To CLOSE, Yet so far - the Gap for to Win the Democratic seat for Governor

Parents and Husband/Wife

MILWAUKEE (MPA) - The upcoming DEMOCRATIC run-off election will go to the woman or man that GO GET-IT.

Get What?
Go get the voters on the fence.
Go get the voters that are disenfranchised.
Go get the voters that are angry and dissatisfied with the election process.
Go get the voters that feel that their vote will not COUNT.



Spring forward.
The Governor's race is without a clear favorite.

Bring TRUST out and dust it off.
Bring TRUTH out and lay it out with reasoning.
Bring vetted neighborhood businesses to the table
Bring fathers and mothers to the table with opportunity of realism.
Bring real HOPE seasoned with alternatives that link TO GOVERNMENT departments being accountable.
Bring a plan that allows the People to be the infrastructure.

So, do you have a message?
A real believable and INNOVATIVE message?
Bring your POSSE to the Urban environment and give them something to go to the polls for.

So far, the field is wide open.

Did Mayor Tom Barrett say, "Civil War" in the Ad?

MILWAUKEE (MPA) - Monday Afternoon, April 30, 2012

There is an advertisement out by Mayor Tom Barrett  - Campaign for Governor of the state of Wisconsin.  It refers to a "Civil War".

He says it is as a result of the removal of Collective Bargaining by Governor Scott Walker.
He called it a "Bomb" while appearing on the MSNBC Ed Schulz Show.

Pot n Kettle

Well, Barrett has forgotten the REAL civil war he has led as the co-chair of the Milwaukee 7 against Milwaukeeans, especially African American, other People Color and the Work-Challenged for 8 years.
He FAILED miserably his entire time as mayor because he would not honor his words - We the People.

According to research, it appears that Mayor Tom said one thing in his 2004 Inaugural pledge and implemented the opposite.  He promised:

• I also salute all the city employees here today. The Barrett Administration will respect your commitment, seek your counsel and actively engage you in efforts to change Milwaukee for the better. I am proud to join your ranks and I can't wait to roll up our sleeves and get to work together.

• I welcome the residents of this community who have chosen to be a part of this ceremony today. I'm pleased that the members of the Common Council worked in partnership to bring these proceedings outside these walls and directly to you, our bosses.

• When our founders wrote the constitution, they wrote about "We the people" – not "they the people" or "you the people." "We the people." Democracy is the ultimate participatory sport, and it works only as well as "we" make it work. Together, we can make it work. 

• While we have many challenges before us, we have Milwaukee ingenuity and Milwaukee pride to guide us. And even as we face challenges, we'll shrug off some of our Milwaukee humility, raise our voices and let the world know that this is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. 

• We must work to ensure that our entertainment districts, like the one downtown, work together, and we must promote new, thriving centers of culture like a 21st Century Bronzeville or an even stronger Mitchell Street, so that more talented young people will come here and stay here.

• Jobs and Economic Development 
• Milwaukee, once the "Machine Shop to the World," must retool to compete in the world economy. City government and the private sector must create new partnerships. And we must reach out to businesses to let them know Milwaukee is open for business.

• I have already met with the MMAC, and we will proceed together in the first 100 days to listen and respond quickly to the needs of the business community. We'll work with the Greater Milwaukee Committee to develop and nurture new partnerships – outside of government – that have a single purpose of identifying potential job creators and showing them that Milwaukee is a place to go and a place to grow.

•  And we will act on critical development projects like the Park East Corridor and the Harley-Davidson Museum. We can get to work and get results on these and other critical issues in the next 100 days if we work together.

• I will be the lead ambassador for this city. I'll sell the product because I love it and I believe in it. And I will ask residents throughout the community to join me as ambassadors for this great city. Promoting this city must be a community-wide effort, and it will result in more commerce, more convention business and more residents in a vibrant city.  For entire speech, CLICK.

What has he done?
During the 100 days, he dropped the "Discriminatory BOMB" with the assistance of his cronies - Greater Milwaukee Committee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce.

They in turn dropped the "Take-Over by Proxy Bomb" - Creation of Milwaukee 7.
 
Instead of "We the People" re-tooling, working together with Milwaukeeans, it has been "We the People" - oligopoly - Caucasian-based, corporate-based, lobbyists-based, real estate baron-based, outside of Milwaukee based, which OUTSOURCED assets and resources massively.  Since the election of Tom Barrett mayor came about after widespread divisiveness and questionable actions against African American mayoral candidate Marvin Pratt, he buried TRUST and INTEGRITY.

Therefore, the Barrett Administration:

• Lack of focus has failed to remove the long and injurious segregation and racial disharmony.

• Lack of focus on "hidden talent" at the neighborhood level of Milwaukee promoted enduring concentrated poverty, increased under-employment, un-employment and decreased personal worth of Milwaukeeans. 

• Lack of focus on "businesses empowerment" at the neighborhood level of Milwaukee promoted enduring concentrated poverty and increased unemployment of Milwaukeeans, especially African Americans (largest population).

• Lack of use of assets and resources that are regularly earmarked for the improvement of quality of life and economic development that have been pipe-lined for resourcing to Caucasians and outline burbs created the 2010 Disparity Study by DWilson.

It is Mayor Barrett failure to honor his April 24, 2004 Inaugural Pledge.
===========================

CLICK and PLAY

According to Mike Lowe, WITI TV Fox 6 Reporter, April 1, 2011, Milwaukee now has a new way to start tough conversations about race.  According to the latest census data Milwaukee beat New York City, Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland for the dubious honor of being America's most segregated city.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says the reason for this is rooted in the region's economic and political history. "We've got housing policies, zoning policies, steering that occurs in real estate industry. Historically that offers, and I think there are still some people who don't want to live with people who have different skin colors than theirs."
===========================

This is a statement seven years into his eight-year administration.  What can he point to that HE and his administration as well as his cronies have done with the resources and lobbying changes?

It is three (3) years after the Federal Reserve and Brookings Institution named Milwaukee as an American Concentrated Poverty City.  Jerermiah Boyle, Federal Reserve invited Mayor Tom as the Keynote Speaker.   Listen to what he said - How does his comments in Washington, DC square with Mike Lowe's comments above?

This is seven (7) years after his co-creation of the "regional" Milwaukee 7 where he and Gale Klappa - We Energies ($1 million dollar member investor) have been the consistent co-chairs.  African American and other People of Color were left out of the Region - How?  Why?  What happen to "We the People"?

How does the report square with the Code of Ethics of the Milwaukee 7. Where are We the People, especially African American, other People of Color and the Work Challenged - true population/stakeholders of Milwaukee?
===========================

When Mayor Tom and his cronies outsourced the resources of economic development, it froze quality of life empowerment.  It created an endless cycle of ENDURING CONCENTRATED POVERTY and predictable outcomes that lead to behaviors in critical  mass that stifles growth, ingenuity, excitement,  increased per capital income and wellness for sustainability.  It is like pouring "acid" on a rose.

Below are preventable outcomes that Mayor Tom could of impacted in the positive if he had honored his words in 2004.

• Working to make Milwaukee wireless

• Wifi is a NO-go for now

• Milwaukee Wisc. is Most Segregated U.S. City, and Other Quirky Census Facts

• Milwaukee earns dubious distinction of the most segregated city in America.

 ===========================

This is but a dab of why We the People will have a HARD time supporting Mayor Tom OR Governor Scott Walker - pot n kettle politicians.

They are NOT for We, the People - ALL PEOPLE.

Ask Mayor Tom why he chose to implement a Civil War the last 8 years?

Why he has chosen to not honor Public Information Request AND make necessary changes? 

It's DERBY time - Saturday, May 5, 2012 - 138th @ Churchill Downs

AP) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Hansen was there, edging out a hard charging Union Rags. Dullahan ran, too, as did Daddy Long Legs, Creative Cause, Take Charge Indy, Alpha, Optimizer and Prospective.

The same horses are expected to line up again on Saturday in the Kentucky Derby, just six months after the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on the same Churchill Downs track set the stage for the Run for the Roses.

While no horse has distinguished itself as a clear-cut favorite ahead of the post-position draw on Wednesday, as many as nine horses who'll start Saturday also participated in the premier race for 2-year-olds.

"When you look back at the race, it was a key," Union Rags trainer Michael Matz said. "And, a lot of those horses have done well. I think this is a pretty competitive crop."  For more, CLICK
==============
In the United States, the three races that compose the Triple Crown are:

1. Kentucky Derby, run over 1-1/4 miles (2.01 km) dirt track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky;
2. Preakness Stakes, run over 1-3/16 miles (1.91 km) dirt track at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland;
3. Belmont Stakes, run over 1-1/2 miles (2.41 km), the longest dirt track in thoroughbred racing, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

It has been 34 years since a horse won the U.S Triple Crown (Affirmed in 1978)
===============

Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association looks forward to viewing the thoroughbred triple crown  races each year.

Dryhootch.org Creative Writing Workshop - WEDNESDAYS

Creative Writing Workshop...

When:  Every Wednesday

Time:  1:00-2:00 P.M.

Where:  DryHootch, Milwaukee

Why:  Connect with other veterans, release your inner spirit through writing, and have fun!

Artful Army - SpeakPeace project

Veterans Only - join the Artful Army at Dryhootch every Tuesday through May and participate in the multi-national SpeakPeace art project promoting peace and reconciliation. We will be doing art (visual or written) on 6x6 canvas to the prompt "Peace Is ..." Canvas and most materials will be provided. Donations of images from magazines, etc. greatly appreciated. Please, one canvas per veteran.
Close your eyes. What does your PEACE look like?

Visit Dryhootch.org at: CLICK
=====================

Milwaukee Professionals Association supports Dryhootch.org - A neighborhood level organization.

LARSON Weekly Report - April 26, 2012

Dear Friend,

In honor of May being National Bike Month, we will focus on discussing important issues and opportunities related to transit by land, water, and air in our community.

As usual, please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or opinions you may have about our community or our state.

Sincerely, 

Senator Chris Larson
7th District
==================

A number of factors are shaping the transportation patterns and preferences in our community, including: higher gas prices, increasing costs associated with driving, common-sense regulations banning texting while driving, improvements in technology making transportation alternatives more attractive, and changes in our travel priorities.

Emerging data suggests that these trends are not confined to just a small group of neighbors. A new WISPIRG report recently released finds that Wisconsinites, like most Americans, are driving less, and young people are leading the charge.

From World War II until just a few years ago, the number of miles driven annually on America’s roads steadily increased. In fact, 2004 was the year in which vehicle miles traveled, overall and per capita, peaked in Wisconsin. Shortly after the turn of the century, something changed--Americans began driving less. In 2010, the average Wisconsinite drove nearly 500 miles less than just six years earlier in 2004.

This trend away from driving is even more pronounced among young people. The average young person, age 16 to 34, drove 23 percent fewer miles in 2009 than the average young person in 2001. Meanwhile, travel by young people on public transportation increased exponentially. From 2001 to 2009, the number of passenger-miles on public transit by people ages 16 to 34 increased by 40 percent nationwide. Additionally, in 2009, young Americans also walked up to 16 percent more and biked up to 24 percent than they did in 2001, when driving was still at its peak.

Federal, state, and local governments have historically made massive investments in new highway capacity on the assumption that driving demand would continue to increase. The changing transportation preferences of Americans, throw those assumptions into doubt. Trends showing a shift away from driving support the idea that we should be investing our valuable tax dollars in other modes of transportation, rather than simply expanding our grandparents' highway transportation system.

Continue reading for more information about bus and bike transit alternatives our community has to offer. If you live outside of the Milwaukee area, please contact your local municipality for information about public transit programs in your neighborhood.

 ==================

Exploring Milwaukee County by Bike

Whether you are interested in saving money, reducing your carbon footprint, getting more exercise, or simply want to better explore our community, biking is a great transit alternative. The Milwaukee area has a lot to offer cycling novices and enthusiasts alike, with its 65 miles of bike lanes and 75 miles of bike routes. Biking also plays a key role in driving our local economy. Therefore, it is important that we continue supporting and building our biking infrastructure. Doing so will not only ensure that Wisconsin's tourism industry remains competitive  with neighboring states, but also maintain a quality infrastructure for future generations.

Below are just a few options for those looking at becoming more avid bikers:

• Jump on Our Nearby Trails--Our community connects to both the Hank Aaron State Trail and the Oak Leaf Trail. The former offers 10 miles of continuous paths between the lakefront and Milwaukee's West End. It even runs by Discovery World, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Summerfest, and the Historic Third Ward. The latter boasts over 100 miles of trails from Milwaukee into Wauwatosa and connects to all of the major parks in the Milwaukee County Park System.
• Participate in Bike to Work Week (May 14 to 18)--Take the Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail to work, and stop by the Breakfast Station, which will be offering free coffee and baked goods throughout the week.
• Bring the Whole Family (June 2 to September 11)--The Park People, advocates of the Milwaukee County Parks system, is hosting the Oak Leaf Discovery Tour during the summer. Purchase an Oak Leaf Discovery Tour Passport, and collect stamps from various parks along the trail. After collecting eight stamps, register the passport for the opportunity to win valuable prizes at the end of summer. Passports are available for purchase at many park locations, bike shops, or online. They are $3 each, or 5 for $10. Proceeds go to towards the enhancement of the Oak Leaf Trail.

Click here for more information about Milwaukee County bike trails and to view maps

 =================

Navigating Milwaukee County by Bus

Public transportation, that includes a well-run bus operation, is vital to our neighbors who have a disability, are elderly, or are commuting to and from work or school. According to the Milwaukee County Transit systems, on average 140,000 bus rides are provided daily. Of these, 39% are commuters traveling to and from work, another 5% are heading to job interviews, and 11% are students making their way to classes to learn valuable skills for their future careers.

Unfortunately, public transit, including our local buses, was not made a priority in the most recent legislative session. In his budget, Governor Walker chose to decrease funding for public transit by 10% and eliminated $77 million from shared revenue to local governments in order to fund $2.3 billion in tax breaks for large corporations. As a result, local governments have been forced to shift funding, raise fares, change or eliminate routes, and reduce vital services.

While many of these changes have been seen by riders in our own community, Milwaukee County has been doing what it can to try and decrease the impact of these cuts on our neighbors. A method they have used to try and improve bus services for riders is applying for federal funding and grants. One project that was a result of such efforts was the creation of three new MetroEXpress Routes in our community earlier this year. These routes were created after Milwaukee County was awarded a Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grant by the federal government. The new routes--the BlueLine, RedLine and GreenLine--operate every day of the week in high ridership corridors.

This session I fought to provide Wisconsin workers, students, the elderly, and neighbors with disabilities with reliable, accessible transportation by authoring and supporting a number of legislative initiatives. One such bill was the Workforce Mobility Act. This legislation sought to prevent further cuts by reinvesting in our state’s public transit infrastructure. According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, a recent re-estimate of the transportation fund indicated that an additional $32.9 million remains available for use. This bill would have used $9.6 million of this funding to restore the cuts to our mass transit systems ensuring that our workforce can get to their jobs each day.

Unfortunately, this and many other bills aimed at supporting our public transit infrastructure were discarded by Governor Walker and Republican legislators with little to no consideration given to the proposals. However, I will continue working hard on your behalf to have adequate funding put towards our public transit infrastructure.

Click here for more information about Milwaukee County's bus services.
===================

Milwaukee Professionals Association commends Senator Chris Larson for his "INFORMATIONAL" approach to sharing constituents' news. 

ALL HANDS on Deck, WE, Action Plan - Real Estate Reconciliation

MILWAUKEE(MPA) - Keeping in the vain of "if it is to be, it starts with me", MPA/Milwaukee Professionals Association head/lead protagonist is its Chair/CEO - Mary Glass.

Today Glass launched, RECONCILIATION as the first step for ALL Hands on Deck, WE, INFRASTRUCTURE and PIPELINE Initiative for Milwaukeeans.  It is a "people-need" - Finding the Comfort Zone for Healing while experiencing inspiration - while working through awkwardness, anger, dislike, hurt, disbelief, failure, panic and clear.
=============

Call for Real Estate
We are asking any and all neighborhood-level real estate professionals, environmental agents, construction workers, carpenters, electricians,  plumbers - heating and air conditioning agents, developers, contractors, architects, commercial property owners and start-up restorers of property to get in touch with us through Email:  mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com.

Give name (individual and/or company name), address, type of business, owner and principals' names, years working in industry, years in business (yours and working for someone);  and, the best time to contact you.  Be sure to add telephone number and email.  If you have a website, share address.

Glass reports, "It means that I must take the time necessary for to create for myself and/or help someone else move to his/her/their Comfort Zone.  It is inviting congruency - agreement, for working together for the long haul."
==============

You can complete our Recruitment Form.  CLICK

UNEMPLOYMENT TASK FORCE - Elected and Appointed Representation - NORTHCOTT NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE Meeting

  April 25, 2012

MILWAUKEE(MPA) - Northcott Neighborhood House, 2460 N. 6th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the first meeting of an elected and appointed group of representatives of government, business and neighborhood groups to address People of Color and women Unemployment in Milwaukee.  It is a continuation of a Milwaukee County Task Force spearheaded by then, 10th District Supervisor and now, 10th District State Representative Elizabeth Coggs of Milwaukee.

L-R:  Mary Glass - Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association
State Representative Elizabeth Coggs, 10th District - Milwaukee

The Task Force bill was sponsored by Representative Coggs.
The Task Force was formed by Governor Scott Walker to address high unemployment of People of Color and females in Milwaukee.

The meeting was opened by WI Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, who is the co-chair of the Governor's Task Force on Unemployment of People of Color and Women.

Welcome was given by:  Project Director Tony Kearney - Northcott Neighborhood House.
Opening Remarks were also given by Representative Coggs - District 10, Representative Jason Fields - District 19, Representative Mark Hondel - District 21 and  Secretary Reggie Newsom, Department of Workforce Development.  Alderwoman Milele Coggs, 6th District of the City of Milwaukee was present.

There were approximately 20 members of the Task Force, staff of representatives and neighborhood representatives present.

Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association was able to sit in on the first hour of the meeting.  Glass said, "the group has the potential of galvanizing the first-line discussion for creating the necessary framework for hands-on changes that will impact the high UNEMPLOYMENT of People of Color and Women in Milwaukee.  Since African Americans have the highest unemployment rate, a model of change should start there.  MPA will certainly monitor this group for growth and partnering for the All Hands on Deck, WE, Action Initiative. 

ALL Hands on Deck, WE, INFRASTRUCTURE and PIPELINE Initiative for Milwaukeeans

April 24, 2012  

MILWAUKEE(MPA) - CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP is one of the ways released by the office of Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association for how MPA Action plan is to be realized.

The focus is a BOTTOM-Up economy with vetted engines from the neighborhood level. The working partners are: residential, commercial, industrial, government and social organizations in Milwaukee.

 The CORE VALUE is rooted in TRUST, customer care, customer safety, customer wellness, customer growth and customer sustainability. NO ONE is Exempt.

The method of operation is taken from Steven Covey's 7 steps of Highly Effective People. They are:
1. Be Proactive.
2. Begin with the End in Mind.
3. First Things First.
4. Win-Win Attitude.
5. Seek first to Understand and then be Understood.
6. Synergy Development.
7. We will sharpen the "saw" - the plan.
========================

The first corporate business is JOHNSON CONTROL. Corporate Leader: Stephen Roell, President/CEO Johnson Control, corporate office in Glendale, Wisconsin, has been chosen as the first for many reasons; one of which is President Roell's recent engagement with President Kevin Reilly, University of Wisconsin System and University of Wisconsin Board of Regents that calls for a deal with two (2) of our public higher education sites, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin - Madison. However, African American and other People of Color do not have an education attainment and technology pipeline finger print. That is DISCRIMINATION. This is to correct that wrong.

Glass released a late statement, "MPA ALL Hands on Deck - Call to Action by ALL - REVITALIZATION of Milwaukee calls on Corporate America in the city limits of Milwaukee/Milwaukee County and/or those receiving government funding on behalf of those in the iconic city of Milwaukee to LISTEN-UP, GET-UP and REFORM the infrastructure of Milwaukee for their sustainability-the families of Milwaukee now and to place in the pipeline pathways for those to come." "It is the right thing to do".

MPA ALL Hands on Deck - Call to Action by ALL - REVITALIZATION of Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE(MPA) - Milwaukee Professionals Association through the office of Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Call for members of the 190 neighborhoods in the the iconic city of Milwaukee to LISTEN-UP, GET-UP and REFORM the infrastructure of Milwaukee for you-your family-neighbor and those to come.

We are missing out on our "Hidden Talent" and "Vetted" businesses (DIAMONDS in the Rough)of the neighborhood that will grow the economy from the BOTTOM-up. The innovative engines that can drive us forward in the 21st Century and increase the per capital income to family-supporting wages of those now TRAPPED.

ALL Hands on Deck Call for Action requires a step-by-step connected way for PREPAREDNESS that links like and informed minds.

We seek a Win-Win-Win ideology with ideas-planning-buy-in from the people.
We seek a Win-Win-Win ideology that make its core, TRUST.
We seek a Win-Win-Win ideology that make the citizenry demand transparency and accountability for their assets, themselves, from those they elect; and those they elect appoint-hire-volunteer. This includes donor-for-hire organizations in or out of the city.

We are calling for hands-on changes of Preparedness that includes education attainment, technology attainment, global competitiveness, improved rate of growth, environmental wellness, tooling for economic engines and principle-centered leadership.

The goal is to "re-define", "re-brand" and UN-TRAP Milwaukeeans from the "by-design" DISCRIMINATION that has created Enduring Concentrated Poverty and preventing so many Milwaukeeans from fulfilling the American dream.

It is important that we understand the "status quo" to know what must be addressed.

We are using the basic findings of the Milwaukee Professionals Association Smart Growth 5-Year Signature Plan (2005-2010) to give us our start.
========================


Milwaukee Professionals Association Smart Growth 5-Year Signature Plan (2005-2010)
We identified a cast of representatives that have orchestrated through a Code of Conduct a culture of Discrimination that has the people/inhabitants/population/tax payers in an Enduring Concentrated Poverty status. They are:
-- Elected
-- Appointed
-- Hired
-- Volunteered
-- Donor for Hire.

The status has taken on a life of its own over time and byproducts of crime, lack of education attainment, lack of housing, lack of employment, lack of safety preventions and interventions, massive destruction of the family - mom and dad separated, homicides in the family and neighborhood have gone un-checked.

The byproducts above have gone unchecked and have been allowed to metastasize into the following dysfunctional factors:
-- abortions
-- bullying
-- dropouts
-- drug selling
-- drug use
-- early pregnancy
-- flash mobbing
-- gang violence
-- incarcerated
-- incarcerated and criminalized
-- juvenile delinquent
-- murder/homicide
-- overdose
-- prostitution trade
-- runaways
-- suicides
-- turf wars

This has been further demonized by the cast of representatives to keep the status quo.

We will work with Steven Covey's 7 steps of Highly Effective People to advance the Action plan of the People. They are:
1. Be Proactive.
2. Begin with the End in Mind.
3. First Things First.
4. Win-Win Attitude.
5. Seek first to Understand and then be Understood
6. Synergy Development
7. We will sharpen the "saw" - the plan.
========================

MILWAUKEE PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION seeks the newly signed JOBS/Jumpstart our Business Startups Act as a way to provide hope and faith at the neighborhood level where there is DISTRUST, disparity and despair.

The Whitehouse Blog - Startup Stories: Fast Forward, With a Few Speed Bumps

John Belizaire

April 23, 2012
10:00 AM EDT
Share This Post

"Always be humble and don’t let anybody say you don't work hard. Do your best” were the words of wisdom instilled in me by my Haitian-born parents. They’d experienced the dictatorship of Jean Claude Duvalier, yet remained total optimists.

I thought of them when I arrived at the White House earlier this month. I thought I was just going to attend the signing of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act but in fact, I did more than that. First, I was fortunate enough to attend a roundtable discussion to discuss how the new law will fuel innovation across the country and then we had the privilege of meeting President Obama and joined him on the podium in the Rose Garden to sign the bill into law.

As I stood up there, I felt honored to part of such a historic occasion. I was thinking of my own startup, my co-founders, our customers, our employees and our investors, and my journey to this moment.

I was born in Nassau, Bahamas, and then five years later, my family moved to New York. Like many immigrants from the Caribbean, we made Brooklyn, NY, our home.

In junior high school, I worked hard doing odd jobs to save money to buy my first computer. I started my first (little) company selling colorful computer disks and typing papers for my high school teachers, who were completing their Masters degrees. While my friends had paper routes, I was already going the techie route.

For more interesting comments, CLICK.
===========================

MILWAUKEE PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION supports the JOBS act - Jumpstart our Business Startups and look forward to it being an avenue of re-defining, re-branding and un-trapping vetted, hidden talented and NEW neighborhood-level businesses.

This Week's Broadway Hit - STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE - Tennessee Williams

By Associated Press, Updated: Sunday, April 22, 6:48 PM

NEW YORK — In the end, Stanley will have his awful, violent revenge on Blanche. She will see it coming — she’http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifll struggle, her eyes will go wide like a deer’s and she’ll try to bolt. But he’ll get her and thehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifn he will surely break her. What the races are of the actors on stage is immaterial.

The new revival of Tennessee Williams’ often brutal “A Streetcar Named Desire,” which features African-Americans in the lead roles, opened Sunday at the Broadhurst Theatre as a reminder of the power of the writing.

An excellent ensemble cast — a fragile Nicole Ari Parker stars as the doomed Blanche, a swaggering Blair Underwood as Stanley, a spitfire Daphne Rubin-Vega as Stella and a laconic Wood Harris as Mitch — combines under taut directing from Emily Mann to create a fresh way to enjoy an iconic play.

For more, CLICK

Milwaukee Professionals Association "Working Observation Paper" - Elected/Appointed/Hired/Supported/Donor for Hire

MILWAUKEE(MPA)- MPA Working Observation Paper, MPA/Milwaukee Professionals Association Smart Growth Signature Plan (2005-2010), exposed a Code of Conduct of lawlessness by elected-appointed-hired-volunteered-donor for hire representatives in/at the local government that was aided and abetted by elected-appointed-hired-volunteered-donor for hire representatives at the state and federal level government.
=================


The Code of Conduct yield practices of DISCRIMINATION pure and simple - mostly by-design. The discrimination resulted in a harden "culture/influence of day-to-day operation" that is self-perpetuating.


Elected-Appointed-Hired-Volunteered
The ELECTED individuals are placed at the top of the evaluation because they are the "officials" by law that can make decisions, make laws, disburse funds, enforce regulations, promote best practices, honor our Constitution through their Oath, ensure domestic tranquility and human-legal-civil rights on behalf of the citizenry. So, when they do not know the law and/or choose not to uphold the law, it sends a message of "exploitation".

The ELECTED individuals are the legal ones to make human resource appointments (offices, departments, commissions, boards, committees, etc.), hire their staff, provide information to constituents, seek guidance from constituents and control legislation that govern others that are appointed and/or hired/volunteered.

The ELECTED individuals are the legal and influential ones that sit on boards, committees and special groups that governed the in/out of local-state-federal funds and can lead-by-example.

Accountability
The ELECTED individuals are "PUBLIC SERVANTS".
The length of office of the elected person, if correctly monitored by the citizenry, is based on his/her efficiency-proficiency-quality performance of customer service to constituents (in-the-district of representation and all other districts that he/she votes on laws for).

An ELECTED OFFICIAL is wrongfully supported if the person is elected and/or remain in a position simply because of lobbyists, well-connected friends, they raised money for ads and they won last time. They MUST be evaluated and often guided for best practice representation.

The public square must ensure credibility through DEMOCRACY and through expectations for transparency and accountability. It requires ALL Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Action Plan.


Conflicts of Interest locally
The individuals that we elect set the tone and everybody else jump on for the influence/greed/cronyism/gatekeeping/oligopoly control of the funding and legislation for the over half-million citizenry of Milwaukee.

The "malfeasance" in some areas is more widespread and damaging. However, the bureaucratic manner of operation is an adopted practice that is "illegal" but operated as "legal". In the iconic city of Milwaukee, it is a "way of life" and method of operation.

Unacceptable
Since Caucasians are the ones that are always in the leadership, receiving privileges, benefiting disproportionately to the majority population in Milwaukee, African American and other People of Color; change/reform includes re-defining, re-branding and UN-TRAPPING Milwaukeeans of Color through infrastructural and systematic REFORM - starting by identifying in the public square the culprits of oppression - followed by federal investigations, sanctions and class action suits.

Full scale discipline of those that are complicit - this includes African American and other People of Color that are blameworthy in lawlessness.

2004 Election
When Candidate Marvin Pratt won the Primary over Candidate Tom Barrett, it sent a shock wave through the well-connected Caucasian business owners of power. They immediately went about by-any-means necessary to elect Tom Barrett mayor. As a result, Tim Sheehy, Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce, Julie Taylor, Greater Milwaukee Committe and others forged an agenda to create the Milwaukee 7 with Barrett's blessings. It was endorsed with complicit actions of Milwaukee elected representatives: Common Council President Willie Hines, County Executive Scott Walker and Board President Lee Holloway. The appointed member was University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Chancellor Carlos Santiago.

The founding membership and organizers were DEVOID of representation of African American and other People of Color that represented the neighborhood business sector. In 2005, Milwaukee 7 had a first Meeting.

It was one of the bullet items in Mayor Tom Barrett's 2004 Inaugural Speech - Jobs and Economic Development - Regional Planning.

Whereas the Barrett's Inaugural Speech gave the impression that his administration would do so much for the healing of racial tension, improving quality of life and economic issues for the voters of Milwaukee, the opposite was the truth. He completely excluded them and OUTSOURCED assets and resources with the assistance of other elected, appointed, hired, volunteered and donor for hire representatives. The lawless group included African American and Person of Color - Chancellor Carlos Santiago (2005).

Our research shows that mayor Barrett immediately set to reward those well-connected election contributors who gathered behind the scene to help him win - one of which was/is, fired ex-Commissioner of the Department of City Development (fired by mayor Marvin Pratt), Julie Penman. Penman is yet in the loop with a paper trail from the city of Milwaukee as one of the privileged members of the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation.

She was an intricate and front-line contributor to real estate investment and the Master Plan at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. It is believed that she is yet involved with real estate and UW-M.

Lake Express
On June 2, 2004, Lake Express was launched as a high-speed ferry between Milwaukee and Muskegon, Michigan.

Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association, visited Muskegon, Michigan, to witness and report on who would be on the Maiden voyage from Milwaukee - travelers were the orchestrated effort by the Milwaukee Journal.

After the many who had been organized by the Milwaukee Journal arrived - NO African American - except the two (2) African American Milwaukee Police that escorted mayor Tom Barrett were present from Milwaukee.

Glass shared the discriminating fact with Barrett immediately as he walked off the ferry - stating that it was out-of-order that funds from the city, state and federal coffers were given to make this venture happen, it was DEVOID of African American and People of Color. Barrett had a blank stare and "no response".

Another example of exclusion was August 6, 2004, mayor Tom Barrett snubbing of African American Muskegon Heights, Michigan Mayor Rillenstine Walker, who participated in the bi-coastal launching of Lake Express - a privileged development for the Lubar family - Lubar and Company. Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals negotiated and sponsored the visit of Mayor Walker and a group of business owners for consideration of a bi-coastal trade partnership for Urban Tourism as a Smart Growth effort that would benefit like URBAN environments. CLICK

Barrett and his office staff refused to meet with mayor Rillistine Walker of Muskegon Heights, Michigan. This was a very serious error on his part.

Glass contacted Special Assistant Frank Cumberbatch (Barrett's office), he worked with her and agreed to join her in the limousine to welcome and pickup at the Lake Express dock site, 2330 South Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53207, mayor Walker, Muskegon Heights business team. He shared comments and a plaque to mayor Walker. The Bi-Coastal Trade Meeting was held at the office of Milwaukee Professionals Association (CAMPAIGN NEIGHBORHOOD - CFNBA) at 2600 W. North Avenue, North Avenue Commerce Center.

Barrett's failure to honor his words of fairness has been ongoing and it was rumored the main reason for Cumberbath resignation. Frank Cumberbatch was to head the Economic business group efforts for the city. It is said that Tim Sheehy was given favor. That changed to a corporate focus ONLY that excluded the African American and People of Color population. Shortly after the snubbing, Cumberbatch resigned.

LARSON WEEKLY REPORT - APRIL 12, 2012 , PART II

Senator Chris Larson, 7th District

Office Phone: (608) 266-7505
Toll-free Phone: (800) 361-5487
Email: Sen.Larson@legis.wi.gov

Mailing Address:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707

Web Site:
SenatorChrisLarson.com
=======================
Free Legal Services on Law Day
Saturday, May 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

In recognition of Law Day, the Milwaukee Bar Association will be offering free informational and referral services. Feel free to stop by one of four locations to receive information on how to navigate the legal process, ask experienced attorneys about your legal matters, and be referred to a legal representative with expertise in the area of law with which you need assistance.


Click here to view the flier for this event.

Service will be provided from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 at the following library locations:

Bay View Library
2566 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53207

Central Library
814 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233

Center Street Library
2727 W. Fond du Lac Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53210

Atkinson Library
1960 W. Atkinson Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53209
====================

There are plenty of events happening around Wisconsin in honor of Earth Day. Continue reading for events in our community. If you live outside of the Milwaukee area, please feel free to contact your local municipality for additional information spechttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifific to your neighborhood.

Earth Day at the Urban Ecology Center
Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The center will host a number of family-friendly events, including a weed-out of Riverside and Washington Park, a river clean-up by canoe, a river to lake hike, crafts, stories, tree planting, and even a drum group.

Urban Ecology Center (MAP)
1500 E. Park Place
Milwaukee, WI 53211

Click here for additional time and event information.
====================

Clean-Up Day in Lake Park
Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to Noon
Be a part of the nation's largest organized annual clean-up, beautification, and community improvement program. Set a positive example for your neighborhood by doing your part to help keep Greater Milwaukee beautiful. This is a great family or group activity. Volunteers should sign-in at the Warming Houhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifse in Lake Park. Bags will be provided.

Lake Park (MAP)
3233 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Milwaukee, WI 53211

St. Francis Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day with the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi on the convent grounds with a special earth prayer and walking tours of the grape arbor, gardens, orchard, Deer Creek wetlands and the planned urban forest. You can also take home French marigold seeds that were gathered on the grounds. Refreshments will be served at 10 a.m. Call (414) 294-7360 for more information.

St. Francis Convent
3221 S. Lake Drive
St. Francis, WI 53235

Schacknow - TODAY'S PRIMER, April 20, 2012

Peter Schacknow, Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk

Wall Street’s weekly outcome hangs in the balance ahead of the final trading session of the week. The Dow and the S&P 500 are still up, but the Nasdaq is lower for the week following yesterday’s second straight day of losses for all three. The S&P 500 is on the most pronounced negative streak, having fallen in nine of 12 sessions.

After a flood of both corporate earnings and economic reports yesterday, the pace of information slows down considerably today, with no major U.S. economic releases on the calendar. This morning’s highest profile earnings report belongs to Dow components General Electric (GE) and McDonald’s (MCD), with Honeywell (HON), Johnson Controls (JCI), Kimberly-Clark (KMB), and Schlumberger also scheduled to report. As is usually the case on Fridays, there are no after-the-bell earnings reports on the schedule.

Microsoft (MSFT) leads our list of stocks to watch, earning 60 cents per share for its fiscal third quarter, three cents above estimates, with revenue also beating consensus. Microsoft’s results were helped by better than expected overall personal computer sales during the quarter.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) reported first quarter profit of $1.97 vs. Street estimates of $1.93, and also reported better than expected revenue. Chipotle’s same-store sales topped analyst forecasts, and the bottom line was also helped by menu price increases instituted in 2011.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) earned $0.12 per share for its first quarter, three cents above estimates. Revenue registered a slight beat, as AMD joined Microsoft in benefiting from better than expected PC demand.

Capital One (COF) beat estimates by 17 cents with its first quarter profit of $1.56 per share. Revenue of $4.9 billion was above the consensus estimate of $4.37 billion, on better than anticipated loan volume.

Tempur-Pedic (TPX) earned $0.86 per share for the first quarter, two cents above estimates, with revenue essentially in line. However, its fiscal year guidance of $3.80 - $3.95 per share is below estimates of $3.97. That disappointed investors, who have grown accustomed to the mattress maker raising its outlook in recent quarters.

SanDisk (SNDK) reported first quarter profit of $0.63 per share, seven cents below estimates, with the chipmaker citing lower than expected prices. SanDisk CEO Sanjay Mehrotra also says demand weakness in certain segments is likely to persist through the current quarter before improving in the second half of the year.

Riverbed Technologies (RVBD) took a 17% hit in after-hours trading, after the maker of networking gear reported lower than expected revenue for the first quarter, as well as forecasting second quarter profit and sales that fell below analyst estimates. The company has suffered from the effects of product upgrade delays.

Ethan Allen (ETH) is forecasting fiscal third quarter profit of $0.17 to $0.19 per share, compared to analyst estimates of $0.19. The furniture maker attributes the potential shortfall to expenses related to revamping its product line. The company did increase its quarterly dividend to $0.09 per share from $0.07, a rise of 29%.

EXPECTATION - Content and Character from Common Council and Board of Supervisors in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE(MPA) - On April 3, 2012, Wisconsin state regulations granted an "election process" that allowed the citizenry of the city of Milwaukee to ELECT 15 alderpersons for the governance stewardship of the City of Milwaukee and 18 Supervisors for governance and stewardship of Milwaukee County. Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and the County Executive are located in Milwaukee - the county seat. We look forward to a spirited leadership that shows INNOVATION through people engagement at the neighborhood level in the City of Milwaukee.

Chair/President
These two bodies then had an opportunity to elect their respective leader.


The body of 15 alderpersons elected Alderman Willie Hines - Common Council President.
The body of 18 supervisors elected Supervisor Marina
Dimitrijevic - Board Chairwoman.
================================

The city of Milwaukee, located on Lake Michigan, with five (5) rivers: Menomonee, Kinnickinnic, Milwaukee, Root River and Lincoln Creek; 97.2 square miles and 190 neighborhoods diversity strong. It is the largest city and the largest URBAN city in the state. It is also the iconic city that has not lived up to its potential.

We, the People must see that the city-county joint stewardship of monitoring our assets/resources empower first and foremost the city of Milwaukee for re-defining, re-branding and un-trapping the half-million population.

We have TOO MANY of its People, who have "hidden talent" and vetted entrepreneurs trapped, being denied "by-design" education attainment, technology attainment, financial packaging, pipelined for channel development (proprietary trading at the neighborhood level), pipelined for research and development, discriminated against and NOT given "DUE PROCESS".

Criss-Cross Puzzle
Due to the ENDURING CONCENTRATED POVERTY caused by widespread DISCRIMINATION of Milwaukeeans, Milwaukee Professionals Association launched a 5-year observation that produced key individuals that perpetuate the status quo of exploitation. They have been identified as:

-- ELECTED
-- APPOINTED
-- HIRED
-- VOLUNTEERED
-- DONOR FOR HIRE (charitable organization seeking a specific benefit for gift).

It is also because of the findings by MPA, that there is a CALL FOR INVESTIGATION submitted to the U.S. Office of Justice via the Office of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

We ask that a thorough investigation be done to discover, SPOTLIGHT, evaluate and re-route the true origins-individuals-groups-organizations that continue to use federal and other funding in wasteful and unintended ways.

The lawlessness is so widespread, like the ENRON and Wall Street cases, the average Milwaukeean probably feel they are too big to be "put in check" and wrongful powers removed. We know this is NOT true.
================================

Milwaukee Professionals Association Working Paper has identified the following as major discriminators that link to many other spenders of government funds. They are:

-- University of Wisconsin Board of Regents
-- University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
-- University of Wisconsin - Foundations (Real Estate and Research)
-- University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (ex-Chancellor Carlos Santiago)
-- University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (Chancellor Michael Lovell)
-- University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (faculty and staff)
-- University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (Student Union)
-- University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (WUWM Radio)
-- University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (UWM POST)
-- Milwaukee 7
-- Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce
-- Greater Milwaukee Committee
-- Wisconsin Center District

There are other discriminators, i.e., Milwaukee School Board and Milwaukee Area Technical College that will come later.
==================================

Andrew Ross Sorkin - DEALBOOK , April 19, 2012

Morgan Stanley Posts $558 Million Loss, but Beats Estimates Morgan Stanley on Thursday reported adjusted earnings that beat analyst estimates, driven by stronger-than-expected trading revenue. Including charges, the firm had a first-quarter loss of $94 million, 6 cents a share. That compares with a profit of $968 million in the year-ago period.

The results, however, were affected by one-time accounting charges related to the firm's credit spreads. Excluding those one-time items, the firm had a profit of 71 cents a share. That handily beat the 44 cents a share estimates of analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.

Morgan Stanley's first-quarter revenue fell 8 percent to $6.9 billion, down from $7.57 billion in the year-ago period. Excluding the accounting charges, revenue was $8.9 billion, up from the $7.8 billion in the same quarter a year ago.
============================

Bank of America Earnings Fall to $653 Million Bank of America reported Thursday that its net income fell to $653 million, or 3 cents a share, in the first quarter, partly because of one-time expenses.

The bank reported that its revenue fort the quarter was $22.5 billion, which was down 17 percent from the same period a year ago. The top and bottom line were affected by accounting charges for how the bank's debt is valued, as credit spreads tightened.

Excluding those charges, the company's revenue was down 2.5 percent to $27.3 billion while its profit was up 34.8 percent to $310 million. The bank's operating income was 31 cents a share and was ahead of analyst estimates of 12 cents a share. Its revenue met expectations.

CALL for Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 36 Enforcement - Putting the EMPHASIS on the People's NEEDS

MILWAUKEE(MPA) - For the rest of this month, April, 2012, Milwaukee Professionals Association will look at State Statute Chapter 36 that provides legislation for enforcement of our "public higher education"; and, the Mission of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.


It is to draw attention to why we say the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Chancellor Carlos Santiago (past chancellor) and Chancellor Michael Lovell (present chancellor) have failed in their duties to service Milwaukeeans, especially African American, other People of Color and the Work Challenged (un-, under-employed; un-, under-degreed and certificated; un-, under-financed neighborhood-level business; disabled; and re-entry - especially those returning from WAR, INCARCERATION, BOOMERANG EMPLOYMENT, BOOMERANG RETIREMENT and DEGREED students without employment).

It is through Notice and Public Address that we will correct the widespread and "by-design" DISCRIMINATION.
==========================


36.01 Statement of purpose and mission.
(1) The legislature finds it in the public interest to provide a system of higher education which enables students of all ages, backgrounds and levels of income to participate in the search for knowledge and individual development; which stresses undergraduate teaching as its main priority; which offers selected professional graduate and research programs with emphasis on state and national needs; which fosters diversity of educational opportunity; which promotes service to the public; which makes effective and efficient use of human and physical resources; which functions cooperatively with other educational institutions and systems; and which promotes internal coordination and the wisest possible use of resources.

(2) The mission of the system is to develop human resources, to discover and disseminate knowledge, to extend knowledge and its application beyond the boundaries of its campuses and to serve and stimulate society by developing in students heightened intellectual, cultural and humane sensitivities, scientific, professional and technological expertise and a sense of purpose. Inherent in this broad mission are methods of instruction, research, extended training and public service designed to educate people and improve the human condition. Basic to every purpose of the system is the search for truth.
==========================


MPA Accountability - 36.01
Per legislation by the legislature, we ask the following of 36.01:

1. To promote the "public interest" - a system of higher education which enables students of all ages, backgrounds and levels of income to participate in the search for knowledge and individual development.

2. To promote "undergraduate" training, as a MAIN priority.

3. To promote growth by offering specific advanced programs and research programs with emphasis on state and national needs.

4. To fosters diversity of educational opportunity by offering state-of-the-art education and training that promotes service to the public.

5. To promote effective and efficient use of human and physical resources.

6. To work in "common purpose" and "benefit" with other educational institutions and systems.

7. To be "good stewards" - internal coordination and the wisest possible use of resources.
==========================

MPA Accountability - 36.02
With the understanding above of the "public interest purpose", we seek the following from the Mission:

1. The University of Wisconsin system, individual site (campus and extension) and collectively (campuses and extensions) are to "develop human resources" - to discover and disseminate knowledge.

2. To "extend knowledge" and "its application" - beyond the boundaries of its campuses and to serve and stimulate society by developing in students heightened intellectual, cultural and humane sensitivities, scientific, professional and technological expertise and a sense of purpose.

3. "Byproduct-Ingrained-Inherent" in the above broad mission - methods of instruction, research, extended training and public service designed to educate people and improve the human condition; and, the search for truth.
==========================

The iconic city of Milwaukee has a population of over a half-million people.
-- It is rich in cultures and ethnic history.

-- It is majority People of Color - African American is the largest race.

-- It is the county seat for Milwaukee County.

-- It receives $$$MILLIONS annually for growth and sustainability.

-- It has a four-prong public education system - Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical School, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin - Extension.

-- It has above legislation (Chapter 36) that should "guarantee" education and technology attainment" of it human resources through individual and cooperatively workings for "common cause" - MPS/MATC/UW-MILWAUKEE/UW-EXTENSION and other technical and educational sites.

-- It has above legislation that should "guarantee" research and case studying for public interest and growth of our neighborhoods with "social issues" of disparity.

-- It is located on Lake Michigan, a member of the Great Lakes.

-- It is the only World-Class city in the state.

-- It is the "gateway" for business and referred to as Milwaukee–Racine–Waukesha Metropolitan Area.

Issues of Concerns
-- Lack of expected investment in "human resources" of the iconic city of Milwaukee.

-- Lack of cooperatively planning and sharing for "common good" of resources per University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin - Extension, Milwaukee Area Technical College and Milwaukee Public Schools.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
-- Lack of quality of life and economic development for Milwaukeeans, over half-million population.

-- Huge disparities of education and employment attainment (un- and under-employment).

-- Documented by case studies and reports the last forty plus years with "growing disparities" - Kerner Commission - 1968 to Enduring of Concentrated Poverty - 2008 to DWilson Disparity Study - 2010 to Milwaukee now fourth poorest city in nation
to Black Male Employment Rates in Milwaukee and the Nation’s Largest Metro Areas 2010/ are four(4) examples.

The recent plans rolled-out by the Chancellor Lovell, his cabinet, the foundations, the NEW schools/university programs EXCLUDE Milwaukeeans and more specifically Milwaukeeans that are African American and other People of Color. That will change.