Tag Archives: Larry Gamble

Steve Taylor’s Candidate Forum Tantrum

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Imagine you as a Franklin voter wanted to actually see, have access to, and get more information about the candidates of both your very own Franklin Public Schools Board of Education along with the 9th District County Supervisor race. So as a public service, something they have done several times before for the April elections, the GrandSons of Liberty, a conservative but non-partisan group from Franklin sponsors a Candidate Forum to make this happen.

This past Tuesday, all four School Board candidates came at 6:30pm at the Root River Center in Franklin where the forum was held. About 30 people were in attendance for this forum, included in the audience were, the Mayor of Franklin Tom Taylor, Alderman Ken Skowronski, Superintendant Steve Patz, Board members Deb Larson, Jeff Traylor and Melissa Klein  even former member Mary Karolewicz was there. All the candidates had a chance to speak and give the audience the opportunity to see what they stood for.

When the forum ended at about 7:15pm, Larry Gamble the moderator announce that the County Supervisor forum would be next and start at 7:30, however, Alderman Steve Taylor would not be in attendance until later as he had another commitment. This was despite the fact that Taylor had acknowledged that he would attend the forum when he was invited weeks before. Offended by Taylors discourtesy many people left out of disgust.

Oak Creek Alderman Ken Gehl answered about 8 questions that were asked by the moderator. Since there was only one candidate available the questions were opened up to the audience. Back and forth discussion went on directly with Ken until out of the back of the room Steve Taylor makes his appearance.

Steve Taylor apologized for being late but then did a 360 and turned on his host Larry Gamble to blame him for Taylor’s bad behavior.

Here is what came next:

 

After this tirade other members of the audience left vowing not to vote for Taylor. Additional arguments broke out between Taylor and the audience. When it came down to a summary, Taylor said there was only one difference between himself and Ken Gehl. That he, Steve Taylor had been on two other governing bodies in La Crosse and in Minnesota.

Most people that stayed said there was one more difference. Ken Gehl showed patients and the capability to work with others on County Board without getting agitated. This is something we are going to need for our next County Supervisor, someone who can work WITH the other board members for Oak Creek, Franklin and Hales Corners. Not a hothead like Steve Taylor who can’t even get along with his fellow alderman or the citizens of Franklin.

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Local Democrat Blogger has it All Wrong – AGAIN! (Updated 9/19)

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I awoke this morning to a flurry of e-mails from my conservative Republican friends (yes I am a card carrying member) about some fantasy local liberal Democrat blogger Greg Kowalski dreamed up last night.

Now you have to remember first that this unemployed, self proclaimed CCD Vice-President (not the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine – we Catholics grew up with) has a history where he makes up whatever he can not actually get fed to him by his “sources” mostly CCP Steve Taylor, Alderwoman Wilhelm or his new supposed buddy Tom (Mayor Tom Taylor). 

So now when it comes to his conjecture about what the local Republican Party will or won’t do about the future campaigns of Larry Gamble, his information is just plain old made up. Nobody credible would talk to him.

Kowalski says:

……. it’s even worse when my sources are informing me that the Republican Party itself is very upset at Gamble for what they firmly believe was a smearing campaign on one of their finest legislators – Jeff Stone.

No credible Republican Party members (with the exception of CCP Steve Taylor) would ever talk with a liberal Democrat blogger such as Greg Kowalski.

Kowalski further says:

   If the Republican Party is upset with Gamble, why would they endorse or encourage their Franklin members to vote for Gamble in future races, especially if Gamble is challenging CCP Steve Taylor or Mayor Tom Taylor? CCP Taylor currently is an active coordinator for Scott Walker’s gubernatorial race, and Mayor Taylor contributed well to Stone’s campaign and is also a friend of Walker. Expect the Republicans to give no favors to Gamble; in fact, expect them (or at least the party at the county level) to openly endorse and encourage its membership to vote for Gamble’s opponent. They’re angry, and this level of anger is very hard to forgive and forget.

 

Earth to Greg … Unlike the Obamites of the Democratic party which Greg Kowalski purports to be, the Republicans could give a royal rip about a local NON PARTISAN election such as Mayor or Alderman of a small city like Franklin.  He forgets that Stone reached out to many local, and State politicians and no one endorsed Stone with the exception of the democrat leaning Mayor of Franklin!

In addition it is a ridiculous stance that Kowalski makes that because Gamble lost so big he‘s unwinnable in the future. This past April is a prime example where Doug Schmidt, who lost by a landslide to incumbent County Supervisor Mark Borkowski in 2008 won the local election against yours truly!

In an email post to me from a local GOP member it read:

“The GOP is NOT upset with Gamble. Why would the GOP go against a conservative who lost 82-18? They have bigger fish to fry.

The GOP could care less if Gamble ran for alderman in April or any other office.  Name one GOP official that is angry at Gamble!”

One can only surmise that Greg was blogging while having one too many margaritas at his favorite Franklin Mexican restaurant and talking to one his imaginary sources.

 

UPDATE (9/20/2010)

This Article just came out today in the JS Online. The headline reads: TeaParty Energizes State GOP

In part it reads:

Now, weeks before the Nov. 2 midterm elections, Republicans in Wisconsin and across the country appear upbeat, their election prospects buoyed by the energy and voting of tea party activists.

While the tea party movement has wreaked havoc with some Republican races nationally – political upstarts knocked off establishment candidates in Senate primaries in states such as Delaware and Alaska – the movement has found common ground with the Republican Party in Wisconsin.

         < …………… >

What brings all the tea party groups together is frustration over spending, taxes and deficits, Rasmussen said. A little less than 20% of those polled identify with the movement, he added.

“What is fascinating, you can take that number and you begin to push and probe a little bit, you find there are some people who kind of agree what they think the tea party is standing for but they’re not sure they want to be that loud and that brash,” he said.

“A lot of people in the tea party don’t care about the battle between Republicans and Democrats,” he added. “They have a dim view of both political parties. Nearly half of all conservatives in this nation do not consider themselves Republican. This notion that the tea party is an adjunct to the Republican Party is mistaken.”

But for now, at least, in Wisconsin, the GOP appears poised to capture the votes of tea party supporters.

Yet, the party cannot take those voters for granted.

Lora Halberstadt, co-founder of the Racine Tea Party, said her organization will “be activating and motivating our fellow citizens to pay attention to what the candidates are saying.”

“This is just the first battle in a long fight,” she said. “The Republicans, if they get in charge, will have their feet held to the fire just like everyone else.”

READ THE REST HERE

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The States Loss is Franklin’s Gain

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Well here it is Wednesday morning in Franklin, sunny sky’s and fall is in the air. It is the day after the fall primary and Scott Walker and Tom Barret will go head to head for the next three months with mud slinging campaigns. I do look forward to the Sarah Palin lookalike Rebecca Keefisch  Lt. Governor campaign commercials however.

The unfortunate part of this September 14th primary is that Larry Gamble will not be in Madison to look out for Franklin residents in the 82nd assembly district. Instead we will have the same lase-fair representation we have had from Jeff Stoned for the past six terms. Even many in his own party and local politicians did not come out to support Jeff in this election, but yet name recognition and a HUGE campaign chest kept Jeff in office.

Now to the future and the part of my headline – Franklin’s Gain.

Larry Gamble has now gotten name recognition and a support system behind him to launch possible campaigns in opposition to the Taylor boys in Franklin. Larry now has the opportunity to effect local government by running against Steve Taylor, 4th District Alderman who barely squeaked out a win when he ran three years ago or against Mayor Tom Taylor (former FCRL member) who many say has a huge bulls-eye painted on his back due to his waffling on issues, along with his tax and spend attitude  linked to the 27th Street lights – $500,000 tie breaking vote, $150,000 Tornado Sirens, his opposition to a zero property tax increase.  Franklin is looking for a change and word has it that Steve Taylor was hoping and praying that Larry would win so he would not go after either job.  Larry Gamble now has the freedom to set his sights on April 2011 to oust either of these two politicians. 

As I said before…. The States Loss is Franklin’s Gain. I look forward to Larry Gamble’s next campaign and a win.

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Is Jeff Stone afraid to Debate Larry Gamble?

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Sort of looks that way if you read this press release from the Grandsons of Liberty:

WISCONSIN GRANDSONS OF LIBERTY

 PRESS RELEASE

 9 September 2010                 Contact: Norm Reynolds                414-529-2428

 82nd Assembly District Tea Party/Patriot Groups Disappointed by Rep. Jeff Stone’s Unwillingness to Confirm Debate

 Milwaukee, WI – The Wisconsin GrandSons of Liberty and the Greendale Tea Party express their dismay that Rep. Jeff Stone has apparently backed out of a debate with Rep. Stone’s challenger, Larry Gamble, scheduled for Saturday, September 11th, at Root River Lanes starting at 3:00 pm. Despite working with Rep. Stone to accommodate his schedule and his demands, he has not returned numerous phone calls and the debate is now two days away, making it difficult to proceed without his confirmation.

We believe that the voters of the 82nd Assembly District deserve to be able to hear both candidates expound on their positions on the issues and also to hear Rep. Stone explain his support of the RTAs and his co-sponsorship of AJR-96, which would strip the voters of the right to vote for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices. We are interested in Jeff Stone’s reasons for failing to support SJR-62, which would have amended the state constitution to protect Wisconsinites’ right to choice in healthcare and also the bill to provide reform of unelected boards. 

 Initially, Rep. Stone stated that he would not participate in a debate sponsored by tea parties and later agreed to the debate if the Republican Party would co-sponsor the event. Discussions with the party confirmed their acceptance and support of the debate although Rep. Stone has not returned any calls to finalize the debate for the last several days. We are disappointed at the political gamesmanship that has occurred in pursuing this debate and must wonder why our representative is showing little regard for his constituents.

WISCONSIN GRANDSONS OF LIBERTY is a non-profit, non-partisan organization pro-Constitution & Bill of Rights based Wisconsin patriot group that provides related information and sponsors educational events to the general public.  

And in reply the Milwaukee County Republicans released this:

Republican Party of Milwaukee County: Disappointed by falsehood of confirmation of debate between Rep. Stone and challenger
9/10/2010

Contact: David Karst
262-455-1554

The Republican Party of Milwaukee County express their dismay that the Wisconsin Grand Sons of Liberty and Greendale Tea Party have inaccurately communicated that the Republican Party agreed to co-sponsor the debate on September 11th between Representative Jeff Stone and challenger Larry Gamble.

We believe that the voters of the 82nd Assembly District deserve to be able to know the truth. The truth is that we did not confirm our acceptance and support of the debate. We have been in contact with the Leader of the Wisconsin Grand Sons of Liberty and challenger Larry Gamble to retract their statements concerning this issue.

We realize that we are a few days away from the September 14th primary. However, we believe the election should be about the issues that concern the citizens of the 82nd District. The Republican Party of Milwaukee County request that candidates maintain their integrity and honor to serving the people. We are disappointed at the political gamesmanship that has occurred by a “non-partisan group” Wisconsin Grand Sons of Liberty. We must show a greater respect to the constituents of the 82nd District.

Well as a resident and a Republican in the 82nd District, I am feeling like the Milwaukee County Republicans are being disrespectful to me. Now you know why I am voting for Larry Gamble and not Jeff Stone.

One last quick info bit from WisPolitics.com:

AD 82 GOP
Larry Gamble: $1,118 raised, $958 spent, $272 cash on hand
Jeff Stone: $9,354 raised, $15,296 spent, $61,078 cash on hand

Can you say overkill!

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Gamble has first Meet and Greet

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Candidate Larry Gamble, who is running in the Republican Primary on September 16th against Jeff Stone for the State’s 82nd Assembly District seat is having his first meet and greet.

Voters interested in meeting the candidate are invited to join in on Tuesday, August 3rd at the Root River Center’s sports bar, The Pickled Pig from 7 to 8pm for Larry Gamble’s first “Meet the Candidate” session.

Larry believes that over the last several years, we have seen the career politicians run our state to the edge of bankruptcy and we have a $2.5 Billion Dollar budget hole looming over our heads.  Gamble will start the evening with a short statement about his plans to make the government more accountable to the people, he will then open the forum for your questions and comments.

Check out his page on facebook: Larry Gamble for Assembly

Also look at his website:  www.Larrygamble.org

I did notice a Jeff Stone campaign sign on Drexel Avenue so I believe Jeff is taking Larry’s bid for his seat seriously.

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IT’S OFFICIAL – Larry Gamble has filed his Nomination Papers

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The race for the 82nd district assembly seat is now official.  I received an e-mail from Larry Gamble that he has submitted more than the required 200 signatures needed for his nomination papers to become official.

Jeff Stone will not be running unopposed and I have yet to see the Democrats announce a candidate for that seat.  Larry told me he had no problems getting the signatures from conservatives in Franklin, Greendale and Greenfield. They are tired of Jeff Stones moderate stance on the issues and are looking for someone more conservative. We are talking Republicans here folks, not the mamby pamby Democrats that fill the State Senate and Governors house.

My discussions with other right leaning citizens is that Jeff has gotten too complacent, has not represented the folks in Franklin and basically is to moderate for their taste. If the trend continues as it has across the country, then Larry with his ties to the GrandSons of Liberty (a local tea party group) will be a shoe in for the spot in the State Assembly.

The way I see it, as I have said before is that Larry Gamble is good for Franklin. I look forward to letting you know more about the candidate as time goes on.

Larry Gamble’s Press Release:

(Franklin, WI) – It’s official, the Larry Gamble for Assembly campaign entered its next phase. Gamble filed his nomination papers with the Government Accountability Board on Monday afternoon. He started circulating his papers on July 1st. In this short time, the citizens of Franklin, Greendale and Greenfield signed 31 pages of nomination papers for Larry Gamble to challenge Jeff Stone, a six term incumbent, to represent the 82nd Assembly District.

Gamble, who is considered a conservative candidate with roots in the popular Tea Party movement is a new comer to politics and making his first attempt at winning public office. He is a retired US Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, former businessman and airline pilot.

Meanwhile, Jeff Stone is described by a local blogger in “Franklin Today” as a moderate Republican who enjoys immense respect among area business and political leaders. When asked why run against Stone now, Gamble said; “Stone’s been in office since 1998 and we need to give the people of the 82nd District a fresh, conservative alternative.”

Gamble and Stone face off in the September 14th Primary with the winner advancing to the November 2nd General election.

###

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Larry Gamble is well on his way to the September Primary

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Larry Gamble, stopped by our home tonight to collect three more signatures for his nomination papers in his run for the 82nd district assembly seat moving closer to the 200 signatures required to file papers.

Gamble a Franklin resident resides at 3121 W Southwood Drive with his wife, Edith and two of his three children. My wife and I have know the Gambles for many years as Larry’s wife Edith was my son Nick’s pre-school teacher when Nick was 3. My daughter and his youngest daughter have been friends through high school. So Larry’s run came as no surprise when it was announced the other day.

The September Republican primary for the 82nd District looks to be a final election for the district unless the Democrats can pull together a candidate with the required signatures by next week Tuesday, July 13th. Currently Larry has a campaign website and blog site in it’s early stages.

This can be a WIN – WIN situation for Franklin residents.

If Larry wins, Franklin wins. If Larry does not win, he will have had major exposure in the City of Franklin, giving him the opportunity to run for another office in April possibly Alderman or Mayor.

Larry is a resident of the Aldermanic 4th District! 

Other Reading:

BizTimes Article – Tea Party candidate hopes to challenge Stone in GOP primary

Larry Gamble

Candidate Larry Gamble

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Franklin Resident Larry Gamble – Running for the 82nd Assembly Seat

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Larry Gamble, a Franklin Resident has announced that he will run against (R) Jeff Stone in the primary for the 82nd District Assembly Seat this fall.

In upcoming BizTimes and WisPolitics, I am told they will run with the headline “Stone has a Challenger.”

I will be writing more about Larry Gamble as I believe that he is a great conservative choice for Franklin residents to have as a representative in Madison. Jeff Stone a Greendale Republican  is a six term incumbent who has never had any real competition for the seat.

Some of the issues we may see more about in this primary election:

  • Proposed commuter rail trains from Milwaukee to Madison and to Kenosha (KRM)
  • An abundance of  200+ unelected boards with taxing authority in our state
  • Uncontrolled taxes in the state

If you are interested in signing Larry’s nomination papers, give him a call at 414-699-9061 before Monday July 12th.

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