Harley to Be Taken Over?

This could be very bad for Milwaukee and Wisconsin if it’s true. 

A rumor that Harley-Davidson Inc. is the target of a takeover bid - by a firm famous for buying and sometimes dismantling companies - drove the motorcycle maker’s shares to a three-month high Tuesday.

The stock closed at $28.35, up 7% in trading that was nearly six times higher than the normal volume.

Investors responded to speculation that Harley was a takeover target by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., a private equity firm whose $25 billion purchase of RJR Nabisco in 1989 inspired a book and the movie “Barbarians at the Gate.”

New York-based KKR would not comment on the Harley rumor that began with stock traders in Frankfurt, Germany.

Milwaukee-based Harley also declined to comment, but the rumor fueled a frenzy of media and analyst speculation.

Crying over raw milk

My column for the Daily News is online.  It’s called, “Crying over raw milk.”  Here’s a taste:

The entire kerfuffle over raw milk gives us a nice illustration of the competing interests of liberty vs. oppression, free markets vs. consumer protection and public health vs. consumer choice.

[...]

It’s become somewhat of a novelty for Wisconsinites to actually rebel against government regulation. I suppose it should come as no surprise that it’s happening over a glass of milk.

West Bend Council Sends Resolution to GM

Dang it.  They had it right the first time.

With a little more background information provided and the personal appeal of Heiser Automotive Group’s president, the Common Council changed its collective mind — mostly — and voted to support a resolution asking General Motors Co. to restore Heiser’s Chevrolet and Cadillac franchises in West Bend.

   Heiser Automotive Group Inc. has asked for arbitration on GM’s franchise revocation decision and Chris Dulla, the dealership’s president, said community support would help its cause.

   Two weeks ago, the seven aldermen decided not to act at all on the resolution requested by Heiser protesting the removal of the dealership franchises from Heiser Chevrolet Cadillac of West Bend.

   On a 6-1 vote Monday, the Common Council voted to back the resolution. Alderman Tony Turner cast the lone no vote. “My position hasn’t changed,” he said. “I consider this almost meddling in the free enterprise system.”

   He did not feel the city should get involved in a private business decision.

   Others saw it differently.

   Steve Hutchins asked for the reconsideration after he learned more from Heiser about GM’s decision, he said.

   It’s a local business asking for support, Hutchins said. “I think we should give them the support.”

   “We would be supportive of any business in the community,” said Roger Kist.

   Before its final vote, the council voted 5-2 to reconsider the resolution with Turner and Michael Schlotfeldt voting against.

Not only is a resolution like this completely useless, it is not the business of the City of West Bend to attempt to meddle in things like this.