Wake Up! Waukesha

Mayor Larry Nelson is logical and only qualified choice for 2010

Posted by Jay Walt on April 1, 2010 | 1 comment

Community, Community Happenings, County News, Observations

First - I live in the Town of Brookfield and cannot vote for a Waukesha Mayor - but I have many vested interests in the City of Waukesha where the results of this Mayoral contest will have an impact. Now...on to my endorsement for the next Mayor of Waukesha....

Municipal Water - Let's get the water issue behind us...Like the majority of citizens, I assume that when I turn on the shower or use a sink - clean water will flow. The requirement for radium-free water for Waukesha has generated hundreds and hundreds of hours of study, debate, and decision-making on the parts of dozens of educated professionals. They all agree: after 2 years of study - Waukesha needs Lake Michigan water. Candidate Scrima starts with quarry water as a new viable source, and plays on people's fears and egos by telling voters Waukesha will be beholding to Milwaukee...Except - Scrima flips in the 2 weeks prior to the elections and acknowledges Milwaukee water could be the correct source. And Except - Many of Scrima's biggest donors are water treatment businesses who have donated almost $3,000 to his campaign -  and who would personally profit from any Non-Lake Michigan water source. WATER ADVANTAGE - NELSON

Experience - I am a huge fan of experience - whether government or private sector. Candidate Scrima works for his family real estate company. To date - he has minimal (some might say "NO") experience in the public sector. Why didn't he try to gain experience through an aldermanic term or volunteering for several years on boards and committees? Mayor Nelson served as an alderman for 6 years prior to becoming Mayor. You just don't put a an entry level person (Scrima) directly into the CEO spot in a 55 Million Dollar Business on "hope". EXPERIENCE ADVANTAGE - NELSON

Taxes: Mayor Nelson has championed lower taxes, and tax increases during his term are the lowest of the prior three Mayors. This is fact. Jeff Scrima has stated he will lower taxes, but he has not produced one concrete example to date of where he will accomplish this while maintaining acceptable and desirable levels of service in Waukesha. Not one...Oooops...I forgot....He has said he will do the Mayor's job for half the salary - for a savings of just over $35,000 - a .0006545% savings from the City budget. I applaud Scrima at some level for this offer, but down deep it smacks of a pure attention-getting, headline grabbing offer w/o any real substance or savings to the budget or City. Sorry Jeff - No comprehensive plan for tax savings? No vote!    TAX ADVANTAGE - NELSON

Clothing - Although I don't like wearing a tie, I will put one on as a measure of respect of the situation. And for some reason this campaign has put an inordinate amount of attention on Mayor Nelson's lack of tie decorum, and his choice of Crocs for footwear. Jeff looks good in a tie and his shoes have never stood out for any reason. Let's hope the Mayor has learned neckties send a positive signal to the viewing public. NOTE: The Mayor has been wearing a tie all around the City for the past two weeks (Maybe he has heard the voters speak?). NECKWEAR/CLOTHING ADVANTAGE - SCRIMA

Credibility - Many don't like Mayor Nelson because he is outspoken on his personal political convictions. Fair enough. I don't necessarily agree with some of his personal political views, but I find he he is well-researched and true to his convictions. Candidate Scrima has a serious "Bad Karma" developing around his credibility as it relates to this race. Questions have been raised about his early claims as to his personal involvement in family real estate investments (no documents were produced whatsoever which showed him to be vested as an investor or the "dealmaker"); He has alluded to having a well-rounded group of "anonymous" advisors (Huh?); He suddenly has voting address issues (seems he takes "air-baths" because his listed home address has no water usage) and, when challenged on this, said he was remodeling but has since moved-in but hasn't used any water because he "works late and leaves early" and the water meter must be faulty and.... and .... And don't forget his almost complete "flip" on his Lake Michigan water sourcing. The longer this race goes on and the closer the scrutiny - The more these inconsistencies and my "gut" tell me there is more to Jeff Scrima, and not necessarily positive. Sorry - I'm going with the straight-forward person of conviction.                     (HUGE) CREDIBILITY ADVANTAGE - NELSON 

Cheerleading - While the thought of Mayor Nelson in a cheerleading outfit both repulses while it amuses me, there is no mistaking how important it is to cheer-lead the masses by example. Yes - I have seen countless media photos of Mayor Nelson at countless ribbon-cuttings of new businesses. And I think that is tremendous! He has always championed Waukesha, and his appearances bring local government to the people. More importantly, the Mayor's presence also helps give "gravitas" to the business opening and increases the odds of that new business getting some much-needed free publicity. And this is bad because...? Oh I forgot - The Mayor didn't wear a tie....It's a huge plus to Waukesha to have a Mayor who "gets it" and understands positive news in the media will enhance Waukesha's image for others looking at Waukesha for their needs (Fingers crossed for Waukesha Electric and the possible +100 jobs for this Community!).  CHEERLEADING ADVANTAGE - NELSON       

In summary, Candidate Jeff Scrima could be a well-intentioned, nice person running for Mayor because he wants to do good for the City of Waukesha. If so, I would advise he run for an Aldermanic seat or give his time to one of the numerous Boards and Agencies in this City who are desperately seeking able, enthusiastic, energetic volunteers. And every volunteer Board I am aware of (Having served or serving as Past Waukesha Education Foundation Chair; Waukesha County Community Foundation Advisory Board Member; Chair - Brookfield Parks, Recreation, and Culture Committee; Brookfield Convention and Visitors Board Member/Past President and more) would welcome someone willing to give 50% of their salary to that Agency....Sorry Jeff - Too much...and way too early in your career.

ENTHUSIASTIC ENDORSEMENT - MAYOR LARRY NELSON!