Author Archives: Erik Brooks

Thanks to the Historical Society for all they do to keep the story of our proud past alive … and mark your calendars for the special events!

From the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors …

Milwaukee County is reaching a crisis point. For too long, Milwaukee County has been forced to delay necessary maintenance in our parks and facilities, and put off important investments in public infrastructure and popular cultural venues. In recent years, budget cuts have threatened public services that our neighbors depend on every day.

This is why Milwaukee County leaders have joined together with community leaders, advocates, and business leaders to propose a Fair Deal for Milwaukee County.

Everyone is invited to this town hall meeting at the Kelly Senior Center in Cudahy to learn more about the solutions Milwaukee County is proposing to protect public services and invest in our future.

Join County Supervisors Jason Haas, Steve Shea, and County Board Chairman Theodore Lipscomb, Sr. for this important conversation.

More info about the Fair Deal proposal is at milwaukee.gov/fairdeal

This is the first in a series of town halls to be hosted by Chairman Lipscomb and County Board Supervisors that will take place across Milwaukee County.

Pretty soon, there may be a little bit of you in bags of Milorganite — and we’ll be saving money because of it.

That is thanks to a new partnership with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, which will now be accepting solid waste from the South Milwaukee Wastewater Plant for use in making their slow-release nitrogen fertilizer.

The South Milwaukee City Council approved the agreement on Tuesday, and approval is still needed by the MMSD board.

Check out the agreement. We are always looking for win-win partnerships that help us become more efficient while delivering cost savings, and this is one of them.

By simply trucking our solids to MMSD instead of to area farms as far away as Washington and Fond du Lac Counties, we will save an estimated $60,000 per year. It also delivers environmental benefits, helping produce a fertilizer that MMSD calls “one of the nation’s oldest recycling efforts.”

There is also a broader win here — a continued strong partnership with MMSD. I am proud of the relationship we’ve built in recent years, starting with their partnership on the Oak Creek Watershed restoration plan and now this. We’ll be looking at additional partnerships in the future.

As we state in the agreement …

In a spirit of cooperation and in an effort to reduce the burden on respective rate-payers while improving the level of service to customers, the parties are constantly exploring partnerships and opportunities for shared services.

Amen to that, and we’re not done yet.

Check out these South Milwaukee headlines …

• Closed Wisconsin Crossing Guard Contractor Owed More Than $90,000 in Unemployment Taxes, Records Show (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Water Rates in South Milwaukee Could be Going up by Almost 40 Percent. Here’s Why. (NOW)
• “Crusherfest” Coming to South Milwaukee (OnMilwaukee.com)
• Moran’s Pub Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day Like no Other (Milwaukee Record)
• The Hot Ham and Rolls are Outstanding at Milwaukee Sausage (Journal Sentinel)
• Three Cousins Turned an Idea for a Souvenir Milwaukee Map into a South Milwaukee Business (NOW)

By now, you may have heard the company we rely upon to provide school crossing guards has been put out of business, leaving us high and dry.

And we’re not alone.

The South Milwaukee Police Department is working hard to lessen the impact of this, and until we find a long-term solution it’s “all hands on deck” to keep our kids safe.

From the police department Facebook page …

We have been able to find secure staff for some of the crossing locations with the temporary hire of guards that were previously working these posts and a new hire. We are also continuing to cover some posts with help from a volunteer, other City employees and Police department personnel, when possible. If anyone is interested in a crossing guard position please contact Captain Jill Kallay at the South Milwaukee Police Department for information and details. We continue to ask that drivers use caution and be watchful in crossing locations.

Here was Sunday’s SMPD post …

The company that staffs crossing guards for the City of South Milwaukee is experiencing some issues and this may result in not having crossing guards at the normal locations. The City and school district are working together to find new crossing guards. While this is being pursued, please remind your children to use caution during walks to and from school. We will have police officers and other city or school district employees assisting in these duties but we ask all drivers to be watchful for children at crosswalks. As the City of South Milwaukee takes steps to resolve this issue, we ask all drivers to be watchful and use extra caution.

I’ll be volunteering at 15th and Lakeview each morning this week. Stop by and say hello, and stay safe, South Milwaukee!

If you want to find me, I’ll be volunteering as a crossing guard at 15th and Lakeview, pinch hitting through Monday as we join a number of other communities in dealing with the ceasing of operations of our provider.

Stay safe, South Milwaukee!

South Milwaukee’s incredible religious diversity is a strength. Now imagine what our local houses of worship could do as partners!

Bringing together our congregations to make them stronger, and uniting their members around common problems, to deliver joint solutions: That’s the idea behind our first-ever Faith Leaders Breakfast held earlier this month at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ.

All were invited. Seven congregations were represented. We’re hoping for even more at our next one, and there will be a next one.

This idea got its start with a conversation I had with local resident Ann Fooks years ago at a National Day of Prayer event. She suggested this would be good for South Milwaukee, and that much became clear as we left our first meeting.

We spent a lot of time simply getting to know each other — this is especially good timing because a number of local congregations have either brought in new leaders recently, or are in the process of leadership changes — and hearing about our local congregations.

We also started the discussion on challenges we face as a community. From homelessness and hunger to the opiate crisis and a reduction of services available to our seniors with the recent Interfaith closure, we certainly face our share of problems. But I’m convinced this group will step up — with the power of their congregations behind them — to help us overcome those.

At the very least, there are opportunities for jointly promoting community activities and events our churches already do — such as the third-Thursday meals offered at First Congregational — and perhaps drive education about the wide variety of religions being practiced in South Milwaukee.

Indeed, there is a huge value in simply talking to each other, demystifying what is happening in that church down the block or the mosque across town. In doing so, we realize we are more alike than different, and stronger together than apart.

Friday’s tragedy in New Zealand brought home this point to me. We need less hate and senseless violence everywhere, and that includes South Milwaukee. We need more positive relationships and unity.

I am hopeful this work will yield those, over time. We’re off to a good start.

I love this unique real-world learning opportunity from the South Milwaukee School District. And they need your help!

From Chris Daniels, work-based learning coordinator for the district and youth apprenticeship coordinator for the South Shore Suburban Consortium …

South Milwaukee High School will be hosting an Academic and Career Planning day for juniors and seniors on Tuesday, April 9.  Part of the day will focus on a “Reality Check” event where every junior at SMHS will be introduced to real life financial scenarios to enhance their financial literacy and prepare for life after high school.  Using an app on a smart phone or tablet, students will move around the field house to nine different stations where volunteers will present various scenarios such as car payments, rent, entertainment, health expenses, etc.

20 more volunteers are still needed to make this event possible.  Volunteers should plan to arrive at 7:15 for a continental breakfast and training about their roles for the event.  No advanced preparation is required, just a willingness to work with students and help them on their pathways.  The event will conclude at 11:00.

If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please e-mail Chris Daniels or call him at 414-766-5140.

Also during the morning and afternoon of April 9, the high school will be hosting a career and college fair for juniors and seniors where businesses, trades, and colleges can meet with students to talk about job openings, as well as career and education opportunities.  If you are interested in learning more about the event and possibly participating, please click on this link for more detailed information and to sign up.

Thank you for your support of our students!

From the statue foundation …

The organizers of Da Crusher Statue effort have decided that a proper celebration is necessary to coincide with the statue unveiling. “Crusherfest” is a two day festival that will take place at 1101 Milwaukee Avenue in the City of South Milwaukee. Crusherfest will help kick off Wisconsin’s festival season with typical fare: live bands, great food (including fried turkeynecks) and cold beer. In addition to the Crusher statue unveiling, there will be a unique focus on professional wrestling including a chance to meet wrestling legends and hall of famers, live wrestling shows, and a chance to view historic wrestling memorabilia from the Crusher’s era.

Lots happening at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center this month! Check out the full calendar here, including information on these events …

• March 15-19: South Milwaukee High School Theatre Company presents “Singin’ in the Rain.”
• Friday, March 22: South Milwaukee Lions present Daryl Stuermer.
• Saturday, March 23: The SMPAC presents “Bet on the Arts! Game Night,” their annual fundraiser.
• Saturday, March 30: St. Matthew’s presents John McGivern in “One Night of Stories.”

It’s another terrific lineup for community attraction. Support the local arts!

From my previous post on this …

The South Milwaukee Health Department is partnering with Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee and Oak Creek filmmaker Aaron Johnson to host a suicide prevention and awareness event on March 14 at City Hall.

The event begins at 6 p.m. From the Facebook event page …

Learn to recognize the risk factors and warning signs associated with suicidal thoughts and how to offer hope and help with QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Training. Also view the award winning documentary, “Hoan Alone,” which was created by Milwaukee’s own Aaron Johnson. QPR is for anyone who wants to know more about keeping loved ones from dying by suicide.

The event includes the South Milwaukee debut of Johnson’s short film, which has already been recognized at dozens of film festivals. It tells the stories of families and first responders impacted by those who took their own lives jumping from the iconic Milwaukee bridge.

Check out a trailer here.

Thank you to our health department for leading the dialog and planning this event. South Milwaukee is blessed to have such a dedicated group of professionals focused on public health issues like this.

And congratulations to Aaron, who attends Trinity Lutheran Church in South Milwaukee. His film is deserving of all the accolades it is receiving. See for yourself on March 14.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

The South Milwaukee Police Department is asking that citizens be alert for a child enticement suspect who approached an eleven-year-old girl this afternoon. The incident occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m., in the 600 block of Pine St.

The man, described as a 40 year old white male with short black hair and a salt and pepper beard, was driving a grey Chevy four door sedan with tinted windows, a large dent in the passenger side door, and a black cross-shaped sticker on the trunk. The vehicle did not have license plates on at the time.

He drove up to the child and told her that he was sent by her mother to pick her up. When the child questioned that, the suspect drove off.

The Police Department has increased their patrols in the area as a result of this. Citizens are asked to be vigilant and call the South Milwaukee Police Department at 414-768-8060 if they have information.

Think warm thoughts, South Milwaukee — like summer days, and nights, of burgers, custard, beer, live music and volleyball at Grant Park Beach.

It promises to be another great summer at this everyday-less-hidden gem.

First, Volley Life opened registration for their volleyball leagues last week. Sign up here. The season starts May 29.

I also connected with the owners of Ferch’s Beachside this week, and Betty confirmed they plan on opening for the summer around May 24, ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Details here.

Add in the Traveling Beer Garden, which returns June 19-July 7, and there is lots to celebrate at Grant Park at these days.

The South Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday voted 7-1 to endorse the project plans and advertise for bids on a four-block streetscaping enhancement project for Milwaukee Avenue.

It’s a significant and exciting step in a multi-year effort to bring a potentially $1.8 million investment to our Main Street and help deliver a new look and feel to our city center. Next up for the council will be discussion of bids as they come in, and ultimately a vote to fund the project, which is expected to start in August, after Evening on the Avenue.

Learn more in the information shared ahead of last week’s public information meeting on the project, and in this NOW story.

I want to thank the approximately 30 people who attended last week’s meeting. It was nice to see so many people engaged in this important decision, offering their feedback and asking questions.

And a special thanks to City Engineer Kyle Vandercar for his efforts in getting this so close to the finish — starting? — line.

Much more information to come, as we continue our work to transform downtown South Milwaukee. Let’s go!