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Monday, February 27, 2012

According to County Supervisor Michael Mayo - ADDRESS IGNORES MILWAUKEE COUNTY’S POLICYMAKING PROCESS


Milwaukee County Supervisor Michael Mayo, Sr., 7th District
1st Vice-Chair, County Board

For Immediate Release February 27, 2012
Contact: Harold Mester, Public Information Manager
414/278-4051 or harold.mester@milwcnty.com

ADDRESS IGNORES MILWAUKEE COUNTY’S POLICYMAKING PROCESS

Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee County Supervisor Michael Mayo, Sr., released the following statement in response to County Executive Chris Abele’s State of the County address:

“Although the County Executive laid out some of his ideas for the future of Milwaukee County, he did not express any desire to work with the County Board to achieve his goals. We are here to set policy and help do what’s right for the residents and taxpayers. This is not a weak Board, but we like to work together. I hope the County Executive understands that he needs to work with us to get things done.

“I read the transcript of the County Executive’s speech to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Although he did mention that he will work with the City of Milwaukee, the State of Wisconsin, UWM, the Milwaukee 7, and MMAC, not once did he say that he will partner with the County Board, which is the legislative branch of County government. My colleagues and I set policy for Milwaukee County, and many of us are happy to sit down with the County Executive and work together. But, it sounds as though this County Executive is ready to work with everyone but the County Board.”

“As for his comments on economic development, it’s amazing that the County Executive would give the entire kitchen sink to Kohl’s. Make no mistake; we are looking to bring jobs to the Park East, but how can you give away something that we don’t really have to give? Giving Kohl’s $5 million of infrastructure improvements at no charge would exceed our bonding cap and add to Milwaukee County’s debt load. We have a struggling transit system, but the County Executive wanted to give away free bus passes to Kohl’s employees. I invite the County Executive to work more closely with the Board on economic development so we can develop creative ideas together.

“Let’s be good stewards with our money. We want to bring economic development to Milwaukee County, but we can’t give away the whole store while ignoring our structural problems. The County Board has been working with the County Executive to solve these ongoing challenges. Let’s be a team to move Milwaukee County forward. When we work together, we can accomplish a lot.”

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Supervisor Michael Mayo Name correction in title: February 28, 2012

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