Bain-Blog

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Election results

Thank you citizens of Oshkosh for re-electing me to your Oshkosh Common Council! It has been an honor for me to serve on the council the past two years. I look forward to working with you and the council and mayor to move Oshkosh forward in a progressive, responsible manner.

I also want to thank all of my volunteers and supporters, particularly Thomas, Liz and my wife Amanda. And a final thank you to my fellow candidates for their time and energy put into the campaign.

-Bryan

posted by Bryan L. Bain at 4/04/2007 08:49:00 AM

46 Comments:

  • Thank you for running. Many of us are hoping this new group will bring some sanity to the council. We need a critical mass of councilors who are willing to challenge the administration and demand more accountability. We also need tighter spending controls. Focus on needs vs. wants and be aware there is a growing segment in our town that can not afford additional property taxes. Quality of living projects can be funded in ways similar to the water park, the Leach and the new docks off of New York Ave using a combo of public and private dollars. We need a dedicated effort to modify our labor negotiations and bring healthcare spending in-line. The current situation is simply not fair to the taxpayer. We need better budgeting and planning. Demand all Department Managers bring in budgets that are fundamentally zero based. We need to reign in our city planning Tzar. That’s a huge issue right now.
    Lots to do Bryan...now go get-um!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 04, 2007 9:47 AM  

  • Congrats Bryan, You ran a very good campaign and are deserving of your win. I wish you the best over the next two years and am confident that you make the best decisions for this city.

    I have told you this before and I will mention it here now, you have always given a great deal of consideration to each matter that you are voting on and are not influenced in your decision. I think that is a very good quality for a council member and the voters have noticed.

    Great job.

    By Blogger Kent Monte, at April 04, 2007 3:51 PM  

  • As the taxpayers / voters our next task should be to comprise a set of measurable goals for the new mayor and council.

    Goals I would like to see
    Check your “know it all” attitude at the chamber door and listen to ALL the citizens of Oshkosh.

    Set-up the communication link from the poorest of Oshkosh citizens who need jobs not a soup kitchens.

    We need to start a city wide "War on Poverty".
    Its here and its real and we are vulnerable. Ignoring it will not make it go away. Poverty feeds Desperation. Desperation feeds crime. Until we as a community face the sad facts we will continue to see the increasing crime rate. This issue can not be solved by the OADS or non-profit agencies it needs to start at city hall! It needs to start with our newly elected council and mayor!

    Leadership today Poverty out soon!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 05, 2007 8:23 AM  

  • Our city workers cant relate to poverty. They all receive nice wage increases on top of an amazing bennie package. I'm told we lowly property tax paying workers pay almost ALL of the city employees healthcare! Can you believe that! Thats the problem right there if you wanna start someplace start there!!!!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 05, 2007 11:53 AM  

  • Campaign season is over and you are a broken record.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 05, 2007 2:07 PM  

  • "Anonymous said...
    Campaign season is over and you are a broken record."


    If you mean that because the votes were cast, everything is now "OK" and this type of discussion is irrelevant, you are sadly mistaken Sir.

    NOW the actual work begins!

    Signed,
    Broken Record

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 05, 2007 2:50 PM  

  • Our city workers can't relate to poverty......
    I bet if you inquired at the OPD you would find the majority of the force relate to the poverty areas of the city each day.
    City staff are fully aware of the problem areas of the city. The "Near East" project is to improve the neighborhood and rid a blighted area of the city and rid the area of the proveerty related crimes.
    My question would be IF the newly elected councilors will relate to the problem?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 05, 2007 3:38 PM  

  • Campaign season is over....right,

    Now for the reality check...
    Which of the newly elected are ready to enforce the accountability issues at City Hall?
    Which show the leadership skills they professed to have while campaigning?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 05, 2007 3:45 PM  

  • I think it is quite clear there is an overwhelming amount of discust with the staus quo in Oshkosh government. Those that ran and won recognize this and they understand they will be held accountable.
    Ms. Schuermann was not re-elected because she turned he back to the deep rooted concerns among the average taxpayer. Bryan Bain was re-elected because he chose to listen to those same concerns and wants to make changes.

    In the end, to make any changes in our city government, it takes 4 votes. Lets hope that this council will be able to muster the 4 votes needed to get our city and even more our city government back on track!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 05, 2007 8:42 PM  

  • Cut and paste dude has found a new home. No one said everything was okay because the votes were in. But you don't need to keep carping about somethign that everyone knows. For God's sake, go get a job, get a life, find a hobby or something. But stop being such a Gloomy Gus always complaining about the same old thing that for now nothing can be done about it.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 05, 2007 9:54 PM  

  • 9:54 as you keep playing the name calling card, maybe we can call you "OshTerdRich" as you keep burying your head in the sand and refuse to acknowledge reality in our city.

    Have a Blessed Easter.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 06, 2007 9:47 AM  

  • You confuse understanding the situation for what it is at present time as playing osterich. Better put your glasses on so you can see, and understand, reality and the timing of things a bit better.

    I appreciate your Easter blessings, insincere as you intended them to be.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 06, 2007 5:03 PM  

  • OshTerdRich, you make no sense what-so-ever, but that is in keeping with your previous postings. The 3 components of your new nickname are all very specfic to the traits, abilities and lifestyle elements you seem to possess, so it really fits you well.

    In any event, I remain hopeful and positive that this new council will begin the hard work of making real changes in our city government.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 06, 2007 8:53 PM  

  • It's encouraging to see you are a little positive about something at least, Gloomy Gus. What a pleasant change from your usual demeanor. There's hope for you after all.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 07, 2007 6:27 AM  

  • You know, I think about 50% of Oshkosh has their heads buried in the sand. I really hope these new guys shake things up a LOT. Things gotta change. Too many people want our money. The school board wants us to spend $45,000,000.00. How in the heck can we pay for that along with more property taxes and all the other taxes. Us average people don't make $100,000.00 like the Cty Mgr and just about EVERY Oshkosh School principle and manager does. These people can afford more taxes-but if your a average husband and wife making together $35,000.00 to $40,000.00, well I'm here to tell you WE DON"T HAVE ANYMORE TO GIVE!!!
    So you guys better get your heads outta the sand and look around at the average Oshkosh family and understand that.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 07, 2007 10:17 AM  

  • First, we don't know exactly how much is going to be asked for in a referendum. Second, how much money is spent by a household on things like drinking and cigarettes, cable TV, etc.? Even if a $45 million referendum were to be proposed that would only cost the average taxpayer about one one month of cable does (not basic). Are you saying our children's education is less important than your personal habits? Stop over-reacting to things that aren't even on the table yet.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 07, 2007 12:08 PM  

  • 12:08...Looks like you went to the Shirley Mattox ButterBurger School of Economics.

    Anybody can afford anything if it only costs as much as a modest ButterBurger.

    Yup...We really need some changes in Oshkosh!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 07, 2007 4:27 PM  

  • No... we are saying that the children DO NOT have to drive Cadillacs or SUV's
    When we can only afford a Chevy
    Neon or Ford Focus.
    AND just because the Chevy or the Ford have a flat tire we don't have to go out to a NEW car when the family can't put food on the table.
    Further we make it TOOOOOO easy for people to "sponge off" the taxpayers.
    Rather than work they find a way to
    USE the system for the frebees.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 07, 2007 4:56 PM  

  • I agree...our city employees need to learn to drive Chevys and Fords, not the Lexus and BMW's they currently have heathcare wise!

    Great point 4:56!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 07, 2007 6:26 PM  

  • Apparently the majority of voters don't think the problem is as bad as you do. Take a look at other cities and if you find something where the taxes are more to your liking, pack up and move there. Until then stop being so jealous about others having something you don't. The green-eyed monster is neither becoming or healthy.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 07, 2007 7:09 PM  

  • NEW ROOM TAX
    The council will probably jump all over themselves to approve this. A "new" room tax to generate an additional $200,000 a year WOW...
    This money needs be used to pay off debt on the Oshkosh Convention Center.
    If the bureau is allowed to establish a development fund for capital projects that attracts tourists, those monies should take care of the new renovation and updates.
    The monies should NOT be filtered to someone's "pet" project!
    Feed the white elephant take care of the updates and expansion.
    The new tax should be approved for Convention Center use ONLY!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 08, 2007 9:51 AM  

  • Good editorial in the paper today from Mr. Esslinger.

    AttaBoy Paul. Keep telling it like it is!

    Our city union employees are in a small segment of our employed population who are guaranteed a wage/benefit increase each year. Most of us middleclass workers are lucky to MAINTAIN our salary, many actuall have DECLINING wages as our employers demand we pay a greater share of healthcare costs.

    It's total union mentality that "just because other people get increases so should I".

    You have to EARN and increase. And EARNING doesn't just mean showing up for work everyday!

    The City Mgr didn't deserve an increase and I hope that during the next contract negotiation cycle, our sitting council will take an even more agressive approach on the entitlement focused compensation plan provided for city employees.

    Happy Easter!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 08, 2007 10:31 AM  

  • Yep, Paul wrote a great editorial. Too bad he only remembers half the story. Or is it that he only chose to *tell* half the story -- the half that makes him look like some kind of saint?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 08, 2007 11:02 AM  

  • Well half the voters believed what you say is "half the story". The city is half divided. Thats not a half good thing.

    Paul stands for those that have little and need someone to help them.

    Bill Castle stood for big business and greed.

    What will Frank Tower stand for? Will he take the easy path, or the more righteous but much more difficult path?

    Time will tell. Many are watching closely.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 08, 2007 9:06 PM  

  • "Castle stood for big business and greed" That might be true. He was totally "establishment". Now with Palmeri he might be the same way with the unions. I guess if your caught in the middle and not a rich business person or work for th unions-who do you have on the council thats on our side? Alota of us dont have white collar business jobs and we dont work for the city so were not in the union and that group like me an most of my friends is a group that is getting squeezed an milked to death. Im tired and I've got a tough time supporting my family much less give business a break and sell river front land for a buck and pay the city workers 95% of there healthcare when I can hardly afford to pay my own.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 09, 2007 6:46 AM  

  • Whats with all the stabbings and violent crime recently?
    Is there a common thread factor in any of this?
    Any socio/economic factors?
    This is not typical Oshkosh and there must be a reason for this trend. Who's looking into the bigger picture here, not just the individual crimes?
    18th and Iowa is a standard typical middleclass area in Oshkosh. Whats happening??

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 09, 2007 11:51 AM  

  • I agree the rash of stabings is disturbing but I bet if you looked closely at it, it's more a case of drinking and people not being able to manage their anger than socio-economics.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 09, 2007 2:09 PM  

  • "Drinking" is often a result of a much deeper condition, which often could be borne by other influences, such as the current socio/economic climate, as the one poster very observantly commented.

    This is an important conversation that should be occuring in Oshkosh.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 09, 2007 3:08 PM  

  • Poverty feeds Desperation. Desperation feeds crime.
    Until we as a community face the sad facts we will continue to see the increasing crime rate.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 09, 2007 4:34 PM  

  • "Poverty feeds Desperation. Desperation feeds crime"

    I couldn't agree more, however there are those in Oshkosh who continue to believe the residents are an endless supply of cash and will continue to push for more and more taxes on those that are already struggling to get by. Those that have little or nothing are expected to "buck-up" and fund all sorts of hairbrained projects up to and including the ridiculous healthcare plan the city has for there workers.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 09, 2007 5:04 PM  

  • Some of you will find any reason in the world to spin crime on the tax levy. Some of the people committing the crimes don't even pay property taxes in Oshkosh.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 09, 2007 5:31 PM  

  • Hair-brained? At least some of the council members have hair.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 09, 2007 5:31 PM  

  • Some of the people committing the crimes don't even pay property taxes in Oshkosh.

    Are they unemployed? homeless?students? drunks? gang members?
    What is driving the increased crime rate?
    It would be nice to be able to see if there is a common ground for the increase in crime.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 10, 2007 1:24 PM  

  • As we have seen some are students and there was drinking involved.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 10, 2007 4:30 PM  

  • Oshkosh taxpayers want to have more accountability from their council representatives. Part of the accountability equation is frugal spending.

    The biggest area we taxpayers spend our property tax dollars is on city employee labor. City employee labor costs should be top-of-mind on each and every council members agenda.

    If we begin now, our council may be able to develop a blue ribbon committee to investigate and propose alternate healthcare plan options for the next contract negoiation period.

    I'm certain we can develop a nice plan that is far more affordable than the current 95% taxpayer funded plan.

    Our elderly senior citizens are in jeapordy of loosing Wisconsin Senior Care prescription drug plan and may need to enroll in Medicare Plan D. Even our elderly..often those with the least ability to pay are feeling the squeeze of healthcare in America.

    Our hard working city employees are a valuable resource, but they need to understand reality and realize that the current healthcare package is no longer affordable to the taxpayers they serve.

    I believe that this is a healthy goal for both council and manager in the next few years.

    This goal has a far greater positive impact on the Oshkosh citizen compared to the current goal of having the city manager say 2 positive comments at the end of each council meeting.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 11, 2007 8:25 AM  

  • Apparently the Visitors and Convention Bureau flys under the radar.....

    Tuesday night the council gave them a 2% raise with very few questions.
    I think our council failed the citizens of Oshkosh at the council meeting by making Oshkosh the owner of the highest room tax in the state.

    Do we know just how much money the 8% figure raised for the city?
    How many actual dollars goes to the VCB on a yearly basis?

    We did find out the moneys are split: 80% goes to the VCB , 19% to the Grand Opera House and 1% back to the City.

    We know that included in that 80% the VCB receives is the moneys for the debt repayment. The debt can't be paid off early so why the need for additional $$$?

    No one will give us the actual dollars that the VCB gets.
    What part of the additional funds will go for salaries, business travel, or expenses, ETC?

    At budget hearings we heard that department heads needed to present 0 dollar budgets or at least come in with 3% cuts over last year.
    The VCB is part of the city and works for the city why do they get a automatic 2% raise?

    No one knows exactly how the additional $220,000 will be used.
    We are told it will fund capital improvement projects for the city.
    Pollack Pool & Titan Stadium were mentioned as needing community funding.
    Never once did we hear that xxx amount of dollars would go to the updates needed at the Convention Center.
    Why would the VBC funnel any additional dollars anyplace other than the renovation of the Convention Center?

    Something just does not seem right with the limited information the citizens were given at the council meeting.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 11, 2007 6:07 PM  

  • A lot of questions were asked and answers provided during a workshop on this issue a few weeks ago. But if there were still questions you had, and apparently there were, why did you not contact your council reps or attend last night's meeting and ask them?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 11, 2007 11:16 PM  

  • Did fundraising at Titan hit a wall? It would appear they came up short. Titan is UW property, not City property. Is the funding channeled to Titan an Oshkosh CVB "donation" to the fund?

    Please explain further.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 12, 2007 7:32 AM  

  • Can a "city" imposed tax be used to fund university projects?
    Titan is UW property, not City property.
    State law caps the room tax at 8 percent unless the money is used to pay off convention center debt.
    So the extra 2% room tax would have to go back to the Convention Center.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 12, 2007 5:39 PM  

  • Why would we raise visitor (room) taxes in order to fund Pollack Pool & Titan Stadium? Haven't these projects been planned out already? What is the planned return on investment in these projects? Haven't the returns already been calculated under the previous funding sources? While I think we need to do more to market Oshkosh, we need more real infrastructure to benefit from the marketing. I have a bad feeling about this new source of money. I suspect the money is going to be siphoned to "feel good" projects. Since the council is hell bent on raising the tax, at least have the extra money go toward real returns. The Convention Center

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 12, 2007 9:10 PM  

  • If re-elected, I will continue to be:

    An effective communicator & listener........

    Where is the communication promised?
    Where are the answers for the questions poised in the discussions...

    the new room taxes/links to Titan and UWO??

    the new naiusance ordinances??

    why make neighbors landlords the law enforcers???

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 16, 2007 8:37 AM  

  • Hey Sour Grapes. You missed the questions? You must have been too busy on the keyboard. The nuisance ordinance is a good thing and is really just a modern day Neighborhood Watch. Cops can't be everywhere. Wassamatter, you afraid you're going to get reported for something?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 16, 2007 1:08 PM  

  • Learn the difference between poised and posed.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 16, 2007 1:09 PM  

  • Why are you so eager to let the cops off the hook of doing their job? We keep hearing how busy they are? Doing what? We now know it's not busting drug dealers. It's not stopping murders, that's climbed in the last 2 years, it's not stopping armed robber, how many places did that guy who committed suicide knock off? And even then it took Wollangk spotting the guy in Open Pantry. It's not enforcing all the basic ordinances such as speed limits, barking dogs, loud stereos and so forth. What are they doing?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 16, 2007 1:13 PM  

  • Why are you so eager to let the cops off the hook of doing their job? We keep hearing how busy they are? Doing what? We now know it's not busting drug dealers. It's not stopping murders, that's climbed in the last 2 years, it's not stopping armed robber, how many places did that guy who committed suicide knock off? And even then it took Wollangk spotting the guy in Open Pantry. It's not enforcing all the basic ordinances such as speed limits, barking dogs, loud stereos and so forth. What are they doing?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 16, 2007 1:14 PM  

  • Copy and paste dude has taken up residence here. Go back to Kent Monte's blog where the accomodations are much more to your liking. You are not only ignorant but have no desire to learn anything new.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 17, 2007 9:06 AM  

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