by | December 1, 2013 · 9:27 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: Candles By Lilly

20131130_162753_resized 20131130_162844_resized 20131130_162940_resized (2) Continuing with day two of 12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas, a celebration of local business this holiday season …

Today, it’s the city’s newest business, Candles By Lilly. I stopped by Saturday to welcome them to town, and I’m glad I did. It was a pleasure meeting owner Elizabeth Parker and hear more about some of her products, many of which she makes.

From candles to oil lamps to greeting cards, this new store has a lot of options for Christmas shoppers.

Stop by and see for yourself at 1304 Milwaukee Ave. Here is the store’s Facebook page.

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by | November 30, 2013 · 5:34 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas, Part II

Back by popular demand … and starting on Small Business Saturday …

It’s 12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas, some suggestions for local shopping this holiday season. This year’s list will include some repeats from 2012 and some new options.

I start with Studio One Art Glass, still an undiscovered gem for many in South Milwaukee at 1333 Milwaukee Ave.

Check out my previous post on Studio One here, and tell Kim I sent you.

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by | November 29, 2013 · 10:24 am

Council Roundup: Pit Bulls, Chickens And More

It was a busy agenda on Tuesday, in addition to passage of the 2014 budget, so here goes …

First, the Legislation and Permits Committee voted to reaffirm our bans on chickens and pit bulls in separate votes.

I voted to uphold both bans.

On chickens … I understand the arguments for allowing them, and find most of them quite valid, especially the desire to increase the amount of locally grown food and the positive health effects that brings. That is why I strongly considered voting to allow them with significant restrictions (permitting, etc.). But I couldn’t get past this question: “Would I want even one chicken living next to me?” The answer is, “No.” And, with that, I wouldn’t want to ask others to live next to one either. This would be a different story if we weren’t such a densely populated community, where many residents live mere feet from their next-door neighbor. And then there is the question of enforcement. How would we enforce this? Would we at all? My guess is, we wouldn’t. The proper (or improper) keeping of chickens would be a complaint-driven process, as so many of our ordinances are. We don’t need more of that.

On pit bulls … I wish we had more time to give this issue the debate it deserves. I did some homework before the meeting, and we heard from several people for 30-45 minutes during the meeting before a vote was called. I had to vote — and I cast my mine to uphold the ban first passed more than 20 years ago because of precedent. Simply, our pit bull and vicious dog ordinance seems to be working, and I trust in the people who passed it decades ago – and the city staff experts who think we should continue it. Our city attorney also raised a good question several times to various speakers: “How would rolling back the restrictions make South Milwaukee safer?” I thought that was a good way to frame the debate, and with two young kids at home, that argument really hit me. I couldn’t see how taking that action would indeed make us safer. Of course, I’m open to new ideas, new information and approach on all issues, and I suspect this issue will come up again. If and when it does, I hope we give it the full and deep debate it needs. There are good points on both sides of the debate over “breed-specific” dog ordinances.

Among other actions taken Tuesday night:

  • The L&P Committee also agreed to increase many paramedic fees by 4.2%, in line with the medical consumer price index increases over the past two years. (We did not increase these fees in 2013.) Select Health Department fees will also increase 5% in 2014, among other small increases.
  • The council also approved a license for a new bar, yet to be named, at what is now Moran’s, 912 Milwaukee Ave. It is expected to open in December.
  • And we agreed to move ahead with a concept to rebuild 11th Avenue, between Milwaukee and Michigan Avenues, repaving the street and adding more landscaping and other features to make the street more appealing. This work, if and when funding is approved, will be done early in the season in 2014 — and will require the South Milwaukee Downtown Market to relocate for several weeks. Stay tuned.

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by | November 28, 2013 · 9:38 am

Happy Thanksgiving … What Are You Thankful For?

Happy Thanksgiving, South Milwaukee.

I hope this day finds you with family, friends and football … and, if it doesn’t, you are in the thoughts and prayers of the Brooks family.

And it’s that family that I am most thankful for. I would be nothing without them and their support. It’s been a terrific year, and I hope even bigger things are to come in 2014. I am blessed to have them behind me.

How about you? What are you most thankful for? Post your comments below!

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by | November 28, 2013 · 9:37 am

News Roundup: Jursik Publishes New Enews Update, Vote For Emerald City, Police Blotter

South Shore Supervisor Pat Jursik has published a new Enews update, with items on the recently passed budget, the Mill Pond warming house and more. Check it out here.

Also, be sure to vote for South Milwaukee’s Emerald City Catering as “Best Caterer” on WISN’s A List. Do so here.

And here is a new NOW police blotter, including these items …

  • A laptop computer and several items of sports memorabilia were reported stolen from a home in the 3300 block of Sanctuary Drive on Nov. 17. Items taken included footballs autographed by Brett Favre and Reggie White, and a basketball autographed by Don Nelson and Milwaukee Bucks players.
  • Two residents of the 1300 block of Michigan Avenue had an altercation at 1:11 p.m. Nov. 17, after one cut off the cable television access of a 43-year-old neighbor. The man cutting the cable said the 43-year-old was obtaining cable service illegally. Both men had minor injuries, but no charges were filed.
  • A Milwaukee man told police two men unsuccessfully tried to rob him with a knife at 7:21 p.m. Nov. 15 in the 1000 block of Columbia Avenue.

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by | November 27, 2013 · 9:03 pm

Big Christmas Weekend: Indoor Market, Parade, Old Fashioned Christmas

Just a reminder, that this is the biggest Christmas weekend of the year in South Milwaukee.

I love this season!

It starts on Saturday, with the South Milwaukee Downtown Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Milwaukee High School. Then it’s the South Milwaukee Christmas Parade on Sunday, starting at 12:30 p.m., followed by the city’s Old Fashioned Christmas celebration.

Learn more in my previous post on Christmas events … and I’ll see you out and about.

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by | November 27, 2013 · 6:23 pm

City Council Passes 2014 Budget — With Tax Levy, Rate Decrease

A property tax levy and rate decrease.

It’s not often you read those words in the same sentence, but that is just what the 2014 South Milwaukee budget passed Tuesday night calls for.

I am proud to support the budget, especially because we are able to reduce the amount of taxes levied (and the tax rate) while still funding city services at adequate levels. For more details, you can check out my previous post on the budget here.

So, what will this mean for your tax bill?

The 2014 tax rate for city purposes was set at $8.85 per $1,000 in assessed valuation, about a four-cent decrease, or 0.42%, from the 2013 figure. The total tax rate for 2014 (including all government entities) will be $26.93 per $1,000, down from $27.29 a year ago. So, for the owner of a $150,000 home, your taxes may also go down next year, from $4,093 to $4,039. I say “may” because it’s impossible to predict the tax bill on a specific property.

That said, delivering a decrease in property taxes year over year is rare – and a sign of this council’s (and my) continued commitment to responsible budgeting.

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by | November 25, 2013 · 10:57 pm

Farewell, Studio 915 … Welcome To Your New Downtown Home, I Can’t Resist Kids Resale

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Downtown South Milwaukee continues to transition — and this is a good news, bad news story.

The bad news: If you haven’t noticed, Studio 915 left its space at 915 Milwaukee Ave. a couple months ago. The studio is now “mobile,” according to its website, with private lessons, events and more. I wish Joe and Dawn the best of luck and feel bad that they couldn’t make a go of it here.

The good news: I Can’t Resist Kids Resale, already having outgrown its space down the block, has replaced the art gallery. And the store looks terrific, inside and out. If you haven’t stopped by the store yet, please do and welcome Becky to South Milwaukee. With the holidays upon us, you should add this store to your local shopping list.

This is the kind of destination retail I would love to see more of in South Milwaukee — the kind of merchants we’ll need if and when we are going to right the ship in our city center.

We obviously have some work to do.

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by | November 25, 2013 · 10:51 pm

Caterpillar Getting $1.2 Million Tax Refund Payment From City, Other Government Entities

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue recently found Bucyrus/Caterpillar overpaid on its property taxes during four of the past five years – and, because of it, the city, school district and other taxing bodies owe the mining company more than $1.2 million.

The South Milwaukee City Council last week approved an agreement that will refund that tax overpayment in varying amounts over the next four years. The $1,265,135.22 will be sent to Caterpillar in these installments …

  • 2014 (for 2008 overpayment): $283, 073.78
  • 2015 (for 2009 overpayment): $540,205.17
  • 2016 (for 2010 overpayment): $278,535.58
  • 2017 (for 2012 overpayment): $163,320.69

Caterpillar dropped its 2011 appeal as part of the settlement agreement.

Of course, as one of several taxing entities, the city is only on the hook for a portion of each year’s repayment, ranging from more than $56,000 in 2017 to more than $187,000 in 2015. All in, the city’s liability here is more than $437,000. The schools, for instance, are liable for more than $521,000 over the four years, with lesser amounts owed by the county, MATC and state.

I voted for this agreement because it was clear this was the best we can get.

Besides allowing for the gradual repayment plan – vs. requiring the city to pay one lump sum this Jan. 1 — the agreement waives any interest payments Caterpillar could have sought. In exchange, the city waives its right to challenge any Cat property tax assessments between now and 2017. I absolutely do not like that fact – but the benefit of retaining that right seemed relatively small since it is the state, not the city, that assesses industrial properties.

How did this happen? It’s hard to say, since the state makes the final call on industrial assessments. So we are reliant on what they determine (and must pay the price if they are wrong).

The issue in question dates to the days of Bucyrus more than five years ago, when the company first disagreed with the assessments on property outside of the tax incremental financing district (south of Rawson Avenue). The state disagreed. Bucyrus disagreed again. The state disagreed again. And so it went until a court found in favor of Bucyrus (now Cat) … and the state determined the manufacturer had overpaid for those four years. The city was informed of this final decision recently.

I’m certain the downturn in the economy had an impact here. Industrial land and property across the country was simply not worth as much during the time frame in question.

So, what does this mean for the city budget and property taxes? To be determined. The city will use its cash reserves to make the 2014 payment when it’s due in September. After that, future refund amounts can be added to the tax levy and not be subject to any state levy limits. That means it’s likely future homeowner tax bills will be affected by the ongoing refund payments.

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by | November 24, 2013 · 1:30 pm

Recognizing Good Work

Our employees do a terrific job of delivering our services … and it’s nice to see them recognized for their work.

With that in mind, here is an email I received from Hilbert Hayslett, a Fourth District constituent, about a recent experience with three of our department heads …

As your constituents, we have experienced your interest in and willingness to help resolve issues over the years. We also have come to respect the quality of services provided by the City of South Milwaukee and the dedication of its employees.

During the past seven weeks while coaching the South Milwaukee Middle School Rockets Robotics First Lego League (FLL) team, we called on Wastewater Treatment Facility Superintendent Andy Bakalarski, Health Department Administrator Jackie Ove and Water Utility Superintendent Doug Fischer to help the team fulfill the FLL research requirements. That included studying disaster situations, such as flooding, and its impact on our community’s water-processing facilities, property damage and disaster preparedness. Each of these city officials talked to our 6th and 7th grade-team members about their areas of expertise, and answered questions.

Andy’s detailed explanation of wastewater treatment and the impact of flooding was clear and useful to the team. Jackie gave an interesting presentation on disaster preparation, and demonstrated an emergency-preparedness kit and provided individual handouts with extensive information about home and personal disaster preparation. Doug took the team on a virtual tour of the Water Utility via his laptop computer and brought a large filter to demonstrate how our water is processed.

In addition, Jackie and Doug’s schedules permitted them to attend the dress rehearsal of the team’s skit on Nov. 14 that demonstrated its completed project, which they presented at the FLL Regional Qualifying Tournament on Nov. 17.

We and the team were impressed by the expertise, cooperation and gracious manner with which Andy, Jackie and Doug helped our team understand the complex issues and equipment involved in the delivery and safety of our drinking water in preparing for and during times of disaster.

The City of South Milwaukee can be proud to have such excellent representatives as these outstanding officials.

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by | November 22, 2013 · 10:42 pm

More Headlines!

Check out these South Shore headlines …

And NOW has published a new police blotter, including these three concerning acts of vandalism …

  • A BB gun was fired into a window at an apartment in the 500 block of Southtowne Drive about 11 p.m. Nov. 1. Damage is estimated at $50.
  • A pellet was fired through a patio window in the 2500 block of Lakeshore Boulevard at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 13.
  • A car’s windows were shot out in the 200 block of Marshall Avenue the afternoon of Nov. 13.

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by | November 22, 2013 · 6:14 pm

South Milwaukee Alumni Update: Hollywood Edition

More updates, this time from the arts …

Michael Cotey (Class of 2004) 

Those of you in the High School and Middle School already got this from Mr. Cleveland but I am sending it again so that all those outside of SDSM that get these emails can see the great work being done by one of our grads. I have include a link to his bio (which was imbedded in the story on JSOnline) and a couple of nice quotes about his directing abilities. Way to go Michael!

http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/directors-must-learn-the-ropes-too-b99140607z1-232090111.html?ipad=y

http://www.michaelcotey.com/bio.html

Jenny Hoffman (Class of 2011)

Jenny is out in Los Angeles studying and working as an actress and a recent project she worked on (Rocky Horror Picture Show) is up for a Broadway World Award. See details below for a way to vote for it to win the award and good luck Jenny!

The Rocky Horror show from October has been nominated for a Broadway World Award!

http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/liveupdate2013region.cfm?btype=1138&region=Los%20Angeles

Go to the link and click where it says “Click Here To Vote.” Make sure you enter your email address at the top of the page. Rocky Horror is the last category. It’s called “Best Special Theatre Event.” It will make you go through every category, but you don’t have to place a vote for anything else. Please Vote!

Leah Costello (Class of 2007)

This Thursday, Leah will be on an episode of the Young and the Restless, one of the longest running daytime soap operas. The show airs in the Milwaukee area on CBS58 at 11:00am. Congratulations Leah (daughter of our very own Guy Costello)!

Kyle Olson (Class of 2006)

Kyle and a project of his are profiled in a recent Milwaukee Magazine article. You can check out the link below. Kyle is currently hard at work behind the scenes of a number of television productions such as Dancing With the Stars. Kyle continues to amaze!

http://www.milwaukeemag.com/article/1172013-ACalltoActionLetterstoAshleigh

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by | November 22, 2013 · 9:08 am

South Milwaukee Alumni Update: New Team For McKinney Jones, Belmont’s Local Star And More

Update: Check out this story on Trey from the Fort Wayne newspaper.

Thanks to Ante Udovicic for the continued updates …

Trey McKinney Jones (Class of 2008)

A few weeks ago, Trey officially signed with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the NBA D League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks. He has put in a lot of work over the years, but especially this summer and fall to get ready and it showed on Saturday. On Saturday the Mad Ants had their pre-season game against the Canton Charge and Trey had a very nice game. Fort Wayne won 87-84 and Trey had a game high 17 pts on 8 of 14 shooting and the following stat line:

17 pts   7 reb   1 ast   2 steals   1-1 from 3 pt range

Go to this link for his initial player profile:

http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/trey_mckinney_jones/index.html

Drew Windler (Class of 2009)

Drew is a senior starter on the perennial NCAA Tournament team Belmont and they had a great early season resume builder on Sunday, getting a huge road win at #12 ranked North Carolina to move to 3-1 on the season. Drew had 16 points and 3 steals in the game and also rebounded the miss of UNC’s last shot (by former Menomonee Falls standout JP Tokoto) and made the long pass ahead to a teammate for an assist on the game-winning layup. Drew is averaging 16 pts and 5 reb per game thus far through 4 games. Good luck tonight against Lipscomb and this season Drew!

http://www.belmontbruins.com/sports/m-baskbl/2013-14/bios/windler_drew_s0lw

Taylor Zaeske (Class of 2013)

Taylor not only earned CACC Rookie of the Week honors 3 times this season, she is the only freshman to earn 1st team all-conference in Women’s volleyball. Great season so far Taylor!! The link to the article is below this paragraph just in case you can’t see the photos from the article pasted below the link.

http://www.caldwellathletics.com/news/2013/11/12/WVB_1112134456.aspx?path=wvball

Katie Bartlett (Class of 2013)

A former Rocket basketball player, Katie makes her home debut this Thursday night at Alverno College at 7:00pm as the inferno takes on Edgewood. Here is Katie’s early season bio. Good luck Thursday and this season Katie!

http://athletics.alverno.edu/sports/wbkb/2013-14/bios/bartlett_katie_limj

Natalie Marlowe (Class of 2008)

In her second year at Hendirx College as an assistant womens’ basketball coach (and assistant womens’ golf coach too!) Natalie’s team is 1-1 so far his year. Last year they struggled losing their first 17 games only to finish 4-5 in their final 9 games and start to build something. So far so good this year…best of luck to Natalie and the Warriors!

http://www.hendrixwarriors.com/coaches.aspx?rc=99&path=wbball

Brett Hochstaetter (Class of 2011)

Former Rocket standout wrestler is a redshirt sophomore walk-on getting some varsity wrestling matches at 174 lbs for the Badgers. Way to go Brett and good luck! The Badgers’ dual meet at Michigan State Dec. 8 will be aired live on the Big Ten Network. Brett’s bio is linked below.

http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/brett_hochstaetter_779680.html

Sterling Smith (Class of 2012)

Sterling is a redshirt freshman Defensive Lineman on the Division II playoff bound 10-1 St. Cloud State Huskies. They travel to Arkansas on Saturday to play at Henderson State in the opening round of the D II playoffs. Good luck Sterling! (their website is a little off on his bio as they have Sterling graduating from South HS – oh well).

http://www.scsuhuskies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=840&path=football

Pat Berg (Class of 2012)

Pat is a backup QB on Concordia University’s football team and they play at noon this Saturday at UW Platteville in the opening round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs. Good luck Pat!! Here is his bio (although I think his height of 5’9″ is off a little bit…he has got to be 6’1″).

http://cuwfalcons.com/sports/fball/2013-14/bios/berg_patrick_d8oa

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by | November 20, 2013 · 9:22 pm

Leaves Leaving Soon

Wondering if and when those piles of leaves will be removed?  I asked our assistant street superintendent, Dan Ratajski, and he said crews are working hard to get them off the streets. 

From his response …

The last day to rake leaves into the gutter was November 15th.  After that date, we will make one final pass throughout the entire city, so, whatever streets we were on yesterday was our last run down those streets, whatever we do today is final also and so on.

After final pass of streets they will have to bag any remaining leaves and take to the Self Deposit Station.

In the past we have gone back after final run and picked some stray piles here and there but that all depends on the weather. Once we get snow, the leaf brooms come off the trucks and the plows go on.

The department strives to have three crews out daily doing leaf removal, in addition the normal workload of garbage pickup and other services. Learn more here.

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by | November 19, 2013 · 9:53 pm

21st Assembly District: Republican Rodriguez Rolls In Special Election

The 21st Assembly District has a new representative — Republican Jessie Rodriguez.

Rodriguez easily defeated Democrat Elizabeth Coppola in the special election held Tuesday, 56%-44%. She will replace Mark Honadel, who left the legislature this fall in the middle of his fifth term.

Check out updated results from the Fox 6 website.

Of note: It was almost a dead heat in South Milwaukee, where Rodriguez tallied 50.5% of the vote to Coppola’s 49.3%. See the tally sheet here.

It was a different story in Oak Creek, where Rodriguez easily beat Coppola. You can see Oak Creek’s results on its Facebook page and on the Facebook feed on the city website.

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