Taxpayers Alliance Head Speaking at 'Massive Show of Force for Lower Taxes' Another Example of Organization's Ideological Agenda

One Wisconsin Now
News Release

For Immediate Release
February 25, 2009

Taxpayers Alliance Head Speaking at 'Massive Show of Force for Lower Taxes' Another
Example of Organization's Ideological Agenda

Joins Republicans Speaking at Conservative Free-for-All to Push GOP Tax Talking Points

Madison - Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance President Todd Berry's upcoming appearance with top state Republican elected officials at a right wing organizations' anti-fair taxation summit is yet another example of the conservative agenda of the Taxpayers Alliance, according to One Wisconsin Now, a statewide liberal advocacy organization.

"Why does One Wisconsin Now think it's news a bunch of Republicans are getting together to share Republican economic talking points and invited former Republican budget official Todd Berry?" asked Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now Executive Director. "It is news as long as Todd Berry and the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance claim their organization is non-ideological."

Berry is an announced speaker at the conservative Americans for Prosperity's "Defending the American Dream Summit," where according to the group's website "you can join Wisconsin's foremost free-market voices, top experts on grassroots mobilization, and Wisconsin's largest gathering of grassroots leaders from across our great state in a massive show of force for our shared belief in lower taxes and more limited government."

Berry's fellow speakers include the state's top Republicans as well as leading conservatives, including: Paul Ryan, JB Van Hollen, Jim Sensenbrenner, Scott Walker, Randy Koschnick, Rose Fernandez, Vicki McKenna, Herman Cain, Fred Kelly Grant - even GOP stage prop "Joe the Plumber." Berry's scheduled appearance at the event was announced at: http://www.defendingthedream.org/WI

Americans for Prosperity was founded in 2003 by the big oil profits of David and Charles Koch, owners of the country's largest privately-held company in America, Koch Industries. Koch has annual sales of $90 billion, according to the Center on Media and Democracy. In Wisconsin, Americans for Prosperity's conservative agenda is advanced by Executive Director Mark Block, a former GOP campaign strategist.

One Wisconsin Now previously reported that board members of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance have donated over $288,000 to Republicans and conservative candidates since 1991, compared to just $24,500 to Democrats and liberals, also raising serious questions about the organization's reputation as an objective source for tax policy and research.

"The right wing extremists holding this event wouldn't be inviting Todd Berry to speak if he wasn't a reliable voice to support their conservative agenda," said Ross. "Ditto for the Republican fundraising machine that makes up his board of directors."

With the state facing a $5.4 billion state budget deficit Berry and the WTA are insisting the budget deficit is billions less - implying much less need to raise revenue from the corporations represented on WTA's board. Board members on the WTA represent a number of corporations including two, AO Smith and JP Cullen and Sons, who according to the Institute for Wisconsin's Future paid no corporate state income taxes over a two-year period.
(http://www.instituteforonewisconsin.org/page/content/WMCast/boardofdirectors/)

# # #

One Wisconsin Now is a statewide communications network specializing in effective earned media and online organizing to advance progressive leadership and values.

Domestic Partner Foes Fitzgerald, Appling: Lying to Us Then, Or Now?

One Wisconsin Now
News Release

For Immediate Release
February 23, 2009

Domestic Partner Foes Fitzgerald, Appling:
Lying to Us Then, Or Now?

Claimed Marriage Amendment Nothing to Do with Domestic Partnerships, Tune Changed Now

Fitzgerald Then: "Could a legislator put together a pack of 50 specific things they would like to give to gay couples? Yeah, they could." [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/8/05]

Fitzgerald Now: "...Sen. Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau, said the courts will have to decide if Doyle's plan meets that standard." [Associated Press, 2/20/09]

Madison - Architects of the 2006 same sex marriage ban who insisted it would not impact legal protections for domestic partners have reversed their position now that Governor Jim Doyle wants to give certain basic legal protections like hospital visitation and inheritance to those in domestic partnerships.

"Sen. Scott Fitzgerald and his right wing allies like Julaine Appling said over and over the ban wasn't about domestic partners," said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now Executive Director. "Lo and behold, now they have done a complete 180 degree turn and Wisconsin has a right to know: were they lying then, or are they lying now?"

With the Governor's proposal introduced, both Fitzgerald and Appling are questioning the legality of domestic partner benefits entirely with the amendment having been approved.

According to a Friday news report, "...Sen. Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau, said the courts will have to decide if Doyle's plan meets that standard." Similarly, Appling told the media, "If they are going to proceed with this, this is going to be settled in court."

This contradicts Fitzgerald and Appling's comments during the legislative debate on the Amendment in 2005, including:

Fitzgerald: "He said the amendment leaves open the possibility that the Legislature could someday define civil unions. 'The second clause sets the parameters for civil unions,' Fitzgerald said. 'Could a legislator put together a pack of 50 specific things they would like to give to gay couples? Yeah, they could.'" [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/8/05]

Fitzgerald: "The proposed constitutional amendment would not prohibit state or local governments or a private entity from setting up a legal construct to provide privileges or benefits such as health insurance benefits, pension benefits, joint tax return filing or hospital visitation to same-sex or unmarried couples." [Capital Times, 12/4/05]

Appling: "If the state Legislature wants to take up adoption and inheritance rights, it can do that" if the amendment becomes law, Appling said. "Nothing in the second sentence prohibits that." [Associated Press, 12/8/05]

Appling: "Contrary to the message being given by opponents of the amendment, the second phrase does not 'ban civil unions.'" [Daily Cardinal, 12/13/05]

"People across Wisconsin agree domestic partners should enjoy basic legal protections like being able to visit their partners in the hospital," said Ross. "Despite the deceptions of Scott Fitzgerald and Julaine Appling, common sense and fairness will prevail."

Rep. Hintz to hold Office Hours

OSHKOSH– Representative Gordon Hintz will be holding office hours at the Oshkosh Senior Center to discuss a variety of topics, including the economic stimulus package and the proposed 2009-2011 Wisconsin State Budget. The event is open to the public and those with questions regarding state issues are encouraged to attend.

Anyone with questions or comments is encouraged to contact the office of Representative Hintz toll-free at 888-534-0054 or via e-mail at rep.hintz@legis.state.wi.us.

Who: Representative Gordon Hintz
What: Senior Center-Office Hours
When: Friday, February 27 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Oshkosh Area Senior Center, 200 North Campbell Road

Community Public Forums on the Referendum

The Board of Education will be hosting two community public forums in March regarding the April 7, 2009 referendum questions.

7:00 p.m., March 4, 2009 - Oaklawn Elementary Gymnasium (112 Viola Ave.)

7:00 p.m., March 16, 2009 - Oshkosh West High School, O-ROOM (375 N. Eagle Street)

There will be a PowerPoint presentation outlining the referendum and each of its three questions, followed by a question and answer period.

The official public notices can be obtained by contacting the school district's central office.

The referendum will also be discussed by current school board members and candidates for school board on upcoming editions of Eye on Oshkosh, in addition to which we will have a special segment on the referendum itself in mid-March. Besides the Q&A at the community meetings, feel free to submit referendum-related questions for candidates and district personnel to us through this web site or by writing hosts@eyeonoshkosh.com.

Rep. Hintz prepared to get to work on projected $5.7 billion budget deficit

MADISON – Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) attended Governor Doyle’s budget address this evening. Governor Doyle laid out the $5.7 billion budget deficit.

"Tonight, Governor Doyle reiterated the sobering fact that due to the severe national economic downturn we face an unprecedented $5.7 billion budget deficit in Wisconsin,” said Rep. Hintz. “We face very difficult decision-making ahead as we tackle our budget deficit. To successfully address this budget deficit and help Wisconsin families during this financial crisis we will need to work collaboratively as legislators.”

“Now is not the time for sound bites and bumper stickers, it is the time to govern and make the difficult decisions we were elected to make. I look forward to working with members of both parties on Governor Doyle’s proposed budget.”

In his budget address, Governor Doyle asked state legislators to work to protect what is important to Wisconsin, including education, health care, public safety and the ability to create jobs and grow the economy. “This is clearly a time when will have to make very deep cuts”, Doyle stated, and his budget plan rejects all new spending requests.

“I share the Governor’s priority of making sure we fund local services such as public safety and education while avoiding massive property tax increases. And I join his effort to continue to promote long-term economic development through targeted incentives and investment in our UW system.”

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures report released on February 6, 2009, “with the economy on a downslide, two-thirds of the states already were facing budget gaps nearing $40 billion while crafting their FY 2009 budgets. Despite closing these initial gaps, states were not done addressing FY 2009 budget problems. New gaps opened after the fiscal year began and the size of these gaps seems to be growing on a daily basis.” The full report can be found online at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/pubs/statebudgetgaps.pdf.

“I am proud that we chose to ban campaign fundraising during the upcoming budget process. This was done with the recognition that we need to keep complete focus on the budget and ensure that we work in the most upstanding manner”, said Hintz. Assembly leaders on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, voted to approve a rule that prevents members from raising campaign funds while the state budget is being crafted and debated.

Sen. Hopper Reaction to Budget Address

Madison, Wisc...] State Senator Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) released
the following statement in reaction Governor Doyle's Budget Address.

"I appreciate the governor's willingness to make some cuts, but they're
not the deep cuts that he has been promising for the last few months.
Instead, his plan is for Wisconsin to tax our way to a balanced budget.

"He raises income taxes. He authorizes sales tax increases. He raises
taxes on fuel. He raises taxes on employers when they try to grow their
workforces. And, he sets the stage for one of the largest property tax
increases in years.

"Raising these taxes in the middle of a recession is reckless and will
hurt families and employers. The governor should have to do the same
belt-tightening that families are doing all across Wisconsin. Just as
families can't demand raises when times get tough, the governor
shouldn't just be able to take more out of our pockets when times get
tough for him."

Six ingredients of a strong housing market; how do they tie in with the school referendum?

Everywhere we turn these days we seem to be faced with dismal economic news. And there are some in this community who relish using that news to tell us why we should vote against all three of the upcoming school referenda questions. Well, this morning I read an article outlining the six ingredients for a strong housing market. Interestingly enough, the second item on the list was having good schools. Conversely, a healthy employment landscape was also on the list.

Yes, we've lost a lot of jobs here, and it is a pity for anyone who has found themselves out of work. But we can also be thankful that we've not seen the severe losses that some communities have suffered. And despite job loss, we have enjoyed a steady growth in population (number five on the list). I bring these things up because I think this all can be tied in with the state of our schools in the Oshkosh area.

It's no secret we have schools which are in disrepair. We can point fingers at full school boards or specific board members and blame them for the problems we have today, but in the end, that will do nothing to make the necessary repairs to our schools, nor will it keep others from beginning to decay. And whether we want to accept it or not, that will eventually play a role in the quality of education our community's children receive.

I somewhat see this as a version of the "What came first, the chicken or the egg?" story: People are out of work or employed in positions that may not pay the best wages in the world, so can they really afford to pay an additional $40 to $60 a year (an approximate average, if all three referenda questions were approved) in property taxes? By the same token, if we don't spend money, can we really expect things to improve? Which must come first - good-paying jobs or improving our existing buildings/infrastructure to help spur growth? And if we do nothing, how will things ever get better?

As to the specific referendum, while I believe we have to do something to make repairs to our schools, I'm not as yet convinced about the new school approach or its chosen location. I am, however, going to listen to the district's sales pitch over the next six weeks with an open mind, and I would encourage others to do the same. But to do nothing and vote no on all three questions, just because of decisions made by past school board majorities that you may disagree with doesn't solve the problem. It's irresponsible and will only cause more problems for us in the future - problems which I believe will surely be felt beyond just the confines of our school district.

Rep. Hintz’s Legislation to Protect Renters Included in Governor’s State Stimulus Package

MADISON – Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) applauded Governor Doyle for incorporating Hintz’s proposed legislation to protect renters in his state budget and state economic stimulus plan. These protections would include requiring a property owner to provide notice to tenants that a foreclosure action has been filed.

"It was brought to my attention that many people in Wisconsin face the trauma of receiving little to no notice that the property they were renting and living in was in foreclosure and being evicted unceremoniously during this difficult economic time,” said Rep. Hintz. “I drafted proposed legislation to address this issue and am pleased and honored that Governor Doyle announced that this provision is included as part of his budget proposal and state stimulus package.”

In a letter to legislative leaders outlining various provisions of the state economic stimulus plan, Governor Doyle included the following language from Rep. Hintz’ proposed legislation that would provide this tenant protection:
Ensure protections for tenants of properties under foreclosure by requiring plaintiffs in a residential rental property foreclosure to provide tenants with notices of foreclosure actions and providing tenants with the ability to recover damages if notices are not given. Provide tenants with the ability to retain residency for up to two months after the sale of a foreclosed property.

Under current law, the lease to property that is subject to a mortgage terminates and a renter may be evicted with little to no notice if the landlord loses the property in a foreclosure action. This provision safeguard renters by requiring notice to be provided, allowing renters to remain in the unit for up to two months after the sale of the property, requiring disclosure to prospective tenants, and allowing renters to withhold rent in the amount equal to the security deposit. A summary of this proposed legislation is below.

Rep. Hintz began working on the legislation after the issue was raised at the Winnebago Fair Housing Coalition meeting last summer where news of a 24-hour tenant eviction raised concern.

“Our upcoming budget process shall be very difficult as we test our ability to tackle this financial crisis that has been brewing. We will be forced to make difficult choices with limited funds, but I encourage my colleagues to support this provision and work to safeguard our citizens from being taken advantage of in this difficult climate.”

A copy of Governor Doyle’s letter to the Legislature can be viewed by visiting the following link:
http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=15919

Summary of LRB-1251 provided by the Legislative Research Bureau:
Under current law, if the owner of real property that is subject to a mortgage defaults in making payments, the mortgagee, which is usually a financial institution, may commence a foreclosure action. If the mortgagee (plaintiff) prevails and obtains a foreclosure judgment, the property owner (mortgagor) may redeem the property before a sheriff’s sale by paying the amount of the judgment to the clerk of court. If the mortgagor does not redeem the property, it will be sold at a sheriff’s sale after the redemption period, which can last from three months to one year, depending on the type of property and whether the mortgagor will owe a deficiency, which is the amount by which the judgment exceeds the amount obtained at the sale. Also under current law, if property that is subject to a mortgage is leased after the lien of the mortgage attaches, the lease is subject to termination if the interest of the mortgagor terminates. Thus, the lease of a tenant to property that is subject to a mortgage terminates and the tenant may be evicted, if the landlord loses the property in a foreclosure action.

This bill requires the plaintiff in a foreclosure action against residential rental property to provide the tenants of the property with notice that a foreclosure action has been filed, notice that the plaintiff has been granted judgment, along with notice of the date on which the redemption period ends, and notice of the date and time of the hearing to confirm the sale of the property. A tenant may recover $250 in damages if a notice is not given. In addition, the bill provides that a tenant may retain possession of the rental unit for up to two months after the end of the month in which the sale of the property is confirmed, and may withhold rent in the amount of the security deposit for the last period during which the tenant actually retains possession of the rental unit.

The bill also requires a landlord to notify any prospective tenant in writing that a foreclosure action has been commenced and, if judgment has been entered, the date on which the redemption period ends. Any rental agreement entered into during the pendency of a foreclosure action must include a separate statement, signed by the tenant, that the landlord has provided the required notices, or it is voidable at the option of the tenant.

Under current law, the director of state courts has established a consolidated electronic system that contains information about cases filed in the circuit courts in the state, including both civil cases and criminal cases. This system, known as the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP), contains a variety of information about the parties to circuit court cases, their attorneys, documents filed with the court, and deadlines, decisions, and outcomes of cases. The information regarding case data contained on the CCAP system is available in the court’s Internet Web site called the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA). This bill prohibits the placing of any information on a civil action concerning the removal of a tenant from a residential rental property in the WCCA Internet Web site if that removal was the result of a mortgage foreclosure of the residential rental property.

Connecting the dots between sidewalk shoveling and TIF money developments

Recently the Oshkosh Common Council made changes to the city’s snow removal ordinance, making it mandatory for snow to be removed from sidewalks by the property owner within 24 hours after each snowfall or ice storm ends. As the city looks to tweak some of its ordinances, this may be one that had been looked at for awhile, but what I suspect brought it to a head was this particularly harsh winter, where people just don’t seem to be paying as close attention as they should, or may have in the past, to clearing their walks. Having a bad ice storm which left a thick layer of ice on many walks and subsequent shortages of ice melt at many retail stores in the city further complicated matters. In several cases, the city has cleared the walks for negligent property owners and billed them for that service.

The Oshkosh Northwestern recently ran an editorial in which it suggested the publishing of those property owners’ names who don’t pay their bills, or shovel their walks or mow their grass – forcing the city to do it for them – much like the state does with delinquent tax payers. It earlier had run an article naming a few of the more frequent offenders of the old, more ambiguous snow shoveling policy – those being Discovery Properties, Pine Investments owned by Sally Struensee and Schwab Properties. This is especially offensive because these are bigger property management companies which undoubtedly have maintenance staff to handle other maintenance issues. So why is this one being ignored? I understand many landlords have it written in their leases that their tenants are responsible for shoveling – and often mowing the lawn, too – but common sense should tell any landlord that if their tenant doesn’t do it, they then have an obligation – both morally and legally – to do so. They are, after all, the property owners. And they can always charge or fine their tenant for not doing it, something I suspect will become even more commonplace with the city’s revised policy now in place.

When I read the article about the biggest offenders of the snow shoveling policy, and saw that Discovery Properties topped the list, a familiar chord struck me. According to the article, one of the partners in Discovery is Mike Goudreau. Unless there is another Mike Goudreau in the city of Oshkosh, I believe this is the same man who happens to be part of Oshkosh River Development LLC, the local development team working to put together a multi-million dollar plan for the Marion Road Redevelopment Area, and part of the group who recently successfully got TIF money approved for a Shopko store on the city’s northside. Why does this strike a familiar chord with me? Because the city is once again looking to do business with someone who has failed to take care of some of the most basic of issues at other properties he owns, much like it did business for years with Ben Ganther of Ganther Construction, who, along with his business partners, failed to pay their property taxes on time – and at least one property was in a TIF district, no less.

If this is, in fact, the same Mike Goudreau, I would suggest the following: Some of our more questioning common council members may want to address this with him and/or his partners in Oshkosh River Development when they next come before the council. And if the developers eventually put a plan together and move forward with it, I do hope the property – whatever it may be – will be maintained better, in a more timely manner and without the city having to intervene, than some of Mr. Goudreau’s sidewalks have been both this winter and last.

OASD announces candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars Program

The Oshkosh Area School District is proud to announce that two Oshkosh Area School District high school students have been selected as candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars Program.

WYATT J. BROTHERS – Senior, Oshkosh North High School

JAMES F. SAWICKI – Senior, Oshkosh West High School

The district commends the outstanding performance of these two students and wishes them well in their bid for selection to the program.

The Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors. In 1979, the program was expanded to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. Annually, up to 141 students are chosen from among outstanding graduating seniors to become Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

Scholars are chosen on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas – academic and artistic success, leadership, and involvement in school and the community – and represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America ’s youth. They are invited to Washington , DC in June to participate in National Recognition Week, which includes many enrichment activities and events and culminates with the presentation to the students of the Presidential Scholars medallion during a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

For a student to be eligible for selection as one of the 500 semifinalists, and ultimately as a Scholar, the application materials, including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports, and transcripts, must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 26, 2009. Semifinalists will be posted in early April, and Scholars in early May.

More information about the Presidential Scholars Program can be found by going to this web site.

OSHKOSH SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFERS CHILD DEVELOPMENT DAYS & FAMILY FAIR

The Oshkosh School District is providing a free educational screening the week of March 3rd–March 6th , 2009 during the hours of 8:00am-3:00pm. This screening is held at the Oshkosh Recreation Department located at 425 Division Street. Child Development Days is a play-based screening for children residing in the Oshkosh School District who were born between Sept 2, 2005 and September 1, 2006. While the children play, trained screeners will assess learning, motor, and speech & language skills. Hearing screening is also available. Parents are given immediate feedback on their child’s development. A family fair will be held in conjunction with the screening, offering information on opportunities for young children. If you have not received information about the screening, please call Karen at 424-1004 to schedule an appointment.

Governor Doyle Calls on Legislature to Require Insurance Companies to Cover Autism

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle is calling on the Legislature to pass a bill that would require insurance companies to cover autism. Governor Doyle was joined at a press conference yesterday in Madison with Senator Judy Robson and Representative Kim Hixson, as well as Mike Crute and Dr. Morton Ann Gernbacher, two parents with autistic children.

“We have a special and sacred obligation to all the children of our state,” Governor Doyle said. “My proposal will help provide the care and support that children across our state living with autism need and deserve, and help take the squeeze off the families that support them. I hope the Legislature will work in a bipartisan way and side with the children and families living with this disease, and not with the big insurance companies.”

Governor Doyle’s proposal would help take the weight off the thousands of Wisconsin families living with autism, by requiring insurance companies to cover autistic children. Not only will this provide real relief for families feeling squeezed by the high costs of autism treatment, it will also help ensure more children living with this disease receive the care they need to lead healthy lives.
Governor Doyle proposed strengthening current legislation to include minimum coverage levels of $60,000 for intensive level services and $30,000 for post-intensive services. By passing this bill, the current waiting list for autism treatment can be cut by one-third, providing more kids access to the services they deserve sooner.

Autism treatment services are already covered in 19 states: California, Indiana, Iowa, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Arizona.

Rep. Hintz Named to Best Legislator List

MADISON– Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) was named as one of the best legislators in Wisconsin in the February issue of Milwaukee Magazine.

Milwaukee Magazine released their annual survey results of Wisconsin’s state legislators. Representative Hintz was selected as one of the top 9 out of 132 legislators to receive this honor.

In selecting the “best legislators” Milwaukee Magazine solicited in-depth and anonymous comments of Capitol observers including staffers, lobbyists and reporters. Participants were asked to grade lawmakers on the basis of vision, savviness, influence, work ethic, brains and integrity. According to Milwaukee Magazine’s survey,

“Another surprise winner, Hintz, only 35 and in his second term, is steeped in governmental experience as both a former legislative and congressional staffer, a political science instructor at UW-Oshkosh and a budget analyst for the city of Long Beach, Calif. Observers from both parties call Hintz a rising star with statewide potential.

Says a conservative lobbyist: “He asks good questions and he’s willing to change his view in response to new information. Even if he disagrees with a group, he’ll take a look at their arguments. That’s remarkable in this day and age.”

Says a former lawmaker: “Hintz became a leader after just one term. He’s bright, hard-working and willing to take the time to learn complex issues.”

“I am committed to serving the citizens of the 54th District and take my role as a legislator very seriously,” said Rep. Hintz. “I am very proud to be recognized for my work as I enter my second term. During this challenging economic time I look forward to rolling up my sleeves, collaborating with my colleagues and making Wisconsin an even better place to live and work for future generations.”

February’s issue of Milwaukee Magazine can be viewed online at www.milwaukeemagazine.com OR http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/currentIssue/full_feature_story.asp?newMessageID=24414 and is currently on the stands at your local bookstore.

** As an editorial note, Eye on Oshkosh would like to congratulate Rep. Hintz on this honor. Keep up the good work, Gordon!

“Oshkosh Today” celebrates 300th show

Oshkosh, Wis. – This February Oshkosh Community Media Services (OCMS) will be celebrating the taping of their 300th “Oshkosh Today” public-affairs program. “Reaching the 300th episode is traditionally a very special milestone in any television program series,” said Jon Urben, director of general services for the City of Oshkosh. “We attribute our successful run to strong support and
participation from guests, viewers and volunteers—it’s truly been a combined team effort between our staff and the Oshkosh community for the last 13 years.”

In recognition of the program’s 300th episode OCMS staff have compiled 14 encore editions of “Oshkosh Today” programs produced during 1995-2008. These encore editions will air at various times on CATV 2 and CitiCable 10 during the month of February.

Urben notes that while much has changed with the program over the years, helping non-profits has always been the primary goal. “Area non-profits have so much to share about their programs, services and special events,” said Urben. “We feel ‘Oshkosh Today’ allows OCMS to help non-profits while also
promoting a wide range of projects and issues that help to build community pride here in Oshkosh.”

To help celebrate the 300th milestone the Friends of OCM are giving away 300 commemorative “Oshkosh Today” latte mugs. These coffee mugs are available beginning February 2, 2009, until supplies last at the OCMS offices on the first floor of City Hall. Before stopping by visitors are encouraged to call 236-5179 to check on availability.

The “Oshkosh Today” program has received numerous national and state programming awards since 1996. To see replay times of “Oshkosh Today” on CATV 2 or CitiCable 10, or to videostream the program, please visit the OCMS website at www.OshkoshCommunityMedia.org.