Richmond IZARD - Brown Deer Statesman

11/19/2022

06/07/2021

What is Fair and What is Just? | Julian Burnside | TEDxSydney

What is Fair and What is Just? | Julian Burnside | TEDxSydney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF4s75ZPano

Julian Burnside, lawyer, speaks passionately about the need to do something in the face of injustice. When you see something, what will you do?In 2004 Julia...

01/28/2021

3 Things Stopping You From Reaching Your TOP Potential

Truth...

10/21/2020

Dissolving Milwaukee County's Department on Aging Gets Pushback

Dissolving Milwaukee County's Department on Aging Gets Pushback
BY VIRGINIA SMALL OCT. 20, 2020 5:16 P.M.

https://shepherdexpress.com/news/features/dissolving-milwaukee-county-s-department-on-aging-gets-pushb/#/questions

Dissolving Milwaukee County's Department on Aging Gets Pushback
A sweeping change in how services and advocacy for seniors are managed is being proposed as part of Milwaukee County’s 2021 budget. Late last month, County Executive David Crowley’s office informed the Commission on Aging (COA) of its intention to me
shepherdexpress.com

A sweeping change in how services and advocacy for seniors are managed is being proposed as part of Milwaukee County’s 2021 budget. Late last month, County Executive David Crowley’s office informed the Commission on Aging (COA) of its intention to me

10/16/2020

Unit 8000 DHHS; merger opposed.

THE AGING DIFFERENCE

Honorable Milwaukee County Supervisors,

Whereas administration neglected to 1) consult governing bodies about a department merger, 2) seek public input and 3) provide data to justify proposed changes, the Finance Committee should amend the 2021 budget to keep MCDA separate from DHHS, as was resolved unanimously in 2016 under file #16-67.

I appeal to you as Chair of the Commission on Aging and voice of 170,000 residents age 60+. Seniors comprise 20% of the population, the fastest growing (Census Bureau 2020) and single most consistent demographic to vote (Crowley, 2020). Research also establishes older adults as being the most prayerful (Pew Research Center, 2020). We implore you to hear our prayer.

The commission adopted and published Milwaukee County Commission on Aging 2020 Public Policy Priorities on January 24, 2020, memorializing the citizen Advocacy Committee’s desire to maintain a separate department. Hence, an attempt to divest or merge MCDA at this time is a bad idea, especially with seniors being most at-risk in the pandemic and having had no input into a DHHS/Aging integration plan.

While County Exec Crowley recommends the Aging budget and merger with good intentions, he errs in two critical ways protected by law. First, he overlooks the spirit and plain language of the Older Americans Act (OAA), which requires older adults to be active in all planning and oversight of programs funded by federal and state OAA dollars. Second, administration has subverted the authority of governing bodies to oversee aging business. Furthermore, administration offers no empirical data to support claims that a merger will increase efficiencies and better serve older adults.

Administration fails to identify any inefficiencies or present information common to a basic project charter. An implementation plan should identify objectives, risk mitigation, stakeholders, current and desired state process maps, root cause analysis, and definitions of success. But most profoundly, administration has not sought and included the voice of seniors.

So, why is Aging different?

Mandated senior participation and self-determination marks the aging difference. “The aging difference” is so significant to program development and delivery that "A Manual of Policies, Procedures, & Technical Assistance for the Wisconsin Aging Network" cites the phrase 41 times (DHS, 2011). The manual also expressly addresses issues before us today:

“Considerations about where aging units fit in local government occasionally focus on imagined efficiencies... However, the major point to consider is the effectiveness of the aging unit at representing older people in their government. When counties...are considering altering the place of the aging unit in local government, they are strongly advised to conduct the deliberations in a very public fashion, and must involve older people and their organizations at every level” (DHS, 2011, p. 3-12)

Izard, COA Chair

09/30/2020

PRESS RELEASE
Milwaukee County Reveals Strategy that Eliminates Department on Aging (Silence Broken after Continual Probing)

By Richmond Izard, Chairman, Milwaukee County Commission on Aging

The County Executive’s Office informed the Commission on Aging Friday, September 25, 2020 of plans to demote the Milwaukee County Department on Aging (MCDA) to an organizational unit underneath the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

• Aging’s $305,000 proposed budget reduction for 2021 is eminent because of tax levy reductions
• At risk is seniors’ hope to maintain an independent Department on Aging and full-time director
• Commission remains concerned about lack of transparency, input and unsung governing authority

Sep 28th, 2020, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Milwaukee County Commission on Aging has been in investigative mode all year. Rumors and suspicions of department reorganization prompted the commission’s Advocacy Committee and full commission in January to include “maintain[ing] an independent Milwaukee County Department on Aging” among published 2020 top local priorities. At a later June commission meeting, Chairman Richmond Izard expressed concerns about an unannounced “No Wrong Door” pilot. The initiative merged MCDA’s Elder Abuse and DHHS’s Adult Protective Services units. Shakita LaGrant-McClain concurrently served as Interim Executive Director for the Department on Aging, as well as Interim Executive Director of DHHS at the time. The Chair and Executive Committee discerned and warned the commission that the pilot might be the first visible action taken toward reorganizing the larger departmental structure.

“I’m really concerned about will there even be a Department on Aging, making sure it’s free-standing and that it still exists and doesn’t get gobbled up somewhere,” expressed Vice Chair Sharon Abston-Coleman a couple weeks earlier during the June Executive Committee meeting.

Initial signs that the department was not being transparent and forthcoming date back to February. The department informed the Advisory Council that the county would be adopting a “No Wrong Door” approach to delivering services, centered around removing silos and improving access. Commissioner and Advisory Council Chairwoman, Bettie Rodgers asked for a copy of an existing “No Wrong Door Whitepaper” on February 13 but did not receive it until September 14. The natural transition process from one administration to another has made it that much more challenging to gather current and timely information, especially with staffing, budget and COVID-19 pandemic troubleshooting early in the queue.

The Department on Aging is currently facing a $305,000 budget cut for 2021 due to tax levy reductions. In concert with merging the department, administration plans to “un-fund the Executive Director position” and currently vacant positions to help cover the deficit. The commission objects, however, because the department has completely excluded the commission and voice of older adults from discussions that inform budget development.

“I asked at the time I was appointed and interviewed, ‘Are we a rubber-stamp commission?’ I’d like to know the answer to that,” said Commissioner and Legislative Officer George Pumphrey.

Chairman Richmond Izard advises that transparency is a basic principle of good governance. “I can’t understand why the department and administration has delayed releasing this information to the commission and public,” said Izard. But ultimately, power is in the unified voice of 170,000 seniors. They and other fellow residents must contact their County Supervisors immediately to voice any opinions or concerns prior to adoption of the 2021 budget. Former Commissioner and County Supervisor, Steve F. Taylor successfully defeated a failed attempt to merge the departments in 2016. The Committee on Finance, Personnel and Audit unanimously approved a resolution 8-0 before sending it to the full County Board for successful approval at that time.

About the Department on Aging
The Aging unit split from the Department of Health and Human Services in 1991 and became the stand-alone Department on Aging. Decision makers deemed older adults better served by separate opposed to merged departments. MCDA’s mission is “Committed to the Independence and Dignity of Older Adults Through Advocacy, Leadership and Service.” All programming and policy extend from administering the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended.

About the Commission on Aging
The commission is an advocacy and research agency charged with representing the voice and interest of older adults in Milwaukee County pursuant to Wis. Stat. 46.82 and Chapter 53 of the Milwaukee County General Code of Ordinances. The commission and department serve 170,000 senior citizens comprising 20% of the county population, as well as their caregivers and partners.

Name of Press Contact: Richmond Izard
Phone: 414-737-2167
Email: [email protected]

06/19/2020

Masked Up, Live at Juneteenth 2020 in the Miltown, Wisconsin

WHY AM I HERE? I'm glad you asked...

With due consideration and knowledge of the current state of affairs, locally, nationally and worldwide, I had to do some deep soul searching. Actually, weighty and meaty concern for truer (more authentic and unbiased) social justice has been surfacing in my heart for quite some time, presumably for such a time as this. Can you feel me?

Therefore, I'm posting here to speak of universal truth that resonates with the heart of God, irrespective of institution, doctrine, race, or creed. And let us not forget about our failures to bridge socioeconomic divides, which is that recurring stumbling block, the root cause for various strands of selective amnesia (conveniently failing to recall things that should arouse our conscience), when instead, the common human experience should speak personally to stir our spirit man to action. That's why I'm united with my people, including various ethnic groups on MLK, between Concordia and Ring.

But the cry for freedom, justice, equal opportunity, and equity goes in and out the ears of a majority nation that lacks the conscience or consciousness to consider the voice of one. And instead of instilling and investing in brotherhood, we too often get sidetracked by the allure of diamonds, pursuit of degrees and what is best for me. Yet with the absence or refraction of a unified vision (i.e. solution) and our over reliance on individuality, we fail to realize “the whole [ever being] greater than the sum of the parts” (Gestalt psychology). In other words, the people divided will always be defeated when we fail to admit the ultimate measure of our success is tracked by progression of the entire group and not solely by individual victories.

Again, we digress. So, let me say plainly, I dare not give credit for revelatory insight either to the COVID-19 pandemic or the spotlight moving to highlight police brutality in our sister state.

Certainly, it's no secret that oppresssion, greed and trickery runs in the veins of this, our great America. But we can and should fight for our redemption. So, I'm standing here on MLK to sow some money and love where it is much deserved and needed. It's been far too long since the last time I stepped up at such a time as this. What about you?

05/22/2020

Older Americans Month - MCDA Services

May is Older Americans Month

05/03/2020

Photos from Milwaukee County Aging Services's post

05/03/2020

Curbside with CEX Crowley

County Executive Elect, David Crowley lends a helping hand as the Department on Aging continues to assure seniors have access to nutritional meals.

The Department on Aging was honored to be joined by County Executive-Elect David Crowley at one of our Senior Dining sites. He helped to distribute curbside ...

04/18/2020

Why we do what we do

04/06/2020

Milwaukee city and county leaders advocate for sales tax referendum

March 5, 2020 - Madison, WI

Village of Brown Deer Statesman and Milwaukee County Department on Aging Commission Chairman, Richmond IZARD testified before the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Ways and Means in support of proposed legislation to curtail property tax increases in Milwaukee County.

Milwaukee County Commission on Aging Chairman Richmond IZARD - Brown Deer Statesman was among several state, county and city officials to argue in support of Assembly Bill 521. Other speakers included State Senator LaTonya Johnson, State Representative Evan Goyke, State Representative David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele for Milwaukee County Executive, Milwaukee County Supervisor Jason Haas, Milwaukee County Commissioner George Pumphrey, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, and Milwaukee Common Council President Alderman Ashanti Hamilton.

Chairman IZARD's testimony is accessible here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yFeQlXTFS6lhX1jEL_iT299bwahsdjCa/view?usp=sharing

CBS58 brief coverage of the hearing is accessible here:
https://www.cbs58.com/news/milwaukee-city-and-county-leaders-advocate-for-sales-tax-referendum

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) – Milwaukee city and county leaders made their case at the state Capitol for a proposal to allow the county to put forward a binding referendum to voters to raise the county sa

03/24/2020

URGENT PUBLIC NOTICE

Greetings Everyone,

Governor Evers issued a “Stay at Home” order for the state of Wisconsin pursuant to direction from the state Department of Health Services.

EMERGENCY ORDER #12 (SAFER AT HOME ORDER) shall be effective as of 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 and will remain effective until 8:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2020, or until a superseding order is issued.

(See link below)

Please share the Governor’s order with your colleagues and networks.

Thank you!

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WIGOV/2020/03/24/file_attachments/1409408/Health%20Order%20%2312%20Safer%20At%20Home.pdf

Richmond Izard, Chairman
Milwaukee County Commission on Aging
Richmond IZARD - Brown Deer Statesman

02/22/2020

Sis. Bobby Thompson and the Washington Park Senior Center delivered a top-notch and memorable Black History Celebration on February 20, 2020. The mid-day program included performances by gifted senior vocalists and musicians, various performing artists from Milwaukee Public Schools' Turnaround Arts Project, and two inspirational presentations by Ricky Atkins & Monroe Kirby.

The committee includes Betty Smith, Dwight Ivory, Gertrude Bork, Harold Oemig, Harold Turner, Johnnie Moorer, Mahasin Lenyard, Sandra Dotson, and Veronica Lee. (Special thanks to Rachael Ritchhart, Center Program Coordinator, for her assistance and design work.)

You don't want to miss Sis. Bobby Thompson's forthcoming fashion show which will also be presented at the Washington Park Senior Center in the Spring of 2020.

Richmond Izard, Chair
Commission on Aging
Milwaukee County Department on Aging

02/08/2020

MEET & GREET

I look forward to conversing with you SATURDAY, Feb 15th from 11 a.m. - 12 noon, immediately following the COMMUNITY CONVERSATION.

I believe reliable representation and effective decision-making is essential to the presidential vision of moving forward together. My objective is to propel OUR JOURNEY forward by leveraging YOUR VOICE and my influence as your trusted representative.

To better prepare you for our face-to-face discussion, I have shared issues, qualifications and reviews at Richmond IZARD - Brown Deer Statesman. (Residents looking to make an informed decision can even review my bio, résumé, official 9 Questions, and photos demonstrating proven advocacy for your interests via the Learn More button.)

Thanks for your vote of confidence. You will be well pleased.

Can’t make it Saturday, then just call me at your convenience: 414-737-2167

/OurFuture

02/05/2020

Municode Library

Here's the Code of Ordinances for Brown Deer

https://library.municode.com/wi/brown_deer/codes/code_of_ordinances

MunicodeNEXT, the industry's leading search application with over 3,300 codes and growing!

02/04/2020

What a unique and pleasant experience meeting three (3) Boy Scouts who attended tonight's Village Board Meeting with their troop leader, Cassius Henry.

The three teens of Troop 414 in Heart of Milwaukee District attended the public meeting as a means to acquiring certification requirements. However, based upon their commitment and conversation, I suspect the Brown Deer School District 11th grader & two 8th graders learned a lot about leadership opportunities and diversity in the district leadership. That made my day! 😊

02/02/2020

Richmond IZARD - Brown Deer Statesman

WOW!!! We received 200 page likes in less than 2 weeks! -- I certainly cannot run this race alone, and your infectious love has been trending daily to help spread the word.
/OurFuture


THANKS

I want to give special thanks to Anna Torres, Thomas Kelly, Armon Fletcher Kim, Anthony Iracki, Dawn Hale-Harvey, Sandra Jefferson, Rhonda Cocroft Powell, and Joel Symons for taking time to write reviews. Your collective insight is invaluable in helping Brown Deer better discover the man you know dearly. One love!

Additional kudos go out to the following individuals for sharing this Richmond IZARD - Brown Deer Statesman campaign page. I cannot express how grateful I am for your encouragement and support. It's endearing to witness family, friends and neighbors respond to my call for help. Thanks for being First Responders:

Monica Harper, Candice Overton Hoze, Jesse Franklin, Armon Fletcher Kim, Kelly Polacheckk, Robert Gayle, Hortensia Washington, Nancy Holland, Jacqueline Haessly, Ruben Munoz, Anna Torres, Stewart, John Fletcher, Elizabeth B. Izard, LaRhonda Wells, Rufus King 2.0 40th Anniversary, RKHS Prep For The College Bound, Shiela Roberts, Peggy Kuhlmann, Gabriella Armon-Wickers, Black Men Standing Initiative, Bobbie Whitlow, Byron Radford Sr., Tina Hendrickson, Ervene Hollimon, Dawn Hale-Harvey, Kathy Atkins, Beth Manders, Charlotte Knox, Ronnie Armon Bent, and James Rahming.

01/30/2020

BROWN DEER CANDIDATES leave starting blocks, Richmond IZARD in Lane One
https://www.facebook.com/BrownDeer.IZARD.YourVoice.OurJourney

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article presents each candidate >>
https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/northshore/news/brown-deer/2020/01/29/brown-deer-sees-surge-new-candidates-trustee-primary-election/4587680002