February 18, 2008 Fifth Tuesday Forum Notes

The notes from the February 18th Fifth Tuesday Forum are now available online.

The next Fifth Tuesday Forum is scheduled for April 29th at 6:00 p.m., location TBD. If you have a suggested location, please post it here or contact me.

-Bryan

Staggering Iraq War Numbers

Citizen Action of Wisconsin today released on WisPolitics.com state and local costs of the Iraq War. Below is the press release:

Citizen Action of Wisconsin: Releases state and local cost of war numbers on 5th anniversary of Iraq invasion
3/19/2008
Contact: Robert Kraig
(414) 322-5324

Brings Attention to Lost Opportunities to Invest in Wisconsin

Milwaukee: As the Iraq war enters its 5th year today, there is an overwhelming public consensus that the Bush Administration’s invasion has failed to achieve any of its major objectives. On top of the international relations disaster and the deaths of nearly 4,000 American troops and nearly 100,000 Iraqis the misguided invasion has wrought, there is growing public attention to the consequences of the war for vital domestic priorities such as health care and education.

To mark the 5th anniversary of the war, Citizen Action is releasing today estimates of what Wisconsin, and individual Wisconsin cities could have done in 2008 alone with their share of Iraq war spending. The data was obtained from National Priorities Project. Citizen Action is also holding events in Green Bay and Eau Claire later today to bring attention to the local cost of the Iraq war.

In 2008 alone, Wisconsin residents will pay an astounding $1.3 billion for additional proposed Iraq war spending. For the same outlay, 861,342 people could have received health care coverage; 89 new elementary schools could have been built, 198,642 college scholarships could have been given, and 29,904 public safety officers could have been hired.

As the following chart shows, these lost opportunities to invest in Wisconsin are significant at the local level.

2008 Iraq War Spending by Wisconsin Municipality

Milwaukee Area $203.7 Million
Madison Area $119.4 Million
Green Bay Area $59.9 Million
Racine Area $51.6 Million
Appleton Area $45.4 Million
Janesville/Beloit Area $39.4 Million
Wausau Area $32.3 Million
Eau Claire Area $20.8 Million
Manitowoc Area $20.4 Million
Oshkosh $13.5 Million
Sheboygan $11.6 Million
La Crosse $9.2 Million
Superior Area $8.7 Million

The local share of war spending could have been used to make major investments in the economic vitality and quality of life in Wisconsin’s major cities. For example, for Milwaukee’s share, 4,506 public safety officers could have been hired. In Oshkosh, 2,002 college scholarships could have been given, and in Appleton 3 new elementary schools could have been built.

“Five years of war in Iraq are five years too many,” said Linda Honold, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “With an economic recession making it harder than ever for Wisconsin families to make ends meet, the human and economic costs of the war in Iraq are unaffordable and unconscionable. Congress must reverse the administration’s upside-down priorities, end the war and invest in America’s future.”

-Bryan

Roessler Not Running

State Senator Carol Roessler (R-Oshkosh) announced today that she will not seek a 7th Senate term. I join State Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) in thanking Senator Roessler for her years of service. Even though we disagreed on many issues, she remained professional, friendly and a helpful public servant.

Now the question becomes, "who will run?" We already know of one candidate, Council Member King, but I am sure this vacancy will bring out numerous additional candidates, especially Republicans. Any thoughts???

-Bryan

UPDATE: According to the Oshkosh Northwestern, Winnebago County Sheriff Michael Brooks and Fond du Lac City Councilor Tim Lakin have indicated they will seek the Republican nomination. State Rep. John Townsend (R-Fond du Lac) has not ruled out running for the seat.

New Transportation Director

I received the following press release today from Acting City Manager John Fitzpatrick.

City of Oshkosh names Strong as Transportation Director

Oshkosh, Wis. – The City of Oshkosh has selected Christopher K. Strong as their new Transportation Director. Strong will replace Mark Huddleston who retired on February 1, 2008, after 30 years of service with the City. In his new position, Strong will oversee the Transportation Department which includes the offices of Traffic Engineering, Transit, Sign and Electric.

“We are very pleased Chris Strong has accepted the Transportation Director position with the City of Oshkosh,” said Acting City Manager John Fitzpatrick. “Chris has a diverse transportation planning background in both the public and private sector where he has been involved with the latest developments in intelligent transportation system planning while producing programs for state DOT’s across the country.”

Strong is currently the Program Manager for Safety & Operations at the Western Transportation Institute located at Montana State University. Prior to 1999, Strong was a Transportation Planner for Wilbur Smith Associates in Lisle, Illinois. In 1996 Strong was a member of the Northeastern Illinois Transportation Planning Cadre for the Chicago Metro Agency for Planning in Chicago, Illinois.

Strong received his Master of Science in Engineering with a Transportation Concentration from the University of Texas at Austin. He has also earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a minor in Economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His family includes his wife Sunny and their two children.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the City of Oshkosh,” said Strong. “I’m really looking forward to building on the good work that been done by Mark and his staff in developing and maintaining a strong transportation system.”

Strong’s official start date is April 5, 2008. Mark Huddleston has agreed to temporarily assist the city as Transportation Director until Strong is able to assume the position. “We are grateful for Mark’s commitment to helping us out during this transitional period,” said Fitzpatrick. “The fact that he is returning after 30 years of service and his retirement indicates the caliber of individual he is.” For more information about the City of Oshkosh please visit www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us

Congratulations to Mr. Strong. I look forward to working him in his new role as Transportation Director, particularly since I serve on the Traffic Review Advisory Board. I also want to congratulate Mr. Huddleston for his 30 years of service to the city. I wish him all the best in retirement.

-Bryan