Joan Kessler

Supervisor Wasserman Statement on the Passing of Fred Kessler

Bernie Sanders to Host Private Brunch in Milwaukee

Event canceled after publication.

Geenen Challenges Walker-Appointed Judge

Bill Brash’s campaign email promises he will be a conservative, links him with Dan Kelly.

12 Judges Endorse Molly Gena for Municipal Judge

Twelve current and former Milwaukee area judges endorse Molly Gena for Municipal Judge.

Johnson Names Former Deputy City Attorney To Fire & Police Commission

Miriam Horwitz would be commission's ninth member, fulfilling mayor's campaign pledge.

Washington, Burgos Join Fire-Police Board

City Fire & Police Commission now has a record eight members.

Kessler Resigns From Fire-Police Board

Retired judge's resignation delays mayor's push to create full, 9-member Fire & Police Commission.

Committee Backs Johnson’s FPC Nominees

Council committee endorses two "immensely qualified" candidates to finally fill Fire & Police Commission.

Mayor Acts To Create Full Fire & Police Commission

Johnson picks two new appointees to FPC, giving it 9 members for first time.

Aaron Lipski Given Four-Year Term As Fire Chief

Chief comes from a family that is synonymous with Milwaukee fire fighting.

Milwaukee Poised To Tow Unregistered Vehicles Driven Recklessly

Policy is envisioned as part of reckless driving crackdown.

Bree Spencer Named To Fire & Police Commission

Acting Mayor Johnson makes his first appointment to police and fire oversight body.

Milwaukee Could Start Towing Reckless Drivers’ Vehicles

Vehicle would need to be unregistered. But committee can't agree on policy.

Committee Endorses Dana World-Patterson’s Appointment To FPC

Human trafficking victims' advocate draws high praise from council members.

Dana World-Patterson Nominated to FPC

Human trafficking victims advocate would replace longtime Fire & Police commissioner Ann Wilson.

Jeffrey Norman Named Permanent Chief of Police

Norman has served as acting chief since Dec. 2020 while city sorted out botched Morales demotion.

Police Chief Search Has One Candidate

Acting Chief Jeffrey Norman asked to apply for permanent post by FPC. Mayor, many alders back him.

FPC Restarting Police Chief Search

Jeffrey Norman remains a favorite among some city officials.

Council Okays Huge Change in FPC Board

Majority of Fire & Police commissioners who voted to demote Chief Morales have now been replaced.

Committee Loves New FPC Nominees

Ramey, Kessler and Fallone draw unanimous support from council members.

The Ann Wilson Problem

Mayor's chief of staff promises she will be replaced on Fire & Police Commission. But when?

Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission Candidates Listening Session

Mayoral appointments to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners to be heard at committee meeting on Thursday

Barrett Replacing FPC Chair, Vice Chair

Three new appointments by mayor would reshape the Fire & Police Commission.

John Norquist’s 70th Birthday Party

A host of Milwaukeeans and former city officials attend gala party in Chicago.

Gov. Evers Seeks Applicants for Court of Appeals—District I

The new judge will complete a term ending July 31, 2021.

Gov. Evers Seeks Applicants for Court of Appeals—District I

The new judge will complete a term ending July 31, 2021.

Absentee Dad Can’t Collect from Son’s Estate

Court rules father won’t get share of $1.4 million legal settlement in death of his son.

Judge Overrules Traffic Stop Arrest

Milwaukee police officers had no grounds for interrogating driver, appeals judge rules.

Appeals Court Clarifies Police Custody

State claims a handcuffed man not in “custody.”

Gwen Connolly continues to garner endorsements in race for Branch 44

She has previously announced the endorsement of hundreds of judges, attorneys, elected officials, and community leaders.

Appeals court in Milwaukee begins an all-female era

Residency Rule Upheld But For How Long?

Appeals court overturns law killing city residency rule. State high court may review decision.

Rep. Frederick Kessler and Judge Joan Kessler endow University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee scholarship fund

State Rep. Frederick Kessler and his wife, Judge Joan Kessler, are donating $300,000 to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Riemer: “Ready to Run”

This terse note from Riemer almost sounds like a Bill Christofferson soundbite, which means it's a good one.

Lautenschlager’s Mess

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager’s drunk driving arrest last week removes her from behind the wheel of her state-owned vehicle for a year, and puts Governor Jim Doyle in the driver’s seat. The two had squabbled, privately, over terms of the Governor’s jobs bill, with Lautenschlager threatening to use her authority to see that the law comply with the state’s environmental regulations, which she intimated it did not. This sort of independent action by an attorney general is not new in Wisconsin. Doyle was the chief practitioner of it, but then again, he was a Democrat, and the Governor at the time was a Republican. The press has made note that Doyle suggests Lautenschlager forgo some of her pay as a sort of penance for her indiscretion, a matter that remains unresolved at this time. Doyle also suggested that Lautenschlager consider entering a program to treat problem drinkers. He said that he had a number of friends who had been in a similar situation and that the treatment had helped them. In fact, the public admission of guilt and responsibility (which Lautenschlager made) is usually accompanied these days with a prompt acknowledgement that a problem exists. The subject then usually promptly enters a treatment program and completes it, after which the matter is forgotten. Lautenschlager has not made that admission thus far, which leaves her in the position of either not having a “problem” or being “in denial” of it. It does leave Doyle high and dry, however, and much less likely to face interference in his plans from that peskiest of all politicians – an ambitious Attorney General. Walker at the War Memorial County Executive Scott Walker welcomed about 100 well-clad guests to a fundraiser February 26th at the War Memorial Center. The strictly upper-crust affair was a Republican-type fundraiser, which meant that hard liquor was consumed (in moderation) and beer, for the most part, was ignored. For those fans of the frothy stuff, Walker offered Miller products and Heineken. Food was by Ellen’s Prestige Catering, and included strolling waiters, another classy touch. Menu items included spinach somethings, meat and melted cheese on sandwich rounds, wrapped up little salmon tidbits, an entirely unsuccessful raspberry-brie tart, platters of some kind of 21st century sandwich product along with perfectly delicious fruit. The event was unmarred by public oratory, but was enhanced by an A-list of locals practicing up for the next time Bush is in town. Among the exalted: George Dalton, Dennis Kuester (on crutches), Michael Cudahy, mourning the recent death of Daniel Urban Kiley, creator of the $4 million Cudahy garden outside the adjacent Milwaukee Art Museum, Fred Luber, Tim Hoeksma, Carol Skornicka, John Finerty, Jim Weichmann, Joe Rice, Mary Buestrin, Corey Hoze and developer Mark Irgens. Hoze has secured speaker Dennis Hastert to appear at a $2000 fundraiser on his hopeless behalf in his upcoming congressional campaign. That’s rich. Marvin Pratt popped in and worked the crowd for about 20 minutes before his cop told him it was time to […]

Clark Picks Up Two State Endorsements

Two of Wisconsin’s elder statespeople jumped on the Wesley Clark for President bandwagon recently. Former alderman, secretary of state and attorney Vel Phillips, who most recently issued the oath of office to Acting Mayor Marvin Pratt says she backs the Arkansas general for president. With her support, she joins such black leaders as Charles Rangel and Andrew Young. Phillips was at a fundraiser for Clark Tuesday, January 27th at the home of Julilly W. Kohler. Phillips said she had just got off the phone with Henry Aaron who has offered to send her airplane tickets and to put her up in Atlanta February 6th for his birthday party. “Oh, I’m not sure I’m going to go,” said Vel, to the dismay of partygoers who could not imagine turning down any invitation from Henry Aaron, with or without free air travel and lodging. She still hadn’t decided by Sunday. Vel Phillips faces many decisions. When she left the Common Council, she bought the old roll-top desk aldermen once used until the present gems were installed. The desk will probably go to the Historical Society of Wisconsin. Why not the city-owned Milwaukee Public Library? “Well, the historical society already has a full-size statue of me,” Phillips said. Good enough reason. The attendees, including Frank Gimbel (who has a huge Clark sign posted in his east side yard), Mort and Dani Gendelman, Curry First, Dennis Conta and about 40 others filled the Kohler residence to talk up their man and to dine on way too much food provided from such disparate sources as Sam’s Club and Watermark restaurant. A special guest of honor was to have been former Senator Gaylord Nelson, ranked fourth on a list of the most important Wisconsinites in history. He’s the only one of the top five who is still alive. Alas! Nelson hadn’t even made it as far as the end of the driveway of his Kensington, Maryland home in days, so he called in his visit by speakerphone. Heavy snowfall complicated by quaint Maryland snow removal traditions kept him home, Nelson said. He endorses Clark for president, the Earth Day founder told the attendees in Milwaukee. Nelson speaks very slowly these days. The delivery, although halting, does nothing to mute the intellectual vigor and wit of Nelson. Regarding his choice of the military man for president, the anti-Vietnam War ex-Senator said, “People were wondering how could Gaylord Nelson support a general for president?” (Pause.) “Well, George Washington was a general.” (Pause.) “And he was a pretty good president.” (Laughter.) Apparently, Nelson held republican president Dwight D. Eisenhower in high regard. He noted that General Ike warned us about the military-industrial complex. “This is a fascinating race,” Nelson said, (Pause.) But there is a long way to go.” The State of Wisconsin constitution, as amended, does not give the Lieutenant Governor much to do. This suited Scott McCallum fine, but Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton is a restless sort and has been an early supporter and campaign groupie of […]

Krug Scores Joint Finance Seat

Rep. Shirley Krug was chosen Monday to take a seat on the influential Joint Committee on Finance