Academy of Local Politics

An unused relic from the past! When rail was king.

Note the budding trees.

Speaking of Spring. I received a dozen Milwaukee Brewer pocket schedules from the Media Relations Department.  They will be available first come, first serve at the Clerk's Office.

Which brings up a touchy subject. Who is eligible for CommonSensevile.US benefits, such as Minnow Barrels or Brewer Schedules.

Let's talk about those Minnow Barrels. On Saturday I posted that we had two minnow barrels that were still for lease this year. It only took a couple of minutes this morning for those to be claimed and a new waiting list developed. The lease on these Minnow Barrels are only for citizens of CommonSenseville.US. Rural residents need not apply. 

But, they did. Six non-residents of CommonSenseville.US contacted Ronni Copper at Parks/Rec/Cemetery. One wanted to be first on a new waiting list of non-residents, just in case the City Council changes policy. No. Sorry. We are not going to start a waiting list of people ineligible to lease minnow barrels.

As for the pocket schedules, there is no paperwork required. You just reach out and grab one. No ID required.

Last week I wrote about the Economic Summit I attended. Over the weekend I found this report at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel web site.  Menard's the local home improvement giant (Eau Claire, WI) was importing firewood into Wisconsin in violation of "a federal quarantine designed to keep the emerald ash borer from hitching a ride into the state."

Excuse me. Importing firewood INTO Wisconsin. Just so I have this straight. Importing firewood INTO Wisconsin.

And, it isn't even good firewood!

Come on John. This has to come up on the same weekend you get some great press at your local Eau Claire Leader Telegram. If there is one thing we got in Wisconsin, its firewood. I don't know why, but it seems to me that Menard's should be shipping Wisconsin wood out?

Depending on how the next Economic Summit goes, maybe I'll bring it up. It does seem like a reasonable question to ask.

Mayor Al

"Yearning for the day when it can grow hemp."

How' this? I had to prove to you I could do it.

I've had a couple of very interesting conversations with people inside the Milwaukee Brewers organization regarding the the lack of Brewer Pocket Schedules in the area.

First, a nice lady by the name of Caitlen called me. (Excuse me if I misspelled the name.) Caitlen works in the Promotion Department. She has her own phone number so that was a positive. Caitlen just couldn't figure out why we would have been told we were "Twins Territory". Join the club. So, Caitlen wanted to solve the problem by sending me some schedules. I told her that was only the symptom of a much larger problem that we have been told we have been sold or traded or something, by the Brewers to the Twins. What's with that?

That was not her department. She was going to have Sara call me. Sara did. Sara works for the Brewers specifically with Miller Brewing. Sara offered to send me some schedules. Thank you, but what about this PR problem the Brewers have, selling off a portion of Wisconsin to the Twins? Sara, didn't know what to think about that. She agreed that it was a problem, just off the top of her head she had no solution. Which I wouldn't expect from someone who just learned of a problem. Sara wanted to do some talking with people. We'll see what happens. At least they have been alerted to the problem.

It comes down to customer service. I talked about that a few days ago. This time it is personal. When you're a small city Mayor, you gotta be ready to stand up for your community at a moments notice. Be it the State Legislators, or in this case a major league baseball team. Let them know you are here, and you care about what they do.

If you don't toot your own horn, nobody will do it for you. You do it nicely. But, you have to do it.

The citizens of CommonSenseville.US should expect nothing less.

Mayor Al

I had a return email from the Milwaukee Brewers. They said they would be willing to send me some pocket schedules. No explanation or apology for their actions. I returned that email with my address to send me a dozen schedules and once again asking for an explanation. Stayed Tuned! I don't take kindly with those who think that anything north of 29 is irrelevant. I like to let them know we exist and don't like to be ignored. When I get these I will have them in my office for those that have already called, and will call for them.

The potholes are finally all fixed. The bad thing is now we see all the streets that need a whole bunch more than a few shovels of blacktop. It is not a pretty site. I sure wish we had it in our budget to reconstruct twice as much as we have planned this year. We have projects planned on Sixth Street North, Ninth Street North, Fourth Street South, Birchwood Lane and River Road South.

I know, I see it everyday, there are many more that need major work. My worst favorite on the list not to be fixed, is Hurlburt Avenue.  Maybe next year. What's yours worst? I'll let you know when it is on the schedule.

Speaking of street work. I mentioned that last week I was in Madison. Can anyone tell me the last year East Washington Avenue   DID NOT have construction?

Mayor Al

As a Mayor you just never know what issues you may get involved in. This is a real doozzy.

Over the past couple of weeks I have had four phone calls complaining that Milwaukee Brewer Pocket Schedules aren't in yet. What could I do about it? Well, I had noticed that also as I had been on the lookout, , but figured somebody screwed up someplace and it would be fixed soon. But, after the fourth call I decided to see what I could learn. After all it is four weeks into the season and I have had complaints.

I went to a trusted distributor of Brewer schedules in the past for the story. The name will remain anonymous as will be explained later.

I learned the residents of our area of Wisconsin are getting a little bit more than miffed. We are used to being ignored by the populated down state majority. But, a situation has arisen that is very, very disturbing. The residents of northern Wisconsin are being denied "pocket schedules" for the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Brewers. Politics or Money?

Supposedly, Miller Lite who ALWAYS prints and distributes Brewer schedules cannot distribute pocket schedules for the Brewers because we have been designated Minnesota Twins territory by SOMEBODY! Politics or Money?

To make this story even more incredible is that the normal distributors of these schedules, the liquor stores and bars (since they are printed by Miller Lite) cannot get Minnesota Twins schedules either. The excuse is because we are in Wisconsin. Duh! In the past both team schedules (along with the Cubs) were readily available. While even Twins fans are plentiful in the area, they would not even say this is "Twins Territory".

So, here we sit. Both teams in first place of their respective divisions and the fans can't even get a pocket schedule. For non baseball fans you might not understand the importance of a pocket schedule. But, when the season is 162 games, you want a pocket schedule. Politics or Money?

The reason I cannot divulge the name of my source of this information is she is having a college student in the Milwaukee area pick up schedules at Miller Park when he goes to games. He is then sending them up. Imagine that, bootleg pocket schedules. I am now on the list for a bootleg Milwaukee Brewer pocket schedule. Politics or Money?

Money. Someone SOLD us to the Twins. I don't know who, but I am going to try to find out. I have sent an email to the Brewers and also placed a phone call (414-902-4400) asking them "why"? I will continue to follow up. I will let you know what I learn. I'm betting it is money. I want to find out who got it. Miller Lite or the Brewers?

Something different every day...

Mayor Al