Politics - July 24, 2009
City floats water fee increase
The city is looking at raising water rates as a way to put more money in its general fund, going beyond the traditional water bills being used to cover the cost of running the Water Works. Water Works and city administration officials are looking to raise rates an additional 6.5 percent for suburban users of Milwaukee water and 5 percent for city residents on top of a 3 percent increase that takes effect soon.
Tags: Tom Barrett, Jim Doyle, Scott Walker, Republican, Democrat, Robert Puente, Bob Donovan, Joe Dudzik, Chief Ed Flynn, Robin Vos, Wisconsin Business Council, Newt Gingrich, Mark Neumann

Politics - Nov. 21, 2008
Alderman wants focus put on squad car cameras
The Milwaukee Police Department has been lax in installing cameras in squad cars, even though it has been given the green light to do so and has equipment lying around ready to get our men in blue on the contributors' list for the "Cops" TV show. The city would have about 200 cameras if it gets a grant for 46 more. Only 67 have been installed and are functional, according to the department. Another 37 have been installed but are not functional.
Tags: police, squad car cameras, robert puente, wally morics

Politics - March 28, 2008
Smile, Milwaukee: You may be on hidden camera
The city approved spending $110,000 to put cameras at three bus stops on the South Side. The cameras, somehow, are expected to deter youth violence at the stops.
Tags: ald. jim bohl, rant langley, pedro colon, uw-milwaukee college republicans, rebecca dallet, jeffrey norman, robert puente, milwaukee county transit system, surveillance cameras

Politics - Jan. 4, 2008
Turning up the volume on the noise ordinance debate
Milwaukee aldermen are considering a plan that that would allow police to hand out tickets without actually witnessing any wrongdoing.
Tags: noise ordinance, scott walker. lena taylor, chaser's pub, bob donovan, joe dudzik, robert puente, joe klein, jack horein

Politics - Dec. 5, 2007
Fire Department trims could save millions
A leaner fire department could save Milwaukee millions a year, says a new consultant's report. But to do that city officials will have to lock horns with the firefighters' union.
Tags: Zielinski, D'Amato, Bohl, Witkowski, Dudzik, Ashanti Hamilton, Robert Bauman, Robert Puente, snow plow, Milwaukee Fire Dept., Chaser's, Busalacchi, Frank F. Dobert, Club Escape, Courtny Gerrish, Grede, Allen-Bradley, Tim Ebert, Common Council, C2 Bar, Moc