Phew! They were not talking about Brookfield

I awoke this morning to the radio talk show guys saying, the city will use eminent domain to purchase the Burleigh triangle property and turn it into luxury condos. At first I thought they were speaking of the quadrangle at 124th and Lisbon. But as I listened I realized it was Wauwatosa who was wielding the eminent domain sword--not Brookfield. The property Tosa is thinking of taking belongs to Roundy's.

Last year when Cindy Kilkenny tried to get legislation passed in Brookfield to prevent this type of eminent domain use in our city, the Legislative & Licensing Committee happily passed the buck to the state. They reasoned that the state was already working on some sort of restrictive legislation so why should they bother enacting legislation for Brookfield? Well, the state legislation only protects owner occupied property; it does nothing to protect commercial property.

As I understand the deal, Roundy's is asking more money for their property than the buyer is willing to pay. Wauwatosa would like the property sold to this buyer, so they are thinking of using eminent domain to force the sale--they want a higher property tax producer on that piece of land. What will that higher property tax producer be? Luxury condominiums.

Tax revenue from luxury condominiums may sound like a money maker to Wauwatosa, but have they really figured in the total impact to their taxpayers? Condominiums require extra sewer, water, police, and fire services, not to mention the extra burden to the school systems.

The bigger picture aspect of this deal is, isn't it Roundy's right to sell for the price they want?

Another too close to home for comfort issue in today's MJS is the news of a possible TIF district in Butler. There the village is "still trying to land a new development for a 4-acre property it owns" at 124th and Arden. If a buyer is found for the parcel, it "would help complete a tax incremental financing district created to spur revitalization of the village's southeast side," the article reported.

So we have possible TIF and eminent domain use right on our north and east borders. Glad it isn't within our borders!

Links: www.betterbrookfield.com and www.better-outcomes.com

www.brookfield2008.com and www.brookfieldnow.com
Weed control links: Mary Knoll Weed Out, garlic mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash--do not compost!

Only 1 out of 4 former aldermen show up & Ponto beats Berg 8 to 1

There was a good sized crowd attending the council meeting last night, but three people were notably absent: Dick Brunner, Jim Heinrich, and Tom Schellinger. Former alderman and mayoral candidate Cindy Kilkenny was the only former official to attend.

Many family members attend the swearing in and stand up in front for the ceremony. The mayor was first with his wife and daughter, then Bill Carnell from district 1, followed by Bob Reddin--district 2--with his wife and 2 children, on down the line of the unopposed incumbents--districts 3 - 5, then newly elected Jerry Mellone--district 6--with his wife Laurel, and lastly, Lisa Mellone--district 7--with husband Steve and 2 sons, all took the oath of office. Lisa and Steve Mellone's 2 young sons led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

On to the first order of business: Public Hearing for the new McDonald's on Mooreland. After the people involved in the promotion of the new McDonald's were finished, resident John Manescellco (sorry about the spelling) got up and raised some valid concerns. The McDonald's intended on placing a decorative ironwork fence at the east side of their property which would be the buffer between the residential area and the fast food restaurant. John asked what good a transparent fence would do the neighbors for protecting them from noise, view, traffic, and litter? That was a very valid point. He mentioned that at a Pick 'n Save in a similar situation the neighbors had a brick wall separating them from the noise and view. He was requesting that an opaque style fence be used at the McDonald's.

John brought up a second very valid point concerning "Phase 2" of this project: the service road. Keep in mind this service road was stopped in 1999. It was to have been a north/south road running from next to the Vitamin Shop, behind Ameritech, behind the McDonnald's up to the country club (I believe). He and his neighbors were upset that the road they stopped 7 years ago was again being proposed. He asked, What kind of democratic (system) is at work here? You have letters on file, a petition, and yet the road is a slam-dunk? What happens to my (and neighbors) quality of life when that service road goes in 50 feet from my property? Why is phase 2 even being considered? The whole plan goes back to the Plan Commission.

Last real bit of business for the council was to elect a new Council President. Scott Berg had been promoting his name and Steve Ponto was too. The surprise candidate was Dan Sutton. The first ballot was Ponto 7, Sutton 5, and Berg 2--no majority. Second ballot was Ponto 8, Sutton 5 and Berg 1. Ponto wins. Ponto was the better choice than Berg, but am disappointed that Dan Sutton did not prevail. Although Dan frequently votes with the crowd, he has good insticnts and raises valid questions during the discussion. I am hoping that with the new aldermen on the council that Dan will trust his good instincts more and vote accordingly.

I agree with the MJS article that the final vote of Ponto 8 to Berg 1 (I think we know where that vote came from) was the council's way of showing their disapproval of Berg's treatment of Cindy Kilkenny on his blog during the election. The Journal stated, "Although Berg has been appointed by Mayor Jeff Speaker to some leadership roles on task forces, he upset some peers with his election Web site, which strongly criticized Ald. Cindy Kilkenny in her unsuccessful bid to defeat Speaker for mayor. Even some aldermen who did not support Kilkenny disliked the tone of Berg's site."

As for Berg's actions and blog--both his regular one and the special election version--it would have been nice if the mayor would have reined him in these past years by not giving him prestigious appointments or by telling Scott he was off topic when making personal attacks during council debate.

Links: www.betterbrookfield.com and www.better-outcomes.com
www.brookfield2008.com and www.brookfieldnow.com

Weed control links: Mary Knoll Weed Out, garlic mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash--do not compost!

Don't miss the swearing in at 7:45pm

Tuesday, April 18th, 7:45pm, City Hall Council Chambers, marks the start of the new common council. The mayor, newly elected and re-elected (those who ran unopposed) aldermen will be sworn in by Judge Joseph Wall. While we may have been disappointed in the outcome of the mayor's race, let's not forget the benefit of electing 3 new aldermen who share the basic platform of slowing down development, saving taxpayer dollars, and being more responsive to citizen input.

Adding the 3 new common council members should make it easier for neighborhoods filing protest petitions to succeed in halting higher density rezoning proposals. (Neighborhoods only need 4 aldermen to vote against the rezoning to stop it in its tracks!)

There will be a public hearing for the McDonalds on Mooreland Rd. and the election of Council President as well. Click if you care to look at the agenda.

Links: www.betterbrookfield.com and www.better-outcomes.com

www.brookfield2008.com and www.brookfieldnow.com
Weed control links: garlic mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash--do not compost!

2 New weblogs of interest

Just thought I would pass these newer weblogs on to you:

The Journal Sentinel/Brookfield News has a webpage for very local news called www.brookfieldnow.com . It includes articles from the Brookfield News and Elm Leaves as well as the Journal/Sentinel, photos and tid-bits of local interest, and weekend activities.

The other weblog is www.Brookfield2008.com , which will track the 7 aldermen up for reelection in 2008. This information will give the voters something to consider when choosing their next alderman. It links to webpages for each alderman with their information on it. (At present Scott Berg is the only one with a news item on it--commentary about a news item from the brookfieldnow.com site.)

Links: www.betterbrookfield.com and www.better-outcomes.com

Weed control links: garlic mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.)

2nd Annual Garlic Mustard "WEED OUT" was a huge success!

Committed Volunteers Make Mary Knoll Park Better, by Patty Gerner

In the words of noted anthropologist, Margaret Mead, “Never underestimate the ability of a small group of committed individuals to change the world. In fact, nothing else ever has.” It was a beautiful day for the second annual garlic mustard Weed-Out on Saturday, May 6, when over seventy five (75) volunteers, ages 6 to 70, contributed to a big change at Mary Knoll Park. With more volunteers, we are able to more thoroughly remove and control garlic mustard in more of the park than ever before. WOW! Sincerest thanks to each and every volunteer who pulled garlic mustard, distributed fliers, staffed the information table, guided volunteers in the woods, and offered to help at another time.

Special thanks go to Gary Majeskie and the City of Brookfield’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry for leadership, continued support and substantive help, Lisa Mellone and family, Boy Scout Troop 23, the Brookfield Central Key Club, Cub Scout Troop 23, and the Wild Ones Natural Plant Landscapers, Sandy Tesmer, and my family.

Our work has just begun! We’ll be pulling garlic mustard at Mary Knoll Park throughout May and early June. If you want to keep helping, control garlic mustard in your yard, help a neighbor control it, grab a bag and enjoy a walk in the park (while pulling garlic mustard), educate a few friends and neighbors and/or call 262-796-6675 to coordinate with other volunteers. Finally, we hope to see you and others who care about Mary Knoll Park at the next Weed-Out in early May, 2007.
Patty Gerner
Brookfield, WI

Brookfield is having its second annual garlic mustard “WEED OUT” on May 6th at Mary Knoll Park from 9:00 a.m. – noon, rain or shine. Patty Gerner and her family have been working at Mary Knoll Park since 1997 and have partnered with the City of Brookfield and Boy Scout Troop 23 on this event. Please join with friends and neighbors in taking care of our park and making this year’s Weed-Out a success! The work isn’t hard and there are no mosquitoes yet. At the same time, you’ll enjoy an amazing variety of spring wildflowers and other native plants in a natural setting. Gary Majeskie, Parks and Forestry Superintendent, will be available to help volunteers identify weeds.

For more information on garlic mustard, refer to your recent City of Brookfield Newsletter or Parks and Recreation Activity Guide. Bags will be provided and volunteers are encouraged to bring water and to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy shoes and gloves. Mary Knoll Park is located at 615 S. Sunnyslope Rd. Follow the entrance road to the tennis courts. Please call 262-796-6675 to volunteer. Registration is not mandatory, but it gives us an idea of how many volunteers to expect.

(Be aware of garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. It can take over native areas too.)

Less is more? County Board reduces 10 seats

The Waukesha County Board voted last night to reduce the size of their board from 35 to 25 seats. The MJS article stated the vote was 21-14 and that changes would take effect in 2008.

The threat of the Waukesha Taxpayers League's petition to reduce the board to 11 members, I think, helped persuade the board to vote for this reduction now. Reducing the Board to 25 is a good starting point. Waukesha is a large county. By comparison, Brookfield has 14 aldermen (some of course put more into their jobs than others).

I know there are those who favored the 11 member board, but I believe that is asking for trouble. Remember, these positions are only part time and pay around $9,000 a year. Now think about increasing each member's work load by 66%. I doubt you are going to get the board members to add that work load increase for the same compensation. The last thing we want to do is turn each supervisor seat into a full time position at full time pay!

Last year when a supervisor position was vacated, Barbara Roncke interviewed and was appointed to fill the seat. The requirement was 1 day time and 1 evening Board meeting, and 1 day and 1 evening committee meeting. The reality of the job was that there were more meetings than anticipated. The day time committee meeting turned into an all day meeting once a week. The Supervisor position was much more than the 8 or so hours a month! Barbara was not reelected however, it remains to be seen if Tom Schellinger is able to devote as much time to the job. (The daytime meetings are difficult for members who have other full time positions.)

We will have to wait and see if this reduction was a good step or not. Many supervisors run unopposed at election time. Will this reduction increase competition for the positions or will people shy away from the job because now the work load has increased? Time will tell.

Links: www.betterbrookfield.com

Water--a resource we can no longer take for granted

During this past year there were maybe 10 articles concerning water use for Waukesha County. Today's MJS article, Saving water high on county agenda, deals with sprinkling regulations. The problem is greater than, what day can I water my lawn on!

Since Brookfield is having trouble locating enough high output, good quality wells*, I believe we need to be very careful about what types of development we approve for our community.

During the mayoral debates, Kilkenny pointed out that restaurants are one of the higher water using developments. The plan commission and common council just approved the zoning changes at Brookfield Square that would permit the addition of new restaurants. It does not appear that they understand the gravity of the situation.

If VK brings forth a plan for a hotel or more restaurants for the Ruby Farm Property, are the mayor and the pro-development council members going to blindly approve those too--without consideration of the consequences to the remaining community?

I ask, are we going to wait until it becomes a crisis for our city--requiring expensive solutions, or are we going to act in a proactive way and avoid approving more and more water wasting developments?

*Brookfield's higher flow rate wells come from a deeper water table. Unfortunately, this layer contains naturally occurring radium, above allowed EPA levels.

Links: www.betterbrookfield.com

The struggle continues: saving Ruby Farm and green space

The reality of April 4ths election is starting to sink in. The front page of the MJS Real Estate section pictures Curt and Judy Klade in front of Ruby Farm , or should I say VK's Farm. (We keep referring to it as Ruby Farm, but it belongs to VK now.)

The article stated that the Klade's, like other neighborhood residents, "view the farm as a neighborhood asset that shouldn't be pushed aside for more development. 'I think we're a little tired of losing all the green space in Brookfield,' he said."

The Klades were Speaker supporters for the 2002 election, but Kilkenny supporters for the 2006 election.

The grim reality of the situation is that we still have a mayor who does not see this type of green space as being an asset just as it is, and a land owner who only sees the former farm as an avenue to more wealth through more development. (I am sure the election results did not escape VK's notice.) Someone who lives in the area informed me that there seemed to be surveying activity going on at the VK Farm site.

VK has said that one of the reasons he is successful is that he is a patient man; he waits for the right time to act. He did not have to wait long.

Links: www.betterbrookfield.com

The seamier side of Brookfield politics

Everything is not as squeaky clean in Brookfield as we were led to believe. It appears the rumor mill was in full tilt prior to the mayoral election.

Where did those rumors come from? According to one Brookfield resident, some came from a Speaker fundraiser. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on their weblog yesterday that a resident did indeed hear City plan commissioner Paul Wartman say that Kilkenny was bipolar. According to this witness, others at the event made similar statements about her mental stability. He included Alderman Gary Mahkorn in this group.

Can the mayor claim that he ran a clean campaign if this sort of thing was going on at his fundraiser? As I said before, I believe the candidate sets the tone for their campaign amongst his supporters and election team.

The article also said that these comments about Kilkenny's mental stability were the topic of discussion on blogs and local talk-radio shows. At the watch party for Kilkenny after the election I heard it was even an item of discussion amongst school classmates.

It seems it is pretty obvious this was not just an item of discussion at this one event. Time will tell what comes of all this. It is one thing to lose to an opponent fair and square; it is quite another to lose because of lies, rumors and innuendo.

Anyway, that is how I see it.

LINKS: www.betterbrookfield.com

The good news is 3 new aldermen; the bad news is....

OK, I admit it, I am stunned. Jeff Speaker won, big time. I wish I could say his win was based on who he is as a leader or the issues, but I don't believe it was.

Kilkenny did not really run against the mayor; instead she ran against the inner circle of the 9 aldermen who gave their endorsements for Speaker and the powerful plan commission.

She was winning, but the mud-slinging was the thing I hadn't factored in.

I wrote a few days ago that quote from Mark Twain, "A good lie will have traveled half way around the world while the truth is putting on her boots." In our case, the lies only had to travel across Brookfield.

I think she ran a clean campaign based on the issues, and of that, I think she can be proud. Obviously, her message resonated with the voters; after all they voted for challengers Carnell, Mellone and Mellone in district 1, 6, and 7. (They all ran on very similar platforms.)

The sad part of it is, Brookfield is the real loser here. With our last remaining greenspace becoming more urbanized all the time, we are nearing the point of no return. When our taxes continue to rise, as they do in urbanized areas, the people who voted the status quo will realize their error.

I appreciate hearing your comments; I am sure Cindy would too.

The vote tallies are not official yet; they will be finalized on Wed. Right now it looks as if we will have 4 new aldermen on the council. Heinrich was voted out as were Brunner and Schellinger who endorsed the mayor.

Jeff Speaker - 6,074
Cindy Kilkenny- 3,746
Write in - 57

Bill Carnell - 672
Dick Brunner - 661

Jerry Mellone - 683
Jim Heinrich - 645

Lisa Mellone - 773
Tom Schellinger - 520

Barbara Roncke -
Tom Schellinger -

Better Outcomes Survey

Charles Stanfield conducted a survey of candidate performance. His results are as follows: Mayor Speaker-D+, Alderman Nelson-C, Alderman Heinrich-D+, Alderman Schellinger-D
You may email Charles at brookfield@better-outcomes.com for a complete report. (I do not know Charles.) His goal was to provide an independent source of candidate information. His website may be up on Tuesday, www.betteroutcomes.com
FYI, More letters to the Brookfield News have been posted.

The mayor's own words

The election is Tuesday. Voters will go to the polls and select the next mayor. Their choice will determine if our city becomes more urban as the trend has been, or if it clings to the City in the countryside atmosphere that drew so many of us here.

If you have been reading this blog or have received my Suburb Savers emails, you know where I stand on these issues. I favor the "country" suburban atmosphere.

Cindy Kilkenny has done an excellent job in providing the voter with specific information on where she stands and what she plans for Brookfield's future. She has also been very upfront about her stance on not accepting developer money as a campaign contribution.

Specific information is rather hard to find from the mayor, however. He has only given us generalities about his accomplishments, such as holding taxes in check and that he has protected and improved neighborhoods. He also claims that the numerous donations to his campaign from developers have not influenced his decisions about development approvals. (Please note: I do not believe that he has benefitted personally from these developer donations. But, I do believe that being courted by the wealthy and powerful developers seeking approval for their projects can be a very seductive force.)

The fact is, tax rate figures indicate that our taxes have not been held in check; they are up 7% above the rate of inflation. (Look at your tax bills from the last 4 years.)

As for his protecting and improving neighborhoods, these are some of the notes I took from his conclusion of the second debate:

1. I know I've made some of you angry...but when you are placed into this position (you have to make certain decisions.)
2. Many of you might not believe I hear you. I've heard that I don't listen. Once I have the facts, (I make up my mind).
3. Some of you are not happy with the answers...I'm sorry, (I had to).
4. Some look at me as if I am a terrible person for the decisions I made.
5. I won't appolgize for the decisions I have made.

He went on and ended with, the decision is yours April 4th. It was rather an odd finale for a debate.

I don't know about you, but I don't think these are the comments of a mayor who is protecting and improving neighborhoods!

Channel 12 news had both candidates on the 10 o'clock news last week. The main thrust of the interview was development and Brookfield being at a crossroads--turn left and we become more urban, turn right and we remaing a suburb.

The mayor started the interview with, I believe I have done a good enough job to get reelected. Now, every mayor, if they are worth their weight in gold or whatever, is going to have people that don't agree with them.

Kilkenny made the point about campaign donations coming in and that same developer's plan landing on the plan commission agenda shortly after, and how we need to protect our remaining greenspace.

The mayor then commented about taking donations, Public safety is not an over paid profession in any way. Will I accept money from developers? You betcha. But I always keep in mind one thing: I know who I am representing, it is the citizens of Brookfield.

I'll take their money, because that money will help me get my message out to the citizens. It will let them see what I know and how I view things. Will I take their money? Absolutely.

Mike Anderson then asks, What do these developers get from you?

A "Thank you" the mayor says. (Actually, I think it is the mayor who gets the thank you. Only one project that I can think of did not pass the plan commission and council.)

He was right about one thing--the decision is up to the voters on April 4th!

Links: Mayoral current campaign related news and updates: www.kilkennyformayor.blogspot.com

Mayoral Campaign: http://www.kilkennyformayor.com/

Aldermanic races district 6 & 7: http://www.betterbrookfield.com/
Comments or questions: kyleprast@gmail.com

The good old boys: desperate to protect their power

We already looked at the inconsistencies in the endorsement from Ted Kanavas, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel pointed out the conflict of interest with the Paul Bucher endorsement. (Bucher was investigating a campaign contribution violations for Speaker from 2002—no answer on that yet. Bucher and Speaker used the same campaign manager for the prior election, and Speaker donated $100 to Bucher’s current campaign.)

But what about the 9 aldermen and those plan commission members who have lined up behind the mayor? MJS had a very good article Sunday explaining how Speaker’s reign really became just a continuation of Bloomberg’s.

Shouldn’t we ask, do the 9 aldermen and plan commission members who endorsed Speaker really think the current mayor is so wonderful? Or are they just worried that with an able leader in charge, it will no longer be business as usual for the plan commission and inner circle common council members who are really running the show?

Currently, in a last minute PAC group letter, 10 plan commission members stated, “In our form of city government, the mayor actually has little power.” That fact is pretty obvious. But that is only with our current mayor! He clearly does not understand the power he has available to him. Remember, he himself stated in the Freeman interview, “We can’t control where we are.” Kilkenny understands the true role of the mayor, “The mayor, as chairman of the city’s plan commission, sets the agenda and basically controls development in Brookfield.”

If the mayor really is so powerless, why do we pay him $90,000+ a year? That is pretty high pay for just a figurehead! I think a more correct analysis of the current situation is: under the present arrangement, certain inner circle aldermen in concert with the plan commission are running the show with a mayor who does not realize what his true role should be.

One resident put it this way in a letter submitted to the Brookfield News.
old-boy network (old' boi') n.-An informal, exclusive system of mutual assistance and friendship through which men belonging to a particular group exchange favors and connections, as in politics or business.

After reading the headline articles on nine aldermen, Kuttemperoor, and other developers declaring support for incumbent mayor Jeff Speaker, one can't help but suspect that an old-boy network is alive and active at our Brookfield City Hall and that the network is anxious to keep it that way

Do you realize how often the plan commission and council blindly approves everything that comes along? We could save a lot of money on alderman salaries and just have most of those 9 aldermen’s electronic voting boxes programmed to vote “Yes” for development related issues. (Schellinger and Brunner have stated their regrets for approving Capitol Heights now that they realize how much the public is tired of the automatic "Yes" rubber stamp of approval.)

As far as I know, there has only been one, ONE project brought before this mayor and council that has not been approved: Deer Creek Plaza at the former Sentry Foods site on Calhoun and Greenfield.

Bottom line: We pay these people to represent US not the developers. It is time we elected a mayor and council that understands that basic concept. I hope that we have a clean sweep in city hall and elect the challengers to the status quo: Kilkenny, Carnell, Mellone, and Mellone. We need a mayor and aldermen who will be more than just “Yes men”.

P.S. I am very grateful to the aldermen who do demonstrate independence of thought with their votes. Alderman Blackburn has consistently shown us that it is possible to not sucumb to the seduction of the inner circle. Some others, most of those who did not endorse the incumbent mayor also show signs that under fresh leadership, we may actually get a council that does what it is supposed to do.

Links: Mayoral current campaign related news www.kilkennyformayor.blogspot.com

Mayoral Campaign: http://www.kilkennyformayor.com/

Aldermanic races district 6 & 7: http://www.betterbrookfield.com/

Comments or questions to kyleprast@gmail.com

Get out the popcorn; watch a good movie.

Time to take a little break from it all. How about a good movie tonight?

May I suggest a few of my favorites:

"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" We are all pretty familiar with this classic. The political outsider goes to Washington not realizing he is just a puppet in a corrupt scheme. Finally, he figures it out, that the machine was just using him, and he eventually puts things aright. The boy guides mount a grassroots effort to get the truth out. I think we all have a soft spot for this movie.

For the ladies, "Legally blonde" and "Legally blonde2" Yes, these two are just pure fluff. But if you happen to need a little comic relief from the political frenzy, they illustrate that to an idealist, one does not need to become part of the political machine to achieve success.

Sci-Fi lovers will enjoy "The Matrix" Just be aware that like Neo, those of us who choose the red pill, and see what is going on in our city for what it really is, will no longer be able to agree with the status quo here in Brookfield.

Lastly, "The Farmer's Daughter" This 1947 classic shows the darker side of campaigns. Loretta Young is the idealist in this film.

OK, I have had my fun. Enjoy your evening.

Links: Mayoral current campaign related news www.kilkennyformayor.blogspot.com

Mayoral Campaign: http://www.kilkennyformayor.com/Aldermanic races district 6 & 7: http://www.betterbrookfield.com/

Comments or questions to kyleprast@gmail.com

Make time for Truth to get her boots on

Mark Twain said, "A good lie will have traveled half way around the world while the Truth is putting on her boots."

The misinformation campaign is in full swing and from all places, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. We all know what an expert team their editorial staff must have to consistently pick all those winners in elections, but what I am referring to is their negligence of reading their own papers!

They reported in that glowing endorsement of Speaker that one of the reasons they did not go with Kilkenny was because, "She also recently expressed interest in running for the state Assembly seat vacated by Scott Jensen, calling into question her commitment to city government."

Their reporter was at both debates where this subject came up, and Kilkenny made it very clear that her first priority was becoming mayor of Brookfield.

Speaker, incidentally, made it very clear that he was seeking no other office. Does that surprise us? He does not have a political science background, and because he was a police officer all those 17 years, he is nearly eligible for state retirement (the mayor's job is in the state retirement fund too.) He is also 9 years Kilkenny's senior. She is younger and is thinking more long term. She has 20 years before retirement, and I don't think anyone would expect her to be mayor for that entire time!

The paper is trying to paint her as being Shellinger-eske, running for every office available. But bear in mind that she did not run for both alderman and mayor as some often do. Why? Because her focus is only on becoming Brookfield's next mayor. She stated at the debate that IF elected as Brookfield's mayor, she would not seek any other office. I think that is pretty clear. She did not register to run for the Jensen seat either.

Their own blog posted that, "her 'first love' is for the mayor's seat, which she said would work better for her family given her daughter's remaining four years in high school.' I know the mayor's office is the best place for my skill set,' Kilkenny said.

'My first choice is to continue to earn the respect of Brookfield voters and be put in as mayor. But I honestly can say I won't rule it out,' Kilkenny said of a bid for state office. 'If I'm not successful in my bid for mayor, I will consider it,' Kilkenny said. 'But I am not thinking I'm going to have to worry about it'.

Pretty convenient to have the facts at your fingertips, or should I say printed in your OWN PAPER, and then infer something else that is less than the truth to promote the candidate that best fits your agenda.

I think there are laws against that sort of thing.

Links: Mayoral current campaign related news www.kilkennyformayor.blogspot.com
Mayoral Campaign: http://www.kilkennyformayor.com/
Aldermanic races district 6 & 7: http://www.betterbrookfield.com/
Comments or questions to kyleprast@gmail.com