Introduction
Milwaukee's City Charter empowers the Common Council with profound responsibilities including "the power and authority to enact, enforce, amend and repeal all ordinances for the benefit of the city's trade and commerce and for the health and well being of its citizens."
My campaign for the City Council takes these responsibilities seriously and so I have decided to lay out my positions on some of the most important issues facing the District in a level of detail that is unprecedented for a candidate.
For years, the groups I have founded and worked with have struggled to improve the health, economic vitality and quality of life in Milwaukee, usually by forming broad-based coalitions to ensure a safe and thriving community. These years of work have taught me that if you don't know where you're going, you're not going to get very far. That's why my campaign is proposing this plan for city government - so voters can evaluate what I will do, rather than just what I say.
When I talk to you and your neighbors, voters consistently talk about three qualities they want in their next alderman:
1. Someone you can trust. Common Council decisions directly affect our quality of life. It is important that voters trust that their alderman operates from principles you believe in. Voters on the East Side and Riverwest expect to know how and why decisions are made and that their Alderman is not unduly influenced by special interests. We've lost that sense of trust here in the 3rd District, and I pledge to bring it back. From now on, voters will not have to wonder whose side the Alderman is on. I have a long track record of transparency and accountability, especially when dealing with tough issues.
2. Responsiveness. When city services don't operate properly, District residents need an advocate at City Hall who will make sure the situation gets fixed. I've spent years working in the community to make government more responsive. I know the cost to hard-working families when government doesn't respond quickly and effectively. In my current job I deal with hundreds of phone calls and emails, so I'm not a stranger to being responsive and making sure things get done.
3. Results. I have the deepest resume of anyone running, especially when it comes to results. I'm virtually the only candidate in this race who has successfully managed millions of dollars in funding. I've passed legislation through City Hall. I'm the only candidate who's worked through the state budget process to get funding earmarked for critical services. I have brought unlikely partners together to fight for common interests. This record of results is the reason I've been endorsed by State Rep. Jon Richards, State Senators Tim Carpenter and Jeff Plale, the Milwaukee County Labor Council, and the chair of the redevelopment authority (and east side resident) Kathryn West, among many others.
The decisions your next alderman make will affect generations. Do we hand more of the District over to mega-developers or do we protect the interests of locally-owned businesses? Do we protect the River and the Lake? How do we resolve the issues between UWM and its neighbors? We cannot afford an alderman who doesn't produce results on the tough issues. Here are my positions on some of the most critical issues facing our District.
