Post Election Wrap-up
Congratulations to President Elect Obama. He is our President and we must, for the sake of our country and the world, do what we can to support him and his administration.
That doesn't mean we must accept everything that will be proposed by the new administration, but we must be allowed the privilege to have an open and honest debate without the fear of being persecuted and destroyed because we may not agree with or accept the new ideas that many feel will not be in the best interest of America.
Let's strive for a better America instead of the hate and vile that has been sent President Bush's way for 8 years now. We're better than that and our country will be better for that.
America is the envy of the world when it comes to elections and how smooth transitions are from one administration to another.
Campaign Follow-up
Let's hope that State and Local Officials, in the some 13-15 states with ongoing fraudulent voter registration investigations, follow through with their investigations and prosecution of A.C.O.R.N. and other voter registration groups across America that have committed thousands of crimes with election laws so we don't have a repeat of 2008 in 2012.
President Obama must call for a complete and thorough prosecution of the very tax supported organizations that committed these illegal acts and outwardly supported him with their election fraud (http://www.michnews.com/artman/publish/printer_21751.shtml) in order to stand by his campaign pledge of hope and change.
A.C.O.R.N. officials knew they were committing criminal and fraudulent acts and chose not to do anything about it making sure Barrack Obama got elected first (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20081030_Fired_ACORN_employee_testifies.html) and then apologize later no matter who was destroyed in the process.
Fear used against A.C.O.R.N. workers if they didn't meet their quotas for voter registration (http://www.nypost.com/seven/10202008/news/politics/acorn_instilled_fear__workers_134390.htm).
Even the Catholic Church is calling for a probe of A.C.O.R.N. monies that were sent to them by the church(http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/04/catholics-probe-aid-directed-to-acorn/print/).
Even Obama Staffers had to pull their double votes for him when they were exposed in Ohio as voting twice, which is a felony(http://www.nypost.com/seven/10252008/news/politics/bam_staffers_pull_their_bogus_ohio_ballo_135152.htm).
The same 100,000 voters registered to vote in Georgia and Florida (http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/11/100000-georgia-voters-also-registered.html). Gee, do you wonder who these people voted for? This must be stopped for future elections.
Remember when we were told incessantly during the campaign by President Obama that incomes for Americans were dropping rapidly?
Now we know just the opposite is true (http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2008/11/05/exit-polls-show-huge-increase-incomes-04-will-media-care). Where was the press and media?
Was the media and press bias toward Obama? Of course they were. It's time to stop whining about it and use the resources we still have while we can to get the news out in a fair and balanced way like Fox News, Talk Radio and bloggers when the mainstream media members continue to crumble before our very eyes because of their arrogance, bias and mismanagement.
This teacher should be fired for her blatant bias in the classroom for Obama (http://www.belch.com/blog/2008/11/06/reason-142-to-homeschool-obama-teachers-wont-bully-kids-who-support-mccain/ and http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=309760 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bvqmY1eM-s). These videos are very troubling.
Check this out from the Washington Post of all papers on biased coverage (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/07/AR2008110702895.html).
Joe the Plumber feels the wrath of the Obama Campaign...Joe the Plumber in Ohio asked a simple question when President Obama stopped by his neighborhood and immediately felt the wrath of the Obama Campaign when he challenged Obama on his welfare check idea to those Americans that don't pay any federal income taxes from those who do pay federal income taxes.
An immediate attack was launched against Joe the Plumber by Obama Operatives in the State Government of Ohio by looking up and releasing his confidential and personal information to the press and media in an effort to destroy Joe the Plumber because he dared to challenge an idea being promoted by President Obama.
Smelling a rat, the local press started to look into the matter and found out that Obama Operatives had indeed committed crimes by violating Joe the Plumber's legal rights with their abuse of office (http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/24/joe.html?sid=101 and http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/29/joe30.html?sid=101) by having contradictory stories (http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/31/joe.html?sid=101).
The Governor of Ohio finally exercised some good judgment when the heat was put on him to suspend the Family Services Director for the State of Ohio for abusing her office in a political operative manner and the violation of an individual's confidential and personal legal rights (http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/122613671476860.xml&coll=2&thispage=2 and http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/11/07/ddn110708helenweb.html and http://www.democracyforums.com/showthread.php?t=22575).
We will follow up.
Hopefully Joe the Plumber can buy that plumbing business and live the American dream without fear of being abused by democrat government operatives in Ohio.
The Vanguard is intimately familiar with government officials who set out to destroy those who dare ask questions and suggest changes for the operations of government. It is not a pleasant experience, but justice and accountability always prevail in the end if patience is allowed to work.
Obama's Advisors and Supporters at the Heart of the Fannie Mae Freddie Mac Meltdown that Directly Led to the $700 Billion Taxpayer Bailout
There's an old adage that says, "You are who you hang around."
During his campaign and post election speeches President Obama continuously made reference to cleaning up Washington D.C. and bringing hope and change.
Let's hope he does bring this kind of change that he promised and not a repeat of the people that he has surrounded himself with so far for his entire life.
This could not be more true of President Obama with just a few of the following examples out of hundreds that exist:
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Jamie Gorelick of President Clinton fame, took over $25 million out of Fannie Mae in 1998 alone and is now on the transition team for President Obama (
http://www.thefinancialskinny.com/politicsandmoney9.html). Be sure to watch the video of Barney Frank in this link. It's disgusting.
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Herb Sandler, former CEO of Gold West Financial, sold his $24 billion sub prime mortgage company in October 2006 to Wachovia that ultimately led to their unfortunate demise (
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-10-05-636413817_x.htm) and amazingly enough an operating loss of $23.9 billion just 24 months later. What a country. Saturday Night Live had a skit about this guy and his wife ripping off Americans which was later removed from their website because Sandler complained.
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President Obama Considering Immediate Changes
It has been widely reported that President Obama wants to immediately move on some of the following issues:
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Imposing the ban on offshore drilling for energy and oil independence which will cause the price of gasoline to go back to $4 a gallon immediately (
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=315348). Remember gas was over $4 a gallon this summer and has dropped over $2 a gallon since President Bush signed an executive order to lift the offshore drilling ban.
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These are just a few of the examples of where President Obama wants to take America.
Local Election Results
Congrats to Senator Alberta Darling and Congressman Sensenbrenner. They have done a very good job of representing Menomonee Falls and we look forward to their service in the years to come.
The presidential results are as follows:
2008 McCain/Palin 61% (13,006) Obama/Biden 39% (8,363) turnout 88% total of registered voters 24,697
2004 Bush/Cheney 66% (13,954) Kerry/Edwards 34% (7,196) turnout 97% total of registered voters 22,129
2000 Bush/Cheney 66% (11,932) Gore/Liberman 33% (6,151) turnout 82% total of registered voters 22,776
1996 Dole/Kemp 54% (8,067) Clinton/Gore 38% (5,688) Perot/Choate 8% turnout 81% total of registered voters 18,857
1992 Bush/Quayle 50% (8,220) Clinton/Gore 30% (4,949) Perot/Stockdale 19% turnout 100% total of registered voters 16,359
Village Board Budget Hearing November 24th at Village Hall
Please plan on attending the Village Board Budget Hearing on Monday, November 24th at Village Hall starting at 6:30 P.M.
You can view a summary of the Budget by clicking here (http://www.menomonee-falls.org/CurrentEvents.asp?EID=195).
The property tax levy is scheduled to go up 4.09%. That doesn't necessarily mean that tax bills will go up 4.09% though.
Lots of questions need to be asked before the budget is passed.
Every citizen is allowed to speak at the Public Hearing.
The 2009 Budget is available for review at Village Hall Monday-Friday from 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
The garbage tax, that we were initially told by the Village Board was going to be temporary in 2006, is now permanent and is going up 6% this year from $1.2 million to almost $1.3 million or $85 per household to $90 per household (http://www.menomonee-falls.org/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=90) and $180 for a duplex, $270 for a 3 unit and $360 for a 4 unit complex.
When the garbage tax, which use to be included in the property tax bill until 2007, and the property tax levy increase are combined, there will be an increase of more than 10% for the Village's portion of the tax bill and that is totally unnecessary if the Village Board required Waste Management to pick the garbage up for free and pay for the $42 million Municipal Facilities Fund without any taxpayer's money.
Let's use the example of Waukesha County's Budget for Menomonee Falls (http://www.menomoneefallsnow.com/watch/?watch=23&date=11/12/2008&id=48407). It's less than a 1% spending increase.
School Superintendent Confirms Mark Belling Show Report on High School Administrator's Issue with Young Female Student
The School Superintendent invited The Vanguard to his office for a complete review of all of the pertinent matters involving a veteran administrator at the high school and his totally inappropriate behavior toward a young female student that was reported on the Mark Belling Show earlier this fall.
The Vanguard can confirm that everything that was reported on the Mark Belling Show about the inappropriate behavior of this veteran administrator toward the young female student is completely and unequivocally accurate.
The details of the disgusting and inappropriate behavior by the veteran administrator toward the young female student will be left for others to discuss, what's important in this matter is that it was handled in a direct and firm manner by the school superintendent for the protection of the young female student and her family in effort to assure the community this will not happen again to any student and that discipline for staff committing this type of behavior will be done so in a fair, firm and unbiased manner without respect to friendships that may been developed between staff.
The young female student's 2008 Graduation Day was ruined when she left the building in tears when the veteran administrator was on the platform handing out diplomas. It was her and her parent's understanding this guarantee (not having the administrator on the platform) was in place from those (high school staff) who intervened on her behalf because the principal at the high school never responded to her or her parents the entire school year about the matter.
Wouldn't a simple phone call, email, letter or personal meeting with the family have been the right and appropriate thing to do instead of ignoring it?
The School Superintendent observed the confrontation between the parents of the young female student and the 2 high school administrators after the graduation ceremony.
The School Superintendent was contacted about the matter by the parents and the young female student after graduation asking for help.
The superintendent immediately sprang into action directing that an immediate investigation be done.
The Vanguard can report the following after meeting with the superintendent:
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A thorough investigation of the matter involving all parties was done and was completed with a meeting between the young female student, her parents and the superintendent on September 19, 2008 bringing the matter to closure so that all parties will be able to move on.
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The facts, findings and resolution of the matter have been laid out as follows: 1. A mandatory 3 hour sexual harassment training course for the entire high school administration that was completed in October of 2008. 2. Notices have been given to administrators by the superintendent with specific caution and directives for future incidents that may occur like this.
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The two (2) high school male staff members who intervened on behalf of the young female student showed exemplary behavior with their assistance for the student.
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The entire district has had the Code of Conduct and Sexual Harassment Policy upgraded and reviewed as part of this situation.
The Vanguard was very impressed with the school superintendent's handling of this situation and his commitment of making sure this doesn't happen again with the measures that he has put in place to improve communication, reporting requirements and sensitivity to matters such as these to protect students and to assure that all staff members are treated equally for disciplinary actions.
The New Destination Signs Are Here, The New Destination Signs Are Here...Well, Sort of
Like Steve Martin in the 1979 movie, "The Jerk", when he excitedly proclaimed, "The new phone book is here. The new phone book is here.", after seeing his name in the phone book for the first time, The Vanguard is proud to announce the Village has finally installed destination signs for the $42 million Municipal Facilities Complex including the library, police station and village hall that was opened and dedicated over five years ago in July of 2003.
The Vanguard has been calling for destination signs throughout the village for a long time now (http://blogs.menomoneefallsnow.com/the_vanguard/archive/2008/08/31/quot-excuse-me-could-you-tell-me-how-to-get-to-the-high-school-quot.aspx) and is very glad to see them come to fruition after efforts to erect the signs began over 5 years ago at no cost to the taxpayers. The Vanguard has also been asking for the Municipal Complex to have identification signage on the buildings as well so residents, guests and visitors know where to enter for Village Meetings, Municipal Court, police matters or which building is actually the library.
This would have been extremely helpful for someone to have stopped by the Police Department to report a drunk driver, a stalker, a crime, an accident, an injury, storm issues or just to go for temporary protection, but for years (over 5 to be exact) none of the buildings were specifically identified.
It is hoped the destination signs were paid for out of the approximate $60,000 Settlement Account of the $42 million Municipal Facilities Fund as a result of a settled lawsuit between the Village and the building contractor during the construction and ultimate completion of the library, police station and village hall and not out of the taxpayer's pocket.
Now if the Village Manager would only have these signs displayed throughout the Village, as most if not all communities do throughout Wisconsin, with the costs to be covered by the some $60,000 Settlement Account of the $42 million Municipal Facilities Fund. These signs are incredibly easy to produce and install. The Village has a great staff that has already been budgeted for and would be happy to have these signs done and erected in no time at all.
What would it take to have 20-30 of these signs made and erected? Maybe $75-$150 a piece or $2,000-$3,000 total for the signs? Not much, considering we already have some $60,000 to pay for it at no cost to the taxpayers and the professional staff to put them in that have also been budgeted for out of the some nearly $6 million Public Works Employee Budget.
These signs give a sense of warmth, pride and direction for local residents as well as guests and visitors to the Falls.
It would be so nice to see them along Appleton Avenue, Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, Pilgrim Road, Lilly Road, County Line Road, Menomonee Ave., Main Street, etc. as other communities do directing people to and showing the pride for Wells Fargo Funds, Kohl's Corporate Center, North Hills Country Club, various churches, private and public schools, shopping areas, Silver Spring Country Club, Harley Davidson, athletic complexes, parks, Old Falls Village, etc.
Here's what the destination signs and identification signage looks like if you haven't seen them yet:
Please thank the Village Manager and let him know if you would like to see them throughout the Village by contacting him at 532-4241 or mfitzgerald@menomonee-falls.org.
The money is there, we just need someone to get it done. Five (5) years is a long time to wait.
A reader of The Vanguard, who works in downtown Milwaukee, shared what the City of Milwaukee's destination signs look like and thought it would be nice if the Falls had something similar to Milwaukee's after reading the posting on destination signs:
Water and Wisconsin (East) Water and Wisconsin (West)
Now we can say we have some of them in the Falls thank you.
Trustee Steliga Misses or is Late for Most Library Board Meetings
A reader of The Vanguard, familiar with library operations, asked us to look into the attendance record of the Village Board Representative for the Library Board, Trustee Jeff Steliga who also is required to give a report from the Village Board to the Library Board at each meeting.
The Library Board meets about 9 times a year.
For 2008, Trustee Steliga has been late or absent from 6 of the 8 meetings so far.
For 2007, Trustee Steliga has been late or absent from at least 4 of the 9 meetings if not more. The Village website doesn't have all of the minutes from the Library Board for 2007 so it is unclear how many other meetings Trustee Steliga may have missed or has been late for.
We will have an update for the rest of 2007 as well as 2005-06 for Trustee Steliga's attendance at the Library Board Meetings.
DA Contradicts Village Clerk on Reporting of 2004 Voting Irregularities
The Waukesha County DA recently left a message for The Vanguard which totally contradicts what the Village Clerk, through the Village Attorney, has reported about 2004 voting irregularities involving forged signature(s), perhaps false addresses, apparent illegal registrations, etc.
We will keep you posted on what we find out.
Let's Use the Alaskan Permanent Fund As An Example for Waste Management, The Garbage Tax and The $42 Million Municipal Facilities Fund Bailout
We have reportedly extensively on what should be done with the annual $1.3 million garbage tax and payment of the $42 million Municipal Facilities Fund Taxpayer Bailout ( http://blogs.menomoneefallsnow.com/the_vanguard/archive/2008/09/30/public-employee-benefit-costs-ii.aspx and http://blogs.menomoneefallsnow.com/the_vanguard/archive/2008/07/10/the-great-garbage-debate.aspx) to keep as much money in Menomonee Falls with free garbage pick up and to make sure the taxpayers don't have to pay for the $42 million Municipal Facilities Fund as we were originally promised in 2000 by some of the same members that are still on the Village Board.
Governor Palin has strongly promoted the Alaskan Permanent Fund (https://www.pfd.state.ak.us/ and http://www.apfc.org/home/Content/home/index.cfm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Permanent_Fund) as a way to work with Corporate America who stand to make millions off a local community.
This is a great idea and it could be easily done in Menomonee Falls with Waste Management if we only had a Village Board that would do so.
Let the Village Board know you want free garbage pick-up and complete relief from the $42 million Municipal Facilities Fund by clicking here (http://www.menomonee-falls.org/index.asp?nid=292).
It's time for tax relief.
Thanks for your time.
Have a great week.
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