Celebrating 35 Years of The Milwaukee Times Newspaper and milwaukeetimesnews.com
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Vol. 35 • No.10 • Thurs., March 17, 2016 - Wed., March 23, 2016 • An NCON Publication Serving The Milwaukee Area • 65¢
Milwaukee Bucks invite minority business leaders to participate in their $1-billion downtown arena project
Photo by Steve Waring
Former Milwaukee Alderman Willie Wade addressed “Build the Future,” a business information session held Monday, March 14, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center by the Milwaukee Bucks for local businesses interested in participating in the $1-billion downtown arena construction project. Wade, who resigned his seat on the city council in February to accept a position as vice president of the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board, was one of eight speakers. A diverse audience, which included local small business owners and representatives from large out-of-state corporations, attended the session. During his presentation, Wade elaborated on earlier comments made by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in which he praised the Bucks ownership for agreeing to include all arena-related construction projects in the city's Residence Preferred Project, which sets aside specific percentages of all jobs for Milwaukee residents and also provides apprenticeship training in various building trades. These opportunities can lead to life-changing experiences with many more than just those hired benefitting, Wade said, adding that the goal was to create a workforce in Milwaukee that is ready to meet the needs of the construction boom in Milwaukee. Despite promises there would be many opportunities for local small business owners to participate in the project, a pamphlet provided to attendees left unclear how that process would occur, because the project has been subdivided into three building phases. There are four construction bid opportunities for the new Bucks Training Center and two construction bid packages for the parking structure. The number of bid packages for the arena has yet to be determined, according to the pamphlet.
Senator Ron Johnson visits the Joseph Project job training program Senator Ron Johnson (second row, fourth from left) visited and gave a brief inspirational speech before personally greeting the sixth incoming class of The Joseph Project on March 14, at Greater Praise Church of God in Christ, 5422 W. Center St. To date the program, which Senator Johnson said is open to anyone, has found full-time work for about three dozen local residents with conditional job offers for another two dozen. The Joseph Project is a job training program administered by Senator Johnson and Greater Praise Church of God in Christ, headed by Elder Jerome Smith, Sr. (front row, right). One week per month for the past six months Pastor Smith has brought together prospective employers provided by Senator Johnson and people who “are serious about getting a job.” After a week of ‘soft skills’ training, the employers return and interview those participants who have completed the week-long class. The overwhelming majority of graduates receive job offers, Pastor Smith said.
Photo by Steve Waring
Mayoral candidates debate at Marquette University Law School
Incumbent Mayor Tom Barrett dominated Alderman Bob Donovan in a debate held March 11 at Marquette University Law School. The debate was broadcast live by WISN-TV and moderated by Mike Gousha. Mayor Barrett began by noting that during the past year Alderman Donovan had proposed three pieces of what he described as minor legislation and 49 press releases. He noted that in the past Alderman Donovan had responded to a tragic shooting in Milwaukee by blaming the incident on “the deteriorating African American culture in the United States.” Alderman Donovan denied that he was a racist and defended his statement as a necessary part of an honest conversation about the challenges facing many Milwaukee residents, but the accusations seemed to rattle him and Mayor Barrett did not let up. Alderman Donovan faulted Mayor Barrett for creating a toxic relationship between the city and the Republican-dominated state government and for the alarming rise in shootings and crime in Milwaukee. One of Alderman Donovan’s top priorities is to hire an additional 250 police officers, but when Mayor Barrett challenged him where he would get the $15-million to pay for the additional police, Alderman Donovan responded by criticizing the street car project which he predicted the city would wind up having to subsidize. Mayor Barrett countered that land values along the proposed street car line have increased significantly based on the recent sales of the Grand Avenue Photos by Steve Waring Mall and the downtown Post Office Building.
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