Inside New Berlin

The March 29, 2007 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel conveys that retiring Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Jon Wilcox is troubled by the campaign to replace him. Wilcox says he’s concerned about the Supreme Court, the race being too political and huge amount of money being spent on it.

Wilcox ought to know. His campaign was fined for political corruption.

A group called Wisconsin Coalition for Voter Participation incorporated as a non-profit organization on March 13, 1997--just weeks before the Supreme Court Election. It’s founders & officers were Brent Pickens ( former chairman Wisconsin Christian Coalition), James Widgerson (long time GOP activist; Freeman columnist), Lorri Pickens ( anti-gay rights activist) and Matt Weiss (current New Berlin School Board president)

Wisconsin Coalition for Voter Participation poured over $200,000 from pro-voucher/ anti-public school activists into a massive last-minute postcard and phone- calling campaign in 1997 to help keep Wilcox on the high court. Money was collected from various groups/ outside donors like Wal-mart heir John Walton.

The purportedly “independent” Wisconsin Coalition for Voter Participation organization was nailed for taking in money and illegally coordinating the expenditure with Wilcox’s campaign. State law bans any coordination/cooperation between a candidate or candidate’s campaign and independent groups like the “Coalition”. The State Elections Board sued. Wilcox ultimately acknowledged responsibility for his campaign and paid $10,000 fine. (he denied “personal” responsibility). His campaign manager Mark Block agreed to pay a $15,000 fine. “Coalition” founder Brent Pickens was fined $35,000.

In a 2000 press release, then-State Superintendent of Schools John Benson said, “It’s pretty obvious what was going on here. To ensure that vouchers continued in Wisconsin, voucher supporters felt the need to guarantee the re-election of Justice Wilcox--they sought to influence the Supreme Court. If we knew then what we know now, Justice Wilcox surely would have been obligated to withdraw from the case.”

Weiss was not personally fined by the State Elections Board, but the stink of the Wisconsin Coalition for Voter Participation activity sticks with him. Documents disclose only four people, including Weiss, active in the “Coalition” organization. And their single activity as a group resulted in one of the largest fines for political corruption in Wisconsin at the time.

Weiss’ School Board/ conduct reflects the spirit of the “Coalition“.
He and his NBCRG allies maintain a scorched earth policy in dealing with anyone they perceive as a threat. They seem to politicize everything in the district-- from the way they name our school buildings to their publicly announced political litmus test for administrators.
Weiss and his activist cohorts have highjacked the district’s agenda.
Along with Michael Dean, they dragged the district into a civil rights lawsuit.
Was Dean, a veteran anti-public school crusader/activist familiar to Weiss from Weiss’ days with the “Coalition” ? Or perhaps they were introduced by the group’s co-founder and anti-gay rights campaigner Lorri Pickens?
There's been a flight of teachers and administrators from NBPS, exiting or requesting retirement.
Weiss is retiring, but the hefty debt burden accumulated by the Board/District will drain money from the operating budget for decades.

Weiss, Thomas & Co. like to say the New Berlin District should be an example for the rest of the state. With the often-hidden actions/agendas of the anti-public school extremists, the question the community should be asking is an example of what?

A news report of the Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006 Pewaukee Village Board Meeting, stated: “As a result of Tuesday’s discussion, the board said, it would allow for meeting rules to be suspended to permit people to comment when trustees take up agenda items as well as allow them to make comments at the start of the meeting. The village attorney Mark Blum, told board members it remains “good policy” to listen to people’s comments but not to respond if the topics are not on the agenda.”
See Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article.
Mark Blum is also the City of New Berlin Attorney.

At the April 24, 2006 New Berlin School Board Meeting, Board President Matt Weiss gave this speech: “This would be as good a time as any for me to say a few things about Privilege of the Floor. As you may know, government bodies are prohibited from speaking on a subject that has not been publicly noticed. People who speak during Privilege of the Floor however, can pretty much say anything they want and we can’t respond. We, on the other hand, must be very careful, in what we say or we risk breaking the rules. However, if someone does make a factually inaccurate statement, we are allowed to correct them. If you state an opinion, we shouldn’t respond and we aren’t going to. But if you say something that is factually incorrect, we’ll call you on it every time.”

Well, I’ve given many Privilege of the Floor Speeches since then. Occasionally, School Board members and/or administrators responded afterward with remarks.
But I noticed that their statements DID NOT contradict or refute what I’d said--nor did they assert or indicate that I’d been factually incorrect or inaccurate. (Tapes of board meetings confirm that their responses were added commentary--not “corrections”.)

It led me to conclude (my opinion)----
a) They seized opportunities to speak about topics not on the meeting agenda. That’s not “good policy”. See quote from Attorney Mark Blum above.
b) They tried to deflect attention from information I’d presented, perhaps to blunt its impact
c) They lacked the willingness to listen to their constituent without trying to have the last word.

The NB School Board Meetings are structured so that Privilege of the Floor (the public comment period) is at the BEGINNING of the meeting --BEFORE the President’s Message, Superintendent’s Message, and Board discussion of the items listed on the meeting agenda. If Board members or administrators did make erroneous statements during THEIR discussion, presentations, or announcements, the public is not allowed to respond to correct THEM at the meeting.

If public comment and accuracy were important to the Board in its decision-making process, it would change its meeting rules to permit the public to comment when the Board takes up agenda items---as well as at the start of the meeting.

I raised all those issues 5 months ago in my Privilege of the Floor speech at the Oct. 23 School Board Meeting. The Board and administration made no response, no comment.

The School Board continues to have the public comment period at the start of its meetings only.
The School Board meeting public notices/agendas often do not even inform us of the topic of the President’s or Superintendent’s Messages. We get "surprised" at the meeting.

The neighboring Muskego-Norway School District hired a firm to do a superintendent search-- but it also actively sought community/public involvement in its process to select a new Superintendent.

In his letter published in an area newspaper in early March, the Muskego-Norway School Board President wrote:
….“A very important step in this process is the identification of the characteristics we will be looking for in a superintendent. We invite you to participate in the identification of these characteristics by attending a community forum and/or completing a leadership profile assessment form that can be found on our Web site, www.mnsd.k12.wi.us. The community forum, which will be facilitated by the consultant firm, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Muskego High School Performing Arts Center,W-183-S8750 Racine Ave.
Please complete and bring along the leadership profile assessment form to the community forum. If you will be unable to attend the forum, please mail or fax your completed form directly to the address or fax number indicated at the bottom of the form by March 16. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this most important task.”

I asked the New Berlin School District’s Human Resource Director what process the New Berlin School Board had followed
Her reply:
The New Berlin School Board hired a firm, the Bickert Group, to do a search for a superintendent.
The Bickert Group met with the School Board and got their input.
The Bickert group came to an administrators meeting (that she attended)and got their oral input.( I asked her if there were notes or written record of the input--she said she didn’t think so)
The Bickert group conducted a search and presented the School Board with a list of applicants.
The School Board reviewed the applicant list, conducted interviews and narrowed the field to one finalist.

So, unless the Human Resource Director misled me (which I doubt) it was essentially NB School Board- Bickert Group search firm- Administrators. End result: the hiring of North Lake Superintendent Paul Kruetzer for NBPS.
But what about Community residents and taxpayers? Parents? Students? What about their voice? Shouldn’t they have been asked to weigh in on who will be managing their New Berlin Public Schools?

The Muskego-Norway School Board President called the selection of a new Superintendent an important task. I’m sure the New Berlin School Board considers it important, too. The difference is the Muskego-Norway School Board wanted parental and community involvement/input and took efforts to obtain it.

By the way, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) (which the New Berlin School Board dropped out of) offers search services/support.
On the WASB Search Services web site, under the heading Operating Principles, it states “ The community, staff, students and parents help determine the criteria for selection of the new superintendent through the use of focus groups. Focus group data is also used to develop written questions for the application package, rating forms and oral questions in the interviews.”

Evidently, although WASB recoznizes the school board makes final decisions, it advocates a process that actively involves community, staff, students and parents in the selection of a superintendent.

But that's not what our autocratic New Berlin School Board wanted or chose.

Did you know that Matt Thomas, who often calls himself a “fiscal conservative”, filed for bankruptcy in 2004? The final decree was issued on January 25, 2005. The bankruptcy records list lots of consumer /credit card debt.

Hmmm. Spend. Borrow. Spend. Amass hefty debt. Get into financial trouble. Declare bankruptcy.
Hardly what I’d call being fiscally conservative or responsible.

Thomas, elected to the New Berlin School Board last year, is running for re-election. He’s been endorsed by New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government. Ralph Heun’s blog claims his NBCRG organization promotes “fiscal responsibility…”
Ah, that word “responsible”.
Do Thomas and NBCRG consider “stiffing” businesses and other creditors-- not paying them for their utilized goods/services--to be “responsible” action?

Most adults (including senior citizens) in New Berlin manage to pay their bills, even when it’s difficult, without relying on the Federal Government court system to come to their rescue via bankruptcy petition. Isn’t that called taking personal responsibility?

Thomas couldn’t manage his own financial affairs without subsequently declaring bankruptcy. But we are supposed to have confidence in how he deals with District financial matters/ public funds and trust his decisions that affect our tax dollars and children’s education????? !!!!!

The School District Budget is over $50 million! It’s much more than the City’s.
The School Board has borrowed huge sums to build the Reagan School and renovate New Berlin West and Poplar Creek. That amount, plus interest, has to be repaid. Administrators are retiring with generous retirement benefit packages. A new Superintendent has been hired at a handsome salary. There are projected budget deficits. Expenses exceeding revenue.

Hmmm. Spend. Borrow. Spend. Amass hefty debt……

Thomas is Vice President of the New Berlin School Board. He’s boasted that it’s the most conservative in the state. I hope New Berlin Public Schools doesn’t end up in serious financial trouble under the leadership of the so-called “fiscal conservatives”.

Thomas’ bankruptcy records are public records. You can view them or purchase copies like I did at:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 126 U.S. Courthouse
517 East Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI
(414) 297-3291

Matt Thomas’ blog has attacked Alderman Gallagher re: tax increases.

Thomas pretends to be against tax increases---- but his own record says otherwise.

During Matt Thomas’ one-year stint as a New Berlin alderman in 2001 (he was appointed, not elected), Thomas voted for a budget levy with a 4.47% TAX RATE INCREASE. Gallagher voted against it.
See Nov. 13, 2001 Common Council Meeting minutes.

Later that same year, Gallagher made a motion for a budget cap so that the 2003 and 2004 budgets would result in NO TAX LEVY INCREASES. Gallagher and Dave Ament voted for that motion. Thomas voted against it. See Dec. 11, 2001 Committee of the Whole Meeting minutes.

As a School Board member, Thomas, who has called referendums “tax hikes”, voted for a tax-increase facility referendum.
It passed. Thomas’ action helped give you NBPS District taxpayers a TAX INCREASE.

On March 10, I posted a blog: Beware of NBCRG/Bentley-supported candidates
About an hour and half later, Thomas posted a blog titled Beware of Linda Richter supported candidate (Paul Gallagher).
Thomas misled you. I have not “supported” Gallagher. Why would I, he’s not even my alderman! I reside in District 5, not Gallagher’s district 3.
Furthermore, I’ve never asked anyone to vote for Gallagher, contributed money to help elect him, displayed a sign supporting him, or dispersed fliers on his behalf.

Fact is: Thomas is a New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG)-supported candidate/public official. On his blog, Thomas boasts that he and Keith Heun are "political strategists" who've managed the campaigns of several candidates running for local public office. Keith's papa is Ralph Heun, president of NBCRG.
Apparently, one of Thomas' "strategies” is to attack some of his constituents, hoping to divert your attention from information that is unflattering to himself, other NBCRG-backed candidates or NBCRG.

Don't let Thomas' political shenanigans distract you. Be an informed citizen and voter. Ask questions. Learn about all of the candidates.

In their blogs, both Matt Thomas and Ralph Heun have used the line “There she goes again” ---referring to me.

I've noticed their blogs have not said “There she goes again”--- referring to Mary Lazich.

Isn't that rather hypocritical?
Mary Lazich is a New Berlin Now blogger, too.
In her "Conservatively Speaking" blogs, Sen. Lazich often refers to Gov. Jim Doyle--and she’s not praising him.

In my opinion, if Sen. Lazich (who holds a partisan office) wants to express her viewpoint about the Governor, Democrats, or something else, through her blog--- so be it.
That is her choice.

Just as it is my choice to blog about non-political and political topics--including government officials, candidates running for political offices, and New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government, a local political group that disburses funds to help elect some candidates.

And I will continue to do so.

By the way, Ralph Heun's blog actually says Quote from President Ronald Reagan,
-------but didn't Reagan say "there HE goes again"---not she?

Laurel Walker had an interesting column in today’s ( March 15) Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel newspaper.

Click here:
JS Online

I see that Matt Thomas posted a blog late Monday night titled The Truth about Linda Richter.

The truth is that I have spent the greater part of the day and evening Tuesday assisting/caring for my terminally ill mother.

The truth is that Tuesday was a gorgeous, warm day. I would have enjoyed taking a walk outdoors in the sunny 72 degree weather. But that can wait. My mom’s needs take priority. She relies on my help, my skills ( I am a registered nurse) and support.
There will be other warm days for me to enjoy.

The truth is that I would have liked to attend Tuesday's Common Council meeting, too. But being with my mom was of greater importance to me. I treasure the time spent with her.
There will be other Council meetings.

The truth is that it’s well after midnight. I’ve been up since 6 a.m. It’s been a long, eventful day. I am physically tired, emotionally drained. Too tired to read Thomas’ blog tonight, despite its provocative title.
To me, some things matter more--like my family and sleep.
Thomas' blog can wait.

“ Aldermen serve as our representatives. We expect them to exercise good judgment, be concerned about public safety, respect and abide by laws.”----- quote from my Feb. 28 blog.

Kudos to the press for informing us about NBCRG-supported Aldermanic candidate Don Counsell’s shameful conduct.

According to news reports: Around 1 a.m. March 3, after trying to pick a fight at Mo’s Irish pub, 6’6”, 250 lb Counsell got into a bar brawl, punched a security guard, fought with police officers, spit in the face of a police officer, was Tazered twice, and arrested. A report said Counsell appeared “very intoxicated”. Check the articles and his “mug shot”. Scary.

Whew. Imagine if this bloke had gotten behind the wheel of a car, too!
Those news accounts make Counsell seem like a hotheaded bully lacking good judgment or respect for the law. Whatever good qualities Counsell possesses, he is not someone I want for my alderman. Although Counsell announced he was withdrawing from the aldermanic race, he could still get elected--his name remains on the ballot. What a quagmire for our City.

Did you know that Counsell was nominated for Idiot Of The Week on WISN’s Early Spin show? The male radio talk show host called Counsell a liar. He conveyed it was wrong of Counsell not to own up to the bar incident/arrest when he announced his withdrawal from the aldermanic race March 6, citing “family” reasons.

Vern Bentley aggressively promoted Counsell --- Those large white Vote for Counsell signs displayed at various sites around town had an " authorized and paid for by Vern Bentley" disclaimer attached. One of the signs was in front of K-Nine Barber Shop, which is located on National Ave next to Holy Apostles Church. Some years back, K-Nine Barber Shop’s business operator told me her brother is Alderman Dave Ament.

NBCRG filed paperwork with the City Clerk February 12, including a sworn oath declaring that it would be financially supporting candidates Don Counsell and Ron Seidl (by independent disbursement.).
On March 8, Ralph Heun, posted a blog with this terse message: “NBCRG Withdraws Endorsement of Counsell Due to recent circumstances, New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government hereby withdraws its endorsement of Don Counsell for Alderman of the 5th District.”
Heun deleted his blog on which NBCRG endorsed Counsell, Seidl, and the 3 unopposed School Board candidates.
Speaks volumes about how Heun/ "citizen watchdog group" NBCRG communicates, doesn’t it?!!!!!!!
NBCRG's on & off endorsement of Counsell is another NBCRG FLIP FLOP. They helped elect Roger Hegeman. Then when he ran for re-election, they endorsed Counsell, his opponent.
NBCRG should be more careful about whom they endorse in the first place.

Ron Seidl, whom NBCRG continues to endorse, has had “alcohol” issues/ law violations, too. His unsavory arrest/police record includes multiple OWI, driving without a license, hefty fine/ 60 day House of Correction sentence. See my Feb. 28 blog: Information re: Candidate Ron Seidl (and what he didn’t talk about)
Did you read Vern & Peg Bentley’s letter to the editor published in the March 8 NOW newspaper? The Bentleys expressed their support for Seidl, maintaining he has a “positive attitude”, “willingness to listen”, “seems to have an interest in the City of New Berlin”--- but made no mention of Seidl’s views, his platform or his ideas. I guess I have higher standards than the Bentley's.
For someone with an alleged “interest in the City”, Seidl has been remarkably inactive. When I interviewed him, he denied involvement in any community organizations or activities here. I’ve never heard Seidl speak at School Board or Common Council meetings or seen any letters to the editor from him. Has anyone gotten a campaign flier from Seidl?

I am not inclined to trust the endorsements of NBCRG or Vern Bentley.

I assisted with registration and participated in last October's (motorcycle) Ride for the 2007 Wheelchair Games.
The Ride was fantastic!
Well-organized; Amazing co-ordination by road captains; Gorgeous scenery along the route; Delicious outdoor feast; A fun get-together with lots of veterans;
And most of all: a visible way to show support for veterans (particularly disabled vets)/ aid vets.

I am pleased to report that another Ride for the Wheelchair Games is being planned for June 3.

For information about the 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which will be held June 19-23, see my previous blog. Attending or volunteering at the Games is another way to show support for veterans.

The 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be held June 19-23.
Admission is FREE. The public is encouraged to attend.
What a great way to support veterans and have fun, too!

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. 500 athletes are expected to compete in it. 1982 was the last time this national event was hosted by Milwaukee. Anchorage, Alaska hosted the Games last year.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs web site describes the Wheelchair Games as a multi-event sports and rehabilitation program for military service veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations, or certain neurological problems.

The competitive events include: basketball, swimming, bowling, archery, quad rugby, table tennis, weightlifting, air rifle, softball, power soccer (powered wheelchairs), nine ball (billiards), motorized wheelchair rally, and more. Exhibition events are planned, too. Trap shooting, curling, track and field.

The events will take place at the Midwest Airlines Convention Center, Greendale High School, Grant Park, Whitnall Park, Schroeder YMCA Aquatic Center, AMF Bowlero Bowling Center, Milwaukee County Zoo and Veterans Park.
Kids Day at the Zoo will be 10 am -2 pm on June 22. Disabled children will be matched up with veterans. An obstacle course is planned.

The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America are hosting the 2007 Games.
The Presenters are: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, with financial assistance from corporate, civic and veterans service organizations.

An estimated 2,500 volunteers will be needed to assist with registration, scoring, timing, food service, water distribution, set-up, transportation, etc.
Interested in volunteering? Click on this wheelchair games link or call (414) 389-3999 for an application online or more information.

According to Brian Walker, the 2007 Games coordinator, the goals include improving the quality of life for veterans with disabilities; fostering better health through sports competition; exposing newly disabled vets to other athletes, the camaraderie of other veterans, and to what is possible (focusing on what the vet has, not what was lost); as well as identifying any disabled veteran for para-Olympics international competition.