The Wisconsin State Senate Should Not Confirm Frostman As State DWD Secretary And PSC Commission Nominee Cameron Valcq For Lack Of Experience

The Wisconsin State Senate should not confirm both of Governor Tony Evers nominees, outgoing State Senator Caleb Frostman (D) as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and the Public Service Commission Chairperson, Rebecca Cameron Valcq.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 7, 2019

Milwaukee, WI -  The Wisconsin State Senate should reject both of Governor elect Tony Evers (D) nominees to cabinet posts, outgoing State Senator Caleb Frostman (D) as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairperson, Rebecca Cameron Valcq due to lack of experience. Frostman was the executive director of the Door County Economic Development Corporation in Northern Wisconsin. He actually has no direct nor relevant workforce development experience. Frostman can claim that he has knowledge of economic development and basic workforce development issues in Northern Wisconsin; but he lacks the advanced knowledge and experience needed to tackle the complex issues affecting the State of Wisconsin in this area. He won a special election to fill a vacant seat in the 1st State Senate District and lost to Republican State Senate candidate Andre Jacque of De Pere. Evers nomination strongly looks like a political payoff to someone who does not have a job, but worked in the Evers campaign!
Will Governor Evers repeat former Republican Governor Scott Walker's mistakes? As Walker found out the hard way, the position of Secretary of the DWD is essentially a technical position, not a political one and future governors would do well in keeping this in mind in order to succeed in job development. Governor Evers seems to be following in the same steps that cost Walker his job. Walker's biggest mistake was to accepted Secretary Manuel "Manny" Perez resignation in 2011. Former DWD Secretary Perez brought 30 years of experience in the field to the DWD agency, Doctoral Studies in Labor Economics, community oriented experience and earned the respect within statewide local communities. After DWD Secretary Perez left, neither Walker's appointees to the DWD, Scott Baumbach, Reggie Newson, nor Ray Allen demonstrated they could do the job at the same or higher level as Perez. The result was that under former Secretary Perez, the Workforce Development system in Wisconsin placed 24,000 workers in 4 months, than the combined effort by the three secretaries that Walker appointed to replace Perez, which did not help Walker reach his promise to create 250,000 jobs in his first term of office. In fact, Walker's acceptance of Secretary Perez resignation not only sealed his fate in terms of reaching his employment goals, but also placed the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) in emergency mode while reorganizing, since WEDC came under extreme pressure to create jobs in 2011-2013, and it lowered Walker's chances of winning the presidential primary in 2017. The former Walker's WEDC has also failed Wisconsin taxpayers and turned into a corporate welfare economic bailout without accountability and not assuring that funds should be reimbursed. The WEDC should be disolved and reinvented.

Former DWD Secretaries,  Baumbach, Newson and Allen discovered the hard way, the immense complexity of the issues that exist at DWD and overall labor market. 

By accepting Perez resignation, Walker also lost the Hispanic vote because Perez is not only knowledgeable in work development, but also sensitive to community issues, including immigration issues affecting the farm and dairy industry.  

Governor Evers should not make the same mistakes as Walker by appointing political people to technical positions. The DWD is not a position where a person has time to learn on the job, the appointee must be able to perform at an extreme high level on the first day and every day. The appointee should have direct, advanced, and relevant knowledge and experience for the department.

The same thing with Attorney Rebecca Cameron Valcq being appointed to the PSC. What experience in energy matters does she have? Good question. What level of knowledge and experience does she have related to the problems that occur in our low income communities related to energy? What is her actual experience and knowledge in relation to energy and economic development? 

Cameron Valcq can be congratulated for her achievement and success in having an education, but that is hardly enough to be a member of the PSC where decisions will be made that affect millions of people. This is the same political payoff that Walker did for Michael Huesbch and the PSC Chair Ellen Novak. In fact, the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate should consider dissolving it and recreate the PSC, which should include specific requirements pertaining knowledge and experience of the members appointed the Commission be formulated either by law or via administrative rules. The PSC has three commission members and its Chair position was elevated to a cabinet post by a former Democratic governor, but it is simply symbolic, which the chair is appointed full time every two years compared to a Secretary of an agency status position, which is a four year appointment.
According to a Facebook (FB) post on Saturday discussing the lack of qualified Latinos being nominated to a Secretary of a state agency, the comment thread by a FB user says, Cameron Valcq while being "on a panel at a Latina women's forum sponsored by American Family Insurance. She expressed her dislike for affirmative action, and encouraged Latina young women and girls to not list their race on their college application so if they got into college, they know it was because they "earned it" and not because of their race. She comes from an prominent family of Republican Latinos."

Governor Evers should not follow former Governor Walker's example of appointing incompetent people to positions. Also, the Wisconsin State Senate shouldn't let the mistakes of the past repeat themselves!

Democratic Governor Elect Tony Evers And Lt. Governor Elect Mandela Barnes Have Failed To Name A Latino To A Cabinet Post

So far, Governor Elect Evers and Lt. Governor elect Barnes have failed to support and name a single Latino as Secretary of a state agency to the incoming Evers administration cabinet, despite Wisconsin Latino voters in Milwaukee being instrumental in electing them and actually giving both a job.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 6, 2019

Madison, WI - On Monday, both Governor elect Tony Evers (D) and Lt. Governor elect Mandela Barnes (D) will be sworn-in to the executive office in Madison and the inaugural festivities will follow, but as of yet, no Latino has been named as Secretary of a state agency, which is an important cabinet position in the Evers incoming administration. Those individuals that Evers has named for cabinet positions so far, will be subject for the Republican control State Senate approval.

Evers has definitely failed to name a Latino to his cabinet and his Transition Team (TT) has also failed to select a diverse cabinet in the Evers incoming administration. The Evers TT personnel section members include two Latinos, Darryl Morin, a former Republican who decided to become an Independent while he unsuccessfully  campaigned for the National LULAC presidential position in the Summer and Griselda Aldrete, the President and CEO of the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee. It's unfortunate, that the entire TT personnel team was unable to recommended a single Latino to a cabinet position, which many Latino community orientated professionals who are highly educated do exist in Wisconsin including Milwaukee that work tirelessly as stakeholders to bring about change, inclusion, development and prosperity in their communities. 

We need a Latino or Latina in the Evers cabinet that is community oriented and not a token who sells out for a good paying job and is a career seeker for personal gain instead of actually making a difference in state government.

Latino voters in Milwaukee and throughout the state were instrumental in getting both, Evers and Barnes a job (elected) and should come together as a united community to demand and push for Evers to name a Latino to an important cabinet post.

At least outgoing Republican Governor Scott Walker appointed a prominent and well respected Latino, Manuel "Manny" Perez as Secretary to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, which was short lived and Walker was later ousted from office in the November election by the Latino community for being anti-immigrant, for supporting Trump's revocation of citizenship for U.S. born children of undocumented parents while running for president, refusing to support driver licenses for the undocumented and continued support for Trump's anti-immigrant policies. 

Former DWD Secretary Perez who became the first Hispanic to hold a cabinet position in Wisconsin during a Republican administration continues to be a pro-immigration reform advocate, promotes job development in the industry and has publicly criticized Trump's anti-immigration policies.

Sudan Solidarity Protest In Milwaukee Against Government Use Of Tear Gas And Gunfire Killing Children

Protests taking place in Milwaukee, Kartoum, Atbara and other cities.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 4, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - On Friday, a Sudan Solidarity Protest was held in downtown Milwaukee against the Sudan government dictatorship, which has used tear gas and gunfire to kill children and multiple civilians. Dozens of protesters and children in Milwaukee chanted to stop the killing by the Sudan government.

Sudan is currently facing an exponential decline in the economic status, no healthcare for the population, rising costs (current inflation is 70%), the corrupt dictadorship of Omar Al Basheer and the declining of public education, according to protest organizers.

Milwaukee Police Confirmed That It's Still Inconclusive Of Who Was Driving NYE When A Vehicle Plunged Into The KK River Resulting In Three Deaths

Three drowned victims were recovered from the Kinnickinnic River after their vehicle plunged into the river on NYE while being chased by Milwaukee police.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 4, 2019

Milwaukee, WI -  On Friday, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales during an event at the Milwaukee City Hall confirmed that it's still inconclusive to determine who was driving on NYE when a Chevy trailblazer (SUV) sought in connection with several armed robberies in the Southside plunged into the river. Chief Morales says that his officers chasing the SUV couldn't determine who was actually driving and the investigation is still ongoing. The Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating the deadly incident.

The Milwaukee County Examiner's Office (ME) says that the male suspect wanted in connection with several armed robberies was the driver, but the ME hasn't release any information how they came into the conclusion that Charles Barefield, 29, the deceased suspect was driving. In earlier reports, it was believed that Shannan Nehmer, 19, a second deceased suspect was driving, since her body was the first to be recovered by a rescue diver during NYE. At the time, police couldn't determine, if other individuals were in the vehicle when it went into the river. It was until the next day on January 1, 2019, the vehicle that lost control and plunged into the Kinnickinnic River (KK) was recovered, police discovered the bodies of Barefield and Anna Melia Hernandez, 2, which were inside the vehicle when it was recovered from the river. Nehmer was also pregnant by her boyfriend at the time of her death. The ME determined that the three deceased victims had died from drowning in the 32 degree cold water about 30 feet under in the KK river.

The deceased victims were involved in a police chase gone wrong and lost control of the SUV on Eastbound W. Greenfield Ave. and plunged into the KK river, according to Milwaukee police. 

Milwaukee police reported, that Nehmer, Farefield and Hernandez were in the vehicle that had been sought in connection with two armed robberies where the victims were assaulted by the suspects near S. 14th Street and W. Greenfield Ave., and near S. 23rd Street and W. Lapham Blvd. A couple was assaulted by Nehmer and a male suspect. Nehmer apparently beat and kicked the head of a female victim before fleeing the area after a witness saw the assault and chased the suspects with a machete. One of the suspects who was armed with a semiautomatic handgun fired shots at the witness, but no one was reported injured by gunfire.

In the first armed robbery report, Farefield and another male suspect attempted to rob a man near a vehicle while he was doing some maintenance work and was assaulted. One of the suspects struck the victim in the face.

Police spotted the SUV wanted in connection with the armed robberies and attempted to pull over the vehicle. The driver failed to pull over around 8:30 p.m. on Monday and fled from police reaching between 80 to 100 mph. The police chase ended when the driver lost control and plunged into the KK river. Nehmer's body was recovered on New Year's Eve and the bodies of Farefield and Hernandez were then discovered inside the vehicle when the vehicle was recovered from the river after 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, according to police.

A second male suspect was not in the vehicle when it plunged into the river, but was arrested in connection with the two armed robberies as well and criminal charges are pending, police reported.

Hernandez was also reported missing by relatives on Tuesday until it was later discovered that her body was recovered from the vehicle after it was taken out of the KK river.

Three Latino Candidates For The Waukegan District 60 School Board Will Remain On The Ballot, Lake County Electoral Board Ruled

Three of four candidates for the Waukegan District 60 Public School Board remain on the April 2019 ballot, according to the Lake County Electoral Board.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 2, 2019

Waukegan, Illinois - On Wednesday, the Lake County Electoral Board (LCEB) after a four day hearing ruled that three of four Waukegan District 60 Public School Board candidates, Tania Flores, Juan Martinez and Miguel Rivera will remain on the April 2019 ballot and Margaret Carrasco who was also a candidate decided to withdraw her candidacy because she is also a candidate of Alderwoman for the Waukegan City Council. According to state law, no candidate can run in both a City Council position and in the Waukegan Public School Board at the same time.

Waukegan District 60 Public School Board candidate Alonzo Jenkins apparently called the four Latino candidates on Christmas Eve, according to Carrasco and told them to withdraw from the race or face a challenge of their candidacy due some minor irregularities when filling and filing their nomination papers. 

Flores was accused by Jenkins of not filling a statement of candidacy correctly  as required by state law in Illinois, but the LCEB found that Flores statement of candidacy was in compliance because it was turned in on time and the information in question was also included in other documents in the filing for candidacy.

Jenkins had similar challenges against Juan Martinez and Miguel Rivera. Rivera was appointed to the Waukegan District 60 Public School Board in March 2016.

Jenkins also faced a candidacy challenge by the Latino candidates, but will remain on the ballot.

 Jenkins is a Waukegan City employee and is related to Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham.

Shannan Nehmer Along With Her 2-year-old Daughter And Boyfriend Recovered From KK River After Milwaukee Police Car Chase Gone Wrong On NYE

Three victims identified who were recovered from the Kinnickinnic River after their vehicle plunged into the river on NYE while being chased by Milwaukee police.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 2, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - The three victims who were recovered from the Kinnickinnic River (KK) in the last two days have been identified as Charles Barefield, 29; Shannan Nehmer, 19, and her 2-year-old daughter Anna Melia. Nehmer was also pregnant at the time of her death by her boyfriend, according to a relative. The victims were involved in a police chase reaching speeds between 80-100 mph and Nehmer who was driving lost control on Eastbound W. Greenfield Ave. and plunged into the KK river, according to Milwaukee police. 

The Milwaukee Medical Examiner is scheduled to perform autopsies on the victims on Wednesday.

According to Milwaukee police, Nehmer had been driving in the Southside of Milwaukee with Barefield and Anna Melia as passengers in a vehicle that had been sought in connection with two armed robberies reported near S. 14th Street and W. Greenfield Ave., where Nehmer, Barefield and another male suspect stole a cellphone and beat a victim in the head before fleeing and near S. 23rd Street and W. Lapham Blvd, where Barefield and the other suspect held up two male victims and demanded valuables. A nearby witness saw the armed robbery and took out a machete to scare the suspects, the two suspect fled and the man with the machete chased them, but one of the suspects fired at the witness with the machete and missed. No one was injured by gunfire.
The third unidentified suspect separated from Nehmer and Barefield, but was later arrested by police.
Police later spotted the vehicle and attempted to pull over the vehicle. Nehmer failed to pull over around 8:30 p.m. on Monday and fled from police. The police chase ended when Nehmer lost control and plunged into the KK river. Nehmer's body was recovered on New Year's Eve and the bodies of Barefield and Anna Amelia were then discovered inside the vehicle when the vehicle was recovered from the river after 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, according to police.
A handgun used in both robberies was recovered from the Chevy Trailblazer that was recovered from 30 feet of water, according to police.

Anna Melia Hernandez was reported missing by relatives on Tuesday until it was later discovered that her body was recovered from the vehicle after it was taken out of the KK river.

Four Latinos To Serve In The Wisconsin State Assembly Legislature In 2019

Wisconsin has gained at least four Latino State Representatives in the State Assembly for 2019, while no Latinos have been elected to the State Senate.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 28, 2018

Madison, WI - In January 2019 when elected state legislators get sworn in to take office, there will be three Latino State Assembly Democrats and one Republican in the Assembly. The Latino descent State Assembly Representatives are JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee), Marisabel Cabrera (D-Milwaukee), Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg) and Yesenia Eldermira Rodriguez "Jessie" Rodriguez (R-Franklin). There are no Latinos elected to the State Senate.

In February 2018, the joint Black and Latino Caucus was created for Latino and Black state legislators, but with the increase of Latinos in the State legislature,  expectations have risen that two separate Caucuses could be a benefit for both the Black and Latino legislators in the Assembly and Senate to increase empowerment as well as having representation at national Latino Caucus conventions.

State Representative Rodriguez has not taken the initiative to join the Black and Latino Caucus to date. But, Rodriguez has faced ridicule by a fellow male Republican that identified her as a Latina who he wouldn't have or share a drink with during a gathering. Rodriguez when she was first elected to the State Assembly made it clear, that she was not elected solely as a Latina and on several occasions did not support a proposed bill by Representative Zamarripa for an optional Cesar E. Chavez holiday for state employees. 

Rodriguez who was re-elected in November 2018 has also voted and supported anti-immigrant bills along Republican party lines. Rodriguez was outed by Zamarripa during a debate in the Assembly in March 2016 as being an undocumented immigrant when she entered the U.S. illegally with her parents as a child fleeing from El Salvador. Rodriguez later became legalized in the U.S.