Assembly fast-tracks extended jobless benefits

Still no official word on whether Rep. Cory Mason will sit out the mayoral fracas in Racine, but we did receive this press release from his office today, about the Assembly's Joint Finance Committee, on which he sits, fast-tracking a bill to extend unemployment compensation.

Representative Mason Acts to Expedite Unemployment Assistance;
Joint Finance Committee Fast-tracks Bill to Extend Unemployment Compensation

MADISON, WI – Today state Rep. Cory Mason and his colleagues on the Joint Committee on Finance moved to fast track a bill to extend unemployment compensation for Wisconsin residents facing layoffs and a tough job market. Both houses of the Legislature will act on the measure this week.

“I am pleased that we were able to act quickly to help workers access unemployment insurance,” said Mason. “Additional benefits for displaced Wisconsin workers are needed before our state funds are depleted – a scenario that would leave thousands without help in the midst of troubling economic times.”

Assembly Bill 5 suspends Wisconsin Supplement Benefits program and shifts unemployment benefits funding to the federal government. The measure will also enable those in need to access extended federal unemployment benefits from the current 8-week schedule to 20 weeks.

Last December, unemployment in Wisconsin hit a 20-year high, and claims for unemployment assistance have risen faster than at any time in recent history. These harsh economic realities are putting pressure on the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Department of Workforce Development officials estimate this move will save the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund more than $44 million.

“While unemployment benefits are only a temporary solution to this substantial economic problem, it is crucial that those who are unemployed have the support they need in the interim,” Mason said. “I receive several calls each day from constituents facing difficulty accessing their unemployment benefits. I am pleased we are able to help extend their benefits, but I want to be clear: This is only one step in my agenda to create Wisconsin jobs and grow the Wisconsin economy by supporting Racine businesses and helping Racine workers.”

Who wants to be (interim) mayor?

Who wants to be mayor?

OK, it seems like just about everyone. (RacinePost would like to formally announce it is not running for the office.)

But it also seems like no one wants the job, at least on a temporary basis. Along with setting June 2 as the special election date, the council will consider appointing an interim mayor to fill the office until the election. The alternative is to appoint no one and let Alderman David Maack continue in his role as City Council president/interim mayor. Both ideas have problems. Consider:

INTERIM MAYOR: The interim mayor would be, well, mayor, with all of the powers that entails (though not free tech support on your home computer). This would give them five months to put their stamp on city policy before handing over the reins to the newly elected mayor. It also gives them a powerful endorsement (read: bargaining chip) in the special election.

NO INTERIM MAYOR: As one city official said, that could be like telling residents we don't really need a mayor. If Racine can run fine for five months with a chief executive, why bother with the $70,000+ salary that comes with the job? It also calls into the question the council itself. If our elected city officials can't make this decision, what decision can they make? Alderman Ray DeHahn also pointed out the federal government is nearing approval of one of the largest handouts in US history. Is this really a time to be without a mayor?

The obvious answer here is to promote a sitting alderman or alderwoman to the mayor's office until the special election. But that would require the council member to, at least temporarily, give up their City Council seat and be vulnerable to a special election of their own.

(Here's where things get a little confusing. Read on at your own risk.) If an alderman in an odd-number district is appointed interim mayor, and then reappointed to the council, they would have to run in a special election next year, and then for re-election in 2011. That would be three elections in three years - not a fun task for any elected official.

That leaves City Council in even-numbered district as viable interim mayor candidates. These include: Bob Anderson (2nd), Jim Kaplan (4th), Sandy Weidner (6th), QA Shakoor II (8th), Tom Friedel (10th), Aron Wisneski (12th) and Ron Hart (14th).

Kaplan and Shakoor are interested in running for mayor, so they may be out. Anderson and Wisneski are relatively new to the council, and probably don't have the experience (yet). That leaves council veterans Weidner, Friedel and Hart, who all could be a good fit - and may realistically be the front-runners for the interim slot.

That is, if the council can make a decision Thursday how it wants to proceed.

And then there were five candidates for mayor...

And then there were five...

Five officially announced candidates for mayor of Racine, that is. Jim Spangenberg, 13th District Alderman, joined four others who have filed a declaration of candidacy for the post abandoned last Tuesday by Gary Becker after his arrest -- was it just two weeks ago? -- on child sexual enticement charges.

Spangenberg joins two other aldermen -- the 11th District's Greg Helding and the 4th District's Jim Kaplan -- one former alderman, Pete Karas, and Jody Harding of the Racine Taxpayers Association who have officially entered the race.

Other aldermen who have said they are considering running include Q.A. Shakoor II of the 8th District and District 5 Alderman and Council President David Maack.

And then there's Rep. Cory Mason, who would bring another dimension to the race. Certain bloggers, by the way, have said that Mason can't run, because of a new policy adopted by Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan prohibiting state representatives from raising campaign funds during consideration of the state budget., which is sure to overlap the campaign period of a mayoral race.

We looked into that and learned -- from Phillip Walvak, communication director for the Speaker's office -- that the change in the State Assembly's policy manual prohibits the raising of campaign funds for future Assembly races. "The intent was never to make it impossible for them to hold a non-partisan other office," Walvak said. "It's just a policy that the Assembly will impose on itself for candidates' re-election bids for the State Assembly."

With that out of the way, Mason still hasn't decided. He did say, however, that his new baby, Eleanor Roosevelt Mason, born on Dec. 26, isn't sleeping enough yet to give him time to consider much of anything. He's got time; the City Council won't formally set the election date for any mayoral race until Feb. 3 at the earliest.

Ivanhoe owner unveils plans for 'ultra lounge' on Main Street

An "ultra lounge," like this one in Birmingham, Mich., is coming to Downtown Racine

Doug Nicholson, owner of the Ivanhoe Pub and Grille, revealed plans for his new club, Envi, on Monday night while trying to secure a liquor license from the city's Public Safety and Licensing Committee.

The club is actually an "ultra lounge" planned for 316 Main St., the former home to Downtown's porn shop, Racine News. Nicholson is gutting the four-story building with plans of turning it into an upscale bar with a dance floor he hopes to open later this year. He's targeting Envi at an older crowd with a combination of pricier drinks, a more mature music selection and no smoking.

For fans of the Ivanhoe, the smoking ban may come as a surprise. But Nicholson said the first thing focus groups asked for was a smoke-free lounge. He added a smoking ban would differentiate Envi from Ivanhoe. If you want to dance, go to Envi. If you want to smoke, go to Ivanhoe, which is a block away. Nicholson is also building an outside deck on the back of Envi that will accommodate smokers.

The idea for Envi is based on ultra lounges that are popular in Las Vegas and other big cities. The model is spreading to smaller cities as an alternative to traditional bars, and is particularly attractive to women. Nicholson said he would target Envi toward women ages 30 to 55, with the belief that if they come, everyone else will follow.

The name Envi comes with an environmental twist Nicholson is putting on the concept. He's working to make the club "green," starting with the renovations. He's reusing most of the old flooring in the building, and recycling or reusing many of the interior fixtures. When finished, Nicholson plans on obtaining the "Travel Green" designation from the state of Wisconsin. He's hoping the combination of a sensual and environmentally conscious design will draw in a crowd willing to spend some money on a night out.

The proposal breezed through the city committee on a unanimous vote. Committee members raised questions about security and the general model, but seemed satisfied Nicholson knew what he was doing. And why not? He's running one of the most successful bars in the city (Ivanhoe) and holds a second liquor license for the Masonic Center.

Envi would employ about 10 people to start and would run 5:30 p.m. to close, Wednesday through Saturday. High-end appetizers would be served, but there wouldn't be a grill to support a full menu. Nicholson will still need a restaurant license to open the club, which may also include theme nights.

Nicholson said he's thinking about bringing Country-Western dance nights to Envi on Wednesdays, followed by an '80s night on Thursdays and a live DJ playing house/dance music on Fridays.

He addressed concerns about safety with plans for video cameras and an attempt to attract an upscale adult crowd that typically doesn't run into many problems. With Nicholson acknowledging Envi would be "risque" in nature, Alderman Jim Kaplan asked if he planned on bringing strippers back to Main Street. Nicholson said no, but didn't shy away from describing Envi as a place for adults.

"Sin city is what's working now," Nicholson said. "Who's kidding who? Sin and a provocative nature will occur."

SCJ recognized by LGBT rights organization

The Human Rights Campaign, which lists itself as the country's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, has included SC Johnson and Son among 260 companies on its annual list of best work places with policies and practices friendly to LGBT employees.

HRC represents "a grassroots force of over 750,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community."

SCJ's LGBT-friendly policies and benefits that fit the HRC's criteria are listed HERE.

Christmas House foreclosure sale called off

The Christmas House won't be auctioned off tomorrow after all.

Despite six weeks of foreclosure legal notices advertising a public sale of the former Benstead Hall at 116 10th St. by the Racine County Sheriff tomorrow at 1:30 p.m., the public auction has been called off.

Gray & Associates, the law firm for Central States Mortgage Company, which is owed $939,707.21 by Laurie Novak-Simmons, called off the sale with a faxed notice to the Sheriff's Department on Jan. 23. Novak-Simmons bought the beautiful three-story Victorian from the trustees of St. Luke's Hospital for $425,000 in 1997 and converted it into a Bed & Breakfast. It was first called the Christmas House, in recognition of its years of holiday service raising funds for cancer research; in 2007 she changed the name to the East Park Inn.

No reason for calling off the sale was given, and calls to the law firm have not yet produced any information.

FMLA discrimination complaint filed against city

A discrimination complaint filed today against the City of Racine, and specifically City Administrator Ben Hughes, has few specifics.

City Health Director Janelle M. Grammer filed the Family and Medical Leave Complaint, charging she was discriminated against by Hughes after she asked for medical leave early in December. The complaint notes only that Grammer originally asked, verbally, on Dec. 8 and in writing on Dec. 16, for leave until Dec. 22. At some point, her return date changed to Jan. 22, although now, we are told, it isn't until Feb. 17.

The complaint states:

The City of Racine is discriminating and retaliating against Complainant as punishment for taking FMLA leave. While on FMLA leave, Ben Hughes (City Administrator), reprimanded and criticized Ms. Grammer for her need to take leave for her serious health condition. For all practical purposes, Mr. Hughes warned Ms. Grammer about her having taken the medical leave, and also created a laundry list of performance issues of questionable veracity and that had not existed in prior performance evaluations. In doing so, Mr. Hughes threatened "disciplinary actions," which presumptively include termination. Mr. Hughes waited until about she went on FMLA leave to take these adverse actions. He would not have done this if she had not taken FMLA leave."

Grammer has been City Health Director since October 2005. Prior to that, the department was run for 10 years by Diane Muri, who retired in February 2005. The city hired an outside firm and did a nationwide search for Muri's replacement, finally hiring Thomas Gecewicz. City payroll records show that Gecewicz was on staff for eight days, from May 16 to May 24, 2005, but the reality is that he was fired during his first day on the job. Grammer, his replacement, had been on the list of candidates submitted by the search firm.

Grammer, whose complaint against the city was filed with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Equal Rights Division, is represented by Atty. Nola Cross, the same lawyer representing Sandra Tingle, the former administrative assistant who filed a discrimination complaint against Hughes and former Mayor Gary Becker on Aug. 1, 2008. That suit was dismissed by the state on Nov. 26.

The city has referred Grammer's complaint to the Milwaukee law firm of Davis and Kuelthau, and attorney Mark Olson, the same lawyer who handled the Tingle complaint.

Racine snow sculptor wins Dells competition

And the winner is... 'A Bug's Life'

Remember right before Christmas when Jeff Shawhan and Jim Malkowski carved a stern Santa Claus out of a block of snow on Monument Square?

We called them champion snow sculptors then -- and this weekend they won another championship!

Shawhan and his team, which in the Dells included Brett Tomczak, created a snow sculpture of a butterfly on a log to win the annual Flake Out Festival in the Wisconsin Dells, topping two dozen competitors. Their winning sculpture, called "A Bug's Life," means that Shawhan will represent Wisconsin in the 2010 national championships in Lake Geneva. In two weeks, his team will compete in Chicago's snow sculpting championships, against 18 teams (whittled down from 50 entrants.)

In Racine, Shawhan's "canvas" was a block of snow 4-ft. by 4-ft by 8-ft. tall. In the Dells' competition there was more to work with: the blocks are 10 feet tall by 6-ft. by 6-ft.

Shawhan, who last year opened Elements, a Sixth Street gallery featuring his raku pottery, is an art professor at Concordia University in Mequon.

Racine Heat football team seeks players, sponsors

While it's Super Bowl week for the NFL, one local minor league football team is gearing up for a championship run this year.

The Racine Heat founder Hassun Liddell is looking to build on a 2008 season that saw them lose in the finals of an eight-man Gridiron Football League. But they need some help in reaching the next level.

Liddell is looking for players and sponsors to help the Heat. Here's who he needs:

• Punters and field goal kickers
• Sponsors
• Indoor practice facilities for cold weather practices
• Help securing Horlick Field for home games

If you can help out, contact Liddel at: darrylliddell@att.net or Daniel Mitchell at dmarquan@aol.com

Here's a brief history of the Racine Heat:

The Racine Heat was founded in 2006 by Hassun Liddell. The Heats First season in 2006 was surprisingly successfully despite the fact that we did not have a true quarterback, coach or barely enough players. Most players had to play both offense and defense.

The 2006 season ended with a 6-6 record. The Heat made the playoffs and missed the championship game by a last second loss to the Zion Cougars.

In 2007 the Racine Heat started it's season with high hopes. In the off season the Heat was able to recruit quarterback, Adreille Gaston # 7 And two runningbacks Gill Soto #24. and Erick Poplawski #21 . All three players came to the Heat after a strong finish in the 2006 playoff game between the Racine Rage and the Lake Shore Lynx. The Rage decided not to return to the 8FL in 2007 and many of the Rage players joined the Racine Heat. This Merger and a good tryout turnout made the 2007 season look very promising.

Though the Heat was truly looking like a contender for the 2007 championship they
were still lacking just one thing, a coach. In April, Liddell was able to recruit the
former Head Coach of the Racine Horsemen, Bill Bodie. Shortly after acquiring Bodie, Vinny Scacco Sr. from the RYS Vikings team joined the Heat organization as the Defensive coach.

The 2007 season began and the Racine Heat dominated going undefeated in its first 5 games. The tension mounted by week six when the Heat took the field to face the
only other undefeated team in the league the Lakeshore Lynx. Both teams started off strong, but in the end the Lynx proved to be the better team handing the Racine Heat their first Loss of the season.

Both teams went on to playoffs and won, setting the stage for a much desired rematch. Alas, the The Lake Shore Lynx defeated the Racine Heat yet again with a 10 point victory and joined the Kenosha Cougars as League Champions!

The Heat are confident that the 2008 season will prove to be the year for them to
achieve the ultimate goal and be the NSFL League Champions.

$20 million for Unified in stimulus proposal?

The latest estimates from Washington now show that Wisconsin could receive more than $3.2 billion from the latest stimulus proposal under discussion -- the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Almost $20 million of that would come to Racine Unified School District.

The figures, given to Wispolitics.com by LaCrosse Rep. Ron Kind, D-WI, 3rd District, come from the House Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Among the largest blocks of money, the state would receive:

$1.1 billion for the state fiscal stabilization fund
$563 million for highways and bridges
$317 million for education, modernization, renovation and repair
$231 million for Individuals with Disabilities Act
$180 million for Title 1 (Education)

The full breakdown of projected state funding is here:

Details of Wisconsin's educational allocation are listed as "estimated grants only." Accepting that caveat, "provided solely to assist in making comparisons of the relative impact of alternative formulas as part of the legislative process" ... here's what's listed for Racine:

2009

Title 1-A increase: $2,715,300
Construction: $7,495,100
IDEA increase: $3,004,400

• TOTAL: $13,214,700

2010

Title 1-A increase: $2,715,300
IDEA increase: $3,455,500

• TOTAL: $6,170,700

How much would other states receive? Here's the state-by-state comparison.

Car fire reveals body

The Racine County Sheriff's Department tonight reported finding "human remains" in a car that had been on fire in Raymond this morning.

At 5:51 a.m. this morning, the Raymond Fire Department responded to a 911 call reporting a vehicle on fire on 43rd Road, south of 8 Mile Road. After extinguishing the fire, human remains were discovered inside the vehicle.

The Sheriff is currently investigating

Ben Johnston Krase to be installed as pastor of First Presbyterian Church

Ben Johnston Krase will be installed as Pastor-Head of Staff on Feb. 8, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave during the 9:30am worship.

Rev. Gregg Neel, Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Milwaukee, will serve as guest preacher that day and officiate the Installation Service.

A reception honoring Ben’s Installation will be hosted by the Pastor Nominating Committee following worship.

Pastor Ben, as he is affectionately known by the congregation, joined the staff of the church in October, 2008 as the called Pastor. Prior to coming to Racine, he served as Associate Pastor for Campus Ministry at University Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas.

Johnston Krase is a graduate of the McCormick Seminary, where he met his wife Karla, who earned her MDiv Degree at McCormick. They are the proud parents of five-year-old Sylvia.

Ben brings a spirit of fresh energy and excitement about new and “renewed” ministries to the church. In his words, "envisions a Church where all of God’s children are welcomed, nourished and commissioned to serve and his ministry is shaped by that call from Christ."

UW-Madison scholarships for county students

The Wisconsin Alumni Association – Racine Chapter is accepting scholarship applications. Applicants must be Racine County graduating high school students who will be attending UW-Madison as freshmen in the fall of 2009.

Application forms are available from high school guidance offices and at the WAA-Racine Chapter website. The application deadline is Friday, April 10.

Tavern League tops $15,000 for Thoughts for Food

The Racine City Tavern League, which has sponsored the “Thoughts for Food” musical fund-raiser for the 12th consecutive year, this year contributed $900. That will be matched by the Tavern League of Wisconsin Foundation, bringing the total donations to the Racine County Food Bank from these two organizations over $15,000.

This year's Thoughts for Food, the 17th, takes place on Saturday, March 7, at eight local venues hosting more than 30 different acts, in the River North neighborhood. Stages are located at Chartroom Charlies, The Eagles Club, Redline Tavern, George’s Tavern, Coasters Pub, Michigan’s Pub, The Racine Yacht Club and The Rhino Bar.

Tavern League members provide their establishments as venues for the event, supply many of the volunteers and and act as collection points for food drive. Proceeds since Thoughts for Food's inception total $287,000.00 and over 70,000 pounds of food.

The Racine County Food Bank, a United Way Partner Provider, in its past fiscal year, delivered over 800,000 pounds of food, free of charge, to food pantries, emergency shelters, community meal sites and social service agencies throughout Racine County.

Here's our report and photos from last September's Thoughts for Food² event on the south side of the Root. Pictures from last March's Thoughts for Food event north of the Root are HERE.

NYSE throws Lee a lifeline

The New York Stock Exchange today threw out a lifeline to the drowning Lee Enterprises, parent company of the Journal Times, whose stock is under threat of de-listing.

NYSE trading rules require that a company's stock must be selling for more than $1, and the company must have a capitalization over $25 million. Lee hasn't met either of those requirements since December.

But today the NYSE relaxed listing requirements, reducing the minimum capitalization companies must maintain to $15 million. The reprieve, according to Bloomberg, will last through April 22. Lee is just one of 19 companies on the NYSE whose stock market value is less than $25 million.

Unfortunately, the NYSE's move may not be enough: As I write this, Lee stock is selling for 31 cents per share, giving it a market cap of $13.9 million... whoops!

Lee announced last week that it will propose a reverse stock split at its March 10 annual meeting, turning anywhere from five to ten shares into one, thus raising the price of each share over the NYSE's minimum.

Kohl wants gifts to doctors publicly reported

Sen. Herb Kohl is fighting the good fight on requiring drug and medical device companies to report gifts of more than $100 to doctors. Kohl is working with Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley on the legislation, dubbed "The Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2009."

The proposal, introduced in the Senate this week, would create an online database of gifts doctors receive from corporations trying to win their support - and their patients. Corporations routinely pay doctors to prescribe their products over competitors. Now, the gifts do not have to be exposed (meaning your doctor could be giving you drugs to benefit her or his checking account, not your health).

Kohl and Grassley tried to pass the bill two years ago, but it was never considered by Congress. There will be immense pressure from drug companies and doctors to keep these payments (bribes?) hidden from public view.

Here's a nice rundown of the 2007 proposal, which also had bipartisan support in the House. Drug-makers said they supported the bill, as long as it overturned local and state requirements on reporting payments to doctors. That generally means the industry is trying to get rid of more stringent measures.

Drug-maker Eli Lilly announced last year it would create a limited database of gifts to doctors.

Here's the full language of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2009.

Becker minutiae

Here's a few loose ends on the end of the Gary Becker era at City Hall. City officials (mainly City Administrator Ben Hughes) are taking away the mayor's keys, credit card and parking passes, among other items.

It must be a weird spot for Hughes, who was hired by Becker and worked closely with the mayor. Now, he's taking the final steps of erasing Becker from the city's employ. Here's the email from Hughes (written Wednesday to City Attorney Rob Weber, another Becker hire) laying out the final steps:

Rob,

I am seeking your advice and assistance regarding a few potential unresolved issues with Gary Becker. If you agree, I suggest that you communicate with attorney Pat Cafferty to seek his help in resolving the issues:

1. It is my understanding that Gary Becker still is in possession of a key to the exterior of City Hall doors and a key to the Office of the Mayor. These should be returned to us as soon as possible.

2. As Mayor, Gary Becker was issued an official City purchasing card. I asked the Finance Department to cancel this card last week and this was accomplished. However, Gary is still in possession of the actual card and I recommend that it be returned to us as soon as possible.

3. It is my understanding that as Mayor, Gary Becker was in possession of a device that allowed him to park (without a charge or fee) in all public parking garages within Racine. I will defer to Rick Jones to confirm if this is accurate. If so, this should be returned to us as soon as possible.

4. I also believe that Gary Becker was given an official city parking sign for placement in his rearview mirror while conducting city business. While this is not critically important, I do believe that this should be returned to us.

5. I will defer to Paul Ancona to determine if any electronic devices (laptops, cameras, etc.) owned by the City are still in the possession of Gary Becker. While I understand that many of the electronic devices have already been seized, I do want Paul's verification that everything is accounted for.

Please let me know your thoughts. Also, please let me know if I have missed any items on my list.

Ben

Council votes for June 2 mayoral election

The Racine City Council voted tonight to hold a special mayoral election on June 2, with a primary, if needed, on May 5. The election will determine who is mayor until April 2011, when Gary Becker's term would have ended.

Ignoring the extra cost, the Council voted to give candidates more time to get the word out, and citizens more time to get to know the candidates than would have been possible if the primary had been set at the earliest possible date, concurrent with the April 7 spring election, followed by a general mayoral election four weeks later. Each city election, primary or general, costs about $36,000.

Meeting as a Committee of the Whole, council members also decided to meet next Thursday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. to devise a process to fill the vacant Mayor's chair until the election can be held. They did this after an abortive attempt by 1st District Alderman Jeff Coe to have 5th District Alderman David Maack, council president, named as Acting Mayor (or interim mayor, or just plain mayor until the election).

But all action taken is provisional: Nothing is "decided" until the Council meets at its regular meeting date on Feb. 3 to finalize -- or perhaps undo totally -- the action it recommended to itself while meeting as a committee.

Last night's 90-minute meeting showed clearly why cities need a single, decisive mayor, as the discussion ranged back and forth between two points of view: the need for a quick election vs. voters' need for time to get to know the candidates.

The meeting began with a quick motion by District 11 Alderman Greg Helding, right, -- an already announced candidate for mayor -- that the city hold its mayoral primary with the April 7 election, and then the general election four weeks later, as the law requires, on May 5. District 10 Alderman Thomas Friedel demurred, saying "That's too short a time for us to really examine the candidates' qualifications."

Some aldermen spoke in favor of a quick election:

"The city has been wounded. We need to move forward." -- District 9 Alderman Terrence McCarthy.

District 14 Alderman Ronald Hart said his constituents want to move on "as soon as possible."

"I see it as a healing, a positive movement toward establishing order." --District 4 Alderman Jim Kaplan.

Others spoke in favor of delaying an extra few weeks:

"I feel we'd be rushing this." -- District 15's Robert Mozol.

"Haste makes for poor legislation." -- District 8's Q.A. Shakoor II.

Friedel then made a motion to amend Helding's motion by resetting the election to June 2 and the primary to May 5. "The extra expense is well worth being paid," he said. "I don't think it's in our best interests to rush this."

The discussion continued as it had before the amendment was offered:

Maack: "Everyone I've talked to has asked for a special election as soon as possible. If we leave it (as originally proposed in April), we'll have higher turnout and less cost."

Coe: "$70,000 is a small amount of money for the people to get to know the candidates."

Kaplan, noting that April 5 is Cinco de Mayo, said: "The further we push it back, the more the enormity of of the matter goes away.

Shakoor: "Whether we have it in May or June, the city will function." Later gives "more time to let Democracy work. There's no need to rush."

Raymond DeHahn, District 7, opposed Friedel's amendment, over concerns the city might lose "potential money coming down from Washington. Without a mayor we might miss the money coming down for KRM," he said. City Administrator Ben Hughes was asked his view of that, and he -- "without endorsing any timeline" -- said "I am confident that with our 13 department heads we can continue to monitor all grant opportunities."

McCarthy, referring to Hughes' mention of the need to participate in state budget discussions, said, "I would rather have that done by someone elected by the citizens."

One of the strongest proponents of a quick election was District 3 Alderman Michael Shields, who said, "We've been hit with a major disaster. Our forefathers gave us a timeline. We should clean this mess up as fast as we can."

Hart, also speaking against the amendment, noted, "After Memorial Day, it's kind of an inconvenience to the voter."

Friedel, right, expecting defeat, called the question, pointing out, "Keep an open mind. We will have to vote on this again as a Council." Surprisingly, the vote to change the date in Helding's motion to June 2 was 8-6 in favor (Kaplan, Hart, DeHahn, Helding, McCarthy and Shields voting no.), and then Helding's motion calling for the election itself was passed 10-4 (Kaplan, Hart, DeHahn and Shields voting no.) .

Then the council set about determining how to fill the empty mayor's seat until the election. District 12 Alderman Aron Wisneski said, "We need to have someone able to sit in the chair as a full-time mayor." Other mayors, he said, "will be fighting tooth and nail" for funds from Washington and Madison. "Leaving it to staff is not putting our best foot forward."

That brought a rejoinder from Shields, who said, "It seems he's contradicting himself, given he voted for the later election. If we wanted a full-time mayor, we should have gone along with the (earlier) election."

And so it went, until Coe said, "I think we have a person now that is very capable...he works for the county...I think Dave (Maack) as acting mayor has done a good job." And then he made a motion to appoint him as Acting Mayor -- a motion that seemed to catch others by surprise. DeHahn quickly asked whether Maack would be on leave from his job as Racine County Emergency Management Coordinator.

City Attorney Rob Weber, left, next to David Maack, Council President

Maack indicated that he could "fill in, take vacation, make this work." But the pushback came quickly. District 6 Alderman Sandy Weidner said, "I thought this discussion would take place after the election date is decided by the council." And Helding pointed out, "We can't make this up as we go along." In any case, he noted, Maack "would have to resign as alderman. If we appoint a mayor, we appoint a mayor."

City Attorney Rob Weber agreed: "The offices of Alderman and Mayor are incompatible," he said. "You can't be both at the same time." That changed everything. Maack said he was "flattered," but wouldn't want to give up his aldermanic seat. "We have a lot of exciting things going on in the city," he said, asking Coe to withdraw his motion, which Coe did.

The discussion went on, but it finally led only to a decision to hold next week's Committee of the Whole meeting for further discussion of the process the Council would employ to fill the mayor's chair until it is filled by an election. McCarthy noted that the statute says "we shall appoint a mayor in a reasonable time period," but no one could give a firm definition of how long "reasonable" is. Weber noted, "As a former municipal judge, I have no idea," although he did say "shall means sooner rather than later." But he noted, with some humor, "Even if there's litigation on this, we'd have a mayor before it came to court."

Council members were urged to come up with their proposals before next week's meeting, and present them to Weber for vetting. "We need to act," said Wisneski. "We're going to shoot ourselves in the foot if we wait," said DeHahn.

Maack reminded all, "I want everyone to understand the city is not leaderless. We are not a ship without a captain." Maack said that anyone can submit a name of a potential mayor to the Council, but McCarthy replied, "I would strongly urge you not to submit names. The process needs to be transparent."

In fact, anyone eligible to vote in Racine, legally "an elector," can be chosen as Acting Mayor. All it takes is a 3/4 vote of the Council. Keep in mind, the Council can also decide to leave things as they are, with Maack as Council President filling in, without ever appointing a Mayor for the interim until the election. (And, for the record, there is no such thing as Acting or Interim Mayor; there's just Mayor.)

Ryan opposes release of TARP billions

Congress is still trying to make right the stimulus package it passed under President Bush, even as it grapples with President Obama's proposals.

Earlier today, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, 1st District, voted to prohibit release of the second half of funds allocated for the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). Keep in mind, Ryan voted for that stimulus program in October.

But the House today passed a "disapproval resolution," (H.J. Res. 3), on the heels of yesterday’s passage of H.R. 384, which a statement from Ryan's office says shifted TARP’s original purpose from addressing the systemic risk in the financial system to picking the winners and losers in the marketplace. H.R. 384 expands the Treasury Department’s authority to distribute TARP funds, while adding new provisions unrelated to financial stabilization efforts. By altering the original intent of the financial rescue package, today’s disapproval resolution was all the more important.

House Joint Resolution 3, the "disapproval vote," passed by 270 to 155, with only four Republicans but 151 Democrats voting nay.

Despite today’s House vote to prohibit the release of the additional funds, failure to do the same in the U.S. Senate will allow the final $350 billion to be released to the Treasury Department.

Arguing that such action cannot be justified, Ryan said:

“My fear is that the second $350 billion in TARP funding will go far beyond the original mission of preserving overall financial market stability, and instead will be used to fund a heavy-handed, neo-industrial policy. Various industries have already marshaled their lobbyists for a claim on these public dollars. And now that the Federal Reserve has additional authority to address a financial crisis, this funding is no longer justified.”

Ryan's statement on the House floor is here.

Size matters ... but smaller is JT's word of the day

Size matters, or so they tell us.

At the Journal Times, smaller is the word that nobody dares speak out loud.

We never get the news officially. While other Lee Enterprise papers announce staff cuts publicly, the Journal Times keeps mum. For example: the Mason City, IA, Globe-Gazette today announced that it has laid off nine full-time employees and will leave six open full- and part-time positions unfilled. The LaCrosse Tribune and other papers in its regional group announced the layoff of eight Wednesday. The Wisconsin State Journal and Capital Times in Madison announced Monday that it cut 12 positions, mostly from the two newsrooms. The Muscatine, IA, Journal announced it cut 3 1/2 positions last Thursday, 10% of its staff. The Casper Star-Tribune, Wyoming's largest newspaper, laid off 15 last Wednesday... you get the picture.

Still, as news often leaks into newspapers, it also has a way of leaking out, especially since Lee Enterprises' CEO Mary Junck (annual pay: $3,791,280) announced Monday that additional staffing cuts are coming, on top of the 10 % workforce reduction made during Lee's first quarter, which ended Dec. 30.

What we've heard whispered from the Journal Times is that eight employees were let go in the last week or so. School reporter John Dobberstein is one; we haven't seen his byline since Jan. 5. And Operations Manager Michael Rehberg, a longtime Lee corporate employee and former publisher who came here as Circulation Manager about eight years ago, is also gone from the "Bishop," as the little box with the newspaper's contact numbers on Page 2 is called.

Equally significant, Lee is engaged in a companywide newsprint-saving binge, a process not limited to Lee in the U.S. A number of Lee newspapers already have reduced their page width from 12 inches to 11 inches -- the Glens Falls, NY, Post-Star did it Tuesday -- and word is that all will do so as soon as possible. Yes, that will make the small print in comics even harder to read, and will produce a de facto rate increase for advertisers, who are charged by the column-inch. It doesn't necessarily mean there will be less news in the paper -- but it probably will.

Just a few years ago, most broadsheet U.S. newspapers had a 13 1/2-inch wide page, although the Wall Street Journal stood out with a 15-inch page. The WSJ slimmed down to 12 inches in 2007, but it just can't seem to keep up...