Haven’t returned your absentee ballot yet? Do it in-person today!
Also, please respect our pollworkers and how hard they have worked — and how hard they will work today, this week and beyond — to deliver a free, fair, safe and secure election. Join me in thanking them.
And read this before you head to the polls. It matters.
I’ll share local election results on my blog as soon as I see them.
If you are one of the thousands of South Milwaukeeans – and millions of Americans – heading to the polls Tuesday, please remember those words. It has to matter!
I voted blue last week – and encourage you to do the same – first because I believe in the candidates and what they stand for. Do we agree 100% on issues? Of course not. But I know State Rep. Christine Sinicki, Peter Barca, and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin will be strong champions for the communities they represent, just as they have been for decades. Experience matters. So do honesty, integrity, respect and compassion – and just being a good person.
Which brings me to the race for president.
In every job I’ve ever had, and in the message I share with my players and my own kids all the time, I have been equally rated based on the “what” and the “how.” “What” you accomplish is certainly important, but just as important is “how” you do it. In other words, how you treat others, how you act, what you say and how you say it, matters a lot. On the job, on the court, in the classroom, in life.
I like enough of the “what” for Vice President Harris to get on board. Indeed, I wish President Biden had stepped aside sooner and we had gone through a traditional nomination process, to give us a better look at the deep Democratic bench. And I have serious concerns about the choices made by the current administration when it comes to issues like inflation and immigration. But facts matter … and inflation is under control, the stock market is at an all-time high, and unemployment is historically low. Illegal border crossings are way down. Our relationships with allies have been restored. Crime is down (even if it doesn’t always feel like it). I, too, stand behind women and them making choices about their own bodiese. Support for the Affordable Care Act, tax breaks truly targeted at those who need them most, common sense gun control, support for public education … I am with Harris on these issuees.
Yet while I cast my vote for Harris, I also cast it against her opponent. Because the “how” matters.
Your actions matter. Fidelity in your marriage matters. How you treat women matters. Being convicted of 34 felonies and found liable of sexual abuse matters. Lying matters.
The words of those closest to you matter. When your former top mililary official and former chief of staff say you’re a “fascist,” when your former National Security Adviser says you’re “unfit,” and when your vice president says he can not endorse you “in good conscience.” I listen. You should too.
Your own words matter most of all. What you say matters, and I take what Trump says at face value. Don’t we have to? This is potentially our next president! And, if words don’t matter, and it’s only about “the weave,” then why even have a campaign at all?
Calling Jan. 6, 2021, a “day of love” – please, just watch the damn video – matters. So does labeling immigrants “vermin” who are “poisoning our blood,” while knowingly amplifying lies about the impact of immigration on small cities from Ohio to Wisconsin to Colorado. He calls the United States “a garbage can for the world,” Milwaukee “terrible,” and Detroit an example of a “developing nation.” He wants “Hitler’s generals,” says he is willing to turn the military on the “enemy from within,” and is OK with being a “dictator on day one” and “suspending the Constitution.” He attacks, ridicules and insults everyone from transgender kids to our foreign allies to his political opponents.
We have lived this reaality for eight years. But when it comes to Trump’s racist, sexist, and hate-filled words, let’s not dwell in the past. Let’s look at what he has said in the last 72+ hours. I cannot be OK voting for someone questioning Giannis’ heritage, stating he’s cool with shots being fired at Liz Cheney or the media, and that he “shouldn’t have left” the White House. Can you? And are you OK with him pantomiming oral sex on his Fiserv Forum microphone? Yeah, that was just the last few days.
And it all matters to me.
Please do not excuse or dismiss words and actions like this as “Trump being Trump.” That is an incredibly dangerous “landing place,” for America.
Yes, this all matters. We can’t let it not matter.
Saturday, November 2: Friends of the Library Book & Bake Sale, 10-2 p.m., South Milwaukee Library. Details
Monday, November 4: Grand Kyiv Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m. South Milwaukee PAC. Details
Friday, November 8: Denim and Diamonds, an appetizers/dinner/live auction event in support of Launching a Legacy, 6 p.m., Bucyrus Club. Details
Saturday, November 9: Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus Holiday Craft/Vendor and Bake Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall. Details
Friday, November 15-Sunday, November 17: SMHS Theatre Co. presents “Little Women.” Shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, South Milwaukee PAC. Details
Thursday, November 21: South Milwaukee Community Meal, 5-6:30 p.m., First Congregational Church Hall. Meal, provided by local organizations, is free of charge. Details
Friday, November 22: Sista Strings, 7 p.m., South Milwaukee PAC. Details
Saturday, November 23: South Milwaukee Old Fashioned Christmas, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Grobschmidt Senior Center. Details
Wednesday, November 27: MIAW and Brew City “Thanksgiving Eve Thunder,” 7:30 p.m., Bucyrus Club. Details
Saturday, November 30: Shop Small World Tour II, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. Details
I love the way South Milwaukee is redeveloping. Emphasis on “re.”
As communities all around us throw up soulless spec buildings, South Milwaukee is attracting developers and business owners focused on bringing creative second and third generation reuses to landmark former properties in our city. The latest examples are in the news this week.
Bucyrus Campus
The redevelopment of the campus — from the opening of the Bucyrus Club to the new homes for companies big (Steele Solutions) and small (Styled Aesthetic) — is already a big win for the city. Now, the southern portion of the campus has been sold, with a developer bringing forward new plans for 179 apartments and other uses. From the Journal Sentinel …
Developer Scott Crawford, LLC has been working to create a multifamily and commercial development on the property at 1100 Milwaukee Ave. in South Milwaukee’s downtown for the last three years. The project has seen multiple iterations with the number of apartments and amount of retail space varying with each new submission. It was even completely canceled at one point.
The latest proposal is set to be reviewed by South Milwaukee’s Plan Commission Tuesday.
Note: I am told the commission meeting was cancelled, but there will be a special meeting on Nov. 7, when the project is expected to be considered by both the Plan Commission and Common Council.
The review follows the recent sale of the parcel to Bucyrus ACME, a limited liability company led by Que El-Amin of Scott Crawford, Inc. The 4.4-acre commercial parcel was sold for $2.75 million, according to online property records. The sale was recorded Oct. 17.
The latest plans, dated Oct. 10 in Plan Commission documents, indicate 179 apartments ― 68 in the Technical building, 26 in the Corporate building, 45 in the Heritage building and 40 in a new three-story building on the west side of the property. The Heritage building is proposed to include 7,730 square feet of retail space on the first floor with apartments on the remaining three floors above.
Other amenities in the plans include a playground behind the Corporate building, an art alley behind the Technical building and bicycle racks. There will be 384 parking spaces on the property.
South Park Lanes
Premier Pickleball Club & Complex opened on Friday at the former South Park Lanes, which closed in 2014, reopened as an indoor soccer facility, and is now home to one of the more unique redevelopment projects in the region. From its Facebook page, the new business is a …
Premier indoor facility with 12 dedicated courts facilitating open play, lessons, clinics, and tournaments. The complex also boasts event spaces, an exercise gym, pro shop, and member service amenities.
From school district emails sent to high school and middle school families …
Thursday
Today, at approximately 1:40 p.m., the High School and the Middle School were placed in a brief HOLD. At the same time, District officials and the South Milwaukee Police Department removed a staff member from the high school due to an investigation. The HOLD was released at 1:47 p.m.
Investigations involving staff members are extremely serious and administration officials are following all internal protocols and applicable state laws. The District is also cooperating with our partners in the South Milwaukee Police Department.
We respect the privacy and confidentiality of our staff and students. There is also a need to maintain the integrity of the investigation to obtain a final determination of the circumstances and any resulting decisions. Therefore no further information will be made available regarding this matter at this time. It is always our goal to be as forthcoming as possible with our community, so we will share additional information if and when we are able.
Friday
We do not have any additional information that we are able to share at this time. Families and students that were directly impacted have been contacted. If you have any questions or if your child has any additional information they would like to share, please contact the South Milwaukee Police Department or myself at 414-766-5035. If your child is impacted by this information and needs additional support at school, our student services team is available to meet with the students at school. Please contact your child’s counselor or the High School Principal, Mike Arendt, at 414-766-5110 to set up an appointment.
Thursday, October 17: South Milwaukee Community Meal, 5-6:30 p.m., First Congregational Church Hall. Meal, provided by local organizations, is free of charge. Details
Friday, October 18: Lights on Edgewood, 7 p.m., 1322 Edgewood Ave. Details
Saturday, October 19: Fall Craft & Vendor Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church-South Milwaukee, 2507 5th Ave. Details
Saturday, October 19: South Milwaukee Spooktacular, 4-8 p.m., South Milwaukee Senior Center.
Saturday, October 19: Lights on Edgewood, 7 p.m., 1322 Edgewood Ave. Details
Saturday, October 19: Rick Wakeman, presented by ACG, 8 p.m., South Milwaukee PAC. Details
Sunday, October 20: Trunk or Treat, 3-5 p.m., Zion Lutheran School, 3600 S. Chicago Ave. Details
Sunday, October 20: Lights on Edgewood, 7 p.m., 1322 Edgewood Ave. Details
Happy to see this really cool outdoor light show return in October. Shows began last weekend and continue throughout the month. Definitely worth a visit!
Halloween 2024 is here! We are so excited to be back. Here’s our schedule:
Friday October 11: 7PM
Saturday October 12: 7PM
Sunday October 13: 7PM
Friday October 18: 7PM
Saturday October 19: 7PM
Sunday October 20: 7PM
Friday October 25: 7PM
Saturday October 26: 6 – 8PM – Trick or Treat block party
Sunday October 27: 7PM
Thursday October 31: 7PM (Halloween)
All shows will last approximately 30 minutes (except for October 26).
Our show is located at 1322 Edgewood Avenue in South Milwaukee. Weather permitting, we will have speakers outside so you can stand across the street or sit at the edge of the yard/driveway and enjoy the show. If you want to stay in your vehicle, you can tune to 101.5 FM to hear the music on your radio. Please do not block driveways or any passing traffic and stay to the side of the road.
For your safety, please do not wander into the display as there are wires along the ground that could be tripping hazards.
We are once again collecting donations in the form of non-perishable food and pantry items for South Milwaukee Human Concerns. There will be a collection bin at the end of the driveway.
The playlist for each show will be different so come back to see us as many times as you can for the full experience. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you! Happy Halloween!
Unveiling the murals outside Parkway Floral. and Immortal Toys and Collectables/ChowChow Treats and Bakery. Photo credit: Growing South Milwaukee/City of South Millwaukee
One year, four new downtown murals. With the ribbon cutting last week of two new works, public art has come to South Milwaukee’s downtown like never before.
And it would not have happened without the hard work of people committed to reinvigorating our city center. A special shoutout to Growing South Milwaukee, which, through volunteers, planned, fundraised for, and (in partnership with several talented local artists) brought to life amazing murals outside Sorce Martial Arts, Immortal Toys and Collectables/ChowChow Treats and Bakery, and Parkway Floral in the past year — the latter two just last week. With more to come!
Learn more about Growing South Milwaukee on Facebook here.
To the City of South Milwaukee, the mural you commissioned outside South Milwaukee Human Concerns is equally as beautfiul.
And to the Bucyrius Foundation, whose funds have helped contribute toward all of this, thank you. The impact this foundation is having on our city is just getting started, and it will be felt for generations.
I can’t wait to see what work of art is coming to downtown South Milwaukee next!
South Milwaukee Alderman Tim Backes has graciously volunteered to write regular updates for the blog.
You can see his latest installmenthere. In this writing, Tim shares some insights on the budget, a really cool coffee-wine business coming downtown, and more.
Thanks, Tim, for bringing this idea to the blog! I am always looking for content to further our mission of keeping South Milwaukeeans informed on key issues, while also providing important context and depth where possible. It is why I started this blog as an alderman in 2009, and why I continue it today.
South Milwaukee lost a dedicated community servant — and great woman — recently.
Rest in peace, Bernice Czarnezki. From her obituary …
A lifelong advocate for service, Bernice volunteered tirelessly for numerous organizations. She served as an alderperson and poll worker, assisted with South Milwaukee flu clinics, and organized the Tuesday dance for seniors for 25 years. At the Milwaukee Airport, she welcomed travelers as a greeter at the Travelers Aid station. Her commitment to her community extended to South Milwaukee High School, the Performing Arts Center, and the Trinity Memorial Hospital Advisory Board, among others.
In 2018, Bernice was honored by the Mayor of South Milwaukee for over 40 years of distinguished service. A dedicated member of the South Shore Lions Club, she served as treasurer and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for her humanitarian efforts. She was also recognized as Citizen of the Year by the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard and acknowledged by the SE Suburban Unit of the Wisconsin Democratic Party for her unwavering commitment.
From that proclamation in 2018, when I was proud, as mayor, to recognize Bernice for her 46 years of service to the City of South Milwaukee:
WHEREAS, the City of South Milwaukee relies on the participation of its citizens in the many and varied volunteer opportunities in our community, and is proud to celebrate our board and commission members and others who give of their time and talents every day to make our city a better place; and
WHEREAS, Bernice Czarnezki is worthy of special acclaim due to her longstanding and distinguished service to the city; and
WHEREAS, Bernice has volunteered her service to South Milwaukee in a number of ways for more than four decades. She has served as a member of the Board of Appeals since 1973, was a Second District Alderperson from February 1992 to April 1993, and was a pollworker for many years, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, such devoted service to the community should be acknowledged and praised.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Erik Brooks and the Common Council of the City of South Milwaukee, extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Bernice Czarnezki for her 46 years of service to the City of South Milwaukee, and thank her for all of her contributions to our community both past, present, and into the future.
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It’s Da Crusher, of course! Shot the night of Crusherfest, as we unveiled this statue to the world. Do you have a photo you’d like to share on the blog? Send it along.
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