Both Milwaukee Alderman Jóse G. Pérez And Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Carlos Martínez Have Blocked Certain Individuals Access To Their Social Media (Facebook), Which Identifies Them As Elected Public Officials

Milwaukee Alderman Pérez and Milwaukee County Supervisor have blocked access certain individuals to their Facebook accounts identifying themselves as public officials.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 22, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) has learned that both Milwaukee Alderman Jóse G. Pérez, the Milwaukee Common Council President, and Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez have blocked access to certain individuals in regards to their own social media accounts identifying them as public officials in Milwaukee.

Multiple attempts to contact or send information by messenger to both elected public officials on Facebook (FB) by a local Latino media reporter/journalist have failed, according to the social media response.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public elected officials from local, county, state and federal government cannot block individuals, except for certain actions, according to the ACLU.

The ACLU says, "public officials can block comments that are not protected by the First Amendment, including comments that make a true and immediate threat to another person, incite others to imminently violate the law, or contain obscene language as defined by the U.S. Supreme Court." https://www.aclu-wi.org/en/news/know-your-rights-social-media-blocking-public-officials

Southside Daycare Facility Operator, 41-year-old Maria G. Quevedo-Herrera Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison For 1st And 2nd-degree Child Sexual Assault Under 13 In Milwaukee

Quevedo-Herrera must serve at least 8 years in prison and 4 years of extended supervision for 1st-degree child sexual assault/contact/intercourse, which includes a consecutive sentence of 8 years for 2nd-degree sexual assault of a child and party to a crime.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 20, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 41-year-old Maria G. Quevedo-Herrera on December 6, 2024 was sentenced to 12 years in prison, but will be confined for 8 years and will serve 4 years of extended supervision for 1st-degree child sexual assault having contact/intercourse with a child under 13, after a jury trial found her guilty on both felony counts. Quevedo-Herrera will also serve a consecutive sentence (at same time) of 8 years in prison for 2nd-degree sexual assault of a child and party to a crime, according to Milwaukee County court records. She was taken into custody on October 29, 2024.

Quevedo-Herrera will have to register as a sex offender for life. She was also ordered not have contact with the victim (S.K.C.) and her family.

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families revoked Quevedo-Herrera's license family #7000589297 001 for a childcare facility called Jardin de los Sueños on March 9, 2023, 6 days after she was criminally charged with two felony counts for sexual assault of a child under 13 in Milwaukee County. The childcare facility was operated by Quevedo-Herrera at the 1700 block of S. 23 Street since, July 1, 2022.

31-year-old Terrance Lamar Moore Jr. Charged With 1st-degree Child Sexual Assault And Incest Of 7-year-old Daughter When She Was Under 5 In Milwaukee

Moore was charged for sexually assaulting his own daughter when she was under 5 years of age, according to the criminal complaint.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 19, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 31-year-old Terrance Lamar Moore Jr. of Milwaukee was criminally charged on November 6, 2023 with 1st-degree child sexual assault under 12 and incest with a child, in connection with the repeated sexual assault of his 7-year-old daughter (KLM) when she was under 5 years of age, between April 27, 2017 to April 10, 2023, according to the criminal complaint.

If convicted, Moore is facing up to 60 years in prison for 1st-degree child sexual assault and up to 40 years in prison and up to 100,000 in fines, or both for incest with a child.

The criminal complaint states that a female relative discovered on April 8, 2023, that Moore's daughter was sexually assaulted when the child told several other children in the household, and one of them told the female relative, which she then asked Moore's daughter what had happened to her, she then told the relative that Moore would force her to put his private part in her mouth until white stuff came out and also put his private part in her butt in many occasions.

Moore would order his daughter in multiple instances to swallow the white stuff, but his daughter would spit it out in disgust.

Several forensic interviews by police, Moore's daughter confirmed that he would put his private part in her butt and mouth, which he would tell his daughter to then swallow the white stuff.

Also on March 5, 2024, Moore was charged with four felony counts, 1st-degree reckless injury including use of a dangerous weapon, robbery with use of force, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, theft/removal of property, and bail jumping.

Moore allegedly took a firearm from a woman at a gas station and shot at her several times, striking her in the leg.

If convicted, Moore is facing up to 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines, or both for reckless injury, up to 15 years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines, or both for robbery, up to 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines for possession of a firearm by a felon, facing up to 6 years in prison, and up to $10,000 in fines, or both for theft/removal of property, and up to 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines, or both for bail jumping.

Moore has been serving prison time at the Oshkosh Correctional Institute for prior convictions with release eligibility discharge date 7/21/2027, according to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

21-year-old Areon Davis Charged With 1st-degree Intentional Homicide Of Charles J. Bobo Jr., 33, In The Southside Of Milwaukee

Davis murdered Bobo to steal cash from him, according to the criminal complaint.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 19, 2O24 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On December 12, 2024, 21-year-old Areon Davis was charged with 1st-degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon and party to a crime for the November 7, 2024 murder of Charles J. Bobo Jr., 33, in the Southside of Milwaukee.

If convicted, Davis is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole. A $750,000 cash bond was set for Davis.

Davis was taken into custody on December 8th in West Allis and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, December 19, 2024, according to court records.

According to the criminal complaint, Davis after killing Bobo at the 2100 block of S. 26 Street, he posted a photo of himself in social media with a stack of cash. 

Police were able to get the license plate from the Infiniti vehicle that Davis was driving the night he fatally shot Bobo in the Southside of Milwaukee. His GPS tracking app cellphone records also placed Davis at the homicide scene and where the Infiniti was later abandoned at an alley in the 3300 block of W. Kilbourn in Milwaukee, according to the criminal complaint.

The homicide investigation indicated Davis knew Bobo, and he intended to killed the victim, and then steal drug sales cash from Bobo who was known to carry large amounts of cash on him. 

Bobo suffered fatal injuries to the chest, face, arm and neck, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office.

African American Network Requested For MATC Board Of Trustees To Act And Conduct Independant Investigations Of Unaddressed Concerns Impacting Blacks And Latino Employees

A group of Black, White and Latino employees at MATC have requested the MATC Board of Trustees to conduct independent investigations of unaddressed concerns affecting instructors and employees at the technical college.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 17, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, during Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Board of Trustees meeting, the African American Network (AAN) requested for the Board to conduct independent investigations and collaborative engagement with the AAN to address ongoing concerns impacting Black and Latino employees including instructors that remained unaddressed, since July 2024. Dr. Anthony Cruz, the President of MATC has learned about the concerns and employee labor concerns affecting numerous Latino and Black employees, since last July and so far hasn't taken any meaningful action to address those issues of concern while the employees continue to endure inappropriate and harmful treatment from the administration team (leadership of cabinet individuals that have practiced harmful behaviors targeted at Latinos and Blacks, which have gone unchecked). AAN told the Board of Trustees, that they have witnessed "The consolidation of power by senior leaders who have received promotions, salary increases, and the ability to restructure the college in ways that appear retaliatory toward those who have filed complaints or supported others in doing so." (Public comment session video (December 17, 2024) during Board of Trustees meeting at link: https://youtu.be/ed93-NODo8M)

The AAN says that for months it has seen a lack of progress and engagement by the leadership team to include AAN and LUNA in meaningful communication and collaborative efforts. In order to address this concerns, the MATC Board needs to commit to independent investigations, genuine collaborative engagement and equitable oversight of Human Resources (HR) and leadership team practices.

Also, Carlos Aranda, a Licensed Professional Counselor at MATC with more than 25 years in experience and a member of LUNA, the Employee Resource Group representing Latino/a employees at MATC told the Board on Tuesday that a Latina employee from the Education Center of at Walker's Square in the Southside of Milwaukee was transferred to downtown and her transfer might have been influenced by retaliation following a formal complaint against her previous manager. She is currently on medical leave, which is significantly affecting her and he was concerned about her emotional well-being, according to Aranda.

Aranda addressed the flexible work arrangement protocol by the vice-president of the HR who could use the policy "at the general discretion of the divisional or departmental leaders, based on the operational needs of the college," which can also be used to discriminate and abuse power.

Another concern for Aranda was that MATC eliminates a specific position to terminate an employee instead of transferring the employee to a new position. This practice has been happening more often in the last two years at MATC, according to Aranda. Aranda requested for the Board to investigate these practices grounded in discrimination and retaliation.

Aranda says that many part-time faculty have been skipped from being offered full-time positions, and those affected have experienced discrimination and have been bullied by administrators and the interview committee. Additionally, MATC has hired individuals with less experience, some whom did not meet the required qualifications. 

In the October Board of Trustees public meeting comment session, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) learned that the MATC HR had hired a non-bilingual instructor to teach a bilingual Economics course at MATC, which the course was advertised as a bilingual Spanish class. It is not clear, if the non-bilingual instructor was qualified to teach the bilingual course, but we do know, that he couldn't speak Spanish, which actually setup the students for failure in the bilingual course. (October video testimony: https://youtu.be/Lm_ImpZGXn4)

Patricia Gómez, the producer-director-host of the Latino Spanish-English Bilingual Show Adelante! at Milwaukee PBS addressed the Board and advocated for all the MATC employees and herself who have faced harassment, retaliation, and discrimination within the technical college and at Milwaukee PBS. She told the Board that she has witnessed and personally endured a culture of discrimination, retaliation, harassment that persists unabated, despite multiple attempts to bring these issues to light.

Gomez told the Board, that she previously stated that she including "Carlos Aranda had met with Dr. Cruz on October 18th, as the leader of this institution, and during the meeting, she and Aranda presented Dr. Cruz with evidence of numerous instances of employee mistreatment. However, it seems that the President's Office continues to support administrators who perpetuate this toxic culture. To this day, more employees continue to come forward, revealing the unlawful practices they are being subjected to, under their supervisors. The administration at MATC has long favored individuals who are easily manipulated over those who are qualified for key positions. The favoritism has foster a system where those who are unqualified, unprepared, and hostile are given influence...This has led to a cycle of oppression, disrespect, and chaos, not just at MATC, but also at Milwaukee PBS."

According to Gómez, the President's Office continues to promote an image of change that exists only in press releases and social media posts, rather than in the real-world experiences of students and employees. MATC and Milwaukee PBS have become places of where many individuals, including herself, have been victims of discrimination, retaliation, and exploitation. We have brought these issues to light, time and time again, yet, they remain unresolved. The systemic problems within MATC are ignored, allowing administration to continue abusing power...The administration supported by the President's Office lack both the integrity and the skills needed to lead an institution that serves its diverse community. The taxpayers, African American, Latino, Asian and Caucasian deserve better. MATC should be a place of transparency, fairness, and opportunity, but instead, it is has become a place where the truth is obscured, and injustice strives, Gómez told the MATC Board of Trustees.

Jennifer Wayd who has worked at MATC for 13 years, told the Board that she has applied at least 60 times for promotional opportunities at MATC during her career at the technical college, but was unsuccessful in getting promoted claiming ongoing discrimination employment  practices at MATC. A few years ago, there were four new positions available in her department, Wayd who has two Master degrees had applied for an available position as an internal candidate and was well qualified, but MATC hired four new individuals from outside the institution with no internal experience for the available positions instead of her, now those very same individuals who were previously hired by MATC are now supporting her for a full-time position she has applied for. She also claimed that she has a current manager with a vendetta against her and she doesn't believe she will get an opportunity to get promoted.

Editor's note: The MATC Board of Trustees nor Dr. Anthony Cruz, President of MATC have responded to the employees, counselor, instructors and to AAN, LUNA and the community, if proper steps will be taken to address their concerns and zero tolerance process to eliminate the hostile and toxic work environment at the technical college.

Also, the American Federation of Teachers at MATC (AFT Local 212 union) has not addressed the Board of Trustees in support of its Black, White and Latino union members affected by the alleged toxic work environment, harassment,  retaliation and discrimination practices by the MATC leadership team under Dr. Cruz and the Board of Trustees.

The following attached image is MATC's response highlighted in green to HNNUSA article dated December 20, 2024

The following is the response from Carlos Aranda from MATC to Darryll Fortune's response to HNNUSA dated December 21, 2024.

Thank you, Darryll, for documenting your response to H. Nelson Goodson’s article. 

This is my second time presenting to the MATC Board, and both times the MATC Administration has denied the issues of discrimination, retaliation, and harassment at Milwaukee Area Technical College. However, our community is closely watching how MATC administration addresses this systemic problem. I had expected to see corrections come from the president’s office in a different manner, but after reading your response to this article, it seems the administration is more focused on dismissing and silencing the role of AAN and LUNA.

At this moment, I am deeply concerned about the mental health and well-being of many of my coworkers who are on FMLA due to the hostile environment at MATC. If something were to happen to anyone, who will be held accountable—the MATC Board or the President’s Office?

Best regards,

Carlos A. Aranda, M.S., NCC, MAC, LPC, CSAC

Counselor  - Milwaukee Campus

¡Hablo español

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) 

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Patricia Gómez from Adelante! Milwaukee PBS at MATC responded on December 21, 2024 to Darryll Fortune's response to the HNNUSA article.

The responses from the MATC spokesperson are half-truths. While he discusses whether AAN and LUNA were or were not MATC affinity groups, he fails to mention the most critical fact: LUNA initially began as a MATC affinity group, aiming to open an internal dialogue with MATC administration. However, LUNA soon realized this would be impossible because MATC’s Human Resources department denied the group’s right to advocate for issues related to workers' rights, which are at the core of the organization. As a result, LUNA had no choice but to leave MATC and become independent. MATC’s response, therefore, highlights the fact that MATC's HR and Labor Relations departments are continuously focused on controlling their surveillance and punishment systems.

Regarding MATC's response to the issue, administrators have focused on consolidating their power and increasing their salaries. Some methods of concealing these salary hikes are through "stretch assignments." bonuses and other means. To enhance transparency, it is crucial to conduct an in-depth review of who has been assigned these roles over the years and the underlying reasons for these decisions.

15-year-old Natalie Lynn Rupnow, An Abundant Life Christian School Student Allegedly Killed Teacher, A Student And Shot 6 Others Before Killing Self, Handgun Recovered

15-year-old Rupnow, was identified in multiple social media posts as the alleged female student shooter who while armed with a 9mm handgun went into the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison and fatally shot a teacher and a student, and shot 6 others before killing herself. 

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 16, 2024

Madison, Wisconsin - On Monday, a 15-year-old Natalie Lynn Rupnow, online name used as Samantha Rupnow, aka, "Sam", a female student before 11:00 a.m., allegedly went into the Abundant Life Christian School (K-12), 4901 E. Buckeye Road with a 9mm handgun and fatally shot, Erin Michelle West, 42, of Deforest, a substitute teacher and 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara of Madison, a student, she also shot 6 others, which suffered mild injuries to life-threatening injuries, Madison police reported. Rupnow was identified as the alleged female student shooter in social media. Two handguns were recovered by police at the scene, one was used in the shootings and second wasn't fired.

Rupnow, a female allegedly wrote her 6-page manifesto and indicated certain students had made fun of her and was bullied by the worst in humanity (most likely by Trump MAGA supporter's kids at various schools she attended), according  to social media posts.

Madison police and the FBI who are involved in the Abundant Life Christian School deadly shooting investigation have confirmed, that Rupnow is the alleged student shooter.

A teacher called 911 that an active shooter was at the school.

Apparently, Rupnow is associated with a X account (formerly Twitter) @Postalbrain where a private manifesto link was posted.

Also, a X account with the name Kristallin, with the X handle, @Severd_Head posted "In remembrance of Samantha Rupnow who was driven to suicide by the worst people this world has to offer."

The two other deceased victims (teacher and student) have not been identified yet.

The private Christian school apparently had no metal detectors, according to school officials and police. Students at the Christian private school could easily walk in with a deadly weapon to commit mass murder. Unfortunately, there's no federal and state law to force public and private schools to have metal detectors at free gun zone schools to help prevent weapons from being smuggled into a school where defenseless children and teachers attend.

Federal and Madison police went to Rupnow father's residence at the 1300 block of Delaware Blvd. in Madison in search of evidence connected to the deadly school shooting. He allowed police to search the residence without a warrant.

The Abundant Life Christian School deadly shooting investigation is ongoing.

Black Owned Spanish Journal, Inc. Stopped Publishing Weekly Newspaper Print In Milwaukee After 45 Years

The Spanish Journal weekly newspaper print hasn't been published since late November 2024.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 13, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - The Black owned Spanish Journal, Inc., which has published the weekly newspaper for the last 45 years allegedly stopped publishing its weekly newspaper print in late November, according to Latino community sources. Also, members of the Latino community including other local media sources and HNNUSA noticed that the Spanish Journal newspaper print was no longer available at its distribution locations throughout the Southside of Milwaukee. 

Multiple attempts to contact Reed Welch, its Vice-President and current Editor-in-Chief of the weekly newspaper print, and Steed Welch, the President of the Spanish Journal, Inc. by Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) were unsuccessful and HNNUSA could not confirm, if the Spanish Journal weekly newspaper print will be published in the near future.

The Spanish Journal began publishing its weekly newspaper print in 1979 under the late Victor L. Welch who passed away on June 1994 at the age of 55 in Milwaukee. Welch was a well known African-American businessman who provided a weekly Spanish and bilingual newspaper print in Milwaukee that lasted for more than 4 decades. (Brief history of the Spanish Journal at link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2023/11/h-nelson-goodson-from-hnnusa-has.html)

So far, the Spanish Journal website, hasn't had a new post, since December 2023 and its Facebook page has had no new posting since last August 2024.

According to Milwaukee County court records, on October 8, 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue filed a delinquent tax warrant against the Spanish Journal, Inc. for $7,673 (judgment lien date 4/26/2024), which remains unpaid to date, according to court records.

On February 20, 2023, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue filed a delinquent tax warrant against the Spanish Journal, Inc. for $16,898.15 (judgment lien date 9/7/2022), which was paid in full, according to court records.

18-year-old Christian Brandon Martin Extradited To Wisconsin From Iowa And Booked At The Milwaukee County Jail For The Homicide Of Nelson Manuel López Correa, 15

Martin is scheduled for an initial hearing on Thursday for the homicide of López Correa in Milwaukee County.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 11, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, Christian Brandon Martin, 18, was extradited to Milwaukee from Iowa and booked at the Milwaukee County jail. Martin was wanted for the October 28, 2024 cold blooded homicide of Nelson Manuel López Correa, 15, in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Martin allegedly shot López Correa once in the side of the head (the 9mm shot entered the left temporal scalp and exited on the right temporal scalp) at the 1600 block of W. Forest Home Ave. while talking to a female that used to date Martin .

Martin was charged in Milwaukee County on November 8, 2024 with 1st-degree intentional homicide including use of a dangerous weapon. If convicted, Martin is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office released the following press release regarding Martin's arrest in Iowa on November 29th.

MEDIA RELEASE

On Friday, November 29, 2024 at approximately 11:55 pm, a Buchanan County Sheriff's Deputy observed a vehicle speeding near Main Street and Branard Street in Brandon.  Subsequently, the Deputy made a traffic stop.  During interaction with the vehicle's occupants, Deputies detected the odor of a controlled substance and obtained and ran the driver and passenger's personal information.  It was learned that one of the passengers had an active arrest warrant out of Wisconsin.  Accordingly, Sheriff's Deputies arrested Christian Brandon Martin, 18, of Milwaukee, WI.  Martin was arrested on an active arrest warrant out of Milwaukee County, WI for an original charge of first degree Intentional Homicide (class A felony).  Martin had been charged in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on Monday, October 28th in Milwaukee.  In that incident, a 15-year-old boy died as a result of the shooting.  Martin was transported to the Buchanan County Jail and held for extradition to Milwaukee.  Further charges are pending for controlled substance violations in Buchanan County related to the traffic stop.

62-year-old Kevin W. Lychwick Charged With 1st-degree Intentional Homicide For The April 2024 Death Of Carlos J. Maldonado, 56, In Waukesha

Maldonado's body was found by a passerby in a wooded area in October with a gunshot wound under leaves near Frame Park, according to Waukesha police.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 9, 2024

Waukesha, Wisconsin - On Monday, Kevin W. Lychwick, 62, of Waukesha was charged in Waukesha County with 1st-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse for the alleged April 2024 homicide of Carlos J. Maldonado, 56, of Waukesha. Maldonado's body was discovered by a passerby on October 30th under some leaves in a wooded area with a fatal gunshot wound at the 1500 block of E. North St. in the  City of Waukesha near Frame Park.

If convicted,  Lychwick is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole for 1st-degree intentional homicide and up to 12 years and 6 months, and up to $25,000 in fines, or both for hiding a corpse.

Maldonado and Lychwick lived in the same apartment complex, but don't know, if they knew each other, according to police.

Maldonado's family had reported him missing back in April. 

Police later recovered the alleged homicide weapon (firearm) and ballistics matched the bullet recovered from Maldonado's body, which had been fired from the Lychwick's firearm.

According to police, two days after Maldonado's body was discovered near Frame Park, Lychwick left the city and went to the Appleton area where he rented a storage unit. After 30 days, Lychwick returned to Waukesha and police were able to get a search warrant and found the firearm used in Maldonado's homicide.

When Maldonado went missing in April, the Waukesha County Court had issued an active arrest warrant on April 15, 2024, when Maldonado failed to show up in court to face several misdemeanor charges filed on February 7, 2024 for disorderly conduct (domestic abuse), and battery (domestic abuse), according to the Waukesha County Court records.

On May 9, 2024, the Waukesha County District Attorney's Office filed a misdemeanor charge against Maldonado for bail jumping and a second arrest warrant was issued for Maldonado on May 13, 2024, according to Waukesha County Court records.

Maldonado is originally from Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico and moved to Waukesha in 2019 and worked as an assembly operator at Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Willie L. Hines Jr. To Retirement As Secretary-Executive Director Of The Housing Authority Of The City Of Milwaukee, Effective December 31, 2024, The Mayor's Office Confirmed

Hines Jr. to retire as the Secretary-Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, the mayor's office confirmed.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 6, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, the Milwaukee mayor's office confirmed that Willie Hines Jr., 60, the Secretary-Executive Director of the Housing Authority City of Milwaukee (HACM) will retire at the end of 2024 and will get $11K per month from the City of Milwaukee pension fund.

The HACM Board of Commissioners on October 30, 2024 approved a resolution authorizing staff to finalize a contract with CVR Associates, Inc. to manage and operate HACM's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The vote helps ensure the 60-day transition period aligns with the start of the new fiscal year, according to HACM.

Previously, Hines had been accused of failing to resolve some of the issues that tenants at the HACM had complained about, such as bed bugs infestation at some of the developments that 15,000 tenants reside at, according to Common Ground, a non-profit organization that exposed most of the issues along with tenants on March 26, 2023. (http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2023/03/common-ground-group-wants-hacm-non.html)

In August 2024, 5 HACM tenants from College Court filed a lawsuit against Hines including HACM for failure to get rid of the bedbug infestation at the development. (Milwaukee County court case number 2024CV006939)

Also, a federal audit by the U.S. Department of Housing of Urban Development (HUD) found that $2.5M was unaccounted for and Hines couldn't account where the federal money was spent on.

Since 2022, Common Ground and HACM development residents have called on City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson to replace Hines, but Johnson has not listened and refused to remove Hines from the helm of the HACM. 

Also, the Milwaukee Common Council had failed to push for Hines removal including most of the HACM Board who serve as a rubber stamp for Hines.

The HACM Board of Commissioners approved Mayor Johnson's appointment of Hines on March 10, 2022 to the HACM, as secretary-executive director. Hines was a former Chair of the HACM Board (1998-2014).

Hines allegedly had plans to stay HACM until March 2025 to retire, so he could get a taxpayer pension of $137,000 per year.

HACM employees are also covered by the City of Milwaukee retirement pensions.

In early August 2024, Common Ground, a advocacy non-profit organization and HACM residents in a open letter to Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson wrote, Mr. Mayor, your friend and campaign contributor has mismanaged HACM for the last 25 years. Hines has been at the helm of HACM since 1997—as Board Chair, the #2 staff, and now the #1! From the beginning, federal officials warned that he "does not seem to possess the requisite qualifications." Under his watch:

• Federal officials found $3 million of missing money and our social security cards piled in hallways, resulting in a forensic audit.

• HACM was forced to outsource its largest program, Section 8 rent assistance—the program he was responsible for as Associate Director 2015-2022.

• Federal officials gave HACM a score of zero out of 25 for "Financial Management." 

• Properties have enormous crime rates with thousands of police calls. 

• We residents have suffered emotionally and physically for years.

Despite these problems, the HACM Board has never conducted a Performance Review of Hines' work. In fact, his incompetence has been rewarded. He has gotten promotions, received raises, and is now paid $252,000/year, which is $82,000 more than Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson's salary. 

College Court tenants Class Action lawsuit (PDF) at link: https://tinyurl.com/y52xavah

Dr. Anthony Cruz, President of MATC Spoke About The New 5-year Strategic Plan For The Technical College At The UMOS Interfath Luncheon In Milwaukee

Dr. Cruz, President of MATC made a presentation about the new 5-year strategic plan for the technical college at the UMOS Interfath Luncheon in Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 3, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Dr. Anthony Cruz, President  of the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) gave presentation of the new 5-year strategic plan for the technical college. Dr. Cruz mentioned multiple strategic points of interest to help develop a plan for the next 5 years, which will guide the future direction of the technical college and invited those attending the United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) Interfath Luncheon to participate in multiple roundtable focused groups by sharing their perspectives as Latino community stakeholders at MATC.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) was able to ask Dr. Cruz after his presentation, if the new 5 year strategic plan would include an internal independent investigation to address multiple allegations made by multiple MATC Latino/a instructors, a counselor and former students including a student at the October 22, 2024 MATC Board meeting exposing that a hostile work environment existed at the technical college and certain team administrators were practicing retaliation against those filing legitimate complaints, including harassment, discrimination and lack of promotion opportunities from part-time to full-time instructors for Latinos and Blacks at MATC? Also, why was MATC hiring and assigning a non-bilingual instructor to teach a bilingual Economics course, while publicly advertising it as a bilingual course? (Video of testimony to the MATC District Board at: https://youtu.be/Lm_ImpZGXn4)

Dr. Cruz did not answer or commented in regards to the HNNUSA questions at the UMOS luncheon.

During his presentation, Dr. Cruz did mention that MATC was looking for additional bilingual and qualified instructors.

Also, José Martínez, the President and CEO of UMOS, provided the welcoming and closing remarks including allowing audience comments at the luncheon.

In history: The MATC Times 360 dot com reported in 2015, that in the fall of 1988, the first bilingual help for Hispanic adults at MATC started. In 1990 the office was established to primarily work with ELL students including Spanish-speaking and South Asian students. The Latino community in Milwaukee and the United Migrant Opportunity Services were also instrumental in advocating for the bilingual programs at MATC. In 1968, the federal government help fund the creation of the bilingual programs throughout the nation gaining support by Latino majority communities.

Editor's note: H. Nelson Goodson, is a Milwaukee Southsider and a Civil Rights and Immigrant Rights advocate and a reporter/journalist for more than 40 years in Milwaukee including Wisconsin.