South Milwaukee Blog

On Friday, I was honored to join South Milwaukee Mayor Jim Shelenske, former Mayor Dave Kieck and more than a dozen city team members for the celebration of an iconic redevelopment project in our city center.

Bucyrus Commons is more than a comunity gathering place. It is part of an intentional and ongoing effort to celebrate the manufacturer that defined our city for generations — so future generations can know and proudly share its story. We are not just naming things after Bucyrus. Instead, the Bucyrus Foundation is actively investing in the physical spaces that bear its name.

In that way, I am not sure any community our size in the country has done what we’ve done, to the level we’ve done it. We celebrated that last week, and will for many years to come.

From the city press release …

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) celebrated the best downtown revitalization projects of 2023 at the 33rd Wisconsin Main Street Awards ceremony in Green Bay on April 19, 2024.

“As Main Street goes, so goes Wisconsin’s economy, its well-being, our way of life in the Badger State,” said Missy Hughes, WEDC Secretary and CEO. “And these awards prove once again Wisconsin communities are thriving. Congratulations to the winners. We salute and celebrate you, our partners in creating an economy and improving the quality of life for the betterment and benefit of all.”

South Milwaukee’s Bucyrus Commons project was honored for Best Revitalization Initiative for Connect Communities with a population over 5,000. The criteria for being selected required demonstrating a proactive approach to historic and commercial district revitalization.

In February 2020, the Bucyrus Foundation committed to a $2 million gift to the City of South Milwaukee to enable two projects to help transform the downtown. $1.5 million was dedicated to the renovation of 1919 12th Avenue, now known as the Bucyrus Club & Event Center, and $500,000 was to be put toward the Bucyrus Commons at the corner of 11th and Madison Avenues.

After several stakeholder committee meetings and two public surveys throughout 2020 and 2021, the Bucyrus Commons design was finalized to include greenspace, an open-air pavilion, a restroom/concession building, a children’s digging area, and a covered stage. The Bucyrus Commons officially opened on May 21, 2023.

Here is the WEDC press release.

Welcome to South Milwaukee, Genevieve Stollenwerk!

From the the city’s press release …

The City of South Milwaukee is proud to announce the appointment of Genevieve Stollenwerk as City Engineer. Stollenwerk, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, has worked as a civil engineer for R.A. Smith, Inc. in their municipal services division since 2017.

Recognized for her contributions to the field, Stollenwerk was honored by the American Public Works Association Wisconsin Chapter in 2023 with the Outstanding New Member Impact Award. Throughout her career, she has successfully implemented the design and construction of municipal projects across the region, including in Greendale, Manitowoc, Menomonee Falls, New Berlin, Sturtevant, and Wauwatosa.

As City Engineer, Stollenwerk will play a pivotal role in South Milwaukee’s management team, overseeing the preparation of construction plans, cost estimation for proposed projects, and the development of contracts and specifications for various public works initiatives. Additionally, she will be responsible for maintaining and updating crucial city maps, reviewing land subdivision plats and certified survey maps, planning street and alley lighting, overseeing public works construction inspections, managing GIS, and supervising road projects.

There is a strong downtown South Milwaukee flavor to Gallery Night MKE the next couple of days — and I love it!

Visit Moran’s Pub, Parkway Floral, and Rosenquist Fine Art on Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, for art exhibits, a light show and more. Click the links above to learn more.

From the the Gallery Night website: “Gallery Night MKE – Milwaukee’s original gallery hop event – unites the city through art. Experience the vast creative culture in MKE while you discover local galleries, art, and artists. This free, two-day, quarterly event offers you the opportunity to buy original art, dine in outstanding restaurants, and shop in unique boutiques.”

And that includes South Milwaukee. Very cool.

Check out coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Fox 6 (among other outlets). From the Journal Sentinel story …

Several more remains believed to belong to homicide victim Sade Carleena Robinson were discovered along the shores of Lake Michigan early Thursday, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.

Robinson, 19, was reported missing April 2. That same day a leg was found on the lakeshore in Cudahy and additional remains were found in the city of Milwaukee.

The investigation eventually led to Maxwell Anderson, 33, who has since been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in Robinson’s death. In the days since Anderson was charged, volunteers have continued searching the Milwaukee area.

On Thursday, a person walking along a remote, tree-lined stretch of beach in South Milwaukee discovered an arm and torso, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The press release is below.

Big news today, as the Green Bay Packers announced a second $100,000 grant to support upgrades for the South Milwaukee School District’s athletic facilities.

From the school district press release …

This is Packer’s territory – even if SM’s colors are red, white, and black. The Green Bay Packers Foundation announced on April 17th that South Milwaukee was awarded a $100,000 grant from the NFL Foundation through the NFL Club Matching Youth Football Field Grant Program. 

The grant matches the $100,000 the Packers Foundation already awarded South Milwaukee to help cover the costs of the $3.8 million renovation of South Milwaukee’s athletic fields. 

“It means a lot that close to half of all the funding for these beautiful fields came from the community – here in South Milwaukee and in Wisconsin,” Superintendent Diedre Roemer said. “It’s because of the generosity of our neighbors and community-minded organizations like the Green Bay Packers that more students than ever are using these fields, and they are a point of pride for the whole city.” 

Improvements included:

• Improved drainage
• Replacing the football field grass with red and black synthetic turf
• Replacing the infield of the baseball and softball fields with synthetic turf
• Resurfacing of the track and improved track-and-field facilities
• New fencing for all fields
• A new scoreboard and sound system for Spaltholz Field
• New concrete and a donor wall at Bucyrus Stadium (expected to be completed in summer 2024)

The project is fully funded and was paid for without incurring any debt in part due to the generosity of donors. To date, the School District has received:

• $1 million from the Bucyrus Foundation, 
• $100,000 from the Green Bay Packers Foundation
• $100,000 from the NFL Club Matching Youth Football Field Grant Program
• More than $730,000 in local donations and fundraising through the Launching a Legacy Campaign 

“This project makes our surfaces safer for our athletes, easier to maintain, and more accessible to the larger student body through Physical Education classes and the Recreation Department”, Athletic and Activities Director Ante Udovicic said. “These are the fields our students deserve to have. Other teams want to come here to play on our new fields, and you can see the pride on our athletes’ faces when they are out there competing.”

From the Packers press release …

The Green Bay Packers Foundation has awarded South Milwaukee High School with a $100,000 grant from the NFL Foundation through the NFL Club Matching Youth Football Field Grant Program to contribute to the school’s athletic facility refurbishment project.

The NFL grant program directs funds toward capital improvement projects and helps with building or refurbishing youth and high school football fields/stadiums. The program helps promote youth football and community programming on the fields, enhance player health and safety and aid in establishing positive relationships with local youth groups and schools to expand football programming.

The South Milwaukee refurbishment project, started in early 2023, is part of a larger $3.8 million refresh of all School District of South Milwaukee athletic fields. The improvements will allow for significantly more students and community members to utilize and enjoy the high school’s facilities. The field is primarily used for football activities, but will also host varsity soccer matches, physical education classes, cheer and dance teams and the marching band, as well as youth recreational programming.

South Milwaukee High School’s field needed repairs desperately; despite efforts at upkeep, regular flooding and poor soil conditions stripped away nutrients and contributed to overall poor grass quality. The football team could only utilize the field for home games if it had not rained, and no other extracurricular activities could utilize the space. Construction of the project began in April 2023, recently seeing the completion of the playing field itself with the installation of synthetic turf and a new Brock pad. Enhancements to the property are still ongoing, with improvements to the stadium still in progress. The upgrades will enable support for the school’s athletic teams and will allow for more programs, students and community members to utilize the facilities.

“We’re pleased to award this grant to South Milwaukee High School for their athletic facility refurbishment project,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “It’s critical for youth sports to be accessible for everyone, and this project is helping create an ideal place for students and the wider community to engage in youth football and local programming.”

“This grant from the Packers means so much to our school and to our city,” said School District of South Milwaukee Superintendent Deidre Roemer. “Generosity built these fields – the generosity of organizations like the Bucyrus Foundation, the NFL Foundation, the Packers and Packers Foundation, and the generosity of our local businesses, alumni and neighbors. So many students will benefit from using these fields and knowing the community supports them.”

The Jazz & More Auction is open through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 — and there are some great items at some real bargain prices available. Bid now, bid often, and spread the word!

The auction can be accessed here: https://www.32auctions.com/JazzandMore2024

We have some really special items up for bid. Featured items (with bids as of 5 p.m. on 4/14) are: 

• Sports Fan’s Dream: Prime seats to see the Packers, Brewers and more. Current bid: $600
• Celebrate the Arts: Tickets to shows at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet, Skylight Music Theater, Florentine Opera and more — AND a $100 gift card to Saint Kate — The Arts Hotel. Current bid: $300
• Vacation Get Away: Plan your next trip with $300 gift certificates to Delta Airlines, Hilton Hotels and Sunsational Beach Vacations. Starting bid: $300
• Fine Dining Experience at the Bucyrus Club: Enjoy a private five-course gourmet meal for up to eight people prepared by our team of culinary trained chefs. Together with your own private bartender and server, they will take you through an evening you will not soon forget! Current bid: $410
• South Milwaukee Firefighter Experience: Experience a day in the life of a South Milwaukee Firefighter! This experience for up to four people includes lunch or dinner with the South Milwaukee fire crew, a behind-the-scenes tour of the station, and a ride on the fire engine. Current bid: $200
• 1/4 Barrel Party at Moran’s: Invite your friends to a special 1/4-barrel party at South Milwaukee’s coolest Irish and sports pub, and enjoy a complimentary bottle of booze and a basket of Guinness merch. That’s 15 pitchers of beer … with no limit to the number of people you invite. Current bid: $150
• Fair Trade Fashion Statement: Celebrate fair trade fashion when you style the Eclipse Handbag Set from Trades of Hope. Starting bid: $100

We are also offering the opportunity to sponsor all or portions of the students’ music education trip to Nashville next spring. Click on those links to learn more.

Please support our student musicians!

Jazz and More is almost here — and tickets are still available. Join us at this special event.

And our online auction is OPEN! Support our student musicians by bidding now on some terrific prize packages. Access the auction site here, register for free, and begin the bidding!

Four packages are available to start:

Sports Fan’s Dream

This is for the ultimate sports fan! Enjoy prime seats to see the Milwaukee Brewers (May 10: 4 tickets, section 122, row 5, with preferred parking), Green Bay Packers (2024 preseason game TBD: 4 tickets, club section 409, row 11), and Milwaukee Bucks (2024-25 game TBD: 2 tickets), as well as tickets to see the Admirals, Wave and Milkmen. And we’ll throw in a hat signed by Bucks rookie Andre Jackson.

Thanks: Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Admirals, Milwaukee Wave, Milwaukee Milkmen, and the Grebe family.

Vacation Get Away

Think warm thoughts and plan your next trip, with $300 gift certificates for Sunsational Beach Vacations, Delta Airlines and Hilton Hotels.

Thanks: Kathy Szeflinski and Tom Brussow-Sunsational Beach Vacations.

Celebrate the Arts

A special prize package for the performing arts fan! The package includes two tickets to your selection of current season performances of the Milwaukee Symphony, Florentine Opera, and Skylight Music Theatre; two tickets to Milwaukee Ballet’s MKE Mix show (May 16-19); four tickets to the South Milwaukee PAC’s two Summer Youth Theatre performances; AND $100 gift card to Saint Kate — The Arts Hotel.

Thanks: Milwaukee Symphony, Milwaukee Ballet, Florentine Opera, Skylight Music Theatre, South Milwaukee PAC and Jen & Kyle Samuelson.

Fine Dining at the Bucyrus Club

Enjoy a private five-course gourmet meal for 8 people, prepared by our team of culinary trained chefs. Together with your own private bartender and server, they will take you through an evening you will not soon forget! We will customize a menu that will suit your particular tastes, and you will get to enjoy the evening with wine and cocktails as well.

Thanks: Ernie Wunsch-Bucyrus Club

A big shoutout goes to Shelly Moore Krajacic, Aimee Swanson and Heather Hanson for recent recognition for the great work they are doing teaching our kids in South Milwaukee (including my own).

From the South Milwaukee School District …

Shelly Moore Krajacic Named to Class of 2024 for the National Teachers Hall of Fame

SOUTH MILWAUKEE – A South Milwaukee English teacher English language arts teacher at South Milwaukee High School is one of only five teachers across the United States to be named to the National Teachers Hall of fame as a member of the Class of 2024.

On March 21, Shelly Moore Krajacic was surprised with the honor in the High School Library, where she was met by current and former colleagues, students, and family members.

“I love all of my students, you know that. I just want to see you be happy and successful in how you choose to be,” Krajacic said. “Education really is the single greatest thing we can give to the next generation.”

“Each year we proudly recognize only five outstanding educators from across the country with an extremely rigorous selection process,” National Teacher Hall of Fame Acting Executive Director Maddie Fennell said.

“We’re gathering today to celebrate Shelly’s remarkable achievements, her unwavering dedication to our profession, and the profound impact she’s had as a third-generation Wisconsin public school teacher.”

Also speaking about her career was Superintendent Deidre Roemer, former South Milwaukee Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Weiss, and SMHS Principal Bryan Terry.

“I am continuously impressed by Shelly’s endless ardency in regards to all things conducive to student growth and engagement,” said Katie Swanson, a fellow English teacher at South Milwaukee High School. “When the Student Senate needed an adviser, Shelly stepped in. When the drama department needed a set designer, Shelly constructed three-dimensional models. When the district needed mentors for new teachers, Shelly took on that role. She regularly demonstrates the degree to which her commitment to students goes beyond their academic growth and extends to their overall emotional and psychological wellbeing.”

The NTHF Class of 2024 will travel to Washington D.C., in early May for ceremonies there. They will travel to Emporia, Kansas, in June for four days of events before the formal induction ceremony on June 21 at Emporia State University.

About Moore Krajacic

She earned her bachelor of arts degree in English, political science and theatre from University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, her master of science degree in English education from University of Wisconsin at River Falls and began work toward a Ph.D. in urban education from University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee in 2019.

Krajacic began her teaching career in 1998 at Ellsworth Community High School where she taught English and theatre until 2018. In 2020 through 2021, she taught English education at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. She joined the South Milwaukee High School English department in 2021.

About the Hall of Fame

Krajacic is not the first Wisconsin teacher inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. She joins Deborah Lynn Tackmann, who was inducted in 2012. Founded in 1989 on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas, the National Teachers Hall of Fame has inducted five U.S. teachers each year since 1992. The qualifications for induction are:

• At least 20 years of full-time pre-K-12 teaching experience.
• May be retired or no longer teaching. 
• Must hold/have held a valid teaching certificate/license from the state in which
  they are teaching or taught.
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
• Be living and able to attend the induction ceremonies in Washington D.C. in May and in Emporia, Kansas, in June. 
• No self-nominations are allowed.

“The selection process is inherently challenging,” shared Maddie Fennell, Acting Executive Director of NTHF. “Every year, we are astounded by the caliber of nominees we receive.”

Fennell continued, “Shelly’s nomination stood out due to her exceptional teaching prowess, unwavering advocacy efforts, and remarkable leadership skills. “To be chosen for induction into the Hall of Fame is a monumental career achievement, with only five educators selected each year from amongst millions.”

The NTHF Class of 2024 will travel to Washington D.C., in early May for ceremonies there. They will travel to Emporia, Kansas, in June for four days of events before the formal induction ceremony on June 21 at Emporia State University.

Check out coverage from WISN, Fox 6 and the Journal Sentinel.

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Hanson, Swanson Named Kohl Foundation Teacher Fellows

Also, congratulations to SMHS Social Studies teacher Heather Hanson and Choir and Music Educator Aimee Swanson for being named Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellows. Both were nominated “for their leadership and service in and outside the classroom and their ability to inspire a love of learning and to motivate their students.”

Both teachers will receive $6,000 for themselves and $6,000 each for SMHS.

Local highlights from Tuesday’s spring election …

• The South Milwaukee School District referendum passed, 57.5% to 42.4%.
• South Milwaukee School Board: Winners were incumbent Angie DeFord and Andy Simmons.
• South Milwaukee Alderman, District 2: Winners were incumbent Tim Backes and Michal Olechowski.
• South Milwaukee Alderman, District 4: Winners were incumbents David Bartoshevich and Peggy Clark.

Congratulations to all the winners — and to everyone who stepped up to run. I know it’s not easy, especially at this time in our history.

Thank you to everyone who voted. Turnout was 40% of registered voters, which I’d call strong given the non-competitive nature of the presidential primary race.

And thank you to everyone who administers our elections, from the clerk’s office to the rest of the city team to our poll workers. You continue to earn respect and will always have my support.

Check out the complete results here.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Here is where you vote …

• District 1 (Wards 1 through 4): South Milwaukee Public Library, South Milwaukee Public Library, 1907 10th Avenue
• District 2 (Wards 5 through 8): Divine Mercy Gathering Room, 800 Marquette Avenue
• District 3 (Wards 9 through 12): City Administration Building, 2424 15th Avenue
• District 4 (Wards 13 through 16): Grobschmidt Senior Center, 2424 15th Avenue

Not sure of your district? Here is a map.

Check out a sample ballots and other election information here. The ballot features contested local races, and click the links below for candidate information and Q&A:

• South Milwaukee School Board
• Second District alderman
• Fourth District alderman
• There is also South Milwaukee School District referendum on the ballot, as well as two statewide referendum measures.

My recommendations? I am not endorsing in every race, but I support Genduso and DeFord for school board and Backes and Baitinger for Second District alderman. I will be voting no on the two statewide referenda.

Not registered? You can do so at the polling place on Election Day. Details here.

And look for local election results on the blog!

Excited to see this back for 2024! Details here.

Excited to see this program continue! We have a long way to go in replacing and enhancing our urban forest — but efforts like this are a great start.

From the city website …

The City of South Milwaukee is pleased to offer its Adopt-A-Tree program for 2024.    The Adopt-A-Tree program will help improve neighborhoods by replacing some of the many trees lost to the emerald ash borer, other diseases, storm damage and age.  The Common Council has agreed to fund this program for a fifth year with 25 trees available to residentially zoned owner occupied properties.  Trees will be planted at approved planting sites based on our tree inventory, and suitability.

For this year’s program, we will be focusing on planting new trees at addresses where trees have been removed and stumps ground. Trees will have between a 1.5” and 2” trunk diameter and be between 8-12 feet tall.  These are street trees and must be placed between the curb and sidewalk or within 4 feet of the curb where there is no sidewalk.  The cost of each installed tree plus the items listed below is estimated to be $450-$600 depending on the size, species and bid prices.  However, much of this cost will be funded by the City of South Milwaukee through the Adopt-a-Tree Program.

A certified arborist will review each planting site and pick the best tree for your site based on terrace width, other trees on the property and street, overhead wires utility placement and previous trees. Diversity of tree species is one of the goals of the City as we move forward to help improve neighborhoods in South Milwaukee and plan for the future growth of the urban forest.

There is still time to get early bird pricing for this really cool event featuring dozens of student musicians, great food and great fun on Tuesday, April 16, at the Bucyrus Club.

Details in the flyer. Purchase tickets through the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center here.