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Written by GOV Press Wisconsin
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Thursday, 16 July 2020 09:51 |
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 Each of these people earned a pardon by serving their sentence and making positive contributions to society.
MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers granted pardons this week to eighteen individuals. The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board heard from applicants virtually on June 23, 2020. Applicants who the Board recommended for pardon were forwarded to Gov. Evers for final consideration.
 “A pardon won’t fix the challenges facing our criminal justice system, but it can have a tremendous impact on a person’s life,” said Gov. Evers. “Each of these people earned a pardon by serving their sentence and making positive contributions to society.”
Gov. Evers granted pardons to the following people:
- James Hernon, now 59 years old, was struggling with addiction when he assisted another individual in burglarizing a home 20 years ago in exchange for the proceeds and drugs. He now works with the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, the same organization he credits with helping him recover from his drug addiction. Mr. Hernon lives in West Allis.
- Steven Johnson, now 58 years old, was 23 when he caused a tragic car accident in which his best friend was killed. He was a pallbearer in his friend’s funeral, and he has garnered the forgiveness of the victim’s mother, who supports a pardon. He has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor and has asked for this pardon before dying. Mr. Johnson lives in Marshfield.
- Taranda Westmoreland, now 45 years old, made several unauthorized charges on a credit card when she was 26. She has since obtained a master’s degree and now works to serve others in need, including minors, folks with special needs, and persons experiencing homelessness. Ms. Westmoreland lives in Milwaukee.
- Barry Plotnick, now 65 years old, was 21 years old and struggling with addiction when he and his friend broke into a drug store and stole several bottles of valium. After completing his sentence, he went on to become a successful small business owner in the produce industry and is married to his wife of 20 years with children and grandchildren. Mr. Plotnick now lives in the State of Georgia.
- Loretta Childs was 22 years old when she knowingly wrote bad checks to obtain some items for resale. She quickly took responsibility, is now 38 years old, and has maintained employment while raising her children. Ms. Childs lives in Milwaukee.
- Matthew Raasch, now 41 years old, was struggling with drug addiction when he cashed fraudulent checks to support his addiction. He now volunteers and works with Waukesha County inmates and drug and alcohol treatment courts as a mentor to those struggling with addiction. Mr. Raasch lives in Waukesha.
- Elandis Peete was 18 when he sold cocaine to an undercover police officer. Now in his forties, he opened his own trucking business, mentoring and hiring formerly incarcerated folks to help them become productive members of the community. Mr. Peete lives in Wauwatosa.
- Shelesia Parham, now 51 years old, was 23 when she forged her mother’s name on multiple withdrawal slips for her mother’s account. Her relationship with her mother is mended and she fully supports a pardon. She has become an owner of multiple newspapers in Racine and previously hosted a weekly gospel hour on local radio. Ms. Parham lives in Racine.
- Kerry Brunner, now 59 years old, was in his early twenties when he was convicted of several offenses connected to a drug addiction, including delivery of cocaine and cashing a stolen check. He is married with children and grandchildren, has been a small business owner, and is currently working in his local school district as a custodian. Mr. Brunner now lives in the State of Missouri.
- Keith Butler, now 40 years old, was 23 and homeless when he was caught selling drugs to undercover police officers. He now is a devoted father who volunteers in his community, including previously as an assistant coach with the Green Bay Packer Pee Wee League Neighborhood Youth Sports Organization. Mr. Butler lives in Milwaukee.
- Markeese Walker, now 40 years old, was 22 when he was convicted of fleeing an officer. He has since become an active community member and volunteer, who received adamant support from many, including a former Milwaukee law enforcement officer. Mr. Walker lives in Milwaukee.
- Andrew Ophoven was arrested by three plain-clothed detectives for selling marijuana 20 years ago. He has since gone to school for culinary arts and hospitality management. Mr. Ophoven hopes someday he will be able to own his own restaurant. Mr. Ophoven lives in Waukesha.
- Michael Andersen, now 40 years old, sold marijuana and shoplifted 20 years ago. He now has a daughter and has obtained associate degrees in marketing and business. Mr. Andersen lives in West Allis.
- Yusef Moore, now 49 years old, was convicted of several offenses relating to his addiction to drugs in his early thirties. He has taken remarkable steps including obtaining a master’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago, helping others struggling with addiction by becoming a substance abuse residential counselor, and working with persons experiencing homelessness. He received support from the Court in his application for pardon, works the 12-steps, and is an active member of his faith community. Mr. Moore lives in Greenfield.
- Terry Howell-Dixon is 65 years old and nearly 30 years ago failed to report an increase in income which resulted in an over-grant of public assistance and food stamps. She has maintained steady employment, is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and is heavily involved with her faith community. Ms. Howell-Dixon lives in Milwaukee.
- LaFondra Thomas was 19 when she committed a series of check forgeries. She since obtained her HSED and worked for the same company, AT&T, for 21 years. Ms. Thomas now lives in the State of Texas.
- Sonny Valeriano, now 34 years old, was 20 years old and struggling with a death in the family when he decided to sell marijuana for some quick cash. He began his pursuit of higher education while still in confinement and has since pursued multiple degrees to become a massage therapist. Mr. Valeriano lives in Milwaukee.
- Richard Baker, now 39 years old, made a series of mistakes as a young man that resulted in several convictions including bail jumping, obstructing an officer, and escape. He credits his turn to religion as the reason for his reform. He has since obtained his HSED and works as a hunting and fishing guide in Minnesota, where he resides.
The Wisconsin Constitution grants the governor the power to pardon individuals convicted of a crime. A pardon is an official act of forgiveness that restores some of the rights that are lost when someone is convicted of a felony, including the right to serve on a jury, hold public office, and hold certain professional licenses. A pardon does not result in an expungement.
Under Executive Order #30, individuals convicted of a Wisconsin felony may apply for a pardon if they completed their sentence at least five years ago and have not committed any new crimes. Individuals currently required to register on the sex offender registry are ineligible for a pardon.
The pardon application and instructions for applying are located on the Governor’s website: www.evers.wi.gov/Pages/pardon-information.aspx.
The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board will continue to meet virtually monthly and will be reconvening again on July 21, 2020 and will air on wiseye.org/live. |
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Written by The Hill Press
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Thursday, 16 July 2020 09:36 |
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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-pence-coronavirus-briefing-s5.png Public Health experts fear move to bypass CDC may lead to a cover-up.
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Written by Jeff Smith, State Senator District 31
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Wednesday, 15 July 2020 19:38 |
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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trempealeau-co-bikes-s5.jpg We can enjoy all of the great things Wisconsin has to offer, opportunities to go outdoors and explore in these summer months, while staying safe and social distancing.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 July 2020 20:10 |
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Written by League of Women Voters Wisconsin
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Wednesday, 15 July 2020 09:47 |
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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gb-vote7-47line-s5.jpg Fair voting advocacy group seeks to keep WEC from purging voters from the polling lists based on information provided by the flawed ERIC movers list.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 16 July 2020 10:08 |
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Written by League of Women Voters of Greater Green Bay
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Monday, 13 July 2020 16:39 |
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 Democratic Candidates for 90th Assembly District, incumbent Staush Gruszynski and challenger, Kristina Shelton, will face off virtually on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 July 2020 18:01 |
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Written by Wisconsin Senate, Jay Wadd
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Friday, 10 July 2020 12:26 |
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 New Map Commission will give regular people a chance to help draw district boundaries that can be used fairly.
MADISON - State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) is encouraging constituents who are interested in creating a non-partisan redistricting process and fair maps for future elections to apply to serve on Governor Evers’ People’s Commission on Maps.
 “Throughout my efforts to pass non-partisan redistricting in the Legislature I have heard from many constituents who support the idea that the people, not politicians, should be in charge of drawing the legislative maps used in our elections,” said Hansen. “Thanks to Governor Evers’ creation of the People’s Map Commission people will now have a chance to help draw district boundaries that can be used to create fair and competitive elections.”
Governor Evers announced the creation of the People’s Map Commission on Thursday with the goal of having the public draw legislative district maps that are used to elect state legislators. 51 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties support a nonpartisan redistricting process.
 When Republicans took full control of state government they created one of the worst gerrymanders in the country that locked them into power ever since. They did it cloaked in secrecy even setting up a private office outside the Capitol and requiring their members to sign on-disclosure agreements to hide their scheme from the public.
It was shameful. Their actions showed a complete distrust in the voters and denied the people the ability to elect the candidates they preferred. When people wonder why the issues they care about continue to go unaddressed in Madison it is because the Republicans and their corporate donors don’t support the people or the issues they truly care about.”
Senator Hansen is inviting anyone interested in serving on the commission to fill out an application at the Commission website.
“It’s way past time that the people have their say in how our elections are run. And the first step starts with creating fair, competitive maps that are drawn in an open and transparent way.” |
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News
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Written by GOV Press Wisconsin
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Friday, 10 July 2020 06:38 |
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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-testing-troop-s5.jpg COVID Connect provides shorter wait times and faster results.
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Read more...
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News
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Written by GOV Press Wisconsin
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Friday, 10 July 2020 05:26 |
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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wi-fair-maps-s5.jpg“People should get to choose their elected officials, not the other way around”
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Last Updated on Saturday, 11 July 2020 06:20 |
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Written by League of Women Voters of Greater Green Bay
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Thursday, 09 July 2020 13:00 |
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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/vote-47-mb5-s5.jpg The three candidates running for the 30th Senate District seat, presently held by Senator Dave Hansen, will be “live-streamed” on Monday, July 13 starting at 10 a.m. Questions may be submitted in advance by email.
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Written by Citizen Action of Wisconsin Press
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Wednesday, 08 July 2020 16:48 |
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 Baldwin legislation would extend unemployment and work-share before July deadline, create New Deal-style publicly subsidized jobs program, begin climate transition, improving racial equity, and revitalizing rural areas.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 09 July 2020 17:13 |
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News
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Written by GOV Press Wisconsin
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Wednesday, 08 July 2020 16:01 |
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 Illinois Company is latest to invest in Kenosha County. Advent engineers and manufactures high-precision tooling products sold to customers worldwide.
MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers today joined the owner and president of Advent Tool & Manufacturing, Inc., as well as local government and economic development officials, to announce that Advent is relocating its headquarters and production operation from Antioch, IL to the new Salem Industrial Park, located in the Village of Salem Lakes.
 “This is great news for the Village of Salem Lakes and the southeast region of Wisconsin, bringing new opportunities to folks and communities in our state,” said Gov. Evers. “I want to thank Advent, the WEDC, the Milwaukee 7, and all the local officials for their critically important work in making this happen. The partnerships and relationships these folks have been able to build truly exemplify why Wisconsin is such a great place to live and work.”
Advent engineers and manufactures high-precision tooling products sold to customers worldwide. Founded in 1974, Advent supplies to companies in a wide variety of industrial verticals, including transportation, electrical components and systems, defense, energy, and telecommunications. The company will occupy 25,000 feet of space in a new building currently under construction in the Salem Industrial Park. Advent expects to employ 23 workers at the Salem Lakes location by 2022. The company’s workforce is comprised primarily of skilled machinists.
“We are proud to call Wisconsin our new home,” said Advent Owner & President Jim Hartford. “The state is an ideal location for our business, providing a stable and business-friendly environment to support our growth plans. We are excited to write Advent’s next chapter in Wisconsin and to join the impressive list of manufacturers already in the state.”
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the relocation by authorizing up to $100,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years. The actual amount of tax credits Advent will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created during that period.
“We welcome Advent Tool & Manufacturing and thank the company for its decision to relocate its operations into our state,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “This investment is a testament to the strength of our manufacturing industry, business climate, and outstanding workforce.”
Located just west of State Highway 83 on Wilmot Road, the Salem Business Park is situated 10 miles west of I-94. To date, 26 acres are developed or under development, leaving 40 acres for future projects. Advent is the second company from Illinois to relocate to the park, joining Vonco Products, which relocated in 2017.
“The Salem Business Park was developed with companies like Advent in mind,” said Heather Wessling Grosz, vice president of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA), which was among the lead partners in recruiting Advent to Wisconsin. “This new facility will be a showcase for customers and a safer, more productive environment for employees.”
Advent is receiving a warm welcome from other local officials.
“Kenosha County is excited to welcome Advent Manufacturing to the Salem Business Park and is looking forward to being a partner to them going forward,” said Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser. “We’re happy to celebrate a new company coming to Kenosha County; it’s a great reminder that our community is a great place to do business.”
Michael Murdock, village administrator for Salem Lakes, stated that “now more than ever, it’s important to have good companies providing living wage jobs in our community. The Salem Business Park was an innovative partnership between our community, KABA and Kenosha County, and we’re excited to see it become what it was intended to be. We welcome Advent to Salem Lakes and wish them much success in Kenosha County.”
The Milwaukee 7 (M-7) regional economic development organization also worked to attract Advent.
“We’re thrilled that Advent has chosen southeastern Wisconsin for this significant investment,” said M-7 Vice President Jim Paetsch. “Advent is precisely the kind of company that we want and can well support. The company’s decision to invest here highlights – once again – our success in attracting new companies to Wisconsin.” |
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