The next Meet the Mayor session is this Saturday, May 30, at Nomi, the new coffee house on North Chicago Avenue.
Join me from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and State Rep. Jessie Rodriguez will be stopping by from 11 a.m. to noon.
Bring your questions, comments or concerns, or just drop in, enjoy a great cup of coffee and say hi.
Nomi is at 513 N. Chicago Ave., the site of the former A&W. Stop by and see what Aldo has done with the place. It looks great.
Filed under Local Business, South Milwaukee
Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend … while also keeping in mind why we have this long weekend in the first place.
You can honor those who paid the ultimate price with ceremonies in South Milwaukee on Monday.
I’ll be back to blogging next week. In the meantime, if you don’t already follow me on social media, I have mayoral accounts on Facebook and Twitter. Like and follow them for the latest in local news, in addition to this blog.
Thanks for reading — I am happy to do what I can to keep citizens informed about all that is happening in South Milwaukee (which is a lot). Please spread the word about this website with your friends!
Filed under South Milwaukee
Check out these South Shore headlines …
Filed under South Milwaukee
Progress continues in the efforts to deliver a long-overdue study of the Oak Creek watershed.
The latest example of momentum: The South Milwaukee City Council, at its meeting Tuesday night, unanimously (7-0) endorsed the work underway to jointly study the watershed.
Here is a draft of the resolution they passed.
Our council is the first governmental body to pass such a resolution, and I thank our alderpersons for it. I hope it shows how serious we are (and have to be) as a city about partnering with our neighbors and others to bring this critical environmental, ecological and recreational resource back to life. This study is a critical first step.
Filed under South Milwaukee
It was an honor honoring our local firefighters and emergency medical services personnel on Tuesday night, as part of National Emergency Medical Services Week.
Making the city council meeting extra special: We welcomed back two of the people saved by our personnel as we honored them with letters of commendation. Really, really cool.
See their stories and the proclamation here … and congratulations to all of the award winners. Well done.
Filed under City Services, Fire, South Milwaukee
But don’t take my word for it.
Instead, listen to Olympic hopeful Lauren Kleppin, who was profiled recently in this Milwaukee Running Festival blog post …
Although Kleppin has run in some of the world’s most scenic locations, Milwaukee’s run trails will always hold a special spot in her heart. “Milwaukee is an amazing setting for a race,” Kleppin said. “I personally love running along the Oak Leaf Trail, or down by the art museum while taking in the views of Lake Michigan, enjoying the nice breeze, and the unique architecture. I think my favorite Milwaukee running memories are just a cluster of amazing training days in high school with fun teammates through Grant Park. More specifically, my favorite days were in the fall when the leaves were colorful and crunchy and it was cross-country season.”
South Milwaukee = runner friendly. Why not?
Add this to the list of things we should be promoting about our fair city. Spread the word!
Filed under Parks, South Milwaukee, Sports
Pay tribute to everyone who has paid the ultimate price in defense of our country …
Filed under South Milwaukee
Beyond Caterpillar, some disappointing news downtown – Nona’s Café is closing.
Tom and Ida have announced their restaurant’s last day is this Saturday, May 16.
I wish nothing but the best for them, and thank them for being such a special part of our downtown, and our community. I’ll miss them, their hospitality and (of course) their food – all of it terrific.
Please stop by and wish them well in their final days in the restaurant business.
Meanwhile, in other downtown news …
Filed under Downtown, South Milwaukee
Cat is significantly reducing its manufacturing footprint in South Milwaukee — but investing significantly in what remains.
In that regard, this afternoon’s announcement about the retooling and redesign of the South Milwaukee plant — including the consolidation of nearly 260,000 square feet of it, or about half of its current manufacturing space — is not all bad news.
And it certainly could have been much worse.
From the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago …
In South Milwaukee, where the company makes electric rope shovels, hydraulic mining shovels and draglines, Caterpillar plans to redesign and retool the facility, removing the need for more than 260,000 square feet of production space in its manufacturing footprint.
“We continue to evaluate our operations for efficiency, to lower cost and to improve competitiveness. This decision allows us to more competitively position the products produced on these campuses, and it provides employees in these facilities clarity around our long-term plans for maintaining production,” said Ed Rapp, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for resource industries.
I am told the buildings Cat will vacate (by not renewing leases) are primarily located in the inner portion of the campus, with those along Rawson Avenue getting the increased (likely multi-million dollar) investment. The technical center and offices are not affected.
The announcement Monday will not affect current employment, which is obviously much less than it used to be. South Milwaukee has more than 700 employees.
I spoke with a local Caterpillar official this afternoon about the decision, and he positioned it as a significant investment in the facility to make it more competitive.
“The ultimate goal in this is to make South Milwaukee a world-class provider,” he said. “As you get more globally competitive, that is good for the employees, our customers, and the city.”
I agree. While it would be great to see the local plant humming along at full capacity in its current footprint, that seemed more and more unlikely with each passing day. Instead, we are getting a smaller, more efficient plant better positioned for the long term, in a changing mining industry that might be headed for an upswing.
Indeed, there are plenty worse alternatives.
Check out coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Filed under Caterpillar, Local Business, South Milwaukee
With a renewed focus on business retention, recruitment, events, marketing and other efforts, we’re working hard every day to bring new life to our city, and city center.
We’re also building the foundation for long-term economic development success. A key part of that: our comprehensive and downtown plans, which took major steps forward this week.
The South Milwaukee City Council voted unanimously to approve the selection of Graef as the consulting firm for updating our comprehensive plan and building a separate downtown plan.
We interviewed two firms for the work, and, as part of the committee making the recommendation, I can say it was a very tough call. Both Vandewalle and Graef are terrific firms that would do a great job on these plans.
Graef brings strong experience, creativity, vision and a demonstrated commitment to implementing the plans they lead. For this effort, they also bring a partnership with Business Districts Inc., a firm focused on downtown revitalization that will only add to our plan and process.
You can see their joint proposal here.
Now the work begins. The planning effort will pick up quickly, and be substantially wrapped up by the end of the year. Then we get to work on bringing the plan to life – not letting it sit on a shelf and collect dust like so many others in the past.
Have a plan, work the plan. We will work this plan.
My ask: Look for ways to be part of the process, and actually be a part of it. There will be plenty of opportunities to have your voice heard as we build this roadmap for the future of South Milwaukee and our downtown.
Join us!
Filed under Downtown, South Milwaukee
Consider it another reason to love South Milwaukee …
Bird enthusiasts will tell you our fair city is a bird watcher’s paradise.
To celebrate our feathered friends, a first-ever “Birds of a Feather Day” has been scheduled for Sunday, May 17.
From Rita Wiskowski, local bird enthusiast (and photographer for those images of warblers above) …
Friends of the Mill Pond & Oak Creek Watercourse, along with Friends of Grant Park, Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society, and the U.S. Forest Service with the support of the City of South Milwaukee, are hosting a fun and educational event to promote the understanding and appreciation of birds and their habitat.
The event is free and open to the public. It will take place at the Warming House on the Mill Pond in South Milwaukee (the corner of Mill Road and Oak Creek Parkway). There will be activities for all ages starting with a bird walk at Grant Park at 8 am (beginning at Picnic Area 9) where birders of all levels are welcomed.
Please bring a pair of binoculars and wear comfortable hiking clothes and shoes. Starting at 9 am another bird walk led by an experienced birder and geared towards more novice birders will meet at the Mill Pond. If you don’t have binoculars for the 9 am walk, you may borrow a pair. From 10 am to noon the Warming House will be open with many fun activities and informational displays for all ages and interest levels. Please join us.
For more information visit smfomp.org or call Rita Wiskowski at (414) 766-0760 / Dona_Rita@rocketmail.com.
Birds of a Feather Day Activities
Warming House Activities (10 am to noon)
Filed under Milwaukee County, Parks, South Milwaukee
Joseph Murphy has been elected South Milwaukee’s city attorney 17 times, and he’s ably served in that role for more than 33 years.
I consider him a trusted advisor, who I lean on for sound, reasonable advice on a variety of issues. He works hard to make sure the city is protected from threats, and he stands up, and behind, the work we do as a city government every day.
I am happy to say he will continue doing that work, just not as an elected official.
Attorney Murphy is moving to Milwaukee, which means he’s resigning his elected seat. However, the city council — recognizing his skill in the job, his desire to keep serving in it, and the will of the voters — appointed Joe to the role of city attorney as their meeting on Tuesday.
This means Joe will be an employee of the city, in a role similar to that of our other department heads.
I support this move because I think we get to keep a great attorney with a deep knowledge and passion for our city in that job.
It’s also something we planned to do soon anyway. You will recall the council voted last year to make the role of city attorney – as well as those of city clerk and city treasurer – non-elected jobs starting in 2017. This moves up that date two years for the attorney.
I thank Joe for his continued service and wish he and his wife Kitty well in their move.
Filed under City Council, South Milwaukee
Tuesday’s South Milwaukee City Council meeting was one of my favorite ones of the year — our chance to recognize police officers and citizens for their life-saving and heroic acts, and all-around good work and partnership.
In all, six officers, one public safety officer, two auxiliary officers, three citizens and one business were honored with awards as part of National Peace Officers Week. Here is a full list of winners, and their stories.
I congratulate and thank all of them. Among the stories …
Investigator Hill – nominated by Officer Rivamonte
On December 20, 2014 at approximately 9:44pm the South Milwaukee Police Department took a report of a suicidal subject who had slashed his wrists and left his mother’s residence on bicycle. Officers were given the general area of Grant Park to search for the subject who was in a mental health crisis. After searching for a significant amount of time Investigator Hill located the subject’s bicycle hidden in some bushes; after searching the area he located the subject. The subject was unconscious and bleeding from cuts to both wrists. Investigator Hill provided immediate medical assistance to the subject. Officers carried the subject to Lake Drive so the South Milwaukee Fire Department could treat his injuries. If Investigator Hill had not continued to search for the subject he would have died in Grant Park that evening (it was cold 15 degrees and the subject was not properly clothed).
Officer Dews, Officer Fournier, PSO Maxim and Auxiliary Officer Ceparski – nominated by Officer McLean
On February 16, 2015 at approximately 3:27am the South Milwaukee Police Department received a 911 transfer call from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. PSO Maxim was unable to speak with the 911 caller as the phone call ended prior to transferring. PSO Maxim was unable to make contact with the 911 caller as calls went to voicemail. PSO Maxim advised officers the 911 caller had reported he had fallen in the woods in Grant Park near the lagoon. PSO Maxim looked up the 911 coordinates to assist in locating the caller. Officers searched the area described by the 911 caller and found him lying on the snow covered ground. The subject was unable to stand and officers carried him to the roadway where the South Milwaukee Fire Department took over and transported the man to St. Luke’s South Shore for medical treatment. Had the officers not located the man he possibly would have died due to the cold weather conditions.
Mrs. Phylis Stoesser
Lt. Milow nominated Mrs. Stoesser for a Citizen’s Recognition Award for her actions on July 2, 2014.
On July 2, 2014 the South Milwaukee Police Department took a report of a missing elderly woman with early stage dementia/Alzheimer’s from the 1500 block of Manitowoc Avenue. Mrs. Stoesser observed an elderly woman near her residence (1000 Block of N. Chicago) who appear confused and lost. Mrs. Stoesser engaged the woman in conversation and then began to follow her as she continued to walk on N. Chicago. Mrs. Stoesser notified the police department who upon arriving at the scene determine the elderly woman to be the one missing from the 1500 block of Manitowoc Avenue. Mrs. Stoesser’s compassion and concern for the woman is commendable.
The department also honored longtime former auxiliary officer Kurt Olson for his volunteer service to the city, and Mike Wolf, manager of the South Milwaukee Walmart, for their support of the Shop with a Cop program and Community Night Out.
Filed under Police, South Milwaukee
Some bad news for students walking to South Milwaukee Middle and High School, and those who love walks and bike rides along Oak Creek Parkway: The Beech Street foot bridge over Oak Creek has been closed indefinitely and may need to be completely replaced.
That’s the word from the Milwaukee County Parks Department, who called me late this afternoon. Workers were closing it down this evening.
A citizen alerted me to a concern over the bridge swaying late last week, and I informed County Supervisor Pat Jursik. The county had engineers inspect it today, when the order was issued after they deemed it “structurally unsafe.”
The county tells me it’s likely the bridge will have to be fully replaced, so be prepared for a long closure.
Of course, this is not the first time this bridge has had issues. Still, we appreciate your patience, and we will know more about next steps in coming days and weeks. I’ll keep you posted.
Filed under Milwaukee County, Parks, South Milwaukee
A note from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik …
The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is offering alternative community locations to assist with “GO PASS.”
The “GO Pass,” which was mandated by the County Board of Supervisors, allows all Milwaukee County residents 65 and older unlimited free rides on MCTS buses. The free pass will also be available for residents with disabilities who meet certain requirements. The designated dates and locations for our District 8 are as follows:
Monday, May 11, 2015
Warnimont-Kelly Center
6100 S. Lake Drive, Cudahy
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Grobschmidt/South Milwaukee Senior Center
2424 15th Avenue, South Milwaukee
9:00 AM -2:00 PM
For more information please click:
Filed under Milwaukee County, South Milwaukee
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