Mexican Fiesta Office To Move After Festival Ends

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 21, 2009

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

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

Por H. Nelson Goodson
21 de agosto de 2009

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

Criminal Complaint Filed Against Suspect In Milwaukee, WI Mayor Beating

State of Wisconsin, Circuit Court Criminal Division, Milwaukee County



Posted by H. Nelson Goodson
August 20, 2009

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

Click On The Following Five Photos To Enlarge:

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

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

Por H. Nelson Goodson
20 de agosto de 2009

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

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

Mother Of Suspect Wished, Mayor Barrett Hadn’t Intervene

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

By H. Nelson Goodson
Updated: August 20, 2009

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

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

Milwaukee Mayor Beaten With Pipe

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

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

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

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

MMSD KK River Project May Never Break Ground

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

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 14, 2009

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