by | January 2, 2013 · 8:52 pm

Decision 2013: No Ballot Competition For City Council Members

The deadline for candidate declarations came and went Wednesday with this reality emerging: Barring a write-in challenge, all South Milwaukee aldermen will run unopposed this spring.

Of course, that includes me … and I pledge to work hard to earn your vote on April 2, no matter whose name is on the ballot.

Check out my campaign website here. And look for me on the campaign trail in the next few months.

It’s been an honor serving as Fourth District alderman since 2009, and, with your support, I look forward to two more years on the council.

You can see the list of council members here.

(Look for an update on the South Milwaukee School Board races soon. Incumbents Therese Travia, the board president, and Joseph Weirich are up for re-election, and I’m checking to see if they have any declared competition.)

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by | January 2, 2013 · 5:34 pm

Mark Your Calendars: South Milwaukee Spring Market Set For April 6

Update: Here is the Spring Market application.

The South Milwaukee Christmas Market was a big hit … and the summer season of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market begins on Thursday, May 23.

First, however, comes our Spring Market.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 6, when South Milwaukee High School again plays host to more than 60 vendors selling art, crafts, organics, baked goods, prepared foods and much, much more (including live entertainment). Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Look for more details soon … and thanks again for your support of the Downtown Market. Learn more on our website.

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by | December 31, 2012 · 7:46 pm

A Year In Blogging: Top 10 Posts In 2012

Thanks again to all the readers of South Milwaukee Blog!

2012 was the biggest year yet for this website, with 92,944 page views — nearly twice as many as 2011 — recorded, including 12,541 in September, the single most popular month for the blog since I launched it in 2009. In fact, the blog’s seven most highly trafficked months all occurred in 2012.

Here are the most-viewed posts from last year …

Again, thanks for turning to South Milwaukee Blog as a consistent source of local news and information … and be sure to tell your family and friends. I look forward to providing the service for years to come.

Happy New Year!

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by | December 31, 2012 · 8:45 am

I Like It! South Milwaukee On Facebook

South Milwaukee is officially on Facebook.

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to “like” the city’s page here … and check out the live feed on the city’s website.

A big thanks to City Clerk Jim Shelenske for making this happen. This is another tool we can use to keep residents informed on South Milwaukee news and information.

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by | December 30, 2012 · 11:39 am

Mill Pond Update: DNR Requires Dam Upgrades

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has ordered some upgrades be made to the Mill Pond Dam, according to the monthly newsletter from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik.

They are:

  • the removal of vegetation from specific areas under the supervision of an engineer;
  • the maintenance of healthy grass cover on the embankments;
  • a structural evaluation by an engineer of the spillway abutments to determine if masonry repairs are required;
  • the repair of the sluice gate, which is currently inoperable; and
  • the installation of two benchmarks.

Check out the full newsletter here.

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by | December 29, 2012 · 1:52 pm

Significant Damage: Garage Fire In South Milwaukee

Here is the update from South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter on the blaze early Saturday morning at 918 Marquette Ave. …

At approximately 3:56 AM this morning, South Milwaukee Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a tenant at 2315 10th Avenue (the office / condo building at 10th & Marquette) reporting a garage on fire to the rear of their building.  The actual location of the garage was to the rear of 918 Marquette Avenue.  When SMPD & SMFD units arrived, they encountered a well-involved detached garage with fire impinging on a vehicle parked adjacent to it.  Fire had already consumed the side entrance door, part of the overhead door and was venting through the roof.  In addition, the electrical service line supplying power to the residence at 916 Marquette had burned through and was lying in the alley behind the garage, limiting access to the scene.  Assistance was provided to SMFD by an engine company from Cudahy.

 The fire was extinguished and is currently under investigation by SMFD. The owner of the property was notified and was present at the scene during fire department operations and the subsequent investigation.

 Due to the structure having masonry side walls, the exterior of the building is still intact.  However, a majority of the roof structure and the contents of the garage are a total loss.  In addition, the vehicle parked next to the garage received significant heat/flame damage to the driver’s side.

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by | December 28, 2012 · 10:23 pm

South Milwaukee (Officially) Has A New Fire Chief

Knitter small 1It was a pleasure attending the swearing-in ceremony of new South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter on Friday.

And I was far from alone. More than 100 people — including Joe’s family and dozens of firefighters from around the area and as far away as California — officially welcomed him to his new role.

I join them in that welcome.

This is a great choice, and I look forward to Joe’s tenure as chief. Congratulations!

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by | December 28, 2012 · 10:01 pm

Cudahy Man Charged In Death, South Milwaukeeans Accused In Crimes And Other Local Headlines

Check out these headlines from around the South Shore …

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter. It includes this scary item from Sunrise Restaurant …

A revolver was found in a booth at a diner at 2418 10th Avenue at 12:35 p.m. Dec. 26. Police tracked down the owner, who had eaten at the restaurant that day. The owner had a concealed carry license, and the gun had fallen out of his holster while he was in the diner. The officer explained the proper way to securely carry a concealed weapon to the man.

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by | December 28, 2012 · 1:11 pm

Seven Bridges Update … And It’s Not Good

The following is from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik, in her monthly news Update.

Throughout December 2012, a contractor repaired the large lakeside bridge at Seven Bridges trail in Grant Park. Many of us were alarmed at the lack of erosion controls; at the excessive removal of trees and walls to access the site; and at the road that was built to lower a back hoe to the bridge level. This was all outside the job description.

At this point, I am working with the Parks Department and engineering staff to demand the best remedy for this sad situation. Milwaukee County will not make further payments until the contractor repairs the damage, plants trees and takes other steps. We will do our best to get this rectified.

Jursik’s monthly newsletter also includes updates on the 794 extension, Mill Pond repairs, Bender Park and a variety of county issues.

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by | December 27, 2012 · 10:15 am

Garbage Pickup Times Changed For Holidays … And What About Your Christmas Tree?

Supposed to have your garbage picked up on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day?

The city’s website has a list of the revised pickup times for those days.

The Street Department also picks up your Christmas tree. Here is information from the city site …

Christmas trees can be placed at the curb or in your normal garbage collection area for disposal. The Street Department collects them until early February. The trees are chipped and disposed of as mulch. Wreaths should be treated as garbage and can be placed out for regular garbage collection.

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by | December 23, 2012 · 10:12 pm

Merry Christmas!

Taking a couple of days off from blogging, barring any big breaking news from South Milwaukee …

Thanks to everyone for reading, and I pray you have a blessed holiday with your family and friends.

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by | December 22, 2012 · 9:43 pm

Stabbing Death In Cudahy And Other Headlines

A man was reportedly stabbed to death in Cudahy early Saturday morning.

Check out the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story here, as well as coverage from WISN.

And check out these other local headlines …

Also, State Sen. Chris Larson has published a new Larson Report entitled: “Tackling Challenges in the New Year.”

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by | December 20, 2012 · 7:59 pm

Winter Storm: So, What Are You Seeing?

It may have started as rain — and lots of it — but the snow came with a vengenance late.

How are you dealing with today’s winter storm? What are you seeing? How much have you gotten in your backyard?

Post your comments below … and don’t forget about the city ordinance around snow removal. See my previous post on that here. And stay safe!

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by | December 19, 2012 · 12:07 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: A Recap

So there it is — 12 options to shop local this holiday season.

Here is a complete list of posts in the “12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas” series.

Support our local retailers!

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by | December 19, 2012 · 12:05 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: Local Eats

I close the “12 Days” series with a focus on area eateries, and there are plenty of terrific options to write about.

Here are a few of my favorites, in case you’re looking to give the gift of great food this holiday season …

  • The Azteca Restaurant, 901 Milwaukee Ave. My favorite Milwaukee-area Mexican restaurant, bar none. Try their lunch buffet, new Sunday brunch, crab legs or any of  a variety of outstanding authentic specialties. And their Mexican fried ice cream is … well, try it and see! Say hi to Carlos and Rosie for me, and be sure to look for discounts on their website and Facebook.
  • China Chef, 1224 Milwaukee Ave. Their website encourages you to “let the food talk.” It tells a great story.
  • Nona’s Cafe, 2206 10th Ave. Great homemade food and baked goods, made with love by Ida and Tom. This OnMilwaukee.com article tells the story of the ultimate “mom and pop business” well.
  • Our great local Italian restaurants. We have a big selection, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Salvatore’s/Papa Luigi’s II, 1919 12th Ave., has great food, and the upgrades to the facility (bowling, arcade, etc.) make it a real community attraction. I think the garlic bread at Barbiere’s, 1021 Milwaukee, is the best around. Paisano’s, 113 N. Chicago Ave., has a varied menu full of tasty items.
  • Emerald City Catering, 1645 Rawson Ave. The area’s best caterer. We love their takeout fish and fried chicken, and their take-and-bake items (try the chicken pot pie) are other outstanding options. And pick up a bottle of Steve’s barbecue sauce when you’re there.

I also want to give a shoutout to PJ.’s Variety Store & Deli, 921 Milwaukee Ave. This is a really unique store with everything from farm-fresh eggs to Yu-Gi-Oh! cards to crafts. Tony also has baked ham and rolls on Sundays, cheesburgers and other items. And be sure to check out his “old school” candy selection. Variety store, indeed.

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