I have been paying close attention to Milwaukee's Common Council and the legislation at stake each month through committee meetings and the regular Council sessions.

Recently, a local group called Common Ground has been attending Common Council meetings. They are, (according to an event post about them here in Onmilwaukee.com), a group of people working together to address critical social issues like health care, jobs, and crime. Its members come from all races, religions and political backgrounds, but we share a common mission: To replace despair with hope in our community

I can't imagine a better mission, the group's goals sound great.

The group is also very visual--they have matching t-shirts, posters and logos and make themselves present in Common Council meetings and events... they often crowd the hallways at City Hall prior to a meeting and sit as one in the chambers. This collective presence is outstanding and makes a strong point.

The problem is, the point wears off when, after the one piece of legislation they are attending for is heard, they all file out of the chambers as though nothing else on the city's legislative agenda is worthwhile. If they are working toward a better Milwaukee, shouldn't all Milwaukee issues garner their attention? One piece of jobs legislation or one piece of funding legislation isn't all it takes, but it seems that's all they support or care to be present for.

Last night, the group assembled for the public budget hearing. A large number of people attended, each taking a turn at the microphone to speak to the mayor and the Common Council about their budget concerns.

Common Ground members took turns at the microphone and those members in the audience stood each time one of their own offered their commentary to the elected officials. It was a great show of solidarity.

After all their members had had their turn, however, the group filed out of the chambers. Many other residents were still speaking--on libraries, school funding, job cuts, and a whole host of firefighters spoke on potential fire department cuts--but the impression Common Ground left was that these issues didn't matter.

They were only present for their own discussion, then once finished, other relevant, community issues went unheard by the group, and sadly, by many of us in the audience because in their large numbers, their premature departure from the council chambers was noisy and distracting and frankly rude to other community members.

I applaude the firefighters who came early to the public hearing and stayed until the last name was called. They heard every issue, from squirrel abatement to policing. The firefighters made it clear they knew Milwaukee wasn't just about their particular issue--but rather, all issues affecting all residents.

Common Ground may need to practice some common courtesy. And maybe some common sense. If they want to inspire hope, perhaps a more attentive position on city government is necessary because as it turns out, all legislation is related, all concerns are community concerns.

I hope Common Ground comes to realize their visual presence can have an impact, but only when it is present for an entire council meeting or engaged in all the politics of Milwaukee, not just select issues. They will soon be recognized not for their solidarity or their visual presence, but rather for their abrupt and rude departures.