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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

PETE'S FRUIT MARKET needs Input from Citizenry


Howdy Everybody!

August 31, 2016
MILWAUKEE | NORTH AVENUE/MLKING DRIVE

Pete's Fruit Market co-hosted an employment event on August 30, 2016. It was held at the YWCA (King Drive) - for their store that is scheduled to open this year on the corner of North Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive - the location of historic Beechie Brooks Plaza. 

Pete's Fruit Market is scheduled to open later this year on the corner of North Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. 

Economic Development 
The owner of the 13,000 square foot development is a wholly owned entity of Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation/MEDC.  They are the underwriters of the $3 million Plus investment for the development.

Kalan Haywood of Vangard Group has been hired to manage the development of the site.  The general contractor is JCP Construction.

The Lessor is Theodore Tsitiridis.  He is the owner of Pete's Fruit Market, 1400 S. Union Street, Milwaukee, WI  53204.  He is the son of the original Pete's - presently retired in Florida.

Tsitiridis is scheduled to open his second location at the lucrative site of the long-awaited customer base on the corner of Dr. Martin L. King Drive and North Avenue. The demolition permits have been pulled and the portion of the building for demolition is on the way.


The development is being introduced with anchor tenant Pete's Market as a lessor.  Those of us interested in private and full investment, as well as historic presence of the total 13,000 square feet property, need to discuss "build-outs" of the development with the office of Vangard property and "build-outs" with Theodore Tsitiridis - Pete's Market.  They are two separate entities that will contribute to the final urban lifestyle design and implementation of this cornerstone Bronzeville development.  This should be an impressive and MODERN grocery.

Centerpoint/HUB
This is a HUB development. This is a center place for the Core Constituents and for visitors.  Therefore, cultural foods, a full-scale hot and cold deli with other specialties unique to Pete's brand and unique to African Americans foods and spices should be in the foreground of this NEW grocery.

The ongoing EXCITEMENT should be discussions regarding the layout and types of products/produce, vendors, and "parking".  

Pete's on the south side is tied to El Centro and UW-Extension.  Given their missions and visions, are they being factored in the production of produce, sharing garden produce and the labor on King Drive?  Will Pete's Market partner with a north side gardener like Dawn to Dusk Forever Garden Group?

The NEW Pete's Market is scheduled to open later this year.  The time for coordination is now.

Bronzeville/Harambee Neighborhood
The NEW market will be located in District 6 - Bronzeville/Harambee NEIGHBORHOOD.  It will be a grocery food market that will service a diverse population in the 6th District that has a PREdominate African American base with Latino, Caucasian, American Indian, middle Easterner and Asian citizenry throughout.  It will also draw nearby neighborhoods on a daily basis given its location.

It is an area with a significant senior population just a stone-throw at Lapham Park and the historic Beechie Brooks Home-ownership complex. It borders Riverwest and WAICO NEIGHBORHOODS. It is located in the King Business Improvement District.  

This market will be located at the MAJOR intersection - "The Window to Bronzeville" - of two well-known thoroughfares - North Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.  It makes the statement as the first grocery in the area that will have the fingerprint of Bronzeville.  One that creates historic and authenticity with the fingerprint of the African American majority population.

"The People must have a huge say-so to complement and commit to seeing that the $3 million dollars PLUS coming from the city coffers via MEDC/Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation as well as other add-on co-partner efforts through Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee/RACM is forthcoming in "capacity-building investment" along King drive, North avenue, Center street, Burleigh street, Fond du Lac avenue and Green Bay avenue.   It is necessary because it has taken so long to get the development of Bronzeville started.

Therefore, it is imperative that meetings are held before groundbreaking, during construction and quarterly after Opening for support, oversight and 'measured growth' supported by the citizenry/customer that live-in and  those who live out of the Harambee area.


Speaking of labor
What are the departments of Pete's Market?  Is there an In-house Human Resource officer?

Is Pete's handling the employment or is it done through an agency?  Is the employment temporary or permanent?  And, if through an agency, the agency needs to be vetted by sharing the name.

Will there be a NEW team or is the management team ready-made and brought from the south side?

What's the dress code - training - wages - benefits?

Competitors
Recent markets, Metro Mart - on Oakland in Shorewood - opened on February 16, 2016, and Fresh Thyme - 470 E. Pleasant opened June 8, 2016, have a theme for attracting customers.  Their appeal is to the customer base in and around the store area.  They are also mindful of today's trends in healthy food groups, savings, and the customer having an "experience" while visiting their store. That includes modernized SPACE use, technology, variety, orderly products and customer care is a long-suit in being competitive. Today's freshness and one-stop shopping is a plus.  Bakery, wine and liquor department.  Outside patio sitting should be encouraged with an area designated.

We have Galst Food opened on July 10, 2016, the closed Lena's Foods Capitol site.  Just as with Pete's, they are expected to have a human resource and community relations arm to follow up inquiries and speak to questions for clarity.

Just as the southside Pete's Fruit Market has a Latino flavor, it is important that the King/North site share and show the African American culture and flavors.   


L:  Metro Mart - Shorewood, Left Top:  Pete's Signage,
Left Middle:  Photo of a Fresh Thyme, and Left Bottom:  Photo of Galst - North Avenue
Milwaukee Smart Grocery Network - MPA LLC is a newly formed organization for the purpose of linking those who bring food to the table as grocers.  We promote health, healthy foods and safety prevention/intervention. It starts with creating a relationship with the grocery stores, garden markets, distributors, customers and the USDA through the Public Relations office.

The creation of full-fledged grocers in the area is a focus-priority for stability in the neighborhoods.

"We have areas of the city that have been branded 'food-deserts'.  We have a monopoly-oligopoly distribution and oversight of food allowance and distribution for the city of Milwaukee and county of Milwaukee.  MSGN will work to empower Milwaukeeans so that 'pantries', Hunger Task Force, Food Share, Feeding America and the CCC Food Pantry are able to specialize in strengthening the household with training and resources for less and less dependence but on Wellness.  To have the food in-the-home rather than Hunger Task Force being the "poverty payee" for the city.

MSGN sees the King Business Improvement DistrictUEDA/Urban Economic Development Association and Westcare WI, Inc., three organizations with outside and inside representation for the area being as full-fledged partners receiving funding on behalf of the area's quality of life and economic development be part of a Master Plan for GROWTH in the preparation and gathering of foods for healthy families.

Therefore, King BID, UEDA and Westcare have a fiduciary responsibility to the neighborhood at-large and to help Theodore Tsitiridis - Pete's Market, the developer and construction company lay a business ethos foundation that will define progress, state of the art technology, fresh food groups (meats, fish, poultry, green vegetables, bakery, etc.), and aspiration of hope for the commercial and residential stakeholders.  

MPA LLC - Milwaukee Smart Grocery Network is in the process of documentation and growth of Milwaukee from food deserts and calling for those who provide groceries, gardening of food and distribution of food to Milwaukeeans in a growth network.  We especially look at the creation of economic development, quality of life and creating authenticity and historic presence that is missing.

Conflict of Interest  
This should be a TRUST relationship between Theodore Tsitiridis, customers, vendors, businesses and organizations to create the fingerprint in and out of the area.  He should have an open-door policy unrestricted by the developer, others working with the developer, Alderwoman Milele Coggs or any organization within the Bronzeville or Harambee area.

Too often city hall has had a heavy hand, pulling strings that are seen as acts of cronyism, delays, barriers, obstruction, and conflict of interest.  

"Monopoly-oligopoly powers tied to the development and controlled by Rocky Marcoux, Martha Brown, RACM, and DCD committees or an extension of the Department of City Development is a NO-NO", said Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, MPA LLC.  

"The office of Alderwoman Milele Coggs, District 6, is a government partner at the city level to the Bronzeville and District 6 population/area. Her role and responsibility are to help ensure that government policies do NOT provide cronyism by individuals, organizations and the city government - especially city government - do not operate with a behind the scenes agenda of politics and divisiveness. This creates barriers of entry and blocks NEEDED business development in Bronzeville and the city of Milwaukee".

"There have been clear signs of divisiveness and failure to communicate from with the office of Alderwoman Milele Coggs and the office of Kaylan Haywood.  This is unacceptable and is being seen by MPA LLC, many in the neighborhood and interest base as business as usual policies that must be brought to the foreground and removed.  This will cause Pete's Market to NOT get the kind of "launch" and "TRUST" it or the People deserve", said Glass.

MPA LLC invites both Theodore Tsitiridis and Gurden Singh to the table of Milwaukee Smart Grocery Network.  We have had difficulty making contact and getting information from Theodore Tsitiridis, Pete's Market and owner of Galst, Gurden Singh - failure to communicate, failure to meet and the appearance of divisiveness.

We know with an identity and brand of TRUST going forward  - evidenced by open communication, full-scale hiring from the People that buy from them, a professional dress code, training in customer service and  a growth plan, GURDEN SINGH/Galst and Theodore Tsitiridis/Pete's can be major food markets that are well-respected in the African American neighborhood.  They are already known for specializing in products sought by African Americans, their prime customer.

Singh like Tsitiridis need to create RAPPORT to ground their brands.  They already have many of the starter food groups.

More to come.

Route 279 Message from the Chief Visionary Officer - MPA LLC

April 31, 2016


Hi Everybody!
  

C O R R E C T I O N
The MoveOn.org petition HAS BEEN CORRECTED. 
YOU can Go to the site (mpapublicpolicyreview.blogspot.com) and SIGN THIS PETITION.

Keeping it Real. No one is Exempt.

BACKGROUND
Here is your opportunity to help us create REAL public transportation infrastructure that is worthy of dollars being spent to make a difference for the men and women in the crosshairs of the Eliminated Route 279.

According to our survey, these are men and women with employment from just hired to 3 years (most averaging 9-12 months in employment); who have taken advantage of the EMPLOYMENT opportunity of getting a full-time job with companies in Menomonee Falls Industrial Park.

The companies include Arandell, Harley Davidson, FEDEX, Sam's Club, Woodman's, EnSync Energy, Wacker Neuson, Scan Box, Walmart, and Radisson Hotel for starters.

Route 279
The Route that was pulled this past Saturday, August 27, 2016, failed to meet the Mission of all 3 organizations - MCTS/Milwaukee County Transit System, Black Health Coalition of WI and MICAH - Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations for Allied Hope.

L-R:  Rev. Willie Brisco (Milwaukee Inner-city Congregation for Allied Hope) &
Dr. Patricia McManus (Black Health Coalition of WI) 
MCTS, BHCW, and MICAH were given the privilege to manage and implement the People's federal fund of $13.5 million for Routes #6, #61, and #279 - They have failed in the creation and implementation of Route 279.

Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC is calling for a meeting of ALL 3 to immediately reinstate Route 279 as well as the necessary tweaking of failed scheduling, connecting BLUE line and coordination of the human element of the Ridership, the companies, village leaders and other specifics that will boost Route 279.


Route 279 is the most organic route - a model of connecting individuals from the "central city to hot spots employment".

North/South BRT
It speaks to WHY a build out of public transportation of a North/South BRT/Bus rapid Transit is NEEDED as the first alternative in Milwaukee County FAST Act federal spending - Small Starts funding RATHER THAN the $48 million East/West "build it they will come" - A proposal of high speculation for the haves with consultants AECOM and HNTB.

GO NOW to MoveOn.org and sign the petition.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/save-route-279-now

We have corrected the error. We ask and appreciate your support.

Mary Glass – Chief Visionary Officer
Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC
mpapublicpolicyreview.blogspot.com

mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

MPA LLC leads in SOLIDARITY - AUGUST 30, 2016

August 30, 2016


Hi Everybody!

We are moving forward with our efforts to see that Route 279 is RESTORED.

We ask that you STAND TALL IN SOLIDARITY.

HOW?
  1. Stay tuned to our INFORMATION ALERTS.
  2. Respond timely.
  3. Share with us any changes you notice.
  4. CALL MILW COUNTY SUPERVISORS.
  5. CALL CHRIS ABELE - COUNTY EXECUTIVE.
  6. SIGN MOVEON.ORG PETITION
SIGN THE MOVEON.ORG PETITION.  Our first goal is 50.  We have 12 signatures.  Let's get rolling folks.  Go online and sign-up.

Here is the LINK below.   Click it and sign up.

====================
YOU MUST HELP.  YOU MUST HELP BY SIGNING THE MoveOn.Org Petition, making calls DAILY to the following ELECTED OFFICIALS and telling of your concerns, support of Route 279 and your HARDSHIP.

Telehone #
Supervisor Mayo 278.4241, 
Supervisor Dimitrijevic 278.4232
Supervisor Sartori 278.4231
Supervisor Sebring 278.4253
Supervisor Weishan 278.4255
Supervisor Lipscomb 278.4222

County Board of Supervisors 278.4222

Emails of Supervisors on Transportation committee

countyexec@milwaukeecountywi.gov 

===========================

Keeping it Real.  No one is Exempt.
Mary Glass - Chief Visionary Officer
Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC

mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Glass & Powell Speak out to Save Route #279 on the Grass is Greener, Riverwest Radio 104.1

SAVE ROUTE 279
August 28, 2016

Sunday Night Edition
MILWAUKEE-RIVERWEST | Mary Glass, Chief Visionary Officer - Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC and Dawn Powell, Director - Dawn to Dusk Forever Garden Group LLC (District 6 Strategist) were guests on, The Grass is Greener Show, 8:00pm -9:00pm, Saturday, August 27, 2016.  

The hosts were Gary Grass, Attorney and Babette Grunow, Activist on Riverwest Radio, 104.1fm.


TAKE A LISTEN.  Quite informative.

Friday, August 26, 2016

SAVE ROUTE 279 - SIGN MoveOn.org


August 26, 2016

Howdy Everybody!
What is the possibility of your support and SPEAKING OUT on your FACEBOOK PAGE for to SAVE Route 279?
Here are three (3) starters.  Click the links.
JSONLINE COVERAGE
http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2016/08/19/discontinued-bus-route-draws-protest/88996220/

HERE IS WHERE WE SIT IDLE AND ALLOW "wrong" to fester and wait for eruptions such as recently seen in Sherman Park and play "crazy" with so many talking about - and blaming. 
Here is your time and opportunity for Action.
Mary Glass - CVO
Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC
mpapublicpolicyreview.blogspot.com
414.610.1044

CLICK 

Thursday, August 25, 2016

National Museum of African American History and Culture Museum in Washington, D.C., United States of America

NATIONAL MUSEUM of AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE
Opens September 26, 2016
Lonnie Bunch III - 
is an American educator and historian. He has spent much of his career as a prominent history museum curator and administrator.
*****************************************
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a Smithsonian Institution museum established in 2003. The museum's building, designed by David Adjaye, is currently under construction on the National Mall in Washington, D.C..Wikipedia
Floors2
FunctionMuseum
Wikipedia
https://nmaahc.si.edu/
================

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

MPA LLC calls for MOVEON.ORG Petition Campaign to SAVE ROUTE 279 - Milwaukee to Menominee Industrial Park

AFTERNOON Edition
August 24, 2016
MILWAUKEE | MENOMINEE FALLS - Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC continues its leadership and stewardship in "MPA LLC - SAVE ROUTE 279 Campaign"  with its newest Online Petition by MoveOn.org and to update the public infrastructure of connecting the "hot spot" employment of Menominee Falls Industrial Park with UN-employment of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Background
On August 12, 2016, a 2-week notice was posted at Park Place/Liberty bus layover.  It stated that Route 279 would be discontinued on August 27, 2016.  No prior notice.

It is the connecting point of the Blue Line and Route 279.  

Route 279 is one of three (3) bus routes put in place with the class-action suit funding of 2014. 
====================

CLICK
MoveOn.org petition

SAVE ROUTE 279 NOW

Monday, August 22, 2016

MCTS, MICAH, and Black Health Coalition pull Route 279 - violate Title VI law of suit, Endanger Milwaukee employees with present employment in Menomonee Falls and prevent others from many Help Wanted signs Up-and-Down Menomonee Falls Industrial Park

August 22, 2016
MILWAUKEE/Menomonee Falls Industrial Park | Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC is calling for Full Disclosure of the numbers/data base of MCTS/Milwaukee County Transit System, MICAH/Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope, and Black Health Coalition to substantiate the numbers in a Journal Sentinel article as to why they decided to pull Route 279.


"We need to see the facts here.  We ask for the guidelines of implementation of the class action suit. It is easy to give composite numbers.  We want to know with specificity Route scheduling during the entire day, Blue Line scheduling, other connecting bus to Routes 6 and 61, the Ridership to employment, where employed, length of employment, temporary vs permanent, during what timeframe, turnover of employment, with direct employment of Milwaukeeans to Routes 6 and 61," said Mary Glass, CVO, MPA LLC.  

"Additionally, what is the total amount allowed for the Zoo class-action suit with MICAH and Black Health Coalition?  How much has been spent to date?  What dollar amount is projected for Routes 6 and 61 without Routed 279?  What is the workforce marketing plan with human resource departments of all 3 routes? What are the ongoing evaluations?  What is the standard of judgment for the elimination of one, two or all of the routes? Lastly, what examples of vetting included Ridership input, customer satisfaction, and the general public notification?"


Tuesday, August 16, 2016

MPA LLC Press Conference - Wednesday, August 17, 2016, 3:15pm @ Park Place & Liberty Bus Shelter







FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Re-defining”, “re-branding” and “un-trapping” the City of Milwaukee and its Stakeholders of Concentrated Poverty

 www.mpapublicpolicyreview.blogspot.com
Email:  mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com   
                                                                    Contact:  MARY GLASS - 414.610.1044

August 16, 2016


Milwaukee Professionals Association, District Strategists, and Employees of Menomonee Falls Industrial Park Call for Continuation and Expansion of Route 279
Press Call to hear from the Ridership and the hardship caused by MCTS pulling route


MILWAUKEE/MENOMONEE FALLS | Press Call – Wednesday, August 17, 2016, 3:15pm, Park Place & Liberty | Mary Glass, Chief Visionary Officer, Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC announced the public outcry for the continuation and EXPANSION of Route 279.

“The Elimination of Route 279 is an UNWISE and reckless decision by Chris Abele, County Executive and Brain Dranzik, Director, Milwaukee County Department of Transportation, an elected and an appointed public servant, to provide public transportation in Milwaukee County”, said Glass.

“These are the folk seeking $48 million for a costly federally funded Small Starts East/West BRT Alternate to create a Ridership – riders with transportation and not ready to change to public transportation, however, on August 27, 2016 (per signs posted) the ESTABLISHED Ridership North/South to Menomonee Falls, Route 279 - A route clearly needed by  employees of Arandell, FEDEX, Wacker Neusom, Ensync Energy, Harley Davidson, Woodman, Radisson Hotel,  and others in the growing employment hot spot”.

We not only want the Route continued, but MPA LLC seeks immediate improvements that include dialog with the companies of Menomonee Falls for 21st Century public transportation customer service as proposed by the Federal Transit Administration, better “shift” connections of the Blue Line and Route 279, more coordinated buses on the routes – Blue and 279, as well as look at a North/South BRT for more access to other shifts and work opportunities, said Glass.

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! ROUTE 279 Menomonee Falls is being ELIMINATED, Why?

What's that about?  Eliminating Route 279?
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
MILWAUKEE to MENOMONEE FALLS | Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC is reporting that the "Ridership" of Route 279 has been ambushed.  

Bus route 279 eliminated
Our face-to-face dialog last week with members of the Ridership of 279 to FedEx, Arandell Corporation, Radisson Hotel, Woodman, Harley Davidson, Ensync and others spoke of their shock and the disadvantages caused by this reckless decision, said Mary Glass, Chief Visionary Officer.

The employees - ridership spoke of their "Opportunity of Work" is now threatened.  The Ridership ranged from first-day to 3 years employed on Route 279 and averaging 9-12 months.  



They spoke of NOT being asked about Route 279 and its need prior to its elimination.  The ridership spoke of just finding out within the last week that Route 279 was being pulled. Some were just being informed by MPA LLC visit and the posting of signs on Friday, August 12, 2016.


No contact - lack of communication, customer service and courtesy with Ridership seems to be a huge failure of Abele and Dranzik.   
According to an email response from Dan Boehm, Milwaukee County Transit System Managing Director, "the elimination of 
Route 279 was requested by the Plaintiffs of the Zoo Litigation Settlement.  They elected to preserve the limited funds available from the settlement so that they can be used for the other, more successful settlement-funded routes:  #6 (New Berlin Industrial Park) and #61 (Appleton-Keefe)".

MPA LLC asks both Milwaukee County and the Zoo Litigation Team, what was the criteria for selection of success of one route over another in both MCTS regular management planning and when dealing with class-action suit engagements?  

Where are MCTS posted reports to the Ridership? 
Who gave Milwaukee County Transit System the right to eliminate Route 279 without "due diligence", without talking to the Ridership - without doing their homework?  

The federal funding for the public transportation comes out of all of our pockets.

The lack of equity and inclusion that perpetuates Enduring Concentrated Poverty is seen and heard when SWELLING grows in our neighborhoods.  It becomes toxic-noisy-clashing-anger for UNREST - just as we have in Sherman Park Neighborhood of Milwaukee at this time.

How will these employees feed their family - pay their rent - get their children ready for the 2016 school year?  Buy a car.

People continue to say, "We are tired of this"  "We are tired of being tired".  

MPA LLC was unable to get a response from Black Health Coalition of WI and MICAH by press time.

mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com