This is political and writerly business, not stuff for coffee klatches. You are running for a common council seat. Your response so far is very poor from anyone, let alone someone concerned with “legitimacy” who is running for public office. Why not just answer my questions here? It would save us both some time, and you seem very concerned about how I spend mine.

The questions I have asked are of interest to many people in the district, and I have no desire to put my time into a personal, off-the-record chat about them for that very reason (they’re public) plus the fact that I don’t have time to sit down and chat with everyone who wants to do so–let alone someone whose “invitation” to talk with them is laced with petty barbs. It points to nothing good that you refuse to treat these questions with the public candor they deserve, not to mention retorting with a bunch of petty fabrications and personal, albeit comic, innuendos.

There is nothing “crafty” about my earlier references to material I’ve written on RNN in the past 12 months. That was not intended as “research” but as is public, fact-based writing clearly by me (with no ad hominem rancor), and people can make what they want of it. I invite them to do so.

As to your comments at the National Night Out, I did not “overhear” your conversation; I was right there in it. It is the strangest kind of reaction for you to constantly try to position me as some kind of sinister person hiding in the shadows or “behind a keyboard” who refuses to have a nice chat with you over tea.

You assumed a public role as RNA board chair, and from your campaign for that position onward you have spoken and acted in a public capacity on matters of interest to Riverwest area residents. Naturally I have reported on some of your doings along with the many other topics and people I and others cover on RNN. RNN has 721 members (as of today), daily and weekly newsletters, and it reaches a rather broad audience for a glorified blog, much like this venue here. What is sinister about that, other than the fact that you don’t like my questions or a tiny fraction of the articles I’ve written?

We are all behind keyboards, and it is a convenient way to communicate–directly–except for your recalcitrant refusal to answer questions. If you don’t like things I’ve written, fine–take a number and deal with it, preferably by engaging matters of fact and by posing and answering real questions most people care about.

In August you did say what I quoted you as saying, and you do not deny it. Fine if you think Mike McGee is unbeatable in the 6th. What you said then however is that you would not run there, in your district, because you are not black. This plus your partial elaboration that you do not identify with or count the 6th as “your community” suggests an unwillingness or inability to deal with the diversity in this City and even the 3rd District.

As to the rest, which hardly deserves a response, I have never seen you as part of any “conspiracy,” though you continue to use such language about me in a bizarre string of fictions.

I’d like to run a candidate Q&A for RNN down the line, and you will naturally be part of that if you can commit to answering the questions as they’re asked. I don’t see why you can’t do that here also. It would surely be better than issuing personal attacks on matters of no interest to anyone who is not obsessed with the terrible fact that I paid for, built, and operated a website for RNA since 2003 and then converted it to an independent community/news site in 2007 following a consensus to do so with the RNA board in 2006–well before your involvement with it. The reasons for this were many and were publicly recorded in the RNA minutes, aside from my own announcement of it–both are archived at RNN.

For the record, I never “deleted” anyone from RNN without them asking to terminate their account. What you are wrongly referring to is this: After prior warning, I removed one RNA board member from RNN for repeatedly flaming people and behaving very badly on the site. This had nothing to do with RNA, you or politics. Conditions were given under which she’d be allowed back, but this was not pursued by her. What resulted was months of bizarre, sad, strange, and embarrassing obsessive rants about me and the awful RNN site. Then when you, another board member, and one of your tenants defended the “perspective” behind phoney neighborhood watch stickers that say “Police Not Wanted” I removed you at your own request. As I recall this was in protest to me removing the other board member who refused to stop posting comments when I asked for an end to a discussion thread that had gotten out of hand. Nobody else was “blocked,” Google was not manipulated, and all the other silly nonsense I’ve been accused of by a tiny vocal minority of embarrassing individuals is simply silly nonsense. I am amazed you would dredge it up, and I am embarrassed for you and the others involved that you would see this “oppression” as worthwhile of any public comment whatsoever.

A friend of mine told me you posted this, and so I’ll respond.

Interesting that you can’t and won’t call me, though I’ve asked you specifically many times. Instead, you’d like to perpetuate your conspiracy myths above (which you wrote by the way — that’s some crafty research, there, to be quoting yourself in trying to prove your point).

At national night out, one of few times you’ve been able to mumble a few words at me, you overheard a conversation I was having with Dan Vogel, and you suggested that I run in the 6th district. Among other things, my response was that the 6th district isn’t my community and that McGee is strong. My community is Riverwest and the East Side, where I’ve lived for over 25 years. It would be crazy for me to run anywhere else.

Dan, I find it really ironic that you have spent so much time over the months trying to delegitamize me by trying to smear my reputation. I guess you can only do it by making things up, and then refusing to talk to me.

I have invited you to meet with me for coffee or beer, or just have a phone conversation, but you’ve literally turned your back on me and walked away. Why, that’s community spirit! But, it’s very safe behind your computer screen, isn’t it?

After your hostile takeover of the RNA website which you volunteered to create, you deleted RNA board members from the site. You blocked people’s IP addresses so they couldn’t read the site, including RNA board members, and you’ve deleted clarifying comments after you post misinformation, not allowing people to clear up your crazy ideas. That’s why many of us have unsubscribed.

So Dan, since you just talk crap about anyone who disagrees with you, without the courtesy of actually talking to them and finding out the truth, and since you’re hell-bent on creating some kind of conspiracy around me, I’m going to suggest that you refocus. Take it easy. Take yoga classes or something. All the people that you treat poorly, and all your dirt-flinging is not going to serve you or your community for the better. Why don’t you spend some quality time with your daughters instead? Be a good dad - take them out, play with them. You’ll make a way better world doing that than you will by attacking people you won’t even bother to get to know.

And go ahead, make something up in your response. I’m sure you’re going to anyway, or you’ll post under one of your many aliases.

Dude, get a life.

The only quote I gave was a direct quote, absolutely as I and 2 other people heard it at Gordon Park on the occasion of the National Night Out. Question from Dan Vogel: “Why aren’t you running in your own district?” (I.e., the 6th.) Answer from Sura: “I’m not black enough.” That’s an interesting answer that wants elaboration.

Especially since Sura has been telling people she would only seek to hold a municipal office 1 term or so if elected, and then go for the county or state level. Maybe that is just bravado, but it also says something–and realistically would entail representing much more diverse constituencies than District 3.

Further reading on Sura’s record, for those who are interested:

“Anti-Gentrification” Vandals Target Riverwest Business, Green Construction Project
http://www.riverwestneighborhood.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1079&Itemid=567&lang=

To Destroy or Not to Destroy: Life with the Unreal Radicals
http://www.riverwestneighborhood.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=848&Itemid=582&lang=

RNA Looking for New Board Members, Four Have Resigned (Sura was, at the time, chair of RNA)
http://www.riverwestneighborhood.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1098&Itemid=567&lang=

5th resignation letter:
http://www.riverwestneighborhood.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1143&Itemid=501&lang=

Residents Support Holton St. Development; McGee Questions Motives, Sexual Orientations
http://www.riverwestneighborhood.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=481&Itemid=567&lang=

“Police Not Welcome” Stickers Noticed
http://www.riverwestneighborhood.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=531&Itemid=567&lang=

I’m going to take a pass at answering posts that misquote and/or misrepresent me or others. In fact, I’ll be unsubscribing from notices, so if you have questions, I again welcome any of you to call me at 263.1513.

There are lots of candidate forums coming up — East Side, Riverwest, UWM, potentially a few more. Check out my website, http://www.SuraForChange.com. As things progress, I’ll be posting them.

Sura

What do you mean by “registered candidates?” Regarding the EVA meeting, it was held at least a week after all the candidates (except Matt Nelson, I think) had pulled papers and announced their intentions–and that I believe is all you and Nik had done at that point also.

Our of eagerness or ignorance, it seems shady that EVA would hold a 2-candidate meet & greet at one of their group meetings. The email announcing the even served as an endorsement of the both of you, which continues this interesting theme of misunderstanding how an election race works.

Do you know EVA was organized under bylaws that prohibit political campaigning? It may also have been registered as a non-profit on the same model as the Riverwest Neighborhood Association/RNA where you were recently chair and are still a member of the board. Probably when Bernie Bondar and CRG Network Field Operations Director Orville Seymer took over EVA they simply discarded and proceeded to ignore these bylaws. This was cheered on by long-time Seymer fan Own Robinson at that blog we all know and love, http://www.BootsandSabers.com

Are you aware of this history? What do you think about the CRG/EVA agenda to get rid of the east village conservation overlay? What are your views about the new proposed river corridor overlay, and an idea to expand it into residential neighborhoods?

Finally, what is your involvement in the RNA’s planning for a candidate forum of its own?

http://www.riverwestcurrents.org/2005/October/002466.html

EVA=CRG since their minions took it over, as you well know. Have you taken any donations from CRG people? Has Nik? The answer for him is YES. ORV SEYMER no less. What promises are being made about “repealing” the conservation overlay there? At the same time Nik is mouthing support to other people for the river overlay.

I am not running “with Nik.” Please read the OnMilwaukee.com article and if you still have questions, call me.

I am an independent voter and candidate.

I have nothing about Nader on my website.

I am not “running with Brady St. landlords” or the CRG. Are you nuts?

The EVA organized a meeting for Nik and me when we were the only registered candidates. My understanding is that they may hold another one including all candidates.

I do not have the authority to appoint board members to RNA.

Garden Park *is* about saving community garden space that is under threat of being wholly developed. Residents, including those who helped start Garden Park, are for the building of the tea room on less than half of the land, b/c the potential owner, Deborah Kern, will allow the community gardens and Gardeners’ Market to continue on the remaining space. Additionally, the gardeners will have access to bathrooms, electricity and water.

Sura

He definitely has no history in the radical community. She is a Green and her website does have a good focus on things like urban farms and how those who speak the truth to Power (like Kucinichs and Naders) get shut down.

BUT! She and “Nic” are running together with Brady St. landlords and a right wing group (CRG) that is behind their east village association. Kovac is definitely in their pocket taking cash money from Orvil Seymer of the CRG and Wisconsin Landlord Association.

These people have been AGAINST efforts from neighbors and Damato to stop condos and let neighbors influence development in their area.

The east village just had a “forum” with that association for “candidates” but it was only these two candidates. It seems Sura also was on the riverwest enighborhood association council and appointed Nic to it. The Garden Park development she writes about is NOT about saving public space. She has wanted RNA to support development of a ritzy “tea room” on locust (same people have one in Shorewood) that will take up about half of the land that has been used as a park and farmer’s market.

As for the 3rd, the nod would have to go to Sura, who’s got a head start and would represent a change that some of the powers that be might not appreciate - which means watch out for D’Amato’s aide, Sam McGovern-Rowen.

I’m hearing there might be others entering the fray - remember 1996 when D’Amato won after getting through an 11-candidate primary and the mystery surrounding the Gotzler drug trafficking case?

I feel a retrospective coming on, better left to a new post of its own.

In the words of Robert Francis Kennedy,

Each time a man stands for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.

God Bless You All,

Rev. Russ

I also read in the news report that they are committed to the car situation. I was the most concerned about that issue. UWM followed through with its commitment and has sponsored Flexcar - car sharing group.

I wish you well in the election.
Tabbor

PS - Hi Sura

And this is exactly what that vote in RNA’s meeting was about.

The motion at the RNA membership meeting came only after the city first promised to keep this area as green space and then decided to put out a Request for Proposals to develop it (which they are still doing and perhaps even tying it to the parking lot which is kitty corner from Garden Park). Development of this community garden would go against the wishes of the vast majority of the neighborhood. It would end the farmers market and all the other public things that make it a vibrant community space.

Because the city is now insisting on developing it, the Friends of Garden Park and RNA’s Guardians of Greenspace Committee both decided to support a proposal to put a tea shop on part of the land b/c Debra Kern, the developer, promised an easement for continued use *by the community* ensuring that “the community will continue to oversee Garden Park, the farmers market, and the planting and maintenance of a public garden and public open green space.”

Perhaps you and a few others don’t value green space, community gardens, farmers markets, free markets or outdoor music and gathering space, but I can assure you that many people in Riverwest do.

I thought the parking lot was a reference to some flap on Downer Ave.

Now who do you think could seriously challenge D’Amato, and is such a person interested in running? It’s a big district and probably represents the biggest tax base by far for all the districts. Seeing that District 3 basically means “East Side” in terms of size, money, influence, major constituency, people who actually vote, etc. someone identified with Riverwest has not a snowball’s chance…

Marcus, I don’t think I know you, but thanks for the support.

Milwaukee Joe, I have closing documents for a few East Side parking lots that show refunds of full purchase price to the buyers.

Michael, I used to live in the 3rd District, and I haven’t moved — the district line did. Let’s not be bound in our thinking by arbitrarily drawn lines. The vast majority of Riverwest and East Side are in the 3rd District. I have lived on both sides of the River and this is where my heart, my life, and my community are.

Jim, I hope someone better than D’Amato will step up for County Exec - I see the potential of him selling off even more parkland to developers.

John-David, I welcome students in Riverwest. And I think Humboldt and North would have been a great place for a dorm, since it’s a vacant lot. Unfortunately, the dorm is on Humboldt and the bluff of the Milwaukee River. I along with many others are opposed to building on the bluff of the river for what I hope are obvious reasons.

The dorm deal was very complicated and not only involved the CMC railroad right-of-way and a land swap of County parkland, but also removal of protection from the National Park Service, signing off by the Wis DNR, mitigation by developers (not yet done) for taking land away from an endangerd species (Butler Garter Snake) and many other things. In addition to the Dorm that will house close to 500, there will be retail shops, apartments and condos just to the north and west.

And lastly, thanks, Jim, for writing about the campaign.

I’d be happy to answer any other questions or listen to comments. My number is 263.1513.

Empty storefronts result from a lack of customers, which, surprisingly enough, can often be remedied by *increasing density* and providing places for more people to live in the area. That also inreases eyes and feet on the street, which in turn can reduce crime. Yet for some reason you don’t seem to want that…

Are you implying that your alderman had something to do with “dangerous streets where people are run over?” Wasn’t HE was the one who got the city to spend money and helped get the street calming signs on Brady Street, along with a “slow down” campaign, on behalf of neighbors?! Yet your trying to hold him responsible for the behavior of some east side idiot drivers who run over marathoners? Gimme a break!

I know some people from my district who have contributed to D’Amato’s campaign because they appreciate his views and actions on the council.

Marcus, you need to do a little research and find out just how many “real people of the East Side” have given money to Ald. D’Amato. Hint: LOTS. Plenty of everyday residents who truly value the work he has done for your district. I count some of them among my friends. They may not always agree with him, but who always agrees on everything?

Link:
http://cfp.milwaukee.gov/campaign_finance/performreportsinquiry.asp

After looking at that list, you can’t still believe that there aren’t many third district residents who agree with him and appreicate his work. The usually silent majority of sensible residents aren’t interested in your conspiracy theories. They show their will every election, and so far D’Amato has been elected by a pretty good margin everytime he’s had an opponent.

If you go here (http://www.my-rna.org/archive) and click on the April meeting minutes, you will find a little gem that shows that the organization Ms. Faraj leads wrote a letter requesting that Mr. D’Amato prevent the DCD from requesting proposals — so that instead, the RNA’s developer of choice could build what they want.

Here’s the relevant quote, if you don’t want to click through and download the word document:

“Wendy reported that the letter to Ald. Mike D’Amato, regarding the proposal to build on Garden Park requesting no RFP, was written and delivered.”

It seems that when the rules she wants to so strictly enforce don’t fit with her end goals, Ms. Faraj has no problem breaking them.

I think Sura is referring to Gary Grunau’s Rivercenter Development, which involved converting a city-owned lot into a parking structure for Manpower, with building management/Manpower leasing the space from the city. No, it’s not public parking anymore, but I believe the city would retain possession of the parking garage after 20 years. The Manpower headquarters project, however, was one of the best development deals to come along in a long time. There were so many pluses for downtown, Brewers’ Hill/Harambee (Bronzeville) — job creation first and foremost — that to quibble over a parking lot was counterproductive. D’Amato will do well in this election to promote the lead role he took in pulling the Rivercenter project together. Mike’s a deal closer, and we need one on the council.

Building student housing on the river bluff, which Sura mentions, did involve part of what used to be a C and C railway right of way. In terms of transportation, public access to the river and the bike path were an issue. Again, North and Humboldt is not such a bad place for student housing, though, like a lot of things that make Riverwest politics so contentious, it depends who you talk to.

Sura and Mike are two people who I’ve known and liked for years (apologies to Nic Bernstein, who I know and is not running and Nic Kovak, who is running). It sounds as though the race could be a referendum on the course (and pace) of develepment in the 3rd. Such a discussion will give D’Amato a chance to articulate his development vision, knowing that there are sectors of the district that will simply not support him. It’s good for the district and good for Milwaukee. I also hope it’s a fun race for everyone.

How’s that for namby-pamby not-takin’-a-side?

Michael,
I’ve heard that before about the address but I’ll point out that I’ve known Sura for over a decade now and she’s always been in riverwest. I think your point is that riverwest is split into two parts — D’Amato’s district and McGee’s district and you’re suggesting she lives in McGee’s district?

Milwaukee Joe,
I have no idea what she was talking about but I will say this — when there is a project that the city likes and sees as a way to expand the tax base, government entities sometimes work with the private sector with regards to donating land or selling it for a low price in order to make the project go forward. Case in point, there was a chunk of land in Oak Creek that a developer wanted for a business park. That land was in a former railroad corridor and was owned by the county. Unfortunately the Supervisor of that district at the time fought on behalf of the business so they could get that small parcel so the business could expand. I say unfortunately because now that corridor which could have been used for transportation in the future, is no longer available.

The bottom line here is that if an Alderman wants something, they can make it happen if they can get the council to go along with it. Whether this happened or whether the accusation against D’Amato is just blowing smoke is not something I’m prepared to take a stand on because I don’t know.

I’m curious about this accusation, because I’ve never heard of the DCD doing such a thing in its competitive bidding process, known as RFP (request for proposals). Their rules require them to look at all proposed projects and consider the highest and best use for the land, which takes into account a number of factors.

If you e-mail her any further questions about her candidacy, perhaps you can ask her for proof of her strong accusations. They ring blatantly false to my ears, but if she has evidence I’ll stand corrected.

When the mayor and most of the common council ran away from the Park East community benfits agreement, Mike stood up in support.