Spotlight on Activists: Missions in Milwaukee
When Paul Reinelt fired off one of his memos about how the county could improve recycling operations and save money, administrators jumped on the idea and assigned him to run the facility. Although not a glamorous job, it has many aspects that keep him devising inventive and efficient ways to do it.
Like getting mailings out by using volunteers — mostly those sentenced to community service. He also puts disabled people to work, letting them build experience and credit.
A member of Local 654 (Council 48), Reinelt has been a county worker since 1968. He has spent the bulk of his long career aiding parents and children in family social services.
Lately, he has been refining another idea: how the complex he works in can help rejuvenate its neighborhood. He envisions transforming vacant lots littered with broken glass into communities bustling with stores and new residential spaces.
Reinelt wants the county and city to get involved in this project as an incentive for businesses and home owners. To get started, in coordination with neighborhood groups and business associations, Reinelt has fashioned a "walk to work" home-ownership program. He wants the county to spearhead it, hoping that many employees of nearby county facilities would be attracted by special programs for home loans and refurbishing. "Think of it," he says. "Isn't this just the sort of thing people would like to see their governments do?"
A community activist for 25 years, Reinelt has an impressive track record. He has taught parenting classes for the county. He has also set up many reading programs centered in area schools, including one especially designed for new mothers. And he initiated an arts grant program that displayed reproductions from various cultures.
"There's a pride in what public workers do," Reinelt says. "I was taught those old-fashioned ideas of public service from a family that didn't buy the ‘government is bad' argument, that considered it an honor and privilege to work for the people."
