COMMUNITY POWER
STUDY
Dr. James Simmons, UW Oshkosh
General Questionnaire:
Community Leadership
1) There are many organizations in Oshkosh.
a. In your opinion, which are the six most
influential organizations in this city?
- Chamber of Commerce
- Oshkosh Foundation
- University
- City Council
- Northwestern
- Rotary
b. In your opinion, who is the most influential
person in each of the organizations you have just named?
- John Casper
- Eileen Connelly-Keesler
- John Kerrigan
- Jon Del Antonia
- Stuart Rieckman
- Sue Panek
2) Who are the five people in the city of Oshkosh
you believe to be most influential? That is, who can make a project
go or if opposed, stop it?
- John Casper
- Jackson Kinney
- Jon Del Antonia
- Ted Leyhe
- John Kerrigan
- Dick Wollangk
- Melanie Bloechl
- Gary Yakes
- Eileen Connelly-Keesler
- Bob Bahn
- Steve Hintz
- Kevin McGee
- Doug Pearson
- Carl Stapel
- Four way tie
3) To what extent do the following statements
reflect your views?
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(1 = strongly disagree, 2 =
disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree)
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a. The local media (the daily newspaper,
TV and radio stations) play a strong determining role in the
community affairs of Oshkosh.
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(3.62)
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b. The decisions made by our municipal
government are a product of active citizen participation and
the widespread involvement of many social groups.
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(2.53)
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c. Business people have far greater
influence over civic affairs in contrast to other public
figures (professionals, labor leaders, government officials,
etc).
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(3.48)
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d. I am generally satisfied with the way
our local government officials make decisions and resolve
the most critical issues in Oshkosh.
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(2.43)
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e. There are informal groups or "closed"
organizations (non public) that tend to shape public debate
over issues and determine the fate of city projects.
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(3.32)
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f. Most decisions made concerning
important community issues are brought to the attention of
the public by a few individuals or civic groups.
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(3.72)
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4) Comments: General lack or poor leadership,
Nothing important gets done, single-interests groups and issues
dominate, old establishment in decline, general
dissatisfaction
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Influentials- Reputational Perspective
- John Casper- Chamber (38)
- Jackson Kinney- City Planner
(22)
- Jon Del Antonia- City Council, exec
(22)
- Ted Leyhe- Park Plaza, Miles Kimball
(20)
- John Kerrigan- U Chancellor
(17)
- Dick Wollangk- City Manager
(17)
- Melanie Bloechl- City Council, sales
(16)
- Gary Yakes- Attorney (16)
- Eilene Connely-Keesler- Foundation
(14)
- Doug Pearson- Chamco (12)
- Robert Bahn- CEO Truck (12)
- Steve Hintz- City Council, U prof
(12)
- Kevin McGee- City Council, U prof
(12)
- Carl Stapel- Rotary, Kitz&File
(10)
- John Ruppenthal- Chamco pres.
(9)
- Doug Hyde- Oshkosh B'Gosh (9)
- John Vette- Chair United Way
(9)
- Bob Fick- retired WPS Manager
(9)
- William Castle- Printing business
(7)
- LuAnn Bird- School Board (7)
- Stan Leedle- OCDC, Central State Bank
(6)
- Mike Dempsy- Lawyer (6)
- Ben Ganther- Developer (5)
- Allison Zierdt- Chamber VP, attorney
(5)
- Fred Leach- Corporate exec.
(5)
- Neill Goltz- EAA, NICE (5)
- Lynn Webster- Chamber, YMCA
(5)
- Paul Poboreszney- EAA founder
(5)
- Paul Esslinger- City C (5)
- Matt OMalley- City C (5)
- Mark Harris- City C (5)
- Sheldon Lasky- Pres. O Foundation
(4)
- David Vierthaler- Curwood (4)
- Mike Muoio- Miles Kimball Co.
(4)
- Stu Rieckman- newspaper editor
(4)
- Shirley Mattox- NICE (4)
- Susan Kepplinger-City Planner
(4)
- Jane Van de Hey- County Exec
(4)
- Dennis Schwab- landlord (4)
- Bob Pung- retired VP Wis Natl Life
(4)
- Jim Simmons-U prof (4)
- Thomas Belter- Associated bank
(3)
- Joe Maehl- County Board Chair
(3)
- George Buckley- Mercury Marine Exec
(3)
- Paul Hollowell- Truck exec.(3)
- Sam Russo- Convention Bureau
(3)
- Gary Wagner- Bank One (3)
- Joe Paulus- DA (3)
- Mike Wachtel (3)
- Tim Dempsey- attrny (3)
- William Witlock- Firstar prs
(3)
- Greg Underheim- Legislator (3)
- John Bermingham- Attorney (3)
- Carol Buetner Roessler- Legis
(3)
- Dean Arganbright (3)
- Jim Fitzhenry- news editor (3)
- Dave Patek- Public Works (3)
- Bruce Yakely- Leach exec (3)
- John Mark- Developer (3)
- Sue Panek- D Rotary, U Way (3)
- Carla Craig- Citizens Credit
(2)
- Jack Klein- Downtown Assoc.
(2)
- Charles Hyde- B'Gosh exec (2)
- Warren Kraft- City Attorney
(3)
- Fred Brightvill- Truck VP (2)
- Sue Werblow- School Board (2)
- Don Wyman- Union hall (2)
- Mike Stratz- school board (2)
- Paul Sundquist- Sundquist (2)
- Karen Bowen- School bd, Univ
(2)
- Rob Kleman (2)
- Fran Weaver- Visitors Bureau (2)
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- Peter Mosling (2)
- Lee Bettes (2)
- Jeff Thorkildsen (2)
- Ron Heilman (2)
- Fr. Dan Felton (2)
- John Bergstrom- Auto dealer
(2)
- Bill Bracken (2)
- Ross Wansdchneider (2)
- Kevin Doyle (2)
- Pat Guarino (2)- Boys & Girls
2
- Howard Hoppe- Race bus owner
- Tom Shepek- Developer
- Tom Brinkman- landlord
- Stan Kline- Chamber, Board
- Gene Goodson- form Truck CEO
- Jim Ruthenbach- bank
- Dorothy Swartz- Co Superviser
- Beth Wyman- B'Gosh
- Jack Steinhilber- lawyer, ex County
Exec, DA
- Carol Schiessl- CJ Trophies
- Dennis Elmore- Johnson Food
- Jay Supple- resturant owner
- Kathy Zimmerman- FVTC head
- David Schultz- VP Meyer &
Sons
- Dennis Noone- ex Banker
- Father Carr- Priest, Real
estate
- Dick Allen- Banker
- Bill Frueh- ex City Manager
- Ralph Gunderson
- Phyllis Leach- wife exec
- David Erickson- Police Chief
- John Karpinski
- Ron Lampe- lawyer
- Dr. Kenneth Viste
- Terry Laib- Hist Pres
- Ron Heilman- School Super
- Bruce Bartel- Printing business
- Pat Basler
- Phil Martini- CEO CR. Meyer
- Fintan Flanagan
- Steve Di Renzo- Business owner
- Jim Mather- retired Mayor dir
- Karen Fredrick- Auto shop
- Duncan Henderson- Airport Mgr
- David Geurden- flower shop
- Mark Huddleston- City Transit
- Barbara Hirschfeld- Paine Art
- Heidi Strand- Grand Opera
- Mkt Robin Jennings- Coca-cola exec
- Larry Spanbauer- ex councilor
- City C laborDavid Kersztyn- business
- John Kunzl
- Julie Koeppler- gallery owner
- Steve Mugerauer- Competition
Pr
- Karen Kryzaniak- Safety council
- Steve Mosling
- Robert Kujawa- store owner
- John Mugerauer
- James Larson- Architect
- Wyman Family (all)
- Vicki Lord-Larson- U. Provost
- James Reiter- Roxi owner
- George Shaffer
- John Skotzke- Developer
- Mike Castle- Printing business
- Robert Hawley- Judge
- Kevin Nolan- Affinity Health
- Ada Thimke- resturant owner
- Rick Vanderloop- Pick N Save Manager
- Edward Williams- lawyer, Leadership
Osh
- Jeff Robl
- Tom Stephany- City Parks Dir
- Tom Probinsky
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Page
Civic Organizations
- Chamber of Commerce (66)
- Oshkosh Foundation (32)
- University of Wisconsin-O (22)
- Oshkosh Common Council (20)
- Oshkosh Daily Northwestern
(16)
- Rotary (14) (DT 9 and SW 5)
- City Hall Departments (13)
- School Board (12)
- OCDC (11)
- Downtown Association (10)
- County Board (10)
- Planning Commission (9)
- EAA (7)
- Bemis (5)
- YMCA (5)
- Republican Party (5)
- Alberta Kimball Foundation (5)
- Churches (4)
- NICE (4)
- NE Realtors (4)
- Visitors Bureau (3)
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- United Way (3)
- Oshkosh Truck (3)
- Otter St. Fishing Club (3)
- Oshkosh B' Gosh (3)
- Boys & Girls Club (2)
- Leadership Oshkosh (2)
- Leach Corporation (2)
- Kiwanis (2)
- Associated Bank (2)
- Jay C's (2)
- DOT (2)
- City Boards (2)
- "Establishment" (1)
- SNC (1)
- State Government (1)
- CORD (1)
- Media (1)
- Tavern League (1)
- The Place To Be (1)
- Affinity health (1)
- Catholic Schools (1)
- Federal Government (1)
- Landlords (1)
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Return to Top of
Page
Organization Leaders
- John Casper (29 )
- John Kerrigan (15)
- Eileen Connelly-Keesler (14)
- Jackson Kinney (12)
- Carl Stapel (11)
- Jon Del Antonio (8)
- Doug Pearson (8)
- Dick Wollangk (6)
- John Ruppenthal (5)
- Tom Poboreszney (5)
- Ted Leyhe (5)
- Sue Panek (5)
- Jeff Thorkildson (4)
- Rob Kleman (4)
- Sheldon Lasky (4)
- Lynn Webster (4)
- Ron Heilman (4)
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- Stu Rieckman (4)
- Melanie Bloechl (4)
- Joe Maehl (4)
- Jackson Kinney (3)
- Carl Stapel (3)
- Mike Dempsey (3)
- John Berminghham (3)
- John Vette (3)
- Kevin Doyle (2)
- Bob Bahn (2)
- Bob Pung (2)
- Fran Weaver (2)
- LuAnn Bird (2)
- Jim Fitzhenry (2)
- Neil Goltz (2)
- Jane Van de Hey (2)
26 Others (1)
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Page
Issue #1 - Main
Street Development
A. Your involvement or role in the issue
- none 31.5%
- little 14.8
- some 42.5
- very active 7.4
- leading role 1.9
B. Your preferred outcome
- strongly opposed 1.9%
- oppose 1.9
- neutral 9.4
- support 37.7
- strongly support 47.2
C. Decisive or most important reason for your
position?
- Support City Action 82.1% Civic pride, vision,
image
- Oppose Expense 7.8 image, LDR, crime,
- Other 10.7 tourism, identity, quality
D. Most important person(s) in shaping the outcome
on this issue.
- John Casper
- Jon Del Antonia
- Jackson Kinney
- Carl Stapel
- Dick Wollangk
E. Most important organization(s) shaping the
outcome on this issue
- City Council
- Chamber of Commerce
- Oshkosh Foundation
- Downtown Development Assoc.
- Mainstreet Merchants
F. Your perception of public support for this
proposal :
- 10 to 25 support 9.2%
- 30 to 40% 11.5
- 50 to 50% 21.2
- 60 to 75% 42.3
- 80 to 90% support 11.5
- Don't Know 5.8
G. Do you believe any of the following political
cleavages play an important role in the conflict over the
issue?
- Class (upper vs middle vs lower) 20
- Race or Ethnicity (white vs. non-white) 2
- Town-Gown (university students/faculty vs.
non-UWO citizens) 7
- Neighborhood (older vs. newer, south vs.
northside, etc) 22
- Partisan (Republican vs. Democrat) 2
- Ethos (government form- manager vs. mayor)
12
- Inner City- Suburban 23
- Role of Government (growth, land-use, low
taxes, social services) 25
- Other: $$, progress, no conflict, inertia,
parochialism, gender/age 10
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Issue #2 - Street
Widening and Repair
A. Your involvement or role in the issue
- none 40.4%
- little 30.8
- some 19.2
- very active 5.8
- leading role 1.9
B. Your preferred outcome
- strongly opposed 7.5%
- oppose 18.1
- neutral 39.6
- support 32.1
- strongly support 3.8
C. Decisive or most important reason for your
position?
- Neighborhood Quality 8.5%
- Relieve Traffic Flow 46.8
- Repair Infrastructure 14.9
- Promote Progress 19.1
- Other (cost, choice) 10.6
- widening v. repair
- balanced growth
- low taxes
D. Most important person(s) in shaping the outcome
on this issue.
- Dick Wollangk
- Jackson Kinney
- Kevin McGee
- Jon Del Antonia
- John Casper & Mark Harris
E. Most important organization(s) shaping the
outcome on this issue
- City Council
- N.I.C.E.
- City Planning Dept.
- Chamber of Commerce
- D O T (state)
F. Your perception of public support for this
proposal
- 10 to 25 support 4.3% Consensus on
repair
- 30 to 40% 10.9 Conflict v. widening
- 50 to 50% 37.0
- 60 to 75% 34.8
- 80 to 90% support 13.0
G. Do you believe any of the following political
cleavages play an important role in the conflict over the
issue?
- Class (upper vs middle vs lower) 19
- Race or Ethnicity (white vs. non-white)
0
- Town-Gown (university students/faculty vs.
non-UWO citizens) 4
- Neighborhood (older vs. newer, south vs.
northside, etc) 36
- Partisan (Republican vs. Democrat) 4
- Ethos (government form- manager vs. mayor)
15
- Inner City- Suburban 16
- Role of Government (growth, land-use, low
taxes, social services) 25
- Other: (cost, no conflict, renters v.
non-residents, landlords,
- nimby 11
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Issue #3 - Form of Government
A. Your involvement or role in the issue
:
- none 17.5%
- little 17.5
- some 35.1
- very active 26.3
- leading role 3.5
B. Your preferred outcome :
- strongly opposed 18.5% Wollangk
sell-out
- oppose 7.4 weak MGR now
- neutral 22.2 change from within
- support 14.8 poor city council
- strongly support 37.0 overreliance on
staff
C. Decisive or most important reason for your
position?
- Council-Manager 52.8% MGR selection
process
- Mayor-Alderman 26.4 unresponsive
leaders
- Other (individual) 20.8 person not
structure
D. Most important person(s) in shaping the outcome
on this issue. :
- Jim Simmons
- John Casper
- Bill Castle
- Steve Hintz
- Bob Pung & Jon Del Antonia
E. Most important organization(s) shaping the
outcome on this issue
- Chamber of Commerce
- City Council
- C.O.R.D.
- No Group (C.A.P.)
- University & N.I.C.E.
F. Your perception of public support for this
proposal
- 10 to 25 support 4.5% Don't Know 11.4
- 30 to 40% 15.9
- 50 to 50% 20.5
- 60 to 75% 52.2
- 80 to 90% support 6.8
G. Do you believe any of the following political
cleavages play an important role in the conflict over the
issue?
- Class (upper vs middle vs lower) 24
- Race or Ethnicity (white vs. non-white)
0
- Town-Gown (university students/faculty vs.
non-UWO citizens) 19
- Neighborhood (older vs. newer, south vs.
northside, etc) 23
- Partisan (Republican vs. Democrat) 7
- Ethos (government form- manager vs. mayor)
38
- Inner City- Suburban 10
- Role of Government (growth, land-use, low
taxes, social services) 20
- Other: Egos, new v. old residents,
non-residents, politicos 4
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Issue #4 - Neighborhood Integrity and Downzoning
A. Your involvement or role in the issue
- none 48.2%
- little 16.1
- some 26.8
- very active 5.4
- leading role 3.6
B. Your preferred outcome :
- strongly opposed 4.0% Don't Know 11.8
- oppose 13.7
- neutral 23.5
- support 29.4
- strongly support 19.6
C. Decisive or most important reason for your
position? Comment:
- Quality of Life 50.0% private decision
- Progress 25.0 protection values
- Other/Don't Know 26.0
- city-wide viewpoint
D. Most important person(s) in shaping the outcome
on this issue.
- Kevin McGee
- Neil Goltz
- Jackson Kinney
- John Casper
- Jon Del Antonia
E. Most important organization(s) shaping the
outcome on this issue
- N.I.C.E.
- City Council
- Chamber of Commerce
- University
- Plan Commission
F. Your perception of public support for this
proposal
- 10 to 25 support 5.3% Don't Know 10.5
- 30 to 40% 13.2
- 50 to 50% 39.5
- 60 to 75% 23.7
- 80 to 90% support 7.9
G. Do you believe any of the following political
cleavages play an important role in the conflict over the
issue?
- Class (upper vs middle vs lower) 16
- Race or Ethnicity (white vs. non-white)
4
- Town-Gown (university students/faculty vs.
non-UWO citizens) 19
- Neighborhood (older vs. newer, south vs.
northside, etc) 25
- Partisan (Republican vs. Democrat) 3
- Ethos (government form- manager vs. mayor)
14
- Inner City- Suburban 24
- Role of Government (growth, land-use, low
taxes, social services) 19
- Other: Owners v. developers/landlords,
absentee residents 6
Return to Top of Page
Return
to Commentary
Jim Simmons, Chair
Political Science Dept.
Univ. of Wisconsin
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 424-7165/233-1936
simmons@vaxa.cis.uwosh.edu