From:	Bohl, James
Sent:	Friday, July 11, 2014 8:50 AM
To:	Lee, Chris
Subject:	FW: Proposed Sam's Club Building



From: Wagoner, Rachel L [mailto:wagonerl@milwaukee.k12.wi.us]  
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2014 7:24 AM 
To: Bohl, James; Perez, Jose; Wade, Willie; rjbauman@milwaukee.gov; Kovac, Nik 
Cc: yourneighborhood1@yahoo.com; Puente, Robert 
Subject: Proposed Sam's Club Building

Good morning!  My name is Rachel Wagoner and I am a resident of the 9th Aldermanic 
District.  I am writing to you in protest of the proposed re-zoning project of the parcel of 
land that is located at the corner of 124th and Bradley Road.  It is the feeling of myself, 
my husband, and all of my immediate neighbors (that live within 1/2 mile of the 
project) that the building of this Sam's Club would be disastrous to the quality of life in 
our neighborhood.
 
After attending an informational meeting held at Goodrich School, sponsored by 
Alderman Puente, I am even more unsettled by the proposal!!!  While stating that he 
contacted members of the 9th district through emailing "5 Block Watch Captains", I find 
it curious that the Captain of the Block Watch closest to the project was not notified, 
even though she has received previous emails from Puente's office.  Many of our 
constituents are not members of a Block Watch Association, and no other attempt was 
made to contact those affected by this proposal.  While I understand, legally, it is 
required that notification be sent to those within 200 feet of a proposed project, I feel 
that something of this magnitude could have easily been added to the aldermanic 
website to inform constituents of what was being proposed, at no cost to the alderman.
 
I also want it known that a vote was taken at the meeting as to who supported and who 
opposed the project.  Those of us who attended the meeting were asked to sign in on 
several sheets of paper.  I know, for a fact, that every who cast a vote did NOT sign in 
on those sheets, as I was there before a majority of the people came in and stayed until a 
majority of the people left. I take issue with this process, as there was no way to verify 
the validity of those votes (either pro or con) as to whether they were actual residents of 
the 9th District.  In support of this, a young lady that sat behind me, who voted for the 
proposal, stated that she lived at 99th and Fond Du Lac, which I believe is in the 5th 
District, according to current map boundaries.
 
I would also like it noted that several of those that voted in favor of the project (one was 
the young lady mentioned above), were wearing Sam's Club name tags, which I believe 
is a conflict of interest.  Many of those with name tags made a point to talk with the 
Sam's Club Director of Operations for Wisconsin after the meeting.  In addition to this 
point, it should be noted that NOT ONE PERSON WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF THIS 
PROJECT spoke at the meeting as to why they supported the proposal.  I find this more 
than UNSETTLING!!!!!!!!
 
Many of our residents who spoke in opposition of this proposal mentioned reuse of 
properties already vacated up on Brown Deer Road.  Both Alderman Puente and the 
Sam's Club Representatives stated that this is no longer a "Retail Area", however, the 
Wal-Mart Corporation just relocated a Wal-Mart Store on 68th and Brown Deer.  One of 
their "selling" points was that they wanted "synergy" with a retail space to promote 
business.  This make absolutely no sense, as this parcel of land is not meant for 
"retail".  There is far more established retail "synergy" already located on Brown Deer 
Road.  It was also stated by a Sam's Club representative that, "We want this land".  I 
stated that there was formerly a Sam's Club located on roughly 124th and Brown Deer 
Road (about 1 mile from the proposed location) approximately 15 years ago that moved 
from that location to it's current location (76th and Calumet) to grow it's business.  The 
response from the Sam's Club representative was, "That was before my time and I am 
not aware of that location."  This is concerning, as they have already vacated this area 
for lack of business.
 
I implore you to vote against the re-zoning of this parcel of land and to maintain the 
quality of life of this side of town.  As a lifetime resident of the City of Milwaukee, as a 
City of Milwaukee employee who remained after residency was lifted, and as a tax 
paying constituent, I pray that you consider the ramifications that this will cause to our 
neighborhood, the environment, and the quality of life in one of the few areas left in this 
city that can be considered "rural like."
 
Thank you for your time and consideration,
 
 
Rachel Wagoner 
Instructional Coach
 
O.W. Holmes 
wagonerl@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 
"The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are 
moving.” 
 Oliver Wendell Holmes