I am a whole lot of nervous today…

Yes- I am nervous today.

Both of my opponents have the name recognition that I do not.

I knew going in this was an uphill battle.

Still, it is a battle worth fighting.

The people of Kenosha are worth fighting for.

Kenosha has been controlled by the same people for many years.

I feel I have done what I can do.

I have hiked thru rain, snow, sleet, ice and subzero temperatures to knock on doors. In fact, we faced most of that this past weekend alone.

I have yard signs out there, flyers out there, created a website and I have talked to a number of people.

We will see if 6 weeks is enough time to build some name recognition.

I just don’t know.

Say a little prayer for myself and my opponents today.  It will be a nervous day for all of us.

Meet and Greet Kathy Carpenter for Alderwoman District #5

Hey all-

We are gearing up for the primary and of course, free food.

This coming Monday night, Feb 18th, there will be a meet and greet for Kathy Carpenter for Alderwoman.

Details:

Shagbark Apartments Clubhouse (there is a huge clock on top of the clubhouse)

4042 Washington Road

5pm to 8pm

free food(barbecue) and no cost for entry

Come and join me and see how we can build a better Kenosha together.

Kathy Carpenter
Candidate for Alderwoman District #5

Vote for Kathy Carpenter for Alderman District #5 on February 19th.

Together Building a Better Kenosha 
Send all donations to:
Friends of Kathy Carpenter
706 School St.
Silver Lake, WI  53170

Paid for by Friends of Kathy Carpenter, Erin Decker, Treasurer

It is a three way race…

The Kenosha News spotlighted the primary race taking place in my district for alderman.

Fifth District Alderman Kurt Sinclair hasn’t had an election opponent since he took office in 1994.

That changed in a big way this year, when two challengers filed to oppose him, setting up a three-way Feb. 19 primary. The top two finishers will advance to the April 1 general election.

The northwest side district borders Somers on the west and northwest and includes Bradford High School and a cluster of newer and still-developing subdivisions.

Sinclair, 42, said he believes the wide-open race to replace retiring Mayor John Antaramian might have inspired new interest in aldermanic challengers.

Challenger JoEllyn Storz, 53, said she entered the race for that very reason.

“I think that with the changes that are coming up in the community, that it’s a good time to get involved with the city,” Storz said. “I want to keep an eye on the direction that we take; be sure that the city continues to grow and prosper.”

Kathy Carpenter, 43, said she decided to run because of how the city has handled taxes and spending.

“The tax issue is huge,” she said. “People are rather frustrated at the amount of taxes, just seeing it go up year after year after year.” Carpenter said people do not believe money should not be spent, as much as they object to what it is and is not being spent on. She said she detects some opposition to the $15 million Civil War museum and a $5 million city commitment to a new Boys & Girls Club facility on 52nd Street and 14th Avenue.

Residents believe the city should put money toward roads and other infrastructure first, Carpenter said.

If elected, Storz said she would seek to attract good jobs and preserve the city’s aging homes.

“There’s still a lot of good, affordable housing stock in Kenosha,” Storz said. “I’d like to see it stay that way.”

Storz said she would like the city to invest in itself more to move it further forward into the 21st century. She said she believes Antaramian has done a good job with urban renewal; she would like to see more growth in that area.

Sinclair, meanwhile, said he would like to continue his work on the council, which he said has included chairing the Parks Commission, pushing for amenities at Anderson and Washington park pools and listening to and assisting constituents with concerns.

“I think that I’ve demonstrated being on the council that I use a common-sense and an educated approach to my responsibilities,” Sinclair said.

Within the district, Sinclair said he hopes to work on park developments at Sunrise Park near the Stonefield and Walnut Grove subdivisions and in the St. Peter’s Basin areas.

Carpenter’s focus is on roads.

“There’s a couple of streets right here in my district that are really having a tough time,” she said, adding that she would also angle to add lights to a popular sledding hill near Bradford.

Storz said she would focus on listening and following through on constituents’ concerns, and she would like to have the city look into establishing a hotline through which residents could phone comments and complaints.

“The people in the neighborhood are the people in the neighborhood, and they see what’s going on every day,” she said.

While Sinclair touts his council experience — “I think with me, they know what they’re going to get,” he said — Carpenter and Storz said they believe their respective careers suit them well for aldermanic duties.

Carpenter said her job as a purchaser plays into the need to balance needs. Storz said working in the Kenosha County register of deeds office lends her insights about budgeting and the functions of government.

Though city races are free from party politics, the two challengers give it a partisan hue.

Carpenter is the chairwoman of the Kenosha County Republican Party, while Storz previously sought a run for state Assembly on the Democratic ticket.

I guess there is a partisan hue.  Although, when I entered this race in September, it did not.

I make it no secret that I am the chair of Republican Party of Kenosha County.  In fact, it is something I consider an honor.  The people I have met and the friends I have made that share my conservative values have been priceless.

In those moments that I become discouraged watching some of our political leaders, that is when I find my strength in my conservative friends.

The Republican party is what you make of it.  If you are not willing to jump in and get involved, there is no way the party or it’s elected officials will ever be what you want them to be.

I have discovered, no matter how many Republicans or conservatives I meet, I have never met one that 100% agrees with me.  Not even my closest friends agree with me all of the time and that is the way I like it.

As far as my reasons for entering the race for alderman, there were several.  First, I love Kenosha.  I started my life off traveling a lot.  My father was in the Navy.

I spent a lifetime looking for a home, a place to settle, a place to lay down roots.  I found it in Kenosha.    Kenosha is home.

I believe in Kenosha and her people so much, that I want to be part of her future because Kenosha is part of my future.  Does that make sense?

Also, the tax issue is huge in Kenosha.  I have talked to liberals, conservatives and independents and they all say the same thing- Kenosha’s taxes are too high.  We do not get enough bang for our buck.  Citizens are frustrated with the way our government has been spending.

So get out and vote on February 19th- it is important.

Did you know…

Someone brought this to my attention the other day.

Did you know that we have as many museums in Kenosha as they have in Milwaukee?

Now, I love museums. I love the history of Kenosha.

But four museums?????

Kenosha Public Museum

Dinosaur Discovery Museum

Kenosha Historical Society and Museum

And now…

Kenosha Civil War Museum

Of course, my absolute favorite museum was the Kenosha Military Museum. This museum does not really exist anymore, at least not in Kenosha county. Pleasant Prairie used their eminent domain powers to run this guy out of the state.

Our tax dollars subsidize these museums. We pay for these things. (we did not pay for the Military museum- that was private)

Somehow we cannot get the potholes or the roads fixed in our neighborhoods, but we managed to come up with another $10 million to build another museum.(Civil War museum, opening in March)

I about fell off my chair when I read this statement on the Historical Society’s webpage-

The Kenosha History Center is the headquarters of Kenosha County Historical Society, a non-profit organization served by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by memberships, Kenosha County government and private donations.

That’s right folks, these guys think that the Kenosha County government actually has money. They have nothing except for what the people give them.
Taxpayers, the people, of Kenosha County pay for this museum, NOT THE GOVERNMENT!

Now I am not suggesting that we get rid of the museum.

I am suggesting that we take care of the needs of the Kenosha community before we build another museum.

I also believe that these museums need to be solely financed by private donations. Don’t tell me it cannot be done because I do not believe it.

Do endorsements matter?

The Kenosha News is asking this question- Do endorsements matter?

That is a tough question to ask.

I think to those folks actually in the groups that are endorsing a certain candidate, it matters. To everyone else, not really.

The endorsement of the UAW for Keith Bosman may help those in the UAW support a candidate. The same is true for the KEA.

What I find interesting are those that make a decision based on these endorsements. There are some folks out their who will literally turn away from a person because of an endorsement.

A couple of people I know this week saw the KEA was actually endorsing Bosman and felt that the two guys(Butler and Moran) that work for our schools were left along the side of the road.

One woman in particular switched from Bosman to Butler because they were upset with the KEA’s endorsement. The same happened with a guy that switched from Bosman to Moran.

I guess an endorsement can be both good a bad.

We will see what happens in the end.

Vote on February 19.

Yes we can, Kenosha

I could not be more proud of how the Kenosha community has reacted to the necessary fundraising to building a aquatic center at the YMCA.

Kenosha News-

A Kenosha family fitness center is now one lap closer to its goal of raising the $4.4 million it needs to build a new aquatics facility.

The Chrysler Foundation and Kenosha Engine Plant on Friday donated $100,000 to the YMCA’s Callahan Family Branch’s proposed project that will include a six-lane lap pool and a training/instructional pool. Currently, swimming and instruction take place at the YMCA’s downtown location.

They are so close, only $600,000 away from breaking ground.

This goes to prove that as a community we can help those individuals that need help. It is not always necessary for government to step in and force tax increases on people to pay for these types of projects.

Government is not always the answer.

Let’s work together and make this thing happen.

This is only phase two of the plan! Phase three will bring a water slide. Very cool!

Here is a preview of the new Aquatics center.

$600,000 more dollars to raise.

Yes, we can do this Kenosha!

Join the Debate- Sex offender restrictions

Currently, Kenosha is debating restrictions on sexual offenders and where they can live in Kenosha.

This is a difficult subject.  It is so difficult that state is attempting to stop local government from setting their own restrictions.  The state’s reasoning is that restrictions are becoming so tight, there is no place to put the sex offenders.

No one wants sex offenders living in their neighborhoods.  We do not want offenders near our schools or parks.

Call your alderman and let him know exactly how you feel.

Should the city of Kenosha create tighter restrictions on where sexual offenders can live?

I believe that Kenosha should do everything in their power to protect our children from sexual predators.

Restricting where a sexual offender lives will not completely accomplish this task.  It will take law enforcement and the entire community working together to protect our children.

The sexual predators can walk or drive to the closest park or schools.  Making them live  2500 feet or from a school or park, does not make the problem go away.

I believe that Kenosha should pass the restrictions and then work with local and county law enforcement to protect our children and residents.  Parents must continue to stay aware of who lives in their neighborhood that could bring danger to their children.

We need to all understand that even if the restrictions are passed, the sexual predators are still out there.  Even if we move them a few feet away from our schools,  the problem is not solved.

Kathy Carpenter for Kenosha Alderwoman Dist. #5

Hi, my name is Kathy Carpenter and I am running for Kenosha’s Aldermanic District #5.

The reasons I am running for office are quite simple:

1. It is time for a change.

Kenosha has been run by the same establishment for years. We have had the same mayor, John Antaramian, for 16 years. There are many things that Mayor Antaramian has done for Kenosha over the years.

Today is a new day. Mayor Antaramian is not running for reelection. For years, the alderman of Kenosha, have been a rubberstamp for the mayor. Here and there, two or three alderman have challenged the mayor on different issues, but it never went anywhere.

Many of our alderman have served right alongside of the mayor for many years.

Now, the rocky times are coming. All of the bills for all of the new programs and new buildings are coming due. We are also very aware that economic challenges are in our future. It is time to get serious about the finances of our city.

2. Taxes

We are one of the highest taxed cities in the state of Wisconsin. Our taxes in the city of Kenosha have gone up by 48.5% in less than ten years. That is a staggering number by any imagination.

Even with these staggering increases, Kenosha continues to fall further and further in debt.

Much of our tax increases year after year is going to pay our debt services. I have heard it so many times before. They have to raise taxes, just to pay the debts that we owe.

3. New priorities

It is time to set some new priorities.

Kenosha government has had a real problem saying “no” to anyone.

Someone wants a new transportation building- our government said “sure, no problem”. It is a beautiful brand new building, but it is very expensive. Rumored to be about $18 Million.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a cute little trolley in downtown Kenosha? Our government says “sure-no problem”. It is very difficult to find out exactly how much is being spent on the trolley with a two mile radius, but very expensive. Not only are our local taxes paying for these things, but our federal taxes by the millions are also paying for the trolley.

Sometimes strong leadership means saying “no” or “wait” until we can afford to pay for things.

4.  Roads and infrastructure

In my travels around Kenosha’s 5th district, one of the biggest questions I get is why are we paying millions of dollars for a Civil War Museum, but the government cannot get the roads out in front of their homes fixed.

Most of the main roads are in good shape, but turn down a side road and things are very different.

5.  Improve communication

Also in my travels around Kenosha’s 5th district, most people have no idea who their alderman is.  Even fewer understand how Kenosha government works.

It is time to change this.

If elected alderwoman, I have committed to do a bi-annual  newsletter that will inform all of Kenosha’s 5th district of the current projects being worked on in their local government.

I believe that the more information we are able to give to the people of Kenosha, the more comfortable the people of Kenosha will be with their local government.