Category Archives: Milwaukee County

MUST WATCH TV!! Grin and Barrett, The Debate Mayor Barrett Does Not Want You To See!

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MUST WATCH TV!!

Grin and Barrett, The Debate Mayor Barrett Does Not Want You To See!

Congressman Tom Barrett attacks Milwaukee in debate with acting Mayor Pratt.

Yes we found some rather interesting video the Barrett camp does not want you to see but we got it!

Barrett, All Around the State the Same Song!

 

MATA Community Media

Tom Barrett VS Marvin Pratt – Milwaukee Mayoral Debate 2004

http://blip.tv/MATAMCM/tom-barrett-vs-marvin-pratt-milwaukee-mayoral-debate-2004-5950961

http://www.milwaukeecommunitymedia.com/2012/02/22/the-milwaukee-mayoral-debate-2004-marvin-pratt-vs-tom-barrett/

After losing his seat as a US Congressman, Tom Barrett faces then incumbent Marvin Pratt in a debate for Mayor of Milwaukee.

Run Date: March 20, 2004

Run Time: 27:33

In this 2004 meeting between Mayor Marvin Pratt and Congressman Tom Barrett you will find some similar themes, some potential integrity complaints, war on women, and some outright nonsense from the congressman as he laid it on thick to become mayor.

I know people don’t have time to watch the entire 25 minute video so I took the liberty of pointing out important highlights for you.

7:10 Barrett’s Focus

Then Congressman Barrett points out the loss of manufacturing jobs in Milwaukee, Crime, and Integrity in government.

Fast forward to 2012 and you will find we are still focusing on lost manufacturing jobs, crime, and integrity in government. In 2004, Milwaukee had the 3rd highest dropout rate and largest educational gap in the nation. Funny we are worse off nine years into his mayorship than in 2004.

Barrett attacked Pratt on these things saying Pratt protected the status quo. Barrett has not made a dent in any of these issues! He did in fact protect the status quo during his terms as Mayor of Milwaukee. On top of protecting the status quo, Barrett said he would make the City of Milwaukee more accessible to its citizens. The only accessibility I see has been with absentee voting for this 2012 recall election. Funny how all city agencies were closed except for the voting polls on Memorial Day.

As far as integrity we have crime numbers that are false, a police chief battling his own ethics and conduct, a emergency response system that does not work, parking checkers on the loose writing bogus tickets, towing cars and impounding them to make quotas, no-bid contracts to friends of Barrett costing the city millions in overbidding and not recouping monies we could be getting in submitting metals and scraps. There is also a question as to whether those contracts are cutting out minority business because they were not bid on as required by law. There are growing reports of police profiling in certain parts of the city and unspeakable brutality of minorities especially. Now we find that a hotel we sold land to for $1 was worth 2.5 million. This hotel is now two payments behind in their loan. Guess who will be picking up that tab?!

At 12:00, The topic of division comes up. Sound familiar? Well it should. This Mayor seems to show a clear pattern of divide and conquer himself. Barrett and his minions divided the city racially in 2004, attacking Pratt on everything from late WE Energy Payments to being incompetent. Fast forward to 2012, here we go again with the Democratic version of divide and conquer as Barrett takes his talents of destruction statewide! From keeping Milwaukee racially divided to making Wisconsin ground zero for political grandstanding. He is no stranger to tearing down and not to big on the rebuilding trust or civility business. Milwaukee has remained #1 in segregation under this mayor and all those promises he made to restore “civility” in 2004, did he ever? No he did not! Now we are to trust he can heal the state? Well if Milwaukee was healed from his 2004 divide and conquer strategy, Wisconsin will certainly never be whole again! He never reached out to Mayor Pratt to implement existing programs and ideas for making Milwaukee a less segregated city. He did absolutely nothing about segregation and again if I may, silence is complacency. I am tired of the left excuse of “well Milwaukee has always been this way.” As if that is an acceptable answer to how we live in this city. That is racism as well! What that response tells me is that white Milwaukee could care less about segregation and they are as complacent about it as Mayor Barrett.

Where is the task force on segregation? Where is the healing in the hood? Cease Fire Sabbath is a safety net for Barrett because he wants us to do the leg work but take the credit for it. You get out in these streets and you do something about the crime in the city. Stop cooking crime stats and start talking to these young people out here and find out what they have to say. Spend some time with Urban Underground, the Peace for Change Alliance, or the groups who work successfully with these youth to offer them some hope. How about supporting Black Enterprise and shop Black, ride our busses or be seen somewhere other than in the safety of the Black church?

At 14:40 Economic Development is the topic. Barrett says he is a salesperson and he knows how to sell Milwaukee! Sorry I had to laugh; he could not get Kohl’s or any other business in here. He lost major conventions to other cities and is having a tough time trying to bully his 2 mile trolley into the city. A trolley that many reports say could further segregate the city. He says Milwaukee is “Open for Business” (sound familiar, did Walker steal this?) and that Milwaukee is the “most livable city in the country.” Really now? Again is that using your crime stats or the FBI’s? Not much of a selling point when you also consider our educational system is in a state of emergency, that little segregation problem, and the urban blight lining the city upon entering it. There is massive black flight out of this city. MPS and all schools citywide are reporting sharp drops in minority attendance which is solid proof that we are loosing families at a rapid pace. Not to mention Mayor Barrett your wife does not even want to teach in the MPS system and you put your own kids in private school. How can you sell our education and services if you yourself don’t even use the product?

At 17:40 Pratt Finally Fights Back! He challenges the congressman about vilifying Milwaukee through statistics and horror stories about how bad Milwaukee was in 2004. BUT he would call on people to invest in the city. Now ain’t that calling the kettle black? Did he not use this same tactic against Walker but when convenient he used it too! HYPOCRITE! If we remember the Journal Sentinel was not a friend to Marvin Pratt at all and gave Barrett a pass on most everything. Although he had no plans, programs, budgets to offer, just empty words. He was also challenged on ethics on his fundraising because he told many donors and Mayor Pratt on four different occasions he was set on being the governor and raising money for that alone.

17:20 Barrett admits Milwaukee was his second choice. He did not really want to be mayor, but if it was between becoming irrelevant and being mayor, he would choose mayor. So from the start we were a step child for Barrett, a second choice, a place to settle until he could become governor. However we allowed this and we have been an abused victim of his hatred of having to settle for option two ever since!

19:00 Pratt cites specific plans and budgets and Barrett offers nothing specific. This has been his strategy in the recalls too. Stick and move, jab and duck. No one has called upon him to submit a budget, a plan, a specific, detailed map of where he wants to take Wisconsin. It has been almost two months and no one challenges him on this. Walker in your next debate you must harp on this. Are we going to let him become governor with no agenda other than “I am not Scott Walker.”

20:00 “You don’t seem like your from Milwaukee!” Barrett makes this claim but never defended us. Exactly how are Milwaukeeans supposed to act and why did he not defend the city he was trying to sell? Seems to me he was more apologetic then a proponent of this city.

21:30 Incarceration and Segregation Fleshed Out. In Milwaukee, kids with incarcerated parents were 70% more likely to become residents of the justice system and 40% more likely to drop out of school. Barrett had no plan or answer to this subject. Meanwhile Pratt points out specific meetings with other cities and cites his programs that are still operating now (Kings of Success and 100 Black Men). We can see a clear pattern of having no vision and the burden on our community from being led by the clueless. Again no task force, no work with Chief Flynn or Sheriff Clarke to curb this trend which is no longer a trend anymore, it is reality for our youth in Milwaukee.

24:00 Barrett Attacks MPS and the fact that at that time we had six superintendants within nine years. Most of these people were run out of town by the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association. This was the time to put an end to their union tyranny. Dr. Fuller and Dr. Korte were nationally heralded education reformers with proven success, but when it came to tackling the MTEA they did not stand a chance. Barrett did nothing to support those superintendants and he is M.I.A. now since MPS backed him off from taking over the system. He showed no courage, fire, or passion when it came to standing up to the silliness of MPS. Again addressing integrity, when board members where going on vacations and running up tabs he did nothing, did not call on them to resign, or asked MPS or the School Board to do something about this abuse of education money. He said nothing about Bradley Tech spending thousands on a pool it did not have and many other MPS abuses. He looked the other way and said very little.

24:30 again admits Milwaukee was not his first choice for employment.

I encourage you all to watch the entire presentation and make your own judgments. You will find that this mayor is not a visionary and had no plans in 2004. He certainly does not have any for 2012 or beyond especially statewide.

What I did see is that this person wanted to be governor for a long time now and he did not care how he got there and what he did until he was governor. Sorry I cannot unleash him on the state in good conscious. My kids deserve better and as a gift from Milwaukee to the rest of the state it would be best to keep him contained here as you do not want the same blight to come to your neck of the woods.  

Black Milwaukee you may want to pay extra attention to the crime and education conversation or lack thereof from then Congressman Barrett. Can you say you are in a better place with nine years of his leadership? This video reveals a lot because it shows he has not evolved or changed his message.

Peace Family,

WW

 

SDC: Scandal, Deception, Chaos plagues the Social Development Commission.

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SDC:  Scandal, Deception, Chaos plagues the Social Development Commission.

Taking a closer look at the largest poverty resource agency in Wisconsin and their accountability in Milwaukee.

SDC, The Social Development Commission has come under fire lately for some of its practices, spending, and accountability.

Suppose I were to tell you Governor Scott Walker used and flew in the most expensive consultants from Michigan, treated his staff to aromatherapy, lavish parties with expensive menus and party frills, provided dental and mental health evaluations for administration and his staffers, okayed first-class flights for incoming consultants, and despite having qualified staff, used outside contractors costing the state $633,999 you would be outraged! Recall would be eminent.

This is exactly what is going down at SDC right now.

The Journal Sentinel too has reported on some unsettling discrepancies within SDC. One example being that $20,000 was spent training the board on new policy governance which the board untimely did not use because the policy change gave the CEO way too much power with little oversight. $20,000 up in smoke! Imagine if a government official did this. There would be outrage and recalls and heads would roll. But SDC kept on moving with very little mention of this waste. Money that could have been used for the poor, money desperately needed in these tough economic times. Debacles like this are of the utmost importance to us especially in the Black community because we depend on these services heavily to help make ends meet or to survive at all. With the Black unemployment rate being so high in Milwaukee, the services that SDC provide are critical to inner city families, single parent homes, and the elderly.

Some of the assistance SDC provides are Head Start, service to the elderly, energy assistance, tax preparation services, Wisconsin Works, Ways to Work, and the W-2 emergency assistance to families to list a few. Some of their programs have been suspended or ended because of financial issues or in the case of Ways to Work, too many delinquent accounts caused the program to collapse. They service a good number of people who desperately need these resources to stay alive literally. They also have other programs designed to strengthen the family, assist those who need help for addiction education, and sponsorship of programming for the community by the community.

Money is scarce and to waste thousands to hundreds of thousands is unconscionable.

SDC has come under fire because of their accountability, releasing an internal audit showing many flaws in the agency’s bookkeeping and accounting specifically. Some issues are being corrected like filing for charitable non-profit status, others still await attention. These flaws directly impact the monies available to the poor, keep possible donors from giving to the organization, and question the group’s commitment and intergrity to the community the agency claims to serve religiously.

SDC’s CEO, Deborah Blanks defends the agency’s practices and activities. She oversees $54 million dollars of SDC’s budget. Her current salary is $144,000. That is quite a hefty salary for an anti-poverty agency CEO. Some board members including Fred Royal Jr. (and remember that name), defend Blanks and SDC’s actions and believe this is a media attack, but is he right? Not in the least bit!! It is called accountability and caring about the very community we see as needing protection from predators that see agencies like SDC as stomping grounds for their cavalier lifestyles. No Mr. Royal Jr. this is not an attack, this is called protecting our fellow neighbor in need.

Using the same analogy with Governor Walker in the opening, we in the Black community would have been outraged! To know that a poverty agency tasked to help a sadly growing number of poor in Milwaukee seeing fit to spend money without caution or best practices is even worse. It is almost criminal. Our lack of outrage is also very upsetting to me. Reading the Milwaukee Community Journal the other day, the “Question of the Day” responses had no problems with the revelations of the SDC. I personally was sickened by it. Sometimes I think we forget about others and as long as we have been helped, who cares? We need to care! We can no longer live by the code that “I got mine, better get yours” mentality. People made fun of those lined up last week in preparation for the WE Energy moratorium lift but why is that funny? Regardless of our judgment of those people, they still needed assistance. Families needed energy and electricity and so we should laugh at their plight not truly knowing what their plight may be? This is what I saw constantly in the last weeks posted in social media chat rooms and networks, judgment and laughter. When one thinks of it, we may never know when that person we laugh at may be one of us.

Promise and Hope

Courageously some of the SDC board members have spoken out against the waste and lack of good oversight in SDC programming. They think it could run more efficiently and provide better service to more of the poor if the SDC would get its act together. They are actively seeking resolution to the issues facing the organization. Just by their courage to voice their concerns, change is eminent I pray.

SDC is no stranger to controversial spending and unfair practices. For example some summers ago during a scorching hot heat wave, SDC board members gave away air conditioners to family and friends instead of the elderly it was supposed to give them to. Some of these elderly people died in that heat wave. SDC was slapped on the hand but no one saw jail time. In fact one of those who did this went on to be honored as a community hero. I won’t name the person since they have left this earth and cannot defend themselves.  Another board member who did this is still in public service and was never reprimanded for her role in this scheme. Those who remember this horrific episode know exactly who I am referring to. It has been over a decade now and this board is not that same board. However with the board at odds with SDC practices, one wonders how SDC can serve the poor until it cleans its fiscal house? Blanks, who has held this position an adequate amount of time, allowed for these issues to fester causing possible loss of funding. She oversaw the hiring of someone unqualified by SDC standards to manage a program minus a degree the position required, and bends the rules as she sees fit.  Exactly how long do we continue to let her and those who agree with her to manage $54 million dollars if they have proven they are not good stewards of the poor and defenseless? Maybe SDC needs to clean house altogether.

Where SDC is at Now

As it stands SDC stands to loose its funding for Head Start and will have to bid on the program. This program serves over 3000 children and was designed to help little ones reach their maximum potential. The end result is to have these children at the same learning potential as their counterparts that we find are already at or above national kindergarten standard abilities. These kids need Head Start and without it or some type of programming similar to it will face a terrible uphill climb alone.

As an aside even President Obama is working to fix Head Start as many educators and experts in early learning education have reported that Head Start has become an outdated and an ineffective program that needs major reworking. President Obama has assigned a task force and finances to help the Federal program retool its curriculum and revise its outcomes-based goals to once again better meet the needs of those in the program. Locally many area daycares and childcare centers are no longer using the Head Start Program because of the inadequacy of the curriculum and are now using alternative educational methods that have shown aggressive and proven results preparing young ones to compete and excel at a much higher level once they reach school age.

Back to SDC

SDC’s board is comprised of 18 members, 6 members from community agencies, 6 members from the community at large, and 6 members holding public office. Two member positions remain vacant at present. For board member information see the inserted link:

http://www.cr-sdc.org/About/BoardofCommissioners.htm

The Executive Team:

http://www.cr-sdc.org/About/ExecutiveTeam.htm

Some board members say SDC would be more efficient if it was accountable and transparent in its business practices. It needs to hold program directors accountable to acceptable standards, and spend wisely. As we all know given this economy, agencies like SDC are overwhelmed with the number of those in need. They are the first responders for poverty assistance and need to take this position with more seriousness now more than ever before.

Family we need to be the advocates for the poor always. What is going on at SDC needs to be addressed immediately and vigorously. The poor in our community depend on us to be their voice as they find ways to stay above water. This means contacting SDC and being vigilant about SDC’s progress in dealing with their accountability issues. No more first class flights or aromatherapy, this is money better spent helping more people find resources to make ends meet. As it is often said silence is compliance. Let us voice loudly our concern for the poor and helpless. Let us make SDC a more reliable source in the fight against poverty and show compassion in its work.

For more about SDC and contact information lease visit the link below.

http://www.cr-sdc.org/index.htm

Peace Family,

WW

Breaking News: Milwaukee County Campaigns Get Nasty!

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Image

Breaking News: Milwaukee County Campaigns Get Nasty!

Jose Perez Campaign Uses the “N” word!

Felix Questell of the Jose Perez campaign team uses the “N” word to go toe to toe with constituents.

Taken from our friend Robert Miranda:

Mr. Perez says that “his campaign supporters are being “goaded” into saying things they should not be saying, is truly a statement beyond words. Really the “N” word had to be used? Give me a break!

Mr. Perez is running against Jim Witokowiak, I don’t think I need to say more. You know what to do!

In other plotting we find Peggy Romo West and Marina Dimitrijevic discussing how to control media and the Hispanic vote.

From Latinos United for Political Action (LUPA) released the following communications:

“Re: Fw: question
Peggy West to: Marina Dimitrijevic 05/05/2011 11:07 AM Cc: “Harold Mester”

Wow, he is really not letting this go…Harold, what do you think? Should we continue to engage him or do you have any other strategies to get us over this whole conversation?

Peggy A. West
Milwaukee County Board, 2nd Vice Chairwoman Milwaukee County Supervisor, District 12
(414) 278-4269
(414) 223-1380 fax
pwest@milwcnty.com”

Also from Ms. West:

This is an email from Peggy West to Harold Mester, Public Information Manager Milwaukee County, when we were trying to get more representation for our community on the county board. This is what

Peggy West wrote.

“Hey Harold,

I know we are giving this guy way too much time but his comments suggest that Latino’s need …”more representation”? Having a 2nd Hispanic majority district does not ensure a Latino will be elected . Marina has never had a Latino opponent and she has the “Hispanic Influence District” at the same time with Supervisor Lipscomb’s district being majority AA, Alderman Roberto Puentes’ district also being majority AA, and finally my friend Alderman Julio Maldonado of GREENFIELD, they all were able to win their seats? Furthermore, the State Assembly has never made this area a “Hispanic Majority” yet the last two people to hold that seat (one for 10 years) are both Hispanic…and just to drive the point home both the “Hispanic Majority” and “Hispanic Influence” districts are both represented on the Common Council by Anglos who have both run and won against Latinos…so does it seem like it matters?

I am afraid I don’t understand his point and would kind of like him to clarify.”

Finally in District 18 Alexander and Corder

The race took a turn for the worst when allegedly Corder canvassers where seen removing Alexander literature and possibly signs. Corder denies these allegations and the Milwaukee Police Department and Election Commission are now reviewing evidence and reports of the offenses. When questioning these allegations I was met with campaign workers who are working on this campaign. Needless to say it was nothing they wanted to hear. However these things need to be reported and I will point out that until further investigations, the acts are alleged despite reports to me and others of what was going down. On top of the alleged acts, soon thereafter a very left wing writer, pens a silly series of accusations about Ms. Alexander and even ties her to Walker and the Koch brothers, despite Ms. Alexander saying she did not vote for Walker and is a County employee (hint, hint) while Ms. Corder is listed as “unemployed” in open financial records. Seems like someone is on the payroll over on that left wing blogging site. Certainly truth is not a part of their mission.

Some people are desperate to get into office and are doing anything by any means to get into the county board.

Family I won’t tell you how to vote, other than the stories I submitted last week that did have endorsements by me and I stand by them. Feel free to read them at your leisure.

However all I want you to know is the truth, I want you to educate yourself. Bloggers are not always the voice of the people. I wish I could say we all stand for truth, justice and the American way, but human fallacies take hold sometimes, especially when the Walker issue is heavy on everyone’s minds. It seems to corrupt all politics even at the county level where this is supposed to be a nonpartisan branch of government. Take time to read the websites, read the literature, use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access / CCAP and vet your candidates as you would a date or babysitter. Yes get educated because some of these people running DO NOT have OUR best interest at heart. The rest is up to you!

Peace Family,

WW

Wisconsin Circuit Court Access

http://wcca.wicourts.gov/index.xsl

City of Milwaukee election Commission

http://city.milwaukee.gov/election

View Sample Ballot for Your Ward

https://vpa.wi.gov/AddressSearchScreen.aspx

Wonder Woman Speaks to the Candidates: Milwaukee County District 18

Posted by Wonder Woman on

Wonder Woman Speaks to the Candidates

 

What do you think are the main issues facing District 18?

The top issue facing District 18 is a lack of trust in government and public officials. 

Most of the district’s residents are currently represented by Supervisor John Thomas, who is vacating his seat on the county board. Residents are loosing the supervisor they are accustomed to working with since district 18 has been redrawn to absorb more area. 

I feel that residents are really calling for a supervisor that is not only qualified to represent them, but someone they can have confidence to be fair, honest, and disciplined. 

Residents also want to see an end to the bickering amongst public officials, and an actual dialogue that leads to efficient and effective changes that will make their quality of life better.  I have already reached out to every current county supervisor, the county executive, and other local leaders to start off on the right foot and begin bridging the gap to help fix what is wrong with this county and continue improving what we are doing right on the county level.

Another big issue facing the district is directly linked to economics which is a county-wide problem—the web of unemployment, burdening debt and rising costs, high taxes, diminishing county services, vacant buildings, and crime.

One resident I spoke with lost her job several months ago because she had a medical limitation that her employer refused to accommodate—what a disheartening reason to face hardship! 

Another resident I met on the campaign trail had his house burglarized three times in a matter of weeks and is frustrated, irritated, and scared that his home and his family don’t feel safe.  These issues are all interconnected and affect each other.  We can begin tackling this calamity by supporting law enforcement and public safety personnel, maintaining our assets, keeping taxes stable—if not lowering them, and doing what we can to increase the sense of community in and amongst our residents.

Including the look and feel of the Northridge Area specifically, what types of programs and projects would you propose to help make the area more competitive with the neighboring areas like Germantown and Menomonee Falls? Areas that are also competing for the same residents, workers, and economic development dollars?

It’s no secret that the entire Northridge area is an eyesore with a hodgepodge of stores and vacant buildings.  Wal-Mart on N. 76th & Brown Deer Road has announced its intent to leave the area and the nearby Target, which was built in the 1970’s, has declined to renovate or add a grocery section to match other Milwaukee area stores.  Big-box retailers like to be near other big-box retailers, so unfortunately this only clouds the outlook for the area even further. 

The crazy thing is, this is an area bordered by rather affluent neighborhoods, but people with discretionary income simply aren’t going out with the intention to spend the day shopping in this area of Milwaukee. 

I have surveyed residents in that area, they tell me that they need a hospital, a library, and quality schools—retail stores are not even their biggest concern, aside from the jobs they would provide.  This tells me that competing with Germantown and Menomonee Falls from a retail perspective should not be the question we struggle to answer.  Instead, we should be focusing on maintaining the investments we’ve made in the area—pulling it up by the bootstraps to give current residents more reasons to be proud to call this district their community and their home. We want to rebrand this district as a desirable place for others to spend their time, money, and to reside in this premier district.  At the most grass-roots level, this would take the shape of building community amidst rental properties with high turnover and vacant space with an optimistic outlook to fight against further debilitation.

In response to this problem, I have two important things to say.  The first is that it will take more than the interest of a candidate for county supervisor to begin revitalizing the area—we need community leaders on all levels to be interested and supportive of a viable plan.  On that note, however, I must be forward in recognizing that the role of county government is limited by the state, and other than being charismatic and outspokenly supportive of a plan, I believe that there will be little that a county supervisor can do without support from all branches of government.

Second, I believe in doing our research so that we can revitalize the area in the most economic, efficient, and practical way possible to gain the best possible long term outcomes in terms of residents’ liberty and quality standard of living.  I would recommend looking to a community-centric model; perhaps something that would incorporate all of the elements needed for an area resident to have little reason to travel outside the area on a regular basis.  For example, with a small hospital/health center, a police station, a school, a library, areas for farmers’ market and local vendors, and maybe even an indoor park or community resource center, all in one centralized location, the area would be a magnet for families to spend time, learn, and enjoy life—more like a village than a victim of aged urban sprawl.  A safe, welcoming area with a lot of residents and the space for redevelopment will be a perfect canvass for the return of businesses and jobs. 

Do you feel that the county should be more concerned about the money the city is trying to take for the trolley system that may directly impact county transit funding?

It is my understanding that the money the city has slated for the trolley system is not within the scope of county dictate, and the concepts presented in the trolley plan are shiny, new, clean, and appealing.  However, I think it is important to note that there is no such thing as “free” – even grants are paid for by someone, and in the case of federal funds, taxpayers are the ones left holding the bill.  We have a looming federal deficit, citizens who already have trouble paying their taxes, and an ailing bus system that we are already vested in—so it seems to me that taking on the task of building a trolley that will run in a pretty small circle and eventually cost taxpayers even more is not the best plan under today’s circumstances.

What ideas or suggestions do you have regarding the Milwaukee County Transit System?

 I ride the bus daily and have talked to a lot of other riders as well as bus drivers.  I have visited with the Amalgamated Transit Union and listened to their members’ concerns.  The biggest issue, hands down, is bus safety.  Just over a decade ago the MCTS was awarded for being the safest transit system in the country when compared to cities of similar size, but today’s headlines are about attacks, assaults, and the resulting outcries for at least some semblance of safety.  It doesn’t matter if we start offering free rides with a catered lunch onboard – if the busses aren’t safe, people will stop riding.  

I think the answer to our transit safety problems will begin with partnerships, technology, enforcement, and prosecution.  Such a strategy, when implemented with the Twin Cities’ Metro Transit, brought the fruit of a 22% drop in crime in just one year.  Citizens want to see results and this is a proven way to answer that call.

I’ve heard of new technology, cameras, and payment systems coming to MCTS that will improve safety and revenue collection, but despite approval these changes have been slated to take years to implement.  I wonder if this delay is really necessary or if this is just another example of bureaucratic drag. 

There are new busses being circulated into the fleet, and from what I understand, they will have safety shields installed to protect the drivers.   I was initially very supportive of this implementation, but after considering the dynamics of the service MCTS provides, I must ask if this really makes sense as an answer to our problems.  What is a driver to do about an elderly or disabled rider requiring quick assistance if he is stuck behind a shield?  How can a driver be warm and welcoming to tourists and visitors? Who do we want to use our transit system—if their first thought on stepping up to pay the fare is, “Wow, why does he need a shield like that?  Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”  Instead of these shields, why aren’t we empowering our drivers with self-defense training and proper law enforcement back-up?

I believe that there must be coordination amongst area law enforcement so that the “color of the uniform” of first responders’ is irrelevant—the first one has the training, leadership support, and necessary funding to help and response times are expedient.  Let’s invite those training to work in law enforcement to serve in an internship-style capacity to gain hands-on experience in responding to calls for help in cooperation with professional law enforcement officers.  This will build a sense of upward mobility for those entering the workforce while relieving some of the tension on our stretched law enforcement personnel. 

The County Board has a reputation that has been “controversial” since the Tom Ament days and the pension scandal. How do you plan to bring back integrity to this board restore faith to Milwaukee county residents?

Isn’t it sad that this even has to be a question?  I am tired of Milwaukee County being thought of as the laughing-stock of Wisconsin. 

I care about our community, our people, and the future of our children, and I intend to prove myself as fair and honest.  I have heard the complaints of residents who push for the county board to be made part-time or a different size, as well as the concerns of residents who feel that Milwaukee County itself is an unnecessary layer of government—calling for either relinquishment of power from the county to the municipalities and the state, or for the people of the area to explore creating a consolidated metro-government. 

I have pledged to limit myself to a maximum of two terms as County Supervisor, and to be willing to vote for changes to our county government if they really are the best decisions for our residents, even if it means voting for a plan not beneficial to me as an individual.  This is why Wisconsin Family Action has endorsed me for this office and I hope that voters will also see that I really do care about bringing integrity back to local government and restoring faith in our leadership.

You say on your Facebook Page that “It’s Time To Rebrand Milwaukee County” how do you plan to do this?

Milwaukee County is thought of as a joke by so many people.  Headlines are mostly negative when discussing the leaders of the county.  Right now, Milwaukee County has the problem of a very negative public perception.  By choosing the campaign slogan, “It’s Time To Rebrand Milwaukee County,” I am spreading the message that I recognize our government’s bad reputation and will be a leader to help turn things around so that living in Milwaukee County is something we can be more proud of, businesses can have enough faith to continue on or even relocate here, and travelers can be genuinely excited about visiting Milwaukee County.  The starting point for this ‘rebranding’ is found in making sound economic decisions, taking care of the assets we have, ensuring safety, and restoring faith in our public officials.

Current County Executive Chris Abele and Sheriff Clark have differing opinions regarding the safety of the county, especially regarding transit and the laying off of sheriffs. What is your take on these issues?

As an accountant and someone concerned with the fiscal viability of local government, I am all for budgeting wisely.  I have thought about this issue a lot though, and some questions have come to mind that I’d like to share with you as food for thought: 

  • Have crime rates gone down? 
  • Do we feel safe? 
  • What generally happens in other areas when law enforcement decreases in size and force? 
  • Will we need to re-hire these officers at a later time to respond to crime that worsened during their leave? 
  • Will we incur overtime charges in the meantime in order to respond to emergencies?
  •  When we look at the big picture, is it responsible to cut public safety funding and lay off personnel?

There should be a long-term plan in place for all public safety and emergency response functions so that we are well prepared as crime, population, and calls for help may increase.  If economic forecasters told us that we won’t need such a large response team in the future, I could see planned lay-offs; but as long as we anticipate actually needing these law enforcement workers, it does not make sense to me to make single-year adjustments for the sake of political argument and administrative reports.  If government does not exist primarily to keep the public safe and ensure liberties, we must question what its priority actually is.

Anything else I did not address that you would like to share with our readers?

Yes!  I have a wealth of volunteer experience, work experience, and education that makes me the ideal candidate to join the Milwaukee County Board. 

I have served in our military as a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, which gave me a great background to understanding the concerns of our nation’s veterans and law enforcement personnel. 

I have worked with Milwaukee teenagers when they discovered they were pregnant, saw ultrasounds of their babies for the first time, and supported the crisis pregnancy centers that responded to their calls for help.

I have also worked in the prison system to help inmates develop the skills necessary to integrate back into society.

I have volunteered to prepare taxes for the poor and elderly through the IRS’s VITA program. 

I have also been very involved with my church as an event organizer and small group teacher.

Professionally, I have worked in public accounting, been an auditor for schools, served as an assistant to the Clerk-Treasurer in the Village of Union Grove, worked for the State of Wisconsin, and I currently work for Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division. 

I also hold a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Accounting and will be finishing a master’s degree in Government & Public Administration with a certificate in Law & Public Policy this year.  I have studied subjects essential to understand as an effective county supervisor, such as governmental accounting, public sector human resources, and how to be a fair and effective leader in the midst of conflict. 

These experiences have all impacted me in ways that will help me be a responsive and responsible county supervisor because I am able to relate well to constituents from a variety of backgrounds, as well as government employees who are regularly impacted by board decisions. 

Finally, I think that I will make an effective county supervisor because I am basing my campaign on a foundation of servant leadership, which will allow me to achieve results by being a good steward of our resources and by giving priority attention to the needs of the residents that I serve. 

WW Says…

I would like to thank Ms. Alexander for taking time to answer our questions and provide insight into this campaign, especially for the people in District 18.

Statements from the other candidate for this district where not made available at the time of press.

At this time I will disclose that I am endorsing Ms. Alexander for this seat. I do not live in District 18, but as a concerned county resident, this district needs some serious, well-vetted leadership and work to restore it as an economically viable presence in this city.

 Peace Family,

WW

Wonder Woman Speaks to the Candidates: Milwaukee County District 5

Posted by Wonder Woman on

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Russell Stamper II: I Am Prepared

Stamper has taken a leave of absence from the Social Development Commission (SDC), where he was a community liaison. He said his academic background—he earned an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University—and his work at SDC would help him balance the diverse needs of District 5.

Stamper said the Downtown area is mostly comprised of businesses with economic concerns, while the residents of the rest of the district are mostly focused on jobs, foreclosed homes and safety.

He said his top issues are fiscal responsibility, finding a dedicated funding source for transit and helping businesses to become sustainable job providers.

He said he would reduce duplication of services provided by the county and other municipalities and take a balanced approach to budgeting, so that the burden of reduced services is fair and the most important programs are protected.

Stamper said he wanted to encourage employment in the district, since most of the new jobs are created outside of Milwaukee, which is out of reach for those who take public transit. He said he would work to expand opportunities to develop the 30th Street Corridor, which runs through the district, and the Park East land owned by the county. He said he would also encourage more small businesses to launch and ask residents to patronize the small businesses in the district.

“I have prepared myself for this moment through my education and my work in the community,” Stamper said.

To learn more about Russell Stamper II, go to Russell Stamper II for 5th District County Supervisor on Facebook.

Nurses group endorse Stamper for County Supervisor
“The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (WFNHP) recently announced its endorsement of Russell Stamper II for Milwaukee County Supervisor, 5th District.
“Mr. Stamper is a strong advocate for healthcare workers’ and patients’ rights,” said Candice Owley, president of the WFNHP. “We need more strong, dedicated progressives like Russell on the County Board to continue to improve the healthcare services provided by Milwaukee County.
Owley added that Stamper will be a great asset to his constituents and to all those who are a part of the Milwaukee County healthcare system.

A REAL COMMITMENT TO TRANSPORTATION is essential to our economic and environmental future. We must maintain adequate county bus lines so that our residents can get to and from home, work and appointments.

PROMOTING HOME OWNERSHIP AND STOPPING FORECLOSURES.
I believe that we must work with the Department of Neighborhood Services and their Vacant Building Registration program, WHEDA, Common Ground, and Habitat for Humanity, to help maintain home ownership and make vacant, nuisance properties a distant memory.

ESTABLISHING BUSINESS AS A SUSTAINABLE JOB PROVIDER.
The 5th District has a wealth of thriving businesses; it is our job to patronize these businesses and allow our dollars to remain in our community.

Russell Stamper II is one of Milwaukee’s native sons. His family instilled in him a legacy of service and commitment to strengthening Milwaukee communities and empowering its residents. Russell’s father served as a city of Milwaukee judge for many years; prior to her death his mother was a professor at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an MPS administrator. Russell is a graduate of Messmer High School and Alabama State University. Upon graduating from Alabama State with his Bachelors of Science, he returned to Milwaukee and completed his MBA at Cardinal Stritch University.

Taken from the Shepherd Express

Russell is a lifelong Sherman Park resident, and spent several years serving on its board. For nine years Russell served as the Program Supervisor for New Concept Self Development Center, where he managed and administered effective delivery of adult and youth social service programs. His most recent position of service was with SDC as a Community Liaison. His primary focus was to address the immediate needs of Milwaukee county residents with resources such as: job training, emergency assistance, GED attainment, driver’s license acquisition and reinstatement. This was all done with the goal of helping residents become more self sufficient. Russell mentors many youth throughout the city, and spends a lot of his weekends refereeing MPS basketball games.

Russell lives in the Sherman Park area with his wife Latoya.

http://voterussellstamper11.com/

Russell Stamper II has dedicated his life to continuing a legacy of service instilled in him by his parents. He is dedicated and committed to serving the residents of Milwaukee County’s 5th district and would appreciate your vote on February 21, 2012Signifyin’: Wanted: More Tree Shakers

by Mikel Kwaku Osei Holt

Dear Russell Stamper II:

Congratulations. It has been with great anticipation that I waited for you and others from the class of 1994 to officially stake your claim as emerging Black leaders. You are now the second from your class to enter the political arena, as a candidate for the Milwaukee County Board’s 5th supervisory seat to be vacated by Lee Holloway.

I should say from the outset that I’m somewhat at a loss in explaining to you the mess we’ve left you with. Brothers and sisters of my era fought beyond measure with the hope that we would leave the world a better place for the next generation. Instead, it looks like we’ve left you a Black community in a state of total disrepair and dysfunctionality.

When you and your classmates were growing up, it seemed as if our quest for basic civil rights and equality of opportunity were within reach. We knocked down most of the barriers, and slightly cracked open the doors of Black empowerment. It was our hope to implant the seeds in your generation to take the struggle to the next level.

I remember attending your graduation and telling someone seated next to me that your class represented what W.E.B. Dubois had called the “Talented Tenth.” Your smiling faces and confident demeanors illuminated the Messmer High School auditorium. My son, and your best friend Malik, was part of that class, and the fact nine out of 10 of you were headed to college, successful careers and leadership positions was a foregone conclusion. A few years of seasoning and we would confidently hand over the reigns and the future of the Black community to you.

Unfortunately, while most of your classmates fulfilled your end of the bargain, we kinda fell short. We blinked, turned our backs, let our guards down and when we looked up again, the Black community was in shambles.

Before we could pay off our cultural debts, the community we invested our life’s work into building collapsed like a snowman in July.

Before we knew what was happening, a large segment of the community gave up on our African culture, our time tested mores and even on our quest for equality. They either forgot what we were fighting for, or became drunk off the Kool-Aid of social and economic dependency.

One day we were talking about community control, and the next day we were being controlled by the larger community.

Apparently, someone lied and said we had won the fight, when in reality we merely exchanged chains.

Our community stepped backwards into the shadow of poverty, and let the missionaries and special interests redirect the Freedom Train– dropping us off at Misery Avenue and Hopeless Drive.

Poverty pimps took over our neighborhoods (along with foreign merchants and payday loan stores). We threw marriage and morality out the door, and turned on each other while the media told us how to think, dress, speak, act and even how to willingly accept the miseducation of our children.

Much to my chagrin, we left you a situation far worse than what confronted us in 1994: 50% drop out rate, forth most impoverished state in the country, nation leading teen pregnancy, out of wedlock birth, infant mortality and Black incarceration rates.

It’s a perplexing situation, but not a hopeless one.

One important piece of the puzzle is that new political leadership must emerge, not only to address the external factors that plague us, but also to break the cultural chains that bind us.

That means if elected, you must redefine the role of politician to become an elected leader.

Fortunately your unique upbringing, world vision and cultural foundation make you uniquely qualified for the job. A culturally attuned education, supplemented by community activities and strong mentors has grounded you. You have also had the advantage of being brought up in a superior Black nuclear family, including a father who is a culturally attuned judge and a mother who was an educational pioneer who specialized in African culture and linguistics.

And at every step of your journey you were advised and mentored by strong community leaders and were a willing recipient of their wisdom.

You turned out all right, my village son, along with the other members of the Talented Tenth we hope will soon join you in the battle to reclaim Black America.

And that’s exactly what is at stake. It’s not simply a political position you seek, but a position of leadership, trust and responsibility. Black Milwaukee doesn’t need another accountant to balance the governmental budgets or beg for crumbs to moderate our pain. We need a visionary, an advocate for Black Milwaukee and a field general who is willing to put his soul on the line for Black people.

We need someone to advocate and raise questions about why Milwaukee leads the nation in seven negative social indicators, and unabashedly point fingers at the culprits, whether it is them, or us. We need someone to join the ranks of the few Black politicians who put the people before their political party, and finally, we need someone who is willing to challenge his Black colleagues to come together around an agenda, and to put to the fire the feet of those who bury their heads in the sand.

That latter point continues to loom like an invisible vulture over the Black community. A case in point:

Several years ago the state was deciding how to distribute over $4 billion in federal stimulus money. As it turned out, Black politicians were not even at the table. Lenard Wells, Jason Fields and I (at the time pundits on a weekly talk show on WMCS-1290) issued a joint challenge to our legislative corps to develop an agenda with specific dollar amounts to ensure the Black community got its fair share; whether it took the form of business investment capital, job development or a mini-Marshall Plan created specifically for a Black workforce. We asked the Black reps to take a stance and refuse to vote on a budget that didn’t earmark funds for the Black community.

They not only ignored that sensible plea, but also couldn’t even come together to discuss the proposal. As a result, the Black community got nothing. Not even an IOU for our blind faith in the system.

Since then, how many times have you heard a Black politician, much less a ‘unity caucus,’ decry the 55.8% Black male unemployment rate? Can you recall the last person or group to call for a state of emergency when it was announced the city has the fourth highest poverty rate in the country? Last week, it was announced Milwaukee fourth graders continue to have the worse reading and math scores of any Black children in the United States of America. Not a noun, verb or adjective out of anyone.

It’s as if acceptance of our abysmal state is the new norm. Or maybe they don’t have any answers. Or maybe they feel impotent.

Whatever the case, it’s become apparent that silence has not served us well and the plight of the Black community has become a passing thought even to some Black elected officials.

Simply put, Russ, we need more tree shakers and fewer excuse makers. We need someone to take the city, county and state to task, to scream from the highest mountain and take our issues to the national level if necessary. We need another Mike McGee who is willing to threaten boycotts and throw verbal hand grenades until someone starts to listen and something is done.

The reality is we’re not on anyone’s priority list. No political party, no special interest, no branch of government. And that’s not going to change until we have bold leadership that puts our interest before the status quo.

I don’t have the solutions. But I’m among the last few hundred that can help come up with some if we have someone to channel them through. I also strongly believe we need fresh ideals, new energy and a youthful spirit. That’s where you come in.

Your right hand must shake a mighty fist, while your left should be extended to point the Black community back in the right direction. You must be a 24-7 role model, advocate for Black youth, champion of Black business and provocateur for Black self determination and empowerment.

You come from an excellent family, have the right education and motivation and are culturally grounded. Yours was a household where Kwanzaa was celebrated, and Black history was taught and understood. You attended schools that stressed community service and critical thinking. And your resume is ripe with community involvement, political awareness and Africentric values.

All of that said, I’m ready to hand you the baton, to clear the path and to push and prod. If you’re in this race to improve the quality of life for Black Milwaukeeans, as I wholeheartedly believe, I’ll be with you every step of the way.

Hotep.

http://www.communityjournal.net/?p=18977

WW Says…

I would like to thank Mr. Stamper for taking time to provide insight into this campaign, especially for the people in District 5.

Statements from the other candidate for this district where not made available at the time of press.

At this time I will disclose that I am endorsing Mr. Stamper for this seat. I do not live in District 5, but as a concerned county resident, this district needs some serious, well-vetted leadership and work to restore it as an economically viable presence in this city.

Peace Family,

WW