"Recall Doyle" Group Forms in Oshkosh

A local chapter of the statewide "Recall Doyle" initiative is organizing in Oshkosh, and is inviting potential volunteers to an "organizing and information meeting" at the Robbin's Restaurant (1810 Omro Rd) on June 2, at 7 p.m.

From their press release:

Coming after a packed house of over 250 in Milwaukee, the Recall Doyle team will hold an organizing and information meeting on Tuesday, June 2nd, 7PM at the Robbins Restaurant 1810 Omro Rd, Oshkosh, WI 54902 (920-235-2840).

The hour-long presentation is designed to inform citizens about their recall rights and statutory obligations, recruit volunteer circulators and local organizers, provide information about the progress of the Doyle recall effort, and explain the strategic benefits of recalling Jim Doyle as early as possible. Educational and promotional material such as organizer kits, buttons, yard signs, and other items will be available to attendees.

Those unable to attend can log onto www.RecallDoyle.com and learn more about the recall effort, as well as sign on to be a volunteer, circulator, or organizer. Currently over 3,000 people have signed up to help the recall effort. The recall will officially launch when 10,000 volunteers have been recruited.

The group appears affiliated with another group, Wisconsinites Interest Now (WIN) and the Citizens for Responsible Government, both of which are conservative action organizations in Wisconsin.

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Weird Day for Oshkosh Wildlife

I was taking a bike ride this morning, and not far from home I saw a white-tail deer bounding up Merrill Street, heading up to New York Ave two blocks from Main Street. I hit the brakes and watched the small buck with three inches of velvety antlers bounding six feet up in the air and crashing down on what passes for pavement on Merrill Street. It may have been the first visit of deer in my neighborhood in more than a century. Where the deer originated is a mystery; whether it was from the North, South, or East I can't say for sure. I have a hunch that it was a displaced quarry deer; the ancient lava field that is Merrill St. must have reminded it of home.

I headed up on to the Wiowash Trail and observed the usual wildlife suspects, admiring the yellow-headed black birds, yellow warblers and soaring white pelicans. As I was returning home through the city streets I passed a mother duck with six or seven tiny ducklings in tow on the corner of Wisconsin and Lincoln, heading south to the river. While it was a pretty good distance from the river, such a sighting in Oshkosh is not that unusual, except that these weren't mallards, they were wood ducks. The mother must have found a nice hollow tree, probably a silver maple, to nest in somewhere nearby. I stopped to watch them and they quickly disappeared into some shrubs. I wished them good luck running the rubber and steel gauntlet on their way to Fox, and pedaled the same gauntlet home.

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Much Ado About Nothing

The big to-do about Bob Poeschl and Tony Palmeri caused by Jef Hall's accusations finally started to bother me, because I consider both Bob and Tony as friends. When I watched the Council meeting live on TV I didn't even notice anything awry - I was still processing the Harold Buchholz choice given my recent thoughts that this guy had some dark horse legitimacy. The fact that Bob wanted a break before making his pick didn't surprise me, he doesn't like being rushed and he usually wants to think his votes through carefully before going "on the record". This is pre-Council Bob Poeschl.

I didn't even notice Jef Hall's accusations until the next day, after I had already written a short post here welcoming Harold to the Council. So I was a little surprised when I learned what Jef Hall had written in the morning - with a straight face accusing Tony and Bob of violating open meetings laws, and also at the meeting moments after (via Twitter) he mentioned it after it was clear that the Council was going to appoint Harold Buchholz and not Stephen Hintz to the seventh seat on the Council.

Stephen Hintz is a good guy, I talked him up here on an earlier post. He is also State Representative Gordon Hintz's father, and both father and son are very active in the local Democratic Party, which Jef Hall Chairs. So I thought maybe Hall was just going to bat for Hintz, taking pot shots at Bob and Tony for not voting for Hintz. I didn't see a big deal here.

Then the story got legs, even making it into the Oshkosh Northwestern, who got quotes from Bob, Tony, and Jef Hall. So, time to look into the story. I didn't want to call Tony because I knew he had just left town for a long vacation. I called Bob, talked to him a few times with some questions. Then I decided to watch the tape again, because when Council is on break, they keep the cameras on, but the screen is tinted blue and there is text blocking some of the view. But this is what I saw:

• Palmeri, Tower, and McHugh had all spoken and named their choices, Buchholz, Hintz, and Buchholz. Esslinger is asking for someone else to speak next. Bob is reading over his notes, it looks like about 5 pages, and comparing them to what appears to be the resumes in front of him on the table. Esslinger asks again for someone else to speak up. King is looking down at the papers on the table, Poeschl looking over his notes.
  
• Finally Poeschl says "...I'm still kinda sifting through my thoughts here,,,that's why I... why I'm...not, you know, being front...with... how I feel about [goes inaudible as Esslinger interrupts and asks him if he wants to take a break.] Poeschl continues "...I would appreciate that...there is a great amount of ...[inaudible] evidence here ...[rest inaudible as Esslinger calls for a five minute break.]
  

At this point, to me it appeared as if Bob had either not made his decision yet, or he was trying to figure out what to say when he did make his pick. Why King hadn't spoken up yet I don't know. Esslinger, as Mayor, was obviously waiting to go last, excercising Mayoral "priviledge".

So what happened on the break. The "five minute break" to allow Poeschl to collect his thoughts was actually 7 minutes and 15 seconds. During this time, the six councilors were coming and going and talking, along with non-Councilor and applicant for the seventh seat Larry Spanbauer. These seven people were the ones on camera most of the time during the break. This is how it played out (times are approximate):

• 00:00 - Break begins. Tower is up and off stage, McHugh stands up, Esslinger and Palmeri immediately start talking, appear to be smiling or laughing. Poeschl is looking over notes, King is looking over notes.
  
• 00:30 - Larry Spanbauer approaches Jessica King. Poeschl still looking over notes. Esslinger and Palmeri still talking.
  
• 01:00 - McHugh walks over to Esslinger and Palmeri and joins their conversation. Poeschl looking over notes, King talking with Spanbauer.
  
• 01:30 - Palmeri leans over to Poeschl and says something. Esslinger and McHugh talking, Spanbauer and King talking.
  
• 02:15 - Spanbauer leaves King, walks past Poeschl and Palmeri, stops at Esslinger. King gets up and leaves. Palmeri talking to Poeschl as Poeschl continues reviewing notes.
  
• 03:00 - Tower enters, Tower and Spanbauer talk in front of Council dias, Esslinger& McHugh talking behind dias, Palmeri & Poeschl talking in their seats.
  
• 03:30 - King returns, goes off camera into the gallery. Poeschl & Palmeri still talking, Palmeri is smiling about something.
  
• 04:00 - same arrangement, Palmeri & Poeschl talking, Esslinger & McHugh talking, Tower & Spanbauer talking.
  
• 04:30 - Poeschl & Palmeri talking on and off as Poeschl continues reviewing his notes.
  
• 05:00 - Palmeri now listening in on McHugh & Esslinger's conversation, Tower & Spanbauer still talking right in front of them, Poeschl alone with his notes.
  
• 06:00 - Poeschl interjects into the conversation between Palmeri, McHugh and Esslinger, then goes back to his notes. Tower & Spanbauer still talking.
  
• 06:45 - King returns. Poeschl on notes, Palmeri, Esslinger and McHugh talking.
  
• 07:00 - Spanbauer leaves, Tower takes his seat. McHugh takes his seat.
  
• 07:15 - breat ends.
  

Given the evidence before me, Poeschl was looking over his notes for 1 1/2 minutes before Palmeri started talking to him. Poeschl continued reviewing his notes during the first part of the ensuing 3 minute conversation, but about half way through was talking to Palmeri more than looking at notes. For the last two to two and a half minutes, Palmeri is talking with Esslinger and McHugh, and Poeschl is for the most part looking over his notes.

What I saw in this scene was Poeschl trying to "sift his thoughts", Palmeri basically distracting him for just under half the break (3 minutes), but other wise Poeschl was "sifting". Conversations were going on all around Poeschl, including three councilors all talking together, and an applicant for the seventh seat (Spanbauer) engaged in conversation with three separate councilors.

Spanbauer knows what Palmeri and Poeschl said to each other, he was right in front of them. King was there for the first part of their conversation. Esslinger and McHugh were right next to Tony. The Northwestern quoted Poeschl as stating that they did talk about the presentations, and Palmeri as stating that their conversation was "insignificant". I can imagine that Esslinger & McHugh were talking about the presentations, and Spanbauer and King were talking about the presentations, and the people in the hall were talking about the presentations, and the people at home watching on TV were talking about the presentations.

Did Palmeri tell Poeschl how to vote? No way.

Did Palmeri "influence" Poeschl's decision? And if he did, did he do it during that 3 minute discussion, or during his 3-5 minute monologue stating during the meeting why he was supporting Buchholz? Unknown. I would not be surprised at all if Poeschl was influenced by Palmeri's public comments, but I would be very surprised if Palmeri actually tried to convince Poeschl to vote for Buchholz.

In conclusion, I think Palmeri should not have distracted Poeschl during the break, because the break was called to give Poeschl (and King, by proxy) a chance to review their notes and prepare to offer their selections. On top of this, Poeschl and Palmeri should not have been talking about the presentations given where they were at on the agenda at the time the break was called. Neither did anything illegal or unethical though. I am no lawyer, but people who understand quorum rules have convinced me that no open meetings violations occured.

So this is really and truly "Much Ado About Nothing". Jef Hall has a grudge against Palmeri going back at least as far as Tony's 2004 State Assembly campaign as a Green Party candidate, and he has an axe to grind. I think that Jef Hall dislikes the fact that his County Democrats endorsed Palmeri for Council, and he dislikes the fact that Palmeri (and Poeschl to a degree) appears allied with Esslinger (another person Hall dislikes) and I think Hall is making hay out of nothing for political points.

In other words, this is just politics as usual.

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Water Tower Revisited

The council makeup today is significantly different from the past several years, and with this change comes the realistic opportunity to right at least one wrong of the past councils. With the addition of Buchholz, the council is now poised to challenge and even overturn the decision to destroy one of the historic symbols of Oshkosh.

Tony Palmeri posted the following information regarding the Oshkosh water tower located in Menominee Park, which he obtained through the 1995 Oshkosh Annual Report:

"In 1995 while work was being planned for the construction of the free-standing water treatment plant, it was suggested that the tower be demolished. Apparently the option was presented as fiscally motivated by Gilbert Pollnow of the city's Energy and Environment Advisory Committee. However, Public Works Director Gerald Konrad asserted the tower was "in very sound shape," and further reported the city recently had spent $70,654 on a new roof for it, and also had undertaken tuck pointing and selected brick replacement. At that time, the precedent established by the city in 1989 for saving a 100 foot smokestack from the former Pluswood Plant and maintaining it in Abe Rochlin Park was cited by Konrad, who was reported to say, "The city went to great lengths to save the smokestack on the old Pluswood property, so we thought that maybe we shouldn't be too quick in demolishing that tower."

When the council did vote on this issue back in July of 2007, they were not provided with the full information regarding the tower, including information that the design of the structure is original and completed by a recognized architect, that the unique brickwork is ornate and original , or that the city had relatively recently invested money to maintain the historic significance of the structure.

Keeping the structure intact is supported by many in the neighborhood, as well as local individuals involved in historic preservation. You can see Terry Laab's articulation of the historic value of the structure well into the 5/27/08 meeting.

The addition of Buchholz means that three votes for the preservation are certain - Buchholz along with Palmeri and Poeschl. So that leaves only one additional vote needed for a majority, and possibly more if the city pulls out some language for required vote numbers when overturning past decisions. It is very possible that educated individuals such as Burk Tower and Jess King recognize the value and importance of history, as well as historic landmarks. Although they may have voted against the tower in the past (I'm not sure as I don't have time), additional information is available now for them to consider (as indicated above) and their vote is easier to make now that there is significant support for the preservation of the tower.

So here is what should happen:

1. A council member should request clarification of the steps necessary to postpone demolition of the tower. Its very possible that staff will be highly resistant to this, and may even attempt to derail this effort.

2. The council should then reconsider the issue, due to the failure of full disclosure of information when previously considered.

3. The council should vote to postpone demolition for 1 year.

4. The council should seek to create a committee responsible for assessing preservation avenues, such as private funding, etc.

5. Following the 1 year, the council should then assess the progress made by this committee.

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Its Harold Buchholz!

And the winner is... Harold Buchholz!

The Oshkosh Common Council on a 4-2 vote selected Harold Buchholz to finish the remaining 11 months of a term on the Council last night.

As predicted here on Main St. Oshkosh, Steven Hintz and Harold Buchholz were the top two choices, however Buchholz surprised many by being selected by Palmeri, McHugh, Poeschl and Mayor Esslinger. Buchholz had been serving on the Landmarks Commission, but had no prior elected experience. Hintz is a former Mayor and former Councilor.

Suggestions of collusion have already appeared and we can expect a rich dialog on the topic on the Northwestern's forums.

Random N00b also came close in his predictions (without naming names).

UPDATE: Jef Hall accuses Councilors Palmeri & Poeschl of violating open meetings rules.

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Deer Management Meeting

Deer Management Community Meeting - The forum will be held on June 30th from 6-9 p.m. at City Hall. Among the topics at this meeting will be a discussion of responsible management of deer populations, cost-effect means by which the city can collaborate to address the concerns cited by a handful of neighbors, and avenues in which the city can respond to the interests of the residents of Oshkosh.

More information is likely to come, but this is a valuable start to a process in which the city begins to look at its relationship to wildlife in and around the city.

And for those actually willing to spend 7 and 1/2 minutes learning about gardening, you can check out any of the following pages that provide valuable deer resistant solutions:

- http://www.icgov.org/default/?id=1607 (Iowa City, Iowa - Ron!)

- http://www.npsot.org/plant_lists/deer_resistant.html

- http://njaes.rutgers.edu/deerresistance/

- http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/publications/deerbest.html

- http://www.natorp.com/RW-ZooDeerResistant.pdf

- http://www.wvu.edu/~Agexten/hortcult/treeshru/resistan.htm

- http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/AAMG/wildlife/deer.html

- http://www.realtor.com/home-garden/gardening/gardening-basics/tips-for-deterring-deer.aspx

- http://www.extension.org/pages/Deter_Deer_from_Dining_on_Your_Garden

- http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/treeshru/Deerproof.pdf

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Live Chatting the Council Meeting at The Chief

He's done what I want done here... go and chat live during the Common Council meeting!

http://foxtrot-echo.blogspot.com/

At The Chief

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Who Should the Council Pick; Who Will the Council Pick

15 applicants for the vacant seat are in front of the six Councilors to select from on Tuesday evening in what is sure to be "sweeps week" ratings for OCAT. I've printed and read the 15 applications and seek now to answer: 1. Who would I pick to serve out the year term on the seventh seat; and 2. Who will the Council pick to serve with them?

The candidates have to be evaluated based on some criteria, and thanks to Burk Tower each Councilor stated what they were looking for. I will do the same. First the Council:

• Tower - someone who has been active in city affairs such as non-profits, coaches, service, also someone with a record of success and managerial skills;
  
• King - would prefer someone who has served on the Council previously (as well as Cummings, we presume, who hasn't)
• Palmeri - someone with integrity, moral character, and intelligence.
  
• Poeschl - none, other than over 18 and breathing
• McHugh - someone with experience with economic development, interest in infrastructure, and a "realistic vision".
• Mayor Esslinger - economic development, past history, long time city resident, budget experience and someone who can handle pressure.
  

This is a wide range of desires from the Council, but based on this we can probably narrow the field of candidates down quite a bit.

But what do I want to see from the seventh seat? First off, this person has no "mandate". They are an interim, a fill-in. When you hire someone to "hold down the fort" for a year, you want someone who has shown they are capable of doing the job without screwing anything up. They may not change the course of things, but they might improve it. They are in no position to take the lead, but should listen carefully to each issue and vote wisely given the circumstances. They should be independent, not tied to any one or two other councilors' points of view too much. So in short: 1. capable, 2. wise and/or intelligent, and 3. independent.

It is too bad that the Council isn't using a form of ranked choice voting, because the system they have set up will result in no "second choices". The Councilors will all vote on their first choice, and then vote again between the top two vote getters. This is unfortunate because I believe that if the Council sought beyond the individuals' first choices, they would probably settle on a candidate that possibly 4 or 5 of them might agree with.

So first, lets eliminate the 6 candidates that don't have a chance, because they don't meet the Council's stated criteria (except for Bob's): O'Day, Ehrlich, Krout, Wildman, Didlo, and Retelle. There is very little chance that any one of these six will get a first choice vote. And it is the first choice votes that matter now.

So here are the remaining NINE in the order of likelyhood of getting appointed:

• Steve Hintz - Former Mayor, six years on the council, mainstay of Oshkosh local politics and government. Lets face it, he's in because Cummings doesn't have the votes on the Council to get appointed. King will vote for him, Tower will strongly consider him. Poeschl and Palmeri will consider him in the second round at least. The fact that he is experienced, capable, and will only serve out the term puts him in a stong position.
  
• Harold Buchholz - a middle manager with All-Lift Systems, he has a business background, pays lip service to infrastructure, economic development, etc., and if he can sell himself to Esslinger & McHugh could be a dark horse. He's unknown, and that might work in his favor.
  
• Larry Spanbauer - a former Councilor and Deputy Mayor, he brings credentials but seems to appeal to the same set as Hintz. The "dig" toward Esslinger by way of the "juicy" letter attached to his resume won't help his case. But Spanbauer's no-bull attitude might make him a popular second choice, but only first choices matter.
• Brian Poeschl - he served a term on the Council, is that enough for second look by King? Poeschl was an Esslinger ally, and thus by proxy could get support from McHugh, but he doesn't have the economic development or managerial experience that many on the council seem to want.
• Mark Madison - Former County Board Supervisor, Madison might just get some love from the enigmatic Poeschl due to his prior support for Poeschl's Winnebago Peace & Justice Center. Madison would need to convince Palmeri as well though to get into the second round, where he might be able to pick up King's support.
• Steve Cummings - the "fourth place candidate", snubbed by the Council for an automatic bid. Can he prevail? He had King and Tower's support, but it pretty much stops there. I'm afraid that Hintz and Spanbauer are stepping in and passing Cummings as likely appointees.
• Jef Hall - Current County Board Supervisor, Chair of the County Dems. Hall wrote a great cover letter, I give him props for that. His politics will scare off McHugh and Esslinger, but does he bring the juice that Tower & King want? Oddly enough, Hall's better bets for first place votes might just come from one of the two Greens: Poeschl or Palmeri.
• Jim Evans - Evans, of the ArtSpace Collective and downtown Gallery Walk, appears to be applying more as a statement against the actions of the current council, but I can't help thinking that he might have gotten some support from his fiery cover letter. He won't get a first place vote from Esslinger, McHugh, Tower, or King, but Poeschl might bite and even though Evans seemed to dig at Palmeri some, I could see Palmeri finding that just exciting enough to support, especially if there is no one else Tony likes. Darkhorse who would liven up the Council. Unfortunately Evans indicated he had no intention of attending the Tuesday "show", so I have to mark him down because of that alone.
  
• Phillip Farley - if he doesn't show up, will he be disqualified? The ONW reported that he had a prior engagement for Tuesday which could hurt an otherwise potential seventh seater. Farley is a retired telecommunications worker who paints himself as a valuable asset to the city. But if he doesn't show up to make his case, he won't convince anyone.
  

So by my (very naive and unscientific) calculations, Steve Hintz is the most likely recipient of the Oshkosh Seventh Seat award, but this is going to be a barn burner with a whole lot of question marks. Who is Esslinger's candidate(s)? What is Palmeri thinking about this pool? How will Poeschl vote? Will it be a tie, or a "hung jury"?

Tune in Tuesday May 26 for Common Council at its best. It will be a defining moment for this Council and MUST SEE TV.

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High Speed Rail in Wisconsin

Forty university of Wisconsin system students are traveling this week from Green Bay through Oshkosh to Milwaukee, to Madison and La Crosse, over four days to show support for Wisconsin ’s proposed high speed rail route.

Included in the grand effort is a connection of Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison-Twin Cities route with high speed rail. Congress this year passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will spend $8 billion for high speed rail on projects that have not yet been determined. Governor Doyle and WISDOT Secretary Busalacchi are advocating to bring high speed rail to Wisconsin ; they are seeking Recovery funds to connect Madison and Milwaukee with intercity rail as part of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, a nine-state project that would connect over 100 Midwestern cities and link the region’s major economic centers. Doing so will give us more transportation choices, alternatives to lengthy airport delays, and reduced dependence on oil, while helping to rebuild our economy. Wisconsin would especially benefit because it is perfectly situated in the corridor connecting Chicago to the Twin Cities.

Enthusiasm for the project among students and other young people is infectious. At most stops students are planning a short bike route through each town to the location of the media event. WISPIRG students will wear matching t-shirts and carry a giant map of the proposed train route.

Come join in to show support for bringing high speed rail to Wisconsin !

Monday, May 25
10am Green Bay National Railroad Museum
1pm Appleton Houdini Plaza, downtown Appleton
3pm Oshkosh Opera House Square

Tuesday, May 26
10am Milwaukee Downtown Transit Center
1pm Brookfield Town Hall
3pm Oconomowoc Maxims, 115 E. Collins St .

Wednesday, May 27
10am Madison State Capitol
3pm Portage TBD

Thursday, May 28
10am Wisconsin Dells TBD
3pm La Crosse The Train Station, 601 St. Andrews St .

If you have any questions, contact Bruce Speight at WISPIRG at bspeight@wispirg.org or (608) 251-9501 (office) or (608) 658-3517 (cell).

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Crop Duster Sprays UW Oshkosh Campus, Two Schools This Morning

A crop duster spraying Bacillus thurengensis kurstaki, an insecticidal toxin used to suppress Gypsy Moths, began spraying the UW Oshkosh campus and surrounding area around 10:15 this morning.

Although the DNR website regarding this program states: "Homeowners in areas to be sprayed are encouraged to stay indoors with windows closed in order to avoid direct exposure to the spray..." There was no notice of the spraying sent out to campus until the spraying was complete.

Around 160 incoming students on campus today for the Odyssey program with their parents and guests were greeted by the low flying plane and the sticky chemical being released.

Two elementary schools, Reed and Lincoln, are also in the 129 acre treatment area. The treatment area can be viewed here.

One biology professor assured me that this chemical is safe. According to the DNR:

Both Btk and Gypchek are highly unlikely to cause any adverse health reactions. It is possible, but very unlikely, that people with severe food allergies or asthma may react to the spray.If you suffer from such conditions, the DNR suggests that you leave the area to minimize your risk of reactions. It is also advised that everyone in a spray area should take the simple precaution of staying indoors with the windows closed while the planes are spraying to avoid direct exposure.

Several University staff and faculty (myself included) expressed concern that they had no advance notice of the spraying so that they could be sure to be indoors with the windows closed, as advised by the DNR.

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Council App Deadline 10AM Friday

If you were thinking about applying for that vacant seat, its time to stop thinking and get your paperwork in. So far, 9 have applied. The ONW has done a nice job updating the applicant info by providing copies of their applications. Take a look here.

The way things are shaping up, the council will have the opportunity to select one middle-aged white man over the others. We have numerous folks who've ran and held office in the past, lots of guys who grew up in Oshkosh and went to high school here. Two gentlemen with master's degrees. At least one guy who threw his name in the hat because he's pissed about the parking lot issue. And we have some people who effectively took the time to type their answers (I tend to notice that with my workforce development background, you know.. good job to those guys).

Overall, it is good that the council is accepting apps and following this professional, practical route. I read and hear the anger that some have that we didn't just pick the next runner-up, as if there was some small-print disclaimer that said "if you lose, and the people do not support you on the council, you have the right to the next vacancy should one occur in the next 11 months and 30 days." It becomes very clear to me when I consider the city implementing the "loser is the winner" policy of promoting the first loser to the council, and the vacancy comes open following an election in which few candidates run, and John Daggett is the runner-up. I would of course expect all of the anger-crowd to be up in arms in support of the Daggett appointment too.

Thankfully, common sense and experience (seeing that most other communities in the state accept apps in such a case) won out here, and we have the excitement of watching the challenging job of choosing from this qualified group of white guys.

Remember, 10am tomorrow (Friday) your paperwork is due. Ladies? Anyone of any sort of diverse background? We could use you in the mix!

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Wetland Reserve Volunteer Opp

Heckrodt Wetland Reserve Group Volunteer Opportunity - Invasive Plant Control and Habitat Restoration

Heckrodt Wetland Reserve is committed to maintaining and improving the native wildlife and natural habitats of the reserve for community enjoyment and education. As a part of this commitment Heckrodt manages invasive plants within the reserve which lower biological diversity and beauty of native habitats and wildlife due to the competitive advantage invasive species have over native plant species.

Job Description and Knowledge Requirements: Volunteer duties will include removing invasive plants by pulling or cutting plants in the field, relocating brush piles, removing plant materials that have the potential to re-grow, and some adults may be asked to help apply herbicide to cut stumps of larger plants if they agree to.

No previous knowledge of invasive plant identification or education is needed, just the motivation to want to help improve natural habitats for future community enjoyment and education. Volunteers will be explained and shown how to correctly identify and remove different invasive plants depending on the project including garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed, buckthorn and honeysuckle.

Equipment Needed: Equipment for the volunteer job will be provided by Heckrodt, but individuals must be dressed appropriately for the work.. Individuals that not dressed appropriately will not be permitted to work. Fully enclosed shoes are required for safety. Other recommended gear includes sunglasses or a hat, pants (as opposed to shorts), long sleeved shirt, insect spray, and a full water bottle. HWR will provide generic gloves, but if you have a favorite pair of work gloves, bring them along.

Availability: Group volunteer opportunities are available in 2, 4 and 6 hour increments during the week, in the evenings, and on the weekends from May 1, 2009 – August 25, 2009. Volunteers sessions must be scheduled in advance and the number of volunteers attending must be confirmed a week before the session to allow us to be prepared. Volunteer sessions are contingent on good weather, and will be cancelled in the event of prolonged rain or dangerous storms. Intermittent showers will not affect volunteer sessions. Families with children ages 10 and up are welcome, but each child must be accompanied by an adult. Youth under the age of 18 will not apply herbicide. Group sizes will be limited to maximum of 20 people.

Benefits of Volunteering: Volunteers will gain much from the experience. Other than contributing to the improvement of ones community by restoring native wildlife, volunteers will gain a better understanding of the interactions and community dynamics of the habitats of the Reserve as well as a better understanding of invasive plants and the threat the pose to Wisconsin natural areas. Heckrodt Wetland Reserve will benefit by being able to organize active citizens to pool together the resources of the community to insure the well being of the reserve for future generations to experience and enjoy.

Contact Information: For more information or to schedule a volunteer session, please contact Kevin Stadler (HWR Americorps Connects Project Manager) or Tracey Koenig (HWR Executive Director) by calling (920)720-9349. Email contact is also encouraged: Kevin Stadler stadlk95@uwosh.edu, Tracey Koenig heckrodtwetland.tk@tds.net

Heckrodt Wetland Reserve
1305 Plank Road (PO Box 554)
Menasha, WI 54952
(¾ mile west of Oneida St on Highway 114)

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H1N1 (Swine Flu) hits UW Oshkosh Campus

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has reported its first confirmed case of "swine flu" with a student on campus. In a message sent out by email today:

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh was notified by the Department of Public Health late this morning that a student tested positive for the H1N1 influenza virus. The student has returned home for the recommended period of isolation and treatment. Those who may have had contact with the student also were notified.

The University, in conjunction with the local Department of Public Health and the Student Health Center, will continue to monitor the situation. At this time, however, the University does not anticipate a change to operations and will continue with “business as usual” for UW Oshkosh.

Further information about the H1N1 virus on campus is expected to be posted here: http://www.uwosh.edu/home/h1n1/

Note that the University at this point only plans to close if it is told to close by public health officials.

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Vegan Bake Sale - Need Bakers and Shoppers

*****First Annual Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale!*****

Greetings everyone,
We're participating in this worldwide vegan bake sale!! We're going to have the best vegan bake sale that Wisconsin has ever seen!! WOOHOO!! :)

Friday, June 26 3pm-7pm (set up @ 2pm)
Saturday, June 27 10am-3pm (set up @ 9am)

The Free Market
1000 W Wisconsin Ave
Appleton, WI 54914
(920) 968-1260


Visit www.veganbakesale.org for more information

**Our fabulous bakers** this is the list so far, we need more!!
1. Aimee
2. Diane....mini loaves of vegan banana bread
3. Steve H
4, Christy....vegan chocolate chip cookies
5. Pam
6. Kristin
7. Becky....vegan red velvet cupcakes
8. Lisa...scotcheroos with chocolate frosting (Sunspire has the best vegan chocolate chips)

Please email walnutridge1906@aol.com if anyone wants to make anything!! When you know what you are baking, please also let me know so we don't have two thousand chocolate chip cookies!! Please have your goodies on individual little plates, wrapped. We will price at approximately $3-4.00 each. Ideally, I would like to have 20 people making 10 little plates of goodies each.

The goal is $600.00. The majority of the proceeds will be donated to Vegan Outreach, Alliance for Animals and CUFA....all fantastic groups, check them out if you aren't familiar with them.

***What we need***
1.More bakers!!! Please contact anyone and everyone who you think may be interested in making yummy vegan treats!! Lots of great, easy vegan recipes on the Internet!! This is a terrific web site for vegan recipes: http://www.compassionatecooks.com/
2. Volunteers to sit at the bake sale. It will be loads of fun!! Get a tan and help the animals!! Doesn't get any better than that!! :)
Will also need help to set up and tear down
3. Anyone willing to contact local bakeries in the area? Everything must be vegan. Great way to promote their businesses!!
4. Volunteers to hang up our flyers in Neenah, Menasha, Appleton businesses. Lots of businesses have bulletin boards and would be happy to help us out.

***People doing stuff***
Aimee: 2 signs for front of store, 1 at each entrance
Ruby: "Bake Sale" banner for tables
Diane: contacting the Post Crescent to put our info in the non profit event section
Becky: 3 banquet tables, tablecloths, chairs. Bottles of water and lemonade, tub and ice, napkins and garbage can. Also am making flyers for Free Market to distribute to customers. Also will have donation jar and Vegan Outreach brochures.

Thanks to the Free Market for hosting our bake sale!! Thanks from the farmed animals!! GO VEGAN!!!!!!!!!!!! Email walnutridge1906@aol.com

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Rape Agression Defense Class

Have a girl/young woman in your life who you care about and want to protect from physical harm? Have a daughter going off to college or at college right now? Did you know that women ages 16-24 experience rape at rates four times higher than the assault rate of all women? Did you know that the first few days and weeks of college are the most dangerous for freshman and sophomore women?

Did you know that you could greatly reduce your/her chances of becoming a crime victim by attending the Summer Rape Aggression Defense class at the UW Oshkosh Women’s center? This class is for any female older than 12. This class is taught by a retired Police woman who is a certified experienced instructor of the nationally recognized RAD program. www.rad-systems. com . The class includes a student manual, a Return and Practice free certificate, and many informative handouts.

14 hour class will consist of 7 hours of lecture on topics such as: Acquaintance Rape, Different types of Rapists, Red flags to an attack, the law in regards to Sexual Assault and self defense, including what to do to an attacker to increase your credibility. General Crime prevention measures, most common date rape drugs, including how to detect them, and what to do if you suspect their use. The role intuition plays in your safety, how to be more assertive, How to use common items as weapons, the most vulnerable areas of the body, how to use your personal weapons to increase your chances of getting away, performance enhancing psychology, the physical effects of fear and what you need to do to continue to be able think and how to use visualization to enhance your performance. Much of this information was taken from the top National instructors, experts and authors in the field of self defense and Sexual predators.

The other 7 hours will be spent learning and practicing the most effective and easily remembered physical defense moves including how to escape the three most common choke holds and bear hugs, how to get an attacker off of you when your lying in bed, on the ground, in the front seat of a vehicle, on a couch, or if your attacked walking down a street.

The following are excerpts from students who have taken the course at UWO.

I can’t even begin to explain what the RAD program has done for me. It has given me so much confidence that I never thought I would be able to have. I was raped when I was 15, and since then I have wondered what I could have been able to do if I had just taken the time and learned a few steps to protect myself. RAD has given me much more than I could have ever expected, and shown me I do not have to be afraid and even though I may be small I do not have to let the fear of being taken advantage of again consume my life. Amanda

In the end, this class has physically, mentally and emotionally changed my life and I believe that this class should be taught to all women of any age. I think that this information should be directed towards high school students. Elizabeth

The fee for the class is just $35.00. Class will be held on 7 consecutive Wednesdays beginning on June 17th and ending on July 29th, from 6pm to 8pm at the UW Oshkosh Women’s center, at 717 Elmwood ave.(Elmwood and Irving) and parking is free on campus in the evenings during the summer. To register either call 231-7357 or email Robynwst@hotmail. com

Women's Center
UW Oshkosh
www.uwosh.edu/ womenscenter/
(920) 424-0963

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Back 2 School Fair Request For Business Help

The Back to School Fair Committee in Oshkosh is adding a new component to the campaign this year. We will be printing school bus placards to sell at local businesses in the month of July for $1 to help with the expenses for the 750 children we plan on serving this year. We are expanding this opportunity city wide to help our ever growing need for these children & families in these economically challenging times.

The Back 2 School Fair provides children with the basic school supplies & a new set of clothing including socks & underwear. Each child receives hygiene items & hair cuts are done on site along with a resource fair for families to see all the wonderful services this community has to offer.

If you know of someone who owns a business that would be willing to sell the “school busses” for us, or want more information please contact me or any of the agencies participating & we’ll make sure they get them. Thank you for your support in this 10 plus year collaboration to help kids most in need feel great about themselves as they head back to school!

For those who may not be familiar, the BTSF has helped children & families with basic needs for the past 10 years or so. They are referred by the more than 15 agencies that make up this BTSF committee. There is a formal referral process for these agencies. (Some of the agencies are: The Boys & Girls Club, Christine Ann Center , Winnebago Department of Human Services, Oshkosh Area School District, Housing Authority, Advocap, Parent Connection, UW-O Head Start etc.)

The Oshkosh Northwestern is a partner providing us with items including back packs & pencils. United Way is also a partner by sponsoring “Stuff the Bus” at local shopping Centers over summer. It does take a village to raise a child, please help us in this effort! If possible, let me know by the end of May so we have time to produce enough cards for everyone. I hope to hear from you soon!

Please contact Angie McCarthy, Parent Connection Supervisor, 36 Broad St. Suite #150, Oshkosh, WI 54901, 920-233-1926 or 233-6630 ext 106

(see what happens.. as soon as the old fundraising guy leaves, they start getting some good ideas and the money flows!)

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Free Alcohol Use, Abuse and Addiction Training

The Oshkosh Collaboration Work Group is offering a FREE training opportunity to new or veteran members of your staff:

May 21, 2009 10:00am-12Noon at the JP Coughlin Building, 625 County Rd. Y, Oshkosh

“Alcohol – Use, Abuse or Addiction?

When does alcohol use turn to abuse and become addiction? Because alcohol use can be a factor in the disruption of life’s everyday, positive activities among the families and/or individuals we work with, it is important to know how to address the issue. This session will also provide information about the local resources available to individuals and/or families dealing with inappropriate alcohol use.

Presenters: Dan Hinton, Prevention Coordinator, Winnebago County Department of Human Services
Mike Olig, Safe Streets Case Manager, Winnebago County Department of Human Services

To register: contact Melody Piper, UW Extension 232-1973 or mpiper@co.winnebago .wi.us

Limited to 30 persons

Dorry Wilner
Community Programs Coordinator
Oshkosh Police Department
420 Jackson Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920)236-5714

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Grief and Disabilities Community Assessment Forum

Grief and Disabilities - An Assessment of Needs and Community Resources

Sponsored by: The ARC and To Life! Counseling Service

Who should attend: Community agencies, families, ministers, counselors and others interested in grief and disabilities

What will be assessed? What we know about grief and disabilities. What are the needs and resources the Fox Valley area. Ways to collaborate.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Session 1: 10:00 – 11:00

Or

Session 2: 5:00 – 6:00

Fox Valley Technical College – Oshkosh Room 133 C

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Oshkosh City Council Pro-Labor Stance

Last night the Council voted down a resolution sponsored by the League of Municipalities that was intended to send Governor Doyle a message about "prevailing wage rates". Councils around the state have been rubber stamping this resolution through, that chastises Doyle's proposal to lower the cost triggers that require prevailing wage rates for construction projects. It goes further, and suggests that prevailing wage should only apply to projects that will cost over $1,000,000. The current level is $48,000, and Doyle intends to lower it to $2,000.

The "prevailing wage" rule means that for any construction project that uses government funds, the contractor doing the work must pay their workers the "prevailing wage", which is an average wage for that type of work in that region. It is essentially a "living wage", ensuring that both union and non-union labor get paid well for their work. It deters out-of-state contractors that rely on cheap (5$ an hour) labor from swooping in and under bidding for jobs.

Tony Palmeri, Bob Poeschl, and Jessica King all voted against this resolution, essentially siding with labor. Mayor Esslinger and Dennis McHugh voted for it, i.e. against labor. Burk Tower abstained, because he couldn't support the resolution as worded but didn't like the direction that Doyle was taking either.

Not only did the Oshkosh Common Council demonstrate a pro-labor stance, the votes also showed that the trumped up Palmeri-Esslinger "alliance of strange bedfellows" isn't all that people make it out to be. Democrat Jess King sided with Palmeri & Poeschl, leaving McHugh and Esslinger in the minority on this vote.

Oshkosh remains a labor-friendly city.

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Common Council Meeting 5/12/09

The Common Council meets tonight for a full agenda.

• Will there be a repeat of opposition to street repairs in relation to Res 09-164 and 09-165, Special Assessments for paving, laterals, sidewalks, etc. this time on New York, Powers, Monroe, Broad, Grove, Evans & Bowen? Esslinger impressed a few observant observers at the last meeting when he voted for the street and sewer repairs on the south side at the last meeting over the objections of a handful of residents.
  
• Will the 6 Councilors have a dissenting vote this time? At the last meeting there were no dissenting votes, however at the April 21 organizational meeting (minutes) there were when Esslinger, Palmeri, Poeschl and McHugh voted Palmeri as Deputy Mayor, Tower & King voting for King.
  
• Block parties! Woo hoo! Party this weekend on East Melvin Ave! Party June 27 on Minnesota St!
  
• Filling the Vacancy - this is the big one on the agenda. Refer to the April 21 minutes from the organizational meeting to get an idea of where the six are at. This Resolution comes with a process proposed by Esslinger & Palmeri that interested citizens fill out a simple application by May 22 that will include educational background, any "previous experience, special qualifications or technical background", and a statement of why you would want to be on the Council. Applicants would then give a brief (5 minute) presentation at the following May 26 Council meeting where the Councilors would vote for the preferred candidate. If no one gets a majority (4 votes) then they vote again with the top two. Nothing is stated about what happens if there is a 3-3 tie. Note that this is the time that citizens can weigh in on the process - will the Cummings people (i.e. Chamber) come out?
  
• Res 09-181 "Authorize grant application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for targeted runoff management or urban nonpoint source (pollution) & storm water grant program" - what's this all about?
  
• Prevailing Wage Request - Palmeri asked that this be held over from the last meeting. This is a request from a Wisconsin Municipalities group calling on Governor Doyle to repeal his proposed budget item that would require construction jobs that receive government funding be contracted out to construction firms that pay "prevailing wage", i.e. Union wages, i.e. a "living wage". Doyle's budget lowers the threshhold to any project costing over $2,000, whereas currently it is $48,000. It also expands it to include any TIF project. Basically the argument in favor of the prevailing wage is pro-labor and/or pro-living wage. The argument against prevailing wage requirements is that it raises the cost of projects due to higher labor costs. I'll be curious how this Council votes on this.
  

Any thoughts? Watching the meeting? Leave comments!

• 
  

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Winnebago Family Care Forum Series

Family Care Forum Series hosted by the following groups:
· Winnebago County Department of Human Services
· Lakeland Long-term Care District – stakeholder committee
· Arc –Winnebago County
· Arc Fox Cities
· Cerebral Palsy of Mideast WI

Will be holding a series of meetings to explain Family Care and how it will impact Winnebago County residents currently receiving services and persons waiting to receive services.

Ø What is Family Care?

Ø Who will be impacted?

Ø What is a Long-term Care District?

Ø What is an ADRC?

Ø Why is change needed?

Ø What will change and when?

If you are an individual with a physical or developmental disability, age 65 or older and have long-term care needs, or are a guardian, care giver or advocate, it is important you understand what changes to services are being proposed and why.

Meeting dates and location

May 28th 2009
6:00-7:30 PM Menasha Public Library 440 First Street, Menasha -
Company E Room. Lower level

August 27th 2009
1:00-3:00 Winnebago Co. Human Service 211 Commercial St Neenah Rm. 008

November 19th 20096:00-7:30 PM Coughlin Center 625 E. County Rd. Y Oshkosh Meeting Rm. A&B

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UW Oshkosh Faculty & Staff Hit With 5% Pay Cut

In a message sent out from UW System President Kevin Reilly late Thursday, the state revenue shortfall of an additional $1,000,000,000 will result in cuts ON TOP OF the budget cuts that had already been anticipated. While the initial cuts spared existing state worker salaries, this time state workers will be carrying the burden:

The Governor's proposal will require all state employees, including UW System faculty and academic staff, to forego the two percent pay plan increase that was scheduled to take effect on June 1 of this year. It will also require all state employees, including UW faculty and staff, to take eight days of unpaid leave (furlough) in each of the next two years (July 1, 2009, June 30, 2011). Represented classified staff will be asked to reopen contract negotiations to allow for these furloughs, or face layoffs to attain the equivalent in savings.

In these extraordinary times, our Governor and our Legislature are facing tough choices to help the state regain its financial footing and preserve core services in this deepening economic crisis. We know that the UW System institutions play a major role in the state's economic recovery and renewal.

What this means is that UW Oshkosh faculty and academic staff (like myself) will be essentially hit with a 5% cut in pay over the next two years: 2% from the removal of the raise, and an additional 3% from the unpaid furloughs.

Furthermore, classified staff, who are union represented, are being threatened with layoffs unless they renegotiate their contracts to accommodate these same conditions, that are the equivalent of a 5% cut.

Its time to tighten the belts.

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Millers Bay Report Video

The city of Oshkosh commissioned a study of Millers Bay, which covered the present plant life, habitat and plant management options, and other details regarding this area. This study was professionally conducted spanning over multiple years, and included an excellent, unbiased assessment of what can and could be done to responsibly management this area.

To check out this presentation, click the following link and click the 4/13/09 meeting - This video is available online here (the full video is now available and any previous video errors have been corrected).

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Man Drowns In Fox River

Our hearts go out to the friends and family of Michael Merkes, who was found dead today in the Fox River.



"Body of missing man found in Fox River" Oshkosh Northwestern

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Offender Reentry: Get the Facts

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
A community forum regarding offenders returning to our community

Offender Reentry: Get the Facts

Monday - May 11, 2009, 6:30pm to 8:30 pm
North High School Auditorium, 1100 W. Smith Avenue, Oshkosh

Men and women with convictions in Winnebago County return to our community after completing their incarceration. This forum will provide information about offender reentry, impact, risks and barriers.

Moderator: Stephen Hintz, former Mayor of Oshkosh

Presenters:
- Mary Kay Kollat, Department of Corrections Reentry Director
- Quinn & Kathy, offender perspectives,
- Mary Haller, Goodwill Industries
- Terrance Evans, Community Corrections Employment Program
- Gordon Hintz, State Representative
- Alphonso Graham, Parole Commission Chairperson

(coffee & cookies provided)

Presented by: Corrections Concerns Committee, Oshkosh Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department and the Oshkosh Diversity Council

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UWO Facilities Plan Forum

The UW Oshkosh Facilities Master Plan Open Forum has been scheduled for Monday, May 4th in Reeve Union 227 B & C from 3:00-4:30pm.

The purpose of this open forum is to update the university community on the plans and developments campus wide.

Over the summer we will continue to work to update the plan based on suggestions from the campus as well as city officials.

Next Fall, a follow up Master Plan Open Forum will be held to bring everyone up to date on on-going and future projects.

If you are interested in bringing suggestions for the University Master Plan, please plan on attending this first session on Monday, May 4th.

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Oshkosh Elections Go Sour

The city of Oshkosh recently elected a new mayor, who's position is a common council representative responsible for reading lots at a meeting. The newly elected mayor was previously a councilor that didn't have to read a lot. As part of the switch over to the reader position, his seat as regular non-reading councilor became vacant.

The city of Oshkosh commissioned MainStreetOshkosh.com to conduct an Instant Runoff Voting election, with the highest bidder taking the vacated, non-reader council seat. After several days of intense voting and campaigning, marred by reports of multiple voting and suspect irregularities, a winner was announced - Alex Hummel, former Oshkosh Northwestern janitor-turned reporter. Alex worked extremely hard to get his name on the ballot, and even harder to win the support of the voters. His dedication paid off, with a clear mandate of support in the election.

According to Alex, "What are you talking about. What? There wasn't a special election? No, no I am no longer the Northwestern's janitor? Actually, I never wa.." Alex also clearly articulated his future plans for the city.

Insider reports are indicating that due to Alex's new inside connection to city hall, he was offered his custodial position at the Northwestern again. Despite the ruthless firing that occurred with Mr. Hummel, friends close to him say that he is considering the offer. According to one anonymous source, "Alex lives in Oshkosh."

The Oshkosh Northwestern's rival city newspaper has called this insider relationship outright scandalous. According to the well-respected Webster Wave, " Not only do we demand the withdrawal of Mr. Hummel, but we question the integrity of the Northwestern, and the coordinators of the vote."

We asked vote coordinator R.K. Hardy what his thoughts were on the outcome. According to Mr. Hardy, "I want to know why the heck I lost, when me, Hummel, and Hentz were all tied. That is ridiculous. Had I known it was tied, I would have voted again."

We tried to get opinions from former Mayor Tower and current mayor Mayor Esslinger. Tower was apparently intoxicated on a boat somewhere out on Winnebago, and Essligner was busy hanging out with Jef Hall at the Tilted Kilt.

~ Raymond Hidalgo.

Note that nothing in any of this post is true, or valuable, or valid, or correct, or serious, and the information is for humor only. MainstreetOshkosh conducted an IRV poll for fun, and arbitrarily selected candidates. While Hummel won, and he cheated, he didn't actually win anything. The city and the council hold no value to this election, nor mainstreetoshkosh, and either does the northwestern. Anyone wishing to have their name removed can do so by paying Ron Hardy $100 (or just email him and it'll happen for free). Happy May Fools Day.

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