Milwaukee aldermen are considering a plan that that would allow police to hand out tickets without actually witnessing any wrongdoing.

Aldermen Bob Donovan, Joe Dudzik and Robert Puente would allow police to write noise violation tickets without hearing a thing. According to an analysis of the proposal, "in the event a complaint is received that does not adequately identify the party causing the noise violation, a citation may nevertheless (be issued) when authorities obtain further evidence from investigation or other means that establishes the identity of the alleged violator."

The city attorney's office, however, takes a dubious view of the idea, since it also will require sworn statements from witnesses, who, when it comes to complaining about nasty behavior, might not be so forthcoming when faced with the idea of losing their anonymity.

That would leave the city holding the bag when it comes time to judge the guilty party.

"Regardless of whether an owner responds to the notice in the proposed draft, the city must still prove its case against the defendant, and thus must be able to prove that the defendant named in the citation in fact violated the noise ordinance," opines the city attorney's office.

Another recent idea by aldermen would allow police to issue truancy tickets without actually catching the truants.

Lacking Legwork: It's one thing to say you're a candidate and get on the soapbox now and then, but it's another to actually do some legwork to get on the ballot.

It takes 2,000 signatures to achieve ballot status in the Milwaukee County Executive race. Two of the four candidates who enjoyed being listed as challengers couldn't muster that. Computer consultant Joe Klein and former county retirement manager Jack Hohrein endorsed state Sen. Lena Taylor over current exec Scott Walker while admitting they didn't have enough of a campaign organization to even get on the ballot. That means there will be no primary in the race, leaving a serious lack of public debate on the post.

"Scott Walker has broken many promises," Klein said in his campaign surrender statement. "He broke his promise to hold the office to the highest ethical standards, he broke his promise to clean up the pension scandal, and he's broken his promise to step down after one term. Scott Walker has no vision for the important issues facing Milwaukee County, and his lack of vision for transportation has been a constant roadblock to transportation progress."

Hohrein wasn't as prolific in announcing his failure. He simply admitted to coming up 500 signatures short of 2,000.

Chasing Chaser's: The saga of Chaser's bar continues. After several hearings in front of Milwaukee's bar license lords, owner Frank Dobert's establishment remains in legal limbo.

After several drug busts featuring one of his bartenders as a prominent player, Dobert faced the wrath of Ald. Tony Zielinski, who wanted the bar closed permanently. But good legal help, in the form of attorney Andrew Arena, allowed Dobert to fend off revocation until his license came due this month.

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