Statement on the passing of Alderman Terry L. Witkowski
Alderman Scott Spiker November 5, 2024
Terry L. Witkowski cared. He cared for his family. He cared for his friends. And he cared for Milwaukee, as deeply as I’ve ever seen anyone try.
Terry translated that caring into a long and storied career of public service. Over 47 years, first Safety Director and later Alderman Witkowski, did his best to keep the residents of our city safe. But while public safety is at the heart of his legacy, it does not exhaust it.
Terry knew that a stable and thriving community of residents and businesses doesn’t happen by accident. You have to work at it, lay out a vision, and bring together those who can turn it into a reality.
That’s what the Garden District theme was all about. Terry was a master facilitator, helping to form a dozen neighborhood associations, two strong business groups, and bring about buy-in from 40,000 residents to the idea that they could make their section of the south side a vibrant and bona fide community where people work together to accomplish far more than they could individually.
It was and is a great idea. And it was no accident. Terry was one of the most visionary politicians I have ever met. There was literally no end to the well of ideas he could draw upon, and no stopping him once he sought to put those ideas into action.
He understood the importance of relationships, and was a generous mentor to countless up-and-comers in city government and beyond, including yours truly. Terry’s strongest and most enduring legacy may well be his infectious passion for public service, his faith in its potential to effect real change in the lives of those it touches, and his ability to imprint this powerfully hopeful world-view on a generation of future leaders.
Terry will be missed. He will not be forgotten. He sowed the seeds and tended them with care. He leaves to us the happy task of reaping the harvest of a life well-lived.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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