Saturday, February 16, 2019

Former U.S. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick defrocked over sexual abuse




Good.

"Illinois Worker Who Opened Fire Inside Factory Had No Permit for Gun"

The police identified the five people who were killed in a shooting at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Ill., on Friday.CreditCreditScott Olson/Getty Images
"AURORA, Ill. — An angry worker who opened fire inside a suburban Chicago factory where he had worked for years was barred from having the handgun he was carrying, officials said on Saturday."



Once again, restrictive gun laws fail to keep a nut-job from laying his hands on a weapon and killing.  

City of Racine billed more than $75K on attorney fees in Weidner case

From The Journal Times.com:





  • RACINE — According to invoices obtained through a public records request, the City of Racine has been billed more than $75,000 in attorney fees for the open records case against Alderman Sandy Weidner.
    . . .
    Bill Lueders from the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council stated that “it’s no wonder the City of Racine tried to keep these records secret.”

    “They document an enormous waste of taxpayer dollars in pursuit of a goal that is antithetical to taxpayers’ interests,” Lueders wrote in an email. “There was never any reason for trying to shield these record from public view, and even less reason for the city to try to punish Ald. Weidner for blowing the whistle on its abusive behavior. I think the citizens of Racine have every right to be hopping mad.”

    Read more:  https://journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-of-racine-billed-more-than-k-on-attorney-fees/article_abb38312-231a-5249-acdc-6e0a92e1a771.html


    Write in Sandy Weidner for Mayor on April 2nd

    Jackyl - Dirty Little Mind

    KC and the Sunshine Band - Get down tonight

    Open Blog - Weekend


    Finally, you're here.

    Friday, February 15, 2019

    Real estate investors could have been killed in booby-trapped Philadelphia house



    That's one way to stop home invasions.

    Four for Fridays!

    Good morning everyone I hope you have enjoyed the nice weather we had yesterday. Here are your questions.

    1) Did you do anything for Valentine's Day?

    2) If you did do something what did you do?

    3) Did you get anything for Valentine's Day?

    4) Did you give anyone something for Valentine's Day?

    Have a great weekend and stay warm.

    Open Blog - Friday


    Oh yeah!

    Thursday, February 14, 2019

    Secret Court Proponent Mayor Cory Mason

    Dear City of Racine Alderpersons, 
     
    From Racine County Corruption: 
     
    Link: http://racinecountycorruption.blogspot.com/2019/02/outrageous-conduct-by-city-officialsis.html 
     
    Outrageous conduct by city officials is no secret! 
     
    Secret surveys, secret meetings, secret government and secret courts are 
    Mayor Cory Mason and city attorney Scott Letteney's legacy. 
     
     In the open records case of Weidner vs. City of Racine, Racine 
    Circuit Court case # 2017CV1644, the paranoia of Letteney and Mason 
    are illuminated by the City's ridiculous claims of "Talking Racine" 
    producer Jim Spodick and panelist George Meyers 
    being labeled as a danger to the community. 
     
    This paranoia is so embedded into city government that Alderman Sandy 
    Weidner wrongfully endured for over 7 months the darkness of a secret 
    court for performing her duties as a city alderman.  City of Racine 
    attorney Scott Letteney filed frivolous documents and abused claims of 
    attorney privileges into a secret and complicit court. 
    During these court proceedings, Mayor Cory Mason's silence was and 
    still is deafening. 
     
    The Mayor cannot deny his involvement in this outrageous secret court case. 
    Under Wisconsin Statutes 62.09(1),(8)(a)   " The mayor shall be the 
    chief executive officer. The mayor shall take care that city 
    ordinances and state laws are observed and enforced and that all city 
    officers and employees discharge their duties".  (emphasis added) 
     
    Mayor Mason's knowledge of the Machinery Row scandal is well 
    documented which involves straw man purchase Rodney Blackwell. 
    Taxpayer money was misappropriated and squandered without public 
    scrutiny and accountability.  The city acted as scofflaws as active 
    businesses were disrupted and forced to relocate without compensation 
    or due process. 
     
    Mason further commissioned a police morale survey in a most deviant 
    way, undermining and circumventing established checks and balances 
    within government.  These checks and balances are in place to prevent 
    officials acting maliciously, or on a whim squandering public funds. 
    Mason hired the law firm by the hour to avoid the scrutiny of the city 
    council .  The Racine Journal Times has reported cost of $118,000 and 
    rising for the survey. Despite the public paying for the report, Mason 
    has denied the public the right to be informed of the contents of the 
    report. 
     
    Why? because it is a secret! 
     
    You may read more here: 
    https://journaltimes.com/news/local/city-has-spent-on-still-unreleased-mayor-ordered-police-study/article_5236dbcc-8f6c-5ddf-8bca-5d909a85dc42.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1 
     
    What else is Mason hiding ? How about the hiring of a city applicant 
    who failed preliminary pre hire drug screening and kept that failed 
    test information secret from the city council. 
     
    It is all in the secret, redacted court records. 
     
    Secrets secrets and more secrets. 
     
    Mason's use and abuse of the powers of the city attorney's office to 
    act as henchmen silencing his critics is beyond outrageous,  Mason has 
    created a tyrannical empire of secrecy which by design ignores 
    citizen's rights and impedes upon a free society 
    right to be informed. 
     
    As city attorney, Scott Letteney's management of open records request 
    is also beyond outrageous. Mr. Letteney's office by design is derelict 
    of it's official duties to properly respond to records request.  His 
    office systematically delays, denies and defers open records requests 
    for months on end, ignoring and flaunting the laws that govern timely 
    and reasonable response times. 
     
    The question was asked earlier: 
     
    But who is working for who ? 
     
    Well the answer is neither Mason nor Letteney are working on the 
    behalf of public interest. 
     
    SO - who are Mason and Letteney actually representing? 
     
    General Incompetence and Malfeasance reigns supreme in the disorderly 
    Racine City Hall ruled by horribly incompetent elect Mayor Cory Mason 
    - and his 4 overpaid and unnecessary co-horts hiding in the City 
    Administration Office. 
     
    It is well past time to rectify the situation and do the right action 
    for City of Racine Taxpayers. In addition, pursue criminal charges 
    against Malfeasant Officials - and demand  restitution to make 
    Taxpayers whole again. 
     
    It is glaringly obvious that City of Racine can now *FIRE* 3 
    unnecessary positions from the 5 currently ensconced in the Mayor's 
    Office - begin wage and compensation decreases  - to better match that 
    of 3rd World Nations, and emerging economies, and.... 
     
    *FIRE* Glaringly Incompetent City Attorney Scott  Letteney and his 
    entire incompetent and seemingly malfeasant staff. When public records 
    are made secret - Racine Residents are being ruled by mentally ill 
    Tyrants. 
     
    *FIRE* Glaringly Incompetent City Administrator (Profit? Loss? 
    Revenue? Expense? - what's the difference) Nick Palenick - who is 
    completely lost to the basics of a balance sheet. 
     
    *RESIGN* Cory! Who ran for Mayor but believed he couldn't do the job 
    so he demanded two more in the Mayor's Office - 3+2 = 5. THIS IS 
    OUTRAGEOUS! 
     
    *FREE* Sandy! STOP the HATE! End the oppression of a courageous 
    Alderperson who performed her role with diligence, respect for the 
    rule of law, and utmost consideration for her constituents. 
     
    Sincerely, 
     
    Tim & Cindy 

    Dear Village Board,

    Amazon is pulling it's HQ from New York! An OPPORTUNITY for Mount 
    Pleasant after the Foxscam Fiasco Failure. 
     
    Zerohedge Reports: 
     
    As it turns out, those reports about Amazon reconsidering its plan to 
    build one of its "HQ2s" in the Queens neighborhood of Long Island City 
    weren't just trial balloons intended as a warning to New York Gov. 
    Andrew Cuomo to get his people in line. 
     
    Because in a Thursday announcement that will undoubtedly be heralded 
    as a major victory by "Democratic Socialists" like Alexandria 
    Ocasio-Cortez, the e-commerce giant announced that it would scrap its 
    plans to move to New York City, much to the chagrin of Cuomo and de 
    Blasio, who signed off on a $3 billion package of "performance based" 
    state, city and public-private incentives offered to Amazon. 
     
    Amazon shares have rallied in the aftermath of the announcement. 
     
    But the ramifications for New York State politics will be far more profound. 
     
    Amazon didn't mince words in its statement, placing the blame for its 
    decision to deprive the state of what Cuomo's office once described as 
    one of the biggest economic boons in recent decades squarely on the 
    shoulders of progressive New York lawmakers who objected to the deal. 
     
    The decision to pull out of NYC comes after New York State lawmakers 
    nominated one of the deal's fiercest opponents to a state board that 
    would grant him the power to unilaterally kill the state component of 
    the incentive package. NYC progressives and "Democratic socialists" 
    like AOC can claim a major victory over their corporate adversaries. 
    Queens real-estate brokers on the other hand are reacting with a mix 
    of "shock, anger and disbelief" as condo sales soared in the wake of 
    the Amazon deal... 
     
    https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-14/bezos-pulls-out-amazon-scraps-plan-ny-hq2 
     
    Things in MTP favor: 
     
    1. The opposition to Foxconn was completely crushed by the 
    questionably legal actions of the government - which was held to be 
    unaccountable by any reasonable standard. 
     
    2. The extreme and questionably legal  damage to the Residents and 
    Environment has already been accomplished. Farmland has been 
    peramentally destroyed. 
     
    3. Huge taxpayer commitments have been made, massive debt taken on, 
    debt service increased, while bond ratings have dropped - forcing 
    larger interest payments on debt service to Banksters. 
     
    4. Foxconn has already admitted that Wisconsin Workers can't compete 
    in a Global  Economy and that their plans have changed. They intend to 
    manufacture -ZERO- product in MTP. 
     
    5. Racine County Residents can't afford to pay the additional costa 
    and debt service for the Foxscam Fiasco Failure - and they will need 
    relief. ALA a PLAN "B" 
     
    6. Instead of plan "B" being bankruptcy - it might be "B"ezos - as in 
    Amazon locating it's HQ in MTP. 
     
    7. Local Residents have already been beaten into submission - Farmland 
    destroyed - and infrastructure is nearly ready - since Foxconn has 
    changed it's plans - open the door to Jeff Bezos/Amazon  and 
    prosperity he will bring to MTP. 
     
    BRING IT ON! 
     
    Sincerely, 
     
    Tim & Cindy

    AOC Celebrates "Defeat" Of World's Richest Man's "Worker Exploitation" As Amazon Abandons NY



    Update 4: Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein took some time off from his retirement bliss to offer his two cents on Thursday's Amazon news, blasting progressive dems like AOC for being "anti-progress" and also "anti-democratic"
    After killing Amazon's NYC HQ, not sure some progressive democrats deserve either title. This move was both anti-progress (negative for development and tech jobs) and anti-democratic (polls show 70% of NYers were in favor). Victory lap for them, not for NYC.
    Their cheering at Amazon's pull-out is a "victory lap for them" and their narrow political interests, not for the people of New York.

    Read more:  https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-14/bezos-pulls-out-amazon-scraps-plan-ny-hq2

    10 Companies That Ripped You Off

    Open Blog - St. Valentine's Day


    Happy Valentine's Day.

    Wednesday, February 13, 2019

    When Pedophilia goes Mainstream



    Owen Benjamin calls out Hollywood's biggest monster. Arthur C. Clarke... so what are the odds. One 26-minute silent film and he's handed a 7-year multi-million-dollar movie contract. Why? Because he demonstrated his ability to be subversive about his sickness in a subtle manner that did not alert the audience.

    Read more:  http://voxday.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-sickness-of-spielberg.html

    Foxconn's big plans for its Milwaukee headquarters have yet to materialize, city records indicate

    From JSOnline:

    , Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Published 8:18 a.m. CT Feb. 13, 2019 | Updated 9:50 a.m. CT Feb. 13, 2019

    Foxconn Technology Group last July said it planned to soon begin upgrades and modernization to turn its downtown Milwaukee headquarters into a "state-of-the-art facility" showcasing the firm's "continuing innovation in leading-edge technologies," but city records indicate that little work has been done. (Photo: Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.)

    Months after Foxconn said it planned to start turning a downtown Milwaukee office building into a state-of-the-art headquarters displaying its “continuing innovation in leading-edge technologies,” city records indicate that little work has been done.

    Announcing last July that it was seeking architects and engineers for the project, the firm said its headquarters would “showcase the vibrant AI 8K+5G ecosystem that Foxconn is building.”

    And because the headquarters would play a vital role in recruiting “the best and brightest talent” to Foxconn, the company said it would need “a state-of-the-art facility.”

    The work was slated to begin in September, Foxconn said.

    Wasting Taxpayer Dollars Again and Again - WHile Hiding Behind the Potential Results

    Dear City of Racine Alderpersons, 
     
    Journal Times has done an outstanding job of reporting on, and 
    attempting to discover where over $118,00 of taxpayer generated funds 
    has - once again - simply disappeared to. 
     
    See: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/city-has-spent-on-still-unreleased-mayor-ordered-police-study/article_5236dbcc-8f6c-5ddf-8bca-5d909a85dc42.html#tncms-source=infinity-scroll-summary-siderail-latest 
     
    And of course - a controversy over whether the funds could be 
    disbursed without Common Council approval has begun - with 
    (incompetent - or so I claim) City Attorney Scott Letteney 
    (observations based upon classifying ordinary Open Record E-Mails as 
    Attorney Client privilege) claiming that he can essentially spend any 
    amount he deems necessary, even when it exceeds the statutory 
    aggregate limit of $50,000 - because instead of billing a one time 
    "total amount" - it is instead - billed in hourly increments at less 
    than $50,000 per hour. (LOL) 
     
    Per Journal Times: 
     
    "Usually when it comes to the “procurement of professional services,” 
    City Council approval is needed if the cost of the professional 
    services exceeds $50,000 in a given year. However, since MWH Law Group 
    was paid via hourly rate for its attorneys and not a predetermined 
    fee, then council approval wasn’t necessary, Letteney said". 
     
    Dear City Alderpersons, I have some services I would like to sell you 
    at $49,999.99 per hour........ 
     
    General Incompetence and Malfeasance reigns supreme in the disorderly 
    Racine City Hall ruled by horribly incompetent elect Mayor Cory Mason 
    - and his 4 overpaid and unnecessary co-horts hiding in the City 
    Administration Office. 
     
    It is well past time to rectify the situation and do the right action 
    for City of Racine Taxpayers. In addition, pursue criminal charges 
    against Malfeasant Officials - and demand  restitution to make 
    Taxpayers whole again. 
     
    It is glaringly obvious that City of Racine can now *FIRE* 3 
    unnecessary positions from the 5 currently ensconced in the Mayor's 
    Office - begin wage and compensation decreases  - to better match that 
    of 3rd World Nations, and emerging economies, and.... 
     
    *FIRE* Glaringly Incompetent City Attorney Scott  Letteney and his 
    entire incompetent and seemingly malfeasant staff. When public records 
    are made secret - Racine Residents are being ruled by mentally ill 
    Tyrants. 
     
    *FIRE* Glaringly Incompetent City Administrator (Profit? Loss? 
    Revenue? Expense? - what's the difference) Nick Palenick - who is 
    completely lost to the basics of a balance sheet. 
     
    *RESIGN* Cory! Who ran for Mayor but believed he couldn't do the job 
    so he demanded two more in the Mayor's Office - 3+2 = 5. THIS IS 
    OUTRAGEOUS! 
     
    *FREE* Sandy! STOP the HATE! End the oppression of a courageous 
    Alderperson who performed her role with diligence, respect for the 
    rule of law, and utmost consideration for her constituents. 
     
    Sincerely, 
     
    Tim & Cindy 

    Dear Madame Zoltar

    Hello, my dears!  How are you? Have you dug out from yesterday's snowstorm?  Good, because there's more on the way tomorrow.  Who would have expected our winter to turn into a real winter halfway through the season?  We've had mild winters and got soft.  Sneaky darn winter.  Which is worse, being buried in snow or frozen in a deep freeze?  Come to Wisconsin where you can experience both at the same time.

    Guess what?  It turns out that Mr. Mayor Cory "Butterball" Mason is just as crooked as his two predecessors.  From the absurdly low assessment of his home to the secrets of a study we paid over $110 K for, but which Mayor Butterball won't release without first putting lipstick on the pig.  What does Mayor Butterball do all day besides eat and give jobs to friends?  As a local wit put it, we're already sick of the Coryuption taking place.  Yet, once again a mayor runs unopposed in the spring election.  Once again the crooks enjoy a feeding frenzy at the taxpayer provided tables.

    Oh Lord, when will this burden of false mayors be lifted?

    When will councilmen challenge the crimes committed by Butterball and his ilk?

    "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, the answer is blowin' in the wind."  In other words, we're screwed.

    Hasn't it always been that way?  Always been the party at the top that drips corruption onto those below?  Oh my.  Politics is a dirty, dirty business.  There may be some hope in a thing called #HOT Government - Honest, Open, and Trustworthy.  People running under that banner can expect a very thorough vetting.

    Oh, and Robin Vos characterized his dealings with Governor Evers as a "chess match."  So, instead of everyone pulling for the common good, they're supposed to approach their peers with suspicion and distrust.  I think the reason that politicians fight so much is because they haven't the faintest idea of how to solve our problems, so they just make noise instead.  "I'll beat those darn Democrats (or Republicans or whatever)" is a lot easier statement to live up to than "I'll beat those darn roads, or taxes, or whatever."

    Oh dear, I've spent the whole blog carping about politics.  Well, that's not hard to do in Racine, home to the secret government and secret courts.  It's like a Kafka novel.  



    "Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep."  Truer words have never been spoken.

    I love you.  Never forget that.  I'm always here for you.  madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

    If you like winter sports, have at it.  If you hate winter, cry with me.  Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo.
    _________________________ 
    Please donate: paypal.me/jgmazelis  If you don't like PayPal, send me a note at madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com and I'll send you my street address so you can send a check or money order.  Thank you.

    Open Blog - Wednesday


    Don't mess with Odin.

    Tuesday, February 12, 2019

    It’s the Cupidity, Stupid

    From The Shepherd Express:

    I’m Art Kumbalek and man oh manischewitz what a world, ain’a? And to whom it may concern, I was reminded the Valentine’s Day is just around the corner when I was in the tavern last night honing the final shellac to this essay. I heard one guy say, “My wife’s an angel.” And the guy next to him says, “You’re lucky. Mine’s still alive.”
    So I’d like to remind all the fellas at this late date to not forget the focking flowers ’cause the ladies go for them in a big way, I kid you not. Like this one woman who was talking to the neighbor lady “over the fence” when she sees her husband coming home carrying a bunch of some kind of flowers. “Isn’t that nice, he’s bringing you flowers,” the neighbor lady says. The woman says, “Oh, great. Looks like another weekend flat on my back with my feet up in the air!” And the neighbor says, “What—you don’t have a vase?” Ba-ding!
    And I’d also like to remind the gents that I’ve read that the ladies supposedly really go for a guy with a sense of humor. You might want to take that with a grain of salt though, ’cause if that was so true how come my name’s Art Kumbalek and not Don focking Juan? You tell me. And then I’ll tell you that it couldn’t hurt to try out a little humor on your gal while you strap on the feedbag at your fancy-schmancy Valentine’s dinner, especially if it’s the first time you’s are out together. Here’s a couple, three little stories free-of-charge that are guaranteed to impress and which you should memorize so you don’t get caught with your pants down in the humor department, what the fock.
    Two cannibals, father and son, were elected by the tribe to go out and get something to eat. Deep into the jungle they went and waited near a path. Before long, along came a little old man. The son says, “Hey Pops, how ’bout that one?” And the dad cannibal says, “No son. Not enough meat to even feed the dogs. We’ll wait.”
    Little while later, along comes a really large woman. Son says, “Hey Dad, she’s plenty big enough, ain’a?” The dad says, “We’d all die of a heart attack from the fat in that one. We’ll wait.”
    And an hour later, strolling along is an abso-focking-lutely gorgeous gal. Son says, “She’s perfect. Let’s eat her.” Dad says, “No, we’ll not eat her either.” Son says, “Why the heck not?” Dad cannibal says, “Because we’re going to take her back alive and eat your mother.” Ba-ding!
    If you’ve heard the next one, now you’re going to hear it again:
    Man goes to see the Rabbi. “Rabbi, something terrible is happening and I have to talk to you about it.”
    The Rabbi asked, “What’s wrong?”
    The man replied, “My wife is poisoning me.”
    The Rabbi, very surprised by this, asks, “How can that be?”
    The man then pleads, “I’m telling you, I’m certain she’s poisoning me, what should I do?”
    The Rabbi says, “Tell you what. Let me talk to her, I’ll see what I can find out and I’ll let you know.”
    A week later the Rabbi calls the man and says, “Well, I spoke to your wife. I spoke to her on the phone for three hours. You want my advice?”
    The man anxiously says, “Yes.
    “Take the poison,” says the Rabbi. Ba-ding!
    This guy walks into a bar and orders an ice-cold bottled beer, swigs it down, looks in his pocket, shudders and orders another. He gulps that one down, looks in his pocket again, cringes and orders another tall and frosty. This goes on for about two hours. Finally the bartender says, “Hey pal, it’s none of my business but I got to ask. What’s with the ‘drink, look in pocket, cringe, and order another’ routine?” And the guy says, “There’s a picture of my wife in my pocket. When she starts to look good, it’s time for me to go home.” Ba-ding!
    And if you plan to propose the betrothal on Valentine’s Day, here’s one your bride-to-be may enjoy:
    Two old friends meet each other on the street. The one says to the other, “What brings you my way today, after so long?” The other says, “I’m coming from the cemetery. I just buried my mother-in-law.” The one says, “I’m sorry to hear the news. But why is your face scratched all over?” And the other says, “The burial was difficult. She put up a hell of a fight.” Ba-ding!
    So with the Valentine’s Day and all, good luck and god speed with your love and romance. And as tradition here dictates, let me remind you what the famous Greek philosopher Anonymous said about that: “The ideal relationship can only be achieved when one partner is blind, and the other is deaf,” ’cause I’m Art Kumbalek and I told you so.

    From:  https://shepherdexpress.com/advice/art-kumbalek/its-the-cupidity-stupid/

    Bet that packs a punch! Mike Tyson spotted smoking FOOT-LONG joint at marijuana festival (VIDEO)

     
    Boxing legend Mike Tyson has been spotted smoking a foot-long joint at a cannabis festival in Los Angeles, earning the title of the “heavy-weed champion of the world” from some observers.

    The 52-year-old former boxing star, who is a well-known marijuana advocate, attended the cannabis-themed event in California where he toked on a giant joint which he was forced to hold with both hands.

    After California legalized recreational marijuana, Tyson bought a 40-acre cannabis ranch next to the Death Valley in a move to set up his own weed-connected business.

    Read more:  https://www.rt.com/sport/451184-mike-tyson-cannabis-festival/

    Open Blog - Tuesday


    Happy birthday to you!

    Sunday, February 10, 2019

    Wolves in Front - Wolves Behind

    Wolves in the Southern Baptist pulpits 
     
    This report on the Southern Baptist hierarchy and various church 
    leaderships attempting to protect sexual predators doesn't surprise 
    me. Back when I was in the States, the pastor of our Southern Baptist 
    church told me of two separate attempts to take over churches by 
    people who were of nefarious attempt. Not all that glitters is gold 
    and not everyone who says they are Christian actually serves Jesus 
    Christ. This is the price of ignoring Paul's warning about wolves in 
    sheep's clothing as well as the ill-considered belief in forgiving the 
    unrepentant. 
     
    http://voxday.blogspot.com/2019/02/wolves-in-southern-baptist-pulpits.html

    Your Brain on Dope!

    In August of 2017, we wrote an editorial headlined: “Legislature needs 
    to fix Scott Walker's flawed Foxconn deal.” Noting former state Senate 
    Minority Leader Mark Miller’s observation that “the governor has been 
    suckered once again,” we argued, “Now, it falls to the Legislature to 
    address the fundamental flaws in the deal Walker has cut with Foxconn. 
    The power of the purse gives legislators the authority to check and 
    balance Walker’s deal making, and they have a responsibility to do 
    just that.” 
     
    Instead of stepping up for sound economic development and fiscal 
    responsibility, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Burlington, and Senate 
    Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, lined up with Walker. They 
    joined the governor in approving an arrangement that lacked meaningful 
    guarantees and oversight. 
     
    https://madison.com/ct/opinion/editorial/editorial-robin-vos-and-scott-fitzgerald-are-contemptible-liars/article_85f547ff-3324-5b35-83e2-5bc1b5e0aaad.html?fbclid=IwAR0yKE00CQWLKcJ5

    City of Vice

    Dear City of Racine Alderpersons, 
     
    According to the Journal-Sentinel: 
     
    The more we know about efforts by officials in Racine to shield public 
    records from public view, the more outrageous it seems. 
     
    In late January, the office of Racine City Attorney Scott Letteney 
    disclosed a summary of records it has fought tooth and nail to keep 
    secret. It showed these to be ordinary email communications, mainly 
    between Racine Ald. Sandra Weidner and her constituents. 
     
    In one email, Weidner asked the city attorney’s office whether a given 
    contract would need city council approval. Another attached a 
    resolution regarding the creation of a redevelopment authority. There 
    were also emails concerning a bar license and a constituent's claim 
    for garage damages. 
     
    These are the kinds of records routinely released by local governments 
    throughout the state. 
     
    Yet Letteney’s reaction suggests the emails contained vital national 
    security secrets, perhaps the nuclear launch codes. He believes, 
    apparently, that any communication from within city government that 
    intersects with the work of his office is top secret. 
     
    Letteney’s bad judgment was matched by that of Racine City Judge 
    Eugene Gasiorkiewicz, who agreed to seal the entire file of Weidner’s 
    lawsuit challenging the city attorney’s actions. Even the judge’s 
    ruling, which found that some of these records should be public, was 
    filed under seal. 
     
    The public was literally denied the right to know about a lawsuit 
    regarding its right to know. 
     
    And when Weidner did the courageous thing and went public with 
    information about the case, Letteney demanded and Gasiorkiewicz 
    imposed a contempt of court charge against her. 
     
    It gets even worse. 
     
    A request from the Racine Journal Times for records showing how much 
    city taxpayers were paying an outside law firm to go after Weidner was 
    denied, on grounds that these were filed under seal. 
     
    As the Journal Times reported, the released invoices show Racine 
    taxpayers have shelled out nearly $18,000 to fund Letteney’s crusade 
    against Weidner. This went to pay two attorneys $350 and $205 an hour, 
    respectively, for about 68 hours of work. Weidner’s attorney, Terry 
    Rose, deemed these fees “excessive in light of the issues involved,” 
    noting that his defense of Weidner, at $300 an hour, came to less than 
    $3,500. 
     
    Let us be clear about what has happened. City Attorney Letteney, with 
    Judge Gasiorkiewicz’s help, has wasted many thousands of taxpayer 
    dollars to embrace a shocking level of official secrecy. Weidner and 
    media organizations have, at their own expense, pushed back against 
    this, and thus far prevailed. 
     
    But the wrong that has been done here has not yet been righted. There 
    ought to be consequences for the bad judgment shown by Letteney and 
    Gasiorkiewicz, as well as by Racine Mayor Cory Mason — who, as far as 
    I can tell, has sat on his hands as this outrage has played out in his 
    city. 
     
    The violation of the public trust here has been severe. The 
    repercussions should be also. 
     
    Link: https://www.jsonline.com/story/opinion/contributors/2019/02/07/racine-officials-kept-routine-public-records-secret/2794235002/ 
     
    It is well past time to rectify the situation and do the right action 
    for City of Racine Taxpayers. In addition, pursue criminal charges 
    against Malfeasant Officials - and demand  restitution to make 
    Taxpayers whole again. 
     
    It is glaringly obvious that City of Racine can now *FIRE* 3 
    unnecessary positions from the 5 currently ensconced in the Mayor's 
    Office - begin wage and compensation decreases  - to better match that 
    of 3rd World Nations, and emerging economies, and.... 
     
    *FIRE* Glaringly Incompetent City Attorney Scott  Letteney and his 
    entire incompetent and seemingly malfeasant staff. When public records 
    are made secret - Racine Residents are being ruled by mentally ill 
    Tyrants. 
     
    *FIRE* Glaringly Incompetent City Administrator (profit? Loss? 
    Revenue? Expense? - what's the difference) Nick Palenick - who is 
    completely lost to the basics of a balance sheet. 
     
    *RESIGN* Cory! Who ran for Mayor but believed he couldn't do the job 
    so he demanded two more in the Mayor's Office - 3+2 = 5. THIS IS 
    OUTRAGEOUS! 
     
    *FREE* Sandy! STOP the HATE! End the oppression of a courageous 
    Alderperson who performed her role with diligence, respect for the 
    rule of law, and utmost consideration for her constituents. 
     
    Sincerely, 
     
    Tim & Cindy