Academy of Local Politics

Government meddling in private business. Where will it stop? I guess it won't stop in Racine. It has been proposed to mandate that all gas/convenience stores be closed between Midnight - 4:00 AM. That will solve the Gang and drunks problem? Geez, how stupid. I don't have an answer how to solve Racine's Gang and drunks problem, but punishing the gas stations won't do it. I guarantee that!

I especially like the quote, “I can’t imagine they’re doing a lot of business at 2 in the morning." He hasn't even been there to see what business they are doing at 2 in the morning. Now there is an Alderman who is in touch with his community!

Kudos to LaCrosse!  According to the LaCrosse Tribune,  The League of American Bicyclist will designate La Crosse as a Bicycle Friendly Community, one of just 64 to earn the distinction nationally since the program began in 2003. At least 161 communities applied. They had to work to get this designation. I had never even heard of it before this. CommonSenseville.US will have to look into this further. As a "walker" for over 30 years, I believe you can't do too much to be pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

Mayor Al

Many years ago when I was in college, I remember one of my roommates having a shirt with CR & SU written on it. Stood for Crude, Rude and Socially Unacceptable. I was reminded of that shirt last night. I had been called by Scooter McGee of KFKA 1310 (Greeely, CO) and scheduled to be interviewed last night. He wanted to talk about the legalization of hemp. He never called back. He had a different guest. Now, I don't mind being canceled, but I don't really appreciated being treated Crude, Rude and Socially Unacceptable. After all, he called me to set up the appointment. Now he's blaming an un-named assistant for not getting back to me to cancel.

Who is the most vocal critics of politicians? Well, that would be radio talk show hosts. After all, that's their job.

Scooter, scheduling an interview then dumping the guests without notification is CR & SU. Not to mention, unprofessional. When a politician is unprofessional we can expect to get hit, and hit hard.

Back at you Scooter ... Jerk!

Mayor Al

The Mayor of Bloomer is going to face a recall. I had alerted you earlier  to this very interesting story.

The quick recap is ...

Mayor owns a bar.
City police officer responds to call, to Mayors bar.
City Police Chief (drinking in the bar) interferes in process.
Police Chief charged with obstruction.
Mayor becomes temporary Chief.
Mayor fires police officer who was doing his job.

Bar Owner - Mayor - Police Chief
In a small city, that is consolidation of power!

This will be a very combative recall election. Mayor Summerfield will still have his supporters. I am not one of them. Not that he cares what I think. He obviously doesn't care what anyone thinks. He does it his way. Next time I travel through Bloomer I will have to stop at his bar and eavesdrop on the conversations. Maybe I'll even play dumb tourist and ask "what's new in town"? Then go to a different bar and do the same.

Yes, I do have a warped sense of humor at times, don't I?

Mayor Al

They're all crooks! How often have politicians heard that about themselves. Well, I'm a politician and proud of it. I am also not a crook. A few skeletons in my closet maybe, but not a crook. But, there are some crooks.

The latest accused crook is Alderman Michael McGee, Jr. from Milwaukee.  According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the allegations include  counts of shaking down his constituents for favors  involving  "multiple business owners on multiple occasions." 

I will avoid passing judgement on Alderman McGee until all the facts are known. I will give him that professional courtesy. I hope you will also.

Mayor Al

Over the weekend Dorothy Malzone sent me a link indicating that Mayor Lonnie McCollum has submitted his resignation as Mayor of Greenburg, KS. Dorothy naturally hoped I would follow. Sorry Dorothy.

I really don't know what to think of this resignation. I certainly won't criticize Mayor McCollum for doing this. Obviously a great deal of thought went into this decision. He had a real problem on his hands. He didn't feel that he was the right person at the right time for Greenburg. If that is the case, he probably isn't. I do know that it is too bad that Mayor Nagin didn't do the same in New Orleans. He has certainly been a disaster, attempting to recover from one.

I can only imagine the number of meetings that are going to be required over the next few years. It will be in the hundreds of official meetings and thousands of unofficial meetings. One right after another. This being thrust upon someone who wasn't even on the ballot. He won (?) on a write in.

Good Luck Mayor Lonnie and all of Greenburg.

Mayor Al