Defender, Bystander and Enemy

State Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) was named a "Democracy Defender" by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a non-partisan political watchdog group. Based on his record of supporting reform, Rep. Hintz was ranked as one of only nine defenders of democracy, and the only Northeast Wisconsin legislator to be ranked a defender. Way to go, Gordon!

State Senator Carol Roessler (R-Oshkosh) and State Representative Carol Owens (R-Oshkosh), whom both are retiring at the end of the year, were ranked as a "Bystander" and "Public Enemy," respectively.

-Bryan

April 29, 2008 Fifth Tuesday Forum

I am hosting a Fifth Tuesday Forum on April 29th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Oshkosh Seniors Center, 200 N. Campbell Rd., in the Willow North Room. All are welcome to attend.

Please contact me or post a message here if you have questions or comments about the forum, or suggested topics for it.

-Bryan

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

Be sure to check out the Earth Week activities at UW Oshkosh.



-Bryan

New City Attorney

I received the following press release today from City Hall.

Oshkosh, Wis. – The City of Oshkosh has selected Lynn Lorenson as their new City Attorney. “After reviewing the applications received Ms. Lorenson was far and away the best choice for the position of City Attorney,” said Acting City Manager John Fitzpatrick. “Her educational background, practical experience and familiarity with the legal history of the City of Oshkosh distinguished her above all other applicants.”

Lorenson is currently the Acting City Attorney and since 1992 has been the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Oshkosh. Lorenson received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin Law School, studied at the University of Nottingham, England, and earned a bachelor of science in history with a psychology minor from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. With each degree Lorenson earned, she received the distinction of graduating with the honor of Magna Cum Laude.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve the City of Oshkosh,” said Lorenson. “I’m proud to be part of the dedicated team committed to serving the citizens of Oshkosh.”

Lorenson will officially begin her new assignment as City Attorney beginning April 20.

For more information about the City of Oshkosh please visit www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us

Congratulations to Ms. Lorenson. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to work with her.

-Bryan

Council Organizational Meeting

The Organizational Meeting of the 'new' Oshkosh Common Council is 12:00 p.m. tomorrow at City Hall. Besides the seating of the new council, election of the Deputy Mayor and discussion of Council Rules, two additional items are up for discussion and action.

The first of the additional items is regarding the current "Council Member Statements" agenda item. As reported by The Northwestern, Acting City Attorney Lynn Lorenson has, on multiple occasions, advised us to be more specific with our agenda. I agree. The recommendations I will make during tomorrow's meeting are to:

• Change "Council Member Statements" to "Additional Staff and Council Member Statements and Discussion"
• Eliminate "Whatever Else is Pertinent and For the Good of the City"
• Add to the agenda "Additional Action Items"

I also am going to urge Mayor Tower to error on the side of caution (and open government) to not allow any action or discussion and statements that are not properly noticed.

The second additional agenda item is a proposal by Council Member Palmeri to create a Budget Committee, the specifics of which can be found here (page 2). This will be the second time Council Member Palmeri has introduced this proposal. You can read more about his proposal on his blog as well as what Miles Maguire had to say about it on his blog.

So, what are your thoughts? Should the "Council Member Statements" agenda item be altered? If so, how? Should we create a Budget Committee? I look forward to the discussion.

-Bryan