Discrimination

The Legislature voted today to place a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban recognition of gay marriage and all civil unions (heterosexual and homosexual) on the November ballot. There is already a law on the books that prohibits gay marriage. Now the Legislature wants to prohibit even straight couples from entering into a civil union. This proposal goes too far!

I am extremely disappointed in our elected officials, including state Representative Carol Owens and state Senator Carol Roessler, for wanting to write discrimination into our state constitution. State Representative Gregg Underheim is to be commended for standing up against this attack on civil rights. He understands that a constitution affords people rights, not take them away.

It's time now for everyone who believes in basic civil rights to stand up and oppose this blatant attempt to write discrimination into law. I'm reminded of the words of Rev. Martin Niemoller:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out.

I hope you will join me in speaking out against this proposed constitutional amendment. To learn more about what you can do to help stop discrimination from being written into our state constitution, visit Action Wisconsin. I also encourage contacting our state representatives to express to them disappointment (Carol and Carol) and appreciation (Gregg). And to supporters of this legislation, I only hope and pray you are never the target of such overtly discriminatory and hateful action.

-Bryan

Leach Amphitheater

I was reading PMI's Leach Amphitheater website the other day and noticed a link to register for event updates. I signed up and encourage you to do the same. By staying informed and attending events, we can help make the Leach a success. Be sure to also visit the Waterfest website for their summer concert series line up.

-Bryan

OASD website

Congratulations to the Oshkosh Area School District for a brand new website! Congratulations also to Blue Door Consulting and Powercom for their work in researching, marketing and programming.

City of Oshkosh and Winnebago County . . . your turn!

-Bryan

P.S. Don't forget to vote!

Vote

Tuesday, February 21st is primary election day. This is your chance to make an impact on the direction of the city, school district and county courts. Let's see a record turnout!

• City of Oshkosh residents can find information on how to register, where to vote and the polling times here.
• Winnebago County voting information can be found here.
• You may vote for up to 3 candidates for the common council and school board and only one candidate for Branch IV judge.
• You can find additional information on the candidates here.

-Bryan

January Fifth Tuesday Forum notes

The January Fifth Tuesday Forum notes are available online. Council members will soon receive a paper copy of the notes and a limited number of copies will be available at City Hall. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or comments. Thank you.

-Bryan

Primary election

It's hard to believe we're only a little over a week away from the Feb. 21st primary election. It seems like only yesterday I was out knocking on doors, preparing for debates/forums and drilling holes in yards for signs. It's amazing how fast times flies!

There are some great online resources available for voters to learn more about the candidates. Miles Maguire has again established the Voter Information Project complete with candidate videos and an interactive dialogue. The Oshkosh Northwestern has again created an election page complete with self-submitted candidate statements, candidate profiles and pictures and various local, regional and national election-related articles.

In addition, the League of Women Voters recently held council, school and judicial candidate forums, which will be replayed on Channel 10 several times between now and the primary election. I've listed the replay times below:

SCHOOL BOARD
02/13- 1 p.m. & 6 p.m., 02/14- noon, 02/15- 9:30 p.m., 02/16- noon & 10 p.m., 02/17- 4 p.m., 02/18- 1 p.m., 02/19- 8:30 p.m.

COMMON COUNCIL
02/13- noon & 7 p.m., 02/15- 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m., 02/16- 1 p.m. & 9 p.m., 02/17- 3 p.m. & 8 p.m., 02/18- noon, 02/19- 7 p.m.

JUDICIAL BRANCH IV
02/13- 4:30 p.m. & 8 p.m., 02/14- 1 p.m., 02/15- 9 p.m., 02/18- 11 a.m., 02/19- 8 p.m. & 10 p.m.

I encourage everyone to learn about the candidates and where they stand on issues facing the council, school district and judicial system prior to casting a vote in the primary election.

-Bryan