Milwaukee Courier Article re: voting on April 1st referendum

Voters should be aware of referendum question on ballot to reduce supervisor’s salaries

29 MARCH 2014

By Cassandra Lans

On Tuesday, April 1, 2014 Milwaukee residents will have an opportunity to go to the polls and vote. In addition to an vacant aldermanic seat left open by former alderman and common council president Willie Hines, there will also be some judicial races as well.

But, a key vote that has not been talked about much since late summer and early fall is a special referendum that will appear on the ballot that will be the final decision on whether or not the salary of County Board Supervisors gets slashed.

The following is the Binding Referendum that will be on the April 1 ballot: “Shall that portion of 2013 Wisconsin Act 14 which limits the compensation of members of the board of supervisors of Milwaukee County other than the chairperson of the board and chairperson of the finance committee to receipt of an annual salary of not more than the annual per capita income of this county, which in 2012 was $24,051, and which limits the compensation of the chairperson of the board to not more than 150 percent of that amount and the chairperson of the finance committee to not more than 125 percent of that amount, subject to limitations and adjustments specified by law; and which prohibits supervisors from receiving any compensation or benefits not specifically authorized or required by law become effective in this county on April 18, 2016?”

Voting “yes” on this referendum would mean that the current County Board and the way it works which is on a full-time basis would be reduced to a part-time position. Voting “yes” would reduce supervisor salary from $50,679/year to $24,051 salary for the supervisors.

People who are for this reduction claim that the board needs to downsizing based on the manner in which other supervisors across the state work. Many of these individuals are not necessarily representing the interests of average Milwaukee residents.

Voting “no” on this referendum would keep the salary and position the same, a full-time position. People who have spoken out to keep these positions full-time state that you cannot compare Milwaukee County and the manner in which it operates with the rest of the state, because of the size and populations that are being served by the Milwaukee County Board supervisors are much larger than county districts across the state.

County Board Supervisor Willie Johnson has served as a supervisor since 2000 took a bold stand this week, and purchased print advertising in the local community newspapers to encourage residents to vote “no” on this referendum.

He states that fighting for families, living wages and economic development for Milwaukee’s residents takes more than part-time attention, and part-time pay.

Residents should also be aware that part-time representation means a part time voice on important issues that effect their day to day lives and needs.

Referendum on April 1st, 2014

If you do not understand the referendum, please ask someone to explain.  Read the posted signs.  Here's the referendum:

QUESTION

“Shall that portion of 2013 Wisconsin Act 14 which limits the compensation of members of the board of supervisors of Milwaukee County other than the chairperson of the board and chairperson of the finance committee to receipt of an annual salary of not more than the annual per capita income of this county, which in 2012 was $24,051, and which limits the compensation of the chairperson of the board to not more than 150 percent of that amount and the chairperson of the finance committee to not more than 125 percent of that amount, subject to limitations and adjustments specified by law; and which prohibits supervisors from receiving any compensation or benefits not specifically authorized or required by law become effective in this county on April 18, 2016?”

Yes       No

EXPLANATION

A No vote means the limits on salaries and benefits will not take effect.

A Yes vote will limit salaries and benefits for the Milwaukee County board of supervisors beginning in April 2016. A supervisor’s salary and authorized benefits will be capped at the annual per capita income of the county, which was $24,051 in 2012. Compensation will be limited to 50 percent more than the supervisor’s amount for the Board chairperson and 25 percent more for the finance committee chairperson.

CBDG Funds Survey- complete survey and send it in.

Give your input on where federal dollars should go and where.  Give your input in words and checks.  Write what you feel.

The link below is to the CDBG website…the survey was just put on the site to complete online (click on the text in red).

http://city.milwaukee.gov/CommunityDevelopment310.htm#.UzM2hU1OWUk

Coffee and Culture Chat with County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic--invite by Leif Ottesen, Community Organizer

COUNTY BOARD CHAIRWOMAN MARINA DIMITRIJEVIC

TO HOLD "COFFEE & CULTURE" DISCUSSION MARCH 28

AT THE CHARLES ALLIS MUSEUM

Chat Session Designed to Discuss County Cultural, Recreational and Entertainment Needs

Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic will hold a "Coffee & Culture" chat session at10 a.m. on March 28 at the Charles Allis Museum, 1801 N. Prospect.

Dimitrijevic is a member of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce's 48-member Committee on Cultural and Entertainment Capital Needs, which is holding a series of public meetings to determine how to best serve the needs of the region's arts, entertainment and cultural institutions.

"This is a discussion that will greatly affect the future of our community for decades, and it is important I get the chance to listen to the residents of our county about their vision for our cultural, recreational and entertainment amenities," Dimitrijevic said.

"Milwaukee County has a long, proud tradition of being a major supporter of parks, recreation and the arts. However, we cannot do it alone. These regional assets need regional support from our partners in other counties. Milwaukee County residents voted in support of dedicated public funding for parks, culture and transit via an advisory referendum in 2008. I am excited to be at the table of this important discussion and plan to have an open mind with a vision for moving our region forward.

"I invite everyone to participate in these chat sessions as the community continues this important conversation."

Dimitrijevic, who held informative chat sessions at the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Milwaukee Public Museum earlier this year, plans to have future chat sessions at other county-supported amenities such as the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts and the Mitchell Park Domes.

​ 

Driver's Ed Classes from Org. Talibah Mateen

Subject: Free April Driver's Ed Class at The Milwaukee Urban League

To all our supporting affiliates,

Our next free class will be held at The Milwaukee Urban League. Those who are not driving legally or need to gain legal driving status should register for this highly successful program.  Every participant completing our program is eligible for a rebate to offset the cost of their permit.

Only those that meet our qualifications and register by phone, or in person, by 10:30 on Tuesday April 8th will be seated. To register by phone, call 414 374-5850 xt 100. We always seat on a 1st come/1st served basis. 

The classroom instruction, from 11 am through 2:30 pm each day, begins on Tuesday April 8th and runs through Friday April 11th. 

THERE WILL BE ON-SITE TESTING FOR THIS CLASS.

We have attached a Flier to print, post and distribute to others that can benefit from driving legally. 

$15 Rebate toward the Purchase of the Permit:

To qualify for our rebate, participants must complete the program, 

Pass the state exam,

Purchase their Permit and 

Show their state issued Permit to The  Milwaukee Urban League office, 

located 435 W. North Ave 

To qualify for seating, each participant must:

> Be at least 18 years of age with NO outstanding tickets or fines, 

> Register in person by 10:30 am on the first day of class,

> Bring a pen and THE MOST CURRENT Wisconsin Motorist Handbook, which is free and available at any DMV station to class.

The DMV does not issue permits to anyone with outstanding fines or tickets.

For more information, call our 24 Hr Information Line: 414 344-5788 ext 23. 

You can Post and/or Print this number on your community bulletin boards, calendars, brochures, pamphlets and appropriate agency literature.

Our program continues to be the BEST OPTION for those who need assistance in passing the written state exam. 

Thank You.

Ron Lee

Program Director

"Helping 1000's of Adults to drive legally in the shortest period of time."

Heat and Eat Program--Rep Goyke

Good Afternoon – Below and attached is a media advisory for a press conference Rep. Shankland and Rep. Goyke will be holding at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 27^th at Hunger Task Force. Please consider for coverage and/or distribution. Thank you for your interest!

For Immediate Release                     Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland, (608) 267-9649

March 25, 2014                                                             Rep. Evan Goyke, (608) 266-0645

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Rep. Shankland, Rep. Goyke, and Anti-Hunger Advocates to Announce Plan to Preserve FoodShare Benefits for 255,000 Households

MILWAUKEE – On Thursday, Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) and Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) will host a press briefing announcing their plan to protect low-income Wisconsinites from the 2014 Farm Bill’s impending cuts to food stamps.

Wisconsin participates in the federal “Heat and Eat” program, which allows low-income households to receive a boost in FoodShare benefits if they receive at least $1 in low-income energy assistance. The 2014 Farm Bill raised the Heat and Eat energy assistance minimum from $1 to $20 per household, effectively cutting FoodShare benefits for 255,000 Wisconsin households.

Rep. Shankland and Rep. Goyke recently introduced legislation to raise the annual amount of federal dollars Wisconsin allocates for Heat and Eat assistance from $1 to $21 per household. The State Assembly has now adjourned without taking action on the bill, but Governor Walker retains the authority to implement the same measure with an Executive Order.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, allocating $5.4 million of federal funds to the Heat and Eat program would preserve $276.2 million in FoodShare benefits for Wisconsin families. No state money would be used.

What: Press conference urging Governor Walker to take action to protect 255,000 low-income Wisconsin households from FoodShare cuts.

Who:   Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point)

            Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee)

            Sherrie Tussler, Executive Director of Hunger Task Force

            Jonathan Bader, Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP)

When: Thursday, March 27, 2014

            2:00 p.m.

Where: Hunger Task Force

            201 S. Hawley Court

            Milwaukee, WI 53214

job Fair-Wed. March 26, 2014--Maximus

JOB FAIR!!!

Site Staffing and Wisconsin Hospitality Group (WHG) job fair at Maximus – 4201 N. 27th Street, Milwaukee.

Job fair, hosted by WHG, will be held on Wednesday, March 26th from 10am-2pm. They will be recruiting for all Applebee’s and Pizza Hut locations in the Milwaukee Metro Area: Glendale, West Allis, Wauwatosa, Franklin, Greenfield, Waukesha, Pewaukee and West Bend. They currently have 100 positions that are available from entry level to upper management. Interviews will be given on the spot!

PLEASE updated resumes and appropriate business attire on per the employers request.

Clean Slate--Criminal Background Expoungment

Poetry Invite by Ald. Coggs

POLITICS & POETRY III set for Thursday evening at City Hall

Inspiration and illumination in the form of spoken word poetry will fill the City Hall rotunda tomorrow evening during Politics & Poetry III, and Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and Alderman José G. Pérez invite members of the public to be a part of the free, public event.

The third annual event, aimed at encouraging civic engagement and participation, will feature politically-charged poetry from some of Milwaukee’s best spoken word artists and politicians.

The event will again be hosted by Kwabena Antoine Nixon (IKAN), will feature music from DJ Willie Shakes, and is sponsored by Alderwoman Coggs and Alderman Pérez. Other sponsors include True Skool, NAACP Young Adult Committee, Café la Paloma, League of Young Voters, Ashley’s Que and La Borincana. Refreshments will be served.
During the event, donations will also be collected for a memorial fund for the late Anita “Anita Bee” Brooks, who was well known in the local poetry community and was the first poet to participate in the inaugural Politics & Poetry event.

Politics and Poetry III is taking place tomorrow, Thursday, March 20, in the City Hall rotunda, 200 E. Wells St., from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitors should use the Market St. entrance on the east side of the building.

Public hearing on federal dollars- Gracelyn Wilson

Very Important:

CJC Invite via organizer Mateen

               Milwaukee Community Justice Council

You are invited to participate!

DATE: March 26th
TIME: 9:30-11:00AM
 LOCATION: Clinton Rose Senior Center
3045 N Dr. Martin Luther King Drive

For more information contact Carmella DeLucia CJC Community Liaison cdelucia@publicpolicyfourm.org
Learn more about the Council's efforts to improve our Criminal Justice System through Evidence
Based Decision Making Initiatives.

Stay informed with a presentation from U.S Attorney James Santelle on Federal Civil Rights and Law
Enforcement Issues. Topics covered will include the development of a new community police relations
entity and the work of the Civil Rights Division in enforcing federal law.

Community Speaker, US Attorney James Santelle

Elderly & Disabled assistance- Wanda Booker, Sanitation

Elderly & Disabled Assistance

Garbage & Recycling Carts, Senior Citizen and Disability Service

If a senior citizen is not physically able to roll the garbage cart to the curb and back, and has no other able-bodied person in the household to do this, they will be given a Senior Citizen Hardship designation and a Sanitation employee will retrieve their garbage cart from its storage area, empty it and return it to the storage area.

If a person is not a senior citizen but is not physically able to roll the garbage cart to the curb and back, and has no other able-bodied person in the household to do this, they will be given a Disability Hardship designation. In some cases, doctor certification of disability may be required.

For information on these services, call (414) 286-CITY (2489)

Winter Snow Removal, Winter sidewalk clearing for older citizens and disabled persons

Residents living in single family homes who are physically unable to clear the sidewalk in front of their home may apply to the Sanitation Division for assistance with clearing the walk after a snowstorm. To be eligible, residents must certify that they and all other occupants of their home are senior citizens or handicapped and are physically unable to shovel the sidewalk. They must certify that they were unable to obtain the services of any other individual. The service is referred to as "hardship exception case."

The Sanitation Division will send a plow to clear a path on the sidewalk in front of the residence only. The walk from the sidewalk to a door is not cleared. The service is provided only when plowing operations are called, and only the public sidewalk is cleared. Driveways and side walkways on private property are not cleared by Sanitation crews. The charges will be included in the property tax bill.

For information on these services, call (414) 286-CITY (2489)

Project Clean Green from Wanda Booker, Sanitation Department

Project Clean & Green:
The citywide spring clean up program starts April 15th and ends June 4th. This is your opportunity to throw out excess trash and debris at no extra cost. 

The week of April 15-19 is the Grover Heights-Williamsburg Triangle neighborhood week.  You may set out large debris, old furniture, etc to be picked up at no cost.

Please stack or organize trash as not to inhibit safe passage in the streets or sidewalks.

Affordable Care Act-Running Rebels Event --opportunity yet to sign up

This Wednesday, 530-730, Molina Healthcare is coming to Running Rebels to have an educational and informative presentation about the Health Insurance Marketplace/Affordable Care Act but directed towards consumers.  People will have the opportunity to enroll on-site.  They will be able to assist individuals through healthcare.gov and if possible CAC’s from Sixteenth Street Clinic or an independent insurance agent can assist with health plan selections.   They’ve been hosting one event per month with Wheaton Franciscan and the on –site agent has been valuable when it comes to providing the best plan and benefits for the enrollee. Molina will provide light refreshments, like water, juice and coffee with granola bars,  fruit or bagels.  They also have access to tablets and wifi hot spots so multiple people can enroll at once. 

See the flyer for more information!  This event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Natasha Coe

Director of Office and Public Affairs

Running Rebels Community Organization

1300A W. Fond du Lac Ave.

Milwaukee, WI 53205

natasha.coe@runningrebels.org *email

(414) 264-8222 *work (414) 264-8831 *fax

www.runningrebels.org

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

CBDG funds and your neighborhood--resident and stakeholders meeting from Gracelyn Wilson

This Saturday, March 22nd from 11am-1pm residents and stakeholders are requested to come and decide what will happen with federal dollars for neighborhoods.

You can help to shape your neighborhood and city; however, you need to make input.
Now is the time!!!!

Who:  Gracelyn Wilson, Nwscdc
What:  CBDG funds stakeholder/resident session
Where:  4201 N. 27th Street
Time:  11am-1pm

Please contact community organizer Gracelyn Wilson at 444-8204 for more information.

Free Legal Clinic consultation at the March General Meeting

Do you need to speak with a lawyer or have a legal question? 

Come to the free legal clinic held at your monthly Grover Heights-Williamsburg Triangle neighborhood meeting.

When:  Monday, March 17^th, 2014

Time: 6:00-7:30 pm

                     Where:  Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington

*Private consultation with Atty. Taylor from PKSD 

*Officer Ray Robakowski-observation and description training

*DA Jacob Corr-Crime victimization program and expectations from the DA
* Laura Gramling Perez, Presiding Court Commissioner-Mil. Co. Circuit Ct., Small Claims

*Other legal resources-Community Organizer Gracelyn Wilson
*Cedric Cornwall- Court Commissioner for Milwaukee County
*Cavalier Johnson- Mayor's office to address concerns
*Supervisor Willie Johnson-Legislative Update 
*Neighborhood needs and concerns

Come to seek some answers for yourself or others.  You may also want to find out what we can legally do about neighborhood concerns.    Bring a neighbor or friend with you.

For more information contact: Gracelyn Wilson-Community organizer 444-8204.  

You may also email at groverheights@gmail.com

Please read the groverheights.blogspot.com site for frequent updates and job postings.

*A consultation does not establish a client attorney relationship until the attorney is hired. 

Earn and Learn Program-Jobs for Youth from Mayor Barrett

Earn & Learn internship applications due April 4

Online applications are now being accepted for the city’s 2014 Earn & Learn Summer Youth Internship Program. Applicants who are selected for a city government internship will work 20 hours a week for eight weeks (beginning June 20, 2014), and will earn $7.50 per hour.

To qualify for a city internship, applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 19 and live within the Community Development Block Grant area. Individuals who have previously held a city government internship position are not eligible to be hired a second time.

Earn & Learn is the City of Milwaukee’s program to help young people make a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood by providing opportunities to develop work-readiness skills while they earn wages working in government, community- and faith-based organizations and private sector businesses.

Applications will also be accepted in early Spring for job slots administered by the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board. MAWIB accepts paper applications from youth ages 14 through 21 who live anywhere within the city limits.

To learn more about each program or apply for an internship, visit city.milwaukee.gov/SYIP and fill out an application by April 4, 2014.

Harpo Foundation Grant for the Arts announcement via Alderwoman Coggs

Grants for Visual Artists

The Grants for Visual Artists award provides direct support to under-recognized artists of any age. 

Application Process and Deadline

The deadline for eligible artists to apply is May 6, 2014 (11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time). Applicants must use this online application to submit the following:

•    Artist resume
•    Artist statement
•    Work samples (up to 20)

Eligibility

•    Self-defined under recognized visual artist
•    United States citizen
•    Not enrolled in a degree program
•    Not a previous Harpo grantee

Criteria

Applications are evaluated on the basis of the quality of the artist’s work, the potential to expand aesthetic inquiry, and its relationship to the foundation’s priority to provide support to visual artists who are under recognized by the field.

Funding and Reporting

Funding decisions are made by the Board of Directors. Awards are made of up to $10,000.  The number of awards is determined each year by the annual granting budget. Grants are made to support the development of artists’ work and a grantee may use their award to support any activity toward that purpose. A report detailing how funds were used is due within 10-months of receiving funds.

In rare cases the foundation will make a multiyear grant of up to 3 years to artists whose projects warrant this sustained support. Artists who receive multiyear support must report annually to the Board before new funds are released.

Notification

Grant decisions are announced no later than November 1, 2014.

Questions

Visit our frequently asked questions page or address other questions to the Director by emailing Julie Deamer at gro.noitadnuofoprah@remaedj.