Saturday, February 18, 2012

Alderman Witkowiak Defends Reputation From Candidate Allegedly Engaging In False and Misleading Claims

James "Jim" Witkowiak

12th Dirtrict alderman resorts to Facebook to defend his character and reputation against challenger Pérez who allegedly made false and misleading claims about Witkowiak.

By H. Nelson Goodson
February 18, 2012

Milwaukee - On Saturday, Alderman James "Jim" Witkowiak from the 12th Aldermanic District who is running for re-election accused challenger José G. Pérez of conducting a smear campaign and making false claims about Witkowiak's character and reputation. Witkowiak says, he is proud to serve, live and has a reputation of helping to increase Latino bussiness growth in the district within the last 16-years as an alderman.
In contrary to what Aldermanic candidate Pérez has been claiming, Witkowiak wrote in Facebook that he will continue to work and protect the rights of Hispanic business owners and for minority contractors to compete for city contracts. He supported the new 370 city contract ordinance that increased minority accessibilty to public work contracts from 18% to 25%. Which, Pérez as a City Devlopment worker, including the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce failed to say anything when the 370 ordinance was being discussed, debated and passed, according to Witkowiak.
Witkowiak was not specific about what Pérez allegedly was claiming as misleading in Facebook.
Last Thursday, Pérez during a south side public forum said, that he opposed the 370 ordinance and would work for an alternative measure that would increase the percentage even more in the minority bidding process for city contracts, if elected. The 370 city contract law will be evaluated every year, according to Witkowiak.
Witkowiak affirmed that he will continue to support the DREAM Act and for immigrants to have an opportunity to higher education. He helped stop the Milwaukee Opportunities Restoring Employment (M.O.R.E. 2009 ordinance), which would have effected Latino construction business owners receiving public works contracts, that created hardships to implement.
On Saturday when contacted, Pérez said, that he has no time to engage in any type of smear campaign against anyone and denied Witkowiak's claims. Pérez confirmed, that he is concentrating strongly on knocking on doors and getting his supporters to the polls for the February 21 Primary Election.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

No comments: