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It's question time, just like the British Parliament (UK Parliament - Question Time) - except no Prime Minister or funny wigs - or whigs.
Everywhere, now-a-days, They got that question-asking craze; Dad says to Mother, Ask me another; Now, I got some questions, too; I'd like to ask you just a few, I know the answers; so do you!
Heptune Jazz and Blues Lyrics Page: Transcribed from vocals by Annette Hanshaw, recorded June, 1927; From Annette Hanshaw: The Twenties Sweetheart; Jasmine Records JASMCD 2542.
Don't miss: Parliament's Question Time - anagrams
The photo is from the highly recommended blog Boing Boing http://www.boingboing.net/
What does Monona do to promote business development along the Monona Drive corridor? It is depressing to see how many vacancies there are. Some buildings have been vacant for years.
ReplyDeleteIf I was new to the area and looking for a home, one look at Monona Drive would probably make me hightail it out of here. It doesn't reflect a healthy city.
Anyway, I know this will be especially challenging with the Monona Drive construction coming up, but maybe that will help too.
Do you think the stimulus will work?
ReplyDeleteWhere is the largest pothole on Monona Drive?
ReplyDeleteDoug- I'd like to see a response to Missoula's question. I seem to remember from a recent WSJ article that Monona's mill rate went up by more than any other municipality (was it 9.7?).
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to sound snarky, but I think these issues take precedence over things like chickens in backyards. Besides, a healthy tax base will make sustainability initiatives easier to fund.
I do intend to respond to posts, but am just swamped right now. Not to sound snarky, but my job and city council take precedence over the blog.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, the 9.7% included the school district's increase. The city's increase was about 7.51%, which was higher than I would have liked. The city's debt service peaked this year and so there should be significant change next year.
http://mononadoug.blogspot.com/search/label/Budget
The Monona Drive project will be the best thing we can do for the business health on Monona Drive long term. The road will be safer and easier to enter and exit - not to mention much more attractive and smoother.
We do have three TIF districts that are on or abut Monona Drive and have yielded the Frostwoods ( Horizon) and Slinde developments and the new senior housing on Owen Road.
The comment about "these issues take precedence over things like chickens in backyards" is just, well, is there a nice word for 'idiotic'? (If you can think of a nice word, please use that instead.) Gee, taxes take precedence over chickens??
We can do the budget and do other things - and chew gum too. Being concerned with one does not exclude the other. Of course the budget is the most important things we do. I have always said the budget is about 90% of our job, but it doesn't take up 90% of our time.
If you can point to something specific that you think we are not doing because of the urban chicken proposal, please let me know.
Now you've gone and me cranky....(yeah, yeah - not that hard to do).
"http://www.recovery.wisconsin.gov/journal_media_detail.asp?locid=164&prid=3945"
ReplyDeleteSay-Does the monona drive rehab count as shovel ready or qualify for stimlus....
mmmmm
HP
"http://www.recovery.wisconsin.gov/journal_media_detail.asp?locid=164&prid=3945"
ReplyDeleteSay-Does the monona drive rehab count as shovel ready or qualify for stimlus....
mmmmm
HP
"Does the monona drive rehab count as shovel ready or qualify for stimlus...."
ReplyDeleteYes and we - in particular the mayor - have been all over it for a couple weeks.
Are there any options to make the businesses on Monona Drive cater to a more "walk up" clientele? I know that the complete redoing of it will help immensely, but is there any incentives for walk-up businesses (cafe's, coffee shops, outdoor seating areas, etc) as opposed to businesses that you drive to? Monona Drive is a great resource, and is within walking distance (or bike riding distance at the very least) of just about all citizens of Monona.
ReplyDelete"I do intend to respond to posts, but am just swamped right now. Not to sound snarky, but my job and city council take precedence over the blog."
ReplyDeleteWhoah, whoah, whoah! Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers. I'm not saying you can't do more than one thing. I just see little attention being paid to this issue (on the blog at least).
In my defense, you did make several other postings before replying to this one. It was only when my post got you upset that you replied.
However, all is good. You have explained everything and you have your ducks are in a row. Your eggs are actually in many baskets.
Also, don't call constituent's comments "idiotic" before you fully understand them. Perhaps I came across wrong, but I'm no birdbrain!
Anyway, time to fly my coop and walk over to the library. As the crow flies, its only a mile away!
Dear Anony,
ReplyDeleteI do apologize for using the word 'idiotic'. (And unlike A-Rod, I will not qualify that apology with a bunch of self-justifying explanations.)
As to the substance, I do spend quite a bit of blog time on the budget and taxes around budget time. But spending and taxes are always on my mind. E.g., You may have caught my opposition and close questioning of the need to buy the fire chief a new car.
But for the most part, once the budget is passed and the levy is set there is not a lot we can do to impact taxes.
It is also fairly predictable that when we bring up an unconventional issue, someone will say something like, 'why are you wasting time on that issue?' or 'aren't there more important things for you to do?'
But again, sorry for saying your comment was idiotic.