Waukesha Fire Chief Heading Before Hearing Board This Week

Waukesha Fire Chief Jesse Alba will learn this week if the Police and Fire Commission will let him continue working or if he will be suspended until pending sexual harassment allegations filed against him come to a conclusion.

Alba is accused of threatening a female employee with the loss of her job because he loved her, according to a complaint filed against Alba by City Administrator Ed Henschel and Mayor Jeff Scrima.

Alba told the woman he would force her out if he was made fire chief because he could not concentrate on his job or the upcoming fire chief promotion, according to the complaint. However, the woman did not return Alba's affections, the complaint states. 

Alba was promoted to Waukesha fire chief in May. The Police and Fire Commission will hear a preliminary hearing against him. Alba has said he will fight the allegations against him.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall. 

In other Waukesha news this week:

Meijer grocery store returns to the Waukesha Common Council this week, according to the Waukesha Freeman. Alderman Andy Reiland voted against the project so that he could bring it back before the full Common Council. The proposal was defeated at the last Common Council meeting, but Reiland wanted the full Common Council to vote on the project. Four aldermen were absent at the Aug. 8 meeting.

The city has not yet posted the agenda online. However, the meeting is being held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 201 Delafield St.

City leaders have been given added pressure to consider the proposal after the developer of the former Kmart site told the Waukesha Plan Commission that tenants planned for the Kmart redevelopment could back out if Meijer is not built, according to WaukeshaNow.

Other events happening in Waukesha:

• Rushing water: “Children are welcomed to join us at Retzer Nature Center in acknowledging August as National Water Quality month! Children will follow our naturalist around as they explore the stream and ponds of Retzer to learn why clean water is so essential to all living things. They will discover the variety of critters living in this wet world and how they adapt to water pollution.”
• Wings Over Waukesha: The Wings Over Waukesha Airshow returns to the Waukesha County Airport, August 24 - 25. Featuring a completely new lineup of nationally-renowned aerobatic acts, wing walkers, sky divers and a host of contemporary and vintage aircraft from both civilian and military aviation, this family-friendly event offers fun for all ages.