The sign ordinance would seem to be one of the simple reasons we don't have any business in this town. It is not business friendly on many levels and now they want to make it worse. In this weeks paper Robin Wallenfang says "we don't want to be the sign Nazis. We simply want to see it enforced." Like sign Nazis. We barely have any business as it is but the city will make sure what we do have won't want to stay.
As I understand it 70% of the business in town are not in compliance. Robin seem to think we are becoming Wisconsin Dells. I wish we were even close to their problems with signs.
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3 months ago
64 comments:
Really Robin? Which signs are obnoxiously out of code? The only one that springs to mind is the sign that Tuscumbia has out on south street. It violates any kind of common sense that one can think of. It's almost illegible because of the color choices during the day. 80% of it is an advertisement for their condos, hope you weren't looking for the golf course entrance. It blinds you going up or down the street at night with the way the lights are positioned with the open bottom. Worst sign design/application in the city, bar none. Their sign on Illinois Ave. though is brilliant.
I really like the sign that the owners of the subway put up. It's unique for a subway, but is still instantly able to be identified as such, while blending in nicely with the feel of the city. Kudos to them. I'm sure it meets code too.
If the city was following code, the city inspector would have shot all these nonconforming signs down when the applications to put them up were put in. Maybe Robin needs to be worried about the city itself, not the business owners, who probably looked at the mess that is the sign ordinance, and said f@#$ it.
You can find it here: http://www.cityofgreenlake.com/citygl/FileLib/MUNICIPALCODETITLES13.pdf
Whoops, it didn't paste right...
http://www.cityofgreenlake.com/citygl/FileLib/MUNICIPALCODETITLES13.pdf
Ha, it truncates when pasted. Just google for city of green lake wi ordinance. It comes up as the first hit for me.
what about the signs that make this city a joke. Jethro, get me a big piece of plywood and put writin on it. Gooseblind- Friday fish auce- paint a big picture of a Corpel wip big lips. This is what makes green lake so retarded.
I think that there should be some limitations as far as size, color, etc. Having no sign ordinance leaves us vulnerable to hideous atrocities. Also, the colors of the downtown buildings should be within a certain color scheme so that you don't end up with pukey pink buildings. Other cities do this with excellent results. The problem with Green Lake is that nobody enforces the rules if we do have them. Enforcing a sign ordinance should not be that difficult.
The sign ordinance is why we don't have business downtown??? Common Chief, you need to think a little more before you postulate.
Here are some real reasons: traffic is down, the economy is bad, rents are high, half the homes in town are not owner occupied, tastes are changing. We are at the low end of a business cycle in Green Lake, but with some promising signs of growth now. I am hopeful.
The sign ordinance is just one thing the city government has to attend to. If somebody put up something REALLY gross and there was no ordinance, the city would catch it for not doing their duty. Is it going to be hard to work it out and will some be people be mad? Yes, that's governing.
I agree with a previous post that enforcement of local rules and codes is nonexistent. And also agree that setting some standards for a harmonious look would serve the community well.
Regarding ordinances in Green Lake, we were told 2 years ago by a former longtime council woman that due to a city ordinance Hinky Dinks was going to be torn down in 2 months if the absentee owner did not make major repairs. It is still a most unwelcome sight and first impression for visitors coming into "Beautiful Green Lake".
I believe I said one of the reasons.
Robin and her ideas on the sign ordinance! Did you hear what happened at last nights council meeting. Mary, Robin and Diane voted a 9 percent raise for the city mangement staff because they DESERVED IT. What about what this city can afford! This is so out of sight! Joe and Don voted against it. Be careful who our next Mayor will be..... WATCH YOUR TAX BILL FOR 2011.
9% raise - HOLY SH_T! I am praying I'll keep my job at any cost for the next year. I thought all the management got a $2000 bonus last year because they deserved it. I also thought "management" was being "taken care" of by allowing a city owned home, overlooking the lake to use each year for just about free . When will the insanity of this town end? Until everyone in this town wakes up we're screwed. We need a power enema in city government and school leadership NOW! Shame on us if we allow this crap to continue! As someone posted earlier; we need to throw the BUMS out, period
Amen Mr.Governor. Once your retired you should run for mayor. We have your style of politics in place.
I did'nt know the city owned a house. Since when? And who lives in it? How much? Why is the city in the business of renting out homes? or is it just overflow from the Keipe Hotel?
City management staff deserved a 9% increase? Are we talking about the same staff that still lives in the 1970's and can't even figure out how to directly deposit paychecks???
Yes, we need a new mayor! AND new council-people! There should be an intelligence test that candidates must to pass in order to qualify.
And the pay raises have just what to do with the sign ordinance issue?
Sometimes people talk about "other things". It's okay, really.
Any raise in these economic times is irresponsible especially from a city that is all but broke. Over 1100 Harley Davidson employees just voted to FREEZE their pay for several years. Who authorizes these decisions, who is holding them accountable? If this rumor is fact, every city resident should demand an immediate resignation from the entire city council.
I agree! They do not represent the wishes of the people who live here in Green Lake. We need competent council members, not the gals feel-good happy-times coffee click!
Please write your letter to the city council expressing your disapproval of this irresponsible increase. Interesting that Martha Janz excused herself from the vote. Mary Rowley is running the city and Chuck Mirr has failed us miserably.
My family and I will no longer be dining at the Goose Blind, ever.
Martha Janz was out of town.
As usual, a lot of blather, mlnimal facts.
Isn't she the significant other of management?
What does Mary know about running a city? She can barely run the Duck Blind. By the way are her signs in compliance.
Mary, Diane and Robin should in fact step down from their seats on the council. They have been breaking council protocol by meeting and talking outside of the council. This is not allowed, and they know it. When they show up for council meetings, they have everything pre-decided and this is NOT how city government is supposed to operate!
This vote for pay increases should be repealed immediately. Do they forget that they are representing the PEOPLE and are not to make these decisions based on their own whims and fancy.
Thank you Joe for that explanation
Thank you Joe! Most of us know Joe does not use a computer and would never post on a blog. Just be happy Joe and Don showed the good sense not to vote for that raise.
Larry...since you seem to know who is posting on the blog sight can you please find out why the city isn't putting the council meetings on the community access channel. I've heard they don't have the capacity to do so. What a crock of you know what. They could easily televise the meetings via an internet feed...it's so simple even a caveman...or Green Lake Mayor...could do it!
You could volunteer...
Sorry...I don't want to be Mayor, but thanks for asking. And yes...in this town - even a caveman could do a better job than the lumberjerk has shown! Inbred mentality will drive this town right down the crapper! Too bad, it's a nice little burg on a nice lake...has many good things to offer other than the ability and thought processes to move forward.
You could volunteer...to do the internet hookup you want so badly. I know, it's easier just to bitch.
I believe they have IT people who work for GL that would be able to do it in about 30 minutes...give me a break!
PS: I was being facetious about the mayoral position..I knew you weren't suggesting so...but then again - I think someone suggested it to Chuck and he didn't get the tongue-in-cheek joke a few years back and now look where we are!
As Monty Python once proffered: 'I'm a lumberjack and that's okay, I cut down trees and run a town all day'...right into being broke (is anyone aware of the city's financial position? HINT...you may want to look into it since we will soon be at a deficit. Thank God they gave the city folks a raise...I'm so waiting for mine to kick in at the privately held, for-profit business I work at!!)
It takes a village to raise an idiot...
Well then...if that is the criteria then Green Lake has overachieved!
people, people, can't we all just get along?
From a previous post;
Inbred mentality will drive this town right down the crapper!
really! people look around, we are in the crapper, Green Lake is waist deep in sh_t.
As for the other post saying Joe can't use a computer, don't be stupid, he's not as dumb as he looks.
Donna Moore wanted the council meetings streamed to the city web site for many years. She was in the minority. Before she left, she suggested to the council that it be put into the 2011 budget. Lets hope the present council follows thru.
If you are waiting for the Mayor to get things updated in the City, you will wait a long time. He does not ever hold city hall hours, use the computer, answer his cell phone or prepare for meetings. Most of you got what you wanted when you voted him in!
Back to signs.... Did you realize that Robin's dad has five signs for his business. Are they in compliance?
Even the signs that Robin has painted herself are not in compliance. The phone number cannot appear on a sign, yet check out the sign by the Tuk-Me-inn house across from the marina.
I want to know if Robin, Diane and Mary have resigned their seats yet. If not, why not?
Has the vote for pay increases been repealed yet? If not, why not. Let's get the ball rolling.
Can we start a petition for the recall of these three women who have breeched the conduct of the city council? We as a community should do our part to remove this group who focuses on special interests from doing any more damage to our city.
I too wondered who got a 9 percent pay raise, so I went and got a Green Lake paper and read the council news.
No one did. The city's three key employees each received a 3 percent pay raise: Steve Huber (police chief); Glen McCarty (public works director); and Barb Dugenske (clerk/treasurer).
They all work full time, not 181 days. Two of them have on-call responsibility. According to the story, the pay scale of all three is somewhat below surrounding communities.
If you think 3 percent is out of line, sign up to speak at the next council meeting and say so.
All this stuff about resigning or impeachment is nonsense—blown way out of proportion. Yes, we have to be careful about money, but we also have to be careful to keep good people. And the city looks great and seems to be running smoothly.
The women on the council hold illegal quorums, meeting and talking outside of the council meetings. This is strictly prohibited, and yet it is obvious that this is what they are doing. Instead of showing up at a council meeting to BEGIN a discussion on a topic and commence accordingly, they show up already decided on the course of action that THEY want regardless of further council input or community opinion. Their blatant disregard for established protocol is disgusting. That is why they should step down.
I personally have a problem with the fact that council member Martha Janz and City Works Director Glen McCarty are in a relationship, it is a conflict of interest for the entire community. Of course Janz was conveniently out of town and therefore refrained from voting for her boyfriends pay increase to make it "look good". This nepotism and other unacceptable behavior should not be tolerated. PERIOD.
I don't care what other towns pay their employees, it is irrelevant. We are are not in a financial position right now to be giving pay increases.
You are a malicious gossip. Shame on you!
If you want to point fingers and cast shame then do it towards the women on the city council. They are making a mockery of our city government.
Don't shoot the messenger.
Get facts straight, Janz and McCarty have not been in a relationship for months. You old codgers who commiserate every morning at the Corporal should get a life. At least now you have to sit outside due to your filthy habit - better get some insulated underwear as it's going to be cold soon.
This is one reason why the city struggles so much. I just don't think it is anyone's business if a council member is or is not dating someone. People do have a right to their privacy.
It is obvious that only one or two people post on this blog. If not there would be a lot of concerned citizens at each city council meeting. I hear that no one ever attends those meetings. So why would anyone care what is said or done.
When will Joe get the message HE is the one that community members - except his Little Corporal cronies - want off the board - due to his sexist prejudice and know-it-all attitude.
I am still not Joe and never go to the Little Corporal. There are other people in town who are concerned about how our city is being run.
Then make a formal presentation at the next council meeting, instead of trashing people anonymously and inaccurately.
That's right, show yourself Little Not-Z Joe. You cannot twist your words at the meeting.
Oh townies and city-folk...stop getting your undies in a bundle. Glen should be allowed to live in a city owned home overlooking the lake...Don't all Public Work directors get that as a perk in the cities in which they work? And it shouldn't matter that someone on the city council would be dating someone who works for the city, gets paid by the city (and lives in a subsidized house owned by the city)...Should it?
No - - everything is hunky-dory in GL and when the rainbow comes out after the next downfall let's all go to the pot-o-gold that the city has hidden away to pay for all of the recent 'improvements'.
Don't think your tax bills won't be going up soon to help pay for the Water Treatment facility, or the roads, or the new sidewalk, or the parking lot behind city hall (which by the way did NOT go to the lowest qualified bidder).
We have seen the enemy and it is us! Get a clue local yokels...your kinfolk are driving this town into economic ruin! But yes...keep Mayor Chuckles and the Coffee Klatch group in charge of our future (Now that's funny!)
You got that right!
Right, Lake Street shouldn't have been done, even though the sewers were so bad that lake water was running into them. That compromises the water treatment plant and then the DNR shows up with a five-figure fine. Sometimes there's penny-wise and pound-foolish.
If we let everything go, what a mess and expense for later on. As a homeowner I know that I have to keep up with what has to be done or pay mightily later.
Doing it now while contracting expenses are low was smart.
And sometimes the lowest bidder is not always the best choice. You know that.
Let's be clear. Glen was asked to live at the park house when he was hired since the park attendant did not want to live in the park house. He pays rent to the city and is near the park in case anything needs attention after the attendant's hours are over. He is the main contact for the City. The Hattie Sherwood Park was deeded to the City and cannot be sold. The Council checked into that a few years ago. If the City did not want the park and house any longer, the land would revert back to relatives of the previous dead owner, one of which is a Mirr relative. So stop getting on his case when he was doing the City a favor. He is not free-loading as many of you may think! His job is always being attacked and he is in a no win situation no matter what is happening in the public works area. Considering our last PW director, Glen is way above the average.
So someone doesn't like Joe! Have you considered that while he was mayor things were getting done by HIM and the city employees? Joe lobbied at the state level for issues affecting our city. Our current mayor doesn't do anything other than what is required while getting double the salary that Joe got. No office hours, no contacting other mayors or state reps. What can he state that he personally has achieved? Now the employees have to make the decisions for our current mayor since he is not experienced enough to do so. Who do you think actually runs the city under this mayor?
So what. The city is running just fine. The mayor position has always been mostly a figurehead for as long as I have lived here (most of my life). Micromanaging can be a bad thing, especially when you don't know as much as you think you do.
The city is running just fine? OMG! Where do you live?
Same place you do, I'm just not nursing a grudge and constantly looking for a "gotcha."
I think we should annex all the new homes built by Lindenwood Development at the ABA. This would give us a tax gift. (remember Joe)
Lets be crystal clear here. Glen was allowed to live in the city house for a short time after a recent divorce in order to help him get back on his feet(according to the mayor at the that time)Rental for that home in the area of $250 to $300 a month is absurd. The house should be offered for seasonal rentals and could easily fetch $1000 or more per week during the 12-14 weeks of summer. Do the math
Do the math. I have. Have you seen the inside of this house? No one would get $1,000 for this as a rental. The city would have to remodel this place and doesn't have the money to do so.
That's what volunteers are for. What about community service workers? Donated supplies. Not that difficult. Most of the lake rentals are completely old/outdated. Not that big of a deal to a family on vacation.
I agree that the city-owned house should be rented out for top dollar instead of used as a perk for the city works director. It is foolish not to be using the house as a source of income for the city! The campground has a devoted employee/manager so don't use McCarty's presence as an excuse (or justification) for this misuse of public property.
The park employee is not there nights and weekends. Things do happen when you have campers in the area.
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