Milwaukee County supervisors push back in battle for HOC control

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Milwaukee County supervisors reaffirmed their wish Thursday for the interim House of Correction superintendent to access the facility despite the county executive’s assertion the resolution would hinder rather than help.

The supervisors Thursday overrode County Executive Chris Abele’s veto 11-5.

The resolution, first passed at a special meeting March 12, will require Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr. to allow Michael Hafemann, whom Abele named interim superintendent, inside the HOC and see its records after he is confirmed to the permanent position.

Clarke sued the county in December to retain control of the HOC. A hearing on the county’s motion for summary judgment in that case is scheduled for April 18. Clarke has so far refused to allow access to the HOC.

Because of the uncertainty caused by the lawsuit, the resolution also shifts the date the county must transfer control from Clarke to the superintendent from April 1 to July 31.

Abele attempted to bar the resolution, according to his veto message, because he does not plan to officially nominate Hafemann to the position until after Clarke’s lawsuit is resolved.

Supervisor John Weishan Jr., who voted to override the veto, said that argument was unacceptable.

But Supervisor Mark Borkowski, who voted to sustain the veto, said he does not expect the sheriff to comply with the resolution.

“We can do all kinds of gyrations down here and all kinds of flips and be the hamster on the wheel,” he said, “and you know what? It doesn’t matter, because at the end of the day the sheriff is going to be the sheriff.”