Milwaukee Professionals Association

THE PAL/POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE IS A "TICKING TIME-BOMB"

WHERE ARE THE SUPPORTERS?

"Our people have made the mistake of confusing the methods with the objectives. As long as we agree on objectives, we should never fall out with each other just because we believe in different methods, or tactics, or strategy. We have to keep in mind at all times that we are not fighting for separation. We are fighting for recognition as free humans in this society."

Malcolm X

Recently, I discovered one of the wonders and jewels of Inner City Milwaukee, the PAL/Police Athletic League Community Center. It is located on the corner of 24th and Burleigh. It is across the street from the notable Carter Drug Store, another jewel of the African American neighborhood.

My face-to-face contact was caused by a “dying on the vine” plea made on WMCS, 1290 Morning Talk show, by two members of the PAL CRISIS TEAM, Cheryl Switzer, Assistant to Executive Director and William Wade – Executive Director.

RESPONSE TO PLEA
My telephone call to the Crisis Team, to offer help, revealed three (3) more committed individuals working feverishly to SAVE THE PAL CENTER. They were/are: Linda Swift – Certified Public Accountant, United Tax Service, Michael Carter – Milwaukee Police Department assigned officer and Lydia Robinson – Secretary of PAL working feverishly to SAVE THE PAL CENTER.

CONTAGIOUS
Their commitments to “Save Pal” was contagious.

I was immediately struck by, “what can we, Campaign Neighborhood – CFNBA do”? The quick decision was to provide support through CFNBA – CNI/FONDY NORTH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.

CFNBA signed on to have our June 25, 2005, Safety and Special Events Fundraiser at PAL and donate half of the proceeds.

Additionally, my office contacted Mr. K’uu Wamubu and the ever-faithful VUCS – Veterans United for Community Services, 33rd & Wells, to assist the PAL staff with some immediate inventory services for four days.

PAL PRESS CONFERENCE
At the May 23, 2005 PAL Press Conference, CFNBA called for a $1,000 MATCH PLEDGE from individuals and organizations for the June 25, 2005 Safety and special Events Fundraiser.

MISSING IN ACTION
Immediately, I wanted to know what the board members have and were doing to SAVE PAL. What the elected officials WERE DOING? What African American elected officials were doing? What Advisors, Honorary Board Members and so-called supporters were doing?

To my amazement, the Board Members, Directors, Advisors and Honorary Board Member support was not to be found. In fact, the only Board Members that were visibly trying to SAVE the PAL Center were Bob Harris, Police Chief Nannette Hegerty, and Ms Josephine Morris.

The community stewards were “MISSING IN ACTION”. They had dropped the ball, ran and hid, and using “Ex-Senator Gary George” as a reason for their lack of leadership and fiduciary responsibility.

As a matter of fact, some have “jumped ship”, have not attended meetings, and collectively they have refused to “governed themselves”.

Some have aligned themselves with COA/Children Outing Association, a bidder, without first giving the present group an opportunity to survive by providing “promised” support – commitments of strategic planning, oversight, monitoring and funding.

Some have aligned themselves with COA/Children Outing Association showing “bias”, “conflict of interest” and “undue influence” as a result of their personal connections.

Some have aligned themselves with one of the two “faith-based” bidders, Christain Faith Fellowship and Jericho Missionary Baptish Church, Inc. thereby engaging in the appearance of "impropriety" since they may be tied to the organization through religious affiliation, personal connections and/or a relative.

Milwaukee Public Schools, supported by tax-supported dollars, politically and exclusively aligned with COA/Children Outing Association when there were at least two other bidders; NOT TO MENTION their present 20-year agreement was still with the PAL Center.

The appearance of "impropriety", showing “bias”, “conflict of interest” and “undue influence” is at an all-time high.

It is very disappointing when The People are left without representation of leadership. For they are then left to deception and misguided acts.

This is an example of a quote so brilliantly made by Malcolm X,

"Our people have made the mistake of confusing the methods with the objectives. As long as we agree on objectives, we should never fall out with each other just because we believe in different methods, or tactics, or strategy. We have to keep in mind at all times that we are not fighting for separation. We are fighting for recognition as free humans in this society."

In this case, the objective is to save a “jewel”, a needed community center that transcend electoral districts and lends itself to improvement of an area that is plagued by barriers that keep stakeholders from improved quality-of-life and economic development opportunities for self-sustainability. The method should be “by ALL means necessary”.

At the May 23, 2005 Press Conference, President Bob Harris, Board Member – Police Chief Nannette Hegerty, Board Member – Community Representative Josephine Morris reached out for support of the neighborhood, elected officials and well-wishers.

State District Attorney Peggy Lautenschlager delivered a check for $5,000 and Bob Still, National Director of PAL was present with a "pledge" of $20,000 from the national office of PAL over the next month.

Other Board Members present were: Thomas Sprewer – Guaranty Bank, Captain James Galezewski, Captain Linda Haynes and Sergeant Ray Banks.

MOST OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WERE NOTICEABLY ABSENT AND NON-RESPONSIVE, INCLUDING THE TWO AFRICAN AMERICAN ALDERMEN that sit on the PAL Board of Directors – Alderman Michael McGee Jr. and Alderman Willie Wade. Alderman Michael McGee, Jr. sent a representative to make remarks.

The elected officials present at the Press Conference were:

 Alderman Robert Donovan of District 8.
 Supervisor Willie Johnson, Jr.
 State Senator Spencer Coggs.

Mayor Barrett and County Executive Scott Walker had a representative present.

The elected officials of the district that WERE NOT PRESENT were:

Milwaukee Public Schools Board Director Charlene Hardin was not present; and, she did not have a representative.

Supervisor Michael Mayo. He was not present; and, did not send a representative.

State Representative Polly Williams was not present; and, she did not have a representative.

State Senator Lena Taylor. She did not come nor did she send a representative.

A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
My office has taken a personal interest in making the PAL Community Center plight our cause. We have also identified SAVE PAL as a Common Cause and testament for Public Trust.

BELLY-UP
PAL is the second organization in the African American neighborhood of Milwaukee to face closure within six (6) months.

It follows OIC-GM unfortunate demise. A tragedy in that WE stood idle and allowed its “complete” closure.

Oh yes, an audit. A review. Downsizing if necessary, but not “closure”.

Too many people need and depended on the services. OIC-GM had "too many" pluses for ALL THE GOOD to go. And, what kind of message are we recording in history? What message did we send to our neighborhood and the outside world?

Where were the leaders? Why didn’t Tyrone Dumas receive the support he needed?

We “collectively” stood idle while OIC-GM burned to a crisp.

I dare us allow another “jewel” to leave.

We must demand that those who have their names on the letterhead of PAL, those who are in “elected” office with a responsibility to the Milwaukee community and those of the neighborhood to stand up and be counted.

To first and foremost, to help in every way the GO-GETTER Crisis Team (now in place) to make every effort to SAVE PAL.

Just in chase you do not know who you are on the “letterhead”. You are:

William Andrekopoulos – MPS Superintendent, PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Ray Banks – Sergeant MPD, PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Tom Barrett – Mayor, PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Anthony Brzonkala – PAL ADVISOR
Myron Cain – Principal, Juneau High School, PAL BOARD MEMBER
David Clarke, Jr. – Sheriff, PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Howard Fuller – PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
James Galezewski – Captain of Police – MPD, PAL BOARD MEMBER
Attorney David Goelzer – Secretary, PAL BOARD MEMBER
Robert Harris – Board President/Chair, PAL BOARD MEMBER
Rev. Archie Ivy – New Hope MBC, PAL BOARD MEMBER
Gwen Jackson – PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Eric Johnson – PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Frank (Jack) Ladky – PAL ADVISOR
Doug Levy – PAL ADVISOR
Gilbert Llanas – PAL ADVISOR
Alderman Michael McGee, Jr. – District 6 (PAL District), PAL BOARD MEMBER
Michael Miller – PAL ADVISOR
Susan Montgomery – PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Theodore Montgomery – PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Josephine Morris – Community Representative, PAL BOARD MEMBER
H. Carl Mueller – PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Asher Nichols – PAL ADVISOR
Bernie Peck – PAL ADVISOR
Jim Pingel – Treasurer, PAL BOARD MEMBER
Peter Pochowski – Milwaukee Public Schools, Chair-PAL BOARD MEMBER
Ex-Mayor Marvin Pratt – PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Joan Prince – PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Attorney Jeffrey Schmeckpeper – PAL Attorney and PAL BOARD MEMBER
Richard Schulze – PAL ADVISOR
Dale Schunk – Deputy Chief of Police, PAL BOARD MEMBER
MPS Board Member Jeff Spence – PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Tom Sprewer – Guaranty Bank, PAL BOARD MEMBER
Russell Thomas –-Milwaukee Public Schools, PAL BOARD MEMBER
Alderman Willie Wade – District 10, PAL Board Member
County Executive Scott Walker – County Executive, PAL HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Robert Zigman – Milwaukee Club, PAL BOARD MEMBER

SOLIDARITY
Solidarity and efforts of sincerity will SAVE PAL.

US BANK has been a Friend to PAL this long. I am positive they will go the last mile. However, they need us to step-up and show our back-up.

Those of us that are not on the letterhead have a responsibility to do our part to demand accountability; and, see that we help RAISE THE DOLLARS necessary.

The CRISIS TEAM started with a $3.2 million dollar deficit. They are now at $450,000.

WE DO NOT WANT THE NAME CHANGED.

WE DO WANT A "REORGANIZATION" and CHANGE IN BOARD MEMBERS for obvious reasons.

WE DO NOT WANT THE BUILDING TO BE SOLD.

PAL IS OUR "jewel" for the community now and in the future.

YOU CAN ASSIST
CFNBA is hosting the major fundraiser during this crisis period. We want you to attend and we want you to support financially as your checkbook will allow.

EVENT:
SAFETY & SPECIAL EVENTS FUNDRAISER LUNCHEON

THEME:
“SAFETY PREVENTION & SAFETY INTERVENTION IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS”

DATE>>>>>SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2005

TIME>>>>>11:30AM – 1:00PM

PLACE>>>>PAL-POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE
ADDRESS>>2320 W. Burleigh

Program Highlights:
 “PAL ON PARADE” – Youth, Youth Leader, Senior, Member

 “SAFETY GROCERY BAG WINNERS” – Middle School

 Milwaukee Public Schools Recreation For the Summer

 Milwaukee Firefighters

 Neighborhood Greeters, A Public Service

 Block-to-Block Alliance for Block Clubs

 SPEAKER: Waukesha District Attorney Paul Bucher

 HONOREES: PAL Crisis Team

Some ways you can contribute are:
 UNDERWRITING THE LUNCHEON $3,000.00

 NEIGHBORHOOD GREETERS DONOR
>>>$3,000.00 – Gold
>>>$2,000.00 – Silver
>>>$1,500.00 – Bronze

 MATCH FUND PLEDGE $1,000.00

 TABLE(S) $ 320.00 PER TABLE

 INDIVIDUAL $40.00 PER PERSON

ASAP
Pledge and donor amounts are needed as we speak to help "stop" the ticking time-bomb. So, put your check in the mail today.

BUFFET LUNCHEON/FOOD BY:
CHEF MICHAEL BLAKE
ENTREES:
>>>CHICKEN
>>>BARBEQUE (SHOULDER & RIBS)

Can we count on you and/or your organization to make a donation that will help promote safety in the Inner City of Milwaukee AND to help PAL?

For information: 414/225-9015 x 2. Email: busybeaver@earthlink.net.

Donations are payable and mailed to:
CFNBA, POB 511135, Milwaukee, WI 53203

We thank you in advance for your support.

Email us
busybeaver@earthlink.net