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84 comments:
I understand why we're not entirely happy with our chamber - be glad we're not Ripon residents treated like gum on the bottom of that mayor's shoe. It's a great town to neighbor until Ripon becomes the shittown nobody wants to live in or visit. I'll stick with Green Lake and all its shortcomings.
One thing I noticed in last week's newspaper column about this Chamber/room tax topic is that Princeton has a volunteer chamber, and business is booming there. Don't you find this ironic?
I do not agree with raising the room tax to 8%, no way! If I were a tourist, I would be PISSED. I know that most of these Illinois fat cats can afford it, but you must understand that wealthy people are not stupid about money. (That might explain why so many of them are bad tippers). But put yourself in their shoes. You see an ad in a Chicago magazine: Green Lake, the ultimate tourist destination. You bring your wife up for the weekend. The Heidel House is very nice, but nothing special compared to the places you've been. You go downtown with your wife swinging her purse full of cash and credit cards. There is nowhere to shop! So you look around for a good place to eat. Keep in mind these are Chicago people who have awesome restaurants on every corner. They go back home and wish they had never come to Green Lake. They vow never to come back here unless hell freezes over.
The room tax money would be better spent helping some new businesses get set up downtown, or on civic improvements, or fixing the cruddy sidewalks. Something. Anything.
You know Chicago mindset quite well. Money isn't stupid. Some money may be selfish jerks, but not stupid.
At least Ripon has a plan and a vision. We have how many groups going in how many directions? And how many different plans? It seems there is a new one every month. And then we have the old mayor going after the current mayor. You better re-evaluate which town is a shittown. At the rate we are going, we should be partnering with Ripon, not bashing it.
An expensive plan based on stupid interpretations of shortsighted research is not a plan my book. It's sabotage.
GL needs to get it together. Ripon is getting it together all wrong. Nope. GL is in a better place and will always be in a better place. Ripon will be a shittown. Forever FDL County's red-headed stepchild.
I read a Ripon former mayor's letter to the editor that politely took Ripon's current mayor down a peg or two from where he didn't belong. It was funny and necessary but Ripon's egomaniac politicians aren't really my problem.
Green Lake only wants so much to do with Ripon the red-headed stepchild but not much. Letting Ripon's officials infiltrate anything about GL will be the reason I leave. I know I won't be the only one.
You need to bring up your issues with Ripon in a Ripon forum and with the Ripon officials. I have read plenty of letters in our local paper criticizing on where we are going. What does Ripon even have to do with the discussion of room tax in Green Lake? Why was this even brought up? I, for one, am a bit jealous that Ripon has someone willing to spend $20 or $30 million on their downtown, and we have all these fat cats with money in Green Lake, and I don't see too much of their generosity. Just a lot of For Sale signs on the lake. Check out the Special Properties website. It looks like the entire city and lake is for sale. One would get the idea a lot of people want out.
As for the room tax, I am not in favor of any new plan until we have a clear idea on where we want to be in 10 years.
I mentioned Ripon as a GL resident who does not want anything to do with Ripon and thought we were better off than Ripon.
There are so many for sale signs everywhere. Rich are getting hit too. Seen all the for sale signs in Ripon and they're still annexing more land to build more homes no one wants.
I used Ripon as an example because it is our neighbor and to show what we do not want to do to fix the problems we are experiencing in GL. Don't know why you got so bent out of shape over someone nitpicking on Ripon. I want to learn from communities not make the same mistakes as they do.
And isn't Green Lake annexing land so people can build homes no one wants? What is old saying about not casting stones when you live in a glass house? Ripon is growing. Are we? I don't see it.
Hello Ripon-defender. I tried to get my brother in law to move to Ripon because of promise from new investments there but he wouldn't budge. He wants Green Lake and there's a reason for that. Ripon is a wanna-be and so if he can afford Green Lake that's where he's going even if Green Lake isn't perfect.
I'm not in favor of increasing room tax to ridiculous. Can it be done reasonably adn with better chances of improvement? Then I'd think about it. Can Green Lake start a Green Lake cable channel to advertise and televise meetings?
There's no evidence that no one will buy the new homes in Green Lake. There's evidence that Ripon's land and subdivisions aren't wanted for homes. I used Ripon as an example but you're acting like you're responsible for Ripon and taking it too personally. Fire down sparky.
I am not a Ripon defender, and I am not sure what investments you are talking about. If we are going to learn from our neighbor's mistakes, I would not use Ripon as an example. Berlin seems to be going nowhere. Princeton changes government every year or so. Markesan has a mayor fighting its council all the time. If I were someone looking to invest money, those would not be places I would be looking at. Ripon, Winneconne and Beaver Dam seem to be the towns moving forward, based on the stories I have been reading.
Green Lake has a lot to offer, but it needs leadership, and it has to stop ripping down everyone who wants to step up and lead. You look at the cities that are moving ahead or, at least, holding their own and they have that leadership.
Maybe we can use the room tax to fund a Green Lake channel? Any ideas on who could be the Bill Jartz or Tom Milborn of our little town? Any candidates? Donna? Joe? Chief?
Ripon is growing into a shittown. Lake Geneva grew too based on tourism until it grew into something I never want to live in and people there are trying to get out of. Crime. Gangs. Tourists moved on. Residents are stuck if they don't have the money to get the hell out of dodge. Just saying.
Green Lake will figure it out but economy's tough and money is tight for everyone. Necessity is the mother of invention.
Green lake has been trying to figure it out for 50 years. One day we will get it. Changing the room tax will do it. LOL
I shouldn't have used Ripon as an example. Green Lake already knows what Ripon doesn't. Green Lake will look for a better example to learn from when it starts pulling itself together out of the rubble/issues that have arisen.
I just used Ripon because it is such a close neighbor of ours and I can't believe some of the stupid stuff I read in the paper that it is doing to grow itself and I don't want Green Lake to feel so desperate it starts pulling the same thing on its residents.
The Green Lake bashing got to me because I love Green Lake but now the Ripon kissing is too much because Ripon isn't a sliver of what Green Lake is and will always be. I'm done.
Changing the room tax won't "do it" but we've been self sustaining for 50 years and are still the people's choice!!!!
What stupid things have they done? What can we learn from them? I am not picking a fight, I am just trying to figure it out. We should be working WITH our neighbors, not bashing them.
And I love Green Lake too. I just am scared we are going to end up with no school district and no businesses at the rate we are going. Honestly, with all the negative stuff you read in the local paper, who would want to invest a dime here?
Excuse me? How is Winneconne or Beaver Dam comparable to Green Lake or Ripon? Anything learned from them must be tailored to our situation in Green Lake and it doesn't look like Ripon cares so long as it grows into something other than what little stinky it already is. Ripon's changes are so drastic and so consequential I feel sorry for those residents.
I'm all for praising Green Lake and our neighbors but I'm not going lather a community up with empty compliments just to make us or them look good when they're looking bad!
I won't look the other way just so others think they're doing a good job when they're not. My taxes are paying for this and my investments depend on the proven returns on my investments.
Excuse me? Do you live in Green Lake or Ripon? Or somewhere else?
So long as communities aren't purposely hurting their neighbors why should they work with them? You got yours and we got ours, let's keep it that way and do the best we can. I like Walgreen's in Ripon. I don't like Ripon's Pick N Save but it's close. Don't use their schools and don't regret that. I take 23 to work everyday and sometimes fill up at that gas station on the corner. That's about it. I chose to live in Green Lake because I like Green Lake better than what Ripon has to offer.
"So long as communities aren't purposely hurting their neighbors why should they work with them?"
What does that mean? If you live in Green Lake, and that is the way you really feel, I am sad to call you a fellow Green Laker.
I don't hurt Ripon residents. I like many Ripon residents. I do not wish harm on any fellow human beings. I don't live in Ripon and am not beholden to Ripon for it's claim to fame. That's all.
I think Ripon was only brought up to show why Green Lake was worthy of our dedication and effort to it's improvements and prosperity.
Can I say I don't agree with allot of what our mayor does but I still like him a heck better than Ripon's mayor without going on a ridiculous and biased Ripon-mayor lovefest??? Nothing is allowed anymore. Like not letting anyone fail for fear they'll be scarred for life for being told their mistakes. Can't hand anyone a compliment without some insecure power-hungry grabbing for praise for themself. Out...of...hand.
Ripon thinks its the shit but its not. Green Lake's room tax is the issue here so can the Green Lake people and one Ripon person move on please?
I don't know what the mayor of Ripon has to do with any of this. He was mentioned in the first post for no reason other than someone venting. And I would guess that person is not even from Green Lake. If you live in Green Lake like you claim, what do you care about what Ripon is doing? No one from Ripon is running for mayor of Green Lake? You cannot vote for a Ripon resident for Green lake mayor, and you don't pay taxes in Ripon, so what the heck does that have to do with the room tax problem? You should be discussing what OUR mayor is doing about the room tax issue.
If I had to guess, you don't care at all about the room tax or the chamber or our downtown issues in Green Lake.
Someone made the comment, "So long as communities aren't purposely hurting their neighbors why should they work with them?" I asked what communities are purposely hurting their neighbors. If you are referring to Ripon, I cannot think of one thing they have done or said to hurt Green Lake. Once again, someone makes a STUPID comment on here, and I call it STUPID because there are no facts to back it up.
Maybe the negative stuff in the paper means the taxpayers want the people causing the negativity stopped. Follow the trail of money and power and most to gain. Don't blame the messengers.
Is a room tax raise necessary? - Sure. Keep raising taxes in Green Lake so we can look even more like Illinois
Is the current one OK? - Fine by me
How do some of the motel operators feel about the room tax. - Ask them.
Does it hurt business or do guests even notice the tax? - I never ask when I am traveling.
And would the person with the anti-Ripon bias get a life. You are sounding like a whiner, and we have enough of those in Green Lake. Get your own blog, or start a new topic but this blog is about GREEN LAKE.
Facts to back up an opinion? Where are the facts to back up your opinion that someone else's opinion is stupid? Go back to Ripon already like you were asked. Something tells me you get enough time to dominate discussion over there and are trying to do the same over here by impeding freedom of expression because you don't like what's being expressed.
This isn't your territory blog-dog. Woof!
I'm from Green Lake and I'm telling you I don't want to be like Ripon and I'd like to see the Ripon poster leave here if it can not do anything except praise Ripon and add nothing to the discussion about Green Lake's issues.
GL poster was speaking about GL and used a GL neighbor (Ripon) to compare to in support of GL and mentioned the possibility of a reasonable increase to room tax to support improvements of GL. End of story. Move on already!
Ripon has NOTHING to do with this discussion except for what a Green Lake person does not in a mayor and what is appreciated in the mayor we have.
No one said Ripon or anyone else hurt Green Lake so stop that diversion right there.
If I lived in Ripon I'd be curious why those residents are so angry. But I don't live in Ripon and so I tend to limit my praise or concern to Green Lake where I experience every day how Green Lake and its people affect me and my neighbors.
Room tax is good so long as the money is put to effective use and makes positive changes Green Lake needs.
Room tax is good so long as the money is put to effective use and makes positive changes Green Lake needs.
I hope so, I really hope so. But I don't have a lot of faith right now in ANY level of government.
I will give Ripon and Berlin and Markesan credit for one thing. They aren't foolish enough to propose spending one dime of their room tax on this Cornerstone project. If that is what this room tax increase is going to be used for, then I am OPPOSED.
I agree. The Cornerstone may be a good project so some and a bad one to others. But no money should be taken under one pretense and used under another.
Speak up Green Lake residents before it is too late.
I don't have much faith in any level of government either and its like the only time we're asked anything is after our input has been quiety eliminated and just in time to be told the decisions are already made.
I hope the Green Lake Common Council votes to keep the 7% room tax in place. Accountability is the issue. How is the room tax being spent? The Chamber Board must answer this.
According to the article in last week's newspaper, the hotels do not want the proposed increase in room tax. They should be listened to, the hotel/motel/B&B owners and managers are the ones who know their clientele.
Chamber Board President Kris Herrell said the greatest benefit was a new Web site. I am glad that she is pleased with the Chamber website, but I find it unsightly and not user-friendly. I still despise the pea-green logo design that was outsourced to Chicago for a ridiculous amount of money. The Chamber should have gotten a refund for that botched deal!
The notion all of Green Lake's marketing budget must go to "put heads in beds" is ridiculous! So it's all about the lodging? Do you think that is Princeton's objective? They have a thriving downtown and don't have any lodging to speak of. They must be laughing their asses off at us stupid idiots. We need to focus on DOWNTOWN. Use the extra room tax money for new business start-up and give incentives for building owners downtown to upgrade their exteriors.
If you build it, they will come. I hate to even suggest this, but until we have more tourist type eateries, (like a Subway for instance), and also a charming Wisconsin tavern or two, not much is going to change here in Green Lake. I personally like the quiet, old fashioned lifestyle that Green Lake affords me, but I am not the one trying to run a profitable business here in town.
There has got to be something that is willing to educate Green Lake on quiet, admirable, enviable higher standards behind certain positive changes from effective marketing. I'm guessing the only way to stop changes from going to far and inviting what is ugly into our little town is the foresight to amend or introduce city ordinances that will control unwanted cans of worms.
This takes effort in research and patience with people, but why hasn't anyone cared enough about "mainstreet" and the "little people" to figure it out? Is it because the American dream is about making money and more money, instead of the short and long term consequences to invidivuals and societies?
Then Green Lake needs to decide what it wants to be. Does it want to be a tourism mecca or a quiet little place to raise children or retire? If it wants to be the tourism destination, then it is going to have to let some 21st century amenities into the picture. We are about 4 decades behind.
I'd say about 2 decades behind.
Speaking of 21st century ammenities. How about having city and chamber meetings on closed circuit television? This way all the citizens will be informed.
I think that is an EXCELLENT idea! School board meetings, too!
I don't care if Ripon invented the toenail clippers. Green Lake is superior. It sounds like Ripon's mayor posts on here lately. Leave politicians. Residents are allowed somewhere for freedom of expression without intimidation and restriction. Paranoia may destroy ya.
No, the problem with Green Lake is you people THINK you're superior. But then every time the wind blows, you get all in a snit (Lindenwood, the school, room taxes, yada yada yada). As a Ripon resident, it's fun reading the paper every week and seeing the latest nonsensical "controversy" over in Green Lake. I have news for Green Lake: Your city and your lake are not so special. There are nearly 15,000 lakes in this state. Green Lake is cold, algae-infested and choking with zebra mussels, yet this city has a 50-foot stick up its collective ass, thinking it’s the best around. Get over yourselves already.
HAHAHAHAHA! Ripon is a wanna-be but never will be! No matter what it thinks it wants to be! HAHAHAHA!
Hey Ripon! Just love reading about your school district's whining refute against Ripon residents kicking your butt and now you're being sued! Going down!!!!!!
Someone who doesn't know what to do with that 50 foot stick has an inferiority complex and a guilty conscience! Ouch! Watch it with that stick - not everyone is as inferior as you are! HAHAHAHAHA!
Green Lake is not in competition with Ripon. Green Lake is the local destination based upon its proximity to the lake and its historical presence as a vacation spot for over one hundred years. Yet, it is surprising to me how tourists are made to feel like outsiders. Should we just drop our money at the town line and leave? Ain't gonna happen! Wake up!
The business of Green Lake is TOURISM. But, Green Lake offers little for families to keep their money in town. Families want day activities. Where is the kayak rental in town? This would make families buy breakfast, lunch and/or dinner in town after such an activity.
Where is the ecotour of the lake? Aren't families, with or without kids, interested in the local ecosystems? Would a one or two hour tour of the local environs not bring money into the town? Green Lake High School has an excellent science program that could be incorporated into such an endeavor. It would also hire a number of teens during the summer.
Where is the modern mini-golf. Families need activities that are compelling for all ages and don't require a day long commitment.
Green Lake does not need a Subway Sandwich Shop. No one travels to a destination to eat at Subway. They do want local eateries supplying home made soups and sandwiches and burgers (R.I.P. Laker Burger) at a reasonable price from a local charming establishment.
Green Lake does not have to be the sole destination pitting it against the surrounding communities. Where is the bus/trolley system that runs continuously between GL and Princeton, Markesan, Kingston and Ripon. GL would always be the hub of the system. Great for one car families on vacation.
Where is the indoor waterpark that would keep families coming year round? It does not have to be in town. It could be in a surrounding area. Some time soon one of the surrounding communities is going to open a major destination attraction and marginalize GL as the hub of local tourist activity.
At the very least, why hasn't anyone ever advertised the proximity of GL to the Dells, but without all the Dells' crud? I'd pay more to have my kids enjoy the Dells waterparks as long as I didn't have to stay there.
Couldn't the town put together a family bus ride that would babysit kids for a fun day at the Dells, but leave mom and dad to enjoy GL?
GL should have a market showcasing local produce and products. Meats from Brandon, brats from many producers, cheeses and Amish products should all be stocked. Antique stores should be encouraged to open. This would be a great opportunity to use the old Courthouse.
Why isn't Mitchell Glen open to the public? Access could be restricted by continuous guided tours.
Where is the working farm that is open to the public showcasing the local heritage of this area of Wisconsin? Where is any public explanation of the Native American heritage? It used to be at Mitchell Glen.
Most importantly, if you want the tourist dollars to stay in GL, then you better have something to offer here. No, I'm not stupid. I know it will take money and an organized plan. The town will need to provide tax incentives to the local population as an incentive establish these programs. It won't change in a day. It requires a strong unified plan.
I like some of your ideas and disagree with others. Kayak (and canoe) rentals, yes. Ecotours, no. Not unless you did like one per week. Not enough interest. Mini Golf, YECH. Tacky. Indoor water park, no way. We are not big enough to sustain such a place. Maybe in 20 years. Mitchell's Glen, yes, perhaps a weekly tour from May thru September. Working farm? Possibly, it would have to be done just right. Native American heritage would be great, but is it feasible?
Proximity to the Dells? I don't think so! Unless we are 15 minutes away, not 90 minutes!
The best idea yet would be to have a large, open ferry boat (like you would see at the Dells) and have multiple daily tours around the lake at and AFFORDABLE price. Like $8 for adults and $3 for kids, something like that. It could leave from the marina. They had this at the Chain of Lakes in Waupaca when I was a kid, and it was awesome. Of course, our marina here does not want tourists on their pier for some strange reason.
I disagree with you on the idea of having a Subway, I am all for it. Subway would be packed in the summer and you know it. The local sandwich shop has no place to sit, and is very overpriced. If you want tourists, some concessions have to be made.
Why not try a differant angle, bring Industry to Green Lake. The tourist thing is over. Admit you blew it, and move on. You don't have the right people to run the Chamber, City, etc..Dah huh, the same people are still running things and making the wrong choices. MOVE ON AND GET OVERS YOURSELVES!!!!!
Why is it the other posters shared different ideas and disagreed without being pompous asshats but the above poster can only debate with attitude? Typical.
Tourism is not over. Outdated provisions for tourists and 70's looking facades are over.
SOME industry is necessary for survival but updated and insightful ordinances to control industry from ruining Green Lake's quiet nature is imperative.
A local sandwich shop with high quality and tasty food isn't a bad idea. Visitors like to visit where the locals live but visitors will not care about these local places if they are substandard and below what the visitors can get back at home. Some people want unique and special some times and others want it all the time. There are drawbacks to choosing each but the choices rest with people's priorities.
Add: special ceases to be unique when it is enjoyed all the time. Industry only really benefits full Green Lakers and not visitors. BUT...neither Green Lakers nor visitors will like the ugly can of criminal and congested worms industry opens up unless Green Lake's leadership gets it together and strikes a balance with a balance of understanding, compassion, agressive marketing, and proven know-how. Work together people - first get rid of the people that think they're the next best thing since sliced bread who've already made big mistakes that will no longer be tolerated.
If tourism is dead, stick a fork in Green Lake. Tourism is an industry. It has sustained this community for a century. Now, it must evolve. An idea like minigolf may not appeal to you, but it will appeal to those whose cash you cherish. Subway? No. But, i do agree that reasonably priced food is a priority for families. I like the ferry boat idea. Maybe it could serve both sides of the lake as a water taxi.
The point is,there are so many possibilities, but there is zero direction. Raise the City Room Tax to 10%. I don't care. People will pay it if there is something here for them. But, taking the money and tossing it into the wind without a plan is just crazy.
First question. Are you going to support tourism as an industry as your primary objective in revitalizing the City?
By "tourism", do you mean "heads in beds" or more realistically, things to do in Green Lake. What most of you bloggers don't seem to understand is that most of our annual "tourists" have summer homes here! They don't need a hotel or motel room. What they want is something to do with their kids and grandkids. That doesn't necessarily mean actvities that you have to dish out money to enjoy. The bike trails are a perfect example as is the Frisbee golf course at Zoebel Park. These may not be money makers for any business or group, but rather are an asset to the community. The Chamber is trying to draw money to Green Lake, rather than drawing people to Green Lake who will then spend their money as they choose. There is a difference.
I personally don't care about tourism and profits. I live here year-round and am happy here. But it is sad to see downtown flatlined with little chance at resuscitation. Green Lake could possibly have a thriving little downtown once again, but that would mean businesses that can either make enough money in the summer to close in the winter, or businesses that would bring in consumers all year long. I wish I had the money to start a business here, but even if I did, the risks for any new small business to fail is statistically very high.
"Heads in beds" is not different than summer "tourists". I have a vacation home here. My kids (teens) hate coming here because there is nothing for them to do. Believe me, they are ready, willing and able to spend money for shopping and activities that interest them. So are their friends and our friends.
I understand that not everyone has the assets to start a business here. But, I think that the local Chamber/committees/government could help subsidize you and others in making that leap. If not, they should be luring other retailers and business owners to come to GL.
Whether the tourist is staying in a vacation home, staying at a hotel/motel or daytripping, the goal is to get warm bodies, and their cash, into town. If your goal is to raise the standard of living to year round residents, thereby luring more and different "industry", you've got to start by generating more cash for the local residents.
Tourism is the key. What's lacking is a unified plan to promote tourism.
What's lacking is unity of knowledge. Too many people vying for power and using that power to shut down anyone else that opposes local politics or tries to share personal knowledge from experience. It's a small town so usually it's locals who get these positions have power and many times locals are not always those with very broad horizons or with the know-how of how to take care of business and quality of life for year round residents while simultaneously offering and attracting loyal visitors and not ruining the integrity of Green Lake that attracted residents AND visitors in the first place.
I hear ya! But, if that's the final position, nothing will ever get done. I am as perplexed as you. It always seems to get stuck at the "Who goes first?" level.
Just what, specifically, should the "plan" be for Green Lake? I agree that there should be a plan. What should that plan look like?
I personally believe that the Downtown Renewal project is on the right track. I have no affiliation with them, so this is not a personal matter. Until downtown gets a makeover and a new start, there is no point in promoting Green Lake. We need the shops for the tourists, we need the tourists for the shops. We need to start some place and (yes, with planning) we could gradually move forward. Rather than waste money on expensive print advertising to lure tourists to Deadsville, why not use that money to give some start-up incentives for new businesses downtown. This makes sense to me!
OK, previous poster, that's more progress than I've seen on this topic to date. Assuming we agree that the Downtown Renewal Project could the the spearhead of revitalization, then I would ask that a representative of the Project suggest one cogent plan to meet that goal. It might be that a specific, tangible step in the right direction would unify more of the voices who truly love this community (because our passion for this community is our common bond).
The floor is yours Downtown Renewal Project...
"Rather than waste money on expensive print advertising to lure tourists to Deadsville"
Don't forget the marketing. It's imperative. Advertising is also very necessary. Good advertising doesn't have to be expensive but he price of materials can be, depends on who Green Lake is marketing to with the advertising. It's up us to deem what is good and bad. And what is worth the money and what is costly overkill.
Overkill? I see more advertisement for Michigan driving from Chicago to Green Lake, than I do for Green Lake.
No one on the city council has put forth the idea to raise the room tax. That was a suggestion by a member of the chamber board but has since been taken off the table by the chamber as not a good idea.
The Chamber in Green Lake isn't really a Chamber of Commerce - it does not lobby our government for the benefit of Green Lake, all it does is try to get tourists to come to town, nothing more. It is really a tourism entity and that is all. If you don't like it - then change it!
Green Lake's room tax is low compared to other cities/states. Whether it's 7 or 8% really won't affect any tourists from coming to Green Lake. The issue that I have is how the room tax dollars are spent. I understand the 'perpetual model' of heads in beds - however, what are the stats? With all the money the Chamber is spending - is lodging up? I don't think so - from what I've seen, a quarter of that money is paying the Director's salary, not paying for advertising - what exactly does the Director do??
The Evil Cabal is at it again. They are conducting a 21st century lynching of our mayor led by sore loser Joe Parise. Come to the Common Council meeting Mon. 9/14/09at 7pm and see how pitiful politics can be in the City of Green Lake.
Our mayor has not complied with the law that indicates you have to file who donated to your campaign and what your expenses were. This was due at the end of April 2008. All council members have to abide by this law. The council wants to know why! As a citizen and council member, our mayor needs to explain his actions.
I agree, Donna. I read the article in last weeks paper about this. This is nothing personal, quite simply put: RULES ARE RULES!
There is no viable reason why the mayor should not comply, and in a timely manner As a citizen of Green Lake, and someone who voted for Mirr, I would like accountability.
The Shadow obviously has personal issues with certain people. Why else would (s)he call our elected officials "evil" and allege that those who follow procedure are "lynching". Ridiculous. Maybe the Shadow could become the new Lynch Czar for the Obama administration. They would fit right in.
Tsk tsk now Shadow. If Mirr has done no harm, than there is no harm in releasing his contribution records. Only those who have something to hide do hide it. Come clean, Mirr. It's only fair and it is the rule! Can't take the heat - get out of the kitchen guy!
I think these people are acting like a bunch of doughheads (is that one or two words? hyphenated or not? capitalized or all lower case?...)
I went to the city council meeting last night. The Mayor missed a second meeting in a row. The council tabled any action on the issue of not filing the campaign form until the Mayor comes to a meeting. He must explain himself!
Gee, maybe the mayor is afraid to come to the meetings because of the evil lynch mob that has it out for him. For those of you who can't figure it out, I am being facetious. Maybe he just wanted to stay home and watch the final competition of "America's Got Talent". We all have our priorities!
People, thats what it takes to make Green Lake what we all want. Who are the people that own Green Lake? Sad to say we are not owned by residents anymore. The room tax is a rough question to answer, The Chamber needs the Money the city needs the money. So we probably need it. However poeple will solve the problem. SWe need people to come here and then it all works. We need people to live in our city and own bussiness here, we need jobs to attract people here, we need tourist to shop and spend money, we need a plan to attract people here, our answer is here and it has always been here it is the Lake focus on bringing people to the lake and bussiness that will support people living in our city. Why did the Indians come here/ Whay did the settlers come here, The Lake. We have sold our homes in Green Lake to non-residents and that is one of the reasons we lost our people. We would not allow grouth in the motel and recreational bussiness because we didnt want to be a Lake Geneva, so we lost people back then because we couldnt handel the numbers of people that wanted to come here, now the people that came here bought our houses and the other people found some other place to fall in love with. And by the way all the old caracters that ran the shops and guided died and only a few remain, Yes people will be the answer we just need them to come to Green Lake, we need the room tax but only to promote the Lake because that is what will save us. The OLD Man Of The Sea
It's true many of the homes are owned by those who don't actually reside in Green Lake, and who aren't too much affected by Green Lake's year-round commerce and concerns because they can afford to remain unaffected and only want what is good for them when visiting their Green Lake house.
I'd say it was a good idea not to do to Green Lake what Lake Geneva did to itself just to make money, because the people left in Green Lake would've had to pay the price and live with the devastating effects of burnt out successes of tourism.
I've always wondered why Green Lake didn't support a Menard's or something along that product line. A car dealership perhaps. I wouldn't want to see Green Lake "run away" with and be "overrun" by commerce, because then Green Lake's natural beauty would be lost. But strict ordinances would control one or two smart businesses for year-round support. Just thinking.
A Menard's or car dealership - are you kidding? Where are the customers going to come from?
You don't build something and hope for people to come, you offer something that people want and need now - there has to be a demand, not just some pie in the sky idea - let's build it and they will come.... pleeeeeaaaase.
I didn't mean to imply any pie-in-the-sky "rome". I thought maybe a car dealership or Menard's MIGHT be a draw for people who WOULD come here if it WERE here. Not build something there is no need for and hope people need it.
I was trying for one or two "draws" that would attract people, to sustain year-round business and help GL be the best of the best of something that would create and maintain a solid economy for GL, instead of building all kinds of little storefronts and little businesses that pander to all sorts of types of people that invite all sorts of the congestion and crime that diversity can snowball into (like a Lake Geneva). Do it right, but don't overdo it or outdo what Green Lake will ever successfully do, at the expense of Green Lake residents. It was a suggestion that insulted no one but someone had to make their ugliness known with an attack. Typical. So typical.
Wow, if you think that's ugliness, you must be pretty darn sensitive! I think I'll just take my ball and go home.
I can actually spot insensitive and incendiary comments, and one's inability to play nice while spouting difference of opinion, way before my feelings are ever hurt from the tip of a bully's iceburg.
I don't think that the idea of a Menard's in Green Lake is that far off base. We have to drive to Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam or Oshkosh to go to Menards Each of these are at least a half hour from our home. I am sure that we are not the only ones in this area who are FREQUENT Menard's shoppers! We do lots of home improvements and yard work. You would have Green Lake, Berlin, Markesan, Princeton, Ripon, Montello etc. all who would shop at a Menard's if there was one in Green Lake. I am not suggesting that they build one, because Menard's is smart enough to know that if all of these communities shopped in Green Lake that their other stores would suffer Probably why Home Depot closed so many stores.
The ACE Hardware in Ripon is so overpriced, we often drive the extra miles to Menard's because we do not want to support that type of price inflating. The True Value in Berlin is a joke. We do need year-round businesses here in Green Lake, a decent hardware store is not a bad idea.
Now is the time for big box stores to start opening satellite stores in small towns. They can be stocked by the nearest big store and the locations can be existing building that are quickly remodeled to save on putting up new buildings. It would work for Menards. Copps or Picknsave, even Walmart or sears. I know sears dropped this idea not long ago but the economy changed and it seems that smaller towns are going to go back to the smaller leaner self sufficient ways of life. I know that I can not stand going to these super stores and the local mom and pop type stores do not carry what I am looking for and they do not care for my business.I go to the Ace in Ripon many times and walk out empty handed because they do not carry what I am looking for. Everything is packed in a 7.95 package. Gas will go back up and people will not travel far to shop.
As long as we are finding ideas on how to improve Green Lake, here is one for the city counsel. Holiday decorations (including Christmas lights!) should be required to be taken down (and put up) within 4 weeks of the holiday. I drive through town and see Christmas lights still hanging from gutters in summer, it looks extremely tacky. Seasonal decorating is great, but that is what is should be: seasonal.
This is what Green Lake needs. A high power PR firm like Milwaukee has. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLWP45AGE-o
It'd be nice if small towns did their research and learned about standards already followed in bigger cities. But paying for big city professionals comes at a high price not always commensurate with services received, and not always in line with what is actually good for a small town looking to raise its standards but NOT out to erode it's beauty and bully its way into keeping up with the superficial Joneses.
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