City officials meet with Community Baptist Church’s men’s group to address growing concerns

City of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and 15th District Alderman Russell Stamper Jr., made a joint appearance the morning of Tuesday, August 19, 2014 to meet with Rev. Demetrious Williams and the Community Baptist Church’s Men’s Networking group. The officials heard an array of concerns regarding the boarded-up former Finney Library building, which has been closed for 10 years, and an apartment building with vacant commercial space that was built with WHEDA dollars on W. North Ave. The group went on to share their concerns about boarded-up housing, failing schools, school busing and the re-entry of inmates into the community. Mayor Barrett spoke of the number of city programs his administration has promoted to keep youth working. In that regard, the mayor said he is calling large corporations every day to keep youth working for the summer.