Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt on Thursday criticized Democratic state
Sen. Lena Taylor of Milwaukee for a Facebook posting in which she called
for a boycott of paper products made by Georgia-Pacific, which is owned
by the politically conservative Koch Brothers.
Georgia-Pacific also is one of Green Bay's largest employers with 2,300 workers.
"A boycott of
one of our largest employers would be very hurtful," Schmitt said. He
added that in the last five years Georgia-Pacific had invested more than
$110 million in expansion and new machinery locally.
"We're very disappointed in her comments," said Schmitt, adding that he does not know Taylor.
"Georgia-Pacific
is one of those great companies that we're proud to have in our
community," he said. "She's not explained herself, but no one here is
taking these comments as anything more than political rhetoric. But it's
something we don't need."
Taylor said
Thursday that she's urging the boycott because the political policies
and leaders that Charles and David Koch support "harm the community."
Taylor was
one of 14 Democratic state senators who left the state in February for
three weeks to impede Republican Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill,
which eliminated most collective bargaining for most public employees.
The Koch brothers are supporters of Walker.
Taylor posted the following on her Facebook website:
"Money talks!
Why shouldn't you buy the following: Dixie Cups, Vanity Fair Paper
Products, Mardi Gras Napkins, Brawny and Sparkle Paper Towels, Angel
Soft and Quilted Northern Toilet Paper. . . . Your purchase supports
destruction of democracy, two words . . . Koch Brothers. Join the
boycott, send this to all of your Facebook Friends."
She said she
got the post from other elected officials, but she would not say whom.
And it's not the first time she's posted the message on Facebook, she
said. - JS Online
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