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Official Government
Communication
Week of July 30th - August 4th
Dear
Friend,
There is a
lot happening at the State Capitol and it is my hope that this email will
help you stay in touch with your government. As your Senator, I truly
believe in public service. If there is anything my office can do to
assist you, please feel free to contact us.
Here to
serve,
Sen. Lena
Taylor
4th
District
Urban Ag
as a Pathway to Employment
 Senator Taylor met with a Milwaukee County
Supervisor and the Director of Milwaukee County Parks about the LOVE
& FAITH initiative. A key aspect of the initiative is urban
agriculture and forestry. They talked about how Milwaukee parks can act
as a hub for these efforts. For example,
many other cities have used public parks as spaces to create urban
agriculture opportunities for their residents. Additionally, she discussed
the possibility of developing vocational training programs through a
partnership between Milwaukee County Parks and the Wisconsin Arborist
Association that could bring dozens of urban forestry jobs to Milwaukee,
as well as how fish hatcheries could be used as pathways to rewarding
careers.
CSG
Justice Center and Juvenile Corrections Reform
 I spoke with the Council of State
Government's Justice Center about juvenile corrections here in Wisconsin.
The Justice Center is a national organization that helps state
governments translate research into policy and practice. I really
appreciate that CSG staff go on field trips to juvenile facilities around
the county to stay up-to-date on what the best practices can look like in
facilities. We discussed their work in Wisconsin on the Justice
Re-Investment Initiative.
Of
particular interest is the work CSG has done in Washington D.C. with the
New Beginnings Youth Development Center. Like Lincoln Hills and Copper
Lakes facilities here in Wisconsin, New Beginnings was also forced to
close its doors after years of problems, and mandated to reform its
juvenile justice system. At the behest of Dr. Ramel
Smith, a Wisconsin psychologist who consults with New Beginnings, I
visited the facility to learn more about their work. Smith, whose life's
work has centered on research and recommendations for improving outcomes
for youth in secure facilities, felt that the organizational model of New
Beginnings could benefit Wisconsin youth.
The
Justice Center visits facilities often and I learned that they were
familiar with the work of New Beginnings. Therefore, I was excited to
invite them to present their findings and other useful reform concepts to
the Wisconsin 2017 Act 185 Juvenile Corrections Study Committee. While we
are at the ground stages of the work to improve our state's juvenile
corrections system, I want to make sure we don't miss this opportunity to
hear from experts from around the country.
2. North Shore Bank Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony
 M Our office staff attended the ribbon
cutting for North Shore Bank's newest location in Shorewood. The bank is
celebrating 95 years of service in our community and this was a great way
to further their partnership. Located at 4060 N. Oakland Avenue, some of
the new amenities offered by this branch include private offices to meet
with your banker, drive-up video teller services open 7 days a week, a
walk-up easy deposit ATM, a self-service coin counter, and space for the
community to have meetings with access to video conferencing. The bank
also showed off the bike rack that was designed by a student from
Shorewood High School! North Shore bank has done well in supporting our
communities and small businesses throughout Eastern Wisconsin. Let's
continue to support them as well!
Speaking
at Camp Umoja
 I made my way over to Camp Umoja to talk with the young scholars there about
some of my goals for our community as their Senator. During their six
weeks at Camp Umoja, students work collectively
on long term projects. They also have the chance to hear speakers from
all walks of life, who are asked to provide engagement, information, and
inspiration for these future leaders. I was excited to use my time with
them to talk about the importance of getting involved in the community
and civic engagement. I spoke to them about one of my personal heroes,
Ezekiel Gillespie, a man whose commitment to his community and enduring
fight for equality secured African-Americans the right to vote in
Wisconsin. In my closing remarks, it was important that they learn that
you can make an impact at any age. Whether it's raisig awareness about a cause, starting a club in
your school, or meeting with your elected representative, there are
countless ways to use your voice and get involved.
Intern
Spotlight: Maddie Ladd by Danny Farber
 Maddie Ladd is a communications intern at
Senator Taylor's Milwaukee office. She is currently a rising sophomore at
UW Madison double majoring in history and political science. Originally
from Wauwatosa, Maddie was familiar with the Senator and her work within
the community going into her internship. Wanting to improve the lives of
those in the Milwaukee area, working for Senator Taylor and advancing her
political goals was a unique opportunity for Maddie. The most rewarding
part of the job for her has been helping constituents and gaining a
greater understanding for the inner workings of a political office.
Outside
of the office, Maddie stays involved in the Pre-Law Society, Swim Club,
and College Democrats at UW Madison. After graduating she wants to apply
to Teach for America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting
potential teachers with public schools in low-income communities. Maddie
is also interested in applying to law school and becoming a human rights
lawyer.
This
week is Maddie's last in Senator Taylor's office! We are sad to see her
go, but we know she is going places and wish her the best of luck in the
future.
Community Action
Alerts
Vel R. Phillips
Dedication Ceremony
You're invited to attend the historic Street Naming Dedication
Ceremony for Vel R. Phillips Avenue
on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 11:00am on the corner of 4th & North
Ave., in front of America's Black Holocaust Museum.
This historic event is a part of the Bronzeville
Week 2018 festivities, and will include a program followed by food,
entertainment, and trolley rides along Vel R.
Phillips Avenue from St. Paul to Capitol Drive.
For more on the dedication, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_y6B61syrI
Informational
Meeting for North Teutonia Construction
Please
see the briefing below from the Wisconsin Department of Public Works
regarding the reconstruction project on North Teutonia
Avenue.
You are invited to attend the second Public
Informational Meeting for the proposed reconstruction project of North Teutonia Avenue, from West Garfield Avenue to West Groeling Avenue. The meeting will be held in the
hallway outside of the auditorium in an “Open House” format with project
related sketches and plans on display. Representatives from the City of
Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works and Kapur
& Associates will be available to discuss the project plans and
answer your questions.
It is very important that we receive public
input on the proposed project as it will be directly impacting businesses
and residents in the area. Input that is received at the Public
Informational Meeting will assist in completing the proposed design.
When: Wednesday, August 15, 2018,
from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: North Division High School,
located at 1011 West Center Street
Free
Friday Night Concerts
I encourage you all to take advantage of the
free Friday night concert series hosted by Arts @ Large. All concerts
will be located at the corner of 3rd and Walker Streets in the Walker’s
Point neighborhood of Milwaukee.
Below are the dates and performers of each show:
- Aug
3 Mitch Shiner – Latin Vibes
- Aug
10 Tritonics – Rock Steady Reggae
- Aug
17 LaChazz – Latin Jazz
- Aug
24 Sindoola – African Dance Music
- Sept
7 Listening Party – Bluegrass/Americana
- Sept
14 Command Performance – Big Band
For more information check out Art @ Large's website. Enjoy!
South
Howell Avenue Reconstruction Project
Please see the
briefing below from the Wisconsin Department of Public Works on
reconstruction on South Howell Avenue in Milwaukee.
The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
(DPW) announces that a reconstruction project on South Howell Avenue from
West Grange to Layton Avenues will begin on Monday, July 16, 2018 with
preliminary work on the avenue crossovers. This is a State of Wisconsin Department
on Transportation project, managed in conjunction with DPW, and is
expected to last into December 2018, weather permitting.
IMPORTANT: Access to General Mitchell
International Airport (GMIA) from S. Howell Ave. will be maintained
during this project.
However, GMIA travelers, customers, employees,
and vendors should be aware of traffic pattern changes and possible
delays accessing the airport during the project. The traveling public may
wish the use South 13th Street between W. Layton and W. Grange as an
alternative route to the airport.
What to expect during construction:
- Two-way
traffic on S. Howell Ave. will continue during construction.
- On
Thursday, July 19 the east side of S. Howell Avenue will be closed.
- One
lane in each direction will be open on the west side of the street.
- The
intersection of S. Howell/ East & West Layton will also be
reconstructed; traffic lane closures on Layton will occur as well.
Bus Routes: #55 and the Green Line will remain
in operation on their regular routes. Route #80 will detour to/from the
Airport Spur via W. Grange Ave. to S. 6th St. Passengers should watch for
possible additional and/or relocated bus stops, and other possible
delays, and plan accordingly.
Parking: There will be no on-street parking on
S. Howell during construction.
Pedestrian access: Short-term disruptions will
occur as sidewalks are being removed and rebuilt. Temporary
accommodations will be provided as needed.
For more information on this project go to the
DPW website.
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