Author Archives: Erik Brooks

Barring significant breaking news, I’ll be taking a few days off from the blog.

Thank you so much to all of my readers. I take open and honest communication seriously, and I am glad to offer this service.

The blog will return soon.

In the meantime, please like my mayoral Facebook page, where I more regularly post news updates and photos — often in real time, faster than I can write a blog post.

Talk to you soon!

One person was hurt following an Oak Creek Police chase that ended in a crash Monday in South Milwaukee.

Check out CBS 58 coverage here, and these other headlines …

• Newborn Puppies Found in Trash Can in South Milwaukee (CBS 58)
• St. Francis Brewing Co. Made Nearly $230,000 at Humboldt Park Beer Garden in 2015 (BizTimes.com)
• Oak Creek Police: 25-Year-Old Man in Cudahy After “Shots Fired” Call Near 13th and College (Fox 6)
• Renowned Painter Patrick Farrell Was Self-Made Man, Self-Taught Artist (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.

The work to restore the Oak Creek watershed begins now. April 12, to be exact.

That’s when the kickoff meeting for the Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Plan has been scheduled. It will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at South Milwaukee City Hall.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting — the first of at least six of these “stakeholder” meetings throughout this potential two two-and-a-half year process.

Your participation and input are welcomed to ensure this plan considers a range of perspectives, as the stakeholder group will assist Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission staff in development of the plan.

As I’ve written about numerous times, this is vital work for the long-term health of the watershed, and I’m proud to have helped drive it. According to SEWRPC …

The watershed restoration plan will provide a guide for addressing the water quality impairments that have been identified in the watershed, and it will include specific, targeted recommendations to address a set of focus issues related to conditions within the watershed. 

The Oak Creek plan is designed to maximize funding opportunities for plan implementation by addressing the nine elements of a watershed-based plan as identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

The following four major focus areas are being addressed by the watershed restoration plan:

• Water quality,
• Recreational access and use,
• Habitat conditions, and
• Targeted stormwater drainage and flooding issues.

In addition, the status of the Mill Pond and the associated dam located on Milwaukee County parkland within the City of South Milwaukee are being addressed considering their relationship to multiple focus issues.

SEWRPC has created a web page with more information on the project. Check it out.

Funding is coming from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Milwaukee County, the City of South Milwaukee and grant sources. In fact, the Fund for Lake Michigan announced just last week that it had awarded $25,000 for the effort.

So, lots of good momentum here. I can’t wait to get started. Nor can the watershed.

Interfaith’s South Shore Regional Neighborhood Outreach Program does so much good for so many people — more than ever, in fact. But don’t take my word for it.

I just received their annual report. Look at the numbers …

• The number of  clients receiving services increased by 40% from the previous year.
• 111 new clients were welcomed. 
• 41 new volunteers were recruited and trained. 
• 910 more rides were provided than last year, a 21% increase. 
• 897 more cards, food and gifts were delivered than last year, a 58% increase. 
• 107 more in-person or telephone visits were made than last year, a 7% increase.

South Shore Regional has more than 900 clients in southeast Milwaukee County. We serve older adults in Bay View, St. Francis, Cudahy, South Milwaukee, Oak Creek and southeast parts of Milwaukee.

• 78% of our clients are female.
• 56% of our clients live alone.
• 41% of our clients are 85 years of age or older.
• 61% of our clients have annual household income of less than $15,000.

Services Provided: In 2015, our volunteers put in nearly 14,000 hours of service for older adults in our community. With the generosity of our volunteers, we were able to provide:

• 5,233 rides to medical appointments, shopping and errands; 
• 2,456 greeting cards, food and gifts to our clients; 
• 1,668 in-person or telephone visits; and 
• 518 trips to the grocery store for clients. 

Download the entire annual report here. And thanks to this terrific South Milwaukee-based organization and all of its volunteers for making a real difference in our community.

Here is their website. Like them on Facebook, and get on their mailing list.

And here is how you can help …

• Give: Making a financial donation to South Shore Regional allows us to continue our program of providing rides and support to our clients, free of charge. We are committed to growing to meet the increasing needs of our older adults.
• Stamp Out Loneliness: South Shore Regional sends out hundreds of Birthday, Christmas and other greeting cards every year, letting our clients know that someone cares. Consider contributing stamps or making a donation for us to buy stamps.
• Volunteer: The beauty of our program is that we work with the volunteer’s schedule. We have openings for drivers, grocery shoppers, friendly visitors and more! Call us now to get more information and sign up – 414-762-1998.