Today's New Berlin NOW.com (Community Watch) conveys that Alderman Poshepny, who has been in the hospital since Sunday, is scheduled to come home on Wednesday.

I hope he’s feeling better each day and wish him a speedy recovery.

Want to know more about congestive heart failure?  The American Heart Association presents information about heart failure on its web site.

Here’s an excerpt from it:   “More than 5 million Americans are living with heart failure and 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.”

In the New Berlin Aldermanic April 1 races:

District 2--- Ted Wsyocki, who had no opponent in the race, was elected.

District 4--- Ald. Ken Harenda was re-elected. He actively campaigned.  Paul Lincoln Scheuble (his opponent) ran simultaneously for three positions (alderman, school board, county board) and later acknowledged that he had not actively campaigned.

District 6---Ald. Bill Moore was re-elected.

Moore won despite the following:

• The active campaign conducted by his opponent JJ Blonien
• New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government’s endorsement/support of Bill’s opponent JJ Blonien
• The falsehoods/distortions of Moore’s record in public office by Vern Bentley in a letter published in a newspaper
• The distortions and misrepresentation of facts re: Moore by  NBCRG/Ralph Heun in its New Berlin NOW blog.
• Anonymous “message” signs displayed near candidate campaign signs in Moore’s District
• Slimy anonymous fliers attacking Moore that were dispersed in Moore’s District shortly before the election. Whoever authorized and paid for those was too cowardly to identify themselves.

Moore was endorsed and supported by Ray McInerny, Sr.’s group We Care-NEW BERLIN.

According to Community NOW, Blonien attributed his defeat by Moore to apathy in District 6 and difficulty beating an incumbent.

Re: apathy

According to the City Clerk’s report of the election  there were 28,206 registered voters, the number of voters was 6761, and voter turnout was 23.9%.

That report indicates that 755 votes were cast in District 2 for Wysocki (the sole aldermanic candidate on the ballot); if you add up the votes of incumbent and challenger in each of the contested aldermanic races, there were 970 total votes cast for an alderman in District 4 and 1211 in District 6.  In other words, more votes were cast for alderman in District 6 than in Districts 2 and 4.

Re: difficulty beating an incumbent:

In the County Board race, Bill Zaborowski defeated incumbent County Board Supervisor (District 21) Karl Nilson. Nilson had been endorsed by the political action group New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government.

New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG) President Ralph Heun spouted lots of nonsense in the NBCRG March 7 blog entry. See my previous blog entry titled  NBCRG Spin and Blunders.

In that March 7 NBCRG blog post, Ralph Heun complained that citizens and civic groups cannot use City Hall. He bemoaned the “short-sighted policy that has kept election forums, Christmas and July 4 parades and other events from being televised”--and he blamed Alderman Bill Moore for it. He accused Ald. Moore of being a prime instigator in passing an ordinance two years ago that prohibited any non-city group from using City Hall/or City Channel 25 for any purposes. What a distortion of facts! Actually, in 2006 Ald. Moore argued against and voted against the restrictive policy/resolution No. 06-11. Furthermore, Ald. Ken Harenda---whom NBCRG has chosen to endorse not only voted in favor of this awful policy/resolution that Heun has complained so bitterly about, he made the motion to approve it.

Let’s get something else straight: Ald. Dave Ament called the Feb. 16 meeting at City Hall, but it was for area residents--not only his own District #7 constituents. The meeting dealt with Coffee Road changes, as well as sidewalks, side paths or bike trails in various areas of the City. Heun’s statement that Ald. Poshepny (District #5) was not shouted down is untrue. When Ald. Poshepny attempted to speak, some members of the audience rudely yelled out. I witnessed that. Heun admits that Ald. Ament asked Ald. Poshepny not to speak. And yet, others at the meeting were allowed to speak.

Perhaps if NBCRG President Ralph Heun had not stood beside Ald. Ament at the front of the room, facing and addressing the audience, for part of the meeting --which did occur-- it would not have appeared so much like a NBCRG meeting or political rally. Interesting that Ralph Heun, the president of a political action group, was allowed to do that and grandstand, but the 5^th District alderman who tried to speak during the meeting was silenced and not permitted to speak!  A so-called  “informational meeting”-- that prevents someone--an elected official--  from asking questions or providing information?  Does that serve the public's best interests?  Well, the format gave Heun the opportunity to spew negative comments about the Transportation Committee, sidewalks, etc.

If it was just an “informational meeting” as Heun contends, why was there a stack of inflammatory “Just Say No” fliers opposed to sidewalks (and referring to a petition) prominently displayed on a table inside the meeting room ( by the entry), a petition for people to sign--as well as two individuals seated at the table, apparently to assist them?

And why wasn't a City traffic engineer invited to the meeting? Kudos to him for coming to the meeting anyway (it was held on a Saturday)  to answer people’s questions. Ald. Ament introduced the City traffic engineer, but acknowledged during the meeting that he hadn’t invited him.

Heun also maintained in the NBCRG blog entry that Ray McInerny, Sr. is president of a small group that apparently is not active as they claim to be exempt from state law requiring that expenditures over $25 must be reported to the City Clerk. What a bogus accusation!

Ray’s group formed late last year. It’s an active group whose membership is growing. Heun misrepresented the facts: State law requires that a group that is supporting or opposing candidates (political action group) be registered with the City Clerk before making expenditures over $25. Ray’s group registered in October -- before it even knew who would be running for office in April (candidates had until Jan. 2 to file to get their name on the ballot) and is in compliance with that law. As for filing an exemption: Political action groups and candidates are eligible for exemption from filing campaign finance reports if they don’t anticipate accepting contributions or making disbursements totaling more than $1000 in a calendar year and don’t accept more than $100 from a single source during the calendar year. Local candidates typically claim exemption status. New Berlin candidates for local public office (including those endorsed by NBCRG) often claim exemption from filing . Independent committees have to file itemized campaign finance reports. In 2008, when Ray’s group decided to support a specific candidate--it filed as an “independent committee” and filed the appropriate reports by the reporting deadline as the law requires.

Ironically, Ralph Heun stated, “ If Mr. McInerny does not know the facts, He should not make the complaints”. Mr. Heun should follow his own advice.

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 20^th 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.

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.

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.”

Vern Bentley’s published letter (Jan. 10, Waukesha Freeman) was a spurious attack on Alderman Bill Moore that distorted facts and Moore’s record.

Here’s my response, which was published Friday (Jan. 25, Waukesha Freeman)------

Alderman’s public service record set straight

Vern Bentley’s wacky and misleading statements regarding New Berlin Alderman Bill Moore compel a response.

Bentley’s recent letter stated, "Years ago, when Moore was on the school board, he supported a $57 million referendum for a new high school. He was not re-elected."

Actually, Moore won every time he ran for public office in New Berlin. He was elected to the New Berlin School Board in 1994 and re-elected in 1997. After serving those two consecutive three-year terms, he opted to retire rather than run for a third term. Moore ran for aldermanic office in 2005 and won by a landslide.

Moore served on the school board from April 1994 to 2000. He was not on the school board in December 2002 when it discussed and voted for a $57 million referendum for a new high school.

Linda Richter, New Berlin

NBCRG President Ralph Heun and his son Keith are fond of labeling people “conservative” or “liberal”. For example, Ralph Heun has referred to Tom Augustine as “conservative”.

Re:   Tom Augustine’s political activities/affiliations/history------

He has served as New Berlin Alderman (District 2) since 2002.

In 1998, Augustine was the Democratic Party’s candidate for State Assembly (District #98) against Republican incumbent Marc Duff (R-New Berlin). Duff won the election. He received more than twice as many votes as Augustine.

Tom Augustine has donated generously to Democratic candidates (according to data from non-partisan watchdog organizations/sites like Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, The Center for Responsive Politics, and opensecrets.org, which track money in politics and/or disclose campaign contribution information). Their data indicates Tom Augustine donated:

• $200 to Jim Doyle (Democrat) in 2006, $100 in 2005, $100 in 2004, $100 in 2002
• $100 to Kathleen Falk (Democrat) more than once
• $100 to Dawn Marie Sass (Democrat)
• $100 to Chad VanDierendonck (Democrat), who ran for State Assembly seat against the incumbent Scott Jensen (Republican).
• Over $400 to Roger Danielson (Democrat), a Waukesha School Board member who ran for state Assembly.

Data indicates Tom Augustine donated $500 in 2004 to Senator Russ Feingold. (Democrat) and publicly endorsed Feingold for re-election. In fact, a 2004 Feingold Senate Committee Press Release specifically mentions: “Alderperson Tom Augustine of the City of New Berlin” in its “City Officials for Russ” endorsement document. See http://www.russfeingold.org/article_text.php?id=135

Is this the record of a “conservative”?

Ralph Heun/ NBCRG’s blog calls Augustine “conservative”. Vern Bentley and New Berlin School Board President Keith Heun have also tried to paint Augustine as “conservative”.

Their notion of a “conservative” politician is someone like Tom Augustine, a politically active Democrat who ran for state office trying to unseat a New Berlin Republican incumbent? An individual who has been a staunch supporter of Democratic candidates, such as Jim Doyle, Russ Feingold, Roger Danielson and has contributed generously to numerous Democratic campaigns? And who has used his position as City alderman to lend support to a Democratic Senator’s campaign????

Well, regardless of whether Augustine is “conservative” or “liberal” (or however Heun/Heun/Bentley try to spin it),  he’s a public official and accountable for his actions/record.

Here’s what Paul Gallagher’s New Berlin Live Blog says about the letter by Brookfield Alderman Jerry Mellone posted on Ralph Heun’s blog Tuesday----

“Brookfield Alderman Launches Personal Attack Against New Berlin Citizens”
“Brookfield Alderman Gerry Mellone has gone on the offensive against New Berlin citizens Linda Richter and Paul Gallagher by calling them liars. Mellone is upset regarding this NewBerlinLive article, and Linda Richter’s blog entry.
Mellone went to New Berlin City Hall to complain to the Clerk about Richter’s blog.
Mellone is an Alderman, he should have known that is not the correct procedure. He then wrote a lengthy and often incoherent diatribe on Ralph Heun’s New Berlin Now blog attacking Gallagher and Richter for exposing his actions.
In his diatribe Mellone states “I went to New Berlin City Hall today and talked to the city clerk regarding this blog entry stating that I led a group that was trying to evade paying taxes to New Berlin.” No one ever accused Mellone of this. It was stated that he filed a lawsuit to avoid paying his share of sewer and water assessments. In his diatribe, Mellone confirms that he took legal action against New Berlin (Us taxpayers). He also admits he lost the case. (Because he was wrong.)
Gerry Mellone is an elected official. He needs to realize that his actions, both public and private will be subject to public scrutiny. He will often hear things that he doesn’t want to hear. To accuse his critics of being liars, is unacceptable behavior for any public official. For an official from another city to come into New Berlin and start throwing his weight around, is quite obnoxious.”


Check it for yourself. Mellone’s letter starts out by referring to my blog entry, accuses me of lying, then proceeds to claim the blog stated something which it had not. Mellone even drags the City Clerk into his tirade--and rambles on, trying to “refute” statements my blog had not even made.
That’s beyond ludicrous.

Ironically, at the end of his letter, Mellone states: “ I understand we have freedom of speech in this country, however before you accuse someone, you should make an attempt to get the story right.”

Mellone did not bother “getting his story right” before making his attacks against me, a New Berlin resident.

Bottom line: Mellone, a Brookfield public official, has not only misrepresented what I stated in my blog entry, he used his misstatements in a retaliatory attack against me, a New Berlin resident.
He should be held accountable.

In Alderman Ron Seidl's odious and inflammatory flyer circulated prior to last Tuesday’s (Sept. 11) New Berlin Common Council meeting, Seidl alleged that Mayor Chiovatero “ignored the will of the people” on August 31 when he vetoed the Calhoun Road 2-Lane plan and “will stop at nothing to get what he wants…” Click on this link to flyer .

What hooey!

Even a novice public official like Seidl should know that the veto is part of our government system of checks and balances. Does Seidl disapprove of our American system of government? The mayor has veto powers. So do presidents and governors. Will Seidl be ranting next about Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Tommy Thompson, Jim Doyle, and other officials who have vetoed items, and claim they ignored the will of the people…?!!!

Seidl’s sleazy flyer contained other wild attacks and allegations, including insinuations that the City engineer was a puppet of the mayor and ignored the will of the people. Hopefully, Seidl’s malicious and irresponsible statements haven’t damaged that City employee’s professional reputation to such extent that legal action results and we taxpayers end up footing the bill.

Seidl needs a reality check.

The 2-lane plan he favored failed to get widespread support. The City’s Board of Public Works, the City engineer, and half the Common Council did not support it. The Council narrowly approved it with a 4-3 vote. The 4 alderman (Seidl, Dave Ament, Ken Harenda and Tom Augustine) couldn’t muster even one more vote to override the veto.
Seidl’s flyer admitted that some people preferred a 4-lane alternative.

Regarding that “will of the people” rhetoric Seidl spouted: Voters in District 3 did elect him alderman.
However, he shouldn’t forget that Jack Chiovatero is an elected official, too. He was elected mayor by “the people” throughout our city--not just from one district. His constituents are ALL of the citizens of New Berlin.
Furthermore, the mayor has the authority and obligation to veto items he considers wrong, harmful, or which aren’t in the best interests of our city. He contends that, as our mayor, he’s responsible to provide us with safe and well designed roads--and to use our funds and tax money to obtain the best value over the long term. In his press release titled “Response to Misinformation of Calhoun Road Veto, the mayor debunks Seidl’s statements and reports that he’s gotten overwhelming support for the veto and merits of the four lane design versus the shortcomings of the two lane design of Calhoun Road. He asserts “I did not ignore the will of the people, as I have received a high volume of calls all of which were in support of my veto.” Click on this link for the press release .

Ralph Heun titled his Sept. 7 New Berlin Now blog posting: “Resident Comments for 2 lane REBUILDING of Calhoun Road”.

Alas, the “resident comments” (in the posted letter) were from BROOKFIELD residents Jerry and Laurel Mellone.

In their letter’s very first paragraph, the Mellones said they lived in BROOKFIELD.
But they chose to end the letter with this address: 17949 W. Lincoln Ave, New Berlin, directly below their names. I suppose that's their business address. They’ve acknowledged owning an office and warehouse in the New Berlin Industrial Park.

Jerry Mellone is also a BROOKFIELD alderman. He's been opposed to widening Calhoun Road to four lanes. Ald. Mellone couldn't get his Brookfield City Council to see things his way.
Take a peek at the Milw. Journal-Sentinel news article (Aug 22) titled “Brookfield Will Widen Calhoun Road”.
Included in that article: Brookfield Alderman Gary Mahkorn says Brookfield residents overwhelmingly want the road expanded. Also, “An exasperated Ald. Rick Owen accused Mellone of rehashing old arguments.”

Well, Heun’s Sept 7 New Berlin Now blog gave Mellone a soapbox to keep airing his arguments re: Calhoun Road. After Brookfield had rejected them, he sought others to promote and support his agenda.

Did Mellone write the letter to New Berlin citizens posted by Heun because he cares about us New Berlin residents or his own interests?

It was interesting to read in NEW BERLIN resident Paul Gallagher ’s New Berlin Live blog that Mellone was one of a small group who tried to evade paying his share of sewer charges by filing a lawsuit against New Berlin some years ago.

According to last week’s (July 31) Waukesha Freeman, Alderman Dave Ament made some derogatory remarks about New Berlin resident Paul Gallagher.
“He didn’t have the guts to come to this meeting,” Ament said. “To face me and look me in the eye. He’s a wimp.”

Such presumptuous, derisive, and outrageous remarks from Ament, a government official!
So, that’s how this alderman deals with criticism. He retaliates with insults and name-calling!
He’s referring to the Ethics Meeting, which was held on Monday, July 30 at 2 pm.
Well, attending a Monday afternoon meeting might not have been hard for Ament, who owns his own business--but not everyone has a lot of flexibility with their job/ work schedule.

Indeed, the Freeman states:
“Gallagher said he could not attend the meeting because of work commitments. He said he was not surprised by the board’s decision.”

“I expected them to allow him to legally vote,” Gallagher said. “But there’s a difference between whether it was legal and whether he should have voted. He was very biased, too biased, and he should have recused himself.”

The Freeman article also includes this revelation:
“Gallagher, who has dedicated several posts on his personal Web site, www.newberlinlive.com, to Ament, made a post Sunday listing two e-mails he received from Peggy Ament. One reads “URALOSER” in the subject line with “1-800-LOSER” in the text. The second e-mail reads “SICKO” in the subject line and “1-800-getalife” in the text. Ament said he had not seen the e-mails before his wife sent them to Gallagher but he was glad Gallagher posted them. “That was her letting him know what she thought in a nice way,” Ament said.”

Nice? Alderman Ament considers that a “nice” way to communicate to a fellow citizen?!!!!
Good grief!

It has come to my attention that an ethics hearing regarding New Berlin Alderman Dave Ament’s actions has been scheduled for July 30. Concerns had been raised about Ament’s votes and statements regarding the Calhoun Road project--- and his possible conflict of interest.
Ament’s business Ament Industrial Truck is located at 2140 S. Calhoun Road, New Berlin.

Public officials are supposed to avoid even an appearance of conflict of interest.

Also, a lawsuit was filed on July 3 against Ament Industrial Truck.
The plaintiff Yale Equipment and Services is alleging that Ament Industrial Truck failed to pay for goods and services provided. The court appearance has been scheduled for July 30.

For more information, check these links: New Berlin Live and Wisconsin Circuit Court Access

Dave Ament had been endorsed/supported by New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government.

Oh and speaking of Ament's business interests------

Alderman Dave Ament used our City's Fourth of July parade to promote his own business.
A vehicle in the parade had Ament Industrial Truck advertising printed on the side.
It was driven by Alderman Ament and pulled a wagon carrying Alderman Ken Harenda.
I'm not positive, but I think that was Alderman Ron Seidl in the parade, walking along side the vehicle.

Matt Thomas’ blog posts a letter from Alderman Dave Ament announcing a fundraiser that’s being held for the daughter of the Assistant Chief of the New Berlin Fire Department. She was involved in a car accident recently.

A worthy cause.

But what about the victims of the 8-unit condominium fire of May 19?
That horrific fire killed a New Berlin woman and left many others displaced, homeless.
Obviously, people's belongings were damaged or destroyed in that fire, as well.

Surely, helping those devastated folks would be for a worthy cause, too.

The condo fire occurred in the 17600 block of W. Lincoln Avenue-- Alderman Ron Seidl’s district.
There’s been no letter from Ald. Seidl announcing a community event to aid the fire victims (or their families) posted on Thomas’ blog or elsewhere on New Berlin Now’s web page.

Ron Seidl touted “communication” when running for office.
So, Alderman Seidl: Please communicate via New Berlin Now, what’s been done, if anything, to help all of those people victimized by that May 19 fire in your aldermanic district. Are any community fundraisers being held to benefit those folks, your constituents?

Ron Seidl is running for 3rd District Alderman against incumbent Paul Gallagher.
Information previously disclosed: A Jan. 16 NewBerlinNow news article reported that Seidl is 32, lives at 17631 W. Westward Dr., is a 2-year resident of New Berlin, works as a food manager for a retirement community and is concerned about an increase in the city part of his taxes.

Additional data: I interviewed Seidl. He said he has worked for Regency Senior Communities in New Berlin, claims to have "deep seated family values", is concerned about spending, opposes Police Department cuts, and wants to be more involved in the community. However, when I asked Seidl about the City budget, he admitted he had not seen it. He also conveyed that he has not been actively involved in any community organizations or activities-- despite living here 2 years.

Omissions: When I asked Seidl about his educational background, he declined to provide any. How odd.
No mention was made during the interview of any citations/ police record.

Subsequent Research: According to information on The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) web site Ronald S. Seidl of 17631 W. Westward Drive was charged in July of 2006 for speeding on the freeway (later amended to impeding traffic), fined $186, and for failure to wear a seat belt, fined $10. I obtained copies of those traffic citations from the Waukesha Courthouse and noted Seidl's birth date on them: 6/23/74.
The WCCA web site also indicates Ronald S. Seidl , birth date 6/23/74, was charged in February 2000 with operating a vehicle after suspension- 3rd! However, WCCA information indicates the charge was later amended to Operating Without A Valid License. The fine was $212.

Furthermore, the WCCA web site indicates Ronald S. Seidl, birth date 6/23/74, was charged in Milwaukee County in April, 1998 with Operating While Intoxicated (2nd offense), having a Blood Alcohol level above .10% (3rd offense) and Operating After Revocation (3rd offense). I have copies of the citations/deputy sheriff's complaint. They indicate results of breath test for alcohol was .14. The WCAA information indicates the BAC, and Operating After Revocation charges were later dismissed on prosecutors motion. But it also indicates that for the Operating While Intoxicated (2nd) offense, the court ordered the defendant's license be revoked for 18 months, he serve 60 days in the House of Correction and pay $1000.

Some thoughts and observations:
Aldermen serve as our representatives. We expect them to exercise good judgment, be concerned about public safety, respect and abide by laws. Their decisions affect the Police Dept. and us. Our aldermen vote to approve or deny bartenders licenses. At Common Council meetings, aldermen sometimes grill the license applicants about their past records/convictions, including Operating While Intoxicated (OWI ) and other offenses. Some applicants are denied licenses. Background checks are important.

Evidently, blogger/official Matt Thomas considers OWI significant. His Dec. 8, 2006 blog was about a WAUKESHA official getting an OWI ticket.

New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government filed paperwork with the City Clerk on Feb. 12 officially signally their intent to disburse funds to help elect Ron Seidl and Don Counsell.

According to a Feb. 26, 2007 Community Watch/ New Berlin Now news article-- In January, an associate principal of Pewaukee High School was stopped for erratic driving, arrested by New Berlin police, and charged with drunk driving and operating a motor vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration, both 2nd offenses. She faces up to 1 year in jail, if convicted. She was placed on administrative leave while that school district conducts an internal investigation.

A few days ago, I spoke with Alderman Paul Gallagher. He's 47. Gallagher was elected in 2001 (has served 2 terms). You can check his voting record by clicking on the Common Council meeting minutes displayed on the City web site. Gallagher, an engineer, is employed at Nisson Brake. He was forthright, not secretive about his education and past OWI. He informed me he had graduated from Case High School in Racine, and revealed he'd gotten an OWI ticket once- in 1982--25 years ago.

Soon, it will be Election time in New Berlin. The Primary is February 20th and the Spring Election is April 3rd. I've interviewed all of the newcomer (non-incumbent) candidates running for the Aldermanic and School Board seats, except for John Kegel, who refused.
I've also read circulated fliers supporting candidates for 5th District Alderman.

I reside in Aldermanic District #5. Roger Hegeman (incumbent), Don Counsell and Joe Poshepny are running for District #5 Alderman. The Primary Election will whittle that field to two candidates.

Alderman Hegeman seems a genuinely nice man. Many folks, including his two opponents, refer to him as a "nice guy". He is married and has four children. His flyer touts his active community involvement, commitment to New Berlin and our community's comparatively low tax rate. Alderman Hegeman tends to say little during the Common Council public meetings. That's too bad. His constituents would be better served if he took a more active part in discussion/debate of issues at the meetings. Often, he votes without expressing his views or explaining his reasoning.

Challengers Joe Poshepny and Don Counsell maintain that we deserve better representation and communication from our alderman.

Joe Poshepny pledges to be a good communicator and responsive to citizens.
He faults the incumbent for disregarding the wishes of over a thousand New Berlin residents/ petitioners. Mr. Poshepny would like to open up Wilbur Drive.
Mr. Poshepny touts his experience as a business leader. He started his own company and also has manufacturing, designing, supervisory skills/experience.
He points out that he is retired, married, his kids are adults. He argues he'd be more accessible and could devote more time and attention to aldermanic matters/ duties than his opponents, who'd have to juggle their official duties with the needs of their young families and job responsibilities.
He wants to give "seniors" a greater voice. He also favors having a viable city program for seniors.
Mr. Poshepny says he'd bring maturity, a level head, and experience to the table.

Don Counsell works for Accenture, a business consulting firm.
He says he'd like to apply his analytic and problem-solving skills to help solve problems facing New Berlin and control spending.
He argues that City government has been "lazy" and should be exploring better ways to accomplish things.
Mr. Counsell favors a city tax freeze, arguing that it's needed to get city taxes and spending under control.
He supports completion of the City Center, capitalizing on the city's investment.
He says he's lived here 21 years, reaping the benefits, and now wants to "give back" to the community.
Mr. Counsell is married and has 2 children.