Looking toward the future,
      I felt honored to be asked to attend a Vision Oshkosh event sponsored by several fine community organizations.  The intent was well-meaning.  Where do we want our city to be in 5, 10 and 20 years?  The speaker was Tony Nelessen of A. Nelessen Associates.  The speaker is a Wisconsin native who came to us with tons of credentials and experience.  I envisioned that our speaker would help the citizens and leaders of Oshkosh articulate a collaborated preferred future.
     What we actually got was something entirely different.  Tony systematically shared his vision.  He's lived on the east coast for some time.  He's traveled Europe extensively.  And he came criticizing the auto industry saying it was "a failure" and suburban expansion and idealizing mass transit and all that goes with it.  I take issue with two fundamental aspects of his views.  First, clearly he did not come to help the leaders of our fine small city articulate together our preferred future.  He came as a propagandist for his own views.  Second, his preferred future is anti-growth, anti-auto, anti-property rights, pro mass transit and pro government control. 
     I have a few questions for Tony.  If as you negatively said, India and China have been "drinking the coolaid" of America's love for the automobile.  Adding sidewalks and bicycle lanes is a wonderful idea.  But do you really believe that you and those who hold your views can end our love affair with automobiles?  As I left I surveyed the parking lot.  It was filled with cars owned by attendees whom I suspect would not want to hand you their keys.  You criticized the "empty highway" between Milwaukee and Madison.  Apparently you support Governor Doyle's half a billion dollar idea of a high speed rail connecting the two cities.  High speed rail between Chicago and Milwaukee makes sense.  But high speed rail between Milwaukee and Madison might save the traveler 10 minutes at best.  When they arrive at their destination they will have few options to get where they need to go.  You made the amazing claim that we could actually create a new mass transit system in our fine city within 6 months.  Well, I could continue listing the ideas you propose but won't.  My personal hope is that your propaganda will not embed itself into the minds of our community leaders. I want to personally thank the following organizations and those involved for their efforts:
               The Visioning Steering Committee
               City of Oshkosh                    
               University Wisconsin Oshkosh
               Oshkosh Area Community Foundation        
               Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh
               Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce            
               Propel    
               Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau
               Oshkosh Northwestern
               Mercy Medical Center /Affinity Health Systems

Sincerely Yours, Skypastor