Once again, suburbs punt on addressing the social challenges of the region

I am very familiar with the Milwaukee Rescue Mission and its main facility that operates in my district at 18th and Wells. It is a well-run, professional, caring organization that advances its Christian values of supporting those in need. Frankly, any community would be lucky to have such an upstanding and uplifting presence helping the area in its backyard.

Except, apparently, New Berlin.

Earlier this week, the New Berlin Council voted to deny a land-use request that would allow the Milwaukee Rescue Mission to develop a residential rehabilitation center to house men seeking addiction treatment, mental health services, spiritual counseling, and provide them with workforce development.

Sadly, this feels like a story we’ve heard before. An affluent, mostly white suburb in Waukesha County rejects a land-use plan designed to address the region’s social challenges, leaving it to the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to absorb these burdens and the costs of the public services necessary to address them.

Perhaps Milwaukee should explore implementing a new protection fee for these suburbs so they can remain secure in their homogenized bubble, but provide Milwaukee with the necessary resources to address the social issues they continue to sidestep. It would only be fair that they contribute in some manner.

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.