Category Archives: Community

Haven’t heard of Patch.com? You will.

Just don’t expect it anytime soon in South Milwaukee.

Patch is a AOL’s network of hyper-local news and information websites that is entering the Wisconsin (and Milwaukee-area) market in a big way, with more than a dozen sites coming on line in coming weeks.

Three are already up: Greendale, Fox Point-Bayside and Hudson of all places. Others are planned for Oak Creek and Greenfield.

It’s part of a broad expansion for Patch, which now has more than 500 sites across the country.

So, what is Patch? According to its website, it is “a new way to find out about, and participate in, what’s going on near you. We’re a community-specific news and information platform dedicated to providing comprehensive and trusted local coverage for individual towns and communities.”

Sound familiar? Indeed, this concept is not new at all. This is the role local newspapers played for decades until many of them died in recent years.

South Milwaukee Voice Graphic, anyone?

The demise of media outlets like this is a big reason why I started this blog. Simply, there are few, if any, options out there for residents and others to know what is happening in South Milwaukee, and as an elected official I felt, and continue to feel, a responsibility to fill this void.

The Journal Sentinel has basically given up on covering South Milwaukee, and the NOW sites aren’t much better. TV news stations only show up if something is bleeding.

That certainly creates an opportunity for networks like Patch. Let’s hope they arrive here soon. Our citizens would be better off for it. Until then — and even after — keep on reading the blog!

Cudahy’s Plan Commission and others have resisted efforts to bring a homeless shelter to the city.

Here is the story in the Journal Sentinel story. From it:

Plans have been on hold since October, when they were shot down by the Cudahy Plan Commission, where one commissioner disparaged the homeless in his district as “stinky” and “drunk,” and another suggested they would be best exported to Milwaukee.

“We really thought by this winter, we’d have multiple sites up and running,” said the Rev. Karen Hagen of Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church, one of four churches in Bay View and Cudahy that hoped to host the shelter starting out.

“Here we have people trying to be good citizens and be faithful to their faith traditions, and it’s gotten so hard.”

I must admit that this story was frustrating to me — that some Cudahy officials and others are trying to find any reason, reasonable or not, to keep this shelter out of their community. “We must help the homeless … but not in my backyard,” they seem to be saying.

What do you think? Would you support this concept in South Milwaukee?

Post your comments below.

Looking for some unique Christmas gifts, and to get your holiday shopping done with a couple weeks to spare?

Then check out the first-ever South Milwaukee Christmas Market on Saturday at Bucyrus International’s Heritage Building, 1970 10th Ave. across from the library. More than 50 vendors are coming, and we’ll have live music throughout the day. And, while you’re there, be sure to visit the cool Bucyrus History Museum in the same building.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn more in this press release and our on our Facebook page.

As for those unique gifts, be sure to pick up a $2 market logo bag at the welcome table. Each bag contains a $1-off coupon for use at the market.

And what about that snow? It’s not much of a storm, and I think in only adds ambiance. After all, it’s December in Wisconsin, and this is a Christmas Market.

Looking for a unique way to celebrate the season and help out a great cause?

Here’s your chance: I have been told there are still tickets available for Ye Olde Christmas Feaste on Saturday, Dec. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 5, at South Milwaukee High School.

Learn more at the Feaste website here and on Facebook.

You must order these last-minute tickets by 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the high school main office.

Family. Community. Church. My day job at MillerCoors. The chance to serve my constituents as an alderman.

On this Thanksgiving Day, I find myself thankful for many things.

What are you thankful for today? What about South Milwaukee are you most appreciative of?

I’d like to know. Post your comments below … and let’s celebrate some of the things that make this city great.

And happy Thanksgiving!

Update: I took my 6-year-old to this, and it was a really nice event. And the tree looks great. The new LED lights — paid for in part with a donation from the South Milwaukee Lions — are a real improvement. Drive by and see for yourself.

It’s not Thanksgiving yet, but there’s a chance to get into the holiday spirit a bit early this weekend.

The South Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual tree lighting ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Heritage Place Park at 10th and Milwaukee Avenues.

Learn more on the chamber website here. And check out my previous post on other local Christmas activities here.

I’ve said this many times, but it bears repeating: South Milwaukee does Christmas right.

Two tree lightings, an underrated parade, the annual Olde Fashioned Christmas activities, the first-ever South Milwaukee Christmas Market … there is no shortage of ways to celebrate the season in our great city.

Here are just a few things to put on the calendar in coming days:

• Heritage Place Park Tree Lighting: Get in the holiday spirit by joining tree lighting festivities on Saturday, Nov. 20, on the northwest corner of 10th and Milwaukee Avenues. Enjoy hot cocoa, cider and Santa Claus from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Christmas Parade. The annual parade sponsored by the South Milwaukee Lions Clubs is planned for Saturday, Nov. 28, downtown. It begins at 12:30 p.m. at 12th and Milwaukee Avenues, snakes down Milwaukee and then south on 15th to City Hall. Stake out your spot and look for Santa!
• Olde Fashioned Christmas: The city’s annual Christmas celebration begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Senior Center and City Council chambers at City Hall. Activities include crafts, Christmas movies and visits with Santa. A carol sing-along and the tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. Learn more in this flier.
• South Milwaukee Christmas Market. The South Milwaukee Downtown Market hosts its first-ever Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Bucyrus Heritage Building. More than 40 arts, crafts, food and other vendors are expected. Look for more details soon on what is sure to be a new holiday staple in our city.

Do you have another local holiday tradition you want to promote? Post your comment below!

As if your kids needed a reminder … but trick-or-treating is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday in South Milwaukee.

Click here to see a complete list of area trick-or-treat times.

You’ll note that some communities hold their trick-or-treating in the late afternoon or early evening, including Oak Creek. I’d like to see us join that group starting next year, and judging from the comments on my previous post on this, I’m not alone.

What do you think is best for South Milwaukee? Cast your vote in the poll to the right.