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Letter to the Editor: Four Council Members Endorse Donegan for Mayor

Candidate has experience and knowledge of key issues facing city, several committee chairmen say.

 

Once again, Wauwatosa is blessed with excellent candidates to serve as Mayor and we commend both Pete Donegan and Kathy Ehley for their service to Wauwatosa and for running positive campaigns.

As aldermen and committee chairmen, we are acutely aware of the financial challenges of the city’s near future and the difficult decisions we may face.

We also know that Pete Donegan already has an excellent grasp of the issues and city finances and both the Common Council and the administration need this knowledge and experience in the mayor’s office.

Pete led the development of consensus in council on the infrastructure and employee benefit issues. Pete has never shied away from tough decisions and has displayed commitment to what is best for our city even in the face of strong opposition.

We believe that these are important attributes for the next mayor.

We hope you will vote for Pete Donegan for mayor on April 3.

Signed,

     Michael Walsh, Alderman, 5th District, Chair of Budget & Finance Committee

     Jill Organ, Alderwoman, 4th District, Chair of Community Development Committee

     Don Birschel, Alderman, 7th District, Chair of Legislation, Licensing & Communication                        

     Cheryl Berdan, Alderwoman, 7th District

Exrepublican March 20, 2012 at 09:05 pm
Kathy Ehley is not only more qualified than Pete Donegan, she has always been receptive and open to new ideas for businesses in our community. The business community in east Tosa in particular is what makes our city unique. Kathy Ehley can take credit for a big hand in its development. Pete Donegan has also indicated that he is going to cut public safety dollars. Ehley has said that she will support our police department in their efforts to keep Wauwatosa safe.
tosavoter March 20, 2012 at 09:31 pm
I am disturbed by alders endorsing anyone for mayor. They will be working with whoever is elected, and I don't think it is in the best interest of the city, its departments, boards and committees, etc. for them to make their preference known. Their job is to represent their constituents, not give residents advice on how to vote. They should be free to express their opinion on this matter privately, but public endorsement goes too far. Mr. Donegan, as an alder himself, should recognize this and not seek the public endorsement of his colleagues on the city council.
Romney'sRevenge March 20, 2012 at 10:10 pm
You know what I get out of reading this earnestly written diatribe? Assuming that Donnegan is endorsing himself (questionable) 11 of the 16 alderman DID NOT endorse Donnegan. I too am disturbed that we have alderman endorsing candidates for mayor. If I lived in a district where any of these Alders were running that endorsement would make me question their judgement and encourage me to vote for their opponent.
Josie March 21, 2012 at 12:56 am
Kathy is a very nice person, but her resume is a mile wide and an inch deep. Not all of the Village businesses are that enamored of her – a lot of them did their own homework before siting themselves there. Just ask around. The Village is cute and a great place to spend time, but it is a microcosm of Tosa and Kathy’s work there pales in comparison to Donegan’s civic contribution as an Alderman. Her resume barely holds muster against his.
As for cutting public safety dollars, that is simply untrue. Donegan has said that if Tosa was able to cut expenses at the Fire Department without jeopardizing public safety and delivery of services then why is it out of line to see whether the same efficiencies can be effected at the Police Department?
Josie March 21, 2012 at 01:00 am
Did it ever occur to you that the Alders have a deep commitment to keeping Wauwatosa an excellent place to live and have used their best judgment and experience to evaluate both candidates and determine that Pete Donegan is the best qualified candidate? Perhaps they are concerned that Kathy as Mayor would not be good for Tosa. All of the Alders endorsing would ilook like piling on, but constituents can call the other Alders and ask them what they think. If folks voted for someone to be Alderperson, evidently they respect their opinion and I see no need for them to hold back on that.
Josie March 21, 2012 at 01:01 am
Did it ever occur to you that the Alders have a deep commitment to keeping Wauwatosa an excellent place to live and have used their best judgment and experience to evaluate both candidates and determine that Pete Donegan is the best qualified candidate? Perhaps they are concerned that Kathy as Mayor would not be good for Tosa. All of the Alders endorsing would look like piling on, but constituents can call the other Alders and ask them what they think. If citizens voted for someone to be Alderperson, evidently they respect their opinion and I see no need for them to hold back on that. No one works as an Alder for the heck of it, if you watched the Committee & Council meetings on TV you would see that they care about how the City functions. You should take this endorsement as a caution about how you might vote.
Romney'sRevenge March 21, 2012 at 02:01 am
Did it ever occur to you that sometimes things take a while to post?
It is completely inappropriate for an alderman to endorse a candidate for mayor or another alderman. I don't even want my alderman to have a yard sign for any candidate on their lawn. I want my alderman even keeled and unbiased, not forming coalitions and alliances. Safe bet who all the committee chairs will be should Donnegan some how win this election (extremely doubtful)
Josie March 21, 2012 at 02:35 am
I don't get your first sentence - what took a while to post?
People endorse each other all the time. You have evidently not spent time thinking about the first part of my initial comment. Your paranoid comment about coalitions and alliances is unfounded. Ask Pete who he thinks would be good Committee chairs: donegan2012@gmail.com. Also, learn how to spell Donegan.
sparky March 21, 2012 at 04:27 am
If Berdan is for him I think Wauwatosa would be better off without him.
Romney'sRevenge March 21, 2012 at 11:24 am
Josie, Do you work for Donnagans campaign? At first I thought you might be his wife but she's probably voting for Ehley too. Anyway you aren't too quick are you, you posted basically the same thing twice but different enough to make anybody that has been on this site more than one realize that you tried to type your same post again when you didn't see it post right away. You are impatient and desperate. Just like Donnegans campaign.
Brian Thorne March 21, 2012 at 12:59 pm
What bothers me is that Ehley refuses to take a stand on important issues like whether she intends to use ACT 10 provisions or not. Rumor has it that she is telling people there needs to be a change in Madison. But, She keeps pulling out the "not a partisan race" card. Kathy Ehley needs to tell us whether she will be a rubber stamp for the Public Unions or truly fiscally responsible. Donegan is not running and hiding from anything. Ask him about any issue and he will tell you where he stands, then you can judge for yourself. Do you want a cowardly union puppet or a leader?
Mike Sargent March 21, 2012 at 01:07 pm
When selecting a person for mayor the community must look at the community needs. If the community is rich and has dollar bills to pave the roads, fix the sewers, attract new business and support unlimited benefits for public employees, what a great little place to live. Just about anyone could be a good mayor of that community. But in situations where this is not the case the mayor has to be a leader will to take on the best needs of the community. The mayor has to be fair minded, level headed and willing to listen and act on the needs of all of the community citizens and then support the will of the people. The ability to lead a the government body using judgment and a willingness to compromise is a missing ingredient in most of our national and state leaders. Wauwatosa has the opportunity to select Pete Donegan as mayor and have an asset that most communities need. Selecting a major should not be based on who the candidate knows, but rather on what the candidate can do to improve the community. In these difficult economic times a candidate that understands the needs of the community and the resources the community has to apply to the needs is a valuable resource.
John T. Pokrandt March 21, 2012 at 02:12 pm
I wasn't aware that Alders made a habit of endorsing candidates. More than a little unwise as they will have to work with whoever is elected. My respect to the members of the council who were wise enough to not endorse a candidate.
sparky March 21, 2012 at 02:15 pm
My biggest complaint with Mr. Donegan is his dismal record of responding constituent concerns. I have sent many E mails in the past and have yet to recieve a reply. My other alder has responded to every concern.
CowDung March 21, 2012 at 05:51 pm
How is the aldermanic endorsement of Donegan any different than a congressman campaigning for a presidential candidate or the president campaigning for a congressman?
If those endorsing Donegan align with your views, then perhaps Donegan is a good choice for your vote. If they don't, then perhaps his opponent would be the better choice.
Josie March 21, 2012 at 08:22 pm
RR - nope, I just like his positions and, based on my research, think he's the better choice for Mayor.
I contacted Marge Donegan, and she is definitely voting for her husband, Pete Donegan. Ask her yourself. As for posting twice, you'll note the Comments I responded to were similar but each required a slightly different response. Far be it from me to ignore copy & paste technology. I see you still can't spell.
CowDung March 21, 2012 at 08:49 pm
"This is to RR's 7:24 am post on 3/24."
Today is 3/21--are you responding to a post that RR is going to make 2-3 days from today?
Lynne Schade March 21, 2012 at 09:16 pm
I have known Pete for many years and I am grateful that he is willing to give the community his time and knowledge by running for Mayor. He has studied the economic situation of the city and has been an effective alderman. In this respect he does have an advantage over the opponent. I have seen the budget records and I would not dare to try to grasp their complexity. Pete is honest, intense and intelligent. I think Tosa is lucky to have him as a candidate.
Pat Ryan March 21, 2012 at 09:43 pm
I don't see a problem with the aldermen publicly supporting Pete Donegan for mayor. These are co-workers who know him and trust his judgment. This is useful information for the voters. We are all grown ups. Often, we have to work in situations where others may not endorse all that we do or represent or may prefer a different leader. If adult in our outlook, we get beyond that once a decision is made and work together for a greater good. I support Pete for mayor and believe he would work with Kathy Ehley if she is elected. I would hope Kathy would do the same if she is chosen by the voters. From the comments of her supporters, they seem to think this would be a very difficult hurdle. That would be a small hurdle compared to the others that face our city.
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt March 22, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Some of you don't want an alder to make an endorsement. It's perfectly within their rights as a citizen to endorse anybody they please. And take their lumps if things go the other way.
I suppose some of you think an alderman shouldn't exercise their right to sign a petition either? Someone named Don Birschel signed the Walker recall petition.
Alfred March 22, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Yeah right, but it is okay for 29 Wisconsin Judges and other liberal democrat elected clowns to sign a Walker recall.
Michael Anich March 22, 2012 at 01:38 pm
In response to Sparky:
As a constituent of Pete Donegan for his tenure as Alderman in Wauwatosa’s 1st district, I feel compelled to offer a different view on his accessibility as our Alderman. Please let me be clear, he has been responsive, approachable and quick to respond when contacted. He is dedicated to solving problems and has made our district a better place to live --- our loss will be Wauwatosa’s gain when he becomes mayor.
alt ideas needed May 27, 2012 at 07:17 pm
Sparky,
Try reading the article and learn how to spell alderman. An alder is a type of plant. I do not think any alder would be able to respond to you. Now, do you have any useful input?

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