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Content referencing Gary Dobbert

Murphy’s Law: Karen Ordinans’ Role in Shaping the Pension Plan
Murphy’s Law

Karen Ordinans’ Role in Shaping the Pension Plan

One of the remarkable stories in local government is the continuing survival of County Board chair Karen Ordinans.

Murphy’s Law: Why Unions Don’t Like Scott Walker
Murphy’s Law

Why Unions Don’t Like Scott Walker

Given that Jim Ryan has not closed the door completely on privatizing some government functions, you might wonder why he was endorsed by labor for county executive.

Murphy’s Law: Dobbert’s Folly: How His Errors Will Cost Taxpayers More
Murphy’s Law

Dobbert’s Folly: How His Errors Will Cost Taxpayers More

It was sometime in the winter of 1999/2000 that Gary Dobbert went to a conference on the West Coast where he learned about pension plans with a lump sum pay out.

Murphy’s Law: Why Ament Will Lose And How Taxpayers Will Suffer
Murphy’s Law

Why Ament Will Lose And How Taxpayers Will Suffer

Tom Ament's suit against the recall petitions will probably fail. That's the prediction of George Dunst, legal counsel for the state elections board.

Murphy’s Law: Can Falk And Thompson Play Spoilers in the Governor’s Race?
Murphy’s Law

Can Falk And Thompson Play Spoilers in the Governor’s Race?

I'm hard pressed to think of a more interesting state race than the upcoming campaign for governor.

Murphy’s Law: Ament’s Sweetheart Insurance Deal For An Old Crony
Murphy’s Law

Ament’s Sweetheart Insurance Deal For An Old Crony

Accusations about cronyism in the Ament administration just keep coming.

Murphy’s Law: The Real Story Behind The Sheriff’s Departure
Murphy’s Law

The Real Story Behind The Sheriff’s Departure

There is bad smell surrounding the retirement of Sheriff Lev Baldwin.

Murphy’s Law: How Ament Prevented Any Research of the Pension Plan
Murphy’s Law

How Ament Prevented Any Research of the Pension Plan

Over and over the question has recurred: why would county supervisors, most of whom will not get the more lucrative pension payoff for veteran workers, approve this deal?

Murphy’s Law: Did Ament’s Aides Conspire to Replace the Chair of Personnel?
Murphy’s Law

Did Ament’s Aides Conspire to Replace the Chair of Personnel?

Did Tom Ament's aides scheme to replace the chair of the county board's personnel committee so they could get their blockbuster pension plan passed?

Murphy’s Law: How Gary Dobbert’s Buddies Got Yet Another Pension Benefit
Murphy’s Law

How Gary Dobbert’s Buddies Got Yet Another Pension Benefit

It's hard to believe there could be any more scandal associated with the Milwaukee County, but it turns out there was yet another group of insiders handed a neat pension boost by the administration of County Executive F. Thomas Ament.

Murphy’s Law: What Karen Ordinans Really Thought About Ament’s Pension
Murphy’s Law

What Karen Ordinans Really Thought About Ament’s Pension

It’s been amusing to hear County Board chair Karen Ordinans declare her outrage about the county pension plan.

Murphy’s Law: How The County’s Pension Fund Grew And Benefited A Few
Murphy’s Law

How The County’s Pension Fund Grew And Benefited A Few

Last year was a terrible year for stock funds, but it wasn't so bad for Milwaukee County's pension fund.

Murphy’s Law: How Tom Ament Gave Himself a Golden Parachute
Murphy’s Law

How Tom Ament Gave Himself a Golden Parachute

Observers have often described county government as an "old boy's club," where veteran politicos and long-term county employees get preferential treatment.