A full week of round up, computers are all fixed, I have access to all my notes and pictures again. All is good. Just in time for a holiday weekend. Whew, things seem back to normal!
SUPREME COURT’S MESSED UP DECISION
This time, it’s Wisconsin. I can’t believe this Gableman ruling. Unprecedented indeed. And it looks like its not over. Of course, the Wisconsin State Journal uses it to push their agenda, but at least they get it.
ROB’S LINK
He’s been slacking too, but here it is, it’s a good one.
RANT ON!
Morrissey might be biased, but he’s right. As I find myself being “the media” and talk to people around the city, I can’t help but say again, he’s right.
IN CASE YOU WEREN’T PAYING ATTENTION YESTERDAY
The Governor and Mayor chose the site for the train station. The picture is interesting to me. They already have concepts? I thought that there was going to be a “public process” for that? This is such a done deal across the board, despite their promises to do better now that they have picked the site, gave us a choice with limited options and gave us a sham of a process.
CAP TIMES BUYS THE BULLSHIT
No. seriously. Do they really believe that the “public input” on the train station was anything but a sham? That train’s a comin’ but it totally ran over the public process along the way. The critics are right to point out this whole thing has been a joke when it comes to the public process. And I do support the train. I don’t support the absurd crap they’re spewing about listening to 200 people to make their decision. The public comments were due Monday. They were announcing the decision Thursday morning. How much did they really consider those comments? And they never really let us consider Yahara Station as an option. It all stinks.
MORE DECISIONS ALREADY MADE
I’m not saying the vision is bad, but again, no public input on the vision. And, note that the Mayor and Mark Clear have it all figured out and will introduce something. Um, who’s district is this in? I guess Rummel is irrelevant in all this, the boys have decided. I think a public market, hotel and parking is all good, but maybe there are other good ideas too. And, is this all we’re going to hear about for the next three years, will everything else be on hold? At this point, we still don’t have a downtown plan, or a zoning code re-write done, and there’s the whole “fix” the process item and change the landmark’s ordinance. I think the Mayor better be prepared to add 30 new planners this year if its going to be that “intense”. I sure hope everything else doesn’t get put on hold. And the million dollar question, of course is, how many millions will this cost us?
A USE FOR UNION CORNERS?
Yeah, I think many have thought this might be a good idea.
A CALL FOR OTHER USES
Does Mayor Dave really think that a developer is going to come in and build someone else’s project? The property might have zoning approvals, but I think they are nearly useless to another developer who will have their own ideas. And, while I’m at it, where was the public discussion about buying this land and what it is worth to the public? None. Zero. Zip. More of Mayor Dave’s “negotiating”, great, he’s so good at it. Not.
5% CUT IN HUMAN SERVICES
Flat funding for 5 years or so, a 3% cut for last year and now a 5% cut. Can you say unsustainable? I can’t wait to “share” the pain again this year, when the local non-profits end up with not just a cut to the wages, but sustain an additional cut to all their expenses. Damn. I wonder how many layoffs this will be?
AT LEAST WISCONSIN IS SUSTAINABLE
Yes, our environment is important, but sometimes I wish there was equal concern for human services.
AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE ZONES
There two of them recommended in Dane County. Tax credits to resist development pressure. Interesting.
COMING AND GOING
This is a cool list of businesses that have opened and closed in the downtown. In this economy, this is incredibly good news.
ANOTHER MAYOR POWER GRAB
I guess I don’t mind if we hold our managers to a high standards, I could name a few that would have benefitted from it, but I think the legislative branch of government should have a say in it that is meaningful, besides just vetoing or approving the Mayor’s decision.
Ok, that’s it, enjoy the fourth of July weekend!
Check out Jesse Russell’s response on Dane101 to Tim Morrissey’s media rant: The second part covers local media and is coming soon.