Commentary Update for October 14, 2002: Serbia Elections, Genisio, Underheim Treasurer, Esslinger Letter, Eye on Oshkosh, A Second Opinion, Valley Soapbox, Kunstler Eyesore, Priebe, Earth Charter Photos

Dear Friends of Commentary:

Did anyone see the news yesterday that the elections in Serbia were cancelled because the law requires that there must be at least a 50% voter turnout to make the election official and only 45% came to the polls? Imagine the amount of American elections that would be canceled if we had such a law?

This week's Commentary guest is District 54 Assembly candidate James Genisio. Because I am an open supporter of Genisio, I do not host the show this week. Mr. Mather had a doctor's appointment so he is not either. So, if you tune in to Commentary this week you will see the show hosted by UW Oshkosh Political Scientist James Simmons and Matt Zimmerman, Vice-President of the Oshkosh Student Association. Incumbent Gregg Underheim was asked to be on the show and he refused, even when told that neither I nor Mather would be hosting. Make of that what you will.

Yesterday the Oshkosh Northwestern printed a letter from Mr. Underheim's Treasurer Tom Allen. I delivered a letter to the Northwestern last Thursday morning, and I think it's unfortunate that the editors did not print it alongside Mr. Allen's since I think they work well together.

Oshkosh Common Councilor Paul Esslinger, once a bitter rival of Genisio's when the two ran for Council several years ago, sent me this email:

Tony:

I loved your letter regarding the Underheim/Genisio situation. I couldn't have said it any better.

Didn't Underheim vote for the last budget fiasco? I believe he did. I'm worried that if Gregg gets his way (removal of shared revenue) that the Council will than have the difficult task of eliminating a LARGE amount of services, or raise taxes.

I'm voting for Genisio, and I hope everyone else does too.

Paul Esslinger

I would be happy to print letters for or against any candidate on the Commentary site. Just email me at Palmeri@uwosh.edu.

Former Oshkosh Common Councilor Melanie Bloechl and journalist Cheryl Hentz now have a show on Channel 10 in Oshkosh called "Eye on Oshkosh." I had a chance to watch it for the first time recently and I must say it is excellent. The hosts ask thoughtful, well prepared questions and give their guests a chance to speak--I'd like to think that Commentary does the same. See their website at http://www.eyeonoshkosh.com

Speaking of Valley independent (I think Independent is a better word than Alternative; when people call Commentary "alternative" I get a bit defensive--alternative makes it sound like the Gannet press is somehow the "real" news media that we are an alternative to) media, John Lemberger has recently released another edition of A Second Opinion. You might also want to check out the Valley Soapbox. Free copies of the latter are available in the New Moon coffee shop on Main St. and a variety of other locations.

On the urban architecture front, J.H. Kunstler (author of the wonderful The Geography of Nowhere and other works dealing with the mess that professional urban planners created for us), has a wonderful place on his website called the "Eyesore of the Month." Check out the Batman Building in Nashville. As soon as the monstrosity on the 100 block of Main St. in Oshkosh is completed, I'm going to take a picture of it and send it Kunstler as a possible eyesore of the month.

Next week we plan to have on the candidates for Winnebago County District Attorney, Republican Bill Lennon and Democrat Brad Priebe. Here's the UW Oshkosh Advance-Titan's coverage of a recent Priebe visit: http://public.mio.uwosh.edu/at/story.asp?issue=1095&story=406

Finally, some pictures from the recent UW Oshkosh Earth Charter Community Summit:
*The Earth Charter: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/earthcharter.htm
*Earth Charter Organizers on Commentary: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/robson1.htm
*An oval photo in honor of the Earth: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/robson2.htm
*"Edutainer" Bill Kehl leads a drum circle: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/kehl.htm
*Sr. Michelle Balek of Fransiscans International talking about Social Justice: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/balek1.htm
*Barbara Hoffman of the Fellowhsip of Reconciliation on Iraq: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/hoffman.htm
*Tony Palmeri with Deborah Toler of the Institute for Public Accuracy: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/tonyandtoler.htm
*John Stauber on the Politics of Food Production: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/stauber.htm
*Mike McCabe of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign speaking about Free Air Time: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/mccabe3.htm
*WI Secretary of State Doug LaFollette at the Earth Charter Teach-In: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/lafollette.htm

More photos will follow in later updates!

Best,

-Tony