Monday, August 04, 2008
Star Tribune: Viking Favre Deal still possible
Click on the post for the latest from the Minneapolis Star.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Republican Convention: Daily Planet: Theatre: Mass Exodus Planned
Click on the post for the latest. It will be difficult for the Evansville Observer to film if everyone is leaving town. I will have to pick my film locations to capture those coming and going. It appears there will be over 15,000 media people alone. I just wonder how much hotel rooms will go for.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Town of Union: Conditional Use Permit: Pheasant Hunting Lodge: Use of Alcohol Discussed; Use of facilities discussed.
Download File
Download File
Town of Union: Plan: 1-31-2008 Final Motion to Extend Conditional Use Permit with stipulations.
Download File
Download File
Nostalgia; Orig post August 2006: Dateline Normal: "Field Exercise Days"---FICTION
Recently I have been up to Normal, Mn., up that long and winding road, Hwy 10, to a little spot of heaven just south of Brainerd. After my usual night's rest at the Spruce Goose Motel I headed across the street to the diner for coffee with Herman, my old country boy lawyer friend. Herman had recently been nominated to head the Police Commission as well as the Public Safety Committee of Normal. They had been combined to be more efficient.
Over a strong, black coffee, with lots of sugar and whipped cream, I mentioned that getting older was really a bummer---that one had to be an exercise fanatic just to maintain ones weight. I mentioned that I had noticed that Herman as well as most all of the police officers in Normal seemed very thin. I wondered what their secret was.
"Well, Wolfman,(that's what he always called me) we pride ourselves up here as being the "Champion of the Field Day Exercises."
"Huh?", I responded.
Then Herman went on, "For the past 40 years or so, the last two weeks prior to school getting back in session is called "Field Exercise Days." It is a real sacred time.
Police from all the surrounding communities get together to do exercises to become more effective in using their radio gear, their manuevering techniques, and yes their fitness. It is just wonderful! You must realize that up here in God's Country we don't have any of them 5k runs for fitness. That's for the metro folk. Not us.
"I still don't get it," I exclaimed.
"Well," he said, "let me explain further. Up here prior to school getin in session, there is a real problem with underage drinking. In fact, every single night during these two weeks, there is some place where young teens are gathered in the fields to drink illegally and defy the law."
"So, up here, we dress up all the police from all the communites in "full battle gear" so to speak, and then raid the beer parties. It takes real skill to detect where the party is going to be held, and when, and to make the bust. Most of the time we end up chasing young folks in the corn fields.....in full battle gear."
"I can't imagine police staff in full swat gear running in the corn fields," I said.
"It's a thing of real beauty," Herman replied. Kind of a cross between a Rocky IV and a Prefontaine movie. We even listen to Rocky music before each raid. It really gets the guys pumped."
My mind raced ahead as to the revenue possibilities in the concept. "So, there must be tons of fines and revenue for Normal involved?" I asked.
"Shucks NO, Wolfman," It's about the EXERCISE. All the young folks have parents who know parents and it is just not worth our time to prosecute anyone. We just do it for the EXERCISE."
"And for the TROPHIES," he went on. Then he pointed to a huge trophy in the diner that was inscribed "Champion, Field Exercise Days, 2005."
It sure is good to be back in good old Wisconsin where we DO have 5K fun runs for fitness. And where folks don't have to get in full battle gear and run in the corn fields just to get and stay trim.
Over a strong, black coffee, with lots of sugar and whipped cream, I mentioned that getting older was really a bummer---that one had to be an exercise fanatic just to maintain ones weight. I mentioned that I had noticed that Herman as well as most all of the police officers in Normal seemed very thin. I wondered what their secret was.
"Well, Wolfman,(that's what he always called me) we pride ourselves up here as being the "Champion of the Field Day Exercises."
"Huh?", I responded.
Then Herman went on, "For the past 40 years or so, the last two weeks prior to school getting back in session is called "Field Exercise Days." It is a real sacred time.
Police from all the surrounding communities get together to do exercises to become more effective in using their radio gear, their manuevering techniques, and yes their fitness. It is just wonderful! You must realize that up here in God's Country we don't have any of them 5k runs for fitness. That's for the metro folk. Not us.
"I still don't get it," I exclaimed.
"Well," he said, "let me explain further. Up here prior to school getin in session, there is a real problem with underage drinking. In fact, every single night during these two weeks, there is some place where young teens are gathered in the fields to drink illegally and defy the law."
"So, up here, we dress up all the police from all the communites in "full battle gear" so to speak, and then raid the beer parties. It takes real skill to detect where the party is going to be held, and when, and to make the bust. Most of the time we end up chasing young folks in the corn fields.....in full battle gear."
"I can't imagine police staff in full swat gear running in the corn fields," I said.
"It's a thing of real beauty," Herman replied. Kind of a cross between a Rocky IV and a Prefontaine movie. We even listen to Rocky music before each raid. It really gets the guys pumped."
My mind raced ahead as to the revenue possibilities in the concept. "So, there must be tons of fines and revenue for Normal involved?" I asked.
"Shucks NO, Wolfman," It's about the EXERCISE. All the young folks have parents who know parents and it is just not worth our time to prosecute anyone. We just do it for the EXERCISE."
"And for the TROPHIES," he went on. Then he pointed to a huge trophy in the diner that was inscribed "Champion, Field Exercise Days, 2005."
It sure is good to be back in good old Wisconsin where we DO have 5K fun runs for fitness. And where folks don't have to get in full battle gear and run in the corn fields just to get and stay trim.
Friday, August 01, 2008
The theory of the Least Interested Party---the exception in cheese country.
One of the things that every teen knows, and indeed this is something that is talked about over campfires in the stag camping set, is the "Theory of the Least Interested Party."
Very simply put---in any relationship of two people, given the assumption that both parties care about each other to some degree, the party that can display the least outward "interest" has an inherent advantage in negotiating. This is why kids are cool. The cooler the better. Cool has an advantage.
Over a lifetime, couples discover that the ebbs and flows of interest can go both ways, and eventually, if the relationship is to survive, other elements have to emerge such as mutuality of interests, values etc., if the relationship is to survive. Otherwise, one party in desperation must review other individuals that have an interest in him or her, such as "X" really appreciates me even if you don't etc. By the time the normal teenager is 18....usually....one is aware that this is no way to create a solid relationship. Yet.....some.....never.....learn....and football players learn last one could presume from the press about the saga of the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre.
"Minnesota loves me more than you do," he might have said. Tampa Bay also loves me a lot....and then there is......One can just imagine the scene. Finally in desparate move to shut him up......the Packers offer him 20 million to work in public relations for them......HUH?
That's the oldest con in the books----the least interested con with the cajun twist---only a midwesterner could fall for it.
Very simply put---in any relationship of two people, given the assumption that both parties care about each other to some degree, the party that can display the least outward "interest" has an inherent advantage in negotiating. This is why kids are cool. The cooler the better. Cool has an advantage.
Over a lifetime, couples discover that the ebbs and flows of interest can go both ways, and eventually, if the relationship is to survive, other elements have to emerge such as mutuality of interests, values etc., if the relationship is to survive. Otherwise, one party in desperation must review other individuals that have an interest in him or her, such as "X" really appreciates me even if you don't etc. By the time the normal teenager is 18....usually....one is aware that this is no way to create a solid relationship. Yet.....some.....never.....learn....and football players learn last one could presume from the press about the saga of the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre.
"Minnesota loves me more than you do," he might have said. Tampa Bay also loves me a lot....and then there is......One can just imagine the scene. Finally in desparate move to shut him up......the Packers offer him 20 million to work in public relations for them......HUH?
That's the oldest con in the books----the least interested con with the cajun twist---only a midwesterner could fall for it.
St. Paul: Pioneer Press: St. Paul Police Picket at XCel Center---will the RNC be affected.
Nothing like the prospect of 50,000 protestors coming to town and the police being in the middle of a work slowdown or strike. Click on the post for the info.
Dateline Normal, Mn: "The First Hour of Consultation is FREE"----FICTION
(Ed.note: This is the latest of a long series of tales that are available on podcast, RSS syndication, itunes, as well as in book form. If you are looking for an older one, just search in GOOGLE. This is FICTION, but other than that.....)
Click on the post for the latest from the land of Normal, Mn.
Click on the post for the latest from the land of Normal, Mn.
Chasin Blog: The Nightmare: Favre as a Viking
What is Chasin worried about? Those classless Minnesota fans? Relax. Just one hard sack on that hard astroturf in the Metrodome where nobody can hear anything cause the sound is so loud and Brett would retire without pay. Period.
I see the rumor of the Minnesota trade as a game piece that has no credibility. Wish I could play a piece like that and get 20 million for not writing---one would have to create the reverse incentive by writing such trash that the silence of not writing would be worth 20 mil to someone. Something to think about.
Click on the post for Chasin.
I see the rumor of the Minnesota trade as a game piece that has no credibility. Wish I could play a piece like that and get 20 million for not writing---one would have to create the reverse incentive by writing such trash that the silence of not writing would be worth 20 mil to someone. Something to think about.
Click on the post for Chasin.
Evansville Plan Commission Meets Monday: Used Cars on the Agenda
Click on the post for the full agenda.
Audio: Town of Union: 7-31-2008: Plan: Conditonal Use Permit Actions; The Pit; The Case of the Pheasant Lodge--2hrs.
Town of Union: Plan: 7-31-2008: Conditional Use Permit actions re: The pit---and The Case of the Pheasant Lodge--two hours.
MP3 File
MP3 File
Reflection: "The Pit"--the novel by Frank Norris and the movie by D.W. Griffith
Last night at the Town of Union Planning Meeting, the first item of agenda was "The Pit"-----and as the discussion roamed along, having brought my trusty tripod with me, I could allow my mind to wander as the film rolled. It bought back memories of novels of old, and of the "naturalists", Frank Norris, Theodore Dreiser, and the scenes of the trading pits in New York and Chicago. If you ever visited a trading pit you know what I mean----the options are the ones that always seemed the wildest for me.
One of the most noticable things about the "pit" is the character of the traders---independent to the last. Trading on their own capital or maybe their companies capital....they are intense and colorful. They have a rumpled down to earth appearance---no french fashion here. Just functional attire please. At the end of the day, there is always the picture of the empty trading floor---with the little white pieces of paper. After all the ups and downs, I always wondered who really won and lost----my theory, and the one that led me to become a broker, was that in the end, only the banks and brokers won.
Last night, at the Union Planning Commission meeting, after all the discussion of conditional use permits and the irregular nature of them that necessitates that we never follow any set rules about anthing so that total chaos can envelop the discussion and which allows the suits to charge large fees to describe to the partipants what the chaos might portend in the inner sanctum of the courtroom, and then imagine the additional fees if one could not make the proper legal moves.......
I was just intensely determined to pick up that novel "The Pit" and give it one more quick read---to see if there might be a new ending for the case where the world wheat market was cornered by a crazy greedy maniac.
In the end, after all the room was empty and only the books remained last night, I remembered that even in the middle ages, in King Arthur's Court, after all the sword play was over, it was mostly the horses, the large white and black horses that were the real winners. Mostly everyone else was dead. That's great if you are a horse.
One of the most noticable things about the "pit" is the character of the traders---independent to the last. Trading on their own capital or maybe their companies capital....they are intense and colorful. They have a rumpled down to earth appearance---no french fashion here. Just functional attire please. At the end of the day, there is always the picture of the empty trading floor---with the little white pieces of paper. After all the ups and downs, I always wondered who really won and lost----my theory, and the one that led me to become a broker, was that in the end, only the banks and brokers won.
Last night, at the Union Planning Commission meeting, after all the discussion of conditional use permits and the irregular nature of them that necessitates that we never follow any set rules about anthing so that total chaos can envelop the discussion and which allows the suits to charge large fees to describe to the partipants what the chaos might portend in the inner sanctum of the courtroom, and then imagine the additional fees if one could not make the proper legal moves.......
I was just intensely determined to pick up that novel "The Pit" and give it one more quick read---to see if there might be a new ending for the case where the world wheat market was cornered by a crazy greedy maniac.
In the end, after all the room was empty and only the books remained last night, I remembered that even in the middle ages, in King Arthur's Court, after all the sword play was over, it was mostly the horses, the large white and black horses that were the real winners. Mostly everyone else was dead. That's great if you are a horse.
Money: MSN: Video: Write Off the rest of 2008
Commerical credit is contracting. Click on the post for the video story from MSN.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Medical Corner: WSJ: Sleep Apnea--what you need to know
Click on the post for the latest from the WSJ.
Former New York Post Editor calls for agressive transition from Print to Web
Click on the post for an interesting interview.
Video; Town of Union: Plan: Wind Turbine: Set Back Discussed
Wind Turbine; Discussion of Set back: Evidence cited may lead to inference of larger setback as appropriate---finding ,evidence cited must match the ordinance language. For more details on this issue consult audio tape uncut.
Download File
Download File
Dateline Normal, Mn.: "The Public-Private Partnership-"-----FICTION
Click on the post for the latest from the fictional land of Normal, Mn.. A land of fiction,,,but other than that.... These episodes can be subscribed to at the end of the blog, the audio can be downloaded free from itunes, and the book is available. Enjoy.
Video: Town of Union: Plan: Wind: Begins Linking Findings to specific ordinance language
Town of Union Planning Commission reviews draft ordinance---aims to directly link evidence of health impacts to specific ordinance provisons. For full gavel to gavel of this topic see the uncut audio. For best viewing, right click and save to desktop and play in full screen in windows media player.
Download File
Download File
Public Works: 7-22-2008: Lake Leota: Mr. W asks Why do we need a referendum? Mason Braunschweig answers.
Download File
Download File
Video: Football: Are You ready for some Football?
Forget the politics. Forget the troubles. Forget the heat and mosquitoes----it's FLYOVER time. It's almost time for some football. Click on the post for a little pregame video sent by a regular fan of The Observer.
Gazette: Job losses in Janesville are among tops in nation
Click on the post for the story in the Gazette.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wind Corner; A Nation Listening
Naltional wind action web sites have covered the meeting at the Town of Union last Monday night, and they are listening in with Union citizens to the discussion of the draft wind ordinance.
click on the post for the national coverage.
Stay tuned. It was a long three hour meeting. However. It gets better as the dialogue gets specific about the details of the draft. Enjoy.
click on the post for the national coverage.
Stay tuned. It was a long three hour meeting. However. It gets better as the dialogue gets specific about the details of the draft. Enjoy.
Dateline Normal, Mn.: "The Tale of Loon Lodge"---FICTION
Click on the post for a classic tale from June 2008.
Dateline Normal, Mn.: "Sheriff Shocks Normal"----FICTION
Click on the post for a post from June 2008.
Interest in Podcast for Evansville Meetings remains steady
Whether it is meetings, parades, or video of the Festivals, folks have been downloading from the Evansville Observer site for their records. I wonder how much of this was the Blooze Brothers?
Click on the post for the current graph of usage.
Click on the post for the current graph of usage.
Podcast Popularity Grows: Interest in Fiction may beat Meetings
The audio version of the Tales From Normal has attracted national attention. I had thought it was just one listener from Slovenia, but no.....Faced with recession, foreclosure, rising oil prices, rising inflation and other woes, folks are turning to The Tales From Normal as a last resort....
Click on the post for the reported downloads.
Click on the post for the reported downloads.
RNC Convention: St. Paul: Southeray: "Welcome. Enjoy the Ordinary"
Click on the post for a little welcome note from Joe Soucheray to the Republican National Convention goers.
Media; James Clay Fuller: " If the media is us...we're dead."
It is true that the famous Stephen Colbert covered much of this ground in his famous Nationl Press Club presentation, but here it is in straight non satiric form. Click on the post.
Pre-Convention: Anti-War Rally at Republican Convention may attract 50,000?
A coalition of anti-war activists are planning a 12 hour demonstration at the Minnesota State Capital on the first day of the Republican Convention in St. Paul and then a march to the XCel Center. They say there may be as many as 50,000 people in attendance.
Click on the post for the full story in The Daily Planet. Stay tuned for the video from The Evansville Observer on the day of the event. Look to Google for street view maps---look to The Observer for street view video.
Click on the post for the full story in The Daily Planet. Stay tuned for the video from The Evansville Observer on the day of the event. Look to Google for street view maps---look to The Observer for street view video.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
LaTimes; "W" trailer released; Oliver Stone film re Pres. George Bush
Click on the post for the trailer.
Obama 2008 Janesville Office: Open House: TONIGHT 6-8PM--1300 Milton Ave
The office is located at 1300 Milton Ave in Janesville. Parking is available in the Office Max parking lot. 6-8PM. Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Audio and Video Listing: Town of Union Wind Discussion
Click on the post for the complete listing of the various audio and video recordings covering the Town of Union. You can subscribe to this feed for automatic update, or just download selected items for your review.
Town of Union Plan: Wind Turbine draft ordinance refined: 7-28-2008
The Town of Union Planning Commission on Monday night, July 28, 2008, spent three hours reviewing with counsel, the text of the draft wind turbine ordinance. The purpose of the review was, as explained by counsel, to simply and forcefully connect the facts that were found in the evidence to the text of the ordinance. Thus, one of the most discussed topics was the factual evidence of damage that "noise" produced by wind turbines create---and whether the set back in the ordinance reflects the evidence cited in the appendix of evidence that has been gathered.
There was some discussion that the evidence listed in the study committee that is cited in the ordinance would lead to a set back greater than 1/2 mile. The study committee appeared to weigh the evidence and then "round down". This would not create any margin of safety. The decison was not made on what the set back should be, but whatever it is, the evidence cited will be most defensible, strong, and effective, if it matches the ordinance language.
The other discussion that took some time was the enforceability of the ordinance. If in fact, the committee envisions little ability to enforce the ordinance by forceful removal, it would be logical to add some distance to the set back, in light of the fact that sound modeling prior to erection of the turbines is fraught with error. The set back provisions are the only remaining element in the ordinance that can compensate for the frailty of the current technology that models sound.
The actual impact of the sound on humans was discussed. In some literature this impact is called "annoyance" but the actual impact may vary between different people at the same sound levels. One person may suffer anxiety, and the other some other element of a broad list of symptoms. The actual sound levels that are acceptable will be listed in the ordinance.
Finally the question of improving technology was addressed. The question of how to fashion an ordinance that would be able to address a new model of wind turbine in the future---without having to rewrite the one being drafted and thus incurring the huge expense of the drafting processing.
Because of the nature of the lengthy discussion, I have chosen to post only a few video cuts. I think it best for those interested to listen to the full uncut audio that can be downloaded to your ipod.
Click on the post for the entire audio of the meeting. 3 hours.
There was some discussion that the evidence listed in the study committee that is cited in the ordinance would lead to a set back greater than 1/2 mile. The study committee appeared to weigh the evidence and then "round down". This would not create any margin of safety. The decison was not made on what the set back should be, but whatever it is, the evidence cited will be most defensible, strong, and effective, if it matches the ordinance language.
The other discussion that took some time was the enforceability of the ordinance. If in fact, the committee envisions little ability to enforce the ordinance by forceful removal, it would be logical to add some distance to the set back, in light of the fact that sound modeling prior to erection of the turbines is fraught with error. The set back provisions are the only remaining element in the ordinance that can compensate for the frailty of the current technology that models sound.
The actual impact of the sound on humans was discussed. In some literature this impact is called "annoyance" but the actual impact may vary between different people at the same sound levels. One person may suffer anxiety, and the other some other element of a broad list of symptoms. The actual sound levels that are acceptable will be listed in the ordinance.
Finally the question of improving technology was addressed. The question of how to fashion an ordinance that would be able to address a new model of wind turbine in the future---without having to rewrite the one being drafted and thus incurring the huge expense of the drafting processing.
Because of the nature of the lengthy discussion, I have chosen to post only a few video cuts. I think it best for those interested to listen to the full uncut audio that can be downloaded to your ipod.
Click on the post for the entire audio of the meeting. 3 hours.
Overture Corner: Melissa Etheridge Performs Wed, July 30th at Overture, Madison
Click on the post for the details.
Gazette; S&P; Home Price Index Records record decline
Click on the post for the full story in today's Gazette.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Audio: Plan Commission: Town of Union: Wind: Draft Ordinance text revision
(Ed.note: This audio is three hours---the first few minutes are a bit garbled. Gets better as it goes. )
Planning Commission: Town of Union: 7-28-2008: Detailed discussion of draft ordinance and language revisions--
MP3 File
Planning Commission: Town of Union: 7-28-2008: Detailed discussion of draft ordinance and language revisions--
MP3 File
Agenda: Town of Union Planning: Wind Turbine on the Agenda Monday--July 28--6PM
Click on the post for the full agenda.
Chasin Blog: Chasin Teases the Observer on Furniture video
Legendary blogger, Chasin the News, in Evansville has teased the Evansville Observer that the Observer's furniture video of our local furniture store needs to be more Up Tempo style----click on the post to see how Chasin would like to see the video go. Enjoy.
Citizen states the comments on the Janesville Gazette blogs comments section were misinformation. Free speech or Misinformation? Mason wants to speak to the Gazette.
Download File
Download File
Public Works: 7-22-2008: Tidbit: Humor: Is there a difference between Eirwigs and EARMARKS? Compare and Contrast. 25 points.
Download File
Download File
OpEd: Soucheray: Joe goes over the edge:" Those who believe in Obama could believe in anything"
Joe Soucheray, that cycle riding prose machine of the St. Paul Press may have hit a few too many potholes on his Harley. A prophet of prose, he sees ahead the doom of defeat of the Republican party, and rails at all belief, and yes belief in Obama. Click on the post for a classic. Just preparation for the upcoming Republican Convention in St. Paul. I wonder where Joe will be holding court after hours in the pubs. All the names have changed over the years. I'll check. I am looking for some serious pub video. No CBS or NBC or FOX, just downhome Observer video.
Capital Times: Impeachment Town Meeting scheduled for Madison Tonight
Click on the post for the details.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Pre-Convention: Witness against the War Speech at St. Bernards tonight, 5PM
Click on the post for the details.
Peace Marchers in Madison on Way to St. Paul for Republican Convention
One of the many groups that will be marching and protesting at the Republican Convention in St. Paul made a stop in Madison today and will be speaking tonight at St. Bernard's Church tonight at 5PM. Click on the post for their web site and the daily blog that describes their march.
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/298020---Link of the story in the Captital Times.
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/298020---Link of the story in the Captital Times.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Better Plan: Blog: Video; What Wind Turbines Sound like at 700 meters--
Click on the post for video of wind turbine sounds compliments of Better Plan blog.
Video; Public Works: 7-22-2008: Lake Leota: Why do we need a referendum? Mason responds
Public Works: 7-22-2008: Lake Leota: Mr. W asks Why do we need a referendum? Mason Braunschweig answers.
Download File
Download File
Friday, July 25, 2008
School Beat: St. Paul: Surviving the Demographic Storm
The decline in enrollment in St. Paul Public Schools is pretty graphic---click on the post for the full article.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Video: Public Works: Mark and Mason on getting the impact on taxpayers detailed.
Mark and Mason reflect on importance of accurate information on what the impact of proposed dredging expense will be. Getting the details is the focus right now.
Download File
Download File
Gazette; Stoughton Trailers Evansville Plant--might be leased?
Click on the post for the story in today's Gazette.
Special Observer Award:
Yesterday something happened that was pretty unique----On the same day there was a meeting at City Hall, I received the minutes of the meeting---and the minutes were available to readers of the Observer as well as those subscribing to the city notification.
Click on the post to see the minutes of the Economic Development Committee. Short meeting. But still. The minutes were published even before the Observer audio version. I am impressed. My standard is still 24 hours. Same day turnaround is above the bar. Still it is a fact that all across the country, the pace of administration and information dissemination has picked up. Stay tuned.
Click on the post to see the minutes of the Economic Development Committee. Short meeting. But still. The minutes were published even before the Observer audio version. I am impressed. My standard is still 24 hours. Same day turnaround is above the bar. Still it is a fact that all across the country, the pace of administration and information dissemination has picked up. Stay tuned.
Food Corner: Mcdonalds Dollar Menu to Change----
The sky is falling. Heaven forbid. An attempt to change the price of a double cheeseberger. Time to stock up. The times they are a changing. Click on the post for the full story.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Public Works: 7-22-2008: Citizen requests fence around pond at 6th and Vision: Cites health and safety hazard
Citizens requests fence around pond at 6th and Vision to protect children; cites health hazard
Download File
Download File
CapTimes; Wisconsin Ranks High on Booze---Low on Workforce Development
Click on the post for the article in the Capital Times.
Public Works: 7-22-2008: Prospective Timeline for Referendum on Lake Leota
City Administrator Dan Wietecha discusses the prospective timeline for any referendum on Lake Leota
Download File
Download File
College Corner: The New Look
Doubleclick picture for largest version.
College "move in" day comes early in our home. Our musician leaves in two weeks for "spat camp" or marching band "basic training." Move in day looks different for the musicians than it does for the regular college student. One student described it to me as follows: "My mom drove up to the dorm on her way to work and let me off. Six trombone players unloaded the car in seconds and took my stuff up to my room. It was great."
Yes. That is the legend of the brass section. We are expecting to see those six brass players in just two weeks when "spat camp" begins. What has begun already, and what is very unlike my days at the U of M is the emails, the facebook, the communications from current students in the band to the new freshman---buying and selling shoes, chat about what to look forward to. As the Observer I am on only a need to know basis.
I hope to have some snazzy film of the first home game of Minnesota in September when the new freshmen get to show their stuff with the first string marching band. Stay tuned. Even John Phillip Sousa would have been excited about the upcoming season. And the football? Not clear. The bands will be great however.
Convention Corner: St. Paul: September: Planning for Peaceful Demonstrations?
Click on the post for the latest. The Observer plans on some coverage of these events---not the ones inside, but outside. Streetview. Everyday citizens and their concerns. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Public Works: Communications from City Engineer:
Main Street Bridge--Public Open house July 10 Report
CMAR Report----(Re sewage plant quality report)
Plans for Southgate pond (Vision and 6th)
MP3 File
Main Street Bridge--Public Open house July 10 Report
CMAR Report----(Re sewage plant quality report)
Plans for Southgate pond (Vision and 6th)
MP3 File
City Engineer review and updates: Main Street Progress,County trunk M, Capstone Ridge, Westfield Meadows and Madison Street Progress.
MP3 File
MP3 File
Discussion of timeline for possible action regarding the future of Lake Leota--referendum, etc.
MP3 File
MP3 File
Public Works: Tidbit: On Streetsweepers
The purpose of streetsweepers is not to make streets beautiful. The purpose of streetsweepers is to prevent dirt from going down stormwater drains and clogging them and thus making the stormwater system ineffective.
While it is true that there are regular taxable code accounting classifications for streetsweepers in uniform accounting systems, is is very commonplace for this to be classified and paid for in stormwater utility budgets paid for by a separate stormwater utility. This is the way the City of Evansville is handling this and it is normal.
After some comments recently on the streetsweeper for Evansville, I did some checking and was surprised to learn these facts. Enjoy.
While it is true that there are regular taxable code accounting classifications for streetsweepers in uniform accounting systems, is is very commonplace for this to be classified and paid for in stormwater utility budgets paid for by a separate stormwater utility. This is the way the City of Evansville is handling this and it is normal.
After some comments recently on the streetsweeper for Evansville, I did some checking and was surprised to learn these facts. Enjoy.
Dateline Minn: Vikings dream of new stadium: Will it be Open Air?
Click on the post for the latest from the Mpls. Star.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Agenda: Public Works: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 6PM---Lake Leota, Stormwater Utility on the Agenda
NOTICE
The regular meeting of the Public Works Committee for the City of Evansville will be held on the date and time stated below at Public Works Garage, 535 South Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin. Notice is further given that members of the City Council might be in attendance.
Public Works Committee
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
Public Works Shop, 535 South Madison Street, Evansville, WI
AGENDA
1 Call the meeting to order
2 Roll Call
3 Motion to Approve Agenda
4 Motion to Approve minutes of the following meeting; June 24th, 2008.
5 Citizen appearances
6 Lake Leota –
A Discussion and possible action(s) regarding the future of Lake Leota
7 Site Plan Reviews
8 Construction Updates
A Main Street Progress Report
B County Trunk Highway M Progress Report
C Capstone Ridge Phase 2 Progress Report
D Westfield Meadows Progress Report
E Madison Street (TH 59) Progress Report
9 Communications from City Engineer –
A Main Street Bridge – public open house July 10 Report
B J Lindemann and Highway 14 roundabout update
C CMAR Report
D Plans for Southgate pond (Vision & 6th)
E Plans for Greenway re-grading
F WWTP Facility plans
10 Communications of Public Works Director –
A Discussion and possible motion regarding the procedure currently used to notify property owners when lawns are not in compliance with local ordinances
B Discussion in regards to issue at 17-19 South 1st St. (Ken Nelson email)
C Public Works Budget
D Storm Water Utility Budget
11 New Business
12 Old Business
A West side water issue (to remain on agenda indefinitely)
B Community Rating System (CRS) – site visit July 10 - REPORT
13 Parks and Recreation Report
14 Adjourn
Mason Braunschweig, Chair, Public Works Committee
Please turn off all cell phones while the meeting is in session. Thank you!
The regular meeting of the Public Works Committee for the City of Evansville will be held on the date and time stated below at Public Works Garage, 535 South Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin. Notice is further given that members of the City Council might be in attendance.
Public Works Committee
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
Public Works Shop, 535 South Madison Street, Evansville, WI
AGENDA
1 Call the meeting to order
2 Roll Call
3 Motion to Approve Agenda
4 Motion to Approve minutes of the following meeting; June 24th, 2008.
5 Citizen appearances
6 Lake Leota –
A Discussion and possible action(s) regarding the future of Lake Leota
7 Site Plan Reviews
8 Construction Updates
A Main Street Progress Report
B County Trunk Highway M Progress Report
C Capstone Ridge Phase 2 Progress Report
D Westfield Meadows Progress Report
E Madison Street (TH 59) Progress Report
9 Communications from City Engineer –
A Main Street Bridge – public open house July 10 Report
B J Lindemann and Highway 14 roundabout update
C CMAR Report
D Plans for Southgate pond (Vision & 6th)
E Plans for Greenway re-grading
F WWTP Facility plans
10 Communications of Public Works Director –
A Discussion and possible motion regarding the procedure currently used to notify property owners when lawns are not in compliance with local ordinances
B Discussion in regards to issue at 17-19 South 1st St. (Ken Nelson email)
C Public Works Budget
D Storm Water Utility Budget
11 New Business
12 Old Business
A West side water issue (to remain on agenda indefinitely)
B Community Rating System (CRS) – site visit July 10 - REPORT
13 Parks and Recreation Report
14 Adjourn
Mason Braunschweig, Chair, Public Works Committee
Please turn off all cell phones while the meeting is in session. Thank you!
Mailbag; Evansville Youth Center: Tracy Schroeder writes:
HI!
It is with deep regret to inform you that I have given my resignation at the
youth center and will be leaving soon. It will be very hard for me to leave,
but my children will be attending public school in the fall and I wish to be
home with them after school. Since, that directly interferes with the youth
center hours I was forced to make a decision. Ultimately, my family won :o) I
will be facing some new challenges!!
I will be working with the YMCA to make a smooth transition and hiring a new
director. I will be actively involved in ensuring the continuing quality of the
program and services for the kids!!
I will miss everyone here and I thank you for all your support over the 6+ years
that I've been here.
Thank you!!
Tracy Schroeder
Evansville Youth Center Director
YMCA of Northern Rock County
It is with deep regret to inform you that I have given my resignation at the
youth center and will be leaving soon. It will be very hard for me to leave,
but my children will be attending public school in the fall and I wish to be
home with them after school. Since, that directly interferes with the youth
center hours I was forced to make a decision. Ultimately, my family won :o) I
will be facing some new challenges!!
I will be working with the YMCA to make a smooth transition and hiring a new
director. I will be actively involved in ensuring the continuing quality of the
program and services for the kids!!
I will miss everyone here and I thank you for all your support over the 6+ years
that I've been here.
Thank you!!
Tracy Schroeder
Evansville Youth Center Director
YMCA of Northern Rock County
LaCrosse Tribune: Wisconsin Unemployment Funds faces Insolvency--Needs loan from feds.
A symptom of the very thin safety net in the current situation. Click on the post for the article in the Lacrose Tribune.
Free Concerts at Monona Terrace: Thursday-----Queenie and the Blue Cats--Blues---Electric
QUEENIE AND THE BLUE CATS
BLUES - ELECTRIC
Menu Specials:
Santa Fe Turkey Wraps
Avocado & Cucumber Wraps
Garlic Pita Chips w/ Roasted Eggplant Dip & Hummus
In case of inclement weather this concert will be moved inside.
Please call 608.261.4000 after 2 p.m. for concert location.
MONONA TERRACE COMMUNITY AND CONVENTION CENTER
ONE JOHN NOLEN DRIVE l MADISON, WI 53703
VISIT COMMUNITYEVENTS.MONONATERRACE.COM
BLUES - ELECTRIC
Menu Specials:
Santa Fe Turkey Wraps
Avocado & Cucumber Wraps
Garlic Pita Chips w/ Roasted Eggplant Dip & Hummus
In case of inclement weather this concert will be moved inside.
Please call 608.261.4000 after 2 p.m. for concert location.
MONONA TERRACE COMMUNITY AND CONVENTION CENTER
ONE JOHN NOLEN DRIVE l MADISON, WI 53703
VISIT COMMUNITYEVENTS.MONONATERRACE.COM
Madison: Cap Times; UW Madison is the place for immersion in South Asian Languages
Interested in lanuage immersion? A South Asian language? Madison is the place. Click on the post for an article in the Capital Times.
Gazette; Milton, Janesville, Whitewater move to study transportation links
Click on the post for the latest from the Gazette.
Friday, July 18, 2008
T Boon Pickings Speaks on Energy:
T. Boon Pickens, the oil man, the speculator, speaks on how to get America out of the energy mess it is in. Click on the post for his website.
School Beat: Levi Leonard: July 2008
(Ed.note: This report is from the school web site. It has been posted unedited. )
Levi Leonard Elementary School
School Board Report
July 14, 2008
BOARD THEME/CURRICULUM TOPIC: End of year goals report
1. Student referrals to the office for behavioral reasons will decrease by 10% in comparison to the
2006-7 school year.
This goal was met. We achieved an 18% improvement in the referral rate. This can be credited to our
school-wide character education program, increased awareness on the part of teachers and support
staff, and implementation of morning meetings in all classrooms. Students are well aware when I talk
with them of the steps to take in a problematic situation. They often use the language Mrs. Brink and
their teachers use in connection with our character education program. Students also seem proud to
have their picture in the entryway and their certificates for their week in the True Blue Character Club.
While I am pleased that we have had a decrease in referrals and the amount of hitting, fighting and
physical issues, I am concerned that there has been an increase in teasing and some bullying
behaviors. Since most instances occur in the lunch room and on the playground, we will address this
area next school year with more consistent expectations and consequences.
2. 80% of second graders will reach their MAP growth goals.
This goal was not met, and may have been too lofty in nature. In reading, 59.7% of our students met
their growth targets. In math, 66.2% met their growth targets, and in language arts, 51.5% met their
growth targets. Overall, The Spring means and medians in RIT score (the reporting method for this
assessment) are above or near the national scores:
Evansville 2nd Grade National
mean/median mean/median
Math 194.9/196 190.6/191
Reading 187.6/190 188.2/190
Language Arts 192/192 191.4/193
We will consider how our instruction can improve in language arts in particular. There will be some
restructuring of our resource room and the time our resource teachers spend with students since we
need to consider how Response to Intervention (RtI) can be implemented in 2009-10. This, as well
Levi Leonard Elementary School
School Board Report
July 14, 2008
BOARD THEME/CURRICULUM TOPIC: End of year goals report
1. Student referrals to the office for behavioral reasons will decrease by 10% in comparison to the
2006-7 school year.
This goal was met. We achieved an 18% improvement in the referral rate. This can be credited to our
school-wide character education program, increased awareness on the part of teachers and support
staff, and implementation of morning meetings in all classrooms. Students are well aware when I talk
with them of the steps to take in a problematic situation. They often use the language Mrs. Brink and
their teachers use in connection with our character education program. Students also seem proud to
have their picture in the entryway and their certificates for their week in the True Blue Character Club.
While I am pleased that we have had a decrease in referrals and the amount of hitting, fighting and
physical issues, I am concerned that there has been an increase in teasing and some bullying
behaviors. Since most instances occur in the lunch room and on the playground, we will address this
area next school year with more consistent expectations and consequences.
2. 80% of second graders will reach their MAP growth goals.
This goal was not met, and may have been too lofty in nature. In reading, 59.7% of our students met
their growth targets. In math, 66.2% met their growth targets, and in language arts, 51.5% met their
growth targets. Overall, The Spring means and medians in RIT score (the reporting method for this
assessment) are above or near the national scores:
Evansville 2nd Grade National
mean/median mean/median
Math 194.9/196 190.6/191
Reading 187.6/190 188.2/190
Language Arts 192/192 191.4/193
We will consider how our instruction can improve in language arts in particular. There will be some
restructuring of our resource room and the time our resource teachers spend with students since we
need to consider how Response to Intervention (RtI) can be implemented in 2009-10. This, as well
School Beat; Evansville Schools outlines strategy for attendence
(Ed.note; This is a portion of the recent School Reports of the Evansville School District.)
Planning for Student Success
When you do well, it is often harder to show progress. On the surface, our school attendance rates look
good. We will discuss later in the agenda, what we find when we dig below that surface. In the majority
of cases, if students have poor attendance, their learning suffers and often their attendance rates get worse
as they try to avoid situations where they feel unsuccessful. The table included in your packet shows how
attendance rates drop off sharply at middle and high school. A portion of this change is simply tied to how
absences are counted in the system. A middle school student absent for 4 or more of 9 periods is
considered absent for the whole day and a high school student is counted absent for the whole day if they
miss more than 2 periods. We are preparing a spreadsheet that focuses on students with 15 or more
absences last year, their WKCE and MAP scores, qualification for free or reduced lunch, and special
education status. We will look at these results as a K-12 team to identify families where more than one
student appears on the list. We will identify students and families we want to intervene with proactively
with this year, not simply wait for the numbers in the attendance policy to kick in. We will plan a series of
interventions, school/ student/family conferences and resources we can bring together to help these
students and, in some cases, whole families increase the likelihood for success in school and preparation
for the world they enter after high school.
Planning for Student Success
When you do well, it is often harder to show progress. On the surface, our school attendance rates look
good. We will discuss later in the agenda, what we find when we dig below that surface. In the majority
of cases, if students have poor attendance, their learning suffers and often their attendance rates get worse
as they try to avoid situations where they feel unsuccessful. The table included in your packet shows how
attendance rates drop off sharply at middle and high school. A portion of this change is simply tied to how
absences are counted in the system. A middle school student absent for 4 or more of 9 periods is
considered absent for the whole day and a high school student is counted absent for the whole day if they
miss more than 2 periods. We are preparing a spreadsheet that focuses on students with 15 or more
absences last year, their WKCE and MAP scores, qualification for free or reduced lunch, and special
education status. We will look at these results as a K-12 team to identify families where more than one
student appears on the list. We will identify students and families we want to intervene with proactively
with this year, not simply wait for the numbers in the attendance policy to kick in. We will plan a series of
interventions, school/ student/family conferences and resources we can bring together to help these
students and, in some cases, whole families increase the likelihood for success in school and preparation
for the world they enter after high school.
St.Paul: Pioneer Press: Roseville; City cited for Open Meeting Law Violation on email slipup
Click on the post for a case from Minnesota.
An email to one member was not shared with the rest of the council and not made available to the public prior to the meeting with one copy of the agenda and all supporting documents.
People occasionaly wonder why an email sent to one member of government, such as a school board, would be sent on to all board members. It is required and is necessary for all to be on the same page. I just wonder if physical copies of or at least one copy of this email traffic has to be available to the public prior to the meeting. The laws do differ from one state to another slightly.
Why is Roseville important otherwise? Snelling Ave runs through Roseville, and Snelling avenue is about the only north south street that one can use to avoid the freeway traffic in getting to work.
An email to one member was not shared with the rest of the council and not made available to the public prior to the meeting with one copy of the agenda and all supporting documents.
People occasionaly wonder why an email sent to one member of government, such as a school board, would be sent on to all board members. It is required and is necessary for all to be on the same page. I just wonder if physical copies of or at least one copy of this email traffic has to be available to the public prior to the meeting. The laws do differ from one state to another slightly.
Why is Roseville important otherwise? Snelling Ave runs through Roseville, and Snelling avenue is about the only north south street that one can use to avoid the freeway traffic in getting to work.
Gazette: Janesville: BID, Business Improvement District, on the table
Click on the post for the info on the Business Improvement District that has been proposed for Janesville.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Days of Our Football Lives----Tampering or Restraint of Trade or just confusion
I am waiting for Jon Stewart of The Daily Show to weigh in on the Favre-Packer vs. Viking matter. Here is what mystifies me:
How can someone who is washed up, retired, not valuable enough to play first string if he did return, ......be also a threat if he was released?
Is there such a thing as a contract between Favre and the Packers that would say that he will not play, and will not be released...would that contract have no consideration or money involved? Favre is not being paid according to his interview.
Thus----unless we have reinstated indentured servitude---it appears to me that unless the Packers want to pay Favre, they have to release him. If they do not release him, he rightfully should show up to training camp and expect to be paid. Right?
The only thing I can think of is if the Packers say that in consideration of the money they have paid him in the past and his covenant not to compete with them, thus even though he is not of value to them, they insist that he not compete with them in any event. How strong of an argument do you think the Packers have?
What are your thoughts?
How can someone who is washed up, retired, not valuable enough to play first string if he did return, ......be also a threat if he was released?
Is there such a thing as a contract between Favre and the Packers that would say that he will not play, and will not be released...would that contract have no consideration or money involved? Favre is not being paid according to his interview.
Thus----unless we have reinstated indentured servitude---it appears to me that unless the Packers want to pay Favre, they have to release him. If they do not release him, he rightfully should show up to training camp and expect to be paid. Right?
The only thing I can think of is if the Packers say that in consideration of the money they have paid him in the past and his covenant not to compete with them, thus even though he is not of value to them, they insist that he not compete with them in any event. How strong of an argument do you think the Packers have?
What are your thoughts?
Nostalgia: Trash Talking and the "Uptick Rule"--Feds now listening?
If you click on the post you will see some commentary from The Observer from March 2008, as well as a video of Jim Cramer that was on a crusade to reinstate the "uptick rule" but concluded by saying that ultimately it was up to the government to reign in this type of manipulation. Five months later they have acted. Stay tuned.
Fitch: Background: Wisconsin financial position Jan 2008
If you click on the post, Fitch rating service provides a nice overview of the state of Wisconsin budget situation going into the current period. Enjoy.
Gazette; It's Buyout Time
FEMA provides money to cities to buyout homes that have been severly flooded so the cycle of disaster, rebuild, disaster, rebuild can be broken. It is cheaper in the long run. Something to consider.
Click on the post for the story in today's Gazette.
Click on the post for the story in today's Gazette.
Twincities.com: Packers file tampering charges against Vikings.
Click on the post for the latest in the Favre saga.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Background: Evansville: Economic Development Plan: Final Report--draft of 7-17-2008
(Ed.note: This is the text of the Economic Development Plan that will be reviewed in the Economic Development meeting next Wednesday for final approval.)
WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
ãWhalen & Associates, Inc. - 1 - Evansville Economic Development Summit
Evansville Economic Development Project
DRAFT 7-17-08 (D4)dbw
Evansville
Economic Development Plan
Final Report
Prepared by:
Whalen & Associates, Inc.
June, 2008
www.whalen.com
judy@whalen.com
608-455-2090
15626 West Holt Road
Brooklyn, WI 53521
6084552090
Fax: 6084552087
Email: judy@whalen.com
www.whalen.com
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 2 Evansville Economic Development Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................... 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................... 3
BACKGROUND ................................................................................... 3
THE PROCESS .................................................................................... 3
KEY STRATEGIC ISSUES ...................................................................... 4
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ...................................................................... 4
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN ......................................................... 7
KEY STRATEGIC ISSUES ...................................................................... 7
ACTION PLANS .................................................................................. 7
OUTCOME MEASUREMENT ................................................................. 9
APPENDIX
Special recognition and thank you to Rebecca DeMarb,Evansville Economic Development Committee
and James Otterstein, Rock County Economic Development Manager for the their efforts in drafting
and editing this document.
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 3 Evansville Economic Development Plan
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
The Evansville Economic Development Committee (“EDC”) contracted
Whalen & Associates, Inc. in June, 2007 to design and facilitate a process that
would result in an Economic Development Plan (the “Plan”). The project
fulfills an action item of Evansville’s Smart Growth Plan. The Smart Growth
Plan on page 133 states that Evansville “needs more commercial and industrial
development to permit the City to reduce its relatively high property tax rate
without reducing services.” (The related action item is #9 on page 213.) The
project’s planning team consisted of Mayor Sandy Decker, City Administrator
Dan Wietecha, Chamber of Commerce Promotional Director Bridgit Larsen
and consultant Judy Whalen.
THE PROCESS
§ EDC used a series of information gathering activities to provide data
from which the Plan would be developed including:
· Focus Groups – Five focus groups were conducted involving 26
representatives of agribusiness, manufacturing, retail, service and
construction/development.
· Phone Survey - 135 businesses were identified to be contacted by
the UW-Whitewater Small Business Development Center (SBDC.)
Thirty-three phone surveys were completed as of January 20,
2008.
· Summit – The Economic Development Summit was conducted
January 12, 2008 to provide business representatives the
opportunity to provide further input into the topics that should be
addressed in the Economic Development Plan. 94 people
participated in the Economic Development Summit. A total of 58
local businesses were represented. The Economic Development
Summit identified the strategic issues for the next step, the Task
Forces.
§ EDC appointed five Task Forces, composed of 32 community volunteers,
to develop the goal, objectives and action plans for the five key strategic
issues:
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 4 Evansville Economic Development Plan
· Workforce Development
· Downtown Revitalization
· Intergovernmental Relations (This topic was later changed to:
Business, Community and Government Relations).
· Marketing
· Entrepreneurial Environment
§ The Task Forces presented their recommendations to the Economic
Development Committee April 17, 2008.
§ The Economic Development Committee met three times to review the
task forces recommended action plans, met with selected task force
representatives to gain more clarity, and also met with representatives of
the Evansville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors before finalizing
the Economic Development Plan.
§ The Economic Development Committee approved the Plan on July 23,
2008.
KEY STRATEGIC ISSUES
Five key strategic issues are addressed in this Plan. These are: (no priority
assigned to order)
1. Workforce Development
2. Downtown Revitalization
3. Business, Community and Government Relations
4. Marketing
5. Entrepreneurial Environment
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goals and objectives for each key strategic issue are:
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 5 Evansville Economic Development Plan
§ Workforce Development
Goal: To develop and nurture co-operative working networks to secure
the resources to build an adaptable and skilled workforce with a positive
work ethic and a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Objective #1: Access and utilize existing business networks
Objective #2: Maximize the use of existing education-based networks
Objective #3: Maximize the use of community-based organizational
networks.
Objective #4: Maximize the use of government networks
§ Business, Community and Government Relations
Goal: To develop a cooperative, intergovernmental, straight-forward, and
clearly defined process to reach out, attract and retain a broad
economic base for Evansville.
Objective #1: Research options that would enable Evansville to form
a “stand-alone” Economic Development Alliance.
Objective #2: Improve Web internet tools for use by the members of
the Economic Development Alliance.
Objective #3: Expand outreach between governmental bodies, i.e.
local, county, and state.
Objective #4: Review city regulations so the regulations and process
of adhering to the regulations are streamlined, simple,
user-friendly and communicated in an easy to
understand manner.
§ Downtown Revitalization
Goal: To create a healthy, vibrant and walkable downtown by expanding
and attracting employment, shopping and social activities
Objective #1: Host a downtown retail start-up fair to connect
entrepreneurs with information on maintaining an
existing business and opening a new business and
acquiring funding.
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 6 Evansville Economic Development Plan
Objective #2: Develop a pilot business for the principle objective of
creating a template for new business start-ups.
Objective #3: Form a steering committee to develop a user-friendly
manual for city government and the public that lists a
menu of low-cost tools and strategies for revitalizing
Evansville’s central business district.
Objective #4: Create a green business initiative to form the “Allen
Creek Collective,” a green business mall in
downtown Evansville.
§ Marketing
Goal: To promote Evansville’s businesses, services and recreational
opportunities to residents, non-residents and businesses.
Objective #1: Improve marketing to local and surrounding
communities
Objective #2: Make Evansville a “destination location.”
§ Entrepreneurial Environment
Goal: To facilitate the interaction of entrepreneurial people, ideas, and
resources.
Objective #1: Create a better networking environment for local
businesses.
Objective #2: Develop greater access to high speed internet services
Objective #3: Create a Business Resource Center for the City (both
web and brick & mortar)
Objective #4: Develop incentives for existing and start-up
businesses
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 7 Evansville Economic Development Plan
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
KEY STRATEGIC ISSUES
Five key strategic issues are addressed in the Economic Development Plan.
These are: (no priority assigned to order)
1. Workforce Development
2. Downtown Revitalization
3. Business, Community and Government Relations
4. Marketing
5. Entrepreneurial Environment
ACTION PLANS
The following action plans are the outcome of the work of the task forces and
the review and discussion of the Economic Development Committee.
One theme is common across the Task Forces and points to the obvious area
for the EDC to focus to accomplish the goals of the five Task Forces in the
most efficient and comprehensive manner. Evansville needs a funded,
centralized entity to direct economic development activity and move this Plan
forward.
EDC believes that its primary action must focus on creating the structure for
some kind of partnership with the City of Evansville, the Economic
Development Committee, the Chamber of Commerce, the Redevelopment
Authority, Evansville Community Partnership and/or others (identified as an
“Alliance”). The goal of the Alliance will be to reduce redundancy and
inefficiencies in the action being taken already within the community and to
focus community leaders on a shared vision for Evansville’s economic future.
This Alliance would include a person or, perhaps, entity who would be a
centralized resource and who would be responsible for implementing many of
the Task Force objectives. For example, the Alliance would coordinate retail
fairs, market Evansville’s economic opportunities, work as a conduit between
the City of Evansville and prospective businesses, work to promote
Evansville’s community development as a way to attract businesses and
develop incentives for businesses.
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 8 Evansville Economic Development Plan
Other communities have this type of centralized person or entity in place
including Main Street Programs, Economic Development Corporations, and
hybrid actions such as in Milton, Wisconsin. EDC does not have the
information necessary to decide what structure would work best for an
Alliance in Evansville. Therefore, EDC’s first action step is to explore and
identify various options and make a recommendation to the City Council by
December of 2008.
While researching Alliance structures, EDC will undertake the following
strategic actions immediately:
1. Workforce Development: EDC will work with the Evansville Community
School District to investigate opportunities for a RISE Grant program to
parallel the framework of the Department of Public Instruction’s
Framework for 21 st Century Skills program. EDC will prompt this
investigation by October 1, 2008.
2. Downtown Revitalization: EDC will work with the Chamber of
Commerce to collect an inventory of available store fronts downtown.
EDC will request that the Chamber of Commerce complete this inventory
by October 1, 2008.
3. Business, Community and Government Relations: EDC is taking on the
work necessary to make a recommendation to the City Council for an
Alliance, as described above. This process is central to achieving the
goals of this Task Force.
4. Marketing: Improved signage in Evansville, primarily “way-finding
signs,” is in progress. The signs are expected to be installed by October,
2008.
5. Entrepreneurial Environment: EDC will work with the Chamber of
Commerce to start an Inventors & Entrepreneur’s club in Evansville, with
the goal of holding the first meeting by October 1, 2008. In addition, the
Chamber of Commerce is working with the Eager Free Public Library to
inform the community of the business resources available at the Library.
A public meeting regarding these resources is scheduled for September,
2008.
These are the first steps for implementing the Economic Development Plan.
Full details are included in the Appendix. EDC expects to charge the
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 9 Evansville Economic Development Plan
Alliance, once it is active and empowered, with the primary responsibility for
implementing the full Economic Development Plan. EDC anticipates that the
Alliance will be composed of a variety of community organizations and that it
will operate with the assistance of EDC, as needed. The Alliance will be
accountable to the EDC for implementation of the Economic Development
Plan.
OUTCOME MEASUREMENT
The Economic Development Committee will lead the progress review process
of the Plan by:
§ Requesting quarterly progress reports on the various strategic issues.
§ Meeting with selected “champions” or others involved with
implementation of the goals, as needed, to more fully understand progress
or adjust action plans as needed.
§ Discussing the overall progress of meeting the Plan’s goals and objectives
at least once every six months.
§ Reviewing the overall strategy at least once a year.
§ Using the Action Plans as a guide for topics for agendas for the Economic
Development Committee meeting agendas.
§ Requesting measurement assessments from the appropriate parties.
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 10 Evansville Economic Development Plan
APPENDIX
§ Focus Groups Report
§ Phone Interview Report
§ Summit Report
§ Task Forces Report
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 11 Evansville Economic Development Plan
WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
ãWhalen & Associates, Inc. - 1 - Evansville Economic Development Summit
Evansville Economic Development Project
DRAFT 7-17-08 (D4)dbw
Evansville
Economic Development Plan
Final Report
Prepared by:
Whalen & Associates, Inc.
June, 2008
www.whalen.com
judy@whalen.com
608-455-2090
15626 West Holt Road
Brooklyn, WI 53521
6084552090
Fax: 6084552087
Email: judy@whalen.com
www.whalen.com
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 2 Evansville Economic Development Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................... 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................... 3
BACKGROUND ................................................................................... 3
THE PROCESS .................................................................................... 3
KEY STRATEGIC ISSUES ...................................................................... 4
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ...................................................................... 4
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN ......................................................... 7
KEY STRATEGIC ISSUES ...................................................................... 7
ACTION PLANS .................................................................................. 7
OUTCOME MEASUREMENT ................................................................. 9
APPENDIX
Special recognition and thank you to Rebecca DeMarb,Evansville Economic Development Committee
and James Otterstein, Rock County Economic Development Manager for the their efforts in drafting
and editing this document.
▲ _______________________________________________________________WHALEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 3 Evansville Economic Development Plan
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
The Evansville Economic Development Committee (“EDC”) contracted
Whalen & Associates, Inc. in June, 2007 to design and facilitate a process that
would result in an Economic Development Plan (the “Plan”). The project
fulfills an action item of Evansville’s Smart Growth Plan. The Smart Growth
Plan on page 133 states that Evansville “needs more commercial and industrial
development to permit the City to reduce its relatively high property tax rate
without reducing services.” (The related action item is #9 on page 213.) The
project’s planning team consisted of Mayor Sandy Decker, City Administrator
Dan Wietecha, Chamber of Commerce Promotional Director Bridgit Larsen
and consultant Judy Whalen.
THE PROCESS
§ EDC used a series of information gathering activities to provide data
from which the Plan would be developed including:
· Focus Groups – Five focus groups were conducted involving 26
representatives of agribusiness, manufacturing, retail, service and
construction/development.
· Phone Survey - 135 businesses were identified to be contacted by
the UW-Whitewater Small Business Development Center (SBDC.)
Thirty-three phone surveys were completed as of January 20,
2008.
· Summit – The Economic Development Summit was conducted
January 12, 2008 to provide business representatives the
opportunity to provide further input into the topics that should be
addressed in the Economic Development Plan. 94 people
participated in the Economic Development Summit. A total of 58
local businesses were represented. The Economic Development
Summit identified the strategic issues for the next step, the Task
Forces.
§ EDC appointed five Task Forces, composed of 32 community volunteers,
to develop the goal, objectives and action plans for the five key strategic
issues:
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©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 4 Evansville Economic Development Plan
· Workforce Development
· Downtown Revitalization
· Intergovernmental Relations (This topic was later changed to:
Business, Community and Government Relations).
· Marketing
· Entrepreneurial Environment
§ The Task Forces presented their recommendations to the Economic
Development Committee April 17, 2008.
§ The Economic Development Committee met three times to review the
task forces recommended action plans, met with selected task force
representatives to gain more clarity, and also met with representatives of
the Evansville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors before finalizing
the Economic Development Plan.
§ The Economic Development Committee approved the Plan on July 23,
2008.
KEY STRATEGIC ISSUES
Five key strategic issues are addressed in this Plan. These are: (no priority
assigned to order)
1. Workforce Development
2. Downtown Revitalization
3. Business, Community and Government Relations
4. Marketing
5. Entrepreneurial Environment
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goals and objectives for each key strategic issue are:
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©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 5 Evansville Economic Development Plan
§ Workforce Development
Goal: To develop and nurture co-operative working networks to secure
the resources to build an adaptable and skilled workforce with a positive
work ethic and a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Objective #1: Access and utilize existing business networks
Objective #2: Maximize the use of existing education-based networks
Objective #3: Maximize the use of community-based organizational
networks.
Objective #4: Maximize the use of government networks
§ Business, Community and Government Relations
Goal: To develop a cooperative, intergovernmental, straight-forward, and
clearly defined process to reach out, attract and retain a broad
economic base for Evansville.
Objective #1: Research options that would enable Evansville to form
a “stand-alone” Economic Development Alliance.
Objective #2: Improve Web internet tools for use by the members of
the Economic Development Alliance.
Objective #3: Expand outreach between governmental bodies, i.e.
local, county, and state.
Objective #4: Review city regulations so the regulations and process
of adhering to the regulations are streamlined, simple,
user-friendly and communicated in an easy to
understand manner.
§ Downtown Revitalization
Goal: To create a healthy, vibrant and walkable downtown by expanding
and attracting employment, shopping and social activities
Objective #1: Host a downtown retail start-up fair to connect
entrepreneurs with information on maintaining an
existing business and opening a new business and
acquiring funding.
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©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 6 Evansville Economic Development Plan
Objective #2: Develop a pilot business for the principle objective of
creating a template for new business start-ups.
Objective #3: Form a steering committee to develop a user-friendly
manual for city government and the public that lists a
menu of low-cost tools and strategies for revitalizing
Evansville’s central business district.
Objective #4: Create a green business initiative to form the “Allen
Creek Collective,” a green business mall in
downtown Evansville.
§ Marketing
Goal: To promote Evansville’s businesses, services and recreational
opportunities to residents, non-residents and businesses.
Objective #1: Improve marketing to local and surrounding
communities
Objective #2: Make Evansville a “destination location.”
§ Entrepreneurial Environment
Goal: To facilitate the interaction of entrepreneurial people, ideas, and
resources.
Objective #1: Create a better networking environment for local
businesses.
Objective #2: Develop greater access to high speed internet services
Objective #3: Create a Business Resource Center for the City (both
web and brick & mortar)
Objective #4: Develop incentives for existing and start-up
businesses
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©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 7 Evansville Economic Development Plan
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
KEY STRATEGIC ISSUES
Five key strategic issues are addressed in the Economic Development Plan.
These are: (no priority assigned to order)
1. Workforce Development
2. Downtown Revitalization
3. Business, Community and Government Relations
4. Marketing
5. Entrepreneurial Environment
ACTION PLANS
The following action plans are the outcome of the work of the task forces and
the review and discussion of the Economic Development Committee.
One theme is common across the Task Forces and points to the obvious area
for the EDC to focus to accomplish the goals of the five Task Forces in the
most efficient and comprehensive manner. Evansville needs a funded,
centralized entity to direct economic development activity and move this Plan
forward.
EDC believes that its primary action must focus on creating the structure for
some kind of partnership with the City of Evansville, the Economic
Development Committee, the Chamber of Commerce, the Redevelopment
Authority, Evansville Community Partnership and/or others (identified as an
“Alliance”). The goal of the Alliance will be to reduce redundancy and
inefficiencies in the action being taken already within the community and to
focus community leaders on a shared vision for Evansville’s economic future.
This Alliance would include a person or, perhaps, entity who would be a
centralized resource and who would be responsible for implementing many of
the Task Force objectives. For example, the Alliance would coordinate retail
fairs, market Evansville’s economic opportunities, work as a conduit between
the City of Evansville and prospective businesses, work to promote
Evansville’s community development as a way to attract businesses and
develop incentives for businesses.
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©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 8 Evansville Economic Development Plan
Other communities have this type of centralized person or entity in place
including Main Street Programs, Economic Development Corporations, and
hybrid actions such as in Milton, Wisconsin. EDC does not have the
information necessary to decide what structure would work best for an
Alliance in Evansville. Therefore, EDC’s first action step is to explore and
identify various options and make a recommendation to the City Council by
December of 2008.
While researching Alliance structures, EDC will undertake the following
strategic actions immediately:
1. Workforce Development: EDC will work with the Evansville Community
School District to investigate opportunities for a RISE Grant program to
parallel the framework of the Department of Public Instruction’s
Framework for 21 st Century Skills program. EDC will prompt this
investigation by October 1, 2008.
2. Downtown Revitalization: EDC will work with the Chamber of
Commerce to collect an inventory of available store fronts downtown.
EDC will request that the Chamber of Commerce complete this inventory
by October 1, 2008.
3. Business, Community and Government Relations: EDC is taking on the
work necessary to make a recommendation to the City Council for an
Alliance, as described above. This process is central to achieving the
goals of this Task Force.
4. Marketing: Improved signage in Evansville, primarily “way-finding
signs,” is in progress. The signs are expected to be installed by October,
2008.
5. Entrepreneurial Environment: EDC will work with the Chamber of
Commerce to start an Inventors & Entrepreneur’s club in Evansville, with
the goal of holding the first meeting by October 1, 2008. In addition, the
Chamber of Commerce is working with the Eager Free Public Library to
inform the community of the business resources available at the Library.
A public meeting regarding these resources is scheduled for September,
2008.
These are the first steps for implementing the Economic Development Plan.
Full details are included in the Appendix. EDC expects to charge the
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©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 9 Evansville Economic Development Plan
Alliance, once it is active and empowered, with the primary responsibility for
implementing the full Economic Development Plan. EDC anticipates that the
Alliance will be composed of a variety of community organizations and that it
will operate with the assistance of EDC, as needed. The Alliance will be
accountable to the EDC for implementation of the Economic Development
Plan.
OUTCOME MEASUREMENT
The Economic Development Committee will lead the progress review process
of the Plan by:
§ Requesting quarterly progress reports on the various strategic issues.
§ Meeting with selected “champions” or others involved with
implementation of the goals, as needed, to more fully understand progress
or adjust action plans as needed.
§ Discussing the overall progress of meeting the Plan’s goals and objectives
at least once every six months.
§ Reviewing the overall strategy at least once a year.
§ Using the Action Plans as a guide for topics for agendas for the Economic
Development Committee meeting agendas.
§ Requesting measurement assessments from the appropriate parties.
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©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 10 Evansville Economic Development Plan
APPENDIX
§ Focus Groups Report
§ Phone Interview Report
§ Summit Report
§ Task Forces Report
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©Whalen & Associates, Inc. 11 Evansville Economic Development Plan
Economic Development meets July 23rd: 10:45AM Approval of Development Plan on Agenda
Click on the post for the full agenda.
St.Paul; Republican Convention: "Wallflowers" will not be playing for Ag party
The party for high end ag producers attending the Republican National Convention will not hear the "Wallflowers" band featuring Jacob Dylan. Alas. The party will be held in Minneapolis. The pattern here seems to be, convene in St. Paul, and party, party in Minneapolis.
The Observer, not invited to the high end ag producers party, will be staying in St. Paul and reporting from more mundane regular citizen haunts. Stay tuned. Street View coverage. Coming in September on The Evansville Observer.
Click on the post for the full story from twincities.com
The Observer, not invited to the high end ag producers party, will be staying in St. Paul and reporting from more mundane regular citizen haunts. Stay tuned. Street View coverage. Coming in September on The Evansville Observer.
Click on the post for the full story from twincities.com
St.Paul: Preparations Pick up Pace for Republican Convention Sept 1-4
Click on the post for the official view of the coming Republican National Convention in St. Paul on September 1-4. The excitement and planning process has picked up pace.
The Evansville Observer in cooperation with experienced news outlets in St. Paul, hopes to provide "streetview" coverage of the convention----the down to earth audio and video and print coverage that you have come to expect on the Evansville Observer. Distributed by RSS or podcast, stories will be distributed on The Observer network of blogs as well as affiliated print media. I am looking forward to introducing some fresh writers as well as photojournalists to my readers.
As far as concern whether we will be able to adequately cover the nightlife of St. Paul and all of it's rich Irish heritage. Relax. If I can handle the Blooze Brothers, I can handle some Irish bands. Stay tuned.
The Evansville Observer in cooperation with experienced news outlets in St. Paul, hopes to provide "streetview" coverage of the convention----the down to earth audio and video and print coverage that you have come to expect on the Evansville Observer. Distributed by RSS or podcast, stories will be distributed on The Observer network of blogs as well as affiliated print media. I am looking forward to introducing some fresh writers as well as photojournalists to my readers.
As far as concern whether we will be able to adequately cover the nightlife of St. Paul and all of it's rich Irish heritage. Relax. If I can handle the Blooze Brothers, I can handle some Irish bands. Stay tuned.
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