Author Archives: Erik Brooks

The South Milwaukee Lions and one of its proudest former members — along with a flower-powered, locally inspired convertible — will be front and center during Tuesday’s Pasadena Tournament of Roses Rose Parade.

And there is a celebration to go along with it.

The parade will be broadcast starting at 10 a.m. on Jan. 1 on ABC, and you can check it out at a parade viewing party at The Tap Room, 1301 Milwaukee Ave. From the Facebook event posting …

Come watch the Rose Bowl Parade, support a fantastic cause and celebrate the life of Karla Harris …The Tap Room will be donating 15% of our daily sales to the South Milwaukee Lions club in Karla Harris name. For those of you who didn’t know Karla here is just a little about her and her story. 

Karla Harris, from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was elected to serve a two-year term as an International director of Lions Clubs. She was on trend to become the next female president of Lions Club International. She was a member of the South Milwaukee Lions Club since 2002, she has held many offices within the association, including club president, district governor, council chairperson, Multiple District Centennial Coordinator and Leadership Institute faculty member, etc. She was also a leader within her own community. As president of the South Milwaukee Police and Fire Commission. As executive director of the South Milwaukee Community Center. As volunteer coordinator for the American Red Cross and Women’s Center. As a member of the boards of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, Wisconsin Make-a-Wish, the UW-Milwaukee School of Education, AFS International, and many others. She was honored by the White House as a “Champion of Change” for her work to raise awareness for the visually impaired and helping to create the Lions “Rockin’ the Vest” Rap Video.

Karla had the idea to produce a rap video to help bring in new members, little did she know this video would later be translated into 33 different languages around the world. This rap film was created right here in South Milwaukee, with local Leos, Lioness and Lions from all around the state. The “Rockin’ the Vest” theme will be carried out in her honor for this year’s 2019 Lions Club International float in the Parade Of Roses. Lion Clarence, Lion Claren and Lion Casey will be riding on the float in her honor.

Karla Harris lost her battle with cancer at the young age of 62. However, her legacy will live on for many years to come.

Learn more in the press release.

Here is what the media are covering in South Milwaukee this week …

• This South Milwaukee Children’s Author Couldn’t Find a Lot of Books About Minorities. So She Wrote Her Own. (MJS)
• Homeless Sex Offender Released in South Milwaukee Sparks Social-Media Concerns (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• How a South Milwaukee Teacher Went From the Classroom to Taking Over a Restaurant in Less Than 2 Years (MJS)
• 12 Plays, Musicals and Concerts to See in January in Milwaukee (MJS)
• Caterpillar Aims to Please (Canadian Mining Journal)

Also, the South Milwaukee Police Department has published a new crime summary. Check it out on its Facebook page.

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Update: The South Milwaukee Police Department is investigating the fire “because of suspicious circumstances.”

From the South Milwaukee Fire Department … please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers on Christmas Eve.

At approx. 4:15am this morning, SMFD and SMPD responded to a 9-1-1 report of a garage fire in the 600 block of Elm Avenue. Arriving units discovered a well involved detached garage with fire extending to the nearby single-family house. The fire was extinguished with the help of our mutual aid partners. The garage and the vehicle inside are a total loss. The house received moderate damage to the rear exterior wall, mostly from direct flame impingement and radiant heat. No injuries were reported. Investigators are currently looking into the cause.

Good news from the South Milwaukee Police Department …

The Milwaukee Police Department and the SMPD have arrested the person that we believe to be responsible for the recent robbery at the South Milwaukee Associated Bank! This subject is also believed to be responsible for a recent bank robbery in the City of St. Francis and an attempted bank robbery in Milwaukee. Charges have been presented to the Milwaukee County DA’s Office.

More wins than losses: That’s what we are trying to drive when it comes the redevelopment of South Milwaukee.

And we’re seeing that, especially downtown.

Let’s take a quick tour, west to east, with more details to come on all of these in coming days, weeks and months … 

• 1234 Milwaukee Ave. Please join me in welcoming our newest downtown business, Neutral Ground Martial Arts & Fitness! This is the third Milwaukee-area location for this martial arts studio, which also has locations in Bay View and on the East Side. From their website: “Open since 2005, we believe in a ‘safety first’ approach to the martial arts, in a laid back and playful environment that nurtures learning and camaraderie. We look after each other, building up the newbie from their first day onward. With our eclectic mix of instructors and training partners, we’re proud to share our mats with all walks of life, and our diversity contributes greatly to our individual and group mastery of the arts.”  Their focus is on Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It’s a great get for South Milwaukee, as Jon Friedland brings his well-established business with a regional draw into our city center. Plan on attending their opening on Saturday, Jan. 5. Here is their Facebook page. 
• Jogging south down 12th Avenue, there is David’s 4-Speeds. This a really cool muscle car transmission business that is moving from Milwaukee to a renovated space that is part of the former Line Material property, 2205 12th Ave. They are working toward their occupancy now. 
• Back on Milwaukee Avenue, here’s a quick shoutout to the runaway success that is Milwaukee Sausage Co., 1200 Milwaukee Ave. They recently were named the official hot dog and sausage partner of the Milwaukee Milkmen, the new professional baseball team headed to Routine Field in Franklin. More details here. 
• Continuing past the soon-to-be-new-home for Da Crusher statue, Black Sheep Tattoo will replace Revolution Hair Studio, 1017 Milwaukee Ave. The city council approved their conditional use permit on Tuesday after initially denying due to a previously suggested name. I look forward to officially welcoming the Zollers to this terrific space. 
• Turning south on 10th Avenue, the former Grebe’s/Nona’s Cafe/Grillworks at 2206 10th Ave. is getting new life, as Annette Hall is working hard to open a Southern/Cajun restaurant in early 2019. I met her recently and left impressed with her plans for the space. I can taste the fried chicken, catfish, mac and cheese and greens already!
• At 10th and Marquette, the dilapidated gas station is now fully razed. It is addition by subtraction, as that property eventually goes up for sale and is redeveloped. This should be a valuable parcel on a high-traffic corner of our city, a gateway to downtown. 
• Back on Main Street, Gecko Leatherworks continues its growth and is now getting a Milwaukee Avenue storefront! The leather shop will soon take half the space currently used by Serendipitous Designs & Gifts, 907 Milwaukee Ave., as Jamie right-sizes her business for future growth. A win-win, as we now get two local artist shops for the price of one. 
• Down the block, new life is coming to the former clinic at 902 Milwaukee Ave., as Aurora Health Care is planning to bring more than 20 office employees to the space. Lots more to come on this exciting development that will surely boost downtown businesses. 

All of this is happening as significant progress is made on the redevelopment of the former Bucyrus campus, with the new owners, Reich Brothers, continuing to advance their campus subdivision and master plans, and their lease buyout negotiations with Caterpillar. The latter is critical because, once complete, Reich will have true control of the campus. 

And our streetscaping plans are progressing. The Public Works & Public Property Committee met several times in the fourth quarter to advance the plan toward a final design. Final council consideration is expected in February, with plans for an August start.

More wins than losses, over months and years — this is how we’ll get things done in downtown South Milwaukee. Let’s go!

Another terrific show coming to the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, to benefit a terrific local organization.

From the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field …

HIVE, a group of five fierce and very different vocalists who make music and sound effects solely with their voices, are headlining Milwaukappella, Jan. 19, 2019, at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center www.southmilwaukeepac.org.

HIVE’s 7:30 p.m. performance opens with students who will have attended classes in a daylong workshop at South Milwaukee High School conducted by veteran vocal teachers and HIVE musicians.Formed in August 2017, HIVE has released singles and music videos which can be found on all streaming platforms. HIVE also has exclusive numbers on Patreon.

Advance tickets for the evening performance start at $14 for students and seniors, $19 for adults, family 4-pack $15 each. Children 4 and under are free.

Tickets can be purchased on the SMPAC website, or click here:http://southmilwaukeepac.org/event/milwaukappella.More information about the event and the student workshop classes, which will cover beatboxing, vocal percussion, belting, blending, arranging, vocal technique, blocking and choreography, is at http://www.rcomf.org/Stories/a-cappella-music-milwaukee-milwaukappella-2019.

The workshop advance $45 fee ($55 at the door) includes classes, two meals, participation in the evening performance opening number and a great seat for the remainder of the show.

The workshop classes and performance are presented by the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field, with additional support from Pineapple Café in Oak Creek, McDonald’s, Meijer, Farm and Fleet, Jimmy Johns and Culvers.

Performance proceeds support charitable efforts of The Rotary Club of Mitchell Field. RCMF funds student scholarships, grants to local non-profits, a Christmas party for Goodwill workers, and a prom for senior citizens, and provides food to families at Thanksgiving. The club has been serving Cudahy, Franklin, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, St. Francis and Bay View since 1958.

A portion of Milwaukappella proceeds also go to South Milwaukee Music and South Milwaukee Music Parents Association to support the district’s music programs.

This is the consecutive fifth year Landaas & Company Investments will have sponsored and provided major funding for Milwaukappella. Landaas & Company Investments is independent of big banks and brokerage houses and therefore uniquely qualified to provide objective, unbiased investment advice to help people meet their financial goals.

A message from the South Milwaukee Police Department …

City of South Milwaukee Police Department
Sex Offender Notification

On June 1, 1997, Wisconsin Act 440, entitled “Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Law,” became effective. This is Wisconsin’s version of “Megan’s Law,” a law intended to help protect society by identifying convicted sex offenders and their placements within communities. This law applies to all persons who, on or after 12/25/93 were sentenced, in an institutional setting, discharged, or on field supervision for sex crimes.

REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER INFORMATION

The South Milwaukee Police Department is releasing this information pursuant to WI State Statutes 301.46(2m) which allows law enforcement agencies to inform the public that a registered sex offender is living in their community.

The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex-related offense that requires registration with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. This offender has served his sentence imposed by the court and is now under the supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections-Division of Community Corrections.

Basic information about Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification

This notification is not intended to increase fear, but rather intended to increase your awareness of this person’s presence in your community. Our belief is that an informed community is a safer community.

Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated. It is illegal and violators will be prosecuted. Please understand that such abuse could potentially end our ability to do community notifications. We believe that the only person who wins if community notification ends is the sex offender, since sex offenders often derive their power or ability to victimize through secrecy.

Under Municipal ordinance 23.167 the City of South Milwaukee has limited legal authority to direct where a sex offender may, or may not, reside. Otherwise, offenders are constitutionally free to live wherever they choose.

OFFENDER DESCRIPTION:

THIS PERSON IS NOT WANTED BY POLICE AT THIS TIME.

Dialo R. Fuller
Date of Birth: November 1997
Height: 5’5” Weight: 151lbs.
Eyes: Brown Hair: Black

Dialo Fuller (a registered sex offender) will be residing as a homeless person in the City of South Milwaukee. He will be monitored by GPS. He is currently on probation for: Exposing Genitals to a Child and False Imprisonment.

Dialo Fuller’s conviction arose from an incident that occurred when he forcibly exposed the genitals of a sleeping female juvenile non-family member, and then placed his body on top of her, rendering her unable to escape when she awoke.

How the South Milwaukee Police Department deals with registered Sex Offenders: 
In Wisconsin, convicted sex offenders are registered with the Department of Corrections following conviction. Once released into the community and under supervision, many of them must report to the local police department to participate in a face to face registration process. In South Milwaukee, the face to face registration consists of an interview and photographs of the offender and their vehicle.

The assessment of an offender’s potential to re-offend is not an exact science. Many factors are considered in deciding if the person is a potential threat to re-offend. If there are sufficient factors present to suggest a potential for danger to the community, a decision group is convened within the Police Department to determine what type of community notification might be necessary. Our decision group consists of supervisory members of the Police Department. Information from the Probation/Parole records and any other information deemed pertinent is considered when deciding what type of community notification might be appropriate.

William Jessup, Chief of Police
City of South Milwaukee

Any questions related to the sex offender’s placement, conditions of probation, or of a general nature should be directed to the Corrections Field Supervisor, Wisconsin Department of Corrections-Division of Community Corrections at: (414)229-0600

Contact the South Milwaukee Police Department if you witness the subject of this notification engaging in any criminal behavior, as you would for any other crime. (414) 768-8060

FOLLOW UP FROM THE SMPD

Follow up to our previous Sex Offender Notification post:
Per State law, because the offender resided in South Milwaukee at the time of his offense/time of his arrest, the City of South Milwaukee cannot prevent him from being placed in our city.

The fact he is homeless is also addressed by State law and the Department of Corrections is working on finding suitable housing.

SMPD takes the job of keeping our city and citizens safe very seriously and we will be closely monitoring his activity with the assistance of the Department of Corrections.

Just a reminder that the Brooks family is again gathering toys, games, etc.  and then delivering those Christmas gifts to several Milwaukee-area homeless/domestic violence shelters on Christmas Eve. We’ll also donate toys to South Milwaukee Human Concerns.

Our family is going shopping this weekend at South Milwaukee Walmart, already with a generous donation from Thrivent Financial and others.

So here is the ask: If anyone wants to donate gifts for us to take, or donate money for us to spend on gifts when we go shopping, drop them off with Sarah or me any time before Christmas Eve.

New, unwrapped items, please.

And if you’d like to come with us on Dec. 24 — and show your kids the true meaning of the season — please join us. We’d love to have you. We leave from our house around 9 a.m. and will stop for lunch afterward.

Post a comment here, or feel free to email me at erikbrooks32@gmail.com for more information.

Thanks for helping make a child’s life more merry this Christmas.

South Milwaukee has some terrific holiday lights displays — that much became clear as our Beautification Committee and guest judges took their tour of the top displays on Saturday. 

It was a really tough call, but we have our seven winners! 

First, a final shoutout to the 2017 honorees. We are not formally awarding last year’s winners this time around (they will be eligible again in 2019), but each of these property owners stepped up once again with some terrific displays. Be sure to check out their homes this week … 

• 806 Lake Drive
• 2501 8th Avenue
• 3701 6th Avenue
• 1333 Columbia Avenue
• 1720 Manitoba Avenue 
• 1306 Marquette Avenue
• 1817 Edgewood Avenue

Now, on to our 2018 honorees. Each of these property owners receives $50 from the city, a yard sign and digital recognition. Congratulations!

Here is the full list of addresses, to make your own holiday lights tour.

The judges also particularly liked these properties. Let’s call them honorable mentions, with a number very close to winning awards … 

• 3105 Fifth Avenue
• 3310 15th Avenue
• 107 16th Avenue
• 810 Carrington Avenue
• Taco Stop at 513 N. Chicago Avenue
• 713 Clark Avenue
• 1216 Edgewood Avenue
• 1305 Edgewood Avenue
• 1233 Lakeview Avenue
• 1237 Lakeview Avenue
• 208 Laurel Lane
• 1724 Manitoba Avenue 
• 623 Menomonee Avenue
• 1824 Milwaukee Avenue
• 1349 Noel Court
• 1219 Rawson Avenue
• 3713 Russet Lane
• 1709 Sherman Avenue
• 1722 Sherman Avenue
• 604 Walnut Street
• 613 Walnut Street

And a special shoutout to the 3400, 3500 and 3600 blocks of Willow Lane. While we didn’t get any nominations from these blocks,  they are looking great. And they are not alone — it’s great to see so many entire blocks look so beautiful this time of year.

Which reminds me … we rely on nominations to make this happen, so if you have a house worthy of recognition — and I’ve seen plenty that weren’t nominated — please make sure to get them on the list in 2019!

What’s the media covering in South Milwaukee these days?

• After Raising $40,000 in Donations, Wrestler “Da Crusher” Will be Immortalized in South Milwaukee (TMJ4)
• Locals Upset Over Graffiti at South Milwaukee Trail (TMJ4)
• Decoration Decapitation: Vandals Tear Head off Snowman (WISN)
• South Milwaukee to Run St. Francis Health Department Services for Three Years (NOW)
• 5 Suburban Spots to Snag the Perfect Hand-Crafted Holiday Gift (OnMilwaukee.com)
• South Milwaukee Man Cited After Undressing in Human Concerns Lobby (NOW)

South Milwaukeeans always step up to help those in need — and that’s especially the case around Christmas.

Don’t know where to start? Here are some opportunities to give back.

First, you can help by donating cash or toys for homeless kids on Christmas Eve, as I’ve written about. Thanks to everyone who has donated toys and money for toys so far!

• Of course, I always turn to Human Concerns, and they are serving more people than ever. I’m told they can especially use hygiene and cleaning supplies 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?
• Get behind the effort to start the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum. Details — and links to give — here. 
• Interfaith is a great organization aimed at serving our seniors that just happens to be based locally at Trinity Lutheran Church (my church). Their mission: “help older adults in the neighborhood remain living in their own homes in a safe and dignified manner.”
• “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.
• Buy a brick for Da Crusher statue! It’s coming in June. 
• South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Support the terrific performing arts in South Milwaukee!
• Want to support classroom and other projects in our terrific local schools? Start with South Milwaukee Legacy.
• 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.
• Or maybe help one of the groups supporting our terrific green spaces: Friends of the Mill Pond and Oak Creek Watercourse, Friends of Grant Park or Restore the Lagoon.
• 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.
• Help the South Milwaukee Historical Society preserve our proud past, for our promising future.

Did I miss any? I’m sure I did. Send your favorite local charities along!

Love this! And the weather looks great.

The voice of our youth matters, and needs to be heard. 

That is why I’m proud to announce that we are adding a student advisory trustee to the South Milwaukee Library Board. 

From the position description, approved by the city council last week …

The City of South Milwaukee seeks to add a student advisory trustee to the South Milwaukee Library Board. The intention of this position to gain direct input from a student in South Milwaukee on how the public library can better serve the student population. In addition, the student advisory trustee will gain valuable experience as a volunteer on a governing board and education in library services. After completion of the application, qualified candidates will be interviewed, chosen and appointed by the Mayor of the City of South Milwaukee.

Learn more about the Library Board and apply here. 

And click here for more information on all of the volunteer board and commission opportunities we have, and to apply. Please consider stepping up, and spread the word on this new position!

I am seeing lots of beautiful displays out this year … make sure they are nominated for our second-annual Light Up South Milwaukee Holiday Lights Awards! More details here.

Judging is this weekend, and look for a list of winners early next week, so you can see for yourself.  Entries can be submitted via:

• Pinned post on the City’s Facebook page.
• Via our Google Form
• Using our SM Works app. Look for the Light Up South Milwaukee category. 

Today, the state legislature will begin taking up a series of lame-duck session bills that represent everything wrong with government, an affront to democracy and a repudiation of the will of voters in November.

I am disgusted by it, and you should be too, no matter your party affiliation and no matter who you voted for last month.

Elections have consequences, and voters spoke that they wanted divided government and what that means – compromise and true checks and balances. But rather than listen, here we stand, with lawmakers willing to cast those results aside in favor of changing the rules at the 11^th hour of an executive leadership change, simply because they can.

This power grab should offend everyone.

From a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel summary of the bills …

Among the proposals are ones to limit the governor’s powers, weaken the attorney general and restrict early voting to two weeks before an election. Currently, some communities provide as many as six weeks of early voting …

The measures would strip many powers from Kaul and eliminate a powerful office within the Department of Justice that was created in 2015 under Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel and handles high-profile cases on appeal. 

Lawmakers are also considering separating the 2020 presidential primary election from an April spring election to reduce voter turnout in an effort to boost the election chances of a conservative Supreme Court justice. In another proposal, lawmakers will consider using new revenue from online sales taxes to slightly reduce the individual income tax rate. 

The election date change is particularly galling, a brazen attempt to use the legislative process to influence the outcome of an election.

Don’t take my word for it; ask the leader of the Senate.

Raw party politics aside, this change would have real, costly consequences in communities across the state, including South Milwaukee, and we have rightfully joined hundreds of others in speaking out against it.

Clerks across the state are sending letters similar to this to lawmakers, working through the League of Wisconsin Municipalities …  

Even if the state were to cover the substantial costs municipalities would incur by moving the election, there are significant logistical difficulties with conducting a stand-alone presidential primary in March, which will prove hard to overcome. Each election involves many weeks of intense preparation followed by weeks of post-election wrap up work. I and my staff are charged with hiring and training election inspectors, administering absentee balloting, including the increasingly popular in-person absentee voting, registering voters, securing polling locations, holding a public test, publishing notices, entering election reporting along with participation data for each elector voting and performing all of the other tasks necessary to conduct a well-run election. We barely have sufficient time to accomplish the myriad election tasks necessary between the February primary and the spring election in April. Adding another election in March risks stretching the ability of local governments to administer a smooth, secure, and error free election process.

But this is just the start. Other items in this lame duck session are worse, because they seek to roll back or limit powers previously granted to the governor and attorney general simply because they are being replaced by Democrats. This one may be illegal. 

Still, that hasn’t stopped Republicans, who are trying to desperately rewrite the playbook before the clock strikes zero, before they lose their grip on full power and before — gasp! – they actually have to start working in a bipartisan way to get things done.

Incoming Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes put it best in a tweet when word of this abomination first leaked. “Just making up the rules as they go,” he wrote. “I remember a time when it was just the goal posts, but now they want to move the whole field.”

We should not let them, both parties. Yes, both parties. Democrats pull these stunts, too, including pushing lame duck legislation of their own in 2009. And it’s happened (and is happening) in other states.

That doesn’t make it right. 

We need to end lame-duck sessions and move up the start date of newly elected officials to make sure nothing like this happens again. Until we do, do not accept the “Democrats would do the same thing, so that makes it OK!” argument, an all-too-popular one these days. I don’t buy it when my kids use it — “Well, she did it too!” — and we should not buy it now as lawmakers prepare to take the kind of action they are proposing.

Instead, let’s stand together for good government, and against the opposite.

We are better than this.

To our legislators, and outgoing governor: We are watching. Do the right thing.

Make sure your voice is heard! Email Rep. Rodriguez at Rep.Rodriguez@legis.wisconsin.gov and Sen. Larson at Sen.Larson@legis.wisconsin.gov. Get contact information for all lawmakers here.