I received the following press release from a reader.
These women seem to be covering the same downtown issues as the Ad Hoc committee currently called the Green Lake Organization. The Ad Hoc committee met regularly for a couple of years and are the current sponsors of the Soccer Camp this summer. What I think the women are in the press release are doing is a laudable effort but they might want to check at the library for the Ad Hoc Committee report and see what ground has been covered. This effort seems as though it might be redundant. This may be a reason things don't always get done here. Just more committees. If Mary Rowley is running for city office she should be aware of things like the Ad Hoc Committee currently the Green Lake Committee. It was a pretty big thing in the paper for a while and the current members of the Ad Hod committee are listed on the soccer camp posting.
Green Lake, WI – March 20, 2009
A new group has recently formed in Green Lake called the Downtown Green Lake Renewal Project Inc. Mary-Jo Johnson of the McConnell Inn, Mary Rowley of the Goose Blind and Jo Ellen Madden, neighbor and Green Lake homeowner met out of concern for the health of our downtown. They are neighborhood friends who have a passion for the community and want to see Green Lake thrive as it once had.
Their initial step was to read and discuss the book Boomtown USA, 7½ Keys to Big Success in Small Towns written by Jack Schultz. Using this as a springboard they have established the Downtown Green Lake Renewal Project Inc. and have 501(c)3 status to accept tax-free donations. Their mission statement is “Working towards the revitalization of downtown Green.”
It is their intention to assess and build on the strengths of Green Lake by adopting a can-do attitude, leverage local resources, and encouraging an entrepreneurial attitude. The first thing the Renewal Project team is doing is surveying Green Lake High School alumni for their opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of Green Lake. This is one of the components of the 7½ Keys in making Green Lake a successful small town.
“This town is a fabulous place in which to raise children and run a business. We hope to use the natural resource of beautiful Green Lake to boost the economy of our downtown which in turn will help keep our schools thriving,” Mary-Jo Johnson said.
As a downtown business owner, Mary Rowley has been hosting Webinars on revitalizing Wisconsin’s downtowns put on by the UW-Extension. “I am excited for the opportunity to create an atmosphere and culture for positive change for the Green Lake downtown. Through our Renewal Project we will be encouraging broad community collaboration. As we all know, it takes a village.”
As stated in Boomtown USA “Small towns are more exciting places to live in than big cities. More is at stake each day and each citizen plays a part. EVERYONE makes a difference in some way. And no matter what their individual talents, ideas, or capabilities, all citizens can contribute a CAN-DO attitude.”
“I grew up in a small town similar to Green Lake and my family has been visiting Green Lake for 18 years from Chicago. It is so refreshing to return to the simple pleasures of small town living and becoming part of a wonderful community. I appreciate all that Green Lake has to offer!” exclaimed Jo Ellen Madden.
Together these three women are dedicated to working towards the revitalization of downtown Green Lake. If you are interested in contacting the team, please email them at greenlakerenewal@gmail.com or drop them a note to PO Box 302 Green Lake WI 54941.
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3 months ago
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More of the same it sounds like. Where has Mary Rowley and Mary Jo Johnson been for the last 10 years? I have not seen them involved, other than the band shell issue.
There have been dozens of meetings by the chamber, city, ad hoc committees and town hall meetings. Was all of this past work for not? We did not take any of the suggestions or actions back then when the economy was good. What makes us think it will work now? Its the same old song and dance, only the names change.
In order to make an effective change we need a combination of fresh attitudes and commitment from local residents, attractions to bring people here (not just a quaint downtown) and finally CASH, CASH, CASH. Maybe the Chicago people on this board can bring bags of CASH. This effort is an uphill battle at best and will take more than a can-do attitude. Boom Town USA is written about and for towns that want change. We are afraid of any change.
You all and the chief don't understand. All the attempts in the past have done nothing- and now more qualified people are trying to get something done. Good for them. All those groups from the past were nothing but clicks, and suck-ups with excuses to get together and have cocktails and blow off expenses.You mark my word on this date that this group will finally get something done.
This is downright nonsense. It's a political ploy by Rowley to grab attention before the election. How convenient that she announces this effort a week after signing on as a write in candidate. It's a slap in the face to the GLO, which has been trying for years to do the same thing.
G L O is a clique! As for other organizations, they are met with resistance from the City. CHANGE in the Council is what's needed!!! New pro-active bodies. The future depends on open minds to work together. Earth movers that are not afraid to hear the word "no". If they hear "no", they work harder to get the yes. WORK:(werk) the action or labor required to accomplish something.
Labor:(v)to progress with great effort.
Hats off to anyone working to improve Green Lake. Why be so negative?
I agree with one of the posts above, where have been these people in the past? Why haven't they colaberated with the other groups in the past? Why have we not heard their EXACT plan for change and more important where will the money come from?
By the way, what ever happened to the famous and fantastic Friends of Green Lake?
Too many groups working for the same cause will confuse fundraising efforts.
Don't forget many intelligent business people were involved in the past. They were discouraged by the apathy and lack of involvement of the community at large. Three women (or men) cannot make change themselves. They will need an expanded board with diverse opinions and expertise. I wish them the best, but fear this is another distraction. Two years from now we will probably be discussing the same issues.
I agree with Tim however lets give them a chance to try.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could bring GL back to a healthy, thriving community. You mention the cash from the Chicago people. I find that interesting because so many local folks have resented them and said so many nasty things to and about them. WHY would they even want to come into GL when they have been so unappreciated? Many of them cared about GL and are fed up with the attitudes they have encounterd. This seems sad to me.
I'd like to join this new group. How do I do that?
Mary Rowley and Mary-Jo Johnson both have a vested interest in wanting downtown Green Lake to succeed as they both have businesses that would benefit. That is fine and dandy, nothing like having good incentive. However the timing for this "press release" does seem very manipulative on the election front, with Mary Rowley running as a newly announced write-in. That won't sway my vote one way or the other, I still haven't decided who to vote for since there has not yet been an open forum or a feature in the newspaper that covers the candidates views.
One of the bloggers said it right, Green Lake is afraid of change and that has been a hindrance to any type of growth. That is a valid concern because the wrong type of growth would be a detriment to this community. For instance, cheap subdivisions and more trailer parks would be like killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Green Lake wants to be an upscale tourist destination,and it should be. It is ironic that the locals resent the wealthy Illinois people who have second homes here. I don't have a problem with them whatsoever, the ones I know are all very nice people. The sad thing is that they are the only ones who buy homes here because there are no jobs here for us regular folks. Without jobs there will be very little growth. In order to get those types of jobs we would need big businesses to locate here, and in this economy that does not seem likely. Besides, I hear that Green Lake is notorious for turning away businesses that want to settle here (thanks to certain people).
The fact is that we could have the best little downtown in the USA with the trendiest shops and the prettiest buildings and our downtown would still fail. The principles of supply and demand would pertain. There simply is not a demand for useless trinket stores and overpriced clothing shops. In order to survive, downtown needs businesses that locals will support all year long. Most of the locals are very middle-class and don't have money to blow on anything. Also, keep in mind that the trendy shops in Door County for instance are only open in the summer. We don't need those types of stores. That's why galleries have no success here.
The realtors and title offices that are plugging up the downtown storefronts are the ones who have the power for change, and their businesses are suffering in this economy. If and when the economy turns around there could be a surge of prosperity for the realtors, in which case they should really do Green Lake a favor and vacate the downtown shopping district in order to facilitate the future of retail here. I commend Mr.Conti for taking initiative to do exactly that.
Revitalizing the park by the ball-field is a good start to beautifying downtown. I've said it before and will continue to say it, the downtown buildings need CONFORMITY in order to succeed. Some restoration would also be beneficial. I would like to know where all of the candidates stand on this issue. This is what dying downtowns are doing all over the country. Green Lake has great potential, but as downtown shopping districts go in Wisconsin, ours is not especially attractive or alluring. Start with that and then find some financial incentives for people to open a business here. There are no quick fixes for Green Lake but long-term planning (and money!) will hopefully see positive changes years from now.
To yackety-yak;
You make total and complete sense!
With straight forward common sense thinking like that, YOU MUST NOT LIVE HERE!
Seems to me there are alot of individuals that have a vested interest in the success of downtown, not just Mary Jo and Mary.
All businesses in town will not prosper unless the downtown is healthy. Locals want to dismiss "out of towners' without seeing the benefit of their investment, patronage and support of local causes. I have read in several past blogs that many of them are discouraged and ready to pull the plug. This scares the hell of me and it should scare all of you.
Shame on us if we lose any of these people who have become part of our community.
For all of you that don't want change, be careful what you wish for. Its appears your wish is coming true, permanently.
I suggest that you posters need to travel to a town that has changed it's downtown. You would be very impressed with the town of St. Charles, Mo. Seems to me that Green Lake already draws thousands of people to the area. 60,000 per year at Heidel house and 60,000 per year at ABA. What do they have to draw them to the downtown? Nothing! You have to have those special shops because people like to shop. I'm talking cool stuff like a doll shop or a die-cast car shop, a bakery, a hobby shop, not enough antiques shops,(have you ever been in the parking lot at the Columbus antique mall unbelievable must be a hundred cars there all the time), old book shop and many sidewalk cafes. more than one opera type house. Add in the fact that you are already making the area bike and walker friendly will help. Shops that sell fish bait, booze, and bad brick-a -brack are not going to cut it.
What is with the Chamber of Commerce lately? Everything seems to be non-existent. I checked their website today and they are way behind the times : "The Winter Wonderland has come to Green Lake. The ice fishermen are gathering in Dartford Bay and the snowmobiles are roaring."
And you wonder why downtown Green Lake is faltering?
VOTE April 7th. This is the first step in our recovery.
The blame falls squarely on the Chamber and the City. They were warned of this train wreck years ago while they still had time to avoid it. You should look up the Board of Directors on the Chamber, this is where the problem starts. These people have put us in the position we are in. They have consistently shown poor leadership and terrible decision making. They hired an unemployed person as director with absolutely no experience whats so ever. Talk about a bail out!
I believe that their efforts are worth supporting. I believe that they will involve new ideas from participants never consulted by the other groups. Why were they not involved with the other groups? Because the other groups made it hard for an outsider to participate. I agree that the chamber should be the ones leading the way to revitalizing downtown, however it is clear they are not capeable. Kudos to those three women for at least trying.
If this is a politically motivated movement then it's a real shame that Rowley would cross that line. But lets give her the benefit of the doubt and see if there's any substance behind her 'ideas'. The only way to do that is to get on board and attend some of the meetings.
As someone who tried to run a business in Green Lake and failed, I can only say this -
The Chamber of Commerce is a joke and needs to be disbanded. If a private entity with a real vested interest in the community were to take over the Chamber's website, it could be put to excellent use as a marketing and recruitment tool for the area. Perhaps someone might suggest this to Rowley. Get the keys to the Chamber website, to their mailing and contact list, and get to work.
If this is a politically motivated movement then it's a real shame that Rowley would cross that line. But lets give her the benefit of the doubt and see if there's any substance behind her 'ideas'. The only way to do that is to get on board and attend some of the meetings.
As someone who tried to run a business in Green Lake and failed, I can only say this -
The Chamber of Commerce is a joke and needs to be disbanded. If a private entity with a real vested interest in the community were to take over the Chamber's website, it could be put to excellent use as a marketing and recruitment tool for the area. Perhaps someone might suggest this to Rowley. Get the keys to the Chamber website, to their mailing and contact list, and get to work.
The "Friends of Green Lake" were treated so badly by our city council at the time, our mayor at the time and several business owners that they gave up. They were the people with money up here and were willing to spend it!!! Some have moved, sold their houses. It is a shame. They had many of the ideas and money to back those ideas that have been mentioned in the comments posted.
The Ad Hoc committee that met due to pressure by the Friends of Green Lake made some very good ideas and presented them to the city while Joe was Mayor. Basically, none of their proposals were acted on! So sad.
"Why were they not involved with the other groups? Because the other groups made it hard for an outsider to participate."
It’ll be interesting to see if Mary Rowley, Mary-Jo Johnson and Jo Ellen Madden welcome new members to join their "group,” or if they press on as the exclusive three musketeers.
Please tell us, ladies. Are you looking for additional group members?
The Friends of Green Lake had one self serving sole agenda and that was to fight Nortons condos. They have been off the radar ever since. Did they weigh in for the Marina disaster or the Maplewood mistake? Don't fool yourself these people are still here on Forest Ave and Illinois Ave. Have they put their MONEY and talent forward for fixing downtown? Or fixing the schools? I have heard thru the grapevine, or bar vine, that a unnamed restaurant and unnamed golf course maybe taking matters into their own hands. They want to start their own mini chamber to promote themselves and others outside the area. Gee isn't that what the chamber is suppose to do? I know the people involved, they are quiet leaders who also were treated badly in the past but haven't given up!
I hear all this talk about how the Realtor's should move out of downtown to make room for other businesses - what's up with that? So they move out and then we have ALL empty storefronts downtown - won't that be pretty and uplifting!
I also hear a lot of complaining about the Chamber - but no realistic answers as to what they should be doing, just how some golf course (Lawsonia) or some restaurant owner (Norton's) could do it so much better! Yeah better for who? Everyone seems to want everything for themselves and they aren't looking at Green Lake as a whole to benefit everyone!
It sure would be refreshing to hear some good ideas and positive input once in awhile rather than the finger pointing that I read about all the time on this blog. How depressing!
Maybe if all these groups got together and got on the same page they could actually get something done rather than being so self serving and out for themselves looking to benefit their own individual agendas - why can't people share and work towards a common goal around here?
I personally think the Chamber is doing a good job of trying to get people to come here, even if there is no shopping - Green Lake has a lot to offer! If any of you saw the Discover WI premier you would realize that!
Maybe people should come to grips with the fact that it isn't just the City or the Chamber or whoever you are pointing fingers at to blame for all the problems in Green Lake... maybe all these negative attitudes within all these different groups and the community play a much bigger part in Green Lake's current situation. While you're busy pointing fingers why don't you look in the mirror!
Wow, I guess the chamber just checked in.
I agree this blogside has become very negative especially when it comes to the school. I have decided to do something about it! I am going to stop reading. If you don't like what you read maybe you should do the same "sick of it said"
Valid points are made here however. The chamber and city have done nothing since the 90's. Many groups have come and gone and no action has been taken on either side. When I was involved early on, no one was excluded. This is complete hogwash. The fact is, most people won't get involved. Meetings are held and no one shows up, no one volunteers, no one weighs in. I totally agree that the negative must stop. However in order to move forward you must look at where you have been so you can avoid making the same mistakes over & over.
In order to create any change this town needs STRONG LEADERSHIP from the city and chamber for which we have none. Until this changes we are caught in the twilight zone. Wake me up when the blog goes positive.
P.S. why beat up on Lawsonia & Nortons? or any business for that matter.
Talk about being negative!
You misunderstood me Home Town Realtor - I'm not taking sides, just being observant. By taking sides I would be just the same as the people pointing fingers. I had heard about this blog and have been reading it a short time and I think you're right - time to stop - I agree with you... not sure who you are but you seem to have the right idea! So long.
The school administration and the school board deserve all the finger pointing that they receive, and more. If people want to believe that everything is peachy-keen up at school, then hooray for them. Until I see the types of changes that our school needs in order to survive and thrive, I will continue to point fingers mercilessly. Maybe, just maybe, there will start to be accountability in the school administration as a result. But I doubt it. And I am not alone.
Maybe this new group could help revitalize the credibility of the GL School District.
Whatever happened to the school Administration and a few Board members wanting to buy the Sunnyside land?
Reabe and company bought the Sunnyside outright.
They plan to build a charter school for young Republicans.
I think someone should buy up the old Hinky Dinks lot and build a Pirates Cove type mini golf course and a go-kart track. That would bring employment opportunites to GL and draw people in from around the area. Something "fun" to do in this town that doesn't involve a boat or a set of real golf clubs.
Re: Hinky Dinks, the mini-golf sounds like a cheezy idea to me (sorry, nothing personal). I don't think it would be profitable anyway. Go cart tracks are noisy and high-risk, the insurance alone would be prohibitive. It's a nice piece of land, though. It ought to be used for something. What if all the ice shanties in town and the RV's, campers, the snowmobiles and other recreational vehicles that are parked in people's front yards (against city ordinance) were parked there? At least all the unsightly mess would be in one place.
After reading the article in the Green Lake Reporter about the Downtown Green Lake Renewal Project, I can only wish this group well. What do we have to lose? (not much left to lose, that's for sure!)
Because others have tried and failed does not mean that everyone should quit trying. Other groups, such as the chamber, city and ad-hoc committees might have the same goals in mind but I see nothing wrong with having separate groups working toward the same goals. After all, change is not going to happen all at once, but in small increments. Everyone can do their part, and of course some cohesiveness will be necessary to work together. But the chamber's focus is more on festivals and promotion, we need others to focus on making the changes necessary for the physical downtown (buildings, signs, parks, streets, sidewalks etc) to be transformed into an attractive shopping district. I think this is a good part of what the Downtown Green Lake Renewal Project has in mind.
To blame the Chamber of Commerce for the failure of our downtown simply is not fair. That would be like blaming the Police Department for crime. Yes, the chamber has tried and failed and they could have done many things better. There are many factors that have contributed to downtown's demise. Green Lake is at least a decade behind the times, and it shows. Our chamber has even tried to use that as a marketing tool, with their horrible logo and slogan "rediscover simple pleasures". It is simply putrid! I can't believe that the chamber paid a Chicago firm for this pea-green puke that they use to try to attract tourists. They should get their money back. Yet to blame them for business failures truly is not fair. The shops in this town have no idea what is current. Go to a "real" tourist town and you will see what I mean. Sure, we can still have "simple pleasures" but at least get in the current decade. The constant resistance to change has been a huge hindrance to Green Lake.
Green Lake's downtown needs an extreme makeover, and I hope that this new group has the energy and resources to effect the necessary changes. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. My spouse and I are thinking of joining their effort because we believe that the DGLRP has the right energy and vision. Everyone CAN make a difference.
Someone asked a question on here recently, if you didn't live here in Green Lake, would you come here on vacation?
The other day I was driving through town and decided to take a "first look" at downtown Green Lake, as if I had never seen it before. It was a very effective little exercise, you should try it yourself.
The answer to the question is: NO!
It's interesting that this "new group" is not accepting new members, according to the newspaper. What is this, junior high? I thought the idea was to cooperate.
You mean to tell me these women are not going to accept new group members? That's ridiculous!!
I read the article about the new Downtown Renewal project twice, and did not read any words to the effect that they were not accepting new people into the group.
At one point it says "we will be encouraging broad community collaboration". The ending paragraph says "if you are interested in contacting the team, please email them at greenlakerenewal@gmail.com or drop them a note to P.O. Box 302, Green Lake, WI 54941.
So were do you interpret this newspaper story to say that they are not accepting any help?
Obviously you didn't read the story in the Ripon paper. It includes much more detail. See paragraph 3 in particular.
Thank you, I will get a copy of the Ripon paper and read it.
You've got to be kidding me (read with mock surprise). A story specific to Green Lake that doesn't have all the (important) information! I guess someone must have "leaked" all of the pertinent details to the Ripon paper so they were able to get it right.
I honestly cannot blame this group for not accepting new people yet. Give these ladies some credit. They have a plan and a positive direction. I'm sure when they are ready, they will work with the people that they choose and not the other way around. This makes sense to me! There really is nothing to lose, so don't be so critical and let's see what happens.
Yes, these ladies are perfectly willing to cooperate. Just as long as nobody asks to join them. Maybe their slogan could be, “Give money to the Downtown Green Lake Renewal Project. We want your money but not your assistance.”
What part of "don't be so critical" don't you understand?? Perfect example here. Three intelligent people with focus and drive can accomplish a lot more than 3 intelligent people with a bunch of brain-dead "helpers" trying to run the show. Let them do what it is they are doing, and when they find someone who is qualified to assist them in a specific manner, then I am sure they will extend an invitation to do so. Grow up and quit acting like this is a grade school clique. Too many cooks spoil the soup. In case you can't figure that out, it is an analogy. If you don't know what an analogy is, then look it up in a dictionary.
Seems to me you're the one acting like a grade-school clique, not letting anyone else into your club so you can take the credit. Don't expect a cent out of me if that's your attitude.
Tell us: If no one else can join at this time, why was it necessary to splash the announcement all over the newspapers, conveniently one week after Mary Rowley filed to run for City Council?
Way to abuse a free news release to stay in the limelight.
In case you don't know, we already have two organizations that work to do the same thing you claim you can do better: the GLO and the Green Lake Chamber. What's your beef with them, anyway?
Let me set this straight right now. I am the one who wrote the blog that you are in criticism of. I am NOT one of the ladies who are starting up the Downtown Renewal Project. I simply stood up for them. I have met two of them, and in no way did I mean to represent their group on this blog.
In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with having more than one group working on the same common cause. Sometimes this is truly more effective. Even Christ's teaching support this, in that we are all different parts of the same body. (Romans 12: 3-5)
What are you so angry about? That someone might actually accomplish something and not just talk about it? Give them a chance. Like I said, there really is nothing to lose at this point!
You’re absolutely right - there’s nothing wrong with multiple groups working toward the same goal. But you still haven’t answered my question about why this new “group” announced itself the week after Mary Rowley filed for City Council. Coincidence, or a carefully timed free advertisement?
If these women are interested in saving Green Lake’s downtown, but don’t want anyone else’s help, then perhaps they should keep their shameless self-promotion out of the newspaper. If they aren’t looking for new members or assistance at this point, then there was no point in their submitted article except to grab attention and subtly thumb their noses at the GLO and Chamber.
I don’t see how Jesus’ teachings relate to three women who are seeking recognition for starting an exclusive “Save Green Lake” club. Whatever happened to volunteering for a good cause without needing a “me” parade? Harry Houdini used to say “When you do a good deed, you don’t bring along a brass band.”
There you go. What better person to quote on blatant showmanship than Harry Houdini. If you don't believe Harry wasn't one of the best at self-promotion then David Hannum was correct in his assertion "There's a sucker born every minute" (no it wasn't PT Barnum).
Why shouldn't there be free publicity for this group or any group working for something positive. Just because Mary Rowley is part of the group, AND she is running for elected office everyone jumps her back. Get over it..this is a time tested and true philosophy. It happens all the time. Right, wrong or indifferent, media darlings get things done.
I don't believe Mary Jo Johnson is looking for anything out of this other than making GL a more desirable tourist destination and of course she has a vested interest. Jo Ellen Madden isn't running for any office and she is a part of the group. Perhaps they are part of some evil plot to steal publicity away from all of the other groups promoting "forward thinking" in this city.
Come on everyone...WE ALL HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN GREEN LAKE. Even if you don't own a restaurant/bar; business; etc., this is a good thing for the area. Don't make it something that it isn't. Let's look for something, whatever that may be, which will help all of us in the long run.
Free publicity is fine, I suppose. We're talking about a small community and hometown newspapers. However, it's an obvious scan to promote some new do-gooder club when the organizer isn't accepting new members and is running for political office.
You're right. Let's form a lynch mob and storm the Goose Blind. Perhaps if we are all big enough horses-behinds we can run one of the few successful businesses out of town. Shame on you for caring Mary Rowley. You are nothing more than a successful businesswoman who cares for the community and attempts to involve herself in public issues. How dare you!
You've got my vote...with or without your blatant publicity grab you naughty person.
I saw a vision of Mary in my toast this morning. My bathtub garden statue is crying for Green Lake. Get out and vote on Tuesday.
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