Opposition To Governor And Mayoral Takeover Of MPS Grows

Major budget deficits plaguing City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 31, 2009
Updated: September 1, 2009

Milwaukee -Governor Jim Doyle and Mayor Tom Barrett along with the common council president held a press conference on Monday at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to push for mayoral control of the Milwaukee Public School District (MPS). Their reasoning for the takeover was not motivated by any personal issue with any MPS board member, but that they just think a new approach is needed.
Both the mayor and the governor offered no further details about any proposed plan to reform MPS. The governor is applying for part of the $4.3 billion in federal school grants for public schools in Wisconsin, and the Obama administration needs to know the state is focusing on serious education reform.

At the press conference, MPS Board President Dr. Michael Bonds was present and disagreed with the governor and the mayor. He doesn't believe their approach would benefit the students in the long run. "I'm just here to find out some specifics and see what they could do different than the current board is doing," Bonds said.
To date, the mayor has no specific plan, but is working with legislators to draft one, and expect to debate the issue when they reconvene on September 15th, according to supporters of the mayor at the conference.
The supporters included several Latino administrators from a couple of community based organizations. Attending the press conference were Enrique Figueroa, Lupe Martinez, Ricardo Diaz, Maria Monreal-Cameron, José F. Vásquez, and Darryl Morin.
Doyle and Barrett want to tap into the proposed stimulus federal money geared for public education programs. Taxpayers are opposing the takeover and are focusing on the current budget deficits the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin are facing in the next year or so. The State of Wisconsin is facing a $5.4 Billion by 2011, and the City of Milwaukee is facing a $90 million deficit by 2010. Mayor Barrett and Governor Doyle have not come close to balancing their own budget deficits and now they want to tackle the MPS budget and educational curriculum.
Apparently, the mayor's supporters who were at the conference are just trying to benefit from the projected educational stimulus package, according to opponents of the mayoral takeover. But, supporters and opponents do agree that getting part of the billions in federal school grants is "the key political factor for the mayoral takeover, instead of developing a curriculum that aims to provide an educational opportunity for students to succeed academically by enrolling in college bound courses, in order to compete for future jobs."
The MPS Board voted last week to set aside $250,000 to cover lawyer fees just in case the mayoral takeover ends up with a legal challenge.
For example, the Chicago mayoral takeover of public schools provided a grim change, but was contributed to the actual changes in the tests. A study conducted by the Commercial Club of Chicago found that academic gains made by elementary students in the mayor-controlled Chicago Public Schools “appear to be due to changes in the tests made by the Illinois State Board of Education, rather than real improvements in student learning.” The study called the performance of Chicago’s high schools “abysmal.”
In another city, Detroit voters gave control back to the school board after the mayoral takeover when test scores remained the same. In Boston, some improvement resulted in math and reading scores after mayoral control, but opponents have questioned the methods used in collecting data. Opponents say, studies have shown that in most cities where mayoral control of public schools have occurred, parents usually have less input in deciding how the schools are run.
“I know that something has to be done about MPS, but a takover? I’m curious what happens when MPS falls short. Will they (mayor and governor) give furloughs to the teachers and close down for a day or two?,” Victor Huyke, Publisher of El Conquistador Newspaper said.
Last week Wednesday, Milwaukee Alderman Anthony Zielinski who opposes the takeover said, what’s at stake is "the fundamental right to vote. Governor Doyle and Mayor Barrett proposed that the School Board of Directors be disbanded in favor of a body appointed by the mayor. I am fighting 100 percent against this antidemocratic measure. To that end, Common Council legislation is being drafted to formalize this opposition."
Zielinski has challenged Mayor Barrett for a public debate on the MPS takeover, but the mayor has refused. Zielinski (Dem.) filed recently as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
Congresswoman Gwen Moore issued a statement decrying the takeover. "We will not rectify the challenges facing MPS unless we talk about poverty, teen pregnancy and the perverted policy initiatives that have exacerbated this problem for our city’s public schools. MPS is working with a flawed state funding formula that sends our public dollars to private schools outside of the city. … I fully believe that the governor and the mayor have the best intentions for MPS; however, I have yet to hear a credible explanation of how these difficult challenges get fixed by simply changing the way that our school board is chosen," Moore wrote.
The local Milwaukee chapter of the NAACP has publicly opposed the mayoral takeover. "The proposed takeover will have the effect of disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of voters," NAACP Milwaukee Chapter President Jerry Hamilton said.
"We are opposed to mayoral control of our schools. We think the best model is a strong school board selecting a very vibrant and energetic new superintendent...We believe school reform works best when the educators in the classroom as well as the community is involved in shaping that reform," Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association President Mike Langyel said.
Last week, State Rep. Polly Williams said the mayor, governor, director of public instruction and others are trying to oust Dr. Michael Bonds an African-American school board president, who oversees a school district that is 57 percent African-American.
The MPS Board recently created the Department of Accountability to have oversight of their expenditures and costs . "We have put together a plan that will provide unprecedented fiscal and program accountability," Bonds said. The mayor and governor have yet to offer an alternative, Bonds added.

DeBraska, Former Police Union President Convicted Of Forgery And Identity Theft

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 29, 2009

Milwaukee - On Friday, August 28th, a jury found Bradley DeBraska, 53, former Milwaukee Police Association President guilty on two felony counts, one count of forgery and one count of identity theft. He is now facing up to 12 years in prison, and up to $20,000 in fines.
Assistant District Attorney Kurt Benkley will now ask Circuit Judge Richard Sankovitz to revoke DeBraska's signature bond and incarcerate DeBraska until sentencing. He is facing a substantial time in prison, according to Benkley. Debraska is expected back in court next Friday, September 4th to learn his scheduled sentencing date.
DeBraska retired in 2005 from the Milwaukee Police Department. He was once considered an influential figure within the ranks of the Milwaukee Police Department. He was a police officer for 27 years, including 17 as union president.
The criminal complaint stated that DeBraska ordered his union secretary Candy Johnson in July 2004 to fabricate a memo he dictated word by word pretending to be a 1999 memo from former Common Council President John Kalwitz to city labor negotiator Frank Forbes. Johnson testified that DeBraska had told her to “take this to the grave.”
Kalwitz during trial testified he did not write or signed the memo. “Potentially millions in public money was affected by this document. This is serious business,” said John Chisholm, Milwaukee County District Attorney.
The city wanted to used money from a pension fund, but the police union challenged their attempt to used more then $2 million to $3 million from the pension fund to upgrade pension computers. The city said it did not have a cap on spending, but DeBraska fabricated a memo saying that Kalwitz had agreed to a cap with “the ceiling of 3 million for ERS computer costs.”

Editorial: Vote No! To Mayor Barrett and Governor Doyle's Take Over Of MPS

By H. Nelson Goodson
Taxpayer
August 28, 2009

Milwaukee, WI -Governor Jim Doyle and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett are proposing to take over the Milwaukee Public School District (MPS) from the public's right to elect who will represent them and to administrate the MPS educational system. Both the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin should let the elected MPS Board do their job and provide them with the financial, political, and support needed to ensure students are well educated and prepared for college, universities, technical colleges and skilled jobs.
Taxpayers should not allow a take over by either Mayor Barrett or Governor Doyle. They haven't even offered a proposal to replace the current MPS curriculum, and balance the existing financial dilemma. They can't even manage to balance their own city and state budget deficits.
The MPS Board is proposing more oversight of their expenditures and costs. The mayor and governor have yet to offer an alternative.
The State of Wisconsin is facing a $5.4 Billion by 2011, and the City of Milwaukee is facing a $90 million deficit by 2010. Mayor Barrett and Governor Doyle have not come close to balancing their own budget deficits and now they want to tackle the MPS budget and educational curriculum.
Let's give the MPS Board a chance to fix their own issues and deficit, because they were elected to administrate MPS by Taxpayers.

Hernández Coronada Miss Mexican Fiesta 2009

Mexican Fiesta y Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Inc. espera comenzar a mudarse a su nuevo local en el lado Sur.

Por H. Nelson Goodson
27 de agosto de 2009

Milwaukee —Erica Hernández, 19, de Milwaukee, fue corondada Miss Mexican Fiesta 2009 el pasado viernes durante Mexican Fiesta en el Henry Maier Festival Park frente al lago en los terrenos del Summerfest. Hernández es una estudiante de la Universidad de Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Sus padres son de Zacatecas, Mexico. Erica es la segunda persona de la familia Hernández en ser coronada Miss Mexican fiesta. Ella fue una de las catorce concursantes quienes participaron en el desfile. Su hermana Janet Isabel Hernández fue coronada Miss Mexican Fiesta en el 2000.

Deana Marie Velázquez, 19, fue elegida como la primera finalista para Miss Mexican Fiesta 2009. Velázquez asiste al colegio de Alverno en Milwaukee.
Fue un fin de semana frío, pero los asistentes al festival fueron al festival frente al lago para disfrutar una variedad de comidas de diferentes regiones de Mexico, incluyendo comida Puertorriqueña, bandas musicales tales como Grupos de Mariachis, Bandas Tejanas, Bandas Duranguenses, bailarines folklóricos, la Gran Charreada, la cual enriquece la cultura Mexicana a provee el sabor de Mexico en Wisconsin.

Uno de los sitios preferidos para comer enchiladas fue la cabina Enchiladas Michoacanas, y Gorditas rellenas fueron servidas cerca del escenarion en el patio posterior (El Rey-Nissan) en el margen sur de los terrenos del festival.
El festival de agosto 21-23 tuvo un número de locales favoritos tales como la Villa Cultural presentando artesanía de la ciudad de Zapopan, Jalisco, México y su religiosa Dama de Zapopan, incluyendo Artesanias Sol y Luna de Teotihuacan, del Estado de México. Teotihuacan es conocida como la Ciudad de los Dioses con varias pirámides y se estima que la civilización teotihuacana con 100.000 habitantes existió entre el año 200 a.C. y 800 d.C. en el período Clásico.

En la Villa Cultural el pasado domingo 23 de agosto, una bailarina del Grupo De Danza Autóctona Xaliztli auspiciado por el Gobierno de la Ciudad de Zapopan dio un raro baño de humo de incienso alrededor del cuerpo de personas dispuestas a donar un dólar para recibir la bendición de la buena suerte de los bailarines de Xaliztli, mientras amigos, familiares y otros presentes tomaron fotografías.

El Güero y su Banda Centenario atrajeron a fanáticos locales debido a las raíces en Milwaukee del cantante principal. Jorge “El Güero” Hernández puede que sea el artista regional mejor conocido con raíces en Milwaukee. Rubén Ramos, Veneno (Merengue Band), Jaime y los Chamacos. Liberty Band, Tiranos del Norte, El Coyote y su Banda Tierra Santa, Isabela y su Banda Duranguense, La Sonora Internacional, Banda Cuisillos, Mingo Saldivar, y el Latin Dance Productions ofreciendo clases de “Salsa” por la Maestra Christine Almeida y amigos fueron algunas de las atracciones.

El evento de este año fue reconocida por sus asistentes como una de las mejores festividades culturales de Mexican Fiesta en el Summerfest en sus 32 años de existencia.
El Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation (WHSF), 1220 W. Windlake Ave., los cuales manejan y operan Mexican Fiesta, espera comenzar a mudarse a otro local en el Lado Sur el lunes.

WHSF planea estar en el local de Windlake hasta el final de Septiembre. WHSF va a mover todo el equipo de Mexican Fiesta, materiales relacionados con el festival y artículos relacionados con la oficina a su nuevo local en el 2997 S. Calle 20. La propiedad adquirida tiene dos acres de terreno para expansiones futuras. La nueva facilidad va a acomodar espacio de oficinas más grandes, una vez la construcción planeada dentro del edificio sea completada.

Artesanias Sol y Luna de Teotihuacan, del Estado de México

Fotos de Miss Mexican Fiesta 2009 por: PHOTO ACTION USA/Cy White
Click en la fotos para hacerlas grande.

Unconscious Soldier Left On The Road For Three Hours In Severe Heat

18-year-old Army recruit fell from moving truck while being transported after collapsing from heat

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 26, 2009

Milwaukee – Private Jonathan Morales, 18, of Milwaukee, an Army recruit was in his tenth week of basic group training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina when he died of complications resulting from a heat stroke, according to Gary Watts, Richland County Coroner. Watts reported last week, Morales had collapsed during an eight-mile march portion of the Army physical fitness exercise and was put behind an Army truck to transport him back to the base.
The commanding officer had noticed Morales becoming unsteady on his feet and had him placed in back of a truck, while the rest of the group continued their exercise. Various trucks were following the group and Morales was placed in the last truck without anyone to assist him. The truck driver followed the rest of the trucks, while Morales lay unconscious in the back.
“At some point in time from that point when he was put in to when they actually completed the march, they noticed that he was no longer in the back of the truck, and he suffered a head injury. However, we believe the precipitating events would be related to heat exertion or heat stroke. His body temperature, approximately an hour after he'd been admitted to Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital and had been placed at some point in time under a cooling blanket, was in excess of 106 degrees,” Watts said, but he ruled that heat stroke was the caused of death.
However, there are conflicting reports of who actually found Morales on the road. The army reported that when they discover him missing they went back and found him a quarter, half of a mile from where they had finished up on the roadway. The Morales family were told that a civilian had found Pvt. Morales unconscious on the road and called 911.
Family members say, Army investigators and his commanding officer had said that Morales at some point during transport had fallen off the truck, but no one or the driver of the truck had noticed he was missing. Morales fell on the road and apparently hit his head and remained on the road for more than three hours until a civilian found him and called 911. He was taken to a near by hospital in Columbia, S.C., which is next to the base. The Morales family is expected to seek an inquiry into the death of their son.
The incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, and Morales was found shortly after 1:30 p.m., when the heat index was about 92 Fahrenheit, with dew point at 72 Fahrenheit, and a maximum of humidity at 94 percent, according to weather tabular data for Columbia, South Carolina.
His commanding officer and other Army personnel were later notified Morales was transported to a civilian hospital for treatment, but by then it was to late to save him. Morales died last Wednesday shortly after 4 a.m., according to Watts.
Morales graduated from Pius XI High School in 2009, and shortly after enlisted in the Army.
The US Army Criminal Investigation Division and Fort Jackson's internal Ground Accident Investigation Board are investigating the incident. The death is the first in basic training at the fort this year following three in 2008, said Pat Jones, fort spokesman. The Army and Fort Jackson consider the incident a fatal army training accident, Jones added.
In 2008, three recruits died within a month. Pvt. Andrea Rosser, 21, of Raleigh, NC, died in October 25, while taking the Army Physical Fitness Test. Pvt. Dominique Brooks, 19, of Houston, died Sept. 25 after having a seizure on her barracks floor, and Pvt. Derryl Britt, 20, of Durham, N.C., died Sept. 27 when he was taken off life support after surgery to repair a brain hemorrhage.
In the last six years, 22 soldiers have died while assigned to the Army’s five basic combat training centers. Of the eight deaths that occurred on duty, five were related to physical training or heat casualties, according to Fort Jackson’s investigative records.
On Wednesday, family, fellow soldiers, his commanding officer, and friends at the Suminski Family Funeral Home, 1901 N. Farwell Ave., remembered Morales. Morales is the beloved son of Marisol Desarden and Sebastian Morales. His sister Odalysse A. Morales, and brothers Sebastian Morales, Jr. and Jayson Morales survive him.
Burial Services at 12:00 noon on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, WI.

Hernández Crowned Miss Mexican Fiesta 2009

Mexican Fiesta and the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Inc. expected to move to a new South side location

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 24, 2009

Milwaukee –Erica Hernández, 19, of Milwaukee was crowned Miss Mexican Fiesta 2009 on Friday during Mexican Fiesta at the Henry Maier Festival Park lakefront Summerfest grounds. Hernández is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her parents are from Zacatecas, Mexico. Erica is the second Hernández family member to be crowned Miss Mexican Fiesta. She was one of fourteen contestants who participated in the pageant. Her sister Janet Isabel Hernández was crowned Miss Mexican Fiesta in 2000.
Deana Marie Velázquez, 19, was selected as the 1st runner-up for Miss Mexican Fiesta 2009. Velázquez attends Alverno College in Milwaukee.

It was a chilly weekend, but festivalgoers made their way to the lakefront festival to enjoy a variety of foods from different regions of Mexico, including Puerto Rican food, musical bands such as mariachi groups, Tejano bands, Duranguense bands, Folkloric dancers, and the Gran Charreada (Mexican Rodeo), which enriches the Mexican culture and provides taste of Mexico in Wisconsin.
One of the favorites places to eat enchiladas was the booth where Enchiladas Michoacanas, and stuff gorditas were being served near the Back Yard (El Rey-Nissan) stage on the South end of the festival grounds.

The August 21-23 festival had numerous favorite sites to visit such as the Cultural Village featuring artisans from the City of Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico and their religious Lady of Zapopan, including Artesanias Sol y Luna of Teotihuacan, from the State of México. Teotihuacan translated from the Nahuatl as "City of the Gods", which had 100,000 inhabitants, several pyramids and placing it among the largest cities of the world in this period during the first half of the 1st millennium CE (January 1, 1 AD, and ended on December 31, 1000).
At the Cultural Village on Sunday, a female dancer from El Grupo De Danza Autóctona Xaliztli sponsored by the City government of Zapopan gave a rare smoke of incense sweep through out the body of people willing to donate a dollar to get the good luck blessing of the Xaliztli dancers, while friends, family and on lookers took pictures.

El Güero y su Banda Centenario attracted local fans due to the lead singers roots to Milwaukee. Jorge "El Güero" Hernández may be the best-known regional Mexican artist with Milwaukee roots. Rubén Ramos, Veneno (Merengue Band), Jaime y los Chamacos, Liberty Band, Tiranos del Norte, El Coyote y su Banda Tierra Santa, Isabela y su Banda Duranguense, La Sonora Internacional, Banda Cuisillos, Mingo Saldivar, and the Latin Dance Company Productions offering “Salsa” dance lessons by La Maestra Christine Almeida and friends were some of the main attractions.

This year’s event was billed as one of the best Mexican Fiesta’s cultural festivities at Summerfest in 32 years of their existence by festivalgoers.
The Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Inc. (WHSF), 1220 W. Windlake Ave., which manages and operates Mexican Fiesta, is expected to begin moving its operation to another South side location on Monday. WHSF plans to be out of the Windlake location by the end of September.

WHSF will move all of Mexican Fiesta equipment, supplies pertaining to the festival and office related items to their new location at 2997 S. 20th St. The acquired property has two acres of land for future expansion. The new facility will be able to accommodate larger office space, once the planned construction inside the building has been completed.

Artesanias Sol y Luna of Teotihuacan, from the State of México

Click on any picture to enlarge.

Photos of Miss Mexican Fiesta 2009 provided by: PHOTO ACTION USA/Cy White

Erica Hernández is crowned Miss Mexican Fiesta 2009 at the Harley-Davidson stage on Friday during the Mexican Fiesta festival at the Summerfest grounds.



Deana Marie Velázquez, was selected as the 1st runner-up in the Miss Mexican Fiesta pageant. Velázquez poses with Erica Hernández who was crowned Miss Mexican Fiesta 2009 on August 21, 2009. Velázquez is student at Alverno College and Hernández is a student at the Univeristy of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Milwaukee 3rd Annual Asian Festival

Chicken wing egg rolls a Vue and Lo family tradition

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 22, 2009

Milwaukee – The 3rd Annual Silver City Asian Festival drew hundreds of festival goers on Saturday, August 22, to the near South side event on W. National Ave., between W. 35th and W. 38th Streets. The Asian Fest offered an array of foods, friendly vendors, parade, and plenty of fun during the one-day event.
Milwaukeeans and neighbors enjoyed the great food, music, ethnic performers, and the martial arts presentations of various Asian cultures. Those cultures included Hmong, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, and Laotian.
Performances included Rising Dragon Martial Arts; Chinese lion dancers; Ajanabi, doing a "Dances of Bollywood" demonstration; the Hmong Dance Group; JK Lee Tae Kwon Do; and the Vietnamese Temple Group.
For the last three years, Doua Vue, and Pao Lo along with their daughter Jamie Lo have specialized in providing and cooking egg rolls and chicken egg rolls on the corner of S. 37th and W. National. Their family cooking tradition is to stuff chicken wings with egg roll ingredients and they taste extremely good after getting cooked in open fire grill. They also provide a spicy hot sauce, which makes your taste buds explode with flavor.
The parents of Jamie Lo are originally from Long Chen, Laos, and have lived in the U.S.A. for 30 years. Their family cooking tradition has added Laotian flavor to the annual Silver City Asian Festival.
Previously, the Asian Moon Festival used to take place at the Henry Maier Festival Park at the Lakefront Summerfest grounds. The Asian Moon Festival canceled its event in 2006 when it couldn’t get volunteers to operate the festival at Summerfest. The Wisconsin Organization for Asian Americans-Milwaukee, which stages the pan-Asian celebration (Asian Moon Festival), decided to cancel its festival for a lack of volunteers and a funding shortfall.
Click on photo to enlarge.

Mexican Fiesta Office To Move After Festival Ends

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 21, 2009

Milwaukee –The Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Inc. (WHSF), 1220 W. Windlake Ave., which manages and operates Mexican Fiesta from August 21-23 at the Summerfest grounds will move its operation to another location after the festival ends, according to Mexican Fiesta sources. WHSF plans to be out of the Windlake location by the end of September.
WHSF will move all of Mexican Fiesta equipment, supplies pertaining to the festival and office related items to their new location at 2997 S. 20th St. The acquired property has two acres of land for future expansion. The new facility will be able to accommodate larger office space, once the planned construction inside the building has been completed.
Throughout the construction period, WHSF and Mexican Fiesta personnel will be conducting business in a temporary portable office facility until construction is completed. Target date for completion of construction is in late December or early 2010.
The WHSF building on 1220 W. Windlake Ave. will be razed and the property will be part of Mercy Housing Lakefront “catalytic project” for the Near South neighborhood. The Johnston Center building located West of the WHSF building has been vacant for the last three years, and will be a new permanent supportive housing property that will be home to 91 people who are formerly homeless and have special needs.
The new Johnston Center rehabilitation 13 million property once completed is expected to attract more businesses and services to the prominent six-corner area. It will also meet the city’s critical need for permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals, according to Milwaukee city officials.
Mercy Housing Lakefront, a regional office of Mercy Housing, is the Chicago area’s premier nonprofit developer and manager of affordable housing. Mercy Housing Lakefront currently owns 16 properties in Illinois that are home to more than 2,000 residents, including 450 children.

Oficinas de Mexican Fiesta a Mudarse Después de que Termine el Festival

Por H. Nelson Goodson
21 de agosto de 2009

Milwaukee —El Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation (WHSF), 1220 Oeste Avenida Windlake, quien maneja y opera Mexican Fiesta durante el 21-23 de agosto en los terrenos de Summerfest van a mudar sus operaciones a otro local después de que termine el festival, de acuerdo a fuentes de Mexican Fiesta. WHSF planea estar fuera de su local en Windlake a finales de septiembre.
WHSF mudara todo el equipo de Mexican Fiesta, artículos pertinentes al festival y todos los artículos relacionados con la oficina a su nuevo local en el 2997 Sur de la calle 20. La propiedad adquirida tiene dos acres de terreno para expansiones futuras. La nueva facilidad podrá acomodar un gran espacio para oficinas, una vez la construcción planeada para el edificio sea completada.
Durante el período de construcción, WHSF y el personal de Mexican Fiesta estarán conduciendo sus negocios en una facilidad portátil de oficina temporalmente hasta que la construcción sea completada. La fecha señalada para completar la construcción lo es a finales de Diciembre o al principios de 2010.
El edificio de WHSF en el 1220 Oeste Avenida Windlake será derrumbado y la propiedad será parte de Mercy Housing Lakefront “proyecto catalítico” para el vecindario del Sur cercano. El edificio del Johnston Center localizado al oeste del edificio de WHSF ha estado vacante por los pasados tres años, y va a ser una propiedad de vivienda de apoyo permanente que será el hogar de 91 personas y quienes antes no tenían hogar y tienen necesidades especiales.
La nueva rehabilitación de la propiedad valorada en 13 millones del Johnston Center una vez completada se espera traiga más negocios y servicios para el prominente área de seis esquinas. Esta también va a llenar la necesidad crítica de la ciudad de vivienda de apoyo permanente para los individuos crónicamente desamparados, de acuerdo a oficiales de la ciudad.
Mercy Housing Lakefront, una oficina regional de Mercy Housing, es desarrolladora prima sin fines de lucro del área de Chicago y son gerente de viviendas a costo razonable. Mercy Housing Lakefront al presente son dueños de 16 propiedades en Illinois que son hogares para más de 2,000 residentes incluyendo 450 niños.

Criminal Complaint Filed Against Suspect In Milwaukee, WI Mayor Beating

State of Wisconsin, Circuit Court Criminal Division, Milwaukee County



Posted by H. Nelson Goodson
August 20, 2009

Milwaukee -Actual Criminal Complaint filed against Anthony J. Peters, 20, who was criminally charged on Thursday for beating Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett with a tire iron six times, and knocked out two teeth in the attack. Peters was charged with two felony counts and two misdemeanors. $100,000 cash bail was set for Peters and is facing more than 40 years in prison, if convicted, according to John Chisholm, Milwaukee County District Attorney.

Click On The Following Five Photos To Enlarge:

Madre del sospechoso, deseaba que el Alcalde no tenia que haber intervenido

El alcalde Barrett fue golpeado salvajemente, y se recupera de las heridas ocasionadas con un tubo de metal

Por H. Nelson Goodson
20 de agosto de 2009

Milwaukee—El pasado miércoles, el Alcalde Tom Barrett, 55, llevó a cabo una conferencia de prensa frente a su residencia. Barrett agradeció al público y describió el incidente como “Las cosas se pusieron bien, bien feas, bien, bien rápido, eso de verdad es malo”. El Alcalde tenía yeso en su brazo derecho, una herida en su cara y puntos en su cabeza. También perdió dos dientes y otro diente fue roto hasta la base durante el ataque del pasado sábado. “Esto fue una decisión de momento la de en esencia tener una reunión familiar con mis hermanos… Yo no puedo imaginar una situación así en la cual la gente no reaccionaria como yo hice”, dijo Barrett
Danita Brisk, la madre del sospechoso dijo, que ella deseaba que “el Alcalde no se debió haber envuelto, y si él hubiera sido alguien más y no el alcalde, no hubiera salido en las noticias y su hijo no hubiera sido arrestado. Mi hijo sufre de desorden bi-polar no se había tomado sus medicamentos ese día”.
Barrett respondió a los comentarios de Brisk que eran “bastante bizarros.” Barrett no entró en detalles sobre el incidente o comentó más sobre el sospechoso debido a la continúa investigación.
El pasado lunes, Barrett fue dado de alta del hospital. El presidente Barack Obama había hablado con Barrett más temprano ese día y lo elogio por su valor.
El Gobernador Jim Doyle visitó a Barrett el pasado domingo. Los colegas y oficiales públicos lo están clamando como buen samaritano, quien ayudo a prevenir posible daño a una mujer y una niña.

El pasado domingo, Anthony J. Peters, de 20 años, fue arrestado por la policía alrededor de la 1 p.m. en el bloque 1700 Oeste calle State en conexión con la golpiza dada al Alcalde Barrett con un tubo de metal el pasado sábado. Barrett había asistido al State Fair con miembros de su familia y no tenía su asignado guardaespalda de la policía al momento del ataque brutal.
Barrett salió de la feria a las 10:45 p.m. acompañado de su familia cuando el notó que Peters estaba teniendo un altercado con unas personas en el bloque 8800 del Oeste calle Orchard en West Allis. Una mujer estaba gritando pidiendo ayuda y tratando de proteger de Peters a su nieta de 1 año de edad, cuando Barrett vino a ayudarle.
Peters aparentemente estaba molesto porque no le dejaban ver a su hija. Peters quien pesa 260 libras aparentaba estar intoxicado, amenazando que iba a pegarse un tiro y le iba a tirar a otros, y le había quitado el teléfono celular de la mujer con la que discutía, de acuerdo a la policía.
Barrett intervino para ayudar a calmar la situación doméstica y estaba tratando de llamar al 911, cuando Peters sacó un tubo (bastón de metal de estilo policía) y comenzó a golpear a Barrett. El alcalde logró darle un puño al individuo antes de que este dejara la escena. La policía de West Alllis respondió al incidente 911, y Barrett fue llevado al Hospital Froedert.
El Alcalde Barrett pasó por lo menos dos días en el hospital. Aunque las heridas eran serias, se espera que Barrett se recupere completamente, la herida en la parte de atrás de su cabeza tuvo que ser cerrada con grapas, y recibió cirugía plástica en una cortadura significante que recibió en la cara.
Peters fue descrito como un Nativo Americano originalmente de Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin y durante una conferencia de prensa el Jefe de la Policía de Milwaukee Edward A. Flynn dijo, “Anoche Peters fue totalmente violento y un maleante vicioso, y así es como se comportó”. Peters se está enfrentando a cargos criminales por asalto con un arma, de acuerdo a Flynn.

Mother Of Suspect Wished, Mayor Barrett Hadn’t Intervene

Suspect charged, and mayor recovering from injuries sustained from a tire iron

By H. Nelson Goodson
Updated: August 20, 2009

Milwaukee – On Thursday, Anthony J. Peters, 20, was charged with two felony counts of first-degree reckless injury and theft, and two misdemeanors. The criminal complaint states, Peters admitted to police he hit Mayor Tom Barrett various times with an 18 inch Chrysler tire iron/crowbar after he “freaked out” on him. $100,000 cash bail was set for Peters and is facing more than 40 years in prison, if convicted, according to John Chisholm, Milwaukee County District Attorney.
On Wednesday, Mayor Barrett, 55, held his first press conference in front of his residence since being assaulted last Saturday. Barrett thanked his supporters, and described the beating incident, as “Things got very, very ugly, very, very quickly.” The mayor had a cast on his right hand, had a scar on his face and stitches on his head. Barrett lost two teeth, and a back molar was chipped to the base, had a broken hand, which required surgery, and suffered head injuries in the attack.
Danita Brisk, the suspect’s mother said, she believes the mayor must have provoked her son, and wished he hadn’t intervene, and “if it would have been any other individual besides the mayor…I mean, it wouldn’t even had hit the news. My son probably wouldn’t have been arrested. None of this would even be happening,” said Brisk; and she added that her son suffers from bipolar disorder and had not taken his medicine that day, and is borderline psychotic.
Barrett responded to Brisk’s comments as, “very bizarre.” Barrett would not go into details of the incident or comment further about the incident.
On Monday, Barrett was released from the hospital. President Barack Obama had talked to Barrett earlier in the day and commended him for his bravery.
Governor Jim Doyle visited Barrett on Sunday. Colleagues and public officials are hailing Barrett as a Good Samaritan, who help prevent a woman and a child from potential harm.

Last Sunday, Peters was arrested at about 1 p.m. by police in the 1700 block of W. State St. in connection with Saturday’s night iron/crowbar beating of Mayor Barrett. Barrett was attending the Wisconsin State Fair with family members and did not have his assigned police bodyguard at the time of the attack.
Barrett was leaving at about 10:45 p.m. from the Wisconsin State Fair with family members when he noticed Peters having an altercation with several people in the 8800 block of W. Orchard St. in West Allis. A woman was crying out for help and trying to protect her 1-year-old granddaughter from Peters, when Barrett came to their aid. Peters was apparently distraught that he was not allowed to see his daughter. Peters who weighs at least 260 lbs. seemed intoxicated, threaten to shoot himself and others, and had taken a cell phone from a woman he was arguing with, according to police.
Barrett intervene to help qualm the domestic situation and was trying to call 911, when Peters took out an 18 inch Chrysler tire iron/crowbar and began to beat Barrett. Barrett managed to punch Peters before he fled the scene. West Allis police responded to the 911 incident, and Barrett was taken to Froedtert Hospital.
Mayor Barrett spent at least two days recovering at the hospital. Despite the serious injuries, Barrett is expected to fully recover. Barrett's injuries to the back of his head had to be stapled shut, and had plastic surgery due to a significant cut to the face.
Peters was described as a Native American originally from Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, and during a press conference on Sunday afternoon Milwaukee Police Chief Edward A. Flynn said, "Last night, Peters was a totally violent and vicious thug, and that's how he behaved."

Milwaukee Mayor Beaten With Pipe

Mayor Tom Barrett lost two teeth, had a broken arm, which required surgery, and suffered head injuries

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 16, 2009
Updated: August 18. 2009

Milwaukee – On Sunday, Anthony J. Peters, 20, was arrested at about 1 p.m. by police in the 1700 block of W. State St. in connection with Saturday’s night metal pipe beating of Mayor Tom Barrett. Barrett was attending the Wisconsin State Fair with family members and did not have his assigned police bodyguard at the time of the attack.
Barrett was leaving at about 10:45 p.m. from the Wisconsin State Fair with family members when he noticed Peters having an altercation with several people in the 8800 block of W. Orchard St. in West Allis. A woman was crying out for help and trying to protect her 1-year-old granddaughter from Peters, when Barrett came to their aid. Peters was apparently distraught that he was not allowed to see his daughter.

Peters who weighs at least 260 lbs. seemed intoxicated, threaten to shoot himself and others, and had taken a cell phone from a woman he was arguing with, according to police.
Barrett intervene to help qualm the domestic situation and was trying to call 911, when Peters took out a pipe (police style extended metal baton) and began to beat Barrett. Barrett managed to punch Peters before he fled the scene. West Allis police responded to the 911 incident, and Barrett was taken to Froedtert Hospital.
Mayor Barrett will spend at least two days recovering at the hospital. Barrett lost two teeth, had a broken arm, which required surgery, and suffered head injuries. Despite the serious injuries, Barrett is expected to fully recover. “Two teeth were knocked out, a back molar was also chipped to the base, and he had arm surgery,” said John Barrett, Tom’s brother. Barrett's injuries to the back of his head had to be stapled shut, and would need plastic surgery due to a significant cut to the face.
Peters was described as a Native American originally from Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, and during a press conference on Sunday afternoon Milwaukee Police Chief Edward A. Flynn said, "Last night, Peters was a totally violent and vicious thug, and that's how he behaved." Peters is facing a felony charge for assault with a weapon, according to Flynn.
Governor Jim Doyle visited Barrett on Sunday. Colleagues and public officials are hailing Barrett as a good Samaritan, who help prevent a woman and a child from potential harm.
On Monday, Barrett was released from the hospital. President Barack Obama had talked to Barrett earlier in the day and commended him for his bravery.

MMSD KK River Project May Never Break Ground

Controversy over using Eminent Domain to acquire 84 properties draws a couple of hundred Lincoln Village residents to MMSD community meeting on Thursday

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 14, 2009

Milwaukee – A couple of hundred Lincoln Village residents showed up for last Thursday’s Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD) community meeting at the Kosciuszko Community Center to get a glimpse of the proposed Kinnickinnic River Restoration plan and graphics. The MMSD authority to use eminent domain to acquire an estimated 84 properties and possibly more, if property owners don’t volunteer to sell has generated controversy and concerns.
The KK River Flood Management Project is expected to begin in 2010 or 2011. The KK channel restoration will affect the following area between W. Harrison St. to W. Cleveland Ave. Two houses from each side of the river are targeted for removal.
Public access along both sides of the KK River corridor between S. Chase Ave. and S. 16th St. will be limited after the project ends. Affordable housing is being proposed along the KK River and commercial areas will be developed on Cleveland, according to the plan. The KK River restoration project is part of $1.56 million in federal economic recovery act funds (federal stimulus funds).
Last Monday, Urban Anthropology Inc. (UrbAn) a group from Lincoln Village criticized the decision-making process of the planning committee, which did not include any Lincoln Village resident participation. When residents attended the public meetings nearly all alternatives had already been decided on. The residents were then told that their homes would be removed, according to members from UrbAn.
However, MMSD has not determined if they will ever break ground for flood control to prevent the one hundred year flood. Latino residents who attended the public meeting expressed concern over the expected increase of property values due to development and commercial growth, which would then lead to gentrification.
MMSD’s proposed plan is to replace the S. 6th St. bridge over the Kinnickinnic River and begin in 2010 or early 2011 to restore the river channel upstream by widening the KK River with a 100-foot-wide span from S. Chase Ave. to S. 16th St. The river span would have no culvert sections beneath it and would provide 75% more space than the current structure for floodwaters to flow downstream, according to the MMSD Commission.
Photo by Victor Huyke

MMSD Planea el Adquirir 84 Hogares a lo Largo del Corredor del Río KK

Grupo clama que las sesiones de información no fueron diseñadas para permitir a los residentes el poder de decisión, y que MMSD podría ejercitar Dominio Eminente como opción para tomar las propiedades

Por H. Nelson Goodson
13 de agosto de 2009

Milwaukee- El pasado martes por correo electrónico, Jill Florence Lackey, PhD en Antropología y Director Ejecutivo de Urban Antropology Inc. (UrbAn) 707 Oeste Avenida Lincoln, escribió, la organización no se está oponiendo al plan del Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) de adquirir 84 casas para su propuesto plan de control de inundaciones valorado en $40 millones a lo largo del Río Kinnickinnic a comenzar en 2010 o al principio del 2011 para restaurar el canal del río contra la corriente por medio de ampliar el Río KK por unos 100 pies desde Sur Avenida Chase hasta el Sur Calle 16ta. La expansión del río va a tener secciones de alcantarillas debajo de este y va a proveer 75% más espacio que la estructura presente para que las aguas inundadas corran contra la corriente, de acuerdo a la comisión de MMSD.
Lackey dijo que estaba opuesta a la forma en que el comité de planeo y su forma de hacer decisiones no incluyó la participación de los residentes de la Villa Lincoln. Cuando los residentes asistieron a las reuniones públicas casi todas las alternativas había sido ya decididas. Entonces se les dijo a los residentes que sus casas iban a ser removidas, de acuerdo a Lackey.
“Dado que yo soy la persona llamada el individuo que se “opone” al proyecto KK, yo quiero aclarar esto. Primero yo represento una pequeña organización sirviendo a residentes (Urban Antropology, Inc.) en la Villa Lincoln, donde las casas van a ser perdidas. Segundo, nuestra organización no está “opuesta” al proyecto de ninguna forma. Tercero, nosotros pensamos que sus sesiones de información han sido bien planeadas y han tenido gran asistencia. Pero estas no fueron diseñadas para darle poder de hacer decisiones a los residentes. Lo que nosotros hemos pedido consistentemente es que los residentes en nuestros vecindarios tengan una voz en el comité de planeo que decidió todas las alternativas y amenidades que constituyen un “plan de vecindario”. El Comité de Planeo (llamado el comité de revisión técnica) se reunió casi mensualmente por más de dos años. Alternativas fueron presentadas y decididas. Nosotros nos mantuvimos completamente neutrales a través del proceso y solo pedimos que los residentes jugaran un papel en las decisiones hechas. Nosotros nos reunimos con los lideres de planeo de KK y pedimos que los residentes sirvieran en este comité. Los residentes no fueron invitados”, escribió Lackey.
Lackey clama que desde que el planeo para el corredor del Río KK comenzó en el 2004, los residentes de la Villa Lincoln fueron dejados fuera de proceso de las decisiones hechas. Ella y su organización la cual es considerada la asociación del vecindario de la Villa Lincoln han tratado de participar por medio de iniciar y proveer estudios basados en encuestas científicas de los residentes locales, pero fueron dejados fuera debido a la falta de información sobre los horarios de las reuniones conducidos por MMSD y su asociado el Sixteenth Street Community Health Center en el propuesto plan de desarrollo. La unión entre MMSD y Sixteenth Street Community Health Center crearon el comité de planeo.
Lackey trató de unirse al comité de planeo del Río KK en varias ocasiones, pero aparentemente fue excluida fuera del comité. Lackey dice que los residentes a lo largo del Río KK y su organización “no sabían que estas reuniones se estaban llevando a cabo” al principio de enero 2008. El Comité de Planeo se reunió el 1ro de noviembre de 2007, 22 de enero de 2008, 9 de abril de 2008, y ninguno de los residentes participó en las reuniones. También el 24 de junio de 2008, el comité de planeo se reunió nuevamente y ningún residente de la Villa Lincoln o UrbAn fueron invitados a asistir.
En abril del pasado año, JJR, la firma de arquitectura con base en Madison fue seleccionada para hacer el plan de vecindario y ningún residente estuvo envuelto en el proceso de selección, de acuerdo con un documento reportado por UrbAn proveída por Lackey.
El Greater Milwaukee Foundation proveyó a Sixteenth Street Heath Center una concesión de $100,000 para que hiciera que la comunidad se envolviera en el planeo. El Sixteenth Street Community Health Center contrató a Gladys González de Pa’lante Creative, quien en adición era subcontrató de JJR Team, dijo Lackey.
González entrevistó a Lackey y a otros lideres de la comunidad en relación al plan del Río KK. Lackey dice que González entrevistó a los que no eran del área de la Villa Lincoln.

Benjamín Gramling, el Director de Enviromental Health Programs de la Sixteenth Street Community Health Center cuando fue contactado, negó las alegaciones de Lackey de que los residentes a lo largo del Río KK nunca fueron contactados o permitidos a participar en las reuniones. Gramling fue el vocero clave del grupo de conferencia el cual visitó el corredor del Río KK y en Sur de la Calle 16ta temprano el lunes en la tarde.
El Proyecto de Manejo de Inundaciones del Río KK se espera que comience en 2010 y casas a lo largo del Río KK van a tener que ser adquiridas. La restauración del canal KK y las áreas afectadas están entre Oeste Calle Harrison, hasta el Oeste Avenida Cleveland.
El acceso público a lo largo de ambos lados del corredor del Río KK entre Sur Avenida Chase y Sur Calle 16ta podría ser limitado después de que el proyecto termine. El plan es continuo y el acceso público por el área en ambos lados del Río KK está aun en planes, de acuerdo a Gramling.
Viviendas a costo razonable han sido propuestas a lo largo del Río KK y áreas comerciales van a ser desarrollados en la Cleveland, de acuerdo al plan propuesto. El valor de las propiedades va a aumentar como resultado del desarrollo propuesto a lo largo del Río KK.
Gramling dijo, información en ambos Español e Inglés ha sido proveía a los residentes a lo largo del Río KK a través de entrega de literatura y correo.
Aun así, Lackey dice que los residentes de la Villa Lincoln no han sido informados completamente sobre el propuesto plan para el río KK. El plan de desarrollo va tener un impacto en la comunidad y ellos necesitan estar envueltos en el proceso de planeo, dijo Lackey.
“Lackey dice que encuestas científicas de residentes locales son la mejor forma de envolver a los residentes en las decisiones que los impactan a ellos y sus vecindarios y le gustaría ver “todos los proyectos mayores” en el futuro sean revisados por la comunidad a través de encuestas”, Gramling escribió en un correo electrónico con fecha del 4 de agosto de 2009 al Concejal James Witkowiak, y Steven J. Jacquart de MMSD.
Steven J. Jacquart, Coordinador Intergubernamental de MMSD dijo el Lunes pasado, que MMSD tiene autoridad de Dominio Eminente y va a ser una opción para adquirir las casas que necesitan remover para la expansión y restauración del canal del Río KK, pero va a ser un largo proceso legal por el estado de Wisconsin. El Concejal del Distrito 12, Witkowiak y Michael J. Maierle, Gerente de Planeo Estratégico para el Departamento de Desarrollo de la Ciudad de Milwaukee apoyan el Plan de Acción del Corredor del Río KK, confirmó Jacquart.
El martes por correo electrónico, Jacquart escribió “yo no manejo este programa directamente, pero yo se que miembros del equipo de planeo de KK se han estado reuniendo con Srta. Jill Lackey desde abril de 2009. A ella se le ha proveído y en ocasiones a tomado ventaja de muchas oportunidades a través de los pasados meses para proveer opinión sobre el proyecto, el cual por supuesto ella se opone. Nosotros recientemente hemos hecho atentados adicionales para reunirnos con ella para atender cualquier preocupación especifica. Ella ha rechazado una invitación para reunirse con el Comisionado de MMSD Ben Gramling. La semana pasada, el Director Ejecutivo de MMSD Kevin Shafer envió una invitación escrita a ella para que se reuniera con él y tiene la esperanza que esto lleve a un dialogo”.
El proyecto de restauración del Río KK es parte de los fondos de acta federal de recuperación económica valorado en $1.56 millones (Federal stimulus funds).
En estudio conducido y publicado por UrbAn resultó con números que revelan que 79% de 62 residentes entrevistados a lo largo del proyecto de restauración del Río KK tenía conocimiento del proceso. 56% dijeron que ellos no fueron parte del proceso de las decisiones hechas.
Aun así, lo que no era claro es, quieran ellos o trataron de ser parte del proceso (del cual 79% tenía conocimiento).
19% aparentemente le importó lo suficiente para tomar tiempo de ser parte del proceso y 79% de los residentes del área aparentemente sabía que ellos podían o sabían de este. 21% aparentemente o no prestó atención a los atentados de notificarlos o fueron atrapados en circunstancias tales como cambio de dirección, etc.

MMSD Plans To Acquire 84 Homes Along KK River Corridor

Group claims information sessions were not designed to allow residents any decision-making power, and MMSD to exercise Eminent Domain as an option to take properties

By H. Nelson Goodson
Updated: August 11, 2009

Milwaukee – On Tuesday by email, Jill Florence Lackey, PhD Anthropologist and Executive Director of the Urban Anthropology Inc. (UrbAn), 707 W. Lincoln Ave. wrote, the organization is not opposing the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD) plan to acquire 84 homes for its proposed $40 million flood-control plan along the Kinnickinnic River. MMSD is planning to replace the S. 6th St. bridge over the Kinnickinnic River and begin in 2010 or early 2011 to restore the river channel upstream by widening the KK River with a 100-foot-wide span from S. Chase Ave. to S. 16th St. The river span would have no culvert sections beneath it and would provide 75% more space than the current structure for floodwaters to flow downstream, according to the MMSD Commission.
Lackey says her organization was opposing the way the planning committee and their decision-making process did not include Lincoln Village resident participation. When residents attended the public meetings nearly all alternatives had already been decided on. The residents were then told that their homes would be removed, according to Lackey.
“Given that I am the one being called out as the individual that “opposes” the KK project, I'd like to clear the air on this. First, I represent a very small resident-serving organization (Urban Anthropology, Inc.) in Lincoln Village, where the homes will be lost. Second, our organization is not “opposed” to the project at all. Third, we think your information sessions have been very well planned and attended. But they were not designed to allow residents any decision-making power. What we have consistently asked is that the residents in our neighborhood have a voice on the planning committee that decided on all the alternatives and amenities that would constitute this “neighborhood plan.” The planning committee (called the technical review committee) met nearly monthly for over two years. Alternatives were presented and decided. We remained entirely neutral throughout the process and only requested the resident’s play a role in decision-making. We met with the KK planning leaders and requested that residents serve on this committee. The residents were not invited,” Lackey wrote.
Lackey claims that since the MMSD planning of the KK River corridor began in 2004, Lincoln Village residents were left out of the decision-making planning process. She and her organization which is considered the neighborhood association for Lincoln Village have tried to participate by initiating and providing research-based scientific surveys of local residents, but were left out due to a lack of information about scheduled meetings conducted by MMSD and its partner the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center in the proposed plan development. The partnership between MMSD and Sixteenth Street Community Health Center created the Kinnickinnic River planning committee.
Lackey tried to join the KK River planning committee on various occasions, but apparently was excluded from the committee. Lackey says that residents along the KK River and her organization “did not even know these meetings were being held” in early January 2008. The planning committee met on Nov. 1, 2007, Jan. 22, 2008, April 9, 2008, and no residents participated in the meetings. Also on June 24, 2008, the planning committee met again and no residents from Lincoln Village or UrbAn were invited to attend.
In April of last year, JJR, a Madison–based architectural firm was selected to do the Neighborhood Plan and no residents were involved in the selection process either, according to the UrbAn documented report provided by Lackey.
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation provided Sixteenth Street Community Health Center a $100,000 grant to get the community involved in the planning. The Sixteenth Street Community Health Center hired Gladys Gonzalez from Pa’lante Creative, who in addition was a subcontractor on the JJR team, says Lackey. Gonzalez interviewed Lackey and other leaders in the community concerning the KK River plan. Lackey says Gonzalez had interviewed people who were not from the Lincoln Village area.

Benjamin Gramling, the Director of Environmental Health Programs from Sixteenth Street Community Health Center when contacted denied Lackey’s allegations that residents along the KK River were never contacted or allowed to participate in meetings. Gramling was the key spokesperson for a conference group that visited the KK River corridor on S. 16th St. on early Monday afternoon.
The KK River Flood Management Project is expected to begin in 2010 and homes along the KK River will need to be acquired. The KK channel restoration and affected area will be between W. Harrison St. to W. Cleveland Ave.
Public access along both sides of the KK River corridor between S. Chase Ave. and S. 16th St. will be limited after the project ends. The plan is ongoing and public access throughout the area on both sides of the KK River is still in the planning stages, according to Gramling.
Affordable housing is being proposed along the KK River and commercial areas will be developed on Cleveland, according to the proposed plan. Property values in the area would increase as a result of the proposed development along the KK River.
Gramling said, information in both English and Spanish have been provided through literature drops and mailings to residents along the KK River. However, Lackey says that Lincoln Village residents have not been fully informed about the proposed KK River plan. The development plan will have an impact to the community and they need to get involved in the planning process, added Lackey.
“Lackey says scientific surveys of local residents are the best way to involve residents in decision-making that impacts them and their neighborhoods and would like to see all “major development projects” in the future to be vetted by the community through surveys,” Gramling wrote in an email dated August 4, 2009 to Alderman James Witkowiak, and Steven J. Jacquart MMSD.
Steven J. Jacquart, Intergovernmental Coordinator for MMSD said Monday, that MMSD has eminent domain authority and would be an option to acquiring homes needed to be removed for the expansion and restoration of KK River channel, but it would be lengthy a state legal process. Alderman Witkowiak, 12th Aldermanic District and Michael J. Maierle, Strategic Planning Manager for the Milwaukee Department of City Development are supporting the KK River Corridor Action Plan, Jacquart confirmed.
On Tuesday by email, Jacquart wrote “I don’t directly manage this project, but I know that members of the KK planning team have been meeting with Ms. Jill Lackey since April of 2009. She has been provided and on occasion has taken advantage of multiple opportunities over the last several months to provide input on the project, which of course, she opposes. We have recently made several additional attempts to meet with her to address any specific concerns. She has refused an invitation to meet from MMSD Commissioner Ben Gramling. Last week, MMSD Executive Director Kevin Shafer sent a written invitation to her to meet with him and hopefully this will lead to more dialogue.”
The KK River restoration project is part of $1.56 million in federal economic recovery act funds (federal stimulus funds).
A survey conducted and released by UrbAn resulted with numbers revealing that 79% of 62 residents interviewed along the KK River restoration project knew about the process. 56% say they were not part of the decision making process.
However, what was not clear is, did they want to or did they try to become part of the process (that 79% knew about).
19% apparently cared enough to take the time to become part of the process and 79% of the area residents apparently knew they could or knew about it.
21% apparently either did not pay any attention to the attempts to notify or were caught up in other circumstances such as address changes, etc.
The MMSD is holding a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the Kosciuszko Community Center Gymnasium, 2201 S. 7th St., Milwaukee, WI concerning the KK River projects.

Craving for Cream Puffs lure fairgoers to the WI State Fair

Hundreds of thousands of cream puffs sold

August 7, 2009

Milwaukee – On Thursday, the Wisconsin State Fair opened it doors in West Allis for an 11-day run of the fair. The Wisconsin Bakers Association (WBA) claims that they have produced hundreds of thousands of cream puffs during the fair. 52 cream puffs are sold every minute and 6 sales windows are opened during the fair.
“You haven’t been to the fair until you’ve had your cream puff.” It is estimated that at current fairs one out of every four fairgoers consumes a cream puff. The web site www.originalcreampuffs.com reports at least 38,003 of cream puffs sold so far!
Last year in 2008, WBA sold 381,926 of Cream Puffs, 12,847 of Blue Ribbon Brownies, and including 6,034 of Colossal Chocolate Chip Cookies breaking their record from 2007 of 375,000. In 2008, their total sales were $1,119,520 and 45.9% of 872,458 fair attendees were served. A single day sales ever was recorded at $127,254 by WBA.
“Had a $3.50 sweet, creamy, and delicious WI State Fair cream puff yesterday on opening day. My taste buds erupted with an esurient cheap stimulus,” H. Nelson Goodson, an avid fair attendee said while smiling.
The Wisconsin State Fair runs from August 6-16.

30 Extranjeros Ilegales Arrestados En Wisconsin

Sospechosos indocumentados arrestados en Milwaukee y en condados alrededor por el WI DOJ y U.S.S.ICE.

Por H. Nelson Goodson
7 de agosto de 2009

Milwaukee—El Abogado General de Wisconsin J.B. Van Hollen en una conferencia de prensa el pasado miercoles 5 de agosto de 2009 dijo, que una operación conducida en camaradería entre las autoridades del Departamento de Justicia de Wisconsin y la Aplicación de Inmigración y Aduana resultó en el arresto de 30 de quienes se sospecha son extranjeros ilegales criminales.
Los sospechosos indocumentados habían estado envueltos en actividades criminales y tenían expedientes criminales previos, de acuerdo con Van Hollen. Autoridades federales y locales recogieron a los sospechosos dentro de un período de 4 días comenzando el 27 de julio y culminando el 30 del mismo mes.
“Extranjeros ilegales criminales no pertenecen en Wisconsin. Mi camaradería con U.S. ICE y autoridades locales continúan removiendo estás amenazas a la seguridad pública y los vecindarios y personas que ellos victimizan”, dijo el Abogado General J.B. Van Hollen. “Yo estoy agradecido que los agentes y oficiales que ejecutaron estos peligrosos arrestos de conocidos criminales con ninguna conexión con Wisconsin excepto por sus actividades crminales”, dijo Van Hollen.
23 de los sospechosos de esos arrestados fueron tomado bajo custodia en Milwaukee, tres en Waukesha, dos en West Bend, uno en Allenton y uno en Cudahy. Todos ellos tenían historiales de convicciones por arrestos criminales y varios habían retornado a Milwaukee después de una deportación previa, de acuerdo a Van Hollen.
Los 30 sospechosos los cuales no fueron identificados por Van Hollen o las autoridades federales están ahora pendientes a los procedimientos en la corte de inmigración o el removimiento de los Estados Unidos de acuerdo al U.S. ICE.