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| Affiliation | Nonpartisan |
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| Name | Arthur L. Jones |
| Address |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
Unknown
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| Contributor | Thomas Walker |
| Last Modifed | Thomas Walker
May 23, 2005 05:43pm |
| Tags |
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| Info | Despite past run-ins with Milwaukee officials and a possible lawsuit against the very city he wants to head, former Police Chief Arthur Jones said he is the best suited among 10 candidates to be Milwaukee's next mayor.
Jones has had well-publicized battles with the Fire and Police Commission, some members of the Common Council and former Mayor John O. Norquist. He also has filed a discrimination complaint against the city with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and hasn't ruled out suing.
Nonetheless, he says he is up to the task of working with the city's leaders, including his detractors.
"You have to look forward," he said. "Looking backward doesn't make Milwaukee a better city."
As mayor, Jones says that he would look beyond the city's limited financial resources for other funds to help ensure a high quality of life for its residents.
Jones says he would be the city's chief lobbyist and cheerleader, reaching out to businesses, colleges and other institutions to convince them to invest their resources in Milwaukee's future.
"You need to know what training is necessary to fill available jobs and you teach those skills as early as possible," Jones said.
"People need those skills to enter the job market and it's a self-interest of companies to provide those skills and they know it's in their best interest."
With the help of the business and academic communities, Jones said, his administration would help early intervention and after-school programs while launching satellite learning centers that teach job skills.
He said he would work to ensure that city-based contractors are given first consideration on construction projects and insist that companies make sincere efforts to provide jobs and training to city residents.
Deep roots
A lifelong city resident, Jones graduated from North Division High School and earned a bachelor's degree in social welfare / criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
"I was born, raised and totally educated in this city," he said. "This is home. Milwaukee is an extension of my family. I love the city of Milwaukee and I'm proud I'm from the city of Milwaukee. But like any family, you recognize its shortcomings and work hard to reconcile and deal with them."
He joined the Police Department in 1967 and was appointed Milwaukee's 16th chief of police in 1996, the first black to hold the job.
His detractors have criticized what they called his dictatorial micromanagement of the Police Department. But defenders say he made great strides in diversifying the department, including his command staff, and reduced crime in the city while being fair but firm with his officers.
As the years passed, however, his tenure became increasingly stormy. His contract was not renewed by the Fire and Police Commission. He was eliminated from a list of applicants for the job and replaced in November by former Capt. Nan Hegerty.
Experience touted
Today, at age 57, Jones said his experience in running the largest department in city government without exceeding its operational budget in seven years makes him more qualified to be mayor than the other nine candidates on the Feb. 17 primary ballot.
And, he said, it all comes down to efficiency.
"At some point, you cut through the flesh, then the muscle and you get to the bone," he said. "Then you have to make a decision whether you cut services or raise taxes, and those decisions should not be made unilaterally."
Jones said under his administration the public would have direct input into those decisions, and the Common Council would know that the people have spoken. He opposes proposals for state-imposed property tax limits and says it should be up to local government and citizens to decide what services are needed and how to pay for them.
He supports school choice but said choice and charter schools should be held to the same accountability standards as public schools.
And he believes he could be a successful mayor despite the history of bad blood with city officials that led to his complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Though the EEOC made no finding on Jones' claims of discrimination, it did determine there was "reasonable cause to believe" Jones suffered retaliation.
The complaint is still pending and Jones still might be able to sue if it is eventually dismissed. He admits a lawsuit against a city where he is mayor would be awkward but said he would wait for the EEOC decision before deciding whether to sue.
The top two finishers in the primary will advance to the April 6 general election.
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