The Milwaukee Post

4 • Milwaukee Post • September 6, 2013 WEEK IN REVIEW STATE AND LOCAL STORIES OF INTEREST 1 Abele allows War Memorial,Art Museum deal Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele allowed a long-term management and funding deal he disagreed with for the War Memorial and the Milwaukee Art Museum to go into effect without him carrying out a veto. Supervisors approved the deal July 25 on an 18-0 vote. County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimtrijevic thanked Abele for backing away from a veto, which would have prolonged completing county action. Dimitrijevic had recently met with Abele to personally ask him to sign the agreement. Had Abele vetoed the deal, the County Board would have met Sept. 10 to take an override vote that based on the early vote would have certainly succeeded. "The County Executive said he would veto the compromise, but I am glad he changed his mind," Dimitrijevic said. She called the deal the "right thing to do for 2 veterans and the arts community ." "It ensures the integrity of both institutions and guarantees Milwaukee County residents will be able to enjoy these two treasures for generations to come," a release said. The agreement means the county will Milwaukee School of Engineering dean charged with third drunken driving retires An administrator at the Milwaukee School of Engineering abruptly retired last week, coming on the heels of his third drunken driving charge. A spokesman with the school confirmed that Patrick Coffey, 69, of New Berlin, retired from his position as MSOE's vice president for student life and dean of students. On Aug. 15, Coffey allegedly drove his car in the wrong lane for at least 10 miles while traveling on Interstate 94 in Milwaukee and Racine counties. His criminal complaint alleges his blood-alcohol concentration was 0.19. Charges filed in Milwaukee County Aug. 19 included thirdoffense drunken driving, third-offense operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration and second-degree recklessly endangering safety . Coffey has pleaded not guilty to all three charges. 3 Coffey Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office makes 28 drunken driving arrests Twenty-eight people were arrested for drunken driving over the Labor Day weekend in Milwaukee County, according to a sheriff's office news release. The sheriff's office said the average prohibited blood-alcohol level was .014, and the highest level was .024. There were eight drunken driving arrests with prior convictions, including one with four prior convictions and a three-time offender who was arrested by deputies just two weeks earlier on suspicion of drunken driving with eight children in the vehicle, the sheriff's office said. Two of the 28 arrests were from out of state. All told, the sheriff's office enforcement initiative resulted in 177 traffic stops, including 20 seat belt violations, 74 for excessive speed, 33 for driving with unlicensed, revoked or suspended driver's license, 28 for operating while intoxicated, 12 crashes that resulted in property damage (three cycle-related), nine crashes with injuries (six cycle-related) and four drunken driving-related crashes. The MCSO also made three weapon-related arrests. support the War Memorial and the art museum for the next 10 years with funding totaling nearly $1.6 million. The art museum will get $1.1 million and the War Memorial gets $486,000 a year, under the agreement. "This plan will not only help the War Memorial and the Art Museum, but it honors those who paid the ultimate price in service to our country," Dimitrijevic said. The museum is privately raising another $15 million to pay for an atrium addition on the east side of the building and renovation of art galleries. 4 AT&T Pioneers donate more than 620 new backpacks to city elementary students 5 Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee aiming to fill 150 jobs AT&T Pioneers donated more than 620 backpacks to Milwaukee elementary school students, according to a company statement. The backpacks are filled with school supplies as part of the annual "Tools for Learning Project." The backpacks were donated to Clarke Street School, Hayes Bilingual School, Silver Spring Elementary School, Oliver Wendell Holmes School, Young Leaders Academy and Jared Bruce Academy, all of which are in Milwaukee. "Nothing is more important for a strong Wisconsin future than ensuring a quality education for all of our children," state Sen. Lena Taylor said. "These backpacks and supplies will help hundreds of Milwaukee students be prepared for the new school year and succeed in the classroom." Last year, the Pioneers donated over 1,000 backpacks to more than 30 elementary schools around the state. The AT&T Pioneers is a local organization of employees and retirees who volunteer their time to various community causes. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee is looking to fill nearly 150 full- and part-time positions. The agency is seeking applicants to help with its after-school academic programs, fitness programs and general supervision. Candidates should have experience working with children and preferably have qualifications related to early childhood education. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee offers after-school and summer programming for children between the ages of 5 and 18. The agency focuses on kids from poorer backgrounds, and membership costs $5 per year, per child. The club operates 31 school sites. Anyone interested in applying can find a list of positions and an online application at https://boysgirlsclubscareers.silkroad.com/.

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