Bettering the Community: ViAnna Jordan
After serving 20 years in the military—during which travels took her to Korea, Italy, Turkey, Kuwait, and Iraq—ViAnna Jordan returned home to Milwaukee in January 2006 to settle down and take care of her recently deceased father's estate. What she discovered upon returning, however, did not make for a happy homecoming.
It all started with what you might assume would be a simple procedure of buying two adjoining property lots in Milwaukee's 6th District, where she is a resident. But $8,000 and a wild goose chase later, Jordan was still without the property. During this process, Jordan was continually referred to the district's alderman, Michael McGee, who did nothing to put an end to the run-around. And any complaints she made were met with a stock phrase: "You elected him. The citizens of the 6th District elected him."
"I go to the war to help set up democracy in other places, and this is the kind of democracy that's going on here at home," Jordan said, continuing, "If we put them [elected officials] in, we can take them out."
So, after discovering a litany of examples of McGee's inept—not to mention corrupt—behavior, Jordan spearheaded a grassroots campaign to recall him, and stepped up to the plate to take his place as Alderwoman.
However, despite the fact that Jordan and her fellow petitioners met every statutory requirement for a recall campaign, the State Elections Board illegally decertified the recall petition by violating a number of state statues and creating a loophole in the law, which allows politicians to disqualify a certified recall, regardless of how many signatures are collected or how closely petitioners have abided by the law.
Apparently, it will take a lot more than a well-executed recall campaign to remove McGee from office—because even nine counts of indictment and an ongoing jail stay have not done so.
At the end of May, McGee was arrested and charged with bribery and extortion. In July, a federal grand jury issued a nine-count indictment against him, including five counts of bribery, three of extortion, and one financially-related violation. All nine are felonies, and McGee awaits a federal trial later this fall.
In the meantime, however, he is continuing his duties as alderman as best he can from a jail cell. After his arrest, McGee was held by the U.S. Marshals Service but was moved from Milwaukee to the Dodge County Jail after making phone calls to intimidate witnesses. Nevertheless, Jordan says, he's still earning a $71,000 salary, racking up $325 per month for transportation, using a public defender—and, of course, still holding the position of alderman.
"He needs to cut his ties, so the community can move forward," Jordan said. "I'm all about moving forward."
She has certainly proven that with her efforts. The next election approaches in April 2008, but no matter what happens, Jordan will be working to better her community.
She states on her website: "My plan for the future is to be a community role model, in addition to role model for my children, so others can take a personal stake and make changes when they see an opportunity for change....I hope to change my district and Milwaukee for the better."
ViAnna Jordan, here's to you.
