Street Talk

Submitted by
Name: Citizen

Comments:
Excellent post by Mr. Auxier. I hope the zoning board does their due diligence and gives a NON-favorable recommendation to the city council.

Why is it so hard to find out who the developers of this project are? Are our city council members privy to this information?

Let's hope elected government officials start asking questions.

Added: June 8, 2025 03:34:16 PM

Submitted by
Name: Warren A. Auxier

Comments:
It is essential for the Plan Commission to recognize the Riverfront Highrise zoning application they are considering is actually from the project developer, not the City of Madison. While there is no doubt about Courtney knowing who the developer is, we don't know who recruited who. All though, either way, it is a problem, especially when Courtney refuses to disclose the identity of the developer, and release the actual details of the proposed development.

This zoning change is being driven by Mayor Courtney's objective to implement a project which he can use to justify a bond, extend the life of the TIF Zone, and to take advantage of READI Grant housing funds. On his own Courtney decided high density housing on the Riverfront was how to accomplish his objective.

Mayor Courtney's method of the City filing an application on behalf of the developer, which also accomplishes his objective, is one of the tail wagging the dog, not leadership and best practices.

If the Executive branch of the City truly believes there is a need to foster development in certain areas along the Riverfront, they should bring the issue to the City Council for an open and transparent discussion. The discussion should include public input to determine if the positive impacts of any proposed development outweigh the negative impacts. Then the process of how to best change the zoning ordinances to allow for the proposed development would go to the Plan Commission for further public input and discussion.

Instead of choosing a path of leadership and best practices, Mayor Courtney has chosen the path of he knows what is best and does not want nor need any input from the Council or the Public. He has already cut his backroom deals with the developer and is hiding them behind the so-called need of “ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONFIDENTIALITY”. The path of backroom deals and short cutting established legal processes is not the path of progress or leadership.

The Plan Commission’s should require the same level of information in the City’s application as they would from any developer making an application for this zoning change. Complete and transparent information is required for the Plan Commission to make an informed decision.

Added: June 8, 2025 01:51:30 PM

Submitted by
Name: wondering
From: hanover

Comments:
Can the Mayor be impeached or recalled for incompetents?

Added: June 8, 2025 09:18:40 AM

Submitted by
Name: Ron Shaffer
From: Vevay
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I appreciate the people who made it possible to have a boat, Miss Madison. I'm sure the 13,000 owners are 100% satisified.satisfied.
Now maybe someone can explain where the money went for the garage sale the Miss Madison went. As we were told in the past alot of equipment was given to the Miss Madison racing. Are the facts being swept under the rug. If it was mismanagement of funds. Wouldn't it be great to see who gets free airfare, hotel, food and beverage, admission and rarely come to events and probably don't give two cents for the sport. Some former crew member cold make a ton of money writing a book on what has gone on. Miss Madison racing has been given alot of money by Homestreet in the past. So how did things go downhill so quick. Mishandling of funds???
And now I hear H1 Unlimited is going to switch back to 2022 race format. If that's 2 boats to a race you'll see people heading back to their seats real quick. Last year was the best racing I've seen since Bernie came to town.
And again H1 no new race sites. Where's Detroit, Clear Lake,Evansville, Owensboro, Lake Senaca, Onondaga???? You guys need to pick up the pace. The fans have supported you for a hell of a long time. And what happened to Jeff Ayler. You run him away. That guy is a walking encyclopedia on boat racing.

Added: June 7, 2025 10:55:50 AM

Submitted by
Name: Madison

Comments:
The best location for apartments/condos on the river is at the old baseball field adjacent to the Brown Gym. That area is 3-4 feet higher than the site under consideration, significant considering flooding potential. It would also be more compatible with area development.

If the Mayor did what is alleged, he, along with, Mike King and the Colonial flower lady are guilty of money laundering.

On another topic, the Mayor wants to spend money to upgrade Fireman’s Park. Not very business savvy considering that department is $500,000 in the red

Added: June 7, 2025 10:24:16 AM

Submitted by
Name: Granny
From: The Neighborhood

Comments:
Paying firemen immediately brings up 2 questions. #1 where is the money to pay them coming from? but #2 and most importantly, the city fire rating is for volunteer firemen. If we start paying several what does that do with the rating and what does that do with the premiums paid by one and all? Just some food for thought!

Added: June 7, 2025 08:49:34 AM

Submitted by
Name: Wow Factor
From: Madison

Comments:
Now the Mayor wants to start * * * with the Volunteer Fire Departments. He wants to hire two full time paid Fireman per company. These two full time people would be of his choice. They would basically run the operations. These Fireman do not want this at all. There not happy one bit about this.
Mayor Bob has been on record and says the companies can't sustain there operations for much longer. Nothing can be further from the truth. These companies have an extreme amounts of cash flow because they have worked hard and invested wisely over the years. Yet, Mayor Bob knows better. One might surmise, Bob wants to get his hands on the cash flow these companies have worked hard for over the years. It is probably a total amount of several million dollars. He thinks he is entitled to these funds because he is the Mayor. This Mayor is out of control right now. He needs to be put in his place.

Added: June 7, 2025 03:41:56 AM

Submitted by
Name: Slim Shady

Comments:
Thank you for posting this information. Had you not done so the community would not be aware. What else don't we know? Who is investing in this project? How can anyone be in support of a secretive, ill presented proposal that benefit very few?
The mayor is now saying we are listening and amending the project. Why the he!$ did he not ask the public BEFORE? I don't know who he listening to, but the majority of citizens DO NOT want this. If one councilman had not shared the information how would the public have ever known?
My two cents is that the city should not be in the real estate business.

I encourage everyone to reach out to their council representatives let them know if they are in favor or not.

I encourage everyone to attend the meetings. Don't sit at home and watch it on YouTube as the mayor as suggested.

Finally...mayor, zoning members, city council. Do the right thing. Scrap this project. It is not good for our river front.

Added: June 6, 2025 03:42:53 PM

Submitted by
Name: source info

Comments:
Regarding my recent post concerning the role that
Madisons Mayor played in funneling funds for the Miss Madison racing boat through Colonial Flowers as a "gift" to Colonial's owner- please know the source for 90% plus of the information was in fact Jennifer. She consented early on to releasing her name as part of the report. In fact she encouraged me to do so - saying she "had nothing to hide"; she never asked for such a thing, nor believes she will benefit from it. In addition, much of what was discussed was not included in the first release, which many of you have read. Yes, there is a possibility more will be sent to JB but not in the next few days.

However, even if consent or encouragement is given, I usually do not do so knowing how vindictive some officials and persons can be. Which is why I am posting today- other persons have been approached and conversations have become harsh.Those comments are coming from city hall for the most part. Readers should know that even though Jennifer provided the vast majority of information - there were 4 other sources who assisted with information about Trinitas, Mike King, city financials, the proposed condo project on the riverfront and short falls in Miss Madison funding. Sources about Miss Madison conveyed the difficulty finding local sponsors and getting citizens to donate. It has been a challenge for Bob and yet in fairness to Bob there were those who pushed to keep a boat the community has already demonstrated it could not afford. But Bob accepted the responsibility and made promises he apparently could not keep without abusing a local small business and a beloved community member. Jennifer wants everyone to know she loves her hometown, would never do anything sneaky or underhanded and had no idea what Bob was planning. To my knowledge she still has no receipts or financial documents which demonstrate an legal or even ethical transaction took place. I will let you know if that changes.

In the mean time please support your local flower shops including Colonial and Hollywood Flowers. I realize we have another shop - lets hope she can open again very soon. Instead of Walmart of Kroger pick up a few fresh, fragrant bokas from either business. Hollywood is located at 112 East Main with HH Apothecary and Colonial is where shes been for years at 406 East 2nd. thanks so much and have a great day. tjh

Added: June 6, 2025 10:42:20 AM

Submitted by
Name: Governments are NOT businesses

Comments:
I'm glad someone else mentioned it ... businesspersons were never meant to be in any type of government positions. Bobby is about to sell us out to the folks giving him the money for these condos nobody wants, and before the end of this presidency we will be sold to Russia. Make America great again my * * *.

Added: June 6, 2025 10:39:56 AM