My reaction to this article is the following:
1. I appreciate Fred’s service and his best effort to do what he feels is right for the town. I don’t harbor any ill feelings toward Fred and consider him a friend, but it IS time for a change. I have very vocally disagreed with the direction the town is heading.
2. I hope that he realizes that his approach was wrong and that the people don’t support this move. I could be wrong, but he has been under fire and this must factor in the decision making process.
3. It’s too bad the one of the architects of this mess won’t be around in the next budget cycle to show the residents how this WILL cause an increase in taxes. I hope not, but fear it’s inevitable.
Lots of people have asked me to run for office in this cycle to help the town get back to normalcy. I’d love to continue to serve the community in a more visible role and I’m contemplating doing so, but I’m concerned about the need for even more money to fix this mess. We’ve spent well in excess of my initial estimate of $150,000. As I’ve stated before we’ve spent lots of cash and capital to get to where we are today.
On the issue of more money to solve this problem, I’ve looked at the town and fire department budgets for next year and have two major concerns:
1. The fire department budget overstates estimated revenues by about $35,000.
2. The town budget, in order to not raise taxes even this year, taps into reserve funds. There won’t be this opportunity next year; the current town board has us tapped dry. Our reserve funds should not be diminished further.
Then again, when I think about these things, I wonder who WILL work to fix these things? I fear the next town board will not be popular when reality sets in and the money has to come from somewhere to correct these past sins.
On another matter, reading the comments after this article, one set of comments struck me as a little troubling not only because of the mis-information repeated, but because of the tone. The comments by “snakecharmer” on 12/9, have the acidic tone that has become all too common in anonymous online postings. I have to admit, some of that tone does reach this blog too and it happens on both sides of the issues. Of course, in the comments I’m called out specifically, that’s OK, I have thick skin, but I do have a couple comments on the specific issues:
1. “Hey there fellow bloggers, Craig, Barikmo, Bird and Riley are town heroes. No other town in the history of Wisconsin ever got a cool half million dollars from a neighboring village for free and unconditionally.” FREE!?! Are you kidding me? This is OUR money! Think about this: It was estimated that the joint department had a value (equity) of about $2.4million. Roughly 85% of that should belong to US in the town, or about $2million of it. In the dissolution of the department we received about $1million in equipment and about $500,000 in cash from Big Bend. So we LOST $500,000 in equity! ($2m - $1m - $0.5m = $0.5m) We got screwed in this deal; it’s certainly NOT free money. To make this even worse, Big Bend lost equity too. This split has been a lose-lose.
2. “If Doble runs he has got a lot to explain --- how the consecutive numbered checks were written for the $13K soap scam…” I have to admit, I don’t know much about the details of this issue: Did I vote with the rest of the fire board to approve these payments? When was this? Did anyone on the fire board know about this issue at the time? I’m going to do a little research on this and make it the subject of a later blog post. If I was duped, then I’ll address it. I’m certainly not perfect and do make mistakes. But, what really bothers me about this comment is the accountability directed at those that were deceived and NOT those that perpetrated the deception. I have to ask who knew about this in the fire department? Why was the fire board deceived, if that is the case? The last I checked, the only member of the command staff that is no longer with the department is Phil Buchholtz. I would suspect that Phil did not act alone on any purchase. Phil was a consensus builder, the rest of the command staff was well involved in all aspects of the fire department operations, were they involved in this? Maybe “snakecharmer” should explain why Doble has a lot of explaining to do, when there are still people on the fire board today that were in place when this “soap issue” occurred. Do they have a lot to explain too? I suggest that if “snakecharmer” wants to take a cheap shot at Doble, then he/she should take the same shot at all of those that should bear some responsibility, but I suspect that would not serve this person’s purpose, therefore it will never happen.
3. “….even the old and confused darling of Big Bend and Vernon's Mr. NoooooO, Rodell Singert.” Really!?! Is this necessary? How does this add to the improvement of our town? Add to the dialogue? I have to say, sometimes Singert goes off on a tangent and speaks longer that he should on an issue, AND he and I don’t always agree, but this is unnecessary. Like Fred, Rodell is doing what he thinks is best for the town at all times. I appreciate his service too.
This post has gotten a lot longer that I intended, but I always feel it is necessary to keep the dialogue alive. Here is one final suggestion for everyone:
Stop making anonymous posts and keep your dialogue productive and insightful; this applies to this blog too! Put your name to your comments. Add to the debate and add your ideas. God knows we need all the help we can get to get our community through this. Ninety percent of the comments I see are back and forth tit-for-tat dribble attacking people and personalities on both sides, this is unnecessary and unproductive. Do we really need to attack those that we disagree with? Anyway, comment on this:
How would you move the community forward?
Sunday, December 12, 2010
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I agree with Mike about the name calling getting out of hand. I don't believe any of the Town Electors are not going to vote for someone because I said they were a lying thieving weasel. However if I can state facts that prove what I am telling you is true, then they may believe me. Unlike Mike I don’t have very thick skin and it bothers me when people tell lies about me to try and make themselves look better. I worked for the Town for six years and helped save hundreds of thousands of dollars by working hard and digging into all of our expenditures to find places to save money. Splitting the Fire Department was not a way to save money. The funding formula that was setup was an excellent formula and was automatically revised every year based on population, assessed value and use. We paid our fair share and so did Big Bend. Vernon however did not have absolute rule and because the current board felt the need for absolute power they decided to dissolve the Fire Department and made up lies to make the residents believe that Big Bend was not paying their fair share. It will take a long time for any future boards to bridge the gap between Big Bend and Vernon that the current board has created. Of course this is just my opinion based on what I know and believe.
ReplyDeleteAs far as how to move the community forward, the first thing would be to replace the current board with people who can actually see past their own egos. I have always believed that taxes should have been raised every year by the maximum allowed which was 3%. There has never been any support for that so because this hasn’t been done and the current board has decided to use a good share of the current fund balance, we will need to borrow money in the near future to fund any capital purchases like they did this year to buy a truck and to fund any needed road work. I also believe that the clerk and treasurer positions should be combined and appointed so they would be hired based on qualifications and not popularity. This also has never been supported and until it is the offices will continue to struggle. I believe the packets that the town board receives before each meeting should also be available to every resident at the same time so if they have a question about an agenda item they can look at the packet and see what the board is using to base their decisions on. I believe these should be available at least a week before the meeting like they used to be. I believe that scheduling meetings using the minimum 24 hour notice should be used very sparingly unlike the current board which uses this very frequently.
I support Mike Doble 100% for Town Chairman if he decides to run and I hope he can find a couple of competent residents to run with him. I believe the next Town Board will have an enormous task fixing the current mess.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteSorry I am posting this anonymously but unlike you there are people currently in office who would use their position for payback.
First I hope you do run for office. You will have my full support! I believe the Town’s people understand the mess the new board will inherit.
If you choose not to run, can you please let us know if there are at least 3 people running for the 3 seats in April? To me that is the first step towards improving our Town.
Good point on being anonymous...I've heard this from a number of people. I guess I shouldn't chide people for trying to protect themselves. This is a real concern for a lot of people.
ReplyDelete"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."
ReplyDeleteThomas Jefferson
Mike,
ReplyDeleteGood luck trying to decide on this, seems like a coin toss. You are certainly the right man for the job!
Town members are anonymous because of the punitive measures of this board. You can't just disagree, with them it gets personal. If you do not believe the way they do you are either misinformed or a disgruntled. Meeting after meeting and article after article I watched good people have their integrity questioned, and character assasinated. This needs to stop in April.
ReplyDeleteMy Pastor gave a sermon on this very issue. I listened closely, it was if he was speaking directly to me... Afterwords, I felt filthy. I tried to tell myself that because I am not on the Town or Village Board I'm not guilty... But realized that I had listened to the gossip and half truths, expressed "my opinions" and had been pulled into the sewer with the others.
ReplyDeleteSlanderer and Gossip, are names I go by.
I am no better than they are. I hung my head in shame. Was anyone else listening? Members of both sides of the issue were there... God was indeed talking to you!
Later we recited the Lord's Prayer. "...Lead us not into Temptation..." We are not supposed to lead our selves there either...
This is not a real confession because I won't post my name... I fear being pulled in any deeper.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray;
ReplyDeleteone was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this:
‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’
But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying,
‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Brian,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statements on improving the Town, except one. The Clerk should be an elect position and if you want a good argument for this look no further then the current Town Board. Can you, honestly tell me that this Board would have not replaced the Clerk on the first opportunity that she didn’t do what they said. They then would replace her with one of their own. At least now the clerk knows she works for the people and not the Town Board.
We might get a bad clerk but we would always have the election to solve that problem. The one thing this Board should have taught the Town is to pay attention to who you are going to elect!
Just a heartfelt thought regarding the demise of the Big Bend Vernon Fire Dept. I would like to thank everyone who has worked so tirelessly to prepare the Village for the split of the Big Bend/Vernon Fire Dept. It warms my heart and moistens my eyes to be around people who's care and concern for their community out weighs any petty political B.S. These men and women volunteers are exactly what the village needed in the face of unabashed megalomania by the Vernon Town Board. Thank You all!!!!
ReplyDeleteAs for Michalek, Bird, Craig, Barikmo, and yes Riley, what can anyone say about this group. Could someone please explain the thought process that led them to do what they did. I challenge anyone out their, even them, to do so! When was the last time anyone mentioned the $5710.00 difference in the budgets that was the EXCUSE to break up the Dept. I just want them to know that when they look in the mirror every morning they are looking at someone who put their own twisted vendettas before they safety and financial stability of two communities. Great Job! Mission accomplished. Your families must be so proud!!
And what did the breakup of the Fire Dept. accomplish? Saturday night, the day of the break-up, there was a fire. From what I hear all the same trucks were there. Most of the same people, plus a few new ones. So what did we get out of this besides inflated egos, bad feelings and added debt. I guess we did learn that voters need to pay attention when they step into the voting booth. Come April, and every election there after, I hope that lesson is still fresh in our minds.
1. Well here’s wishing Freddy the seasons best decorating his halls. Falalala-la-la-laaaaaaaaaa!! Hey there fellow bloggers, Craig, Barikmo, Bird and Riley are town heroes. No other town in the history of Wisconsin ever got a cool half million dollars from a neighboring village for free and unconditionally. Vernon got back town taxpayer money that was given to Big Bend without the town’s taxpayers knowing by prior town boards. What a clever formula they had for apportioning the cost for fire service between the two communities. I can’t wait to see who turns in papers to run. If Doble runs he has got a lot to explain --- how the consecutive numbered checks were written for the $13K soap scam and if D.H. runs she must come clean about why Kunert and Paff removed her as President of the Fire Board and if Gauger runs she’s got a lot of explaining to do -- not just the soap but spending money for legal fees without town board approval and why the poor record keeping and the inability to track fire dept expenditures. Oh! Yes, yes, yes let them come forth and answer the questions cause the town waits with bated breath for their detailed explanations. It truly is the season to be jolly. Wishing all the merriest Christmas -- even the old and confused darling of Big Bend and Vernon's Mr. NoooooO, Rodell Singert. How members of the CB committees wince every time he speaks at meetings. His presence never fails to trigger annoyance. Oh! Maybe Paff or Kunert will run and there will be more fun and questions. How I love watching the town board meeting every other Thursday on TV. It sure beats reality TV and you get to see the good, the bad and the ugly like nowhere else. I
ReplyDeletemake it a real occasion: popcorn and a couple of real cold ones.
This is an old post on JSOnline from "snakecharmer”. I believe it is written by an ex-supervisor who recently lost an election. I have a couple of points to make on his comments. If you notice, he didn't include Fred as a hero of the Town of Vernon. But he did include himself. There is no nice way to say this, Fred Michalek screwed this Town and now he’s bolting before the crap hits the fan! He is a disiple of Tom Bird and Joe Reilly. But now the same guys who’s arses Fred has been smooching are now dumping on him. If Fred doesn’t believe this he should turn his papers in and run for re-election and see if Tom would still turn his in. They planned on running against Fred a long time ago, so much for friendship!
Fred, it is not to late for you to save some sense of dignity before you leave office. I know how much you like speak of your honesty and integrity during town meetings. That cannot be self-proclaimed, it must be earned. So start telling the truth, admit the break-up had nothing to do with the Fire Dept. but it was all about annexation. Tell the truth about the “Bidding Strategy ”! Are you seriously going to back that sleaze on that one?! Admit how Big Bend was not taken for $500,000! You know, tell the truth, not your buddie’s lies! They aren’t your friends so don’t carry water for them, you’re looking pretty foolish. People make mistakes but if that person comes forward and
ReplyDeleteadmits his mistakes, people are prone to forgive. In your case though I cannot forgive you. But at least you can walk away knowing you set the record straight.
Irishman Joe, the people you talk about in this post were all volunteers, so even if they did make a mistake I don’t have a problem with that, we’re all human. This is something you must be familiar with, hell you’re joined at the hip with Mr. Bidding Strategy himself! Doesn’t the Town Board control the money? They’re PAID to look for that kind of stuff. Everything goes through the Town Board for approval in the form of Accounts Payable. So why don’t you explain to the taxpayers how the last 4 years that you were on the board you didn't catch these so called screw ups, were you not doing your Job? Where were you when all this was going on? There is no record of you voting “NO” to any of these items. Did you just sit there collecting a paycheck while not doing your job? You sat on your arse for 4 years knowing that Big Bend was stealing (Tom Birds theory not mine) $70,000 a year from Vernon. What were you doing while this was going on, developing anonymous websites? Circulating unsigned flyers? Organizing fake community groups?
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI send this out to everyone. It is over... Vernon has what it wanted. It's own Fire Department. The Vernon Town Board has cut off all ties with the Village of Big Bend and now they have to live with that decision. And make no mistake, that decision has been seen by several area communities as well and that will affect how they call for mutual aid.
I had to laugh how Big Bend responded to Vernon's House Fire on Artesian Ave this past Saturday. Make no mistake. Both of these departments will still be working together and there is nothing the Vernon Town Board can do about it. This coming from a group who was opposed to giving mutual aid to other communities.
All that the Vernon Fire Department had at that Fire on Saturday was one engine, an equipment truck and an ambulance that showed up when the fire was almost over. Several other departments brought tankers and engines including Big Bend.
At the Fire scene when Vernon Fire got there, they couldn't get their pumper running properly. Firefighters were cursing and swearing out loud that you could hear it by the road. And a neighbor had to help pull hose off Vernon's fire truck so they could get going on the fire. It was scary and I was glad it was not my house they were at. Oh by the way, I found out that the Big Bend Fire Chief was running the operation's portion when he got there on Big Bend's engine.
So in the end, Vernon still can't get rid of Big Bend and the day will come when Big Bend will need Vernon too. So was this really worth saving $5,710?? The Vernon Town Board did the dissolution of the Big Bend/Vernon Fire Department. It is in writing date December 18, 2009. If they truly want to change the agreement, the Vernon Town Board would have taken up the Village offer to sit down and correct it. Not break it up and that was their goal all along.
They thought they stuck it to Big Bend and in turn Big Bend stood tall and overcame the Town of Vernon challenge. God speed to them and all who work for the Big Bend Fire Department.
Oh by the way.... If Big Bend needs ALS service, all they need to do is call Mutual Aid. And they have been offered ALS from great communities like New Berlin and Mukwonago. Those are communities that have departments that don't care what side of the boarder the patient is from.... They just want to help, not stick it to their neighbors.
In ending, no matter what these people say. No matter what they do. The people know the truth, Big Bend stood tall and those are people who are committed to helping the community, not their ego's..
Just look at what they did the morning of December 18, 2010. They started off with a prayer from their church leaders. Big Bend believes in the saying of GOD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.
Tell me Joe Reilly, Tom Bird, Kurt Barikmo and Bill Craig what you believe in and I sure hope you can sleep at night...
Merry Christmas everyone........
That last post hit every nail (in the Town Boards their coffin) directly on the head! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteWhat the....how did that their get there???
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteFirst, thanks for running; I believe you will do a great job!
On your Blog you asked for ways to improve the Town. What I would like to see happen is all Board members should be removed from any committee. For one thing they were elected to serve on the Board and considering the Board has final approval of all activities from the committees this is overkill. One, it makes the job unattractive to quality people such as Marilyn, Diane & Yourself. By going back to Volunteers in all the Dept. you will also get fresh ideas. This is something the current board doesn’t realize. Again, The Town Board has final say in everything and the more people involved in the Town the better the Town.
I also just got done reading the JSOnline posts. First I hope you realize that for all the negative comments that were made, they were made by probably 3 people, 2 of them using multiple screen names (Joe & Tom) You mention holding a weekly meeting. I disagree. Do not play into their hands. You do not have to explain anything to those people and I believe you will actually start to get burnt out before you even take office. You will be elected to be the Town Chair, Citizen with question can call and talk to you on those subjects, the difference is that they will not fear any repercussion for bring up a subject and it will be answered honestly.
One last thing I wouldn’t mind seeing things going back to the old days.
It used to be the citizens could ask questions and get a direct answer from the Board during opening comments. I know that it could get out of hand.
But if done in a civil manner I feel it would lead to a more open government. Imagine being able to ask Tom about the Bidding Strategy & the $500,000 we supposedly were subsidizing Big Bend for the past several Years
Let’s have some fun. I just counted the screen names from the last post on JSOnline.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 screen names that seem to be neutral.
9 screen names show support for Mike, Marilyn & Diane
These names are all different individuals.
Then there are 13 names that do not speak very highly of Mike, Marilyn & Diane
Here is where the fun comes in. I’m going to list who I think they are.
First
21Jill – I honestly do not know who it is but to her credit she only uses’s 1 screen name.
Genefromvernon: Now he writes a lot like the guy who wrote the
” WAKEUP VERNON WEBSITE”. I always felt that K.B. was behind it.
EntirelyShock: I’m going to say T.B.
Now if you have follow J.R. career and have watch him speak you will agree he is the rest of the screen names
1. Metermann
2. Happyfighter
3. Threeaces
4. MD1955
5. Bpuff (so good to see Joe bring this one back)
6. BBfishermann
7. MerlefromBB
8. Fastbikes
9. Gwengirl
10. Vernoncentergranny ( He has no problem calling himself a girl)
Please let me know if you disagree.
The town board did make history. They are the only board that could turn 3 million in fire equipment into 500k, and brag about it
ReplyDeleteIf you read the minutes from this 2005 town meeting you can see how Bird Reilly and Moline joined together to ban FUN.
ReplyDeletewww.townofvernon.org/Uploads%20to%20Website/.../2005/100605.pdf