by | December 10, 2010 · 10:08 pm

Honadel’s Legislative Priorities and Other Local Headlines of Note …

Republicans have big plans as they assume control of the State Senate and Assembly in January — and that includes South Milwaukee’s Mark Honadel.

Check out the full story from BizTimes.com here. From it:

Rep. Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee) says his immediate pet priorities include: eliminating millions of dollars of current fraud in the Wisconsin Shares program; demanding a “top to bottom” evaluation of state agencies to justify their spending and eliminate vacant positions; and launching mediation arbitration reform to provide local government the tools they need to control costs, reduce spending and make reforms of their own.

Also, Honadel has been named chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Energy and Utilities, where he summarizes his priorities as “focusing on competition and job creation, as well as the overall needs and priorities of our state’s energy, utilities, and telecommunications services so that businesses and consumers can thrive in our state economy.” Learn more here.

And here are some other local stories of interest:

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by | December 8, 2010 · 8:32 pm

Smartly Investing to Improve South Milwaukee’s Emergency Communications Efforts

As you know, I made improving the way the city communicates with its residents a key campaign issue. I said, and continue to say, that we must find new and creative ways to keep citizens informed.

That’s why I am proud to support the city’s purchase of a new phone-based emergency alert system.

The City Council at our meeting Tuesday voted 7-0 to purchase a system that gives city officials the ability to call all city residents — or large numbers of them — at once to share a message in times of emergency.

The uses are easy to see. In fact, the system would have likely been used during two emergencies in the past 10 months alone: the February water main break and the July flooding. During those two emergencies, we found it difficult to communicate broadly with residents and let them know key information, from whether or not the water was safe to drink to details on the extent of the flooding and next steps.

This system, the same used by Milwaukee County and Oak Creek, will solve that problem and give us another tool in our communications toolbox.

It’s also cost effective. Cost will range from $7,000 to $8,000 up front — to be funded with leftover public health emergency response grant funds. Annual upkeep is estimated at $5,000 to $7,000, based on the purchase of additional “call blocks” from the provider.

The system will likely be available in the first quarter of 2011.

Land lines will be automatically populated into the system. You will also have the ability to add your cell number. I will keep you posted on when and how to do that.

In the meantime, let me know what you think about the deal. Post your comments below.

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by | December 8, 2010 · 12:36 am

Our Area’s Loss is Maryland’s Gain

Cudahy Economic Development Director Lara Fritts — the victim of a raw deal by that city’s elected leaders recently in which her hours were reduced and staff were cut in an 11th-hour budget debate — has landed a new job.

In fact, it’s a better one.

Fritts has been named president and chief executive officer of the Annapolis (Md.) Economic Development Corporation.

See the full story here. From it:

As Cudahy’s chief economic developer, Fritts negotiated development agreements expected to result in $66.3 million worth of new development in the city. In a one-year period, she met and followed up with over 180 prospects, resulting in six new businesses and 12 retained businesses. She also created and implemented an expedited development process for all proposed construction projects in the city.

Previously, Fritts was executive director of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation in Alexandria, Virginia; President of the Washington, D.C. Technology Council; and Director of Membership of the Technology Council of Maryland. She also served as President and Executive Director and was involved in the creation of the Greater Rockville Partnership, now known as Rockville Economic Development, Inc.

“We are very pleased to have someone of the caliber of Lara Fritts as the first President and Chief Executive Officer of the Annapolis Economic Development Corporation,” said Midgett S. Parker, Jr., Chair of the AEDC Board of Directors. “Her involvement in the successful start-up of the economic development corporation in Rockville was critical to her selection.”

Cudahy will regret losing her.

As for Fritts, this is a promotion. Annapolis, home of the Naval Academy, is nearly twice the size of Cudahy, which will now apparently be left with a part-time economic development director and the status of its economic development efforts in question at the worst possible time.

Good luck, Cudahy. Good luck, Lara.

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by | December 8, 2010 · 12:27 am

Kindercare Bus Driver Charged

Charges have been filed against the bus driver in the case of the 5-year-old left on the Kindercare bus last week.

See the press release from the South Milwaukee Police Department here.

The woman faces up to a $10,000 fine or up to nine months in prison if convicted of the charge: Child left unattended on a day care bus, a Class A misdemeanor.

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by | December 7, 2010 · 12:31 am

Large Water Main Break Reported in Downtown South Milwaukee

Update: See below for more details.

If you noticed your water pressure drop around 1 p.m. on Monday, you were not alone.

A large water main broke around 10th and Michigan Avenue, the Water Utility reported. And while this wasn’t nearly as bad as what happened in February — when a large water main break left the city without drinking water for a day — this one apparently impacted a number of businesses and residents.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, the utility was still working to repair the main, and there was still low pressure for a few customers, the city reported.

Were you affected by the main break? Let me know how. Post your comments below.

I’ll keep you posted when I learn more about this.

UPDATE

Here is information I got from Doug Fischer, our water utility superintendent, on Tuesday.

A 12’ main on 10th and Michigan broke around 12:30 pm causing low pressure throughout the city. Our crew responded immediately to isolate the break. They were able to get the water shut off at approximately an hour later. The only customer that was without water during the repair was Nona’s.

After digging we found that the pipe had pretty much blew apart. A big section of the pipe had broken off causing extensive road damage. The crew also had to repair an old valve that was hit while digging that we believe was for an abandoned fire hydrant. The repairs were completed and water back on around 11:30 pm. We had to wait to back fill until today because the Wastewater Department wanted to send a camera into the sewer that is below the water main to make sure it wasn’t damaged. We also could not get slurry for back fill until after 11:00 am today.

The road will be opened up for traffic after The Street Department has the holes patched with asphalt.

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by | December 5, 2010 · 6:03 pm

Mourning the Loss of a Man Committed to Community … and History

In case you haven’t heard, Dave Lang, the founder of the Bucyrus History Museum, died this week of brain cancer. He was 65.

I only met Dave a couple times when we were starting up the South Milwaukee Downtown Market, and it was easy to see how much he loved and supported our community.

He was also dedicated to preserving its history as Bucyrus curator and founder of its cool museum, a true hidden gem in South Milwaukee.

And I think it was only fitting that on Saturday, the day after he was buried, Bucyrus opened its doors for the Christmas Market and attracted hundreds of people to the museum that Lang helped build.

Read an obituary here, and post memories of Dave below. Rest in peace, Dave, and your family is in my prayers.

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by | December 3, 2010 · 9:35 pm

A New Tradition: Join Us for the Christmas Market on Saturday!

Looking for some unique Christmas gifts, and to get your holiday shopping done with a couple weeks to spare?

Then check out the first-ever South Milwaukee Christmas Market on Saturday at Bucyrus International’s Heritage Building, 1970 10th Ave. across from the library. More than 50 vendors are coming, and we’ll have live music throughout the day. And, while you’re there, be sure to visit the cool Bucyrus History Museum in the same building.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn more in this press release and our on our Facebook page.

As for those unique gifts, be sure to pick up a $2 market logo bag at the welcome table. Each bag contains a $1-off coupon for use at the market.

And what about that snow? It’s not much of a storm, and I think in only adds ambiance. After all, it’s December in Wisconsin, and this is a Christmas Market.

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by | December 3, 2010 · 9:27 pm

Five Year Old Left on Bus for 40 Minutes and Other Headlines of Note

Update: The WISN-TV website finally has a story on this.

A potentially dangerous situation had a happy ending on Thursday, as a five-year-old girl was discovered unharmed after being left on a cold bus outside a South Milwaukee day care center for 40 minutes.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department press release:

On 12/02/10 at about 400pm a five year old girl had been left alone on a bus, for about forty minutes, at the Kindercare day care center in South Milwaukee .  The bus had been parked outside when this occurred. The temperatures were below freezing however, the child sustained no injuries. The driver of the bus, a thirty two year old female, will be ordered into the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office on 12/07/10 for the possible charge of  Neglecting A Child.

I’ll keep you posted if I learn more.

Also, four people were injured in a fire Tuesday night in downtown Cudahy.

Check out the Journal Sentinel story here, and here is a story and video from WISN-TV.

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

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by | December 1, 2010 · 9:48 pm

A Sure Sign of the Season: Winter Parking Regulations Now in Effect

It’s Dec. 1, and it’s the meteorological start of winter … and the start of winter parking regulations.

Learn more about parking permits and regulations on the South Milwaukee Police Department’s website here.

Here are the basics:

During the period from December 1st to March 31st, no person shall park a vehicle on any street in the City of South Milwaukee between the hours of 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM.

However, vehicles may be parked during such hours if a permit is obtained from the Police Department after the filing of an application and the payment of $25.00 per month permit fee, $22.00 if obtained after the 15th of the month, or $75.00 for a 4-month permit.

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by | November 30, 2010 · 10:56 pm

City Council Approves 2011 Budget

The South Milwaukee City Council approved the 2011 budget on Tuesday night in a 7-0 vote.

The details (and context) are not much different than what I reported in my previous post found here.

But here is some updated information …

  • The city tax levy will increase 1.86 percent, from $10,001,640 to $10,188,003. This is actually lower than the increase called for in the initial draft of the budget.
  • The city tax rate will increase 2.13%, from $7.09 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $7.24 per $1,000. That means for the owner of a $150,000 home in South Milwaukee, the city portion of that person’s property tax bill we be $1,086 in 2011, up less than $23 from 2010.
  • Changes from the proposed executive budget include a small increase in auditing fees, a decrease in fees paid to Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control and a small increase in the Police and Fire Commission budget due to the looming search for a new fire chief.

I should also point out some of the fears raised about the local impact of state budget woes for the back half of 2011 and beyond. A potential loss in shared revenue, among other impacts, looms when the new governor and legislature hammer out the 2011-13 biennial budget.

Why is this potentially significant for us? Shared revenue is a more than $3.1 million line item for us, so any cut could hurt. I’ll keep you posted.

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by | November 30, 2010 · 10:53 pm

Heads Up on a South Milwaukee Speed Trap

I always knew this was the case … and Channel 4 confirmed it.

Pennsylvania/Nicholson Avenue, especially south of Rawson, is a speed trap.

Check out the “Speedbusters” story and video from WTMJ-TV here. From it:

If you’re a South Milwaukee police officer who patrols Nicholson Avenue, you don’t have to worry about writer’s block — you’ll write plenty of tickets.

“We know this is a fast stretch,” said Officer Mick Olson of the South Milwaukee Police Department. “This is one of the hot spots, if you will, where we know people typically are speeding.”

We learned about this location after a neighbor emailed us writing, “I am sick of people driving through here like it is either a freeway or a speedway.”

A speedway is about what we found when we tagged along with Officer Olson on this 25-mile an hour stretch.

Do you know of any other South Milwaukee speed traps? Post your comments below.

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by | November 30, 2010 · 10:20 am

Layoffs at Patrick Cudahy and Other Headlines of Local Interest

Update: County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her December E-News update. See it here.

Patrick Cudahy is planning hundreds of local — but mostly temporary — layoffs.

Read the full Business Journal story here. And here is the Journal Sentinel story.

And check out these other headlines of note from around the South Shore.

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by | November 28, 2010 · 11:31 pm

2011 Budget Update: Hearing Monday, Council Meeting Tuesday

You have your best (and probably last) chance to weigh in on the proposed 2011 city budget on Monday.

A public hearing on the budget is planned for 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Then, on Tuesday, the City Council will meet to discuss and consider approving the 2011 document. That meeting is at 7 p.m. Here is the agenda.

You can learn more about the proposed executive budget in my previous post on this, and you can check out the actual document here. Keep in mind that the version we consider on Tuesday — and the final version — will likely change slightly as final numbers come in.

Of course, I am interested to know what you think about the proposed budget. Post your comments below … or, better yet, make your voice heard at the public hearing on Monday.

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by | November 28, 2010 · 4:02 pm

Another Great Local Holiday Tradition: Feaste Tickets Still Available!

Looking for a unique way to celebrate the season and help out a great cause?

Here’s your chance: I have been told there are still tickets available for Ye Olde Christmas Feaste on Saturday, Dec. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 5, at South Milwaukee High School.

Learn more at the Feaste website here and on Facebook.

You must order these last-minute tickets by 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the high school main office.

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by | November 26, 2010 · 12:20 am

A Black Friday Alternative: Shop South Milwaukee

Here’s a big idea for Black Friday: Before you visit the Targets, Kmarts, Kohls and Walmarts of the world on Friday, why not shop some of our first-class local merchants?

Here are some of my favorites, and some great gift ideas:

  • Studio One Art Glass. This is truly a hidden gem in South Milwaukee. Located at 1333 Milwaukee Ave., this unique store features some of the most beautiful hand-crafted stained glass you’ll find, with most made by Kim Kostuch and his team right in the building. I love the window hangings — I buy one for my wife every Christmas — but you can also custom order bigger ticket items like cabinets. Learn more at the Studio One website.
  • Donn Powers Jeweler. Locally owned jewelry stores are getting harder and harder to find, and we have a great one right here at 2110 10th Ave. in South Milwaukee. I was really impressed with the number of affordable gift items at Donn Powers when I did some Christmas shopping there last year. Learn more at the store’s website.
  • Parkway Floral. At the corner of Chicago and Milwaukee Avenues, this really is our downtown’s centerpiece business, and Bryan Lorentzen runs a great flower shop. Give the gift of flowers this holiday season! Learn more at the Parkway website.
  • Azteca. Of all the great restaurants we have in South Milwaukee, this is my favorite. The Mexican food is authentic and affordable, and the service is outstanding. If you haven’t eaten at Azteca yet, do so in December, and pick up a gift certificate for a holiday gift. Learn more here.

And, here’s another local shopping suggestion: Shop the South Milwaukee Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Bucyrus International’s Heritage Building. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be more than 40 vendors at the event, with plenty of unique gift opportunities … stuff you can’t find at Best Buy. That includes, for the first time, $2 South Milwaukee Downtown Market cloth gift bags.

Learn more about the Christmas Market here.

Did I miss a local business you’d like to suggest to holiday shoppers? Post your comments below.

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