Abele voices late opposition to War Memorial Center deal

Abele voices late opposition to War Memorial Center deal

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A plan initiated by the Milwaukee County Board to help fund and support the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center and the Milwaukee Art Museum could be at risk just as the deal was getting done.The plan includes funding to not only improve both facilities, but the services they provide.County Executive Chris Abele pulled some of the funding the groups agreed upon and voiced late opposition to the plan in general.Supervisor Gerry Broderick, Chairman of the Parks Committee and former Art Museum Board member, is concerned about what this will mean for the future of the extremely popular museum.“Failure to come together on this agreement puts the half-billion dollar publically-owned art collection at risk,” Broderick said. “The proposed privately-funded expansion of the museum itself could also be at stake.”“This puts new services for veterans at the War Memorial in jeopardy,” Supervisor John Weishan, Jr.

Crest of USS Milwaukee unveiled, ship now under construction

Crest of USS Milwaukee unveiled, ship now under construction

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee dignitaries and members of the United States Navy unveiled the crest of the USS Milwaukee at the Discovery World museum on Tuesday, May 14th.The USS Milwaukee is being built in Marinette right now.

County Executive Abele vetoes County Board reform plan

County Executive Abele vetoes County Board reform plan

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has vetoed a Milwaukee County Board reform plan.The plan was approved by the Milwaukee County Board one week ago, by a 15-3 vote.The reform package would have cut Board Supervisors’ salaries by 20%, staff by 50% and the Board’s budget by 50%.Under the reform package, Supervisors’ terms would have been cut from four years to two beginning with the new term in 2016.The package included other measures, such as the requirement of an efficiency audit for all levels of County government and use of a mediator to enforce those efficiencies.In a statement, Abele cited three main concerns and reasons for his veto:

Co. Exec. Chris Abele announces energy saving challenge

Co. Exec. Chris Abele announces energy saving challenge

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- County Executive Chris Abele is announcing an Earth Day initiative to lower energy usage in county buildings, a move that will help the environment and save tax dollars.The “Kill-a-Watt” Challenge kicks off Monday, April 22nd countywide, with a goal of reducing electricity use per square foot by at least two percent over the next six months.

Milwaukee County Board's budget will be cut by 50%

Milwaukee County Board's budget will be cut by 50%

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee County Board’s budget will be cut by 50 percent under a bold new set of initiatives proposed before an “Our Milwaukee County” listening session Thursday night, April 18th.The major initiative includes but is not limited to government streamlining, mandatory training for County Supervisors to clarify roles and responsibilities in County governance.“This comprehensive package is the kind of bold reform our constituents asked for during the ‘OUR Milwaukee County’ sessions and various town hall meetings across the County,” said Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic. “We’ve had listening sessions in more than half of the County, and Milwaukee County residents want to see reform done locally, not imposed on the County by the state Legislature.

Assembly committee votes to approve County Board reform bill

Assembly committee votes to approve County Board reform bill

MADISON (WITI) -- An Assembly committee on Thursday, April 11th voted 6-3 to approve the bi-partisan Milwaukee County Board reform bill.The debate over whether the Milwaukee County Board should be downsized moved to Madison on April 10th.

New House of Correction superintendent cannot get access to building

New House of Correction superintendent cannot get access to building

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee County Board has approved a new superintendent for the Milwaukee County House of Correction -- but this new leader still cannot get into the building, due to the ongoing conflict between Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke and County Executive Chris Abele.On Tuesday afternoon, March 12th, the Milwaukee County Board voted 12-4 to name Michael Hafemann as the superintendent of the House of Correction as of Wednesday.

Job fair for veterans to be held in downtown Milwaukee

Job fair for veterans to be held in downtown Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has announced a Job Fair for Military Veterans will be held on Thursday, March 7th at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.This is the ninth and largest job fair put on by the Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office.More than 70 companies including Pepsi, FedEx Express, WE Energies and the Milwaukee County Parks Department will be on hand interviewing and hiring veterans.

TEXT: County Exec. Chris Abele's State of the County Address

TEXT: County Exec. Chris Abele's State of the County Address

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele on Monday, February 11th delivered his State of the County address in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi introduced Abele, who then provided the following remarks:"Thank you Mayor Scaffidi for the introduction.

Activists to protest possible evisceration of County Board Monday

Activists to protest possible evisceration of County Board Monday

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Activists opposed to the corporate takeover of the Milwaukee County government will attend County Executive Chris Abele’s State of the County Address on Monday, February 11th to express community outrage over the possible evisceration of the County Board.A proposal to cut the Milwaukee County Board has stirred controversy.