Greetings Citizens of Menomonee Falls. This came to me via email and it is great advice if you are going on vacation soon.

Election day in Menomonee Falls is April 6th.  Many people may be going out of town for Easter Break.  Please remind them to get an absentee Ballot from Village Hall.  Phone number is 262-532-4200.  I think you can even go to Village Hall and vote in the days before the election.  There is a contested Village Board seat and the outcome will have an effect on Menomonee Falls future.

So please tell your friends and neighbors to get out in vote, either in person or by absentee ballot.  Please don't assume that your vote will not matter.

Online Candidate Forum

Attention candidates for Trustee and School Board

I would like to invite anyone running for office to send me a position paper or information where you may be doing a meet and greet and I will post it on Blogage. and update it regularly.

From Scott Ternes who responded today.

Scott Ternes

Ten year resident of Menomonee Falls

Married 21 years to DeeDee.   Children:  Brian 17, Elizabeth 13.

Occupation:  VP, Planning Manager, Bon Ton Stores (Boston Store)

Education:  B.S. Retail Management, Purdue University

Skills or experiences that would be beneficial to the board:

Three years on an advisory group to the district’s finance committee. Learned about finance matters; influenced financial priorities; compared our costs to other districts. Gained insight into what causes the issues, and how our district manages those issues.

Over twenty years in a fast-paced retail environment makes me a sharp, critical-thinking, change management specialist and challenger of the status quo. It has taught me valuable lessons about leadership, pace, funding, teamwork and collaboration, information sharing, and getting buy-in from all stakeholders.

What is my style, what are my expectations, and how would I use my experiences to help guide the district:

Focus first on what you can influence. Budget and state funding woes, test scores, rising health care costs, and staff or program reductions are always at the top of the issue list. We need a clear vision of our future - what we prioritize and hold sacred, and then figure out how to fund the priorities.  Let's “begin with the end in mind”, and get the public involved and bought in.  That process is underway and off to a good start, but I would push the pace on finite targeted action steps. Madison is slow to reform, and advocacy for government change is important, but I would first refine our own roadmap, and then focus on the longer-term ideas that are not in our direct control.

Look farther out on contingency planning scenarios.   We have moved to a more forward-looking budget roadmap, but I still don’t see enough discussion on different “what-if” scenarios that could suggest new solutions and force action sooner to redirect dollars or provide a cumulative savings impact, eg., insurance costs. If we don’t look farther out and challenge earlier, we’ll be stuck with the same result.

Set expectations, coach, train, and empower.   They say you can’t run a school district like a business. I think we should run the numbers like a business, and the people side like a family. That means praise for things that go well, and consequences when things do not. It includes training for teachers, new techniques and a more robust technology schedule. Then, let them go to work, yet make sure they get the feedback, challenges, and evaluations needed to help them become better leaders. That also means higher expectations and consequences for students, especially in the older grades. 

Fiscally conservative, but not fanatically so. I co-led a committee to promote the referendum that renovated the high school.  While on the advisory group, we also pushed to reduce the previous 15 year computer replacement cycle. Spending is all about prioritization of resources. I would focus efforts on protecting what we care most about first, and then challenge the worst budget lines to work harder.

Support the best; challenge the rest. I am both a supporter and challenger of the district.  Ten years has shown me that we do many things well, but I am constantly wary of things that don’t make sense and will always challenge for a better or more efficient option..

An informed public is not only good, it’s crucial. The board cannot make decisions in a vacuum. They need to understand public opinion, priorities and passions to be effective. We are reaching out more often than in past years, but I would ask for more frequent public sessions including surveys on key topics. Upcoming issues will need even more input and buy-in, and probably more volunteer support.

Change management, administration, and leadership. Vision, expectations and pace are set through leadership. Leadership without administration is chaos, and we must be sure to run an organized and thoughtfully-executed district. But administration without leadership lacks movement, and we can’t afford to fall behind new techniques, technologies, or changing priorities.   We won't lead the nation in creative ideas, but I expect us to select the best already-tested ideas, become a “fast second”, and implement new ideas more quickly.

If elected, my goals are to help set a sharper vision and work on the roadmap; reallocate dollars to the biggest priorities and empower district leaders execute that vision; push for accountability and measurable results at all levels; and serve our children's best interests in making our schools as strong as they can be. Thank you for your consideration on April 6^th.

The Wisconsin Legislature, having solved all of Wisconsin’s problems, some of the nation’s problems, and most of Europe’s problems, turned their unmatched problem solving skills to the problem plaguing everyone in Wisconsin. Mascot names for schools that might offend the hyper sensitive.

Now that they have solved unemployment and joblessness it is time to act upon the major problem of our time. Now that taxes are at an acceptable level and school funding is totally resolved, on to the bigger issues.

I had low hopes for the new State Superintendent of Schools but Mr. Evers has focused on more important matters like learning and bringing Wisconsin up to grade level in standardized testing. He has nothing to do with this. It is the legislature-our legislature, the Democrat legislature, in case anyone is interested.

Stupidity like this is why it would be best for the entire legislative body to just go home and do nothing until further notice. Every day they do something our business climate deteriorates.  

Is it worth resisting this bill to take control away from local school districts, and give it to a special council? Do we want to spend our tax money on changing logos, signs, etc.? On the surface, it does not equal seizing registered firearms, midnight roundups of dissidents, or “reeducation” camps. However, when you let fools run wild, they will be motivated to escalate their efforts to control more of your life. If you think obsessing over school monikers is ridiculous, you will never cease to be amazed at what they go after next. No religious music. No holiday music. No graduation in a perfect facility because it has a visible cross. Let them have an inch and they will say it discriminates against the metric system.

Somebody/anybody will find something to get offended about a school team name just to make themselves important. It is time we draw the line on political correctness and stay on the side common sense.

Some people say, “We don’t want to spend the money on legal fees.” Good point, but do you think the perpetually offended will go away? No, they will know we are a weak mark and go after the next thing like no holiday concerts. If we spend money on legal fees, they spend money on legal fees. If the “offensive” school districts band together, legal fees can be pooled while the plaintiffs’ costs increase. Counter lawsuits can take place. I am sure we can find something they do that offends us.

This is like watching your neighbor trying to put out a small fire on his roof. Help your neighbor put out the fire and you not only save part of his house but yours, and maybe your neighborhood, as well. Stand by and watch, and you will soon be needing the Red Cross to find you a place to sleep for a while.

Editors Note: I read Mr. Krause's letter and asked his permission to post it, He graciously allowed me to do so. FYI, Mr. Krause submitted papers to run against Trustee Mike McDonald and is on the ballot. Recently he announced he would no longer continue his campaign. His open letter explains his decision.

Open Letter to Menomonee Falls Residents from Scott Krause

Submitted By Scott Krause

Posted: Feb. 6, 2010

Open Letter to All Menomonee Falls Residents,

Over the past several years I have quietly sat on the sidelines as Menomonee Falls slowly fell from its once highly regarded standing as a community where companies of all sizes wanted to do business.

As a lifelong resident of Menomonee Falls, I care deeply about the future of this community. It is for that reason, and that reason alone, that I decided to run for Village Trustee in December, 2009. For the record, I was the first person to file my papers with Village Clerk. Mr. McDonald filed his papers shortly after I did. If anyone forced a primary election, it is Mr. Davis who filed his papers at the very last minute, on the very last day.

When I first decided to run for Village Trustee, I had every intention of running a clean campaign without any mudslinging or innuendos. I wanted the focus to be on restoring the good name and reputation of Menomonee Falls. Sadly, in this day and age of modern technology, I guess that’s no longer possible. Twenty years ago I was in a bad marriage that resulted in some legal problems. That’s all water under the bridge, and totally irrelevant to the future of Menomonee Falls, but a reporter from a local newspaper felt it was responsible journalism to dig up the past and open old wounds. To save my family and friends from being hurt, I decided to withdraw from the race. There was no collusion with Mr. McDonald and I was not promised a seat in local government as Mr. Davis has claimed. I have never met, nor have I ever had any dealings with Mr. McDonald personally or professionally. If people still want to vote for me, fine. If not, I ask that they vote for Mr. McDonald because I feel he has the best interest of Menomonee Falls at heart.

Since Mr. Davis has fired the first volley I think it’s only fair that I return a few salvos of my own. In a letter dated February 1, 2010 to Joan Hintze, Menomonee Falls Village Clerk, Mr. Davis references his ability to obtain public records as stated in Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 19. In broad terms this chapter of the state statutes defines the general duties all elected officials whether they are at the state, county or municipal level. In true Jefferson Davis fashion, he picks and chooses the parts of the law that he can cobble together for his benefit and blithely turns a blind eye to the parts that make him look bad. In particular, I think Mr. Davis needs to re-examine Wisconsin State Statute 19.41

19.41 Declaration of policy. (1) It is declared that high moral and ethical standards among state public officials and state employees are essential to the conduct of free government; that the legislature believes that a code of ethics for the guidance of state public officials and state employees will help them avoidconflicts between their personal interests and their public responsibilities,will improve standards of public service and will promoteand strengthen the faith and confidence of the people of this state in their state public officials and state employees.

Mr. Davis you can’t play by some of the rules. You have to play by all of the rules. Doesn’t anyone in Menomonee Falls remember Jefferson Davis being arrested and resigning from office just a few short years ago? He has sent out e-mails to all the major news outlets stating that my resigning from the race doesn’t pass the smell test. Well isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black! In 2005, as part of a plea agreement, Mr. Davis pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges and civil violations and resigned as Village President instead of doing jail time. Originally Mr. Davis had been charged with 29 counts of breaking the state’s campaign finance laws including three felonies. Had he been convicted he could have potentially received up to 12½ years in prison and up to $45,000 in fines.

And still people vote for him. Why?

He claims what I’m doing is a waste of tax payer money. It pales in comparison to the $9,000 the village had to pay out to investigate the two gender harassment complaints that were filed against Mr. Davis during his tenure as Village President. As part of the investigation it was found that Mr. Davis was replacing women with men on village boards and commissions. Between April, 2003 and November, 2003, 31 people were appointed to such positions, five were women. None of the eight women appointed by the previous administration were retained by Mr. Davis.

And still people vote for him. Why?

People of Menomonee Falls, please send a loud and clear signal to Jefferson Davis by casting your vote for someone else. I’m writing this open letter because no one has called out Mr. Davis and asked him to stop making a mockery of Menomonee Falls. Every time he takes out his pen and writes a letter of half truths and twisted facts it takes the focus away from what matters most. Don’t play into Mr. Davis’ petty politics. If you wish to contact me and hear my ideas for Menomonee Falls, send me an e-mail at skrausesells@hotmail.com.

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UPDATE! SCOTT KRAUSE SPEAKS

Thank you Ted.  Before I share my ideas with your readers I’d like to set the record straight on a few things.  Have I made mistakes in the past?  Absolutely.  Do I regret them?  Most definitely.  However, the damages incurred during a failing marriage 20 years ago were not repaired overnight.  I’ve had sole custody of my son since he was seven years old and I’ve work very hard to keep a roof over his head, food on his table and a good education his head.  I’m proud to say he will be graduating in May from UWM, almost completely debt free. I am a longtime member in good standing with Holy Cross Church. I have worked for the same man for the past 25 years, and have received many regional and national rewards for excellence. Most importantly I have been proud to call Menomonee Falls my home for over 50 years.

Let me begin by saying that any at a trustee level who says they are going to lower taxes is being ridiculous. However there are actions trustees can take to ensure the village will not have to raise taxes to preserve the quality of life our residents have come to enjoy. In the current economy my business, as well as many others in the community, have had to re-examine expenses. In my company alone, we were amazed at the amount of non-essential expenses we were able to cut without taking away the high level of service expected by our customers. I am sure the village has been focusing on trimming expenses too.  Instead of over-promising and under-delivering with a tax cut, let’s be realistic.  I feel that we can cut more non-essential expenditures without taking any of the services away from the residents that they are used to.

My main reason for running was to work with the village to bring back business to the Falls. Last week I walked the downtown area. Within a block or so in each direction of the four corners there are 21 empty store fronts. That doesn’t take into consideration the vacancies in the strip centers scattered around the village. For a long time we were guided by the old Village of Dreams (“Build It And They Will Come”) philosophy. Look where that got us. Someone asked me where the business district is in town. Is it the four corners? Appleton Avenue? Main Street? County Line Road? We spent a great deal of money to hire outside consultants who know nothing about Menomonee Falls to come up with a plan to fix things.  None of them have worked. Why don’t we use the talents and education of the board and business leaders in the community to come up with a plan for Menomonee Falls? Who knows the town better than those who live here and run businesses here?  I feel that we have the ablity to go after the business and fill the empty store fronts.

We need to make the village a destination, not a place to slow down and stop when the light turns red at Appleton and Main. To say people won’t come to the Falls to spend their money is not true. A great example is Robin’s Nest. Most of her clientle comes from the North Shore and East Side. If they come that far into the Falls they will go farther if the right businesses are there for them to go to. The naysayers that complain about insufficient parking are wrong.  There is plenty of parking. What we don’t have is clear signage to let the public knows where it is and that it is free. We also need to slow traffic down on Main Street and Appleton Avenue to make them both more pedestrian friendly. I am truly excited about the redevelopment of the old Stoper Steel property. Bass Pro Shop should be a great anchor for our village. However we can’t stop there. We need to show people that Menomonee Falls as a destination is a complete package. We either need to get the old Holiday Inn project completed or tear it down. The Hwy 45/Main Street interchange is the gateway into the Falls from the east. It should be one of our WOW! points, not one of our ‘hang our head in shame’ points.

Thank you again Ted for giving me the opportunity to present a positive side of the story. These are just a few of my ideas. If you or anyone else would like to hear more they can contact me at krauseformenofalls@gmail.com. 

Thank you,

Scott Krause

Vikings vs. Saints was a great battle. The real winner was Ted Thomson, whose judgment I questioned in an earlier blog.

I still love Favre and despise the Vikings. If fact, my second favorite football team is whoever is playing the Vikings. Therefore, I was pulling for the Saints, but cringed every time Brett got hit, and crossed my fingers when he was taken off the field that he wasn’t seriously hurt.

My son and I went to the Giants game in Lambeau to see Brett throw the ball away in a crucial overtime play where we were a play or two away from sealing the deal with a field goal. When it looked like he was taking the Vikes to a Super Bowl and then threw a silly interception, I could only think that Minnesota was Favred. Wow. It could not happen to a better group of people, and that is saying a lot when you consider Bears fans.

The Pack was deteriorating before our eyes, then changes were made and players stepped up. Even with major injuries, I still think the Pack had a chance at going to the Super Bowl in the last few crazy and unpredictable weeks of the season. That is some great management.

My apologies to Ted Thomson. Brett, see you next year, in a different uniform. How about Favre’n the Bears fans next year.

Who Said That?

"People obey the law for one of two reasons: they either love God or fear punishment."

Blog ideas February 2010

John Edwards, aka “The Breck Girl” (you have to see the link) finally manned up and admitted he was the father of the baby his mistress had from his affair, during a Presidential campaign and coincidently shortly after his wife was told, by doctors, she was certain to die of cancer. What better way to show your love for your dying wife but to not only put her through a gruling campaign for your own self interest but then sneak around on her and them humiliate her in front of the world.. This is the same John Edwards who decried there were “two Americas: and vowed to right this terrible wrong. I think the poor will always remain poor by believing in the Edwards and Spitzers of the world.

Thanks to JazzDJ for checking in on Camilles Café. I had to postpone my meeting with clients due to some pressing matters but have rescheduled for next week.

More news is emerging regarding the CFO of Koss Corp. The total is now up to $31 million. There are many things that don’t compute such as the amount of space leased in the 3^rd Ward in relation to even $21(taking into account the other $10 mil. went to charity, autos, and jewelry)  million in product. Think about $21 million of $10 T-shirts and how much space that would take fill. This money may have gone towards something other than merchandise. Much more to this story in my mind.

Who said that?

JiminMFalls won the first round with correctly identifying Rodney Dangerfield.

Who said this: “Lead your life so you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.”

America Rising: An Open Letter to Democrats is an interesting video that is spreading through the internet and not via “please forward this…” emails. Maybe this sentiment is why Brown won in Mass. I never bought into the “hope and change” hype but this is interesting viewing anyway.

Comet goes into the Sun This is actual, and very cool video, of a comet getting sucked into the sun.

Who said that?

This is a new feature of 2010 where I post a quote and you can guess, or tell the readers know who said it. I will try to find interesting quotes, by well known people. You can try post who you think they are. Please be honest and state whether or not you used Google to find your answer.

First quote of “Who Said That?”

“When I was a kid, my parents moved a lot – but I always found them.”

Register or login to place your answer in the comments section..

Something new going into the old John Harbors.

The former John Harbors is going to be a Café’ and wine bar. While I was a big fan of John Harbors I have best wishes for Angelo’s success. Let’s hope they keep the great room where you could hold events and live music.

Camille’s Sidewalk Café’ Opens, again, in the beautiful Woodlands Market.

The original owners apparently did not get the word out but the new owners are working hard to get people in the door. I plan to go there this week and give a report on how it went. According to their web site they have Wi-Fi.

Facebook I have tried to avoid the Facebook thing for as long as possible. When a high school friend died, many got the word via this social networking tool. Tributes to my friend got me connected. Since then I have found several long lost friends. One in particular was my best friend when living in Germany. I had lost my address book shortly after I moved back to the U.S. and lost all of his info. We just connected via FB. It’s not for everybody but you may be pleasantly amused if you try it.

Happy New Year 2010! This the post where I lay it all on the line and make predictions for the New Year. You can check my predictions in previous years here. Predictions are for entertainment purposes. Some predictions are things I hope will not happen but predict will happen. I try to cover local, state, national, entertainment, politics, economics, and anything that might be of interest to you. I also try to go out on a limb to make it interesting, but still use some inside knowledge, or insight, to try to increase accuracy.

Here we go:

1. Scott Walker will easily win the Wisconsin Governor’s race. Comment: Mark Neuman will drop out by February of 2010. If he does not drop out, he will be political toast for the rest of his political life. Tom Barrett will run a vicious campaign, through surrogates, and still lose.

1. Some major incident in the Middle East will drive a barrel of oil over $138.00 a barrel at some point in 2010.

1. Gold will reach $1,500 an ounce at some point during 2010.

1. Test scores for the 8^th grade class in MF will be the highest in our recorded history. Comment: Those that make test scores a political issue will continue to think test scores are declining. Those who took the ostrich approach to test scores will remain oblivious. Those who really care about academic performance will be cautiously optimistic that recent measures are starting to bear fruit.

1. Israel will attack Iran to destroy their nuclear weapons program. Comment: Same prediction as last year. Also, I believe Iran’s government is as weak as it has been in 8 years. Israel may hold off an attack until they believe a regime change is not possible.

1. Tommy Thomson after many dozy-dos, will finally enter the race against Russ Feingold for U.S. Senator. Comment: Even a late entry will not deter Thomson from raising huge amounts of money in a relatively short period. Wisconsin, tired of Feingold delivering nothing but worthless campaign finance reform, which he himself circumvents, will elect the less tiresome Thomson, who was the biggest spending Governor in Wisconsin until Doyle made him a candidate for visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. If Tommy wants to spend, the Senate is the place to be.

1. Menomonee Falls will not gain a fine dining establishment and may lose one, due to non-support. Comment: While many wonder why the DeRosa’s, Bartolatas, and Mo’s, do not open restaurants in the Falls, they could not describe the inside of any restaurant that closed.

1. Brett Favre will play another year of football with the Vikings. Their coach will not. Comment: The Vikes will not go to, or win the Super Bowl this year.
2. The media, public, and students of Wisconsin will wake up and figure out that Jim Doyle is a total bag of Milorganite for promising (with our money) to provide a paid college education, in the UW system, for students that studied hard, stayed in school and wanted to go on to college and then shutting the door on their fingers when it was time to pay up (with our money).  Comment: More on this in January.

1. The Falls Indians Basketball team will go to state and take the Championship home with them. Comment: Take this to the bank even after back-to-back loses.

1. MF citizens will realize the Four Year Old Kindergarten program will end up costing taxpayers money instead of generating revenue: in new facilities (when it was supposed to partner with existing day care centers), salary and benefits costs, diverting resources away from programs that have more impact on student learning, restricting cost saving measures like closing buildings, or leaving other schools intact. Comment: I will still be blamed for voting for this program when, in fact, I was the only board member to emphatically vote against it (for the very same reasons stated in my “prediction”).

1. “High Speed” rail will fail to move forward in Wisconsin in 2010. Comment: The saner people of Wisconsin will prevail over the hypothetical argument: when you are having trouble coming up with lunch money for your kids, it is not the best time to buy a Cadillac Escalade. Nevertheless, Jim Doyle’s legacy for what he did to Wisconsin’s business climate will be identical to General Tecumseh Sherman’s impact on Georgia’s infrastructure. BTW Wisconsin High Speed rail compared to Europe, China and Japan's HSR will be less than half the "high speed."

1. Iron Man will set a box office record for biggest opening day.

1. Koss Corporation will survive through the very unfortunate and fascinating embezzlement story but will be under new ownership before the end of 2010. Comment: This story is one that has many potential layers of things not yet exposed-but will be. The stock price will implode when it resumes trading (if it ever does) leaving Koss’ future in doubt. A sad situation for a very cool company.

1. The government program, designed to stop home foreclosures, will save few from losing homes they never could afford in the first place. Comment: The program will be blamed for prolonging the housing crisis, declining home values, and hindering investment in rental units by artificially depressing occupancy rates.

1. The Packers will go to the Super Bowl and lose to the New England Patriots. Comment: Don’t take this to the bank, but the Pack is going all the way this year. Why not? Stranger things have happened in 2009…

This is my year in review where I assess my Predictions of 2009 and determine which ones were true or false. Everyone is welcome to weigh in via the Comments section if you think I was too light or hard on myself. My comments appear in blue and hyperlinked to the source of reference for my answer.

Next week I will post my predictions for 2010.

 Predictions 2009

I made the mistake of embedding other predictions into my main predictions taking my accuracy way down. My first prediction of 2009: I will not make that mistake twice. TRUE

1. The next shoe to drop in the financial crisis will be the day of reckoning for the credit card companies. This will peak in 2009. We should begin seeing hysterical headlines about May of this year. Side note: The impact of credit derivatives on the collateralized debt obligation will totally wipe out all of the equity the investors put in. This includes SE Wisconsin school districts (not Meno. Falls or Sussex Hamilton).

TRUE Banks are still reluctant to lend pending this shoe dropping and the commercial real estate refinancing time bomb. We did not see the headlines I predicted, probably because credit card companies weren’t fooling around with Tiger Woods and were nowhere near the place of death for Michael Jackson.

2. The dollar will fall below its lowest value in 10 years.  It fetched a record-low US$1.3912 against the euro in 2008.

TRUE what makes this story amazing is that other currencies have taken a hit too but the US Dollar and the Euro are taking big hits.

3. Ethanol will pretty much be discredited, by those who have the mental ability to make change from a nickel, as a viable alternative natural fuel in 2009.  If there is a low yield corn crop it will expedite the awakening from this fad binge.

TRUE This link is from February of this year, and from the New York Times, a media pom-pom girl for Ethanol and anything “Green” bogus or not.

4. In spite of all the deaths caused by seven to eleven time convicted drunken drivers, the state legislature will still ponder what we can do to stop the carnage. Maybe they will consider lowering the legal limit. Maybe they will consider raising the drinking age to 25. Maybe they will sue alcohol companies for millions, so we can run more MADD advertising (or spend the money on budget shortfalls when we overspend). It will never occur to them to lock up 5^th  time offenders where they can never get behind a vehicle and kill your children. My prediction: They will do nothing to ensure mandatory prison for +3 time offenders.

TRUE The just passed Drunken Driving Bill makes the 4^th offense a felony. So, if you have one or two offenses you are running out of chances. Worthless, but a 5 time offender in the legislature voted for it.

5. The smarter municipalities will be far more reasonable when dealing with developers in their communities. The smarter communities will realize there are far more limited development dollars and will be more accommodating instead of changing deals at the last minute or asking for more gingerbread and greenery at the 11^th hour of a deal. TIFs will grow in usage. Alternatively, developers will more readily walk to the next community when faced with unreasonable demands.

FALSE  I have no story to link to-just a lot of personal experience. Milwaukee could not have made the development environment worse in 2009, but they managed to anyway. How did the Falls do? You tell me in the comments below.

6. Israel will attack Iran in an attempt to destroy the nuclear program there. Other Arab countries will huff and puff, do nothing, and secretly sigh relief that someone finally did something to stop Iran. In my opinion, Iran has sponsored the Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel to divert Israeli military resources away from them. Israel will be an incapable of fighting a two front war.

FALSE Fortunately this did not happen. Unfortunately, I will be making the same prediction again for 2010. Iran did “attack” an Iraqi oil facility.

7. A power play, to take over MPS, will be attempted in 2009.  It may be the state or it may be Milwaukee, but someone will try, and fail, on their first attempt.

TRUE While it may be tempting to impose martial law on MPS, this idea is stupid. Does Tom Barrett want to be mayor, head of MPS, or Governor? Nobody has a plan here. Same as it ever was.

8. Beyonce Knowles will be the number one revenue-generating music artist in 2009.

FALSE The final numbers are not in but Michael Jackson has to have been the number one revenue producer of 2009. Jacko? Who-da-thunk-it? Taylor Swift was Billboard’s top artist of the year which usually translates into top revenue. Beyonce, you need to be in more movies this year.

9. Gold will break $965.00 per ounce in 2009.

TRUE Ha, ha, sob, sob, One gold stock I have been tracking was up 50% over last year. I did not buy any though…

10. Brett Favre will retire after the 2008 season and un-retire in 2009. I'm not kidding.

TRUE I am happy for Favre. As a season ticket holder, he does not owe me anything. He IS having a great year.

11. Thinking that America is on the brink of financial ruin, Al-Qaeda will hasten an attack on the U.S. to send panic into financial markets. That attempt will be unsuccessful.

TRUE  I had to modify this just before posting. This was a Christmas terror attempt and a failed one thanks to some sharp people.

12. The $50 billion Bernie Madoff ponzi scam will get the average and high end investor to reconsider their investment strategy. The desire to put full faith and confidence in stocks will wane and drive demand for real estate, specifically commercial real estate and raw land. Demand will grow in 2009 for a revenue-producing asset that won't vaporize to absolute zero, like Bernie's fund or GM stock.

FALSE Everyone went for gold instead. Commercial real estate is declining in value making it a good buy at some point in 2010.

13. The religion of global warming will be scientifically discredited in 2009. However, "global warmbies" will claim that the scientific data actually proves their theory. In other words they will use highly developed logic based on jujitsu: I know you are but what am I? It is my fervent hope that people in this country awaken to the dangers of the environmental movement. The "environmental" movement that tried to stop a solar energy plant in the Mojave Desert because of an endangered snake. It is a movement of dangerous hypocrites.  

TRUE Please click on this link, as it is very funny and true. “Al Gore, discredited by the very Internet he created.”  Folks, I was scary good this year!

14. The New England Patriots will pull themselves up from the ashes and win the Super Bowl in 2010.

FALSE I don’t want to talk about it.

15. The threat of the looming sick pay mandate in Milwaukee County will be a growth benefit to surrounding counties.

FALSE The surrounding communities are still asleep at the wheel.

Please check this blog out on December 31^st when I post my predictions for 2010.

I have not been keeping up on my blog but wanted to remind everyone of the beautify nativity collection at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Pilgrim Avenue.

Last year, Beautiful Nativity World talked about the display. It is a beautiful and Christmas appropriate place to visit with children or grandparents.

Merry Christmas to you and a healthy, prosperous New Year.

Young men of the Falls Indian football team:

Thank you for a thrilling season and a making our community proud. For most of you, best wishes for your future. For the rest of you, study hard and we will see you next season.

Congratulations to the Indians for a great season and a chance to take state.

Another great aspect of this team is their strong academic record. This is the mark of great kids working hard and getting results. This is also a reflection of the great work done by Dave Petroff and his athletic department.

Here is a link to an Indian rally poster, from the Falls Chamber, you can print out and put in your car, work or house window.

Falls Rally Poster

Let’s see these all over the Falls and support our team.

Please use this blog to shout out your support for the Indians. Let’s set a blog record for something worth shouting about.

Go Indians!

WIAAState Football Championship Game
Friday November 20
4:00 p.m.
Falls vs.Marquette
at UW-Madison - Camp Randall Stadium

Well my Packer friends, it is time to face the game clock. Sometimes time is the only thing that can prove whether you are right or wrong. Now that the clock has reached the half way mark, we need to look at Brett’s decision versus Ted Thompson/Mike McCarthy’s decision.

Brett is having a great year, maybe one of his best ever. The Packers are having one of their worst years in a long time. Aaron Rodgers is a high point and showing great promise. Thank goodness he is showing resilience by getting up and playing after some (too many) severe hits. This is due to a poor offensive line put together by the GM and coach.

Favre’s commentary on the Packers’ coaching staff and GM grow more credible as the season marches on. Thompson/McCarthy’s opinion of Favre becomes more ludicrous as the Vikings win big games and the Packers get whipped by the worst.

Congratulations to our Menomonee Falls Neighborhood Watch for wining the National 2009 Award for Excellence by the National Sheriff’s Association.

It is great for a local organization, watching out for the safety, and property, of our citizens, to receive national recognition.

Come celebrate and support them this Saturday, November 7^th at the Silver Spring Country Club. Address: N56 W21318 Silver Spring Drive.

Festivities start at 7pm until 10:30pm Music will be provide by the local bank Pure.

Please join them at an award ceremony with hors d'oeuvres for $25.00 per person. By supporting this event, you locally support Menomonee Falls Neighborhood Watch and all of their volunteer efforts to make our community safe.

Please email me if you would like an emailed invite to this event.

[Attention: Before I start the blog, I want to extend a permanent invitation to any church, or organization, in Menomonee Falls, Germantown or surrounding area to notify me of any faith based music event and I will do my best to promote it on this blog and in my personal email list. This includes events like St. Anthony’s beautiful Christmas show that featured many of their members.]

On October 17^th, Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Pilgrim Road had a free concert for the community, featuring Peder Eide – a Christian musician. All they asked was a free will offering or a food item for their mission.

Even though I was not that familiar with Peder Eide, I wanted my son, and his friends, to attend. My wife and I made a deal with him. He could bring as many friends over to our house for pizza before the show, and they could come over for a bonfire and smores after the show. We would also provide the free will offering for every kid. Nobody took us up on this offer. They went to a haunted house instead. Nevertheless, I insisted my son attend anyway. (That is the Prussian Father in me.)

Even though my daughter and I were committed to a farther/daughter dance, we left early to go to the show. This concert was a wonderful family event enjoyed especially by, who else? My son and daughter and all of the teenage kids in the audience.

The message could not have been clearer and more appropriate for kids of any age but mostly teenagers. God made families so we can live better lives through him.

We were all disappointed that nobody took our offer and I was disappointed in myself for not doing more to promote this event in the community. Therefore, I would like to promote these types of events from local churches. Please take me up on it.

Los Lobos is one of the best bands around. Now that I have front row tickets, I want everyone to be aware Los Lobos will perform at the Northern Lights Theater on October 31^st.

Los Lobos continues to amaze the music world by staying true to their music, roots, heritage and still blazing musical trails. I heard they may be doing an all acoustic show and their new CD may be Disney songs. If any of you have heard “The Monkey Song” aka “I Wanna Be Like You” that they recorded from the “Jungle Book,” it is an amazing version. You have to see these guys.

If anyone has attended a show at the Northern Lights Theater please comment below. When I bought my ticket, the lady was nice enough to show me the venue and where we would be seated.

Friends of mine who have performed there have told me it is the best venue they have ever seen.

Usually when I buy tickets to an event I feel that I am being violated, with this fee and pick up charges and on and on. Buying tickets at Potawatomi was a very pleasant experience. They asked if I was a “Fire Keepers Club” member? Since I don’t gamble I told her no. She said if I was, I would get 10% off the ticket, they would wave the Ticketmaster fee, and I would get 10% off all food and drink at the concert. When I asked, “how much to be a member” the answer was even better. Free.

Folks, I am letting a friend of mine, Lisa Mackey post for a fundraising event coming up.

A MISSION FROM THE HEART!!

A dear friend experienced something that many of us have never seen in our lifetime. Her name is Pam Schwalbach and she is a Menomonee Falls Mom that took a month long mission trip to Tanzania, Africa. With the blessing of her husband and two daughters she experienced life in a third world country where poverty, illness and hunger are something most of us will never know. She recounts the story that living and walking with the native Tanzanians was simple, yet heartbreaking. She traveled throughout the entire country seeing the same thing, hunger, poverty and illness. It isn't in just one village, it is all over, everywhere she traveled. As the days and weeks went on, she knew that she would not be able to come back and ignore these problems. A seed had been planted in her heart and this is the beginning of how one person can make a difference.

Upon her return home, she partnered with a wonderful organization called Outreach Africa. The founders of this Non-profit organization Floyd and Kathy Hammer of Union Iowa have dedicated the last 8 yrs of their life helping in ways that mirrored what Pam desired to do. Their passion to feed those who are hungry is on the top of their list with their organization. Pam met Floyd and Kathy through a mutual friend and their partnership was formed.

Kids Against Hunger is a registered trademark that The Hammers have for their rice meals. Pam is going to host a "Packathon" which will allow people of all ages to come together to help make a dent in starvation. These meals get packaged in a one day event which will be held at Menomonee Falls High School. It is very simple, they ask for one hour of packing time and a donation of $25.00 to help purchase and ship the meals. $25.00 will pack over 100 meals! That is pretty amazing. The last time I went to the store and spent $25.00 I got 2 Gallons of milk,3 boxes of cereal, 2 pounds of grapes, a loaf of bread and a pack of gum. That is a far cry from 100 vitamin and mineral enriched rice meals that would keep us far healthier than the cereal we eat.

Here is an invitation to reach out to help the over 3 billion people who eat nothing everyday. Your one hour and donation can help feed 100 or more bellies.

The event details: "Packathon"
Menomonee Falls High School
Saturday November 7th, 2009
8:00a.m. - 5:00pm.
Please register ahead to determine what hour you can work with a mail or phone call to:
*Pam Schwalbach. pschwalbach@gmail.com / 262-502-9130 or
*Lisa Mackey mackey.lisa09@gmail.com

--

Please check out these websites...
www.outreachafrica.org
www.helpingmwika.blogspot.com
 

My friends, I bring you sad news regarding John Harbors. I spoke with the owner, Jeremy, a week ago and he mentioned some issues with the landlord. My wife was to meet a friend there last Saturday and the door was locked with a sign explaining JH was looking for a new location.

I spoke with Jeremy and the landlord issues don’t appear to be the back rent kind of issues. They would like to reopen in close proximity and I will do everything I can to help them.

Jeremy? Do you want to leave a message for your friends and customers in the comments section below?

Soylent Green is depicted as a life-sustaining wafer in the 1973 movie by the same name. The planet is overpopulated and food is scarce. Most of the population is fed by government supplied “Soylent Green” wafers as their only source of food.

Today we are constantly hectored that Green Jobs are the future. We let existing jobs perish in our gleeful quest for trendy “Green” jobs. We have, or had, a “Green Jobs” Czar, who was a self professed Communist. Some people were upset with this but hey, this is no job for someone who believes in Capitalism.

While we let existing business slug it out to survive in Wisconsin, we offer money to those who create “Green” jobs from a bank account already in the Red. This makes various simpletons feel good about themselves like not flushing toilets on earth day.

Forgive me for not getting around much, but I have yet to meet a company who would not do everything possible to keep their energy costs down-voluntarily. Even Ebenezer Scrooge, the icon of evil capitalists, was “Green” enough to prevent corporate polluter, Bob Cratchit, from burning more coal than necessary.

What does this have to do with Soylent Green? Soylent Green, the wonderful solution to feeding a hungry planet? At the end of the movie, it is revealed that Soylent Green is made from people. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sp-VFBbjpE

Soylent “Green” Jobs will be manufactured by cannibalizing other jobs, perhaps your job. With Cap and Tax passed, many real jobs will be destroyed, with no impact on the environment. I predict, one “Green” job will be created out of seven real jobs lost. I also predict that many of these “Green” jobs will be government jobs designed to smack down or rat out survivors in gas, oil, or electricity. Who could be more qualified than an actual Communist to run the “Green” jobs program? Change the title from Tsar, to Chairman, and we got a winner Comrade. Next stop? Breadlines.

“Let them eat cake!” Marie Antoinette’s solution, to the news that the peasants in France were starving and without bread, 1736, sparking the French Revolution.

“Let them ride trains!” Gov. Jim Doyle’s response to the hemorrhaging of jobs and his economic development plan, September, 2009.

While more jobs, industries and companies leave Wisconsin, Jim Doyle revealed his plan to turn the state from an economic disaster into a total train wreck. Now that all of Wisconsin’s major problems are solved, the Gov., focused, like a laser, zeroed in on the next highest priority of Wisconsin’s citizens-Trains.

First the good news: All we have to do is spend more money that we do not have and steal even more money from the Feds, who have even less money (our money, for those of you aren’t keeping up) in their account. (Make that less than zero, by about -1.4 trillion dollars) Stealing is not too strong of a description, but let’s call it a “grant” so nobody gets offended, and thinks that it is actually their money being wasted.

All of the economic development guru’s, who got us to where we are today, will tell you it is unenlightened to pooh-pooh rail service of any kind. Much like the tailors in “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” they will tell you only the very smartest and nuanced will be able to see the brilliance of this great plan. They will tell you: “We cannot bring jobs here if people cannot get to them.” Does anyone actually believe this? Especially coming from those who could not have destroyed more jobs if they were piloting the Enola Gay over Wisconsin.

OK, Ted, what is your solution? I am well aware that it is easy to pick apart other’s plans, much like a backseat driver or a mother-in-law. I have lived in Europe and know their mass transit system. The trains are wonderful, but they aren’t cheap to ride. Europe, especially Germany, has a wonderful bus system that can pick you up from virtually anywhere and get you anywhere. Busses can modify routes, increase or decrease routes and it gets the job done. My suggestion is to look into busses as a viable alternative to spending billions (think AmTrak before you challenge me on this number) on a poorly thought out choo-choo.

My solution however is to address the job issue by making this state more attractive to business of all types from heavy manufacturing to insurance companies like Northwestern. Easier said than done? It needs to be done. Casey “Jim” Jones has jumped the track and needs to work exclusively on JOBS, assuming he still works for us.

If Doyle’s transit policy is enacted, our future transit policy will be for the hungry peasants of Wisconsin to hop freight trains, with what is left of our belongings. Gov. Doyle will be waving good-bye at the border wondering: “Why didn’t they just eat cake?”

President Obama will address students on Tuesday September 8^th. The speech will be a live event presented in classrooms.

This is something the President of the United States should do. I wish President Bush had done this after 9/11. I suppose many would have been outraged about that too, but it would have been assuring and let the children know they are a part of this country and prepare them for their inevitable leadership in running the U.S. Bush and Obama were and are our President, elected by a majority of citizens to lead and represent our county.

There are two things I do not like about President Obama addressing our students.

1. I don’t like the package that comes with this speech. That is, have a student write things they can do to help President Obama. OK, make your speech, motivate the kids and let them, and their teachers, get back to work.
2. Do you think that maybe some school districts around the country already have plans for their first day of school? Last week the Falls stated school. A lot of thought and planning went into that day. 8^th graders had greatly shortened periods to accommodate a later start and get through their classes. Teachers made lesson plans in advance. Maybe we could accommodate a brief speech from the President but not a mini-course with one-week notice.

Presidents should lead and motivate the nation, calm and assure us in fearful times, protect us from enemies, outside and within, and stay out of our way so we can get our work done, raise our families and get on with our lives.