So, below is an open record that I have been sitting on for quite some time. It’s always tough to know what to do with this information, but since the Wisconsin State Journal is looking for blame for why this is taking so long . . . please read below (you might want to read from the bottom up for the full effect). Its classic, sticking the staff in the middle.
From: Marx, Don
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 7:43 AM
To: Olinger, Mark; Harmon, Ramon; Twigg, George
Subject: RE: James Msn Park committeeJust for the record. This committee process has been in the Mayor’s Office for many months. We were specifically and repeatedly instructed to wait for direction from the Mayor’s Office before we do anything. We have received numerous inquires on the status of this committee process from alders, citizens, and occasionally reporters all of which have been referred to the Mayor’s Office as we were not in a position to provide status. We continue to await direction from the Mayor’s Office.
From: Olinger, Mark
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 4:52 PM
To: Harmon, Ramon; Twigg, George
Cc: Marx, Don
Subject: RE: James Msn Park committeeNone scheduled to date.Office of Real Estate Services will set the dates. Awaiting further direction on the communciations piece.m.
From: Harmon, Ramon
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 3:45 PM
To: Twigg, George; Olinger, Mark
Subject: RE: James Msn Park committeeMark:What are the committee meeting dates?Sincerely,Ray HarmonOffice of Mayor Dave Cieslewicz210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.Room 403Madison, WI 53703608-266-4611608-267-8671 (fax)
From: Twigg, George
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 1:01 PM
To: Olinger, Mark
Cc: Harmon, Ramon
Subject: James Msn Park committeeMark:I got a call from Bill Lueders inquiring about the status of this. Sheridan G also stopped by the office the other day. What’s the latest, from your perspective?Bill’s basic line is, the members of this committee were all named as of Sept. 07, here it is April ’08 and no meetings yet, what’s up?George TwiggCommunications DirectorOffice of Mayor Dave Cieslewicz(608) 266-4611
Sorry about the momentary tangent, but had this been a text message, if the Mayor and Alder Zach Brandon get their way, this would not have been an open record. (Read here for my full statement of concerns about eroding open records.) With the new fancy phones the staff have, that is not outside the realm of possibilities.
Back on topic – It’s makes it all the more ridiculous that we are now being asked to rush to meet the Mayor’s time line. I’ll leave you with this final thought, from one of my neighbors:
I really really hope that this reflects the mayor trying very hard NOT to do anything about this, and not a serious level of incompetence in the city govt staff.
