A closer look at Aldermanic District 9 Common Council candidates
The African American Roundtable (AART) engages in c3 Transformative Democracy. Though we will not endorse candidates, we advocate for residents and work to educate them on electoral processes. Last year, while we had our Democracy Organizer (DO) on staff, we agreed to engage to build a shared political ideology with those who have been marginalized in a process rooted in equitable, collective decision-making about our futures that will shape how we fight for freedom and stability in our community. Though our former DO has moved on to serve in public office, we remain committed to these efforts as our capacity allows. I encourage anyone interested to connect with me around current events or to get involved in AART’s educational or advocacy work related to these special elections.
1-on-1 conversations with some AD 5 & AD 9 Candidates
As AART's Community Program Manager, I take lead on all things impacting our target aldermanic districts. So far, I have met with one of seven AD 5 candidates and four of eight AD 9 candidates. In these conversations, I’ve been able to both share and learn more about residents’ priorities in safety, mental health and housing. I’ve also been in struggle with candidates about nuances of abolition, defunding police, and what all of that means for the youth prison slated for 7930 W. Clinton Avenue after Milwaukee’s Common Council voted in favor of the zoning change that would make constructing the prison possible. Of course, there were inevitable mentions of city service conditions (illegal dumping, transportation, etc.) and community investment needs (business support, youth and community development, etc.). Learn more about each of the candidates here.
With fewer relationships in the fifth aldermanic district, and no candidate forums announced, I plan to reach out to all other candidates to invite them to connect around where their and residents' priorities align and how AART can support residents’ visions, development, and needs. I hope that this, combined with the leadership of other organizations working more deeply in democracy and electoral politics, will give residents of AD 5 what they need in preparation for their special elections.
First AD 9 Candidate Forum
I attended the forum held at Mr. B's lounge on January 18. Seven candidates were present to discuss crime, reckless driving, police funding, and the youth prison, as well as how to address the former Northridge Mall and what city service budget cuts they would make in dire circumstances.
Here are my personal highlights from the forum:
Odell Ball supports the youth prison. All other candidates appear to oppose it, though businessman and radio personality Walt Love didn't clearly say one way or the other, critiquing the engagement process more than anything.
On crime, Donna Ross says to prosecute most dangerous offenders while addressing poverty, revitalizing communities, and working with youth to resolve conflicts. Former AD 9 legislative aide, Cherie Ray, said it's necessary to increase police presence, make community reporting appear safer to residents, and identify root causes by analyzing crime data. Love supports both proactive (mental health supports, reincorporating police in schools and communities) and reactive approaches (pressuring the DA's office and not cutting conviction/ sentencing breaks to offenders). Former county supervisor Reverend Russell Antonion Goodwin Sr. Goodwin believes in the MAC approach (Measure what's working, Adjust diversion programs, and Create new spaces) as well as bringing in life-sustaining jobs, supporting the Office of Violence Prevention, and focusing on mental health services. Educator Amber Danyus encourages prioritizing prevention by both implementing technology and alternatives to incarceration with enforcement and accountability tactics.
On increasing police funding: Ball and Love support, Danyus and Goodwin Sr. oppose, and all other candidates did not disclose their views.
On reckless driving, Jasmine Tyler feels youth lock-ins and red light camera policies are models and believes that partnering with vehicle manufacturers and the like to work with youth could curb the issue. Ross says to require driver's ed courses for first time offenders and invoke stiffer penalties for two or more, including revoking licenses and impounding cars. Ray also supports impounding cars as well as bringing the community together to find solutions. Many candidates noted that youth/ teens are not the sole demographic of reckless drivers and supported technological solutions for younger drivers, as well as the city's 3 E's approach and driver's ed requirements to varying degrees. Goodwin Sr. believes in the 3 E's (education, engineering, and enforcement). Love too supports stiffer penalties and the "3 E's" approach, but believes that driver's ed requirements will only work for a small majority of reckless drivers. Danyus mentioned the need to understand young folks’ thinking around reckless driving in addition to her approaches to curbing crime.
On Northridge Mall, Tyler feels that collaborating with developers and community stakeholders is necessary to decide what to rebuild in the space. This is Ross' top priority, who wants to see enforcement of city safety ordinances and a renewed focus gathering "private investors and community incubators" to develop a plan, "make it happen" and "force change from [the common council]." Ray says she would work with others to identify what services, programs, and initiatives could be run there after collecting money that is owed from the property. Love wants to see a mixed-use property developed, similar to Drexel Town Square, that contains sports and entertainment for all ages, residences, etc. and is funded by outside investors. Goodwin Sr. also supports a mixed-use property but secondarily to removing red tape for business owners to come in. Danyus says it's necessary to consider those closest to it (immediate neighbors, homegrown talent, and local developers) in order to make the space a destination for them, people throughout the district, and beyond.
On city service budget cuts, Tyler would cut nothing, Danyus would cut funds from The Hop, Ray would cut funds for resident tracking speeding drivers. Ross suggests cutting what is unneeded, including excess city department office supply waste and travel expenses. Goodwin Sr. feels the city has cut enough and would like to see more shared revenue from the state and collaboration with the county. While Love would also try not to cut anything and believes we should demand shared revenue, he added that legalizing marijuana and making public service and government workers tax paying, Milwaukee residents would help.
Neither Love, Tyler, nor Ray currently live in the district, though Love and Ray expressed a desire to move here, and Tyler shared her previous work in the district through three youth lock ins.
Laressa Taylor was absent.
Next AD 9 Forums
Join me at the Alexian Village (9301 N. 76th Street) on Thursday, February 2 at 6 p.m.
AD 9 Neighbors, Save The Date
Due to our roots in the district, on Tuesday, March 14 at 6 p.m. AART will host a forum between the final two candidates running for Aldermanic District 9’s seat.
Ryeshia Farmer is the Community Programs Manager at the African American Roundtable.
