Guess who's staying for dinner at the Zoo?
A few visitors from Milwaukee: three crocodiles and a 175-lb. turtle.
An 8-foot long African slender-snouted crocodile, a 5½-ft. West African dwarf crocodile and another 5½-ft crocodile of undeterminable species, came to the Zoo late yesterday and a 175-lb. alligator snapping turtle is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
The Zoo is providing temporary housing and care for the animals,which were taken into custody as part of an investigation by Milwaukee Police from a home and a warehouse in South Milwaukee last Thursday. Racine Zoo officials were called to assist in the identification and collection of approximately 250 snakes, crocodiles, turtles, alligators, and caimans.
May 18, 2010
Tick-tock, tick-tock, it's almost time
for Downtown's art project, Hour Town
Artist Sherri Shaver, right, turns over her two clocks to Terry Leopold;
Dragonfly design at right is called Time is flying
Dragonfly design at right is called Time is flying
Racine's summer-long Happy Hour began Tuesday morning, as artists from all over the city brought their clock creations Downtown, in preparation for the Downtown Racine Corporation's Hour Town public art display.
By noon more than 20 of the large clocks were on hand, and the clock was ticking: the deadline is 5 p.m. today. The 60 clocks will be displayed Saturday night on the lawn of "Club Wingspread" at a cocktail party for artists and sponsors. Then they will be distributed Downtown for public display beginning Monday.
Puns were much in evidence among the early arrivals. Plaques with names such as Time is flying, Sands of time, It's always time for tea, Big Time, Timepieces, Time flies and Time to sow were affixed to each clock's base. We'll leave it up to you to guess which name fit which clock: for example, one of a large fish trying to select his lunch or one with farm equipment marking the hours.
Terry Leopold, DRC’s special events coordinator, checked in the clocks as they arrived, listened appreciatively to artists' explanations of their designs, and noted that Racine's public art project -- now in its ninth year -- has gone on longer than any other city's.
Time flies when you're having fun, eh?
Richard Harris and Craig Aude mount Time to Sow on its base
Here's a closeup of Time to Sow, by Jayne and Grace Siler
Natasha Miller brings in Marilyn, by her son Mike Miller, 16, of St. Cat's
Time for Change?, left, recreates artist Shepard Fairey's Barack Obama portrait
-- made out of painted pennies. Its artist Jeff Levonian, won 1st prize
when fish were the subject of DRC's contest a few years ago.
Center, Sun, Moon and Stars, by Mary Lou Dettmer;
at right, Sun and Moon by Lloyd Swager
Center, Sun, Moon and Stars, by Mary Lou Dettmer;
at right, Sun and Moon by Lloyd Swager
Racine's Fischer Precise USA receives $63K in tax credits
The state is helping Racine's Fischer Precise USA replace equipment and hire new employees.
Gov. Jim Doyle announced Tuesday that the local company will receive $63,000 in tax credits from the Economic Development Tax Credit Program from the Department of Commerce to help upgrade the equipment for its facility in Racine and create 14 new jobs over the next three years.
Fischer Precise USA provides high speed rotational systems, which are used in many industries such as aerospace, electronic, and medical. The company recently moved its product line to Racine and is investing $1.3 million to upgrade its equipment.
Fischer Precise USA provides high speed rotational systems, which are used in many industries such as aerospace, electronic, and medical. The company recently moved its product line to Racine and is investing $1.3 million to upgrade its equipment.
May 17, 2010
Remembering Richard Kremen, a cowboy from Racine
The life of Richard Kremen will be remembered here on Friday, May 21, at 1:30 at West Lawn Cemetery in a chapel ceremony.
Kremen's spirit "rode off into the sunset" (in the words of his daughter, Sandee Fischlin) on March 16, in Tucson, AZ. Although he lived in Racine for 49 years, Kremen is best known for the work he did after he took early retirement from Webster Electric, after 33 years, and moved with his wife, Norma, to Tucson, when her company relocated there. But we'll let Sandee tell his story:
Kremen's spirit "rode off into the sunset" (in the words of his daughter, Sandee Fischlin) on March 16, in Tucson, AZ. Although he lived in Racine for 49 years, Kremen is best known for the work he did after he took early retirement from Webster Electric, after 33 years, and moved with his wife, Norma, to Tucson, when her company relocated there. But we'll let Sandee tell his story:
Little did he know that he was about to become a legend in his own time when he accepted a position working for the legendary Old Tucson Film Studios. In more than 10 years in the late '70s and '80s with the company he was involved with security and worked with all the film companies that used the studio for making movies as well as the TV series Little House On The Prairie, Father Murphy and The Young Riders.
In these TV series, he worked regularly alongside Michael Landon and Merlin Olsen. The Young Riders TV series, about the pony express, ran for two years, starring Steven Baldwin and Josh Brolin; his grandson, Jamie Metz, appeared in many episodes.
With Ben Johnson
in The Sacketts
Richard had the pleasure of working with Robert Conrad, Ross Martin and Jonathan Winters when they filmed Wild, Wild West at the studio and also shot scenes behind his home in Tucson on location. He worked on many films, such as: The Gambler with Kenny Rogers, Poker Alice with Elizabeth Taylor, Cannonball Run with Burt Reynolds, Three Amigos with Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short, Tombstone with Kurt Russell, The Villain starring Ann-Margret, Kirk Douglas and Arnold Schwarzenegger -- and even his daughter, Sandee (Kremen) Fischlin.
Because of his unique western appearance and personality he was cast in a couple of commercials and a documentary at Old Tucson. But the most fun and notoriety he had was being cast with Tom Selleck, Glenn Ford, Sam Elliott, Ben Johnson, Gilbert Roland, Jack Elam, Slim Pickens and Mercedes McCambridge in a western miniseries filmed for NBC called The Sacketts. It was an epic saga based on two of the novels by western author Louis L'Amour.
Old Tucson Studios was legendary with film stars such as John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Dean Martin, William Holden and many more too numerous to mention; over 500 movies were shot there, along with many TV series.
Richard Kremen was fortunate to also have been part of the legend of the Old West as he walked the dirt streets where many legendary movie stars did. He told me that if you listen hard on a still, dark night, you can hear voices yell "action," and see the shadows of some of Hollywood's biggest stars walking the boardwalks along Front Street. Old Tucson is not only a historical town but also a place that helped form the legend of the Wild West. His daughter Sandee Fischlin still lives in Tucson and remains good friends with Bob Shelton, the founder of Old Tucson Studios.
Richard also had a well-known Alaskan artist son, Gary Kremen, who died in 2001. A Horlick High graduate, Gary was most noted for his 62-ft. continuous oil painting, A Tribute to Prince William Sound, painted after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. The painting toured the U.S. for two years and was displayed in Racine at Memorial Hall in 2005.
Grandson Jamie Metz, who returned to Racine over a year ago, participated in Downtown's Sunny & Chair event last summer; his chair took third place in the live auction, raising $1,600. Jamie has gained his own notoriety with the large-scale mural he painted for a pest control company on one of the busiest streets in Tucson. The mural encompassed the entire building.
Although Richard's spirit has since ridden off into the sunset, he will be remembered on May 21 at 1:30 at West Lawn Cemetery in a chapel ceremony as his life is celebrated with family and friends: Son Richard Kremen (Lenore); daughter Sandee Fischlin (David Hansen); grandchildren Jamie and Ryan Metz; daughter Brenda Cook(Steve); sisters Dorothy Mazzie and Ella Carriello and brother Bruno Kremen.
Chris Wright kicks off legislative campaign
Chris Wright, a Sturtevant Village Trustee for the past three years, kicked off his campaign for the State Legislature Monday, with a meet-and-greet at Mike and Angelo's.
Wright, 33, is director of admissions for a non-profit post-secondary school in Union Grove for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. He holds a bachelor's degree in Christian studies, with a minor in sociology, from Kentucky's Campbellsville University.
A Republican, he is running for the 62nd District Assembly seat held for the past four years by Democrat Cory Mason. One reason he's running, Wright says, is that "communication between state and local officials is one-way," and he cites the Regional Transit Authority issue as an example. "I don't feel KRM benefits the people of Sturtevant," he says. "Logistically, to drive to where the station will be in Racine, and then ride to Milwaukee ... well, I could drive the whole way in the time that would take."
He's also opposed to the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority -- "an appointed board with taxing authority." Would he ever favor KRM? "If it could pay for itself," he says, adding, "This is not a great time for the added burden this would create."
He's a Brewers fan, but he's not a fan of the stadium tax, either. "And that's just been extended," he notes. "It's hard to find a way that benefits Racine County." And, "Then there's the cellphone tax, that's been added to landlines..." Speaking of politicians in general, he adds, "You just can't trust what they say."
Three issues he'd champion are:
Wright was accompanied at his campaign kickoff by his wife, Mary -- today was their 7th wedding anniversary -- and their two children, daughter Bria, 5, and son, Luke, 3.
Follow Chris Wright on Facebook.
Chris Wright with a fervent supporter, daughter Bria, 5
Wright, 33, is director of admissions for a non-profit post-secondary school in Union Grove for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. He holds a bachelor's degree in Christian studies, with a minor in sociology, from Kentucky's Campbellsville University.
A Republican, he is running for the 62nd District Assembly seat held for the past four years by Democrat Cory Mason. One reason he's running, Wright says, is that "communication between state and local officials is one-way," and he cites the Regional Transit Authority issue as an example. "I don't feel KRM benefits the people of Sturtevant," he says. "Logistically, to drive to where the station will be in Racine, and then ride to Milwaukee ... well, I could drive the whole way in the time that would take."
He's also opposed to the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority -- "an appointed board with taxing authority." Would he ever favor KRM? "If it could pay for itself," he says, adding, "This is not a great time for the added burden this would create."
He's a Brewers fan, but he's not a fan of the stadium tax, either. "And that's just been extended," he notes. "It's hard to find a way that benefits Racine County." And, "Then there's the cellphone tax, that's been added to landlines..." Speaking of politicians in general, he adds, "You just can't trust what they say."
Three issues he'd champion are:
- -- Fiscal responsibility: He'd like to improve the way government budgets, "to make it more forward-looking."
- -- Integrity: "I want to be able to lower taxes, but it's not going to happen overnight." He says the Village Board "has made every effort to be fiscally responsible."
- -- Business climate: "I want to find ways to improve the business climate." He cites a recent survey of 651 company chief executives that ranked Wisconsin 42nd of all 50 states. A few years ago, the state was ranked 26th. "When it comes to taxes and regulation, there are only three states ranked lower."
Wright was accompanied at his campaign kickoff by his wife, Mary -- today was their 7th wedding anniversary -- and their two children, daughter Bria, 5, and son, Luke, 3.
Follow Chris Wright on Facebook.
A new look
A new version of RacinePost is live today. You'll hopefully notice a more organized, flexible and robust site to display our stories and photos. New features include:* A cleaner, modern layout
* Easier to read fonts
* A redesigned Racine Kiosk to better display events
* A "Positively Racine" section for good news in the community
* Better display for Obituaries
* A "Daily Headlines" box to track news about Racine
* Improved advertising space to maximize exposure and click throughs
* Flexibility for easy expansion
* 'The Big Picture' to highlight local photography and scenes from the community
* An extensive archive of RacinePost stories
Our new front page is part of a site-wide redesign we're undergoing in the new few weeks. Next up: A new commenting system on our stories.
What do you think about our new look? Post comments below and we'll consider them as we refine the design in the coming weeks.
63-month prison term ends Felner Chronicle
Finally, the Robert Felner Chronicle comes to an end -- with a 63-month prison term.
Almost two years after he was offered the post of chancellor at UW-Parkside, Felner was formally sentenced to prison today, when a Louisville judge accepted a plea agreement tentatively made in January. Besides prison, Felner was ordered to make restitution of $510,000 to the University of Louisville, where he was dean of the College of Education, $1.64 million to the University of Rhode Island and $88,750 to the Rock Island County Council on Addiction in Illinois.
Offered the position of chancellor at Parkside in the Spring of 2008, Felner withdrew shortly before he was due to take office in August -- after it was revealed that he was being investigated on charges of mishandling federal grants.The incident was a major embarrassment for UW-Parkside, and led to a review of UW system candidate search procedures.
Lane Earns then served for a year as Parkside's interim chancellor, until Deborah Ford assumed the post last August.
PageOneKentucky has a complete chronology here.
Our own chronology is here.
Almost two years after he was offered the post of chancellor at UW-Parkside, Felner was formally sentenced to prison today, when a Louisville judge accepted a plea agreement tentatively made in January. Besides prison, Felner was ordered to make restitution of $510,000 to the University of Louisville, where he was dean of the College of Education, $1.64 million to the University of Rhode Island and $88,750 to the Rock Island County Council on Addiction in Illinois.
Offered the position of chancellor at Parkside in the Spring of 2008, Felner withdrew shortly before he was due to take office in August -- after it was revealed that he was being investigated on charges of mishandling federal grants.The incident was a major embarrassment for UW-Parkside, and led to a review of UW system candidate search procedures.
Lane Earns then served for a year as Parkside's interim chancellor, until Deborah Ford assumed the post last August.
PageOneKentucky has a complete chronology here.
Our own chronology is here.
May 16, 2010
How big is the oil spill?
If you're having a hard time visualizing how big the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is, consider this Google Earth app by Paul Rademacher. It takes an outline of the oil spill on the ocean floor and overlays it on any city you'd like in the world. Above is what the spill would look like centralized on Racine. Click here try the app yourself.
$18 car rental fee for KRM is baaaack (maybe)
UPDATE: SERTA voted this morning to ask the feds for approval to begin preliminary engineering work on KRM. At the same time, they voted against enacting the $18 rental car fee to fund the commuter rail proposal -- at least until the Federal Transit Administration OK's the application. More from the Journal Sentinel here.
Original post:
Remember the $18 car rental tax proposed to pay our share of KRM commuter rail?
It's baaaaaaack!
Hard to believe, eh?, especially since the Legislature's inaction at the end of the session just last month appeared to bury the Regional Transit Authority legislation once and for all.
The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SERTA) has scheduled a discussion of the "New Starts" application to the Federal Transit Administration for Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail. Members will decide today whether to submit that application -- and if they do that, they will consider "enactment of vehicle rental fee," according to the May 17 meeting agenda. The meeting is at 8 a.m. at Mitchell Airport.
A PowerPoint presentation prepared in April by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission -- which represents Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Walworth and Ozaukee Counties -- assumes an initial $9 vehicle rental fee to be enacted this month, with revenues collected beginning Sept. 1, 2010; the fee would increase to $18 in March 2012, with the expanded revenue collection to begin on July 1, 2012.
Vehicle rental fee revenues are predicted to produce $10 million to $14.2 million a year, from 2017 to 2028. Commuter fare revenues during the same period are projected to raise $5 million to $6.6 million annually. The rest of the needed operating funds would come from state and federal sources.
Last June, Gov. Doyle said he wanted to veto the car rental fee proposal, but he left it intact "because the transit authority must have a local funding source to move forward with the federal application promise." Doyle had proposed a .5% sales tax, but legislators demurred. Other proposals have included a wheel tax; that, too, has gone nowhere. Last month, the Racine County Board voted to authorize a referendum in November, asking voters: " Should any new tax to support transit or rail services, such as a sales tax or local vehicle registration fee, be permitted in any part of Racine County?" That vote would be strictly advisory, and would have no bearing on SERTA's ability to impose a car rental tax (which would be mostly collected in Milwaukee County anyway.)
Citizens for Responsible Government notes, "SERTA is proceeding with applying to the federal government for the project even though they said in December it wouldn’t be considered without passage of still more tax increases by the legislature. Those taxes failed, but SERTA may raise taxes anyway."
SERTA's meeting agenda is here; the link to the New Starts presention is agenda item 7 b.
Original post:
Remember the $18 car rental tax proposed to pay our share of KRM commuter rail?
It's baaaaaaack!
Hard to believe, eh?, especially since the Legislature's inaction at the end of the session just last month appeared to bury the Regional Transit Authority legislation once and for all.
The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SERTA) has scheduled a discussion of the "New Starts" application to the Federal Transit Administration for Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail. Members will decide today whether to submit that application -- and if they do that, they will consider "enactment of vehicle rental fee," according to the May 17 meeting agenda. The meeting is at 8 a.m. at Mitchell Airport.
A PowerPoint presentation prepared in April by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission -- which represents Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Walworth and Ozaukee Counties -- assumes an initial $9 vehicle rental fee to be enacted this month, with revenues collected beginning Sept. 1, 2010; the fee would increase to $18 in March 2012, with the expanded revenue collection to begin on July 1, 2012.
Vehicle rental fee revenues are predicted to produce $10 million to $14.2 million a year, from 2017 to 2028. Commuter fare revenues during the same period are projected to raise $5 million to $6.6 million annually. The rest of the needed operating funds would come from state and federal sources.
Last June, Gov. Doyle said he wanted to veto the car rental fee proposal, but he left it intact "because the transit authority must have a local funding source to move forward with the federal application promise." Doyle had proposed a .5% sales tax, but legislators demurred. Other proposals have included a wheel tax; that, too, has gone nowhere. Last month, the Racine County Board voted to authorize a referendum in November, asking voters: " Should any new tax to support transit or rail services, such as a sales tax or local vehicle registration fee, be permitted in any part of Racine County?" That vote would be strictly advisory, and would have no bearing on SERTA's ability to impose a car rental tax (which would be mostly collected in Milwaukee County anyway.)
Citizens for Responsible Government notes, "SERTA is proceeding with applying to the federal government for the project even though they said in December it wouldn’t be considered without passage of still more tax increases by the legislature. Those taxes failed, but SERTA may raise taxes anyway."
SERTA's meeting agenda is here; the link to the New Starts presention is agenda item 7 b.
Post Prom: Racine's rite of passage
Almost 1,400 attended -- fewer than expected, perhaps because of some schools' stricter enforcement this year of truancy rules.
The kids arrived at Festival Hall in block-long limos, fire engines, trucks, buses, a towed boat or two, sports cars, a Rolls Royce and antique cars ("Thanks, Grandpa, for the use of your Excaliber!"); three Case High girls -- begowned and coiffed -- arrived on the back of motorcycles.
Once inside, all enjoyed hours of dancing to a DJ, karaoke, Guitar Hero and other games, and plenty of food to keep up their energy levels.
It's a night most will never forget.The event was broadcast on TimeWarner cable channel 25, and will be scheduled again. And Creative Captures Photography was taking pictures all over Prom, and will be posting them -- for sale -- on the web.
In the meantime, here are our pictures of Racine's 2010 Post Prom.
Andrew Jansen holds Lexi Majack for their Prom portrait
May 15, 2010
RCPJ takes up Palestinian cause on Al-Nakba Day
Elaine Kinch and Pat Chaffee at RCPJ's peace vigil Saturday
The word is "Al-Nakba," and it means "the catastrophe" in Arabic -- the day in 1948 when Israel was created and 700,000 Palestinians were driven out of their homeland.
The RCPJ, which has been a monthly fixture at the corner of Highways 20 and 31 protesting the war in Iraq, took up the new cause today, because May 15 is Al-Nakba Day in the Arab world.
Borrowing protest signs from Peace Action Milwaukee, seven members of RCPJ stood for an hour, hoping to educate those driving past. It was a mostly losing battle; what few reactions they garnered with pro-Palestinian signs -- like No U.S. $$$ for Israeli occupation of Palestine -- were more of the thumbs down variety; one driver shouted "Nazi" as he waited for the light to change.
Pat Chaffee took pains to point out, "We're not talking about Jews; we must distinguish between Israel and Jews."
Elaine Kinch said the vigil was about "peace and justice." The creation of Israel forced out more than 700,000 Palestinians. "Today there are 7 million refugees who can't return where they came from."
"When Israel was created, it started ethnic cleansing," she said.
A solution will be difficult, since turning the clock back 60 years to restore Palestinian homelands would displace the European Jews who came when the State of Israel was created on May 14, 1948, by the United Nations' partitioning of Palestine.
Corky Gerard of the Milwaukee Peace Action Coalition, said, "You can't pick and choose which historic claim to support." If you went by history, he said, "Native Americans would probably own your house."
"I don't think there will ever be a peace, because the Israeli government doesn't want it," he said.
Kinch said "you have to divide" Israel to create states for both Jews and Palestinians. Chaffee said this would be impossible, because of the "Swiss cheese" of opposing settlements.
For a fuller explanation of Al-Nakba, go here. Gerard also recommends a documentary film, Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land, about the U.S. media and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
May 14, 2010
Park High students build a car that goes 287 miles per gallon
Washington Park High School’s Design for Industry class competed in Wisconsin’s Energy Efficient Vehicle Association’s 10th annual Super-mileage Competition at Road America May 9-10.They tested two student built cars in the unlimited class that completed 13 runs total.
Park HS Car #57 took second place in its class with an average of 287 miles per gallon, and a final run of 300.1 mpg!
(photo right) L-R: Seth Muller, Jerrid Orre, Mari Mason, Kyle Erdman, Mr. Caminiti, Justin Helm, Eddie Martinez, Brian Gronholm, and Jimmy Popawski
Former Attorney General sues city over Wilmanor Apartments; Lautenschlager representing Spodick in case
Jim Spodick is taking his $650,000 claim against the city to court, and he has a big-name attorney by his side.
Former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager filed a lawsuit in Racine County Circuit Court Thursday claiming the city reneged on a deal to knock $200,000 off of a mortgage on a low-income apartment building that Spodick had turned around. The complaint alleges Spodick had a deal with former Mayor Gary Becker and City Development Director Brian O'Connell to reduce the mortgage, but the city backed out just before Spodick was to sell the property.
Lautenschlager, who served one term as Attorney General, now works for the Madison-based law firm Bauer & Bach. Daniel Bach, one of the lead partners, is a Racine native.
The suit was delivered to City Hall on Friday and the case has been assigned to Judge Richard Kreul.
Here's the key graph:
Read our past coverage of the story here.
To recap, the deal surrounds a mortgage Spodick took on in 2006 for the Wilmanor Apartments at 255 N. Memorial Drive. At the time, the low-income apartment building had been through at least three professional management companies, but was deteriorating quickly due to unpaid rent and crime. Becker, knowing Spodick through his work on low-income apartments on West Sixth Street, asked Spodick to takeover the building in hopes of avoiding a default on the mortgage. The default would have been costly for the city because it had received low-income housing tax credits for the property. If the building failed, the city would have had to pay the money back to the federal government.
Spodick and his wife took over management of the building, spent several hundred thousand dollars on renovations, managed the problem tenants and made the apartments profitable. After stabilizing the building, Spodick looked to sell the apartments with the understanding that the city would reduce the mortgage on the property by $200,000 to compensate Spodick for part of the renovations. (Incidentally, it was almost a fluke the city got any money back on the property. Two banks dismissed over $2 million in loans on the property - well more than the apartments were ever worth. The city then fell into first position on the loan, allowing them to collect when Spodick sold the building.
In the lawsuit, Spodick claims he went ahead with a sale assuming the city would reduce the $675,000 mortgage by $200,000. When the city refused the deal, he was on the hook for the money, which cost him an opportunity to buy another building. Spodick is claiming he lost $450,000 because he was unable to complete the purchase.
After the council rejected his request to reduce the mortgage, Spodick filed a claim against the city. The council rejected the claim on Nov. 17, opening the door for Spodick to sue the city.
He'll have a tough case to prove. City Council members argued in November that even if Becker or O'Connell made the deal with Spodick, the council has to give it final approval. But he can also tell a good story about how he helped turn around a problem building and preserved its low-income tax credits, only to lose money in the end.
The wild card may be Becker, who, despite being in prison, could testify in the case. If Kreul allows the case to proceed, Lautenschlager and Spodick may call him to verify their claims of a handshake deal on the property. Then again, it's hard to say how much credibility the former mayor would have under oath.
Former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager filed a lawsuit in Racine County Circuit Court Thursday claiming the city reneged on a deal to knock $200,000 off of a mortgage on a low-income apartment building that Spodick had turned around. The complaint alleges Spodick had a deal with former Mayor Gary Becker and City Development Director Brian O'Connell to reduce the mortgage, but the city backed out just before Spodick was to sell the property.
Lautenschlager, who served one term as Attorney General, now works for the Madison-based law firm Bauer & Bach. Daniel Bach, one of the lead partners, is a Racine native.
The suit was delivered to City Hall on Friday and the case has been assigned to Judge Richard Kreul.
Here's the key graph:
That in 2008 and 2009, Jim Spodick had several conversations with city officials regarding the amount required to pay off the loan. Gary Becker, who serve as mayor of the City of Racine, and Brian O'Connell, who served and serves as Director of City Development, promised Spodick the mortgage payoff amount would be reduced from $675,000 to $475,000 if Spodick could find a buyer for the property.The city has 20 days to respond to the claim. Kreul will then decide if the case can proceed to trial.
Read our past coverage of the story here.
To recap, the deal surrounds a mortgage Spodick took on in 2006 for the Wilmanor Apartments at 255 N. Memorial Drive. At the time, the low-income apartment building had been through at least three professional management companies, but was deteriorating quickly due to unpaid rent and crime. Becker, knowing Spodick through his work on low-income apartments on West Sixth Street, asked Spodick to takeover the building in hopes of avoiding a default on the mortgage. The default would have been costly for the city because it had received low-income housing tax credits for the property. If the building failed, the city would have had to pay the money back to the federal government.
Spodick and his wife took over management of the building, spent several hundred thousand dollars on renovations, managed the problem tenants and made the apartments profitable. After stabilizing the building, Spodick looked to sell the apartments with the understanding that the city would reduce the mortgage on the property by $200,000 to compensate Spodick for part of the renovations. (Incidentally, it was almost a fluke the city got any money back on the property. Two banks dismissed over $2 million in loans on the property - well more than the apartments were ever worth. The city then fell into first position on the loan, allowing them to collect when Spodick sold the building.
In the lawsuit, Spodick claims he went ahead with a sale assuming the city would reduce the $675,000 mortgage by $200,000. When the city refused the deal, he was on the hook for the money, which cost him an opportunity to buy another building. Spodick is claiming he lost $450,000 because he was unable to complete the purchase.
After the council rejected his request to reduce the mortgage, Spodick filed a claim against the city. The council rejected the claim on Nov. 17, opening the door for Spodick to sue the city.
He'll have a tough case to prove. City Council members argued in November that even if Becker or O'Connell made the deal with Spodick, the council has to give it final approval. But he can also tell a good story about how he helped turn around a problem building and preserved its low-income tax credits, only to lose money in the end.
The wild card may be Becker, who, despite being in prison, could testify in the case. If Kreul allows the case to proceed, Lautenschlager and Spodick may call him to verify their claims of a handshake deal on the property. Then again, it's hard to say how much credibility the former mayor would have under oath.
Dog Park closed for the summer by Highway 38 construction
Dog owners, you'll have to find a new place to let Fido run.
The city's Dog Park on Highway 38 is closed for the summer due to road construction along Highway 38. The work will temporarily close down the entrance to the park and eliminate parking. The good news is construction includes city plans to build an off-street parking lot for the Dog Park. So while the park is closed, for now, it will reopen better forever in late fall.
Here's the official announcement from the city's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department:
The city's Dog Park on Highway 38 is closed for the summer due to road construction along Highway 38. The work will temporarily close down the entrance to the park and eliminate parking. The good news is construction includes city plans to build an off-street parking lot for the Dog Park. So while the park is closed, for now, it will reopen better forever in late fall.
Here's the official announcement from the city's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department:
The City of Racine’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department informs you that road construction has started on Highway 38. Only some areas will be open to local traffic. The road construction will effectively close the Dog Park. There will not be any parking available at the dog park starting Wednesday, May 13, 2010. Driving and parking, at the Dog Park, is not an option until the road construction is completed.And here's information from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on the Highway 38 project, which is scheduled to be finished in late October:
People trying to get to the dog park may be ticketed, as they will not be considered local traffic. Individuals with questions, about the Dog Park, may call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services at 636-9131.
WIS 38
Location: County K to Oakwood
Schedule: Late April to Oct. 29, 2010
Length of project: 8 miles
Cost: $6.3 million
Type of work: WIS 38 will be mostly a mill and resurface project with improvements to intersections at Hoods Creek Road, Brook Road. Four Mile Road, Five Mile Road, West River Road Nicholson Road, County H, 6 ½ Mile Road, Forest Hill Road, 7 ½ Mile Road, Caddy Lane, Elm Road and Howell Service Drive. Two bridges at Husher Creek and Tributary to Husher Creek will be reconstructed with new box culverts. Signals will be added at County G. Finally, storm sewer pipes and culvert pipes will be added as necessary.
Traffic impacts: WIS 38 through traffic will be closed during the construction period. The detour route will utilize north WIS 31 to WIS 32 to west on WIS 100. Work on the two box culverts at Husher Creek and tributary to Husher Creek will be staggered to keep one open at all times. Access to homes and businesses will be provided using the nearest side road.
May 13, 2010
RUGN accepting applications for garden plots
The Racine Urban Garden Network is accepting applications for use of garden plots (10' x 20') in the new community garden on the corner of 8th and Marquette. Volunteers from Walden School, Parkside, Sam's Club and RUGN have been busy laying paths and preparing the gardens with compost.
The garden area has been leased from the city for this use and it is the hope of those involved that anyone who has ever wished for a garden participate. The rental fee of $20 can be waived if the gardener cannot afford it and what you plant is your choice. Flowers as well as vegetables are welcome.
Applications are available at DP Wigley, Mitchell Wagon Lofts, Cup of Hope Coffee Shop or on the RUGN website.
Gardeners must attend an orientation session, either on Sunday, May 16, from 1 to 3 p.m., or Wednesday, May 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.. Both sessions will be held rain or shine in the Root River REC Center at 301 W. 6th St. Master Gardeners as well as RUGN members will be available to answer questions and give out applications. For more information contact rugn.org@gmail.com.
The garden area has been leased from the city for this use and it is the hope of those involved that anyone who has ever wished for a garden participate. The rental fee of $20 can be waived if the gardener cannot afford it and what you plant is your choice. Flowers as well as vegetables are welcome.Applications are available at DP Wigley, Mitchell Wagon Lofts, Cup of Hope Coffee Shop or on the RUGN website.
Gardeners must attend an orientation session, either on Sunday, May 16, from 1 to 3 p.m., or Wednesday, May 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.. Both sessions will be held rain or shine in the Root River REC Center at 301 W. 6th St. Master Gardeners as well as RUGN members will be available to answer questions and give out applications. For more information contact rugn.org@gmail.com.
Gateway cuts ribbon at Advanced Propulsion Lab
Nicholas Pinchuk, CEO of Snap-on Inc., speaks at ribbon cutting.
Others are, from left, Jane Oates, Bryan Albrecht and Gov. Jim Doyle
Others are, from left, Jane Oates, Bryan Albrecht and Gov. Jim Doyle
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today in Kenosha for Gateway Technical College's Advanced Propulsion Lab.
Among those present were Gov. Jim Doyle and Jane Oates, of the U.S. Dept. of Labor.
"This is a world-class center and you should be proud it is in your community," said Oates, assistant secretary of the Employment and Training Administration. "This facility is at the cutting edge."
The 12,800 sq. ft. lab is at 4940-88th Ave. in Kenosha, at the Horizon Center for Transportation Technology. It will provide training focused on diesel and related “green” technologies.
“Advanced propulsion is an all-encompassing term and this facility will provide training for qualified technicians in many different areas of the transportation industry,” said Gateway President Bryan Albrecht. Students will learn how to mix biodiesel fuel and will be trained on charging stations for vehicles powered by electricity.
Gov. Doyle said, "It is critical that we have workers trained to meet the needs of the changing world of transportation.”
Nicholas T. Pinchuk, Snap-on Incorporated chairman and CEO, said, "This is exactly what we need to compete in the global marketplace.” Students will train on state-of-the-art Snap-on diagnostics and in a “green garage” sponsored by Snap-on which will use only sustainable or other environmentally friendly chemicals and related processes.
Other features include an engine “run” room for mimicking real-world drive conditions and a hydraulics lab for practicing what they learn.
Doyle signs Mason's 'Green to Gold' loan fund into law
Gov. Doyle at signing today; Rep. Mason second from left
Gov. Jim Doyle today signed into law Senate Bill 651, which creates a so-called "Green to Gold" revolving loan fund. The $100 million in state and federal funds will be available at low interest to Wisconsin industries wishing to lower their energy costs, make "green" products and create and retain jobs.
“My top priority has been and will continue to be helping businesses create jobs and giving our workers the opportunities to get those jobs,” Doyle said at the UW-Milwaukee bill signing.
The bill, written by Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, and Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, authorizes the Department of Commerce to make loans to manufacturing businesses to adopt energy efficiency measures, retool to manufacture green products, expand or establish domestic clean energy manufacturing, and create or retain jobs in this sector.
Mason said, “This is a huge win for Wisconsin’s struggling manufacturers, for workers, and for the environment. The Green to Gold fund is a smart use of existing resources, and will leverage our state’s manufacturing base and high-skilled workforce to put people back to work, creating clean energy products.”
Mason said he'd heard from manufacturers around the state that they wanted to make their facilities more energy efficient, "but funds are scarce, and it’s hard to get financing these days. The Green to Gold fund addresses this need."
Report: Smoking kills 246 Racine County residents per year
An estimated 246 people in Racine County die every year from smoking, according to a report from the University of Wisconsin Medical School released this week.
The 2010 Burden of Tobacco in Wisconsin report estimated smoking cost Racine County residents 3,420 years of life and $160 million in health care costs and lost productivity.
Smoking-related deaths make up 16 percent of all death in Racine County, according to the report, which was prepared by UW's Tobacco Surveillance and Evaluation Program.
The economic impact in Racine County included $99.1 million in health care costs paid for smoking-related diseases and $61.1 million in productivity costs due to sickness or premature death.
It also noted Racine County residents spent $66.3 million on 16.2 million packs of cigarettes in 2008.
In 2007, smoking cost every Racine County resident, on average, $498.
Statewide, an average of 7,717 people die annually from direct and indirect smoking, according to the report. The smoking-related deaths account for 15 percent of all deaths in the state.
The report estimated people lost 94,500 years of life from smoking and cost the state $4.5 billion in health care expenses and lost productivity. State residents purchased 374 million packs of cigarettes in 2008, according to the report.
Statewide, an average of 7,717 people die annually from direct and indirect smoking, according to the report. The smoking-related deaths account for 15 percent of all deaths in the state.
The report estimated people lost 94,500 years of life from smoking and cost the state $4.5 billion in health care expenses and lost productivity. State residents purchased 374 million packs of cigarettes in 2008, according to the report.
Building Permits: Kurt Sports Complex building $15K wheelchair ramp
The city issued eight commercial building alteration permits in April. They included:
* Kurk Concrete is building a "trussed - overwheel chair ramp" at 740 College Ave., the former YWCA building, which is now home to Kurt Sports Complex. The project's cost is estimated at $15,000. The permit fee was $180.
* Kotze Construction is making basement alterations to Tri City National Bank at 2704 Lathrop Ave. (formerly Bank of Elmwood). The alterations are estimated at $1,400. The permit cost $60.
* Emile Mathis, of Mathis Gallery at 246 Main St., is remodeling his gallery's facade. The project is estimated at $4,000. The permit cost $60.
* Bane Nelson is repairing columns at the Racine Zoo. The project is estimated at $4,370. The permit cost $60.
* Horlick High School is renovating its soccer field bleachers. The project is estimated at $5,000. The permit cost $60.
* Mark Hyde is building a 20x29-foot deck at the REC Center at 1301 W. Sixth St. The project is estimated at $5,000. The permit cost $60.
* Mike Ottelein is renovating an 8x8-foot toilet room at 3208 Washington Ave. The project is estimated at $1,000. the permit cost $60.
* Kurk Concrete is building a "trussed - overwheel chair ramp" at 740 College Ave., the former YWCA building, which is now home to Kurt Sports Complex. The project's cost is estimated at $15,000. The permit fee was $180.
* Kotze Construction is making basement alterations to Tri City National Bank at 2704 Lathrop Ave. (formerly Bank of Elmwood). The alterations are estimated at $1,400. The permit cost $60.
* Emile Mathis, of Mathis Gallery at 246 Main St., is remodeling his gallery's facade. The project is estimated at $4,000. The permit cost $60.
* Bane Nelson is repairing columns at the Racine Zoo. The project is estimated at $4,370. The permit cost $60.
* Horlick High School is renovating its soccer field bleachers. The project is estimated at $5,000. The permit cost $60.
* Mark Hyde is building a 20x29-foot deck at the REC Center at 1301 W. Sixth St. The project is estimated at $5,000. The permit cost $60.
* Mike Ottelein is renovating an 8x8-foot toilet room at 3208 Washington Ave. The project is estimated at $1,000. the permit cost $60.
Occupancy Permits: The Pit BBQ on DeKoven Ave.
The city issued eight occupancy permits in April for new businesses. The permits included:
* The Pit BBQ carryout restaurant at 1215 DeKoven Ave. The restaurant, former home to BBQ Time, is owned by Loren Buirge.
* Edward Guss is opening a repair garage on at 2513 Fergus Ave.
* Ricos Value City at 1817 State St. The store is owned by Yailin Felliciano.
* Gold Horizon Second Hand Jewelry at 5502 Durand Ave. The store owner is Omar Canpolat.
* 3rd Coast Bicycles at 246 Main St. The bike rental shop is owned by Donald Heckel.
* Silver Choice and Name Buckles Second Hand Jewelry at 5502 Durand Ave. The story is owned by Ahmad Khan.
* Byron Graves Photography at 1503 Washington Ave. The business is owned by Byron Graves.
* Tradewinds Bar and Banquet Hall at 1518 Washington Ave. the business is owned by Gary De Pelecyn.
All permits cost $200, except for Canpolat's, which cost $100.
* The Pit BBQ carryout restaurant at 1215 DeKoven Ave. The restaurant, former home to BBQ Time, is owned by Loren Buirge.
* Edward Guss is opening a repair garage on at 2513 Fergus Ave.
* Ricos Value City at 1817 State St. The store is owned by Yailin Felliciano.
* Gold Horizon Second Hand Jewelry at 5502 Durand Ave. The store owner is Omar Canpolat.
* 3rd Coast Bicycles at 246 Main St. The bike rental shop is owned by Donald Heckel.
* Silver Choice and Name Buckles Second Hand Jewelry at 5502 Durand Ave. The story is owned by Ahmad Khan.
* Byron Graves Photography at 1503 Washington Ave. The business is owned by Byron Graves.
* Tradewinds Bar and Banquet Hall at 1518 Washington Ave. the business is owned by Gary De Pelecyn.
All permits cost $200, except for Canpolat's, which cost $100.
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