Author Archives: Erik Brooks

I’m excited to see the energy behind this new Neighborhood Watch group, and I’m looking forward to seeing the neighborhood — and broader community — come together to make us safer.

I want to see more of these form in our community. Every neighborhood could benefit from a watch program.

Want to start a block watch? Learn more here.

In-person absentee voting for the August 9 partisan primary continues through this Friday, August 5.

Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 8 to 5 on Friday at City Hall, 2424 15th Ave.

Here is a sample ballot, which features Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, state Assembly and Milwaukee County district attorney.

You may only vote for candidates in one political party in the primary.

Learn more about voting on the city elections page.

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• Cudahy Land Sale Would Bring Hotel Development Near Mitchell Airport (Business Journal)
• Master Lock to Move HQ to Former Caterpillar Complex in Oak Creek (BizTimes)
• No Buyer Yet for Land Across I-94 from IKEA Site (BizTimes)
• Entrepreneur Berggren’s Real Business was “The Everyday Person” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Communities Throughout Southeast Wisconsin to Celebrate National Night Out (Fox 6)

From local Lions leaders …

On behalf of the South Milwaukee Lions Club Foundation and the South Milwaukee Lions Club, we would like to thank the Community for making another very successful Lions Fest. It was a great weekend for South Milwaukee. Both the Heritage Days Parade and the South Milwaukee Lions Fest make it a special weekend. Although the two events are run by two completely different groups of volunteers they combine to make the Weekend Special for South Milwaukee.

Because of your generosity the Lions can continue to do what they have done since 1937 in South Milwaukee. Last year the South Milwaukee Lions were able to donate over $30,000. They give for many different causes from Scholarships here at home, to Lions Camp where kids and adults with disabilities, such as sight, hearing loss and diabetes can enjoy a week of fun, to recycling eyeglasses to the really poor throughout the world. Last year the South Milwaukee Lions Club collected over 4,000 pair of glasses.

We need to acknowledge the many volunteers, both Lions and non-Lions for without their help this events would not happen.

Plan for next year, July 28, 29,and 30th, to wrap up Heritage week with another great Parade and Festival.

Thanks again South Milwaukee.

Dennis Ryan, President, South Milwaukee Lions Club Foundation

Richard Blaha, President, South Milwaukee Lions Club

From Moran’s Pub …

Gilbert Brown, accompanied by Tyrone Williams, will be raising funds on Sunday, August 7th, from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM for the Gilbert Brown Foundation (GBF). The GBF has helped over 144 children’s charities, and regularly holds free football and leadership camps for youth around Wisconsin. We are raising funds by selling 50-50 tickets, and “Deal or no deal” tickets that allow you to play in the game show with Gilbert and Tyrone, with all proceeds benefiting the GBF. Prizes range from Packer tickets, signed memorabilia to Azteca gift certificates.

Lots to love about this year’s South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center season series, and there is truly something for everyone.

I love how the PAC challenges us culturally as community — and it delivers again in 2016-17.

Check out a video season preview here … and the season schedule is below.

Get your tickets now!

The former Nomi Coffee didn’t stay vacant for long. And that’s great news for South Milwaukee.

Our newest South Milwaukee business, Taco Stop MKE, will officially open for business at 11 a.m. Saturday (tomorrow) at 513 N. Chicago Ave. It had a soft opening Friday — and judging from the crowd then, this will be a big hit.

Please join me in welcoming the new owners, the Agiss family, to our fair city. I’ve met them several times, and I’ve let impressed and excited about their plans for the space, which include a traditional Mexican menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner – with a focus on tacos, of course. They’ll add bar drinks like margaritas over time. The cool outdoor dining space added by the Nomi owners will also be a focus for the new owners.

The Agisses have a long history in the Mexican restaurant business, including at La Fuente, a top Mexican restaurant in Milwaukee.

Learn more and see regular updates on their Facebook page.

Gov. Scott Walker has ordered that U.S. and state flags be flown at half-staff to recognize the passing of former state legislator Richard Grobschmidt.

It’s a terrific honor, and very fitting for this community icon.

Thank you to Gov. Walker for deciding to do this, and to state Sen. Chris Larson for working with the governor’s office to make this happen.

You can see the order here.

Services for Rick are Friday morning. Please fly your own flag in honor of Rick.

Tributes to Richard Grobschmidt are pouring in, and rightfully so. From Tuesday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story, his online memorials, my mayoral Facebook page and other sources …

• Tamara Grobschmidt: “He had a way of understanding that there were people who didn’t have the same worldviews as he did. He just knew that it’s important to listen to the voices of all people.”
• Deborah Thatcher: “It was an honor to begin my teaching career right across the hall from Mr. Grobschmidt! He was a kind and warm gentleman who always made you feel welcomed! My condolences to his beloved family! I agree with every wonderful thing written in this article about his great character and about the fine human being that he was! It was a blessing to have known him!”
• Kris Wendt: “Rick co-authored the bill that created the Office of School Services at Wisconsin Historical Society in 1992 and worked with the Wisconsin Council on Local History and Wisconsin Library Association to assure passage. Thanks in part to his perseverance, young students of Wisconsin history and their teachers finally acquired their first new Wisconsin text book in 35 years and wonderful supporting resources. He was an outstanding champion of public and school libraries who will be remembered as a kind hearted and humble man. Sincere sympathy to his family. Thank you for sharing him with us.”
• Richard Thinnes: “He was probably one of the best teachers that I ever taught with. Like they say in the Music Man, ‘You gotta know your territory.’ And he knew his territory. … I never heard anything negative coming out of that man’s mouth. He just got along with everybody.”
• Mary Lou Keleher: “Rick Grobschmidt was a phenomenal State Representative. It was clear he was working for the best interests of the people of Wisconsin. When he moved on to DPI, it continued. He was a great contact to have at the agency! Rick was truly one of the good guys, and will be sorely missed.”
• Jeff Plale: “One of the things that he demonstrated to me early is that if you’re willing to share the credit, you can get just about anything done in politics. I learned a lot from that, and I tried to model my style of politics after that.”
• Wisconsin DPI Superintendent Tony Evers: “Wisconsin lost an ally for kids and families with the passing of Rick Grobschmidt. He served the state in many roles: as a teacher in South Milwaukee, as a Wisconsin State Representative and Senator, and as an Assistant State Superintendent at the Department of Public Instruction. He was principled in his beliefs, but always looked for ways to build common ground to better serve his constituents and our state. Rick touched many lives and was one of the kindest people I have ever met. I am glad to have called him a friend. My condolences to Barb, Rick’s family, and his many friends.”
• Democratic Party of Milwaukee County: “We are devastated to hear of the passing of Rick Grobschmidt. He was a tremendous advocate for Wisconsin families as a legislator and deputy state superintendent of public instruction. Rick represented the best of Milwaukee County Democrats and we extend our heartfelt condolences to Barb, Tammy, John, and the whole extended Grobschmidt family.”

Feel free to add your memories in the comments section.

Here is his formal obituary.

And you can read more condolences on the Molthen-Bell website. Rick touched so many lives.

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• Caterpillar Slashes Guidance, Announces More Job Cuts (Wall Street Journal)
• NOW Websites to Get New Look, Realignment (NOW)
• Charcoal Grill and Rotisserie Lights its Grill in Oak Creek on July 18 (NOW)
• Oak Creek Hangs Banners at Drexel Town Square in Honor of Local Military Heroes (NOW)
• Firefighters to the Rescue! Oak Creek FD Shares Photos of Ducklings Pulled from Sewer, Reunited with Mom (Fox 6)
• Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field Name Official Bacon: Patrick Cudahy (Business Journal)

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.

I was proud to join dozens of Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home team members in celebrating their 100th anniversary on Monday. It’s exciting to see longstanding, local businesses like this not only survive, but thrive, in South Milwaukee. Here’s to another 100 years!

Here is the proclamation I presented.

Masjid Al-Huda provided the following recap of its first-annual open house barbecue from Saturday … I’m glad to see turnout was strong.

Welcome again to South Milwaukee, Masjid Al-Huda!

The weather was forecasted to be extraordinarily hot and humid. But determined to proceed, the tents were pitched, the grill was fired up, and volunteers were in action.

We expected our neighbors to be kind, but we could never have expected the warm, enthusiastic, and generous welcome that our dear neighbors in South Milwaukee gave Masjid Al-Huda. From our immediate neighbors near the facility, to our friends in Blue, to our city officials- so many people came out to welcome us and show their support. One lovely neighbor stopped by just to say that she could not attend due to a family emergency but she did not want to miss the chance to welcome us.

While taking a tour through the building, guests were able to see the classrooms that have been refreshed for Masjid Al-Huda’s education programs and the newly renovated prayer area that now serves as the Mosque.

And then there were the stories! We were intrigued by all of the memories that our guests shared. One couple who visited us had been married in the church fifty-one years ago! We met many people who had attended the school, taught at the school, worked in the kitchen, helped with renovating the building- people involved in every area of life of this beautiful campus.

Smiles, hugs, and a few nostalgic tears were the order of the day. We made friends and we made plans. We at Masjid Al-Huda knew that we would love our new home and neighbors in South Milwaukee- with its proud past and promising future. It is such a blessing to know that the feeling is mutual!

From the Masjid Al-Huda Family

South Milwaukee has lost a dedicated community servant, public official, and educator  – one who has touched countless lives.

Richard Grobschmidt passed away on Saturday at the age 68.

Rick, son of longtime South Milwaukee Mayor Chester Grobschmidt, graduated from South Milwaukee High School in 1966. He returned to teach political science at the school before serving five terms in the state Assembly and parts of three terms in the state Senate, chairing both the Assembly and Senate education committees.

Rick left the Senate in 2003 after he was appointed assistant state superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction. He retired from the DPI in 2010.

“I find it is now time for me to say good-bye to my DPI family and spend more time with my South Milwaukee family,” he said at the time.

Rick’s South Milwaukee family will miss him. We lost a great man.

Services are planned for Friday at Divine Mercy Parish.

Did you know Rick? Please post your memories below.

From the market’s Facebook page …

TODAY’s SOUTH MILWAUKEE MARKET IS CANCELLED (July 21, 2016) DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FORECAST. We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but our vendor and public safety is paramount. Please Share this on your Facebook page to help us get the word out.

Vendors, if you have any questions or concerns, please call our market manager.

NEXT WEEK – July 28th EVENING ON THE AVENUE STREET FESTIVAL – we’ll be moving the market to Milwaukee Avenue for our City’s Largest Street Festival. Make plans to check it out.