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Vol. 33 No. 38 • Thurs., Oct. 2 , 2014 - Wed., Oct. 8, 2014 • An NCON Publication Serving The Milwaukee Area • 65¢
First Lady Michelle Obama energizes Wisconsin voters
On Monday, September 29, 2014, First Lady Michelle Obama made a campaign appearance in Milwaukee for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke. Speaking to an excited and jubilant crowd, Mrs. Obama spoke glowingly about the accomplishments of President Barack Obama's administration and why Wisconsin voters should elect Mary Burke governor on November 4th. Here are a few comments from her speech:
"Wisconsin, when folks ask me whether I still believe everything we said about hope and change back in 2008, I tell them that I believe it more strongly than ever before – because I’ve seen it with my own eyes! "I’ve seen our veterans finding jobs as our nation proudly supports their transi-
tion to civilian life. I’ve seen children getting better nutrition and growing up healthier. "I’ve seen young people from the most underserved areas reaching higher and going to college, and reaching back to their communities to bring others along. "So, yes, while we still have plenty of work to do, we have truly made so much of that change we were talking about. "And here’s what I want you to remember –Barack didn’t do all of that just sitting alone in the Oval Office. He did it with the help of outstanding leaders in states across this country. "We need that kind of leadership here in Wisconsin. We are going to get Mary Burke into office because that’s what people here in Wisconsin deserve, and that’s why we need to support Mary Burke for Governor. "We deserve leaders who believe like we do that
no matter how our kids start out in life, if they’re willing to work for it, they should have every opportunity to fulfill their boundless promise. They should have every opportunity to get a good education, and build a decent life for themselves and an even better life for their own kids. That’s the American Dream we all believe in, and that’s what this election in here in Wisconsin is all about. That’s what’s at stake. In fact, we need to be more passionate and hungrier, because races like this governor’s race here in Wisconsin will be even harder and even closer than those presidential elections. "We need to be energized and inspired for our kids, so that they have opportunities they need to build the future they deserve. "Mark November 4th on your calendars and of everyone you know. And then on Election Day, when you head to the polls to vote for Mary Burke for Governor, bring everyone you know along with you. "We all need to be as passionate and as hungry for this election as we were back in 2008 and 2012!"
HOME GR/OWN opens park to honor local civil rights pioneer Ezekiel Gillespie
Dr. Darienne Driver appointed MPS superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver was appointed Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools effective October 1, 2014. As superintendent, Dr. Driver works with the Milwaukee Board of School Directors and district leadership to improve student achievement; engage in effective and efficient operations that make best use of district resources; and, develop opportunities to increase parental and community involvement. Dr. Driver previously served as acting superintendent of MPS from July 1, 2014 until her appointment was made permanent. Dr. Driver joined Milwaukee Public Schools in July 2012 as the district’s first chief innovation officer. She led district efforts to improve outcomes in the schools in greatest need of improvement; oversaw the district’s implementation of the Wisconsin Common Core State Standards in literacy and mathematics in partnership with the GE Foundation and Student Achievement Partnership through the development of ten MPS-GEF Demonstration Schools; recruited multiple educational organizations to serve as partners in efforts to improve student achievement; and, oversaw the district’s contracted school services which serve students through
Darienne Driver alternative programming for at-risk students and non-instrumentality charter schools and turnaround models. Prior to joining MPS, Dr. Driver served as deputy chief of empowerment schools for the School District of Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, she oversaw the empowerment schools efforts to increase achievement with large numbers of underperforming students and coordinated district efforts to provide needed support. Under her leadership, empowerment schools outpaced district schools on the Pennsylvania State System Assessment in reading and math. Empowerment schools’ high schools made the largest gains on PSSA in history in English/ Language Arts and math. Prior to her work in Philadelphia she served as coordinator of strategic management and accountability and special assistant to the superintendent in Clayton County (GA) Public Schools.
This Issue: Staff Photos
On Thursday, September 25, 2014 Mayor Tom Barrett (top photo, center left) and Alderman Russell Stamper (left) cut the ribbon on Milwaukee’s newest park located at the southeast corner of 14th and Wright. Mayor Barrett’s HOME GR/OWN initiative worked to turn this previously vacant city-owned lot into a local park. Ezekiel Gillespie Park is the biggest neighborhood vacant lot improvement completed by HOME GR/OWN to date. The park's namesake, Ezekiel Gillespie, was a civil rights pioneer who lived in Milwaukee and is the founder of Milwaukee's first African American church, St. Mark AME, located at 1616 West Atkinson Ave.
One-on-one interview with Attorney General candidate Brad Schimel - Page 9 Donald Driver speaks out on bullying at local school - Page 12