HCCW Announced Partnership With The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel To Publish Visión

The new HCCW Visión newspaper ignites controversy over who will benefit the Hispanic community the most in news publishing.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 25, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, Jorge Franco, the President, Chairman and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin (HCCW) during their 25th Annual Awards Banquet at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino announced that the HCCW and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS) in a partnership deal have decided to publish "Visión" another Latino publication focused on the Hispanic community and Latino owned growing businesses. Franco says, that there are more than 10,000 Latino owned businesses in the state of Wisconsin. 

Franco's announcement was not taken to well by Victor Huyke, the publisher of the local Conquistador Newspaper who is also a member of the HCCW and in 1999 was awarded the HCCW Hispanic Owned Business of the Year award. 

Huyke in his Facebook (FB) posting says that he proposed the same idea to Franco about Visión indicating that Franco might have then decided to partnership with the MJS who would have the resources to actually publish the Visión newspaper. Huyke in a FB comment post wrote, "My staff and I were in shock as he (Franco) said this. When he finished speaking, we loudly left the event. Letting everyone around us know our discontent."

Jessica McBribe an independent journalist posted, "I would think the "Hispanic Chamber of Commerce" would support Hispanic-owned businesses, not help non-Hispanic businesses compete against them. That's pretty shocking, really."

Olivia Villareal, one of the owners of El Rey Grocery Stores posted, "This would NOT be first time Mr Franco kicked a Hispanic business or Hispanic organization in the teeth! Ask him why he made the Cesar E Chavez library NOT HAPPENED ON Cesar E Chavez Drive?...El Rey is tired of lip service and no positive action from this organization for us Hispanic businesses but they're the first to put out their hand for donations!"

Julio Maldonado, the César E. Chávez Drive BID executive posted, "I actually said the same thing to my wife while at the banquet, wow another Aqui! Then again, this move from Franco, is not surprising to me. The only business that is gained from the HCCW is that from the board themselves!...maybe it's time to revive Hispanic Entrepreneurs of Wisconsin! He did ask me this last summer "why don't we merge"? I laughed, as I read right through that.... He wanted our membership numbers and to say they "actually" help out small businesses! What a joke!"

According to Huyke, Visión will focus on local news regarding Latino businesses, entertainment, investigative reporting and etc. Most of the members of the HCCW are Republican and GOP supporters, including Huyke. Huyke has admitted that he donated to Governor Scott Walker's (R) campaign and other Democrats as well. But it seems, Huyke has been left out to dry by Franco, according to FB postings. Huyke believes that the HCCW and MJS Visión partnership will effect him economically, but Huyke has survived and keeps publishing.

Currently in Milwaukee, other Hispanic publications and a popular blog exists, El Mañanero Newspaper (Bi-weekly), El Corre Caminos Newspaper (Bi-weekly) and the Spanish Journal (Weekly) continue to publish and the Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA), a Latino informative, investigative and news blog on the Internet that publishes articles before it is news. The Visión newspaper would just be another alternative publication in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and if it follows the same format and publishing as the former publications Guía and Aquí magazine did, it would just fade away in time as well. 

One of the main guests at the HCCW banquet was suppose to be Governor Walker, but he was absent. He received a recognition award by Franco.

A large percentage of the HCCW current membership are White and predominantly White managed corporations and businesses, according to its membership list.

Huyke posted his discontent between the HCCW and MJS partnership to publish Visión in the HCCW Facebook account. Huyke wrote, "I am deeply outraged by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's announcement of their partnership with the non-Hispanic run Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to create Visión, a newspaper to target the Hispanic Community...It seems that El Conquistador is only good enough for free advertisement when it comes to the Hispanic Chamber, while money making ventures are reserved for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which has a staff that employs a very small percentage of Hispanics, with none in leadership positions. I guess it takes a non-Hispanic owned newspaper like the Milwaukee Journal to reach the Hispanic Community...What makes this insult that much hurtful, is that "Visión" mission is what I had proposed to Franco that HCCW do with El Conquistador."

Franco could not be reached by HNNUSA for comment.

HCCW 25th Annual 2015 awards went to:

● Workforce Investment Leader of the Year

Governor Scott Walker

● Hispanic Business of the Year

Physical Therapy of Milwaukee

● Hispanic Small Business of the Year

Stars Landscaping & Snow Removal  Services

● Hispanic Start-up of the Year

Terrazas Cakes and Pastries

● Corporation of the Year

Johnson Controls, Inc.

● HCCW Manufacturer of the Year

Schuette Metals

● HCCW Lifetime Achievement Award

Mike Weller, Group President
Miller Electric Mfg., Co.

● HCCW Lifetime Achievement Award

Major League Baseball Commissioner
Allan "Bud" Selig

Breaking update: Scandal escalates involving the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, El Conquistador Newspaper and third party.

When contacted by Hispanic News Network U.S.A. Robert Miranda, the current editor of the Spanish Journal and former Esperanza Unida, Inc. executive director released the following statement, " Victor Huyke made public comments I sent to him in a private FB in-box message. The language that I used was specifically intended for him. I will not apologize or retract my comments I intended to be used as private. They were not made public by me. It was his choice to make my words public. Anytime Victor Huyke wishes to address my work in the community in a public arena, all he has to do is make the invitation and I will be happy to talk about Esperanza Unida, my years of activism and accomplishments in our community, in front of any crowd he wishes to invite. Until he does. His snake like activities when talking about my community work, will be addressed in private message to him in the same manner I have addressed them to him over the past couple of years--raw and in his face. I have no respect for hypocrites or cowards."

Unlawful To Drug Test SNAP (Food Stamps) Recipients

Wisconsin Governor Walker Ignorant or just wants to waste taxpayers monies to implement drug testing for Quest Card recipients?

By H. Nelson Goodson 
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 23, 2015

Madison, WI - Governor Walker included drug testing for recipients enrolled or seeking FoodShare aid in the state on the 2015-16 budget. Walker knows the state can not create additional eligibility requirements to apply or receive federal food stamp aid.
Last June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told the Georgia Department of Human Services that states can not create eligibility standards for recipients to qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, known as food stamps) after Governor Nathan Neal (R) signed a law that would be implemented on April 2016 that would require drug testing for recipients. Robin Baily, the USDA administrator wrote, "Requiring SNAP applicants and recipients to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits would constitute and additional condition for eligibility, and therefore, it is not allowable under law." Full story at following link: http://alturl.com/oo5q2

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino In Kenosha Proposal Rejected By Governor Walker

The Office of Governor Walker has announced that a proposal by the Menomonee Tribe to built a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Kenosha has been rejected.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 23, 2015

Madison, WI - On Friday, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) announced that a proposal from the Menomonee Tribe to built a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Kenosha has been rejected. Walker says, it would have cost state taxpayers more than $100M in the long run.

"After a comprehensive review of the potential economic impact of the proposed Kenosha casino project, the risk to the state's taxpayers is too great," said Governor Walker.  "Due to the compacts negotiated by Governor Doyle, the current cost to taxpayers of approving the proposed casino project is up to $100 million and the long-term economic hit to the state budget would be a potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars."

The Governor Walker's office reported, that the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs took more than nine years to review the proposed casino project.  For over a year, Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch conducted a comprehensive economic analysis of the potential impact of the proposed casino project.  In an ideal scenario, jobs could have been created by the casino, the reality of Governor Doyle's compacts with the tribes open the State of Wisconsin up to significant litigation risk, which would put state taxpayers on the hook for up to hundreds of millions of dollars. 

Walker took into consideration the following report and decided to reject the Menomonee Tribe proposal.

In a report to Governor Walker, Secretary Huebsch explained the outstanding issues facing the proposed casino, which could have a devastating impact on the state budget:

Although the Kenosha casino could result in these positive economic benefits, approval also comes with substantial and significant risks.  Our analysis shows taxpayers could lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars of tribal revenue sharing payments as a result of the compact negotiated by Governor Jim Doyle. Due to the legal exposure created by the Doyle compacts, beyond just losing future revenue, approving the Kenosha casino could require taxpayers to pay FCPC [Forest County Potawatomi Community] hundreds of millions of dollars in refunds of previous payments made to the State.  If the Kenosha casino is approved, there are a number of other issues that should be considered:

● the impact of possible expanded gaming in northern Illinois;

● the Menominee's use of more than 220 acres that would likely be put in trust;

● the cost of litigation;

● the consequences of a delayed casino opening;

● the immediate and long-term impact on our state budget and consequently Wisconsin taxpayers; and,

● the cost of indemnifying FCPC.

The Menomonee Tribe leadership criticized Governor Walker's decision to reject their casino proposal and blamed the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe and Walker's aspiration to run for president for rejecting the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino project in Kenosha. The Forest County Potawatomi Tribe supported Walker's decision to reject the Menomonee Tribe's Kenosha Hard Rock Hotel and Casino project.

Tribal Chairwoman Laurie Boivin told Fox 6 News that the project would have improved the lives of nearly 9,000 Menomonee tribal members.

The project in Kenosha would have created about 3,000 good paying jobs, in addition, 1,400 construction jobs and 1,500 in indirect jobs, which the tribe had a union labor commitment. More than $800M of investment was projected for the hotel and casino plan, according to Boivin.

On the long run, the project would have created about $10,600 jobs and would have been a $1.6B investment in the state, millions in new payments to the state and contributions to schools ($1.5M annually) and charities.

Copycat Drug Testing Approach Proposed For Wisconsin Aid Recipients

Governor Walker copycats drug testing proposal from other states for state aid recipients

By H. Nelson Goodson 
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 23, 2015

Madison, WI - A copycat approach of drug testing those collecting unemployment benefits, medicaid and Food Share (Quest Card/food stamps) aid recipients was added by Wisconsin  Governor Scott Walker (R) to the 2015-16 budget proposal. The budget proposal will be released on February 3. Walker's proposal is just a copycat approach used by other states who have wasted taxpayers funding to implement a drug testing program that yield few results.

Governor Walker wants for everyone applying or receiving unemployment insurance benefits and foods stamps to be tested for drugs. Walker's reasoning, because employers require for employees to be drug free.
He also wants to cut off a year in unemployment benefits and funding for programs offering public aid.
In Tennessee, state goverment spent millions of tax payer dollars for drug testing those enrolled in food stamps and getting state aid, but only resulted with 2.8% who were actually using drugs. Drug testing in Tennessee turned out to be a waste of taxpayer funding for drug testing.

In late August of 2014, the Legislative Physical Bureau reported that revenue collections fell by 2.0% ($281M) during the fiscal year that ended in June. Tax collections fell by 1.0% instead of the projected rise of 1.0% the Walker administration had anticipated. The 2013-2014 revenue shortfall is blamed on Walker's tax breaks for wealthy employers.
Wisconsin is facing a $1.7B projected structural deficit for the 2015-16 budget and had a $115M deficit for the 2014 budget.

Some states and the Wisconsin GOP controlled legislature attempted to enact drug testing for those seeking state aid, but the federal government halted the GOP drug testing move. Extended unemployment benefits and food stamps are funded by the federal government.

611 Building Foreclosure By City Eliminates Esperanza Unida's $790K Of Liens/Debts

Esperanza Unida, Inc. lost ownership of the 611 W. National Ave. building for tax delinquency totaling more that $176K.

By H. Nelson Goodson

January 4, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, the City of Milwaukee took title ownership of the Esperanza Unida, Inc. 611 W. National Ave. building on a foreclosure action for more than $176K as a result of delinquency property taxes. The city and taxpayers now own the 611 building at a cheap cost for tax delinquency, since the building is accessed at nearly $2M.

The five current tenants at the building have made arrangements with the city to temperarily stay at the location, but their future at the building is uncertain.

Manuel "Manny" Pérez, the executive director for Esperanza Unida, Inc. has confirmed, that the city has taken ownership of title for the 611 building and taxpayers won't be responsible to pay about $712K in liens against the building. The city foreclosure has eliminated at least $790K in bank liens and debts incurred at the 611 building.

Pérez in a released statement said, "The foreclosure effectively prevents that the tax payers of the City of Milwaukee pay $712,000 to the U.S. Department of Commerce given that the City of Milwaukee is a co-applicant of the 611 International Building. The lack of economic development in the Milwaukee South Side prevents attracting tenants that can sustain proper rental rates. Those factors –together with the existence of accumulated toxic debt- justify the need for ownership to be transferred to a qualified investor that can infuse capital to the 611 Building, to conduct additional improvements that the building will need, and accelerate economic development along 6th and National Avenue. This should also contribute to creating additional jobs in a community that is in serious need of economic development and job creation."

The Esperanza Unida owed the city over $176,771.60 in property taxes and had more than $600,000 in bank liens.

The 611 property is assessed at $1,948,000, but owed delinquent taxes for 2013, $66,556.24; for 2012, $64,103.63 and for 2011, $46,111.73, a total of $176,771.60, plus incurring tax delinquent penalties per month. 

Currently, Esperanza Unida owed over $180,000 to WE Energies and was facing more than $1.2M deficit.

Pérez had been working with the City Attorney's Office for a smooth transition of title ownership in the last few months. Pérez will temperarily manage the 611 building for the city, according to tenants.

In the last year or so, the community and city hall, including the Mayor Tom Barrett's office have failed to backup or support Esperanza Unida it's financial deficit dilemma. Mayor Barrett and the city have a partnership with Esperanza Unida, but when the organization asked for help, Barrett and the city turned their back on the organization.

Esperanza Unida under the late former Richard Oulahan and predecessors have made the non-profit organization a success. The organization provided job training programs that helped thousands of low income and unskilled community residents to learn a trade and who later became productive and tax paying citizens in Milwaukee and surrounding areas. Esperanza Unida also worked with other organizations to expand on their initiatives geared for job and technical skill training. Today, none of those that have actually benefited in one way or other from the fruits of Esperanza Unida have stepped up to help the ailing organization. 

Currently under the Pérez administration at Esperanza Unida, the 611 building has been upgraded to make it a competitive real estate business property in the district, even though a lack of development has been absent in the area. Five businesses remain at the 611 location, Reynas Entertainment and Mexican Restaurant, SWC Asbestos, El Sol Broadcasting, VIVA Health Care and a new business, Staffing Partners, a temperary branch employment agency, which moved into the building in November.

The BMO Harris Bank (formerly Marshall & Ilsley Bank) held several liens on the building for more than $600,000. An Oshkosh developer had offered to pay $1.3M for the building and turn it into a 55-unit loft apartments, but that deal went sour after the banks and the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC) would not release the liens and allow the sale of the building.

In brief, Oulahan took out several real estate mortgages in 1994 totalling $600,000 ($600K) in loans from Marshall & Ilsley Bank (M&I, now BMO Harris Bank) without a Board Chair signature. Oulahan in 2002 also "signed for loans using the preexisting loan as line of credit and the 611 West National Building and the 1329 Building as collateral...The debt crippled the organization financially as it set it in a course of chronic indebtedness and lower revenues that became more complex as the organization fell behind in IRS taxes, UI, DOR, and many others and it caused serious disrepair due to lack of maintenance and repair budgets. This was worsened by the downturn in the economy," Pérez stated.

Pérez has also confirmed that there is no record on file about what ever happened to the M&I loans or how they were actually spent, but has reported the alleged inappropriate use of funds to the USDC. The USDC is investigating to determine how the 1994 and 2002 additional bank loans were used.