Wal-Mart Takes a Hit in Jefferson

David(s) beat Goliath -- at least for now.

a milwaukeeworld.com exclusive
(c) 2005 By Michael Horne

The tide turned against the giant Wal-Mart Corporation and its plans to annex 22 acres to the City of Jefferson, Wisconsin for the purpose of constructing a store in that community when a Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge placed on hold any annexation for at least 45 days.
Wal-Mart's plans were central to a recent recall election in Jefferson that forced Ald. David Olsen from his seat on the Common Council in that city.
The pro-Wal-Mart forces may have thought that Olsen's removal would be sufficient to allow them to proceeed with plans to annex 22 acres at the intersection of Highway 26 and County Highway K for the purpose of building a Wal-Mart Supercenter on the property. The plan was first introduced in November, 2002. They were wrong.
The pro-Wal-Mart forces were dealt a blow on Wednesday, December 28th, 2005 when Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge John Ullsvik granted a temporary injunction "prohibiting the defendants, City of Jefferson and Common Council of the City of Jefferson from proceeding with the annexation of a parcel of land over (15) fifteen acres while the mandamus action cited in the above-referenced case for a direct legislation petition is pending in the City and County of Jefferson."
The "direct legislation" was filed by The Coalition for a Better Jefferson on October 10, 2005, immediately after the organization filed as a political group.
According to Section 9.20, Wisconsin Statutes, "a number of electors equal to at least 15% of the votes cast for governor at the last general election in their city or village may sign and file a petition with the city or village clerk requesting that an attached proposed ordinance or resolution, without alteration, either be adopted by the common council or village board or be referred to a vote of the electors." The number of signatures required was roughly 307, based on the 2002 gubernatorial election turnout in the city.
Four days after being formed, the Coalition offered for filing 456 signatures on the Petition attached to the direct legislation to the City of Jefferson City Clerk, Tanya N. P. Stewart. She certified the petition with having 365 valid signatures on October 21 and referred the matter to the Common Council, which then had 30 days to either vote to adopt the ordinance, or set the matter for referendum, according to law.
State law apparently does not apply to the Jefferson Common Council, which, on November 15th, by an 8-0 vote, refused to adopt the Direct Legislation Petition or refer it to a vote of the electors, stating that the petition presented matters that were "improper subjects for direct legislation."
This Supreme Court ruling by the Jefferson Common Council led the Coalition and its attorneys David Halbrooks, and Midwest Environmental Advocates, Inc. to file the writ of mandamus demanding the referendum. But, while the writ would be pending, there was a chance -- indeed, a likelihood, that the city could proceed to annex the property, as soon as the first week of January, 2006. Indeed, the City Plan Commission included the matter on its December 14th, 2005 agenda.

The direct legislation would require "environmental, traffic, community and infrastructure impact studies for annexation proposals dealing with more than 15 acres of land."
It would also directly address the issues heard across the country that Wal-Mart tends to cause communities to lose more jobs than they gain.
The legislation would also require a study of " the economic impact of the lands to be annexed by the City on local businesses and residents, including any new jobs that will be added to the local economy, the amount of local labor to be used, the amount, type and location of potential development and the impact of changing land use patterns and the potential for development pressure on surrounding neighborhoods, particularly in the City."
David Olsen is on vacation and is unavailable for comment, according to his brother James Olsen of Olsen Funeral Home.
It may have taken two Davids to whup Goliath, but this is a serious setback to the Bentonville, Arkansas retailer and to its bands of supporters across the country.
Likewise, it is a victory for antisprawl advocates and for the laws of Wisconsin that rather explicitly state that even legislative bodies as mighty as the Common Council of the City of Jefferson must obey state law when citizens properly file motions for direct legislation.


Robert W. Kasten, Sr. Remembered
Robert W. Kasten, Sr, 88, who died earlier this week, was a large man and a stalwart Republican of the staunchest kind. His son, a United States Senator, used to live around the corner from my mother in Mequon, and Bob, Sr. lived not far away, on the "better side" of the freeway. For a number of years I would give Bob and Mary Ogden Kasten a hand on little projects like cleaning their gutters and trimming the shrubbery of their condo. I would carry the storm door down to the basement each spring, and bring up the screen door. I'd repeat the process in fall. It was the emptiest basement I have ever seen. Beyond the storm or screen door (depending on season) there were two Hitchcock chairs that I coveted, a few Christmas do-dads, and that was that.
I considered it a remarkable bit of downsizing, considering the Kastens had moved to their condo from a very large house in River Hills.
Although he was retired, Bob Kasten would still take his Ford station wagon to "work" every day, driving to the Village of Thiensville, where his former Gilbert Shoe Factory had become a storage center. No wonder the basement was so clean!
One day, hearing that the Gilbert Shoe Factory was for sale, (it was located across the street from my brother's home), I headed out to Thiensville with a developer from Milwaukee whom I had told about the place. Bob Kasten sat in a comfortably-furnished office, filled with former River Hills furniture, and chatted business with the developer, who eventually passed on the place. I wandered around the huge building
In addition to the Kasten possessions in the place, there were thousands of square feet of items that had made the downsizing from another River Hills mansion belonging to a friend of the Kastens who also made the move to the Mequon condo world before her death. Also, there were millions of dollars of Harley Davidson parts and accessories in the building that belonged to a Harley dealer. I never told anybody about the Harley treasures, since, even though the storage building was next door to the Thiensville Police Department, the Harley goodies would have been tempting to a certain element, and I didn't want to be responsible for the leak of their existence. (I can tell you now, since the place has since been demolished and turned into condos.)
After a day at the office, Mr. Kasten would make his way home where his wife would always set out a meal for him, served on attractive, and often antique, dinnerware. This style and refinement came naturally to Mary Ogden Kasten, whose mother founded the Town and Country Shop, still in business in the Ogden Center in Bayside. (You mean you haven't been to the Town and Country Shop? Well then, where do you buy your cocktail napkins and Staffordshire figurines?)
Mr. Kasten was well-read on issues of the day and favored history books, which he and his wife read in the dead silence of their home.
One day, in an expansive mode, Mr. Kasten told me an anecdote about Stanley Stone, the founder of the Chipstone Foundation and collection. I had told the Kastens something of whatever currently outraged me about Chipstone (there is always something) and he responded with a story of his own, which I feel free to relate, since his death has released me from the bonds of confidentiality I felt on this matter.
He said, "Mary and I were invited to Chipstone one evening for dinner with the Stones and other guests. One of them was a fellow from the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.
"Stanley Stone was going on and on about his greatness and his great collection. It was all rather dreary.
"I asked the Dearborn fellow how he was bearing up.
"He responded, 'I really can't stand our host, that son-of-a-bitch. I only came here because I want that chair,' he said, pointing to one of the priceless objects in the collection."
Milwaukee has lost a very wise man and devoted husband. -- Michael Horne

FATHER OF TABOR NAMED IN PATERNITY SUIT

Dear Reader --

Welcome to www.milwaukeeworld.com on this slow news week. In the spirit of the season [cue: "What child is this?" we take you to Brown County Circuit Court where Rep. Frank G. Lasee has been a regular presence before the family court commissioner in recent years, both for divorce, and for support of a child born to a woman other than his wife after the divorce. Lasee's big on traditional things like Christmas Trees, is against big government, and doesn't seem too crazy about education for the little ones. Imagine what he'd feel if he had to pay for public education per child.

Also, the Brewers Chick is back, after a delay due to my being away from my desk on the press of business and because of the holiday.

You will also find another installment of correspondent Paul Snyder's progress in moving to Madison after college in Milwaukee and a childhood spent in Chicago. He's the Continental, stcuk driving up north with dad in the Chevy, on the lookout for attractions.

I'll send you more things this week, even if you are off work and playing around. I'm sure you'll get to all the items here in good time.

Let me hear from you,

Michael Horne

Editor / Publisher

www.milwaukeeworld.com

1 414 978-8039

horne@milwaukeeworld.com

“FATHER OF TABOR” SUED FOR CHILD MAINTENANCE

Ordered to pay support to Brown County woman by same
Court Commissioner who presided over his lengthy divorce case

A www.milwaukeeworld.com exclusive

(c) 2005 by Michael Horne

Rep. Frank G. Lasee, the Green Bay Republican who calls himself the “Father of Tabor” is also the father of a child born out of wedlock, according to a Brown County Court Case filed in June.

A stipulation and order of support was issued on June 23, 2005 by Brown County Family Court Commissioner Phoebe A. Mix, who also presided over Lasee’s earlier divorce.

Lasee’s busy homepage is filled with pious homilies – the father of Tabor and an illegitimate child staunchly believes in the Christmas Tree – not a “Holiday Tree.”

But he also thinks about the little children.

In a recent Lasee’s Notes he talks about the inadvisability of Kindergarten for 4-year olds:

Here’s dad’s thoughts:

“Nevertheless, the agenda is clear: statewide 4-year-old Kindergarten is on the education community’s agenda. In Wisconsin, the call isn’t for K4 only in those areas that could use it the most, or only for the students who need it most. No, Governor Doyle and WEAC, the teacher’s union, think every school district should have it.

“I wonder what current union members think about this. Adding a whole new grade statewide will put more pressure on finances, which WEAC tells us are already strained to the breaking point (what about the taxpayers’ strain?). That will mean less money to go around for raises and benefits (or will we just tax more?).

“All for a program that isn’t necessary statewide, and may not be necessary at all.”

Lasee filed for divorce in October 2001 from Kirsten F. Lasee. It was a contested divorce proceeding, during which time Frank “Completed ‘The Successful Divorce: Through the Eyes of the Child’ seminar,” on March 19, 2002. Lasee's Wisconsin Blue Book biography lists him as having two children -- from the marriage.

The case dragged on for some time, according to court records and included a division of Wisconsin Retirement System benefits on November 11, 2003, and a transfer of IRA assets. On January 11, 2005 the court ordered that the $500 per month spousal support be terminated as of September 1, 2004.

Lasee did not return numerous telephone and other communications to his office, district office and residence. Commissioner Mix likewise did not return a telephone call.

Brewers Chick

By Tamra Reynolds

[Editor's note -- this was written before Branyan received his contract offer. Happy Holidays!]

[Milwaukee -- December 14, 2005] --Brewers’ third baseman and pinch hitter Russell Branyan made his birthday wish this week - to stay in Milwaukee for another season. I, for one, would like to see Branyan stick around. As I mentioned last week, having young Prince Fielder as our everyday first baseman makes me quite nervous.

Veteran Jeff Cirillo, who plays first and third, has been signed to another year, although Bill Hall is expected to be our everyday third baseman next season. Naturally, Fielder is expected to be the starting first baseman, a job that opened up after the Overbay trade last week. This doesn’t seem to leave a lot of room for Branyan, who also plays first and third, but was plaqued by injuries last season.

Cirillo spent some time on the bench last season with an injury as well, which is precisely why we should keep Branyan around. We’ll have our young guys to start and play most days, but depth is always a good thing to have, especially on a team whose average age is dropping rapidly. Don’t get me wrong, these young guys are good, and they will only get better, God willing. But there is something to be said for the wisdom that comes with age and experience.

Branyan has some power, (when he hits the ball), which is definitely something you want in a pinch hitter. Unfortunately, Branyan had more strike-outs than home runs last season, but this could be blamed on the shoulder soreness he fought for a while. The upside is that Branyan’s power is all natural, no steroids here ladies and gentlemen, as he was proud to point out in a recent interview. He feels his natural power will be an asset to the Brewers when so many others are going to be affected by the new, tougher steroid policy.

With the lead footed Helms out of the way, there is more room for backups at first and third, and Branyan is solid defensively. In fact, his fielding percentage is significantly better at first base than third. He was given more chances at first when he was in Cincinnati, but a .997 fielding percentage at first base looks pretty damn good to me when compared to the untested rookie Fielder. Granted, Fielder’s fielding percentage is 1.000 with Milwaukee, but he played in only 7 games, and had only 3 starts.

Personally, I love the fact that we have significant depth at every position, even without looking at the 40-man roster. That’s what’s going to help us win games next season. We will always have someone to plug into any spot on the field should one of the starters become sick or injured, and those replacements will be just as reliable as the starters, if not more so. It will be great to cheer when a replacement comes in instead of groan.

So there’s my rambling commentary for the week. Hopefully we’ll have more going on next week, with the non-tender deadline on Monday. I’ll be writing my next commentary from the relative warmth of Louisiana, while spending the holidays with my family. Enjoy the snow here! 107 days to go till Opening Day!

FROM BREW CITY TO CAPITAL CITY

“Sign of the Times”

By Paul Snyder

[Madison -- December 14, 2005]--Is it just me, or is this winter onslaught a month premature? I know it’s December and all, but it’s usually January, February…and March… hell, even April… when we see this kind of snow, right?

Well, the question was more rhetorical in nature anyway as I do know the answer – no it is not just me, this winter onslaught is premature. Wisconsin is seeing the kind of low temperatures and snowfall amounts not seen in ten years.

Not that I particularly mind it if it’s Saturday, and I can put my feet up with a cup of tea and not have to worry about going anywhere, but during the week this is just annoying. A collective mind-lapse on the part of drivers across the state at the very sight of a snowflake coupled with slush-drenched dress socks has punted my mind five months ahead in time.

And I’m not the only one.

The Wisconsin Assembly Tuesday passed by a vote 89-6 a bill that would allow “Attraction” sites across the state to be added to those blue highway information signs.

The definitions for “Attraction” in the legislation are loose – they must serve “a primary purpose of providing amusement, historical, cultural, or leisure activities to the public,” have “regional significance,” and, of course, contain “adequate parking accommodations.”

In lay terms, you might see an advertisement for a water park next to the square reserved for McDonald’s golden arches on your way up Highway 39 next summer.

Primary intentions here seem good – another ploy for tourism, on which this state is so very dependent, and some help for local attractions’ business, which might otherwise be blown by at 80 mph by those FIBs on their way up to Pelican Lake.

But the first thing I think about is once being a 7 year-old FIB myself, sitting in the backseat of my parents’ Chevorlet Eurosport on a 6-hour drive to the cottage up north. Six hours on maroon cloth seats is the 7-year-old equivalent of a 2-year prison sentence. It’s not that bad, but it’s certainly not ideal either.

So what does a kid do? Tries to break up the trip, ‘cos parents don’t have as hard a time spending money on the road. “I’m hungry, there’s a McDonald’s coming up!” “I have to go to the bathroom, can we stop at a gas station?” Note to seven-year-old MilwaukeeWorld readers – gas stations are gold for getting the parents to buy you candy. A 65 cent Snickers bar is hardly a thought when they’re filling up tanks for the car, the boat, and the wave runner. Those blue signs always screamed OPPORTUNITY to me.

But as one gets older, one tends to want to get to their destination as quickly as possible. I always wondered why Dad seemed so irritable when I told him I had to go to the bathroom on long road trips. Now I don’t wonder anymore. I sometimes get annoyed with myself if I have to break a long drive with a bathroom break – “Had to have that Dr. Pepper before you left, eh Paul?” you may hear me muttering as I head for the men’s room door at Citgo. And for that very reason you will never see me sipping water, soda, coffee or hot chocolate behind the wheel, no matter how hot or cold it is or how dehydrated I may be.

So imagine the aneurysms behind the wheel at the thought of “Attractions” joining fast food joints and gas stations on the big blue signs.

“DADDY! WATER PARK, DADDY!”

“We’re going to the lake, son…”

“BUT DADDDDY!!!!”

“I don’t want to hear it, we’re only three hours from the lake, and I want to be on that boat before the sun goes down.”

“BUT DAAAAAADDDDDDDYYYYYY!!!!!!!”

“NO!”

And then the wails and declarations of “I hate you” flood forth from the kid’s mouth. Mom tries to assuage the situation by diplomatically reasoning that a half hour at the pool might not be that bad – it is a hot day after all, and the air-conditioning’s not blowing entirely cool air anymore, all of which makes Dad’s blood run a little hotter, and then pop, that blood vessel bursts, and it’s a tragic statistic for the Department of Transportation’s year-end vehicular death list.

Imagine the cruel irony, then, of WisDOT having put the spurring attraction signs up in the first place. It passed the Assembly easy, and it’s a benign enough looking bill to get Senate approval and Gov. Doyle’s signature. I’m just offering an alternative viewpoint.

And unlike the Legislature, who is bound to the state through all of arctic temperatures and freezing rain, and forced to come up with these bills to have something to look forward to, I’m taking a proactive approach to the cold. If anyone knows of a good writing gig in Tempe, Arizona, please alert Michael Horne, who I’m sure in good faith, will tell me. I might be moving in down there just in time to escape the February deep-freeze and greet my Chicago Cubs as they arrive for Spring Training.

Hey, it’s the Christmas season – a guy can dream.