Racine's two mayoral candidates will participate in a secret mayoral forum outside of the city on April 20.
John Dickert and Bob Turner both plan to attend the forum hosted by Racine County Economic Development Council and Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce at CATI in Sturtevant.
The audience is limited to the first 100 members and board members of RCEDC and RAMAC. There are no plans to make anything discussed at the forum public or to allow media access to the meeting, according to an organizer.
Participating in a closed forum is an endorsement of secrecy and privileged access to a limited few. It's troubling that our candidates, and future mayor, agreed to attend this forum, and that our business leaders set about organizing it. Both apparently think little of public participation in the democratic process.
Holding the forum in CATI is a bizarre twist on the secret forum. Have the candidates and business leaders forgotten we're electing Racine's mayor? Unless they plan to discuss moving CATI to one of Racine's vacant industrial parks, it makes no sense to hold this forum in Sturtevant. Symbolic reasons aside, the location is simply inconvenient for Racine business owners/residents - the ones who can actually vote May 5 - who would like to attend.
The candidates must demand changes to the forum or refuse to participate.
We suggest RCEDC, RAMAC and the candidates move the forum to a public location in the city and open it up to the community. At the very least the organizations should invite the media and post video of the forum online and CAR25.
Business leaders may argue they want to have a "candid" conversation with the candidates. Our response: the public doesn't want honest, straight-forward answers from our next mayor?
Holding secret forums with a select few is no way to run a city and certainly no way to campaign for elected office. The candidates must correct this mistake or risk eroding public confidence in the mayor's office before they're ever elected.
Like any mistake, it's an opportunity to lead. Both candidates should prove their words of open government and open this forum to public review.
Simple solution, both refuse to attend.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Either both candidates refuse to attend - or the forum gets changed to a location in Racine and the public is invited.
ReplyDeleteTells me that RAMAC and RCEDC has more to do with who the mayor will be then say the voters, also tells me that the candidates do not understand that neither groups has done ANYTHING to bring or keep business in Racine.
ReplyDeleteI, as a voter, would certainly be interested in attending the forum. I'd sincerely be interested in hearing from both RCEDC and RAMAC why they would set up such a limited forum.
ReplyDeleteSomething really smells.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the motives for keeping this forum so secret that the media is excluded?
I can just see the headline now about whoever is elected:
"Before becoming mayor, xxxxx attended secret meeting. Citizens not allowed to know what was discussed." Now he is Mayor?
Not a good way to start is it?
Candidates, think about it.
So Turner has a problem having a forum at City Hall but will attend a secret meeting in Sturtevant?
ReplyDeleteI agree this is wrong. Part of the problem with this town are the same ole business cronies stuck in the last century!
Jody Harding Is willing to attend this event at 7:30 Monday Morning and will take questions from the moderators or the People of Racine.
ReplyDeleteWhy Not invite Jody so we have a difference of opinion..Turner and Dickert are going to share the same note cards!!
If Jody is NOT included Jody will be taking Citizen Questions at 7:30 am Monday Morning on the Steps of Memorial Hall at 7th and Lake! Come on down ask what Jody will do as your next Mayor, and if either of the other candidates want to show up, we'll be happy to share the steps. Ask Jody what controlled spending and Common Sense looks like..
The Mayor is one of the Closest jobs to the Taxpayer..to go "OUT OF TOWN" for a Secret debate is absurd!!!
Pete & Dustin Please feel free to attend our event were not afraid of the Media!! Jody want's to be the Representative of the TAXPAYER's money.
Thanks for this story. I was very troubled by that exclusive forum. We cannot hope to fix this city with these back room meetings still occurring. Lets put the pressure on.
ReplyDeleteI'll be on the steps JODY I have a few questions!!!Monday 7:30am
ReplyDeleteWhy would both of the mayoral candidates agree to such arrangements? Aren't Turner and Dickert running for office to bring credibility to the position that was solely lacking when Becker was in office? Why would RCEDC and RAMAC even consider such a ploy? Why the secrecy? Let the voters hear what is being discussed. Whatever the forum involves, you know it will involve the residents/voters of the city of Racine. We are adults, we are taxpayers, we can handle the discussions about us, about our future. There is a citizen's group in Mt. Pleasant..Citizens Association of Mt. Pleasant (CAMP) that is fighting this very same thing with their current village staff/board. So much secrecy, let the residents see and hear what is being discussed about us. After all, we are the ones that will be paying heavily for whatever decisions that comes from our newly elected mayor. Shouldn't we at least know before hand?
ReplyDeleteJody is history. There's nothing worse than a sore loser and her cronies. If you are smart, Jody, you wouldn't do this write-in campaign. After the election, get your eggs in a row and run in 2011, if you want. You have rubbed the majority of people the wrong way. People, call the RCEDC and RAMAC and tell them how you feel about their forum. These forums should be open to the public. Call both Turner and Dickert and tell them how you feel and strongly suggest they don't show up if it's closed to the public.
ReplyDeleteIf either candidate shows at this forum, it will simply confirmed what so many have known for so long -- the leadership in this town is owned by RAMAC.
ReplyDeleteI just lost an immense amount of respect for Roger Caron.
I have also heard many rumblings about RAMAC and their vision - or lackthereof. Too many narrow-minded people in Racine that have blinders on. It's their way or the highway. That needs to stop. We need new people, new ideas, new ways of doing things. How much good has this group of people done for our area? We don't need elitists here. That's one of the reasons Racine is hurting.
ReplyDeleteOK, everybody calm down.
ReplyDeleteRAMAC and RCEDC (and the Racine Taxpayers Assn, for that matter) have every right to hold their own mayoral forum and invite whomever they please. Conversely, the two mayoral candidates have every right to attend or decline to attend this so-called private event. Unless someone can prove differently, a pre-election candidate forum isn't subject to the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law.
As bad as it may look for the city's business leaders to privately huddle with the mayoral candidates, this sort of thing isn't unprecedented. For example, any number of private organizations (from the NRA to WEAC to WMC) have held closed briefing sessions with candidates for governor and attorney general.
As a voter who believes in erring on the side of transparency, I think it's a dumb move by the two mayoral candidates to agree to this, but that's their decision.
One thing to remember (that should keep Dustin's blood pressure in check): Racine is a VERY small town. I'd be willing to bet that pretty much everything said closed doors will be public knowledge within a matter of hours. Loose lips might sink ships, but they don't stop political campaigns. LOL.
They probably just want to ask them how they feel about volleyball and hot rods.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the Johnson's have their own private meeting? Or more accurately "their people".
StopthemadnessNOW said...
ReplyDeleteOK, everybody calm down.
Are you kidding? These candidates are supposed to represent all the citizens of Racine not a couple of organizations. RAMAC and RCEDC (and the Racine Taxpayers Assn, for that matter) have every right to hold their own mayoral forum and invite whomever they please.
Not at the cost of a lack of transparency with the citizens of Racine.Conversely, the two mayoral candidates have every right to attend or decline to attend this so-called private event.
We are not talking laws or rights here. We are talking ethics. Ethics in this context is way more important to weigh in light of the consequences to the citizens of not being informed. Racine voters need to have all the open information they can get.Unless someone can prove differently, a pre-election candidate forum isn't subject to the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law.
It certainly isn't. But ethically the candidates need to prove to Racine they are not beholding to anyone but the citizens. As bad as it may look for the city's business leaders to privately huddle with the mayoral candidates, this sort of thing isn't unprecedented. For example, any number of private organizations (from the NRA to WEAC to WMC) have held closed briefing sessions with candidates for governor and attorney general.
and so what is your point? Just because it goes on elsewhere we should just go along with it? I don't think so. As a voter who believes in erring on the side of transparency, I think it's a dumb move by the two mayoral candidates to agree to this, but that's their decision.
So what side are you on in this debate? You speak with forked tongue.One thing to remember (that should keep Dustin's blood pressure in check): Racine is a VERY small town. I'd be willing to bet that pretty much everything said closed doors will be public knowledge within a matter of hours. Loose lips might sink ships, but they don't stop political campaigns. LOL.
This is not a laughing matter at all. Racine, the last time I took a look was the third largest city in the State. You can not continue the practices of the last century or else we will just get the same outcomes.
That is why I became involved in the Citizens Association of Mount Pleasant (CAMP) where our goals will be to keep interested citizens up to date with what is going on in Mount Pleasant Government. But to see this going on next door to us as well was way too important not to comment on it. Thank you Dustin for your courage, ethical and purposeful actions in bringing this to light. We certainly need more of this which we currently do not have nor did not have in the past from our legacy newspaper.
Rees Roberts
I can understand wanting to have a limited audience with like interests query the candidates without general audience questions or interruptions, but this should be broadcast to the citizenry via car 25 or WRJN. It looks to me the candidates will state one thing to this group, and another thing to the residents. And I think this is either the ugly reality of today's politics or these people don't realize the impression of said such. I doubt the latter.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the Johnson's have their own private meeting? Or more accurately "their people".
ReplyDeleteThey do and the Johnson's make sure the candidates know what tune to march too.
Racine owned and played with by the Johnson's.
The Johnson's have done positive and negative things for our community. No one should be beholding to them. No one. This is Racine, not "Johnson"ville. I believe the remark about Racine being a small town - that meant it is small-minded, narrow-minded, not small as in population. I have to agree with that assessment of Racine. There are people here who believe things get done their way or it is the highway type of thing. Too many people here have blinders on and do not want to think outside of the box. Why isn't Racine a successful thriving city? Because of the narrow-mindedness. The status quo has to end in order to move forward. RAMAC and RCEDC are part of the problem. Why would anyone be surprised this is a closed forum? I would hope the candidates had better sense than to attend this forum, when it is done this way.
ReplyDelete"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
ReplyDeleteParty on!
What would Racine look like if the Johnsons up and left? They get their due.
ReplyDelete9:04
ReplyDeleteWhat would Racine look like?
IMHO
We have a city able to attract businesses since the Johnson would not longer control RUSD and we could see the change needed there.
We have a city with a growing downtown with businesses owned by all races bring to the downtown more then art shops and bars The DRC would dry up and blow away allowing forward thinkers to try new ideas and not simply what the Johnson's want to do with their toy.
The hundreds of temp workers might
get real jobs and not be slaves to the lie of one day being hired "full time".
Far too long I feel Racine been just like the mining towns of West Virgina owned an operated not for those that live there but for the one family that controls it. In my mind NOTHING happens in this city with out the Johnson's say so.
From the City Grant Writer to the Uptown Art project
My understanding is that this is NOT a closed forum, but is open to the first 100 people who show up. The Taxpayers Association debate during the primary attracted less than 40 people, so why should anyone worry that there won't be enough seats at this one? It is being held at 7:30 AM so I would think anyone who wants to go to it can go, if they are among the first 100 people to show up.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the big deal? How is this different than if individual community or business leaders had private meetings with the candidates? You know that happens; it is just not reported. There is nothing wrong with that. How is this different than private fundraising events being held? You know that happens; it is just not reported. There is nothing wrong with that. The candidates are entitled to meet with whomever they choose, as long as they don't break the law.
ReplyDeleteThe Racine Taxpayers Association is a non-profit public organization. We even keep our board meetings open to the public. That is the way public organizations operate.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have a philosophy: Organized to protect the rights of Racine County Taxpayers. And we draw plenty of flack for that. But when we have a forum we invite everyone and we relish having participants of different flavors as that makes the forums and debates more interesting and enlightening.
So please don’t put us in the same yard with RAMAC and RCEDC. I am not sure what their agendas are, but considering their closed forum, they are each probably some kind of control mechanism designed to forward someone’s financial interest. Something the RTA is not. The RTA administration and board are all volunteers and only want the government to watch how it spends taxpayers’ money.
The RTA endorses no candidates and holds forums to help the electorate get facts about the candidates and make a better decision on whom to vote for. We would not think of holding a closed forum and would probably even include Jody Harding as an invitee, if we could get the other two to also come. (We went in with CFC on their forum this month as we were both having trouble getting Turner to attend.)
What if the Racine Kiwanis Club invited the two candidates to the Club's noon lunch meeting and only invited members & guests?
ReplyDeleteHow about Kenosha Kiwanis Club?
The Racine Tax Payers Association is always open to all to attend. They advertise forums publicly. They meet the second Tuesday every month. You can attend even if you are not a member. There is nothing to hide.
ReplyDeleteNow back to the subject, It does not sit well with me that these two groups are holding a members only forum not even in the city.
The whole fancy high tech CATI building and the financing behind it is questionable. The Racine Taxpayers Association should look into it. Something stinks.
First post said it all, both of them should refuse to attend. They are being elected by the people of Racine not business of racine, almost reminds me of some type of lobbying...
ReplyDeleteMany of you seem to be either naive or parochial.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think a lobbyist is? What do you think is the real purpose of AARP?
Get real.
Every group, even the ones you sanctimonious people belong to, is out for their piece of the pie in one way or another.
1:27
ReplyDeleteI would not mind so much if RAMAC or RCEDC did something other then make themself's look good.
What HAVE they done? I know RCEDC is real good at give out no bid contracts and backing worthless projects like the Uptown Art District
we also can not forget RCEDC try at turning West Racine into a slum.
Do we really want the next Mayor to be part of that crowd?
Dickert....Becker.....secrecy.....Yup, it all matches.
ReplyDeleteGroups ask candidates to address their membership (and not the public) all the time. What is the big deal? Even the big C4C forum only had a few hundred people and this election will be lucky to see 7,000 people vote. What is with all the feigned indignation?
ReplyDeleteWell, you can't have conversation where the words "Dickert" and "ethics" are even in the same paragraph. Nor can you have a conversation where the name of "Turner" and the phrase "concern for anything but money" can't be found together. So, how can you expect either one of these guys not to take whatever they can get from RAMAC and RCEDC in secret meetings. Heck, they don't even have the good graces to insist that the meeting be held in the town THAT ELECTED THEM IN THE PRIMARY!!!
ReplyDeleteBoth these guys are losers. Dickert comes off as too smooth and slick, and Turner comes off as a bumbling idiot. How he ever got elected to anything is a true mystery to me. They're both liberal Democrats who only know how to throw money at problems. If either one gets elected, up go our taxes. And you think the elderly have a rough time now? They'll all be eating cat food within 2 years if either of these bozos get in office.
They leave me no choice. Whether I want to or not, I have to write-in Jody Harding. At least she's willing to step out in public on a chilly April morning and answer any and all questions to anyone who wants to hear the answers. And, she'll do it in RACINE!!!
Newsflash - the actual voters don't come here and read blog propaganda. You people are all wasting your time.
ReplyDeleteI will not vote for any candidate who attends this forum, unless it is taped to air on CAR 25 and Jody is allowed to take part.
ReplyDeleteJody lost, get over it...
ReplyDelete