wellness Sanctuary

•1:30 p.m. Taylor’s People Park, 337 W. Main Street;
Upscale restaurant and bar

•2:00 p.m. Clinton Street Gallery, 801 Clinton Street;
Collective mix of artful gifts

•2:30 p.m. Ray’s on South, 225 South Street.
Restaurant and Bar

I don't see a hot dog stand on the list, yet. Mayor Nelson also passes along news about the Super Wal-Mart:

...last Friday Walmart closed on what will be the first Super Walmart in the City of Waukesha at the West Ave. And bypass location. It will be one of the first in the country with the new logo (no hyphen and sunburst) and design features making it one of the greenest buildings in the area with over 100 skylights and lannon type stone as a nod to Waukesha's history. Groundbreaking will be in the spring with an opening in spring of 2010.

City Administrator's memo on the delayed Northwoods Baseball League stadium at Frame Park

City of Waukesha, Wisconsin
Memorandum

To: Mayor Nelson
Council President Francoeur
Common Council Members
Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Board Chair Rebecca Roeker
Members of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board
Members of the Plan Commission
Members of the Ad Hoc Baseball Committee

From: Lori Curtis Luther, City Administrator

Date: December 16, 2008

Re: Northwoods League Baseball

Attachments: Letter from Chad Bauer
Letter from Northwoods League

I learned of a potential delay in construction for the Waukesha Northwoods League baseball project last Friday afternoon, which was confirmed in a meeting late yesterday afternoon. This memo and attachments are intended to notify all parties as quickly as possible.

Chad Bauer informed me that the schedule for Northwoods League Baseball will be released to member teams this week and will be publicly released in January. Due to a variety of factors, Waukesha will not be on the schedule for 2009 as anticipated. It is Mr. Bauer’s intent, as referenced in the attached letter, to begin play in 2010.

The key factors that have led to the revised timeline are the recent changes in the economy and specifically the banking industry that have led lenders to require additional capital and equity that was not originally anticipated. My previous review of business plans and initial financing was conducted prior to the current financial crisis. In addition, a shortage and unavailability of construction materials is reported as a significant concern for keeping the original construction schedule regardless of other issues.

Mr. Bauer continues to have League support as indicated in the attached letter. The Use Agreement currently authorized by the Council requires construction to be completed by June 1, 2009. Therefore, a revised Use Agreement and timeline for project completion will be submitted to the Council for consideration and approval prior to the initiation of construction.

It is important to note that the structure of the Use Agreement protected the City from any financial commitment until Mr. Bauer provided final evidence of financial viability for the full $2 million investment. For example, the 2009 Capital Improvement Plan budget of $210,000 for new lighting at Frame Park will not be borrowed or spent unless an amended Use Agreement is authorized by the Common Council. The Use Agreement approved by the Council has not been signed by the Mayor because we were awaiting final verification of financing. Therefore, the City has assumed no liability.

In regard to maintenance, Mr. Bauer has agreed to complete infield improvements and maintain the field at Frame Park in 2009, as previously negotiated and as a matter of good faith. Therefore, the City will not incur unbudgeted maintenance expenses and the field will be in better condition for the high schools, Carroll University and other users next year as planned.

I will continue to keep you updated on the status of this project as any new developments arise.

Note: Regardless of your position on building the stadium, the good news is that Chad Bauer will maintain the field at Frame park in 2009. Also, Luther's memo indicates that because the Northwoods League will not make their deadlines, a new use agreement will have to be created and approved by the city council.

Plans for Frame Park baseball stadium derailed for 2009

Chad Bauer of the Northwoods Baseball League was unable to raise the $2,000,000 necessary to build the proposed stadium at Frame Park, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

A letter written by the head of the Northwoods League, Dick Radatz Jr., stated that investors for the new team and contractors for the new stadium agreed it "was not a prudent idea" to try to field a team in Waukesha for 2009.

City Administrator Lori Luther said Bauer was unable to raise the money from banks for the team because of the economic crisis.

Consequently, the city will not spend $210,000 to install new lights at the proposed baseball stadium, Luther said.

Bauer had planned to build a stadium that sat about 6,000 people and field a team of non-professional college players competing against similar teams from throughout the Midwest and Canada.

The proposal drew opposition from residents who did not want to see the serene park altered to accommodate a commercial baseball operation.

So despite assurances from supporters of the stadium, the mayor, and the city administrator, it turns out the Northwoods Baseball League was too unstable to support a team here before a spade of dirt could be turned over. Good thing it was stopped before it got started. As much as I enjoy saying, "I told you so," a half-finished stadium is arguably worse than a completed stadium.

Remember the rush to approve the stadium so they could start building right away? The Waukesha Common Council should take the whole process back to square one and do all of the due diligence we were in too much of a hurry to do last year before granting approval to the Northwoods Baseball League or any other group to build an office park/entertainment complex in Frame Park.

Tim Schilke needs better reference points

In today's Waukesha Freeman, a caller to the Sound Off line makes an excellent point:

Schilke column

In his Nov. 18 column, Tim Schilke quoted freaky rocker (his definition) Marilyn Manson as a source for his anti-gun position.

Last week he was referring to King Arthur’s court and Celtic legends in an attempt to justify his anti-hunting position.

It is time for The Freeman to get a writer who is grounded in reality, not in has-been rock stars and bedtime stories.

Although Schilke may have authored “Growing up Red,” he obviously has not grown up.

I totally agree with the caller. Instead of those references, Schilke should use more Caddyshack, Animal House, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein references. Oh yeah, and heavy on the Seinfeld.

And what's this "vacation" nonsense?

Meanwhile, another caller makes a suspicious prank call to the Sound Off line,

Over the past few months a lot of people have been sounding off about train whistles, baseball in Frame Park, bagging leaves and white deer. It seems people have forgotten what the true meaning of Sound Off is for ... which is making fun of Mayor Larry Nelson! I wish people would get back to the basics and start making fun of our mayor.

God bless them, they must be fans of this blog. That, or it's the mayor wanting to see his name in print more often. Somebody check that phone number, please.

Ht: Spring City Chronicle

Waukesha's leaf riots

Aldermanic district seven erupted in flames overnight as rake-wielding peasants with large yards filled the streets with dried leaves and set them afire whenever a city-owned vehicle attempted to pass through. They chanted, "No leaf pick-up, no peace!" as they burned pictures of the mayor's Crocs. "Hey, Hey, ho, ho, bagging leaves has got to go!" Residents were so upset over the early leaf pick-ups in their district that any trees planted by the city between the sidewalk and the streets that still had their leaves were cut down with chain saws, doused with gasoline, and set ablaze.

Alderman Peggy Bull was quoted as saying, "Maybe we should have moved the fire stations to decrease the response time. "

"Oh, the humanity!" the mayor cried shortly before ordering the cannons manned at Cutler Park to defend the Taj Ma Larry Library. Then Steve Crandell whispered something to the mayor. "Oh, never mind. Someone get Pewaukee Mayor Scott Klein on the phone! We need reinforcements!"

"He's at Frame Park with his watercolor set," said Ron Grall. "He's trying to capture what the new stadium is going to look like blotting out the fall colors from view."

"Scott Klein doodles while district 7 burns?" Nelson asked. "Who's writing this?"

Did his face match his crocs?

Oops. Steve Edlund e-mails to say the variance for the height of the new stadium was denied.

Mayor Nelson is not happy and he stuck around after the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting to "vent" on board members afterward.

The vote was 3-2 against on a finding of 4 facts and the vote was the same on all 4 facts.

The stadium will be proposed to the Plan Commission with a flat roof over the press box, something that will not be consistent with the Rotary Building, a standard quoted in the Freeman to be used by the Waukesha Parks Board President as criteria. Will she still vote "yes"? Of course.

Steve Edlund

Good thing they build these stadiums from the ground up. It'll give the mayor time to fix this. Otherwise, maybe we could use the flat roof for helicopter parking?

In brief with the mayor last night

After last night's candidate forum I had a chance to ask Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson a couple of questions.

First, the mayor offered a nit to pick with me. In this column, I referred to the mayor's statement during his campaign for election, "You can fight city hall." The mayor believes he only said that during his victory speech. I believe he said it during his debate with Ann Nischke, too. However, since neither of us are absolutely sure, I thought I would share. He also said he never claimed we could win, just that when we fight City Hall we'll be treated with respect. He pointed to the Frame Park debate as the example.

Speaking of which, Nelson also pointed out that shortly after I received word from Steve Edlund that he was suspending his campaign against the Frame Park baseball stadium, Nelson received the fifth open records request from Edlund looking for the verbal opinion of the city attorney in writing that no zoning issues are involved in the building of the stadium at Frame Park.

(Just for the record, Edlund's group is still opposing the stadium and has distributed some yard signs. I'm told how the zoning proceeds will determine if there's a lawsuit to stop the stadium.)

And if you want to see the funniest expression on Darryl Enriquez's face, ask the mayor to explain why "ballpark" and "stadium" are both acceptable terms. I suggest we change it to the proposed Frame Park enhanced entertainment complex, retail center and office park skyscraper. Starbucks at the park, anyone?

The Mayor is hoping construction can begin at Frame Park before the snow falls but after everything has been approved. The final agreement between the city and Chad Bauer's investment group should be on the agenda for the November 6th meeting.

Finally, the mayor passed along some interesting info about leaf pick up (hey, this is Waukesha). Nelson explained that the additional leaf pick up (pick up #3) has to be in bags (clear plastic or paper) not just because of the potential for snow but also because the leaf trucks will already be converted over to snow plow use.

And we all know, after the first snow storm during Nelson's term in office, he has been sensitive to the issue ever since. There's no way he would ask to have the retrofitting of the trucks wait until after the extra leaf pick up. Besides, as the mayor points out, the bags will be visible in the inevitable snow piles.

Nelson also pointed out this is the first year that crews will be picking up leaves from two aldermanic districts on the same day, speeding up the process. (The aldermanic district order rotates from year-to-year.)

When the natives get restless

"You can fight city hall."

Those words were a catch phrase of Mayor Nelson's campaign for mayor in 2006. It always sounds so good when you're not running city hall.

Perhaps his re-election slogan will add, "...but you ain't gonna win."

Off their feed

The Waukesha Republican Party met last night at the Country Springs Hotel where fortunately nobody drowned their sorrows literally. My spies tell me there was a decided lack of energy and enthusiasm at last night's "Grazing with the Elephants 2008". Not a good sign for Senator McCain's chances this November.

We'll see if the enthusiasm can be made up by the crowd attending Thursday's McCain-Palin visit which is not in Pewaukee but is actually being held at the City of Waukesha's sports complex. No, not Frame Park, the other sports complex.

Center Court Sports Complex
815 Northview Boulevard
Waukesha, WI 53188
(414) 326-4250

Apparently only events making the Waukesha GOP calendar are at the Country Springs Hotel. All other nominally GOP events must find someplace else.

What's really great about McCain-Palin town hall meeting is that it finally gives Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson an opportunity to welcome such distinguished visitors to our city at an event that will bring Waukesha so much publicity and national recognition. And we can't wait for City Administrator Lori Luther to show her security savvy at a presidential campaign event once again.

(Note: the Badger Blog Alliance has all of the details for Thursday's events.)

We once sold the water

Waukesha is exploring new technology that would remove the radium from our water and create a useable byproduct, limestone pellets that can be used as filler for concrete.

I wonder if this means Mayor Nelson will get invited to travel to more conferences.

At least we know rock bottom

Should Waukesha ever see the stadium get built at Frame Park, we now know what the bottom line is for the proposed Northwoods Baseball team. Averaging 500 people per game just isn't enough to survive.

On Tuesday, [Brainerd Blue Thunder] owners Skip and Pam Marr voluntarily handed the team over to the league after four years, citing an inability to pay approximately US$29,000 in dues.

Since rejoining the league in 2005, Brainerd has averaged just under 500 fans a game, good enough for last place in each of those seasons.

By the way, some little birds are telling me the rock under Frame Park is harder than anybody thought. Must be the reason there's a quarry down the road. Gee, Frame Park: tranquil island of nature in an urban setting, blasting zone.

You know, Larry looks a little like Mr. Slate, only with slightly better footwear. And Mr. Slate wore a tie to work.

So easy a caveman can do it

Nice to see the city of Waukesha is saving some money by switching insurance carriers. Unfortunately we won't know how much until the end of the month. (Ht: Spring City Chronicle)

Mark your calendars for September 30th when mad scientist City Administrator Lori Luther will present her budget to the Common Council. I'm guessing, but it's just a guess, the mayor will have read it ahead of time and have some input as well.

If anyone has any suggestions for the city to save money, now is the time.

97th Assembly Update

Ruth Page Jones is sending out a last minute mailer with an endorsement from Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson. I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know what color Crocs he's wearing.

Maybe if WEAL (Schmuki's organization) hadn't been such a thorn in the mayor's hide, the mayor might have stayed out of the race.