James Methu’s Statement on Economic Development in Milwaukee
“The current regime has diverted community development block grants funds and mismanaged them, not using them properly.”
“Economic development is something that Milwaukee desperately needs. It will bring jobs, reduce crime and increase homeownership. It will also begin to help the foreclosed homes problem. Under Mayor Tom Barrett’s regime’s failed leadership, economic development in many communities has been neglected. The Tom Barrett regime includes Ald. Joe Davis and Ald. Bob Donovan, as they have been complicit in failing to adequately address these problems.”
“The current regime has diverted community development block grants (CDBG) funds and mismanaged them, not using them properly. A thorough audit of all federal dollars sent to Milwaukee needs to be conducted by an independent third party actor. Why hasn’t this happened over the past 12 years?”
“James Hall, the former President of the NAACP Milwaukee Branch had issued a letter to Mayor Tom Barrett, calling out mismanagement several years ago. You can see his statement here”: https://www.scribd.com/doc/296855121/James-Hall-NAACP-Letter
“In the current state of the city, young college graduates of all races who would like to stay in Milwaukee, see little opportunity and see their best option is to leave Milwaukee for both economic and public safety reasons in order to find jobs and raise their families.”
“As mayor, I will promote economic development in all areas of Milwaukee, not just downtown like the current regime is doing. I will work to bring businesses into commercial properties in areas like Midtown, where Walmart has recently announced it is closing down. Areas like Northridge. Currently Northridge sits unused and its biggest function seems to be that it is simply a layover area for buses.”
“Bringing businesses into areas of the city that have been neglected will not only help lower unemployment and poverty, it will begin to reduce crime. It will allow for parents to focus more on their children as they rise out of poverty and increase the high school graduation rate. It will increase homeownership, which will increase Milwaukee’s tax base without having to raise taxes. It will lower the number of run down foreclosed homes that plague many areas of the city, which will increase surrounding property values, as well as increasing pride in the community leading to cleaner neighborhoods with less crime.”
“The citizens of Milwaukee deserve better opportunities to rise up out of poverty, to own homes, to live in a safer city and to live in a Milwaukee that is thriving. As mayor, I will conduct a thorough, third party, audit of all federal dollars sent to Milwaukee. This will be one of my top priorities and I will begin working on it my first day in office in the spirit of inclusion.”
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.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by James Methu
James Methu’s Statement on Education in Milwaukee
Feb 2nd, 2016 by James Methu“I call for a focus on early childhood education in order to properly prepare our students for a brighter future.”
James Methu’s Statement on Public Safety in Milwaukee
Jan 25th, 2016 by James Methu“Mayor Barrett seems to only care about addressing the issue of crime in the community around an election.”
James Methu’s Statement on Opening of Campaign Office and Participating in Challengers Debate Forum on January 18th.
Jan 19th, 2016 by James Methu“I look forward to continuing my efforts to connect and engage with the citizens of Milwaukee as I work to both share my ideas for the future of Milwaukee and to listen to their concerns.”
