How about the Janesville Bellyachers. I think that represents the people.

How about THE TAXPAYER REVOLT (on ice)!

By all means, Mr. McCoshen, please find another venue and save us all a lot of money, time, and disappointment.

This won't end until we dump MILLIONS in that ice shanty -- more seating, more parking, more ice, better locker rooms. The list is endless, and any way you freeze it, it will NEVER attract more business and jobs to Janesville. Have the Snappers turned around Beloit?

I hope I'm wrong, and that after this turkey gets shoved down our collective throats one costly repair/refurb after the other for the next five years, it's a great success instead of just an ego trip for the few associated with it and an incredible waste of money that taxpayers don't (and won't) have.

Here's a though, before we waste millions, go in with the county and build a new FAIRGROUND that includes a functional ice arena venue, event space, parking, speedway -- whatever, but PLAN IT, don't piecemeal us to death!

I bet if we name it the KEN HENDRICKS MEMORIAL PARK COMPLES we might even get some outside funding as well...

Geez, those names SUCK!!!!! Did someone go out and tie one on and write those down on a bar napkin after 10 drinks?

The logos look pretty good. Particularly the Jays logo.

Why not a REAL hockey team name like the North Stars, Fighting Saints, Wolves, ect.?

I have not read the comments so don't know the history behind these names, but really...what the hell were you thinking?

If I HAD to pick one of those, I would definetly go with the Jays. The logo is GREAT!

Ed Stettin
Janesville, WI

your safest bet for a name is the janesville hockey team, because we will have another meeting because somebody will be offended by the team name that was chosen. and what a waste of money.

If this is the best our city can come up with, then we are in deeper _____ then I thought we were. We need something to wrap our arms around? How about a job. It bothers me that our council keeps getting tied up with bike tunnels, skate parks, children's museums, and hockey teams when unemployment in the area is sky high and taxes keep going up. How about the Janesville Male Donkeys? Think about it.

PanamaRed,
You missed the point. It's not the responsibility of the City Council to start a hockey team. It's not a common good.

the reason traxler park was shut down is because the jaycees had a mud volleyball tournament there and they never cleaned up the mess!!! traxler park was always busy until they took away the box. remember they also had broomball being played down there.

My tax money is spent on things I don't agree with either, Dr. Talk. Like an illegal war in Iraq, or a bailout for banks that hand out million dollar bonuses just to name a couple. We pay taxes with the idea that those we elect to spend it will do so wisely, for the general benefit of all. While YOU may not see the value, MANY others do and the city WILL be better off with improvements to the Ice Arena.

Whatever they name it, they've done it without taxpayer support! I think this is so stupid! We have so many other needs in this community with all the layoffs and such. Council can't we spend money wisely! Who is going to be able to afford to go to these games when no one has any money? We can barely afford the taxes already put on us!!!I agrre with the name ripp offs!

The council asked some very good questions of McCoshen and brought up concerns that needed to be addressed badly. It was a good meeting. Mr. McCoshen repeatedly referring to the Ice Arena as an "Old Barn" during his Q&A time at the podium and reminded the council that at least two other up-to-date area facilities are interested in having them if Janesville won't. This leaves some wondering "Why Janesville?" if other area rinks that are better, are chomping at the bit to have them. Just my opinion, but McCoshen seemed a bit irritated at giving consideration to the other user groups stating that while listening to the content of their views he hadn't heard how the team could possibly hurt them ("them" being the user groups) Councilman Rashkin also seemed irritated by the delay in action and the consideration being given to the user groups. I may be mistaken, but Rashkin seemed more interested in if they were going to approve the money to make the improvements necessary to allow this team to be here, rather than a "lets do it right" approach. The Council was VERY on the ball and asked for numbers and facts in writing and pointed out that the improvements made to the ice arena need to be useful to everyone if the team leaves or doesn't make it due to the economy. They also addressed the fact that the freon system itself is old and will probably need replacing in maybe 3 years or less. Another possible 1.5 million dollar improvement.

shadw5- thank you very much, I could not make the meeting tonight and I wish I could have but sounds like very good things happened and what you have "forwarded" us about the upgrades is what a few of us have been saying since the beginning. The Janesville Ice arena needs upgrades and the junior hockey team could actually save you whiners a couple of bones in the future. thanks again

I do not know if you attended the council meeting but some very good progress was made that addresses many of the objections, Mine included and in the next few weeks further meetings will happen that I highly recommend all interested parties take part in. the $200K is a cap, actual cost is lower but that money will save us a huge amount in the next 5 years regardless if the hockey team is here or not. There will be extra costs as pertaining to the parking but I can assure you that our council members are very much on the ball here as to protecting your tax dollars from abuse. It was a very good meeting.

How about using the $200K to subsidize the schools that are losing students who leave Janesville with their parents, to go seek employment elsewhere? Which brainiacs on the City Council are for this nonsense? Why are we being asked to subsidize a private entity for $200K?

IRON BRIGADE tough as Iron and never gives up. Great Local and National History to the name. Song "Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex" Great job City council now we all can play. Now it will become an exciting venture as long as our locals are given voice in the planning this will work, but there are still Extra costs (parking) that needs to be addressed and the Beer area needs to be done in a manner that does not pose a risk to the kids.

Wow, I am surprised. Thanks for the update, itsybitsyspyer.

FYI-The City Council just voted to table the proposal with the WHP for 2 to possibly 4 weeks so that issues about the proposal can be resolved. Ice Arena user groups are asking to be involved and allowed to contribute their thoughts and ideas to this project. Most of the council was very receptive to the concerns brought in by the user groups. One of the council members acknowledged the user groups as the ones who have been volunteering and contributing to this rink for years and that to lose the user groups would not be a good thing for the future of the rink.

I have some possible names:

Greedy Puckers (named after the ownership)

The Swillers (named after drinking fans)

The Heavy Levies (named after all taxpayers)

The Subsidy (named after all taxpayers)

Janesville Fools (named after the city council)

This city is actually going to gamble with the tax payers money on a Hockey Team? If any council member has any ties to this deal other than just city business, they need to recluse themselves from the vote. In the interest of fair ethical and equal representation of the general population.

maybe youll want to APPROVE it first.
getting the cart before the horse again I see.
First lets spend $29,000 then MAYBE approve the idea. how about you knew it was going to cost about $200,000. GET it approved first then hire architects!!!!!!!!!!!

How about "ICED CITIZENS" because isn't that what the city is trying to do the property owners of janesville. To think that they need to invest our money into something so inapropriate at this time of bad economy and job loses. Come-on council members wakeup or get your heads out of the tiolet and look at the reality of things. You weren't elected in to find ways to abuse our tax dollars, and most of all without our consent.

I could care less either way, but always enjoy a little humor. You could have a corporate sponsor for a team name. Based on businesses with profits, what about pawn shops. The could be the Janesville Hocks.

Synergy08: Ya , right have a good day

Yes spacejam they do, they always know before you do.

how 'bout the "MILLER ICE 'MARAUDERS'" THAT OUGHT TO GET BEER IN THERE.

This is all a little premature don't you think? This has not been decided yet! Does the Gazette know something we don't?

By the way, Thank you volunteers for your supporting Traxler Park ice-skating!

It's a good thing they did buy it cause the city got rid of Traxler park Skating! remember back in the early 80"s. Please can someone tell me why you think the city got rid of that? Was it lack of money or lack of interest?

Ice Bison is pretty good. How about the Rock County Flood?

Please tell me that Icehouse is not the only beer that will be sold at the games? That is a rumor I heard earlier today.

Call it what you will, but without tax payer money!

they use your tax dollors without your consent everyday. better to have something enjoyable to watch than look at an old building by the river which was bought without your consent.

The Ice Bison....I love it!!!

PanamaRed,

I wholeheartedly believe in "it is better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all." Just don't do it with my tax dollars, especially without my consent.
.
I think you should try something. See if you can borrow money to buy a Junior A hockey team. If you can't, or anybody else can't, then Janesville tax payers shouldn't either.

WHP Rippers (for ripping off the taxpayers) or Janesville Juicers (for the beer sales).

How about the Janesville "Numbskulls" for all the naysayers who don't have a clue as to the potential stream of revenue a Junior "A" team could bring to this community. "It is better to try and fail than never to have tried at all." I'm sure some of you have heard that saying. For the price of a movie you could take your family to watch an exciting and entertaining game that could even involve local talent. For those who oppose the Junior A team, get out of the way while others who care about this community get on with the business of adding a reasonably priced, family orientated form of entertainment that certainly would be a valuable asset to the Janesville area. The full potential of the Janesville Ice Arena has not realized over the past 30 years. It is time its true value is not only recognized but put to use.

Please don't name the team after any defunct Janesville businesses.

Janesville Arrows, as in Parker Arrow.

How about: The Insolvent

this is one of the most retarded ideas i have ever heard. after living in janesville for so long, it hurts to know that we are trying to "hold our selfs together" after GM left. stop crying and having people feel petty for you, stand up, brush off your shoulders and keep on keeping on, lets be real, hockey wont change anything!

Ok really? does Janesville need another location for people to drink at? Have you seen the number of DUI's in Rock County lately? It's sad. I don't think another drinking establishment is the answer.

how about Levitt's Folly

Dr. Talk, too hilarious!! The Tax Burden gets my vote. Tee Hee...

YOU GUYS ALL SAY THE SAME THING... FORGET IT AND GO ON...WHO CARE IF IT MAKES MONEY OR NOT, WHO CARES IF LIL JOHNNY MISSES OUT ON PLAYING OR NOT.. WHO CARES IF IT... I don't see any of you with viable ideas to decrease the city's fianacial woes, nor improve the economy, all I see is a few people (yes this means you!!!) complain all the time, "What can I do to stop this???" not what can I do to help??!!...
Here is a novel idea.... Hold YOUR own public meeting (all it take is for you o get off your butts and get a permit to do so.. get a room reserved, send out flyers , get radio ads, place notices in papers, go door to door,, If you put this much work into complaining on a BLOG in a local newspaper (that I may add.... YOU ALL HATE! ! ! ) may you should do something about it..A LITLE TIME AND EFFORT CAN GO A LONG WAY... YOU JUST NEED TO WORK A LITTLE...BRING ON SOME HOCKEY

sure, make it look like a community event even though the vast majority of the community is against it. put the idea on a ballot and then if it passes, have the community "pick" a name. anyway, i see where some have already been picked for us since there isn't a space for "others" on the gazette opinion poll. of course, the reason it won't make it to a referendum, it would get killed. and, since does the city council do anything that the taxpayers want?

Come on, you can debate whether having a minor league sports franchise in Janesville is feasible, etc in countless of other articles and blogs. This is an interesting idea on what to call a Janesville centric sports franchise.

How about: "The Tax Burden"

If the city council approves this, This is what I'd name the team: The $400,000 Mistake. ($200,000 for renovations + $200,000 NAHL expansion fee)
.
But if a private individual or company invested their own money in a hockey team, they could name them whatever they want.