Author Archives: Erik Brooks

From the South Milwaukee School District …

Vote November 6! Investing in our Future: Safe, Strong, Successful

The School District of South Milwaukee School Board has placed a referendum on the November 6 ballot to invest in three main goals:

1) Ensure students’ safety and address emotional needs

• An annual budget item to specifically improve safety in all our schools.
• Identifying and assisting students with emotional needs, providing them with direct services.

2) Maintain our existing programs and facilities

• Ensure future students can benefit from the same outstanding programs and classes as our current students.
• Protect the investment taxpayers have made in the district’s facilities through a yearly maintenance replacement budget.

3) Expand student learning opportunities and invest in the future

• Personalized and innovative learning opportunities that allow students to receive additional support and flexible learning opportunities.
• Additional staffing to increase virtual school options, add special education staff, provide academic support, expand 4K, reduce class sizes and more.

Election Day is November 6

The referendum question asks community members to increase the levy limit by $3.8 million over a period of six years. That’s an estimated tax impact of $9 to $12 per every $100,000 of assessed property value in each of the first five years. The final tax impact at the end of six years is a reduction of an estimated $140.18 per every $100,000 of assessed property value, due to other paid-off debt.

To Find Out More

The district is holding a community forum on Monday, September 17, from 6-7pm in the District Board Room at the 6-12 campus. Enter through Door #8. Two more forums are scheduled for October 9 and November 1, at the same time and location. All are welcome!

You may also find answers to frequently asked questions, including the estimated tax impact, at http://www.SoMilwReferendum.org.

The roundup this week includes this item from the South Milwaukee Police Department weekly summary and the South Milwaukee Fire Department …

“Officers and South Milwaukee Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a report of a fire in the 400 block of Southtowne Drive at 10:47 p.m. on Sept. 8. Upon arrival smoke was observed coming from an apartment in the DD building at the Southtowne Village Apartments. All occupants were able to exit the building and the fire, which was concentrated in an apartment kitchen area, was extinguished by South Milwaukee Fire Department personnel. The incident remains under investigation by both the South Milwaukee Police Department and South Milwaukee Fire Department.”

And these headlines …

• South Milwaukee Unveils Newest MCTS Bus Shelter Art (Fox 6)
• South Milwaukee Human Concerns Receives $30,000 from Eaton Corp. Foundation for Food Pantry (NOW)
• Hardcore Packers Fans, Actor John Pinero Knows More About Vince Lombardi than You! Catch Him in “Vince: The Life & Times Of Vince Lombardi” (NOW)
• South Milwaukee Man Who Received His 8th OWI Told Police he Was Heading to the Liquor Store (NOW)
• Man Rescued After Falling from Bluff in Sheridan Park (Fox 6)
• South Milwaukee Man Charged with Stealing 8 Bars of Silver, 2 Revolvers as Part of $15,000 Haul from Muskego Home (NOW)

Earlier this month, City Attorney Chris Smith updated the South Milwaukee Common Council on a seemingly small innovation that is paying big dividends.

The problem was simple: We were requiring young offenders — mostly for cases in involving truancy — to leave school and attend court at City Hall to deal with their tickets. In doing so, kids would often miss a half day or more of class … all to deal with a case that started with them missing class in the first place.

The solution was just as simple: Move Municipal Court to the schools.

That’s what Chris, in partnership with school leaders, did. And it’s working.

Learn more in the presentation Chris gave here. Here are the benefits from it …

• Less non-appearances (default judgements)
• Much higher engagement with schools
• Greatly reducing the amount of class time missed
• Greatly reducing the amount of juveniles loitering at City Hall during the day

We continue to innovate in ways big and small in city government, and we must always strive to do better in delivering the services you fund with your taxpayer money more efficiently and more effectively.

And when we can work with the schools to do it, all the better.

That is why I will always get behind ideas like this.

900 Sherman Avenue

240 Hawthorne Avenue

704 Lake Drive

613 Walnut Street

1605 Sherman Avenue

Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home (700 Milwaukee Avenue)

Educators Credit  Union (1201 Marquette Avenue)

South Milwaukee has curb appeal!

Thanks to everyone who submitted nominations for our first-annual South Milwaukee Beautification Committee Curb Appeal Awards — the latest in the series of awards the committee is sponsoring throughout the year.

My takeaway from our judging tour last weekend: There are lots of people committed to doing their part to make South Milwaukee beautiful. Very impressive.

It was a difficult choice for the committee judges, and here are the “best of the best” …

• Grand Prize: 900 Sherman Avenue
• 704 Lake Drive
• 1605 Sherman Avenue
• 240 Hawthorne Avenue
• 613 Walnut Street
• 1201 Marquette Avenue (Educators Credit Union)
• 700 Milwaukee Avenue (Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home)

Congratulations!

Each of the homeowners will receive $50, a yard sign (put them up today), and recognition at an upcoming council meeting, in addition to kudos on my and the city’s digital platforms. The businesses will receive everything but the cash.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this new awards program happen, and we look forward to bringing it back next year. Remember, we can only judge homes and businesses that are nominated, so if you see a worthy address, let us know!

Also, don’t forget about the upcoming Beautification Committee awards. Nominations are being taken for the Rocketober Awards now, and we are bringing back the Light Up South Milwaukee Holiday Lights Awards heading into Christmas.

Make your plans now to help us recognize the “best of the best” in South Milwaukee.

The idea is simple: As South Milwaukee remains the only community in the area to hold trick-or-treating on its rightful day each year (Halloween evening), let’s also “own” the holiday in the area, and fall as a whole for that matter.

Round up all the cool fall and Halloween-related events going on around town, help create a few new ones, brand the whole enterprise, and jointly promote it. And, along the way, celebrate a great time of year to be a South Milwaukeean.

Welcome to year five of Rocketober! Here is your schedule.

It starts this weekend with a Suburban Soles Guided Nature Walk and Food Truck Sunday. We’ll see you around town … and be sure to like the Rocketober Facebook page for the most up-to-date schedule, event flyers, photos and more.

Eaton Corp. steps up again, this time to support South Milwaukee’s much-deserving social service agency. From Human Concerns …

South Milwaukee Human Concerns (SMHC) received the largest grant awarded by the Eaton Corporation Charitable Fund in southeastern Wisconsin, a $30,000 award that will help the nonprofit food pantry continue its mission of help and hope to thousands of South Milwaukee residents.

The Eaton Corporation Charitable Fund is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the quality of life in communities where the company operates. The global power management solutions company operates a major electrical automation and control plant in South Milwaukee at 2800 9^th Avenue.

In a check presentation ceremony August 29 at SMHC, 1029 Milwaukee Avenue, Eaton officials praised the work of SMHC, which served 7,403 unique/unduplicated clients in 2017, including 2,962 children.

“I am so grateful that we could make this happen,” said Denise Arnold, Product Specialist, Power Systems Division at Eaton in South Milwaukee. Arnold, one of 30 SMHC volunteers, said Eaton is proud to support SMHC, an organization that does such important work and fulfills a vital community-wide role.

Largely unique in its charitable philosophy, Eaton Corporation Charitable Fund supports the volunteer work of its employees within its communities of operation; qualifying grant dollars follow the employee’s work to a worthy nonprofit organization.

Deb DeBoer, SMHC director, lauded Eaton’s grant award, saying it will help to sustain the center’s operations, which relies on volunteers and donations and has many on-going expenses.

In addition to its work as a food pantry, SMHC provides used adult and children’s clothing, selected household items and social service referrals. It also offers annual school supply and holiday gift giving programs for children in partnership with area businesses, organizations and faith based groups. SMHC receives no taxpayer funding and began work as a nonprofit 501(c)3 in 1973. All of its services are provided at no cost to its needs-based clients. For more information and to donate visit smhumanconcerns.org.   

Downtown South Milwaukee is more beautiful tonight, thanks to a talented local artist and her very cool, locally inspired design.

I was proud to be part of the unveiling of the latest Milwaukee County Bus Shelter Art Project work on Thursday. “Rooted in Nature,” which now adorns the shelter at 10th and Milwaukee Avenues, was designed by South Milwaukeean Kasia Drake-Hames.

She said the piece is inspired by “the natural features in South Milwaukee, including Grant Park, the beach and the Oak Creek. I would like people to consider our interconnectedness to nature every day.”

This work will definitely inspire that, in the heart of our city.

Drive, walk or bike by and see for yourself. You can’t miss it. It really pops.

In addition to Kasia, I say thank you to the Milwaukee County Transit System for bringing the program to South  Milwaukee, and to Lybra Olbrantz, for helping initiate this countywide program. And to the South Milwaukee Beautification Committee, which judged the more than 20 entries, you made the right call.

Now on to our other bus shelters …

More news from the South Milwaukee Beautification Committee …

The South Milwaukee Beautification Committee has announced its fall awards program, the Rocketober Awards, recognizing those with the best fall, Halloween or Thanksgiving-themed decorations on their homes or businesses.

Winners will be selected to receive a cash prize, a sign, and recognition on the city’s/mayor’s digital platforms. All decorations must be up by October 21st, with judging taking place the week after. 

Entries may be submitted on Facebook, online form, and the SM Works app (available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play Store).

Check out these South Milwaukee headlines …

• Buy Caterpillar as Mining, Oil and Gas Producers Replace Equipment, Says Deutsche Bank (CNBC)
• Milwaukee’s Violent Femmes Excited to Make History, Playing 1st Show at Fiserv Forum (Fox 6)
• Blast Fitness Closes in Cudahy; Members Directed to Planet Fitness in South Milwaukee (NOW)
• $1,300 of Prescription Drugs Stolen (NOW)

Also, the police have published a new crime summary on their Facebook page.

What a great way to start the South Milwaukee PAC season!

From the PAC (and tickets are still available) …

Even though the legendary coach has passed on, you don’t have to miss his spirit.

South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center is proud to present The Life and Times of Vince Lombardi on Thursday, September 13, at 7:30.

Some would say he never left at all and that John Pinero is Vince Lombardi! John Pinero’s one-man play portraying the greatest professional coach in football history is a force to be reckoned with. John has won praise and recognition from the professional football community and fans. John’s list of testimonials is extensive and includes praise from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame, and former Lombardi players, Bart Starr, Willie Davis, Fuzzy Thurston, and Jerry Kramer. He has impressed and inspired communities and critics with his highly appraised play.

ABC television hired him to star as Vince Lombardi in the 2006 pre-game Super bowl show. Among the reviews, Mike Downey of the Los Angeles Times told readers it’s “riveting” and to “Go, go, go see Vince!” The Milwaukee Journal wrote, “This is the stage incarnation of Vince Lombardi, brought to you with impeccable care by actor John Pinero”, and the Green Bay Press Gazette declared, “Vince packs a lot into less than two hours. Pinero did his homework, and then some.”

In the continued tradition of providing youth inspirational opportunities when possible, John Pinero will also meet with and provide a motivational presentation for the students of South Milwaukee High School at an outreach event during the school day.

To see a complete list of all shows go to www.southmilwaukeepac.org.

This is really cool — check it out for yourself!

Thanks to the South Milwaukee Beautification Committee for judging these terrific works of art. It wasn’t an easy call, but we made the right one, choosing a talented local artist worthy of this recognition.

From the press release …

Milwaukee, WI – The popular MCTS Bus Shelter Art Project will unveil the final artwork of the year at 4:30pm on Thursday, September 6^th. The last piece titled, Rooted in Nature, will be displayed at a bus shelter at 10^thand Milwaukee Avenue in South Milwaukee.

The original artwork will be unveiled by the artist, Kasia Drake-Hames, and South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks.

Kasia was one of numerous artists who submitted artwork for consideration for this bus shelter. She says her piece is inspired by “the natural features in South Milwaukee, including Grant Park, the beach and the Oak Creek. I would like people to consider our interconnectedness to nature every day.” 

Rooted in Nature is the seventh unique artwork on display in an MCTS shelter.

“I am excited to honor a terrific local artist with this creative piece of public art in the heart of our downtown,” Brooks said. “Our Beautification Committee had some great designs to choose from, and this one was truly special.”

The art shelter program is part of a unique partnership between MCTS and the Bus Art Project MKE, a local effort to spread art across Milwaukee. MCTS has a special webpage with the locations and pictures of all the pieces of art. All artwork is donated by the artists and the cost of printing and installing the art is covered by donations.

I was sad to see news today of Milwaukee’s Holiday Parade coming to an end.

It reminds me to never take for granted the South Milwaukee Lions’ work in presenting our annual Christmas Parade … and this year’s it’s lighted!

Start planning your entries now. Local churches, schools, businesses, organizations, clubs, sports teams, individuals … let’s make this parade one to remember.

Contact details can be found in the image. Merry Christmas!

Here is one more reason to visit Grant Park Beach: to celebrate the love of your life.

You may have noticed the growing number of “love locks” on the chains that line the jetty heading out from the beach parking lot.

I checked them out this weekend and left, well, in love.

Check out coverage from TMJ4 and OnMilwaukee.com. As I said in the TMJ4 story …

“I love the idea of ‘love locks,’ and plan to add one of my own soon, celebrating 19 years of marriage to my sweetheart. What a great way to make a personal connection at a local attraction like Grant Park. There are so many good things happening at Grant Park Beach these days, and I’m glad to add this to the list.”

I spoke to county officials on this, and they are at worst neutral on “love locks.”

I get there have been concerns in other places about the weight of all these locks on bridges, environmental concerns about throwing metal keys in the water, and what thousands of these would look like vs. a dozens.

Certainly, those issues arose in Paris.

Maybe we’ll too have to worry about these negative effects someday, if and when this ever takes off. I hope it does.

For now, let’s just love it for what it is — a fun way to celebrate Grant Park, South Milwaukee, and a feeling the world could use more of these days.

And consider adding a lock of your own.

Our family’s first Kickball for a Cure is over, and it’s heartwarming to see how so many people helped make a real difference in the fight against type 1 diabetes.

This was a truly local effort.

First, there was the incredible support of the South Milwaukee Little League, which opened their doors with open arms to host the tournament, and fielded a team.

We had so many local volunteers, dozens of people who stepped up to make this happen, from family members to family friends to diabetes families to South Milwaukee Little League families to the South Milwaukee Lions, and many, many more. A special shoutout to our umpires — kids and adults, people like Andy Schendel and the Lindner family, who volunteered their time to make sure these spirited games remained fun, yet competitive.

Then there was love shown by local businesses. So many stepped up to donate raffle items and other goods and services, including a huge bratwurst donation by Milwaukee Sausage Co. Moran’s fielded three teams.

Indeed, it was so much fun to see all of the teams who took part, from the South Milwaukee Police Department Porkchops to the Salisott Diabeaters to “It’s a SMLL World” (the Little League group) to the family teams.

Congratulations to Moran’s Pub #3, the tournament winners, led by Chris Stritchko, and to our runner-up squad, Shredder Teens, a group of 14-year-olds from Oak Creek, who made a terrific run. Well done!

We can’t thank everyone enough.

Of course the real winners are those suffering from type 1 diabetes, as we netted … wait for it … more than $2,500 for JDRF Southeastern Wisconsin!

And we’re not done yet. Kickball for a Cure continues with our online auction for four tickets and a parking pass to the Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings game on September 16. Bidding is open and ends Friday. Bid here.