Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
When he appeared on Eye on Oshkosh recently to discuss his city council candidacy, Paul Esslinger stated that special interests are still running the city. He pointed to Meredith Scheuermann and Frank Tower in particular, saying they have both accepted campaign contributions from developer Ben Ganther - both personally and from a group to which he, along with many other business people in the community, belong.
Coincidentally, Ganther and his partners in the 100 N. Main St. project remain delinquent on their tax bill for that property and according to city ordinance cannot use the liquor license being held for them at City Hall. Ganther will be among other liquor license holders who come before the city council on Feb. 14 to discuss their licenses, why they're not yet using them and what their intentions are with reference to them. The city council will eventually have to make a decision on what to do with these licenses - whether it be that night or at some later date - and it is Esslinger's feeling that Scheuermann and Tower should not be voting on Ganther's license or any other Ganther matter, saying it is a conflict of interest.
This topic is open for discussion here and you can see this clip from the show by visiting www.oshkoshnews.org. There is also a moderated discussion at that site about the matter.
- Cheryl
[following are comments as posted to the story on the earlier version of Eye on Oshkosh]
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 10:14 AM MST
First, is this true? Second, if true, this is all you have to say about this? You have gone in to great detail about the unfairness of Mr.Ganther and not paying taxes. Yet, you have nothing to say about him, supposedly buying influence? What's up?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 11:00 AM MST
We don't know that Ganther has bought anything. It was simply pointed out that he donated to the campaigns of 2 council members. We need to wait and see if the votes were purchased during next weeks meeting.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 11:13 AM MST
Why would anyone even want to run for city council anymore?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 11:39 AM MST
Have you all been in a closet the past few years. Policy is being dictated by a small group of people. You can start with 2 organizations. Progress Oshkosh and The Oshkosh Community Foundation. They are well connected, have money, and are commited to their agenda. They have already succeeded with the Leach, downtown development, and Pollack. Wake-up people. They have only just begun.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 01:44 PM MST
lucky for all of us that there are people and groups willing to invest in OUR CITY instead of always running it into the ground. They desreve credit for being progressive, and in most cases , risk takers, who by their efforts make your taxes lower and our local economy better.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 01:46 PM MST
Ya right. They're so busy investing in OUR city that they failed to pay THEIR taxes. So WE now get to keep carrying THEIR water. What a great system.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 11:37 AM MST
Is what true? And why do I have nothing more to say about it? There is nothing newsworthy here. The campaign contributions cited by Paul Esslinger took place a year or more ago and neither Frank Tower nor Meredith Scheuermann have denied taking them. In fact, they noted them on their campaign finance reports. And we have not yet seen if they will influence the council member recipients' votes. We aren't even sure when an actual vote on Mr. Ganther's liquor license will be taken. You're putting the cart before the horse here. Shirking one's legal responsibility is one thing, but voting on something that affects someone who made a campaign contribution, while perhaps not ethically proper, is also not illegal. They are two different things in the eyes of the law.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 01:49 PM MST
It is my understanding that Mr. Ganther has NOT broken the law either. While his lack of paying his taxes is unethical as well, he is still within the confines of the LAW. As I understand it he, by law has 2 years to pay. Do you have other information that contradicts this? If not, then I would submit that both parties (Ganther, and Tower and Schereuman) are in the same moral dilemma. In my opinion this is a story.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 03:01 PM MST
He has two years to pay before his property gets foreclosed on by the county. His taxes are listed as delinquent and subject to collection procedures long before that.
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 03:09 PM MST
By the way, exactly what is the story? You have failed to answer that question. You can refer to previous postings to see why I believe this is not a story at this time.But since there are some people out there who seem to feel that it is and that Frank Tower and Meredith Scheuermann need to recuse themselves from voting on Ben Ganther's liquor license situation (whenever it comes up for a vote), I would suggest to them that Paul Esslinger should also recuse himself - not just from the issuance or keeping of liquor licenses, but anything having to do with any tavern or place which has a liquor license, because he was endorsed by and received campaign contributions (as were four of us) from the tavern league last year. He may be this year as well. Whether morally or ethically wrong, needing to abstain from votes on issues involving campaign contibutors could potentially leave communities with having no elected officials to vote on issues. Or it could lead to having a negative effect on issues since I believe abstentions count as "nays."
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 07:43 PM MST
Welcome to politics. You make donations based on the fact that someone's platform may support you. Not illegal, probably not even unethical. I have no problem with this. Cheryl brings up a good point about Esslinger recusing himself from votes on any liquor license, etc, as he took donations from the tavern league. This is Paul Esslinger climbing up his holy mountain again. The guy turns me off.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 07:56 PM MST
Cheryl:You are flat out lying! I received NO money from the tavern league. Please retract your statement immediately.
Paul Esslinger
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 08:29 PM MST
Paul, by way of a donation to a PAC we started last year, we most assuredly DID receive a campaign contribution from the Tavern League. We also received their endorsement and they ran a newspaper ad for us. If these things aren't support I don't know what is. - Cheryl
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 10:11 AM MST
Cheryl:If you pride yourself on being a great journalist, it would be best if you did your homework when writing stories.In regards to the Tavern League giving the Citizens for Responsible Government money:The Tavern League DID NOT give any money to the “Esslinger for Mayor” campaign, nor did they give any money to the Citizens for Responsible Government!I would invite you to look at both campaign statements at the City Clerks office at City Hall. Or would that require you to report the “facts” of the story, something you’ve been lacking in the past few months?Now before you get yourself in more trouble, please retract your false statement immediately.
Paul Esslinger
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 10:54 AM MST
Paul, I do not know how it got reported on the campaign finance report. But I am certainly not the only one who was under the very distinct impression that some of that money came from the Tavern League. If that is incorrect, I stand corrected.However, that fact notwithstanding, the league did endorse several of us, yourself included, and it ran very expensive ad for us, yourself included. That means you benefitted from it. Is there anything wwrong with that? Abslutely not. But if we are to apply your standards, you should recuse yourself from the type of votes already mentioned. Finally Paul, you can try to bully me by insinuating threats and you are welcome to take potshots at my reporting. That is your choice. Just as it is my choice to not report on something where there simply is nothing to report.
- Cheryl
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 11:35 AM MST
Are we sure it's Esslinger responding? He has responded in the past under his sign in name "Beavis," anyone could post something anonymously and put his name at the end.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 12:28 PM MST
Cheryl:I'm not sure, but I think you retracted your false statement that I received money from the Tavern League.Thank You.
Paul Esslinger
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 03:03 PM MST
You got money from tavern league members though Paul. You also got money from other local business owners. What about that advertising the tavern league people did? You're a hypocrite and a cry baby. When you don't get your way you throw a tantrum. Good lord Esslinger get a life.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 03:54 PM MST
What?!?!
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 07:49 PM MST
This is nothing more than Paul Esslinger crying the blues because someone got a donation he didn't get and someone wouldn't carry his water to go after someone else's character. We've seen this kind of thing from him before and we'll see it again unless we get him off this common council now.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 12:57 PM MST
By the way Paul, let's be clear about something. There is a difference between making statements based on information given and lying, which is what you accused me of. Will you extend the same courtesy? If you have integrity you will. You have also attacked my integrity from a professional standpoint, which was completely inappropriate an unfounded.
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 02:44 PM MST
Well Cheryl I guess you have your answer...Paul and his band of good old boys and girls have made dragged other people's names through the dirt and smeared you professionally all day, then disappeared when he got what he wanted...Typical politician...This guy needs to go and the sooner in this election the better.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 08:26 PM MST
Who else was a part of this group that received donations or advertising from the tavern league people? Does anyone know and what do they have to say about it?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Mike on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 09:41 PM MST
I was one of the other candidates who received an endorsement from the PAC in the form of a flier in the newspaper. I also was supported in the form of an ad in the newspaper by the Tavern League. I know the cost of the Tavern League ad was paid for entirely by the Tavern League. As far as the ad paid for by the PAC I do not know who all the contributors were but it’s my belief that some of the contributors are or were members of the Tavern League. As far as the Tavern League in its self being a contributor I honestly could not say that. So by this I can see how one could conclude the Tavern League/its members were a contributor. That all aside the real question here is where do you draw the line about who you are going to accept money from. Unless you take nothing from any person or group you are not truly exempt from this argument. At least this year candidates were not forced to seek large amounts of money to compete with the others. When one wants to run for council it is a truly hard choice to make as to accept donations or not.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Friday, February 10 2006 @ 07:10 AM MST
Mike, thank you for your comments conerning your understanding of the donations from last year. I think people can see that the actual source of the money was not always real clear, despite what the name on a check may have been. In any event I thank you for coming forward and sharing your impression of things. It shows you have integrity and I wish you well in your bid for the Oshkosh Common Council.
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 11:47 PM MST
For anyone who may have missed it, this is part of what Cheryl posted on the Oshkosh News blog site. I know some of the comments have been posted in both places by different people. I looked for it here and didn't see it. I thought it odd she would not put it on her own blog but I thought it was something readers should see regardless.
START QUOTE "This all started because Paul wanted me to take a public stance on something he was upset about. I wouldn't do it because there simply is no story here - at least not the one you and Paul seem to think there is. But I was happy to put his feelings out there as a follow-up to his own words stated publicly, as was Miles Maguire on this blog. That wasn't good enough for Paul and here we are with he and you fighting a battle that most others just can't see. You can try making arguments about things that haven't happened, but those arguments hold no water. And if Paul is so interested in honestry, forthrightness and full disclosure of information, why has he not "reported" to the general public that he received an email from Mrs. Scheuermann last night already explaining that due to a conflict of interest completely unrelated to this, she will not be voting on the Ben Ganther issue whenever it comes before the council?" END QUOTE
Like others I have read the comments and find myself shaking my head in bewilderment about why Paul Esslinger is bringing this information up now, during a campaign. We have known about Ben Ganther's donation to Mrs. Scheuermann for a while now and she's not running. So it is somewhat perplexing. I'm also confused by Mr. Esslinger because he talks about special interests running the city but then does business with them by working together on this water park. He talks of wants vs. needs but votes for a water park that was rushed through (something else he doesn't like) and at the same time supports charging us for garbage pickup. Then came the topper: the Iraq War referendum. Now we have this huge argument and unwarranted name calling over some tiny donation of what? Maybe a couple hundred bucks or so? It looks like his values have changed.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 09:24 PM MST
Paul did you receive $$ from the owner of Mueller Crysler Plymouth? If so, did you vote on any issues reguarding the rerouting of the roads near that car dealership?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 09:54 PM MST
This is part of what Jef Hall has posted on his blog site, concerning Esslinger's demands for council members recusal. (http://jef4wi.blogspot.com) If you look at Mr. Esslinger's own votes and actions on the council, you can see the impracticality of this. 2 examples where he violates his own standard are:Last year, Mr. Esslinger accepted money from the owner of Mueller on Hwy 21 & 41 to run for mayor. Yet he still voted and participated in the debate regarding how we were going to route the frontage roads. And for the road-building budgets. Both of these had a direct effect on the interests of a campaign contributor. Mr. Esslinger introduced the resolution to put the Iraq War question on the ballot for referendum. He did this even though he accepted the support of "Citizens for Responsible Government" a local PAC/Special Interest Group. Tony Palmeri, one of the leaders of the referendum and it's most publicly outspoken proponent, gave money to this PAC.Under the standard that Mr. Esslinger is proposing in the interview, both of these actions on his part were unethical. To read the entire discussion by Jef Hall and others check out http://jef4wi.blogspot.com.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 10:02 AM MST
Mr. Hall:I’ve read your comments on my “conflict of interest” and would like to make a few observations.1. The City of Oshkosh voted on in principal for the Hwy 41 plan. The City of Oshkosh has no influence on this project. And for that matter, Mr. Mueller is opposed to the project, and I was for it, so your argument holds no water.2. In regards to the troop withdrawal question, there is no financial benefit for me or Dr. Palmeri, so your argument here holds no water also.I believe you’ve had one too many adult beverages when coming up with these “conflicts," but I understand that is not out of character with you. Paul Esslinger
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 10:04 AM MST
I did fail to answer your question, "what is the story?". I realize that you are not a news journalist. However, you have gone to great pains to dig into Mr. Ganther's background, and tax debacle. One of the roles, I believe the media should be playing here, is that, of full disclosure. Why can't you print the campaign finance reports of all candidates in the last election. Then let the public decide what to make of that information?. We the voting public don't need or want, in many cases, journalists editorialization of issues that face us. Put the facts out there and let the people decide what to make of all of the accurate, factual information. While you speak of this being old news, those reports just became public information a few short weeks ago. You would be performing a REAL public service.You are entitled to your opinion, you share it often, this is an area where none is really required, just information. I hope I have anwsered your question.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 10:34 AM MST
No digging into Mr. Ganther's background was done. His unpaid taxes are a matter of public record, as are campaign finance reports. If people want to see them, all they have to do is go to the clerk's office and ask.And yes, the contributions being complained about here are indeed OLD NEWS. It has been known for about one year that Ben Ganther and Progress Oshkosh contributed to Meredith Scheuermann's campaign. She said as much last year even before she was elected, so I guess the public didn't seem to have a big problem with it. You wanted the public to decide: they did. Your wish was granted.As for the issue of Frank Tower's having received a contribution, he did not even run last year so his campaign finance report would have been available long before those who ran last year. Again, this is 2006 and you are wanting old news reported on. But quite frankly, it's in the news, so you can stop complaining now. And for those few who want me to take a position on old news, one of you also just said the voting pubic doesn't always need or want things editorialized. You have again gotten your wish.
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 11:04 AM MST
Bravo Cheryl, you have found a way to dodge a bullet. What isn't old news. You proclaiming on your show " Meredith and I have become quite close" could this be why you have decide that this information about campaign contributions is old news! Your blog, your spin.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 11:09 AM MST
It's old news because it's just that. Furthermore, any kinship with Mrs. Scheuermann has nothing to do with it, though you want to make it appear so. That's YOUR spin. - Cheryl
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 01:01 PM MST
You hit the nail on the head by saying SUPPOSEDLY. You have given new meaning to the words "rush to judgement".
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 13 2006 @ 10:35 PM MST
Paul Esslinger tried taking the easy way out on this one. He tried getting Cheryl Hentz to do something he could just as easily done himself. If it was that important that is. This site all the time posts things that other people submit. If someone is not a registered user or they don't know how to post something on their own, we've seen them send stuff by email and it gets posted that way. Esslinger had plenty of options if he wanted to get a message out. But he went about it the wrong way. He expected Cheryl to report on old news as if there was something newsworthy about it now, months and years after it happened. No one so far has yet been able to explain what is newsworthy about that. Esslinger's motives are suspect and his methods questionable. Is this someone we want in office for another term?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 06:26 AM MST
Thank you for posting this thought. As site operator I should have thought of this myself. But I'm glad you did, anyway. And I will add this to what you said. The information that some have stated elsewhere, and maybe even here, is that I was asked to publish campaign finance reports. Nothing could be further from the truth. The person making such a statement is either a liar or they are grossly misunderstood about what Mr. Esslinger wanted. For the record what he provided to me and wanted a story done on was three donations to two people from one person and one organization. Two of the donations occurred last year and were made to Meredith Scheuermann and the other was made in 2001 to Frank Tower (at least Mr. Esslinger's notes look like it was in 2001.).
When Mr. Esslinger called me, he told me he had campaign contribution information, specifically donations made to Scheuermann and Tower, and he felt the public should be informed about them and that I should do a story about it. I told him that I would look at what he had and if there was something there I would do so. I thought he'd have copies of actual reports and that there would be something of substance there, and certainly something new. But when I saw it was in his own handwriting and only three donations, all of which we've known about for about a year (in Tower's case, longer), I knew there was no "story" there. Now we have a few people out there insisting I have not done my homework on certain things. I disagree. Additionally, to NOT have done my homework in this case would be to have taken whatever Mr. Esslinger wrote on a piece of paper and write a story on it without seeing something official. Moreover, it defies journalistic logic to do a story that (a) has no new information to offer, and (b) is as incomplete as the information Mr. Esslinger gave me. Hence, my decision and I maintain it was the right one made for the proper reasons. I know Mr. Esslinger and a few of his supporters disagree with me. This is America and they're entitled to their opinions. But clearly, that's why they have their professional calling in life and I have mine.
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 08:22 AM MST
Correct me if I'm wrong but Esslinger also could have announced the information on Eye on Oshkosh instead of making vague references to it and expecting Cheryl to carry his load for him. Seeing how he's behaved in the past, I'll bet he makes a speech about her tonight at the council meeting. He always rails on the paper during councilmember statements and now that Cheryl's fallen out of favor with him it's easy to imagine her becoming his next target. More whining and grandstanding by Paul Esslinger. They seem to be his middle name these days.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: steve zhn on Friday, February 17 2006 @ 01:01 PM MST
Did not he vote for the 100 Main Street ? Did he feel that it was a good idea at the time or was he influenced greatly by Mr. Ganther himself ?He also voted for the garbage fees -did not like the better of two evils as he called it on Eye on Oshkosh show last week-but did not come up with any beef to remove that fee.McHugh would have a hiring freeze in place if he had it his way. Would that include his old deaprtment that he was the head of for the city of Oshkosh or would he do something like he did when first came to the school board. He had a policy passed only to have his own child to be the first to break the rule.He also does not like fees -if so what services and programs would he cut from the budget ?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 01:16 PM MST
Cheryl I think you should rename your title to read Esslinger Grandstanding Again. It's always something with this guy. If he's not in the news at least once a week Esslinger isn't happy.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 04:55 PM MST
I don't know that this was really necessary nor it is necessarily true. I realize some people may feel this way, but Mr. Esslinger, despite how one may feel, has done plenty of good things for this community during his time of service. Would you at least agree with that?
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 07:21 PM MST
They should not recuse themselves, they have done nothing wrong by accepting campaign donations. Esslinger does have the right to bring this issue up as it may be considered by some to be an influencing act. Regarding liquor licenses and the Tavern League. If the city is going to consider pulling a license because of unpaid taxes, how about pulling licenses for allowing illegal gambling activity on the premises?? Have you ever had an employee steal from you because of a gambling addiction?? The city knows this stuff is going on and does nothing to try to stop it.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 07:53 PM MST
How about drug trafficking? There are several bars in Oshkosh that have a long history of illegal drug activity. Add that one to the list.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 10:10 PM MST
Where is there a city ordinance that says businesses like this can't have a liquor license? Gambling machines are an issue for the police or Attorney Generals office. Liquor licenses are controlled by the city clerk and there is a specific ordinance about them and how delinquent taxes affect them.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 11:43 AM MST
Paul has taken the same path as his idol Melanie. There act gets old. It is time for Paul to move on as Melanie did. We have had enough.
Coincidentally, Ganther and his partners in the 100 N. Main St. project remain delinquent on their tax bill for that property and according to city ordinance cannot use the liquor license being held for them at City Hall. Ganther will be among other liquor license holders who come before the city council on Feb. 14 to discuss their licenses, why they're not yet using them and what their intentions are with reference to them. The city council will eventually have to make a decision on what to do with these licenses - whether it be that night or at some later date - and it is Esslinger's feeling that Scheuermann and Tower should not be voting on Ganther's license or any other Ganther matter, saying it is a conflict of interest.
This topic is open for discussion here and you can see this clip from the show by visiting www.oshkoshnews.org. There is also a moderated discussion at that site about the matter.
- Cheryl
[following are comments as posted to the story on the earlier version of Eye on Oshkosh]
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 10:14 AM MST
First, is this true? Second, if true, this is all you have to say about this? You have gone in to great detail about the unfairness of Mr.Ganther and not paying taxes. Yet, you have nothing to say about him, supposedly buying influence? What's up?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 11:00 AM MST
We don't know that Ganther has bought anything. It was simply pointed out that he donated to the campaigns of 2 council members. We need to wait and see if the votes were purchased during next weeks meeting.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 11:13 AM MST
Why would anyone even want to run for city council anymore?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 11:39 AM MST
Have you all been in a closet the past few years. Policy is being dictated by a small group of people. You can start with 2 organizations. Progress Oshkosh and The Oshkosh Community Foundation. They are well connected, have money, and are commited to their agenda. They have already succeeded with the Leach, downtown development, and Pollack. Wake-up people. They have only just begun.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 01:44 PM MST
lucky for all of us that there are people and groups willing to invest in OUR CITY instead of always running it into the ground. They desreve credit for being progressive, and in most cases , risk takers, who by their efforts make your taxes lower and our local economy better.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 01:46 PM MST
Ya right. They're so busy investing in OUR city that they failed to pay THEIR taxes. So WE now get to keep carrying THEIR water. What a great system.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 11:37 AM MST
Is what true? And why do I have nothing more to say about it? There is nothing newsworthy here. The campaign contributions cited by Paul Esslinger took place a year or more ago and neither Frank Tower nor Meredith Scheuermann have denied taking them. In fact, they noted them on their campaign finance reports. And we have not yet seen if they will influence the council member recipients' votes. We aren't even sure when an actual vote on Mr. Ganther's liquor license will be taken. You're putting the cart before the horse here. Shirking one's legal responsibility is one thing, but voting on something that affects someone who made a campaign contribution, while perhaps not ethically proper, is also not illegal. They are two different things in the eyes of the law.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 01:49 PM MST
It is my understanding that Mr. Ganther has NOT broken the law either. While his lack of paying his taxes is unethical as well, he is still within the confines of the LAW. As I understand it he, by law has 2 years to pay. Do you have other information that contradicts this? If not, then I would submit that both parties (Ganther, and Tower and Schereuman) are in the same moral dilemma. In my opinion this is a story.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 03:01 PM MST
He has two years to pay before his property gets foreclosed on by the county. His taxes are listed as delinquent and subject to collection procedures long before that.
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 03:09 PM MST
By the way, exactly what is the story? You have failed to answer that question. You can refer to previous postings to see why I believe this is not a story at this time.But since there are some people out there who seem to feel that it is and that Frank Tower and Meredith Scheuermann need to recuse themselves from voting on Ben Ganther's liquor license situation (whenever it comes up for a vote), I would suggest to them that Paul Esslinger should also recuse himself - not just from the issuance or keeping of liquor licenses, but anything having to do with any tavern or place which has a liquor license, because he was endorsed by and received campaign contributions (as were four of us) from the tavern league last year. He may be this year as well. Whether morally or ethically wrong, needing to abstain from votes on issues involving campaign contibutors could potentially leave communities with having no elected officials to vote on issues. Or it could lead to having a negative effect on issues since I believe abstentions count as "nays."
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 07:43 PM MST
Welcome to politics. You make donations based on the fact that someone's platform may support you. Not illegal, probably not even unethical. I have no problem with this. Cheryl brings up a good point about Esslinger recusing himself from votes on any liquor license, etc, as he took donations from the tavern league. This is Paul Esslinger climbing up his holy mountain again. The guy turns me off.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 07:56 PM MST
Cheryl:You are flat out lying! I received NO money from the tavern league. Please retract your statement immediately.
Paul Esslinger
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 08:29 PM MST
Paul, by way of a donation to a PAC we started last year, we most assuredly DID receive a campaign contribution from the Tavern League. We also received their endorsement and they ran a newspaper ad for us. If these things aren't support I don't know what is. - Cheryl
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 10:11 AM MST
Cheryl:If you pride yourself on being a great journalist, it would be best if you did your homework when writing stories.In regards to the Tavern League giving the Citizens for Responsible Government money:The Tavern League DID NOT give any money to the “Esslinger for Mayor” campaign, nor did they give any money to the Citizens for Responsible Government!I would invite you to look at both campaign statements at the City Clerks office at City Hall. Or would that require you to report the “facts” of the story, something you’ve been lacking in the past few months?Now before you get yourself in more trouble, please retract your false statement immediately.
Paul Esslinger
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 10:54 AM MST
Paul, I do not know how it got reported on the campaign finance report. But I am certainly not the only one who was under the very distinct impression that some of that money came from the Tavern League. If that is incorrect, I stand corrected.However, that fact notwithstanding, the league did endorse several of us, yourself included, and it ran very expensive ad for us, yourself included. That means you benefitted from it. Is there anything wwrong with that? Abslutely not. But if we are to apply your standards, you should recuse yourself from the type of votes already mentioned. Finally Paul, you can try to bully me by insinuating threats and you are welcome to take potshots at my reporting. That is your choice. Just as it is my choice to not report on something where there simply is nothing to report.
- Cheryl
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 11:35 AM MST
Are we sure it's Esslinger responding? He has responded in the past under his sign in name "Beavis," anyone could post something anonymously and put his name at the end.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 12:28 PM MST
Cheryl:I'm not sure, but I think you retracted your false statement that I received money from the Tavern League.Thank You.
Paul Esslinger
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 03:03 PM MST
You got money from tavern league members though Paul. You also got money from other local business owners. What about that advertising the tavern league people did? You're a hypocrite and a cry baby. When you don't get your way you throw a tantrum. Good lord Esslinger get a life.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 03:54 PM MST
What?!?!
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 07:49 PM MST
This is nothing more than Paul Esslinger crying the blues because someone got a donation he didn't get and someone wouldn't carry his water to go after someone else's character. We've seen this kind of thing from him before and we'll see it again unless we get him off this common council now.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 12:57 PM MST
By the way Paul, let's be clear about something. There is a difference between making statements based on information given and lying, which is what you accused me of. Will you extend the same courtesy? If you have integrity you will. You have also attacked my integrity from a professional standpoint, which was completely inappropriate an unfounded.
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 02:44 PM MST
Well Cheryl I guess you have your answer...Paul and his band of good old boys and girls have made dragged other people's names through the dirt and smeared you professionally all day, then disappeared when he got what he wanted...Typical politician...This guy needs to go and the sooner in this election the better.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 08:26 PM MST
Who else was a part of this group that received donations or advertising from the tavern league people? Does anyone know and what do they have to say about it?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Mike on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 09:41 PM MST
I was one of the other candidates who received an endorsement from the PAC in the form of a flier in the newspaper. I also was supported in the form of an ad in the newspaper by the Tavern League. I know the cost of the Tavern League ad was paid for entirely by the Tavern League. As far as the ad paid for by the PAC I do not know who all the contributors were but it’s my belief that some of the contributors are or were members of the Tavern League. As far as the Tavern League in its self being a contributor I honestly could not say that. So by this I can see how one could conclude the Tavern League/its members were a contributor. That all aside the real question here is where do you draw the line about who you are going to accept money from. Unless you take nothing from any person or group you are not truly exempt from this argument. At least this year candidates were not forced to seek large amounts of money to compete with the others. When one wants to run for council it is a truly hard choice to make as to accept donations or not.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Friday, February 10 2006 @ 07:10 AM MST
Mike, thank you for your comments conerning your understanding of the donations from last year. I think people can see that the actual source of the money was not always real clear, despite what the name on a check may have been. In any event I thank you for coming forward and sharing your impression of things. It shows you have integrity and I wish you well in your bid for the Oshkosh Common Council.
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 11:47 PM MST
For anyone who may have missed it, this is part of what Cheryl posted on the Oshkosh News blog site. I know some of the comments have been posted in both places by different people. I looked for it here and didn't see it. I thought it odd she would not put it on her own blog but I thought it was something readers should see regardless.
START QUOTE "This all started because Paul wanted me to take a public stance on something he was upset about. I wouldn't do it because there simply is no story here - at least not the one you and Paul seem to think there is. But I was happy to put his feelings out there as a follow-up to his own words stated publicly, as was Miles Maguire on this blog. That wasn't good enough for Paul and here we are with he and you fighting a battle that most others just can't see. You can try making arguments about things that haven't happened, but those arguments hold no water. And if Paul is so interested in honestry, forthrightness and full disclosure of information, why has he not "reported" to the general public that he received an email from Mrs. Scheuermann last night already explaining that due to a conflict of interest completely unrelated to this, she will not be voting on the Ben Ganther issue whenever it comes before the council?" END QUOTE
Like others I have read the comments and find myself shaking my head in bewilderment about why Paul Esslinger is bringing this information up now, during a campaign. We have known about Ben Ganther's donation to Mrs. Scheuermann for a while now and she's not running. So it is somewhat perplexing. I'm also confused by Mr. Esslinger because he talks about special interests running the city but then does business with them by working together on this water park. He talks of wants vs. needs but votes for a water park that was rushed through (something else he doesn't like) and at the same time supports charging us for garbage pickup. Then came the topper: the Iraq War referendum. Now we have this huge argument and unwarranted name calling over some tiny donation of what? Maybe a couple hundred bucks or so? It looks like his values have changed.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 09:24 PM MST
Paul did you receive $$ from the owner of Mueller Crysler Plymouth? If so, did you vote on any issues reguarding the rerouting of the roads near that car dealership?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 09:54 PM MST
This is part of what Jef Hall has posted on his blog site, concerning Esslinger's demands for council members recusal. (http://jef4wi.blogspot.com) If you look at Mr. Esslinger's own votes and actions on the council, you can see the impracticality of this. 2 examples where he violates his own standard are:Last year, Mr. Esslinger accepted money from the owner of Mueller on Hwy 21 & 41 to run for mayor. Yet he still voted and participated in the debate regarding how we were going to route the frontage roads. And for the road-building budgets. Both of these had a direct effect on the interests of a campaign contributor. Mr. Esslinger introduced the resolution to put the Iraq War question on the ballot for referendum. He did this even though he accepted the support of "Citizens for Responsible Government" a local PAC/Special Interest Group. Tony Palmeri, one of the leaders of the referendum and it's most publicly outspoken proponent, gave money to this PAC.Under the standard that Mr. Esslinger is proposing in the interview, both of these actions on his part were unethical. To read the entire discussion by Jef Hall and others check out http://jef4wi.blogspot.com.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 10:02 AM MST
Mr. Hall:I’ve read your comments on my “conflict of interest” and would like to make a few observations.1. The City of Oshkosh voted on in principal for the Hwy 41 plan. The City of Oshkosh has no influence on this project. And for that matter, Mr. Mueller is opposed to the project, and I was for it, so your argument holds no water.2. In regards to the troop withdrawal question, there is no financial benefit for me or Dr. Palmeri, so your argument here holds no water also.I believe you’ve had one too many adult beverages when coming up with these “conflicts," but I understand that is not out of character with you. Paul Esslinger
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 10:04 AM MST
I did fail to answer your question, "what is the story?". I realize that you are not a news journalist. However, you have gone to great pains to dig into Mr. Ganther's background, and tax debacle. One of the roles, I believe the media should be playing here, is that, of full disclosure. Why can't you print the campaign finance reports of all candidates in the last election. Then let the public decide what to make of that information?. We the voting public don't need or want, in many cases, journalists editorialization of issues that face us. Put the facts out there and let the people decide what to make of all of the accurate, factual information. While you speak of this being old news, those reports just became public information a few short weeks ago. You would be performing a REAL public service.You are entitled to your opinion, you share it often, this is an area where none is really required, just information. I hope I have anwsered your question.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 10:34 AM MST
No digging into Mr. Ganther's background was done. His unpaid taxes are a matter of public record, as are campaign finance reports. If people want to see them, all they have to do is go to the clerk's office and ask.And yes, the contributions being complained about here are indeed OLD NEWS. It has been known for about one year that Ben Ganther and Progress Oshkosh contributed to Meredith Scheuermann's campaign. She said as much last year even before she was elected, so I guess the public didn't seem to have a big problem with it. You wanted the public to decide: they did. Your wish was granted.As for the issue of Frank Tower's having received a contribution, he did not even run last year so his campaign finance report would have been available long before those who ran last year. Again, this is 2006 and you are wanting old news reported on. But quite frankly, it's in the news, so you can stop complaining now. And for those few who want me to take a position on old news, one of you also just said the voting pubic doesn't always need or want things editorialized. You have again gotten your wish.
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 11:04 AM MST
Bravo Cheryl, you have found a way to dodge a bullet. What isn't old news. You proclaiming on your show " Meredith and I have become quite close" could this be why you have decide that this information about campaign contributions is old news! Your blog, your spin.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 11:09 AM MST
It's old news because it's just that. Furthermore, any kinship with Mrs. Scheuermann has nothing to do with it, though you want to make it appear so. That's YOUR spin. - Cheryl
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 01:01 PM MST
You hit the nail on the head by saying SUPPOSEDLY. You have given new meaning to the words "rush to judgement".
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 13 2006 @ 10:35 PM MST
Paul Esslinger tried taking the easy way out on this one. He tried getting Cheryl Hentz to do something he could just as easily done himself. If it was that important that is. This site all the time posts things that other people submit. If someone is not a registered user or they don't know how to post something on their own, we've seen them send stuff by email and it gets posted that way. Esslinger had plenty of options if he wanted to get a message out. But he went about it the wrong way. He expected Cheryl to report on old news as if there was something newsworthy about it now, months and years after it happened. No one so far has yet been able to explain what is newsworthy about that. Esslinger's motives are suspect and his methods questionable. Is this someone we want in office for another term?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 06:26 AM MST
Thank you for posting this thought. As site operator I should have thought of this myself. But I'm glad you did, anyway. And I will add this to what you said. The information that some have stated elsewhere, and maybe even here, is that I was asked to publish campaign finance reports. Nothing could be further from the truth. The person making such a statement is either a liar or they are grossly misunderstood about what Mr. Esslinger wanted. For the record what he provided to me and wanted a story done on was three donations to two people from one person and one organization. Two of the donations occurred last year and were made to Meredith Scheuermann and the other was made in 2001 to Frank Tower (at least Mr. Esslinger's notes look like it was in 2001.).
When Mr. Esslinger called me, he told me he had campaign contribution information, specifically donations made to Scheuermann and Tower, and he felt the public should be informed about them and that I should do a story about it. I told him that I would look at what he had and if there was something there I would do so. I thought he'd have copies of actual reports and that there would be something of substance there, and certainly something new. But when I saw it was in his own handwriting and only three donations, all of which we've known about for about a year (in Tower's case, longer), I knew there was no "story" there. Now we have a few people out there insisting I have not done my homework on certain things. I disagree. Additionally, to NOT have done my homework in this case would be to have taken whatever Mr. Esslinger wrote on a piece of paper and write a story on it without seeing something official. Moreover, it defies journalistic logic to do a story that (a) has no new information to offer, and (b) is as incomplete as the information Mr. Esslinger gave me. Hence, my decision and I maintain it was the right one made for the proper reasons. I know Mr. Esslinger and a few of his supporters disagree with me. This is America and they're entitled to their opinions. But clearly, that's why they have their professional calling in life and I have mine.
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 08:22 AM MST
Correct me if I'm wrong but Esslinger also could have announced the information on Eye on Oshkosh instead of making vague references to it and expecting Cheryl to carry his load for him. Seeing how he's behaved in the past, I'll bet he makes a speech about her tonight at the council meeting. He always rails on the paper during councilmember statements and now that Cheryl's fallen out of favor with him it's easy to imagine her becoming his next target. More whining and grandstanding by Paul Esslinger. They seem to be his middle name these days.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: steve zhn on Friday, February 17 2006 @ 01:01 PM MST
Did not he vote for the 100 Main Street ? Did he feel that it was a good idea at the time or was he influenced greatly by Mr. Ganther himself ?He also voted for the garbage fees -did not like the better of two evils as he called it on Eye on Oshkosh show last week-but did not come up with any beef to remove that fee.McHugh would have a hiring freeze in place if he had it his way. Would that include his old deaprtment that he was the head of for the city of Oshkosh or would he do something like he did when first came to the school board. He had a policy passed only to have his own child to be the first to break the rule.He also does not like fees -if so what services and programs would he cut from the budget ?
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 01:16 PM MST
Cheryl I think you should rename your title to read Esslinger Grandstanding Again. It's always something with this guy. If he's not in the news at least once a week Esslinger isn't happy.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 04:55 PM MST
I don't know that this was really necessary nor it is necessarily true. I realize some people may feel this way, but Mr. Esslinger, despite how one may feel, has done plenty of good things for this community during his time of service. Would you at least agree with that?
- Cheryl Hentz
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 07:21 PM MST
They should not recuse themselves, they have done nothing wrong by accepting campaign donations. Esslinger does have the right to bring this issue up as it may be considered by some to be an influencing act. Regarding liquor licenses and the Tavern League. If the city is going to consider pulling a license because of unpaid taxes, how about pulling licenses for allowing illegal gambling activity on the premises?? Have you ever had an employee steal from you because of a gambling addiction?? The city knows this stuff is going on and does nothing to try to stop it.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 07:53 PM MST
How about drug trafficking? There are several bars in Oshkosh that have a long history of illegal drug activity. Add that one to the list.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 10:10 PM MST
Where is there a city ordinance that says businesses like this can't have a liquor license? Gambling machines are an issue for the police or Attorney Generals office. Liquor licenses are controlled by the city clerk and there is a specific ordinance about them and how delinquent taxes affect them.
Esslinger calling for certain council members to recuse themselves from votes
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 11:43 AM MST
Paul has taken the same path as his idol Melanie. There act gets old. It is time for Paul to move on as Melanie did. We have had enough.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 6:32 PM
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