Patricia McManus To Remain Milwaukee’s Interim Health Commissioner

Patricia McManus will remain Milwaukee’s interim health commissioner, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced Thursday.

Barrett said he won’t sign a common council measure that recently approved McManus as interim health commissioner, but he said Thursday that is meant as a criticism of the council and their “rushed” support of McManus.

“I am very disturbed by the unprecedented actions taken by the common council,” Barrett said. “I think it was very political in nature, and I’m not going to play the political game. It’s time to end the politics on this, though.”

Returning the appointment unsigned is not a reflection on McManus, who heads the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, Barrett said.

Barrett said he disagrees with some of McManus’ recent statements on vaccinations and other issues, but the two agree on helping Milwaukee children, especially those at risk of harm from lead paint in their homes.

McManus was nominated by Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton, but several members of the council said McManus was suggested by members of their districts.

The council voted against Barrett’s nomination of Paul Nannis to serve as interim health commissioner of the Milwaukee Health Department. Facing too much opposition, Barrett last week withdrew his nomination of Nannis.

The agency has been without a leader since January, when health commissioner Bevan Baker resigned over concerns about Baker’s handling of the city’s lead abatement program.