I keep hoping that everything is exaggerated and it won't be that bad. That he'll be out in 4 years and not become a dictator with no more term limits.
Racism is absurd. This is why I'm against it.
It's not being mentally disturbed to be against racism.
an age where you know you won't be dating anyone
I haven't been in a relationship for over a decade. It's just not worth it.
That being said I would never smoke. It's the nastiest, most disgusting vice people get into.
Even stealing from Walmart isn't right.
Then you shouldn't have said what you did if you didn't want people to call out your racism.
Stealing isn't right.
The Walmart near me closed due to high theft. There were actually people stealing from the construction site when the store was being built, so it really was a ticking clock as to how long the store itself would even last.
Some people are just awful.
You literally said that black people get arrested for things that are a part of a black person's life.
Committing crimes is NOT automatically part of a black person's life. People CHOOSE to commit crime.
I'm not trolling. I don't believe that anyone who is poor or a minority is automatically a criminal.
No, I believe it's wrong to automatically classify black people or poor people as criminals. Yet so many people do it.
things that are a part of a black person's life
Crime is just a part of a black person's life? That's a highly racist thing to say. Black people aren't inherently criminals.
buying a house is simply out of reach unless you have dual income
Not in all areas of the United States. Houses routinely sell for under $200k in my city. There's also many for under $100k.
If you're not born rich you can become rich (or "comfortable") later in life. It doesn't mess you up forever.
It's mind boggling...
Mine is basically dead. One person periodically posts a news article but no one comments.
Both Lemmy and Reddit are mostly echo chambers. If you don't agree with the hive mind, you're down voted.
Wages have not kept up with everything else.
Chronic absenteeism has been an issue in Wisconsin schools since the pandemic. But in Milwaukee, nearly 1,000 students enrolled in public school have not attended a single day this year.
> Records show one of the missing Milwaukee students was 15-year-old Erik J. Mendoza. Mendoza was charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the Oct. 25 beating death of 5-year-old Prince McCree. McCree’s body was found in a dumpster after being reported missing by his mother the day before.
> Mendoza hasn't attended school since Fall 2019, when he would have been about 12 years old.
> Mendoza is also accused of committing three random, nonfatal stabbings of strangers he encountered on the street in Milwaukee, two days before Prince was killed.
KIA to host free anti-theft software upgrade event at Mayfair Mall
Vehicle manufacturer KIA will be at the Mayfair Mall Friday (tomorrow), Saturday, and Sunday (October 20-22) from 8 am to 6 pm installing FREE anti-theft software in KIA vehicles to help prevent car thefts and to combat reckless driving.
No appointments are necessary, and the software installation should take about 30 minutes.
KIA will also provide steering wheel locks for KIA vehicles that are not eligible for the software upgrades. The link below can be used to check your cars availability for a software upgrade or a steering wheel lock.
The software upgrades include longer-sounding alarm, and a slight change to the ignition to make these KIA model vehicles harder to steal. KIA vehicles that are eligible for this upgrade are models made before 2021.
It’s been four months since a Milwaukee ordinance went into effect that allows police to tow the vehicles of repeat reckless drivers.
This sounds like it was implemented without really thinking it through.
> Alderman Westmoreland says zero tolerance means towing vehicles anytime a reckless driver is caught, no matter if they own the car or not.
Sounds like a good idea.
Parks to Receive Critical Funding Increase in 2024 Recommended Budget
In the past 40 years, Milwaukee County’s Parks Department has seen its budgeted staff levels decrease by more than 1,000 employees – putting a strain on the department that manages over 15,000 acres of land throughout the County. This budget reverses this trend, increasing expenditures toward parks by $3 million and adding 18 new full-time positions.
“Our parks system is truly the ‘Emerald Necklace’ of Milwaukee County, representing the natural beauty of our county and critical green space for our residents to enjoy in an urban setting,” said County Executive David Crowley. “Investing in parks is crucial to ensure each one of our parks remains up to the lofty standards we set and to keep these green spaces usable and accessible for all of our residents.”
The 2024 Recommended Budget also includes over $20 million in capital investments into Parks’ facilities, to address the historic backlog of projects needing completion throughout the Milwaukee County parks system. Trail improvements, lighting upgrades, and life safety projects are all included in this budget to ensure the County’s parks stay safe, beautiful, and accessible.
Transit Bolstered in 2024 Recommended Budget
Before Act 12, Milwaukee County’s Transit System (MCTS) was in a precarious financial situation, with transit advocates across the county asking county and state policymakers to #SaveTheBus. Because of this advocacy and the revenue tool gained, the 2024 Recommended Budget does just that – over $16 million of tax levy is invested in MCTS to be able to maintain and improve the service so many residents rely upon.
“The Milwaukee County Transit System is the lifeblood of transportation in Milwaukee County,” said County Executive David Crowley. “Particularly for our residents who do not own a car, the transit system is vital to get to work, school, doctor’s appointments, and so much more. The investment in this budget will keep MCTS from making major service cuts for the foreseeable future, something that was not possible before the passage of Act 12.”
The infusion of funding to MCTS is intended to smooth the fiscal cliff faced by the system and allow improvement and innovation while Milwaukee County continues to advocate for increased state and federal funding for transit. In addition, the 2024 Recommended Budget includes funding to bolster transit security and ensure bus operators and riders across Milwaukee County feel safe and secure while on all our Milwaukee County busses.
2024 Recommended Budget Includes Largest Property Tax Reduction in County History
In 2024, the owner of a $174,000 median-value home in Milwaukee County will see their property tax bill decrease by over $100 – the result of County Executive David Crowley’s Recommended Budget reducing County property tax levy by $24 million.
“Providing property tax relief was one of the main goals of passing Act 12, and I am proud to see it come to fruition in this budget to our residents, whose property taxes have been over-relied upon for many years for the County to be able to make ends meet,” said County Executive David Crowley. “The sales tax allows us to gain revenue from tourists, commuters, and other visitors who enjoy our services, but did not previously contribute to them. Milwaukee County homeowners will no longer entirely subsidize Cubs fans using our highways and public safety services to come to Brewers’ games, and they will now pay their fair share.”
Act 12 contained technical changes that allow Milwaukee County to shift some of the revenue burden from property taxes to sales tax. This reduction will go into effect for the Milwaukee County portion of property tax bills in the 2024 tax year.
Common Council In-Person Job Fair
TOMORROW September 28th, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Location 1: New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 2433 W. Roosevelt Drive.
Location 2: Ross Innovative Employment Solutions Parking Lot at 7800 W. Brown Deer Road.
Southside Location 3: Basilica of St. Josaphat Parking Lot at 2333 S. 6th Street.
You will meet Recruiters Face to Face! Bring Your Resume and Be Prepared for an Interview. More than 36 employers will be spread out in three locations!
255 fugitives arrested in Milwaukee during US Marshal national operation
> The operation closed 417 warrants, including 37 for homicide, and removed 103 illegal guns from Milwaukee streets.
This is awesome. Get the criminals and guns off the street and perhaps it will help reduce the number of shootings in Milwaukee every day.
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee is not a city agency, which has caused confusion over who is responsible for inspecting properties and investigating complaints.
> The agency exists in a regulatory gray area. It is not a city agency, although the city appoints its board of commissioners. It's not federal, either — but it receives tens of millions of dollars in federal funding every year, and those funds come with additional rules and oversight.
> At times, even elected officials and bureaucrats aren't sure who's supposed to be watching the housing authority or responding to tenants' maintenance complaints.
It's amazing that no one figured out what was going on until now.
> On Monday, he and other council members will consider a proposed ordinance that would order DNS to investigate tenants' code violation complaints — as they would with private landlords.
FINALLY -- the housing authority isn't "exempt" from oversight.
Letter from Alderman Lamont Westmoreland
Dear Neighbor:
I am looking for young leaders ages 14-18 to serve our district and area on the City of Milwaukee Youth Council, a representative body that serves and advances the interests of city youth. The Youth Council members represent young people in their aldermanic districts, and meet with leaders like the Mayor, Common Council members, School Superintendent, business owners, and community groups to advocate for issues relevant to youth. The body is comprised of 17 members, one from each of the 15 aldermanic districts and two at-large members.
This is an outstanding opportunity to serve and to learn. Serving as a member of the Youth Council provides the opportunity and platform to advocate for issues important to city youth, their peers, families and the wider community. The Youth Council is responsible for an annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant funding, and has previously worked to address reckless driving, vehicle thefts, social media responsibility and more.
Youth Council members must live in the City of Milwaukee, and be between the ages of 14-18 with the time, energy, and passion to work for change. If you are interested in becoming a Youth Council member – or know someone who is a great candidate, please contact my office at your earliest convenience at 414-286-3870 or via email at Lamont.Westmoreland@milwaukee.gov.
Those interested can also learn more and apply online by visiting http://city.milwaukee.gov/youthcouncil.
Milwaukee Common Council president José Pérez expressed surprise that he had not heard about the audits and pledged to take action.
> The agency's Section 8 office, which administers tens of millions of dollars in rent assistance, was severely short-staffed and lacked basic accounting safeguards, the report said.
> A single staff member did the bookkeeping for — and issued — nearly $36 million worth of rent subsidies in 2021. And tenant Social Security cards were "displayed openly on unattended desks" as site reviewers walked through the office in October 2022.
This isn't surprising. I toured the office where they were distributing pandemic rental assistance and there were stacks of papers everywhere. The processes were horribly inefficient.
A state judge ruled in July that the law does not prohibit consensual medical abortions, but instead targets anyone who kills a fetus by attacking the mother.
> "This pre-Roe statute says nothing about abortion—there is no such thing as an '1849 Abortion Ban' in Wisconsin," Dane County Circuit Court Judge Diane Schlipper wrote in her July ruling that rejected a motion filed by a county district attorney to dismiss the case.
Charlie P's BBQ catering business is gearing up to open its first sit-down restaurant after four years at the Fondy Farmers Market.
> Owner Charlie Hood said that he plans to serve smoked ribs, pulled pork and brisket with homemade Southern sides such as candied yams, greens and mac and cheese.
This sounds fabulous. I can't wait for it to open so I can try it out.
The Northwest side of Milwaukee has a lack of good restaurants. Some exceptions:
- An Ox Cafe on 75th and Hampton
- Hup's Pizza on 57th and Hampton (no dine in however)
- El Greco on 91st and Appleton
There are over 550 roundabouts in Wisconsin, with most in the south and eastern parts of the state.
> Because roundabout traffic only travels in one direction, the possibilities of head-on collisions and left turn-related crashes are virtually eliminated, Qin said. These are two of the most severe and deadly types of collisions.
> Additionally, the circular design of roundabouts is intended to slow drivers to speeds where crashes are far less severe.
> Roundabouts don't only offer safety benefits. They're also better for the environment, make traffic more efficient and ultimately cost less to maintain than other intersection types, Qin said.
> Roundabouts also cost less to maintain than other intersection types because they do not use traffic lights or electricity.
Milwaukee definitely needs more roundabouts to help combat reckless driving.
Lake Geneva Mansion Owner buys HGTV's "The Brady Bunch" House
The new owner of the 'Brady Bunch' home says the HGTV network paid too much money when it purchased the property because it didn't have modern appliances.
Article about her Lake Geneva mansion:
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171207/CRED0701/171209911/wife-of-starz-ceo-tina-trahan-spends-16-million-on-lake-geneva-mansion
In 2017, Trahan bought Stone Manor, the largest estate in Lake Geneva, for $16 million.
Sycamore Place owners hope to fill what they say is a void on Northwest Side.
> The new, two-building complex would replace a former farm along N. 76th St., less than a half mile south of W. Brown Deer Rd. and the former Northridge Mall. It would have approximately 220 units and 330 parking spaces. Nearly 60% of the apartments would have a one-bedroom layout, with a third having a two-bedroom layout and 7% having a three-bedroom floor plan.
There was another housing development planned by the YMCA further NW as well.
> Rental rates at the complex would be targeted at approximately $2 per square foot, meaning a 1,000-square-foot apartment would cost $2,000 per month. D’Amato said it’s a rate that is lower than new construction Downtown and in several suburban communities.
"Market rate" ≠ affordable for the area. $1,000 per month or less would be more in the "affordable" territory. $2,000/mo in rent means an $80,000/year salary, or $38/hour.
Nearby 2-4 bedroom apartments rent anywhere from $700-$1200/mo.
They clearly are aiming to bring in higher income earners to the area.
Community and city leaders are coming together on Wednesday to discuss affordable housing. It's part of an event put on by the Community Development Alliance.
There are small single family houses for sale in Milwaukee under $100,000. I've brought this up on the Milwaukee Reddit and the people on there seem to believe the only worthwhile places to live are in Wauwatosa, Bay View, Shorewood, etc. But not in Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Emergency Rental Assistance (MERA) program has officially closed due to all funds being allocated to over 10,000 families.
> distributing over $90 million dollars
'We need better security': Shooting on MCTS bus renews safety concerns
> Just five days prior, there was another shooting involving a bus at 6th Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
Shootings in the streets and shootings on buses. Shootings at people in cars. Shootings at people in houses. Shootings at adults, shootings at kids.
It never ends in this city.
The Department of City Development Public Meeting Monday 8/28
Growing MKE is a citywide planning effort that will set a framework for housing growth and choice in Milwaukee.
Monday, August 28, 2023
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Washington Park Library
2121 N Sherman Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53208