I'm voting for Chris Abele for Milwaukee County Executive.
Four points:
1. As to State Rep. Jeff Stone, (R-Greendale): I very much do not want to see him usher in another four years of Scott Walker's hallmark degradation of County assets, disinterest in public services and dismissal of the valid mission of government.
Stone's cheap attack on democracy as lead sponsor of a noxious, unnecessary and blatantly partisan voter ID bill is reason enough to turn aside his candidacy.
2. As to former State Sen. Jim Sullivan: This is a primary choice but not meant as a slap at him in any way. I want him and his supporters to know that, and I will understand if that's not meant to be.
3. Abele strikes me as the best choice given what is coming down the pike from Walker and the Republican majority in the legislature where Stone has been a GOP team player for years.
This is the moment for the reins at the Courthouse to be taken by someone who will, with independence, confront the County's myriad fiscal and institutional problems.
Abele has been an involved and generous force in the community. He will bring that experience to the political environment along with fresh eyes and ears - - absolutely what taxpayers need and rightfully demand.
The political and financial times require effective alliances with City Hall, with business, labor and non-profits that can help the County and the next Executive with innovative, dedicated, tireless and inclusive decision-making.
Chris Abele is the person with the right combination of spirit, mindset and background to bring about that cooperation, and to have available the best advice and talent for a County government on the brink and with a hostile state government 80 miles up the road.
4. For the record, no candidate asked me for an endorsement, no one asked me to write this and I will repost it again early next week before Tuesday's balloting.
Do you have any idea how sweetly predictable (and ironic) this endorsement is?
ReplyDelete1. Of course you are supporting Abele - so is Mayor Barrett. As an Enviro and sometimes pundit, you continue to need access.
2. You're on the Board of Institute for One Wisconsin, which has received money from Abele's foundation ($25k in 2007. I didn't bother to check 2008 and 2009 filings).
(side note here, how awesome is it that OWN criticized Wall and Johnson for being uber-rich? I didn't miss the criticisms of Abele for benefitting from the hard work of his father in the same manner they criticized Johnson, did I?)
(another side note, how awesome is it that OWN can't bring itself to criticize one of it's benefactors for manipulating the tax code the way they did with T Wall?)
Supporting someone who wants to privatize county services and get rid of county government?
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if the guy had a college degree. It will diminish our ability to whack Walker for the same lack of education.
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