'Seniors, may I Remind you of your Responsibility so when YOU are the point of Discussion

Max Swier of Milwaukee voices his concerns about the selection process involved in the proposal to use the Wilson Park Senior Center as an overnight warming center for the homeless. Milwaukee County Supervisor, Jason Haas at left, helped moderate a meeting to hear concerns about the plan on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Photo: Michael Sears / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)  CLICK

December 10, 2019
MILWAUKEE COUNTY || Discussion about Warming Center Use of Wilson Park (2601 W Howard Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53221) for the homeless was not in favor by seniors.

"You're gonna' turn our beautiful senior center into a homeless encampment like 6th and Clybourn," shouted one man who refused to give his name to a reporter, referring to the former encampment near downtown Milwaukee is known as 'Tent City'."

Mary Glass - MPA-LLC, Chief Visionary Officer
Senior, 74-years-old

Mary Glass Reminders

Warming Room - 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. with a capacity of 40 to 50 single men and women.

Homeless on Milwaukee's south side, which Rafael Acevedo estimated to be about 150 who live outdoors. 

The Wilson Center is normally open from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Rafael Acevedo, the CDBG, City of Milwaukee's grant compliance manager.

Housing workers and advocates for the homeless will drive overnight guests to the senior center and provide transportation and bus tickets to them in the morning.

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May I say, as a 74-year-old senior, to the above senior, Wilson Park is a public dwelling.  The building belongs to the homeless as well as others of the public - because they are part of the Electorate.  

The senior's negative thoughts fail the "Golden Rule".  

His comment fails to take into consideration that our homeless brothers and sisters who lack the basics of quality of life require our assistance per our rules and regulations or policies for the well-being of the public square.  Additionally, an empowered homeless man or woman may/can be the one who will assist him in his home, or a nursing and medical environment.

Loathing

May I further say, the man quoted above is less than one step from a "loathing" conversation by a younger person or non-caring individual who do NOT want older adults that are slow-walking individuals with immune system concerns, diseases, prone to fall with injuries and have a walking disability to visit Wilson Park, a public site.  The public building is paid for by taxes and appropriations by all.

Supervisor Jason Haas, District 14

My office will call on Supervisor Jason Haas, Chair-Committee on Parks, Energy, and Environment to provided needed leadership for our elected, appointed, hired and donor-for-hire government representatives (city and county) to allow the "homeless" to exist in a manner appropriate of Milwaukee County, city of Milwaukee and the $Millions that are brought into the county and city of Milwaukee (CDBG or otherwise) on behalf of the citizenry with low/no income.

As for "Tent City", under I-794, this is as a result of NEGLECT of our Enduring Concentrated Poverty status in the city and county of Milwaukee.  It speaks to $Millions taken from the people and given to real estate barons' projects that DO NOT include those who bring the government millions into the city and county.   We recently saw the disrespect for humanity and greed shown by WI Governor Tony Evers, Secretary Craig Thompson of WisDOT, Tom Barrett, Mayor, and Chris Abele, County Executive by the EVICTION of the homeless at Milwaukee's Tent City by October 31, 2019.

This is a copy of what was sent  October 4, 2019, by Governor Tony Evers and/or Secretary Craig Thompson

Seniors Have a Responsibility

Additionally, before the transfer/transition would happen, the seniors and the public-at-large must weigh-in for appropriateness from the Board of Supervisors, Chris Abele, the mayor, the NEW County Executive and Rafael Acevedo, CDBG - City of Milwaukee.  

 

Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors

Chris Abele, County Executive & Tom Barrett, Mayor

Tony Evers, WI Governor

Craig Thompson - Secretary, WisDOT

A Better Approach
Seniors must call for "RE-ROUTING THE FUNDING" so there are NOT Tent Cities. Call on Governor Tony Evers (608.266.1212 - email:  eversinfo@wisconsin.gov)), who chose to settle the "Tent City" dilemma by EVICTING the homeless by having his WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson(email- craigm.thompson@dot.wi.gov) to evict those in Tent City.  Yeah.  Evers and Thompson claimed the eviction was due to highway concern. 

DNC 2020

The truth is they wanted to get the "Homeless" out of sight for the DNC folks.  

Call Evers and Thompson and demand that they provide an appropriate solution that involves a clear understanding.
1.  What will be done immediately to Wilson Park so that it is ready for the seniors and use for the Homeless until we find "permanent" housing arrangements?

2.  Provide ample housing for the HOMELESS as well as their transition.

3.  Provide a checklist of nuisance concerns like bedbugs and talk about SAFETY prevention and intervention.  Again, remembering that the Homeless have a right to visit any neighborhood they choose.

4. Partner with real estate barons (Mandel, Gorman, Colliers, Graef, Joseph Property Development, and developers for adequate housing that is transparent, has oversight, and specific accountability of funding - tax credits and special funding.  Projects that allow the Homeless to get back on their feet through living in the Warming sites, the housing developments and providing various equities for leveraging the cost of the project with unemployed Milwaukeeans for starters.
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I like the level-headed response below by Jerry Schulz.

"I'm really scratching my head to understand what the opposition to it is," said Jerry Schulz, whose wife attends line dancing classes at the center.

"I believe that if you continue to come to the center during normal hours you'd be oblivious to the fact that this was even going on."