Oshkosh Through The Years

A message from Joe Ferlo, Executive Director, The Grand Opera House:

Mid-Morning Kiwanis Club presents
OSHKOSH THROUGH THE YEARS- a musical journey
Friday, February 23, 2007 7:00 PM
Tickets: $35, $30 (include hors d’oeuvres)

What do these folks have in common?

Aaron Baer (Owner, New Moon Café); Bryan Bain (City Councilor, UW- Oshkosh); Joe Ferlo (Executive Director, Grand Opera House); Christian Gossett (Winnebago County District Attorney); Holly Hedge (Registered Nurse, Thedacare Physicians); Randy Hedge (Director, Reeve Union/University Dining, UW Oshkosh); Gordon Hintz (Wisconsin State Assemblyman); Gary Konrad (Owner, Konrad Behlman Funeral Home); Janelle Larie (Miss Oshkosh 2006); Serena Larie (student); Sue Panek (Executive Director, Oshkosh Area United Way); Lori Renning (Community activist and volunteer); Meredith Scheuermann (City Councilor, Branch Manager- US Bank); Fr. Carl Schmitt (St. Raphael’s Catholic Church); Vicki Schorse (Executive Director, Mercy Health Foundation); Kelly Schwegel (Community activist and volunteer); Frank Tower (NTD, Eclectic Arts Ensemble); Lucinda Vette (Attorney); Amy Weinsheim (School Board, Jazzercize); John Weinsheim (Affinity Health System)

They’re all stepping out of their comfort zones to help the Mid-Morning Kiwanis raise money for Education Grants and Scholarships. Oshkosh Through the Years features retrospectives from area residents, and musical numbers performed by our local “stars”. The night includes including everything from Sinatra to Sonny & Cher, The Temptations to Rosemary Clooney, a little Lil’ Kim and Christina thrown in, a touch of Sarah McLachlan, movie and Broadway favorites and lots of laughs. This “sequel” to last season’s “Oshkosh Performs Broadway” is sure to be a fun night!

The show arts at 7:00 PM, with complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and a cash bar opening at 5:30 PM, as well as a silent auction. Come early and enjoy the refreshments and bid on the auction items, or come at 7 for the show. Seating is reserved and available at the box office, and price includes the hors d’oeuvres. For tickets, call the ticket box office at 424-2350 or purchase tickets online.

-Bryan

A primary thank you

Thank you, citizens of Oshkosh, for your vote of confidence in the primary election! It has been an honor for me to serve on your Common Council, and I appreciate your continued support. I also thank Kent Monte. We did not always agree on the issues, but I appreciate his willingness to run for council.

Below are the total number of votes and percent of total votes cast (12,804 total votes):

Bryan Bain (i) - 2,846 (22.23%)
Tony Palmeri - 2,112 (16.49%)
Meredith Scheuermann (i) - 2,021 (15.78%)
Jessica King - 1,842 (14.39%)
Bob Cornell - 1,762 (13.76%)
Mark Nielsen - 1,322 (10.32%)
Kent Monte - 885 (6.91%) [does not advance to the general election]
Write in - 14 (0.11%)

Ron Hardy (a.k.a. Babblemur) has crunched the numbers to determine the percent of ballots cast, not total votes cast. Below are those results (4,755 voters):

Bain (i) - 2,846 (59.85%)
Palmeri - 2,112 (44.42%)
Scheuermann (i) - 2,021 (42.50%)
King - 1,842 (38.74%)
Cornell - 1,762 (37.06%)
Nielsen - 1,322 (27.80%)
Monte - 885 (18.61%)
Write in - 14 (0.3%)

For more primary election coverage provided by the Oshkosh Northwestern, click here or here.

The general election is only six weeks away, and I do not take the primary results for granted. From now until April 3rd, I will continue to serve as one of your current council members, talk and listen to citizens, attend meetings and canvass neighborhoods knocking on doors to keep the momentum going, but I need your help! As I have said along, we can work together toward a strong, proud future, so I again ask you to join me in creating a shared vision for the city of Oshkosh.

For more information about the campaign, to request a yard sign, volunteer, endorse my candidacy or make a financial contribution, please visit my website or email me. And be sure to remind your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and yourself to vote Bain for Council on Tuesday, April 3rd!

Thank you again, Oshkosh!

-Bryan

Primary election

Citizens of Oshkosh go to the polls on Tuesday to cast votes for their Common Council (and School Board and State Supreme Court). This is the first of two opportunities to vote - the general election is April 3rd. Citizens can vote for up to three council members and two school board members and only one justice. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. To find out where to vote and/or view election night results, please visit the county clerk's website.

I am running for re-election to the council to build upon the last two years of solid performance and proven results.

I have proven to be an effective communicator and listener. I am the only Oshkosh elected person to host an interactive blog, website and listening sessions (nine Fifth Tuesday Forums).

I am progressive, yet practical. I am not afraid to stand up and voice my support or concerns; I am willing to take a stand.

Finally, I have demonstrated the ability to be a trusted, experienced leader. I understand that serving on the council is not always about being "for" or "against" something or being a "yes" or "no" vote. Being a council member is about building consensus, listening to all sides of an issue and working toward the common good. I will continue to work toward a strong, proud future, and I ask you to join me in creating a shared vision for the city of Oshkosh.

I appreciate the support and encouragement I've received during the campaign. It truly has been an honor for me to serve on your Oshkosh Common Council, and I ask for your vote on Tuesday, February 20th.

For more information about me or the campaign, please visit my website. Thank you.

-Bryan

Factually challenged

Unfortunately, Oshkosh Common Council candidate Kent Monte has proven once and for all that he is, in fact, factually challenged. I say unfortunately because I have tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, however, he has proven time and time again to be more interested in speculation and innuendo than facts. For examples, please read just about any entry on his blog.

In his latest entry, Kent accuses me of "defending" local developer Ben Ganther. Today's Oshkosh Northwestern ran an article regarding Mr. Ganther and the once again delinquent property taxes of the 100 N. Main Street apartment building. For those who do not know, Mr. Ganther is part owner of the property. I am extremely disappointed in not only this property (again) being delinquent, but the over $3.5 million dollars in delinquent taxes owed to the city.

Below is a comment I submitted on Mr. Monte's blog. I am not sure if he will post it, however, I cannot let his unfounded and blatantly incorrect accusations go unchallenged.

Kent-
I've come to the conclusion that you simply cannot understand facts. I have tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, but time and time again you have proven to be nothing more than someone who speculates rather than investigates. That is not the type of leadership this community, or any community for that matter, needs.

My comments on Oshkosh News, which you link to in your above post, were as follows:

"This is an unfortunate situation that is concerning and should be addressed. However, this one incident should not be used to misrepresent the strides being made in downtown Oshkosh. From what I read in this article, Mr. Ganther has taken appropriate steps to notify city staff of his plan to pay all owed taxes. I encourage him to make public the full payment of taxes to eliminate any public doubt and concern (e.g. another interview with Oshkosh News)."

"Furthermore, I am excited to read that Mr. Ganther plans to announce a new commercial tenant and restaurant for the building. This is good news for downtown and the city of Oshkosh."

A direct link to those comments is: http://www.oshkoshnews.org/oshblog/2005/03/100-n-main-in-arrears-but-close-to.html#110994263030939262

Furthermore, I posted the following on my blog in January 2006:

"In March 2005, I made comments on OshkoshNews.org in which I said Mr. Ganther’s failure to pay property taxes on the 100 N. Main building is “concerning” and “should be addressed.” I reiterate my previous comments and am very disappointed to learn about the still outstanding 2004 property tax bill for the 100 N. Main building."

"No one really enjoys paying property taxes, however, it is necessary for our city to function and provide services. I previously posted on my blog that the state should pursue its delinquent taxpayers, and firmly believe the county should as well. It’s not fair to have the citizens of Winnebago County - our tax dollars - make private property tax payments for individuals or businesses."

"I discovered today why the county is involved in such matters. The city turns over to the county any unpaid property taxes at the end of the fiscal year and the county, in turn, makes the property tax payments to the city. The county will then pursue reimbursement from the individual or business, with associated penalties. If the county is unsuccessful, a foreclosure and sheriff’s sale can then be pursued. The city does not have this option and that is why the county is involved. Please also read the comments made by County Executive Mark Harris on the Eye on Oshkosh Website."

"It seems there is some conflicting information in “cyber space” regarding this matter. The Oshkosh Northwestern reports Mr. Ganther owes $66,641, however, the city’s website shows a different, much higher amount. That same ON article also correctly reports that Mr. Ganther has until Tuesday to pay his 2005 property taxes, however, the article states that it seems Mr. Ganther might not meet the deadline. Finally, the ON Website lists as a story for next week: “An update on the top unpaid property taxes.”"

"I will contact City Hall on Monday to find out first-hand information before I go any further, however, let me go on record as saying this: paying property taxes is an obligation all property owners must fulfill. No one, regardless of who they support in local elections, should be exempt from fulfilling their obligation. To suggest or imply that I condone this is simply wrong." (emphasis added)

A direct link to that post is: http://bain-blog.blogspot.com/2006/01/property-taxes.html

Kent, when and where did I "defend" Mr. Ganther? No more speculation. No more innuendos. If you are going to say that I "defend" delinquent taxpayers, then you need to cite facts.

Furthermore, if you want to know who has contributed to my campaign, all you have to do is ask or wait to obtain a copy of my reports, which are public records. I'll save you the time: I have never received a financial contribution from Mr. Ganther. Again, you throw out that "...one was even reported to have accepted campaign donations from him. Both of these candidates are running for re-election, I have to wonder if he has contributed this year?" without any facts.

Kent, this campaign should be about facts, not speculation. Information, not innuendos. I respectfully suggest you spend more time investigating and discussing the facts rather than spreading rumors.

-Bryan

You would hope that a candidate for council would not run this type of campaign, however, when that candidate insists on touting falsehoods as facts, then I am left with no choice but to defend my character.

-Bryan

WOCT online listener survey

I found out today that WOCT is conducting an online listener survey. I encourage residents provide feedback regarding the radio station and its programming. There is a chance to win one of the 10 Friends of OCAT $50 prize packages - drawing to be held on Monday, April 2nd.

-Bryan

Candidate forum opening statement

In case you missed the candidate's forum, here is my opening statement (thank you Miles for posting it on You Tube).

Please remember to vote BAIN FOR COUNCIL on Tuesday, February 20th.

-Bryan