That's right, why waste my breath ? Try as I might to point out obvious problems within the LGBT community I get slammed. So why bother? Like many other people who once were active and eventually got screwed I guess I will join the ranks of the disillusioned and recruse myself from further participation in all things gay. Just wait, your time will come, believe me.
To all those self important narcissists, go screw yourself.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
L GB T community center, what's up?
Last Thursday on January 26, 2011 the Milwaukee LGB T community center held a meeting to discuss its future. Now for health reasons I was not able to make the meeting but I still want to know exactly what went on at that meeting. I was assured that at the time that the minutes of the meeting would be published so that those people who could not make the meeting would know what went on. At that time I posted my concerns on Facebook and was told by a person who apparently volunteered to do advertising, marketing and promotion for the centerthat the minutes would soon be published. She indicated that the minutes would be published soon and another person that I know very well and emphatically told me to lay back and chill out. It's been over a week and nothing's happened. Being the impatient soul that I am I called the interim director who indicated also that the minutes would be published. Apparently he really didn't want to talk to me because conveniently in the middle of our conversation indicated to me that there was somebody else on the other line, a common tactic used by people on the phone when they don't want to talk to you or answer any more of your questions because you're delving a little bit too deep and making them very uncomfortable.
I still have questions however that remain unanswered, for instance when Maggie Cage was involved with the center and she demanded that Murrieta Cardenas from the cream city foundation, when she came to inquire about how some money was being spent told Maria to get out, which she did in tears. It wasn't until I and the Wisconsin Gazette inquired about this and other incidents including the $70,000 in debt that was revealed in 2011 auditthat she suddenly resigned her position and was reassigned to the mental health position. Later on as we all know she was fired and is no longer associated with the LGB T Ctr. Unnamed sources who desire not to be named and indicated that the debt has increased to over $100,000. Why the board didn't immediately call Maggie Cage on the floor for her actions is beyond me. As far as I am concerned the complete board is culpable for their actions including the acting interim director. For the LGB T Ctr. to survive a complete new board has to replace the old board. The old bylaws must be thrown out and new bylaws instituted replacing the ones that were not followed. Their self perpetuating board needs to be dissolved and a democratic form of leadership instituted. As a worst-case scenario I think the LG BT center may need to dissolve its corporate status and start over under a new name and a new location. Unfortunately this I think is the only way than LGB T Ctr. can survive.
I understand Diverse and Resilient's decision to cancel negotiations with the possible merger of the LGB T Ctr. I don't think that Diverse and Resilient could handle the monumental debt that it would incur. The fact is that certain fairly wealthy people within our community no longer want to contribute monetarily to the center. Because of the recession many of the grants that the center depended on have dried up also, and contrary to popular belief the rest of the gay and lesbian population don't have as much disposable income as people would like to believe. I really don't believe the fundraising activities that they are trying to institute will be enough to keep the center going.
I do understand that there are certain activities such as Project Q and the breast cancer program are important to our community. The problem is however that many of the other activities that the center supports are duplicated by other organizations. However I do believe that some of these other organizations will in turn suffer if the LGB T Ctr. goes belly up.
A similar situation happened with Action Wisconsinof when they sturred up a hornets nest concerning the marriage issue. At the time I was on their board and I told them that they needed to get domestic partnership first, and once they got that then and only then go after the marriage thing. But they wouldn't have it, it was all or nothing and unfortunately now we have nothing because the religious right changed the Wisconsin Constitution banning gay marriage and only making marriage between one man and one woman. Action Wisconsin in order to continue realized that they had to change their name and location in order to continue operations, which they did. This is what I think would be the next and most logical step for the Milwaukee LGB T Ctr. to do. Believe me I take no pleasure in being a doomsayer but I think that this is the only way our LGB T Ctr. will ever survive.
I still have questions however that remain unanswered, for instance when Maggie Cage was involved with the center and she demanded that Murrieta Cardenas from the cream city foundation, when she came to inquire about how some money was being spent told Maria to get out, which she did in tears. It wasn't until I and the Wisconsin Gazette inquired about this and other incidents including the $70,000 in debt that was revealed in 2011 auditthat she suddenly resigned her position and was reassigned to the mental health position. Later on as we all know she was fired and is no longer associated with the LGB T Ctr. Unnamed sources who desire not to be named and indicated that the debt has increased to over $100,000. Why the board didn't immediately call Maggie Cage on the floor for her actions is beyond me. As far as I am concerned the complete board is culpable for their actions including the acting interim director. For the LGB T Ctr. to survive a complete new board has to replace the old board. The old bylaws must be thrown out and new bylaws instituted replacing the ones that were not followed. Their self perpetuating board needs to be dissolved and a democratic form of leadership instituted. As a worst-case scenario I think the LG BT center may need to dissolve its corporate status and start over under a new name and a new location. Unfortunately this I think is the only way than LGB T Ctr. can survive.
I understand Diverse and Resilient's decision to cancel negotiations with the possible merger of the LGB T Ctr. I don't think that Diverse and Resilient could handle the monumental debt that it would incur. The fact is that certain fairly wealthy people within our community no longer want to contribute monetarily to the center. Because of the recession many of the grants that the center depended on have dried up also, and contrary to popular belief the rest of the gay and lesbian population don't have as much disposable income as people would like to believe. I really don't believe the fundraising activities that they are trying to institute will be enough to keep the center going.
I do understand that there are certain activities such as Project Q and the breast cancer program are important to our community. The problem is however that many of the other activities that the center supports are duplicated by other organizations. However I do believe that some of these other organizations will in turn suffer if the LGB T Ctr. goes belly up.
A similar situation happened with Action Wisconsinof when they sturred up a hornets nest concerning the marriage issue. At the time I was on their board and I told them that they needed to get domestic partnership first, and once they got that then and only then go after the marriage thing. But they wouldn't have it, it was all or nothing and unfortunately now we have nothing because the religious right changed the Wisconsin Constitution banning gay marriage and only making marriage between one man and one woman. Action Wisconsin in order to continue realized that they had to change their name and location in order to continue operations, which they did. This is what I think would be the next and most logical step for the Milwaukee LGB T Ctr. to do. Believe me I take no pleasure in being a doomsayer but I think that this is the only way our LGB T Ctr. will ever survive.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Milwaukee LGBT Center Money problems
Why am I not surprised that the LGBT Center has lost over $77,522 ? We do know that parking sucks even after 6PM, so what else has caused this gigantic loss? Could it be that the cost per Square Foot is too much? Or is it a combination of the two? Boys and Girls you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out. Face it, it is a terrible location. Like I said in my blog a few stories down, welcome to the School of Hard Knocks. Just like the failed Visioning Project, its always a bunch of community leaders with gigantic egos who think they know whats best for the community. NOT
The truth is that the space is too expensive and the parking is lousy. We're in a recession, remember? Besides who wants to park two blocks away and deal with all the drunk and rowdy college kids? You have to walk at least a block or two from the nearest bus stop. Don't expect many disabled people to drop in either. This is just east of the entertainment district (lots of bars, performing arts center, Pabst theatre). Project Q may not care, but the rest of us do. Too bad "I Told you so."
Just today the county Exec wants to slash several million dollars from the budget. I think grants are going to be hard to come by unless the economy picks up. That is not going to happen any time soon, you can bank on that. Don't even get me started with Obama's jobs program.
Check my posts on September and October 2010 for more info.
The truth is that the space is too expensive and the parking is lousy. We're in a recession, remember? Besides who wants to park two blocks away and deal with all the drunk and rowdy college kids? You have to walk at least a block or two from the nearest bus stop. Don't expect many disabled people to drop in either. This is just east of the entertainment district (lots of bars, performing arts center, Pabst theatre). Project Q may not care, but the rest of us do. Too bad "I Told you so."
Just today the county Exec wants to slash several million dollars from the budget. I think grants are going to be hard to come by unless the economy picks up. That is not going to happen any time soon, you can bank on that. Don't even get me started with Obama's jobs program.
Check my posts on September and October 2010 for more info.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Sage is so screwed, and the Finger Pointing begins
SAGE Milwaukee is so screwed
The SAGE Milwaukee web site is down and guess who owns it? You guessed it, the terminated executive director. He said an Angel ran it and I think I know who that is also. Its a shame that he worked his ass off to build it up and some idiot with a tremendous ego comes along and screws it all up. Congratulations, Board of Directors, you really screwed it up this time. Tell me this, why is it that various people who work their asses off to produce things for our community are eventually screwed by the very people they are trying to help? Taking into consideration the Peter principle or some people have reached their level of incompetence, many others, too many to mention and been horribly screwed over by some narcissistic egomaniacs who think that they know better than anyone else how to run our community, when in fact they don't.
I been around long enough to see organizations destroyed because of the actions of a few because they let their overinflated egos get the better of them. I've seen it with car clubs, I've seen that pride Fest, I've seen it at the Milwaukee Metropolitan community Church, I've seen it happen to LAMM, and now once again I'm seeing it happen at SAGE Milwaukee. And the thing I've noticed the most is the apathy within our community and the cowardliness of the gay press to cover any of it. If anyone thinks I enjoy this, I don't. It is however I believe my duty to expose the sayings and to bring it to the attention of our community, mainly because and I don't know why, I care about it. There are times when I wonder why I'm wasting my time, when I'd like to raise my hands in frustration and turnaround and walk away from everything. Truth be told I cannot do that and that is why I do what I do. Like it or not, somebody has to do it. It makes me mad as hell, and should you too.
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The SAGE Milwaukee web site is down and guess who owns it? You guessed it, the terminated executive director. He said an Angel ran it and I think I know who that is also. Its a shame that he worked his ass off to build it up and some idiot with a tremendous ego comes along and screws it all up. Congratulations, Board of Directors, you really screwed it up this time. Tell me this, why is it that various people who work their asses off to produce things for our community are eventually screwed by the very people they are trying to help? Taking into consideration the Peter principle or some people have reached their level of incompetence, many others, too many to mention and been horribly screwed over by some narcissistic egomaniacs who think that they know better than anyone else how to run our community, when in fact they don't.
I been around long enough to see organizations destroyed because of the actions of a few because they let their overinflated egos get the better of them. I've seen it with car clubs, I've seen that pride Fest, I've seen it at the Milwaukee Metropolitan community Church, I've seen it happen to LAMM, and now once again I'm seeing it happen at SAGE Milwaukee. And the thing I've noticed the most is the apathy within our community and the cowardliness of the gay press to cover any of it. If anyone thinks I enjoy this, I don't. It is however I believe my duty to expose the sayings and to bring it to the attention of our community, mainly because and I don't know why, I care about it. There are times when I wonder why I'm wasting my time, when I'd like to raise my hands in frustration and turnaround and walk away from everything. Truth be told I cannot do that and that is why I do what I do. Like it or not, somebody has to do it. It makes me mad as hell, and should you too.
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Friday, November 19, 2010
Salvation Army Kettle Time Again
http://www.hrc.org/issues/religion/13450.htm It's not even Thanksgiving and the Salvation Army is starting their Red Kettle Campaign. I don't think I have to remind anyone that this is a very homophobic organization. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, the Salvation Army's position statement on homosexuality has not changed one iota. Most of their scriptures stated in their position statement had been misinterpreted. The 1611 King James version of the Bible and the interlinear Greek English translation and Tanakh commonly known as the Jewish Bible or Torah believe that by our Jewish brethren to be the most accurate translation of the Bible does not contain the word homosexuality in any shape manner or form. Nowhere in the new testament is homosexuality mentioned. Most of the Old Testament talks about man's inhumanity to man in this story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Romans 1:26-27 actually talks about prostitution and not homosexuality or homosexual acts.
Some of the places that the red kettle campaign is located is the Bayshore Mall, Pick & Save (Bay Shore Mall management office telephone number is 332-8136, Chris Jaeter is the general Manager) and Stein's gardens and gifts. Needless to say if you are so moved it is my recommendation that we file complaints with these businesses demanding that they remove these red kettles from their premises. In the meantime stay tuned because there will be more to follow on this blog.
Some of the places that the red kettle campaign is located is the Bayshore Mall, Pick & Save (Bay Shore Mall management office telephone number is 332-8136, Chris Jaeter is the general Manager) and Stein's gardens and gifts. Needless to say if you are so moved it is my recommendation that we file complaints with these businesses demanding that they remove these red kettles from their premises. In the meantime stay tuned because there will be more to follow on this blog.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Some thoughts concerning Milwaukee MCC
Here some thoughts concerning Milwaukee MCC
Last Sunday because of my curiosity concerning the ministerial committees I wanted to see if anything changed. The two committees I was interested in were the Technology Committee and the Pastoral Committee. Needless to say I was vastly disappointed with the Technology committee for the following reasons.
The person or persons controlling the websites for the church insist upon using a web authoring tool that is extremely complicated and expensive. I believe this is to ensure that they will be the only ones capable of creating and updating the church's websites.
They have ownership of and control of the domains also assuring that no one will be able to access the websites.
There were several hearing-impaired individuals who are interested in making sermons accessible. Ideas concerning videos were summarily rejected.
In order for people to come back to the website time and time again (weekly) it needs to be changed and updated on a regular basis if that does not happen that is very unlikely that they will ever come back after the very first time. Nothing has changed on either one of the websites and some things should be completely eliminated or deleted from these websites in order for the church to move forwards.
I was also upset by the ministerial committee choosing music for weekly services. A good homilist chooses music appropriate to the homily or sermon. They do not allow anyone else to do this. This caused me to wonder how far in advance the minister prepares the sermons?
Concerning the communion I have several concerns. I understand that you may want to contemporize communion however some people believe that it has been watered down and lost its magic. The magic of communion is this trans-substantiation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. The act of consuming these two items represents a forgiveness of sins, nothing more and nothing less. Now if new people to the church are not familiar with this, then I think it should be part of the membership class. Although different churches do not use the traditional wafers the bread should always be the same. Authenticity is good but Hawaiian bread just doesn't cut it.
Unfortunately the Milwaukee Metropolitan community Church will never grow if things don't change. I realize that you have your own style of effecting change, however that has not happened given the amount of time you have been minister of this church. I think that you need to take a stronger leadership position and insist the stagnant leaders step down and allow fresh blood to replace and revitalize these committees. You must accept the fact that some people will be extremely upset when this happens and some may quit the church entirely. Sometimes change is not always pleasant but necessary. In some circles we call it getting rid of deadwood.
There are times when I take the Devils Advocate position to force people to think and do things they otherwise would not do. I hope that people get mad then perhaps good things will happen. And although I am not a member nor do I intend to rejoin, for some reason I care about the church. I have had many pleasant memories with the church.
There is a method to my madness and always a reason for what I do.
Last Sunday because of my curiosity concerning the ministerial committees I wanted to see if anything changed. The two committees I was interested in were the Technology Committee and the Pastoral Committee. Needless to say I was vastly disappointed with the Technology committee for the following reasons.
The person or persons controlling the websites for the church insist upon using a web authoring tool that is extremely complicated and expensive. I believe this is to ensure that they will be the only ones capable of creating and updating the church's websites.
They have ownership of and control of the domains also assuring that no one will be able to access the websites.
There were several hearing-impaired individuals who are interested in making sermons accessible. Ideas concerning videos were summarily rejected.
In order for people to come back to the website time and time again (weekly) it needs to be changed and updated on a regular basis if that does not happen that is very unlikely that they will ever come back after the very first time. Nothing has changed on either one of the websites and some things should be completely eliminated or deleted from these websites in order for the church to move forwards.
I was also upset by the ministerial committee choosing music for weekly services. A good homilist chooses music appropriate to the homily or sermon. They do not allow anyone else to do this. This caused me to wonder how far in advance the minister prepares the sermons?
Concerning the communion I have several concerns. I understand that you may want to contemporize communion however some people believe that it has been watered down and lost its magic. The magic of communion is this trans-substantiation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. The act of consuming these two items represents a forgiveness of sins, nothing more and nothing less. Now if new people to the church are not familiar with this, then I think it should be part of the membership class. Although different churches do not use the traditional wafers the bread should always be the same. Authenticity is good but Hawaiian bread just doesn't cut it.
Unfortunately the Milwaukee Metropolitan community Church will never grow if things don't change. I realize that you have your own style of effecting change, however that has not happened given the amount of time you have been minister of this church. I think that you need to take a stronger leadership position and insist the stagnant leaders step down and allow fresh blood to replace and revitalize these committees. You must accept the fact that some people will be extremely upset when this happens and some may quit the church entirely. Sometimes change is not always pleasant but necessary. In some circles we call it getting rid of deadwood.
There are times when I take the Devils Advocate position to force people to think and do things they otherwise would not do. I hope that people get mad then perhaps good things will happen. And although I am not a member nor do I intend to rejoin, for some reason I care about the church. I have had many pleasant memories with the church.
There is a method to my madness and always a reason for what I do.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
What were they thinking? Or were they?
I really hate to keep on harping about the issue but I just keep wondering what they were thinking of when the signed contract for the new LGB T Ctr. at 252 E. Highland St.? The only thing I can come up with was that they were just looking at the building in the interior and nothing else. No I can't say that the interior isn't fabulous because I really haven't seen it yet, but I am very concerned about parking and especially disabled access to the building, that being the lack of spaces for disabled parking and the appropriate and necessary sidewalk improvements. Not to mention parking in general for those people and especially groups who want to use the building.
I would strongly suggest you drive by the building and pull into what is called Market Street which happens to be a private alley which leads to a private parking garage and not public parking. And if you really want to amuse yourself as you're driving into Market Street carefully read the signs on the east side of the street. You will also note that there is a no parking sign by the City of Milwaukee facing in the wrong direction on the same side of the street. As you read this sign you will notice that there are surveillance cameras overlooking these parking spaces indicating that anyone who is not a tenant will be ticketed and towed. On the front of the building, on Highland Street again all parking in that area is metered parking. Let us not forget that directly across the street is the Milwaukee School of Engineering whose students during season tend to take up every available parking space. Kitty corner from the new LGB T Ctr. is the 1000 N. Water St. structure with eight floors of available parking, access is from the East but in order to exit you must exit from the West or you can walk down the steep incline or take eight stories worth of stairs to exit to the East. Monthly parking for this garage is approximately $100 per month and daily parking is usually about eight dollars a day if you enter before 8 AM and leave before 5 PM. All parking is automated with no attendance available.
The problem is, I have confronted to both Maggie Cage and the operations manager Dave Martin to the LGB T Ctr. and they are notoriously quiet about what is going on with the new facilities. Upon publishing the several articles such as this one I still get no response. Even the gay newspapers the Quest and the Wisconsin Gazette have failed to make any mentions concerning these problems with the new LGB T Ctr. Apparently they are only interested in politics, suicides and entertainment and not much else.
I'm afraid this is going to be one of those "I told you so" stories. Too bad everyone it is turning a deaf ear because unfortunately they have to learn the hard way, so I guess I have to say welcome to the School of Hard Knocks. It's really too bad too because they are past the point of no return and there is no way of getting out of their contract at this point in time. The idea was good but the planning sucks. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Such is life.
I would strongly suggest you drive by the building and pull into what is called Market Street which happens to be a private alley which leads to a private parking garage and not public parking. And if you really want to amuse yourself as you're driving into Market Street carefully read the signs on the east side of the street. You will also note that there is a no parking sign by the City of Milwaukee facing in the wrong direction on the same side of the street. As you read this sign you will notice that there are surveillance cameras overlooking these parking spaces indicating that anyone who is not a tenant will be ticketed and towed. On the front of the building, on Highland Street again all parking in that area is metered parking. Let us not forget that directly across the street is the Milwaukee School of Engineering whose students during season tend to take up every available parking space. Kitty corner from the new LGB T Ctr. is the 1000 N. Water St. structure with eight floors of available parking, access is from the East but in order to exit you must exit from the West or you can walk down the steep incline or take eight stories worth of stairs to exit to the East. Monthly parking for this garage is approximately $100 per month and daily parking is usually about eight dollars a day if you enter before 8 AM and leave before 5 PM. All parking is automated with no attendance available.
The problem is, I have confronted to both Maggie Cage and the operations manager Dave Martin to the LGB T Ctr. and they are notoriously quiet about what is going on with the new facilities. Upon publishing the several articles such as this one I still get no response. Even the gay newspapers the Quest and the Wisconsin Gazette have failed to make any mentions concerning these problems with the new LGB T Ctr. Apparently they are only interested in politics, suicides and entertainment and not much else.
I'm afraid this is going to be one of those "I told you so" stories. Too bad everyone it is turning a deaf ear because unfortunately they have to learn the hard way, so I guess I have to say welcome to the School of Hard Knocks. It's really too bad too because they are past the point of no return and there is no way of getting out of their contract at this point in time. The idea was good but the planning sucks. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Such is life.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The reasons for my journalism
Contrary to popular belief I do not like to stir up controversy. As a journalist and semi-professional photographer ( now learning vidiography) I believe it is my duty when I am made aware of the goings on in our community that may be detrimental that those responsible be held responsible. Publicly exposing possible alleged wrong doing is necessary in order to maintain a healthy LGBT community.
It is unfortunate that the local gay media only concentrates on (besides our current political climate IE. domestic partner and DADT) only the Good News and buries its head in the sand on important issues concerning the egotistical and narcissistic proclivities of its leaders. We must remember that we elected or appointed them as spokesmen and mentors for the organizations they are responsible for. The problem is that Power sometimes goes to their heads and bad things can be the result. Truth be told, many people can not handle Power and that is the reason that we must hold them responsible for their actions.
A prime example comes to mind the New LGBT Center 252 E. Highland St. where there is almost no adequate parking (unless you want to pay a premium to a parking garage) not to mention Disabled Parking or ADA access (yes there is a ramp to the doorway but no marked vehicular space for access front or back) to the building. If my memory serves me right, if more than 30% of the interior of the building is remodeled the rest of it must also be made ADA compliant.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Things you didn't know about that new LGB T community center
As you know the LGBT community center is moving from court street. Some of you have gone to the hardhat party and have seen the interior of the building with work in progress. Unfortunately I was not able to go because of these spinal injury and because I was in the hospital getting a pacemaker. Now if you Google the address for the new LGBT Ctr. you can look at it from several angles. The new LGBT Ctr. will be located at 252 E. Highland Ave. directly across some Milwaukee school of engineering and kitty corner from one of those large major garages. The problem is I am very concerned about access to the building and A.D.A. compliance inside the building. Upon speaking with one of the representatives of the old LGBT Ctr. I was informed that instead of using the door on the Highland Avenue side they door around the corner would be used for entry and exit. I was also informed that the upstairs or I should say the second floor will be ADA compliant. According to the specifications when it a building is upgraded more than 35% that all of the building must be ADA compliant. Not just a portion of it.
For the past two years I was a assistant patrol supervisor patrolling four major garages in the downtown Milwaukee area specifically one West and South nearby or should I say kitty corner from the new LGBT Ctr. I can tell you specifically that there is no exit from this building other than from the South side of the building or the Westside from the Performing Arts Center and from the East a very steep ramp. To the east of the new center is the Milwaukee school of engineering parking lot. MSOE does not allow anyone except students to park in a parking lot and if you do you will get ticketed and towed. Most of the parking around MSOE is metered parking and there is very seldom a space available. I was informed that there would be parking on the side of the building apparently where the new entryway is located. I will we have to buzz to get into this one too? I Assume several of these spots will be for disabled parking. The street is basically a cul-de-sac and there is very little parking available.
I was informed that the center has negotiated private parking within one of the structures nearby the center. Exactly who is going to use these parking spaces is a good question. What I don't think anybody realizes is that these negotiated spaces will be used by people who run the center. This eliminates the cost of parking downtown and allows these people access to almost everything downtown (no more meters to plug remember?) because according to them it's all within walking distance. (surprise surprise)Most parking downtown cost no less than $100 per month, and don't even mention those god-awful parking meters something I don't think these people are going to have to pay for ever. This is one of the perks that you and I are going to be paying for through our donations, believe it or not. Where the funding is going to come from for these costly parking spaces is a very good question. And my question is should we be footing the bill for this parking through our donations?
The last thing I would like to point out is that parking in that area is a premium because it is within a block or so of at least 20 bars which are packed solid Friday and Saturday evenings. And I don't know of too many gay people who were going to want to be around during during that time when there are hundreds of rowdy college students in the area. Believe me I know because I had to kick a lot of them out of the garages and break up fights and other stuff like that at closing time. On summer nights the police would cordon off the area and he only way you could go was home. So there you have it, a place I would consider not a very good (think lousy) location with very limited parking and very few answers forthcoming.
For the past two years I was a assistant patrol supervisor patrolling four major garages in the downtown Milwaukee area specifically one West and South nearby or should I say kitty corner from the new LGBT Ctr. I can tell you specifically that there is no exit from this building other than from the South side of the building or the Westside from the Performing Arts Center and from the East a very steep ramp. To the east of the new center is the Milwaukee school of engineering parking lot. MSOE does not allow anyone except students to park in a parking lot and if you do you will get ticketed and towed. Most of the parking around MSOE is metered parking and there is very seldom a space available. I was informed that there would be parking on the side of the building apparently where the new entryway is located. I will we have to buzz to get into this one too? I Assume several of these spots will be for disabled parking. The street is basically a cul-de-sac and there is very little parking available.
I was informed that the center has negotiated private parking within one of the structures nearby the center. Exactly who is going to use these parking spaces is a good question. What I don't think anybody realizes is that these negotiated spaces will be used by people who run the center. This eliminates the cost of parking downtown and allows these people access to almost everything downtown (no more meters to plug remember?) because according to them it's all within walking distance. (surprise surprise)Most parking downtown cost no less than $100 per month, and don't even mention those god-awful parking meters something I don't think these people are going to have to pay for ever. This is one of the perks that you and I are going to be paying for through our donations, believe it or not. Where the funding is going to come from for these costly parking spaces is a very good question. And my question is should we be footing the bill for this parking through our donations?
The last thing I would like to point out is that parking in that area is a premium because it is within a block or so of at least 20 bars which are packed solid Friday and Saturday evenings. And I don't know of too many gay people who were going to want to be around during during that time when there are hundreds of rowdy college students in the area. Believe me I know because I had to kick a lot of them out of the garages and break up fights and other stuff like that at closing time. On summer nights the police would cordon off the area and he only way you could go was home. So there you have it, a place I would consider not a very good (think lousy) location with very limited parking and very few answers forthcoming.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Did you hear the LGBT center is moving?
Have you heard the LGBT center is moving?
I am sorry but I have a big problem with that. Actually I have several problems with it. First of all they are moving into an office building across the street from MSOE, 1000 N. Water St. with its attendant parking garage which I am afraid to say does not comply with accommodations for people who are disabled. Not only that but the parking lot east of the building cannot be used for parking because it is part of the Milwaukee school of engineering and they don't allow anyone to park there unless you are a student and have a valid MS O E. parking permit which I am sure none of us will be able to get. I spoke with Patrick Price and Maggie Cage on the telephone and he/she indicated that the first floor was going to be used for for LGB T. group's and project Q. the second floor which he indicated contains the mezzanine will be used by the Galano Club. And from what I can see looking at Google maps using their street view that the third floor will be used for offices for those running it the LGB T. Center.
One of my biggest problems number one is where the building is located, right smack dab in the middle of the entertainment district. You know the area where the performing arts Center is located and about 20 bars frequented by college types FRiday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Needless to say parking is still a premium. Metered parking is available on the street and at night for free if you can find a parking place. And they indicated that they had negotiated parking spaces with a nearby condominium development. Unfortunately these parking spaces do not comply with the Americans with disabilities act because there are no parking places within a reasonable distance of the entrance to the new center. Once again this building is also on a slight decline, or incline whichever you prefer making it difficult for anyone in a wheelchair to access the front door of the building. The bottom casement of the front door is not even with the cement sidewalk and therefore making it difficult for someone in a wheelchair to enter the building.
Unless you are part of the aging LGB T. community these inconsistencies become a very big problem when it is very difficult for you to negotiate, walk or use a wheelchair to get around. As far as I can see there are no disabled parking spaces nearby. There are also no buses within a reasonable distance of this new center. For this reason many of us will probably never visit the new center. Now if you would like to take the two-hour hardhat tour of the building in June, please be my guest. Anyway I would strongly suggest that anyone should check this out and let our leaders know what you think. Now I know one of the arguments they are going to make is that they want to be accessible to the kids who use project Q., but I ask you how many of these kids live close to the LGBT. Center? Inquiring minds would like to know. Maybe it's time that we form our own LGB T. Tea Party. Just a thought.
I am sorry but I have a big problem with that. Actually I have several problems with it. First of all they are moving into an office building across the street from MSOE, 1000 N. Water St. with its attendant parking garage which I am afraid to say does not comply with accommodations for people who are disabled. Not only that but the parking lot east of the building cannot be used for parking because it is part of the Milwaukee school of engineering and they don't allow anyone to park there unless you are a student and have a valid MS O E. parking permit which I am sure none of us will be able to get. I spoke with Patrick Price and Maggie Cage on the telephone and he/she indicated that the first floor was going to be used for for LGB T. group's and project Q. the second floor which he indicated contains the mezzanine will be used by the Galano Club. And from what I can see looking at Google maps using their street view that the third floor will be used for offices for those running it the LGB T. Center.
One of my biggest problems number one is where the building is located, right smack dab in the middle of the entertainment district. You know the area where the performing arts Center is located and about 20 bars frequented by college types FRiday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Needless to say parking is still a premium. Metered parking is available on the street and at night for free if you can find a parking place. And they indicated that they had negotiated parking spaces with a nearby condominium development. Unfortunately these parking spaces do not comply with the Americans with disabilities act because there are no parking places within a reasonable distance of the entrance to the new center. Once again this building is also on a slight decline, or incline whichever you prefer making it difficult for anyone in a wheelchair to access the front door of the building. The bottom casement of the front door is not even with the cement sidewalk and therefore making it difficult for someone in a wheelchair to enter the building.
Unless you are part of the aging LGB T. community these inconsistencies become a very big problem when it is very difficult for you to negotiate, walk or use a wheelchair to get around. As far as I can see there are no disabled parking spaces nearby. There are also no buses within a reasonable distance of this new center. For this reason many of us will probably never visit the new center. Now if you would like to take the two-hour hardhat tour of the building in June, please be my guest. Anyway I would strongly suggest that anyone should check this out and let our leaders know what you think. Now I know one of the arguments they are going to make is that they want to be accessible to the kids who use project Q., but I ask you how many of these kids live close to the LGBT. Center? Inquiring minds would like to know. Maybe it's time that we form our own LGB T. Tea Party. Just a thought.
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