by | July 13, 2011 · 10:25 pm

More on the 17th Avenue/Parkway Drive Work

The extensive road and sewer project planned for Parkway Drive and 17th Avenue begins this fall and will continue into 2012.

The project was discussed at a public information meeting in late June, and you can see a good summary of the work (as well as the scope of last summer’s flooding) here.

As I’ve written about, I think this is a great example — one of several going on across South Milwaukee this summer — of the city making overdue investments in its aging infrastructure. And I fully support it. I hope you do too.

Of course, contact me anytime with questions or comments.

Leave a comment

Filed under Construction

by | July 12, 2011 · 10:31 pm

South Milwaukeean Killed in Car Crash and Other Headlines From Around the Area

Check out these headlines involving the South Shore …

Leave a comment

Filed under Headlines

by | July 12, 2011 · 10:13 pm

Recapping Tuesday’s Council Meeting: Police Accreditation, Community Block Grants, Sidewalks

Our police department does things the right way.

But don’t take my word for it. Ask its peers.

The department received its prestigious police department accreditation award from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group at Tuesday’s City Council Meeting. The three-year accreditation comes after an exhaustive review of the department by the group earlier this year.

To receive the award, the department must comply with 238 wide-ranging standards, and it apparently did so with distinction.

West Allis Police Chief Mike Jungbluth presented South Milwaukee Chief Ann Wellens with the award, calling the department “exceptional” and saying “this agency walks the talk.” I can’t agree more. Congratulations to Chief Wellens and the entire department!

Among the other news coming out of Tuesday’s council meeting …

  • The council approved allocating $54,608 in Community Development Block Grant funds to Human Concerns ($15,000), Interfaith ($6,000), the South Milwaukee School District ($21,608) and the city ($12,000) for various projects and other needs. The school district funds are for a project to upgrade the playground at Lakeview Elementary School, and Human Concerns plans to use $10,000 of its money for a new fire alarm system and outdoor sign. The city’s project is to improve our handicap door openers and sensors.
  • We also approved spending more money on ongoing sidewalk improvements (up to $300,000 for the year) throughout the city (although mostly in the first, second and third districts). We originally approved a contract of $181,925 for this work earlier this year, but we want to take advantage of low concrete costs to get as much work done as we can. This work is overdue, and I consider this a sound investment in our city’s infrastructure.
  • Former Mayor Chet Grobschmidt also presented an impressive plaque honoring Bucyrus International’s legacy that will be placed at Heritage Park on 10th and Milwaukee Avenues. Oddly enough, the plaque was made before Caterpillar announced that it was dropping the Bucyrus name last week. Now it looks like that plaque will be one of the few physical reminders Bucyrus even existed.

1 Comment

Filed under City Council

by | July 11, 2011 · 12:30 am

Farewell, Bucyrus

Update: More reaction to the name change from The Business Journal. And here is the Journal Sentinel story.

The end of Bucyrus International came quickly. Too quickly.

Within hours of Caterpillar announcing that its deal to acquire Bucyrus had closed Friday and that the name “Bucyrus” was disappearing to make way for one brand, there was little sign left that Bucyrus even existed.

I returned from a couple days of fishing on Sunday, and the first thing I saw is the sign on Milwaukee Avenue (above) had already changed. And all the other building signage saying “Bucyrus” had also been taken down. Even the Bucyrus website was gone. Just like that.

Just like that, the name that was such a critical part of South Milwaukee history for 118 years had disappeared — vanished like it had never existed.

Here on Thursday. Gone on Friday.

Welcome, Caterpillar. Good-bye, Bucyrus.

This is especially disappointing (and upsetting) because last fall we were told clearly that Bucyrus branding, at least in South Milwaukee, would live on, that “the Bucyrus name will remain intact at the sprawling South Milwaukee manufacturing complex where mining equipment such as shovels, drills and draglines are produced,” as The Business Journal reported in November (quoting outgoing CEO Tim Sullivan).

Well, that thinking changed, according to Caterpillar Group President Steve Wunning, who said on Friday: “As we examined this issue, it became clear it would be in the best long-term interests of our business to have a single brand for our mining customers, and that brand will be Caterpillar. This decision is important to quickly bring together one team with a single face to our customers. The decision was endorsed by the Bucyrus board of directors and we will begin to transition Bucyrus products to the Caterpillar brand in a quick and orderly fashion.”

Well, they sure got the “quick” part right.

And I say “too quick” because decisions like this shouldn’t be done overnight. “Ripping the Band-Aid off” leaves quick, and unnecessary, pain for communities, employees, retirees and others.

If the name “Bucyrus” must go away, fine, but do it slowly, over months and years, not minutes and days.

Cases in point: The airline mergers of recent years, deals that had names like “Midwest Airlines” surviving long after that company was acquired. Those companies get it: Brands are significant parts of customer and community consciousness, especially ones as deeply rooted as Bucyrus. And messing with them should not appear to be taken lightly or appear to be done thoughtlessly.

So here’s a better plan: Don’t dump the name at all. Or find a creative way to keep it. Miller Brewing Company merged with Coors Brewing Company to become “MillerCoors,” sparing the unnecessary heartache that would have come from choosing one brand over the other or a new name altogether. Why not find a way to similarly incorporate the name “Bucyrus” into Caterpillar’s mining empire?

I have other questions as well following Friday’s news …

  • What does this mean for the future of Caterpillar as a community partner to South Milwaukee? The area is losing part of its identity with the demise of the “Bucyrus”  name. Will Caterpillar recognize this and continue Bucyrus’ legacy as a strong corporate citizen?
  • What does this mean for the recently remodeled and reopened Bucyrus Museum? Will Caterpillar still see a need to celebrate Bucyrus’ history now that there is no more Bucyrus?
  • What does this mean for the future of other Bucyrus-branded program and initiatives? Better put, is the t-shirt I got at the Bucyrus 200 NASCAR race this month now a collector’s item?
  • Does the loss of the Bucyrus name hurt Tim Sullivan’s legacy as he ponders a run for the U.S. Senate?
So many questions, so much uncertainty. In fact, the only thing we do know now for certain is that Oak Creek is home to the Caterpillar Global Mining organization and South Milwaukee is, well, home to just another Caterpillar factory … one of 50 in the U.S. and 110 worldwide. And all that’s left of Bucyrus are some signs in storage. It’s a sad day.

7 Comments

Filed under Local Business

by | July 10, 2011 · 5:07 pm

Oak Creek and Fire Consolidation and Other Headlines …

Check out these headlines of interest from around the South Shore …

Also, the Bay View Compass has posted a schedule for this week’s South Shore Frolics. Check it out here.

By the way, I do not have an update on the South Milwaukee fire consolidation talks, which you’ll recall did not include Oak Creek. I will keep you posted when I get word on any progress.

7 Comments

Filed under Headlines

by | July 8, 2011 · 11:53 am

Bucyrus Deal Complete … And There Will Be No More “Bucyrus”

Update: Here is the Journal Sentinel story.

So reports The Business Journal. Check out the story here.

The end of the “Bucyrus” name is disappionting, especially because Caterpillar indicated previously that it planned to keep it. Bucyrus is a name that has defined South Milwaukee’s history, and it won’t be a part of the future.

In that way, it’s a sad day.

I’ll post more on this soon. And please post your comments below!

3 Comments

Filed under Local Business

by | July 6, 2011 · 10:15 pm

Enjoy Some Market Music on Thursday!

Welcome to South Milwaukee, Fat Babies.

The second installment of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center’s Summer Concert Series is planned for Thursday at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market, as Fat Babies, a Chicago-based jazz group, performs starting at 5:30 p.m.

Check out the full Downtown Market music schedule here.

Of course, live weekly music is just one reason to visit the market. We now boast more than 60 full-time produce, organics, arts and crafts vendors, and our collection of prepared food vendors is second to none. You can literally eat your way through the market every week, so why not stop by, grab dinner, do some shopping and enjoy a relaxed evening listening to some smooth jazz?

See you there!

Leave a comment

Filed under Community

by | July 5, 2011 · 9:42 pm

Jursik Publishes Monthly Newsletter and Other Headlines From Around the South Shore

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her monthly eNews update, and this month’s edition includes items on county union negotiations, the Hoan Bridge and long-range strategic planning.

Check out the July edition here.

And check out these other headlines from around the South Shore:

2 Comments

Filed under Headlines

by | July 5, 2011 · 11:52 am

Hear Them Roar: Lions Plan Unique Event During Heritage Week

The South Milwaukee Lions Club does a lot of wonderful things around town, giving back to the community in a variety of ways, big and small, seen and unseen. Of course, to do this, they need their fundraisers to be successful.

Enter, the Roaring Challenge, a unique twist on a 5K run and two-mile walk held Saturday morning, June 23, before the start of the annual Heritage Days parade.

The course includes obstacles like tires and a climbing wall … so you better bring your A-game!

Learn more here, and you can register online here. Pre-registration entry fees of $20 each are due by July 21.

Leave a comment

Filed under Community

by | July 3, 2011 · 5:19 pm

Happy July 4! Here’s Some Stuff to Do …

South Milwaukee’s July 4 festivities begin at 10 a.m. at Grant Park’s Brown Pavilion, at picnic areas 4 and 5.

Activities include bike judging, games, food, music and, of course, fireworks.

Learn more here, and I hope to see you there!

Also, Oak Creek and Cudahy have their parades on Monday. The Journal Sentinel has a list of all area 4th of July events.

Leave a comment

Filed under Community

by | July 3, 2011 · 5:12 pm

9-11 Memorial Bus Pays a Visit

The FireCareers.com and 9-11 memorial bus has made dozens of stops on its long journey already, and it came to South Milwaukee on Sunday — one of three stops planned for Wisconsin.

Check out the bus below … and see my previous post for more information on this cool effort.

One note on that fire scene on the side of the bus: It’s a couple of shots from the massive apartment building fire a few years ago near 18th and Drexel in South Milwaukee. The photos were taken by 4th District resident Nick Szablewski.

(Also, thanks to Lt. Glenn McCoy for sending the below photo along.)

Leave a comment

Filed under Fire

by | July 2, 2011 · 8:59 pm

9-11 Float Coming to South Milwaukee?

The much-publicized 9-11 memorial float — the one that sparked criticism for the Racine firefighters’ union after its refusal to support the concept allegedly because the float’s creator has distanced himself from the union — is drawing interest from Heritage Days parade organizers.

Check out the Journal Sentinel story here. From it:

Patty Penn, co-chairwoman of the Heritage Days Parade committee in South Milwaukee, would also like to showcase the float being sponsored by fire Lt. Matt Gorniak and his church’s youth group.

Penn said she has good memories of the 9-11 memorial when it passed along the South Milwaukee parade route in 2002.

“The reaction was spectacular,” Penn said via email. “The spectators were totally enthralled and appreciative. I don’t think there was one person sitting as the float passed them. There were plenty of tears and lots of requests for reprints of the pictures that I was snapping.”

I’d love to see this float come to South Milwaukee. The Heritage Days parade, set for July 23, is already a great community event — this will only add to it.

(Thankfully, uniformed firefighters will be able to march with the Racine float. Let’s hope union members see the light and actually do it. In my mind, their stance on this issue, mixing politics with a 9-11 memorial, is indefensible.)

1 Comment

Filed under Community

by | July 2, 2011 · 8:37 pm

Spurring Development: Local Leaders Praise Aerotropolis Concept in Editorial

South Milwaukee Mayor Tom Zepecki was one of the local leaders who signed on to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial supporting the “Aerotropolis” concept — an initiative that aims to use Mitchell International as a hub for economic development across the region.

Check it out here. From it:

The concept is simple: Mitchell sits at the core, while surrounding businesses, dependent upon aviation with connecting modes of transportation and related cyberstructure, become the surrounding clusters of economic growth and development. We have the potential to attract national and global businesses with high-paying jobs that place a high priority on prompt, reliable and convenient accessibility to aviation and other interconnected modes of transportation.

Through a continued focus on our transportation infrastructure development, we will attract high-caliber businesses to our communities. These businesses will add much-needed jobs and significant private investment in our communities.

As I’ve written, I strongly support this concept — and its regional approach to economic development. Yes, South Milwaukee has its virtues to sell to potential businesses, but our selling story is that much stronger when we go to market with the combined strength of our neighbors.

(Check out other versions of this story from WUWM, Fox 6 and The Business Journal.)

Leave a comment

Filed under Community

by | July 1, 2011 · 9:50 pm

Never Forget: 9-11 Bus Tour Stops Sunday at South Milwaukee Fire Department

On a weekend where we celebrate our independence, South Milwaukeeans also have a chance to remember a defining moment in our nation’s history.

The 9-11 Anniversary Manhattan to Manhattan Bus Tour makes a stop at the South Milwaukee Fire Department around noon on Sunday.

The goal? According to the flier I received from local firefighter Brian Bieganski:

To Visit and have fellowship with hundreds of police/fire departments and other organizations—collecting pictures with the bus at hosted stops while raising donations through the sale of 9/11 Patches, Decals, Pins and Flags. Net proceeds will benefit the FDNY Bravest Scholarship Fund, Terry Farrell Fund and the Feal Good Foundation—donated in New York on 9/11/11

The event is open to the public, so join me and stop by … and celebrate our everyday heroes while remembering the fallen.

1 Comment

Filed under Fire

by | June 30, 2011 · 9:52 pm

Surprising Winds Wreak Havoc

I never hated the wind until I co-founded a farmers’ market … and quickly learned that one good gust can mangle an E-Z Up tent in seconds.

That’s why I was a bit concerned when Thursday evening’s gusts literally came out of nowhere and whipped through South Milwaukee.

Thankfully, things were OK at the market, and we had a great night.

But on the way home, I came across this on 13th Avenue north of Milwaukee Avenue.

And power was knocked out in the area.

Did you have any damage? Post your comments below.


1 Comment

Filed under Weather