Category Archives: Milwaukee County

May 1, 2013 · 1:35 pm

Jursik Publishes New Newsletter … And Weighs In On Effort To Oust Board Chairwoman

Check out Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jurisk’s latest constituent newsletter here, including this item on her decision to not support the ouster of Board Chairwoman Marina Dimtrijevic … 

A number of District 8 constituents have asked me to join five other supervisors in seeking removal of the County Board Chairwoman. I have also received a number of questions regarding the issue of negotiating with a non-certified union, which is not permitted under Act 10, the legislation that removed significant provisions of municipal employee bargaining rights. To respond, I have consistently stated and reiterate in this Open Letter to all of my constituents:

I believe that communications, conversations, discussions, interactions or, if you like, “negotiations” did take place between the County’s labor negotiator Fred Bau and AFSCME’s Rich Abelson. I believe these two gentlemen have both stated as much. I do not know who directed Mr. Bau to act as he did. The Finance Committee, the Board Chairwoman and County Executive each have the ability to direct Mr. Bau. I know the following are the facts:

  • Fact: The Finance Committee, of which I am a member, has taken no formal vote to  direct negotiations or to enter into a contract with AFSCME (Discussions with legal counsel took place in closed session. Our legal counsel has always provided legal advice consistent with the directives of Act 10. Closed session discussions are confidential).
  • Fact: The Chairwoman never placed a negotiated contract with AFSCME on any committee agenda for a formal vote.
  • Fact: I have never had an opportunity as your representative on the Board to vote against such negotiations. My position has always been that AFSCME is not a certified union and therefore cannot act to represent employees of the County under Act 10.
  • Fact: There is no contract with a decertified union in violation of Act 10.

I will continue to work within the realm of facts. I do not intend to react to political requests that are not factually based. For this reason, I will not join any group seeking to remove the Chairwoman based on hearsay or “he said, she said” conjectures or any other politically charged statement surrounding this issue. Please call or e-mail my office if you wish to discuss this further.

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April 21, 2013 · 10:38 pm

Jursik: “I’m Not Playing This Game Anymore”

Update: Supervisor Jursik is one of the co-sponsors of Milwaukee County Supervisor Marina Dimtrijevic’s reform plan. 

South Shore Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik has called for local, not state, action in restructuring county government in a strongly worded statement issued last week. 

Check out the press release (including YouTube links to some of Pat’s comments from a committee meeting last week) here. From it:

The moneyed interests of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and Metropolitan Milwaukee Association Commerce are supporting this shift in the balance of powers. With a large majority of their members living outside of Milwaukee County, these wealthy elites are seeking to control local politics. Make no mistake, Representative Joseph Sanfelippo, who now represents a significant portion of Waukesha County – not just Milwaukee County – is seeking to undermine local representation. Not only my constituents, but all our citizens in Milwaukee County, are losing their local voice. …

 About 200 District 8 citizens attended the Restructuring County Government event in South Milwaukee on April 4, 2013. I heard from the local people. Make no mistake, some restructuring will need to be done and I heard loud and clear that the board needs to trim its budget. But I want to work locally to make these adjustments, not with the self-appointed shadow government from outside our county.

The Assembly voted for a bill authored by Rep. Joe Sanfelippo last week and is expected to take a final vote on the matter in May. It’s unclear when the Senate will act, even as a group of county supervisors have come up with their own plan for restructuring. 

I’ll keep you posted. Of course, I’d like to know what you think about all of this. Post your comments below.

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April 6, 2013 · 4:24 pm

Good Turnout, Informative Debate At South Milwaukee’s County Board Restructuring Meeting

An estimated 200 people attended Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik’s public information meeting on proposed Milwaukee County Board restructuring legislation — and I’m glad I was one of them.

I found the event informative, as it provided a deep dive on the Assembly and Senate bills calling for a referendum to reduce the role (and pay) of supervisors to part-time, reduce the board’s operating budget (i.e., staff) and transfer some powers to the county executive, among other changes.

The point-counterpoint debate between Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, the former supervisor and author of the Assembly bill, and Supervisor Theo Lipscomb Jr., who spoke out against most of the proposals in the legislation, was also lively and thought-provoking. And the question-and-answer/comment section added to the meeting as well.

I left the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center much more educated on this important issue — as did Pat, who pledged to take all that she heard into consideration in formulating her opinion on the issue of county board restructuring.

I credit Pat for once again showing her commitment to keeping constituents informed on key issues, and for taking a measured approach to her approach on this topic. I also thank the two panelists for the robust debate — and having the courage to sit in front of a room of 200 people and argue their case.

Both had reasonable and strong arguments for their positions, and I left feeling like the best solution — as it so often is — is somewhere in the middle … somewhere between the status quo and the sweeping changes proposed by Sanfelippo.

Of course, I’d like to know what you think. Here is the presentation from the meeting. Read it … and vote in my new poll!

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March 26, 2013 · 9:19 pm

“Severe Infestation”? Sobering News On Emerald Ash Borer’s Presence In South Milwaukee

Is emerald ash borer in South Milwaukee?

This email from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik — sent in response to a constituent concern about trees being cut down near Oak Creek Parkway recently — essentially confirms it is.

Here is the email …

I communicated with the Milwaukee County Parks Department about the tree removal north of South Milwaukee High School.  This removal is indeed related to Emerald Ash Borer as your constituent surmised.

The forestry manager explained that the removal of the ash trees along 15th Avenue just south of Oak Creek Parkway is in response to a  severe infestation by Emerald Ash Borer near 15th Avenue, city sidewalks and park paths. The same week, Milwaukee County Parks forestry removed several mature ash trees just west of Grobschmidt pool because they were also infested and could pose a threat to the pool, and walkway.

The forestry manager believes that we will see a rapid increase in the infestation, removal and requests for removal of Ash trees in South Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Franklin, and Cudahy.  Forestry staff has confirmed infestations at several County Parks locations including Oak Creek Parkway, Grobschmidt Pool, Pulaski (Cudahy), Oakwood, the Sports complex and Southwood Glen.

Jursik also reported that South Milwaukee officials, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Milwaukee County Parks administration “have been proactively working together to identify and address infested ash trees.”

So that’s the problem on county land, and what the county is doing in response. What is the city doing?

As you may recall, the South Milwaukee City Council recently voted to match grant funding from the state to perform a GPS study of trees on city property and in the right of way, as well as develop options for fighting EAB.

It’s a start. At least we’ll get a better handle on the problem — and have the information we need as a council to make a decision on an EAB action plan. From the looks of things, we can’t start soon enough.

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March 6, 2013 · 9:18 pm

Jursik: Clarke “Must Not Be Permitted To Bully The Executive, Bully The Board, And Bully The Taxpayer”

South Shore County Supevisor Pat Jursik has weighed in on recent comments from Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke criticizing County Executive Chris Abele and Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn.

Oh, has she ever weighed in.

From the press release, in which she also speaks out against Clarke’s running of the House of Correction …  

Sheriff Clarke’s recent comments have hit a new low. While my office has had policy disagreements with the County Executive, these disagreements have always been at the policy level, never about personalities. Unfortunately Sheriff Clarke has reduced himself to only a personality. He refuses to engage in real discussion much less cooperation with departments.

Clarke’s recent remarks regarding the County Executive and now the City of Milwaukee Police Chief are below the belt, but also entirely out of line for an elected official. If anyone owes an apology, it is the Sheriff for his comments last week regarding the County Executive. …

The Sheriff must not be permitted to bully the Executive, bully the Board, and bully the taxpayer. Bullies do not get to win because they are better at name-calling.

I encourage you to read the whole press release, and post your comments below!

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March 5, 2013 · 6:21 am

Guest Blog: County Supervisor Pat Jursik On How The County Is Bearing Down On The Emerald Ash Borer

I’ve had a few questions about what the county is doing to combat emerald ash borer — including some of my own — so I posed them to Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik.

Here is her response …

I appreciate the questions about Milwaukee County’s strategy to combat Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Milwaukee County Parks and particularly at Grant Park.  The Milwaukee County Parks Department updated me on its current efforts:

  • To combat EAB and limit the impacts of ash tree loss, the Parks Department has applied a balanced solution of treatment, removal, and replacement.  To date the majority of the work in dealing with EAB in Grant Park has been ash tree removal.  Our goal is a balanced approach by increasing our plantings and ash tree treatments in the park.  We have applied for grants and will continue to apply for them.  To date we have received three grants that have been major keystones in our approach to EAB and Ash.  One grant helped us to write the EAB plan, another helped with treatment, and the most recent will increase plantings in Milwaukee County, specifically Grant Park.  We are currently at Grant doing some work and plan to continue this fall.  For efficiency, we make every attempt to coordinate EAB-targeted work with regular forestry duties in the park. We do continue to work and seek out any partners and other municipalities that share this cause.  For example, we hope to participate in an opportunity using predatory wasps that attack EAB.  The WI DNR is the lead on this.

 

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February 28, 2013 · 4:22 pm

Public Meeting Brings Debate Over Restructuring Of County Government To South Milwaukee

For at least one night, South Milwaukee will be the center of the debate around the various proposals to restructure Milwaukee County government — thanks to County Supervisor Pat Jursik.

Pat is hosting a public meeting on the topic on Thursday, April 4, at the South Milwaukee Peforming Arts Center. The meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Among the speakers is state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, the former county supervisor who has been driving this debate in Madison. Also scheduled to speak is County Supervisor Theo Lipscomb.

The event will feature an overview of Sanfelippo’s bill, a counterpoint from Lipscomb, a review of county services and a question-and-answer session.

It should be an interesting night. Learn more in Pat’s newsletter. From it:

As your representative on the County Board, I have not yet taken a position with regard to this restructuring. In order to take a position, I am holding a public meeting to both inform and to obtain your input. Rep. Sanfelippo will discuss his bill and the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Sup. Theodore Lipscomb, will provide input from the local Board perspective. This format will ensure a good point/counterpoint discussion. It will also allow for your questions.

What do you want from your local County government? I am hopeful that residents will fill the auditorium to discuss this important issue. Don’t miss this opportunity.

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February 1, 2013 · 4:36 pm

Supervisor Jursik Update: Seven Bridges, Oak Creek Watercourse And More

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her monthly newsletter, and it includes updates on the Seven Bridges project and the Oak Creek watercourse.

Check it out here. Here is the item on the Seven Bridges …

The Parks Department is working to have the contractor rectify ravine damage during lakeside bridge reconstruction at Seven Bridges trail in Grant Park. Of course, the good news is that Seven Bridges will finally be restored come Spring of 2013.

Along with the Parks Department and engineering staff, I met with the Friends of Grant Park in January. The Friends are alarmed at the ravine damage and want to ensure the area is properly restored with native vegetation and clean soils. They have offered to assist with volunteer hours. I am in awe of wonderful groups like the Friends of Grant Park and thank them for their passion and work.

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January 14, 2013 · 9:48 am

Guest Blog: Pat Jursik On Joe Sanfelippo’s Proposal To Make The Milwaukee County Board Part-Time

Update: Be sure to vote in my new poll on the right-hand side of the page!

I asked Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik for her thoughts on the legislation proposed by state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo to require a binding referendum asking voters if Milwaukee County supervisors should be part time.

Here is what she wrote me …

First, it is hard for any supervisor to discuss this issue since it affects pay and benefits; therefore, I have an automatic conflict of interest.  Any attorney would call such a witness biased.  This being said, I want you and all of my constituent to know that I will serve my constituents throughout my term as promised in my Oath of office no matter how this turns out.

Second, Can this job be done by a part-timer?  Yes, if all you do is attend committee meetings and board meetings.  Sanfelippo has already said he works part-time and therefore knows it can be done.  But I would ask anyone to tell me what Sanfelippo has accomplished for his district?  He has no successful projects because he does not work with others to reach consensus or compromise.  He Votes “NO” on any controversial or budgetary matter which really does not require him to spend much time studying the issue.  But enough about Sanfelippo, I will talk about my district.  When I first ran for this office, I had a full-time law practice.  I thought perhaps I’d be able to do my superviosry duties and still be able to run a scaled-down practice.  Then I ran into the first major issue that effected the South Shore, the move to take down the Hoan Bridge. I reacted with creation of the Coalition to Save the Hoan.  I created a Petition and held town-hall meetings.  I appeared at the Press Club and many other venues to press our case for saving the Hoan.  I soon discovered I had no time for other duties.  I’ve fought for extension of 794, repair of the 7 Bridges, keeping the 128th open, South Shore Option for Economic Development and other projects to benefit our district.  I am proud of my record.  I probably sound like a candidate for re-election (as I said there is an automatic conflict for me to address this issue).  I hold these accomplishments up to those of Sanfelippo to show what working full-time vs. part-time looks like.

Third:   A pox on both their houses.  Yes, this is base politics at its raw, ugly, take-no-hostages level.  I did not vote for the current redistricting plan on the board.  When the Holloway-led board did redistricting, they too used their majority to reduce Republican representation on the board basically redistricting Joe Rice out of his seat.  This ugly act has now come full-circle and perhpas the “board” (some new members were elected and did not participate) has reaped what it sowed.  Should we govern regionally?  SEWRPC is our regional planner, and perhaps our governance should be as well.  The problem with Sanfelippo’s attack from this view-point is that he would only change the rules for Milwaukee County while leaving all others the same.  When you want real change, everyone should sit at that table. 

Of course, I’d like to know what your thoughts are on this issue. Post your comments below!

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December 30, 2012 · 11:39 am

Mill Pond Update: DNR Requires Dam Upgrades

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has ordered some upgrades be made to the Mill Pond Dam, according to the monthly newsletter from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik.

They are:

  • the removal of vegetation from specific areas under the supervision of an engineer;
  • the maintenance of healthy grass cover on the embankments;
  • a structural evaluation by an engineer of the spillway abutments to determine if masonry repairs are required;
  • the repair of the sluice gate, which is currently inoperable; and
  • the installation of two benchmarks.

Check out the full newsletter here.

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December 28, 2012 · 1:11 pm

Seven Bridges Update … And It’s Not Good

The following is from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik, in her monthly news Update.

Throughout December 2012, a contractor repaired the large lakeside bridge at Seven Bridges trail in Grant Park. Many of us were alarmed at the lack of erosion controls; at the excessive removal of trees and walls to access the site; and at the road that was built to lower a back hoe to the bridge level. This was all outside the job description.

At this point, I am working with the Parks Department and engineering staff to demand the best remedy for this sad situation. Milwaukee County will not make further payments until the contractor repairs the damage, plants trees and takes other steps. We will do our best to get this rectified.

Jursik’s monthly newsletter also includes updates on the 794 extension, Mill Pond repairs, Bender Park and a variety of county issues.

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December 6, 2012 · 5:49 pm

Another Step Taken In Extending 794

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission added the extension of the Lake Parkway to the Year 2035 Regional Transportation Plan, unanimously approving the six-mile project at its meeting Wednesday.

Check out the press release from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik, a champion of this project, and coverage from Oak Creek Patch.

Jursik’s statement:

An extended Lake Parkway will provide the necessary transportation infrastructure to promote economic development in Milwaukee County’s South Shore and around the Port of Milwaukee and General Mitchell International Airport.  We are part of the increasingly powerful lake corridor mega-region that stretches from Gary, Indiana through Chicago, Illinois to Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.  I call upon State elected officials to fund this important corridor project.

Indeed, that is the hardest part about this important initiative. I’ll keep you posted.

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December 5, 2012 · 10:02 pm

Dredging Up Positive Memories: Debating The Future Of The South Milwaukee Mill Pond

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has a story on the effort of former Alderwoman Mary Nelson — and many others — to “Restore the Magic” of South Milwaukee’s Oak Creek Mill Pond.

Check it out here. Among the new information in the article …

Cost of dredging the pond and disposing of the sediment starts at $830,400 and climbs as high as $1.5 million, according to preliminary estimates from the county’s Department of Administrative Services and released by Jursik. She represents the 8th supervisory district, encompassing St. Francis, South Milwaukee, Cudahy and a portion of Oak Creek.

State and federal grants could help pay part of the dredging costs, she said. …

The state Department of Natural Resources last week ordered Milwaukee County to complete some long-neglected dam maintenance and hire an engineer to evaluate the structure by June 2014.

The dam is made of dolomite stone blocks and it stands 18 feet tall in a ravine at Mill Road, according to DNR water management engineer Tanya Lourigan in Milwaukee. Water from the shallow pond spills over the top of the 35-foot-wide stone wall.

On Oct. 26 and Nov. 19, Lourigan inspected the dam and earthen embankments on each end.

An engineering analysis of the wall is needed since stones are missing on each end of the dam where it meets the embankment, Lourigan said in a Nov. 27 report to the county Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture.

Among the maintenance to be completed by June 2014: remove all trees and brush, including stumps, from the embankments and fill in holes; and repair an inoperable sluice gate needed to raise or lower water levels on the pond. A valve controlling the gate must be tested annually in the future to ensure it will work in an emergency, such as creek flooding, or for dam repairs, Lourigan says in the report.

She rated the condition of the dam as “conditionally fair” because of the extensive tree growth on the embankments, deterioration of the masonry wall and inoperable valve.

Where do I stand on this? My previous post on the petition effort sums up my position.

I feel strongly about this issue. I hate to see the Mill Pond and its surroundings in the state they are in. They could be so much more, and they have been so much more in the past.

We need a path to making the Mill Pond a recreational treasure for South Milwaukee once again, a community gathering place. That’s why I am 100% behind all of the work being done by Pat Jursik, Mary Nelson and others to find a solution here — one that involves the city, county, Friends groups and other parties. It’s complicated, and likely costly, but I think an investment in the Mill Pond is a good one — and one that is long overdue.

What do you think? Post your comments below!

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December 4, 2012 · 5:07 pm

County Board Chairwoman Dimitrijevic To Hold South Milwaukee Listening Session

Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic is getting closer to her goal of holding a listening session in every county municipality … and her South Milwaukee stop is coming up soon.

Dimitrijevic will stop at the Grobschmidt Senior Center from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Learn more here … and welcome to South Milwaukee, Supervisor Dimitrijevic!

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November 27, 2012 · 7:36 pm

Milwaukee County News Update: 2013 Budget Update, College Avenue, 794 And More

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her new E-news update, with items on the 2013 county budget, College Avenue, the Cudahy native court house Christmas tree and this one on the 794 extension …

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) completed technical work for the potential extension of the Lake
Parkway. Federal and State agencies have reviewed the Air Quality Conformity Analysis. In early November, SEWRPC’s Advisory Committee on Regional Transportation Planning and SEWRPC’s Planning and Research Committee recommended that the Lake Parkway extension be added to the regional transportation plan. SEWRPC itself will consider the extension on December 5 when the Commission meets at General Mitchell International Airport.

Check out the full report here.

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