WOW wrote on May 15, 2008 10:43 AM:
" That article was soooo wrong that I can even believe he had the guts to publish that. Why not make things better for the troops. Haven't they sacrificed enough!!! It doesn't hurt to give alitle now and then. Whats the matter!!Are you feeling the pinch on your million dollar ranch up there on the hill with all your toys that you can't afford to lose a buck or two. How selfish!!!! "
Just Sickening wrote on May 13, 2008 3:13 PM:
" What an appalling article. This guy obviously has no idea who this will benefit. When I returned from Iraq, the only thing I wanted to do was to spend a night alone with my wife away from everyone else. Since I was staying with family while in the area this meant getting a motel room. I was quoted a price over the phone of $50 and when I went to hotel and asked if they had an Active Duty discount I was told the room would be $70. A hotel on base would provide a low cost room for troops and their families. This guy obviously doesn't care about the people who probably made him look good throughout his career. "
Wow Mr. Kortbein Sir wrote on May 13, 2008 6:15 AM:
" It is obvious that even though you were an officer in the military, you are all for you...wanting lazer games, etc. What, hoping the soldier's will train there instead?? Bringing your group more money?? And then to complain about taxes etc??? And, you don't even live here??? "
Another Old Vet wrote on May 12, 2008 5:02 PM:
" The War in Iraq. Built on lies and sold to Congress and American's based on those lies. Nuff Said. "
Old vet wrote on May 12, 2008 10:56 AM:
" I read the editorial and all the comments. WAR IN IRAQ says it best and with fewer words than most. Nuff said. "
RTFM wrote on May 12, 2008 7:50 AM:
" Sounds like typical Officer elitism from this guy. He apparently feels he is entitled to something. You are a disgrace to the uniform!! "
SHOW ME THE wrote on May 11, 2008 9:31 PM:
" I think it makes perfect sense for the City of Tomah and the Chamber to actively push for the development at Ft. McCoy. In the grand scheme of things what does a motel full of soldiers do for the city of Tomah. Dont take that the wrong way. Ok, the motel owner makes money and there are a few more people working at the motel. But how much are these soldiers really making to pay back to the Tomah community. Not much. These arent the people we want staying in the motels. We want tourists, travelers, business men/women, etc... Families that are going to spend time in our stores, families that are going to spend money at our restaurants, families that are going to go to the movies. I am all for supporting our troops but they dont have the money that the businesses (except the motel owners) want. "
RE Economics wrote on May 11, 2008 7:14 PM:
" The last BRAC was conveyed in 2005 and has until 2011 to complete those closures and realignments. There is no other BRAC schedules and it actually does take a act of Congress to create another one.
So please, don't try and threaten this issue with one that is unrelated to this subject.
If DOD or the BRAC commission wants Fort McCoy to close in future BRAC's, a hotel will not make a difference. And while community support does cause the BRAC commission to have to address their concerns, it clearly does not stop the deliberations of the BRAC commission. "
ReEconomics wrote on May 11, 2008 4:32 PM:
" Missed on one point. During the report given at the Tomah Coucil meeting. Room Tax revenue declined after Fort McCoy reserved several hundred rooms. That could mean only one thing - they were rented out before Fort McCoy reserved them and they most likly will be rented out again. Over flow still has to go as far away as BRF and LaCrosse. I do not see any down turn except with possible "off days" which they most have had before. I still see this as business trying to force gaovernments to limit compettion. "
Economics wrote on May 11, 2008 12:25 PM:
" There have always been motels on military bases. Well over 200 nationwide. Several years ago congress passed a bill that all current and future motels be owned and operated by the private sector. The reason being that the private sector can do a better job. If a motel would be built at Fort McCoy it would be built and run by private enterpise. As far as unfair competition, all of us in the private sector would be able to bid on it, best bid wins. This is the same procedure used with any other government contract at the Fort, low bid wins. I see no unfair advatage in this. As far as needing approval from the local communities, congress put that in the bill for two reasons. One, if their is no community support, it is easier to close the base when Brac comes around again. Number two, they then go to plan B, no motel, but more on base living quarters at the taxpayers expense. I have a very strong idea on what is going to take place here. The City of Sparta owns land at their old airport off highway 21. They will give this land to a private developer to put up the motel and other items that would have gone up on base. The private developer will offer free shuttle to and from the base. They will also be able to rent to all civilians with no restrictions as would have been the case on base. This site is less then a mile from south post and 3 from the main gate. As far is what is going on now with the 700 off base motels rooms. Once the war is over, which probably will be within a year, that need will go away. Then, the need for off base rooms will drop to about 25 to 50 in the summer time only. The old saying still holds true, don't put all your eggs in one basket. The motels that are now renting all their rooms to the military are in for some hard times when the war is over. "
Stupid wrote on May 11, 2008 7:15 AM:
" This all started with a motel owner in Sparta complainig about unfair competition from the Fort. He called all of the Tomah motels to get on his band wagon. Rumor has it he plans to put up a second motel close to the Fort in Sparta. So how is that going to help the motels in Tomah. As far as the motel on base. If it is ever built it will be with with private funds and not army funds. There was a good possibility it would be built and run by a Tomah business. "
Sparta wrote on May 10, 2008 11:31 PM:
" Het Tomah, looks like you have a few greedy, folks on your side of the hill also. But at least your City Council had enough smarts to do the right thing. "
Permission wrote on May 10, 2008 7:32 PM:
" A military installation should NEVER have to have any city/town agree to what they provide the troops. The military bases always contribute to the economy of the surrounding area even if they have their own lodging and MWR (do the research). However, if there was a need to supplement, one would think the government would be smart enough to not duplicate resources that the community provides. This installation is not set up like the regular Army. Many Soldiers do not have the means to leave on a convenient schedule unless it is a shuttle to Wal-mart. If there is additional money to use or loose, one would thnk that it would be spent on nicer living accomodations for ALL troops, first rate dining facilities (as overseas offers), state of the art training that TRULY simulates what is happening where they are being deployed to, and better protective gear. When those areas are taken care of, then lets worry about what they can do with their free time. AAFES, McCoys, etc limit their hours of operation during the slow periods so the demand must not be there. If more living accomodations are needed, then do what is most convenient and cost saving for the Soldier and their families; that is the least that ANYONE could do for those training for, going to, and coming back from war. This is a training facility and this installation does not have the permanent party numbers to justify a large MWR program on the installation...the numbers just aren't there. Tomah could be a thriving city/community with or without McCoy, they just need let go of what is evitable, and manage the town as if it was a business. Sparta, Tomah or any town for that matter should NEVER be controlling how ANY military installation is managed other than the environmental impact. Now many city adminstrators have ever been to War College? How many have ever owned their own business? Leave managing the installation activity to IMA and the military. The surrounding community should just be grateful that they have an installation here...does anyone remember the acronym BRAC??? "
RE Greed wrote on May 10, 2008 6:42 PM:
" Excuse those of us who care to think a little deeper than just believing the rhetoric about supporting the troops. This isn't about our support for soldiers, sailors, airman, and marines doing their jobs and having our gratitute for doing it.
This is about the military leadership leveraging a heightened sense of patriotism for them to get as much as they can, as fast as they can. And doing so without anyone looking over thier shoulder.
If you want to support the troops, make sure they are properly outfitted before they go to war. Too many inferior helmet liners, lack of body armor, and poorly armored vehicles should be a priority over a hotel and recreation attractions.
Those same residences screaming to support the troops and let the military do what it wants, will be screaming when taxes are raised to pay for the costs of heightened patriotism. Where will your support be then.
Where will your support be when these soldiers return as veterans looking for the medical care they have been promised. So when your taxes are raised to adequately fund the VA and health care for the next 50 years for these veterans, where will your fanactical patriotism and support for the soldier be then?
Your worried about the morale of the soldier, then provide them equipment before they head into battle. Pay for their phone calls home to ease the worry of their families and themselves. Give them a decent pay raise, and ensure they have free health care for the them and thier families for the rest of thier lives.
I'd trade that for a hotel and a trip around a go kart track any day. "
Why wrote on May 10, 2008 6:16 PM:
" Why do the motel owners feel they should get special treatment. How about the rest of us buseness owners. No one asked us if we approved of the following. American Legion Clubs, KC and Masonic Lodges in Tomah and Sparta. The pay no income or property taxes. They rent out their halls for events, have fish frys, steak feeds and spaghetti feeds. All in direct competition with and a duplication of what the private sector already provides. At least the motel on base would be restricted no active duty, retired and family members. Did you ever here us complainung, no you did not. So motel owners, grow up, stop your complaining and get on with your life. After all with us bar and restaurant owners, the troops come first. "
War in IRAQ wrote on May 10, 2008 12:00 PM:
" In other wars the American Citizens were asked to make sacrifices in support of our troops. Not so with the IRAQ War. In this War our troops are making all of the sacrifices, including being killed or wounded. On the other hand the rest of us not only are not sacrificing a thing, we want more. We argue over some possible lost revenue to some local motels. What a sad, sad thing for our nation to do. "
Civilian wrote on May 10, 2008 11:34 AM:
" Fort McCoys primary mission is "to support the readiness of the force by serving as a training center and support site for power-projection missions". I may love being part of that civilian work force payroll of over $63,981,180 a year. But I know their primary mission is not to guarantee me a job. I may love that their total economic impact on the area is almost a billion dollars a year but know that is not their primary mission. I know that you complaing motel owners and other related businesses love the profits you are making from the Fort but you also must realize that is not their primary mission. Where did you people ever get the idea, especially you motel owners that the Fort owed you a living. Again, the primary mission is to train the troops. Thank you City of Tomah and Tomah Chamber for knowing what the primary mission is and supporting it. "
Chamber Member wrote on May 10, 2008 10:51 AM:
" Mission Statement of the Tomah Chamber: To Promote a Culture Where Businesses Can Prosper and Our Families and Community Flourish. The City of Tomah is a Chamber Member. Fort McCoy is a Chamber member. Mr. Kortbein, at the end of his letter tells us he is not a Chamber member, never has and probably never will be. He is also not a member of the Tomah Community. Sounds like a person that wants it all with out giving anything back in return. "
Open Minder wrote on May 10, 2008 9:18 AM:
" I couldn't agree more. Isn't the Tomah Chamber's mission to support LOCAL businesses not incourage a new town 6 miles from town? "
Wrong wrote on May 10, 2008 9:06 AM:
" There is something very, very wrong with this mans article. He tells us he is retired military. As such he has free and open access to all of the amenities that Fort McCoy has for active duty troops. Such as the post exchange, grocery store, restaurant, bar, fitness center and pool. These are things that the ordinary citizens of Tomah and Sparta can not use. Yet he has the hipocrisy to criticize the Tomah City Council and Chamber for backing our active duty troops with an on base motel. So he is telling us it is ok for retired army officers like hime, that have their nice pensions and civilian paychecks on top of that, to use on base aminities. But for our active duty troops, who are mostly non-coms, with a much lower pay scale, anything that is good for them is bad for him. "
Chamber member wrote on May 10, 2008 12:05 AM:
" This man tells us he is a retired Army officer. As an officer he took advantage of many of the amenities not available to the enlisted. He is now upset that the Tomah City Council and Chamber have given full support to give our troops what he enjoyed in the past. He does not live in the City of Tomah, is not a member of the Tomah Chamber and wants our troops to use a Game-Craze in Warrens instead of an on base motel. In my opinion the slap in the face is coming from him to our Troops, our Council and our Chamber. Money and greed do strange things to people, even retired army officers. "
Wrong wrote on May 9, 2008 10:07 PM:
" You, Mr. Kortbien are the one that is wrong. How about slapping yourself in the face and waking up. Life is more then just money and greed. Our family is very proud of what the Tomah City Council and the Chamber did in backing our Military. "
Sick wrote on May 9, 2008 8:59 PM:
" This guy is sick. I can see why he is no longer a military officer. "
RE Greed Rules Again wrote on May 9, 2008 8:04 PM:
" Id like to hear the sound reasoning why the City of Tomah supported the private-public venture to bring competition to the businesses in the City of Tomah to Fort McCoy and create an environment where the communities that support Fort McCoy lose the benefit of trade with those military personnel coming to Fort McCoy?
Their support assumes that area motels can afford to lose occupancy of up to 100 hotel rooms per night, each day of the year.
And of course, those who stay in a community are likely to eat, purchase gasoline, and seek entertainment close to their hotel room. So the there has to be sound reasoning in supporting the privatepublic venture. Otherwise, why would the City Council support it? Id like to hear those reasons.
Id like to hear the method that the city used in polling its business owners in asking them if their business could support added competition to the trade they do with military and civilian who visit Fort McCoy.
Id also like to know if Fort McCoy, or the citizens government of the City of Tomah stopped and asked the non-appropriated fund employees at Fort McCoy whose jobs would be in competition with those private sector employees of this hotel were asked if they had any concerns.
And, I wonder, how necessary is it for soldiers to stay in hotels when Fort McCoy reports thats its barracks meet the health and safety standards for shelter for soldiers
"
Greed rules again wrote on May 8, 2008 4:36 PM:
" Here's another example of a famously greedy businessman. He might as well move to Sparta and join the rest of the war profiteers...
And this guy is a former military officer? Huge surprise... They never really care about the junior enlisted soldiers anyway. He made a lot more than they did and could afford to leave base in his sports car. Unbelieveable. "
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