Posted inEditorials

A Farewell

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Dear Readers,

This is my last month as editor of the Riverwest Currents, so this is a goodbye of sorts. I’m not leaving the city or the neighborhood, but I am moving on to new editorial challenges and opportunities.

It is not without sadness that I leave the Currents, even though working on it has been a wild ride at times. Helping plan this publication in December of 2001 with Vince Bushell, we were full of ideas about what we wanted to accomplish and who we might tap to write articles….

Posted inEditorials

Diversity is Our Alibi

Recently I heard this revision of the popular “Diversity is Our Strength” slogan that is featured on yard signs all over Riverwest: “Diversity is Our Alibi.” I assume the intended point is that there’s a lot of white liberal backslapping about living in an area with an unusually high level of non-white minorities. On the […]

Posted inEditorials

The Budget Fuse

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Mayor Tom Barrett is prepared for the fireworks.

That wouldn’t be the 4th of July variety that Milwaukeeans can take in July 3 at the Lakefront, in Gordon Park on July 5, or for weeks to come as neighbor kids set off what remains from this month’s celebration.

The fireworks he was talking about in a June 28 budget hearing at Riverside High School were the fiscal kind. To live up to his campaign promise of not raising the tax levy, Barrett asked departments to submit budgets that would make up for the anticipated $34 million shortfall.

Posted inEditorials

The Pain from the Gain

Riverwest has been in the spotlight lately, in magazine stories, radio programs, and a video documentary. Milwaukee Magazine is slated to come out with a story on Riverwest in July. It is becoming the place to be. The place to live, work, and play. The place that is diverse in name and claim, even if the connections between classes and races seem tenuous. The place many of us wanted it to be. Self-determining. Active. Full of peace, love, and goodwill with a touch of bohemian counter-culture…

Posted inEditorials

A Modest Proposal: Inner City Hall

by Janice Christensen

Let’s face it. People get wrapped up in their own problems. Neighborhoods have their own concerns. People in other parts of the city just aren’t interested in helping solve the problems of the inner city.

There’s been a lot of talk about “healing the rifts” of the recent mayoral election, and everyone “working together” to make our city a better place. I have to tell you, I don’t see it happening.