Letter: Encourages event protest

Dear Editor,

So the Hudson Republicans plan to host a gala event Sept. 3 for the Wisconsin delegation to the Republican National Convention.

Of course, the shrewd planners, led by Miss Kitty (State Rep. Kitty Rhoades, R-Hudson) want us to believe that this is a “community” event that will have a positive economic impact on Hudson. As Miss Kitty states, “It will be a great learning experience for how we can participate in big-scale tourism.”

As reported in the Aug. 21 Star-Observer, Miss Kitty told the Hudson Rotarians at a recent meeting that 250 members of the Wisconsin delegation will be transported by bus from the Twin Cities. They will be wined and dined from noon until about 3 p.m.

The patio of Pier 500 restaurant has been rented, a tent will be set up in the restaurant’s parking lot for speakers and other entertainment. Also, the visitors will be treated to Afton Cruise Lines rides on the St. Croix River and a “scavenger hunt” to participating shops.

My friends, as Geezer McCain would say, do some quick math and estimate how much this boondoggle will cost. How many thousands, do you guess? And think about this: If the Democrats were meeting in St. Paul, would Kitty Rhoades, who is opposed in the primary by a fellow Republican and very ably challenged by Democrat Sarah Bruch in the general election, be pushing this great opportunity for Hudson?

What does Mayor Knudson, former chair of the St. Croix County Republicans, have to gain politically by schmoozing with the movers and shakers in state Republican leadership? Who will pay for the opportunity to entertain the Republicans, and who will profit from the event? Will Miss Kitty be providing a full financial accounting to the Rotarians following the event?

In case you’re just dying to rub shoulders with the folks who Miss Kitty is optimistically counting on to boost our tourism numbers and increase our retail dollars, there’s good news!

For only $20 ($25 the day of) you can buy a button from the local Republicans. The button entitles people access to the day’s events, but not the boat ride. Guess that means you can stand in the Pier 500 parking lot to get a glimpse of “keynote speaker” Tommy Thompson. Gosh, won’t that be fun!

For no charge at all, those of us who are sick and tired of eight years of Republican leadership also can participate in Miss Kitty’s Sept. 3 “tourism” event. I suggest we line the streets holding Obama posters and give our illustrious visitors a hearty Bronx cheer.

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