By STEVE SCHULTZE
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — House of Correction Superintendent Ron Malone won reappointment to his job Thursday from the Milwaukee County Board despite criticisms over problems at the Franklin lockup and an emotional appeal from the parents of an inmate who died there.
The vote was 14-3.
Supervisors Mark Borkowski and John Weishan Jr. told colleagues that festering problems at the House of Correction might erupt, despite efforts to fix things. Supervisor Christopher Larson joined Borkowski and Weishan in opposing Malone’s reappointment.
“You’ve been warned,” Weishan said. “When the next disaster strikes at the House of Correction, there is no one to blame but ourselves.”
The House came under fire in a pair of audits that found security lapses, employee morale problems and high overtime costs. County Executive Scott Walker has credited Malone with addressing audit recommendations, including hiring more correctional officers, reducing forced overtime and patching security gaps.
Gary and Patti Orlowski of Greendale told supervisors in a handwritten letter this week that “poor management and supervision” at the House of Correction led to the drug overdose death of their son, Alexander Orlowski, last Thanksgiving. A fellow inmate has been charged with supplying the methadone pills that caused Alexander Orlowski’s death. Both were held in the same House of Correction dormitory.
“Is anyone at the House of Correction accountable for anything, or will it always be blamed on budget cuts?” Orlowski’s parents wrote. The Orlowskis, who attended the County Board meeting Thursday, have filed a legal claim against the county over the death.
Sales tax referendum
Also Thursday, the vote to override Walker’s veto of a November referendum question on whether the local sales tax should be raised by 1 cent was delayed by the County Board until Sept. 4.
The move was aimed at ensuring that two absent members who favor a veto override - Supervisors Marina Dimitrijevic and Elizabeth M. Coggs - are on hand to take that vote. With them, there should be the necessary 13 votes for the override, according to County Board Chairman Lee Holloway.
Opponents of the sales tax referendum proposal vainly attempted to force the override vote Thursday - when it was likely to fail. Walker vetoed the referendum last week.
The proposed referendum would ask voters if they favor a 1 percentage point increase in the sales tax, with proceeds earmarked for parks, transit, emergency services and property tax relief. The increase would raise about $130 million, with $67 million pegged for property tax relief. The increase would also require authorization by the state Legislature and Gov. Jim Doyle.
The county already collects a 0.5% sales tax, which comes on top of the state’s 5% sales tax and the region’s 0.1% stadium tax.
The board voted 10-7 to recess today’s meeting until Sept. 4.
In other action, the board:
* Authorized extending a county credit relief plan for Midwest Airlines for one year, on a 16-1 vote. The county originally agreed to back a letter of credit for the airline five years ago. If the financially troubled airline defaults on state loans, the county could be responsible for paying off up to $14 million in airline debt. Two airline hangars and a $5.7 million trust fund were put up as collateral on the county credit guarantee. The original deal sparked controversy, but the board approved the one-year extension without debate.
* Approved a long-term lease agreement with the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, on a 12-5 vote. The agreement extends the museum’s stay at O’Donnell Park by as much as 18 years, to 2033. The minimum annual lease payment is $60,000.
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