Has Ament for Mayor Campaign and NBCRG Violated State Election Laws?
Regarding campaign literature supporting Ament for mayor, which was dispersed in New Berlin last week:
About the Election Letters in Last Week's New Berlin NOW Newspaper
Regarding the four election letters published in the March 14 edition of New Berlin NOW:
Re: Notice of Delinquent Personal Property Taxes (It Includes Dave Ament's Business) in Yesterday's NOW Newspaper
On page 21 of Thursday’s March 14, 2013 New Berlin Now newspaper, you will find a legal notice:
NBCRG???s Unpaid Ad- Endorsement
NBCRG Speaks blog on New Berlin NOW, which was dormant for over nine months (last post was June 1), was revived yesterday.
Ament Industrial Truck and Delinquent Personal Property Taxes
Do you pay your property taxes on time? Shouldn’t our elected city officials do that, too?
Newspaper Editorial Calls Gov. Walker a Liar
Gov. Scott Walker’s statement in a Dec. 12, 2012 speech that Wisconsin has created “just under 100,000 jobs” since he took office got a Pants on Fire rating from PolitiFact Wisconsin.
The Numbers Tell the Story
In his recent op-ed, Associate Editor John Nichols of the Capital Times points out
Gov. Scott Walker's Hypocrisy Gets National Attention
Yesterday, the Huffington Post featured a big picture of Scott Walker sandwiched between the words FAMILY OVER FAIRNESS and Scott Walker's Son Uses Same-Day Voting Registration That Governor Sought To Ban.
Not Your Usual Thanksgiving Message
Each of us has something to be thankful for whether its family, friends, good health, a job, or whatever.
The Last Word: Biggest Loser---Paul Ryan
During The Last Word TV show early last week, host Lawrence O'Donnell called Paul Ryan the newest biggest loser.
Stop Being The Stupid Party; Sen. Lazich and Other Republican Extremists
In a telephone interview with Politico Monday, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal called on Republicans to stop being “the stupid party."
Republicans Gambled and Lost
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans considered it a top priority to make Obama a one- term president.
Mitt Romney--- the Ultimate Political Chameleon & Romnesia
Mitt Romney has changed his positions on issues so often that it's difficult to know what he really stands for, if anything.
Romneyism Explained
By now, we have learned enough about the beliefs of the Republican presidential candidate to see them as a worldview all its own – a kind of creed that explains Mitt Romney, contends Robert Reich.
Ike's Granddaughter Says Obama Should Be Re-elected
One of New Berlin's Middle-High Schools is named after a former president--Eisenhower
Colin Powell Endorses President Obama
Just a few days after the Oct. 22nd presidential debate on foreign policy ( the third and last presidential debate before the Nov. 6 election), former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama’s bid for re-election.
Gov. Chris Christie Praises President Obama's Leadership
As his state prepares to rebuild from the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy, one of Mitt Romney's biggest supporters, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, was full of praise for President Barack Obama.
A Reminder: What Some Top Republicans Said About Mitt Romney
Click on this You Tube Video ---
Mitt Romney, Chicken Hawk
Chicken hawk: In politics, a slang term for an advocate of war or military action who is avoiding military service, or has avoided it in the past.
Republican Candidate for Senate Calls Pregnancies Resulting From Rape "A Gift of God"
Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock’s remarks during a debate Tuesday caused an uproar.
Yesterday, Tommy Thompson Admitted Owning Stock in Companies That Do Business With Iran
“As was first revealed in the Huffington Post and then in the middle of the debate, in spite of Tommy's bluster and tough talk on Iran, he actually had significant investments in companies that did business with Iran. Not only did these companies do business with Iran but at least one of them specifically worked with Iran in the mining of uranium.”
Nobel Prize-Winning Economist Calls Romney Plan " a Snow Job on the American People"
In his Oct. 18 op-ed, Nobel Prize-winning economist and columnist Paul Krugman says that Romney doesn’t have a jobs plan; he’s just faking it.
Romney's Binder Blunder
In August, Mitt Romney’s “Corporations are people” gaffe raised lots of eyebrows.
Romney Debates Self
The Daily Kos' Jed Lewison put together a video of Mitt Romney uttering contradictory statements.
Crying "Fowl"
Mitt Romney ruffled feathers by declaring in the presidential debate that he would defund PBS although he loves Big Bird.
Romney Even Less Popular Than Bush
A national survey conducted by Bloomberg News and released last week, found that former president George W. Bush got a favorability rating of 46, while Mitt Romney's rating was only 43 percent.
Romney Exposed
Wow. GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney chose to deride about half of America's electorate. A video clip reveals Romney’s cold-hearted, insensitive attitude and contempt for numerous Americans.
Mitt Romney Defines "Middle Income" as $200,000-$250,000 Or Less
In an interview with “Good Morning America’s” George Stephanopoulos, Mitt Romney was asked: “Is $100,000 middle income?”
Shame on Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan
In his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Mitt Romney neglected to mention Afghanistan or salute our troops.
Economy Performs Better Under Democratic Presidents
On September 5th, in his speech at the Democratic National Convention, former president Bill Clinton asserted that “ since 1961, for 52 years now, the Republicans have held the White House 28 years, the Democrats 24. In those 52 years, our private economy has produced 66 million private sector jobs. So, what’s the job score? Republicans, 24 million, Democrats, 42 (million).”
Lyin' Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan’s speech at the Republican National Convention has earned many negative reviews—mostly for its dishonesty.
Akin Sensation: Rape, Radical Rhetoric, Republican Party & Romney/Ryan
U.S. Senate candidate, Rep. Todd Akin (R-Missouri), made incredibly inflammatory , offensive and ignorant remarks Sunday on a TV show. He caused an uproar by claiming victims of “legitimate” rape rarely get pregnant because “the female body has ways to shut that whole thing down.”
Ryan Didn't Know That? His Startling Admission Regarding Mitt Romney's Budget Plan
When interviewed by Fox News’ Britt Hume last Tuesday, Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan was asked when the Romney budget plan would balance the nation’s budget. Ryan first tried to evade the question, but when pressed admitted that he didn’t know, “We haven’t run the numbers”.
Trust Romney and Ryan? No Way.
Mitt Romney’s father, George Romney released 12 years of tax returns when he ran for President.
Romney's Foreign Fumbles
If Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s overseas trip was intended to demonstrate his readiness to handle foreign affairs smoothly and lead during dangerous times, it was a dismal failure.
"Gated Candidate"- "Hiding in Plain Sight"
Last month, I blogged about the School District of New Berlin acting like a gated community---utilizing barriers, limiting public access, insulating/isolating some people, shutting out the community. See my June 26 blog post Like a Gated Community, the NB School District…
A Political Hairball
“ Months after he mathematically locked up the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney remains a political hairball that GOP insiders –conservative and otherwise—wish they could cough up before the convention in Tampa, Fla., next month, ” says Howard Fineman in his July 18 Huffington Post blog entry Mitt Romney Taxes Controversy Shows He’s Still A Tough Sell.
Editorial Blasts Sen. Lazich
The Cap Times editorial titled Mary Lazich goes off the rails, says:
The Two Romneys
The contrast between George Romney and his son Mitt---their business careers and willingness to come clean about their financial affairs--was the focus of Paul Krugman's July 8 op-ed in the New York Times.
Recall
Some people think that recalls should be held only in the case of criminal misconduct.
Damage Walker Has Done to Wisconsin
Several reasons many people feel Walker has damaged Wisconsin were cited in a recent Shepherd Express article by Lisa Kaiser:
Barrett or Walker? Character Does Matter
“The question of character has become a central issue in the Walker recall election on June 5,” asserts Barbara Miner in her May 27 Journal Sentinel blog post.
Walkergate: A Timeline and Commentary
Cognitive Dissidence recently posted a “voters guide” detailed timeline to Walkergate, the commonly used moniker for the John Doe investigation.
Lousy Job Numbers and Walker's Manipulations
Wisconsin lost an estimated 6,200 private-sector jobs in April, according to the report released Thursday by the state Department of Workforce Development.
GOP Bloopers
On Tuesday night (5-8-12), the Republican Party of Wisconsin emailed a statement saying Democrats were still divided after the primary by choosing Tom Barrett.
Walker's Wad
“Walker has been keen on painting the recall campaign against him, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and four Republican state senators as driven by out-of-state money and special interests, particularly organized labor. But in the race for governor it's been Republican Walker who has been raking in boatloads of out-of-state cash, not his Democratic rivals.”—observes Bill Lueders of the non-profit, non-partisan Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. (See Lueders' post on The Daily Page)
Under Scott Walker, Our State Led the Nation in Job Loss
On April 21, I posted a blog titled Wisconsin Only State in Nation With a Statistically Significant Decrease in Number of Jobs Over Last 12 Months. This is a follow-up.
Today's Election and NBCRG
NBCRG blog has not endorsed any candidates by name in today’s election.
Thank You League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is part of our country’s proud history of activism for people’s rights. They've fought to improve government.
More Than A Million Signatures To Recall Gov. Walker Filed Today; Where Is He?
“ Organizers of the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday filed what they said were more than a million signatures, a number that nearly matches Walker’s vote total from 2010 and almost doubles the number of signatures needed to trigger another election.
Colbert Super PAC ad: Mitt the Ripper?
Comedian/satirist Stephen Colbert has been poking fun at the Republican presidential race.
Gov. Walker's Integrity Debated
Gov. Walker’s integrity was debated in opposing columns on the Perspectives page of the Dec. 7 Journal Sentinel newspaper.
The Recent (Presidential) Dropout
Last weekend, Herman Cain announced that he was suspending his campaign.
That's Ludicrous (or Worse)
The law firm bringing a suit against the state's elections agency advised the Legislature on how to write the very law it is suing over.
Such An Eventful Day
Did you know that yesterday, Nov. 8?------
- Ohio voters repealed anti-union law
- Sen. Russell Pearce was recalled in Arizona
- Controversial abortion amendment was voted down in Mississippi
- Obama health care law was upheld by appeals court
Governor's Top Aide Resigns
“ Keith Gilkes, the third top Walker aide to announce their resignations in recent months, said he’ll leave his $112,000 per year chief of staff job October 8”, reports the Associated Press/Madison.com.
Post Recall
Last year, Laura Karvala and her Concerned Citizens of New Berlin (CCNB) political action committee’s unsuccessful recall against Mayor Chiovatero and Ald. Moore was in the spotlight (locally). The recall fizzled when CCNB failed to get the required number of signatures to hold a recall election. According to its press release, CCNB formed to fight low-income housing slated for the City Center. CCNB targeted the mayor mostly because of his Plan Commission vote concerning that issue.
Republicans' Radical Redistricting Plan Affects Many (including NB) Voters
While Sen. Lazich was blogging about the weather, the Journal Sentinel (via a July 15 online report and July 16 newspaper article) was pointing out to the public that the new maps of legislative districts drawn by GOP leaders, shift many voters from one Senate district to another.
"Fake" Candidates Fail to Prevail; GOP Scheming
All 6 'Democrats won in primary races on Tuesday against candidates put on the ballot by the Republican Party reported the Journal Sentinel earlier this week.
Fakery--Good and Bad
Last Friday’s Rock-Pop-Blues Concert at the Northern Lights Theater (in Potawatomi Bingo Casino) featured performances by Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, and the Blues Brothers impersonators. That show by talented “fakes” was a tribute to the real celebrities, entertaining, and fun.
The Lazich Recall
Hundreds of people turned out for a rally in New Berlin on Saturday, April 9 to drum up support for the recall effort against Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) and other Republican senators, and to raise concerns about the vote-counting problems in Waukesha County, according to the Journal Sentinel.
NB School Board Treasurer---Clueless?
In my previous blog I described an email exchange I had with Art Marquardt, the Treasurer of the New Berlin School Board:
Ah, Those Endorsements (part 2)
According to the City Clerk, there are 31, 695 registered voters in the City of New Berlin. She told me there are 3,828 in Aldermanic District 2, 4,448 in District 4, and 4,093 in District 6. (The total in those 3 districts exceeds 12,000)
Ah, Those Endorsements
New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG) endorsed Don Counsell for alderman in 2007.
About Bentley's Letter, Candidates' Responses to CNI's Voter's Guide Questionnarie in Last Week's NOW
Re: The letter from Vern Bentley and a Voters Guide (candidates’ response to CNI questionnaire) published in last week’s New Berlin NOW:
On the Subject of Candidate Forums
In his letter ( March 3, New Berlin NOW), Ron Koessler complained that New Berlin residents will be deprived of the opportunity to question candidates who declined to participate in the candidate forum scheduled for March 19 at New Berlin West School.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is composed of seven justices, elected to 10-year terms in statewide, non-partisan April elections.
Results Are In
Today’s newspaper reports that the recount held in the state primary race (Republican) for the 84th Assembly District did not change the original results.
Recount
TheJournal Sentinel informs us that John Marek requested a recount following unofficial results showed him behind Mike Kuglitsch by 173 votes out of 8,819 cast in the recent 84th Assembly Primary Election.
Primary Polling Places
CCNB's FailureConcerned Citizens of New Berlin’s recall effort “fizzled” reported the Journal Sentinel recently. CCNB, $40,000 for a Recall Election? Etc.If New Berlin had a Recall Election, what would it cost? According to the City Clerk--- $40,000. Of course, it would be less costly if held at the same time as a Primary or General Election. And who’d be footing the bill? The City, or in other words, the taxpayers. Responses To Vern Bentley's LetterVern Bentley’s misleading letter (printed in New Berlin NOW, May 6 ) about Moody's Investors Service recently assigning the City of New Berlin a Aaa bond rating, elicted two response letters that were published in the May 20 issue of the NOW newspaper. Reflecting on the ElectionThe 2010 New Berlin School Board election was an uncontested race because there were three open seats and three candidates—Keith Hastings, Tom David, and incumbent John Kegel. Congratulations X 3I’d like to thank the candidates who participated in the 2010 Elections. We appreciate and applaud your willingness to serve. Congratulations to all of the 2010 Election winners. Elections Today!Inside New Berlin has been a Community Voices regular blog on New Berlin NOW for several years. During that time, I have blogged about many different issues, including political topics. In Support of Voters ForumsIn June 2003, the New Berlin School Board voted to ban candidate forums/political speech in District facilities. People protested that action in Privilege of the Floor speeches, letters, editorials, etc. but to no avail. A citizen (Bill Moore) filed a formal complaint with the School District about the facility use policy change. I was the second resident to file a complaint and request a board hearing on the issue. I submitted my complaint in September 2003 but did not get a board hearing until January 2004. And then, the School Board chose to hold its hearing regarding my complaint on a Friday morning at 7 a.m. which was in violation of School Board policy. About an hour or so after the hearing began, the School Board abruptly adjourned the meeting (probably to allow the board members who were employed to go to their jobs). The School Board indicated it would resume the hearing at a future time and I was given a tentative hearing date. When the School Board neglected to contact me to confirm that hearing date or notify me of the time and location of the hearing, I called the District office the day before the meeting to obtain the information. Eventually, I got fed up with the District/School Board’s stalling and other antics and joined several District residents, who with the help of the ACLU, took legal action against the New Berlin School District. Just before the District had to respond to the suit, the School Board rescinded its contentious facility use policy provisions. Primary Election Today!In today’s New Berlin primary election, District 1 voters will cast their ballots at Hickory Grove Center, 2600 S. Sunny Slope Road, for 2 at-large seats on the Elmbrook School Board. There are 6 candidates. In alphabetical order, they are: Warren Groff, Beth Horneffer, Genevieve Schmidt, Sandra Schultz, Kathryn Wilson, and (incumbent) Robert Ziegler. The top four vote-getters will go on to the April general election. JJ Blonien Sued By Former Political AllyThe Feb 1 Journal Sentinel news article headlined Former political allies battle in court over money conveys that Bob Dohnal is suing his “former comrade” JJ Blonien. Mark Gundrum in Non-Partisan RaceState Rep. Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin), who was elected to the Assembly in 1998, would rather be a judge. Several NB Aldermen Opt To Deprive Fifth District Of RepresentationIf New Berlin Aldermen Ament, Harenda, Hopkins, Seidl and Wysocki genuinely cared about the whole city and its residents, they would not be depriving the 5th District of aldermanic representation. ELECTED Representation and Interim SuccessorsContrast State Sen. Mary Lazich’s (R-New Berlin) stance on elected representation and interim successors with what several New Berlin aldermen recently did: The VacancyThe recent 5-1 New Berlin aldermanic vote to declare Ald. Poshephy’s seat vacant and direct the City Clerk to advertise the vacancy was heartless and disrespectful of District #5 voters. What Will They Do Now?New Berlin Fifth District Alderman Joe Poshepny missed a number of meetings due to illness. Apparently, he has been getting treatment (rehab. facility) for some injuries and dealing with other health and personal matters. He spent some time in the hospital. NewBerlinNOW reports that Poshepny sent a letter of resignation to the city on Aug. 26, but withdrew his resignation 13 days later (the date the Council planned to deal with the opening). Ald. Ted Wysocki argued for filling the seat. He contended the Fifth District “deserves representation”. It was deferred after City Attorney Mark Blum said he needed to do some research before rendering a legal opinion. Short-sightedness of the NB Common Council Regarding Calhoun Road ReconstructionI've lived in New Berlin over 30 years. My subdivision is near Moorland Road. Years ago, when Moorland Road was widened, some residents were upset. But expanding the road was the right thing to do. It was in our city's best interests. Fortunately, those City leaders thought ahead instead of being short-sighted. I wish members of our current City Council would have done likewise regarding Calhoun Road. Re: Jack Chiovatero's Election Win; NB "Traditions"; SB officersIn 2005, when then-mayor Ted Wysocki ran for re-election, he was defeated by Jack Chiovatero. Last month's New Berlin mayoral race was hyped as a re-match between the incumbent (Mayor Chiovatero) and former mayor (Wysocki). Well, Jack Chiovatero not only won re-election, he beat Ted Wysocki by a bigger vote margin than he had in 2005. A Look At Past NBCRG EndorsementsUnder the "conservatives" leadership, New Berlin Public Schools had a drop in student test scores. See my August 25, 2008 blog entry. See my May 10, 2007 blog entry about decline in proficiency. They hired a Superintendent with minimal experience at a very handsome salary. NBPS also has an Assistant Superintendent who gets a generous salary. The District took on mega-millions in debt for extravagant facilities that include a huge new elementary school with expensive wooden ceiling and mosaic floor tile, and NB West renovations that include a humongous auditorium and a field house. NB West's treatment plant is failing and needs to be replaced or hooked up to City sewer. Meanwhile NB Eisenhower needs a lot of expensive repair/renovation. The DNR charged NBPS with violating laws in the construction of the Ronald Reagan School and the contractor paid a fine. A wad of money has been spent on surveillance cameras at the secondary schools. Under the leadership of the so-called fiscal conservatives, a PR consultant was hired and money spent to implement the District's new Expect Excellence slogan. Setting Ralph Heun StraightDuring his privilege of the floor speech at a hearing/city government meeting held at New Berlin City Hall in November 2008, Ralph Heun referred to himself as representing New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government. Sen. Obama Outscores Sen. McCain On Veterans' IssuesThe Huffington Post informs us that the non-partisan group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Action Fund, as part of its Congressional report card, gave Sen. Barack Obama a “B+” grade for his voting record on issues such as additional funding for combat body armor, post-traumatic stress disorder and other medical treatment. Sen. John McCain got a "D" grade.
Re: Current NBCRG EndorsementsNew Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government (NBCRG) has endorsed a passel of candidates, including these fellows------ NBCRG Spin & BlundersMy NOW blog, unlike New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government’s (NBCRG), conveys a person’s viewpoint (mine)---not a political action committee’s. And unlike NBCRG, I’ve never used my blog to endorse candidates for local public offices. Susan Manley LamentsNew Berlin School Board Member Susan Manley filed non-candidacy papers, signally her intent not to run for re-election. See news report. Conservative or LiberalNBCRG President Ralph Heun and his son Keith are fond of labeling people “conservative” or “liberal”. For example, Ralph Heun has referred to Tom Augustine as “conservative”. |
