It is only a matter of time before thousands and thousands of dollars are raised and spent, bombarding our yards and airwaves with political pleas for support from our local 54th Assembly candidates. Incumbent Greg Underheim's choice to not run makes this race all the more exciting and intriguing.

To date, we have Democratic Challenger Gordon Hintz who never really stopped running after his defeat in 04 (see his website here) and Julie Pung Leschke (see her website here).




Gordon

Some argue he had a good showing with a welcomed message in 2004, and would have won had there been no 3rd party challengers. I would suggest that Gordon received the vote only of straight ticket voters, friends of his dad Stephen, and others who feel that a third party is still too fringe.

Give Gordon credit though, he matured greatly (other than election day...) and will likely be a far more polished and prepared candidate. And whether Gordon decides to offer a watered-down, empty platform or one that takes a firm stand on issues and suggests real, concrete solutions, he will have the campaign war chest to proclaim it.

Other significant Gordo info: Hintz is currently in the Air-Guitar Hall of Fame for his 2003 performance as "Krye Tuff" - see photo here; Gordon's views are extensively outlined on the Oshkosh News Pages Here; the ABV believe he is a very nice guy.

In the end, Gordon will offer a campaign that appeals to the Big Money Dems with a touch of progressive intuition.




Julie

I do not know Julie, so my comments are based on her internet presence and the party she aligns herself with. For starters, congratulations to Julie on surviving through 4 children so close in age (15,18,19,20)!!! We at least know she can handle stress.

Julie's campaign website doesn't really say anything (but apparently she may be updating it soon). Tony Palmeri's Commentary website awarded Julie a Winnebago Whiner award, saying that she "continually whine(s) about abuses in Winnebago County government, but never come(s) up with any successful remedies to change whatever (she is) whining about." Then again, she is also called "one of Commentary's most popular guests."

James Fitzhenry of the Northwestern states that, "Leschke is articulate, was among a group of supervisors fighting for change on the Winnebago County Board and she's got impeccable family and GOP connections".

Other significant Julio info: She is the daughter of Bob Pung; according to a Fitzhenry, Julie has a fortune that even dwarfs the Hintz family fortune. According to Blogger Polly, Julie is also a little overwhelming on the religious side, campaigning "door to door carrying what she said was the two most influential documents to her, the King James' Bible and Russ Limbaugh's treaty on Liberals."

In the end, her campaign will likely be based on the Gods, Gays, and Guns buffoonery of the Republican Party that eludes any of the important issues facing Oshkosh and Wisconsin.

Others?

Of course there is a great chance that there will be a third party candidate, regardless of James Genisio's foolish thinking that Democracy means only two parties are allowed to run. Even the thought of a third party on the right or left will push the candidates to actually think outside of the party box.

Additional News Coverage:

Oshkosh Northwestern - Tower won't Run in 54th Assembly

Jim Fitzhenry - Rating the 54th District Candidates

Gordon's Campaign Announcement to the WI Dems

Bloechl May Run In 54th--As a Democrat

Palmeri Election Spoiled By Politics As Usual

A joint initiative by Amnesty International, Oxfam International and the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) has formed to reduce arms proliferation and misuse and to convince governments to introduce a binding arms trade treaty.

Check out their webpage at www.controlarms.org.

Also read their recent post - 2006: a critical year for achieving an arms trade treaty.

From the post: "In 2006, the world has a choice. Either it continues to ignore the massive human cost of arms proliferation or it finally acts to control the arms trade," said Barbara Stocking, Director of Oxfam. "No one but a criminal would knowingly sell a gun to a murderer, yet governments can sell weapons to regimes with a history of human rights violations or to countries where weapons will go to war criminals."

Oshkosh: There has been a great deal of internet and newsprint media and discussion on the Troop Withdrawal Referendum. The referendum recently failed to meet the required 4 votes in the Oshkosh common council. The ABV has assembled an archive of the past few month's activities. Just a note that there may be more to this issue in the comming weeks, such as pursuing the county board, gaining signatures to go the different route of citizen initiative referendum, or others.

Background

As early as July, a group of Oshkosh citizens held public meetings to discuss avenues for bringing a referendum to the April ballot stating: “Should the United States begin an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, beginning with the National Guard and Reserves?” The group was led by a coalition of the Winnebago Peace & Justice Center and the Lake Winnebago Green Party. The Oshkosh referendum drive was part of a statewide initiative led by the Wisconsin Green Party and the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice.

The group initially decided to go the route of collecting the required number of signatures to automatically place the refendum on the ballot (about 2800 signatures in 60 days). Once this was decided, council members Paul Esslinger and Bryan Bain discussed this direct legislation avenue with city attorney Warren Kraft. Both then reported to the group that according to Kraft, the signatures did not matter and would not force the question on the ballot.

Shortly after this information came to light, council member Paul Esslinger announced that he would pursue placing the question on the April ballot through a council led initiative, in which the council uses their legal power to place a referendum question on a ballot. In order for this to pass, four council members needed to approve the measure.

The group collecting signatures then decided to continue their efforts, with the idea that every signature would add support for Esslinger's proposal. They ended with approximately 1745 signatures of Oshkosh residents requesting that this question be placed on the April ballot.

On January 10, the council voted down the referendum question by a 6-1 vote. The consistant reason offered by the council members was a lack of signatures, even though the proposal was not contingent on signatures and was instead a council-led initiative. Only council member Paul Esslinger voted in favor of the proposal.

Below - An archive of the Referendum:

2005 - Vermont Network on Iraq War Resolutions

2005 - WNPJ: Wisconsin State Referendum to Bring the Troops Home

5/25/05 - Greens Launch Effort for Referendum on Troop Withdrawal

5/28/05 - Capital Times Endorses Referendum Efforts

6/10/05 - Northwestern: Green Party: Vote on troop withdrawal

7/18/05 - Iraq War Referendum Organizational Meeting Announcement

7/19/05 - Northwestern: Ballot question toothless way to sway opinions

7/19/05 - Palmeri: What National Referendum

7/20/05 - WPJC Blog: Jeff Peterson's Message to Anti-Warriors

7/20/05 - LWGP: Bringing the Troops Home

7/22/05 - Referendum: Next Meeting On August 3

7/25/05 - OshBlog: Referendum Public Meeting Minutes (scroll down)

7/25/05 - Palmeri: Referendum-Esslinger May Sponsor

8/30/05 - Bain: 5th Tuesday Forum Iraq War Discussion

8/31/05 - WNPJ: Oshkosh Launches Referendum Efforts

9/1/05 - Palmeri's Media Rants: Journalism of Conscience Hits Home

9/1/05 - Northwestern: Green Party starts signature drive

9/6/05 - Lindsey Kronenwetter: Anti-war movement evident in Oshkosh (scroll down)

10/10/05 - X-Off Files: Referendum on Iraq war would spark debate

10/10/05 - Babblemur: Oshkosh War Referendum in Overdrive

10/12/05 - Palmeri: Referendum gives citizens a voice in military actions

10/19/05 - WPR: Organization Seeking Signatures foR Troop Withdrawal

11/9/05 - WI Green Party: Press Conference on Referendum and Vogeler Campaign

11/28/05 - AP: Communities trying for referendums on troops withdrawal

12/1/05 - Northwestern: Anti-war sentiment gets louder

12/10/05 - ABV: Referendum information submitted to Oshkosh Common Council

12/9/05 - Northwestern: War referendum backers file signatures with city

12/11/05 - Eye on Oshosh: Petition Signatures Turned in for Referendum

12/11/05 - Northwestern: Council should give petitioners their due process

12/13/05 - Esslinger will have Referendum Placed on January Meeting Agenda

12/13/05 - Bain Blog: Should the Council Approve the Referendum?

12/14/05 - WI Green Party: Milwaukee, Madison and 12 other communities likely to vote on Bringing the Troops Home

12/14/05 - E-Pluribus-Unum: Peaceniks miss an opportunity

12/14/05 - E-Pluribus-Unum: The proper place for war debate

12/14/05 - Northwestern: Council to decide on Iraq referendum next month

12/15/05 - Babblemur: Online Debates on the Oshkosh War Referendum

12/28/05 - E-Pluribus-Unum: Top local political stories of 2005 (#4)

1/6/06 - Radio Commentary Interview With Paul Esslinger on Iraq Referendum

1/8/06 - Northwestern: Council will consider referendum (Tuesday)

1/10/06 - Palmeri: Narrow Technicality Wins, or, Death Goes On

1/10/06 - E-Puribus-Unum: Sliding down the slippery slope ...

1/10/06 - ABV: Best and Worst of 2005

1/10/06 - OshBlog: War Referendum

1/11/06 - Northwestern: Council rejects Iraq referendum

1/11/06 - Eye on Oshkosh: Council rejects troop withdrawal referendum, 6-1

note - I believe there was discussion on this topic on the Everyday Editor blog. If anyone has this available, or any other media clips that I missed, please submit it in comments or email to abvtimes@yahoo.com.

2005 Best Blog Entry:

KANDAHAR 2: DANGER

Oshkosh Native Colin Crowley spent time in Pakistan and Afghanistan documenting the work of Shelter for Life, an international aid organization based in Oshkosh, WI. In this piece, Colin offers a powerful reflection on the gap of understanding that plagues US-Middle East relations.


2005 Best Journey by a Local:

Colin's Story - Colin Crowley in Afghanistan & Pakistan

Colin offers some amazing tales as he journeys through the impoverished third world. He took two trips in 2005. Read about the first at Life in Afghanistan


2005 Best Community Website:

OshkoshNews.Org

Although raw and unrefined, Oshkosh News offers a bountiful variety of resources and links to local outlets in the Oshkosh area. It serves as a central hub of the local internet community, and has been the leader in creative and innovative journalism.


2005 Disgruntled Elected Official

Greg Underheim in The Constitutional Amendment Response

In response to a general email opposing the shady constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions, Underheim had this to say:

Thank you for your recent email regarding a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage in Wisconsin. It is a great disappointment to me that you seem not to know that I’ve opposed and voted against this amendment the last time it was brought before the legislature. Since I was one of only two Republicans who did so, I thought it probable you would know this.

Normally when someone agrees with your point of view, the tendency is to thank them and encourage them to continue to support their point of view. But to answer your question directly, I intend to oppose a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage, again.
Gregg


2005 Best Local Music Album Release

1. Bathtub.Lightbulb.Heartattack. the Willis
Although the official label release is in January 06, many Oshkosh locals have been fortunate to hear the sounds. Good Stuff

2. Minimalist and Anchored. Hellar Mason
A good blend of musicians (we're biased) including Todd Mohe, the Wandering Sons, ABV, and others.


Worst City Decision of 2005

PMI, Oshkosh City Council

Generous donations and city tax funds combined to pay for the Leach Ampitheater, a fine outdoor concert venue and water-side park. What a great location for the community to gather... if you can afford to.

The city of Oshkosh handed over control of the property to PMI, a Green Bay based for-profit venue management corporation. What could have and should have been a fantastic venue for local groups and organizations to hold events, PMI now requires a hefty $1500+ base rate to use the space. The city council never thought to clarify this (or anything really) prior to signing the deal. This gets them the prestigious 2005 worst city decision of 2005 award.


2005 Best Local Organization/Agency

ADVOCAP

While state officials gleen over their passed local tax freeze, county and city officials are feeling the brunt: fewer dollars coming in from the state (instead spent on corporate tax breaks, roads, prisons... etc) and fewer local tax dollars means fewer funds to provide the heavily needed services that local governments should provide.

In comes ADVOCAP, a local community action agency serving the people and communities of Fond du Lac, Green Lake & Winnebago Counties. No other agency in the area comes close to offering such valuable and needed services to our low income communities: Affordable Housing, Business Development, Community Employment, Foster Grandparents, Head Start, Senior Nutrition, Meals on Wheels, Home Weatherization and Rehab, and the list goes on. Thank you ADVOCAP!!!!!!!!


2005 Best Local Display of Democracy

2005 Spring City Council Elections

With 14 challengers to only 3 seats, democracy was strong and healthy in the city of Oshkosh. Go to Oshkosh News for a candidate recap.

Runer-up: Iraqi War Troop Withdrawal Referendum movement in Oshkosh. This dedicated group of local activitist knocked on well over 3000 doors to bring attention to war and democracy and to collect signitures in support of their idea to allow the citizens of Oshkosh to voice their opinion on the most important issue of the past 4 years.

2005 Worst Local Display of Democracy

2005 Spring City Council/Mayor Elections

Local elections took a turn for the worse with the outlandish candidate spending in the 2005 city of Oshkosh elections. Mayoral candidate Bill Castle raised and spent nearly $10,000. Council candidates Bryan Bain and Meredith Scheuermann raised and spent nearly $4000 each. All three were victors. Let us hope that this expensive and exclusive process of "offices for sale" doesn't become the norm. Check out the Northwestern's recap of the candidate fundraising and spending totals

Several candidates had placed a challenge to keep spending under $1000. Congratulations to those who agreed to this challenge.


2005 Best Addition to Downtown

Apple Blossom Books

Every good downtown needs a good independent bookstore. Oshkosh now has theirs with Apple Blossom Books at 513 North Main Street. Though the inventory may not be massive, the store offers a wonderful, welcoming atmosphere with exciting special programing including: children's storytime, readings from local authors, book clubs, holiday events, and more. Welcome to Oshoksh!


2005 Bad Boy of the Year

A recent US House challenger and prominant figure of the local Democratic Party, this Bad Boy had one crazy run in with a lady and the police. While this in no way lessens his political insight, it was enough to earn quite a bit of attention in the internet community, as well as the ABV 2005 Bad Boy of the Year Award.


2005 Hypocrit of the Year

Mr. Stewart Riechman in Bloggin'

See February 13 Editorial by the Northwestern's Stewart Riechman. According to Stew, "Blogs pollute the political process and election discussions in Oshkosh."

Then jump to his April 10 editorial. Stew acknowledges that "“Yes, whether I like it or not, chat rooms and community Web sites will be a factor in politics and may even set the agenda.”

Then jump to October 1, where Stew writes on his newly created blog, "Now I find that what I do in the ink on paper world is becoming more and more irrelevant."

While veteran website coalition the ABV Times welcomes the rookie blogger Stew to this new forum, such a drastic turnaround has unquestionably won him the prestigious Hypocrit of the Year award.

Note to our historian: Stew has decided - or someone has decided for him - to delete his blog. We're sure he won't loose any more hair over it, as he does have a much larger audience through his newspaper.


2005 Best Local Artist of the Year

Playwright Richard Kalinoski

UW Oshkosh professor Richard Kalinoski has written some amazing plays, including his most acclaimed "Beast on the Moon" which has won over 30 prestigious international awards and has been translated in over 11 languages. Richard is one of the "biggest catches" that UW Oshkosh has made in years, and if you ever have the chance, see one of his plays - or all of them - you will be amazed.

ABV staff has been fortunate to check out Richard's "Between Men and Cattle" at the intimate Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee. It is creative, challenging, and intensely thought provoking. It is an honor to have him be a part of the Oshkosh community!


2005 Best Local Event

Oshkosh Community Earth Charter

Eight days of wildly appropriate material designed to make you think and act. Discussions on clean energy and Careers with a Conscience, socially charged theater, a social justice expo, and a Model United Nations Simulation: World Summit on Sustainable Development.

The highlight of the week was an evening with Program Director of Honor the Earth and the founding director of White Earth Land Recovery Project Winona LaDuke. First, Winona offered an intimate presentation on Wars, Energy, Global Climate Change and the Environment which was followed by a slow foods dinner - Biodiversity, Wild Rice and the Slow Food Movement. What an amazing lady!!


2005 Best Local Idea

Tie. Fox River Corridor Riverwalk and the Pollock Family Aquatic Center


2005 Newcomer of the Year

Ronald Hardy

Out of no where came a soft spoken, articulate political junkie who has risen up to rival the political fatheads of Oshkosh and Wisconsin. Ron has become an active player in the online community, revamping the LWGP website and running one of his own (now the world knows Ron). Recently he has been a key facilitator of the peace movement, serving as coordinator and spokesman for the troop withdrawal referendum. Meanwhile, he has served as advisor to a campus group, has held local and state offices within the Green Party, and has raised an extremely bright young daughter with his wonderful wife Amy.


2005 Most Needed but Ignored

Tie. Bike Lanes and Smart Growth Plan

It is a shame that a city the size of Oshkosh does not have bike lanes that interconnect the entire city. Other than a small stretch near the UW Oshkosh campus, bikers are forced to either compete for space with the crazed automobile operators or attempt to follow the cracked and broken sidewalks of the pedestrian walker. Also taking into consideration the estimated 3000 - 6000 adults who currently don't have their license, it just does not make sense that Oshkosh is without menas for healthy, inexpensive, and safe alternative transportation.

Regarding the Smart Growth Plan, com'mon! This is something that should have been developed in 1898, much less today. And Smart Growth doesn't just mean plans to put a big box Walmart on the border of Oshkosh and the town of Algoma. We are talking intelligent growth that considers environment, health, community, housing, transportation, economics, and design. For more on what should be done, check out SMART GROWTH ONLINE


2005 Best Radio Show

Tie:
Democracy Now! Sundays on WRST 90.3 FM from 1pm-2pm

Radio Commentary Fridays, from 6:15pm-7:00pm


2005 Best Community Support Program

Saturday Morning Farmer's Markets

Mike McCabe of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign recently had this to say in his Big Money Blog:

"The people of Wisconsin and America are not as hopelessly divided as the political pundits like to claim. We all have much in common. But the party bosses thrive on playing up what distinguishes them from their political enemies, and this cult mentality leads them to ceaselessly drive wedges between groups of citizens."

and...

"The leaders of the major political parties who populate Wisconsin's state Legislature and our nation's Congress are not remotely representative of the people. These bosses are obsessed with who's right and who's left. If they’d spend half as much time thinking about what's right and wrong, we wouldn't be in the midst of political corruption scandals of historic proportions. And the majority of citizens might not feel politically homeless, as they do now."

Reminds me of some of the locals.....................