Frank Zeidler

Notables Attend City Birthday Party

The city's 178th birthday party offered fun, food and political chatter.

Ghosts of Milwaukee’s Past

A walk through Forest Home Cemetery is a peaceful encounter with countless famous names.

Milwaukee PBS Celebrates 65th Anniversary

October 28, 1957 to October 28, 2022 - 65 Years of Public Service

Clancy Runs As Double-Dipping Socialist

Running for Legislature, but would continue as county supervisor, collecting both salaries.

Johnson Carried 81% of City’s Wards

Sweeping victory in low-turnout election, lowest in an open race for Milwaukee mayor since 1900.

Milwaukee Has a Singing Mayor Again

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson tries singing at city's 176th Birthday Party, before a big turnout of politicians.

Mayor’s Race Looks Like a Wild One

Wide open, with lots of candidates, no obvious favorites and so much at stake.

The Remarkable Growth Of The GMC

Julia Taylor grew the budget and staff and grants. But what exactly was accomplished?

County Parks Lost Funding to Bucks Arena

Business leaders promised to seek funding for parks and museums. Where is it?

The Encyclopedia of Milwaukee Documents the City

UW-Milwaukee has built a massive digital archive for the city.

Work complete on first phase of Encyclopedia of Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s Secret Model Railroad Club

Historic club has been hidden in a former train station under an active rail line for 84 years.

Should Barrett Worry About Reelection?

Another easy win seems certain. Which may not be so good for Milwaukee.

It’s Always Christmas at Dale’s

Classic bar with Christmas and clown decorations, great soup, integrated clientele.

Milwaukee Film Receives Continued and Increased Support From Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor, Associated Bank, expands partnership through Milwaukee Film Checking 30 new sponsors provide increase of $301,000 in cash & in-kind support

Northwestern Mutual Backs Milwaukee Neighborhoods With More Than $1 Million in Grants

Donations fund community programs that contribute to safe, healthy neighborhoods

The Shame of Milwaukee

How race baiting was used against Mayor Zeidler in 1956 campaign. Excerpt from new book.

Black Residents Talk About Police Misconduct

Demands for accountability at listening session of county Office of African American Affairs.

Quotations from the campaign trail

1/17/16 - 1/24/16

What Has Mayor Barrett Accomplished?

After nearly 12 years in office, his impact can be seen -- if you look hard.

Stories about Race Fuel Social Change

Ex Fabula Fellows to inspire dialogue at interactive performances

Milwaukee, the Land of Duplexes

City is a national leader, which helps explain its surprising strength: density.

David Barnett Gallery

The gallery is housed in a historic 1875 Edward Townsend Mix mansion

Milwaukee Film Festival Announces 2015 Panels


Chicago Tribune film critic, Michael Phillips, to deliver Keynote Address;
 Panels on Policing and Education highlight the imperative and topical nature of festival documentaries

Mark Borkowski’s Quaint Ranch Home

County supervisor lives in suburban-style area at edge of Greenfield but wants to be alderman.

6 Milwaukeeans who are especially missed

City Cameras Now Nab Parking Violators

No more chalked tires? The system is quietly becoming automated, invisible -- and a big surprise for parking scofflaws.

Kenneth Germanson to receive 2014 Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award

News release from Alderman Robert J. Bauman

Plotting The Menomonee Valley’s Future

Hundreds gathered to build on the remarkable transformation of the last 15 years.

Nominees sought for 2014 Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award

Nominees are being sought for the 2014 Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award, according to Alderman Robert J. Bauman.

The Mystery of the Germania Statue

It’s the city’s greatest art heist. How did a monumental, three-ton bronze statue disappear?

Thanks to rally attendees, and Mayor Zeidler’s position on streetcars

I firmly believe the big turnout is indicative of how strong the public opposition is to the massive boondoggle and waste of public money that is the proposed downtown streetcar.

Green Named 2012 Winner of Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award

The Milwaukee Common Council will honor Mr. Green on Tuesday, September 25 prior to the start of its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the third floor Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St.

New Orleans

The Simpsons’ producers apologize to the citizens of New Orleans.

Lavender, Black and Green

The Green Party’s national convention will be in Milwaukee this week, with voting by delegates to be held on Saturday. The big question: will the outfit endorse Ralph Nader? This vexing question will put Milwaukee, however briefly, once again in the national spotlight. The party has endorsed the formation of several subgroups including the Black Greens, and the Lavender Greens. The first group consists of African-American members of the party, and the second with its Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered and “Intergendered” (a new one for me) members. As of May there were 297,964 registered greens from 22 states, along with an undetermined number from states like Wisconsin where voter registration does not specify political party. Candidates for the party include four for U.S. Senate, 38 for the House of Representativees, one for Governor, one for Lieutenant Governor and 94 for State Legislatures. According to the party, at least 204 Greens hold office in 27 states, including Wisconsin. Nader, who received the party’s nomination in 2000, has 50 delegates thus far, behind David Cobb, with 194 and Peter Camejo with 112. Over 200 delegates support none of the above or are uncommitted. Nader wrote the party in March to say “I am running as an Independent and am not seeking nor accepting the Green Party nomination. If you do not choose a presidential candidate in Milwaukee, I would welcome your endorsement.” You can figure out for yourself whatever that means. Whomever the candidate, the party promises to run television ads in the presidential race, another first. One of the featured speakers at a post-convention rally will be Frank P. Zeidler, a former presidential candidate himself (Socialist Party) and reason enough to attend the event. A Man in a Hurray: Marc “Leadfoot” Marotta Department of Administration head Marc Marotta has a date in the Jefferson County intake court on June 29th at 9 a.m. in conjunction with his citation on May 24th for speeding on the freeway. The 41-year old attorney and former basketball star was busted for exceeding the speed limit by 20 – 24 miles per hour, an offense that carries a $255.40 bond. Officer Michael Meyers of the Jefferson County Sheriff Department collared the Mequon resident after clocking him going 21 miles over the limit. Earlier this year, on February 25th (the day after Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager was busted for drunk driving) Peter Moe of the State Patrol cited Marotta for speeding on the freeway, also in Jefferson County. It was a more easy-going Marotta that time, since he was caught speeding 16 – 19 miles per hour above the speed limit. On April 22nd, that charge was amended to Speeding on Freeway 1 – 10 miles above the limit. Marotta pled no contest to that charge and was fined $181. The vigilant officer Moe also noted that Marotta, a senior government official, had expired plates (PUR108), so we assume it is his personal vehicle in which he was hot-rodding, but that charge was dismissed. His attorney was Michael […]

The Inaugural

Marvin Pratt did not stand up with the crowd when Tom Barrett was inaugurated mayor, and the press has made a good deal of the slight. However, just after Judge Louis Butler administered the oath of office to the new mayor, Barrett’s first comments were to commend Pratt, and the former acting mayor did stand up and take a bow. The ceremonies were held April 20th outside of City Hall in some perfectly dreadful Milwaukee spring weather. So, who was the idiot who came up with that idea? “I’m the idiot who thought to hold it outside,” fessed up Kris Martinsek. After all, the president is inaugurated outdoors in January. However, January in Washington is not nearly as unpleasant as Milwaukee in April. The stage was set up on Wells Street, facing east. Upon the stage sat Milwaukee’s new leaders, including the mayor, the common council, the comptroller, treasurer, city attorney, city clerk and a municipal judge. Their families sat out in the street and in the adjacent park next to the Frank P. Zeidler Municipal Building. Frank P. Zeidler was there himself, sandwiched between Marvin Pratt and Senator Herb Kohl. Kohl was dressed as he always is around here. He wore a shirt, a tie, a Milwaukee Bucks cap and a windbreaker. Except for the tie, he pretty much looked like the guy who harvests aluminum cans from my recycling bin. If he tried to walk on to the floor of the United States Senate in that getup, the sergeant-at-arms would toss him out. But this is Milwaukee, the “come as you are” capital of America, and he fit right in. Barrett has made a list of 18 things he wants to accomplish in his first hundred days in office. I don’t know if reducing the police overtime budget is one of them, but the men in blue were certainly racking up the hours during the interminable ceremony. The aldermen were sworn in sequentially according to district. Each alderman then gave a little speech. The last district, the 15th, is occupied by Willie Hines, who is now the Common Council president. He then gave a big speech. He began by saying, “my ascent to the Council Presidency is not a compromise or consolation prize for the African-American community.” This was an effective way to defuse speculation that his election was a compromise or consolation prize, and was a rather sharp thing to do. Hines also insisted that corruption will not taint his council. (We’ll check back on that in four years.) His delivery was generally quite good, and had a hint of religious fervor to it. Moments earlier, he did have a slip up. When Valarie Hill was about to be sworn in as municipal judge, Hines said, “The City Clerk will now come to the altar – er, the podium – to take the oath.” Also, when Hines introduced the new mayor he called him “Mayor Marvin Pratt – er, Mayor Barrett.” These things happen. The Common Council […]

Art Jones Pension better than $100K per year

Two other Mayoral candidates eligible soon