I picked up all the beer cans, hard liquor bottles, empty cigarette packs, a spray paint can and several other items left behind by the melted snow and passers by yesterday – it ended up being a whole box full of garbage. But, while doing so, also found several flowers sprouting through the ground. It’s official, spring is here.
OOOPS, I DIDN’T MEAN TO VOTE TWICE
Wow, seriously, how could you think that was right? Even more amazing to me is that Blanchard had time to prosecute this, but not campaign finance violations by certain organizations.
EXTRA MEETING TOSSED IN
This isn’t on the weekly schedule . . . yet, but note
Common Council Work Group to Review Snow Policies & Procedures
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
3:00 p.m.
Room 525, City-County Building
Things like this make the weekly meeting posts a joke. It’s not on the schedule yet this morning, not much of a notice for a meeting tomorrow. The email came out a 5:50 AM this morning.
LARRY, LARRY, LARRY
I’m glad Gleasman (former Realtors lobbyist) is safe, but there is so much that is so wrong about this article. And, ya gotta love a gun seller on Willy St who describes his merchandise as “junk”.
CULTURAL ARTS PLAN
Just another reminder, your input is needed.
MULLET PLACE
Were they drunk when they named this street, or was it a dare?
CDA SWITCHEROO
What’s the difference between $65K and $110K? It’s no big deal when its not your money. This is kind of old news, but it is still annoying.
TRIBUTES TO ANTHONY BROWN
Wisconsin State Journal, Isthmus and Channel 3 all have nice things to say about Anthony. The Isthmus is particularly interesting.
BETTER THAN WILCO
Too bad this didn’t get any news coverage. And maybe this means the police won’t harass their concert goers?
GOOD QUESTION
How does one answer this?
I am … working with the homeless males in the downtown area. I am trying to help a gentleman who has recently established third shift (11pm-7am) employment but lacks a place to sleep during the days. I am wondering if there is anywhere that you are aware of that could assist this gentleman until he can get into housing?
MOVEMENT ON THE LIBRARY
I can’t wait for this full story to come out and to see those documents they release. Looks like Bruer has finally capitulated to repeated council requests for information. Tho notice how it changed from a council controlled venue at CCOC (Common Council Organizational Committee) to a Mayor controlled committee.
From: Fields, Debbie
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 4:32 PM
To: ALL ALDERS
Cc: MY GROUP; May, Michael; Simon, Debra; Fruit, Tim
Subject: Message from Ald. Tim Bruer: Proposed new downtown library developmentColleagues,
I’d like to take this opportunity to inform you that the City Attorney’s Office will shortly be providing Council members with all documents/correspondence to date pertaining to the proposed downtown library development. These documents should provide you with the most up-to-date information possible regarding the City’s negotiations with the Fiore Company. Council leadership will be requesting that this item be placed on the next Board of Estimates agenda. Given that it pertains to contract negotiations with the Fiore Company, it is likely that the Board of Estimates will go into closed session for the discussion.
If you have questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact Council leadership, the City Attorney or the Mayor’s Office.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Ald. Tim Bruer
Common Council President
CITIZENS UNITED AGAINST @#$%@#$# @#$@#$!#
Really? For those not following closely, Citizen’s United is the group that brought the case to the Supreme Court that led to their ridiculous ruling on commercial donations in campaigns.
This morning we received a letter from a law firm in Virginia representing the group Citizens United claiming that our Facebook page “Citizens United Against Citizens United” is a trademark infringement. The group demands that we cease using the name “Citizens United” immediately and destroy all writings with a reference to the name.
To see the letter, go to http://www.facebook.com/l/bed95;www.wisdc.org/pdf/citizens_united_letter.pdf
The irony here is that the group described the outcome of the case as a great victory for the First Amendment and free speech, but now is seeking to stifle the speech of others who have a different view of the court decision’s implications for political speech and the health of our democracy.
We are consulting with some attorneys and assessing our next steps.
TIME TO THINK ABOUT SUMMER SWIMMING
Register for Goodman Pool swim lessons, join the Goodman Pool Sharks Swim Team and purchase your season Pool Pass for the 2010 Season. Registration has begun for lessons and sessions are filling up! http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/pool/
Check out the NEW Splash-tacular birthday and Splash Bash Party Packages, Family Fun Days and expanded Adult lesson programs at Goodman Pool. http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/pool/poolParty.cfm
CRIME OBSESSION
Check this out, this is Channel 15s version of a news update from yesterday. Someone want to let them know that crime is going down in Madison.
NBC15 News Update
Infant Death Investigation in Madison
Madison police report death of infant Friday morning. (full story)Infant Death Investigation In Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie Police investigate the death of an infant in the city. (full story)Reedsburg Police Investigate Infant Death
Reedsburg police are investigating the death of a 3-month-old child. (full story)CrimeTracker 15: Man Fires Shots During a Fight
Police are looking for a man who fired two shots at another man during a fight. INSIDE: Incident Report from the Madison Police Department. (full story)UPDATE: Arson Arrest in Madison
Fire displaces four Northside residents. UPDATE: Man arrested for Domestic Arson. (full story)
This one was from earlier in the day:
NBC15 News Update
CrimeTracker 15: Man Fires Shots During a Fight
Police are looking for a man who fired two shots at another man during a fight. INSIDE: Incident Report from the Madison Police Department. (full story)Wisconsin Hoops Earns No. 4 Seed
Badgers’ season strong enough for a No. 4 seed, will face Wofford on Friday in Florida; Marquette Gets a 6-seed. (full story)Infant Death Investigation
Sun Prairie Police investigate the death of an infant in the city. (full story)Madison Man Arrested After Pursuit
A man led a Dane County Deputy on a brief pursuit after being confronted about his warrants. (full story)Rock County Man Arrested for 12 Drug-related Charges
Janesville Police execute search warrant, take suspect into custody. (full story)
Can’t they find any other news? Compare it to Channel 3’s update from yesterday morning:
Top Story
Badgers Snag No. 4 Seed In NCAA Tournament
The Univeristy of Wisconsin men’s basketball team has earned a No. 4 seed in the East region and will play the Wofford Terriers in the opening round of the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. More DetailsGov’t Says It Cannot Explain Runaway Toyota
The federal government said Monday it cannot explain a reported incident of sudden, high-speed acceleration in a Toyota Prius on a San Diego, Calif., freeway last week. More DetailsLatest Headlines
Celebrants Attend Madison’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Early-Morning Fire Damages North Side House
Madison Community Mourns Loss Of Dr. Anthony Brown
Madison Police Investigating Gun Shop Robbery
Records Show Walker Doesn’t Always Pack His Lunch
Survey: Readers Don’t Want To Pay For News
Chile Blackout Leaves Millions In Darkness
NYT: US Official Ran Private Spy Operation
Rain Storm Hinders Commuters In Northeast
Detroit To Workers: Stop Wearing Deodorant
BLOWING THROUGH STIMULUS MONEY
The City got $800,000 to help prevent homelessness during this “recession”. TRC received $67K as part of the CAC collaboration, our money is gone. Here’s a report:
In the first five months of the HPRP Housing Stabilization Project, CAC and the collaborating agencies have prevented homelessness for 249 households and have moved 27 households from homelessness to housing. Good work!
The need out there is overwhelming.
TRIAL OF THE TYCOONS
Make Wall Street Pay!
Big Wall Street banks brought on America’s worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
While their actions destroyed Americans’ jobs, homes and hope, the Big Banks got billions in taxpayer bailouts—and went back to business as usual. They gave their execs about $145 billion in 2009 pay and bonuses, and now they’re spending millions lobbying to kill financial reform.
America is 10 million jobs in the hole. It’s time for Wall Street to pay to create the good jobs we need. Join us to take this message right to one of the biggest, baddest banks of all.
Join us for the Trial of the Tycoons (see below) and …
Let’s Tell JP Morgan Chase:
• Stop refusing to pay your fair share to create the 11 million jobs America needs.
• Stop fighting financial reform.
• Start lending to your communities, small businesses and others starved for credit.Tues. March 16
4:30-5:30 pm@ JP Morgan Chase
Corner of Mifflin &
Wisconsin Ave. • Capitol Square • MadisonDon’t Miss the Theater, the Action, the Spectacle!
Witness, as Jamie Dimon, the arrogant and filthy rich CEO of JP Morgan Chase, stands trial for his role in the financial melt-down, for taking $25 billion in federal bailout money, for getting paid $66.9 million for his stellar performance, then for getting paid $17.6 million last year – while spending $6.2 million in corporate funds to lobby Congress to kill financial reform.
Featuring the MadTown Liberty Players!
PEOPLE”S AFFORDABLE HOUSING VISION
Final recommendations getting close . . . I wonder how that city committee is doing . . . chirp . . . chirp . . .
Our next Peoples Affordable Housing Vision meeting will take place at our typical AHAA meeting date, time and place, which is the 4th Thursday of March (3/25), at noon, at the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson St. Please mark your calendars!
I may add a few things up to about 8:45.
