LET'S STAY IN THE SOLUTIONS

City Hall isn't listening to us.

They
...did not pay attention to the warnings of contamination from our Public Utilities Department,
...did do not pay close enough attention to our budget or how our taxes are being spent,
...have not kept our house, our City, in order,
...disenfranchised the residence from the process and spent our money haphazardly
...their priorities have been misguided at best, negligent at worse and by some criminal as demonstrated by the incarceration of two former City Commissioners.

I have spoken publicly to all these problems over the last few years.
I am on the record with my voice, thoughts and opinions.

In case you missed any of the 3 minute public comments,
here are my positions:

WATER
My solution: Let's investigate alternative water plant concepts, such as desalinization, or revese osmosis as alternative water sources, and not simply continue to pour money into an antiquated systems without any future plan. A thorough examination based on current status and repairs versus a forward thinking approach is necessary. We must have an open and honest discussion in the public realm in order to move in the best possible direction toward solving this crisis.

BUDGETING
My solution: In my in-depth analysis of the budget I have found areas of obvious bloat and unwarranted spending. We need to start with a thorough line item slash and cut workshop. STOP the "spend it because we have it" mentality. I will drill them with the questions and request a needs versus wants assessment. Until we can justify the spending of the tax dollars which are entrusted to the City, or, return to the residents the taxes that they all work so hard to pay, I will not approve any budget presented by this administration.

INFRASTRUCTURE
My solution: Why haven't they fixed our neighborhood roads or sidewalks? I will support a well defined infrastructure bond approved by the residents to address the needs of every community. District approved referendum bonds to cover the cost of roads, sidewalks and other needed repairs to our infrastructure should be put before the residents of the City. This is not administration by referendum, this is taxation with the citizen approval, for the needs of the neighborhoods and residents.

CRIME
My solutions: I will champion well developed programs that have been proven in other cities throughout the country for implementation here in our neighborhood. Approaching the crime problems in our City requires more then just a well manned and equipt Police Department. Code Enforcement is vital to healthy neighborhoods. The Milwaukee Code Enforcement Chronic Nuisance abatement Ordinance presented by Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell would be a start. Passing that ordinance will be a priority for me. Other ideas can be expounded upon to empower the residents to take back ownership of their streets with the assistance of the Police Department. Court Watch programs and better legislative tools for gangs and juvenile issues are necessary. I will champion neighborhood programs and incentives which promote safety and crime watch activities, as well as partnerships with existing organizations who want to make a difference. We must return our streets to the residents now by providing tools that have a proven history of working. There is no simply answer or approach. The City must institute a multi-faceted attitude which will address crime effectively.

CITY CENTER
My solution: Why did they build a City Hall without our permission? The law says they had a responsibility to ask us. I will continue to insist the Mayor look at the alternatives regarding City Center and the final fiscal options available to the tax payers of the City. At this time, when we are faced with a water plant crisis and hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs or replacement, I think it is time we ask for and examine an RFP (request for proposal) or a ITB(Invitation to Bid)to sell the library and photographic center buildings (the south half of the City Center project) to private entities which will then place it back on the tax rolls. This will allowing us to place our tax dollars where we most need them right now, in our water system.



If you agree with my thoughts and I voice your opinions,
allow me to represent you,
by electing me on March 11th to the City Commission as your representative.