October 3, 2008

NEWS FROM THE MAYOR

Dear Friends,

"I Have A Dream"- Milwaukee

This week I was proud to join the first- and second- grade classes at Clarke Street School and their parents and teachers to kick off "I Have A Dream"-Milwaukee, a unique program designed to motivate and empower children from low-income communities to reach their education and career goals.  The long-term program consists of mentoring, tutoring, enrichment and tuition assistance for higher education.

Earlier this year, during my State of the City address, I announced a partnership with the "I Have a Dream"® Foundation on a program to help children from low-income areas to achieve their goals.

Thanks to generous contributions by Ted and Mary Kellner, the Brady Corporation, Legacy Bank, the Brinn Foundation, the Weiss Family Foundation and the Herzfeld Foundation, we have been able to secure the initial investment necessary to provide the entire incoming first-grade class of Clarke Street Elementary School in Metcalfe Park with the opportunity to be our first class of "dreamers."

The program will work with these children and their families from elementary school through college to ensure their success. Their prospects are promising. In communities with low graduation rates, “I Have a Dream” participants are graduating at rates of 80 percent to 100 percent.

This program will touch every aspect of the lives of students and their families. It is going to be results-oriented, making sure these kids go to college and are prepared for a bright future.

As part of the national organization, "I Have A Dream"- Milwaukee will draw upon and be held to specific testing and outcome standards. We are going to access best practice models to strengthen the core competencies of students.

We will track every participant’s academic achievements, attendance records, community service contributions and program participation. Support for students and their families doesn’t end when they leave the classroom. Students and their families will work closely with an MPS social worker and a program coordinator.

The City is going to grant "dreamer" parents with first priority to “lease-to-purchase” homes in Metcalf Park that were financed with City investment. We are also going to provide computers, free internet access and computer training and support.

Legacy Bank will connect "dreamers" and their families to basic banking services to build assets in the neighborhood. This is all being done in a coordinated effort to stabilize these children’s homes and families to maximize their academic success.

I’m excited about this program. At a time when discussions about the future of MPS are going on throughout this city, it’s important to recognize the many people working hard right now to change the way we approach urban education so our children can be successful.

2009 Budget
Last week I delivered my 2009 budget for the City of Milwaukee to the Common Council, the most difficult budget I have ever faced. Because the Council delayed a decision on an increase in the solid waste fee-an increase that would generate an additional $7 million in revenue-I outlined two spending plans, one with the $7 million in funds and one without.

What I presented to the Council was a balanced budget, as required by state law, that included $20 million in spending cuts and the elimination of 180 full-time positions. I made it clear, however, that this was not my “preferred budget,” a budget that includes the following line items:

•  $3.415 million for the Police Department to fund 56 new recruits that would otherwise be eliminated

• $1.455 million for the Fire Department to allow staffing flexibility and to avoid closing a second Engine Company

• $520,000 needed to keep all 12 neighborhood libraries open; $300,000 of which would support new materials otherwise not funded

• $95,000 for graffiti abatement that would otherwise be eliminated

• $564,000 to provide street-side brush collection, avoid further reductions in streetlight burn time and minimize extensions to the tree pruning cycle

My preferred budget keeps the total impact on the average Milwaukee homeowner under the current rate of inflation. The tax rate increase is 3.6 percent, only slightly higher than the previous years’ average.

The budget is now before the Common Council.  I encourage residents and business owners to weigh in on how they think their money should be spent during a public hearing Monday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Will Allen receives Genius Grant
Also last week, Will Allen, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of GROWING POWER, was one of 25 people awarded a $500,000 “genius grant” by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, an award recognizing “exceptional merit and promise for continued and enhanced creative work.” – a remarkable achievement.

The Growing Power headquarters and Community Food Center at 5500 W. Silver Spring Drive, originally established as Will’s Roadside Stand, is the last operational farm and greenhouse in the City of Milwaukee.
People of all ages can tour the urban farm, participate in hands-on activities, and learn about sustainable food practices among the 20,000 plants and vegetables, thousands of fish, worm depository, beehives, and host of livestock and poultry.

Growing Power was established with the vision of “inspiring communities to build sustainable food systems that are equitable and ecologically sound, creating a just world, one food-secure community at a time.”
The Growing Power staff and volunteers express this commitment through Growing Power’s Youth Corps program, its school gardens, community gardens, City Market Basket program, and participation in food policy initiatives.

We in Milwaukee are very fortunate to be the home of Mr. Allen and this innovative program.

GO BREWERS!

Downtown Milwaukee caught Brewers fever in a big way during the Wednesday lunch hour when staff from several City of Milwaukee departments, including the Mayor’s office, joined together to host the Mayor’s “Brew Crew Barbecue” as part of the 2008 City Of Milwaukee Employees' Combined Giving Campaign.

Volunteers sold hot dog and hamburger lunch plates and hosted a bake sale outside of City Hall as I proclaimed Wednesday “Milwaukee Brewers Day.” The crowd of more than 350 people mingled with two of the Racing Sausages and enjoyed the shenanigans of Bernie Brewer as more than $1,500 was raised for Combined Giving.

The theme of this year’s Combined Giving Campaign is “Gimme Five, Milwaukee!” All City employees are encouraged to give throughout the month of October by contributing time, pledges, or fundraising efforts to community agencies in Milwaukee.

Sincerely,

Mayor, City of Milwaukee 

Visit my website at: http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/mayor