6 WISCONSIN GROCER www.wisconsingrocers.com
From the PRESIDENT Another One Day Meat Sale Brandon Scholz WGA President and CEO Ok, some people will think this is crass, others will get it. On July 12, <strong>Wisconsin</strong> will make history again when we have nine recall elections for incumbent members of the State Senate. Nine. That’s a record in <strong>Wisconsin</strong> and in the USA. So what’s the big deal? Fact is, it’s a huge deal. It’s an unprecedented huge deal. Recall elections were set up so citizens could jump start the election process if their elected official(s) weren’t doing what they were elected to do or had done something egregious or possibly illegal after one year of service. In 1996, State Senator George Petak was recalled because he switched his vote and voted for the Brewer Stadium Tax. In 2003, State Senator Gary George was recalled because he broke the law on a number of ethics issue. On July 12 (August 9 if there is a primary), Republicans are looking to recall Democratic State Senators for leaving the state and Democrats are looking to recall Senate Republican’s for supporting Governor Walker’s collective bargaining proposal. There certainly will be more issues in each of the campaigns, but that’s pretty much what started it all. The 2011 recall elections could change the balance of power in the Senate should the Democrats succeed guaranteeing virtual certainty that legislative action will deadlock and virtually all of Governor Walker’s initiatives will be derailed. In the same respect should Republicans prevail, the three-wing mortal lock will continue on the path set in the first few months of this year. So, July 12 is the date. Mark it on your calendar. Remind your friends, family, and associates to vote. While you’re at it, maybe make a few check marks in June and early July as well because many of these candidates will need money. There are those who are hoping that you were pushed around enough in the ‘boycotts’ that you’ll not want to have your name show up as a contributor on a candidates campaign finance report. If you feel that way and put your checkbook back in the drawer, you’ve handed those who attacked you and the industry via the boycott process a big victory and have given them another reason to do it again in the future. However, now that you know who runs the boycotts and the impact, or lack of impact on your store, it is time to stand up and make another statement. Retribution and efforts to quash your first amendment rights and ability to participate in the democracy don’t work. There’s a meat sale coming— take a stand. The date is July 12, the balance of power is the prize. It is a one day meat sale. So what’s the big deal? Fact is, it’s a huge deal. It’s an unprecedented huge deal. Walker’s Chief has Grocery Experience In November 2010, Governor Walker announced that his Chief of Staff would be Keith Gilkes, who also served as Scott Walker’s campaign manager. What folks probably don’t know, is that Keith’s first job (in high school) was at the Food Pride store in Prairie du Chien; a job he held for six years. Mick Kneeland, currently the manager at the Viking Village in Reedsburg, was Gilkes’ manager at the Food Pride. Kneeland remembers Gilkes as an intelligent young man who worked well with people and was looked up to by his fellow employees. He could tell that Gilkes would go far in the public sector. Kneeland was recently at the <strong>Grocers</strong> in the Capitol Day in April and the WGA coordinated a special reunion for the two men (Photo above). Gilkes is equally as complimentary when reminiscing of his days in Kneeland’s store. “The values that guide me in my professional career now were formed during my first job working for Mick Kneeland. My parents knew he would instill their shared values of hard work, dedication to the job and serving others, which I use everyday in my job with Governor Walker,” Gilkes said. Overall, Kneeland wasn’t surprised that Gilkes was named the Governor’s Chief of Staff. He describes Gilkes as an “ethical, all-around good guy,and any parent would be proud to have him as a son.” Kneeland concluded, “It feels good, as a manager, to see kids who worked with you for their first job, go far in life, and Keith Gilkes definitely has.” 2011 Summer WISCONSIN GROCER 7
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