WALKER FOR GOV SITE BUILT BY OHIO FIRM

LAUDED BY MADISON COLUMNIST,
WALKER'S SITE IS BY OHIO FIRM

Special to the Readers of Milwaukeeworld.com

By Michael Horne

And The Milwaukee World Hound Dog Team

Madison Capital Times columnist John Nichols writes today, Tuesday, May 26th, 2009, "Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker deserves high marks for 'getting it' with regard to new media," calling his new campaign website "sharp, well-designed."

The website, Scott Walker for Wisconsin Governor was created by Midnet Media, a company that, like many Wisconsin-based firms, provides "web development, video production, advertising, digital media, graphic design," and other services.
Deep cyberspace travelers will recognize Midnet Media as the creator of such sites as Dayton Bag & Burlap Company, Buds Chevrolet of St. Mary's Ohio, and NewBremen.com, (slogan: "One of Ohio's Best Kept Secrets").

Unfortunately, Midnet Media is an Ohio company with no apparent Wisconsin connection. (Although there is always a chance it might be linked to a political supporter of Walker.)

Why Walker, who supports keeping money and jobs in Wisconsin, would ignore the talented local folks like Fullhouse Media, Layer One Media, Inc., (to name two strictly off the top of my head) while choosing an out-of-state company with no apparent expertise in, or connection to political website development tells me he isn't "getting it," when it comes to putting Wisconsin first.

As Walker says on his site, "one thing is clear, Wisconsin just isn't competitive. Other states are taking our jobs." Now we know one reason why.

ADDENDUM

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 -- Harris Kane of Heartland Hollar was kind enough to fill in some blanks for us.
According to a message he sent to Milwaukeeworld:

"Great post on the Walker website. I think I might have the Ohio connection for you.

"Midnet does the Ohio GOP website

"Walker's former campaign manager, Bruce Pfaff, works for Ohio congresswoman Jean Schmidt.

"In the last election there were questions raised about the mixing of public and political work, something familiar in Wisconsin."

FUN FACTS

This is not the first Walker website curiosity. Back in February, Milwaukeeworld noted that judicial candidate Daniel Gabler was using a recycled website from an earlier Walker campaign.
Also, it was noted today by Ben Poston of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the county's geographic information website uses proprietary Geographic Information System data not accessible to the general public, despite arguably being public record. Dan Knauss of New Local Media (which also produces websites) has made an exhaustive study of this issue, and should be credited with bringing it to the attention of the Journal Sentinel.

SAVOY ROOM AT SHORECREST CLOSED

The Savoy Room at the Shorecrest Hotel, 1962 N. Prospect Ave. has closed without warning, leaving many longtime workers to find employment elsewhere. The place never gained much traction after the death of legendary restaurateur Sally Papia, and was a far cry from the days when it was Snug's, famed for food, atmosphere (lots of atmosphere) and the occasional FBI wiretapping / break in. ... Lucky Liu's will feature Chinese and Japanese cooking at 1664 N. Van Buren. ... I'll have to take a walk on N. Jefferson St. to check out the name of the new place that opened there.
--Michael Horne