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Inside New Berlin
March 2008 - Posts
By Linda Richter
Monday, Mar 31 2008, 07:48 PM
New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG) has endorsed a passel of candidates, including these fellows------
Ted Wysocki, who is the only candidate running for alderman in District 2. NBCRG is endorsing him anyway and apparently doesn't care about Wysocki's history of poor leadership decisions in public office that helped get the City into costly losing legal battles/lawsuits.
JJ Blonien, who is running in Aldermanic District 6. I guess NBCRG doesn't care that he's less qualified than the incumbent and lacks experience. A New Berlin resident for just a little over a year, Blonien has not held an elected public office. He's also been involved in numerous lawsuits. In contrast, the incumbent Bill Moore has been actively involved in our community, held elected public office (school board and now alderman), served our country (Vietnam Veteran) and passionately cares about the environment.
Speaking of the environment, the State Supreme Court has ruled against Harenda Enterprises, Inc. (an environmental consulting company) owned by Ken Harenda for violating government rules/regulations regarding asbestos, a hazardous substance/pollutant. See my blog:
NBCRG has chosen to endorse Ken Harenda, who is running for re-election (Alderman, District 4)
Ald. Harenda has been less than attentive to his duties:
On March 11, he pushed to table an item that's been on the agendas of Committee of the Whole/Common Council meetings month after month for 16 months---arguing that he was unprepared and wanted more time to review his file on the matter. Hopefully, a lawsuit against the City won't result from his failure to do his homework and this irresponsible stalling. See my blog:
At the Oct. 23, 2007 City Council meetings the mayor was absent so Council President Ald. Harenda presided. Vern Bentley seized the opportunity to give a privilege of the floor (POF) speech that included personal attacks against Ald. Bill Moore. Despite Council rules prohibiting personal attacks in POF speeches (those rules are read aloud by the City Clerk prior to POF), Harenda was silent and did nothing. One of Moore's constituents was so upset at Bentley's attacks being permitted against her aldermanic representative, she emailed Harenda to voice a protest. How do I know? I attended the Oct. 23 meetings. Later, I made an Open Records Request of Harenda, for any correspondence related to Bentley's speech/attacks. Click here for a previous blog about Vern Bentley's letter containing false accusations against Moore. As Council President, Harenda is paid $600 more than the other aldermen.
By the way, Matt Thomas, who has been posting blogs very infrequently on NOW, recently resurfaced to post one about Ike basketball and surprise, surprise! present his views on the election. After bashing Ald. Moore, he goes on to attack Harenda's opponent Paul Lincoln Scheuble. Thomas refers to Scheuble as a perennial losing candidate, points out that he's currently running for three offices simultaneously and snidely remarks that Scheuble was elected alderman once back in the 20th century. Actually, Scheuble was elected to a 3-year term which ended in April 2002. Thomas' one year stint as an appointed alderman also ended in April 2002. Thomas was serving simultaneously on the School Board and County Board when he applied for the aldermanic seat vacated by Wysocki. Thanks to Wysocki (who, as mayor, cast the tie-breaking vote), Thomas got the aldermanic appointment--making 3 simultaneous public offices for Thomas. Thomas chose to quit his school board office. But he kept his seat on the County Board which pays more than school board and served his one-year aldermanic appointment. Unlike Thomas, Scheuble served his entire elected term and did not quit in the midst of it. Thomas has called Keith Heun (son of NBCRG leader Ralph Heun) and himself "political strategists".
NBCRG has endorsed Michael Gableman for Wis. Supreme Court judge. Did you see the disgusting, sleazy TV attack ad by Gableman's own campaign committee against his opponent Justice Louis Butler? It has been denounced by many judges and other people. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorials condemn the ad. The MJS Editorial Board, which evaluated both candidates, has endorsed Louis Butler and claimed that Butler is more qualified than Gableman for the Supreme Court seat.
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By Linda Richter
Sunday, Mar 30 2008, 12:27 AM
New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG) is using its NOW blog again to endorse candidates for election.
If you’ve heard or read that NBCRG is a civic or watchdog group, don’t be fooled. NBCRG is actually a political action group. In fact, NBCRG states on its own Web site that the group was formed in March 2002 and since its inception, has functioned as a political action committee.
It lists this objective on its Web site: “To recruit and to help elect candidates to public office that best express the positions taken by this organization.” Obviously, NBCRG has a political agenda.
NBCRG functions like an exclusive club, as well. When a taxpaying New Berlin resident contacted NBCRG via email and requested to join the group, she was turned down. NBCRG President Ralph Heun responded that NBCRG was a “private organization”. How do I know this? The outraged woman forwarded copies of their correspondence to my blog. I referred to the situation in a past blog entry called “Private NBCRG; Court Race”
The NBCRG Web site asserts that NBCRG has actively recruited and supported candidates for public office in every year of its existence. However, on its NOW blog, NBCRG President Ralph Heun claims NBCRG has for many years, invited all candidates for public office to its meetings to hear what they had to say and question them--and then NBCRG decides if it wants to make any endorsements. And then it decides? One would think NBCRG would not “actively recruit” candidates for public office that it didn’t intend to endorse.
On its Web site NBCRG states its primary emphasis has been on city and school board races. Hmmm. For the upcoming election, NBCRG is endorsing candidates for County Board, State Supreme Court, School Board, and Aldermanic races.
Isn't it interesting that NBCRG boasts on its Web site that it actively recruits and supports candidates for public office -- and routinely puts disclaimers on campaign fliers that it’s a political action committee which acts independently of and without consultation with any candidate or candidate’s committee?
Here are some other examples of NBCRG communication and operation------
In 2004, NBCRG advertised on its Web site that it was interviewing 3 school board candidates at its meeting and that the public was welcome. I decided to attend and contacted a few others, who expressed interest in attending, too. But when we arrived at the door, we were told that the meeting was “private”. I suspected something like that would happen, so took the precaution of printing out a copy of the NBCRG’s web page re: the meeting (and public being encouraged to attend) and brought it with me. After showing it to the NBCRG member barring our entrance (the former president of New Berlin Taxpayers Alliance) we were allowed to stay--but only for the interviews. After the interviews, NBCRG members asked us to leave because they wanted to have a discussion related to the interviews.
Each of the three school board candidates was interviewed separately and were not asked the same questions. Herb Eggie, who was then president of NBCRG, spent time grilling SB candidate Greg Schoepke about the Heritage Foundation, a Washington DC-based conservative think tank! SB Candidates Brent Chipman and Marc Duff weren’t asked questions about the Heritage Foundation. During his interview, Brent Chipman had little to say of substance. He spouted that taxes were too high and some anti-teacher union rhetoric. In contrast, Marc Duff, a former Wisconsin legislator, was articulate and seemed better informed about the School District. So, who did NBCRG endorse? Brent Chipman. I wasn’t surprised that New Berlin voters elected Marc Duff to the School Board instead of Brent Chipman.
At a 2005 New Berlin School Board Meeting, Herb Eggie gave a privilege of the floor speech touting his New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government organization. I remember thinking what an inappropriate speech it was and wondering what the topic had to do with children’s education.
A few minutes later, a high school student gave a privilege of the floor speech that caused laughter to erupt in the audience. In his speech, the student remarked that when he and another student had tried to attend a NBCRG meeting, they were told they could stay -- if each put $20 on the table.
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By Linda Richter
Wednesday, Mar 26 2008, 04:27 PM
New Berlin aldermen receive $10,000 annually in taxpayer-funded salary and expenses (the Council President gets an extra $600). I don’t think it’s asking too much of Council President/Alderman Ken Harenda to do his homework and come prepared to vote/take action on items that are on the meeting agendas.
At the March 11 City government meetings (Committee of the Whole/Common Council), Ald. Harenda pushed to table an item: Resolution No. 06-42 A Preliminary Resolution Declaring Intent to Levy Special Assessments and Directing the City Engineer to Prepare a Report for the Installation of Sanitary Sewer System to Service Areas on the North Side of Howard Avenue (west of Sunny Slope Road)
Tabled since November 2006, that resolution has appeared on the Committee of the Whole and Common Council meeting agendas month after month.
At the March 11 meeting, District #5 Alderman Joe Poshepny rightly moved to take the resolution off the table (which allows discussion and possible action). The aldermen voted yes--except for Alderman Ament who voted no.
Ald. Poshepny implored the aldermen to take action to get the process to move forward.
It shouldn’t have been a difficult decision for our aldermen to direct the City Engineer to prepare a report and get the process moving along. However, not only did Council President/Alderman Ken Harenda chose to stonewall, he argued he was unprepared and wanted additional time to review his file on the matter!
Alderman Harenda certainly had plenty of time to familiarize himself with Resolution No. 06-42 and the special assessments affecting a handful of residents, prior to the meeting. His failure to do so was inexcusable. What a poor leadership example Ald. Harenda set for his fellow aldermen.
Using his deficient preparation as an excuse, Ald. Harenda then made a motion to table the resolution. He even refused requests to “defer” the resolution to a later date rather than “table” it .
Ald. Harenda’s motion to table was seconded by Ald. Seidl and carried with Alderman Hopkins, Augustine, Seidl, Harenda, and Ament voting yes. Ald. Poshepny and Moore voted no.
It was made clear during the meeting that a developer (who was present and spoke at the meeting) is owed many thousands of dollars for investing in Howard Avenue improvements. Under Ken Harenda’s leadership, the City Council keeps dragging its feet. That’s not efficient or responsible representation. I hope the stalling tactics of Ald. Harenda and his cohorts don’t result in a lawsuit against the City.
Ald. Harenda was elected with the help of a political group that calls itself New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG). NBCRG has a Web site that states one of its objectives is to hold government officials and employees accountable for their actions and lack of action.
"Lack of action", such as the 16 months of tabling Resolution No. 06-42 and the paltry excuse given by Ald. Harenda to perpetuate this irresponsible stalling indefinitely? But instead of holding Alderman Harenda accountable for his inaction, inadequate preparation for scheduled Committee of the Whole/Council meetings, and poor leadership, NBCRG has chosen to endorse and support him in the April election.
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By Linda Richter
Tuesday, Mar 25 2008, 11:42 AM
Some individuals are so determined or desperate to get their hands on certain prescription drugs, they swipe their own family’s medications or rob pharmacies.
Earlier this month, New BerlinNOW reported that Stone Pharmacy,14105 Greenfield Ave. was robbed of drugs (sucessfully or unsuccessfully) three times plus there was an unsuccessful attempt to rob the pharmacy of OxyContin in February ( the thief fled empty handed). NOW had also reported that Walgreens at 3855 S. Moorland Rd. was robbed of $2,300 worth of OxyContin in January.
What’s OxyContin? It’s a very strong narcotic pain reliever similar to morphine. OxyContin is a prescription drug that can be misused--with serious, even fatal consequences. OxyContin (oxycodone), an opioid, has become a popular “street drug”.
NPR had a scary 2005 report about OxyContin use titled: “Teen Abuse of Painkiller OxyContin on the Rise”.
I spoke with Lieutenant Mike Glider of the New Berlin Police Department about these issues recently. He expressed concern about the growing abuse of drugs like OxyContin by young people--and the “explosion of armed robberies” in our area to obtain drugs.
According to Lieutenant Glider, many of the individuals who’ve engaged in these kinds of illegal activities (stealing prescription medications from pharmacies or family members) had no previous criminal record. Parents need to be aware that high school and college- age kids are taking, abusing or selling medications.
Lieutenant Glider urges parents to be vigilant and keep closer tabs on their prescription drugs. He recommends they discard unused medications-- or keep them locked up in a safe place where their kids can’t get access to them.
OxyContin use and abuse information can also be found on the US. Food and Drug Administration Web site.
The following chart is on the National Institute on Drug Abuse (National Institute of Health) Web site. Prescription Medications
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Brief
Description:
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Prescription drugs that are abused or used for nonmedical reasons can alter brain activity and lead to dependence. Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (often prescribed to treat pain), central nervous system depressants (often prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (prescribed to treat narcolepsy, ADHD, and obesity). |
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Street Names:
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Commonly used opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon), hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), and diphenoxylate (Lomotil). Common central nervous system depressants include barbiturates such as pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), and benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Stimulants include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin). |
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Effects:
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Long-term use of opioids or central nervous system depressants can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Taken in high doses, stimulants can lead to compulsive use, paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, and irregular heartbeat. |
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Statistics
and Trends:
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According to NIDA's 2005 Monitoring the Future study, 9.5% of high school seniors used hydrocodone (Vicodin) in the past year. Source: NIDA Infofacts: High School and Youth Trends. |
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By Linda Richter
Sunday, Mar 23 2008, 10:12 PM
Happy Easter!
Today is also our grandson's first birthday.
We celebrated this special occasion yesterday and today.
He sure seems to be enjoying the birthday cake:
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By Linda Richter
Thursday, Mar 20 2008, 01:45 AM
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (March 18 CommunityWatch & March 19 Business section of newspaper) brings us the exciting news that the courts have given the Deer Creek Inn and Conference Center the go-ahead.
Last year, owners of an apartment complex near the proposed 405-room hotel/ water park at S. Moorland Rd. and W. Greenfield Ave. sued the City of New Berlin and its Board of Appeals claiming the hotel’s height had been improperly allowed to increase to 94 feet. This lawsuit stalled the project. Fortunately, the City and Board of Appeals won the court case. Circuit Court Judge Kathryn Foster ruled that the Deer Creek Inn and Conference Center development was within city height restrictions and that proper procedures were followed in approving the project.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also informs us the State Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Harenda Enterprises, Inc. is liable for violating state administrative code. The Court reinstated an order requiring the company pay penalties and surcharges for failing to remove asbestos during renovations of the Milwaukee Theatre. The state had initially filed a complaint against the company about it in 2003. The JS news story, which appears in the Regional News Watch section of the March 14 newspaper, did not mention the Harenda Enterprises, Inc. owner's name--- Ken Harenda. Yup. THAT Ken Harenda-- the New Berlin Alderman (District #4) who is running for re-election and endorsed by NBCRG.
Review the Supreme Court decision and you’ll find these remarks from a judge: " ….Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the protective sac of most internal organs such as the lungs. "Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. Symptoms, however, may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure. The incidence of this rare cancer has increased over the past 20 years but may be stabilizing now. Once symptoms appear and the cancer is diagnosed, the disease is often very advanced. Mesothelioma is often associated with a horrible death."
Obviously, asbestos is a dangerous substance and poses a serious health hazard. Aldermen vote on issues that affect community development, the environment, people’s health and safety. We expect them to abide by state codes, regulations and laws. It's troubling that a New Berlin alderman owns a company cited for violating state code regarding asbestos, potentially put people’s health in jeopardy--and then sought to evade responsibilty.
A 2002 Journal Sentinel news article disclosed that Ken Harenda was the owner of the consulting firm Harenda Enterprises, Inc. It also reported: A state inspector alleged Ken Harenda’s brother (County Board Supervisor Keith Harenda) pressured him to drop the asbestos charges and offered the inspector tickets to a Bush appearance event. The official said he declined the offer, citing state law, which prohibits offering a state official "anything of value" if the gift could reasonably be expected to influence that official's actions or be considered a reward. The article also states, “Mark Davis, head of the state's asbestos-control program, said overtures by Waukesha County Supervisor Keith Harenda, the contractor's brother, included a plea to "make this case go away" because it could hurt his brother's political ambitions.”
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By Linda Richter
Wednesday, Mar 12 2008, 11:20 PM
My NOW blog, unlike New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government’s (NBCRG), conveys a person’s viewpoint (mine)---not a political action committee’s. And unlike NBCRG, I’ve never used my blog to endorse candidates for local public offices.
Ralph Heun’s (New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government) March 7 diatribe was so full of malarkey, it would take multiple blog entries to respond to all of it.
I suspect many people are annoyed at the wacky remarks, goofy attacks, or falsehoods spouted by Ralph Heun and/or Vern Bentley. (see my Jan 28, 2008 blog entry).
Ralph Heun’s insinuation that Ray McInerny Sr. is president of a small, inactive group was presumptuous and ludicrous. Interviews of three New Berlin aldermanic candidates who are in contested races have been conducted. A fourth candidate ( current District #4 alderman--previously supported by NBCRG) was invited but couldn’t attend because he had other plans on that day. To accommodate him, his interview was conducted later (Thursday, March 6) at Ray’s home. Heun, who is not a member or candidate was not at those interview sessions.
A group’s choice (like Ray's) to interview and evaluate candidates before filing as an independent committee supporting specifed candidates by independent disbursement should not surprise Ralph Heun. After all, NBCRG has often done that. "Independent committees" must file special paperwork--including an oath identifying which candidates it will financially support or oppose. That notarized, sworn oath is required because registered "Independent committees" are banned by law from colluding with the candidates they are financially supporting.
NBCRG claims on its web site that it has actively recruited and supported candidates in every year of its existence. Records indicate NBCRG typically supported candidates as a declared “independent committee”. However, when I was at City Hall earlier this week, the City Clerk informed me that NBCRG had not filed the oath/ disclosure of which candidates it was supporting or opposing in the upcoming 2008 election. Shall we all jump to conclusions like Heun and label NBCRG a small, inactive group?
If NBCRG follows its usual practice of supporting candidates by independent committee/ disbursement, I hope it doesn’t screw up again and neglect to file the required sworn oath/reports like it did in 2004.
In 2004, prior to the February primary and April elections, NBCRG distributed campaign fliers supporting several candidates. (the fliers conveyed that NBCRG was supporting the candidates as an independent committee). NBCRG spent hundreds of dollars on the printing of those fliers. But it failed to follow Wisconsin law requiring "independent committees" to file a sworn oath that it would not coordinate/ collude with the candidates or the candidates’ committees--- BEFORE it dispersed funds in support or opposition to specified candidates. NBCRG also failed to adhere to the law and report the names/addresses of the candidates it would be supporting or opposing in the election. That information is supposed to be listed on the oath--the oath that NBCRG neglected to file!
After I notified the City Clerk of NBCRG’s deficient campaign finance reporting, she contacted the organization. According to the public records, NBCRG did not file the required oath/report until May 2004--- after the Feb. primary and April 2004 elections had already been held! (and well after funds had been dispersed). NBCRG also submitted an affidavit acknowledging its reporting mistakes/failures.
Incidentally, Matt Weiss was one of the candidates NBCRG supported n the 2004 election. Prior to that, Weiss had been the treasurer of an organization called Wisconsin Coalition for Voter Participation, a group the State Elections Board charged had illegally coordinated/colluded with Justice Jon Wilcox’s election campaign and funneled money into it. ( See my March 31, 2007 and April 23, 2007 blog entries)
In 2004, NBCRG supported candidates Weiss, Dave Ament, Roger Hegeman, Donna Rathsack, Bart Williams and Brent Chipman.
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By Linda Richter
Wednesday, Mar 12 2008, 03:23 PM
NBPS Superintendent Paul Kreutzer's financial presentation will be held tonight at 7 pm at New Berlin West in the Performing Arts Center.
You will have an opportunity to aks him questions following his presentation.
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By Linda Richter
Monday, Mar 10 2008, 11:32 AM
Reminder: No New Berlin School Board Meeting tonight.
NBPS posted the agenda for Tuesday’s scheduled 7 pm Regular Board Meeting ( held in the Eisenhower Library)-----
The Open Session's (which you can attend) Regular agenda includes:
- Approval of Superintendent’s contract
- Future Meeting Dates-- containing the information that the March 17 Regular Board Meeting has been cancelled.
Then following the closed session:
- Approval of finalized contract and retirement agreement for Dave LaBorde (principal at New Berlin West) and retirement agreement for Rich Reinke.
The Closed Session lists these agenda items:
Employee Retirement Agreements
Update on NBEA, SEP and AFSCME Negotiations
Administrator Contracts
Teacher and Long-Term Substitute Final Notices of Non-Renewal
Resignation of Athletic Director
Hiring of Athletic Director
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By Linda Richter
Saturday, Mar 8 2008, 11:29 PM
The New Berlin Eisenhower Boys Basketball team beat Adams-Friendship 54-41--- and won its first Division 2 WIAA State Championship. Awesome. Congratulations Eisenhower Lions!
The UW Badgers defeated Northwestern 65-52, winning the Big Ten Championship outright (no sharing). The Badgers secured the #1 seed in next week’s Big Ten Tournament. Way to go Badgers!
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By Linda Richter
Friday, Mar 7 2008, 12:44 AM
On March 6, the Senate passed the Great Lakes Compact.
The vote was 26-6. Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) was among the handful who voted no.
The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters site reports on the Bill and the Senate action.
Check out these other sources of information:
- Greg Kowalski’s FranklinNOW blog “Today’s Concerns” has data and commentary on the subject. By the way, Greg is a member of Franklin’s Environmental Commission.
- The March issue of Milwaukee Magazine contains a comprehensive and interesting article titled “The Politics of Water”.
- Jsonline (Journal Sentinel) reported poll results indicating widespread public support in Wisconsin for the Great Lakes Compact.
- ExpressMilwaukee.com (Shepherd Express) has also published information about the Compact, including this February 20 article.
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By Linda Richter
Thursday, Mar 6 2008, 02:17 PM
Attention: There is no New Berlin school board-work session meeting Monday.
Nor will there be a Regular NB School Board Meeting at City Hall near the end of the month, as usual.
Instead, a Regular New Berlin Board of Education Meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, March 11 at 7 pm in the Eisenhower School library.
The Tuesday meeting agenda has not yet been posted on the District web site.
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By Linda Richter
Tuesday, Mar 4 2008, 04:59 PM
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre announced his retirement today.
# 4 brought a lot of excitement and enthusiasm to the game.
We’ll miss you, Brett.
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