Bragging on Sen. Mary Lazich

Blowing the dust off this place to share a story with any of you that might actually still read my ramblings about a recent experience with the DMV, and the action taken by my state senator, Mary Lazich, to make things right.

Yesterday (Monday), I went to get my most recently purchased car titled in my name and to have the plates transferred so they would track back to the car. Not trusting the DMV any farther than I can throw them (after having to deal with the aftermath of their ineptitude many times in the past), I decided it would be best to take care of all this in person, in spite of the $5 counter service fee. When my number was called, I went up to the window to conduct my business and get the car titled and registered. Now, here's where things get interesting. I live in the city of Franklin, but because of the way the USPS handles things, the mail goes through Milwaukee, and so when my address is standardized by their computers, it comes up as Milwaukee. As a result, when I went to the DMV's website to put in my change of address after moving, I tried putting in Franklin just to see what would happen, and the site kicked it back out, and would only accept my address when I put in Milwaukee as the city. No big deal, except that the city of Milwaukee charges a $20 wheel tax, which I have no intention of paying, as I don't owe it. All of that to say, on my title application, I put in my city as Milwaukee, but filled in the line on the form specifying that the car is kept in the city of Franklin (and therefore not subject to the wheel tax). The clerk at the counter called this into question, which would have been fine had he not been so rude about it, even after I tried to explain to him that if he put my application into his computer and put in Franklin for the city, it would be kicked back out. He didn't care about that, insisted that it had to be one or the other, and put the city in as Milwaukee without entering in the information about the car being kept in the city of Franklin, and accused me of trying to avoid paying the wheel tax. He was right about that, but he thought I was trying to do something illegal. Needless to say, seeing as he ultimately works for me, I wasn't pleased about the treatment I received. When I got home, I emailed the DMV as well as Mary Lazich's office to tell them about my experience. Fast forward to today (Tuesday). I got a call from the state Department of Transportation. Sen. Lazich (or someone from her office) got in touch with the DOT, told them what happened, and the DOT called to let me know that they had entered into their system that my car is in fact kept in Franklin, and therefore not subject to the wheel tax, which they tell me will not be added to my renewal next year.

Long story short, I'm still not pleased with the way I was treated by the DMV (although the DOT tells me that my complaint was forwarded to the supervisor at the office I went to), but I'm very pleased that Sen. Lazich's office took action on my behalf to make things right. She has definitely won my vote for re-election.

The ACLU Has Officially Gone Off the Deep End

As evidenced by the news that they are opposing the I-94 Widening Project on the grounds that it is harmful to minorities and low-income groups. You really can't make this stuff up.

H/T Glenn at Badger Blogger

Milwaukee Labor's Obama Love Fest

As I've mentioned previously on the blog, my dear mother has worked for Milwaukee County for over 25 years, and as a member of the AFL-CIO/Milwaukee Area Labor Council (translation: union), she receives their Labor Press newspaper periodically. I've never paid much attention to it in the past (truth be told, neither did she), but lately I've taken to glancing over it, as much of the content has been political in nature. Previously, I covered Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton's foul mouth in regard to the County Executive race. Now, they've got a much bigger fish to fry; the White House, and getting Obama into it.

According to their front page article, "it seems that Republicans can only win November 4 by discouraging voter turnout, while the Democrats must strive for record turnout to guarantee a mandate for change." Yeah, change; the only thing we'll have left if BHO becomes POTUS. They talk about how he's raising more money than McCain; no mention of the fact he did this by bailing out of the public financing system he said he was going to use, and of course no mention of the fact that there are virtually NO safeguards in place to keep people from outside the US, or even people that don't exist, from donating to his campaign, which has been covered elsewhere.

Here's another fantastic quote: "Obama has been a balanced steady voice with practical ideas through the economic disaster." Practical? Like, say, allowing people to pull up to $10,000 out of their 401K plans, which will further depress the stock market? Like "spreading the wealth around," as he puts it? I could go on.

Go read the whole thing, if you can. I can't stomach it.

Hooters in Brookfield?

When pigs fly, maybe.

A post on JSOnline's Newswatch blog this evening informs us that Hooters of America has obtained the building that formerly housed Pedro's, along with their long-term lease. Mayor Jeff Speaker could not be reached for comment, but one alderman (not identified in the post) has already received an objection from a Brookfield resident.

Here's the best part:

Mike McNeil, Hooters' vice president of marketing, said he did not expect any controversy and believed the eatery would be well-received by patrons.

Well received? No controversy? In the city that wanted McDonald's to not use their trademark Golden Arches on the rebuild of their Moorland Road location, going so far as to say that they couldn't be so much as etched in glass in more than two windows? The city that pitched a proper fit over the La Quinta's two-tone paint job? Not to mention the outcry over the trim (yes, the TRIM) on The Fresh Market? He seriously thinks Brookfield is just going to let them set up shop?

Mr. McNeil, whatever it is you're smoking, please remember that it's polite to share.

Midwest/TPG Drink the Koolaid

The Gorebal "Warming" Koolaid, that is.

Was poking around their site today, as I have a vacation to Colorado coming up at the end of this month for a wedding (not mine). I wanted to check the flight info and make sure I put it into my phone so that it's easily accessible when needed. I clicked on the "Commitment to the Environment" quick link, and was taken to this page. They're even going to offer carbon offsets. Fantastic.


I can only hope that soon, the Gorebal "Warming" scam will be exposed for the farce that it is.

BREAKING NEWS: Northwest and Delta to Announce Merger

Worked a closing shift tonight, so this may not be quite so breaking anymore, but as a member of Northwest's frequent flyer program (not that I fly all that much), I received an email from NWA informing me that they are planning a merger with Delta Airlines, pending regulatory approval. The new airline will keep the Delta name, and will maintain all of the current hubs operated by both airlines.

This makes me fear for the future of Midwest.

So Much for Global Warming

The Winter of our Discontent (2007-2008 Edition) is getting ready for one more strike on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Hey Al Gore, whatever happened to global warming?

Tip of the hat to steveegg, with an accompanying warning; the second page of his post is not for the easily offended, but I think many of you will agree; this winter has gone on long enough.

Barbara Lawton: "I'll be damned if we let that happen."

Calling all bloggers, and any other interested parties. The latest issue of the AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press just landed in my mailbox (Mom works for the county), and if you're interested in what's inside, let me know and I'll be happy to send it along to you. The big story is Lena Taylor's race for County Exec, against incumbent Scott Walker. Here's the money quote from Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton:
"It's essential not just for Milwaukee but for the entire state of Wisconsin. We must get rid of Scott Walker who holds government in contempt, who will never understand how government works and doesn't believe in it anyway, and will auction off our beloved county in pieces.
I'll be damned - excuse me - if we'll let that happen."

I must admit, I've never paid much attention to the LP in the past, but this is like the JS editorial board on steroids.

Data On Demand A Bit Too Demanding

MJSOnline, through it's Data On Demand section, has seen fit to publish the salaries of several thousand public school teachers, as well as city and county of Milwaukee workers' salaries, BY NAME, on their Website. Now before you tell me that this is public record and the people have a right to know, let me say I agree with you. The people have a right to know how their money is being spent. But put yourself in the shoes of someone like my mother, who works for the county in Health and Human Services in a position where she has a lot of contact with those who receive welfare, W-2, foodstamps, etc., whose salary is among those you can find, along with her name, through Data on Demand. Would you want just anyone to know exactly how much money you made last year? Even if you work in the private sector, would you want just anyone to have that knowledge? Does the public really need to know exactly how much someone made last year?

A friend of mine, a former DHHS employee, wrote a letter to the JS that I don't expect will be published anytime soon. As such, I have decided to publish it here, with the author's permission. I am maintaining the author's anonymity, as promised. I've highlighted a few portions I want to emphasize.

This morning, a friend of mine whose mother works for the county forwarded the link to your "data on demand" section where you've chosen to publish the salaries of Milwaukee County and City employees... by name. I thought it incisive and quite liberal that you chose to include their overtime hours and comp pay. Having, at one time, worked for the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, I was absolutely disgusted with exactly which axe it is you have decided to grind this time without providing an ounce of justification, explanation or indemnity.

I have been employed by the government in one way or another for many years now and, therefore, understand that the salaries of government employees are paid by tax payers and are, as such, public domain. Odd though that many executive salaries are conveniently missing or difficult to locate through this function. I could be wrong, but I am quite sure the Executive Director of the Department of Health and Human Services makes quite a bit more than $0 (as his is the only BMW parked in the Marcia Coggs parking lot.)

Imagine, if you will, working in a place where you already receive daily gun threats and bomb threats, the building is in terrible shape, your car has been broken into twice this year already, there's no metal detectors or bullet-proof glass, you are yelled at and berated on a daily basis for many things outside your control, where you are subject to government funding cuts that mean you are constantly having to justify your existence, speak with your ineffectual union and fight for a job where you are, likely, desperately underpaid.

I can assure you, as a voice of experience, if money is being wasted at Milwaukee County DHHS, it is hardly being squandered at the hands of people like my friend's mother and the other tireless welfare caseworkers of Milwaukee County. It is being wasted on things like tasteful office furniture for the executive lounge of the administrative offices (furniture, need I mention, that most visitors to DHHS rarely, if ever, sit on). Or, perhaps, employees who have gotten high-level administrative jobs through one means or another that enable them to sit in their offices and surf the web or play solitaire day in and day out on the public dime; never actually assisting anyone. How about all kinds of services that Milwaukee County "provides" that no one actually ever sees, uses or sees financial records for? Need I go on?

But really, this notwithstanding, I don't think anyone's salary should be that easily accessible... but especially if you work predominately with welfare recipients, homeless people, juvenile delinquents, ex-cons and the public at large. I suppose one could wage the argument that such people are not likely to have web access, but who would they be kidding when job search programs in Milwaukee County are little more than computer and internet access for those forced to the outside of the technical world by their financial circumstances?

Here at the University of Texas at Austin, I continue to be a government employee and my salary is published as public record. Were you to wonder what I make (substantially more than a welfare caseworker in Milwaukee County) you could go to the UT Human Resources webpage, key in my job classification and it would tell you the minimum, maximum and qualifications necessary for my annual salary. From this, it is assumed that you could probably extrapolate where I fall within the salary range... but... if you really wanted to know specifically what *I* make, you could contact the government, complete some paperwork, probably do some standing in line, JUSTIFY THE REASON YOU REQUIRE THIS KNOWLEDGE and the great state of Texas would be happy to tell you.

N.R.
The University of Texas at Austin
Division of __________________

Midwest: Is It Really Over?

First, let me point you to a couple of posts about the announced sale of Midwest from two blogs on my blogroll: From Where I Sit and No Runny Eggs (both of which are worth a read). Long story short, TPG Capital of Texas (which Northwest Airlines holds a minority stake in) has agreed to purchase Midwest Airlines for $17 per share, all cash, which beats AirTran's last offer of $16.25 cash and stock, which itself was a response to TPG's offer of $16 all cash.

So here's my thing: after two years trying, multiple attempts, and voting three people onto Midwest's board, do we really think that AirTran is just going to take this lying down? Granted, the proposed buyout must first past federal scrutiny (anti-trust laws may come into play), but still... after all that time and effort, AirTran is just giving up? Why do I get the feeling that there is more to this than meets the eye? I really do think that we haven't heard the last of AirTran's buyout attempt.

Midwest Sale Looms Closer

JSOnline is reporting this afternoon that Midwest Airlines has agreed to open negotiations with AirTran Airways, the Orlando, FL based airline that has been seeking to buy Midwest for some time, and took a step toward that goal by electing three new members to the nine member board at the recent board meeting. While this is not yet the end, and Midwest can still decline AirTran's offer, it looks like a sale is looming ever closer. While I don't fly often, I am still holding out hope that we don't lose Midwest. They are a first rate airline, very comfortable, and they have excellent service to boot. But, only time will tell what will happen next.

HT: Steve at No Runny Eggs

One Last Spin

Dan at The Early Spin is reporting that tomorrow will be their last show on WISN-AM. While I was not a listener of the show (I do enjoy talk radio, just not early in the morning, weird I know) I enjoyed reading Dan's insights and posts at The Early Spin Blog. I do hope Dan will continue blogging, and I hope he will land on his feet in radio (Milwaukee or elsewhere) sometime soon. I spent two and a half years working in radio (on and off the air) and I know the business is cutthroat and crazy. You go in every day not knowing if it will be your last, you know it could happen any day, and yet it still takes you by surprise. I know that there are a lot of folks in Milwaukee who will be sad to see the Spin disappear, but maybe this won't be forever. Only time will tell.

Light Rail and Milwaukee

Eugene over at From Where I Sit has weighed in on this morning's editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the ongoing light rail debate in Milwaukee. This post started as a comment on his blog, but I decided to post it here due to length.

A lot of the arguements for and against transit here in Milwaukee are the same ones that were floated in Minneapolis, before then-Minnesota governor Jesse Venture made light rail in that city a reality. To this day, the light rail is exceeding it's anticipated ridership, and the question of expansion is not if, but when. I suspect the city's layout has a hand in the success of that line, but I will say that it is extremely convenient and useful to residents there. My sister and brother in law have only been using one of their two cars in the time since they moved to a house near the light rail line (she works downtown, at the university), saving them money every month on parking, gas, and maintenance, not to mention she can do a host of other things while she rides the train. So much so, in fact, they are considering selling their second car, thereby freeing up their garage, and saving some money on their car insurance every month.

I'm not claiming to have all the answers to Milwaukee's transit woes, but I will say that Scott Walker needs to give light rail a fair chance, and Tom Barrett needs to let go of his idea of a three mile loop to nowhere downtown. I've said it before and I'll say it again: if we build a light rail that actually goes somewhere, and makes it easier and less stressful for people to get to work, it will be used, and it will be used a lot.

Voter ID: My Take

After the recent arrest of Milwaukee alderman Michael McGee, and the allegations that his uncle paid $5 to several undercover agents for their votes in the (then-upcoming) recall election, there has been renewed fervor over the issue of requiring a photo ID in order to vote. Here's my take:

I take Claritin-D for my allergies. It's an over-the-counter medicine, but because it contains pseudoephedrine, I have to go to the pharmacy counter to purchase it. When I do so, I am required to show my driver's license, and sign my name, either on an electronic screen or on paper in a log book.

When I go to vote in Greenfield, WI (where I live), I go to a nearby elementary school. I walk in, go to the table for the appropriate ward, tell them my name, and they give me a ballot.

What's wrong with this picture? I have to show my ID to buy my allergy medicine, but not to VOTE?