Kenosha Mayor, City Council, Allow AFL-CIO To Hold Annual Labor Fest At No Cost For City Resources

Copied!
Vote To Give Labor Fest Free City Resources. Vote from August 19, 2024
(Black and White Members Supported Free Access to City Resources)

Tomorrow Monday September 2, 2024, Labor Fest will take place after a one-year hiatus. This year, however, for the first time in many years, it will be held at a City Park – Penoyer Park. Nothing unusual there. What is unusual, is that the City of Kenosha payers will foot a big chunk of the bill.

Paid Advertisement

The group, AFL-CIO is a democrat political action committee and many people believe that the City footing much of the bill is a conflict of interest at best, and illegal at worst. That’s because the AFL-CIO donates money and endorsed many of the candidates that supported the measure at the meeting.

Paid Advertisement

Under the resolution that passed 9-6, the City will be providing, for free, the following:

Paid Advertisement

● 40 Picnic Tables
● 40 Benches
● Fencing (Snow and/or Portable)
● 20 Garbage Carts
● 15 Recycling Carts
● The Pennoyer Park BandShell
● City Employee Labor To Move These Items

Paid Advertisement

The cost to other nonprofits that have used the same park and same equipment? $1,125, says Alderman Eric Hauggard. The sponsor of the Resolution, Council President Jan Michalski, says that the AFL-CIO shouldn’t have to pay because Labor Fest is “beneficial to the city as a whole and this is a basically a national holiday.”

Paid Advertisement

Aldermen LaMacchia and Hauggard seemed to spearhead the opposition, with LaMacchia saying, “If we do it for one, we got to do it for everybody. And you guys have no idea what can of worms are opening up. I was a union rep for 25 years so I have no problem with unions at all. The problem is we’re supposed to be fiscally smart with the city. We’re going to give a giveaway $1,100 I know it’s not a lot of money but you’re doing it for one – $1,100 $1,100 $1,100, $2,500 it adds up. Come on people!”

Paid Advertisement

During the meeting, Aldermen Seil, Kennedy, and Pizzala all asked to be added to the resolution as co-sponsors. Alderman Holly Kangas spoke out against the City’s funding of the fee-waiver, but then voted in favor of it.

Paid Advertisement

Curt Wilson, who is closely associated with Labor abstained, but was 100% in support of the subsidy. 16th District Alderman Dominick Ruffolo was excused, but said he would have voted for the waiver of the fees, saying that “next time, it should not be a city-sponsored event and they should pay the fee,” Ruffolo told KCE.

Paid Advertisement

Rick Gallo, the president of the AFL-CIO was present at the meeting. Alderman McKay asked Gallo many pointed questions that Gallo ignored and skirted. For example, Gallo was asked how much money the event raised. “What we do is we take whatever profit we make from beer sales and put that into a separate fund that we use to to do certain political education endeavors on behalf of the council.” Beer sales, say one former Alderman, is the lion’s share of the fundraising at the event. “Mr. Gallo I think your actions are commendable. Your group is worthwhile. But I also would argue that there’s plenty of other organizations out there that benefit the community that aren’t taking any for themselves but are yet still being charged that fee so I believe that’s a bad precedent to set,” said Alderman Kelly McKay.

Former Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian and Current Mayor Dave Bogdala (R)
(File Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The hurdle for the Aldermen’s deliberations seemed to be the fact that the former and current mayor already promised Gallo that the City would be fully funding the event. Gallo said as much, voluntarily. Labor Day is a National federal holiday recognized across the country. 

“Laborfest has been a city sponsored event for as long as I can remember,” Bogdala (R) told KCE. “It not only celebrates the contributions of labor, but also celebrates our employees. Today I have the honor of recognizing one of those employees as one of Labor Persons of the Year, Kelly Fonk one of our outstanding firefighters.”

Terry Flores (D) – Activist Reporter
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosah County Eye)

The local newspaper knew about this controversy but instead of asking tough questions or even writing about it, they wrote a fluff piece about the event. It was written by activist reporter Terry Flores.

You can watch the entire debate here:

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS

Kenosha CNA Accused of Assaulting Elderly Resident at Care Facility

Kenosha, Wis. — A Kenosha woman stands accused of abusing a 73-year-old man at a local care facility where she worked, according to a criminal complaint filed in Kenosha County Circuit Court. Jahnix A. Medina, 27, was charged with one count of physical abuse of an elder person, intentionally causing bodily harm, a Class H felony. If convicted, she faces up to six years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. According to the complaint, officers

Read More »

Maine Man Accused of Violent Robbery in Kenosha; Bail Set at $10,000

Kenosha, Wis. — A Maine man is facing felony charges in Kenosha County after allegedly assaulting a woman and robbing her of a necklace in a violent altercation last fall. On Wednesday, Court Commissioner William Michel II set bail at $10,000 cash for Lewis A. Covington, 32, who is charged with robbery with use of force and substantial battery—both with domestic abuse enhancers. According to the criminal complaint, the incident occurred on October 12, 2024, when

Read More »
MORE TOP STORIES

Village Administrator Lawyers Up Amid DNR Wetland Investigation

Salem Lakes, Wis. — The Village of Salem Lakes’ top administrator is under scrutiny after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched an investigation into potential illegal wetland disturbances on municipal property. The property in question is zoned C1. Lowland Resource Conservancy (C1) zoning is intended to prevent the destruction of valuable natural resources, including wetlands, shorelands, and areas subject to flooding. This is among the most restrictive zoning in the County. Cassandra Hiller, the

Read More »

Kenosha Alderman Accused of “Playing Cop” Again, Raising Concerns Over Overreach: Video

Kenosha, Wis. – Alderman Rollin Pizzala is facing renewed scrutiny after being spotted once again engaging in actions that appear to be outside the scope of his duties as a city legislator. On Thursday afternoon, a tip-off to Kenosha County Eye (KCE) reported Pizzala actively patrolling the 43rd Avenue neighborhood north of 60th Street, raising concerns among residents about his actions. Pizzala was reportedly “inspecting” properties in the area for code violations, such as property maintenance,

Read More »

Racine Officer Shoots Armed Suspect During Home Invasion: Investigation Underway

Racine, Wis. — An officer with the Racine Police Department shot and injured a suspect during a tense encounter inside a residence Tuesday night following a reported armed home invasion. The incident occurred in the 1100 block of Hamilton Street and has triggered an outside investigation, officials confirmed. According to a news release from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, Racine officers responded to the scene on April 22 after receiving reports of a home invasion involving

Read More »

Kenosha Man Accused of Strangling Girlfriend, Causing Severe Facial Injury

Kenosha, Wis. — A 56-year-old Kenosha man is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly assaulting his live-in girlfriend, choking her and striking her in the face hard enough to require stitches and cause temporary vision loss. Allen S. Meyer was charged in Kenosha County Circuit Court with substantial battery, strangulation and suffocation, and disorderly conduct — all with domestic abuse enhancers. The alleged attack occurred on March 21 at Meyer’s upper unit residence on 17th Avenue.

Read More »

Kenosha Woman Charged Again for Stealing Family’s Car While Out on Bail for Doing the Same

Kenosha, Wis. – A 36-year-old Kenosha woman remains in the county jail on a $7,500 cash bail after being charged with stealing her daughter’s car over the weekend—despite already being out on bail for a similar car theft involving her own mother just months earlier. Kristy R. Delaney now faces a total of ten new charges in a case filed Monday, including five felony counts of bail jumping, misdemeanor bail jumping, misdemeanor theft, operating while revoked,

Read More »

Kenosha Woman Accused of Tearing Sister’s Ear in Violent Fight

Kenosha, Wis. — A 23-year-old Kenosha woman is facing felony charges after allegedly assaulting her sister during a domestic dispute, less than two years after a similar case against her was dropped by the previous district attorney’s office. Katie M. Imbrogno has been charged in Kenosha County Circuit Court with one count of Substantial Battery – Domestic Abuse, a Class I felony, and one count of Disorderly Conduct – Domestic Abuse, a Class B misdemeanor. If

Read More »

$50,000 Bail Set for Kenosha Man Accused of Distributing Child Pornography

Kenosha, Wis. — A Kenosha man is being held in the Kenosha County Jail on serious felony charges after investigators say he shared a graphic image involving a young child over social media. Daniel D. Pichardo-Vilchis, 39, was arrested April 16 following an investigation by the Kenosha Police Department and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). He appeared in court last week for an initial appearance, where Court Commissioner William Michel ordered a

Read More »

Kenosha Man Jailed After Additional Child Porn Charges Filed

Kenosha, Wis. — A Kenosha man is facing serious new criminal charges after being re-arrested last week in connection with a growing child pornography case. Hector A. Tot-Cuc, 25, was first charged on March 31, 2025, with two counts of possession of child pornography. He was released on $10,000 cash bail the following day. But on April 16, at 9:40 a.m., Tot-Cuc was taken back into custody after new evidence led prosecutors to file five additional

Read More »

Teen Avoids Adult Court After Bringing Loaded Gun to Indian Trail

Kenosha, Wis. — In a decision that’s raising eyebrows across the community, Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman (D) on Friday rejected a request from prosecutors to waive 16-year-old Jaheem Wright into adult court, allowing the teen who brought a loaded gun to school and made threats to be sentenced in juvenile court instead. Wright, who terrified students and staff at Indian Trail High School in December, took a plea deal and pleaded guilty to

Read More »

Counselor on Leave Amid Allegations at Westosha Central High School; Parents Demand Transparency

Paddock Lake, Wis. — A counselor at Westosha Central High School is currently on leave, and parents are once again demanding transparency from school leadership. Kenosha County Eye has confirmed through multiple sources that the counselor is accused of inappropriate communication with a student. According to individuals familiar with the situation, the counselor allegedly used his or her personal cellphone to communicate with a student and is also believed to have given the student a ride

Read More »
Categories
Archives
Authors

36 Responses

  1. Looking at the list of aldermen and mayor we can see why the city is turning into a DUMP!! Laborfest is as LEFT wing as it gets!

    17
    5
    1. She is not a horrible “reporter”. An actual “reporter” would REPORT the news. Flores is far-left stenographer for the democrat party.

      And Terry if you actually read this, they have been, are, and will always be ILLEGAL ALIENS.

      10
      4
  2. Labor day….A celebration of American jobs gone to China and now headed to Mexico with the union membership not even having a thousand bucks to pay thier own way.
    Deadbeats.
    No doubt Buffet Bob Wirch will be attending for a free lunch along with Tod Ohnstad and the ghost Rudy Kuzel.
    So much Joy–Unburdened by what has been.
    BWA HaHaHaHaHaHa. Hecho en Mexico BWA HaHaHaHaHa

    15
    5
  3. Terry Flores should never be forgotten for the time she quoted
    a guy for her story in the K. News that said his name was Phil McCracken.

    10
    3
  4. Anybody that prefaces their comment with: “Basically.”
    Is either lying, or they are making up an answer and are
    simply buying time with filler words.
    Pay attention to this in the future.
    It will help you read people much better.

    4
    0
  5. Does this mean that all the churches across the city should start paying property taxes? I mean after all they are conservative in nature and it would be a conflict of interest if they didn’t pay it… right? 😀

    2
    4
      1. Depends if you’re talking about Jesus or “Republican Jesus” – check out the memes – one feeds and heals the sick… The other requires a substantial co-pay and a drug test.

  6. What about all the church festivals? They 100% should have to pay. Thinking park use and, more importantly, damage due to over use, OH… let’s not forget endless garbage pickup. Fare is fair, right?

    Sincerely,
    “OK 😃ly”

  7. File under ‘ya can’t make this stuff up……co-founder of the AFL-CIO and UAW…..

    “Before joining the Democratic Party, (Walter) Reuther was a member of the Socialist Party of America. Although Reuther always denied it, some, including J. Edgar Hoover, have suspected that at one time he was a member of the Communist Party.” (wikipedia)

    4
    2
    1. You say socialist like it’s a bad thing. Guy must take his own trash to the dump every week and shovel his snow to the center of the road every winter.

      You live out in the country? Enjoying all that socialism roadwork where the ROI makes zero sense if consider what would pay in taxes to justify it.

      Unfettered socialism, unfettered capitalism- both are bad. It’s a horse shoe. Both ideologies take you to same place – authoritarianism.

      1
      1
  8. Really what would you expect ? A socialist organization being funded by elected socialist for a celebration . How far would the Brotherhood of Electrical workers get asking for a free city party ? Or perhaps the Teamsters ? Not far my guess . Bottom line our elected socialist know whom is buttering there communist bread . So nothing to see here folks. Just our elected officals kissing the ass of there buddies .

    4
    2
    1. Oh you mean like churches not paying property taxes. Wonder what the losses revenue is for the ‘weekly celebrations’ of conservative values and indoctrination cost the tax payers every year? Going to guess in the millions – just in Kenosha.

  9. Ah the confluence of MAGA and socialism… How will the AMC/Chrysler trash respond to KCE attacking UAW getting special treatment from Kenosha’s version of the uniparty?

    1
    1
  10. This is wrong on so many levels.

    Not who the event is for but the fact that at anytime the city council can just decide to spend, or not charge money for whomever they want.

    We put them in office to make decisions and be stewards of our money. Not to give it away because they can connect it to a holiday.

    $1,125. ? That’s a mortgage payment for some !
    They nickel and dime and dollar you for copies of documents you may need here and there to try to offset the cost of ink and paper. Why not give that away ?

    By the way. Are those numbers even accurate ?
    Isn’t any labor cost on a weekend not to mention a holiday Monday overtime ? Maybe even double or triple ?

    The rules for items like this are set in stone and should not be circumvented at will. They should not be allowed to change the rules !!!
    If the council has time to talk and vote on frivolous things like this then maybe they don’t have enough other things to do. And if that’s the case then why do we pay them so much ?

  11. Democrat = deadbeat. Makes total sense. I’m sure there are some illegalities present. Let’s see if someone can find them. Just because there is a majority vote doesn’t mean it’s a legal action.

  12. I have no issues with Labor Fest per se but I do if it supports a political objective that separates it from being a purely civic function. Mr. Gallo’s comments establishes that it isn’t a purely civic function.

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives
Authors

Subscribe to updates

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.