On August 14, New Berlin’s Utility Committee unanimously approved the water agreement with the City of Milwaukee. See JS report.

I reckon that displeases unsuccessful NB aldermanic candidate JJ Blonien.

His vehement opposition to the water agreement and attack against our mayor had been popping up all over NOW.

Blonien’s rant was posted online in NOW’s Your Stories (Aug.1) and Community Voices (Aug. 4) sections and published in the Aug. 7 New Berlin-Muskego NOW newspaper (Best of Blogs).

And that wasn't all. NOW added a “forum” about the water agreement to its web page. The "forum" provided just two highlighted links: one  to a reporter’s article, the other to Blonien’s blog deriding the mayor and water deal. The "forum" posed the question "What do you think of the deal?"   (So far, only two individuals have posted comments to it) 

The interactive “forum” NOW created did not include a link to the Your Stories July 31 blog item by Tiffany Wankowski that was supportive of the water deal.  With the author's permission, I am posting it here.

New Berlin Residents to Receive Safe, Healthy Water Through Agreement with City of Milwaukee

By Tiffany Wankowski
NewBerlinNOW.com user

Posted: July 31, 2008

20-year water-sharing deal resolves New Berlin's radium problem while complying with Great Lakes Water Resources Compact

NEW BERLIN, Wis. - New Berlin Mayor Jack Chiovatero today praised separate water-sharing and regional benefit agreements approved by the Milwaukee Common Council, saying the agreements will provide safe and healthy water for New Berlin residents while demonstrating regional cooperation on important issues. The New Berlin Common Council is scheduled to vote on the agreements in the next several days.

"The water-sharing agreement is a major health and safety victory for the City of New Berlin," Chiovatero said. "After being ordered by the state Department of Natural Resources to resolve the threat posed by radium-contaminated wells in the central third of New Berlin or face substantial fines, our engineers researched a number of alternatives. Repairing the system would cost many millions of dollars, and purchasing water from Racine or Oak Creek would not be cost-effective at this time. The agreement with the City of Milwaukee is the best combination of cost and providing New Berlin citizens with the safest, healthiest water available."

The City of New Berlin has purchased Lake Michigan water from Milwaukee to serve the community's eastern third since 2005. The new agreement expands the service area to also provide Lake Michigan water to New Berlin's central third. The agreement will be in effect for 20 years, with water supplied through existing New Berlin water mains and pumping stations. New Berlin's western third, largely undeveloped land that is not served by City water or sewer systems, is not part of the plan, will not receive Lake Michigan water and will retain its rural character.

A second, separate agreement calls for the City of New Berlin to make a one-time, $1.5 million regional benefits payment to the City of Milwaukee. Chiovatero said the payment recognizes that important issues extend beyond community borders and shows regional support for Milwaukee's efforts to address shared Milwaukee-New Berlin concerns such as transportation, job creation and other issues. The New Berlin Water Utility will fund the full cost of the one-time payment, and tax dollars will not be used, Chiovatero said.

"Our joint and successful efforts such as passage of the Great Lakes Compact and the water talks between our two cities show the good that can come from suburban and urban leaders finding ways to work cooperatively," he said. "The City of New Berlin looks forward to finalizing these agreements with the City of Milwaukee and to future positive partnerships."

The water agreement adds Lake Michigan water service to approximately 3,930 New Berlin customers, as well as approximately 400 new homes projected to be built in the approved service area over the next 20 years. New Berlin will pay Milwaukee a rate determined by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, which regulates the state's utilities. The current average rate is $1.12 per 1,000 gallons, and the City of Milwaukee could see over $40 million in revenue because of the deal. The agreement sets a peak rate of pumpage from Milwaukee at 6.5 million gallons a day. (For comparison purposes, average 2007 water demand for the entire City of New Berlin was 3.184 million gallons per day.)

The New Berlin-Milwaukee agreement fully complies with the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact, which Gov. Doyle signed in May. The Compact allows Lake Michigan water to be temporarily diverted outside the Great Lakes Basin to serve communities like New Berlin that straddle the basin dividing line, provided the water goes back into the lakes. Because eastern and central New Berlin are served by existing Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District sewers, all water going to New Berlin will be returned to Lake Michigan.

"This is a good agreement

A spate of family medical emergencies, injuries, health problems and other pressing issues has consumed much of my time during the last few weeks.

As a result, I haven’t been blogging as much as I’d like or usually do.

But stay tuned, I'll be posting another blog entry soon. 

-----Linda 

“Statement from New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government” (NBCRG July 4 blog post on NOW), starts off with a load of gibberish (computer symbols/code) that Ralph Heun calls a “defect of Jsonline”.

Then the blog mentions a letter published in NOW (July 3 issue) from a woman supporting the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter in Muskego.  

Ralph Heun's next paragraph conveys that he wishes “to clarify a comment about Citizens for Responsible Government and Muskego First."   Which comment? His blog doesn’t say. How are blog readers supposed to know what he is talking about?

Heun goes on to assert that his group New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG) is NOT Citizens for Responsible Government and is not affiliated “in any way” with the CRG Network.

Confused? That's understandable.  The groups' names are awfully similar.  

Maybe this will help “clarify” things a bit:

Re: Citizens for Responsible Government/CRG Network----

The Nov 28, 2005 Journal Sentinel describes CRG as a populist movement born of the 2002 Milwaukee County pension scandal recalls. 

That edition also states: “Since its start, CRG spawned or adopted 15 affiliates statewide and has brought to full stops the political careers of Milwaukee County Executive Tom Ament, six Milwaukee County supervisors, aldermen in Wauwatosa and Franklin, and now Nowak.” (Pewaukee Mayor Jeff Nowak)

“The group also claims credit for killing the PabstCity project, a Waukesha school referendum and forcing state Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) to quit as Senate assistant majority leader.”

According to the CRG Network Website, they (& CRG Milwaukee, previously) have filed only one recall in their history--the recall of Tom Ament. And the site says: “Since that initial event in 2002, CRG Network has been primarily engaged in educating grassroots groups in how to deal with unresponsive government agencies and officials. Every recall and action since then has been accomplished by other groups and affiliates who have come to CRG Network for educational assistance.”

Their Website speaks of holding government accountable and refers to CRG Network as 3 distinct organizations: a PAC; a 501 (c) non-profit, tax-exempt corporation/foundation; and a lobby/advocacy group

Re: New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG)---

According to their Web site, NBCRG was formed in 2002; functions as a political action committee; and has recruited and supported candidates every year since its inception. 

NBCRG endorsed/supported several of our New Berlin aldermen, including Dave Ament, a relative of Tom Ament. All of our current New Berlin School Board members were endorsed/supported by NBCRG.

In other words, NBCRG-supported officials have majority control of the New Berlin Common Council and School Board. Think Ralph Heun and his NBCRG group want that status quo disrupted with recalls?    Hardly.

What about Muskego’s recall movement?

Ralph Heun’s NBCRG blog claims “NBCRG does not interfere with proceedings in our neighboring communities and would expect the same treatment from them about New Berlin issues.”  Ironically, Heun follows that statement by expressing negative comments about recalls and then telling blog readers,  “We encourage voters in the City of Muskego consider the consequence of this possible recall action before initiating it.”

Matt Thomas’ May 17 The Right Side of New Berlin blog (on New Berlin NOW) features an e-mail message from Keith Heun, in which Heun retracts several comments he had posted May 3-6 to Thomas’ blog about me, some other persons, and the ACLU.

In his “retraction”, Heun asserts some comments he’d posted to Thomas’ blog were “misstatement of facts”; “factually inaccurate”; he’d “inaccurately recalled what had transpired”, etc.

Heun’s “ retraction” letter also admits, “ The fact of the matter is that Policy 1330, revised on 6/23/03, Section 2, Para A. did expressly prohibit political activities in school facilities as the ACLU lawsuit rightly contended."

And four times in his “retraction” letter, Heun “profusely apologizes” for “any misstatement of incorrect information” in his comment, his description of the events” and his “description of the ACLU and individuals” that he mentioned in his comment that he “fully and completely retract”.

Sounds like a heap of legalese.

In plain English, Heun’s inappropriate and outrageous comments (May 3-6) that Matt Thomas published on his blog, are not only vile, vicious personal attacks and rants against me and some others--- they are falsehoods, fibs.

Or put another way, Heun and Thomas spread malicious lies about me, several other individuals and the ACLU. Thomas published information/comments on his blog that grossly distorted and misrepresented the facts pertaining to the Board policy, lawsuit, plaintiffs, me, etc.

In his “retraction”, Heun offers the lame excuse that since 5 years had transpired since the policy was adopted and he wasn’t on the board at the time, he inaccurately recalled what had happened.

Oh, so after School Board Clerk Keith Heun (abetted by School Board President Matt Thomas) spewed venom and falsehoods--- viciously and falsely attacking their constituents and the ACLU--  in a blog that can be viewed by anyone within or outside our community, Heun now pleads ignorance of the true facts?   Ignorance of facts that pertain to Board policy and the lawsuit ---and the settlement agreement under which the District/School Board is supposed to be operating? And what’s Thomas’ excuse for publishing Heun’s mean-spirited false allegations, personal attacks, and rants? Was that ignorance or malice?  Thomas does not apologize for publishing them or his own untruthful rants--nor has he retracted his words.  

Those two taxpayer-funded school board “leaders” are entrusted with our kids education and our tax dollars!  Shouldn't they have made it their business to know the facts about Board policy, the lawsuit and settlement agreement?  Don't they even bother to get factual information before making decisions or publicly maligning their constituents?  

After all, Keith Heun and Matt Thomas have been serving on the New Berlin School Board for 2 ½ years  (2005 to present). Both have held Board Officer positions--including Board President. The lawsuit was filed in 2004. The settlement agreement was announced in 2005.

Certainly, their pal Board Member Jennifer Eitel would know about Policy 1330, the lawsuit and settlement. She was serving as Board President when that 1330 revision was adopted in 2003 and is still on the School Board. Furthermore, Heun and Thomas could have consulted James Benfield (Superintendent) and Anthony Goedheer (Business Manager) for information. Both of those administrators were employed in the District at the time and until they recently retired. Contacting the ACLU for information would have been yet another option.      

By the way, Heun’s “retraction” was published on Thomas' blog three days after my blog entry titled "Thomas Exit Strategy", which mentions that I’d consulted lawyers last year about personal attacks directed against me.  

Additionally, I noticed that Heun’s published “retraction” does not mention:

• The letters to the editor by Heun and Thomas in 2003 in support of the Board’s adopting the Policy 1330 revision. Thomas’ letter attacked Bill Moore, who had objected to the revision.
• The atrocious 1330 policy revision was approved at the 6/23/03 School Board Meeting by a 3-2 vote, with Jennifer Eitel, Matt Weiss and Tim Cramer voting yes. Jennifer Eitel was Board President. Matt Weiss was the Vice President. Tim Cramer was Board Clerk. (All three have been supported by New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government). Kyle Kramer and Alan McGinty cast the nay votes.
• The lawsuit alleged that the Policy 1330 revision violated Constitutional protections regarding free speech and assembly.
• School Board members take an oath to uphold the Constitution when sworn in to public office.
• Just before the School Board/District was required to respond to the lawsuit, it rescinded its objectionable policy 1330 revision. It quickly adopted a different policy (waiving the usual second reading). Following that sly maneuver, the School Board’s legal counsel requested that the lawsuit be dismissed, arguing that the policy 1330 revision no longer existed. The judge refused and allowed the lawsuit to be amended to cover the new policy hastily adopted by the School Board. Concerns were raised about that replacement board policy--and a legal settlement agreement was eventually obtained.

The misinformation and absurd statements published on Thomas’ blog about the Policy 1330 revision, lawsuit, plaintiffs, etc, compels me to devote a future blog to those topics.

What is Matt Thomas trying to hide?

Thomas posted a blog Monday announcing that he’s quitting his NOW blog. I noticed that every one of his past posts and the comments posted to them had already been deleted.

It is one thing to stop blogging;  it’s quite another to have all past posts and comments removed prior to the blog being taken off the NOW site. Why was that done? What was the rush?

Hmm. Last Friday (May 9), I posted a comment to my blog, informing readers that last year when I consulted attorneys regarding a personal attack made against me publicly by School Board official Keith Heun, I was advised Heun's comments were over the top, libelous and actionable. My comment also stated that an attorney advised that if there was a pattern of our school board members publicly attacking a citizen or citizens, that could be interpreted as intimidation and be considered a civil rights violation.

The following Monday ( May 12). Thomas posted his blog announcing his departure from NOW--and interestingly, all of his previous blog posts and the published comments had vanished from it.  That’s right: They were removed, deleted.  Poof. All gone.

Quite a coincidence, huh?

So, how does Thomas “spin” it?  Thomas offers the excuse that he lacks the “ time and energy to do his blog justice.” And he claims to have “ thought long and hard about the positive direction our district will continue to go in over this next year with our new Superintendent Paul Kreutzer at the helm.”

That’s downright amusing. Of the abrupt disappearance of all his past blog entries and people’s comments he’d posted to his blog site--many of which were exceedingly negative and nasty, Thomas says nothing.

Thomas' pitch about the District continuing to go in a “positive” direction is such a joke. Throughout the 20 months Thomas, a school board official, had a NOW blog, he could have written upbeat, “positive” informative blog pieces about educational issues or other topics.  Instead, he often used his blog as a vehicle to bash citizens. In fact, in one of my recent blog articles, I noted that half of Thomas’ blog posts since January 22 mentioned my name in the title. They were rants against me. I’d also discussed Thomas’ peculiar obsession with me in my May 4, 2007 blog.

Thomas’ and his fellow “political strategist” School Board colleague Keith Heun have held public office leadership positions, but have handled scrutiny, criticism, and dissent very poorly. Their “trash-talking” written communications and vendetta against me (and/or some other individuals) have not escaped people’s notice. Instead of setting a “positive” example for their students and NBPS faculty, these school board “leaders” have come across as governmental cyber-bullies utilizing Thomas’ blog to attack, vilify, lash out, or retaliate against their own constituents.

As for Thomas lacking “ time and energy to do his blog justice”, the NOW online editor notified us regular bloggers several months ago that we should post a blog entry a minimum of every 30 days. Evidently, Thomas is unwilling or incapable of communicating information via his blog in a “positive” and respectful manner regularly even once a month.

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.

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.

State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), who holds a partisan political office, has a regular blog on NOW called “Conservatively Speaking”.

The Feb. 8 “Conservatively Speaking” blog post (written by Sen. Lazich? Kevin Fischer ? Someone else ?) refers to a recent report by the “non-partisan” Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.

Click on this 2003 blog article for a different perspective.  

On occasion, some NOW regular bloggers post letters to the editor by their blog readers.

The following is a letter that was published in the February 7 Muskego-New Berlin NOW newspaper.

Public Forum:

I was nearly trampled to the ground the other day as residents of New Berlin rushed to get a copy of Muskego-New Berlin NOW and read what their neighbors had to say. No, that didn’t happen, and it didn’t when we had the old New Berlin Citizen, either.

The majority of us want to know the news, weather, sports, community, national and worldwide events that affect our lives, written by dedicated reporters. Expressing an opinion doesn’t necessarily feed that need. Opinions are varied, some filled with facts, others without fact, and many offered to deceive. In other words, opinions are as varied as we are.

A blog seems to be the most popular manner of expressing an opinion today. And if we’re inclined to enlighten our friends and neighbors, working from a blog would appear to be the most efficient. The computer has created an instant and direct link to most news sources. Every newspaper, radio and television outlet has a Web site. If we can’t afford or can’t operate a computer, the next best thing would be to offer our talent to the community.

Do the Board of Review, Crime Prevention Committee, Fourth of July Commission or Safety Commissions of the city of New Berlin need people? Yes. An appropriate way of expressing ourselves would be to join one of these municipal bodies and do something effective with our time.

I’m sure in some of these bodies we’d have to back what we say with facts, just as the newspaper wants facts before printing. And, in the process we may find our name in the paper once in awhile to impress our neighbors and friends.

Ray McInerny Sr.

“Conservatively Speaking” is a blog that carries Mary Lazich’s name and picture. It’s regularly displayed on NOW sites in New Berlin and elsewhere in her senate district. The blog does not credit Kevin Fischer or mention his contribution.

But is “Conservatively Speaking” actually Mary Lazich’s words or her aide Kevin Fischer’s?

Cindy Kilkenny’s Open Records Request of Sen. Lazich may shed light on this matter.  She has requested information about Fischer’s duties, salary, length of employment, and his use of state time/computer for blogging.

Ms. Kilkenny states, “Lazich told me that Fischer writes a lot of the stuff on her blog.”  For that quote and more, click on Cindy Kilkenny's Fairly Conservative site and blog entries: “The trouble with Kevin Fischer", "Update: L’affaire de Fischer", and "Unfinished Business".

On Pundit Nation, Michael J. Mathias reports that Fischer conceded in an email that he “assists” Sen. Lazich with her blogs. When asked to quantify that “assistance” and answer some questions about it, Fischer declined.

Mathias writes, “ The real question is what community interest the editorial staff of Franklin NOW believes is being fulfilled by having blogs by both Fischer and Lazich, and whether it’s appropriate to routinely publish articles under Lazich’s name that are actually written by Fischer.”  

Kevin Fischer's deplorable comments/actions have previously been mentioned on some blogs.  I referred to Sen. Lazich’s silence about her aide's conduct in my Inside New Berlin blog entries “Sen. Lazich’s aide’s remarks should be retracted” and “Disappointed in Sen. Lazich and staff."

Speaking as one of Sen. Lazich’s constituents, I’d rather read what she--the elected official-- has to say on her NOW blog (even if she’s too busy to do a blog post more than once a month), than numerous blog posts ghost-written by her staffer Kevin Fischer.

The New Berlin-Muskego NOW newspaper, Jan. 3 edition, had a wonderful article about our son Jason’s wedding. Within a week, my husband and I received a “SAW YOU IN THE NEWS!” card in the mail. A handwritten message from Rep. Mark Gundrum’s Office was inside, conveying congratulations to us and expressing best wishes to Jason and Christine. Also enclosed was a typed note, which referred to Rep. Gundrum’s deployment to Iraq and advised, “ Please feel free to contact us in his absence, and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can.”

Wasn’t that attentive of Rep. Gundrum’s staff?!!!  It was a nice gesture that sends a positive message to constituents and community. That's an example of good public relations. Mark Gundrum should be proud of his staff members.

Contrast that with the negativity, name-calling, snide remarks, belittling, insults and other personal attacks heaped on the public from Sen. Mary Lazich’s staffer Kevin Fischer.

My Jan 5 blog asked, “Where is Sen. Lazich’s public rebuke of Fischer’s antics and her insistence he retract his words and apologize?”. I pointed out that in her Jan. 4 “Conservatively Speaking” blog entry, Sen. Lazich called Assembly Minority Leader James Kreuser’s words deplorable and said they should be retracted.

In the 18 days since I posted that blog, Sen. Lazich has posted 21 blog articles on assorted topics, such as touting her appearance on the Weather Channel. Were any of her blog topics on Fischer’s deplorable words? Nope.

Fischer's “This Just In” FranklinNOW blog states he is legislative aide to Sen. Lazich. This past weekend, Fischer arrogantly defied NOW’s rules by posting a bunch of comments to his blog that contained vulgar expressions, obscenities, jeers or other slimy personal attacks against FranklinNOW blogger Greg Kowalski (a 21 year old college student) and former BrookfieldNOW blogger Cindy Kilkenny. Those uncivil, repugnant attacks were made by Fischer and his pals Bryan Maersch, Fred Keller and Janet Evans.

Given that Sen. Lazich was quick to criticize an Assembly leader’s words, her failure to take a public stand on her own aide’s deplorable, malicious remarks is disappointing and troubling. It raises some questions.

Are we to conclude? ----

Sen. Lazich condones or has been willing to overlook her staff member’s habit of resorting to nasty name-calling, belittling, gibes, and other personal attacks against individuals, including her constituents?

Sen. Lazich has a double standard? Offensive words aren’t “deplorable” when publicly communicated by her “conservative” Republican associates in state government positions?

She considers a staffer, who often verbally abuses others publicly, an asset to her office?

She feels Wisconsin residents in her district and elsewhere, who have been viciously maligned by her legislative aide, aren’t important & don’t deserve an apology?

While Senator Mary Lazich’s Jan. 4 blog calls Assembly Minority Leader James Kreuser’s words deplorable and says they should be retracted, she’s turned a blind eye to the deplorable words of her own legislative aide Kevin Fischer. Where’s Sen. Lazich’s public rebuke of Fischer’s antics and her insistence he retract his words and apologize?

Kevin Fischer, Sen. Lazich, and Greg Kowalski are regular bloggers on FranklinNOW.  Kowalski, a college student who just turned 21, is an appointed member of Franklin’s Environmental Commission. Kowalski’s blog is titled Today’s Concerns.
Although Fischer has refused to let Kowalski post comments on Fischer’s blog, he floods Kowalski’s with numerous caustic comments, many of which are insults directed at Kowalski and his blog’s readers.

For example: Click on Kowalski’s Jan 3 blog entry titled Some commenting issues and you’ll find that Fischer posted comments on it 38 times, starting from 8:51 pm and ending at 1:12 am. THIRTY-EIGHT!  Fischer’s 4- hour marathon of submitting mean-spirited, insolent remarks included calling Kowalski “Pillsbury Doughboy”, “Cheesecake Boy”, “cheesecake-breath”, “cry-baby”, and various other personal attacks. Far from being a wit, Fischer comes across as an immature, sarcastic bully picking on a college kid.

Fischer also taunted Kowalski with this gem: “You don’t pay Greg. You don’t even work full time. You have no clue what the real world is like. You are….what is the word….oh yes IRRELEVANT”

All of you high school & college students and other individuals not working full-time, should take note.  Senator Lazich's legislative aide apparently considers you irrelevant!!!!

Fischer also snidely referred to some of Kowalski‘s blog readers as “numbskull”, “butt-kisser”, “naïve”, “idiot”, “mommy”, “wussy”, etc. 

It’s disconcerting that someone employed as a state senator’s aide (funded by us taxpayers) resorts to such foul and unecessary name-calling.

I’m amazed at Sen. Lazich’s silence and inaction regarding Fischer’s deplorable remarks. The senator's legislative aide is mocking and insulting her constituents! Why does she tolerate it?

Sen. Lazich contact information---  email: Sen.Lazich@legis.wisconsin.gov.
Madison Office address: Room 109 South, State Capitol, P.O. Box 7782 Madison, WI  53707-7882 
Phone # (608) 266-5400 or (800) 334-1442  District Office # (414) 425-9452                                      (voting) address: 4405 S. 129^th St. New Berlin,WI 53151  

Staffer Kevin Fischer can be contacted by email at KevinFischer@legis.wisconsin.gov

My blog conveys information and/or my views on various issues. I've been blogging on New Berlin NOW since October, 2006.  Recently, NOW added a comment feature to the blogs. NOW Bloggers were encouraged to allow all comments to be displayed, unless obscene or libelous. Our options were: a) have all the comments automatically published or b) screen the comments & approve those that weren’t libelous or profane.

By allowing those who read the MyCommunityNOW.com blogs to comment on the bloggers’ posts, NOW hoped to engage people to debate on the blog issues and encourage community interaction. What happened though, was that many of the submitted comments contained personal attacks and insults or mocked people.

On Friday (Nov 16), NOW sent its bloggers an email specifying some new rules it will require be followed in order for your comments to be approved by us bloggers and published.

Basically, it’s a laundry list of don’ts---

DON’T use profanities or obscenities; post personal attacks & insults; threats; ethnic, racial, religious or sexual slurs; or otherwise engage in hateful conversation

DON’T stray from the topic of the blog or submit pointless comments

DON’T SHOUT BY USING ALL UPPERCASE LETTERS

DON’T use this space for press releases or commercial purposes

DON’T submit knowingly false or libelous comments

DON’T pretend to be somebody else, or maintain more than one screen name, or use a screen name that might be considered objectionable or insulting

DON’T knowingly give out any personal information about other individuals, including participants of these blogs

DON’T post copyrighted or trademarked content

Folks, I signed up on NOW to be a blogger, not an editor or censor. My blogs get many “hits” and a large volume of comments. I have neither the time nor inclination to carefully sift through dozens of comments, trying to decide which ones violate the newly adopted rules/policy and which ones don’t. Frankly, I feel that is NOW’s responsibility, not mine (especially since it was NOW's decision to implement the comment feature and new rules). 

The NOW Online editor and I have discussed this. When I notified him recently of my decision to not approve ANY comment to my blog ( regardless of its content), he was supportive. He's willing to approve/disapprove the comments submitted to my blog on a daily basis, although he probably has numerous other job tasks and duties that absorb his time.

We’ll see what transpires. NOW is weighing the pros and cons of the comment feature and new rules/restrictions. Maybe there will be other changes.

A reminder: you can contact me by email. Some blog readers chose that communication route rather than post comments on my blog.

My email address is insidenewberlin@hotmail.com

When launching New Berlin Now last year, the online editor requested that I (and presumably the other Community Voices bloggers) post items at least weekly. Because I take commitments seriously, value community participation/interaction, and communication, I’ve endeavored to do that.

When life gets hectic, composing/ posting a blog item can be difficult--but it’s not impossible. I’ve done it often and regularly---without lengthy gaps between blog entries.

Like many individuals, I've got numerous responsibilities and other interests besides blogging. Family matters consume much of my time.

For example, over the past six months alone-----
My husband and I celebrated the birth of our first grandchild and his baptism, my mother & mother-in-law’s 80th birthdays, my husband’s 60th birthday, his retirement, our eldest son’s graduation & achievements (couple of masters degrees from Baylor University in Texas), his August 11 wedding, and new home purchase. We had a houseful of out-of-town guests staying at our home the week of the wedding. I’ve also hosted a bridal shower, helped throw a surprise birthday party, and assisted with a baby shower. Babysitting our precious little grandson full time M-Fri (quite a challenge so far!) occupies much of my time and attention.
My husband and I have made several treks to hospitals because of my mom’s declining health, including hip fracture and subsequent operations, and one of our offspring’s middle- of- the night medical (diabetic) emergencies.
Speaking of trips---- during the last three months, we’ve traveled to Baltimore/Washington D.C. and gone out West to visit family members. In fact, I’m in Colorado right now helping our son and daughter-in-law with moving/unpacking. This blog was posted via my lap top computer.

Obviously, I’ve had much experience juggling multiple tasks and activities. Neither a crammed schedule or travel has kept me from posting my blogs.

If you are interested in doing a regular blog on New Berlin Now, take the plunge and sign up. Too busy to blog? Remember that old saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”? People tend to find time for what they value and want to do. Blogging is not hard and can be fun. Give it a try.

After not posting a blog in over six weeks (the last one was June 15), Matt Thomas resurfaced to post one yesterday, July 29.

Is it about the New Berlin Public Schools budget? The tax levy? Some other School District issue?
Nope.
Thomas’ latest blog entry is a libelous, vitriolic attack against Paul Gallagher, whom he acknowledges is a private citizen not a government official. Thomas also took swipes at the mayor.

What’s Thomas’ gripe? Gallagher had the audacity to express concern about what’s happening in our City, even though he’s not a public official.
Gallagher filed a complaint asserting that Alderman Dave Ament should have abstained from voting on the Calhoun Rd. project because of conflict of interest.
Ament, who strongly opposed the 4-lane road widening of Calhoun Rd., owns a business located on Calhoun Rd in New Berlin---and has stated publicly that the widening would affect his business.

Apparently, Thomas thinks its okay for Ament but not Gallagher, to seek an opinion from the Ethics Board.
Ament wanted to vote on a land dispute he had with a neighbor--- an obvious No-No.

Is Thomas hoping his hocus-pocus attack on the mayor, will cloud the issue from today’s Ethics hearing and divert people’s attention from Aments’ ethics or lack thereof?

During his many years as alderman, Gallagher was not shy about voicing his own views publicly and it isn't surprising that he continues to express his opinions and thoughts on various issues. See his blog New Berlin Live.
For Thomas to suggest or imply that Gallagher is the mayor’s minion or is acting at his behest is downright laughable.

On the other hand, Thomas IS quite close to Ament. In fact, Thomas’ previous blog (June 15) merely conveyed Ament’s words. Talk about being someone’s agent/stooge.

Lots of folks, including Rep. Mark Gundrum, have composed guest blog entries and posted them on the Your Place/Your Stories section of the New Berlin Now homepage--why can’t Ament? Instead, Thomas (blog) serves as Ament’s go-between and booster.

Thomas resurrected his dormant blog to post the one on July 29-- less than 24 hours before today’s scheduled Ethics Board Hearing.

Here’s a copy of the Ethics Meeting Agenda/ Notice that's been posted on-line.

AGENDA
CITY OF NEW BERLIN
ETHICS BOARD
Monday, July 30, 2007
2:00 PM
NEW BERLIN CITY HALL
3805 S. Casper Drive
Conference Room A-B
Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call; Declaration of Quorum and Public Notice
Approval of Minutes from January 5, 2007 Meeting
New Business:
• Discussion and possible action regarding the Conflict of Interest letter from Paul D Gallagher.
• Hearing on Paul Gallagher ethics complaint against Alderman Ament.
Closed Session
• The basis for the items to be discussed in Closed Session are as enumerated in Section 19.85(1) (h) of the Wisconsin State Statutes.
(h) Consideration of request for confidential written advice from the Ethics Board
under Section 19.46(2), or from any County or municipal Ethics Board under
Section 19.59(5). More specifically, discussion on request for Ethics Board
opinion from Paul D Gallagher.
Open Session
• Discussion and possible action for the issuance of an Ethics Board determination
regarding the request for Ethics Board opinion as to whether there is a conflict of
interest with Alderman Ament and the Calhoun Road Reconstruction Council
agenda item.
Adjourn
PLEASE NOTE:
􀀹 It is possible that action will be taken on any of the items on the agenda and that the agenda may be
discussed in any order. Also Note: It is possible that members of and possibly a quorum of other
governmental bodies of the municipality may be in attendance at the above-stated meeting to gather
information; no action will be taken by any governmental body at the above-stated meeting other than
the governmental body specifically referred to above in this notice.
􀀹 Also, upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals
through appropriate aids and services. For additional information or to request this service, contact City
Clerk Marilyn Gauger at (262) 786-8610.

School district budget proposals and public officials’ actions are significant community issues, so I’ve blogged about them.

The school district budget was presented to the School Board 3 weeks ago at the April 23 Board Meeting. Board meetings regarding the budget were also held on May 7 and 14.

In his Sunday, May 13 blog, School Board Vice-President/blogger Matt Thomas offered a bunch of lame excuses for his blogging deficiencies. He blamed it on “extensive travel” with his family, participation in marathons, and that he “spoke his mind at School Board meetings”. He also stated, “I haven’t blogged about the school district budget yet because I wanted to wait to hear what other board members had to say at last Monday’s meeting.”

Hmmm. That “last” board meeting he was referring to was on May 7.

How fortunate for Thomas, who was declared bankrupt 2 years ago, that he’s got the time, money and desire to travel extensively with his family, and run in marathons.
But unfortunately for Thomas’ blog readers, communicating information about the school district budget/ proposals hasn’t been one of his priorities. He’s found the time, though, to blog on other subjects like birthday greetings, a get well message, me, etc.

Thomas asserted that he spoke his mind at School Board meetings. Oh, so when he’s with his School Board chums at meetings, he voices his opinion about budget items, but not on his blog!!!!
Apparently, Thomas needs the presence of his Board colleagues --sort of like a security blanket-- to speak candidly about the budget proposals.

Thomas’ claim that he hadn’t blogged about the district budget because he wanted to hear what other board members had to say first is such a wimpy excuse.
He wants to consult with the other board members first before speaking about the budget on his blog? Such timidity and dependence.
Is he afraid to show on his blog that other board members disagree with his ideas? Or has he just been unwilling to expose his own stances about the district spending proposals to the scrutiny of the Now blog readers?

And what a stalling ploy!
Don’t be surprised if Thomas’ blog continues to use ruses to dodge discussion of budget issues. Eventually, he may express his budget views on his blog. Hopefully, that will occur BEFORE the School Board votes on budget matters.
But don’t count on it.

Tonight’s (May 7) 7 p.m. School Board meeting agenda says: “BUDGET REVIEW AND DISCUSSION-VOTES MAY BE TAKEN ON BUDGET ITEMS”

Although the Budget was presented to the School Board two weeks ago at the April 23 Board Meeting, Matt Thomas’ blog has been silent about the proposed budget-- not even communicating which budget items he supports. And yet tonight Board members may be casting votes on budget items!!!
Thomas blogs about me, instead. Do you think that’s because Thomas considers me more important than District spending or because he wants to divert your attention?

At over $50 million, the NBPS Budget is higher than the City’s. (The City‘s 2007 Adopted Operating Budget is $31,695,384 & Capital Improvement Budget $4,730,000.) See City’s web site.

School District Business Manager Tony Goedheer actually presented two budget proposals on April 23--- The Superintendent’s recommended budget ($53,467,590) and a zero levy increase alternative ($52,485,360).
Unlike Thomas, I’ve blogged about those District Budget proposals. See my April 26 blog and May blogs.

Cuts in Middle School Sports programs are among the budget items being proposed.
How ironic. The School District chose to spend a boatload of money on FACILITIES--- including building a Field House at New Berlin West; construction of the new Reagan Elementary school, which has a HUGE gymnasium; and on razing New Berlin Center Elementary to build soccer, baseball fields.

The District Budget also states “Student fees as follows: $46 for half-day kindergarten, $91 for full day Kindergarten through Grade 6, Grade 7-8 $95, Grades 9-12 $112, Parking $200...”
Those fees are high!
By comparison, Muskego-Norway School District‘s student fees are as follows: $25 for half-day kindergarten, $45 for full-day/ elementary, $65 for grades 5-8 , $75 for grades 9-12, $15 per Art class (an elective) and Parking is $125.

New Berlin residents who send their kids to New Berlin Public Schools not only get charged higher student fees than do Muskego-Norway students/ their parents--- New Berlin District residents have been paying comparitively higher school taxes (higher tax rates) than Muskego-Norway District residents.

There’s a lot of interesting stuff in the NBPS Budget proposals--such as revenue sources, expenditures, cuts, and impact statements. Click on this link to the District’s web site

Of course, those are things School Board VP Matt Thomas should have been informing you of and discussing in his blog. But he’s been too busy attacking me and trying to distract you, parents and taxpayers.

I seem to be a favorite subject of Thomas’ blogs posted on New Berlin Now.

But have you noticed that Thomas has not blogged about the budget proposals presented by district administration at the April 23 School Board Meeting?
Isn't that an interesting omission by the School Board Vice-President/blogger---a man, who calls himself a “fiscal conservative”?!!!

Where's his focus? During the past 11 days ( April 23 through 9 pm today, May 4) Thomas has posted only 2 blog entries on New Berlin Now: his April 23 rant about me and April 30 Happy Birthday message to his dad

The birthday greeting to his father was quite brief. Thomas has devoted considerably more blog space to ranting about me.

People tell me that Thomas is fixated or obsessed with me-- he blogs about me so much.
Initially, I dismissed the idea, thinking it was mere exaggeration.
But then I checked Thomas’ New Berlin Now blogs.
I discovered that 18 of them refer to me by name. In fact, my name appears in the title of several. Moreover, Thomas’ blogs mention my name over 100 times !!!
That preoccupation seems excessive--particularly since I am not a politician, candidate, government employee/official, pro athlete or entertainment celebrity. My School Board term ended 5 years ago.

It’s evident that Thomas thinks (and blogs) about me a lot anyway. I suppose that’s flattering, but it’s a bit creepy, too.
I suspect his constituents would prefer that he focus on district educational issues and the budget, instead.

Former NewBerlinNow blogger and alderman Paul Gallagher recently launched his own web site.

The web site, which is called New Berlin Live, is interesting and informative.

Check it out.

It's easy. Click on the link provided above or type this internet address: http://www.newberlinlive.com/

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?