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March 2005 Bay View Compass Editorial
Dear Bay View Compass Readers,
I would like to update you on some important issues that are happening in Milwaukee County. As an original co-sponsor of the Park East Redevelopment Compact, or the PERC, it is my pleasure to announce that the Requests for Proposals for development on the Park East lands have been released. Interested developers have until April 15, 2005 to respond to these requests. This is very important for Milwaukee County and our local economy because we will soon see new development in the Park East which will provide family-supporting jobs for local residents of our community. This is an investment for our future and will help expand the City's tax base once the infrastructure costs have been paid.
In addition, I have received a lot of communication on the possibility of the berth of the USS Des Moines Heavy Cruiser on our lakefront. At the Parks & Energy and Environment Committee Meeting which I attended on Tuesday March 1, 2005 the local supporters of this project withdrew their proposal completely for the Veterans Park location. The County Board will not take action on this location and the group of supporters is actively pursuing another site on Milwaukee's Lakefront, however their time to create an actual berth of the heavy cruiser is limited.
Lastly, a legislative initiative to restore the Milwaukee County Parks Department and the Public Works Department as two separate entities has been introduced. Last year before the elections, the Walker Administration pushed forth an aggressive initiative to merge the two Departments together as separate divisions under one department known as the Department of Parks and Public Infrastructure. This was touted as a large, cost-savings measure, however the true savings will be determined in a county audit due this June. Some County Supervisors have said that this merger never worked because of the Walker Administration's failure to appoint two key positions of the DPPI Director and the Superintendent of Transportation-two positions which are currently vacant. There are some parts of the merger which have worked such as the Parks and Highways combining snow removal functions to operate more efficiently for the residents of Milwaukee County. This issue goes to the full County Board on March 17th and will most likely see some debate. I hope this information has been helpful to you and if you have any further questions or comments please feel free, as always to contact my office at 278-4232.
Your Milwaukee County Supervisor Marina Dimitrijevic
MILWAUKEE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Courthouse Room 201, 901 North 9th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233
PHONE: 414-278-4232 FAX: 414-223-1380
Page last updated 07-19-05
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