It was as close as you can get for such a vote, but the newest leader of the Milwaukee Common Council got through by an 8-7 margin to receive his newest responsibility.
The first part of fulfilling that responsibility, according to Cavalier Johnson, is to help his fellow aldermen and alderwomen come together and move past the disagreements that happen so often in politics.
“There are some divisions on the council,” said Johnson on WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi Show.
Johnson described numerous issues he intends to focus on, starting with committee structure issues on the internal side. But externally, in terms of policy, he wants to focus on:
– “Gun violence that need to be addressed.”
– “Resources…they have not allowed us to raise revenues locally for services that our constituents deserve.”
– “Employment for unemployed and underemployed Milwaukeeans.”
– “To work with DPW and MMSD to find unique ways to get some of those folks into work.”
– “Early childhood initiatives…bolstering funding for (them).”
Johnson also shared his journey, one which comes from the zip code that is one of the most economically ravaged and shows the larger racial and social divides in the region.
“53206, the most incarcerated (neighborhood) for African-American men, that’s the neighborhood that molded me,” he said.
“I know the challenges…I am determined to tackle those same issues.”
He said his public sector career began at 14 years old.
“I had the opportunity get involved in the pre-college program in the YMCA, ‘Sponsor a Scholar,’ ” said Johnson.
“I did that with UW-Madison and committed myself to public service.”
After doing community service-centered work from Europe to South Africa and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, he moved into direct government work.
“I was fortunate enough to be noticed and recruited into Mayor Tom Barrett’s office…for a number of years,” he explained, leading to his rise to an aldermanic position and now, this new role.