A Voice for the Community

Tuesday, September 10th was quite a day for the City of Milwaukee’s License Committee and for the residents of the Near West Side.

On the agenda was a license renewal for a rooming house near 24th and Kilbourn and testimony on the item lasted for 2 hours and 55 minutes. During this nearly three-hour hearing - part of a 13 hour day for the License Committee - the community's voice was heard.

Ultimately, whether you agree or disagree with the outcome of the hearing, it is important for those who live and do business in the community to have a voice in what activities and operations are allowed where people live, work and play. While the systems in place are not always perfect, hearings like this allow residents to voice their concern and for operators to address those concerns.

Committee members, Ald. Lewis, Ald. Kovac and Ald. Dodd, were deliberate in their questions and in the proceedings. Ald. Bauman, the local alderman of the district, led the conversation and amplified the voices of the neighbors. In the end, the committee voted not to renew one of the licenses held the operator. This decision came out of the testimony and evidence brought to the License Committee by concerned neighbors and shows how powerful the resident voice can be.

It is important that as a community we look to support businesses that serve and add value to our neighborhoods and hold those that do not accountable. Testifying, writing letters, calling the police when necessary, and completing Hot Spot forms assist in building a case against those who are not willing to modify their business operations to better serve the neighborhood.

Your voice matters as a resident and business owner! When you have concerns, those concerns must be documented. For details on how you can address and document problems within your community, visit this website.

I would like to end by extending a big thank you to the team of neighbors, businesses and NWSP staff who stayed for more than 6 hours to testify at the hearing, ensuring their voice was heard. I also want to thank Ald. Bauman for supporting and championing the voice of the people.