Supervisor Alexander Seeks Peace Between War Memorial and Art Museum
Proposal would bring resolution to operational issues, fund services for veterans, and pave the way for Dryhootch partnership
Milwaukee – Today Milwaukee County Supervisor Deanna Alexander announced the introduction of her amendment to the Milwaukee County 2013 Budget, designed to settle disputes between the Milwaukee County War Memorial and Milwaukee Art Museum while adding revenue to support veteran programs and services at the War Memorial Center.
County funds totaling $212,500 are currently slated to flow through the War Memorial Center to the Art Museum. Under Supervisor Alexander’s budget amendment, those funds would be matched with an additional $212,500. The $425,000 sum would then be placed in a holding account and released only after the two organizations have reached an agreement realigning their operational and budgetary relationship.
“My budget amendment creates an incentive for these two cherished cultural institutions to settle their long-standing disagreements and to renew a positive and lasting relationship,” explained Supervisor Alexander. “If the two entities reach an agreement, they will each receive an equal portion of the held funding.”
Without an agreement in place by June 2013, the entire reserve will transfer to Milwaukee County’s contingency fund.
“The War Memorial Center and the Art Museum will both now have the cushion and assurance of support that they need in order to focus on honoring the dead by serving the living,” explained Supervisor Alexander.
The budget amendment also calls for expansion of veterans programming; the first step will be to solidify a partnership with Dryhootch, a Milwaukee-area non-profit offering support and reintegration services to veterans.
“Further, I am excited to join the War Memorial in announcing that as a result of this funding, expansion of veterans programming through a partnership with Dryhootch is on the horizon,” said Alexander, who served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard before being elected to her County post. “I couldn’t be happier with this collaboration.”
Dryhootch provides social space where veterans, their families, and the general public can connect and share stories in a safe environment free of drugs and alcohol. The War Memorial Center anticipates welcoming a new Dryhootch coffee shop in 2013, to be located in the Mason Street entrance to the center.
The War Memorial Center was built in 1957 and grew out of a civic desire to create a fitting memorial to honor those who gave their lives in World War II. Dryhootch was started in 2008 by a group of Vietnam veterans who wanted to help vets with reintegration issues. Further information is available at www.dryhootch.org
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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