The Milwaukee Post

April 14, 2017 • Milwaukee County Post • 9 April is Parkinson's Awareness Month To the editor: This April, I invite our neighbors to take part in Parkinson's Awareness Month. Nearly 1 million Americans live with Parkinson's — which is more than multiple sclerosis, ALS, and muscular dystrophy combined — and over 20,000 of our neigh- bors in Wisconsin have been diagnosed with the disease. If you don't already know someone living with Parkinson's today, there is a good chance that, someday, you will. Neurologists have classified Parkinson's disease as a movement disorder, character- ized by four key motor symptoms: tremor, muscle rigidity and stiffness, slowness of movement, and impaired balance and coor- dination. Today, PD is considered much more than just a movement disorder. Non- motor symptoms of this disease may include dementia or confusion, fatigue, sleep disturbances and depression. While the disease process may begin years earlier, the average age of diagnosis for PD is 60, but many individuals are diag- nosed in their 50s and 40s, or even younger. It is estimated that 60,000 Americans are newly diagnosed each year. Like many other neurological disorders, the causes of PD are not known, but both environmental and genetic factors are thought to be involved. There currently is no cure for PD, but numerous medications and other treatment options are available to improve symptoms and the quality of life for people with this disease and the increased pace of new research offers great hope for future treatment and a cure. I invite all in our community to support Parkinson Awareness Month. For more information, and ideas on how to get involved, please contact Wisconsin Parkinson Association at 414-312-6990 or wiparkinson.org. Gary Garland Executive director Wisconsin Parkinson Association Milwaukee City's commitment to police reforms persists in the face of flagging federal interest To the editor: While some suspected this was coming, I must first say that I am still very disap- pointed by the news last week that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is shying away from the Department of Justice's prior commitments to help cities like Milwaukee enact police reforms. I believe there is real value in these reforms, which seek to strengthen the relationship between the police and the community and, in doing so, foster a safer city. I was proud that the city of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Police Department vol- untarily sought out this assistance from the Obama administration's Department of Justice. We had eagerly anticipated the release of a report with analysis and recom- mendations intended to help us create a police department that was more transpar- ent and responsive to residents' concerns, and the police chief, many leaders within his department and many of the city's elect- ed officials had demonstrated an unwaver- ing commitment to getting to work on these important tasks. Under the new administration and Sessions, we are, sadly, still waiting for that report and its important feedback. The attorney general has signaled that he might not support this process, stating that he thinks it paints police officers as the prob- lem. I think the attorney general's take on the matter is oversimplified, myopic and lack- ing in nuance. We are not scapegoating police officers for our city's problems. I have consistently maintained my belief that the vast majority of police officers are hard- working, good-hearted and selfless guardians of the peace in our city. But that doesn't mean that there aren't areas that are ripe for improvement in a way that's sys- temic and data-driven. Police Chief Edward Flynn and other leaders have embraced this mission as well, and are deserving of the city's support and credit as the process moves forward. But I feel it's important to restate Milwaukee's commitment to reforming our police-com- munity relations — even if we no longer have federal support in this undertaking. Ashanti Hamilton Milwaukee Common Council president Gun-toting 'scary and prolific' auto thief kept in broken juvenile justice system To the editor: On March 31, prosecutors sought to waive a 15-year-old Milwaukee boy into adult court because he simply cannot seem to stop stealing vehicles, despite serious juvenile court proceedings against him. Prosecutors say the boy's fingerprints have shown up on 22 stolen cars — nearly two dozen vehicles! I have received some shocking and quite disturbing video showing the teen waving a handgun and flashing gang signs. In my opinion, this video, which you can view by going to my city Facebook page (facebook.com/AldermanDonovan), casts strong doubt about whether this teen is fit for any type of reform or rehabilitation in our broken juvenile justice system. A veteran Milwaukee police officer who viewed the clip called it "scary." News reports indicate the boy has gone missing from authorities twice in recent years, only to be later linked to more car thefts. On March 31, Circuit Judge Gwendolyn Connolly flatly refused to waive the teen into adult court, stating she did not see "clear and convincing evidence" that it was necessary. She said this after watching this very same video! Judge Connolly should ask a few of the victims whether there is any clear and con- vincing evidence to send the young criminal into adult court (where he may FINALLY learn his lesson). What about the safety of the community, Judge Connolly? She should also explain to us how she is sure the gun he was holding in the video won't be used in a robbery or killing. I don't know Judge Connolly and I don't believe we've ever met. I know her job is a challenging one, but I say with all due respect, I believe she owes an explanation to the citizens of Milwaukee. Alderman Bob Donovan 8th District, Milwaukee Water Works superintendent's business experience makes her well-qualified To the editor: In a letter to Mayor Tom Barrett that has received some media attention, a handful of my Common Council colleagues questioned the appointment of Jennifer Gonda as the new superintendent of the Milwaukee Water Works. I strongly disagree with that position, and actually I see the appointment of Gonda (by Ghassan Korban, commissioner of the Department of Public Works) as a bold move that will further enhance Milwaukee's esteemed national reputation in water qual- ity. As chairman of the city's Water Quality Task Force, I have the utmost confidence in Gonda's abilities to guide the Water Works to continuing and greater achievements as a key city asset and critical utility. The city of Milwaukee is seen as a national model for the upgrades that were made to the Water Works to address the cryptosporidium outbreak in 1993. We cur- rently have national experts working in areas of water chemistry and water quality who are considered among the very best in the country — something that will not change under Gonda. In speaking with her the other day, I was pleased that Gonda rec- ognizes the need to sustain this excellence, proposing such things as putting in place successor plans for key employees nearing the twilight of their careers, and finding ways to increase transparency and aware- ness of what the Water Works is doing on the water quality issue. I made a request for and was provided with the job announcement for Water Works superintendent that was used to hire our former MWW superintendent, Carrie Lewis. The qualifications listed include a bachelor's degree in engineering, public administration, urban affairs, economics or a related field. There was no exclusive requirement for a background in the sci- ences, and an emphasis (in part) was stressed for a candidate with "excellent administrative and executive skills." In my view, Gonda excels in the areas of budget, finance, business administration, human resources and intergovernmental relations. She checks many of these boxes to a very high degree, and even more impor- tantly has extensive experience working with suburban officials and economic devel- opment and business leaders as the head of the city's Intergovernmental Relations Division. Gonda has been at the forefront of a num- ber of key policy issues for the city and will, I believe, be a catalyst for utilizing and max- imizing the human talent in the depart- ment. I also believe she will look for and lead reforms that will make the Water Works run better. Years ago I recall an executive change at the Milwaukee Public Museum that drew some head-scratching before the new officer even had his name on the door because, while a sound administrator, he had no experience in the museum business. In short order he was credited with turning around a financial shortfall and correcting numerous internal issues. Not surprising to me, when that executive decided to move on from the position, no one questioned when the reins next went to a bank president. In the end, those outside-the-box executives helped turn the museum's fortunes around with key strengths in administration and finance. Their work and leadership did not undermine the strengths of the museum and the public's affection for and interest in it. In a similar fashion, I believe Gonda's strengths will strengthen –— not under- mine — public confidence in the tremen- dous asset that is the Milwaukee Water Works. Alderman Jim Bohl LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OPINION

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