Who You Know

Two- term congressman and six- time Republican candidate Mark Neumann, wants you to believe that he’s a political outsider, just your average small business owner who works hard and plays by the rules. The truth is that Neumann is an elite political insider, adept at taking advantage of what government has to offer. And Neumann hasn’t limited his advantage taking to helping his businesses thrive.

In 2002, Mark Neumann used his insider connections to keep the Department of Natural Resources from purchasing a two acre property on Moose Lake in Waukesha County. The DNR planned to use the property to provide public access to the lake for fishing and boating. But Neumann didn’t want disabled people and people who didn’t own boats hanging out near his $1.2 million estate, so he decided to do something about it.

First Neumann and a few of his wealthy neighbors tried to the buy the property before the DNR could close the deal. When that failed, Neumann pulled some political strings to block funding for the DNR project.

In August of 2002, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported:

The DNR's plan calls for installation of a new boarding dock, replacement of the existing ramp, installation of a fishing pier, and clearing and grading for a parking lot for five vehicles and trailers, plus five car-only parking spots for the fishing pier.

"We are excited about putting in a shore fishing facility for persons with disabilities and individuals without boats," Dahms said.

Representatives from the Disability Advisory Council and the Wisconsin Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans both support the project.

"The Waukesha County Conservation Alliance is also a strong partner in this project," Dahms said. (Bob Riepenhoff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 4, 2002)

The article went on to say that the fate of the project rested with the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee (JFC). Luckily for Neumann, the JFC was chaired by his old pal and current campaign chairman, John Gard. In December 2002, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel described how Neumann lobbied Gard to put the Moose Lake project on hold.

As with other waterways throughout the state, Moose Lake is open to the public. But private development has consumed so much of the shoreline that the general public has little, if any, access.

Situated west of Chenequa, Moose Lake is surrounded by more than 100 homes valued at $200,000 to $1 million.

Hoping to improve public access to the 81-acre lake, the DNR last year began negotiating to buy the 2-acre parcel, which now includes a private boat launch. Landowner Greg Jackson agreed to sell the property for $645,000.

State officials persuaded Waukesha County to contribute $150,000 toward the purchase price.

But surrounding homeowners objected to the perceived intrusion in their neighborhood. After first trying unsuccessfully to orchestrate their own purchase of the property, homeowners lobbied state lawmakers to block funding for the project.

Among those involved in the lobbying effort was former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann, who moved to Moose Lake about two years ago. Neumann approached state Rep. John Gard (R-Peshtigo) on behalf of homeowners around the lake, and Gard used his position as co-chairman of the Joint Finance Committee to stall Moose Lake funds. (Scott Williams, Milwaukee Journal, December 19, 2002)

The JFC eventually approved funding to purchase the Moose Lake property, but only after the DNR made several concessions to Neumann and his neighbors.

Neumann rewarded Gard for his efforts with a sizeable contribution to his campaign committee.

Exactly the kind of gesture you'd expect from an outsider.