Ouch and Thanks

Feelings of betrayal. Maybe I read more in to comments than were there, maybe people lied to me and in front of me. When Jerry moved with Amy seconding for the secret ballot, well, at that point I went from nervous to an ache in the pit of the stomach. That motion from those people... ouch. I expect it from the nut-job coalition but from my friends? I wish someone would have roll'ed that vote. Final special election result? Four votes out of ten does not a winner make. Congratulations to Alerperson Haefs.

Here's a bit of insider politics... I cut a deal with one Alderperson for a vote. He agreed to vote for me if I agreed to stay out of the mayoral primary. A high price on my part but this guy shifts between moderate right and far right depending on the day you catch him so I cut the deal on the spot. He also has a well deserved reputation for flip-flopping. So, an hour before the meeting, this guy starts texting and leaving VMs asking to be released from his obligation. Since I had to pre-pay my part of the deal I was getting dressed I didn't return. With a closed ballot, there is no way to actually know who voted which way but my best guess is that he kept his word.

The most interesting part of this experience? Two of the three most up front and honest guys told me they were not voting for me. Tony because of Dan's long experience and support in the district, Andy because he thinks our politics are too different. I genuinely appreciate the direct honesty where it was given and that includes Dan giving me a heads up that he was running.

Even the chair of a volunteer committee on which I serve showed up supporting another candidate. It just wasn't my night, I guess.

I am grateful for all the supportive calls, texts and emails both before and after last night. For the folks suggesting I run again, it's nice of you to ask. We'll see. Now is not the time to make that decision. Public service is rewarding, getting to know people is fun, solving problems is rewarding. Being a candidate who has to fend off half truths and and lies isn't either. Thanks for reading.

Righteous Rage

Yeah, this just about sums it up:



You can push through legislation you want when you are in the majority but it really should go through the process. Good for the Representative Gordon speaking up and good for the Senate Democrats for leaving if this exemplifies how the Republicans are running things.

Union Vote

In the 2010 race for governor, Democrat Tom Barrett won 63% of voters in union households, Walker won 37%.

It'd be interesting to see how much the gap widens for government union households.

VOTE Tuesday!

The Green Bay Mayor and Brown County Executive will propose our next local budgets. The current push at the state level is to eliminate the laws that enable local government workers to bargain benefits and stop sending shared revenue back to the local political entities. It seems obvious that the Governor wants to force local elected officials to unilaterally impose concessions on local labor.

Wisconsin Supreme Court - It's amazing how much the WMC candidate, Justice Gableman, has come up during this race. Many folks think he played good politics, others think he lied his way on to the court. Bottom line, he's not on the ballot and four others are.

Labrador Retrievers

I'm probably way behind the curve on this but I found it pretty funny.



That guy in the lower right seems to be the happiest of the bunch!

Candidate Forums!

Right or left? Democrat or Republican? Conservative or Progressive? Statist or Teabagger? These labels may or may not matter to you. What matters most is who you think will be the best to serve our community when you cast your vote. Come and get informed!

The West side Green Bay Mayoral Candidate forum is Wednesday this week.

January 26, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Franklin Middle School
1234 W. Mason St. (Use entrance on Lore Ln.)
Green Bay WI

By way of the Green Bay TEA Party web site, the N.E.W. PATRIOTS (uppercase theirs, not mine) group are hosting a forum for County Executive during their regular meeting.

Tuesday, February 8th - 7 PM
Evergreen Bar & Grill
7075 Morrison Rd
Greenleaf WI

There was press at the last Mayoral forum, hopefully there will be again as well as at the Exec forum too. Ideally these things would be recorded and aired on PBS or channel 4 but methinks someone might show up with a cam and post on the web again.

Paying for AOL

I knew a few folks still send money to AOL but had no idea it is this bad. Folks, please check with your friends using aol.com email addresses-- especial older parents and grandparents-- they may be wasting money on this. AOL email addresses are free and have been for a long, long time...

If I understand this right, AOL still charges everyone who started on dial-up a monthly subscription even though most of them are using a broadband provider now. They are charging folks for a service almost no one has used in years-- it makes all kinds of sense on spreadsheets and balance sheets but no moral sense what-so-ever. This company survives on an income stream it doesn't deserve that was initially built on what must be the single most wasteful diskette and CD based marketing campaign ever undertaken.