Chris Abele takes oath of office for second term; vows to focus more on inner city neighborhoods

MILWAUKEE -- After taking the oath of office on Monday, May 2, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele made a pledge to fight racial disparities in Milwaukee's most troubled neighborhoods.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele sworn in for second term

"I don`t believe that you`ve been getting as much of that urgency from us as you should," Abele said during a ceremony at the county-owned Moody Park. "I want to change that."

Milwaukee County officials spent $2 million to tear down a dilapidated swimming pool and open Moody Park at 22nd and Burleigh streets in 2015. It has become a source of pride for the surrounding community, neighbors said.

Abele was re-elected to a second four-year term in April. He secured 56 percent of the vote in a campaign against state Sen. Chris Larson.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele

The county executive said he would remain focused on Milwaukee County and is not planning to run for governor in 2018. Abele, who holds a nonpartisan office but identifies as a Democrat, has routinely been on a short list of potential gubernatorial candidates.

"I joked with a friend about taking out a billboard saying, 'I`m Chris Abele and I`m not running for governor. I approve this message,'" he said, adding that he would "sign an affidavit" if it would help prove his point.

Moody Park is situated in the Amani neighborhood, where Abele said Monday that crime had decreased by 21 percent over three years despite a spike in violence elsewhere on Milwaukee's north side.

Arlene Patterson has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years. She was thankful for the improvements, but said the area has 273 vacant homes and neighbors want more help from police.

Arlene Patterson

"It`s not a fast-paced thing that people do. You have to work together collectively and pull the residents out," Patterson said. "This is a resident-driven community. We have to let people know they are somebody and they do count in this community."

Patterson said she feels Abele will make good on his commitment to the neighborhoods.

Abele said his efforts to combat racial disparities will start in the 53206 zip code on Milwaukee's north side. One of his top priorities will be launching the newly created Office of American Affairs.

The county board approved the new office, but questions remain about whether it operate under Abele's control or as a separate agency.

Milwaukee County Board Chairman Theo Lipscomb

"One of the concerns that still exists is, how independent the office will be?" Milwaukee County Board Chairman Theo Lipscomb said. "Will the office have the freedom to tell the county executive when he's wrong?"

Lipscomb and Abele have said, despite disagreements and a current lawsuit between the board and county executive, they can find areas of agreement. Poverty and job-training efforts are two examples, Lipscomb said.

Lipscomb has refiled a lawsuit against Abele, asking a judge to decide whether Abele has the authority to provide pay raises to county employees and whether the executive can be compelled to attend county board meetings.

Maxine White, chief judge of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, and new Milwaukee Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton praised Abele during Monday's event.

Before administering the oath of office, White told Abele "it's not going to be your last one, because you're not leaving (the county courthouse) before me."

There is an upcoming public input session on the Office of African-American Affairs.

That will take place on Wednesday, May 18th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Community of Grace Baptist Church at 1809 W. Atkinson Avenue in Milwaukee.

The event is free and open to the public.

CLICK HERE to RSVP.