The Northwestern published my response to their Aug. 19 attack editorial today, leaving out the word "attack" in the first line. Yesterday the paper wrote an editorial in favor of placing a change of government referendum on the November ballot, but it is not online yet. Here's the letter I sent responding to the attack editorial.
To the Editor:
The Northwestern’s attack editorial of August 19 did not accurately summarize my reasons for voting against Mayor Tower’s appointment of former Oshkosh B’Gosh executive David Omachinski to sit on the Redevelopment Authority.
From1993-2002 Mr. Omachinski was Vice-President of Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer at B’Gosh. On his resume’ he lists as one of his accomplishments: “Successfully developed and carried out 5 year plan to migrate all domestic manufacturing to offshore sources.” Oshkosh B’Gosh continued to use our city’s name even as they sent all the manufacturing jobs to the third world. During Mr. Omachinski’s reign as Chief Financial Officer the company should have changed its name to “Honduras B’Gosh.”
I also opposed the appointment because we simply need to see more diversity on the Redevelopment Authority. Industry, finance, and big business are currently very well represented on the Oshkosh Redevelopment Authority. Instead of throwing a tantrum when the Council dares to say No to a CFO, the Northwestern should urge the creation of an Authority that is truly representative of the entire community. A truly representative Redevelopment Authority is more likely to pursue policies that benefit all of the taxpayers, including victims of outsourcing.
Tony Palmeri
Oshkosh Common Council
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4 comments:
I think we have made progress. No longer do we think working for nothing, AKA slavery is condoned. I do hear rationalizations sound similar to how people might have rationalized slavery in the past. The thinking goes somewhat like this. When asked if it is beneficial to move manufacturing to low wage countries where rates are counted in cents weather dollars most reply, “its better then nothing”. or the reply might be, “well 42 cents an hour there, is like making ten dollars and hour hear”. The central argument seems to be, people are better off. i can imagine a similar conversation 160 years ago. the conversation would go as follows when asked if slavery is ok the response might be, “they are much better off here in America than in the wilds of Africa”. we take care of them and working on a plantation in America they get food, security and a safe place to live. the argument for low wage exploitive labor is in essence the same as was the argument to continue slavery. On second thought I don't think we have made any progress.
Well, the important thing to remember here is that Stew Giveth, And Stew Taketh Away.Make a note of that okay people?
I seem to recall before the election a Certain Commenting Someone mentioned that the whole point of a NW Palmeri endorsement was so that a Certain Newspaperish Someone could then, at some later point of his own choosing, yank the rug gleefully out from under a certain THIRD Elected Someone and embarass that newly elected person via pulp fiction.
Now, that's quite a few someone's there. But I am quite sure the First Someone was not really impressed by that endorsement while other people seemed to find that encouraging and/or mysterious. As if it meant the NW (Stew) "saw the light" and finally saw value in la Tony.
Bah! and I have a bridge to sell.
And finally, let us note that NW/Stew has zero logic in its/his editorial. "Due process" for pissant political appointments? Due process. That's the killer argument? The guy needs to appear before a jury of his peers and tell his side? Will there be a bailiff? Please approach the bench. This isn't Perry Freakin' Mason.
There's no due process for committee work. They like you or they don't.
You do not have an unalienable right to committee work or board membership. Even if you're a rich important guy. If a kid doesn't make prom king do you demand "due process" for that too? Go to the court of appeals? Peals of laughter maybe.
Due process for Mr. Bib Overall... har dee har!
I'm sure Mr. Omachinski is a nice guy but outsourcing jobs from Oshkosh is decidedly not civic minded. Your vote not to appoint was right.
Jody - In a recent editorial, Stew did a complete reversal of his old established position on the QEO (the law that singles out teachers to cap their salary/benefit amount in bargaining). Stew was adamantly FOR the QEO until recently so maybe he has had an epiphany of sorts. Or maybe not. We'll see.
Well T, I dunno about that QEO thing. Not going there. But that Stew, WTF. He is a devil isn't he? Seems to love to do surprising things.
You know how newspapers take editorials from other papers and print them for the edification of the locals? Holy moly. Today's Leader-Telegram had a big thang reprinted from Stew's rag about Eau Claire and Oshkosh folks getting together for coffee and confusion. That our communities are so statistically similar that leaders/citizens from both should get together and compare problems, issues and solutions. Heck, we may as well invite Kim Jong Il, Hugo Chavez and that Achmeennignnneingnesmnajad fella too.
I envision Stew et al walking along my waterfront, tarrying amongst my TIFs and dallying with my developments. (apparently I feel I own Eau Claire)
Honestly, I don't know if I should begin stockpiling weapons or put the coffee on. Weapons AND coffee?? Coffee with cute gun-shaped cookies? I really am at a loss here.
So, Stew....do you want my people to call your people, or what?
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