YE OLDE PAPER TRAIL: Officials Don't Take Advantage of E-Filing

Since 2004 candidates for office in the city of Milwaukee have been allowed to file their campaign finance reports electronically. These documents are easily retrievable from the city's website.
http://cfp.milwaukee.gov/campaign_finance/performreportsinquiry.asp

But, very few elected officials submit their reports electronically, and those who do should be singled out for praise.

For the election cycle of 2005 they are: Mayor Tom Barrett, Alderman Michael D'Amato, Alderman Robert Bauman, Alderman Robert Donovan and School Board member Peter Blewett.

That's it.

For the election cycle of 2004, of those listed above, Donovan did not file electronically, but Willie Hines, now the council president, did file electronically. For whatever reason, he did not file electronically in 2005, although I recollect he promised to do so.

Others who keep their finance reports locked up in City Hall where you have to go to view them include all other aldermen; City Attorney Grant Langley; Comptroller W. Martin "Wally" Morics, C.P.A.; and Treasurer Wayne Whittow, who might be excused since he may not be aware that computers exist.

Not one of the three municipal judges who rule the city's court system filed electronically, either.

So much for transparency in campaign financing. The fat cats can keep doling out the big bucks to politicos, and the public will never know until I haul my butt down to city hall and look up the facts on paper. That is so 20th century!

Congratulations to Mayor Barrett, Ald. D'Amato, Ald. Bauman and Ald. Donovan for filing your reports electronically.
Shame on all the others. You are making my job much harder.

And, President Hines -- I've seen your paper report. You have nothing to hide. Why don't you file electronically, like you used to? It will look better when you decide to run for mayor.
--Michael Horne


BARNEY FRANK IS COMING TO TOWN!
How Gay is That?

Rep. Barney Frank (D.-Mass) is coming to town! What could be gayer than that? Well, for starters, how about Senator Tim Carpenter's Green and Gold Football Party scheduled for Sunday October 23 at Champp's Americana, 5030 S. 74th St. in Greenfield.
Frank will be in a significantly more august location Saturday October 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. when he will be the Special Guest at a luncheon honoring Congresswoman Gwen Moore. That will be held at the Milwaukee Club, 706 N. Jefferson St. $500 makes you a host, $200 makes you a guest. Membership in the Milwaukee Club: Priceless.
Still not gay enough? Tammy Baldwin has invited Al Franken to be her special guest at the Club Majestic in Madison on December 5th.

Heterosexual politicians are also raising money these days. Bob Bauman invites his supporters to an evening in the Ambassador Hotel, 2308 W. Wisconsin Ave. on Thursday, October 27th at 5 p.m., Scott Walker will be at Steven's Steakhouse in West Allis Monday, October 24th, and Ald. Ashanti Hamilton will hang at the Lady Bug Club, 618 N. Water Street on Tuesday, October 25th at 5 p.m.
Atty. Gen. Peg Lautenschlager has collared Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to be her guest at the Madison Concourse Hotel on Wednesday November 2nd at noon, and Wednesday November 9th will be a joyous event in Mequon when Mayor Christine Nuernberg will hold a gig at 5 p.m. at the Highland House. Don't try to take the bus -- you'll have to drive there, since the Mayor forbids bus traffic on her precious Port Washington Road, where the Highland House is located just south of Columbia St. Mary's Hospital, Ozaukee County's only hospital and employer of hundreds of black people in white uniforms.