S. C. JOHNSON -- PAUPER IN PROBATE

Dear Reader:

I have been getting back up to speed here at milwaukeeworld, where I have been posting my own stuff and getting into it. A few of you poor souls who use Microsoft Internet Explorer have complained that my copy has come out oddly, and thanks to a little tinkering by Joe Klein, I think we have that problem taken care of. [Mozilla Firefox doesn’t seem to have these problems. End of geek talk.]

The Marsupial Bridge is taking forever, and now the contractors tell us that it won’t be until November that we can do a proper ribbon cutting. November is a rather predictable month for weather, so if you plan to be there dress accordingly. We will have a small event then, and then really have a big party in spring.

If you read on, you will note that S. C. Johnson, the state’s richest man was able to cheat the probate court. Legally, of course. And, you will find out what happened to one of Milwaukee’s few exclusive stores.

Also, our Madison correspondent, Paul Snyder, writes in on Milwaukee's poor standing in vexillological circles, and Capitol City's superiority therein.

I would love to hear from you. My telephone is 1 414 978-8039 and my email is horne@milwaukeeworld.com Plus, you can always post a comment at the end of the website here. Stay in touch!

Oh, and another thing – I will be in Washington, D.C. from October 6 to October 11^th to see old friends, check out my favorite museums and attend my uncle’s annual Oktoberfest in rural Maryland. I will also be able to check up on my young relative ­­­­­­XXXXX who has just graduated from XXXXX. University. His summa cum laude diploma in XXXXX along with his expertise in languages, including Arabic, will serve him well as he begins his career with the _._._.

I should still have plenty of time to march around the Nation’s Capitol, and if there is anything you would like me to look up there, tell me before I leave.

Best wishes,

Michael Horne

Editor / Publisher

Milwaukeeworld.com

S. C. JOHNSON : PAUPER IN PROBATE

For a guy who owned a worldwide “family company,” was a regular on Forbes’ list of wealthiest Americans and whose personal representative in his will was an eponymous bank that he also owned, it appears that Samuel Curtis Johnson of Racine, Wisconsin died penniless.

According to Carol Mills, the Register in Probate for Racine County, the filing fee for Johnson’s will was $20.

“Apparently he had no assets in his own name. They filed an inventory and paid the minimum fee,” she said. Johnson died on May 5, 2004 and an application for informal probate was submitted to the court on June 6, 2004, along with an “instrument purporting to be the last will and testament dated May 22, 2003.” On May 3, 2005 the inventory was “exhibited” and the $20 filing fee was paid.

You or I could die leaving behind only a pair of old boots, and you can bet the Register in Probate would get more than twenty bucks out of us.

Do keep this case in mind the next time President Bush reminds us of the horrors of the “Death Tax.”

Maybe our legislators could get down to business and see that dead deadbeat billionaires pay their fair share of probate filings, just like regular folks do.

Here is the link: http://wcca.wicourts.gov/caseDetails.do;jsessionid=14E7E86BF203E7547DC2864D67662065.render2?caseNo=2004PR000186&countyNo=51&cacheId=C6834D5F60E1FAF37520DCDCF1DC5F70&recordCount=11&offset=2

ZITA SHUTS DOWN ON EAST SIDE

Milwaukee’s East Side for years had two iconic stores. The first was George Watts & Son, still in business. The second was Zita of Milwaukee Women’s Apparel, located in the historic James S. Brown double house at 1122-1124 N. Astor St. Alas, the little pink envelopes with the big bills inside will no longer emanate from that address to Milwaukee’s finest and best-dressed families. All operations have been consolidated at the firm’s Whitefish Bay location, commonly known as Peg Bradley, after its founder. When Peg died, Zita was continued by her daughter, Jane Bradley Pettit until her death on September 9, 2001, and the handsome mansion, sensitively remodeled by Jane’s son David Vogel Uihlein, Jr. saw a discreet march of commerce through its commodious doors. You could walk in there looking like a bum [no you couldn’t: they wouldn’t let you in.] Well, anyway, when you’d walk out you would be dressed like Madeleine Albright.

According to the folks at the Whitefish Bay store, the Astor Street building will remain in the family’s hands, and I reckon it would make a nice headquarters for one or more of the family’s foundations.

The building is assessed at $201,500 for the land and $593,500 for the improvements for a total of $795,000. The taxes are paid up-to-date.

A hearing was held September 19^th before the Historic Preservation Commission to give the building temporary historic status, which it deserves. According to Andrea Rowe of the Department of City Development, interim status was granted with one member, Sandra McSweeney abstaining.

FROM BREW CITY TO CAPITAL CITY
(OR, AT LEAST I’M NO LONGER LIVING UNDER THE FOURTH UGLIEST FLAG IN THE NATION)

By Paul Snyder

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that shortly after MilwaukeeWorld.com returns to the netwaves, the North American Vexillological Association releases their poll of 150 American City Flags, from sharpest to not-so-impressive-at-all.

For those of you unfamiliar with NAVA (you should first be ashamed with yourselves), this particular association devotes its time to the scientific study of flag history and symbolism. They’ve recently published a book, American City Flags: From Akron to Yonkers (which has, surprisingly, not dented The New York Times Bestsellers List… yet), and to celebrate the release, flag enthusiasts could log on to the association’s website, www.nava.org, to cast their vote on which American cities raised the best flags.

As a native of Chicago, I was really not so surprised to see the old city’s flag rise to the number two spot in the poll; Chicago is the only city I’ve ever lived in that actually celebrated the fact that a city could have a flag. The Chicago Police wear a patch of the flag on their jackets, and paint up their cars to resemble the flag on wheels. And though I have no idea what the four red stars and two blue stripes represent, the icon is as familiar to me as yet another futile Cubs season.

What did surprise me about the poll was my new hometown, Madison, waving in at # 11. Not bad at all, and though I’d never seen the flag prior to this poll, it actually is quite a sharp little piece (certainly nicer than Corpus Christi’s, which just nudged us out of the Top Ten, I’m sure, as a sympathy vote). For the past three months (and the past couple weeks in particular), I thought our flag simply consisted of a big red W – there’s certainly a lot more of those flying around.

And then there’s my old stomping grounds, Milwaukee, limping in at a lowly # 147. What the hell, guys? Perhaps if it had featured a giant stein or wooden barrel, results may have fared better, but the fact that not a single attribute to beer is made probably hurt its standing. I mean, Lubbock’s flag makes this big claim about being the “music crossroads of Texas,” and Buddy Holly’s the only guy to leave that town and make a name for himself. Use what you got!

But to add insult to injury Mesa, AZ and Provo, UT tallied higher marks than Milwaukee. This wouldn’t be so bad if Mesa’s didn’t look like a customer service business card and Provo’s didn’t look like the most rudimentary attempt at utilizing Microsoft WordArt. I was the editor-in-chief of my high school yearbook, and I put together something that looks a hell of a lot better than what the city of Provo raises over its mountain town each day.

But I’m not living in Mesa or Provo… I’m just enjoying the advent of the fall season and the changing colors of one of the nicest flags in the country. Oh, sure, gas prices may be through the roof and the longstanding effects of two hurricanes in a matter of weeks may wreak havoc on Wisconsin for months to come… but look at it! Just makes you proud to be a Madisonian, doesn’t it?

Oh, cheer up, Milwaukee. Look at it this way – at least you’re not Pocatello, Idaho.

Bits and Pieces

News Bits

I thought I would dash off these ephemera from the notebook since I had a little spare time this afternoon. -- Horne

J. D. Watts had luncheon with campaign guru Mary Clare Fagin at GeorgeWatts & Son Tea Room Thursday afternoon. (He’s grandson.) Watts, who wants to be judge, plans to hold an event at the Wisconsin Club on October 20^th at 5 p.m. to kick off his campaign. He will announce the endorsements of a former governor, a number of state representatives and state senators, a whole bunch of supervisors and aldermen and other officials… Michael Murphy of Swingin’ Door fame has bought a tavern at South Third and W. Maple Streets and plans to offer luncheon and dinner there, right across the street from the Parts House Condominia after a little bit of work on the place. … The Edge is the most recently announced condo project in the city, and is scheduled to occupy the Grunau-owned lot on the Milwaukee River just north of the Holton Viaduct, mere steps away from Lakefront Brewery, which has released its annual Pumpkin Beer. The condo http://www.edgecondos.com is a joint venture of Grunau and Tandem developers. A contentious meeting was held with the neighborhood Wednesday evening, with some finding the project too large. It looks like Lunda Construction will not finish up work on the Holton Marsupial Bridge until late October, which could have the potential to mess up plans for a grand opening of the pedestrian span, which had been expected for better weather. … A new restaurant named Yanni’s is planned for the long-vacant river frontage of the Cawker Building on W.Wells Street. … Some press attention has been given to the return of historic paintings to the Pabst Mansion, where they had hung for years. Less known is that another Pabst collection painting that had long hung in the Milwaukee Athletic Club will be returned to its old home on the stair landing between the first and second floors in mid-month … They still haven’t opened Casablanca Restaurant on Brady Street yet. I’ve seen Middle East peace treaties expedited in less time than it has taken to open this place. …

LEGISTAFFERS PARTY POLITICALLY IN SEATTLE

STATE LEGISLATURES' PARLEY GETS POLITICAL;
WISCONSIN LEGGIE STAFFERS HEAVILY INVOLVED, PROUD OF ROLE

When Will They Get it?

Just weeks before former State Senator Brian Burke goes to trial for allegedly using his capitol office for campaign purposes, the Wisconsin Legislative Council [the lawyers for the Assembly and Senate] has issued a "Legislator Update" commending the election of Legislative Reference Bureau Chief Steve Miller to the position of Staff Vice Chair of the National Council of State Legislators, leading to him serving as Staff Chief of the national organization next year.

"Congratulations, Steve!" the report reads.

Miller was chosen at the Annual Meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) which was held in Seattle, August 16-20.

Miller wasn't the only busy Wisconsinite at the convention. The NCSL Legislative Effectiveness and State Government Committee was chaired this year by Laura Rose of the Wisconsin Legislative Council. She arranged two full days of sessions at the meeting, with such topics discussed as "staffing options for Legislatures," "communications skills," "stress reduction in the legislative workplace," "improving the image of the Legislature as an institution" and "Internet fundraising."

"Internet Fundraising" for what?

Well, for elections, of course. Or, for those already members of a legislature, reelection. This is just another example of how incumbents are using staff resources to campaign on taxpayer time, isn't it? It is exactly the type of thing that Burke and other defendants are accused of doing, and they are facing big time for their actions.

Yet it is still taking place openly at a meeting of state legislatures that should be about governance, and not electoral politics. The state political parties can hold all of the Internet fundraising seminars they want, and it would be fine.

But taxpayer dollars financed this event and the travel expenses of those legislators and staffers like Miller and Dan Schmidt, also a Wisconsin legislature employee. I haven't seen Dane County D. A. Blanchard charging them with any crimes.

If you think this is simply a Wisconsin issue, think again.

According to an article in the Seattle Times on August 20, 2005, "Washington state House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler said it would be fine for one of the political parties to sponsor such seminars.

"'But I think it's inappropriate for this venue,' said Kessler. … "'It is the opposite of where we should be going with the public.'"

Other election-based seminars at the event, according to www.ncsl.org included "Power Public Speaking," debate tips and those all-important internet fundraising tips from Max Fose, formerly associated with the McCain presidential campaign, where he ran the candidate's internet site.

According to the Seattle Times article, Fose told how John Kerry raised $44 million in three months online. GeorgeBush.com got more than 21 million hits and Howard Dean raised $500,000 on the Internet in one 24-hour period.

"If I could do that for every legislator in the room, I would be very rich, and we would all be very happy. … Always ask for money.'"

Among publications distributed at the event was a pamphlet entitled, "Reality Check: Key Messages for Winning the Battle Without Burning the Battlefield."

According to the Wisconsin Legislative Council Legislator Update, "This booklet provides information to legislators on how to counter public cynicism about the Legislature and how to present positive messages about representative democracy and how Legislatures work."

I'd file that one under fiction.

PFISTER PFOOD PFINER PFARE

Mark Weber, formerly of the Watermark Restaurant has been appointed the new Food and Beverage Manager of the Pfister Hotel in welcome news. The F&B director is usually the number two position in your better hotels, and Weber's responsibilities will include every restaurant, bar and banquet event in the famed downtown hostelry.

"It will take me some time to make all of the changes I would like to, partly because banquets are booked so far in advance," Weber said. But the rubber chicken is sure to go and Weber promises a tremendous increase in the quality of the food at the Pfister where several memorable banquets were held to the accompaniment of forgettable food.

He is thinking of adding his signature veal hash to the Pfister's breakfast menu, and is planning a number of other changes, as employees will find out soon enough.

One Sunday evening, shortly after he had taken the job, Weber was called on his cell phone by an employee-in-charge for the evening. I heard one end of the conversation, and that was plenty. "He did what?" Weber inquired. "Well, that's because he can't cook."

"Don't tell me that!"

"He did what? It's Sunday evening for crying out loud."

"I'll be down there in five minutes."

One does get the feeling that there will be some changes in the food and beverage service at the Pfister Hotel.

LOAD OF BRICKS COLLAPSES ON SCHEDULE

While walking home Sunday evening after dining with a friend, I passed the construction site at the southwest intersection of E. Brady and N. Marshall Streets where Inland Companies is constructing a condominium unit. I noted that several pallets of bricks stored on the site seemed to be tilted at a greater-than-Pisa angle. Worst yet, they were in close propinquity to the sidewalk. Like a good citizen, I called the number on the sign on the property and have received no response to this day. The next morning, sure enough, one or more of the pallets of bricks had buried the sidewalk knee-deep, with some bricks tumbling onto the street, as well.

Those bricks have been picked up, and others shrink-wrapped, but this is certainly the poster child for a sloppy and hazardous workplace.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH COLON

We mentioned last week that Pedro Colon was rather upset about a political move during a vote that led him to a six minute outburst on the Assembly floor. This all could have been avoided, including recalling the Senate into session for what will not succeed as a veto override, if Tom Nelson, Colon's seatmate had "Ghost Voted" for him while Colon took a break. When the voting time came, Nelson forgot he was supposed to push the button to record Colon's vote. As soon as the presiding officer saw that Colon hadn't voted, he shut off the voting and the matter was over, to the embarrassment of Colon.

Lesson to frosh legislators: when you promise to cast a vote for your seatmate, don't forget to do so. Second lesson: Do your own voting.