Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Almost all of the Waukesha Business Improvement District Board of Directors will need to be replaced as 11 of its members resign after former executive director's accusations of harassment and bullying.
Eleven members of the 13-member Waukesha Business Improvement District Board of Directors have stepped down from their leadership roles as accusations of bullying, harassment and ineffective communication styles came from its executive director, who left her position earlier this month. The only board members remaining are Bill Huelsman and Natalie Walters, said Mayor Jeff Scrima. As a result of the resignations, a move by Alderman Eric Payne and Alderwoman Kathleen Cummings to replace the entire BID board was removed from the agenda of Tuesday's Common Council meeting. Dozens of downtown stakeholders spoke at the beginning of that meeting — with some urging the council to replace the BID leadership and others vehemently denyings …
Monday, September 17, 2012
The Waukesha Common Council will hear a recommendation from two council members who say the entire Waukesha Business Improvement District's Board of Directors should be removed.
Two Waukesha Business Improvement District board members survived a vote of no-confidence. The BID's director and another employee have resigned their positions. Two board members have also stepped down. The problems in the BID will take a prominent role during Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. Common Council meeting. The council will hear a referral from Alderwoman Kathleen Cummings and Alderman Eric Payne that calls for the removal of the entire 13-member board. After Executive Director Meghan Sprager’s resignation shocked the downtown community as she brought forward strong accusations against two downtown leaders, some downtown business owners begged the council to help fix the problems. Board President Norm Bruce and board member Lynn Gaffey …
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Executive Director Meghan Sprager provides more details about the harassment and bullying she allegedly has received at the hands of board members.
Updated at 10 p.m. Tuesday to include details on allegations made by Sprager in her letter. Attempts to uproot the Waukesha Business Improvement District’s Board of Directors fell flat Tuesday morning when a vote of no-confidence against Norm Bruce, the board president, and Lynn Gaffey, a board member, fell short. Bruce said he wasn’t surprised that board members Chris VanderBloemen and Jeff Barta brought forward the vote of no-confidence. However, the majority of the BID board voted in favor of Bruce and Gaffey. Later on Tuesday, VanderBloemen resigned, saying of other board members: “Their current plan is to deny that there is a problem." The vote of no-confidence was taken in the same meeting where board members heard allegations from …
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Waukesha Business Improvement Development Executive Director Meghan Sprager resigned, claiming she's been treated in a "disgraceful manner." While one board member says she was worried about this from the start, others are surprised by the allegations.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated with information from Jeff Barta and Roger Igielski. Two Waukesha Business Improvement District board members are calling for a special BID meeting following BID Executive Director Meghan Sprager’s resignation letter where she claims to have been a victim of "excessive bullying." The letter alleges the BID board has subjected Sprager to a "hostile work environment" and that BID staff is treated in a "disgraceful manner." Board members Jeff Barta and Chris VanderBloemen have called the special meeting that they plan to hold at 7:30 a.m. Monday at The Rotunda, 235 W. Broadway. "While I’m not surprised at her decision I am very disappointed," said Barta in an email calling for the special meeting…
Friday, June 1, 2012
Waukesha GuitarTown pays tribute to Wisconsin community's rich music history as the birthplace of Les Paul. The city's GuitarTown is being unveiled this weekend.
Jane Neill had a kiss to remember, even if she says the infamous smooch might make her husband a tad bit jealous. “The highlight was a kiss on the lips,” Jane Neill said about meeting musician and legendary guitarist Les Paul. “I have a picture of it, too.” Jane Neill, and her husband, Tom Neill, have seen Paul in concert several times. They both had high praises for the "Wizard of Waukesha." “He was just a wonderful man. He always remembered his roots, and he was personable,” Jane Neill said. “The times we met him in New York, he would remember you months and months later when you would see him here. He always made you feel so special.” Jane Neill shared her story while attending a private gala for the kickoff for Waukesha GuitarTown …
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
While the project needs to go before government boards for approval, 10 10-feet-tall fiberglass Les Paul model guitars arrive in city.
Ten 10-feet-tall fiberglass Les Paul model guitars arrived in Waukesha Tuesday morning as the city is planned to be the next Gibson GuitarTown. The guitar were delivered to the Spring Artisan Village, 521 Wisconsin Ave. Local artists will soon be selected to decorate the guitars that will be placed throughout the city. “What can I say? It is amazing,” said Lynn Gaffey, owner of Almont Gallery and a member of the steering committee that is planning the project. The artist selection begins Tuesday, Gaffey said, and 25 artists have submitted applications to work on the guitars. In addition to the 10-feet-tall guitars, 15 smaller guitars will be placed throughout the city. Gibson is donating three of the large guitars and all of the 15 guitars…
43.00971
-88.23761
The Springs Artisan Village
521 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha, WI
/articles/waukesha-s-journey-to-be-a-gibson-guitartown-moves-forward
2016172
/locations/6284240
Don Smartt
7:31 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012
Wow! Witnessing the damage being done to all involved....is a potent reminder to one who works daily in the vineyards promoting and nuturing the 'good news' about downtowns that a community that fails to find the right balance between those who live in downtown (something many communities strive for and fail to achieve) and those who require a return on the investment they have made in the … more ›