Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
April 20, 2004
Ghosts of scandals past linger as new leaders take charge
FBI investigation leaves many wondering about council as Barrett inaugural dawns
Author: GREG J. BOROWSKI; gborowski@journalsentinel.com, Journal Sentinel
Edition: Final
Section: A News
Page: 1
Article Text:
On a day focused on Milwaukee's future, Mayor-elect Tom Barrett and the 15 aldermen to be sworn in today will be dealing with the ghost of past City Hall scandals.
Barrett and Ald. Willie Hines, expected to be elected council president today, said Monday they hope the latest FBI investigation -- into an alleged bribe taken by an unnamed alderman -- will be resolved quickly, so doubt does not taint the new council.
"When I saw the headline, I thought, 'We don't need another one,' " Barrett said. "It's something nobody in city government wants to see happen."
Barrett, who ran on a clean-up-City Hall theme, said the investigation gives new urgency to passing tougher ethics rules.
During the past term, three aldermen were sent to federal prison -- two on charges of misusing campaign funds and one for misusing federal block grant money. The term was also marked by sexual harassment allegations against then-Mayor John O. Norquist, who left office in January for a new job.
The latest investigation became known last week when a Milwaukee bar owner was charged with bribing an alderman.
Hines is confident the alderman in question is not a part of the new council, and said whoever is being targeted should consider identifying themselves now to remove doubt from the others. He also said the timing of the matter threatens to tarnish the day.
"But it won't succeed," Hines said. "We'll have a great day, a great inaugural, and we will build on the energy that is created."
The formal program begins today at 1:30 p.m., on a stage outside City Hall, 200 E. Wells St. The Milwaukee Children's Choir will begin performing around 1 p.m.
Acting Mayor Marvin Pratt, whom Barrett defeated in the April 6 election, is expected to attend the ceremony. He and Barrett are to walk out of City Hall together at the start of the program.
The two met last week for the first time since the election, which showed a sharp racial split among city voters -- with most blacks backing Pratt and most whites supporting Barrett. Pratt has blamed media coverage of his campaign finance problems and other stumbles for his defeat.
Dignitaries expected to attend include U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, U.S. Rep. Gerald Kleczka and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. Gov. Jim Doyle is unable to attend, though he is sending several cabinet members.
Barrett transition spokesman Joel Brennan said local elected officials, such as state lawmakers and county supervisors, were among the many who were sent invitations. The event is open to the public.
Barrett will be sworn in by Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Louis Butler. The invocation will be delivered by Father Charles Schramm, pastor at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Barrett's parish.
The benediction will be by Pastor Mark Jeske of St. Marcus Evangelical Lutheran Church. The national anthem, as well as "Lift Every Voice and Sing," will be sung by Sheri Pannell.
During a meeting Monday with several city department heads, Barrett was told that maintaining city operations at current levels would cost about $36 million more next year.
That means significant cuts will have to be found to keep the 2005 budget in line with Barrett's pledge to limit property taxes. He advocates following state Republicans' version of a "freeze," which allows some levy growth to reflect new development.
"I'm sure there are some who don't like the levy freeze position," Barrett said of department heads. "But the position remains."
Barrett said many department heads have indicated that they wish to remain in their posts, but he noted "some changes will be made."
Charges a surprise
Barrett said he was surprised to learn of the federal investigation into a Milwaukee alderman as part of an alleged bribery scheme. Last week, Anderson D. McWillie, owner of AD's Clubhouse, was charged with bribing an alderman in exchange for protection of his liquor license.
The alderman, however, was not named. Nor were two other bars that an unnamed middleman told authorities were part of the scheme.
That led some aldermen last week to call for U.S. Attorney Steve Biskupic to say whether the alderman is a returning or departing council member. Biskupic declined.
While he said he hopes the matter is resolved quickly, Barrett noted that the timetable was up to Biskupic: "I'm not going to criticize the U.S. attorney. He's got a job to do. I assume he will do it appropriately."
Hines and others, though, said it is frustrating to have renewed doubt cast on City Hall -- especially if the alderman has already been turned out by voters or is otherwise leaving office.
"I'm very confident the new investigation will have no bearing on the '04 council members," Hines said.
A preliminary hearing in McWillie's case has been set for Thursday.
"The next move is up to the U.S. attorney's office," said Waring R. Fincke, a West Bend lawyer who has been appointed by the Federal Defender Service to represent McWillie.
Fincke refused to discuss the case further and would not say if his client is in negotiations with the U.S. attorney.
In 2000, the council voted 16-0 to suspend McWillie's bar's license for 30 days. In 2002, Ald. Marlene Johnson-Odom, who represented the neighborhood, had it scheduled for a hearing before the Utilities and Licenses Committee. The license was renewed despite objections from some neighbors.
"There should be closure, so those (aldermen) coming in don't have a cloud hanging over their heads on this," said Johnson-Odom, who was defeated in the April 6 election. "I think they should stop playing around with this."
