South Milwaukee Blog

I have made the unfortunate decision to shut down all commenting on South Milwaukee Blog going forward, at least temporarily, maybe for good.

The ugly, personal attacks and baseless allegations have continued — even threats to my family! — and I no longer want to provide a forum for that.

And I don’t have to, according to the city attorney. So I won’t.

To be clear, the blog will continue. I’ll continue share news and information as I always have. But the commenting feature will be turned off starting now.

Comments are no longer adding value to this site and to its 893 subscribers and many other readers.

If you want to spew venom and share hate, please use Facebook. There are plenty of places to do it there, and on countless other websites and other media.

I launched this blog as a service to the community, as a way to share information you likely aren’t getting anywhere else, while also offering an opportunity for me to share my views and provide a forum for people to have an open, honest debate about the issues, and offer feedback and constructive criticism.

And it was mostly like that for more than a decade, for almost 4,500 posts, nearly 1.5 million views, and more than 453,000 visitors.

It has all changed in the last few weeks, and I won’t be a part of it.

There remain plenty of ways to get a hold of me and share you feelings and raise questions.

• Email me at brooks@smwi.org.
• Or call me and leave a voicemail at 414-768-8049. I receive an email message with an audio file of all voicemails left on my office line.
• While I will continue to post on Facebook as a means to share information to a large audience quickly, and will continue to monitor comments, I will likely not engage on any comments that tag me. It’s overwhelming, and Facebook is not the right platform to have reasonable debates on issues, at least not now.
• I’ll also respond to as many questions via direct Facebook messages that I can.

And please read this blog post again. We have to be better than this.  

Almost there, South Milwaukee! We are at a 70.3% response rate for the #2020Census. Let’s get to 100%! Have you been counted?

To respond now, visit https://my2020census.gov/

HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GET CANCER OR AIDS AND PERISH IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES.

So said one person in their comments on a blog post I shared about the new health order issued following Wednesday’s Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling. I did not publish it, per my policy, because it was also full of swear words.

But I share it here to say this is where we are when it comes to political discourse in America, in Wisconsin, in South Milwaukee.

Granted, this is an extreme example. But a quick scan of social media in the past week, and beyond — including my own blog and Facebook pages — shows a host of ugly, personal attacks, accusations and name calling.

Some have called me a “dictator” and “king” and “tyrant” for standing behind the local health order in place across all but one community in Milwaukee County right now. I have been called “Herr Brooks” for supporting our health officer and other health experts in trying to take a responsible, measured, and safe approach to reopening, for fear of unnecessary sickness and death. I’ve been called a liar, lawbreaker, a “POS,” and a hater of small business (despite being a small business owner myself and spending more than a decade fighting for them in South Milwaukee).

Of course, this is not only in our city. This is happening across social media — and in normal discourse — and about and from leaders across our country, about and from the highest levels of government to those on the front lines. It’s happening in neighborhoods, among friends and families.

This has somehow now become OK in 2020 America, and I can’t stand for that. I won’t stand for that. We are better than this. We have to be better than this.

We need to get back to a place where we can agree to disagree reasonably, where we can respect opposing viewpoints and those who hold them, where we can overcome differences amicably to work together and get things done. We must move away from our “winner takes all” mentality,  away from a place where politics is a zero-sum game, away from a place where “if I’m right, you are not only wrong, you must also be shouted down and ridiculed because of it” — and to a place of mutual respect.

The division must end, and it starts with the words we choose, starting with me.  I am passionate in my viewpoints, and last week said a few things on Facebook in the heat of the moment I’d probably take back if I could. I can do better, too.

As we move ahead, let me be clear: I can take it, and I will as I have for more than a decade in politics. In many ways, this is what I signed up for. I’ve taken my share of arrows, and I welcome and encourage disagreement. I have even created platforms (including this one) to allow people to do so. I will continue to share information all of these platforms, always putting a high value on communication and transparency.

With that in mind, I offer this ….

• While I will continue to post on Facebook as a means to share information to a large audience quickly, and will continue to monitor comments, I will likely not engage on any comments that tag me. It’s overwhelming, and Facebook is not the right platform to have reasonable debates on issues, at least not now.
• Instead, email me at brooks@smwi.org.
• Or call me and leave a voicemail at 414-768-8049. I receive an email message with an audio file of all voicemails left on my office line.
• You can also comment on my blog, constructively. I will attempt to respond to all questions raised in that manner.
• I’ll also respond to as many questions via direct Facebook messages that I can.

In other words, there are plenty of ways to contact me, and I will always make sure that is the case. I welcome feedback, and I will take all of it with my head held high, always staying focused on making what I think are the best decisions I can on behalf of the people who have entrusted me with the responsibility of leading this city.

I take that responsibility seriously, and will continue to work toward a day of respectful debate, constructive criticism and acceptance that we are stronger, together.

Stay healthy, and united, South Milwaukee.

Check out the newest production from South Milwaukee High School Theatre Company! 

Here is the link on Facebook.

And here is the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/QH0O9HI71k8

From their Facebook page …

SMHS Theatre is proud to present THE QUARANTEENS: An Original Virtual Play.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT OUR UPAF FUNDRAISER!: https://bit.ly/3dQalcj

When the COVID-19 pandemic strikes and turns the lives of people around the world upside-down, a group of 16 high school students are suddenly forced to grapple with social isolation, a loss of meaningful experiences and uncertainty of their own futures.

CAST:

• Alex Trevithick
• Anna Basha
• Brianna Gaidosh
• Cara Jenquin
• Eli Lindner
• George Vajagich
• Isabella Bravo
• JP McCown
• Kal Knight
• Kaylyn Hipsley
• Lia Krystowiak
• Natasha Bernovich
• Owen Smith
• Shelby Morgan
• Shyann McIntosh
• Sonona Haring

Written/Directed/Edited by Tim Backes. Costumed by Eva Menzia

 

The Public Health Plan for Milwaukee County, issued by the South Milwaukee and St. Francis Health Department and other suburban departments on Wednesday, will remain in effect in South Milwaukee through its original expiration date of 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. 

The decision to continue the order aligns with guidance issued Friday from Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, and the advice of our city attorney. 

You can see the order here. 

Statement from Health Administrator Jackie Ove

We have this order in place because we still have disease. That has not changed in the last 48 hours, and after this order expires, we are still going to have disease. We ask our residents, visitors, business owners and others to continue to abide by the order and act responsibly and safely, consistent with federal, state and local guidelines. I and other Milwaukee County health officers continue to work together on guidelines and other measures to be in place after this order expires, to ensure a safe reopening. Disease does not know jurisdictional boundaries. 

Statement from South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks

I agree with this decision and stand behind the order and our Health Department. The decision by the Supreme Court did not end the pandemic. And while we recognize the impact the health orders are having on our residents, business owners and others, we must act in what we believe is the best interest of the community. Public health must come first, and health experts are clear: There is significant risk in reopening too quickly.  Community members and business owners want clear guidance and direction on how we will reopen safely. I support the Health Department’s continued efforts in working with departments across the county to determine those next steps. We need a coordinated approach.

The South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department has joined with those in other suburban communities to issue a new local health order after the Wisconsin State Supreme Court invalidated the state’s “Safer at Home” order in a ruling on Wednesday. 

The order, effective immediately and through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, sets in motion the first phase of a larger reopening plan under development by local health officers in the last two weeks. 

It allows for the reopening of most businesses, limiting the number of people allowed inside most establishments to 25% of their capacity. Salons, barber shops and playgrounds may also reopen, with restrictions. Restaurants and bars would remain closed except for takeout and delivery. Gatherings must be limited to nine or fewer people. 

You can see the full order here.

Statement from South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Officer Jackie Ove

Our efforts to combat COVID-19 are working. We are flattening the curve,  but in Milwaukee County we continue to have a high percentage of positive cases,and more work needs to be done. The worst thing we can do is reopen too quickly and give back our progress, and potentially make a second or third wave even worse than the first. We are not ready to fully reopen in Milwaukee County, or South Milwaukee. That is why we have put in place this short-term local order. 

Statement from South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks

I fully stand behind the South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department’s new order. The actions of the Supreme Court — invalidating the order without a stay, basically throwing open the state after almost two months of being “Safer at Home” — are irresponsible and reckless. They will lead to a patchwork approach to health orders across the state, with many communities likely not enacting one at all. 

We were one of a handful of states in the country that was fully open for a time on Wednesday. Health leaders at all levels are nearly unanimous in stating the approach allowed by the court is dangerous and carries a cost of increased illness and death. A day without orders will come, and hopefully someday soon. But we are not there yet. We will reopen, the right way.

Statement from South Milwaukee Police Chief William Jessup

We thank the vast majority of people who voluntarily complied with the state’s “Safer at Home” order. We expect the same level of compliance with the new local health order. We will continue to work in concert with our Health Department to ensure orders are followed. If violations arise, law enforcement will take note and educate and inform those individuals. Enforcement has been and will be a last step.

Work is ramping up on the new look of Milwaukee Avenue. 

The South Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday approved a $416,504 contract with locally based EK Construction LLC for Phase 2 of the project.

That work will include sidewalk removal and concrete replacement between back of curb and buildings (except curb ramp areas completed in Phase 1). Picture-frame terrace area concrete and 16-inch paver bands will be installed at new street tree planters. New trees will be purchased and installed with Phase 2, as well as bike lanes and parking stalls.

Work on phase two will continue into July. 

Streetscaping amenities like planters, benches, and bike racks will be reviewed after Phase 2 is complete and ordered for a late 2020 or spring of 2021 installation.

For now, work on Phase 1 continues, which began with installation of new LED lighting, and has included … 

• Modification of traffic signals at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and 13th Avenue to remove signal heads from banner poles, removal of banner poles and footings, and installation of new pedestal bases and poles;
• Installation of temporary traffic signals at 10th and Milwaukee, removal of existing traffic signal equipment, installation of a new controller, equipment, and conduit;
• Installation of storm sewer and inlets at the Ninth and Milwaukee intersection;  
• Removal and replacement of deteriorated curb and gutter as identified, and curb for new curb ramps, new curb on the west side of Ninth, south of Milwaukee Avenue;
• Removal and replacement of curb and concrete pavement; and
• Installation of new curb ramps and pavement marking for new signals, and crosswalks.

To stay up to date on the project, visit the Milwaukee Avenue streetscaping page on the city website, or become a member of the Facebook group. 

I’m excited to see the continued progress amid the pandemic, especially in conjunction with other major projects in our city center, like the Bucyrus Club and 11th and Madison Avenue public space. These are investments that will help reshape Main Street, and the city, for the long term.

Really excited to see today’s news. Congratulations, Coach Dufek!

He replaces John Galewski, who announced his retirement after last season. I wish John nothing but the best, and he’ll be missed, but Pete is great choice, the right person to build on the foundation laid by John and others.

Go Rockets!

Now is a great time to be reminded about what makes South Milwaukee, South Milwaukee — what we want to and should be famous for. 

That is why, I am proud to present “The South Milwaukee Story,” a production of Kyle Olson. Watch it here. 

You’ll recall that Kyle, a South Milwaukee High School graduate and now Emmy Award-winning Hollywood film director, returned home in February to shoot two short films for us: a submission for HGTV’s “Hometown Takeover” show and a marketing video that would stand the test of time in promoting our city.

He overdelivered on both, as I knew he would — in partnership with an amazing team.

We have not yet heard back from HGTV on our submission, and we have always known it would be a longshot, as we went up against thousands of submissions nationally. The real value for the city in this effort is the marketing video, and you’ll be seeing a lot more of it across our platforms in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.

Check it out, and share the heck out of it. We have so much to be proud of in South Milwaukee, and this video brings it to life beautifully.

Use it to tell our story to the world!

Also, join me in thanking everyone who made this possible. It took a village to tell the story of our city, and I’ll attempt to thank them all here … 

We shot at nine different locations in less than 12 hours on that February Saturday: Moran’s Pub, Avenue Coffeehouse, Barbiere’s Italian Inn, The Barber Shop, Parkway Floral, the Muza Church, American Legion Post #27, South Milwaukee High School and the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

We talked to more than a dozen people along the way — not including a segment with the South Milwaukee Youth Basketball Club sixth-grade girls basketball team — who shared their stories about what makes our city great … and why a makeover would only make that story stronger. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

The crew was first rate, and with a distinct local flavor. Kyle and videographer Nick Koscielniak are South Milwaukee graduates who started making movies together more than a decade ago while in school — like this one.

They were joined by James Stewart, Sasa Miladinovic and Julia Beck, as well as assistant City Administrator Patrick Brever, who was invaluable in getting us from point A to point B. Local teen Austin Keller also pitched in. 

A special thanks to Ante Udovicic, who welcomed us with open arms at the school campus and expertly accommodated us. And it was great to see Kyle’s parents, Mick (a longtime former South Milwaukee police officer) and Jewel join us on the shoots. It’s easy to see where Kyle gets his Emmy award-winning passion and talent from.

Three South Milwaukeeans also supplied footage, including local photographers and videographers Julie Arnold and John Krecji. The beautiful drone footage was provided by David Ryba of Veterans Media Services. 

Editor Mitchell Stewart put this all together, and his work speaks for itself.

And, our sponsors! We could not have done this without them. 

Thanks to the City of South Milwaukee, Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home, Da Crusher Foundation, Moran’s Pub, DB Tax & Financial Services, the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center and Anne and Tom Frederick for their support of this economic development and community building project.

Enjoy, South Milwaukee. Be proud.

Some more good news in South Milwaukee! And be sure to check out episode five of “Some Good News,” which dropped earlier this week.

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There are a lot of special birthday celebrations happening these days, and I was proud to be a small part of one last weekend, with dozens of people driving by to wish Princess Naty Santiago a happy sixth birthday, as she sat on her throne on the back of a pickup truck. Happy birthday, Naty!

Crusherfest 2020 is postponed, with a hope to reschedule later this year, event organizers announced this week. 

I support this decision 100%, as sad as it makes me. 

Everything that promises to make Crusherfest so special — thousands of people gathering to celebrate a local icon and all that he stood for, at one of the nation’s most unique events — are exactly why it should be postponed, to a time when we can do so safely.

I want to thank the planning committee for all of the work they have already put into this. It will pay off, when the time is right.

I echo those thoughts to organizers of other summer events. 

We have an amazing (and seemingly always growing) list of special events in South Milwaukee each summer. They are part of what makes our city, our city, and they are only as strong as the volunteers who power them.

Here is where some of them stand … 

• Large May events — including the South Milwaukee Little League Parade and opener, Rotary Food Truck Festival and Memorial Day ceremony — are postponed or cancelled. 
• The South Milwaukee Downtown Market is making plans to open May 28 as scheduled, but with safety measures, as advised by the South Milwaukee and St. Francis Health Department. 
• As to June, in addition to Crusherfest, the City of South Milwaukee is cancelling our Flag Day celebration on June 14. 

Decisions have yet to be made on large local July events, and beyond. Obviously, this is the focus of our festival season, with July 4th, Divine Mercy Fun Fest and Heritage Week activities. I and organizers of all of those events remain in close contact with the Health Department as decisions are made on their future.

I thank the volunteer organizers of these events for their patience and flexibility during their decision processes, and thank for them including health officials in conversations as they determine next steps. 

I hate that we’re being confronted with choices like this.

We absolutely know the impact these choices might have on the organizations hosting these events — and on the community that looks forward to them every year. For many, these events are huge fundraisers, and losing them for even one year is a blow. 

But the decisions made so far are the right ones. We must act in the interest of public health, recognizing that while the “Safer at Home” order may not be in place much longer, it’s likely that state and local guidance on social distancing and crowd sizes will be. 

Here is my promise, as mayor: We will not defy state orders. And we will live by the guidance of federal, state and local health leaders. We have to. 

I know there is an increasing push to reopen the economy and other aspects of normal life, and I want to see it happen as much as anyone. 

I want to see these special events happen. I want to see more businesses reopen. I want to see live sports, concerts, large family gatherings, community dinners, parades and street festivals. I want to see my kids back at school. 

And we’ll get there, together, eventually, safely. 

We have made progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19. The curve is flattening. But the worst thing we can do is reopen too soon and lose that momentum and give back our progress. We must remain diligent and focused on beating the virus for the long term, listening to our health experts and taking actions now to ensure we can actually hold these special events when we’re ready and when it’s safe to do so. 

This is hard on all of us. But we’re acting smartly, and doing the right thing, knowing there will be food trucks, fireworks, and festivals again.

I am excited for that day.

It’s a matter of survival for some small businesses during these unprecedented times, especially our bars and restaurants. We get it, and want to help. 

That is why I was happy to see the South Milwaukee Common Council unanimously support two measures at last week to reduce license fees for bars and restaurants. 

In short, the city is reducing the cost of Class B and Class C liquor licenses to $50 each (from $100 for Class B and $500 for Class C) for the 2020-21 licensing year. We are also reducing environmental health licensing fees by 50% for restaurants. 

In both cases, the city is making up the difference with contingency funds, with the expected budget impact estimated at $27,000.

This is important to do now because those fees must be paid in coming weeks, as business owners look for ways to reduce expenses during the pandemic. This does that, and may result in more than $1,000 in savings for some bars and restaurants.  

We are supporting businesses in other ways as well, including shopping local more than ever, where we can, as a city. Also … 

• We continue to offer basic sign printing to impacted small businesses. For more information, business owners can contact the Street Department at 414-768-8075.
• The special edition of the “Bridges” newsletter — focused on promoting small businesses with free ad space; more than 50 took part — arrived in mailboxes in the last few days. Here is an online version. Look for the first regular edition early this summer. 
• We’re reshaping the Economic Development page on the city website to add a number of resources for small business owners, and will continue to add updates in the days and weeks ahead.
• And we continue to lift up local businesses through promotion via the Shop Local South Milwaukee Facebook page, and MJ Media has launched the 53172.org website.

We are looking at other measures in coming weeks, and welcome ideas for how we can support our small businesses — the backbone of our local economy. Now, more than ever. 

While we continue to invest in key areas, South Milwaukee’s financial position remains strong. But don’t take my word for it.

Moody’s has reaffirmed our strong Aa2 bond rating, saying it “reflects the city’s solid financial position and favorable location within the City of Milwaukee (A1 negative) metropolitan area. Fixed costs are elevated given an above-average debt burden, though is mitigated by rapid principal amortization.”

Additionally, “We regard the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under our ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety. The coronavirus crisis is not a key driver for this rating action. We do not see any material immediate credit risks for South Milwaukee. However, the situation surrounding coronavirus is rapidly evolving and the longer term impact will depend on both the severity and duration of the crisis. If our view of the credit quality of the city changes, we will update the rating and/or outlook at that time.”

See the full press release here.

The rating was done to support $8.8 million in borrowing for capital projects, as part of the plan the South Milwaukee Common Council approved earlier this year, as part of our traditional two-year borrowing cycle. The list touches every department and includes $5.3 million inn local road and other engineering projects, such as alley and street repairs and reconstruction. 

I’m proud we can continue to make these investments in our infrastructure … while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer (your) money. The bond rating — and an interest rate of less than 2% we received for our borrowing, thought to be the lowest in the history of the city — shows we are doing both well. 

Some big news this Arbor Day … South Milwaukee is a Tree City!

On this Arbor Day, I am proud to announce South Milwaukee has been named a 2019 Tree USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, joining more than 3,600 across the country and close to 200 in Wisconsin. 

It is a recognition of our “commitment to effective urban forest management,” and it’s really about the people, processes and programs we have put in place in the last five years that are truly making a difference. I thank those teams, led by our Street and Engineering Departments, for making this a reality and continuing to live this commitment to urban forestry every day. 

We’ve come a long way since 2014. 

That includes stepping up our fight against emerald ash border, which has unfortunately led to the removal of more than 500 dead or dying ash trees across the city, and hundreds of others due to health, growth conditions and inappropriate size. 

But here is the good news, and why we have received this designation: We have committed to planting programs that will see nearly 300 trees planted in the public right of way in the last five years. This is thanks to efforts like our Adopt a Tree program, our school Arbor Day efforts (which we hope to resume in the fall), and other city-sponsored plantings. Combined with the county’s planting of hundreds of trees in Grant Park and other areas, and we are making real investments in our urban forest. 

We have a lot more ground to make up, and we are, with dozens of more plantings coming with the Milwaukee Avenue streetscaping project, and beyond. 

Of course, this honor is also about managing that forest, and we are doing that more effectively than we ever have, now through our Street Department. 

“Residents of the City of South Milwaukee should be proud to live in a community that makes the planting and care of trees a priority,” Arbor Day Foundation President Dan Lambe wrote in a letter to the city. “If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, and energy use. The City of South Milwaukee is stepping up to do its part. As a result of your commitment to effective urban forest management, you are helping to provide a solution to these challenges.”

We can not let up in the years ahead. Now that we’re a Tree City USA, I want to stay one, and that takes continued investment in this work, every day. 

Here is the Arbor Day Foundation press release …

Arbor Day Foundation Names City of South Milwaukee Tree City USA®

Lincoln, Neb. (April 25, 2020) City of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was named a 2019 Tree City USA® by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.

City of South Milwaukee achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by City of South Milwaukee are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy to a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and protection from extreme heat and flooding. The Arbor Day Foundation recently launched the Time for Trees initiative to address these issues, with unprecedented goals of planting 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspiring 5 million tree planters by 2022. 

With Tree City USA recognition, City of South Milwaukee has demonstrated a commitment to effective urban forest management and doing its part to help address these challenges for City of South Milwaukee residents now and in the future.

More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA

About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.