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- Chief Highknocker
- You aren't local until you have at least three generations in the cemetery.
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36 comments:
I was sorry to read Michelle Polzer isn't going to run again for City Council. She's done alot for this area. Someone needs to step up and run for her spot.
Someone is going to step up and run for her spot. Here is a hint, he is a short Italian ex-mayor.
There is your topic, discuss!!!!!!
If Joe Parise is going to run for Polzer's spot that is a good thing. We haven't had much progress in the city since he left as mayor. We need someone with ideas to fill our vacant store fronts. Did you know tomorrow is Mill Street Junction's last day. Holly is closing the shop and the bank is taking her business, inventory and her car? How sad! What is our current mayor proposing as a solution for this situation?
Why should the current mayor propose a solution to a business failure that has been a long time coming? In case you haven't heard the news, the economy is very bad right now. I have heard that the main reason that other businesses have not located in Green Lake was because of Holly. Maybe now there will be hope for new retail growth in Green Lake. However, having 4 realtors in a one block stretch will never be conducive to having a successful downtown shopping district. Since we can't force these realtors out of their offices, I don't see what solution will ever be found to remedy our ailing downtown.
Can you really blame Chuck Mirr for lack of progress in Green Lake, as he has only been mayor for 8 months or so? He dealt with the flooding and FEMA, did he do an okay job with that? I thought that Joe Parise was a good mayor until Lindenwood baited him with that stupid annexation proposal and he fell prey to their manipulative scheme.
We do need people to step up and contribute their time and talents to helping our community. What we really need are some responsible, common sense folks to run for school board so we can save our school from an otherwise certain destruction.
The public works director handled the flood issues along with Bill Wagner and Donna Moore was the city representative with FEMA. She also handled the budget. Mayor Mirr did not handle anything with these items. Can you really find out what he personally has done other than tree lighting and riding in parades?
Why can't the mayor and the chamber come up with an incentive to bring businesses to the city. How about using some of that 2 percent increase in room tax the chamber received? Could the owners of the downtown buildings perhaps lower rent? Lets get some ideas going to help them!
The empty stores that adorn downtown Green Lake are not getting any rent at all, with no hope in site. Why not offer 1 year free rent with a fair lease agreement after that. That would help any new business get established.
Maybe we should allow street vendors through out the summer. Why not? It would help GL to have a more touristy image. It could be anything from a hot-dog stand to hand-made crafts.
Is anyone running against Mike Wuest for Brooklyn Town Board Chairman?
If a community is sustainable for the residents it will be a economically healthy community. we must do a better job. now is the time for COOPERATION.
an economic summit should be facilitated by the uwext. and the tricounty economic development coordinator, Bill Wheeler. EVERYONE should be asked to bring their ideas to the table and a plan of action MUST take place. Other communities are offering city grant monies or helping new business seek SBA loans. if a positive focus on the future is kept at all times it can succeed.
Green Lake's downtown needs a major face lift. As it is now, it makes a very sad "before" picture. As downtowns in small towns go, it is not very attractive or charming.
Start by changing the welfare apartments on the corner of Mill and South into condos. As long as that facility is operational, downtown Green Lake's retail area is doomed. Some of you might think that is harsh or judgmental, but I don't mean it to be. The residents of that building are not the sort that contribute to societies retail success. The half empty courthouse issue will also have to be addressed, a huge white elephant with a list of unlikely possibilities. Having the real estate and title companies move their businesses is also unlikely. The raised sidewalk on Mill street will never be remedied.
In short, there is absolutely no hope for downtown Green Lake unless some very rich people decide to invest in a dream. And I rather doubt that that will ever happen.
What Green Lake needs are some stores. We need stores with unique and appealing items for tourists and stores with practical items for locals. It seems like stores in Green Lake are doomed though. Hats off to anyone who can come up with ideas for stores in Green Lake.
Perhaps it is time to forget retail stores and get some other businesses in those areas. How about a bakery, CPA/tax service, lawyers, shoe repair/cleaners, laundramat, etc? Places and services we all use.
Perhaps we could ASK some of the previous store owners, what do they think about the problems? What would it have taken to keep your store open? What help did you need from the Chamber and the City and the residents?
Analyze what went wrong then work out a scheme to fix it.
Services would be fine as long as they were the type that people used on a regular basis, like a bakery or laundromat. What GL does not need are more "offices" downtown, like lawyers or CPAs. Offices are not going to bring tourism to Green Lake and would be used infrequently by locals. How often do you need a lawyer? Most people only need a lawyer several times in their lives.
A health food store would be nice to have here. A sidewalk cafe in the spring/summer/fall months would do a lot to add appeal to this place. Many locals and tourists are crazy their pets, how about a pet supply and grooming facility? We have to go to Ripon to buy quality dog food. For that matter, we could use a good boarding kennel but of course that should not be downtown. Just a few ideas...
pretty city campaign. flowers , music, art enjoyed by all gives a great boost to the self image of the city . when people see activity they will want to join. biking, walking historical tours. expand the farmers and flea market. (yes we can have one too) the steps on mill street can be made more attractive and more usable .
I'm all for the Bakery. But it should be a Pastry Shoppe. We have some great bakers in this community,if they put their talents together would be a huge success. People think big is better, start small and expand as you grow. A quaint Shoppe is the best way to start. Keep Green Lake simple, get back to basics for awhile and "grow" from there. Things aren't going to change over night, if the right people get involved we will survive. It's time to step up to the challenge and start over. It will take time and patience, that's pretty much all the city has left. If you're out there and ready for change the time is now.
WOW...what novel new ideas we are hearing for the first time here! Where have you people been?? Downtown..what Downtown?? Help with rent? free rent? cooperation among other agencies? get people involved? meet together and talk about fresh new ideas?
WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU PEOPLE BEEN??
Where were you for the last two years for all the meetings at Thrashers, Nortons and City Hall?
These meetings received heavy press in the papers and on this blog.
REMEMBER ??
Remember all the people involved with fresh new ideas, new energy and BRAINS? What has happened since then? Absolutely nothing as usual in Green Lake. Two years has gone by and absolutely nothing has happened. Read many past blog postings including some as recent as last month. This town is DEAD !!
Wait for a couple years for the real estate market to stabilize, sell your property and "get the hell out". All of the bright, energetic and smart people have lost interest due to our unwillingness to accept any change. The past mayoral election has set Green Lake back 20 years.
Talk about as many stores and businesses as you want. The fact is, they will not come. Not because of high rent, but because there is no way to support any business in this town "as-is". Talk to anyone who owns a business here and ask them how it is going?
One thing is for sure, I'am really glad we never became another Lake Geneva!
The whole help with rent, free rent idea stinks. That only attracts people that can't afford to be in business, period. What the city needs are educated, fiscally responsable people that have a sound business plan and means to live on. You can not expect to open any business and expect to draw income immediatly, that's what got some of these people into trouble. Outside dining or coffee sipping on a Sunday morning reading the paper in a "Resort Town" are a must. Those ordinances need to be addressed as well, outside concerts at local Restaurants too. This generates $$ for all, people will come and stick around. Re-open x-country skiing, we have the snow. The generation we must target are family friendly/pet friendly 30/40 somethings. We have the green space for marketing bicycling, kayaking, etc.. These people spend $$. Get the right people on board in the City Counsel and downtown development commity.
I disagree with 4:07 on the issue of free rent. For one thing, a year of free rent would attract businesses to Green Lake. A year of free rent would also give a new small business a better chance to get established and succeed. It's not a matter of whether they can afford to be in business or not. The statistics on new business failure are grim. If a simple thing like a year of free rent would be catalyst then it is worth a try. Besides, those storefronts are sitting empty with no rent anyway. While "educated, fiscally responsible" people are certainly the ideal, attracting those types of people to opening a business in dying Green Lake is the trick.
If I were one of those "educated, fiscally responsible" people, I would not want to open my new business in Green Lake! My smart brain would say to myself, what the hell are you thinking? My family owned a small business in a small town many years ago. The overhead costs really add up. Rent,heat and electricity, water bill, insurance, advertising, etc. Then you have to purchase your inventory. You need a computer and a cash register. Just to break even you need to make quite a few dollars. Then you hope you make any kind of profit to justify putting gas in your car and driving to work. Food service is even riskier because food has a very limited life.
In Green Lake, summers are obviously the time to make money so that you can hopefully survive the winter. But the problem with Green Lake is that it is not the cute, trendy, classy resort town that it thinks it is. While there is big money on the lake, the city itself barely qualifies as middle class. Downtown lacks any kind of small town, downtown appeal. If downtown wants to succeed and thrive, it needs a major face lift. Many of the store fronts are tacky and outdated. There is no cohesive "look" like most resort towns have. The painting of the soldier is really sad. The pink building is disgusting. Even the post office is ugly. We don't really think about these things because we live here and they look normal to us.
Many Wisconsin downtowns are failing, we are not unique in that. Some of them are revitalizing downtown by restoring the old building fronts and adopting conforming signs and colors. They have removed old sidewalks and put in brick edging, benches, etc. Maybe if Green Lake looked more like Cedarburg or Minocqua it would have a fighting chance at attracting new businesses. There is so much potential here, with the lake and the parks, it could really be beautiful but the CITY needs to be the one to get the ball rolling and invest in it's own future.
4:07 is right about the rest of it, though. Market the "green" in Green Lake. The new bike paths will be wonderful for everyone. This whole "green" consciousness is just beginning and it our future.
How is that little organic coffee shop doing?...why don't we all get off our lazy butts and go buy a coffee 3 times a week, then maybe he'll expand his business in the spring
'fine as long as they were the type that people used on a regular basis, like a bakery or laundromat"
Jesus Christ and God help us. Downtown Green Lake needs a laundromat.
Actually, Green Lake could use a small, clean laundromat. Sorry if that does not meet with your snobby approval. FYI tourists do have laundry. Often times, local residents do, too. When our washing machine was on the fritz, we had to go to Ripon to do laundry. In general, they are profitable businesses. So are car washes, and now Green Lake has one of those.
Folks on this blog have been tossing around ideas and sharing their concerns. You needn't get your undies in a bundle! (that is a laundry joke)
So, what you are saying is that you REALLY want a laundromat in downtown GL.
All the ideas for quaint little art stores, bakeries and cafes are too stupid. We need a laundromat.
Gosh you are dense. I am not saying that Green Lake NEEDS a laundromat. If you look at the original context of the statement, it was referring to service businesses that would be used on a regular basis. And IF there was a laundromat, it would not have to be in a prime, downtown storefront. Did something bad happen to you in a laundromat or what?
The problem with the organic coffee shop is that it is set back from the street and also they have a really crude sign. It looks like a 3rd grader made it. I don't ever buy coffee from a coffee shop, as I drink it at home in the early morning in my pajamas. But other people do buy coffee, and I wish the new business all the success. If they have good sandwiches, they should do fine in the summer. After all, people seem to love the overpriced sub sandwiches at the sub shop. For what they charge for one sandwich I could feed my whole family for a day. Most tourists don't care if they spend $10 on a sandwich, I suppose.
Speaking of crude signs, who made that new Green Lake sign on Hwy. A by the new clinic? It is truly garish. The blue water is entirely the wrong color. In case you didn't notice, this is not the Caribbean. Lakes in Wisconsin are GREEN, not blue. The sign says Green Lake but then the water is bright, bright blue. I hope the city didn't pay someone to make that gaudy piece of work.
you're complaining about gaudy signs then you say you want a fricken laundromat!
"Roll up - Roll Up - Knickers cleaned only 2 bucks a pair, skids 'n all"
Gimme a break.
As I stated in an earlier blog;
WE are the problem, no one else. Lets stop blaming the Mayors, the Chamber, People from IL. and Everyone else we can think of. Why don't we all stop bitching, get a life, and get involved. If you don't like whats going on, get involved. Run for city council, run for Mayor, run for the County Board, just do something!! Make a diiference, or at least try. We need to stop looking everywhere else except in the mirror. WE ARE THE PROBLEM. These are the facts whether you want to admit it or not, denial is not the answer;
GREEN LAKE LACKS TRUE LEADERSHIP and VISION from the county, township, city, chamber and school district. Most elected people try hard,are nice people and their heart is in the right place however they are not effective. Whether we believe it or not Green Lake is dying, maybe even dead for good. It may already be too late to revive her. We all want to hate the tourists and people from IL. however they are paying the freight in this area. Why would they want to continue coming here? What is here to keep young families coming back time & time again? Everytime a new idea is floated about what do we do? Shoot it down! "We don't want to change", "We hate change", "We don't want to become Lake Geneva", "That idea won't work", "We've tried that before", "What if", "What if"!!! We want a strong downtown again, but we didn't support what was here then or now. How do we expect any business to make here? We bitch about little things like Little Corporal and how overpriced some businesses are, however we don't support them the way we should. Several groups volunteered hundreds of hours putting together reports and ideas for helping downtown, what did WE do? Totally blew it off hoping the problem would solve itself. As previously listed Green Lake needs PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE to Run and Help our community. We need a Mayor that knows SUCCESSFUL business models and begin to run this city like a business. We need a Chamber director that has past/strong MARKETING experience. We need leaders that are not afraid to make positive changes that affect the ENTIRE community. Not leaders that shoot things down because a select few do not want change. Face it people, CHANGE is a fact of life, CHANGE if done correctly is good. If we do not change we will not survive. Green Lake may never recover to where we were 20 years ago. We are a small town that can't get out of our own way. We deserve better than this. Throw the bums out and lets get moving! There are alot of talented people here that have great ideas and love this town as much as we do. Lets listen to them, act on some of their ideas and see what happens. What have we got to lose?
Mike BEER DOG Bierman for Mayor !
Continuing in the spirit of Chief Ballknockers post.
A couple years ago the two ladies from the financial business on Mill St. organized 'Open Porch' meetings, where the leading lights of the community could meet the people face to face in a casual, informal setting.
The Mayor attended one of the early meetings as did Dusty Walker.
Why not select a representative from this Blog, and request a similar open-forum meeting to be held regularly between the top City and Chamber officials and our Blog representative. Our representative would present the opinions collected here, receive input from the officials and report the content of the meeting back here at the blog. Of course, we would encourage people to be present in person at the meeting, but at the very worst case we would have one representative able to speak for many.
We (as a blog community) could put forth ideas for discussion, and create an agenda for change.
We might also send a transcript of the meeting to the local press, for public record, or even have a reporter present at the meet.
It's funny having come from a corporate background how often one would engage in a verbal conversation with peers, make agreements for action, only to find that nothing was ever done. As soon as the conversation was documented in writing, and issued to the peer group, the commitments made at the meeting would miraculously be followed through.
If taken seriously, this could be the first step to making the changes needed to improve Green Lake.
If anyone is interested enough, lets start a dialogue to see how we can tweak this idea and make it work.
Or not :)
GROT Bums
Chief Ballknocker makes good points above. People are in fear of change. They "don't want to become like lake geneva"...that's fine, no one does.
Here's the irony behind that statement - Green Lake needed to change just to stay the same! WTF I hear you say!!
Wind the clock back 15 years to when GL was prospering....that's how we wanted it to stay. No bigger, no better, NOT like the Dells or Geneva, just how it was back then with perhaps a little more commerce and non-retail employment thrown into the mix. For any business to stay the same it needs to grow its revenue by at least 5% a year....just to stay where it is. Green Lake didn't do that, it's revenue contracted and while that was happening we all stood around and watched. Now to get us back to where we were 15 years ago is going to need a lot more CHANGE and hard work than would have been needed had we just watched the books and maintained our position through moderate development and growth and the types of strategic initiatives that our competitors for the tourist dollar have been making while we sat back and watched(dells/door).
There's one thing for certain, if people don't wake up to these issues, recognize what we're doing wrong, and make changes to address the imbalance, then you can strike this place off the map and just detour everyone to Wisconsin Dells.
i read that last post somewhere else on this blog site....you just copied and pasted it from someone else ??
For years I have heard, we don't want Green Lake to be like other tourist spots, especially Lake Geneva or the Dells. We don't want water parks, we don't want a Pirates cove mini golf, we don't want exciting fun things for families to do. Heck you wouldn't even let a gas station go in because it wanted to have a Subway sub shop... why, because we have one that's open maybe two months of the year? Now there was a swift move, I so love the vacant lot look, Gee, it anchors our downtown area now. It does make for nice parking for 4th of July and Fall festival events.
Instead, we want to be a sleepy little hamlet with some nice golf courses and restaurants that few folks can afford to eat in. Well you know what, everything you wished for you got, and everything else, or lack of it, that comes along with it. And now you think you're going to revitalize the downtown... Good Luck with that!
The Jan 06 5.50pm post is the best so far...makes complete sense. I think the get rid of the bums guy posted that somewhere else aready...what gives here?
try and try again. ever so often new people come out to get involved and if they are met with rude, critical, negative people they go home and worst yet they move. thanks to the positive ideas being put forth there is hope.
"POSITIVE ENERGY CREATES FORWARD MOTION." good things can happen. wait until spring and watch all the bicycles .
Change is a commitment to be forward thinking. Opening a small business is a commitment, it must be your passion. In a "resort Town" you will need to make sacrifices by working weekends, nights and Holidays. So must the change come for Green Lake, a passion for the future success and open minds to the future. I'll go on my own and promote the Green i Green Lake because that's all we have to offer. Watch and see.
They announced the new candidates for school board in the paper this week. It seems there will be a primary to narrow down the selection.
I hope that the local papers do a good job in interviewing the new candidates so that we can all get a firm idea on who they are and what their intentions are. We need to get rid of the current administration, and I want to know exactly who is for this and who is not.
Can some one set a time and place to meet? On a Saturday or Sunday, or maybe two meetings during the week one in the AM and another in the PM for those not able to attend the AM. Get the ball rolling....
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