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Milwaukee County Parks Seeking Over 500 For Summer Jobs In The Parks
Over 500 seasonal positions at beer gardens, golf courses and botanical gardens are currently available with Milwaukee County Parks.
Positions include golf starters, forestry and horticultural staff, concessions staff at pools and golf courses and beer garden staff at South Shore Terrace, Whitnall Beer Garden, the Vine Humboldt and the Traveling Beer Gardens. Most seasonal positions pay between $8 – $11.83, and many roles are available for evenings and weekends. Seasonal supervisor positions pay between $16 – $18 an hour.
Around 300 strong swimmers are also needed for summer lifeguard positions at beaches, pools and aquatic parks. To be considered for a lifeguard position, candidates must attend a free training session at Pulaski Pool (2701 S. 16th St.) and must be able to swim 100 meters in less than 1 min. 45 sec. No pre-registration is necessary. Lifeguards must be at least 16 years old by July 2021 and be in good physical condition. Lifeguard pay is $12.69 – $14.74 an hour with head guard pay ranging from $16.97 – $19.07 per hour.
Guy Smith, Executive Director of Milwaukee County Parks, said “the seasonal positions within parks are vital to our summer operations. We rely on these roles to be able to maintain our parks, open pools and beer gardens and help keep our botanical gardens blooming.”
Several full-time positions at Milwaukee County Parks are also currently open, including Civil Engineer, Heating & Ventilation Specialist, Budget Manager, Metal Fabricator/Ironworker Supervisor, and a Horticulturalist supervisor role.
Applications for all positions can be completed online on the County’s job portal
Day 3 of Derek Chauvin trial: ‘I don’t respect what you did,’ says witness
By Mel Reeves, Minnesota Spokesman Recorder
If the trial of Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd, was a sporting contest with the score kept at the day’s end, the score would be witnesses and Black progressive humanity—one, Chauvin and the system of policing—zero.
Sixty-one-year-old Charles McMillan took the stand today and when introduced by the prosecution he admitted that he only had a third-grade education. But his lack of education did not dim his humanity, his heart, or his courage. The court had to take a break as he broke down during testimony.
The image of his weeping was stark because he didn’t look like a man that was prone to crying in public or breaking down, but he could not hold back his emotions as he watched the video and relived what he saw perpetrated upon a human being last May 25.
Video in court showed that McMillan courageously walked over to Chauvin, a man who had just killed another man in broad daylight and asked him why. The audio was not clear, but Chauvin said, as if already preparing his defense, “I had to control him because he is a sizeable guy. He looked like he was probably on something.”
McMillian boldly told Chauvin, “I don’t respect what you did.” Chauvin coldly responded, “That’s one man’s opinion.” It turns out, it’s the opinion shared by tens of millions. The older Black man told the jury that he now saw Chauvin as a “maggot.”
Young Christopher Martin, who was working at Cup Foods as a cashier and confronted Floyd about a disputed $20 counterfeit bill, also took the stand. He seemed to regret his decision to alert the manager about the situation. He said he considered “eating the loss.”
He said he felt stunned and full of regret over what happened to Floyd. “If I would have just not taken the bill, this could have been avoided,” he said. He also acknowledged that it was possible that Floyd was not aware that the bill was counterfeit.
Martin was neither the best witness for the prosecution or a good one for the defense. Through his testimony, the defense was able to reinforce the idea, however, that Floyd was high on something. Martin said Floyd seemed high and struggled to get some words out. But he also said he was able to hold a conversation and seemed friendly.
Incidentally, Martin likely got the jury’s attention when he said that the ambulance did not take the direct route to the hospital—which he noted would be to head north on Chicago Avenue—but rather took a left turn down 38th Street, which indicated to him that Floyd was dead. He said he deleted the cellphone footage he took once he concluded that Floyd had died.
Another day of trial, another referendum on policing in the United States
The prosecution submitted into evidence bodycam footage from the officers that was played back-to-back. Throughout the footage, Floyd appeared paranoid and afraid of the police. But considering the history of U.S. policing, it is not irrational for a Black man to fear for his life when approached by police.
The bodycam video revealed that one of the first cops on the scene pulled a gun and pointed it at Floyd while he was sitting in the car. The police pulled a pistol on a man for trying to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. Where is the sense of proportion, one might ask? Their behavior reinforced the idea shared by many that when Black folks are involved, the police lose all sense of propriety and reason.
Not only can the police be seen detaining him for a minor offense, but with absolutely no evidence at all, the cop on the scene said he was being arrested for forgery. But possession of counterfeit money is not the same as being the creator of counterfeit money.
The bodycam footage also showed that the police treated the passengers in the car as criminals as well, demanding that the pair produce identification. When they asked questions, the cop gave the excuse for harassing them that Floyd was in some kind of trouble.
Incidentally, the woman and man in the vehicle with Floyd said that Floyd had just given them a ride and that he was “a good guy.” The woman seemed to say, by pointing at her head, that Floyd was suffering from some mental issues. But that didn’t matter to the cops who later continued to press on a man who was clearly panicked and terrified of them.
The police could have written him a summons and walked away. But they did not.
There was one poignant exchange that may work in Chauvin’s favor as the trial goes on. After Floyd said he couldn’t breathe, one of the officers replied flippantly, “You are talking.” Rumor has it that officers have said in the past they were taught in the academy that if someone is talking, they can breathe.
The footage appeared to indict the three other former officers charged in Floyd’s murder, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao. Their absolute indifference to Floyd’s suffering won’t likely help their case. Police camera footage revealed that during much of the 9 minutes and 29 seconds that Chauvin had his knee on Floyd’s neck, Kueng appeared to be pressing his full weight on Floyd’s back.
The trial closed with Chauvin’s body camera footage, which was brief because he suddenly lost his body camera, which could be seen lying underneath the police cruiser.
The Lovell Johnson Quality of Life Center to Offer One-Shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Wednesday March 31, in partnership with Walgreens
Milwaukee, WI – Today, Wednesday, March 31, the Lovell Johnson Quality of Life Center, located at 1530 W. Atkinson Ave., in partnership with Walgreens, Jump at the Sun Consultants, LLC., Health Connections Inc., and St. Mark AME Church, will host a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic from 9 AM – 4 PM. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which only requires one shot, will be administered during the event. Residents will receive the COVID-19 vaccination, regardless of health insurance status. This is community led effort aimed at helping Milwaukee achieve vaccine equity and “herd immunity” at least 80% of the population is fully vaccinated, so that we can get back to the people and things that we enjoy doing.
Neu-Life Community Development Achieves National Accreditation
Neu-Life Community Development (Neu-Life) recently achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). Neu-Life provides after school and summer programming for youth ages 4-21. Organizations pursue accreditation to demonstrate the implementation of best practice standards in the field of human services. COA evaluated all aspects of Neu-Life’s programs, services, management, and administration.
“We are extremely proud and blessed to have Neu-Life working in the 15th aldermanic district,” said Russell W. Stamper II, 15thDistrict Alderman. “Their commitment and outstanding service to the development of our youth is second to none. I am grateful for their professionalism, creativity and most important, Love for our young people. A prodigious thank you and Congratulations to Neu-Life and their excellent staff.”
COA accreditation is an objective, independent, and reliable validation of an agency’s performance. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and increases organizational capacity and accountability by creating a framework for ongoing quality improvement.
To achieve COA accreditation, Neu-Life first provided written evidence of compliance with the COA standards. Thereafter, a group of specially trained volunteer Peer Reviewers confirmed adherence to these standards during a series of on-site interviews with stakeholders, staff and youth participants. Based on their findings, COA’s volunteer-based Accreditation Commission voted that Neu-Life had successfully met the criteria for accreditation under the Child and Youth Development Category. Neu-Life is the first agency in WI to achieve accreditation in this category.
Founded in 1977, COA is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. Over 2,000 organizations — voluntary, public, and proprietary; local and statewide; large and small — have either successfully achieved COA accreditation or are currently engaged in the process. Presently, COA has a total of 47 service standards that are applicable to over 125 different types of programs. To learn more about COA, please visit www.coanet.org.
Neu-Life teaches youth skills and strategies to make better life choices and has been providing services to youth and families in Milwaukee for over twenty years. To learn more about Neu-Life, please visit www.neu-life.org.
National Museum of African American Music Opens in Nashville
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
From the hymns of slaves in the 17th and 18th centuries to hip-hop artists’ powerful message in the 20th and 21st centuries, African American artists have created and influenced generations of music lovers.
When Elvis Presley sang “Hound Dog,” he knew he had to pay homage to the African American Blues Legend Big Mama Thornton, who did it first – and better.
“A lot of people seem to think I started this business,” Elvis famously remarked.
“But rock ‘n’ roll was here a long time before I came along. Nobody can sing that kind of music like colored people. Let’s face it: I can’t sing like Fats Domino can. I know that.”
From rock and roll to blues, jazz, and hip-hop, music is as much the African American way of life as the afro was Black people’s style in the 1970s.
Finally honoring that history, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has opened in Nashville, Tenn.
According to a news release, it’s the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans.
The 56,000-square-foot institution contains more than 1,500 artifacts, objects, memorabilia, and clothing from Black artists.
Complete with state-of-the-art technology, the museum contains seven galleries.
Each is designed to share a different narrative and a unique perspective on Black music and history.
“NMAAM is complete,” NMAAM President and CEO H. Beecher Hicks III declared in a news release. On Feb. 23, Hicks appeared on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s “Let It Be Known, Breaking News” broadcast to share insights on the new mixed-use downtown development at Fifth and Broadway.
“We have been preparing for this day for more than 20 years, but this museum has actually been more than 400 years in the making,” Hicks remarked.
“We look forward to welcoming music lovers from around the world to this magnificent cultural experience.”
Because of Covid-19, a limited number of visitors currently are allowed inside the museum.
Masks or face coverings are required for entrance, and guests are requested to remain socially distant, officials said.
Once the pandemic ends, tickets will be made available for purchase on the museum’s website for designated timeslots that allow for new tours to start every 30 minutes, museum officials determined.
Displays at the museum include interactive exhibits and such iconic items as “Lucille,” the guitar played by B.B. King, and a kimono worn by Alicia Keys.
Captured in a film overview at the museum’s “Roots Theater,” are the traditions of West and Central African cultures before slavery.
The Rivers of Rhythm Pathways, the “central spine of the museum experience that features touch panel interactives and an animated timeline that links American history and American music history,” officials described on the museum’s website.
A “Wade in the Water” gallery may prove popular among visitors as it explores African hymns.
The gallery connects African cultures’ religious music and later African American spirituals and hymns, including highlighting Mahalia Jackson, Shirley Caesar, Thomas Dorsey, and others.
The “Love Supreme” gallery dives deep into the history of jazz and explores the careers of legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, and others.
The “One Nation Under a Grove” gallery relays Motown Records and Soul Train’s stories, while “The Message” gallery explains the origins of hip hop.
“We hope visitors will enjoy learning about the expansive roster of ground-breaking artists who have influenced some of today’s biggest hit-makers,” said Allen Schrott, senior director of Music Products for TiVo/Xperi, a museum partner.
For more details about the museum, visit http://www.nmaam.org.
To view the full interview with Hicks, click here.
Wife of Marvin Hagler Pushes Back on Rumors Fighter’s Death was COVID Vaccine-Related
By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor
“I would like to speak with my heart to all of you… after 31 years the love of my life is gone and my life without him no longer makes sense, but I can feel him next to me even now and he’s telling me not to give up and be strong for him,” wrote Kay Hagler on Facebook on March 15.
Her husband, legendary boxer Marvin “Marvelous’ Hagler, died on March 13 of “natural causes” according to an announcement on his official web page. Hagler was 66.
Hagler was one of the most successful boxers in history and reigned as undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987. Hagler defended his title 12 times and still holds the highest knockout percentage of all middleweight champions. His death during the generational health COVID-19 pandemic that has killed over 500,000 people in the United States and hundreds of thousands around the world sparked immediate rumors that Hagler’s death was somehow related to COVID-19 the vaccine. There is no evidence this is true.
“I was the only person close to him until the last minute, and I am the only person that knows how things went, not even his family knows all the details and I do NOT accept to read some stupid comment without knowing really what happened. For sure [it] wasn’t the vaccine that caused his death. My baby left in peace with his usual smile and now is not the time to talk nonsense,” Hagler’s wife continued on Facebook.
The spread of misinformation into national politics and during the COVID-19 pandemic has had notable influence. A January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump’s supporters, which led to the deaths of five people, has been attributed in part to a flood of misinformation on Facebook.
The misinformation has spread even more quickly as so many have had to remain home and at computers for longer periods during the year-long COVID-19 pandemic that has required many to be in front of their computers for even longer periods of time.
Hagler’s death is closely followed by the death of baseball legend Henry Aaron who died on January 22. Aaron’s death was also clouded by false rumors that his passing was somehow related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently about 11 percent of the population in the U.S. has been vaccinated.
“Marvin hated funerals and therefore, there will be no funerals or church celebrations he wants to be remembered with a happy smile, but I would be happy if each of you can light a candle for him. However, there is something special that I will do because it was his wish, and you will be informed at the right time by me. I just need time,” Kay Hagler wrote at the end of her remarks on social media on her late husband.
As with everything else over the last year, funerals and celebrations of life have been delayed and complicated by the pandemic.
Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at [email protected] and on twitter at @LVBurke
Milwaukee Celebrates First Responders During National Breonna Taylor Day MKE
MILWAUKEE – On March 13, 2021, Milwaukee Artists for Racial Justice (MKE-ARJ), The Peoples Revolution (TPR) and other organizations will host a community celebration to celebrate first responders and health care workers as part of National Breonna Taylor Day MKE. The event will take place at 5:30pm until 9:00pm at The Space MKE (2018 South 1st St Suite 510) and will be free to the public.
Social distancing and masks will be required. The event will include:
Food catered from local restaurants Breonna Taylor art for sale
Gift bags:
o “For your Health” gift bags for the general audience
o “For Justice” gift bags for the first responders of Milwaukee Breonna Taylor Law Demonstration and 1-year plan reveal
Guest speakers:
o Representative LaKeisha Myers, Milwaukee State Assembly
o Tiffany Henry of Milwaukee’s Urban League Young Professionals
A fundraiser that will benefit the Breonna Taylor Foundation and JustFund in support of Kimberley Motley, who represents families of police brutality including Alvin Cole, Joel Acevedo, and Jay Anderson
At 8:30pm there will be a candlelight tribute to close the event
MKE-ARJ and TPR leadership released the following joint statement:
“The nation stood in shock as police brutality struck again, this time as she laid in the comfort of her own home, her own bed. Breonna Taylor lost her life March 13th, 2020 as a result, the call for racial justice reached a global, urgent, and permanent mission for individuals, businesses, and communities from across the world. We like to thank owners Alyssa Neff of The Space MKE, David Bowles of Creative Marketing Resources LLC, Benetria McGowan of Aspiredink LLC, Lauren and Steve Schultz of Purple Door Ice Cream for their investments to this partnership with the community on this day. Wisconsin will stand in solidarity with Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, California, New York and Kentucky, where the family of Breonna Taylor will also hold a rally. We are all answering the call for racial justice and equity by pushing for the Breonna Taylor Law that will ban No-Knock warrants, help us show our special invited guests the support needed to make this possible. Passing this law will help the culture and systems that make-up everyday life here in Wisconsin. Our tribute through art expression, food, love and the fight for racial justice is the service we offer the community of Milwaukee and the Family of Breonna Taylor.”
Sponsors of this event include Aspiredink LLC, Creative Marketing Resources, Chase My Creations, Immy’s African Cuisine, Jewels Caribbean Restaurant, Karla’s Cake Pops, Lakefront Brewery, Plume MKE, Purple Door IceCream, The Cultured Vegan, Twisted Bakes, and Versiti Blood Centers.
The Breonna Taylor Day MKE event page can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Breonna- Taylor-Day-101944721953989/
About Milwaukee Artists for Racial Justice (MKE-ARJ)
Milwaukee Artists for Racial Justice is where art and story meet to support the fight against police brutality, gun violence, and district attorney’s selective prosecution in these cases. 100% of donations collected from art sold by MKE-ARJ are distributed to fight for Racial Justice throughout Milwaukee.
About The Peoples Revolution (TPR)
The Peoples Revolution (TPR) believes that all lives cannot matter until Black lives matter. We fight for a world that provides safety and accountability for Black and Brown People – a world where we can all trust and confide in those tasked with representing and protecting us. We fight for the families of those slain by law enforcement and oppressed by the systems that allow these deaths to go unpunished.
American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin?
Despite Senator Ron Johnson’s Obstruction, Wisconsinites Will Soon Receive Relief That Will Be A “Game-Changer”
MADISON, Wis.— Ahead of an expected vote in the House of Representatives, today Opportunity Wisconsin released highlights of how the Badger State stands to benefit once the American Rescue Plan is signed into law. A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions.
“To say the American Rescue Plan is a ‘game-changer’ would be an understatement. Whether it’s $1,400 direct payments, expanded vaccine access, or aid to small businesses, the American Rescue Plan provides badly-needed relief to Wisconsin workers and families who have been hit hard during the pandemic,” said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director. “It’s outrageous Senator Johnson voted against such a critical piece of legislation at a time when his constituents are struggling.”
American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin
A few highlights of what Wisconsinites can expect to see from the American Rescue Plan
- Total: The American Rescue plan would provide $20 billion in relief to Wisconsinites – money that would go to families, small businesses, and cities across the state.
- Direct Relief. A provision that would send $1,400 checks to American families who need it most would give $7.8 billion to Wisconsin families, helping 4 million adults and 1.5 million children in the state.
- Child Tax Credit. Tax cuts in the American Rescue Plan provide 98 percent of Wisconsin’s families with children an average tax break of $2,510.
- Earned Income Tax Credit. 349,000 Wisconsinites claimed the EITC in 2020. However, workers without children were only able to claim a maximum of $529 dollars. The American Rescue Plan raises this maximum amount to $1,500. Approximately 214,000 childless workers in Wisconsin would gain $214 million from the expanded EITC benefit.
- Food Assistance. The American Rescue Plan would extend the 15 percent increase in SNAP benefits passed in December through at least September. Families would receive an additional $27 per person per month, and in Wisconsin, 30 percent of that increase would go to the neediest households – those with income below 50 percent of the federal poverty level. As of mid-December 2020, there were 723,000 people receiving SNAP benefits. That would bring an additional $20 million into the state and help ease the food insecurity in Wisconsin.
The American Rescue Plan would benefit those who need it the most. This stands in stark contrast to those who benefitted from the 2017 millionaires tax cut, a $1.9 trillion bill Senator Johnson eagerly supported.
About Opportunity Wisconsin
Opportunity Wisconsin is a coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for an economy that works for working people. Through our stories, we’re elevating the real consequences of the destructive economic policies that put the wealthy few first and leave the rest of us behind. Together, we’re demanding our elected officials focus more on growing the economy for middle class folks and expanding opportunity for all Wisconsinites.
‘I want that impact to be a positive one’
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