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27 comments:
As a city resident, I was embarrassed for our City Council after Monday’s meeting. The Council wasted an hour with bickering and finger-pointing over a few thousand dollars discrepancy between the city’s expenses and what Lindenwood felt was reasonable to pay. Then, after an hour spent whining about not getting enough money back, the Council didn't even have the balls to vote on the annexation. They just tabled it again. Why? If we annex it, we’ll get that money back (and then some) in property taxes.
It's clear that some Council members are scared to vote on the annexation, so they create excuses to delay having to make a decision. It’s embarrassing to watch the Council trip and fall all over themselves just to conduct routine business. All it takes is one motion from the floor, and the Council literally plunges into chaos because nobody understands what’s happening. It’s pathetic. Half the time, the audience knows what’s happening better than the council itself.
Joe Parise, Donna Moore, Michele Polzer and Dan Priske are the only ones who have the guts to annex the territory (which Lindenwood and the ABA wanted so badly in the first place). Let’s quit delaying this and do what’s best for city taxpayers. Denying the annexation will only lead to higher taxes, because where else are we going to generate future revenue?
Melvin, you can't be serious. The ABA and Lindenwood never truly wanted to be annexed into the city, they just wanted to play cat and mouse with the town of Brooklyn. Why would Lindenwood want to pay higher taxes? The city should not even consider trying to continue with the annexation matter. My guess as to the reason it was tabled is because the new Mayor Mirr will be taking office and things are likely to finally take on a more sensible perspective. The taxpayers who live in the city DON'T WANT the annexation, that was made clear by the election results. If we really thought it would be the answer to our problems, then we would be all for it. But the truth is, it would only represent a whole new set of problems. Things are never as they seem, and I for one don't believe it would bring any revenue to the our little city. Cities all over Wisconsin are annexing land to develop, and yet their taxes continue to rise. It's a "no win" situation. The city needs to budget according to the revenue it has to work with. Everyone has to do this. Why should the city be any different?
If the city believes that once annexation takes place, the issue will be over with, they are sadly mistaken. Law suits are sure to follow and any foreseeable revenue from additional taxes will be eaten up by ongoing law suits, plus some. This issue will not go quietly into the night, but rather escalate into a much more costly affair. Remember, the city doesn't get to fully realize any benefits until after 5 years have passed.
If they are smart, they will take full payment from Lindenwood/ABA, learn their lesson and move on. Otherwise, they are subject to a financial exposure of unknown heights. Something they certainly cannot afford.
One council member summed up this entire situation in stating, "this is business". What took place here is two entities vying for revenue. Both wanted it, one currently has it. This is no different than what goes on everyday, in every hamlet in the country/world.
It was very obvious that members of the city council were upset with the developers for doing a "bait and switch" in the council's eyes.
Maybe, what they were really mad at was allowing themselves to be put in this situation in the first place. I think in psychology terms, this is considered transference.
Regardless, if they had been a little less trusting and had a better lawyer, they would not be in this situation.
Certainly, anyone who has been in business for any length of time has come to realize the only thing that matters is what is in writing.
The city could of locked the developers down if they had taken the time to draft the appropriate documents. "Good faith" is a wonderful concept, but as many have learned, is not very applicable in today's world.
Unfortunate, but true.
The reason many city residents oppose the annexation is because they’ve been duped by a bunch of afraid-of-change naysayers. The opposition has been relying on misinformation and scare tactics since Day 1. It has been shown over and over that the city would gain at least $200,000 in additional tax revenue annually while spending less than $60,000 annually. It’s a financial windfall. But no. Green Lake residents don’t want THAT! They’d rather sit back, fold their arms and shake their heads, because annexing the ABA would mean change, wouldn’t it?
I have yet to hear one credible reason why the annexation would be financially bad for the city. A lawsuit? That’s why the city has insurance. The second writer here wrote, “Cities all over Wisconsin are annexing land to develop, and yet their taxes continue to rise.” According to WHOM? Prove it with documentation, not just your silly opinion.
No one can promise Green Lake’s taxes will decrease, but they certainly won’t need to increase if the city adopts the annexation. Think what we could do with the additional dollars! We could finally invest some money in revitalizing our sorry downtown, beach and campground so that people would actually want to visit. People who deny Green Lake is in a tourism slump are denying reality. If the city had the money, we could really invest in making this a unique place that would draw tourists.
Where else but taxes can the city generate over $1 million dollars in needed infrastructure improvements? Where else but taxes can the city provide business/housing incentives to keep the local economy strong? Green Lake people seem to think the tourists will magically appear once the lake thaws. They aren’t, because what is there to do? There are plenty of other, cheaper golf courses in this state, and plenty of other lakes that aren’t as slimy. What makes Green Lake so special? We need to MAKE it special. And we can’t do that without money.
Few people understand how $200,000 - $60,000 = $140,000 annually in additional city dollars. The obnoxious screaming from the opposition has drowned out the facts.
In all the years that I have lived in Green Lake it always seems that the community will always take a pass when opportunity arrives. The rich part-time residents come here every year to wipe their feet on us and they never clean up. Meaning, Green Lake should have a lovely downtown, paved streets,curbs,sidewalks, great beach and green spaces. Instead we have to spit shine what we have every year because the "others" do not want anyone to discover this place. How many grants do we miss out on because we hide are heads in the sand. I only say this because I don't believe we are being taken care of and the monies that the tourists spend here are nothing compared to what it should be. Also I have more respect for people who live here full time than the people that hold a dwelling here but live else where.They do nothing for me but they keep this area running disfunctional.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN CITY/TOWN/COUNTY BY VOING IN WHO YOU WANT AND WHAT YOU WANT! DO NOT BLAME YOUR PLIGHT ON PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO VOTING POWER AND JUST PAY TAXES PLUS TRY TO SPEND THEIR MONEY IN TOWN TO HELP YOU!
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN CITY/TOWN/COUNTY BY VOTING IN WHO YOU WANT AND WHAT YOU WANT! DO NOT BLAME YOUR PLIGHT ON PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO VOTING POWER AND JUST PAY TAXES PLUS TRY TO SPEND THEIR MONEY IN TOWN TO HELP YOU!
Please delete 4/17 1:30 it is replaced by 1:31. Due to one letter error.
Thank you!
They can also screw things up real well. When I heard the ABA wanted to do a development I didn’t give it one bit of further thought. So what, another development there have been how many in the area? They all seem to work out fine. They bring in people who spend money. The one at the ABA would bring in more non-voting, tax paying wealthy folks. But again; so what, who cares? That’s what Green Lake has always been about. A millionaire’s vacation spot, that’s our reputation.
The ABA has been a long standing business for Green Lake. I worked there as a kid and my kids worked there. It’s a good place. I understand they are the counties largest tax payer, which isn’t bad for a non-profit group. They also employ a lot of folks which plows money into the local economy. The ABA has been good for Green Lake over the years. They wanted to expand their business and ensure the financial stability through this development. Well who whooped, hollered and cried the most… the non-voting tax payers. “Development done right” they cried! We now know the development was “done right” and in accordance with the DNR and the Town subdivision ordinance.
The non-resident tax payers are the ones that forced the desperate annexation attempt that divided the town and created a ton of bad feelings. Obviously, the ABA needs this development for their ministry growth and their financial solvency. If you would all take some time to learn what goes on there and not listen to all the senseless rumors, you would understand a lot better.
The proof is out now, the ABA did nothing wrong, they followed the rules, the annexation thing was stupid, but they need to do this development or we can probably see the ABA drift off into the history books. That would be sad. Sell the place to Ho-Chunk, that’d fix all the “development done right” knuckleheads. A few Pow Wows on the lakefront until 2:00AM, that’d be just great… maybe not so much?
It still has great potential to see a "Ho-Chunk" - right there in the Kraft Lodge- attractive selling point to a casino- what the ___ kind of building is that? - the current ABA- GLCC is not what it used to be-- these guys will be long gone-- cashed -out-- in their condos in Hawaii - they don't really care about the place- the good leadership is long gone- remember the emails sent out to current staff about who they could do business with- actions speak louder than words- are they acting like Christians? maybe the money goes to some remote missionary someplace & yeah they still employee the most local people- good, dedicated people- who do need the jobs & it has been/ is a great place for the area- why didn't they just go with Brooklyn's request for more info on the original plat? big deal - they could've made it work without going to the city and making this mess- we'll see who's who and how this all plays out
To Anonymous 4/19 6:45
You must be referring to the email sent by Ken Giacoletto, President of the Green Lake Conference Center, to his employees at the GLCC/ABA in late December, 2007, when he announced a boycott of a local business. According to the email, Ken was angry because the business owner, in his role as a city Plan Commission member, voted against the annexation.
When the email went public, Ken apologized to the business owner. When interviewed by the Green Lake Reporter, he said he was disappointed that the email had been made public.
"It makes you feel bad when you can't trust your staff." (quoting Ken Giacoletto, Green Lake Reporter, January 17, 2008)
.. the key words in the previous post are: "When the email went public"... and only then did he "regret"& "apologize".. his way or the high way... it's just that way, everyone knows: you disagree and you'll be fired- but its just business, you know.
Most of the world is thinking Green, concerned about the global warming trends and personally experiencing the effect of the nations' economy through the housing market's decline,the war, & oil prices... so what does Green Lake do? Clear old forests and approve a 2002- style housing development... H-E-L-L-O- ??? it seems that we are either very stupid & po-dunk or that we are so special that we exist in another world not affected by current issues. Then you wonder why the city is dying economically, now it will be the lake ecologically… nice going- screw up the one resource we had- backwards & poor planning, AGAIN…
A sad day indeed when the forest at ABA/GLCC is being logged right now. How it will effect the environment and lake is not good, and will not be determined entirely for 17 years. The world is THINKING environmentlly green, but unfortunately Green Lake is short sighted, as usual, and destroying their best asset.
It's not a done deal- they can log because its "their" land but the development , a feasible plat, is still being worked out- contact Brooklyn and GL city to work with the developers to be more "green" and abide by standards and codes. It is not necessarily a done deal as much as they'd wish it were- hold 'em to better quality.
They were instructed to give 2 weeks notice and they did not! As usual, not following the agreed upon plans.
To the poster who said we should "hold them (Lindenwood Development) to better quality"
I'm remembering this exchange in the City Council meeting of April 8, between Lindenwood Development Attorney Robert Duimstra of the Menn Law firm and Mayor Joe Parise. Upon being shown that his petition to invalidate the annexation petition was itself invalid (because it was based on a false assumption that a family lived in the annexation territory), Duimstra "appeared caught off guard" according to the Ripon Commonwealth.
Mayor Parise asked Duimstra "Is this another way of stretching the truth again?" To that Robert Duimstra of the Menn Law Firm replied that "he'd drafted the letter about the matter based on property information received from Green Lake Conference Center President Ken Giacoletto." (Green Lake Reporter, April 10, 2008.
So this tells you alot about Lindenwood Development and what will be needed to "hold them to better quality" as they begin work on their Estates of Lawsonia project.
For all you who are wondering about the tree cutting at the ABA, there's an excellent story in the Ripon paper this week. Turns out, there's another whole side of the story that the ABA homeowners don't want you to know.
Since I am one of those homeowners I would like to know what I don't want you to know!
Except for failure to notify the DNR two weeks before starting tree cutting, that Lindenwood has done nothing wrong, throughout this process. They and the ABA hired a very qualified land planner for their design, they've consulted with many engineers and DNR officials, and they followed the direction given them by the Town of Brooklyn for 20,000 sf minimum lots size. They've answered many questions, they've made themselves available for discussion and interviews even though most folks choose to still gossip and not ask them directly. They've also paid for a lot of other people’s time, who should really be footing their own bill.
Whereas the opposition has played the you're wrong card, you cheated, you're deceitful, you're lying, you're sneaky, you're not pro environment, my family doesn't want our paradise to change, you didn't follow Town policy and on and on.
What you didn't want us to know is what those of us, who do not have a sentimental or financial attachment to this mess, have known for a long time... these things are all bogus. Nothing put ploys and delay tactics. In the early days of this mess, you all said you were "stake holders" with the ABA. Most folks who have a “stake” in a companies success want to see that company succeed, they don't normally do all they can to help that company fail, which is what you homeowners and other opposed have done. You said you wanted “development done right” It appears that they have done this right. Just because it’s not the way you want it and not how you would have done it, doesn’t make it wrong. Although, I can’t help but wonder if you had been in the ABA’s position, if you wouldn’t have done things just as they did as they relate to the development and planning process.
We feel your side is the guilty part to this whole mess! Ken mismanaged this from the beginning.
Nuts to you!
Smart Growth says before starting something like what has happened at ABA/GLCC the leader needs to contact the neighbors and let them know what they are considering. Ken never did that, infact he kept the plans hidden in his office and the neighbors had to learn about the Develpment by reading it in the Milw newspaper. Very poor mgt. from the start!
You can either be Pro-active about the environment and development planning or retro-active- in which case you'll always be behind- trying to recover, repair, and restore lost resources. Ultimately, retro-active costs a community more.
Building and Zoning municipality board members-everywhere- will tell you; they've seen everything and anything when it comes to developers. A contract or "their word" is not necessarily the way it’s going to go. Sorry to sound so suspicious, bordering on paranoid, but experience has shown, and this local case is no exception, developers need to be held accountable, watched, and guided with community concern.
The "forgetting" to notify the DNR simply shows the tendency toward carelessness and arrogance this group has demonstrated and initiated credibility questions.
Brooklyn should be ready to be in the driver’s seat on this one, require details, reports and studies- check them, work together, and hopefully a good, fair economic-ecologic development will occur.
uhh, lets hope the County can drive these guys home and call it a bad night-
What exactly is the status of the ETJ ... is the boundary drawn or is it simply 1 1/2 mile distance from city?
the city Council Members are idiot's
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