Badger Blogger has some details of Capper’s request to the County Executive’s on the use of the County Parks logo on a banner that was used at the Americans for Prosperity taxpayer rally at Veteran’s Park. Capper sent an open records request to the County Executive’s demanding to know why the logo was used and implying it was illegal. Strangely, it seems Capper’s group was using the logo for its own purposes. (was that illegal?)
I decided to do my own open records request to see what his request actually said and more importantly, what the response was. I wasn’t completely convinced that Capper would actually post a response if it didn’t fit his agenda.
His request was fairly basic and doesn’t warrant a play by play. Here is the response he received from the County Executive’s office.
Dear Mr. Liebenthal:
This letter is in response to your e-mail dated September 27, 2009 that asks several questions related to what you refer to as “the AFP-sponsored Tea Party”.
The event in question was held at Veterans Park on Saturday, September 19, 2009. The sponsor of the event (Wisconsin Grandsons of Liberty) rented the park for their event. They paid a fee of $2,400 for the use of a portion of the park. Milwaukee County neither sponsored nor endorsed the event. In addition to the rental revenue, the Parks Department brought in between $6,000 and $7,000 in parking revenue associated with this event.
For many events held in the Parks (e.g. the Air Show, volleyball tournaments at Bradford Beach, etc.) the Parks Department actually asks sponsors to put the Parks logo on their promotional literature as a way to further promote the brand. When events are either political or religious in nature, the Parks Department does not request that the logo be used. In this case, the event sponsors used the logo (which is available online) on a banner of their own accord, without the knowledge of Milwaukee County.
Thank you for your inquiry.
(The BOLD is mine)
I’m wondering why a group that calls itself Milwaukee County First would care if an organization chose to highlight the logo from Milwaukee County Parks. You would think they would welcome additional promotion of the parks… Especially when they used the logo on material that only served to promote themselves. It would seem that their agenda is showing a bit.
12 comments:
He is such a little weasel. It is impossible to believe that any one believes his group is non-partisan. Just because they say they are non-partisan, doesn't make them non-partisan. How do we get someone to review the 501(c)4 status for them?
"It would seem that their agenda is showing a bit."
A bit? Just a bit? Try it's all out on display for everyone to see.
What's the problem with showing your agenda? We operate in the open. There is no advantage to keeping secrets.
If it's legal for AFP to use the logo, then it is legal for a local 501(c)4 political advocacy group such as Milwaukee County First to use the logo as well. Congratulations, your argument just defeated itself and saved me the work!
It's astonishing how much their hatred towards a man that they don't even know as a person has clouded their judgment. Facts don't even phase them. They epitomize what's wrong with the state of politics in this country: Everything's treated as flippantly as a football game. "My team's right, you're team sucks even though our lineup is laiden with felons and cheats." How can you throw common sense and decency to the wind so easily for the sake of political victory? I'm sure the union ties and the money to be had there definitely plays in...
You’re right, Jason. I should have included an additional word in my post.
It would seem that your REAL agenda is showing a bit.
When your real agenda differs from what you say it is, that’s when it becomes an issue.
So you are admitting that your cohort, Capper, should have kept his yap shut since your group was using the parks logo to promote yourselves?
Which argument? I was simply pointing out the hypocrisy of Capper making his post when you (Milwaukee Count First) did exactly the same thing…all in an effort to play “Gotcha” with Scott Walker. I think my effort to show the hypocrisy was pretty successful.
Glad to see you here though. Capper's been having a rough time, I'm sure he could use the support.
Dear Anonymous. Way to go out on a limb for your guy, there. Scott Walker may or may not be a perfect gentleman and nice to his kids. That doesn't change the fact that he's bad for Milwaukee County and bad for Wisconsin.
What fact grumps? Do you honestly believe that Mr. Walker has hurt Milwaukee? Your hatred is misplaced. It should be aimed and the previous County Exec and the lifers/criminals on the county payroll.
Between $8000-$10000 was earned by the Parks Dept. off this event...Parks Dept. logos were peppered hither and yon that appear in photos taken by countless individuals posted all over the internet thereby serving as free publicity for our Parks. Where's the down side again?
Somehow you guys spin this into "Milwaukee County Parks endorse TEA Party"? There really is more to life than being a snide jerk guys...let it go...you'll live happier, healthier lives. Peace.
BTW...apologies for being slightly off topic, but has anyone learned the identity of the jerk arrested by police at this 9/19 TEA Party?
In short, then AFP and MCF and Grandpas of the Revolution any other political group shouldn't be using the logo, right?
No. In short, people that are using the logo (MCF) for their own partisan/hate walker agenda, shouldn't try to play gotcha by claiming another group (AFP or other) is doing something illegal.
It's called hypocrisy.
Roland,
Call the police department at district one. Find out if they will release a name.
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