Gov. Doyle's Insatiable Appetite for Pork

Well jump for joy, Governor Doyle continues to dole out grants from his pork barrel to charm the money bags of Wisconsin. The Richland Center Chamber of Commerce is the latest recipient of a handout for $23,115 to help market a sales promotion offering traveller discounts at more than 30 of Richland Center's businesses. Governer Doyle said as he made the announcement, " I am proud to be able to support their promotional efforts with additional marketing funds." But this is just the tip of the pork giveaway by our state for what amounts to private marketing promotions that are managed by local Chambers of Commerce and affliated business groups (called non-profits to create a sense of legitimacy) for the purpose of susidizing the marketing and advertising costs of private businesses. The Wisconsin Department of Tourism awarded more than $190,000 in August, 2005 alone for additional marketing promotions and is proud to announce that it plans future grants of up to $1.35 million in 2006. Supposed justification for this pork is the presumed benefit to the community. Clearly the money is for the promotion of private enterprises that are given tax dollars for the benefit of their owners.Do the emloyees get bonuses from the state to work? No, nor should the business owners. Incidently, the Town of Gibraltar gives a handout of about $2,500 to the Fish Creek Chamber of Commerce annually. Pork begets pork.

I recently wrote three letters to Governor Doyle regarding the pork given to the Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport in 2004 and more in the works for 2005. I have not received a response from anyone in the Doyle Adminiastration including Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton who was informed. Here is one of my letters that was written and mailed on Sept. 30,2005 ,and also emailed to one of the Governors PR representatives, Melissa Erickson.

"Dear Governor Jim Doyle,

My letter of September 21, 2005 to you dealt with my views concerning the 2004 grants to the Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport in the amount of $670,000 for so-called improvements. I hope that you read my comments and the opinion that I expressed. I have taken the liberty to enclose another copy herewith. I have started to circulate this commentary in Door County to inform the voters and residents.
I attended a Special Meeting of the Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport Commission last night where I learned that another Grant request is in the works with the States Department of Transportation to fund the purchase of a $70,000 tractor, construct a maintenance building for storing the tractor, purchase of snow blowing, plowing and brushing accessories for the tractor, installation of a perimeter security fence, installing a well, constructing a septic system, and building a bathroom. The estimated cost for this will probably exceed $500,000.
This grant request will be another example of Pork Barrel Spending and cannot be funded. The Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport is an “Elite Airport” used by very few private fliers who usually are seasonal visitors to Door County and a small group of fliers of privately owned planes who live in Door County (the majority of them outside of Gibraltar and Ephraim). Some facts are contained in the enclosed “Behind the Squeaking Door" newsletter that is enclosed.
The current grant request that will be submitted to the State is also an unjustifiable expense because the snow plowing and removal of snow at the airport has been effectively accomplished by Door County and costs less than $2,000 annually. The grant application defies common economic sense. Who in their right mind would spend over $150,000 to offset an annual expense of $2,000? The Airport already has adequate storage space so why build more for a tractor/plow that is not needed? The need for a security fence is laughable. And a well, septic system, and special bathroom are totally unnecessary for this “ Elite Airport”.
Our state and country have severe economic problems that will be with us for years to come. How can we even consider squandering tax dollars for pure “Pork” when so many people are suffering and barely able to heat their homes, pay for gasoline, afford even basic medical care. Help those in need with the tax dollars that are available. Please do not release any grant money for quasi-private, elite airports that serve the rich in our society. Let the users pay if they wish with money from their own pockets. Please help stop Pork Barrel Spending in Wisconsin.Respectfully,Zalman P. Saperstein"(a.k.a, Phil Saperstein)

It seems evident to me that Governor Doyle's appetite for pork has yet to peak. The taxpayers of Wisconsin seem to be witnessing a pork orgy with the Governor passing it out, and greedy political spendthrifts waiting eagerly for the next handout and prepared to spread the pork as well. Let our Governor and your local politicians hear from you! Tell them that the pork orgy must stop! If so much pork is available tell them to return the money to the tax payers where it belongs to begin with.