COMMENTARY . . .

With Tony Palmeri and Jim Mather

Weeknights 7 P.M. Titan-TV 2
 

Letters To Commentary

Send Letters To Palmeri@uwosh.edu

 

 

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On August 15, Tony Palmeri received the following anonymous letter from someone calling him or herself "In the Spirit of '76":

This is an unsolicited, anonymous comment about last week's program. I hope you will share it with your growing number of viewers. This is a fine program that is badly needed in this community.

Kudos to the hosts for inviting Stewart Riekman, executive editor and James Fitzhenry, editorial page editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern to appear on your weekly program. Newspaper journalists are often hidden from the viewing public and it was good to see what they looked like in person and how they conducted themselves on the other end of questions and answers. Unfortunately, this program for the most part was a bust. It was all Riekman and a little Fitzhenry. If one did not live in Oshkosh, one would think that the Northwestern is a modern day copy of William Allen White's great Emporia, Kansas newspaper. Unfortunately those who read it know that it is not. For example:

Delivery time. This past Sunday the New York Sunday Times was on my doorstep at 6:30 am and the Northwestern at 9:20 am. What gives? This late time is a common pattern for weekend delivery.

Small news hole. There isn't much news, real news in the Northwestern and much of it is questionable. This is primary an advertising publication and why they would publish several stories on Barry Alvarez's, UW Madison football coach's son, killing a parrot is for the birds. Who makes these selections anyway?

Unsigned editorials. Fitzhenry when asked to explain the editorial page policy of writing editorials responded that he sets the weekly agenda and writes all the editorials. Riekman in responding to why the editorials are not signed replied that it would not be fair to Fitzhenry to sign editorials that he disagreed with. Uh? If he writes all the editorials, what's the problem with signing them?

Circulation statistics. The Oshkosh Northwestern does not have a circulation of 58,000. Not even a valid regression analysis could come up with that high a figure. So why distort the truth?

Community involvement. If the priority of the editorial board is to reach out to the community why do community leaders like Mayor Melanie Bloechl and Dr. Ron Heilmann, Oshkosh Superintendent of Schools shun the editorial page?

I hope either of the two journalists will respond to these question. Anonymous of course!

Signed, IN THE SPIRIT OF '76.

NOTE: In an August 25 phone call to Palmeri, Executive Editor Riekman contested IN THE SPIRIT OF '76's claim that Fitzhenry/Riekman claimed a circulation of 58,000. Riekman said that his actual statement was that the Northwestern has 58,000 readers. Mr. Riekman did in fact mention 58,000 as the number of readers as opposed to circulation. So there, Mr. IN THE SPIRIT OF '76!

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Viewer Outraged By County Board Actions

After the actions taken by a couple of County Board Committees, I feel a real change is needed on the County Board.  The actions taken by the Park and Recreational Committee, and the actions that lead to that coup, show the worst of the County Board and also shows what the County Board really has become--groups of older men, out for themselves. Willing to do anything but what it should be doing, the business of governing Winnebago County.

I am told the County Board could make up rules to prevent the coup that took place. Much like it could have rules or an ethics code in place to prevent County Board members from benefiting from actions or votes they take while being on the County Board. Instead of trying to implement measures making sure such incidents did not arise, the County Board did nothing, as usual, just as it usually does.  In the end we get a messy situation where County Board members are back stabbing themselves and not carrying out the business at hand, like actually build a much needed new County Jail.

Now let's take a look at the action they did take, I think they should be ashamed. They fully fund museums and choirs but not Domestic Abuse Services. Where are their priorities? Obviously not with the needs of the people in the county; they only care about helping their friends who have power and influence. I think the Finance Committee and County Executive deserve failing marks for not funding RDA Services or including it in the other groups so-called "discretionary" spending. RDAS is a needed agency in the County and never should have been cut. These "arts" programs should be cut all together in my opinion.

Truly as stated before there is a great need to change the makeup of the Winnebago County Board. I encourage all citizens to find out who your Supervisor is and yes even run or or encourage someone to run against them next April. The Board needs reform as to how many Supervisors are on the board, to the number of committees, to who goes about conducting the business of the Board. If you agree please join me or contact me in achieving this goal next April.

Last, kudos, to Jim Mather for agreeing with me that the action taken by the City Council letting others decide who gets the Human Service portion of the Community Block Development Grant.  City elected officials should make this call and not give it to another because they do not like to lobbied. It was refreshing that both of you would agree with me, I would have thought the opposite.

Sincerely,

Mike Norton-Aug. 29.1999

Mjn304@aol.com

304 W South Park

Oshkosh,WI 54902

920-233-0586

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Hintz Stuck in a Sink Hole on Street Issue

Oshkosh Common Council member Stephen Hintz surprised me with his knowledge of Oshkosh city issues and dry wit. Hintz even cracked a smile or two and his Yogi Berra quote was GREAT!

There wasn't anything funny, however, about his surprising defense of the condition of Oshkosh's city streets. He stated that the problem was one of image not physical conditions. He observed that no one in Oshkosh "has lost a car to a sink hole in a long time." I wonder where the man lives? He also said that anyone could drive anywhere in Oshkosh "with just a little bump to your shock absorbers." Has he ever tried riding a bike?

Hintz's second comment really perked my interest. Surely either of the co-hosts would not allow his street assertions to stand. After all both have been critical of Oshkosh's city streets since they launched their program. But surprisingly they sat in total silence. Neither Professor Palmeri nor former Oshkosh Mayor Mather uttered a word.

Maybe Hintz, Palmeri, and Mather should go trick or treating together for Halloween. Then they could revisit the street issue on the next program. That discussion, of course, depends on whether they have the strength to climb out of a hole or two as they walk those great Oshkosh city streets.

--Anonymous

[NOTE: Palmeri and Mather welcome letters from viewers of Commentary. If you'd like to have a letter published on this web page, e-mail it to Palmeri@uwosh.edu].

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Dan Rylance Bashes Bowen Program

3 November 1999

Tony:

Place don't take the following personal. I think you and Jim host a good show and provide badly needed dialogue on public issues that simply are not covered by any other media in Oshkosh.

The Bowen interview, however, caused me some concerns. First, Bowen's continued reference throughout the show to criticizing a fellow board member without having the decency to mention his name. I assume she was referring to Dennis McHugh. At least Melanie Bloechl had the guts to criticize fellow council member Matt O'Malley by name. As hosts, I think either of you should have asked her to name the person. Since you didn't perhaps McHugh deserves a chance on your show to defend himself. The issue is what are the duties of a School Board member. Bowen believes incorrectly that the role of a Board member is to rubber stamp whatever the School Administration proposes unless there is information to the contrary brought to her as a Board member. If someone like McHugh asks tough questions about a new proposal Bowen smears him as not being a team member. McHugh, although sometimes rude, seems to be doing what a Board member is supposed to be doing. Isn't he?

The second matter concerns the doctrine of local control. Please show this to Jim because it is more directed to him than you. I look at local school board control in a broader perspective. I trust you remember the days of segregated public schools, denominational prayer in schools, no special education programs, no access by bus or facilities to those disabled, no sports for young women (only cheerleaders), no lunch or breakfast programs. I could go on and list more. All of these blots in American public schools were established by local schools and only changed by federal court or federal legislation. I trust you unlike Gordon Doule don't want to return to these local control practices.

In fairness, you were probably referring to state interference rather than federal but in either case it is not local control. As for the state setting the date for the start of school let me make this argument. The state now pays 66% of the cost of local education. Certainly they have some right don't they to set a uniform date for the start of public schools? Can you name any enterprise that contributes 66% of the cost of operation that doesn't have a say in business operating hours? One other point. Bowen argues that the needs of parents not the state should be a priority in setting the date for the start of school. Why then doesn't the public schools, UWO and Fox Valley Technical College have the same school calender? This would clearly be the best for all in this community but I'll bet you a beer that the three enterprises have never discussed a common school year calender.

Enough,

Dan Rylance

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 Jungwirth A Viewer's Delight

This is an unsolicited and anonymous comment about your Commentary program of last week (November 18).

Bob Jungwirth was a viewer's delight. He stands tall as a voice of sanity and reason in a country of cynicism and insanity. His candid Truman like answers to past and present city politics were straight forward, honest and refreshing. What a mark contrast to the pulpit and pen of Gordon Doule, another Oshkosh senior. Maybe that's the difference between a blue collar and a white collar person or a Democrat and a Republican.

Why doesn't the Oshkosh community offer the voters more like him? It's easy to say it's because politics takes up too much time, money drives elections and good people simply aren't interested in running for public office. The truth digs much deeper. Jungwirth comes from a different era than those of us born a generation or two later. His philosophy doesn't come from books or prayer in school. Rather, it comes from working hard, playing hard and being real and genuine instead of arrogant and phony.

I hope you won't wait until the Cubs win a pennant to invite Jungwirth back. He and Mather won't be around if you do.

I would also suggest that you give a people award every week to someone who shows care for his fellow human being. Call it the "Jungwirth" award. I think the first winner should be Oshkosh Common Council member Matt O'Malley, who held his first public forum on Saturday, November 21.

Keep up the good work. In the Spirit of '76 again.

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Spirit of '76 Predictions for 2000

Dear Commentary Hosts:

Your show has raised the level of public dialogue in Oshkosh over the past year. In the spirit of '76 here are some 2000 year predictions in David Letterman's order of presentation:

10. Oshkosh Mayor Melanie Bloechl will caddy one round for Councilman Matt O'Malley at the Lake Municipal Golf Course.

9. Oshkosh School Board President LuAnn Bird will not receive the Republican nomination for the 56th Assembly vacancy.

8. Winnebago County Supervisor Ron Montgomery will do volunteer work at the Christine Anne Center.

7. All three Oshkosh School Board incumbents will win reelection.

6. One Oshkosh Common Council incumbent will be defeated.

5. The Oshkosh Northwestern building will stand vacant by year's end.

4. No long term solutions will be approved for the Lake Municipal Golf Course.

3. Winnebago County Executive Jane Van de Hey will face a stiff challenge from within her own party for reelection.

2. The Dow will hit 12,800 and the Nasdaq 5,500 by year's end.

1. Texas Governor George Bush will be the next President of the United States. The Democrats will regain control of the House but the Republicans will retain control of the Senate.

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Footit Corrects The Record

February 15, 2000

Dear Mr. Palmeri:

This letter is in reference to comments made by you and Mr. Mather on your television program. Your entire show was dedicated to reviewing comments that were made by various people voicing their opinions as to possible changes to the Winnebago County Board. I was one of those that spoke on the issue and you attempted to interpret what I said. After I listened to your interpretation of my remarks, I wondered if we were at the same meeting. The following are the suggestions I made:

I feel the county board should consist of 27 members. One chairman, one vice-chairman, and twenty-five additional members. For committee assignments there would be five committees with five members on each committee. Winnebago County would be divided into four core areas as follows: Transportation--this would include the airport, highway department, parks department, etc. The second core unit would be public safety. This would include the sheriff's department, district attorney, emergency management, courts, etc. The third core area would be health and human services. This would include the Park View Health Center, Department of Social Services, County Health Department, etc. The fourth area would be administration. This would include the court house departments, Personnel and Finance, etc. Each County Board Committee would be assigned a core unit, with the exception of the administration unit this would be divided into two areas because of its size.

The five committees would meet twice each month and have appointed times that each department head in their core unit would appear before the committee of jurisdiction. This process would decrease that number of committee meetings held each month, save a lot of money because of less per diems, and allow each committee member equal representation on committees.

At the present time the county board chairman approves all per diem sheets that are presented by the county board members. This gives one person the authority to approve or disapprove payments for meetings. The county board chairman also approves his own per diems and that of his wife for meetings she attends. Do you wonder why we are paying for members to attend open houses for businesses, decorate Christmas trees, attend parties? I suggested that all per diems sheets be turned into the personnel and finance committee for approval. The five members on that committee would assure that only authorized meetings were to be paid for.

My next suggestion was that for all out of state meetings that the county board chairman, vice-chairman, and a maximum of five other members be allowed to attend. Any additional members that would like to attend would first be required to get the approval of the full county board. All out of state meetings are posted well in advance of the meeting dates. Members that wanted to attend would have ample time to receive approval. At the present time, any member that has the time, can go to any meeting out of state, and they are all approved by the county board chairman.

When you were making your remarks about the comments I made you asked Mr. Mather if I had ever been the Sheriff of Winnebago County prior to being a member of the Winnebago County Board. His statement to you was "yes, he was a one termer." I would like to refresh Mr. Mather's memory. I was a four-termer. That's eight years Mr. Mather. There was only one sheriff that served longer than I did and that was Marvin Peppler. I feel that my ten years as an employee of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department, eight years as Sheriff, and five years as a member of the County Board does entitle me to have an opinion and have it interpreted accurately.

Sincerely,

Terry Footit, Supervisor District #21

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Stew Rieckman Watches Commentary

From Oshkosh Northwestern Executive Editor Stew Rieckman's Sunday, April 23, 2000 column:

. . . And then there's local programming.

While not having quite the comedic value of The Stooges, I certainly would recommend that viewers take a peek at the Commentary program on Channel 12 on the Oshkosh cable system.

It originates from UW-Oshkosh and is hosted by communications professor Tony Palmeri and former Oshkosh Mayor James Mather. It airs from 7 to 8 p.m. nightly and tackles local issues and politics with guests from the community.

I watch the program because more often than not, The Northwestern is prominently featured or at least mentioned. Many of the guests huff and puff and get red in the face. But as a newspaper editor, I couldn't ask for better exposure. Agree or disagree, but I'm pleased that folks keep talking about the impact The Northwestern has in the community. Pardon my glee, but Tony and Jim wouldn't have much of a show without us leading the examination of issues in the community.

Disclaimer: Editorial Page Editor Jim Fitzhenry and I had a guest appearance on Commentary and we unabashedly extolled the virtues of The Northwestern and our roles of guardians of freedom of the press, apple pie, and mom.

The latest episode of Commentary features County Board Chairman Joe Maehl ranting about The Northwestern's coverage of county government. All I can say is: Thank you, thank you, thank you. If a government official is that unhappy about our coverage, we must be doing something right.

Most local officials don't understand the role of the newspaper in the community. We aren't an extension of their public relations efforts nor are we cheerleaders. I take pride in the fact that no one will ever be able to accuse the Northwestern of being in city hall's hip pocket . . .

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Viewer: Jim and Tony Beaten And Bloodied By Schmidt

Jim and Tony:

How are you two doing after the beating that you took on your TV show at the hands of the program manager of local radio station WOSH? The blood (yours) must have been everywhere. You guys looked like school boys with a notebook in your hand interviewing Rush. What a mismatch!

I watch your program almost every week. It is my best source of what's going on in local politics. I appreciate your devotion to local issues not suitably addressed in the Oshkosh media. The time an effort your spend putting on the program must be considerate. However, you will never be able to match the career experience of any hour long guest. Would any guest ever be able to successfully challenge either one of you in your field of work? I think not.

This note was not meant to criticize, I'm on your side. Hey - you had the guts to air a show where two good guys got 'sucker punched' by a bully. I don't think Schmidt would have done the same thing, had it been his program, where it was his eyes that were blackened.

I just can't seem to stop, can I? Maybe both of you should come on the next show with dark glasses and bandages. Have him back! I'd be happy to get you some info on Rush and that bitch Dr. Laura.

Best regards,

Anonymous

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Esslinger: The Cable Guy Responds

Dear Commentary:

I would appreciate it if you could read the following rebuttal on an upcoming show in response to some comments on your April 5th show.

On your April 5th show summarizing the Tuesday April 4th elections, I had heard an allegation from Mr. Simmons which I found troubling. Mr. Simmons explained that I worked for the "Cable Company," and because I had done cable television advertising in my Common Council race, he wondered if I received a "special deal" from the "Cable Company." Mr. Simmons went on to say that maybe we should have an investigative reporter look into this matter. I think I can clear this up without the investigative reporter.

I would have thought that because Mr. Simmons is a professor at UWO in Political Science, he would know that electronic media is regulated by the Federal Government, and that all political candidates receive the same rate for advertising. I also would have thought that he must know that all political expenditures are public record, and he could have looked into this himself before leveling these allegations.

The "Cable Company" that I work for is Charter Communications. This cable carrier does not serve the city of Oshkosh. The cable carrier that serves Oshkosh, where my ads were placed is Time Warner Cable. Why would Time Warner give me a special deal?

If a candidate wants to advertise on cable, he or she requests a "political rate card" where every candidate receives the same rate as any other candidate that advertises with that particular company. My total advertising purchase was $701 for the network airtime, and $300 for the production of the ads.

In regards to the construction of the ads, I did the concept and scripting for the ads. A producer at Charter Communications on his own time did the shooting of the ads, and I paid him $150 for his services. The ads were edited by Charter Communications for $150. By law, the same charges would have been afforded any other candidate if they had chosen Charter Communications for these services.

As I mentioned earlier, all of this information is public record, and I would be happy to produce any of the receipts upon request.

Thank you for allowing me the time for rebutting these allegations.

Sincerely,

Paul Esslinger

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A Common Sense Quiz For Oshkosh

by James N. Fitzhenry

[Note: This piece appeared on the editorial page of the Oshkosh Northwestern on May 29, 2000. The bolded portions deal directly with Commentary. Jim Fitzhenry is the editorial page editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern].

Well, someone finally did it.

They developed a test for common sense. Already, I can see dozens of immediate applications right here in the Oshkosh area.

The test was developed by the University of Michigan Business School for potential MBA students. It will be used in conjunction with the Graduate Management Admission Test and contains real world scenarios that require students to demonstrate if they have an ability to think on their feet, get over obstacles and learn from their mistakes.

The test couldn't have come at a better time since common sense seems to be in short supply in greater Winnebagoland these days. For a small honorarium, I've redesigned the test to include local scenarios.

Here's the first question on the Mr. Smart Aleck commonsense aptitude test that recently won the endorsement of new math supporters everywhere for requiring absolutely no mathematic computations. Don't forget to pick up your calculators at the front desk.

Q: You have limited funds for several major projects. Which would you support?

A. $20 to $25 million for a new jail, offices for the Sheriff's Department and a 911 emergency communications center.

B. $550,000 to install basic security measures in your courthouse, including a secure entrance monitored by deputies and a metal detector.

C. $3 million for roof repairs to several county buildings.

D. $1.75 million for a new $3.5 million theater at the University of Wisconsin Fox Valley which enrolls about 36 students per semester.

E. Who cares. Just raise taxes.

Here is question 2. Think about how this math problem makes you feel, especially since getting the right answer is not important.

Q: The community invested $3.1 million to restore a historic downtown theater that reopened in 1986. The management that runs the theater is falling on hard times concentrating on maintaining a structure built in 1883 and bringing in first class entertainment. Should we:

A. Commit additional tax dollars to maintain the city-owned building with the understanding significant private donations will follow.

B. Dump the contract with the group that has successfully run the theater.

C. All the theater to crumble and start showing porn moves again.

D. Go back in time and raze the theater.

Question 3 employs even fewer math computations, but I'm glad I got you thinking in the spirit of math. That's what new math is all about, creating higher level thinkers who can't make change at McDonald's.

Q: An interesting local public affairs show is broadcast on the university's public access channel. Should the university:

A. Continue to support the program with the limited help of a camera man/producer from the university relations department.

B. Show "Arts" programming 24 hours a day interrupted only by agonizingly boring faculty senate meetings.

C. Run reruns of television news footage of the latest spontaneous celebration/riot at the college and package a tape similar to the "Girls Gone Wild" video marketed on late night television.

D. Encourage volunteers to keep the Commentary program alive in some shape or form.

Time's up. I want your answers. Please show me your work on your calculator for the math portion of the test.

The answers to the questions are, obviously, a matter of common sense.

For question 1, if you picked A,B, and C, you're right. Let's spend money on necessities for Winnebago County. Not an outlandish theater for the University of Wisconsin Fox Valley. I'm afraid many of the people holding the purse strings on the county board support D, showing their fatal lack of common sense. Because doing D is only going to result in E.

Question 2 also seems like an easy one. A is the correct answer. Asking the city for more help to maintain one of its buildings is not outlandish, particularly given the financial information provided by the Grand Opera House officials.

It doesn't make sense to turn back the clock or punish the Grand over old political feuds.

Question 3 is also pretty simple. The university is asking Commentary hosts Tony Palmeri and Jim Mather to find a new home to produce their show which is taped in the Chancellor's studio.

Officials want the show moved to the Titan TV studios this fall and be produced by students instead of a university employee.

I can't argue with the university about the use of the producer's time. Commentary is a victim of its own success and continued longevity. Officials also said regardless of where the show is produced, it will continue to be aired on Channel 12.

I hope a good arrangement can be made this fall at the Titan studios so Palmeri and Mather can land on their feet - answer D.

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Interested Viewer: Sports A Diversion While Social Ills Get Small Notice

June 6, 2000

Commentary:

Enjoyed the program with Chuck Carlson , sports reporter, and several observations came to my mind while watching.

1. The timing of the Lambeau remodeling seems to have several dimensions:

A. The Green Bay citizens, and Brown County Board have more serious matters of concern; namely, the dredging of the Fox River at its worst point of contamination. Is anyone watching this process? Are the citizens of Green Bay and Brown County just handing this matter over to the DNR and EPA without local input? I totally agree with the council person who said the Packer project could be postponed. This is a beautiful diversion to keep attention off the dredging and health concerns of the Fox River Valley.

2. It is appalling that Madison legislators put this issue on the fast track while citizen issues can linger for years , as in the case of long term care reform, and prescription drug bills, etc.

3. The very fact that sports also are a diversion to keep the general populous noticing how state and local government are being managed.

A. The wealthy, after a few weeks work, pack up and attend (fly to other cities in order to watch the games) all events, and mingle with their social group for the "Good Ole Boy"; I'll scratch your back while you scratch mine way of conducting business.

B. The working class can watch on TV at house parties or gatherings at sports bars to also feel the common goal of team participation, while they become the various intent of whatever the "Good Ole Boys" have decided while at the real event.

C. Big money and the "Powers That Be" have fine tuned sports into the biggest diversion in the world, while social ills world wide are given only small notice.

D. Is leisure and recreation good - yes!! But I question how far off center are we?

Another thought I'll share, just as an aside: Take notice of the containers our food items are now being packaged in. Plastic. This is a petroleum product. The basic ingredient being oil. And not cooking oil!

Because I personally am latex sensitive I cannot drink from a plastic cup, and have been assured by some that plastic is safe for food products. But a noted allergist says No Way!! Dr. Doris Rapp, M.D.'s book Is This Your Child's World warns of these health concerns.

Also, you will notice fine wines and good quality food still come in glass, which also indicates the worldwide and/or nationwide compromise of our health. Who is watching this issue, while we are watching the Packers?

--Interested Viewer, D.L., Oshkosh

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Viewer Comments About Underheim/Bloechl

 

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Viewer Offers Compliments, Suggests Downtown Town Hall Meeting With Commentary As Moderator

 

Mr. Tony Palmeri,

Really enjoy watching Commentary, It is great that your program is available to the Oshkosh Public.

Suggestions for future Commentary shows:

(1) City of Oshkosh 1 year - 5 year - 10 year Development Plans: Do we have a Plan? if so, Lets Work our Plan, let the Oshkosh Citizens Know our Plan. Are our Plans Up to Date? What changes will we see?

Suggested guest(s): Richard Wollangk - Jackson Kinney - Robert Kujawa

(2) Redevelopment of Oshkosh Downtown Plan: When available from our Consultant out of Maryland? Oshkosh Citizens For and Against Downtown Plan . Once the Plan is Approved, It will be Hard to Make Changes (Sun Dial Plaza). Hold a Town Hall Meeting - With Commentary as the Mediator

(3) Candidates for Public Office: Enjoy when you have both Candidates Together - Debating Issues . Keep asking the Tough Questions. It's OK to throw a few Softballs, along with the Tough Questions

All in all, I truly enjoy your program.

Keep Up The Great Shows.

Regards,

J.J., Oshkosh

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NORTON'S NEWS AND NOTES

A NEWSLETTER FROM MIKE NORTON-WINNEBAGO COUNTY SUPERVISOR

Let me first thank you for your support in the April election. I hope you will contact me when you have any concerns or need help with Winnebago County government. Since last April. I was appointed to serve on the Awards Committee which deal with giving scholarships to high school seniors going to college. I also represent Winnebago County on the Advocap Board of Directors-the Community Action Agency for the county-my third appointment was to the Winnebago County Housing Authority.

I do plan on having office hours before board meetings and constituent meetings. Look for notices in the newspaper, and I will have newsletters from time to time to keep you updated and informed.

UW- FOX VALLEY THEATER

The UW Fox Valley Board of Trustees have proposed replacing the existing UW Fox Valley Theater to begin construction in 2004. Preliminary cost of 3.5 million is to be divided between Winnebago and Outagamie Counties. The board has voted have to a presentation by the Trustees at the September 5 Special Orders meeting of the County Board. Presentation is to include a full disclosure of the project plan with costs. The board will then decided if to include the project on the 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan.

I do not support the plan or the project at this time. In my opinion a new theater is not needed, with a new PAC being built in Appleton and other facilities available, I am open to renovation of the existing theater.The County must also first finalize the new county jail plan plus I feel the project is one we cannot afford or need at this time.

NEW COUNTY JAIL

At the June Special Orders meeting Sheriff Mike Brooks gave the board an update of the County Jail Project. He reported that phase of programming for the jail will be done in August with a recommendation by him at that time.

I have since meet with him since that time about this issue. It his and my hope that a special meeting will take place which will present recommendation on the size and details of the jail. With the County Board voting soon after to keep the process of building of a new county jail on time with no delays.

I believe, after talking with the Sheriff and others, that the facility should be built with 350 beds to meet our needs until 2015, be able to add on to the facility, and to have meals doneat a much cheaper rate. We must keep the process going without any more delays in order to built by 2003.

WITTMAN REGIONAL AIRPORT

At the May Special Orders meeting there was a presentation by the UW Extension (a valuable resource I have used since being elected} on the importance of the airport to the area. I have included the hand written report we received for you to read [note from Tony Palmeri: The hand written note is not available for this web site]. Also heard from a marketing firm who studied how to better market and utilize the airport- the Aviation Committee is looking this and will make recommendation.

**************TO CONTACT YOUR SUPERVISOR***************

BY PHONE: 233-0586 - BY MAIL: 304 W SOUTH PARK-

BY EMAIL: Mjn304 @Aol.com

AUTHORIZED AND PAID FOR BY MIKE NORTON

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Paul Esslinger Calls For Web Site Rotation

Dear Tony/Jim:

I visited your website recently, and I wanted to point out what I believe is a discrepency in the layout of some of the material, (program schedule, headlines, body of the Historic Preservation Ordinance letter, etc). I noticed that every time you list my name or Matt O'Malley's name, you list Matt's first. In fairness to me I would ask that you rotate my name in the first place spot a few times so Matt doesn't have an unfair advantage.

I thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

Paul Esslinger

P.S. Great website, and keep up the good work!!! Love the show!!!

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EAA Visitor Loved Commentary

August 2: Tony Palmeri received a postcard today that said the following:

Professor Palmeri,

Here for the air show . . . but your show is the best thing about this place!

Thanks,

P.R.,

Woodland, Arizona

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Voters Get Locked Out Of Oshkosh Public Forum

August 14, 2000

Although Oshkosh's first public, political forum will be held Wednesday in the basement of City Hall, area residents will be locked out. The forum's two sponsors--the Oshkosh Chapter of the League of Women Voters and Oshkosh Community Access Channel 10--announced in the Oshkosh Northwestern that "because of space limitations residents will not be able to attend the forum." Instead, city residents are encouraged to call in their questions live Wednesday night at 7 p.m. (the telephone number to call is 920-236-6250).

If you don't believe the above, please let me repeat it. The League of Women Voters which strives to increase voter participation and the Oshkosh Community Access Channel which prides itself on getting Oshkosh citizens involved in local affairs have collectively decided to lock them out of the public forum.

The first response to this announcement is why? Are the League of Women Voters and Channel 10 afraid of participatory democracy? Shouldn't the voters of Oshkosh be allowed to attend their public forum? It's bad enough that these same sponsors in the past have prohibited the public who were allowed to attend the forums from asking questions (they only allow members of the 4th estate or their own members to ask politicians questions), but now they have gone one step further. The public be damned. This time around they are not even allowed to attend a public forum held in a public building and supported by public funds.

The second response to this announcement is why would the four candidates who were invited to the forum agree to a closed access format? Don't they want to appear in person before the voters? Are they afraid to let democracy work? The four candidates are Rep. Gregg Underheim and his Republican opponent, ex-Oshkosh mayor, Melanie Bloechl. Bloechl is running a Republican term limit issue against Underheim, who has held the 54th Assembly District seat for the past 13 years. The other two candidates are incumbent Winnebago County Treasurer, Mary Krueger, who has never won the office by election, and Julie Leisgang, who is also seeking public office for the first time. Surely, two first time candidates should be embracing the voters rather than agreeing to a format which locks them out?

If you think this voter lockout is unjustified, here are a few telephone numbers to vent your displeasure.

Chanel 10: 236-5260

League of Women Voters: Carolyn Blassingame 231-3350

Rep. Gregg Underheim: 233-1082

Melanie Bloechl: 233-1343

Mary Krueger: Work Number = 236-4777

Julie Leisgang: 232-9405

For the record, a live television broadcast and live call-ins are no substitute for the physical presence of voters and their participation in a public forum. This is the United States! isn't it?

Respectively,

In the Spirit of '76

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August 16 Update: Sources tell Commentary that anywhere from 10 to 30 citizens plan to show up to the Candidate Forum tonight and will insist that they be allowed to attend. Apparently, Channel 10 management is having the debate recorded in the channel 10 studios--instead of in the spacious Council chambers as is usually the case--because they do not want to have to move all the cameras and other necessary equipment to the chambers area. Citizens opposed to channel 10's actions are wondering how the event can be called a "public forum" when the public is limited to watching on television and phoning in questions.

One source, who as a result of reading Spirit of 76's letter went and called the candidates , channel 10, and the League of Women Voters (and who has asked to remain anonymous), said that the League of Women Voters President claimed that the channel 10 lockout was not a major problem because few people ever show up to the forum anyway. Hmm . . . anyone who's ever watched the forums when they are broadcast from the council chambers would probably have to disagree with that assessment. Not only do those who attend the forum get to "look the candidates in the eyes", but they also get to interact with each other and have productice conversations about the candidates and city/council politics in general. They also get to talk to the candidates during breaks and after the completion of the forum.

Commentary hopes that channel 10 and the League decide to do the right thing, which is to move the debate back to the council chambers and let the public in. To do otherwise is to make a mockery of the whole notion of "public forum."

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LaFollette Spirit In Oshkosh At "Public" Forum

August 16, 2000: Wisconsin's progressive hero, Robert M. LaFollette, probably smiled from the heavens while watching a mini-protest tonight outside of Oshkosh City Hall. The protest, led by a small group of Oshkosh citizens, was against Oshkosh Cable Access Channel 10 and the League of Women Voters' decision to prevent the public from attending their candidate forum in person. According to Channel 10 and the League, watching the forum on a television screen and being able to phone or fax in questions constitutes a "public forum."

Protesters held up signs that said:

Most League of Women Voters/Channel 10 co-sponsored debates are held in the chambers of the Oshkosh Common Council. In that setting, there is more than enough room to accommodate citizens who wish to attend and look at the candidates face-to-face. On August 16, however, channel 10 decided to hold the debate in the cable access television studio in the basement of city hall. The studio is very small and cannot accommodate more than a few individuals. Apparently, because there were "only" seven candidates involved in the debate (two for assembly district 54, three for assembly district 56, and two for county treasurer), channel 10 did not believe it was worth the effort to move necessary equipment up the council chambers and recruit more volunteers.

Had the League and channel 10 simply acknowledged that what they were conducting was a closed forum (which included the "filtering" of questions, apparently), then there probably would have been no protest. But to advertise an event as a "public" forum and then restrict the public to television and telephone is to debase the whole notion of "public forum." Is the Larry King show a public forum? Rush Limbaugh? Does being able to make a phone call to the hosts constitute a public forum?

Anyone who has participated in a candidate debate, or who has attended them, knows that having people in the live audience makes a BIG difference. From the standpoint of the debater, the live audience provides instant reaction to his or her comments; the debater is also forced to make eye contact with real voters. Challengers are especially thankful for the opportunity to have supporters in attendance (this would be especially important for candidates, like those running for treasurer, whose constituency is not just Oshkosh). From the standpoint of a live audience member, being at the debate allows for making a judgement about how well the candidates perform under pressure--that simply is not captured as well on television. The TV image is often misleading, in fact. Moreover, live audience members get a chance to engage the candidates immediately before the debate, after it, and during breaks. That way, if a person's question was "filtered out" by a self-appointed gatekeeper, the question can be asked directly.

League of Women Voters President Carolyn Blassingame got into heated discussions with the protesters. Blassingame claimed that few people ever show up to the forums anyway, and that she had never even seen one of the most vocal protesters at one of the forums. She went even further and said that when the public does appear, they frequently ask "irrelevant" questions that are sometimes personal attacks.

An interesting comment was made by League of Women Voters Ann Frisch. Ms. Frisch is a recognized expert on the state's open meetings laws, and she claimed that the protesters would have been fully within their rights to demand entry to the debate. If anyone reading this has the time to investigate Frisch's claim and can determine whether or not she is accurate, please let us know.

Two police officers on bikes watched the protest and seemed fully entertained. Rumor has it that one of them told a protester that he is a big fan of Commentary!

Several of the protesters suggested that the Commentary show organize its own public forum before the September primary. A forum at which the public would be encouraged to attend and at which no one would "filter" the citizens. Stay posted to this web site for information on whether such a forum will in fact take place.

Meanwhile, Commentary hopes that the protesters take their complaint before the Oshkosh Cable Commission and attempt to get that body to take a serious look at this issue and perhaps develop a policy on what constitutes a "public" forum.

Cynics will argue that the protesters could not have had a strong message because, after all, only a handful of people actually showed up for the protest. Commentary asks the cynics to remember the words of Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

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Kudos To Mark Madison, An Independent County Supervisor

On August 15 the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors voted 30-7 to reject a resolution that would have placed an advisory referendum on the November ballot asking "Do you favor the implementation of an additional 0.5 percent Winnebago County sales tax for a limited period of three years to pay for the cost of construction of a new Winnebago County jail and renovations to the present public safety building?" Only one of the 7 who voted for the resolution, Mark Madison, represents a district that is completely within the city of Oshkosh. What did he hear at the meeting that his brothers and sisters from Sundial City did not?

Perhaps it was this: "Finance Director Chuck Orenstein may have provided the most compelling argument for the sales tax, although it was, in the end, all for nothing. Orenstein said residents would actually save more than $100 should they and the board approve the half-percent sales tax hike. He said conventional, 10-year bonding for the estimated $25 million jail would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $403 in property taxes over the life of the debt. However, the sales tax would cost that same homeowner between $266 and $300 during the three years the half-percent was in effect." (Oshkosh Northwestern, August 15, 2000).

If Orenstein is correct--and not one of the vocal "reformers" on the board refuted his calculations--then any supervisor who claims to be a "friend of the taxpayer" is obligated to take a closer look at the sales tax before dismissing it outright. As a home owner and taxpayer, I know I certainly would rather pay $300 towards the jail instead of $403.

I assume that the board's self and Oshkosh Northwestern appointed "reformers" plan to find a way to see to it that the average taxpayer will pay between $266 and $300 toward the cost of the jail. Since the reformers have made it clear that the board is, in the words of the Northwestern, "addicted to spending," I look forward to seeing where the reformers plan to make cuts in the budget.

The Oshkosh Northwestern offered some suggestions on possible cuts in their editorial of August 13: "We spotted several projects that should be examined and perhaps delayed to reduce expenses, including the relocation of the health department, the Community Park road development program, a new juvenile detention facility and creating additional office space. These projects alone represent $8.2 million in potential savings. New opportunities for savings will also be found in the county's 2001 budget which is currently being prepared by the executive." Do the county board's opponents of the sales tax agree with these possible cuts? What else do they propose to cut? When will we know?

While spending cuts are necessary, I hope that the reformers do not allow Winnebago County to become a larger version of the city of Oshkosh. That is, a place where maintenance is deferred for years--sometimes for decades--so that politicians can keep the tax rate as low as possible. The deferred maintenance mentality, as has become painfully clear in the city of Oshkosh, leads to a crumbling infrastructure, urban blight and decay, high debt, and a lower municipal bond rating. For decades, the city of Oshkosh was ruled by "reformers" who bragged year after year about keeping the tax rate low while our streets became an embarrassment and older neighborhoods crumbled from neglect.

Is Winnebago County headed in the same direction? Let's hope not.

Mark Madison is one of the new board supervisors, appointed in April to complete Ron Montgomery's term. With the political climate on the board right now--a climate that pits board Chairman Joseph Maehl in a pissing contest against the Oshkosh supervisors primarily--the easiest thing for Madison to do would have been to join the Wingren/Pech Jr. bandwagon, make some grand remarks about the evil of taxation and the spending addiction of the board, and vote against the referendum. Instead, Madison appeared to be one of the only supervisors to listen to all of the arguments presented, and ended up voting to give the voters a chance to have a say on whether they would rather spend $300 or $400 towards the jail. Does this mean he supports the sales tax? Of course not. It only means that he heard enough evidence on both sides to warrant a more extended discussion that having a question on the November ballot would provide for. I also found it refreshing that Madison appears to be a supervisor who does not have to keep reminding everyone how many citizens he talks to, or how many doors he knocks on, or what a great listener he is.

What the board should have done--and I must give credit to Supervisor Mike Norton for suggesting this to me--was amend Supervisor Sievert's resolution to make the referendum binding instead of advisory. That way, the opponents of the tax would have been able to guarantee that the sales tax discussion would disappear, and it would put more pressure on the sales tax opponents to let us know where they will cut the budget in order to be able to pay for big ticket items like the jail.

Let me be clear about something: I am opposed to a sales tax for all of the reasons that have been stated by the Northwestern and some supervisors. However, I am equally opposed to grandstanding about spending cuts. If there were a referendum question on the November ballot, and if between now and November it turned out that the spending cut rhetoric was nothing but hot air that could not be backed up with any realistic spending cut proposal, then maybe the sales tax is a necessary evil. Those who stand to be the target of spending cuts have the right to know about it well in advance, and those who advocate spending cuts have a responsibility to point out the specific areas that they would like to cut.

Kudos to Mark Madison for being independent, avoiding what has become the standard board practice of personalizing all policy discussions, and staying out of the resulting pissing contest.

Tony Palmeri Welcomes Your Feedback

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Supervisor Mike Norton Responds

While it may seem to be courageous for Mark Madison to vote for the Advisory Referendum. I did not try and make the debate about the County Sales Tax into a "pissing " match. I voted against the referendum partly because it was Advisory and not binding. For if we trust and want to get the form the voters and residents of Winnebago County. Then I feel that we should trust them enough t make it Binding and we live with their decision. I do not like the all the posturing from County Supervisors on the issue. I think the public, if they want it, should have input on the issue. Who says we no all that is best for Winnebago County. Others who voted against the resolution actually are for it-they feel the County Board should decide not the people. I do not necessary agree with that point.

I have not completely ruled out a sales tax, we must try and see if Outagamie and Fond Du Lac County will join us, so not affect the those small business, like the ones in my district on Oregon, Ohio, and South Main from being hurt. These business would be hurt the greatest for they are not on the "New" Main Street of the Valley - Highway 41. I would like it be permanent and not be allocated for one or two projects. I am honest once we have the money I do not want to let it go, I would be very interested in Tony Palmeri's idea of a targeted sales tax, for it would not hit hard those at lower economic levels. I feel the position I have taken best serves my district and the County as a whole.

As far as what I would cut or not add to the budget. Well, cut County Board pay, cut funding community art and historical groups, let's not dive right in to the new Security Project for the Courthouse, take it easy on new road projects and see if they will be needed and used in the future. I have written to the Chair of the Personal and Finance Comm. and others stating we should have a group to study our budget for the next 5 , if not more years, how we fund new projects, are they needed, and which ways can be more efficient and cost effective providing services to Winnebago County.

I have visited various committees and all them have requested for morepersonnel or space, or equipment, and department heads have said that to get all of their requests they asked in original. All say they will fight for it on the floor at budget time.

I think we may have to look at how we do the budget and how we spend money after the budget is approved. I Know what my priorities for the upcoming budget which I would like to share with you and your audience in the near future.

Michael J Norton

304 W. South park

Oshkosh, WI 54902

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Julie Leschke Weighs In On The Sales Tax

I have to say that I disagree with the Northwestern's interpretation of Chuck's numbers regarding the sales tax for Winnebago County. Although initially it sounds better that citizens might be paying $266 or $300 instead of $400 for the jail, a few things were not taken into account. First, the time value of money is a significant issue - people make the decision on a daily basis in their personal lives to pay a little more in order to not have to pay immediately for their purchases. To pay $266 or $300 over 3 years compared to paying $400 over 10 years puts the question in a completely different perspective. The other issue is that the temporary nature of a sales tax is a myth. Ultimately, the cost to citizens of Winnebago County will BEGIN with paying for the new jail and continue with paying for other projects that would otherwise not be undertaken. The risk to Winnebago County residents in imposing a sales tax is that taxes will be raised permanently (for example, $266 to $300 EVERY three years FOREVER - suddenly $400 sounds like a much better choice). I truly believe creating a new pot of money for politicians will create more careless spending in the county and I feel very comfortable having voted against a sales tax referendum for Winnebago County.

Thanks for listening.

Julie Leschke

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My Keith Olbermann Moment

Remember Keith Olbermann, the loud-mouthed sportscaster who used to co-host ESPN Sports Center with Dan Patrick a few years back? Today Keith is back in sports with the Fox Network, but for about a year--mostly during the Clinton impeachment saga, Olbermann hosted a serious political program called "The Big Show" for MSNBC. Actually, for much of 1998 Olbermann was on for two hours of prime time. After "The Big Show," MSNBC had him host "White House In Crisis"--essentially a continuation of The Big Show but with a different name.

Olbermann quit MSNBC and "serious" news early in 1999, expressing disgust at having to spend two hours a night listening to professional bullshit-artists (euphemistically called "spin-doctors" these days) for the Democrats and Republicans run over the same tired tripe about why Clinton should or should not be impeached, why Clinton should or should not resign, why the Democrats are great and the Republicans suck, why the Republicans are great and the Democrats suck, and so on and on and on. Olbermann found that the world of serious political discussion was not so serious after all, so back to sports he went.

During a recent "Commentary" taping, I had my own Keith Olbermann Moment. Disgust and everything, yes.

Here's what happended: Mr. Mather and I were interviewing representatives of the Nader, Gore, and Bush Campaigns. Amy Mondloch represented Nader, Polly Briley Gore, and Mark Neilsen Bush. We interviewed each person separately so as to not get into a "Crossfire" type shouting match.

Mondloch went first, and if I had to use two words to describe her interview style, I'd say "youthful" and "idealistic." Though she claimed to have been an activist on a variety of issues, she did not seem to reflect the cynicism so often found among activists who've learned how truly difficult it is to accomplish any change in our political system. In place of cynicism, Mondloch represented a kind of "hopeful" attitude that government could actually have a positive influence in the lives of everyday people. Far from giving off the impression that Nader is some "personality cult" that she and others are supporting uncritically, Mondloch actually displayed a thoughful and passionate understanding of issues facing America and how the two major parties have simply failed to deliver for the majority of citizens. Instead of spewing Nader and Green Party talking points, Mondloch provided Mather and I with an honest and sincere expression of the views of one young person intent on making a difference in the world. Most refreshing, when Mondloch did not know something or could not answer a question, she simply said "I don't think I can answer that right now." Perhaps out of youthful idealism, perhaps out of personal integrity--Mondloch has not learned how to BS her way through an interview as is usually the case with the more "slick" guests that all talk show hosts confront on a regular basis.

But it was during the interviews with Briley and Nielsen that I had my Keith Olbermann Moment. Don't get me wrong--Polly and Mark are bright, talented young people who I am sure are doing their best to contribute to making this a better world. But from them it was difficult to tell why THEY support Gore or Bush or the Democrats or the Republicans. There was little offered to us beyond the standard talking points that both the Gore and Bush camps have been throwing out for months. There was little to indicate that Briley and Nielsen had independently thought through any of the major issues facing America or campaign 2000. I kept wanting to shout "wait! I know what the party hacks think--what do YOU think?!!" In a kind of daze half-way through Nielsen's hackneyed defense of Dubya (which had begun to set in during Briley's tortured garbling of Gore), it became clear that while Mondloch was almost pleading with listeners to tune in to this year's election, Briley and Nielsen were engaging in the kind of Democratic/Republican "triangulations" (i.e. "the other guys are extreme, we are moderate") that contributes to listeners wanting to tune out of discussions about politics and campaigns.

During the entire Briley and Nielsen interviews, I found myself getting very angry. Not angry at Polly and Mark, but angry at a political establishment that exploits and wastes the talents of people like them. Indeed, Polly and Mark have learned how to be apologists for power--and listening to that produced my first genuine Keith Olbermann Moment.

If Mather and I can find a way to keep Commentary on the air, I must avoid having too many Keith Olbermann Moments. For if I have too many of those, it will mean that bullshitting has become the norm for most of our guests. And that in turn will mean that Commentary will have become no different than most of the network and cable talking head shows dominated by the Republicrats and the corporations. And if Commentary gets reduced to that--well, at that point I will have no choice but to follow Keith Olbermann's example and leave the sorry world of "serious" news.

Tony Palmeri Welcomes Your Feedback

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Michigan Green Party Congressional Candidate Bonnie Bucqueroux Responds To "My Keith Olbermann Moment"

I am with the J-School here at MSU, coordinating their Victims and the Media

Program. I am also running for Congress on the Green Party ticket at

http://www.bonnieb2000.org After reading your piece on Olberman, a moment

that I have had many times myself, I had to write and invite you to visit my

site and see what it is like when politics are fun again. At least click on

the link to the cartoon. Today I am sending a letter to the two corporate

candidates keeping me out of the debates inviting them to join me on a

public access show hosted by a guy who keeps his pet rat on his shoulder.

Bonnie B

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Underheim Flyer Promotes Fishing/Hunting Amendment

Representative Gregg Underheim has sent a flyer to voters in his district in which he advocates support for the Republican sponsored constitutional amendment to guarantee hunting rights in Wisconsin. The flyer, in green and white, has as its heading "Rep. Gregg Underheim: Fighting For Sportsmen's Rights." Beneath a picture of two men on a small motor boat fishing in a serene setting, the language of the amendment appears: "Individuals have the right to fish, hunt, trap and take game subject only to reasonable restrictions as prescribed by law."

On the back of the flyer, Underheim has a series of "Did you know . . ." statements. One that stands out is: "Did you know . . . Every day, radical environmentalists and animal rights activists are putting pressure on the public, spreading lies about the impact hunting and fishing have on Wisconsin's natural resources." Who does Underheim have in mind as "radical environmentalists?" People opposed to a mourning dove hunt? What "lies" is he talking about?

Underheim's flyer smacks of the worst kind of election year politicking--pandering to fear and paranoia. What's especially troubling is that on Commentary, Underheim was given an opportunity to provide his views on the hunting amendment and--while he did not flat out oppose it, he in no way indicated the strong level of support indicated by this flyer.

Funny how a primary opponent can bring out the worst in an incumbent.

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Bill Wingren: Public Subsidies And Soviet-Style Propaganda

Sept. 12, 2000

This morning about 3:30 am, I was awaken by the Theda Star Helicopter flying directly over my house at low altitude and high speed. He was "coming in hot" as they used to say in Viet Nam, a term used to describe a high speed landing associated with an urgent mission.

Later in the morning, I watched the TV26 news. It was little other than an hour long appeal to vote "yes" on the Packer referendum. I thought that we were witnessing first-hand an old Soviet-style propaganda newscast.

Our political leaders, news media and special interests seem to have things backwards. They keep telling us about all these great economic generators (Packers, Brewers, EAA) that can't seem to keep their heads above financial water without a major public subsidy. Yet, on the other hand, truly worthy public institutions that impact all of our lives (Theda Clark, Mercy Medical, etc.) continue to operate without a subsidy from the county.

Think of the irony of it all. The Theda Star pilot and his crew are kept airborne by the fees the service generates, by public contributions to the hospital and without much political or media support. But rich guys flying W.W.II fighter planes for the sole purpose of getting their jollies cannot support their habit without frequent and continuing subsidies from the public treasury.

Where is Jesse Ventura when you really need him?

Bill Wingren

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Mocker Named Acting Provost/Vice Chancellor

Chancellor-designee Richard H. Wells has announced the appointment of Dr. Donald W. Mocker as acting provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UW Oshkosh, effective Oct. 1.

"Dr. Mocker has the knowledge, judgment and sensitivity to provide strong leadership during this period of transition," said Wells. "His qualifications and credentials are an ideal match for the needs of this important position."

Mocker, of Overland Park, Kan., served as dean of the UW Oshkosh College of Education and Human Services from 1994 until his retirement in 1999. He had served in a variety of administrative and teaching positions at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Missouri Valley College.

Wells noted that Mocker's accomplishments at UW Oshkosh were well respected across the campus community.

"Don Mocker is a caring and concerned administrator," Wells said. "His service as the dean was exemplary. Those same leadership skills and abilities will now be applied as the acting provost."

Mocker's educational background includes a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from the State University of New York-Albany, a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a bachelor's degree from Missouri Valley College.

As acting provost and vice chancellor, Mocker will serve as the deputy to the chancellor and provide leadership and coordination to the University's academic affairs. With the deans of the four colleges reporting to him, Mocker will also provide leadership and continuity to other areas that directly touch the academic mission of the University.

"We are extremely fortunate to attract a candidate for this important position with the experience of Dr. Mocker," said Wells.

Wells said Mocker would serve through the 2000-01 academic year while the University conducts a national search for a permanent provost and vice chancellor.

Mocker replaces Dr. Vicki Lord Larson, who leaves the position Sept. 30 to pursue other professional opportunities.

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Wingren Responds To Madison Call For Referendum

Blue Ribbon Bill reporting in!!!

All the talk about whether we have a sales tax or a property tax increase is based on finding a way to pay for a new jail. We do not know the cost of this new jail. We do not know the size of this new jail.

We were promised this information last August.

Now, so we are told, that information is going to be shared with us in December-after the 2001 budget is adopted and after any kind of referendum takes place.

A citizen would not go to a bank and seek to borrow money to build a new house without knowing the kind of house that was going to be built and the cost.

That's just common sense.

Is it too much to expect government to use common sense in making its decisions?

We do not need a Blue Ribbon Commission or even a Town Hall meeting to solve this problem. If we want to have a referendum, let's propose this

question:

" Do you, as a citizen of Winnebago County, favor building and paying for a new county jail without knowing the size or the cost?"

Then let the advocates and critics debate this issue using the facts that are already on the table.

The "experts" in the court house will never allow this question to be asked. Why? The people of this county, using their common sense, will resoundingly say, "Read our lips... no new jail!!!"

The people will possibly conclude that a large new jail is not needed once they know the facts.

All the facts!

There will be a" referendum" on the lack of leadership in planning a new jail, the games that are being played with this budget process, and the building and spending binge this county has been on the last three years. This "referendum" will take place in April of 2001.

Let the people have the truth, and the freedom to discuss it, and all will go well.

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"Searching For Carol Roessler" Disputes Incumbent's Residency Status

 

Commentary has obtained a video copy of the first television ad being run by the McGee For Senate Campaign, "Searching for Carol Roessler." The 60 second ad, produced by Madison's Visuality Media Productions, features McGee talking with seniors about Senator Roessler's vote against a prescription drug bill. Then, the ad switches to a scene of McGee in a car with a map in hand, looking for Waunakee, Wisconsin. McGee at first doesn't know where Waunakee is, and he ends up in Waupun. Then, he discovers that Waunakee is near Madison, and Roessler's house appears.

In contesting Senator Roessler's residency status, McGee is in essence calling her a liar. On Commentary, Roessler insisted emphatically that she is an Oshkosh resident exclusively and does not reside anywhere else. McGee's ad directly contests that claim.

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 Kevin McGee: I Will Not Seek Re-Election In April

Claiming that he has experienced depression for the last 6 years, Oshkosh Common Councilor and UW Oshkosh Professor of Economics Kevin McGee announced at the November 14 meeting of the Oshkosh Common Council that he will not seek re-election in April of 2001. Speaking during the Council Member Statement portion of the meeting, McGee said that his depression had intensified during his recent run for the Wisconsin State Senate against incumbent Carol Roessler. McGee's announcement came after Oshkosh resident Ken Bender, during citizen statements, had questioned McGee's patriotism because McGee refuses to recite the pledge of allegience at the beginning of council meetings.

After the announcement, Mayor Jon Dell'Antonia said that the news was indeed a "surprise" and that it meant there would be at least one new member of the council elected in April. Dell'Antonia, along with incumbents Matt O'Malley and Mark Harris, are up for re-election in April. None have announced an intention to run. All three, along with McGee, were endorsed by NICE (Neighbors Involved in Community Environments) in 1999. Will NICE field candidates in 2001? Neill Goltz, who ran for the council last April, served as McGee's treasurer in the Senate campaign, and was one of the NICE founders, has to be considered as a possible candidate.

McGee did not rule out the possibility of running for the Council again at some later date. He said that he might consider running in a year or two.

--Tony Palmeri

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Look For A 5-4 Supreme Court Vote

December 10, 2000 Update: When I first wrote the essay below on November 25, I was responding mostly to the legal experts who claimed that the US Supreme Court would strive for unanimity in whatever decisions reached pertaining to the presidential election. When the US Supreme Court vacated the Florida Supreme Court's first ruling, in early December, they did in fact issue a unanimous decision. However, the text of that decision revealed quite clearly the divisions on the court. The Florida Supreme Court's second decision, the 4-3 decision that ordered manual recounts of all Florida undervotes, was apparently the "last straw" for the conservatives on the US Supreme Court. Indeed, the Court has apparently divided up along the lines suggested in my November 25 article (i.e. Rehnquist, Scalia, Thomas, O'Connor, and Kennedy v. Stevens, Souter, Breyer, and Ginsburg). While I realize it takes no great insight to point out the divisions on the US Supreme Court, I am now more inclined to think my suspicions about the Court's partisan motives were/are accurate. Here's what I said on November 25:

"While it is comforting to believe that the Supreme Court is beyond partisanship and makes decisions only on the merits of individual cases, surely in this case the justices are aware that they have now placed themselves in a position to determine directly which man will appoint justices to the Supreme Court in the next 4 years."

Now on to the November 25 essay:

Written by Tony Palmeri on November 25, 2000

Next week, in an unprecedented event, the US Supreme Court will hear arguments from lawyers for George W. Bush and Al Gore over the constitutionality of the manual recounts now occurring in several Florida counties. The Bush lawyers will argue that the Florida Supreme Court, in mandating that manual recounts must be included in the final totals, ignored Florida election laws and violated Title 3 United States Code Section 5 which requires that presidential election disputes be resolved through application of laws passed before the appointment of electors. The Gore lawyers will argue that the Florida state statutes governing elections contradict each other, and that the Florida Supreme Court merely resolved the contradiction in a manner upholding that "determining the will of the people" is the central principle behind all election law. The Gore lawyers will argue that the Bush team's attempt to place formal return deadlines and machine counts above manual hand counts that might take time to tabulate is to place hyper-technical standards above the will of the people.

The November 25 Washington Post cites legal analysts who claim that "because of the extraordinary delicacy of the case, the justices will strive to rule unanimously, whatever they do." Strive they may, but given the ambiguity of Title 3 USC Section 5--the interpretation of which is fiercely contested by lawyers for both sides--I would find it surprising for the justices to reach a unanimous decision.

In agreeing to hear the case, the Supreme Court announced that its main interest was in determining whether 3 USC Section 5 had been violated by the actions of the Florida Supreme Court. That code says:

If any State shall have provided, by laws enacted prior to the day fixed for the appointment of the electors, for its final determination of any controversy or contest concerning the appointment of all or any of the electors of such State, by judicial or other methods or procedures, and such determination shall have been made at least six days before the time fixed for the meeting of the electors, such determination made pursuant to such law so existing on said day, and made at least six days prior to said time of meeting of the electors, shall be conclusive, and shall govern in the counting of the electoral votes as provided in the Constitution, and as hereinafter regulated, so far as the ascertainment of the electors appointed by such State is concerned. (June 25, 1948, ch. 644, 62 Stat. 673.)

Should the US Supreme Court agree with the Bush team, it will mean that they agree with the argument that the Florida Supreme Court did not just interpret existing Florida law, but in fact made a new law when directing the Florida Secretary of State to withhold certification of the state vote until manual recount totals were submitted. Agreeing with the Bush team will mean that Florida Secretary of State acted properly when she attempted to certify the vote one week after the election. In short, agreeing with the Bush team will mean that George W. Bush wins the election.

Agreeing with the Gore team will mean that the Florida Supreme Court offered a reasonable interpretation of existing law, and that the hand counts were/are proper. For Gore, a victory in the US Supreme Court would allow him to contest the results of the election with the knowledge that a complete hand count in several counties is legitimate and proper. In short, Gore needs a US Supreme Court victory not only to have a chance to win the election, but to have that win appear as legitimate in the court of public opinion.

Because the application of Title 3 USC Section 5 is not nearly as clear and unambiguous in this case as the Bush lawyers assert (i.e. the Bush lawyers assume that Florida "laws enacted prior to the day fixed for the appointment of electors" are crystal clear, but if the last two weeks have proven anything it's that said laws are clearly confusing and contradictory), I expect that the US Supreme Court will reach a divided verdict. While it is comforting to believe that the Supreme Court is beyond partisanship and makes decisions only on the merits of individual cases, surely in this case the justices are aware that they have now placed themselves in a position to determine directly which man will appoint justices to the Supreme Court in the next 4 years. Let's look at the politics of the current Court:

Chief Justice William Rehnquist is a conservative appointed by Richard Nixon and promoted to the Chief Justice position by President Reagan. The other members of the Court's "conservative bloc" are Sandra Day O'Connor (appointed by Reagan), Antonin Scalia (appointed by Reagan), Clarence Thomas (appointed by Bush), and Anthony Kennedy (appointed by Reagan). Rehnquist and O'Connor are in ill-health and have made it clear that they want to wait for the election of a new President before retiring. Does Rehnquist want a President Gore to name his replacement and/or name the new Chief Justice?

Justices Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader-Ginsberg (both appointed by Clinton) appear to have temperaments similar to the Florida Supreme Court justices, so it would not be at all suprising for them to uphold the ruling of that tribunal. Justices Stevens (appointed by President Ford) and Souter (appointed by Bush) were put on the bench by Republicans, but their decisions have consistently placed them in the moderate-liberal category. Justice Stevens has expressed some concern about the rightward drift of the Court, and he too has indicated that he will retire after the election of a new President. Perhaps he would be more comfortable with a President Gore making appointments as opposed to a President Bush.

Of the five justices in the conservative bloc, Justice Anthony Kennedy is the most unpredictable. Perhaps I am over reaching here, but I think it is entirely possible that he will be the "swing vote" in this case. Should the arguments for both sides look strong, Justice Kennedy may have to decide whether he wants a President Bush or a President Gore to be the one making court appointments during the next four years.

In an election year in which the importance of Supreme Court appointments was one of the major issues raised by Democrats and Republicans, how appropriate that the Court's decision in this case will probably decide who gets to appoint Justices during the next 4 years.

Tony Palmeri Welcomes Feedback

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Regular Viewer: Van De Hey Defensive, Angry and Evasive On Commentary

February 18, 2001

There are three candidates running for Winnebago County Executive. Although the third candidate is not appearing on your show, he does have a name -- John Daggett. At the very least you should mention him by name.

As for Jane Van De Hey, the incumbent. I was disappointed by her appearance on your show last week. She seemed defensive, angry and evasive to many of your questions. The only one she handled well was the leadership-vision question, which co-host Jim Mather has been asking everybody for so long that any idiot running for office would come prepared to answer it.

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Commentary Wins Second National Communicator Award

For the second time is as many years, Commentary has been sited for broadcast excellence by the National Communicator Awards. Commentary won an "Award of Distinction" in the "Low Budget/Under $1,500" Category. Co-Hosts Jim Mather and Tony Palmeri were presented with the award by UW Oshkosh Interim Provost Donald Mocker, who said that the program was "scholarly" and much appreciated by the UW Oshkosh Administration. Mocker made the presentation during Mather and Palmeri's interview with Peace Activist Paloma Galindo

Commentary was originally produced by UW Oshkosh student Chris Lee in 1991. The show continued on Titan-TV until 1995, when co-host Tony Palmeri suspended production to run for the State Assembly. In June of 1999, the program made a come back with Doug Freshner serving as Producer and Videographer. Since September of 2000, the show has been taped in the Titan-Television studios of UW Oshkosh.

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Poeschl Out Of Council Race

Robert Poeschl II, a UW Oshkosh student on the ballot for the April Oshkosh Common Council election, has announced that he is dropping out of the race. Scheduled to appear on Commentary on Wednesday, March 7, Poeschl told co-host Jim Mather that demands at school are making it impossible for him to run the kind of campaign he would like to. Poeschl will not appear on Commentary on the 7th.

There are now 7 people left in the race for 4 seats. Frank Tower, Eric Barlow, and Terry Knutson will appear on Commentary on the 7th. Dan Rylance will fill in for Tony Palmeri as co-host. Palmeri will be attending "UW Day" in Madison--a UW system sponsored attempt to lobby state legislators for a budget favorable to the System. Rylance, a former member of the North Dakota State Legislature and former editorial page editor of the Grand Forks Herald, has been on Commentary 8 times in the last 2 years.

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Reader Comment On O'Malley's Town Hall

Tony,

I would like to thank you for your reporting on "Oshkosh Town Hall Meeting #4". I find our local politics very intriguing, there are 7 different people with 7 different agendas. What ever happened to having 1 year 5 year 10 year 20 year Plans? You know "Have A Plan - Work Your Plan" ?

Was there anybody at meeting, from our "Local News Media" ?

Wish I could have attended this meeting. I was fortunate enough to attend 2 out of 4, in baseball terms "batting 500"

I would also like to thank Matt O'Malley for his believe and hard work on hosting these (4) Town Hall Meetings.

Sure hope someone within the 7 Common Councilors will keep this open resident friendly meeting on going.

Again Thanks again,

J.J. Oshkosh

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County Supervisor Mike Norton: Lowe is not very forthcoming with information

March 27, 2001

Tony:

On the Lowe-Van De Hey show I felt, and the Post Crescent reporter stated likewise, that the real stars were your and Jim's tough questions to Charlene Lowe. Lowe is not very open and forthcoming with information. You can see it in her facial expressions. Actually I wish you could have had more time with them so you could get more info out of them.

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 Viewer: Some Lowe Responses Smug, Frontal Ad Hominem Attacks

Dear Tony: I watched the Lowe Van De Hey program-Lowe doesn't smile and appears to sense she does not have to. Some of her responses were smug, frontal ad hominem attacks. Van De Hey, while obviously not a Harvard Management Fellow, was a nurse, a county coroner-positions that call for unilateral decisions at times. My sense is she will be more inclusive in her style of management after this hard campaign targeting her weak spots. She was a very strong supporter of my work at the Christine Ann Center-she came over personally to support the Martin Luther King, Jr. Program-she is very visible in the community. I will vote for her. I have heard about the notion of lying in this campaign-I can sift through what touches on reality and what's not as in all campaigns.

M.G. Oshkosh

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 Letter Blasts Republicans

The Republican Party have in the past and at present been adamantly against: collective bargaining, minimum wage laws, universal health care, public schools, the separation clause of the 1st Admendment, family leave and gun controls.

And they define themselves as the purveryors of family values! When was it that hate, intolerance, selfishness, bigotry, gun waving and a callous disregard became the nub of family values? What happened, how did we let them define the worst of our human foibles as the best of American family values?

J. Spanbauer

Oshkosh

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Former LWV President Likes Commentary

E-mail received on April 19, 2001

You make a difference. Even as a former LWV President who hosted many political debates, I compliment you on your tact, ability to get depth and make real candidate information available beyond anything the rest of the media does. I voted for one County Executive in the primary and another in the April election after seeing all the forums but especially yours.

Thank you

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Mark Harris On County Board Board Size

One problem with leaving the Winnebago County Supervisors Board at its present size is that it wastes an opportunity to create some contested seats. Many of the supervisors were first appointed to fill vacant seats and they retained their seats in uncontested races. While no incumbent likes to face a tough opponent it probably encourages them to be more responsive to their constituents and ultimately leads to better government. A total redistricting with a modestly reduced board size would have at least given us some interesting elections.

Mark L. Harris

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