Candidates clash over priorities at mayoral town hall

Milwaukee Mayoral candidates Cavalier Johnson and Bob Donovan faced off at Turner Hall’s Mayoral Forum on March 16. 

After opening remarks from Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Columnist James E. Causey, who acted as master of ceremonies for the forum, the floor was opened to questions from the panel. 

The opening question focused on how each candidate would spend $3 million worth of funds that had been granted to the city by Governor Tony Evers. 

Early on the candidates acknowledged the issue concerning the sudden rise in reckless driving. Each candidate planned on using the $3 million fund from Governor Tony Evers to address the problem. 

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he would put that money towards deterring reckless driving. Johnson said that people who lived near him were afraid of leaving their own homes because they were worried about driving. 

“I know folks on the North side of Capitol Drive who are afraid to go to travel to the North side of Capitol Drive to go to the Pick n’ Save,” said Johnson. 

Johnson added that he would also fund the Department of Public Works to install road fixtures that would make reckless driving more difficult. 

This deterrent is one of several that is laid out in Johnson’s S.T.A.N.D. for Safer Streets program. Alongside road fixtures, the program would also increase the number of license plate reading cameras to identify reckless drivers, as well as vehicles associated with Amber Alerts. 

Former Alderman Bob Donovan also said that he would use the funding to address the reckless driving issue. However, he said that his solution was to restore manpower in the Milwaukee Police Department. 

“Our police department does not at all adequately investigate even our stolen vehicles anymore.” 

Donovan noted that the current number of actual strength Milwaukee Police officers is 1,657, compared to the 1,997 employed in 2008. 

“We have got to give our officers the staffing that they need,” said Donovan. 

Some noticeable tension did arise later in the forum when the two candidates were asked how they felt about Critical Race Theory being taught in MPS. 

Johnson first clarified that, as Mayor, he would have no real power in enforcing what was taught in schools. However, he followed by saying that he found it very important to teach the younger generation about the history of their country. Though, in his opinion, it is wrong to make young white children feel guilty about their ancestry, it would be doing all children a disservice by not teaching them the truth about this county’s history, and its treatment of its inhabitants. 

“In the United States, we are patriots, we love our country,” said Johnson. “But we have a scar: an original sin. A damaging effect that has lasted for generations, and generations, and centuries in this country.” 

Donovan, on the other hand, felt differently. 

“CRT, I don’t think has any place in schools,” said Donovan. “Now that doesn’t mean I don’t want our kids to learn history, warts and all.” 

Donovan followed by saying that he felt parents should be the ones to decide what their children are taught in school. He said he saw parents as “the first educators of our kids” and that they should trust schools to fulfill their children’s academic needs. 

“We want our kids to learn the basics first and foremost: math, science, history, again warts and all.” 

The candidates also took questions from three student representatives from Rufus King High School. The first question was asked by Mia Moore, a sophomore. 

“As a student that goes to MPS I would like to know where do you stand on the State taking over MPS?” 

 This question refers to the proposal by Republican Senators to split Milwaukee Public Schools into four to eight districts. 

Democrats and MPS representatives have criticized the bill, saying it would take away families’ ability to choose where they enroll their children in the city. It could also further segregate them. 

Johnson, an MPS graduate himself, was the first to answer. 

“I don’t agree with it,” said Johnson. “And I don’t agree with it for a number of reasons.” 

Despite being Acting Mayor and having one child already enrolled in MPS, with his two daughters starting in the fall, Johnson said he was not in any way consulted with regarding the legislature taking charge of MPS. If the state really wanted to have an impact on kids, they should be working on issues that that children face outside of school, such as trauma and abuse, according to Johnson. 

Instability in his own life resulted in Johnson attending six schools growing up. He and his siblings were in different schools as well. If he had been living in the kind of situation the legislature has proposed, he would have been going to schools in six entirely different districts. 

“I can’t imagine the kind of stress that would have put on my mother.” 

Donovan, on the other hand, found merit in the State’s proposal, as it would involve increased involvement on the Mayor’s part in schools. 

“I am encouraged by the State Legislature having a desire to do something,” said Donovan. “We all have to admit: we need to do better.” 

Milwaukee’s Mayoral Election is on April 5, a Tuesday. Voting registration has now closed and early voting takes place from March 22 to April 2.