Steve I have to agree with you on that one...I love politics but my god. Enough is enough. I want us all to take ownership of our city, and all work together to try and pull it ahead of other communities. I know I may seem negative on these blogs at times, however it is only because I care and I want to see us all do better. I see our counsil sit by idely and watch it decay. I see people put false hope into things that are not going to happen. We need to work together, the citizens of Janesville with the local businesses and show what we TRUELY are made of and that this city and its citizens want to progress and get out of the old mentality that has plagued this city for to long.

I do choose to look on the positive side and not the doom and gloom. As far as River Street goes, I'm excited to see the complete redesign! It should be incredible!

There is so much more to life than Walker, Barrett - Democrats and Republicans. It may not seem like it on gazettextra but there is so much more :~)

Although I rarely agree with Mr. Knox. I must agree with at least some of what he says here. The Janesville that I moved to in 95 is a far cry different from today. Yes its taken its lumps. I do not see the well maintained streets, quite honestly I think some are okay alot of them are pot hole havens. The city does not mow the grass enough. They try I guess but it really could be better. The curbs are a mess, look by Boucher Ford...its a disgrace could be alot better.

My problem is the city counsil who would rather do "Halo" programs and all the garbage about sidewalks, rather than get business into the community. I don't think we need any more mexican or oriental resturants. We need modern attractions. Good roads, safe and quality schools. Nice neihborhoods, with a quality police and fire dept (i think we have these) a counsil looking to attract business that attracts shoppers to our community (Delavan has more than we do variety wise) We need to progress. Its a moveing target yes, and its bent not broken but needs to be a key focus. We need business owners to be proud and able to do business in this town...not taxes raised to the extent that we can not hire new employees because we just cann't afford to. The city just reassed all the local business and in some cases doubled the taxes. This is not progress, indead its a hinderance and certainly not going to attract anyone. If we do not get over this idea of Gm mentality and a one trick pony mentality we will fail. This city will be depressing.

MadeinUSA:"WALKER: We need WI to be a right-to-work state.
FACT: It should be termed right-to-fire state as you can be fired WITHOUT CAUSE, and have zero benefits after said firing, and ZERO recourse for said discrimination. It is outright Corporate fascism."
HELP! I am confused now with this right-to-work state. I thought that companies were allowed to fire you for any reason now, that is what we were told at work.

Sure callitasIseeit, No one can point out what Walker and Hendricks have plotted because the other side may have done the same somehwhere at some point in the history of the world? You're asking me betray my eyes, ears and common sense? For what? Ideology or politics? You think you're in the middle?

eagle is just pointing out the fact that both sides blind followers like to throw out terms like "fascist" and "socialist" instead of making any real argument or point.

Your blind following of the extreme left and any other number of posters blind following of the right is the true "evil" that is being perpetuated by your puppet masters. Those of us in the middle hate what the political process and our choices for candidates have become.

Eagle1, there's arguments left. Scott Walker and Diane Hendricks plot divide and conquer on Wisconsin but those who expose it are wrong. You're evil if that is what you imply.

They throw that fascist label around like the right wing throws around socialist when they have no arguments left. It's easier then actually forming a thought, or admitting they were wrong.

My god you guys need to get a grip on reality? Facism?

I agree with MadeinUSA. Boycott fascism - even if it's wrapped in our flag.

MadeinUSA: So you are for boycotting American made products. How interesting.

According to the Dept. of Revenue employee in the clip below, the economy is expanding. Makes sense to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pla...

Only 1 comment on one statement in the article, "The well maintianed streets"? Apparently you have not walked down River St. Past the Ace Harware and Riverfront Bowling Lanes lately or lets say, in the last 4 years. That street is so bad you practically need a 4 wheel drive. Or have you not walked that neighborhood because it is part of the "unsafe" part of town? I go to the Hardware Store 2 or 3 times a week to get things needed for my work and one of these days that street is going to bust a tire or break a shock on the truck. And its not the only place that the well maintianed street theory has been forgotten or just plained turned a blind eye to by the city.

All I can say about the trailer and the comments is it makes me sad. Many people and groups will only work to help their own pocketbook and then say they are doing it for janesville. I don't think much will change until our attitudes change, for that to happen we have to hit bottom first.

Heh, sidewalks...

After watching the trailer, I am interested to see how the entirety will play out. I think most of what was covered in the video is a bit inspiring.

My perception of the trailer was that this will be a documentary illustrating how an event such as GM closing can have an incredible impact on a community. It appears that the director had a broad scope regarding the people he choose to make a part of this film. In doing so, I hope this film will show that reactions to situations like these are often broad in there differences.

Further, I think much of what can be said about the reactions of people can be best said by each themselves. This is where a documentary can become so powerful. Much of what was contained in the trailer shows that in moments like these, people strive to reorganize and move forward.

As far as the controversy with Gov. Walker, and the conversation he had, I think that moment says a lot. Sure, those championing the left will condemn the remarks. And those championing the right will applaud them. Yet, at the heart of the matter is something much more.

That portion of the trailer shows two people, aligned with a purposeful intent to make changes they see as necessary to furthering the community's move forward from its current state. On one hand, this type of behavior is what is necessary to get things accomplished. Yet, it is troubling how blatantly clear it is that these two people carry the notion that only they are capable of making the decisions necessary to completing the task.

I look forward to seeing this film as I believe it will be a commentary on the efforts of those impacted by GM leaving, and how they worked to move Janesville ahead. Also, I hope that it will be balanced in the manner that it portrays the politics that arise in these types of situations. Because face it, in a time of difficulty such as this one has been, a person's political leanings matter less than the actions they take to make a change.

What city are some of you negative commentors living in? The comment calling Janesville a Boarderline Slum was cheap and uncalled for. When people try to make an improvement you insult them. When someone tries to bring in a new business you find ways to make it look negative. Why are you so down on our City? Do you really believe your constant complaining will improve the situation? Yes, not everything is perfect here but it is a lot better then a lot of places in this country. I have driven around this city and I see homeowners make home improvements. They are out doing something not crying in their beer on how cruel the world is to them. And, no, they all aren't in the proverbial 1%. What have you done to improve our lot? I am proud of this city for what it is and what it has the potential to be. If that is too positive of an attitude for you, tough.

Janesville is a borderline slum.

NVgrf - So you just focused on the video trailer? Not what practically the entire video is about which is GM closing? How convienent.

NVgrf May 14, 7:42pm. exposes a common lefty tactic:
Create a narrative using selective facts. Ignore any facts or data that does not forward the intended narrative. When later challenged ask; what did I say that is wrong?

WOODCHUCK:""The gal who was going back to school? That's great news!" It sounded more to me like the main reason she was back in school was to extend her unemployment benefits."
Really?! Knock people down when they lose their job and collect unemployment and now knock people down when they go back to school to learn a trade or better themselves at that age so they can find a good job. I think that people would prefer someone getting a better education or learn a trade and receiving unemployment than someone sitting at home and receiving unemployment.

Leaving out facts can be a method of inaccuracy all the cable news channels do it regularly.

Thanks for the recognition, right wingers. But why don't you tell me what was inaccurate about the video trailer.

"The gal who was going back to school? That's great news!" It sounded more to me like the main reason she was back in school was to extend her unemployment benefits.

Steve, you live in a rarefied and privileged world. One day you ought to set your mind to seeing things in your town that you don't normally see because you're not looking. Fine to be a booster. Not fine that so many are invisible -- a deliberate optical illusion -- right under our noses.

NVgrf -Facing the reality of others situations? I am a republican and understand full well the situation and how it's impacted others. I have friends and family that worked there. How does the fact that I am a Republican matter? I was pointing out that this entire documentary was focused on GM closing and the impact it had. Scott Walkers current situation had nothing to do with GM closing. This is about the auto industry crisis that effected the entire nation. A situation that our past WI administration couldn't even fix nor would I ever expect them to. Our Government on a National level bailed them out luckily otherwise it would be much worse. Regardless, things will turn around at some point locally.

I think the problem NVgrf is that there are more people whose reality didn't include benefits, unemployment, paid schooling and options to move to a new job at the same salary. Somebody stated earlier that this is a city of 60k, were we impacted by the GM loss, absolutely, could it be absorbed and moved passed? Absolutely. The city of Marion in Indiana, had a similar thing happen several years ago, both a GM parts plant and a Magnovox factory closed in a short period of time, this impacted the city half the size of Janesville. however the city's mayor (something Janesville could use) went out and recruited several companies to locate to that city and do business, a handful came from Wisconsin (during the Doyle years, btw) and that city is now on the right track. It doesn't have to be the end of the city when things like this happen but if the people continue around here hanging on to the past and not allowing for new development then this city is in fact doomed.

The trailer provides an excellent portrayal of how the lives of many in Janesville were very negatively impacted by the closure of the plant. I see that the right wingers here still have great difficulty facing the reality of their situations. They will do very well to vote Mr. Lackofreality himself, Mitt Romney.

Michael Moore did the same hatchet job on Flint Michigan in his film "Roger and Me". The residents in Flint didn't like the portrayal of their city either.
The lefties hailed Moore's film as a breakthrough in exposing GM as one of those "evil corporations".
Brad Lichtenstein appears to be giving Michael Moore competition in the run for "Minister of Propaganda" in the next Obama administration.

Celebrating? Rejoicing?? Hope in the schools??? Well maintained streets????

You ask, "What do you think?"

Well, Steve, I think that I want some of whatever drug or medication you're on so I, too, can be blind to reality.

This documentary is essentially about the loss of GM to the community. The main focus is centered around that. GM leaving our community was not the fault of our citizens or local government officials. It was the fault of a very poorly mismanaged corporation from the top down. A corporation that cross branded, had too much cost buried into each vehicle before it was even produced. A corporation that battled with unions and ended up putting them out of work. Not to mention other communities saw the same impact of this. Janesville put all it's cards into GM for years and when they left, it was extremely noticable. It's very unfortunate, but Janesville will come around and is. But again, this documentary is about GM which we have been dealing with for years.

Pity Pot Janesville.

OMG. I'm glad I don't count on others that much that they can destroy my whole being. Or at least make it seem that way so much that I have to cry in my online blog beer about it.

Has it been a week already since we have talked about poor GM.
I watched this 10 minute segment.
Sorry you lost your jobs- well- or had to move to keep your job of "ave $28-$30 per hour"
that is a lot of money. That is at least 62k a year. If those people didn't complain and complain over and over again that this WASN'T enough money maybe they wouldn't have shut down the plant.
Mary Alley Sheedy said "this cities whole identy"
well is isn't. Get over it. There are other people (LOTS) that work other places here. The city (of 65k people)will not shut down because we lost 5000 jobs (total between suppliers etc). STOP dwelling on this already and move on!
I like how they showed the (way old ymca/achery- place all boarded up) sorry this was a dump long before GM shut down. Gm shutting down has nothing to do with people all around this city not picking up their crap in the yard.
thanks imjustsaying for the link that should have been put in the article so we know what Steve is referring to.

"Still, as I walk the sidewalks of Janesville and drive down the well-maintained streets I don't feel what the documentary trailer wanted me to feel."
Have you looked in the yards lately? Any neighbors hood- look more closely at all the crap laying around.

So this film is about a plant that shut down in 2008 and the effects of the city and the former workers and you guys turn this into a crying fest about the Governor that was elected 2 years later? Wow stability is not something that to be admired I guess. I would never blame Doyle for the closing of the plant but didn't it happen on his watch? Yet you take the time to blame the current governor and tie him to this action by a private employer that left in 2008, 20 years later than it probably should have by most accounts. Janesville has so much potential as does the entire area, but when people continue to be stuck in the ways of the past it will never move forward, kinda sad, kinda pathetic but it is reality.

Only a reaffirmation of the heartlessness of Walker. "Divide and conquer??" Recall the bum!!

Janesville is coming back. Much sacrifice has been made, and many people work somewhere else and come home once a month. However, the current practices implemented by Wisconsin government since 2010 has destabilized our city again. Out of chaos, business succeeds, (see Naomi Klein's 'The Shock Doctrine').

OMG, I went to the link and read about a 'state senator trying to bring peace....." I'll be putting this high on my list of must NOT see flicks.... dem/lib/union propaganda.

Most of the South is getting over the Civil War now. One day Janesville will come back. Be patient. Janesville will rise again. Steve mentioned the lovely streets and sidewalks he travels. What more would one want?

Watching this trailers males me think it is just a union propaganda film. So much information was left out, like how GM workers got extended unemployment and benefits as well as paid schooling, not to mention offered jobs in other areas with no pay cut. If they wanted to find a compelling story of people struggling they could have looked elsewhere. With that said it was just a trailer I look forward to seeing if the full feature is balanced. As far as the 'divide and conquer' comment by governor walker, what's the big deal? Unions have been using that tactic in companies for decades, it's always the union vs. management, so spare me the 'shock' his comments caused, that is laughable.

I believe Janesville is getting better, it just took a long time for many of the residents to comprehend that GM was not coming back.

Hey, Steve, I haven't lived very long in Janesville, but I can tell you that it beats the daylights out of Waukegan, where I was raised.(Beach Park, actually) Waukegan never got over the loss of its lake front factories - Chevy and Johnson Motors to name 2. Toss in a liberal government that turned a blind eye to gang violence for decades, and bought into high density housing, and you have a city that the people I moved to get away from are leaving!

Thanks for the link Steve.
I'm just sayin'...
http://asgoesjanesville.com/

I like stories about successes. Why don't you list some of them?