Reclamos falsos hechos por Voces de la Frontera Acción contra la Candidata para supervisora del condado de Milwaukee Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

Voces de la Frontera Action recurre a realizar reclamos falsos contra Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, candidata del 12 Distrito de Supervisores del Condado de Milwaukee.

Por H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

30 de marzo del 2018

Milwaukee, WI - El viernes, se envió un correo electrónico masivo por parte de Voces de la Frontera Action (VDLFA) haciendo declaraciones falsas contra Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, candidata para el 12 Distrito de Supervisores del Condado de Milwaukee y confirmó su respaldo el apoyo para la  reelección de la Supervisora Peggy West. VDLFA al hacer declaraciones falsas contra Ortiz-Velez, que también es miembra de la organización sin fines de lucro Voces de la Frontera, una organización que lucha sobre los derechos de los trabajadores y de los inmigrantes, solo puede indicar una cosa, parece que venden a sus propios miembros ni en barato, lo que cuestiona su credibilidad. Al endosar a West, VDLFA hace las siguientes declaraciones falsas: "Por el contrario, su oponente (Ortiz-Velez) cuenta con el apoyo de intereses corporativos que han gastado más de $1 millón de dolares tratando de comprar la Junta del Condado para privatizar y cortar los servicios públicos".

Ortiz-Velez dio a conocer la siguiente declaración en respuesta a los reclamos falsos de VDLFA: "Estoy muy decepcionada con Voces de la Frontera Acción (que está afiliada a Voces de la Frontera), del que soy miembra. Están haciendo afirmaciones falsas sobre mí, diciendo que estoy siendo apoyada por intereses corporativos y que apoyo la privitización de los servicios públicos y la reducción de los servicios públicos, en un correo electrónico masivo enviado por la organización. Todo esto es falso. Me dedico a mejorar los servicios públicos, que los residentes del condado de Milwaukee se merecen ¡Mejor! ¡Lo hubieran sabido, si me hubieran invitado a una entrevista para aprobación. Tienen el derecho de apoyar a quien prefieran, pero hacer afirmaciones falsas es muy decepcionante, erróneo y cuestiona su credibilidad!, Me enorgullece contar con el apoyo de los miembros de la comunidad y el vecindario y las partes interesadas que creen que soy la candidata adecuada para este puesto. ¡Reto a Voces de la Frontera para que demuestre sus afirmaciones! ... Todos mis fondos y Los recaudadores de fondos, que son registros públicos, han estado en el distrito y han sido patrocinados por miembros de la comunidad y partes interesadas. Mientras que mi oponente, ha tenido casi todo el dinero que ha recaudado fuera del distrito y recaudación de fondos fuera del distrito. ¡La imagen es clara, soy la candidata de la gente del 12 Distrito! ¡Espero escuchar las voces del pueblo el 3 de abril! VOTE SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ ¡Para ser claro, soy defensora de los derechos de los inmigrantes y soy pro-inmigrantes!"

Voces de la Frontera Action (501c4) es el brazo de defensa de Voces de la Frontera, con la misma misión de luchar por los derechos de los trabajadores, estudiantes y trabajadores inmigrantes de bajos salarios.

False Claims Made By Voces de la Frontera Action Against Milwaukee County Supervisor Candidate Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

Voces de la Frontera Action resorts to making false claims against Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, a candidate for the Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 30, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Friday, a mass e-mailing by Voces de la Frontera Action (VDLFA) was sent out making false claims against Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, a candidate for the Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District and confirmed their endorsement for incumbent, Supervisor Peggy West for re-election. VDLFA by making false claims against Ortiz-Velez who is also a member of the non-profit organization Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant rights and workers rights organization can only indicate one thing, they seem to sell out their own paying members for self gain, which questions their credibility. In endorsing West, VDLFA makes the following false claims, "By contrast, her opponent (Ortiz-Velez) is supported by corporate interests who have spent more than $1 million trying to buy the County Board in order to privatize and cut public services."

Ortiz-Velez released the following statement in response to VDFA false claims, "I am very disapponted in Voces De La Frontera Action (which is affiliated to Voces de la Frontera), which I am a member of. They are  making false claims about me, saying that I am being supported by corporate interest and that I support privitization of public services and cutting public services.., sent out in a mass email.  This is all false!  I am dedicated to improving public services, which Milwaukee County Residents deserve better!!! They would have known this, if they would have invited me for an interview for an endorsement.  They have the right to support whomever they prefer, but to make false claims is very disappointing, wrong and questions their credibility!!  Furthermore, I am proud to be supported by community and neighorhood members and stakeholders who believe I am the right candidate for this position. I challenge Voces De La Frontera, to prove their claims!!!... All of my funds and fundraisers, which is public record, have been in the district and sponsored by community members and stakeholders.  Whereas my opponent, has had almost all of the money she has raised from outside the district and fundraisers outside the district.  The picture is clear, I am the choice of the people from the 12th District!!! I look forward to hearing your voices on April 3rd!!! VOTE SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ  To be clear, I am pro-immigrant and pro-immigrant rights advocate!!!"

Voces de la Frontera Action (501c4) is the advocacy arm of Voces de la Frontera, with the same mission to fight for the rights of workers, students, and low wage immigrant workers.

Minister And Wife Arrested For Aggravated Assault Of Several Lilburn Police Officers Over Pregnant Run Away Girl

Minister and wife were denied bail after assaulting a police officers.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 30, 2018

Lilburn, Georgia – Lilburn Police Department (LPD) released a press release including a police body camera video showing a minister and his wife from the Iglesia Cristiana Evangelista obstructing a police investigation into a missing 16-year-old girl who is pregnant from Wilmer Cruz, 17, one of the sons of the couple arrested in the incident. According to the police video footage, the mother of the missing girl called police after spotting her daughter in company of a woman who had a restraining order not to have contact with the girl. A police sergeant went to speak with a teen near a vehicle, which turned out to be Wilmer and he refuse to cooperate and the sergeant requested for the girl to exit the vehicle, that's when the rest of the family members came out of the church and obstructed the sergeant from investigating to determine what was going on.

Wilmer challenged the sergeant and he was instructed to move back and refused. So, the sergeant felt threaten and he pushed Wilmer back and then Wilmer and his father assaulted the sergeant and when he tried to use a taser, Wilmer's mother took the taser away from the sergeant and the sergeant almost shot her. Wilmer's father had also attempted to choke the sergeant with the help of a younger son before the sergeant pulled out the taser. The younger son managed to take another officer's radio.

All four members of the family were arrested for obstruction of an officer, assulting an officer, interference with the custody of a minor, the woman was also charged with taking an officer's taser, her younger son was charged charged with taking a police radio. Both parents are facing felony charges for assaulting an officer. 

If convicted, the minister and his wife could be deported to El Salvador after serving their sentences, because they are not U.S. Citizens. During a court hearing in the case, bail was denied for the minister and his wife.

The LPD reported that officers arrested Wilmer R. Cruz Sr., 38, and Cristina Cruz, 37, for numerous charges stemming from an altercation with police officers. A 16 and 17 year old were also arrested at the scene.
On March 25, 2018, Lilburn Police responded to a call of a located runaway near 4830 Lawrenceville Highway. Upon arriving, a Lilburn police officer spoke with the complainant and then approached a tan Cadillac Escalade where missing 16-year-old female was located. As the officers walked toward the vehicle, several people approached the officers.
Officers repeatedly instructed people to stand back and continued to attempt to speak to the missing female juvenile in the parked car. Several people did not comply and in turn challenged and assaulted the officers. During the altercation, officers were kicked, choked, and took officer's equipment during the confrontation. Eventually officers were able to contain the situation using crowd control training tactics and kept the situation from escalating further. The missing juvenile was reunited with their family.

After 14 Years, Deported U.S. Army Veteran Hector Barajas Varela Granted U.S. Citizenship

Barajas Varela founded the Deported Veterans Support House, which is an adocacy group that helped deported U.S. Veterans get their earned benefits and adjust to being return to their native country.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 29, 2018

Tijuana, Baja California, México - Deported U.S. Army Veteran Hector Barajas Varela, who founded the Deported Veterans Support House (DVSH) announced that after 14 years of struggling to become a U.S. Citizen and return to America, that he finally was granted citizenship on Thursday and will return to the U.S. to see his daughter when he takes the Citizenship ceremony oath at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in San Diego, CA on April 13th. Barajas Varela says that he will continue to work with the DVSH for one year and to advocate for Veteran Administration benefits for those deported Veterans that the U.S. government had failed to grant their earned benefits while being deported. The DVSH has also been instrumental along with the ACLU-CA, the Latham & Watkins lawfirm, Nathan Fletcher, James Erselius, Jennie Pasquarella, Norma CP, and Alor Calderon in helping him get his citizenship and several other deported Veterans to become U.S. Citizens as well. 

Barajas Varela thanked his supporters and everyone that made it possible for him to become a U.S. Citizen.

Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy Van Thanh Callies Passed Away

Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy Callies was found deceased at his residence.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 29, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy Van Thanh Callies, 44, passed away on March 19, 2018 and a funeral service was held on Wednesday. Callies was found deceased at his residence. At the time of his passing, he was off-duty.

Callies was a 20-year veteran for the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office. Callies cause of death has not been released by the Milwaukee County Coroner's Office.

Callies is survived by his wife and son.

Armed Confrontation In Nuevo Laredo Between Mexican Marines And Cartel Ends With 12 Dead

Mexican authorities say that twelve people were reported dead after an armed confrontation between Mexican Marines and a cartel in Nuevo Laredo.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 26, 2018

Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico - On Sunday, Mexican authorities reported that 12 people including one ranking Marine and 2 children were among the dead after a 40 minute armed confrontation just before 2:00 a.m. between Marines and a cartel in Nuevo Laredo. According to the report, Mexican Marines patrolling the area spotted a convoy of vehicles with suspects dressed in fake military uniforms who were later identified as members of the Northeast Cartel (NC). 

Several NC leaders, El Cadete and Juan Gérardo Treviño Chávez, aka, "El Huevo Treviño" were also present and managed to elude capture after members of the NC fired upon Marines and the Marines repelled the assault. Also a Marine  helicopter assisted ground troops.

A family of four were caught in the crossfire by the military helicopter who was firing at NC members on the ground when the family were driving by and heading home, but got killed by Marines. The family was identified as Nellely Aidé Ruiz Martínez, 28, her daughters Chelsea Abril Rojas Ruiz, 6, and Kenya Azul Rojas Ruiz, 4, and their father Efraín Rojas Santos, 28.

Three family members survived, Efraín's sister-in-law, his niece, Leslie Ruiz Martinez, 12, and Kennedi Rojas who witnessed that the Marines in a helicopter shot at them. The helicopter landed and the Marines later refused an ambulance to render aid to Efraín who died from lack of medical assistance, the SDRLaredo.chatango reported.

Also reported killed was Marine Captain Mauro Hernández, who served for 18 years and is survived by two children ages 8 and an 11-year-old including a wife. Several other Marines were reported injured.

Two NC members were reported killed. Additional Marines are expected to arrive in Nuevo Laredo on Monday.

Disgruntled Constituents Who Support Milwaukee County Board Incumbents To Protest LeardershipMKE For Favoring Challengers

A local group of constituents who support Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors running for re-election will hold a protest at the LeadershipMKE Southside office for spending thousands of dollars of advertising on challengers, which is actually legal.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 25, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - The League of Progressive Seniors (LPS) and supporters of Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors running for re-election will hold a protest in front of the LeadershipMKE Southside office at the 1300 block of S. 1st Street on Wednesday, March 28 at noon, simply because the state registered independent funding source has spent over $1M of campaign advertising on challengers. The disgruntled group of individuals expected to protest on Wednesday say Milwaukee County government is not for sale and feel that the incumbents they are supporting might not likely succeed in getting re-elected to continue their status quo.
Janice Wilberg, is one of the founders for LPS and supports West's re-election. According to the January 2018 campaign donation report, Janice from Wilberg Community Planning, LLC  donated $250 to West.
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is the primary funding source including local labor organizations who have donated to LeadershipMKE as well. The LeadershipMKE office is located in the Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District where Supervisor West is running for re-election and some of the people planning to protest on Wednesday at the LeadershipMKE office would like her to get re-elected. LeadershipMKE has spent more than $56K promoting West in the district, but not in a favorable way compare to challenger Sylvia Ortiz-Velez who is the preferred candidate to oust West, according to LeadershipMKE dot com. Both West and Ortiz-Velez are not affiliated nor have they received any campaign donations from LeadershipMKE, according to reported campaign records. Even LeadershipMKE has placed a disclaimer on their campaign advertising saying, "Paid for by Leadership Mke. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's agent or committee."

West posted on her campaign FB page that, "It's now up to $1,000,000 against me and others who are not afraid to stand up to Abele's lies, bullying and gaslighting." Ortiz-Velez confirmed during the Southside Organizing Center debate for the 12th County Supervisor District, that she has not received any campaign donations from any PACs and says that if elected, she will be accountable to her constituency and will work to represent and address the needs of the district. 

Currently, Supervisor West is facing allegations that she didn't circulate some nominations papers as she claimed, according to an Ethics Board complaint filed by Ortiz-Velez. An investigation by authorities into the Ortiz-Velez claim that West didn't circulate some nomination papers has been launched, according to a reliable source. West could face a felony charge, if found that she actually falsified some nomination papers by signing and certifying that she circulated the papers in question when she did not.

Also on March 3, Supervisor West contacted police at Milwaukee Police District 2 Station and complained that Felix Questell, a Southside outspoken constituent had allegedly threatened that he was going to shoot a certain individual. 

Questell posted a FB video alleging that West complained to police that he had threatened to shoot a person who Questell identified as a registered sex offender. Apparently, Questell also posted multiple FB posts that West allegedly had a relationship with Thomas James Schroder, 44, a registered sex offender who was released on February 27 from the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility. 

Schroder was convicted on January 15, 2008 for 2nd-degree sexual assault of a child. The Milwaukee Police Department website on registered sex offenders listed Schroder as homeless, but the Wisconsin Department of Corrections sex offender registry has him as compliant.

West announced on Saturday that Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant and workers rights organization had endorsed her candidacy for re-election. It didn't take long for Questell to post on his FB account, "Shame on them." Other endorsements that West received for re-election were from Milwaukee Common Council members, José Pérez snd Tony Zielinski, Wisconsin State Senators Tim Carpenter (D) and Chris Larson (D), Wisconsin State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D), U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, Milwaukee County Judge Pedro Cólon, Milwaukee Municipal Judge Phil Chavez and the list of public elected officials goes on including multiple unions. As politics as usual play out, West if re-elected will most likely owe political favors for endorsements. West is seeking re-election for a fifth term.

So far, West has not responded to Questell's allegation that she called police and accused him of attempting to commit a crime by shooting Schroder, but she did write a FB posting about an address for senior living apartments located at the 1800 block of W. Becher, West wrote about her circulating nomination papers to get on the ballot, "...Senior and disabled apartment complex as were at least 3 other addresses I used to collect signatures. It is very possible that residents don't clearly remember who came to their door to get their signature. Knowing that, it is possible that the residents are confused..."

Editor's note:

On a March 21 FB post, West attempted to mislead her FB friends into believing that her opponent had failed to report LeadershipMKE donations to her campaign when asked several times, if either the opponent or West received any donations from groups that included LeadershipMKE who favors Ortiz-Velez over West during the SOC debate. Both Ortiz-Velez and West responded no to the questions. West knows that she has gotten equal advertising play by LeadershipMKE who also used photos of West, not as favorable compared to Ortiz-Velez and West hasn't reported it as a donation either, we should wonder why. In reality West and Ortiz-Velez haven't received any campaign donations directly from LeadershipMKE who has spent thousands of dollars on favorable advertising for those candidates challenging incumbents, which candidates are not required to report, if they haven't received any campaign donations or did not authorized for LeadershipMKE to advertise their campaigns on their behalf. West should stop misleading her supporters that Ortiz-Velez has received some type of donation from LeadershipMKE when in fact, the Ortiz-Velez donation campaign reports indicates she hasn't and the LeadershipMKE campaign reports on expenditures also confirmed that Ortiz-Velez hasn't received any campaign contributions from LeadershipMKE. West might have fallen for the misleading reporting by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (JS) report that claimed Ortiz-Velez was the beneficiary of the $56K that LeadershipMKE has spent on their own to promote the Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District race, but the JS failed to mention that West was also a beneficiary, but in not so favorable advertising. The JS has failed to explained how Ortiz-Velez was the actual beneficiary when the election hasn't taken place yet to see, if LeadershipMKE had any real influence to oust West from office.

League of Progressive Seniors (LPS) on their Facebook page posted a false claim, which read, "The League of Progressive Seniors calls on the four candidates for County Board who have allowed huge amounts of money to be spent on their behalf by County Executive Chris Abele's sham Leadership MKE to publicly reject further Leadership MKE expenditures in their campaigns." Casey Shorts, Patti Logsdon, Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, and James Davies have not allowed for Abele and LeadershipMKE to spend on their behalf, LeadershipMKE independently is favoring the challengers over the incumbents that LPS is supporting and would like to see re-elected.

Milwaukee Police Won't Release Complaint By Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West Alleging Felix Questell Threatened To Shoot A Registered Sex Offender

Questell says, police won't release compliant by Milwaukee County Supervisor West until she agrees to release it.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 24, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, Felix Questell, an outspoken Southside constituent posted on his Facebook (FB) account that police refused to release a complaint by Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West alleging that Questell had threatened to shoot an individual, which Questell denies, but identified the person as a registered sex offender. 

Questell on his recent FB posted, "I went today to get a Copy Of the Police Report That When County Supervisor Peggy West Of The 12th Dist Called And Lied About it But Because She is a Elected Official I Have to wait 5 Days And they have to call her and if she has Nothing To Hide she will Release it if Not then you all know The Truth!!  Please if you ain't From The Dist your Comments don't Matter!! She Has Not till this Day has Cleared her Name to say it ain't True!! Our Community Has To Know!!"

On March 3, Questell posted a FB video alleging that West complained to police that he had threatened to shoot a person who Questell identified as a registered sex offender. Apparently, Questell also posted multiple FB posts that West allegedly had a relationship with Thomas James Schroder, 44, a registered sex offender who was released on February 27 from the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility. 

Schroder was convicted on January 15, 2008 for 2nd-degree sexual assault of a child. The Milwaukee Police Department website on registered sex offenders listed Schroder as homeless, but the Wisconsin Department of Corrections sex offender registry has him as compliant.

Questell claims that West made false statements about him threatening to shoot a pedophile (referring to Schroder). Also, Supervisor West has yet to deny the allegations raised by Questell nor has she made any public statements about Schroder.

Drive-by Shooting Suspects Crash After Failing To Stop At Busy Milwaukee Southside Avenue Intersection

Police are investigating drive-by shooting that ended with collision in Milwaukee's Southside.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 21, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - A multiple vehicle collision resulted around 10:00 a.m. after several suspects in a black vehicle driving Southbound at the 1300 block of S. 12th Street shot at a residence and then attempted to flee and failed to stop at W. Greenfield Ave. The suspected driver of the vehicle involved in the drive-by shooting proceeded to enter W. Greenfield Ave. without stopping and struck another vehicle (Blazer) driving on W. Greenfield.

Witnesses in the area heard multiple shots and then the collision occurred. The driver of the black vehicle fled the scene and his passenger who was injured remained at the scene. A Milwaukee County Sheriff's deputy who was nearby responded to the scene until police arrived.

The driver of the second vehicle who was driving on W. Greenfield was taken to the hospital to be checked out.

The Milwaukee Fire Department also responded to the scene. The street remained closed while police investigated the crime scene.

Race Card Issue Raised, SSA Discriminates Against Latino Elderly Southsiders By Closing Mitchell St. Office

The Social Security Administration is scheduled to close the Mitchell Street field office on March 22 affecting the predominantly Latino community.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 21, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Tuesday, public elected officials including Mayor Tom Barrett held a Town Hall meeting at the Mitchell St. Library to discuss concerns about the decision by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to close its Mitchell field office on March 22, despite opposition by the Southside community it serves. The public elected officials at the meeting were 12th District Alderman José G. Pérez, 12th District Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West, Wisconsin State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milw.) from the 8th District and City of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Barrett says that the community is in a battle to keep a SSA field office in the Southside. He told members of the community that no SSA field office will be in the Southside once it closes, which would be an insult to the community. For the SSA to make vital services harder and less accessible for seniors and those with disabilities to apply and collect those "funds that they placed into the social security system, and to me is wrong," according to Barrett.
According to the New American Economy dot org report, in 2015, Hispanic households contributed $101.8 billion to Social Security and that included the almost $46.2 billion foreign-born Hispanics who contributed to Social Security as well.

Once the Southside SSA location is closed, those seeking services would have to go the SSA office at 310 W. Wisconsin Ave. (Milwaukee Downtown) or the City of Greenfield SSA location at 8455 W. Layton Ave., which Greenfield has a population of 37,000 compared to the Southside location that has at least 90,000 in population.

Tammy Rivera, the executive director from the Southside Organizing Center (SOC) reported that the SSA reasons provided in a prior meeting about what led to the decision to close the Mitchell Street location was an unsafe building and needed maintenance for years. Finally, the SSA decided to close it by using an exception clause for emergencies due to disasters that allowed not giving appropriate notice to the community affected when closing an office as required. Rivera also explained that the SSA lease on the building expires in May. At least 2,200 clients per month will be effected and none of the them were notified of the closing and there was no plan by the SSA to notify them as well, according to Rivera. Rivera says, when the SSA decides to close a field office similar to the one in the Southside, it saves them money because 11% less claims are filed. Rivera claimed the SSA was engaging in a discrimination practice against a population.

Alderman Pérez told the meeting participants that the SSA had also claimed that crime was an issue in the Southside field office, but a Milwaukee Police Department report indicated no crimes had been registered at the 1710 S. 7th St. address compared to other SSA field locations, which were considered worst. The SSA had mentioned that the elevator had issues operating, but according to Pérez, the elevator has passed elevator inspections on a yearly basis.

Darryl Morin representing a local LULAC Council says that Latinos should have access to the SSA services as well, but the closing of the Mitchell St. SSA office denies them access.

It is reasonable to determined that the SSA has failed to justify why a decision had been made to close the Southside Mitchell St. field office, despite getting an offer from Mayor Barrett and Alderman Pérez to relocated to the former Forest Home Library location which has plenty of space and parking. The SSA has not taken up the offer, but it suggested that virtual stations would open near by the area without giving any further detail, according to Rivera.
SOC reported that only 13% of persons surveyed would use online services. Apparently, there is 1% fraud with online use, which has been estimated to be as high as $78M dollars. A back deal has been in the works with at least the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, one of the community's least trafficked organizations and not even a social service agency for a virtual service express office. The community sentiment is this was not a transparent, inclusive, or effective process and we are not in support of this option.
We believe it is a discriminatory and are examining SSA action in similar communities across the nation, to impoverish and minority communities and particularly Latinos, Rivera says.
Alderman Pérez at a press conference did say that a SSA office in the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago, which is also predominantly Latino had closed as well.

In this case, the SSA has simply and blatantly decided to target the predominantly Latino area by denying services to its elderly and people with disabilities affecting a diverse population as well who decided to live in the area. A American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union member says that employees at the Mitchell St. location confirmed that the field office has been considered as one of the best SSA service providers in the area and that people from other locations seek services in the Southside office because of easy access, parking and good service. The Southside SSA has served the community for 40 years.
SOC also announced that there will be a filing of Freedom of Information Act request regarding the decision to close the Mitchell St. SSA field office.

Editor's note:

It wouldn't be a surprise to anyone today that the Trump administration is targeting Latino communities and disenfranchising the elderly and those with disabilities as a blatant discriminatory practice, which fails to justify the closing of the Southside SSA office, while maintaining two SSA offices in the Northside of Milwaukee and two other offices in White predominantly areas, which includes Downtown Milwaukee and the City of Greenfield. 

Smh, time to use the race card, it is evident that the Latino community in the Southside is targeted for discrimination and other diverse populations in the area have definitely become victims as well for choosing to live in the area.
The U.S. Congress has borrowed billions of dollars from the SSA and doesn't want to pay it back, so they have engaged in action to cut more than $1.5B from the budget and are looking to do away with vital services by cutting funds.
Shame on Congress and the Trump administration for advocating cuts of services by targetting and shutting down SSA offices in predominantly Latino communities, which the Southside SSA office in Milwaukee's predominantly Hispanic community has become the first one to close down and next will be in the Chicago area.

The AFGE Chicago Region Council 220 in February released the following report, We learned that a Social Security field office in Paul Ryan’s neighboring district (Milwaukee) will be closing this year. Instead of cutting field offices, we should be expanding them!
Social Security’s administrative costs are so minimal that these cuts do nothing to extend the life of the trust fund. This is our money, and Republicans in Congress are forcing administrative cuts for no reason other than to make people lose faith in our Social Security system.
10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 each day, we need more Social Security field offices, not less!
Cuts to Social Security field offices will undermine our ability to make critical decisions about our retirement security. It will result in long hold times on the phone and longer wait times at remaining field offices. We demand that Congress act to expand, not cut, Social Security field offices.

Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) requested an investigation into the decision to close the Mitchell St. SSA field office in Milwaukee and Moore released a letter dated March 9, 2018 from the SSA Inspector General announcing a review has been launched, despite the March 22, 2018 closing of the field office in Milwaukee's Southside.

Dr. Jesús Ortega Passed Away, A Well Known Business Icon And Reverend

Ortega will be greatly missed by family and friends.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 20, 2018

Milwaukee,  WI - Reverend and Dr. Jesús Ortega, 75, Ph.D., M.S.E.D.-C.P.E.-B.A.-C.N.H.P. originally form Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico who also earned a Professional Certification in Natural and Spiritual work that operated El Centro de la Salud y Botanica at the 1100 block of W. National Ave. for more than 25 years passed away on Saturday, March 17.

Jesús Ortega succumbed to Diabetes surrounded by his loving family.

The Centro de la Salud is the largest of its kind in the Milwaukee metropolitan area in Wisconsin and offered an array of items, including herbal alternative natural medicines, candles, vitamins and statues.

Ortega also performed marriages in the Milwaukee area. He was the former owner of the popular El Chicano Lounge and Bar, which was the center of Mexican and Tejano music entertainment in the 1980's and had a gift of being a comedian with the ability to make people laugh with his humorous jokes when visiting the lounge. Ortega was the proud son of the late Maria Ortega, who was known as one of the Adelitas in Milwaukee for her 1970's activism and struggle for Latino civil rights and who was instrumental along with 500 other educational activists in succeeding in removing the discriminatory barriers that kept Latinos from enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1970. Maria was also a long time UMOS Board Member and a Board member for Latin American Union Civil Rights (LAUCR), the first sponsor of Fiesta Mexicana in Milwaukee's Summerfest grounds as well and participated in the migrant rights march from Milwaukee to Madison along with the other Adelitas at the time, the late Marla O. Anderson, the late Clementina Castro including Latino community leaders Ernesto Chacon, Salvador Sanchez, the late Dante Navarro and Jesús Salas.

Jesús Ortega is survived by his ex-wife Patricia Ortega of more than 30 years, daughters Angelica, Brenda, Xochitl, and America, son Jessie Ortega and his loving sisters, Micaela and Lucy Ortega, many loving grandchildren and nieces, nephews and extended family. Jesús was a loving father, husband, grandfather and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed by all who came to know him and may he R.I.P.

Visitation and Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 613 S. 4th St. in Milwaukee, WI.

Viewing from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Mass from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Ortega will be laid to rest after Mass at the Good Hope Cemetery, 4141 S. 43rd Street in Greenfield, WI.

The Jesús Ortega family released the following obituary:

Jesus Ortega 75 years old, May 17, 1942 of Nuevo Leon Monterrey, Mexico, following Milwaukee, Wisconsin, succumbed to Diabetes surrounded by his family on March 17,2018.

Jesus is survived by his ex-wife Patricia Ortega of 30+years, daughters Angelica, Brenda, Xochitl, and America, son Jessie Ortega, and his loving sisters Micaela and Lucy Ortega, many loving grandchildren, nieces  and nephews and extended family. Jesus was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to all.

Jesus loved operating his Chicano Lounge Bar and worked as an Herbal Remedy Doctor for 25+ years until he was forced to stop due to his illness. He enjoyed visiting his house in Monterrey, Mexico and family gatherings and helping his community through hard times. He also enjoyed cooking and sharing his menudo with family and friends. Jesus was always there to help friends with their health challenges or whatever else they needed him for in the “HEART of the Hispanic Community”.

Visitation and Funeral Services will be from 9AM- 11AM with Mass at 11AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 613 S. 4th St, Milwaukee, WI 53204 March 23, 2018. Jesus will be laid to rest following Mass at the Good Hope Cemetery, 4141 S. 43rd Street Greenfield, WI 53220.

Memorial donations may be made to the Good Hope Cemetery and addressed to Atten: Jesus Ortega, mailed or dropped off to: 4141 S. 43rd street. Greenfield, WI 53220.

Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District 2018 debate between Peggy West and Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

The Southside County Supervisor race in the 12th District will be determined between West who has endorsements by unions and many public elected officials including multiple County supervisors or Ortiz-Velez who has the endorsements of Latino community known leaders, movers and shakers, business owners and activists.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 20, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - The Southside Organizing Center (SOC) held a Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District debate between Supervisor Peggy West (incumbent) who is seeking re-election and challenger Sylvia Ortiz-Velez on Monday in Milwaukee's Southside. The Spring Election is on April 3rd and early voting began Monday.

West has been endorsed by Milwaukee Common Council members, José Pérez, Tony Zielinski, Wisconsin State Senator Tim Carpenter (D), Wisconsin State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D), Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, Milwaukee County Judge Pedro Cólon, Milwaukee Municipal Judge Phil Chavez and the list of public elected officials goes on. West is seeking re-election for a fifth term. She did confirm that she has a 100% attendance record for full County Supervisor Board meetings. But West has missed ten committee meetings for the Milwaukee County Domes hearings concerning their future and says that she doesn't always agree 100% with Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele policies, but has the door open for working with him on issues.

In 2012, West voted with 13 other supervisors to limit the Miwaukee County Sheriff's Department cooperation for holding undocumented inmates with minor violations, except felons upon detainer hold requests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In 2017, West along with the County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution for equal protection of the law for all County residents including making it a "safe" place for undocumented immigrants residing in the County.

Ortiz-Velez has been a paying registered member in the Democrat Party of Wisconsin and is the current Vice-president of the Hispanic Caucus in the Democrat Party. Ortiz-Velez has been able to get the support and endorsements of community known leaders, movers and shakers, and activists as Luz Sosa, Hector Cólon, Teresa Mercado, Gregorio Montoto, Nancy Hernández, Victor Huyke, Martin Jimenez, Rebecca Bahr-Arrichiello, Attorney Carlos Pastrona, Tony Garnica, Ernesto Nava, Raul Huerta, Ernesto Ramirez (Chato), Ricardo Diaz, Carmen Cabrera, Anita Abraham, Rogelio Cabral, Eleazar Lopez, Cy White, Scott Wales, Roy Camronero, Blanca Blanka Estrada, Frankie Sabath, Yussef Morales, Felix Questell, Johnny Osorio, Kristina Reyes and Mariana Reyes (Reyes Family), Juan Estrada (Estrada Family), Oscar Brenes, Owner of El Patron, Dionisia Gonzalez. Former Alderman James Witkowiak, Rogelio Cabral, Eleazar Lopez, Angel Salmeron Duenas and the list goes on.

Ortiz-Velez shows a strong community base support to get elected compared to West's political base of endorsement's by public officials. 

She wants to bring community stake holders like non-profit organizations, public elected officials and others to work alongside each other to resolve issues affecting the County. Ortiz-Velez, if elected she will open an office in the Southside to better serve the community. She also says that she won't cut any vital services for the most venerable residents in the County, including senior citizens and the homeless.

Ortiz-Velez has a degree in political science and has been a Real Estate Broker for 15 years.

Both West and Ortiz-Velez are immigrant friendly candidates and believe undocumented immigrants should have access to Wisconsin Driver Licenses as a safety measure. 

Hit-and-run Involved Two Trucks That Fled Scene Leaving Several Vehicles Totaled

Several vehicles were reported totaled after two trucks that were also involved in the crash fled the scene.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 19, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, several vehicles were reported totaled at the 2500 block of S. 13th Street after two trucks caused the crash and fled the scene. Police recovered video surveillance from near the scene showing several trucks fleeing the scene after the crash. No one was reported injured.

A female driver and her female passenger in a vehicle that was struck from behind around 7:40 p.m. caused a chain reaction that struck a parked van forcing it to go on top of the curb.

Police continue to investigate the crash.

Social Security Administration Milwaukee Southside Office To Close March 22

The Social Security Administration confirmed that their Milwaukee Southside office will close next week.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 15, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - The Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed that the Milwaukee Southside office located at 1710 S. 7 St. is scheduled to close on March 22. The SSA cited elevator problems, air conditioning issues and lack of security in the parking lot.

There is no indication that the SSA is opening a Southside location either despite, opposition to close it by elected public officials including Mayor Tom Barrett, U.S. Congresswoman Gwendolynne Moore (D-WI) and community members.

Joe Lopez, Tejano Singer Released On Parole After Serving 11 Years In Prison For Aggravated Sexual Assault Of A Child

Lopez, a former popular Tejano music style who was convicted for two counts of sexual assault of a child has been released on parole.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 15, 2018

Huntsville, Texas - José Manuel Lopez, 67, also known in the Tejano music style stage name "Joe Lopez" was released today at 9:30 a.m. on parole from the Coree facility with the Texas Department of Correction (TDOC) located in Huntsville, according to the TDOC. Lopez completed a nine month sex offender treatment successfully. He served 11 years and 4 months in prison. Lopez will be required to register as a sex offender.

Lopez was convicted in 2006 for two felony counts of aggravated sexual assault (Lopez was sentenced to 20 years on one count and 8 years in prison on the second count) and one felony count for indecent contact with a child age 13 (sentenced to 4 years in prison) and was sentenced to 32 years in prison. Lopez has served 10 years.

Lopez was convicted for raping his 13-year-old niece Krystal Lopez who had his child.

Lopez has indicated that he had written multiple songs while in prison and is eager to sing again and to continue with his career as a Tejano singer.
Lopez of Brownsville is the co-founder and former Tejano lead singer for the Grupo Mazz. In 1998, both Lopez and Jimmy González, the other co-founder split and two Tejano bands continued to perform Tejano style music venue as Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz and Joe Lopez y La Nueva Imagen Mazz. La Nueva Imagen Mazz band was phased out when Lopez was convicted and sent to prison.

Two Unrelated Milwaukee Southside Homicide Victims Identified As Miguel F. Aguirre And Jason Nuck

Aguirre was fatally shot multiple times at the 1200 block of S. 17 St. and Nuck was fatally shot at the 2000 block of S. 15th Place, according to police.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 14, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, police responded at 1:10 p.m. to a shooting incident at the 1200 block of S. 17 St. where 38-year-old male victim was found. The victim was identified as Miguel A. Aguirre.

Aguirre apparently suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead.
According to witnesses, Aguirre died of multiple wounds shortly before an ambulance or Milwaukee Fire Department paramedics arrived, which they say took at least 15 minutes. A woman (nurses aid) was able to give CPR to Aguirre and briefly revived him, but eventually Aguirre succumbed to his injuries before paramedics arrived. Another witness who lives in the block says she came out seconds after she heard the shots and noticed a silver BMW speeding away from the scene.
Police are investigating Aguirre's death as a homicide.
A related source to the victim and a Facebook post that was shared in multiple social network pages stated, "Help my family and friends find this pos. He killed our beloved Miguel Fuso Aguirre" indicating that Raymond Ceballos-Mendez, 26, a prime suspect is being sought by police in connection with the Aguirre homicide. Ceballos-Mendez's acquaintance, Joseph Negron has turned himself to police and is cooperating with the Aguirre homicide investigation.

Other shootings including a homicide was also reported by police.

The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating a non-fatal shooting that occurred in the 500 block of S. Layton Boulevard on March 10. The victim, a 19-year-old female, was part of a group that was involved in an ongoing dispute with a different group of individuals. At about 5:25 pm, the conflict between the two groups escalated into gunfire. A suspect fired multiple rounds and struck the victim. The Milwaukee Fire Department treated the victim for a serious gunshot wound and transported her to a local hospital. Although her injuries are serious, she is expected to survive the injury.  The investigation is ongoing and MPD continues to seek suspect(s).
Police are also investigating a shooting which happened around 4:10 p.m. on March 9 in the 900 block of W. Hayes Street.  The victim, a 27-year-old man, sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound during unknown circumstances. The victim is being treated at a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
Police responded to a homicide that happened around 5:35 p.m. on March 5 in the 2000 block of S. 15th Place. The victim, Jason Nuck, 33, from Milwaukee, who was shot during circumstances that are still under investigation. Milwaukee Police continue to seek a suspect and determine a motive.
Police responded to a shooting that happened around 11:40 p.m. on March 2 in the 900 block of S. 12th Street.  A 51-year-old man was shot and was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries.  A 41-year-old male suspect was taken into custody.  The case will be presented to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office in the coming days for a charging decision.

LULAC In Crisis And Alleged Corruption Exposed By Darryl Morin Candidate For National LULAC President 2018

Corruption and possible bankruptcy facing the National LULAC, according to Morin, a candidate for National President 2018.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 14, 2018

LULAC In Crisis exposed by Darryl Morin, who is currently a candidate for National LULAC President in 2018. Morin is a former League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Vice-president of the Midwest and on Sunday released a video on Facebook (FB) alleging corruption at the national level organization and a lack of funding for staff salaries and etc.

Issues discussed on February 16-17, 2018 during the National LULAC Board meeting and prior issues affecting the National LULAC were also exposed in Morin's video:

• The national staff, its vice-president and CEO resigned

• The National LULAC administration on course to bankruptcy

• Exhausted lines of credit

• Limited funds for salaries and credit cards

• No funds for the LULAC Women's Conference

• Union suppression (Sept. 29-30, 2017)

• Massive decline in membership reported (July 8, 2017)

Morin in the video indicated his commitment to transparency, eliminating corruption in the National LULAC level, defending the vote of LULAC members and bringing Democracy back to LULAC!

Three Armed Men Break Into Milwaukee Southside Home While Mother And Son Were Home

Surveillance video cameras located outside and inside the home recorded the break in by three armed suspects while a mother and her were inside.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 14, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, three armed suspects break into a home while people were inside. A female and her son were in the house when the suspects broke in. The son ran upstairs with the mother, but the suspects didn't go to the second floor and then fled taking a laptop. The location where the forced entry occured was near the 6th Milwaukee Police District Station.
Aleks Sayavong, posted on her Facebook account that three armed suspects broke into her home while she and her son were inside. Sayavong says, "My family lives on the south side near St. Luke’s Hospital and Leon’s. This past weekend on Saturday night at approximately 10 at night, three armed suspects entered our property and kicked down our living room door. My son was laying on the couch when he heard the first sign of a break in and quickly ran upstairs to my bedroom where it was just me and my dog. The two of us were the only ones home but there are four of us that live here so they must have been watching my home to know that we were alone. We had only been there for an hour after they broke in and may have been waiting for our neighbors in the alley to go back in their homes. All of our lights were on and there were clearly people inside but these men did not hesitate to still come in. They fled and my son spotted the car and identified it as a red four door sedan Cadillac."

Wind Lake Gymnastics Center Coach James Kivisto Busted For Secretly Video Recording Juveniles While Getting Dressed

Kivisto had installed surveillance cameras in the bathroom to video record and spy on teens while they were getting dressed.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 14, 2018

Town of Norway, WI - On Tuesday, the Racine County Sheriff''s Office (RCSO) in a press release reported that the Town of Norway Police Department received a call from a parent at Wind Lake Gymnastics reporting that a hidden camera was found in the bathroom.  The Racine County Sheriff's Office Detective Bureau responded and executed a search warrant at Wind Lake Gymnastic Center, located in the Town of Norway, County of Racine.
During the search warrant, multiple surveillance cameras and computers were seized as evidence. The owner and coach of Wind Lake Gymnastic Center was identified as James Kivisto, age 49.  A search of the computers recovered at Wind Lake Gymnastic Center, revealed multiple images of Child Pornography.
Kivisto has owned and operated Wind Lake Gymnastic Center for approximately the past 11 years. Furthermore, Kivisto has coached gymnastics since 1987 in both Racine County and Milwaukee County.  Kivisto admits that he has recorded Juveniles while changing in the bathroom at Wind Lake Gymnastic Center on multiple occasions.
Kivisto is in custody at the Racine County Jail and is being held on multiple counts of Possession of Child Pornography. As the investigation progresses, additional charges will be recommended to the Racine County District Attorney's Office.
The investigation is ongoing and the process of conducting forensic searches on computers is very labor intensive, according to the RCSO.

Are Latinas Campaigning For The 12th District County Supervisor Seat Engaged In Dirty Political Tactics In Milwaukee's Southside?

Are dirty political tactics taking place in the 12th Milwaukee County Supervisor District race for the April 3rd Spring Election? Well let's take a closer look inside and behind closed doors. Warning, information provided might not be suitable for some and they should strongly consider, not reading any further to avoid high blood pressure.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 11, 2018

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - The 12th Milwaukee County Supervisor District race has become the center once again of the White liberal influence to dictate who will get elected in the predominately Latino community and thousands of dollars are being spent on both candidates running for office. The LeadershipMKE is spending thousands of dollars of advertising, which favors the election of Sylvia Ortiz-Velez and doesn't favor the re-election of Supervisor Peggy West, the incumbent. Supervisor West has raised the issue that dirty political tactics are being used. Both Ortiz-Velez and West claimed that their campaigns are not associated with LeadershipMKE. Even LeadershipMKE dot com included a disclaimer in their campaign to unseat Supervisor West, which says, "Paid for by Leadership Mke. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's agent or committee." LeadershipMKE is also involved in other local campaigns to unseat unfavorable candidates for office as well. 

Also, it is appropriate to inform that besides LeadershipMKE, some White liberals tend to try and influence who they want to succeed and become the next supervisor for the 12th District. West has been able to get endorsed by Milwaukee Common Council members, José Pérez, Tony Zielinski, Wisconsin State Senator Tim Carpenter (D), Wisconsin State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D), Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, Milwaukee County Judge Pedro Cólon, Milwaukee Municipal Judge Phil Chavez and the list of public elected officials goes on.

According to Friends of Milw. County Supervisor Peggy West, District 12th Facebook  (FB) page, it says "Peggy ...campaigns for her seat against the dirtiest of political tactics & thousands of dollars in special interest money...There's a difference between donating to a campaign and bankrolling one. Leadership MKE, which is fully funded by Chris Abele, has already poured $28,482.60 into the 12th District Supervisor race where Milw. County Supervisor, Dist. 12 Peggy West is the incumbent..." Well in this case, West has actually benefited by the LeadershipMKE campaign as well, since she has been getting equal advertising, but not as favorable as Ortiz-Velez. West is seeking to get re-elected for a fifth term and has missed at least 10 meetings of the Milwaukee Domes Committee, which is deciding the future of the domes. She did confirm that she attends all full Board of Supervisors meetings.
Ortiz-Velez seems to be the choice that LeadershipMKE would like to get elected. LeadershipMKE posted on FB, "We are supporting Sylvia Ortiz Velez because we feel Sylvia will actually show up and represent her constituents" regarding meetings.
Ortiz-Velez has been a paying registered member in the Democrat Party of Wisconsin and is the current Vice-president of the Hispanic Caucus in the Democrat Party. Ortiz-Velez has been able to get the support and endorsements of community known leaders, movers and shakers, and activists as Luz Sosa, Hector Cólon, Teresa Mercado, Gregorio Montoto, Nancy Hernández, Victor Huyke, Martin Jimenez, Rebecca Bahr-Arrichiello, Attorney Carlos Pastrona, Tony Garnica, Ernesto Nava, Raul Huerta, Ernesto Ramirez (Chato), Ricardo Diaz, Carmen Cabrera, Anita Abraham, Rogelio Cabral, Eleazar Lopez, Cy White, Scott Wales, Roy Camronero, Blanca Blanka Estrada, Frankie Sabath, Yussef Morales, Felix Questell, Johnny Osorio, Kristina Reyes and Mariana Reyes (Reyes Family), Juan Estrada (Estrada Family), Oscar Brenes, Owner of El Patron, Dionisia Gonzalez. Former Alderman James Witkowiak, Rogelio Cabral, Eleazar Lopez, Angel Salmeron Duenas and the list goes on.

Ortiz-Velez shows a strong community base support to get elected compared to West's political base of endorsement's by public officials. 

Today, West is facing several allegations that she took a $500 donation from a contractor, Sally Sprenger who operates ANEW Health Care Services, which has a contract with Milwaukee County to provide services to County residents, which is in violation of Milwaukee County Ethics Code 9.05(2) (k) & (l). West's January 2018 campaign donation report confirmed the contractor donation. She also allegedly didn't circulate some nomination papers to get on the April 3rd election ballot, according to a complaint filed by Ortiz-Velez with the Milwaukee County Ethic's Board that included multiple affidavits by signers confirming West didn't circulate the nomination papers that they signed. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office received a copy of the complaint that was filed by Ortiz-Velez, but since District Attorney Chisholm has endorsed West, the complaint will be turned over to another county district attorney in the state to review and determine, if West violated state law, which is considered a felony to file, certify and make false claims in nomination papers. According to Wisconsin Statue 12.13 (13) (a), falsifying nomination papers by certification is considered a felony punishable up to 3 years and six months in prison with fines up to $10,000.

On March 4, West's alleged relationship with a registered sex offender was exposed by a Southside resident on FB that involved Milwaukee police. Felix Questell, an outspoken constituent from the Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District posted a FB video allegedly claiming that County Supervisor Peggy West had called police and accused him of posting a threat on a social network that Questell threatened to shoot a pedophile (a registered sex offender). Questell in the video confirmed that a police officer had called him that West had complained and the officer was just checking and letting him know what West had told police. 

Questell says in the posted video, that West had lied.

Apparently, Questell had posted multiple posts on Facebook that West allegedly had a relationship with Thomas James Schroder, 44, a registered sex offender who was released on February 27 from the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility. Schroder was convicted on January 15, 2008 for 2nd-degree sexual assault of a child. The Milwaukee Police Department website on registered sex offenders listed Schroder as homeless, but the Wisconsin Department of Corrections sex offender registry has him as compliant.

So far, West hasn't denied or confirmed that she actually has a relationship with Schroder. Last July, West announced on FB that she had set a wedding date for October 27, 2017, but according to Milwaukee County records, no marriage license was registered in the County or in the State of Wisconsin vitals that she got married.

The 12th Milwaukee County Supervisor District race has boiled over the political realm that several organizations have decided to ban or censor news coverage about West and Ortiz-Velez from a Latino community news source. The organizations in question are the ACLU-Milwaukee Chapter and especially in the Citizen Action Cooperative-MKE FB pages. 

Ortiz-Velez is an active paying member of Acción Ciudadana de Wisconsin, which is the Hispanic Caucus entity in Citizen Action of Wisconsin. The Citizen Action of WI is considered a progressive organization and its political endorsement group decided not to endorse any candidate in the race for the 12th Milwaukee County Supervisor District race. The organization prides itself on struggling for progressive issues and encourages their members to be activists, leaders in their communities and seek elected political office, but in this case, it failed to endorse one of their own. What kind of message is the organization sending to their membership? Not a clear positive message of encouragement to its membership, when running for political office. West is not a paying member of Citizen Action of WI.

Also, no clear reasoning was made by the ACLU-Milwaukee Chapter other that several administrators claimed a news article posted about West and removed was out of the scope that it represents, but allowed other news articles to remain posted. 

Well, there you have it, the latest about what has transpired in the 12th Milwaukee County Supervisor District race and you can draw your own conclusions.

Update:

The Milwaukee County Ethics Board hasn't determined, if Supervisor Peggy West recently violated any Ethics Codes by accepting campaign donations from a County contractor as alleged by an amended supplement complaint filed by Sylvia Ortiz-Velez who is challenging West in the April 3rd election.

Supervisor Peggy West posted  the following statement on her personal Facebook (FB) page dated 3/12/2018 and says, the "Ethics Violation" allegation is false. West says, that the contractor in question, "is NOT and HAS not been a county contractor for more than 2 years because the department she allegedly has a contract with is no longer under Milwaukee County Government and has become its own entity."

The following is West's personal FB account posted statement:

This will be the last time that I justify accusations leveled at me however, as a candidate perhaps I am fair game for my name to be drug through the mud, however my supporters are not and should not be.

There is allegedly an ethics complaint which has been filed against me for accepting a campaign contribution from a County "contractor".

This "Ethics Violation" allegation is false.

1. This person is NOT and HAS not been a county contractor for more than 2 years because the department she allegedly has a contract with is no longer under Milwaukee County Government and has become its own entity.

2. It is NOT a violation of county ethics code to accept a donation from county contractors. This is written in our Ethics Code & very easy to check.

Ways this ALLEGATION could have been checked;):
1. On the county website under Ethics Code you can find a full write up of it.

2. Call the Ethics Committee to ask.

3. Call the Contractor in question and ask if they have contracts with Milwaukee County or check their website. (I did both).

The Milwaukee County Ethics Board did recently learn that Supervisor West did accept campaign donations by a contractor with the County as reported.

 Supervisor West is currently Chairwoman of the Finance & Audit Committee and is a member of the Judiciary, Safety & General Services Committee, according to the Milwaukee County Board website.

Supervisor West has received more than $2K since 2011 from Sally and Gary Sprenger who operate ANEW Health Care Services, according to Blogging Blue dot com.
The Ethics Board only investigate violations that have not expired under statues of limitations when a complaint is filed, which certainly shows that West violated Ethics Codes by accepting campaign donations from a contractor and got away simply because it wasn't reported at the time, since the time limit to file a complaint expired.

40 Members Of The SNTE-CNTE From Chiapas Detained By Federal Police In Veracruz

The SNTE-CNTE in Mexico is demanding the release of at least 40 members after a bus, which they were traveling in was stopped and its members detained by State Police from Veracruz and Federal Police.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 10, 2018

Xalapa, Veracruz, México - On Saturday, Federal Police and State Police from Veracruz stopped a bus transporting members from the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación - Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE-CNTE) and detained all of the passengers. At least 40 members of the SNTE-CNTE from Chiapas including Veracruz were detained and their bus was escorted to a Mexican military base in Xalapa, the Capital City of Veracruz .

No information has been released by the Federal Police and the State Police in Veracruz to what led for police to stop the bus carrying teachers and escort the bus to military base.

SNTE-CNTE Video: https://youtu.be/7PJg2nKdQ2A

The following is the press release by the SNTE-CNTE.

Press Release:

TO THE PUBLIC OPINION:

On March 10, 2018, in compliance with a commission from the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE), a group of members from the Executive Committee of section 7 of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE), were stopped, harassed and detained by both Federal Police and State Police in the area of Xalapa de Veracruz.

This act of Facist intolerance is nothing more than the application of the Law of Internal Security, which is intended to intimidate one of the strongest contingents of the resistance against the false Educational Reform and the Structural Reforms in Mexico.

We demand the immediate release of our colleagues, headed by Professor Pedro Gómez Bamaca, Secretary General of Section 7 and we hold the Government of the State of Veracruz and the Charros del SNTE responsible for the physical integrity of our comrades.

We warn that no act of repression will reverse the decision of the democratic and popular magisterium to build the Single Front and the General Political Strike as weapons of the working class against the antipopular policies of the Regime.

We call on our bases and the popular movement as a whole to be in a state of maximum alert to respond to the height that the circumstances demand.

Only by fighting in Unity and Organized ... WE WILL OVERCOME

Secretary of Communication of Section VII of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación - Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE-CNTE).

Update: 43 members of the SNTE-CNTE from Chiapas and Veracruz and the bus driver who were detained have been released by the authorities in Veracruz, according to the SNTE-CNTE.

En español:

El SNTE-CNTE en México exige la liberación de al menos 40 miembros después de que un autobús, en el que viajaban, fue detenido y sus miembros fueron detenidos por la Policía del Estado de Veracruz y la Policía Federal.

Xalapa, Veracruz, México - El sábado, la Policía Federal y la Policía Estatal de Veracruz detuvieron a un autobús que transportaba miembros del Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE-CNTE) y detuvieron a todos los pasajeros. Al menos 40 miembros del SNTE-CNTE de Chiapas, incluido Veracruz, fueron detenidos y su autobús fue escoltado a una base militar mexicana en Xalapa, la ciudad capital de Veracruz.
La Policía Federal y la Policía del Estado en Veracruz no han divulgado información sobre lo que llevó a la policía a detener el autobús que transportaba a los maestros y escoltar el autobús a la base militar.
El siguiente es el comunicado de prensa del SNTE-CNTE.

Este es el comunicado

A LA OPINIÓN PUBLICA:

El día de hoy. 10 de marzo de 2018, cumpliendo una comisión de la Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE), un grupo de miembros del Comité ejecutivo de la sección 7 del Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE), han sido hostigados y retenidos por la Policia Federal y Policía Estatal en los alrededores de Xalapa de Veracruz.

Este acto de intolerancia Facista no es más que la aplicación de la Ley de Seguridad Interior con la que se pretende intimidar a uno de los contingentes más sólidos de la resistencia en contra de la falsa Reforma Educativa y las Reformas Estructurales.

Exigimos la libertad inmediata de nuestros compañeros, encabezados por el Profr.  Pedro Gómez Bamaca secretario General de la sección 7 y responsabilizamos al Gobierno del Estado de Veracruz y a los Charros del SNTE de la integridad física de nuestros camaradas.

Advertimos que ningún acto de represión dará marcha atrás a la decisión del magisterio democrático y popular de construir el Frente Unico y la Huelga Política General como armas de la clase trabajadora en contra de las políticas antipopulares de Régimen.

Convocamos a nuestras bases y al movimiento popular en su conjunto a estar en estado de máxima alerta para responder a la altura que la circunstancias  exigen.

Sólo luchando Unidos y organizados... VENCEREMOS

Secretaria de Comunicación de la Sección VII del Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación - Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE-CNTE).

Actualización: 43 miembros del SNTE-CNTE de Chiapas y Veracruz y el conductor del autobús que fueron detenidos ya fueron liberados por las autoridades en Veracruz, según el SNTE-CNTE.

Tejano Singer Joe Lopez Convicted For Sexual Assault Of Child Scheduled For Release In Five Days

Lopez, a former popular Tejano music style singer who was convicted for two counts of sexual assault of a child is scheduled for release next week.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 10, 2018

Huntsville, Texas - José Manuel Lopez, 67, also known in the Tejano music style stage name "Joe Lopez" is scheduled to be released on parole on March 15, 2018 from the Coree facility with the Texas Department of Correction (TDOC) located in Huntsville, according to the TDOC. Lopez completed a nine month sex offender treatment successfully and will be released on Thursday.

Lopez was convicted in 2006 for two felony counts of aggravated sexual assault (Lopez was sentenced to 20 years on one count and 8 years in prison on the second count) and one felony count for indecent contact with a child age 13 (sentenced to 4 years in prison) and was sentenced to 32 years in prison. Lopez has served 10 years.

Lopez was convicted for raping his 13-year-old niece Krystal Lopez who had his child. 

Lopez has indicated that he had written multiple songs while in prison and is eager to sing again and to continue with his career as a Tejano singer. 
Lopez of Brownsville is the co-founder and former Tejano lead singer for the Grupo Mazz. In 1998, both Lopez and Jimmy González, the other co-founder split and two Tejano bands continued to perform Tejano style music venue as Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz and Joe Lopez y La Nueva Imagen Mazz. La Nueva Imagen Mazz band was phased out when Lopez was convicted and sent to prison.
González, 67, of Brownsville is the current lead singer for the Grupo Mazz and has won 8 Grammy Awards. González has three sons involved with the Grupo Mazz.
Grupo Mazz is credited for modernizing the Tejano style of music.

Trump's ICE Snatched Perla Morales In Front Of Daughters Going To Pay Rent In National City

Graphic Facebook videos show how Trump's ICE snatched Morales-Luna from a sidewalk in National City in California.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 8, 2018

National City, CA -  On Thursday, several Facebook videos (video 1 and video 2) were posted by Judith Castro-Rangel showing multiple U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) agents snatching Perla Morales-Luna from the sidewalk as her three daughters watched and frantically cried with emotion as the agents forced their mother into an USCBP vehicle. Morales-Luna was walking with her daughters to pay their monthly rent when USCBP agents encountered the family, according to Castro-Rangel.

After the videos went viral, Theron Francisco, the spokesman for the USCBP released a statement that says Morales-Luna was an alleged smuggler, but didn't know any details of her involvement in the operation nor, if she is facing any criminal charges. “Perla Morales-Luna was identified as an organizer for a transnational criminal smuggling organization operating in East County, San Diego. She was arrested as a result of a targeted operation on March 3, 2018, in National City for being in the country illegally. She is currently in Border Patrol custody awaiting transfer to ICE for removal proceedings,” according to the USCBP.
Unfortunately, ICE and the USCBP are known to make false statements, which might include this incident. If Morales-Luna was involved in smuggling, police or other federal law enforcement agencies would have made the arrest. Morales-Luna has not been charged of any crime, other than being in the country illegally.
Morales-Luna would have been booked at a local law enforcement agency on an alleged charged, but she is currently being held at an ICE detention facility.
The USCBP hasn't confirmed if Morales-Luna was served with a legal federal warrant, which would than implicate her of an alleged crime.
Mark Lane, an activist in National City during a press conference says, that when an arrest by immigration officials go bad, that they tend to lie, which he referred to other incidents where immigration officials used the same excused.
José Rodriguez, a Union representative at the press conference says, that most of the undocumented immigrants that are detained by immigration agents end up in private prisons, which are profiting from the undocumented population.
Jeff Sessions, the U.S. Attorney General has released information that Trump approved extra U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to target undocumented immigrants residing in California.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit against the State of California claiming the federal immigration enforcement has been blocked by California state laws, but Governor Jerry Brown (D) and Xavier Becerra, the State Attorney General say that both Trump and Sessions are lying and their lawsuit won't stand in court.

ICE is considered one of the most corrupt immigration enforcement agencies in the country, which rogue agents who commit illegal arrests and activities are not held accountable.

Numerous deaths of undocumented immigrants have been reported while on ICE custody and not one agent has been fired or prosecuted of any crime against undocumented immigrants.

Water Bill To Include Lead-in-water Safety And Lead Laterals Info Adopted By Milwaukee Common Council Water Works Committee

City water bills for Milwaukee residents will include information about lead-in-water safety inserts and dissemination of other lead-related information, according to a resolution passed by the Milwaukee Common Council Water Works Committee.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 8, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Common Water Works Committee passed a resolution (171523) for Milwaukee City water bills to include information about lead-in-water safety inserts and dissemination of other lead-related information for residents. The City water bill will also include whether the City-own portion of the freshwater lateral line service flow connected to properties from the water main are made of lead and will definitely improve transparency in lead-related testing.

Also the Water Works Committee passed a resolution (171538) to replace drinking water service lines to all City-owned properties. This resolution directs the Department of City Development to develop and implement a program to replace lead drinking water service lines in all City-owned, one to 4-unit residential properties, except properties scheduled for demolition.

The resolutions will be taken up by the full Common Council on March 27 for approval.

Wisconsin State Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milw.) on Wednesday confirmed that she is working on a final draft of a bill as an Adverse Material Fact to mandate property owners and Realtors in the state to include and disclose whether properties being sold have toxic lead laterals connected to city or municipality freshwater mains.
Robert Miranda from the Freshwater For Life Action Coalition (FLAC) who is advocating for removal of all lead laterals within the city spoke at a Townhall meeting on Wednesday and says, that the City of Milwaukee banned the use of toxic lead laterals in 1962, but the U.S. Department of the Interior banned the use in 1986, so for decades Milwaukee officials knew that using lead laterals was a hazard for those drinking water from the freshwater flow into homes.
In the City of Milwaukee Water Department Rules, Regulations and Penalties dating 1872, the City mandated for lead laterals to be connected from the City's water main and in 1921 the Common Council passed a resolution making lead laterals extra thick, which extended to the inside of buildings including residential properties and the practice lasted until 1951, laterals were later changed to copper and other non-toxic materials, indicating that the City owned the lead laterals.
Today, when a lead lateral is replaced from a property to the city watermain, the property owner can face a cost of up to $5,000 for removal.

Number
171523
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
170523
Sponsor

ALD. ZIELINSKI

Title

Substitute resolution relating to Milwaukee Water Works water bill lead-in-water safety inserts and dissemination of other lead-related information.

Analysis

This resolution directs the Milwaukee Water Works to mail lead-in-water safety information on an annual basis to occupants of all buildings served by City-owned lead service lines, and to ensure that this and lead-in-water safety information included with City water bills meet the same standards that the Health Department is held to for providing ongoing community updates to the public related to lead safety.

 The Water Works is also directed to allow City departments and non-profit entities to sponsor secondary lead-in-water and lead public education materials for inclusion with all City water bills on a semi-annual basis. 

 This resolution also directs the Milwaukee Water Works to identify, on every City water bill, whether the City-owned portion of the service line serving the premises being billed is made of lead, and to make publicly available the details of all lead-related testing, monitoring and control treatments conducted by the Milwaukee Water Works.

Body

Whereas, Lead exposure poses a significant threat to public health and safety, with infants, young children, and pregnant women being at the greatest risk of adverse health impacts from lead exposure; and

Whereas, Milwaukee Water Works regularly tests Lake Michigan source water, treated water from Milwaukee water treatment plants, and distribution system water, including tap water, for the presence of lead; and

Whereas, Lead service lines and plumbing can introduce lead into tap water; and

Whereas, Approximately 74,600 properties in the city, including 68,300 residential properties comprising 54.2% of all residential properties in the city, receive water through City-owned lead service lines, and according to the Milwaukee Water Works, a property with City-owned lead service lines is likely to also have privately-owned lead service lines; and

Whereas, The City of Milwaukee recognizes that all residents of the community need access to information on how best to protect themselves and their children from lead in drinking water; and

Whereas, Under Common Council File No. 170253, the Milwaukee Water Works was directed to incorporate lead-in-water and lead public education materials with City water bills on a semi-annual basis; and

Whereas, More recently, under Common Council File No. 170131, the Health Department was directed to provide ongoing community updates to the public with an expanded identification of at-risk populations and recommendations for lead safety; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Milwaukee Water Works is directed to mail lead-in-water and lead public education materials on an annual basis to occupants of all buildings served by City-owned lead service lines; and, be it

Further Resolved, That lead-in-water and lead public education materials mailed to occupants of buildings served by City-owned lead service lines or included with City water bills shall meet the same standards that the Health Department is held to for providing ongoing community updates to the public related to lead safety under Common Council File No. 170131; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Milwaukee Water Works shall update all lead-in-water and drinking water safety initiatives, websites, social media messaging, printed materials, outdoor and media advertisements and campaigns under the authority of the Milwaukee Water Works to meet the same standards; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Milwaukee Water Works shall ensure that the use of water filtration systems certified to remove lead according to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 is promoted to the public as the most thorough means of lead-water safety; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Milwaukee Water Works shall include, in any discussion of flushing drinking water by running taps, a warning to the public of the risk of lead exposure from failing to adhere to flushing guidelines; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Milwaukee Water Works is directed to allow City departments and non-profit entities to sponsor secondary lead-in-water and lead public education materials for inclusion with all City water bills on a semi-annual basis; and, be it

Further Resolved, That these secondary lead-in-water and lead public education materials may include information about at-risk populations, the benefits of healthy eating to reduce the effects of lead poisoning, how to identify lead in internal plumbing fixtures, options for testing tap water for the presence of lead, information about NSF/ANSI certified lead filters, information about the importance of following installation and maintenance guidelines for lead-removing filters, or information about City programs that provide lead-removing filters or assistance in replacing lead service lines or internal plumbing; and, be it

Further Resolved, That secondary lead-in-water and lead public education materials incorporated with City water bills shall be limited in size to a single one-third page insert to be included no more than twice annually, are subject to review and approval by the Commissioner of Health and the Superintendent of the Milwaukee Water Works, shall be funded by the requesting entity, and shall be permitted only to the extent that inclusion of the secondary insert does not cause the City water bill to exceed postage and mailing size restrictions set by the Milwaukee Water Works; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Milwaukee Water Works shall identify, on every City water bill, whether the City-owned portion of the service line serving the premises being billed  is made of lead; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Milwaukee Water Works shall make publicly available the details of all lead-related testing, monitoring and control treatments conducted by the Water Works on Lake Michigan source water, treated water from Milwaukee water treatment plants and tap water, including site selection and sampling protocols, the date of construction of sampled sites, the presence of lead service lines at sampled sites, dates of collection, disclosure of invalidated samples and reasons for invalidation, testing results and the details of lead-related corrosion control treatments.

Requestor

Drafter
LRB170556-4
Dana J. Zelazny
March 6, 2018