Editorial: Racism Exist Locally

 

By Dr Ken Yorgan

Editorial: Racism Exist Locally

In Racine Wisconsin the perception still exists by the majority that the Racine Journal Times is an informative, investigative source of journalism. The Editorial Board continues to dismiss the real issues that plague our community. Recently the Journal Times Editorial Board publicized an editorial on a bus incident in Janesville, Wisconsin involving a conflict based on race. The editorial board felt compelled to weigh in with an opinion that demonstrated a lack of investigative journalism to support their cause for opinion. The board admitted their belief that “racism is still a serious problem in our state and nation”. Racism not only exist in our state but also locally in the city of Racine. It is the belief of many that the Racine Journal Times does not have to venture to Janesville to find examples. Using the Editorial Board’s opinion would take us back to the days of “Leave it to Beaver. Beaver was not a racist he was just oblivious to all social issues involving race and culture. One suggestion or solution to the blatant disregard to address issues involving race in the city of Racine is to stop using the “ostrich mentality to journalism”. Pull your head out of the ground and make an effort to right the wrongs that plague our community on a daily basis. Racine is not an island and is certainly not utopia.

Predictions 2014!

My Predictions for 2014 my guess is as good as yours!

I did O.K. in my predictions for last year, lets see how I do this year!

Not in any order

 

1) Porter’s does not happen.

2) A member of the City Council starts the effort to “Claw Back” Money given to Delta Hawk by the City of Racine, gets slapped down.

3)  Two Ethics investigations are requested on activities by the City of Racine. This will lead to more press on who makes up the Bord of Ethics and links to the Mayor of Racine.  Mr Sleepy continues to nap

4) By Spring of 2014 more businesses close in Downtown Racine.

5) Spring of 2014 the County is suggesting more money is needed for Reef Point Marina. The effort will pass the County Board.

6) Racine County will get behind the effort for a new arena for the Bucks. This will take the form of a .05% increase in the sales tax.

7) City of Racine loses more Court fights over property assessments

8) The City of Racine credit rating is downgraded again.

9)  One of the last major employers starts to move out of the City.

10) Rootworks  runs out of money

11) The Uptown Project begins, however  due to the court fights over demolition of a blighted building at 1516 Washington Ave, puts a hold on the efforts. This gets nasty.

12) A sitting Aldermen resigns

13) Paul Ryan loses Reelection

14) The film “Pattern of Practice”  premiere opens in Milwaukee to a packed house. Strong openings on the east coast. Mr Spodick is vindicated.

15) Tom Homes files his law suit on the City of Racine/Park 6

 

Lets see how right I am.

 

 

I prepare for Battle. Do I stand Alone?

 

 

 

 

As you know, this Blog is not liked by the Good Old Boys at City hall from time to time they or their pals leave posts, that I delete.

The worst ones as in obscene  comments are left I simply delete them and go on.

I am more worried by

communication from the City Attorney recommending Council consideration of a press pass policy.

 

Requester:

City Attorney’s Office

No one I have talked to has seen what this might mean, or why now vs say 5 years or 10 years ago

I do I fully believe that the Mayor of the City of Racine hates the idea of me sitting at the Press Table  I know Alderman McCarthy is not a fan

At least he knows the the city will need a written policy before they can try to kick me out of the media area.

As I stated at the last Common Council Good luck with that.   That could easy turn into a court fight in Federal Court Can you just see the headline ” City of Racine Attacks Freedom of the Press”

Even should I get help from say ACLU or other groups this would still cost money.

I expect to be sued as part of this effort to shut me up, I can even see an Alderman claiming that he feels unsafe when I am around. This effort of The Good Old Boys will get bad real fast.

IIMHO  this effort of the City’s will begin a crackdown on all media that is not under direct control of the City (Belle City TV) or the thralls of the City  (Journal Times). This effort by the Mayor of Racine will try as I see it to stop taping of public meetings outside of Belle City TV)  and delaying as long as possible the filling of Open Records requests.

So the effort I must try to do is to get some type of War Chest to help cover my costs.

You will see a page on the blog for exactly that  .

I hope I can count on you for your help.

Once They are done with me it will be your turn

Porter’s where is the J-T?

 

As you may know The RFD responded to an alarm at Porter’s yesterday AM. Thank God was not a fire but the Sprinklers where set off(as of this morning no explanation why. )

The Fire Department attempted to find a Key Holder to come and turn them off, as of 11:00 AM yesterday from what I understand no key holder could  reached to do so.   I understand the RFD then left the site without entering the building,with the Sprinklers still on.

So much more we do not know and since this may be a cornerstone of Downtown Racine and is the subject of Tax Dollars being spend to lots of speculation if Porters will ever start (Note last few days The Journal Times had a story saying that the deal between parties would be signed by the end of this year 2013 now only 6 business days away)

We need to know far more then we do now, I and others are wondering why not even a peep out of the Journal Times as of this A.M.?

I, have talked to Mr. X about this and here are some of the questions we have:

How long did the sprinklers keep running?

Why were all the Key Holders unable to be contacted?

How much if any Damage was done to the building?

Why did the sprinklers go off?

If anything other then mechanical failure was ay fault, will The Racine Police/Fire Department investigate?

If there is Damage  (Let’s hope not) will the cost of repair be added to the project?

How much damage to call off the project?

Should that be the case so much damage that the project be called off, does the City get first claim on any insurance monies?

Any claim on the City being repaid at all?

If the project does not go forward what happens to the BID?

So many questions. Mind you some answers will take time to understand.

I wonder like Mr. X does will we ever know from the J-T?

A sad note

Yesterday I talked to an elected local official on another subject, when we got to talking about Porter’s Mr.E used the term Jewish Lighting.

Sad this is what happens when so much strange events happen in a city, everyone thinks the worst of everything,

IMHO I think that mechanical issues cased this to happen, If not I am sure that the Racine Police/Fire dept will find the parties causing this to happen.

A chart that Mayor Dickert does NOT want you to see with notes found here.

This chart was given to me by others Photos are done clockwise from top center.

As most events have happened there are some here that where are still are expected to happen

very sorry for any misunderstanding.

 

5th photo is to insure the Middle section is included.

Will more then likely Scan the Original Chart and post

This should be thought of a guide to the interconnections to the Mayor’s pals.

This chart will be used in my E-Book to come

Did the others do a good job or did they miss some?

1)

22)

#3)

4)

$4)

55)

Exploring  the links here alone would take some time would also highlight the idea that most of the local GOP is just as bad as the Democrats as this photo goes to show.

mMaybe we should give the other guy running a try? or a puppy?

3

Free Press under Attack in Racine?

 

So this morning I see this

Subject:

communication from the City Attorney recommending Council consideration of a press pass policy.

http://legistar.racinenet.org/meetings/2013/12/5667_A_Common_Council_13-12-17_Meeting_Agenda.pdf

 

This should be sent to the Committee of the Whole for a debate on what to do/what form this policy should take, I do hope the question of why this is needed comes up and discussed  as well, can not wait to find out why this is needed.

What might be the reason,  a Press Pass Policy is needed now? Is Racine overwhelmed by Reporters ? Are Reporters  beating down the Doors of City Hall?  What might be going on?

I just might know what is going on to have the City create a Policy that IMHO will be used to control Reporters not on the Good list kept by The Mayor.

Me, I happened, the Good Old Boys are not liking that very much at all recall this

The first time see date was when Alderman McCarthy (note my very visible Press Pass issued by the Wisconsin Daily Independent) McCarthy said the fist time I be allowed to stay at the table but would find out if I be allowed to continue to do so. that I would know within 7 days.

The Next Week McCarthy told me that since The City did not have a written Press Policy I would be allowed to stay at the Media Table.

Note sign on Table allows Media in that area I have a Press Pass am I not Media?

Or might this all be due to the fact that as a Reporter for    Wisconsin Daily Independent stories from The Natives fighting the City over the Native moundshttp://wisconsindailyindependent.com/?s=mounds

to questions  on the City of Racine Ethics Bord with the links to Mayor John Dickert

Stories that Our Mayor John Dickert would not like you to read, perhaps if we did know we may ask questions on other issues he may like to keep in the dark, like Porters or Belle City TV?

Funny thing is that the even if the City can keep me out of the Media area the City can’t keep me from gathering information and writing stories, nor can they stop me from writing E-Books  on the larger corruption issues of Racine.

This Policy if it’s burdens to do or looks pointed only at me/Members of the 7. I guess it will be lawyer time,.

Right now just a campaign of public embarrassment   on yet another silly plan.

Who knows maybe 4-58 and other TV will come back to Racine WI where Freedom of the Press maybe under attack.

 

Oh one more thing

 

Porters, Again we ask what is truly going on?

 

Well last night I saw this on the J-T On Line http://journaltimes.com/news/local/porters-project-awaiting-final-development-pact/article_ca0d9cca-638c-11e3-b1c9-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=comments

Porters project awaiting final development pact

Thinking that after all this time we would now get answers about the deal with Porters I was well not shocked but bit dazed to read the story and this: “…

Both Porters developer/building owner Micah Waters and Racine City Development Director Brian O’Connell said Thursday the two sides are nearing finalization of the joint development agreement. It’s been going back and forth between attorneys in draft form.

“There is no major dispute; it’s all wordsmithing,” O’Connell said. “… The details matter, and the attorneys are paying attention to details.”…

What???!!!! Its been moths and that “wordsmithing” has not been done yet? Then this “When all agreements have been finalized, Waters said, the next steps will be getting state approval of the plans, going back to the City for building permits and bidding out the project.”

Now I understand not getting the permits but no starting getting State Approval is another story (Unless Waters was told to wait until the new tax laws about rehabbing “Historic” buildings came into effect do I ever smell a scam!)

Mind you this go the Go ahead from the City Council in Spring of 2012 and the Lawyers still do not have an agreement? What? In God’s name could be holding up an agreement, that The City and Water’s both want?

Could it be issues with financing? Property values in Downtown Racine are falling maybe Water’s Bank wants nothing to do with this anymore? If so can you blame them?  just last week a building Downtown Racine less then 200 yards from City Hall sold for pennies on the Dollar of assessed  value would that not be a sign that all is not well in Downtown Racine?

Maybe the Bank just took a walk in Downtown Racine as part of Due Diligence and saw all the For Sale/For Rent signs  now is thinking twice? I know I would.

Myself I am wondering why this story in the J-T now? Will this be the start of stories leading to one that talks about Porters needing more money?

I did take the time to talk to a contractor in Milwaukee who works on midsized projects (Over 1 Mill under 5 Mil), he told me that IHHO:

Waters with his ideas/Drawings could be getting Bid information now and be so much closer to a go once the State gave an O.K. That process  of getting bids could talk weeks doing the investigation required to provide accurate numbers.The sooner that be done the faster the Project get done,

After I sent lets call him Mr. M   links to J-T stories on Porters with his own looking at info on this idea, told me as he saw this “never happen”

So again I ask what is really going on?

Might it be

My score for predictions.

 

 

1) Mayor John Dickert keeps Racine as the #1 City in Unemployment/\  Got that one He must be so proud!

2) A major employer in Racine tells it’s employees, that by 2015, the Company will be moved out of Racine/\  Lots of lay offs in the city and Johnson’s joined in so I say I am 50% right

3)  Delta Hawk will make little effort to hire more staff. The City makes no effort to “Claw Back” and funds used by Delta Hawk /\ 100% right on the mark what is going on at Delta Hawk?

4) Major issues with Porter’s Mayor Dicker tries to  fix by expanding the TIF. The effort fails

/\ Major issues as I see it time and again we got told it start soon still nothing… then who knows what is happening I say 50% right

5)  Issues over The 7th St Roundabout mirror The City Hall Bathrooms’s issues This becomes a major scandal  /\ big zip on this one

6) RiverWorks begins work on the Mound St overlook. Funding drys up. /\ big zip on this one too

7) The City loss of the Union law suit causes 35 employees to be laid off /\ we lost the case and appeal but no lay offs so 50%

8) The fight over CAR 25 results in two law suits /\ big zip here too but 2014 may change that

9) The Journal Times shuts the doors /\ wishful thinking on my part

10)  The City of Racine finds out the amount of the Settlement to “Bill” found to be over $150,000.

total cost to the City  of Racine will be found to be over $250,000  /\ off a bit in the total amount say another 50%

11) City of Racine buys Azarian for back taxes. /\  I think my talking about the possibility stopped that for now

Bonus

A elected City office gets divorced. The case will not be pretty /\ two went down one got ugly 2014 should bring more.

Well unlike Mayor Dickert and his bringing companies to Racine I did OK I give myself a C+ on my predictions

Downtown Racine are you connected? My .02

Thinking of starting a Business in Downtown Racine? Great! You can get building cheep!  Look at 522 6th St. Sold for 40K YES! that’s right a building that was assessed a few years ago at 700K sold for less 10% of what we are told this great building one block away from city hall is worth far less then my home is worth.  Wow.

What does that say for the real worth of Downtown? Let’s ask this question  how are the Businesses Downtown doing? I think for shit.

Why do I care easy! We tax payers are spending lots of hard earned cash supporting of just what 1.5 squire?

Question is 1) how much money is being dumped in this area? 2) When if ever will the gravy train end? 3) for what? How does this spending help the real issues of The City like lack of jobs?

From what I see Porter’s has done NOTHING and no one knows why?  I think nothing will get done to the point of taking bets (I only bet things of no real  value like Gum) if it ever starts.

in 2012 we are told about the project 2/9/12

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/porters-of-racine-to-become-million-redevelopment/article_caec008c-5358-11e1-a2d1-001871e3ce6c.html   2/9/12

RACINE — The former Porters of Racine’s owners Thursday announced a $5.5 million redevelopment of the building into 37 apartments and seven ground-floor retail spaces.

The renovated structure at 301 Sixth St. will be named the Porters of Racine Building, said developer Micah Waters who co-owns the property with his uncle Bob Waters. The name refers to the high-end furniture store that lasted 152 years before closing about two years ago.

During its final months, Micah Waters, an architect, and his firm, Signature Architecture — also at 301 Sixth St. — began working on a reuse plan for the 80,000-square-foot structure that started as nine different buildings….

Then after some time we have this  7/13/13

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/porters-project-moves-ahead/article_133b80fa-eb7a-11e2-972a-001a4bcf887a.html

RACINE — Construction could start for a major Downtown redevelopment, the $6 million Porters of Racine project, within two months.

On Friday, developer and building owner Micah Waters said they are now about halfway through the process of doing architectural drawings with a structural engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer and plumbing engineer. Those drawings must be submitted for state approval — not the City of Racine — because of the project’s large size.

No local permits will be needed; as soon as Waters has state permits, interior demolition can start.

“With the adjusted construction schedule, it looks like the beginning of September” for construction to start, Waters said. Construction is expected to take about 16 months, which would have the project being finished by about the end of 2014.

Note this quote ““With the adjusted construction schedule, it looks like the beginning of September” for construction to start, Waters said” …

Now its 12/13 and still nothing. NOTHING We are told everything is in place but….

Maybe nothing will after all even the Hot Dog guy cant make it in Downtown Racine

http://journaltimes.com/business/local/top-dog-hot-dogs-closes-downtown-store/article_dd4088ae-6f93-11e2-9b87-001a4bcf887a.html

“RACINE — Top Dog Hot Dogs owner Caleb Robinson has closed his store on Monument Square, but the head of Downtown Racine Corp. hopes to eventually get him another storefront.

Top Dog’s last day at 520 Main St. on Monument Square was Friday. Without elaborating, Robinson said he had loans and tax obligations that required him to slash overhead.

“It seemed like for every step I took forward, I was taking two steps back,” he said Monday…”.

Note this quote.. “Robinson said he had loans and tax obligations that required him to slash overhead. “It seemed like for every step I took forward, I was taking two steps back,” he said Monday…”

In other words he could not sell enough Hot Dogs to pay the bills with taxes leading the list.

That is if you pay your taxes, we know from other reports we have businesses in the great downtown that are not paying taxes from Sales to Propriety Tax.

We know that the County is paying the City the property taxes that are owed but to me does nothing to seize the buildings that owe the back property . Why is it the job of Union Grove to pay the taxes owed by Downtown Property owners?

Might this photo explain?

Worse we are told that if we just get more members of the GOP in Madison things will change but I think not

Getting to think that be it GOP or Democrats its all a game. SAy what the Sheep want to hear and drive on after all its all about the money, who gets it and how

I hope I am wrong but I think not.   Lots of ways this helps from votes to maybe envelopes put in cars like happened in Kenosha County.

 

Of course with no real change in Racine or Downtown Racine other then looting and crony Capitalism end result will be a fleeing population and crashing property values

See example

Not long ago this was assessed  at 700K  now Downtown property is falling in vale

But be happy, Mayor John Dickert is going to Mexico! Did your really need your street light?  Did you truly want the street plowed? Hey look at the City Hall Bathrooms!  Who did the Bathrooms?  Did you see the nice ad on Belle City TV for the Hat store? How much you think that cost?

Racine, is it a corrupt place on the Great Lake?

Will Ms Mary Osterman be the subject of a new Ethics probe?

Will Ms Mary Osterman be the subject of a new Ethics probe?

A group ranging from the 7 to both City/County elected officials I understand, are talking together about just that.

The subject to be looked into by a request to the Ethics Board of the City, would be advertising/sponsorship of Belle City TV, and if she is paying the same price as anyone not on the Cable Commission would pay, or is She getting a better rate for ads because she is on the Cable Commission , a pal of the Mayor’s (after all she was helping on his last reelection campaign)   and a strong part of changing CAR 25 to Belle City TV thereby helping friends of the Mayor?  As some members of this group have expressed that concern to me.

Might be a discounted price (if she got one Open Records request when in this morning) be her reward? If so is that ethical? IMHO its something of value far greater then say a Lunch or a few cups of Coffee to say thanks.  http://vimeo.com/79988345  is the spot. This may be a better link Check out “Copecetic Hat Store” by @TheBelleTV on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/79988345   The Twitter quote as well

Mr Love at CAR 25 confirmed that Belle City  TV produced it.

So how much did they charge? Who set the price?  Could you or I get an Ad at the same price?

If not why not?

Goes into a whole new area, that being if they are selling ads a goal of the Mayor of the City of Racine who is buying them? Is just the only one? Is the $$ going to the City or are others making a commission from the sale? Does Time Warner know (selling of Ads might be in violation of the agreement we (City of Racine has with Time Warner) Belle City TV is selling Ads/Sponsorships?

Will Time Warner sue?

Speaking of being sued. Belle City is showing old TV shows and Cartoons on Belle City TV more questions:

What happened to the old producers? Are no new producers coming on? If so why?

Has the old shows been OKed as being in the Public Domain for Broadcast? Interesting the fact that Belle City TV is looking for money makes it a far different entity, then just a city station not looking to get paid.

When, not if Viacom finds out and they will, and still own the rights for broadcast on a Cable Network how much will they sue for?

Why do I think that we will soon all regret the Mayor wanting to be a big TV star like his Hero?

Just just in!

I understand that an Open Records request on complaints about programing on Belle City TV would be fruitful Oh what fun Racine is

PS Copy of the Open Records asked for

Good Morning

I am asking for the following Open Records:

1) A list of all Paid Sponsors of Belle City TV from 1/1/13 to 12/1/13 and the amount charged
2) The amount of money charged to  Ms Mary Osterman for her sponsorship packages for “advertising” of her store Copasetic
located in Racine WI.
3) Copies of any contracts or Emails between Belle City TV and Ms. Osterman from 5/1/13 and 12/1/13.
4) The name of the person clearing the Viacom synicated programing running on Belle City TV over the last month
5) a list of all Racine area producers  as of 1/3/13

I understand that a reasonable charge maybe incurred if so I need to be contacted prior . Note  PDF copies would be fine would be fine