ODDS 'N' (WEEK)ENDS

ZIELINSKI FILES FOR LT GOV PRIMARY DAVE ROSS IN GOP BID FOR SEAT [THAT'S IT SO FAR] ELEVEN VIE FOR GOVERNOR -- FIELD LIKELY TO SWELL
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License Sought for Shuttered Brady Street Club
"[three]" to become "Distil"
Eitel Group Buys Von Trier's

Special to the Readers of Milwaukeeworld

By Michael Horne

And The Milwaukee World Hound Dog Team

Milwaukee Alderman Tony Zielinski [12th] has registered the "Citizens for T. Anthony Zielinski" campaign account with the State of Wisconsin Government Accountability Board for the purposes of becoming a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the open seat of Lieutenant Governor.
Here is the the registration document [pdf] filed yesterday, Thursday, August 20th, 2009. [GAB inexplicably shows a registration date of January 18th, 1994.--Ed.] Here is the Press Release announcing Zielinski's candidacy. Zielinski for Lt Governor

Only Democrat in the Race So Far

Although a number of people are talking about running for Lieutenant Governor, with the incumbent, Barbara Lawton, setting her sights on the open Governor's race, while that incumbent, James Doyle, dashes headlong into political obscurity, Zielinski is the only Democrat in the race thus far.

Just One Republican Covets the Job

It's equally lonely on the Republican side of the ticket, where Mayor Dave Ross of Superior registered his committee, "Friends of Dave Ross" [pdf] way back on July 27th, 2009. Ross said a groundswelling of support led him to announce his candidacy early, in advance of a planned Labor Day announcement. The news made quite a splash on the candidate's website, but evaporated elsewhere.

INDEPENDENTS DAY FOR GOVERNOR CANDIDATES

[This may be the last you hear of any of the people below. Set your timers to 15 seconds of fame.--Ed.]

There is a lively group of independents hoping to become the next governor of Wisconsin. They include Jim Langer of Germantown, who organized "Jim for Governor" on July 13th, 2009; Terry Virgil of Fort Atkinson, who threw his hat into the ring on May 15th, 2009; Randy Lee [pdf] of Ridgeland, who did not bother to list a party, campaign treasurer or bank on his statement (he's probably a small government type). They are joined by Michael J. Blinkwitz of Neenah, who lists himself as an "Independent, Independent" candidate for "Governor, Governor" on his June 29th, 2009 registration form. I had no idea Blinkwitz was running.

ONLY TWO, THUS FAR, IN DEMOCRATIC RACE FOR GOVERNOR

Jared Gary Christiansen, of Ellsworth, age 17, wants the Democratic nod for the big job. (His campaign account is run through a bank in Red Wing, Minnesota. Nice move!) He joins Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton as the only announced Democratic party candidates for the moment. Lawton's registration papers show that she has retained Julilly Kohler of Milwaukee as her treasurer from the Lt. Gov. days. She also uses a Wisconsin bank.

INGRAHAM, SCHIESS, TODD HEAD LIST OF GOP GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFULS

With a name like "Bill Ingraham Campaign Committee LLC," you can just tell that the motive force is a Republican. Ingraham, of Durand, entered the race on November 9th, 2008.
John Schiess, of the Rice Lake Schiesses, has been a Republican candidate for governor since February 22nd, 2008, and this is probably the first you have heard of it.
He is joined by more familiar names like "Mark Neumann for Governor," "Friends of Scott Walker," and "Mark Todd for Governor." Well, mostly familiar names. Todd's treasurer is James Smrecek, whose address of "W. Escarpment Terrace, Sherwood, WI.," is among the most evocative of any in this writer's memory.

MORE IMPORTANT NEWS
Ian J. Pesch has applied for a Class "B" Tavern and Tavern Dance License at 1323 E BRADY ST. on August 17, 2009 for "Crisp." The 5,000 sq. ft. location was formerly Viccuria and then Coco Bella. The building is currently owned by Nick Anton and the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation, according to an advertisement seeking a purchaser in the Gay publication Quest and was built by Anton and the then husband and wife team of Joe and Mimma Megna. [City records say the building, assessed at $900,000 is still owned by Anton & Megna, LLC. Court records tend to indicate the building's finances is still a matter of controversy.] Pesch is also the agent for "Liquor Sweets" at 3000 S. 13th St. ... [three] Lounge, 722 N. Milwaukee St. will close on August 29th, 2009 after an eight year run. Sarah M. McLean has applied for a license to operate "Distil" at that location. .. Mike Eitel of Diabolos Rojos Restaurant Group has like, totally bought Von Trier's -- lock, stock and beer barrels. Got the real estate, too.
--Michael Horne