MILWAUKEE, WI – In response to public claims made by Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve Taylor regarding delays in the Bender Park boat launch project, State Representative Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) released the following statement:

“Residents deserve accurate information, not political misdirection. Supervisor Steve Taylor has incorrectly suggested that my office or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for delays in approving the necessary permit for the Bender Park boat launch project. That claim is simply not true.

“The fact is that the DNR has been waiting on Milwaukee County to submit the required sediment analysis for their permit application. Without this necessary documentation, the permit cannot be approved, and the delay rests entirely at the county level.

“What is particularly concerning is that Supervisor Taylor failed to verify whether Milwaukee County had actually submitted the necessary paperwork before making public claims about state-level delays. Instead of ensuring the county fulfilled its responsibility, he sent an email to my office just hours before his town hall meeting, but rather than waiting for a response, he proceeded to publicly shift blame. That’s not how responsible leadership works.

“Had Supervisor Taylor taken the time to confirm the county’s status in the permitting process, he would have known that the holdup was not with the DNR or my office but with Milwaukee County itself. Once the county provides the required materials, the DNR will be able to make a determination.

“I remain committed to supporting this project and continuing to ensure dialog between Milwaukee County and the DNR.”

For more information my office can be reached at Rep.Rodriguez@legis.wisconsin.gov; and by phone at (608) 237-9121.