Prisoner Escape And Capture, Caterpillar Negotiations Update And Other Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

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Dollars And Sense: State Budget Is The Topic Of May 28 Forum

The South Milwaukee Education Association is hosting a public forum around the state budget on Tuesday, May 28.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at Papa Luigi’s, 1919 12th Ave. in South Milwaukee.

Experts on school program and funding will lead a discussion of key issues in Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget, including a potential funding freeze and voucher expansion. I’ll also be providing my perspective on how the state budget impacts South Milwaukee.

Learn more here. Hope to see you there!

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More South Milwaukee Cat Negotiations Next Week

So reports the Chicago Tribune …

Well, that’s some good news. At least they’re talking.

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Recapping Tuesday’s Council Meeting

Some highlights from Tuesday’s meeting  of the South Milwaukee City Council …

  • We recognized the appointment of a new fire captain — longtime former Lt. Glen McCoy. Replacing Lt. McCoy will be John Frost, also promoted from within. Congratulations to both men. Their promotions are well-deserved, and it’s great to see internal candidates chosen for these roles. (Capt. McCoy replaces Joe Knitter, a former captain who was named South Milwaukee fire chief in late 2012.)
  • So, with the promotions, there are now two empty firefighter jobs to fill. The council voted 7-1 to not fill those jobs for now, pending the results of an upcoming arbitration hearing over a grievance involving an interpretation of vacation time language in the city’s labor contract, as well as the uncertainty over potential consolidation. I was the one “no” vote. I would rather fill those jobs now, rather than wait on those variables. The department is already stretched thin.
  • We also voted to give “first readings” to the ordinances introduced earlier this month around terms for elected officials, and the nature of the city clerk, treasurer and attorney positions. The vote was 8-0 on all of these measures, except for the aldermanic term issue. I voted no on that one, following up on my vote on May 8. I think aldermanic terms should be staggered. The language we voted on does not call for that. I expect final passage of these measures in June.
  • There was also an update on the proposal for apartments on Ninth Avenue. The Plan Commission has asked for some changes with the project, including reducing the number of three-bedroom units. Next up, if the developer decides to proceed: submittal to the Community Development Authority. Eventually the project would end up back before the council to handle any necessary rezoning.
  • We voted to cancel our July 2 and August 6 meetings, as we typically do during the summer.
  • The South Milwaukee Fire Department also honored several of its own as part of Emergency Medical Services Week. I’ll be posting more on these award winners soon.
  • And we granted the liquor license request for Spirits.

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Think Summer: Market Starts Its Fifth Season Today

I know the weather isn’t perfect, but the South Milwaukee Downtown Market is prepared for a big start to our 2013 summer season.

We start our fifth season today (May 23), and we’re expecting more than 40 vendors selling produce (in season), organics, arts, crafts, baked goods, prepared foods and more.

We also have live music or a special event every week.

Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. this and every Thursday through October 10 (no market July 4). We’re located on 11th and Milwaukee Avenues.

See you at the market! Learn more here.

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Rocket Power! Woodland Conference Championship For South Milwaukee Softball Team

Congratulations to the South Milwaukee softball team, which clinched the Woodland Conference championship last week.

The Rockets also won their WIAA regional opener, 7-5, over Racine Horlick on Tuesday. Next up for the seventh-seeded Rockets is a regional final against second-seeded Kenosha Tremper.

Gametime is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday in Kenosha.

Here is the bracket. Go Rockets!

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Celebrating Science, Technology, Engineering And Math (STEM) At Blakewood School

Just got this email about a cool event coming up Thursday …

Blakewood Elementary Troop 3011 is hosting DiscoverSTEM on Thursday May 23rd from 4:00-7:30 pm. We were hoping you could share a little about this awesome showstopping event. 

Eight members of the Troop won the Gracious Professionalism Award at both the Regional & State Competitions for First Lego League and are now sharing the amazing things they have learned about STEM and Character Education. 

Fox 6 has more information on the event, which includes science experiments, technology displays, engineering robotics demonstrations and a math scavenger hunt.

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Putting The Spirit In Spirits: Downtown South Milwaukee Bar To Reopen

Spirits will have new life next month.

The South Milwaukee City Council on Tuesday approved a Class B liquor license for Ed Abrams and the establishment at 922 Milwaukee Ave. Ed said he hopes to reopen Spirits Bar & Grill in mid-June, pending inspections.

That would be a little over a year after a major fire damaged the tavern.

Welcome back, Spirits!

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Cat, Union Talks To Resume

Various media outlets are reporting that negotiations between Caterpillar and the United Steelworkers will resume Thursday.

Let’s hope there is progress.

Check out coverage in BizTimes.com, The Business Journal, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Wall Street Journal.

And check out Caterpillar’s “2013 Milwaukee Negotiations” website, which includes details on the previous contract offered and other updates.

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More Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

And NOW has published a new police blotter, which includes too many reports of vandalism and these two disturbing robbery reports …

  • An 18-year-old South Milwaukee man was struck and robbed at around 6:30 p.m. May 12 in the 100 block of Hawthorne Avenue. The man was approached by a man, who struck him in the face and sent him to the ground, at which point the aggressor took the man’s wallet and cellphone.
  • A man was robbed at gunpoint of $20 in cash and a bottle of prescription drugs, around noon May 13, on the parkway near 15th and Minnesota avenues.

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Prayers For Oklahoma

Simply tragic. Tragic.

But not necessarily surprising — not in an era where it seems like weather is more extreme than ever.

Please keep everyone impacted by these storms in your prayers. And hold your kids a bit tighter tonight.

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New Apartment Plan For 9th Avenue Site

The Business Journal has the story … and the South Milwaukee Plan Commission and City Council will take up the issue at meetings this week.

From the article …

Developer Heitzer Inc., Oconomowoc, has proposed 16 townhouse-style apartment units in South Milwaukee on a 1.5 acre former manufacturing site.

Mike Heitzer, who also has built townhouses in Oak Creek, said he expects to rent the three-bedroom townhouses for $1,100 a month. They are proposed at 909 Menomonee Ave., a vacant site the city owns.

“I don’t think there is a lot that has been built down there, and I think there’s a need for it,” Heitzer said.

Heitzer is seeking city approval for the development plan, and said he wants to start construction as soon as possible if approved.

You will recall another project had been proposed here last year, but the one under consideration now is from a different developer.

I’ll keep you posted.

Here is the Plan Commission agenda, and here is the council agenda.

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Another Hero Honored: A Citizen Steps Up And Saves A Life

Continuing a regular series of blog posts on the South Milwaukee Police Department’s annual award winners …

This one was particularly inspiring (and emotional) to hear at the South Milwaukee City Council meeting earlier this month, as Mrs. Schulz — and the man she saved, and his family — were in attendance.

Police Chief Ann Wellens also read from a heart-felt story posted on NOW about the case. It’s absolutely worth the read.

CITIZEN RECOGNITION AWARD

Whenever any officer believes that behavior coming to the attention personally or through a third party is deserving of recognition by the Department, an officer should indicate the circumstances of the incident in writing and should forward same to the Awards Committee.  Upon Committee approval, the Chief will affix their stamp of approval.

Mrs. Cynthia Schulz

Officer Dave Stratton recommended Mrs. Schulz for a Citizen Recognition Award for her actions on May 15, 2012.

 On May 15, 2012 Ms. Schulz was driving on College Avenue in South Milwaukee when she observed a serious traffic accident.  She immediately stopped at the scene and began rendering assistance.  Ms. Schulz removed the non-responsive driver from the vehicle and immediately began CPR.  Ms. Schulz continued CPR until relieved by SMFD personnel.  Because of her actions the driver of the vehicle was transported to Froedert Hospital and began a successful recovery.  Ms. Schulz’s concern for this subject and his welfare should be commended.

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Caterpillar CEO Profiled: “We Can Never Make Enough Profit”

Business Week has an interesting profile of Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman, as the labor dispute in South Milwaukee continues.

Among the comments: “We can never make enough profit.” From it:

After walking through the Peoria factory, Oberhelman takes off his safety glasses and sits down to eat his low-carb lunch: turkey wrapped in lettuce. He talks about his upbringing in Illinois and his career at Caterpillar. He lists his hobbies (hunting, “outdoors things”). Then comes the difficult question: Why is Caterpillar fighting its workers over wages? Oberhelman nods briskly, eager to put the issue to rest.

“We have to be competitive if we’re gonna win. And frankly, if we’re not competitive … we’re not gonna be here in the next 30 years. That’s a simple message, but”—he starts to hammer his hand against the table, punctuating his words with raps—“it’s very  … very … tough.” After a pause, he lets his hand lay flat.

“I always try to communicate to our people that we can never make enough money,” Oberhelman continues. “We can never make enough profit.” 

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Milestone Year: South Milwaukee Downtown Market Opens May 23

It seems like just yesterday, doesn’t it?

Well, the South Milwaukee Downtown Market open its fifth season on Thursday, May 23, bigger and better than ever.

As always, the market is open from 3 to 7 p.m., and we’re located at 11th and Milwaukee Avenues. Our season runs for 20 weeks through Oct. 10, taking July 4 off.

Here is the press release, and check out the market website for more information.

Tell your family and friends, and bring them with you on Thursday. It’s going to be a great summer!

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