---

South Milwaukee is replacing one hard-working, passionate, compassionate, and innovative city leader with another, as City Administrator Tami Mazyik leaves her role after more than 20 years and is replaced by Assistant City Adminitrator Patrick Brever.

Tami informed the city council in July of her decision to accept a new job in Mount Pleasant — eventually to become its administrator. The council appointed Patrick to replace her earlier this week.

I am sad to see Tami go, and equally as excited to see Patrick grow in this critical position. And I am glad Tami is going to stay on for a time to ease in the transition.

I thank Tami for her incredible service to South Milwaukee. She is one of the best in the business, and Mount Pleasant is lucky to have her. Their gain is our loss.

Tami’s love of this community is unquestionable.

In the seven-plus years I was mayor, Tami was my confidant and co-leader, working with a steady hand to ensure we were delivering on the promise to taxpayers found in our strategic plan: a mission “to deliver exceptional city services to ensure a high quality of life and enable growth” and a vision to “be the desirable South Shore community where people want to live, work, visit and invest.”

We led through good and bad times — more good than bad — and through times of great joy, sadness, and stress — more joyful than sad or stressful. I constantly leaned on Tami for wisdom, counsel and guidance, during the dark days of the pandemic, during our annual budgeting process (she’s a wizard), during our efforts to collaborate with other communities and governments. I looked to her to effectively manage our city employee team, and she adeptly did that while always seeking to creatively rethink how we can better deliver some of our key services. We partnered to fight for South Milwaukee with our local lawmakers in Madison. We teamed up to lead a referendum campaign. We navigated sometimes challenging relationships on the common council to drive positive change, big and small.

We certainly didn’t always agree, and that was a good thing. It made our ideas better. It made us better. It made the city better.

One of the areas we agreed on more often than not was the leadership role the city should play in downtown redevelopment. I remember one conversation very well, as Tami and I stood near Da Crusher Statue one day while preparing for a city employee photo. At the time, we had been working behind the scenes with a group of Bucyrus retirees who had lost their museum and wanted a new place to showcase their history, as well as a successful local caterer looking for a new, larger and permanent home — while struggling to come up with solutions for a key downtown property desperately in need of rehabilitation and a new owner willing and able to invest in it.

“We should combine all three,” Tami said (paraphrased, of course).

And the Bucyrus Club was born.

Tami and I also agreed on the potential for a baby-faced University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduate and former La Crosse alderman who emailed me and several other local mayors back in 2018 looking for an internship. I responded first. And it took one Avenue Coffee latte for me to realize Patrick Brever was special and bound for big things.

Tami and I started by asking him to research strategic planning, something the city had not done for decades, if ever, and he nailed it. Patrick also spent some time in code enforcement that spring, and we were soon faced with a decision: Watch a rising star leave town to seek his Master’s degree at an out-of-state university, or find a role for him locally he could grow into while getting his diploma.

As he prepared to head south, we stepped up and offered Patrick a newly created job — assistant city administrator — that allowed him to seek (and obtain) his graduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. We figured he would grow quickly in his job, and he did … playing a key role in our pandemic response while also driving our real and sustained momentum in economic development, stepping up our communications efforts as a city, owning delivery of the strategic plan he led in crafting, and countless other initiatives.

Patrick learned so much under Tami. Now he has a chance to shine as one of the youngest administrators for a community our size in the state, maybe the youngest.

And much like Tami did in her 20s, when she took on this same leadership role, Patrick will succeed, leaning on the experienced team around him to grow into the job quickly and show the world just how lucky we are that this Oak Creek native chose to put down roots and build a career in South Milwaukee.

The future is incredibly bright for both Tami and Patrick, and I’m happy to stand with both of them as they continue career journeys that have thankfully included South Milwaukee.

Good luck to both of you!

Here is the city press release …

South Milwaukee Common Council Appoints Youngest City Administrator in City’s History

South Milwaukee, WI – At their meeting on September 5, 2023, the South Milwaukee Common Council appointed Patrick Brever to the position of city administrator/economic development director.

Brever, 27, first started with the City in 2018. While working for South Milwaukee, he has served in several roles, including some simultaneously, as administrative intern, code enforcement assistant, deputy city clerk, city clerk, economic development director, and assistant city administrator.

Brever holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and political science from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. In 2020, he earned his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.

In July, 20-year city administrator Tami Mayzik informed South Milwaukee that she had accepted the position of finance director/deputy village administrator with the Village of Mount Pleasant in Racine County. Mayzik will start full-time in Mount Pleasant in January 2024.

Said Mayor Jim Shelenske: “We were privileged to have Tami Mayzik serve as city administrator since 2003 and we wish her well in her next role. She did a lot to move South Milwaukee forward. As Tami’s assistant administrator, Patrick Brever is well suited to succeed her. I am confident that the great work we have started over the past few years in South Milwaukee will continue with Patrick.”

“I am grateful to the Common Council and Mayor Shelenske for the trust they have placed in me and to city administrator Mayzik for her mentorship and guidance. I have enjoyed my time in South Milwaukee and the many victories we have experienced together, including implementing the first strategic plan since the 1990s, unveiling Da Crusher statue, attracting the corporate headquarters of Steele Solutions, Inc., the redevelopment of the Bucyrus Club & Event Center, and the construction of the Bucyrus Commons downtown,” said Brever. “I look forward to continuing to work with our dedicated staff and elected officials to enhance and highlight what makes South Milwaukee special. Go Rockets!”

The city administrator serves as the chief administrative officer for the City. The position has administrative authority and responsibility over all departments and department managers with the exception of the Public Library. The administrator serves at the pleasure of the Common Council to make sure the policy decisions of the elected officials are carried out and that public services are delivered efficiently and effectively.

Join us today (Saturday, September 8) for Open Doors South Milwaukee — a public celebration of South Milwaukee’s art, architecture, culture, history, and people.

We have 20 locations signed up this year!

Highlights include tours of Caterpillar Inc., and open houses at iconic parks buildings like Wulff Lodge and the Mill Pond Warming House, the city’s restored 1892 Chicago & North Western Train Depot, and several historic churches.

See details and the full list of stops at www.smwi.org.

Also, stop at eight or more locations to receive a free branded City of South Milwaukee leather keychain! Return signed location cards to City Hall between 1 – 3 p.m. 

Access the card here. Location cards will also be available at each stop.

And here are those locations and descriptions … see you around town!

All stops are open from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm unless otherwise noted.

Locations and Descriptions

Bucyrus Museum – 1919 12th Avenue

Admission is half-price ($5); kids 11 and under are free
We’re a non-profit educational museum celebrating Bucyrus’ 131 years of machinery that changed the world. You’ll see history, educational displays, operate a mining shovel in our simulator, watch educational videos, and more. You’ll be greeted and guided by our volunteer docents who will answer questions. Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; please allow at least one hour for the tour. Kids all receive a gift and stickers, and each visitor receives a commemorative sticker celebrating the 130th anniversary of Bucyrus moving to South Milwaukee.

Caterpillar – 1118 Rawson Avenue

Caterpillar will open its doors for tours from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Each tour will be about 30 minutes in length, and each tour will be conducted on the hour and on the half-hour. If crowded, the company will conduct tours every 15-20 minutes. Tours will be limited to about 20-25 people.

• All guests entering the facility will have to sign a waiver.
• All guests must wear closed-toe shoes and must wear PPE that is given to them as they arrive – earplugs and safety glasses.
• Photography will be limited.  It is only allowed in certain areas of the factory, and guests will be notified when they can take a photo.
• Safety briefs will be conducted prior to the tour, and any guest who cannot comply with the safety rules will be excused from the tour.
• Parking available on site. 
• Guests are asked to look for entrances and exits when arriving.

First Congregational United Church of Christ – 1111 N. Chicago Avenue

Come see the sanctuary and cemetery of the oldest church in South Milwaukee! While inside, explore our historic timeline along the sanctuary walls and meet Pastor Beth. Outdoors, take a self-guided cemetery tour with marked headstones of South Milwaukee’s founding members.

Chicago & North Western Train Depot (Benkowski Builders) – 1111 Milwaukee Avenue

Summary by Jay Benkowski
Benkowski Builders Inc. is proud to be a participant in the Open Doors event with the former Chicago & North Western Railroad Depot. The depot, now in its 132nd year, is a treasure of South Milwaukee’s significance as a place of importance in the development of Wisconsin and the reputation of South Milwaukee’s history as the place where things get to be built.

The Chicago & North Western Railroad Depot, circa 1892, is a testament to the growing industrial power of Southeastern Wisconsin during the great influx of Eastern European immigration during the late 1880s. Skilled and hard-working individuals made this city a force to be reckoned with. From the Panama Canal to coal mines throughout the world, the name South Milwaukee owns the moniker of significance in industrial might!
 
The depot building was purchased at the price of $15,000 in 1978 by my late father Edwin Benkowski. Ironically it was the actual cost of building this property in 1892. It was after numerous and heated arguments at dinner tables my father saw my argument and agreed to purchase this property. It took five years to rebuild the depot to its current appearance. Mr. George Becker, then a Vice President with Benkowski Builders Inc., oversaw all work schedules to rehabilitate the depot. This was celebrated in an open house January of 1983 by the South Milwaukee Historical Society and attendees. That was 100 years from the building’s final completion, a derelict building order to a certificate of occupancy.
 
 Fast forward to today, and in attendance on Saturday will be … 

• Mr. George Becker, the person who organized, oversaw, expedited all of the rehabilitation and retrofit of the Depot. He was the point man on rebuilding the depot to its current state.
• Our master craftsman, Mr. Ken Thompson. Ken Thompson Carpenter Contractor has worked on this building for more than 30 years. He has rebuilt major supporting structural roof brackets, window systems as well as historical lock sets. Additionally he has railroad experience, working on the Union Pacific line as a conductor and yard foreman.
• Lastly, we are honored to have the past President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Mr. Dave Nelson.

Holy Resurrection Armenian Church – 909 Michigan Avenue

Holy Resurrection represents one of the three oldest Armenian settlements east of California (Union City, NJ, and Worcester, MA, are Nos. 1 and 2). We will be celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2024, making us one of the oldest congregations in South Milwaukee. The original wooden structure burned down, and the current church was built on the same spot in 1962. With a touch of nostalgia, we will also have a bake sale, which is reminiscent of our annual Autumn Bake Sale at the Marine Bank (where Tri-City Bank is today).

Masjid Al-Huda South Milwaukee – 1800 16th Avenue

Guests can expect to tour our beautiful campus.  Meet volunteers from our community, and sample some delicious foods from various parts of the Muslim world. 

Mill Pond Warming House – Mill Road & Oak Creek Parkway

The Mill Pond Warming House is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Park on the Oak Creek Parkway near Mill Road. Water and cookies will be available. 

 The Mill Pond was created in 1840 with the construction of a dam, sawmill, and gristmill by John Fowle. His gristmill is believed to be the first gristmill in Milwaukee County. The mill stones were hand-carved by John Fowle and William Sivyer. The mill operated successfully until 1932 when it was torn down by the Works Progress Administration.

 The original mill stones still exist. Thanks to the South Milwaukee Historical Society, they lie on either side of the dam. The commemorative plaques that identify them were recently restored thanks to Chester Grobschmidt. The mill stone on the north side, however, was badly damaged during the recent reconstruction of the bridge.

 The WPA also rebuilt the dam and added the building where we are today. It was originally a boat house in summer where you could rent boats for use on the pond. In winter it became a warming house for ice skaters. In recent years, the Friends of the Mill Pond & Oak Creek Watercourse, Inc. have been restoring and upgrading the building whenever possible.

Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home – 700 Milwaukee Avenue

What visitors can see when they come through the doors is a 116-year-old business still going strong.  There are old pictures of the Molthens and Bells, who started the funeral home.  Visitors will get a tour of the entire building and, yes, the basement.

Schlaraffia Milwaukia – 500 Marquette Avenue

Schlaraffia is a German-speaking male organization, which was founded in 1859 in Prague to forget everyday life by playing knights and caring about friendship, humor, and art. It is therefore not allowed to speak about politics, religion, and business. In addition to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland the chapters and castles of Schlaraffia grew wherever Germans came together in greater numbers.

In 1884, the Milwaukia was founded as the second chapter in the USA. From 1921 to 1986 the first Badger Castle was located in downtown Milwaukee. In 1987 we moved into the second Badger Castle in South Milwaukee. The furniture is dating for the most part from the first years, now well over a hundred years old.

 On September 9, you will be guided around by our members, see the ceremonial hall with the throne and the “rostra” (as we call our lectern), the busts of some founders, and a huge painting of the Charles Bridge in Prague painted by F.W. Heine, who was a famous panorama painter and art teacher in Milwaukee around 1900. You will also see some interesting paintings downstairs where the members meet after the ceremony.

 We will also show a documentary by Atesh Atici that you may imagine how our meetings run. And if you liked it in our castle, you can make a little donation for a hand-painted paper shingle to help repair our roof …

South Milwaukee Fire Department – 929 Marshall Avenue

Open house style: Stop by the community fire station, the heartbeat of South Milwaukee.  Meet the firefighters, see the equipment, and learn about fire safety and prevention. 

South Milwaukee High School – 801 15th Avenue

South Milwaukee High School will be available for visits from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Guests will be able to participate in either a self-guided or ambassador-led walking tour to see all the fabulous history on display within the high school. You can take a stroll down Heritage Hall, where there are many artifacts on display highlighting current and past sporting success. You can also visit the student library, engineering and technology wing, or visit the multiple levels of classroom spaces to see those old rooms that you may have spent time in! Stop by the Sullivan Gymnasium to see the newly laid wood floor. And the school store “Orbit” will be open during your visit in case you would like to pick up a “Rockets” hat, shirt, jacket, or swag. Current students and staff members will be available during your visit and can’t wait to see you!

South Milwaukee Historical Society – 717 Milwaukee Avenue

South Milwaukee Human Concerns – 1029 Milwaukee Avenue

South Milwaukee Police Department – 2424 15th Avenue

The Police Department will be open beginning at 11 a.m.  Tours will begin at the top of each hour between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.  You will learn about our history and mission to keep our community safe through guided tours led by a member of our force. 

South Milwaukee Public Library – 1907 10th Avenue

The South Milwaukee Public Library will be hosting tours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.   Get a sneak peek at new projects, learn about the building’s history, and enter for a chance to win a retro library canvas bag. 

South Milwaukee Street Department – 910 Marshall Avenue

The Street Department will have all their heavy equipment outside and you will have the opportunity to step inside the Street Department’s building to see what is on the inside.  

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – 1314 Rawson Avenue

All are welcome at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.  We are a small church with a big heart and open arms. Many people are familiar with St. Mark’s for our family-friendly events such as Barks at St. Mark’s the 2nd Sunday of June, and Trunk n Treat in October! 

We are honored to be part of Open Doors and the wonderful South Milwaukee Community.  Visit us this Saturday and you will be greeted by the Friendly Folks of St. Mark’s with a picnic plate under the tent.  Everyone is able to take a guided or self-guided tour of the historic cemetery (locate the resting places of several historic figures including soldiers from the Civil War). Then walk through the Open Doors of St. Mark’s to see the sanctuary and enjoy coffee, a tasty treat and visit with Fr. John Allen and St. Mark’s parishioners in the Fellowship Hall. We look forward to seeing you!

Sts. Peter and Paul Polish National Catholic Church – 1308 15th Avenue

Sts. Peter and Paul Polish National Catholic Church has been serving the South Milwaukee and surrounding community since 1914.  Originally started by Polish descendants and rooted in the Apostolic Succession of the Catholic Church, Sts. Peter and Paul welcomes people of all ethnic backgrounds.  We will be offering visitors our famous Lionsfest chocolate chip cookies. 

Trinity Lutheran Church  – 2507 5th Avenue

When people stop in at Trinity, they will be welcomed by congregation members.  We will have historical information available as well as refreshments — a taste of our Scandinavian heritage.  Our beautiful stained-glass windows will be featured in a booklet explaining the symbols in our windows. 

Wulff Lodge – 215 Lake Drive

Wulff Lodge was the home of Frederick Wulff, who was hired as the first horticulturalist for the county park system.  It was built in 1916.  There will be a tour of the lodge and surrounding gardens and interesting facts about Grant Park’s history.  Visitors are welcomed by members of Friends of Grant Park.  Photo cards, chips, and water will be for sale. Parking is in the Wil-O-Way lot in Area 7. Note: There is a fairly long walk (about two blocks) on a gravel road from the parking lot to the lodge.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Friday at Spaltholz Field at Bucyrus Stadium. See you there!

More on the new field from TMJ4.

And here information from Athletics & Activities Director Ante Udovicic …

• GATES OPEN – 5:45pm
• INTRODUCTIONS – 6:56pm
• NATIONAL ANTHEM – 6:57pm
• KICKOFF – 7:00pm

TICKETS

We WILL accept cash at the gate but we will be using GoFan tonight for the first time. Please be patient with us as we work out the kinks! There will be a standard $1 charge for using GoFan for your tickets. The ticket booth on the far south nearest the concession stand and bathrooms is where SM students and people with GoFan tickets already purchased should enter!

PRICES (add $1 for GoFan)Adults – $5Seniors/Non-SM Students ($4)Kids age 7-12 ($2)

There will also be several signs in the grass outside of the stadium with a QR code to purchase tickets quickly as well!

• SMHS GOFAN TICKETING LINK
• SM ROCKET YOUTUBE – LIVESTREAM LINK

PARDON THE MESS!

Please excuse the track construction equipment and material that will be under and behind the home bleachers. The track still has a decent amount of work to be completed and we ask that no one go under the bleachers or move any of the objects in that area. 

Thanks everyone! We hope all who are able to attend will enjoy the Battle for the Hammer as well as our amazing Apollo Jazz, SM Cheer, SM Dance and SM Marching Band tonight!

The Celebrations Committee is presenting Open Doors South Milwaukee this Saturday, September 9.

Join us for a public celebration of South Milwaukee’s art, architecture, culture, history, and people with behind-the-scenes tours of buildings throughout the city.

See the full and updated list of participating locations here.

New this year are tours at Caterpillar, an open house at the Mill Pond Warming House, and stops at several new local churches. And, yes, Schlaraffia Milwaukia is opening its doors again.

Most locations are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but check the list for specific hours.

We are also offering a new incentive! Stop at eight or more locations to receive a free branded City of South Milwaukee leather keychain. Return signed maps at City Hall between 1-3 p.m. Maps will be available at each stop and online prior to the event.

See you Saturday!

Summer may be coming to an end, but South Milwaukee’s truly special special events aren’t. Here’s what’s coming up this month (and it’s a lot) …

• Thursday, September 7: South Milwaukee Downtown Market. Music by Reverend Jerry K. 3-7 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Friday, September 8: South Milwaukee vs. Cudahy football, first game at renovated Spaltholz Field at Bucyrus Stadium. 7 p.m. Details
• Saturday, September 9: Open Doors South Milwaukee, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Go behind the scenes to celebrate South Milwaukee’s art, architecture, culture, history, and people. Details and locations
• Sunday, September 10: Suburban Soles Nature Walk: “Legal, Not Legal: Patrol Grant Park With Warden Anderson,” 10 a.m., Grant Park Beach parking lot. Details
• Thursday, September 14: South Milwaukee Downtown Market. Music by The WhiskeyBelles. 3-7 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Saturday, September 16: South Milwaukee Human Concerns 50th Anniversary Celebration, 2 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details in flyer.
• Thursday, September 21: South Milwaukee Downtown Market. Music by Andy Braun. 3-7 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Thursday, September 21: Community Dinner, 5-6:30 p.m., First Congregational United Church Christ. Details
• Thursday, September 21: “Free Fallin’: A Tom Petty Experience,” 7:30 p.m., South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Details
• Sunday, September 24: Suburban Soles Nature Walk: “A Fungus Among Us,” 10 a.m., Grant Park Picnic Area 5A parking lot. Details
• Thursday, September 28: South Milwaukee Downtown Market Fall Festival. 3-7 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details

Get the full list of local events here — and let me know if I missed one.

Two well-known mural artists are taking their talents to South Milwaukee — and the result will be some eye-catching public art downtown.

One of the artists helped create the huge Giannis mural in downtown Milwaukee.

The other has been behind some beautiful public art in the Los Angeles area, including at SoFi Stadium, the Rose Bowl and Angels Stadium.

This beautiful explosion of public art is the result of separate projects being led by the City of South Milwaukee and Artworks, a grassroots group that is planning a “mural tour” downtown.

Together, they mark the most significant investment in public art in South Milwaukee in a generation, maybe ever. And I can’t wait to see it (and in, one on case, help paint it).

Sorce Martial Arts Mural

First, information on the Artworks mural, which will kick off with a painting party on Saturday, October 8.

From the Artworks web page …

We’re creating a mural tour in Downtown South Milwaukee! In August we contracted a Milwaukee based muralist, Tone Gomez aka @sketchy_tony, to design and paint our first mural on the Sorce Martial Arts building at 924 Milwaukee Avenue.

ART WORKS ON THE AVENUE | MURAL PAINTING PARTY

Join us: Sunday, October 8th 1-4pm. We’ll be kicking off our first mural installation by throwing a mural painting party at the site of the new mural.

• Meet with the muralist for a chance to paint a portion of the mural.
• Chalk up the sidewalk alongside other local artists.
• Enjoy face painting, taco truck, ice cream, popcorn, live music, bloody marys, shopping, bounce houses, fundraising, and community engagement.

Check out more information on Tone (and see some his terrific work) on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

From James Moran of Moran’s Pub and Artworks …

The funds for our first mural going up in October were raised from the sponsors and participants of our first wine tasting event held back in May at the beautiful DBHW Wealth Partners building on Milwaukee Ave.

A group of local SM business owners created a group called ‘Artworks’ earlier this year with the goal to help bring foot traffic and life back to our downtown in South Milwaukee. Although the initial focus is Milwaukee Avenue, we hope to grow, expand, and collaborate with more local businesses, building owners, sponsors, and creatives to create a downtown full of artistic, eclectic, and interactive murals. As the list grows, so will the walking and bicycling groups tours that will follow them as we look to create a vibrant new image for our downtown.

We love our SM history but that will not necessarily be our focus of this group.

I do want to state that this would not have happened without the vision and planning of Darlene Piszczek (Dar). Over the years, Dar has travelled all around the country for work and has seen the positive impacts of murals on communities of all sizes. This has not been a simple process to execute and Dar has gone above and beyond to pull this off in fantastic fashion.

Murals have the ability to attract new local businesses, help bring customers to pre-existing locations, and boost the economy of an area. All we can say about this first mural is that it is quite simply a game changer and will be the first of many that we will plan to bring to South Milwaukee. Our first mural will be revealed soon, but we have all taken an oath of secrecy, so ‘mums the word’ until our community event that is scheduled for Sunday 8th, October.

So who is behind the group? Artworks consists of Darlene Piszczek, Chuck Winn, Leah Minue, Ernie Wunsch, Tamara Janowski, and James Moran. All six (6) volunteers have businesses in South Milwaukee, five (5) of them located on Milwaukee Ave, and five (5) of us live in SM, with two (2) of us actually on Milwaukee Ave.

Human Concerns Mural

Another mural is coming a block away from Sorce Martial Arts, this one sponsored by the City of South Milwaukee. From the city …

The Common Council approved a contract with Mika Revell of LLP Studios for the mural at 1029 Milwaukee Avenue at their meeting on August 15, 2023 by a 6-1 vote. 116 mural designs were reviewed by a committee of seven stakeholders to determine the final design.

Design description: In the foreground are native flowers found in Grant Park, set in front of Grant Park shoreline, showing a beach, Lake Michigan and our city’s connection to the thriving Milwaukee region. The design also has the illusion of coming out of the wall and inviting people to step into nature.

The mural is slated to be started in September and should be completed over a seven day period.

Learn more about Mika Revell here, and check out some of her work …

I love all of this!

Excited to see all of this support for Rocket, the department’s new K-9.

From South Milwaukee Police Chief William Jessup …

The fundraising initiative has been well-received and is ongoing. We have received many other generous donations from individuals and businesses. Rocket and Officer Edwards will be undergoing six weeks of intensive training and then he will begin working in the community in October.  We will be having a swearing in ceremony but that date hasn’t been set.

Here are Rocket’s top supporters …

• South Milwaukee Lions (pictured)
• Eaton (pictured)
• James Moran (pictured)
• Oak Creek Veterinary Care Clinic
• Walmart
• Farm & Fleet
• Marty & Betty Storm
• Stephen & Lois Schreiter
• Diane Ulrich
• Leonard & Carol Miller
• Janell Schalow
• Cathy Cerqua
• Affordable Heating & Cooling
• Brew City Towing
• MECA WI Police Canine Vest Foundation, LLC
• Martha Vera
• Darryl Napiontek
• SM Elementary Schools
• Skyline Catering
• Sandra Page
• Peggy Clark
• South Milwaukee Industrial Museum, LLC
• Metalcut
• Eberhardy & Eberhardy, LLP
• Educators Credit Union
• Will Enterprises
• Murphy & Prachthauser, S.C
• Tony G’s Grant Park Garage
• Elite Protection Services
• Knights of Columbus
• SM Historical Society
• John & Helen Vinohradsky
• Max A. Sass & Sons
• DG & TR Leech
• Connie U’ren
• Bucyrus Civic Foundation

A little later than the initially anticipated date of fall 2022, but we’ll take it.

The athletics facilities upgrades at South Milwaukee High School extend beyond football, baseball and softball. I love the new floor!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SM Athletics & Activities (@sm.rockets)

From the South Milwaukee/St. Francis Department …

Do you need a place to go to get out of the extreme heat? Visit any of the following Cooling Center locations as needed. Please call your local center or the Health Department with any questions you may have! #StayCool #StayHydrated #StaySafe

With classes beginning Sept. 5 for the South Milwaukee School District, it’s a great time to celebrate the value of public education in our community and all communities — amplifying the message of the Wisconsin Public Education Network, which had its annual conference last week in our fair city.

It was an honor to attend for even half a day and see firsthand the pride and passion shared by educators from the around state to help our kids, and to hear what they are doing to overcome the continued challenges they face each day in doing their jobs.

From fighting for funding in Madison to battling for respect and support and respect in and out of the classroom, this is not easy work. But I am heartened and hope-filled by what educators are doing on behalf of our kids, led by organizations like WPEN and brought to life each day in school hallways.

I saw it in the faces of those at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, including my own daughter, who served as a panelist and singer at the conference. And I see it in the thousands of South Milwaukee families who are made stronger by the quality education their children receives at our local schools.

Strong public schools = strong communities. Public schools unite us, indeed.

Here is a recap from WPEN …

The Summer Summit brought together public education advocates from every part of Wisconsin and every angle or role that reaches our public schools—from administrators and board members to educators and staff to parents and community advocates to students themselves—on the tails of one of the most gutting, shocking, and disappointing state budget cycles we could’ve imagined.

The eagerness to put accountability into action was palpable, and every session was directly tied to this urgent theme. Participants asked tough questions, held themselves accountable for understanding how school funding works, dove into the trickiest topics threatening students’ freedom to learn in urban, suburban, and rural districts alike, and collaborated to build a shared toolkit for better, louder, more effective advocacy in the coming year.

“We want to make sure we’re building and maintaining our collaborative relationships based not only on hard work but also on accountability,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said in her remarks at our Morning Meeting. “And to be clear, accountability is not about expressing disappointment—or at least not exclusively. It can be, and should be, also about expressing appreciation, or communicating importance, or proposing alternatives, all in the furtherance of our goal of stronger public schools.”

That statement captures the work of the Summer Summit perfectly, as we dissected where Wisconsin has gone wrong in delivering yet another less-than-inflationary budget and massive giveaways to private schools, but also where we have gone right, and how we can amplify those successes in order to generate more of them.

To be clear, there’s a lot of work to do, and there’s no time to lose in doing it. Wisconsin continues to sit on a massive budget surplus that could still be put to good use. New legislation is coming down the pike as the school year begins. Many districts face a budget with less state aid in the new year than last year, and all of them face a budget that puts us on a path for 16 consecutive years of falling behind inflation.

“We’re not here to cheer for crumbs,” our executive director Heather DuBois Bourenane declared at the Summer Summit.

That’s why it’s on us—all of us—to hold ourselves accountable for telling our local-level public school stories, demanding strong, equitable public school resources, and staying involved at every level, every day. Please join us in putting Accountability In Action all year.

Summer Summit Archive! Almost all sessions and some breakout sessions are already archived on our website. Follow this page to access video recordings and other resources from the Summer Summit to refer back to sessions you loved, check out the ones you missed, and ensure that what was learned last Thursday stays with us moving forward. (We are continuing to update this page.)

Bucyrus Commons is home to two car shows this week, as the impressive list of summer events in South Milwaukee continues. Click on the images for more details.

From the city …

The current South Milwaukee Water Tower was built in 1999 and is due for significant exterior and interior rehabilitation work. The surface of the tank will be sandblasted and repainted. The water distribution pumping system has already begun to account for the water tank being out of service.  

Residents who experience low water pressure or cloudy water should call the South Milwaukee Water Utility at 414-768-8070. This project is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Of note, the water tower is not being rebuilt, just refurbished. So it will look like what you see below in shape. Sandblasting begins this week.

And I’m told there will be a Rocket logo painted on the side facing Bucyrus Stadium.

Thanks, J&JDoubleTake, for the photo. Beautiful shot, as always.

Learn more on the team’s Facebook page. Go Rockets!

From the South Milwaukee Celebrations Committee …

Join us at Bucyrus Commons (1028 Madison Avenue) at 5 p.m. for hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, bouncy houses, and more! The movie starts at 8 p.m.

And bring a lawn chair!

Learn more about all the city Celebrations Committee events here. Next up after Movie Night:

• Saturday, September 9: Open Doors. 10am – 3pm. Go behind the scenes to celebrate South Milwaukee’s art, architecture, culture, history, and people. We have 20 stops booked, including several new ones for 2023. Learn more here: Open Doors Event Webpage
• Saturday, October 21: Family Spooktacular at the Commons. 4pm – 7pm. Movie begins at 7pm. Event to be held at the Bucyrus Commons. More details coming soon!
• Saturday, December 2: Christmas at the Commons. Mark your calendars for a new holiday event with food, music, family fun, and the lighting of the Bucyrus Commons Christmas tree. More details coming soon!