Author Archives: Erik Brooks

I remember the conversation well.

It was in 2009, and I had barely announced I was running for alderman, when this guy I hardly knew came up to me at an event.

“Hey — do you want to start a farmers’ market?” he asked.

And that was my introduction to Jim Shelenske.

Of course, with Jim’s leadership and other committed volunteers, that idea came to life in the summer of 2009, and the rest is history (still being written in the market’s 11th season this year).

We say farewell to Jim on Friday, as he retires as city clerk and comptroller, a role he has had since 2010, after serving five years as a Third District alderman and 12 years on the Plan Commission.

He leaves an incredibly strong legacy of hard work, dedication, passion, creativity, innovation and commitment to community. His love for South Milwaukee in unmatched, and shows in all he does.

Jim wants to make this city a better place, and he acts on that in countless ways. From his official roles with the city to his work with the South Milwaukee Lions to just being a great man and selfless person, I have never seen a more involved community servant.

As an alderman, he took his responsibility as a representative seriously and was devoted to serving his constituents, and the city.

As clerk and comptroller, he has taken that role to new places, driving varied initiatives ranging from building new and improved communication platforms to leading the charge on a best-practice LED lighting rollout to improving how we vote to presenting a more user-friendly budget to expanding our Earth Day Cleanup — and countless other ways, big and small, in which he made the job uniquely his own. We are all better for it, and he will be missed.

But Jim is not going far. In many ways, he’s not going anywhere at all.

Knowing him as a colleague and friend, Jim will not rest (much) in his work to make South Milwaukee a better place. It’s not in his DNA.

In 2009, it was a farmers’ market. In 2010, it was Fresh Water Days, a crazy idea of his to turn the bursting of a water main and a citywide emergency into a way to help out local restaurants — an idea that worked.

There have been countless other examples since then.

But that’s Jim — someone always willing to try something new to improve the lives of South Milwaukeeans.

Good luck, Jim. Enjoy your retirement. Our city government, our city, is better for having you be a part of it. Today, we celebrate your contributions — and can’t wait to see what’s next.

From the South Milwaukee Little League …

One of the best traditions in South Milwaukee …

2019 Opening Day of South Milwaukee Little Leagues 65th Season!

Come early for Team pictures, enjoy the Parade starting at noon, then enjoy our Opening Ceremonies. Make sure you stay for a full slate of games on all (3) Diamonds.

This is a full day of fun for the whole family, don’t forget to tell your friends! Don’t worry about being there all day, we have a great Concession Stand for all your lunch, dinner, and in-game snack needs.

Don’t miss this great event in South Milwaukee!

One of my favorite parts of this tradition is the parade. This year, it starts at noon in the Zion Lutheran parking lot on Ninth and Michigan and makes it way south toward Little League Park, 700 Mackinac Ave., a shorter route than in years past.

Thanks to all of the individuals and community organizations who stepped up to make our 2019 Earth Cleanup a success!

Our Street Department reports we collected about 10 cubic yards of trash, including 90 TVs at the self-deposit station. While these numbers were down — not surprisingly, due to the inclement weather — this event continues to make a real difference for our community. Well done!

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Arbor Day was Friday, and there is a lot to celebrate when it comes tree planting in South Milwaukee. We’ve come a long way since 2014.

The headline: More than 800 trees have been planted in the city in approximately the past five years. That includes more than 550 Milwaukee County forestry officials say they have planted in and around Grant Park, and more than 250 the City of South Milwaukee has planted along our streets, with more to come this year. Add it up …

• It starts with Our Adopt a Tree program. We planted 100 trees through this program in 2017 and 2018, and we have about 15 of the 50 allotted trees for 2019 still available. Learn more and reserve your tree here, but you must act by this Tuesday, April 30.
• We’ve planted dozens more along major streets like 10th Avenue and Nicholson Avenue in the last few years, and dozens more are coming with the Milwaukee Avenue streetscaping upgrades.
• And we’ve partnered with South Milwaukee elementary schools to plant about 20 trees as part of our annual Arbor Day celebration, where our Street Department teams educate fourth-graders about trees and their impact, plant a tree outside of our local schools and send home kids with saplings. We’re bringing the program to E.W. Luther, Lakeview and Blakewood this week.

Of course, these plantings come as our work continues to remove hundreds of dead and dying ash trees — with more work to do. The county also continues in their work to combat EAB.

But we’re on the right path when it comes to replanting, and I pledge to continue to make this a priority for years to come. We have to.

We do this because trees have real value, and this is money well spent. We will continue to invest in this work … one tree at a time.

Two opportunities to step up and help beautify the city! Please organize your groups now, or just stop by and lend a hand.

Lunch will served on both days!

Here are some local headlines …

• House of Horrors: Sisters Describe House of Horrors as Brothers Charged with Years of Sibling Sexual Abuse (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) … also coverage from CBS 58, TMJ4 and Fox 6
• South Milwaukee Daughter Told to Pay Father’s Rent After His Death (TMJ4)
• Kylie Jenner Follows Just 125 People on Instagram, and One of Them is This Superfan From South Milwaukee (Journal Sentinel)
• Randall School Board Names New Administrator (Kenosha News)
• Puhl’s True Value in Wauwatosa Converting to Ace Hardware (Business Journal)
• In Tandem Theatre Will Close in May (Shepherd Express)
• Serial Walmart Shoplifter Has Hit the South Milwaukee Store Six Times, Police Say (NOW)

What a terrific way to celebrate our city and our most iconic attraction … thank you to Brian Morrison and Friends of Grant Park for bringing us these truly special events. Mark your calendars!

Check out the individual Facebook events here.

More wins than losses, over the course of years – that’s how we’re going to turn around downtown South Milwaukee, just as other communities have revitalized countless downtowns across the area, state and country.

It takes patience, dedication, hard work, creativity and a clear sense of self to make this work. And we’re delivering … one property, one activity, one event at a time.

Ready for a roundup?

Let’s start with some bittersweet news from the local dining scene: You may have heard Scrappy’s BBQ is closing this week. I say “bittersweet” because I know a key reason why Mike is doing this is because he needs to spend more time at his other successful, growing and local family business, Classic Cargo International. I wish him nothing but the best, and will sure miss his burnt ends. That property is for sale.

On to the good news, and there is a lot …

• Borak Entertainment. Much more to come on this, but Papa Luigi’s finally has a new user five years after the flooding damage to the building: Borak Entertainmen. This Latin dance nightclub has already hosted several events in the space, such as live bands and dance; free lessons on Thursday and Saturday dance nights; painting classes; and seasonal fashion shows. I met the new owner recently and left impressed with his plans to make this building a regional hub for Latin dancing and more, building on his existing work at The Wherehouse and other locations. Check out their Facebook page for more information on who they are and what they do — and I think you’ll see how much potential this has to bring new life to this historic building and our downtown.
• Bonnie Holly is back! Bonnie (aka Natalie Gajewski) was the co-owner of Revolution Hair Studio downtown before it closed last year, to be replaced by Black Sheep Tattoo. Well, Bonnie never left the business, and she’s opening Barbarella, a new brick-and-mortar studio at 915 Milwaukee Ave., next to Avenue Coffee. She replaces Mara’s Sewing House, which recently moved to 1233 Milwaukee Ave. Bonnie expects to open in May, and we’ll be celebrating her return as well.
• Aurora Healthcare’s plans for 900 Milwaukee are also progressing, as they look to bring 20 back-office employees downtown to its closed Lakeshore Medical Clinic space. They expect to be open this summer.
• There’s also a new CBD oil business planned, according to the Shepherd Express.
• Coming soon: A new downtown community garden! Growing South Milwaukee is hosting a formal unveiling of its garden space in the 1300 block of Milwaukee Avenue on May 26. Check out the Facebook event here. I’m told all plots are booked for this season, but there are still plenty of ways to get involved in this unique effort that combines urban revitalization and urban agriculture.
• Speaking of events … there are three big ones coming up downtown.
  • First, the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field is bringing back its Food Truck Sunday on May 19. Details here.
  • The South Milwaukee Downtown Market opens its 11^th season on Thursday, May 30, bringing dozens of vendors, live music and a palpable energy to our city center each week. This is a cornerstone of our downtown revitalization efforts.
  • And, of course, Crusherfest! Progress continues on the making of Da Crusher statute, and it’s on track to be in the ground at the farmers’ market site by June. The big unveiling party, Crusherfest, is set for June 8-9, and it promises to be among the most unique celebrations in the region, to go along with one the most unique attractions. Details here.

And there is one more piece of bittersweet news downtown.

The sweet part is that the law firm of Eberhardy & Eberhardy has moved from Cudahy to South Milwaukee, to 2211 10th Ave. I want to welcome Paul, Sara and their team to the city. It’s exciting to have this respected firm now call South Milwaukee home. More details to come on their official opening.

You may recognize the address, and that’s the bitter part – it’s the former Drenzek Chiropractic office. You may have heard that Dr. Kristin sold her business last year after being diagnosed with cancer. Well, I’m happy to report that Dr. Kristin’s cancer is in remission and she is starting a new career! She will be working side by side with her husband, Nick, in their new Charles Schwab branch office in Oak Creek’s Drexel Town Square.

Welcome to South Milwaukee, Dr. Weiss!

From the press release, released shortly after the decision made at Wednesday’s board meeting …

School Board President Carol Dufek is pleased to announce that Dr. Jeff Weiss was selected as the new Superintendent of the School District of South Milwaukee effective July 1, 2019. The School Board approved his appointment at the School Board meeting this evening.

The search process, beginning in January 2019, included a rigorous application and several interviews. Finalists completed an extensive interview process which involved staff, parents and a student, as well as several opportunities for the School Board to meet with candidates.

Dr. Weiss has been the Superintendent of Richmond School District in Sussex, Wisconsin, since 2013. He previously worked in the Racine Unified School District as Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Park High School Principal, and Supervisor of English/Language Arts. Previous to his time in Racine, Dr. Weiss was an English/reading teacher and specialist.

We believe that his educational experiences in different leadership positions will be helpful in leading the School District of South Milwaukee in the future as we continue to serve the educational needs of our students. By the timely completion of this search, a smooth leadership transition can occur for the 2019-20 school year to insure future educational stability for the students and staff in the School District of South Milwaukee.

Dr. Weiss obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside and his Masters of Education Degree at Carthage College. He continued his professional studies by earning certifications at Cardinal Stritch University and completed his Doctorate of Education degree at Cardinal Stritch University in 2017.

I look forward to building on the partnership between the city and school district, which only grew stronger under the leadership of outgoing Superintendent Rita Olson. Good luck in retirement, Dr. Olson!

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Honored to honor Richard Thinnes at Tuesday’s South Milwaukee Common Council. What a dedicated community volunteer, including more than 40 years in support of South Milwaukee Human Concerns.

Thanks for your service, Mr. Thinnes! You have touched many, many lives, and our city is better for your tireless work.

From the South Milwaukee Beautification Committee …

Bring your green thumb, celebrate spring, and join us in planting in the downtown! We are looking for volunteers to help us on Saturday May 11th to plant in the downtown planters, get the Veterans Memorial site prepared for Memorial Day and (time permitting) work on select city welcome signs.

Free lunch and beverages will also be served. Meet us at 9:00 a.m. at Tri-City Plaza on 10th and Milwaukee and work until we’re done!

All ages are welcome. Have a group interested in helping? That would be great! Email me at brooks@smwi.org. Or just show up.

A busy month starts April 26 with UNBOXED, featuring the Davis Boys & Girls Club Dancers, an original media/dance stage play about the power of individuality written and directed by Cedric Gardner.

Also, registration is coming up for South Milwaukee Youth Theatre, and the SMPAC’s Season Preview & Tasting Party is May 22.

And it’s awesome to see George Winston, one of my favorite musicians, making a return to South Milwaukee!

There are also Showcase Dance Studio (April 28) and Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy (May 18) planned.

Here is a full schedule. Details at the SMPAC website.

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Please join me at South Milwaukee’s event starting at 7 p.m. on May 2 at City Hall.

Thanks to Franciscan Villa for this collaboration!

The legislature’s Join Finance Committee held its only Milwaukee-area budget public hearing on Wednesday in Oak Creek.

And while I had to leave the packed event before I could present them in person, I shared these remarks with the committee. From them …

The first few months of divided government have further polarized a polarized state, and instead of lawmakers working to unite us, we get the opposite. I fear the budget process will be another example of that.

But I have hope.

I have hope that you, the Joint Finance Committee, your colleagues and the governor will ultimately put their partisan differences aside starting with the budget process … coming together around common sense ideas that move Wisconsin forward and improve the lives of the people who live here – the millions who call our cities, villages and towns home.

I represent 21,000 of those people. And I stand before you today asking for your help in making our jobs a little easier, for your help in making sure we can continue to deliver our services in the manner and at the level our residents have come to expect of us.

Police, fire, paramedics, public health, our library and senior center, garbage pickup, and, yes, snowplowing – even on an April day like this – we deliver these on the front lines of government every day. We are the government people see most often, and what they rely on most.

Levy limits make that job increasingly difficult.

You will hear a lot of suggestions today and throughout these hearings, so I will make mine short and sweet: Deliver common-sense levy limit reform in this budget.

Keep alive the proposals Governor Evers has put forth, especially the one to allow communities to increase their levy from the prior year by 2% or by net new construction, whichever is greater. That small change alone would impact millions of residents of this state for the better, as it will allow us to more adequately fund the services they need and use every day or week.

Here is South Milwaukee’s story, in summary …

For 11 straight years, our “net new construction” figure – used to calculate how much we can increase our base levy, our largest source of revenue – has measured less than 1%. For 2019, it was 0.3%, meaning we were only able to increase our levy by approximately $22,000. 

$22,000. On a $19 million budget. And it was worse in previous years.

This is not sustainable. Costs go up, and we’re not allowed to reflect that in our budgets because the state has hamstrung us on revenue. And what if we want to give our people a raise, or if we want to add services? What do we do then?

I’ll tell you one thing we can’t do: Cut fat. We did that long ago. Cuts now are cuts to people, and services. The days of Cadillac benefits are long gone too. We certainly seek ways to do things better through efficiencies and partnerships, but those only go so far.

South Milwaukee went to referendum in 2017, to ensure we can adequately fund our paramedic  program and add two new police officers. It passed 2-to-1. While that allowed us to increase our levy and helped solve that problem, this is no way to fund a government. “One-off” solutions like this don’t solve the problem.

You can help solve the problem, with levy limit reform.

And don’t do it for us. Do it for the hundreds of communities like us across the state, big and small, blue and red, urban and rural, rich and poor, in every legislative district, including yours.

There’s a lot of data here, but I’ll offer this point from the Wisconsin Policy Forum: “During 2012-16, only 62 of nearly 600 cities and villages averaged new construction rates of 2% per year or more, while 186 averaged 0.5% or less.”

186 at 0.5% or less. And for many like us, this has been the case for a decade. We are not alone in doing more with less, literally.

Please fix this in the next state budget.

I’m not asking for more shared revenue or other state aids, although there is a strong case for that as well. Others will make that case. Today, I’m simply asking you to give us the tools and funding flexibility we need to do our jobs at the local level.

Enact common sense levy limit reform and, in doing so, make a stand for local government and for local control — and for the residents we serve, your constituents.