Submitted by
Name: T
Name: T
Comments:
The Miss Madison Inc issue is not the scandal the mayor has made it out to be. The board hasn’t been negligent or acted irresponsibly. The city does NOT own anything and although there has been ample slander and liable out of the city- the MMI board has generally acted within reason. Here are the facts:
I can’t explain why the mayor would state, imply or otherwise threaten that he was going to stop any sale of MMI boats. Negotiations began in November of 24 and the sale was FINAL December 23d 20024. It was public knowledge or at least a well heard rumor by Thanksgiving. The boats were sold for a very fair price. The deal is final. The mayor knew all of that when he announced to the public he was going to “take action.” But he also knew something else- which I will explain towards the end of the report.
Furthermore, no one seems to be able to figure out what the mayor thought the city owned that the board had sold illegally without “city permission.” Most just have said something like, “you know Bob” or “He needed attention” or worse related to drinking or temper tantrums. The point is even city council persons have stated no one really knows why Bob “flew into a multi press release rage- spewing out misinformation and outright lies.” But again, there is more to the story than who owns what boat.
There is ample evidence that it was MMI property that was sold- not city - MMI has insurance documents that lists MMI (NOT the city) as the insured. AND- MMI has tax records that show they owned boats and held cash in MMI’s name as a public 501c3 charity. AND- According to TWO past city clerk treasurers, to their knowledge the city never carried any hydroplane assets on their books, nor did they receive revenue or hold assets identified as connected in any way to MMI or insure boats. AND- There are NO city records -either city council, board of public works or clerk treasurer which show a public discussion about buying or owning any MMI assets including a boat.
HOWEVER-The city has provided municipal trailer and truck plates for MMI – which didn’t cost the city anything. AND- the truth is the city would not likely have ever owned a boat or ran a boat because of substantial liability, as well as cost. Many have correctly pointed out that citizens would be outraged that roads are a mess and trash and water fees have skyrocketed but the city is the hydroplane boat business.
Finally, we have to ask, was MMI obligated to continue to attempt to own and operate a boat if they knew crowd sizes had declined for numerous years, owners had withdrawn or entirely dropped from the circuit, and strong sponsors were few and far between? The answers are obvious-NO, they weren’t obligated to continue to operate at a loss in a dying sport. Should they have taken advantage of excellent opportunities to liquidate boats without sponsors and adequate funding to race safely and with a winning vision? NO, the board was not obligated to make horrendous business choices so Madison could claim they had a hometown boat. While sad for some- it’s entirely logical and predictable to most. The sale is final – the mayor never had any intentions or ability to stop the sale.
Here's the rest of the story. MMI’s taxes will be filed the 3d quarter of this year for 2024- it is expected to show right about ONE MILLION in cash. MMI board had decided the remaining funds after balances due, would be shifted to REGATTA. When past board members and informed community stake holders were asked why the mayor misled the community and why Bob had told everyone the board members had sold property they didn’t own and implying other unethical and illegal actions----their opinion was the mayor was looking for a way to get his hands on the MONEY. And so he has and coincidentally, he has announced there will be no boat in 2025 and things are being “discussed for 2026”. But now the mayor controls ONE MILLION DOLLARS- cash without city council oversight or citizen input. Where do you think it will go?
The Miss Madison Inc issue is not the scandal the mayor has made it out to be. The board hasn’t been negligent or acted irresponsibly. The city does NOT own anything and although there has been ample slander and liable out of the city- the MMI board has generally acted within reason. Here are the facts:
I can’t explain why the mayor would state, imply or otherwise threaten that he was going to stop any sale of MMI boats. Negotiations began in November of 24 and the sale was FINAL December 23d 20024. It was public knowledge or at least a well heard rumor by Thanksgiving. The boats were sold for a very fair price. The deal is final. The mayor knew all of that when he announced to the public he was going to “take action.” But he also knew something else- which I will explain towards the end of the report.
Furthermore, no one seems to be able to figure out what the mayor thought the city owned that the board had sold illegally without “city permission.” Most just have said something like, “you know Bob” or “He needed attention” or worse related to drinking or temper tantrums. The point is even city council persons have stated no one really knows why Bob “flew into a multi press release rage- spewing out misinformation and outright lies.” But again, there is more to the story than who owns what boat.
There is ample evidence that it was MMI property that was sold- not city - MMI has insurance documents that lists MMI (NOT the city) as the insured. AND- MMI has tax records that show they owned boats and held cash in MMI’s name as a public 501c3 charity. AND- According to TWO past city clerk treasurers, to their knowledge the city never carried any hydroplane assets on their books, nor did they receive revenue or hold assets identified as connected in any way to MMI or insure boats. AND- There are NO city records -either city council, board of public works or clerk treasurer which show a public discussion about buying or owning any MMI assets including a boat.
HOWEVER-The city has provided municipal trailer and truck plates for MMI – which didn’t cost the city anything. AND- the truth is the city would not likely have ever owned a boat or ran a boat because of substantial liability, as well as cost. Many have correctly pointed out that citizens would be outraged that roads are a mess and trash and water fees have skyrocketed but the city is the hydroplane boat business.
Finally, we have to ask, was MMI obligated to continue to attempt to own and operate a boat if they knew crowd sizes had declined for numerous years, owners had withdrawn or entirely dropped from the circuit, and strong sponsors were few and far between? The answers are obvious-NO, they weren’t obligated to continue to operate at a loss in a dying sport. Should they have taken advantage of excellent opportunities to liquidate boats without sponsors and adequate funding to race safely and with a winning vision? NO, the board was not obligated to make horrendous business choices so Madison could claim they had a hometown boat. While sad for some- it’s entirely logical and predictable to most. The sale is final – the mayor never had any intentions or ability to stop the sale.
Here's the rest of the story. MMI’s taxes will be filed the 3d quarter of this year for 2024- it is expected to show right about ONE MILLION in cash. MMI board had decided the remaining funds after balances due, would be shifted to REGATTA. When past board members and informed community stake holders were asked why the mayor misled the community and why Bob had told everyone the board members had sold property they didn’t own and implying other unethical and illegal actions----their opinion was the mayor was looking for a way to get his hands on the MONEY. And so he has and coincidentally, he has announced there will be no boat in 2025 and things are being “discussed for 2026”. But now the mayor controls ONE MILLION DOLLARS- cash without city council oversight or citizen input. Where do you think it will go?
Added: February 16, 2025 08:01:25 PM
Name: Tourist
From: Madison
Is tourism down in madison? Usually when a cities government is doing well...like police. Health care...court system. The cities residents are doing well. But downtown always looks so empty? Guess it's always that way. Just never noticed?