Dustin Esselman

Proud American and Wisconsinite. CTO/CIO of a leading health & wellness co. Bar owner in Wisconsin. Views are of my own.

[Dustin Esselman @DustinEsselman]

Turns out my top three hobbies are:

1. Bars
2. Restaurants
3. Non-essential businesses

[Dustin Esselman @DustinEsselman]

@CAgovernor @POTUS @spencerpratt will fix things unlike you @CAgovernor!

[Dustin Esselman @DustinEsselman]

@JBPritzker Let him help you ya idiot! You and all the dems have Trump Derangement Syndrome! Trump could cure cancer and you’d find something against it!

[Dustin Esselman @DustinEsselman]

Hey @AmericanAir what’s going on with ORD to MSN flight 3712?! We were just on the jet bridge ready to board and now back sitting here stuck after already over an hour delay due to “air traffic control management” call a spade a spade and admit the problems. @SeanDuffyWI

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country

[Dave Portnoy @stoolpresidente]

I always laugh at yo-yo’s who don’t have the 1st clue what information the President had that forced this decision. Even politicians who despise him but were briefed on the situation seem to agree with this operation. I guess lotta podcasters know better. 😂. Gotta keep the lights on somehow. Borderline traitors if you ask me. Iran is a terror nation with a long history of some of the worst human rights atrocities in the world. Nobody disputes that fact.They hate Americans. They hate Israel. They hate all Jews. They hate the West. They would kill us all if given the chance. They just murdered tens of thousands of their own people. The rest of the Middle East is on our side. The Iranian people are on our side. It isn’t that complicated to support our Troops and our country this morning. We are on the right side here. God Bless America . 🇺🇸

[Ian Miles Cheong @ianmiles]

After Charlie Kirk was taken away by paramedics, a man looted the stand to collect souvenirs of his death before police could even canvas the crime scene. Absolutely despicable. This is what you’re dealing with.

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

💯

[Dustin Esselman @DustinEsselman]

@BarackObama Really…..Your party motivated them. Period. Sad day in America and you are part of the problem.

[JD Vance @JDVance]

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

[Dave Portnoy @stoolpresidente]

Hey @MSNBC I’m gonna go ahead and rule out that it was one of Charlie Kirk’s supporters that accidentally shot him with a celebratory gun shot.

[Dustin Esselman @DustinEsselman]

@realDonaldTrump we need your help in Wisconsin!

I wrote this to our Governor.

The Honorable Tony Evers
Governor of Wisconsin
115 East Capitol
Madison, WI 53702

Re: Bureaucratic Barriers to Small Business Growth and Historic Preservation in Montello, WI

Dear Governor Evers,

I’m writing to you as a small business owner, lifelong Wisconsin resident, and someone deeply committed to the revitalization of rural communities — specifically Montello, where I own and operate The Quarry Bar and River’s Edge Saloon & Eatery. These businesses are housed in buildings over 100 years old, and I’ve made it a personal mission to preserve their character while bringing new life to the downtown area through restoration, reinvestment, and community programming.

Unfortunately, I’ve recently faced a level of local bureaucracy that threatens not just small business growth — but the very preservation of Wisconsin’s historic main streets.

A recent example: I sought to install a single window at The Quarry. I followed protocol, hired a licensed architect, and submitted professionally prepared plans to the city’s contracted inspector, Tim Tripp of General Engineering Company. Despite doing everything reasonably expected, I was told I still needed state-approved plans, even for this minor improvement. As a result, we’re now facing a minimum 8-week delay, which has disrupted our goal of completing the project before one of Montello’s busiest tourism events: the Fish-N-Fun weekend.

Governor, this experience is part of a broader issue. The application of modern building codes to century-old structures — with no room for context or flexibility — is not only impractical, but detrimental to preservation efforts. While I strongly support public safety and quality standards, there must be a more balanced approach that recognizes the realities of rural development and historic buildings.

The current permitting environment in Montello — driven by rigid interpretations and unchecked authority from contracted inspectors — is making it harder than ever for small business owners to invest in our communities. In this case, one inspector has the power to stall improvements indefinitely, and we’re left with no reasonable path forward, even when doing things the “right way.”

What message are we sending to those willing to invest in small-town Wisconsin when a window becomes a bureaucratic nightmare?

I respectfully urge your administration to consider the following:
•Establish state guidance or flexible model ordinances that allow for practical code application in historic buildings
•Rein in overreach from contracted municipal inspectors, particularly when professional plans are already provided
•Explore funding or incentives to support small business owners who are working to restore aging infrastructure in rural areas
•Encourage policies that reward investment, not punish initiative

Montello — and towns like it — have incredible potential. But we cannot preserve their past or build a better future if we’re buried under red tape. I believe in the strength of small-town Wisconsin, and I want to keep investing in it — but we need the state’s help to ensure that progress isn’t held hostage by outdated procedures and impractical regulations.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your continued support for Wisconsin’s rural communities.

Sincerely,
Dustin Esselman
Owner, The Quarry Bar & River’s Edge Saloon
Montello, WI

[Dustin Esselman @DustinEsselman]

@GovEvers

The Honorable Tony Evers
Governor of Wisconsin
115 East Capitol
Madison, WI 53702

Re: Bureaucratic Barriers to Small Business Growth and Historic Preservation in Montello, WI

Dear Governor Evers,

I’m writing to you as a small business owner, lifelong Wisconsin resident, and someone deeply committed to the revitalization of rural communities — specifically Montello, where I own and operate The Quarry Bar and River’s Edge Saloon & Eatery. These businesses are housed in buildings over 100 years old, and I’ve made it a personal mission to preserve their character while bringing new life to the downtown area through restoration, reinvestment, and community programming.

Unfortunately, I’ve recently faced a level of local bureaucracy that threatens not just small business growth — but the very preservation of Wisconsin’s historic main streets.

A recent example: I sought to install a single window at The Quarry. I followed protocol, hired a licensed architect, and submitted professionally prepared plans to the city’s contracted inspector, Tim Tripp of General Engineering Company. Despite doing everything reasonably expected, I was told I still needed state-approved plans, even for this minor improvement. As a result, we’re now facing a minimum 8-week delay, which has disrupted our goal of completing the project before one of Montello’s busiest tourism events: the Fish-N-Fun weekend.

Governor, this experience is part of a broader issue. The application of modern building codes to century-old structures — with no room for context or flexibility — is not only impractical, but detrimental to preservation efforts. While I strongly support public safety and quality standards, there must be a more balanced approach that recognizes the realities of rural development and historic buildings.

The current permitting environment in Montello — driven by rigid interpretations and unchecked authority from contracted inspectors — is making it harder than ever for small business owners to invest in our communities. In this case, one inspector has the power to stall improvements indefinitely, and we’re left with no reasonable path forward, even when doing things the “right way.”

What message are we sending to those willing to invest in small-town Wisconsin when a window becomes a bureaucratic nightmare?

I respectfully urge your administration to consider the following:
•Establish state guidance or flexible model ordinances that allow for practical code application in historic buildings
•Rein in overreach from contracted municipal inspectors, particularly when professional plans are already provided
•Explore funding or incentives to support small business owners who are working to restore aging infrastructure in rural areas
•Encourage policies that reward investment, not punish initiative

Montello — and towns like it — have incredible potential. But we cannot preserve their past or build a better future if we’re buried under red tape. I believe in the strength of small-town Wisconsin, and I want to keep investing in it — but we need the state’s help to ensure that progress isn’t held hostage by outdated procedures and impractical regulations.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your continued support for Wisconsin’s rural communities.

Sincerely,
Dustin Esselman
Owner, The Quarry Bar & River’s Edge Saloon
Montello, WI

[Dustin Esselman @DustinEsselman]

@GovEvers

The Honorable Tony Evers
Governor of Wisconsin
115 East Capitol
Madison, WI 53702

Re: Bureaucratic Barriers to Small Business Growth and Historic Preservation in Montello, WI

Dear Governor Evers,

I’m writing to you as a small business owner, lifelong Wisconsin resident, and someone deeply committed to the revitalization of rural communities — specifically Montello, where I own and operate The Quarry Bar and River’s Edge Saloon & Eatery. These businesses are housed in buildings over 100 years old, and I’ve made it a personal mission to preserve their character while bringing new life to the downtown area through restoration, reinvestment, and community programming.

Unfortunately, I’ve recently faced a level of local bureaucracy that threatens not just small business growth — but the very preservation of Wisconsin’s historic main streets.

A recent example: I sought to install a single window at The Quarry. I followed protocol, hired a licensed architect, and submitted professionally prepared plans to the city’s contracted inspector, Tim Tripp of General Engineering Company. Despite doing everything reasonably expected, I was told I still needed state-approved plans, even for this minor improvement. As a result, we’re now facing a minimum 8-week delay, which has disrupted our goal of completing the project before one of Montello’s busiest tourism events: the Fish-N-Fun weekend.

Governor, this experience is part of a broader issue. The application of modern building codes to century-old structures — with no room for context or flexibility — is not only impractical, but detrimental to preservation efforts. While I strongly support public safety and quality standards, there must be a more balanced approach that recognizes the realities of rural development and historic buildings.

The current permitting environment in Montello — driven by rigid interpretations and unchecked authority from contracted inspectors — is making it harder than ever for small business owners to invest in our communities. In this case, one inspector has the power to stall improvements indefinitely, and we’re left with no reasonable path forward, even when doing things the “right way.”

What message are we sending to those willing to invest in small-town Wisconsin when a window becomes a bureaucratic nightmare?

I respectfully urge your administration to consider the following:
•Establish state guidance or flexible model ordinances that allow for practical code application in historic buildings
•Rein in overreach from contracted municipal inspectors, particularly when professional plans are already provided
•Explore funding or incentives to support small business owners who are working to restore aging infrastructure in rural areas
•Encourage policies that reward investment, not punish initiative

Montello — and towns like it — have incredible potential. But we cannot preserve their past or build a better future if we’re buried under red tape. I believe in the strength of small-town Wisconsin, and I want to keep investing in it — but we need the state’s help to ensure that progress isn’t held hostage by outdated procedures and impractical regulations.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your continued support for Wisconsin’s rural communities.

Sincerely,
Dustin Esselman
Owner, The Quarry Bar & River’s Edge Saloon
Montello, WI

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Where did Senator Karen get $67 million?

[Department of Government Efficiency @DOGE]

Today, the Federal Government exceeded $100M in annual rent savings through cancellations of 250+ vacant/underutilized leases totaling 3M+ square feet. With ~7,250 current leases, there is plenty of available office space for the current workforce.

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

If ANY judge ANYWHERE can block
EVERY Presidential order EVERYWHERE,
we do NOT have democracy,
we have TYRANNY of the JUDICIARY.

[Dustin Esselman @DustinEsselman]

@RepMarkPocan @GovEvers How about changing the name of a woman!!?? Where’s the logic?! You wonder why the democrats lost the elections this past fall… 🤦‍♂️

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Where did the money come from?

[Dustin Esselman @DustinEsselman]

@RepMarkPocan You are a disgrace to the entire state of Wisconsin! Sad!!!