The Milwaukee Post

4 • Milwaukee Post • July 26, 2013 WEEK IN REVIEW STATE AND LOCAL STORIES OF INTEREST 1 Common Council members want change to sex offender locations Members of the Milwaukee Common Council criticized a state program that houses dangerous sex offenders in residential neighborhoods this week, calling it "disruptive to neighborhoods" and a "foolish waste of taxpayers' money." Aldermen Tony Zielinski, Jim Bohl, Bob Donovan and Jose G. Perez called upon Gov. Scott Walker and the state Legislature to take immediate action that would establish a centralized facili- ty to house such offenders rather than placing them in quiet communities. "This program lands like a cluster bomb on the neighborhoods it impacts," Zielinski said. "What was once a quiet neighborhood surrounding E. Van Beck Avenue in my district is now in an absolute uproar over a violent sex offender who is being put up in a rental house. I know of at least one resident who has already moved out, and many others are deeply concerned for their safety, their children's safety and the decline in their quality of life. "What's even more appalling is that, through their state tax dollars, these same residents are paying this sex offender's rent." Wisconsin's most dangerous sex offenders are housed at the Sand Ridge Treatment Center in Mauston under Wisconsin's Chapter 980 law, which allows inmates deemed sexually violent to be held for mental health treatment, 2 First-floor services return to regular hours at Milwaukee County Courthouse 3 Bill puts penalty on trafficking SNAP benefits 6 even after they complete prison terms. But every year, a number of offenders meet conditions for discharge and are released back to their counties of origin under supervision. There, they are placed in homes the state rents on their behalf, Zielinski said."It's absolutely shameful for the state to subsidize such shady business practices with taxpayer money," Zielinski said. "It not only fails the smell test. It stinks outright." Revolution Labs announces its first Milwaukee inner-city startups All public services on the first floor of the Milwaukee County Courthouse returned to regular hours Tuesday . The county clerk, register of deeds, treasurer and child support services returned to the courthouse last week but kept shorter hours to help deal with power concerns during the heat wave. Until further notice, access to the 10th Street entrance to the courthouse will be restricted. Only necessary repair and restoration staff will be allowed through the doors. All others should use the entrance at 9th and Wells streets. People can also enter through the Safety Building or Criminal Justice Facility and use the skywalk to the courthouse. Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill into law this week that places a criminal penalty on the trafficking of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as FoodShare in Wisconsin. "This bill gives the state additional options to ensure Wisconsin's FoodShare benefits are being properly used by those in need and it aligns state law with federal regulations," Walker said. Under the law, trafficking SNAP benefits now constitutes a criminal offense and is subject to various criminal penalties. Penalties range from fines and administrative sanctions up to a Class G felony The penalty is determined by the cash value of the . benefits trafficked and whether the violation was a first or a repeat offense. The bill defines the following transactions as trafficking: ■ buying, selling, stealing or otherwise exchanging SNAP benefits for cash or other consideration ■ exchanging firearms, ammunition, explosives or controlled substances for SNAP benefits ■ using SNAP benefits to purchase food that has a container deposit for the sole purpose of returning the container for a cash refund ■ reselling food purchased with SNAP benefits ■ purchasing food that was previously purchased with SNAP benefits ■ any other act defined as SNAP trafficking under federal law. Revolution Labs has announced its first startups from the inner city of Milwaukee that will participate in a seed accelerator program, according to a company statement. The five startups are ImCoveredWI, Destiny Electronics, That Salsa Lady U The Center and Nappturalistic Beauty , . The five companies will undergo a 12-week pilot program, which will teach them startup methods developed by entrepreneur Steve Bank. The startups will learn best practices, 4 DUI initiative brings 13 arrests over weekend 5 Agreement will help Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee County War Memorial Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. said Monday that a weekend driving under the influence initiative resulted in the arrest of 13 drunken drivers between 4 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Sunday . The first arrest involved an injury to a deputy at about 4 p.m. in the North Point parking lot by the lakefront. A deputy stationed at the mobile command post in the lot attempted to stop a vehicle in the lot, but the operator did not stop, causing the deputy to push off the car with her arm to avoid being struck. Deputies approached the driver when he pulled into a parking space. Malcolm Kyles, 53, of Milwaukee, was argumentative and deputies noted signs of intoxication. His blood-alcohol level was .26, more than three times the legal limit. Kyles was taken into custody for DUI-second offense, resisting/obstructing-causing soft tissue damage to an officer and operating after revocation. Other repeat offenders were Marquisia Melton, 31, and Douglas Kelly, 56, both of Milwaukee. Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, along with Supervisors Gerry Broderick and John Weishan, announced Tuesday that a new agreement between the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Milwaukee County War Memorial, Inc., will help ensure the long-term vitality of the buildings and grounds of both organizations. Under the agreement, the War Memorial Center and Milwaukee Art Museum will receive $1,586,000 per year from Milwaukee County from 2014 through 2023. This includes an investment of $1,100,000 to the Art Museum and $486,000 to the War Memorial. The annual funding commitment ends after the 10-year period, but the other portions of the agreement could extend for up to 84 years. County capital improvement funding of $10 million between 2013 and 2017 will supplement the Art Museum's planned private funding of $15 million for a total $25 million investment in improvements to the publicly-owned portions of the War Memorial and Art Museum buildings and grounds. Broderick said the pact would help preserve both institutions for generations to come. "This agreement is the product of leadership and vision by all who were involved," Broderick said. "The Art Museum is a true jewel that is known world-wide as a symbol of Milwaukee, and the War Memorial honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice." work with mentors and pitch their ideas to potential investors, according to a company statement. Startups that successfully complete the program will receive a $10,000 grant after making a final presentation to Revolution Labs' managing directors Greg Meier and Nick Wichert and submitting a grant request form. "Revolution Labs will give these central city Milwaukee startups a keen understanding of entrepreneurs by getting them out of the building and talking with customers," Meier said. "Our entrepreneurship curriculum will have each entrepreneur participate in a regular business model canvas reviews, business pitch practice sessions and other exclusive training and networking events." Revolution Labs started up in May by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and state Department of Children and Families through Gov Scott Walker's . "Transform Milwaukee" initiative.

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