South Milwaukee Blog

The $10 million contribution from the Bucyrus Foundation is a rare legacy gift that will make a difference in our community for generations.

You’re already seeing its impact, from the South Milwaukee School District’s Launching a Legacy effort to Streetscaping, grant programs, and other improvements downtown.

The latest investment of foundation funds is just as exciting: tens of thousands of dollars in donations to local nonprofits each year. From the press release …

In 2021, the Bucyrus Foundation awarded the City of South Milwaukee and the School District of South Milwaukee with $10 million. In addition to project goals like downtown redevelopment and STEM education, the Bucyrus Foundation also asked that a grant program be created for South Milwaukee nonprofit organizations.

In November 2022, the South Milwaukee Common Council created an annual civic grant program that invited nonprofit organizations to apply for up to $25,000 to address a community need, improve community support, solve a problem, or enrich the people of South Milwaukee. A five-member Civic Grants Commission of stakeholders was created to help determine how funds should be disbursed.

In total, 11 nonprofits submitted funding requests. The Civic Grants Commission narrowed this list down to seven and recommended the below 2023 allocation:

• South Milwaukee Police Department K9 Program – $5,000 for the new K9 unit program.
• Friends of Grant Park – $1,600 for new trail entry signs at Seven Bridges, educational wayfinding, work progress announcements, and relevant County and City information maintained by Friends of Grant Park.
• South Milwaukee Lions Foundation – $6,000 for new and upgraded electrical service for Lionsfest event space.
• Bucyrus Museum – $1,825 for large format scanner for scanning historical collections and contributing to “Recollection Wisconsin Program” online catalog.
• Friends of the South Milwaukee Public Library – $16,300 to create a multi-use lab and learning space to enhance technology and training opportunities and to create a more friendly post-COVID-19 children’s play area for ages 6 and under.
• South Milwaukee Historical Society – $4,500 to create a new website and new Ancestry.com subscription.
• Warm Up South Milwaukee – $14,775 to develop plans for a new fire extinguisher program for seniors and other future projects.

I can’t thank the foundation enough for this investment, which is in addition to the Bucyrus Club, Bucyrus Museum and Bucyrus Commons — all a reality thanks to a separate $2 million contribution from the foundation in 2020.

I can’t think there are many — maybe any — communities in the country who are doing a better job celebrating their heritage in this way, ensuring through a public-private partnership that the story of its proud past is told for generations to come.

Be proud, South Milwaukee.

What a weekend! Thanks to all of the volunteers who made the event a success, as thousands (tens of thousands?) gathered at the new Bucyrus Commons for an amazing celebration of a man and his legacy.

The energy events like this bring to our city is real, and with the Commons our downtown now has a first-class venue to host them. The venue was up to the task.

Da Crusher Statue went into the ground in 2019. I can’t wait for the fifth-anniversary party, as we celebrate our most famous native son in a way that is uniquely South Milwaukee.

Until then, here are photos from the Crusherfest Facebook page …

More details on Facebook and its website.

And here is a look back at the first festival … love it!

A South Milwaukee summer tradition is back!

The South Milwaukee Downtown Market begins its 15th season tonight at its new home, Bucyrus Commons, with special music from Reverend Raven, presented by the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. More details on the market website and Facebook page. Check it out!

See the full issue online here.

I’m excited to see this partnership with the school district flourish — and win an award!

Honor those paid the ultimate price on Memorial Day with a program starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 29, at the South Milwaukee War Memorial. A lunch will follow at noon at American Legion Post #27.

And a special shoutout to the South Milwaukee Garden Club for getting the site looking great again!

Every Thursday night starting this week!

View the full South Milwaukee Police Department annual report here.

Here is the letter from Chief Jessup to the community …

To the citizens of South Milwaukee, Mayor James Shelenske, City Administrator Tami Mayzik, the South Milwaukee Common Council, the South Milwaukee Police & Fire Commission, and members of the South Milwaukee Police Department:

In 2022 I completed my fifth year as Chief of Police for the South Milwaukee Police Department. Each and every day I am proud to serve this City and this Department, and I am grateful for your support, confidence and enthusiasm as our officers diligently work to keep our community safe. I am pleased to present to you the 2022 South Milwaukee Police Department Annual Report and I believe you will find that it provides an accurate overview of the challenges and accomplishments, as well as the activities undertaken by our staff to enhance public safety in our community.

The past year brought some notable changes to our staff, with the hiring of three new police officers, Jakob Horsley, Matthew Klecha and Blake Reynolds. They are great additions to our force and are looking forward to serving this community for many years. We were also joined by a new police clerk, Kyra Van Scyoc and she is proving to be an excellent addition to our staff.

The police profession comes with many challenges, and crime prevention is always near the top of the list. In addition, quick response times are equally important as we continue to advance the department’s mission and vision. We strive to make our city safer through a community-based policing strategy that is responsive to the needs of individuals and businesses while following a set of principles that fosters mutual respect. Our members are committed to their profession and they work tirelessly on behalf of our citizens to provide prompt service that keeps our community safe.

There is one truism in public safety; our work is never done. As we move forward, we will surely encounter new challenges but I am confident in our members and grateful for the support of our community. In partnership, we will overcome those difficulties and will make South Milwaukee healthier and stronger.

From Milwaukee County, through the city …

Construction is anticipated to be completed and Mill Road open to traffic by mid-summer 2023.

Here is the full update.

From the city’s press release …

At the South Milwaukee Common Council meeting on May 16, 2023, Katie Crosby will be sworn-in as the City Clerk. Crosby has held various roles with the City since 2005, including positions in the Clerk’s office, Treasurer’s office, and the Police Department. She is currently serving as the Deputy City Clerk.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and forensic psychology and graduated from the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks and Treasurer’s Institute in 2019. In 2021, she was honored by the Milwaukee BizTimes as a Rising Star in Finance and Accounting.

Crosby will be the 16th person to hold the title of South Milwaukee City Clerk. D.J. Sweeney was first elected to the position in 1897. Starting in 2017, the Common Council converted the City Clerk role from elected to appointed by the City Administrator.

The City Clerk’s office is responsible for a variety of functions including, administering elections, assisting with the annual budget process, record keeping, clerical support for the elected officials and various boards and commissions, monitoring compliance with the Wisconsin open meetings and open records laws, alcohol beverage and miscellaneous business licensing, and implementing state statute and municipal code requirements.

I am a big fan of Katie’s, and a big fan of this hire. She really stepped up during my time as mayor, including leading the city’s social media efforts and in coordinating other initiatives beyond the normal scope of her previous job. This was especially crucial during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She has been a rising star for years. I’m happy to see others see that, too. Go, Katie!

Support the local performing and visual arts at a couple of upcoming events!

Here information on what’s coming up this month, with a fuller list on the Events page.

• Saturday, May 13: South Milwaukee PAC SMArt Walk/Run, 9 a.m., Grant Park. Register now
• Saturday, May 13: South Milwaukee Historical Society Canopy Class — Loretta’s Field, History and Future Plans, 10:30 a.m. Details
• Thursday, May 18: Free Community Dinner, First Congregational Church. Details
• Thursday, May 18: 41st Annual 128th Air Refueling Wing Civic Dinner Dance, 5 p.m. Purchase tickets by May 4. Details
• Friday, May 19: Art Works | Wine Tasting Fundraiser, to raise money for downtown murals, 6 p.m., DBHW Wealth Partners, 1125 Milwaukee Ave. Details
• Saturday, May 20-Sunday, May 21: “The Adventures of the Cipollino,” presented by Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy. Details
• Saturday, May 20: South Milwaukee Library Annual Plant Swap, 10 a.m.-noon. Details
• Sunday, May 21: Afternoon at the Commons, Bucyrus Commons dedication. Details
• Wednesday, May 31: South Milwaukee PAC 2023-24 Season Preview, 6:30 p.m. Details

The South Milwaukee Common Council has voted to move the official trick-or-treating time to the Saturday before Halloween, from 5 to 7 p.m. In 2023, that puts trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 28.

Previously — since 2012 — the city had held trick-or-treating on Halloween night, the only community in the county to do this annually. It was previously held on Sundays before Halloween.

I’m disappointed in the decision. You can read my rationale for, as an alderman, leading the charge to move to trick-or-treating to Halloween in this post. Simply put, trick-or-treating should be on Halloween — not on October 25, for example, on which it will fall in 2025. Moving it to Halloween, and keeping it there, added authenticity to the fun family holiday. We lose that now.

I heard some complaints over the years — the biggest being the timing on a weeknight — but believe most received the change well. I was hoping this would be a long-term positive point of difference for our city.

Instead, I’ll mark my calendar for October 28, and get the firepit ready for the driveway. Happy Halloween!