Mexican Fiesta 2014 Giving Refunds To Victims Profiled As Gang Members

Mexican Fiesta 2014 organizers once again engaging in the violation of people's rights on City of Milwaukee grounds.

By H. Nelson Goodson

August 24, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - Once again, Milwaukee Police Officer Alexander Ayala representing the Latino Peace Officers Association (LPOA) has confirmed that those festivalgoers kicked out of Mexican Fiesta in 2013 were active gang members and some weren't kicked for having tattoos on their face, according to a CBS 58 news report on Friday. Ayala, the Milwaukee Police Department, which uses its Intelligence Center to identify past, present and future gang members and the LPOA have not provided any proof that those kicked out last year and even this weekend are active gang members. They don't keep statistics or data of those believed to be gang members and have been kicked out. Once festivalgoers are labeled gang members, they are restricted from entering the three-day festival, even if they are not actual gang members. 

Last year, those kicked out from Mexican Fiesta 2013 weren't given refunds, CBS 58 reported. But this year according to Ayala, refunds will be given to those profiled victims who are kicked out. CBS 58 also reported that the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Inc. (WHSF) Board members who sponsors Mexican Fiesta have approved for LPOA, its volunteer Fiesta security and police to kick out "suspected" gang members without actually providing a recourse for victims profiled as gang members. 

The Summerfest grounds where the three-day festival takes place are owned by the City of Milwaukee. Officer Ayala, LPOA and Milwaukee police have definitely and continue to violated the civil rights of those people kicked out of the festival. 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) broke the story in 2013 and found none of those kicked out were actually gang members at all. Some were also kicked out for undesirable tattoos. None of the victims have filed a lawsuit as of yet, but the CBS 58 news report, HNNUSA, WHSF and Officer Ayala have provided the needed legal recourse for the victims to move forward in suing WHSF, Mexican Fiesta, World Festival (Summerfest), the Milwaukee Police Department and the City of Milwaukee for violating their rights. Which Ayala also confirmed, their policy to kick out "suspected" active gang members this year is in effect regardless, if in fact they are not gang members. Last Friday, several people were kicked out, according to some festivalgoers who saw the incident.

The WHSF Board, Summerfest (World Festival), Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, the Milwaukee Common Council have learned of the gross violations its own officers on-duty and off-duty engaged in at Mexican Fiesta 2013 and have done nothing to prevent innocent tax-paying citizens from being labeled as gang members when they are not. Ayala even confirmed that the police used the Milwaukee Intelligence Center to profile present, past and future gang members for none criminal investigations on tax-payers money. Those targeted are never given a recourse to contest the allegations and HNNUSA has challenged Ayala and the police department to prove those kicked out during Fiesta at Summerfest grounds in 2013 were active gang members. One thing for sure, they can't prove it, because they don't keep any data of who gets targeted and kicked out as an alleged gang member.

It's not illegal to belong to a so call gang, only when those members engage in illegal activity does it become a clear violation of the law. 
None of those targeted victims by Officer Ayala, retired and former Milwaukee Police Lt. Ruben Burgos, LPOA and police have actually committed any illegal acts or violated any rules of conduct while at Mexican Fiesta. Ayala, Burgos, LPOA and police have violated the rights of Latinos who were never given any refunds in 2013. 

Shameful, Mexican Fiesta is the only festival in Milwaukee that discriminates its own people. 

On Friday, Asael "Chico" Ruiz, a WHSF Board member publicly told festivalgoers on the grounds and in front of my family that I was "Mexican Fiesta's number one enemy" and that the people he was talking too should actually physically beat me to the ground. Chico then just walked off. Was Chico talking in behalf of the WHSF Board? All I'm guilty off and proud was that last year I exposed that out $2.5M in scholarships that have been given out to students in prior years by the WHSF, none were ever given to undocumented students residing in Wisconsin. At least one thing came out for the good of the community, WHSF and National LULAC after HNNUSA reported that undocumented students were left out from scholarships. They finally changed their discriminatory policy and this year, they only accepted scholarship applications from DACA registered students (DREAMers). Which now, WHSF and the National LULAC halfway discriminate by leaving those undocumented students who do not qualify for DACA, but reside in the state continue to be left out from getting scholarships. Even though, their parents and family members volunteer for hours at Fiesta and do fund Mexican Fiesta by spending at the event. 

The illegal acts by Ayala, Burgos, LPOA and police at Mexican Fiesta operate on a backwards politics mentality. It's not the alleged labeled gang members who were actually none gang members they should worry about, but those festivalgoers who over consume beers and margaritas at the event. Beer and a family environment festival that Ayala was trying to promote on Friday's CBS 58 news don't mix or does it?

Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee is a rich cultural and tradition experience for the Midwest and should be preserved, but the inside politics overshadow its continued success.

Most of the year, Chico resides in Mexico. He should know, even though police have become militarized, the State of Wisconsin and the United States of America still have their Constitutions and Bill of Rights intact. Does the WHSF Board have the same sentiment as Chico, that I'm Mexican Fiesta's number one enemy? I'm certainly am flattered.

But lastly, what happens to the annual profits and why have less and less scholarships been given out? WHSF promotes that they have given out about 100 scholarships every year, but last year and the year before, it didn't even come near that amount. Also, how many scholarships were given to DACA DREAMers this year? Questions the public should know and the WHSF under their non-profit status should make public as a courtesy.

Mexican Fiesta ends on Sunday. Viva la Raza!, important note, immigrants from Mexico do help finance Fiesta! 

Also noted, Milwaukee police and the LPOA have a reputation of providing state of the art security at Fiesta and have a rapid response to any trouble reported at the event, but have over stepped their limits by mislabeling people as gang members for having tattoos. 

The current Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Inc. (WHSF) Board of Directors who operate the annual Mexican Fiesta are;

● Antonio Guajardo Jr. (President)
● Gregorio Montoto (1st Vice President)
● Ricardo Ruiz (2nd Vice President)
● Arturo Martinez (Secretary)
● Ernesto Baca (Treasurer)
● Teresa Mercado (Executive Director)
● Ray Bacalzo
● Frank Gonzales
● Woody Welch
● Marjorie Cervera
● Oscar Cervera
● Julio Maldonado
● Luis Gonzalez
● Julio Guix
● Lupe Martinez
● Ruben Burgos
● Jason Hyland
● Diana Moreno
● Asael Ruiz
● Darryl Morin

City of Milwaukee Closed Esperanza Unida International Building Due To Fire Hazard

Faulty fire water sprinkle compressor system caused a five-day closing of the South side Esperanza Unida International building by order of the City of Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson

June 25, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, the City of Milwaukee gave Esperanza Unida, Inc. a two hour notice to close their International building located at 611 W. National Ave. due to a faulty fire water sprinkle compressor system. The Esperanza Unida International building will be closed for the next five-days, according to Manuel "Manny" Pérez, the executive director of Esperanza Unida.

Pérez said, that on Monday employee's were doing an inspection of the fire sprinkle system when it was discovered that the compressor wasn't working. Pérez notified the city and on Wednesday around 10:00 a.m., Pérez was given a two hour notice to close the entire building effecting 20 tenants. Tenants are not allowed in the building without authorization or conduct business during the lock out. 

A contractor has been called to fix the system and it will take at least five-days to repair the sprinkle water system compressor, according to Pérez. The estimated cost to fix the water system could be under $12,000.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) was the first to report that the Esperanza Unida building had been sold for $1.3M to a local Milwaukee developer who will invest a $7M project to build a 55 apartment unit complex at the 611 W. National Ave. location. The tenants have until December to make arrangements before the developer who has not been identified by Pérez will take over the building.

Conflict of Interest Questioned Among Historic Mitchell Street BID 4 Board Members

Dimity Grabowski and Rudy Gutiérrez

At least four Historic Mitchell Street BID #4 Board members also serve with the Historic Mitchell Street Perservation Corporation, according to information disclosed at last Thursday's BID #4 meeting.

By H. Nelson Goodson

June 20, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, Dimity Grabowski, one of the Historic Mitchell Street Business Improvement District (BID) #4 Board members questioned an alleged conflict of interest among the Board membership. At least four current BID #4 Board members are also Board members for the Historic Mitchell Street Perservation Corporation (HMSPC), Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) has learned. Grabowski during the BID #4 meeting also requested clarification from Nancy Bush, the executive director for the BID #4 of its association between the two entities. 

A two hour session was scheduled before the next BID #4 meeting on July 17 to discuss Grabowski's request and the $247,000 discrepancy that HNNUSA reported. Grabowski stated to HNNUSA, "I have full faith that our new President, Rudy Gutiérrez will be a "positive" voice for Mitchell St., on the BID #4. My direct concerns are related to the obvious conflict of interest within several BID #4 members who currently serve on the HMSPC jointly." Grabowski is the owner of Think Resale on Historic Michell Street.

Last Monday, Bush released that the BID #4 had made $2,562.49 after costs during Sun Fair 2012, an annual street outdoor event. In April 2013, Ron Giguere, then president of the BID #4 told the Bussiness Journal (BJ) that the Sun Fair had made over $250,000, which HNNUSA reported. Giguere abruptly resigned as president of the BID #4 in October 2013. 

The building at 1635 S. 8th St. where the BID #4 is housed is owned by

the HMSPC, which Giguere is the current Chair of the Board. Bush says, it rents the first floor, which actually are three rooms. The BID #4 pays about $1,200 per month and both the BID and HMSPC share the whole building, which has no separate entrances or exits for each group. The house doesn't even have a sign outside the building indicating that BID #4 is at the location.

BID #4 has not responded to Giguere's statement to the BJ and if they found any funding missing or not reported concerning the Sun Fair event in 2012.

Bush also wouldn't release her annual salary, but HNNUSA has learned that she makes over $63,300 annually, including benefits, cellphone service and gas allowance. Bush's salary is funded through levy accessments collected from businesses and property owners along the Mitchell Street Business district.

There are 30 BID's in the City of Milwaukee, not all have the same assessment formula. The BID #4's is $4.00 per $1,000 of assessed commercial property value, not to exceed $2500, Bush confirmed.

In an e-mail to HNNUSA, Bush wrote, "In 2012, the Sun Fair did not make "more than $250,000," it made $2,562.49. Last year, in 2013, the event made $911.26. In 2011, its first year, the event made $1,296.16." HNNUSA learned that the Rainbow Valley Carnival and Rides (RVC) gave BID #4 $16,895 in commission in 2013. Sun Fair in 2013 made $20,889, total expenses were $19,997.74, net income $911.26.

In 2014 and 2013, BID #4 paid $7,903 for a city permit to block off W. Historic Mitchell Street from S. 8th to S. 11th Streets for the three day event. 

This year, Sun Fair 2014 made $19,235, the expenses reported were $14,946,51 and net income $4,288.49. The RVC commission to BID #4 was $15,660, according to the BID #4 financial report for Sun Fair 2014. 

Esperanza Unida International Building Sold For $1.3M

Four member Esperanza Unida Board accepted offer before deadline on Wednesday from Milwaukee apartment developer to buy the Esperanza Unida International building for $1.3M to help pay incurred debts.

By H. Nelson Goodson

June 19, 2014

Milwaukee, WI -  On Thursday, Manuel "Manny" Pérez, the executive director of Esperanza Unida, Inc. confirmed, that the current four members of the Board from the non-profit organization had accepted a $1.3 million offer from a local developer to purchase the building and property at 611 W. National Ave. Pérez said, that most of the 20 tenants have until December 31, before the developer will begin making the transition to acquire the property.

The developer will convert the Esperanza Unida International Building into a $7 million development project to create a 55 apartment unit complex and will keep some businesses on the first floor, according to Pérez.

The Esperanza Unida organization will continue to operate at 1329 W. National Ave., where they own a second property.

The current Esperanza Unida Board members are Steed Welch, Chair; James "Jim" Witkowiak, Vice-Chair; Susan Pepper-Sims and Tamara Owens. The Board has three vacant seats, according to Pérez.

Pérez stated, that the Esperanza Unida building was not listed to be sold, but a week ago, the developer made an offer and gave the Esperanza Unida Board until Wednesday to accept the $1.3M offer. The Board couldn't refuse the offer, since it has been on debt and facing a $1.3M deficit. 

Last year, Esperanza Unida ended with $495,000 in gross revenue and for 2014, Pérez projected about $900,000 in gross revenue. But in terms of net income, Esperanza owes $50,000 to CD, it owes $388,000 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and $70,000 to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) employment insurance. He also confirmed that several "inappropriate loans were made during former Richard Oulahan (1978 to 2005) or right after, which a $600,000 loan from M&I Bank was made before former executive director Robert F. Miranda (2005 to 2014) took over, also a loan from Wells Fargo of $100,000 was made and we have no idea where it is. So, the total debt for Esperanza Unida is beteen $1.2 to $1.3 million," according to Pérez.

Today, about $700,000 in loans has not been able to be accounted for or no records exist for its disbursement and it has been reported to the Federal Economic Development Authority,  Pérez said.

Esperanza Unida rent space was previously valued at $6.50 per square foot during the Oulahan administration and later increased to $8.25 and remained steady for decades. The city recommended $10.00 per square foot and Esperanza Unida remained at $8.25. New tenants rented space at $12.25 per square foot, since Pérez took over. Pérez also said, that Esperanza Unida had a history of being an incubator for helping businesses grow and prosper, but the low rent never generated revenue to cover the costs of maintaining and operating the building.

If the building would have been listed for sale last year, it wouldn't have been sold for more than $800,000. Today, the Board made at least $500,000 more due to current repair maintenance and improvements conducted under Pérez. The $1.3M from the purchase will go to pay over due city taxes, the IRS debt, DWD, several loans and other bills incurred by previous administrations.

Pérez, who would not disclose the name of the developer says, the purchase by the developer will "generate construction jobs, attract community activity and stimulate economic growth." There has been no new development on S. 6th Street or vicinity since, Alderman José G. Pérez was elected, which have kept rent values low. With the lack of any new development, many buildings are under valued in the area, according to city tax records.

José G. Pérez before becoming Alderman in the 12th District had made an offer to a former Board member to purchase the Esperanza Unida building, but no offer amount by made available.

Esperanza Unida, Inc. Board of Directors

West Historic Mitchell Street Days To Be Proposed By BID Board President

Rudy Gutiérrez

Mitchell Street Days in the horizon, according to Gutiérrez.

By H. Nelson Goodson

May 27, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - Rudy Gutiérrez, the current president of the Board of Directors for the West Historic Mitchell Street Business Improvement District (BID) #4 told Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA), that he would like to see the area revitalized with economic growth along Mitchell Street. One of many projects planned to accomplish his goal is to propose the Mitchell Street Days, which could add several activities per month to attract a steady flow of shoppers to the area.

This weekend, the Historic Mitchell Street Sun Fair will take place on May 30, 31 and June 1 along the strip from S. 7th Street to S. 11th Street. It has been a yearly event for the last two years and Gutiérrez says, it's time to reevaluate the Sun Fair event that includes, beer sales, food and carnaval rides. 

Last year, the BID made just enough revenue to pay for the Sun Fair costs and this year, the three year contract expires with the carnaval rides company. The Sun Fair's future is uncertain and depends on the revenue generated on this upcoming weekend to determine its future on Mitchell Street.

Today, Gutiérrez wants to focus on additional events that can attract more business to Mitchell Street depending on available funding.

He was selected as BID #4 president of the Board in February and is working to get more business owners to join the BID. Currently there are five vacancies on the Board.

Gutiérrez is the current Bank Manager and Assistant Vice-President of the US Bank on West Mitchell St. He is also a Board member for La Casa de Esperanza in Waukesha. 

Johnson Brass Foundry Explosion Injures Seven Employees, Including One Hispanic In Saukville

Two critically burned and five others injured after melted brass metal in tumbler lost balance and spilled over water causing an explosion.

By H. Nelson Goodson

May 19, 2014

Saukville, WI - On Monday, the Saukville Fire Department and local police responded to an explosion at the Johnson Brass and Machine Foundry, 270 N. Mill Rd. Seven people were reported injured, 2 men were critically burned and flown by Flight for Life to the Columbia St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee for treatment. A third was taken there by ambulance. Four other men were taken by ambulances to nearby hospitals. 

One Hispanic, Miguel Gomez, with five years seniority was splattered with hot metal in his lower body and feet; Steve Jones, with 20 years seniority was splattered with melted brass and is in critical condition and shift Supervisor Jeff, with 25 years seniority was injured after he jumped for safety, injured his head and was also splattered with melted brass were among those reported injured. Another victim was identified as Mark Edbauer Jr. who was also injured.

The explosion happened before 4:00 p.m. while the 7:00 a.m. shift workers were getting ready to leave. Some of the workers were in the shower and locker section when the explosion occurred.

One 5 ton molted piece had been completed earlier before the second attempt was made to make another piece. As melted brass was being poured into the rotating mold, it became unbalanced and got loose from the bolted base as it rotated about 300 times per minute. The base of the mold when placed on the tumbler was narrow and the top, which was suppose to be the base was wider.

It's believed that the tumbler loaded with 10,500 pounds (5 tons) of melted brass lost balanced as it rotated and tilted over. The hot brass (2,100 degrees, 3-D class temp) then poured over and combined with water used at the base to cool the rotating connection with the mold causing an explosion.

The gas torch hoses used to melt the brass burned with the melted brass spill and flames ensued. The gas flow was shut off. The torch hoses and water coolant for the tumbler are located at the base.

OSHA is expected at the scene on Tuesday. The company has had other incidents at the foundry, according to OSHA.

The plant was evacuted on Monday and employees working at the section where the incident occurred have been notified by the company not to show up for work for several days.

Ryan Road Mobil Selling Racist Illegal Immigrant Hunting Permits In Oak Creek

Sales cashier didn't know they were selling them!

By H. Nelson Goodson

May 18, 2014

Oak Creek, WI - On Saturday, a Facebook (FB) posting by Alejandro Alba indicates that the Ryan Road Mobil at 9444 S. Chicago Ave. is selling U.S.A. Illegal Immigrant Hunting Permits at their location. Alba took a photo and posted it on his FB account. Since then, FB users have been sharing and circulating Alba's post.

When Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) contacted the establishment on Sunday,  the sales clerk stated, "that she didn't know, and that she was to busy to check because she had a line of customers."

In 2011, the decals began to be distributed in Wisconsin and some gas stations began to sell them. The stickers are sold for $4 to $5.00 a piece. To some the stickers are a form of speech, novelty, comical and to others it promotes hate and violence towards immigrants.

The decal is a novelty, but tasteless and feeds into racial hate, profiling and suggests that illegals can be hunted (killed) in the country. Someone with a lack of common sense could actually believe it's legal to hunt illegals (undocumented immigrants).

The U.S.A. Illegal Immigrant Hunting Permit is distributed by Central States Novelty, LLC.

Some FB users are asking people to boycott the business as a result of selling the so called racist decals. 

The FBI reported that between 2003 to 2006, hate crimes against Latinos had increase by 35% in the U.S.

The City of Oak Creek, which has more than 34,000 in population made national headline news in early August 2012 when a crazed lone suspect massacred multiple Sikh Temple members. The Sikh Temple at 7512 S. Howell Ave. was attacked by a known racist, Wade Michael Page, 40, a White male who went to the temple and opened fire killing six victims between the ages of 39 to 84. Three of the deceased victims were also brothers.
Three injured victims that survived were identity as Baba (priest) Punjab Singh and Baba Santokh Singh, including Oak Creek Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy, 51. Murphy was shot at least 15 times, 12 struck his body and three his body armor (bullet proof vest), but survived and later retired from the Oak Creek Police Department. 
Page, an Army Veteran was a member of a supremacy group, according to the FBI.