Block Party Pooper McGee

The 16th Street Block Club's "Community Unity" back-to-school event was scheduled for Saturday night.

While behind bars, disgraced Alderman Michael McGee Jr. decided to poop on the party by denying the permit.

From The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Using the power he still wields from jail, Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee has denied a permit for a block party organized by two key figures in the state and federal cases against him.

But Common Council President Willie Hines Jr. stepped in Friday to ensure that the block party can be held as scheduled tonight.

Jack Kheirieh and Joan Hollingsworth had sought the permit for the 16th St. Block Club's annual "Community Unity" back-to-school event promoting safe streets, AIDS prevention and drug abuse rehabilitation. The party, held for the past nine years, draws 300 to 400 people and provides free backpacks for students, Kheirieh said.

The Department of Public Works and the Police Department agreed with issuing a permit to close the 2800 block of N. 16th St. for the party. That site is near the line between Hines' district and McGee's district.

Hines also signed off on the permit, because of confusion over whether the location was in his district. But when the public works staff realized the site was actually in McGee's district, they sent the application to him, and he denied it, said department spokeswoman Cecilia Gilbert.

By the time the permit was denied, organizers already had spent money on preparations, assuming the permit would be routinely approved as in the past, Hines said. Volunteers have been working on the event for three or four months, Kheirieh said.

McGee is in the Waukesha County Jail, awaiting trial on federal charges of shaking down business owners for bribes and state charges of buying votes and of conspiring to have a man beaten.

Yet he remains in office, conducting business through telephone conversations with aide Mary Fitzgerald.

...Hines said she had told him McGee denied the permit for safety reasons, because of a recent fatal traffic crash nearby.

What a load!

The Department of Public Works and the Police Department agreed to issue the permit. They identified no safety concerns.

But McGee, that conscientious public servant, refused to sign off on it.

I don't buy it that McGee tried to block the block party because of safety issues.

...But neighbors told Hines they believed McGee was retaliating against Kheirieh for cooperating with law enforcement authorities.

...Neither Kheirieh nor Hines specifically accused McGee of retaliation.

"I really don't know why he denied it," Kheirieh said of the permit. "Maybe he has something personal against me, but he shouldn't take it out on the community."

McGee supported and attended last year's block party, Kheirieh said.

Hines said he respects McGee's decision but also wanted to help residents. Some of the organizations involved in the event are based in Hines' district, and Hollingsworth is a Hines constituent, he noted.

Of course, McGee was retaliating.

I don't know why Hines is giving McGee any respect.

He doesn't deserve it.

If an alderman denies a street closing permit, residents ordinarily can appeal to the council's Licenses Committee and ultimately to the full council, Hines said. But the council is in its August recess, with no meeting set until Sept. 5.

Once again, the council's August recess is getting attention.

Residents are reminded that aldermen take a lengthy month long break from City Hall during the summer.

This block party matter didn't require a special meeting to be resolved, like the Bar Louie liquor license lapse did.

No aldermen had to interrupt recess plans to take care of this one. I'm sure they were pleased.

Instead, Hines arranged a permit for the party to be held a block away in his district, either in the 2700 block of N. 15th St. or on W. Hadley St., between 15th and 16th streets.

Party organizers were to decide whether to take Hines up on that offer or to hold the party in the parking lot of Kheirieh's store, now called Magic Foods, which is in McGee's district. No permit would be needed to use the parking lot, Hines said.

Kheirieh thanked Hines for his assistance, but remained concerned that the event had been jeopardized.

"To all politicians: When something's going on for the community . . . it shouldn't be stopped," Kheirieh said. "They should appreciate what I'm doing for the community, not try to block me."

Thankfully, McGee was not able to hold the people of his district and residents in Hines' district hostage.

McGee failed. I hope the NAACP doesn't protest this positive event for the community. I know that McGee's supporters get very upset when their man doesn't get his way.

Bottom line:

McGee didn't poop on the party. He pooped on himself.