South Milwaukee Alderman Tim Backes has graciously volunteered to write regular updates for the blog.
You can see his latest installment here. It has information on Bucyrus Commons, as well as council highlights and an update from the South Milwaukee PAC.
Thanks, Tim, for bringing this idea to the blog! I am always looking for content to further our mission of keeping South Milwaukeeans informed on key issues, while also providing important context and depth where possible. It is why I started this blog as an alderman in 2009, and why I continue it today.
Please note: All content is written by Alderman Backes, and shared verbatim through the blog. Any opinion offered is Tim’s and Tim’s alone.
Honor those paid the ultimate price on Memorial Day with a program starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 29, at the South Milwaukee War Memorial. A lunch will follow at noon at American Legion Post #27.
And a special shoutout to the South Milwaukee Garden Club for getting the site looking great again!
View the full South Milwaukee Police Department annual report here.
Here is the letter from Chief Jessup to the community …
To the citizens of South Milwaukee, Mayor James Shelenske, City Administrator Tami Mayzik, the South Milwaukee Common Council, the South Milwaukee Police & Fire Commission, and members of the South Milwaukee Police Department:
In 2022 I completed my fifth year as Chief of Police for the South Milwaukee Police Department. Each and every day I am proud to serve this City and this Department, and I am grateful for your support, confidence and enthusiasm as our officers diligently work to keep our community safe. I am pleased to present to you the 2022 South Milwaukee Police Department Annual Report and I believe you will find that it provides an accurate overview of the challenges and accomplishments, as well as the activities undertaken by our staff to enhance public safety in our community.
The past year brought some notable changes to our staff, with the hiring of three new police officers, Jakob Horsley, Matthew Klecha and Blake Reynolds. They are great additions to our force and are looking forward to serving this community for many years. We were also joined by a new police clerk, Kyra Van Scyoc and she is proving to be an excellent addition to our staff.
The police profession comes with many challenges, and crime prevention is always near the top of the list. In addition, quick response times are equally important as we continue to advance the department’s mission and vision. We strive to make our city safer through a community-based policing strategy that is responsive to the needs of individuals and businesses while following a set of principles that fosters mutual respect. Our members are committed to their profession and they work tirelessly on behalf of our citizens to provide prompt service that keeps our community safe.
There is one truism in public safety; our work is never done. As we move forward, we will surely encounter new challenges but I am confident in our members and grateful for the support of our community. In partnership, we will overcome those difficulties and will make South Milwaukee healthier and stronger.
At the South Milwaukee Common Council meeting on May 16, 2023, Katie Crosby will be sworn-in as the City Clerk. Crosby has held various roles with the City since 2005, including positions in the Clerk’s office, Treasurer’s office, and the Police Department. She is currently serving as the Deputy City Clerk.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and forensic psychology and graduated from the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks and Treasurer’s Institute in 2019. In 2021, she was honored by the Milwaukee BizTimes as a Rising Star in Finance and Accounting.
Crosby will be the 16th person to hold the title of South Milwaukee City Clerk. D.J. Sweeney was first elected to the position in 1897. Starting in 2017, the Common Council converted the City Clerk role from elected to appointed by the City Administrator.
The City Clerk’s office is responsible for a variety of functions including, administering elections, assisting with the annual budget process, record keeping, clerical support for the elected officials and various boards and commissions, monitoring compliance with the Wisconsin open meetings and open records laws, alcohol beverage and miscellaneous business licensing, and implementing state statute and municipal code requirements.
I am a big fan of Katie’s, and a big fan of this hire. She really stepped up during my time as mayor, including leading the city’s social media efforts and in coordinating other initiatives beyond the normal scope of her previous job. This was especially crucial during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She has been a rising star for years. I’m happy to see others see that, too. Go, Katie!
South Milwaukee Alderman Tim Backes has graciously volunteered to write regular updates for the blog.
You can see his latest installmenthere. It has information and discussion on items from the busy May 2 Common Council meeting, including public works and Plan Commission updates — as well as Tim’s take on the new trick-or-treating times
Thanks, Tim, for bringing this idea to the blog! I am always looking for content to further our mission of keeping South Milwaukeeans informed on key issues, while also providing important context and depth where possible. It is why I started this blog as an alderman in 2009, and why I continue it today.
Please note: All content is written by Alderman Backes, and shared verbatim through the blog. Any opinion offered is Tim’s and Tim’s alone.
The South Milwaukee Common Council has voted to move the official trick-or-treating time to the Saturday before Halloween, from 5 to 7 p.m. In 2023, that puts trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 28.
Previously — since 2012 — the city had held trick-or-treating on Halloween night, the only community in the county to do this annually. It was previously held on Sundays before Halloween.
I’m disappointed in the decision. You can read my rationale for, as an alderman, leading the charge to move to trick-or-treating to Halloween in this post. Simply put, trick-or-treating should be on Halloween — not on October 25, for example, on which it will fall in 2025. Moving it to Halloween, and keeping it there, added authenticity to the fun family holiday. We lose that now.
I heard some complaints over the years — the biggest being the timing on a weeknight — but believe most received the change well. I was hoping this would be a long-term positive point of difference for our city.
Instead, I’ll mark my calendar for October 28, and get the firepit ready for the driveway. Happy Halloween!
Bridgeman Foods has signed a lease to open a Wendy’s at 240 N. Chicago Avenue in South Milwaukee. The restaurant space, neighboring South Milwaukee’s Walmart, was vacated by a Burger King in September 2022.
After multiple parties expressed interest in the space, Wendy’s emerged as the likely new tenant late last year. They are expected to have access to a strong customer base. Through South Milwaukee’s 2023 – 2027 Downtown Strategic Planning, data collected showed that the area receives over 425,000+ annual visits from 155,000+ annual visitors.
“I am grateful to the property owner for quickly securing an attractive tenant for this space. South Milwaukee is open for business to both small businesses and national brands. One of our biggest economic development priorities is assisting property owners in finding tenants for their vacancies,” stated South Milwaukee Mayor Jim Shelenske. “Wendy’s will be a great addition to the dining options available in South Milwaukee and I look forward to ordering my first frosty.”
Learn more in the JS Online story. And welcome to South Milwaukee, Bridgeman Foods!
The Little League Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday at 9th and Madison and ends at the ballpark, with opening ceremonies at 11 and the first pitch of the new season at noon.
Then, Saturday night it’s a fun event for Launching a Legacy, the fundraising effort to deliver significant upgrades to Spaltholz Field, Galewski Field and the softball field.
And on Sunday, it’s the first Suburban Soles Nature Walk of the season.
Saturday, May 6: South Milwaukee Little League Opening Day. Details
Saturday, May 6: Launching a Legacy “Mission: Possible” fundraising event, 6-10 p.m., Pat’s Oak Manor. Details
Sunday, May 7: Suburban Soles Nature Walk: “Friends With Feathers,” 8:30 a.m., Grant Park Picnic Area 5A Shelter. Details
An 88-year-old woman died in a house fire in South Milwaukee on Sunday, according to the South Milwaukee fire department.
Firefighters responded to 1716 Manistique Ave. at 4:32 p.m.“The fire was quickly extinguished, but unfortunately, one individual lost their life,” Chief John Litchford said.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released.“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time, and our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Litchford said.
South Milwaukee Fire Department and Police Department, in addition to the State Fire Marshal, are looking into the cause of the fire.
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It’s Da Crusher, of course! Shot the night of Crusherfest, as we unveiled this statue to the world. Do you have a photo you’d like to share on the blog? Send it along.
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