Council Could Reject Interim Health Leader
Eight aldermen question legality of Nannis appointment to run Health Department.
The blowback from the problems discovered in the city’s Health Department continue.
Following the resignation of Health Commissioner Bevan K. Baker, Mayor Tom Barrett announced the appointment of Paul Nannis. Nannis, who created the now-troubled lead abatement program under Mayor John Norquist while serving as commissioner, left the city in 1998. Barrett has appointed Nannis for a period of no longer than 120 days, and Nannis has said he has no intention of sticking around longer than that.
The appointment hasn’t been met with approval from a number of members of the Common Council. The Public Safety and Health Committee rejected the appointment on a 3-1 vote last week, with aldermen Robert Donovan, Mark Borkowski and Jose G. Perez voting in opposition. Ald. Terry Witkowski voted for Nannis, while Ald. Chantia Lewis abstained.
The appointment will go before the full council next week, but before that can happen Nannis finds himself in hot water. Eight council members signed a letter Monday morning requesting the City Attorney’s opinion on the legality of Nannis working at the Health Department before he is formally appointed.
The controversial appointment isn’t the only iron the council has in the fire. The Public Works Committee held a two-hour hearing into lead water problems last week, before holding a series of pending resolutions while awaiting more details. The Health Department’s primary abatement focus is on lead paint, but the issue of lead laterals and its impact on water quality is also at issue.
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More about the Lead Crisis
- MTEA Statement on Lead Exposure in MPS Buildings - Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association - Apr 30th, 2025
- Statement from Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez on Lead Hazards in MPS Buildings - Sup. Juan Miguel Martinez - Apr 29th, 2025
- MPS Closing Two More Schools For Lead Hazards - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 28th, 2025
- Milwaukee Public Schools Enters New Phase of Lead Cleanup - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 28th, 2025
- What To Know and How To Keep Kids Safe From Lead Poisoning - Evan Casey - Apr 25th, 2025
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Senator Tammy Baldwin Urge HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Reinstate Childhood Lead Poisoning Experts at CDC, Push for Approval of Milwaukee’s Request for Federal Assistance - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Apr 23rd, 2025
- MPS’s Fernwood School to Reopen Following Lead Remediation Work - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 22nd, 2025
- Milwaukee School Board May Sue Paint Companies Over Lead Crisis - Evan Casey - Apr 19th, 2025
- Trump Administration Axed Federal Employees Needed for MPS Lead Crisis - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 14th, 2025
- New MPS Superintendent Dumps Beleaguered Facilities Director - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 3rd, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
Political Contributions Tracker
Displaying political contributions between people mentioned in this story. Learn more.
- December 13, 2018 - José G. Pérez received $50 from Mark Borkowski
- August 18, 2017 - Tom Barrett received $100 from Paul Nannis
- February 23, 2017 - Tom Barrett received $100 from Paul Nannis
- March 30, 2016 - Tom Barrett received $100 from Bevan K. Baker
- January 20, 2016 - José G. Pérez received $50 from Paul Nannis
- January 14, 2016 - Terry Witkowski received $50 from Paul Nannis
- September 21, 2015 - José G. Pérez received $50 from Terry Witkowski
- September 8, 2015 - Robert Donovan received $50 from Mark Borkowski
- September 5, 2015 - Terry Witkowski received $50 from Paul Nannis
- August 29, 2015 - Tom Barrett received $25 from Bevan K. Baker
- November 9, 2014 - José G. Pérez received $35 from Paul Nannis
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