Mayor Barrett failed to officially announce his decision to Milwaukee Fire & Police Commissioners Soler or Mckenzie that they won't be reappointed this year when their term expires, instead Barrett had the Commission's Executive Director Todd notified both Commissioners.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
June 9, 2021
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) learned that Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission Chair Nelson Soler and Commissioner Angela McKenzie won't be reappointed to another term by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, according to a source at City Hall.
Apparently, Mayor Barrett didn't personally contact either Soler or McKenzie whose terms expire on July 21, 22, 2021, but had the Commission's Executive Director Leon Todd contact both Soler and McKenzie on Tuesday via a phone call to let them know that Mayor Barrett was "moving the Commission in a different direction" and Barrett had decided not to reappoint them to another term.
Soler and McKenzie have both served for five years when their terms end and Mayor Barrett hasn't even thanked them for their dedicated service to the City and residents of the City of Milwaukee.
Soler was the first Hispanic male to lead the Commission as Chairman of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission and is the current Chair of the Commission. McKenzie is the current Vice-Chair of the Commission.
Mayor Barrett on Wednesday announced his appointment of three new members of the Fire and Police Commission today. Joan Kessler, LaNelle Ramey, and Ed Fallone have all accepted the Mayor’s invitation to serve as Commissioners.
In other news, HNNUSA learned that the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission is expected to appeal Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Foley's decision to reinstate retired Milwaukee Police Captain Alfonso Morales as Chief of Police. Former Milwaukee Chief of Police Morales was demoted to Captain for multiple issues, not abiding to Commissioners demands and lying to the Commission.
Update: On Thursday, July 1, 2021, Nelson Soler, the Chair for the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission announced his resignation from the Commission effective immediately after the meeting ends.
Soler's term was scheduled to end on July 21, 2021. Soler cited a "toxic culture" and indirectly cited a lack of independence from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett influence. Barrett decided not to reappoint Soler, but had the Commission's Executive Director Leon Todd contact Soler in early June via a phone call to let him know that the mayor wasn't going to reappoint him and that Barrett was moving in a different direction with the Commission.
On Friday, July 2, 2021, Soler posted the following Facebook post on his personal account, "I feel renewed after quitting serving in one of the most toxic environments I have served. Organizations do not thrive when leadership fosters favoritism and retaliate when individuals disagree just to advance individual political agendas. After five years, I am happy to have my Thursdays, Saturdays and every other Friday back for my family, my community, my business and myself. Public service has a very high cost and requires a strong and balanced mental fit. I look forward to write a book after this experience: "The Vaccuum of Leadership in the 21st Century: a Case Study"!"
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