Candidate debate and forum

As noted in today's Oshkosh Northwestern, the upcoming week will be busy for local candidates. Progress Oshkosh is hosting a debate Tuesday at the City Center's Riverside Commons at 5:30 p.m. for the Oshkosh Area School Board candidates and 6:15 p.m. for the Oshkosh Common Council candidates.

The League of Women Voters of the Oshkosh Area will host candidate forums Thursday starting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall in room 404. All local races will have a forum that evening. The forums will be broadcast live and replayed on OCAT Channel 10.

There are numerous websites containing information about the candidates. I have listed several below:

Oshkosh Northwestern
Oshkosh News
Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce - Common Council & School Board

You can also learn how and where to vote online. If you know you won't be in Oshkosh on Election Day (April 4th) or will be too busy to vote, you can go to the City Clerk's office Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., to vote by absentee ballot.

Please take advantage of the numerous ways to become informed about the candidates and their positions. And don't forget to vote!

-Bryan

"Right" is right?!?

Rarely do I find myself in agreement with conservative radio and television talk show host Charlie Sykes, however, he is right about the proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and all civil unions. He has two blog entries here and here. The second has links to additional reactions from conservative bloggers and a poll he is conducting of them. I am interested to learn the results - he is presenting them at the WisPolitics blogger summit Saturday. There seems to be growing opposition in the "right" toward the amendment, which could backfire against its proponents. What do you think?

-Bryan

Kimberly Clark announcement

I just read some very disappointing and sad news on the Appleton Post-Crescent website about two local Kimberly Clark plant closures that will result in a loss of nearly 700 jobs. Here is the story and a related story.

-Bryan

Five Rivers timeline extension

Sunday's Oshkosh Northwestern editorial suggested the council vote Tuesday to extend the timeline for the proposed Five Rivers project. The editorial board suggested the city give the developer, Tom Doig, "every chance to succeed" with the project. I agree, however, believe that's what we've already done.

If you remember back to the council meeting when the first term sheet was approved, I "enthusiastically" supported the proposal. I believed then - and still do - that a development such as this will serve as a catalyst for future progress. It's a win-win situation. There comes a times, however, when either the project moves forward or the city moves on. I believe the later is where we are now, and it's time for a "Plan B."

I agree that a three month timeline extension, at face value, does not seem unreasonable. And I'm not opposed to giving the city and potential developers the necessary time and means possible to bring forth a development such as Five Rivers. I am, however, only willing to go along when I believe in the viability of the project and the people involved.

Unfortunately, the ongoing negotiations with Mr. Doig and his team leave me very unsatisfied, and I am no longer convinced this project with this team is best for Oshkosh. That is why I plan to vote against the timeline extension, and also why I plan to ask city staff to proceed immediately with a new request for proposals (RFP).

There are a lot of talented individuals with excellent ideas who could help us with the opportunity to reclaim our riverfront. Our community, this council and the city staff have already demonstrated the desire and willingness to work with those who have ideas for our great city. That's a positive step in the right direction. We must learn from this experience, apply it to the next and move forward.

-Bryan

Highway 41

I saw this today on the library "Hot Topics" list. It's a way for residents to voice their opinions on the Highway 41 (re)construction project.

-Bryan

Confidentiality agreement

The Oshkosh Northwestern reported today that Councilors Meredith Scheuermann and Paul Esslinger met individually last summer with Five Rivers developer Tom Doig, and signed a confidentiality agreement in order to do so. I did not receive reporter Alex Hummel's phone call until late yesterday evening. Since I was unable to discuss this with him, I will write here what I would have shared. I was invited to a meeting by Mr. Doig, and asked to sign a confidentiality agreement, however, I did not meet with him or sign a confidentiality agreement.

-Bryan