The Shorewood DPW has not been given the manpower or capital resources by the Village government to deal properly with big snow falls like the one last Friday.  With their trimmed back staff, the DPW workers are putting in very long hours, and they do not have the kind of equipment they had in the past for moving snow.

 Despite the limitations put upon them, the folks at DPW used innovation to vastly improve access to the storefront businesses along Capitol and Oakland after last Friday's foot or more of snow was dumped on Shorewood's streets and sidewalks.

In the past the paths that the merchants cleared to the street were soon inundated with snow from the street plows, and access to the businesses was almost none existent for their customers.

This time however, the Shorewood DPW used front end loaders to clear the streets to the curb --- and stockpiled the snow in large mounds along the street.  This method left the paths the merchants cleared open for the customers to access the sidewalks from the street, and provided more parking opportunites for the patrons.

Admittedly this is not as good as actually clearing and removing the snow, as they do at Bayshore, but in light of the limited resources that the Village Board gives to the DPW, they did the very best they could with  what they have.

We can only hope that at some time the Village Board and Administration realize that the folks at DPW are overworked and lack the capital equipment needed to fulfill the mission thrust upon them.

 IN THE MEANTIME --- TO ALL THE FOLKS AT DPW --- THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE !

 What do you think ?                Please feel free to leave a comment !

 The weather forecasters are predicting 12 to 18 inches of snow starting on Friday. 

Last week when we had much less snow, Shorewood businesses suffered as the parkways became virtually insurmountable barriers to their storefronts for potential customers (see pictures in my last posting).

Last Saturday when our business was open on Oakland Avenue (4400 block) we didn't have enough customers to cover the overhead --- much less, God forbid, make some money !!

You may recall from my last posting, about the poor guy who was taking his elderly father to get a haircut at Joe's Barber shop at 4417 N Oakland --- it was amazing that neither one broke a leg or ankle slipping and sliding over the snow and ice thrown onto the parkway by the snowplows.

So what do the Shorewood Merchants have to look forward to this weekend ?

Does the Village Board or Administration have an "action plan" in place ?

Will the DPW clear the parkways with their front end loaders ?

Or should we (and other shopkeepers) just keep our doors closed rather than lose more money ?

Oh, and By the Way ----- with 12 to 18 inches of snow, what are the Village's plans for the sidewalks, alleys, & crosswalks ?

Any Village Board Members or Administration Officials who have any information on how this storm will be dealt with .... please feel free to use the Comment Section below and clue the rest of us in on the plan.

 BTW --- COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME FROM ALL READERS ....

How many times will the Village Board and Administration chant their Mantra of Pedestrian Friendly --- when Shorewood's business districts are anything but ?

How many times will the Village Board and Administration express their encouragement for business development in Shorewood, while potential customers dare not try to traverse the mounds of snow and ice separating the streets from the storefronts ?

Along the 4400 block of Oakland Avenue, if you want to patronize a business, try to get a parking spot close to the corner, because that is the only place you can access the sidewalks !

Not that the shopowners have been lax in their efforts to make a passage for their customers.  For my two storefronts on Oakland, we have shoveled paths several times to the street --- only to have them plowed over.  Today, when I tried to move the boulders of snow and ice that the plows left on the parkway --- my shovel literally broke from the weight of the snow. (see pictures below)

I know that the mundane task of trying to make commerce viable along Oakland and Capitol is not as sexy as the Sunrise development sounded --- but hey Board Members and Administration Officials --- the businesses that are here now could use your support to STAY in Business !

Kind of like the $700 billion for Wallstreet --- and nothing for Mainstreet.  Our Village Board would fit right in with the geniuses in Congress !!!

Especially now with the infamous Shorewood Curbs (a customer of mine told me today that her mother almost broke her neck on a Shorewood Curb a couple of days ago) --- how about getting the parkways clear of snow and ice in the business districts.

An all too familiar sight was one I witnessed this afternoon in front of Joe's barbershop at 4417 N Oakland.

A gentleman (probably in his fifties) was driving his father (looked to be about 80) to Joe's for a haircut ..... after circling around to try to find a space to let his father out, he made a U Turn on Oakland to try to nab one where there was "almost" a passage through the snow mounds, and no Shorewood Curb to negotiate.

After a rather clumsy attempt at a U Turn, several back and forth manuevers, and getting yelled at by a passing police officer --- the gentleman helped his father negotiate the parkway to go get his haircut.  I hope they were able to get back over the snow afterwards without injury to the old gentleman.

 THIS IS A PATH WE HAVE CLEARED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE STREET. NOW AGAIN PLOWED IN, I BROKE MY SHOVEL ON ONE OF THE ICE BOULDERS ................ ALSO THIS IS THE WHERE THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE SNOW AND ICE TO GET TO HIS HAIRCUT

 NOTICE SEVERAL PATHS HAVE BEEN CLEARED TO THE STREET, ONLY TO BE PLOWED IN AGAIN

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON --- COUNTRY IN A RECESSION --- AND SHOREWOOD'S SHOPPING DISTRICT IS AN ARTIC WASTELAND !!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK ?               YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !

 Winter has again come into being with a vengence this year.  Snow --- thaw --- ice --- snow --- Ad Nauseum.

 By and large the homeowners and businesses have seemed to do a pretty good job in clearing their walks.

It is still a shame that the Village no longer clears the snow in the commercial areas between the curb and the sidewalks ---- it is a strong impediment to potential customers for the shops --- and belies Shorewood oft repeated self proclamation of "pedestrian friendly".

One business that has certainly not gone out of its way in clearing its walks is the Northshore Bank on the corner of Oakland and Lake Bluff.  As you can see from the pictures below, walking along either Oakland or Lake Bluff, can be hazardous to your orthopedic health !

 The route along Lake Bluff is the "sidewalk bus" which many of the students at Lake Bluff School and the parents travel twice a day.  It would especially be nice if it was clear for all the mothers I see pushing strollers as they accompany their students.

It is also noteworthy that North Shore Bank's neighbors east of them on Lake Bluff and north of them on Oakland, are also scofflaws in regards to their walks --- see pictures below.

I would hope that with these walkways being in such a heavily traveled part of the Village, and in such prominence, that the Shorewood PD would start having some "heart to ticket book conversations"  in enforcing the snow and ice removal laws.

 NORTHSHORE BANK BRANCH OAKLAND AND LAKE BLUFF

 LAKE BLUFF SIDEWALK ALONGSIDE BANK

 OAKLAND AVENUE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF BANK

 RESIDENTIAL SIDEWALKS TO EAST OF BANK

 SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF APARTMENT BLDG NORTH OF BANK

 WHAT DO YOU THINK ?                         YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !

Back in the summer when the "Shorewood Curbs" started to be installed around the trees on Oakland Avenue ---  it became very obvious that the curbs were too high and would not allow car doors to be opened.

Rather than stop the installation of the curbs and modify or re-design them, Villager Manager Chris Swartz  said the Village would  continue to install the curbs, and take a "wait and see" approach to see if there was a need to modify them later.

Now a New Problem has become evident with the "Shorewood Curbs" --- they are not flat and have a very steep slant to them.

The snow has not quite been deep enough yet, but as you can see from the pictures below, the curbs will eventually be covered with snow, and become a hidden hazard.

Anyone stepping on one of those slanted curbs, covered with snow, will be risking a broken ankle, leg or worse !!

As we continue to take a "wait and see" attitude about the curbs, I would suggest that the DPW put markers up around the curbs, warning of the hidden hazard. 

 PICTURE FROM SUMMER WHEN CURBS WERE FIRST BEING INSTALLED

CURBS ARE ALMOST COVERED IN LAST SNOWFALL

 CURBING MAKES WHEELCHAIR ACCESS A LOT HARDER

                        WHAT DO YOU THINK ?                                                   YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !

During his recent campaign to unseat Alberta Darling for the 8th District State Senate  --- Sheldon Wasserman emphasized that a Major Component of his Campaign was going "door to door" throuhout the district, to meet as many voters as possible "face to face".  He has said that this practice helps him to keep in touch with the thoughts of the folks in his district.

In this last Campaign, Wasserman says that he knocked on 24,528 doors during the year leading up to the election.

Without a doubt --- that is a lot of doors !  It is interesting that the Media never questioned the number of Doors, or what it exactly meant !!

Sooooooooooo --- what exactly is "Knocking On Doors" ?

Obviously the objective to Knocking on a Door, is to get someone to answer ..... introduce yourself ...... and possibly have a short discussion about the issues and concerns for that voter in the upcoming election.

Of course, not every door will be answered.  So in many cases, the Knocking on the Door (or ringing the bell) would probably be followed with leaving some literature behind, perhaps a door hanger or a campaign brochure. 

Even with a "no answer" door, courtesy would demand that the occupants be given an opportunity to answer -- maybe a minute on average -- some a little longer or less, depending upon the size of the house and how long one would be expected to get to the door to answer it.

When a Door is Answered,  depending upon the concerns of the individual who answers the door, it would be reasonable to assume it will take more time than when there is No Answer.

Another variable that would work into determining the time that is spent on each Door, would be the distance between the doors.

In places like Shorewood, where the houses are very close together, it shouldn't take more than about 30 seconds to walk down one walkway to the sidewalk, and up the next walkway to the door.

In other parts of the district, such as Fox Point, the distance would be much greater, and it would not be inconceivable that some houses could be a couple of minutes apart, unless you are cutting through their yards, which a politician would be wise not to do ...

And let's not forget that we are in Wisconsin --- when the walks are ice covered and slippery, when it is snowing or raining, or when it is just plain hot --- these are all factors that will affect the time for each Door.

Taking Wasserman's number of 24,528 doors, we can do some guesstimating on the time that was involved:

If it was 4 minutes per door, that would be 98,112 minutes, or 1,635 hours divided by 52 weeks = 31 hours per week

If it was 3 minutes per door, that would be 73,584 minutes, or 1,226 hours divided by 52 weeks = 24 hours per week

If it was 2 minutes per door, that would be 49,056 minutes, or 817 hours divided by 52 weeks = 16 hours per week.

Even at the lowest number of minutes per door, it would be the equivalent of two 8 hour workdays per week, for an entire year. 

That would be a lot of time for someone who is a Medical Doctor and a Legislator and a Family Man --- especially when considering that there were campaign events, meetings, debates and appearances. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ?  YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !

 In a March 27, 2008 posting to my blog, I noted that the Sunrise Property was incorrectly assessed for value as "vacant" land, while it actually did --- and still does --- consist of land Plus "improvements" (buildings). 

Below is  part of the posting detailing that the assessor dropped almost $600,000 of value from the property, which means all Shorewood taxpayers picked up the difference on their tax bills.

Now that Sunrise is Sunset --- will the Village properly assess the parcel for its current market value --- as prescribed by State Law and Regulations ?

"The property at 3907-09 N Sherburn, which is one of the parcels for the Sunrise Development that the Village Board is planning on funding for $800,000 plus had a drastic change in assessment for 2007.

The assessment dropped $598,059 or about 21% of its former assessed value.  In addition, the assessor changed the property from a parcel with improvements to vacant land --- even though there is still an apartment building on the property.

When I questioned the Assessors Office as to why the new assessment discounted the aparment building, I was told that the Assessor knew there was an offer on the property, and that the new owners planned to tear down the building and get TIF funding for a new project --- and that the Assessor valued the property as though is was empty land, based upon what might happen.

In fact, the property had an occupied apartment building and there was not even a closed sale on the property.

In checking with the WI Dept of Rev, they affirmed that the assessment was done incorrectly, and that the property should have been properly assessed with the improvements, and not as vacant land.  Future planned use has no affect on the present use and market value.

The almost $600,000 that the assessor dropped off the value of the property means that all property owners in Shorewood pay more in taxes to make up the difference."

 WHAT DO YOU THINK ?  YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !

Dear friends in the Village of Shorewood and Shorewood Village Trustees

Many of you have already informed me of Sunrise Senior Living's recent pullout from the property where I used to live and where the Riverbrook Restaurant was located.  For those of you who haven't, here's the story:

http://www.jsonline.com/business/34467754.html

My final words at the Village Board Meeting that decided this were: "I really hope I'm wrong on my concerns and that this development ends up being successful, butSunrise does not have the Village of Shorewood as it's primary concern, it has it's shareholders."  During discussions I had brought up several cases nationally where Sunrise did this exact same thing - bought property, pulled out and sold.  Someof you assured me there was more oversight and this wouldn't be the case.

It is distressful that a Milwaukee Landmark was closed and that many low-income and diverse families were forced out of Shorewood and this latest development rubs salt in that wound.

The reason I'm writing is two-fold: 1) to encourage you to watch this development closely and to keep pressure on the Village to make smart decisions on this valuable piece of riverfront property, and 2) to give you a final rundown on how I thought the players, our elected and appointed officials, handled this case.

Winners:  Trustee's Jeff Hanewall and Dawn Anderson

These two Board Members answered my concerns in a respectful and thoughtful manner.  I didn't always agree with them but I knew that they heard my concerns and addressed them.  Justice Hanewall actually spent a half-hour with me on the phone - very well appreciated. 

Trustee Anderson addressed the concerns about credit and finances of Sunrise at the Board Meeting - and I'm not sure her concerns, prophetic as they were, were adequately addressed by the others.

The verdict is still out:  Trustee's Margaret Hickey and Michael Maher, President Guy Johnson, Village Manager Cris Swartz

Trustee Hickey was the only other person to respond to my e-mail, which I appreciated, but I was disturbed by an incident that happened at the final Board Meeting.  After the public input session while the Board went into closed discussions, one "public" individual, who appeared to be a developer  very close to Village government, was allowed to speak.  When the apartment manager later tried to do speak, Trustee Hickey shot back in an angry tone "Public input is over!".   (But apparently only for some)

Trustee Maher and President Johnson were silent observers.  Neither replied to my concerns.  I reminded all the Board members, and this is also addressed to the new Trustee, Sean Cummings, It is infinitely better to get a reply that I don't like then no reply at all.

Village Manager Swartz was respectful throughout the process.  The only thing I didn't like was his periodic comment to the effect that "either you're getting Sunrise or you're getting a huge condo".


Most frustrating: Pete Petrie, Chair CDA, Trustee Ellen Eckman, Trustee Michael Phinney, Laura Hester, Sunrise Senior Living

Pete Petrie was by far the most frustrating figure to work with.  He produced these terrible ad-hoc "studies" that showed that 100% of the communities that Sunrise were located in benefited.  Of all the people he appeared most driven to plow this thing through - and I don't know what he had to gain.  His constant threat: if we don't get Sunrise in this property, it could be five years before another proposal came through.  Not the kind of forward-thinking and patience I want from a government official over a project that will be around for many years to come.

Trustee Eckman also did not reply to my e-mails, and after I called her and the others out at the meeting, I got a list of excuses but not an apology.  Please, just be honest and straightforward.  She was also frustrating at the CDA meetings.  Her response to our concerns: "The public brought up the same concerns over a development by Downer Woods and everybody ended up loving it".  Not sure what to make of that, are you saying the public shouldn't bring up concerns and just trust the board?  (By the way, I checked with many of you residents over that development and there are a lot of people that are still very bitter about the process and the development - I don't think we can count them among the everybody who loved it)

Of course Laura Hester, the representative at Sunrise was just plain awful.  In fact, her associate came to me after a meeting saying Sunrise is working out a compensation plan for the residents of the apartment - clearly an attempt to appease and quiet us as nothing was ever in the works.  When things didn't go her way at meetings, her ire would come out, threatening to pull out, and being appeased by certain members of government.


So there you have it.  I have sinced move from Shorewood, but I hope that something good can finally come from this mess.  I hope that all of the Village Board Members take my criticism in a constructive way and that in the future you do your best as elected officials to respect and acknowledge the people you represent.  If you feel I have been unfair or misrepresented the situation I will gladly discuss things further.

For those of you who supported me and the other tenants of the apartments - THANK YOU!  Thank you for coming out to the meetings, for writing letters, for helping to spread the word.  It meant a lot to us.

Sincerely,

Tim Vargo

 WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ?  YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !

 I went to cast my ballot on election day at Lake Bluff school at about 1:00 or so in the afternoon.

The entire process took less than 2 minutes.

I have heard no complaints from anyone about any unreasonable delays in the voting process in Shorewood.

And with a large number of early or absentee voters, the Village Staff was kept hopping !

It is obvious that a lot of planning went into setting up a system that worked so well.

With almost 80% of all registered voters casting a ballot,  Village Clerk Sherry Grant, all of the Staff Members working on the election, and the Poll Workers deserve a lot of credit for an election well run.

Nobody ever said that Sheldon Wasserman is stupid --- but he seems to be too clever by half when running for office.

Consider that it seems the Main Theme of his present campaign to unseat Alberta Darling for the State Senate is that he has saved taxpayers Thousands of Dollars by riding the bus to Madison, instead of driving and collecting mileage payments for his travels.

If we take a look at the math --- it would be incredibly dumb for Wasserman to drive to Madison when he can sit back on the bus and do work while being driven to Madison.  After all, he is an OB-GYN --- I would imagine his hourly rate would work out well north of $300 per hour !  Why would he collect "chump change" for mileage reimbursement, while he can make hundreds of dollars more, while being driven to work ?

The chutzpah is that Wasserman is pretending that he is taking the bus to save taxpayers money --- while he is doing so to make more money for himself.

I also have to wonder why if Wasserman thinks that Public Transportation is so good --- why he hasn't used his high profile position to help Milwaukee and Wisconsin come into the 21st century with updated transportation, including light rail, high speed rail, and improved bus service.

Another example of relying on the gulliblity of the electorate has been Wasserman's Number One Issue since first running for the Legislature.  He has consistently complained that "rich" suburbs such as Shorewood, Fox Point, Whitefish Bay, etc., do not get as much money from the state for their school systems since they are so real estate rich --- while MPS gets (according to Wasserman) more than its fair share, as the property values in Milwaukee are not nearly so high.

Yet at the same time that Wasserman has been trying to change the formula so MPS gets less money, and the suburbs get more -- he made sure that his house is just south of Shorewood, in Milwaukee, so that his wife could keep her job with MPS.  Talk about biting the hand that feeds you !!

Perhaps the slickest move that Wasserman has made in his political career, is pretending is to accept donations from his supporters for current and future campaigns, while pocketing the money to repay himself.

In his first election foray, Wasserman put Thousands and Thousands of his own dollars into his campaign to defeat the incumbent.  This was perfectly legal, as the US Supreme Court has ruled that a candidate cannot be restrained by election campaign finance laws, as they have a right to "free speech".

Now here comes the Slick part --- in subsequent campaigns, Wasserman took New Donations to his campaign, and put them into his own pocket to "repay" the "loans" that he spent in his first campaign.  Of course Wasserman never told the folks giving him their $25 or $100 that their money was not going to help get him re-elected, but was actually going to him for his past expenditures.  Oh yes --- perfectly legal --- but ethical and honest ???

Perhaps all of the above could be overlooked if Wasserman was a dynamic figure in Madison, who works tirelessly to improve the lives of his consituents, works to improve schools, and above all, with his being a Medical Doctor, working to make Wisconsin Health Care affordable --- while it is actually one of the most expensive states for medical services.

 But in his 14 years in the Legislature, Wasserman can only take credit for 10 bills.  And zero credit for using his high profile position to push for Progressive Legislation to enrich the lives of his constituents, especially in Health Care Costs.

On November 4th --- I will be voting a split ticket --- Obama for President, and Alberta Darling for the State Senate.

What do you think ?  Your comments are welcome !!

 Dr. Sheldon Wasserman, a member of the Wisconsin Assembly since 1994, describes himself as an active participant in the assembly, who has a great attendance record.  Dr. Wasserman  prides himself as being very concerned and involved in medical issues.

Wasserman  has pointedly proclaimed that he is an "Independent" who just happens to be nominally a Democratic --- but is very much in tune with the Republican sentiments that many of his constituents share.

While maintaining his aloofness from the Democratic Leadership in the Legislature, over the past 14 years, his lack of being a Team Player has resulted in very, very few of his legislative proposals ever becoming law.  

In speaking with sources in both the Democratic and Republican parties, the insider sentiment is that Wasserman is a Doctor Do Nothing.

One example of his lack of leadership ....................

In the 2007 - 2008 Session, Dr. Wasserman was assigned to the

Assembly Standing Committee on Health and Healthcare Reform

Of the 46 Items that came out of the Health and Healthcare Reform Committee during the last two years,   Wasserman authored or co-authored only the  three following bills:

AB 104   Relating to: permitting a mother to breast-feed in any public or private location where she is otherwise authorized to be.

And

AB 318 Relating to: prescriptions for antibiotic drugs for treatment of chlamydial infections, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority.

And

AB 713 Relating to: the minimum sale price of prescription drugs.

The Question I have is what kind of Leadership has  Dr Wasserman exhibited on the myriad other Healthcare Problems that face the citizens of Wisconsin ??

Perhaps first and foremost, is the extraordinarily high healthcare costs in WI !

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel -- Posted: Nov. 20, 2006

"Employers in Wisconsin pay an estimated 26.5% more to provide health benefits than the national average, according to a respected national survey released Monday.

The annual survey by Mercer Health & Benefits LLC found that health benefit costs average $9,516 this year for each employee in Wisconsin, compared with $7,523 nationally.

That's $1,993 in additional average costs for each employee."

Other  Critical Healthcare Issues that face Wisconsin citizens also include:

*Senior Care --- a single catastrophic illness can wipe out a lifetime of savings

*Outrageous Drug Costs --- why do our citizens have to go to Canada to get drugs they can afford

*Single Mothers --- Wisconsin leads the way in unwed mothers, who do not have the resources or skills to raise a child

*Uninsured --- often middle class blue collar workers in between jobs, left in the nether land of no healthcare coverage

*Underinsured --- even those with healthcare coverage through their employers cannot afford to get sick --- the co-pays and  deductibles for one major illness can easily amount to a year's worth of wages for low income workers.

*Denied Service --- Insurance companies making the decisions as to what gets covered by insurance, even when the procedure, protocol or drugs is prescribed by the patient's doctor

* And much, much, more ................

WHAT DO YOU THINK ?  YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !

 When you see a Waste Management truck in Shorewood, chances are that it is a scab driver who was hired by Wasted Management as a Permanent Replacement Worker during the recent Teamster strike.  Thirty Eight of the Teamster Drivers were shafted by WM.

Waste Management decided the time was right this year to beat down the Teamsters on benefits they had negotiated over the years.  In today's economy Waste Management did not have too much trouble finding drivers who would work for less than the Union Drivers.

Since Ronald Reagan set example of how to break a union (air traffic controllers) private industry has followed his example in questionable negotiating tactics ever since --- and with the blessing of Federal Regulators who are suppose to assure that Union Workers' Rights are not violated.

Must be the same Federal Regulators watching over the Financial and Securities Industries that now need a $700 Billion Bailout !!

I have heard (to be confirmed) that Waste Management has a 10 year contract with Shorewood. 

I wonder if Shorewood gets a discount for the lower costs Waste Management now has ?  

I wonder how Shorewoodians like the idea of a Union Busting Company as one of our Vendors ?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ?  YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !

Read all about it on my Google Blog at   

Drivers and workers for Waste Management in the Milwaukee area were on strike due to Waste Management making offers that attacked the benefits they had won in previous contracts.

With the current credit and financial crisis, and the threat of hiring Permanent Replacment Workers by Waste Management --- the striking workers were left with no choice but to capitulate and accept a junk contract from Waste Managment.

The five-year contract cuts back on wages and healthcare benefits and establishes a new 401k program for the workers.

BTW retired workers will also be affected, as the new 401K program that Waste Management insisted upon will cut benefits for current retirees.

Have you ever  wondered what the constant pounding that the Middle Class is taking from all sides --- Factory Relocations to Foreign Countries, Diminished Health Care Benefits, Lower Wages, Privatizing of Public Services to Companies that will pay a Fraction of the current wages, Union Busting Techniques such as those used by Waste Management --- means to you ?

 If you are a Teacher, don't hold your breath waiting for better wages --- the Middle Class is running dry.

 If you are a Doctor or Dentist, you will see fewer patients as the Middle Class can't afford your rates or the Insurance Company Co-pays.

If you are an Engineer --- don't be surprised if you can't find work at local manufacturers --- those factories are gone, and if not they are outsourcing your work overseas on the internet --- or bringing in Cheap Foreign Engineers --- because they can't find enough qualified Engineers here (wink, wink immigration laws)

 If you are a Shopkeeper --- when your Customers have less money --- they go to Wal Mart and buy goods from Chinese factories.

If you are a Police Officer --- your job prospects will look good in the short term, as the differnence in the "haves" and "have nots" grows --- but don't get too comfortable, a lot of folks will do your work for a lot less --- and the 'haves" can live in cheaper tax districts in Gated Communities with Rent a Cops who make a fraction of your pay and get no benefits.

 Hopefully I think the point is made ...........

A vibrant Middle Class is what Makes Life Good in the USA !!

When Shorewood's contract with Waste Management comes up for renewal --- maybe we can find a company that respects their workers and compensates them fairly.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ?  YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !!

Read all about it on my Google Blog at   

In my last post on this blog I started a thread about the dire straights of our economy.  I intended to work up from the 70's to today, to show how changes in our government and culture have put us in this precarious position.

Eventually I would have reached the time when Union Busting came into vogue (think Regan and Air Traffic Controllers) --- and how Unions are an intricate part of our economy that We Have All Benefited From ..........

I believe in a Healthy Dynamic Tension between Management and Unions --- Both Sides are Important --- but if it were not for Unions, the Miracle of the American Middle Class would Never have Existed !!! 

As I see the present conflict between Waste Management and the Union, the Union Members have no Moral Alternative but to reject Waste Management's insistence on setting up a new pension plan that would incorporate a 401 K system.

Right now the Central States Pension Plan is assuring Current Retirees of a pension they were promised.  If the Waste Management Employees are pulled out, the Current Pensioners will Suffer.

All to often we have seen recently BIG companies file bankruptcy --- specifically to rid themselves of the Promises they made to Retirees.  I believe this is the same type of Play by Waste Mangement --- just in an innovative way.  

Within the last hour, the Union Members have rejected the Waste Management proposal --- and now Waste Mangement is threatening to hire PERMANENT REPLACEMENT WORKERS aka SCABS !!! (see story below from WWW.JSONLINE.COM)

Shorewood uses Waste Management services.  

As Shorewood has the reputation of being extremely Liberal --- and Pro Union --- what will the average Shorewood Resident do ?

Will Shorewood residents boycott Waste Management services ?

If the Union puts a picket line at the DPW -- will the Union DPW workers cross the line ?

Will Shorewood residents contact the elected Village Board officials and urge them to put pressure on Waste Management to Bargain in Good Faith ?

(By the way, the CEO of Waste Management, David P Steiner, according to Forbes had compensation in 2007 of $5,300,000 and owns $10,100,000 in stock.  I wonder what his Pension Plan is like ???? )

WHAT DO YOU THINK ? 

YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENT SECTION AT THE END OF THIS POST ARE WELCOME !

THE ARTICLE FROM JSONLINE.COM FOLLOWS ... 

SUNDAY, Sept. 21, 2008, 2:43 p.m.
By Don Walker

Teamsters reject contract again

Striking Teamsters today rejected the latest contract offer from Waste Management.

The vote was 199-24, a Teamster official said.

Waste Management officials said the vote taken Sunday was actually on the same contract offer union members had rejected on Friday. Members of Local 200 were supposed to vote today on the company's original Sept. 10 offer, but instead decided to vote again on what the company had called a modified version of the Sept. 10 offer.

In light of the union vote on Sunday, Waste Management had said that it would offer "less generous" terms to striking workers. The company also said it would begin to hire permanent replacement workers.

An estimated 240 Teamster drivers, equipment operators and maintenance workers walked off the job on Aug. 26 in a dispute over pay and pensions. Both sides have accused each other of bad faith bargaining.

Waste Management spokesman Lynn Morgan said the company was disappointed with the vote. "The contract on the table was fair to everyone," she said Sunday. "The employees would have taken home market-leading pay and benefits and gained better protection from the Teamsters' failing pension fund."

Waste Management has thousands of commercial and residential accounts in the counties of Kenosha, Racine, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.

Union officials said the charge before the National Labor Relations Board accusing Waste Management of bad faith bargaining prevents the company from hiring replacement workers.


CAN I GET AN AMENT FOR BROTHER WALKER ? 

Read all about it on my Google Blog at   

This past week we saw Lehman Bros go bankrupt --- and AIG, the Largest Insurance Company in the World --- get an $85 Billion bailout from the US Federal Reserve System.

 
Even more alarming to me than the fact that AIG needed a Bailout, are the terms of the Bailout.

 
Home loans to individuals with decent credit and adequate equity (ratio of loan to appraised value) are getting 30 year fixed rate mortgages in the 6% range.

The terms of the AIG Bailout however calls for an interest rate close to 12% !!!!

Obviously, the Fed does not have a whole lot of confidence in AIG's assets -- or its ability to repay the loan -- if it is charging Twice the rate that a homeowner would get.

 
Keep in mind that companies like AIG are use to borrowing money at low single digit rates --- indicative of investor confidence.

This Bailout, however, is akin to getting a high interest loan from a Finance Company --- or getting jacked up by a credit card company.

This is NOT a good sign for our economy here --- or globally for that matter.

In future postings to my blog, I will explore further some of the reasons our economy has become such a mess --- and why the Middle Class, especially, is on the verge of extinction !
 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ?  YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !! 

For the upcoming Presidential Election, voting officials are working hard, as they know the Voter Turnout will be Huge !!

Too bad Voters in Shorewood weren't very interested in the Primary Election this past Tuesday. 

The Winner of that Election will almost assuredly represent the 22nd District in the State Assembly, of which Shorewood is a part of.

75% of Shorewood Voters were not interested enough in that Race to even bother to Vote.

Maybe those Voters who didn't Vote do not realize that the State Legislature in Wisconsin Governs EVERY aspect of:

1) Local Government  2) Schools  3) Revenue distribution  4) Teacher salaries  5) Revenue sharing  6) Property taxes  7) Sales taxes  8) etc, etc, etc .........

 In Wisconsin, all governmental bodies, other than the Executive and Judicial Branches, are extensions of the State Legislature.  There is No Home Rule in Wisconsin, such as in Illinois, where for instance Chicago has a great deal of self determination.

As someone truly wise once said --- a Democracy  is a Form of Government in Which the Citizenry Knows What it Wants and Gets It .......... Hard and Fast !!!

I guess in Shorewood --- 75% of the Citizenry Couldn't Even Decide What They Wanted !!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK ?       PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW ! 

IT IS THE DAY BEFORE THE PRIMARY ELECTION NOW --- AND ONLY ONE CANDIDATE HAS DEEMED IT WORTHWHILE TO SHARE HIS VIEWS IN DETAIL ON THE ISSUES  --- SEE HIS RESPONSES BELOW:

IT PROBABLY ISN'T TOO SURPRISING AS THE OTHER CANDIDATES ARE SPENDING ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY ON ADVERTISING THAT TALKS ONLY ABOUT ISSUES THEY WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU --- AND THEY KNOW THAT IN MOST FORUMS, WITH ONLY A MINUTE OR TWO FOR A RESPONSE THEY CAN OBFUSCATE LONG ENOUGH TO NOT ANSWER IN DETAIL.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THE BIG MONEY SPENDER WINS --- AND EVEN MORE INTERESTING IF ANY OF THE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THEIR CAMPAIGNS, REPAY THEMSELVES WITH FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS AS WASSERMAN HAS IN THE PAST.
 

There are Four Candidates in the Democratic Primary this coming Tuesday in the 22nd District Race. 

They are Andy Feldman, Guy Johnson, Dan Kohl, and Sandy Pasch.

 I sent a questionnaire to all four candidates, and promised to post their responses today in my blog, without editing or commentary.

 Although it would be impossible to cover all issues and relevant questions in one questionnaire, I tried to present a wide scope of issues that any Assembly Representative will have to address at one time or another.

 As of this moment, I have the response from Guy Johnson, which follows.  As (and if) I receive responses from the other candidates, they will be added in the order received.

 I have now received a response from Sandy Pasch, which follows Guy Johnson's response (does not answer questionnaire).

 
As of Friday Afternoon (9/5/08) Dan Kohl and Andy Feldman have made No Response at all.
 

(note questions are in italics, answers in bold)

 QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES

THESE ARE FROM CANDIDATE GUY JOHNSON 

 Why are you running to represent the constituents of the 22^nd Assembly District.

I have the desire to serve the people of the 22^nd and my experience as Shorewood Village President pairs with that desire.  I will be honored to be selected by the people in the district to represent them in Madison.

 What do you think will be the defining issues of this Primary Election.

My answer is different today than it was at the beginning of the campaign.  At the beginning of the campaign I was sure that fiscal correction of the state budget was the most important issue.  Now, I am beginning to think that while the state budget is the most important legislative issue, this Primary Election has focused on spending to win the race!!  How much should a candidate spend?  I think between 5000 and 10000 is fine, but other candidates seem to feel that spending much more is O.K.  I'm concerned.

 What do you think sets you apart from the other candidates for this Seat.

I have significant elected office  experience and it is the kind of legislative experience that will be helpful to the 22^nd-combining services to save funds, voting for the ban on smoking, enhancing our central business district, etc.  None of the other candidates have any legislative experience.

 If you are elected, will your voting on the issues reflect only what you think your constituents support, or will you look at the broader picture of what is best for Wisconsin as a whole.

I will look at the broader picture of what is best for Wisconsin as a whole, while listening really carefully to the voters of the 22^nd.

 Do you believe that local governments should rely more or less on monies from the State ?

In order for true local control, money should come from the locale, not the state.  This is some wishful, idealistic thinking however because as it stands now, the funding approach at the state level intertwines with local government funding.  Good communication between local and state is the best way to ensure local control to the greatest degree possible.  As your state representative, I would work closely with the district's school boards and municipalities to get the best and fairest levels of local/state funding packages.

 Do you believe that the State should fill the role of  "re-distributing wealth" from more Prosperous Communities to those who are Less Prosperous, or from those who have Fewer Social Support Needs to those who Maintain more Facilities for the Needs of the Poor, and Treatment for Mental Health Issues.

This question is hard to answer because there are many functions that the state has to fulfill, some are more fitting to the state, some are constitutional mandates, some are current law-thus the state has to re-distribute wealth in some cases. Concerning mental health, the state should definitely play a significant role.

 Should the State distribute more financial resources to Poor School District from more Affluent School Districts.

My answer to the above question holds here.  The State of Wisconsin is constitutionally responsible for educating citizens.  Wisconsin has chosen a combination of local control and state control.  Since 1993 the state has had much more control than the local school boards (in terms of finance structure).  This is a current reality, but must be revisited in this next session.  Can the state afford to fund at current levels?  How much difference should there be between the education a student receives from one community to another?  How much money is enough?  These questions need serious consideration as the state rethinks the funding formula.

 Do you support School Choice, Charter Schools, Open Enrollment, etc.

School choice and open enrollment are expensive programs that have not proven themselves wise investments.  Charter schools can be very effective ways of reworking schools of districts.

 Do you think the current Election Campaign Finance Laws are generally adequate for State Political Candidates, or would you like to see changes.

See my first answer.  I think too much money is spent on elections.  We are in danger of watching individuals buy seats.

 What is your opinion of Public Campaign Financing ?

My answer above fits here.  We should carefully fund campaigns and control outside funding sources to protect us from lobbyists purchasing electoral power.

 What is your opinion on the current Laws regarding Campaign Financing of Judicial Candidates.

See above.

 Do you think Judicial Races should continue to be nominally "non-partisan", or should the candidates run under "party banners" ?

Non-partisan is best here.

 Are you contributing any of your own money into this race?  How much ?

Yes.  $100.

 If you contribute any of your own money into this race,  will you use future contributions to repay yourself the monies  you "loaned" to your Campaign.

 No.

 If you are currently employed or  self employed,  is it Full Time or Part Time, and approximately how much do you earn on a yearly basis.

My full-time job is with UWM where I am the director of the executive MBA program (in the 50-100 K pay range).  I also have a part-time job as president of the Shorewood Village Board (1300 per year pay). 

 If you succeed in winning the Seat in the Assembly, will it be your "Only" employment, or will you continue to work in Full or Part Time in any other business, job or profession ?

I cannot answer this at this time - needs to be determined.

 Do you have Full Health Care Coverage Now ?  If so, is it from a Private Employer or a Government Employer ?  Do you have more than one coverage, such as from a spouse's plan, and if so, is that from a Private or Government Employer ?

I have health coverage through my full time employer.

 If you have current Health Care Coverage that you are able to retain if you are elected, will you forgo additional Health Care Coverage from the State ?

Needs to be determined.

 Do you support a Single Payer Universal Health Care System for All Wisconsin Residents?

I support universal health care, but it has to be worked out not just in Wisconsin, but at a national level.  I fully support Badger Care and the steady move to ensuring that we are insuring all children, followed by families.  This will take some work across the body politic of the State of Wisconsin.  I look forward to working on this issue.

  Do you think that Health Care in Wisconsin has a "monopoly" aspect with physicians hired by hospitals and large physician groups?  Do you think that Hospitals and Large Health Care Groups should be able to hire physicians and set their rates ? Do you think there should be a cap on the number of physicians that can belong to any practice ?

Physicians' groups, hospitals, private individuals-all should be able to set their rates.  This should be matched with an accountability system.  Minnesota has put a system into place where individuals can see how effective and expensive medical folks are, then decide whether to use them or not.  I like the concept.

 How do you think we can stop the Job Drain of Manufacturing Jobs from Wisconsin.

Quality of life for workers and employers are important:  safe neighborhoods, good parks, housing that is affordable and well-built, high quality education and extensive business research support will help bring both employers and employees to the state.

  Specifically, what Green Legislative Initiatives do you support, or would like to see implemented.

Public transportation, funding for alternative clean energy, high quality (and speedy) review of new energy systems. 

 Do you support Regional Light Rail for the Milwaukee - Racine - Waukesha - etc. areas ?

Yes.

 Do you support Hi Speed Rail between such points as Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis, Green Bay, Madison ............ ?

Yes.

 Do you think we have Too Many Counties in Wisconsin, with duplicative services and taxes.  Would you support a minimum population per County ?

Your question focuses on one unit of government.  I think we have to look at different approaches to delivery of services.  The North Shore Fire Department is an example of one system across multiple communities.  Can we mimic this with road repair, plowing, school bus service, administrative services, etc.?

 Do you support keeping the Teacher Salary Caps ?

The entire funding formula needs careful review.  We cannot remove the teacher salary caps without addressing the rest of the formula.  Since we have had this formula since the early 1990's it is time to review and make thoughtful changes to protect our investment in high quality K-12 education while we fix the budget defecit.

 In regards to the legal drinking age in Wisconsin, which of the following would you support:

 Keep the law at 21 years of age for all alcoholic beverages.

 18 years of age for beer only, all other beverages 21 years of age.

 18 years of age for beer and wine, 21 years of age for hard liquor.

 21 years of age for all alcoholic beverages, except 18 years of age for persons that are married, a member of the National Guard, or a Veteran of any Conflict in the Armed Services.

Keep the law at 21.

 What is your position on Concealed Carry Laws ?

Keep current law as is.

OTHER COMMENTS AND VIEWPOINTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE VOTERS ...............

Given the lack of media coverage in local affairs, I commend bloggers for attempting to fill the gap.  Thank you Dave.  I would also urge readers to see the Village Spillage blog on whitefishbaynow.com written by Kevin Buckley - he has had quite a few postings on the 22^nd Assembly race.

I hope to earn your vote on September 9^th.  Guy Johnson

 RESPONSE FROM SANDY PASCH

The mortgage market in the United States has in almost every way disintegrated.  It appears that even such Economic Geniuses such as Allen Greenspan, just didn't understand that the Housing Boom was Financed with Funny Money Bonds, and sold to unsuspecting Bond Buyers, including the Pension Plans and Retirement Funds of Ordinary Citizens, who relied upon their Financial Advisors.

Reportedly, approximately 1/5^th of current Real Estate Closings are for Short Sales or Foreclosures !

The Federal Reserve has stepped in, in a number of cases - but it looks as though Countrywide will be forced to declare Bankruptcy, and Fannie May and Freddie Mac are close to the same, unless the Fed Props them Up.

In a recent Bloomberg News article, by Caroline Salas and Pierre Paulden the repercussions of the Credit Crisis has hit Wall Street Hard !

"Wall Street professionals are trying new careers and fetching smaller salaries amid the elimination of 76,670 investment jobs in the Americas, stemming from the global credit crunch that started a year ago, according to data compiled by Bloomberg".

"Half of the people working in debt sales, trading or research in New York at the beginning of 2007 will have been fired by the end of this year"

"Traders and bankers who leave finance can expect to earn a fraction of what they used to make.  Compensation for employees on Wall Street averaged $399,360 in 2007, compared with $62, 390 for New York City jobs outside the securities industry, according to the state comptroller's office.:

"Goldman Sachs Group Inc, which has cut 1,500 jobs, paid its employees an average of $661,490 last year, company filings show"/

WOW --- those are some Big Number$  that were paid to the New York Financial Brain Trust Workers !!!

Maybe many of you assumed that these were the Best and Brightest in the Financial World to earn that kind of money.  And of course, these were the very people who Made the Markets, Analyzed the Markets, did the Research, and Very Importantly --- advised all of us Financial Illiterates how to Spend and Invest our Hard Earned Money !!

That is what I thought --- those folks with the Big Paychecks, the Two Lexus Households, the MBA Degrees from Harvard and the other Ivory Covered Institutions of Higher Learning .........

They Must Know What They are Doing ----

 Only the Big Salaries from the Financial Institutions Induced Them to Lower Themselves to Working on Wall Street --- other than using all that Knowledge and Financial Astuteness to go out on their own and Build their Own Financial Empires.

Alas, all such Illusions I had about Wall Streets' Intelligentsia were Shattered when I read in the same article about the decisions some of them are now making for themselves --- now that their 6 Figure Safety Nets are Kaput.

"Jessica Walter didn't go to Harvard University to study cupcakes, but they're what she does since losing her job as a vice president in credit strategy at Bear Stearns Co."

"  "I want to teach kids to cook", said Walter, 27, who found Cupcake Kids!  in New York to provide birthday parties and cooking classes for children.  "The goal is to have this be my full-time job and make enough to live" "

OK - so Who Knew that VP's for Bear Stearns were 27 year old kids (albeit with a Harvard Pedigree) ? Bear Stearns, a Silk Stocking Investment Bank collapsed this past March.

I wonder how many Cupcakes Ms Walter will have to bake to get back to her former 6 Figure Earnings ?

Another Wall Street casualty the article highlighted was Jeff Salmon, who use to "Swap investing in asset-backed securities at Bank of New York Mellon Corp".

Mr Salmon is now "keeping the books at a hair salon.  He and his wife ... opened a Great Clips franchise in Mercerville, N.J. that offers $12 haircuts for men and women."

I guess I have to tell Joe the barber (Joe's Northshore Barbershop at 4417 N Oakland) who rents space from me that he was way ahead of the game when he decided to do barbering --- and not get a job on Wall Street !!  

By the way --- in a shameless plug for Joe --- where else can you get a good haircut at a reasonable price from a true Sicilian barber (he learned from his father in Sicily) - while enjoying the fine Italian Opera music Joe plays for his customers - along with a good strong cup of coffee ? 

And just maybe --- Joe can give you some Financial Advice ....

WHAT DO YOU THINK ?  YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME !

Yes, Yes, Yes ---- I know that Bureaucratic and Lunacy is  redundant ---- and most other local municipal governments will give Germantown a good run for its money for this dubious distinction.

In the Metro section of today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, were two articles that put Germantown in the current lead. 

On page B1 was an article about the dangers of backyard pools for little kids.  It was noted in the article that:</