Check out these headlines from around the South Shore:
Filed under Headlines
You’ve seen some significant improvements to the look of City Hall in the past six months.
This summer, City Clerk Jim Shelenske led a volunteer effort to upgrade the landscaping in front of the city administration building – and the results have been easy to see.
The most recent upgrade is also eye-catching to anyone who has stopped by City Hall in the past few weeks: a new sign and message board.
Jim and South Milwaukee Public Health Administrator Jacqueline Ove, working with local signage company Everbrite, helped make this improvement happen – and it is a big improvement. The lighting on the old sign had failed. And the new message board gives the city a chance to share key messages with residents about anything from upcoming meetings to emergency notifications.
As part of the deal, Everbrite is also donating a new Grobschmidt Senior Center sign, which will also get fresh paint around its frame, and the Police Department sign and frame will also be replaced.
Which brings me to another key point: No city property tax dollars are being put toward the new signage, which is coming at a cost of about $20,000. (Some city funds are being spent on wiring upgrades.)
The purchase was made possible through Public Health Emergency Preparedness funds that were unexpended in the five-year grant cycle.
Thanks to Jim and Jackie for their work on this — and to Everbrite for the partnership.
One other note about the grant funds: As of August, we have started a new five-year cooperative agreement with the state and federal government for these funds.
Filed under Community
While South Milwaukee elected officials have little to no competition this April, that is not the case in a couple nearby communities.
Oak Creek and Greenfield are among the cities where elected officials will have opponents come April 3.
These headlines detail some of that:
The Journal Sentinel has a roundup of all contested races here, and here is a story taking a more global view of competitive local elections.
Note: Cudahy does not have any city races on the ballot this spring.
Filed under 2012 Elections
State election laws prevent Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik from sending her monthly email news blast out during her campaign.
But it doesn’t stop her from publishing eNews.
You can check out the latest edition (and all editions through April) here.
It includes updates on the South Shore transit, Seven Bridges repairs and Grant Park roadway construction. It also details a Friends of Grant Park meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12, where a Department of Natural Resources conservation warden will be on hand to discuss suspected poaching in the park. The meeting is at the Grant Park clubhouse.
Filed under Milwaukee County
Uncontested races have become the norm in South Milwaukee in recent years — and that won’t change this April.
All candidates running for city office will run unopposed, as the 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline for prospective candidates to declare their intentions to run and submit the necessary signatures came and went with no challengers stepping up.
So here is who you will see on the April 3 ballot:
You’ll recall that Frank, appointed to his seat this summer to replace Mike Karbowski, must run for the seat and the chance to serve a one-year term. He will be up for re-election again with the rest of the aldermen in April of 2013.
The South Milwaukee School Board will see some competition in April, as incumbents David Maass and Kathleen Molus and challenger Sophia Williams vie for two seats. I will post more information on this race in coming days and weeks.
At the county level, Supervisor Pat Jursik, who represents South Milwaukee, is also running unopposed (as is County Executive Chris Abele).
Frankly, I’m surprised at the lack of competition at the city level, especially in the political climate were in — and given the rancor surrounding the Walmart debate last fall. There was so much anger over that issue — along with threats of ballot challenges and recalls — that I was certain that that votes taken by the council (and mayoral support) would lead to at least one candidate for mayor (and perhaps a couple of the other seats).
I was wrong.
In a way, that’s disappointing. I think competition is a good thing. It makes everyone better.
Of course, I’d like to know what you think. Post your comments below!
Filed under 2012 Elections
You can now buy alcohol at liquor, grocery and other “off-premise” South Milwaukee retailers starting at 6 a.m. — two hours earlier than you could before.
The City Council approved the change at its Dec. 20 meeting, aligning our start time with a new state law that took effect in late December.
Communities could enact ordinances more restrictive than state law, and some have decided to keep their 8 a.m. starting times.
Our vote was 7-1, with all but Alderman Craig Maass voting in favor of the ordinance change.
I voted yes because it could help local business, boosting sales with, among others, third-shift workers looking to purchase beer on their way home from work.
I also don’t see harm arising from the increased hours. In my mind, there is no significant difference between allowing sales at 6 a.m. or 8 a.m. — and in cases like that I will generally side with local business.
Keep in mind that off-premise retailers can still only sell alcohol until 9 p.m. each night in South Milwaukee. That does not change. This is stricter than state law, which allows for the off-premise sale of beer until midnight.
Filed under Local Business
South Milwaukee Blog 