From the office of Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs:
The Milwaukee County Board’s Finance & Audit Committee,under the leadership of Supervisor Elizabeth M. Coggs, is holding publicmeetings throughout the month of October on the County Executive’s 2009Recommended County Budget. Each day, the seven-member Committee votes on a number of specific departmentsand items in the budget.
On Wednesday, the Milwaukee County Board’s Finance & Audit Committee votedto approve the following 2009 Budgets:
• 7-0 UW-Extension (amended to restore the Horticulture Helpline and relocate the University Extension Service to either the former Child and Adolescent Treatment Center (CATC) or a privately owned facility)
• 6-1 Combined Court Related Operations (No Schmitt) (amended to restore funding for nine Legal Research Intern positions, nine positions of Clerical Assistant 1 and eight Deputy Court Clerk Judicial Assistant positions, deny the creation of nine Administrative Intern positions and deny the implementation of Universal Screening)
• 5-0 House of Correction (Excused Mayo, Jursik) (amended to add additional language on the proposed transfer of control of the House of Correction to the Sheriff, restore funding for four Correction Officer 1 positions, restore funding for a contract with Wisconsin Community Services for inmate job assessments, evaluate costs and benefits related to the potential implementation of a universal screening initiative, and continue funding for the Farm and Fish Hatchery.)
• 5-0 Sheriff (Excused Mayo, Jursik) (amended to restore funding for three positions of Correctional Officer 1, evaluate costs and benefits related to the potential implementation of a universal screening initiative and continue funding for the Farm and Fish Hatchery and the Community Justice Resource Center.)
• 4-1 (No Coggs, Excused Mayo, Jursik) to amend the Milwaukee County Code of General Ordinances relating to inmate charges for Electronic Surveillance.
The Committee voted 7-0 to lay over the DTPW – Milwaukee CountyTransit/Paratransit System budget. Earlier in the week, the Committee voted 6-1 (No Mayo) to amend the Capital Improvement budget by including fundingfor the installation of bike racks on Milwaukee County Transit System buses, funded through a Federal Transit Administration grant and private donations or general obligation bonds.
The Committee also voted to approve the Zoo budget that was laid over on October 7, and approved an Ordinance change relating to admission chargesand parking fees at the Zoo.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET
On Tuesday, the Committee voted to approve the following 2009 RecommendedCapital Improvement Budgets:
• 7-0 Highways and Bridges: Traffic Hazard Elimination Program, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program, County Highway Action Program, Bridge Replacement Program, National Highway System, West Silver Spring Drive, West Good Hope Road
• 7-0 Mass Transit: Bus Radio System Upgrades at MCTS Dispatch Office, Replacement of Air Conditioning Unit at the MCTS Administration Building, Diesel Pump and Piping Replacement at the Kinnickinnic Operating Garage, Roof Replacement at the MCTS Administration Building
• 7-0 Airports: General Mitchell International Airport: In-line Baggage Screening Phase II, Firehouse Roof Replacement, Terminal Mall Public Restroom Renovation, Runway Safety Area Improvements, Security System Fiber Optic Infrastructure Replacement, Southside Trituration Building, Terminal HVAC Equipment Replacement, Airfield Pavement Rehabilitation, Airfield Safety Improvements, Concourse D Hammerhead Restroom Remodel, Perimeter and ARFF Road Reconfiguration, Operations Control Center Renovation, Redundant Main Electric Service Feed, Parking Structure 6th Floor Membrane, Administration Building Ground Floor Elevator, Cargo Ramp 3D Access Control Security, Terminal South Escalator Reorientation, Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport: Airfield Pavement Rehabilitation
• 7-0 Environmental Services: Countywide Sanitary Sewer Repairs
• 7-0 Museum: Museum Air Handling and Piping Replacement, Museum Roof Replacement3
• 7-0 Zoo: Zoo Infrastructure Improvements, Zoo Special Exhibits Building Metal Roof Replacement, Point of Sale Replacement
• 7-0 Behavioral Health Division: Replace Nurse Call Systems
• 7-0 Department of Health and Human Services: Washington Park Senior Center: Cooling Tower Replacement, Replace Fire Alarm, Coggs Center Variable Air Volume Boxes Upgrade/Replacement
• 7-0 County Grounds: 1000 MG Waterspheroid Tank
• 7-0 Courthouse Complex: Criminal Justice Facility: Pod Workstation Replacement, Install Doors and Plumbing in Pod 3D Cells, Pod 4D Tamper Resistant Recreation Cells, Cell Toilet Flushing Control System, Courthouse Complex: Automation & Access Control Upgrade, Courthouse: Restroom Renovation, Light Court Window Replacement, Court Room Bullet Resistant Glass Wall
• 7-0 House of Correction: Kitchen Equipment Replacement Replace Hot Water Heater, Laundry Equipment Replacement, Infrastructure Improvements, Replace Water Pipe North Building, Replace Toilets in C2 Dorm
• 6-0 Other County Agencies (Mayo Excused): Milwaukee County Historical Society Renovation, Marcus Center HVAC Upgrade, Wil-O-Way Storage Room and Grant Roof Replacement, Additional Capacity – Public Safety Radio System, Electronic Vote Tabulator System
• 7-0 Other County Agencies: In Squad Camera – Vision Hawk Digital, Countywide Technical Infrastructure Improvements, Children’s Court Phone System Replacement and Roebles Phones System Installation, Rewire County Facilities, Public Safety Communication Project, Regional Disaster Recovery Data Center, King Community Center Vestibule and Locker Room Alterations, County Special Assessments
The Finance & Audit Committee voted to lay over the following CapitalImprovement items until later in the process:
• Countywide Access Road Improvements Program – Estabrook Park, Countywide Access Road Improvements Program – Dineen Park, Root River Parkway Drive – 76th to Grange, Fleet Equipment Acquisition, Fiscal Monitoring System
The Finance and Audit Committee will continue its meetings throughout themonth of October in Room 203-R of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. TheCounty Board of Supervisors, under the leadership of Chairman Lee Holloway,will adopt the County’s 2009 budget on Monday, November 10 at 8:30 a.m. inRoom 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Click here to access the 2009budget meeting schedule.The County Board’s annual Public Hearing on the County Executive’s 2009Recommended Budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, November 3, 2008, at theWashington Park Senior Center.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
NO MORE CUTS Rally A Success
There were over 500 people at the NO MORE CUTS rally held yesterday at the Courthouse. That was quite impressive, considering that until just minutes before it had been raining and it was turning rather cool.
Many county workers, as one would expect, were there to fight to maintain the high level of service expected from the citizens of Milwaukee County. Also present were members of the crafts and trades unions, the service industry union, members of the County Board, and various other citizens of Milwaukee County who are fed up with Scott Walker's mismanagement of the county as he prepares for yet another run at governor.
Here are some pictures from the rally:
Many county workers, as one would expect, were there to fight to maintain the high level of service expected from the citizens of Milwaukee County. Also present were members of the crafts and trades unions, the service industry union, members of the County Board, and various other citizens of Milwaukee County who are fed up with Scott Walker's mismanagement of the county as he prepares for yet another run at governor.
Here are some pictures from the rally:
This is AFSCME Executive Director Richard Abelson
I thought this fellow was Scott Walker at first:
Until I saw the back of his coat, that is:
The rally also got coverage from WITI-TV, TMJ4 and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Busy Days And Busy Nights
Blogging will be extremely light today.
After work, I will be joining several hundred friends at the south end of the courthouse to partake in the NO MORE CUTS rally. It is time that we, the citizens of Milwaukee County, remind the County Board that they work for us, and that we will be holding them accountable to stop the damage that Walker tries to inflict on this fine county on a yearly basis.
After the rally, I will be joining (or rejoining) with several friends down at the old Sugar Maple for this month's session of Drinking Liberally. Our gracious host, Jason Haas, has deemed it to be a special session, calling it the Debate Watch Party. He is also going to organize a megafood session with the neighborhood restaurant, Cafe Centraal.
I hope to see you at least one, if not both, events.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Why McCain Is Losing This Election
Nick Schweitzer has a post about his thoughts on why McCain is doing so poorly. His hypothesis can be summed up by simply saying the McCain wasn't conservative enough. Knowing Nick's position of being a Libertarian, I can appreciate what he is trying to say. However, I think, with all due respect, that Nick is being overly simplistic in his opinion.
McCain never started with a strong footing in this race. He never seemed to have overwhelming support during the primaries. Indeed, from the local bloggers that I read, I cannot remember one of them backing McCain during that time. However, the Republicans were so torn between all of the other candidates that McCain was able to keep going long enough to win the nomination. Even now, most local right wing bloggers, with the notable exception of Cindy Kilkenny, cannot seem to bring themselves to endorse McCain, but would rather attack Obama.
McCain might have garnered more support if he was more conservative. This was obvious with the initial jump in the polls after he picked Sarah Palin as his running mate. The right was gushing all over themselves because of her strong conservative positions on things like abortion and guns. But even if McCain was more conservative, I don't think it would have been enough to save his campaign.
I think that McCain's bigger problem was his overall campaign strategy. McCain chose to attack Obama and take a very negative approach, while Obama would focus more on the issues. This strategy backfired on McCain, as evidenced by a recent poll done by the New York Times. The poll shows that a growing number of people are being turned off by the negativity, the hate-mongering, and the fear-mongering.
Anger and fear are two sides of the same emotional coin, and both are exhausting, both physically and spiritually. Both anger and fear are useful survival responses that cause a flow of adrenaline, heighten one's awareness and can stimulate the fight-or-flight response. However, these emotions are too draining to maintain for extremely long amounts of time. And the Republican Party has been asking the citizenry to maintain them for seven years now.
Bush used it shortly after 9/11 to argue for his unjust war in Iraq. He used the same fear and smear tactics to win re-election in 2004. Now McCain, Palin, the right wingers of the media (like Sykes, Belling, Limbo and Hasbeenity) and the bloggers have been throwing everything they can think of in the hopes of taking down Obama.
They try to tie Obama to ACORN, and scream voter fraud. However, McCain has been a supporter of ACORN.
They try to tie Obama to Ayers, and call him a terrorist. But McCain has his own ties to terrorists and a corrupt past to boot.
They've played the race card, including this new one that Obama isn't really black, but one of them terroristic A-rabs.
They complain that no one knows Obama, even though they've been harping about him for two years. Then they give us Palin, who is a relatively unknown politician, and won't let her talk to the media or campaign by herself.
They complain that Obama doesn't have any firm ideas, but give us McCain that has changed his mind on issues so often that he doesn't even know where he stands on them anymore.
The list goes on and on.
But for the most part, these attacks have been ineffective at best, and are now producing a backlash. This is because of several reasons. Like I just wrote, people are sick and tired of being angry and scared. They are also more terrified of the ongoing economic crises than events that happened generations ago. Furthermore, these attacks have ranged from the absurd to the offensive.
But it really comes down to the fact that people are sick of the Iraq War and they're scared to death about the financial crises this nation is facing. Both of these are the products of a Republican administration and a Republican-controlled Congress (for six of the last eight years anyway). They aren't happy about it, and they want to have a change. They want to move from the hate, the anger and the fear. And the opposite of those things is Hope. And no matter how mavickry McCain and Palin claim to be, they are still the Republican ticket, and are espousing the same ideals that got us into this situation.
And when the McCain/Palins/squawkers of the world refuse to address these issues that concern the people, but try to give us more of the fear and the anger and the hatred, they only hurt themselves, and drive the voters away.
I think that they realize this now. That is why we are already hearing the ever-growing cries of voter fraud and the accusations that the election is being stolen. Which is really ironic considering their own behaviors and attitudes during the election in 2000 and 2004.
McCain never started with a strong footing in this race. He never seemed to have overwhelming support during the primaries. Indeed, from the local bloggers that I read, I cannot remember one of them backing McCain during that time. However, the Republicans were so torn between all of the other candidates that McCain was able to keep going long enough to win the nomination. Even now, most local right wing bloggers, with the notable exception of Cindy Kilkenny, cannot seem to bring themselves to endorse McCain, but would rather attack Obama.
McCain might have garnered more support if he was more conservative. This was obvious with the initial jump in the polls after he picked Sarah Palin as his running mate. The right was gushing all over themselves because of her strong conservative positions on things like abortion and guns. But even if McCain was more conservative, I don't think it would have been enough to save his campaign.
I think that McCain's bigger problem was his overall campaign strategy. McCain chose to attack Obama and take a very negative approach, while Obama would focus more on the issues. This strategy backfired on McCain, as evidenced by a recent poll done by the New York Times. The poll shows that a growing number of people are being turned off by the negativity, the hate-mongering, and the fear-mongering.
Anger and fear are two sides of the same emotional coin, and both are exhausting, both physically and spiritually. Both anger and fear are useful survival responses that cause a flow of adrenaline, heighten one's awareness and can stimulate the fight-or-flight response. However, these emotions are too draining to maintain for extremely long amounts of time. And the Republican Party has been asking the citizenry to maintain them for seven years now.
Bush used it shortly after 9/11 to argue for his unjust war in Iraq. He used the same fear and smear tactics to win re-election in 2004. Now McCain, Palin, the right wingers of the media (like Sykes, Belling, Limbo and Hasbeenity) and the bloggers have been throwing everything they can think of in the hopes of taking down Obama.
They try to tie Obama to ACORN, and scream voter fraud. However, McCain has been a supporter of ACORN.
They try to tie Obama to Ayers, and call him a terrorist. But McCain has his own ties to terrorists and a corrupt past to boot.
They've played the race card, including this new one that Obama isn't really black, but one of them terroristic A-rabs.
They complain that no one knows Obama, even though they've been harping about him for two years. Then they give us Palin, who is a relatively unknown politician, and won't let her talk to the media or campaign by herself.
They complain that Obama doesn't have any firm ideas, but give us McCain that has changed his mind on issues so often that he doesn't even know where he stands on them anymore.
The list goes on and on.
But for the most part, these attacks have been ineffective at best, and are now producing a backlash. This is because of several reasons. Like I just wrote, people are sick and tired of being angry and scared. They are also more terrified of the ongoing economic crises than events that happened generations ago. Furthermore, these attacks have ranged from the absurd to the offensive.
But it really comes down to the fact that people are sick of the Iraq War and they're scared to death about the financial crises this nation is facing. Both of these are the products of a Republican administration and a Republican-controlled Congress (for six of the last eight years anyway). They aren't happy about it, and they want to have a change. They want to move from the hate, the anger and the fear. And the opposite of those things is Hope. And no matter how mavickry McCain and Palin claim to be, they are still the Republican ticket, and are espousing the same ideals that got us into this situation.
And when the McCain/Palins/squawkers of the world refuse to address these issues that concern the people, but try to give us more of the fear and the anger and the hatred, they only hurt themselves, and drive the voters away.
I think that they realize this now. That is why we are already hearing the ever-growing cries of voter fraud and the accusations that the election is being stolen. Which is really ironic considering their own behaviors and attitudes during the election in 2000 and 2004.
I Pity Nick's Liver
Poor Nick Schweitzer may need a new liver soon.
Not only does he have his Drinking Right event tonight, but he is also a regular guest at the Drinking Liberally social occasions.
And of course, Drinking Liberally, is held the third Wednesday of the month, which happens to be tomorrow.
And yes, I will be there, right after the rally at the courthouse.
Not only does he have his Drinking Right event tonight, but he is also a regular guest at the Drinking Liberally social occasions.
And of course, Drinking Liberally, is held the third Wednesday of the month, which happens to be tomorrow.
And yes, I will be there, right after the rally at the courthouse.
Irony Unbound
First we have this cartoon by Stuart Carlson:
Illy-T also points out the story with Team Spuds' new campaign strategy: Vote for McCain, and he'll stop Palin before she strikes again.
Monday, October 13, 2008
County Board Does Budget Shuffle
Watching the developments as the Milwaukee County Board goes over the 2009 Proposed Budget from Scott Walker is sort of like watching a poorly choreographed dance number. It involves some steps forward, a step back, and an almost tumble.
First I cheered when the County Board voted to do away with Walker's foolish idea of privatizing Mitchell International Airport. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Privatizing the airport is a bad, bad idea. There are just too many unknowns and no way to guarantee that the best interests of the airport, the passengers, the County or the people living in the area would be even considered, much less protected.
To paraphrase what Supervisor Jursik is quoted as saying in the article, if Walker is so concerned about gaining a source of income for the mass transit, he needs to grow up and sit down with Mayor Tom Barrett and reach a compromise regarding that $91.5 million that is sitting around doing nothing. Unless, of course, he isn't really vested in doing what's best for the County and is only worried about how it might help his perpetual campaign for governor.
I was also pleased to see that the County Board is slowing down to take serious looks at some of the gimmicks that Walker has tried to slip in the budget. Such things like giving his cronies overly generous raises while trying to give the axe to over 300 county employees. Meanwhile, while Walker is bemoaning a supposed $6 million dollar deficit, there still has been no complete answer to where the money went. And that is not including the money that he has from not filling, but fully funding, 717 position countywide. Just where is that money, Scott?
The County Board does commit their fair share of blunders as well. One example is the "statement" from Board Chairman Lee Holloway, when he is criticizing Walker for wanting to raise fees on the golf courses, the pools, the zoo, and put parking meters along the lakefront. I hope that this statement was made tongue-in-cheek, else it appear to be pure foolishness.
For the record, with the exception of the parking meters along the lakefront, I have no problems with these proposals. I think those things are luxuries and should be treated as such. The lakefront, however, is public property and should be as open to the public as possible.
Another possible faux pas by the county board is their decision to send out a flyer informing the public about the sales tax referendum on the upcoming ballot. I haven't seen said flyer yet, so I can't say for certain that it is indeed favorable one way or the other regarding the referendum. Judging from what I read, it sounds like a fairly straightforward explanation of the referendum. Of course, even if it is by the book, that won't keep right wingers from putting up the usual moaning about it being slanted. They usually do do that whenever the truth is told.
I also would be much more upset, except for the fact that they have to do something to get the truth out there. After all, even while Walker misuses his office to spread his propaganda and to run for office, he is not about to present the full, honest truth on something like this. It might make him look bad.
The biggest disappointment was the fact that the County Board let Walker get a step ahead of them regarding the Wisconsin Counties Association's convention. Walker did the correct thing by bowing out of the convention, but several members of the Board are insisting on going to this thing.
I can understand the importance and the desire to go to an event like this, and I think that they could learn a lot from it. However, I also know that when other things like training and/or informational seminars are being held in locations like that, county workers are often told that they either pay for their own lodging, or are required to do the commute. The County Board members that insist that they attend could have ponied up the cash to pay for their hotel, or at least shared rooms to cut the cost.
Given that the County Board is again doing the yeoman's work of having to straighten out Walker's budget, they might feel that they deserve a little slack. And they may be right. But when they are also working on the premise that there is a multimillion dollar deficit, and that over 300 county workers' jobs are on the line, they could have at least the decency to show a little support to the people and workers of Milwaukee County.
So giving credit where credit is due regarding the work they have trying to hash out a functional budget out of the garbage Walker's given them to work with, I still have to say it is high time that they are also reminded of the quality services that public sector employees provide to the community, and that ensuring the continuation of these services should be on the top of their agendas.
That is why there will be a rally outside the court house on Wednesday, October 15th, beginning at 5 pm. The rally will be on the south side of the courthouse at Clas Park. Please plan on attending to show your support for County and City workers as they strive to continue to their ability to provide quality services to the people of the City and the County of Milwaukee.
First I cheered when the County Board voted to do away with Walker's foolish idea of privatizing Mitchell International Airport. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Privatizing the airport is a bad, bad idea. There are just too many unknowns and no way to guarantee that the best interests of the airport, the passengers, the County or the people living in the area would be even considered, much less protected.
To paraphrase what Supervisor Jursik is quoted as saying in the article, if Walker is so concerned about gaining a source of income for the mass transit, he needs to grow up and sit down with Mayor Tom Barrett and reach a compromise regarding that $91.5 million that is sitting around doing nothing. Unless, of course, he isn't really vested in doing what's best for the County and is only worried about how it might help his perpetual campaign for governor.
I was also pleased to see that the County Board is slowing down to take serious looks at some of the gimmicks that Walker has tried to slip in the budget. Such things like giving his cronies overly generous raises while trying to give the axe to over 300 county employees. Meanwhile, while Walker is bemoaning a supposed $6 million dollar deficit, there still has been no complete answer to where the money went. And that is not including the money that he has from not filling, but fully funding, 717 position countywide. Just where is that money, Scott?
The County Board does commit their fair share of blunders as well. One example is the "statement" from Board Chairman Lee Holloway, when he is criticizing Walker for wanting to raise fees on the golf courses, the pools, the zoo, and put parking meters along the lakefront. I hope that this statement was made tongue-in-cheek, else it appear to be pure foolishness.
For the record, with the exception of the parking meters along the lakefront, I have no problems with these proposals. I think those things are luxuries and should be treated as such. The lakefront, however, is public property and should be as open to the public as possible.
Another possible faux pas by the county board is their decision to send out a flyer informing the public about the sales tax referendum on the upcoming ballot. I haven't seen said flyer yet, so I can't say for certain that it is indeed favorable one way or the other regarding the referendum. Judging from what I read, it sounds like a fairly straightforward explanation of the referendum. Of course, even if it is by the book, that won't keep right wingers from putting up the usual moaning about it being slanted. They usually do do that whenever the truth is told.
I also would be much more upset, except for the fact that they have to do something to get the truth out there. After all, even while Walker misuses his office to spread his propaganda and to run for office, he is not about to present the full, honest truth on something like this. It might make him look bad.
The biggest disappointment was the fact that the County Board let Walker get a step ahead of them regarding the Wisconsin Counties Association's convention. Walker did the correct thing by bowing out of the convention, but several members of the Board are insisting on going to this thing.
I can understand the importance and the desire to go to an event like this, and I think that they could learn a lot from it. However, I also know that when other things like training and/or informational seminars are being held in locations like that, county workers are often told that they either pay for their own lodging, or are required to do the commute. The County Board members that insist that they attend could have ponied up the cash to pay for their hotel, or at least shared rooms to cut the cost.
Given that the County Board is again doing the yeoman's work of having to straighten out Walker's budget, they might feel that they deserve a little slack. And they may be right. But when they are also working on the premise that there is a multimillion dollar deficit, and that over 300 county workers' jobs are on the line, they could have at least the decency to show a little support to the people and workers of Milwaukee County.
So giving credit where credit is due regarding the work they have trying to hash out a functional budget out of the garbage Walker's given them to work with, I still have to say it is high time that they are also reminded of the quality services that public sector employees provide to the community, and that ensuring the continuation of these services should be on the top of their agendas.
That is why there will be a rally outside the court house on Wednesday, October 15th, beginning at 5 pm. The rally will be on the south side of the courthouse at Clas Park. Please plan on attending to show your support for County and City workers as they strive to continue to their ability to provide quality services to the people of the City and the County of Milwaukee.
Budget Blasts 10/9
From the office of County Board Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs:
The Milwaukee County Board’s Finance & Audit Committee,under the leadership of Supervisor Elizabeth M. Coggs, is holding publicmeetings throughout the month of October on the County Executive’s 2009Recommended County Budget. Each day, the seven-member Committee votes on a number of specificdepartments and items in the budget.
On Thursday, the Milwaukee CountyBoard’s Finance & Audit Committee voted to approve the following 2009Recommended Budgets:
• 7-0 County Treasurer
• 5-2 (No Thomas, Coggs) Earnings on Investments
• 7-0 Unclaimed money
• 7-0 Other Miscellaneous Revenue
• 6-0 (Exc. Mayo) Investment Advisory Services
• 6-0 (Exc. Thomas) Civil Air Patrol
• 7-0 DPW – Airport (amended to remove $500,000 for airport privatizationand direct staff to provide report on airport privatization and extensionof Airport’s 25-year Master Lease agreement, set to expire September 30,2010)
• 6-1 (No Coggs) DPW – Architectural, Engineering and EnvironmentalServices
• 7-0 DPW – Director’s Office
• 6-1 (No Thomas) DPW – Water Utilities
The Finance & Audit Committee voted to lay over the following items until later in the process:
• 7-0 DPW – Transportation Services
• 7-0 DPW – Highway Maintenance
• 6-0 DPW – Fleet Management
The Finance and Audit Committee will continue its meetings throughout themonth of October in Room 203-R of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. The County Board of Supervisors, under the leadership of Chairman Lee Holloway,will adopt the County’s 2009 budget on Monday, November 10 at 8:30 a.m. inRoom 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
The County Board’s annual Public Hearing on the County Executive’s 2009 Recommended Budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, November 3, 2008, at theWashington Park Senior Center.
The Milwaukee County Board’s Finance & Audit Committee,under the leadership of Supervisor Elizabeth M. Coggs, is holding publicmeetings throughout the month of October on the County Executive’s 2009Recommended County Budget. Each day, the seven-member Committee votes on a number of specificdepartments and items in the budget.
On Thursday, the Milwaukee CountyBoard’s Finance & Audit Committee voted to approve the following 2009Recommended Budgets:
• 7-0 County Treasurer
• 5-2 (No Thomas, Coggs) Earnings on Investments
• 7-0 Unclaimed money
• 7-0 Other Miscellaneous Revenue
• 6-0 (Exc. Mayo) Investment Advisory Services
• 6-0 (Exc. Thomas) Civil Air Patrol
• 7-0 DPW – Airport (amended to remove $500,000 for airport privatizationand direct staff to provide report on airport privatization and extensionof Airport’s 25-year Master Lease agreement, set to expire September 30,2010)
• 6-1 (No Coggs) DPW – Architectural, Engineering and EnvironmentalServices
• 7-0 DPW – Director’s Office
• 6-1 (No Thomas) DPW – Water Utilities
The Finance & Audit Committee voted to lay over the following items until later in the process:
• 7-0 DPW – Transportation Services
• 7-0 DPW – Highway Maintenance
• 6-0 DPW – Fleet Management
The Finance and Audit Committee will continue its meetings throughout themonth of October in Room 203-R of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. The County Board of Supervisors, under the leadership of Chairman Lee Holloway,will adopt the County’s 2009 budget on Monday, November 10 at 8:30 a.m. inRoom 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
The County Board’s annual Public Hearing on the County Executive’s 2009 Recommended Budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, November 3, 2008, at theWashington Park Senior Center.
Alaskans Think Palin Unprepared
The following is a letter to the editor that appeared in the October 9th issue of the Waupaca County Post (sorry, no link):
For further opinions of real Alaskans on Sarah Palin, I would recommend the Alaskan blog "Mudflats."
To the Editor:
My dad was born and raised in Neenah; I spent summer vacations at the Chain from childhood to middle age. My family had a cottage on Taylor Lake for 40 years. So I have a strong attachment to, and affection for, Wisconsin.
Now I've lived in Juneau, Alaska, for more than 42 years, and thought you might want an Alaskan's perspective on John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as vice presidential running mate. Many of us here are horrified! It's not because we don't like her; we believe that she just cannot handle the job.
It's fun to see Palin on the national stage. Having our governor in the spotlight is exciting. However, Alaska's fun and excitement must not overrride analysis of what is best for America. Even if she livens up that stage, the McCain-Palin ticket cannot compete with the security and profound promise of the Obama-Biden candidacy.
We love our small towns. But small town Mayor Palin simply does not know enough for the job. Does she know anything about farm-related issues in the Midwest, for example? Does she have enough training or experience? This large nation, with widely diverse interests, cultures, attitudes, philosophies, politics and issues more complex than those of Wasilla, Alaska (population 7,000), is beyond her. Palin's folksy style is appealing, but she is out of her depth, and we must consider the substance of her administrative abilities and political positions.
State employees tell me our governor has not done much governing. She played a well-publicized role for a couple of high-profile issues, but, even before her nomination, she didn't provide direction for the state's many functions. She rarely holds cabinet meetings.
She needs to return home -- not get crucified on that national stage.
But this election must focus on the person at the top of each ticket. McCain's selection of Palin puts his judgment in serious doubt.
McCain is trying to usurp the "change" platform initiated by Barack Obama. But McCain has been part of that Washington system since 1983. He claims to be a "maverick." But he has supported George Bush 90 percent of the time. If he is elected president, we will remain on the same disastrous path Bush led us down.
Obama brings a fresh outlook, analysis and approach. Obama will bring real change to our national government and the success of America in a complex, critical and sometimes hostile world. He has written two inspiring books -- Dreams of My Father, which is an autobiography, and The Audacity of Hope, which shares his opinions on many topics.
Obama merits our support. So, let's send Palin safely home.
Vote for, and support, Obama.
Art Peterson
Juneau, Alaska
For further opinions of real Alaskans on Sarah Palin, I would recommend the Alaskan blog "Mudflats."
Election News From The Northern Land
Despite the right wing meme that Obama doesn't relate to the country folk, I am glad to report that in the area of me northern castle, which lies in the shadow of the GOP's breeding ground, otherwise known as the Fox Valley, there are at least as many, if not more, Obama yard signs as there are McCain yard signs.
I realize that yard signs don't vote, but the people that put them on their lawns do. What is funny is that many of the McCain signs were in front of empty fields or forested regions. Read into it what you will.
I also saw this Kagen ad on the local TV stations up there:
I thought it to be a pretty powerful ad, and also probably helps explain why Kagen enjoys such a large lead over Gard at the moment.
I realize that yard signs don't vote, but the people that put them on their lawns do. What is funny is that many of the McCain signs were in front of empty fields or forested regions. Read into it what you will.
I also saw this Kagen ad on the local TV stations up there:
I thought it to be a pretty powerful ad, and also probably helps explain why Kagen enjoys such a large lead over Gard at the moment.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Moose Tracks
Last week, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Jim Stingl had a piece defending Jim Bjorne, police chief of Ishpeming, Michigan, who took it upon himself to eradicate a trespassing moose. In the article, Mr. Stingl mentions that some people felt that the police chief had exceeded his authority and committed "moose murder."
Ironically, the very next day, a report was released, which stated that another moose murderer, Sarah Palin, had also violated the public trust. This time, it wasn't to kill a moose, but an effort by her and her husband (who has way too much influence for a non-elected or appointed governmental agent) to have her former brother-in-law fired violated state ethics law and was an abuse of the power of her office.
Not to anyone's great surprise, Palin denies the charges, and is busy spinning like a top to cover her moose-murdering tracks, but only making herself look even more ridiculous. I say that this is not surprising, given that she doesn't even know what duties are involved with the job she is trying to tell us she is qualified for. Heck, she doesn't even know which side she is supposed to be campaigning for.
The trouble for Palin doesn't end there. My friend, Illy-T, points out that another one of her lies about Obama is being exposed for what it really is, namely, another one of her lies.
All of this leads me to ask: Since we know that moose can be infected with Chronic Wasting Disease, what are the chances that Palin ate some mad moose meat and we are now seeing the effects of the disease on her?
Ironically, the very next day, a report was released, which stated that another moose murderer, Sarah Palin, had also violated the public trust. This time, it wasn't to kill a moose, but an effort by her and her husband (who has way too much influence for a non-elected or appointed governmental agent) to have her former brother-in-law fired violated state ethics law and was an abuse of the power of her office.
Not to anyone's great surprise, Palin denies the charges, and is busy spinning like a top to cover her moose-murdering tracks, but only making herself look even more ridiculous. I say that this is not surprising, given that she doesn't even know what duties are involved with the job she is trying to tell us she is qualified for. Heck, she doesn't even know which side she is supposed to be campaigning for.
The trouble for Palin doesn't end there. My friend, Illy-T, points out that another one of her lies about Obama is being exposed for what it really is, namely, another one of her lies.
All of this leads me to ask: Since we know that moose can be infected with Chronic Wasting Disease, what are the chances that Palin ate some mad moose meat and we are now seeing the effects of the disease on her?
Republicans Want To Hear Your Pillow Talk
It was reported over the weekend that Bush's warrant-less wiretapping including Americans serving in the military and aid workers calling home to their family and their spouses. From CNN:
As if the trampling of the Constitution and the right to privacy by the current administration wasn't bad enough, McCain has already supported the right for gratuitous titillation for his administration if he is allowed to steal the election.
Adrienne Kinne, a former U.S. Army Reserves Arab linguist, told ABC News the NSA was listening to the phone calls of U.S. military officers, journalists and aid workers overseas who were talking about "personal, private things with Americans who are not in any way, shape or form associated with anything to do with terrorism."
David Murfee Faulk, a former U.S. Navy Arab linguist, said in the news report that he and his colleagues were listening to the conversations of military officers in Iraq who were talking with their spouses or girlfriends in the United States.
According to Faulk, they would often share the contents of some of the more salacious calls stored on their computers, listening to what he called "phone sex" and "pillow talk."
Both Kinne and Faulk worked at the NSA listening facility at Fort Gordon, Georgia. They told ABC that when linguists complained to supervisors about eavesdropping on personal conversations, they were ordered to continue transcribing the calls.
As if the trampling of the Constitution and the right to privacy by the current administration wasn't bad enough, McCain has already supported the right for gratuitous titillation for his administration if he is allowed to steal the election.
Budget Blasts 10/8
From the office of County Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs:
On Wednesday, the Milwaukee County Board’s Finance & AuditCommittee voted to approve the following 2009 Recommended Budgets:
• 6-1 County Board (No Jursik)
• 7-0 County Board – Department of Audit and Office of Community BusinessDevelopment Partners• 7-0 Corporation Counsel and Litigation Reserve Account
• 7-0 County Executive – General Office (amended to give County Executivefinal decision on Chief of Staff compensation)
• 7-0 DAS – Employee Benefits Division (amended to work with EmployeeHealth Care Work Group)
• 5-2 (No Thomas, Jursik) Medicare Part D Revenue
• 5-2 (No Thomas, Mayo) Human Resource and Payroll System
• 7-0 DAS – Risk Management
• 6-0 (Exc. Jursik) DAS - Procurement Division, DAS - Office for Personswith Disabilities, Civil Service Commission
• 7-0 Labor Relations, DAS – Human Resources Division, Election Commission
• 4-3 (No Mayo, Jursik, Coggs) County Clerk (amended to deny abolishment ofAssistant County Clerk position)
• 7-0 Register of Deeds (amended to deny abolishment of five positions andunfunding of one position)
• 7-0 Milwaukee County Automated Land Information
• 4-3 (No Thomas, West, Coggs) 2009 Special Charge for SoutheasternWisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC)The Finance & Audit Committee voted to lay over the following items untillater in the process:• 7-0 Employee Fringe Benefits
• 6-0 (Exc. Jursik) DAS – Administration and Fiscal Affairs
• 7-0 DAS – Information Management Services Division
• 6-0 (Exc. Mayo) Land Sales, DAS – Property Management
The County Board’s Finance and Audit Committee, under the leadership ofSupervisor Elizabeth M. Coggs, will consider the entire 2009 budget,including possible amendments to address these and other concerns, throughpublic meetings in Room 203-R of the Milwaukee County Courthouse throughoutthe month of October. The County Board of Supervisors, under the leadershipof Chairman Lee Holloway, will adopt the County’s 2009 budget on Monday,November 10 at 8:30 a.m. in Room 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.You can access the 2009 budget meeting schedule below:
http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/CountyBudgetHearings21953.htm
The County Board’s annual Public Hearing on the County Executive’s 2009Recommended Budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, November 3, 2008, at theWashington Park Senior Center.
On Wednesday, the Milwaukee County Board’s Finance & AuditCommittee voted to approve the following 2009 Recommended Budgets:
• 6-1 County Board (No Jursik)
• 7-0 County Board – Department of Audit and Office of Community BusinessDevelopment Partners• 7-0 Corporation Counsel and Litigation Reserve Account
• 7-0 County Executive – General Office (amended to give County Executivefinal decision on Chief of Staff compensation)
• 7-0 DAS – Employee Benefits Division (amended to work with EmployeeHealth Care Work Group)
• 5-2 (No Thomas, Jursik) Medicare Part D Revenue
• 5-2 (No Thomas, Mayo) Human Resource and Payroll System
• 7-0 DAS – Risk Management
• 6-0 (Exc. Jursik) DAS - Procurement Division, DAS - Office for Personswith Disabilities, Civil Service Commission
• 7-0 Labor Relations, DAS – Human Resources Division, Election Commission
• 4-3 (No Mayo, Jursik, Coggs) County Clerk (amended to deny abolishment ofAssistant County Clerk position)
• 7-0 Register of Deeds (amended to deny abolishment of five positions andunfunding of one position)
• 7-0 Milwaukee County Automated Land Information
• 4-3 (No Thomas, West, Coggs) 2009 Special Charge for SoutheasternWisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC)The Finance & Audit Committee voted to lay over the following items untillater in the process:• 7-0 Employee Fringe Benefits
• 6-0 (Exc. Jursik) DAS – Administration and Fiscal Affairs
• 7-0 DAS – Information Management Services Division
• 6-0 (Exc. Mayo) Land Sales, DAS – Property Management
The County Board’s Finance and Audit Committee, under the leadership ofSupervisor Elizabeth M. Coggs, will consider the entire 2009 budget,including possible amendments to address these and other concerns, throughpublic meetings in Room 203-R of the Milwaukee County Courthouse throughoutthe month of October. The County Board of Supervisors, under the leadershipof Chairman Lee Holloway, will adopt the County’s 2009 budget on Monday,November 10 at 8:30 a.m. in Room 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.You can access the 2009 budget meeting schedule below:
http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/CountyBudgetHearings21953.htm
The County Board’s annual Public Hearing on the County Executive’s 2009Recommended Budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, November 3, 2008, at theWashington Park Senior Center.
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