You may remember that a major donor to Scott Walker's political machine was on the fast track to obtain for cash some primo, state-owned lake frontage with the WI DNR's green light until media and pubic outrage blew the deal up - - though eventually it went through in a property exchange that some felt was more even-handed, but only in a game that the wealthiest among us could play.
While everyday folks in this state just had their camping and trail and DNR park entry fees raised because Walker believes in a leaner state government - - for the commoners - - and people living near the big feedlots that Walker and his DNR are intentionally under-regulating - - 'no staff,' they say, as they keep cutting staff - - can't get a glass of tap water without a cow pie tang.
Well, the same big-donor folks are at it again - - this time getting some speedy DNR approvals for miles of permanent trail and bridge building near their properties - - in a state where you can't get a getting a pothole filled - - but this time the DNR's Secretary and private sector cheerleader Cathy Stepp insisted she didn't order up any favors for the Walker donor, Elizabeth Uihlein.
"Never came up with Liz and I," Stepp said. "None of her representatives. Have never had conversations with anybody.'"
Reminds me of Captain Renault in "Casablanca," - - he who was "shocked, shocked" to discover that gambling was taking place in a casino.
And, also: "Liz and I..." Really?
That there are two tracks for access to government officials or state power in this state under Walker and his 'chamber of commerce mentality" began in Walker's first days in office and is getting to be regrettably routine.
Look at the so-called DNR 'review process' underway adjacent to Kohler-Andrae State Park just south of Sheboygan where Walker donor Herbert Kohler, Jr wants to flatten and otherwise remake a water-rich nature preserve where rare dunes, native artifacts, and scores of acres of woodlands sit the edge of Lake Michigan into an eighteen-hole golf course.
The proposal also seeks the right to build into the adjacent state park.
The DNR has a group of staffers working on the concept, but without requiring the submission of a formal permit application that would subject actual details to closer citizen review and perhaps legal challenges.
In other words, the developer gets free project consultation from the very state agency that will ultimately have to approve or deny the plan.
How do you think that will go?
Ask Liz.
While everyday folks in this state just had their camping and trail and DNR park entry fees raised because Walker believes in a leaner state government - - for the commoners - - and people living near the big feedlots that Walker and his DNR are intentionally under-regulating - - 'no staff,' they say, as they keep cutting staff - - can't get a glass of tap water without a cow pie tang.
Well, the same big-donor folks are at it again - - this time getting some speedy DNR approvals for miles of permanent trail and bridge building near their properties - - in a state where you can't get a getting a pothole filled - - but this time the DNR's Secretary and private sector cheerleader Cathy Stepp insisted she didn't order up any favors for the Walker donor, Elizabeth Uihlein.
"Never came up with Liz and I," Stepp said. "None of her representatives. Have never had conversations with anybody.'"
Reminds me of Captain Renault in "Casablanca," - - he who was "shocked, shocked" to discover that gambling was taking place in a casino.
And, also: "Liz and I..." Really?
That there are two tracks for access to government officials or state power in this state under Walker and his 'chamber of commerce mentality" began in Walker's first days in office and is getting to be regrettably routine.
Look at the so-called DNR 'review process' underway adjacent to Kohler-Andrae State Park just south of Sheboygan where Walker donor Herbert Kohler, Jr wants to flatten and otherwise remake a water-rich nature preserve where rare dunes, native artifacts, and scores of acres of woodlands sit the edge of Lake Michigan into an eighteen-hole golf course.
The proposal also seeks the right to build into the adjacent state park.
The DNR has a group of staffers working on the concept, but without requiring the submission of a formal permit application that would subject actual details to closer citizen review and perhaps legal challenges.
In other words, the developer gets free project consultation from the very state agency that will ultimately have to approve or deny the plan.
How do you think that will go?
Ask Liz.