Judge dismisses lawsuit against Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele

MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee County judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the county board chairman against the county executive.Judge William Sosnay said Monday, February 29th only the county board can sue unless supervisors adopt a resolution directing its chairman to act on their behalf.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele won't be able to attend public hearing on Domes

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele says he will not be able to make a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday evening, February 24th to discuss the future of the Mitchell Park Domes.Abele said in a statement Tuesday, February 23rd that he will not be at the public hearing due to a previously scheduled commitment in his role as treasurer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Board of Governors.Abele said he regrets that he cannot personally attend the hearing -- but said he knows Milwaukee County will be well-represented at the hearing.In advance of the hearing, Abele said this in a statement:

Milwaukee County to reopen "Show Dome" by May 1st, other Domes later

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County officials say the hope is that all three of the Mitchell Park Domes will reopen by year's end -- but it is going to take time, and a lot of money.The Arid (desert) Dome was closed on January 29th -- after a fallen chunk of concrete was discovered.

Race for Milwaukee county executive: Chris Abele, Chris Larson to meet for debate

MILWAUKEE -- The candidates for Milwaukee county executive will meet Monday, February 22nd for the first of what will likely be several debates.The Public Policy Forum is hosting incumbent Chris Abele and Senator Chris Larson at the Italian Conference Center on Monday morning.They say the focus of the debate will be on Milwaukee County Parks, transit and mental health -- among other topics.Larson beat Abele in the primary by just 700 votes.The general election is on April 5th.

People who need a ride to register to vote could get it from MCTS

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) announced a program on Thursday, February 11th that will provide free, smart card bus passes for people who need a ride to register to vote or to receive identification documents necessary to vote.MCTS developed a grant process to allow community groups and non-profit organizations already engaged in promoting voter registration, and voter IDs to obtain MCTS bus passes for distribution through their programs.The program is only for organizations who will then administer the passes.

Four candidates for Milwaukee county executive debate ahead of spring primary

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- Candidates for Milwaukee county executive took part in a debate on Thursday, February 4th ahead of the spring primary election.Incumbent Chris Abele, Senator Chris Larson, Steve Hogan and Joe Klein participated in the debate, held at the Washington Park Senior Center.One of the major topics discussed was the power held by the county executive, including changes made in the most recent budget.A controversial change was the county executive's ability to sell public land that wasn't zoned as "park land.""I'll restore American-style checks and balances so our heritage, our legacy cannot be sold off by one county executive," Larson said."I won't sell the airport.

"State of emergency:" Milwaukee County to pursue alternative to Lincoln Hills youth prison

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County supervisors have voted to release $500,000 to seek alternative housing for offenders held at the state's troubled youth prison.The unanimous vote Thursday, February 4th declares a state of emergency at the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake facilities, which are under investigation for alleged abuse by staffers.The plan includes suggestions from Milwaukee County Chief Judge Maxine Aldridge White, who sent a letter supporting immediate action to the board of supervisors and to County Executive Chris Abele.The judge says young people sentenced to the Irma youth prisons aren't getting appropriate care.

Sheriff Clarke files lawsuit against Chris Abele, claims violation of First Amendment rights

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke has filed a lawsuit against Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.The lawsuit claims his First Amendment rights were violated by Abele.Sheriff Clarke believes Abele cut his budget in retaliation for public comments made by Sheriff Clarke.The lawsuit was filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court last week.

County Executive race: Chris Larson accuses Chris Abele of endangering county parks

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) and candidate for Milwaukee County Executive is accusing County Executive Chris Abele of endangering public parks.Larson held a press conference on Monday, February 1st to announce legislation aimed at rolling back changes made by Abele.Last year, Abele gained the ability to sell public land, including parks, the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee County Zoo without a public hearing.

Internal poll: Chris Abele leads Chris Larson in Milwaukee County executive race

MILWAUKEE – A poll conducted for Milwaukee County Executive candidate Chris Larson shows he’s trailing incumbent Chris Abele by double-digits in the race, although Larson’s team pointed to potential opportunities in the results.Abele holds a 36-23 percent lead in the poll, with 40 percent of the voters still undecided three weeks before the primary election.