Just a reminder, as Rocketober comes to a close …
South Milwaukee’s official trick-or-treating time is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31 — Halloween evening.
Please leave your porch lights on if you plan on participating (and I hope you do). And stay warm!
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee
Another busy couple weeks in the Challenge …
Check out the full schedule on the Challenge Facebook page, and sign up there too.
Filed under Health, Mayors' Fitness Challenge, South Milwaukee
The Rockets are running to state.
The South Milwaukee boys’ cross-country team and two individual girl runners are headed to the state meet following strong finishes in the WIAA sectional meet on Saturday.
Here is coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and here is a preview.
Congratulations, and good luck to the Rockets Saturday in Wisconsin Rapids!
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee, Sports
My next Meet the Mayor session is Saturday, Nov. 15, and I’m proud to announce a special guest will be joining me: Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and here’s another reason to stop by — Mears Online Auctions is hosting the event.
Haven’t been to Mears? You really need to check it out. Mears is located in the old St. Mary’s Hall at 1234 Manitoba Ave., and you’ll be amazed at what owner Troy Kinunen has done with the place. The coolest part — a “mini Cooperstown” (my term) museum that features sports and other collectibles that will blow your mind.
County Executive Abele and I hope to see you there, even if it’s just to check out Troy’s cool space.
Questions, comments, concerns … all are welcome. And thanks to County Executive Abele for being a part of this.
Filed under Erik Brooks, South Milwaukee
Earlier tonight, the Plan Commission deadlocked on a motion to recommend rezoning of the former St. Adaldert’s property to allow for construction of a 37-unit affordable housing complex there.
The vote was 3-3 to recommend to the city council denial of the request from Gorman & Co. That result will be reported to the council for potential action at a future meeting.
I voted in favor of recommending denial. Here is why …
While I like a lot of things about the project, I don’t like it for that neighborhood. Its impact would be real. At 13.4 units per acre, the density is 42% higher than the surrounding area, even if you include the vacant parcel to the north of Manitoba Avenue. I wasn’t comfortable putting that burden on the neighborhood – especially in one where opposition was so significant. I barely heard a single voice of support for this project in the past month, and that weighed on my mind.
In short, I think it’s best to see what else comes along.
I was impressed with the developer … and hope they consider bringing back a senior housing development. I’d strongly consider such a plan. To me, this would be a good compromise, one with a neighborhood impact significantly less than the current project.
Absent that, I’m willing to wait and see what unfolds for this site. And I look no further than another shuttered Divine Mercy property in South Milwaukee for hope that the wait will one day be worth it: St. Mary’s.
Who would have thought that the St. Mary’s hall and gymnasium would be creatively reused as a successful online auction business, or that the St. Mary’s School would find new life as a funeral home, or that the convent would be senior housing? Who is to say the same can’t happen at St. Adalbert’s? Yes, it’s a different property with unique challenges. And the property may continue to deteriorate as we wait, but that’s where we rely on the owner of the property to live up to their responsibility and keep the buildings to code.
I close with this. In a letter to his parishioners asking for their support of the Gorman apartments, Divine Mercy’s Fr. Robert Betz encouraged the community to show a “welcoming spirit” for all people as part of its “Proud Past, Promising Future” slogan. I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I was dismayed with the reaction of some residents in the debate over this development.
We are who we are when it comes to our demographics, and I’m proud of who we are as a city. It’s also clear there are a significant number of people in South Milwaukee who have incomes suitable to live in the apartments as proposed.
That potentially includes families of more than half of the students in the South Milwaukee School District (50%+ qualify for the free-and-reduced lunch program). And it includes some people in the neighborhood around the proposed development. And some of my own family members. And me at one point in my life not too long ago.
So, yes, there is a need for affordable housing in South Milwaukee. That’s why I would never rule out support for a project like this down the road. Just not at St. Adalbert’s. Not now.
Filed under Development, South Milwaukee
From the South Milwaukee Police Department …
It is that time of year again…
Winter Parking Season will soon be upon us. Permits will go on sale starting November 3, 2014. Cost of the permit is $25.00 per month or $80.00 for the entire 4 month season. Any person who wishes to park a vehicle on the street between the hours of 3am and 6am must purchase a parking permit. Alternate side parking rules also apply. Winter parking is enforced 7 days a week.
Permits can be purchased at the Police Department Monday-Friday from 7am – 8pm. There will be no permit sales, or citation payments accepted, outside of these hours OR on weekends and Holidays. (Holidays this season are Nov. 27, Nov. 28, Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan.1) **NOTE***The Thanksgiving Holiday falls on November 27 and 28 which means that residents will have to purchase their December permits prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday in order to have them in time for the beginning of winter parking regulations on December 1, 2014.
PLEASE PLAN AHEAD, get your permits early. Parking permission will not be given because you did not have time to purchase a permit. Please come in early and get your permit purchased before the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Filed under City Services, Police, South Milwaukee
The 2015 executive budget will be published this week, and I’m proud to be a part of it for the first time as mayor.
It continues to fund our first-class city services while delivering real savings that we’re reinvesting for the future and using to enhance our work in some key areas, especially economic development.
You can read the proposed budget here. Some highlights …
The proposed budget makes significant investments in our people and fills important gaps in the delivery of city services.
Included in the budget are three new part-time positions that are funded predominately by cost savings and shifting of existing funds. All of them are necessary steps to move South Milwaukee forward and better deliver our services, and I’m excited to add them.
The budget also includes $30,000 — $15,000 carrying over from 2014 and $15,000 for 2015 – for planning. These are dollars we plan to use to update our comprehensive plan … and take a deep dive into downtown planning. Stay tuned for more information on that.
Also, the budget calls for a 2% salary increase for all employees, in addition to automatic annual increases through seniority-driven steps, for eligible employees. The raise includes our public safety workers. The current fire labor agreement includes a “wage reopener” to be negotiated by the end of 2014. The police agreement — which the council approved earlier this week but still requires police union ratification — includes the 2% increase.
I would like to know what you think of the proposed budget. Post your comments here, or weigh in at one of our upcoming meetings. The budget will officially be published in the NOW newspaper on Oct. 30., with a public hearing on Nov. 24. The city council then meets Nov. 25 to consider adoption of the document.
I also want to thank City Administrator Tami Mayzik, City Clerk Jim Shelenske, and all the department heads for their work in preparing this budget. These are the people, and their teams, who bring these numbers to life, leading the way in delivering our city services. Also, thank you to Finance Committee Chairman Ald. Joe Bukowski and Vice Chairman Ald. Pat Stoner for their work in producing this document and providing strong oversight of this process.
My pledge: To continue to be a responsible steward of your money, while finding ways to invest in our city services and build a stronger South Milwaukee. This executive budget is a good start — a real step toward South Milwaukee’s promising future.
Filed under 2015 Budget, South Milwaukee
For the second straight season, the South Milwaukee football team’s season ended with a postseason loss to Waterford.
The sixth-seeded Wolverines, down 14-0 at halftime, dominated the second half en route to a 21-14 victory over the third-seeded Rockets in the first round of the WIAA playoffs Friday night at Spaltholz Field. Here is a game summary.
While the end was disappointing, the Rockets had another strong season. South Milwaukee began the season 8-0 and took home its third straight Woodland Conference East title. The team scored some big wins — including a homecoming shutout of Cudahy and a Woodland crossover win at Pewaukee — and some terrific individual seasons, with quarterback Justin Oliden, running back Ian Pribyl and receiver Mitchell Dess putting up big numbers.
I already can’t wait for 2015!
Here is Racine Journal Times coverage of the game. TMJ4 also had a few highlights.
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee, Sports
You may have noticed some new faces downtown — more than a dozen scarecrows made by young local artists, to celebrate Rocketoberand this Saturday’s downtown trick-or-treating scavenger hunt.
A big thanks to all of the kids from Ms. Ramirez’s art classes at Lakeview and E.W. Luther Elementary Schools and the kids at Mary Linsmeier School for creating these works of art!
Stop by and see them this weekend as you take part in Saturday’s Rocketober downtown trick-or-treating scavenger hunt.
Filed under Downtown, Rocketober, Schools, South Milwaukee
Saturday is another great day to be a South Milwaukeean! Here is the list of Rocketober events …
Check out the full Rocketober schedule here. And like our Facebook page.
We’ll see you Saturday!
Filed under Community, Rocketober, South Milwaukee
News and notes from Tuesday’s meeting, in addition to the South Milwaukee Pink Day activities …
The council next meets Nov. 25 to consider the 2015 budget. The budget will be published next week — look for a post on the budget in coming days — with a public hearing scheduled for Nov. 24.
Filed under City Council, South Milwaukee
From the South Milwaukee School District …
ROCKET GIRLS’ SWIM & DIVE
On Saturday another school record was broken, this time it was the diving record for 11 dives by Allison Osell (10)! Andrea Andreska held the previous record for 11 dives at 346.2 and Ally broke it with a 347.15. Congratulations Ally!!!
Wednesday is Culver’s Day for the Rocket Swim and Dive Team so if you can, please stop in at Culver’s and help support the Rockets!
Friday and Saturday the Girls Swim & Dive team competed in South Side Sprints in West Allis, The team took 4th out of 8 teams.
On Friday night Allison Osell took 5th out of 16 divers with a score of 320.45.
Saturday Results
ROCKET FOOTBALL
The Rockets fell last Friday to Greendale 42-7 to go to 8-1 on the season. The Rockets showed they were right there with the Panthers through the first half of the game, but a couple of plays made the difference in the second half against the #1 ranked team in the state as the Panthers broke it open. With that loss the Rockets ended up earning the #3 seed in their D2 bracket and a home game this Friday at 7:00pm at Spaltholz Field against the #6 seed Waterford (6-3 regular season record). Please come out and support the Rockets in their first playoff game. There isn’t a team in Division 2 that they cannot beat! Let’s hear that support loud and strong on Friday!
Friday, October 24
7:00pm Kickoff
#6 Waterford @ #3 South Milwaukee
Tickets are $4 for all spectators over the age of 6. Tickets are $1 for those under 6. NO PASSES are accepted for playoff games.
ROCKET CROSS COUNTRY
The Rockets competed in the Woodland Conference meet last weekend, and we are still not sure what place the boys took in the race. Pewaukee won with 61 pts, followed by Shorewood with 64 and SM with 65, but due to a scoring discrepancy, we are hoping that they will be in 2nd place by only 1 pt perhaps!!! The Rocket Girls’ CC team took 4th overall out of 12 teams.
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Congratulations to all of the Rocket runners! Next up is the Rocket JV CC meet at Grant Park on Thursday starting at 4:00pm in picnic areas 5 & 6. We are expecting over 720 runners to compete!
On Saturday, the Rockets will be running in the WIAA Sectionals at Mitchell Park in Brookfield.
Saturday, October 25
WIAA Sectional CC Races
Directions
ROCKET MARCHING BAND
On Saturday the Rocket Marching Band finished in 8th place in their division at WSMA State Competition. While the judges might not have scored them as high as they had hoped, the crowd certainly approved of their performance and reacted with great cheering for the Rockets.
ROCKET GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
The Rockets travel to West Allis Hale HS tomorrow to take on the Huskies in the WIAA Regional opener. Tickets are $4 for all spectators.
Thursday, October 23
WIAA Regional Girls’ VB
South Milwaukee @ West Allis Hale
7:00pm start
ROCKET BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
The Rockets travel to Pius XI High School today to play in the Woodland Conference Boys’ Volleyball Tournament starting at 5:00pm. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for seniors and students 5 and older.
Best of luck Rockets!
ROCKET BOYS SOCCER
The Rockets season finished last Tuesday at Whitefish Bay in the WIAA Regional opener against a very good Blue Dukes team. Last week the Rockets had perhaps their most exciting match in recent memory. With a spirited crowd, the Rockets fought back from a 5-2 deficit against Brown Deer to win 6-5. Issey Valadez (11) had a goal, Adam Klosiewski (12) had 2 goals and Armend Kamberi (12) had 3 goals including the gamewinning penalty kick. Ryan Graber (11) had some tremendous saves in goal for the Rockets as well.
FALL SPORTS AWARDS
The Fall Sports Awards Program will be held on Monday, November 10th in the PAC. Letters were just mailed out to parents with the information.
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee, Sports
Thanks to South Milwaukee Police Chief Ann Wellens, the South Milwaukee schools and many, many others for helping make Justice for a Cure Day another great success.
That check in the photo is for $5,178.49 — money raised through the hard work of local students through a variety of activities and events held today and in recent weeks.
Great work. Inspiring. And a terrific tribute to those who are fighting the battle against breast cancer, those who have won it, and those who have lost it.
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee
It’s another busy week of Rocketober …
I want to specifically call out South Milwaukee’s downtown trick-or-treating event this Saturday. More than 30 businesses are taking part.
It’s a scavenger hunt!
Simply start by stopping at one of the participating businesses, get a game card (or print one off here), and have each additional business you stop at mark that you were there. Turn in completed game cards at I Can’t Resist Kids Resale and be entered to win prizes. Downtown trick-or-treating hours are 3 to 6 p.m.
We hope to see you and your family there, supporting our local merchants and having some fun along the way. Then, be sure to stop by the Mill Pond Halloween House, from 5 to 9 p.m.
A full list Rocketober events this week:
Check out the full schedule here, and here is our Facebook page. And thanks for your continued support of Rocketober!
Filed under Community, Rocketober, South Milwaukee
From South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter …
At approximately 9:12PM this evening, SMFD rec’d a telephone direct call and a 9-1-1 call for smoke in the building at EGS Appleton Foundry, 2105 5th Avenue. Upon the arrival of SMFD units, heavy smoke was issuing from the building that houses their iron furnaces and EGS Appleton personnel on scene reported that one of these furnaces, which use high-voltage induction coils to melt iron for their manufacturing process, had developed a leak and spilled some or all of its molten iron into a below grade pit beneath the furnace. The pit contains high voltage electrical equipment, hydraulic lines, and water lines for cooling and runs beneath all five of the furnaces that are in this particular area of the foundry. Due to the potential for an escalating incident, a Working Still and MABAS Box Alarm was called bringing in our mutual aid partners. As a precaution, hoselines were laid out and the sprinkler system connected to. Additional EGS Appleton personnel arrived on scene and, after consulting with SMFD Command personnel, the electrical service and water supply to the involved furnace were disconnected, further stabilizing the situation. A dewatering effort was then initiated to remove a buildup of water in the below grade pit and the furnace was monitored for changes in its condition. No injuries were reported and the cause of the release has yet to be identified.
Filed under Fire, South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee Blog 