I’m holding my latest Meet the Mayor session at one of my favorite local restaurants.
Join me from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Barbiere’s Italian Inn, 1021 Milwaukee Ave.
Bring your questions, comments or concerns, or just stop by, say hi and enjoy some terrific Italian food. Thanks to Matt and the gang for hosting me!
Filed under South Milwaukee
A previous version of this post had the wrong date. The event is this Friday, Jan. 22.
Putting a plug in for Trinity Lutheran Church’s (my church) annual Meatball Supper …
The annual event returns this Friday, Jan. 22, with some great homemade food and fellowship. Dinner is served from 4 to 7 p.m. at Trinity, 2507 5th Ave. in South Milwaukee.
On the menu are tasty Scandinavian meatballs and gravy, parsley-buttered potatoes, corn, coleslaw, lefse and rolls, and the best homemade desserts around.
Cost is $10 for those age 11 and up. It’s $4 for those 6 to 10, and those 5 and under are free.
Takeout orders are available.
Take my word for it: It’s terrific. Both the supper and Trinity.
Filed under Events, South Milwaukee
Headlines from around the South Shore …
Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.
Filed under South Milwaukee
From the South Milwaukee Police Department …
On January 18, 2016, SMPD Officers were dispatched to a single car accident in Grant Park. Officers located a vehicle, approximately 80 feet from the roadway, off Grant Park Drive and into the woods, near the south end of the “S-Curves.”
The three occupants of the vehicle, all adults from Milwaukee, were transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening, injuries.
The 32 year old driver is being investigated on suspicion of Operating While Intoxicated.
The South Milwaukee Police Department reminds motorists to drive sober, wear their seatbelts at all times, and obey speed limits to prevent motor vehicle accidents.
Filed under Grant Park, Police, South Milwaukee
Some good news for South Milwaukee and the entire South Shore in today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel …
Average home sale prices increased 7.6% in South Milwaukee in 2015 from 2014 — the fifth-largest jump among Milwaukee County communities.
Prices were also up in St. Francis, Cudahy and Oak Creek, according to MLS data.
South Milwaukee’s average sale price was $137,715 in 2014.
The article states: “Increases in prices were driven in part by low inventories of homes for sale and an improving employment climate. Still-low interest rates have helped make monthly payments affordable for more consumers.”
I’d also add this: South Milwaukee is an increasingly desirable place to live. It’s my goal as mayor to make sure it stays that way.
Filed under South Milwaukee
I’m proud of what we accomplished in 2015. But it’s nothing like what we’ll deliver in the new year. Together.
Indeed, 2016 will be a watershed year for South Milwaukee. And I’m excited to help drive this positive change.
For me, it always starts downtown, and 2016 will be a critical year for the future of South Milwaukee’s city center. The work on our first-ever downtown plan will be wrapping up in the next couple of months, and then the hard work begins: bringing ideas big and small to life that will restore vitality to our central business district. I can’t wait to begin.
We’ve delivered some real momentum in 2015. We’ll build on that in 2016, and beyond.
Events will continue to be a big part of what we’re doing downtown.
I love events. They build community, business and buzz – and make South Milwaukee a great place in which to live, and visit. And we are becoming famous for them. The farmers’ market returns for its eighth outdoor season this summer, joining a growing list of terrific downtown events that have come to life in the last year, including food truck festivals, outdoor movies, trick-or-treating, and Christmas on the Avenue. And that’s just the start. From Rocketober to Heritage Days to July 4th to Community Night Out, and many more in between, South Milwaukee will become increasingly famous for its collection of family-friendly events. And I’m quite hopeful this will be the year we bring a lighted Christmas parade to South Milwaukee. Something like this, in Manitowoc. More details soon.
We’ll also step up our economic development work when it comes attracting and retaining sustainable small businesses. The key word is “sustainable.”
We work hard every day on these efforts, and we’ve seen some real wins here in the last 15 months, with establishments like The Tap Room, MKE City Sippers, Nomi Coffee, Board Game Barrister, Ferch’s Beachside, JB’s Tee Shirt Factory and Burger King opening their doors … and longstanding businesses like DB Tax & Financial Services, Styled Aesthetic, Moran’s Pub and Ace Hardware reinforcing their commitment to South Milwaukee with plans to expand or renovate. We’ll work every day to make sure we don’t stop there. And we’ll help through an enhanced small business incentive program in the works.
We’ll also drive continued investments in our green spaces.
The upgrades to Grant Park last year will pay off big time in 2016 and beyond. Sand volleyball is returning, having Ferch’s Beachside open all summer and regular grooming will bring new life and energy to the beach. The newly resurfaced Oak Leaf Trail will attract even more users to our city, and the Sprecher Traveling Beer Garden is returning this summer, for an even longer run. Stay tuned for details.
We’ll also begin the hard and important work of revitalizing the Oak Creek watershed. The work to create a more vibrant watershed – environmentally, ecologically, recreationally – for the long term begins now. (Speaking of Oak Creek, the new Beech Street foot bridge over the creek is also complete, and it’s impressive. Check it out in the new year.)
Bringing beauty to South Milwaukee extends beyond the parks.
Our new Beautification Committee has some big plans for 2016. From targeted neighborhood beautification efforts to public plantings to holiday decorations to being a key voice on streetscaping improvements downtown, this group will make a big and visible difference in 2016.
One focus area for this group, and the city overall, is urban forestry. Tree removals have to continue, as we continue to combat emerald ash borer and deal with dead and dying trees, making up for lost time. But we have to get into the replanting business, and we will. Our new Arbor Day celebration is just the start. We’ll deliver and execute a stronger plan in 2016.
I also want to put us on the path to Tree City USA status in 2016. I’ve been coveting this for a while. It’s mostly symbolic, but it’s validation of the work we’re doing, and will do, around urban forestry. One hundred ninety-six Wisconsin communities can boast of this status, including Cudahy, Oak Creek and Franklin. I want to be No. 197.
One other initiative that looks to sprout this year: a community garden. Growing South Milwaukee is taking root, and I’m confident you’ll see a garden in South Milwaukee in 2016. Stay tuned.
Throughout all of this, we’ll never lose site of why we’re doing every day — working our hardest to deliver to the best city services we can. My pledge in 2016: to continue to find ways to improve and innovate. One great example from 2015: the move to automated garbage collection, which has delivered a significantly more efficient, safer and cleaner service for everyone. We will continue to invest in ideas like that to make us better at what we do. We have to. In 2016, that will include everything from investments in energy efficiency to continuing to investigate partnerships with surrounding communities on services, as we look for creative ways to continue to do what is expected of us — and more.
In other words, we have lots to do. And I can’t wait.
Filed under South Milwaukee
The South Milwaukee Historical Society is welcoming noted historian John Gurda to its annual luncheon on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Muskie’s Gourmet House, 800 Milwaukee Ave.
Doors open at noon, with lunch at 1 p.m. The menu includes baked chicken, stuffed pork loin and Polish sausage. Following the meal, Gurda will present “History of Milwaukee’s South Shore: The Story of the Industrial Corridor from Bay View to Oak Creek.”
Tickets are $20 per person, and seating is limited to 50.
To purchase tickets, contact Addie Becker at 764-2118. Payment can be made by mail to the South Milwaukee Historical Society or at the lunch.
Filed under Events, South Milwaukee
An iconic local retailer has new owners, and they have big plans.
South Milwaukee Ace Hardware has been sold to Harry and Chris Gil, owners of Harry’s Ace Hardware & Rental at 7240 S. 76th St. in Franklin. Their son, Ben, will manage their second location.
The Gils are showing their commitment to South Milwaukee by signing a long-term lease for their space at Sunrise Plaza, 1009 10th Ave., and they are planning a significant store remodel later this spring.
Please join me in being among the first to welcome the Gils, and to wish Dave Micale, the previous owner, well.
Dave built a first-class local business that went head-to-head with big box stores and more than held its own thanks to great customer service. Here is a message from Dave …
I would like to thank all of our customers for all the kindness and support that my family and I have received over the past 20 years. I can’t express enough how we enjoyed being a part of the neighborhood. We have met a lot of good people and made many great friends. I will forever be grateful.
The Ace announcement — especially the signing of the long-term lease and the planned improvements — is great news for Sunrise Plaza as a whole, which has new owners focused on improving the center and making it more financially viable.
And what’s good for Sunrise Plaza is good for South Milwaukee, and continued small business growth in our fair city. It’s exciting to see.
Welcome to South Milwaukee, the Gil family!
Filed under Local Business, South Milwaukee
I stopped by today (January 12) and really like the new look and feel.
Welcome to South Milwaukee!
(Burger King is located on North Chicago Avenue, in front of Walmart.)
Filed under Local Business, South Milwaukee
Catching up on South Shore headlines …
And you can see coverage of the Grant Park fireworks cannon story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, CBS 58, WISN and Fox 6.
Filed under Headlines, South Milwaukee
By now, you have likely heard about what happened at Grant Park Beach last Sunday. Or you (like, more than half a million others worldwide) have seen the video.
The short story: A man has admitted to shooting a fireworks cannon containing more than 1,000 Roman candle rounds into the lake.
We first heard about this yesterday, once the video began to go viral, and our police department quickly tracked down the man, who now lives in Texas. We told him we’d be issuing a $315 fine for shooting off fireworks in the park. We have since decided not to issue a citation.
The police department has issued this release …
On January 6, 2016, SMPD was alerted to a Facebook video in which a subject is shown shooting numerous fireworks, from a homemade “fireworks gun” over Lake Michigan, in Grant Park, on January 3, 2016.
A 24 year old man, already considered a suspect by SMPD, later admitted to being the person in the video who shot off the fireworks. He stated he was embarrassed and apologized for the incident. A records check showed the young man to have no prior criminal record.
It has been decided that no enforcement action will be taken against the young man.
The South Milwaukee Police Department does not condone this behavior. What occurred was dangerous to all involved.
This case is closed.
I stand behind their decision 100%.
While the video is pretty shocking — shocking enough to warrant significant coverage in the Daily Mail in London, England, where I first saw it on a Google News Alert — since no one was hurt and there was no damage, and given the response of the man involved, no citation is warranted.
I also initially thought we should issue a ticket. I’ve changed my mind on this.
I thank the police department for their work in this case, and for keeping us safe every day. This incident was very dangerous, and could have easily had a very bad and tragic outcome. We’re lucky it didn’t.
Filed under South Milwaukee
The April 5 ballot will include one contested South Milwaukee race.
Two South Milwaukee School Board seats are up, and incumbents Terri Travia and Doug Perry are running against challenger Frank “Disco” Gratke. They are seeking three-year terms. South Milwaukee Municipal Judge Bill Fenger is running unopposed for an eighth term. The judge serves a three-year term.
More on these races as the election nears …
Filed under 2016 Elections, Schools, South Milwaukee
Two people are running to replace Supervisor Patricia Jursik on the Milwaukee County Board.
The two candidates for the District 8 seat are …
Cudahy’s Kevin Fech, who had filed a declaration of candidacy for the seat, informed me today he will not be running.
The deadline for nomination signatures was 5 p.m. today.
You can see a list of all 2016 spring candidates on the Milwaukee County Election Commission website here. And here is Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage on contested races.
Election day is Tuesday, April 5.
Jursik announced in November she would not seek another term.
Look for more information as the race heats up this winter.
Filed under 2016 Elections, Cudahy, Milwaukee County, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee
Lots happening at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center in the next few months …
See the full list of big events and details here. Next up: A Cappella with Six Appeal on Saturday, January 23.
From the PAC website …
Popularized by TV shows like “Glee”, “The Voice” and the “Sing-Off” and movies like “Pitch Perfect I & II”, a cappella music has swept the country! It’s hot and it’s fun! That’s why Landaas and Company Investments and The Rotary Club of Mitchell Field are excited to welcome Six Appeal to the beautiful South Milwaukee PAC. Join the Six Appeal Vocal Band for an evening of a cappella artistry as they bring their vivid musical style, unmatched energy and playful charm to songs spanning the musical spectrum: from pop to country, classic rock to R&B and jazz. Now, here’s the best part! Six Appeal will spend the day of the show conducting workshops for area high school, tech and college students in the art and science of a cappella. The evening show will open with performances by student a cappella groups who’ve spent the day studying with the band. Six Appeal will then share the stage with their entire class before taking the microphones and rocking the house like no one else can! Ask anyone who attended last year’s show – this will be the must-see concert of the year! Proceeds from ticket sales will go to fund community and international projects of The Rotary Club of Mitchell Field.
Filed under Events, South Milwaukee, South Milwaukee PAC
Various news outlets are reporting a tragic story from Cudahy — the apparent murder-suicide death of a 2-year-old girl, shot and killed by her father shortly after the clock struck midnight on the new year.
See coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Fox 6, and WISN.
Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers, and let’s not forget the first responders: South Milwaukee paramedics. The trauma for them is real, too, and this type of incident only adds to my appreciation of them and the work they do.
Filed under Crime, Cudahy, South Milwaukee
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