Author Archives: Erik Brooks

Check out these headlines from around the South Shore, and beyond …

• Caterpillar Likely to Vacate Some South Milwaukee Office Buildings; City Concentrates Reuse Efforts (Business Journal)
  • Subscription required; I’ll write more about this on my blog after Tuesday’s council meeting
• Wisconsin Lawmakers Call for Quick Action to Protect Workers, Residents from Barrel Refurbishing Plants (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Churros on the Menu Here, There and Everywhere (Journal Sentinel)
• Three Spec Buildings Planned at Howell and Rawson in Oak Creek (BizTimes)
• East Side Ovens Crafts Vegan Baked Goods (Shepherd Express)
• Continental Proposes 240 Apartments on 27th Street in Oak Creek (Business Journal)
• IKEA Site Plans Change Slightly (NOW)
• Plight of Company Towns: Finding a New Identity (Chicago Tribune)

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter, and the Armenian Youth Federation Olympics are coming to town!

A former police officer and financial services executive have restored a vacant South Milwaukee building into a new SERVPRO franchise, writing the latest chapter of our economic redevelopment story.

I met Colette Wallner last week, and left impressed with the work they’ve done since moving their business from the Franklin Business Park to 2430 10th Ave., home to the former Wisconsin Telephone Co.

The Wallners have not only brought 10 new jobs to the city, they have also invested a significant amount of sweat equity into the 14,700-square-foot building, bringing new life to the building to the south of Sunrise Plaza.

The transformation is easy to see. I’ll let them tell their story from here …

In operation for six years, owners Bob and Colette Wallner recently moved their business, SERVPRO of Southeast Milwaukee County, to South Milwaukee.

With backgrounds in law enforcement and financial services, the Wallners have brought their passion for exceptional work, outstanding customer service, and strong ethical behavior to the Restoration Industry.  We serve both residential and commercial customers in restoring water damage, fire damage, mold removal and specialty cleaning services. SERVPRO of Southeast Milwaukee County delivers these services with state of the art equipment and fully trained and industry-certified staff.  Named by major insurance companies as “preferred service providers” means that if your job requires us to work with your insurance provider, they have already determined that we’ll do the job correctly and in a timely fashion.   And a customer service bonus, phones are answered by a real person, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Unique to the Wallners’ SERVPRO is their Ultrasonic Cleaning capabilities and their specialty storage services.  Contents are inventoried and customers provided with a report including photos and descriptions.  Ultrasonic Cleaning is then used to easily reach deep into even the most finely detailed surfaces of antiques, figurines, sporting equipment, medical appliances, etc., and no harsh or dangerous chemicals are ever used.    Making sure customers’ belongings are clean, dry and safely stored until they are returned to their rightful place or new home.

SERVPRO of Southeast Milwaukee has grown year over year and needed more space and is actively seeking to add to our employee base.  Our current employees love our move to South Milwaukee because it feels more like a community with restaurants, stores and government services such as the post office within easy walking distance.  We look forward to meeting more of our neighbors every day.

While we understand that no one wants to have to call us for service, you’ll be glad you did.   With SERVPRO of Southeast Milwaukee County, we’ll strive to make it “like it never even happened” as quickly as possible!

Learn more on their website, www.servprosoutheastmilwaukeecounty.com or by calling 414-421-3500.

And please join me in welcoming them to South Milwaukee!

From the South Milwaukee School district …

Coach Joel Shilling, Coach Andy Simmons, Coach Ben Ratka and South Milwaukee Rocket Wrestling qualified 2 individuals for WIAA State (jr. Adam Jones & Jr. Raul Benavides) which begins this afternoon! I am forwarding you some information about how to either watch it live or archived (for a $9.95 fee) or watch a graphic with the score being shown live for each match that is happening. Matches begin at 3:00pm and odds are Adam will be on the mat somewhere between 4:00pm and 4:30pm and then Raul soon after.

Here is the link to the state tournament site: http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=247353009

I was honored to get 80.2% of the vote today — but the work is just getting started.

I look forward to the challenge in the general election on April 4.

Thank you to all of my supporters, volunteers, friends and family. I could not do this without you. I will keep fighting for you and our city’s promising future!

Check out the complete results — including numbers from the state school superintendent’s race — here. Turnout was 15%.

Today is primary election day, and I ask everyone to get to the polls, do their duty as citizens and vote.

Here is the ballot, and here are additional voting details …

• Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• First District voters vote at Divine Mercy School, 695 College Ave.
• Second District voters vote at Lakeview School, 711 Marion Ave.
• Third District voters vote at City Hall, 2424 15th Ave.
• Fourth District voters vote at Rawson Elementary, 1410 Rawson Ave.
• Not sure what district you live in? Here is a map.

Check out more details on the city’s elections web page … and look for more information on local results from South Milwaukee Blog later tonight or Wednesday morning.

Of course, I humbly ask for your support in my reelection for mayor. Indeed, we’re just getting started, and I look forward to serving this city for three more years.

Also, while you’re out, please thank a pollworker. These dedicated citizens bring democracy to life through their too-often thankless work.

Be a part of this terrific community institution!

From the Muni Band …

The South Milwaukee Municipal Band is seeking new members.  Do you play a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument?  Join the Municipal Band!  Organized in 1935, South Milwaukee’s Municipal Band is a group of volunteer musicians who just enjoy making music together.   All adults and high school students are invited – from professional musicians to those who haven’t played in years but would welcome an opportunity to rebuild their musical skills.   Have fun playing marches, showtunes, concert arrangements, pop medleys, and more.   The band performs several times throughout the year at community events, retirement facilities, and other venues.  Rehearsals are held in the South  Milwaukee Middle School band room on Tuesday evenings (7:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.)  For more information, visit smmunicipalband.org or call Jody Daharsh (414) 764-6279. 

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• With Temps Approaching Record Highs, 3 Milwaukee Area Golf Courses Are Set to Open on Friday (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Valentine’s Day at White Castle? Why Not? (WISN)
  • Parkway Floral mention
• Environmental Problems Plague the Barrel Reconditioning Business (Journal Sentinel)
• Stunning Color Photos of the Old Lake Front Chicago & North Western Depot (OnMilwaukee.com)
  • Mention of South Milwaukee station
• Fatal Heroin Overdose Leads to Man Charged Under State “Len Bias” Law (Patch)
• Waukesha, Oak Creek to Extend Water Deal Deadline (BizTimes)
• Former Oak Creek Mayor Dick Bolender Memorialized at Drexel Town Square (NOW)
• Oak Creek T Rexes Home from Hollywood (NOW)

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.

Updated to reflect the correct location: 3800 block of Harmony.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

On 02/15/17 at about 7:05a.m. SMPD Officers responded to the 3800blk of Harmony Lane for a reported intruder inside a residence, who subsequently fled.  Officers responded and were unable to locate the suspect.  The suspect is described as a white male, in his 40’s, 6′, 190#, with a goatee or beard, wearing a brown sweatshirt with black stripes, and a red winter hat with a puff ball on it.  No one was hurt and nothing was taken during the incident. 

A person was stopped in the area and identified, but determined to not be the suspect. 

This case is still under investigation and information about the suspect is being sought.  If you see someone who matches the description or if you have information, please call the SMPD at 414-768-8060. 

You can receive email alerts this in your email inbox. Email Officer Mike Hill to get on the crime alert email list.

From the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center …

The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) announces its 10^th annual fundraiser, Soirée: A Party for a Purpose, on Saturday, March 18.  The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Council is hosting the event, which is sponsored by Classic Cargo International. “The word Soirée literally means a party for a purpose,” says Cyndi Kieck, president of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Council.  “Our purpose is to bring people together in celebration of the arts and raise the funds necessary to provide programming that makes a positive impact in education, recreation and the vibrancy of our community.”

The Soirée will feature live musical entertainment from Prof. Pinkerton and the Magnificents, live and silent auctions featuring Wisconsin trip packages, Milwaukee-area arts and entertainment destinations, artwork, a wine pull, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This year’s venue is the Polish Center of Wisconsin located at 6941 S. 68th Street in Franklin. Festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $49.00 and may be purchased at http://www.southmilwaukeepac.org. Reservations are recommended. All proceeds support South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center’s mission of providing affordable creative, innovative and diverse performing arts and lifelong learning opportunities to people of all ages.

Check out the press release here, and make your plans to attend!

Last week, the South Milwaukee City Council voted to appoint our currently elected City Clerk Jim Shelenske and Treasurer Karen Skowronski to those same roles.

It was an easy choice, as their terms expire in April and the jobs move from elected to appointed, per changes we made several years ago.

These are two strong professionals excelling in their jobs, and I’m excited to see what they accomplish in the years ahead.

Good luck, Jim and Karen. You earned this.

Check out these headlines from around the South Shore …

• Board Game Barrister Adds Location at Mayfair Mall (Business Journal)
• Drexel Town Square to Add 242 More Apartments as Oak Creek Approves Financing Package (Business Journal)
• Dretzka’s Department Store Depresses, Delights (OnMilwaukee.com)
• Woman, Pet Killed in Oak Creek Mobile Home Fire (WISN)
• Thieves Target Vehicles Left Running in Oak Creek (Fox 6)
• Zund America Plans Move From Franklin to Oak Creek (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Fast Path to Ikea: Oak Creek Store Plans are Rapidly Taking Shape (NOW)
• Proposed FedEx Terminal in Oak Creek Gets Permit to Move Forward (NOW)

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.

In-person absentee voting is now open, and runs through Friday, Feb. 17.

Anyone planning on being out of town or unable to make it to the polling place on election day — or for any reason, really — can cast an absentee ballot at the clerk’s office at City Hall, 2424 15th Ave.

For hours and availability, click here. Remember to bring your photo ID.

Here is a sample ballot for the spring primary. Of course, I am running for re-election this spring, and I humbly ask for your support. You can learn more about my campaign here.

Requests for absentee ballots should be mailed to:

City of South Milwaukee – City Clerk
2424 15th Avenue
South Milwaukee, WI, 53172

The request must list the voter’s resident address, where the ballot should be mailed (if different), the election for which they are requesting the ballot, and must be signed by the voter. The last day to mail out absentee ballots by mail is Friday, Feb. 17.

Also, voters can register at the clerk’s office prior to the election date or at the polling place on Election Day. Voters should bring their Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID card when registering. If the information on your license does not list your current address, additional documentation with the current address will be needed to establish residency. A voter must have lived at their residence for at least 10 consecutive days prior to registering.

Remember, you must change your voter registration if you are new to the city, have changed residences within the city or if you had a legal name change.

More details on voting here.

The South Milwaukee Heritage Days Parade Committee is so passionate about what they do — ensuring that our city’s annual parade gets bigger and better every year.

It’s a year-round effort.

Help them accomplish their mission at their next fundraiser. Details below. I am told there is still room for a few more teams (as of Feb. 3).