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These articles reflect the opinion of the author and are not endorsed by the Greater Milwaukee Green Party.

Milwaukee Needs Socially Conscious Mayor
By Robert Miranda

The race for mayor in the city of Milwaukee has attracted yet another contender, and that person is former Congressman Tom Barrett. A heavyweight in the local political scene, Barrett is sure to stir the race and cause stress within the various camps working to get their own elected.

The field of candidates offers a wide variety of hope and first timers. For the first time Milwaukee could elect a woman, an African-American or a Latino.

However, no matter who is elected the issues for each candidate remain the same. As suggested in the book, “The Social Sustainability of Cities,” candidates should be able to show the public how their policies will positively impact how Milwaukee can provide an opportunity for individuals to meet as equals without regard for race or class; what is the most effective way to engage in land tenure, zoning, and housing market affairs; how does the candidate plan to deal with issues that affect transportation needs and concerns; and what long term plans do they have regarding urban employment.

Economic justice, good public schools, urban infrastructure up-grades and making sure that Milwaukee places its citizens at the center of public policy are the ingredients that ensure urban stability. 

The urban public policy formula currently employed by the incumbent mayor is shortsighted, and much like his book, “The Wealth of Cities,” lacks vision and additional planning focused on creating economic projects designed to ensure against deterioration of neighborhoods that are not part of his economy of scale philosophy, downtown revitalization campaign and anti-big government ideology. His notion that you can’t build a city on pity lacks compassion and erases the idea that all human beings must be treated with dignity.

The growing influence of globalization on urban systems and the role large cities play in the world economy are among the factors now jeopardizing the quality of urban living.

The growing power of multi-national corporations, private sector chambers of commerce and free market quasi-government institutions do have a tendency to subordinate cities to the needs of big business. The need to devise an ethical approach that takes into account the needs of the individual, small businesses and neighborhoods, to ensure fair and equitable treatment between communities, the environment and the economy must be articulated and included as part of the platform for any mayoral candidate.

Milwaukee is a city that exemplifies human diversity. We are a people of varying wealth and status who share an association within the urban boundary. However, despite the common geography, there are sharp social divisions that divide our city. High levels of urban poverty and violence are difficult challenges the new mayor must be willing to take on directly, if he or she is indeed committed to creating a socially cohesive and inclusive city.

The task at hand will not be easy; devastated neighborhoods such as “Little Beirut” in Milwaukee’s north side serve as a reminder of the immense task to change the culture of poverty. Nonetheless, an enlightened, democratic approach to policy reform can achieve social and economic sustainability and move Milwaukee into the 21st century as a model for other cities struggling with the same issues.

Simply being in favor of economic growth in Milwaukee in general is not enough. The manner in which our economy is to grow must be outlined. The laying out of a plan to the public demonstrates that the candidate has a tangible well thought out idea on what to do about the environment, economic justice and social issues—all part of the plan to making city life a pleasant and shared experience.

Giving Milwaukee a human face can achieve initiatives that encourage inhabitants to be stakeholders and owners of an urban community willing to work together with all of its citizens in order to achieve collective prosperity and peace in our streets. Stopping harsh race specific anti-crime initiatives is part of the equation to achieve this sum.

The goal the new mayor should establish first is to set the tone, which would open opportunities to implement policies that will awaken the creative capacities of all men, women, and young people who live in Milwaukee. The second is to allow this city to proceed into the new millennium as an example of a democratic city in which the ideals of economic liberation, equal opportunity, self-determination, and harmony can be achieved for all its communities.

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