Author Archives: Erik Brooks

Thursday, I had the honor of welcoming the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Association to South Milwaukee, as more than 100 wastewater professionals gathered at the Knights of Columbus for their meeting.

My topic: All the investments we’re making in fresh water in South Milwaukee.

As I said, “Water is our heritage. It’s in our DNA as a city, and we have a responsibility to make sure we’re protecting that resource for our residents today, and preserving it for the future. This is our legacy we’re talking about, and we’ll be judged based on how we care for this most important of resources. … As mayor of this city, I need to make sure we’re investing in fresh water for the long term, investing in sustainable solutions that will leave future generations proud of what we have done.”

And we are, led by the work of our wastewater and water utility workers. In the image with this post, I’m standing next to Andy Bakalarski and Ben Huffman from our Wastewater Treatment Facility, and Doug Fischer, from our South Milwaukee Water Utility. We couldn’t deliver the level of service we do without the work of their teams.

Here are my full remarks.

Congratulations to all of the South Milwaukee athletes who will continue to compete in college.

On Wednesday, three South Milwaukee football players announced intentions their as part of national signing day.

• Nick Honerlaw: North Dakota
• Jake Simuncak: Wisconsin-La Crosse
• Ethan Ortiz: Wisconsin Lutheran

Also, Maddie Wood has signed a letter of intent to run cross-country at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Maddie Veres will play softball at Loyola University in Chicago.

More exciting news for Grant Park: The Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden is returning to South Milwaukee and the Brown Pavilion from June 14 to July 9.

The county made the announcement today. See the full schedule here.

The Beer Garden 5K Series is also returning for 2017, with an event set for July 6 at Grant Park.

Thanks to the Milwaukee County Parks, County Executive Chris Abele and Supervisor David Sartori for keeping this tradition alive — and, judging from the attendance at Grant Park the past few years, I’m not the only fan of the beer gardens.

More details on all the parks beer gardens here … http://county.milwaukee.gov/Parks/BeerGardens

Caterpillar announced its fourth-quarter and year-end earnings on Monday.

Here is a Reuters story. From it …

“While we see signs of positive activity in some of our key end markets, the overall economic environment remains challenging,” Chief Executive Jim Umpleby said in a statement on Thursday.

Caterpillar cut 12,300 jobs in 2016, including 7,700 in the United States. It said it was considering closing two more major production facilities, including one in Aurora, Illinois.

The company said a glut of used construction equipment in North America would continue to hurt sales in 2017, while sales in Africa and the Middle East would remain soft due to the regions’ reliance on oil revenue. Low traffic volume in its rail business and a significant number of idle locomotives were weighing on its transportation business, while weakness in shipbuilding would hurt marine-related sales, the company said.

The company’s loss ballooned to $1.17 billion, or $2.00 per share, in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, from $94 million, or 16 cents per share, a year earlier.

But the company posted an adjusted fourth-quarter profit of 83 cents per share, which excludes $1.019 billion in restructuring costs as well as other charges. That topped analysts’ average estimate of 66 cents.

Here is Chicago Tribune coverage.

On Tuesday, Cat also announced its plans to move its global headquarters from Peoria to the Chicago area. Here is a Chicago Tribune story. From it …

Since 2012, about two-thirds of Caterpillar’s sales have come from outside the United States.

“Locating our headquarters closer to a global transportation hub, such as Chicago, means we can meet with our global customers, dealers and employees more easily and frequently,” he said.

“A limited number” of senior executives will move into leased office space beginning this year, and, eventually, Caterpillar expects about 300 workers to be based in the Chicago area, including some positions moved from Peoria.

Caterpillar spokeswoman Rachel Potts said the company hasn’t yet decided whether the new headquarters will be in the city of Chicago or in the suburbs. She also said that Caterpillar hasn’t yet had any discussions with government leaders about incentives.

“We’ll see where the site selection takes us,” she said when asked about incentives.

Here is the Cat press release on the HQ move.

From the South Milwaukee Library …

February is Love your Library Month

Announcing a Fine Forgiveness Program

February 1 – February 28, 2017

 If you’ve been avoiding the Library because of fines and overdue items, now is the time to come back.  During February, visit the South Milwaukee Public Library and speak with a staff member. Fines and fees will be forgiven for anyone who returns an overdue book, DVD, or other item owned by the South Milwaukee Public Library.  All fees will be waived for each overdue South Milwaukee item returned.   If you have overdue items, but can no longer find them, the library will waive fees up to $50.00.  For those with larger fines and fees, Library management will be available to discuss other options.

Exclusions to this program:

• Items placed in the book drop are not eligible.
• Fees will not be waived via phone or email.  You must visit the library.
• Fines and fees previously paid are not refundable.
• Fine forgiveness does not apply to items owned by other libraries within the Milwaukee County Federated Library System.  Only materials owned by the South Milwaukee Public Library are eligible.
• Accounts which have been issued a municipal citation are not eligible.

For further information, contact the South Milwaukee Public Library, 414-768-8195. To participate, please visit the library, 1907 10^th Avenue, South Milwaukee.

There have been several burglaries to local businesses in the last couple of weeks.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department and Nextdoor …

In the past week South Milwaukee has had 2 burglaries to local businesses. The first occurred on 1/21/17 at 3:59am at the Citgo “You Pump” Gas station on 10th Ave & Manitoba Ave. The second occurred last night (1/25/17) at 2:39am at Marquette Liquor in the 1100blk of Marquette Ave. Both incidents were done by the same crew of 3 males. The males appear to be in their 20’s, unknown race at this time. Video shows this group makes entry through breaking windows on the businesses. Large quantities of cigarettes and liquor were taken during these two incidents. It is believed that this same group is responsible for a number of these burglaries in southeastern WI. These 3 males are organized and efficient, and most likely will keep doing these burglaries until they are caught.
The SMPD urges you to call if you see anything suspicious in you neighborhoods. You are our eyes and ears out there, and anything could break these cases wide open. The SMPD is actively following leads in both cases. I will update if and when arrests are made. … 

The Aurora Pharmacy, 2414 10th Ave, was burglarized on 1/29/17 sometime between 3:45am and 4:15am. The SMPD is currently investigating several leads in this case. That is all we can disclose at this time.

Want to stay on top of local crime? Sign up for the police crime alert email service (email Officer Michael Hill here), or join Nextdoor. The department has really stepped up its communications efforts, and these are two valuable tools available to residents.

Join the South Milwaukee School District for Family Literacy Night on Friday, Feb. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., at South Milwaukee High School.

Here are just a few of the scheduled events:

• Presentations by author Shelley Pearsall and illustrator Jeremy Provost;
• Musical performances by SM string students, Delta V, and Pop Rockets;
• Featured student writing and read alouds;
• Scavenger hunt;
• Tours of the Fab Lab
• Book giveaway; and
• Various sessions (see the flyer).

I offer my thanks to everyone who had a hand in planning and executing Monday’s Addiction Information Resource Fair.

The South Milwaukee Unite Against Drug Abuse Coalition — led by our Health and Police Departments — put on a great event that made a made a real difference for the more than 100 people who attended.

The remarks from Dustin, a former South Milwaukee student and recovering opioid and heroin addict, were inspirational, and the information presented by the Medical Society of Milwaukee’s Dr. Michael McNett and South Milwaukee Police Department Inv. Jon Rivamonte was both shocking and informative.

You can see Dr. McNett’s presentation here. Here is Inv. Rivamonte’s.

I also want to thank the organizations who presented at the fair itself. It’s heartening to see so many resources available for substance abuse victims — so much support from people who have been through it themselves, or have seen a family member ravaged by this illness.

This is such an important issue, and I’m proud to say the city and its partners are leading the fight against substance abuse and opioid addiction. As the father of two young kids, scared as hell we will find ourselves in this situation one day, I’m proud to stand with them as we keep up the fight. This is just the beginning.

Update: Official grand opening, with music, on Sunday, Jan. 29. More here. 

You can add Jamaican fare to our growing list of restaurant options.

Jeffrey Lewis has now opened Island Jam in the former Hickory Inn, 2703 S. Chicago Ave.

The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. daily, and will serve the traditional food Jeffrey enjoyed in his home country of Jamaica before coming to the U.S. in 1999.

His favorite: his curry goat. But the chicken, fish, and ox-tail aren’t bad either.

Jeffrey is no stranger to the restaurant business — and great food. His family operates and he had been working at Uppa Yard, a Jamaican restaurant on Milwaukee’s North Side that has gained an impressive four stars on Yelp.

Take this review from the other day: “I’m eating and speechless now. Will give a review later. First time here and honestly the best place we have been to since living here… We have found our new spot.”

Let’s hope for more reviews like this in South Milwaukee, too.

Please join me in welcoming Jeffrey, and be sure to stop by and try them out — while also celebrating all of our terrific local restaurants, new and old.

Eat local. Cow feet, anyone?

I often say our downtown revitalization will happen, and is happening, one building, one business, one building owner at a time.

And this is a really good one.

I had the chance to stop by Styled Aesthetic this morning for a personal tour of their newly renovated store room and work space, and it’s terrific.

Congratulations to Steve, Kyle and their team (they have seven employees now) for their work in giving a facelift to the Rockets Shop and their screen printing business at 918 Milwaukee Ave. We’re blessed to have young entrepreneurs like this in our city — and, in Steve’s case, also an auto racer, team manager and Indy 500 spotter.

(Ask him about his racing career next time you stop in.)

Also, I want to give a shoutout to building owner Steve Fenno. With the investments continues to make in this building and Jen’s Sweet Treats across the street, he is more than doing his part to bring South Milwaukee’s city center back to life. Thanks, Steve.

Learn more about Styled Aesthetic on their website and Facebook page. 

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• High School Students Learn by Creating at South Milwaukee “Fab Lab” (WUWM)
• South Milwaukee’s Art Center Earns High Honor (NOW)
• Caterpillar Considers Moving Portion of Company (NOW)
• Data Suggest Millennials are Falling Behind Baby Boomers (Associated Press)
• Mother, Son Arrested in School Parking Lot Road Rage Incident (Fox 6)
• Polar Bear 5K Ends with Polar Plunge in South Milwaukee (Fox 6)

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.

New Day Church is moving down the block, and into South Milwaukee.

The small church, a Converge ministry congregation with 60-70 regular attendees, has begun worshiping at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings at Wil-o-Way Grant after moving from the YIM facility in Cudahy (the former YMCA).

I had a chance to meet Pastor Neal last week, and I left impressed with their commitment to make South Milwaukee a better place by bringing their mission to life: to serve Christ as His ambassadors to our community.

Learn more here.

Please join me in welcoming New Day and their members to South Milwaukee — and thank them for adding to our already rich religious diversity as a city.

A community in Nicaragua is getting a “retiring” South Milwaukee ambulance thanks to the efforts of Alderwoman Lisa Pieper and dozens of other donors.

You will recall that, in February, the South Milwaukee City Council voted to purchase a new ambulance as part of its regular rotation of vehicles.

That left one vehicle – in this case, a 2001 model with approximately 80,000 of miles on it, the last van-style ambulance in our department — to be “retired.” Typically that means we’d send it to auction, and maybe get $5,000 for it. But Lisa had a better idea.

She wanted to send the ambulance to a country that needs it.

That’s why Lisa raised funds to reimburse the city for the fair market value of the ambulance, title transferring and any related shipping costs.

She recently met her goal, thanks to a donation from the South Milwaukee Lions Club, Jen’s Sweet Treats and many others who stepped up for this great cause.

Thanks to everyone who donated, and to Lisa for driving this, putting a piece of South Milwaukee in the hands of the less fortunate.

On Jan. 27, it’s meatballs at Trinity Lutheran Church. On Jan. 28, it’s spaghetti to support the Heritage Days Parade.

Mark your calendars now, and join me in support of my church and a great local event.

And then why not enjoy some wrestling on that full stomach?