South Milwaukee Blog

For my full update on city services and buildings, click here. From it …

I want to update the community on measures we are taking to address COVID-19 – and ask for your support in adapting to these changes, as we do our best to keep you and our people safe.

• The Grobschmidt Senior Center is closed until further notice.
• The South Milwaukee Public Library remains open, but they have cancelled programming and are taking other steps to keep patrons and staff safe. Learn more on their Facebook page. The library is also exploring ways to make their collection available to the public outside of entering the building.
• Other city buildings are open, but we are encouraging residents to avoid them if they are showing signs of illness, or if trips are not necessary.
• Consider doing your city business via phone, instead of a visit. Here is the directory.
• You can also do a lot of city business via our website.

City Hall remains open, but we are encouraging people to use the drop box, located to the north of the front doors, for payments. You can also mail your payments.

• You can pay your property taxes online here.
• To pay your water bill, drop it in the box. Or set up online bill payments through your personal financial institution. You can also pay water bills at Tri-City National Bank, using their drive-up service.
• Here is a list of forms and permits on our website.
• We are strongly encouraging our residents to vote absentee by mail. To request a ballot, visit MyVote.

The South Milwaukee Police Department lobby is also open, but in order to limit person-to-person contact, please consider using the drop box in the police lobby for payments and fines. You can also make payments online. For more information, go to the department website. Additionally, officers are avoiding unnecessary contact with citizens who may be ill; and requiring officers to take protective measures (wearing gloves and masks) when they do make contact.

The South Milwaukee Fire Department is also open, but, to limit contact, please do not come to the fire station with medical emergencies, as personnel may not be wearing appropriate protective equipment. And if you have been exposed to COVID-19, please contact your health care provider or 911, in case of emergency. The department is also suspending non-essential activities like station tours, staff visits at events, and ride-alongs. We are limiting the number of personnel exposed to people showing symptoms, and we are wearing masks when working with symptomatic patients (and placing masks on patients as well).

Also …

• South Milwaukee Common Council and committee meetings scheduled for Tuesday will be held as scheduled.Garbage and recycling pickup is continuing as scheduled.
• The Self-Deposit Station remains open with reduced winter hours.
• Our Water Utility has suspended in-home installation and checking of meters.
• We expect to make a determination about Municipal Court, set for Tuesday, on Monday.

We appreciate your patience as we address this pandemic, and pledge to keep you informed with any further impacts to the delivery of city services.

You can find the most up-to-date information on our city website and on our Facebook page. We are also emailing updates through our SM Works platform.

On this historic couple of days in our country – one where life as we know it has in many ways been put on pause – I think of my stepfather. 

At age 77, he is in poor health, but has stayed with us for many (still productive) years. As a lifelong diabetic, he has heart and kidney issues and is on in-home dialysis. He can’t see much anymore, and gets around in a wheelchair as an amputee. He lives a hard life, but he is still kicking it, and finds ways to enjoy life as his body breaks down. One passion: Cooking. He is a terrific baker, and makes tasty breads and soups almost daily so Grandma Barbara can run them over to our house for dinner. 

We do this for him. We do this so he doesn’t get sick, and others like him — our most vulnerable, those who may die from COVID-19.

I try to remember him when we make emergency declarations, when schools close, when we decide to close the Grobschmidt Senior Center, when we suspend programming at the South Milwaukee Public Library, when we have our police and firefighters take extra precautions when going out on calls, when we have utility workers and other employees reduce the amount of their in-home visits, even when we take steps to clean our buildings more often. 

This is not over yet. It’s likely many more people will get sick, and worse days are ahead. But I ask those reading this to rest assured we are doing all we can as a city to address the pandemic, that we have the right team in place working as hard as it can to get us through this. Will we do everything perfectly? No. But we will always act in the best interest of the city, making decisions smartly and decisively and with the promotion of public health at the foundation of our actions. 

We also pledge to keep you informed along the way, through our website, Facebook page and the SM Works platform. 

The world has changed in the last 48 hours, and as we confront that, I am prouder than ever to be the mayor of this city, leader of this team of employees, and husband to Sarah, father to my children, son of Pharis Brooks and Barbara Kendall, basketball coach of the sixth grade Rockets, member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and owner of Brooks Communications.

And I’m proud to be the stepson of Grandpa Dave. We do this for you. Stay healthy. 

Stronger, together. 

Blog post updated: 8 p.m. on March 13

The City of South Milwaukee remains focused on taking necessary steps to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and I remain as confident as ever in the work of department leaders and their teams.

Here are some updates from the city and across the community …

• First, to stay informed, we will share regular updates and information from federal, state and local health care authorities on the city’s website and Facebook page, and sign up for our SM Works platform, to join an email list. We will also post updates at our public buildings. I will post additional updates on my channels as much as possible.
• You can see our March 13 general update on our efforts to combat COVID-19 on the front page of our city website.
• This afternoon, I signed a declaration of a state of emergency in South Milwaukee, joining leaders at all levels of government in doing so. See it here, and in the image above. This is in many ways a procedural step — making it easier for us to receive funding from the state and federal governments.
• South Milwaukee Schools announced to families this afternoon they will be closing for four weeks, effective Saturday, joining many other districts in doing so. Details here. The closure, through April 12, includes all school, recreation department events and athletics/activities. The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center will be closed as well as the SM Fitness Center.
• The city has decided to close the Grobschmidt Senior Center. Read my statement on that here.
• The South Milwaukee Library has suspended programming, among other impacts. Details here.
• The city is strongly encouraging our residents to vote absentee by mail. To request a ballot, visit MyVote.
• Also, you can read my March 12 update on what we’re doing as city staff to address COVID-19 here. This includes efforts we’re taking to keep our employees — and visitors to our buildings — safe, urging against employee travel, and making plans for continuity of operations. (This was written before the Senior Center closure.)
• The March 29 South Milwaukee Downtown Market Spring Market has been cancelled. Details on the market Facebook page.
• The monthly Community Meal at First Congregational has been canceled for Thursday, March 19.
• South Milwaukee Little League also has an update, including suspension of all activities until at least April 6.
• The Steven Wright show planned for next weekend at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center has been postponed to Oct. 2.
• The South Milwaukee High School Theatre Company production of “Tuck, Everlasting” set for this weekend has been cancelled.

More information to come. I’ll be posting throughout the day.

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We are taking steps to address the COVID-19 pandemic in South
Milwaukee, and it starts with our people.

Senior leadership has gathered to discuss continuity of operations plans, to ensure we are prepared to deliver at least our most essential services, if the impacts of the illness deepen. Particular attention is being given to delivery of services that involve customer contact with potentially vulnerable individuals.

We are adding nursing staff to the Health Department, who are on the front lines of this, and meeting regularly to share updates.

Our public buildings remain open. However, we are taking steps to keep frequently visited buildings – the Grobschmidt Senior Center, South Milwaukee Library, South Milwaukee City Hall and South Milwaukee Police Department – safe. This includes enhanced cleaning and disinfecting processes.

Here are some other steps we are taking to keep our workers and the public safe.

• At the Police Department, we are enhancing our disinfecting of equipment, squad cars and the department lobby; avoiding unnecessary contact with citizens who may be ill; and requiring officers to take protective measures (wearing gloves and masks) when they do make contact. As the situation develops, we may be taking additional protective measures to limit exposure.
• The Fire Department has increased the use of ultraviolet disinfecting lights, and are more frequently disinfecting equipment and vehicles. We are limiting the number of personnel exposed to people showing symptoms, which starts with enhanced screening by 911 dispatchers, and we are wearing masks when working with symptomatic patients (and placing masks on the patients as well).
• Learn more about steps the library is taking on their Facebook page.
• Our Water Utility has suspended in-home installation and checking of meters.
• We have also urged against employee travel.
• We will share regular updates on the city’s website and Facebook page, and sign up for our SM Works app, to join an email list. We will also post updates at our public buildings.

After an unprecedented day in America, I am inspired by all those working tirelessly to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That starts with our public health professionals.

I remain as confident as ever in their work — from the CDC nationally to the state to the South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department. We must trust the experts, and act accordingly, to keep the public safe. And we are.

Earlier today, we met as department heads to discuss continuity of city operations, focused on ensuring we can deliver our most essential services should our employees fall ill or are otherwise impacted.

Of course, the focus is on ensuring public health officials and first responders are equipped to do their jobs first and foremost.

But we are also contingency planning around our city buildings where the public congregates, including the Grobschmidt Senior Center, South Milwaukee Library and City Hall. All our departments, all of our city services, could be impacted by this.

At the same time, we know how important communications are in this type of effort. It is critical that we are sharing clear, accurate and consistent information and messages with the public, through all of the platforms available to us. And we will.

For the most regular updates and tips, I suggest following the Health Department and city Facebook pages, checking the city website, and downloading the SM Works app.

For now, I share these links on the front page of our city site …

• March 10, 2020 Health Department Update
• Three Additional Cases of COVID-19 Confirmed in Wisconsin
• CDC: News, updates, information and resources
• CDC: Travel Information
• CDC: What to do if You Are Sick
• CDC: Frequently Asked Questions

There will obviously be much more to come on this. Unfortunately, the worst is probably ahead of us. But we have our best people working on this. I put faith in them, and am proud to lead them.

Get behind our Friends group! From the organization …

The Friends of the South Milwaukee Public Library is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that supports our local library and reading programs through fundraising and advocacy. In addition to the Cousin’s fundraiser, you can support the Friends group by shopping at the Book Nook in the library’s first floor, shopping via Amazon Smile or becoming a member (which comes with additional benefits!).  You can visit our webpage for more details as fundraisers, other events and volunteer opportunities are announced.

I’m very confident in the work the South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department is doing, with plenty of partners, to address Covid-19.

We have the right people and processes in place, and are adapting as needed to ensure we’re staying ahead of this as much as possible.

Our pledge: We will keep residents as informed as we can on coronavirus, through all of the communications platforms available to us.

For the most regular updates and tips, I suggest following the Health Department and city Facebook pages, checking the city website, and downloading the SM Works app.

This was shared on the Health Department Facebook page today …

The Health Department continues to work closely with all of our City departments, schools, public libraries, SM Human Concerns, Grobschmidt Senior Center, and senior health communities to educate on the prevention of spreading infection and planning as this situation evolves.

The United States Postal Service is holding its first public meeting, to share details about its upcoming development at the corner of Pennsylvania and College Avenues in Oak Creek.

It is this Thursday, March 12, starting at 6 p.m. at Oak Creek City Hall.

I won’t rehash all the concerns I’ve had with their lack of transparency to date in this post. You can read some of them here.

I joined Oak Creek and USPS leaders at a meeting last month, where they committed to scheduling this. I thank them for following through on that, even if it’s a meeting that should have happened about six months ago, before earth movers showed up and clear cut the site — before Oak Creek even had plans for the project in hand.

I’ll hopefully see you there. Be heard.

After the South Milwaukee High School Theatre Company musical this weekend, comedian Steven Wright is coming March 26, and a busy April.

Here is the full schedule. I love the South Milwaukee PAC!

Our downtown small business momentum continues.

In addition to the new soul food restaurant opening on Saturday — and the work happening with the Bucyrus Club and public space project — I’ve had the chance to welcome a couple small business owners to town recently.

First, I cut a ribbon at Hometowne Realty to South Milwaukee last month, at 911 Milwaukee Ave. Owner Jim Janikowski, his mother, Marilyn, and agent Randy Wesley all have strong South Milwaukee ties, and it’s great to see them return home!

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Let’s also welcome Off the Beaten Path to downtown South Milwaukee.

The record and music shop opened earlier this month at 1219 Milwaukee Ave., after moving from Bay View and the East Side before that. Owner Chris Kruse is excited for his new home, and I’m excited this true destination business is now in South Milwaukee. The store is a must-see for music lovers, and he wants to bring live music to his location, too. Very cool.

In the past week, I’ve been introduced to a really cool, and returning, South Milwaukee tradition: the Persian Market.

More details on the Persian Market below. The community is welcome to participate. Place your bids now here, or stop by for the live auction starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at the High School Commons — followed by a student-run fish fry and the opening night performance of the South Milwaukee Theatre Company’s “Tuck, Everlasting.”

The City of South Milwaukee just added a couple items to the list: Mayor for a Day and a Ride in a Fire Truck.

Contact Ginger Culp for more information at gculp@sdsm.k12.wi.us.

Persian Market originated in 1961 from B.J. Kaminski, the psychology teacher at South Milwaukee at the time.  The money raised from the auction would be used to purchase Christmas presents for the children at Southern Colony, a home for students with disabilities.

The first Persian Market raised about $100.  However, as its popularity grew over the years, it went from a one day event to a two-day all-school event.  Crowds turned out for the auction. Students and teachers would bid against one another, with some bids becoming very large as the auctioneers drove up the bidding prices.  A conglomeration of items were up for sale, including blind dates, cakes, dinners, posters, grab bags, ski trip, pool party, and a page in the Baymist.

The Persian Market continued for 30 years, finally coming to a close in 1991.  Years later, in 2007, it was revived by the Art Department to raise money for students with special needs, a scholarship for Art honor and resources for the Art Department.  After a few years, the Persian Market went on hiatus…but it’s time for a comeback! In honor of the departure of one of Art’s finest, Rick Cartwright, we are reviving this grand South Milwaukee tradition once again!

The Persian Market live auction will be held on Friday, March 13, 2020 in the Commons beginning at 3 p.m. and will run until all items have been auctioned off… and then stick around for the FCCLA Fish Fry after, and the High School musical, Tuck Everlasting!  

There will be online bidding ahead of the auction, and items will be posted via email AND social media (it’s a new era of digital Persian Market!).  We are looking for any donations that can be auctioned off–favorites have been gift baskets, handmade artwork or crafts, food, baked goods, services, and trips, but we will accept just about anything that’ll bring in a buck or two!  Donations should be delivered to the Art Department no later than the end of the day Monday, March 9…but the sooner, the better! We are deeply appreciative of the SMHS community’s support of this endeavor! We “bid” you good luck!!!

Everbrite is closing its South Milwaukee plant after 57 years in the city.

Employees were told of the decision Tuesday, and the media began reporting it this morning. Check out coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel here.

Here is the statement from Everbrite President Brian Kuhnau …

Everbrite has been successful for more than 90 years because of our ability to evolve to meet changing market conditions and find new, creative ways to efficiently and effectively meet our clients’ needs.

Due to a steadily declining market demand for neon signs, Everbrite will be exiting our neon-manufacturing business. As a result, Everbrite will be ceasing operations at our Mt. Vernon, Illinois facility.

Additionally, we will be consolidating our outdoor manufacturing footprint and ceasing operations at our South Milwaukee facility. The consolidation will be coupled with strategic investments in all of Everbrite’s remaining five production facilities.

We will be working with the individual employees at our South Milwaukee and Mt. Vernon locations to assist them with future job opportunities.

We operate in an extremely competitive and cost-conscious market and we see great opportunities for continued growth. We believe now is the right time to make these difficult but necessary changes to position Everbrite for long-term success.

My thoughts and prayers are with the impacted workers. I know some of them personally, as I bet many of you do.

This is a company that has spanned generations here.

I was informed of the news on Tuesday afternoon. As I shared with in a note with elected officials and city department leaders …

The closure is expected to happen by May 5.

A number of reasons were stated for the closure, including shrinking demand for the signs and other products made in South Milwaukee. This led to overcapacity for Everbrite more broadly, offering consolidation opportunities. The plant also needed significant investment.

I expressed disappointment we were not made aware of this possibility sooner. We have worked hard to strengthen our relationship with Everbrite leaders, corporate and plant, in recent years, including several meetings and a plant tour — making it frustrating for me that we were not made aware of this. 

The property will be put for sale. 

The building was originally home to Milwaukee Equipment, where they made rototillers. Everbrite moved here in the 1963 from Milwaukee and was headquartered here until moving its HQ to Greenfield in the late 1980s. It kept the plant operating since then. 

I have asked for the city to be a part of the discussions of the future of the property.

This is a blow to our city, as we lose another heritage manufacturer — and it makes our ongoing efforts to reinvent and revitalize South Milwaukee so critical. I look forward to continuing to lead that work in the next three years, and hopefully beyond, with your support. 

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Yesterday, I posted about Zion Lutheran moving its worship services from its previous home at 9th and Michigan to its campus on South Chicago Avenue. The new owners of the church — the Karen Buddhist Associate of Wisconsin Inc. — will only add to our city’s growing religious diversity, and that makes us stronger as a city.

The KBAW temple first hosted worshipers several weeks ago at their Sticky Rice Festival and are now meeting their regularly. It is their first official home after meeting for years in various rental spaces in and around Milwaukee.

I am proud to welcome them to South Milwaukee, and excited to learn more about their culture and the Buddhist religion.

I met with church leaders, families and others recently, and left thankful they have chosen our community, and excited to see them become part of our city. They have pledged to open their doors to those who want to learn more about them and their beliefs.

Many of the church members are recent immigrants fleeing war from Burma, and Myanmar, into Thailand. In that way, it’s a similar story to the Karen Chin Baptist Church at the former St. Mary’s in South Milwaukee.

Learn more about the Karen people here, and Buddhism here.

As we welcome the new temple, I reflect once again on the second generation reuses of our city’s churches. Besides St. Mary’s and Zion now hosting the Karen people, the former St. Mary’s campus is also being used as a funeral home, senior living facility and sports/pop culture memorabilia business. The former St. Adalbert’s Church is now the Masjid Al-Huda mosque and Guidance Academy. And the Muza Church.

I will always embrace that change, for a more promising future, together.