“City politicians call Chicago a national model for how to involve the public in real estate development debates. But the view from the streets of the city’s neighborhoods is markedly different.
When a longtime homeowner tried to speak up at the only City Council hearing on a project in his Far North Side neighborhood, aldermen threatened to toss him from the room for trying to ask questions.”
This article in the Chicago Tribune is part 5 of the ongoing “Neighborhoods for Sale” series, and highlights similar problems to what’s happening in Milwaukee. It documents an insiders’, pay-to-play game in which favored developers, architects and lawyers get their way with zoning changes.
Sound familiar? Anyone in city of Milwaukee who is looking to battle a large development (think Prospect Ave or dorms) should read this article. Issues of traffic, parking, viewshed and sun blocking are all referenced, as are other Milwaukee problems, such as lack of notification of residents required by law, and political donations used to influence aldermen in their decisions.
Because of the influence of money on Alders, I fully support local campaign finance reform, including limiting donations to people who live within the district. Additionally, I think capping the total money that can be spent is necessary to avoid buying the vote by doing the most mailings. Let those who want to win, go out and knock on doors and talk to the residents. It shouldn’t be about raising money, unless, that is, you aren’t planning on representing your constituents.
21 Aug 2008 | 7:49 pm | Development, Representation, 3rd District | No comments yet - Add your comments
3rd District Town Hall meeting on UWM Dorms, July 29, 2008
From the Chalk Board:
What’s the rush? Wait for Master Plan
Dorms Downtown (all)
Engineering School Dtown (all)
Protect River Corridor (all agree)
Better public Transportation
“Code of Conduct” expectations/ agreement
Chapter 17 & 18 changes * Fast
Increase Minority Enrollment – Reach out into inner city (west of Holton) Pabst, Tower Automotive
Explain how UWM is taxed
Limit size/beds as sites dictate
So Milwaukee: Drinking Overlay Zone
What is the TRUE need & timeline for beds/sites
Temporary Enrollment Cap?
Are “Buffer Zones” effective for UWM locations
Has Riverview existed long enough to judge true impact?
Adeq. Parking – it’s site dependent
Green Built
Do dorms residents get a night parking permit?
Why/what proof do they need 1,500 beds?
What about UWM’s Lake Dr. properties for dorms?
Comments from index cards:
- No moratorium on dorms! Why do we treat students like an enemy and not an asset?
- Concerns and Expectations: - Protect River corridor and viewshed -“green building” - adequate parking and public transportation - reasonable “code of conduct” expectations for students - university oversight over conduct with penalties for noncompliance -community input on location, design, and compliance
- Criteria for sit selection: It’s very important that the site be buffered from existing residential neighborhoods. Noise, litter, student foot & car traffic can be very disruptive.
- Comments and Concerns :
- Impact on environment with construction & then occupancy
- Traffic impacts, parking for residents and visitors
- Building design that will compliment the neighborhood it is built in
- Construction lead the way with “green” building materials and maintenance
- Better communication and interaction with UWM planners and neighbors in the development site/sites. Follow the vision/planning of SE WI Regional Planning Commission in preserving the river corridor.
I’m endorsing Nik Kovac for Milwaukee 3rd District Alderman, along with Jennifer Morales and many of my other supporters. Here are just some of the reasons why:
- Nik Kovac is a leader, challenging Mike D’Amato when he was expected to run for re-election. Conversely, Patrick Flaherty told me he last year that he would only run if D’Amato stepped down.
- Nik is progressive. He’s thoughtful on big issues and I’m excited about his ability to bring a new way of thinking to politics in Milwaukee. We’re not going to solve our problems with the same kind of thinking that got us into trouble. Nik will bring us new solutions.
- Nik doesn’t waste money on massive mailings, and he promises the same wise use of our tax dollars.
- Nik has run a clean, positive campaign.
- Nik’s campaign is fueled by the people, not big money or political insiders
- Nik Kovac is smart, honest and trustworthy.
- Nik is educated and involved on local issues. He’s the only candidate that I’ve seen at neighborhood meetings, city planning meetings, development hearings, student groups, environmental meetings. He’s involved in Urban Agriculture, Food Policy, Milwaukee River Preservation, Historic Preservation, Riverwest Neighborhood Association, etc.
- Nik is Local. He was born and raised on the East Side, and he lives in Riverwest. Unlike his opponent, he’s involved in his neighborhood association, his block club, his church and volunteers teaching chess to high school students.
- Nik cares about all of Milwaukee. He attends Community Brainstormers meetings at St. Matthew’s Church on 9th and Chambers because he cares about all the problems in the city, including segregation, economic development and public education.
- Nik has committed to local campaign finance reform, which we desperately need to ensure that aldermanic races can’t be bought by the highest bidder. Votes should come because a candidate is participating in a broad range of community concerns, not just because they can afford to pour tens of thousands of dollars into a mail-blitz campaign.
- Nik is endorsed by the people: environmentalists, artists, teachers, business owners, bicyclists, LGBT community members, and those who believe that local power should remain in the hands of the people.
Please join me in supporting Nik Kovac for Milwaukee’s East Side, Riverwest and Brady St. Alderman, and vote on Tuesday, April 1. Find out where you vote here
30 Mar 2008 | 8:05 pm | 3rd District | No comments yet - Add your comments
Universal health care is a national issue. right? I’d argue it’s a people issue. But what can local leadership in a city provide?
San Francisco is the first city to offer Universal Health Care. Milwaukee could do the same. Enrollment fees range on a sliding scale from $3 to $201. The focus is on providing care to people in the city — it’s not insurance that travels out of the area.
Financing comes mainly from the city, which is using its high emergency care costs to offset preventative and managed care. Here are two articles on the topic.
San Francisco to Offer Care for Uninsured Adults
San Francisco’s Latest Innovation: Universal Health Care
1 Nov 2007 | 8:09 am | Health | No comments yet - Add your comments
From a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article on Oct. 16:
“Among the 50 largest U.S. cities, only Detroit had a higher unemployment rate than Milwaukee in August, according to a new study at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.”
“Compared with other large cities, Milwaukee has a low rate of college-educated residents and a high degree of segregation, which places central-city job-seekers away from suburban job growth, Levine said.”
We are fortunate that we have a very high rate of education in the 3rd District, but we need strong leadership to work on creating more jobs, particularly in the central city. Kudos to those businesses that employ people with criminal records and help them become participating citizens.
22 Oct 2007 | 7:54 pm | Economic Development | Read 1 comment - Add your comments
Bill Sell, an avid bicyclist, sent me this video, about different kinds of bike lanes, making streets safer in NYC. Why not apply some of these principals in Milwaukee? What do you think? Continue reading ‘Supporting Bicyclists / Reducing Automobile traffic’
9 Sep 2007 | 4:42 pm | Streets, Bicycles, Pedestrians | No comments yet - Add your comments
