More Detail?

I regularly send out info with greater detail to individuals who have provided me with their email addresses.

If you would like to be added to this contact list, send me your e-address at kcrawford@manitowoc.org.

County Wind Tower Ordinance Deadly

The Wind Tower Ordinance recommended out of committee to the Manitowoc County Board will cripple jobs creation and growth in our County's cities and villages.

Whether it's Valders, Mishicot or Manitowoc, this new law, if passed in May by the County Board, will halt municipal growth and economic development by hemming us in at our borders. This will devastate our bourgeoning local economy.

Arson Hate Crime

Do you know anything about the recent arson fire on North 7th Street? There is an $11,000 reward for info, or provide your info anonymously to this blog.

We do not tolerate racism, bigotry or intolerance in Manitowoc, WI, USA.

Congrats Manitowoc Company

Manitowoc Company and CEO Terry Growcock earned the highest increase in Wall Street trading today -- 11% to $91 per share.

We appreciate Manitowoc Company's commitment to the citizens of Manitowoc County.

Going HOG Wild Again

Did you know that Manty's 2005 Harley Owners Group (HOG) Rally was the largest in the state's history?

And also had the most Rally Parade participants in the Rally's history.

Most importantly, it had the highest number of parade spectators in the Rally's history!

Thanks Lakeshore and Manitowoc County!

My office in concert with the Visitor and Convention Bureau, our local HOG Chapter and Stock's Harley Davidson are working jointly to bring the HOG Rally back in 2008 (the first subsequent opportunity offered by the group).

We've already overcome the first big hurdle. The HOG Rally is usually scheduled in August when we celebrate our County Fair. Last October, my office working with the VCB and HOG Chapter convinced the State HOG Rally Committee to move its '08 dates to June, when Expo can host the event.

If you want to see the Rally back, next time you see a Harley rider, let 'em know you love 'em, and you want them to bring their friends back to Manitowoc in 2008.

Can you say "Impressive"?

Manitowoc Public Utilities (MPU) electric generation plant is the largest city-owned electric generating facility in the state of Wisconsin. MPU will be an exporter of energy at the completion of its generation project in March when 60+ megawatts of power will be brought "online". We will be selling 20 megawatts of power to Shawano and Clintonville, WI. (One megawatt of power provides energy for 500 homes)

MPU's water microfiltration plant is currently the 2nd largest in North America. Our water filtration facility is one of only 5 facilities in the United States that is approved to operate without staff on second and third shift due to the automated technologies we employ there. When the filtration plant for the Central Brown County Water Authority (CBCWA) pipeline is completed, our combined microfiltration facilities will be the largest in the western hemisphere.

Cool, huh?

MPU Critical to City's Success

There's no doubt about it, Manitowoc Public Utilities (MPU) is our salvation in regard to the ability to continue to supply critical city services in the face of our Assembly's and Senate's continuing reduction in city funding meant to supply these services.

MPU provides benefits to our community by providing both reliable and low-cost electric energy, water and broadband services. In addition, MPU pays its taxes directly to our city government, therefore, making a substantial contribution to those funds that pay for critical services such as police, fire suppression, snow plowing and the like. New taxes generated through our city's continued investment in MPU have helped to defray those losses in state funding caused by the Assembly's and Senate's continued horrible spending policies. We will continue to make aggressive investments in MPU, like our new 65 megawatt boiler / generation project and the Central Brown County Water Authority (CBCWA) pipeline project, because without the benefits reaped from these investments our citizens would not be able to continue to receive the full array of services expected from city government.

Badger Shoreline Cruise

Here is the info on our Manitowoc Shoreline Cruise! The annual shoreline party cruise on the S.S. Badger will be May 20 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm along Manitowoc’s shoreline. Boarding begins at 1:30pm. Ticket price is $29 per adult and $24 for children ages 3-15 (groups of 10 or more receive discount pricing). Price includes the famous all-you-can-eat Badger Party Buffet featuring the bountiful shrimp bowl and $1 draft beers. For entertainment, passengers can dance to the beat of a deejay Space is limited. Call Lake Michigan Carferry for reservations at 1-800-841-4243

City of Manitowoc Opposes TP Amendment

The City of Manitowoc opposes the proposed TP Amendment, which is basically the TABOR pig with lipstick -- the failed Colorado initiative.

• The proposed constitutional amendment would severely restrict the City of Manitowoc's ability to foster and serve new economic development because the growth formula is capped at 60% rather than 100% of new construction, and the revenue limits apply to debt servive levies and TIF levies.
• TheTP Amendment interferes with the elected City of Manitowoc Common Council's control over municipal taxing and spending decisions, and undermines Wisconsins's tradition of representative democracy.
• Furthermore, the proposed TP Amendment will not reduce property taxes because it severely restricts other forms of revenue, like stormwater utility fees, building permit fees, license fees and impact fees that help to reduce the property tax cost of essential services, and that fairly assess the cost of services according to use.
• The TP Amendment fails to recognize that Wisconsin municipalities are a diverse group with great variation in economic conditions, tax base and reliance on shared revenues.
• The TP Amendment unfailry penalizes poorer communities as well as those that have been particularly frugal and efficient in recent years by applying the same revenue limits on all communities regardless of local conditions.
• The TP Amendment makes it difficult to modify the revenue limits in the future...making it impossible to respond quickly to emergencies.
• The City of Manitowoc's elected officials have consistently demonstrated their commitment to controlling spending and reducing the property tax burden on homeowners, and share the Legislature's concerns about high property taxes in this state.
• The City of Manitowoc believes there are better ways to lessen the residential property tax burden than inserting revenue limits into the constitution including:

1. Working with local governments to develop and enact proposals fundamentally reforming how local government is structured and financed in this state;
2. Reducing the number and scope of property tax exemptions created for special interests. Increases in property tax exempmtions have unfairly shifted more of the burden for paying for municipal services onto homeowners. In 1970, residential owners paid 50% of all property taxes in Wisconsin. Today, they pay over 70%.
3. Providing municipal officials with the flexible tools they need for controlling property taxes locally.
4. Increasing state funding of shared revenues.

Get Up'towocs Days

Next Saturday brings "Get Up'towocs Days" to "The Hill" in our fair city. This first annual event is a kick-off to the Milwaukee Brewer season and all Brew fans are invited to this spring celebration to be held at Saucy's Sports Bar that will benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Brats & burgers will be served throughout the day along with silent auctions and raffles for Brewer sports memorabilia and game tickets.

There will be plenty of NCAA tourney action on the "tube", and this Brewer fundraiser will also feature rhythm & blues and rock & roll by the band "Clovis Mann" hailing from the Madison area.

Lakeshore's Rising Stars

Let's thank Terry Stevenson and Riley Haupt for producing Lakeshore's Rising Stars, a statewide talent search that will have the winner walk away with a $10,000 cash prize.

Rising Stars will be hosted at the Capitol Civic Centre beginning in June and will feature a format similar to tevelvision's most popular show, "American Idol". Like "Idol", the producers and Seehafer Broadcasting hope to identify a Wisconsin talent capable of rising to international success and fame.

You can register for your audition at www.lakeshoresrisingstars.com. Do it soon, we're all looking forward to seeing you on stage in downtown Manitowoc.

Acquatic Center for Everyone

Our proposed Acquatic Center is designed to be for kids of all ages and from all geographic locations. There is no doubt that it will provide enough activities to be a regional draw, and water enthusiasts from Reedsville, Maple Grove, Valders, Two Rivers and everywhere will be welcome.

The new water park will be part of our Dewey Street Sports Complex, which will feature the Aquatic Center, our new "Xsports Facility" (commonly referred to as a skate-park), soccer fields and basseball diamonds, bathrooms, concession area and ample off-street parking.

Reward Increased for Information regarding Arson Incident

Through the combined efforts of the Manitowoc Police Department, the State of Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the reward has increased for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for the arson that occurred at 418 N. 6th St. in the City of Manitowoc. The crime was reported on March 3, 2006 at 9:56 p.m. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Crime Stoppers tip line at (920) 683-4466, the Arson Hotline at (800) 362-3005 or the Manitowoc Police Department at 686-6580. Callers may remain anonymous and would now be eligible for a reward of up to $11,000.00.

Acts of violence or any crimes that are motivated by bias towards anyone’s race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry will not be tolerated in the City of Manitowoc.

Winter Parking Ban Lifted

WELCOME SPRING! Winter parking ban in the City of Manitowoc has been lifted. Parking is allowed on all city streets unless otherwise posted. Please be aware of weather conditions and the possibility of reinstating the ban or a snow emergency. Thank you for your cooperation.

Burger Boat's CEO & President David Ross, Governor Jim Doyle, and Burger Boat's General Manager Jim Ruffolo

Governor Doyle came to Manitowoc on St. Patrick's Day to share the states pot of gold! A boon for the local economy and economic development, a Harbor Assistance Program grant was presented to Burger Boat Co, which has doubled its number of employees and continues to grow. In acknowledgement of the private businesses that have invested in the Lakeshore area, Governor Doyle stated, "If there is one community at the forefront of Wisconsin's economic turnaround it is Manitowoc."

Congratulations Roncalli JETS!

Congratulations to the Roncalli JETS for their season's success and trip to State. We celebrate your effort and leadership in making it to the State Tourney.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Luck 'o the Irish to you! Manitowoc's Irish colors are on display. Enjoy the festivities in downtown Manitowoc this evening with the parade beginning at 5:3opm from the Courthouse to the Strand Cinema, followed immediately by a dazzling display of fireworks over the Manitowoc River. Excellent fireworks viewing locations include the areas along the river by the Library, WI Maritime Museum and City Hall.

Did you know that in addition to its own excellent collection, Manitowoc's Rahr-West Art Museum (RWAM) displays wonderful rotating exhibits? Mark your calendars, just such an exhibit is coming to town. Opening April 2, 2006 is the Hainsworth Collection, truly a privilege to have here in our city. The RWAM is the only venue in Wisconsin for this private collection exhibit! The collection is an inspirational collection of masterful artists who documented American scenes stretching from the forests to the prairie to the bustle of everyday life in the city, as well as intimate moments in the passage of daily routines. Pictured at left is "ALEXANDER JOHN WHITE STUDY FOR WOMAN IN BLACK AND GREEN", just one of the many gems that will be on display. Other artists included in the exhibit are George Inness, Childe Hassam, John Robert Twatchman, Robert Henri and Thomas Hart Benton. There are a total of 67 captivating paintings with this exhibit, organized with scholarly documentation and a substantial catalogue by R.H. Love Galleries of Chicago.

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