I apologize for my absence. With working full time and taking a full load of college courses (12 credits) there is little time to read and post on blogs. I figured I wouldn't be missed much anyway.
On April 7th, Oshkosh has a real opportunity to make a change in leadership with both the Council and School Board. There is no doubt that the common thoughts around town are on the referendum. With good reason, it is ~$24million of our money being asked for.
Beyond the referendum, there are a few issues that the city is facing. We have several that have been brought up during various forums and some more by the ONW. There is no doubt who the ONW is supporting in this election for Mayor. Not because it is the right choice, but because they don't care for the opposition. The ONW wrote an editorial endorsing Tower for Mayor. That is fine, we all expected it. But did they really need to do the follow up this week? Was it really necessary or did they just want to twist the knife that they plunged in last week? Either way, I think that there is some clearing up that needs to take place.
The ONW pointed out what a wonderful thing was being done with the TIF in the South Shore Redevelopment area. Although I do agree that development is wonderful, was a TIF really necessary there? Oshkosh has set a precedence on granting TIF's to the point that I don't think commercial development will be done without them anymore.
The ONW is quick to point out how saying NO is horrible. Well, do we really need more TIF's? Better yet, how did the City Management and Council let those buildings get so bad that they needed to be torn down? Perhaps we should focus more on keeping our businesses in Oshkosh and then it would not be necessary to worry about replacing what was left behind when they move or leave.
These are just a few thoughts as Tuesday approaches. I must remind voters that staying at home should not be an option. There was an unbelievable turnout for the Presidential election which in the big picture means nothing to the city. Remember, the Spring election has far greater impact on you than any Presidential election. The folks that are elected make the decisions locally, not the President. Remember that next Tuesday when you think that "it doesn't make a difference, why bother?".
It really does make a difference. Take the time. VOTE on April 7th.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Let it Snow!
Welcome to Wisconsin. Where there are two seasons... Winter and Road Construction. After reading the results of the council meeting last night, I am sure glad that I live in a good neighborhood. The reason that I say that is because I never would have thought that sidewalk snow removal was a problem. After all, we all chose to live here. It snows, we shovel. But after watching a week of debate and then more at the meeting, the council took the time to change the city ordinance to 24 hours after EACH storm. I really would like to see that definition...
I have wonderful neighbors. We all clear each others sidewalks (perhaps because it is easier to turn around at a driveway rather than a property line). Seriously though, this was never coordinated but it has been that the first person out to do the snow from four houses does the sidewalk for all of them. Additionally, I have always gone to each of my neighbors after the plow has gone through and cleared that pile for them. I have never considered calling to have the city clear anything. The neighborly thing is to help out if they are not home to do it themselves.
I guess I am lucky...
KM
I have wonderful neighbors. We all clear each others sidewalks (perhaps because it is easier to turn around at a driveway rather than a property line). Seriously though, this was never coordinated but it has been that the first person out to do the snow from four houses does the sidewalk for all of them. Additionally, I have always gone to each of my neighbors after the plow has gone through and cleared that pile for them. I have never considered calling to have the city clear anything. The neighborly thing is to help out if they are not home to do it themselves.
I guess I am lucky...
KM
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
No More Deer
As you may have read in this mornings ONW, the Common Council has voted on the removal of the deer surrounding the Vulcan Quarry via sharpshooter. I for one think it is a good method and perhaps the most economical manner to do away with the animals.
My reasoning for this is simple; if we attempt to relocate the deer, they may find their way back. It has been known in the wild that deer, if not moved far enough, find their way back. Just ask Herbie Kohler. He tried non lethal methods of removing deer from his golf course (Blackwolf Run) and was not successful. There were also proposals for some spray that would "ward off" the deer from vegetation. That is a band aid at best. The spray worked to ward off the deer in that situation because she was the only one using it. If you had a choice to eat a bush with the spray or without, you would go to the one without wouldn't you? If everyone is using the spray, the deer will adapt. Just like I was told to plant Marigolds when rabbits were eating my plants... well they ate the Marigolds too.
Sharpshooters are the most humane method of animal removal. The deer will not suffer and the meat will be donated to those who need it. The bottom line is that deer do not belong in the city and should be removed before more damage is done. This is the most common sense method to achieve that outcome.
KM
My reasoning for this is simple; if we attempt to relocate the deer, they may find their way back. It has been known in the wild that deer, if not moved far enough, find their way back. Just ask Herbie Kohler. He tried non lethal methods of removing deer from his golf course (Blackwolf Run) and was not successful. There were also proposals for some spray that would "ward off" the deer from vegetation. That is a band aid at best. The spray worked to ward off the deer in that situation because she was the only one using it. If you had a choice to eat a bush with the spray or without, you would go to the one without wouldn't you? If everyone is using the spray, the deer will adapt. Just like I was told to plant Marigolds when rabbits were eating my plants... well they ate the Marigolds too.
Sharpshooters are the most humane method of animal removal. The deer will not suffer and the meat will be donated to those who need it. The bottom line is that deer do not belong in the city and should be removed before more damage is done. This is the most common sense method to achieve that outcome.
KM
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tis' the Season
Election season that is. Now that winter is here, the partisan election has passed and now it is time to gear up for the local non-partisan election season.
We will see many of the usual faces running for office this year. King and Palmeri have decided to run for re-election, Esslinger will challenge F. Tower for mayor, and Bryan Bain has declined to run citing personal reasons.
For the OASD we will see Traska and Kavanaugh run for re-election while Weinsheim is still a mystery (although everything I have heard to this point is that she will not run again). I have also heard that Pat K. (I won't even try to spell it) will not challenge but Schneider will. I will not speak to Michelle's intentions as it is up to her to tell, not me. I have also heard of another Town of Algoma resident that is circulating but that is not confirmed so I don't want to give a name.
As usual, I don't really want to get involved with OASD issues but it may become inevitable as the referendum will take over the ballot and swallow all of the issues. The referendum will be all that is talked about whether you are running for BOE or City Council. I plan to avoid it as long as possible.
Looking at some of the City issues that I don't really agree with and we find the recycle bins, bridge lighting, and roundabouts. Starting with the recycle bins; why should taxpayers that were eliminated from city collection a few years ago under the condo agreement pay for bins that they will NEVER receive or use? My answer is that they shouldn't. The cost of the bins should go to those that actually will use them. Now, I am not really in favor of going to City Hall and paying between $50-$100 for a bin that will not fit in my garage. Now if single stream recycling is everything that they say it is, there may be an advantage to this move. I am not convinced.
Bridge lighting... do I really need to say more? This resolution was ridiculous right from the start. I cannot believe that the council approved it. Why on earth do we NEED lighting on the bridges? Budgets are tight, the economy is not stable, our taxes should NOT be spent on aesthetic lighting on our bridges. That is not the type of "public/private partnership" that this community needs right now. How about the type of partnership where the private half contributes to something that the city currently has to pick up the tab. For example, a local business can "adopt a park" and sponsor the upkeep of that park for one or more years. That is a partnership that we need. Not the city spending money on a feel good project that Progress Oshkosh couldn't fund themselves. For those who disagree, please feel free to tell any one of the folks living near a streetlight that has been extinguished because we cannot afford to keep it lit why you favor this project.
I have never been a fan of roundabouts. My opinion has not changed since I was exposed to a few that have popped up in neighboring communities like Neenah, Darboy, and a little farther away in Sheboygan. I don't believe that the statistic of accident reduction is accurate as I believe that the traffic through such a nuisance is reduced drastically. Less cars = Less accidents. Pretty simple. Right now we are looking at one at Jackson and Murdock. Not far down the road we will see TEN more between 9th Ave, Witzel, and Hwy 21. I think 20th St. will get a traffic boost as people will start avoiding the other 3 intersections. Just a thought.
I know I have neglected this for awhile. My job and school work (I am attending UWO) have kept me pretty busy. I will try to keep up now that I get a break from school for a few weeks.
Thanks to all for sticking around!
We will see many of the usual faces running for office this year. King and Palmeri have decided to run for re-election, Esslinger will challenge F. Tower for mayor, and Bryan Bain has declined to run citing personal reasons.
For the OASD we will see Traska and Kavanaugh run for re-election while Weinsheim is still a mystery (although everything I have heard to this point is that she will not run again). I have also heard that Pat K. (I won't even try to spell it) will not challenge but Schneider will. I will not speak to Michelle's intentions as it is up to her to tell, not me. I have also heard of another Town of Algoma resident that is circulating but that is not confirmed so I don't want to give a name.
As usual, I don't really want to get involved with OASD issues but it may become inevitable as the referendum will take over the ballot and swallow all of the issues. The referendum will be all that is talked about whether you are running for BOE or City Council. I plan to avoid it as long as possible.
Looking at some of the City issues that I don't really agree with and we find the recycle bins, bridge lighting, and roundabouts. Starting with the recycle bins; why should taxpayers that were eliminated from city collection a few years ago under the condo agreement pay for bins that they will NEVER receive or use? My answer is that they shouldn't. The cost of the bins should go to those that actually will use them. Now, I am not really in favor of going to City Hall and paying between $50-$100 for a bin that will not fit in my garage. Now if single stream recycling is everything that they say it is, there may be an advantage to this move. I am not convinced.
Bridge lighting... do I really need to say more? This resolution was ridiculous right from the start. I cannot believe that the council approved it. Why on earth do we NEED lighting on the bridges? Budgets are tight, the economy is not stable, our taxes should NOT be spent on aesthetic lighting on our bridges. That is not the type of "public/private partnership" that this community needs right now. How about the type of partnership where the private half contributes to something that the city currently has to pick up the tab. For example, a local business can "adopt a park" and sponsor the upkeep of that park for one or more years. That is a partnership that we need. Not the city spending money on a feel good project that Progress Oshkosh couldn't fund themselves. For those who disagree, please feel free to tell any one of the folks living near a streetlight that has been extinguished because we cannot afford to keep it lit why you favor this project.
I have never been a fan of roundabouts. My opinion has not changed since I was exposed to a few that have popped up in neighboring communities like Neenah, Darboy, and a little farther away in Sheboygan. I don't believe that the statistic of accident reduction is accurate as I believe that the traffic through such a nuisance is reduced drastically. Less cars = Less accidents. Pretty simple. Right now we are looking at one at Jackson and Murdock. Not far down the road we will see TEN more between 9th Ave, Witzel, and Hwy 21. I think 20th St. will get a traffic boost as people will start avoiding the other 3 intersections. Just a thought.
I know I have neglected this for awhile. My job and school work (I am attending UWO) have kept me pretty busy. I will try to keep up now that I get a break from school for a few weeks.
Thanks to all for sticking around!
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