Tag Archives: Pat Jursik

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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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 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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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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November 4, 2012 · 11:25 pm

Parks Update: Lakefront Parks Joint Meeting, Seven Bridges Repair

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik’s eNews update has a couple of updates involving Grant Park, including word of joint meeting of lakefront park Friends groups set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Grant Park clubhouse.

The goal: increased cooperation around common issues like erosion, beach health and safety.

There is also good news on Grant Park’s Seven Bridges:

The Parks Department plans to restore the large lakeside bridge at Seven Bridges soon. The contractors hope to begin construction in late November and complete work by the end of 2012.  While Seven Bridges shall remain open to the public, some areas will be obstructed to accommodate heavy machinery.  Reconstruction of the large lakeside bridge will be prioritized.   The crew will then repair the footbridge by Wil-O-Way.

To protect this sensitive area, we need to use the official paths.  Unfortunately, visitors have climbed down and eroded the ravine while the bridge has been out of service.

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November 2, 2012 · 7:58 pm

Jursik: “Disappointed” With Proposed Budget

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik shares her thoughts on the proposed 2013 county budget in her latest eNews update.

Check it out here. From it:

The County Executive’s proposed budget includes some upgrades for our district. We will see traffic cameras at Layton & Packard Avenues. Grant Park’s Wil-O-Way will receive needed repairs. The Oak Creek Parkway in South Milwaukee will have lighting replaced in advance of expected road repairs in future years. I have worked with our parks and environmental engineering staff to fund stream bank stabilization for the Oak Creek in 2014. This bank restoration will keep much sediment from accumulating in the Creek and in the Mill Pond downstream. However, in many ways, I was disappointed with the proposed budget.

The update also includes on park patrolling, paramedic funding, long-range facility planning and other issues.

The item on paramedic funding is especially good news:

The FPA Committee added $500,000 in funding for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), bringing the total allocation to $2 million.  The countywide EMS program is a successful cooperative model that includes training, certification and continuing education of Emergency Medical Technicians (basic and paramedic).  Milwaukee County EMS hosts the Communications Center which provides consultation to  paramedics onsite and shares information among dispatched paramedics, ambulances, medical control physicians, hospitals and other emergency personnel.  Milwaukee County EMS uses state-of-the-art technology to develop electronic patient care records. 

This program improves the quality and efficiency of emergency response in our community. Under the EMS program, eight municipalities have contractual agreements to provide Advanced Life Support (paramedic-level emergency medical services).  The City of South Milwaukee provides service to Cudahy while St. Francis is served by Milwaukee.  Oak Creek provides service in its own city and back-up service to other cities.  This is truly a metro government approach.

The County Board will likely adopt a budget on Monday.

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October 11, 2012 · 8:01 pm

South Milwaukee’s Connection To The Foo Fighters, Jursik Address Sheriff And More Local Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

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October 4, 2012 · 9:59 pm

Summarizing Growth Plans: See What’s Happening In South Shore Economic Development

I was happy to attend Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik’s South Shore Option 2.0 Economic Development Forum last week.

It was informative and eye-opening — a great way to get up to speed on what other area South Shore communities are doing when it comes to growing their cities. And it’s a lot.

Jursik has posted all of the presentations here. Here is South Milwaukee’s.

I’d like to call particular attention to the presentation on the MKE Regional Business Park, the complex at the former 44oth Airlift Wing on East College Avenue that is just now coming on line. With its one-of-a-kind offering of vacant buildings and vacant land — as well as its prime location — it has strong potential to change the game when it comes to South Shore economic development.

See that presentation here.

And thanks to Pat for hosting this event. I am already looking forward to 2013.

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October 3, 2012 · 6:39 pm

Jursik Publishes October E-News Update

County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her latest E-News Update, and it includes updates on the the budget, Lake Parkway extension, televised County Board meetings, Milwaukee County Park patrols and the Grant Park roadway.

Check it out here.

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