Columbus Water Tower ground cover (FREE) and Mullins

Couple things need to be clarified about The Columbus Police and the 200ish pullovers - this was a combined city/County effort and they did this in a few cities not just Columbus. Pull'm over look for drugs and let them go.  At the time the CPD refused to give City Council any real data on this so the actual number is  ????  . 

This was also the time when the police had the demerit point system for bars and they were the accuser, judge AND jury for closing a bar and it was also when they gave out MANY Easter Day tickets because of Winter Parking rules (we changed the rules after that) and it was over 50 degrees outside.  

They are fine now in my book - this was a decade ago. 

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First off - From Wisconsin Road Trips page.  SADLY #9 Mullins Short Stop was posted on a Wisconsin page with the WRONG city name. 

Up in Cumberland at 1398 2nd Avenue, (in the REAL world it would say Up dare in Columbus at 641 N Ludington St) Mullins Short Stop Drive In represents everything great about small-town Wisconsin dining. This isn’t a place trying to be hip or trendy, it’s a straightforward, honest drive-in that’s been serving the community with pride and consistency for years.

The building looks like it could have been here since the golden age of drive-ins, with that classic architecture and signage that immediately tells you what kind of experience you’re about to have.

The burgers at Mullins are hefty and satisfying, made with quality beef that gets cooked just right every single time. They don’t skimp on the patties, giving you substantial portions that actually fill you up instead of leaving you hungry an hour later.

The toppings are fresh and plentiful, with crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and tangy pickles adding layers of flavor and texture. Everything gets assembled with care, wrapped up tight, and handed over still hot from the grill.

Their milkshake game is strong, with thick, creamy versions of all the classics that taste like they were made in someone’s kitchen rather than a restaurant. The vanilla lets you appreciate the quality of the ice cream without any distractions, while the chocolate satisfies those deeper cravings for something rich and indulgent.

The strawberry strikes a nice balance between fruit flavor and creaminess. French fries come golden and crispy, perfect for eating alongside your burger or saving to dip in your shake if you’re feeling adventurous with your food combinations.

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It's that time of decade again when I remind everyone that the Columbus Utilities Water Tower has the best ground cover EVER and its free for your pickings.

 Blooming sedum at the tower.

Ten years ago when I was a Columbus Water and Light Commissioner I decided the hideous looking  water tower needed beautification. There were beer cans, cig butts Frito packages and garbage and a lot of weeds. Nobody was taking care of it. 

 WELL - it seemed that after the 20 volunteers I rounded up to paint the inside of the Amtrak Station it was time for this monstrosity to be fixed. 

I asked Erik the Commissioner at the time if he could supply a friend and I two cubic yards of dirt we would fix it up. 

I was a HOT HOT day when we started in the morning.  First clearing out the junk.  My noon we were at this point.    

Erik delivered a backhoe of dirt - not good dirt - this ground cover does not like GOOD dirt, and we started filling all he crevices.  SO SO many crevasses - more then we anticipated. 

Then over the next few weeks we harvested sprigs from my house and repurposed them to the tower.  

Here is how to do it.

Put your hand into the sedum and pick a sprig at the base  

Then the easy part.  Put a scratch in your dirt 

Lay the sedum in it

And cover 

That's it. You CAN water it but its not needed. We have NEVER watered the tower.  It will not allow weeds to grow. We have it in shade as well as full 100% sunlight. 

We have NEVER weeded it, watered it and have basically ignored it for 10+ years.  Someone (Columbus Utilities? the City?) used to kill the weeds on top and below but never in the rocks.  

And seriously - each crevice had ONE sprig, it grows and fills out but it's very shallow and if you HAVE too - just pick it and discard. ZERO problems.  

When not flowering it looks like this from my house  

Name?  Sedum kamtschaticum, commonly known as Kamchatka sedum or Kamchatka stonecrop if you are wondering. 

I want to thank Columbus Water and Light for allowing us to beautify the the ignored Water Tower.  

NEXT week - why is Wild Tomato in Door County suing Wild Man Pizza 20 miles away.  You can't have the word WILD in a restaurant?  HEY - Columbus attorney (love you man) want to chime in? 
and other mindless drivel.    

Where ya all coming from? 

Columbus Police and Why canceling a national election is basically impossible and ME!

DJ told me I had to start my blog again to get all that shit out of my brain and I'm also a little more alert to my dyslexia and spelling. I'm a numbers guy with a head full of words.  

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SO to start the blog off with a smile - this is what I wake up to every morning for about 9 years.  A 26 pound dog on my chest waking me with a smile and dog breath.  

 

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FUN FACT - In 2026 Wisconsin has gotten 283 sever Thunderstorms and Tornado warnings then the last 14 years COMBINED!!  

NOT - sorry about formatting - still relearning this ancient software. 

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What is wrong with the National media - Trump has lost a war faster then ANY President in history and they ignore it.

The question has been brought up  SO! who can cancel or postpone a national election? here ya go 

Congress sets the date for federal elections

Changing that date requires: A bill passed by the House - simple majority A bill passed by the Senate - simple majority The President’s signature NOTE - I firmly believe there are enough adults on Congress to foil any MAGA attempt.

Even then, Congress cannot delay elections indefinitely because the Constitution fixes the end of terms. Presidential term ends January 20 and Congressional terms end January 3

The President -Has zero legal authority to cancel, postpone, or suspend a federal election and emergency powers do not include altering election dates

The Supreme Court, can rule on disputes, but cannot cancel or postpone elections.

State Governors or Legislatures can delay state or local elections in emergencies. HOWEVER they cannot cancel or indefinitely postpone the selection of presidential electors.

Martial law does not give power to stop a presidential election. Even during the Civil War and WWII, elections happened on schedule

Canceling a national election is basically impossible because the Constitution locks in the end of presidential and congressional terms. If no election were held, the President’s term still ends on January 20.

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5 minute interlude (optional) 

Check out Faun - if you like Celtic harp, Swedish nyckelharpa, hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, cittern and flutes this is for you.  ( pagan folk, darkwave, and medieval music.)  My newest obsession after Nightwish and GHOST.

Columbus Police Department

I won't get into my dealings between the former Chief of Police and I when I was an alderman.  OK - just a wee bit. While in his office he was reading my blog (which is fine) on City time (not fine) and he posted shit about me as a alderperson to all that would listen including the Fire and Police Commission. And yea - he was forced to give a public apology to me.

WHY? because when a department literally pulls over 200+ vehicles in 3+ hours  (some multiple times) right in the middle of downtown for no real reason it REALLY REALLY gives Columbus a bad bad look. And I said ENOUGH!!!  and voiced my opinion.    

 I am fine now with the newest iteration of the Columbus Police and they have helped me a few times getting $$ back from Bitcoin being stolen from Coinbase.  The last chief and I had issues.  My laptop (and 10 other citizens) were LITERALLY stolen by a Columbus computer company and the police department refused to do ANYTHING - "out of our jurisdiction" was the explanation.  The company moved to a different town a year later with our computers and he ended up in jail in another town..     

BUT - they are fine in my book now! Chief Dennis Weiner seems to be a good one. HOWEVER since Columbus seems to be the center of white collar crime in the tri county area - this iswhat happened a few doors down from my house.  

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MISAPPROPRATION INVESTIGATION LEADS TO SEARCH WARRANT, ARREST

NOTE - the real name will be "XXXXXXX" just because I won't be the one spreading hate. 

In December 2025 the Columbus Police Department was contacted by members of the Columbus Baseball Organization (CBO). CBO board members reported financial irregularities and a possible misappropriation of funds by the former Treasurer, whose term had recently ended. He had been the treasurer from 2021-2025.

An initial review confirmed misappropriated monies and a formal comprehensive investigation began. During the last 5 months the department wrote numerous subpoenas for financial records, business records, purchases, etc. A substantial amount of paper and digital records were reviewed during the course of this investigation.

On Wednesday May 13, 2026 the Columbus Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Vista Circle in the City of Columbus.  XXXXXXX 50, of Columbus was arrested. Over 60 items from the residence were seized as part of the search warrant.

This afternoon, XXXXXX was charged with in Columbia County Circuit Court with Theft in a Business Setting, $10,000-$100,000 and Theft-Movable Property, $2500-$5000. Both are felonies.

The investigation revealed CBO monies being misappropriated multiple ways. They include, but are not limited to, a significant amount of Amazon purchases for personal use. A number of CBO checks were written to an LLC (limited liability corporation) that is registered to XXXXXX. They were deposited in the LLC’s account, then transferred to a personal bank account(s) belonging to XXXXXX. Additionally, CBO monies were identified going to 2 other, non-CBO baseball teams that he had an affiliation with.

The total amount at this time is approximately $49,000. The investigation continues.

Chief Dennis Weiner

Columbus Police Department

THANK YOU COLUMBUS PD!!  
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A little short blog this week as we were up in northern door County last week.  NEXT WEEK - how Columbus has REALLY changed for the better in the last 20 years and other mindless drivel.

Example - remember when I ran for alderman? 10 years ago - and you wonder why the Police Department got WHATEVER they ask for every year.   

Sitting - not running
Bomcamp Dist 2 -  Auxiliary Police Officer 

Running District 1
Davidson  - Auxiliary Police Officer
Rick Royem - NOT Auxiliary Police Officer

Running District 2
Larry Herzog  Auxiliary Police Officer
Rod Melotte NOT Auxiliary Police Officer

Cheers 

Fun blog coming nest week for landscapers 

The assumed problem with the new Columbus TIF - information ONLY! And Mink River

Hi all - I'm TRYING to put out a blog once a week now on Mondays or Tuesdays but a trip to Door County to the cabin nixed that idea this last week.  Door County called. 

One thing I learned from the the owners of Mink River an amazing bar in Ellison Bay was I might have helped bring people to the bar. You see I mentioned their AMAZING burger (literally the best I have ever had) on Madison Foodie and the bar has been getting lots of new tourists/customers since. And Cory blamed ME!!  Then I guess there was a secret contest and Mink River in Ellison Bay won the BEST BURGER in Door County. 

SO Monday we tried their Smash Burgers - WOW 

Literally one of the most amazing flavored? burgers I’ve ever had. #MinkRiver was voted the best burger in Door County. This the Drew Smash burger with Cajun seasoning, pepper Jack cheese, caramelized onions, jalapeños and garlic aloai is INSANELY good. OMG

If you get to Northern Door - you MUST go to Mink River a "dive bar" (are there any actual dive bars around?) with a real chef - a hidden gem with a game room and outdoor patio for dogs we talked to Tony Shaloub and family last year as they were eating on the patio. DJ had a good conversation with his sister about their dogs.

DJ had the Mink Mac Smash Burger - like a Big Mac but for ADULTS - she thought it was fantastic!!!

A few years ago I was asked to take a glamor photo of Club Le Mark, a square gray wooden building and also the inside of the CC Rider Clubhouse - no photos of the outside and NO photos of The Wall.  Now I need one of The Mink - it's coming.  This one is from Terry Hickman so you can all find the place.

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This is a “get it off my chest (2)” post. Informational only not complaining (do I ever complain)?

OH One thing - I LOVE this little town. The people are friendly, it's quiet, there is not REAL violence - OH we're the center of white collar crime it seems (Midwest Horse Fair, a church lady, the Travel Center and now a baseball organization).  But every alderperson loves this town - it's a lot of work being an alderperson.  I KNOW.  BUT - always remember - these are not politicians - they are normal people like you and I trying to do the best they can trying to compromise what is good for the city and good for the residents. 

ANYWAY! 
                                      The new TIF

We all know this has been planned for 20 or more years so it’s not a surprise, in fact many home owners are welcoming new housing on section 17.  The reason we want houses is that those houses will help absorb the large seismic shaking from the large explosions that Westphal Quarry lights off without a REAL warning every month. 

We have small cracked foundations, albums on turntables skip and small cracks in drywall from the 8-10 explosion that are 550 yards away from my house. The new houses will be in the 350 yards area so they will slow down the land shaking by 200 yards.

Plus, since the quarry starts grinding at 5:30-6:00 in the morning maybe the new housing will absorb some of the VERY LOUD grinding that forces our windows to be closed on summer mornings. 

This is from my house

And from the proposed new housing 

How close can you build a house to a working quarry.  And since realtors never tell ANYBODY on Vista that there is working quarry 500 yards away . . . I’m sure new home owners will be surprised also.  I won't speak of the dust we collect inside the house.   

NEXT issue The Enerpac hill.

Before Enerpac there was a deep/ old quarry crevice about 20 feet deep full of old TVs, refrigerators and garbage that people dumped into it.  If you walk around, you can still see pieces of appliances and TVs. This was all covered up by dirt that was dumped from the Enerpac hole and is now a 30 foot high 250 yard hill.  Enerpac Hill.  I had mentioned this a few times before I was on council but since it was not in city limits nobody cared it was an uncontrolled dump for appliances. 

The ISSUE is rain

The hill has created some pretty heavy flooding onto hole #11 at Kestrel Ridge that was not there before the hill.  What used to be a 3 inch stream next to the course on heavy storms is now literally a 2 feet high torrent rushing water that floods the entire fairway of hole #11.

As you can see rain flows down the normal slant of land from the west hits the torrent of water falling from Enerpac Hill and shoves it onto the golf course, LITERALLY making a waterfall over that sand trap (now new grass as if  . . . . now).

NOW! – if you add cement from a presumed road next to the hill and more housing it’s going to be VERY wet at times.  I HOPE there are plans for a major re-direction of all that water or those houses will be on a flood plain.   Unintended consequence.

Those are my concerns and could you forward this to City Engineer Jason?
Thanks – I got that off my chest – the city has been informed  LOL

Rod Melotte – my weather station

https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/wi/columbus/KWICOLUM2

See ya next week - when I  give the thumbs up (in a good way) to the Columbus Police Department

Warm weather IS coming - Gus the Weather Dog says so