Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?

Since the State of Wisconsin a few weeks ago released its list of taxpayers who have not paid their fair share to the state, there has been a lot of talk about these unpaid taxes and the ultimate burden these debts place on the rest of us taxpayers. Many of those "taxUNpayers" live right here in Oshkosh, but wherever they live, the “crime” they are committing is shameful, to be sure.

But there is another issue of unpaid taxes that affects us even more directly, I believe: the people living in our community and benefiting from the services this city offers, yet who are not paying their taxes to the City of Oshkosh. While there are many, I'm sure, one sticks out like a sore thumb: Ben Ganther and the taxes he and/or his corporation owe on the infamous 100 block of North Main Street.

It was about this time last year – during the campaign for the Oshkosh Common Council – that it was first made public that Mr. Ganther had not paid all of the taxes owed on this property (which by the way, is sitting in a tax-incremental financing or TIF district). Ironically enough, during that campaign – on March 16, 2005 – the city received a $38,637.41 payment toward the total tax bill of $157,640.58, perhaps to quell the negative reaction and subsequent commentary about it. But according to the city's web site and again here, as of this evening, that was the FIRST, LAST and ONLY payment made for the 2004 tax year and nothing has been paid on the property’s 2005 tax bill – which totals $144,676.22. Between the two years there in an unpaid balance of $263,679.39. This amount equals a large chunk toward the money the city council needed to avoid instituting the garbage fee they just did a couple months ago in order to balance the 2006 budget. Why are the taxes on the 100 block of North Main Street unpaid and what is the city doing about it?

As I said, this property is in a TIF district. We keep hearing about the advantages of a TIF and how we benefit from taxes on the improved property, how this adds to the tax base, etc. Sure, it will benefit us years down the road and IF the property owner pays their taxes. But creating a TIF does little to no good if the owner stiffs the city. Perhaps we should call them IF districts instead of TIF districts.

I understand someone might make the argument that the taxes paid on property in a TIF district would not go toward essential or core services anyway, but rather only to pay off the TIF. Okay, fine, but when taxes go unpaid, as is the case with Ganther’s property, that’s not happening either. And the bottom line is, it’s all relative because the money – no matter which pocket it’s in or what shell it’s under (as in the old shell game so many people in government and politics like to pay), it all comes from taxpayers – those of us who actually pay our taxes, that is.

A city council person told me that city manager Dick Wollangk told him that the city does not pursue unpaid taxes – but rather the county pays the city for unpaid taxes and then it is up to the county to seek payment from the debtor. That makes no sense to me. I can see that the county might pay the city for that portion of the tax bill which represents county services, but it does not seem plausible that the county would pay the city for the entire tax bill, especially when the city portion represents city services. Such an arrangement defies logic and would be both ridiculous and a horrible co-mingling of funds. Talk about a bookkeeping nightmare. And let’s face it: the county does not have money to be paying people’s entire unpaid tax bills, either. I am going to look further into this and will let you know what I find, but if this turns out to be accurate then we need to find out what the county is doing to pursue these debtors also.

The other reason why this doesn’t seem to make much sense to me is if we got our money from the county, why does the tax bill on the city’s web site still show as being outstanding and unpaid? If the county had paid it, I would think it would show a zero balance on the city’s web site. Something is not right with this picture.

We keep hearing about money crunches and budgets being squeezed by Madison. That is certainly true, but we need to step up our efforts to collect on these debts, especially from people like Ben Ganther, who can afford to pay their taxes.

Besides asking what we are doing to get our money and why we allow this kind of debt to languish, this situation begs two other questions:
(1) Why do we continue to do business with developers who are not paying their taxes? It seems like the more prudent thing to do would be to give contracts to and do business with those who keep their promises and pay their bills so the rest of us don’t have to pick up the slack.
(2) Can a business that is delinquent in paying its property taxes still hold a liquor license, as is the case with Ben Ganther’s business in the 100 block?

In summary, this city, state and possibly the county, need to become more aggressive in pursuing unpaid taxes by property owners. When someone doesn’t pay, that’s more that the rest of us have to come up with – in one place or another.

- Cheryl Hentz

P.S. Tony Palmeri has "connected the dots" on this story and his commentary
can be found here under 100 Block: Tax Deadbeat Timeline.

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: DBCooper on Wednesday, January 25 2006 @ 09:18 PM MST
The city has an ordnance that seems to cover the issue of licenses versus unpaid taxes. It's pretty clearly written.

I suppose the next argument will be that the liquor license really isn't something issued by the city but rather authorized under state statute and the paperwork is just handled by the city, or something of equal bovine scatology...

SECTION 18-3 NON-ISSUANCE OF CITY LICENSES AND PERMITS/DELINQUENT TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND SPECIAL CHARGES.

(A) Unless otherwise specifically provided within this municipal code, licenses and permits shall not be issued:
1) Premises. For any premises for which taxes, assessments, or special charges are delinquent and unpaid.
2) Persons. To any person who is delinquent in the payment of taxes, assessments or special charges related to the business or property for which the license or permit is sought.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, January 25 2006 @ 09:25 PM MST
If this is the case our city needs to answer why they issued a license to this man in the first place and why they are not yanking it in the second place. Ganther is getting away with highway robbery here and making a laughing stock out of every single one of us. Pull the license right now. Enough is enough.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 09:30 AM MST
Thank you Cheryl for bringing us up to date on this. It's outrageous the way this city lets certain people get away with things. Maybe we should start picketing in front of the luxury apartment at 100 North Main. In front of city hall too.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 10:01 AM MST
How about also picketing out in front of Ganther Construction on County Road A? This man's unpaid taxes should be exposed in every place possible.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 11:03 AM MST
It is time our city council members make a push for this to get resolved...I have read what Mr. Palmeri wrote along with Ms. Hentz's material...I think the dots have been connected pretty well but someone at city hall is giving this developer a free pass...Since the council oversees everyone they need to order our city manager to get his people on this and collect what is rightfully ours...First the city let Park Plaza skate with unpaid taxes and now Ganther and his partners get to rip us off by not paying their taxes...Notice how it's all down in that one area of Main Street too?...If this doesn't send up even more red flags about developers who are given TIF districts and other public money with nothing more than promises I don't know what would.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 02:48 PM MST
That's a big concern with TIF's. True, the increased tax base sure does pay for the TIF (and more) over time...IF THE TAXES ARE ACTUALLY PAID. A question I've had and has never been answered is, Can a city get some sort of security for the TIF money that they've spent? Or is this TIF money just an investment with the HOPE of increased tax revenues down the road?

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Mike on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 07:40 PM MST
While the developer and others have spoke about how successful this project is (by indicating how many apartments are rented and now some retail space) the taxpayers are realizing no return in our investment. I hope our leaders take this to heart and assure the city and its citizens are fully protected in the Five Rivers and any further ventures. Makes you wonder if this is just a case of poor planning by the developer as to the ability to fund this project or just a lack of caring. The council has accepted his word on this liquor license for long enough its time to show he is serious about his investment in Oshkosh.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: admin on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 01:33 PM MST
It was brought to my attention earlier today that Ben Ganther does not actually have a liquor license right now. The city is apparently holding it for him. But they do not have to issue it to him while his taxes are still delinquent. I personally do not believe it should be issued until the taxes are paid and the city ordinance seems to mandate that the license NOT be issued because of his tax delinquency. Let's hope the city council does the right thing here, especially if the law prohibits him from getting a license.

I wonder if Cranky Pat's Pizza is aware of the outstanding taxes and the potential problem with their being able to have a liquor license because of it. If they're not aware of the problem, why doesn't Ben Ganther offer full disclosure to them? That would be the honorable thing to do. But the most honorable thing to do would be for Ganther to pay the taxes his company owes on this property, plus interest and penalties, and save a lot of hassle for everyone involved; then issue a public apology to every hardworking taxpayer and citizen in this community.

- Cheryl Hentz

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: admin on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 03:18 PM MST
I spoke with the city clerk's office this afternoon. According to them, while a liquor license is being held for Mr. Ganther for the Cranky Pat's establishment going in at 100 N. Main St., it has not been issued. And it cannot be issued until the taxes are paid.

Mr. Ganther will be coming before the Common Council on Feb. 14, along with others for whom licenses are being held. They must state their intent to the council. I was informed by the clerk's office that even if Mr. Ganther says he is assigning his license to someone else - such as Jason from the New Moon Cafe, who is reportedly going to run Cranky Pat's - the taxes still must be paid before the license can actually be issued.

As to the other council member comment about the county paying unpaid taxes to the city, in speaking with the city finance department today, the city attempts to collect taxes until July of the year in which the taxes are owed. After that they are indeed turned over to the county which pays the city and then attempts to collect from the tax debtor. It still shows up on the city's web site, however, as unpaid taxes.

That begs the question of where the county gets all this money from? It's not like Winnebago County is flush with cash either. Something is horribly wrong with this picture, but the bottom line is this: When people do not pay their taxes they are still "stealing" from all of us - whether it be from a city pocket, county pocket or state pocket. "Tax bill deadbeats" need to be pursued, and they need to pay up and we should not do business with them until they do.

- Cheryl Hentz

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 04:05 PM MST
Cheryl,

Good question as to where the cty gets the money. It would also be interesting to see if there are additional individuals/businesses that owe the county large sums.

Maybe instead of a sales tax and cuts to county service programs, we could just have accountability.

Please continue to keep those of us without TVs informed as to what transpires at the council meeting. But aside from Paul, it is likely that the council will say something like, "this is bad, but see all of the good... we can excuse this for Mr Ganther".

Maybe it would be better to question Mr Ganther on Eye on Oshkosh (which again you would have to write about because of the no TV). Maybe half the show could be with him, and the second half could be of a family currently on the county housing assistance waiting list - just for perspective.

Justin Mitchell

County as collection agent
Authored by: Mark L. Harris on Friday, January 27 2006 @ 06:53 AM MST
The County is the collection agent for all delinquent local taxes. The other taxing authorities are paid in full. The County then tries to collect the taxes together with interest of 1% per month. The County can start the foreclosure process 2 years after the September 1st. of the year in which the past due taxes are purchased. Property taxes have a priority lien so they must be paid in full before a property can be sold. The County earned roughly $800,000 collecting past due taxes in 2005 according to the treasurer's office. Note that past due utilities and other fees are not treated in the exact same fashion.

County as collection agent
Authored by: admin on Friday, January 27 2006 @ 07:18 AM MST
Mark, thank you for this explanation. It is similar to what I also learned in speaking with the city's finance department yesterday and from councilwoman Meredith Scheuermann last night after she spoke with Richard Wollangk, though you provided even greater detail.

But can you please explain why the county does this? It does seem like a confusing way of doing things and for the life of me I cannot figure out why the county would take care of city taxes? Is this done because of statutory requirements or because of some other reason? If not because of statutory requirement, isn't it a little silly for the county - which is not flush with cash either - to be coming to the rescue of the city and other taxing entities?

Finally, with specific respect to the 100 N. Main St. parcel owned by Ben Ganther and his partners, what has the county collected on the 2004 property tax bill? And would you please confirm whether the city has, in fact, received all of its money owed on this bill?

Since filing suit against someone for failure to pay their tax bill seems to be out of the question and there are other mechanisms in place to attempt collecting money, I would at least ask of the county what I have asked of the city, and that is that the county refrain from doing business with Ganther Construction or any other contractor with outstanding tax bills on any projects where public money is used until such time as any and all outstanding tax bills are satisfied in full. This is a fair and reasonable request and one which is clearly in the public's best interest. If the public-private partnership gravy train stops, it will perhaps encourage prompt payment of taxes by such contractors. Tax bill dead beats should not be rewarded with public contracts and payment with public money. That is an insult to the public paying the bills on these projects.

Thanks again for your comments and explanation. They are appreciated.

- Cheryl Hentz

County as collection agent
Authored by: Mike Norton on Sunday, January 29 2006 @ 12:12 AM MST
Dear Cheryl:
I have emailed the County Treasurer about this matter, I have not heard back from her- but i plan on going to her office to get answers to your questions.

County as collection agent
Authored by: admin on Sunday, January 29 2006 @ 12:34 PM MST
Thank you, Mike. I look forward to hearing what you find out, as I'm sure we all do. Thanks again!

- Cheryl

County as collection agent
Authored by: Mike Norton on Monday, January 30 2006 @ 03:17 PM MST
I fond out from the County Treasurer that Ben Ganther did pay half of what he owed in back taxes on January 16.

He has until September 1 , 2007 to pay off the taxes he owes from the year 2005.

By state statue the county is the collection agency to for all delinquent taxes that are owed. This occurs every year on August 1. One day after the property tax bill for the previous year is to be paid.

The county acquires the delinquent taxes from the all government entities with the county. As stated before this occurs between August 1 and September 1 and the person who owes the taxes has two years to pay off the tax balance. If after two years the balance is not paid off then the county foreclose on the property.

This procedure is the same for any delinquent taxpayer within Winnebago County or in the state of Wisconsin for that matter.

If one goes to city of Oshkosh website you will get this message when look up the 100 N Main Street address :

For payments made after July 31 ST and prior year tax information, check with the Winnebago County Treasurer’s office at (920) 236-4777
-----------------------------------------------------

Which should lead one to call the Treasurer's office. So bottom line is Ben Ganther still owes about $60,000 and by state statue he like any other property owner who falls into the delinquent taxpayer category have two years after the county purchases the delinquent tax balance from the city.


County as collection agent
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 30 2006 @ 03:25 PM MST
Thanks for the information Mike. Moral to the story is Ben Ganther is still delinquent in his taxes which makes him a tax bill dead beat. There is no other way to look at it.

County as collection agent
Authored by: admin on Monday, January 30 2006 @ 04:23 PM MST
Mike, thank you for your follow-through on this. It is appreciated and informative.

- Cheryl

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 04:56 PM MST
Here is this section of the city ordinance in its entirety.


SECTION 18-3 NON-ISSUANCE OF CITY LICENSES AND PERMITS/DELINQUENT TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND SPECIAL CHARGES. (A) Unless otherwise specifically provided within this municipal code, licenses and permits shall not be issued: 1) Premises. For any premises for which taxes, assessments, or special charges are delinquent and unpaid. 2) Persons. To any person who is delinquent in the payment of taxes, assessments or special charges related to the business or property for which the license or permit is sought. (B) Appeal. Alleged errors in the determination of non-issuance of the license may be appealed to the Finance Director within 5 days of notice of the non-issuance of the license or permit. The Finance Director shall issue a notice setting forth a date and time for hearing on the matter, not less than three (3) days nor more than fifteen (15) days after the date of the notice of hearing. At the hearing, the complainant and a representative of the City may be represented by counsel, may present evidence and call and examine witnesses and cross examine witnesses of another party. Such witnesses shall be sworn or affirmed by the person conducting the hearing. The Finance Director shall act as the decision maker. If the Finance Director is unable to so act, a decision maker shall be appointed by the City Manager. A written determination shall be made directing the continued holding of the license or permit or the issuance of such license or permit. Within ten (10) days of the hearing, the written determination shall be mailed to all interested parties and shall be placed on file with the City Clerk by the decision maker. The written decision shall specify the reasons for the decision made.

Within ten days of the date of posting of the written decision, any person aggrieved thereby may appeal such decision to the Common Council. Appeals shall be taken by filing a notice of appeal specifying the grounds therefor with the City Clerk. On Appeal the Finance Director or other decision maker shall forthwith transmit all papers relating to such appeal to the City Clerk. The Clerk shall give notice of the appeal to the Common Council at its next regular meeting. The Council shall then fix a reasonable time for hearing of the same and give public notice thereof, as well as notice to the parties interested, and shall promptly decide the appeal. Any party to the proceeding as well as any person who may be adversely affected by a decision of the Council may appear at the hearing and may produce witnesses and be represented by counsel. In addition to any other witnesses presented, the council may subpoena and examine such other persons as it may deem necessary for a fair and impartial hearing of the appeal. The Clerk shall swear or affirm all persons testifying before the council in regard to the appeal, and shall maintain a record of all testimony and other evidence as may be presented. The Council may reverse, affirm, or modify the decision of the Finance Director or other decision maker appealed from, and to this end may direct issuance or non-issuance of any license or permit. Within ten (10) days after the decision on any appeal, the City Clerk shall cause due notice thereof in writing to be mailed to all parties to the appeal as well as any other persons who may have appeared therein at their last known post office address. Such notice shall specify the grounds for the decision. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Common Council on appeal may seek such other legal relief as may be available.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: DBCooper on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 05:42 PM MST
Where can I find full copies of the city ordinances like this? (rubbing hands together) oooh, I'm going to have some fun with these!

URL please? Thanks!

DBCooper

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 06:16 PM MST
They are all on the city's web site under the ordinance section.

MORE TAX BILL DEADBEATS
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 01 2006 @ 12:55 PM MST
Today we learned from the Oshkosh Northwestern that two liquor licenses are apparently held by businesses on which the properties have delinquent taxes: Two Brothers Restaurant and Howard Johnsons Motel.

I don't know off-hand whether the proprietors of these businesses actually own the property or simply lease them from someone else, but as with any person or business who fails to pay their taxes, this is disgraceful. It seems that in keeping with the city ordinance, our city council should take the appropriate action to pull the liquor licenses for these two properties at the earliest possible date. Again, even if the property is leased, the way it was explained to me by city staff and the way the ordinance seems to read, a license cannot be issued to a person or property which is delinquent on their taxes. While that may seem unfair to a business which only leases the property and has no control over the payment of said taxes, the ordinance doesn't seem to distinguish between the two.

But in the case of a leased property, if a liquor license were revoked by the city council, it would seem to make sense that the lessee, if they held the liquor license, might be able to go after the landlord and property owner if they can show a loss as a result of that license being taken away. I would think that for anyone in that position, it would certainly be worth looking into.

The bottom line here is: Property owners must be responsible enough to pay their taxes when they are due. Local governments can afford nothing less, especially in these times of tighter than ever budgets.

- Cheryl Hentz

MORE TAX BILL DEADBEATS
Authored by: DBCooper on Wednesday, February 01 2006 @ 09:44 PM MST
Something smells bad here...

Review the pdf file for the Hwy 21 interchange project:

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/us41expansion/ints.htm

This is the map showing the plans for re-doing the 21 interchange. As far as I know, this is scheduled to start in 2009, and has had the money approved already?

Two Brothers Restaurant and Howard Johnsons Motel are shown in pink letters. According to the legend on the photograph, that means "possible displacement".

There was a presentation on OCAT several years ago by a representative from the DOT. I seem to recall that he said with absolute certainty that Two Brothers, Howard Johnsons, Annies, and the Baymont motel would be razed to make way for the improvements to 41 and 21. I also seem to remember that this project was supposed to start in 2007, but because of "no money" at the state level it has been pushed back to 2009.

Does anybody know what happened to the former Annies Cafe across the street? Are the taxes being paid on it? Did they possibly get some kind of a buyout offer from the state early on, and the owners took the money and ran? Or did they just go out of business the old fashioned way, because of no business?

If you owned one of these properties in question, and you knew it was going to be razed in a few years, and you'd get money from the state as a result, would you pay the taxes on your property? Is this maybe what's happening here? It would be funny if it wasn't so sick!

MORE TAX BILL DEADBEATS
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 05 2006 @ 08:17 AM MST
A few thoughts....

The valuation on properties that are planned to be razed in the near future is low. Would you start a new restaurant in that building knowing it will be closed in 2-3 years?

If these properties will be demolished, their will likely be little if any maintainence done for the time til demolition, this is the cost of progress. Blight before beauty.

Maybe the HoJo owners are arguing for lower taxes due to the decreased valuation ?

MORE TAX BILL DEADBEATS
Authored by: admin on Sunday, February 05 2006 @ 08:32 AM MST
You make a good point and I suppose there is some possibity of this, but we could all use that same excuse to one degree or another if anything was being done by our property that we believed might devalue it.

For example, the people near the proposed fishing pier could make that same argument. Should they then not have to pay their taxes? If this is the argument the owners of Howard Johnson's are using, it is weak at best. The taxes are based on today's valuation, not tomorrow's, and if they disagree there is a legal appeals process in place before the city's Board of Review. There should be no special treatment given them outside of the processes prescribed under the law.

- Cheryl

MORE TAX BILL DEADBEATS
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 05 2006 @ 02:14 PM MST
If they closed the joint would they get a lower assessment from the city?

MORE TAX BILL DEADBEATS
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 06 2006 @ 05:58 AM MST
Doubtful. The land and property would still have their value. Besides, if they closed the place it would be of their own choosing and why should they pay less taxes because of a business decision they made? Closing the business would affect the selling price in the future. But no one will buy it when the DOT plans to put a wider road through there. Plus they will be compensated generously for their property. They still have to pay what the city says they owe and the time to dispute the amount of taxes is long gone. They didn't follow procedures. Too bad. So sad. Take their liquor license away and let them fumble along without it.

AN OPEN LETTER TO MAYOR WILLIAM CASTLE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE OSHKOSH COMMON COUNCIL
Authored by: admin on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 03:01 PM MST
Just before 4 p.m. this afternoon I faxed this letter over to City Hall and requested that it be distributed in tomorrow's packet going out to City Council members.


January 26, 2006

Open Letter to the Mayor William Castle and the Members of the Oshkosh Common Council:

I think we all agree taxes should be paid, whether we like them or agree with them or not. Also, some of you have been outspoken about pursuing those who owe the State of Wisconsin money in unpaid income taxes. I hope that you will also agree that here in Oshkosh we should be just as vigilant and aggressive in collecting unpaid property taxes.

As you may be aware, Ben Ganther and his partners in the 100 block of North Main Street are still more than $100,000 delinquent in paying their 2004 property taxes, despite previous promises to the city and in the media to have the debt paid in full by September of 2005. Clearly, that has not happened, according to the city’s own web site. There also has not been anything paid on the 2005 property taxes for this parcel, just as an aside note.

I don’t need to remind any of you that this property is in a TIF district, so when the taxes don’t get paid, it would make sense to say that we are not getting the TIF paid off either. But whatever the various nuances and mechanics of this are, the simple fact remains that this is a man who is given a lot of business from the city and, many of us believe, a lot of preferential treatment. I want to see that the taxes this city is owed are collected. Therefore I am asking the following of you individually and collectively as a Common Council, representing this community and her people at large:

I would implore you and your fellow council members to (1) see that this delinquency is resolved immediately or instruct the city to file suit against Ben Ganther and his partners in this project for the full outstanding debt they owe, plus interest and penalties and legal costs; (2) to adhere to the city ordinance and not issue a liquor license for this property until the past due taxes are paid in full; and finally (3) to bring an immediate halt to the City of Oshkosh doing business with Ganther Construction on projects where any public funds are involved, until such time as his taxes are current. Frankly, I think that is a policy that should be established and maintained, no matter who the contractor is.

This situation is an insult and an outrage and, I believe, that to not honor the above requests would be to thumb the “city council nose” at every decent and hardworking taxpayer in this community. I am asking you to do the right thing. Thank you!

Cheryl Hentz

AN OPEN LETTER TO MAYOR WILLIAM CASTLE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE OSHKOSH COMMON COUNCIL
Authored by: L Schaffer on Thursday, January 26 2006 @ 09:51 PM MST
Cheryl, don't hold your breath, I feel that most members on our present city council will not do anything but slap the hands of Ben G. and give him more time to pay up. This city council and present city admin. does not have the back bone to act against a business that owes money to this city, they did nothing about collecting money from Park Plaza. The only thing this city council does and does well is not act.

AN OPEN LETTER TO MAYOR WILLIAM CASTLE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE OSHKOSH COMMON COUNCIL
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, January 27 2006 @ 07:34 AM MST
Do we even know what powers the city council has in this matter?

AN OPEN LETTER TO MAYOR WILLIAM CASTLE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE OSHKOSH COMMON COUNCIL
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, January 27 2006 @ 03:38 PM MST
The city council is Richard Wollangk's boss. They ahve the power to direct him or other staff to do anything the law allows. Wollangk may not like hearing that because he likes the council to stay out staffing issues but as the city hierarchy is set up that is the case like it or not. As far as a liquor license it seems like the city ordinance speaks for itself.

HENTZ RESPONSE TO EVERYDAY EDITOR ONLINE COLUMN
Authored by: admin on Friday, January 27 2006 @ 10:19 PM MST
In his Everyday Editor online column Stew Rieckman, executive editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern today both complimented and criticized me for my editorial and information piece on Ben Ganther’s delinquent taxes for his property at 100 N. Main St. While I appreciate the compliments he extended to me, I must address some of the other points he made.

First, as to the Northwestern claim that Ganther made a tax payment last week, though he still owes $66,641 on his 2004 taxes. I spoke with City Hall personnel as late as 4:15 p.m. on Thursday and was told nothing about another tax payment. However, there might be a good reason for that. If the payment by Ganther was indeed paid, it may have been paid to the county finance department, since the county became the collection agent for this delinquency after July of 2005.

Second, managing editor of the Northwestern, Jim Fitzhenry, has apparently referred to the reaction on the Web as high-tech lynching. Mr. Fitzhenry can call it what he wants, but unpaid and delinquent taxes are just that. Fitzhenry’s attempts to minimize this and deflect from the root of the problem do not change the fact that Ganther has not paid his 2004 taxes. There would be no “high-tech lynching” or any other discussion of this issue had Ganther paid his taxes when they were due. And the Northwestern’s translation that he has two years to pay his taxes seems to be another attempt to confuse the issue – and public.

Sure, Ganther technically has two years to pay the taxes – two years before the county decides to sell off his property, that is. Though any reasonable person would pay the taxes before it got to that point, I’m sure, provided they could. But the tax bill for 2004 was due in 2005 and was not paid despite Ganther’s own public promises to pay and get this bill current. Is it any wonder citizen journalists didn’t contact Mr. Ganther for a comment? I doubt seriously he would feel it necessary to answer questions of just anyone who called. He has shown that he has not kept his word. His promises last spring were apparently nothing more than lip-service paid in the middle of a spirited campaign for city council.

I can also say that I went directly to the city for information on this and that is exactly the kind of fact-finding a journalist should do. It was not until after the news was first posted that additional information was confirmed about the county being a collection agent for delinquent taxes. Those comments are all on the web site for people to see, including an explanation from Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris. Ordinarily I like comments from all sides, and while comments from Mr. Ganther would certainly make for a juicier-reading story, in this case I see it as being tantamount to giving him an opportunity to put his own spin on a situation that is nothing short of disgraceful.

I also wish to point out that nowhere did I say his 2005 taxes were in arrears or delinquent. I simply said, as an aside, that he had paid nothing on them yet, unlike so many taxpayers in this community and their own tax bills. But his 2004 taxes were and are delinquent, period.

As to Rieckman’s “Sour Grapes Alert,” he could not be more wrong. In the first place, I do not feel slighted that I was not on Mr. Ganther’s list for receiving a campaign contribution. I personally believe that when certain people give campaign contributions they do so with some expectation of favors being extended down the road. That is NOT how I do choose to do business. And whether I was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2005 campaign for city council or not has absolutely nothing to do with my pursuit of this matter now. It is and was a non-issue with respect to Ganther’s delinquent taxes.

Besides, Mr. Ganther held his $100-a-person fundraiser on Jan. 25, and even without his support or that of those in his inner circle, I was in a group of 6 out of 19 emerging from the February primary. While I did not win the general election I would much rather lose by not accepting money from those whose own politics and business dealings I find dirty, offensive and in direct conflict with that which is right and ethical.

Mr. Rieckman talks about my opposition of TIF districts. Yes, I have been a longstanding critic of how TIF districts are used in this community. The 100 N. Main Street project of Ben Ganther’s and the delinquent taxes on same are a perfect example of why. Coupled with some of the other TIF debacles in this community, I should think anyone would be leery, especially when we see other communities growing from an economic development standpoint and they don’t have the ability to use TIFs. I continue to maintain that I am not opposed to TIFs, only to how this community uses them as a carrot to attract every rabbit that happens to shake a dollar bill in our direction.

Mr. Rieckman claims there is a history of “enmity” between me and Ganther that is “readily documented.” Not true. As a member of the city’s Board of Appeals I voted against a project Ben Ganther brought forward for along the river. I never had any dealings with him prior to that and certainly had no feelings toward him one way or the other. I considered his request on its own merits, nothing more, and nothing less. While my reasons for voting against the project were articulated thoroughly both at that meeting and in a subsequent Four Questions interview on Tony Palmeri’s web site, I still maintain that the project as proposed was not in the best interests of that neighborhood, or the city for that matter.

I might add two other things on that note: (1) I was one of a majority on that board who turned the project down, so it was not something that I did out of bitter hatred or ill-will, as the word “enmity” and Stew Rieckman would suggest; and (2) Ganther threatened in that meeting that he would do the project anyway. While a project has since been done there it is hardly the one he proposed.
Since that time I have spoken out on Ganther’s tax delinquencies – both last year and now. I do not hate him as a person; I still don’t even know him as a person. But I do not like what he, as a businessman, stands for nor the way he does business. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is not just my right – it’s everyone’s right to feel as they do about situations like this and the people involved in them.

I think I have proven time and time again that I can look at both sides and I give credit where it’s due, but I will be critical if that is deserved as well. I don’t find anything admirable about a contractor who does not pay his taxes, yet continues to take from this community in the way of contracts on public-private partnerships. There is something very ethically wrong with that in my book and I really don’t know how Ganther or those like him manage to walk into City Hall to put in another bid when he is delinquent on his taxes. That takes monumental gall as far as I am concerned.

That brings me to Rieckman’s final comment about my activism in an open letter to the Common Council members, while having editorialized on the matter on my web site. Simply because I inform the public of things they should be aware of, I do not check my rights as a citizen or taxpayer at the door to my office or when I sit down at my computer.

Granted I have to approach my job as a journalist one way; as a talkshow host with a web site another way; and as a citizen another way. But one should not preclude me from being able to exercise my rights as another. I make no apologies for that.

I have asked that the city, and now the county, refrain from doing business, not just with Ben Ganther and Ganther Construction, but with any contractor who owes delinquent taxes. They just should not be allowed to continue taking money from us when they are delinquent in taxes they owe. Ben Ganther is causing additional work for public sector employees and forcing local government to operate without his tax dollars, but I guess that doesn’t matter to people like Ben Ganther.

- Cheryl Hentz

P.S. I wonder what the occupancy rate is on 100 N. Main or if those were more “overly ambitious” projections that Mr. Ganther made last March. If he needs the money and that’s why he’s not paying his taxes, as Stew Rieckman suggests, maybe occupancy isn’t all he thought it would be. He certainly didn’t come through with the Italian/Tuscan restaurant he promised in a March 3, 2005 interview with Oshkosh News, when – “…Ganther said he was not at liberty to identify the new tenants. But he described them as a "national media company" and a "Northern Italian/Tuscan" restaurant.” Hmm, would Cranky Pat’s Pizza qualify as an Italian/Tuscan restaurant?

HENTZ RESPONSE TO EVERYDAY EDITOR ONLINE COLUMN
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, January 29 2006 @ 09:26 PM MST
Nice job with the scoop and the rebuttal Cheryl! It's so funny that Stew thinks that YOU are not objective because we all know the Northwestern works so hard on that! Those two editors are certainly doing their part to drive all seekers of news to the internet. Conservative readers of the Northwestern may agree with Stew much of the time but even they will not long put up with his excuse making and whining! It's sort of pathetic really!

HENTZ RESPONSE TO EVERYDAY EDITOR ONLINE COLUMN
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 30 2006 @ 09:46 PM MST
It's not sort of pathetic, it's completely pathetic. Stew's apologies are qualified; "I'm sorry, but YOU (fill in the blank) or "I may be wrong, but YOU'RE wrong, too", etc. Now, it seems that not only did the NW not have the Ganther story, they also have to rely on Ganther to write his own rebuttal. Great journalism! Watch the local blogs, wait for emails, reprint info in the paper or online. Then call local blog writers "Cyber Snipers" and "Back Alley Jouranlists" when they are actually the only ones who did any work. Qualify apologies, switch the argument, use inappropriate humor, deny, evade, and believe that you're the center of the universe. Hmmm...what does that remind you of?

HENTZ RESPONSE TO EVERYDAY EDITOR ONLINE COLUMN
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 11 2006 @ 06:42 PM MST
Maybe you should drive to Ben's house, with a video camera, and ask him why he hasn't paid his taxes. If he isn't there and his wife answers, ask her. Put the video here.

I think he is Tuscany looking for a restauranteur.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: bryanbain on Friday, January 27 2006 @ 05:17 PM MST
I have posted on my blog (http://bain-blog.blogspot.com/2006/01/property-taxes.html) my initial reaction to this situation. I encourage you to read it and contact me if you have questions. Thank you.

-Bryan

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, January 28 2006 @ 04:55 PM MST
Bain has weighed in. Now where are the other 6 members of our illustrious city council? Presumably they have some thoughts about this. I think we're all anxious to hear them and what they plan to do about this problem developer.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, January 29 2006 @ 08:00 PM MST
You call that weighing in? Mr. Bain rarely takes a stand. He is a true fence rider. He likes to speak after the decision is made.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, January 29 2006 @ 10:50 PM MST
Commenting on it is weighing in, in case you haven't figured that out. But it's more than the other councilors including Paul Esslinger who always says he is for the people have done.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 30 2006 @ 06:16 AM MST
Commenting without really taking a stand is not weighing in. It is called sitting on the fence. A Bain specialty.

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 30 2006 @ 09:22 AM MST
He took a stand. Follow the link and read his reply.

MORE SPIN FROM STEW RIECKMAN
Authored by: admin on Tuesday, January 31 2006 @ 10:15 AM MST
In firing his latest salvo, Stew Rieckman of the Oshkosh Northwestern has posted an email from Ben Ganther in his electronic column, and in his own unique way tried to call my journalistic integrity into question. But in doing so, what Mr. Rieckman neglected to say is this web site and my work on "exposing" the unpaid taxes on the 100 N. Main property was not done as a journalist, per se. While it's true that I am a paid journalist in my professional life, this "unpaid work" was done as a talkshow host and watchdog for the taxpayers in this community. They are different and Mr. Rieckman of all people should be able to see that. I'm sure he can, but he would rather the general public not be able to discern the difference.

And while there certainly was news attached to the exposing of this tax delinquency, the manner in which I went about writing the editorials on this topic was no different from that of Rieckman himself or any of his other editorial board writers or bloggers.

Rieckman wanted to have Ben Ganther's side of the story out there. That's fine. That's what his reporter should do. But if he was always interested in printing both sides of a story and having full disclosure (as he seems to feel everyone else should do), he should have contacted me or one of the other Board of Appeals members when we turned down a Ganther project along the river a few years ago. Instead, they printed a partial quote from me that was taken out of context and that had nothing to do with the legal reasons I voted against the project.

He or his reporter also should have talked with Paul Esslinger last year when they ran a front page story about a gentleman who claimed he knew both Esslinger and Bill Castle, when it was later found out that nothing could have been further from the truth. Knowing OF someone is quite different than knowing someone. There are plenty more examples of the Northerwestern's one-sided journalism and bias over the years. Even their own editorial page pieces often lack fact and/or accuracy. So this is an excellent example of the pot calling the kettle black.

Mr. Rieckman also failed to tell people that it is extremely advantageous for the Northwestern if the downtown continues to be developed - developments in which Ganther has played a huge role. That only serves to benefit the Northwestern since their offices are in the downtown area. Rieckman also hasn't mentioned that his soon-to-be-former colleague Kevin Doyle has served on the board for the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau for a number of years, promoting the very things that benefit the Northwestern, no matter the overall cost or possible detriment to the community as a whole.

In summary, let's be very clear: When I am working strictly as a journalist, I operate in the same manner as Rieckman's reporters do. That was not and is not my capacity here. I make no apologies for that.

Finally, I'm delighted to hear Ben Ganther has made an additional tax payment. Too bad he and the rest of his partners don't take care of the entire debt that's owed. It is every person's responsibility to pay their taxes when they are due. To make a calculated business decision to delay payments, while perhaps financially savvy for the business person, is irresponsible as a neighbor in one's community, especially when a TIF district was created for you and the taxpayers are having to foot the bill for the bonding to create the TIF and to do the infrastructure for you to construct your project. How far could this city get if we all made calculated business decisions to not pay our taxes for a year or two? Maybe before creating TIFs in the future, our city council needs to look at the track record companies have in other communities and see if they are responsible corporate neighbors or not.

- Cheryl Hentz

Why are Ganther's taxes on the 100 block of North Main still not paid?
Authored by: admin on Thursday, April 13 2006 @ 12:50 PM MDT
It was a very pleasant surprise to see not only the 2004 taxes on this property paid in full, but those from 2005 as well - and much sooner than we had first been told the 2005 bill would be paid. As a fellow taxpayer I'd like to say thank you to Mr. Ganther and his partners for doing the right thing and getting this debt taken care of. Now if others who have tax delinquencies would only follow suit.

- Cheryl

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Notice to those using the city drop off site

At this evening's Oshkosh Common Council, city manager Richard Wollangk announced that the entrance to the city yard waste drop-off site has been relocated.

Now, instead of entering the site off of Witzel Avenue, users will enter from Idaho Street, which is right around the corner basically.

The city believes this will eliminate the traffic congestion that previously occurred on Witzel and allow city crews to more easily use their chipping equipment, etc., once the materials have been dropped off.

At present time the center is still on "winter hours," which are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. As spring approaches and people begin doing more yard work, those hours will change.You must have a permit to drop off materials here; permits can be purchased at City Hall, 215 Church St.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Campaign notes from Brian Poeschl

[We have received the following notes from candidate for Oshkosh Common Council Brian Poeschl. We thank him for allowing us to share them with you.]

It's election time once again. After serving on the city council for 2 years and then some time off of the coucnil, I have now began my campaign for city council once again. I ask for your vote in the primary on feb 21st and hopefully again in the main election in April.

There are a lot of things going on in Oshkosh, although my main concern is and always will be the streets in Oshkosh. I would like to see two things happen in the city of oshkosh.

1-would be to lay out a city wide street map along with sanitary and sewer ways to be completed over the next 5 years. This would give residents a way to plan for what it will cost them for there street when it is redone and when to expect it done.

2-is the water and flooding that we all know of in Oshkosh. Now I know that this is being worked on through the Public Works department. I would like to see this put into a 5 year plan also and put in a plan that citizens may know of what there increase may be.

I'm running again so I can use the knowledge that I learned once before while being on the city council and also to try and protect your local tax dollar. If we don't protect the tax dollar with what is going on, in 10-15 years there will only be low class and high class citizens in Oshkosh and no middle class at all. We need to protect that almighty dollar!!

In Budgeting, I see many changes that should be done!! No more fees, put it in the taxes and leave it there. I don't use any of the fees currently. Those fees that are for the drop off center on witzel, boat docking fees, zoo fees and any others. Even though I don't sue them put them back in the taxes and let people that do use them in paying there taxes early be able to write them off. Also when looking at the budgets I hope to take a new look at the budget and cut the fat in city hall. Every year its always cutting a fireman or policeman or fire station. Never do you hear that it would be 2 positions in city hall, or the water department, etc. My main goal is to take the budget process to a new level. That would be to take a look at so many depts each and every month, so that in time you have an idea long before the budget comes for the next year and look at department revisions and making it equal across the board.

Please vote for Brian Poeschl as your city council representative on Tuesday, February 21st!!!

Friday, January 13, 2006

Underheim will not seek re-election to state assembly

[The following is a press release from Gregg Underheim from earlier today, despite the fact that the release erroneously was dated the preceding year. As is our usual practice, we present it here as released. And with this announcement will undoubtedly begin the "quiet" movement toward what should be a very interesting campaign season as we get closer to fall. Maybe Tony Palmeri should give it another whirl. Maybe NOW it's "Time for Tony."]

January 13, 2005
For More Information Contact:
Gregg Underheim (920) 233-1082

UNDERHEIM WON’T SEEK RE-ELECTION
Health Committee Chair Grateful to Oshkosh for Years of Support

Oshkosh…Long time chair of the Assembly Health Committee Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh) has announced that this will be his last term in the state legislature.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of my service to the people of Oshkosh. Whether it was working with the folks here at home or on health care issues in Madison, making government work for those it is intended
to serve has been a top priority for me. I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received from friends and neighbors over the years, and now I look forward to seeking new challenges.”

Underheim said he is in good health and planned to seek employment after his current term ends.

Underheim has been Chair of the Assembly Health Committee since 1995. He said the state has made significant improvements to the health care system over the years for consumers, and that patients will have be able to make more informed decisions than ever before about their health care.

Among Underheim’s accomplishments was a bill to allow consumers who were denied coverage by their HMOs to appeal that decision to an independent panel with the power force HMOs and insurance
companies to pay for care.

In 1996, Underheim led a Legislative Council study committee that looked into the issue of data collection in the health care system. The result was successful legislation that was supported by business
and labor, as well as members of both sides of the political aisle. It also set the stage for a current bill, also authored by Underheim, which will allow consumers to access that information to learn more about
their health care providers, physicians, and costs associated with their health care.

“Allowing the public to know more about where their health care dollars go is vital to our efforts to control costs while ensuring quality care,” Underheim said. “It has taken a long time to accomplish that
goal, but I believe we’ll finally get there.”

Underheim said he will also be pushing a bill before his term ends to require accepted standards for nurse midwives, which will provide greater safety for mothers who chose to have their babies at home.

Elected to the Assembly since 1987, Underheim said he thought it best to make his announcement as soon as he made is decision so that others interested in serving would have plenty of time to consider it before filing deadlines.

“Serving citizens of the Oshkosh area has been a tremendously rewarding experience, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve. It just feels like the right time to move on.”

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC

A message from Steve Barney

MLK Day Press Demo at Oshkosh KFC
Date: Monday January 16, 2006
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: KFC Restaurant, 1805 Jackson St. (corner of Jackson and Murdock),
Oshkosh, WI

Members of the Ethical Community of Oshkosh:

Please make an extra effort to join me for a special PRESS DEMO this MLK Day, at the KFC restaurant in Oshkosh, to make a strong statement to the press on the application of the ethical principle on which human equality rests, or The Golden Rule, to farmed animals - including chickens.

Recommended Reading:

KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) Does Chickens Wrong


Petition for Poultry


The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, January 13 2006 @ 05:35 PM MST
Great. Martin Luther King Jr. would be so very proud to have his name used in the name of chickens! We should probably take the day to continue the work toward equality of HUMANS on MLK day. I think you have stepped over the edge on this one! Now, pass me the chicken tenders.

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, January 14 2006 @ 01:44 AM MST
For God's Sake, Man! They are CHICKENS!

News Flash for you: They DO NOT have "Rights" as enumerated in the Constitution! Neither do any other animals except homo sapiens.

Scald them alive in water at a slaughterhouse, or just whack their heads like Ted Nugent does on Sunday nights, they all taste the same.

Having killed a chicken or several over the years myself, I can tell you this in all honestly: None of them, not one single one, has ever said a word to me about not getting killed and eaten. Not ONE WORD! Can anybody else here say that they've heard a chicken say a single word in protest? I thought not.

If God didn't want us to eat them, why did he make them taste so good, especially with barbeque sauce?

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, January 14 2006 @ 05:17 AM MST
I prefer them slowly roasted over a spit, without the feathers, of course. And please...use poultry seasoning and a little salt instead of the BBQ sauce. It brings out more of their natural flavor.

Now on to a more important question: Do chickens have lips, or don't they?

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, January 14 2006 @ 12:16 PM MST
I find your comment and the one before it about how they're only chickens, disgusting and in terribly poor taste. You lack any semblance of compassion and you attempts at humor at the expense of animals being treated this inhumanely is appalling. But then again, Jeffrey Dahmer found certain humans tasty too.

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, January 14 2006 @ 11:08 AM MST
If you are so correct about animals not having rights, as you put it, then please explain to us why there are certain animal protection laws in place in every single state in the union and more being placed on the books every month it seems. Maybe the word "rights" isn't the best choice of words, but in the year 2006 there really is no reason to not be able to kill animals humanely when being used for food purposes. I would be ashamed to have someone in the same race as me if they could watch the horrible images portrayed in the videos and not feel anything but disgust for the manner in which those chickens were being treated.

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, January 20 2006 @ 02:57 PM MST
Actually, farmed animals, particularly chickens, have no real legal protection. For an analysis of state and federal law on farmed animal welfare, see the link to "Foxes In The Hen House" on this page:

Animal Welfare Advocacy
.

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, January 20 2006 @ 03:51 PM MST
We're not talking about that. We're talking about a company being responsibe enough to adopt something humane on its own as others have done. There should be such a thing as a corporate conscience. We shoudl not have to adopt laws for thigns that should be common-sense. But if they can't do it on their own maybe we should.

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, January 21 2006 @ 01:49 PM MST
I agree with you in spirit, but please allow me to fill you in on some of the facts of the matter. Things have actually been going in the opposite direction ("Un-American about Animals" , "A Buoyant Market for Ethics" ). The reason the animal welfare orgs in the US are focusing so much on corporate responsibility is that, historically, the political scene has been completely intransigent for the last 3 decades, in regard to the welfare of farmed animals. The last farmed animal welfare bill to hit the floor of Congress was the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1978 (which the USDA susequently interpreted as excluding chickens and birds in general - 95% of the animals slaughtered for food in the US). The major achievements on that front, in the US, have been in persuading some of the largest corporate consumers of animals, such as McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and Safeway Grocery, to voluntarily adopt animal welfare requirements. These achievements trace back to the verdict of the McLibel Trial (1997), a libel trial about a leaflet which criticised McD's for various things, including cruelty to animals. McDonald's was found to be "culpably responsible" for numerous "cruel practices" of the animal ag (slavery) industry .

The exceptions are states that have a citizen's initiative process (that does not include Wisconsin), which has allowed citizens to overcome the intransigence of the politicians by petitioning to put a referendum question on the ballot; that is, direct democracy. The first major breakthrough by this approach came in 2002 in the State of Florida, where a majority of the citizen voters directly amended that state's constitution to ban the sow crate for pigs - a body sized pen not unlike the veal crate which many of us are probably more familiar with (Wisconsin is the leading veal producer in the US). Here is a descriptive article on that amendment and the sow crate, by a former
speechwriter for President GW Bush:

"Don't tolerate the cruelty on hog farms"
By MATTHEW SCULLY
.

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC

A message from Steve Barney

MLK Day Press Demo at Oshkosh KFC
Date: Monday January 16, 2006
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: KFC Restaurant, 1805 Jackson St. (corner of Jackson and Murdock),
Oshkosh, WI

Members of the Ethical Community of Oshkosh:

Please make an extra effort to join me for a special PRESS DEMO this MLK Day, at the KFC restaurant in Oshkosh, to make a strong statement to the press on the application of the ethical principle on which human equality rests, or The Golden Rule, to farmed animals - including chickens.

Recommended Reading:

KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) Does Chickens Wrong


Petition for Poultry


The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, January 20 2006 @ 02:57 PM MST
Farmed animals, particularly chickens, have no real legal protection. For an analysis of state and federal law on farmed animal welfare, see the link to "Foxes In The Hen House" on this page:

Animal Welfare Advocacy
.


Martin Luther King Day press demo at Oshkosh KFC
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, January 21 2006 @ 01:49 PM MST
Please allow me to fill you in on some of the facts of the matter. Things have actually been going in the opposite direction ("Un-American about Animals" , "A Buoyant Market for Ethics" ). The reason the animal welfare orgs in the US are focusing so much on corporate responsibility is that, historically, the political scene has been completely intransigent for the last 3 decades, in regard to the welfare of farmed animals. The last farmed animal welfare bill to hit the floor of Congress was the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1978 (which the USDA susequently interpreted as excluding chickens and birds in general - 95% of the animals slaughtered for food in the US). The major achievements on that front, in the US, have been in persuading some of the largest corporate consumers of animals, such as McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and Safeway Grocery, to voluntarily adopt animal welfare requirements. These achievements trace back to the verdict of the McLibel Trial (1997), a libel trial about a leaflet which criticised McD's for various things, including cruelty to animals. McDonald's was found to be "culpably responsible" for numerous "cruel practices" of the animal ag (slavery) industry .

The exceptions are states that have a citizen's initiative process (that does not include Wisconsin), which has allowed citizens to overcome the intransigence of the politicians by petitioning to put a referendum question on the ballot; that is, direct democracy. The first major breakthrough by this approach came in 2002 in the State of Florida, where a majority of the citizen voters directly amended that state's constitution to ban the sow crate for pigs - a body sized pen not unlike the veal crate which many of us are probably more familiar with (Wisconsin is the leading veal producer in the US). Here is a descriptive article on that amendment and the sow crate, by a former
speechwriter for President GW Bush:

"Don't tolerate the cruelty on hog farms"
By MATTHEW SCULLY
.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Deterioration of Oshkosh??

Contributed by: DP

Well, it's finally happened, a murder in Oshkosh. Not that it hasn't happened before, but this one seems different. Funny that it would come only 3 days after I predicted something like this would soon start happening in Oshkosh...it seemed inevitible. This recent shooting in Oshkosh should be a wakeup call to our citizens. While still a much, much safer place than most, it is starting to show the signs of moral and economic decay that tends to lead to this type of senseless violence. Drugs and gangs are here, don't kid yourself. Why Oshkosh, why now? It's terrible that a young man with so many years ahead of him was killed, but the claims of a botched burglary are hard to believe. I've heard that this wasn't a random act of violence. I'm very disturbed by the trend in many parts of our city. Am I wrong? I'd like to think that my observations are wrong and I'm just getting old senile.

P.S. Cudos to the Oshkosh police officer who noticed someone acting suspicious. It led to a high speed chase that resulted in the arrest of a man (from Milwaukee, with a drug history). Hopefully the full story will come out on why he was here, and why he ran from the law. And...I'm sure that you will soon hear the word "profiling" being used. But from one citizen of Oshkosh, I say good job and thank you.

Local web site releases its "best" and "worst" of for 2005

The ABV Army Times has just released its Best and Worst of 2005. It is posted here for your reading pleasure and convenience. If you would like to see the web sites for the various recipients of this year's awards, visit the ABV Army Times web site at http://www.geocities.com/abvtimes/newsa and follow the appropriate links.

ABV Best and Worst of 2005

2005 Best Blog Entry:
KANDAHAR 2: DANGER
Oshkosh Native Colin Crowley spent time in Pakistan and Afghanistan documenting the work of Shelter for Life, an international aid organization based in Oshkosh, WI. In this piece, Colin offers a powerful reflection on the gap of understanding that plagues US-Middle East relations.


2005 Best Journey by a Local:
Colin's Story - Colin Crowley in Afghanistan & Pakistan
Colin offers some amazing tales as he journeys through the impoverished third world. He took two trips in 2005. Read about the first at Life in Afghanistan


2005 Best Community Website:
OshkoshNews.Org
Although raw and unrefined, Oshkosh News offers a bountiful variety of resources and links to local outlets in the Oshkosh area. It serves as a central hub of the local internet community, and has been the leader in creative and innovative journalism.


2005 Disgruntled Elected Official
Greg Underheim in The Constitutional Amendment Response
In response to a general email opposing the shady constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions, Underheim had this to say:

Thank you for your recent email regarding a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage in Wisconsin. It is a great disappointment to me that you seem not to know that I’ve opposed and voted against this amendment the last time it was brought before the legislature. Since I was one of only two Republicans who did so, I thought it probable you would know this.

Normally when someone agrees with your point of view, the tendency is to thank them and encourage them to continue to support their point of view. But to answer your question directly, I intend to oppose a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage, again.
Gregg


2005 Best Local Music Album Release
1. Bathtub.Lightbulb.Heartattack. the Willis
Although the official label release is in January '06, many Oshkosh locals have been fortunate to hear the sounds. Good Stuff

2. Minimalist and Anchored. Hellar Mason
A good blend of musicians (we're biased) including Todd Mohe, the Wandering Sons, ABV, and others.


Worst City Decision of 2005
PMI, Oshkosh City Council
Generous donations and city tax funds combined to pay for the Leach Ampitheater, a fine outdoor concert venue and water-side park. What a great location for the community to gather... if you can afford to.

The city of Oshkosh handed over control of the property to PMI, a Green Bay based for-profit venue management corporation. What could have and should have been a fantastic venue for local groups and organizations to hold events, PMI now requires a hefty $1500+ base rate to use the space. The city council never thought to clarify this (or anything really) prior to signing the deal. This gets them the prestigious 2005 worst city decision of 2005 award.


2005 Best Local Organization/Agency
ADVOCAP
While state officials gleen over their passed local tax freeze, county and city officials are feeling the brunt: fewer dollars coming in from the state (instead spent on corporate tax breaks, roads, prisons... etc) and fewer local tax dollars means fewer funds to provide the heavily needed services that local governments should provide.

In comes ADVOCAP, a local community action agency serving the people and communities of Fond du Lac, Green Lake & Winnebago Counties. No other agency in the area comes close to offering such valuable and needed services to our low income communities: Affordable Housing, Business Development, Community Employment, Foster Grandparents, Head Start, Senior Nutrition, Meals on Wheels, Home Weatherization and Rehab, and the list goes on. Thank you ADVOCAP!!!!!!!!


2005 Best Local Display of Democracy
The 2005 Spring City Council Elections
With 14 challengers to only 3 seats, democracy was strong and healthy in the city of Oshkosh. Go to Oshkosh News for a candidate recap.

Runner-up: Iraqi War Troop Withdrawal Referendum movement in Oshkosh. This dedicated group of local activitist knocked on well over 3000 doors to bring attention to war and democracy and to collect signitures in support of their idea to allow the citizens of Oshkosh to voice their opinion on the most important issue of the past 4 years.

2005 Worst Local Display of Democracy
The 2005 Spring City Council/Mayor Elections
Local elections took a turn for the worse with the outlandish candidate spending in the 2005 city of Oshkosh elections. Mayoral candidate Bill Castle raised and spent nearly $10,000. Council candidates Bryan Bain and Meredith Scheuermann raised and spent nearly $4000 each. All three were victors. Let us hope that this expensive and exclusive process of "offices for sale" doesn't become the norm. Check out the Northwestern's recap of the candidate fundraising and spending totals.

Several candidates had placed a challenge to keep spending under $1000. Congratulations to those who agreed to this challenge.


2005 Best Addition to Downtown
Apple Blossom Books
Every good downtown needs a good independent bookstore. Oshkosh now has theirs with Apple Blossom Books at 513 North Main Street. Though the inventory may not be massive, the store offers a wonderful, welcoming atmosphere with exciting special programing including: children's storytime, readings from local authors, book clubs, holiday events, and more. Welcome to Oshkosh!


2005 Bad Boy of the Year
A recent US House challenger and prominant figure of the local Democratic Party, this Bad Boy had one crazy run in with a lady and the police. While this in no way lessens his political insight, it was enough to earn quite a bit of attention in the internet community, as well as the ABV 2005 Bad Boy of the Year Award.


2005 Hypocrit of the Year
Mr. Stewart Rieckman in Bloggin'
See February 13 Editorial by the Northwestern's Stewart Rieckman. According to Stew, "Blogs pollute the political process and election discussions in Oshkosh."

Then jump to his April 10 editorial. Stew acknowledges that "“Yes, whether I like it or not, chat rooms and community Web sites will be a factor in politics and may even set the agenda.”

Then jump to October 1, where Stew writes on his newly created blog, "Now I find that what I do in the ink on paper world is becoming more and more irrelevant."

While veteran website coalition the ABV Times welcomes the rookie blogger Stew to this new forum, such a drastic turnaround has unquestionably won him the prestigious Hypocrit of the Year award.

Note to our historian: Stew has decided - or someone has decided for him - to delete his blog. We're sure he won't lose any more hair over it, as he does have a much larger audience through his newspaper.


2005 Best Local Artist of the Year
Playwright Richard Kalinoski
UW Oshkosh professor Richard Kalinoski has written some amazing plays, including his most acclaimed "Beast on the Moon" which has won over 30 prestigious international awards and has been translated in over 11 languages. Richard is one of the "biggest catches" that UW Oshkosh has made in years, and if you ever have the chance, see one of his plays - or all of them - you will be amazed.

ABV staff has been fortunate to check out Richard's "Between Men and Cattle" at the intimate Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee. It is creative, challenging, and intensely thought provoking. It is an honor to have him be a part of the Oshkosh community!


2005 Best Local Event
Oshkosh Community Earth Charter
Eight days of wildly appropriate material designed to make you think and act. Discussions on clean energy and Careers with a Conscience, socially charged theater, a social justice expo, and a Model United Nations Simulation: World Summit on Sustainable Development.

The highlight of the week was an evening with Program Director of Honor the Earth and the founding director of White Earth Land Recovery Project Winona LaDuke. First, Winona offered an intimate presentation on Wars, Energy, Global Climate Change and the Environment which was followed by a slow foods dinner - Biodiversity, Wild Rice and the Slow Food Movement. What an amazing lady!!


2005 Best Local Idea
Tie. Fox River Corridor Riverwalk and the Pollock Family Aquatic Center


2005 Newcomer of the Year
Ronald Hardy
Out of nowhere came a soft spoken, articulate political junkie who has risen up to rival the political fatheads of Oshkosh and Wisconsin. Ron has become an active player in the online community, revamping the LWGP website and running one of his own (now the world knows Ron). Recently he has been a key facilitator of the peace movement, serving as coordinator and spokesman for the troop withdrawal referendum. Meanwhile, he has served as advisor to a campus group, has held local and state offices within the Green Party, and has raised an extremely bright young daughter with his wonderful wife Amy.


2005 Most Needed but Ignored
Tie. Bike Lanes and Smart Growth Plan
It is a shame that a city the size of Oshkosh does not have bike lanes that interconnect the entire city. Other than a small stretch near the UW Oshkosh campus, bikers are forced to either compete for space with the crazed automobile operators or attempt to follow the cracked and broken sidewalks of the pedestrian walker. Also taking into consideration the estimated 3000 - 6000 adults who currently don't have their license, it just does not make sense that Oshkosh is without menas for healthy, inexpensive, and safe alternative transportation.

Regarding the Smart Growth Plan, c'mon! This is something that should have been developed in 1898, much less today. And Smart Growth doesn't just mean plans to put a big box Walmart on the border of Oshkosh and the town of Algoma. We are talking intelligent growth that considers environment, health, community, housing, transportation, economics, and design. For more on what should be done, check out SMART GROWTH ONLINE


2005 Best Radio Show
Tie:
Democracy Now! Sundays on WRST 90.3 FM from 1pm-2pm
Radio Commentary Fridays, from 6:15pm-7:00pm


2005 Best Community Support Program
Saturday Morning Farmers' Markets

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Council rejects troop withdrawal referendum 6-1

In watching the Oshkosh Common Council meeting last night, I was proud of the civility displayed by most everyone speaking on the troop withdrawal referendum issue - for or against. Except I did hear there were one or two nasty comments made to at least one pro-referendum speaker, and shame on those individuals for their rudeness and refusal to recognize that we live in a country where free speech is protected and should be encouraged.

But mostly civil and respectful public discourse notwithstanding, the decision of the Common Council is disappointing to say the least.

Most of the arguments made by city council members for rejecting the resolution sponsored by councilman Paul Esslinger centered around the petition-drive organizers' failure to obtain the required number of signatures to force direct legislation onto a local ballot. Some people, including Mike Hirt - a former Winnebago County Board Supervisor and soldier who has fought in Iraq - still have the misunderstanding that because the correct number of signatures was not obtained, somehow that means that the will of the people in Oshkosh is to not put this on a ballot. Nothing could be further from the truth.

While I am grateful to Mr. Hirt and every other soldier who is fighting in this war and every one before it - many of my own family members included - he continues to make arguments based on misinterpretations and on a failure to recognize there are two vehicles by which direct legislation can be placed on a local ballot. One of those is to get the required number of signatures; the other is by having a council member sponsor it and getting a simple majority of the council to agree to it. Both methods have been utilized in Oshkosh before.

The group pushing for this referendum did not get the correct number of signatures, it is true. But we have heard repeatedly that the group was given information by the city attorney, Warren Kraft, who indicated that no matter how many signatures petition circulators got, it would not matter and the council still would not have to put such a referendum on the ballot. As we now know, Mr. Kraft's position changed late in the game due to discussions with other city attorneys, etc., and he told the group very late (and it was reiterated at last night's meeting) that this issue could be proper for direct legislation.

Now, most people would think "Okay, we'll start over as the law says we must and this time get the right number of signatures; then they'll HAVE to put it on the ballot in November." Under most circumstances that would be true. But a couple of points need to be made about that.

First, I listened very closely to Mr. Kraft's words. He did not say that the proper number of signatures "would" constitute direct legislation. In framing his answer to city council members he very carefully chose his words by saying that it "could." And he emphasized the word "could."

So it should not surprise anyone if come this Fall when the correct number of signatures is presented to the city clerk, we don't see yet another situation where this effort is stonewalled or otherwise blocked. I would hope that wouldn't be the case, and I would like to believe that our city council would not play a game like that with this issue because of yet another technicality, but I remain cautiously optimistic about it.

Folks can call me suspicious if they wish, but we have seen too many instances with elected officials and city administration in this community where words are carefully chosen, yet answers not completely given; and words end up not meaning what we think they did. In other words, a game of semantics is oftentimes played.

The second point I wish to make is one that I discussed with my brother last night. In fact, we both said it aloud at the same time. So many of these council members had the audacity to talk about how the requirements of the process were not met and the petition-gatherers did not follow the rules. Yet it appears to be completely fine that they themselves did not follow the rules last year when they voted to waive the bids on the bathroom construction at the Leach Amphitheater. And despite both the Attorney General's office and the local DA's office saying the city council broke the law by waiving the bids, the council has repeatedly waved Warren Kraft's opinion in our faces - an opinion which says they did nothing wrong. They will also give you the argument that there were circumstances which deemed the bid-waiving necessary. All that aside, it comes down to this: the council will twist and turn things to fit their arguments against something, but those very same rules do not have to be applied when it is something they want to do.

As already stated and as summed up by Paul Esslinger last night, statutorily there are two processes by which a referendum can get on a ballot. One failed because the rules of the game were changed late in the final quarter. The other failed because the majority of our council got hung up on a technicality (i.e., they don't want to make a decision that will make them unpopular with a huge segment of our community. Much easier, and safer, to not have a spine and stick with the old "technicality" issue.)

- Cheryl Hentz

Friday, January 06, 2006

Delinquent Taxpayers Website

Contributed by: Jim B.
What a great idea to show the masses the deadbeats in the state of Wisconsin. It is beyond me how anyone can owe the substantial amount of money on this site without some serious consequences. We have a couple of "All-Stars" right here in Oshkosh. Could a lot of these budget problems be solved with the money owed to the state? How does this happen?

I owed about $1200 in taxes when I was very young. At the time I did not have the money, but the State was extremely aggressive in setting up a payment plan. The interest was unbelievable.

How are these people getting away with this? I recognize one of the names on the Oshkosh list and know they live a lifestyle higher than most. Ironically, they owe more than most!!

Jim B.

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Friday, January 06 2006 @ 12:40 PM MST
Here is the link to the list which shows the delinquent taxpayers.
Delinquent taxpayers website

It is fascinating - and maddening - reading. By not paying their taxes, these people are stealing from all of us. I understand that sometimes people are listed by mistake and those mistakes should be corrected. But what about the others? I also understand people can and do run into financial binds. But are these folks at least on a payment plan? Is the state doing something to make them pay up? Or are they just left alone to pay at will in their own time frame?These are just a few of the unanswered questions.

Perhaps our legislators need to draft stricter legislation to force these folks to pay up, or face the state taking their property, much like the IRS does if you thumb your nose at them. We could then sell it and use the money to solve our own budget problems.

If this is already an option, let's get moving on it. This kind of thing cannot be allowed to continue to the degree it is.

- Cheryl Hentz

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: DBCooper on Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 10:50 AM MST
Here are the Oshkosh offenders, cut and pasted. The format looks OK in my preview, hope it works when I post it.

DADAS, EUGENE 404 N MAIN ST, #503 OSHKOSH WI 54903 Oshkosh W,I $515,435

THILL, RUSSELL T PO BOX 617 OSHKOSH WI 54903 Oshkosh S,CC,W,I $295,297

THILL, DANIELLE M 3031 FOND DU LAC RD #11 OSHKOSH WI 54901 Oshkosh CC,I $294,027

LARSON, RODNEY ALLEN P.O. BOX 3310 OSHKOSH WI 54903 Oshkosh S,I,W $229,382

CARDER, BRYON PO BOX 821 OSHKOSH WI 54902 Oshkosh S,W $163,655

JAEGER, ROGER G PO BOX 3384 OSHKOSH WI 54903 Oshkosh I $142,218

WIATROWSKI, DENNIS 4009 APPLE LN OSHKOSH WI 54902 Oshkosh S,I $110,958

VIJAYARAGHAVAN, RENGACHARI 1397 MARICOPA DR OSHKOSH WI 54904-8071 Oshkosh W,S,I $89,695

PANSKE, GUY 129 GUENTHER ST APT B OSHKOSH WI 54902-5775 Oshkosh I $83,887

HUMMEL, MARK 5070 ISLAND VIEW DR OSHKOSH WI 54901 Oshkosh I,B,W,S $80,478

BRAHMBHAT, MINESH 3060 WILDERNESS PL OSHKOSH WI 54904 Oshkosh W,S $74,170

HARGROVE, EDDIE 322 E MURDOCK AVE OSHKOSH WI 54901 Oshkosh S,I,W,IA,B,CC $69,555

ENLI, DARRYL 1715 TAFT AVE APT G3 OSHKOSH WI 54901 Oshkosh I $69,475

LONGSINE, JAMES 5973 GREEN VALLEY RD OSHKOSH WI 54904 Oshkosh I $67,899

CARLSON, KURT 905 S MAIN ST OSHKOSH WI 54902 Oshkosh S,I $50,855

CAIN, CHARLES 1207 N SAWYER ST OSHKOSH WI 54901 Oshkosh I $49,795

MALNORY, TODD 1143 ARTHUR AVE OSHKOSH WI 54902 Oshkosh B,I $39,877

NELSEN, DOUGLAS 911 GREENWOOD CT APT 6 OSHKOSH WI 54901 Oshkosh I $39,799

THILL, NANCY PO BOX 1276 OSHKOSH WI 54903 Oshkosh I $34,830

THILL, RUSSELL PO BOX 1276 OSHKOSH WI 54903 Oshkosh I $34,830

BURDICK, GARY A 312 ROSALIA ST OSHKOSH WI 54901 Oshkosh S,W,I $34,523

FERREN JR, ERNEST 1728 GLENWOOD DR OSHKOSH WI 54901 Oshkosh W,S,I $34,142

TESCH, WALTER 1847 OREGON ST OSHKOSH WI 54901 Oshkosh W $29,790

WHITMAN, DAVID 1730 W SNELL RD PO BOX 3530 OSHKOSH WI 54901 Oshkosh W,I $28,555


Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 04:04 PM MST
I find it interesting that most of these people list PO boxes and are probably very difficult to reach. Anyone know what means the city can use to recoop these monies?

I laughed when I saw the last entry on the list. 1730 W Snell is the prison. I don't think we're ever going to see that money.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 05:17 PM MST
Try the city assessor's web site to see if these people own any property. The biggest deadbet on the list, Eugene Dadas, is a business owner in town I think. That address on Main may be his business address. Maybe a nice letter campaign to some of these losers from several of their neighbors in Oshkosh would inspire them to make good on their debts.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 06:52 PM MST
I notice the Thills are listed on here a few times. Are these the Thills from Thill & Co. down on Wisconsin Ave.? I see we also have people who live in pretty upscale areas. Island View Drive is out by Lake Winnebago. Maricopa Drive is out in Westhaven. Have these people no shame at all? How dare they continue to live high on the hog while hosing all of us with their tax delinquencies. It doesn't seem oike the state's method of exposing these people is achieving its goal of embarrassing them into paying. Maybe it's time the government start seizing property in order to satisfy the debts. Someone suggested a letter writing campaign to the debtors. Not a bad idea but a letter writing campaign to our legislators who make the laws that permit this kind of irresponsibility is probably also in order.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 05:36 PM MST
For everyone's information, the THILLS listed here are indeed one and the same as Thill & Co., from just over before the bridge on Wisconsin Street.
Here is what was provided by the Wisconsin Dept. of Financial Institutions:

Chronology Effective Date Transaction Filed Date Description
8/25/1961 Incorporated / Qualified / Registered 8/25/1961
9/3/1964 Change Registered Agent/Office 9/3/1964
1/1/1974 In Bad Standing 1/1/1974
3/14/1974 Restored to Good Standing 3/14/1974
6/3/1974 Change Registered Agent/Office 6/3/1974
7/10/1981 Amendment 7/10/1981
7/1/1982 In Bad Standing 7/1/1982
12/16/1982 Restored to Good Standing 12/16/1982
5/3/1984 Merger (survivor) 5/3/1984 1R12587 (RONSCO HEALTH CARE, LTD.)
3/31/1986 Merged (nonsurvivor) 3/31/1986 2O15189 OMNI MANUFACTURING INC

It did not post as clearly as I'd hoped but you can go directly to the DFI web site and look up Thill & Co. and see for yourself. Funny how a big employer like this that does domestic and international trade is run by a family of deadbeats who screw the state out of taxes they owe. Why is the state allowing this company to continue operating without seizing assets? It is a slap in the face to those of who hardworking stiffs who pay what we owe. Russell baby has a pretty nice house out of Fond du Lac Road though. Maybe he should downsize and live a little more meager lifestyle so he can afford the taxes he owes. More corporate greed is what this is. No wonder people hate corporate leaders so much.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: DBCooper on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 08:44 PM MST
Hey, what happened to the thread telling me I needed a hobby? To that person I say this: In the early 1970's, my hobby was jumping out of airplanes over the Pacific Northwest. Now, my hobby is internet research...

To those not familiar with it, http://www.wdfi.org/ is the link, just click on "search business records" and put in the name of a company.

Your list indicates that Thill was a non-survivor in 1986? Somewhere, some sort of accounting game is being played as we know Thill & Co still exists.

There are, however, many many more Thill "entities" that exist, each one as corrupt as the one you've listed. On Oregon Street right now, there is a Thill backed company called JJT & Associates. There was a Thill backed company in the old Thill building on County A called AJ Metals, circa 2001-2003. Check out their string of bad debts on ccap. Anybody remember about 1990 or so, same location at 35 Wisconsin Street (?), a woman was murdered? Her husband walked into this company and shot her during a break? And maybe her boyfriend also? That was also a Thill company, but it had a different name. I think it has since moved to Fond du Lac, don't know if it still exists or not.

It's incredible how a group of people like this can just sleaze their way from one company to another, hiding behind different company names, never paying their taxes among other obligations. Yet, their personal incomes/property/etc are all conveniently unaffected. It's not surprising "like father like son". They will never be shamed into paying anything, as they have no shame.

What's even more incredible is that we have an entire class of people, the "deadbeats", who all know exactly how to manipulate the system to get around paying their obligations. "Paying taxes is for suckers". The rest of us are the suckers...

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: DBCooper on Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 08:06 PM MST
Folks, let's not forget one thing: These are the names of people who owe MORE than $25000!!!

I don't think the lawmakers in Madison realized how badly this is going to blow up in their faces. Their idea was to "shame" these slackers into paying up. What they are doing is raising the ire of us honest people, who wonder why more isn't being done by the lawmakers in Madison in the first place, and why is it this out of hand?

The first thing that comes to my mind is, how many more people are there, what is the total amount owed, and how long have they not been paying, for all the people that owe LESS than 25000??? You know what? I don't think they'd be willing to tell us that, they are afraid of how outraged we would really be!

I did some looking around with these names, Carlson in particular, and came across something on the circuit court website. If anybody doesn't know what that is or how to access it, post here and I'm sure somebody will be able to help. Carlson comes back as being sued by some entity known as "City of Oshkosh Personal Property". The attorney listed is from Fond du Lac. One case in particular for several thousand dollars, several years old, is listed as "satisfaction: no", which to me means since 2003 this person has owed almost $5000 and has yet to pay.

If anybody from the city council is reading this, I have several questions:

1) What is the "City of Oshkosh Personal Property" entity?

2) If it is associated with the City of Oshkosh, why are we hiring attorneys from Fond du Lac and why not our own legal staff? If they are not capable, why do have them as employees?

3) How many other entities do we have that we the people don't know about? I know of one in particular that I found this afternoon, called "City of Oshkosh Ambulance". Run that one through the ccap website. Interestingly, same attorney from Fond du Lac. Some bizarre cases under that name, but again all involve money being owed. Is it being paid?

4) Would you be willing to bring forth this suggestion to the rest of the city council: The city producing a website similar to the one the state has, (separate from the assesors site) which simply shows the amount of back property taxes owed, and the address and the propery owners name? Or are you afraid of what we the people will find out? How about another website that shows the people who owe for ambulance services and whatever other monies are owed to the city?

DBCooper

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 09:54 AM MST
I found your post very interesting and I do hope that someone from the city or city council responds. I will also mention it to some of them and see if we can't get a reply.

In the meantime, I like your suggestion about a type of city taxpayers web site, but would offer one suggestion. I don't think I would like to see people listed on the site who (a) have disputed the charges for some reason, unless they have lost their dispute or (b) admit they owe the money but because of tough financial times can't pay, but are at least making payments toward the debt. Many times payment plans are agreed to and as long as someone is being true to their word and making those payments I don't think they should be made to feel worse than they probably already do.

There may be some other exceptions too, but these are just a couple ideas. I absolutely agree that at both the local and state level we need to do something to start collecting money owed to us, but we have to do so judiciously.

One other note about the city attorney, I can also tell you that I have seen plenty of cases in our circuit court where people are there disputing tickets issued by the police department or for other violations and neither city attorney Warren Kraft nor our assistant city attorney Lynn Lorenson are there representing the city. It's always somebody else, whose last name I think is Bush or something like that. They will probably have an explanation as to why that is but I would like to know also, why we have a legal staff who doesn't handle these more trivial matters. In fact, neither of them even represented the city in the big smoking ban debacle. They were both in court, along with city manager Dick Wollangk, but neither spoke to the judge on behalf of the city when I was there.

We also know by Mr. Kraft's own "admission" that he has hired an attorney to represent us in the Park Plaza Hotel bankruptcy proceedings so we can hopefully recover some money for, guess what, delinquent taxes, among other things. Can we perhaps save some money in legal expenses by changing the way we do business and are these extra layers of representation really necessary for some reason?

- Cheryl Hentz

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 10:19 AM MST
As a follow-up to my own post I have just sent an email to our entire city council, except Mayor William Castle, who refuses to utilize the convenience of email for his constituents. Hopefully we will get some responses.

Incidentally Mr. Castle stopped using the city email address for communications purposes when it was told to city council members that their emails were subject to the open records law. I think it is a disservice to remove a convenient way for people to communicate with you, especially when your position deems you the top leader in the city.

- Cheryl Hentz

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 11:05 AM MST
Does Paul Esslinger have a city e-mail account?

Call Castle if he doesn't have an e-mail account. I didn't know he was required to maintain one.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 11:56 AM MST
While I agree Paul Esslinger should probably utilize the city email address provided to him, he does have a different email address that I know many people have used. But Mr. Castle has never made any address available to citizens.

Also, I never said it was required, but it is provided free so why would he not want to make things as convenient as possible for people paying his salary? Besides that, people are not always available by phone and some do not have voice mail. By having the convenience of being able to send an email the person doing the sending can do it at any time and the person doing the responding can also reply at their convenience. There's no rocket science involved in understanding this concept. Maybe if we installed a computer somewhere on the back 9 it would make it easier and more palatable for Mr. Castle. Better yet, he works for us; so maybe it should be required that all elected officials maintain an email account.

- Cheryl Hentz

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 12:23 PM MST
Is Mr. Esslinger's email acount public for all of us to access? I have wanted to email him on certain issues but do not have his email address.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 12:56 PM MST
Check with City Hall. I'm sure they'll be able to tell you. Or call him directly and ask for it. Bet you'll get a better response than you get from Castle.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 02:26 PM MST
It sure would be more convenient for citizens and more efficient for city staff if they just listed it on the city web site. If they are willing to give it out over the phone why not have it on the site?

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 02:36 PM MST
I agree. Both Castle and Esslinger should offer up web site addresses. It should be a requirement as long as it's offered. Esslinger had his puled at the same time Castle pulled. Don't know if Esslinger has ever made another one public. What is the big deal about giving out the address anyhow?

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Jim B. on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 02:59 PM MST
Castle doesnt use a computer! His assistant prints out all of his e-mails for him to read. I am not sure he cares what we think anyway!

Jim B.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 04:37 PM MST
Newsflash: BILL CASTLE HAS NEVER CARED WHAT WE THOUGHT. HE CARES ONLY ABOUT HIMSELF AND HIS FRIENDS.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 07:25 PM MST
The back 9, Cheryl? That's stooping pretty low. Lower than I thought you would allow yourself to. Just because Bill Castle doesn't operate like you would want him to doesn't mean he doesn't care. His agenda is different than yours, obviously, but that doesn't require you to stoop to the level you have. I am disappointed in you.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 08:52 PM MST
I have a thought. Maybe when Bill Castle and the cast of characters like him on the city council stop doing stupid things Cheryl Hentz and the rest of us will stop criticizing them.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Monday, January 16 2006 @ 11:09 PM MST
Dear Anonymous,

Sorry you failed to see the humor in the remark. But witicism aside, it's not stooping low at all; it's a statement of fact, the reality of which is perhaps what's really bothering you.

As to your disappointment in me, I accept the fact that I cannot please everyone all the time. I only hope you feel the same, if not greater, disappointment in a mayor who admittedly discusses business on the golf course, then agrees to waive bids to construct the very thing he's been out there discussing - especially when it was in violation of the law? And at the end of the day, my words or actions have not cost taxpayers any money. The same cannot be said for those of Mr. Castle.

Finally, whether Mr. Castle cares or not is not in question - at least not in my mind. I think we've seen the answer to that time and time again by the way he votes. What is a more appropriate question, though, is "Does Mr. Castle remember who he works for?"

- Cheryl

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, January 18 2006 @ 08:45 AM MST
Cite some new arguments, Cheryl. The golf course argument and the bathroom issues are getting old. Start using some new arguments. You're getting to be old hat. If Bill and his group are so bad for Oshkosh, how come they keep getting re-elected?

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, January 18 2006 @ 01:26 PM MST
Perhaps you missed it, but some new arguments HAVE been cited – arguments, for example, about garbage fees, floating docks and skateboard park repairs that have or will cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars above and beyond the bathrooms and amphitheater debacles.

I might also remind you that simply because you are tired of hearing about the "old hat" issues doesn’t mean those of outraged by them have forgotten about them, nor should we. After all, every time we pay a tax bill we are reminded of these things you consider outdated, untimely or old arguments. We’ll be paying on these things for many years to come, if not forever, so the arguments will never really be "old hat."

As to your question about council members who keep getting re-elected, I addressed this many times before but for those like yourself who evidently missed it, I will again state that many people have told me they are so fed up with things that they no longer go to the polls. I don't think that is the right approach to solving the problem, but it is undoubtedly one reason why some of these folks keep getting re-elected. As far as others on the council that many people are unhappy with, they are either still in their first term or are not running for re-election. Also please don’t forget, several things have happened this past year that may actually spur more people to go to the polls this February and April. So we’ll see at that time if your own old argument will stand up.

- Cheryl

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, January 18 2006 @ 02:24 PM MST
So fed up that they no longer go to the polls? That's a cop out. There is no other way to get their point across. If they are not willing to vote for whatever reason, they don't have the right to complain, and NO ONE should listen to them.

If you don't vote, you're part of the problem. Your first responsibility when it comes to using your right to free speech is using that freedom at the ballot box.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, January 18 2006 @ 03:42 PM MST
My previous post says I agree they should be going to the polls and I am not going to debate that issue with you. It is their duty and responsibility, not just a privilege, to vote in every election. But the harsh reality of it is many don't because they are fed up and I was using that as an example to answer a question. Asked and answered.

- Cheryl

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, January 18 2006 @ 05:07 PM MST
I was making a statement, not trying to start a debate with you. Do you always have to have the last word? Maybe if you would listen to what people on this site have to say, instead of always insisting that you are right, you might learn something about local government. As my mother used to say, "You have two ears and one mouth for a reason: You should listen twice as much as you talk."

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, January 18 2006 @ 05:35 PM MST
And I was agreeing with you but also letting you know I was not going to dispute the reason I'd given for why I believe many peole don't go to the polls, etc. Sorry you didn't seem to understand that.

- Cheryl

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, January 18 2006 @ 06:03 PM MST
Because someone doesn't vote they have no right to complain and no one should listen to them??? What a load of hooey. Like you and Cheryl I believe everyone should vote, but even if they don't they still pay taxes which still gives them the right to say how those tax dollars are spent and complain about it if they disagree. Your comments are smug and short-sighted.

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Tuesday, January 17 2006 @ 09:43 AM MST
I have heard from two city council people so far on these questions - Meredith Scheuermann and Bryan Bain. They are working on finding the answers to the questions and will get back to me as soon as they have them. They are welcome to post the answers here directly. Otherwise, if they send them to me by email, I will post them on their behalf. We thank both Meredith and Bryan for their prompt attention to these concerns.

- Cheryl

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, January 18 2006 @ 01:35 PM MST
[We received a reply earlier today from council member Burk Tower and we thank him for his reply. Item A refers to why the city attorney and his assistant do not handle all city legal issues. Item B refers to a tax debtors web site idea. Meanwhile Meredith Scheuermann responded to say she would look into this ASAP but that she was dealing with some personal issues and it might take a few days. We thank she, Bryan Bain and Burk Tower for each responding to the emailed request for information. Here is Burk Tower's response...]

Cheryl,

Sorry to be slow getting back to you but I have been out of town on business. A couple of quick responses. Response to (A): Issues of economics and expertise come into play here. Many of these matters require focused expertise in specific areas and our folks don't have that particular expertise. This area was discussed at the last Council meeting in response to a question by Paul. Related to that is the possible expense of having Full-time people with focused expertise. Also the approach taken now allows the City to hire when services are needed and not fund excess capacity.

(B) I have not been made aware of such a proposal, but believe it might be worth considering. As is true of most issues, it is probably more complicated than it seems at first glance so will take research to determine pros and cons.

Burk


Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, January 18 2006 @ 03:36 PM MST
[We have also received an email from council member Bryan Bain who received the following emailed answers from city attorney Warren Kraft. We thank both of them for their replies also.]

Bryan:

Another Council member dropped by this morning with these same questions.

As I noted last Tuesday night in response to Council member Esslinger's questions, the city attorney's office retained the services of a specialized bankruptcy attorney in Eau Claire because of the complexity of the case. I am handling the civil court litigation, whenever the bankruptcy court permits. I liken our role to your family doctor: she/he is trained in basic care and to identify those areas where specialized examination and care is needed; as much as you respect your family doctor, you probably want a surgeon to perform the needed
operation.

The city's insurance carrier provides defense in many lawsuits, based on the League of Wisconsin Municipalities' umbrella contract. Many personal insurance policies will now provide "defense of action" even where dollar coverage for losses is not provided. Our office coordinates between defense counsel and whichever city administrators or
employees are needed to defend those cases. The successful defense of the smoking ordinance was one such cooperative effort. Unfortunately,
your correspondent is unaware of the hundreds of cases each year that the city attorney office handles away from the spotlight. On occasion, when judges book trials or other court proceedings at the same time, it is necessary for an outside attorney to help us. The district attorney has sufficient staff to appear in all six courtrooms at the same time.
The city attorney's office has consisted of 2.5 attorneys since the early 70s and is responsible for all legal affairs of the city of Oshkosh. At the county level, there is the district attorney office, charged with all the criminal prosecutions, plus the corporation counsel's office that handles all the civil matters.

I cannot address the second question, about website shaming, because that is a policy decision beyond my position of authority. As I explained to the Council member this morning, one need only recall last week's public unveiling of the state's website and the resultant publicity about its errors. While the state may have sovereign immunity from lawsuits concerning defamation, local governments do not enjoy such privilege.

TNX,
Warren P. Kraft
City Attorney Office
215 Church Ave | P. O. Box 1130 | Oshkosh WI 54903-1130
(920) 236-5115 | (920) 236-5090 fax
wkraft@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

IMLA Regional Vice President
Washington DC 20005

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, January 18 2006 @ 06:41 PM MST
[We have now received a response from council member Meredith Scheuermann and, as with the others, we thank her for her response below.]

My answer to the first question is my opinion only. A city attorney needs to have a wide vast knowledge of many things. However, like most laywers, they usually specialize in things, i.e. bankruptcy, divorce, criminal etc. You don't usually have a "one stop shop"with attorneys. Additionally, like a bank manager like myself, I have a global knowledge of many aspects of the bank, however, I get assistance often from our commercial lenders or mortgage lenders when I have questions that are in depth and that require more of their expertise. I am of the opinion that that is the case with Warren (Kraft). He handles what his capacity is, but if the issues become complex, he looks for expertise and assistance from others who specialize in that area.

Second, I would be in support of publishing names of delinquent tax payers. I feel like we did that last year and it got many people to pay up.......am I mistaken? How do we get that started? If it is public record, wouldn't a simple call to the Northwestern do it?

Delinquent Taxpayers Website
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, January 25 2006 @ 01:30 PM MST
What's up with some of our city council representatives? The two new kids on the block, Scheuerman and Bain, took the time to answer questions we asked them along with Burk Tower, who is running for another term right now. But Mattox who is in the middle of her third term didn't bother and Frank Tower who isn't running again didn't bother (guess everyone was right when they said he doesn't give a damn and never did). But what about Esslinger? He is running for another term yet he does not seem to have answered the questions. Is he slacking now that he's got some seniority on the council? Or is he just getting tired?