The campaign filing deadline for spring 2020 candidates came and went on Tuesday, and here is who is running for what locally.
These races will appear on the April 7, 2020, ballot …
South Milwaukee Mayor: I will not have ballot opposition, as I seek a third three-year term leading the city. I am grateful for that, but also pledge to not stop working to deliver South Milwaukee’s promising future, together. Forward!
South Milwaukee School Board: Five candidates are vying for three spots: three incumbents (my wife, Sarah Brooks; John Haslam and Augie Vega) and challengers Crystal Champagne and Patrick Hintz.
Milwaukee County Board: Supervisor Steven Shea is also running unopposed, as he seeks his second two-year term.
There will be a contested primary on Tuesday, Feb. 18, for Milwaukee County executive. More details on that and other races here.
I’ll be posting more on the upcoming elections as they get closer. Thanks to everyone who has stepped up to run for public office!
Don’t forget about the Community Meals at First Congregational Church the third Thursday of each month … with the next one set for January 16. Skyline Catering will provide the meal, after more than 100 people attended the December meal (Knights of Columbus).
Thanks to First Congregational for hosting this community event, and to all of the partners for their work in preparing and serving. If you haven’t attended one of these yet, please do.
And save your appetite! If you’re in town Jan. 24-26, check these two meals out … I’ll save some lefse for you at the Meatball Supper!
Effective today, Jan. 3, the Self-Deposit Station, at 1106 Blake Ave, will be changing its user fees from a daily user fee to a per visit user fee.
The new user fee will be $3 per visit.
Making this change will help sustain the facility, a valuable service we are proud to provide, and will continue to.
The self-deposit station will likely never be self-sufficient, and that’s OK.
It costs us more than $175,000 to operate the facility each year, and we recover less than half of that cost through fees. We need to find ways to reasonably cover that expense in an era of rising costs and limited sources of city revenue, and I think this fee change is reasonable.
Remember, each home owner also receives a free special pickup each year.
Self Deposit Station winter hours (December 1-March 31) are …
Tuesday and Friday 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
CLOSED Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Get more details on the Street Department and self-deposit station here.
There is no official cutoff date for disposal of trees. However, we ask that trees are placed at the curb in a reasonable amount of time after the holiday season.
South Milwaukee will soon have an urgent care option.
Physicians Urgent Care — a non-affiliated group of physicians based in Rockford, Ill. — is bringing a 3,500 square-foot center to the Shops of Drexel Square at 3111 S. Chicago Avenue, adjacent to ALDI.
The center will be open daily, Monday-Friday 8 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8 to 4 p.m.
The South Milwaukee Plan Commission approved the development in August, and construction has begun. The clinic is expected to open in April.
Welcome to South Milwaukee!
From the Physicians Urgent Care website …
Physicians Urgent Care, also known as Physicians Immediate Care, is a Midwest leader in urgent care and occupational health services with over 40 locations in Illinois and Indiana. No appointments are required, and most clinics are open seven days a week, up to 12 hours a day, to treat non-life threatening illnesses and injuries. Our clinics are staffed by a doctor or advanced practice provider, under the supervision of a doctor, who provides quality, caring service, and effectively diagnoses and treats a variety of injuries and ailments. …
Physicians Urgent Care, also known as Physicians Immediate Care, was founded in early 1987 under the leadership of John J. Koehler, M.D., in Rockford, IL. Today the company is led by Stan Blaylock, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Koehler, Founder and Medical Director for Occupational Medicine. For more than 30 years, we’ve been dedicated to bringing affordable and convenient health care to the communities that we serve.
Thanks again to everyone who nominated a home this year — it was a tough choice! I’m proud to share the winners, chosen from nominations through our web form and Facebook, as well as homes we came across as South Milwaukee’s Happy Day Tours took us on our judging tour.
First, let’s start with last year’s winners, who were not eligible to win again in 2019. Check out all of these addresses on your lights tour, including the amazing Lights on Edgewood show.
Now on to the 2019 winners! Grouped by location (for easier driving) …
I’d also add the following honorable mentions, which scored highly among judges. In no particular order …
604 Walnut St.
1120 Park Ave.
513 Brookdale Court
1828 Kristin Lane
3310 15th Ave.
1313 Columbia Ave.
209 Laurel Lane
1626 Hickory St.
118 Lake Drive
1400 Drexel Blvd.
1406 17th Ave.
1409 Menomonee Ave.
1503 Fairview Ave.
621 Hawthorne Ave.
1201 Russet Lane
1915 17th Ave.
And I would add a special mayoral recognition for these two properties …
Be sure to add the Mill Pond warming house and Taco Stop on your holiday lights tour!
Again, congratulations to all of our winners … and I close with one ask: Be sure to nominate deserving addresses in 2020! I know there are some we missed because they were not nominated.
The United State Postal Service facility being built at the corners of College and Nicholson Avenues may now be twice as large as proposed earlier this year — and the agency still has not told the public anything about their plans.
A U.S. Postal Service facility coming to Oak Creek now includes an addition that would apparently replace the downtown Milwaukee postal center — opening up that massive building for redevelopment.
The revised plans for the agency’s Oak Creek project now call for a building, constructed in two phases, totaling 935,000 square feet.
The agency plans to develop the building on more than 60 acres it owns at 2201 E. College Ave., southeast of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
The first phase, a mail processing annex totaling 423,900 square feet, would replace an outdated Oak Creek facility at 7620 S. 10th St. The second phase, a processing and distribution center, would encompass 511,100 square feet, according to newly revised plans filed with the state Department of Natural Resources. …
The Postal Service has already started site preparation work for the first phase, Vickers said.That building is to be partly completed by November 2020, and fully finished by March 2021, according to city officials, who want more time to review those plans. The new documents filed with the DNR do not indicate a timetable for the second phase.
But they do show that the 935,000-square-foot building would be on one level.That would allow for the facility’s automated processing systems to operate more efficiently, the filing said.
The DNR filing is tied to the Postal Service seeking permission to fill some wetlands at the project site.
The Postal Service in 2008 received city permission for an 820,000-square-foot facility, which was to replace both the Oak Creek and downtown Milwaukee processing centers. But the agency didn’t proceed with those plans because of a lack of funding.
The agency believes the 2008 approvals are sufficient for the revised project. Oak Creek officials say those approvals have expired, and are demanding another public review.
We want to make sure your voices are heard on this project … and ours too. We as a city have plenty of questions — from concerns over traffic counts to landscaping — and we want answers. We demand them.
Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. The USPS should do the right thing. It’s unfortunate they need to be reminded of that.
I’ll keep you posted … and continue to work to make sure the U.S. Postal Service is held accountable.
Two grants totaling $2,600 will help the South Milwaukee Library introduce and engage the community’s elementary-grade students in STEAM fields – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.
Eaton Corporation, located in South Milwaukee, is the sponsor of the $1,700 Science Kits for Public Libraries grant which originates from the Milwaukee Chapter of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers.
A $900 grant, awarded from Sequence & Stories, will also involve young people in STEAM activities.
The grants will fund age-appropriate programming and hands-on equipment for young people to learn about STEAM areas with the goal of providing an early pathway into career exploration. In addition, the library’s programs will be shared at a later date with South Milwaukee schools and other Milwaukee County Public Libraries.
“This is an important public-private partnership that will benefit many young students and may even be the launching point for careers,” said Kathy Manning, South Milwaukee Library director.
Eaton Corporation officials will present their sponsored grant at the South Milwaukee Library in a brief ceremony December 12 at 4:30 p.m.
The 1st Installment of the 2019 Tax bill is due January 31, 2020. To view or print your tax bill, click here. You can pay taxes by E-Check, credit, or debit card through our service provider: Official Payments Corporation (a convenience fee will be charged.) See the Treasurer’s Office page for more information, or refer to the tax flyer you received with your bill.
And for more context on the city increase, and budget, click here.
Here is a full list, and here is what’s coming up, starting tomorrow …
And one important note: There are still some trees left to decorate for the Friday Festival! Email Karin Wierman at Wierman_Karin_A@cat.com to reserve one or three, and decorate them on Friday!
Friday, December 6
Festival of Trees. South Milwaukee Ace and Caterpillar bring back a bit of holiday magic to the site of the farmers’ market on 11th and Madison. The unveiling event is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 7, and features Santa, hot cocoa and candy canes. And bring your hats, mittens and scarves to donate to Human Concerns. The trees will remain up for viewing through Christmas.
Saturday, December 7
South Milwaukee Christmas Market.More than 100 vendors and live music, and meet Santa. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., South Milwaukee High School, 801 15th Ave.
Craft & Vendor Event.9 a.m.-3 p.m., Zion Lutheran School, 3600 S. Chicago Ave.
Las Posadas Christmas Party. 2-4 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Celebrate Mary and Joseph’s journey with games, refreshments, and a piñata. Visit Storytime Corner and make cards and coloring books with the elves. Follow along a Los Posadas pageant.
Sunday, December 8
Milwaukee Circle Choir, “The Song Heard Round the World.” A free concert at Sts. Peter and Paul Polish National Catholic Church, 1308 15th Ave. 3:30 p.m.
Monday, December 9
South Milwaukee Library Holiday Sweater Party.Bring your own sweater and make it ugly with our best/worst craft supplies! Anytime 4-7 p.m., while supplies last. Under 13 must have an adult assist. South Milwaukee Library.
Wednesday, December 11
Children’s Holiday Party. Treats, games, story time and crafts with a holiday theme for kids. 6-7 p.m., South Milwaukee Library.
Giving Tuesday is today, Dec. 3, and it reminds me that South Milwaukeeans always step up to help those in need — especially around Christmas.
Don’t know where to start? Here are opportunities to give back locally.
Of course, I always turn to South Milwaukee Human Concerns, and they are serving more people than ever. I’m told they can especially use personal hygiene products now, but please consider giving money, too. I know they can use it not only during the holiday season, but all year long. And why not give your time?
Also, take part in the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and DB Tax & Wealth Share the Gloves event, a very cool partnership that helps local businesses and residents at the same time. Details here.
Get behind the effort to start the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum. Details — and links to give — here.
“We serve.” That’s our motto as South Milwaukee Lions. They can use your support throughout the year, financial and in man and woman power, to in turn give back to local organizations in need. The impact they have is real.
The Rotary Club of Mitchell Field — serving five cities, including South Milwaukee, and Bay View — is also doing some great things, from serving Thanksgiving dinners to needy families to providing college scholarships to high school seniors, and much, much more (including leading our downtown food truck events).
Want to help the South Milwaukee Police Department? Support DARE. From Chief Jessup: “DARE is the largest, most recognized anti-drug and violence program in the world and is taught by specially trained police officers. Our officers go into the South Milwaukee elementary school classrooms to teach a series of one hour lessons designed to help young students cope with some serious risks. The topics include: learning the harmful effects of drugs, tobacco and alcohol, strategies for resisting peer pressure, and the damaging impact of bullying. Any donations to the program go toward classroom supplies and graduation certificates. If interested in donating, please contact Officer Jim McLean at mclean@smwi.org.”
You can also Stop the Bleed this holiday season. From Fire Chief Joseph Knitter: “The South Milwaukee Fire Department is accepting donations to support their Stop the Bleed Program, an initiative that will place bleeding control kits alongside the Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) in all municipal buildings throughout the city. Donations can be made directly to the SMFD in person at the firehouse or by mail to South Milwaukee Fire Department, 929 Marshall Court, South Milwaukee, WI 53172.”
The work of Da Crusher Foundation is not over. Support it as Crusherfest II takes shape, and they look to pay for ongoing maintenance to the statue, and site upgrades.
Want to support classroom and other projects in our terrific local schools? Start with South Milwaukee Legacy.
Or, get behind local athletes by donating to the local sports booster clubs, or give the gift of music by donating to help the South Milwaukee Music Parents, among other organizations.
And how about the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network? They are the nonprofit leading the public information efforts for the ongoing Oak Creek watershed restoration study, and will play a major role in bringing that plan to life by securing funding for and leading various watershed restoration projects.
Did I miss any? I’m sure I did. Send your favorite local charities along!
Also, the station (SDS) at 1106 Blake Ave. has officially switched over to their winter collection hours until March 31st. SDS will be open Tuesday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
And don’t forget that SDS continues to accept bagged leaves free of charge.
It’s Da Crusher, of course! Shot the night of Crusherfest, as we unveiled this statue to the world. Do you have a photo you’d like to share on the blog? Send it along.
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