ABC and the Gay Governor

I have read several accounts of the status of gay elected officials in this country since the announcement of the resignation of New Jersey Governor James McGreevey in the wake of a routine scandal – employing his lover. The catch, is that McGreevey announced he was gay, while the lover says he, himself, is straight. “There are no openly gay or lesbian senators,” the ABC website said in a story about the resignation.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel August 16th, Earl Ofari Hutchinson writes of the Senate’s “glaring diversity problem,” noting “no one who is openly gay [is]… in the Senate.”

The ABC website did list the openly gay members of the House of Representatives, including “Tammy Baldwin of Washington.”

If Ms. Baldwin has left us for Washington, then I can’t think of any other gay person representing us in Congress, although Tim Carpenter would love to be the first openly gay male elected from Wisconsin.

The Endorsement Game

Two of our Congressional candidates have announced endorsements lately, with Gwen Moore picking up a number of unions while Matt Flynn received endorsements from office holders. Tim Carpenter, the third candidate, does not report any endorsements on his website from organizations or officeholders.

Moore has been endorsed by:

AFSCME

Wisconsin Teamsters Local 344

Wisconsin Sub-District of United Steelworkers of America

Laborers Local 113(LIUNA)

United Auto Workers (UAW)

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)

American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

Communication Workers of America (CWA)

National Education Association Fund (NEA)04

United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE)

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139

Kathleen Falk, Dane County Executive

Matt Flynn has captured the endorsement of Plumbers Union Local 75. “Matt Flynn is the only candidate with a specific plan to create jobs with good wages and benefits. I believe that makes him the most qualified and prepared to fight in Washington for working families,” said Scott Redman, Director, Legislative Affairs, and Plumbers Local 75.

Matt Flynn introduced his “Economic & Jobs Plan” at an August 4, 2004 press conference. It is available online at www.mattflynnforcongress.org or at Flynn headquarters by calling (414)289-7766.

Flynn also captured the endorsements of key East Side leaders, winning a sweep of County Supervisor Gerry Broderick, Alderman Michael D’Amato and Rep. Jon Richards. Flynn has also received the endorsement of Jerry Kleczka, whom he hopes to succeed as congressman.

Ozaukee Dems Trashed

Richard Schwalb called to say the Ozaukee County Democrats had 150 attendees at their picnic last weekend in Wisconsin’s most conservative Republican county. “Another 50 were kind enough to send their regrets,” Schwalb said. Among the attendees were Jennifer Morales, who hopes to topple Alberta Darling from her senate seat, along with Gary Kohlenberg and Bryan Kennedy who hope to become the district’s Congressman. State party chair Linda Honold also attended the Cedarburg event.

The republicans in Ozaukee county are not acting nicely, however – either that, or juvenile delinquency has taken a political turn. All of the signs at the party’s booth at the Ozaukee County Fair were destroyed, and the booth vandalized, Schwalb said. Last weekend, somebody hacked into the party’s website – www.ozaukeedemocrats.org. For shame!

The Mayor’s Schedule

Mayor Barrett has been busily traversing the town, which is one of the jobs of a mayor. This week he will make appearances at events ranging from ribbon cuttings to a conference on creating a new economy for the state. Although none of the events call for the mayor to sing (which is one of the jobs of a mayor in this city) Mayor Barrett will read a poem entitled “Milwaukee Brewing All Over” on the stage of the Pabst Theater Tuesday. Friday, he will be at Irish Fest serving beer. As noted before, the Mayor will not need a bartender’s license as long as he remains under the direct supervision of a licensed bartender. Milwaukeeworld will be there to make sure the mayor follows the law.

See for yourself what the mayor is up to:

Monday, August 16

10:30 a.m.

Road Improvement Demonstration Program Press Conference

Southeast corner of 27th Street & W. Layton Avenue

Mayor Barrett, other local leaders and AAA Wisconsin will introduce low-cost engineering solutions to help reduce vehicle crashes and injuries

5:45-6:00 p.m.

YPM Java Jam

Kenadees

725 N. Milwaukee Street

Mayor Barrett will greet participants of ‘Java Jam’

6:00-6:30 p.m.

Roundy’s Pick ‘n Save Metro Market Ribbon Cutting

1123 N. Van Buren Avenue

Mayor Barrett will attend grand opening of new grocery store

Tuesday, August 17

1:00-2:30 p.m.

Building the New Wisconsin Economy Forum

Country Inn Hotel & Convention Center

2810 Golf Road, Waukesha

Mayor Barrett will join Kenosha, Racine and Waukesha leaders in a forum examining state’s major infrastructure components and their impact.

6:00-7:00 p.m.

YPM’s 3rd Birthday Bash

Pabst Theater

144 E. Wells Street

Mayor Barrett will participate in event and read a poem themed: “Milwaukee Brewing All Over”

7:00-8:00 p.m.

Bayview Neighborhood Association Meeting

Café Spence

2699 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue

Mayor will meet with residents

Wednesday, August 18

5:00-5:30 p.m.

Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau Membership Mixer

Grand Avenue, Plankinton Arcade (second level)

161 W. Wisconsin Avenue

Thursday, August 19

9:30-9:45 a.m.

City Hall Renovation Project Informational Forum

Heartlove Place

3229 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive

Mayor Barrett will make brief remarks

10:45-11:15 a.m.

Leap into Books Reading Event

Aurora Sinai Medical Center

1020 N. 12th Street

Mayor Barrett will read books to children as part of hospital’s annual ‘Reach Out and Read’ literacy program

11:30-12:30 p.m.

Brown Bag Lunch

Washington Park Boathouse

4145 W. Lisbon Avenue

Mayor Barrett will hold a Brown Bag Lunch with Washington Park residents

12:45-1:00 p.m.

Minority Business Opportunity Committee/Wisconsin Business Resource Center Workshop

Marcus Center for Performing Arts-Bradley Pavilion

Mayor Barrett will give opening remarks stressing the importance of diversity

Friday, August 20

1:30-2:00 p.m.

Terry Lawrence/Fashion Impression

1412 W. Lincoln Avenue

Mayor Barrett will visit and tour new business

3:00-3:45 p.m.

Mother Daniels Conference Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

3500 W. Mother Daniels Way

Mayor Barrett will give opening remarks

4:00-8:00 p.m.

Irish Fest

Henry Maier Festival Park

Beautiful Eyesore for Sale

You have until September 20 to pull your act together to bid on a classic old tavern that will be a centerpiece of the city’s planned African American Entertainment District. (See last week’s milwaukeeworld.com for more information.)

The building in question, at 540 West North Avenue is a lovely Cream City Brick tavern building that just begs to be returned to use as a tavern, just as the immediate neighborhood, right off of the freeway, begs to become a premiere party spot.

The attached document, from the city’s website, gives you the information you need to bid on this beauty.

http://www.mkedcd.org/realestate/540WNorthAv/RFP.htm

Council on the Net

The Milwaukee Common Council, and its various committees are yours to enjoy anytime on the internet, thanks to improvements on the city’s website.

For many of us, council committee meetings have provided hours of entertainment and even education. The Utilities and Licenses Committee meetings have long provided considerable drama as tavern owners would promise to reform their unruly clientele and bartenders with shady pasts would beg for a chance to serve booze. Once upon a time, not long ago, you’d have to go to City Hall to catch these meetings live. Then along came City Channel 25, which gave you the option of watching the meetings live, or when they would repeat at 7 p.m.

Now, all meetings of the new council and its committees are available any time on streaming video.

Simply log on to www.milwaukee.gov and look under “City Clerk’s Office” to find the streaming vids.

The city’s webpage has been redesigned, and milwaukeeworld will be testing it out over the next few weeks to see if the redesign is actually an improvement.

One suggestion: the link to the Common Council videos should be accessible from the City’s home page, rather than several layers deep.

Orlando’s + D.O.C. Oout

Black awnings are in vogue in the region of W. Wisconsin Ave. and N. Plankinton St., where business owner Johnny Vassallo completed installation of awnings on his businesses including Mo’s Steak House, Mo’s Irish Pub and Mo’s Deli. Down the block, Border’s book store is also festooned with black awnings, while the Plankinton Arcade has been dressed up with banners advertising its tenants. One glaring omission to the awning activity is at the D.O.C. optical shop at the northeast corner of Wisconsin and Plankinton. Although surrounded by awnings, D.O.C.’s faded red and white sign still dominates the corner of the Empire Building. Not for long, says Vassallo. “D.O.C. is leaving the building and I am going to put a coffee shop on the corner. I am going to call it Mochas.”

Orlando’s Deli, 932 E. Pleasant Street, is one of the finest neighborhood grocery stores in the city and it is going to be out of a home, or even out of business, if we can’t find a new place for it.

The landlord told Maria Orlando that plans are underway to turn the building into a condominium. The retail store Orlando operates would be offered to a new tenant, possibly a chain store of some sort. Orlando, who took over the store formerly known as Eddie Glorioso’s Deli about four years ago, is scouting the neighborhood for a new home.

One option: reconverting one of the dozens of stores in the neighborhood that had been turned into residences over the years. Do you have an idea? Send it to me here at Milwaukeeworld, and I will pass it on. We can’t lose this gem.

Hotel Plans Awaited … The clock is ticking on John Hunzinger’s plans to construct a hotel at 5th and Wisconsin. The Department of City Development is expecting plans in a couple of weeks, and will then review the plans. Hunzinger has until October 1st to commence construction.

Gwen Moore’s Slogan Makes Me Hungry

“Working Together The Ants Eat the Elephant.” – This African proverb is the official slogan of the Gwen Moore for Congress campaign. Care for dinner?

How Funny is that?

Milwaukee ranks fifth among the nation’s funniest cities, according to a survey released by Shoebox, Hallmark Card’s “irreverent greeting card line.”

The funniest city was Mankato, Minnesota, followed by Helena, Montana, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Providence, R.I. and us. Madison also made it into the top ten list.

The survey measured responses in three categories: sources of humor for the people; responses from people who think of themselves as “funny;” and, wouldn’t you know it, sales of Shoebox greeting cards.

The most humorous states are Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Colorado and Wisconsin. States most in need of a laugh are warm-weather states of Hawaii, Alabama and Arkansas.