Lopez Leaves U.S. Senator Russ Feingold's Office To Pursue Law Degree

Lopez became an asset to the Latino community by actually focusing on issues affecting Hispanics in Wisconsin

January 30, 2010

Milwaukee (HNNUSA) -Rebeca M. Lopez, 27, Office Manager and Regional Coordinator for U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has left her position to pursue a law degree at the Marquette University Law School. Lopez left in early January and had worked for Senator Feingold for almost seven years,  she was one month short to completing seven years.
While Lopez worked for Feingold, she became an asset to the Latino community by actually focusing on issues affecting Hispanics in Wisconsin. She unofficially became the Hispanic Liasion between Senator Feingold's office and the Latino community. Feingold since 2003, was able to focus, address and support issues affecting Hispanics through Lopez's influence and dynamic approach in addressing and resolving issues.
Lopez would usually represent Senator Feingold's Office at numerous community events when Feingold was in Washington D.C.
Feingold favors Immigration Reform, the Dream Act for undocumented students and Health Care Reform. Also in 2008, Feingold's vote helped pass the Education Act, which provides outreach and assistance to low-income students and underrepresented minority students, combined with increased funding for Pell Grants, will ensure more Hispanic students have the opportunity to attend and succeed in college.
"We must also support measures such as the DREAM Act, which helps ensure equal access to higher education for all Hispanics in this country by providing in-state tuition and other financial aid to undocumented immigrant children. By further increasing access to colleges and universities, we can help more students get the education they need to compete for jobs and, in the spirit of this year’s theme, see more “Latinos Leading in a Global Society,” Senator Feingold said on Sept. 15, 2009 during Hispanic Heritage Month.
In 2003, Feingold was looking for a bilingual Hispanic to join his office staff, and a group of Latino South side leaders recommended Lopez. In the group were Salvador Sanchez, Jesus Salas, Ernesto Chacon, Enrique Figueroa, H. Nelson Goodson, and others who were meeting at a restaurant organizing for Feingold's re-election campaign and in support of U.S. Senator John Kerry (Dem.) from Massachusetts who was later nominated as the Democratic Presidential candidate. Senator Feingold was re-elected in 2004. 
She immediately was hired by Feingold in May 2003 as a Caseworker/Regional Coordinator Office of US Senator Russ Feingold working with the Government Relations industry for the next 2 years and 10 months.
In February 2006, Lopez was promoted to Office Manager/Regional Coordinator for the next 3 years, and 7 months.
In August 2009, she resumed the position of Caseworker/Regional Coordinator in United States Senate working with the Legislative Office industry and Government Relations for the next 6 months, until recently.
Lopez is an avid volunteer for the United Way Teen Pregnancy
Prevention Committee and the "Brides Walk" sponsored by UMOS' Latina Resource Center. She is also a graduate of UWM's Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program.
She is currently a member of the Marquette Hispanic Law Student Association.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Spanish Radio Network Bustos Media Restructuring To Survive Recession

CEO of Bustos Media LLC says company in default by less than $100 million with lenders, but far from filing bankruptcy

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 29, 2010

Sacramento, CA - Last week, Inside Radio/M Street Publication reported that one of the largest Hispanic owned radio chain syndicated stations was working to restructure "Privately-held Bustos Media is technically in default with its lenders.  It has missed some payments and has broken loan covenant agreements." CEO and founder Amador Bustos confirmed that Bustos Media owes less than $100 million, and there’s no threat of bankruptcy or liquidation.

Amador has notified his employees in 28 radio stations that he owns about the current difficulty to pay lenders. Bustos Media produces nationally syndicated radio formats carried by 55 affiliated stations.
In Wisconsin, Bustos Media owns two Spanish language stations LaGranD WDDW 104.7 FM radio and Television Station LP-WBWT 38 Azteca America in West Allis. Bustos Media also has radio stations in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Advertising dollars dried up due to the recession and Bustos couldn't pay the debt incurred to lenders. The lenders have hired radio executive Jay Meyers to work with Bustos on fine-tuning operations. Meyers told Inside Radio it’s a long way from a takeover.
“The lenders are working in a very friendly way with Amador Bustos for an orderly fix of their problems,” Mayers explained to Inside Radio. Alta Communications’ Brian McNeill also confirmed Bustos Media default and said, “The lenders and investors are very much in support of Amador Bustos and the existing management team.” Also, Providence Equity LLC and Opportunity Capital Partners own a substancial amount of equity on Bustos Media.
Bustos said, “We’ll all take a haircut on the equity.”  The Bustos family holds about 10% of the equity now, with the remainder held by Alta Providence Equity Partners and Opportunity Capital Partners. “Hopefully, we’ll end up with some significant recovery down the road, I’m estimating it will take us three years to get back to where we started,” Bustos said.
Bustos Media is operated by Amador and John Bustos, in the 1990's they successfully built a 32-station Z Spanish Network before selling the network to Entravision for $475 million in 2000, including assuming $110 million in debt. Bustos Media and Z Spanish were financed with private equity.
Bustos plans to sell the current radio network within the next three years, once the economy recovers. But, Bustos won't rule out starting another radio network, according to Inside Radio. 

Complete Inside Radio article of Bustos Media restructuring: http://bit.ly/dbJpVC

Amador Bustos, Chairman and CEO of Bustos Media LLC Bio:

The son of a bracero, or farm laborer, and oldest of seven siblings, Bustos was born in the rural town of Aguililla, Mexico. At age 12, his family moved to California, and a short time later, Bustos’ English was good enough to keep up with his Redwood City classmates. Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. inspired him to earn bachelors’ degrees in philosophy and ethnic studies and a master’s degree in school administration from UC Berkeley. Bustos served on the Redwood City School Board from 1981-1986, while his father, Amador Palafox Bustos, was a janitor for the school district, according to Prospermag.com, May 2006, Prosper Media LLC.

In 2004, Bustos Media raised over $100 million in private equity to build its broadcast company.
In 2005, Hispanic Business Magazine selected Mr. Bustos as one of the top One Hundred most influential Hispanics in the USA.
Mr. Bustos is currently on the Board of the National Broadcasters Association (NAB) and Broadcast Music, Inc. He is a member of the Investment Committee of Hispania Capital Partners; a Chicago based investment fund. Mr. Bustos is also a member of the Board of Directors of American River Bank, a NASDAQ traded Sacramento community business bank. He is also a founding member of two recently approved Hispanic owned Community banks: Plaza Bank in Seattle and ProMerica Bank in Los Angeles.
The Bustos Family is dedicated to improving the educational opportunities for disadvantaged Hispanic youth. In 1996, Amador and Rosalie established the Bustos/Lopez Family Fund through which they have supported over 56 graduating high school senior through their Bachelor’s and graduate degrees.
The Bustos family is also a benefactor of the arts, and institutions of higher education. They have established endowments for the Joe and Isabel Serna Research Center at Sacramento State University. They are also made a major capital contribution to the National Hispanic University in San Jose, California, according to UC Davis Center for Entrepreneurship, Speaker Series, April 9, 2009.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

President Obama's State of the Union Speech Lacked Appeal For Hispanics

Jobs bill, economy, and unity the main focus of speech instead of immigration reform and undocumented immigrants

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 28, 2010

Washington D.C. -Last night, President Barack H. Obama's first State of the Union speech focused on jobs and tax credits for job creation. Hispanics and undocumented immigrants throughout the nation had hoped to hear about his post election promise to help pass an immigration reform bill. But, Obama focused on jobs and the economy instead. That change hasn't come fast enough and people without jobs are hurting. "Jobs must be our number one focus in 2010," it's a New Year, let's come together and get the job done for the American people and let's work on getting a job bill on my desk without delay. "The House has passed a jobs bill, as the first order of business this year, I urge the Senate to do the same," said Obama calling for unity between members of the U.S. Congress and Senate.
President Obama said, since I've taken office a year ago "amid two wars, an economy rocked by severe recession, a financial system on the verge of collapse, and a government deeply in debt."
"The devastation remains. One in 10 Americans still cannot find work. Many businesses have shuttered. Home values have declined. Small towns and rural communities have been hit especially hard. For those who had already known poverty, life has become that much harder...I know the anxieties that are out there right now. They're not new. These struggles are the reason I ran for president," Obama said.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (Rep.) was quick to criticised Obama and his big government. "In the past year, over three million Americans have lost their jobs, yet the Democratic Congress continues deficit spending, adding to the bureaucracy, and increasing the national debt on our children and grandchildren.
The amount of this debt is on pace to double in five years, and triple in ten. The federal debt is already over $100,000 per household This is simply unsustainable.
The President's partial freeze on discretionary spending is a laudable step, but a small one," McDonell said.
Obama said, that in 2010 he is ready to freeze government spending for the next three years.
With the newly elect Massachusetts U.S. Senator Scott Brown, Republicans in the senate now have the needed votes for a filibuster to block any Democrat bill from passing. Brown's vote could very well stall U.S. Congressman Luis Gutierrez (IL-Dem.) Immigration bill that was introduced on December 15, 2009. Gutierrez' bill,  Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security And Prosperity (CIR ASAP) Act of 2009, H.R. 4321, is legislation that secures our nation's economy, keeps families together and secures our borders while fixing our broken immigration system. 
President Obama called for unity by coming together to fix our economy. He supported the last administration's Financial Rescue Program that kept banks from failing. Most of the money loaned to them has been recovered ($30 billion), and for those banks who pay out bonuses to executives and haven't paid the loans, he is proposing a fee on the loans.
Obama didn't focused on immigration reform, but the 46 million Hispanics living in the United States wield a buying power that totaled more than $980 billion in 2008, and is projected to reach $1.3 trillion in 2013, according to Consumer Reports.
The projected buying power includes undocumented immigrants and the economic expansion by Hispanics has helped to keep U.S. citizens working and to create jobs, and keeping a cap on the national 10% unemployment rate due to 7 million jobs that were lost by the recession.

White House photo by Pete Souza

"I'm interested in protecting our economy... And we should continue the work of fixing our broken immigration system -– to secure our borders and enforce our laws, and ensure that everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our economy and enrich our nation," Obama briefly said. President Obama has yet to realized the actual economic contributions the Latino population has injected into the American economy and its projected economic power.
A meaningful way to help the crisis, is by using common sense for a steady, secured, and a rapid American economic recovery by passing Congressman Gutierrez' comprehensive reform bill. The bill would allow good standing undocumented immigrants to legally work, keep families together, and pay their fair share of taxes making our economy stronger.
Hispanics will change the profile of American society in the next 30 years, and will continue to increase the percentage of the American Consumer Base.
Even Consumers Union who publishes Consumer Reports 2010, had the report translated into Spanish "Guía de Compras 2010" to tap into the 2013 projected $1.3 trillion U.S. Hispanic buying power.
“With Hispanic buying power in the United States projected to hit $1.3 trillion by 2013, it is more important than ever to provide this demographic with the information to make informed purchasing decisions,” said John Sateja, Executive Vice President of Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports magazine has a circulation of 4.3 million and over 3.2 million paid subscribers and is the largest subscription-based Web site in the industry.

For President Obama's (Full text remarks) January 27, 2010, State of the Union speech at the U.S. Capitol, check out White House Internet link: http://bit.ly/9jCB87

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Federal Judge Sets Civil Rights Trial For An Undocumented Immigrant Killed By Milwaukee Police Officer

Family of undocumented immigrant filed a civil rights and wrongful-death lawsuit against the City of Milwaukee

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 26, 2010

Milwaukee -A federal judge decided to hear the case of a man killed by an off-duty Milwaukee police officer five years ago. On Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge William Callahan's docket listed Wilbert Javier Prado's trial case to begin on June 7, granting Prado's family to finally continue their federal civil case against the City of Milwaukee and involving the Milwaukee Police Department. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Prado's two young children and his estate, as the plaintiff's and names the city and Glover's estate as defendants. Prado's family claims that Glover as an officer used excessive deadly force as trained by the department.
Prado, 25, an undocumented immigrant was shot at 19 times, including being shot 8 times in the back and legs with a 45 Cal., while being chased through an alley by then Officer Alfonzo Glover, 35, on March 6, 2005. Glover also reloaded and fired the last two shots killing Prado while he layed face down on the ground. The homicide occurred in the South side of Milwaukee.
A Milwaukee County District Attorney inquest jury found that Glover's actions had been justified. Glover testified that Prado had followed him from work and began flashing his lights at him. Glover said he stopped near S. 9th St. and W. Ohio Ave. and identified himself as a police officer. At first, Glover told the inquest jury that he noticed that Prado was reaching for a weapon. But, Prado then sped away in his van almost hitting Glover. Officer Glover then took out his personal weapon and began shooting at Prado. Prado crashed his van while being hit several times by bullets from Glover. Prado fled through an alley injured, bleeding and frantically screaming numerous times, "Please don't kill me...please don't kill me." Some neighbors in the area reported hearing Prado pleading for mercy.
Glover had discharged his weapon a total of 19 times, and police never found a weapon on Prado or at the scene, according to the investigation.
But months later after local Latino media and members of the Hispanic community rallied and pressured former Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann to open the investigation, McCann finally did. The independent investigation found evidence that a homicide had occurred and on May 2006, McCann filed first-degree intentional homicide charges against Glover, despite opposition from the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA).
In his 38 years as D.A., McCann had never charged an officer with a homicide. John Balcerzak, then president of the MPA called for McCann's resignation "due to irresponsible handling of the investigation of Officer Glover."
After being booked on homicide charges, Glover posted $25,000 bail, and went home. Glover then committed suicide at his South side residence the same day he was charged. No note was ever found, according to police.

Two Men Killed Over The Weekend In The South Side Of Milwaukee

Benjamin Nuñez, family photo

Good samaritan and victim who were fatally shot identified

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 25, 2010

Milwaukee -Police are investigating a double homicide that occured just after 2:00 a.m. Saturday at the 700 block of W. Greenfield Ave. The double homicides are the first reported fatal shooting incidents of the year in the South side.
Benjamin Nuñez, 20, had just left Los Arcos Tavern to go pick up his girlfriend when two men approached him and tried to rob him. While Nuñez was walking to his truck in a nearby parking lot.
The bartender at the tavern noticed the two suspects assaulting  Nuñez, and told other patrons of an attempted robbery. Salvador Chavarin, 47, one of the patrons came to help Nuñez  and was able to grab one of the suspects. The other suspect then shot Chavarin in the chest in the parking lot before also shooting Nuñez several times in the head.
Chavarin died at the scene, and Nuñez, a native of Mexico later died on Sunday at the hospital, according to police.
Homicide investigators are looking for two suspects.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Laredo Police and Webb County Sheriff Departments Awarded Seized Assets Of 2 Million From U.S.ICE

Laredo, Texas - U.S. Border port of entry

Laredo Police Chief Carlos Maldonado, Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar, U.S. ICE Special Agent Jerry Robinette, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar and other officials posed with poster-size checks totaling $2 Million at the Laredo port of entry. Photo: U.S. ICE

Local police and sheriff departments will use funds from U.S. ICE to continue fight against crime, drug smuggling, and criminal enterprises

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 25, 2010

Laredo, TX - On Monday's news press conference in Laredo, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (U.S. ICE) distributed more than $2 million in "asset sharing" funds, which were seized from various bulk cash smuggling investigations, to the Laredo Police Department and the Webb County Sheriff's Office.
A press release from U.S. ICE states that in a collabrative law enforcement partnership, U.S. ICE Special Agent in Charge, Jerry Robinette presented at the Laredo port of entry poster-size checks to both Laredo Police Chief Carlos Maldonado and Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar, totaling $2,024,073.22. The Laredo Police Department received $1,356,068.22 and the Webb County Sheriff's Office received $668,005.
The $2,024,073.22 distributed was seized from four local criminal investigations, and the cash was divided among the participating agencies as part of U.S. ICE's asset sharing agreement, according to Special Agent Robinette.
"U.S. ICE is especially proud to recognize the key role that our local law enforcement partners play in addressing the significant threat of illegal bulk cash smuggling poses," said Robinette, who heads the U.S. ICE Office of Investigations in San Antonio, Texas. "Seizing this money from criminals and giving it to local law enforcement sends the right message to the public and to criminal organizations. These funds allow Webb County Sheriff's Office and the Laredo Police Department to continue their excellent work."
"The Laredo Police Department is committed to the continued battle against criminal drug organizations and our collaborative effort with U.S. ICE, as these cases demonstrate how the Laredo law enforcement community works collectively towards not only making effective arrests, but also taking the money away from the criminal organizations and using that money to further ensure the safety of the citizens of Laredo," said Police Chief  Maldonado.
Sheriff Cuellar said, "This check serves as a symbol of the great working relationship between the law enforcement community in Laredo. The law-abiding citizens of Webb County shall rest assured that we wil continue to track down drug traffickers and others engaged in illegal activities."
U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar who also attended the joint press conference said, "I thank U.S. ICE and the local law enforcement agencies for their collaborative efforts...When we seize contraband from criminals and smuggled goods at our ports, we take bad things off the street. When there is less of what is bad, we make things better for the good of all."
Last August 14, 2009, Congressman Cuellar presented poster size checks to both the Laredo Police Department and the Webb County Sheriff's Office totaling $2,182,836.00 million. Laredo Police received $574,766 and the Webb County Sheriff received $1,608,070 of federal funds.
Other federal agencies attending Monday's news conference were officials from the City of Laredo, U.S Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Office of Field Operations and CBP's Laredo Border Patrol Sector.
Asset forfeiture is a powerful tool used by U.S. ICE and other law enforcement agencies to seize assets from criminal organizations in their illicit criminal activity. Under the related equitable sharing program, federal, state and local law enforcement partners and foreign governments working with U.S. ICE in joint investigations can be eligible to receive a portion of the proceeds of a federal forfeiture, which fosters greater partnership and cooperation among agencies.

On August 14, 2009, U.S. Congressman Cuellar presented at the Webb County Sheriff's facility poster-size checks to both the Laredo Police Department and the Webb County Sheriff's Office totaling $2,182,836.00 million. Laredo Police received $574,766 and the Webb County Sheriff received $1,608,070 of federal funds.
Photo from U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar's web site

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Harley-Davidson Inc. Reports First Deficit In 16 Years

H-D motorcycle manufacturing led to the creation of motorcycle clubs, associations and riding groups

Milwaukee (HNNUSA)-Harley-Davidson Inc. reported a fourth quarter loss, and its first quarterly deficit in 16 years. The motorcycle company lost $218.7 million, a 94 cents lost in shares and is closing one of two factories in York, PA and will lay-off 1,950 workers.
In 2008, Harley-Davidson's net income was $77.8 million, or up 34 cents per share.
In 2009, Harley-Davidson Inc. reported that the current recession forced the closure of 28 dealerships in the U.S.A. and in 2010, 15 more dealerships are expected to close.
Harley-Davidson announced, shipments to its dealderships in 2009 fell 27% to 223,023, and for 2010, they expect another fall between 5% to 10% with projected shipments between 201,000 to 212,000.
Harley-Davidson CEO Keith Wandell says, it's the largest dealership closures ever recorded in Harley's history. Wandell contribute the closures to the recession and that in eight to nine metropolitan areas there were to many dealerships. (H-D investor report 2009 results at http://bit.ly/7pCAfB)
Harley-Davidson is considered as one the largest motorcycle suppliers of its kind in the U.S. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle trend and the life style it represents has led to the creation of multiple motorcycle clubs, associations and riding groups throughout the U.S. and the world. Numerous clubs known as M.C.'s and also clubs known as the "1%ers" One Percenters considered clubs/gangs and engaged in alleged criminal activity have dominated the club scene in major motorcycle rally's, according to the U. S. Department of Justice.
Within the motorcycle brotherhood, it is well known that 99% of all bikers ride and live within the boundaries of the law.
Although, many motorcycle clubs who do wear colors in one way or other are affiliated to the notorious American outlaw motorcycle clubs who approve non 1%'s to wear colors in their local area. The ten most recognized outlaw groups are the Vagos Motorcycle Club from San Barnardino, CA, est. 1960's; the Free Souls from Oregon, Est. 1960's; Los Banditos from San Antonio, TX, Est. 1966; the Highwaymen from Detriot, Michigan, Est. 1954; the Warlocks from Philadelphia, PA, Est. 1967; the Sons of Silence from Niwot, Colorado, Est. 1966; the Outlaws Motorcycle Club from McCook, Illinois, Est. 1935 (at Matilda's Bar on route 66); The Pagans from Maryland, Est. 1959; the Mongols from Montebello, California, Est. 1969; and the Hells Angels, Est. between 1940's to 1950's in California.
Other major motorcycle clubs non affiliated to outlaw groups are the law enforcement motorcycle clubs, Blue Knights International Club, Reguladores Law Enforcement MC, Praetorian LEMC, Untouchables MC, 11th Cavalry MC American, Law Dawgs MC,Iron Crew LEMC, and the Knights Paladin MC.
In Milwaukee, the Independent Riders group, which ride Harley-Davidson's and other brands of motorcycles was established in 1998 unique from any other motorcycle organization, club and association in the U.S. Since then, multiple Independent Riders groups not affiliated with the Milwaukee, Wisconsin group have been established throughout other states and Canada. But, basically these Independent Riders follow the same concept of not belonging or being affiliated to any outlaw club. The Independent Riders group was established to allow bikers to ride and roam free with limitless boundries in the U.S. and other countries. Respecting other clubs, groups and associations is the key element of the Independent Riders success in expanding their lifestyle. Their colors is missing the MC (outlaw approval) on them. Only, the law enforcement motorcycle clubs carry the MC label without the outlaw clubs approval on their colors.
One of the largest memberships of Harley-Davidson ridership is the Harley Owners Group (HOG), which has chapters and over one million members throughout the world.

The Colors!

The Independent Riders, a motorcycle riding group (not a motorcyle club or association) was established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1998 and later established another chapter in Florida, and has members in law enforcement, media, business, and other fields in professional and non-professional careers.
Milwaukee is the home base for the Independent Riders, although a group was created in Florida by Tito Rivera aka "Max". The founders of the motorcycle group are Eduardo Velez, Joselito Velez and H. Nelson Goodson.
On Saturday, some Independent Riders gathered to help celebrate Sebastian Morales 50th Birthday, one of its members. "Wishing a Happy Birthday to Sebastian on his 50th and muchos mas", said H. Nelson Goodson, co-founder of the Independent Riders.
"When you see these Colors, we are partying in the immediate area! Don't be shy, we invite you and your friends to come over and party with us. We're the Kool ones of the bunch and on the road. We ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles and every other type of motorcycle too. We don't discriminate and welcome everyone who has the guts to ride hard to anywhere, everywhere and nowhere, until the burnt rubber tire smoke and dust clears. Hope to see you at the next big motocycle rally and party in or near your area," Goodson said.

Celebrating Sebastian's surprized 50th Birthday bash. (L-R) H. Nelson Goodson, Eddie Alva, Sebastian Morales and Eduardo Velez. The guys are avid motorcycle riders in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On Saturday, the birthday bash was held at the Falk Pavilion in Oakcreek. Que party! Getting ready for the 2010 big biker rally.

Sebastian Makes It To 50th

In top photo: (L-R) Becky Medina and Sebastian Morales and other members of the family.

Morales, a proud member of the Independent Riders of Milwaukee celebrated his 50th Birthday with family, friends, relatives, and motorcycle biker brothers

Oakcreek (HNNUSA) - Sebastian Morales celebrated his 50th Birthday bash with family and friends on Saturday. The surprised celebration took place in Oakcreek at the Falk Pavilion at the 2000 block of Rawson Ave.
Pernil, cake, ensalada de mezcla and Puerto Rican rice were some of the favorite dishes.
Morales is well known among the Independent Riders of Milwaukee. The Independent Riders are an avid motorcycle riding group who have travelled numerous miles in the U.S.A., Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Becky Medina, Sebastian's wife says, "Que dios le de muchos más."
Milwaukee is the home base for the Independent Riders, although a group was created in Florida by Tito Rivera aka "Max". The founders of the motorcycle group are Eduardo Velez, Joselito Velez and H. Nelson Goodson.
"Wishing a Happy Birthday to Sebastian on his 50th and muchos más", said H. Nelson Goodson, co-founder of the Independent Riders. 

The Colors!

The Independent Riders, a motorcycle riding group (not a motorcyle club or association) was established in Milwaukee, WI in 1998 and later established another chapter in Florida, and has members in law enforcement, media, business, and other fields in professional and non-professional careers.
When you see these Colors, we are partying in the immediate area! Don't be shy, we invite you and your friends to come over and party with us. We're the Kool ones of the bunch and on the road...We ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles and every other type of motorcycle too...We don't discriminate and welcome everyone who has the guts to ride hard to anywhere, everywhere and nowhere, until the burnt rubber tire smoke and dust clears. Hope to see you at the next big motocycle rally and party in or near your area.

Celebrating Sebastian's surprized 50th Birthday bash. (L-R) H. Nelson Goodson, Eddie Alva, Sebastian Morales and Eduardo Velez. The guys are avid motorcycle riders in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The bash was held at the Falk Pavilion in Oakcreek. Que party! Getting ready for the 2010 big biker rally.

In the news today:

Harley-Davidson Reports First Deficit In 16 Years

Milwaukee (HNNUSA)-Harley-Davidson Inc. reported a fourth quarter loss, and its first quarterly deficit in 16 years. The motorcycle company lost $218.7 million, a 94 cents lost in shares and is closing one of two factories in York, PA and will lay-off 1,950 workers.
In 2008, Harley-Davidson's net income was $77.8 million, or up 34 cents per share
In 2009, Harley-Davidson Inc. reported that the current recession forced the closure of 28 dealerships in the U.S.A. and in 2010, 15 more dealerships are expected to close.
Harley-Davidson announced, shipments to its dealderships in 2009 fell 27% to 223,023, and for 2010, they expect another fall between 5% to 10% with projected shipments between 201,000 to 212,000.
Harley-Davidson CEO Keith Wandell says, it's the largest dealership closures ever recorded in Harley's history. Wandell contribute the closures to the recession and that in eight to nine metropolitan areas there were to many dealerships. (H-D investor report 2009 results at http://bit.ly/7pCAfB)

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Thornton Picked As Superintendent For The Milwaukee Public School District

Gregory E. Thornton, newly select MPSD Superintendent
(Photo: Seattle Times, 2007)

Superintendent from Chester Upland School District in
Pennsylvania selected as Milwaukee Public School District Superintendent

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 22, 2010

Milwaukee - On Friday, Members of the Milwaukee Public School Board voted unanimously just after 7:00 p.m. to hire Gregory E. Thornton Ed. D., 54, as the new superintendent to lead the Milwaukee Public School District (MPSD). Thornton is currently the superintendent of Chester Upland Public School District in Chester, Pennsylvania.
The MPS Board hired Thornton among three candidates, despite his filing for individual bankruptcy in 1997, and had been criticised for taking a trip to Africa.
In April 2007, the Seattle Times reported Thornton's reputation took a blow in 2006 when ethical questions were raised about a 2004 trip he took to Africa, subsidized by a software company that later won a large, no-bid contract with the district. Thornton at the time had said he planned the trip, as part of a group of black educators, before he was hired in Philadelphia; the district cleared Thornton of any wrongdoing although some critics remained skeptical.
The two other candidates were Robert Alfaro, a regional superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Stacy Scott, associate superintendent of Montgomery County Public School District in Rockville, Maryland.
Thornton will get a 2-year contract from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012, and will be paid $260,000 annually, according to MPSD Board. MPSD has 85,000 students enrolled and operates with a yearly budget of $1.1 billion.
Thornton comes in as superintendent at a time when a governor-mayoral controversial push to takeover the Milwaukee Public School District has divided the city. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and outgoing Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle want the City of Milwaukee and the Mayor to set policy and manage MPSD. Doyle (Dem.) won't seek re-election, and Barrett (Dem.) has announced he is a candidate for governor.
Thornton's hiring could hamper efforts by Barrett and Doyle to takeover the school district. MPSD Board have hired an attorney to challenge the governor-mayoral takeover. The state legislature has stalled a bill favoring the takeover, due to major oposition efforts against the governor-mayoral takeover. 

Thornton's background:

Education: Bachelor's degree in elementary education/math, Temple University master's degree in administration supervision, Salisbury State University; doctorate in educational leadership, Nova Southeastern University.

Experience: Current superintendent of Chester Upland School District in Chester, PA, 2007-present; chief academic officer in Philadelphia, 2004-2007; community superintendent, deputy superintendent, Montgomery County (Md.) Public Schools, 2002 2004; assistant superintendent, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County (N.C.) Public Schools 1998-2002; coordinating director of secondary schools, Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) Public Schools, 1997-1998; elementary and high-school principal in Maryland, Delaware and North Carolina, 1981-1997.

Related article link "Opposition To Governor And Mayoral Takeover Of MPS Grows" http://bit.ly/8jEmD 

Teen Double Cop Shooter Pleads Guilty

Julius C. Burton pleas guilty to shooting two officers

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 21, 2010

Milwaukee -On Thursday, Julius C. Burton, 19, pleaded guilty to attempted homicide in a plea deal for shooting two Milwaukee police officers on June 9th. Burton is facing 50 years instead of 90 in prison, and won't be eligible for parole until he's 70-years-old, according to Mark Williams, Assistant District Attorney. Williams told the presiding judge in Milwaukee Circuit Court that the two officers had accepted Burton's guilty plea. Both officers were present in court, but did not testify. Burton is expected back in court on February 25 for sentencing.

Last Summer, two police officers were shot multiple times by Burton on Milwaukee’s Walker Point area. Burton was stopped for driving his bicycle on the side walk, a city ordinance violation and for suspicious behavior in the 900 block of S. 2nd St., according to both Officers Bryan Norberg, 21, and Graham Kunisch, 26.
Milwaukee Chief of Police Edward Flynn initiated a suspicious looking behavior policy in the department for officers to stop and question people in a neighborhood without probable cause. In this particular case, both Norberg and Kunisch were unable to draw their weapons when they were confronted by Burton.
Burton at the time of the shooting was taking medication for schizophrenia, according to relatives. He was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide.
Jacob D. Collins, 22, was convicted in federal court for selling a Taurus .40 caliber hand gun to Burton for $40. Collins admitted to federal authorities he bought the gun for Burton at Badger Guns shop in West Milwaukee.
Officer Norberg had been working in the department for six months and Kunisch lost an eye in the shooting.
In April 2009 another officer was shot, Officer Vidal Colón, 30, a seven-year veteran in the police department was responding to a domestic dispute call in the 1200 block of S. 36th St. when he got into a shooting match with Louis Manuel Domenech, 25. Officer Colón was shot three times and survived the shooting.
On January 26, 2008, Lodewikus "Vic" Milford a Miller Brewing Co. executive was shot to death by Miguel Ayala, 21, during an armed robbery in the same block where Officers Norberg and Kunisch were shot. Ayala, Carlos Gonzalez, 17, were convicted of the homicide and Irene Rodriguez, then 17 was previously charged as an adult, but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
On November 6, 2007, Officers Alejandro J. Arce, 26, and Jose Angel Lopez III, 31, were shot multiple times at the 1300 block of S. Greenfield Ave. by Victor Veloz, 16. Veloz was convicted and is serving 60 years in prison.

Milwaukee Public Museum Unveils Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible Exhibit

Top photo: Fragment of the 'Last Supper' Dead Sea Scroll
Bottom Photo: A unique scroll, known as the Copper Scroll
Click on photos to enlarge images.

Authentic Dead Sea Scrolls fragments discovered in the 1940's to be exhibited

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 21, 2010

Milwaukee -On Friday, the Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) will unveil one of the largest and exclusive temporary exhibits exploring the history of the Holy Land and exhibiting actual fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The comprehensive MPM Dead Sea Scrolls collection includes ancient artifacts and other treasures connecting the Holy Bible to early scroll writings of testiments discovered written in Hebrew and paleo-Hebrew. The majority of the scrolls are written in Hebrew; there are also texts in Aramaic and in Greek similar to the modern day bible version.
MPM has created an atmosphere focusing on manuscripts, artifacts, landscape, aerial photography, displays about science, and discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls authenticity dating back several thousand years. The scrolls were written in the third century BCE through the first century CE, and were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in 11 caves near Khirbet Qumran, on the northwestern shores of the Dead Sea in Israel, according to MPM curators.
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls was made by a Bedouin shepherd boy who tossed a stone into a desert cave near the Dead Sea during the winter of 1946-47. He heard the sound of shattered pottery and went inside to investigate. The boy discovered the first of 11 caves containing jugs and pottery used to store ancient artifacts and the oldest surviving texts of the Hebrew Bible along the cliffs near the ruins of Qumran. Numerous scroll writings found in the caves cast new light and diverse ancient belief into how the three major monotheisms of Judaism, Christianity and Islam evolved.
Hundreds of documents known today as the Dead Sea Scrolls became one the most famous modern day archaeological discoveries, since the opening of King Tut’s tomb.

Scroll Manuscript
Click on image to enlarge

The above manuscript (Scroll - 981) was found in cave 4 in 1952, and contains text of the Ten Commandments which is longer than traditional translations and reflects both biblical versions of the Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:11 and Deuteronomy 5:11). This law instructs the Israelites not to work on the Sabbath to remember their rescue from slavery in Egypt and God's resting on the 7th day of creation. Even today, many people practice this tradition of rest.
The majority of the scrolls found are written on leather parchment, and some on papyrus (reed paper), including one unique scroll inscribed in a metal Copper Scroll. The Copper Scroll is part of a collect which describes in great detail where 64 great sites are located containing 100 tons of hidden gold and silver treasure. No one has ever found the great treasure.

On exhibit is the only known scroll-type manuscript on stone "Gabriel's Relavation", the recently discovered Jeselsohn Stone.
Other exihibits include, "some of the oldest Greek New Testament papyri, pages from rare handcopied medieval Bibles, and the oldest manuscript in part of the Masoretic Text or traditional Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and early and modern printed Bibles," Carrie Trousil, MPM Communications Specialist described in a Press Media kid released to HNNUSA.
The display includes a section of more than 160 archaeological objects depicting the region where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written.
MPM curators say it has taken six years to bring the Dead Sea Scrolls to Milwaukee. Aside from the scroll and bible exhibits an eleven-lecture series of one hour featuring international panels of speakers, each covering a different facet of the exhibit is scheduled between January through early June at an additional cost.
The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit is sponsored by The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation and other sponsors.
The exhibit opens January 22, 2010 through June, and afterwards the exclusive exhibition will not travel to any other institution.  A must see exhibit for everyone.

The three most asked questions about the scrolls.

What is the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls?

The Dead Sea Scrolls are widely acknowledged to be among the greatest archaeological treasures linking us to the ancient Middle East, and to the formative years of Judaism and Christianity. Over 200 biblical manuscripts are more than a thousand years older than any previously known copies of the Hebrew Bible. In addition, there are scrolls that appear to represent a distinct form of Judaism that did not survive the Roman destruction of the second Temple in 70 CE. These "sectarian scrolls" reveal a fascinating stage of transition between the ancient religion of the Bible and Rabbinic Judaism, as well as the faith that would become the world's largest, Christianity. Both of these traditions, in turn, influence Islam.

Who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Most scholars believe the scrolls were created by the Essene sect, a group of Jews who broke away from mainstream Judaism to live a communal life in the desert. When the Romans invaded their community around 68 CE, the Essenes hid the manuscripts in nearby caves. The ruins of Qumran, near the base of the caves, are believed by many to be the communal quarters of the Essenes. However, some scholars believe the Essenes were not the only authors of the scrolls; they assume that some of the manuscripts were written in Jerusalem and later deposited in the caves at Qumran when the Romans threatened Jerusalem.

What kind of texts are the Dead Sea Scrolls?

The manuscripts fall into three major categories: biblical apocryphal, and sectarian. The biblical manuscripts comprise some 200 copies of biblical books, representing the earliest evidence for the biblical text in the world. Among the apocryphal manuscripts (works that were not included in the biblical canon) are works that had previously been known only in translation, or that had not been known at all. The sectarian manuscripts reflect a wide variety of literary genres: biblical commentary, religious legal writings, liturgical (prayer) texts, and compositions that predict a coming apocalypse.

For more information, the following Internet link for the Milwaukee Public Museum's 'Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible' exhibit is provided: http://bit.ly/2nlLax

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Milwaukee Bucks Win Over The Toronto Raptors

Bottom photo: (L-R) Alfredo Dominguez, Irv Brenaman, Glenn aka 'The big G' and H. Nelson Goodson enjoyed the Bucks victory. 

Milwaukee (HNNUSA) -It was a victorious game for the Bucks tonight. Final score, Milwaukee Bucks 113 and Toronto Raptors 107, the game was played at the Milwaukee Bradley Center in Wisconsin.
On Friday, both teams play in Toronto again.

The game played out:

1st Qtr. Bucks 22 - Raptors 24
2nd Qtr. Bucks 27 - Raptors 32
3rd Qtr. Bucks 32 - Raptors 22
4th Qtr. Bucks 32 - Raptors 29
Total: Bucks 113 and Raptors 107

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Gadzuric Foundation Cinderella Project Gives Prom Dresses To Young Women

Lisette Franco Gadzuric heads foundation Cinderella Project that provides free Prom dresses to young women in high school

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 20, 2010

Milwaukee -Lisette Franco Gadzuric made a special appearance in Wednesday's TMJ 4 Morning Blend to promote the give away of Prom dresses to young women. Franco heads the Gadzuric Foundation www.gadzuricfoundation.org Cinderella Project.
A Prom Dress Drive is underway, where dresses can be donated to the Gadzuric Foundation...residents can drop off prom dresses at area community centers from now to April 3rd, Franco said on the Morning Blend.
Applying to Cinderalla Project, Franco said, "in order to receive a free prom dress, the girls must complete an application package which consists of a short essay on why they are deserving of the dress and a letter of support from an adult mentor" (teacher, pastor, employer or community center employee). Participants will then attend a two-hour workshop that will cover various topics including nutrition and fitness, self-esteem, healthy relationships and prom choices.
Once those two steps are complete, the girls can then pick their prom dress on April 3rd at the Bradley Center. Food, beverage, music and personal shoppers will be on hand to aid in the selection of dresses.
Prom is an important time for any high school student… and it can also be an expensive occasion. To alleviate some of the cost, The Gadzuric Foundation through Cinderella Project MKE will collect and distribute donated prom dresses to young women throughout the Milwaukee area.
The Gadzuric Foundation was created by Bucks center Dan Gadzuric and his wife, Lisette Franco, who is an avid volunteer in the Milwaukee community. The foundation’s mission is to eliminate negative barriers affecting youth and their families, replacing these obstacles by fostering self-esteem with positive experiences that build autonomy, enhancing the community, according to the Gadzuric Foundation web site. 

For information how you can donate Prom dresses for young high school women, the following Internet link has been provided: www.gadzuricfoundation.org

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Brown Elected To U.S. Senate In Massachusetts

Scott P. Brown (Rep.) U.S. Senator Elect

Boston, MA (HNNUSA) -Scott P. Brown, 50, (Rep.) was declared the winner on Tuesday for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the late Ted Kennedy. "Thank you for electing me your next U.S. Senator and every day I will do my best to be your senator," Brown told his supporters at his victory party in Boston. President Barack H. Obama called Brown to congratulate him.
Brown became the 41st Republican elected to the 100-member Senate. His election could help Republicans succeed in a fillibuster to stop President Obama's health care bill and any future bills from Democrats.
Democrats needed Martha Coakley (Dem.) to win in order to get the 60th vote to prevent a Republican fillibuster. Brown is the first Republican elected in Massachusetts, since 1972. He won with 52% of the vote compared to Coakley's 47% of the vote.
Brown's victory is seen as a set back for Immigration Reform activists in the nation. Democrats missed their window of opportunity to pass a comprehensive Immigration bill in 2009. "Republicans and conservative extremists now have the required votes for a fillibuster to halt any Immigration Reform bill," said H. Nelson Goodson, Taxpayers for Immigration Reform in Wisconsin.
Brown is a graduate of Wakefield High School, Tufts University, and Boston College Law School. He lives in Wrentham, MA with his wife Gail Huff, 48, (News reporter for Boston channel WCVB -TV5) and their two daughters, Ayla, a well-known singer since her participation on the popular television program "American Idol", and a student at Boston College, and Arianna, a Pre-med student at Syracuse University.

John's Jewelry Gets 45 Day License Suspension

John's Jewelry in Milwaukee's South side

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 19, 2010

Milwaukee -On Tuesday, the Common Council Licenses Committee decided on a vote of 5-0 to suspend the John's Jewelry business license for a period of 45 days. The committee heard testimony from Police Officer Jeffrey Thiele from the 2nd Police District who said, that police discovered during a sting operation that "not only that the establishment was taking in jewelry in violation of the city code, but that it was also melting down jewelry before the 15-day waiting period that was established in the code had been completed."
Chon Sung Lee, owner of John's Jewelry said "that he accepted a piece of jewelry without documentation because he felt sorry for the seller." The seller told Lee "that he needed money" who happened to be Police Officer Christopher Greer, from the District 2, working undercover. Officer Greer told the committee, that he assisted the investigating officers as an undercover officer by selling jewelry items to the establishment. Greer says that he did not provide identification and did not complete all of the paperwork required by law when selling jewelry, according to Tuesday's testimony in the Licenses Committee.
The committee agreed to view the illegal video transaction between an employee from John's Jewelry and undercover Officer Greer in committee as evidence, and the video was also entered on file.
Only one resident of the South side testified in favor of the revocation. Jason Cleereman, of the 1000 block of W. Washington St., was in support of the John's Jewelry business license revocation.
Last Thursday, three South Side jewelers facing revocation to sell gems and precious metals voluntarily surrendered their business licenses. Reflections, Cash N Gold and Star Jewelry business owners decided to turned in licenses to the city's Licenses Committee, Alderman Jim Bohl, Chair confirmed.
The Milwaukee Common Council Licenses Committee was moving to revoke the licenses of four jewelers accused of buying jewelry and not asking for identification from sellers or keeping accurate records of buying off the street jewelry as state law and city ordinances require.
A two month police sting from Oct. to mid November found that Reflections Jewelry, 1306 W. Forest Home Ave., Cash N Gold, 1214 S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr., Star Jewelry, 1212 W. Lincoln Ave., and John's Jewelry, 1119 W. Historic Mitchell St. were buying jewelry from off street sellers and not filling out proper forms. Police review forms to determine, if jewelry bought was reported stolen.
Police confiscated over 1,200 items worth $75,000 and cited the stores involved with 85 citations totaling over $41,000 in fines.

Related article Internet link, Milwaukee police sting operation nets 1,200 items of stolen jewelry in the South side http://bit.ly/7xbgJW

Five Arrested In Maricopa County Sheriff's Immigration Enforcement Protest

Sheriff Joe Arpaio investigated by a federal Grand Jury for alleged federal laws and civil rights violations.

Protesters involved in melee taken to Maricopa County Jail

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 17, 2010

Phoenix, AZ -On Saturday, more than 10,000 immigration rights activists and supporters marched three-miles from West Phoenix Park to the Durango jail complex. The jail complex is composed of five jails and are run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Protesters carried signs and chanted "Joe must go" and "We are Human" while they marched to the jail complex. They were calling for Arpaio to end the criminalization of undocumented immigrants, to stop enforcement of immigration laws and for the U.S. Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2010.
The 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allowed a partnership agreement between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (U.S. ICE) and Maricopa County Sheriiff's Department (MCSD), which gave federal authority for designated deputies to be trained and work along side U.S. ICE in immigration enforcement. Part of the 287(g) agreement, street enforcement authority was revoked three months ago by Federal authorities citing abuse and exceeding authority were some of the reasons to limit the partnership between U.S. ICE and MCSD. MCSD can only process undocumented immigrants under the new U.S. Homeland Security agreement under 287(g).
The peaceful march turned chaotic when a group of protesters at the end of the march began to throw water bottles at police. Police responded with tear gas and the disturbance was under control within a few minutes. Protesters shouted obscenities to officers in riot gear who managed to disperse unruly protesters.
One protester struck a police sergeant on the head and chest with a flagpole. Five people were arrested during the protest and taken to Maricopa County Jail. Three were booked for aggravated assault on police, another was booked for aggravated assault on police and disorderly conduct. The fifth was booked for disorderly conduct and aggravated assault on police, Sgt. Andy Hill, Phoenix police spokesman said.
Organizers of the march are calling for a full investigation into the disturbance caused by a small group not associated with their immigration movement. "We don't want the actions of a very small number of people to overshadow a day that was about peace. We are asking for a full investigation into the incident, both with respect to the conduct of those who were accused of disrupting the march and the actions of the police,” said Chris Newman, an attorney for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.
Last Saturday's march attracted hundreds of supporters from California, Illinois and Washington, D.C. who arrived in buses and caravans of vehicles to participate in what is being labeled the largest anti-Arpaio protest in Arizona's history.  
Linda Ronstadt, a native of Arizona also participated in the three-mile march. She said, ”Arpaio thinks law in general doesn't apply to him. It's just pathetic. He's supposed to enforce the law, not break it... he is criminalizing people that normally wouldn't be interested in a life of crime in any way, shape or form.”
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Department has done at least 13 immigration raids looking for undocumented immigrants since 2008 in the county and in the city where the Latino community resides.
Arpaio continues to enforce immigration laws under authority of two state laws. Sheriff Arpaio's defiance to ignore federal mandates to cease street immigration enforcement has earned him the reputation of being a modern day "Outlaw with a Badge."
Arpaio and Maricopa County are now facing a federal civil rights claim from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) claiming deputies exceeded use of force when they arrested Celia Alejandra Alvarez, 29, at her landscaping business last February. Alvarez claims the deputies broke her jaw, then was incarcerated and denied proper medical treatment while in jail.
In January, a federal Grand Jury led by the U.S. Department of Justice convene to investigate allegations of repeated federal law violations stemming from immigration enforcement, civil rights violations, and Arpaio's use of his office for retribution against critics.
 
Corruption wide spread in Arizona's Maricopa County?

Last year in a Maricopa County court room, Maricopa Detention Officer Adam Stoddard takes a confidential document on Dec. 19, from a defense Attorney Joanne Cuccia's closed file on the desk while she is presenting her case to the judge. Stoddard then gives the swiped document to Maricopa Deputy Francisco Campillo who takes the document and makes a photocopy. The defendant sees Stoddard take the document and tells Cuccia and hell breaks loose.
The judge tells Atty. Guccia to cool down and says "deputies have a lot of leeway in my courtroom."
In Nov., Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Gary Donahoe found Stoddard in contempt of court and ordered him to pulblicly apologize or go to jail. Stoddard refused to apologize to Cuccia and turned himself to Maricopa County Jail officials on Dec. 1, and after 10 days in jail, an Appeals Court panel of three judges decided to free Stoddard.
Ironically, Maricopa county prosecutors supporting Sheriff Arpaio (and his allege style to violate federal immigration laws) filed criminal charges against Judge Donahoe.
Deputy Campillo escaped disciplinary or criminal charges for helping Stoddard.
What do you think, corruption and civil rights violations by Maricopa county officials?, well see for your self. Youtube Internet link of Maricopa court room incident on Dec. 19, 2009: http://bit.ly/4q032

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Three South Side Jewelers Give Up Licenses

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 17, 2010

Milwaukee - Last Thursday, three South Side jewelers facing revocation to sell gems and precious metals voluntarily surrendered their business licenses. Reflections, Cash N Gold and Star Jewelry business owners decided to turned in licenses to the city's Licenses Committee, Alderman Jim Bohl, Chair confirmed. Another, John's Jewelry is facing revocation on Tuesday's Licenses Committee meeting. 
The City of Milwaukee Licenses Committee was moving to revoke the licenses of four jewelers accused of buying jewelry and not asking for identification from sellers or keeping accurate records of buying off the street jewelry as state law and city ordinances require.
A two month police sting from Oct. to mid November found that Reflections Jewelry, 1306 W. Forest Home Ave., Cash N Gold, 1214 S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr., Star Jewelry, 1212 W. Lincoln Ave., and John's Jewelry, 1119 W. Historic Mitchell St. were buying jewelry from off street sellers and not filling out proper forms. Police review forms to determine, if jewelry bought was reported stolen.
Police confiscated over 1,200 items worth $75,000 and cited the stores involved with 85 citations totaling over $41,000 in fines.

Related article Internet link, Milwaukee police sting operation nets 1,200 items of stolen jewelry in the South side http://bit.ly/7xbgJW

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Worldwide Donations Keeps Casa Guatemala Orphanage From Collapsing

Guatemalan orphanage elimnates debt with almost $100,000 of worldwide donations

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 16, 2010

Guatemala City, Guatemala - A letter sent out today by the administration of Casa Guatemala confirms they have raised almost $100,000 in worldwide donations, including a single donation of $40,000 by Mr. Lennox McNeely of Whistler. B.C. An update of the funds raised was sent to Casa Guatemala on November 30, 2009 by Roy Baker, Coordinator/Tax Deductible Donations in Canada.
Baker wrote, "Altogether, almost $100,000 was raised worldwide to eliminate the debt that the orphanage had incurred over the previous 6 months..." Last year, Casa Guatemala was facing a potential collapse, but the generous funds that were donated has provided the much needed hope and financial stability to continue operating.
Casa Guatemala is an organization that funds and operates an orphanage that cares for the nurturing health and education of over 250 children. The children come from a variety of backgrounds; some have been abandoned some have been abused, and while still others come from families too poor to even provide the basics of a child's needs.
The generous donations for the project touches the lives of hundreds of people. Especially, the children who live at the children's village, the people who work at the orphanage, the teachers that are employed at the orphanage school, members of the local village, workers at the Hotel Backpackers and the volunteers from all over the world who give their time to help out.
The orphanage receives no government support and is totally dependent upon the kind donations from people and groups from around the world.  Casa Guatemala is split into three interdependent sites, each with its own function, but working in concert, according to the Casa Guatemala web site.

For donations and regarding information on how you can help Casa Guatemala, the following Internet link is provided. http://bit.ly/8o2c4A

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Fugitive Re-captured After Eluding Arkansas Police For One Day

Justin P. Welch was re-captured on Thursday a day after escaping from private security guards in Arkansas

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 14, 2010

Sallisaw, Oklahoma -On Thursday, Justin Patrick Welch, 26, was re-captured 30 miles from where he had escaped, Sallisaw police confirmed. He drove away in a security prisoner transport van when he escaped from a rest stop after over powering two security guards in Van Buren, Arkansas. He later dumped the van after driving for two hours.
Welch then hitched a ride from a man driving a semi-trailer. He asked truck driver T.J. Lyon to stop at a Wal-Mart in Sallisaw on Wednesday night where he got off and went inside. Lyon noticed Welch had a weapon in his duffel bag and texted his mom who happens to be a Utah police officer. Lyon's mom told him to call the Sallisaw Police Department.
Police arrived and Welch who was inside the truck went for his gun, but Lyon got the bag with the weapon inside first and threw it out the truck's window. Welch was arrested without incident, according to the Sequoia County Sheriff's Department.
Welch a murder for hire suspect was charged in Wisconsin for the stabbing death of Kimberly Smith of Oconomowoc. He was being transported by a private extradition service when Welch escaped.
Police say Welch escaped in Arkansas, and was considered armed and dangerous. He was able to stab one of the guards in the hand, then grabbed his gun and threaten the second guard in a rest area on I-40 between Van Buren and near Fort Smith, Ark. just East of the Oklahoma border shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The guards had stopped at a public rest stop to allow prisoners to use restrooms, according to the Arkansas State Patrol.
The security guards are employed by the North Atlantic Extradition Services a private company based in Mississippi. They were transporting Welch to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin to face homicide charges.
Oconomowoc Police Chief Dave Beguhn said on Thursday, the guards from the North Atlantic Extradition Services had decided to stop at a public rest stop, despite their company's policy not to stop at rest stops. They were only supposed to stop at secured places or county jails for restroom breaks.

Connected by MOTORBLUR on T-Mobile

Milwaukee Police Confiscate Legalización Mexicano Files With Search Warrant

Police took files, documents, and Mexican license plates from Legalización Mexicano

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 14, 2010

Milwaukee -On Tuesday, Milwaukee Police investigators from the 2nd District Police Department in Milwaukee's South side walked into Legalización Mexicano, 1239 S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr. and took numerous files, documents and Mexican license plates under a search warrant. Investigators launched a probe investigation into what could be one of the largest fraud operations conducted by a business chain in Wisconsin, Illinois and Mexico dealing in document legalizing of vehicles to be imported into Mexico.
On Monday, several victims came forward to expose an alleged fraud scheme by Legalización Mexicano, which defrauded them of thousands of dollars. The legalized documents for their trucks and vehicles they paid for to import permanently into Mexico turned out bogus. Legalización Mexicano charged between $1,500 to $3,000 and even more for documents and Mexican license plates.
Numerous clients became victims once they reached the Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico International border crossing when they discovered through Mexican Customs that their documents and Mexican license plates were false. Some of the Legalización Mexicano victims had to pay again at the border town legalization agencies to legalize their vehicles in order to import them into Mexico.
The Mexican Consulate in Chicago has not released any type of press release or warning to its citizens in the U.S. or in Mexico about the dubious practices of such businesses dealing in fraud. Mexican nationals in the U.S. have become easy pray for scams and fraud. The Mexican government has yet to enact laws to prosecute and punish those who engage in falsifying Mexican driver licenses, Id's, and now Mexican legalization documents and license plates for vehicles to be imported into Mexico. The Mexican Consulate in Chicago lacks a fraud investigative unit, according to victims.                                                 
Since the story first broke in December concerning Legalización Mexicano and its business chain owner Agustin Acosta-Valdez dubious business practices, numerous victims of the alleged fraud scheme have come forward in Milwaukee, Chicago and Mexico.

Chicago's Legalizaciones Mexicano at 3121 W. 26 St. closed signed on door said "Oficinas cerradas, no hay información a donde se movieron" Offices closed, no information where they moved. Offices were located in La Villita business sector.

Legalización Mexicano employees in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and in Waukegan and Chicago, Illinios have been abandoning the business chain. The business chain main Mex-Tel Corporate office located at 3121 W. 26 Street, Suite 2R in Chicago has been shut down. The owner of the building in La Villita Business District when contacted says Legalización Mexicano owes at least two months rent. Business phone lines in Waukegan and Chicago have been temporarily disconnected or voice mail boxes have been full to capacity.

Related article Internet link of Legalización Mexicano alleged fraud and investigation: Milwaukee police initiate investigation into bogus documents and Mexican license plates used for importing vehicles into Mexico http://bit.ly/6AwXZ9

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Federal Mexican Police Arrest "El Teo" Drug Cartel Kingpin

"El Teo" connected to more than 300 homicides, Mexican Federal Police say

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 13, 2010

Tijuana, Mexico -Mexican federal Police arrested Teodoro Garcia Simental alias "El Teo" and "Tres Letras" a most wanted druglord at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday at his seaside home inside Las Flores neighborhood in La Paz, Baja California. El Teo known for his ruthless methods of killing and deposing his rival's bodies in acid. El Teo is considered the leader of the Arellano Félix crime syndicate. His drug organization is affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel reign to the northern border City of Tijuana.
El Teo tried to control eastern Tijuana and Rosarito Beach, and had a reputation of executing rivals, beheadings, and pinning notes to corpses in order to spread fear in the Tijuana area.
Mexican federal police and U.S. DEA agents had been tracking El Teo for the last six months, until a break of his whereabouts surfaced and led to his arrest.
Family members of victims believed to have been killed by El Teo's drug cartel have been flooding calls to federal police to seek information about relatives. No information yet, if El Teo Cartel is responsible for the hundreds of people reported missing in the region.

In Spanish version Youtube, Noticia en Español y video por El Universal:

Cae 'El Teo', líder de los Arellano Félix; El capo del narcotráfico de Tijuana Teodoro García Simental. Video http://bit.ly/6PNx9b y http://bit.ly/9CM84a

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Murder Suspect Escapes From Private Extradition Services

Justin P. Welch charged in a Wisconsin homicide escapes from private security guards in Arkansas, and eludes police

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 13, 2010

Van Buren, Arkansas -Justin Patrick Welch, 26, a murder suspect charged in the stabbing death of Kimberly Smith of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin has escaped while being transported by a private extradition service.
Police say Welch escaped in Arkansas on Wednesday, and is considered armed and dangerous. He was able to stab one of the guards, then grabbed his gun and fired shots at the second guard in a rest area on I-40 between Van Buren and near Fort Smith, Ark. just East of the Oklahoma border shortly before 2:30  a.m. on Wednesday. The guards stopped at the rest stop to allow prisoners to use restrooms according to the Arkansas State Patrol. Both guards survived the incident. 
Welch is listed as a white male, five foot eight and 190 pounds. Welch was last seen wearing a green jumpsuit with a black jacket.
Security guards from the North Atlantic Extradition Services a private company based in Mississippi were transporting Welch to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin to face homicide charges. Welch took a white Dodge prisoner transport van with Mississippi license plates LTC-537 and "North Atlantic Extradition Services" on its side. He then fled from the Arkansas rest stop, Oconomowoc Police Chief Dave Beguhn confirmed on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Beguhn said, the guards from the North Atlantic Extradition Services broke their rules, because they weren't allowed by the private security company to stop at public rest stops. They were supposed to stop at secured places or county jails only for restroom breaks.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Milwaukee Police Investigate Alleged Legalización Mexicano Fraud Scheme

(L to R) Guillermo Marin speaks to Milwaukee Police Officers Jose Arzaga and Jesus Gloria concerning an alleged fraud scheme conducted by a vehicle import to Mexico legalizing business.

Police initiate a fraud investigation into Legalización Mexicano dealing in legalizing autos for import into Mexico

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 11, 2010

Milwaukee -Several victims in Wisconsin have come forward with vehicle legalized documents believed to be false. On Monday, they met with Milwaukee Police and filed an initial complaint. Officers Jose Arzaga and Jesus Gloria who are both bilingual took the initial complaint. Gloria said, "This is the first time our department has heard of the allegations raised by victims." The victims of the alleged Legalización Mexicano fraud scheme were able to provide police with the actual documents and license plates believed to be bogus. 
The victims and relatives say they got the documents from Legalización Mexicano at 1239 S. Cesar E. Drive in Milwaukee's South side.
In June, a 48-year-old man paid $1,500 in cash at Legalización Mexicano to get legalized documents to export a 1997 Chevrolet truck to Mexico. After six months, he received license plates from the State of Mexico and documents needed to permanently drive and keep the truck in Mexico.
Once the driver of the truck tried to cross the Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico border, he was stopped by Mexican Customs at check point number 13 just outside Nuevo Laredo. Officials ran a computer check on the plates and documents and they turned out false. The plates had been used twice previously by a trailer and a liquid tanker.
In this case, Mexican Customs allowed the family to return back to the U.S. with the truck. The family had to wait seven days and pay $1,600 to a Legalization Agency (Servicios Aduanales Loiaf) in Laredo, Texas to get legal documents to import the truck into Mexico. They ended up paying $1,500 in Milwaukee and $1,600 in Laredo totaling $3,100.
Another incident, a woman paid $1,890 to Legalización Mexicano in Milwaukee for documents legalizing her Jetta 1999 auto being transported to Encuandureo, Michoacan. She was able to make all the way to Encuandureo, but afterwards when they went shopping at a nearby mall it was discovered the license plates were false. An official from the Mexican Federal Investigative Agency (AFI) spotted the auto, he ran the plates and they were registered to someone else in Michoacan. The couple had to pay $1,200 U.S. dollars to get it out from being pounded and another $700 to prevent any judicial charges against her. The couple paid in total $3,790. 

Legalización Mexicano business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Last month, a multi-business in Illinois and Wisconsin operating a vehicle legalization known in the South side of Milwaukee as Legalización Mexicano de Autos (Auto Imports To Mexico Legalized) on Chavez Dr. was no longer accepting requests for auto legalized documents to temporarily travel or import vehicles to Mexico. Currently, three businesses are located in Chicago, one in Waukegan, and another in Milwaukee, which are affiliated to the parent company Mex-Tel Inc.
In December, Chicago local investigators cited an employee of Legalización Mexicano a total of $3,000 for not providing a business license to operate at 3121 W. 26th St., and was ordered to appear in court at a later date. The owner Agustin Acosta-Valdez, a Chicago resident could not be located by police, and is believed to be in Mexico, according to sources in Chicago.
The Legalización Mexicano de Autos in Milwaukee, and Waukegan, IL located at 913 Grand Ave. began to limit their operation to just delivering vehicle legalized documents to customers. In Chicago, the business located at 3121 W. 26th St., 2nd Floor was closed as a result of an investigation by Chicago police. The two other businesses in Chicago continued to operate, however an undated postcard flyer indicated Acosta-Valdez was operating 10 business locations.
The Acosta-Valdez company specializes in temporary legalized travel vehicle permits into Mexico from nine months to a year and with option to renew on a yearly basis, until year to permanently import vehicle arrives. Legalización Mexicano can provide legalization permits to vehicles already in Mexico and could use up to two different names if desired by the clients. The Legalización Mexicano website assures their practices in issuing permits is legal and has legalized at least 10,000 vehicles.
Customer complaints to Legalización Mexicano employees date back at least five months. The permit holders  alleged the import documents provided to them by Legalización Mexicano were fraudulent.

Related Internet article link of the alleged fraud scheme by Legalización Mexicano and Agustin Acosta-Valdez:
Chicago business chain "Legalización Mexicano de Autos" legalizing vehicles for export to Mexico investigated by police http://bit.ly/6BHwtt

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile