Alderman McBride Says 'No Purpose Will Be Served' by Override Attempt

Wauwatosa Ald. Dennis McBride released a statement Monday afternoon saying that while he disagreed with Mayor Jill Didier's veto Wednesday of the Common Council's ratification of contracts with city employees, he would move to end any bid by the council to override her veto.

McBride said he would move when the council next meets on May 3 to table any effort to override, effectively putting the matter to rest.

"I disagree with the Mayor's decision, for reasons stated at the April 19th meeting," McBride said in a written statement. "Nevertheless, the Council has dealt with this issue at two separate meetings at which we heard statements, both for and against, from hundreds of City residents.

"In addition, we all have received hundreds of e-mails and telephone messages from residents and non-residents.

"It is my belief that no purpose will be served in bringing this issue to another vote.

"If the Council votes in favor of my motion, the controversy will be over and the Council can then move on to dealing with the many other important issues that we must address each week."

The contracts negotiated with three city workers' unions was first denied by the Common Council on March 15 when about 100 people attended the council meeting to protest ratification before Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill went into effect.

When that bill was held up in court after the State Assembly passed it, Tosa aldermen called for a special council meeting to reconsider the earlier vote. After 4 1/2 hours of public comment and debate last Tuesday, the council voted 8-7 to ratify the contracts.

The following morning, Didier vetoed the ratification.