A billboard near North 5th Street and West Keefe Avenue is intended to raise awareness about lead exposure. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)

This year, I am grateful to have been able to cover a months-long effort by community groups to strengthen the city’s response to the health threat of lead in water, culminating in a resolution passed by the Common Council and signed by Mayor Barrett at the beginning of December.

This effort was one of several I have covered in which grassroots groups have successfully moved important issues forward in a concrete manner. Community coalitions also played a part in the resignation of Sheriff David Clarke in August and took charge of a local collaborative process to reform the Milwaukee Police Department that they will be leading into the new year.

This year has certainly been turbulent but I am heartened by the growing community involvement in the issues that affect us most. I will be interested to see whether that involvement, and the successes, continue.

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