César E. Chávez Day Proclaimed By Democratic Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers

Newly elected Governor Evers in Wisconsin proclaims César E. Chávez Day.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 31, 2019

Madison, WI - Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) has proclaimed March 31, 2019 as César E. Chávez Day. On Thursday, Governor Evers signed a proclamation recognizing the late United Farm Workers leader, Chávez on his birthday for his community organizing of protests, marches and boycott of grapes that led to creating a union for farm workers and sparked a farm workers rights movement nationally and eventually led to higher wages for farm workers, which also sparked the Latino Civil Rights movement around the U.S. including Wisconsin that led to legislative reforms for migrant workers, opportunities for higher education, Latino studies at the University of Wisconsin system and employment opportunities for Latinos.

On Friday, a César E. Chávez Day celebration took place at the State Capitol of Madison where the Chávez Day Proclamation was made public by Governor Evers.

Well known and accomplished Milwaukee 1970's community leader and organizer, Jesus Salas was a keynote speaker. The day long event was organized by Wisconsin State Representatives JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milw.), Marisabel Cabrera (D-Milw.), Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg), Centro Hispano, Voces de la Frontera and the Latino Chamber of Commerce Dane County.

Voces de la Frontera Rejects City of Milwaukee $450K Reduced Offer For Former Forest Home Library Building

Voces de la Frontera Board has rejected to purchase the former Forest Home Library after Milwaukee City officials went out of their way to reduce the real estate property value of the building by $200,000 from its original selling price, according to Milwaukee City records.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 28, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) has learned that the City Attorney's Office was notified last week by an attorney representing Voces de la Frontera (VDLF) that they won't be purchasing the former Forest Home Library building located at 1432 W. Forest Home Ave. in Milwaukee's Southside. In November 2018, the Milwaukee Department of City Development (DCD) had given VDLF a deadline to respond for the final ownership signature to purchase the vacant building, but VDLF failed to respond on the deadline and finally the DCD received confirmation that VDLF has decided to forego the purchase. The original real estate property sale was offered at $650,000, but then Lyon Realty, as a Broker agent representing VDLF negotiated for the City to reduce the selling price by $200,000. The Milwaukee Common Council approved the deal to sell VDLF the building for $450,000 and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett had also approved the sale. VDLF didn't even have to pay the down percentage payment to proceed with the contract sale as required in other City property sales. If the contract fails to proceed, the City keeps the down payment and the realtor involved won't get the commission paid by the City and not the buyer, according to the City's policy. A real estate broker is required to be involved in all City property sales.

In this case, HNNUSA learned that the City Attorney's Office took over the negotiation property sale with VDLF and the DCD was not involved in the final stages of the sale ending with no sale. 

VDLF has not released any information regarding its decision not to proceed with the purchase of the former Forest Home Library building after City officials did everything possible to save VDLF at least $200,000 from the original price of $650,000. 

HNNUSA also learned that VDLF in November had been approved for a $550,000 loan by a community investment lender in Wisconsin. 

In 2015, according to the IRS Form 990 annual information return and ProPublica, Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant and workers rights non-profit organization earned a yearly salary of nearly $137,000.

It also showed, that VDLF reported a total revenue of $673,005 and had a total functional expenses of $648,246 with a net income of $24,759, according to ProPublica and IRS records.
In 2016, VDLF showed a deficit according to their IRS 990 form, which showed a total revenue of $727,384 and total functional expenses of $748,645 with a net income of -$21 261 and the Executive compensation was $115,406.
The City placed the former Forest Home Library vacant building back on the market for $650K.

16-year-old Jesus Cardenas-Torres, The Driver Of A Stolen Vehicle Charged With Causing The Death Of Uber Passenger Cristian Marlyn Hernandez

Cardenas-Torres admitted to police that he was driving the vehicle that crashed into a Uber killing a 22-year-old passenger and causing injuries to the Uber driver and another passenger who was ejected from the vehicle on impact and survived.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 25, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - On March 22, Jesus Cardenas-Torres, 16, the driver who was driving a stolen vehicle (SUV) without a license that crashed into a Uber vehicle killing a 22-year-old woman and injuring the Uber driver and another passenger that was ejected on impact was charged as an adult with two felony counts. Cardenas-Torres was charged with one count for knowingly driving without a valid license causing death and one count for knowingly driving without a license causing bodily harm. If Cardenas-Torres is convicted on both felony counts, he will face up to 6 years in prison and $10,000 in fines for causing the death of Cristian Marlyn Hernandez, 22, and 3 years and 6 months in prison with up to $10,000 in fines for causing bodily harm, according to court records.
Cardenas-Torres cash bond was set at $10,000 and a preliminary Milwaukee County Court hearing was set for April 2, 2019 where he is scheduled to appear in court.

According to Milwaukee police, Cardenas-Torres failed to stop at an intersection at the 2000 block of W. Orchard Street and around 1:29 a.m. and crashed into a Uber with passengers. Cardenas-Torres's passenger was also taken into custody on early Friday at the crash scene.

Samuel Galarza-De Jesus Wanted By Police In Connection With The Shooting Of A Male Victim At A Local Milwaukee Southside Gas Station

Milwaukee police are looking for a 22-year-old suspect for shooting an unarmed male victim in the knee during an altercation.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 24, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - On March 22, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office filed a criminal charge of one felony count for 1st-degree reckless injury with a dangerous weapon against Samuel Galarza-De Jesus, 22, of Milwaukee. Galarza-De Jesus on March 16 was caught by a local gas station video surveillance camera at the 1600 block of W. Forest Home Ave. shooting at a male victim in the knee during a confrontation. 

Galarza-De Jesus fled the scene and a warrant has been issued for his arrest in the shooting incident.

The victim survived the shooting and had surgery in his knee, according to police.

Galarza-De Jesus if convicted, will face up to 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

Two Southside Residents Declare Their Candidacy For The 8th Aldermanic District Post

So far two candidates have confirmed that they are candidates to run for the upcoming vacant 8th Aldermanic District seat after Alderman Donovan announced that he won't seek re-election in 2020.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 23, 2019

Milwaukee. WI - On Friday, Justin Bielinski confirmed to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that he is a candidate for the 8th Aldermanic District Common Council seat. Bielinski is expected to officially file for his candidacy for alderman on April 1, according to sources. He is the former campaign manager for newly elected Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes (D), was a community organizer for Citizen Action of Wisconsin, is a former community organizer for the Southside Organizing Committee, ran for Alderman in the 8th Aldermanic District in 2015 and currently is the senior campaign consultant for Bob for MPS.

Wisconsin State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D) officially filed her candidacy for Alderwoman in the 8th Aldermanic District on Thursday. Zamarripa was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010 and was a former outreach coordinator for Planned Parenthood.

Alderman Robert "Bob" Donovan from the 8th Aldermanic District announced that would not seek re-election in April 2020. Donovan has served in the Milwaukee Common Council for nearly 20 years. 

Additional candidates for alderman in the 8th Aldermanic District are expected to file, since it's an open seat and the incumbent is not seeking re-election.

Don't Mess With My Tacos: Resolution Banning Taco Food Trucks In The 8th Aldermanic District Vetoed By Mayor Tom Barrett Won't Face Challenge By Alderman Robert Donovan

Alderman Donovan from the 8th Aldermanic District announced on Friday that a solution was found for the W. National Ave. food truck issue.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. 

March 22, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - On Friday, City of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett attended the Southside taco truck rally at the Southside Silver City neighborhood and confirmed to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that "¡Estoy aqui para anunciar que la guerra de los camiones de tacos se ha terminado! (I'm here to announce that the taco food trucks war has ended).  Mayor Barrett told HNNUSA that he had read the article published by HNNUSA urging Barrett to veto Alderman Robert "Bob" Donovan's resolution #181572 prohibiting parked vehicles selling articles from S. Layton Blvd westward along W. National Ave. to the city limits. Mayor Barrett in his veto letter says, "A vibrant, cutting edge city should support entrepreneurs and create opportunities for every business to grow...Another small ban on food trucks only makes it harder for the food trucks who have made the effort to get properly licensed and operate within the rules."

Ald. Donovan has already banned at least 5 food trucks along W. Lincoln Ave., W. Mitchell Street and W. Greenfield Ave. in his aldermanic district, according to city records.

Also on Friday, Ald. Donovan released a press release that a solution was found for the W. National Ave. food truck issue and the resolution was no longer needed. Donovan says, that he met with several taco food truck operators from Taquerias Arandas and El Tapatio along with a representative from the Layton Boulevard West Neighborhood, which all involved agreed that a vacant lot at the 3600 block of W. National Ave. would be a designated spot for the food trucks.

Ald. Donovan as of Friday faced opposition by 5 fellow aldermen, Cavalier Johnson, Aldermanic District 2; Milele Coggs, District 6; Chantia Lewis, District 9; Michael Murphy, District 10 and T. Anthony Zielinski from the Aldermanic District 14 who committed not to override Mayor Barrett's veto of resolution #181572. Six aldermen were needed to override Barrett's veto. Alderman T. Anthony Zielinski also attended the Silver City neighborhood Taco Truck rally organized by local residents and businesses including the participation of Taquerias Arandas and El Tapatio where more than 300 people participated.

Milwaukee County Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez also attended the outdoor rally and feasted on tacos along with friends and local residents.

Milwaukee County Board Passed Support Resolution 19-273 For Full Driver License Access To All Wisconsin Residents Regardless Immigration Status And Fines Imposed

A resolution was passed by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors supporting provisions in the 2019-2021 Biennial Wisconsin State Budget or a standalone bill for full driver license access to all Wisconsin residents regardless of fines imposed or immigration status.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 21, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, the Milwaukee County Board of  Supervisors approved the endorsement for Resolution 19-273 with a vote of 14 in favor and 2 against for the Wisconsin State Legislature to allow full access of driver's licenses for 32K undocumented immigrants and more than 200K eligible drivers whose licenses have been suspended for owing fines. 

The resolution was sponsored by Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez and co-sponsored by Supervisor Willie Johnson Jr. and Supervisor Felesia A. Martin.
Two Milwaukee County Supervisors voting against the resolution and public safety measure including safe roads were Supervisors Patti Logsdon and Dan Sebring.

Watch "Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors approved Resolution to support WI driver's licenses for all" on YouTube https://youtu.be/tOw7nlbkzqQ