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    Blagoje-Doyle?
DOYLE RECALL NEWS
What Enquiring Minds Want to Know

The Doyle Recall organizing is under with several thousand volunteers already signed up.  The recall begins when 10,000 volunteers have been recruited.  Go to www.recalldoyle.com to register and learn more. Tell your friends to join you in joining the effort.  If every current volunteer recruits two friends we will reach our goal in the next few weeks!


How Much Has MPS
Already Spent This Year?
  •  
  • CRG Announces New Addition to GASP
    MPS Spending Now Online

    The Milwaukee Public Schools system has just been added to the list of online, searchable spending databases.  It follows Milwaukee County and MATC as the third unit of Wisconsin government to commit to the ultimate in openness and transparency.

    The MPS GASP database allows users to select, sort, total, download, and analyze over 432,000 invoices representing over $2.2 billion dollars in spending.  Click Here to go directly to the MPS database.  Click Here to access all the GASP databases.  Click here to read the CRG Network press release.  Click here use the CRG Automatic Open Records Request Generator to create your own open records requests for any unit of government!

    Listen to Vicki McKenna Show Interview with CRG
    Listen to Charlie Sykes Show Interview with CRG
    Listen to 1st Mark Belling Show Commentary
    Listen to 2nd Mark Belling Show Commentary

    Watch the TV4 I-Team Investigative Report



    Watch the TV4 What's Hot Panel Discussion

    CRG Announces New Addition to GASP
    MATC Spending Now Online

    CRG Network has launched the second of its searchable spending databases designed to place all government spending in the State of Wisconsin in the hands of anyone with an Internet connection. The effort has been dubbed the Government Accountability in Spending Project (GASP).

    MATC follows Milwaukee County as the second unit of Wisconsin government to commit to the ultimate in openness and transparency.

    The MATC GASP database allows users to select, sort, total, download, and analyze over 54,000 invoices representing almost 125 million dollars in spending.  Click Here to access the GASP databases.  Click here to read the CRG Network press release.

    A "Death Tax" on Businesses?
    The Latest Craziness from Business Unfriendly Milwaukee

    And Mayor Barrett wonders why people are saying Milwaukee is not a business friendly town.  Apparently, city officials are not satisfied with taxes and fees for going into and running a business.  They also want to tax them for the privilege of going out of business - sort of a business "death tax!"

    Consider the sad story of Marc and Teri Bold, owners of the T&M True Value on the city's southside.  After about 20 years in the hardware business the Bold's decided to close their store.  They only winced slightly when told they must pay the city $43 for a permit to hang a "Going Out of Business Sale" sign in the window of their shop (see Exhibit 1).  However, within days a city health inspector stopped by to inform them they must also pay an additional $510 for a "Closing Out Sale" license (see Exhibit 2 and Exhibit 3).  So, after years of providing jobs, goods, and services (and paying taxes on all of it), the city thanked the Bold's by nicking them one last time for an extra $553 on the way out.  Milwaukee, what a great place to do business - NOT!

    One final thought.  Does it strike anyone as weird that the City of Milwaukee Heath Department, Disease Control and Environmental Health is charged with issuing and inspecting "Closing Out Sale" licenses?

    CRG Announces New Gov't Accountability Project"
    All State and Local Spending Slated to be Placed in Online Searchable Databases.

    CRG Network has unveiled the first of a planned series of online, searchable spending databases designed to place all government spending in the State of Wisconsin in the hands of anyone with an Internet connection. The effort has been dubbed the Government Accountability in Spending Project (GASP).

    Scott Walker and Milwaukee County stepped forward to be the first unit of Wisconsin government to commit to the ultimate in openness and transparency. The county Information Management Services Division, Controller’s Office, and Department of Administration collaborated with CRG Network professional volunteers to bring this inaugural effort to completion with funding provided by the Sam Adams Foundation, National Taxpayers Union, and Citizens in Charge.

    The county GASP database allows users to select, sort, total, download, and analyze over 188,000 county invoices representing over 1.3 billion dollars in spending.  Click Here to access the GASP databases.  Click here to read the CRG Network press release.

     

    County Trust, Leadership Take a Sucker Punch
    Ethically Challenged Board Reveals True Character

    Want to know the true character of a person?  Then look at who they choose to lead them.  Let's review the record of "Hammerin' Lee" Holloway.

    • Voted for the outrageous Ament pension plan.
    • Supported Ament during the recall.
    • Like Ament, sued his constituents during recall.
    • Holloway ticketed for impersonating police officer.
    • Failed to report campaign contributions from Ament.
    • Holloway campaign worker convicted of vote fraud.
    • US Attorney uncovers $165,000 in payments from OIC to Holloway.
    • Holloway charged with 90 ethics violations.
    • Holloway settles charges and pays fine.
    • Holloway physically assaults county supervisor.
    • Later, he assaults ANOTHER supervisor.

    Break out the boxing gloves for another 4 years.  The most ethically challenged chairman in county history has now been re-elected in what has to be among the greatest betrayals of trust in county history.  Say "Hello" to the the 12 county supervisors who voted for Holloway and in the process established themselves as traitors to trust and character in government.  Meet Milwaukee County's new DIRTY DOZEN.  Note the newly elected supervisors who voted for Holloway.  Is this what you expected their first official vote would be?  Click any picture to contact your county supervisor.

    The DIRTY DOZEN Who Voted for Holloway

    Gerry Broderick

    Toni Clark

    E. Coggs-Jones

    M. Dimitrijevic

    Willie Johnson, Jr.

    Christopher Larson

    Theo Lipscomb

    Michael Mayo, Sr.

    John Thomas

    John Weishan

    Peggy West

    Lee Holloway

    CRG Network at Future Wisconsin
    Become a Modern Revolutionary and Declare Your Independence from Kings and Tyrants at the CRG Network Booth

    The CRG Network booth at Future Wisconsin 2008 will feature a life-size diorama taken right from the famous Trumbull painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Sit down at the the table with John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin.  Take the seat occupied by John Hancock and make history by signing your name to fight along side other patriots in a new, well-mannered American revolution.

    The Future Wisconsin conference is being held Saturday, April 5th at Bluemound Gardens Conference Center, 11703 West Bluemound Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226 starting with a 7:30AM breakfast.  Click here for additional details.

    CRG Announces New Gov't Accountability Project"
    All State and Local Spending Slated to be Placed in Online Searchable Databases.

    CRG Network has unveiled the first of a planned series of online, searchable spending databases designed to place all government spending in the State of Wisconsin in the hands of anyone with an Internet connection. The effort has been dubbed the Government Accountability in Spending Project (GASP).

    Scott Walker and Milwaukee County stepped forward to be the first unit of Wisconsin government to commit to the ultimate in openness and transparency. The county Information Management Services Division, Controller’s Office, and Department of Administration collaborated with CRG Network professional volunteers to bring this inaugural effort to completion with funding provided by the Sam Adams Foundation, National Taxpayers Union, and Citizens in Charge.

    The county GASP database allows users to select, sort, total, download, and analyze over 188,000 county invoices representing over 1.3 billion dollars in spending.  Click Here to access the GASP databases.  Click here to read the CRG Network press release.

     

    More DOT "Highway Robbery"
    Doyle and DOT Cave In to Road Builders, Sell Out Southside Citizens.

    It looks like Governor Doyle has learned a lesson about messin' with the Road Builders from former Senator Tom Reynolds.  Reynolds was recently ousted from office after the Road Builders poured thousands of dollars into the campaign of his opponent in retribution for his engineering of the repeal of automatic gas tax increases.  Given that Doyle raided the Transportation Fund to achieve the illusion of a balanced budget, he is doubtlessly fearful he may be the next to face their wrath.  His answer, sell out local residents and small business owners by creating an additional highway project to pad the construction bill at the expense of the devastation of businesses, jobs, and property values in the 27th and Layton area.  Click Here to read a press release detailing CRG's involvement and how citizens can rally to fight back!

    YouTube Video of Press Conference compliments of Patrick Dorwin at BadgerBlogger

    Holloway Disqualified in 1st
    Milwaukee County Fight Club Kingpin Repeats Round One Debacle.

    For the second straight time, Milwaukee County Fight Club fanatic Lee "Hit Man" Holloway dropped a decision by disqualification in the first round, this time against newcomer Joe "The Enforcer" Rice.  Holloway lost an earlier bout with veteran pugilist Rodger "Ramjet" Quindel in a similar round one disqualification.  Referee Paul Cesarz stepped in quickly to separate the combatants as Holloway unleashed a barrage of below the belt shots to the unsuspecting Rice.  Observers note it is unlikely the weak and ineffective Fight Club Ethics Board will sanction Holloway.  Most pundits predict Holloway's antics will continue until an unfortunate ringside injury or fan pressure forces Holloway off the canvas.  Read the blow by blow recount by County Fight Club beat reporter Dan Bice for additional details.  

    Sheboygan Sheriff Shakedown! 
    Department Runs Private Security Firm at Taxpayer Expense.  County DA Looks the Other Way.

    Who the hell is running Sheboygan County?  Right on the heals of the Mayor Perez meltdown, another local resident comes forward with a mountain of documentation that the Sheboygan Sheriff's Department is running a de facto Private Security firm.  The Department takes requests for private security details, posts sign-up sheets, contacts "customers", allows deputies to work off-duty in uniform (they even have a request form), provides squad cars, and even worker's compensation coverage while serving as private contractors.  And do the County DA and State Attorney General take action after being informed by local security firm operator Matthew Elliott?  Well maybe now they will.  Read the CRG Network Press Release.  Click the links below to review several examples of the many pages of damning evidence obtained via open records.

    Typical sign-up sheet circulated by Sheriff's Department
    One of many such sheets.  Note that it sets wages and hours, provides for the use of an official Sheriff's squad, provides forms and clerical support for taxes and off-duty employment, and even coordinates customer callbacks!

    Typical Department permission form
    It confirms that deputies will work in uniform and are eligible for taxpayer paid worker's compensation if injured while employed for a private enterprise.

    The first of several formal complaints lodged (and largely ignored) with the Sheboygan County DA. Page 1Page 2

    Copy of complaint to AG Van Hollen
    Seems JB's been doing a bit of foot dragging as well!
     

    WEAC SAYS TAXES ARE TOO HIGH
    Here is that old web link where WEAC admits Wisconsin taxes are too high!  In fact, here is the first sentence. "When counseling members about retirement, I frequently hear comments about moving out of Wisconsin to avoid our high taxes."  www.crgnetwork.com/media/weac/retire.htm

    INVESTIGATIVE UPDATE: See it Here First!
    Response to First CRG Open Records Request

    Click the links below to access copies of replies to our first set of open records as we investigate the intimidation of citizens by Sheboygan government.  Mayor Perez has dirty hands, citizens scream back, and the scrambling begins!

    First, send money! That damn link!
    Mayor orders assault Citizens blast back - 1
    Cease and Desist letter Citizens blast back - 2
    Reisinger response - page 1 Citizens blast back - 3
    Reisinger response - page 2 Citizens blast back - 4
    Reisinger/McLean - page 1 Kirk, "Beam me up"
    Reisinger/McLean - page 2 Perez damage control
    Starfleet Command  to Kirk  

    The Waukesha School Board and Mayor of Pewaukee tried harassing and intimidating citizen organizers.  Now, it's the Sheboygan Police and City Attorney.  You want a fight, fine, BRING IT ON!  P.S.  We have begun investigating YOU!

    Time to have some fun. Here's another banner!

    CLICK HERE to read Milwaukee County Audit Data on Outrageous Politician Pay (Includes City of Milwaukee Common Council)

    MPS Budget Reignites Tax Revolt
    Hundreds Turned Away as Capacity Crowd Blasts Board

    City of Milwaukee taxpayers turned out in force at a public meeting to lambaste the MPS Board and Superintendent Andrekopoulos over its proposed 16.4% tax levy increase.  The crowd was so overwhelming that hundreds of residents were barred from the 304 seating capacity auditorium (some were redirected to rooms with piped in audio).  Citizens were clearly upset over what they saw as outrageous waste and failure within the ranks of MPS with a passion not seen since the Ament recall (CRG is ready willing and able to repeat that effort if Milwaukeeans feel the need).  If you missed it, watch excerpts from citizen comments by clicking the video below.  The comments become increasingly forceful with each speaker.

    CRG offered this observation.  This is no longer about taxes.  It is about discarding a generation of children. We have spent money on better facilities, better teachers, and better equipment and programs yet remain saddled with failure.  Most taxpayers agree, we would write a bigger check today if MPS could guarantee results.  The problem is irresponsible policies from elected officials more concerned with winning popularity contests, irresponsible administrators too fearful of rocking the boat and irresponsible parents who refuse to invest time in their children.  When children are sent to school tired, hungry, sick, ill-prepared, unmotivated and undisciplined no amount of money can solve the problem.  Unfortunately, today's leaders are too cowardly and selfish to address the problem head-on!

     

    AFP Taxpayer Rally in Madison Hits the Mark
    Pro-Tax Counter-Protest Fails to Dampen Rally Crowd

    Overburdened Taxpayers from across Wisconsin (some traveling over four hours) convened in the State Capitol  Wednesday in a rally sponsored by Americans For Prosperity (AFP).  CRG Network and its affiliates participated and provided the eye-catching 60-foot "No New Taxes" backdrop for the main stage.

    Click Here for smaller low-res version.

    Anyone who couldn't make it missed the event of the year (check out the video).  The weather was perfect, the crowd and speakers were electrifying and AFP provided transportation, lunch, and novelties.  New WISN Talk show host Vicki McKenna kept the crowd charged with her rhetoric and several stuffed pigs she tossed in to audience.  Our fellow union  taxpayers and counter-protesters were mostly on message exhorting the legislature to "Do Their Job" and pass a budget but, as expected, they lost points for attempting to limit free speech by blocking our 60-foot sign (the Capitol Police were forced to cordon off the area) and shouting group epitaphs such as "loser" and "bullshit" to drown out speakers.  It was also curious that several firefighter unions showed in full uniform and fire-trucks were seen circling the Capitol.  We wonder what that cost taxpayers and the risk the missing equipment posed for residents of those communities!


    Wasser-Bush?
    "Read my pledge ...
    no new taxes"

    Won't Play? Try Clicking Here!
    Read Our Lips. "No More Lies!"
    Did Wasserman Really Think No One Would Remember His Tax Pledge?

    They say history repeats itself and apparently Representative Sheldon Wasserman is now channeling George H. Bush and the great tax lie of the 20th Century. Wasserman signed the Americans for Tax Reform Tax Pledge in which he unequivocally promised he "will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes."  Oops, guess he forgot about that Cigarette Tax he supports!  He says he took the Hippocratic Oath before he took the tax pledge.  Tell us again Shelly, old bean, about the part where Hippocrates said it's OK for a doc to let people to continue to kill themselves as long as the government gets their cut! Perhaps you meant "Hypocrite Oath?"
    We should have busted this backroom schemer when Wasserman called Tom Ament to voice his support for him during the pension recall.  Perhaps he did not expect CRG and the Journal Sentinel would discover his subterfuge by doing an open records request.  Don't let the medical degree and "boy scout" smile fool you when he knocks on your door.  Sheldon Wasserman is just another hack politician who puts party above people and is willing to say and do anything to get elected!
     

    More Lies, Deceit, and Hypocrisy!" 
    Open Records Reveal Big-Tax Bigshots Won't Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is

    Some Milwaukee County leaders insist that we need to triple the county sales tax.  They claim it is all for a "good cause" and would be happy to contribute a little more in taxes.  But a recent open records request reveals not one has contributed so much as a dime to these "good causes."  Some even chastise County Executive Walker for vetoing a dishonest referendum on the issue.  Click Here to learn more about their hypocrisy and other lies surrounding the proposal to triple the county sales tax.
     

    They're Baaa..aaack!" 
    New Milwaukee County Pension Sharks Take Another $50 Million Bite Out of Taxpayers

    Fool me once shame on you.  Fool me twice shame on me. In yet another stunning example of cronyism and self-dealing, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has uncovered a second Milwaukee County pension scandal [Read Story] reminiscent of the story that ignited rampant recall retribution.  CRG has been quietly building national alliances that give us newfound strength and capabilities.  We now have the tools to finish the job we started back in 2002.  Click Here to find out how you can be part of the effort to squash the last of the cockroaches infesting county government.
     

    Supervisor Luigi "The Squeeze" Schmitt Demands, "Hand over da loot youse taxpayers!"
    CRG Audit Reveals the Truth About Supervisor Pay - Calls for Board to Drop Pay Increase Proposal

    Supervisor Schmitt would have taxpayers believe the poor Milwaukee County Supervisors are woefully underpaid. At the direction of Chairperson Lee Holloway and the County Board, Audit Director Heer did a marvelous job in ferreting out the facts and figures as CRG learned when they obtained a copy of his voluminous working papers. Now read Part 1 of the CRG audit into what the Board and Supervisor Schmitt DIDN'T tell you.  [Read Report]

    CLICK HERE to contact your County Supervisor or simply call 414-278-4222 (just give them your address and they will connect you to your supervisor).  Tell them, "enough is enough!"

    Petition Rights Strangled!
    SEB Kills Recall Statutes

    "We don't care what the law says.  If you don't like our ruling, sue us."  That is what the State Election Board (SEB) effectively said when it decertified the recall petition of Milwaukee Alderman Michael McGee.  In doing so they created the template by which any recall can be stopped regardless of how closely citizens follow statutory requirements or the number of signatures they collect. CRG Network to participate in Legal Defense Fund to force the SEB and Milwaukee Election Commissioners to comply with the law. Rally and fundraiser set for January 26th at Serb Hall.  [Learn More]

    WHAT NEXT?!
    Kick Back with New Grassroots Tool

    It was recently revealed that state legislators receive a sick pay benefit but are not required to report sick days.  They can accumulate this benefit and cash it in when they leave office.  This amounts to a stealth bonus plan for legislators.  CRG Network has developed an automated tool to allow you to quickly and easily voice your displeasure to your elected officials.

    Go to Message Generator
    Read Background Article
    Read Citizen Reaction
     

    CRG Network Releases Audit of MATC
    Waste and Overspending Detailed

    The Answer: 7% yearly pay raises, spending at 2-1/2 times above the Consumer Price Index (close to one billion additional dollars since 1990 at MATC alone), full-retirement after 10 years of service, 4-weeks of sick pay and personal time per year above and beyond holidays and vacation, six figure salaries, and much, much, more!
    The Question: How are Wisconsin Technical Colleges spending your tax dollars?  The full, 4-part audit is available by clicking below.

    Part 1: Financial Background
    Part 2: Waste and Overspending
    Part 3: Comparisons and Recommendations
    Epilogue: The People and Ideas Behind the Audit
    Encore Report, Facts vs Fables: CRG Network Defends Report Against Fabricated Attacks

    The CRG Network News Channel Makes Its Debut
    Click screen to activate, then click the "Play"button.

    Go to CRG TV in the Media Center for more info.

    Report Exposes Financial Fraud
    State Skirts Balanced Budget Laws
    A Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI) report written by former State Department of Administration Director George Lightbourn revealed that the State of Wisconsin has been keeping two sets of books since 1990 to hide the fact that it has been operating at a deficit and has rendered Wisconsin's balanced budget laws meaningless.  The report details how the state has been run in Enron-like fashion and how the facts have been routinely buried or ignored by the Governor and Legislature alike to cover-up a multi-billion dollar deficit.  Read Report

      Temperature: 46
      Barometer: Falling

    CONTACT INFO
    E-Mail: crg@crgnetwork.com
    Phone: 414-801-0800
    Mail: PO Box 371086
    Milwaukee, WI 53237

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    CRG NETWORK NEWS UPDATE
    CRG Network Welcomes CRG Fox Valley as Its Latest Affiliate Member
    CRG Network Welcomes La Crosse County as Its Latest Affiliate Member
    Read Part 1 of the CRG Network independent audit of MATC. Learn how your tax dollars are being spent!
    CRG Hartford Launches Recall of 1st District Alderperson Lokken
    Press Conference on $350,000 earmark sponsored by Congresswomen Moore for 3,000 trees, 9:30AM O''Donnell Park
    CRG Hartford to file sufficient signatures to recall Alderperson Isleb on August 10th
    City of Delafield in trouble with the state, AGAIN, over open meetings violations
    CRG Hartford Launches Recall of 3rd District Alderperson Isleb
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