(We’re also going to talk about the aldermanic races and Waukesha County supervisors spots.)
Today’s the filing deadline, so the races are pretty much set. We’re at four:
Jeff Speaker, incumbent
Steve Ponto – current alderman, former Common Council President
David (Dave) Marcello – former alderman, former school board member
Tom Schellinger – current county supervisor, former alderman
Everyone has experience in how the city functions. I think that’s a good thing. No one really gets to claim an outsider position. Expect one of these – all four have participated in the Waukesha Republican party – to claim the revered position of underdog soon.
The real underdog is Tom Schellinger. I was laughing on the phone with a girlfriend earlier that I should probably support Schellinger. After all, any candidate that can make signs last as long for as many races as that man can surely knows how to stretch a dollar! Schellinger is also running concurrently for his Waukesha County Supervisor’s post where he has an opponent named David Cook.
Of 25 Waukesha County supervisor slots up for election only one – Schellinger’s District #8 – has an opponent!
I had earlier explained at least Steve Ponto wouldn’t be embarrassing, but he seems to be running a rollover campaign. As in he’s rolling over. If he’s sitting on his bum fancying a strategy while the other two are blooming signs all around town, he’s going to be in for it. Running a mayoral campaign is really hard work. He’d better get busy!
Like I’ve said, he’s likely where I’ll be putting my primary vote. I will say people in the 2nd district are still extremely unhappy with his arrogance during the Capitol Heights hoopla, and likely to punish him for it.
(I will also say that watching Ponto lose the primary wouldn’t break my heart. Maybe it would humble him a bit.)
David Marcello has made a strong showing out of the gate. His signs are everywhere. I know a lot of the spots he’s used. There’s a good deal of St. Dominic support. Dave is busting his backside.
I still don’t see how this community can forgive his choices under pressure, but I have been very wrong before. Also, if it comes down to Speaker and Marcello, will Speaker run the same slam game he did four years ago? This time there’s real stuff to work with in Marcello’s past; Speaker won’t have to make it all up.
Finally, there’s Jeffy. There’s a whole lot to be said for the devil you know. He’s embarrassing, but we know exactly why he’s embarrassing, it hasn’t killed us, and really no one cares anyway, so he could be mayor again.
This is my way of saying who knows what happens next! My earlier prediction that Ponto’s in is changing based on his lack of effort.
Here are some things to watch:
Follow the money. The press disappeared the last couple of years so it will be up to someone to keep an eye on who’s paying out.
Follow the Facebook friends. I’m one to believe a Facebook friending is an endorsement. Make note that currently Brookfield aldermen Scott Berg, Mark Nelson, and Rick Owen as well as alderwoman Lisa Mellone are supporting Steve Ponto. Ponto has other notable friends including Kate Bloomberg, Scott Walker, and Scott McCallum. (Trivia: he and the former governor were college roommates.)
Scott Berg is also friends with his seatmate Gary Mahkorn’s opponent Sheila Buechel.
Watch the signs. If you’re the kind to drive around town, see if there’s a balanced showing. Marcello’s going to do well in my corner, but to be honest, I haven’t been out and about much, so I’m not sure of the showing elsewhere.
About the aldermanic races:
Only Lisa Mellone from the 7th and Jim Garvens from the 3rd are unopposed. Others have opponents, but no aldermanic race has a primary. In addition, there are no state issues on the primary. With no county spots to battle over, February 16 is going to be all about Mayor.
Oh, and maybe school board. Here’s the last update of December 28th from that election.
That’s it for now. I reserve the right to rearrange some of this after I cook dinner. 
26 responses so far ↓
1 Scott Berg // Jan 5, 2010 at 6:21 pm
A correction, Cindy. I am not “supporting”, endorsing, aiding or in any other way affiliated with Steve Ponto’s campaign. The same goes for every other campaign. I have taken no stand and don’t plan to anytime soon. Stop putting words in my mouth.
The point of Facebook is to support a social network to share information with friends. The fact that I acknowledged that I know Steve and consider him a “friend”, electronically or in real life, makes no statement about his candidacy.
2 Cindy Kilkenny // Jan 5, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Well thank you City of Brookfield 5th District Alderman Scott Berg for making your point known. You can flap around all you want, but as I explained: “I’m one to believe a Facebook friending is an endorsement.”
You are friending a guy with a Ponto for Mayor sign as his profile photo. I know it’s your very favorite thing in the whole wide world to have it both ways, but perhaps you are sending a message you didn’t intend.
3 Scott Berg // Jan 5, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Actually, he had a family portrait when I friended him. Do you think I should sue for bait and switch?
I had friended Sheila Buechel months ago. I’ve known her for years due to her leadership in Friend of the Library.
Speaking of suing, how’d the motion hering go this morning? Still planning on pulling the plug next week?
4 Brkfld Res // Jan 5, 2010 at 6:45 pm
So why aren’t you friends with anyone else running for mayor?
5 Cindy Kilkenny // Jan 5, 2010 at 6:55 pm
He is. Schellinger is on his list, too, but I don’t consider Schellinger much of a candidate, so I forgot to mention it. I don’t know that Speaker or Marcello have pages. Schellinger doesn’t have the page as a campaign promo.
6 Libby // Jan 5, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Any word on the school district races?
7 Cindy Kilkenny // Jan 5, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Not other than the December 28th update link I gave. Anyone else?
8 Cindy Kilkenny // Jan 5, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Yes, the blog goes to comments only after the 12th, then dormant a week later. Content stays up until a month after the suit is cleared. I may change my mind on that and leave it all up as long as I own the domain.
This morning’s hearing was an insurance thing and had nothing to do with the case. I didn’t even go, but thanks so very much for caring. You’ll be getting the update on your RSS reader soon enough.
9 Stephanie Ponto // Jan 5, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Cindy,
Thank you for your support. I’m sorry to see your blog come to an end. I’ve enjoyed reading your coverage of the mayoral race, until today. I would like to assure you and the public that my father has been gathering up his supporters quietly over the Holiday season, and now is focusing FULL time on the campaign. He is the most qualified candidate EVER to run for mayor of Brookfield. He has never lost an election, and certainly isn’t going to start now!
Please check out http://www.pontoformayor.com
10 Cindy Kilkenny // Jan 5, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I am so glad to hear that. I really am counting on him to make the change to the classy leadership we so deserve.
(PS – Sorry about the trouble you had posting the comment. I just found several versions in the spam filter. I’m not sure what tripped it, but I’m glad it all worked out.)
11 Dean // Jan 5, 2010 at 10:41 pm
I may have to run for county supervisor someday–looks like good job security. ;^)
12 Amazed // Jan 6, 2010 at 9:53 am
I hope Miss Ponto is not her father’s campaign manager. In reading her comment above, I can’t help wondering if her emphasis on “most qualified candidate EVER to run for Mayor of Brookfield” is a slam at you, Cindy. Like you, I have also sensed Mr. Ponto’s “arrogance” and in my estimation, boredom, at concerns residents have brought before the Council. I think he could be the best candidate, but he needs to work on his attitude. Of course, I await his stance on the issues too.
13 Cindy Kilkenny // Jan 6, 2010 at 11:13 am
I thought Mike Jakus (spelling?) had pretty much the same qualifications a few years ago – attorney, common council president, etc. I know Stephanie is very fond of her dad, though, and I would only hope one of my own children would be so enthusiastic for me (and they have been) so I’m not going to read much into it.
I also remember this post. Steve has some serious hurdles. I’m calling them out early so he can choose to campaign in a way that minimizes them. If his arrogance spills out over his potential to be effective, he’ll lose. Speaker could well call him on that or Ponto’s ties to Kate Bloomberg (this community is still reeling from her reign) and change the momentum.
This is definitely a choice between the lesser of the evils. How wonderful our government could be if that weren’t the case.
14 Amazed // Jan 6, 2010 at 11:39 am
OK, I’ll chalk that comment up to a daughter’s fondness for her dad. But your link to that earlier post is exactly what I mean. Not only does he yawn at his peers comments, but I’ve also seen him show disinterest in residents who bring their concerns to be heard. I’m also calling them out early so Mr. Ponto’s campaign comes out of the gate strong. We need a change.
15 DICK STEINBERG // Jan 6, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Don’t sweat the small stuff. The main issue for a Mayoral candidate is COMPETENCE. Then comes the matter of how many will vote, real or absentee in an election day partly controlled by the weather.
16 Cindy Kilkenny // Jan 6, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Well I don’t sweat much anymore. It’s a rather pleasant way to live.
17 Brkfld Res // Jan 6, 2010 at 6:13 pm
So I have been doing some research on Facebook since Cindy and Scott’s latest argument. It seems all the “important types” are supporting Ponto. I could not find a page for Ponto or the other guy. Interestingly enough, Marcello has the largest number of supporters, currently at 194. This may only seem like a plus for him since the majority of his supporters/fans are high schoolers and college kids who have drunk pictures of themselves as their Facebook profiles. Is it likely these kids will vote? http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=marcello+for+mayor&init=quick#/pages/Marcello-for-Mayor/205016333112?v=wall&ref=search
The only “important type” in Marcello’s group was Sandra Schultz – interesting how a woman running for school board is supporting a man convicted of battery assault against a minor.
18 Cindy Kilkenny // Jan 6, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Including his own son’s. (That’s Joe with a cigarette and beer on the far right.)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30413569&id=1607400177#/photo.php?pid=30413572&id=1607400177&fbid=1168127095826
You so completely win today’s interesting comment prize, Brkfld Res.
19 Stephanie Ponto // Jan 6, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Amazed: I am not my Father’s campaign manager, just a daughter that believes in her Dad. I meant absolutely no disrespect to Cindy with my previous statement. I am defining qualifications on education, and experience. http://www.pontoformayor.com/docs/Resume__1-3-2010.pdf (Resume)
Cindy: I thank you for your feedback on the various hurdles he will have to overcome to win, but those hurdles are mere stepping stones compared to the bad press his challengers will have to overcome.
He is a classy guy with nothing to hide.
20 Stephanie Ponto // Jan 6, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Brkfld Res: As you can probably tell my Dad is new to facebook, I will pass the word along that he needs to start a “support” page.
21 Cindy Kilkenny // Jan 6, 2010 at 6:57 pm
“He is a classy guy with nothing to hide.”
Sweetheart, I thought the same thing about myself four years ago, but the opponent made stuff up, and it did me in. You buckle your seatbelt, because this ride is very unpredictable.
22 Brkfld Res // Jan 6, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Cindy: Be careful posting a negative picture of Marcello’s son. David’s temper may get out of hand and he may go beat him . . . again.
23 Cindy Kilkenny // Jan 6, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Ok, I’m not thrilled with that comment. I will say Joe is 21 now, so I’m fine with leaving the link. If Joe is smart, he’ll restrict his photo views to friends only and the link won’t be viable very long.
24 DICK STEINBERG // Jan 6, 2010 at 8:51 pm
For what its worth elections and politics can be very brutal and invade the privacy of well meaning people who run for public office. Our community is no different than any other in that regard. Cindy is right. The press can destroy a career and the opponent can destroy a persons character. To be sure a seasoned candidate knows all this and can rise above the smut with unwavering support from family and friends. JFK, like him or not, said politics is the art of the possible.
25 Brkfld Res // Jan 6, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Well it looks like Sandra Schultz has pulled her support for Marcello. At least on Facebook.
26 The Lorax // Jan 7, 2010 at 1:00 am
Maybe Sandra is worried that people will start looking at her kids next…
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