Category Archives: South Milwaukee

by | September 4, 2013 · 10:35 pm

Reminder: South Milwaukee Health Fair Is Thursday

Here are 20 more reasons to stop by the South Milwaukee Downtown Market this week.

The South Milwaukee Health Fair, presented by South Shore Family Chiropractic, is set for 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the market (11th and Milwaukee Avenues downtown).

More than 20 health-related vendors are expected, in addition to the more than 40 traditional market merchants.

Just added to the Health Fair lineup: Danielle Zirkel, a healthcare outreach specialist at Community Advocates of Milwaukee. She’ll be at the market from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., with a stage presentation at 4. She’ll take questions about the Affordable Care Act.

Learn more on our Facebook page … and see you at the market!

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by | September 4, 2013 · 7:22 am

Trick-or-Treating Set For Halloween, Again — And Hopefully For Years Ahead

City-sponsored trick-or-treating will again be held on Halloween in 2013 — and beyond.

The South Milwaukee City Council voted 6-2 on Tuesday night in favor of annually holding trick-or-treating from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on October 31. This year, it will be on a Thursday evening.

I voted yes for the same reasons I voted yes in 2012. Check out my previous post for more.

The action Tuesday night goes a bit farther than the vote in previous years. The key word in what we passed is “annually.” By adding that language, we hopefully create some sense of consistency going forward.

Yes, future councils can change the time again, but it would now take a new vote — and hopefully a strong reason to change — to do it. Otherwise, things should stay the same in 2014 and beyond.

This certainty is important because one very legitimate argument against trick-or-treating on a weeknight is kids’ schedules. They are full, and some may miss this annual activity because of a practice or other event.

My hope: Coaches and activity leaders will see the action of the council Tuesday night and, when possible, not schedule events for Halloween night. Why? Because Halloween night is trick-or-treating night in South Milwaukee — a community celebration that brings families and neighborhoods together for one night a year.

What do you think of this action? Post your comments below, and vote in my new poll.

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by | September 3, 2013 · 8:43 pm

Off Like A Rocket: 2-0 Start For South Milwaukee Football Team

The South Milwaukee football team is off to a 2-0 start after shutting out Westosha Central on Friday.

Check out the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s team page here, including details on the 26-0 win last week, as Ian Pribyl ran for three second-half touchdowns.

And mark for your calendars for Friday. That’s when South Milwaukee travels to Cudahy for the annual rivalry game. Cudahy is 1-1 and coming off a 52-6 win over Bay View.

Go Rockets!

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by | September 1, 2013 · 10:10 am

Is Halloween Trick-Or-Treating A Trick Or Treat?

That’s the question the South Milwaukee City Council will debate again on Tuesday night.

We have this discussion every year, and you’ll recall that in 2012 we approved changing city-endorsed trick-or-treating hours to Halloween evening — in that case, a Wednesday night, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Not surprisingly, the change drew a lot of response. I found most feedback to be positive, and the (admittedly unscientific) poll I did on this showed clear support — 45 of 51 voters supported the change to Halloween. But support was certainly not unanimous, and I heard from those people loud and clear.

Check out comments here and here, and you can see my rationale for voting the way I did in that last link.

Based on what I would call a successful test last year, I intend to support Halloween trick-or-treating again this year, which would put it on a Thursday night.

But I’d like to know what you think, too. Am I wrong on this issue? What should we consider changing for trick-or-treating in 2013? Post your comments below!

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by | August 30, 2013 · 2:48 pm

On Second Thought: Scaffidi Reportedly Won’t Run For Mark Honadel’s Assembly Seat

Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi won’t run after all for the Assembly seat Mark Honadel plans to vacate next month.

Oak Creek Patch has the story. From it:

Scaffidi told Patch earlier this week he wanted to take on both the roles of mayor and state representative. His remarks came shortly after state Rep. Mark Honadel announced he would resign the 21st Assembly seat in mid-September.But after a few days of consideration, he said Friday it became apparent that wouldn’t be possible. 

“The residents of Oak Creek elected me to represent their city, so I feel it is important to continue to serve as mayor and focus my efforts on the considerable opportunities that lie ahead of us,” Scaffidi said. 

Those “opportunities” include the massive Drexel Town Square project, which will feature a “new downtown” for Oak Creek, as well as a new business park on Oakwood Road and a redevelopment of the city’s lakefront.

“Oak Creek is poised to take a leadership role in southeastern Wisconsin in new business development and job creation,” Scaffidi said. “I’m honored and privileged to be a part of that story, and will continue to do whatever I can to make that a reality.”

So, what’s next? Who would you like to see run?

Post your comments below!

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by | August 27, 2013 · 5:42 pm

More On Mark Honadel’s Resignation: Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi Will Run

Media reports are filling in some of the blanks around South Milwaukee Rep. Mark Honadel’s decision to step down early from his fifth term in office.

Check out reports from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Oak Creek Patch. Patch is also reporting Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi will run in a special election as a Republican …

Scaffidi, who will run as a Republican, said he would continue to serve as Oak Creek mayor if elected. His term expires in April 2015.

“I have no intention of leaving Oak Creek,” Scaffidi said. “I will do both jobs if I’m lucky enough to get the opportunity to serve.”

And there is this from the Journal Sentinel:

Honadel, a former metal fabricator and welding instructor, said in an interview that he had one job opportunity lined up but would consider others and announce the final decision next month.

His last day will be sometime in mid-September, Honadel said. He said he expected a Republican primary for his seat as well as a general election contest but said he wasn’t sure yet who the potential candidates might be.

Gov. Scott Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the governor would call a special election soon.

“By law, the formal date of vacancy must come first,” Evenson said.

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by | August 27, 2013 · 3:06 pm

Honadel To Step Down From Assembly

South Milwaukee’s Mark Honadel is stepping down after 10 years in the Assembly. He made the announcement this afternoon.

Here is the press release. His statement:

“Today I am announcing my resignation from the Wisconsin State Assembly.  I am proud to have represented the 21st Assembly District for ten years.  I will be stepping down in mid-September to pursue an opportunity in the private sector.

It has been an extreme honor and pleasure to serve my constituents as their voice in Madison.  On their behalf I helped enact significant reforms that balanced the state budget without raising taxes, held the line on property taxes, and created a state surplus.

I am pleased to have worked hard on many other meaningful bills that have benefited our state’s economy and way of life for the people of Wisconsin.  Most recently, The Mining for Jobs Act passed earlier this year will allow responsible and safe use of our natural resources and create thousands of good-paying jobs around our state.

I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle throughout my six sessions in the Assembly.  I will always treasure my time serving with them to work on the pressing issues facing our state.

Finally, I want to thank my family, friends, and neighbors in the 21st Assembly District for their constant trust and support.  Serving my state in this way has truly been a unique and special opportunity.”

I’ll post more on this soon. In the meantime, post your comments below!

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by | August 26, 2013 · 9:28 pm

Hoan Headaches Start Next Month

Just when you thought it was getting a bit easier to commute to downtown Milwaukee … 

Now comes word that the Hoan Bridge reconstruction project starts next month. 

Oak Creek Patch has the story. 

And here is more information from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. 

I’ll keep you posted. And be patient. 

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by | August 26, 2013 · 9:14 pm

Headlines … And A New Police Blotter

Check out these South Shore headlines …

Also, the nighthawk is coming to South Milwaukee. Learn more about this prehistoric bird here. (Thanks to Betsy Abert for sharing.)

And NOW has published a new police blotter, including this item …

A 44-year-old South Milwaukee man was arrested on the beach at Grant Park, 100 Hawthorne Ave., around 11 a.m. Aug. 21 after a witness reported that he was walking around naked near the tree line. South Milwaukee police found the man clothed only in a light-pink thong, and detained him there until Milwaukee County Sheriffs took custody of him, and said they would cite him with “unspecified county offenses.”

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by | August 24, 2013 · 8:49 pm

Mark Your Calendars: South Milwaukee Health Fair Set For Sept. 5

We love special events at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market. A big one is coming up — the South Milwaukee Health Fair on Thursday, September 5.

Learn more about this partnership with South Shore Family Chiropractic in this press release.

And if you  haven’t been to the market lately, stop by. We’re having a terrific fifth season. And be sure to like us on Facebook!

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by | August 22, 2013 · 11:11 pm

Join The Discussion: School District Driving Community Conversation Around Self-Improvement Book

Here is just the latest example of the South Milwaukee School District working hard to make a positive difference in our community …

The district is encouraging residents to pick up copies of “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” and read it as the basis for a “community conversation” that will include face-to-face and online discussions, conversations in the schools and via social media, and opportunities for student participation.

Books will be available by September 3 at South Milwaukee schools, South Milwaukee City Hall and the Health Department, the South Milwaukee Library and Sorce Martial Arts. We got our copy at Community Night Out this week.

A donation is requested to cover the cost of the book.

Once you pick one up, you’ll get instructions on how to join the conversation. From a flyer about the initiative …

Are you interested in enhancing your own life and shaping your child’s future? Would you like to unlock more potential as a parent, grandparent, or coach; in business; or in family relationships? Have you ever wondered why some people are more open to possibilities, growth, and change? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may want to join our community conversation!

 Our community conversation will feature the book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol S. Dweck from Stanford University. In this book, Dr. Dweck explains why it’s not just our abilities and talent that bring us success – but whether we approach our goals with a fixed or growth mindset. With the right mindset, we can motivate our children and help them improve in school, as well as reach our own goals – personal and professional.

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by | August 22, 2013 · 1:44 pm

Flood Advisory: What Are You Seeing?

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for southern Milwaukee County.

Are you seeing effects of today’s rains? Post your comments below!

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by | August 21, 2013 · 10:06 pm

South Milwaukee City Council Roundup: Audit, New Bars, Lakefront Park, Dunkin’ Donuts & More

It was a full agenda at Tuesday’s South Milwaukee City Council meeting. Among the items …

  • Audit. The council heard from Baker Tilly Virchow Krause on their audit of our 2012 financials. It was pretty routine, with no significant issues reported, as they continued to endorse what we’re doing and how we’re doing it when it comes to being responsible stewards of taxpayer money. If you’d like a copy of the audit, stop by City Hall.
  • New Bars. The council also approved licenses for two new bars: Cafe Sport Apollonia at 1213 N. Chicago Ave. (near De Rango’s Pizzeria) and Milwaukee Lounge, 1009 Milwaukee Ave. (the former Liquid Hideout and Mitchell’s Field).
  • Lakefront Park. The council approved awarding a $59,000 professional services contract to AECOM Technical Services Inc. for development of a plan for reuse of the former Northwest Barrel site property along the lakefront. Learn more about the opportunity for this land in my previous post. I look forward to seeing what AECOM comes up with as options for this site, both for its potential public use and its role in stormwater management.
  • Menomonee Avenue Project. The council voted to deny planned unit development zoning necessary for construction of a proposed 16-unit apartment complex on city-owned land at 909 Menomonee Ave. I’ll keep you posted on future development proposals for the site.
  • Dunkin’ Donuts. The council approved the conditional use permit for construction of the Dunkin’ Donuts planned for 3103 S. Chicago Ave. (at the corner of Drexel and South Chicago, as an outlot of the existing Aldi-anchored strip mall). Construction is expected to begin soon, and the company hopes to have the building complete yet this year. Learn more in my previous post. Welcome to South Milwaukee!

All votes were unanimous.

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by | August 21, 2013 · 7:20 am

It’s Community Night Out Night!

Just a reminder to stop by City Hall tonight for the annual South Milwaukee Community Night Out celebration.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends with fireworks. In between are all sorts of terrific family-friendly activities.

Learn more in my previous post … and thanks ahead of time to the South Milwaukee Police Department and all of the volunteers who work behind the scenes to bring this celebration to life.

See you at Community Night Out!

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by | August 20, 2013 · 10:21 pm

Commuting Note: You Can Now Go 50 MPH (Legally) On Lake Parkway

For those who commute to points north and west from South Milwaukee, people like me, this is big news …

You can now travel 50 mph (legally) on the Lake Parkway.

I say “legally” because few actually followed the posted 40 mph speed limit (including me, I must admit).

New signs were posted Tuesday.

Check out coverage from Fox 6 … and post your comments below!

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