In recent weeks I’ve got a fair number of emails sent through my personal weblog from readers – some long time and some new – asking how they can help with my campaign for Milwaukee County Supervisor.

News of bus route cuts, fare increases, and an alarming lack of accountability from some Supervisors has residents of Milwaukee County seriously concerned about the direction this County is headed in. The good news is they realize that we desperately need new leadership that will chart a different course for this County.

Leadership that will fight to restore accountability, leadership that will end an era of neglect that our public spaces have endured, and most importantly, leadership who’s top priority is to proactively communicate with and act on behalf of residents of the 15th district.

What I’m hearing from readers is that while they understand the need for a new direction in Milwaukee County and know that I’m the person who can help take us in that new direction, they don’t always know what they can do about it. There are a number of people who have told me that even though they don’t agree with my politics or stances on some issues they know that I’d be an effective leader and represent the best interests of my constituents.

So if you’re one of those people, I’d like to ask for your support in one of the following areas:

• Contribute Financially – It takes money to run a campaign. The cost of yard signs and advertising my message of change can add up! Making a financial donation is one of the easiest and most effective ways to show your support. You can contribute online with a credit card too (or by sending a check) and ANY amount you can contribute helps and is greatly appreciated!
• Contribute your time and talent – Do you have a particular skill in research or publicity? Would you mind hosting a meet and greet for friends, family, and neighbors? Can you spend a few hours to help knock on doors or do literature drops? Smaller elections like this rely very much on the hard work of volunteers, and it only takes a few hours of your time to bring about huge changes in your community! So please consider volunteering your time, talent and energy!
• Spreading the word – Taking a few minutes to talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about the importance of electing a progressive voice as a Milwaukee County Supervisor is very very helpful. Putting a link to my campaign website on your web site or a yard sign in your front yard helps raise awareness also and is also a very easy way to show your support.

Whatever you can help with is appreciated so much… I really mean that. As anyone who’s ever been involved in a campaign knows, it’s really hard work that requires a lot of sacrifice not only from the candidate, but from their family as well. However, I truly believe that those personal sacrifices are more than offset by the benefits that the entire community will see once I’m elected as Supervisor of Milwaukee County’s 15th district.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support!!

I can’t figure out why this article in today’s MJS showed up on the front page and not the editorial page.

Apparently, the MJS has been listening to it’s sister AM talk radio media outlets quite a bit lately. It seems the reporter here is genuinely surprised that “regular” people aren’t panting breathlessly as much about the tax increase as the ultra conservative radio talk show hosts who spend the majority of their day railing against any kind of spending increase in this State, County and City.

One can argue that by questioning the lack of “outrage” about the large tax increase, the MJS is joining it’s other media outlets in trying to whip said outrage by focusing on it and expressing such shock that no one attends MPS board meetings.

I’ve been to enough MPS board meetings to know that the board is usually speaking to itself, or at best, a few concerned people for at least the first half of the meeting.

Yes, there’s a massive amount of apathy from the public on issues relating to the school board, and yes that’s a problem. Instead of joining the conservative chorus to lament the fact that “no one cares about tax increases!!”, the MJS should do its duty as a public educator and commit some resources to reporting about MPS on issues other than police officers or handcuffs. Or give some coverage to MPS issues and the people that make decisions on those issues on days other than those immediately preceding school board elections.

If they’re so concerned about the issue of public apathy towards MPS on issues other than the conservative “anti-tax” crusade, start reporting on the shocking lack of after school programs for kids, or how music and art have all but disappeared from public schools, or why school counselor positions are disappearing at an alarming rate.