http://onmilwaukee.com/rss/rss_doughissom.xml Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Doug Hissom en-us Sat, 7 Nov 2009 16:00:15 CST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://onmilwaukee.com/images/layout/omc_rssfeed_logo.gif http://onmilwaukee.com 204 67 County Executive Scott Walker has suggested putting parking meters at popular Lakefront spots like Bradford Beach, Veterans Park and McKinley Marina in an effort to help close a growing budget gap. But, considering how well the LUKE meters have worked at times -- including this week's issue with daylight savings tme -- is it really a good idea? http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom110609.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom110609.html?20756 Fri, 6 Nov 2009 13:13:00 CST Richard Rothen, who operates Cupid's Toys at 27th and Rawson, has an inkling that local officials don't want his business to thrive. Rothen has had license issues and believes that officials covet his location on the northeast corner of a busy intersection, for development. When a recent road repair was underway, Rothen found his store had been removed from a planning map. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics103009.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics103009.html?20682 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:02:00 CST While Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn spent most of his time in the spotlight asking that his officers not be furloughed for four days, the Common Council's Finance Committee essentially glossed over a report that the MPD has spent $17.5 million on a radio system that doesn't work and won't be fixed. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics102309.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics102309.html?20617 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:11:00 CST A discussion about guns proved to be a blazing topic this week at a special meeting of the Common Council's Public Safety Committee. And sure, there was plenty of room for grandstanding and collective hand-wringing. "There simply is no excuse for the gun violence in our communities and residents will no longer stand for it. It is high time we take serious action," Ald. Bob Donovan said. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics101609.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics101609.html?20512 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:09:00 CST So Scott Walker wants to close six pools -- several on the North Side -- to build one large aquatic center on the South Side? How does that make budgetary sense? It does to County Exec Walker who wants to spend $11 million to build the aquatic center while closing Pulaski and Noyes indoor pools and the outdoor pools at Washington, Holler and Jackson Parks and Pelican Cove. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/milwaukeepublicpools.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/milwaukeepublicpools.html?20417 Fri, 9 Oct 2009 05:19:00 CST Riverwest residents turned out en masse this week to oppose the re-opening of Smokey's, 2425 N. Dousman St. Neighbors pointed out that there are four bars in a two-block stretch of Dousman -- which is similar to what opponents in Bay View said about a proposed sports bar -- but they were told, in essence, "if you don't like it, you shouldn't have moved into the area." http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics100209.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics100209.html?20328 Fri, 2 Oct 2009 16:19:00 CST Milwaukee Ald. Tony Zielinski got the brush off from Mayor Tom Barrett after Zielinski's challenge to debate the mayor's plan to take over running the Milwaukee Public School system. The mayor wants the authority to appoint the currently elected school board and the superintendent, as well. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/mpsdebate.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/mpsdebate.html?20105 Fri, 4 Sep 2009 11:25:00 CST Proponents and opponents of changing the way the Milwaukee Public Schools are run were lining up in droves this week as some public events were held to draw attention to a plan by Gov. Jim Doyle and Mayor Tom Barrett to allow the mayor to oversee the schools. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/mpstakeover.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/mpstakeover.html?20052 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:14:00 CST The practice of parents allowing their children to tip back a few in their presence could be finished as the state legislative assault on drinking continues in the form of Senate Bill 30. The bill would ban parents from letting their kids drink until they are 18. There currently is no such prohibition. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/parentalalcoholcontrol.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/parentalalcoholcontrol.html?19978 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:11:00 CST A Crivitz supper club owner will get help from a bevy of lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin as he sues the village for denying his right to fly the U.S. flag upside down. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/crivitzflagcontroversy.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/crivitzflagcontroversy.html?19917 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:17:00 CST Milwaukee County Supervisors Patricia Jursik, Marina Dimitrijevic and Christopher Larson, along with State Rep. Christine Sinicki, have formed a Coalition to Save the Hoan Bridge. Things are heating up over the Hoan after the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce asked for further studies involving either repairing the bridge for millions or replacing it for millions more. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hoanbridgepolitics.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hoanbridgepolitics.html?19867 Fri, 7 Aug 2009 14:29:00 CST Among the plethora of fee increases passed by the Milwaukee Common Council this week is a hidden one that will not effect the city coffers at all -- a substantial increase in taxi cab rates. Milwaukee already has among the highest cab rates country -- including, for a period of time, more expensive than rates in Chicago and Toronto. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/milwaukeefeehikes.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/milwaukeefeehikes.html?19798 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:37:00 CST The city is looking at raising water rates as a way to put more money in its general fund, going beyond the traditional water bills being used to cover the cost of running the Water Works. Water Works and city administration officials are looking to raise rates an additional 6.5 percent for suburban users of Milwaukee water and 5 percent for city residents on top of a 3 percent increase that takes effect soon. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politicswaterfees.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politicswaterfees.html?19755 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:23:00 CST Political battles aren't always waged on the biggest stage. Sure, plenty of folks will be watching the fur (and dollars) fly when Democratic State Sen. Jim Sullivan faces off against Republican Rep. Leah Vukmir next year. But, a controversial sheriff recall election is rocking Price County and a group closer to home is concerned about what the Zoo Interchange project will do to the Monarch butterfly (pictured). http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/pricecountysherrif.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/pricecountysherrif.html?19638 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:35:00 CST A special task force, chaired by former state Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler, would like to see the Common Council modernize the mechanism for hearing license requests in order to keep politicians from tampering with the process and alleviate the appearance of "aldermanic privilege." http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics061909.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics061909.html?19438 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:28:00 CST A strapped government sometimes pits good groups against each other. This week, there is a battle between people who probably agree more often than not. Jim Goulee of the Park People crafted an e-mail calling for the preservationists to quickly call their legislators to make sure that a half-percent tax increase doesn't just go for Regional Transportation Authorities, but that lawmakers put another half-percent tax increase for the county parks. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics061309.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics061309.html?19389 Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:14:00 CST Lawmakers are considering stiffening penalties for drunk driving in the state and the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department has an idea -- just one -- to help. Sobriety checkpoints are the solution, Sheriff's Department representatives said this week at a hearing in front of the state Senate's Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform and Housing Committee. "We cannot arrest our way out of this problem," said one sheriff's rep. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics060509.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics060509.html?19310 Fri, 5 Jun 2009 05:27:00 CST Jazz in the Park kicks off its 2009 season Thursday night at Cathedral Square Park. Earlier this week, a state assembly committee, prompted by Rep. Leon Young, unanimously passed a bill allowing carry-ins, but officials likely will uphold their plans to ban patrons from bringing their own beer and wine to the event. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics052909.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics052909.html?19254 Fri, 29 May 2009 14:21:00 CST Arguments aside, the way leading lawmakers handled the issue of a potential statewide smoking ban in taverns and restaurants this week was not in the spirit of a more transparent government. The two committee chairman handling the bill -- Jon Erpenbach and Jon Richards -- gave a just a shade more than the required 24-hour notice before holding a hearing and then voting on the bill. With the Democrats now in control of the dome, it's expected that the ban will sail through the Legislature swimmingly. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics050809.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics050809.html?19048 Fri, 8 May 2009 05:27:00 CST Public officials in these parts seem totally silent on the effects of proposed energy cost increases on their constituents from area power monopoly WE Energies. The utility is asking that rates go up 4.9 percent in 2010 and another 4.5 percent in 2011. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics050109.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics050109.html?18972 Fri, 1 May 2009 05:29:00 CST A long-time club on Water Street that's been vacant for years will remain so for the near future at least. The space at 530 N. Water St. Has not been without its troubles in the past, featuring shootings, parking problems and other external and internal strife. Downtown Ald. Bob Bauman is concerned that would happen there again and opposed a plan by Heide Beste to reopen the joint as a club / lounge called Rouge Lounge. http://onmilwaukee.com/bars/articles/rouge.html http://onmilwaukee.com/bars/articles/rouge.html?18899 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:25:00 CST One of the easiest, most effective ways to sell a used car is to park it on the street and slap a "For Sale" sign in the window. If Milwaukee aldermen have their way, city residents will pay $40 for that right. Making matters worse, they'll have to wait in line at a tow lot in order to purchase the permit. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom041709.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom041709.html?18841 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:15:00 CST Never underestimate the value of fast food coupons. A Milwaukee woman claims her car was damaged when the City of Milwaukee towed it. She is trying to sue for damages, including some lost coupons for a Wendy's restaurant. Would you like fries with that deposition, ma'am? http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom041009.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom041009.html?18761 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:28:00 CST Private efforts to pay for more street surveillance on the near South Side will be back for another year, says Ald. Bob Donovan. It's called "Operation Impact" and it uses cameras and increased foot patrols to saturate certain high-crime areas. The 2009 version will expand its scope both geographically and financially. Donovan said the program, which raised $176,000 last year, hopes to net $250,000 in 2009 in order to facilitate an expansion east of South 16th Street and west into the Jackson Park neighborhood. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom040309.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom040309.html?18678 Fri, 3 Apr 2009 05:23:00 CST It sounds like a noble goal: tighten up the rules on ships emptying ballast water in order to keep invasive and foreign species from contaminating the Great Lakes. A group of mayors and industry types is pushing for the state to essentially do nothing. The American Great Lakes Association says Wisconsin's three major ports would be cut off from international trade and agricultural exports if forced to follow the proposed permit for their ports. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom032709.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom032709.html?18617 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:12:00 CST The latest findings of the American Religious Identification Survey find that 34 million adult Americans -- that's almost one in five of us -- are now nonreligious. The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation was quick to leap on the fact that they are now in the majority. The findings may not rival the "Great Awakening," but the United States is clearly in the midst of a "Gradual Awakening," and catching up with Europe's embrace of secularism, the group notes in a press release. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom032009.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom032009.html?18510 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:24:00 CST The City of Milwaukee will give a break to vehicle owners who have had their registration stickers ripped off -- sort of. For the past two years parking checkers issued $50 tickets to unregistered vehicles and those without stickers no matter the circumstance. The city can also tow those vehicles. In an effort to be less punitive the city now issues tickets for failing to display registration, which run $17 instead of $50. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics031309.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics031309.html?18449 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:18:00 CST The annoying television sets on county buses, which blared advertising and old news, went off permanently when TV Transit, the company that gave the county the TVs for free in exchange for a piece of the ad revenue, folded. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom030609.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom030609.html?18387 Fri, 6 Mar 2009 05:04:00 CST The future of the dam at Estabrook Park is a hot topic these days, with environmentalists backing its destruction as advocates fight to save it. The County Board soon will vote on whether to repair the dam, close it permanently but keep it in place or remove it completely. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom030409.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom030409.html?18366 Wed, 4 Mar 2009 16:33:00 CST Conversations about a potential takeover of the Milwaukee Public Schools continue, with politicians considering ideas ranging from letting the mayor run it to creating a pseudo MPS czar. Last week, the Public Policy Forum released a report that looked at other cities with mayoral control over the school system. Mayor Tom Barrett hasn't entirely dismissed the idea, which was entertained by former Mayor John Norquist some time ago. Another pitch would have the mayor appoint a "chancellor," and that chancellor would appoint the school board. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom022009.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom022009.html?18253 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:25:00 CST The Combined Locks Police Department wanted to raise money for Special Olympics. The noble gesture lost a little gloss in some circles when it offered to have officers absorb shocks from taser guns in exchange for $500 donations. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom021309.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom021309.html?18173 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:15:00 CST Backers of Milwaukee's paid sick leave ordinance plan to show up at the Milwaukee County Courthouse en masse Friday at the first hearing the ordinance will have in front of a judge. Since Milwaukee voters approved the measure, nearly half the county's suburbs -- including Greenfield, Brown Deer, Oak Creek, and Racine -- are taking steps to institute anti-sick leave measures. Milwaukee 9to5 has sent out an e-mail asking supporters to show up at the courthouse to Room 413 by 10 a.m. today. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom020609.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom020609.html?18090 Fri, 6 Feb 2009 05:29:00 CST The state Department of Transportation took its road show to the Common Council last week briefing Milwaukee officials on its plan to redo the Zoo interchange. DOT says it is the busiest interchange in the state and needs some help in moving vehicles along. They offered a new road term called the "Texas U-turn." But it didn't get a warm reception. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics020409.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics020409.html?18073 Wed, 4 Feb 2009 14:17:00 CST Although the number of vehicles in our fair city went down compared with recent years, the number of crashes are up, according to a report from the Milwaukee Public Works Department. The city had 384,798 registered vehicles in 2007 and 12,870 crashes, compared with 396,037 and 12,465 in 2006. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissomnumbers.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissomnumbers.html?18014 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:25:00 CST The City of Milwaukee's idea for an energy efficient development in Bay View has received a surprising seven prospective bids, reports the Department of City Development. The approximately 5.6-acre lot bordered by Bay and Conway Streets and Logan and Lincoln Avenues, that formerly housed the Army Reserve is the largest vacant space in Bay View. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/bvsolarvillage.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/bvsolarvillage.html?17992 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:35:00 CST Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, seeking to spend the slush fund known as "asset forfeiture expenditures," sent a laundry list of ideas to a Common Council committee last week. As usual, many of the items don't necessarily qualify as "proper spending" under federal guidelines. No one seems to care about that anymore. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom012309.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom012309.html?17946 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:28:00 CST Milwaukee Ald. Tony Zielinski continues to tag graffiti artists as public enemy No. 1. But at least one member of a city committee says his latest plan blurs the line between murals, graffiti and freedom of expression. Zielinski is proposing an ordinance that would require any mural artist to apply for a permit and pay $75 in order to paint the side of a building. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics011609.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics011609.html?17858 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:15:00 CST Aldermen haven't given up on their pitch to get UW-Milwaukee expansions Downtown. UWM has made clear its preference to put its new engineering school at the County Grounds in Wauwatosa. Alds. Bob Bauman and Nik Kovac offered a resolution this week directing city lobbyists to lobby the UW System Board of Regents to locate the largest upcoming UWM building project and new dorms Downtown. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom0109.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom0109.html?17839 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:38:00 CST The bong of soothsaying may be hazy, as it always has been, but we're trying to offer some clarity to discussions of what may be greet us in the next year. To create a map for the forthcoming year (and because it's fun), here are a few predictions that most likely will not come to fruition in 2009 and should not be taken to Vegas for the purposes of economic stimulus prospecting. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom010909.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom010909.html?17794 Fri, 9 Jan 2009 11:37:00 CST Milwaukee Ald. Bob Donovan wants an appointed School Board, as opposed to letting the public choose their representatives. He calls it a priority on his Christmas wish list. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics122408.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics122408.html?17690 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:28:00 CST Toronto, Seattle and San Francisco have banned the distribution and sale of bottled water on city premises. Milwaukeeans, prompted in part by the memory of the cryptosporidium outbreak, have a large preference for water in the bottle instead of from the tap. But ban supporters say bottled water is wasteful. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics121708.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics121708.html?17613 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:35:00 CST The Milwaukee County Parks Department needed its own economic bailout to the tune of $315. The Parks Department had to suspend its effort to rid Jacobus Park of invasive species the likes of buckthorn and honeysuckle since it ran out of money for herbicides. The Charles Jacobus Neighborhood Association chipped in the money this week to finish the job. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics121008.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics121008.html?17564 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:18:00 CST Just in time for the first big snow of the year, the Department of Public Works is ready to present its plowing strategy for the coming white season. And it looks like patience will be a mantra for drivers and pedestrians. Aldermen asked DPW to set up a plan after last year's somewhat disjointed approach to plowing. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics120308.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics120308.html?17472 Wed, 3 Dec 2008 11:38:00 CST The Milwaukee Police Department has been lax in installing cameras in squad cars, even though it has been given the green light to do so and has equipment lying around ready to get our men in blue on the contributors' list for the "Cops" TV show. The city would have about 200 cameras if it gets a grant for 46 more. Only 67 have been installed and are functional, according to the department. Another 37 have been installed but are not functional. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom112108.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom112108.html?17357 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:33:00 CST Just when you thought it was safe to turn on the TV and avoid political commercials, it's time for the spring elections -- with a state Supreme Court race and several county judicial races -- to get underway. The Supreme Court race pretty much started this week when Jefferson County Circuit Judge Randy R. Koschnick fulfilled expectations that he would announce his campaign to attempt to unseat Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics111908.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics111908.html?17331 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:16:00 CST It's taken a few years, but the ACLU of Wisconsin has filed a federal First Amendment lawsuit against the Milwaukee Police Department for its role in shutting down a play entitled "Naked Boys Singing," a musical with gay themes that has been produced around the country. The cops shut down the play in 2005, contending that the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center didn't have a proper theater license. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics111408.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics111408.html?17283 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:41:00 CST The Milwaukee Common Council Licenses Committee wants to crack down on continued violence and disturbances in front of area dance clubs. Two of the clubs targeted are the Ladybug Club Downtown and Rain in Walker's Point. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom110708.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom110708.html?17211 Fri, 7 Nov 2008 05:25:00 CST Milwaukee aldermen resorted to some intriguing attempts at snipping expenses from the city budget. Some of the more creative ideas were axing the city's official weather forecaster and cutting books from the library. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics110508.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics110508.html?17171 Wed, 5 Nov 2008 11:44:00 CST Four more days and the ads will end. What will commercial watchers do? It was a political season in which there seemed to be so many Obama or McCain pitches that they were an incessant intrusion on our television viewing. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom1030108.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/hissom1030108.html?17132 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:39:00 CST It's always nice to be able to police yourself. Just ask the Milwaukee Police Department union brass. The union has filed a lawsuit challenging the new process the city uses to hear citizen complaints against cops. The Fire and Police Commission started the new method in April after the state Supreme Court found flaws in the previous plan, mainly because it allowed police to police themselves. http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics102908.html http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/politics102908.html?17105 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:24:00 CST