ISSUES - 2004 MILWAUKEE MAYORAL CANDIDATES
(Article written 9-13-03)

Economic Development of the Inner City should be at the top of each of the declared candidates platform.

To the point it is not there, speaks volume of what the stakeholders can expect from the Mayoral candidates.

On Saturday, August 30, 2003, Campaign Neighborhood - CFNBA hosted its first of two Mayoral Forums.

There were eight(8) of eleven declared candidates for Mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin present. They were:

* Vincent Bobot................Municipal Judge
* Frank Cumberbatch......Lobbyist
* Sandy Folaron...............Entrepreneur
* Martin Matson................City of Milwaukee
* Thomas Nadelli..............Alderman(current)
* Ramon Pauli..................Pilot
* Matthew Pietz................Security Guard
* John Pitta......................Milwaukee Public Schools Teacher

Of those declared, but not present, were:

* Thomas Barrett.......Candidate for Governor and Former U.S.
Congressman
* Pedro Colon...........State Assemblyman
* Marvin Pratt...........Common Council
President

There is speculation that Sheriff David Clarke and Police Chief Arthur Jones will enter the race. For sure, the field is diverse.

On February 17, 2004, Primary Election, the voters in Milwaukee will make history. It has been 17 years since there was change in the Mayor's seat.

It is imperative that residential and commercial stakeholders in the Inner City of Milwaukee take a close look at the following:

* what the candidates are saying

* what they were doing before the candidacy

* what ''specifics'' they can point to that they have a ''track record'' in

* how recent is their ''track record'' being pointed to

* how often they have been seen in the Inner City before the candidacy

* where they live

* where they work

* who are some of their supporters(if
present or past elected official)

* what have they ''specifically''
brought to the Inner City(if present or past office holder)

* how inclusive are their commitments to ''making a radical difference''
economically in the Inner City

* how they view the relation of the
crime issue in the Inner City to the
joblessness and education attainment
in the Inner City

* how they refer to the ''small
neighborhood businesses'' vs
''corporate america''

* who is referred to and/or
considered ''leaders of Milwaukee''

* what specific accountability changes
are mentioned that are needed for
the spending of CDBG money

* how they will seek to change
the ''buddy-buddy'' system use of CDBG
dollars

* how they will seek change in
the ''LEAD AGENCY/CDBG''
stranglehold

* how they speak about ''social
responsibility'' of financial
institutions in the Inner City

* how they speak about ''social
responsibility'' of big box
retailers and developers gaining
federal millions and tax
incentives

* how they see ''partnerships'' being
created between large, medium and
small organizatons

* job creation within the city

* how they view the recent
joblessnes, ''Stealth'' report from
Dr. Marc Levine.

* what their cabinet will look like;
especially,
................the Department of City
Development
................Department of Public
Works
................Department of Neighborhood Services
................Department of
Administration and Community Block
Grant
................Fire and Police Commission

and ALL the various committees; i.e., Board of Zoning and Appeals.

Continue to PART II........