The Milwaukee Post

Port of Milwaukee reports net income of $1.4M Revenue at the Port of Milwaukee exceeded expenses by more than $1.4 million in the last calendar year, according to a news release of its annual report released Monday. "By providing cost-effective transportation options and efficient sites for companies to operate, the Port has supported regional business activity and employment," Acting Port Director Paul Vornholt said in a release. Last year's cargo volumes at the Port of Milwaukee were previously reported to be up about 30 percent over 2012. The 2013 operating revenues were $4,370,586; expenses totaled $2,937,975; and the 2013 net income was $1,432,611, the release said. The totals do not include revenue from Milwaukee World Festivals for its operations on port property. The operator of Summerfest paid $1.3 million in rent in 2013. The port's net income numbers exclude depreciation, debt service and interest expenses. Additionally, tenants at the port paid more than $468,000 in personal property taxes last year. The 2013's financial results show the highest net income in six years and are consistent with totals in recent years. "Our Port continues to serve our community well," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. "It is a valuable facility for businesses, a public resource that contributes to job cre- ation, and a soundly managed operation that generates revenue for city government." The release said the net income goes to the city of Milwaukee's general fund, where it will be used to support basic city services. Abele unveils program to fight foreclosure crisis Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has unveiled a new pro- gram that will offer no-interest loans to help people purchase and fix up foreclosed homes. The Milwaukee County Foreclosure Initiative is a first for the county. Abele's plan creates an $837,000 revolving loan fund for homeowners and investors to buy and repair foreclosed homes. Money for the program came from land sale proceeds, so no tax dollars are being used, according to a news release from Brendan Conway, communications director for Abele. The homeowner or ten- ant must be an individual receiving county service, including veter- ans and seniors, he added. "This is another initiative we are adding that will help to put people to work, strengthen communities and improve the lives of everyday citizens," Abele said. "Since I was elected, we have worked hard to partner with other governments anytime it will create efficiencies and better service, this program does that." The Milwaukee County Foreclosure Initiative was designed in partnership with the city of Milwaukee to complement its Strong Neighborhoods Investment Plan. Homeowners and investors can access applications for the Milwaukee County Foreclosure Initiative online at: www.county.milwaukee.gov. Applications will be taken on a competitive basis and must be postmarked by June 23. Applications can be submitted to James Mathy, Milwaukee County Housing, 2711 W. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53208. 4 • Milwaukee County Post • June 6, 2014 WEEK IN REVIEW STATE AND LOCAL STORIES OF INTEREST School, hospital awarded grants from read program The Central City Cyberschool of Milwaukee and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin were among seven grant recipients from the Read to Lead Development Fund. Each of the awards is earmarked toward improving early child- hood development and literacy efforts. The Central City Cyberschool of Milwaukee was given $40,516 for teacher professional development programs, including reading cur- riculum and instruction, and for students to build at-home libraries. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin was given $45,000 for its Reach Out and Read Program. As part of the program, doctors take time during routine pediatric checkups to educate parents about the importance of reading with infants and children. The funding will be used to provide children's books at 28 partner clinics throughout the state, including locations in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. "Learning how to read is the foundation for future success," state Superintendent Tony Evers said. "The Read to Lead grants are part of many on-going collaborations to advance reading outcomes for all Wisconsin students. Improving student literacy is a major focus of our public schools and benefits from the community-wide work being done throughout the state." Gov. Scott Walker launched the Read to Lead initiative in 2011. Council approves Juneteenth as optional holiday The Milwaukee Common Council overwhelmingly approved Juneteenth Day as an optional holiday for city employees. The annual holiday falls on June 19 and marks the date that the last enslaved people of African descent received word of the Emancipation Proclamation. Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs authored the legislation, which was co-sponsored by 11 Council colleagues. "Juneteenth Day is a time of reflection on history, remembrance of culture, and cele- bration of family and community. It is important that we allow city workers the option of a paid holiday (using vacation) for Juneteenth," Coggs said. City employees may now take the optional paid holiday by using vacation time on another paid holiday in the same calendar year. Juneteenth Day does not change the total number of annual paid holidays, and if it falls on a work day, departments will remain open and workers will not receive holiday premium pay, a news release said. Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, Juneteenth Day recognizes the date Major General Gordon Granger and his regi- ment of Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, and freed the enslaved Africans there in 1865. The Common Council passed similar legislation in March 2014 recognizing March 31 as Cesar E. Chavez Day, an optional holiday to honor the birthday of Cesar Chavez, a champion of civil rights, labor rights, voting rights and women's rights. Deputies make 16 arrests for drunken driving The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office's Operation Drive Sober made 16 arrests over the weekend, including four repeat offenders. Three Milwaukee residents and one Cudahy resident were cited for their second DUI. They ranged in age from 24 to 58. The first-time offenders ranged in age from 21 to 50. The weekend's average portable breath test was .013. There have now been 1,130 repeat offenders since January 2010. The weekend initiative runs from 4 p.m. Fridays through 6 a.m. Sundays. No further action expected in Hulsey threat case No charges will be filed against a man who allegedly left a threat- ening voice mail for state gubernatorial candidate Brett Hulsey, according to Capitol Police. Jeffery M. Schartz, 47, a Texas resident, admitted to an investiga- tor that he made the phone call to the Madison Democrat's office ear- lier this month after hearing of Hulsey's plans to wear a Ku Klux Klan hood at the Wisconsin Republican Convention, according to the incident report. In the 36-second message, Schartz said he was calling to offer a "fair warning" to Hulsey to end his campaign. "Apparently the KKK was started as a group of Democrats from the South," said Schartz, according to the report. "Now that you understand this, you also need to understand you are in danger. Cancel the campaign, do not run." A Capitol Police detective eventually tracked down Schartz's phone number and con- ducted an interview with him over the phone. According to the report, Schartz acknowledged to the detective that while he did make the call, he said it was out of concern and not intended to be a threat. Schartz said he does not wish any harm toward Hulsey and admitted that he probably owes him an apology. Earlier this month, Hulsey – the 78th District state assembly representative – told The Post he had received a "death threat" following in response to his KKK hood plan. The case is considered closed with no further action expected to be taken, according to the report. Motorcyclist dies in crash on Highway 45 A 60-year-old Wauwatosa man was killed Sunday in a crash along Highway 45 near Watertown Plank Road. According to a news release from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, Thomas L. Gardner was traveling northbound on U.S. 45 when he struck a group of barrels that separated the traffic lanes from a construction area. He was found unconscious about 50 feet from his motorcycle. Gardner was pronounced dead at Froedtert Hospital at about 6 p.m. Abele Hulsey Evers

• Cover