Paul Bargren

Requiem for the Commons

Mutilated Marcus Center grove is just one of county’s many public spaces threatened by actions leaving citizens out in the cold.

County Clerk Czarnezki to Issue Domestic Partnerships to Opposite Sex Couples

Milwaukee County Clerk Czarnezki also announced that he will be joined in this effort by Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell.

Legal Opinion: OSPP Plan to Preserve Funding for MPS, Protect Our Public Schools Meets the Law

Amid questions raised about the legality of the proposal Dr. Means and County Executive Abele sought a formal legal opinion.

We Love the Parks

Both candidates say they love county parks. Which has best approach to maintain them?

Experts Question Abele’s Expanded Power

Land-use experts say it’s unwise to give county exec so much power to sell public land.

Could Abele Sell County Parks?

Abele says he won’t, but state law allows sale of 43 parks. Supervisors move to bar this.

Will Bucks’ Plaza Be Public or Private?

Team wants 4th Street closed, but will this create a town square or just team profits?

County Will Allow Politics in Parks

“Bizarre” ban on political activity had restricted free speech for more than a decade.

Legal analysis determines state can legally strip land sale control from Milwaukee County Board

Will Milwaukee Art Museum Buy O’Donnell Park?

Museum director Dan Keegan meets with county parks committee, but puts off decision.

Abele Plan for Bucks Arena Won’t Work

The county has nowhere near $4 million in annual debt for state to collect -- and Abele may lack the power to deliver it.

Supervisor Alexander Issues Statement on Pension Veto Vote

Milwaukee County Supervisor Deanna Alexander today issued the following statement regarding the pension veto vote taken Tuesday:

The County Board’s Anti-Environmental Boondoggle

Its Estabrook Dam decision will cost taxpayers millions and harm environment.

Is O’Donnell Purchase a Sweetheart Deal?

Northwestern Mutual won’t sign full deed restriction for county deal, leaving it free to develop a high-rise development on lakefront land.

Who’s To Blame For Yet Another Pension Giveaway?

Abele wants some 200 retirees to stop getting illegal pension benefits, but board members are outraged.

Why Southridge Doesn’t Want Your Business

Its owner, Simon Property, has a history of relocating bus stops and discouraging certain kinds of customers.

The Nuclear Option

Supervisors nuke Chris Abele’s staff salaries. Will this hurt the county?

The Problem of Poverty

Poverty is rising faster in Wisconsin and the city of Milwaukee than nationally.