Vincent Bobot

Cocaine, Chickens Lead to Closing Southside Tavern

Common Council votes unanimously to close El Cielo Bar, effective immediately.

Beleaguered SDC Hopes To Restart Services in December

Anti-poverty agency suspended operations in April.

Conflict of Interest Looms Over SDC Property Sale

Former board member given listing by beleaguered anti-poverty agency.

Three More SDC Board Members Bail

Beleaguered agency lost half its board in recent weeks.

Chair of Beleaguered Social Development Commission Resigns

Barbara Toles resigns after serving as chair for almost six months.

SDC Appoints Vincent Bobot Interim CEO

Attorney and SDC board member says the goal is 'to preserve and keep SDC running.'

Social Development Commission Buildings Listed for Sale

Affiliate of troubled organization lists North Avenue properties for sale.

Following Fatal Shooting, City Suspends Southside Bar

Buckshots will remain closed through January 19.

Council Shoots Down Corner Store’s Attempt to Reopen

The Milwaukee Common Council voted against license renewal for Chamber East Food Market for the second time this year.

Serina Chavez and Vincent Bobot Win SDC District 5 and District 6 Elections

Meet Milwaukee’s New Mayor Cavalier Johnson

Johnson, first elected Black mayor in Milwaukee history, promises to focus on crime, jobs, neighborhoods and relationship with state.

Court Allows Mr. J’s To Reopen

Council voted to close bar, but court injunction allows it to continue operating for now.

Council Suspends Mangos Cafe For 30 Days

Issues outside of bar draw ire of neighbors

ELMNT Bar Wins Injunction, Can Reopen

60-day suspension for downtown nightclub delayed until at least March.

Downtown Sushi Restaurant Moving Forward

Restaurateur purchases Milwaukee Street building.

Tearman Spencer Has Delinquent Tax Bill

City Attorney candidate hasn't paid tax bill. If he wins, and is still delinquent he would have to sue himself.

14 Election Winners, Losers

Beyond the ballot totals, behind the scenes, who were the other election winners and losers?

9 Election Takeaways

What did we learn? The results versus 2016. And the coming ad blitz and voter turnout.

City Attorney Candidates

Three candidates running to lead independent Milwaukee City Attorney's office.

Most Muni Court Pot Cases Charged Blacks in 2019

39% of city’s population is charged with 77% of Municipal Court’s pot possession cases.

Contribution to Vincent Bobot of $2,335

Meet the Candidates for City Offices

Packed spring election features 46 candidates for 19 city offices.

Contribution to Vincent Bobot of $380

Langley Has Raised Just $2,500

Incumbent city attorney way behind his challengers in campaign donations.

Contribution to Vincent Bobot of $15,000

Contribution to Vincent Bobot of $720

Contribution to José G. Pérez of $100

Contribution to Vincent Bobot of $1,590

Bobot Will Attack Langley. Sort Of

Vince Bobot has (mostly) changed his mind about going negative in race for city attorney.

Contribution to Vincent Bobot of $125

Contribution to Milele A. Coggs of $100

City Attorney Grant Langley Retiring?

Vince Bobot announces for job, leading to speculation Langley may retire after 36 years.

Contribution to José G. Pérez of $100

Contribution to JoCasta Zamarripa of $100

Contribution to Cavalier Johnson of $50

Contribution to Ashanti Hamilton of $100

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $50

Sherman Park Residents Bash Station Owner

Some favor rebuild of gas station. But many point to longtime problems.

Contribution to Robert Bauman of $50

Chisholm For Governor?

Will District Attorney run against Walker? DA's son encourages speculation.

Contribution to Cavalier Johnson of $50

Contribution to José G. Pérez of $50

Contribution to José G. Pérez of $50

Contribution to Cavalier Johnson of $50

Contribution to Michael Murphy of $50

Contribution to Terry Witkowski of $50

Contribution to Russell W. Stamper, II of $50

Contribution to Ashanti Hamilton of $150

Contribution to José G. Pérez of $50

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.

Few Municipal Court Defendants Have Lawyers

In 98% of cases they have none. Those with attorneys get off easier.

Taking the Pulse of the 2016 Milwaukee Elections

Contribution to Robert Puente of $100

Contribution to José G. Pérez of $100

Contribution to Terry Witkowski of $50

Contribution to Nik Kovac of $50

Contribution to José G. Pérez of $100

Attorneys Rush to Chisholm’s Defense

Worried about possible recall, they plan fundraiser for the DA. But will it help him?

Campaign Season Kicks Off

Politicos flock to Jon Richards fundraiser, and judicial candidate Janet C. Protasiewicz's event.

Laura Bush Comes to Town

She will join Tonette Walker in a fundraiser for the Christian group, Teen Challenge.

Doyle to Taste Good Life of Milwaukee

Governor James Doyle will be in Milwaukee on Thursday, October 5th to attend a fundraiser on his behalf to be held from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Good Life.

Doyle, Gard in University Club Sandwich

Rivals Host Simultaneous Fundraisers in Swanky Downtown Club

Riemer: “Ready to Run”

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

Race For Governor is On!

Well, it is official

Selig Take A Hit

Washington Post Trashes Commissioner and Journal Communications. Plus: The Mea Culpa of Charles J. Sykes and Thompson’s Boycott of Miller Park.

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 […]

Liz Cheney to Open Bush-Cheney Office Here

If you are over by Mayfair Monday, you can drop by the grand opening of the Bush–Cheney’04 Wisconsin Headquarters, 2222 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa.  The opening is open to the press, and Liz Cheney will be available for interviews. The event is at noon and features such other dignitaries as Rep. Leah Vukmir, Rep. Mark Honadel, Rep. Curt Gielow, and County Executive Scott Walker. If you are in the neighborhood and would like to do something other than that, then get to the corner of Hwy. 100 and W. North Avenue where Wisconsin Citizen Action hosts a “Bash Bush” event at 11:30 a.m. Gary George Law License Suspended If you never got around to hiring Gary George as a lawyer like the Warshafsky Law Firm did, you’re “temporarily” out of luck. The disgraced former state senator’s license was temporarily suspended April 1st by an order of Cornelia G. Clark the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, dated March 8, 2004.. Clark acted on a motion from the Office of Lawyer Regulation “seeking the temporary suspension of the license of Attorney Gary R. George to practice law in Wisconsin. … The basis for this motion is Attorney George’s January 22, 2004 guilty plea in United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, to one count of conspiracy.” It is not common for lawyers to plead guilty to felony charges – they usually put up a fight, and a law license won’t be of much use where Gary’s going – namely, federal prison. For one thing, the competition would be intense. Paul Henningsen’s already got most of the business locked up by now, one would imagine. Along with George’s demise we lose another annoyance – we shall no longer see or hear Gary George advertisements for the Warshafsky Law Firm. George taped his advertisements in August, 2000, back when the century was new and George’s integrity was unblemished. (We were a simpler people then.) Back then I asked the law firm about the ads. “Are they designed to help George in his reelection campaign?” The Warshafsky spokesperson replied, “It has no connection to the campaign. He just brings us a lot of business.” Election Night Approaches We are down to the final hours in our Mayoral election, with the result said to be a tossup. Much will be dependent on voter turnout, which itself can depend on things like the weather. The primary election had the added allure of a presidential primary to possibly juice the vote. On the other hand, it is possible that the lack of a republican presidential race kept Milwaukee republicans at home in February, and that they will come out to vote Tuesday, if there are enough of them to count. Then we have the white people for Pratt, and the black people for Barrett contingency. I should imagine they exist in roughly the same, small numbers. Among them – former candidates Frank Cumberbatch and Leon Todd have endorsed Barrett. Sandy Folaron and Vince Bobot have […]

The Extraordinary Longevity of Milwaukee Politicians

We have had twice as many Mayors as we have had City Treasurers since 1917.

Lautenschlager’s Fast Ones – Past Speeding Tickets Raise Residency Issues

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager exploits a legal loophole.

On the Fundraiser Trail

David Riemer held a fundraiser and art auction to advance his bid for County Executive. Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design was the place, and over a hundred people showed up to look at the art (a Guido Brink retrospective) and to meet with the candidate March 8th. Wine was served, and the food was perhaps the finest of the larger-scale campaign events this year. The snacks included hummus and all sorts of veggie-cheesy items nicely prepared and tastefully presented. Everybody had to shut up for a brief speech by the candidate. Riemer is getting better at these, and unlike certain other candidates for president or even for mayor, he is able to adjust the message to his audience with a reasonable degree of spontaneity. The crowd at MIAD learned that Riemer has two brothers who are actors, and mom was too. In college (as an undergraduate) he studied poetry. “Art is not just an add-on. Art is essential to a metropolitan area. It is essential to its success.” No argument from the crowd on that account. Marvin Pratt showed up, and that created a mild buzz for a while. Riemer campaign guru Bill Christofferson wants us all to know that his candidate’s “Last Blast” fundraiser will be held in Turner Hall on March 23rd, 5-7 p.m. The Riemer campaign sent out a news release encouraging its supporters to cast absentee ballots. Election Day, April 6th is Passover, he reminds us. It is also a time when many of us might be out of town on Spring break. Riemer would appreciate it if we voted before fleeing this miserable weather. It is all about turnout, at this point. Molly Christofferson, Bill’s daughter, did campaign work for Sandy Folaron. She now works for Marvin Pratt. Strange bedfellows. Bob Weiss held a fundraiser for Acting Mayor Pratt March 10th, at his restaurant, Shakers, 422 S. Second St. He sent me a note: “Clueless staffers, no signage, no promo materials, NO candidate, when promised 6-8 p.m. for His fundraiser.” Weiss said the event coordinator “sat by self in back corner, left after an hour. Some big hitter clients of mine left in disgust since Marvin not there. … Overall, hardly our greatest political experience.” Weiss is planning a solstice party this week (good timing), with plenty of food and booze. Forget the politics! Unopposed and Raising Money: Musings on the Common Council Presidency It is tough to draw a crowd in an election year when you have no opponent, and it’s nice for a candidate to not have to sweat his election. “I only hold one fundraiser a year and this is it,” said Ald. Michael Murphy at Derry Hegarty’s Pub, an event that perhaps saw about 75 people. The event was Thursday, March 11th, close enough to St. Patrick’s Day, which is appropriate since Murphy claims to be of Irish heritage. Since the money wasn’t absolutely necessary, and since the candidate seemed destined to win, the fundraiser easily lurched into its secondary […]

No Challenge to Hill Papers

But Halbrooks says Election Commission’s Extended Hours Helped Opponent

Art Jones Pension better than $100K per year

Two other Mayoral candidates eligible soon

“Legacy, Schmegacy”

John O. Norquist, in his final days as mayor, talked about the things that mattered to him. (His legacy wasn’t one of them.) Also: the man who could have beat him in 1992 – and, about that new job in Chicago

Bobot Calls for Term Limit

Vince Bobot plans to request a change in the City Charter to limit the term of Milwaukee Mayor to two consecutive terms.

Krug Scores Joint Finance Seat

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

Why Republicans are Dumping on Jim Doyle

Republicans are squirming about a state investigation of the legislative caucuses, and their attack dogs are going after Attorney General Jim Doyle to try to prevent it.

Antonio Riley’s Campaign Coffer Looks Mayoral

News reports have made much of the money raised by Ald. Marvin Pratt and Ald. Tom Nardelli, speculating about their chances for mayor.

Why The Mayor is Not Dead

Back in the early 1980s, Milwaukee Magazine ran a scathing caricature of Mayor Henry Maier with the title "What Does This Man Do All Day?"