The forum — a self-described effort to "promote public discussion of political and social issues" — utilizes a thoughtfully planned panel of experts who bring divergent views televised in front of a live audience. It all takes place at Turner Hall — conjuring the rich history of Milwaukee Turners, whose history dates back 150 years. The forum is based on a deep concern for social reform and a relentless pursuit of honest and open democratic government.

The result is a series of hour-long programs that delve deep beyond the surface. For example, a seven-part series that aired in January and February, "Do Wisconsin Kids Count?," explored the root causes of and possible solutions to teen pregnancy, health care, housing and family struggles among other topics. This past October, the forum tackled stem cell research, abortion, the death penalty and end-of-life issues.

In fact, 4th Street Forums presents 27 shows per season through a collaborative effort that includes an executive planning committee with co-chairpeople, a director and a group of moderators who represent a diversity of opinion and background.

Model public discussion

"It’s democracy, creating a model upon which you can have public discourse in a civil manner," says Jack Murtaugh, co-chairman of the forum’s executive committee, moderator and retired longtime director of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee. Involved in public issues for the past 40 years, he says the forums are unique for several reasons.

"Much of the discussion today takes place on personalities, and there isn’t the kind of discussion where people respect each other," Murtaugh says. "Ideological conflicts and personalities get in the way. It’s important to show the complexities and all of the nuances of the issues.

"In the political arena, there are people who are ideologues and then you find politicians who understand the process who realize their role is to determine where the community is at and produce public policies. Politicians don’t lead in the manner we think they lead."

Murtaugh further explains that leadership requires an involved constituency that can provide ideas, money and the ability to keep or replace those politicians depending on their ability to make public policy. He says the executive committee brainstorms on an ongoing basis, deciding on timely topics related to the day’s issues — including elections, crime, poverty, etc. — and then adding knowledgeable people to advise on details, including who should be on a panel.

"The key thing is to put together a panel whose voices represent diverse ethical, racial and gender views," he says.

According to Murtaugh, this diversity not only fuels a well-rounded discussion, but it puts people of various views together, with the hope that those individuals who may never have been in personal contact could spark reasonable follow-up discussion.

The forum format includes the moderator posing an initial question to each of the panelists, followup discussion and then questions from the live audience. The pubic is invited, and an average of 50 to 100 people attend.

Other moderators include Denise Callaway, a former television reporter and current communications director for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and Eugene Figueroa, director of the Roberto Hernandez Center and assistant to the provost for Latino Affairs at UW-Milwaukee. Each is assigned a certain amount of panels, depending on availability and personal interest and knowledge.

The beginning

According to Murtaugh, Milwaukee provides the only such forum that changes panelists. And he points to its unique beginnings.

A longtime community activist with Milwaukee real estate business ties, Jullily Kohler in the mid to late 1990s was concerned with reviving the dwindling membership of Milwaukee Turners. She approached MPTV with the idea to begin televising the forums based on the Turner’s founding philosophy that supported free speech, press and assembly in the pursuit of independent thought. Now sharing co-chairperson duties with Jack Murtaugh, Kohler first recruited her daughter, Issa, who directed programs and now has moved on to law school.

"The forums are important because people are not comfortable discussing topics in detail," Kohler says, adding that this is an American phenomenon and that Europeans, for example, are much more comfortable doing so, including within the family structure.

"We want people to feel comfortable voicing their views and this is a way to promote that," she adds.

Behind the scenes

Director Deidre Martin, recruited by Milwaukee Turners from UCLA, says working on the forums has been rewarding.

"Milwaukee is a beautiful city with a lot of culture and a high educational level," she says. "Our challenge is to not only properly identify all of the aspects of a problem, but also to make sure our panelists and the audience can identify possible solutions.

"The other challenge is to make sure we are addressing topics that are timely," she adds. "That’s why the members of the committee and others who are advising are so important to the process. We’re in our fourth year, and we see an increase in interest from the community."

Bill Werner, a director and producer of MPTV, worked with Jack Murtaugh in the 1970s on an urban issues television program based in Racine. He uses a full trailer and three-camera set-up at nearby Turner Hall.

"It has been good to be involved in a series that explores these issues," Werner says. "One of the goals — to provide a truly balanced look at issues and their solutions from an ideological, racial and gender basis — really appealed to us. We like that the discussion is based on something more meaningful than just scoring ideological points.

"In addition, it’s nice to take the studio out into the community. It’s a good outreach for us."

Continued education

A veteran of approaching issues from all sides, even Murtaugh says he has learned from his forum experience.

"In preparing for the programs, I have even more appreciation for clear thinking," he says. "When you retire, you’re not sure how you’re going to continue your interest in the broad community. This is a nice way to do it."