Oshkosh Neighborhood Study - your chance to get involved

We've recently heard about different neighborhood studies and/or surveys being done. But the subject of this week's Eye on Oshkosh is a study like no other and it seeks your help. Conducted by UW-Oshkosh sociology professor Paul Van Auken, this multi-year study project seeks to develop a better understanding of what people in Oshkosh consider a neighborhood to be, and an understanding of the various neighborhoods in the city, as well as the quality of life in them. The information gained from the study will then be used to construct a report about Oshkosh neighborhoods, including recommendations for addressing issues that are identified in the research.

You can get involved in this fascinating and somewhat self-directed project by visiting this site on the city's web site and printing off a copy of the project description form, then following the steps for completion.

It should be noted that this project is being done with the city's blessing but is different from similar projects or surveys done by the city or other groups recently. Van Auken is also working with the NeighborWorks program, but this is a study independent from it, though some information may overlap.

And be sure to watch Eye on Oshkosh during the week of August 29 for more information on this neighborhood study. Air times are Monday at 7pm, Thursday at 1pm and Saturday at 6pm.

RIP Tom Stephany

I have received word that Tom Stephany, former Parks Director for the City of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully this morning after a courageous battle with cancer. Tom faithfully served this community with love and passion since 1995 before retiring in 2009. His work will long live on for future generations to enjoy.

I understand funeral arrangements are set for 11 am Saturday morning at New Life Church on 9th Avenue. Fiss and Bills Funeral Home is assisting the family and online condolences may be left on their web site at by going here.

From those of us at Eye on Oshkosh, we extend our deepest sympathies to Tom, his family and friends, and all those in the employ of the City of Oshkosh - past or present - who worked with Tom during his tenure there. May you all find solace in each other, the Lord and your memories of times spent with Tom during this difficult time and in the days and weeks to come. And when any of us visits or even drives by one of our many parks in Oshkosh, I hope we can each say a silent thank you to Tom for helping beautify our community with his work and vision. Rest in peace, Tom. And thank you.

Litjens uses vote to make moral judgment on abortion issue

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will soon experience statewide cuts to its funding of approximately $1 million as a result of the recently approved budget from Gov. Scott Walker. In Oshkosh, that means $128,000 less funds. The monies cut statewide are being redirected to county health departments, which do not perform abortions nor necessarily perform any type of family planning services.

Some applaud the decision, saying it will stop unwanted abortions, but on a statewide basis only about 3 percent of what Planned Parenthood does is abortions and no abortions are done at the Oshkosh Planned Parenthood location. Still, for those who do need to end a pregnancy for whatever reason, these cuts represent a problem and could result in them not being able to receive the services they seek. And some believe that could lead to young women dying as a result of trying other means to end their unwanted pregnancy.

Rep. Michelle Litjens, R-Vinland was quoted in this Oshkosh Northwestern article as saying “I just don’t believe that in any way, shape or form the state should subsidize abortion. If (Planned Parenthood) decided not to do abortions or abortion referrals they would be eligible for (more) money. The choice is Planned Parenthood’s.”

Many share that view, but here’s the thing, folks. Like it or not, abortion is legal in the United States and elected officials like Michelle Litjens have no business imposing their own morality on the rest of us with her votes. She was elected to represent everyone’s interests, not just those who position she agrees with. There are plenty of things I find morally offensive or just plain don’t agree with but our tax dollars go to fund. I understand that lawmakers allow their beliefs to factor into their decision making process all the time; but that doesn’t make it right.

It just seems to me in this case, lawmakers, and many in the public, hear “Planned Parenthood” and think only abortion. Abortions are a small part of what they do but it certainly is not the bulk of it and yet, abortion is a part of family planning, though I do not advocate the use of abortion instead of other means of birth control. But sometimes those other means fail; nothing is 100 percent fool-proof. And women should have the right to exercise a legal means of ending that pregnancy if they choose to.

Abortion issues aside, the bigger picture is being missed, and that is that there are many services Planned Parenthood provides that will suffer as a result of these cuts. These are all things that must be considered; and in that regard, and so many others – but that’s for another post – I don’t believe our lawmakers in Madison have done their job.

Public is Encouraged to Complete the Neighborhoods of Oshkosh Survey

(Oshkosh, WI.) The city of Oshkosh Planning Services Division invites the public to share their knowledge of neighborhood identity through a brief online survey. The Neighborhoods of Oshkosh survey is open to city of Oshkosh and area residents who would like to share their local knowledge about the identity, location, and character of Oshkosh neighborhoods.

Residents may choose to provide their contact information, but are not required to. Individual responses will be kept confidential, but the overall results will be publicized.

The goal of the survey is to help the Planning Services Division provide a
Neighborhood Resource Toolkit to existing or new neighborhood groups as a portal to local resources. This will enable citizens to find out how and where to get information to establish neighborhood identity and share best practices for community-building.

To take the survey, please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B59DNQY.

To circulate and share the survey, a special link has been created for Facebook at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B5YSYMG.

The survey is open until August 20, 2011 and should take only five minutes to complete. The results will be shared in September.

If you are having difficulties or have questions about the survey, please e-mail lhoover@uwm.edu for assistance. If you would like more information please contact Planning Services at (920) 236-5059.

VIDEO: Local Firefighters, Parents and Teachers Deliver Randy Hopper His “Pink Slip” as GOTV Weekend Kicks Off

After causing thousands to lose their jobs, local residents say it’s time for Hopper to go

Fond du Lac – In conjunction with the kick-off of the final GOTV push for Tuesday’s election, local firefighters, teachers and parents delivered a strong message to Randy Hopper; his constituents have had enough of his blind allegiance to Scott Walker’s extreme agenda – and it’s time for him to go.

Armed with hundreds of personally signed pink slips bearing the message, “Hopper: Here’s your Pink Slip!” the group delivered over 600 of them from voters committed to making this weekend Randy Hopper’s last as the Senator from the 18^th Senate District.

The slips cited Hopper’s votes cutting education, health care and services for the needy as reasons for the signed pink slips. In addition to Hopper’s devastating cuts, the pink slip signers also oppose Hopper’s giveaways of taxpayer dollars to super wealthy, out-of-state corporations and his blind allegiance to the corporate interests backing Scott Walker’s anti-middle class agenda.

On every signed pink slip was a note to Hopper that read:

Dear Sen. Hopper,

As one of your constituents, I’ve had enough.

                        -No more cuts to education, healthcare and critical services for the poor.

                        -No more tax giveaways to the super rich and out-of-state corporations.

                        -No more rubberstamping Gov. Walker’s extreme right-wing agenda.

“Randy Hopper’s job-killing policies have resulted in thousands of Wisconsinites being given pink slips, and his constituents, like myself, have had enough,” said Brad Miller, an assembler at Mercury Marine from Fond du Lac. “Randy Hopper’s constant rubberstamping of Scott Walker’s extreme agenda has put our families at risk – from slashing local aid that jeopardizes funding for police and firefighters to devastating cuts to public education – our families can’t afford to let Randy Hopper keep carrying Scott Walker’s water and taking Wisconsin in the wrong direction.”  

  

Local voters, including the signers of the pink slips will get a chance to send Hopper home at the polls on Tuesday, August 9^th. They’ll also be spending the weekend talking to friends and neighbors, encouraging them to do the same.

To see video of the delivery of the pink slips to Hopper’s campaign office visit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EAjNWV3mB8

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Paid for by We Are Wisconsin PAC, Phil Neuenfeldt, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.

US 41 Project lane closures for August 7 – August 12

[the following is a press release from the Wisconsin DOT...]

Greetings from the US 41 Project Team,

Please do not reply to this email. Feedback may be submitted on our website through our feedback form: http://www.us41wisconsin.gov/component/jforms/1/206?view=form.

For more information contact:
Kris Schuller, US 41 Project communication managerKris.Schuller@dot.wi.gov (920) 492-4109
US 41 Project lane closures for August 7 – August 12
Traffic restrictions in Brown and Winnebago counties
(Green Bay) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region in Green Bay is announcing US 41 lane restrictions for August 7 through August 12 in Brown and Winnebago counties. Traffic impacts in Brown County involve lane closures near Scheuring Road, WIS 172, Lombardi Avenue and WIS 29. Drivers in Winnebago County are reminded of 11-foot wide lanes and reduced speed limits on US 41 between WIS 26 and Breezewood Lane.
Winnebago County
WIS 26 – WIS 21
Tuesday, August 9:
• Various lanes of southbound US 41, between WIS 21 and County Z, closed Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., for grading. 
Wednesday, August 10 – Friday, August 12:
• Various lanes of northbound and southbound US 41, between WIS 21 and County Z, closed Wednesday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and Friday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Closures needed to prepare for the next stage of construction.
US 21 – US 45
Wednesday, August 10:
• Various lanes of northbound US 41, between WIS 21 and US 45, closed Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., for maintenance on the causeway.
• Northbound US 41 on-ramp from WIS 21 closed Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., for maintenance on the causeway.
US 45 – Breezewood Lane
 Monday, August 8 – Thursday, August 11:
• Various lanes of northbound and southbound WIS 76, between Green Valley Road and Indian Point Road, closed Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for painting of the US 41 bridges over WIS 76.
Monday, August 8 – Thursday, August 11:
• Various lanes of the northbound and southbound US 41 ramps at WIS 76, closed Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for painting of the US 41 bridges over WIS 76.                                                     

Brown County
Scheuring Road – WIS 172
Monday, August 8 and Tuesday, August 9:
• Various lanes of northbound US 41, from Scheuring Road to Grant Street, closed Monday and Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., for construction on the Hemlock Creek box culvert.
Monday, August 8 – Thursday, August 11:
• Various lanes of northbound and southbound US 41, between Oneida Street and Grant Street, closed Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., for construction of the future Glory Road overpass.
Oneida Street – Velp Avenue
Monday, August 8 – Friday, August 12:
• Various lanes of southbound US 41, from Larson Street to Oneida Street, closed Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., and Friday from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. Closures are need for grading, paving and asphalting future areas of traffic on US 41.
• Various lanes of northbound US 41, from Oneida Street to Larson Street, closed Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., and Friday from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. between Oneida Street to WIS 172. Closures are need for grading, paving and asphalting future areas of traffic on US 41.
 Sunday, August 7 – Friday, August 12:
• Various lanes of northbound US 41, from Larson Street to Velp Avenue, closed Sunday from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Friday from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., to prepare for the next stage of construction.
• Various lanes of southbound US 41, from Velp Avenue to Larson Street, closed Sunday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., and Friday from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m., to prepare for the next stage of construction.
Lombardi Avenue
Monday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 10:
• Southbound US 41 on-ramp from Lombardi Avenue closed Monday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for work on the shoulders.
WIS 29
Sunday, August 7 – Thursday, August 11:
• Northbound US 41 off-ramp to WIS 29 closed Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for placement of concrete barrier. Ramp traffic will be detoured to the northbound US 41 off-ramp to WIS 54, west on WIS 54, north on County EB to WIS 29.
Monday, August 8 – Friday, August 12:
• Various lanes closures on eastbound WIS 29, between County FF and Packerland Drive, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
All lane restrictions are weather dependent and subject to change.
Visit us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
[Brown – all, Winnebago- all]

NOTE: News releases located on the Web at: www.US41Wisconsin.gov
WisDOT and the US 41 Project Team
www.us41wisconsin.gov
Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WisconsinUS41
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/wisconsinus41

Randy Hopper Costs Yet Another State Employee Their Job

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                             

August 5, 2011 

Randy Hopper Costs Yet Another State Employee Their Job

After helping his mistress land a state job at a huge pay raise, even ‘friend’ gets snared by Hopper’s seemingly-toxic relationship with job creation

OSHKOSH - In his seemingly never-ending assault on the middle class and public workers, Randy Hopper has cost another state employee their job. The latest casualty? His lobbyist mistress.

News broke last night that Hopper’s mistress was leaving the cushy state job she landed in the Walker administration. This is the same woman Hopper coached as she applied for the job and was corresponding with Walker chief of staff Keith Gilkes. After this correspondence and being recommended directly by Gilkes for the job, Hopper’s mistress ended up landing a position – in the midst of a so-called hiring freeze – with a 35% salary increase. But Hopper’s job-killing policies have even caught up to his friends.

“Looks like another casualty of Hopper’s job-killing agenda is hitting close to home this time,” said Kelly Steele, spokesman for We Are Wisconsin. “Thanks to Randy Hopper’s toxic influence, his lobbyist mistress will have plenty of time to search for the poverty-level, no-benefit jobs that Hopper and Scott Walker say are being created all over Wisconsin.” 

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Paid for by We Are Wisconsin PAC, Phil Neuenfeldt, Treasurer.  Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.

Randy Hopper is out of touch - Believes higher unemployment and poverty-wage jobs are good for Wisconsin families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:         

August 4, 2011 

 

Randy Hopper is out of touch - Believes higher unemployment and poverty-wage jobs are good for Wisconsin families

While unemployment is up and confidence in Wisconsin’s economy is down, Hopper says his policies are “working”

OSHKOSH – In the face of withering state economic data, Sen. Randy Hopper continues to try to put a positive face on Gov. Scott Walker’s extreme job-killing agenda the he has been cheerleading for the last six months.

Updated economic data released last week showed Wisconsin’s unemployment rate rising to 7.8 percent in Fond du Lac and 7.3 percent in Oshkosh. Combined with news that most of the new “jobs” in Wisconsin largely seasonal and/or pay low wages with little to no benefits, Hopper’s vision for Wisconsin is demonstrably bad for working families.

But in response to this news, Hopper said “It is truly remarkable that Wisconsin is experiencing this level of job growth….Today’s announcement is evidence that our pro-economic policies are working.”

Unfortunately for Hopper and Wisconsin’s middle class families, facts are tough things to hide. It seems Hopper believes that rising unemployment is a sign of economic strength.

A recent survey shows that 81 percent of Wisconsinites think the state of the economy is still bad and a full 50 percent expect it will be the same in a year.

“Randy Hopper is out of touch with Wisconsin families. He’s bragging about higher unemployment and poverty-wage jobs that come with no benefits,” said John Jacobs, a local electrician who works in Fond du Lac. “He’s claiming victory about an extreme agenda that guts public education, starves our universities and tech colleges of funding while simultaneously gives millions in tax breaks for wealthy investors like himself and out-of-state corporations.”

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Paid for by We Are Wisconsin PAC, Phil Neuenfeldt, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.

Another Hopper Whopper - do his lies and stretching of the truth know any bounds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                               

August 2, 2011 

In Case You Missed It: Randy Hopper's Hot Air on Mercury Marine

Fond du Lac – In a detailed, first hand account, a Mercury Marine employee tears apart Sen. Randy Hopper’s false campaign claims that he played a pivotal role in keeping Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac. Hopper’s TV ads have already been rated “pants on fire” false by the nonpartisan Politifact for his ‘ridiculous’ attacks on his opponent. Now this new account of what really happened two years ago completely discredits Hopper’s claims.

In his ad, the Hopper campaign claims that he was able to “bring together business and labor.”

According to those at the negotiating table, that simply isn’t true.

Mark Zillges, a Mercury Marine employee of 26 years, shoots downs Hopper’s boasting and exaggerated role point by point.

Some Highlights from the guest editorial include:

As someone who was there during those tense times, I can guarantee Mr. Hopper did not play a major role in the outcome of that final vote. He did not, as he claims, "bring together business and union leaders."

Mr. Zillges also points out that the one thing Hopper could have helped with, state tax incentives for the company, he can’t. Hopper actually voted against them in 2009.

Of the $123 million in public subsidies for the company, $70 million of it came in the form of state aid. These incentives were part of Gov. Jim Doyle's 2009-11 budget — a budget Hopper voted against and publicly condemned.

Finally, Mr. Zillges best summarizes what Hopper is really trying to take credit for and the direction he wants to take Wisconsin’s economy and families in:

In short, the Mercury Marine model Randy Hopper is trying to take credit for is to grant giant public subsidies, raise taxes, give workers lower wages while granting bonuses for executives.

The entire guest column can be read here.

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Paid for by We Are Wisconsin PAC, Phil Neuenfeldt, Treasurer.  Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.

Those “crafty,” nasty Republicans are at it again

With many of Wisconsin’s senatorial elections just one short week away and others not far behind, the Republicans and PACs that support the Republican agenda seem desperate to hold onto those Senate seats. According to the following two stories, they are sending out absentee ballots to Democratic voters that contain misleading, false and/or fraudulent information which, according to some reports constitutes mail fraud.

http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/aug/01/national-republican-congressional-committee/stimulus-jobs-cost-taxpayers-gop-committee-says-in

http://www.wisconsingazette.com/breaking-news/anti-gay-group-sends-fraudulent-ballots-to-democrats.html

I think these actions speak for themselves, and scream of fear and desperation on the part of those involved. But I especially love the involvement and lies by Julaine Appling’s (executive director of the anti-gay group Wisconsin Family Action). Perhaps the reason this woman is so worried about morality is because her own moral compass seems to be missing in action. I’ll chalk her up to being just another religious hypocrite who thinks laws, fair play and moral standards only apply to others. I wonder what Jesus and the Bible would say about her behavior and that of others like her. Hmm…   

Randy Hopper Changes Story on Role in Mistress’s Cushy State Job

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                               

August 2, 2011 

Randy Hopper Changes Story on Role in Mistress’s Cushy State Job

Hopper initially denied having any involvement whatsoever, now says he was simply helping a friend

OSHKOSH – Forced by public disclosure of emails showing him advising his mistress on how to get a state job, Randy Hopper was made to admit on “Up Front with Mike Gousha” that he did, in fact, offer his assistance. Hopper’s forced admission walks back earlier claims that he had “no involvement” in her acquisition of a state job at a 35% raise over the previous employee.

During the interview, Hopper said:

“I think it’s common that you would help a friend and talk to her. I think it would have been a story had that e-mail been between myself and someone in the administration. But I think anybody should step up and help their friends, give them advice when they need advice. In no way was it anything illegal….she asked my opinion on something and I gladly gave it to her.’

Given the fact his blanket denials have now been falsified, Hopper’s claim of not contacting the Walker administration seems not to pass the smell test. In recently disclosed emails between Hopper and his girlfriend, Hopper was coaching her on how to correspond with Walker’s chief of staff, Keith Gilkes. Prior to working for Walker, Gilkes was the Executive director of the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate, the umbrella Republican group that recruits and works closely with Republican state senate candidates. The group advises and supports candidates in a variety of ways from fundraising, field work and press relations. Gilkes was executive director in 2008 when Hopper first ran for office. At the very least, Hopper and Gilkes know one another well, and the mere act of dropping Hopper’s name by his mistress was presumably helpful in her hire. Reports show it was Keith Gilkes who recommended Hopper’s mistress for her cushy job.

“Randy Hopper can’t tell the truth about his role in his mistress landing a cushy state job with a 35% pay raise in the midst of a state hiring freeze,” said Kelly Steele, spokesman for We Are Wisconsin. “Perhaps if Randy Hopper spent as much time fighting for job creation in his district as he spends helping ‘a friend’ get on the government payroll, we’d see some real progress in these tough economic times.”

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Paid for by We Are Wisconsin PAC, Phil Neuenfeldt, Treasurer.  Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.

Voter ID info you need to know before going to the polls

Wisconsin's governor recently signed the Voter ID bill into law. A few of the rule provisions will be in effect for the August 9 recall election, and poll workers will be asking to see a photo ID just to start getting people used to it, even though that provision, and most of the others don't actually take effect until elections in 2012 and beyond.

Oshkosh City Clerk Pam Ubrig was a recent guest on Eye on Oshkosh and was kind enough to provide us with the following information about the new law and what you need to know before you go to the polls. (click on the image to enlarge it to the desired size.) Please familiarize yourself with this information and if you need additional help either call your city, town, municipal or county clerk, or visit the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board at http://www.gab.wi.gov/ or call them at 1-866-VOTE-WIS.

Meanwhile, many thanks to Pam for providing us with the "attached information."