Saturday, September 13, 2014

204 North Pinckney Street, Madison Wisconsin


A walk score of 94 out of 100.



Road Work: Take a Virtual Trip Across the New St. Croix River Bridge



St. Croix bridge construction draws crowds. (Eau Claire Leader Telegram, 9/12/2014)

Beats going to a Twins game.  Every day, thousands of drivers gawk at the outdoor factory for bridge parts along busy Highway 36. Another temporary factory, the size of a jet hangar, has been created on Grey Cloud Island. 

Vertical supports for the bridge — which will connect Oak Park Heights, Minn., to Houlton across the river in Wisconsin — are now rising from the water, drawing onlookers from both riverbanks. Public interest is so high that boat tours were set up, and are sold out for the season.

St. Croix Crossing.  Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Now I wish I'd been following this story more closely


Queens Library chief Thomas Galante placed on paid leave pending results of city and federal investigations. (New York Daily News, 9/11/2014)

BloodbathThe vote to put the scandal-scarred library chief on leave followed a tumultuous summer in which 10 trustees, all Galante supporters, were forced off the nonprofit group’s 19-member board by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Mayor de Blasio.

According to the library's website, Queens Library is an autonomous library system, guided by a 19-member Board of Trustees alternately appointed by the Mayor of the City of New York and the Queens Borough President. The Mayor, the Public Advocate, the Comptroller, the Speaker of the City Council, and the Borough President are ex officio members. 

Related posts: 
Is everybody happy?  (3/13/2014)
Queens library director on hot seat. (2/4/2014)

Mildred Kahle Glotz (1926-2014) Warren High School Class of 1943


Local OSRAM plant safe as 3 others close.  (Warren Times Observer, 3/21/2014)

These job are safe, for the time being"The announcement does not apply to Warren," Anne Guertin, head of media relations Americas for Osram Sylvania, said on Thursday.

The closings, which will take effect in September, will impact approximately 345 employees of the company.

1943 Dragon yearbook

Mildred enjoyed a 24-year run of top-10 popularity, from 1903 to 1926.  She started to lose favor after the 1920s and had gone into free fall by the late 1960s.  We haven't heard from her since 1984.


#1 song in the early summer of 1943.

The Sussex and Lisbon Library Chronicles Part XLII (Mediation)


I think a divorce analogy can appropriately be used in this case.  Custody, too, if we throw in the farm land dispute.

Mediation over Haass library scheduled. (Sussex Sun, 9/8/2014)

As reported by the Kelly Smith.
Although court-ordered mediation is scheduled to begin on Oct. 8, the Pauline Haass Library Board — which will be dissolved in three months — may continue its legal battles with the town of Lisbon over farm land once donated to the town to be used for library purposes.

Library Board President Tim Dietrich says he has "absolutely not" ruled out the possibility the library board may appeal a recent decision by Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge James R. Kieffer, which resulted in an injunction against the library board that limits 2014 spending and an order requiring the library board, the town, and the village of Sussex to begin mediation over various legal issues.

However, Dietrich, who is also a village trustee, emphasized that the library board and the village of Sussex will abide by the judge's order and begin mediation with the town of Lisbon.

Related articles: 
XLI.  (9/7/2014)
Sussex's and Lisbon's messy library divorce.  (8/17/2014)
XXXIX.  (7/16/2014)
No business interruption for the Pauline Haass Public Library. (6/26/2014)
Joint library jukebox.  (6/25/2014)
Somehow I can't imagine Pewaukee waiting with open arms.  (6/22/2014)
Pauline Haass Library dispute continues XXXV.  (4/16/2014)
The Sussex-Lisbon library dispute continues.  (3/27/2014)
Differing opinions on the future of the library.  (3/3/2014)
Dissolution, "from Latin dissolutionem (nominative dissolutio) "a dissolving, destroying, interruption..."  (1/29/2014)
Getting out of joint?  (1/10/2014)
Pauline Haass library board 1, Town of Lisbon 0.  (1/3/2014)
Pauline Haass Public Library considers the cost of litigation.  (11/27/2013)
Sussex/Lisbon: Mediation fails, time to go to court.  (10/23/2013)
Town of Lisbon agrees to nonbinding arbitration with Pauline Haass.  (10/19/2013)
An uncertain funding picture for the Pauline Haass Public Library.  (10/11/2013)
This land is my land, this land is my land.  (9/12/2013)
Sussex-Lisbon library agreement still appears to be more "if" Than "when".  (8/22/2013) 
Still following the Sussex-Lisbon library talks -- since 2010.  (8/6/2013) 
Following a brouhaha over a "most objectionable 3-page letter," library talks to resume between Sussex and Lisbon.  (5/27/2013)
A most objectionable 3-page letter.  (5/10/2013)
Dear Greg; Love, Lisbon Town Board.  (4/27/2013)
Perhaps Pauline Haass is spinning in her grave.  (3/18/2013)
What a long strange trip it's been.  (2/13/2012)
Dueling news releases.  (10/7/2012)
Town of Lisbon wants deep discount in payment for library services.  (9/30/2012)
As the world of joint library agreements turns.  (8/22/2012)
The beat goes on.  (7/2/2012)
Joint library negotiations continue.  (5/13/2012)
Jane Stadler on Paying Taxes: "...it is something that you do because you're part of the community.  (11/26/2011)
Lisbon town chair not likely to get his way on Pauline Haass Library funding. (11/22/2011)
Lisbon Town chair advocates paying for library services on the cheap.  (11/22/2011)
The challenges of shared governance and funding.  (9/28/2011)
Consensus building for new joint library agreement.  (7/22/2011)
Sussex, Lisbon:  Local politics and library negotiations.  (5/28/2011)
Negotiation to continue after information-gathering process.  (10/8/2010)
And the beat goes on.  (10/4/2010)
Differences of opinion of library funding continue.  (9/18/2010)
Leaders of Village of Sussex, Town of Lisbon clash over funding for library. (8/26/2010)
Will annexation resolution interfere with negotiations over joint library agreement?  (8/4/2010)
Proposal to change library funding formula gets cool reception.  (6/7/2010)
Town of Lisbon Chairman proposes new funding formula for library.  (5/31/2010)

Wisconsin Fall Election Preview: Assembly District 20

Democratic incumbent vs. Republican repeat challenger.


Christine Sinicki, Democratic incumbent

Molly McGartland, Republican challenger

McGartland won a 3-way Republican primary with a plurality of the vote in August 2014.


Sinicki has twice defeated McGartland in the general election.

Source:  Ballotpedia

20th Assembly District  (the humpbacked rhino)


Related posts and notes:

1st Senate District  (9/6/2014)
2nd Senate District.  7-term Republican Rob Cowles (Green Bay) is not up for re-election this year.   Cowles also served in the Assembly from 1982 to 1987.
3rd Senate District:  3-term Democrat Tim Carpenter (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.
4th Senate District.  Three-term Democrat Lena Taylor (Milwaukee) is not up for re-election this year.
5th Senate District (9/8/2014)
6th Senate District.  Freshman Democrat Nikiya Harris Dodd (Milwaukee) is not up for re-election this year.
  • 16th Assembly District.  11-term Democrat Leon Young (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.
  • 17th Assembly District (sorry, somehow got lost in the shuffle; need to re-do)
  • 18th Assembly District.  Freshman Democrat Evan Goyke (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.
 7th Senate District.  (9/9/2014)

Friday, September 12, 2014

Washington County Free Library Bookmobile Service

While reviewing my notes and other class materials for week 2 of LIS 712 (History and Development of Public Libraries),  I stumbled across this video from 2008 via PBS' POV webpage.  (A History of the Bookmobile)

(The history part of the program begins at 1:38.)



Washington Free County Library (Maryland)

Source:  Famous First Facts

Expanded and updated a PowerPoint slide while I was at it.

SourcePublic Libraries in the United States Survey.  (Institute of Museum and Library Services)

WEDC's Revolving Door



Our View: Another misstep for WEDC. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/11/2014)

Oh, I'm sure that's all it is.  It's important not to make too much of what might be simply a heated disagreement between a boss and a subordinate. But, unfortunately, management problems are nothing new at WEDC, where two other vice presidents have resigned this year. In three years, WEDC has had two chief executives, two COOs and four chief financial officers.

Not a complete list of the revolving-door brigade.

Paul Jadin, Chief Executive Office, January 2011 to November 1, 2012CEO Jadin to leave Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/20/2012)

Mike Klonsinski, Chief Financial Officer, July 2011 to October 2012Klonsinski resigns amid loan controvery.  (wisbusiness.com, 10/19/2012)

Scott Bowers, Chief Financial Officer, April 2013State jobs agency adds 3rd finance chief in 2 years, then loses him in a day.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/24/2013)

John Gillespie, Public Information Officer, April-May 2013WEDC spokesman quits after financial problems surface.  (Capital Times, 5/7/2013)

Tom Theiding, Communications Manager, August 2011-October 2013.   WEDC spokesman leaving agency to start Arizona business.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 9/16/2013)

Related posts:
Here's how the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is "Reinventing Economic Development".  (8/24/2014) 
Company looks to expand its business geographic focus?  (8/14/2014)
Scott Walker and the horrible, terrible, no good, very transparent day.  (7/28/2014)
Kestrel Aircraft: All these incentives, but no construction, no jobs.  (7/13/2014)
The Eaton Corporation/WEDC timeline of shame.  (7/10/2014)
Wisconsin featured in report on privatized state economic development agencies.  (10/25/2013)
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation pledge: Following the money.  (7/23/2013)
Incompetence rewarded.  (5/9/2013)
And while we're at it, let's take a look at WEDC 's core values. (5/9/2013)
WEDC Public Information Officer Resigns After 1 Month on the Job.  (5/9/2013)
Plenty of time for messaging but none for fixing what ails WEDC.  (5/9/2013)
Previous WEDC audits?  What previous audits?  (5/8/2013)
Are you seeing a trend yet?  (5/8/2013)
Echoes.  (5/7/2013)
Get me rewrite.  (5/4/2013)
Legislative Audit Bureau Report on Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation: The "Cliff Notes" Version.  (5/3/2013
"Tales of woe never end at WEDC."  (4/25/2013)
Enterprise Florida and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation share a lack of transparency.  (2/28/2013)

Find a Fair Approach to School Funding in Wisconsin

Examining rural school funding: the challenges, the possible solutions. (WJFW-TV, Rhinelander, 9/11/2014)

Excerpt 1.   Rural schools and schools with declining enrollment make up most of northern Wisconsin. 

Here's a sampling of rural school districts in northern Wisconsin with declining enrollment.


Excerpt 2.  Wisconsin get little or no state aid. High property values in those areas mean the burden for school funding is shifted to property taxpayers, instead of the state. The system has forced many districts, especially rural districts, to consistently go to referendum to pay the bills.

This quote follows.


Fair Funding for Our Future

Wisconsin Fall Election Preview: Assembly District 19

Open seat.  Incumbent Jon Richards not running for re-election.


Jonathan Brostoff, Democratic candidate

Brostoff won a 4-way Democratic primary in August 2014.



Joseph Klein, Pirate Party of Wisconsin candidate

About the Pirate Party.   The Pirate Party is an international political movement focused on the reform of copyright and patent laws, support for net neutrality, the protection of civil liberties, and transparency in government

19th Assembly District

Public library in the 19th Assembly District
Milwaukee Public Library.  Bay View Library

Academic library.
UWM Golda Meir Library..

Related posts and notes:

1st Senate District  (9/6/2014)
2nd Senate District.  7-term Republican Rob Cowles (Green Bay) is not up for re-election this year.   Cowles also served in the Assembly from 1982 to 1987.
3rd Senate District:  3-term Democrat Tim Carpenter (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.
4th Senate District.  Three-term Democrat Lena Taylor (Milwaukee) is not up for re-election this year.
5th Senate District (9/8/2014)
6th Senate District.  Freshman Democrat Nikiya Harris Dodd (Milwaukee) is not up for re-election this year.
 7th Senate District.  (9/9/2014)

Thursday, September 11, 2014

What? Me Worry?!

Walker Says Even If Federal Appeals Court Dismisses John Doe Case, He's Not Worried.  (Wisconsin Public Radio, 9/10/2014)


With apologies to Alfred E. Neuman.

For Your Consideration: Scott Fitzgerald Gives Hans Christian Andersen a Run for His Money


Related posts:
Remember that day in March when we allegedly had a budget surplus and there was just gobs of money to give away to "workers, parents, seniors, property owners, veterans, job creators, and others"? (9/11/2014)
The Beloit Daily News editorial board supposes.  (9/11/2014)
State Senator Paul Farrow responds to Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo with snarly campaign rhetoric.  (9/9/2014)
Robin Vos and Sheila Harsdorf Are "Putting Taxpayers First".  (9/8/2014)
When is a "Statement on Legislative Fiscal Bureau Memo" a Republican campaign commercial.  (9/8/2014)
Projected Wisconsin budget shortfall deja vu.  (9/8/2014)
Joint Committee on Finance co-chair cites the need to manage the taxpayers' money well (in 2012).  (9/8/2014)

Urban Day School's Money-Driven Promotion




What's the significance of September 19th?

Rep. Fred Kessler explains it in a letter to Acting Chancellor Dr. Mark None, UW-MilwaukeeAs you are certainly aware, September 19th is a key date; it is the day upon which each school’s share of millions in taxpayer dollars is determined by the state Department of Public Instruction. 

Remember that day in March when we allegedly had a budget surplus and there was just gobs of money to give away to "workers, parents, seniors, property owners, veterans, job creators, and others"?


Blueprint for Prosperity: Governor Scott Walker Signs Over $500 Million in Tax Relief into Law. Returns vast majority of $1 billion surplus to people of Wisconsin.  (Office of the Governor news release, 3/24/2014)

Anybody feel left out?

Turns out there wasn't really a surplus after all.
The Beloit Daily News editorial board supposes.  (9/11/2014)
State Senator Paul Farrow responds to Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo with snarly campaign rhetoric.  (9/9/2014)
Robin Vos and Sheila Harsdorf Are "Putting Taxpayers First".  (9/8/2014)
When is a "Statement on Legislative Fiscal Bureau Memo" a Republican campaign commercial.  (9/8/2014)
Projected Wisconsin budget shortfall deja vu.  (9/8/2014)
Joint Committee on Finance co-chair cites the need to manage the taxpayers' money well (in 2012).  (9/8/2014)

Survey Sez: Home Buyers Willing to Act Rashly

Survey shows home buyers willing to bust budgets. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/11/2014)

You haven't set a budget if you plan to exceed it.   Although most people planning to buy a home in Wisconsin have set a budget, 40% say they'd bust that budget if they found a house they loved, according to a survey.

What happened to this great nation of pay-as-you-goers?


 Every single day?  That would be amassing even great levels of debt.



The Beloit Daily News Editorial Board Supposes



The fiscal sky has not fallen. (Beloit Daily News, 9/10/2014)

Lots can change between now and 2017, the editorial notes.

Suppose there's faster economic growth(Not with tax cuts getting in the way.)

Suppose there's spending cuts.  (The current administration specializes in "finding further efficiencies in government and continuing to eliminate waste".  That sounds like "spending cuts" to me.  No "supposing" here.  Substantial, likely painful spending cuts will happen if Walker is elected to a 2nd term.)

Suppose there's higher tax collections.  (Not unless consumers spend more. Wisconsin sees slow growth in consumer spendingBloomberg Businessweek, 8/8/2014)

Suppose raising taxes.  (Suppose I bought myself a $25,000 pair of bespoke shoes.)

Related posts:  
State Senator Paul Farrow responds to Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo with snarly campaign rhetoric.  (9/9/2014)
Robin Vos and Sheila Harsdorf Are "Putting Taxpayers First".  (9/8/2014)
When is a "Statement on Legislative Fiscal Bureau Memo" a Republican campaign commercial.  (9/8/2014)
Projected Wisconsin budget shortfall deja vu.  (9/8/2014)
Joint Committee on Finance co-chair cites the need to manage the taxpayers' money well (in 2012).  (9/8/2014)

Will Scott Walker Man Up and Own This Mess He's Made?

If there's a budget mess this time, it belongs to Gov. Scott Walker. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial, 9/10/2014)


Don't hold your breath, folks.  Walker has been running against Doyle all year so far.

Related posts:
Scott Walker in so many words: Jim Doyle responsible for 1.5% of U.S. job loss during Great Recession.  (9/2/2014)
Can't helping himself, Scott Walker thinks running against Jim Doyle is the best strategy. (8/31/2014)
The Facts Are: Scott Walker has nothing to run on.  (8/24/2014) 
What a whiner! With no accomplishments of his own to trumpet, Scott Walker runs against Jim Doyle ...again.  (6/20/2014)
Four years later and Scott Walker is still running against Jim Doyle.  (3/4/2014)
Another John Doe Shocker: Scott Walker doesn't blame Jim Doyle  (2/21/2014)
Blame Doyle: Republican Governors Association pimps for Scott Walker like it's 2010.  (2/13/2014)

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Blue Velvet (The Towering Isthmus)


Blue Velvet Lounge
  • Sophisticated
  • Suave
  • Classy
  • Refined
  • Elegant
  • Chic 
  • Stylish
  • Urbane
  • Trendy
  • Polished
  • Fashionable
  • Smart
  • Exclusive
  • Velvety

Sorry, but -- whoa, whoa, whoa -- it's just gotta be shared here, folks.



Other "Towering Isthmus" posts:
The New Edgewater Hotel gets ready for its fireworks celebration.  (9/10/2014) 
Among the first wave of towers on the Isthmus.  (9/9/2014)
For those of you who haven't stood at the intersection of West Gilman and State Street in Madison Wisconsin lately.  (9/9/2014)
A tree grows on West Gilman Street.  (9/9/2014) 
Nobly or otherwise, this is no longer the question.  (9/8/2014) 
Deconstruction complete at 17, 19, 25 North Webster and 201 East Mifflin Streets.  (9/7/2014)
The towering isthmus (left to right).  (8/27/2014)
9 more stories to go.  (7/25/2014)
The Towering Isthmus (and the 3 cranes): For folks who can afford the view.  (7/22/2014) 
That Was Then, This is Now: The 400 Block of West Gilman.  (7/18/2014)
The towers of Porta Bella.  (7/18/2014)
New housing rising.  (5/8/2014)
Cranes over Porta Bella.  (4/22/2014)

Bespoke Shoes: They would be on my bucket list if I could afford them



Print headline:  Hub for Luxury Shoes Rises on Madison Ave.

Online headline:  A Haven for Luxury Shoes Rises on Madison Ave.

The New York Times, 9/9/2014.

Yowsah!   The finished product of his service starts at $8,000 and can climb to over $25,000.



Before closing, I think it might be time for a vocabulary lesson.

Quisling Terrace: In the Art Moderne Style

Originally, the Quisling Clinic. (Quisling Terrace since 2000.)


Elements of the style, popular in the 1930s
  • Horizontal orientation
  • Horizontal grooves or lines in walls
  • Rounded edges
  • Corner windows
  • Porthole windows
  • Smooth exterior finish
  • Subdued colors

Also known as Streamline Moderne and Machine Age.

Photos by Retiring Guy

Nearly lost to the wrecking ball in 1999.   Neighborhood activists successfully fought a proposal to build a 7-story, 101-unit apartment building on this site.

Reading about Amazon's Fire smartphone made me think about another doomed product launch



Transcript to 1:06.  This.....is the 1958 Edsel.   The car that presents originality and elegance never seen before in any car at any price.  And presents them in 18 different models.  

This expensive-looking car is one of the Edsel's Ranger series, a 4-door, ice-green sedan styled like a hardtop that sells for no more than some models of America's low-priced cars.

The turquoise-and-white convertible that you see driving up now is one of the Edsel Pacer series with elegant Edsel styling throughout, such as these Edsel contour seats that are scientifically designed to give you separate back and shoulder support for an overall feeling of luxurious comfort that means hour upon hour of fatigue-free and enjoyable driving.  And the back of the front seat is divided in a new way that gives the middle passenger a full back rest so you ride more comfortably than you have before


What was once a flop is now a collectible.

I doubt The Fire will follow this path.

Amazon Cuts Struggling Phone's Price to 99 Cents.  (The New York Times, 9/8/2014)

Lackluster sales and sealed lips.  The Fire, released in late July, is an expensive venture for Amazon. Thousands of employees worked on it for four years. Analysts initially expected sales of one million to two million units in the first year. 

[snip]

Amazon does not release sales numbers for its devices and declined to comment for this article.



"I've been on this earth 9 years.  I've never seen anything like it,"  sez Lil Pudge.

The New Edgewater Hotel Gets Ready for Its Fireworks Celebration (The Towering Isthmus)

The Edgewater 

Photo by Retiring Guy

Edgewater Hotel Redevelopment

It took a lot of effort and discussion to get to this point.

Other "Towering Isthmus" posts:
Among the first wave of towers on the Isthmus.  (9/9/2014)
For those of you who haven't stood at the intersection of West Gilman and State Street in Madison Wisconsin lately.  (9/9/2014)
A tree grows on West Gilman Street.  (9/9/2014) 
Nobly or otherwise, this is no longer the question.  (9/8/2014) 
Deconstruction complete at 17, 19, 25 North Webster and 201 East Mifflin Streets.  (9/7/2014)
The towering isthmus (left to right).  (8/27/2014)
9 more stories to go.  (7/25/2014)
The Towering Isthmus (and the 3 cranes): For folks who can afford the view.  (7/22/2014) 
That Was Then, This is Now: The 400 Block of West Gilman.  (7/18/2014)
The towers of Porta Bella.  (7/18/2014)
New housing rising.  (5/8/2014)
Cranes over Porta Bella.  (4/22/2014)

The Tug-of-War Over a New Appleton Public Library Continues


Public divided on new Appleton library plans. (Appleton Post-Cresent, 9/9/2014)

Was there an attachment with this letter?  A small coalition of city residents and developers sent Hanna and the council a letter late last month questioning the plans and calling for a reopening of bids to overhaul the current 1981-era site on Oneida Street. 

The group said renovating the library would cost about $17 million, lower than estimates from the city-paid consultants. 

Rortvedt said overhauling the existing library would cost about $35 million, a figure that includes expansion, renovation and acquisition of a parking lot — along with 18 months of leasing space during construction.

Related posts:
Not sure how "fast track" can be used to describe a 6+ year new library planning process.  (9/7/2014)
The Appleton Public Library and eminent domain.  (9/1/2014)
The new Appleton Public Library's "pre-funding schematic".  (8/26/2014) 
Appleton council member challenges her colleagues to "Do your job"  (8/18/2014)
Site selected for new Appleton Public Library.  (4/16/2014)
Post-Crescent interview with Appleton Public Library Director Colleen Rortvedt.  (4/9/2014)
Consultants recommend 3 sites for new downtown Appleton Public Library.   (3/19/2014)
Appleton Public Library hires Godfrey's Associates to gather data and public input on future of library.  (8/19/2012)
Appleton Public Library Colleen Rortvedt interviews on Post-Crescent's newsmakers.  (4/19/2012)
Community conversations about the Appleton Public Library.  (4/18/2012)
"Quirky" Geenan favors new Appleton library over downtown exhibition center.  (2/14/2012)
Post-Crescent editorial board agrees with decision to wait on library building project.  (7/18/2011)
Appleton Public Library Director Colleen Rortvedt provides context to Post-Crescent article on library expansion.  (7/7/2011)
New library placed on indefinite hold.  (7/6/2011)
On the need for a new library.  (2/4/2011)
Director responds to 'frequently observed misconceptions'. (12/4/2009)
Readers weigh in on new library. (11/9/2009)
Mayor provides his perspective on library planning process.  (10/7/2009)
Post-Crescent supports next step in library facilities planning process.  (10/6/2009)
Financing options for Appleton's library project.  (10/6/2009)
Potential sites for new library under discussion.  (10/4/2009)
Membership of capital facilities committee for library project approved.  (8/7/2009)
Terry Dawson's discusses Appleton library building project.  (7/16/2009)
Library building project update.  (6/18/2009)
Appleton's library planning escapes budget cuts.  (11/13/2008)
Post-Crescent endorses library design study.  (11/11/2008)
Study:  New library should be built downtown.  (7/10/2008)

Another Example of Scott Walker's Management Style on Display

He's chairman of the board.

Blunt emails expose deep rift between two WEDC leaders. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/8/2014)


Ryan Murray's resume.

Related posts:
Here's how the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is "Reinventing Economic Development".  (8/24/2014) 
Company looks to expand its business geographic focus?  (8/14/2014)
Scott Walker and the horrible, terrible, no good, very transparent day.  (7/28/2014)
Kestrel Aircraft: All these incentives, but no construction, no jobs.  (7/13/2014)
The Eaton Corporation/WEDC timeline of shame.  (7/10/2014)
Wisconsin featured in report on privatized state economic development agencies.  (10/25/2013)
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation pledge: Following the money.  (7/23/2013)
Incompetence rewarded.  (5/9/2013)
And while we're at it, let's take a look at WEDC 's core values. (5/9/2013)
WEDC Public Information Officer Resigns After 1 Month on the Job.  (5/9/2013)
Plenty of time for messaging but none for fixing what ails WEDC.  (5/9/2013)
Previous WEDC audits?  What previous audits?  (5/8/2013)
Are you seeing a trend yet?  (5/8/2013)
Echoes.  (5/7/2013)
Get me rewrite.  (5/4/2013)
Legislative Audit Bureau Report on Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation: The "Cliff Notes" Version.  (5/3/2013
"Tales of woe never end at WEDC."  (4/25/2013)
Enterprise Florida and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation share a lack of transparency.  (2/28/2013)

Harvard Study Offers Up Something We Already Know

My son the beer merchandiser does frequent studies of his own, stocking and restocking 30-packs of Natty Light prior to a Wisconsin Badgers home football game.  Apparently, Woodman's East is students' favorite destination, where purchases approaching 100 30-packs are not unheard of.  That's 3,000 cans of beer. 


Harvard study: Campus binge drinking hinges on availability of cheap booze. (Capital Times, 9/9/2014)

Madison alder knows his constituents.   “Students don’t have a lot of disposable income,” Verveer said Monday. “You can see them walking down the street carrying cases of the cheapest brands of beer.”

Oftentimes with bottles of cheap vodka added for good measure.

 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Among the First Wave of Towers on the Isthmus (The Towering Isthmus)

The Henry Gilman Apartments (West Gilman at North Henry streets).  Opened in the early 1970s.


The changing housing market.  (The Daily Cardinal, 5/6/2013)


Henry Gilman Apartments.

Photos by Retiring Guy

The most recent review (8/14/2012), and the first one posted since 1/27/2008The remodeled units are pretty nice, however, the building as a whole is disgusting. Carpeting is stained and gross, the hallways are so narrow it looks like you're in the steerage compartment of the Titanic and the elevators rarely work. People leave trash everywhere in the building and it takes a long time for it to be picked up. The person living next to me would leave garbage bags full of trash in the hallway for days and no one ever bothered to do anything about it. 

You can find a lot nicer places for less money downtown. Avoid if you can. 




Other "Towering Isthmus" posts:
For those of you who haven't stood at the intersection of West Gilman and State Street in Madison Wisconsin lately.  (9/9/2014)
A tree grows on West Gilman Street.  (9/9/2014) 
Nobly or otherwise, this is no longer the question.  (9/8/2014) 
Deconstruction complete at 17, 19, 25 North Webster and 201 East Mifflin Streets.  (9/7/2014)
The towering isthmus (left to right).  (8/27/2014)
9 more stories to go.  (7/25/2014)
The Towering Isthmus (and the 3 dranes): For folks who can afford the view.  (7/22/2014) 
That Was Then, This is Now: The 400 Block of West Gilman.  (7/18/2014)
The towers of Porta Bella.  (7/18/2014)
New housing rising.  (5/8/2014)
Cranes over Porta Bella.  (4/22/2014)

For Those of You Who Haven't Stood at the Intersection of West Gilman and State Street in Madison Wisconsin Lately (The Towering Isthmus)


Other "Towering Isthmus" posts:
A tree grows on West Gilman Street.  (9/9/2014) 
Nobly or otherwise, this is no longer the question.  (9/8/2014) 
Deconstruction complete at 17, 19, 25 North Webster and 201 East Mifflin Streets.  (9/7/2014)
The towering isthmus (left to right).  (8/27/2014)
9 more stories to go.  (7/25/2014)
The Towering Isthmus (and the 3 dranes): For folks who can afford the view.  (7/22/2014) 
That Was Then, This is Now: The 400 Block of West Gilman.  (7/18/2014)
The towers of Porta Bella.  (7/18/2014)
New housing rising.  (5/8/2014)
Cranes over Porta Bella.  (4/22/2014)

A Tree Grows on West Gilman Street (The Towering Isthmus)


Looming in the background is the The Hub at Madison, also known as the Towers of Porta Bella.


Other "Towering Isthmus" posts:
Nobly or otherwise, this is no longer the question.  (9/8/2014) 
Deconstruction complete at 17, 19, 25 North Webster and 201 East Mifflin Streets.  (9/7/2014)
The towering isthmus (left to right).  (8/27/2014)
9 more stories to go.  (7/25/2014)
The Towering Isthmus (and the 3 dranes): For folks who can afford the view.  (7/22/2014) 
That Was Then, This is Now: The 400 Block of West Gilman.  (7/18/2014)
The towers of Porta Bella.  (7/18/2014)
New housing rising.  (5/8/2014)
Cranes over Porta Bella.  (4/22/2014)

Wisconsin Fall Election Preview: Senate District 7

Democratic incumbent vs. Republican challenger


Chris Larson, Democratic incumbent

Red Arnold, Republican challenger

7th Senate District

Related posts and notes:

1st Senate District  (9/6/2014)
2nd Senate District.  7-term Republican Rob Cowles (Green Bay) is not up for re-election this year.   Cowles also served in the Assembly from 1982 to 1987.
3rd Senate District:  3-term Democrat Tim Carpenter (Milwaukee) is running unopposed.
4th Senate District.  Three-term Democrat Lena Taylor (Milwaukee) is not up for re-election this year.
5th Senate District (9/8/2014)
6th Senate District.  Freshman Democrat Nikiya Harris Dodd (Milwaukee) is not up for re-election this year.