Presidential Candidates Bernie Sanders (D) and Ted Cruz (R) Win Wisconsin In The April Primary Elections

Both Presidential candidates Bernie Sanders (D) and Ted Cruz (R) were declared the winners in the Wisconsin Primary Elections.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 6, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Tuesday, Bernie Sanders (D) defeated Hillary Clinton (D) and Ted Cruz (R) beat Donald J. Trump (R) in the Primary Presidential April Elections in Wisconsin. In other local elections, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was re-elected, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele won re-election. Spensor Coggs was re-elected as Milwaukee City Treasurer.

Rebecca Bradley was also re-elected to the State Supreme Court, and three newcomers won in the Milwaukee Aldermanic races, Chevy Johnson won in District 2, Khalif Rainey in District 7, Chantia Lewis ousted incumbent Robert V. Puente in District 9 and other incumbent Milwaukee Aldermen, Michael J. Murphy, Robert "Bob" Donovan, Nik Kovac, T. Anthony Zielinski, Mark Borkowski, Terry L. Witkowski, Russell W. Stamper ll, Bob Bauman, Ashanti Hamilton, José G. Pérez, Jim Bohl and Milele A. Coggs won re-election to four year terms.

Video of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett's victory speech at La Perla Mexican Restaurant in Milwaukee's Southside. http://bit.ly/1q5xYnL

City of Milwaukee Bilingual Election Inspectors Don't Get Extra Pay For Translation Service At Polls

All Election Inspectors including Bilingual Election Inspectors must perform duties at poll places, but Bilingual Election Inspectors don't get extra pay for performing extra duties during Election Day.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 4, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Tuesday, the primary elections will take place in the City of Milwaukee, many Bilingual Election Inspectors (BEIs) assigned to areas or wards that have a large concentration of Spanish or Hmong speaking voters are expected to do non-bilingual duties as well compared to only English speaking Election Inspectors (EIs). BEIs will get paid the same as EIs rather than get an increase in pay for being bilingual, according to poll workers. The City of Milwaukee Election Commission training manual for Election Inspectors and poll workers does not provide information about an increase in pay for BEIs.

Since 2012, the City of Milwaukee Election Commission has not paid extra to fluent speaking BEIs for translating services, even when they are expected to keep polling sites running efficiently as EIs. When a BEI is helping a limited English proficiency voter, an EI will take up the duties of a BEI while providing a translation service.

The City of Milwaukee under Section 203, the federal Voting Rights Act must provide assistance to limited English proficiency voters and also provide Election Day materials in both English and Spanish and include fluent speaking BEIs at wards where translation services are needed.

The Milwaukee Police Department pays officers extra for translating or $25.00 to a translating contract service., but the City Election Office does not.

It seems, the City of Milwaukee Election Commission is actually engaged in wage discrimination when it comes to fluent speaking BEIs and they don't get paid for working hours after the polls close at 8:00 p.m., some might argue and agree. 

Milwaukee Police Covered Badges And Nametags At UWM Trump Anti-hate Protest Rally

Milwaukee Police Chief Flynn criticized for allowing individual officers to hide their identities during a Trump anti-hate rally at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee protest on Sunday.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 4, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, Milwaukee residents and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticized the Milwaukee Police Department including Police Chief Edward A. Flynn for allowing a practice by police officer units to cover their name tags and badges with numbers so, they can't be easily be identified, if they engage in unlawful use of force and unsupervised illegal activities at peaceful rallies. Multiple photos showing Milwaukee police officers assigned to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Trump rally and protest had no name tags or badges with numbers to identify them were circulated on social media.

Chief Flynn has not released any statement explaining why individual police officers failed to show their name tags or badge numbers at the UWM Trump anti-hate rally and protest. 

Chris Ahmuty, the executive director for the ACLU-Milwaukee on Monday released the following statement, "Today, the ACLU of Wisconsin expressed concern that once again the Milwaukee Police are covering up their name tags for no good reason, contrary to department policy, and hindering any efforts at increased transparency in the process.  This kind of behavior will do nothing but draw even clearer lines of division between the MPD and the community it purports to serve.

"As evidenced by Sunday's police show of force at UW-Milwaukee, individual police officers and the major incident response team (MIRT) too often cover up their name tags while deployed in public.  This is a flagrant violation of an MPD policy that is already weak and rarely enforced.
"When Milwaukeeans are peacefully exercising their rights to free speech and assembly, the MPD should do everything in its power to refrain from intimidating members of the public from expressing themselves.  By covering up their nametags, the officers communicated an implicit threat that they may engage in practices for which they do not want to be held accountable.
"The ACLU of Wisconsin urges the MPD to better train and supervise its officers, including those assigned to demonstrations protected by the First Amendment, to maintain transparency and avoid sending harmful messages to the public."

MPD Twitter

Update: According to Milwaukee 3rd District Alderman Nic Kovac's Facebook posting on Arthur Gates' FB account, Kovac wrote, "Arthur, I got this response today from the police department: "I am following up regarding the photos you shared with me yesterday. The photos indicate a violation of MPD policy and we have initiated an investigation. Chief Flynn has also directed that immediate corrective action be taken to ensure that future violations do not occur. Our policy allows officers to replace their name tag with a unique identifying number when they are involved in a protest/demonstration/rally type of deployment. This policy was developed several years ago in response to the occurrence of identity theft and personal threats to officers and their families subsequent to major events, rallies and demonstrations across the country over the past few years.""
Ald. Kovac did not identify who responded from MPD to his inquiry about officers covering their name tags and badges.

Editors note: Police officers are public servants paid by tax payers and should be identified at all times while in uniform and on the job. Cops are not above the law. There has been no indication or reported incidents that officers or their families have been targeted with personal threats after peaceful rallies and demonstrations for wearing name tags or badges with numbers.

Neighborhood Block Watch 2nd Annual Appreciation Reception Held At Milwaukee's City Hall

Members of the City-wide neighborhood block watch program in Milwaukee were honored with a reception and recognition in appreciation for working with the Milwaukee Police Department in keeping their neighborhoods safe.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 3, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, the City of Milwaukee held its Neighborhood Block Watch 2nd Annual Appreciation Reception for members of the City-wide Block Watch Program. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee Police Chief Edward A. Flynn hosted and recognized members of the City-wide Block Watch Program from local neighborhoods attending the Appreciation Reception at the City Hall Rotunda.

Also in attendance were police officers known as Milwaukee's finest in blue and District Station Captains from various areas.

An array of foods (pasta), salas, sodas and a dark blue City of Milwaukee coffee mug was provided to all of those attending the reception at City Hall.

The Block Watch association allows residents to work and help police to prevent crimes by becoming vigilant, observant and allowing neighbors to immediately report suspicious activity or crimes in progress to police. Block Watch members are not vigilantes and do not assume the role of the police, but are the eyes and ears of police at local neighborhoods.

To start a Block Watch in your block, contact the nearest police station in your area.

Brawl At The Mayfair Mall In Wauwatosa, Teens Arrested

Multiple female and male teens got into a brawl at the Mayfair Mall on Saturday.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 3, 2016

Wauwatosa, WI - On Saturday, several rival groups of female and male teens began a brawl inside the upper floor near the entrance of the Boston Store at the Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa. In a video posted and circulating on Facebook, females are seen punching each other, wrestling, grabbing hair and a male teen is also seen punching women until a Wauwatosa police officer arrives and threatened him with a taser. Mall security were also able to separate teens from each other.

Police haven't released any information about what ignited the brawl. A number of teens were taken into custody and cited by police.

Mayfair Mall brawl video links: http://ow.ly/10dTff and http://ow.ly/10hX4Q

Ruben García Gets Life For Double Stabbing Homicide In Milwaukee

Stabbing crime spree leads to a life term's in prison for double homicide.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 1, 2016

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, Ruben V. García, 21, was sentenced to two concurrent life terms, which he must serve 60 years in prison and then would be eligible for parole for a double stabbing homicide. García was convicted for four felony counts, two counts for first-degree intentional homicide and two counts for attempted first-degree intentional homicide for the January 23, 2015 murder of 5-month-old Kairii Dailey and Paul Kucharczyk, 39, and the stabbing of Alexia Dailey, 19, and Christopher Hamilton, 22. Both Dailey and Hamilton survived the stabbing crime spree by García. García must pay more than $4,400 in restitution.
The criminal complaint states, that García was the father of Kairii and the mother is Alexia who in January broke up with García. Alexia became involved with Hamilton and García was not to happy. He wanted to get back with Alexia, but when she refused, García attacked her with a knife in the kitchen at her residence near the 3900 block of W. Clybourn. If García couldn't have Alexia, no one would.
Hamilton who was in another room went to the kitchen to help Alexia and was injured by 22 lacerations. Alexia suffered cuts to her neck and back. Kucharczyk who attempted to help both Alexia and Hamilton was fatally stabbed by García. He died at the scene. 
García allegedly stabbed and killed his daughter while in the crib, according to the criminal complaint. García was cut and injured during the altercation with Hamilton and Kucharczyk, according to police.

Controversial Angel Sánchez Political Campaign Sign Claims Alderman José G. Pérez Has Turned Into A Pinocchio

Former Alderman Angel Sánchez challenging Alderman José G. Pérez in the 12th Aldermanic District.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 1, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Friday, the political campaign to elect former Alderman Angel Sánchez to the 12th Aldermanic District has posted a controversial political sign at the 900 block of W. Greenfield Ave. claiming that the current Alderman José G. Pérez has turned into a Pinocchio. The elect Sánchez sign reads, "No voten por Alderman Pinocchio "Pérez" Se levanto y se olvido" (Don't vote for Alderman Pinocchio "Pérez" he got up and forgot). 

The movie character Pinocchio is based on a wooden boy who lied and every time he lied his nose got longer. Alderman Pérez is not new to smear campaign tactics himself. 

The Pérez campaign in 2012 allegedly was associated with the late community activist Juan Carlos Ruiz who Milwaukee police questioned after several people working for Ruiz were busted for distributing a smearing flyer accusing Alderman James Witkowiak of extorting bar owners to get liquor licenses. The allegations by Ruiz and his group who supported Pérez at the time were false. Ruiz was never cited for passing the smearing Witkowiak flyer, according to an open records request by Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA). Pérez defeated Alderman Witkowiak by 86 votes. Pérez never admitted that he or his campaign manager were involved with Ruiz and his CSSS group.

Milwaukee police in 2012 temperarily detained several people for passing out flyers from a group called Citizens for a Stronger South Side (CSSS) at the 1300 block of W. Greenfield Ave. The flyer contained false and misleading information against Witkowiak and even alleged corruption. The flyer contained a disclaimer for the CSSS and had an address that indicated a parking lot that Witkowiak owned at the time. The suspects told police that José Pérez and his campaign had authorized the distribution of the flyer. A Witkowiak supporter who busted the suspects passing out the flyers in the area said, that the suspects had called Juan Carlos Ruiz, a Pérez campaign supporter to the scene. Police did not issue any citations to Ruiz or the suspects for passing out flyers. The CSSS was created for the sole purpose of passing out misleading and false information about Witkowiak.

In February 2012, Pérez and his campaign manager Sachin Chheda initiated a negative campaign, which included making false allegations that Witkowiak was shaking down bar owners, misinformation and targeted Witkowiak for being White. Pérez is of Puerto Rican descent and his campaign focused on race, which became an issue to get elected. 

Pérez is also credited for the Esperanza Unida, Inc. failure to get tenants to generate funds to pay off its tax debt to the City of Milwaukee. Former Esperanza Unida executive director, Robert Miranda claimed that Pérez had wanted to buy the building before being elected alderman, but on recommendation by Miranda, the Esperanza Unida Board decided not to sell the building. Soon after Pérez was elected alderman, he began to work against Esperanza Unida's efforts to stay afloat.

When Miranda was later replaced by Manuel "Manny" Perez as the new executive director at Esperanza Unida, he sent an ethics complaint to the City claiming that Alderman Pérez was interfering with business operations. Manuel wrote in the ethics complaint, "This Ethics complaint is being pursued because Alderman José Pérez...intended to obstruct or interfere with the business operations of Esperanza Unida...using his position as Alderman to avoid working collaboratively with Esperanza Unida...Evidence that supports this complaint will show that Alderman José Pérez has: 1. A conflict of interest pertaining to Esperanza Unida; 2. Pérez is unable to make objective and impartial decisions regarding any matter Esperanza Unida is involved in that have to do with economic development in the area...; 3. Alderman Pérez has abused the duties of his office by improperly engaging in destructive and negative communications with agency tenants and perspective tenants...are reasons for an ethical investigation to be conducted around the activities of Alderman José Pérez and his interfering actions against Esperanza Unida Business endeavors." The Ethics Board never acted or investigated Manuel's ethics complaint against Alderman Pérez.

Alderman Pérez also failed to represent and speak on behalf of the El Rey owners in favor of establishing a Cesár E. Châvez library on S. Cesár E. Châvez Drive as well during a public library hearing meeting about relocating the Forest Home Library. The Forest Home Library will be moved to the Hills Buildings on W. Historic Mitchell Street.

HNNUSA attempted numerous times to get a comment about the allegations previously raised against Alderman Pérez, but he would never respond or comment.

Alderman Pérez is now facing former Alderman Sánchez in the April 5, General election.